The Dark ages
THE HISTORY
616-620 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:
18i, 18c, 5s, 6w, 5t
22i, 21c, 5s - Croats
THE KINGDOM OF BRITANNIA -Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
King Alesius
Diplomacy: none
King Alesius, and the victorius army of Britannia returned home from the wars on the continent. ALesius was expecting possible Danish, and or, Merovingian raids. He was pleasantly suprised that none came.
Poor Prince Godwin was stuck in Glevum bent over his desk rummaging through parchment from the treasury "400 Ducats for what???? Why when I'm King things will...<insert vile muttering here>"
The Britannian fleet, under the command of Prince Arden, sailed west into the Irish sea, there they patrolled for any hostile forces before returning to port.
THE CELTIC CHURCH-Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Patriarch Timothy
Diplomacy: Agder (ab)
The brohters of the Celtic Church descended on Armorica. Once there they helped in the conversion of those lands from the Roman rites. Limousin completely saw the truth, and good progress was made in Orleans.
Missionaries were also active amongst the Norse in the city of Jarnhafn.
THE KINGDOM OF ARMORICA-Celtic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
King Cunemorus
Diplomacy: none
Cunemorus was convinced that God's blessings were upon him, how else could one explain the large numbers of births in his capital of Bourges, the city had nearly doubled in size in recent years.
Duty called, however, so after giving thanks to God he gathered his army unto him in case the need to repel any Catholic agression would come into his lands. A wise, but as it turned out, unnecessary, precaution. The King also ordered the Armorican navy enlarged. This new fleet patrolled in the British Channel looking for Danes, Merovingians, or other enemies. In addition the large Armorican transport fleet helped their Britannian allies move back home.
THE KINGDOM OF GAUL -Heretic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Antonius, King of Gaul
Diplomacy:
OPEN for a player
THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY- Celtic Christian -Barbarian, Tech Lvl 3
King Jar Knutsson
Diplomacy: none
Heavy timbers from the mountains of the North were felled. Heavy timber that was in demand for the expanding fleet of the Norse. Eighteen very large dragon ships were built. This new fleet was loaded with Norse marines and set off to patrol the Freya Bank.
In the south, Prince Halfdan took the other, and larger, Norse fleet out
to patrol the Viking Bank, the fleet was forced to return to port in 617 after Halfdan, in
a drunken stupor, fell over board. He sank to the bottom of the sea like a stone.
THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Walric
Diplomacy: Nameluni (hm)
These were tough times, his people were starving, his warriors had not been paid, and enemies were at his heels. King Walric had some tough choices to make.
When word reached his lords and military commanders that the plan was to sail west for some mythical "new world" well...things didn't go well. Revolts amongst the unpaid troops was rampant, spies from the Dane's Frankish allies helped supress some of the Revolts. Even so, a bloody melee flared up as Lord Frakki, with some warriors loyal to him, took their families, called the King and Insane man possessed of the Devil and fled the harbor. After a fight they made for open sea, eventually they took half of Walrics people and a fair portion of the navy. The Rebel's of Frakki made their way back to Denmark, home at last.
Walric meanwhile took the remnant of his folk and sailed with his
Frankish allies into the great frozen sea.
THE KINGDOM OF THE MEROVINGIANS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Dagobert
Diplomacy: Epinette (f) Ogoki (hm)
Dagobert surveyed the bedraggled remains of his once proud people. By merit of a strong central government, now collapsed, he’d managed 5 years before to summon all his people and flee the slow death he foresaw awaiting them in their ancestral homeland. But the plans he’d drawn with Walric of Denmark had come to ruin, with scarce gold reserves now to support his nation, and no more coming in. The Shetlands were defensible enough, and could have served as a launching base, except for the Iona debacle… but no new troops could be called now.
A century before, the Picts had cast forth into the open ocean, in search of distant havens where they could prosper in peace. Already, Merovingian explorers had returned word of distant islands, which, at the worst, could be settled. Yet… no resurgent Albion had been found there, nor evidence of lost settlements—they had moved onwards! So be it. What a primitive Pict could accomplish, the Merovingian vanguard could do as well. Fleeing the Celtic tyranny, the last battle host would lead a ragtag fleet to a new world. They had little enough to start with, but they were his people, a stubborn and calculating race. They would go to the ends of the earth, but they would not surrender.
Through freezing winds and ice storms, the ragged Frankish, and Danish
fleets made land fall in a wild land. Fearing that their dimoralized folk might rebel, the
King's of the Danes and Franks burned their ships. Now stranded, the people marched west
thorugh the wild lands. Eventually axes began to fell trees, homes were built, and the
people began to settle the lands of Eppinette, and Ogoki. The Danes settled in Nameluni.
THE KINGDOM OF THE CROATS-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Dalvigar
Diplomacy: none
The barbaric Croats would not let a thing like peace exist, where would their sport come from? So taking up their age old practice of slavery, they set out for war. At the head of 11,000 men, most of whom were mercenaries, King Dalvigar marched east. His warhost accompanied the settlers who moved into the rich farming lands in Burgundy and Hanuit. The warhost then crossed the Rhine and struck the lands of Alsace, Franconia, and Swabia. Fire, the sword, and death came to those lands, and after their subjigation came enslavement.
A large column of subdued prisoners were marched west into Paris...
THE KINGDOM OF THE ALAMANNI - Roman Catholic- Barbarian, Tech Lvl 2
King Hermann
Diplomacy:
no orders received
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-Roman Catholic-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Pope Herevald, Patriarch of the true faith.
Diplomacy: none
In Rome, the heir to the see of Peter, Pope Righteous I, sat uneasily on his throne. How could the Romans abandon the Church? The forces of Satan were indeed powerful to have deceived the Holy City itself. Well, he would fight back...
Plans were set in motion and a desperate struggle began...Pope Righteous
I would not live to see wether his plans came to be, he passed away in the summer of 616
AD.
THE WESTERN ROMAN EMPIRE- Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Emperor Theodoric, Restitutor Orbis, Redditor Lucis Aeternae, Defender of the true faith.
Diplomacy: none
Emperor Theodoric felt the storm clouds gathering, something was a foot, but he felt it more than he saw it. He was constantly in consultation with his Imperial spymaster. Who, as was about to be shown, was incompetent in most regards.
There were some pleasant days before the torubles began though. A embassy from far off Ethiopia arrived. Prince Seifu, uncle to the princess Aberesh, lead the Ethiopians. He brought the princess to Rome to wed the Emperor Theodoric. The ceromony sealed Rome's drift into the Coptic world. The newly weds had a few years of bliss before the new Empress passed away in child birth in March of 618. As it turned out this was a bad omen for a year that would get even worse for Theodoric.
