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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 023
(1210 to 1214)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	71mi, 183mc, 25ms, 13mw, 7mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5
Leader:	Geoffroi Dammartin [M848] -- Minimum Bid is 16 GP

 

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

Eighteen-hundred cavalry and five engineering companies are raised. Maps to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas are gifted to the English Crown. The King orders Brother Hugh to declare Casus Belli against the Duchy of Thuringia, but with Scotland already ignoring the declared war against the Fatimids in the holy land, the Crusader refuses. Daniel Cambell travels to the Isle of Man, but is unable to rekindle ties with the region before he returns to Glasgow.

 

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

Siege quality advances. Fifteen-hundred infantry and five siege companies are raised. King Robert appoints his sons Reginald and Phillip to official positions. He orders food sent to the Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine. Robert meddles in merchant affairs before settling into London to rule. The queen dies in 1214 during a difficult childbirth, but the boy, William, survives. Prince John sets up a blockade of Antwerp in London with sixty-five warships. Bishop Evan is unable to expand the church of London to an abbey. Baron Lot ferries reinforcements to Swabia, joining Duncan Montfort in the region. A Defensive Pact is arranged with the Kingdom of Norway.

 

Norman County of Ireland
( Dublin in Lenster )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Edward I

Count Edward order seven-hundred cavalry raised, then returns to Dublin to govern. He sires two children as he waits for a new attack by Normandy. Lord Calvik reacts out of Munster with the new cavalry. Edward the younger is given an official position at court.

 

County of Flanders
( Utrecht in Holland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Henry III

Infantry quality improves. One-thousand infantry and nine-hundred cavalry are raised. Luke Finn grows ill and perishes within his French prison.

 

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

Intel capacity improves. Six-hundred infantry and a unit of engineers are raised in Rouen. Finnoch and Lord Maurice confer with the elders in Brest, convincing the city to rekindle ties with the Duchy, if even only at Non-Paying Tributary status thus far. After the negotiations, Finnoch grows ill and weak, perishing in 1214. Duchess Gael, long in the shadow of her husband, has been slowly gaining allies in the court. With Finnoch's death, she claims power, but quickly appoints her nephew, Henry, as the legitimate Heir-Apparent. The dynasty seemingly back on track, the nobles support Gael's rule. Twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Rouen.

 

The Norman-Irish Civil War
Duchy of Normandy
vs.
Norman County of Ireland

Prince Mark of Normandy gathers up twenty-eight hundred infantry and seven engineering companies, boarding them on Crown Prince Henry's fleet of twenty warships and thirty-two cogs. As the group leaves Rouen, an opportunity to Seize enemy shipping is taken, capturing one of the Irish merchant ships. Lord Stephen joins the group, acting as Mark's second in command. The Normans sail into the Irish sea, scouting out a landing against the shores of Munster. Mark's choice of location proves disastrous, a harsh wind and deadly waves washing over the landing parties. Eighty percent of the invasion force is lost to the sea, and the Normans abandon the landing, sailing back to Rouen. Lord Rickard, away from main force, takes thirty other warships, stationing them in Cornwall.

 

 

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

Intelligence and Religious Effectiveness both see improvement. King Charles marries his longtime mistress, Irene, securing her children as part of the succession. Leverette DeMarais transfer five-thousand reinforcements, and over two thousand mercenaries, to Ghent. A bad harvest causes widespread famine and hurts the overall tax rate. Thirteen-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Paris.

 

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

The city of Perpignon reverses course, retying itself to the Duchy and dropping its Tenuous ties. Thirty-two hundred cavalry are raised. Duke Rudolf and Lord Charles convene in Aquitaine, smoothing tensions with the Casildan populace. Rudolf III succumbs to age while in Aquitaine. His son is crowned in absentia.

 

The Imperial War of 1180
Duchy of Bavaria, Duchy of Bohemia, Kingdom of France, Duchy of Saxony, Kingdom of Scotland & Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine
vs.
County of Flanders, Kingdom of Hungary & County of Flanders

 

Northwest Front

French, Scottish and Burgundian forces converge on occupied region of flanders. Jacque-Hughes of France commands eighty-three hundred cavalry, plus another twenty-five hundred mercenary, and ten engineering companies. King Kenneth of Scotland reinforces the region with forty-six hundred cavalry and five companies. Finally, Al-Azek of Burgundy commands fifty-one hundred cavalry. Once all the forces are settled, the three groups set up an active siege of the Flemish fortress in the region. Without any support, it quickly falls at the cost of three-hundred men to the allies.

