Lords of the Earth 

CAMPAIGN TWENTY-FOUR

Africa Victorious

Turn 42

1205 ~ 1210 Anno Domini
568 ~ 572 in the year of the Hegira

Announcements and items of note

General Stuff: Please use my Paypal account (stephenbrunt@yahoo.co.uk) for all Lords’ 24 payments. If you cannot use this facility then please let me know and I will see what I can do about filtering US funds to my account. I may also stop using the throneworld email address due to the mass of spam I’m getting!

Order Form: Please use the standard excel order form from now on. I’ll update the site with a link to it next week when I get some time. This is important as it helps me process the turn more quickly. THIS IS NOW MANDATORY.

Non-Payment: some of you still owe me some cash. Although it may come as surprise that this is not my main source of income, I see it only polite that you pay for the occasionally night out. So, if you’re under zero next turn I’ll not process you orders.

Version 6: Lords 24 uses version 6 of the basic rules

The Map: The map now includes India as well as Europe, Central Asia and Africa. However, Indian nations are not yet available for play. I’ve greyed out repeated areas on the maps to make my life easier. However, this means some player nations are split across more than one map. I may increase the size of the main map but I’ll have to think on this.

Tithes and Tribute: I think these are automatically updated by the stats program, so no need to declare them in your orders.

Control of the Papacy and Religious Orders: In Lords 24 we will not always have a player Pope (or Caliph etc for that matter) and the following rules are used to determine which player faction controls the Pope’s actions, Papacy Rules. I’ve also added some stuff about gaining support from their armies

How to make your GM happy (PLEASE READ! REALLY!):

Please send any and all Lords24 correspondence to lords24gm@ymail.com or stephenbrunt@yahoo.co.uk .

LORDS 24 WEB RESOURCES 

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VARIOUS FEES AND LEVIES 

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We are using the latest v6.3.5 of the basic rule book that can be found here

http://lords.throneworld.com/players/loterule/rules.html

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Turn 43 Orders due by: September 17th 2008

Without further ado, the news for these years in Lords 24 history...

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EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Leaders:	Mustafa of Rum M996
Troops:	45c,33xc,40i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c6, s5, w3

The Varangian Rus of Kiev

(Orthodox Civilized Open Empire)
Izyaslav, King of the Rus

Missionaries were active in Atelzuko and the pagan's of that region saw the benefits of joining their Christian neighbours to the north. King Izyaslav was content to meddle with mercantile affairs and managed to sire a daughter during these years. While the other nobility idled their time away at court, Wladislaw was active in Novogord -Seversk and gained a military alliance from the Boyar there.

The Western Roman Empire

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Scion of Theodotus, Emperor of the West Romans

The harsh winter of 1207 was hardly noticed by Alexander of Larissa as he pulled his battered army together for the final push against the Uighur foe. It seems that Uighur bandits had stolen their pay and Alexander exalted them that only regaining Thessaly would reclaim their gold. Two thousand infantry and twice that in cavalry moved out of Ochridia and down through Serbia to attack the Uighurs in Thessaly. Belim of the Uighurs commanded a small force of one thousand engineers, some infantry and one of the Uighur tribes. Thessaly had recently been fortified with several small castles to protect against just such an invasion. As Alexander crossed the mountains a descended into Thessaly, Belim moved out to meet him. He had little time to prepare but the Bulgarians were duped by a local guide and were in disarray when the Uighurs attacked. No mercy was shown and Alexander's whole force cut down by the fierce tribesman. With the Emperor dead, the army annihilated, the Bosnians also declared their independence- what hope for West Romans now? The Uighurs losses were under one thousand men. Any thoughts that John the Sturdy had of claiming the vacant throne were dashed when he succumbed to a flux in 1209 - the throne went to a distant cousin of the old dynasty of Theodotus.

The Western Uighur Khanate

(Sunni Islam Civilised Open Empire)
Khagan Selim

Selim moved to Thessaloniki were he courted the old West Roman dynasty under Theodotus. A marriage was arranged for himself and even old Fatima was married off. Some allegiance was gained from the Thessalonians and Selim moved back to Macedonia. His new wife gave him a son, although healthy he was extremely ugly. Uighur assassins attempt to take out the West Roman assassin base and manage to hamper their activities during these years. In Thessaly, Belim has some small success in converting the local nobility to Islam.

