TURN 5 ORDERS DUE:
GM:
Jeff Morrison
1019 Ossington
Flint, Mi 48507
(810) 238-6425
PLAYER NOTES READ THIS!!!!!
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
DC=Druidic Christianity
TITHE
Tithes are gonna be treated as “IN” effect once set, the primate need
not try to establish them ever turn as long as the nation being tithed
agrees.
HAVE CHILDREN (HC)
Kings or Heirs doing a Rule action will be considered to be spending
time with their wife (if they have one) while seeing to all that paper
work so I will roll for child births during the period they are Ruling.
THE HISTORY
521-525 AD
CHINA and JAPAN
Mercenaries:
17i,10c,5w,3t,5s
TAKEDA SHOGUNATE
Shogun Chuichi
Diplomacy: Aichi (f) Yamaguchi (f)
Shogun Nagao was in Aichi and had been finalizing Aichi’s complete joining with the Takeda Shogunate when he took ill and passed away in 523 AD. His son Prince Chuichi took the throne without Challenge.
Prince Kanoya died in 521 AD from a fever.
Even with the unfortunate deaths in the nobility the Shogunate did well
and secured binding ties with several important regions in the land.
KOREA
King Ura
Diplomacy none
While the King and heir were away fighting (SEE: THE BATTLE FOR LIAO-TUNG) Lord Tum was sent to Shangtung, on the Chinese mainland, to strengthen ties with the region. The regionw as restless however because of a lack over guidance (no one actively ruling Korea) and revolted. Lord Tum was slain by the rebels. The Pacified region of Bandao also rebelled when the Korean army moved out and didn’t leave a garrison behind.
After word was brought back concerning Prince Hans death, the Kings
son Kim Ho was promoted to heir.
THE YEN KINGDOM OF LIAO-YANG (formally Po-Hai)
King Liao Xi, Yen King of Liao-Yang, Beloved of Heaven
Diplomacy: none
King Liao Xi orders Crown Prince Liao Kao to be sent to his uncles in the yurts of the Hsuing Nu. The Kingdom is no longer safe for the Heir. Mass conscription is ordered, and every fit man is to be armed to protect their families and loved ones.
Queen Yeni escorts her young son of to her brothers lands in Hsuing Nu, she is appointed Regent in the event the battle should go bad and her Husband killed fighting the cursed Koreans.
Liao Yi-Ju, eldest daughter of the King and Queen, is appointed Princess of the Realm and sent of with Lord Qi Zhui, the High Chamberlain, with a group of Light Cavalry with conditional orders to raid the Korean lands. While gathering in Parhae Princess Liao Yi-Ju was all eager to raid “ come Lord Qi, let us head off and punish these Korean dogs!” the Chamberlain smiled, appreciating the zeal of youth “ we must wait your highness, the King has ordered us to come harass the Korean army should they be able to defeat our army and put the capital under siege” the Princess glared, but gave in because she knew her father had indeed ordered that.
THE BATTLE FOR LIAO-TUNG
King Ura waited in Bandao, his younger brother, Prince Han, was returning
from his mission to the Capital. The Koreans had also mass conscripted
and the new troops were on their way. It was already fall, so pausing
to winter the battle with the hated Liao-Yang would have to wait for spring.
...
As spring came King Liao Xi was beginning to think the Korean invasion was perhaps not gonna take place. Not long after that his scouts destroyed that fantasy when they reported a large Korean force entering Liao-Tung. The outnumbered Liao-Yang army moved to meet them even though outnumbered the Kong thought it best to try and stop them in the countryside. Should things go bad he could always fall back to the safety of Ta’ting’s walls.
On May 24th the two sides met. The Liao put their inexperienced troops in the center, to absorb casualties, and there was a small group of Cavalry behind them to hopefully plug any break through, the Liao Cavalry was put on the flanks. The Koreans organized their forces to mirror their Liao counter parts, Cavalry on the flanks and Infantry in the center. Each side had about equal numbers of cavalry but the Koreans had far more Infantry and it was generally of better quality.
The battle begins with cavalry clashes on both flanks. In the center the massed Koreans formations charge into the peasant infantry of the Liao. The Koreans smash them, forcing the inexperienced and lighter troops back inflicting frightful casualties on them. Only repeated counter attacks against potential break through, by the reserve cavalry prevented a total collapse in the center as the morning passed.
On the Flanks the Cavalry was locked in a deadly stalemate. Both sides desperate to defeat the other, casualties were high.
In early afternoon Prince Han, of the Koreans, sees a crack opening in the Liao center, he personally leads the attack to widen the breakthrough hoping to totally rupture the line. King Liao Xi sees the danger and leads the reserve cavalry to once again try and plug the gap. Heavy fighting develops as the Liao desperately attempt to hurl back the Koreans. King Liao seen realizes they can’t hold back the tide of screaming Koreans and begins to order a retreat to the city. King Liao orders the Cavalry to fight a rear guard as long as possible, he personally leads it. In the pursuit King Ura’s cavalry troops fall upon the rear guard, smashing the now disorganized Liao, in the fighting King Liao Xi is wounded and captured. The remaining Liao make it back into the Capital.