On the day of the Empresses funeral, as the crowds of nobility were breaking up, Legate Maximus,commander of the army of Rome, was on his way back to his villa. His entourage was set upon in the winding streets of Rome. Brutal fighting, blurs of blades, cries of men, and then silence. Maximus, and all his bodyguards, lay dead in the street.
Just as news of this was reaching the Emperor, a messanger came running into the Emperors hall, ignoring protocol, and blurted out "The garrison is in revolt, and soldiers of the Pope have been let into the city!!!" It took Theodoric a moment to recover from the shock, he then gathered up his personal retainers and household trooops. This force met what was left of the loyal Roman garrison retreating in disorder through Rome's streets. Behind them smoke billowed from the house to house fighting. Theodoric rallied the garrison, and the combined force deployed. The heavy infantry, and Roman traitors, of the Church outnumbered the Emperor's men, not to mention the heavy foot was better suited to street fighting than were mounted men. Never the less the Imperial forces bled the streets with the blood of the Church's men before being routed themselves.
Theodoric had lost Rome, the city itself was in ruins, 2/3 rds of it was rubble or on fire. The warriors of Mother Church destroyed all evidence of Coptic Influence and declared worship of any Coptic rites would be punishable under military law, the sentence of course would be death.
The remaining Imperial Legions rallied in the countryside around Rome, the eternal city. It was then that Lord Lucius rode into the Emperors camp with news from the north. "My Emperor, I was forced to turn back from my diplomatic mission to Lyonnais, the land of Provence has been siezed by the commander of the Theban Legion, who has broken away from the Theban order and declared himself King".
More cheerful news thought Theodoric as he sent for wine, it was time to
think on his future, yes, wine, lots of wine would help....
THE KINGDOM OF ULANIA -Roman Catholic-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Empress Ariana
Diplomacy: Apulia (f)
The old Empress at 46 years old continued to rule and increase the numbers of the royal family. The effort nearly killed her as she had a miscarriage. Child birth is for the young she thought.
Of interest was the capture of some holy men from the Zoroastian faith,
these men were given the honor of martyrdom as they were executed in a very painful and
grotesque manner.
THE KNIGHTS OF THE BLACK ROSE -Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Athelstan
Diplomacy: none
Athelstan was earning the nickname, the vigilant, his brothers had the orders sites defended. Though he did not take part in the war in Rome, nor did he see the rebellion in Provence coming and so wasnt able to protect the orders lands there that were plundered by the upstart Theban dog.
He did send monks of his own into genoa, and Liguria. They tried to bring the people of the land back to the worhip and blessings of the Catholic faith, with some success.
THE KINGDOM OF THE LOMBARDS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Zucchilon
Diplomacy: none
The lands of the Lombards continued to develop economically. In Galatia a new city, to be called La Caruna, was built. Unfortunatly the harvest was bad as swarms of insects ravaged the work of the farmers.
In 617 true danger came, with in 2 days of one another the King and his heir both died. The King died in his sleep, his heir from a hunting accident. Danger was averted when Prince Zucchilon took the reins of government. The fear of Civil war was enough to silence any thought of dissent.
EASTERN EUROPE
Mercenaries:
12i, 10c, 10lc, 9w, 5t
ERE - 10i, 5w
ROMANO-SASSANID WAR
616AD: In the glorious and Holy city of Constantinople, things were in a uproar. Men where being recruited, often against their will, to go on crusade against the infidel fire worshipers. While this was going on the Imperial fleet sailed to Diaphenous. The Armenians were in dire straits, and needed help desperately. However, since the Empire was having trouble defending itself, it couldn't do much for its allies. What it could do though was evacuate what remained of the Armenian people in their capital. So it was that the city was evacuated. The refugees and troops of Armenia boarded the Roman vessels and took up exile in Constantinople.
In Tyre, Admiral Vologas waited for reinforcements from Ctesiphon, but was able to put to sea by June. He met up with his Egyptian and Adenese allies in August. As the year closed they moved into the Aegean looking for Greeks to kill. They Empire's fleet was still tied up helping the Armenians though.
In Psidia, the great Zoroastrial Coaltion army was breaking up, each to its own tasks now. The Khazars, worried about Mongols went east, spies and scouts were way out on the steppes looking for signs of any Mongol activities. The Sassanid Emperor, Hormizd, moved his large army east into the rugged lands of Vaspurakan, there he waited the rest of the year out for his son Xerxes, and his nephew Ardashir, who would Hormizd intended to proclaim King of Asia in the future, to arrive. The Parthians and Farohars went west and invaded over the mountains into Phrygia. The lightly defended region fell with little difficulty. A farohar garrison was installed.
617AD: In Constantinople the forces of Orthodox Christianity finalized their plans and began to load the 22,000 strong crusader army onto their combined fleets, this took most of April and May. In those same months the Persian fleet and its allies raided Thera, but aborted when it was discovered its walls were larger than anticipated, they then raided Rhodes, the island was plundred heavily, and the Orthodox Cathedral burnt. The order lands of the Kristos Pantokator were also destroyed. The city of Rhodes itself was untouched behind its large walls.
In June the Roman navy was at sea as well, and on June 14th the two forces met. The forces of Orhodoxy were outnumbered, they had 244 vessels to Persia's (and allies) 472. Yet by skillful manuevering the Roman forces were able to negate that disadvantage early in the battle. The Romans also had far more marines on their ships that did the Persians, and the Egyptians had no Marines at all, this was a HUGE advantage for the Roman forces who in the end crumpled the Persian alliances fleet, sinking 186 ships of theirs. The forces of Christianity lost 88 ships.
Admiral Vologas reeling from his latest defeat set out for Tyre to reorganize. As he approached the city he felt something was out of place, what was wrong he wondered. Then a lieutenant pointed it out "Sir, why doesn't the Emperors banner fly over Tyre?" Vologas was sure it was easily explained and so tried to sail into the harbor, only to be greeted by ballista fire from the city. Stunned by the treachery, Vologas sailed south to his allies port of Alexandria.
Following close behind the Persians, the Orthodox fleet entered Tyre's harbor and was welcomed with open arms by the traitors who had taken the city. The crusading army disembarked. Commodus looked at the "crusaders" they were untrained peasant levy. "The real troops must be landing north of here" he said out loud to himself.
To the east, in Vaspurakan, Hormizd was finally on the move again as spring came, he took his host north into Pontus to finish off the Armenians, who ofcourse were no longer there, and so he "conquered" a deserted city. As the cold came he took his troops west into Galatia.
The Parthian/Farohar force crossed into Isauria, there they were in for a suprise, the ERE had been building fortresses (as Vologas made note of in his Aegean tour) in several of their coastal regions. Not a real problem King Mithradates and Grand master Ormazd decided, since they did not intend to siege the city in the region anyway, it would just take a larger garrison force to screen off the fortess. So the larger garrison was organized from the forces of the Farohars, but winter came on before they could move west into Cilicia.
