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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 001
(1100 to 1104)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	22i, 15c, 5s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

 

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

King David expands his cavalry by another five hundred men and horse. For the first part of the cycle, the troops simply acts as support in a massive Census. The Census is completed successfully, though with David so long away from home, he takes on a mistress and sires a daughter. Later in the Cycle, David keeps the troops on alert in Strathclyde, though no one yet meddles with the Kingdom. David's son, Malcolm, oversees the ruling of the Kingdom, expanding his own family with three children by a bride from Lothian (Who is helpful in securing non-paying tributary status with that region.) In addition to the Orkneys pledging a feudal alliance to the crown, the pagan chief of the island adopts Catholicism. Finally, the internal trade of the nation is expanded with another ten cogs being built.

 

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

King Henry realizes that the Pope will be a valuable ally. He spends time courting Rome directly, granting a small tithe to the See and even attempting to found two churches in England. Despite the failure of the latter, relations with the Papacy are positively affected. Henry then concentrates on domestic growth, taking William Constable and gaining non-paying tributary status in both Northumbria and Mercia. The Heir, William, rules from London, taking a bit of time to instruct his brother, Fulk. Fulk's skills at administering improve. Another brother, Reginald, learns the ins and outs of diplomacy from William Constable, his skills improving as well. Robert of Gloucester is given command of four hundred infantry and cavalry, and sets up a reaction from Sussex. He and his men see no action. Like Scotland, England too adds cogs to her trading fleets, but she also constructs five cogs and five light warships to add directly to the naval forces.

 

County of Flanders
( Ghent in Flanders )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Robert II

The County makes an about face on its past policies of diplomacy and trade, and rapidly increases its military potential. Count Robert turns over his entire land force, including a newly conscripted contingent of eleven-hundred cavalry, one-thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers. Ten light warships also bolster admiral Mathieus' navy. Count Robert then ventures into Friesland on a Diplomatic mission. [See: The Struggle for Friesland] Baldwin, Heir to the throne oversees a Census of the land, and the construction of three new regional fortresses in strategic locations. Fortress Halle is built on high ground outside of the village of Halle, utilizing the commanding views of the region. Fortress Bavo is built on the high ground in the village of Liege, the reported birthplace of Saint Bavo. Fortress Donatianus is built on the ground where Charles the Bald gave Saint Bavo's bones to Earl Baldwin of Flanders in 863. Admiral Mathieus is commanded to sail the English Channel, protecting both Flander's shores and France's. The navy sees no action, quite unlike the army.

 

Duchy of Lorraine
( Heppenheim in Hesse )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Thierry II

Lorraine bolsters her forces by one-thousand cavalry, six-hundred infantry and five-hundred engineers. Many of these forces launch a direct attack into Nivernais under the command of the Duke himself and another general, Bruno the Grim. They are completely successful, wiping out all eight-hundred defenders without suffering any major casualties of their own. Champagne is also taken, but this region is done through the diplomacy of Guy of Hesse. He secures non-paying tributary status. Thierry, the Heir, oversees a census.

 

Duchy of Normandy
( Rouen in Normandy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Robert II

Normandy throws her lot in with France, first selling the Kingdom some of the country's grain. Then, following France off to war. [See: A Frank Rebuff] Seventeen-hundred infantry and thirteen-hundred cavalry are conscripted for the war effort. Mercenaries are also hired for the next cycle, five-hundred infantry and cavalry in Rouen. There is a little diplomacy in Maine, where Duke Robert arranges a marriage for his son William in exchange for a feudal alliance.

 

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

With Agro bought from Normandy, France also seeks aid from the Roman Papacy, gaining much needed manpower. A small tithe is granted to the Holy See to bolster relations. Diplomacy by King Philip goes nowhere in Limousin, but Roche du Montier gains a Feudal alliance in Orleans. Militarily, five-hundred infantry and four-hundred engineers are raised to garrison Paris, while twenty-one-hundred cavalry and five-hundred infantry are conscripted for war under Jean-Georges de Valois. [See: A Frank Rebuff]

 

Duchy of Burgundy
( Worms in Burgundy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Eudes I, The Red

