TURN 3 ORDERS DUE: ***** AUGUST 19TH *****
GM:
Jeff Morrison
1019 Ossington
Flint, Mi 48507
(810) 238-6425
PLAYER NOTES READ THIS!!!!!
After some thought ive decided to allow Elite troops to be built by tech level 3 nations and up.
All of you will notice you now are getting more income. This is because the stat program wasnt calculating income correctly. It wasnt giving x2 for homeland (like the rules say) I have corrected it. Enjoy the new found wealth ?
Let me AGAIN stress the importance of not letting leaders have to many troops in relation to your king. This can cause coups if the Leaders loyalty is low. This can even happen with Princes. Altho the likely hood is much lower. Friends dont let friends be the victoms of coups ?
Also, all new children and Leaders/princes need to be NAMED. Failure to do so may result in unfortunate sickness and death for the character. <G>
NOTE FOR PRIMATES: I made a mistake on turn 1 calculations for Diplomatic conversions, they aren’t nearly as effective as I calculated them, so you may notice the conversion rates weren’t nearly as high this turn.
TURN COSTS AND MAPS
Turns: $2.00
Maps: I prefer to send maps out via e-mail, however if you need
a paper one, contact me and I will see what I can do.
RULE ERRATA
Secret Empires are not being played, which means secret empire commands
such as IL aren’t an option.
******* You must be Tech Level 3 to raise elite troops.********
Table of Religious interaction:
T= Tolerant
H= Hostile
RC= Roman Catholic
EO=Eastern Orthodox
CP= Monophysite (coptic)
CC= Celtic Christian
AC= Arian Christian
JD= Judaism
BH= Buddhist
HN= Hindu
OP= Oceanic Pagan
EP= European pagan
AP= Asiatic pagan
AF= African Pagan
ST= Shinto
ZO= Zoroastrain
THE HISTORY
506-510 A.D.
Turn 2
CHINA and JAPAN
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,5s,5w,5t
TAKEDA SHOGUNATE
Shogun Nagao
Diplomacy: Yamato (a) Aichi (t) Yamaguchi (c) Ueshiba (c) Heian (nt)
Shogun Nagao let his son in Edo to look after the day to day affairs
of state. He sent out his lords and other son to shore up the Kingdom by
convincing the local rulers of the wisdom in not opposing the Shogun.
In Edo Prince Chuichi Married a daughter of a minor noble, he
celebrated by holding a festival in Edo, the Kingdoms granaries were emptied
and much gold was spent. He also oversaw new improvements for the people,
many roads sewers and housing were built.
A general feeling of cultural apathy spread over Japan, fewer
japanese were interested in higher learning.
KOREA
King Ura
Diplomacy: none
Things were quiet in Korea as the King and his councilors recovered
from there defeat by the Kioa Yang. The King was able to react to a Liao-Yang
probe into Anshan, the Liao Yang retreated back across the border without
a fight.
THE YEN KINGDOM OF LIAO-YANG (formally Po-Hai)
King Liao Xi, Yen King of Liao-Yang, Beloved of Heaven
Diplomacy: Hsuing’nu (a) Parhae (nt)
Hoping to take advantage of the recent victory at P’sing-hsiang over
the Korean invaders, King Liao Xi takes the initiative in the east. After
finishing up some talks in Hsuing’nu he sets out for Parhae for talks with
its Chieften.
Meanwhile he orders his younger brother, and Heir, Prince Liao Ti to
lead his army into Anshan, hoping he will catch the Koreans unprepared.
While his captains mustered the army from winter quarters, the Prince took
a wife from a prominent household in Ta’ting. After a brief honeymoon,
and a productive one as his wife gave birth to a daughter “Liao Yi-ju”
later that fall, the Prince set out. Crossing the border into Anshan in
late summer his scouts reported the Korean army approaching from the north.
Not wanting a major engagement the Liao Yang army retreated back across
the border. The Liao Yang army dug in and waited to see if the Koreans
would invade again....but the never did.
Prince Liao Wu also married, but sadly his wife died later that year
in child birth.
THE KINGDOM OF HOPEI
King Xu Nu
Diplomacy: none
Hopei was begining to stabalize, but King Xu Nu was determined
to crush the Rebel upstart who dared call himself the King of Huang. Marching
west, the Hopei army entered Houma in early june. The rebel King Xhui hurried
to meet the invaders. The armies met on June 23rd 506 A.D., intense
fighting deveoped near a stream ford. This meeting encounter quickly boiled
into a full fledge battle as each side hurried up reinforcememts. Fortunetly
for Hopei they had far more men to throw into the developing brawl. By
early afternoon the Huang army was desperate, because this wasnt a set
piece battle, the Hopei army by the fact of its superior numbers had been
able to get around the flanks of the Huang. King Xhui attempted to form
a shield ring in a last desperate defense. As evening came the defenders
were overwhelmed and slaughtered. King Xhui badly hacked body was recovered
and decapitated. His head was placed on a pike and was at the head of the
army as they marched in Triumph back to the Capital. The Rebel Kingdom
of Huang crumbles and dissolves into chaos.
