At this site you will find specific information geared towards signing up for, and playing in, this particular campaign of the Play-By-Mail game, Lords of the Earth.

General information on Lords of the Earth can be found at the Lords of the Earth. homepage. This includes player articles, other campaigns and previous rule versions. An excellent description of the overall game can be found by Gary Riviere entitled "For the Beginner: Take the Long View". The article also includes links to other player tips and so forth.

This site is broken down into Sections to make it easier to find what you need and what you are interested in...

	Materials	Links to Rules, Maps, Order Sheets, etc...
	Fees	Costs and other mean and cruel GM stuff
	Addenda	Clarifications, explanations, and addenda...
	Newsfaxes	Previous Newfaxes for LOTE 24
	MSI	The current MSI, ESI ranking and political standing of all nations in lords 24.
	Build	A copy of the current build chart can be found here.....
	Rules	Rule additions specific to Lords 24
	GM	The GM currently lives in Newark, the one in England not New Jersey.....
	Control	The most up to date control chart the world has ever seen...

News

The full newsfax will be up (i.e. the one with all the proper links etc) when I get my html editor back on line. This was done in Word and doesn't it show....but rescued by Netscape.

Control - Each turn, instead of putting new control on the newsfax, I will be publishing it on the 'Control' page.

Light units - There has been some confusion between l and 1 (one) for light units. I am currently replacing the 'l' with 'x' and this should hopefully cure the misunderstandings. For the time being we will be using 'l' and 'x' concurrently. This will go on until I finally get around to changing them all.

Fees - The $6.00 Transaction charge for a US player is the MAXIMUM amount payable. If my bank charges less then I'll also charge less (a recent transaction only cost 75p - about $1.25 - it just depends on your bank).

Elite Units - Tech level six restriction rescinded. I never liked it anyway.

Player Openings

The main player openings for Turn 11 are

Nanchao, The Svear and Estonia

See Player Openings for more details. Players can also choose to play other positions listed as NPNs with consultation with the GM. All positions require an initial payment of to cover at least one turn before new Players are included. See Fees for more details.

Hidden NPN Openings

Hidden NPN positions are an addition to normal Lords play. They cost nothing but can be taken away at anytime. A Player can run one, or more, Hidden NPNs as long as there is no conflict of interest. For more information see the new rules detailed in the rules section. The hidden NPN positions for turn 10

There are no hidden NPNs available for turn 11. If any player is willing to run one then please contact me.

Leader:
Dimitr Vlandin (M343)
Troops:
9c, 1ehc, 1xc, 8i, 2s, 5w
AQRs:
c3, i3, s1, w3

The Western Bulgarian Empire
Cyril, Emperor of the Bulgars

Wily Nikos, Bulgaria's regent, finally tired of the strains of government and the prospect of Turkish invasion, passed away in 1052 at the age of 69. His mourning wife Helena took time off from ruling the Empire to accompany his body back to his beloved Thessaly. Young Cyril, saddened at the death of his father but determined to succeed, had only a few short months to wait before he took his rightful place as Emperor of the Bulgars. Basil travelled hastily to Attica in an attempt to discover the cause of Dimitri's untimely death. Suspicions, as always on the unruly Turk, the Bulgar could find nothing amiss. It seemed that the young noble had mistimed a jump during a hectic hunt and both rider and mount had plummeted to their death down a particularly steep gorge.

The Oriental Roman Empire
Constantine, Holy Roman Emperor

Loyal George Maniakes, regent for the young Constantine, died still a young man. His defence of the greatest city in Europe fell to other hands as Nicholas Phocas hurried back from the Aegean to serve his young Emperor. Constantine was crowned Emperor in the autumn of 1054 after several years of instruction in philosophy and military strategy. Alexius Novarus, known for his cunning and quick wit, moved surreptitiously around Paphlogonia disguised as a hated Turk .His intention was to disrupt the invaders army but the unfortunate Greek had little success. His lack of knowledge of the Khan's army caused many years of distraction and despair before the able lord returned to Constantinople. Phillip of Rhodes moved to blockade the port of Sinope; only recently a Byzantine possession.