Al-Azek and the Bugundians then split from the main force, marching back south to Swabo-Lorraine. The French and Scottish press into Brabant, where they discover a Flemish leader at the head of one-thousand infantry, nine-hundred cavalry, two siege companies and five field forts. Despite the massive troop advantage, the Flemish leader manages to force a stalemate. Even still, the enemy numbers are enough to destroy the Flemish forces. The allies lose fourteen-hundred men in the attack.

The group pushes on into Holland, sweeping aside the five field forts at the cost of only two-hundred men. Scotland leaves a garrison in the region and the armies begin to lay siege lines around the city, hoping to starve it out. The Scottish fleet cuts off the city from the sea. For over three years, the city holds out, living off the food reserves that Flanders had the foresight to store. In 1214, a rebellion erupts in the region of Flanders. The rebel army is able to oust the five-hundred man garrison, killing two-hundred, while the rest fleet to the walls of Ghent.

 

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

Missionaries make a good amount of progress in the region of Valencia. The city of Barcelona is expanded, while the city of Bordeaux is linked to the capital by a new royal road section. Prince Phillip returns to Zaragoza, personally marshalling the government. He begins to worry some of the court when he takes his niece, Hermosa, as his wife. Sure enough, when King Hernan comes of Age, Phillip refuses to step aside. The young King proves to have little grasp of court intrigues but does have the ear of the national assassins. Phillip is murdered in his sleep, and Hernan take the crown. Prince Valero continues his diplomatic work in Gascony, easing tensions. Prince Sancho defends New Castille with a thousand men. Lord Donario "The Searcher" spends the cycle investigating the countryside of Gascony. Lord Esteban sets out with five ships from Bordeaux, first encountering storms which impede his progress, but then successfully mapping the English Channel and North Sea. Lord Bellelo is set upon by thugs in Catalonia during his own investigations.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	127mi, 124mc, 31ms, 37mw, 7mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

Assassin effectiveness improves. Five warships are built for the ally from the Faeroes islands. The city of Sundsbyen has four sections of city walls added. Prince Thorbrandr is granted a position in the court. The King spends his time meddling in Merchant Affairs, shifting some of the Internal Trade routes to Fishing Fleets. Crown Prince Hakon steers the government, siring five daughters throughout the cycle. Ketill Hroaldson returns from Turku and travels to Hergelad, where he negotiates a feudal alliance from the mountainous region. Bishop Kari is tasked with the delivery of various brides. His attempts at an abbey in Norway fail. Lord Asmunder and Vemundr of the Faeroes are in Turku when the region is invaded.

 

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

A small church is erected in Liv by the local parish.

 

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

The cities of Copenhagen, Handel, and Helsingborg are all expanded. A new fortress is built on the mouth of the Dvina, while the fortresses in Handel and Skane are fortified. The King and his twin brother are wed to sister brides from Norway. A Defensive Pact and Clerical Network are arranged between the nations. The King sires four children with his bride, his brother siring two. Lord Thomas continues to administer from the capital. Lord Frederick ferris resources to Latvia and back. Both Thomas and Frederick retire during the cycle.

 

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

Slept.

 

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

Heppenheim and Hanover both have three sections of wall guards added to them. Five-thousand cavalry are raised for the mobile forces. Religious upkeep is ignored by the Duke. He orders the Rheinfels fortress in Alsace disbanded completely. The young Duke then settles into Wurzburg, negotiating for the release of Adalard from France. He then steers the government. Lord Harmand is ordered to defend Strassburg to the death. The skinny nobleman does so, perishing in 1212, his three-hundred infantry marching back to Franconia.

 

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

Fifteen-hundred cavalry are raised. Vratislaus the younger defends his homeland with the True Cross in tow.

 

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

Six-hundred infantry and six engineering companies are raised. Krakow has two new wall sections added. Agents manage to destroy one level of Hungarian intelligence capacity. Lord Otto orders a mass conscription for the cycle, then spends the years negotiating a series of ransoms for the captured royal family. Lothair, Rudolf, Conrad, Ansgar, Trudi and Gabriel are paid for. Trudi succumbs to age soon after her release.