While the King was off crushing the rebels Lord Pan vi had been
sent to Tsainan to offer a Dynastic marriage of athe Rulers daughter to
the glorious House of Xu, as the talks progressed Lord Pan Vi assured the
ruler that the King would arrive the next year for the wedding. As the
winter passed and slowly turned to spring Lord Pan Vi continued to negotiate
with the Ruler of Tsainan. In mid summer (june of 507A.D.) all Pan Vi’s
careful negotiation went to hell....
The Tsainan War
Scouts began coming in reporting a large army advancing from the
south. The ruler of Tsainan panicked as he realized it was a Hunan army
led by Shu the Butcherer. He demanded Pan Vi send out messengers to King
Xu Nu to hurry up with reinforcements “You come here asking us to join
with you, so show yourself honorable and help us now!!!” Pan Vi did
send out a messenger, but it never reached the king of Hopei. It didn’t
take long for the Hunan army to overwhelm the defenders. Pan Vi , while
attempting to help, was killed in Combat along side the ruler of Tsainan.
The region quickly falls to the Hunan invaders. Xhi Shu was organizing
the defenses of the region and dealing with the new Tsainan chieftains
when his scouts sent messages reporting a Hopei army advancing into the
region....
King Xu Nu was in high spirits, his armies had crushed the rebels
in Huang and he was on his way to see his soon to be bride. Life was good.
Unfortunately either through complacency or simply neglect, the Kings army
wasn’t in a high state of alert. Most were thinking of the great feast
that was to come in celebration of the kings wedding. In any event the
kings army was suprised on July 16th. Caught on the march the Hopei troops
did their best to form into a hasty battle line. The half-formed line met
the charge of the Hunan warriors. Outnumbered 3-1 the Hopei did their best
to resist, it soon became clear all was lost. In a desperate charge King
Xu Nu lead his Body guard and what troops he could rally in a break out.
Fierce fighting developed around the king as the Hopei endeavored to break
free and retreat. The King took a terrible sword wound to his shoulder
and slumped over his horse. His bodyguards were able to save him
and plunge through the Hunan before they could completely surround the
Hopei army however. The 1,500 survivors limp back across the border. Hopei
left over 6,500 men on the field, unable to save their wounded. The Hunan
took 2,000 prisoners, their loses were only 1,500 men.
THE KINGDOM OF SHENSI
King Si Lei
Diplomacy: Honan (a) Pienching (t)
All was peacefull in Shensi. The King ruled, his people prospered as
many public works were built. A Fortress was built in Shensi. A severe
drought also ruined many shensi farmers crops.
In Honan the Kings diplomats secured an alliance and the city
of Pienchings secular rulers agreed to pay tribute to Shensi.
THE TOBA WEI
King Wei Han
Diplomacy: none
King Wei Han oversees the day to day affairs of his Kingdom. A
unobservant Monarch is a dead monarch or so the saying goes. He also oversees
the construction of a capital, the city of “ZHU ZHOU” The Queen was also
present and they Royal couple had a son in January 510 A.D.
The King again sends Prince WeiSin and his other warlords raiding
across the steppes, the steppe peoples wails and cries were heard in Lang
Shan, Gaxun-Nur, Suzhou, Kin, and Turnet. The raiders return to Wu
Hai with their riches and deposit them in the new capitals treasury.
THE KINGDOM OF HUNAN
King Hu Shi
Diplomacy: Tsainan (nt) Hubei (a) Chiangning (t) Kwangsi (a) Kwangchou (t) Chekiang (fa)
The King orders the continued expansion Northeast. He orders Xhi
Shu, the butcherer, northeast into Tsainan (see: THE TSAINAN WAR under
Hopei )
Many diplomatic missions shore up support and spread Hunan’s
growing power. The King orders some public works built in Honan and
orders a Census be taken to give him an account of his growing realm.
THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE OF BUDDHA
Pei Wu
Diplomacy: none
Pei Wu and his fellow servants of Buddha set out to establish
shrines to bring enlightenment to the people of China. PeiWu himself oversees
the establishment in Honan Pei Lu has the important task of setting
up shrines in the Kingdom of Shensi. Abbeys being set up in Shentung, shensi,
and the city of Chang’an. Pei Wi Meanwhile was sent to his former
homeland in Hopei, there he establshed abbeys in Hopei, the Capital of
kaifeng, Shan’si and the City of Tai’Yuan, bao ding, Yen and the city of
Yen-Ching. Xi Wun traveled to Anhui and tried to set up a abbey in the
important city of Chiangning, he was not able to convince many however
and the abbey failed to take root.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Mercenaries:
10i,10w,10t
THE KINGDOM OF BURMA
King Dei
Diplomacy: none
All was quiet, and little or no news was heard from the Burmese.
THE KINGDOM OF CHAMPA
King Tru Rhan
Diplomacy: Annam (nt) Dai Viet (pt) Mison (ea)
King Tru Rhan orders the construction of several forts in Champa. The
times are uncertain, better to be prepared. He then orders his Warlords
north.
