1016-1020 A.D.
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,2s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c3,i5,s3,w5 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
Jarldom of Denmark (Viborg in Denmark)
(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Svien Forkbeard,
Diplomacy: none
The Danes continued their quiet improvements to infrastructure as well as continued land clearing in Skane. But life was quiet otherwise.
(European Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Olaf Tryggvason,
Diplomacy: (a)
Prince Olaf was dispatched to the Shetlands where he was able to successfully negotiate an alliance. This pleased the King greatly. The Norse did not go off to war as they had in the past, in fact the King discharged many of his sailors and sent them to work in the capitol.
(European Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Olaf Skotkonung,
Diplomacy:
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Edmund, King of Albion
Diplomacy: Northumbria (f), Mercia (a), Wessex (fa->nt)
Prince Edmund gathered up the Albion army and headed south to fight for Christendom
(see Cordoba)
..Prince Edmund returned to find that his father the King had died, Edmund took the throne without challenge. The body of Hengist was buried in the monestary of York. With Hengist's death the land of Northumbria threw its full support behind Edmund. Hengist's story spread though and people began to celebrate the anniversary of the battle as "Saint Hengist's day"
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
William I, King of the Scots
Diplomacy: Strathclyde (ea)
King Malcom II had grown weak the last few years, but he was still strong enough to over see the realm and arrange for diplomats to bring about a economic alliance with the Lords of Strathclyde. But finally the King's strength left him and he passed away. He was replaced by his older brother, William I.
| Muslim | Catholic |
|
| MERCENARY POOL: | 6c,10i,2s,5w | 15c,25i,5s,10w |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c5,i4,s3,w4 | c5,i4,s3,w4 |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
Venice - 5s
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Al'Mansur,
Diplomacy:
1016: The Caliph divided his army into two groups. The eastern force he commanded himself. The western force his younger Al'amir (though young is relative since the prince is over 50 himself) brother and heir commanded.
In the spring a force from Venice raided the coastal towns and villages of Granada for slaves. Some small amount were taken before the Caliph's army arrived and the Venetians fled. The rest of the year passed quietly.
1017: A Swedish fleet arrives off the coast of Portugal and moves toward land. A small Cordoban fleet intercepts the Swedes, but in a lopsided affair the Cordobans are annihilated (nothing like being outnumbered over 20-1). The Swedes unloaded their men on the beaches in Portugal but Prince Al'amir's men marched north and the Swedes lighter force fled back to their ships and sailed off.
In the fall a Albion fleet began to unload men on the shore of Merrakesh. But unlike Portugal the Caliph had no men to come to their rescue.
1018: The men of Albion pacify then loot (not much left to loot) the land of Merrakesh then load back on their boats in the fall.
1019: In the spring the men of Albion land once more upon the lands of the Caliph, this time in Andalusia. Prince Al'amir's army moves to intercept. The army of Albion outnumbers the Cordoban force by about 3-2 but is made up of much lighter troops. The muslim Cavalry is confident of victory and charge mercilessly. Prince Edmund commands the defense superbly and has chosen good ground to deploy his men. Yet even the Prince realizes he might have to withdraw as the battle drags on into the afternoon. Lord Hengist of Northumbria, a man of no tactical sense but full of enthusiasm and charisma, however is a man who thinks defense is for cowards. "How can heretics stand against the forces of GOD?!" he bellows at the men near him "For CHRISTENDOM, follow ME!" and he orders the right wing which he commanded to charge. Prince Edmund can only watch in horror as his right wing moves out (thus opening a gap in his line which the muslims pour into). As Prince Edmund fights to stabalize the center of his line the battle on the right pushes the muslim left wing back. The men of Albion on the right are caught up in the fury and passion of Hengist and follow him and cave in the Muslim left. Al'amir leads his reserve personally to counter attack. Back in the center Prince Edmund holds on...barely. He can hear the clamor and the fighting on the right and knows that the battle over there will decide the day. Soon a great groan erupts off to the right and then muslim cries of victory are heard. Yet those cries are cut off a few seconds later and drowned out by a howl of pure rage. "For Hengist!" can be heard by Edmund even at his distance. Soon the pressure in the middle of the line in front of Edmund gives way and the retreat (route) of the muslim force is on. But the christians lack the cavalry to effectively chase the muslim force and so Edmund sounds recall. Edmund tries to bring order to his army and regroup after the days victory. It is then that he sees the men on the right marching toward his banner. Carrying aloft on their shields the body of Hengist. A captain kneels to Edmund. "What happened?" asks the Prince. "My Lord we were winning, the day was ours but then a muslim lance pierced Hengist's side and he fell and we gave out a groan of despair and the muslims cheered. Yet Lord Hengist was not dead, you should have seen him Lord. It was like he was raised up by the hand of God. Hengist stood up and pulled the spear from his side. As light shone down from heaven on him we watched him hurl that spear with all his might and saw it pierce the chest of the Cordoban prince." "WHAT! Al'amir is dead?" interupted Edmund. "Yes Lord, his body lays on the field still. After Hengist slew the muslim Prince he fell again. I tell you my Prince it was as if God had used him for that purpose." The men carrying Hengist yelled agreement. "He's a saint!" And soon cries of "Saint Hengist!" could be heard throughout the Albion camp. Edmund didn't know if Hengist was a saint, but what he did know was that he had a victory and he used it to good effect. His men plundered Andalusia and the cry "Saint Hengist and Christ!" were heard in every town that burned.
