Lords of the Earth XXIII
(Turn 4: Year 1015 to 1020)
The Final Battle

Turn 5 is due:May 15 th, 2002

GM Notes, Announcements and Rants:

1.) Thank you all for participating in this campaign and for your patience and for the educational experince this is and will continue to be.

2.) Not to sound as if I'm whinning, but if you're behind by more than $10.00, please send in your payments. If I haven't recieved any payment after your $15.00 in the hole, your turns will no longer be processed.

Clarification of some rule modifications or out right changes:
-Trade: Please see addenda on Supplement Page, 2.16 for start up cost. IF these cost aren't paid, the route, while on paper, will not generate revenue.
-Mercenarys will become available after turn 5. Please see rule addenda 5.4.7 for any questions about this matter.
-Hordes will be delay past turn 10 for playibility.
-Tech levels v. Builds: Please review addenda 5.4.2.

GENERAL THRONE ENTERPRISES INFORMATION AND WORLDWIDE WEB HOME PAGE.
Throne Enterprises Home Page can be found at: http://www.throneworld.com/lords/index.html
All Throneworld questions may be directed to our creator:
Thomas Harlan
4858 East 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85711-1207


Unit Compositions:
1 Infantry Unit = 100 Men at Arms
1 Cavalry Unit = 50 Men at Arms/50 Horse
1 Seige Engineer Unit = 50 Men/25 Horse/1 Catapult
1 Field Fort = 1 Castle/Fort, defended by 50 Men at Arms
1 Warship Unit = 1 Ship
1 Wall Point = 100 Men at Arms

The Far East:


Japan: His Royal Highness Hamagoto
Diplomacy: None.
It was a another quite but productive day in the land of the raising sun. Governmental workers were seen quickly traversing the country side, but they never stopped to speak of where they were going to or coming from. Another prodigous effort was focused on internal improvements as ceramic-lined pipe lines were organized, at great expense, to provide more water to the interior than ever before. The benefit of which will witness an impressive bounty of crops in the future.

Both the King and his hier, Gototai, attended to matters of internal importance and spent time with their families, teaching the newborn sons how to act imperially. When the sun set upon the Japanese Empire, Hamagoto laid his head down and slept peacefully and content.

The Khemer Kingdom:
Diplomacy: Siam - A, Champa - F.
Visably upset about the death of his daugther, King Ieng Sary quickly refocused upon the job at hand, with a grim determination. Send delegates once again to the lands of Champa and Siam, the news about the death of the most beloved jewel in the Khemer Kingdom galvanized the resolve of its diplomatics and allowed for more public sympathy from its neighbors, where great strides were achieved. At least her untimely death was once last service to the people that she too loved.

Inspired by the diplomatic success, King Ieng Sary ordered more land cleared to make yet more room for, what all travellers already knew as, the largest city in all the world, by far. The population, as expected, swelled.

The Zhuang Kingdom
Diplomacy: Annam - NT.
The sleepy little southern empire stired slightly and made diplomatic overtures to the land of Annam. The nobles there patiently listened to the soothing words but found all the oily reassurances abit disconcerting. The venerated king, Cheng Huang-ti, left disappointed, but not disheartened.

Upon returning to his wonderous palace, he found that the creature comforts in his capitol were lacking and set about building public baths and gardens for people to recite stories and poems. The rural population heard of this and more accomadations were needed to house the newly arrived immigrants. Another city's foundation were laid in the province of Nanling. This illustrated the desire of the wise king to urbanize his people, increasing their prosperity and, as expected,their loyalties.

On an odd side note, the eldest male child was given a small task and displayed an amazing amount of ineptness. Before doing anything, he informed underlings at a meeting that he could not be disturbed as he was busy shredding documents. When a senior aide pulled him to the side and reminded him that a secret mission is only secret if he doesn't announce it first.

The Jade Dragon (Java)
Diplomacy: None
Open Position.

