Lords of the Earth 

CAMPAIGN TWENTY-FOUR

Byzantium Falls

Turn 43

1211 ~ 1215 Anno Domini
573 ~ 578 in the year of the Hegira

Announcements and items of note

General Stuff: Please use my Paypal account (stephenbrunt@yahoo.co.uk) for all Lords’ 24 payments. If you cannot use this facility then please let me know and I will see what I can do about filtering US funds to my account. I may also stop using the throneworld email address due to the mass of spam I’m getting!

 

Order Form: Please use the standard excel order form from now on. I’ll update the site with a link to it next week when I get some time. This is important as it helps me process the turn more quickly. THIS IS NOW MANDATORY.

 

Non-Payment: some of you still owe me some cash. Although it may come as surprise that this is not my main source of income, I see it only polite that you pay for the occasionally night out. So, if you’re under zero next turn I’ll not process you orders.

 

Version 6: Lords 24 uses version 6 of the basic rules

 

The Map: The map now includes India as well as Europe, Central Asia and Africa. However, Indian nations are not yet available for play. I’ve greyed out repeated areas on the maps to make my life easier. However, this means some player nations are split across more than one map. I may increase the size of the main map but I’ll have to think on this.

 

Tithes and Tribute: I think these are automatically updated by the stats program, so no need to declare them in your orders.

Control of the Papacy and Religious Orders: In Lords 24 we will not always have a player Pope (or Caliph etc for that matter) and the following rules are used to determine which player faction controls the Pope’s actions, Papacy Rules. I’ve also added some stuff about gaining support from their armies

How to make your GM happy (PLEASE READ! REALLY!):

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VARIOUS FEES AND LEVIES 

At the moment the turns cost $5 – please pay up of you owe

We are using the latest v6.3.5 of the basic rule book that can be found here

http://lords.throneworld.com/players/loterule/rules.html

Turn 44 Orders due by:  October 22nd 2008

Without further ado, the news for these years in Lords 24 history...

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries

Leaders:

Mustafa of Rum M996

Troops:

46c,34xc,44i,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

i5, c6, s5, w3

 

The Varangian Rus of Kiev

(Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Izyaslav, King of the Rus

The walls of Kiev were greatly increased to provide protection for the capital. Smolensk was improved slightly by order of the great Rus himself. Kievan missionaries were active in Pechneg and Goryn and those regions were converted to Christianity. Trade links were opened to Poland and a new postal road started between Kiev and Chernigov. The province of Seversk became cultivated from years of hard work clearing the wilderness. The Rus advisors were again active in Orkneyjar; showing the island Jarldom the art of warfare on foot. In exchange, seasoned veterans from Kirkval were seen in the docks of Kiev instructing the Kievan sailors in the art of war at sea. The Rus himself was content to rule the Kingdom from Kiev and was blessed with two young sons during these years. He was supported by Gustav and Peter. Wladislaw was successful in gaining an alliance from the newly founded city of Novogorod-Seversk.

The Western Roman Empire

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Basil of Ochrid, Emperor of the West Romans

Basil was aided by the French leader Alain in liberating Thessaly from the Uighurs. His dire finances led to defaults on loans with the Jews and promises to pay them off soon. Michael was killed in the battle for Thessaly along with four hundred of the small Roman army. Roman assassins failed to locate the Uighur leader and he escaped their deadly intent.

The Western Uighur Khanate

(Sunni Islam Civilised Open Empire)
Khagan Selim

The walls of Heraclea were improved in an attempt to stave off the Byzantine attack. Thirty light warships were commissioned in the port and two thousand infantry and engineers raised to defend the walls. The Uighurs missionaries were active in Thessaly but had no success in the war torn province. Khagen Selim moved his four thousand cavalry and twelve hundred infantry into Thrace to liberate the province. Isaac of the East Romans was besieging Heraclea with his army of six thousand guardsmen and a small number of sappers. Aided by spies within the Roman camp, Selim defeated the Romans. Isaac fled back to Constantinople but the entire Roman army was destroyed. The Uighur losses were slight, less than one thousand light infantry. Selim quickly moved to Heraclea and gathered the newly raised garrison there. The Uighurs then marched again into Constantinople and laid siege to the city. The defiant city soon fell as the Uighurs stormed through the gates. Embittered by years of Roman resistance the Uighurs fell upon the city, pillaging and burning as they went. The once great walls were pulled down and the city put to the torch. Isaac fled again Paphlagonia with the few survivors of his once great army. Belim managed to avoid the besieging Romans and sneaked into Heraclea. He gathered the fleet there and set out to defeat Alexandria's blockade. Battered by the Roman princess he fled back to Heraclea, his fleet in tatters.

