Lords of the Earth 27

The Dark ages

Turn 23

THE HISTORY
611-615 AD

TROOP CONVERSIONS
Infantry (200 men = 1 point)
Cavalry (200 men and 200 horse = 1 point)
Siege Engineers (200 men = 1 point)
Warships (2 ships = 1 point)
Transports (2 ships = 1 point)
Field forts (2 forts= 1 point)

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries:

22i, 21c, 5s, 7w, 5t

CROATS - 22i, 11c, 5s
KNIGHTS of the ROSE - 10c, 7w

THE KINGDOM OF BRITANNIA -Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

King Alesius

Diplomacy: none

King Alesius gambled, and nearly lost. Instead of rebuikding his navy he spent most his resources in rebuilding Ipswich. Only the skill of his warriors and the luck of his son and heir saved the fleet in a deadlocked naval battle.

Alesius himself hsd remained in Gaul thinking a new round of warfare would come in that sector.

THE CELTIC CHURCH-Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Patriarch Timothy

Diplomacy:  Tyrsford (ch) Agder (ch)

Father Timothy went north to establish some churches in the lands of his new children. He left Iona with a hefty new garrison of siege engineers. This would prove fortunate when the Danes came calling. (See Denmark)

Other priests of the Church descended on Denmark with ill intent but found the Danes had already bugged out.

THE KINGDOM OF ARMORICA-Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

King Cunemorus

Diplomacy: Anjou (a)

The forces of Armorica remained alert and ready to come to the defense of their Croat neighbors should a new Catholic attack come. They were as shocked as everyone else when word came of the Dano-Merov migration.

In Limousin and Orleans, the Armorican clergy worked hand in hand with the priests of the parent church to win converts. Catholic priests were chased out of Armorica.

In the summer of 613, King Basil died at the age of 84.

THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY- Celtic Christian -Barbarian, Tech Lvl 3

King Jar Knutsson

Diplomacy: none

The Norse army went on the defensive, which was good as it allowed them to drive off the Danish attempt to raid Skaene. Lord Lans outfitted a Fleet to sail south and help his Britannian allies, unfortunately the preperations needed to get the mission underway took longer than expected and so by the time the Norse arrived in the English Channel the Danes had already fought the Britannian navy to a stand still and withdrawn. Lans remained in the English Channel incase the Danes returned, but the did not and he returned home in 615, arriving in Vesthavn, he became ill and died later that year.
 

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Walric

Diplomacy: Shetlands (p then settled to HM)

King Walric looked out at the world. The treachery of the Celts was evident to him. The recent Celtic Church priest found inciting revolution in the capital was understandable. Ever since turning its back on Powys and Reget Walric felt the Celtic Church was in the clutches of Satan. Even now Armorica, Britania, and Norway all go back on the treaties they had signed. The Britannic ink was still wet on the repudated treaty, but such was the word of a Celt thought Walric. He would sooner die than allow the Celts to gain one copper coin from Denmark. So with a heavy heart he gave the order to prepare the loyal Danes to depart their ancestoral homeland.

Running away was not the Danish plan. While the people gathered their belongings, the shipyards were busy. A number of heavy warships were built, and the Danish host set sail. Not away from the Celts, but directly into the storm. The Danish fleet entered the English Channel and waited, looking for the Brittanian fleet. Just when they had about given up (or thought the assassin they sent had indeed killed the British admiral- it didn't) the British fleet made its appearance. Prince Godwin of Britannia was suprised at the size of the Danish fleet, he was outnumbered, almost two to one. Smart and disciplined manuevering on his part allowed the hard pressed Brits to fight the Danes to a stand still. The British retreated into London, the Danes were driven from the English Channel and then on their way north. The British had lost 16 vessels and 3,800 marines. The Danes lost 36 vessels and 3,000 marines.

In the following year the Danes fell upon the Shetlands. The easily conquered lands were colonized by Danish colonist. The Celtic Abbey their was burbed visciously. With a base secure, the Danish fleet entered the Baltic sea. There they helped pick up the remaining Frankish tribes. Then in a vengeful mood the Danes raided Uppsala, they boarded ship with a good haul of loot and gold. The Danes then set upon Skane. Unfortunatley for Walric the Norse King was present and waiting, he sent the Danish raiders off with moderate casualties.

