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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 015
(1170 to 1174)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	115mi, 58mc, 20ms, 20mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

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

Edinburgh increases and has new walls built. It joins the ranks of the most populous cities in Europe. Twenty-five warships and three cogs are quickly commisioned in the bustling city. Twenty-one cogs are pressed into merchant service, mainly on internal fishing endeavors. King Malcolm steers the government, unexpectedly siring twin boys. Admiral Hamis patrols the Viking Bank with eighteen ships. Robert Argyle and Bishop Eadmar sail to the Gulf of Cyprus with fifty-seven ships. Al-Iskandria and Tarsus are their targets of choice.

 

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

Religious fervor increases as the nation becomes more involved int he Holy Land conflicts. Twenty-one warships are rebuilt, plus a small contingent of infantry. Mercia sees a connection to the road netork. Sea Routes are opened with Aragon and Poland, the latter being sent a copy of inked ruters to the North Sea. Fifteen transport ships are pressed into merchant service, seeking internal trade routes based out of London. King Reginald clamors for a direct war against the Sultanate of Damascus, but does not gain the needed support. Most feel the conflict should be in the hands of the Crusaders, rather than the English Kingdom. He then dedicates himself to steering the government, adding two children to his family. Prince John remains devoted to the Prince's Crusade. John Buckingham gains a Friendly alliance from Gwynned. Bishop Stephen of Canterbury and Gerard Montfort set sail with the Princes Crusade to the Holy Land, despite the lack of Casus Belli.

 

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

Religious effectiveness improves. Count Henry focuses on increasing the military: two-thousand infantry, thirty-one hundred cavalry and seven-hundred engineers are raised. Tired of the paltry gifts of gold that Swabia and Lorraine has been sending the County in way of appeasement, Henry decides on drastic action. He attempts to fully declare Casus Belli against the Duchy, but Arnulf (The Diplomat assigned) is unable to generate the support of the nobles. That fact does not stop Henry, and he marches with Arnulf into Lorraine. Lord Martin, charged with the Naval side of the invasion, perishes aboard his ship. Jean remains in Ghent, tasked with Administration. With the Count engaged in the Southern campagin, Jean turns to corruption and bribery. Much of the taxes are routed into his own personal holdings. When Countess Helene is found dead in her room, many wonder if Jean is responsible.

 

Duchy of Normandy
( Rouen in Normandy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Danyel, Regent For
Duke Isaac II

Ten light warships and twenty cogs are built in Rouen. Two-thousand infantry are raised in the region of Normandy. Regent Danyel leads a diplomatic effort in Connaught with two other leaders. An Economic Tributary agreement is signed just after Danyel takes ill and perishes. Robin of Locksley takes command of forty ships, loading up lord Gilbert the "Handsome" and the newly built infantry. They set sail for distant Palermo where Gilbert unloads. Patrizia of Sicily is taken for marriage to the newly crowned Duke Isaac, and Gilbert remains to cement a Defensive Pact. Gilbert, far from the ruling house in Rouen, soon falls to womanizing and the drink. He abandons the realm and his men.

 

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

Religious capacity increases. Five hundred cavalry are raised in Paris. King Louis acquiesces to the demands of Aquitainian army in the South. This stays their hand from further rampage. For his part, Louis steers the government, siring four more children. Crispin moves to Poitou where he begins to diplomatically ease tensions within the conquered realm. Jacques administers from Paris. Vauderre de Montcontaigne remains on Crusade, supporting the battles in Lebanon.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Moneis are gifted to Sicily and the Prince's Crusade. The Grand Duke runs the governemnt, training his son Guilliame in the arts of administration. He sires two more children. Lord Guy reacts from Burgundy with thirty-seven hundred men. Jean Pierre and Tilimok continue to sweet talk conquered Aquitaine. Jean Pierre perishes during the negotiations.

 

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

Barcelona is expanded. Seven field forts are raised across Aragon and Gascony. Fifteen hundred infantry and a company of engineers are added to the military. Money is shipped north to France to help defray the costs of the Horde in Orleans. King Adolpho rules from the capital, raising concerns about foreign presence on Iberian soil. He re-vows to stop the spread of the Casildan religion. Prince Adalberto eases tensions in New Castille. Guillermo and Saure run negotiations with Navarre and Pamplona. The city returns fully to the Kingdom, while the region agrees to a Full Alliance. Elroy positions in Catalonia, taking up a defense of the region.

