THE AKA'MURRID EMIRATE OF FULANI
Mohammad II, Emir of the Fulani, The Philosopher-King of the Sahel
Diplomacy: None
     Mohammed improved his government by applying labor directly. Along the Niger river, Mohammed commanded the completion of the royal road as far south as Baumphok, but abandoned the road leading to the bridge at Ibadan. Later, the city of Callos was build in the wilderness of Bani.

THE MARWAN EMIRATE OF BENITOGO
Koduduwa, Emir of the Bight
Diplomacy: Tupinamba(AW)
     Oduduwa sent Koduduwa to the West, across the Great Atlantica to enlarge the Emirate. He would never see his son again.
     Kufo and Ummofo joined Koduduwa on their voyage. They sailed north through the treacherous Gambian Sea, taking supplies on at New Bight City. West to Cape Verdes. In the spring of 1548, they took off West along the currents. After the extended excursion, they landed at Iguape near the end of 1549. Many gifts from Africa, gold, even the hand of Pertiwan, Kodudawa's younger sister, all to no avail.

South Africa

THE BANTU KINGS OF OKOYO
Tubuhawaire, Da King of Okoyo
Diplomacy: Dogubu(a) Teke(F)
     Ekwune recalled Prince Tubuhawaire to the capital to conduct a census. The markets of Matadi thrived. Later in 1549 the Prince would become the new Bantu King on Ekwune's death at the age of 72.

THE GREAT ZIMBABWE
T'Cham'Ki, Chief of Zimbabwe, Holder of the Five Twin Jackal Chair
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Jol disbursed coinage to Transkei and began a couple royal roads. Life continued as normal until the Chief died in 1548. Luchaka the Petty revolted along with Brava. T'Cham'Ki would have a lot of rebuilding to look forward to during his reign as mostly urban areas revolted including Sion, Softsmelt, Lesser Zimbabwe, Mahabo and Merondava, Mapungubwe and Mpumalanga, Matabele and Serowe, Mozambi and Mopizza, Ashnod, Daread, Calcutta, Xai Xai, Beth Tembu, Vaal and Beth Mosega, and Zumbo.

	East Africa

THE KRAKAS EMPIRE OF AETHIOPIA
Pelam I, Alem 'Elum, Emperor of Aethiopia
Diplomacy: Wau(F) Ngazargumu(F)
     The Krakas paid dearly to upgrade their infrastructure once again. Royal roads stretched from Bur Sudan to Aseb and from the capital south to the autarchic city of Suki and more were triggered. Abbis, Mongonia, and K'andeeto were expanded.
     Samuil, heir to the greatest empire in the world, spent the middle of the sixteenth century explaining to the Pendash people that they should gladly live under the feudal rule of their fief holder. In an amazing display of mediating fire, Pelam commanded that Prince Ishrail, arguably the best diplomat in the realm, should play second fiddle to General Ajari and Ashanzuka in the small frontier village of Wau. The strategic import of this move will prove itself in time...
     Concessions were granted to the Chinese at Indavo and Il Sindacato were granted more monopolies in fine Aethiopian linen articles.

North Africa

THE SULTANATE of IEST
Imad ibn Khalid, Sultan of Mahidia
Diplomacy: Caquetio(A) Oujda(t) Lybia(F)
     Imad mostly saved his horde of gold and treasure, deciding to wait for his investments to pay out slowly over time. One of his achievements was the opening of Necho's Canal in the desert of Ghebel Gharib. Admiral Yasir was the first to sail through the canal. He landed at Imad's Rock, the small fortress guarding the mouth of the canal network. No other shipping was allowed to pass its pristine locks.
     As Sidrah was cultivated while more improvements were placed in Ad'diffah, much to the pleasure of the local economy.

