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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 024
(1215 to 1219)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	75mi, 171mc, 24ms, 11mw, 6mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

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

King Kenneth squeezes extra taxes from the nation, using them to continue the war and recruit three-thousand new infantry. Lord Daniel continues his mapping expedition, this time diving the currents of the Upper and Lower Danube River. Daniel perishes after his return to Edinburgh. Rory MacDonald is able to press the nobles to approve full-scale war against Thuringia. Brother Hugh travels to Man, but is unable to negotiate an agreement from the islanders.

 

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

The city of Norwich is expanded, with three wall towers built along its new border. A slew of recruiting is done in London. Ten warships, eleven light transports, four-hundred infantry and three engineering companies. A defensive marriage is arranged with the Kingdom of Norway. King Robert attempts to declare Casus Belli against the Sultanate of Damascus, but with the Imperial War still raging, the nobility have no interest in another conflict. Robert then concentrates on Ruling, siring two illegitimate sons. After their naval voyage is cut short, Princes Reginald and John return to London to spend time with their wives. John sires one child, while Reginald gains three. Prince Phillip reacts from the English Channel, taking time to pick up his Norwegian bride. John later succumbs to illness, the court physicians surprised by the strength of the coughing disease.

 

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

Six hundred cavalry are raised for the mobile forces. Count Edward continues to rule from Dublin. He receives reports that farmers in Ulster have discovered a hardy strain of winter rye, potentially allowing the region to produce an extra harvest each year. Countess Marlys perishes at the age of fifty-six.

 

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

King Charles of France executes the remainder of the Flemish royal family. The government collapses, each estate devolving to localized control.

 

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

Agro is sent to Normandy's French allies. Duchess Gael steers the government, lavishing both a royal and religious education on young Stephen. She also confiscates an Irish trading vessel. Two-thousand mercenary cavalry are contracted in Rouen.

 

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

Prince Mark of Normandy recruits a further two-thousand infantry. Prince Henry and Prince Mark then combine forces, collecting twenty-three hundred infantry, twelve-hundred cavalry and six companies of engineers. Lord Rickard, and his thirty warships out of Plymouth, enact a blockade of Dublin, the Irish capital. He is soon approached by a squadron of five English warships that seeks to land in the city. Rickard turns them away in preparation for the Norman assault. Genry and Mark sail to the coast of Connaught and disgorge their forces. Lord Calvik of Ireland reacts to meet the landing party with fourteen-hundred cavalry. The Normans battle the Irish to a stalemate, giving them the needed time to finish their landing and bring their cavalry to bear. Ireland loses seven-hundred men, with eight-hundred lost to the Normans.

Calvik attempts to disengage having lost his cavalry advantage, but is cut off by the Norman troops and forced into a second battle. This time the Normans lose only two-hundred men. The Irish cavalry is wiped out. Calvik flees to Lienster, collecting four-hundred infantry, then shuts himself into Dublin City. Henry and Mark regroup and garrison Connaught, then march after Irish. They sweep aside the garrison commander and his two field forts, conquering the Irish homeland. The cycle ends with Mark drawing siege lines around the city, and Henry sailing back to Rouen with the supply fleet. Lord Rickard perishes while commanding the second fleet in Plymouth.

 

 

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

Despite the famine of the previous cycle, Charles recruits thirteen new siege companies for the crown. Lord Ambard perishes after many years as a Crusader. Normandy is allowed to take control of Brabant. Geoffroi Demmartin and twenty-two hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Paris.

 

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

Intel effectiveness increases. Grand Duke Rudolf takes a new bride from the among the nobles in the capital. He sires two daughters before recruiting thirteen hundred new cavalry. Lord Charles secures a Full Alliance from the city of Perpignon. Young Prince Rudolf perishes at the age of six after falling from a banister he was climbing. The Grand Duke's brother, Aumery, is somberly declared the new Heir-Apparent.

 

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.
Kingdom of Hungary & Duchy of Thuringia

 

Northwest Front

Lord Oswell, not confident in the power of Utrecht to resist a siege, sneaks out of the city in the dead of night with three wagon loads of gold, the remains of the Flemish treasury. His train is discovered by one of the many Scottish patrols. Oswell is unable to escape the Scots, and he and his monies are captured by King Kenneth. King Charles in France wastes no time in executing his three royal prisoners, eradicating the last of the Flemish royal family. This destroys the Flemish government, and Flanders collapses as a nation.

Prince Cheyney of France gathers up twenty-two hundred infantry and thirteen-hundred mercenary cavalry from Paris, and presses into Champagne. The local lord musters thirteen hundred troops to defend, and for the first battle manages to secure a stalemate against the French. Unfortunately for his outnumbered forces, a stalemate still costs him most of his defenders. Cheyney pushes in for a second attack, sweeping the remaining four-hundred men aside. He spends the next six months laying siege to the city of Janelle and the regional fortress.

