LORDS OF THE EARTH
Campaign Twenty-Four
Age of the Crusades
Turn 27
Anno Domini 1136 - 1140

 

TURN 28 ORDERS DUE BY:  May 19th 

(I can't do it any earlier, since I have a number of real-world deadlines on the 17th, and I'm out of town on the 18th. Sorry)

Also please note: I am out of town April 28, 29, and 30th (right after you get these results) So, if you have questions for me during that time, I won't get to them until after the 30th. 

Important Announcement:

I have finally gotten my act together and transported all email over to Throneworld. Thus, please send any and all Lords24 correspondence to lords24@throneworld.com. 

Other New Announcements (in no particular order)

Prior Announcements

The Papacy In Dispute:

Each Catholic Nation may declare their support for either Papacy (Rome or Paris), or neither at the beginning of each turn. If a Nation supports a given Papacy, then that Primate's activities in their domains are conducted normally (regular movement, site establishment, etc.) The disfavored Primate, however, must pay extra (for moving through hostile or non-controlled areas), gets a minus on establishing sites or conducting activities. If a nation is neutral, then both sides get free rein. A Nation is free to vacillate back and forth between the two Papacies on a turn-by-turn basis. A Nation may be Influenced by both Papacies (though they will operate on a sliding scale of 0 to 10, summing to 10).

While there are two Papacies, the chances of the Catholic nations successfully calling for a Holy War are greatly reduced.

While there are two Papacies, all Roman Catholic nations may occupy RC regions normally. There are NOT two religions.

While there are two Papacies, a Nation may seize properties (i.e. loot Religious Sites) of a Papacy it has declared against, without providing the offended Papacy with the usual grist for Excommunication.

While one of the Papacies can attempt to call Excommunication / Interdict against supporters of the opposing Papacy, the chances of success are very low. If, however, they succeed, then the chance of an actual split between the two Churches increases. 

Even while there are two papacies, Catholic nations may still attempt to resolve the matter of the “True Church” by calling a Synod of (Your Town Here) (or Church Council) in attempt to resolve doctrinal issues and anoint a “true” Pope. In this case, a vote is taken at the END of the turn in which the Synod is called, wherein votes are allocated as follows:

- Each turn, each Nation must include on their orders how they will cast their vote if there is a successful Synod.
- Nations or Orders may abstain from voting (and will, if they do not indicate their vote).
- Either Pope may call a Synod, or any group of three Catholic nations.
- If more than one Synod is called in a given turn, none of them have any effect.
- A majority of 2/3rds the total vote is required to anoint a “true Pope.”

The first time this occurs, the opposing Primacy is demoted to a Religious Order, but retains all of their religious sites (and all above conditions continue to apply). The second time this occurs (at least one turn later), the opposing Religious Order is forced to acknowledge the "true" Papacy, and one Church remains (though the Religious Order is still around, but is now under the authority of the victorious Papacy).

Seize Site

Code

SS

Cost

5 or more Primacy leader actions.

Results

This action can be directed against a Religious Site (either one controlled by a Primacy or a Religious Order) of the same religion as the Primacy attempting the seizure. It is generally used as a weapon during a schismatic conflict, or in reining in an out-of-control religious order. If successful, the site is transferred to control of the seizing Primacy, while possibly being reduced one or more levels of control. The chances of success are improved by spending more time, or gold, in support of the seizure, and are resisted by the level of the site (a Cathedral would be very hard to seize, for example) and the presence of any ‘defending’ leader.

Once you explore a sea zone successfully, you will gain "rutters" (maps) for it. Your stat sheet will list the sea zones you have rutters for under "player notes."

Control

Tribute

You get...

You can...

Influenced

0%

--

--

Tributary

25%

Gold

--

Allied

50%

Gold, stat sheet

Issue orders to leaders

Free State

75%

Gold, stat sheet

Build and invest with their GP and NFP, issue orders to their leaders.

Incorporated

100%

Regions and armies are added to your stat sheet

NPN becomes part of your nation

MSP Capacity = City GPv × 20 × TaxMultiple

This is the big change. Please note that this means that T and PT cities only give you half of their capacity, and NT not at all.

Religious Authority Control Statuses

Control
Status

Control
Code

Taxation
Multiple

Count
Control?

NFP?

Church

ch

0.10

No

No

Abbey

ab

0.25

No

No

Monastery

mn

0.50

Yes

No

Cathedral

ca

0.75

Yes

Yes

Holy City

hc

1.00

Yes

Yes


NOMENCLATURE

Turns are currently five (5) years long. Base tax rate is 100%.

Infantry (200 men = 1 point), Cavalry (200 men = 1 point), Siege Engineers (200 men = 1 point), Warships (2 ships = 1 point), Transports (2 ships = 1 point).

LORDS 24 WEB RESOURCES!

The Lords Twenty-Four homepage is at:

www.throneworld.com/lords/lote24/index.html

All of the on-line resources, including mailing lists and web-sites, for Lords of the Earth are summarized on this page:

www.throneworld.com/lords/players/resources.html

You can subscribe to the Lords 24 mailing list by pointing your web-browser at:

http://www.egroups.com/group/Lords24

…and following the instructions on that page.


CONTACTING THE GM TEAM

For Lords 24 specific queries:

 

For general Lords queries:

Lorne Colmar
50 Promenade Court
Regent Walk
Aberdeen AB24 1RF
UK
lorne@lordsoftheearth.co.uk


VARIOUS FEES AND LEVIES

Turns

$3.00 per turn.

Maps

Available on-line at the Lords 24 website.

LOTE 5.7.2.
Rulebook

Printed ~ $10.00 (Local) or $15.00 (Mailed in US), $18.00 (mailed overseas).
Emailed as PDF ~ $5.00

The News:

MANCHU'KUO 
Mercenaries: 22c, 12xc, 3i, 3w, 2t

The Mongol Khanate
Bartan, Khan of the Mongols, Future Lord of All Asia
Religion: Asia-Pagan

DIPLOMACY:  Grand Khitan Horde Block (ne), Gobi Horde Block (ne), The Tartar Horde Block [Khalaka, Khingan] (a)

Bartan was disgusted. He had seen his proud riders erecting Yurts with trees and stones that could not be moved. When the spring came, they did not go on the hunt, they farmed! When the cold came, they did not travel south, they hibernated! This was not the way of life for proud warriors who live only to hunt and ride. He drew forth his tribesmen and declared an end to the corrupting ways of the city. Gathering the Kerait and Hsia-Hsia to him, they took their words first to the nomads of the Gobi. These were a fierce people, and not easily bowed to any yoke or cause apart from their own. They steadfastly refused any alliance with Bartan, but did allow him to pass through unmolested. Hearing of this, the Grand Khitan Khan, a particularly well-liked and cunning man, met with Bartan but also refused his ideas. "Grand Khitan bows to no man or God. They bow to us!" Angered, but knowing full well that to face the Khitan tribes might prove disastrous, Bartan moved north in a fury. The Tartars of Khingan and Khalaka, decimated by a outbreak of the pox many years ago, proved more compliant and eager to join in Bartan's cause. 

In the north, Jochi Tarkhan of the Kiyat, gathered the tribes together, and bid Xanadu farewell. "We are not men who sit and let the world pass us by like some Chinese city-dwellers! We make the world obey us!" Tribesmen from Vitim and Tungus joined them and the lands of Mongol were abandoned, as was mysterious Xanadu - though many remained behind too. Moving south with the great migration, he traveled to meet Bartan in the strange Nestorian lands of the Kerait. A vast host had gathered there, and as news of it spread the far-off Sung Emperor himself became concerned. The lands whose tribesmen had so recently allied with the Mongols and who nominally paid them some sort of tribute, shunted off any relationships with Bartan. It is the way of the nomad for those left behind when the tribes depart to eventually forget about them and return to their pastoral existence, and this is what the women and children left behind in Ayaguz, Hsia-Hsia, and Shan-i did. 

Toras, the Khan of the Tartars meanwhile went north with his men and gathered up at lance-point all able-bodied men, women, and children in Turkestan, Yenisey, and Buryat. A fierce battle ensued in these regions, but in the end Toras was unstoppable. 

The Ju-Chen Khanate
Ju'ki'ta, Khan of the Ju-Chen, Favored of the Thunderbolt
Religion: Asia-Pagan 

DIPLOMACY:  

The tribes of Ju-Chen roamed the plains and frozen wastes, eager to test their mettle against any who might challenge them. They were a hardy people, living on the edge of the world, eking out an existence on goats, yaks, and a variety of scrubby grains. Their yurts, though, were warm and inviting in the long harsh winters - though accessible to only the few who they called friends. And this few did not, in these years, include the Sung Chinese, for the annual tribute they had come to expect from the lowlanders failed to arrive in sufficient numbers. Khan Ju'Ki'Ta flew into a rage when he saw the shipment of the Sung. Many of his plans had to be altered because of this, and he vowed to take his revenge on the Chinese dogs for their insolence. And that was not all, for the Kutai Khanate (in Wudah, Dalai Nor, and Kutai) had for years refused his entreaties. Now, he had had enough of that, and set out West to exact his revenge. Meeting the Kutai Khan, he demanded that they bow down before him and pledge themselves to the Ju-Chen. As expected, they refused, giving Ju'Ki'Ta an excuse to demolish them. Routed after a vicious battle in the ice and snow, they bowed their (much diminished number of) heads in tribute and forced alliance with the Ju-Chen.  

But, further dissappointment awaited as news from afar reached Ju'Ki'Ta's ears. His emissary to the Jilin, Choi'Oi had gravely insulted those people, and they had attempted to take him prisoner to satisfy their honor. He had to fight his way out of those lands, and demanded that the Khan enslave them in retribution. But it didn't stop there, for when the Khan traveled over the high frozen mountains into the Kutai lands, a number of the harshly independent nomads in the Khanate took the opportunity to regain their independence. Out of communication with the rest of the Empire, the Khan was powerless to stop the Liao, Sungari, Parhae, and the Hsuing-nu from quietly repudiating their relations with him. Choi'oi, in Sungari, fought a vicious battle with the natives, but in the end retreated back to Harbin. And, other diplomatic news coming in showed a singular lack of success on all fronts. The Khan was angered. And when the Khan was angered, people got scared.   

The Goryeo Kingdom
Go Yun Zun, King of the Chaosen
Religion: Buddhist

DIPLOMACY:

Chaosen remained a blossoming land of peace and prosperity. A number of farms were carved out of the hot and muggy lands of Silla, and much of that land was brought under cultivation, with a variety of hardy strains of rice. Not the dry Chinese type of rice mind you, but the glutinous, flavorful Korean type! In fact, the only drama to befall the Kingdom at this time was the death of General Zun who had served the King proudly and honorably for as long as anyone could remember.  

The Dalai Lama, who was really just a legend to the Chaosen people, arrived in the capital, astounding both commoners and nobles alike. Not for hundreds of years had such a personage come to these lands, and the country was alit with excitement. Masses thronged the streets, hoping even just a glimpse of the holy man. Frail and old though he was, he still inspired awe and devoutness throughout his visit. The local temples throughout Goryeo began to send annual donations to far-off Tibet. 

NIHON ~ Daiji rokunen kara juunen made
Mercenaries: 11c, 6xc, 13i, 4s, 2w, 2t

Clan Kiyowara
Kiyowara Motosuke, Lord of the North, the “victorious”
Religion: Shinto

DIPLOMACY: Akita (oh), Shimane(oo)

Motosuke was enraged to receive report after report detailing failures to build or obtain lands for his clan through the Shogunate. Only a small fraction of his plans actually succeeded - in Akita and Shimane. Lord Sadato was given the command of eight of the clan's best ships and allowed to follow his boyhood dream of discovering the passage to the islands of the south. He came back after years on the high seas, his ships ruined and his men desperate, but he had made progress towards his goal. Someday, he was convinced, he would find more lands for conquest. 

The only real cause for concern was the rumblings from the north. The Ainu, perhaps active again? 

Fujiwara Japan
Naetoru Torashima, Shogun of the Isles, Protector of the Emperor
Religion: Shinto

DIPLOMACY: The Daimyo of Kwanto(f), The Daimyo of Niigata (a), The Daimyo of the City of Sakata, known for it's wide variety of Natto and Tofu (a), The Daimyo of the city of Kanazawa (a)

Torashima passed away quietly but, despite first reports, there was no serious movement against his clan.  To be sure, there were large segments of samurai society that were smarting from the shifting economics of the times, and Torashima's policies towards peasants and merchants, but they were not organized enough to mount any serious opposition to the Fujiwara rule. Instead, many of the ronin settled in the cities to enjoy the more peaceful pleasures that life had to offer. The cities of Heian, Harima, and Muro all saw a large influx of the warrior and peasant classes. 

Naetoru inherited his father's position as Shogun, and continued with his policies of land distribution. He also added some of his own to help samurai deal with debts incurred during the recent wars and to thus take the pressures of the samurai who had fought for him (and ensure their loyalties). In between court rituals, a daughter was born to Naetoru's wife.

Relations with the Kiyowara continued to be strong and fruitful, and the diplomatic missions to rebuild the nation were meeting with great success. It looked as if the shogunate was well on it's way to getting back on its feet!

Nihon-no-Tenno
Tenno Sotoku, Emperor of Nippon, Blessed of Ameterasu
Religion: Shinto

DIPLOMACY:  Yamato (ca)

The Emperor returned to his more aloof manners, as befitted such a position, and spent his time in contemplation in Yamato. He diligently attended his duties to the shrines, and worked hard to bring the monks and attendants more in line with the realities of the Imperial system. The Ise Shrine there was incorporated into the growing Imperial registry, but other efforts by the Prince and others failed miserably. 

Norisuke, on the other hand, diligently and carefully reviewed the imperial records in his continuing attempts to bring them up to date. His agents traveled the length and breadth of the islands, and in the end he was able to present to the Emperor an updated record for all the acreage and rice produced in the land, as well as attendance at the shrines. The Emperor continued to work closely with the Shogunate - making sure they knew that he was in charge, not them - and secretly let out a grin or two when he saw the troubles they were having. It was not too long ago that Emperors wielded secular power too, he thought. But to date, all his efforts at placing his monks and shrine masters in the Shogun's court had failed. He would have to resort to more extreme measures perhaps...

The Imperial Court in this years experienced, under the new peace, a series of stunning works and drawings by a circle of very talented artists. Also, the art of Haiku and Tanka came to be widely adopted, and poetry competitions became commonplace in the royal court. A distinct difference between the inner chambers of the Imperial Palace - a timeless and peaceful area of beauty and contemplation - and the outer world arose. Outside the palace, dirt, mud, and danger ruled and life was cheap. Inside, a veritable paradise of cultural flourishing was taking place. 

THE LAND UNDER HEAVEN - TIANXIA ZHONGGUO  

Land of the Sung

Mercenaries: 55i, 37c

The Greater Vehicle of Tibet
Chandragumra, Dalai Lama of Lhasa, Light of the World
Religion: Buddhism

DIPLOMACY:  Among the hills and villages of Tz'Uk'An, an independent Abbey was incorporated into the growing influence of the Dalai Lama, The great stupas in the poppy-filled hills of Gtsang were incorporated as a Church of the Lama

Far to the East, in the Grand Imperial Capital of Pienching, the Dalai Llama blessed the Emperor of the Middle Kingdom in an elaborate three week ceremony. According to the Imperial Records it had been over two hundred years since some of the rituals of Rebirth and Homage to the Western Winds had been performed. Truly the Sung had the Blessings of Heaven now. The Dalai Lama stayed in Pienching to bind the Sung closer to the Greater Wheel, before setting off once again to the East. For the first time ever, a ruling Llama came to the Goryeo lands, and entreated with the Chaosen peoples there. He engendered a large amount of popular support and good will in the Korean lands. Returning westward, for he was old and he knew his time was nearing completion, he traveled up the Yellow River, enjoying the scenery and writing poetry on the transitory nature of All. Arriving in Chang'an, he also worked to bind them closer to the Greater Wheel. Then, when his work was done, he picked out a gentle sloping hill on the outskirts of the city, and laid down, peacefully, and died. Mourners carried the news back to Tibet. 

His successor, chosen years before when just a boy, came to the Great Stupa serenely and with a look of (hopefully) wisdom in his eyes. He announced, as one of his first acts, that "in order to insure the safety of the people of the lands formerly held by the secular arm of Tibet, the Empire of Thaton is invited into those areas to provide for the common defense and promote the welfare of all therein." 

The Great Khanate 
Kubla Khan  
DIPLOMACY: The Tarim Zao horde block [Tarim, Tsinghai, Datong Shan] (a), The Turfani Horde block [Turfan, Suacho, Kucha] (ne), Merkits Horde Block [Tangut, Tuhnwang, Khalakan] (absorbed), Lang Zao Horde Block [Gurvan, Lang Shan, Gaxung Nur] (absorbed), Suzhou Horde Block [Yumen, Suzhou] (a), The Kashi Tribes [Kashgar, Astin, Khotan] (absorbed)

Kubla Khan addressed the tribesmen who had pledged their lives to him: "Men of the Khanate! We are warriors of the steppes, and we ride forth, bringing glory to our peoples. Now, the time has come: we will unite our brothers to our cause, and show the city-dwellers who their true masters are! Our arms are stronger than all, and our mounts are swift. Already we make the dirt-workers tremble in their stone cities. Their children talk of us only in whispers, fearful they might bring us to their very gates should they speak our names aloud. Now, we go forth - let no warrior show fear or falter when it is needed most. Let us ride, and take our rightful tribute from the dirt-dwellers!"

And with this call they rode forth, a vast horde, into the lands of their brother tribes to enlist them in their destructive cause. The Tarim Zao and many others allied with the Khanate, and the tribes eyed China with hungry eyes. The Turfani, however, had no more men to offer up to any cause, as they had all left many years ago. And, as the riders had left the lands of Bulingir, Charchan, Lob Nor, Sinkiang, and Taklamaklan many years before, the women and children left behind returned to their ways of hunting and gathering. Now that they had far fewer mouths to feed, it was much easier on them anyways. But, this peace did not last as Khan  Kang of the Tzinkiang horde died in a brief scuffle with a disobedient sub-chief of his. The Tzinkiang horde, skeptical of Kubla Khan's plans and wanting their own shot at glory, left the Khanate to return to their native lands of Charchan, Sinkiang, and Taklamaklan. Once again, food became scarce there.  

Western Sung (Po Hai ~ Xing Sung)
Sung EmperorSong Chou Lin, “The Grim”, Lord of the Middle Lands
Religion:Buddhism

DIPLOMACY:  Lanchou(f), Shan'si (a), Chiennan(a)

Having put an end to the civil wars, Song Chou Lin continued to concentrate on rebuilding his realm and getting the soldiers and levies back to more useful pursuits. His advisors continued to integrate the provinces back into the bureaucracy, although some proved troublesome in their independence. And Song knew from personal experience that having large numbers of troops around waiting for their pay and with no enemy to fight could be a liability. Thus he made sure to reward his men greatly and, at the same time, get them out of the picture. A number were given land grants around the village of T'ao-Chou in dry and freezing Ordos. In the south, the same process was enacted in Chinling, where the city of Ch'ang-te was created out of the incorporation of five smaller villages nearby, and in Ts'un-i in Chiennan. Ningsia, too, was the site of many large settlements of soldiers, and grew precipitously. The land grants in the area around Ningsia have the further effect of bringing much of that land under cultivation. It was hoped that the famines that seemed endemic might be averted in this manner. 

Chou Lin, seeing the success of these policies, attempted to further use them for the vast number of itinerant monks and wanderers around, granting the most conspicuous of them land and farms in order that they might bring their teachings to the common people better. This policy had much less success in the long run.

The only shock to the empire came late in this period when, Chou Lin, concentrating on other affairs to the neglect of the state, received reports of uprisings in the distant land of Yun. Although these were put down, it became clear to him that the bureaucracy could not keep things running without his guidance. 

Feng Sung Zao (Phoenix Sung Dynasty)

 

Song Gaozong, Prince of Kang, Celestial Emperor of the Middle Kingdom
Religion: Buddhism

DIPLOMACY: Yen (t), Yen-Ching(nt), City of ZenZun(fa)

Refugees and wanderers continued to settle down after the civil war, and let to large growths in city and village populations through the lands - in Shang-ling, Chang'ling, Chengde, Chiangning, and Chengshi. It also resulted in massive growth in the economies of Lu'an. The vast numbers of people throughout the Empire boggled even the greatest of bureaucrats and scholars, and made a mockery of their efforts to rule over them. Even T'an Hua, educated and determined as she was, could make no headway in the Imperial Census Bureau, as she was unable to track down or recreate the census records from before the war. Desperate, she sent hundreds, if not thousands, of couriers throughout the realm to update the books. But, the vast flow of people hither and yon made this impossible. Frustrated, she gave up her hopes of getting the Census Bureau in shape, and retired to Pienching to entreat with the Wudan school and concentrate on her family. Later in 1139, she gave birth to a son. It must have been something in the water that year, for the Emperor's wife also gave birth, this time to a young girl. 

Otherwise, the Emperor initiated a number of projects to rejuvenate the land after the debilitating past decade. The Imperial Examinations were reinstated, and the Confucian Schools received a great deal of overdue funding. A number of outpost garrisons were established on the frontiers. The road network linking Kaifeng Yen-Ching and Zen Zun was rebuilt, and trade along it increased rapidly. This had the unintended effect of freeing up many merchants in the interior to trade with their seagoing counterparts. A number of them began to make the long journey southward to the Khemer. And, although the journeys were often dangerous and the pirates were numerous, the strange fruits and goods from that distant land made it worthwhile for those who survived. Trade also grew greatly with the distant and strange land of Palawau, primarily in the form of an Imperial Grain Charter to that land. 

The Imperial Road, running from Chang'ling to Chiangning and on to Pienching was the sight of a tragic accident when the Lady T'An Hua tripped and fell on one of the many overturned stone blocks on it. Tragic. Simply tragic. The roads, damaged since the war, were immediately decreed to be rebuilt. Work started immediately and was finished within a few years. 