Content to get the Franks safe, they returned to the Shetlands. The franks unloaded and the Danes wintered on the Isles.

The following Spring (613 AD) the Danes sailed west around the highlands to come upon Iona. Walric was upset to realize the intel he had sent ahead to try and subvert the garrison had failed. Still, Iona didnt look THAT formidable. And even though the Danish army had suffered considderably in the naval battle with the British, and aborted raid on Skane, hew was sure a quick assault would carry the city. The Danish attackers were suprised at the large garrison in the city, initially suprised by the sudden attack, the defenders rallied and drove off the Danes with frightful losses. The Danes returned to the Shetlands to prepare for the future.

THE KINGDOM OF THE MEROVINGIANS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Dagobert

Diplomacy: none

King Dagobert saw the hand writing on the wall, with limited manpower and a quickly failing economy, there was but one choice. Do the unexpected. With that in mind he gathered his folk and set out to join the Danes in their desperate war to the north....

THE KINGDOM OF THE CROATS-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Dalvigar

Diplomacy: Stormgard (p)

King Dalvigar was determined to smite the Catholics on the west side of the Rhine. He was suprised upon entering urgundy to see that the land was deserted, the franks having moved out. Shaking his head, uncertain where the Franks had gotten too, he marched south into Lyonnais. Waiting was Prince Claudius who sent a message back that no Croat forces were welcomed in Empire lands. Dalvigar was adament on burning the Catholic Church's holdings so he pressed on ignoring the warning. Claudius responded and attacked the Croat force, it was a lop sided massacre. The Empires 3,400 men were wiped out and Claudius slain. The Croats lost a fraction of the that.

The Croats looted the Catholic Church's holding in Lyonnais then marched back north. Through deserted Burgundy, through Hainut which was like wise deserted. Spies reported Lorraine was empty as well. Oh well, let us see if Stormgard is deserted as well. On arriving in Brabant he was to see that it was not. So a quick assault saw the city in Croat hands with moderate casualties. The Catholic site was looted and Dalvigar paused in Stormgard to try and figure out where the Franks could have gotten too.

THE KINGDOM OF THE ALAMANNI - Roman Catholic- Barbarian, Tech Lvl 2

King Hermann

Diplomacy: Pomern (p)

The Alamanni continued to expand their power along the Baltic   coast. King Hermann marched his 10,000 warriors into Pomern and quickly subdued those wild lands.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-Roman Catholic-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Pope Righteous I, Patriarch of the true faith.

Diplomacy: Provence (ab) Ulaan Baatar (ca)

Anastasius took the name of Righteous I, and he knew his task would be daunting. The Western Empire, with the help of others, had been whitling away at the Church's influence for years. Righteous ordered his priests to restore that influence and increase the zeal of the people for the Church. He had to contend with Coptic priests doing the opposite and so it was a wash.

When the Western Empire converted the holy sites in their lands began to downgrade.

THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE- Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Emperor Theodoric, Restitutor Orbis, Redditor Lucis Aeternae, Defender of the true faith.

Diplomacy: Catalonia, Languedoc, and Provence all revolt. Provence is (p) by the Order of the Theban legion

Great bitterness had grown in the heart of Theodosius toward the Church. Hard feelings went all the way back to his youth when he had come to the throne in the midst of the Catholic Schism. Now, he was determined that before he departed to meet his maker in the next life, he would free his people from the yoke of the corrupt and power mad Catholic Church.

The Order was given to convert with the arrival of forces from the Order of the Theban Legion in Genoa. Some grumblings were heard immedietly, and the Catholic Church did its best to in flame the pro Catholic sentiments. Fortunately for Theodosius the efforts of the Coptic Patriarch off set those of the Pope, and that in conjunction with a show of might and some efforts of the Imerial secret service prevented any wide spread revolts.

In 614 AD Theodosius went to meet his maker at the age of 80 Arcadius his son became Emperor, but ruled only a year and he died at the age of 63.

With the death of Prince Claudius against the Croats (See Croats) only the young man Theodoric (Arcadius's son) was left of age. He took the throne.