The Oriental Roman Empire

(Roman Catholic Civilised Open Empire)
Isaac, Emperor of East Rome

Isaac was determined to regain the lost Roman lands to the west. While he gathered his army of six thousand elite guards, he sent Moagaritos to Abasigia to gain further support from the region. An alliance of sorts was formed and more gold flowed towards Constantinople. Romanos travelled to Chrysopolis to gather the small garrison stationed there. Issac was a strong and charismatic leader and managed to rally his men for an attack on Thrace, despite the punishment handed out by the Uighurs some years before. His six thousand strong guard moved into the province and struck the defences set there by the Khan. Along strongly fortified the province soon fell to the Romans for the loss of less than a thousand men and Isaac pushed onto Heraclea. However, he was unable to isolate the port and it prevailed against his siege.

The Ests

(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Cimir, Kings of the Ests

The cultivation of Veposkava continued, it was only the lack of labour that prevented the region from fulfilling its promise. The road from Estonia to Novgorod was updated on the nation's map; its omission the fault of a senile old scribe. Cimir set up trade links with Poland but his attempts to trade with England were hampered by the distance. Cimir travels to Novgorod with Jaak and offers his hand in marriage to the local chief's daughter. The alliance is sealed and Novgorod becomes part of the kingdom. Jaagup convinces the lord of Musa to ignore Norwegian influence and offer allegiance to Riga. A wife is found for Andrus. A daughter is born to Andrus' wife, an ugly, witless thing that Andrus ignores, hoping for a son.

Elsewhere in Eastern Europe

The Kingdom of Hungary becomes Eastern Orthodox. Carinthia, Ialomita, Slovenia and Verona all rebel. Verona returns to Venitians and thence Salernese control. Rum gains more control over Pamphyla.

THE MIDDLE EAST

Mercenaries
Leaders:	None
Troops:	10c,8xc,24i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c6, s5, w3

Heyrenik'un Armeniam

(Roman Catholic Barbarian Open Empire)
Anisha Amirspalar

Queen Anisha continued to oversee the cultivation of Armenia while missionaries were active in Psidia. Orthodox feeling was running high and the backlash was felt in Thedyarbekir when the number of Catholic converts in Psidia was cut in half. Anisha Amirspalar herself rules her mountain kingdom alongside her consort Prince Leo. Iskander continued his efforts to convert the nobility of Vaspurakan before his death in 1208. His successor picked up his work. In late 1209 disaster struck the Azeri city of Tabriz when a huge earthquake claimed many lives in the city. The city walls were destroyed along with several municipal buildings.

The Buwayid Sultanate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Nadir, Regent for the young Sultan

Catastrophe strikes the Sultanate when Hashm dies at only 27. His young son is only 9 and his brother Nadir agrees to be regent until his majority. His other brother Prince Shiraj travels to Baghdad where he offers his service to the Al-Khulafa'ur Rashidun. Farukh takes command of six thousand infantry and a large contingent of engineers. The force travels to Media to protect the eastern border with Persia. Crisias was offered the hand of Hashm's sister in marriage by the able Yahya, he was aided by Nadir, Khair al Din and Basher of Ahvaz. Crisias was already married to Adrianne of Chrysopolis so declined the offer of marriage. However, the much needed offer of gold and the ever present threat of Buwayid aggression meant that the small Khanate offered to support the Sultanate in a military alliance. This was Yahya's last task for the Sultan as he too died during these years. Large numbers mercenaries were hired in Hastor but spent these years in leaderless idleness as Mustafa took the Salernese gold. Some of the ruling nobility of Cilicia were converted to Islam by the persuasive Qumri of Edessa. The road from Lydia to Isauria was repaired and regained its old status.

Ar Rassid Imamat as Sa'Na

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Sheik Farouk of Sa’Na

Farouk ordered Sinbad to take command of the royal guard. They were when shipped down the African coast to Scebeli were they waited for the Imam Tareq. Tareq had moved up from Kilwa Kivinje with his army of six thousand infantry and some elephants to punish the Ogaden for their transgressions in during the previous years. Accompanied by Rakman, he moved from Scebeli into Ogaden and challenged the horde on their home territory. This was a mistake which cost him dearly; the entire Ogaden might of nearly fifteen thousand cavalry and supporting light spearmen attacked the Adenese Imam as he crossed the border. The Imam was unprepared for the onslaught and saw his army destroyed by the Ogaden. He only barley managed to escape to Adal with Rakman, both men sorely tested and exhausted from their flight.