618AD: The residents of Tyre were in a panic, the Christian crusaders were sacking the city, the traitors who had helped take it from within were spared and told they could come live in the Empire of Rome for their service, but their homes were still being destroyed.
From the north, the Egyptian, Persian, and Theban Legion troops based in Aleppo reacted south as spring came. They arrived in Lebanon in time to see the ruins of Tyre in flames. The Christians not only sacked the city, they burnt it, a bold stroke to deny Persia its Med port. The Crusaders were caught in the hills of Lebanon, and being only made up entirely of light inexperienced infantry they were simply ground into pulp by the 40,000+ heavy, mounted, professional troops that they faced. Thus ends the crusade. The 60,000 troops of the Zoroastrian Primate and Farohars in Ctesiphon didn't even need react to the pathetic crusaders.
In Isauria, the Parthian/ Farohar army marches into Cilicia. Waiting was Master Kelion of the Kristos Pantokator with 5,400 troops. Unfortunately for the Zoros, they were manning over 100 field forts of the Eastern Empire. Not to be disuaded, the Parthians and Farohars charged. A bloody carnage was the result. Wave after wave valiantly stormed the Orthodox lines, only to be hurled back. Forts would be reduced, and taken, only to have the defenders take massive casualties along with the prospect of more forts to strom. In the end the Zoros routed. The Farohars left 12,000 (of a original 22,000) dead, the Parthians left another 12,000 dead. The Orthodox lost 2,000 men from the Kristos, but lost over half their forts as well. A bloody day indeed. The Farohars retreated into Isauria, the surviving Parthians went north and then east, back to Parthia.
In northern aanatolia Hormizd and his Persian host invaded Paphlygonia, faced with a city and a fortress, he screened them off, and his men looted the region as winter came.
619-620AD: This year would be pivotable in the campaign. It began with a persian assault on Sinope. In a hard fight, the city was stormed and taken by the Persians. As Hormizd was inspecting the last mopping up efforts of his men, he was thrown from his horse and killed. The royal heir had passed a year and a half ago, and with the war on Hormizd had not gotten around to naming a new one. This was bad news. Within a day of Hormizd's death Prince Darius was found dead. Suspicion flew, and soon the camp was dividing between Xeres and Ardashir. The army was evenly split, and Ardashir told Xerxes he intended to become King of Asia as the Emperor had promised him. Xerxes claimed to be the Emperor now and so told his cousin that he had made no such official proclemation so as a loyal subject he should support him as the true Emperor. Ardashir politely refused. As the two sides each had about half the armies support, Xerxes decided a battle was best to be avoided, better to return to Ctesiphon and secure his throne and base. So he marched off and began the long road home
Ardashir meanwhile declared himself King of Asia,
militarily converted Sinope, Panphlagonia, Galatia, and Pontus in the rest of the year,
and the following.
THE EASTERN ROMAN EMPIRE-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5
Peter, Vasilevs, Avghoustos, kai Avtrokrator Romaion
Diplomacy: none
The Empire had decreed a levy of every abled bodied man of military age to meet the call for crusade. Not to mention excessive taxation that ALMOST ruined the economy..almost. With appropriate pomp and ceremony the Emperor spoke words of honor, courage, faith, and duty to the departing crusaders, but he knew they were doomed. Sacrifices on the altar of God as it were.
In July of 617 Romanos died suddenly in his sleep, the now victorius
Kasiar Peter became Avtokraotor Peter.
THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Patriarch Tertulium
Diplomacy: none
In the offices of Patriarch Tertulium all was not the quiet, peaceful, contemplative place it normally was. On his floor lay the body of man, brutally dead. Dropped there the moment before as the Church's chief of security, and some guards, barged into the Patriarchs office with the body. "What is this?" the stunned holyman said. "This is a man one of our agents was given orders to kill, a enemy spy the orders said as he handed over the documents. "These documents are forged but were given to one of our assassin cells to carry out, they named this man as agent of Persia." said the security chief. Looking confused the primate asked "So what is the problem, was he a enemy agent?" "No your grace, he was a very loyal agent of our own, and that is the problem. As we had suspected we have a mole in our intel services, they are now so bold as to be forging documents and playing havoc re writing our intel orders." The holyman nodded "So be it then, gather some men from the military arm, and the Emperor and Orders have also pledged to help us, and purge this mole."
Soon afterwards agents began to die, or dissapear under mysterious circumstances. A few were given the mock show of a trial. Most just woke up dead.
THE ORDER OF ST GEORGIOS-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Grand Master Spyros
Diplomacy: none
The order threw its efforts into the naval war....
KRISTOS PANTOCRATOR-Eastern Orthodox-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Grand Master Lykaon
Diplomacy: none
VICTORY in Cilicia!!!
THE KINGDOM OF GREATER ARMENIA-Eastern Orthodox-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Titus
Diplomacy:
Whoa, Whoa, WHoa is us, and into Exile in the Empire....
THE KINGDOM OF THE TEUTONS-Roman Catholic-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Hadawulf
Diplomacy: Estonia (nt)
In accordance with Teutonic tradition, Prince Hamis was given the lands of Vologda (now nt) to retire on so that the King's son could be named heir when he came of age. Thus Isbert became crown prince.
The diplomats had been busy as well, concerned about the power vacuum in central europe with the collapse of the Danes, Hadawulf struck and agreement with the muslims of Alfold, and his Goth neighbors. Each would plunder and enslave tribal areas to prevent them becoming problem areas in the future.
Prince Herbend took a Teutonic force of nearly 8,000 light horse and
smashed into Poland and kauyavia. The slavic tribes were beaten down and then thrown into
shackles. In humiliation they were marched east into slavery.
THE KINGDOM OF THE GOTHS-Arian Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Theodoric
Diplomacy: none
In New Seville, King Theodoric dictated orders to scribes. He watched the construction in his capital as he thought on the deal he had made with the Teutons and muslims. Slavery was as natural as breathing for the Goths, so he had nothing to lose, and some needed new labor to gain.
So it was that Prince Osoric and General Vladimir were sent off with 5,600 cavalry to plunder and enslave the unsuspecting folk of Biaoloweza, the slaves were then returned to New Seville. The Goth cavalry then raided the neighbnoring lands of Tver, and Kostrama for slaves.
The King had set aside resources for a Census, but no one was appointed
to actually conduct it so the resources never left the royal treasury.