The Oriental Roman Empire

(Roman Catholic Civilised Open Empire)
Alexandria, Emperess of East Rome

While Isaac laid siege to the Uighur capital, Alexandria set out with mighty Byzantine fleet of ninety ships. Her intention was the blockade of Heraclea to aid Isaac's attack. Three thousand infantry were raised in Constantinople to defend the city. Moagaritos was in Abasigia when Rashi assassins snatched him from his bed. At almost the same time Romanos was captured by the Rashi. The ageing Moagartis could not stand the ordeal and died in captivity. Alexandria met and defeated the Uighur fleet as they left Heraclea harbour. This was despite nearly half her fleet mutinying when they incorrectly thought Isaac had been killed. The mutineers may have deserted due to the lies about Isaac's death but following his flight to Paphlagonia the Emperor was indeed killed by disaffected soldiers. Alexandria withdrew back to Nikopolis to survey the damage caused by an earthquake there - surely god has deserted her!.

The Ests

(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Cimir, Kings of the Ests

A few first were built in Kymia and Livonia and the walls of Reval improved. The province of Novgorod was improved and cultivation of Veposkava started. Latvia was finally cultivated and the region started to produce valuable grain for the northern nation. Cimir took control of the army and patrolled his borders during these years from Novgorod, assisted at all times by Jaak. His son, Andrus, was left to rule the Kingdom from Estonia and was blessed by the gods with two healthy children. Jaagup laid claim to the islands of Gotland for the Ests.

Elsewhere in Eastern Europe

The Duchy of Poland increases it status in Bialoweza and Silesia. The Great Bolgar Khanate incorporates the Nogai. Turkiye expands into Cappadocia. Bishop Asculias dies and no replacement comes from Rome.

 

THE MIDDLE EAST

Mercenaries

Leaders:

None

Troops:

9c,9xc,22i,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

 i5, c6, s5, w3

 

Heyrenik'un Armeniam

(Roman Catholic Barbarian Open Empire)
Anisha Amirspalar

A quiet time for the Armenians.

The Buwayid Sultanate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Nadir, Regent for the young Sultan

Two thousand elite horse were raised in Baghdad along with some elephants from India. Nadir ordered that another three thousand cavalry be raised for his ally in Lydia. Nadir ruled the Sultanate from Mesopotamia, keeping a close eye on the Buwayid army. Sadly Qumri of Edessa died in 1211. Bashar of Ahvaz also died during these years and the province reduced its alliance to a feudal obligation. Mustafa of Rum was hired along with the large number of mercenaries in Eastern Europe at the city of Hastor. Along with Khair al Din and Kurat of Lydia, Mustafa moved from Lydia and Bithnia to attack Paphlagonia. Overwhelmed, the Paphlogonians easily succumbed Mustafa's force. Chrysopolis was sacked and left a ruin on the Black Sea coast before Paphlogonia looted and enslaved. Sated with gold and loot, the mercenaries dispersed throughout the fleshpots of Eastern Europe. The slaves were left to Kurat when Khair fell to a fever. Kurat could not stop a revolt amongst the enslaved Paphlagonians and was killed in a riot. Lydia itself reduced its alliance to mere economic support, the slaves fled back to their homes. Abdul-Hafiz moved to Fars and gained support of the Emir there before moving back to Mesopotamia. A massive fire in Qom caused untold misery and reduced the city to a near ruin. Buwayid missionaries were unsuccessful in Rhodes.

Ar Rassid Imamat as Sa'Na

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Sheik Farouk of Sa’Na

Over one thousand infantry were raised in Sana and a couple of light warships commissioned at the city’s dockyards. Sheik Farouk ruled the Arabian Kingdom from Sana aided by Rakman. Sinbad moved with the Adenese fleet to Zanzibar where he dropped of Imam Tareq and fourteen hundred infantry into the garrison there.

