Lords of the Earth Campaign 31

Turn 7: Anno Domini 1425 - 1428

Industrial Stage One: The Dawn of the Modern Age

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TURN 8 is due Friday, 23 June 2000.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND GM COMMENTS

Welcome to Lords of the Earth, Campaign 31! This is a game of empire building set in an historical setting. You will have the chance to control the rise and fall of empires through political, economic, military, espionage, and religious activities. Since this is an open-ended game, covering a span of centuries, you will have the opportunity to do pretty much anything you can imagine.

A lot of things will be on my plate this summer, mainly two daughters in select softball, which kills most weekends. For the summer - at least through the end of July, reality will raise it's ugly head and I'll shoot for a 4-week turn-around for this campaign - two weeks for you to submit your orders and two weeks for me to process them. Maps are available on the Lords-31 website.

If you want to submit material for the Newsfax, either as the "Mouthings of the Emperor" or as background material to help me write things up, by all means do so. However, I reserve the right to make necessary changes.

That brings us to the status and execution of NPN's and positions that fail to turn in orders. I will use my "best" judgment in these circumstances; if the players near this position are actively participating, then the NPN will be very passive, concentrating on PWB and investments. If the nearby players are not very active then the NPN will move out and try to DP the adjacent regions.

Some notes and observations from turn-4-7:

• If you want to adjust the MSP on your trade routes, you must tell me the route number or it probably won't be adjusted. There are over 400 trade routes in this campaign and I don't want to search them all every time someone wants to make a change.

• If you send me orders that are not clear (to me) then you run the risk of having them executed in a manner that was not what you had intended.

• Exploration is a major activity for nations during the period of this campaign. I have been far to easy with exploration results; therefore everyone who has moved beyond Western Europe map must demonstrate the time and resources to have explored what they now own before I will let them move any further. Those in Asia know the sea zones around their country up to one trade conduit away, either 3 or 4 sea zones). Movement or trade further away that the one conduit would have to be explored. Existing routes will still exist but you must expend the effort (and resources) to explore any routes that are beyond the one conduit limit.

• Furthermore, any exploration down one way arrows must have enough resources to make it back via a "legal" route. In other words, if you go down a one way arrow and stop your exploration due to attrition then you will not gain rutters for any part of the route because your explorers have not found a way back home. The expedition must complete the return trip for you to gain information from that expedition.
  
• Clarification: the current from the Azores to Western Europe is a two way arrow; there will be additional current(s) (one way) added from the New World to the Azores to reflect C. Columbus' trip.

Good Luck to all!

- Dave Salter

RULES ERRATA AND REMINDERS

There have been significant rule modifications over the last two months to the basic rules, the renaissance rules and the gm rules. I believe they are stablizing and by turn 10 I will be looking to incorporate most, if not all these rules. If you want to get copies, contact Thomas Harlan as noted below. This is not an attempt to generate revenue for Thomas but an offer for you to get the new rules before they come into play and comment on them. Religious Orders and Merchant Combines willl probably be effected the most.

Also, on turn 10, I will strictly enforce msp basing, command and control rules and adverse impacts of random events. Get your house in order.

Colonization: Any region that is cultivated or has been cultivated and is less than 2 GPV can be increased in value up to 2 GPV for the cost of 15 GP and 15 NFP per GPV of increase. Any named island can be colonized to 1 GPV.

NEW --- >>> Homeland colonization: any tech 6 nation can colonize their homeland to level 3 gpv, assuming its cultivated (and already 2 gpv) for a cost of 20 nfp and 20 gp; and tech 9 nation can colonize their homeland to level 4 gpv, assuming its cultivated (and already 3 gpv) for a cost of 25 nfp and 25 gp.

Mercs: Countries can hire out their troops as mercenaries as long as they provide a leader to go along with them.

Holy Roman Empire: National regions inside the Holy Roman Empire need not be contiguous in order to maintain control over them, though distance requirements are still in effect - no further than 1/2 their tech level in action points away from their border.

Mercantile Combines: A Mercantile Combine can trade with interior countries provided they have at least a BO in a city of the interior country and can reach a port city with at least a BO in it. The BO in the interior country can be no further than 1/2 their tech level in action points away from that port. In addition, that combine can conduct trade for the interior country by allocating MSP to that route, indicating a level of transportation assets committed to servicing that route. This conduit will count as one conduit for overseas trade.

Effective turn-6: the cost for combines to establish their organizational structure is as follows:

A clarification to the rule book: a combine can only handle one side of the trade between two nations. It is the responsibility of the combine to redistribute income from the routes his handles for his clients. Trade income received in turn 2 will be redistributed by the combine in turn 3.

Religious Orders: New status codes will be applied to religious orders. They are similar to Primate control statuses except they will allow for a slight increase in the amount of NFP generated. Also, the Religious Primate and a Religious Order (of the same religion) can maintain a status level in the same region or city. However, the Religious Order status cannot go higher that monastery (rmn) if the Primate has a monastery (mn) of its own. No two Religious Orders can maintain higher than abbey (rab) in the same region or city.