Some of the nomads in the northern wastes entertained Buddhist monks trying to spread their words of enlightenment and contemplation. Their dietary habits (no meat! bah!) amused the Kin and Tumet tribes, but the Hsuing-nu were slightly intrigued.  Also in the north, Lu Pan entreated with the people of Yen to return to the Empire. He met with marginal success, despite much help. Li Han, in Bao-Ding, refused to take no for an answer, and decided to make an example out of the natives. His 2000 light horsemen slaughtered a number of locals, and forcibly brought the province back into the empire. 

Gold and gems were shipped north to the Nomads there, and much of the court wondered what the Emperor was up to. Was it bribes? Ransom? Surely the Middle Kingdom was not afraid of a few smelly nomads?

The Wudan Masters
Ma, “The Laughing Sword”
Religion: Buddhism

DIPLOMACY:  Order Houses - grand training halls where young men can come and go through the "Ten Trials" and if they are skillful become admitted into the Order - were built in Shentung, Houma, Hopei, and Tsainan. 

Many came knocking on the Great Doors to Ma's chambers, to demand from the school their rightful due. For, did not the Sung and others help reinvigorate the Wudan? Did they not rightfully have some stake in the Order? And indeed, Ma was convinced by their reasoning. However, certain arrangements were made...

Ma led many of his stoutest and wiliest swordsmen into the smelly and putrid barracks of the Sung, as well as sending trainers to the Annam and Thaton lands. There, they attempted to impart but a portion of the Order's special techniques and methods, hoping to get the sorry and lazy soldiers of those realm into shape as real warriors.

Master Jun returned to the Order Stronghold one day, with exciting news. "Master Ma, we have heard rumours that what we seek was, at one point, in a small mountain village to the West of here. Let me show you on this map..." 

 

SOUTH EAST ASIA AND THE ISLANDS  ~ Land of Spices, Intrigue, and Exiles
Mercenaries: 11i, 9w, 10t

The Dai Kingdom of Annam
T'an Bao, Da-Wang ti Annam
Religion: Buddhist

DIPLOMACY:  Kwangchou(fa)

The Dai Kingdom continued to revel in the stability that the ancient teachers had predicted would come. A complex blend of Buddhist precepts and Confucianist rules enabled the empire to attain new heights of growth and prosperity. Even in 1138, when T'An Lung passed away at the young age of 28, it was but a ripple in the bureaucracy. The Royal Censors and Eunuchs, on the ancient model, elevated T'An Bao to the Throne. He took on his new responsibilities with the grace of his family name:

This is strangely pure,

The supreme province:

Hundreds of birds, not a hundred organs;

Rows of orange trees, thousands, standing like servants;

Peaceful moon over peaceful people;

Autumn water, autumn sky.

The four seas are clear, dust has settled.

The trip is better by far, this year.

But death stalked the Annam in these years, for a series of generals and nobles of repute were brought down by accidents and illnesses. The hilllands of Kwangsi saw the entourage of Nguyen Nguyen ambushed by bandits and slain to a man in 1139. Then, Minister Truong, on his way north to discuss matters with the mysterious Wudan school, fell victim to a fever and never recovered. T'an Bao appointed new advisors, who scurried north to continue their missions in wake of the untimely deaths. 

The ongoing peace meant that the flow of farmers into the cities continued, and the hill lands of Nam Pung were the sight of much clearing of land and erection of terraced rice-farms on the hillsides as T'an Bao granted a number of land-rights to the Thai farmers there. T'an Bao, further settling into his new role as the Da Wang, oversaw the continued growth of Annam and Dai Viet, and the daily grind of numerous petitions and writs. In the evening however he was able to spend time in the more relaxed surroundings of his household and the company of his courtesans. One of them gave birth to a boy child, but his birthright has not yet been granted. 

He did officiate at the marriage ceremony of Lord Hsieh and T'an Mei, in which Hsieh was presented with a Royal Annamese Seal, cementing his new role in the Kingdom. 

As a wedding gift to his sister, T'an Bao had the palace of Kunming built in Korat. Along with it came a large number of courtiers and hangers-on, and a small city grew up around it. Lord Hsieh helped oversee the continued work on a road through the hills of Korat, and otherwise enjoyed the luxuries that are a part of being a prince of one of the greatest lands on earth. 

An emissary was sighted in far-away China at the headquarters of  the Wudan school, but his exact business was not disclosed. 

The Kambujadesa Empire
Javyaravarman, Boy-king of the Khmer 
Religion: Hindu. Barely.

DIPLOMACY:  Hmong (h), City of Chi in Siam (ea), Surin (h)

A series of Buddhist riots and disturbances continued to wrack the kingdom, as open warfare broke out between them and the Hindus. A series of scandals had rocked a number of Hindu sects, and Buddhists everywhere were agitating for equal protection and recognition from the government. The practices of the Buddhists were catching on, while in many places the Hindu sects were on the defensive. Javyaravarman turned a blind eye to their pleas, and many rumours fled throughout the land as to his true intentions. He was, in fact, busy with his new daughter. 

Travel and trade continued to grow rapidly within the nation, leading to the construction of a road over the Mekong bridge between Angor and Phan Bo. The rich catches of the Phan Bo fishermen soon filled the markets of Angor and elsewhere. Furthermore, goods from the rich and faraway land of Sung began to flow into the markets of Feranga, Angor, and Phan Bo. This not only expanded those cities greatly, but led to a further influx of Buddhism and to the continued erosion of traditional ties to the land. Buddhist merchants and soldiers, unburdened by Hindu land rites, came to rely less upon norms of respect for landed and noble titles and more upon the cold hard power of cash and hard work. This process was accelerated by Javyaravarman's grant of more deeds to land and property to a number of soldiers who had served the realm. Farmlands continued to be parceled up, greatly increasing their number and reducing their size. As a result, plots of land, for the first time, came to be sold on a regular basis, further weakening traditional ties to the land. 

Despite a variety of gifts and bribes, the Hmong and Surin peoples, both possessed of a fiercely independent nature, drove out the Khmer emissaries sent to their lands. 

The Kingdom of Thaton
Souphan, Lord of the Mon
Religion: Buddhist

DIPLOMACY:  Gtsang(fa)

As the new terraced farming techniques of Annam spread throughout the region, some areas were more able to take advantage of it than others. Souphan, knowing well the lands of Kedah and being a wise ruler, gave grants to many of his men throughout the empire to settle in that hilly and subjugated land and provided them with funds and implements to set up farms on the hillsides. The Kedah lands that had been conquered so many years ago were turned over to these soldiers and in this way he not only hoped to bind the Kedah people closer to the empire but also to increase the wealth of those lands and take a few troublesome soldiers out of his army and away from mischief. All in all, the idea worked out quite well, and under the rock and hills the lands of Kedah proved quite fertile. Soon even more rice was flowing into the markets and coffers of the Kingdom. A similar process was taking place farther north, in Burma, but there the jungles proved much more dense, and the land much less fertile. Progress there was slow, but steady. Nonethless, as more rice flowed north, the lands around Bangkok and the northern city of Pagan grew richer and prospered.

In parts of the far away land of Manipur, a peripheral but loyal people (and proud to be part of the Kingdom), were granted to the Hindu Bengali as well as the Annamese and others. Bengali traders soon thronged the hills of Manipur. However, the Annamese merchants decided that travel through the bandit-infested and treacherous lands of Padishan was not worth it simply to get to Manipur. Their brethren in the south had much easier access to the Thatonese goods, and travel in the Tonkin Gulf, although dangerous, was still cheaper and safer than through the lands of Padishan.  

Thatonese influence continued to expand northward, as the Dalai Llama announced that the lands in that area would be under Thaton protection. Few were convinced however that any but Souphan could hold together such a sprawling Kingdom. And even he, whose skills were legendary, had a hard time keeping track of events up north.  

In less exciting news, two daughters were borne to Souphan's wife over these years, and ties with the Wudan school grew closer. 

The God-Empire of Sirivijaya
Gozomonye the Magnificent, Blessed of the Bohdisattva, The Builder
Religion: Buddhist

DIPLOMACY:

Ginandjar passed away in his sleep, peacefully, having achieved many of his goals in life. Many prayers accomppanined his soul to the other worlds. His son Gozomonye heard the news just before he himself became a new father, as his wife had just borne a son to him. It was clear to all the Ginandjar's soul had been reincarnated in the young boy. Given renewed confidence in the future despite the death of his father, he and his aids traveled to the lands of the Pajajaran to carry out one of the last unfulfilled desires of Ginandjar: the conversion of the Hindus to the Path. There, they agitated against the Hindu shrines and promoted their faith. But, the people of that land were fierce in their independence, and only a few disaffected outcasts took the preachings to heart. 

Lord Maktar, a brilliant general but not the brightest guy, departed for unseen lands and unknown shores and...was never heard from again. 

The Free State of Palawau
Mukmin, Master of Balabac
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY:

Mukmin, savvy trader that he was, orchestrated some highly lucrative deals for the city-state and brought wealth pouring into Palawau. Balabaci ships were sighted all throughout the islands plying their trade, and striking bargains. A boatload of spices here, a few boxes of silks there, a whole lot of Chinese rice over there, and before they knew it they were quite well off. 

Mukmin's wife gave birth to a young boy, and this was clearly a good omen. Indeed, the people who once had fled from certain death were beginning to feel a bit better about themselves and their situation.  

INDIA ~ Land of the Fervent 
Mercenaries: 9i, 9c, 4s, 4w, 5t

The Pala of Bengal
Ramaputri the wise, Queen of the Pala, Prince of Tamralipti
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY: Samatata, where the people are proud and wary of foreigners (t), A grant by the Thatonese allowing Bengali merchants into Manipur(NT)

The River of Life continued to grow as the center of the newly invigorated Hindu faith, and the faithful masses thronged its banks. In its waters sank two of its most famous worshippers to date, for the King Rubapala and his trusted confidant Wasista both passed away within months of each other. Although he had recently been vigorously paying attention to a variety of harem-mates, he yet remained childless. There was thus a great amount of unspoken concern and whispering in the halls of the palaces and summer-homes of the nobles about what exactly was going to happen to the Pala. After a few months it became clear that the Prince's very much elder sister Ramaputri was the best positioned for the throne. She assumed it under stressful conditions, for she was over seventy years of age, and of frail body (but powerful mind, and a biting wit). Courtiers began to circle like sharks. 

The people, however, were blind to all this, for they were immersed in devotions and pilgrimages. The riverside temple complex of Calcutta grew even larger. A number of accidents and drownings involving the ferry boats and pontoon bridges over the Ganges prompted the local governments, with the help of Ramaputri to begin construction of a massive bridge from Calcutta over the River of Life in the direction of Gaur. As the beginning sections of the bridge came close to being completed, riots and mobs became more and more common since the pilgrims were ever more eager to cross over the river to the temples on either side. In order to keep public order, and ensure no fanatics used the chaos to threaten her rule, Ramaputri ordered the construction of two large fortresses anchoring each side of the still-uncompleted bridge. To the North, in Gaur, was Fort Ganesha. Across from it, lay the Black Fortress. Much of the men stationed in the Black Fortress came from Fort Nadavaria, in the south (which had recently fallen on tough times and lay now largely in ruins). 

The soldiers of the empire kept a close eye on their neighbors and especially the Buddhists, and the paranoid Ramputri (who was no fool and could easily see that many perceived her to be weak) drew closer to her an immense amount of trusted guards, of the special scimitar schools of the North. She grew up largely in the north, and only truly trusted those of her own dialect. As she grew older, she began to see spies in every corner, and would, at the drop of a hat, order investigations into missing silverware and whispers in hallways. Nothing came of these, at least as far as anyone could tell. However, there was one other set of people she did trust, even though she could not control them: the Order of the Dagger. Now, as the Order became more active in politics, she bade her trusted advisors to travel to them with offers of cash and men in exchange for protection of her person and realm. The Order was all too happy to accept her help, but whether they would help support her rule remained to be seen. 

Pratihara Kingdom of Kaunaj
Omprakash, Emperor of the North, Master of All, Hammer of Arjuna and Faithful of Krsna
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY:  Chandela (A)

 Nagabhata, master of one of the greatest kingdoms the world had ever seen at the young age of 39, died in a surprise flash flood that engulfed his summer hill-castle one weekend in 1136. He was in the midst of a brief respite from talks with the newly re-emerged Order of the Dagger, and had pledged much to their cause. Immediately the ministers and advisors to the realm descended upon Prince Omprakash to prepare him for the rituals of ascension to the throne. Since Omprakash had already been heavily invovled with the day to day affairs of running the Kingdom, the assumption was never really in doubt. Even more so since Nagabhata had been spending all of his time lately with the Order of the Dagger.

After the required mourning period had ended, Omprakash enacted a pardon for a vast number of prisoners and a promotion for many of the lower castes, based upon his kingly rights under ancient Vedic laws. He also held the royal tax collectors at bay for a years to celebrate his rule. One of the effects of this was a large jump in the populations in the larger cities, for many lower castes, now allowed to enter within the cities proper, had done so with a vengeance. Often, they tried their hands at various crafts and trades, and the cities of Charkhari na Patna swelled in size. A large number of prisoners settled near Mandvi, coming from all over the realm, for they had little desire to stay where they were known and feared. Although many began as thugees, in Mandvi they too found it more profitable to turn to trade and farming. Holy Benares, too, bustled with more activity, as pilgrims continued to arrive and stay there. The Temple of Vishnu and other shrines and temples throughout the land continued to receive a large amount of royal writs of passage and free-movement, as well as other support. 

Kalachuri Kingdom of Tripuri
Junaryala, King of Kings, Lord of Ramagiri
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY:

Junaryala repudiated his deal with the Dhara (formerly Chalukya), but remained on friendly terms with them. Otherwise the realm was impressively quiet and peaceful. 

Western Dhara Kingdom
Munja, Lord of Dhara
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY:  After much debate upon the death of their king the Brahmins of Kayal become economically allied with the Dhara and repudiate their Alliance with them. However, then Lord Banaj later skillfully gets them to agree to full and friendly relations (Ea from A and then back up to F), The Kalachuri Kingdom of Tripuri (downgrade to Influenced)

Munja, the King of Dhara, and second in line for the throne of Chalukya (in a very complicated genealogical situation) found himself presiding over the funeral of the late Mularaja Calukya early in 1135. A set of suspcious dates had done him in, but, in any case, Munja was hardly mourning. Now the kingdom was his, and he had great plans for it. The funeral itself was a stately affair of flames and ritual, but right after it was done, Munja left for the palace to issue a set of proclamations to cement his rule and ensure that the Chalukya families did not challenge the new Dhara rule. Strangely enough, they had become complacent and no real troubles seemed to threaten Munja's rule. There was, however, that small matter of the Chalukya children...The only real outward sign of trouble came when the Lord of Kayal passed away, and rumours regarding the Dhara led the Kayali castes to reject their alliance with the empire. They opted for economic ties only (but Lord banaj later was able to rectify this to Dhara's advantage). Munja, failing in his attempts to understand the workings of the empire as well as his predecessor had, and feeling a bit cross at the Kayal upstarts, instead grew obsessed with simply enhancing the political leverage of his lands. He traveled to the land of the Tripuri to meet Lord Muhar and assist his talks with the Kalachuri Lords. Unfortunately, no dirt had been turned up on Junaryala top aid them. Their efforts, in fact, seemed unseemly and disturbing to Junaryala, and  a series of mishaps and diplomatic blunders infuriated him even more. Angered, he repudiated his tributary relationship with the Dhara and kicked the entourage out of his lands. The Dhara, however, remained quite influential in the palace of the Tripuri, and still had many friends there. 

The central lowlands and villages of Anhivarta grew rapidly in these years, as trade to the West increased dramatically and the Dhara's peace gave everyone the confidence to bring more and more of their goods to markets there. 

Sad Drivida Kingdom of Ceylon
Vijayabahu, Lord of the Tamil and the Nadu
Religion: Hindu.

DIPLOMACY:  The inland hills of Sangas (A)

The Drivida, like much of the sub-continent remained a land of faith and powerful beleifs and, as the low-lying slow boats and ferries carried their wares around the lagoons and green waters of Mannar, everywhere there were the faithful. Prince Bhaljahu convinced Vijay (as he knew him) to part with a few more vessels, for he was sure he could find the Eastern Spice Passage if he had some more stouthearted sailors, a few good ships, and the power of Vshnu behind him. Skeptical, Vijaybahu still let himself be convinced, and Bhaljahu sailed East once again with 18 of the best ships Seylon craftsmen could build. He returned, years later, empty-handed but with all the vessels still intact. Despondent, he vowed to continue again, though much of his youth, by now, had been spent scanning vast reaches of empty ocean. 

Vijaybahu continued to lend support to the brahmin castes of various sects around the great temples in Polonarva. The governing castes were aided by the influx of a number of new preists and temple-masters, for they were generally better educated than other assistants. Soon, they became an invaluable help in ruling the vast domains of the Kingdom. Also, the Order of the Dagger, quiet these many years, came back into prominence on the wave of new religious movements. Vijaybahu, seeing how the Bengali and Kaunaj were wooing the Order with their vast wealth, felt pressure to also become involved. If these fanatics were to become once again political powers in their own rights, then it was best to make sure they had good relations from the start (and not a fair bit of influence in them as well, just to make sure...). 

Both lords Narma and Porus passed away, but not until after Narma convinced the hill-people of Sangas to ally with the realm. 

The Order of the Dagger 
Chanakya Nandalal
Religion: Hindu

DIPLOMACY:  see below

Much of the resurgence of the Hindu faith in the last few generations was due in large part to the growth of a variety of sects and reactionary clans who, fearful of the growing power of overseas merchants, Muslims, and Buddhists had receded into their enclaves. Many of these, such as the Thugee, the Holy Men of the North, and the many itinerant ascetics who had always been ever-present, began to set up their own schools and shrines where they could preach and pass on their doctrines without fear of "corruption" from outside influences or even other Hindu sects. Some of these sects were actually quite fanatic and even violent in their practices of asceticism, practicing many types of self-flagellation as a show of their faith. One in particular was a peculair blend of asceticism and wider learning. This Order of the Dagger had a special place in Hindu traditions - at least the traditions of the North near Nepal - in that it had its origins in the ancient Gita. When Arjuna heard the utterances of Krsna, and prostrated himself with great fear to speak his Hymn of Praise, it was recounted that at his side protecting him was Samjaya. And it was he who was the First Dagger, and who did drive before Krsna the Raksasas and cause them to flee in terror. And ever since, the Order of the Dagger has kept their sacred vows to Krsna and Arjuna, to punish the Raksasa wheresoever they might be. 

Over time, the Order of the Dagger passed through phases in which it was highly secluded, and jealousy gaurded its mysteries. But its members, known for their prowess with Kris-type knives and a variety of other implements, were highly valued by all who needed protection from assassins and other enemies. 

Now, as the land was seeing a grand resurgence of Hinduism, and the faithful once again turned to the Ultimate for Salvation and Enlightenment, the Order of the Dagger was seeing a surge in hopeful members to its ways. Forgetting ones family and entire past is not an easy road to travel, but many were waiting at the doors of the Order's Halls to be given the chance to become one of them. And, furthermore, the Princes and Lords of the Kingdoms were also eager once again for the services and protection of the Order. Vast monies flowed into their coffers from Bengal, the Pratihara, and the Drivida. Once again, as in times of tradition, the Order appeared poised to emerge from its higher pursuits to play a role in the material world. 

While the most famous site of the Order of the Dagger is surely the Fortress of the Scimitar in the hills of Rajput, there are other sites too: Maghada (oe), Jaunpor (oo), Uttar Pradesh(oo), Gaur (op), Palas(op), Tarain(op), Chitor (op), Vatsa(oh), Nadavaria(oh), Assam(oh), Jihjhoti(oh), Chandela(oh)

 

CENTRAL ASIA AND PERSIA
Mercenaries: 15i, 15c, 5s

The Ghaznavid Sultanat
Mahmud (II) al Dala, Lord of the Punjab, Master of the Highlands
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  The farmlands of Sukkur, known for their figs and elaborate mosques (f), Punjab, land of mysteries, violence, and hill-tribes quick to anger (ea) 

Driving his spoils before him, proud Mahmud returned to Kabul and its mighty towers. His captives, once proud warriors now disgraced slaves for his realm. He relished in punishing these men who had, only a few years back been killing and torturing his riders. They were put to work in the vicious salt and gold mines in the hills, made to break stone for the Black Towers of Kabul, and sent to the Games for the enjoyment of the masses. Ha! The Ajmeri would never forget what it means to insult the Ghaz again. 

Prince Mustafa busied himself in preparation for his own time of rule, and traveled the length and breadth of the realm learning and recording the crops grown in the north, the strange statues in the south, and the concerns of the farmers and merchants throughout the realm. In the end, he returned to Kabul with an understanding of the people and makeup of the Sultanate, and sent the scribes scrambling back and forth to take down all his writings and notes into the Grand Register. One of his wives, the Royal Scribes were pleased to announce, had given birth to a young girl in the months he was gone. Double-checking to make sure there was no ..ahem...mistake, Mustafa gave his approval to the birth and allowed the girl to take the royal name. Mustafa's father, the Sultan, was also blessed with a young daughter from one of his many harem-mates. He too, allowed the young girl to take the royal name. 

Although the land was rich, the campaigns of the Sultan had taken a toll on the royal coffers of late, and a general belt-tightening took place. The immediate result was an improvement in the economy of Peshawar, as a number of city guards were allowed to return to their homes in the city and farms nearby, where they could concentrate on their own livelihoods. With the defeat of the Ajmeri, the realm was not threatened seriously, and the Sultan felt confident enough to relax his guard...but just a bit. He remained wary and did not allow any dissension within the ranks.  