Al-Khulafa'ur Rashidun

(Sunni Islam Civilized Primacy
Kedar Safawan, the Righteous Caliph

Denied income from regular sea trade, the Rashidun commissioned one hundred and fifty cogs from the shipyards of Antioch. These were to be used on internal trade routes and fishing fleets throughout the Kaliphate. Rashidun agents were successful in causing a mutiny amongst Alexandria’s fleet out Heraclea and in kidnapping the Roman leaders Moagaritos and Romanos. Rashidun missionaries were at work in Abisigia, Taman, Kuban and Polovtsy. Abisgia and Kuban were converted to Islam during these years. Kedar Safawan was accompanied by all his most senior Imams and the Emirs of Al’Qamishli and Al’Cotra to the Farubid city of Faras. There he spent many years improving Rashidun influence amongst the Farubids. Shiraj of the Buwayids married Jalila and was blessed with three children. Much gold was sent to the Akramids and the Uighurs. The Uighurs also benefited from Rashidun grain.

Elsewhere in the Middle East

The Yemeni move their army of two thousand infantry and nine thousand light cavalry into Djibuti and reclaim it from the Ogaden..

NORTH AFRICA

Mercenaries

Leaders:

Abu Benadin al’Gefara M544

Troops:

 5c,10xc,10i,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

 i5, c6, s5, w3

 

The Ayyubid Sultanate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Saladin, Sultan of the Ayyubids

Saladin recruited the mercenaries of Western Europe as well as raising ten thousand infantry in Alexandria. The infantry were augmented with two thousand guards. Saladin himself ruled the Sultanate while Jabril moved across the North African coast to Palermo with five thousand of the newly raised infantry. With mercenaries, Jabril moved into Sicily to defend against Salernese attacks. He was aided by Maqtir who acted as second in command. Prince Harun took command of the Egyptian fleet of seventy biremes and triremes out of Palermo and patrolled the seas around the Bay of Tunis. Prince Osman was active in bringing Ad'Diffah closer to the Sultanate while Pharnazes was wooing the Dongolans and Alwans in southern Egypt. Further diplomatic effort was carried out by Moseini in Mount Sinai where he was successful in gaining an alliance from the cities Emir. Old Mashara died a prisoner in Naples. Ayyubid missionaries were active in Palermo and Suakin. The small catholic minority was wiped out in the city.

Amir al-Bahri

(Sunni Islam Seafaring Religious Order)
Abd Al-Aziz, Grand Commander

Little of note occurred (will return to NPN status next turn)

Ummayad Sultanat al Oran

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Abbas al Basha ,Sultan of the Ummayad

Much benefit was gained in Algeria and Kabilya as Abbas dispensed much gold on improving these provinces. He named Farid al Basha as his heir. It was a trying time for the nobility during these years as first Ishtar died and then in succession over the following years he was followed by Qadir and Yoonus. None of the deaths appeared linked but an air of gloom permeated Oran.

 
 

WESTERN EUROPE

 

Mercenaries

Leaders:

None

Troops:

 22c,12i,6s,6xt,7xw

AQRs:

 i5, c5, s4, w4

 

Heiliges Romisches Reich

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Brandork, Holy Roman Emperor

The port of Cannes grew in size and six new cogs were commissioned there. The Emperor Brandork attempts to raise the Church in Saxony to an Abbey met with no success. Indeed, his attempts caused the site to degrade. Frustrated with the turn of events. Brandork settled back to affairs of state, being blessed with a daughter during these years. Prince Laresial accompanied his father at court, immersed in the affairs of state. Prince Edues of Burgundy idled his time away in Provence with the able Hans von Matrunco left in command of the southern army. Alfons von Lausatia was successful in securing an alliance from the Swiss. Bishop Joseph von Ratz was not known for his oratory skills, being more at home on the battle field or quiet diplomacy and his efforts to improve the Churches of Hanover, Alsace and Westphalia were unsuccessful. The Churches in Hanover and Westphalia were ransacked by local priests, wary of Brandorks' intentions. Only in Swabia did the Bishop find success when a new church was founded there. Although the traitor Marwin was last known to be in Valencia, the Empire's assassins could not find the elusive thief.

Jarldom of Orkeneyjar

(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Wulgar Bjornson, Jarl of Orkney

The walls of Kirval were pulled down as the great city grew in size around the newly built fortress. Only Naples now rivalled the island port. To ensure the security of his valuable city, Wulfgar ordered that the walls be replaced to their former size and strength. Thirty cogs were commissioned at Kirkval’s docks; these were destined to improve the trade returns for the Jarldom. The Orkney army was increased slightly by the addition of some light warships, transports and marines. Missionaries from the Orkneys finally converted Fjordane to Catholicism. Veterans from Rus were seen training the Orkney infantry in an effort to improve their quality. Wulfgar himself defended the Jarldom from attack during the growth of Kirkval. His son, Lars Wulfson, spent these years ruling the Jarldom and overseeing much improvement of the nation’s trade. The beautiful Hekla Wulfdatter was unsuccessful in her efforts to increase the piety of the islands but her less favoured sister was aided by Lief in bringing Hildegard’s Connaught fully into the Jarldom. Hildegard passed away shortly after willing her lands to Wulfgar. Houses for the Le Marteau de Dieu were founded by Orkney stalwarts in Caithness and Perth. Bjorn managed to found a Preceptory in Kirkval on the site of the old order House there. The order itself was active throughout Ireland and founded Houses in Ulster, Lienster and Armagh.