THE HOLY CALIPHATE OF ISLAM -Sunni Islam-Nomadic, Tech Lvl 3
Caliph Ali Al Mohammed, Arkhon Dacias
Diplomacy: Mecca (ca)
Ali Al Mohammed prayed to Allah non stop, at 81 he doubted he had many days left to seek his God on earth. Yet while he had breath he would seek Allah's guidance for his children. Why had Allah led them to such worthless and poor lands?
Atleast the infidel fore worshippers were being punished in the east Ali mused, he then knelt and said 4 hours of non stop prayer in thanksgiving for the death of the Persian Emperor.
The Imams servants finally saw the last of the infidels in Carpathia convert to the true faith.
DAR AL'HARB EMIRATE OF ALFOLD-Sunni Islam-Nomadic, Tech Lvl 4
Emir Isam al Hezim
Diplomacy: Dalmatia (t)
Emir Mahir took the host of Allah into War, first was the looting and enslavement of Transylvania. The slaves and gold were marched back to Mecca. As the next campaign's plans were being made, Mahir died while in mid dalliance in his harem. His nephew, and heir, Isam, is made Emir. General Mustaffa takes command of the host and moves north to deal with the lands in central europe in accordance with the deal struck with the Teutons and Goths.
The first to feel the wrath of Allah Were the slavs in Littel Poland, sword and enslavement followed the looting of the barbaric region. Next to feel Allah's wrath were the folk of Silesia who suffered the same fate. A long column of chained barbarian slaves marched back to Mecca with the host of Allah.
NORTH AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i, 5c, 5s, 5w, 5t
THE KINGDOM OF EGYPT-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5
Emperor Anubis
Diplomacy: none
Emperor Anubis knew the time had come. It was time to fight the heretic Orthodox bastards. He took command of the large home army that remained in Egypt. Legate Rhoectus took a force of 17,000 cavalry north into Aleppo to help defend against any Orthodox crusaders, which they did.
After the defeat of the Egyptian/Persian/Adenese fleet, the Emperor gave
temporary portage for the Persian fleet in Alexandria.
THE MONOPHYSITE CHURCH-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Patriarch Venedictos
Diplomacy: Buluguam (mn) Catanzaro (ab) Naples (ch) Zouthanos (ch) Uzoi (ch) Caprica (ch) Genoa (ch) Tsana (ch)
Father Ignatius was a tired man, he had spent years in the service of his God and his church. The Coptic faith stretched from the Red Sea to the Atlantic and then north into Western Europe. In his days it has become the dominant Christian sect. God's work was not done he knew, there were still many Pagans in Afrika who needed to hear the good news of the Gospel, and then there was the on going war against his misguided brethren in the Orthodox world.
Those chores would have to be saw to by his successor Venedictos for
Ignatius died in his sleep in March of 620AD.
THE ORDER OF THE THEBAN LEGION-Coptic Christian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Verena, Grandmaster of the Order.
Diplomacy: Tiber (op)
The Theban brethren responded to the Patriarch's call to arms with zeal, 14,000 light cavalry were raised and sent north to join their zoroastrian and Egyptian allies in crushing the Orthodox crusade.
All was not victory though, in Italy there were rumors of Heresy in the
winds. When Grandmaster Verena died the issue came to a head. Masters Adventor and
Antonius were both in Provence. When word came announcing that Adventor was named
Grandmaster by the elder council, Antonius knew he must act. He had fallen in love with
the daughter of the highest noble in the land. She had some unusual religious beleifs that
were considered heresy. He did not care, his love burned for her. He knew he could not
live with out Zeitia. So he murdered Adventor while he slept, then began to make his
claim. With gifts of Gold, and fine words, the warriors of the Legion declared him King.
He married Zeitia and her people swore to the new king as well. A heretic King indeed, the
King of GAUL!
THE KINGDOM OF THE VANDALS-Arian-Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4
King Simon
Diplomacy: none
Carthage continued to be the site of intense chariot races. The
attraction was becoming so popular that merchants would go out of their way to find
clients in Carthage just to see, and bet, on the races. The merchants had the extra
incentive in that the Vandal kingdom was becoming quickly known for its craftsmen,
especially their fine in-laid wood working in furniture, flooring, and ceiling
decoratiions.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (arians)-Arian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Patriarch Terbiuos
Diplomacy: Tunisia (ca)
Terbious was given to interspection these past few years, approaching
his 80th year as he was. It never ceased to amaze him the evils that man kind was capable
when its own lusts led it into sin. Wasn't the near constant war in europe proof of this?
Sigh, oh well, back to praying for the souls of those poor retches.....
THE ARIAN KNIGHTS OF CARTHAGE-Arian-Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4
Tzaza the Alan, Grandmaster of the Order.
Diplomacy:
The knights unintentionally caused a panic in the far west of the Vandal realm when an order army arrived there. Coming down out of the mountain passes between Zirid and morroco, their banners obscured by the dust up from the dry summer soil. The locals took them for raiders. As a result the first militia scouts grew close enough before long to recognize the Knights banner, and the cross of the Arian Church next to it. It took a few days to calm the people as rumors of raiders spread faster than the messeges that all was well, doesnt bad news always seem to fly on the wings of ravens? The commander of the Order force was a bit chagrinned that a Arian population had been left so long without any order pressence that such such a mistake could happen.
EASTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
6i, 4w, 4t
THE EMPIRE OF ETHIOPIA-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
Emperor Zere
Diplomacy: none
The Ethiopians sent a force of 2,000 heavy elite infantry north into Egypt as a token in the defense of their ally as the Coptic world enters the war against the Orthodox curs. Zere, the Emperor's son and heir, who was rather old himself at 53, took a young bride.
No war came to Egypt itself, so with peace the norm, the Ethiopians continued their economic and social reforms. Scribes brought the good news to the Emperor that his missionary effort that had been ordered in Walaga was paying off as fully half the Pagans there were now devout Coptics. With this contentment in his heart Emperor Samuel died and went to meet his God in the summer of 620.
WESTERN AFRICA
Mercenaries:
10i, 5w, 5t
AKAN LORDS OF THE GOLD COAST-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
Tousala, Queen of Akan, Imperates of the Gold Coast
Diplomacy: none
From the tower of her palace, Queen Tousala looked out over her capital. It amazed her how far her realm had come. They were no longer a backward bush people. In deed, the priests of the Coptic Church had been amazed at the level of learning in the land, in fact they had hinted that the library of Akan was the largest in Afrika, maybe even the largest in Europe.
She smiled, Akan would take her place in the world one day as a great power....
THE KINGDOM OF KANEM-Coptic Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Mawuli
Diplomacy: Nupe (f) Aruane Oasis (nt) Bilma Oasis (nt)
Kanem, hot bed of what some call insane philosophers (though most say "uniquely flamboyant" in public) continued to be a land at peace. The western coptic nations were in a era of quiet. Economic developments continued and the King continued to secure basis in the Sahara Oasis.