Al-Khulafa'ur Rashidun

(Sunni Islam Civilized Primacy
Kedar Safawan, the Righteous Caliph

The vast wealth of the Khulafa was flexed and the cities of Saa'na, Al'Qadi, Mahidia, Madiera, Mansura and Basra grew from their largesse. Kedar Safawan was content to rule the Khulafa from Baghdad and was blessed with four children, two of them twins. He ordered a new city built on island of Socotra, to be called Al'Cotra. It was Rasheed Malakai's duty to oversee the settlers leaving Basra for the island before overseeing the mosque built in Mansura. This was after he successfully oversaw the building of a Monastery in Abadan. The Emir of Al'Qamishli was supported by Latif abd-Gabr and Zayn ibn Zulfiq in lending there knowledge of Magyar traditions to the missionary efforts in Alfold. There was also some minor missionary success in Ludgorie. Al'Qamishli's efforts in Thrace came to nothing when the East Roman's invaded from Constantinople but an Abbey was built in Lydia. The conversion of the Isaurian and Cilician nobility continued apace. Idle merchant shipping was reassigned to fishing.

Elsewhere in the Middle East

Quiet times.

NORTH AFRICA

Mercenaries
Leaders:	Abu Benadin al’Gefara M544
Troops:	5c,10xc,10i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c6, s5, w3

The Ayyubid Sultanate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Saladin, Sultan of the Ayyubids

Saladin raised a new army in the Alexandria; ten thousand cavalry and the same in infantry were gathered for vengeance on the Farubids. Meanwhile, word was sent to mercenaries throughout North Africa to gather at El’Uqsor. Harun and Osman were appointed to the Ayyubid court. Ayyubid missionaries were active in Adulis and Suakin but new converts were only forthcoming in Suakin. Saladin gathered his army from Alexandria and Mansura and travelled down to the Levant. Now numbering some sixteen thousand infantry and nearly thirty thousand cavalry, he attacked the Farubid heartland of Jordan. Aziz ibn Faruq had managed to hold his army together by will alone, not having paid them for many months. His force of ten thousand elite guards with some cavalry and engineers managed to hold off the Ayyubid attack and force them to retire back to the Levant. Large numbers of Egyptians were killed with Boguz run down by the Farubids and Jabril wounded. The Farubid losses were remarkably light. Again Saladin tried to force his way into Jordan and again he was repulsed. However, this time the losses were not so great on the Egyptian side and over three thousand Farubids were killed. Saladin retired back to Alexandria to review his options, surely the impoverished Farubids could not hold out much longer? Pharnazes was successful in Dongola, the region grudgingly accepting Ayyubid control. The roads down from Dongola to Thebes and onto Alwa were completed. The newly hired mercenaries in El'Uqsor were left to idle the years away as Abu refused the paltry sum offered to hire him.

Amir al-Bahri

(Sunni Islam Seafaring Religious Order)
Abd Al-Aziz, Grand Commander

Little of note occurred

Ummayad Sultanat al Oran

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Abbas al Basha ,Sultan of the Ummayad

Abbas al Basha was blessed with three daughters during these years. Ishtar was stationed in Santa Maria in case of Aragon’s aggression. None came during these years. The missionary work in Catalonia met with mixed success when the nobility of the province were convinced of the benefits of Islam but the general population were alienated.

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Leaders:	Odo of Aachen M85A
Troops:	20c,12i,5s,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c5, s4, w4

Heiliges Romisches Reich

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Brandork, Holy Roman Emperor

Emperor Brankork ordered the rebuilding of Cannes in southern France. The city was to become the Empire's port on the Mediterranean and was built around a central citadel. Brandorks's beautiful wife gave birth to four children during these years, ensuring his legacy for years to come. However, his attempt to raise an Abbey in Saxony failed due to religious differences between his appointed Abbott and the Papal Legate sent to oversee the site's construction. Prince Brankoening was successful in bringing Stuttgart into a closer alliance with the Empire but unfortunately died during these years. Eudes of Burgundy used his influence in the Provence court to fully integrate the province into the Empire's lands. Old Papuchultran died while travelling from Switzerland. Vast amounts of gold were given to the Spanish king to aid their efforts in the south.

Jarldom of Orkeneyjar

(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Wulgar Bjornson, Jarl of Orkney

Wulfgar sent rutters for the New World to England for the gain of much gold. The princess Gretal sailed from Kirkval with Harald and Bjorn to further the Orkneys knowledge of these lands. Claims were made of Vinland and Naskapi, although no sign was found of the men left their on Gretal’s return. Old Harald did not last the voyage and died on the way back to Kirkval but Gretal was successful and rutters were made of Cape Race. Wulgar himself travelled with his son and heir, Lars Wulfson, to Brest. It was here that he hoped to persuade Le Marteau de Dieu to take up residence further north. His proposals were listened to by the Frenchmen and were favourably received. Indeed, a new order house was built by the Orkneymen in far Kirkval. However, the order could not be persuaded to relocate at this time to Kirkval and remained based in Brest. Strom managed to raise the piety of the islands before his death in 1210. Searches for the traitor Yngvarr or his offspring led to nothing; although there was rumour of a Norse sect in northern Italy or thereabouts.