 

Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine
( Augsburg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Friedrich I

Seven-hundred infantry and one-thousand cavalry are raised. Two marriages are arranged with Burgundy, the first a pact of good relations, the second, an enhanced military alliance. A third marriage is arranged to England, granting that nation Joint Conflict rights against the Duchy of Thuringia. The Duke sees to the defense of Augsburg, spending enough time with his wife to sire three daughters. One-thousand mercenary infantry are contracted in Augsburg.

 

Elective Margravate of Tuscany
( Pisa in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Margrave Cosimo II

Siege quality improves. Two-thousand infantry, five-hundred cavalry and 2 warships are conscripted. Tarsus has four wall segments erected. The Margrave takes a mistress. She dies during her second pregnancy, Cosimo busies himself with steering the government. Dominico Suzon continues to ease tensions in Algeria. Ludovico Nicolo travels to Tarsus, joining Veccio di Luca in defense of the city with twelve-thousand troops. He discovers that Veccio is missing, and the city of Tarsus is in rebellion. Ludovico quickly assumes control of the garrison and suppresses the rebellion. He then moves to defend the region of Cilicia. Bebe Marcolina ferries the reinforcements to Tarsus, also collecting a Byzantine bride for the Margrave's son. A Defensive Pact is arranged.

 

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

Remus Barchetta reinstates a national census for the Republic, giving tax rates a boost. Angelo Veneziada travels to Trieste, but is unable to rekindle ties with the stubborn city elders. Victor Orvieto has better luck in Lombardy, where the region agrees to full integration. Consigliori Urbani oversees the expansion of church domain in Venice, successfully founding the Cathedral of San Marco. Consigliori Ligorio reacts from Venice with four-thousand land forces. The Doge and Captain Tomas Franelli react from Venice with one-hundred and twenty ships. The government is shook up once again by the death of the Doge, but no turmoil erupts, and Angelo Veneziada is quickly elected.

 

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

A local priest from the city of Naples petitions the Pope in Rome for the resources to build a small chapel. It is granted, and the building is quickly erected and opened for mass. Twenty light transports and an accompanying two-thousand light infantry are raised and added to the fleet. Twenty cogs are raised and pressed to service internal trade routes. Duke Lucio takes on five companies of engineers, and orders three new wall stations built around Medina Mayurqa. He steers the government, three children added to his family. Princes Orfeo and Leopoldo travel to the deserts of Gefara, preaching the word of Christ to the Sunni natives. Lord Guy commands the now two-hundred ship fleet, reacting from Naples, while Lord Ettore leads the five-thousand man ground forces.

 

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

Both sections of the religious sector increase, as does assassin effectiveness. The city of Palermo is expanded. One-thousand cavalry are raised and set aside for the Prince's Crusade. The military conversions in Kabilya and Tunisia are revoked, the populace allowed to worship as they choose. Three new trade routes are opened up across the Sahara utilizing the now openly muslim merchant caravans. The Count still wants his taxes from Africa, however, and orders Kabily colonized. Signs of a revolt are quickly crushed, and the new landowners loyal to the crown are settled. Lord Raimund reacts from Tunisia with over six-thousand troops.

Once again, Count Simon makes overtures to the Duchy of Naples. Seven royal marriages are arranged, six leaders arrayed in discussion with the Apulian court for five years, a horde of gold spent. Duke Lucio, already seeing fewer and fewer opportunities for expansion, begins to take heed of the promises and words of Sicily. Eventually the Duke agrees to an Economic merger. Apulia, Campania, Calabria and Spoleto (and their cities) are granted to the Sicilians. Gefara and the city of Chandax are granted their independence under the control of various noble families, allowed to choose their own path. Someone contracts three-thousand infantry and five transports out of Palermo. Two-thousand mercenary cavalry are contracted in Tunis.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	109mi, 26mc, 8ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Oskar I

The national infrastructure and religious effectiveness both increase. The King voluntarily decreases Poland's religious capacity. A favored trade partnership is arranged with the Kingdom of England. Sixteen-hundred cavalry are raised for the military. The King interferes in Merchant Affairs, learning that he has been elected the Holy Roman Emperor. He travels to Courland and secures a Non-Paying Tributary agreement. Prince Ryszard travels to Odessa in preparation for a transfer from Kiev. Prince Sylwester reacts from the capital with five thousand men. He and his wife both perish within a month of each other. Lieutenant Ludzwig continues to preach the word in Pinsk.