Duke Eudes runs a quick bit of diplomacy in Languedoc, but his limited time allows no major talks to conclude. It doesn't help that the Aragonese invade the region. He then returns to Worms to rule his kingdom and promote Henri as a Royal Prince. Hugh, the Heir, conscripts fifteen-hundred cavalry, one-thousand infantry, and five-hundred engineers before following the French call to war. [See: A Frank Rebuff]

 

Duchy of Aquitaine
( Toulouse in Aquitaine )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke William IX, The Troubador

Duke William first goes about cementing ties with the Vatican, allowing a small tithe to be levied upon his Duchy. He then furthers the relationship by founding two churches, Saint-Sernin de Toulouse and Notre Dame de Rosaire in Aquitaine. The Rutters of the English Channel are inked in preparation of a sale, while the armies are bolstered by seven-hundred cavalry, seven-hundred infantry one-thousand engineers, and five light warships. They would all be needed.

 

A Frank Rebuff

The French Monarch watches the emissary from Aquitaine leave the meeting hall with slit eyes. "He asks for everything and he offers nothing!" The other three Frankish emissaries say little, watching their new liege carefully. "This cannot stand. We cannot have such a snake within our midst. If this alliance is to remain strong, strong enough to counter the German Empire, then Aquitaine must be brought to heel."

"But we have no cause for war, no Casus Belli," is the warning from the Burgundian.

The French King shakes his head, "No matter. We will have three times as many forces and commanders. Aquitaine must be brought to heel."

Thus, Burgundy, Normandy and France begin a campaign of war against Aquitaine.

The first conflict happens at sea. The Norman Lieutenant Francois sails ten light warships against Poitiers with the intent to Pirate Aquitainian trade routes. William, the heir to Aquitaine, meets the Norman forces with his own five light warships. The battle is very one-sided, without numbers, and not much commanding experience to speak of, William of Aquitaine loses four of his ships before he falls back into the city. The Norman ships then wreck havoc, plundering ships and gold from Aquitaine.

While this is happening, the combined forces of France, Normandy and Burgundy meet in Ile De France before pushing into Poitou. The numbers are many. The French Heir Louis with general Jean -Georges command thirty-one hundred cavalry, fifteen hundred infantry and five hundred engineers. Normandy sends along Her heir, William Cleto, and Lieutenant Charles with twenty-three hundred cavalry, one thousand infantry and five hundred engineers. Burgundy joins the cause with the Heir as well, Hugh, and Lieutenant Roubaud commanding fifteen hundred cavalry, one thousand infantry and five hundred engineers. Duke William of Aquitaine, already alerted by the piracy actions, combines with lieutenants Aimery and Hugh, ready for an intrusion. When the armies come, they move to Poitou to meet them at the head of fifteen hundred cavalry, seventeen hundred infantry and one thousand engineers. They also levy the three field forts of the region in the defense.

The first strikes are done in the shadows. French and Norman assassins stalk Duke William, wounding him the night before the battle. But this only barely offsets the trouble the allies are facing. Burgundy is in a crisis of supply. Without a formal alliance with either France or Normandy, the Burgundians are isolated, and cannot trace a supply line back to their controlled cities. The allies also have trouble working together effectively. No clear command lines have been formalized, and each of the three Heirs jockey for status positions within the battle. Each wants to make their mark. Of course, the biggest challenge is the fact that no formal declaration of war exists. Without a clear message of victory, the allied generals simply don't give the conflict their all. They are content to let their numbers do the fighting.

The first encounter goes as one might expect. the Aquitainians, defending friendly soil and with better overall quality of troops are able to push the allies from the field, inflicting a serious nineteen hundred casualties among the allied infantry. Included among those dead is Hugh of Burgundy. The Aquitaine losses are high as well, however, as the numbers of the allies hold true. Aquitaine loses nine hundred infantry, two hundred cavalry and one hundred of her engineers. The allies can afford the losses much more than Aquitaine.

The remaining allied leaders pause to regroup, then march back in to Poitou to finish the job. This time, however, their plans of attack are poorly executed, while Aquitaine is merciless. Sacrificing a mere three hundred infantry, Aquitaine routs the allies from the field, leaving a trail of dead in their wake. When it ends, sixteen hundred infantry and twenty-six hundred cavalry are destroyed. Louis and Jean-Georges of France are both killed, while Roubaud of Burgundy is captured (leaving his troops stranded in France.) With the end of the cycle quickly approaching, and many dead, the allies do not push in a third time.