Cheyney's push into neighboring Flanders is quickly met with fierce resistance. Despite the national collapse of Flanders, the local forces are still flush with victory against the old French garrison. They turn with a fury on Chayney and his men. Suffering losses more than half his original force, Cheyney retires back to Paris.

King Kenneth of Scotland and Lord Rocher of France have been busy, launching a siege of Utrecht before reinforcements can arrive. The city is breached, but King Kenneth is downed in the struggle. The allies then turn their forces on the fortress in Holland. This time both commanders are killed, Rocher of France and James of Scotland. The new king of Scotland, Kennedy, moves into the region to claim the now leaderless Scottish force. He marches them to Utrecht, ushers them aboard his fleet, and sails back to Edinburgh. Lord Stephen of Normandy soon arrives with twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry. However, without the Scots, the French are reluctant to continue and abort further actions to regroup in Utrecht. Lord DeMairais succumbs to illness in the Scottish controlled city.

One thousand Norman troops enter Brabant under the control of Lord Maurice. The French garrison turns control of the region of to the Normans without incident.

 

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

Siege Quality, Intel Effectiveness and Assassin Capacity all improve. Barcelona has two wall segments added, and cranks out thirty new Cogs for Internal Trade Routes. Monies are gifted to Burgundy. Two royal marriages are arranged with Seville, the King even taking a Sevillian daughter as his bride. A Favored Trade Partnership and Defensive Pact are arranged, though the latter is thrown into jeopardy when the Queen perishes during her first pregnancy. Madrid is finally linked to the national road system, bringing it closer to the capital. Crown Prince Jimeno travels to Gascony, taking a bride from the nobility and continuing to ease tensions. Prince Valerio is in the region on defense, as much against uprisings as any outside threat. Prince Sancho defends New Castille, perishing near the end of the cycle. Donario encourages the church in Gascony to expand to a full Abbey. Esteban is not able to improve the Vatican site in the homeland.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	149mi, 197mc, 100ms, 153mw, 26mt
AQRs:	i5, c6, s6, w5

 

 

Jarldom of Finland
( Kiruna in Vadvet JAkko )
European Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Jarl Gregory I Boxstrom

The Finns emerge!

Established University
Neighboring Tribes
National Piety
Superior Infantry
Improved City: Kiruna

 

Kingdom of Norway
( Christiana in Norway )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Hakon the Binder

Twenty-six hundred infantry and twenty light transports are brought to service in Christiana. The postal road in Trondheim is extended to the border with Hergelad. King Brandr travels to Trondheim to collect the five-hundred man garrison. On his return to the capital, he appoints Olafr as a Prince of the court. Crown Prince Hakon is left in charge of the government, but also has time to see three new children. Ketill Hroaldson and Thorbrandr travel to Musa, the Prince takes a bride, and marries his cousin Astrid into a noble family. He competes with a Swedish noble for the region's loyalty, eventually gaining a Feudal Alliance. Bishop Kari expands the church in the capital to a full abbey. A new site in Fjordane fails to get underway. Asmundr Eyvindson and Sveinbiorn Hoskuldson take control of fifteen-hundred infantry, twenty warships and twenty transports. They sail into the Dvina river, then attempt a landing along the coast of Musa. Heavy rains during the season have run the currents particularly strong, wreaking havoc on the landing party. Only one out of every ten of the landing ships avoid capsizing and seeing their crews drowned. Asmundr abandons the landing attempt and returns to Christiana. Ottar of Hergelad reacts from Oopland with his thousand feudal troops. King Brandr succumbs to age at the end of the cycle, Hakon is crowned without issue.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. The city of Gavle is expanded, with the Kongsvinger fortress built within the port district. King Tyko dedicates the minimum funds required on a colonization attempt in Vasterbotten. He returns to Stockholm after his queen goes ill. She perishes, childless, as Tyko steers the government. Gustav Haugen remains in Gotland, gaining a Feudal Alliance from the local lord, the diplomat retires from service shortly thereafter. Olof Krosby reinstates the national census. Utgar Horn negotiates in Musa, but competition with Norway proves daunting. Stefan Krantz travels with three-hundred troops to protect the colonists in Vasterbotten.