THE ALMORAVID EMIRATE of ANDALUSIA
Anbar al Saladin ibn Kadir, Emir as Sevilla
Diplomacy: Saragoza(A) Sagunto(Neutral) Toledo(HS)
     Probably the finest corp of engineers in the world were well funded by the Emirate. The small port town of Mbour received the only employment boons outside the new heavy gun installations in the capital.
     Citizens noticed that large groups of body guards protected the comings and goings of more nobility. Escorted trains of carriages sped through Sevilla to unknown appointments at the Palace of Hahziz. The meaning would become clear soon.
     Hahziz sent orders to his men and then retired to his chambers, complaining that he felt the need to rest. Court retainers noticed that the Emir seemed lethargic of late and were concerned. Their fears became reality when the Ides of March saw the passing of Hahziz.
     The last will and testament of the Emir was read with the final paragraphs written in his own hand not two years previous. He wanted the nation to know that he begged for Allah's forgiveness for his actions against the prior regime. His guilt would take him to the grave. Those last words would prove to aide the transition as Anbar al Saladin ibn Kadir came out of hiding to triumphantly take the throne of the Almoravid Emirate of Andalusia.
     Lieutenant Idir spent several years in Sagunto, trying to get the city to form closer ties with the Emirate. Some of his methods were questionable though. Sleeping with the wife of the Alcalde may have seemed like the quickest way to earn an ally, but instead lead to a dank prison cell and the loss of the Emirate's chances of a port on the Mediterranean any time soon.
     Still, that's not as bad as Afham's fate in Toledo. He was shot by a veteran of the civil war who harbored a grudge against the central imperial rule. The aristocracy of the city denied any wrongdoing, claiming no association with the man who was obviously a criminal. Extradition paperwork seems to have been misfiled. They did mention that Afham certainly shouldn't have warranted that much worth anyway, since he didn't come bearing gifts of any sort.
     At the end of 1547 (summer season in the Southern Hemisphere), Captain Fayez de Gama headed east from Cape Town to explore the easterly currents with 8 large ships and several caravels. He took on fresh water in Waroona just a few months later. The fleet sailed north along the coast and headed West along the South Equatorial Current inspiring his crew. Returning to the waters off the Cape of Good Hope, he discovered the treachery wrought by the Chinese Treasure Fleet, who Kadir had invited to Sevilla a little more than a decade earlier. Fortunately, he was able to put into port at Walvis Bay. [See Hidden Dragon]

CASABLANCA WESTERN HAWALA OVERSEAS MERCHANT PROTECTIVE COMPANY
Vic Torlazlo, Merchant of Casablanca
Diplomacy: None
Capitalization: No Effect
     Gold was sent to the colony on Haiti, but there were no defenses from the native population. After a few months no further word was heard from them. Other investments were far more productive: the Bureaucracy, Gunnery, Religious, and the information bureaus.

THE KINGDOM OF MORAY
Donald Dubh Mac Donald of Islay, ifth Lord of the Isles, Lord of Argyll and Kintyre, Earl of Ross, Captain of Clan Donald, Ri Innse Gall
Diplomacy: Lothian(f)
     Donald took the drastic measures of disbanding his entire army, leaving no defenses, in order to invest out of his Feudal Monarchy. Unfortunately, it didn't pay off yet. Strathclyde received new public works.

THE EMPIRE OF INGILTARRA
Dharr Ralif ibn Abdullah, Sword of Sayyidina Ali
Diplomacy: Connaught(a)
     Dharr increased the size of his round table and sent one man, Tariq Basim to become the Emir of Anglia, Fiefholder. Akil al Ferran supported him with more than two thousand men and guns. Trade was interfered with so that the Ingiltarra felt secure with the numbers.

THE NORMAN EMPIRE OF SAXONIA
Charles, Regent to the King of the Saxons and of the Normans, Count of Blois
Diplomacy: Aragon(nt) Brittany(A)
     Phillip spend his huge stash to increase the size of the infrastructure. Engineering and the information services received some attention as well. Surveyors were dispatched to Castille. Several bridges were allowed to crumble into the mud. Fearing reprisals for his aggressive actions in Italy, a large fleet and walls were raised in Paris.
     Trade was initiated with the Britons, yes, even the Ingiltarra. Missionaries arrived on the first trade ships. The Medici delivered several maps of the New World. Several members of the Norman court noticed that the Imperial Roman seal had been broken. When questioned about the obvious security breach, the Medici representative explained that the contents of items may shift during the journey and they should be careful when opening the compartments...
     The primary objective for the Saxonians was the same as it is every night, Pinky. But this time it will have to go on without Henry the VI. Just after dawn in their camp outside Genoa, guards discovered his bloodstained bed and under the cushions, his punctured body. It was concluded that one of the Italian women he frequently took to his bed was an assassin.
     This left the sixty-one year old veteran, his Excellency Phillip, in charge of all forty-five thousand or so men and assorted weapons of war, including scout balloons. He shouted "The offensive in Italy must happen, by crikey. No more sitting around with our dicks in our hands looking like chumps!" With the death of Henry, the army grew mutinous. No one is sure who started it, but the mob surrounded Phillip and took him down.
     Major Turner du Martin was finally able to quell the mutiny, but not until more than fifteen thousand men were lost due to the lack of command and morale. Prince Charles took the throne and all forces in and around Paris, cutting Baron de Charlus' trip short, and thus Tancred's as well. Roland, Duke of Perigord, died in 1549 after touring the Basque country.
     Charles opened The Imperial Bank of Europe. Loans can be taken out with a 50% interest rate, subject to prior approval.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Marcellus II, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Servant of the Servants of God, Supreme Pontiff on the Universal Church
Consecration: None
     Several Cardinals sailed to Ingiltarra to preach among the urban centers. Julius died at the end of 1548. Cardinal Electricus sailed back to Roma to become Marcellus II, Supreme Pontiff. One of Marcellus' first actions was to call for an end to hostilities, an end to Catholic fighting Catholic in Italy.