THE ORDER OF ST CYRIL- Coptic Christian- Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
Uzototlai, High Protector, Captain of St Cyril's Holy Corps, Guardian of the West, and Master of the Great Shield.
Diplomacy: Oyo (oh) Yoruba (oh) Khatptioles (oh) Akan (oh) Akan City (oh) Zouthanos (oh) Kwarafura (oh) Benin (oo) Daza (oh) Kanem (oh)
With the holy zeal one often sees in young orders, the brothers of Cyril spread far and wide establishing the foundations of Cyril in the west Afircan countryside.
MIDDLE EAST
Mercenaries:
16i, 15c, 18xc, 8w, 5t
THE SASSANID EMPIRE-Zoroastrian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5
Xerxes, King of Kings, King of Persia, Media, and Babylonia, Sultan of Kuwait, the Overlord of Syria, and Lebanon, the light of the Aryans, the Holy Arm of Ahura Mazda, the Great King, the Sassanid, Heir to the Achaemenids.
Diplomacy: none
It was time for the big push, loans were taken to boost the military. The future looked
good until the Earthquake in Ctesipohn, the Magi said it was a oman of evil to
come....they were right. Death of the Heir and Emporer, defeat in battle, Ahura save us!
THE ZOROASTRIAN CHURCH-Zoroastrian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Patriarch Aslan
Diplomacy: none
"REJOICE! You faithful of Ahura, REJOICE I say, for in the lands of the cursed Muslims, the Infidels city of Mecca has completely come into the ever lasting blessing of our Lord, so Rejoice!" the priest cried in the streets on the day of feasts. This was the message given to the people, and it was true, the city of Mecca no longer worshiped the false desert god they called Allah. There was darker news though, the astrologers, and wise men predicted a dark day in a week, the 5th of April in the year 619. Dread filled them as that day approached.
On that morning they were waken to violence such as few holymen in Ctesiphon had ever
seen. The very earth was shaking from under them, towers fell, houses crumbled. And most
important of all, the Fire temple of Ahura Mazda was smashed into ruin. As the dust
settled and the last of the after shocks came, the priests fell in prayer, the sun was
swallowed in eclipse. At that hour in Sinope to the far north, it is said that the Emperor
fell.
THE FAROHARS OF AHURA MAZDA-Zoroastrian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5
Grandmaster Mainyu
Diplomacy: none
What we live for, WAR!!!!
THE SULTAN OF ADEN-Zoroastrian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
Sultan Rasheed
Diplomacy: Socotra (nt) Socotra city (t)
Its good to have generous allies, Rasheed thought. The Persian Emperor had been a good ally, helping to crush rebllions, kill muslims, and now he was ceding them the strategic Island of Socotra.
It was the least Rasheed could do to continue to aid his friends in their war in the north.
CENTRAL ASIA
Mercenaries:
5c, 5lc
THE KHANATE OF KARA-KHITAI-Zoroastrian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Mongka Khan, Emperor of the Khazars
Diplomacy: Parapavura (f)
Mongka was no ones fool. He knew the Mongols could still be dangerous, so he had his realms spies and scouts fan out into the steps to keep prince Baraq informed where the horde was. Ahhh, it appears the Mongols are back into the deep steppe. No doubt to recruit more devils into their ranks.
Prince Baraq's army returned to Samarkhand and received a great welcome as victors.
THE PARTHIAN EMPIRE-Zoroastrian-Civilized, Tech Lvl 5
Emperor Mithridates
Diplomacy: Kophat Dagh (nt) Merv was transsfered but revolted
The Emperor moved into Kandahar's gates late in 620. He was bone weary. War is a
game for the young, not old men. What was he now, 75? My how the years fly by he thought.
He was pleased the Persians had turned over Kophat Dagh, and Merv. Less pleased that those
damn Mervites and rebelled. He would have to do something about that, after he had his nap
maybe...
THE MONGOL HORDE- Asiatic Pagan- Nomadic, Tech Lvl 2
Margun Khan
Diplomacy: Bulgars (a) Cumans (f)
Margun saw the folly of his fathers ways, so back into the steppes he took his people. East they went until they came upon the Bulgars, the Bulgars were a warlike people and so respected a Great Khan who talked of loot and plunder. Margun was able to recruit a force of 40,000 warriors from them.
With his ranks growing again, Margun turns back west, this time taking his men north of the Black sea. There they moved through the lands of Altezeko which were inhabited by cuman tribes. The Cuman were angry with all the raiding and slaving going on from the Goths and Teutons so they agreed to swear allegiance and were quickly absorbed into the Mongol people. Another 28,000 warriors for Margun. His folk continue west and end the year in the Muslim lands of Bochnia.
INDIA
Mercenaries:
9i, 7c, 5s, 5w, 5t
THE GUPTA EMPIRE-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Khali, Emperor of the Gupta
Diplomacy: none
So it was that in March of 616 Emperor Hettu breathed his last and departed this world. As is the destiny of great and wealthy nations, that when a monarch dies, there is battle in the wills of the realms nobility to see who will throw the dice of fate and try and take the jewel of power. His son Khali was immediately recognized as the new Emperor, but in the halls of power men were moving, conspiracies developing, and hushed words spoken. Emissaries from unknown nobility began visiting with regularity in the camps of the legions surrounding the capital of Bihar.
The Emperor Khali was not greatly loved, he was arrogant and he tended to rub his nobles the wrong way. His brother Hattu was more liked, and so he tempted fate and rose in revolt, nearly 40% of the Legions joined with Hattu. Only 25% sided with Khali. Both sides desperately sought to win over the remaining 35% of the army, but were rebuffed by Lord Ebhorta who had taken control of the neutral forces.
As the weather began to grow hot, the two brothers began to war with eachother. Skirmishes, then small battles raged. Neither side wanted to commit to a open battle with Ebhorta's forces at hand, and uncommited. Ebhorta was no fool, which he thought the two royal brothers certainly were, so he took his loyal legions and in the dead of night marched them from the Imperial provence.
Hattu took this as a sign and launched a major attack on Khali's forces. Intense fighting near the capital saw Hattu's forces, though larger, defeated and forced to retreat. Hattu may be charismatic, but he is a poor general.
In Bihar, Khali sighed with relief, he had barely held the capital. Could he hold it again if Ebhorta returned? That was not a question he wanted to ask himself. As it was word began to arrive of revolt in the out provences. Ava, Burma, Gtsang, Khadernu, Tz'uk'an and Kadaram declared their independance. In the west, along the sea, in the rich trading ports, Hattu found followers. To his banner flocked Edrosia, with it rich port of Mansura, Gujerat, the city of Melindara, Sind, and Sukker as well. Not alot of population in those western lands, but the upstart Hattu holds most of the rich trading facilities of India.
