The Khemer Kingdom: Ieng Sary
Diplomacy: Mon - NT, Cochin - F
Pushing the silken blankets from his body, Ieng Sary awoke to yet another beuatiful morning. Swivleing his feet to the chilly floor, he stretched his arms and back and yawned, calling for his breakfast to be brought into his chanbers. Today would be a day of rest...or so he thought. Not even half way through his repose, Ieng jumped with manic energy and raced to his assitants chambers. Having heard that the energetic monarch had finally 'relaxed,' the royal advisors allowed themselves to slip back into a quiet, peaceful slumer. The slumber of men well desrving of a rest.

The tranquility of the palace was broken moments later as a King Sary had already begun dictating and dispatching orders...it was not a day of rest, it turned out, for the advisors.

The king's diplomats travelled abroad, finally securing the promise of Cochin and had cracked the shell surrounding the territory of Mon. People were sent with plans on the final partioning of Phan Rang and an impressive amount of merchant marines were pressed into service. Leaning back, Ieng Sary mused that he still, "had men standing around idle." After the dust scattered with people find inventive ways of appearing to be busy two remaining subjects understand that more work was needed. They travelled to Siagon and Vijaya, ordering more land to be cleared for future developments. That done, the king returned to his chambers to enjoy, his day of rest.

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

Northern China - The Long Great Empire (Honan)
Diplomacy: Hupie - A, Shensi - NT.
The eyes of the world were felt by the delightful Emperor of the Great Long Empire. The weight of such began to wear heavily upon the brow and body of the Emperor. Sensing the rising tide, concern with security, the king was pushed along by the old, but still widely told fable of the grasshopper and the ant. Fearing the trouble suffered by the grasshopper, the king was determined to meet any threat prepared. A call went out, reaching the furthest corners. Several hundred able bodied men responed.

Since every army travels on its stomach, the Empire was further enhanced and its regional production was at its all time high, prodcuing enough rice-cakes to feed, well, an army.

Diplomats were sent to Hupie and Shensi. Results in both cases were more limited than each diplomat felt that they should have been, but no visible unrest or other explantion was readily available.

Central China (Szchewan)
Diplomacy: Chiennan - T.

The Republic of India - Sanji Pontek the Illuminated
Diplomacy: Chera - A, Vengi - EA
Sanji Pontek the Illuminated after spending an incredible amount of time locked in his study emerged with a gleam in his eye....He finally understood the teachings of God. his visions seemed clearer now. Loving God provided a spiritual wealth that begged to be shared. he sent two of his most trusted councilors to spread the faith even further.

The missions took on the form of diplomatic conversion, convincing both the nobles and the peasants to accept all teaching from the Republic. The Senate was opened to the newly approached nations and they soon found that having this form of represenation was beneficial, if not to their wallets, to thier peoples'.

Long time assistant and childhood friend of Sanji, Bert Ronji loaded his ships up once again to sail out in exploration. According to the captains log, Bert was striken with a wasting sickness that consumed the once proud man. Unfortunately, the enterprise was turned back afterwards as Ernie, a politcal-compromise appointee feared any further infection to 'his' crew. This action, right so, infuriated Sanji as well as the Senate, who usually took "bonuses" from the plunder. Fearing for his life, Bert took back to the ships, upsetting the crews for cutting thier shore-leave too soon and went back to sea. Unfortunately, terrrible storms force the expedition force to lose thier course and the sailed aimlessly for months until they found the island of Ceylon. Returning late in the day to the Palace.


The Mauryan Empire: His Royal Personage Chandragupta
Diplomacy:None
King Chandragupta continued to close the borders to all travellers. No one would enter or leave until King Chandragupta deemed it time to do so. In that vein of stubborn, "I know best," confidence that Chandragupta simply exuded, he finally decided that to be a proper monarch, he needed more than a canvas palace from which to rule the world. Having horded his precious resources long enough, he founded a city in his home region, with the palace over looking his favorite fishing river-bank.