Kingdom of Svear

(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Erik Gustafson, King of the Svear

Ten light warships were commissioned in Uppsala. Svear missionaries were active in Oopland and converted the mountain province to Christianity. Erik’s great push was to gain closer ties to his Norse ally, the Norwegians. A marriage was arranged between Arnold and a Norwegian princess and much gold was transferred to Hordaland. Arnold stayed in Uppsala while his father negotiated the alliance and ruled the Kingdom. Erik was accompanied to Hordavil by the able Jan. A grater alliance was formed with the Norwegians but sadly Erik died of a heart attack while en-route to Uppsala. Karl patrolled the waters of Saarema with the Svear fleet while Olaf was stationed in far Turku.

Norman Kingdom of France

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Louis VII, King of France

The city of Le Mans was greatly improved by Louis's largesse. Ponthieu and Cherbourg were also improved. Sixty light warships and a large number of cogs were commissioned in Cherbourg. Two thousand light horse were raised in Ile de France. Louis considered himself and France at war with the Uighurs and dispatched Fulques from Cherbourg with the fleet and the newly raised cavalry. He travelled down to Marseilles and collected Alain from the docks there. Accompanying Alain were a further ten thousand infantry. The fleet landed at Petropolis and returned to Marseilles after dropping off the French army. Guilaume travelled down to Aquitaine and Limousin were the offer of Adelaide's hand in marriage cemented further good relations with the Limousin nobility. Henri married into the Aquitaine nobility but no further ties were forged to the Kingdom. Alain moved through Illyria, Dalmatia to Serbia. In Serbia he was met by the West Roman leader Basil of Ohrid and Michael the Loyal. The Roman's were only able to add eight hundred men to the army. The French then attacked Thessaly from Serbia. Many months of hard fighting ensued with minor skirmishes throughout the mountainous border. Eventually the Uighur commander was captured and the Uighur destroyed. Sadly although the French losses were slight, Michael was killed in the fighting but Thessaly was liberated. Louis himself ruled his Kingdom from Paris and was blessed with a young daughter. The old sea route to Aragon was better served through the Pyrenees and was abandoned.

Principality of Salerno

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Ricardo II, Prince of Salerno

Ricardo was again outbid for the services of the mercenaries of Europe. This time Mustafa of Rum was also hired by the Buwayids. At least the Principality's agents were successful in diverting some of the funds meant for the Ayyubid’s mercenaries. France was given permission to cross to the Balkans from the newly gained port of Petropolis in Illyria. Naples itself grew in size and three thousand infantry were commissioned in Campania. The fortifications of Campania and Calabria were improved. Ricardo commissioned forty cogs to work the internal trade routes throughout the Principality. Merchants from the route down to Egypt moved their base from Naples to Calania.  The Duke of Tuscany travelled to Savoy but died in 1212 before any improvement in relations could be achieved. Antonia Soliesti was more successful in Apulia where he gained an alliance from the Duchy. Enrico Porro was frustrated at the lack of support and was forced to abandon any plans to invade Sicily when the mercenaries did not appear. Salvatore Sanzo was successful in gaining support from Cavalleri and the Duke of Romagna added Lombardy and Vincencia to Ricardo's domain; aided by the Bishop Benigni and the Count of Petropolis.

.