Religious Order Authority Control Statuses

Contacting the Game Master

You can contact me at the following address:

Dave Salter
7338 Rolling Oak Ln.
Springfield, VA 22153
Or call:

(703) 912-6076 [EST] (best time is 7-9 pm weekdays and after 6 pm on weekends.)

The best way to contact me is by email. I will answer mail as soon as I receive it.
My address is: salterdj@aol.com.

GENERAL THRONE ENTERPRISES INFORMATION AND PRICES

WORLD WIDE WEB HOME PAGE!

Throne Enterprises Home Page can be found at:
http://www.throneworld.com/lords/index.html

Click here to find out about other Lords of the Earth campaigns.

VARIOUS FEES AND LEVIES

Normal Turns: $5.00

MAPS

Will be available via the main web page only. Make sure you gain one of these maps for your area.

MAP CHANGES

I have made a few alterations to the maps. These changes reflect the changes, from my perspective, from the standard 1000AD start to 1400AD. Each turn's map will be updated and posted within a day of the Newsfax posting.

ORDERING THE RULEBOOK Lords of the Earth Campaign 31 uses the Middle Ages version 5.6 rulebook and the Renaissance Supplement. You must order these rulebooks from Thomas Harlan.

Other Costs

Make out checks for these items to THOMAS HARLAN

Thomas Harlan
4858 East 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85711-1207

TROOP CONVERSIONS

Infantry (200 men = 1 point)
Cavalry (200 men and 200 horse = 1 point)
Siege Engineers (200 men = 1 point)
Warships (2 ships = 1 point)
Transports (2 ships = 1 point)

EUROPE

Northern Europe

THE KINGDOM OF SCOTLAND
James I
DIPLOMACY: Iceland (f)
James gained friends in Iceland and patched up relations with Denmark, going so far as building a port city with them in Iceland (Glencoe). The Scots have discovered that the sea extends southwest of Greenland.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND
Henry VI
DIPLOMACY: Rebels: Cornwall, Lienster, Lancashire, Gwynned
Henry VI, tiring of Papal intrigues, gathers his leadership and makes the following proclamation:

"Faithful, pious England has been placed under interdict by Pope Clement before England took any action against the Church. If the Pope had shown any sign of reason, England would not be forced to proclaim for Jan Hus. We read you our letter:

To Jan Hus,

England stands with Jan Hus against the new Banker of Rome.   We regret the necessity, but Pope Clement acts like a man possessed by some foul spirit, and no longer provides true guidance to Mother Church.  A new, wiser leader is required, and the humble Jan Hus answers the Call.   Our orders will be conditional, in the unlikely event that Rome comes to its senses.

Respectfully,

Henry, by the Grace of God, King of England

Our hand is forced. Hail Jan Hus as the True Pope of the Roman Catholic Church! Let us pray to the Lord God for guidance in these troubled times. We declare that all property of the Roman Catholic Church shall remain untouched, and should now come under the authority of the True Pope, unless those properties become centers of rebellion against the Rightful King of England. May God have mercy on us all. If any ask by what right do we declare for Jan Hus, let the eloquence and scholarship of Casimir Jagielo, King of Poland, speak for us in this instance."

With this proclamation, England sides with the new Pope and receives an immediate interdiction from Clement. Several regions in the west rebel as well as Caveness. These provinces are under direct authority of the Church in Rome.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF DENMARK
Margaret
DIPLOMACY: Smaland (f), Halland (f)
Queen Margaret joins the rising tide against Clement, proclaiming Marcus Pope. All the northern provinces, who have felt neglected by Margaret, take this opportunity to declare their independence.
Renaissance tech 8.

Western Europe

Mercenaries

THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE
Jean
DIPLOMACY: Cherbourg (f), Anjou (f), Normandy (ea), Aquitaine (t), Ponthieu (f)
Jean continues the search for the unknown while trying to consolidate his strength against the local nobles. He also increased the cities of Brest and Marshall. France remains loyal to Clement.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE DUCHY OF BURGUNDY
Philip the Good, Great Duke of the West, Defendor Pacis
DIPLOMACY: Hainaut (t), Utrecht (f)
The Duke strengthens his relations with Hainaut and reveals a consummated bond with Utrecht. Philip sends gold to Scotland and the Knights but the expected gold from North Africa did not show up.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE AVIGNON PAPACY
Clement
DIPLOMACY: Brabant (mn), Sicily (mn) + Hussite sites in France, England, Burgundy, and Brandenburg
Clement could not abide the voices of dissent any further; in 1426, he issued the Interdict of Prague - placing the severest sanctions on the rebellious nations. The effected nations are Hussites, Poland, England, Ottomans, Hungary. He had debated the choices available to him and chose to amputate the affected areas.