 

Kingdom of Denmark
( Skjern in Denmark )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Lukas Runa, Regent For
King Lorens I

Not to be outdone by their neighbors, the Danish cavalry also instates many quality improvements. The city of Handel is expanded, while Helsingborg is encircled with five, strong wall towers. Six new field forts spring up in Latvia, while fifteen-hundred infantry are recruited in Skjern. Monies are gifted to Sweden, Norway, and Novgorod. King Ojan rules from Skjern, siring three children. Prince Orvar and Lord Bjorn both administer effectively. Prince Erik defends Skjern with four warships. Lord Edmund sails to Nija in Latvia, defending the region with over five-thousand troops. King Orjan and Prince Orver both perish suddenly due to some sort of disease of the lung. Lukas Runa is chosen as regent for the new child king.

 

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

Intel effectiveness increases.

 

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

Previous foreign meddling finally results in the collapse of national religious capacity. Prague sees the repair of three wall segments, with the region of Bohemia gaining five field fortifications. Four-hundred infantry are disbanded and used to recruit twenty-two hundred new infantry. Land trade with Hungary is begun through their conquered holdings. Prince Torsten returns from Bohemia with Dusana of Bohemia in tow. Sieghard forces her to the alter and takes her as a wife, hoping to legitimize his claim to Bohemia and Prague. Their first child is stillborn. A fire is started along the docks of Frankfurt, damaging two of the buildings. Thirty-two hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Wurzburg.

 

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

Two hundred cavalry, three hundred infantry, and a siege company are raised for the struggle. The Duke and Lord Alex remain in Dresden, seeing to the defense of the city with two-thousand men. Lord Zerotin negotiates the ransom and release of the Crown Prince from Thuringia.

 

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

Duke Heinrich continues to collect higher taxes from the populace. Knowing the fate of the Duchy depends on income, the nobility shoulders the burden. Duke Ansgar rules from Krakow, siring three children with a new bride from the city. Prince Rudolf travels to Warsaw, where he takes a bride of his own and lays the foundation for an Exiled Court should Krakow fall. A daughter is born to the couple. Prince Lothair travels to Moldavia, Crown-Prince Gabriel in tow. Lothair eases tensions with the region, teaching the nuance of diplomacy to Gabriel. They return to Krakow with five-hundred men. Lothair grows ill and perishes shortly thereafter. Lord Conrad spends most of the cycle protecting Krakow with two-thousand troops. He urges the nobility to declare Casus Belli against Hungary. They obey without hesitation. Lord Otto secures the release of Gunther and Hella from the Hungarians. He then travels to Moldavia, where he is granted the region in exchange for an oath of Fealty to the crown.

 

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

Infantry quality sees an improvement. Friedrich squeezes more money from his subjects to fuel the continuing conflict. Fourteen-hundred infantry and six-hundred cavalry are conscripted. Agro is shipped to Paris. Friedrich collects three-thousand men and moves to defend the region of Swabia.

 

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

Warship quality improves. The city of Tarsus and fortresses in Savoy and Liguria each add a new section of walls. Liguria and Savoy each see a new field fort. Twelve-hundred cavalry and five light warships are brought to service in Pisa. The Margrave takes on a Byzantine wife, organizing a new Military Alliance. He adopts his son, Benedetto, sired out of wedlock, but the boy perishes at ten years of age. Cosimo ransoms the release of Lord Veccio from the Hashshashins, then steers the government. Prince Leonardo and Lord Bebe travel to the city of Kairouan and negotiate a Non-Paying Tributary agreement.

 

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

The Doge recruits three-hundred new infantry. He spends most of the cycle negotiating with officers of the Vatican. When he is finished, Pietro Falcone is appointed the new Cardinal of Venice. The new Cardinal then joins Prince Thomas in patrolling the Gulf of Cyprus with one-hundred and twenty warships. They return to Venice at the end of the cycle. Lords Victor and Andreas secure an Economic Alliance from the city of Trieste. Lord Urbani collects fifteen hundred men from the Lombardy garrison and returns to the capital. Consigliori Ligorio reacts from Venice with four-thousand men.

 

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

Apulia, Campania, Spoleto and Foggia shed their Tenuous ties, fully embracing the national merger. Count William entwines the to families, relocating many of the Apulian Nobles to Palermo. He also takes on thirty warships, ten cogs, and one thousand infantry from the old Apulian Navy. One-thousand infantry and cavalry are raised in the capital. Trade is opened with the Fatimids. A port area in Sicily is built along the banks of the Ionian Sea, granting the merchants of Palermo easier access. Count William ferries two-thousand troops to Naples, then returns to Palermo intending to complete a Census. The coordination of Sicilian and Apulian records proves to be a daunting tasks, and after three years William abandons the project. He rounds out the cycle on Reaction with a hundred ten warships. Prince Andre is unable to expand the church in Naples. He returns to Palermo to reorganize the national food storage, then retires to his family. Jordan De Lench leads negotiations in Italia, fully integrating Campania into the nation, as well as cementing a Full Alliance with the old Apulian capital, Naples. He then spends the last year on reaction with two thousand troops and two thousand mercenaries. Raimund shuffles garrisons in Africa, moving to defend Tunis with six-thousand men. One thousand mercenary infantry are contracted in Naples.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	98mi, 23mc, 7ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

