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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 010
(1145 to 1149)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:

 130mi, 73mc, 12ms, 20mw, 5mt

AQRs:
 i4, c5, s4, w4

 

 

Kingdom of Scotland
( Edinburgh in Strathclyde )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Duncan III

Missionaries make some progress on the Isle of Man. 800 Cavalry, 600 Engineers, and ten light warships built for the military. The walls of Castle Haggs are expanded one level. Seven cogs are pressed into Merchant Service. The royal road network is extended through Lothian to the English border of Northumbria. Lorna is married off to Duke William of Aquitaine, forging closer trading ties. King Duncan rules and Reacts from Edinburgh with 4000 men. He appoints his sons to official positions. Logan patrols the Viking Bank with 44 warships. When word of piracy reaches him, he rallies the fleet. Douglas adds his own preaching to the efforts in Man.

 

Kingdom of England
( London in Sussex )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Reginald I

Drought strikes the Kingdom, hurting the agricultural yield for the cycle. The quality of infantry is improved, and more assassins are bankrolled. A royal road is linked with Scotland in Northumbria. A field fort is brought to service in Dyffed. King Reginald rules from London, sending Prince Henry to the Vatican. Queen Anne dies at the age of 53. Prince John keeps an eye out for rebels in Dyffed, but none make any moves. David investigates Sussex. Lot arranges a marriage to Prince John in Northumbria, gaining a Full Alliance from the region. The Feudal Allies React from their regions. Lord Daffyd does not survive the winter of 1148.

 

County of Flanders
( Ghent in Flanders )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Henry I

Count Henry takes 1900 Cavalry to the border, awaiting transfer of Champagne from Swabia-Lorraine. It does not come until the very last moment. Alard founds a church in Holland. Griel patrols the English Channel with 10 light warships.

 

Duchy of Normandy
( Rouen in Normandy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Isaac I

Infrastructure and the effectiveness of assassins both increase. Religious conviction raises as well in the Duchy. Lienster is fully ultivated, another irish region, Connaught, abandons its Tenuous ties. Ulster and Connaught each see three national leader preaching the word of Christ, both groups making progress. Duke Henry perishes while ruling from Rouen. Isaak takes the Duchy without issue. An illness takes Luke in Ireland as well.

 

The Frankish War of Reassertion
(Kingdom of France vs. Duchy of Aquitaine)

King Henri of France recalls his leaders to the capital, where they seek to generate a cause for war against Aquitaine. With the recent victories in the South, many nobles are eager to continue to press into Duke William's lands. "Duke William has abandoned his allegiences to the crown, spat upon the Frankish Alliance, and worse, allowed the Casildan heresy to spread into his lands uncontrolled. His lineage is questionable, tied to the throne only through the machinations of the illegitimate spawn Alienor. She openly embraced the Casildan plague, and I have little doubt her children will follow what she began. Duke William is hereby stripped of his Frankish title and lands, and our armies will move to dethrone William and reassert our claims to Aquitaine." King Henri promises many of his nobles the territories of Aquitaine in exchange for their support in the war. The support is granted and Henri raises 1400 more cavalry for the coming conflict. Poitou is quick to mimick that support as well, and downgrades to a Tenuous relationship with the Duke.

 

Kingdom of France
( Paris in Ile De France )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Henri II

Siege quality is improved. Henri sires a son and Heir. Nivernais abandons its Tenuous ties, becoming a friendly part of the Kingdom (despite Swabian attempts to Cause unrest).

 

Duchy of Burgundy
( Worms in Burgundy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Rudolf I

1200 cavalry conscripted. Rudolph sires three new daughters. Prince Henri and three other leaders smooth diplomatic relations with Languedoc. Henri himself takes a bride from the region. 3200 infantry and 1000 engineer mercenaries are hired in Worms.

 

Duchy of Aquitaine
( Toulouse in Aquitaine )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke William XI

500 Infantry are conscripted in Toulouse. While two light warships and three cogs see service in Bordeaux. Part of the Bureaucracy is dismantled, Raymond d'Monteban retiring to estates outside of Toulouse. Duke William conducts a Census, the reacts from Toulouse and Poiters with just under 4000 men. He perishes at the end of 1149, leaving the Kingdom, and the war, to his son. William the Younger arranges a marriage in Limousin, gaining the region fully into the Duchy. Two diplomats spend the entire cycle arranging a gold payment to nobles in France in an effort to counter the French claims to war. While seeing some succes, there is much to go. Bishop Mathieu addresses other French accusations by preaching in Limousin and reducing the Casildan spread in the region. The long years in the wilderness claim his life in 1148.