Game effects: The interdicted nations are now considered a separate (temporarily) religion and one hostile to RC nations and activities (and vice versa). All Catholic nations must make a choice next turn regarding the remaining existing trade routes with the Hussite Nations or risk papal action (unless the RC Pope adjusts or modifies the current interdiction). There are several ways this situation can play out: if the RC Pope lifts the interdiction, then all interdicted nations are RC and we are either back to normal or we have an active schism to resolve; we have a religious war for the hearts and minds of Christian Europe; or both sides ignore each other, where as the Hussites become a permanent religion.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE SWISS CONFEDERATION
Edward III
DIPLOMACY: None
The Swiss remained alert and invested in their neighbors military academies. They were surprised to learn that the Venetian artillery arm was better than their own. The city of Bergamo was founded in Lombardy.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE DUCHY OF AUSTRIA
Albrecht V, Arch Duke of Austria, Holy Roman Emperor
DIPLOMACY: None
Albrecht host the Bavarian Duke's oldest son and daughter and is crushed by his own two daughters die of a particular nasty out break of influenza in 1426. Even the birth of a daughter that same year and a son the next could do little to relieve his pain. He renames the city of Guns in Carinthia to Linz. He does perk up some what when he learns that Bohemian upstart is causing trouble again; perhaps this time he has gone too far.
Renaissance tech 8.

DUCHY OF BAVARIA
Jobst
DIPLOMACY: None
Jobst strengthens ties to Austria by arranging marriages between his eldest son and the Austrian Grand Duchess and between his eldest daughter and the Austrian Heir. The ceremony was held at the Austrian Court with the Archduke overseeing the whole affair. Tragedy struck when his son's new bride died suddenly when an epidemic sweep through Vienna.
Renaissance tech 8.

DUCHY OF SAXONY
Rupert III
DIPLOMACY: Westphalia (f)
Rupert consolidates his hold on Westphalia and politely asks the Hussites to leave his Duchy. Gold is sent to the Swiss in exchange for military instructors and Bremen increases a level.
Renaissance tech 8.

HANSEATIC LEAGUE
Klaus Stortebecker
DIPLOMACY: Bremen (mf), Heraclea (ne), Smyrna (bo), Rhodonos (bo), Oslo (bo), Rostock (mf), Riga (ct), Vilna (closed)
The League opened routes in the eastern Med, taking advantage of its new acquisitions in that area. Klaus was concerned with the trouble between the Pope and the Hussites, for now he continues to support the Pope and his Church.
Renaissance tech 8.

DUCHY OF BRANDENBURG
Wilhelm I, Elector of Brandenburg
DIPLOMACY: None
Wilhelm consolidates his military and returns to Berlin to enjoy the pleasures of an Elector. Rostock receives extensive public works improvements while everyone keeps a watchful eye on the religious turmoil brewing outside the Duchy.
Renaissance tech 8.

DUCHY OF BOHEMIA
Stavot
DIPLOMACY: Meissen (f), Alsace rebels
The Duke consolidates his forces and re-equips some and re-trains others. Mannheim gets a wall and Meissen becomes a Ducal holding. Stavot then listens to what Marcus has to say and he declares himself for Marcus. This was not a big surprise in the surrounding regions, but it was not well received by the French speaking people of Alsace. Mannheim also supports Marcus but their situation is serious.
Renaissance tech 8.

HUSSITES - Prague Papacy
Jan Hus - Markus, Servant of the Lord
DIPLOMACY: None
Jan Hus had grown tired of the excesses of Clement. After much prayer and fasting, he finally received the guidance he was looking for. The Word of God is for all man, not the religious elite. There are no intercessors between God and his people, except for Christ. God's people need to be led back to the Truth. With that, he gathered his council and declared:

"The clergy in Avignon preach that there is no difference between god and the clergy. They expect those nations that practice the Catholic faith to ask for their permission in certain matters of state. They have put themselves before the people and before God. I Jan Hus proclaim that the clergy of Avignon do not represent the people or God. I therefore proclaim their pulpit as false and sinful. I hereby make it known to all that I Jan Hus declare myself as the true head of the clergy of the Catholic faith. I shall forever preach the true wisdom of God and serve God's people as God intended." 

Jan Hus became Pope Marcus, head of the Roman Catholic Church. He lost sites in Burgundy, France, Brandenburg and Alsace, gaining sites in England.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF HUNGARY
Sigmund, King of Hungary
DIPLOMACY: None
Sigmund hears the case made by Marcus and when compared to the seemingly heavy handiness of Clement, his choice is clear. He calls in his advisors and tells them of his decisions. His feudal allies of the eastern Marches storm out of the meeting; loyalty to the king was one thing but they have been the defenders of the Roman Church for centuries and would not turn their backs now on Rome, for whom they had bled and died.
Renaissance tech 8.

Iberian Peninsula

Mercenaries

THE KINGDOM OF CASTILE
Enrique III
DIPLOMACY: Takrur nation (t), Leon (f), Salamaca (a), Talavera (ea)
Enrique continues to strengthen his hold on central Iberia, colonizing Salamanca to 2 gpv. He also continues his courtship of Takrur and his emissaries bring that nation's core into the Roman Catholic camp. Seville increases in size, though loses it's walls in the process. A major trade pact was sealed with Genoa.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF ARAGON
Pedro V
DIPLOMACY: Trebizond (t), Gerona (f), Madiera (t), Sicily (f), Cyprus (f)
Juan was please with his diplomatic efforts that bore fruit in Cyprus, Siciliy and back home. Tension mounted in Trebizond where a resurgent Byzantium was on the verge of throwing the Iberians out of the city; however, perhaps they were interested in reaching an accord with the West. Pietro led an expedition around the southern coast of West Africa to the Bight of Benin.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF PORTUGAL
Edward I
DIPLOMACY: Mauritania (nt), Socotra (nt, then n), Ghebel-Garib (nt)
Edward sends Miguel to gather the forces scattered in the Eastern Med and re-based them to protect the canal. Unfortunately, he is killed when cargo shifts unexpectedly in the cargo hold of his flag ship. The Iberians trade rutters amongst themselves and Portugal trades rutters with the Moslem traders.
Renaissance tech 8.