In the east the Venetians returned. In the first week of May a riot broke out in Barcelona. The riot soon turned into a full scale revolt as the garrison commander dispatched a rider south to the Caliph asking for help. Yet help would not come in time. Two days after the revolt began a Venetian fleet dumped marines into the harbor of Barcelona. The distracted defenders could only put up an uneven, at best, defense against the assault. The fight was bloody but soon the walls and gates were breached and the men of Venice poured in.
The Caliph's army marched north from Venice but had to turn back when the navy of Venice began to raid the coast line. The Caliph drove off the raiders and then marched north again. But arriving outside of Barcelona the Caliph knew that he would not be able to take the city by siege because of the number of siege engineers the defenders had, and his own force of all cavalry was sorely lacking in siege ability.
1020: The Caliph remained alert in case the men of Venice tried to
leave Barcelona, but they didn't. Nor did they raid anymore. In the west the army of
Albion returned home as well.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Robert,
Diplomacy: Spoleto (ne)
Duke Robert's efforts to sway the Lord of Spoleto were met with frustration in spite of the diplomatic mission sent to there. In Naple's the Duke's men compiled a Doomsday book of the realms lands and holdings, so much the better for an accurate tax assessment.
(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Pietro II Orseolo, Doge of Venice
Diplomacy: Verona (ea)
In a deal worked out with the HRE the Venetians were able to gain control over Verona at last. Prince Giovanni prepared the navy for war, but took ill on the eve of battle and soon died of a fever. Alesandro would have to take over for the prince (see Cordoba)
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Robert the Pious,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Germany, Italy and Burgundy, Duke of Saxony,
Servant of the Apostles.
Diplomacy: Bavaria (ea), Trier (ne), Lorraine (ne), Utrecht (f), Savoy (ne), Burgundy (t)
Prince Henry came of age and took his place as heir. A dynastic marriage into the house of Bavaria was quickly arranged. Even so, the Empire's diplomatic efforts across the realm were mixed.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Religious Primacy)
Gabriel I,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,10i,2s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c2,i5,s2,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
ERE - 5c,5i
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Yaroslav, Czar of the Rus
Diplomacy: Smolensk (f)
Prince Yaroslav solidified Kiev's relations with Smolenk and then returned home. Upon his return he learned of his father's death. Vladimir was honored in burial and Yaroslav took his place as the new Czar without challenge.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Boleslaw,
Diplomacy: Little Poland (t)
There was mourning in the land as the Queen passed away in 1017AD. Boleslaw grieved but put the good of the realm first and made sure the Kingdom functioned as before.
(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Stephan,
Diplomacy: Moldavia (nt)
King Stephan was so pleased with Imre's successes on the diplomatic front that the King sent him off Moldavia to see if he could work his magic again and open a way for possible trade to the Rus in the future.
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Religious Primacy)
Alexander,
Diplomacy: none
There was much rejoicing in Constantinople as the Patriarch learned that the missionary work in Aleppo had brought a majority of that regions souls over to the true faith. The rejoicing soon turned to mouring as Patriarch Sergius went to his final reward after a brief illness. Alexander was raised up to fill his place.