 

Kingdom of Aragon
( Zaragoze in Aragon )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Princess Maria, Regent For
King Adolpho I

Missionaries make progress in Navarre. Warship quality plus religious and assassin effectiveness all see improvement. Regent Maria continues to Rule the nation. Edmundo and Ortez remain in Languedoc, the only occurance is the passing of Ortez to old age. Fausto takes command of 21 light warships and supports the Sicilian fleet for the turn.

 

Kingdom of Leon
( Cuidad Leon in Leon )
Casildan Christian, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Saul I

Fourteen field forts spring up across the Kingdom. Sea trade is opened with Swabia-Lorraine and Thuringia. Saul rules from the Capital, siring three children. Lidia already shows signs of great beauty. Velmiro rekindles a friendly relationships with the capital. Sal suxxessfully explores the North Sea with five ships. Diego is unable to increase ties with Salamanca. Francis gaions a full Alliance from Galacia. General Cruz reacts from the homeland with 1000 cavalry.

 

Almoravid Sultanate
( Seville in Andalusia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Abu Fallou, Regent For
Sultan Baqi ibn Ali

Conversions in Murcia continue. Siege quality and assassin effectiveness both improve. Andalusia and Valencia see new fortresses constructed. Mu'ayyad defends Andalusia with 1000 cavalry and 3800 mercenaries. He obliterates a Reconquista raiding party, but it proves to be his last battle. Abbas escorts a Sicilian girl to be wed to the Sultan. The nations abandon their aggressive postures for a military alliance. Abu takes command of 2000 mercernary cavalry and 1900 national cavalry and ferries them into Africa. He is followed by the Feudal Ally of Estramadura. They eventually cross into the Sahara, trekking the desert routes from Adrar to the Ghadames oasis. Embroiled in new conflicts and alliances, Abu retains the regency, his ministers at home blocking Sultan Baqi from taking power. Umar of Talavera, set to defending Granada, begins to make a public issue of the Regent's decision, but is quickly and quietly eliminated and replaced. 1500 mercenary cavalry and infantry are hired in Seville.

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:
 15mi, 8mc, 5ms, 5mw
AQRs:
 i4, c4, s5, w4

 

 

Kingdom of Norway
( Christiana in Norway )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Hrafn Youngblood

The city governor of Farsund develops cool relations with the crown. He goes so far as to declare only Tenuous ties to the King. Siege quality is improved, more assassins are taken on. The region of Trondheim is fully cultivated. Thorssen rules from Christiana, before handing over the government to Hrafn as the young King comes of age. Steingrimr gains a Full Alliance from the Shetland islands. Snorri reacts from Farsund with seventeen warships.

 

Kingdom of Sweden
( Stockholm in Uppsala )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Nilson Knutson

Saarema abandons its Tenuous ties with the construction of Arensburg city. Infantry quality is improved. Colonists in Jamtland settle the region to the bare minimum. Ludis and Olov ease tensions in Saarema. Everyone else reacts from the capital Jerker and Olov both perish at the end of the cycle.

 

Kingdom of Denmark
( Skjern in Denmark )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Karl Sverker

Missionaries convert the pagans of Latvia. The region is also cultivated. Agents strike at the Saxon government, assassin and intelligence capabilites. They are able to wipe out an investment in the latter.
Danish Infantry sees improvement. Two-hundred cavalry are raised for the military. Gold gifted to Sweden and the Popular Crusade. King Karl ferries funds to Latvia, siring a son in the meantime. Crown Prince Erik sires two children of his own. Frederick and Sven defend Denmark with an army of 7500.

 

Duchy of Saxony
( Leipzig in Saxony )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Otto III

Monks found an Abbey in Leipzig. Assassin effectiveness increases. Two cogs are constructed in Rostock. Resources begun for a bridge anchor in Pomerania and a road in Holstein. Duke Otto arranges a marriage for his son and gains a Feudal Alliance with Friesland. His own wife dies of age. Magnus rules from the capital. Hartmut Liudolfing defends Obodria with 1900 men.

 

Duchy of Thuringia
( Wurzburg in Nordgau )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Heinrich I

Intelligence effectiveness is increased. Hanover is expanded, with 600 cavalry and two field forts built. Duke Heinrich sires two more children. He appoints Siegfried to a royal position of Prince. Elias reacts from the Homeland with almost 5000 cavalry. Franz gains an Economic Alliance from Hanover. Gottfried gains an Non-Paying Tributary agreement from Erfurt.