King Ura, ecstatic over the Korean victory, looks around to congratulate his younger brother Han, not seeing him he sends and aide to find him. A half-hour later the sad faced aide returns with an escort carrying the Prince’s body. “He fell in the pursuit, his troops say a Liao cavalryman, in the confusion, struck him from behind” reports the aide. Turning to view the Liao capital in the distance King Ura orders his forces to advance and set up siege lines and for the wounded Liao King to be treated for his wounds but to be put into chains and guarded, he would decide his fate later. As his troops move to obey the King puts on a stoic face to show his troops his will, but his eyes smoldered with the fire of vengeance.
In took until mid June to get everyone into position and all those siege lines dug. The Koreans began an active and aggressive siege of Ta’Ting. Lacking heavy siege equipment, the Koreans made due by building siege towers and scaling ladders and night raids. On the other hand the Liao lacked a leader but did their best to resist the attackers. Several months of this aggressive siege resulted in huge numbers of casualties for the defenders and moderate casualties for the attackers. By October the Liao could no longer hold out and surrender the city. Few defenders were left by then and the leaderless cities moral was in shambles.
The victorius Koreans poor into the city and sack it thoroughly. The Liao prisoners out on the plain before the city weep as they see their capital in flames.
Lord Qi and Princess Yi-Ju had been unable to get passed the Korean siege lines to help the city and so had made some minor sorties that were more of a nuisance than of any significant military concern. Seeing the capital fall they began to retreat to Parhae but found the region in rebellion with the fall of the capital. Their swift riding light cavalry was able to flee the region and make it to Lu’an, the only region left in Liao hands.
Queen Yeni had been able to get out of Hsuing Nu with the help of her brother. The people of the Hsuing Nu had revolted as well. And although the Queens brother wanted his independence as well he didn’t want to see his sister and nephew harmed.
The Liao King ahs suffered what seems a mortal blow, can they recover
the Queen thought. 25 years of almost constant war had destroyed her kingdom.
Her Tears were bitter.
THE NORTHERN EMPIRE OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON (was Shensi)
Emperor Si Lei
Diplomacy: Houma (a) Hopei (a)
King Si-Lei announces a new Alliance with the Hu Chinese “ A New EMPIRE is born today! THE CHINESE EMPIRE OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON. We, the Shensi, shall rule the Northern half of the Empire and our Hu allies shall rule the Southern half. While there is only ONE EMPIRE, we shall each retain our autonomy over our seperate regions” declare Si-Lei. As part of the alliance the Shensi give up the region of Szechwan.
A major Imperial road network was begun from Chang’an to Si-lei, and from there to Piencheng.
A port city named “Shanso” was built in Houma.
The Shensi now have an Imperial Govn’t
The empress gave birth to a daughter in 522AD
THE TOBA WEI
King Wei Han
Diplomacy: Yun (a) Ta’Tung (nt) Shan’si (ea) Ta’Yuan (t)
King Wei Han continued to actively take part in the day to day decision making over govnt policy. He orders some troops raised and the Capital City to be expanded.
Prince Wei Sin was again ordered to conduct diplomatic talks with the nobles in Lob Nor but it quickly became obvious that Lob Nors nobles wanted no further increase in relations do to religious differences.
Prince Wei Chu spent his time with his family and his wife had a son
in 522AD and a lovely daughter in 524 AD, sadly his wife passed away giving
birth to his daughter.
THE SOUTHERN EMPIRE OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON (was the kingdom of Hunan)
King Hu Shi
Diplomacy: nanling (t) Tangchou (ea) Szechwan (f) Koueichou (ea) Chekiang (f)
As part of their deal with the Shensi, the Hu abandon Hopei and remove their garrison.
Royal daughters are married off to the leaders of Chekiang and Szechwan shoring up the new Empires internal affairs.
In the south a road was built Kienchiou to Nanling. Also a Capital was built around the port fortress in Honan, the city is called Tii’Dawn. The Hu now have an Imperial Govnt
.
THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE OF BUDDHA
Pei Lu
Diplomacy. None
Pei Wu travels to the Capital of Shensi and makes a declaration “People of Shensi, Buddha smiles on your support of Si Wan. May he reign a thousand years and bring you all along the middle path to enlightenment.” Traveling back to the Holy City to over see the churches day to day busy, he takes ill. He dies in the spring of 522AD. Pei Lu takes the mantle of Patriarch.
Meanwhile the priests continue their work, establishing a monastery in Szechwan and Cathedral in the City of Chang’an.
Large amounts of Gold were transferred to the Shaolin Order and also
to the Kingdom of the Liao-Yang.
THE TEMPLE OF THE SHAOLIN
Grandmaster Bodhidharma
Diplomacy: None
The Monastic Buddhist order establishes itself in 521 AD. Grandmaster Bodhidharma establishes the Order in Pienching, the Buddhist Holy City.
While the Grandmaster is busy seeing to the beaurocratic details of
getting the order off an running the order’s 3 other monks go about Northern
China establishing abbeys. The Order, although still in its infancy, is
off to a good start.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Mercenaries:
18i, 4c ,9W,7t
THE KINGDOM OF BURMA
King Dei
Diplomacy: Gtsang (ea)
15 years of Burmese inactivity was ended when huge numbers of troops were raised and the Burmese King and one of his generals marched this huge army south. Marching through Pegu they struck Thaton, lampang, and Nam Pung forcing them into pacified tributary status.
INVASION OF SIAM
Then turning south they struck at the Siamese homeland. King Nikkon
awaited the invaders. A small Siamese army reacting from Khmer to help,
lead by Prince Harva had joined him. Heavily outnumbered the Siamese took
up a strong defensive posture. The Siamese had hired large number of mercenaries
fortunately or the sides would have been even more uneven.