Kingdom of Svear

(Roman Catholic Seafaring Open Empire)
Erik Gustafson, King of the Svear

Erik oversaw the building of Helsinfors in Turku. Several light transports were commissioned and assigned to trade within the Kingdom. Although virtually uninhabited, the Svear missionaries were successful in converting the few fishermen on the island of Saarema to Catholicism. Aranok and Arvid die in the desolate island during a diplomatic mission to gain their support. Erik presents his son and heir Arnold to the court..

Norman Kingdom of France

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Louis VII, King of France

Over sixty ships were commissioned in the Cherbourg dockyards. King Louis was blessed with two young children, events only marred by the death of their great aunt Constance. Fulques was successful in diplomacy in both Metz and Champagne. While Guillaume offered the hand of Roger in marriage to the Count of Auvergne. Hugh travelled to Cherbourg to collect the newly commissioned Cogs and sailing around to Marseilles, picked up Guillaume and set sail for Attica. The French army was aboard, over ten thousand men, hungry for battle and to face the infidel. Hugh landed in Athena and awaited the Uighur onslaught. None came and Hugh spent the time in idle repose with Guillaume and Mustafa of Rum - hired for the duration by Salerno but bereft of any men to lead. Hugh returned home to Marseilles at the end of these years but caught a fever and died in the port city. Paris as caught in a new found belief in the works of man and support for Rome wavered.

Principality of Salerno

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Ricardo II, Prince of Salerno

Mercenaries flocked to the Salernese banner; over fourteen thousand were hired in Calania for Prince Kaspar. In Athens the mercenary captain Mustafa was hired but his men were tempted away by Buwayid gold. In Romagna, the rat infested ruins of Bologna were abandoned and a new port called Ravenna built on the Adriatic. Taranto was also built on the same coast in Apulia. Two daughters were born during these years to Prince Ricardo, the eldest of the two was as ugly as the youngest beautiful. Eight thousand cavalry, six thousand infantry and a thousand engineers cross from Calabria into Sicily. Hasan of the Al'Bahri was ready for the attackers with over six thousand infantry, two thousand cavalry and the same number of engineers as the Italians. Tuscany led the battle from the front with Miguel Urbano. The Duke was badly injured in the attack trying to rescue Urbano after he was pulled from his horse by the Bahri. Thinking their leaders were lost the Italians fled the field and were mercilessly pursued by the Bahri. The Bahri losses were light but nearly all the Italian mercenaries were left dead or abandoned the field. Urbano was captured but the Duke escaped to Calabria. Hasan was killed along with the thousand light infantry losses. Urbano later died of his wounds, a prisoner of the Al'Bahri. Despite the losses in Sicily, Ricardo was rewarded with success when the Bishop Beningi, aided by the Duke of Romagna, persuaded the Venetians to fully ally themselves with the Principality.

Saxon Kingdom of England

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Richard, King of England

The city of Diva was cleared of the old rat infested buildings that had caused so much despair and rebuilt to its former glory. King Richard declared that his son William will become his heir on reaching his majority. Much gold was sent to the Orkneys for their knowledge of the route to the new world found to the west. King Wulfgar also let the Saxon's gain knowledge of the Baltic. Saxon missionaries were unsuccessful in Gronland and Fjordane. King Richard himself continued to oversee his nation from London. Old Lord Dunmore died whilst protecting the south from possible invasion.Lord Esmund was successful in bring Dyffed closer to the kingdom when the lord of those lands pledged an alliance.

Reino de Aragon

(Roman Catholic Civilized Open Empire)
Pedro II, El Catolico, King of Aragon

Very little of note happened during these years..

The Akramid Caliphate

(Sunni Islam Civilized Open Empire)
Mohamed, Caliph of the Akramids

Tiroman, son of Mohamed, becomes heir to the Caliphate. Akramid missionaries have a fair degree of success in Galacia, nearly half of the regions' population now follow Islam. Mohamed himself is content to rule the Caliphate, his wife Lila giving him more children for his growing family. Prince Mehkmood travelled home to Andalusia to begin the unrewarding work of looking for hidden cultists. He dies suddenly from a heart attack during 1206. Prince Mohaman dies in Leon from a flux caught on the way from Galacia in 1207. Tavar and Rithman were also victims of the same disease but not before the relations with Leon were dramatically improved. Coincidently, the Imam Sulieman also died whilst patrolling the Caliphate's lands.