Into Dai Viet they march, 10,000 strong. The Dai Viet army, half
as large, musters out to meet them. King Ho of the Dai Viet thought perhaps
he could overcome his numbers disadvantage by taking the initiative and
strike first. On July 7th the Dai Viet strike, charging out of the jungle
they hit the Champa. Initially shaken the Champa recover well as Lord Rhan
Ni recovers and leads the Champa in a counter attack. Spears crash into
shields and the sound of dying men fill the jungle valley. In the
wooded battlefield it was impossible for combatants to maintain a constant
battleline. The struggle broke up into several small battles and skirmishes,
chaos reigned. Around noon prince Li , of the Dai Viet, is hacked
down and the group of men he was leading killed as they became separated
from the main body of the Dai Viet army. For the rest of the afternoon
the Champa pushed the Dai Viet back occasionally catching small cut off
pockets and killing them. Eventually King Tru Rhan orders a retreat, which
quickly becomes a rout as panic sets in. In the chaotic fighting the Dai
Viet were unable to withdraw in good order and the Champa pursuit overtook
them, few if any of them made it off the battlefield alive. King Ho’s body
was found next to a small stream near some of his dead bodyguards. 5,000
Dai Viet corpses littered the valley; the Champa suffered fewer than 3,000
casualties.
After the Battle some diplomats were sent north into Annam for talks.
Lord Rhan Ni marches back south Without any leaders DaiViet dissolves into
individual independent regions.
In the region of Mison the Buddhist chieftains sent word that
they could not maintain such close ties to such an unenlightened Hindu
Monarch they agree to keep economic ties only.
THE KINGDOM OF SIAM
King Nikkon
Diplomacy: Nam Phung (ea) Mon (a)
“HINDUS!! They threaten the stability of all enlightened Buddhist
kingdoms” King Nikkon began by addressing his warlords. “ We shall have
to deal with them ...to restore peace and harmony ofcourse” with that the
King orders his younger brother, Prince Havra, to invade the Khmer, in
late April he crossed the border at the head of a large army. King Pol
Ran of the Khmer traded ground for time as he fell back, waiting for reinforcements.
By the first week of May both Lord Di vi, and Prince Ni Gan had arrived
with their armies doubling the size of the Khmer forces. Judging the time
right to turn and confront the invaders the Khmer forces form up on the
farmland west of the Capital City. The forces of Siam numbered 17,000
warriors, the Khmer 10,000. Prince Havra lead the heavy infantry in the
center personally, while order his cavalry to attack the flanks. The Khmer
did they best they could, but they didn’t have any cavalry themselves and
their flanks were catching hell because of it. In the initial clash Prince
Ran Ki, the Khmer heir, was killed when a cavalry lance pierced his breastplate
on the left flank. The flank is forced back. In the center the Heavy infantry
of the Attackers grinds into the defenders. King Pol ran of the Khmer takes
a spear thrust in the side and is dragged back from the line still alive,
but bleeding heavily. Prince ni Gan takes over command for his father in
the center. Over on the right flank Lord Di Vi was doing his best
to hold against the Siamese Cavalry, but it wasn’t looking good. All afternoon
the Khmer fought desperately their casualties were horrific and they slowly
began to give way. The Siamese began to feel the Khmer breaking. Prince
Hava lead his personal honorguard into the center line hacking and slashing
the center of the Khmer line ruptures and the heavy infantry of the Siamese
poor in. Prince ni Gan does his best to rally his men but is quickly over
come and hacked to bits by the frenzied Siamese who scent victory! The
Khmer bolts enamsse, what survivors their are, and flees for the walled
safety of Angor. The cavalry of the Siamese pursues and cut the survivors
down before they can reach the city. The captain of the city garrison seeing
the Siamese cavalry threatening to burst into the city orders the gates
thrown shut. Back on the battlefield the wounded Khmer king and a
small group of his honor guard put up a last defense and refuses the call
to surrender. They are killed to the man. Prince Havra orders siege
lines set up around Angor. The heads of the Dead Royal family are displayed
before the walls. By the end of the year the demoralized and leaderless
city surrenders.
Back in Siam king Nikkon received the news of Prince Havra’s
victory with much rejoicing. But the King had been busy as well. Sending
diplomats to strengthen ties with Mon and to nam pung.
INDIA
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,5s,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF PANDYA
King Parjna
Diplomacy: Madurai (fa)
Things were quiet and peaceful in Pandya One note worthy, and joyous,
even stood out however. The marriage of the Heir of Pandya , prince Parmank,
to the daughter if the ruler of Madurai. His younger brother Prince mumra
joined the heir. During the talks that lead up to the marriage agreement
Prince Mumra was certain the ruler of Madurai was meeting in secret with
some other diplomats. His brother was unconvinced however and after the
ruler agreed to be the feudal vassal of Pandya he was doubly sure his younger
brother was imagining things.