The Burmese attack was forceful and forced back the Siamese all along
their line. Bloody hand to hand lasted all morning with the Siamese holding.
At noon the two sides parted, exhausted. In mid after noon the Burmese
launched new assaults. Casualties were extreme on both sides; blood soaked
the battlefield. As evening came the Burmese were forced to withdraw. They
retreated in good order back to nam Pung
THE KINGDOM OF CHAMPA
King Tru Rhan
Diplomacy: Hmong (nt) Preikuk (a)
Champa was generally quiet. The king ruled and the people prospered.
Champa diplomats argued more fervently and were more convincing than their Siamese counterparts in talks with the Hmong. The region rejected the Siamese proposals and accepted Champa’s.
A small invasion into Laos was bloodily repulsed when the much larger
Laotian army thoroughly defeated them in battle.
THE KINGDOM OF SIAM
King Nikkon
Diplomacy: Mon (a)
The King of Siam ordered a Capital to be built and named the port city “Nikkon”.
A very frustrating few years ensued for the Siamese. In the east their
diplomats were thwarted by their Champa counterparts. Also there was the
loss of several regions to Burma and the very costly battle that saved
the Homeland. SEE: THE INVASION OF SIAM
THE SRIVIJAYAN EMPIRE
King Puran
Diplomacy: none
King Puran actively ruled his lands, he sent his son and one of his lords to the lands of Jambi to try and convince the pagan chieftains to become Hindus.
In Sunda the King simply sent in his army and they destroyed all the
pagan shrines and used force to compel the people to follow the ways of
Shiva.
INDIA
Mercenaries:
7i,3c,3s,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF PANDYA
King Parjna
Diplomacy: Gangas (t)
Building programs were the order of the day in pandya. The cities of Tanjore and Kollam both saw construction and an increase in size.
Diplomats also visited Gangas and Pandya will now receive tribute from that region.
In the capital King Parjna oversaw the day to day affairs of state.
THE KINGDOM OF LANKA
King Rajma
Diplomacy: none
In Lanka the King ordered a census, Prince Pamrak saw to it. Meanwhile the nations military forces were reorganized.
Three children were born to the King and Queen, 2 sons and a daughter.
THE ASAMAKARA EMPIRE
King Arami
Diplomacy: Pawar (t) Kayal (nt) Kakitaya (t)
The new Dynasty in Asamaka instituted a welfare system. All families with 2 or more children OR wives whose husbands die on campaign are eligible for grain from the surplus argo.
King Arami travels to Pawar for diplomatic talks, he also marries the daughter of the local ruler as part of the deal. In the end Pawar pays tribute. Other nobles are sent to try and reestablish ties with the regions that broke away.
Prince Vurn over sees the day to day affairs of state while his older brother, the King, is away in Pawar. He takes a daughter of the minor nobility as a wife. His wife has 2 sons in 523 and 524 AD.
Admiral Sharivani is sent to raid the eastern coast of Africa for gold
and slaves. The new Dynasty is continuing the slave policies of its predecessors.
The raids in Africa go well, but on the return trip the planned raids into
southern Arabia are cancelled when large numbers of Arab troops are on
hand.
THE GUPTA EMPIRE
King Erata
Diplomacy: Und (f) Peshwar (f) Edrosia (f) Somantha (f) Kalanjara (f) Thanasor (f)
King Erata orders massive civil improvements around the Capitol area to help make up for the pain caused by the Parajat plague. He spends his time actively ruling his recovering nation. Queen Geeta has a daughter in 523AD
Young Prince Masgatra is married in court when he is made crown Prince. He spends the next few years with his new bride. The couples have a daughter in 523 and a son in 524AD
Prince Chandra again leads the diplomatic Corp in efforts to strengthen
the crown’s ties with its subject regions. He has wonderful success.
THE HOLY CHURCH OF SHIVA
Sajid Tajuddin, his Holiness, beloved of Shiva.
Diplomacy: none
The fledgling church established some holy shrines. Ordered tithes on the faithful and set about helping the devout govnt of Asamaka with its administration.
THE SWORD OF SHIVA
Shiva Chakravarti, grandmaster
Diplomacy: none
This Hindu orders primary activities involved moving from Indian City
to Indian City establishing abbeys as they went. No other significant activities
were reported.
THE MIDDLE EAST
Mercenaries:
26i, 22c, 37lc, 3w, 3t
THE SASSANID EMPIRE
Emperor Shapur IV, 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: Bostra (nt)
Massive fortresses were built in As’Summan and Kuwait. With the Civil War in the Roman Empire the Sassanids could focus less on Rome and pay more attention to the rumors that merchants and the Sassanid spy network had been reporting for almost a decade now. The reports spoke of a fanatical new religion sweeping the peninsula stirring the people up into a zealous fervor.
Emperor Shapur IV was sure the fortresses would hold, he was in for a rude awakening....
In September 521AD Abu Bekr, at the head of 115,000 fanatical Arab horseman came storming into As’Summan and surrounded the Sassanid fortress of Dur Khosru. Lord Hormizd used several “colorful” statements when he responded to the Arab call for surrender. So for several long months the isolated and out of supply garrison went hungry in the Desert region. Over the winter the garrison starved, and as spring came they were on the verge of giving up.