Northern China (Honan)
Diplomacy: None
Open Position.


Central China (Szchewan)
Diplomacy: None
Open Position

The Republic of India
Diplomacy: None
Sanji Pontek slipped into yet another long slumber, awaking only to decree that if he could not go to the Pope and declare his willingness to serve the one true god, then he will, in spirit, go to God and become his spokesman for his people. When asked how he was certain that he got all the instructions down correctly, what with no spiritual guideance and all, he replied calmly, "It's all up here," tapping his forehead.



The Mauryan Empire: His Royal Personage Chandragupta
Diplomacy:None

Once again, making little Chandraguptas, was a priority in the Mauryan Empire. The royal bedchamber doors were locked and the royal couple emerged only after the King could properly focus on his other courtly matters, lke running the country.

Upon clearing the sleep from his eyes Chandragupta was appalled that his wonderfully enlightened people were dealing in the slave trade. "This is no way for noble men, proud of heart to live," proclaimed the King. Instead, the king ordered that a more utopian life style was necessary to acheive serenity. "We must develop a closer tie to the land and cast off this work in flesh. In fact, if there is any slave trading reported within the borders," stated Chandragupta in a public announcement to his subjects, "the slaves would be set free to work their own land and the slaver will be buried alive." The repercussions were understood and no problems were encountered in the economic transistion...much to the enjoyment of the slaves themselves.


The Middle East:


Kara-Khitia
Diplomacy: Khwarzim - NT


The Babylon Empire
Diplomacy: Abadan - T, Diyala - NE, Carhae - A
Diplomatic and spiritual discussions occured at every street corner and at every dinner table. As with most things in life, the start was promising, but the future will be determined by the follow up efforts.

However, while discussions were going on to the south, the crafty desert raider, Eli Baal quietly slipped into Ahvaz to the north and in the dead of night road off with nearly all the possessions of the local magistrate. Unfortunately, Eli Baal, rejoicing with his men, feasting upon the bounty looted, consumed some tainted meat and was severely ill. His planned diplomatic efforts in Diyala were delayed into Eli Baal recovered from the food poisoning.

Belshum-iddin, newly admitted to the Babylonian Court, was sent to Carhae to test his mettle. It was reported that he went there a boy, but returned as a man. Belshum-iddin established greater relations wtih Carhae then the Sultan dreamed.

The Hellespont Empire
Diplomacy: Macedon - EA, Dobruja- A, Paphlagonia - NE.
Recalling the former glory of their ancestors, the Roman Empire, The Philosphor King pointed out that Rome was built on the back of slaves. To make The Hellespont Empire even greater, a little provincal raiding was in order. Not one to disappoint, Vlad of Dobruja travelled north and brought back many slaves and spoils from the raid. In the following years after his return, and sated with a part of the booty, Vlad swore allegience to the Throne of the Hellespont Empire.

Aware that what works once may not work again, Gallipoianus, sent a chest of gold to Macedon to appeal to the more practical side of the northern neighbors. The results, while ultimately beneficial, were to say the least, disappointing.

Carssus's efforts into Asia Minor were, well, so poor that the impressive state officals for Ministery of Propaganda found it impossible to spin and admitted defeat, this time.

The Numbulin Alliance: The Magnificent Zoward
Diplomacy: Adal -FA, Yemen - FA..
In the 20th year of his peaceful reign, King Zoward stayed at home, counting pennies and tending to his "garden," the court of Nambul. On a whim however, he sailed personally across his "pond," (known to the rest of the world as The Red Sea), and travelled to Aden on official business of the nation. It never occurred to his Magnificence that there weren't any accomodations that suited him, so he decreed that a new city, across his pond should be built. Thus, the city of Neilsville was born.

National officials travelled abroad, but encountered only moderate success in courting the areas of Yemen and Adal. On an internal note, another wing was opened to the local college in a small, but charming ceromony. The great College of Zeila now housed a respectable professional school.