The Saffarids of Baluchistan
Rasul ibn Leys, Shah of Baluchistan, Governor of Khorasania, Lord of the Hunt
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  

Rasul went to great efforts to ensure that the Al Mohad - crude but faithful nomads - did not cause his allies in Qatar undue concern or harm. The economy of Qatar was severly impacted by the nomads arrival, but a flow of gold and other goods to the Sheik of Qatar eased any troubles. Other than that, he spent his time overseeing the rule of his sprawling Shahdom, watching the completion of certain projects with great interest, and hoping at least of his many wives would get pregnant.  

A royal courier path was begun between Baluchistan and the deserts of Siahan to keep Rasul in better communication with the eastern portions of the land. A number of Christian slaves perished under the blazing, cruel sun toiling on this road.  

Otherwise, the realm was relatively quiet, almost too quiet. Sort of like the quiet before the storm. 

The Uighur Khanate
Khagan Thakir, Lord of the Karluks
DIPLOMACY:  Altai Hordesmen [Beshbalik, Altai] (a), Seljuks [Ryatka, Betpak, Osman] (ne), The Khirgizi [Palavopi, Saraba] (a)

Khagan Ko-Lo, his dreams too vast for the vessel that was his body, expired in 1136. A brief power struggle ensued, and one of his allies, Khan Thakir of the Karluks took his horse and his wives for his own. Leading the hordes across the steppes he quickly pressured the Altai and the Khirgizi into obedience, helped in part by a cunning marriage to a daughter of one of the High Chiefs of the Khirgiz tribes. Having gathered a vast host, he descended upon the helpless lands of the Wusu. There he enslaved every last one of them, and hauled them back to his camps to better serve his growing empire. He forced them to serve as couriers and scribes - for many of them could actually read and, though he had little respect for such skills, he knew they could come in useful sometimes. 

In another display of adroitness, Thakir entered into ever closer relationships with the Ilig to the West. Not only did he pledge to protect them from others, but a large number of Ilig scribes and advisors made the difficult journey eastward to assist Thakir in various endeavors. They were able to help him rule over his vast domains, since his tribal ways of doing things had prior to this led to a number o misunderstandings, orders that weren't carried out, and other problems. A system was set up in which each clan chief owed their fealty directly to Thakir, and their nobles owed loyalty to them, rather than Thakir directly. This cut down on the burden of rule which, frankly, had been driving the Khagan up a tree.

The tribes left behind in a variety of desert and steppe lands, having sent their warriors off to fight and serve with Thakir, returned to their peaceful existences. The villages of Balkash, Chuguchak, Dzungaira, and Frunze all ceased to pay even the nominal deference to Thakir they had in the past. Not out of spite, or distrust, but merely because they had more important things to do now that their men had gone off to the Khanate.  

The Karakhanate of Ilig
Jasmine, Bughra-Khan, Queen of the Ilig
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  Chagatai Horde Block [Kophat Dagh, Gurgan] (h), Tadzik (fa)

Many in the Karakhanate were highly wary and concerned over the hordes to the East and North, for it was well known that they butchered families whole and practiced a variety of vile traditions. However, Jasmine took a two-pronged approach to dealing with the potential threat of nomads. On the one hand, the barbaric Uighur were given a assistance and training in exchange for a vow by them to protect the Karakhanate. Few believed the words of the nomads, however, and Jasmine heard their concerns. Thus, she also ordered the construction of a variety of hill forts and outposts throughout the realm to discourage any invaders, as well as the raising of a number of new levies. Many of the commoners as Mullahs, in these times of concern, turned more and more to Sharia and the words of the Prophet for guidance. Jasmine encouraged this, for the more faithful her people were the more faith they had in her rule. 

In other policies, Jasmine ordered her wide ranging reforms to continue as the larger family clans were pressured to forsake some of their hereditary landholdings in the name of Allah. Jasmine was cunningly able to leverage the growing religious beliefs of the people and invoke the Islamic dictum that those who are rich are required to give a significant portion of their wealth to the poor every Ramadan. As the power of the Mullahs grew, these dictums became harder and harder for the clans to ignore or sidestep. Their wealth and power was infringed upon at every turn, and Jasmine's advisors warned her that trouble was brewing. Nonetheless, she was not worried, for her personal black-turbaned guards were ever on the lookout for signs of rebellion. Also, she was able to divert some of the concern of the nobles by opening up many of the elite Quranic schools to their sons, and in this manner she gave them a stake in continued obedience to Sharia and was able to bring many of the schools greater wealth. This also helped to bring many of the nobles to Samarkand, enriching even more that "Flower of Asia."

But, without a doubt the most glorious event of these years in the Karakhanat was the marriage of Nia - the stunningly beautiful daughter of Jasmine - to the son of Mustapha, lord of Khwarzim. Jasmine had decided that the two kingdoms must finally be re-united. Thus, she arranged for this marriage to cement the bond between the two states. Nia, as cunning as her mother, charmed not only Kemal but also all of the elite of Khwarzim society. The ceremony itself lasted ten days, and a national holiday was declared. The markets ran red with blood of sacrificial goats and the Mullahs proclaimed a new era for Ilig and Khwarzim in the eyes of Allah. A vast amount of gold-wrought jewelry and other presents was delivered as a dowry to Nia by Kemal, and a special palace was built in Khiva for the newlyweds. During the ceremony, the palace guards could be seen everywhere, lending a safe - yet ominous - air to the whole situation. None dared oppose Jasmine. Not the least of which was Kemal who was quite put out by the fact that Nia wanted to remain in Samarkand to help her mother rule the Ilig domains. Was she not his wife? Was she not of Khwarz now? Should they not return to Khiva and the palace that awaited them? Jasmine, hearing of his concerns, sent Mostafa to entreat with him: "Perhaps we should unite not only our families but our great lands together too, hmm?" Kemal was dismissive of the suggestions he heard. He was a Prince of Khiva and Khwarzim, nowhere else, was his homeland.

Kahir-al-din, at the head of more than 4,000 royal horsemen was met with disdain and fury by the Chagatai nomads in Kophat Dagh. They laughed at his offers to join with Samarkand "Why should we believe you city dwellers words? And what good would it do us? If we want riches, we take riches. If we want to trade, we go to Merv. What can you give us that we want? We have all we need - the sun and the plains and our horses. Now leave us, farmer." With these words they repudiated any claims that the Ilig had on their lands.

Shahdom of Khwarzim
Mustapha, Khazarim-shah
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:

The Call to Prayer in KhivaThe Young Kemal, in a defining moment for his life, was married to the beautiful Nia of Ilig in far-off Samarkand. He was taken with the sights and sounds of that strange city, packed with people and lush parks. But, he was insulted at the suggestion that Kwarzim was anything but fiercely independent from the southerners. Obviously, the riches of Samarkand had gone to Jasmine's head! During the wedding ceremony, Mustapha beamed at his son. Now, finally, he might get a grandchild, for his own wife still failed to produce an heir to accompany him around now that Kemal was grown.  

Back home in Khiva, many preparations were undertaken to defend the realm against the nomads to the north and east. Food was even stockpiled in case the unthinkable happened. Mustapha also, upon Jasmine's suggestion, sent scholars to the Uighur to teach their ways to them. He was skeptical that the barbarians could be trusted, but Jasmine was very persuasive. Lord Ak'Alla spent many of his years in the service of Mustapha bringing the Sharia records up to date, and creating The Tablet - a complex record of all the Mosques and Qu'ranic schools throughout the Shahdom. The Quranic schools, in fact, became highly integrated with the empire and provided invaluable assistance to Mustapha in these times of concern. 

The Turki
Charan the Cruel, Great Khan of the Turki and the Polovotsy, Feared Lord of the Steppe, "The Chain"
DIPLOMACY:  Cossaki Horde block [ Cuman/Levedia] (absorbed)

To Charan, it was time. Now his people must leave their confines, and travel to lands of riches and glory, where their thundering hooves make men quake in fear. He led his men to the south, through the lands of the Yasi - whom they avoided - to the Cossaki. The Cossaki, a minor group of tribes, and not known for their bravery, easily joined the Turki in their drive south. The NeoGoths, however, were not so convinced, and merely allowed the Turki to pass through their lands. But it was not more men the Turki wanted but slaves - Muslim slaves - and loot. In the high mountains of the Anatolian plateau they met with their allies the Armenians. Charan warmly embraced the Armenians as friends, and marched together with them upon the hapless Damascenes... <see Basil's Crusade below>

The men and Khan of Nogai were absorbed fully into the Khanate. 

Ar Rawwadid Emirat at Tabriz
Mikai’l Alueddin, yabghu of the Rawadid
DIPLOMACY:  

The events of the recent years raised the Rawwadid from their slumber, and energized Alueddin once again. His dream was not to sit idly by and watch, but to take the world and make it his. He initiated a number of trade policies which led to economic expansions across the realm, but this was not enough for him. The glory of the old kingdoms was still greater, and that is what he longed for. When the Kurdistani and the Arbiliq dismissed his overtures, he turned to more direct means.  If the surrounding lands would not pay him tribute peacefully, then he would take it by force. And he did. The city of Tabar fell to Alueddin's armies after a brief and bloody struggle, and was forced to pay ransom to the Emirate. Persia, and then Zagros too were beaten into submission in this way, giving the Emir a portion of the lucrative Silk trade and pleasing him greatly. 

MIDDLE EAST  
Mercenaries: 10i, 5c, 30xc, 9w, 10t   

The ‘Abasi Kalifate
Omar, Judge of Judges, the True Kalif
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  Mansura(AB), Hamadan(ch), El'Gitar(mn), Gefara(ch), Mecca(ch), Al'Qadi(ch)

Mustarshad died while at prayer in 1137, a fitting end for a great Caliph. Omar, his declared successor, took the title of Caliph with little fanfare. 

A vast amount of gold, olives, and Halal meat was shipped from Baghdad to a variety of the faithful around the Caliphate, and much of it went directly to the mercenary brokers in Tyria where large numbers of Arab dhows and various troops were hired. They later boarded Cypriot ships bound for parts unknown. The death of Mustarsha  put a variety of crimps in the Caliph's plans, but even given the passing of this well-liked Mullah  the mosques of the area continued to bow down to the Caliphate's authority. 

The news from the west enraged many in the Caliphate. 

The Almohad Kaliphat
Yusuf ibn Tumart, Imam of Imams, The Revealed
DIPLOMACY:  Dasht'Kavr/Khvor Horde Block (absorbed), Dasht'Lute/Shadad horde block (absorbed), Sistan/Registan Horde Block (absorbed)

As the strength of the Abbasi grew, so did their influence and power in the Dar Al Islam. The name of the Caliph struck awe and respect into Mullahs across the Middle East, and the Almohad were no exception. Driven by their holy mission to unite all the Dar Al Islam tribes under their banner, they departed for the east in a massive wave of humanity. The power of Islam, incarnate, in over a million warriors and many times that in tribes, wanderers, and holy men. They left too early for word to reach them of the Christian depredations in the west, and once the hordes were on the move nary a horse in Persia or Arabia could catch them. 

Then descended in their multitudes upon Khvor, Dashte'E lute, and Sistan, where the Afghani and Persian hill tribes there were seized by their religious fury. Many of these nomads had never been to Mecca, and the tales that the Al Mohad brought with them served to galvanize their Islamic spirits. These were years wherein a great cultural flourishing of the Al Mohad took place, as the cultures and traditions of a vast array of Muslims - from the heart of Africa to the highlands of Persia - were gathered together, united in their faith in Allah, and bound with the holy language of Arabic. It was, without a doubt, one of the greatest and most awe- and fear- inspiring migrations ever seen in the world to date. 

Years later, the tribes returned from Persia and swept southward, through Kuwait to the grand bazaars and caravanserai of Qatar. Here they stayed for more than a year, entranced by the wonders of the markets and the strange sights they saw there, and engorged on the riches of the Ghaznavids and Abassi. Gold poured into Qatar, to both the Al Mohad and the Sultan of Qatar. The sultan was, to say the least, in a bind by the nomads, for the local economy was helpless to support so many more. Rasul Ibn Leys, however, made sure enough gifts and gold were present to allay the more violent tendencies of the nomads and the fears of the Qatari. The Khans of Suakin and Kosti accepted positions of subservience to Yusuf, in a gesture of acceptance of his holy mission. This was aided by the taking of wives by Yusuf from both of the tribes, and the subsequent birth of a son to each wife, although Yusuf did name Isamail'is ibn Moheg as the heir to his holy throne. But as the months wore on the life of the farmers and sedate Muslims was not for many of the nomads, and they began to pine for the fight, the chase, and the thrust of their lances. Many of the nomads left, disenchanted, and the most fervent remained. These longed for Yusuf to release them so that they might wreak Allah's holy vengeance upon the infidels. 

Both far away and nearby, the lands which had so recently sworn themselves to the Al Mohad had all but forgotten about them. From the Ennedi tribesmen to the As'Summan and Bostran desert Bedouin, the lands returned to their more pragmatic pursuits of making a daily living. The men and women who remained in those lands returned to their daily existence, and shunted off any allegiance to Yusuf. The exceptions to this were, of course, those Persian and Afghani tribes who had just recently joined Yusuf in his holy mission. 

The Buwayid Sultanate
Akbar al'Hajj ibn Keili'la, Sultan of Baghdad
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY: Abadan(nt) 

The Sultan's concerns about his realm grew by leaps and bounds everyday, and the events to the west did not allay his fears any. Even his most trusted general, E'Van, came under suspicion, despite his protestation to the contrary. Nonetheless, the land remained apart from the conflicts of their neighbors - the markets thrived, and the realm as a whole grew richer day by day. Refugees from the Hatamid Emirat swarmed into the rich lands of Mosul, and led to the significant expansion of Al-Nausil (this growth was aided by the recent reopening of trade with the Hatamids, also). 

Akbar, in an effort to find a woman he could trust, went outside his realm and court, and to the lands of Abadan. There, in his parleys with the merchants, he came upon a princess of that land (by the name of Salena), after a bit of work, was able to take her back to Baghdad to be married. Those lands, however, remained distrustful of strangers, and this entire episode did little to help Buwayid efforts to tie Abadan closer to them. A daughter was borne of the union in the following summer. 

 

Basils's Crusade

1136 ~ 1140

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In 1136, a massive influx of mullahs and holy men from the mosques of Syria and the Abassi preached their words throughout the kingdom of Armenia, and the faith of the people there was sorely tested. The arrival of the Mullahs infuriated Queen Hiereia. Furthermore, she was under great pressure from the Turki nomads to accede to their demands. Finally, she saw a way to kill two birds with one stone: "We, the Queen of Armenia, in an increasingly difficult situation, have decided to provide escort through the Armenian lands for the Turki.  The Khan of the Turki had stated his intent to raid, and it is the position of the Armenian monarchy that the Turki travel through Armenian lands as quickly as possible.  So we have made the unpleasant choice of providing escort for the Turki, in return for being left unmolested by the Khan's steppe riders."

As her words reached foreign ears, Malik Shah, the king of the Rum Khanate, sent couriers to Hiereia proposing certain negotiations. Later that month, riders to the court of Damascus delivered to Rukh-al-Din the following message:  "The Kingdom of Armenia and the Rum Khanate wish to jointly announce that they have allied in order to insure the security of their peoples. Over the last 15 years or so the Islamic kingdoms have become increasingly bellicose...of late they have descended to thinly veiled threats, which although stated in diplomatic terms, boil down to the following: the area under our control are considered of primary value to them, and we must either convert to Islam, or be destroyed... we have  made numerous offers of peace, of non-aggression pacts, and all such offers have been brushed aside, with the explanation  that our given word is not enough.....It is more in sorrow than in anger that we must now take swift action in order to secure the safety of our kingdoms.... an army consisting of the combined forces of Armenia and the Rum Khanate and mercenary auxiliaries has been sent southeast, with orders to make an incursion  into Hatamid territory, for the purpose of carving out a small enclave, which will serve as a "buffer" between our kingdoms....we are not engaging in this for territorial gain, only to insure our mutual security...This army, led by Prince Suleiman of the Rum Khanate and Photius of Armenia, has been ordered to advance into Hatamid  territory, and halt as soon as significant resistance is encountered...it is not a large force...in order to prevent an escalation into a wider war, we have sent only a small portion of our strength, just enough to show that we are serious..."

The Sultan looked over the quaking and quivering messenger. "So. It is war. Finally. Now we shall see who dictates terms to who. Prepare my men..."

At about the same time, far towards the west in Constantinople, Basil Bulgarophilus was under verbal assault by a council of church leaders, merchants, and others. To the Oriental Romans, the Muslim actions in the last few years on Crete were intolerable. " The Innocents of Crete must be avenged! The infidels have gone to far." There had been rioting in the streets, even the most sedate among the nobles had been outraged by the death of the Cretans. Everywhere Basil heard the clamor for "Crusade" " Destroy the Infidels." Finally, even he could not contain his bile, and ordered the fleet to prepare itself...

The Campaign for Damascus

As soon as the cold season ended in April, a large army of Rum and Armenian troops poured across into Aleppo. Rabul bin-Barqan, commanding the Damascene defenders was prepared for them, for he was no fool, but even he did not expect the Christians to be able to field such a large army as he saw that day. The initial skirmishes and raids lasted for a month, and the Syrians had a slight advantage simply from the number of castles and hill forts in Aleppo, but the quality and numbers of the allied Christians was cause for concern. Finally, when the two armies met outside the hills of Antioch, Rabul got, for the first time, a good count of the enemy he faced: over 6,000 regular Armenian foot, the 1,800 man personal guard of Photius of Galatia, over 22,000 assorted horse and lancers from the Rum Khanate, and a surprisingly well-organized group of about 3,000 mercenary foot bringing up the middle. Rbul was astounded, and knew that he was in trouble. Mumbling a quick prayer to Allah, he recounted his troops for the fifth time: 3,200 Syriac horse,  4,400 assorted foot, and the 26 forts and castles scattered around Antioch. Second AntiochIn addition, he had the 2,200 men of the Prince of Edessa's guard. 

The battle was over quickly though, and Rabul left behind over 3,000 dead when he finally retired in good order inside Antioch. The Christians turned their attention to the forts in the area, and prepared for the inevitable armies of the Sultan. They didn't have to wait long until Abu'Mehmet, the Prince of Damascus and second-in-line for the Hatamid throne came riding towards Antioch to relieve Rabul with 1,600 fresh foot and 3,400 horse. The siege works of Antioch had not yet been  put into place, and Mehmet and Rabul were able to coordinate their counterattack to some extent. Second Antioch was a much more brutal affair, and the Christians, although victorious were badly shaken by the ferocity of the Muslims in close fighting. By the end of the day, though, the Hatamids had been ground down not by skill but simply by the numbers. Prince Mehmet, wounded by a lance-tip in his side, ordered a withdrawal in the dusk towards Damascus and the exhausted Christians did not pursue. By he end of this day, also, it had become clear to Rabul that the "mercenaries" in the Christian forces were too organized to be the common rabble that usually passed for hired swords. And they fought with a ferocity that only believers in the cause could muster. 

The next few months saw the Christians reduce and occupy the hill forts in the area, and begin to move towards Damascus, the real prize. They bypassed Antioch, knowing that their comrades behind would starve it out. 

By next year, they had come into view of the Jewel of Syria, and the Christians overlooked the valley before them they had the faith of God that their cause was just and would carry them into the high-walled city. The Syriac castles in the area provided Rabul with another opportunity to take the initiative from the Christians, and he sallied forth from them in what came to be known as Hieriea's Battle of Damascus. Again, grievous losses were inflicted upon the Christians, but the Muslims were forced to retire to Damascus after a few weeks of small scale sieges and fort assaults. It was clear by now that superior Byzantine sappers and miners were in large part responsible for the rapid successes the Christians had in taking the Arab castles. 

The walls of Damascus yet remained high, however, and that is what the Hatamids now had to place their faith in. From inside the walls the Muslims mocked the Christians, as they circled Damascus in bare feet praying to God to deliver the infidel to them. But Allah was not to allow them even the comfort of secure walls that day for three weeks after the siege had begun, a night raid by Armenian light horse captured one of the city guardsmen, and with him the keys to a side gate of Damascus. The alarm was quickly sounded when the Christians moved towards the city and into the gate, and a vicious door to door slaughter ensued. Both sides suffered terribly, but the ferocity of the Christians kept them going. In the end, out of the chaos of Damascus that night, less than 5,000 Damascene troops escaped to the east, along with Rukh-Al-Din - a very changed man now. 

Damascus had fallen to the Christians, but the worse was yet to come, for the populace of Damascus was rounded up by Suleiman (commander of the Christian forces), enslaved, and sent west to be forcibly converted or to toil for the Khanate. Such was the fate of non-believers. But, they were the lucky ones, for the Christians, consumed by passion, in an orgy of violence and destruction torched and burnt the entire city. No stone was left unturned, and in the end Damascus was reduced to a smoking pile of rubble. The fabulous Mosques, the Grand Palace, the university, and the libraries with the accumulated knowledge of hundreds of years of Arab learning, all were destroyed. The region surrounding the city was further subjected to enslavement and looting, also. Ripples of shock and outrage went hurtling through the Dar Al Islam...

Back in Aleppo, a second Christian army had surrounded Antioch, isolating it from any food and most of its water supply. After six months of this the inhabitants surrendered in the hopes that they would be spared (they hadn't heard about the Sack of Damascus). Such was not to be. The people of both the city of Antioch and the region of Aleppo were enslaved, and the city sacked and burnt to the ground by the Christians.  A third Khanate army  traveled down the coast and through Aleppo - now a wasteland of wailing women and scattered refugees - and into Lebanon where they looted and enslaved the region. 

Then, in July of 1139, a large host of Turki and Armenian riders descended from the mountains of Vaspurakan and raided the lands of Edessa and Carhae. In Edessa the budding city of Irbil was decimated, and the region was enslaved and looted. The inhabitants of Carhae were not taken by the Turks, but their lands were decimated and occupied. 

The Hatamid emirate was devastated from end to end in one of the most brutal wars the Middle East had seen in a long time. It was not likely that this would be easily forgotten. 