The Kingdom of Abasigia
Siavan II, King of the Colchis

Siavan of Abasigia continued his conversion of the heathen Taman. Grateful that Armenia lies between Abasigia and Rum.

The Shahdom of Armenia
Valurian, Shah of Armenia

Valurian was a worried man, his continued efforts to improve his relations with the shah's and kings of Anatolia took a back-wards step when the hated Turks of Rum enslaved the people of Cilicia and Isauria. Not content with their deprivations in these regions the Turks raided and enslaved a good number of people from Psidia.

The Khanate of Rum
Turgut, Khan of Rum

Turgut, Khan of Rum, ordered his forces to enslave the Greeks of Cilicia, Isauria and Psidia. Hiring the mercenary captain Ahmed ibn Ali, he sent Zakim and Girtha to oversee the operation. On their return to Bithnia, Turgut dismissed Girtha, it seems that his incompetence had annoyed Turgut's brother. The heir of Rum travelled to Moldavia to persuade the Bulgar horde to join against the hated Greeks. He was joined in marriage to the Khan's daughter amid much ceremony. Turgut has thrown open the harbour of Sinope to trade; if the ships can get past the Byzantine blockade.

Leader:
Karl Uttenson (M575)
Rory Orkneyman (M819)
Troops:
3c, 15i, 6w, 2li
AQRs:
c2, i3, w4

The Jarldom of Orkneyjar
Ivor, Jarl of Orkney

Sweeping changes in the northern isles. Veteran Sigurd died of a fever in early 1049 and passed his crown to his son Ivor. Loyal Bathal, captured by the Moors died alone in a sweltering prison in Merrakesh. Sigurd's last command was to fortify the island against the Svear.

The Saxon Kingdom of England
Ralf, King of England

The fortunes of England are waxing since the black days of the Welsh and Vikings a decade ago. Although Ralf's attempts to sire a male heir came to nothing his subjects were pleased when he elevated his daughter, Anne, to become the heir to the Saxon lands. Moves were afoot to bring the nobles of Britain into closer allegiance to London. In the spirit of closer ties with his wife's family the Saxon king continued to ship grain north to the Orkney's

The Kingdom of Svear
Olaf II of Uppsala

Olaf remained in Uppsala to mourn the loss of his beloved wife. Not wanting to marry again so soon after her death he named Daniel of Kopparborg as his heir. Summoning the Lord of Danzig to his court, the Swedish king sent Alexandre, west to Norway. Aided by rumours of Swedish generosity and strength, Alexandre aimed to persuade his Norse cousins to join forces against the soft Christian nations of the south. Unfortunately, the Norwegian Jarl was at his palace at Hordavil and had no time for the Swedish envoy. Dorink and Daniel gathered the might of the Svear longships and pulled out across the Baltic and onto the Skaggerak. Harald was ready. He had dispatched a mighty fleet from Kopenhagen to meet his hated foe. Late summer in 1050 the two fleets met in the Skaggerak. The battle was long and fierce, no side giving way to the other. Evenly matched in both skill and numbers, the outcome was inevitable. The remains of both fleets limped home leaving the sea littered with driftwood and the bodies of the slain.

Leaders:
Charles D'Abil (MA1A)
Troops:
5c, 6i, 2s, 4w, 1hi, 1xi
AQRs:
c3, i3, s2, w3

Le Duche de Normandie
Henri, Duc de Normandie, King of West Francia

Henri, Duc de Normandie, King of West Francia, officiated at the burial of his father, Richard, at the site of the abbey in Paris. Alongside Richard was buried his friend and loyal follower Charles. The abbey has been declared the holiest of sites by the new king and will in future become the Royal families chapel for both christening and marriage. Indeed, Henri's young daughter was amongst the first to be christened. Sadly, Henri's young wife died during the birth of what would have been her second child. The movement of people from northern France continued when scores of Normans began to settle the city of Tours. Henri's errant brother Jean is considering a letter requesting his return from Valencia following his excursion into Moorish Spain