THE REPUBLIC OF ITALY
Filippo de Reggio, King of the Freestate
Diplomacy: Romagna(ea)
     Filippo was prepared for the Normans to attack, but grateful that they chose not to. Such was not his luck with the Grand Doge... [See Helvetica]

THE MEDICI SYNDICATE
Marco d'Medici, Guildmaster of Medici
Capitalization: Togartak(ma) Maniak(ma) Tirnova(mf) Kiel(mf) Saxony(ma) Bremen(mf) The Hague(mf)
     Marco broke his piggy bank finally to increase his government. Engineers received a boost as did the sneakier aspects of the Guild. The Mediterranean mercenaries were re-tooled, adding much heavier units to the mix. The home office was enlarged as businessmen throughout Europe felt more confident in the Syndicate's actions. While in the east of the Black Sea, Marco felt that a fortress would provide his men more protection.
     Public works were built in several cities throughout the Medici's far reaching arm including Tagaktu, Krasnik, Barcelona, Akrakos, Tarantum, and Bergerac.
     Lieutenant Silvo was charged with handling relations between the Saxonian military and Mosheh the Mercenary. He was amazed to see the events unfold as they did in and around Genoa.
     Saxonian mindset against trade guilds still seem to hold; when Hector attempted to set up an agent in Rouen, he was stoned by the locals.

THE EMPIRE OF HELVETICA
Otto II, Grand Doge of Helvetica
Diplomacy: Micmac(fa) Champagne(t) Swabia(ea)
     Otto added a new lieutenant to the ranks and pushed his merchant trade range to its technological limit. A great many public works were built in Swabia and on Corsica. Defenses were removed from Alsace and Nordgau and rebuilt in Carinthia and a large army was built in Tyrol for the Grand Doge. Otto descended from the Alps into Lombardy in the middle of August, 1547 with more than ten thousand men. By September he was turning the screws in Verona.
     Bischoff sailed out of Wyst with a few elite mercenary warships to blockade Venezia. With only six ships, and mercenaries at that, Bischoff had his hands full, ensuring that no one would enter or leave the port. Two swift smuggler ships were able to break through the blockade. Bischoff cursed to high heaven as the boats escaped into the city, but turned and gave a sly wink to his comrades. A few hours later, explosions rocked the city. Pulled from the water later, having swum from the wharf, the 'smuggler' Nantes of Corsica climbed aboard Bischoff's mercenary ship. In 1548 his Emperor took up the position surrounding the city; not six months would pass before it surrendered.
     Twenty-six hundred men headed south across the Po with Sepp Von Einem. In Romagna, the Germans discovered they'd fallen into a trap, also learning the fate of Lieutenant Steuben, now a prisoner of the Republic. Filippo was waiting with prepared defenses, expecting the Helvetican treachery. The attack came and was crushed utterly. Sepp was wounded early on, and his forces took additional losses as he cried for retreat, finally reaching the north shore of the Po.
     Lieutenant Hackelhaber was wounded when he was pushed from a stage in Swabia. This didn't bode well for his mission.
     Prince Phillip loaded his ships along with those of the Shetlands at Far Yell. After a few months, the crew unloaded at Micmac where the Prince demonstrated the Helvetican scientific prowess. He lashed a small cannon to a hot air scout ship, flew it into the sky and was able to blast a tree before the contraption exploded and fell to earth, nearly killing one of the ground crew. The fleet sailed to Castropol, where the Mercain allowed the portage.
     Celebrating his victory in a fine Venezian restaurant, Otto remarked on what a full life he's had, how proud he is of his son. He died later that evening in his sleep.

THE NORDIK EMPIRE OF THAERY
Gunnar, King of the Danes
Diplomacy: Hordaland(c)
     Kjel targeted several portions of the Empire for expansion; Infrastructure was just one of them. In the spring of 1548 the King of the Danes passed away at the age of 54. Gunnar took the young Kristina as his bride, and with her, the throne of Thaery.

THE GRAND DUCHY OF CRACOW
Borslav, Blackjack Duke of Cracow, the King of the Polka and Bochnia
Diplomacy: Sandomir(a) Wiczin(HS) Radom(f) Danzig(f)
     The Blackjack Duke went on a tear, increasing the size of 5 key cities in the Duchy. Danzig, Warsaw, and Lawez received the most attention. Jocko took more than thirteen thousand men east into Volhynia intent on oppression. With that taken care of, he planned to continue south to deal with the troublesome Ozu. But the Grim Reaper had plans of his own. Borslav returned to Cracow to dance the Polka at Jocko's wake.
     Lord Marek parlayed with the top brass of the great city of Wiczin, there was heated words, swords were drawn! Aides rushed to separate the men before much blood was shed. Marek returned to his garrison fuming.