The War at Sea:

As trade and peace descended upon Cyprus - for the expected war with Badr did not materialize - the small port town of Carsk on the Gulf of Cyprus grew into a city in its own right, and was soon the sight of a large amount of Islamic traders going back and forth. That is, until events in the Middle East caught up with the Cypriots. The actions of Jamis on Crete earlier had so infuriated the Romans that action could no longer be put off. Emperor Basil set forth at the head of the fleet, laden with troops. In 1137 he entered the Gulf of Cyprus from the Aegean at the same time as the Cypriot fleets headed west into the Ionian on towards Italy. He scanned the seas for the Hatamid fleet, and soon found it off of Tyria. A fierce but quick action ensued, and the twelve Arab ships were sent to the bottom of the sea by the more than seventy Byzantine warships. 

Basil then descended up the island of Cyprus, which was practically undefended and, after a brief campaign captured it and it's budding port of Carsk. Admiral Jamis was wounded, but escaped into the hills to wait for the return of his fleet. Andreas Comnemnus was left in command of the 4,000 troops in Cyprus, while Basil returned to Constantinople. 

Sure enough, near the end of 1140, the Cypriot fleet approached. They had already heard of the treacherous Roman attack, and landed their troops to retake their base. Despite a number of disadvantages, Comnemnus was not the most able commander, and he was totally unaware of any possibility for counterattacks against his garrison. He and his troops were slaughtered and captured to a man, and Cyprus retaken. 

The Hatamid Emirat
Rukh al-Din, Sultan of Damascus, The Wrathful
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  

The Hatamid Emirat lay in ruins, it's cities destroyed and its people enslaved. Rukh al-Din vowed he would avenge his people!

The Pirates of Cyprus
Jamis, Master of Cyprus
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:

Their island kingdom liberated, Admiral Jamis vowed revenge! 

And, in all the commotion it almost went unnoticed that two boys and a girl were borne to the wives of Jamis. 

Hayrenik’un Armeniam
Hayrenik Mecatun Hieriea, Queen of the First Men
Religion: Eastern Orthodox

DIPLOMACY:  

The Armenians were triumphant in their rampages across the infidels lands! 

In view of the conflicts, the princess Irene was sent west to the Romans so that she might wed, far from the hazards of war. 

The Rum Khanate of Turkiye
Malikshah, Khan of the Seljuq Turks
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY:

Malik towered over other men, in his moment of glory and triumph. Despite some of his plans going astray, he still strode like a lord of the earth over his wailing enemies. And, even though his men fought like demons elsewhere, that did not prevent him from exerting his power in Turkiye: he ordered a road constructed on the courier road between Lydia to Isauria, and construction began. And, in Cilicia the small port town of Suleimanopolis was begun in honor of the Khanate's greatest general. 

Despite the slaves and gold that came to Rum from captured Hamadid lands, the economy, overtaxed for years, remained weak. 

Oriental Roman Empire
Basil III Bolgarophilos, Avtokrator of the Romans
DIPLOMACY:  The Cretans, glad to finally have a patron joined the Byzantines against the Egyptians: Crete(fa)

The entire nation was geared up for the big war, which Basil was mightily angered to see not go his way. Those damn Cypriots! Although he never really liked Comnensus, still, to be skewered alive was a bad way to go...

The only other events of note in the Empire were discouraging reports from the missionaries dispatched to the Crimea, and the three young girls born to Herakles' new wife, a young local girl named Anya. 

THE RED SEA AND ENVIRONS
Mercenaries: General pool: 10i, 5c, 5s, 5w, 5t    

The Empire of Egypt (formerly Al Fatimid Caliphat al Qaira)
Badr II, Sultan of Egypt, Calif of the West
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY:  Sinai(fa)

As peace settled down between Admiral Jamis and Badr, trade grew once again in Alexandria, leading to a growth in the economy there. As a final sign of peace between the two men, merchants began to trade between Alexandria and Carsk. As this and other trade grew throughout the region, a number of people noticed that large shipments of gold were dissappearing for unknown parts in the Mediterranean. Badr however dismissed various concerns about this and concentrated on ensuring the safety of his realm from all potential attackers - be they Cypriots, nomads, or Christians. Many of his other efforts did not come to pass, and he was infuriated by this. There was some good news in that there was some degree of acceptance of Egyptian rule by the Mullahs of the Sinai, and the birth of a boy and a girl to his wife. Furthermore, Egypt was becoming a land of rapid artistic and technological development, as progress was made in all areas of science and art. All in all, Badr concentrated on smoothing over ruffled feathers since the civil war, and ensuring that the reactionary elements in Egypt were not given any more excuses to question his rule.

Missionaries in Suakin were rebuffed by the nomads there, as they were in the Makuria Kingdom itself. This so enraged the Sultan that he ordered his royal horse south to teach the Dongolan nomads a lesson in respect for Allah. What started as a simple muscle-flexing turned into a slaughter as the 20,000 riders torched villages and hunted down natives for a few years until Badr had been avenged. every last Dongolan had been killed by the time the bloody affair was over. 

Badr repudiated any Egyptian connection to the lands of Lydia and the city of Hastor - across the Mediterranean in the Rum Khanate. The only presence there had been a few missionaries, anyways. 

The Yemeni Rassid Imamat
Yarik ur’Adal, Emir of Yemen, Guardian of the Holy Places
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY: Madina(f)

The land of Mecca, home to all that was holy in the Dar Al Islam, was abuzz with news out of the north. The Holy Qa'bah was the sight, almost daily, of public debates and militant prayer sessions on the future of the Imamat and how to serve Allah. These years were ones of peaceful concern over the continued guardianship of the Holy City. Yarik pledged himself and his newborn son Ibrahim to the continuance of their holy mission. 

Ar Rassid Imamat as Sa'na
Abu Jahal, “the Jackal”, Imam of the Beni Makhzum
Religion: Sunni Islam

DIPLOMACY: Hadramuht (f),  Zeila(fa), Berbera(a)

To insure his realm would be remembered as a creator and not a destroyer, the jackal set out to restore Sa'na to glory. His diplomatic initiatives achieved a good measure of success, both in Arabia and in Africa. Furthermore, he had success as a creator in other ways, for his son's wife gave birth to both a boy and a girl. Prince Hal'ku (the other son), feeling not just a bit jealous, did him one better by getting married without his father's permission while away in Hadramuht. 

The merchants of Aden, seeing the skill with which Abu Jahal led the nation, felt confident enough to begin trading again and the economies of the region as well as the city of Sa'na grew greatly. There was a bit of a tragedy to mar all this good news, however, when late in 1140 Admiral Faisal bin Ashlek died due to a shipping accident in the Red Sea. 

When word reached him of the actions of the Christians in the north, the Jackal wondered aloud whether this was the chance he had been waiting for - finally, a contest to test his mettle at war?

The Makuria Kingdom of Dongola
John, Negusa-Negast of the Makuria
Religion: Coptic Christian

DIPLOMACY:  Atbara(fa), Adulis(a), City of Kurman (fa)

The trade in spices, salts, and chat from the southern regions near Soba grew vigorously, and as the goods came more into demand in Egypt and Nubia, the merchants plying their trade from the Ethiopian hills grew more and more numerous. Axum, once a sleepy little town, became a natural way-point for the merchants as they made their way north to the Nile barges and the caravanserai there. More and more of them settled in Axum itself, becoming brokers and purveyors for goods. The economy and population of Axum grew accordingly. Of the merchants settling in Axum, a large number were of Nubian and Egyptian origin, Wealthy olive and wine merchants mostly, they brought with them their ideas of Islam and over the years proceeded to buy up a large number of Solomonic temples and renovate them to be Mosques. As most of the populace was concerned with making money, no one really noticed much and the local government turned a blind eye. 

King John found a wife in the land of Atbara, a beautiful woman wife flowing dark hair and a certain cunning look in her eyes. The union has not, yet, produced any children. The other diplomatic efforts of the Makurian kingdom met with general success in the Ethiopian highlands and elsewhere. The new lord of Adulis, having forgotten the evils done to his land by earlier pirates to his father, renewed his land's alliance with the Dongolans. 

 

EASTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries: 15i, 9c, 10xc, 5w, 5t

The Western Roman Empire
Euthemia, Regent for Christophoros Augustus, Rex Bulgaris, Duke of Illyricum, Mad Emperor of the Romans
DIPLOMACY:  

The Empire was gripped with massive shortfalls in staples and gold throughout its length and breadth due to reputed daring thefts by German witch hunters put out of work by the recent peace. Euthemia vowed to find the mysterious Johannes Klosterheim, the reputed ringleader, a former Knight of Christ, and a known necromancer. He was last seen uttering strange curses as he rode away from Ochirida.  

The economic hardships caused riots to break out in a number of cities, and the barracks of the army were in an uproar when expected payments did not arrive. Although a number of troops were released from service and allowed to return to their farms, a hastily arranged loan from the Jewish bankers of the region was the only way the king was able to avert certain disaster. By the end of 1137, the economy had been stabilized enough so that trade could continue again, and given the recent semi-peace in the west, previously unseen merchants from Bohemia and Lombardy soon began to visit the cities of Petropolis and Thessaloniki. Trade was opened even with the Muslims of Oran, although events in the east made this a very delicate proposition. 

As Christophoros was increasingly cut out of the royal decision making process - becuase he was clearly MAD - Euthemia, acting as regent, and Princess Zoe had their hands full keeping the realm intact. Most of their time was spent trying to learn the arcane methods and bookkeeping Christophoros had used to track trade and soldiers. Zoe ran the tax collectors off their feet, and sent off soldiers to track down all the "sly bastards who cut their thumbs off to escape enlisting."

Euthemia, for her part as regent, was lucky enough to oversee the wedding between the daughter of the Queen of Armenia. A young girl by the name of Irene, she had traveled many leagues to Ochirida to be married to Euthemius (a very young lad). The wedding was modest, due to the economic hardships of the realm, and it was overshadowed by the continual presence of Christophoros. He would pop up around the corner, steal someone's wine, gulp it down, and then scream loudly. The company, being noble, of course made no indication they heard. However, it reached an embarrassing climax when he jumped up on a table buck-naked, his body painted blue, and proceeded to do a rather crude version of a peasant dance. Euthemia was so mortified she could just plotz. 

Euthemia, in an effort to regain her reputation, promulgated two unpublished edicts of her brother that had been laid aside in his madness but which were emblematic of his foresight and humanity.   

The first was an edict calling for the banishment of professional witch hunters from the land. In part, it stated that "The fear of witches is not a phenomenon the Greek Christian society of Western Rome is familiar with.  It is, to the mind of most educated people, a bizarre acquiescence to folk superstition, and smacks of the heresy of the Manicheans.  God would not permit the devil to have such power.  In the event that there are those who practice dark rites, it is the matter of the state to deal with them, and in a thoughtful and judicious manner.  It is not the realm of ‘professional’ witch hunters, nor is it the realm of the Church, which, in the custom of the Greek East, wields a power more religious than temporal." 

The second edict extended tolerance toward the Jews, granting them special courts, and protecting them from violence and extortion.  Distinctive clothing was banished from the confines of the Empire.  And the right of the Jews to participate in professions other than money lending was given legal protection. 

Many Jews in the realm saw these proclamations as instrumental and their timing peculiar to say the least. But, they welcomed them, if cautiously.

In more mundane matters, Vlad the Abstainer met with dismal failure in his mission to the Magyarskorzag, who wanted nothing to do with the Bulgarians - co religionists or not!

The Varangian Rus of Kiev
Thorfinn, Prince of Kiev, Lord of the Rus and the Varig
DIPLOMACY:  Polotsk(nt)

Fear continued to grip the Rus, and everyone was certain that the numerous nomads and barbarians to the East would coming storming into Kiev at any moment. A number of forts and defensive works were built all across that land to give the Rus at least a fighting chance. As reports of Turki movement across the steppes reached Kiev, the people flew into a panic and fled the city until it became apparent that the Turki nomads were going...elsewhere. A collective sigh of relief moved through the royal family. The stress, however, was too much for Old Olaf who finally died at the ripe old age of 80-something. Indeed, the royal families of the Kiev fared poorly these years as Prince Boris of Muscovy and Prince Ivan of Seversk also both died. The Muscovites, knowing which side their bread was buttered on, remained close allies with the Kiev and the Seversk pledged themselves fully to the Rus. 

Anya, the wife of Thorfinn, didn't get much done, as she was busy dealing with his constant advances. As a testament to the Rus, or perhaps Borscht, she gave birth to no less than four children in five years (two boys, and two girls). Thorfinn was quite proud of his growing brood. Especially when he heard further good news: his eldest son (also named Thorfinn, and aged 25 or so) had eloped with a Polotski princess. At first he though his son had inherited his own political savvy, but the marriage proved of little help in securing the Poloski to the kingdom. 

When it became clear that the Yasi and the Turki hordes did not prevent an immediate danger, Thorfinn returned to his "civilizing" mission and dispatched missionaries to convert the pagans in his lands. Many of them were strung up in Seversk, but the Tveri proved particulary interested in the Orthodoxy of the Rus. In a gesture of Christian solidarity he also allowed Rus bankers to loan some money to the Western Romans. 

The Yasi
Tzoemir Khan, Destroyer of the Khazars, Stormblade
DIPLOMACY:

Tzoemir continued to enjoy the fruits of his labours and the good things - such as wine - that the Mordvans had to offer. His land was peaceful, and he was content to sit back and chuckle at the comings and goings, and wars, around him. His people too, were content, and little resistance to Tzoemir's rule was forthcoming. 

The Ests
Valthan Christoslayer, King of the Estonians and Sons of Rurik

Religion: Euro-pagan

DIPLOMACY:

Valthan, proud of his new son (but also wary of his upbringing) kept a close eye on him and paid particular attention to his education. No son of the Christoslayer was going to be a dissappointment, that's for sure! And, indeed, as Cimir grew older it became clear that he could best or equal even his father in the martial ways. The turning point came when, after class one day, Cimir was jumped by a group of boys from the stables. He soundly trounced them all, much to the delight of his father. Although perhaps not the most delicate or subtle of children, he was well liked and did his father proud. He would surely rule the realm well, one day. Or at least his father hoped so. Keeping the scattered Est tribes together continued to take a toll on the old man. The kingdom was vast, and he was only one. 

As the realm's fortune's grew, goods flowed in from the northern kingdoms. Flush with foreign gold and strangely wrought objects from some southern climes, the Vikings had of late begun to ply the Baltic in hopes of trading thier booty for more useful goods. The Ests were known for their furs and mead and, although wary of the Vikings, Valthan agreed to trade between his realm and the Red-haired ones.

Lord Kupsasson watched the northern frontiers with vigilance, for marauding Lapps and rampaging Vikings were always a concern. He also tried his best to keep young Cimir out of trouble, but ever since the stable incident the boy had grown extremely headstrong. One night, as Cimir and Kupsasson were feasting on spit-roasted reindeer and strong mead in the saunas, the old man's heart finally gave way. Cimir cradled the man's head as he passed from this life to the next. All Cimir's valour, strength, and bravado could not save the general whom he had come to regard as a close friend. This was the young man's first lesson in ruling. There were to be many more.   

 

SCANDIA AND THE OUT ISLES
Mercenaries: 15i, 5s, 11w

Kingdom of Svear
Erik Lughassen, Christian King of Scandia
Religion: Roman Catholic

DIPLOMACY:  Kingdom of Norway(a)

As peace spread across Europe, at least for now, the Svear returned to their green isles. There were cheers and parades as the Vikings returned from their raids in support of Holy Mother Church, and many long-separated families were reunited. In part, the homecoming was bittersweet for proud Torulf, hero of the campaigns, succombed to a wasting depression after his return. He longed for the chase and the raid, but, alas, the war was over. Unable to reconcile himself to his new life on land, he slowly wasted away and then finally died. He was given a hero's burial at sea, and a long eulogy followed him down. 

Many of the Vikings who returned came back with riches and booty that needed an outlet. Vikings are not the types of people who are known to put pennies aside for a rainy day. Many of them spent their gold fast and furiously in Uppsala in the shadow of Eriksdomen. A fortnight of carousing ensued, and when it was all over much of their booty had been spent. They were left with little choice but to settle in the city in attempts to make livings in ways other than raiding and piracy. The city expanded from this influx of new residents. 

Having proven his devotion to Christ and Rome, Erik took his holy mission to the pagans of Norway in his ever-present attempts to bring them the Word of God. His preists and confidants spent many long years in consultation with the Norwegians, and finally they did agree to ally themselves with his crown. They remained, however, unusually suspiciouis of the monks and priests preaching in their lands, and only a few of them took Christianity as their faith. The Old Ways remained strong in Norway. 

The Norwegians
Bjarne Hejarsson, “The Red”, King of the Norwegians
Religion: Euro-pagan

DIPLOMACY:

Svear missionaries in Norway remained luckless, as few of the Norwegian vikings were ready to switch from the Old Ways. Bjarne, however, was not blind to the benefits that an alliance with the Svear might bring him.  

Jarldom of Orkeneyjar
Bjorn Torvalds, vikingrik na orkneyjar
Religion: Roman Catholic

DIPLOMACY:  City of Perth, home to strange Scots (t)

Ivar laughed long and loud to his drinking buddies when he recounted his tales of his recent raids in the hot lands down south. His men returned not just as heroes but as veritable legends, have taken the fight to the heart of the heretics lands, as well as many others. They unloaded their booty, along with a number of dark-skinned captives, and proceeded to settle in and around Kirkval and their ancient farmlands. The city grew considerably in these years, as the warriors returned to a more peaceful existence. This growth was also aided by a new influx of strange goods from the Muslims in the south, and the markets were filled with clothing, scimitars, and glasswork shipped all the way from Morocco. 

The tales that the returned Vikings sowed, had an entrancing effect on all who met them. In one particular episode, a young nobleman of Strathclyde encountered a group of hard drinking Orkney Vikings in a common house in Perth and proceeded to be regaled with their tales of adventure. He became their close friends and, in 1138, when his brother the Duke of Strathclyde died in a riding accident he unexpectedly inherited the kingdom. His love of the vikings however, led him to pledge himself to their cause and Strathclyde wholly joined the Jarldom.

English grain continued to pour into the Jarldom and Viking missionaries were active in spreading the word in Fjordane. They met with little success, primarily because their doctrine and scriptures were less well systematized than that of the more learned monks of Rome. The Jarldom had always been on the fringes of Holy Mother Church and though there were a number of well-known monasteries high up in the cold hillands, the beliefs and practices of the commoners differed signifcantly from theirs. Many of the old practices were still present, in muted form, in the prayers and rituals of the Vikings, and this made it in many respects harder to bring their word to others. Prince Osvald was blessed as his new wife (a young country lass from the highlands) gave birth to both a boy and a girl late in 1140. 

The Commonwealth of Iceland
Olaf, Mighty Viking!Olaf Longnose, Jarl of the New Islands
DIPLOMACY:

Olaf, flush from his successful Viking in the warm climes, longed for the chilly northern forests and rivers of his homeland.  He returned with his booty to his great timbered halls and lovely Irish wife, and commanded the skalds to sing of his glorious raids on the heretics. There was much joy and revelry upon the Viking's return, and many a fair-haired maid was entranced by bright Egyptian gold.  Many of the captured Arab Dhows were manned and used to ply the trade between Norway and Iceland - truly an odd sight, and they didn't, by and large, hold up well in the choppy seas and cold weather. 

The young son of Olaf, Biyarki (a fair-faced and fair-spoken lad as well as an accomplished skald) did not take well to sword or axe-play.  Nonetheless, he was the apple of his father’s eye, and when he requested to learn the ways of the Irish bard, his father joyfully gave him command of six sleek drakens, and sent him to visit the in-laws upon the Emerald Isle.

Furthermore, hoping perhaps his daughter Lauren would take after the old Irish war-goddess Bridgett, Olaf began to teach her the way of spear and sword, training her in the ways of the Shield-Maid and Valkyrie.  The old ways may no longer be openly practiced, but Olaf the old Pagan taught the Vanir and Aesir legends to his rapt young girl-child. Later in 1139, a second daughter was borne to Dierdre. 

Biyarki, arriving in Eire, taught the Icelandic Sagas to the bards of his grandfather Dermond’s halls, and learned the ways of the Irish bards as well.  He also quickly charmed a number of local Irish lasses and married into the Irish royal family. His  attempts to further cement ties with Eire met with no other results, however.  

Biyarki’s Love Song:Biryaki upon the moors

Well considered, the woman's worth the whole of Iceland...
Heavy though my heart... of Hunland, and of Denmark;
Not for all of England's earth and kingdoms would I
Forego the golden-braided girl, ay, nor for Ireland

I little reck... to reach her risked I have my life oft...
Though I be slain within the arms of my beloved,
Sleeping in the Sif-of-silken-gowns' embraces:
For the fair-haired woman feel I love unending

(Lee M. Hollander, trans. The Skalds: A Selection of
their Poems with Introduction and Notes. Ann Arbor:
U of Michigan P, 1945. p. 118).

Erik Ragnarsson, full of hubris, departed Ireland for parts south in order to return with what he hoped would be glorious wedding gifts for the newlyweds. Only years later, when he failed to return, did word reach Biryaki of the fate of his friend. He had slipped down along the French coast, and through the English fog, then quietly up the Rhine to Brabant. Sure that the Germans were all preoccuppied around Paris, his ships raided the coasts of Brabant and Holland, and then turned south to travel up the Rhine. In Lorraine, however, he ran smack dab into the entire German fleet. Far outnumbered, he tried in vain to escape, but the Germans caught and smashed his fleet. Erik's skill and cunning had run out, and he went down with his men.  

The Tuath Kingdom of Thomond
Dermond ard-Brien, High King of Eire
DIPLOMACY:

The Irish entertained a number of Viking visitors, and were glad to gain closer ties with the Icelandic families. 