 

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

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	48mi, 32mc, 7ms, 43mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

Bishop Teodor perishes of age, his Vatican Bureaucracy returning to Rome.

 

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

Musa abandons its Tenuous ties. Five light warshps and three-hundred cavalry are pressed into service. Janne Rorholm's ship disappears in the Gulf of Finland. He washes ashore in Estonia, his left arm mangled from some sea beast. Erik Sorenses leads eleven warships on an expedition mapping the English Channel, Bay of Biscay and Sea of Portugal. He perishes soon after returning home. Sture Molander leads diplomatic overtures in conquered Estonia, while King Rolf arranges a marriage for his daughter to the Ally of Kopparberg. The region bcomes a full part of the Kingdom. Age catches up to Rolf soon after, his son Njord taking the throne.

 

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

Assassin capacity improves. Skjern and Helsingborg are both expanded. Eleven lights warships ae raised in the capital. Funds are gifted to the Popular Crusade and to the Kingdom of Sweden. A new sea trade route with Aragon is opened. The King and his son rule and administer from the capital. The King is pleased by the birth of two grandchildren, but displeased with the thieves who break into the Imperial treasury. Luckily (perhaps), there is little to make off with. Prince Michael delivers his sister to Poland, arranging a marriage and Trade Partnership. He then sails into the sea of Portugal. The first efforts to map the waterways are plagued by storms and bad weather. Michael's second season is more fruitful, and he returns to Sjkern with the new Rutters. Lord Wilhelm reacts from Sjkern with a smaller navy of four warshps but soon grows ill and passes on. General Sven stands in reaction as well, ready to warn the King and the main army in case of attack. Pedar completes his Diplomatic efforts in Latvia, the region becoming fully a part of the Kingdom. In 1174, Erik the Younger is found dead in his sleep, passed on in his twenties. His brother, Michael, becomes the new Heir-Apparent.

 

Duchy of Saxony
( Leipzig in Saxony )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duchess Hildegard I

Support Monies are sent to the Popular Crusade, though the Duchy fails to invest in the Western Wall fund. Two-hundred infantry, two-hundred cavalry, one company of engineers and a cog are all added to the military. The Duchess intends to grant some of the units to the Prince's Crusade, but logistics interferes. A new royal road sarts to be cut through the region of Pomerania. The Duchess steers the government with an even hand. Oswald Graf is compromised while trying to sneak across the Holstein border into Denmark. He is killed while trying to flee back into Saxon lands. Heinrich Liudolfing is unable to increase ties with Pomerania. Ulbricht von Sachsenhausen takes on twenty-four hundred troops and sets up a defense of Friesland.

 

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

Duke Elias orders a large increase in the military: four-thousand infantry, one-thousand cavalry and three hundred engineers. He takes direct control of the government, still mourning after the death of his father, the previous Holy Roman Emperor. Soon, whispers began to surface that the Emperor had perhaps been murdered, and that the Emperor's last meeting before his death had been with a delegation from Swabia-Lorraine. The Duke's mind seized upon this, despite all of his ministers claiming there had been no Swabian delegation whatsoever. Elias banished the ministers from his halls, and instead took to advice and correspondance with the Catholic priests of the realm. They were upset that the Emperor's last edict to fund the fight in Northern Africa had been overruled by the Electorate. They began to label those against the idea as heretics and non-believers. This of course included the Duchy of Swabia and Lorraine, whose critical votes could have turned the election. Seething, the Duke ordered his brothers, Siegfried and Sieghard to punish the neighboring Duchy. In the meantime, Gottfried gains a Full Alliance from the city of Erfurt.

 

Duchy of Bohemia
( Prague in Bohemia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Jan Kinsky, Regent For
Duke Vratislaus IV

Siege quality increases. Twelve-hundred infantry are raised in Dresden. Eight light transports are newly built, and four are pulled from foreign trade rutes for military service. Gold continues to be sent to the Popular Crusade and the investment fund for Swabia and Lorraine. Prince Mikuláš reacts from Moravia with thirteen-hudnred cavalry and the True Cross. Sobeslav Rozmberk is charged with transporting eight-hundred infantry to Dresden. He then commits four-hundred of them to service in the Prince's Crusade. Tomas Zerotin defends Kauyavia with thirteen-hundred infantry. Jan Kinsky guards the capital with his twenty-six hundred men.