THE KINGDOM OF ULANIA -Roman Catholic-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Empress Ariana

Diplomacy: Spoleto (f)

Empress Ariana wasn't sleeping much lately. Her dreams were troubled with images of war and death. She feared a Coptic attack. The Coptic forces did come to Italy, but they remained in Western Empire lands.

Of interest was the arrival of Zoroastrian missionaries in Ulania, they won over a hand full of converts to the Eastern faith.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE BLACK ROSE -Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Athelstan

Diplomacy: none

Athelstan and Ivruhn returned home from Gaul. The unstable times in the Western Empire worried the leaders. Raising new forces and hiring some mercenaries, the order made ready to defend its sites. No attack came on them. The Western Empire converted to the Coptic rites but did not plunder any Catholic or Order holy sites.

THE KINGDOM OF THE LOMBARDS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Wacho

Diplomacy: none

The Lomnards continued to remain aloof of the wars raging in Europe. They remained vigilint and watchful, but no hotile actions were taken by them.

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries:
10i, 10c, 10lc, 5w, 5t

Kristos - 10i, 10c, 10xc

II ROMANO - SASSANID WAR

611AD: In late winter, on the steps of Imperial Palace, stood Emperor Romanos. By his side was Patriarch Tertulium. The Patriarch moved to stand in front of the assembled crowd of nobles, priests, and military leadrs, he cleared his throat then spoke in a loud and clear voice:

The Emperor stood before the Patriarch "I vow that the Empire shall do God's work and smite the demon worshiping spawn in Persia". A great shout went up from the crowd, the call to Holy war had been accepted whole heartedly.

( GM's note: the ERE , Kristos, St George, and Armenia must crusade on turn 24 to capture Ctesiphon. )

Legate Lykes left Constantinople in early March and soon arrived by sea in Cilicia, he took the Roman garrison under his command and started to march them west into Isauria. On the road he was hit with arrows while in his saddle, the Roman scouts gave chase, but the assassins escaped. Lykes was wounded, but not mortally. At year's end the Legion would be in Asia, where they wintered.

Back in Cilicia the forces of the Kristos Pantokrator, bolstered by large numbers of mercenaries, waited for the expected Persian assault across the great wall into the well prepared defenses of the Empire. It was not to be, other than snuffing out a attempted mutiny before it could take hold, the Kristos warriors would not see any action in the coming years, even though death would have free reign elswhere.

Grandmaster Spyros, of the order of St George, was honored to be accompanied by the Imperial heir, Peter, as the combined Imperial and Order fleets put to sea, they searched vigorously for any sign of the enemy. No site of the Persian fleet was seen the entire year.

In far off Ctesiphon, Hormizd IV, at the head of a army 86,000 strong, marched to war. He didn't march west as was expected. He took his men east and then north through Media, Persia, Tabaristan, Shirvan and then into Georgia. In Georgia they were met by another vast army, this one of Khazars. The combined army now was over 175,000 souls. The year was late however, but undaunted, they pressed on and crossed the border into Abasigia.

The war had begun....

As the Allied army marched into Abasigia, in the ever chillier days, dissent begin to break out amongst the Khazars. Prince Baraq, son of the great Khazar Khan Mongka and commander of the Khazar expedition, was called before Hormizd. "Good Prince, what is the reason for the uproar and grumbling in your ranks?" "It is a small matter my Lord, but one that must be dealt with in the Khazar way. Imperial agents have brought lies, and one of my general seeks to take the men home, I shall deal with him" with that Baraq bowed, and left the Pavilion. Outside he drew his sword, said a prayer to Ahura Mazda then went off to see the traitor Ortu.