On another sour note for Burgundy, a second Lieutenant is captured trying to sneak into Aquitaine, leaving two of the Duchy's leaders in Aquitaine prisons.

 

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

King Alfonso rules from Zaragoza, spending time to sire both a son and daughter. He restructures the military, sending most troops to other leaders. He bolsters the troops with a new five light warships in Barcelona, and another one-thousand infantry and cavalry for General Hector. Hector uses his forces to invade Languedoc, encountering the the native one-thousand infantry and is rebuffed, losing half his forces. Lieutenant Juan, with another thousand infantry and cavalry reacts from Aragon, but sees no action. Finally, Ramiro, the Heir, engages in talks with Asturias, but they hold out for an offer of marriage, and no alliance is struck.

 

Kingdom of Leon
( Cuidad Leon in Leon )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Alfonso VI

Almoravid Sultanate
( Seville in Andalusia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Yusef ibn Tashfin

Gold is sent off to Aquitaine as part of a rutter exchange deal, and the Sea of Dogs is inked for further exchange. The Sultan orders a Royal Road constructed to Morroco and it is made. Five hundred cavalry and ten light warships are added to the Sultanate's forces. A census fails under the watchful eye of the Sultan himself. Many fear with the Reconquista in force, Yusef may be gearing up for an execution of the Christians and the Jews he has been tolerant of thus far. The raiding parties from under El Cid don't help the situation. [See: The Reconquista Entry] Non-paying tributary status is gained in Valencia by the Heir, Ali.

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	10i, 5c, 5s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c4, s4, w4

 

 

Kingdom of Norway
( Christiana in Norway )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Magnus I Barefoot

Princess Rigmor of Sweden marries the Heir-Apparent: Sigurd Jorsalfal. They establish a Favored Trade Partner marriage bonus. A son is born the very first year. Magnus Barefoot Rules from the Capital, then Reacts for the last year with one-thousand cavalry, fourteen-hundred infantry and five-hundred engineers. No action is seen, despite the worry that someone will take advantage of the marriage celebrations. Sigurd (After the wedding) runs Diplomacy in the Shetlands but the negotiations go nowhere. Tor Evensen begins missionary work in Fjordane and sees a little success among the pagans.
Lars Larsen keeps and eye out for trouble in Christiana with nine light warships. Further ties increase as the Viking Bank and North Sea are inked and given to Sweden, while a small tithe is granted to the Papacy. On the downside, storms at sea catch a few of the trading ships bound for Edinburgh unawares, sinking some.

 

Kingdom of Sweden
( Stockholm in Uppsala )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Inge I Stenkilsson

Sweden is very busy. Felix Hellqvist takes Princess Rigmore to marry the Norwegian Heir, while young Kerstin is betrothed to the Danish Heir, Canute Levard. Both marriages establish a favorable trading alliance between the nations. Visby and Stockholm see an explosion of population as the Popular Crusade gathers force. Many volunteers and crusaders make it to the north, but settle down again as five years pass without action. This has the side effect of the quality of infantry increasing as well, as foreign troops seek service in the national armies. Five light warships are conscripted, and the Gulf of Bothnia is inked and sent to Norway. King Inge rules from the capital city of Stockholm, but fails to get a census off the ground. The Heir, Ragnvald, tries to negotiate an alliance with Kopparborg, but fails as well. Sylvester defends the region of Uppsala with his thousand infantry but sees no action.

 

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

Diplomacy is the concentration of King Erik, as he cements a marriage with Sweden, and gains non-paying tributary status from Halland (And convinces the leader of the region to convert.) Elsewhere, advances in the quality of cavalry are gained.

 

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

The Emperor wastes no time in cementing his crown, conscripting an additional one-thousand infantry and cavalry to protect his imperial interests. Another five-hundred engineers and two cogs are brought to service in Leipzig. Magnus himself does not neglect the diplomatic front and permits Baron Ludolfing to accompany the Emperor's daughter, Wulfhilde, to Prague, where she marries the Bohemian Duchy's Heir. Magnus also attempts to forge an alliance with the region of Holstein, but talks stall when news of the commotion in Freisland is heard. [See: The Struggle for Friesland] The Emperor does succeed in proposing a new Law to the Imperial Diet which pledges support to the Popular Crusade in the form of leaders, men and gold. The Heir, Otto, defends Leipzig with the Duchy's one-thousand engineers, but no action is seen. Saxon missionaries manage to convert the region of Pomerania.