Southern Europe

Mercenaries

THE DUCHY OF MILAN
Doria
DIPLOMACY: None
Doria puts his forces on react, anticipating the worse -- thankfully it doesn't come. Investments were again made in the local economy.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE REPUBLIC OF VENICE
Galeazzo, Doge of Venice
DIPLOMACY: Knossos (ne)
The Doge increases the size of Venice, now the largest city in Europe outside of Constantinople. After a long a fruitful life, the Doge passes away - Long live the Doge - now Galeazzo Visenti!
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF NAPLES
Isralo, Prince of Salerno
DIPLOMACY: None
Isralo expands Naples again, making it the rival to Venice. The work continues to convert the Orthodox on Greece to Roman Catholicism. Isralo builds a port city (Lyssa) in Calabria, facing the Ionian Sea.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE REPUBLIC OF FLORENCE
Cosimo de' Medici
DIPLOMACY:
Cosimo declares for Marcus and prepares for revolts; his preparation was not needed since he is better loved by his people than he expected.
Renaissance tech 8.

GENOESE TRADE COMBINE
Grimaldi
DIPLOMACY: Petra (nt), Socotra (no net effect), Cairo (mf), Luxor (mf), Naples (bo), Buda (bo), Pest (mf)
Grimaldi runs into Hansa interference in Poland has he tries to establish a presence along the Dnepr. Similarly, he runs into the Portugese in Socotra; never the less, Genoese power continues to grow.
Renaissance tech 8.

Eastern Europe

Mercenaries

THE KINGDOM OF POLAND AND LITHUANIA
Casimir, Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland
DIPLOMACY: Bochnia, (aw), Volhynia (aw), Galich (aw), Little Poland (aw), Kauyavia (aw)
Casimir gathered his forces and leaders to prepare them for the difficult decision he was about to make. He knew this would be hard since many had been on the front lines of an expand Roman Church. The Eastern Orthodox provinces were amused by the discussion but if things went very bad, they might just opt to go their own way.

It almost came to that, but in the end, they had held firm. That was not the case in the north and west. In the north Prussia , Masuria, Livonia, and Smolensk all rebelled and were brutally crushed by the King's loyal reaction force. However, the west was different. With closer ties to the Holy Roman Empire and out of range of Polish royal forces, Bochnia and then others proclaimed their loyalty to Rome. Under the charismatic Count Boleslav of Bochnia, the rebel provinces joined a single banner to resist the inevitable Polish onslaught.

On another front, Kiev resettled the refugees from the Mameluke/Byzantine debacle. Trade was established with Abbysinia and the Arab traders. Poland received massive grain imports from around the western world which freed framer to work on various national projects in Pototsk.
Renaissance tech 8.

DUCHY OF BOCHNIA
Boleslav, Duke of Bochnia, Defender of the Church
DIPLOMACY: Bochnia, (hm), Volhynia, Galich, Little Poland, Kauyavia, Transylvania, Banat, Carpathia
Boleslav, always jealous of the power of the Polish/Lithuanian Crown, took advantage of the withdrawal of the Kings forces and the Kings subsequent rejection of Rome to do some rejecting of his own. His men visited neighboring regions, finding a similar undercurrent. After the brutal defeat of the northern rebel provinces, the western rebels knew they had to band together if they had a hope to ward off the King. Boleslav was encouraged when the eastern Hungarian Marches petitioned to join him.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE TEUTONIC KNIGHTS
Conrad von Jungingen, Grand Master
DIPLOMACY: Vilna (rca), Konigsberg (rab), Copenhagen (rch)
Conrad is troubled by the recent actions and dictates of Pope Clement. "The Knights were among the first to support Clement against the sybarite, Urban of Rome. Now it appears that even his innate goodness is not strong enough to prevail against the sin of the world. It is time to listen to a new voice, a voice more in touch with the true Spirit of God. The Knights will henceforth look to Huss for spiritual guidance. After I am assured that our course is true and straight, it will be time for this old man to retire to prayer and contemplation." Conrad hands over the feudal overlordship of the province of Daugava to the King of Poland (which immediately go their own way). Hochmeister Jurgen Lehman returns from Kiev, stopping over in Vilna to establish a cathedral to the greater Glory of God. Ulrich von Beck takes command of a cavalry contingent and travels to secure the border in Danzig. He stops to increase the Teutonic presence in Prussia and Konigsberg.

Conrad was not happy with news that all Teuton sites in Catholic regions were destroyed except for those in Prussia where the Polish army holds sway.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE REPUBLIC OF NOVGOROD
Alexander
DIPLOMACY: None
Alexander plans for the future.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE PRINCIPALITY OF MOSCOW
Basil II
DIPLOMACY: None
Basil II builds a port city in Suzdal, named after his namesake, St. Basil. The cost of this project prevent other efforts from taking place. Muscovy benefits from a regional population explosion.
Civilized tech 7.