Lord Hormizd refused to have an Imperial Sassanid army surrender to a band of desert nomads. So on March 7th 522AD the 20,000 strong Sassanid army came out of the fortress to assault the 115,000 strong Arab army. Charging valiantly the Sassanids were overwhelmed as the superior number of Arab horse surround the attacking Persians. It took less than an hour for the attacking Persians to be cut to pieces. Lord Hormizd goes down, hacked to death by scimitar wielding horsemen. None of the 20,000 Sassanids escape. The Muslim attackers suffer only 1,500 casualties.
Abu Bekr wanted to attack Kuwait and take that fortress by siege as well, but not having a navy there would be no way to starve out the garrison of Dur Kuwait. Instead the Muslim invaders strike north into Hahmar aiming eventually for Ctesiphon in Mesopotamia, the Sassanid Capital.
Emperor Shapur IV had assembled two Sassanid armies, in Hahmar, totaling 49,000 men. In July they met the Muslim invaders in battle. Prince Yazdegard commanding the Infantry in the center while the Emperor commanded the Cavalry on the right flank.
The Arab Cavalry came riding hard and struck the Persian line. Abu Bekr commanded the left flank, while his son Gamel commanded the right. Bloody melee erupted all along the line. The heavier Sassanid troops give a good accounting of themselves as they struggle with the fanatical Islamic invaders. Unfortunately for the Persian cause, the superior numbers of Islamic invaders turns the tide and by late afternoon the Persians are in retreat. Of the 49,000 Persians who went into battle a full 39,000 were casualties. The Arabs suffered 28,000 casualties. Weeks later the local people were still burying corpses.
The surviving Sassanid soldiers trudged north into Mesopotamia. There the garrison and the Duke of El Burz joined them, with his troops, and also a 5,000 strong force of heavy elite Cavalry, from the Zoroastrian Church, “the light of Ahura-Mazda” they call themselves. Even with these reinforcements the Sassanid army totals only 34,000 men.
Abu Bekr thanked Allah, his army, now down to 92,500 men, had crushed two Sassanid armies and was now on the doorsteps of Ctesiphon. Allah be praised before long the cause of Islam would be spread all throughout the Sassanid Empire. However before that dream could be fulfilled he had to swat this Persian army blocking the way to Ctesiphon.
Attacking in late morning the lighter armed, but more numerical, Arab cavalry crashed into the Persian line. Immediately the cries of dying men are heard all along the line as the two sides’ rage in a bloody fury to kill one another. Scimitar slashed and Persian spear struck, as the melee stormed across the plains before Ctesiphon. For hours the two sides hacked into each other. In early afternoon the Arabs were forced to back off and regroup. Shapur knew they were just reorganizing to attack again so he re ordered his lines and made sure his men had water and the wounded tended to. Among the wounded was the Duke of El Burz who had taken a scimitar blow to his left side. He was expected to recover. During this pause it began to rain. the skies darkening as storm clouds moved in.
Siavash, the Primate of the Zoroastrian church, moved amongst the Sassanid troops encouraging them that the Storm was a sign of wars in the heavens and that their God would hurl back this desert God named Allah.
By Mid afternoon the Arabs were again lined up for battle and struck the Sassanid line once more. Again intense fighting developed and the two sides continued to bloody each other. As the sky continued to darken, and men died their blood mixing with the rain, the Arabs seemed to get the upper hand as Gamel broke through the Sassanid flank. Prince Yazdgerd led a group of Heavy Elite Cavalry to halt the break through. The heavy horse smashed into the light cavalry of the Arabs scattering them and stopping the breakthrough. Prince Yazdegard was leading from the front and was struck in the face by a scimitar. The cheekpiece of his helmet saved his life, however a flood of blood poured from his face the bone was broken and several teeth shattered, he toppled from his horse unconscious but alive. The Heavy elite forces forced the Arabs back farther and the Persian troops were able to get their wounded Prince back to safety.
The sun was going down but in the battle continued to rage in the thunderstorm as darkness came. For hours into the night the battle raged the sound of blades ringing in the darkness, lightening flashing occasionally to lighten the darkness. Eventually the confused night fighting broke up into small battles or skirmishes because neither side could keep their troops formed up into a line in the confusing night melee.
Siavash said prayers to Ahura-Mazda; he was on a small rise to the rear of the battle. He could hear the fighting all around him in the darkness. As he prayed the rain began to stop and soon after the fighting began to taper off and within an hour it was quiet on the battlefield. As the sun began to rise, after the all night battle, Siavash ran down the hill nervous and excited to see who had triumphed. Half way down the hill he was met by the young Emperor, Shapur IV being only 19years old, the weary and blood soaked Shapur just smiled as he saw the Patriarch running down the hill to stop in front of him. “We have been victorious” grinned Shapur. Prince Hystaps, Shapurs uncle, came walking up “we have suffered heavily, but we have driven the curs off” As the morning sun spread light over the battlefield the horror was revealed. Blood mixed with the pools of water all across the rain soaked battlefield. 10’s of thousands of corpses littered the field, broken men and animals everywhere.
The Arab invaders regrouped their shattered army, still quit a large
army, and moved back south into their lands that they had already pacified.
Abu Bekr settled his tribal clans in Abadon and declared himself Shah.
They militarily converted the 3 regions they had conquered.
THE KINGDOM OF KARA-KHITAI
Osman Khan
Diplomacy: Kashmir (fa) Bokhara (f) Singanakh (nt)
Osman Khan continued his quiet diplomatic efforts with the neighboring regions.