The Kingdom of Egypt: King Alrek

Diplomacy: Lebanon - FA..
In an odd twist of fate (sigh), after all it is said to be hard to understand the fickle nature of the gods, the recently appointed feudal leader from Sinai was discovered to be plotting an overthrow, by the King himself no less. It all occurred one afternoon when the generous king happened to make plans for a royal feast for the nobles of the the land and personally invite them all to attend. Unfortuanely for the treasonous plotter, the King had recently constructed a palace guard, who accompanied him to hand out the invitations. Startled but not suspecting anything, other than the arrival of some fellow co-conspiritors, who must have been early for the weekly meeting, He answered the door.

Pushing the door open with a toothy smile, Invitation extended outwards, King Alrek's jaw dropped and several ackward moments passed as he stood and gaped at the anti-Alrek posters hanging in the greeting room. The poor shmoe host was simply over-whelmed with his predictiment to think clearly and only attempted to feebly close the door in response after several more moments passed.. However, an exceptionally loyal guard, standing immediately behind his leige-lord, quickly unsheathed his sword, wedged it into the opening, chased the treasonous noble down and smote him with astonishing alacrity.

Quite shaken from this experienced, a gloomy King withdrew all invitations and hired a food-taster. All was not bad however, the speedy guard was officially granted possession of the Sinai (not all that great of an honor) and swore fuelty to Alrek. Unfortunately, it was learned afterwards that the governmental office spacing could not presently accomodate the new lord, but he was reassured that his time would come.

Other news in the kingdom were more delightful as more and more public projects were initiated and completed, allowing even more and more farming to take place. The people of of his kingdom were all sated from the abundant harvests and the feast they enjoyed in his glorious name..


Africa


South Africa
Diplomacy: Namaqua - FA, Nguni - FA, Karroo - NT
Early in the year, Pharoh Caesarion announced the birth of a baby boy and celebrated wtih wine and dance with his people. His new child caused a smile to creep to the corner of his mouth as he listened to the droning of court officals and serfs alike with equal aplomb. Later, after his administration obligations were complete, Caesarion travelled the land and happened upon a ruined temple. However, before an expedition could be mounted, the fall storms raked the sourthen lands and forced the party to retreat to the palace.

Diplomatic efforts in Namaqua were very succesful and the people there agreed readily to swear fealty. Other trips to nearby lands met with similar success.

The Holy Church of Madregai
Ecclesiastical Constructs: Several successess and failures.
The new found religious virtues of the Madregaist Church were discovered by explorers when they travelled up the Niger River in the African Basin. Evidently, the church had been long established and was content to practice a closeted monastic isolationism. That is until news from the outside was delivered, and the Chapels' ranking Monk organized a committee to determine a course of action. Hearing the disgraceful state of spiritual affairs in the world, he announced that they would adapt the missionary life-style and go out amongst the laity and save their immortal souls...whether they knew that they needed it or not.

The espoused tenets of this faith are as follows:
1) All Madregans are to love and protect each other; all are equal under the eyes of Madrena (our Mother).
2) All nonbelievers are to be converted to the true way, if they persist in non-belief then they will be punished for their non-belief by slavery or subjugation, until they see the true way. Then they can be free.
3) Each person contains four aspects: a) Earth = humility; happiness b) Sky = idealism; creativity c) Water = purity; clarity of purpose d)Fire = emotion The goal is to strike a balance between these.
4) Usury is the right of the Holy Church alone.

Nyssa
Diplomacy: None.
Open Position
No turn received.

Togo
Diplomacy: Benin - EA, Ife - A, Oyo - T.
The King kept to himself, scheduling no press conferences or public apperances. However, there was an announcement that the queen gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

Workers in Togo simply bent their collective backs and made great progress in esablishing more farming land as the regional planning office claimed more land from the wilderness and effeciently used the space they had already obtained.

