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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 005
(1120 to 1124)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	76i, 68c, 10s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

 

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

Scottish Engineers improve the nation's ability in Siegecraft, just in time for the completion of Edinburgh castle, a new fortress protecting the capital city. Eleven new warships are constructed as well, will a small contingent of 200 infantry pressed into military service. Eight of the navy's Cogs are gifted to the merchant's quarter, scouting new internal trade routes between Edinburgh, Nairn and Glasgow. Duncan makes three dynastic move: first sending his younger brother Roy into the service of the Vatican. He also appoints Angus of Lothian as a Prince of the Realm. In exchange, Angus moves his realm fully into that of Scotland. Finally, Princes Lorna is sent to Christiana, where her marriage improves the Trading Routes between Scotland and Norway. In the Viking Bank, Connolly continues to watch the seas with his own fleet of 23 ships.

 

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

English workers scurry back and forth between London and Bristol, paving a new royal road between the two cities, but pausing briefly to scatter five field forts across three regions. King Henry increases the government infrastructure as well, as he angles for more and more of the island under his personal control. While Devon is unwilling to agree to Marc Beaufort's negotiations, Mark of Northumbria agrees to increase his Feudal Alliance to one of Full measure. Trade and revenue then see much focus, with Prince Reginald conducting a complete census of the realm, while William Adeline presses two new cogs into merchant service, and takes the opportunity to rebase the internal routes and fishing fleets. William's wife dies late in the cycle, but he takes joy in his daughter's marriage and acceptance as Queen of Scotland. At the same time, another marriage, this one of Julianne to Henri of Normandy, falls apart when Julianne grows sick. In Martial matters, William of Tudor keeps a robust patrol of Mercia with his 800 men, while Edward of Mercia launches a series of raids against the Welsh in Dyffed and Gwynned. He is unsuccessful in both regions, though tells the King there would have been little of value to claim in the first place.

 

The War of 1119
(County of Flanders vs. Duchy of Lorraine)

Flemish agents infiltrate and rescue the hostage Matheius from the anguish of Lorraine's prisons. Matheius is sick, underfed and weak, and survives only mere weeks once he returns home. He thanks Count Robert for those two weeks with his family, however, and urges the Count to continue the war against his captors. Robert plans to, and in planning takes a massive mercenary contract out. He pulls 4000 Infantry, 5400 Cavalry and another 500 Engineers into Contract in Ghent.

Soon, however, news trickles into the countryside that Count Robert has died. This spurs the mayors of Ghent and Antwerp to proclaim autonomy from the County in hopes that they will avoid the costly and upcoming war. Eduart of Utrect, a stout loyalist who had been patrolling Brabant with a force of 2100 cavalry, moves immediately to fight the local cities. Antwerp takes a bitter siege of 9 months, at one point Eduart is even captured for a time, but his troops force the capitulation of the city. Eduart is much more ruthless in the crush of Utrecht, giving no quarter to the traitors. The city surrenders, but the hero general is later killed by the son of one of the city's knights who had fallen in the conflict.

 

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

Count Robert is busy investing in his nation, seeing an increase in the clergy, and his network of spies and informants. Ten more Cogs are constructed and pressed into Merchant Service to fund the heavy Contract of mercenaries. Not neglecting national diplomacy, the Rhine Rutter is inked and sent to Scotland. Robert then attempt to appoint Eduart of Utrecht as his natural Heir, but the court is having none of it. In a fit of anger, he announces he will marry his son's widow, Matilda of England, and produce his own heir. Many nobles do not attend the wedding, and when the Count expires during the honeymoon, people view it as divine justice. From the chaos, Derrick of Ghent would step forward to claim the County, quickly cementing a marriage of his son Philip, to the now twice-widowed Matilda of England.

 

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

Quiet.

 

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

Like Scotland, Norman engineers see an improvement. Their construction efforts, however, are bent to the expansion of Rouen. Prince Henry and Lieutenant Francois continue their efforts in Ireland, this time gaining a Feudal Alliance from Lienster. Henry learns of his wife's death back at the capital but merely sees it as an opportunity to negotiate strongly with other Irish regions. Charles reacts out of the fields of Maine with a force of 1900 men. Duke Robert would fall ill and not recover near the end of the cycle, and his son William would assume the Duchy.

 

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

The effectiveness of French spies is increased, and using a new series of channels, Roche-Yves convinces the region of Limousine to abandon their Friendly status with Aquitaine. King Philip orders 300 more Cavalry enrolled, earmarks resources for the cultivation of Orleans, and finally manages to conduct a full census of the Kingdom. Claude-Louis reacts from Ile De France with 2300 Cavalry and 400 Engineers. He has orders to help the French ally, Burgundy, but when Provence is invaded the distance is too great for Claude-Louis to cover.