THE KINGDOM OF LANKA
King Rajma
Diplomacy: Chera (fa) Maldives (a)
The King ruled and built some public works for his people. Prince
Muraj went to Chera for talks and sent word back to his father that Chera
has agreed to be a feudal vassal of Lanka. The Kings younger brother, prince
Shandra attempted to explore eastward across the Indian Ocean, but word
was never heard from him again.
THE ASAMAKARA EMPIRE
King Bindusara
Diplomacy: Vengi (a) Manyakheta (f) Kakatiya (fa) Pawar (fa) Anhivarta (a) Chela (nt)
King Bindusara over sees the day to day affairs of his realm.
He orders the nations granaries emptied and the food distributed to the
masses, court officials over see the distribution and proclaim that this
is the way the enlightened Buddha would want all people to act.
Lord Kutro and Prince Maropi continue their diplomatic efforts
and have some good success in their efforts. The king is very pleased.
Prince Hasharu takes command of the Asamakara fleet of 40 warships.
The King send him out to show Asamakara’s might “Brother, it is time for
the savages on the dark continent to tremble before our might, go lay waste
to the eastern seaboard of that land.” Sailing west and then south down
the eastern coast of Africa the fleet had slow going because of the strong
currents in these waters. In may of 507 A.D. they raid Brava and
for the next 2 years the Asamakara fleet terrorized the African coast,Brava,
Mogadishu, Scebeli, Ras Hafun, and Djibuti all lived in fear and suffering.
In April of 509A.D. The raiders crossed the Bal-Al-Mandab Sea and raided
the southern Arabian coast. Berebera, Hadramuht, zufar, and Muscat all
felt the sting of the raiders. In late 510 A.D. Prince Hasharu returns
home to Nasik, his fleet’s cargo holds overflowing with loot of all kinds.
The King was amazed at the wealth unloaded.
THE GUPTA EMPIRE
King Kumara
Diplomacy: Kalinga (nt) Somantha (a) Edrosia (ea) Mansura (a) Sind (f) Sukkur (a) Multan (a) Punjab (a)
King Kumara, as part of his active Rule, Empties the Kingdoms
treasury and builds incredibly vast amounts of public works greatly easing
his people lives. So many were built that it seemed every family had atleast
someone involved in the work
Prince Erata gathered in some garrisons, but primarily he spent
his time with his wife and the Princess indeed was fertile for she produced
3 sons and 1 daughter in 5 years. It was said amongst the court officials
that the grin on the Prince’s face was even larger than his Fathers public
works building program.
The royal family werent the only ones who saw dramatic increases
in the national birth rate. All through the kingdom babies were being born
in increased rates, so much so that the cities of Banavasi and Kalyani
grew unexpectedly. This was both good and bad. Great for the extra taxes
the King would get, bad in that the people were forced to build housing
and such outside the city walls rendering the walls meaningless and teh
residents tore them down for building material.
Lord Chandra again leads a large group of Diplomats in an effort
to strengthen the Gupta Empire. Focusing primarily in the western part
of the Empire, he again achieved some good results. The King was very happy.
Many grandchildren and an every increasing stable empire, life was good.
THE MIDDLE EAST
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,10lc,5w,5t
THE SASSANID EMPIRE
Emperor Kavadh, King of Kings, King of Persia, Babylonia and Parthia, the Overlord of Arachosia, the Holy Arm of Ahura Mazda, the Sassanid, Heir to the Achaemenids
Diplomacy: Media (f) Shirvan (f) Tabaristan (a) Persia (f) Zagros (f) Ahvaz (f) Abadan (a)
Emperor Kavadh orders the reorganization of his Imperial army,
redeploying it on guard against further horde movement from the steppes.
Meanwhile his heir, Prince Khosru spent his time in Ctesiphon ruling for
his father.
Prince Hystaps is appointed Imperial admiral by Emperor Kavadh.
He sails the Imperial Persian fleet across the Persian Gulf to Qatar. There
he meets with the local rulers and explains in polite terms the Sassanid
Empire’s expectations, a show of force in other words. The Prince repeats
this in Oman, they then sail along the Indian Coast visiting Asamakara
and Gupta establishing trade and showing the flag.
The Emperor in the meanwhile had sent out diplomats to shore
up support and strengthens ties within the Empire.
THE KINGDOM OF KARA-KHITAI
Yakub Khan
Diplomacy: Bactria f) Ferghava (nt) Trans-Oxania (f)
From his capital of Samarkand Yakub Khan continues to consolidate
his newly conquered realm. His son Osman is sent to Bactria for a marriage
between Osman and the daughter of Hurank, binding the Khazar and Vasti
into one people hopefully. Hurank pledges this will be so and steps down
as the leader of his people into a comfortable retirement.
South of Bactria, in Trans-Oxania, Lord Mulak was sent to convince
Lord Promek that the Ghuzz and the Khazar is one people with one future.
Promek after some careful thought and talks with the Ghuzz elders agrees.
He also steps down into retirement as the Ghuzz are absorbed completely
into Kara-Khitai.
ZOROASTRIAN CHURCH
Siavash
Diplomacy: none
Priests were sent off to Oman and Qatar, undoubtedly at the request
of the Sassanid Emperor, to use diplomatic means to convert the pagan Arabians.