THE KHANATE OF THE GOLDEN HORDE
Toktamish
STARTS WITH: None
Hearing of the sufferring of the Pole and Lithuanian masses, Toktamish the Benevolent sends wagonloads of grain to the starving people of the West. Ah, if only they were advanced as we, he muses. For his part, a large influx of Genoese military instructors arrive to teach the art of seige warfare.
Nomadic - tech 6.

THE PRINCIPALITY OF SERBIA
Stephen Lazarevich
DIPLOMACY: Thessaly (f)
Stephen brings Thessaly fully into the realm. Attica and Athens were given to the Knights but no one showed to to accept the gift.
Civilized tech 7.

THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE (Reborn)
Constantine VIII, Emperor of the Romans, Savior of the East
DIPLOMACY: Thrace (hm), Heraclea (f), Constantinople (f), city of Constantinople (f), Dobruja (f), Ludgorie (f), Pontus (f), Trebizond (f)
With Sulieman's proclamation, Greek patience with their Turk overlords reached a breaking point. The rebellion started in the city (Constantinople) and quickly spread to the out lying regions. With the Turkish garrisons pulled back to the east, there was nothing the stand in the way. Thrace, Dobruja and Ludgorie quickly followed suite. Gregory, a Thracian nobleman, was finally able to harness to power of the mob and focus its energy on the establishment of a new nation; and thus the Byzantine Empire was born again from the ashes of the old.
Renaissance tech 8.

ASIA

The Middle East

Mercenaries

THE OTTOMAN SULTANATE
Sulieman, Shield of Christ and Emperor of the Ottomans
DIPLOMACY: Bithnia (ea), the following revolts: Thrace (h), Heraclea (h),Cilicia (h), Constantinople (h), city of Constantinople (h), Dobruja (h), Ludgorie (h), Pontus (h), Trebizond (h)
Sulieman, sensing the change in the religious landscape of the Church, made the following proclamation,

"Loyal Christians! As many of you know the previous Pope and I had been working for the peaceful conversion of the Empire to Catholicism. With the rise of this prideful upstart in Rome however we at first considered not converting. The perfidious Pope even said we Orthodox faithful are not real Christians. Then word came of dissent amongst Catholics, they too rejected the unholy and devilish pride of this upstart. With our faith restored in our Christian brethren, talks began again. Now I believe the time has come for the centuries long rift between the eastern and western churches to end. With that in mind, I announce the conversion of my household and the Empire to Catholicism. We also whole heartedly endorse Jan Hus as Pope. Unity to Christendom!"

While much of the Sultanate welcomed the news and in fact were expecting it, the former Byzantine provinces took this opportunity to shake off the loosened grip of the Turks. (See Byzantine Empire) While bothered by the news, the Sultan had the foresight to hire mercs for long term contracts so he could deal with these unexpected events.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHNS
Juan Fernandez, Grand Master
DIPLOMACY: None
The Grand Master ordered Malta's defenses improved and then he husbanded resources for the coming storm in Europe.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE TIMURID EMIRATE
Nabil Faisal
DIPLOMACY: Fayium (some effect), Petra (nt), Baghdad (nt), Levant (nt)
Nabil decided to make the most of the new peace in the Middle East by trying to consolidate his hold on the newly acquired territories. Abadan and Hahmar went tributary as well as other gains made via diplomacy (Petra, Baghdad and Levant). A port city (Aqaba) was built in Petra to aid the effort there. Living standards in Syria have improved significantly over the last few years..
Civilized - tech 7.

EMIRATE OF RUM
Hamir
DIPLOMACY: Fars (ea), Black Sheep (fa)
Hamir gained economic ties with Fars, building them a port city (Abadan) sure didn't hurt. The biggest coup was the efforts of his son in Tabriz where a marriage sealed an alliance with Usuf.
Civilized tech 7.

THE BLACK SHEEP TURKOMANS
Kara Usuf
DIPLOMACY: None
Usuf listens with interest to the offers of Rum.
Nomad tech 6.

Central Asia

THE SAFAVID SULTANATE
Haidar
DIPLOMACY: Otarsh (f), Khurasan (nt), Turkmen (f), Tadzik (nt), Tabaristan (t)
Haidar continues to build his influence along the Silk Route with new relations with Tadzik and Khurasan and strong bonds with Otarsh, Turkmen and Tabaristan. He builds a port city (Shah Tepe) in Tabaristan in order to increase trade with the West.
Civilized 6.

THE CHEIBANID KHANATE
Toghrul
DIPLOMACY: None
A population explosion results in Ob increasing in value. The Khan saved for the future, anticipating a fundamental change in the laws of nature governing the universe.
Nomad tech 5.

India

THE SULTANATE OF DELHI
Khalamar
DIPLOMACY: Vatsa (drops to un)
The Sultan makes a wide range of investments into his various governmental organs and orders his son and advisor to continue to entreat with the Vasta elders. A diplomatic scandal caused the Vasta to reject Delhi overtures. The Sultan was so mad at this turn of events that his heart failed and he collapsed on the spot. Khalamar was distressed with he news and made plans to return to the capital.
Civilized tech 6.