One can take the King out of fishing garb, but one can not take the fishing garb out of the king...especially if he uses the trebble-horn hooks..."those (long censored remark) sting," he remarked, none-to-placidly after an eventful cast on an early morning expedition to the riverbank.

The people, well on their way to grasping the concept of an "open market" continued to gain in thier learning of the complicated system. There were, of course, set backs and growing pains, but the wise King expected such. His advisors informed him that when he wised, the final market could be opened and his economic base would be ready to accept newly founded concepts.

The Middle East:

Kara-Khitia - Kara Chethosk
Diplomacy: Tazdik - NT, Kophat Dagh - NT.
Long in to his peaceful reign, Chethosk, sat upon his throne, glum. He thought to himself, "what is left for me to do?" Slipping into a conversation with his thoughts, forgetting that his advisors were still standing by, he reviewed tables and charts from a nearby desk. "Ah ha! If we move the bounderies of these farms, we should be able to create more ditches, increase the irrigation and lay out many more farms. Then, all the farms shall be of equal size, providing equity for all my people."

Scratching their chins in dawning comprehension, the ministers silently whistled through their teeth as they too looked at the map and and informed the king that all that could be was done. The old king was old, but his mind was still sharp.

Diplomats were dispatched to further outlying regions. They too were brought, at least in name, into the Kara Kingdom.


The Babylon Empire: Emperor Sheesh Bazzar
Diplomacy: Ahvaz - EA, Media - EA, Abadan - NE.
Bad karma was the catch phrase, although mumbled only in the shadows as Emperor Sheesh Bazzar outlawed any such talk with public executions. The year started off poorly for the for the Emperor. First, twins, born as a clear and peaceful night died shortly afterwards as a destert storm swept in Mesopotomia. The storm was seen as an omen of only bad things yet to come. The omens were right.

Shortly afterwards, the talented military commander died, in a freak accident, involving a step-ladder, a rug and a bowl of gold-fish. His death was followed by a the loyal feudal leader from Aleppo. When the news was received, it was also learned that the new noble lord withdrew some of its support for the Babylonian throne. Lastly, the conversion process in the southern portion of the empire went poorly, although some progress was finally acheived.

The reflective leader remarked, while it was not 'karma' that caused this string of misfortunate accidents, that at least locust hadn't destroyed the crop too. Afterwards, when people were walking from the presence of the emperor, head bowed, the sound of a knuckle wrapping a wooden table was heard by a few and reported to many.

The Hellespont Empire - The Wonderous Philospher King Gillipoianus
Diplomacy: none.
No turn received.

The Numbulin Alliance: The Magnificent Zoward
Diplomacy: None
No Turn Received

The Kingdom of Egypt: King Alrek
Diplomacy: Hamanaptra - T, Levant - EA, Syria - A.
Misunderstanding the orders his father gave him, Rhasha traveled to Syria and offered a dimplomatic marriage to the local ruler's daughter, thus cementing the ties between the Crown of Egypt and that of Syria. However, the king, slightly mifted at his son mistake, nearly annuled the marriage, but feared that it might do more harm than good, and after, the results were ultimately necessary and planned for, just not at this time. Unfortunately, other events transpired before the King could focus his energies to adjust for this small error. His long time friend, grew increasingly fraile as his health failed him.

After returning from a difficult diplomatic venture to the Levant, where the wedding was to take place, Peina went to his bed, never to get up again. his death was mourned by all. National park was laid out in Egypt, his place of birth, and named in his honor. Of course staking out boundaries in the sand is actually fairly pointless, but the gesture was appreciated by the deceased man's family.

A call for soldiers was announced to the people and over 2,000 men and boys turned out to registor for the army. Along with the call for men went a call for an equal number of horses...causing for a brief time a shortage of horses for farm work.


The Muslim Church: Holy Father al-Habib 'Abdullah.
Ecclesiastical Builds: Petra - Failed, Yemen - Abbey. Conversion of Aden.
The whirl-wind whirling Dervish of a Pontiff swept grandly down into Southern Arabain Pennisula. Huge crowds of men, women and children gathered to listen to the chrasmatic speaker deliver sermon after sermon. The focus of which was the importance of understanding the true word of the true prophet. Any other interpretation was incorrect and if believed will lead to ones' everalasting soul being denied entery into the realm of paradise, where milk and honey flowed for all peoples consumption. In addition, for every act on behalf of Allah, the individual would receive a heathen servant to wait upon them in paradise. Such promises proved too powerful to resist in the south where the flocked to every speech..