The Duke returns to Prague where he spends three years with his wife. His consitution grows weaker still, and no more children are produced. Some whisper that their first child is not of the Duke's blood, but from a noble lover of the Duchess. In 1174, the Duke's weakness becomes all-encompassing. He collapses, and unable to walk, spends two months wasting away before finally passing on. Prince Mikuláš, brandishing the True Cross, immediately declares himself Duke over the underage Vratislaus. In the capital, Jan Kinsky declares allegience to the young Duke and seizes the Shroud of Turin. When Mikuláš approaches the capital, Kinsky's forces sally out to meet him. Mikuláš takes injury during the skirmish and falls back into Kauyavia, where Zerotin agrees to join his coup. The two join forces and march upon the city, and again Kinsky's forces meet them. This time both Zerotin and Mikuláš are killed in the fighting, but the news that the True Cross is lost during the battle is a grave omen. Revolts strike Kauyavia and Dresden, and the garrison of the latter is ousted by the rebels.

 

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

Eighteen light warships and two-hundred infantry are raised. Duke Conrad steers the government and oversees a new census. Four more children grace his family. Prince Albrecht arranges a Full alliance with Slovakia. Lothair and Guntram work on easing tensions in Moldavia. Reto and Manfred react from Bochnia with twenty-eight hundred men. Reto takes ill during the patrols, perishing in 1174. The Duchess takes a hard fall during riding the next year, passing on at only 35.

 

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

Siege quality improves. A new bridge across the Rhine is constructed, linking Aslace to the homeland. Duke Gerhardt conducts a census and trains six-hundred light infantry into more elite troops. He takes the time to teach young Johann and Ludwig during the process. Johann is then appointed an official position. Lord Albrecht attempts to found the church of Alpenkirke in Tyrol, but doesn't get the religious site off the ground. Lord Roland takes command of twenty-eight warships, fifteen cogs and eighteen-hundred infantry. They sail saouth, first attempting to commit Piracy against the city of La Coruna. The local defenses manage to sink thee of Roland's ships before he sails away. Roland next disembarks into Andalusia, raiding the region. He runs smack into over ten-thousand Leonese troops defending the region. Fifteen hundred of Roland's infantry are destroyed before he can extract himself. Roland's next stop in Merrekesh fares no better, the rest of the infantry and seven warships lost. Taking wounds himself, he retires back home and is welcomed by chaos.

Without warning, Thuringian forces have crossed into Hesse. The twins, Siegfried and Sieghard leading fifty-five hundred infantry, eighty-five hundred cavalry and eight-hundred engineers. They are quick to overrun the four field forts garrisoning the region, losing only two hundred of their lightest infantry. Shortly thereafter, Flemish forces march into Lorraine: Thirty-two hundred cavalry, seven-thousand infantry and nine-hundred engineers. Lord Ulrich is defending the region, but falls ill (many suspect poison) before battle is joined. Luckily for the Swabians, Prince Rudolph is able to react into the region from Augburg. The Swabians host just under five-thousand cavalry and three hundred infantry. Two field forts also defend the region. The Flemish are not suspecting an active defense, and without a valid Casus Belli, their men are much disadvantaged. The Flemish lose fifteen hundred men to the Swabian loss of six-hundred. Recognizing the disadvatage, Count Henry regroups in Champagne and holds from pressing back into the region, waiting to see how the Thuringians manage.

The Thuringian twins have managed to surround and break the fortress of Hesse, losing only one company of engineers in the process. The Swabians are eventually able to React into Heppenheim just before the twins begin their Siege of that city. Prince Rudolph quickly realizes that the city is a lost cause, his cavalry needing the open lands to serve their purpose, and after three months he orders the city abandoned. Almost a thousand men are killed in the fighting. Prince Siegfried of Thuringia is lost in the final take of the city, among five-hundred other Thuringian fighters.

Count Henry of Flanders, hoping that the Swabians have been widdled down (And noting thir abandoned defensive posture), presses into Lorraine once again. Prince Rudolph and Lord Ulrich, licking their wound from the Siege of Heppenheim, are there to meet them. This time the lack of Casus Belli proves to be Count Henry's undiong. The Swabian forces crash into his own and reap a deadly harvest. Seven-thousand Flemish troops are destroyed, both the Count and Lord Arnulf are captured. The remaining troops rout back into Champagne. Rudolph regroups his Swabians, noting only minor losses.