Saxon Kingdom of England

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Domnall I, King of England

Richard ordered roads to be built up from Diva to Lothian and down from the Lancashire city to Wymeswold in Mercia. The cities of Land's End, Caer Myrddin, Diva and Berwick all benefited from his largesse. From his Tower in London Richard could survey his Kingdom and thought that all was well. Disaster struck, as it always does when things seem to be going well, and the plague sprung up in Diva again. It was carried down the country to London where it also struck with deadly voracity. Richard was amongst the first to die and his death heralded a fight for the crown. William was still too young for the throne but Lord Ayken and Dyffed remained loyal. It was in Diva that the real contest for the throne began. O'Neil claimed it as his through some distant ancestor that had lands granted in Munster and struck out at the loyal Esmund when news of Richard's death reached the north. Leaving the plague victims behind, he sped down to London with his guard. Ayken was slow to gain the support of the army from far Munster, who had their own woes dealing with the plague victims in their ranks, and was unprepared for O'Neils treachery. O'Neil was more able than the tongue-tied Ayken and quickly cemented the support of the army. Ayken was forced to accept Richard's fleeing family to Munster. Esmund was slower to reach London and was arrested on his arrival by the new King - Domnall I of England! As the news of Domnall's claim reach the provinces the nobility started to take sides. Lancashire joined Domnall while Diva declared its independence. Murcia and Sussex were quick to throw in their lot with Domnall as was Anglia. By the far the majority of the Celtic provinces remained loyal, with Munster, Lothian, Gwynned, Dyffed and Cornwall all declaring for Ayken and William. Wessex and Caer Myrddin declared independence. Soon the irony of an Irish king on a Saxon throne opposed by a Saxon king with Irish and Celtic subjects was not lost on the poets of the nation.

Reino de Aragon

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Pedro II, El Catolico, King of Aragon

Very little of note happened during these years..

The Akramid Caliphate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Mohamed, Caliph of the Akramids

The walls of Talavera's fortress were expanded and the region much improved. Mohamed commissioned fifty light warships in Madiera and a number of cogs to be assigned to trade amongst the Caliphate. New Castille also benefited during these years. Prince Morab spent his last years training four thousand elite guardsmen and the same number of light infantry to use a horse. He died of a fever in 1213. Mohamed himself ruled the Caliphate and was blessed with three children. Tiroman spent this time at court and sired a young son. Wafid was active in Leon in trying to bring the region closer to the Caliphate after the conquests of years before. Missionaries of the Caliphate were active again in Galacia and the region was gradually turning towards Islam.

Elsewhere in Western Europe

 

The Norwegians gain an alliance from the Duke of Pomern. The Pope dies and his successor promises a more active role.

 

 

 

 

AFRICA

 

Mercenaries

Leaders:

none

Troops:

10c,4xc,22i,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

 i5, c4, s3, w1

 

Usama-Yoruba Onium of Ibo

(African Pagan Civilised Open Empire)
Bhatamai, King of the Ibo

Bhatamai raised a massive army of thirteen thousand elite horse in the province of Gorouol. The great Iboan then returned to Ife to rule his mighty empire. He was blessed with a young daughter but still no heir. His 25-year old brother, Palamba, was ordered to forget his waywardness and assist the Emperor at court. The much glorified general Itogo moved from his defeat of the Air Emirate down to Gorouol where he collected the newly raised cavalry. The troops were added to twenty thousand cavalry and ten thousand elite spearmen already in the Iboan army. Otogo pulled out of Gorouol and headed down through Sudan to Songhai. Despite stiff resistance from the Songhai, the Iboans swept them aside and pushed easily into Galem, Takrur, Gambia, Senegal and Khalem. The city of Takrur opened their gates to the Iboans without the slightest resistance. Tyano ceded Kurfei and Kanuri to the Kanem but any hope of an improvement of relations between the two nations came to nothing.

The Mwene-Mutapa Empire

(African Pagan Civilised Open Empire)
Jafar Bikoi, Emperor of Mapungubwe

The great emperor Jafar Biko build a new city called Arkur in Vaal. The province itself was greatly improved. One thousand spears were raised in Rozwi. Jafar also ordered that the cultivation of Nguni be started while he ruled the empire from Mapungubwe.  Amechi Abate moved to Rozwi and took command of the  newly raised troops there to defend the border against attack. Binta Chango visited the province of Kafue in an attempt to forge a closer relationship with the chief

Elsewhere in Africa

The Wadai of Funj move against the Sahil Sharifs at Ennedi. Twenty thousand light horse against the Sahils thirty. Struck down by Sahil arrows, the leaders of the Wadai are killed and their men routed. None live to return to Funj. With the King dead and the army destroyed the Adulis and Sennar revolted, taking neighbouring provinces with them. Adowa went its own way. The Sahils then moved on into Darfur, Kordofan and Ain’Farah. Truning west they attacked the Kanem-Bornu province of Soro. Facing the Sahils was the Kanem army of sixteen hundred elite guards, one thousand light spearmen and a large number of forts. Surprisingly, the Sahils were defeated and fled back to N’Jini; their Emir killed by the Kanems. New trade routes were opened across the Sahara to Oran and Egypt. The Malawi start to trade with Betis. While Malay Betis pours more of its meagre resources into cultivating Gorongo.