Saxon Kingdom of England
Robert Godwin, King of the Britons
Religion: Roman Catholic

DIPLOMACY: Dyfedd(f)

"Peace!" shouted the town criers all throughout the land, and although details about how many heretics were put to death, and whether Anacletus (news of his death had not yet reached many of the provinces in England) was burned at the stake or drawn and quartered, the upshot of all this was that much of the royalty relaxed. Instead of raising troops, they invested their monies in their grand palaces and salons in London, and generally went back to business as usual.  

A number of Dyfedd and Wessex farmers cut deals with the Viking Scots to the north for some of their grain and in exchange they received many gold and silver objects that had, until recently, been the property of certain Islamic powers. This lucrative trade traveled north from the hilly farms of those lands, up through to Berwick, where a huge open air market was shaping up. The volume and profitability of the trade led many merchants and brokers to set up shop in Berwick, and the city expanded in a northern direction because of this. And, with the profits that were being garnered by the Wessex and Dyfedd farmers, a large number of families moved into those areas, purchased small plots of land, and began to farm also. Soon both lands were heavily cultivated, and grain flowed more rapidly out. Of course, the immediate and unintended effect of all this was the collapse of the grain markets around the country, and the end (at least temporarily) of the grain trade with the Scots. Many of the richer merchants closed up shop in Berwick, and moved to London where they proceeded to host lavish parties with the profits they had made. 

King Robert's wife Siobhan gave birth to not one, not two, but three children (one boy, two girls). Robert was very pleased, at least until the little rugrats started tearing up his office playing "Vikings and Muslims." Catherine, a young lass of twenty and Robert's eldest daughter, quickly became sick of playing baby sitter, and pressured her father to giver her a royal title and allow her out more. In the end, he caved in and elevated Catherine to be the Princess of Sussex. 

WESTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries: 35i, 14c, 5s, 4w, 4t;                Carlo of Pitigliano (L57A, French Catholic)

 

THE PEACE OF GOD

1115 ~ 1140

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Peace bells rang throughout Paris in the cold wintry days of January in 1136. The population, reduced to boiling rags and bark for soup had heard rumours of peace talks, but such rumours had been going around for fifteen years now, and most could not remember a time without war. And outside the walls of Paris, the Germans too, having scoured the countryside clean of all wood and scrub as well as what few structures remained, were also spent. By now, the land was fertilized with the blood of thousands, and rats and dogs ruled the night, roaming between the open-air graves, feasting on frozen corpses. The proud Germans, come to liberate Paris from the heretics, felt as if they too, had slipped into hell. Dogs and rats had become the best food available on both sides of that no-mans land that passed for Paris' walls. The dogs that survived were cunning, and even veteran soldiers (which by now meant living soldiers) did not patrol at night, even in groups. Canine and rodent creatures of hell ruled then. During the day, men simply prayed for warmth and something to eat. The Germans had the worse time of it, as the land was hostile. During the night the dogs and rats, and during the day German troops would be ambushed and slain on by one, or in pairs, by French peasants. 

All in all, a pretty grim situation for both side. 

In the later weeks of January, when the ground was frozen solid, and soldiers on both sides could do naught but shiver and pray for deliverance, a truce flag was raised by the desperate commanders. No one knows who first raised the white flags and really, it was hard to tell whether the talks that went on in the no-mans land were between the Germans and the Normans, or the Popes, or whoever. In retrospect, it appeared that the Peace of God was not settled by a general Christian Peace, but instead a series of pragmatic agreements between combatants. Only history will tell whether the Papal declarations held across Europe. But, it was in that cold morning outside Paris the the New Year's Peace could be said to have borne first, between the Germans and the French. 

The immediate result of those talks was that proud Lothar ended the siege of Paris and marched the remnants of his troops back eastward towards Vermandois and Brabant. Ile De France and Paris both regained their freedom, and the shell-shocked peasants came out of hiding to rebuild their lives. When the ground thawed the Parisians dug up the bodies of the Germans, Burgundians, and Italians that littered the landscape around the city and burned them so that they might not infect the ground of France with their heresies. Even the stench and rats could not keep the peasants from taking out other vengeful acts on the invader' remains. 

Even after Paris had been liberated, however, many of the questions surrounding the conflict between the Two Papacies remained unanswered. Pope Clement III remained a prisoner of the French. Although there had been talk of his release, there was little faith in this. Indeed, he knew he faced certain torture and, most likely death. Roman sympathizers managed to smuggle out a manuscript in his hand: "As I sit here in this dungeon, I know not where or how, but I face my fate willingly, knowing that I shall give my life for the Holy Mother Church and for the Unity of Christendom. Let it be known that I utterly refuse to accept the claims of the Anti-Pope and any other word contrary to the teachings of Rome. I am but a weak vessel, and though my spirit is willing, my flesh may succumb to the pain of the heretics torture. I damn these heretics to the fires of Hell!" 

When this message finally reached Rome, and it was declared authentic, there was a pall in the chambers of St. Peter. The Conclave of Cardinals prayed for the soul of the Pope and awaited word from Paris. 

This word was not long in coming, as within a few months word reached Italy and Burgundy that the French had declared an end to the Roman Papacy and the promotion of Cardinal Roek to head a Parisian Papacy as Pope Leo IX. A document was produced, signed by Pope Clement III in which  he acknowledged that he was a heretic and a witch and had usurped the throne of Saint Peter. There were reports that he had been seen in Paris, dazed and bloody, paraded through the streets wearing an iron dunce cap. The peasants had pelted him with dog guts and garbage and he had been sealed in an iron cage and left out in the cold. Later, the French King Henry had reportedly taken him back to Normandy to use as a door-stop. A few years later, in 1138, his death was reported by a variety of sources, although the exact location of his burial remained unknown.

Henry and the Burgundians had also managed to settle some of their differences, at least on the surface. The people and economies of both states had effectively ground down to nothing. Markets throughout even the untouched portions of France remained empty of food and other goods, and starvation remained a problem. Technically, there was enough food to go around, but most of it lay rotting in fields, as few able bodied men remained to harvest it. As for Burgundy, there were no portions that lay untouched. Everywhere families and villages were empty of men, and those women who could were forced to adopt many of the traditional male roles. The Church was alarmed by the growth of the Beguine Movement as many Catholic women, without husbands, land, or livelihood turned to female communes to satisfy there increasing religious fervor. These Beguine Communes were something of a cross between nunneries and lay-life and were viewed by the Church authorities ambivalently. These pressures were brought to a high point when outbreaks of plague were reported throughout both France and Burgundy, sending a panic throughout both states. Negotiations quickly led to a peace settlement in which Henry recognized the right of Burgundy to the lands of Hainaut and Champagne. Neither land was under the control of the French, making it easier for them to relinquish them to Burgundy. As the bells of peace rang throughout Burgundy, a slight sense of hope traveled through the countryside. 

The Peace of God, though a messy one, was legitimated when, despite misgivings, the Conclave of Cardinals in Rome met in 1138 to elect a new Vicar of Christ. One of the more fervent Cardinals was named to be Pope Leo IX. It was a muted ceremony, but one that drew thousands of the faithful to Saint Peter's. In Paris, the Parisian Papacy was legitimated when Cardinal Roek was elected to be its Pope by a much smaller Conclave of Cardinals (hailing from Tours, Normandy, Calais and, of course,  Paris). Communication being what it was in these times, the Catholic world became infinitely more confusing when it became apparent that both Popes had taken the name Leo IX. 

All these happenings did not, however, alter the fact that much of Italy and certain other parts of the world remained engulfed in struggle. For the moment, however, the Peace of God seemed to have spent itself. 

Das Deutches Konigsreich
Alexander the Grumpy, King of the Germans, Emperor of the West
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY: Denmark(f)

Duke Lothar, angered by his failure in Ile De France, had no desire to leave that heretical land. Damn the French! He'd put them all to the sword if he could. But his liege could not be disobeyed, and soon his weary and decimated troops move east, fighting off French peasants all the way. He gave Vermandois its freedom, and rendezvoused with the fleet in Brabant. Crossing the Rhine, Brabant was liberated, and Lothar wintered in Lorraine. Then, late in 1137, a small force of Vikings was reported moving upriver. Eager for some action, as well as desirous of repaying the Vikings for all the havoc they wreaked years earlier, Lothar sortied the fleet immediately. Catching the Vikings after a few weeks, they were hardly a match for the thick-hulled German boats.  

The Duke of Danzig was beset by rumours of impropriety and disloyalty when Alexander refused to renew the German alliance with his nation.  

Duchy of Bohemia
Sviatoplus, Duke of Bohemia, Prince of Prague
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY: Bochnia(nt)

Sviatoplus ensuring his realm was well defended (with Lord Vitislav commanding every last man who could ride) he also exerted great diplomatic efforts to try to keep his nation from the ravages of the war sweeping Europe. As part of this new diplomatic initiative, the king himself traveled to Bochnia to convince them to abandon their neutral stance for the protection of Bohemia. Only the swift intervention of his advisors and scribes prevented a strong rebuff from them. Only later did it become apparent that peace was coming to Europer sooner that at first envisioned - which was a great relief to all. 

Prince Lothair fell for a blond eyed beauty in the palace and married her in a lightning romance. Soon after she gave birth to a boy and two girls. The eldest son of Sviatoplus, Sviatel, was promoted to Prince, and began his own search for a wife (for he was not just a little jealous of Lothair). 

The Anacletan (Paris) Papacy
Leo IX, bishop of Paris, primate of France 
Religion: Roman Catholic (Paris)

DIPLOMACY:  the City of Cherbourg (ch), the City of Le Mans (ch), Normandy (ab)

Pope Leo, holding court in the ruined and infested churches of Paris, declared a new beginning in France and the establishment of the Parisian Papacy. Since the end of the war, the common folk of Paris had been despondent and adrift, and the Parisian Pope's Holy Mass gave them a focus for their energies and a new hope in their lives. Soon, all the gold that had been hoarded and buried in the catacombs from the rapacious soldiers of both sides came out and tithes to the Papacy increased. Finally Leo was making some money to fund his fledgling church.  As things settled down in Paris, Leo went forth to incorporate many of the churches and abbeys of the coutnryside into the new Papacy and extend his rule over French Christendom. The infant Papacy remained vulnerable to threats from within and without, and the rise in witchcraft reports, cannibalism, and Roman papists alarmed him. 

Leo called a synod in Paris to discuss the new situation between the two papacies. With the advent of a small measure of peace, some representatives from Roman sympathizers did show up. The effect of this synod was, however, muted by the Cherbourg Synod. In any case, it was an auspicious beginning to Leo's plans. 

The Kingdom of France 
Henry The Young, Duke of Normandy, King of the Western Franks
Religion: Roman Catholic (Paris)

DIPLOMACY: Vermandois downgrades to (fa), Hainaut (t)

Henry, seeing the sad state of the French coffers, sent forth his men to extract more wealth from the peasants and nobles throughout the realm. The scene of French troops bursting down doors and taking grain and other tribute from farmers replayed itself throughout France, and many feared a general downturn in French fortunes because of it. Henry's popularity plummeted, but in times like these one had to do what one had to do. But, as the captured provinces were liberated by the Germans, more grain and gold flowed into Henry's hands, and the high taxes seemed less likely to continue.  

Henry returned with Marie to Cherbourg and the seat of the nation to try to piece his realm back together after the devastation of the past. Although a general sense of relief pervaded France ever since the Germans left, He could see on his journey north that the economy remained depressed and farms lay idle everywhere. His army, greatly reduced in number, was reinforced by new knights from the nobles of France, much to their chagrin - had they not spent all they had already? 

Peasant revolts - against the Germans, not the oppressive taxes of Henry - erupted in Ile De France and proclaimed victory as they were able to ambush a number of patrols on their way east further driving down German morale. As the Germans were leaving, the Duke of Nivernais escorted them to the border. Ile De France, Vermandois, and Brabant were all liberated by the Germans!

The excitement of the establishment of the Paris Papacy and the election of Leo IX (of Paris) did not abate Henry's desire to continue to meddle in religious politics. He remained adamant that a Cherbourg Synod was the most appropriate way way to settle the matters of the two Papacies, and Verona and Valencia supported his call - as did La Milice Du Christ.  

The Duke of Vermandois returned to his now liberated homeland. Having had enough of wars and death, he handed over the reins of his nation to his son, and retired to a monastery. There he spent the rest of his life contemplating what had transpired during the past few years. His son, seeing the scars and pain in his father's eyes, was less willing to follow the French. 

La Milice Du Christ  
Robert de Guiscard, Count of Gascony and Orleans, Master Brother of the Militia of the Temple
Religion: Roman Catholic (Paris)

DIPLOMACY: Ile De France (oo), Normandy (oo), Cherbourg (oo)

The Orleans nobility of the Knights, heeding the call to God and the defense of Paris left many of their farms and lands to travel north and enlist their aid against the heretics. Having arrived, they discovered that the damnable Germans had already been driven off. Nonetheless, their religious fervor was unabated. Joining the ranks of the Knights, they found that there was still much work to be done in rebuilding Christian France. Many of them put their efforts into opening up Knightly temples and oratories to further their works in the realm and serve their holy mission. Others joined the ranks of the Militia in the hope that they would be able to take the fight directly to German lands. 

Grain from the newly overflowing farms of France flooded into the ledgers of the knights, and was sold to pay for the oratories in the northern provinces. There were some in the order that grumbled a lot about certain rumours going around. Certainly the Knights of Christ would never accept any help from anyone but fellow Christians? 

Le Royaume de Bourgogne
Philip, Duke of Burgundy, The Blind
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY:

Although peace had returned, Phillip largely remained an invalid, as a result of his torture by the Normans. His body was constantly wracked with pain, and his eyesight had disappeared when his last good eye became infected due to a bad gypsy poultice. He increasingly shunned the company of the nobles, and ruled through his mouthpieces and proclamations. Bishop Lothar came to consolidate power in his hands more and more and most of Phillipe's time was spent in seclusion with his new wife. To everyone's surprise, she became pregnant. No one mentioned their amazement, but in rapid succession Mary gave birth to two girls and a boy. This relieved the nobles throughout the realm, for there was much talk that Phillippe was not able to rule the kingdom any longer in his bent and hobbled state. But, in truth, none were more happy than Phillipe himself, for, though his body and mind had been destroyed he retained enough humanity to feel joy when he looked upon his son and daughters. Although Phillipe was in truth but a young man, his life had effectively been cut short by the Norman rack and chains. He saw, in his children, the life he was denied. 

The few proclamations that Phillipe did issue were concerned primarily with rebuilding the army and protecting the realm from the Normans. Anti-norman feelings ran quite high, understandably, and a number of suspected Norman sympathizers were rounded up in the army. This sentiment was not helped by Norman emissaries in Hainaut who thwarted diplomatic efforts there by also wooing them.  But what was worse, all of Phillippe's efforts to keep war at bay went for naught when raiders descended upon the hapless populations of Provence and Cannes...

 

The War of the Italian Succession

1115 ~ 1140

Pope Leo was lost in anxious thought, and he addressed his Cardinals with a furrowed brow: "This Peace of God, which may actually have become a Peace and not a War, is nonetheless a messy affair. Italy remains a pit of vipers and shifting alliances, and Mother Church remains in danger. The thrice-damned Moors continue to decimate the faithful in Iberia. And though we have always held that the Italian problem is not our affair, now the Lithuanian barbarians are on Italian soil. The Lombards we could accept, but unwashed barbarians? All of this has shaken Mother Church. There must be an answer for the common people and, more importantly, the Nobility. Even our most loyal supporters are rumoured to hold doubts now about the word of God. And who can blame them with the lies and bile that the heretics and witches spread? Damn Anacletus and all he has wrought! There is one way to purge his pollution from Rome and its Glory. We must continue to purify the teachings of Holy Mother Church in accordance with the Dictates of Orthodoxy and the Inquisition. Send forth the Judges, and let all who fail to practice properly be properly punished. And issue a declaration, again: Italia is and Italian affair. Let us pray they can sort things out, for I have received news from the East that greatly troubles me. There may be even greater dangers on the horizon, and we must get our own house in order. And quickly. It does not do for Italy to be divided now."

In the early chilled evening of the fifteenth day of January, 1136, the lagoon of Venice was the sight of an unusual parley. Two oar boats, bouncing up and down in the choppy waves, flying opposing flags met. A few cursory and tense words, spat out and breaking the morning silence, shot stattaco between the two boats. Lines went out between them, and they were lashed together. Here, in neutral territory, Old Duke Geowulf's personal guard came out of the cabin, followed by the Old Man himself. In the other boat, pale skinned Lithuanians, included their King, Silverweasle. The conversation was muted. "It is agreed then?" "Yes. This testament states the terms. Of course, it includes a clause that any issue will not inherit Venice..." "Yessss, of course....hisss...." The Old Man looked excited. "She is here? Bring her out." 

From the other boat, came a woman wrapped in cloaks to ward off the chill. Youngish, but not so young as to cause a scandal for the widowed man. She was beautiful, yes. She was younger, much younger, yes. But, she was no fool. She looked the man up and down with her bright green eyes. "Well, Duke? Are we agreed then?"

"Yes, we are agreed. Come, my dear. Let us...retire to my palace."

Two days later, the Palace of Il Doge in Venice was the sight of a glorious wedding. The city had been cut off and food had been scarce, even for the Duke's family. But now, miraculously, the siege had been lifted, and all manners of salted beef, fish, and fruits flowed across the Lagoon and into Venice. The markets flowed wide for the wedding, and a grand sight it was when the Lithuanians arrived. The Duke was an ancient man, and Princess Lydia was nearly a quarter his age, but both knew that this was a marriage of convenience. A vast ball was held, and an unusually amount of riches were on display. The astute among the merchants were curious to find much of the gold coin used to pay for the minstrels and wine bore strange marks - minted in neither Venice or Verona. But gold was gold. The feast itself lasted for an entire day, dancing horses, jugglers, a few plays, and even troubadours played (such music had lately caught on with the nobility, despite it's peasant origins) a number of traditional Venetian musical works. The wedding was performed under the auspices of the Bishop of Venice (who skillfully avoided any mention of the Papacy). 

Suddenly, the Geowulf and Silverweasle were sharing a dance floor, and wine, and joking with each other. A new alliance had been forged, by blood. 

Within three weeks the siege of Venice had been fully lifted, and Veronan troops and tribes (who were now calling themselves Hyperboreans, for it was some god-awful strange Lithuanian custom of the king to change the name of his kingdom every five years) were picking up shop in Verona itself. Thousands of men, women, and children abandoned the homes and farms they had recently taken over from the native Lombards, and the Veronan countryside was, once again, liberated from foreign domination. Soldiers from Venice under Davide d'Alviano and Ludovico Sempro arrived from across the Lagoon, and were reunited with their families and brought with them many tales of the long siege. It was strange for them to be on such good terms with the Lithuanians so soon, but the Lombard troops that remained were old and experienced enough to not question the workings of the Old Man. From the north came a group of Carinthinians under their Liege. The Litts, on the other hand, were not nearly so accustomed to befriending their enemies so quickly. Many of them had lost friends on the walls of Venice and in the Lagoon. To forgive and forget was not the Lithuanian way. 

Many leagues to the West, in Vincencia, another Duke was making his own preparations. The northern Italian countryside was awash with lawless bands of outlaws and mercenaries, and Dominic de Cagnano was busy hiring every one of them he could find. Gold, the Duke had plenty of, Men were what he needed. And men were what he got, as the mercenaries heeded his call. He further constructed a set of castles on the Sicilian model across the Lombard countryside to ensure that the Lombard farmers did not get any ideas like their southern friends had a few years back.  As soon as his army was assembled, Duke Dominic wasted no time in issuing orders to his generals. Lord Giotto marched east from Lombardy into Savoy. He and his 6,500 condottierre horse and Salernan infantry spent most of 1136 and 1137 rounding up Lombard sympathizers, taking over farms, assaulting a few castles, and, in the end, occupying Savoy and the city of Cavallerri. They then quickly returned to Lombardy to bolster Dominics' men there. For his part, Dominic was planning tactics, interrogating peasants as to better roads into Verona, and preparing for the next campaigning season. 

In the south. Bohemond of Taranto marched north. He stopped in Rome to take communion at St. Peter's, but the Pope did not meet with him - he was anxious lest he appear to be taking sides. He then proceeded north along the coast with the Salernan fleet and 1,400 heavy pike. They occupied the Tuscan region over the summer although they left the city of Leghorn alone. Then, hearing word of raids on Calabria - those damn vikings again! - they sailed off to deal with the pirates.  

In early 1137, it was announced that Princess Lydia had shown signs of being with child. The rumours flew, but the Old Man was confirmed to be the father by a bevy of nuns. A contract was drawn up which reinforced what many had already suspected: the children of Lydia were to inherit the Lithuanian crown, not Venice - despite their patrimony. Furthermore, the entire effort had apparently taken much out of Geowulf. He was at least seventy seasons old, and could only rarely walk unaided anymore. It seemed that his last burst of energy had been used not in pursuit of war but for a nobler and more...biological purpose. He did not live to see the birth of his daughter, Christina, to his young wife Lydia later in the year. 

As Bohemond moved south from Tuscany into the eastern coastal waters, he recieved confirmation of what he had feared - pirates, once again, raiding the coasts of Italy. 

It was here that Bohemond drew the stars to him and displayed both cunning and luck as a naval commander. Although he was not used to fighting at sea, he had read well the works of the ancient Greeks on war (indeed, he could recite much of the History of the Peloppensian War from memory) and suspected that the raiders would be hidden in a certain cove he knew about. And as his forward ships came into view of it, he was rewarded with an unusual sight: not Viking longboats, as he expected, but less than a dozen Arab dhows and attendant transports! Cursing vilely at the Infidels, his 36 men-of-war turned towards the faster and well-built Muslim ships.  But something was nagging at the back of his mind...why would the infidels come so far from their ports with only ten warships? What could they hope to achieve with this, other than infuriating the Pope and the Duke? 