 

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

Henri rules from Worms, siring three more children in this time of troubles. [See: The War of Four Margraves]

 

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

Aquitaine's influence with the Vatican pays off, as the religious conviction of the Duchy is now second to none. Duke William sees the construction of two more warships, with another 600 cavalry added to the military. He marries his longtime mistress, granting Aleinor legitimacy in the eyes of the court, who subsequently births a grandchild. William then reacts from Toulouse with a force of 2600. William the Younger spends time patrolling out of Poiters, but in the second half of the cycle he attempts to sneak into Languedoc. His movements are discovered, but no Reaction comes from Burgundy. William then begins to woo the region diplomatically. He succeeds in getting the region to break away from Burgundy. Aimery and Hugh manage to secure Auvergne as a Tributary region for the crown.

 

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

3000 Cavalry conscripted. 20 Light Warships built in Barcelona. Postal roads between Pamplona and Zaragoza upgraded to full royal highways. Another route is begun toward New Castille from the capital.

King Alfonso, the superb general Juan, and the new lieutenant Ortez march into New Castille intent on conquest at the head of 4000 Cavalry and 1000 Infantry. The Lord of the region meets the invaders with his mere 1100 local infantry. By a stroke of luck, he is able to catch the Aragonese in the mountains, where his infantry is able to harass and strike at the bogged down cavalry. By the time Alfonso makes it through the passes, he has lost 1400 Cavalry and 800 Infantry. The New Castillians have only lost 400 men. Once Alfonso pushes though, he spends a long three months in a stalemate chase of the Castillians, both side inflicting minor losses. Finally, Alfonso catches the enemy, and the Aragonese crush the rest of the defenders, losing only 200 men.

Alfonso then begins to oust the local Muslims from their homes and estates, paving the way for colonists to enter the region. This triggers a second uprising, but this time, Qasim al-Siraaj comes forward to lead the New Castillians. Qasim fought in his youth against the Almoravids, pushing that realm out of the region, and he wasn't about to lose his estates to a Christian Nation. Alfonso was not expecting a general of his caliber, and the Aragonese are caught off guard. The campaign goes immediately lopsided, with Juan being wounded in the early stages, and finally Alfonso himself being captured during a skirmish in the south. The Aragonese, missing their King, are pressed out of the region, leaving behind another thousand dead.

Ramiro rules from the capital, taking a young bride who dies in a difficult childbirth. He appoints his brother to a position at court in his father's absence. Baldemero preaches in Aragon, in the face of the Casildan tide. His efforts barely keep the region Catholic. Navarre is not so lucky, and now follows the new religion. Juan, weakened from his war injury, does not survive the winter of 1124.

 

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

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

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

 

 

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

Norway sees improvement in the rank and file infantry capabilities, as well as the more secretive agencies. King Magnus throws an extravagant wedding for the Scottish princess and Erik. Feeling generous, he gifts the Popular Crusade with the maps of the Viking Bank. In the north, the rugged Thorsson of Fjordane is convinced to supply Feudal troops to the Kingdom. Finally, Olaff converts another quarter of the Shetlands to Catholicism.

 

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

Uppsala sees another field fort placed strategically. Merchants now ply their wares to both Kiev and Bohemia. King Inge, wishing to prove his dedication to the church, begins to preach in Kopparberg. This allows inroads that Ragnvald uses to gain a Feudal Alliance. Felix, despite arranging a marriage to Anund, is unable to gain a commitment from Saarema. Lord Sylvester defends the province of Uppsala with 1000 infantry.

 

Kingdom of Denmark
( Skjern in Denmark )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Canute V Lavard

The King continues his goodwill efforts, sending monies to Sweden, Norway and the Popular Crusade. He does not neglect his military, however, and a new 1400 Infantry and 2000 Cavalry are conscripted. William, who is running Diplomacy in Latvia, is ambushed by a group of Saxon thugs. He manages to throw himself into the waters of the Dvina after being stabbed, thus avoiding death for the moment. King Canute, already suspecting something amiss has spies waiting in Latvia for trouble. The plot is reported to the King, and he launches a series of attacks against the government officials and spies of Saxony in revenge. For his part, William attempt to continue negotiations in Latvia, but his poor health limits his abilities, and he finally perishes from his wound. Latvia, not wishing to be embroiled in a larger war, quietly withdraws its allegiance to Denmark.

Canute picks up the national army, plus the new recruits, and defends Denmark with almost 6000 men. He receives reports of a small force slipping into the region from the south. He is able to catch up to a band of three hundred Cavalry, who immediately attempt to evade the much larger army of Denmark. Canute has been methodical, however, and already cut off most lines of retreat. He forces a battle just along the border, and wipes out the entire force. The soldiers appear to be Saxon in loyalty, though the enemy commander is never found for questioning.