Sieghard and his Thuringians march across Franconia, then launch a second attack, this time into the homeland of Swabia-Lorraine. Rudolph and Ulrich react to the region to meet them, bolstering their forces with the local garrison of three-thousand troops and eight field forts. The attackers outnumber the defenders two to one, and benefit from a slew of agents and scouts assisting the battle command. Swabian's assistance, by contrast, is hasty and lackluster, who report wrong information more than correct. Sieghard carries the field, routing the Swabians and pushing them behind the walls of the capital. Lord Ulrich is killed in the fighting, twenty-one hundred survivors dropping back to defend Augsburg.

Sieghard immediately moves to besiege the capital city. Duke Gerhardt directly joins the defenders with his own men, though the troops are still slightly outnumbered by the attacking Thuringians. Three times Sieghard throws his men at the walls of Augsburg, three times they are thrown back. With the last push Sieghard's men are routed, retiring back to Nordgau with only thirty-five hundred survivors. Duke Gerhardt takes stock of his sixteen-hundred remaining men. Upon Sieghard's return to the homeland of Thuringia, he learns that his father has perished, and that the Ducal Crown is his.

 

Elective Margravate of Tuscany
( Pisa in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Margrave Guido I Mardelo

Warship quality improves. One-thousand cavalry, fifteen-hundred infantry, three-hundred wngineers and seven light warships are added to the military. Imperial funds are used for internal support costs, though some are sent to the Popular Crusade. The Margrave steers the government, rounding out the cycle on Reaction with seven-thousand men. Petros the Greek is charged with defending the city of El-Jezair. Francisco di Modena ferries reinforcements to Africa, then defends the coasts around Genoa with his thirteen light warships. Guido returns to the capital, just in time for the Margrave to grew ill and perish. Guido wins the first elective Margravate for the nation.

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness increases. The Bogomil Heresy in Bakony suddenly expands its reach, slipping into the regions of Bosnia, Slovakia and the Republic's own regions of Carinthia and Slovenia. A new field fort is added to Romagna, with three-hundred allied infantry built for the Baron of Forli. Finally, eleven more warships are added to the Doge's navy. The Doge, Consigliori Torrenzi and the Baron spend the cycle with the fleet, protecting Venetian and other allied interests in the Med. With word of the Tunisian declaration, Prince Garibaldi is able to invest the Republic in a full-scale war with the Emirate. Prince Lorenzo Grazi gains a Full Alliance from Lombardy, then returns to Venice to spend time with his wife. Cagliostoro disappears suddenly while running an investigation into Lombardy, his murdered body is retrieved outside one of the small border towns with Liguria. Captain Santrusco reacts from Venice with twenty-seven hundred men. The Doge and his son Lorenzo die within weeks of eachother. This leaves Prince Garibaldi in line for the leadership, but when Captain Santrusco begins a whispering campaign that Garibaldi had a hand in the deaths, Santrusco is able to carry the vote.

 

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

The plunder of merchant ships gained the previous cycle are set to internal trade in Naples. A new route with Bavaria is also opened across the seas. Duke Alphonso steers the government, siring his first daughter. He appoints his brother, Giorgio, to a position at court. In Valencia, Bruce is assaulted by Sicilian assassins, but his assigned boyguards are able the thwart the atempts. An Aragonese attempt does manage to wound the leader. He retires to Naples to defend the capital city with most of the Iberian forces. Bruno sails to Chandax, where he oversees the purchase of the city from the Byzantines. He immediately engages Diplomacy with the city, but the Greeks are not content to agree to anything beyond a Non-Paying Tributary arrangement. Vincenzo remains on the Baelerics, defending the island with his four-hundred cavalry. The City of Catanzaro suddenly erupts into violence. Students disgusted with the Duke's alliance with Leon and Tunisia throw the mayor and militia out of the gates. Many trade routes are forced to rebase to Naples, while some are even cut and held hostage by the rebels.