 

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

Duke Henry picks up a modest six-hundred cavalry to round out his personal forces before ruling over his domain. Eric, the Heir, marries, but his young wife dies during her first pregnancy. Eric's brother is appointed as a Royal Prince, hopefully giving the duchy a bit of an edge in future diplomacy, which in this cycle goes nowhere fast. Otto in Westphalia is unable to gain anything from the leaders there, and Friesland turns into a complete mess.

 

The Struggle for Friesland

Diplomats from Thuringia, Saxony and the County of Flanders all converge on the strategic region. Negotiations are intense, but Emperor Magnus is willing to offer marriage to his heir, and the Freislanders are very interested in a connection to the Imperial crown. Ernst, the Thuringian Diplomat tries his best to sway the Freislanders back toward his Duchy, but it is a losing battle. Count Robert of Flanders recognizes the futility of the Diplomacy and returns to his country, only to order his general, Eduart, to attack the region directly.

Eduart commands an impressive twenty-one-hundred Cavalry and fourteen-hundred infantry, while the Frieslanders are only able to field one-thousand defenders. However, the Friesland general is very good, and has the advantage of intimately knowing the terrain. He is able to force a draw, both sides losing three-hundred infantry, but Flanders is forced to retire from the field. Ready for a campaign of numbers, Eduart simply returns the following month ready to wear down the defenders once again. However, the Frieslanders are waiting for them and commit to a very aggressive campaign. An important sub commander of Flanders is killed very quickly, and for a moment Eduart's forces are routed. Not expecting it, he is unable to retain control of the army and they fall back to Flanders, despite only losing one-hundred infantry. In a stroke of luck, however, the army falls across the path of Count Wichmann, one of the Saxonian Diplomats, and he is captured.

Friesland, recognizing they will need strong support, directly allies itself with the Duchy of Saxony, and immediately sends a request for reinforcements.

 

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

Bretislaus is pleased with the new marriage into the Imperial family, even more pleased when a male grandchild is born from the union, giving his Duchy eligibility for the next election. He continues to increase ties with the Papacy as well, granting a small tithe. The Vatican approves. Two hundred cavalry are conscripted, and a postal road is laid out from Prague to the mountains of Silesia. The latter agrees to non-paying tributary status after negotiations with two Bohemian diplomats. Karel Rozemberk sets up a defense of the homeland with a thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers. They are not yet needed.

 

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

Duke Welf concentrates on the efficiency of his realm. He conducts a census personally, and orders the construction of postal roads between the Duchy's cities. He appoints his son Pieter as a Royal Prince, and orders Wecolo Kunz to administer from Bavaria. He is effective. His son, Welf the younger, and Lieutenant Willhelm negotiate with Bochnia, and gain a full alliance, granting the duchy access to the Vistula. Finally, relations with the Vatican are improved.

 

Duchy of Swabia
( Augsberg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Frederick I von Staufen

Swabia, too, increases her ties to the Vatican. Duke Frederick also orders the conscription of five-hundred cavalry and six-hundred infantry before conducting a census. He uses them for diplomacy, however, arranging a marriage to his Heir in Lombardy and gaining tributary allegiance, despite the presence of a Venetian diplomat. He marries off his daughter, Adalgiesa in Carinthia, but the realm is simply too far outside the Duchy's effective control, and the non-paying tributary status gained is quickly lost at the end of the cycle.

 

Margravate of Tuscany
( Pisa in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Margrave Matilda I

Close to Rome, the Margrave increases her ties to the Vatican, hedging her bets in case old competition with the Emperor flares up. Prince Pietro enters the realm as an active leader, and helps count the newly conscripted two-thousand cavalry and one-thousand infantry added to the armies. Matilda and two other leaders move into Savoy at the head of the army and set up a defense of the region in case any other nation decides to attack. None do, and Godfrey, the Heir, arranges a quick marriage and full alliance with the lucrative region. Once the delegation returns home, however, Godfrey's new wife dies in childbirth.

 

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

Knowing her precarious position, the Doge increases the ranks of infantry in the nation by three-thousand. She also expands her navy by twenty light warships. Even the shadowy portions of the empire improve, as more assassins are added to the bankrolls. The Doge himself oversees the training of many national units to elite status. Two diplomats are sent to Lombardy, but fail to overcome Swabian efforts to negotiate with the region. Captain Baglietti, with his fine navy of forty warships, reacts to trouble out of Venice, but encounters none.