Kingdom of Tanzania
Diplomacy: Nia Nia - F, Leuru - NE,
All the work that could be completed in his homeland completed, but still with energy to spare, King Dargen refocused his energies into the rest of his kingdom, beginning a mammoth project of regional beuatification in Buganda. The people rejoiced in the benevlance of their wonderful ruler.

Inspired by this up swelling of popular support, diplomatic efforts in Nia Nia were succesful. Unfortunately, a serious political gaff by Qulu in Leuru necesitated his immediate recall to the capital. His immediate recall salvaged a dreadful situation in which Leuru nearly downgraded their relations with the Tanzanian Monarch.

Tunisa: King Feltin Zerid
Diplomacy: Malta - EA, Algeria - FA.
The king, enjoying his brief respite from courtly obligations during his last trip to Malta travelled again to the rocky island. It was obviously another ploy to escape the wife, who was in her full glory being Queen of Africa. But it should be noted that Malta in the early summer is a beautiful retreat. Enchanted as he was, the population elected to develop further ties to the Tunisian Monarch and agreed to increase their imports and to lower tariffs..

Unfortunately, Gehvan had less success with the Algerians, although the Algerians ultimately cemented deeper allegiances, swearing an oath to the Tunisian crown.

Some minor works were directed in Tunisa, governmental spending found outstretched hands seeking funding, but ultimately, the Tunisians were in fact, building a state-controlled navy, complete with ships and all. Gehvan, who appreciates ships of all sorts actually cut his Diplomacy trip off early to witness the christening of Tunisia's first ship-of-the-line, a monster of a vessel.



Europe

Andalusia: His Royal Highness, Hector I
Diplomacy: Morroco - NT, Galacia - P, Portugal - EA,
Waking up surly and short of temper, Hector determined to beat something into submission, wether he needed to or not. Smelling the Silver mines to his north, and eyeing his ancient advesary to his East, Hector deemed it wise to stake claim to the silver mines of Galacia before anyone else did. Sending a powerful force of Cavalry and foot-soldiers, numbering 100 Horse and 1,000 men at arms, the proud, and technically undefeated army of Andalusia, marched into Galacia.

Suprisingly stiff resistance was encountered by the native miners and in paticularly horrible fighting some 200 men from Andalusia lost their lives. When the dust settled, Andalusia had asserted her territorial rights over the pacified people. Unfortunately, the loyal henchmen of Hector, Lord Poncho suffered serious wounds from the battle and was prevented from returning to his homeland.

Some political in-roads were developed in Portugal and Morroco with Portugal beginning to rely more heaily upon Andalusian markets to ship its wares. Steady growth was witnessed in Seville again. More and more room was cleared from teh surrounding lands to make room for the increasing population. Some minor rioting was quickly quelled though as people clamoured for more modren living conditions.

Navarre
Diplomacy: Old Castille - P, Leon - P, Aquitaine - NE, Gascony - A, Limousin - NT.
Another busy day in the evil mind of Sancho Garces, now less than respectfully known as "the Butcher." Waging bloody battle after battle, Sancho ordered a swath of terror cut through the lands of Leon and Old Castille. Some fabricated insult gave the Sancho the moral position of righteous indignation and justification to invade the peaceful and pastoral lands to his west. The battles went quickly, and losses were relatively minor. The most noticable losses were the 150 Heavy Horse as they were seperated from the main host before battle and left unprotected.

In a surprising departure from the normal form of diplomacy employed by Sancho, he sent his trusted henchmen north into southern France. Some minor headway was obtained. Politics are the practice and application of patience...lots of patience.

The Exarchy of Milan
Diplomacy: Romagna - A, Campania - C, Latium - NT, Tuscany -T, Liguria - F.
The fine Exarch of Milan enjoys a quiet day in the sun, dispatching his large governmental machine south to continue the crusade of Italian nationalism. However, most people to his south on the Pennisula were most interested in trade and getting the Holy See back to the proper lands.... No one really knew exactly the effect the departure would have on both the moral fiber of the people, but also on their purses. .