 

Norman County of Sicily
( Palermo in Sicily )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Hector, Regent For
Count Simon II

The African city of Bone is walled. Three-thousand infantry and seventeen light warships are added to the military. Count Simon transports units to Africa, then returns to the capital where he sires three daughters with his English wife. The Ally from Cagliari perishes in Africa. His city returns to Friendly status.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	39mi, 5mc, 5ms, 5mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4
Leader:	Shane Gallant [M877] -- Minimum Bid is 15 GP

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Lord Kurgan, Regent For
King Miloslaw IV

Assassin capacity increases. Postal Road projects are begin, the plains laid from Lublin, through Pinsk, to the border of Goryn. Seven cogs are built and pressed onto different trade routes by the Regent (including a new route with Scotland). Prince Pawel purchases passage to Pinsk, preaching to the pagans. He perishes. This gives Regent Kurgan the oportunity to take hold of the national army. He refuses to step aside for Miloslaw, though the latter has reached the age of maturity. He is unable to prevent Adalbert and Konrad from taking Princely positions, however. Pekoslaw intends to travel to Swabia to exchange a bride and Rutters, but the conflict in Germany halts his advance and he returns to the capital. Jacek Bozek is more successful in fetching a Scottish bride for the King. A Trade partnership is arranged. He then negotiates a Full Alliance from the region of Goryn.

 

Principality of Novgorod
( Novgorod City in Novgorod )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grand Prince Vladimir I

Novgorod City is expanded. The Boyar rules and defends the capital. Peotr and Vladimir react out of the homeland with seventy-six hundred men. Alexandir administers from Novgorod. The Boyar dies at the age of sixty seven. Peotr is elected to replace him, but the leader, Vadimir, immediately plots to usurp the nation. Feigning a meeting, Vladimir strangles the new Boyar with his own hands, seizing control of the national army. Vladimir then marches upon the capital. He quickly arrests the loyalst leader, Alexandir, then declares himself Grand Prince. He dismantles the elective government, instituting a new Monarchy. Many pagan regions immediately rebel. Garrisons in Courland and Yaroslav are succesful in driving off the rebels. Daugava, Kalinin, Kur, Turku and Vologda are all victorious in their drive for independence.

 

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

Intelligence Capacity expands. The Royal Road is extended from Polotsk City to the border of Masuria, increasing the efficiency of trade between Kiev and Poland. The Grand Prince rules from Kiev. His new Polish wife perishes in a tragic pregnancy. Prince's Yaropolk and Govorich negotiate a Feudal Alliance from the pagans of Atelzuko. Bohuslav is unable to secure an agreement from Polovotsy. Lord Symon travels to Suzdal where he begins the process of pagan conversion. Yakiv reacts from Chernigov from thirty-five hundred men. Govorich and Bohuslav both die of age during the cycle.

 

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

Transylvania abandons its Tenuous ties. Siege and Cavalry quality increases. Four cogs are built, quickly shifted to Fishing Fleets. King Istvan takes a new bride from Transylvania, but she does not survive her first pregnancy. The feudal allies react from their regions.

 

Kingdom of Croatia
( Osijek in Croatia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Baldo, Regent For
King Domotor I

Assassin capacity expands. The city of Paramythia is constructed in Epirus, gaining access to the Ionian Sea. The road to Dalmatia is completed. Money is gifted to the County of Sicily. Regent Dmitar perishes of age, his brother Baldo taking up the Regency.

 

Byzantine Empire
( Constantinople in Thrace )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Hilarion I

 

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

The Khan comes of age.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	9mi, 5mc, 5ms, 18mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4
Leader:	Zafir ad Balak [M678] -- Minimum Bid is 14 GP Seemaab [M752] -- Minimum Bid is 9 GP

 

Khwarezmid Empire
( Khiveh in Khwazim )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Shah Hamid I

Chorasima abandons its Tenuous ties. One-thousand cavalry are raised. Azad Bahr city is expanded and walled. Two cogs are built and pressed into service for a sea route to the Rum Seljuks. The Shah rules from Khiveh, educating young Salem in the arts of administration. Masoud escorts Pricness Akilah to the Rum, arranging an Open Borders marriage. He perishes on the return journey. Bilal ad Nirak reacts from the capital with two-thousand cavalry. Pasha Anbar ad Din administers from Azad Bahr. The Feudal leaders react from their regions. The Shah appoints his son to an official position just in time, for he grows ill the next year and the Empire changes hands.

 

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

Religious effectiveness increases. Uzebek is linked to the capital via road. A cultivation project is started in Kuldja. The Khan steers the government, though his hopes for more children are not yet realized. Abu Mansur defends the capital with one-thousand infantry under his direct command. Sammi and Afrasiab negotiate a Feudal Alliance from the region of Frunze. The ally defends his region.