The battle was a massacre for although the Arab dhows were more manueverable and swifter than their lumbering Italian counterparts, Bohemond had learned his Thucydides well - and it didn't hurt that the Arabs were greatly outnumbered. Afterwards, as the Arab bodies floated past the Salernan vessels, many sailors noticed that they were dressed in outlandish, almost Viking garb, and with crudely made flags that resembled those of the Orkney pirates. Bohemond cursed again, for it all became suddenly clear - he had been tricked. No wonder there had been so few raiders. They must have been a feint. After his ships took port in Calania, he rushed a message off to the Duke and entrusted it to his fastest courier. Two weeks later, after taking on supplies, he sailed back north.

As he rounded the boot once again, he stopped and boarded a passing merchant. It was as he suspected - Arab raids had taken place all along the Ligurian coast. He pushed his men even harder to hasten north for, although the Leonnese fleet might be able to handle the Arabs, they might not. And, while Bohemond didn't care much whether the Leonnese sank or swam, he was bright enough to know that the Muslims wouldn't stop at Liguria. 

In July of 1137, more than 30 Arab dhows and more than 60 Arab merchantmen (all packed with scimitar wielding bedouins, nubian slave troops, former Syriac and Egyptian infantry, and a variety of other unsavory types) descended upon the countryside of Liguria. The few Leonese troops that were there, however, put up a valiant defense and only by the grace of God repulsed the raid. The raiders had, however, established a beachhead in a number of coves off the coast, and the next month they lauched a daring raid into the harbor of Genoa itself. Genoa was a viscious sight of slaughter, as Arabs troops ran rampant through the city, stealing wine, gold, and ransaking the palaces of the nobles. The Papal Abbey was burnt, only surviving partially due to the valiant efforts of a certain monk named Thomas who sacrificed himself to buy time to get the manuscripts and other treasures out (which were later used to reestablish the church). The raiders disappeared back into the sea afterwards.

In August, they descended upon the Burgundian lands of Provence, in an effort to reproduce their sucess. To frightful shouts (which a survivor who spoke Arabic recognized as "Avenge Madiera!") they burnt and destroyed a number of farms, chateaus, and villages. In Cannes, they burnt much of the city to rubble, ransacked and defaced all the churches and slaughtered a number of merchants. As they were hoving out of view of Cannes, Bohemond's fleet was fast approaching from the south. Admiral Bishar (commanding the Arab fleet) had, unfortunately, made a serious error. Normally a brilliant commander, he had gotten over-confident with victory and failed to realize that the smoke from Cannes could be seen for many leagues. This signal was just what Bohemond had been looking for and, when he saw the Arab fleet turning southward again, he gave chase. It became a silent and tense battle of wills, as Bohemond chased the Arabs for three weeks towards Italy. He would gain only a fraction of a league on them each day, but soon both admirals knew that the Arabs would be caught. it is a strange and surreal affair to be a sailor in these situations, for men on both sides had another week to wait and prepare for what was certain to be bloody. A curious event was recorded by a monk in Bohemonds fleet in which each side's prayers to Allah and Christ could be heard by the other, as the final day before battle was spent with ships within half a league of each other. As they drew closer though, the supplications stopped, and finally the ships turned towards each other within sight of Genoa. 36 heavier and slower Italian vessels faced 30 shallow-draft Arab dhows, 18 Nubian, Egyptian, and Syriac style privateers, and deckfulls of Arab mercenaries and others. The faster dhows were able to quickly circle around Bohemond's fleet. Coming to close grips with his ships, the swordsmen swarmed aboard, and a number of small raging actions continued throughout the rest of the day. By the time it was over, the Italians had been slaughtered to a man. Bohemond was lashed to a cross and set adrift on the ocean, bleeding from multiple wounds. He was never seen again. The Arab fleet had free reign over the entire Tyrrenhian sea coast.  A few survivors did reach Genoa and told tales that confirmed that the Arabs came from the East, most likely Cyprus. Their dress resembled those of the Vikings, and they flew an Orkney flag, but they were indeed infidels. 

In rapid succession, the Cypriots returned to Liguria, Genoa, Provence and Cannes where they carried off hundreds, if not thousands, of Christian men, women, and children to toil for the sultans and mullahs in the mines of the Orient. The farmers of Liguria rose up against their Leon overlords after the raids, and regained their independence. They immediately rejoined the Lombards in the hopes that they could keep the peace and protect them from the depredations of the Arabs. Leonese troops were able to retain control of Genoa, however, by occupying the city hall. 

During all this time, up north, the valleys between Verona and Lombardy had been a tense region, where law no longer lived and only bandits ruled. The farming families there, not caring a whit for which duke was fighting who or when, attempted to continue with their lives. In Verona, the Lithuanians and Venetians had been working together, planning strategies and sending out riders and scouts to warn them of the approach of any southern Italians. And the Lithuanian tribes were restless. 

Finally, when Giotto arrived in Lombardy after having taken control of Tuscany, Dominic felt ready to act. He gathered all his soldiers and condotierre to him and marched into Verona. In the northern approaches, in the shadows of the Alps, he met the combined Lithuanian and Venetian forces, well -prepared and dug in.  As his advance guards came into contact with the Lithuanians, a number of them began to mumble about their so-called allies the Venetians. Then, a week after a nasty ambush ended in the deaths of ten Poles, a barracks revolt ripped through the Polish ranks. Almost 2,000 Polish troops mutinied, and deserted the Lithuanian army en masse.  

Dominic had under him the the Duke's Royal Guard (400 of his best Foot and Horse), about 3,800 pike (both veteran and new recruits), 800 Southern Italian lancers, a group of 1,000 miners and sappers, 9,000 vagabonds, dislocated peasants, condotierre, and adventurers and, finally, almost 4,000 landless knights exiled from France and Poland. In Verona, lay not only tens of thousands of Lithuanian tribesmen (which made the region in general very hostile for Dominic's troops, and kept them constantly harassed and wary), but also a variety of others: Under Lord Felchmore of Lithuania were 800 Plains Lancers, 8,000 assorted tribal knights, plains riders, and Polish nobility, as well as 3,200 assorted footmen, spear, and pikemen. For Venice, Dave d'Alviano commanded the 800 men of Duke Geowulf's personal guard, 2,000 assorted foot and pike, and a number of sappers and engineers. Ludovico Sempro, based higher up on the roads to the north, had 1,800 assorted Venetian knights. Lastly, the Duke of Carinthia had 1,800 footmen under him. The battle lasted for the entire day, and skirmishes lasted three weeks longer, but in the end the higher quality of the Venetian troops and the sheer numbers of tribesmen, constantly harassing and picking off Dominic's men, tipped the scales. At the end of the month, over 6,000 mercenaries had been killed or deserted from the Duke's forces. Dominic retreated to Lombardy to regroup. It was in the beginning of 1139 that the Venetians and Lithuanians took their turn. Marching west to destroy the Duke's forces before they could reorganize, they got bogged down in a series of small ambushes outside Vincencia. Furthermore, a series of peasant revolts had started in Lombardy, but they had failed to really take root. The Salernan troops had caught many of the ringleaders and hung them "by the neck until dead by the grace of God" so that all could see. The Lombard peasants, downtrodden and used to being subjugated by years of war went back to being docile to avoid further reprisals. None were willing to help the Venetians, especially now that the Lithuanians were accompanying them. A six month long campaign ensued, in which both sides got ground up in the mudbogs and forest of the region. Finally in April of 1140 the Duke of Salerno's men could take no more and retreated wholesale back to Romagna. Lombardy and Vincencia were liberated. The Lithuanians and Venetians then moved into Savoy and liberated it and Cavallerri from 2,000 man Salerno garrison there. In a touching display of realpolitik, Duke Marcus (who had inherited the throne of Venice) ceded the lands of Savoy to the Lithuanians. A vast number of Lithuanian troops settled in the area, displacing the native Savoyards who wanted nothing more than Marcus' head on a stick. The Litts proclaimed Savoy the kingdom of Hyperborea, while the Lombard army traveled to Liguria to bask in parades and crowds of admirers.    

While all this was going on, the Arab raiders were not sitting idly by. In March 1139, they descended upon the island of Sicily, but were unable to make off with any sizable loot. After rounding up any able bodied men they could find (Lord Campini of Salerno barely avoiding the raiders) they then proceeded to disappear for a time. Halfway through 1140, they appeared off the coast of Latium, and landed south of Rome in an attempt to raid the Holy See. However, the number of castles and troops strung throughout the land drove them off. They had better luck in Campania and the city of Naples, where they were able to loot and pillage widely before leaving for the east once again. 

The Kingdom of Hyperborean Italia (formerly Verona, formerly Lithuania-Poland) 
Silverweasle, King of the Lithuanians and the Poles, Defensor Christianum
Religion: Roman Catholic (Paris)

DIPLOMACY:  

 The Lithuanians settled in Savoy and Cavalleri after the fighting in Northern Italy, and started calling themselves Hyperborea. Everyone ordered new stationery. Again. It was unclear whether war still existed between Burgundy and the Lithuanians, and since no one stopped them, traders began to move between the two states, bringing wine to Provence and cheese to Savoy. 

Princess Lydia, despite misgivings of many, was declared the royal heir. After the Old Man of Venice (Duke Geowulf) died, she traveled with the Litt army to Savoy with her new daughter Christina. 

Lombard Kingdom of Italy
Marcus of Vinicenza, King of the Lombards
Religion: Roman Catholic 

DIPLOMACY:

With the death of Old Man Geowulf, Prince Marcus inherited the throne of Venice just in time to oversee its fortunes turn once again, this time for the better. Returning from Lombardy as a hero, he spent some quality time with his wife Johanna and oversaw the expansion  of markets and merchant guilds in Venice. 

Hoping to regain some momentum towards a permanent peace, Marcus allowed trade to open between Venice and the Papacy as well as Leon. Venetian vessels soon began to sail in the Adriatic again, bound for Rome, for the first time in many years. Arab pirates, however, made many of them wary. Also, delegates from Venice at both the Cherbourg and Paris synods surprised many by voting for Rome rather than Paris. It mattered little, of course, since the Synods had largely been discredited as a method for resolving the current dispute. But the action was noticed by the Pope, surely. 

With Liguria back in Venetian hands, Venetian merchants also began to flow into Burgundy, bringing a variety of goods not seen there for some time. Leghorn remained cut off from the rest of the nation by Salerno garrisons in Tuscany. 

The Papal States
Leo IX, bishop of Rome, vicar of Jesus Christ, successor of the prince of the apostles, supreme pontiff of the universal Church, primate of Italy, archbishop and metropolitan of the Roman province, sovereign of the Papal States, servant of the servants of God
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY: Lombardy (ch), Naples(ch), Switzerland(ch)

Leo IX, soon after his election to the Holy Office, immediately called a Synod of Rome to resolve the serious questions facing the church. Much like the Synods of Cherbourg and Paris, it was an event for the nobility that still had any money or good taste to show off to do so. But, unfortunately, little real work was accomplished due to the presence of the other Synods and the chaos in Italy. 

After a few years though, visibly shaken by events, Pope Leo IX seemed to age before his Cardinals eyes. Things had gone from bad to worse in Italy, Arab raiders ruled the seas, and the news from the East was distressing to say the least. This Peace needed to be a real peace, and fast, if his hunches were correct. But, even in the worst of times, the work of the church must go on. And so it did. Missionaries in Slovenia continued to make progress against the pagans there, and brought to many of them the Word of God. And even the partial peace that had come about had helped as the Church hierarchy recovered slightly. Churches in Lombardy, Switzerland, and Naples were reintegrated into Rome's doctrine and the ear of the Duke of Bohemia bent ever more towards the Pope for advice. The appearance of Arabs off the coast sent a panic through Rome, but only the Pope knew just how terrifying this really was. He prayed that the moment could afford peace in Italy, and the conciliatory gestures by Duke Marcus of Venice at least were cause for hope. 

Norman Principality of Salerno
Dominic de Cagnano, Duke of Naples, King of the Italians
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY:  Sicily(a)

The Duke returned to Naples, furious at the failure of his troops, his ships. His fleet lay in splinters at the bottom of the sea, and his men returned in defeat. Still defiant, he summoned his advisors to him, and shot off a series of letters to the Pope and others. Something must be done...

El Reino de Leon y Navarre
Sancho V, The Young, King of Leon, King of Navarra, Prince of Romagna
Religion: Roman Catholic (Rome)

DIPLOMACY:

The family of Leon was never known for its stability, and the recent years in exile had taken their toll on Sancho. Although he still, without reservation, supported the Pope, he had come to talk to the spirits of the Saints themselves lately. Many feared for his safety, for only Holy Mother Church was supposed to intercede between God and Man. And if Sancho was talking to the Saints, surely it wasn't long before he either went crazy or the Inquisition knocked on his door. But he remained a valuable ally in the current wars, and perhaps he really did talk to the Saints. It was when he started firing a number of his advisors and court atendants that his family began to seriously broach the subject of retirement - just not to his face. He was still a man to be feared, after all. And, well, what harm did it do if he spent weeks praying in Church? Perhaps he was simply very pious, or, given all that he had seen in these wars of late perhaps...

In any case, he ordered the fleet to the West and remained in Romagna issuing strange declarations and decrees. He ordered all his delegates to vote for Rome in all three synods that were called, and, in a move that truly shocked many, he named his daughter Mariana heir to the throne. All this encouraged the rumours that he was to retire soon. But, even when he locked himself in his attic room to "talk to the Lord" for weeks at a time, he still came back out in the end to befuddle his court. 

Norman Valencia
Hugert, Baron of Castellon and Valencia
Religion: Roman Catholic (Paris) 

DIPLOMACY:

King Hugert summoned the Galacian nobles to him and, in a surprise move, granted the province its freedom. The Galacians were overjoyed to regain their freedom, and reverted to their traditional neutrality. Santiago, still loyal to Leon, remained under the Norman boot, and it's garrisons were bolstered to make sure there weren't any Leonese troublemakers stirring things up. In fact, Santiago remained the home port of a number of unused merchant vessels that had been out of work and in drydock since the city was captured. Hugert seized them, had them repainted in Valencian colours, and sold them to Valencian merchants to ply their trade along the coast. Unfortunately, piracy had picked up dramatically off Santiago, and after a while trade virtually stopped - every other vessel was being boarded by pirates and their crews set adrift. Some of them seemed to believe that the pirates vessels and language seemed awful familiar...

Valencian forces withdrew from Languedoc peacefully, in accordance with the Peace of God. The city of Marseilles reverted back to Burgundian control. efforts by Hugert and Berenger to recruit Languedoc farmers and merchants to their cause came to naught, for they simply, after so many years of strife, merely wanted to return home, freely. 

A daughter was born to the Queen while she and Hugert toured the countryside, trying to drum up support from the common people for their rule. Little perceived progress was made. The court rejoiced when the Leonese relinquished any claim to their former lands in Iberia. Peace may have come at last to Iberia, though, the Pope was right: it was a messy peace. 

 The Akramid Sultanat
Mohamar, Sultan of Granada
DIPLOMACY: Aragon (c)

Usually the cautious statesman, Mohamar had had enough of the Europeans and their crude words. "Let us show them what we think of them..." he thought and dispatched a courier to Abdul in Navarre. "Let us show them that the Faithful of Allah are not to be trifled with. Give them an example of the Navarre people..." And so it was that Abdul left Asturius to its own devices (the people regained their freedom in that land) and proceed on to Navarre. "On the one hand we can give. On the other, we can take away, for is not Allah both merciful and cruel?" And so, as they were merciful to the Asturius they were cruel to the Navarre, and rounded up every able bodied man woman and child in the region, and hauled them back to Murcia where they lived out the last few years of their lives slaving in the countryside.. "Let them be cautious, lest we do the same to them."

In other parts of the kingdom, great efforts were made to bolster the defenses of the realm - as they had been neglected in the last few years. Walls were rebuilt, castles were erected, and Andalusian warships once again plowed through the waters off Madiera. And, a great number of mullahs and missionaries were sent north to the lands of Valencia, in an effort (that was largely successful) to bring the teachings of Allah to the people there. 

Mohamar took a local girl as his wife, but she was unable to become pregnant. In desperation, he adopted (according to Islamic law) Mohammad as his heir and proclaimed Abdul a prince of the realm. 

Gold flowed into the realm from abroad, and out again to unknown destinations, thus leaving but a ripple in the economy. 

Ummayad Sultanat al Oran
Muawiya, Sultan of the West, Emir of Oran and Mahidia
DIPLOMACY: Cheliff (fa)

Muawiya, similar to his northern brethren, bent his energies towards encouraging the better defense of his lands in these years. A number of castles facing the coast were built all throughout the Sultanat. And, of course, no Vikings came to test them. In fact, instead came Viking merchants and traders, hoping to buy the same goods they stole just a few years ago. 

The Sultan did declare a month of fasting after Ramadan, and opened wide the granaries and royal kitchens to all the poor of the realm, in accordance with Sharia.

The Cheliff remained aloof, as did the Kabilya tribes. Both even rebuffed the offer of marriage of the prince to one of their own.  

The only other even of note (for news of the wars in the East had not yet reached Oran) was that two daughters and a son were born to the wife of Muawiya. 

 

WEST AFRICA
Mercenaries: 7i, 2hi, 6c, 4s, 3w, 3t

 

The Soninke Kingdom of Koumbi
Yuloui, gh?na of Koumbi, Queen of the Mandé
DIPLOMACY:  

Yuloui, eager to ensure the continuance of her realm,  was pleased when she finally gave birth to a male heir. Although spent by the whole ordeal, she recovered in the end, confident that this new child would make her job much easier in the future. After waiting for the traditional One Hundred Days of Cleansing, she began her plans.

For the pagan Songhay, refusing to accept the word of Allah the merciful, had been insolent and disrespectful for generations, and now it was time to teach them a lesson. The Koumbi people laboured hard in the sun, while the Songhay lay about, worshipping their idols and drinking their palm wine. The heretics must be punished! So Yuloui, determined to bring an end to her upstart neighbors once and for all, summoned her generals and soldiers to her side. The vast armies of Koumbi, armed with their bronze swords, javelins, and new-found faith in Allah, finally swung into action! Yuloui was a brilliant commander and was one of the few women allowed with the troops. She ruled them with an iron fist. She would brook no disobedience and her troops were the better for it - since whenever she came near they all feared for their lives. But they had been trained and drilled to fight, and the insipid Songhay were their mortal enemies. No long would the Koumbi realm be poor while the Songhay bathed in gold! 

Early in 1136, as things began to move, Yuloui's plans suffered a setback. He trusted general Kanaga died in a training accident, and his hereditary replacement, Chu!ku was not his equal by any stretch of the imagination. Seeing how her plans might be disrupted, she sent out word that all able bodied men were to be forced into the army so that Songhay might be destroyed.  From the homes of their families, in fron tof their wives and children, men of all backgrounds, young, old,. crippled, were dragged out by troops and forced to serve. Yet, even as the troops swelled in number, Yuloui was taking no chances. She sent forth word that soldiers for hire would be paid handsomely for service in the war, and thousands answered her call. Finally, late in the year, she marched at the head of the vast host of warriors, into the lands of the Niger and Songhay itself...

The Dia Kingdom of Songhay
Jodun, dia Songhay
DIPLOMACY:  Garou(t)

For their part, the Songhay remained not entirely off-guard. Prince Jodun (now styled "Lord of the Yam Fields") continued to clean up his realm and ensure the plague would pass his people by. He named Prince Baru the official regent-in-waiting for his son Mobute just in case and was looking forward to settling down to a life of writing romantic poetry when the first news of burned villages and marauding Koumbi troops reached the capitol. Lord Pharket was away in Garou with Mobute, luckily, and so defense of the realm fell naturally to Prince Baru. The prince was, in fact, a tragic figure in this entire episode. Owing allegiance on the one hand to his family and tribe and, on the other hand, to his belief in Allah the Merciful, he was faced with a terrible choice. In the end, as the rumours out of the West became impossible to deny any longer, he had to decide. Praying to Allah for forgiveness, he set down his original plans, and summoned the army to him. As the first reports of Koumbi troops reached him, he rallied his horsemen and rode at the head of the army to the frontier to fight for the future of his tribe and homeland. 

As his men come over the hills and looked into the valleys approaching Timbuctu, they saw villages alit and huge plumes of dust in the distance. The wailing of women and children filled their ears and then they saw the vast Koumbi host. Their metal shields glittering in the sun, there were over 7,000 armoured warriors, 2,400 newly raised and levies, 1400 peasants with spears, 1200 bedoiun horse, and 2600 mercenaries of various stripes. Against this vast host all that Baru had was a mere 3,000 plainsriders. But, he was all that stood between the invaders and Timbuctu. Sending word back to Jodun, he knew that he was in trouble. Each Koumbi was the equal of any of his, and he was greatly outnumbered. Plus, Queen Yuloui was known for her brilliant tactics. His only hope lay in the hill forts strung about the area, and his knowledge of the land and features of the valleys - but even he doubted that this would be enough...

After a series of brilliant feints and manuevers wherein Baru slipped from fort to fort in an attempt to keep the invaders off-balance, he was finally beaten in a open battle. Baru and his men, bloodied, beaten, and having lost a third of their comrades, retreated to the safety of Timbuctu, but their respite was to be brief. Despite the valour of his men, the Koumbi had, in the end, bested them, and were now only two days from Timbuctu. The city became a tragic scene of flight and panic, as every man, woman and child attempted to flee before the invaders arrived. "So this is what it comes to..." though Jodun as he saw all he had struggled for collapsing around him. "I will not run, but may the Gods help all of you to safety." he muttered, under his breath, as he walked, strangely serenely around the city inspecting the walls and turrets. As the invaders came into view, Jodun and Baru prepared its defenses, erected the ancient gates which had not been raised for centuries. A few months later, Timbuctu lay prostrate and beaten, ravaged by the invaders. Although the siege had been bloody for both sides, the defenses of Timbuctu eventually collapsed and Jodun and Baru had fled when its cause was lost. The Koumbi troops quickly occuppied the city, and put to death any royal family members they could find. The government of Songhay in large part collapsed. Jodun and Baru, holed up in Gao, tried what they could to keep the kingdom together as the Koumbi continued their advance. When they did reach Gao, another bloody siege ensued, this time the Koumbi were slightly less advantaged, since they had been forced to leave many of their men behind to garrison Timbuctu and Songhay itself. Nonetheless, Gao fell after six months of bloodletting. As the Koumbi troops poured into the city, a stray spear killed Jodun, bringing his dreams and his life to an end. Baru managed to slip out of the city in the confusion and traveled to a rendevouz point to meet what few remaining Songhay troops there were. The Koumbi troops returned to the west and although the land lay largely conquered, Baru had hope, still, that he could liberate his homeland. 