The attempt was an utter failure the stubborn people prefer to cling to
their traditional ways.
The churches other activities were limited to establishing abbeys
throughout areas of the Sassanid Empire.
EASTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,10lc,5w,5t
THE EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
Anastasios, Vasilevs, Avghoustos, kai Avtrokrator Romaion
Diplomacy:
The Emperor Anastasios for unknown reasons, many speculated because of religious turmoil, others because of senility, let his Empire slip into a leaderless malaise. Always a dangerous path to be on. Grumbling was heard in many parts of the Empire, but the only place to revolt was in Armenia where Dux Vahan declared himself King of Greater Armenia.
GREATER ARMENIA
King Vahan, Arkhon Megalis Armenias
Diplomacy: none
OPEN FOR A PLAYER
MONOPHYSITE CHURCH
Patriarch Romarius
Diplomacy: none
Church officials quietly go about their duties. Never drawing
attention to themselves, but with subtle effectiveness they began to gain
influence in the Roman Empire.
Patriarch Romarius leads a group of church officials south into the
lands around Ethiopia where the endeavor to lead the pagan Africans, bordering
Ethiopia, into the ever loving grace of the almighty. The africans were
only marginally convinced however.
Church officials were also sent out to the Arabian Peninsula
and did missionary work in Medina.
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
Patriarch Milorius
Diplomacy: Smolensk (t)
The Patriarch orders a census of the church to determine its exact
activities. Meanwhile he lets Father Tiberius Hold the Imperial Mass in
Constantinople for him and Tiberius talks often with the nobles explaining
the Holy and Divine providence of the Orthodox Church.
The Church’s other main activities dealt with sending out priests
into the wild regions north of the Black Sea to bring to the people of
Polotsk, Smolensk and Kiev the light of Christianity. Wallachia also saw
activities by the Church.
EASTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF ETHIOPIA
King Kaleb
Diplomacy: Danakil (f) Numidia (fa) Thebes (ea)
Ethiopia focused on building postal roads, and diplomacy, having
some success on the diplomatic front. The King also had 2 children. A son
in November 506 A.D. and a daughter in January 507 A.D. unfortunetly the
Queen died in child birth when his daughter was born.
THE KINGDOM OF KUSH
King Amra
Diplomacy: none
All was quiet in Kush
WESTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF KANEM
King Anabornu
Diplomacy: none
Little or no news was heard from Kanem
THE KINGDOM OF AKAN
King Barang
Diplomacy: Ife (a) Bennin (fa) Togo (fa)
King Barang traveled to Togo and convinced the Togo rulers to
pay homage as a feudal vassal. He also began the construction of Khaziptioples,
a port city on the Bight of Bennin sea.
While the King was busy in Togo Prince Bashar and Gouda of Yoruba
strengthened Akans hold over the lower Niger river area by increasing ties
with Ife and Bennin on the eastern side of the Niger. Court officials were
concerned however and sent messages to the King that without him or his
heir actively ruling and looking after teh day to day affairs, there was
fear of revolts in these regions that just recently had become part of
the Kingdom.
THE KINGDOM OF AKWAR
Ghana Kunta
Diplomacy: Galem (t) Adawara (a) Takrur (fa)
Ghana Kunta takes over the day to day affairs of the Kingdom from
his son. He then sends Prince Hawan to Galem where he marries a Galem princess
binding Galem closer to Akwar. Diplomats were also sent to Adawara and
Takrur with some success.
KINGDOM OF MOSSI
King Kurr
Diplomacy: none
All was quiet in Mossi
NORTH AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,5s,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF THE VANDALS
King Wihtred
Diplomacy: kabilya (f) Baelrics (f) Algeria (f) Sicily (t) Palermo (t)
King Wihtred takes a short visit to Kabilya for some political
talks before returning to Carthage to oversee the day to day affairs of
state. It was then that the scribes brought the king unpleasant news. The
Catholics on Sicily had sent a message to Carthage declaring “We as loyal
followers of the true Christ cannot in good faith have such tight relations
with Arians who have, as is obvious to all, been deceived by the Devil,
we will pay tribute but nothing more in the future.” The King, who
is a devout Arian, flew into a rage “my ancestor Gaeseric was right when
he wiped out the Catholics from north Africa” turning to his councilors
“you see what happens when you show mercy and tolerance to CATHOLIC DOGS!”
The king began to get an Idea. Calming and then smiling “We shall create
a Arian Primacy ...we must spread the word and teach these Catholics (said
with scorn) the true nature of Christ” The King orders the construction
of a elaborate Church in Carthage, and the Arian priests in the kingdom
meet and choose a Patriarch, Taborus
THE ARIAN CHURCH
Patriach Taborus, defender of the true Christ
Diplomacy: none
OPEN FOR A PLAYER
WESTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,5s,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF REGET
King Meirchon Gul
Diplomacy: none
Things were pretty quiet amongst the Northen Brits. A few noteworthy
events did occur however. Reget was delivering food to the Picts from Albion,
has a famine occured? King Meirchon Gul ordered friesland to be transfered
to the control of the Danes. He had ordered his intelligence service to
keep the transfer secret but it didn’t take long for it to become well
known, the King was not pleased. More pleasant news was the marriage
of Perddel, the heir of Powys to Brawstudd, eldest Daughter of King Meirchon.