 

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

The city of Agri is built along the coastline of Fars, grainting the Empire access to the Gulf of Persia. A road begins to snake the long way toward the port city, currently reaching to the Zagros border. Sultan Zeeshan rules from Esfahan. Tugril and Shaud gain an Economic Alliance from Fars, further securing their rights to the trade city. The allies react from Fars, Khvor and Persia.

 

Rum Seljuk Sultanate
( Trebizond in Pontus )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Oz ad'Din Mas'ud

Assassin capacities increase. The city of Sinope is expanded and walled. After decades of no progress, missionaries are finally able to convert the Alan tribesmen to Islam. The Sultan quickly rearranges the court, appointing his brother to a position of heir and arranging multiple marriages. His own young bride, chosen for her singing ability, perishes during childbirth. Gdridg the Armenian is chaged with a series of investigations, from Pontus all the way to Iconium. Lord Muawiya chokes to death in Trebizond.

 

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

The city of Quinnoch is founded in Arbiliq, along with a new field fort. Walls spring up around the city of Al-Zuzanna. Two-hundred infantry, one-thousand cavalry and four-hundred engineers are raised. The young Sultan gets right down to business with his family, marrying four times and siting seven children. Prince Sameer reacts from Aleppo with four-thousand cavalry. Prince Majdi searches about in Mosul. Mohamad travels to Damascus, arranging a marriage and Defensive Pact. He then settles in Tarsus to investigate the city. Tepir reacts from Cilicia with thirty-six hundred cavalry. A Scottish fleet appears outside of Tarsus, stripping much of the Merchant Shipping away from the trading city.

 

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

Assassin capacity improves. Five-hundred cavalry are raised in the capital. The road network is extended, reaching to the border of Media. The region of Diyala begins to take advantage of higher yield crops, though much progress has yet to go before the region produces at capacity. The Caliph marries, quickly siring three children while running the bureaucracy. Prince Al-Muqtafi reacts from Hahmar with one-thousand men. Sawwar al-'Abbas patrols Mesopotamia with twice that. Tamman ibn Mansur negotiates a Feudal Alliance from the desert tribes of Dharan, the highest agreement such harsh terrain can commit to a civilized empire without colonization. Hassan al-Ahvazi travels to Qatar, but neither he nor national missionaries are able to make any progres against the entrenched Shi'a beliefs. The ally from Diyala reacts from his region.

 

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

Assassin effectiveness increases. The Sultan cuts all trade with Tuscany in response to the Tuscan aggression in Africa. He takes a direct hand in the government, adding two daughters to his family. Prince Fatim sets up a defense of As-Sur, commanding twenty-three hundred men. Wajeed Alam is tasked with mobilizing garisons, then settles into defending Jerusalem with fifteen-hundred troops. Fahad Baktiar negotates a new Feudal Alliance from the steppelands of Selucia. He then travels to the deserts of As'Summan where he dissapears into the sand and heat. After months of no contact, he is assumed dead and replaced in court. Qasim Hami investigates the Levant, ending up on the wrong side of a smugger's knife. Akif of Bostra defends his feudal holdings.

 

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

Three-thousand cavalry and six cogs are added to the Yemeni forces. The Emir steers the government, dying in his sleep. The new Emir, Murshid ibn Rabi, takes on ten Cogs, then ferries Lord Hassan and sixty-six hundred Cavalry across the Red Sea and into Fatimid lands. He then sails to Zeila, negotiating a new Feudal alliance with the region. Hakim reacts from Yemen with the local garrison, while Kasim administers the region. The ally from Zufar joins them in defense..

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	36mi, 57mc, 9ms, 78mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w6
Leader:	Murtaza [M77A] -- Minimum Bid is 17 GP  Yehuye [M694] -- Minimum Bid is 13 GP

 

Fatimid Caliphate
( Al-Qahirah in Mansura )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Al-Quddus ibn Jaramel, Regent For
Caliph Al-Muhaymin

Desert fortresses are built in Ad'Diffah and Sinai, protecting the shorline borders from the Gulf of Cyprus. The Caliph defends Mansura at the head of four-thousand troops. He grows ill during the routine patrols, death catching up to him in 1174. His brother, Al-Quddus, is appointed Regent of the realm. Princes Al-Jaliq and Al-Malik set up a defense of Egypt with two-thousand mercenaries and fifteen-hundred national troops. Muhamad al'faruk travels to distant Baghdad, where he receives a gift of gold from the Abbasids. Mustaffa gains a Friendly alliance from Socotra, now fully converted by missionaries, in spite of Damascene competition. Mohammed travels to the region of Tunisia with three-thousand troops and Princess Anan. A defensive Pact is arranged, and the troops settle in to defend the Tunisian homeland. The allies of Sinai and Ad'Diffah defend from their new fortresses. The ally from Suiakin joins the defense in Sinai, before returning home at the end of the cycle.