 

Duchy of Bohemia
( Prague in Bohemia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Mikulas, Regent For
Duke Spytihnev III

Brno city sees expandsion. 300 infantry and 300 engineers conscripted. Funds are sent to Swabia-Lorraine and Tuscany in keeping with the Edict. A few resources also see shipment to the Popular Crusade. Vaclav gains a Full Alliance from Kauyavia. Mikulas administers from Prague. The Emperor Rules from the capital, siring three children. He grows suddenly ill in 1149 and passes within the week Mikulas entombs his brother with the Shroud of Turin, loyally taking the role of Regent for his young nephew, ratehr than seizing the crown for himself.

 

Duchy of Bavaria
( Regensburg in Bavaria )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Leonhard I

Duke Leonhard rules from the capital, siring two sons. Prince Zelig continues to react from Slovakia with 3600 men. Three Lieutenants seek negotiations with Transylvania. Kornel of Moldavia perishes during the cycle and is duly replaced.

 

Duchy of Swabia and Lorraine
( Augsberg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Frederick I

Tyrol ia cultivated while a similar project in Lorraine is started. Friesland is granted back to Saxony. A new regional fortress is constructed in Lorraine using Imperial funds. Eleven cogs and 200 cavalry are built in Augsburg. Duke Frederick sires three more children, then appeases Flanders with a gift of the region of Champagne. Wilhelm is unable to gain an agreement from Jenelle city before Champagne is turned over to Flanders. Prince Karl upgrades a few light infantry to elite units. Hermann and Manfred explore the Gates of Hercules and Gades seazones with thirty light warhips, they then perform a quick piracy against the Almoravid city of Dab-al-Roca. They capture loot and 12 ships from from the port city. On the return home, however, 44 Scottish warships engage them in the English Channel. The Scots are anxious to sink the pirates, and over the course of three different engagements manage to batter the German fleet. The Germans limp home with only 3 warships remaining.

 

Margravate of Tuscany
( Pisa in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Margrave Godfrey IV

1500 infantry, three light warships and ten cogs built in Pisa. 100 cavalry raised in Savoy. Superga fortress is built in Savoy using Imperial funds. Tosca and 2000 troops are loaded onto Sicilian ships for potential conflict. Instead, they wind up in Palermo.

 

Serene Republic of Venice
( Venice in Verona )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Doge Adrianno Grazi

Eleven more warships conscripted, along with a new 400 infantry in the capital. Abele Bornese marches 1400 infantry to Lombardy and gifts them to Swabia-Lorraine. Half the men retire and settle in the region. Abele perishes on his return trip to the capital. Consigliori Brasi is set upon and wounded by a group of thugs and dumped in one of the canals of Venice. He survives, managing to crawl ashore, but spends the rest of the cycle recovering from his injuries. The Doge and the ally from Forli sail for Tunis with 111 warships.

 

Duchy of Apulia
( Naples in Campania )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Francois

Twenty five Cogs and 500 cavalry conscripted in Naples. Duke Francois rules, siring four new children. Vincenzo reacts from Naples with over 4000 men.

 

Norman County of Sicily
( Palermo in Sicily )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Robert I

Missionaries make small progress in Catalonia. 1000 Cavalry, 10 Cogs built in Palermo. Marriages and Military Alliances are struck with Tuscany and the Almoravids. Leaders return to the capital, spending their efforts talking war against the Tunisians. Count Robert believes that Tunisia hired the Hashshashins to kill his father and are the more direct threat to the Mediterranean. The continued sabotage by Tunisian agents helps his case, and soon the nation is at war. Lord Manfred takes ill and passes at the end of the cycle, as does Roger's wife Liboria.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:
 24mi, 9mc, 5ms, 5mw
AQRs:
 i4, c5, s4, w4

 

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Boleslaus IV

Nine cogs are built and pressed into merchant service. All foreign trading ships likewise moved to internal routes. The young King takes a bride from Lublin, integrating the rebellious city fully back into the Kingdom. Damien is unable to gain an alliance of any kind with Poznan. Dawid conducts a census of the realm, then dies, exhausted, at the end of the cycle. Andrzej reacts from Little Poland with 2000 men.