 

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

Nine field forts are scattered across the nation's regions, while Duke Robert adds another one-thousand cavalry to his retinue. He uses these to attack Calabria, a strategic region that he knows his relative in Sicily will also likely be after. In fact, he devises a plot to scuttle any diplomatic attempts by Sicily and sends in three leaders, including the Heir, William, to find and assassinate the Sicilian diplomat before making it look like an accident. Their skills at stealth aren't up to par, and the plot is quickly discovered by Sicily. Jordan, the intended victim, raises a huge stink in the courts of Calabria, even going so far as to pen a tale about the plot and send it to various nobles along the Mediterranean.

Borsa eventually marches into Calabria at the head of two-thousand cavalry, one-thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers. And he is rebuffed by the seven-hundred defenders. But, he only counts a loss of one-hundred men, while the Calabrians lose over half. When Borsa marches a second time he is routed, losing four-hundred men. Calabria dwindles to three-hundred defenders. The third time is the charm, and despite losing two-hundred more men, Borsa takes the field. Angered by his losses, he ejects the native inhabitants from their lands, colonizing the region directly. He then conducts a full census of his new Duchy.

 

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

Family troubles abound for the Duke. Count Roger sires a daughter, Luisa, who dies shortly in 1102. A second, healthy, daughter is born in 1102. But, in 1103, Roger's wife, Adelaide del Vasto, dies. Then, his relative in Italy pushes the issue in Calabria. Not wanting to get involved in the land tussle, instead Simon, the Heir, and George of Antioch sail with twenty light warships to the Bay of Naples, showing their colors and taunting the Apulian fleet to come out. The Apulians decline. Jordan barely escapes Campania after the battles and colonization of that region, but warns of Apulia's military intent. The Duke orders the quality of cavalry improved in case a land battle is warranted. Fifteen Cogs are also built to bolster the nation's internal trade.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	10i, 5c, 5s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c4, s4, w4

 

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Wladislaus I Herman

King Wladislaus is determined to be seen as the most pious King in the world. He commits a large tithe on his nation to go to the Vatican and founds two churches in the Kingdom. He does not neglect other construction, as a fortress is built in Poland, the Postal Road to Masuria is upgraded, and a bridge anchor is started. Five-hundred engineers are also conscripted to defend Warsaw. A census is conducted by the King himself, while his son rules over the domain from the capital. Little Poland is approached by two diplomats, and agrees to a non-paying tributary alliance.

 

Feudal Republic of Novgorod
( Novgorod City in Novgorod )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Boyar Dmitri Oreshek

The city of Saint Petersburg is expanded, and in thanks some of the local merchants gift the Boyar with maps of the Viking Bank. Dmitri orders the conscription of three cogs and five-hundred infantry, before ruling from the capital (and siring a son.) Generals Alexandir and Vladimir move in a campaign of war to the east at the head of one-thousand cavalry and fifteen-hundred infantry. They first attack Yaroslav and are very successful, killing all eleven-hundred defenders and suffering no losses themselves. Vologda goes differently, however, and the forces are routed from the field, Vladimir himself being wounded. With the winter setting in, the forces limp back to Novgorod missing three-hundred dead.

 

Principality of Kiev
( Kiev City in Kiev )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Sviatopolk I Vladimirovitch

The only thing to go right for the Principality is trade. A new port city is built in Polotsk while Kiev is expanded, and ships are added to the Rum and Byzantium routes. The Prince attempts to teach his daughter, Aleksandra, the art of Diplomacy through marrying her off in Seversk to the Feudal Ally there, but the negotiations are worthless. Aleksandra, embittered by the whole process, refuses to consummate her marriage. Meanwhile, her brother, Yaropolk rules from the capital, but takes on a mistress while his father is away, and sires two illegitimate children. Three diplomats target the regions of Lithuania, Pechneg and Suzdal. None of them come back with meaningful alliances.

 

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

The King picks up another three-hundred cavalry and keeps a watchful eye on his homeland for interlopers. None appear. Wallachia and Bakony see two diplomats each, but only the latter commits to a feudal alliance.