Jalil L'Farek patrols the Gulf of Cyprus with fifty-seven warships, handling the Byzantine aggression. No sooner is he done regrouping his navy then a Scottish fleet appears outside of Al-Iskandria. Now at the head of seventy-two ships, Jalil moves to repel the fifty-odd Scottish boats. This time, Jalil is outmaneuvred. He loses eleven ships, his fleet routed into Al-Iskandria. After captured vessels, the Scots have only lost two ships. Jalil regroups his navy as the Scots encircle the capital with Piracy on their mind. Jalil, still holdings numbers, engages a second time. He loses eight more ships to the Scottish singular. Jalil himself is among the dead, his fleet forced to harbor in Al-Iskandria. The fleet does manage to prevent the Scots from doing too much damage in their Piracy.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. Fifteen hundred cavalry are raised. Adulis, Atbara, Danikil and Dongola are all downgraded to Economic Allies. King Moise shifts MSP around on then internal route of the nation, then steers the government. He sees the birth of another son in 1174. Prince Kudanbes takes one-thousand men and sets up a defense of Adulis. Te' Yehuye and Nuity see to the defense of Dongola with four-thousand.

Setit of Nubia leads just over one-thousand allied troops into Fatimid controlled Thebes. He is able to avoid the local field forts and launch a raid into neighboring Faiyum. His pillaging destroys the region's public works, and he begins to fall back. The Fatimid Princes in Egypt abandon their defensive positions to give chase. Setit rejoins his fellows in Dongola, joining the directed defenses already in place. The Fatimids strike at the defenders head on. Fourty-five hundred Fatimid troops, including both leaders, are cut down by the prepared traps and defenses of the six-thousand Makurian defenders. After the bait is taken, Setit adds insult to injury by raiding Thebes. Multiple minor allies also raid into the region of Suakin, but that poor province yields no loot whatsoever.

 

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

The Emir broadens the war to include Venice. Two field forts are raised in Kabilya and two-hundred cavalry augment the army. Zaid, the Heir, comes down with a severe fever, anguishing for three days before perishing.

Roger's War of 1150
Norman County of Sicily, Almoravid Sultanate and Serene Republic of Venice
vs.
Emirate of Tunisia, Duchy of Apulia, and Kingdom of Leon

Iberian Campaign:
Sultan Baqi of the Almoravids, succumbing to desperation, overtaxes the realm once again in an effort to repel the infidels. The econmy simply cannot handle it this time around and collapses. Cheliff and Zirid both abandon the realm, devolving to local governorships. Perhaps worse, the occupied governments in Valencia and Andalusia also abandon ties to the Sultanate, theorizing that they will do better against the invaders on their own. This cuts into Lord Abdul's plans to reinforce the Andalusian fortress with seventeen-hundred new infantry. Instead, he settles into Reaction out of Granada.

Sal of Leon is joined by Lord Marco, and the two press against the now abandoned fortress in Andalusia. They break it in a quick siege with their overwhelming numbers. Sal is later killed during the Swabian raid of the region. Lord Jose takes a newly recruited twenty-five hundred men and marches agianst Dab-al-Roca in Estramadura. The city offers a minor resistence, killing four-hundred of the Leonese attackers before capitulating.

African Campaign:
Tunisian sparked revolts erupt in El-Jezair. Tuscan agents are quick to find and murder the instigators, and the city returns to quiet pacification. Lord Sayyid of Tunisia leads five-thousand cavalry in a quick liberation attempt of Algeria. His second is Abdul-Azim. Michelino di Siena and Tosca Picolino defend the region for the Tuscans with four-thousand infantry and six field forts. Further reinforcements from Italy have not yet arrived. The Tunisians charge right into the meatgrinder. Michelino leads them deep into the region, cutting off their supply lines with the field fort garrisons, then moves in for the kill. Only Sayyid is able to make it out alive. Michelino is wounded during one of the many battles, but there is no second attack into the region, and it is reinforced by the new recruits a few months later.