 

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

The Grand Prince rules from Novgorod City, issuing the call for seven-thousand new recruits if infantry. He then orders a large invasion of his Catholic neighbor. Lords Nikon, Boris and Olav first stop in Kalinin, where the entire garrison force is taken. As the army swings back to the north and west, the pagans in Kalinin immediately revolt. Lord Nikon then leads the charge into Turku. A total of twelve-thousand infantry and four-thousand cavalry descend on the Norweigian region. Lord Asmundr Eyvindson of Norway and Vemundr Ingialdson, Allied Lord of the Faeroes are both in the region. Eighteen-hundred infantry and five allied warships augment the twelve-hundred local defenders. Turku is able to hold the firs round. Pushing back the Novgor troops, but the entire national forces of Norway are wiped clean. Boris of Novgorod is killed among four-hundred other deaths. Lord Nikon pours the troops back into Turku, this time sweeping aside the remaining defenders at the cost of three-hundred men, though Olav is wounded. The Norwegian Leaders flee into Sundsbyen. Nikon turns north and pursues, conquering Vaasa, then launching an active siege of the city. Olav perishes as the walls are breached, but it is taken. The Norwegians flee back to Christiana. Lord Nikon leaves garrisons, and travels back to Novgorod to remain on reaction.

 

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

The city of Mykolaiv is built along the brief shores of the Mare Negri in Atelzuko. Tchernigov, Kiev, Vitebsk, Kaunas, Polotsk, Saraov all have their walls expanded. Odessa has her torn down. The cultivation of Atelzuko is begun. Ties with the city of Odessa are dropped at the end of the cycle, Poland of Rejek released from her prison with apologies. The Grand Prince stops briefly in Kur to spread the word, but finds no ears for his preaching. He settles back into the capital to steer the government. A small cut from a dinner knife becomes infected, and his physicians are unable to get hold of the disease. It eventually spreads up his arm and into his heart, killing him at only twenty-eight years of age. As Borislav is without heirs, the court falls to efforts in claiming the throne. In the end, the Prokhor family assumes power, and the nation muddles on without issue. The new Grand Prince spends the cycle patrolling in the Gulf of Cyprus, ready to protect Kiev's Byzantine allies. Lord Volodymyr defends amongst the garrison of Kiev.

 

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

King Jenci orders his assassins to murder Duke Heinrich of Bavaria in the prisons of Regensburg. They do so without hesitation. In contrast, he orders the Polish leader, Chubik, released, and waives the Polish attempts offers of ransom. Eleven-hundred cavalry and a thousand infantry are raised. He delivers his daughter, Valeria, to Osijek. Returning to Budapest, he steers the government and sires a new daughter. With the Bogomil uprising in Croatia, Bakony drops to Tributary status.

 

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

Both sectors of the national clergy expand. Like Hungary, gold is set aside for the Prince's Crusade, though unable to reach the order quite yet. King Ivenko comes of age and assumes the throne. Ivanko is wed to Valeria of Hungary, the two nations rekindling a Defensive Pact. In 1212, five-thousand Bogomil fanatics erupt into action in Bosnia. They march to the East, their sites set on Ludgorie. Lord Vrodrig immediately gives chase. Ten-thousand Croatian soldiers catch them just over the mountains. Vrodrig loses only six-hundred men as he defeats the religious uprising. With Bogomite Christianity now on the world stage, Bosnia degrades to Tributary status. Vrodrig later succumbs to the famine which strikes the nation.

 

The Imperial War of 1180
Duchy of Bavaria, Duchy of Bohemia, Kingdom of France, Duchy of Saxony, Kingdom of Scotland & Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine
vs.
County of Flanders, Kingdom of Hungary & County of Flanders

 

Southeast Front

Prince Torsten and Lord Alfons of Thuringia join forces with the four Hungarian leders in Bavaria. The group moves to Austria, assembling their forces of fourteen-thousand cavalry, nineteen-hundred infantry and five engineering companies. Lord Alfons leads the army into Bohemia, somewhat offsetting the fact that Hungary has not declared Casus. Vratislaus the younger of Bohemia is defending the region with fifteen-hundred infantry, a dozen units of mercenary cavalry, one-thousand siege engineers, and the six regional field forts. He is outnumbered massively by the invaders, who also retain a distinct scouting advantage. Vratislaus is defending his homeland, however, and wields the True Cross. The battle is determined when Vratislaus misjudges the speed of the invaders. Alfons leads his troops deep into the region a full week before Vratislaus expects, catching the Bohemians before their defenses are fully erected. Vratislaus is unable to organize his troops and Alfons times his attack perfectly. He loses only four-hundred men as he sweeps the defenders aside. Vratislaus is captured, and the True Cross falls to Thuringia.