Ortu was a big man, scarred from many campaigns. He had been trying to persuade the army to return home and had even told them that the true Khan was dead (A prelude to Ortu naming himself Khan no doubt) but now his eyes froze as he saw Baraq walk into the midst of Ortu's own men with a drawn sword. That took immense courage and Ortu could see his men were awed by it. "ORTU, son of a whore and a lame Donkey!! Come meet death for turning against your rightful sovereign, my father, the great Khan!" A low growl erupted from Ortu's throat and he sprang up with speed normally not seen in such large men. His blade sang from its scabbard and was swung in a deadly arc toward Baraq's throat before the on looking warriors even realized what was happening. KLANG, the blade was parried, but not easily and Baraq was forced back a few steps. Ortu's blade was a blur as blow after blow rained onto Baraq. Now Baraq showed his skill as well as he parried each and every blow. The two men's movements were a deadly dance as the stroke and counter stroke went back and forth for several minutes. Ortu was tiring though, and in desperation he over extended a lunge. Baraq side stepped it, took an amazingly fast step forward to move behind Ortu. The Big man tried to regain his balance and turn, but by the time he did Baraq had reversed his blade and it was driven through the belly of Ortu. He shuddered, a look of terror came over his face. With a grunt Baraq twisted the blade and pulled with all his might feeling it rip through the muscle and bowel. Ortu whimpered as the blade was yanked free, his intestines spilling out into his hands. Ortu fell over, alive, but dying.  Baraq marched around the circle of Ortu's followers. The were no longer defiant, the mutiny was ended. "Get on your mounts, we have to go into battle" he spat on the dying Ortu as he watched the army move out. He left Ortu to bleed, weakly trying to stuff his guts back in. It would take him several hours before the release of death finally came.

Imperial scouts soon brought word to Hormizd of the situation in Abasigia. "The Mongols are doing what?" he asked the scout. "They are marching into our lands, or preparing to sire. They are about 20 miles south of us and heading for the passes through the mountains into Urmia." he dismissed the scout, and then called his advisors together. "We have been betrayed, the Mongols have joined with our enemies. They will be slowed trying to get into those passes, especially this late in the year. We must hurry and bring them to battle in Abasigia before they can cross into Urmia." All heads nodded, understanding the need. But many had worried faces, none wanted to fight the Mongol horde.

In the Mongol camp, Jargun Khan was also getting reports "So, the Persian women, and their trained lap dogs from Khazar have moved faster than we thought and are upon us, eh? Well they are soft farmers, let us show them the mettle of the steppe warrior" Orders were given and the Mongol host reversed course. As it began to snow the two armies moved to battle.

The snow had become a small blizzard, visibility was less than half a mile and so the two armies bumped into each other without a lot of preparation. The vanguards for both sides tried desperately to deploy. Unsuccessfully and instead of a battle of ordered lines it developed into a bloody brawl in the snow.

Jargun Khan had been leading his vanguard and the thrill of battle filled his soul as he charged into the ranks of the Persians. Mongol horse hacking and slashing into the lighter scout horse of their enemies. Soon they were facing heavier opponents as Khazar heavy horse came up. Both sides kept feeding fresh men into the meat grinder as soon as they were able. The Allies had 175,000 men, the Mongols 169,000, but half of it was light horse.

Hormizd heard the sound of battle and began funneling his men forward as well, soon he took personal command of the Heavy Elite horse and joined the fray himself. It was nearly impossible to see how the battle went because of the blizzard. Men screamed and died in near blindness. All day long the bizarre melee would go on. Often sides would be separated as they lost site of each other, then the sounds of battle would draw them together as unengaged men moved through the snow toward the sounds of battle.

The fighting was so blind and disordered that few, on either side even knew of it when Jargun khan was killed in late afternoon. As dark came the battle raged on. Into the night the two exhausted sides fought. Eventually the fighting stopped as cold, exhaustion and sheer shock gripped both sides. As dawn came the storm was gone, bodies littered the highlands for miles. It was hard to get a accurate count of the dead since many bodies were covered in snow. The estimates are that the allies lost nearly 80,000 men, the Mongols 75,000. The Mongol Great Khan had died, as had Tilika, the Khan of the allied Shan. On the Zoroastrian side Hormizd was wounded. A great gash in his thigh, he would recover over the winter though. The Persians had lost Ghobad, one of their best generals, as well. The Mongols retreated north into Kuban.

The Persians and Khazars licked their wounds and waited out the winter.

In the south the Farohars were on the move, the Zoroastrian order with over 36,000 men invaded Cappadocia. The rough terrain and mountains meant the conquest took most of the year. It was accomplished with light casualties though.

In far off Parthia, Mithridates was excited, at 65, he didn't have many campaigns ahead of him, and now the time to strike at Rome had come. So the Parthian army marched west, ending the year in Media.