 

Central Asia

Mercenaries

Troops:

 5c,10xc,10i,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

 i5, c4, s3, w1

Elsewhere in Asia

The flooding of the Oxus destroyed part of the road in Khwarzim. Georgia becomes a tributary of the Khwarzim. Kashmir becomes friendly to the Ghazz. Tadzik promises to send more gold to the Ilig.

 

 

 

India

Mercenaries

Troops:

 6c,6xc,20i,5s,5xt,5xw

AQRs:

 i5, c4, s3, w1

Pratihara Kingdom of Kaunaj

(Hindu Civilised Open Empire)
Ramapala, Raja of Kaunaj

Jodhpur was increased and a harbour built to enable trade to reach the Kingdom from the West. Four thousand light cavalry were raised in Rajput. Great amounts of gold were transferred to Bengal to aid in their battle against the Mongols. In a sign of gratitude to the Rajputis, the Bengalis offered support the northern neighbour in the future. Raja Ramapala gave the Rajputi army to his son and took a new wife from the nobility of Benares. His diplomatic activities brought the city closer to Kaunaj. Kumarapala had control of the army until his father regained it on his way back to Kaunaj. He rules the Kingdom from Rajput and was blessed with a young son. Timgyadeva was assisted by Vaiyadeva in gaining slightly closer ties with the Nadavarians. However, Ananda was unsuccessful in Uttar Pradesh.

The Order of the Dagger

(Hindu Civilised Religious Order)
Angada, Lord of the Order of the Dagger

Thirty light warships were commissioned in Tamralipti and four thousand cavalry along with thirty elephant archer squadrons in Rajput. Large numbers of transports were assigned to the valuable Ganges trade out of Patna and Benares. Dagger spies had successfully identified the whereabouts of the Mongol Khan but failed to kill or capture the invader. Angada's network was expanded with new Houses in Guar (the city) and Dhara, despite the death of Balavan in 1214. Preceptories were built in Tamralipti and Bihar and a new Oratory in Benares. Isha was able to complete his work in Benares when Gaman fell foul of an infection in the city. Brought together by the invading Mongols, the Daggers sent scribes to the Bengalis and the Rajputis. Meanwhile, Angada himself travelled with the Dagger host of ten thousand elite horse, fifty elephant archer squadrons and over four thousand cavalry to Maghada. One thousand elite guards were left in Rajput in case of any eventuality there.

 

The Mongols

 

The Mongols made good their threat and came down through the Himalayas to attack Maghada. Nepal and Sikkim were looted and the temples of the Wheel razed and destroyed. The Mongol horde numbered over two hundred thousand men and they swarmed over the mountains assured of easy victory against the weak Indians. However, the Bengalis had been joined by forces of the Dagger and had the benefit of Rajputi agents amongst the horde. These agents allowed the Indians to force the Mongols to attack them at a disadvantage. The Bengali numbered eighteen thousand infantry and some six thousand cavalry. The Dagger forces under Angada were made up of ten thousand elite horse and over two thousand elite guards backed up by four thousand light cavalry. They were back up by twenty squadrons of elephant archers. Dagger agents had identified the Mongol Khan but were unsuccessful in killing the invader. However in the ensuing battle the Mongols were forces to withdraw when the Khan was captured. The Khan of the Seljuks was killed and his men left the battlefield. Ten thousand invaders were killed but the Bengalis lost thirteen thousand infantry. The Daggers elephants were killed as well their four thousand light cavalry. A brief respite was all that the Indians had before the Mongols attacked again in an attempt to free their Khan. Fortunately for the Indians the Khans brother was completely useless when it came to warfare. The Mongols fled in disorder back over the mountains cursing the stout Indian defence. The Khans of the Chugachak and the Kashi were killed battle along with seven thousand of the Mongol cavalry. The Daggers lost fourteen hundred of their elite guards while the Bengali lost double that number. However, The Pala of Bengal was captured and taken back with the horde. The Mongols offered terms to the Bengalis – exchange of their Khan for the Bengali ruler. This was agreed and the exchange took part at the foot of the Himalayas. The Mongols promised to return…

 

Elsewhere in India

Ceylon makes diplomatic gains in Malabar. The Westenr Dhara gain an alliance with the Gujerati.