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

The Odin worshippers in Pinsk finally agree to abandon their tenuous links to the Emperor. It happens to coincide nicely with the cultivation of the region. The Emperor appoints his son Ludwik and nephew Stefan to positions at court. Oskar travels back to Courland, negotiating a full Tributary agreement from the region before returning to Warsaw. Prince Ryszard negotiates a similar agreement from the city of Odessa by promising a marriage to the Crown-Prince. Lord Rejek is unlucky in Prussia, making no diplomatic headway. Lieutenant Ludzwig continues to spread the good word in Pinsk. Lieutenant Chubik reacts from the capital with five-thousand troops and twenty warships. Empress Halldora succumbs to age at the end of the cycle.

 

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

Intel effectiveness increases. Lord Nikon perishes in Novgorod.

 

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

Religious effectiveness increases. Missionaries are successful in Atelzuko, eliminating the pagan beliefs of the region. Three-thousand cavalry are raised and given to Taras, the Heir. Seven light warships are constructed in Polotsk, with a cog built and assigned to merchant duties. The Grand Prince spends his time in the capital, steering the government and enhancing two land routes. Lord Ivan remains in Atelzuko, but perishes before he can progress any further in his preaching duties. Lord Luka patrols the Mare Negri with twenty-seven warships before docking in Kiev City. Fadei of Atelzuko reacts from his feudal region. Prince Taras and Lord Volodymyr position themselves in Galich in support of the Bavarians. They bring along three-thousand men. The wilderness proves to be too much for Volodymyr.

 

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

King Jenci's executioner continues to work, this time condemning Dieter of Bavaria to the gallows. Infantry Quality improves. Three-thousand cavalry are raised for the war effort. King Jenci rules from Budapest, his wife bearing a final son before her death. Jenci perishes a few short months later. The feudal lords of Wallachia, Ialomita and Transylvania move to defend Alfold before returning to their lands at cycle's end.

 

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

Princess Marika succumbs to illness.

 

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.
Kingdom of Hungary & Duchy of Thuringia

Southeast Front

Starting the action, Lord Henning of Swabia attempts a passive siege of Heppenheim, but without a blockade is unable to close off the city. Lords Alfons and Adalard of Thuringia take command of seven-thousand cavalry, moving south into Austria and setting up a defense of the region. He is soon joined by King Moric an two other leaders from Hungary, adding another three thousand cavalry to the mix. The very next week, a large allied force pushes in from Bavaria. A combined army of Swabians, English, and Burgundians. Seven enemy leaders at the command of eighteen-thousand troops, mostly cavalry. The allies field almost every advantage, quality, training, scouting. The defensive posture of the Thuringians and the fact that the English are suffering from supply concerns. All told, the attackers outnumber the strength of the defenders two to one. As battle lines are drawn, Swabian agents infiltrate the command of the Hungarian force and poison King Moric. He survives, but in poor health. It doesn't take long once battle is rightfully joined for the Swabians to press their advantages. Henning and Moric are consistently pushed back. When Lord Adalard of Thuringia is captured by Enemy forces, the defenders break into a route. Two-thirds of their forces are cut down. The allies liberate Austria, having lost three-thousand troops. After the battle, Roland of Swabia is called to one of the scouting groups of cavalry. He is taken inside a heavily guarded tent. A patrol has retaken the True Cross from a group of fleeing Thuringians. Roland has it transferred to his command wing.

The allies spend little time regrouping, and press quickly north into Bohemia after the enemy army. Moric and Henning agree that facing the force would be another one-sided affair and fall back into Nordgau where they will gain more defensive bonuses. Lord Otto of Thuringia had been defending the region, but pulls back into Prague in face of the overwhelming force. Roland sweeps aside the five field forts in the region and presses on into the region of Thuringia. Otto waits until they have crossed the mountains, the emerges from the city and re-conquers the Bohemian homeland. The allies are quick to destroy the three field forts in Thuringia. Lord Duncan tries to claim the region for England, but Roland of Swabia puts one-thousand men in the garrison and retains control. Bishop Evan of England has been idling in the Elbe River, and reinforces the Lord Duncan with seven-hundred men. While Swabia and Burgundy press onward, the English begin laying siege lines around Erfurt.