 

Feudal Republic of Novgorod
( Novgorod City in Novgorod )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Boyar Arseniy Zoya

Scarlet Fever descends upon Dubno city, quickly reducing it to a ghost town. Back at the capital, infrastructure is improved. 300 Infantry, 200 Cavalry, 5 light warships 6 cogs constructed. The Boyar and his next in line rule and administer from the capital. The lieuteants react from the homeland with just under 7000 men.

 

Principality of Kiev
( Kiev City in Kiev )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grand Prince Borislav

Kiev City, Vitebsk and Saratov all see City Expansions as rural peasants, worried about the Muslim activity to the East, seek the perceived safety of city life. Of course, the new citizens sprawl beyond the walls of each city, leaving them vulnerable. Cavalry quality is improved. The Agean Sea Rutter is inked and traded to Bavaria for the Upper Danube River. Three field forts in are constructed in Chernigov. New Walls in Tchernigov, Saratov, Polotsk City, Odessa and Vitebsk. MSP is shifted around on many foreign routes. The Grand Prince rules and sires two sons. Govorich is unsuccessful in his negotiate Lithuania to a Full Alliance. Pyotr gains an Economic Alliance from Pinsk, then perishes at the end of the cycle. His Byzantine wife dies within the month. Dobrek maps the Volga River. Bohuslav is unable to secure a Feudal Alliance from Goryn. Vasyl reacts from Chernigov with 2500 men. Oleksander gains a Tributary agreement from Turov. The Feudal Allies react from their regions.

 

Kingdom of Hungary
( Budapest in Alfold )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Kolos

Ialomita abandons its Tenuous ties. Four hundred cavalry are built. Six cogs contructed and pressed into merchant service. Kolos rules from Budapest, begetting four children for the cycle. Gyrogy makes no progress in preaching to the pagans of Ialomita. Miklos and Danos seek an alliance with Transylvania. Despite arranging a marriage to Domokos, no headway is gained due to competition with the Duchy of Bavaria. The death of Miklos during the cycle doesn't help. The Feudal Allies react from Wallachia.

 

Kingdom of Croatia
( Osijek in Croatia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Petar IV

Cavalry quality sees improvement. Tenty-one Cogs are built and pressed into Internal Trade and Fishing Fleets. A new Defensive Pact is arranged with Byzantium through a marriage to the young Emperor. King Petar rules from Osijek, his own Byzantine wife passing on. Petar the younger founds a monastery in Ilyria. Count Vilmon administers from Ilyria. Batist in unsuccessful in raising a Monastery in the capital. The Feudal Allies defend their regions, the Dalmatian leader perishes and is replaced.

 

Byzantine Empire
( Constantinople in Thrace )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Nikephoros, Regent For
Emperor Alexios II

Missionaries convert the Pagans of Taman. Assassin effectiveness is increased. Two fortresses are built: One in Morea, one in Thessaloniki. The City of Corinth has its walls reinforced. Attica sees the addtion of four field forts. Gold is gifted to Croatia and Kiev. Nikephorus willingly steps down as Alexios comes of age. He is given the title 'Master of Assassins' and forces out one of the less-liked leaders of the court. The new lieutenant stays close to the emperor and his brother, teaching them the ways of charm and negotiation. He then negotiates a full alliance with Morea. Kallistos patrols the Agean sea with 100 ships. Xylokarabes reacts from Thrace with 11000 cavalry. He perishes in 1149.

 

Volga-Kama Bolghar
( Iske Qazan in Suvar )
Sunni Islam, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Asyur Khan

Mordva abandons its Tenuous ties. The bridge across the Volga is completed. 300 cavalry, 400 Infantry built in Iske Qazar. Aynur rules from Iske Qazan. Ilgun and Bulan react from the capital with 2500 troops. Manar only worsens relations with Mordva during his diplomatic visit. The Feudal Ally reacts from his region.


 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:
 11mi, 5mc, 5ms, 14mw
AQRs:
 i4, c4, s4, w4

 

 

Khwarezmid Empire
( Khiveh in Khwazim )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Shah Qutb ad-Din Muhammad I

Both Bokhara and Singhnakh abandon their Tenuous ties. Infrastructure is improved. The port city of Azad Bahr built in the desert of Khazakh. It is quickly walled and work on a connecting royal road is begun. The Shah rules from the capital. Most other leaders merge in Bokhara, wrangling an Economic Alliance from the region. Ala Aziz and Haban perish in a dust storm on the return to the capital. The Feudal Allies react from their regions, the Ally from Khazakh dying at the end of the cycle.