The Usama-Yoruba Empire 
M’Bwanza, Chief of the Bini, Prince of Usama, High King of the Yoruba
DIPLOMACY: Air Emirate Horde Block [Kanuri, Kurfei] (fa)

The Ibo lands remained the richest far and wide, and their cloth and gold wrought artworks made their way across the continent and even, apparently, into the land of the Christians to the North. The empire, for it truly was just that, was a land of peace and massive activity, as the merchants in the realm traveled far and wide, building great toll roads and bridges to make even more money. The arts and sciences flourished, and the schools were jammed with students. The populations of Ibo and Ijebo cities continued to swell, as more and more farmers moved into the cities, for it was clear that there they could satsify their lust for money that was overtaking much of the land. And, as the cities grew, the lands of Usama became ever closer integrated with the Yoruban economy and a number of bridges grew up spanning the Niger between Bini city and Ibo. On the banks of the Niger, vast and rapid, a grand permanent open air market  grew up in which thousands would dye such a variety of cloth the world had never seen before. The Lagos market, as it came to be known, eventually transformed itself into a floating series of houses resting directly on the river. At one point, most had been boats, but with the booming economy, the owners had no need to travel up and down the wide river anymore. They merely set up shop buying and selling cloth and golden objects directly from their boats. After a few years, there were hundred of these boats, and a truly floating city on the outskirts of Ibo was the result. One of the consequences was that the trade paths from Bini city now greatly expanded into a true road leading to Ibo. 

Many of the traders upriver, however, had been put out of business as the cloth and gold trade moved downstream. Over the years, a good number of them settled in the interior of Kwarafa, bringing much of that land under cultivation with a variety of grain crops. 

The appearance of the southern Kongo people on the scene as well as the troubles between Songhay and Koumbi alarmed many in the Grand Palace. Although there was little doubt that Ibo remained preeminent in the region, their very strength made them even more cautious about instability. Many advisors counseled a strong stance. M'Bwanza appeared to remain aloof while reveling in the vast riches that outshone even the richest far away kingdoms. However, he did lead a massive expedition to the north, perhaps to secure the border there in light of recent troubles. For not only had there been reports of Kongo tribes in Kanem, and massive armies on the march around the upper Niger, but the Air Emirate nomads were a perennial concern. Finally, feeling strong enough to win their respect, and well-informed of their political dispositions and concerns, he arrived in the dusty lands of the Kanuri. Al his efforts were bent to winning the hearts and minds of the Air Emirate, and he was more than prepared to be wed to one of their own. The nomads were willing to listen, and did allow the king to woo and eventually (after a series of trials in which  he had to ride something those damnable horse-beasts he had heard about - and he almost brained himself doing it). The Air Bedouin did indeed, in the end, did pledge themselves in part to the cause of Ibo. But, their ways were were not those of Ibo, and to entreat with them was an entirely different matter than it had been with others in the lowlands. For the nomads, as nomads everywhere, were emboldened by their number and their raiders were arrogant towards the farmers of the coast. but, in the end, the skill, and especially the cunning, of the Ibo won out. As the wedding feast of M'Bwanza was ending (composed of some very hot and strange foods) he received word that Imbudu, ruling in his stead, had died from a dueling wound. He quickly made preparations to return to the capital with his new bride to ensure the peaceful transfer of power and cut off any opportunities of his relatives to seize power themselves. He had faith that the imperial apparatus of rule itself would prevent any serious problems, but he was no fool: the greatest threat to the empire was not from it's subjects, but from his own clan. 

Then, in perhaps an ominous bit of foreshadowing, the city of Akan, a bustling little port on the swampcoast sustained by the gold mines in the north, was the sight of a massive fire that swept through much of it, leaving half the city burnt to the ground in its wake. The gods continued to frown upon the Ibo, and yet, M'Bwanza laughed at them, for nothing could get in the way of his might empire. 

The Bakongo Kingdom of Kanem and Bornu
Nombato, King of the Kongo, Lord of Great Kongo
DIPLOMACY: Kanem-Bornu(fa)

Deep in the heart of the Kongo, Nombato rested, for his heart was heavy. Each season, more news came in of deaths by starvation or drought. The lands and the gods who ruled over them were cruel to the Kongo. True, it was a lush land, but the rains continually washed away whatever had been built the year before. He saw it, looking our from his tower - the people laboured under the fierce sun in the summer, and fled the drenching rains in the winter, all the time falling prey to the diseases and sicknesses all around. These lands were no longer for him and his people. And so, gathering up their possessions, Nombato led his people towards the north, with his wife Neila-tsu and the rest of his family in tow. Abandoning the Kongo, they set forth on a great trek, trusting in the Gods to deliver them from the swamps and dangers of their homes. 

The land was thrown into chaos. The Giri people were cast adrift and returned upriver to found settlements there, while the jungle tribes were drawn together in Great Kongo. The city itself was looted of much of its wealth by the migrant populace, and what wasn't taken by them was snatched up by bandits and thieves, or overgrown by the voracious jungle. As the Kongolese left, many looked back and wept, for they were leaving the only home they had ever known. But, they traveled to the promised lands, or so they beleived. 

After the three year long trek through jungles, swamps, and desolate highlands, the Kongolese finally came upon the lands of the King of Kanem and Bornu. Alarmed by the influx of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of tribes, the Kanem Bornu were, to say the least, shocked and prepared for anything. However, Nombato welcomed them as they met outside the gates of Ngarazar-gumu in the wetlands of Lake Tchad. Though his people suffered from illnesses and exhaustion, the trek had toughened them, and the Kanem were sorely afraid. the Kongo troops backed up the implicit threats of Nombato, and the Kanem agreed to swear fealty to the powerful Kongo, eager to keep them off from settling in their lands, and enslaving their people. Nombato took a Kanem wife as a bride, and tossed away the beautiful Neila-tsu of Giri - but such is the dirty world of politics. 

 

SOUTH AFRICA
Mercenaries: 9i

The Luba Empire of Malawi
The Big Man, King of Luba, Lord of the Bone Chair, Master of all that he can see (as long as he doesn't stand on too high a hill)
DIPLOMACY:  Makura (f)

The Big Man continued to be concerned with the internal state of his empire and his family. The land was rich, it was true. The people were content, also true. But, he felt storm clouds brewing, and thus made haste to get his affairs in order. To do so, he set off for the lands of Makura, a land of Masaai warriors known for their fierceness in battle. Conversing with their king, he sought to take a new wife from that land to be his Queen. His retinue bombarded the Makura Princes with offers, and offers within offers, and in the end both the Big Man and his son, Little Man, came away wife blushing young Masaai brides. Soon after the king returned home to begin life with his new wife, he received word that his able confidant Jar Pointer - who had so skillfully arranged the marriages - had finally died at a ripe old age. A full funeral was held, and many offerings burnt so that his spirit might pass unobstructed onward. Apparently the offerings were correct, since no ill omens came to rest upon the royal family, as a new daughter was born to Little Man's lithe Makuran bride. 

Otherwise the land was quiet. The markets grew in size and duration, now being held not only once a year in the grand square of Luba, but every other month. Gold, too, continued to pour in from the highland mines. 

The Mwene-Mutapa Empire
Chakama, Lord of Great Mutapa
DIPLOMACY:  Vaal(a), City of Chumnumgwa(f)

Chakama, leader of one of the greatest kingdoms the African lands have seen - surely! - welcomed into his ranks a number of wise and keen hedge-wizards and wise men who could speak to the Gods and interpret the ways of the spirits better. Perhaps in his old age he had begun to fear more the effects of his past on his unknown future, but in any case, it lead to a rennaissance of shrine building throughout the city-states. The shamans helped Chakama keep rule over his tenous and far-flung empire, and the court was amazed by the energy of the old man. Those who did not love him, feared him, and his men ensured that no disobedient words were broached. Indeed, the old man proved his staying power when a new son was born to his wife. 

A great number of settlers, primarily from the arid lands of the Saan, in an attempt to eke out easier lives, began clearing and in Vaal and the mountains therein. Pioneering a native form of step-farming on the hillsides, their efforts soon began to bear fruit. This enriched those lands and incidentally tied them closer to the Mwene economy. Soon, merchants from both lands were in common contact, and an alliance was the natural result. This was aided by a marriage of the prince of that land to Suma, the second daughter of Chakama. To the west, numerous priests and merchants in the distant city of Chumnumgwa (which, to get to, required a long journey of three weeks, or four months if you happened to get caught in the monsoons) pressed the lord of that land to open his gates and markets to the Mwene. 

The sudden activity of the til now passive KhoiKhoi to the South raised a few eyebrows.

The Namaqua KhoiKhoi
Xamseb, Chief of the KhoiSan, Protector
DIPLOMACY:  Cape(ea)

As the San spread forth across Great Namaqualand and Little Namaqualand, they found wealth they had not seen before. The Kalahari was their original home, but over the thousands of years, many of them traveled South, against the wishes of the San bush-lords. As they crossed the Orange river, they found extensive alluvial beds or bright, clear stone that cut sharper than the sharpest spear, red sturdy metals they could fashion into beautiful pendants and tools, and they herds of black-furred sheep and gazelle. Great wealth, greater than any they had in their ancient homeland. 

Originally hunter-gatherers, over time the new KhoiKhoi became organized in small groups of families. The larger of  groups, led by headmen, gradually coalesced into tribes near the Nama rivers. Although not politically linked, an intricate web of kinship did bind them together, and where the Nama rivers came together a settlement had arisen many hundreds of years ago. It's ancient names forgotten, it was now called simply Namaqua, after the name of the greatest tribe. 

As the Namaqua grew ever richer the people became more organized, and the old tribal structures of tradition and leadership by charisma gave way to a more organized set of rules and provisions governed by their complex religion. These gave a reliability to trade and interaction with others within and outside the settlement, and led to even greater wealth being generated. As merchants and markets grew, the richest among the KhoiKhoi became active also in politics, and by 1130 a system of rule by heredity had been institutionalized. The latest in a long line of KhoiKhoi kings, Xamseb, had grown up in Namaqua, and was a skilled man, both in the ways of war and of peace. But, he had seen the famines come and go with the years, and knew the talk of the wise ones. To see his people prosper, it was not enough to stay in Namaqua. The surrounding tribes were rich in their own ways, and they too suffered from the locusts and the dry spells. Would not all be better served by uniting under the strong Namaqua hand? And so, as Xamseb rose to the Red Metal Throne, one of his first acts as king was to travel to the Khosia tribes, to convince their clans that they would profit from joining in alliance. He took along a message from his son, who was looking for a bride. He was startled, however, to find himself not alone there, for an emissary from Mwene-Mutapha was also entreating with the Khosia tribes. It was the first contact with the northerners that the KhoiKhoi ever had, and it alarmed Xamseb. In any case, the Khosia (who were known for their lack of political savvy but their love of practical jokes) had a grand time being wined and dined by both nations, while refusing to commit to either. Xamseb returned to Namaqua with the bad news for his son: he had no Khosian bride for him.  Perhaps next year the Khosian chief might change his mind and allow his daughter, who was known for her stunning beauty, to marry Tchi!xo. 

The young man, despondent, threw himself into the rule of the nation, and devoted long hours to understanding the ways of the markets, the soldiers, and the plight of the common men and women, all in preparation for his eventual assumption of the Red Metal Throne. Although not entirely wise in the ways of the court, he did manage to get a good handle on how the kingdom worked. 

Chieftain Kobou led a diplomatic party over the mountains to the coastlands of the Cape people, where his words of friendship and alliance were surprisingly well received. His many gifts gave proof to the words of the Namaqua that joining with them would only enrich the Capelands. 

A son was borne to Xade, the wife of Xamseb. He was strong and healthy, and brought joy to even bitter Tchi!xo's heart. 

 

The Raja Kingdom of Malay-Betis
Amanitore, High Judge, Raja-Lord of Imerina
DIPLOMACY:  

It was untold moons ago when they came over from the Sunrise lands, in rafts and grand boats of strange design.  They arrived, traders at first, bringing seeds of strange trees and fruits that none had ever seen before. Boatloads of settlers followed, people light in skin colour and whose eyes were different from those of the Betis people. And their religion, too, they brought. Over hundreds of years they became part of the Merina lands, and intermarried and spread out from their small settlements. True enough, there were disputes and danger in those almost-forgotten times, but the Malay colonies that had come, in the end, survived. Their crops of Banana, at first strange to the native peoples, eventually became a staple of the island-dwellers diets. Their beleifs spread and Hinduism took root even in the dense jungles, where it mixed with the local animist and shrine-oriented beliefs. Many of the local gods were integrated into the Hindu pantheon, and this helped spread the influence of the newcomers. With their boats, technology, and different political organization, the Malay transplants traded their spices and seeds up and down the coast of Madagascar, and even to the continent. Eventually, a city was formed - Imerina. And, for the first time, the Malay-Betis peoples truly became organized, as local tribes began to gather in the markets and grand square of Imerina to discuss matters of trade and monsoons, and to settle disputes. From among them arose one man, the strongest and wisest warrior in the land. Chosen first as a judge of his people, through his cunning and savvy he came to be elected by the chieftains to the post of First Judge. Eventually, this title came to be second to that of King and Raja.  Amanitore was a wise king and, eschewing power, concentrated solely on ruling his realm and ensuring the growing prosperity of his people. 

 

North America

 

The Valley of the Yokuts
Shining Scales, Valley-Lord, Son of Bear-Killer
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: Patwin(f)

Running Salmon, fearsome bear-killer and pride of his people, died one night under the stars of his mother's home in the hills. He passed with a smile on his lips, for he looked out across the valley and saw the rebirth of the Hokum everywhere. To him, the signal-fires across the lush plains spoke a language of peace and power. His people reborn, the spirit of the Salmon had fulfilled his duty and left the great warrior's body to return to the river. With one last look out on the valley and above to the sky, the spirit returned to the shining river above. 

Many hilltops away, in the land of the Patwin, Running Salmon's son Shining Scales stopped in the middle of a grand feast and looked to the sky. Above, a single light flashed across, heading for the Silver River. He knew, in that moment, that he was now lord of the Yokuts.  The Patwin, seeing the signs and respecting the obvious power in the young man, pledged themselves to the Yokuts and the Valley. During the feast, a young daughter of the Patwin chief by the name of Bright Arrow stepped forth from the gathering and -  as was their custom -  issued a joining-challenge to Shining Scales. He accepted, and two moons later the two were joined as one. To seal the alliance, the lands of the valley were strengthened against possible raids, and gifts of strong weapons and warriors were made to the chief of the Patwin. And, as the Patwin and Yokuts tribes began to trade the fields and villages grew richer. 

From high above, the spirit of Running Salmon looked down, and smiled. 

 

The Hohokam Cliff-Dwellers
Tawa, Speaker to Thunder-beasts
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: Anasazi(f)

Tawa, hearing the voices of the thunder-beasts clearly, had a vision of the future of the Cliff-Dwellers. It was not to remain fractious and fighting amongst themselves as they had for generations. To overcome the dissenssion sowed by the Coyote and the Dark Ones, there must be an end to the clan-fighting and rivalries. He was met with scorn and derision, for had not the clans always been rivals? Had not the honour of the warriors been determined by the coup of their enemies? Tawa heard these concerns, and heeded them. But he also worked to bring the clans closer together, in games of skill and combat as well as in the Festival of the Clouds. Held yearly, the Festival was decreed by Tawa to be a time when rivalries were put aside, and honour was to be gained by shows of wealth and generosity, not through ritual combat, bloodshed, and the kidnapping of the infants of other clans.  At the Festival (held this year in Anasazi lands) he spoke to them thus: "We are clansmen first, this is true. But have you not heard of the raiders from the East? How can we stand against such if we are not also Hohokam together?" Only time will tell if the clans will heed his words. Old ways die hard.  

The Festival itself was a grand success for Tawa was wed to a young maiden of the Anasazi. It was feared that his first wife, now long dead, would return as an avenging spirit. The sacred wedding rituals were held nonetheless. But later, the young maiden, fearful of the past, also performed the Walk of Remorse to placate the spirits of the departed. When she returned, both chiefs - Tawa and the lord of the Anasazi - were brought closer together by this show of devotion and the lands were joined as one. Trade grew and the people were prosperous. 

At the Festival, young Len, heir to the land, was amazed at the vast numbers of warriors present. It warmed his heart to know that someday all would be subject to him. 

The Moundbuilders
Crow-Horse, Lord of Illini, Master of Michigamea, Spear-master
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: Erie(fa), Adena(c)

Coming to understand the folly of war, a much chastised Crow-Horse returned to Michigamea and began to preach, not war, but peace. Thus, still smarting from their calamitous losses in the years before, the Moundbuilders concentrated on rebuilding their realm and enhancing peaceful relations with their neighbors. A mission upriver met with little success in the lands of the Scioto or Miami, and with only a measured degree of deference paid to the Moundbuilders in Erie. 

The Atakapa Councils
Heap of Birds, Reed-Lord
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: Chitimacha(a)

Heap of Birds saw to the reconstruction of his lands after the treacherous attacks by the Moundbuilders. Gathering up the bodies of the dead attackers, he had the bodies lain out in the sun and exposed to the Spirits of the Sun and the Vulture. After three weeks, only the bones remained, the skulls of which he then used to line the walls of Ayoel. The Moundbuilders, should they come again, would find the Atakapa prepared. Heap of Birds chosen heir, Annoying Lizard (so named for a strange habit he had with his tongue) was sent north, up the Snake to the land of the Moundbuilders itself. In truth, he feared he would be captured and subject to the unspeakable tortures the Michigamea were known for. However, he found a land of peace in the midst of rebuilding. Crow-Horse remained unwilling to discuss terms of treaties or cooperation with Annoying Lizard, but neither did he capture the young man and flay him alive. Rejected, Annoying Lizard returned home. 

Chief Red Feather returned from his time living with the Chitimacha with a double dose of good news: not only were the Chiti people impressed by the works of Heap of Birds enough to suggest an alliance, but the beautiful daughter of the Chitimacha medicine man had returned with him to meet the renowned Atakapa chief.  Since the alliance between the two nations rested upon the marriage of Strong Flower and Birds, little time was wasted arranging for the wedding rituals.  The Mejacalero people, strongly independent and not as easily impressed as the Chitimacha, rebuffed all the Atakapa entreaties. 

The Echota Confederation
Nottley, Wind-Holder
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: 

Echota was a grand place, full of life and activity. Valleys of green fields and red clay surrounded the high hills upon which it rested, and The People had known peace for generations. But the cycle moved on and, as all things must, the complacency of the Yamasee was disrupted. 

Years earlier, Atakapan and Michigamea refugees from the raids on the Snake river settlements arrived in Echota. At first scorned and shunned as outsiders, they were eventually accepted into the tribes. They started as wanderers, but came to make Echota their new home and hoped to find a place far from fighting. But these people retained their restlessness. Not content to farm the lands and hunt the bison, they looked out across the mountains and plains and saw open lands waiting to be claimed. Thus, over the years, as more refugees poured into Echota, they began to settle, not in Yamasee, but to the east and north of it. This movement was motivated in large part by the position of Nottley, ruler of the Yamasee. He was a strong warrior and yet still wise, and demanded that the refugees, who shared Yamasee land and intermarried with them, also share the burdens of caring for the farms and stockpiling for the harsh winters. Many of the refugees scorned his words, and instead struck out on their own into the lands of the Creek and Yuchi. But, unfamiliar with the southern seasons of the area, the next winter decimated their numbers and saw the death of hundreds of their livestock and family members. Chastened, the refugees returned to seek the counsel of Nottley. Retaining their love of freedom, all of them nonetheless understood that together they might better survive the hazards that the land and the seasons sometimes threw down. A confederation was agreed upon, wherein the tribes would gather at Echota for trade and bartering, and the exchange of knowledge. In this way the needs of the three communities might be met. And so was born the Echota Confederation of Yamasee, Creek, and Yuchi. When next winter arrived, the tribes stood together and thrived rather than separately to perish. In the third winter, the tribes came together once again at the Confederation Council, and took the birth of Nottley's second son and the marriage of his first as the omens they had been waiting for. The Gods were pleased, and the three tribes thrived.  

 

CENTRAL AMERICA ~

The Canoe People
Chief Barba, Lord of Carib
Religion: North American Pagan

DIPLOMACY: Ciguayo(fa)

Chief Barba, and old man who had seen over forty winters in his lifetime, called home his only son to him. Expecting a warm reception, Jamai was surprised to be chastised by his father. "I look around my lands and my fields, and what do I see? Strangers! Where are my blood? Where are my children? Why do you go running about the seas like a hungry gull? As your chief, and as your father, I task you now: continue my family line so that all may be proud of us and what we shall bring forth!" Barba then returned to administering his realm and instituting a more regularized and efficient form of tax-collecting and record keeping. 

Jamai, for his part, was unable to supress his urges to wander, and so spent most of his time exploring the caves and coves on the Big Island out of sight of his father. One day, however, he met a young woman named Saya, a diver after shells and crabs from a neighboring island. Entranced by the exoticness of the woman, he spent his days and nights wooing her for the next few months. But, eager to see him prove himself, she put him through test after test. One day, diving to the deepest underwater caves to recover a dagger she had left there, in the belly of a giant clam. The next day, scaling the highest cliff on the outer islands. Another time, she tasked him to hunt and kill a wildcat that had been stalking around the cane fields. Finally, after having proved himself, she consented to consider his proposal. A whirlwind romance resulted, and finally Jamai was able to return to his father's house with his new wife. And, a year or so after, a young daughter. 