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Phocas I,
Diplomacy: Cyprus (nt)
Troops were dispatched to Antioch as Rome began to build up its army once again. Diplomacy was the a priority though as the Emperor's envoys were sent off to the Khazar Khan (see The Eastern War)
The Kingdom of Bulgaria (Sofia in Bulgaria)
(Eastern Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Samuil, Tsar of the Bulgars
Diplomacy:
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Bolgar Khan,
Diplomacy:
Open for player
| MERCENARY POOL: | 12c,20i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c6,i5,s5,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
The Eastern War
1016: The Seljuks waited on defense looking for Romans while their Ghaznavid allies went to work. Lord Ibriham began to enslave the people of Baghdad while Lord Mustapha marched east and put Susa under siege. Susa resisted but was poorly defended and fell after a short summer siege.
1017: Lord Ibriham finished enslaving Baghdad and began to enslaved Mesopotamia and was joined with Lord Mustapha who returned from the previous years campaign against Susa. The Seljuks remained in Mesopotamia while the Ghaznavids enslaved the people around them. Their eye remained looking north for Rome, there were reports of some Roman cavalry snooping around Mosul, but a large army failed to materialize. As the Ghaznavid forces entered winter quarters in mesopotamia reports reached them that a large force of Nomadic cavalry had burst out of the mountain passes of Kurdistan and fell upon Media. Follow up reports indicated they wer the Khazars! The Khazars pacified Media by years end.
1018: Lord Ibriham and Mustapha continued to enslave Mesopotamia (lots of people and so it takes a long time) while the Khazars take Hamadan in a short siege and then march into Persia and pacify it. By years end Isfahan has also fallen to them. In the far east in Kabul the Ghaznavid Heir, Majid al Sari, put off his plans to travel to Persia and stayed at home with his small cavalry force.
1019: The Seljuks still looked for Romans and the Ghaznavid force took the remaining part of the year to finish putting chains on the people of Mesopotamia. In the fall Mustapha became ill and passed from a fever leaving Ibrihim in sole command of the Ghaznavid forces. The Khazars meanwhile invaded Zagros and pacified it and took Yezd in a brief siege.
1020: The Khazars marched to Media and remained there waiting for any counter attack. In Mesopotamia Ibrihim took matters in hand. He was cut off from the capital and was an ambitious bastard to boot (not to mention disloyal). He declared himself Emir and marched through Hahmar and Ahvaz establishing his rule, and then into Abadan. The vast number of slaves were put to work in the fields of Abadan as the new Emire set up his throne in Basra.
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Al'Basasiri,
Diplomacy: several out of CCR regions revolt.
Waited for the Romans to gather their forces while their empire continued to crumble.
(Sunni Islam Nomadic Open Empire)
Kilij,
Diplomacy:
"What is THIS!" bellowed Kilij Khan as he watched Lord Tughril sift through rotten and vermin ridden grain. "This my Khan is the food the Ghaznivads sent us, they neglected to preseve it or store it properly and the vermin have ruined all of it." .."GAAAHHH!!" screamed the Khan again, and he wished the Romans had come because he felt the urge to kill something.
see The Eastern War
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Bulchan Khan,
Diplomacy: Georgia (ne), Azerbaijan (ne), Kurdistan (ne), migrate!
The Khan watched the Roman envoy leave his camp. Their talks had gone well and after the obligatory greetings and exchange of gifs the Roman envoy had made the Emperor's case plain enough: War and Plunder! The Khan had been intrigued and after a bit more discussion of details a plan was agreed to. The Khazar would go to war in the south and lay waste the rich pampered lands of Persia. Most of the Khan's allies agreed to go, but that fool Samsam and his Kuban horsemen refused to go. Bah, more loot for the Khan and his Alan and Vasi allies.
see The Eastern War
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Ibriham I, Emir of Basra
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
al-Hakim,
Diplomacy:
slept...
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Rasad, Emir of Sheba
Diplomacy: Muscat city (t)
Allah be praised. The wild lands of Yemen finally became cultivated at last. The Emir also dispatched his son Khalid to Oman to talk with the locals about a alliance. In the end the young prince was able to get the men of Muscat to agree to pay tribute to the Emir. Meanwhile the general Yusef was dispatched with some of the Emir's cavalry to raid into Zufar for slaves.