Alfonse of Valetta and Bardas of Cagliari, two Sicilian allies, launch an amphibious assault of the city of Kairouan. The city has only walls, no local defenders, and is breached at the cost of only one company of engineers. Eighteen-hundred allied infantry, and one-hundred infantry and engineers remain to garrison the city. The Crusader Rollo, under Sicilian command, blockades Tunis with a fleet of one-hundred-ten warships, hampering Tunisian trade out of the capital.

Three-thousand Fatimid troops under command of Lord Mohammed reinforce the Tunisian capital late in the cycle. Sicily contracts fifteen-hundred mercenary cavalry in Bone.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grandmaster Olf Sorenson

Infrastructure and Religious Capacity improve. The Grandmaster focuses on increasing the Orders status in the Rebublic of Venice and Margravate of Tuscany. He is successful in the latter. Gunther Rasputin administers. Olf Sorenson explores and maps the Odor River. Shane Galant increases Order Status in the Kingdoms of Poland and Hungary. Poland, Swabia and Tuscany all see Status slip with still no action against the Atabegs. At the end of the cycle the Grandmaster dies of a sudden heart-attack. Six sites abandon the order as Olf is elected to the vacant position. He immediately must deal with a fracture of the Order. Shane Gallant abandons the order for life as a Mercenary, taking many of the Order's resources with him. Four more sites degrade as well.

 

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

One-thousand infantry, five-hundred engineers, nine cogs and four warships are added to the ranks of the military. Prince Henri of Bugundy fails in the construction of a cell, and is unable to raise any troops from the Grand Duchy of Burgundy. Justicar Roland succeeds in the foundation of one of his two assigned cells. Primas Richard, along with Baron Roland of Aquitaine and Commander Bernard, load up a large Crusader force onto the combined Crusader and English Fleets. All five leaders set sail for the Gulf of Cyprus. They immediately break for an apmhibious assault of Lebanon, disembarking five-thousand infantry, one-thousand cavalry and seventeen-hundred engineers. The two local field forts are quickly overrun by the forces, the only danger to the Europeans a series of assassination which almost take the life of Richard. Primas Richard, seeing no counter-attack forthcoming from the Damascenes, moves against As-Sur.

Prince Fatim leads the defenses of the city, commandng eight-hundred infantry, one-thousand cavalry, five-hundred engineers and three contingents of the wall garrisons. The Crusaders strike fast and hard during the first round of the siege, almost destroying the walls of the city entirely. Only the death of Commander Bertrand forces the Europeans to withdraw and regroup for a second round. The next action results in a stalemate, though the dwindling Damascene numbers take more damage than the Crusaders. The third season alows the Crusaders to breach the walls and pour into the city. Fatim falls back into the fortress, and Primas Richard is forced to press against the new stoneworks for another season before the fortress falls. Fatim manages to escape by a fishing boat into the Gulf of Cyprus. In total, twenty-seven hunded Muslims have perished, to only three-hundred Crusaders.

Baron Roland returns to Europe, where age catches up to him. The English Fleet, under Bishop Stephen, launch a series of raids into the regions around the Gulf. The Levant is ravaged, but when the raiders attempt for Mansura, two Fatimid leaders and many troops are there to harry them. Bishop Stephen is captured, and Gerard Montfort is wounded escaping back to the ships. Further raids are aborted and Gerard returns to London.

 

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

Two-hundred cavalry and five-hundred engineers are raised. Diego conscripts two-hundred crusader infantry in the Kingdom Aragon, then attempts to sneak into the Kingdom of Leon. His movements are quickly discovered and tracked, and Diego abandons the effort rather than face the twenty-five hundred allied troops guarding the region. Lord Thibault launches a raid into Murcia, pillaging the region before an Almoravid reaction can respond. Ramiro II of Monzon recruits another hundred crusader infantry in the Kingdom of Aragon.

 

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

Old Man Qadir and Mufadda are successful in jointly founding two cells, as is As-salam and Khaled. Nagib retires from raiding to establish a tithe upon the Rum Seljuks. Two terrorist attacks fail to inflict damage in Crete or Salamis.