Le Royaume de Bourgogne
Henri, King of Burgundy

Jean Maire sent word to the nobles of Aachen that he was willing (not desperate as some sources would infer) to marry and produce an heir. Unfortunately, crisis struck and the young king, still in his prime at 40, died suddenly from a weak heart. It fell to the king's uncle, Henri of Burgundy, to take over the reigns of government. No young man himself at 56, at least he had two healthy sons. Saddened as he was by his king's untimely death, Louise still continued his efforts in Orleans. A task that saw the Compte giving the persistent Burgundians his loyal support. Stoic Charles of Champagne was successfully persuading the good townsmen of Aachen to join in closer ties with Burgundy when he fell ill with some unknown ailment and died in the spring of 1050. His son remained loyal to the kingdom and pledged his support to Henri.

El Reino de Leon y Navarre
Alfonso VI, King of Leon and Navarre

In order to further cement their good relations, Alfonso and Sancho were pleased to announce the marriage of Sancho's heir, Sancho III, to Alfonso's daughter. This marriage finally binds the two kingdoms as one with Sancho III being the heir to the Spanish nation. Sancho gathered his newly raised cavalry and avidly patrolled the lands of Leon and Navarre for Moorish attack. Alfonso, although busy with the affairs of state along with his loyal aide Stephano, directed Francisco and Vargas along Bishop Constantine to convert the infidel in Portugal and New Castile to the true faith.

The Kingdom of Lombardy
Arduin II, King of the Lombards, Protector of Venice

Angered at his fathers lack of activity, the second of Arduin's three sons took matters into his own hands. Along with his followers, he challenged his father and elder brothers. After swift action, his faction was exiled but old Arduin died shortly afterwards from the pain of betrayal. Genoa, always independent in mind, severed its links with the Lombards.

Das Deutches Konigsreich
Oda, Herzog of Saxony, King of Germany, Holy Roman Emperor

Oda was concerned at the reduction in the income his tax collectors had managed to gather. So much so that he decided that ignorance was bliss and carried on as though the Svear had never visited his shores. Dispatching Henry with the might of the German army to Holland, the Emperor attempted to stave off any further incursions into is treasury. Unfortunately, the intrepid Henry, never a good rider, slipped from his saddle in a drunken stupor and broke his neck. Jurgen and the persuasive Bishop John travelled to Denmark to persuade the Norse kingdom to finally merge with the Empire. But Jurgen and John were delayed en-route by bad weather and imprecise instructions from the distracted Oda, causing their diplomatic efforts to be in vain. Indeed, sheer luck prevented them from causing a rift in the relations between the two allies when Jurgen called Harald's cousin a stinking barbarian oaf. Oda oversaw the expansion of Hanover and Stuttgart despite his over optimistic view of his nation's finances.

The Principality of Salerno
Vitturio, Prince of Salerno

The young Prince of Salerno has finally settled his nation's troubles. Content with the progress his wealthy nation has made, Vitturio settled down to the rigours of state and married life. A young daughter was born in 1050. Sadly, his young wife, a daughter of the house of Spoleto, died giving birth to another child the following year. The child was stillborn. Renaldo, still a young man, was preparing to embark on a tour of North Africa when a slipped on a mooring rope and drowned in Naples harbour; not a pleasant death.

The Papal States
Benedict VIII, 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

Benedict travelled to Bologna in order to persuade the good citizens of that fair city to accept Papal sovereignty. He was rewarded with the understanding that Romagnans will provide gold to swell the Vatican's coffers. His attempts to found a cathedral in Venice were met with difficulties as was Cardinal Falcini's efforts in Catalonia. Tuskerdorf did manage to consecrate a holy site of learning and contemplation when the abbey in Bohemia was improved to a monastery. The Infidel in the fertile island of Sicily converted en-mass to the true faith under the guidance of the churches missionaries. Bishop Gino, almost forgotten in Constantinople, died aged 73. His death prevented any further conversion of the Orthodox Greeks to Catholicism. As a continued means of support to the Oriental Roman Empire the church transported huge reserves of gold to Constantinople, escorted by Falcini.