Meanwhile, Prince Aumery of Burgundy has reinforced the English and Swabian defenders in the region of Swabia. Lord Roland had expected a French general as the overall commander, but when none arrives, he postures for overall command himself. Mainly this agitates the English who had much more extensive plans in place, but the Swabian general is appeased and moves to liberate the region of Bavaria. Twelve-thousand cavalry, thirty-five hundred infantry and five engineering companies annihilate the six hundred Hungarian defenders. Crown Prince Moric of Hungary learns of the liberation after the pacification of Bohemia. He leaves the Thuringians to set up a siege of Prague and moves to intercept.

Ten-thousand Hungarians face of against the sixteen-thousand allies. The numbers prove to be the deciding factor, and Moric of Hungary is unable to withdraw. Two-thousand of the enemy are destroyed, but the Hungarian forces are wiped clean. Moric, Herman and Salo flee back to Bohemia to link up with the Thuringian army. Viktor is killed. None of the allied leaders are harmed. Al-Azek of Burgundy reinforces the allies in Bavaria with his men from the Flanders campaign.

Prince Torsten of Thuringia has not been idle, and while the Hungarians are in Bavaria, launches an active siege of the Bohemian capital. Radla Zerotin commands the walls of Prague, but is unable to even delay the attackers. Radla escapes the city, but young Dusana is captured. Radla relocates to Dresden, where he negotiates the release of Duke Vratislaus and Lord Alexej. The Thuringian and Hungarian leaders switch to reaction from Bohemia, while the allies remain on alert in Bavaria.

Prince Henning of Swabo-Lorraine collects seven-hundred infantry, two siege companies and five warships. He launches an attack of Cologne, hoping to liberate the region from the garrison of two-hundred Flemish infantry. He is successful, losing only one unit. He then crosses the river into Hesse, pitting his forces against the four field fort garrison. The Thuringian forces in Bohemia are out of range to react, and Henning carries the field. His forces then set up a defense of the region for the remainder of the cycle.

 

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

 

Volga-Kama Bolghar
( Ukek in Urkel )
Sunni Islam, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Harun Khan

The Khan appoints his brothers Midhat and Amin as Prince's of the realm. He then orders the bridge to Patzinak completed, giving the Bolghar another crossing of the Volga river. Harun continues to react from the homeland with ten-thousand men, supported by the feudal levies of Saksiny and Torki. Imran continues to steer the government in Ukek, siring five children in the cycle. Lords Hakam and Ilhami travel to Levedia, where they manage to sooth the hostile feelings of the regional leaders. Cleric Tey continues to convert the pagans of Patzinak. A blinding snowstorm sweeps across the homeland in the winter of 1214. Many patrols are lost during the whiteness. The Khan personally leads a scouting party to search for them, but succumbs to frostbite himself during the foray.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	104mi, 55mc, 81ms, 22mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4

 

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness increases. The Shah sends the second payment of gold to the Great Seljuk for the Khurasan lands. He then recruits six-thousand new cavalry. Finally, he expands the city of Qyzylorda. He marries from the local nobility, and produces a child as he steers the government. He suffers an unexpected attack of the heart, dying quite young. This leaves his aged Uncle, Yasser, in line for the throne. All three lieutenants immediately launch their own plans for usurping the throne. Each man draws gangs from the garrison of the region, using them to scour for support and beat down their opponents. Lord Samad ends up victorious and in control of the fifteen-thousand cavalry of the region. He uses the men to gather up the remains of Yasser's family, burning them all as infidels. Khurasazn, Khazakh and Chorasima all relinquish ties to the Empire. Bokhara launches a full scale rebellion, overcoming the two field forts in the region. All of the Imperial cities stay loyal.