 

Qarakhanid Khanate
( Samarqand in Kara Khitai )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Jibrail Khan

The capital sees many improvements: Infrastructure, Cavalry Quality and voth sectors of assassins. The Ally from Kophat Dagh is married to the Khan's daughter and awarded a position at court. His region becomes fully integrated into the realm. He reacts with 1000 infantry from the region. A royal road is lain across Kara Khitai. Jibrail rules from the capital, siring three children, though one dies at a very early age. Muhammed, with the help of two other leaders, arranges a new marriage to his father and scores an Economic Alliance from Tadzik. Farhan and Sameeb are taught the ways of diplomacy during the trip. Unfortunately, Farhan takes ill during the voyage and passes. Hasan Jalal reacts from Otarsh with 1000 men. He perishes during routine patrols.

 

Great Seljuk Empire
( Esfahan in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Ahmad-e Sanjar

A royal road is stretched across Dasht'Kavir. The Sultan returns to Esfahan to rule. His wife, Ziba, dies at the age of 53. Malik joins his father and administers. Nizam and Kilij increase ties with Media to a Full Aliance. Da'ud of Khvor defends Media with his allies troops. He dies in 1147. Jaud of Dasht'e Lute reacts from Dasht'Kavir.

 

Rum Seljuk Sultanate
( Trebizond in Pontus )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Turgay

Infrastructre, cavalry quality and assassin effectiveness all see improvement. The Sultan rules from the capital, finally dying at the age of seventy-four. Tugay replaces his father, as well as sires a daughter. Malik gains aNon-Paying Tributary Alliance from Tabaristan.

 

Atabeg Sultanate
( Mosul City in Mosul )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Hadi

Edessa abandons its Tenuous ties. Al-Zusana is built in Edessa and walled. 500 Engineers added to the fortress in Carhae. The walls are strengthened on the fortress of Arbiliq. The Sultan marries twice, in Edessa and Lyssa. He personally gains a Feudal Allience from the latter city. Mamnoon reacts from Aleppo with 2000 Cavalry. Abir is unable to gain an agreement from Palmyra. Mohamad gains a Full Alliance from Edessa. Tehran reacts from Lyssa with 2000 cavalry. Hasim of Circis defends Cilicia with 600 cavalry.

 

Abbasid Caliphate
( Baghdad in Mesopotamia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Caliph Al-Mustarshid

Cavalry quality improves. Basrah is expanded, replacing much of the damage from the Tsunami of the previous cycle. Field Forts are raised in every region except Diyala, to the maximum level each region can support. The Caliph rules from Baghdad, siring two sons and a daughter. Al-Muqtafi reacts from Mesopotamia with 900 men. Hamid abd Al-Fattah reacts from Hahmar with 1000. Abd al-Rashid arranges a marriage to the Caliph in Kuwait, but he catches ill during the negotations. After his death the region decides to side with Damascus. Abu al-Qasim travels to Dharan to preach, making some progress.

 

Sultanate of Damascus
( Damascus in Petra )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Sulayman

800 Infantry, 400 Cavalry, 400 engineers constructed. The Sultan Reacts from Petra with 6000 men. The Crown Prince rules from Damascus, siring three children. Abd-al-Haqq continues to compete with the Abbasids in Kuwait, he manages to gain a Non-Paying Tributary agreement. Mujaahid Al-jar moves to As-Sue, definding the city with 1200 troops. Thaqib Akhtar reacts from Levant with a thousand Cavalry. Intelligence warns of a Crusader leader in the area. Damascene assasins wound the Crusader, allowing Thaqib to catch and imprison him. The Feudal Allies react from their regions.

 

Emirate of Yemen
( Sana in Yemen )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Rabi ibn Zahid

Four hundred infantry are raised. A royal road across Sheba is completed. The Emir Rules from the capital while Hassan Administers from Zeila. The Allies react from their Regions.

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:
 8mi, 6mc, 5ms, 17mw
AQRs:
 i4, c5, s4, w5

 

Fatimid Caliphate
( Al-Qahirah in Mansura )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Caliph Jaramal ibn Ahmad

Five hundred Infantry, eleven warships and four cogs are constructed. Gold is shipped to the Hashshashins. The Caliph teaches his heir Administration, siring another child while he rules from the capital, taking on two more wives. Baasim travels to Makuria where he is married to princess Daniella. He returns to Al-Qahirah to investigate the capital city. He is found murdered two short months later. Hassam al'faruk travels to Levant searching for Crusaders, he is too late to catch any. Tarek al'Ali marches 1500 infantry and Cavalry to the defense of Tunisa. They are not yet tested. Ibraim ibn Tarek tries to secretly sail a warship into Palermo but is discovered in port. He barely manages to escape capture and return home. Jalil L'Farek patrols the Gulf of Cyprus with over 70 warships. The Feudal Allies defend their regions.