However, an increasing majority of the regional people understood that to get what they wanted, they must give something back and several of them swear either economic tributes or agreements of aid to the throne of Milan.

On a small side note, Andrea Alighieri found a fetching bride on his travels and quickly set about continuing his lineage with a baby boy of his own. Life is indeed good on the sunny country side of Milan..

The Kingdom of France
Diplomacy: Anjou - F.
Robert the Fair, limited his steady focus to only several, but key internal developements. Chief among these developments was the creation of yet another town, named after the phenomenon of visiting foreigners at a local wishing well. Apprection of the Anjou people was witnessed in their request of petion for complete incorporation into the French Empire. Obviously, Robert was more than agreeable to their requests.

Otherwise, a quite day on the Western Front.

The Kingdom of England
Diplomacy: Mercia - F Lancashire - NT.
Travelling around the countryside, picnicking and collecting small groups of men, King Christopher rested in Mercia and finalized relations there quickly. The alacrity at which he resolved this last issue delightfully abreviated his schedule and he returned to London with the good news. People flocked to London to hear this latest decree and decided to stay, nearly taxing the city's capacity. Never daunted, Christopher alloted funds from the royal coffers to build more public facilities to accomodate the newly arrived masses.

To the north, the lands were erriely quite, but no events raised alarms. Keeping a weary eye to the north, Christopher invited the land of Lancashire to court of London. However, why they were polite, the condition of the northern border kept most of their attention.

Bavaria
Diplomacy: .
No Turn Recieved.

The Kingdom of Holland
Diplomacy: Denmark - F, Holstein - T..
Shaking of the spectre of the near political Fux Pas of a generation before in Denmark, and with most of the culprits either having passed away or so dishonored by their actions that they fled to their country estates to live as recluses, the throne in Amsterdam finally cemented the relationship between the two lands, much to his relief.

Over-joyed by this polictal coup, King Axel decreed that some polishing touches were completed in Amsterdam as yet another bathouse was opened to the public. With all the regional work completed in Holland that could be, Axel sent his effecient workers and artisans to Lorraine to duplicate their earliers efforts in Holland. They got off to a nice starat by laying out small provincial roads and breaking ground for future irrigation works.

The Roman Catholic Church
Ecclesiastical Constructs:
No turn recieved.

The Kingdom of Poland
Diplomacy:
No turn recieved.

The Kingdom of Svear
Diplomacy: None
Finally recovering from a serious illment, where the king was incapacitated from nearly five years, he awoke suddenly only to realize that no work had been completed while he battled for his life behind closed doors. Naturally this information was withheld from the general public as there was no need seen to upset the proud people of Svear.

Some minor provincal work was completed in the homeland of Svear, much to the apperciation of the peasants, who found that they could now get there crops to market and support their families a little easier. Reports from regional leaders indicated that even more improvements could be easily accomodated. Also, patience in military training has begun to pay off for the slumber-weary monarch of the North.

Unfortunately, the beloved heir of the realm, Eric, fell from a wagon as it was returning to Stockholm in the very early morning hours when a wheel broke free from its axle, Surviving the fall, Eric's luck ran out when, as he was getting up, slipped on the newly laid road, struck his head and never regained consciousness. For the time being, Sven was promoted to hier. The circumstance and explaination of Eric's death was not easily embraced by all that listened to Sven's account of the incident.

The Russian Empire
Diplomacy: Polotsk - T, Pereaslavl - T.
The long, yet unexpectedly mild, Russian Winter facilitated additional region works as teh local serfs experienced better working conditions through-out the kingdom.

Other than some minor travels to areas already well versed with Russian visitors, little elese was completed. Many large feasts were enjoyed, as well as the activities supplied by the entertainment committe, such as the world famous Morris Dancers and some idiot that lost his arm while wresting with a bear.

The Latvian Empire
Diplomacy:
Open nation.

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