612AD: In the spring the Zoroastrian army marched west into pontus, the Armenian army of 15,000 was bolstered by mercenaries hired by the Kristos Pantokator as well as forts of that order. Even so, the Armenian and order defenses were overwhelmed. The battered Armenian forces, now only 1,800 strong, fell back into Diaphenous. Prince Darius was left with a strong force of 8,800 infantry took up a passive siege. Orders were to Isolate the Armenian capital and wait for the Persian navy to blockade it. Hormizd took the Persian cavalry, anlong with their Khazar allies (now numbering about 85,000 men combined) and began to move into Galatia, he was stopped by winter before he had barely crossed the border.

Legate Lykos continued to move the Roman army along the western parts of Anatolia. In late summer he was ready to cross into Pontus but quickly withdrew when his scouts reported that the region had already fallen and that a huge Zoroastrian army was approaching. He wintered in Galatia, unsure what to do next.

In Cappadocia the Farohars went into defensive mode, less any Imperial counterattack come.

The Parthian army continued its move west through Diyala, Mesopotamia (where Mithridates paused several weeks in prayer at the fire temple) through Ashur, Carhae, Edessa, and finally they started into the wild lands of Vaspurakan as winter came.

In the Mediterranian the Adanese fleet arrived in Tyre, then the combined Persian/ Aden fleet sortied and headed toward the Roman waters. Roman naval forces were on watch for the Persian fleet and the two armadas met near Rhodes in early April. The combined Roman/ Order of St George fleet numbered 248 vessels and 16,000 marines. The Zoroastrian navy was 370 vessels and 10,000 marines. Admiral Volgas, of the Persian navy, came down ill on the eve of battle and it was rumored he had been poisoned. He didnt die, but his illness kept him from leading the battle.

The battle was a slug fest, the massive armadas thundered into one another. Men, ships, and souls were all smashed. The Roman flagship, with Kaisar Peter aboard was sunk, but the Prince was rescued by a near by Roman ship. In the end the Persian spirit was broke and their navy was forced to disengage and move back to Tyre. The Romans lost 100 vessels and 9,800 men, the Zoroastrians lost 156 vessels and 4,000 marines.

The Roman navy remained at sea looking for any further enemy activity.

They didn't have long to wait, only a few short months later a mysterious fleet came into the Aegian and was attempting to raid the coast of the Empire. The Imperial fleet caught the raiders and smashed them into little bits. Only a had full of raiders escaped. No one really knew who they were though, "They sort of look like Picts, sort of, but darker. " observed Daffyd of Powys.

613 AD:  Legate Lykos's days on the earth came to an end when the large Persian force crossed into Galatia and smashed his force of 5,400. Hormizd then had his army begin the invasion of Psidia.

The Parthians finished their invasion of Vaspurakan and were joined by the Farohars.

614 AD:  The conquest of Psidia was finished. Hormizd sent out scouts. No Roman amry was located, their was the Kristos force amidst the fortifications in Cilicia. Also there was a Imperial army in Constantinople that had not crossed over into Anatolia, howver, word from his scouts reported that the ferry points into Thrace and into Constantinople had both been severed. No immediate danger from them then, So with that in mind Hormizd sent raiders into Phrygia and Pamphyla.

The Farohars and Parthians joined their Persian and Khazar allies in Psidia.

615 AD:  All was quiet as both sides take stock and prepare for the next round.

THE EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5

Romanos, Vasilevs, Avghoustos, kai Avtrokrator Romaion

Diplomacy:  Hereclea downgrades to NT

The Empire went to war, Hereclea distanced itself from the Empire upon the death of it's Dux. Romanos recognized the Empress of the Ulani as the Western Empress, a title she did not openly adopt as of yet.

The Empire had also expected a Vandal force to come help in their struggle, but it never materialized.

THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Patriarch Tertulium

Diplomacy: None

The Church did its best to help its flock behind the scenes. Trade was severed with all Zoroastrian nations, as well with the Western Empire.

THE ORDER OF ST GEORGIOS-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Grand Master Spyros

Diplomacy:

WAR!!! And a victory at sea.

KRISTOS PANTOCRATOR-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Grand Master Lykaon

Diplomacy: none

WAR!!!