He also over saw the day to day affairs of state. His Queen had a son
in 522AD and a daughter in 524 AD.
ZOROASTRIAN CHURCH
Siavash
Diplomacy: none
The Zoroastrian church sends out missionaries to the steppe peoples of the caucus regions, having some moderate success.
In Arabia large numbers of missionaries and 3 of the leaders of the
church, Vishnur, Kronuk, and Hamdar, are all martyred in Arabia by the
Muslims.
THE KINGDOM OF ADEN
King Abdullah
Diplomacy: Madina (f)
In Aden Abdullah, the king, wisely converts to Sunni Islam . His talks with the priests in Mecca were helpful. He had attempted to keep the word of his converting from spreading but with merchants coming to trade the word soon got out. Many of the Christian nations were shocked when the Orthodox Adenese converted so easily.
Time will tell how Aden fits into Allah’s plan.
THE SHAHDOM OF ABADON
Shah Abu Bekr
Diplomacy: none
OPEN FOR PLAYER
THE EMIRATE OF OMAN
Omar, Emir of Oman
Diplomacy: none
OPEN FOR PLAYER
THE EMIRATE OF SYRIA
Seluji, Emir of Syria
Diplomacy: none
OPEN FOR PLAYER
EASTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries:
17i, 19c, 22lc, 3w, 3t
THE EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE
Ioustinos, Vasilevs, Avghoustos, kai Avtrokrator Romaion
Diplomacy: Psidia (nt) Aleppo (f) Carhae (t) Phrygia (f)
Augustus Ioustinos was frantically giving orders to scribes. The new military fortifications in the Balkans were under construction and the army assembled. The emperor had received reports of the Islamic invasions and was moving the 38,000 strong Imperial army in Constantinople east in case the Invaders should continue North into his lands.
Meanwhile Alexandros, Caesar (heir) remained in Constantinople to over see the day to day affairs of the Empire. He made a brief visit to Psidia, where he married a princess from that regions royal house, then immediately went back to Constantinople to continue his bureaucratic duties. The Imperial couple has a daughter in 523AD.
Wholesale reorganization of the Empire began, as the effects of the Civil war were fresh in everyone’s mind. Local autonomy was granted to several regions, and troops were shuffled around and field forts built. Also 2 massive Fortresses were built in Thrace and Aleppo. The Empire was forced to mass conscript in order to meet its manpower needs.
All in all these are very uncertain times within the Empire. With such
worries many people began to return to the church. Their faith increasing
in these times of troubles.
THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE
King Agoruvix, the Shield of Christ
Diplomacy: none
King Agoruvix send Lord Pilotus to Jerusalem to meet with the Dux of Levant. He takes along Anoreva, daughter of King Agoruvix. She marries the Dux and Pilotus returns to Egypt after some negotiations.
In Alexandria Prince Aetius spends his time conducting a census. While doing this his staff was out interviewing women from the local nobility to find a suitable wife for the young heir. After the census is complete Aetius reviews the women his staff has recommended and then marries.
In the fall of 521 AD Arab horseman, 80,000 strong, over run Hijaz and Jordan and in November storm into Levant. The Dux of Levant, who had earlier in the year become a Prince of the Realm by marrying the Kings daughter, marches his forces out to meet the invaders. 13,000 Legionnaires should be able to crush these desert vagabonds thought the Dux.
A bloody, but short, battle followed and the Egyptian legions were overwhelmed and annihilated. Not a man escapes alive, the Dux was killed when an Arabian lance pierced his breastplate and threw him from his horse.
Jerusalem was put under siege and the falling spring, May 522AD, the city surrendered and Fanatical Muslims burst into the city chanting and singing to Allah. The 3rd Holiest City in Islam had been liberated from the Infidels. All Christian churches are closed and converted to Mosques and Levant and Jerusalem are both militarily converted to Islam. The Princess Anoreva was reported to have fled with a group of refugees but hasn’t been heard of since.
Leaving garrisons behind the Arab armies strike north and Annihilate
the Egyptian armies of the Dux of Syria and take Damascus after a 6month
siege, it falling in Jan 524AD. Lebanon falls shortly later and the “Emirate
of Syria” is created as Arab tribesmen settle in Syria. Military conversion
of the conquered lands continues and the planned invasions of Bostra and
Palmyra have to be put on hold.
GREATER ARMENIA
King Vahan, Arkhon Megalis Armenias
Diplomacy: Kuban (c) Khazar (nt) Pontus (t) Alan (c)
King Vahan oversaw the day to day affairs of his nation. Worried about the Islamic nations he readied his warriors to march to Rome’s aid if need be, but didn’t move out just yet. Reports confirming the Arab armies stopped south of the ERE border.
Diplomats were also sent out to various steppe regions. Of interesting
note was the discovery of Zoroastrian priests in far away Khazar.
THE KINGDOM OF BOGUSLAV
Tsar Boguliub
Diplomacy: Chernigov (a)
Confusion reigned in this small Kingdom as the Tsar’s plans were thrown into chaos when the Orthodox Church recalled its scribes and Bishop leaving the countries bureaucracy in turmoil and ineffective.
This chaos over shadowed the joyous birth of 2 children to the Tsar.
A son in 522AD and a daughter in 525AD.
MONOPHYSITE CHURCH
Patriarch Romarius
Diplomacy: none
Romarius remains in Egypt and sends his other priests out on missionary work. He remains behind and tries to convince the people to support the current King in these times of crisis. Reminding the people that it was Gods mercy to give them a Coptic King instead of being ruled by the Orthodox barbarians in Constantinople.