THE EMPIRE OF BALTICA
Peter, King of Baltica, Prince of Novgorod
Diplomacy: Reval(ea) Suzdal(c)
     Peter juggled several projects but was able to complete the cultivation of Kymia. During this time his consort bore him two children. Boris died in 1548 on a mission from God in Chernigov.

THE DIHAJ KHANAT
Ziyad, Mighty Servant of Allah
Diplomacy: Saykhin(F) Shirvan(ea)
     Ziyad headed north to attempt to secure more port space on the Volga.

THE ROMAN EMPIRE - Phormion Dynasty
Stavros Phormio, Imperator Romanus, Basileus of Constantinople
Diplomacy: Crimea(F)
     Once again the Emperor commanded that siege craft should improve! Prince Stephanos sailed off to support the colony dropping colonists in the New World, the land of warm winters and cold summers. Prince Sebastos returned eager to drink real grappa.
     Secret deals were forged with the Medici while corn from the Oaxaca Valley arrived via the distance trade routes. Young Tiphani was betrothed to Robert, future Emperor of Saxonia. There was some slippage in the frontier lands closer to home as Psidia and Isauria revolted.

THE YEZIDI CALIPHATE
Hassan Pasha, Emir of Baghdad, Amiiru l-mu'miniin
Diplomacy: Kuwait(fa)
     Like the Romans, Hassan encouraged his siege engineers to perform better than ever, but he paid them quite a bit less than the Empire. Similarly, his army's proficiency with gunpowder increased with very little invested.
     The final touches on one of the wealthiest cities in the world was added by the Yezidi. This should bring in higher profits for the As Shirki offices therein, with the forth monopoly granted late in 1549. Trade with the Iesti would now be handled by Abdulla Noir as well.
     Julaybib worked with the garrison in Lebanon and was pleased to learn that Acre had several 'disruptions'. He had hoped that they would just surrender to the Yezidi faced with the inevitability of the situation. The heretics continued to spread now; the heresy would not be stopped by simple teachings...
     Hassan's primary objective was the establishment of the land link with the west. He sent Abu-Bakr as-Saddiq along with the new ulema ud-din at the head of more than three thousand mounted warriors. The Palmyrans were dug in well behind their field fortifications, expecting the worst. They had a pretty damn good leader, too. The operative word here is had. While the Yezidi were at first forced to retreat, with the loss of their own Ulema ud-din, they knew that the Palmyrans would not have enough command to withstand Abu-Bakr's onslaught. It took a little time to regroup, but Abu wanted to crush the malcontents before the Emir arrived.

LAHILLA PRIMACY OF ISLAM
Lahilla ibn Rumi abd Allah, Caliph al Islam
Consecration: Abadan(ch) Najaf(ch) Bagdad(ch) Siffia(ch) Karbala(ch) Homs(ch) Hawalli(ch) Ar Rokki(ab) Egypt(mn)
     Lahilla increased the number of ulema available to teach the faithful. This to combat the threat of the infiltration that Lahilla uncovered during his two year search. Walid was a machine! The zakat on the Burning Sword was placed at nearly invisible levels.

THE SECRET EMPIRE OF THE BURNING SWORD
Hammad Abu-Hassan, Keeper of Secrets, Master of Lies
Diplomacy: Cilicia(fa) Pontus(c)
     Hammad built several elite regiments to fill out his army. The final link in the Royal Road network from the capital at Samarra was completed, east into Arbiliq.
     General Fez gathered troops from the southern provinces and then rode into the wilderness of Yezd to exact tribute. Unfortunately his force wasn't equipped to deal with the barbarians with their cavalry-killing spikes and pits in the wooded countryside. He was wounded in the first encounter, even though his forces outnumbered the Yezd more than four to one. He was able to retreat to Fars to recuperate and draw up new plans. Those plans would have to be carried out by other men another day when General Fez died from the festering wounds later in the year.
     General Jarfar consolidated the garrisons in Jazirah, commandeered the army of Aziz and then marched north with more than seventeen thousand men. He gave fifteen hundred horse to Shaheen of Hasakah, the feudal lord in Raqqah. They continued into the mountains of Charsionon where he rode through Irbil, laying down the law in the unwalled town. The defenders, were able to wound Jarfar, so he rested for the next two winters there. The heretics found willing adherents in Niksar.