Leader:
Ahmed Ibn Ali (M926)
Troops:
6c, 3i, 2w
AQRs:
c4, i3, w3

The Hatamid Emirat
Faisal ad Dawla

Faisal ad Dawla instructed his younger brother Abd el Hak to travel to the Holy City of Jersusalem. Not content with economic ties to the city, Abd offered his hand in marriage to any eligible daughter of the Emir. Although not gifted with personal charm or strength of arm, the wily Syrian had an orator's presence. It was his speech before the assembled elders of Jerusalem that swayed them to Hatimids cause. Faisal ad Dawla prepared his mighty army in case of attack by Infidel or horde. Leaving the defence of Aleppo to Yakub Beg.

The Buwayid Emirates
Kistur, Emir of Emirs, Protector of the Baghdad Caliph

Gathering to him a mighty army, the Emir of Baghdad scoured his realm for any sign of invasion by Turk or Crusader. Muhammed was said to have quietly married a young princess from Baluchistan during these years but the ceremony was kept small and discreet.

The Karakhanate of Ilig
Ahmad, Kara Khan

Ahmad oversaw his mighty kingdom from Khiva. Naming his young son Suleiman as his heir he ordered that a great celebration be arranged to coincide with his return Samarkhand. Ahmad's princes and allies were set about the task of finally reconsolidating the lands of the Kharakhanate. Sadly, both Malik and the famous Karuk of Otrarsh fell ill and despite their vigour age took its toll. Otrarsh accepted Ahmad's suzerainty by integrating fully into the kingdom. The road to Tashkent continued to inch slowly on; much more slowly than Ahmad wished but there were other more pressing priorities. More forts were built for the defence of the Kharakhanate; in the mountain passes of the Kophat Dagh and along the Silk Road. The whereabouts of the Yasi was still a concern…

The Saffarids of Baluchistan
Hasan ad Dawla Khalf bin Ahmad

Hasan remained in Baluchistan with his young wife in order to pay more attention to the affairs of state and family. During his time here the Persian ruler ordered that a census of all his people by conducted. His plans for siring an heir went awry when his wife died giving birth to a sickly child; who died shortly after his mother. The Saffarids continued to gain acceptance with the people of Mansura, despite the misunderstandings of earlier years.

As Shaddadi Emirat

Darl was an old man, and finally passed away in 1052. It was a matter of out with the old and in with the new as Darl's brother took control of the Emirat. Darl's ageing advisors either retired or died in the years following their Emir's death. The Buwayid Prince Firuz was killed during a brawl started in Hamadan's more seedier district. The lord of Diyala was yet another ruler to pass away, his son pledging support to the Emirat.

Leader:
Hamed Al'Dabagh (M58B)
Troops:
3c, 8i, 2w
AQRs:
c4, i3, w3

El Ummayad Caliphate al Cordoba
Mumwhar, Commander of the Faithful, Caliph of Cordoba

After a desperate few years where the Ummayad lands had fallen into the hands of the usurper, Akram, Mumwhar thought that the worst had passed. However, trouble in Zirid has caused Mumwhar to neglect his invasion and fail to press home his advance. Akram seized the opportunity. Streaming out from their defence in Seville, the Akrami forces swept aside the minor garrisons in Andalusia and Granada before pressing on into Murcia. Moorish Spain is now free of all Ummayad control. Sadly, Akram died in 1054 but managed to safely hand control to his son and successor, Tariq. Poor Kasim, loyal to the end to Mumwhar, died an old man in a Leon prison.