 

THE KINGDOM OF GREATER ARMENIA-Eastern Orthodox-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Titus

Diplomacy: none

With their homeland occupied, and the capital isolated, many of the Kingdoms realms revolted. These included Cilicia, Lazica, Saksiny, and Taman.

THE KINGDOM OF THE TEUTONS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Hadawulf

Diplomacy: none

Back home from the wars in Gaul, Hadawulf set about rebuilding his forces. To help with the nations continued economic development Prince Herbend was sent off to slave raid with 5,400 troops. They raided the Slavic tribes to the north east, as well as the lands along the Baltic and the Poles.

THE KINGDOM OF THE GOTHS-Arian Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

King Theodoric

Diplomacy: none

The Goths were at peace. They avoided the war that was raging to their south. New Seville was enlarged as well as improvements to the economy made. In the summer of 615 Dameric grew ill and passed away at the age of 51. His son Theodoric became King without challenge.

THE HOLY CALIPHATE OF ISLAM -Sunni Islam-Nomadic, Tech Lvl 3

Caliph Ali Al Mohammed, Arkhon Dacias

Diplomacy: Mecca (mn)

The Caliph enlarged the Church's holdings in Mecca, then it was off to see some new converts won in Carpathia. That region is getting close to being completely Islamic, only a hand full of Infidels left.

DAR AL'HARB EMIRATE OF ALFOLD-Sunni Islam-Nomadic, Tech Lvl 4

Emir Mahir al Matir

Diplomacy: Walachia (t) Slovakia (p- then f) Bochnia (p then f)

The host of Allah came pouring back into friendly lands, and then into Slovakia, the land was looted and enslaved, then settled by Islamic tribes. Bochnia suffered a similar fate. Then the Emir turned his eyes south to Transylvania, it was a harder fight in the mountanous terrain, but the forces of Allah prevailed. The land was looterd but not enslaved.

Tribes also settled in Pechneg, Galich, and Goryn

The heir Hezim, and lord Muayyad were sent off to the far (and I mean far) away lands of Atezuko and polovotsky, they never returned. Rumors did reach the Emirs ears about revolt, supposedly Muayyad killed the heir and made off with his purse to seek his own fortune.

NORTH AFRICA

Mercenaries:
10i, 5c, 5s, 5w, 5t

THE KINGDOM OF EGYPT-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5

Emperor Anubis

Diplomacy:   none

The army of Egypt under Anubis was on alert. The war between the ERE and Persia was a concern, Anubis was taking no chances that it might spill across his borders.

Prince Calleceus was sent with the Egyptian navy to Italy, troops of the Coptic Church and the Order of the Theban legion were unloaded to help with any revolts from the Empire's conversion.

THE MONOPHYSITE CHURCH-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Patriarch Ignatius

Diplomacy: Buluguam (ab) Catanzaro (ch) Soba (ca) Afarsa (ch)

Oh these were busy times for the holymen of the Monophysite Church. With the conversion of the Empire of the West. Then there was the business  of founding the order of St Cyril in western Africa. All in all a very busy few years.

THE ORDER OF THE THEBAN LEGION-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Verena, Grandmaster of the Order.

Diplomacy: none

Brother Antonius and Brother Adventor travelled to Italy and then marched into Provence. There they put down a revolt against the Western Emperor.  

THE KINGDOM OF THE VANDALS-Arian-Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4

King Simon

Diplomacy: none

The Vandals were on alert, as usual, the war in the east had them worried. The Vandal forces stayed at home though.

In Carthage King Simon expanded the city and built a hippodrome. He then instituted chariot races to the great joy of the crowds. It was a big hit in these times of crisis.


THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (arians)-Arian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4

Patriarch Terbiuos

Diplomacy: none

The brothers of the Church went through the land speaking and encouraging the faith of the people. In the southern African lands, brother Grunseth met his death in the cause of Christ, martyred while trying to win converts.

THE ARIAN KNIGHTS OF CARTHAGE-Arian-Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4

Tzaza the Alan, Grandmaster of the Order.