THE SULTANATE OF GUJERAT
Mahmud Shah
DIPLOMACY: Sind (ea), Edrosia (a), Anhivarta (ea)
The Shah brings the Word of Allah to the pagans of Surashtra, which makes the Sunni the majority. Ties are strengthened with the Sind, Edrosia and Anhivarta.
Civilized tech 7.

THE SULTANATE OF JAUNPUR
Begarha
DIPLOMACY: Vatsa (un to Delhi)
The Sultan continued his investment in improving the lives of the peasants of the region and tries to convert the Hindus of Chandela. Jaunpur and Delhi continue their contest of the hearts and minds of the Hindus of Vatsa; Jaunpur wins round two.
Civilized tech 7.

THE SULTANATE OF BENGAL
Vanje
DIPLOMACY: Gaur (f), Nadavaria (nt), Assam (ea)
Bulal spent his resources developing ties with his Hindu regions and showing them the enlightened way of Allah. With all he has done for the Faith, his reward must have been great as he passed away in his sleep, leaving the Throne to his capable son, Vanje.
Civilized tech 7.

THE HINDU KINGDOM OF ORISSA
Sangramaraja
DIPLOMACY: Pundra (ea), Kosala (ea), Belur (nt)
Sangramaraja builds closer ties to Pundra and Kosala with the new province of Belur was introduced into the kingdom. A city (Tonajara) was established in Chela.
Civilized tech 6.

THE SULTANATE OF MALWA
Ala-ud-din
DIPLOMACY: Avanti (t)
Ala-ud-din concentrates on the internal administration of his nation and converting the Hindu masses.
Civilized tech 6.

THE SULTANATE OF BAHMANI
Firuz Shah
DIPLOMACY: None
Firuz Shah concentrated on the affairs of his state.
Civilized tech 7.

THE BHAKTI BRAHMO SAMAJ
Ramanada
DIPLOMACY: Vengi (ca)
Ramanada devoted himself to spreading his influence and preparing for future struggles.
Civilized tech 6.

THE VIJAYANGAR EMPIRE
Samarajya
DIPLOMACY: Karnata (ea), Gangas (t), Madurai (f), Sri Lanka (nt)
Radjya would never see his dream of a Greater Indian (Hindu) Empire come into being. He died of a seizure while trying to extend the royal line. His son, Samarajya, quickly moved to ensure his father's dreamed continued on course; Madurai was brought fully into the Empire and Sri Lanka recognized his authority. Ties with Karnata and Gangas were strengthened. Efforts were made to improve living conditions in Tanjore and Pandya.
Civilized tech 7.

Indochina and Indonesia

THE BURMAN KINGDOM OF AVA
Minhkaung
DIPLOMACY: fa to Pegu
Minhkaung accepted the offer of Pegu; fear of the rising Moslem tide being the decisive factor.
Civilized tech 6.

THE MON KINGDOM OF PEGU
Razadraya
DIPLOMACY: Burma (fa)
Razadraya sent his brother to Burma to offer peace and marriage to the ruling family; the girl was young but excited about leaving the court of her father - Burma is now a feudal ally of Pegu. Razadraya sent some workers to stake out a cultivation project in Kayah.
Civilized tech 6.

THE KINGDOM OF CHAMPA
Viaya Sri Harivaraja
DIPLOMACY: Phan Rang (f)
Viaya sent gold to the Thai and brought Phan Rang fully into the Kingdom. Investments were made and the military was redeployed.
Civilized tech 6.

THE THAI KINGDOM OF AYUTHIA
Chulongaket, King of the Thai, Guardian of Angkor
DIPLOMACY: Mison (a), Dai Viet (t), Nam Pung (t)
Int'araja married off his eldest remaining daughter to the eldest son of the Prince of Mison, which brought the Kingdom a new ally. A new city was built in Mon (Phuket) in order to establish trade with Bengal. Various investments were made as will as long range plans. The King died in his sleep, a contented man; his son assumes the reigns of power without incident.
Civilized tech 6.

THE MAJAPAHIT KINGDOM OF JAVA
Tadarava, Nirguna, King of Java
DIPLOMACY: Moluccas (fa), Sarawak (nt), Sabah (c), Sirivijaya (f), Singhasari (f)
Tadarava sought to expand Javan influence throughout the islands. He also expanded his trade fleets and the ally from Singhasari married the King's sister - the honeymoon must have been overly intense for he died shortly thereafter.
Civilized tech 6.

East Asia

Mercenaries

THE EMPIRE OF THE GREAT KHAN
Dayan Khan
DIPLOMACY: Beshbalik (ea), Jungaria (f), Shangtu (nt)
The Khan completed his cultivation project in Tatar, while projects continue in Angarland, Yensey, and Beryat. Slave raids shifted to the west while the tribes of Shangtu recognized the khans authority. The Khan expanded trade with Japan and took further steps to ensure pirating was kept at a minimum. Ties were strengthened with Jungaria and Beshbalik with the help of marriages to his daughters, Zarah and Zelah, respectively.
Civilized tech 6.