 

Kingdom of Croatia
( Osijek in Croatia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Petar IV Kresimir

Zara city is expanded, and thirteen cogs are built for internal trading routes. King Petar conducts a census, increasing his kingdom's ability to levy taxes. Dmitr, the heir, takes a bride during negotiations with Dalmatia and secures a feudal alliance. Lieutenant Vesik defends from Kladovo, but sees no action.

 

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

The Emperor releases a few regions from direct alliances, reducing Dobruja and Bulgaria to non-paying tributary status. The region of Morea is released from taxes as well, forging a new feudal alliance only. Warship capabilities are improved for the navy. Many troops are raised: two-thousand cavalry for the Emperor, one-thousand cavalry for Lieutenant Germanicus, fourteen light warships for Admiral Theodore, and finally, a fortress caps the region of Paphlagonia. Attalia, a strategic port city in Isauria, is granted a charter.

The Emperor garrisons or transfers his troops and concentrates on Isauria, increasing the feudal alliance there to a full one. His son, John, rules from Constantinople, marrying twice (his first wife dying in childbirth) and sires twin daughters. Germanicus reacts from Thrace with two-thousand men under his care, Choniates defends Constantinople directly, and Admiral Theodore sails the Agean Seas before docking in Neocastra. Even the lords of Ludgorie and Serbia are on alert. None see actual combat.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	14i, 12c, 6s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c4, s4, w4

 

 

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

The Sultan, like his Byzantine neighbors, lowers certain regions in control with Shirvan and Ancyra becoming non-paying tributaries.The steppe pagans to the North are wood by Timur and Qubadh. Four marriages are arranged, two to the Sultan and his son, and two to the Sultan's daughters Semra and Nuray. As a result a feudal alliance is gained with Patzinak, non-paying tributaries are gained in Kuban and Alan. Only Vasi refuses to align itself with the Sultanate. Kilij himself rules from the capital before setting up a defense in Pontus at the head of twelve-hundred cavalry and infantry and five-hundred engineers with the help of his son. Two hundred infantry and cavalry had been added to the ranks, as well as two field forts. The Feudal lords of Pamphyla and Urmia also react, but no one sees battle. A small navy is conscripted when two light warships are built in Sinope.

 

Atabeg Sultanate
( Mosul City in Mosul )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Kerbogha

The Sultan is dedicated to a single goal, the counting of men, women and livestock. All the national leader converge and conduct a census of the realm. The defense of the nation is seen to, however, with two regional fortresses being constructed, ten field forts scattered about, and the walls improved in Tarsus and Antioch. Two-hundred cavalry are built for the Sultan, which run back and forth along the new, upgraded royal roads in Mosul, Carhae and Aleppo.

 

Sultanate of Damascus
( Damascus in Petra )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Shams al-Muluk Duqaq

The Sultan oversees the construction of a new city in Syria, along with a new fortress in Levant. He then arranges marriages to two of his daughters to the regions of Selucia and Bostra. Neither region commits to an alliance. He'll have to spend more time in the future, or elicit the help of other leaders. Tutush, the heir, marries a young girl named Salwa before setting up a defense of Petra with one-thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers. Admiral Samad sails the waters outside of As-Sur with twenty warships looking for trouble. Muneer successfully administers from Petra and Samir conducts a royal census.

 

Fatimid Caliphate
( Al-Qahirah in Mansura )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Caliph Ahmad al-Musta'li

Al-Iskandria and Al-Qahira erect two fortresses within their city walls as the armies increase their numbers by nineteen-hundred cavalry and fifteen-hundred siege engineers. The Sultan and Heir combine forces to conduct a census. Diplomacy in Kabilya is successful in securing an economic alliance and marriage for the Heir. The Feudal lords defend their regions, and Mohamed defends Al-Qahira.

 

The Essene Brotherhood

Thirty-eight hundred troops march across the harsh desert of Arabia. Without a word, they cross the border from Tihamat into Madina. The hot wind and sand licks wildly at the banners of the army, once bright blue with six white triangles meeting at the center, the desert has turned them into rags of dusty brown. Eventually, the walls of Mecca are seen, and the army encamps. The Imams of the city are alarmed. Soon, a lone rider approaches the holiest of Muslim cities.