Al Fatimid Caliphat al Qaira
Ali bin-Hakim, Commander of the Faithful, Mahdi Saviour of Dar al Islam, Caliph in Cairo

The massive expansion of Memphis continued unabated. A new port called Al'Qadi was raised on the Red Sea in the fertile lands of Dankil. From this important trading outpost the Fatimids spread their contacts out to Basra, Somantha, Quatta and Kalyani. Contact with the Yemeni and the Abyssinians was made overland while the Sahara proved valuable in gaining access to the markets of the Almohad Caliphate on Africa's Northwest coast. Old Gehkan continued his conversion of the Greeks in Cyprus. Aided by Risuli, the old missionary finally died aged 61. His body was returned home for a full and honourable burial. Angry at the past diplomatic seesawing in Danakil, Ali bin-Hakim ordered that any envoy's to the region be extremely forcibly removed.

The Yoruban Onium of Ibo
Ibuganda, Oni of Ife

All was peaceful in the Onium of Ibo. Ibuganda and his Bini allied were content to sit back and allow his subjects time to enjoy their new found wealth. Perhaps weightier and more pressing matters occupied his mind…

The Mwene-Mutapa Empire
N'Kane

Forgotton for so long it seems unbelievable there is activity in deepest Africa. N'Kane of the Mwene-Mutapa began the long push towards greatness when he instructed his loyal friend and advisor N'Kono to persuade the tribes of Vaal to join his Empire. Xhosa from the Empire began the trek to Saan to settle the fertile grasslands. N'Kane was saddened by the death of his two aunts Sibele and Sapha while still relatively young.

Leader:
Darhamanan (M936)
Troops:
7c, 10i, 2s, 1xi, 1xc
AQRs:
c2, i2, s2

The Pratihara Kingdom of Kaunaj
Vija-jaya

All was quiet in the realm of Kaunaj....

The Pala of Bengal
Chewipala, Raja of Bengal

Determined not to repeat the debacle over his nation's gold when Kamin was in charge of tax collection, Chewipala confirmed Apu as his Royal Tax Collector. Determined not to feel the weight of an elephant's foot, Apu went about his collection with panicked efficiency. Chewipala named his young son as future heir to the Bengal throne and following her marriage to the Lord of Kalinga his eldest daughter sought a more active role at court. The Lord of Kalinga decided that his fortunes were now tied irrevocably with Bengal and so the two nations became one.

The Sad Drivida Kingdom of Ceylon
Nubiejambubi

Guild Master Nubiejambubi had high intentions for a joining of the Ceylonese and Cholan kingdoms by a marriage to the Mandalam's eldest daughter. It took little time after the deal had been struck for disaster to strike when following the death of the Mandalam's ruler the kingdom fell apart. However, Madurai, Pandya and Kollam felt that their interests were best served by aiding the Dravidans and pledged their support to Nubiejambubi. Chubinarvama, swept along by a buoyant mood of enthusiasm, left his dealings with the affairs of state to persuade Chera and Trichar to join the Dravidan cause.

Leader:
Pingzhi Fan (M653)
Troops:
3c, 3i, 2s, 2w
AQRs:
c3, i4, s4, w3

Da Song Handi Guo
Song Hsui-Chi , Son of Heaven, Emperor of the Middle Kingdom

Song Hsui-Chi continued to oversee his mighty and wealthy kingdom from Honan. Marrying a young girl from the Imperial court he was delighted when she bore him a healthy daughter in 1051. Bing Chou Shen, accompanied by the lords of Koueichou, Shentung and Shangtung carried out a sweeping diplomatic tour of the lands to the south-east of the empire. Meanwhile, Xin Lo-Yuk promoted Song interests in Yen-Ching.

Bei Song Dadi Guo
Song Han Jian

Song Han Jian continued his diplomatic work in Shensi in the attempt to persuade the rich heartland of his nation to rejoin his Empire. On return to Chang'An the popular ruler spent some time with his wife and family. Lau Jian-Bau travelled on to Tai'yuan to promote the interests of the Bei Song.