In the north west Ebhorta was busy winning support as well, he proclaimed himself Emperor of Udyana. He won the loyalty of Chitor, Punjab, Rajput, Sahis, Tarain, Und, Uttar Pradesh (from where he set up his capital), and Vatsa.
Khali retained the eastern lands, these had the largest population, and so even though they lacked the trade to the west they form a large powerful block from which the new Emperor of the Gupta may attempt to unite his realm.
THE EMPIRE OF EDROSIA-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Hattu, Emperor of Edrosia
Diplomacy:
*** OPEN for play ***
THE UDYANA EMPIRE-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Ebhorta, Emperor of the Udyana
Diplomacy:
THE KINGDOM OF ASAMAKA-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
King Mocca
Diplomacy: Chera ( p then fa)
In Afrika, the Somali were releived of their military duties (downgraded from fa to nt) Prince Nava was also recalled from his campaigns in Afrika, boarding transports at Arami, he brought his army home. They were then told to march into Chera, remove the last of the Cheran's independance (pt to p). Which they did, with little trouble.
The slaves brought back from Afrika were sent to work on the new stretch of royal road that extended from Karnata to Kakatiya. Non slave labor was poured into the building of two new cities. One in Chera, named Bahudana. The other in Sri Lanka, called Bindu.
THE TEMPLE OF KALI-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Inari Jubei
Diplomacy: Jaunpur (ab) Maghada (ab) Paalas (ab) Tamarilipti (ab) Uttar Pradesh (mn)
The sleepy Brahman of Kali went to work expanding the holy sites of Hinduism to help
with the demands of the ever growing Hindu population. Prayers were said for the
Gupta. Bad Karma that. Perhaps Kali's blessings would soon return to the north.
THE SWORD OF SHIVA-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Grandmaster Surijarva
Diplomacy: Seylon (op) Palanarva (op) Anhivarta (op) Kayal (op) Surashtra (oo) SOmantha (oo) Gujerat (oo) Chitor (oh) Uttar Pradesh (oh) Thanesar (oh) Pawar (oo) Kakitaya (op)
Endless work, endless walking, these were the thoughts Lamizan. This son of the royal house of Java wasn't used to such hard work. Yet the Grandmaster of the order demanded such sacrifice from its brethren. They must set the example for the lower members of the order, and for the Hindu faithful as a whole. So, with a somewhat stoic fatalism, Lamizan continued his long journey crisscrossing India to help establish the Order's power.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Mercenaries:
10i, 5c, 5w, 5t
Champa- 5c,10i
THE KINGDOM OF CHAMPA-Hindu-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Ru Vi Mingou
Diplomacy: korat (nt) kayah (t)
Ru Vi Mingou, Lord and King of Champa for more years than the majority of his people had even been alive, watched in pride as his two youngest sons headed west to the distant lands of India to join the ranks of the Sword of Shiva. One of his sons would arrive safe, the other would die of a illness on the way.
The venerable King was also pleased by the site of thousands of colonist heading north to colonize the lands of ANnam, Dai Viet, Mison, and Lam Pung. The old King did not have many such happy days left though, as he passed away in the spring of 617 at the unheard of age of 90.
Phu Vishnu was charged with gathering a mercenary host and then marching on Nam Pung. The lord, and by default the people, of that land were ordered to receive punishment for not fullfilling their rightful duties to the crown of Champa. The land was pacified, then enslaved to clear the way for future colonization by loyal Champans.
THE KINGDOM OF PEGU-Hindu-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Srijivada, King of Pegu
Diplomacy: Johor (ea) Kakhon (ne) Perak downgrades to (nt)
The King of Pegu continued to try and strengthen his southern holdings. Missionaries were sent once again to convert the buddhist in Nakhon. At the same time diplomats visisted neighboring regions with various degrees of success.
PACIFICA
Mercenaries:
5i, 5w, 5t
THE SRIVIJAYAN EMPIRE-Hindu-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 3
King Temazeja
Diplomacy: Taiwan (t) P'ingtung (t)
The use of slavery shall henceforward be banned was the decree issued by King Temazeja. It was a barbaric custom that was long over due to end. The times called for a more open form of commerce if Java was to dominate the trade of the southern seas, as their king hoped they would one day.
CHINA AND JAPAN
Mercenaries:
26i, 9c, 8w, 5t, 8s
Hsuing'Nu - 26i, 2c, 8w, 5t, 8s
THE WAR OF DRAGONS
616 AD: The setting sun over Pienching cast the walls of the Shaolin's fortress in a glowing red light. Lau Po, was deep in meditation. Buddha demanded a heavy burden of the Shaolin grandmaster. He hated making war on fellow buddhist, but sometimes a tree must be pruned so the whole may be saved. Deep meditation didn't stop Lau Po from sensing the change in the rooms atmosphere. He spun and rolled from his kneeling position just as the spear flew past his head. springing into a fighting crouch he faced the three assassins who entered the room. He side stepped the rush of the first one and brought him down with a straight arm to the neck. The assassin went limp and made wet choking sounds as blood gargled deep in his throat as his eyes glazed over. Lau Po felt a sledge hammer hit the side of his head, he never even saw the spinning kick that knocked him senseless. He swung out in dazed futility. The two remaining assassins easily side stepped the wild attacks and struck. Quick masterfuful blows ended Lau Po. The assassins were long gone before the guards found their dead grandmaster.
With the death of Zhi Xin, from a winter cold, a short while ago, the order forces were prepared and taken over by Han Sung.
In the countryside before Pienching assassins were at work as well. Chu Won Su was more fortunate than his Shaolin enemy however, he only received a slight wound from the failed assassin. "It won't be long now father, the Shaolin will know their assassins failed, and with the death of Lau Po they will want revenge" said prince Chu Xi. "Go now my son, lead our armies well" the King said as his shoulder was bandaged.
The Honanese army was smaller than the Shaolin, but Honan still had dozens of field forts to anchor their defense. Chu Xi watched the as Pienchings gates opened and the Shaolin host poured out. He had to admit he was impressed.
Han-Sung tucked on his helmet as his men filed past him out onto Honan's plains. He had 12,000 Heavy elite cavalry, and almost 20,000 infantry and siege troops to crack the last Honanese resistance. Honan had about a equal number of Heavy horse, but it wasn't elite like the Shaolin horse.
The Honanese Cavalry had no intention of facing the Shaolin on thier own, and so fell back to form up in the low ground between the ourlying field forts. Han-Sung had no choice but to assault that strong position, his hope was that he could drive off the Honanese horse so his men could storm the forts unmolested.