A grand wedding was held in Caer-Ebrauc’s Celtic Cathedral, Bishop Aedan
conducted the ceremony on a lovely spring day in April of 506A.D. The feasting
lasted for several days. The King was saddened when only a week later his
daughter left with her new Husband for Powys. He was hopeful the marriage
would lead to a strong Celtic alliance however and took comfort in that.
THE KINGDOM OF POWYS
Diplomacy: Anglia (nt)
King Cuneglas sent his heir off to Reget to marry the Daughter
of King Meichon Gul “you are over 20 now son, its time you marry and insure
the stability of our dynasty for generations to come. Besides we Britons
must stick together if we are to drive out the cursed Angles”
Lord Brugyn was ordered to take the Powysian navy and blockade
London. This help was to prevent reinforcements and help in the siege of
London that Cuneglas expected the Dumnonians to start. Who was to know
that the Angles would be able to gather in over 7,500 mercenaries before
the Powysian navy could arrive?
King Cuneglas had also ordered his younger brother, Prince Arthwys,
to invade Anglia. Leading a column of 6,500 cavalry and infantry Arthwys
entered into Anglia, which was still recovering from the Powysian and Pictish
raids in the previous years. Not long later he was met by a group of Angle
chieftains “Great Prince we want peace, no more war, we beg you. We have
thrown off the yolk of King Aelle and decided our fate lies separate from
the Aenglish nation. Come let us talk and work out an understanding between
our peoples” Prince Arthwys agreed and talks began. In the end the Angles
agreed tp pay homage and allow access to the region for the Powysian armies,
in return Prince Arthwys agreed to let the day to day affairs stay in the
hands of the Angle chieftains.
In July 506 A.D. Prince Perddul returned to Caer Swys with his
new bride. The king showed Perddul the new siege equipment that his military
advisors had came up with, the prince was impressed. After a brief honeymoon
with his new wife Perddul was ordered to the Isle of Man to pursuade the
secular leaders there to join with Powys. He arrived there in April
of 507 A.D. for the talks. A Pictish delegation from Albion had arrived
the previous year however and was already engaged in talks with the leader
of Iona. The Picts had married Arrul, the daughter of Aneila, to the Leaders
of Iona’s eldest son. Perddul remembered that the picts were a matriarchal
society where the Heir was the son of the king’s eldest sister and not
the son of the King. The talks bantered back and forth but in the end Iona
agreed to pay tribute and homage to Albion.
THE KINGDOM OF DUMNONIA
Diplomacy: none
King Artorius over saw the day to day affairs of state. He ordered
the construction of many siege engines to send to Kent to batter London’s
walls. Lord Derfel had been sent back by Prince Cadwy, to Salisbury to
transport them to Kent. The Aenglish struck before Derfel could make it
back however....
THE BATTLE OF KENT
The Dumnonians had been busy since their conquest of Kent; they
had built several hill forts guarding the approaches to London, and were
beginning to build siege lines. Prince Cadwy was just waiting for Lord
Derfel to return with the added siege engineers. Cadwy was unhappy to learn
that London had been flooded with mercenaries, Saxons, jutes, franks, frisians
etc all more than happy to respond to Aelle’s emptying of his treasury.
In the darkness of the early morning of March 7th, the Aenglish
burst out of London’s gates and deployed into battle lines facing the Dumnonian
army. Prince Cadwy hurried his men out of their siege lines and formed
them up on the plains before London. 16,000 Dumnonians faced 24,000 Aegnlish
and allies. Cadwy anchored his line between the Hill top forts his men
had built. The sun was up by the time both sides finished forming up, and
then the Aenglish attacked. Aelle lead the Aenglish center as his Household
Heavy infantry smash into the Dumnonian center. Aenglish axes and Dumnonian
spears clash and men die.
On the right Lord Penda with his Angle warriors storm the Dumnonian
hill forts anchoring that flank. Desperate fighting erupts all along the
fort summit, the Dumnonains rush up reinforcements of infantry. The carnage
is intense as frantic battle ranges over the summit of the hill. First
one side then the other takes the hill, only to be thrown back off by the
other side.
On the left Prince Aelfric leads mercenary siege engineers in an assault
on the left most Hill fort, supported by some Angle infantry the storm
the heights, the Dumnonians put up a spirited defense but are pushed off
the summit. All counter attacks in the morning hours fail to retake it.