Roland pushes into Nordgau, the Thuringia homeland. The defenders are now waiting amidst eight field forts, the advantage of homeland, and support from the capital city, and a lack of Casus from the Burgundians. Duke Sieghard and Prince Torsten of Thuringia add their command ability to the forces. Roland still has the power of Scouting and numbers, thus fielding a slight advantage overall. The advantage carries, the defending forces are wiped out at the cost of another thousand troops. Prince Torsten of Thuringia and Lord Valentin of Burgundy are killed. King Moric of Hungary is captured. The rest of the defending leaders escape into the city of Wurzburg. Roland lays down another garrison of one-thousand men and marches on into Swabia. Discovering no enemies in his homeland, he marches East again, liberating the region of Slovakia.

Back in Bavaria, Baron Lot of England and Lord Jurgan of Swabo-Lorraine have drawn up siege lines around Regensbug. Without any walls, the allies overwhelm the garrison commander and his four-hundred cavalry. The Shroud of Turin is discovered within the city, Baron Lot immediately has it sent to the Vatican for safekeeping. With Bavaria's capital city liberated, sections of the government are restored to the Duchy. In Thuringia, Lord Duncan leads an assault against the city of Erfurt. He makes little progress against the two guard towers protecting the city. On his second attempt, the defenders sally forth and Duncan is wounded, half his men killed. He retreats aboard the ships in the Elbe and sails back to London. He later perishes from his injuries.

 

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
Imran Khan

Intel effectiveness improves. The new Khan steers the government in Ukek, siring five children. Princes Midhat and Amin, Lords Hakan and Ilhami, and Cleric Tey join forces to tour the realm. They preach in Patzinak, Taman, Torki and Saksiny - making good progress in each region. They also run diplomacy in Levedia, arranging a new marriage to the Khan. Selim of Saksiny and Tutku of Torki react with their feudal troops from the homeland.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	104mi, 113mc, 85ms, 24mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4

 

 

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

Infantry quality improves and assassin effectiveness increases. The Shah sends the final gold payment to the Seljuk over Khurasan, then leads a force of fifteen-thousand cavalry (and two other leaders) against the rebel province of Bokhara. They blast through the region at the cost of eight hundred men. He immediately colonizes the region with families loyal to the crown. Izz-Al-Din of Gurgan reacts from his region.

 

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

Wassim orders the defenses of the realm improved. A new fortress is erected in Bactria. Seventeen field forts are raised across six different regions. Three-hundred cavalry are raised for the mobile forces. The region of Transoxania is lowered to Non-Paying Tributary. The southern road snakes its way across the mountains and into Shadad. Wassim rules from the capital, collecting the city's garrison. Kayin reacts from the homeland. Many plans are made to support the Abbasid Caliphate. The gold payment goes through, but the rest falls apart. A planned marriage to the legendary Behnaz is never formalized in Baghdad, which also prevents a large troop transfer from going through. Even Lord Jasper, who planned to lend his military abilities to the Abbasids, in unable to do so without an active offensive or defensive alliance. Princes Darab and Kamal continue on to Mecca and complete the Hajj, returning to the capital by cycle's end with their unwed sister. Prince Nizar spends his time investigating the homeland. Jahangir's diplomacy in Avar is rebuffed by the locals.

 

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

The region of Shir Kuh abandons its Tenuous Ties to the Empire. Siege quality and Intel Effectiveness both increase. Four Cogs are constructed, two in Agri and two in Chalus. A new Port Fortress is built along the coastal border in Tabaristan. The Empress attempts to appoint Husam of the Kumaran dynasty as Heir-Apparent. This goes against the wishes of many of the powerful families who acted with the Empress' father to see the Mu'Tamid Dynasty brought into power. Husam is denied the position, and the young Empress' advisors urge her to have children of her own before looking outside the family for an heir. She has little choice but to accept the decision and throws herself into governmental duties. She releases the lord of Dasth'e Lute, significantly increasing communication between the Imperial provinces. She completely funds a new cultivation effort in El Burz. She reopens the neglected trade route with Yemen, then settles in to steer the government. Her husband, Rahim, transfers twelve-hundred men from El-Burz to the new fortress in Tabaristan. He returns to the capital to help administer the government. Lord Ramin travels and takes control of the Tabaristan forces, going on the defensive. Lords Forruka and Hussain react from the capital with ten-thousand troops. Lord Tahmouress reacts from Qom with one-thousand troops, perishing from illness. Mareesh Of Mand reacts from his allied region.

 

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

Kuban abandons its Tenuous ties, as does the city of Ancyra. In the city of Sinope, scarlet fever breaks out among the populace, soon spreading throughout the city. Those that don't perish from the disease fleet the port town for other cities, Sinope is left as a ghost town. Shapur collects the army and reacts from the capital. Crown Prince Hakan sires a daughter. Lord Mahmud's diplomacy is rebuffed by the Cappadocians. Lord Cosmo perishes on the steppes of Khazar. The Sultan's wife from Damascus perishes, putting the national defensive pact in jeopardy.