In the north, however, where people have had every religion in all of history thrown out them, they were less susecptible to such promises, and were rather looking for 'profits' than prophets.

Africa

South Africa Ceaserian, the 41st True king to the throne of the Egyptian people.
Diplomacy: Transkei - NT.
After what would already be considered a long and fruitful reign, Ceaserian the 41st, continued to go strong. Deciding to complete the area beuatification projects, both urban and rural, Ceaserian the 41st failed to acheive the inner peace sought from the knowledge of a job well done. Rather, he doubled his efforts, to further enhance the regional works, a herculean effort with out a doubt, and got a great deal further than he originally intended.

Rhodan, the humble, continued to research the acient ruins discovered years before. Certain that he would yet unearth any clue that would trigger the next great discovery he only found more dirt, rock and the occassionally discarded tourist trinket. His mania was intense, and reasoned that if the funds and man power being 'wasted' else where then possibly he would be able to 'discover' greater things.

On a more urban note, the Capetown Chronicle reported that the long requested, slow in developing city wall was finally constructed. No longer would babies be carried off into the night.

The Holy Church of Madregai
Ecclesiastical Constructs: Nupe - AB.
Tuhara, the spiritual founder of the Madregain Church, was idlely thinking that he should create a list. The list would have two columns. One column would be the names of people offically known to have been saved from either pagan or heretical teachings, and of course, those not yet saved. After several interuptions, usually after several hours of counting, "one, two, three...four thousand two hundred and twelve....sixteen thousand seven hundred.....oh damn, where was I?" he finally was able to compile a fairly acurate list. Unfortunately, the list disappointed the Holy Father....there were just too many unsaved souls.

Obviously, even more grand ecclesiastical construction projects were needed to entice the unsaved and unclean to learn the teaching of the Madregain Church. Nupe was one such area and all were proud to see the Abbey walls going up. Surely a sign of increasing civilization would be welcomed.


Nyssa
Diplomacy: None.
Open Position
No turn received.

Togo: Sonabe
Diplomacy: Niete - NT, Ife - F, Songhai - NE
The normally lucrative, if not morally reprehensible, trade in slaves was not as fruitful as it was in past times. However, slaves still fetch a price on the seedier of markets. Ever the pragmatic one, Sonabe King and Ruler of Togo saw no reason to break with tradition and ordered people to go forth and collect slaves. He would need many more slaves to complete his fathers glorious dreams. While on the whirlwind tour of the outer regions, a stop was made in Niete.

Offers of wealth would not persuade the tribal elders in Niete when Sonabe appraoched them. The threats that followed, were only marginally more successful. The elders pointed out that while they acknowledge the right of Togo, they refused to be a puppet f such a heinous man that would enslave his own kind. In no uncertain terms, any further efforts in Niete would not be welcomed.

Having already been on the wrong end of a short stabbing spear, the people of Ife felt no hesitation in fully accepting Togos rule over their lands. this allowed for freeer passage up the Niger River, where the diplomats encountered a 'new' structured society that espoused religious ideaology. Dsitracted by this development, the diplomats spent too little time in Songhai, rather returning to Togo and reporting back the 'new' development.



Kingdom of Tanzania - King Dargen
Diplomacy: Uere- F.
The rhythmic chanting/cadence singing of the heavily loaded baggage handlers were heard along every path in Tanzania. King Dargen sent all of his workers to the jungles of Nia Nia to fully reclaim all the land that could be and have wheat, potato(e) and livestock farms up and producing farm goods for his people.