Around noon Cadwy personally leads the Dumnonian Cavalry in a charge
on the Aenglish right flank striking the line in the low ground between
two hill forts. Lances crash into Angle infantry and the Dumnonians pierce
the lines and cut off Lord Penda and his men as the fight on the summit
above. Seeing the danger Penda charges down the hill in retreat. And frenzied
melee ensues as the Angles attempt to break free and the Dumnonians attempt
to trap and surround them. In the thick of the melee prince Cadwys horse
is killed from under him and he falls to the ground. The Dumnonian warriors
desperately try to save their Leader and this allows the Angles of Penda
to escape and reform a shield wall a hundred yards or so to the rear. Cadwy
is ok and remounts a fresh horse.
With each sides right flank caving in its as if the entire battle line
rotates anchored on the struggle in the center. The center is locked
in a stalemate. And as both flanks recover the only fighting is in the
center....and as nightfalls both sides pull back dragging their wounded
with them. Day 1 saw 7,000 Dumnonian dead and wounded, while the Aenglish
suffered 9,500 dead and wounded.
Battle wasn’t joined in the early morning, as both sides were still
exhausted from the day before. The Dumnonians were hoping the Aenglish
would retreat into London to buy time for Lord Derfel to arrive.
In early afternoon Aelle is able to get his forces organized enough
to launch another attack. The Angle attack immediately bogs down on the
left.
In the center Aelle and his men charge into the tired Dumnonians, the
shield walls clash together like the sound of thunder. The sounds of the
dying fill the air as the fighting builds in tempo.
On the right Cadwy holds what is left of his cavalry in reserve waiting
for an opportunity like the day before. Penda and his men hammer into the
infantry in from of him and push them back. Cadwy fears he may have to
act to save the flank. But as the Dumnonians fall back they reoccupy the
hill fort that was the scene of such heavy fighting the day before. Defending
the summit they are able to hold and stabilize their line.
All after noon the stalemate continues along the entire line. It begins
to rain in the late afternoon and the wounded are forced to crawl in the
mud to escape the carnage. The mud turns a dark reddish color from all
the blood. Just as the sun begins to go down the Dumnonian center comes
apart as Aelle and his men poor through the gap. Cadwy counter attacks
and tries to plug the gap, but realizes he doesn’t have enough men left.
He fights a regard action into the night as his men retreat taking their
wounded with them. In the confused melee in the dark an Axe blow to the
side strikes down Cadwy. Alive but severely wounded his men are just able
to get him to safety. The darkness prevented any type of organized Angle
pursuit and Aelle lets the Dumnonains retreat back into Salisbury happy
he has liberated Kent. Lord Penda was found in the morning dead from several
spear thrusts taken in the confused night melee. Many sacrifices to Wotan
were made and Pendas corpse was burnt on a funeral pyre and he was
buried as a mighty hero. The Catholic missionaries were chased out of the
region. Though the Angles were victorious the truth is both armies
had been torn into horrors by the 2-day battle.
THE KINGDOM OF AENGLAND
King Aelle
Diplomacy: Holland (f)
Aelle empties his treasury and calls all mercenaries far and wide
to his standard for his attempt to liberate Kent ( SEE THE BATTLE OF KENT:
above)
In Holland Prince, and heir, Coelwulf again spent his time talking
and convincing his Allies in Holland. When news reached Holland about Kent
being liberated the Chieftain of Holland through a feast in celebration.
The Ale flowed freely and later many suggested this contributed to what
happened next. A unknown and non discript, atleast no ones Ale addled mind
could recall what he looked like, approached the high table while everyone
was distracted in talking and the hall was filled with the noise of hundreds
of people. As Coelwulf turned to get a serving wench to refill his mug
the Assassin sprang from the Shadows and the knife struck Coelwulf in the
shoulder. Coelwulf shuddered then slumped over the table as blood gushed
down his back. Before any of the drunkards and Guards, who were only slightly
less drunk could react, the assassin was out the back and escaped through
the kitchen into the night and was never found. Coelwulf lapsed in and
out of consciousness over the next few days as a fever set in. Many wondered
if the blade had been poisoned. Eventually the fever broke and it became
Clear Coelwulf would live.
THE KINGDOM OF ALBION
King Drust
Diplomacy: Iona (nt)* but revolts when a heresey breaks out
Prince Brude and his trusty 4,000 Pictish Infantry set sail from
the Highlands. Sailing down the western coast of Britain and crossing to
the western coast of Europe the Picts set their eyes on the southwest corner
of Spain. Landing in Portugal in August of 506 AD the picts raid the region
and then raid Estrmadrura in October. Killing and looting they take
a heavy toll on the local Populace. After a short pause for winter they
strike into Andalusia in March and the Spanish begin to fear these wild
looking tattooed men from the unknown lands of the north.From there they
cross the Gates of Hercules and Strike Morocco, Marrakesh and Idjii Spending
the Winter in the warm lands of Idjii they laugh thinking of their poor
comrades back in the cold highlands. In the spring of 508 A.D. they begin
the long journey home their cargo holds overflowing with loot. In August
508 AD they reach the highlands and unload the great stores of gold, the
king is impressed. Not pausing long they again set sail, this time heading
east into the Baltic Sea. In March 509AD they burst upon Pomerania, then
raid Daugava, Latvia, and Estonia the rest of the year. Returning
back home by October 510AD. Their raids on the Slavs weren’t nearly as
profitable as those on southern Spain and North Africa.