 

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

The Cultivation of Shadad is completed. A new royal road in Firoz Kshi reaches to the border of the new farms. Otarsh sees a new fortress constructed. Monies are sent to the Abbasid Caliphate. Crown Prince Darab is granted an official position. The Khan steers the government, four more children added to his brood. Lord Omar spends the turn sending payments to various families in Khwarezim, successfully appeasing the neighboring nation before dying of a cough. Prince Nizar investigates the homeland. Lord Jahangir is unable to gain ties with the Avar. Prince Kamal, Lord Jasper, and Dario of Transoxania react from the homeland with almost eight-thousand troops.

 

Great Seljuk Empire
( Esfahan in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Empress Ghayda I

Warship quality sees improvement. The Empress orders the port city of Chalus constructed on the coast of Tabaristan. She gifts the ally of Mand with five-hundred infantry. She personally raises eleven engineering companies, hosting them all in a new capital fortress. Gold is gifted to the Order of Hashshashins. A postal road is lain from the capital to the new port city. Construction complete, the Empress then turns her attention to steering the government. Her father moves to Shir Kuh, gaining a Non-Paying Tributary agreement before perishing in the wilderness of age. Lords Hussain and Rahim run negotiations in El Burz, fully absorbing the region. Lords Ramin and Tahmouress target the city of Qom, gaining a similar result. The Hashshashin Forruka continues to react from the capital with ten-thousand troops.

 

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

Shapur sires three daughters as he rules and sees to the defense of the capital. Prince Hakan travels to the city of Ancyra, gaining himself a bride and his father a Full Alliance. Lord Mahmud manages to eliminate the hostility of Cappadocia with soft words and promises.

 

Atabeg Sultanate of Lyssa
( Lyssa in Carhae )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Basir I

Missionaries convince almost a third of the heretics in Aleppo to return to Orthodoxy. Five field forts are raised in Aleppo, while five companies of engineers are recruited by the Sultan. He sires a daughter, then moves to Aleppo, setting up a defense of the region along with Lord Artan and six-thousand troops. Arsham and Rostam travel to Antioch, securing a Tributary agreement. Sahifd of Edessa reacts from his region. Prince Rasul rules from Lyssa, his Damascene bride perishing in her first childbirth.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. Agents sneak into the region of Cilicia, kidnapping the Byzantine Prince Ionnacius in the dead of night. The Greek, used a much more plush lifestyle, does not fare well in the dungeons and perishes after two years of captivity. Thirteen field forts are raised across the regions of Mesopotamia, Hahmar, Adaban, Diyala and Ahvaz. Rutters for the Red Sea and Bab-al-Mandab are granted to the Hashshashins. Large sums of gold continue to be sent to the Lyssans. Prince Rauf and Lord Umar negotiate a new Feudal Alliance with Palmyra. The alliance with Dharan is severed. Lords Wadi and Abu move into Edessa, defending the region with seven-thousand troops. Without a Defensive Pact, the army remains isolated and far from supply. The Feudal Lords of Circis and Selucia react from their regions. Bakkar steers the government from Baghdad, siring one final child before shuffling off to the next world. Sensing an opportunity, Prince Rauf immediately begins to plot for the throne. He underestimates the loyalty of the other generals, however, and Lord Umar throws the rebel Prince in chains as soon as the plot is revealed. In Baghdad, Nizah has assumed power, and orders Umar to behead the rebel. This angers many in the nobility of the realm, and rebellions erupt in Abadan, Diyala and Kuwait. The garrisons in the latter two regions overcome the rebels, but Abadan is successful in going independent. All three Feudal Allies end their ties to the Caliphate.

 

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

Siege quality improves. The Sultan comes of age, accepting an Abbasid bride and forming an Open Borders agreement. Prince Fawzi steps aside without issue, spending the cycle investigating Lebanon with Lord al Kamil. Prince Ubaid reacts from Lebanon with four thousand troops and the feudal support of Sadar of Bostra. Bahir ad Watar reacts from Levant with two-thousand.

 

Emirate of Yemen
( Sana in Yemen )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Abd-al-Hamid I

Slept.

 

NORTH AND EAST AFRICA

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	103mi, 118mc, 11ms, 36mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c6, s4, w6

 

Nile Conflict of 1185
Kingdom of Scotland
vs.
Fatimid Caliphate

The English fall out of the war with the dissolution of their Joint Conflict marriage to Scotland.