AS SHIRKI AL BAHRI AL BASRA (SBB)
Abdulla Noir, Kalifat Rasul Allah, Captain General of the Basra Overseas Trade Company
Diplomacy: Bargal(nt)
Capitalization: Najaf(ci) Akkaq(ma) Mari(ma) Djibouti(bo) Niksar(ma) Antioch(mf) Mardin(bo) Hasakah(mf) Karbala(ci) Hafun(mf)
     Abdulla, like his spiritual leader Lahilla, added men to assist in the guiding of the guild. We was also able to find cheap labor to help count the taxes and shuffle the paperwork. The Amn al-Amm was well funded and grew as a result. Gold was spread liberally in Hahmar, the bread basket al Bahri.
     Deals were struck with the powerful Il Sindacato. Precious metals and jewels were delivered to the Kalifat as well as 7 heavy galleys. Expected, but not delivered, where the trade routes of the Ghorid's to Gatotkaca and Chekiang, as well as the the lucrative Yezidi to Krakas route. "Those wily Italians are trying to pull something over on me, I just know it," thought Abdulla.
     Near the end of 1549, all facilities in Al Batnah and in the Maldives consolidated at the Branch offices in Omarra.

THE BOGAZGOL KHANATE
Zargan I, Khan of Tabaristan
Diplomacy: Kumis(t)
     Zargan took a risk and a few escorts south into Kumis. He was immediately surrounded by Kumis defenders. Waving the white flag, they were escorted swiftly to Rayy. Defenses on the border were doubled. Finally, in Rayy, Zargan met with Jango...

THE BASSO SULTANATE OF KUMIS
Jango Basso, Sultan of Kumis
Diplomacy: None
     Jango agreed to live the good life and leave all the trouble of ruling a nation to the capable Zargan. He ran off to a palace with the pagan's daughter.

THE GHORID SULTANATE OF AFGHANISTAN
Abdel bin Omar, Sultan of Afghans
Diplomacy: None
     The Sultan of all Afghans enjoyed the feast, the roasted boar was delicious, the dates sweet, the wine, a little bitter. *SPIT* What?!? GASP, gurgle, thud.

THE HARAYUK RAJPUT EMPIRE
Rupika Chandravara, Khan of Khans, Master of Kaunaj, Destroyer of Hordes
Diplomacy: Jhelem(f)
     The Harayuk increased their espionage acumen, as well as their Navigation and Trade range. Labor was recruited to complete the cultivation of Yaralone on the coast of the Nigaloo Sea. Eleven cities in the Empire were expanded as well as the funding of another massive round of public amenities.
     It was interesting to see the feudal lords of the empire sending peasants north to work on the great walls projects, taking some of Rupika's gold in the process. No less than the entire length of the Himalayen range would be protected against. Surely, aliens orbiting the globe would be able to notice even if the hordes of the steppe don't...
     Wotarinu put to sea with Ulanjar of Multan, traveling through the Flores Sea south to Yaralone where they unloaded the plows and oxen, ropes, shovels and seeds. They returned early in 1549 where Ulanjar married Princess Roma, making Multan a full part of the Empire.

THE CHALUKYA EMPIRE OF BANAVASI
Ekoram-varman, Maharaja in Banavasi, Yogi of Seylan
Diplomacy: Pawar(fa)
     Ekoram finally opened the treasury doors that had, heretofore been welded shut, only to allow gold and silver coins in through a tiny slot, no bigger than a fist. Banavasi, Bijapur, and Hyderabad were expanded and several cities also received construction crews to sweep the streets and generally shine things up like new. Even the army was attended to, with lieutenant Jaideep picking up nearly three thousand light forces.
     Instruction houses were built in Dravidia and Madurai to begin the work of educating all of the people to speak Kannadi. Such houses were scheduled to be built on Seylan, but the instructors weren't transported. The Maharaja renamed the city of New Bombay as Mumbai, henceforth and forever more.
     Jaideep loaded his new army onto Dakshi's fleet of 20 vessels (known as the Fleet of the West) and navigated west to the shores of Al Batnah were they unloaded their forces. When asked what they were doing there, the response was a swift "Oppressing you!". Needless to say, this was not the response expected, but the Al Batnah weren't shocked for long. The desert warriors numbered nearly half of what Jaideep had, but were much more accustomed to fighting in the terrain. The Chalukyans were forced to withdraw, but had nowhere to regroup. The Al Batnah drove them to their boats, wounding Dakshi and giving Jaideep a reason to never return.

THE GATOTKACA OF ANGORA
Arghun, Sengkuni Khan
Diplomacy: None
     Arghun dropped off men to build port Argun, furthering his aim of conducting trade with the northern Chinese soon. In a surprise move, trade fleets sent to the Makassar were not turned away. Further efforts by his new trade partner to kill him met with failure, defenses seeming to grow stronger with each attempt on his life. An agent provocateur was captured in Burma.

THE CIAO ZHONG LAO KINGDOM
Lao Che, King North Port
Diplomacy: None
     Lao Che took the Nicobar Isles as the base of his new Kingdom.