 

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

Infantry Quality and Infrastructure of the nation increases. Aleppo sees a new field fort constructed, while Carhae benefits from four. The Sultan makes a beeline for Aleppo, defending the region with over eight-thousand troops. He is joined by Lord Artan. Lord Rostam smoothes tensions among the nobles loyal to the old Mosul Sultanate by arranging a marriage o the Cown-Prince. Rasul sires a son with his new bride, steering the government from Lyssa. The Sultan's wife and daughter both catch ill and perish during the cycle.

 

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

The Sultan's brothers, Shahid, Namvar and Aref, are all granted official positions at court. A defensive pact is arranged with the Atabegs of Lyssa through the marriage of the Sultan's sister. Monies are sent to both the Sultanates of Lyssa and Damascus. The Caliph organizes a large-scale census of his realm, but is thus far unable to complete the task. Lords Abu and Nassar travel to Abadan on diplomacy. A marriage is arranged to the Sultan and a Non-Paying Tributary agreement is established. Lord Wadi reacts from Aleppo in support of the Lyssan Defensive Pact. He commands seven-thousand men.

 

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

The steppes of Bostra abandon their Tenuous ties. Levant and Lebanon both see their countryside strengthened with a new field fort. Jerusalem, As-Sur and Damascus all have a new wall tower built. One thousand new infantry are recruited. Rutters to the Agean Sea are gifted to the Hashshashins. So are three royal children: Jamaal, Jabr and Jafar. The Sultan negotiations the ransom and release of Prince Ubaid and the Feudal Lord Sadar of Bostra. He marries a local noblewoman, siring a daughter. Prince Fawzi travels to Jerusalem, reinforcing the garrison, then sets up a defense of the Levant with three thousand men, wary of an attack from the Gulf. Najib ad Wadi places infantry in Amman and Aleppo cities before traveling to Lebanon. He reacts from the region with fifteen-hundred troops in tandem with Lord Bahir and his own three-thousand men. Lord al Kamil is set upon and killed by unknown assailants in Lebanon while performing an investigation.

 

Emirate of Yemen
( Sana in Yemen )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Sa'id I

The Emir passes away. Muscat abandons its Tenuous ties.

 

NORTH AND EAST AFRICA

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	92mi, 106mc, 9ms, 32mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c6, s4, w6

 

Nile Conflict of 1185
Kingdom of Scotland
vs.
Fatimid Caliphate

No actions.

 

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

Siege quality improves. The city if Siqirah expands. Al-Haytham issues an appeasement to the now much bigger Sicilian state. Money is sent, but so is the Caliph's daughter, Malaika. The war is far from ended, but progress is made. Al-Hakim remains in Zanzibar, gaining a Full Alliance from the African island. Khayri ferries two-thousand men to Siqirah in Socotra. Iqbal Nazir and Abasi react with the main army of ten-thousand men from the capital. The Feudal Allies of Ad'Diffah and Sinai move down to defend the city of Adaibah.

The Caliph steers the government, age catching up to him in 1218. His son, Al-Haytham takes the throne without issue. The very next year, however, Al-Haytham develops a cough, pneumonia taking him at the age of thirty-one. The young Karim is appointed the new Caliph. In the capital, the charismatic Hussein Ali begins to conspire, turning families to his cause. Iqbal Nazir catches wind of the plot and confronts Ali. After a series of negotiations, Ali agrees to recognize the King, and that conflict is avoided. Many of the poor regions in the realm degenerate into local control, though newly acquired Zanzibar is among the lost.

 

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

Missionaries Christianize the pagan tribes in Kefa. The mountains between Shoa and Sennar are traversed by a paved and solid roadway. The cities of Soba, Markopolis, Napata and Meroe all have a well segment added or expanded. The King's brother, Markos, is granted an official position at court. The King steers the government, teaching Constantine the beginning ropes of administrative work. A new daughter is born, but later grows ill and perishes in her third year. Mareb travels to Shoa, gaining a Full Alliance from the region. Arulios gains a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the Nubians. Makonnen convinces Adowa to return to a Tributary status before he perishes. Prince Paul reacts from Funj with two-thousand men. Q'o'oram of Kassala defends Danakil, Menelik of Gezira defends Adulis. Quaim'in sails three ships out of the Nile, returning to Napata with maps of the Ionian Sea and Sea of Lybia.

 

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

The Masai continue to, well, talk. Chief Zuberia negotiates an Economic Alliance from the Nyasans. Chakide talks the Malawi people into a Non-Paying Tributary agreement. Duna and Wakesa gain a Full Alliance from the Burundi.