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10i | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c0,i5,s0,w0 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Yugada,
Diplomacy:
open for a player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Kwame, Soninke Kaya of Aouquar and Ghanas Ouagadou
Diplomacy: Galam (fa)
The young prince, Mombega, was given his first true test by his father. He was sent off to Galam to get a military alliance. The young prince was eager and soon proved himself up to the task. He returned to Kumbi-Saleh with his head held high after a job well done.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Kumbayal,
Diplomacy: Borogou (nt), Zerma (t)
The diplomats of Songhai moved south across the niger into the jungle. The King had sent them to talk to the tribes along the western bank of the Niger river and just north of the nation of Akan. The King was pleased with the bit of progress his men made with the locals.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Nyambe,
Diplomacy:
open for a player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Akan King,
Diplomacy:
Open for player
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Aren ,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Lammne,
Diplomacy: Daza (fa), Kano (a)
An alliance was achieved with Kano which pleased the King and his heir, who took a bride from the Kano house. The King also sent workers to his new ally to help begin clearing the land for better farming.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Keenil,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,0s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c4,i4,s0,w4 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
al'Amas,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Coptic Christian Civilized Open Empire)
Mera,
Diplomacy:
slept..
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5i,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c0,i5,s0,w5 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Ibriham,
Diplomacy: Nyasa (ne), Berbera (a)
Diplomacy was the focus of the Emir. He dealt with the chieftain of Nyasa who bluntly told him there was no way his people could have a closer relationship with the muslim Emir do to religious differences. In the north Haj Medoor had better luck and was able to secure an alliance with Berbera.
(African Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Buruni,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10c,10xc,10i | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c7,i3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Sonam Gyatsu,
Diplomacy: Sikkim (ne)
Some minor diplomacy, with poor results, in Sikkim. But on a better note some converts
were won over by Altan in Gtsang.
(Shi'a Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Ali Mohammad,
Diplomacy:
Ali's plans were dashed when the Khazar came calling unannounced ... see The Eastern War
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,10i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c6,i5,s5,w2 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Rajaraja I,
Diplomacy: none
With peace on the sub continent still holding the Cholan King set about counting his people and holdings to ensure he got every bloody bit of taxes owed him. 7
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Dahala King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Amhivarta,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Punjab King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player!
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Tarain King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player!
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Shushank
Diplomacy:
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Anhivarta King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player!
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Gujerati King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a Player!
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,5s,5w |
|
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c3,i5,s5,w4 |
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| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
JJayaviravaman,
Diplomacy: Mison (ea), Champa (pt -> p)
The King busied himself in the trade of his land. New fleets were launched to carry the
growing internal trade of the nation. In addition there was a minor reshuffling of trade
by the King. Fortifications were built in Champa as that land was put under more
firm control. The walls to the city of Vijaya were knocked down as well.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Trong Hoam,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Jayavarman,
Diplomacy: none
Burma remained at peace as the Kingdom quietly went about its business. The clearing of farm land in Burma proper picked up pace and most of the region was cleared. Court scribes predicted completion in a few years.
(Oceanic Pagan Seafaring Open Empire)
Moluccas King,
Diplomacy: Truk (a)
King Halmahera returned to the Capital leaving his brother to carrying on the talks with the people of Truk. These talks resulted in a firm alliance which pleased Prince Morotai's wife.
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Chulamanivarnam,
Diplomacy: none
A new port called Sandu was built in Pajajaran. But the main focus of the Kingdom was
on paper work and making sure taxes were properly collected. Prince Airlagga took time out
from his grind of paper work though to mourn his wife who passed away in child birth.
| MERCENARY POOL: | 10c,10i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c5,i6,s5,w3 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Mokchong,
Diplomacy: Suifenhe (nt)
The King stayed in the capital and with the help of his scribes and clerks went over all the census manuscripts that came if from his officials who were out counting the people of the realm. Lord Dukyung by comparison was glad he was out on the steppe with smelly barbarians instead of stuck back in the capital having to deal with ...shudder...bean counters.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Cheng-tsung,
Diplomacy:
The Emperor put his considerable wealth and manpower to good work building a postal road
system that stretched from north to south across hundreds of miles including over
mountains and rivers.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Nanchao King,
Diplomacy:
Open for a player
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Sheng-tsung,
Diplomacy: none
The young prince Chou Yen came of age, but with things so quiet in the Kingdom there was little for the young Prince to do to prove himself.
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Li Te-ming,
Diplomacy:
Slept...
| MERCENARY POOL: | 5c,5i,5s,5w | |
| MERCENARY AQRS: | c4,i5,s5,w4 | |
| MERCENARY LEADERS: |
(Shinto Civilized Open Empire)
Michinaga,
Diplomacy: Toyama (+2yfc)
A quiet few years for Japan as some diplomacy to convince the conquered folk of Toyama that life was good under Michinaga rule.