In addition, the oddest occurance in recorded history was witnessed in Uere. The region was involved in a wager as diplomatic talks had broken down. Stymied by an self-important landed noble, a flippant remark generated an unanticipated break. Claiming to be a creat "cards' " player, the noble agreed to wager his peoples loyality for the contents of the royal treasury. Certain that he would win, the confident noble goaded the diplomats into his carefully designed trap. Unfortunately, for him, an aided standing behind him grimaced when he failed to draw his needed card for the inside straight. The reaction by the aide was noticed and Gorce realized the bluff and turned the tables on the local noble, who, for his trouble was immediately executed for his treasonous actions. Evidently, his people cared too little for the obese lord and were all to happy to be rid of him.

Tunisa: King Feltin Zerid
Diplomacy: Malta- A, Algeria - A.
King Feltin, Ruler of the Northern African Sands, oversaw the inner workings of his glorius kingdom, Tunisia. Instead of having armies sit in place till the men grew old he ordered the construction of medina Sousse on the Gades and medina Carthage upon the ruins of the ancient city near the water. Tunis was then expanded to take the port fortress fascilities into the fold to help protect both harbor and the seat of government. Nothing assist a government like an armed camp just outside the palace gates.

Bontan's eldest son is named Prince of Tunisia as well in a fitting ceremony of a young man his stature. Afterwards, Bontan travelled to Malta with the hopes of bringing the island people of Malta fully into the Tunisia nation, he took a small escort in case of pirate activity, ever he cautious one. While there were reports of pirate activity, a new development that seems to be in response to many merchant ships sailing around with out escort, there was no eventful occurance. Malta, while impressed, refused to develop any deeper ties to the Tunisian Crown, at least for now.

Soldiers began to fear Gevhan, the appointed Military Commander. He suffered no fools in his army, drilling endlessly in the summer months and parading during the winters. A brief respite was delivered to the soldiers as their camp was offically moved into the city when the new fortress was completed. Men were actually allowed briefly to return to their families. This action served to greatly lift the morale of the national army and it was soon realized that new recruits were alot eaiser to come by.

Omahr was taksed with responsibiltyof the raising of madina Sousse along the Gades in Algeria. He spent his remaining time in diplomatic negotiations with the folk of the region.

Europe

Andalusia: His Royal Highness, Hector I
Diplomacy: Zirid - EA, Sicily - NE, Murcia - EA, Morroco - NE, Merrakesh - NT .
The beautiful Southern Iberian coast basked in glorious weather all season long s the perfect amount of rain watered the crops perfectly and there was no flooding as result of the Spring thaws and rains. Life was good on the plains of Spain where the rain fell mostly...mostly that is.

Hector I, still going strong contemplated the late travel to his northern neigbor to mourn the passing of a fellow King. Caution was suggested as the death of the horrid Sancho Garces might be greatly exaggerated. One councilor joked that, "offically, Garces could not be promounced dead until his mouth was stuffed with garlic and he was buried at a busy intersection." The reference was not missed by anyone. Rather, he stayed nearby and completed several visits back and forth to Murcia, opening diplomatic talks with the local nobles there, who, were happy to see the king, and likely mift that the king took so long in getting to thier people.

Unfortunately, attempting to accomplish too many things at once, resulted in a many things not getting accomplished at all. Leaders revisited lands they had traveled to before and attempted to duplicate early successes, without, well, success for the most part. Nearly all other efforts were directed at the increasing of Balbao and Seville to accomodate more and more people. Seville was now, one of the largest, if not the largest city in the Western Worlds.


Navarre -King Sancho Garces
Diplomacy: Lyonnais -NE.
Sad news fell on the court of Navarre. Magdalena Elana, the 12 year old daughter of Sancho Gares died while falling from her royal booth a local bull-fight while cheering her favorite matador. When this news reached the king shortly afterwards, Sancho Garces, as unpredictable as ever, nodded to the messanger and continued to stare at the wall mounted map of the known world. No other emotion was seen from the court standing behind him. All awaited a reaction, mostly a bad one that they 'knew' would follow. Yet none was forth coming. However, had anyone looked the old King in the face, they would have saw tears welling up in his eyes. He retired to his chambers, alone, coughing horribly, unheard. After some time, composed, King Graces emerged from his chambers, resolute, but still coughing, sometimes so severely he would pass out. The court knew it was only a matter of time. The cagey old king continued to amaze his staff as he clung to life tenaciously, spouting orders from his bed , insisting that he would be up and abuot overseeing things in just a short while..