The ground shook as the large cavalry forces crashed into one another. Blades whiled and crashed into men, and shields. In the chaos of close melee it was easy for men who were unhorsed to be trampled to death. As the cavalry battle developed, the Shaolin infantry and siege troops stormed the nearest forts, some easily fell. Other forts fired into the flanks of the Shaolin horse putting them at a great disadvantage. In a bloody struggle, the Honanese eventually forced the Shaolin back. In near exhaustion the Shaolin retreated back into Pienching in late afternoon. The Shaolin Cavaly did its best to screen the retreating infantry, but several units were cut off and butchered by the pursuing Honanese. On the field the Shaolin left 23,000 dead, mostly infantry and siege engineers. The death toll for Honan was 4,400, but a 1/4 of thier forts were in flame as well.
In the east the Hsuing'nu were on the march. A large group conisting of Hsuing'nu cavalry, and mercenary infantry and siege units, crossed into Lu'an. They marched south through Yen and then plunged across the border into Shangtung.They seemed to be hoping the land would welcome them and some diplomatic efforts, weird barbarian steppe logic no doubt. As it was the region was pacified with little trouble. The city of Tiatmen was surrounded and the mercenaries began to dig siege lines as winter came on..
A seperate column of Hsuing'nu troops, allied men from Parhae, who had been in Honan at the Buddhist Primates request (strange since the Hsuing,nu are pagan) left Honan as soon as hostiliteis began. Under the cover of the Shaolin-Honan fighting, Kuchlag, the Parhae khan took his men throughAnhui, Taiping, and across the border into Chekiang. Reports are somewhat vague at this point, but it seems a revolt of some kind occured when Kuchlag died from unkown causes. The Parhae folk were not heard from again. The Parhae were not happy that the great Khan had sent them so far south on an obvious suicide mission, so the widows and orphans of the warriors badgered the Parhae elders and they were forced to distance themselves from the great khan, though they did let it be known tribute would still be paid.
Up from the south came the Hu army under Hu Gwei. Emperor of the Hu. He was coming north to smash his enemines, and now he had a personal reason with the recent assassination of his father. The Honese had privided guides and this sped the Emperors march north and into Shentung. About the time the Hu crossed the Shentung border into Shensi they ran smack into the Black Dragon army moving to cross the border into Shentung. So only a few miles inside the Shensi border the two forces lined themselves up for battle. The Dragon had a huge cavalry army, almost all heavy, and no infantry or light troops at all. The Hu outnumbered the Dragon over 2-1 but had a mixed force. The majority of their army was also infantry. So weight was with the Dragon, but manueverability and flexibility (combined arms) were with the Hu. The Hu Emperor was a young man, at only 25, but had impressed his realms generals with his tactical skills to such a degree that he was constantly urged to write a book on the art of war. Hu Gwei let the massed Dragon heavy horse barrel into the ranks of his infantry. A bloody swath they cut through the foot. Hundreds, and hundreds perished before the armored horse. The Hu cavalry attacked the flanks of the Dragon force. Their attack had some success, but the sheet violent power of the Dragon horse prevented any kind of break through. More than once Hu Gwei was forced to enter the fray and rally his near breaking infantry. The poor foot were being simply ground up. The Dragon were near breaking several times themselves, and while the monk Sun was not the brilliant general that the Hu Emperor was, he was no slouch in his own right. Eventually it was darkness and exhaustion that seperated the armies. In the dusk the Dragon took the opportunity and their battered army retired west into Kansu. They left over four and a half thousand of their comrades on Shensi's fields. The Hu lost 8 times as many, true they were mostly peasant footmen, but still, a staggering number for 'victors'
A second Hu army was on the march during this period as well. This force of light cavalry burnt the Shaolin temple in Hunan. The small, and I mean small, Shaolin infanty force ran or were butchered where they stood. The force then moved south and put the torch to the Shaolin sites in Nanling, and Lingtung. The force then turned north as winter came and camped in Kienchou.
617AD: In Shangtung, the Hsuing'nu siege of Tiatmen lasted a few months, and saw moderate but acceptable casualties. Some of the Hsuing'nu were tempted to sack the city, but discipline of the Khan held and a garrison was installed. The nomad army then plunged into Tsainan where they again confused the locals by expecting them to listen to diplomacy. In the end the region was smashed into subservience over the reamining months of the campaigning season.
In Shensi, Emperor Hu Gwei weighed the situation, his force was significantly smaller than was expected. Infantry just don't stand up well against heavy cavalry. He decided he would need more cavalry, especially heavy cavalry, so he remained in place and did not press any further attacks against the Black Dragon.
The second Hu army, under the monk Kang Miao, continued north through Hunan, Hupei, funui, Tangchou, Shentung, and into Shensi to meet up with the Emperor as winter came. The Shaolin sites in Funiu, Tangchou, and Shentung all were looted and torched. The Shaolin lands were being ravaged while their main army was stuck in Pienching.
618AD: The city of Morrischan held out longer than did Tiatmen, the furious Hsuing'nu had to spend most the year hurling mercenary foot and siege troops into breaches as the siege engines opened them. It was a tedious business that cost many lives. Finally in the cooling days of autumn the city capitulated. In their fury the Hsuing'nu sacked the city. It was brutal, nasty, and NOT short. A truly barbaric day.
The Monk Kang Miao took his light cavalry force north into Huang, and although he had no intention of pacifying the land he had to brush aside the regions militia before he could loot and torch the Shaolin site their. It cost him to many men in his mind. Yet, he pressed on into Shan'si, there the regions militia had had some warning and so met the raiders as they came out of the mountains. A sharp nasty melee saw a large number of Hu troops fall. The militia was still driven off and the Shaolin site looted and torched. His force had been halfed, and things appeared to be getting tougher the deeper this raid went behind enemy lines so he knew to cut his losses and take his loot back to Shensi to rest with the Emperor and plan for the future.
619AD: The Hsuing'nu raid into Kiangsu, and then turn toward Honan. There the Honan King still has a good force in being and drove the raiders out.
620AD: The dead are mourned and all sides prepare for the future.
THE IMPERIAL REALM OF HONAN-Mahayana Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Chu Won Su
Diplomacy: Kiangsu (a)
Oh these are trying times, but a new ally in Kiangsu, and now some help from the Hu to the south atleast make things in Honan seem less than totally hopeless. He is just mostly hopeless.
THE LU KINGDOM OF KOREA-Mahayana Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Lu Shan
Diplomacy:silla (ea)
The Chinese dynasty that rules Korea awakens from its slumber after many years. Perhaps its the war in China, who knows. In any event they are stirred to action. Many laborers, and retiring soldiers were given land in Anshan, all they had to do was help clear the land for their future farm. A little hard work never killed anyone after all. Well almost no one anyway.