The Kingdom of Tibet
Xing, Beloved of Buddha

Xing travelled out into the mountains to find a wife. Being aesthete the Tibetan ruler found no desire to marry from the rich and pampered ladies of the Lhasan court. Sadly, his young wife died childless after two brief years of marriage. Uzack spent many years in fruitful discussion with the Nepalese rulers.

The Goryeo Kingdom
Zo Yun (deceased)

Intending to punish the barbarian Turks of Parhae for the death of his father's loyal aid, Zo Yun led his forces to the steppes. Aided by the Khan of Mantap, the young king expertly deployed his mighty army. But the Turks were well used to punitive attempts by the soft southerners and despite the Goryeon cavalry the expert horsemen harried the invaders constantly. Untold damage was caused to the forces of Goryeo. Even though their losses were great the brave Goryeons managed to pull back. Sadly both Zo Yun and the loyal Mantap Khan were captured and then brutally killed by the Turks. Zo Yun's sons promised vengeance on the nomads for their grief and loss. Zo Yun's wish was to see Kaiching become a mighty jewel amongst lesser cities. Tearing down its walls, the city's confines were overrun as peasants swelled its numbers from the surrounding countryside. The new Khan of Mantap withdrew his support from the kingdom following the death of his father. Kim Zun travelled to Liao-Tung to reopen the old alliance between the Da Laio and Goryeo. So far the Empress has been unmoved by the Korean's promises.

The Empire of Japan
Kiyama Fujiwara, Kanpuku of Bakufu
Tenno Sanjo, 67th Emperor of Japan

A time of peace and prosperity for the Empire. New ports were built in Shimane and Yamaguchi. The port of Miro was sited to access the Dozen Wan while Shimonseki was built next to the Tsushima Strait. Fujiwara Kiyama remained in Yamato to oversee his growing Empire. He dispatched his brother Iwakura to Kagoshima to dicuss relations with this important state and to offer his hand in marriage. Sadly, his brother and heir was tragically killed in Saga after falling from an exposed balcony, his mission in Saga left unfinished.

Leader:
Hinayrama (M7B2)
Troops:
10i, 2s, 6w, 2li
AQRs:
i3, s2, w2

The Kingdom of Thaton
Rama Tibodi

Gathering to him the men of Thaton, the great general Trang Bo swept down the Malay Peninsula to Perak. The meagre Perakese forces were no match for Trang Bo's infantry, whose numbers were swelled by hired spearmen from all around Southeast Asia. Trang Bo reached the walls of the great port of Kederam. Rather than sacrifice his men over a needless and bloody assault, he ordered his friend and ally, the Lord of Mon, to blockade all ships from entering or leaving Kederam's harbour. The city soon realised that its best interests would be served by joining, albeit unwillingly, with the invaders and opened its gates to Trang Bo. A new and mighty citadel was raised overlooking the Siam Wan in Mon. Leading his troops back through Pegu the victorious Trang Bo succumbed to a deadly and virulent fever, dying in the spring of 1054 a wasted shadow of the great general of previous years. His son Rama Tibodi, newly married, took the crown and was accepted with great joy by his loyal subjects.

The Kambujadesa Empire
Phukat, God-Emperor of the Khmer

Phukat travelled to the ancient city of Sambor Prei Kok to express his desire to marry the daughter of the city's ruler. Old as he was the Emperor's offer was accepted and a new era of close relations to Khemer has begun. This was sealed when Jian persuaded Preikuk to fully join the Kambujadesa. Phukat's son and heir, Pang Rang, married his childhood sweetheart. Five long years of married bliss followed with his beloved giving him four healthy children. Sadly the birth of her last child proved too much for the young princess and she died shortly after. Old Xiahou, defender of Surin, died in the winter of 1050. His son, eager to support his Emperor, replaced the old Buddhist.

The Dai Kingdom of Nanchao
Warlord Lu-shan of the House of T'ang, King of Nan Chao

The war between the two Dai kingdoms had settled down to a disquiet lull following the death of Ho Chi Minh. Lo-shan continued to improve the relations with his provinces by undertaking a sweeping tour of the region.