As tribute to the ailing king, the capital was enlarged to accomodate his wishes for a national park. He was heard mumbling something about a censure or something...his last words escaped everyone. The mood, on an overcast, misty day, was somber and quiet, as the great king, Sancho Garces was laid down for his final slumber. The procession was nearly a mile long and the visiting dignitaries took the better part of three days to cycle through and pay their respects. Surprisingly there was little trouble with the dysfunctional family when Sancho passed away and the transition was as smooth as could be.

The Exarchy of Milan
Diplomacy: Campania - NT, Spoleto - NT, Tuscany - A.
A flurry of activities was witnessed in the great room of the Milan Palace. Diplomtas were once again sent south, but this time, with two goals. Converting the heathens and diplomacizing the inteligensia. Some minor success was experienced in the southern reaches, but nearly to the amount of the effort applied. For what ever reason, Campania still resisted all charming efforts of Lorenzo Bounoarti as if they were nearly at war with the Exarchy. There was no obvious answer to the question of, "where is this animosity coming from?"

On the other hand, there is always an 'other hand' in politics, Tuscany had finally warmed up appreciably to the idea of regionalism. An urban center also went some way to establish more trust with the locals.

Domestically, the kingdom was subject to sevearl small working parties, working slowly to enhance farms already founded, or bath houses already built and operable. More irrigation was the result as more people would have access to fresh water supplies. This of course, made the people inland much more happy.


The Kingdom of France - Robert the Fair
Diplomacy: Brittany - NT, Ponthieu - F.
Possibly still confused by the recent loss of a dear friend, the aging monarch decreed loudly that a road would be built eastward, then fell asleep on the throne, taking his afternoon nap. Not daring to wake the King, who tended to get crabby if woken too early from his nap, the advisors sent workers to build a road. Not knowing any different, a young engineer remarked, "where to milord?" The only answer was a cold and yet oddly confused look from a senior court councilor. A more savy engineer quickly took the young man aside and within minutes, a train of men, materials and camp followers left the city gates, and began clear the landside to the east.

Dilpomatic efforts were once agiain attempted on the sleepy northen region, this time successfully so. Boayed by the success, Robert the fair, after awaking from his legnthy nap, sent additional couriers to Brittany, where, the receptions was lukewarm, to say the lest. With those efforts, a call to every region of his kingdom was issued. All able-bodied men need to report to the royal stables. Exceeding the expectations, but not the capacity of the palace seneschal, a turn out of over 1,000 men was reported.

The Kingdom of England
Diplomacy: Lancashire -F, Dyffed - T.
King Christopher continued to spread the good word(s)..."convert or else." Progress was steady, if not slowing down just abit as the remaining back wood heathens continued to resist any change to their social/religious structure. However, the good word(s) proved to be more compelling as the sun god, the tree god, the water god or even the god of small blessings and dental work refused to answer any pleas when missionaries came to their villages from the misty country side.

Lancashire, a tougn cookie to crack for the diplomatic corp of King Christopher had witnessed the ending of several diplomatic careers as new diplomat after new diplomat went with hope and came back with frustration. The final obstacle was over come and the tiny region was fully icorporated into the greater English Kingdom. Along with this good news came a flurry of activity that witness impressive regional works into the outer regions of the kingdom. With so many projects being completed one wondered at the impressive economic stregnth of the Englsh speaking people.

Bavaria
Diplomacy: Thuringina - EA.
The King, mighty Wolfgang, sits in his castle, ruling the realm with an ironed-mailed fist as all the troops of the kingdom standby to eagerly carry out any order that King Wolfgang may order. Externally though, the outside world intrigued his lordship and he yeared to learn more, yet no routes of trade came through the lands of Bavaria. He increased his university grounds, adding a library and a riding school, yet no enlightenment came. Ths perplexed the great and mighty king.