In Kordofan great strides are made in converting the pagans. Sennar also sees some converts.
On Crete however is the greatest change. 70% of the people convert to
the Coptic version of Christianity.
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
Patriarch Milorius
Diplomacy: none
Milorius’s, and most of the priesthood, spent their exhorting the populace of the Roman Empire to turn back to God. “Its is because of your secularized views that God has brought this turmoil upon us! Repent and turn back to God and even now he will show us mercy and save us from the Arab barbarians and restore the whole Empire to us!!! REPENT!!” It works, large numbers come back to the church and the faith overall in the empire rises dramatically.
Some of the Churches northern brethren suffered when hastily the church withdrew its scribes and lower level priests, who had been helping these barbarian kingdoms with their govnt support, back to the Empire to help Rome.
Word came back in 523AD that the Orthodox missionaries had been martyred
for the Cross-by the Muslims. In a similar incident, the priest Normalus
was martyred in Jordan
THE ORDER OF THE THEBAN LEGION
Maurice, Grandmaster of the order
Diplomacy: none
Maurice was in the Holy City of Alexandria admiring the huge complex
that was the home to Patriarch Romarius, the head of the Coptic Church.
He decided to enter the cathedral there for a few moments of silent prayer.
While kneeling in the cathedral he had a vision of the Virgin Saint Mary
and she told Maurice that he has been chosen to become an important part
of the church. He was not to become a priest, though. He was
to start an order of followers whose purpose will be to defend the church
from all that will oppose them. They were to go forth and tell people of
their belief in "The nature of the incarnate word", but unlike their brothers
in the clergy, they were not bound to strictly peaceful means. They
were to take up arms against the enemies of the Coptic Church. Maurice
was given audience with Patriarch Romarius and told him of this vision
that he had. Patriarch Romarius was moved by this as he had a similar
vision recently also. He decided that since the cathedral in Alexandria
is where the divine event happened, that this shall become the home of
the Theban Legion. Maurice was named Grandmaster of the order, and
he was given the full authority of that position. Many men came to
join this order and Grandmaster Maurice chose a few men to lead the order.
The leaders that were chosen were Master Exuperius, the second in command,
Elder Brother Vitalis, leader of the military corps, and Brother Candid,
leader of the diplomatic corps.
EASTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF ETHIOPIA
King Kaleb
Diplomacy: Aswan (nt)
King Kaleb traveled to Aswan for diplomatic talks. He left Prince Solomon behind to conduct a census and to rule.
The Prince did just that until he died suddenly from an unknown cause
in 524AD.
THE KINGDOM OF KUSH
King Amra
Diplomacy: Djibuti {ea} Berebera (t) Buganda (nt) Ankolye (nt)
King Amra goes on a good will tour of the new Kushite lands.
Prince Anwara was busy trying to firm up his nations religious convictions. He preached against the evils of turning to foreign Gods, especially the neighboring monophysite Christianity.
Lord Biko was busy involved with diplomatic talks with various regions, always on the move.
Warlord Harari was on patrol protecting the Kingdom from any invaders.
Not a noteworthy event except that his orders included arresting and Monophysite
priests he came across if they were on Kushite lands.
WESTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF KANEM
King Anabornu
Diplomacy: Garouol (t) Nupe (ea)
The kingdom’s diplomats continued the policy of expansion through talk.
In the Capitol, King Anabornu ruled wisely and justly. His Queen gave
birth to a son in 523 AD and a daughter in 524AD.
AKAN LORDS OF THE GOLD COAST
King Barang
Diplomacy: None
All was quiet in Akan
THE KINGDOM OF AKWAR
Ghana Kunta
Diplomacy: none
All was Quiet in Akwar
KINGDOM OF MOSSI
King Kurr
Diplomacy: Zerma (fa) Burkina (a) Garou (t) Boroga (c)
The Mossi, like their neighbors in Kanem, continued a policy of expansion
through diplomacy. With some success and some set backs.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mercenaries:
5i,5w,5t
ZULU EMPIRE
King Tumba
Diplomacy: Kimbu (f)
The Zulu Empire continues to grow, Kimbu was completely absorbed into the nation. The lands are far more numerous than the small nations govnt can handle under normal situations. Only the tireless Rule of King Tumba keeps the Kingdom held together.
Queen Kalon has a son in 523AD
NORTH AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i,5c,5s,5w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF THE VANDALS
King Octa
Diplomacy: Palermo (f)
King Octa rules. Prince Lammas is sent sailing west and around the coast of Spain and raids Galatia just missing capturing the Dumnonian Prince Magunnus who had recently left to return to Britain.
Lord Caewlin set sail and headed up the eastern seacoast of Italy SEE:THE INVASION OF ITALY
Bishop Gaesurus was ordered to move west for diplomatic talks. But he fell ill and died almost immediately as he set out.
THE ARIAN CHURCH
Patriach Taborus, defender of the true Christ
Diplomacy: none
No news from here.
WESTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries:
12i,7c,7s,6w,5t
THE KINGDOM OF REGET
King Cynfarch Oer
Diplomacy: none
While the port city of Ultrajectum was being built in Holland, King Cynfarch Oer left that land and sailed for Britain to secure his throne and begin his rule.
Young Prince Idno ap Meirchon was ordered to conduct a census of Reget.