Diplomacy: algeria (oe) Zirid (op) Melilla (oh)

The Grandmaster smiled, the Vandal King was finally going to get the Hippodrome he wanted. Tzaza basically approved, he had seen the races in Constantinople, and felt they were excellent practice for war. However, he was also well read and a learned man. so he took a precaution or two to do what he could to prevent the kind of factional strife that cursed the Rome of the east. The Grandmaster issued a edict which divided all the Knights into companies each of which would defend one of Carthage's walls in the event of an attack. Tzaza made it very clear tjat if any knight wanted to take part in the races, he would do so wearing the colors of the wall to which he had be assigned.

EASTERN AFRICA

Mercenaries:
6i, 4w, 4t

THE EMPIRE OF ETHIOPIA-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

Emperor Samuel

Diplomacy: Gamo-Gofa (nt) Walaga (nt) Shoa (f)

The Empire's holdings in the south continued to grow as diplomats were sent there. In Shoa the city of Tsana was founded. The land continued to grow peacefully. In addition chests of gold were sent west as gifts for the fledgling Shields of St Cyril.

WESTERN AFRICA

Mercenaries:
10i, 5w, 5t

AKAN LORDS OF THE GOLD COAST-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4

The Conversion of Akan to the Coptic faith had been evolving for many decades.  The gateway had been opened for missionaries with the creation of the Kanem/Akan trade corridor. The Holy Word had spread through the merchant class and into everyday life, until the royal family of Akan accepted the word of Jesus. 

To the North in western Kanem young men had been gathering for regular military training while observing the holy vows set down by St. Cyril.  Soon word spread south along the Niger River, into the very heart of Akan, of an organization dedicated to protecting the Coptic Faithful. 

Prince Uzototlait of the Akan Royal family had been a fervent convert and believed it was the duty of all good Copts to spread the word throughout Afrika.  His sister had more pressing plans as queen of the growing kingdom than mass conversion of the kingdom's neighbors.  On his many travels abroad, he came across many young zealots who proclaimed to be defenders of the faith.The Zealot Prince soon realized the scope and breadth of the religious zeal of these men. 

Prince Uzototlait set out along the Niger river, gathering up those whose hearts and minds thirsted for an active role in the religion. In Port Gao, Prince Uzototlait and his men helped defend the city during the night attack by the Vandals. He and his men were named heroes of the city and King Mawuli of Kanem proclaimed him "Defender of the Faith, Shield of Africa". 

After traveling the length of the river in Kanem, he marched back home. The news spread quickly of Uzototlait, and his 'Coptic Defenders'. Villagers gave them a heroes welcome, and Uzototlait added to the his ranks as he went from village to village on his journey back to Akan. 

These Coptic Soldiers arrived in triumph in the heart of the Akan, where a crowd of more than 100,000 welcomed them to the main square. In a speech packed with poetry, Prince Uzototlait called on the government to recognize the his men and himself as "Defenders of the Faith, Shield of Africa", and to dress itself in the colors of the Coptic religion. 

The procession into Buluguam City marked the climax of a two-week trek to raise support for his fledging army. Crowds lined the streets chanting "Uzototlait , Uzototlait " and showered the soldiers riding on zebras with flowers and confetti. 

Akan Queen Tousala welcomed the heroes, saying their arrival was the start of a new Coptic era that would lead to peace and prosperity in Central Africa. 

To cheers from the crowd of "You are not alone", Prince Uzototlait called on the Queen to listen their appeal for a blossoming of Coptic religion and culture. "The hour of the Coptics has come," he said. 

A Fortress was soon founded in Buluguam, and men began to migrate there to hear the holy words spoken by the Zealots, some from the holy cities of the far east: Alexandria and Jerusalem.

When they were not in the chapel of the Fortress they practiced the arts of war, keeping themselves ready to once again protect those of the faith. 

The fledgling order began to hold regular meetings and buy up land along the Niger to set up farms and trading houses. Prince Uzotolait wrote letters to the court in Kanem seeking funds

and to the church asking for guidance, all the while asking his sister for the kingdom's support.  King Mawuli, sent much gold and another letter of thanks for saving the Kanem city of Gao.

Queen Tousala, not to be outdone, matched the funds Kanem sent.  

The order took the name "Shields of St. Cyril", with their leader being known as the High Protector, a reminder of their past heroic deeds and future goals...