In Koguryo a gold vein was discovered, and quickly a mine built. Kaiching grew in size
from all the new prospectors and merchants.
THE HU EMPIRE -Therevada Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Hu Gwei, True Emperor of the HU
Diplomacy: Sceschwan (a)
In the halls of the Imperial palace in Chang'ling, Emperor Hu Syang was just leaving a council of war where he had decided to enter the war in the north on the side of Honan. He entered the shrine that existed in the south wing of the Palace. Hmmm he thought, fewer monks here than normal. He knelt to meditate as his 2 guards stood watch. From an alcove near the monks quarters a arrow flew, straight and true. With the force of a hammer the arrow pierced the breast of the Emperor. He was dead before his head hit the ground. The guards pursued, only to find the monks robes discarded and the true monks dead in the back room. Damn assassins...
Hu Gwei would seek his revenge in the north.
THE EMPIRE OF THE BLACK DRAGON (Toba Wei)-Mahayana Buddhist-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 3
Wei Tian, Emperor of the Black Dragon.
Diplomacy: none
Arrghhh, the fury of the Emperor could be a dreadful thing. At last the Emperor was going to his bed his chamberlain thought, no more yelling for the night. He then heard a clatter, and a thud, followed by the yell of bodyguards. The Emperor was on the floor "Seal the palace!" barked the caprain of the guard. A surgeon was summoned and the Emperor inspected, he was stone dead. After a brief investigation it was discovered that the wine the king drank each night before bed had been poisoned. This, with the uncertain fate of the heir languishing in a Honanese prison made the future of the realm uncertain. The royal council appointed Wei Ki regent until the almost of age son of the Emperor was a man, or the heir, and now Emperor? was returned.
The regent sent the monk Sun off to war leading the Black Dragon army, the Honanese must pay.
THE MAHAYANA BUDDHIST-Mahayana Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Chow Wu
Diplomacy: none
In the shadows of a Honanese dungeon three men snuck. Peering into a dark cell they froze, where was the prince of the Wei? A sound of drums in the courtyard made the nearest man peer out between the bars into the distant yard. The prince!!!! He was on his knees. A large man with a sword stood behind him. Snick. "Oh shit, his holiness is going to kill us" he muttered. So close, so close. They snuck out of the prison and back to report on the princes execution.
Large shipments of gold were sent to the Shaolin and Hsuing'nu.
THE ORDER OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE-Mahayana Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Tak-Cheng
Diplomacy: none
With almost 12,000 elite Cavalry and 20,000 infantry, Lau Po was confident the Shaolin
would finish the Honanese. Then things went to hell, starting with some unwanted visitors
to his own quarters....
THE THERAVADA BUDDHIST- Therevada Buddhist-Civilized, Tech Lvl 4
Tan Ri
Diplomacy: Chekiang (ch) Lin'an (ch)
His holiness sent gold off to the Hu for the war effort in the north. No direct action was taken against his way ward rival primate in Pienching, but the Shaolin must be made to suffer. So things were arranged to hinder them.
The missionary effort in Hubei also was continued with some success.
THE KHANATE OF THE HSIUNG NU-Asiatic Pagan-Nomadic, Tech Lvl 3
Khan Liao Chien, Imperial Govenor of Liao Provence
Diplomacy: Bao Ding (a)
Ahhh the Khan loved the "civilized" folk of China, there wars were such a constant help in increasing the reach and power of his realm. Now off to gather in the harvest in Honan....
THE TAKEDA SHOGUNATE-Shinto-Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4
Shogun Akira
Diplomacy: P'ingtung (t)
With all the strife in China, the Takeda navy was very watchful of the sea lanes through which its trade moved. A deal was also struck with the Javans. The Shogun was given portage rights, and a right to tribute from the port of P'ingtung on Taiwan.
The adventurous blood of Admiral Hiro called again, and he went off seeking new places. He returned to port months later frustrated and short 4 warships. He was in a foul mood for weeks afterward.
THE KANNAGARA NO MICHI- Shinto- Sea Faring, Tech Lvl 4
Grand Master Tai Sho Hiro
Diplomacy: Awaji (oh) Shikoku (oh) toyuma (oh) Nigata (oh) Wajima (oh) Kanazawa (oh)
The Samurai of the Kannagara No Michi were busy folk. Between there work to expand the reach of their order, and the help and training they provided to the Takeda navy, there was barely any time for other pursuits.
NORTH AMERICA
Mercenaries:
None
THE KINGDOM OF THE FIVE NATIONS - Pelegian Christian -Precolumbian, Tech Lvl 3
King John
Diplomacy: none
In the wilds of Chickasaw, large numbers of laborers were sent by the King amongst the colony. Trees, were cut, and the growth pushed back and cleared. Rich farmland was thus created.
Prince Patoman returns home to fanfare from his mission to the King of Albion.
THE YOKUT FEDERATION-North Amerind-Precolumbian, Tech Lvl 1
Forrest Fire
Diplomacy:
Soaring Eagle died in 617, Forrest Fire became chief
OPEN for play
CENTRAL AMERICA
Mercenaries:
None
THE KINGDOM OF THE AZTEC- Pelegian Christian -Precolumbian, Tech Lvl 2
Tutyetl
Diplomacy: nahuatl (f) Popoluca (f) Culhua (ne)
Expand, expand, expand. The Axtec way. This was the program of the rule of Tutyetl,
but with his death in 617 many wondered if that would be the way of his son Montezuma as
well. Only time would tell.
THE KINGDOM OF ALBION-Pelegian Christian-Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
King Brude, Lord of the Isles, defender of the Pelegian faith.
Diplomacy: none
Many of the lords of Albion, with the help of the King of the Mississippi, preached the Gospel to the heathen in Atakapa. Many souls were won for God in that land. It is a land that has nearly seen the complete conversion of its people to this new way.
Lord Stephen was again sent out to explore and seek new lands. His efforts proved fruitless this time and he returned home sick with a fever, he would recover though.
THE HOLY PELEGIAN CHURCH- Pelegian Christian -Barbarian, Tech Lvl 4
Una, Holy Guardian of the Faith
Diplomacy: Cooinaghtyn (mn)
OPEN for PLAY
SOUTH AMERICA
Mercenaries:
None
THE KINGDOM OF THE HUARI-South Amerind-Precolumbian, Tech Lvl 2
Mexcatl
Diplomacy: Wairajikira (f)
In the land of Moquequa, the natural harbor there was chosen as a site for the new port city of Yubec. Many builders and craftsmen came from the capital to work on the new city, and before long its buildings rose into the sky.
Meanwhile, the King had sent Lord Mayta, and Prince Saqalec off to explore along the seas to the west. New ways did they discover, and also some failures, some ships were lost, and scurvy came to be known by them before they returned to port.