THE VIET VICEROYALTY OF MAKASSAR
Zhen Ya, Viceroy of Makassar
Diplomacy: Sunda(c) Aceh(HS) Sumba(HS)
     The Viceroy sent missionaries to complete the job on the Moluccas and Leyte as well as building an elite corps of heavy guns mounted at the capital. Zhen Ya spent his time attending to the needs of his Royal Family.
     At Aceh, Wiranto failed to impress the city nobles. His continued presence was annoying and he was jailed on some trumped up charges. Still, not as bad as the treatment Wally received in Sumba, were the island natives made pretty souvenirs with his shrunken skull.
     The wealth and prosperity of the Makassar led to a population explosion in several cities near the Viceroyalty including Turbah, Singapore, Quezon, Pohnpei, Farajore, Makassar, Kupang, and Chuuk.

IL SINDACATO GRANDE ORIENTALE COMMÉRCIO (Republic of Portale D'Oro)
Don Sebastian Carpachi, Il Doge della Portale D'Oro
Diplomacy: Takama(HS)
Capitalization: Dukou(ci) Rusichatta(bo) Singhasari(bo) Linan(mf) Makassar(ma) Dongola(mf)
     The cities of Antizani and Portale Arabiata received expanded gardens and libraries, compliments of Don Sebastian with only the words, "One day, I may ask a favor..." Monopolies were secured from the Krakas and Rajput Empires. The Nihon would have granted the Golden Pear monopoly, but the Italians were unable to meet their end of the deal. A massive amount of food was purchased none the less in 1547.
     Technology was shared with the Hidden Dragon, but their knowledge of the South Pacific islands was not forthcoming.
     Don Sebastian rode the currents to the wilderness of Takama in the North Pacific. He strutted his less than stellar gift of gab. The eskimos were not impressed with the expensive trinkets he brought with him and he was wounded when they roughly dragged him across the rocky beaches back into the sea. He vowed his revenge and returned to the safe harbor of Edo.
     Josepe, Il Sindacato's most diplomatic of men, had a terrible time in Linan. He'd say one thing, and the workers would do another. He cursed in Italian and the chinese office reduced to a factory for all intents and purposes. The Carpachi's may want to reevaluate who they send on these crucial missions, no realizing that it's charisma that's needed in the Cartel offices, and not diplomacy...
     Admiral Marc set off from Prambanan to explore the North Equatorial Current with twelve elite warships.

THE CROUCHING TIGER IMPERIUM
Cao Tien, Wang Tong King, Emperor of Tonkin
Diplomacy: None
     Cao Tien did nothing.

China

THE HIDDEN DRAGON OF CHEKIANG
Quan Yitsang, Celestial Emperor of Chekiang
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Emperor Yitsang knew that with just a little more time and a little more coinage supporting his siege engineers they would come up with a way to build walls stronger, and he turned out to be right. A massive fleet was constructed, with more than a hundred seventy transports full of light infantry, a few heavy knights and several engineering corps. Not nearly as large as the the great Chekiang Treasure Fleet, but it suited Admiral Xiao Wang just fine as he sailed west to the Sindacato city of Antizani.
     Quan Yitsang requested a noble from Khemer to cement his claim on the land. Later in the year, an heir was born.
     His brother Quan Yiguang, with more than thirty thousand men in his army, saw to the placement of loyal colonists in Sagaing. There was some small resistance, which he and Hei Go put down. Poppy Blossom was next in line to have its population reduced to subservience.
     The army marched south into Prome where Quan would earn the title Prince Ruthless. Both the region and the city were pacified, but that wasn't the end, no. Yiguang would go on to kill every last man, woman and child in the countryside, to pay the price for the massacre of their Chekiangese colonists. Fearful but compliant, more colonists moved into the now vacant fields and hovels.
     Admiral Heng Li took command of the Chekieng Treasure Fleet, sailing from the Hidden Dragon port of Omarra on the Maldives to sail through the Gulf of Oman and then south to the Zanzibar Sea. Here they sailed into the port of Indavo who had been warned that the Chinese were coming, but they weren't prepared for the shear magnitude of the forces that would assail them. The fleet had more than seven HUNDRED ships! The port was closed off as best it could be, but the defenses were overwhelmed.
     Chulalongkorn was left with fewer than 900 elite light infantry to ensure that the Chinese colonists would put the Coptic peasants would be put in their place.
     Bai Hu and his escort of more than eleven thousand horse, took what he could (which was far less than he requested) from the treasury and headed north into and through Zhong territory, east to the frontier and beyond into Yumen. Here he met with the representatives of the Jurchen Horde who were waiting for him. They were quite displeased with the low amount and especially the lack from an agent of the Zhong. The horde took the gold none-the-less and rode off to the West. Bai Hu traveled east then to react to any incursion should the Chahar horde come a-knocking.
     The Chekiang Treasure Fleet continued south from Indavao through the Cape of Good Hope, navigating its dangers quite easily. They unloaded at Cape, greeting the Andalusians occupying, reminding them of their invitation to visit. But like visitors who overstay their welcome, the Chinese started claiming things that weren't theirs. A full scale attack on the region took place, with the Andalusians retreating behind the walls of Cape Town. Without effective leadership, the city fell quickly.