"We are the Essene Brotherhood, marched from Jabal Shammar under the direction of the one and true God of men. We follow his Essene Prophecies, and make demands upon you all! The Brotherhood demands that Jerusalem become a free city, open to the pilgrims of all faiths and colors. Until this is so, we will halt the Hajj to this place. No one shall be allowed to enter or leave. No one shall be allowed to honor their contract with Allah." With that, bands of the Brotherhood gallop around the city, waving their banners, blowing their horns, and ululating their war cries.

Soon, the army encircles the city. Tents are erected. groups of raiding parties look for young girls and women to capture and give to the horde. Some of these women manage to escape, telling tales of a lost tribe of Jews and tenets of the Prophecies. For months, the army is simply content to wait, but when no word comes of their demands being met, patience is lost.

Twenty-three hundred cavalry, one-thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers dig in to attack the regional forces. One-thousand cavalry and six-hundred Madinan forces move to face them. The Essenes have it badly, losing nineteen hundred of their forces to the rugged desert campaign. Two Essene leaders are wounded in the struggles, and one is killed. Soon, arguments break out in the Essenes, the lighter, Hebrew tribe arguing for continued attacks, while the darker, Arabic tribe argues for caution. The latter wins out, and the forces camp along the border contemplating a next move. Mecca, for the time being, remains free.

 

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

The King a nd a few troops are escorted across the Red Sea to Yemen, where intense negotiations about their future commences. Back home, a further twenty-four hundred cavalry are conscripted. These forces, and the Feudal allies in Lebna and Dengal, attack three local regions: Adulis, Danakil and Suakin. All three are taken, with only four-hundred cavalry being lost by the aggressors.

 

Emirate of Yemen
( Sana in Yemen )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Queen Arwa Al-Sulaihi

Queen Arwa constructs seven cogs for the Berberan ally, using them to ferry Makurian leaders and troops across the Red Sea. She herself takes new command of fourteen-hundred infantry and five light warships before running Diplomacy in Zeila (To no effect) and guarding the cogs in the Red Sea. The Heir, Tariq, fails to gain an alliance in Asir, though Iben secures a full alliance with Nadramurt. A new fortress is erected in Yemen.

 

Emirate of Tunisia
( Tunis in Tunisia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Taman ibn Zirid

Despair strikes the Emirate when Scarlet Fever rips across the city of El-Jezair. A full level of the city, along with seven public works, are destroyed in the outbreak. The Balearics see a new fortress constructed for defense of the islands, and the roster of troops is increased by eight-hundred cavalry. The Emir rules and defends from Tunis, while his son marries twice, siring a son and daughter in the effort. Zahid is woefully not up to the task of conducting a census, and it will have to be redone in later years. Admiral Miraj protects the assets of the nation with his navy of twenty light warships, but has yet to encounter an enemy.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Peter the Hermit

The Popular Crusade continues to generate support in Central Europe, founding a quick six new cells.

 

The Prince's Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Primas Adhemar of Le Puy

The navy is expanded, with two light warships being built and the overall quality of them increasing. They are immediately used by Justicar Tancred to explore the Bay of Biscay. Order Status is increased in Flanders and Burgundy, while one Lodge, and one Temple and four Cells are erected in Western Europe by the various leaders.

 

The Reconquista
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
El Cid Compeador

In construction, El Cid founds one Cell and One Temple in Western Europe. García of Navarre founds two cells, but fails in the foundation of one cell in Western Europe. Alvar Fáñez de Minaya founds one Temple in Western Europe as well. Eight hundred cavalry are conscripted for foreign 'adventures.'

Agents attempt to infiltrate and burn down Almoravid granaries and food stores, but are caught and foiled. Movement against the Sultanate does not stop there, however. Alvar Fáñez de Minaya takes three-hundred Cavalry and launches a raid into the Almoravid region of Estramadura. Abu Harith, a Feudal Ally, is on hand to repel the raid. Alvar attempts to evade combat but is chased down before making it back to the border and battle is forced. All of Alvar's Cavalry are wiped out, though he manages to survive. Abu loses one-hundred infantry in the scuffle. Just as this is happening, El Cid himself leads a raid on Granada. With Almoravid forces distracted to the West, there is no one to stop him. He ends up destroying eighteen Public Works in Granada before he retreats across the border to Valencia.

 

The Hashshashins
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Hassan-i-Sabbah

In a mirror image of the Popular Crusade, the assassins found six cells in the Middle East.