MING EMPIRE OF CHINA
Yung-lo
DIPLOMACY: Hainan (nt), Lin'An (f), Tai'Yuan (ea), Yen'Ching (ea)
Yung Lo directs his leaders to improve relations with the loosely bound cities in the Empire. Once again he thinks of his people and builds roads and infrastructure to support the growing economy. He sends his emissaries out to gather his troops to the homeland as he ages and senses the coming of the night. The Royal line of succession is established, troops gathered and other matters of state are seen to. He opens talks with his Asian neighbors on sharing the island province of Taiwan. The Ming investments in infrastructure and university pay off with an increase to tech level seven. The Emperor was much saddened by the unexpected death of his favorite son - he had had great hopes for that one.
Civilized tech 7.

ASHIKAGA JAPAN
Yamana
DIPLOMACY: Toyama (nt), Saga (ea), Kagashima (t), Kumamoto (ea), Akita (nt)
Yamana strives to unite all of Japan before his time is finished. Many regions all brought closer to Yamana and a port city (Tetsuo) is constructed in Nigata. His son gets busy trying to extend the royal line, siring a daughter in 1427 and a son in 1428.
Civilized tech 7.

THE GORYEO KINGDOM
Mog-Jong
DIPLOMACY: None
Mog-Jong concentrates on his internal problems.
Civilized tech 6.

TIBET
Tsong-Kha-Pa
DIPLOMACY: Nan Chao (ch), Tai'li (ch), Chiennan (mn), Kweichou (mn), Gt'sang (nt)
The Holy Father Tsong moved throughout the Ming, blessing the establishment of new religious sites. On the way home, he stopped in Gt'sang to bless the many new converts there. Churches are established in Nan Chau and its city of Tai'li, while priests continue to strengthen Yellow-Hat influence with the Ming, building monasteries in Chiennan and Kweichou.
Civilized tech 6.

OCEANIC

Polynesia and Australia

AFRICA

Northern Africa

THE MARINID Khalifate
Khalifah Abu Said Othman, Amir Al-Mu'mineen (Leader of the Believers)
DIPLOMACY: Mecca (mn), Jerusalem (ca), Damascus (mn). Baghdad (ab)
Abu Said Othman strengthens his authority to the east and issues the following statement:

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Government is a trust from Allâh, and verily government will be at the day of resurrection a cause of inquiry, unless he who hath taken it be worthy of it and have acted justly and done good. Verily a king is Allâh's shadow upon the earth; and every one oppressed turneth to him: then when the king doeth justice, for him are rewards and gratitude from his subjects: but, if the king oppresses, on him is his sin, and for the oppressed resignation.

That is the best of men who dislikes power. Beware! ye are all guardians; and ye will be asked about your subjects: then the leader is the guardian of the subject, and he will be asked respecting the subject; and a man is a shepherd to his own family, and will be asked how they behaved, and his conduct to them; and a wife is guardian to her husband's house and children, and will be interrogated about them; and a slave is a shepherd to his master's property, and will be asked about it, whether he took good care of it or not. There is no prince who oppresses the subject and dieth, but Allâh forbids paradise to him. There is no obedience due to sinful commands, nor to any other than what is lawful.

Anyone with judgment who examines the case will see clearly and recognize precisely how the Mamelukes lapsed from the solid foundation of orthodoxy and allowed themselves to be perverted quickly and easily by every bad and heretical opinion which has presented itself to them....Then, habituated to corruption, they became more and more depraved. They threatened the sacred Ka'bah, the heart of every true Muslim. They threatened our very lives. And with their threat to convert by the sword they threatened our life eternal. There is no Ilâh but Allâh and Muhammad is His Prophet! The seven heavens and the earth and everyone in them glorify Him! The highest transgression against Him is the practice of shirk, to set up partners for Allâh. There is not a thing that does not praise His limitless glory, but it was they who did not comprehend their glorification.

O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him,- lowly with the believers, mighty against the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the rejecters, fighting in the way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.

The Wise are agreed, and with a word I free all the slaves taken by the Mamelukes. And every slave shall walk free without his master’s permission, and every master of a Mameluke slave shall take his slave to the mosque and free him there. For this is the Way of All-Mighty Allâh, and Allâh is All-Wise, All-Powerful.

And they are to be given transport home, to re-populate their lands. And after them all the Mujahidin (ooc: Jihads) of Tunisia and Syria are offered lands there and transport to them. And after them any who would migrate to a new land shall be given transport there, until all the lands that lost their peoples are settled once again. For this is the Way of All-Mighty Allâh, and Allâh is All-Wise, All-Powerful.

Thus many families ripped from their homes begin to move south and west to repopulated the regions once enslaved by the Mamelukes.
Civilized tech 6.

THE HAFSID CALIPHATE
Nasir ad Dawla Badis
DIPLOMACY: Zirid (t), Merrakesh (ea), Kabilya (f), Morroco (ea)
Nasir rests from his recent victory while he sends his emissaries to consolidate his holdings.
Civilized tech 7.

Western Africa

THE MALI EMPIRE OF SONGHAY
Nasir ad Dawla Badis
DIPLOMACY: Terhazza (ne), Garou (ea)
Nasir pulls back and reconsiders his actions against the Hausa. He was not happy with the reports from his intel chief who he summarily executed.
Civilized tech 6.