THE MAHIYANA BUDDHIST MISSION
Amitabha, 2nd Host of the Longevity Buddha
Consecration: None
     Hung died in 1547 at the age of 57. Amitabha took the roll of teacher.

THE CIAO ZHONG CHINESE EMPIRE
Lo Pan, The Shrewd, King of the Northern Prefectures
Diplomacy: None
     The Emperor paid another 20% of the treasury to improve the infrastructure of the nation.
     General Lo Pan took the mighty Zhong cavalry, some thirty thousand horse strong, north, based on intelligence reports and followed the trail of the Chahar Khanate. It wasn't hard to find them, nearly fifteen thousand horses leave a trail, if you know what I mean. By March of 1548 they were deep in the Gobi desert following the horde north west.
     General Lao Che, out of conduit range from the Empire in the Nicobars, loaded his fleet to head west directly to the Coromandel Coast. His men were worried for a long time, knowing that the General didn't actually have maps showing how to navigate the wide ocean, but were amazed when they finally saw the coast of India.
     They continued west toward their destination - the city of Denjuba. He saw the mighty walls and knew his orders were to take the city, so he unloaded his men, fighting the desert tribes of Zufar in the process. Then he set up the passive siege, ensuring that his fleet would blockade the port. By 1548, he knew the city would surrender soon.
     The Venerable Dom Che was seen trekking west with a wagon load of treasure. When asked on the road where he was going he said, "To pay off the Jurchen Horde so they'll leave us alone. D'oh! I wasn't supposed to tell anyone!" He hurried off to Yumen.
     Zho Sung and Wang Lao took large armies into Honan and Shentung, respectively to oversee the placement of loyal colonists above the rebellious citizens. Although successful, this was just the last straw for the supposedly open society of the Ciao Zhong as it slipped into a Caste system, with the nobility of the Gou extending better class of citizens.
     In 1548, without an heir or an army in the capital, Tien Pi Gou died at the young age of 30. The tell tale signs of a misspent youth evident on his scrawny body. With a large Hidden Dragon army in the north, most of the leaders out of the country, the Empire erupted in chaos.
     Chin Le joined with Lo Pan, the best Zhong general, who, learning of the death of Pi Gou stopped chasing the Chahar in the Gobi desert. With his mostly heavy elite cavalry force, he headed to the capital to take the throne. By May of 1549 he had returned to Zhong territory in the province of Ordos.
     Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Lao Che and Dinh-Rin were completing the conquest of Denjuba in Zufar. They left a garrison of elite forces and as they were preparing to march into the wilderness of Hadramunt, word reached them of the troubles at home. Heated words and dire actions left Dinh-Rin floating off the Arabian coast and the fleet heading home.
     Lieutenant Dom Che alone in the Capital hoped that actually sitting on the throne would help his cause. Wang Lao arrived first to successfully challenge Dom Che's claim, the latter was able to barely escape with his life, but he would be scarred forevermore. Zho Sung wasn't so lucky.
     The army of Lo Pan rode into Shensi in July of 1549 to challenge Wang Lao. Both men had many loyal adherents, but soon Wang Lao was dragged to the gallows. Bao Ding and Shansi revolted.

THE CHAHAR KHANATE
Chang of the Chahar
Diplomacy: Allowed
     Chang was allowed to pass through the Gobi and into Karakorum without much trouble

THE JURCHEN KHANATE
Jarchigudai of the Jurchen
Horde Diplomacy: Tangut(allowed) Yumen(allied) Beshbalik(latent) Altai(latent) Betpak(allied) Tarhain(latent) Khirgiz(allied)
     Tolun died in 1547 and so the Khanate chose Jarchigudai of the Jurchen tribe to lead them. The horde headed south to collect tribute from the soft-ones and then headed west, last seen in Khirgiz...

THE NIHON EMPIRE
Empress Mugai Nyodai, 91st Emperor of Nihon, Descendent of Amaterasu, Regent of Taiki
Diplomacy: No Effect
     Showa saw his siege engineers improve and so he would place a group of them at Yonago. Nine cities in the realm where expanded and Miyazaki had several improvements built including new market squares and opera houses. In 1548 Showa II died in a boating accident off the pier of Kyoto. Once again, the Emperor's mother Mugai Nyodai would rule the Empire, this time as regent for her grand-daughter Taiki. Noble families throughout the empire began to send offers of marriage.
     Several cities received groups of siege engineers to protect and enhance their strength. One of those cities saw Admiral Chenka row away with thirty six small transports to the south, hoping to find the route to the mythical Kazen Retto. Amazingly, they all returned, jubilant.