 

Nubian Kingdom of Makuria
( Soba in Funj )
Coptic Christian, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Asabyos

Siege quality is improved. The regions of Shoa is cultivated. Field forts spring up in Adulis, Danikil and Alwa. Four light warships conscipted on the Red Sea. Trade partnership and marriage arranged with the Fatimid Caliphate. Asybyos rules from the capital, teaching his daughter, Sai, about Administration, even though the girl will likely never use the skill. He sires another girl in the meantime. Three leaders continue to woo Shoa, arranging a marriage to Markos during the negotiations. Prince Zachararias succumbs to illness. Isreal investigates Dongola and its city. Karanbas successfully explores the Persian Gulf with six warships. Afrimar protects the heartlands with 1500 cavalry. The Feudal Allies react from Kassala.

 

Emirate of Tunisia
( Tunis in Tunisia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Faysal

Agents continue to move against Sicily, but are unable to ignite a mutiny in Geb-al-Tarik. On the religious side, Sunni Imams are able to help bolster the Almoravid religious fervor, making the realm more resistant to the Casildan spread. Infantry quality is improved. Nineteen light warships are brought to service. Murtaza gains a Feudal Alliance from the city of Bone. Wafiq gains a similar agreement from Medina Mayurqa, despite competition from Sicily. Zafir lurks in wait with 55 Light Warships in the Bay of Tunis, expecting an attack. It is confirmed when Sicily and Venice descend upon Tunis seeking raid and piracy. Zafir strikes at the Venetian fleet, catching them at a disadvantage and destroying or capturing over 30 of the Itialian ships. This time Venetian assassins are unable to stop the Muslim admiral. The Venetian Doge scrambles to fall back, and is lucky that Emir Faysal in the city is unable to coordinate his land forces to take advantage of the conflict. The Doge saves to majority of his fleet by disengaging and returning to Venice. Sicily completes her Piracy before Zafir can regroup his own forces, so Zafir returns to lurking, secure from the walls of Tunis. 700 Infantry and 500 Cavalry of hired mercenaries are raised in Tunis.


Roger's War of 1150
(Norman County of Sicily vs. Emirate of Tunisia)

George of Antioch leads a fleet of over 100 ships to in Piracy against Tunis, he is joined by twenty Aragonese ships. He is thankful that it was the Venetians caught with their pants down, rather than his own forces. He captures seventeen cogs, only five of which come from Tunisia. Count Roger of Sicily has plans to move against Africa in the cycle, but with word of a Fatimid army in the region, and no sign of his new Almoravid Allies, he does not yet make a landing.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grandmaster Olaf the Strong

Good sum of gold sent to Venice. David the Pious founds a Lodge and a Cell, but perishes while working on the latter. Prince Handel increases status in the Kingdom of Poland. Raises a Tithe in both Poland and Bohemia, then founds a Cell. Prince Micah Administers, but then is wounded during an attempt to found a Cell. Olaf the Strong levies a Tithe on Norway, then increases Status in Venice. He is appointed as the new Grandmaster. Charles Hendricks fails in establishing a Tithe on Swabia-Lorraine, but does manage to summon 100 light infantry to aid the Crusade. He also increases Order Status in Tuscany before succumbing to ilness.

 

The Prince's Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Primas Laurent

Monks found a Lodge. 15 Light warships, 2 Cogs, 400 infantry raised. Primas Laurent fails to Found a Lodge.

 

The Reconquista
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Diego Rodriguez

Missionaries continue to work against the Casildan spread in the Kingdom of Aragon. 500 Cavalry conscripted by Diego. He and Ramiro found a Lodge and a Cell. They then launch a quick strike into Andalusia, into a defending army eight times their size. Both men are wounded, but escape alive. Jerome, a French priest in the order, manages to found a Lodge.

 

The Hashshashins
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Old Man Jarakel

An infiltration of Byzantium is foiled, but terrorist strikes in Sicily and Crete are successful. 1900 Infantry conscripted. Faliq succumbs to age, replaced by a Fatimid Prince.