 

WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

Mercenaries - Minimum Bid is 1 GP
Troops:	37mi, 5mc, 7ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c3, s4, w4
Band	Ayodele's Marauders (Minimum Bid is 50 GP)  Ayodele [M989]  Dunia [M68B]  46mi, 5ms (The first successful bidder also receives the region of Kafin at PT status)

GM Note: Mercenary Bands must be hired as a complete group, and act as a complete group for the duration of their contract.

 

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

The Emperors raises two thousand infantry for the army. He travels to Sokoro, but the tribes are unwilling to tie themselves to Ngazargumu. The Crown Prince steers the government, siring two children. Dunia collects four-thousand infantry and five stone working companies. He moves South, meeting up with Ayodele of Okano and his fourteen-hundred allied infantry. The two leaders attack into Ikego, obliterating the twelve-hundred defenders at the cost of only one unit.

 

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

Six hundred infantry are raised, the Ogiso then turns control of five-thousand infantry and a few groups of stoneworkers over to Karap da Gari. Biram then settles in for five long years of judgments, pronunciations, and elder meetings. Zazzau spends the cycle dallying with young mistresses. His favorite dies a few months before giving birth to a child. A second gives birth to a girl. Master Bawo negotiates a tributary agreement from the tribes in Nupe.

Karap da Gari leads the army into Kafin, after a quick two months he has conquered the local tribes. He moves on to Ikego with similar plans of conquest. There are more enemy troops than expected, but Gari still has the advantage in numbers and scouting. He soon realizes that he is actually fighting a Kanem force, but by then the battle has been committed. Gari finds his match in the feudal general Ayodele, but still holds a slight advantage. Luck is not with him, however. Two companies of troops fall out of communication, while another receives the wrong orders entirely. The Kanem show no mercy, and Gari's forces are routed, only six-hundred men making it back to Kafin.

The Kanem forces soon follow across the border, and Gari attempts to evade with his remaining men. He is cornered, and though he puts up an excellent effort, he simply does not have the men to overcome the invaders. Kanem pacifies the region, ending their movement for the cycle. Kafin, however, turns out to be too far for the government to reach. Both Kanem leaders revolt from the crown, the entire army falling under the men and becoming a new mercenary band.

 

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

The Wagadou regions and cities all declare an end to their Tenuous connections with the Emperor. His royal highness decrees a series of religious celebrations in response, which serves well to bring the people closer to the gods. Five-hundred infantry, two groups of stoneworkers, and two light warships are raised. The Emperor integrates a portion of the Wagadou infrastructure, as well as gains control of almost a dozen Wagadou field forts and five more stoneworking companies. Dual Bridge Anchors are begun in Garou and Sudan. Za-Kinkin remains in Gao on administrative duties. Time with his family is incredibly fruitful, his second wife bears him three sets of twins, four other children also grace the Crown Prince. Za-Takay travels to Gorouol, easing tensions with the conquered tribes. Kayna-Biyu conducts a new census, then reacts from Gorouol with five-hundred men. Zenku-Kumoy, along with the Mask of Amma, negotiates a full absorption of Ghana, and a Full Alliance with Segu. Nintasanay of Dogamba reacts from Zerma with his feudal levy.

 

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

Kalem and Galam both declare an end to the Tenuous connections to the Kingdom. Nfansu encourages the people to embrace the worship of their local deities. He then orders one-thousand cavalry, and eight-hundred infantry raised for the army. He oversees the new troops while overseeing the government in Dakar. Abdoulie and Kayin travel to Susu. The Crown Prince takes a bride during negotiations, but the tribal councils do not yet agree to formal ties. Kimathi has better luck in Sunni Adwaghost (mainly due to the double royal marriages), the locals lending their Feudal Troops to Nfansu's will.

 

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

Eight-hundred infantry and two cogs are raised in the capital. An eastern royal road is partially completed. The Ogiso splits his time between his family (Siring four daughters between his wives). Manu is ordered to travel West to Bomi for negotiations. He barely avoids being thrown in chains, though the tribes take no other steps to progress their 'war' against the Kumasi. Still, Cudjoe is on reaction in Gagnoa with a thousand men, just in case. Abeme of Togo also sees to the defense of his region.

 

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

A second port fortress is constructed along the Niger, this time in Gurma. Both fortresses and the city of Aruba have an additional wall segment added for increased defense. Eight hundred foot warriors are recruited from the local tribes. The Ogiso remarries, his bride siring three children. Ekene, the heir, outdoes the old man, gifting him with five new grandchildren. Tepembe and Mariska are chased from the region of Kafin by the Hausa attack, their negotiations ruined.