Shaman Bright Spirit, who knew all too well the ways of the Other World, continued his work in Ciguayo. It reached a climax when he held a ceremony to the Ancient Ones to show the power of the Carib spirit-walking to the islanders. Writhing and jerking in a frenzy, he summoned powerful spirits and overawed the Ciguayo people. The ceremony proved too successful, for the spirits themselves were seduced by the shapes and signs that Bright Spirit drew in the sky, and would not return him to the land below. Bright Spirit continued up, ever up, to the Other World and the islanders dutifully buried him on their lands. Then, showing their devotion to the Spirits of the Carib, sent word to Chief Barba of the events that transpired along with their vow of alleigance.  

TzinTzunTzan
Tz'yu, Huey Quetzl
DIPLOMACY:   

Tz'yu the Grand rules his realm with an iron fist. He was raised a warrior, and times of peace did nothing for his temperament. Thus, he spent most of his time with his troops, raising new levies from the temples. Even when when one of his harem-girls delivered to him a baby girl, he was not happy. He needed an heir, and that meant a boy in the male-dominated Cuyutec society. Nonetheless, he did grin on occassion when the young child cooed at him.

His advisors, ever hoping to be busy enough so that they do not have to face Tz'Yu's wrath, busied themselves with getting the record-wheel and the Grand Calendars of the Temple in order, and keeping a watchful eye on the merchants and sub-priests. The only bit of excitement for the realm came when the Mexica Prince Smoking Mountain was sighted in Tarascan, but he quickly dissappeared into the northern hills, apparently on his way to Otomi. A few years later, TzinTzunTzan soldiers sighted him once again in Tarascan, but felt no need to pursue the matter further. Indeed, Tz'yu's relations with the Mexica had been peaceful lately and, despite being a warrior, Tz'yu was not dumb - he did not push the incident further.  

Zapotec Kingdom of Mitla
Tzintzunotzlin , Son of Sky-Wheel-Speaker
DIPLOMACY:  

As the Wheel-Tenders continued the sacrifices in anticipation of the Great Reckoning Ceremony, the pilgrims and travelers who came to Zapotec grew greatly. Primarily coming from the north, they generally stopped along the way to rest their feet for the paths through the hills were rough. One such place in Tarascan, by the name of Peluque, provided a comfortable respite for the wealthy from the journey and the barbarian bandits of Jonaz Pame. Nestled in a well protected and lush valley, the small temples of Peluque grew into large trading posts and markets, and eventually the town outgrew its valley to become a small city. 

Otherwise, the realm remained peaceful. The royal dalliances did not produce any heirs, but that was of little consequence. Prince Pachamatl remained alert and primarily concerned with his friends the temple-guards. The priests themselves made great strides in their efforts to extract taxes from the commoners with the growth of Peluque, and Tzintzunotzlin came to rely on their advice more and more.  

The Triple Alliance of the Tiacopan (Méxica)
Eight Deer, King of the Tiacopan, Lord of Texcoco and Tula
DIPLOMACY:    Tlapocoya(f)

Eight Deer, continued to oversee his powerful realm, as well as revel in the sensuous pleasures that came with the kingship. Although no progeny resulted, a number of grand parties did. These parties, which attracted a richer set of merchants than the kingdom had seen for awhile contributed to the continued  growth of the economy. Furthermore, as the temples attracted more and more adherents from the within the valley, they brought with them their family's gold and carvings, which enriched the common people and markets of Tiacopan even more. 

A variety of family affairs occuppied much of the gossip of Tiacopan in later years. First, in a grand ceremony, Four Rabbit (the son of Smoking Mountain and Jade Eyes) was declared a prince of the realm. Soon after, word reached the royal family that Lord Tepetl, faithful of Eight Deer and confidant of the royal household, had passed away in the shadow of Smoking Mountain while conversing with a group of Tlacopoya admirers. He was buried with flowered wreaths and his household's obsidian dagger, as he was the last of his line. But, when this news reached Jade Eyes, the wife of Smoking Mountain, she fell into a deep depression and began to waste away. It soon became obvious to all that Jade and Tepetl had been more than friends. Alas, the lady succombed to the depression before Smoking Mountain could return to confront her. Her last request was to be buried with Tepetl, but Mexica tradition accorded adulterers no such rights, and her body was cast into the rivers, unblessed. 

Chichen Itze
Kuere, Priest King of the Maya
DIPLOMACY:  

"None shall defy Maya Itze!" vowed Kuere as he pondered the devastation the last few years had brought. Gathering his priest-warriors to him he addressed General Xoofy: "I give to you 2600 of my finest warriors. Their stones are sharp and their arms are strong. They know no fear, and they live to serve the Me and the Priests. You are to take these men, first to the Chontal and then to Popoluca. Do not return until you have exacted the proper tribute and respect. And remember, the Priests can never have too many captives for the sacrifices."

 Xoofy immediately moved Southward and when he came to the gatherings of the Chontal, he immediately captured twenty young men as a show of his strength. 1400 of the Chontal, fearful of being dominated, came out of their valleys and forests to meet his army. Aided by their knowledge of the jungles and a good dose of luck, the Chontali managed to drive off Xoofy in a series of raids. However, the inspirational Chontal leader, Lord Yudou'chi, was killed by a gang of sympathizers within his ranks. Thus, returning next year, Xoofy was emboldened to try again. The Chontali farmers, bereft of leadership, gave in to Xoofy's demands for tribute without much of a fight. 

Continuing South (and bypassing the city of Uazactum), Xoofy moved into the less barbaric lands of Populuca. The Populcans were a proud people, with a heritage that goes back hundreds of turns of the wheel. They had an ancient and tradition-bound system of rulership and their new king, Mou'Ti, was a man who had seen many a battle. These were no disorganized jungle-dwellers. 1400 Popoluc warriors met the 1600 Mayans under Xoofy, outside the Grand Temple of that land. In a fierce battle, in which the Mayans were clearly outsmarted, Xoofy was grievously wounded and his men managed to withdraw back to Chontal, chastened. As he lay in his tent, fighting off deadly fevers and jungle sickness, Xoofy did not relish the prospect of bringing this news back to Kuere...

Back in Maya, Kuere actually took the news well, for he was celebrating the birth of his new daughter and investment of his son, Zerdan, as Prince of the realm. During the ceremony, he managed to make subtle reference to the failures of Maya abroad by saying to his son "Perhaps you can succeed where others have failed, notably."

 

THE INCA COAST
Land of the Moon-Cult

The Moon Kingdom of Quito
Pocomoc II, Moon Prince of Valdivia, Lord of the Moon Cult, Listener to the Great Eye, Eater of the Moon-Pie
DIPLOMACY:  Boruca(fa), City of Chiriqui through royal marriage (f)

The Guaymai lands were strengthened against bandits from the north, and regular patrols were set up to ensure that they did not get emboldened by the recent troubles in Quito. These displays of strength frightened the Boruca. Thus, when Lord Pocomoc, caving in to Moon Sect demands, allowed Quextola and the priests to continue their northern expansion into the dense forests and hills there, the Borucan people bowed down to them out of fear (and not a bit of hope that they too might share in the riches of Quito).  

Indeed, the kingdom did seem to be settling down a bit, and peace had largely returned to the land. The seas were controlled by the fleet, and pirates were unheard of any longer. To display his new-found confidence in this peace, the king devoted himself to his family, and soon a royal son was born. In other family matters, Pocomoc's daughter, Tintinini ("Singing Bellflower") married Quexotla, the lord of Chiriqui in a lavish ceremony. The young woman, barely fifteen cycles, was too ignorant to know she was but a pawn in grander political games, but it was of no consequence. 

The Chimu Kingdom of Chanchan
Viracocha, The Young Sun
DIPLOMACY:   

Viracocha ruled over his mighty land. Everywhere there were signs of power and prosperity. The growing castes of warrior-priests, the overflowing markets, and the grand temples that proved to the Gods how devout and loyal the Chimu were. Vast amounts of gems and gold poured into the royal coffers, and then out again to feed the priests and warriors. The fishermen and traders were perhaps the most well off in these years, as the fish were plentiful and the catch continued to grow. As the traders grew richer, they encroached upon the land trade with the Quito and Tiwanaku. The priests spread the influence of Viracocha throughout the realm, and it was good that he was a wise lord, for the people felt his hand in all they did. Viracocha was well loved. 

The only bit of excitement was when the priests, fearful of the moon-cult, roused themselves from their inactivity and began to take firm steps against the new heretical religion. In Chimu, however, the people proved resilient to their teachings for they were a stubborn sort and the moon cult had been taken to heart there. Capac remained an outpost of the true ways, however, and slowly out from it, in the nearby villages, indications grew that the Snake was returning to destroy the Moon.   

Tiwanaku
Amehu the Fambly-Man, Lord of the City of Seven Walls
DIPLOMACY:  

Lord Dehol, knowing that his time was not infinite, trained his son in the ways of rulership and left him in charge as he traveled to Uru. There he wished not only to see the beautiful green hills he had heard so much about, but also to convince the people there to join in the glory that was Tiahuanoco. Amehu struggled to learn the ways of rulership while his father was gone, but found his mind wandering. Soon, he was traveling the neighboring villages of the Kingdom, looking for adventure. In the mountains east of Tiahuanoco, he found a place where the young women train alongside the men in the ways of the obsidian swords. He quickly fell in love with a local girl name Djelopa, attracted by both her strength and beauty. Quickly, they were married, for Amehu knew his father would be apoplectic if he found his son had rejected the political marriages he had lined up for him. Nonetheless, the marriage was carried out while Dehol was away in Uru. A year later, when Dehol heard the news, the old man dropped dead from the pure rage he felt. Amehu, with his new bride and their new-borne baby daughter, ascended to the throne of the Seven Winds peacefully. 

The new regime did not begin auspiciously, however, for news from abroad continually disappointed as the diplomatic efforts of the land met with unparalleled failure. The people remained unconcerned though, for the markets were rich and the fields lush and Caranga was a land of plenty. 

  

 

The Araucania Warrior-tribes
Tiku, Master of Swords, Lord of Mapuch, the Uniter
DIPLOMACY:  Pichunche(fa)

The Araucania tribes, known and feared throughout the lands for their warrior ways, had for years, perhaps hundreds, been content with banditry as a way of life. They would raid the lands of the nearby tribes, and take their children to raise as their own. They would even, on occasion, venture eastward and to the south, over the High Ones into the frozen plateaus of the Poya or the bone-dry lands of the Huiliche. But decades ago a change had begun in their society, and the structure of the society shifted from being based not on unorganized raiding but communal farming and gathering. The warrior ways were not lost, but with domestication of certain animals and the yearlong planting of crops, for the first time the Mapuchi had come to have surpluses of grains and livestock. This was a dramatic change for them. Whereas before they had been isolated groups of distrustful warriors and scattered tribes in a barren and under-populated land, now they came to tame the land and make it theirs. Soon, the first towns grew and the populations stabilized and began a steady growth. Mapuchi was transformed into a land of farms and villages, and a nascent central authority grew up as these villages began to cooperate and trade. Some  warrior virtues were not well adopted to this new society, and groups of young men, disenchanted, began to move north. Over the years, these self-exiled warriors came to be known as the Pichunche, and slowly developed their own ways apart from the Mapuchi. 

All of this happened decades ago, and now the Mapuchi and the Pichunche had developed in very different ways. The Mapuchi, continuing their trends of inter-village cooperation and trade began to coalesce into even larger political units. The Pichunche remained scattered in small towns and roving bands, and often, bandits. As the Mapuchi towns grew closer, the need for central authority to resolve disputes became insurmountable, and for the first time ever a king was chosen. Tiku, clearly a brave and wise warrior, was the first in the Araucanian warrior dynasty. He promptly set about organizing the towns better, and a city grew up at the conjunction of three of the largest coastal villages. It was named Coihaique, and became a center of trade, produce, and fishing. After a few years, when the Araucanian rule seemed secure and the land seemed safe in its prosperity, the elders and Tiku agreed that it was time to send emissaries to the Pichunche to rejoin the lost ones to the Mapuchi. Tiku, being an honorable man, would let known go in his stead. For it was a dangerous mission - all knew that the old distrusts might run deep even after so long. Sacha'lo, the eldest son of Tiku, was given charge of organizing the temples and the kingdoms record tablets in Tiku's absence. 

After three long years, Tiku returned. Though he had encountered numerous trials, suspicion, and fear, in the end he had prevailed. The exiled ones had agreed, at least for the moment, to work with their cousins the Mapuchi. A great festival was held in which a number of slaves were sacrificed. 

 

ISI List for Turn 27

ISI List for Turn 00027

 

 

 

 

#

Nation Name

MSI

ESI

Player Name

TV

EMail Address

1

Pratihara Kingdom of Kaunaj

178.7

2

Peter Morzinski

28.9

nagabhata@yahoo.com

2

Phoenix Sung Empire

166.4

1

Ken Ditto

31.5

shadowkitsune@earthlink.net

3

Empire of Egypt

142.1

3

Steve Bochenski

21.7

sboche@mindspring.com

4

The Empire of Japan

140.9

5

Lee Forester

9.9

forester@hope.edu

5

The Kingdom of Thaton

104.1

8

Mark Saint Cyr

18.8

miklosalanna@aol.com

6

The Buwayid Sultanate

98.8

11

Keith St. Louis

7.9

kstlouis@bolt.com

7

Western Sung Empire

97.1

7

(Jamus Thayn)

10.1

noonie@blight.com

8

The Karakhanate of Ilig

96.4

9

Don Deutsch

12.7

DDeutsch@rmgmpls.com

9

The Pala of Bengal

93.8

6

James Cochran

3.8

jcochran@unique-software.com

10

Usama-Yoruba Onium of Ibo

85.6

4

Lorne Colmar

21.2

lorne@lordsoftheearth.co.uk

11

Sad Drivida Kingdom of Ceylon

85.8

10

Don Van Tassel II

11.4

Donv@bcn.net

12

Saxon Kingdom of England

85.2

12

Dave Salter

7.0

SalterDJ@aol.com

13

The Order of the Dagger

83.4

32

Doug Salter

0.3

Douglas.Salter@att.net

14

The Dai Kingdom of Annam

79.5

14

John Kuo

7.9

jkuo@spss.com

15

Oriental Roman Empire

80.2

18

Rick Ludowese

9.1

RickLud@aol.com

16

Das Deutches Konigsreich

79.9

25

Todd McCloskey

6.7

apoxis@hotmail.com

17

The Akramid Caliphate

78.9

23

Bruce Anderson

6.2

andrsnb@optonline.net

18

Kingdom of France

78.2

30

Leslie Dodd

10.5

lesliesdodd@aol.com

19

The Kambujadesa Empire

74.2

13

Julian Page

16.1

julianp@u030.aone.net.au

20

The Varangian Rus of Kiev

73.2

28

Sara Felix

6.4

sfelix@austin.rr.com

21

The Goryeo Kingdom

70.5

15

David Thirkettle

5.9

DavidThirkettle@DavidThirkettle.screaming.net

22

Khwarzim

69.2

29

Free State

3.3

alarikfgm@disinfo.net

23

The Rum Khanate of Turkiye

66.7

26

Allen Pitt

3.9

allenpit@optonline.net

24

The Saffarids of Baluchistan

66.7

22

Hugh Thompson

6.5

kwatro@hotmail.com

25

Kingdom of Svear

66.9

44

Johan Adner

4.4

rba@wineasy.se

26

Ummayad Sultanat al Oran

59.8

21

Dean Patterson

8.0

dpatterson@computertech.com

27

The Chimu Kingdom of Chanchan

57.4

27

Charles Darden

8.3

chadarden1@aol.com

28

The Makuria Kingdom of Dongola

57.2

40

Alessio Conversano

3.3

alessio_conversano@hotmail.com

29

Clan Kiyowara

57.2

38

Dan Martin

0.3

danielm@theriver.com

30

The Western Roman Empire

56.3

35

Sean Boomer

5.9

Diocletian2001@yahoo.ca

31

The Wudan Masters

55.9

19

James Gemill

6.5

jamesgem@vpl.vancouver.bc.ca

32

The Ghaznavid Sultanate

55.4

48

Steven Mathers

2.3

stevenmathers@yahoo.com

33

The Papal States

54.6

33

Michael George

1.7

papacy@mjgeorge.freeserve.co.uk

34

Tiahuanaco

53.6

54

Matt Holy

1.3

holyman@lucien.blight.com

35

El Reino de Leon y Navarre

52.7

76

Tim Weldon

2.1

welly00@hotmail.com

36

Duchy of Bohemia

52.4

36

Paul Ayers

4.3

payers@clara.co.uk

37

Principality of Salerno

51.5

16

Liam McGucken

5.2

liam.mcgucken@focusede.com

38

The Abasi Caliphate

50.8

17

Steve Trask

1.3

STRASK1@paonline.com

39

Ar Rassid Imamat as Sa'Na

51.2

47

Tom Moser

1.9

tommoser1@msn.com

40

The Great Khanate

50.1

86

Tim Finton

0.3

khan_tim@yahoo.com

41

Khanate of Jungaria

48.6

56

Ivan Mostinckx

1.1

ivan.mostinckx@export.vlaanderen.be

42

Western Dhara Kingdom

48.3

37

Paul Flinton

3.1

pflinton_lords@hotmail.com

43

The Triple Alliance (Mexica)

47.9

65

Marc Hanson

3.0

flyingcowking@hotmail.com

44

The Mongol Khaganate

46.9

88

Chris G. Ozdoba

0.2

cgozdoba@interchange.ubc.ca

45

The Tuath Kingdom of Thomond

47.3

68

Influenced

1.6

Lords24@throneworld.com

46

Nihon-no-Tenno

45.6

31

Ron Meinung

0.3

rsm43@home.com

47

The Ests

45.1

52

Ross MacIndoe

2.5

rcmacindoe@bigpond.com

48

Ju Chen Khanate

44.7

75

(T.F. Meagher)

1.6

infantry11a@aol.com

49

Lombard Kingdom of Italy

43.6

41

Rick Vella

3.7

rickvella@throneworld.com

50

The Mwene-Mutapa Empire

43.9

42

Brian Stanley

5.4

l17maori@yahoo.com

51

La Milice Du Christ

44.0

62

Charles Hurst

1.9

charlesh@teleport.com

52

Ar Rawwadid Emirat at Tabriz

44.2

46

Daniel Chung

4.2

danchung@onebox.com

53

Heyrenik'un Armeniam

41.7

64

Geoff Hill

1.3

kova2@usa.net

54

Jarldom of Orkeneyjar

41.4

20

Jeff Morrison

7.2

morrison@qix.net

55

Yokut Tribes

38.5

51

Dean Patterson

0.3

dpatterson@computertech.com

56

Kalachuri Kingdom of Tripuri

37.6

34

Influenced

1.2

Lords24@throneworld.com

57

The Moundbuilders

36.6

85

Kiley Bowers

1.8

Lychor@yahoo.com

58

The Kingdom of Verona

35.5

82

Groo the Wanderer

0.8

Groo@throneworld.com

59

Zapotec Mitla

36.3

71

Hugh Thompson

2.2

kwatro@hotmail.com

60

The Atakapa Councils

34.6

60

Leslie Dodd

1.8

lesliesdodd@aol.com

61

The God-Empire of Sri Vijaya

34.8

39

Rob Hanson

1.8

rhanson@blast.net

62

The Hatamid Emirat

34.4

55

Ryan Powers

3.2

rjpowers@mtu.edu

63

The Hohokam cliff-dwellers

30.5

53

Robert Spencer

1.4

tatra@scattercreek.com

64

The Namaqua KhoiKhoi

30.5

59

Simon Sieber

0.9

sieber@giub.unibe.ch

65

Norman Valencia

31.2

74

Richard Lloyd

1.7

mirrorearths@compuserve.com

66

The Yasi

31.4

77

Open for a player

1.5

Lords24@throneworld.com

67

Le Royaume de Bourgogne

29.6

43

(Richard Winfield)

3.0

rwinfield32@aol.com

68

The Norwegians

28.6

49

Allied

3.1

Lords24@throneworld.com

69

The Yamasee Elders

29.0

67

Joey Browning

1.0

jb@syclone.net

70

The Betis Rajasthan (Malay-Betis)

26.7

78

Michal Radkiewicz

1.5

misiorad@yahoo.com

71

Chichen Itze

27.0

45

Dave Vulcan

2.8

erekose@erinet.com

72

The Araucania Warrior-Tribes

26.5

72

Dan Garrison

0.3

pro_slack@hotmail.com

73

The Canoe People

24.5

73

JJ

0.3

jnmj@dwave.net

74

The Commonwealth of Iceland

24.6

61

Jan Siggurdson

2.8

siggurdson@yahoo.com

75

The Luba Empire of Malawi

25.0

58

Robert Spencer

1.9

tatra@scattercreek.com

76

The Greater Wheel

24.2

57

Briana Baran

0.3

lengeft@ev1.net

77

The Yemeni Rassid Imamat

24.3

70

Bruce Israel

0.9

BFIsrael@aol.com

78

Ouagadou Kingdom of Koumbi

22.5

24

Eddie Efsic

9.8

eddieefsic@msn.com

79

The Dia Kingdom of Songhay

23.0

80

Andrew Bassford

1.4

ranger5cw@yahoo.com

80

The Cypriot Pirates

22.1

83

Michael Blocker

1.3

Michael_Blocker@med.unc.edu

81

The Chwezi Dynasty

20.5

69

Bul Jinaca

1.9

galjinaca@yahoo.com

82

The Turki

19.5

50

Cameron Reid

2.8

creid.mba2001@ivey.ca

83

The Almohad Caliphate

18.5

87

Lee Keefer

0.3

Lee_keefer@guardian.com