Various troop movements occurred and some troops were equipped with new mail coats.
Elidir Lydanwyn, the Heir, was sent to Holland. He oversees the region’s defenses and begins converting the people to Celtic Christianity.
The Queen has a son in 523AD and a daughter in 525AD.
THE KINGDOM OF POWYS
Diplomacy: Anglia (a)
In Anglia Powysian missionaries (aided by their counter parts from the Celtic church) are able to finish the conversion of Anglia to Christianity. God be praised.
Lord Brugyn set sail towards Iona with over 30 warships. He was hoping to have hired some Mercenary vessels but none responded to his offers. As he approached the Isle of Man a Pictish navy on patrol intercepted the attacking Powysians and a bloody naval battle ensued. The Picts had plenty of mercenaries and were able to drive the Powysian navy off with heavy casualties.
In Iona riots broke out and the Pictish Garrison responded. Before the
situation could develop into a full blown uprising the Pictish navy, fresh
from its victory, came into port. The ringleaders of the would be uprising
seeing no help would come from Powys melted into the crowd and order was
restored.
THE KINGDOM OF DUMNONIA
Diplomacy: Galacia (a)
Dumnonia was a land at peace. The conquered Aengle lands were being converted to Catholicism, and every year more and more converts were coming forward.
Prince Magunnus secured an alliance in Galatia and then returned home.
Princess Lupina, eldest daughter of Artorius, died in the winter of 521 AD.
The Queen had a son in 522AD and a daughter in 525AD
THE KINGDOM OF ALBION
King Brude
Diplomacy: none
King Brude waited patiently, his bride had just arrived and soon they would be wed. The Princess Letis, daughter of the late King of Reget, and he would be married at last. In attendance were Prince Penwyr and Arrul, matriarch of Pictland. The royal couple were wed in April 521AD in the Holy City of Scone. The High Priest, Aldair, of the Druidic Christian Church married them. Much celebrating was done.
Lord Fergus was not able to attend the wedding, as he was busy repelling Powysian naval forces threatening Iona.
After the Ceremony Prince Penwyr and his wife Arrul traveled to the highlands. There they helped establish a colony of Angle refugees. The King had offered the Aengles sanctuary after being exiled from the lands conquered by the Celtic nations to the south.
In 522AD Aldair, head of the Druidic Christian Church, had a meeting
with King Brude. Aldair explained to the King that the Churches agents
had captured several different groups of raiders and foreign agents. One
group had come from Powys and they had gotten away, successfully liberating
patriarch Columcille from his exile in the highlands. 2 of the Powysian
agents had been captured however and so had confessed under torture their
mission. It seems it was their intent to make this appear as if the Catholic
Church was responsible for the jailbreak. An event later confirmed when
a group of Catholic agents were indeed captured. It is believed the Celtic
church sent groups into free him as well, but that was never confirmed.
THE DRUIDIC CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Patriarch Aldair
Diplomacy: none
No turn submitted.
CELTIC CHURCH
Patriarch Columcille
Diplomacy: none
The priests of the Celtic Church gave great thanks to God. Their brethren in Powys had liberated Columcille. This joyous news lasted until the following year, 523AD, when poor Columcille passed away at the age of 62.
His brethren gave thanks that atleast he was able to depart this world
in the company of the faithful and not those heretics in Albion.
THE KINGDOM OF ARMORICA
King Riwal
Diplomacy: none
Armorican activities centered on the spreading of the Celtic faith to
the Catholic lands in Gaul. A fair number of converts were won over in
the regions of ponthieu and Poitou.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Pope Symmachus
Diplomacy: none
Catholic activities were again focussed on conversion of the pagan lands to Christianity. However all that was overshadowed by the tradgedy in Italy and the death of Pope Symmachus in Ravenna. SEE: THE INVASION OF ITALY
The new Pope is Hormisdas.
THE KINGDOM OF THE GOTHS
King Alaric
Diplomacy: Old Castille (t)
Things were quiet in Spain, the Visgoths were obviously trying to settle
down and establish themselves after several years of turmoil and migration.
The Queen had 2 children, in 522AD and 524AD.
THE KINGDOM OF THE MEROVINGIANS (was the Franks)`
King Clovis
Diplomacy: Westphalia (t) Franconia (a)
The Kingdom was shaken when in 521AD Namus, King of the Merovengians, abdicated his throne. The officla reason was illness. But rumors were wide spread he was pressured to step down.
Pepin became King and although there was some grumbling and unrest do to the peculiar way he became King, Pepins repuation as an effective and strong leader was enough to prevent any type of rebellion.
Wilhem, Namus’s oldest son became heir. He was married to a princess from Franconia.
Pepin continued the Merovingian policy of christianization in Franconia.
And diplomats were sent to Westphalia and Franconia with good succes as
Franconia, now fully Catholic, became a formal ally.
THE KINGDOM OF BURGUNDY
King Raimon
Diplomacy: none
King Raimon ordered the construction of the port city of Marsielle, in provence, but didnt live to see its completion. He passed away in 523AD
But the most troubling news came from the new colonies in spain. Where
reports reached the capitol that troops of unknown origin, but suspected
to be basque tribesman, had over run the new colony in Catalonia.
THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
King CaenWulf
Diplomacy: Danzig (pt) Kauyavia (nt) Lausatia (nt) Saxony (nt) Polotsk (t) Bialoweza (nt) Poland (fa) Little Poland (nt)
The danes again send out diplomats on a massive campaign. This time with the help of a very active bureaocracy. They succeed in supporting the diplomatic efforts. No rebllions.