 

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

The region of Suakin abandons its tenuous link to the Caliphate. Infrastructure of the realm expands, while assassin capacity improves. The city of Siqirah on the Socotra island is expanded. The Caliph remains in Al-Qahirah, taking a new bride and siring three children as he steers the government. Prince Al-Haytham and Lord Khayri ravel to Suakin. The prince takes a bride, and many tensions are eased with the region. Iqbal Nazir and Abasi Al'Aswadi react from the capital with fourteen-thousand troops. Prince Al-Hakim sails to the island of Zanzibar, gaining a Feudal Alliance. The Feudal Allies of Sinai and Ad'Difah replenish their levies.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Zulafta and Mazawah both have a new section of walls built to protect the cities. Two hundred cavalry and infantry are raised. A road network is started to cross the mountains between Shoa and Sennar. The King rules from Soba, siring three sons and teaching his younger brother the ins and outs of administrative duties. Prince Arulios continues to bribe Fatimid nobles, and soon the war status between the two nations is abandoned. Prince Paul reacts from Funj with two-thousand men. Lord Mareb convinces the region of Dongola to fully join the kingdom. Lord Makonen has no luck in pursuing new treaties with Lalibela or Adowa. Lord Quaim'In spends the cycle investigating various locations: Mazawah, Zulafta, Adulis, Kassala, Alwa and Napata. Q'o'oram of Kassala defends his region, while Toconda of Gezira reacts from Adulis. Toconda retires at cycle's end, his son taking his place.

 

The Masai Tribes
( Mwarza in Masai )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Chief Zuberi

The Burundi and Nyasa tribesman both abandon their tenuous links to Chief Zuberi. He personally arranges a more feudal alliance with the Nyasans, while his son, Wekesa, reports a full economic alliance from the Burundi. Chakide continues to find the Malawi reluctant to give up any local authority.

 

WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	14mi, 5mc, 5ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c3, s4, w4

 

Kanem-Bornu Empire
( Ngazargumu in Kanem-Bornu )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Emperor Mai Kuntana

Slept.

 

Hausa Bakwai
( Kano in Hausa )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Biram Bakwai

Six-hundred infantry are added to the foot soldiers of the Hausa. Biram holds court in Kano, blessed with two more children during the time. Prince Zazzau and Master Bawo try to rekindle negotiations with the Kafin tribes, but the hostile chief exiles them both from the region. Karap da Gari travels to Kwarafara, where he competes with the Ogiso of Benin for rights over the tribes in that land. The offer of marriage to the Benin Ogiso sways the people toward the Southern Kingdom rather than the Hausa.

 

Mali Empire of Songhai
( Gao in Sudan )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Emperor Za-Kukuray

The Emperor five-hundred cavalry and another thousand infantry for the mobile forces. Za-Kinkin is left in charge of meeting with the tribal chiefs, acting as the head of state. The Emperor travels to Ghana with the intent of diplomacy, but almost starts a war when he attempts to cross into Segu with over two-thousand troops. Met immediately by five-thousand Segu troops under two leaders, the Emperor is able to defuse the situation, stationing his troops in Songhai before continuing with the diplomatic discussions. The Emperor offers many marriages and sizeable portion of gold. Bannu Bubu agrees to the merger, beginning with an Economic Alliance in Segu and Ghana. The region of Boure turns out to be too distant for Za-Kinkin's administration, and abandons the merger, all other regions are granted their independence by the two rulers. In addition to supporting diplomacy in Ghana, Prince Za-Takay and Lord Zenku-Kumoy are tasked with a census. The pair squanders to allocated resources on trivial items and banquets. They have nothing to show after five years of work. Nintasanay of Dogamba reacts from his region with over two-thousand feudal troops.

 

Segu Wagadou
( Kumbi Saleh in Ghana )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Bannu Bubu

Absorbed.

 

Tribal Kingdom of Takrur
( Dakar in Takrur )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
King Nfansu

King Nfansu raises another five-hundred infantry, and orders a fortress constructed in the capital. He then spends another five years on the census, this time completing it successfully. Prince Adboulie with Lords Kimathi and Kayin first increase ties in Galam to full Tributary. They then move to Khalem, where they secure a Feudal Alliance.