THE KINGDOM OF KANEM
Boyoma, Mai of the Kanem
DIPLOMACY: Kano (nt), Ikego (nt)
Boyoma continued to make progress with the tribes to the south. Trade is finally initiated with the Hausa.
Civilized tech 6.

THE WOLOF KINGDOM OF TAKRUR
N'dyaye Sar'te, Burba of Dyolof
DIPLOMACY: None
The Burba welcomes all the attention from the Iberians.
Civilized tech 6.

HAUSALAND
Shawasata, Magajiya of Daura
DIPLOMACY: Yoruba (f), Kanuri (nt)
Shawasata was bewildered and willing to reopen trade with Mali if they will stop their silly war. It is starting to get irritating... However, he did make preparations to deal another blow to the Mali should they try again. Mali agents ambushed several government messengers in an attempt to disrupt the span of control of the government.
Civilized tech 6.

Eastern Africa

ISLAMIC TRADE CARTEL
Bob, the Spectacular
DIPLOMACY:Q'arum (mf), Luxor (mf) Somantha (mf), Tamaralpiti (bo)
Big Al groomed this bright kid named Bob, who was really spectacular (at least in his own mind) to take over the helm of the ITC. Merchant Factors were established in Q'arum, Luxor and Somantha but other attempts were not as successful. A Branch Office was finally established in Tamaralpiti. The ground work was laid to start trade with several European nations and tons of food stuffs were shipped north to Poland. The cartel received shipping from Bengal and Abyssinia.
Renaissance tech 8.

THE KINGDOM OF ABYSSINIA
Mathias
DIPLOMACY: Axum (ea), Yemen (nt), Thebes (nt), Luxor (nt)
Sibhat strives to strengthen his hold on East Africa, sending emissaries, agents and gold throughout the region. While celebrating his success in Thebes, he slipped off the Royal barge and drowned in the Nile. His son Mathias smoothly took the reigns of power and vowed to bring his father's kingdom into the 15th Century.
Civilized tech 7.

Southern Africa

THE BAKONGO KINGDOM
Oduduma, King of Bakongo
DIPLOMACY: Teke (t)
Oduduma extends his reach northward to Teke. He also builds a city (Bkongo) in the Kongo.
Barbarian tech 3.
No cavalry.

THE KINGDOM OF THE MWANA-MUTAPHA
Dunbo Changamire, King of Rozwi
DILPOMACY: Zambia (t)
Dunbo convinced the tribes of Zambia to to pay tribute; he also establishes a capitol city of Zaka in Rozwi.
Civilized tech 4. No cavalry.

THE NEW WORLD

North America

THE MISSISSIPPI EMPIRE
Noktesunah, Son of the Sun
DIPLOMACY: Atakapa (f), Kaskinapo colonized to (0/7)
The Sun King's heir and brother, Kulkulkam marries a daughter of a Natchez chieftain, helping to seal the bond with Atakapa. The region of Kaskinapo is colonized and the life of most villagers improves a little. Noktesunah's son, Sequoiyah, is raised to Prince of the Mississippi.

Pre-Columbian. No cavalry.

THE CREEK DEATH CULT
Shukahosus
DIPLOMACY: Cheraw (colonized to 1 gpv)
Shukahosus continued the development of his nation.
Pre-Columbian. No cavalry.

THE SEQUOIA NATION
Running Bear
DIPLOMACY: None
Running Bear built a new village in Serrano, called Shimmering Air. The rest of the people sat around and enjoyed the bounty of their land.
Barbarian. No cavalry.

Meso America

THE TEPANEC HEGEMONY
Xiu Cinteotl
DIPLOMACY: Achi (ea)
Xiu Cinteotl saves for future projects; his son comes of age.
Civilized tech 4. No cavalry.

THE ARAWAK OF THE ISLANDS
Ahabatey
DIPLOMACY: Taino (f)
Ahabatey convinces the tribes of Taino to become Blood Brothers of the Arawak and he builds a port city of Havanna in Arawak..
Pre-Columbian.

THE AZTECS
Matlaccoatzin, the Blood King
DIPLOMACY: Tlapocoya (t), Tepuztec (t), Zapotec (ea)
Matlaccoatzin continues the slave raids on the old Mixtec provinces of Nahuatl, Huave, and Popoluca. The Blood King brings Tepuztec into the Aztec orbit while Trenchilxoat does the same in the Valley of Mexico, bringing in Tlapocoya. The King strengthens ties to Zapotec, gaining their economic allegiance.
Civilized tech 4. No cavalry.

South America

THE MIGHTY INCAN EMPIRE
Tatam Yach
DIPLOMACY: Ataura (f), Uru (nt)
Tatam consolidated his influence in Ataura and extended his reach to Uru. He sent his trusted explorer, Apo Mayta, north along the coast; he confirmed rumors of a vast continent extending far to the north. Tatam Yach was saddened to hear of the death of his best diplomat while concluding negotiations in Uru. Worse yet, was the untimely death of his son, Pachacuti, while aiding the successful absorption of Ataura into the Empire.
Civilized tech 5. No cavalry

MSI-7

Last Updated on 1 May 00
By David Salter