While this was going on Lord Malicon lead a delegation of Diplomats
to Iona for talks and to arrange a marriage between the future matriarch
Arrul and the son of the local Ruler. Sometime later Prince Perddul
the heir of Powys shows up and intense 3 way talks begin, in which the
picts would end with Iona paying tribute to Albion. Returning home in July
509 AD Malicon then sets out to explore the seas north of the Shetlands.
He is sadly never heard from again.
While all this was going on King Drust had been busy over seeing
the day to day affairs of his realm. Those duties included dealing with
a growing controversy in the religious community. Drust, most of the nobility
and the majority of the people had secretly been still clinging to the
old ways as well as practicing Christianity. Lately they have been doing
both openly much to the displeasure of the Celtic church. The King finally
orders druids to begin performing rituals right along the Celtic priests.
Some of the priests refuse; these are primarily priests from Iona. The
native priests see nothing wrong with it. And a heresy is born “Druidic
Christianity” Iona which had just recently paid homage to Albion
revolts when the heresy breaks out.
THE KINGDOM OF ARMORICA
King Riwal
Diplomacy: None
Things were quiet in this Celtic Kingdom, peace reigned and the
people went about their lives.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Pope Symmachus
Diplomacy: none
The Catholic Church was very active. The Pope continued its mission
to the Gothic people in spain and had some good success in winning souls
to the true faith.
Church officials were also active amongst the Merovingian court,
a papal legate was sent to them from the pope to strengthen and support
the true faith in Gaul.
In Britian the Catholic Church’s missionary work in Kent came
to an abrupt end after the the Dumnonian defeat.
THE KINGDOM OF THE GOTHS
King Osoric
Diplomacy: Madiera (a)
Intense diplomacy in the city of Madiera paid off when the city
became allied with the Visgothic crown. King Osoric meanwhile had been
busy over seeing the day to day affairs of state. His heir, Prince Alaric
was busing supervising the construction of a port city, Barcelona, in the
Catalonia region.
Catholicism continued to gain a foothold as more and more Goths
convert.
THE KINGDOM OF THE MEROVINGIANS (was the Franks)
King Clovis
Diplomacy: Alsace (t)
King Clovis oversaw the day to day affairs of state. He also was very glad when his daughter the Duke of Brabant making him a prince of the realm. Prince Pepin had accompanied his sister to Brabant and he also married, he took a cousin of the Dukes as a wife. He stayed on until the end of 507 AD to over see the construction of the Port Fortress city of “Stormgard” Clovis also welcomed the Papal Legate Alhwin to his Kingdom. Prince Namus was named Heir and married to a Lady of Champaign, they had a daughter in October 506 AD, and a son in November 507 AD.
THE KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
King Raimon
Diplomacy: Provence (a)
King Raimon and the Queen had a son in August 507AD, unfortunetly
the Queen died from complications from the birth a few days late. The boy
lived and was strong. Prince Varocher, the Kings younger brother and heir,
oversaw all the day to day affairs of the realm. Meanwhile a large diplomatic
group was sent to Provence lead by the King himself and after some lengthy
talks the region allied itself with Burgundy. Meanwhile the talks in Limousin
didnt go so well. Prince Isore couldnt be sure, but he felt as if someone
was manipulating things behind the scene and eventually the rulers of Limousin
declined any ties with Burgundy.
THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
King CaenWulf
Diplomacy: Freisland (t) Saxony (nt) Danzig (a) Halland (a)
King Caenwulf traveled to Freisland to secure possession after
Reget transfers the land. Having done this the King stays on for talks
and in the end freisland agrees to pay tribute. In January 507 AD the Queen
gives birth to a son.
Prince Hrothgar from Freisland into Germania and arrived in Saxony
there he convinces the Saxon chieftains to pay homage. Further missions
were sent as far away as Danzig to strengthen the existing ties, Halland
also saw continued pressure.
THE KINGDOM OF ITALY
King Theodoric, the Goth
Diplomacy: none
Little or no news was heard from Italy.
KINGDOM OF NORWAY
King Thurl
Diplomacy: Agder (nt) Latvia (c) Estonia (fa) Mordaland (t)
The Norse spent their years building a Fortress in Trondheim and in
talking with their neighbors, they even sent diplomats to the far of slavs.
Both Princes married as part of these negotiations, Prince Ragnar married
into the house of Agder, Prince Rolf into the house of Mordaland. Ragnar
had a son in October 510 AD
THE KINGDOM OF THE SVEAR
King Angantyr
Diplomacy: Kopparborg (fa)
The Svear negotiated with the clans to their north and received their
promises of fealty. Prince Asmund meanwhile went raiding and plundered
the slavic coast burning what he couldn’t steal.
THE UI NEIL
King Fergus
Diplomacy: Connaught (nt) Mumu (nt)
Southwestern Ireland was in chaos as Civil war engulfed the Eoghanacta realm, fire, death and plague were the order of the day. King Fergus began negotiations with the surviving Chieftains in the area.