 

Ashanti Kumasi
( Kumasi in Gagnoa )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Ogiso Kweku

The Ogiso orders three-hundred infantry and five cogs raised in the capital. The ships are put to service carrying goods between the Kumasi cities, though one is placed on the route with the Mwene Kongo. He then returns to the capital, splitting time between defense with his five-hundred men, and time with his two wives. Both grant him a pair of children. Lords Kudjo and Kofi attempt to enter the region of Bomi with fifteen-hundred troops. With Bomi already Hostile, the natives see the move as an invasion and move to intercept with their own sixteen hundred. The Bomi Chief is almost a match for Kudjo's tactical experience. But his knowledge of the terrain grants him an edge. The Kumasi are routed, with Lord Koji killed along with the troops. In retaliation, the Bomi chief raids into Niete, destroying some of the public works. The raiders return to Bomi, settling in for an expected second attack. Abeme of Togo reacts from his region, but is too distant from Niete to prevent the raid.

 

Oyo Katunga
( Katunga in Oyo )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Dubaku

Dubaku does an about face with the local religion, urging a continued abandonment of old rites and traditions. Four field forts are raised in Ife, with settlers encouraged to take root in the fishing village of Aruba. The Ogiso spends time with his wives, the first producing a son and daughter, the second perishing during childbirth. The crown Prince follows his father's lead, also seeing a son and daughter. Lords Mariska and Tepembe convince the region of Ife to fully join the Katunga. The Ogiso's first wife catches ill at the end of the cycle and perishes.

 

Ogiso of Benin
( Ibinu in Benin )
Raff Dulan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Ogiso Ifke Nthanda

The newly created Raff Dulan priesthood sees a success in the conversion of Kwarafara, expanding the religion beyond the borders of Benin. Ogiso Nthand leads his administrators and counters on a census of the realm, completing the project in 1214. Ifke Nthanda switches to martial duties, reacting from the homeland with one-thousand troops. Lords Nchaka and Befan travel to the new converts in the north. They offer a marriage to the Ogiso, and in the process gain a Tributary agreement. Late in the cycle both the Ogiso and his first wife succumb to age. Ifke takes the throne.

 

Mwene Kongo
( Julo in Kongo )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Chief Kgosi

The postal road from Julo to Tchibanga is upgraded to a royal version. The Chief spends his time meeting with leaders of the tribes under his control, acting as judge and administrator. Lord Masozi reacts from the homeland with one-thousand footmen. Lord Taonga sails to the Gambian sea, quickly taming its currents for the nation's sea lore. He returns to Julo to find that his sister has been betrothed to the Chief's son. The marriage is soon overshadows by the death of the Chief's wife.

 

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Fifteen-hundred infantry, nine cogs, two light transports and ten light warships are raised. Infrastructure is lent to Sicily, five-hundred cavalry transferred from Palermo in exchange. Primas Orvar recruits one hundred religious infantry from the old duchy of Apulia. Prince Gregers and Lord Sean each found a new Cell for the order. Lord Kenrick expands a Cell into a Lodge. Commander Simon remains in Cilicia, defending the region with twelve-hundred men. He perishes in 1213. Otto von Drakken retires from Tarsus, his bodyguard thwarting a kidnapping and assassination attempt. He collects eighty warships, thirty-six Cogs and Transports, and four-thousand mobile troops. Justicar Raymond accompanies him on a raid of the Levant. Three Damascene leaders react to intercept the raid. A series of small battles and conflict erupt along the coastline, with ten warships burned by the defending troops. Otto retires from the region, lacking any gold, but having captured the leaders Ubaid and Sadar. He ignores further orders to pirate the city of As-Sur, and retires from the Gulf. Five mercenary transports are contracted in Rouen.

 

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

Assassin capacity expands. Agents manage to kidnap a Tuscan general from Tarsus, then incite the city to riot. Two-thousand cavalry are conscripted. Ali personally summons two-hundred order cavalry from the Sultanate of Damascus. Lack of status in Lyssa prevents him from recruiting in that nation. Prince Rushdi summons six-hundred cavalry from the Abbasid Caliphate. He is unable to complete a new Cell. Prince Sulik disappears for three year, returning to the Middle East with the Standard of Muhammed. Lords Ali and Ubayd create a new Temple and Lodge. Ibn Khallikan successfully founds four new Cells.