The king's closes friend, Lord Eric, was dispatched to round up the natinos most able soldiers and collect them to the king's personal force. This he did, but upon returning the to the Castle, we was struck dead by a fleeing bandit in the Castle proper its self. The man was arrested shortly afterwards and after extensive questioning, it was learned the there was no motive other than mistaken identity and hunger. The man was summilarly executed, with no fanfare. A national funeral was held in the honor of the king's closes friend.

The Kingdom of Holland - His Exalted, King Axel
Diplomacy: Freisland - F.
King Axel, now middle aged and longing to live the dream that all fathers have, finally found a gentle soul who would care for his beautiful daughter. An important noble lad of 15 was offered the hand of his eldest daughter, Aledia, in marriage. The union served not only to wet the eyes of the aging monarch, but also, more cynical observers noted, to support Holland's diplomatic efforts in Freisland. These efforts were both wonderful and productive.

With the departure of one bird from the nest, the king called the royal family back to the palace in Holland. This recall was received well as after spending more time away than near their wives they were ready to go home. Traveling about the newly acquired regions, securing ties to the Dutch Crown and spreading the glory of King Axel took its physical toll on the the royal family. They returned weary eyed to their palace in Amsterdam to relax, and plan their next moves.

One notice was witnessed, amongst the continuing hammering and sawing of lumber as farm silos and windmills were erected, a newly constructed Church, belonging to the Church of Rome had a letter delibvered. Via a rock through the newly stained glassed window. It read, "To the unsolicited builders of this site, until further notice from King Axel, the Church of Rome will be denied any opportunity to expand any existing facilities or found new holy sites within the Kingdom of Holland. The Kingdoms vast army will be used to prevent any such activity. Any further encrochment will result in the return of the offending papal representitive to Rome, forcibly if necessary. However, for the time being we have no intention to remove the two existing sites of the Church of Rome.

The scramble of the residing clergy was heard from inside, barring the door and shuttering the windows. At the kingdom's border, guards turned away a group of missionaries, unclear about the royal orders or the intent of the missionaries.


The Roman Catholic Church
Ecclesiastical Constructs: Sicily - Failed, Campania - Failed, Latuim - Church, Tuscany - Chruch.
Dispatching small groups of missionaries to Holland and Franconia, Pope Innocent III intended to save the souls of countless heathens. The missionaries, spreading the word of God, espousing material poverty and spiritual enrichment were warmly received in Fanconia. Spiritually intoxicated with the succes they had on the first stop, they surged up north. with ever brighter hopes.

As the wagon train approached the borders, the missionaries' leader, a small plump man of uncomman intelliect, saw that something was amiss. The soldiers were moving to bar the way. Not necessarily uncomman, he knew that saftey was best observed first but there was something wrong with this development. The Sergeant of the post simply halted the procession and instructed the Deacon to turn around and head home. When asked why, the Sergeant responded, that his Majesty, King Axel would not allow any such visitors in his land without first receiving his blessings. Undertanding that the shield of faith had little to offer in stopping a sword thrust, the Deacon smiled adn ordered the wagon train to head back to Rome.

Upon returning to the Holy See, the Deacon reported back as to the results, first accounting their success in Franconia, knowing that, or at least hoping, some success would take the sting of the reprimand that would surely follow. Surprisingly, Pope Innocent III didn't seem too upset about the Holland incident, but didn't say much more about it either way. It turned out that he too was 'escorted' out of the kingdom when the patrolling soldiers failed to recognize the Pope. The Pope kept wisely quiet while 'escorted' out.

The Roman Catholic network inched thier way down The Italian Pennisula, slowly.


The Kingdom of Poland:His Excellency, King Mieszko I
Diplomacy: Masuria - EA .
Before any lunacy would occurr, King Mieszko laid out very explict directions to the order of succession. After penning the list once, yet another list was made and to be circulated amongst the people. There would be no usurping the family line in this Kingdom. After completing the difficult decision, from which not everyone was all too happy as the dust settled, King Mieszko settle down into the comparatively ease task of administering his kingdom.