THE VAKAS IMPERIUM OF THE AKETTA
Vakas Togal, Sorcerer-King of the Aketta
Diplomacy: None
     Chebu died in 1547. This left the Imperium with a problem, since neither of his sons, twins Shagia and Oluva had attained their majority. Each lieutenant chose a different political stratagem to gain the Sorcerer-King's throne. Minase chose to marry Chie, the eldest daughter of Chebu, while Sinshi and Togal each backed one of the twins. Togal was able to force Minase out of the capital and Sinshi arrived later to end up being killed by one of Togal's sycophants. After the coronation, the old royal family was quietly shuffled off, never to be heard from again.
     Wangaratta was destroyed by a fire set off by looters, most other cities revolted, and some regions as well. Togal would have his work cut out for him.

THE KINGDOM OF THE STORM
Harahua, Manta of the Mellow Kingdom
Diplomacy: Taranaki(f)
     Manta built a small army of men with recently improved infantry sKi7z. Lagging behind the curve, he spent a pretty penny improving the horse divisions as well. Another hundred sixty ships where sent out to pull food from the seas. Cloud Bearer became friendly when its king died.
     The Lizard and the Tadpole loaded up several canoes and rode the waves along the New Caledonian Passage to Loyaute where they assaulted the beaches to set up dominion. Needing to return to a friendly port, they called off the exploration of the island chain to the north.

Pet the fuzzy kitties!

THE MANITOWISH EMPIRE
Yellowfeet, Master of the Manitowish Empire
Diplomacy: Nootka(F)
     The Manitowish sent many men to work on the Chehalis peninsula, frequently taking a break to watch the great whales frolic in the Sound.

THE COLONY OF NYDANIA
Harold III, Konik von Nydanland, Emperor of Nydania
Diplomacy: None
     The Spirit Christians clogged and sang their songs.

THE POPOCELOTL EMPIRE
Huaptl, King of the Smoke Jaguars
Diplomacy: Yaqui(nt)
     Huaptl joined Redwing and Sabeno in Yaqui while Mzatanos ruled the Empire. Tcheutal, a new port, was built on the Sea of Montezuma.

Eastern North America

THE ILLINOIS CONFEDERATION
Brand, Great Liege of the Ancient People
Diplomacy: Sauk(A)
     Anakin died in 1548. Fortunately, his last days were spent well with the Sauk.

THE ADENA EMPIRE
Pepin Lawenro III, Great Chief of Adena
Diplomacy: None
     Pepin the second died in 1548. His son returned from Quapaw to rule the Empire.

BONNY KINGDOM OF MERCAIN
Angus, Elder King of the Land, Sword of the Vanished Tribes
Diplomacy: None
     King Angus gained a much needed level of government network. Troops were built for Lord Clyde and waited for him at the capital. Several scruffy looking Europeans took refuge from an Atlantic squall at Castropol.

THE BLESSED COUNTRY OF KORNLAND
Hector Simonsen, Jarl of Kornland, Sachem of Chowan, Keeper of the Faith
Diplomacy: Catawba(ea)
     Hector spent a lot of time with his wife Isabelle to finally get a male heir before she died in 1549.

THE OAXACA EMPIRE
Maxtla, King of Oaxaca, Lord of the Maya, Leader of the Quetzal World, Emperor of Mexico
Diplomacy: Chiapas(HS)
     Coatlamoc sent all Oaxaca surplus food to their new European friends. In mid 1548, the old man died, leaving the Empire to his son Nezahualcoyotl and his nine grandchildren.
     Matlalihuitl, Moquihuix, and Quetzal would never return from their excursions into the north. Prince Maxtla though, having had his army stripped from him and being send to talk with the detestable Cheepass, had a grudge to settle with his brother. Returning to the Capital in June, talks began. The devious Maxtla, well liked outside of Nezahualcoyotl's children, was able to secure the throne of the Quetzal. As tradition stands, the proper sacrifices where performed...

THE INKA KINGDOM
Flutie Flakes, Coca Mogul
Diplomacy: Chanchan(t)
     Flutie completed the massive cultivation projects in Pucara and Ayacucho. Now terraces can be seen rising above the clouds, exploding with all manner of fruit and plant, several emu and llama.

THE WAJ MAPU CHE
Lord King Biedes, sovereign over the Four Parts of the Healing Earth
Diplomacy: None
     Biedes lived the simple life.

THE TUPINAMBA EMPIRE
Verbena, Top Tupi Tribesman
Diplomacy: Bauru(a)
     Verbena was offended by men from a far off land. It was only by his mercy alone that the outsiders were allowed to depart in their vessels.

THE EMIRAT OF ALAGOAS
Shi'Tebra ibn Rahgeesh, Emperor of the Paraiba, Emir of Alagoas
Diplomacy: Arana(ea)
     The Emperor commanded that there should be a city at the mouth of the Amazon named Belam.

Average Horde Pop: 5.0           Increase: 10%
The Haraze Horde is ready to stake their claim!!