Time will tell if they can hold onto this far flung empire.
THE KINGDOM OF ROMAN ITALY
King Ulprus, restorer of the Roman light.
Diplomacy: none
THE INVASION OF ITALY
Theodoric, King of the Goths, was confident. To confident. With news
of the Craots and their allies on the move to the east it would have been
expected that Italy would ahve been on a war footing and its army gathered
in to the capitol in Ravenna. Instead the Ravenna was peaceul and
no extra ordinary activity was noted. In fact the King had even ordered
his heir to bring his new bride with him to the capitol. So it was that
the King, the heir, and all the Royal Children were at the capitol when
disaster struck...
Ruvavak was at teh ehad of the Croat column as it crossed in the region of Verona. The Croat horde had crushed the small opposition in Carinthia and was heading into the homeland of the Goths. Nearly 160,000 Croat, Lombard and slovene warriors marched into the unprepared region.
The defenders withdrew into the fortress of Ravenna. Then watched in horror as veroan was plundered and enslaved. Croat tribes were settled onto the choicest farm lands.
Ruvavak left half his Croat forces under the command of his son Ivankov to passively siege Ravenna. A Vandal Navy had sailed North and had fought a viscious, but decisive, battle in the harbor. This Vandal victory and blockade demoralized the Ravenna defenders. Without the Vandals the Ostrogoths would ahve been able to remain supplied indefinetly. Seeing his vandal allies arrive and satified he ahd left enough forces behind he and the Lombards and Slovenes marched west into Lombardy. The undefended region faced the same fate as Verona enslavem,ent then resetlement by Lombard tribes.
Pushing west still Ruvavak and the slovenes pushed into savoy while the Lombards finished pacifying and colonizing Lombardy. Savoy suffered enslavement and colonization by the slovenes. Ruvavak then led his remaining Croat forces back to Verona just in time to see the death throes of Ravenna and the Ostrogothic Kingdom with it.
Ravenna had a moderate supply of grain, and by the end of winter/begining of spring 522AD it had run out. Pope Symmachus had been trapped in the City when the Croat horde had shown up as well. He dutifully ensured the populace that God would see them through In the dark and cold winter months when hunger began to set in it was the Pope alone who was able to keep the defenders hope alive. It wouldnt last however. Tradgedy soon set in. In early summer King Theodoric, old but still vigorous, took ill and died. Moral dropped and when Pope Symmachus himself took ill the morale of the defenders became dangerously low. The Pope soon died and Ethwulf, who became King with Theodorics death, no longer had the Pope holding up the peoples hopes and faith. Factions began to develop with one group wanting to sue for peace and beg for mercy. Ehtwulf would ahve none of it and ordered any expressing such sentiment arrested. This led to a failed coup attempt that resulted in a mini civil war in the city. The besieging Croats watched in curiosity as smoke began to billow up from the city as fighting broke out. For 5 long days fighting and chaos reigned in Ravenna. In the end the peac party won out and opened the city to the Croats. The croats found the royal family all dead. Ethwulf had been murdered by his own bodyguard.
The regions that had been enslaved were primarily those settled by goths, to the south the italian pennisula was primarily occupied by Romans who had out of necessity allied themselves to the Goths. Those Romans now rose up in revolt. 2 princes of Gothic blood had not been in Ravenna when it fell. Prince Edgert had been in Campania where he ahd taken a Roman bride. He was murdered by patriotic Romans who were eager to be free from Barbarian rule and they hoped to see Rome reborn.
The other Prince, Horsa, had been in the northern part of the Ostrogothis
kingdom. He was able to set up a federation(kingdom) of barbarian groups.
The Kingdom of Bavaria.
THE CROAT TRIBAL FEDERATION
Chief Ruvavak
Diplomacy: none
Ruvavak had new allies it seemed. Both the Orthodox Church and the Eastern Roman Empire had sent intelligence agents to PROTECT Ruvavak from assassination. Though thankful for the offer Ruvavak not trusting the Romans and their Church kept his bodyguards jsut the same.
Through a show of strength amd some fierce talking Ruvavak was able to get his neighbors to his east, the Slovenes, t ally with him.
Now numbering a 160,000 warriors Ruvavak led his alliance into Italy and to their destiny...
SEE: THE INVASION OF ITALY
KINGDOM OF NORWAY
King Knut
Diplomacy: Adger (f) Norway (ea)
In 524 AD King Ragnar made Knut officially his heir. Not to soon either, as within a few short months Ragnar was dead. In Spring 525AD 16 year old Knut takes the Norse throne.
Some minor diplomatic efforts secured Adger fully into the Norse Kingdom.
THE KINGDOM OF THE SVEAR
King Angantyr
Diplomacy: Kopparborg (f) Smolensk (a)
Messangers arrived in Livonia telling Prince Olaf he must return as soon as possible because King AnAgantyr was sick and would soon be dead, it was feared.
Olaf hurried back to Uppsala. Once there the Svear Ting aclaimed him King. No one challenged Olaf’s right to rule. Olafs Queen gives birth to a son “Asgar” in 523AD.
Prince Asmunds wife gave birth to a daughter “Petra” in 522AD, and a
son “Arnhelmr” in 524AD.
.
THE UI NEIL
King Fergus
Diplomacy:
All was quiet in Ireland