 

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

Missionaries sent to Kafin are unable to make progress before the region is conquered. Ogiso Ifke marries a nineteen year old girl from his favorite cousin's village. She proves to be a fine wife, bearing him four children as he governs the realm. Lord Nchaka and Befan continue their diplomacy in Kwarafara, offering a second marriage to the King. The tribal elders agree to the union, and fully join the nation.

 

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

The roadway in Vili is extended all the way to the jungle border of Gabon. Chief Kgosi steers the tribe, growing ill and passing at the age of fifty-three. Masambi is declared the new Chief, though he is all the way in Gabon. He secures a bride, and an Economic Alliance from the region. Masozi reacts from the homeland with one-thousand men. Taonga sails five warships to the North, mapping the rapids and curves of the Lower Niger.

 

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Three-thousand infantry and fifteen cogs are brought to service. Primas Orvar fails to found a Cell, then collects weary troops from Tarsus and transports them back to Europe, perishing from age shortly after arriving in port. Lord Duncan spends the cycle founding a new Cell, as does Lord Sean. Lord Kenrick fails to expand a robust, new Temple. Kenrick is chosen to lead the Order.

 

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

Pilgrims found a new Cell for the Order. Religious effectiveness increases. Fifteen-hundred cavalry are raised. Old Man Ali recruits a unit of religious cavalry from the Abbasid Caliphate. A heretical slinger from Aleppo strikes him with a rock during an attempt to increase order status among the Lyssans. Ali perishes from the wound two days later. Prince Rushdi summons another four-hundred religious cavalry from the Abbasids. He fails to enact a Tithe on the Caliphate, but does manage to increase ORder Status among the Great Seljuks. Prince Sulik sets up a reactionary force of seven-thousand troops in Syria. He grows ill and perishes during the last year of the cycle. Lords Ali and Ubayd join forces to create two new cells and a temple. Both men become religious scholars and retire at the end of the cycle. Khallikan is elected the new leader of the Order. He quickly proves his meddle by founding six new cells. Lord Anushtegin quickly founds three Cells of his own.

 

The First Roman Crusade
Byzantine Empire, Elective Margravate of Tuscany, and the Prince's Crusade
vs.
Abbasid Caliphate, Sultanate of Damascus, and the Atabeg Sultanate of Lyssa

Abbasid agents pluck Ludovico of Tuscany from his command tent in Cilicia, spiriting him away in the night. The leaderless Tuscan troops march back to Tarsus to await reinforcement. Paulos Diogenes of Byzantium sets sail from Constantinople with forty light warships. His fleet raids the coast of Lebanon. Waiting for him are two Damascene leaders with eight-thousand troops. The Muslims push back the force, burning or killing the crews of seventeen of the ships. Paulos is captured by the Muslim force, while Bahir of Damascus is captured by the Christians. Bahir perishes in Prison after the leaderless fleet sails to Salamis.

Hector Michelli arrives in Tarsus, taking command of the twelve thousand Italian troops. Otto von Drakken of the Prince's Crusade arrives as well, and quickly assembles with the Italians and Byzantines. Otto is supported by Justicar Raymond and eleven-thousand Crusaders. Princes Iasion and Giorgios of Byzantium field their own fourteen-thousand. The five leaders press east into Aleppo. The Abbasids and Lyssans have set up a defense, directed at the Cilician border. Three Lyssan leaders, Sanjar, Artana and the Sultan himself are strengthened by Wadi of the Abbasids. Najib of Damascus fails to React in support of the defenders.

Thirty-eight thousand Christians, with advantages in scouting, training, numbers and the superior command of von Drakken - against seventeen-thousand Muslims sporting an excellent position and the support of the regional fortress. The Christians find themselves with only the smallest of tactical advantages overall. Otto urges the alliance forward. History would look back on this as the pinnacle of Otto's victories. At every turn he makes quick command decisions, never once making a mistake of judgment. The Muslim leaders perform with vigor, but the use of strategy is only average at best. Otto's alliance devastates the Muslim forces, running them into the earth with his cavalry. Otto loses just under three-thousand troops in the battle. Sanjar of Lyssa is captured by the Prince's Crusade. The region is turned over to a Tuscan garrison. As the allies regroup, a minor wound Otto suffered during the battle becomes infected. He perishes within three weeks.

The Crusader forces then split up to deal with the city and fortress. Hector Michelli storms the walls of Antioch with his remaining nine-thousand troops. They sweep aside the almost three-thousand defenders at the cost of three-hundred men. Hector is one of the casualties, and the leaderless Tuscans garrison the city. The Byzantines lose one company of engineers as the destroy the Aleppo fortress.