Elsewhere in Western Europe

The Norwegians attempt to gain some more land. Pomern, Musa and Oopland are all targeted but Musa is swayed by Estonian interests. Attica joins with Thessaloniki. La Milice du Anacletus are active in England.

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Leaders:	Magabune of Kilwa M5A6
Troops:	10c,5xc,28i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c4, s3, w1

Usama-Yoruba Onium of Ibo

(African Pagan Civilised Open Empire)
Bhatamai, King of the Ibo

Every available horse was found in sub-Saharan Africa and put into service in Bhatamai's army. In the end over twenty six thousand cavalry were raised to repel the Adjou Aba and the Air Emirate. Iboan spies were active in the Adjou horde and contact was made with the Emir of the Idjil. The Emir waited until Iboan assassins had killed the Emir of the Adjou before pulling most of his men back into Songhai. The Adjou left the region after their lords' death to await their new Emir. The Emir of Idjil then liberated Songhai and Ghana before taking Kumbi-Salah for his new masters. Songhai returned to independence however after the Idjil left for Ghana. Itogo took command of the new raised cavalry and together with his ten thousand heavy infantry moved to attack the Air Emirate at Kurfei. The Emirate was completely outnumbered and fell back before the might of Ibo. After Kurfei, Kanuri and Om'dir'man easily fell and the Emirate was no more. Daza rose up against the few defenders left to control the region and returned to Kanem's control. Bhatamai himself was defending the western frontier against the Adjou Aba when they returned in 1208. His thirty thousand infantry were dug in on the Sudan border when the Adjou arrived via Songhai. The Adjou numbered thirty thousand cavalry and about twelve thousand infantry. They descended upon the outnumbered Iboan with victory assured. However, although wounded, Bhatamai managed to turn the tide of the battle by leading the defence against the invaders personally. The Adjou perished upon stout Iboan spears and died in their multitude. Nearly thirty thousand of the Adjou and their Idjili and Adwaghost allies died that day with the loss of only two thousand Iboans. The horde sulked back to their strongholds and contemplated their mistake in attacking the power of Ibo.

Elsewhere in Africa

The Shahel Sharifs attack Kanem at Soro. Although overwhelming the defenders with their cavalry supremacy, the Kanem forces managed to repel the attackers. Daza was returned to Kanem after the demise of the Air Emirate. The Sharifs then pushed into Darounga, Radom and Ennedi, meeting minimal resistance from the Funj. The Ogaden Tribes were pushed out of Shoa by Funj and were badly mauled in the battle; out of their nineteen thousand cavalry, nearly twelve thousand were killed or scattered. This was after they had managed to take some of the Adenese holdings on the East African coast. The Mwene-Mutapa converts Nguni. Khosia and Phalaborwa also follow Unkulunkulu. The cultivation of Gorongo is well underway.

Central Asia

Mercenaries
Troops:	6c,10xc,10i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c4, s3, w1

Elsewhere in Asia

The Khwarzim claim Tabaristan. Kirov is settled by Bolgar tribesmen. Ilig missionaries are active in Kashmir. The Mongols incorporate the tribes of Adakh, the Khirgizi and the Khazan. The province of Wu Hai is attacked and pacified.

India

Mercenaries
Troops:	5c,10xc,10i,5xt,5xw
AQRs:	i5, c4, s3, w1

Pratihara Kingdom of Kaunaj

(Hindu Civilised Open Empire)
Ramapala, Raja of Kaunaj

The Raja Ramapala raised more troops for the Kingdom's army. Four thousand elite cavalry were added to the already substantial infantry based in Rajput. His son Kumarapala married an extremely ugly bride from Jaunpur but at least she produced two sons for the heir. Jaunpur was the target of Kaunaj diplomacy when Viadyadara and Timgyadeva gained a military alliance from the province. Ananda proved less successful in Uttar Pradesh and failed to gain any more support from the rich province.

The Order of the Dagger

(Hindu Civilised Religious Order)
Angada, Lord of the Order of the Dagger

Angada, Lord of the Order of the Dagger, commissioned vast fleets for trade out of Benares and Thanesar. A fleet of thirty light warships was built in Tamralipti to defend the Hindu lands. Balavan, accompanied by Gaman and Isha, founded a series of Order Houses and Preceptories in Benares, Bihar, Calcutta and Shillong. Their efforts were thwarted in Tamralipti by local red tape.

Elsewhere in India

Kosala is claimed by the Kalachuri Kingdom.