After the Teutonic Diplomats left the palace, (a joint venture where diplomats were arranged to visit each other's Kingdom) the difficulty in accurate translations caused a small gaff. Evidently, trade was believed to begin immediately, at least by the Teutonic diplomats as they sent word for the ships to dail at once.. Unfortunately, the Poles had no port in which to receive the Teutonic goods. Hastily, a port city in the region of Danzig was founded and trade goods were accepted, first as a trickle with hopes that the amount in the future would increase. The markets of Poland and its people eagerly accepted the well-crafted items and look forwards to sending their goods to the needy people of the Teutonic Lands.


-- Treaty Announcement --
Be it known that the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order of Knights have solemnly agreed to a pact by which an attack on one nation will be considered an attack on both. By this agreement, both nations hope to bring peace, prosperity, and stability to Eastern Europe.


The Kingdom of Svear
Diplomacy: Skane - A
In a move that caused much political upheaval, albeit breifly, Anders, King of the Swedes, removed his long time friend and ally from the position of hier. His position as heir was always honorific, as he served only as regent while the young king grew and was never replaced as he mentored the king along. However, growing realization of his own mortality, Anders decided to cut off any potential trouble and requested that Sven give up all claims to the throne, and step aside in favor of Anders son, Harold. The beloved man, who taught the king well knew that one day this would occur, but was unable to ready himself for the shock. He died, alone. His six year old son, taken to the outlands, was given to a distant relative to rear.

On a happier note, the sudden increase in Harold's fortunes bouyed the newly annointed heir-to-the-throne as he travelled to Skane. Now, the days of frolicking with maidens in barns and late nights out hunting with the boys were over. However, unlike some, Harold recognized the challenges ahead of him and embraced the opportunity. Taking a wife from a landed noble family, he successfully began his road of the continuation of the royal line and increasing the greatness of the kingdom.

Anders, feeling a little old, even more so after his friend and counsel passed away and heavy with guilt for his friends passing found solace in saling his navy near his palace. Some felt that Anders was getting a little long in tooth and his actions were the wandering of an old man's mind. Anders heard the whispered conversatins around corners and smiled to himself. He knew himself to be strong yet and full of life and would see many more projects through to their completions.

The Russian Empire
Diplomacy: Sudzal - EA, Polotsky - A, Polovotsky - T, Levedia - NT, Atelziko - FA.
The Russian monarch, who calls himself the "Russian Bear," Pavel Provolov tired of the circus animals being brought into the town for his people's entertainment. Too much entertainment, too little work was what the Russian Bear thought to himself, who was also frustrated with the long lines at ever ticket booth and attracthion at the long staying circus. Killing two birds with one stone, Pavel struck upon an idea. An epiphany was born.

Long have the Russian Monarchs thought of the idea of a Warm Weather Port to provide year round access to their lands. As such, diplomats, bearing golden gifts and wagging silvered tongues ventured south, along the river Dneper. They succesfully secured, if not the access to the lands, then allegience to the distanct Moscow Crown.

With the crowded city reduced by the exit of the dipomats and their staff, camp followers and families, a little re-organization was allowed, and while, on paper, the kingdom grew, the running of the day-to-day stuff was resolved much more easily. This of course freed the king up to enjoy himself at the circus, and all were made happier for such.

The Teutonic Order of Knights: Grand-Master Karl von Trier
Diplomacy: None
The fog hung heavy, blanketing the Baltic coast. The sounds of metal on metal where heard ring from with in the fog, but no visable activity could be confirmed. A notice escaped the control of the tight-lipped military council that a request for the lodging of 300 men was to be constructed. Finally, the borders were opened and it was determined that a deeply religions and militaristic people claimed ownership of the land. While fierce, the, at the present, did not appear to lust for battle. In fact, envoys back and forth to Poland's capital, Warszawa, were able to reach an accord conerning the mutal defense and respect that each nation would hold for the the other.

Aside from that, only when the weather cleared, was it learned that an individual horseman, galloping over the country side, working to what purpose, it was never learned.

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