Concerned about a wider conflict, Canute calls Edwin back from the Crusade.

 

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

Duke Otto commits resources to enhancing the religious conviction of the realm, including sending Lothair to join the church and agreeing to a tithe to the Vatican directly. He begins a bridge anchor in Saxony, completes a new fortress in Berlin, and a new port city in Friesland (along with two field forts to dot that region.) He concentrates personally on running a census, though pauses long enough sire a son, then react from the homeland with his force of 1500 troops. When the assaults on the government begins, it severely disrupts the command and control efficiency. Among the many minor workers and bureaucrats to be slain or kidnapped is Baron Liudolfing. His planned invasion of Pomerania is thus cut short.

 

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

Things continue apace in Thuringia much as they have in the past. The cultivation of Westphalia is completed, while support gold is sent to the Popular Crusade. Duke Henry rules his realm, and conscripts another 600 Cavalry. Henry the younger concentrates on his family, siring another four children. Heinrich and Otto continue to fulfill administration duty, though Heinrich's attempts prove futile in helping. Ernst patrols out of Nordgau.

 

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

Influence with the Vatican continues to build, and Vratislaus uses all the ties and contacts and favors he has earned in Rome to acquire the holy Shroud of Turin. Satisfied, he rules from Prague, spending time to educate his son in the government arts. Teodor continues to woo Kauyavia, but the feudal lord is not yet interested in closer ties. It does not help that Teodor grows sick and perishes during the negotiations. Petr Zerotin defends the homeland with a 1300 man force.

 

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

Missionaries are able to convert the pagans in Galich. Influence is also gained with the Vatican for the efforts. 1000 Light Cavalry and Prince Micah are sent off to join the Popular Crusade (Finally fulfilling the Imperial Obligation). Bochnia cultivation is begun, with a new Postal road linking to her border. Welf I rules from Regensburg, but grows sick just after the Imperial elections. The Duchy transfers to Welf II smoothly. Welf the Second, Manfred and Wecolo Kunze run Diplomacy in Galich, trading a marriage to princess Irmgard for a Tributary status. Zelig, the Ally in Bochnia, is wed to Princess Cassarie, in exchange for his region becoming fully part of the Duchy.

 

Duchy of Swabia
( Augsberg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Handel, Regent For
Duke Frederick III

The imposing Drachenfels fortress is built along the Rhine in Swabia. 10 Light Warships and 500 Infantry added to the military, and support continues to be sent to the Popular Crusade. Frederick runs the government, directly manipulating merchant affairs. He sires a son in that time. He orders most of the realms leaders and resources to attempt a merge with the neighboring Duchy of Bavaria. He grants gold, offers marriages, throws his lot in to elect Welf as Emperor, and even offers to appoint Welf II as his official heir. With Welf I dying in the cycle, it throws most things into question. When Duke Frederick himself grows ill and perishes, the whole thing is put on hold. Frederick the Third, a scant five years old, now retains the Swabian Duchy. Prince Handel would step forward to regent for the child Duke.

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

The Margrave's investments in his bureaucrats pay off (as do his investments into his spying network.) He rules the domain, appointing his son to a position in court, and siring a new daughter. Forces are sent to the West against Burgundy, but the bad news is the eruption of an Alpine volcano that decimates many of the farmlands in Savoy.

 

The War of Four Margraves
(Margravate of Tuscany vs. Duchy of Burgundy)

Henri concentrates on the defense of Burgundy, with another three field forts brought to bear. Prince Guy of Burgundy quickly trains another 1200 Cavalry, but Swabian assassins manage to lodge a crossbow bolt just above the general's heart. He is rushed to receive aid, and surprisingly recovers from the wound enough to lead his forces into Provence and set up a defense of the region. However, a pair of Venetian murderers ambush him one evening, and finish the job the Swabians began. Lieutenant Roubad then steps up to command the forces.

In Tuscany, Ludovico takes command of 2700 Cavalry, 3900 Infantry, 400 Engineers and 900 Mercenaries. He and Mario Vitelli march into Provence, with strict orders only to engage Burgundy if numbers are massively on the Tuscan's side. When they encounter Roubad's defending army, they are quick to Evade back across the border. At the same time, more assassins strike at Roubaud, wounding him and allowing the Tuscans to escape. Roubaud's wound would fester, and claim his life in 1124.

 

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

Advances in Siegecraft are reported to the Doge. For now, he is more interested in his navy, with fourteen more warships being constructed. The new fleet of 74 ships sets out under command of Prince Santengelo. They descend upon Marseilles, pirating the entire Burgundian trade fleet based out of the city. Back at home, the Doge commits resources to the cultivation of Carinthia, then reacts from the capital city with over 5000 men-at-arms. Consigliori Brasi attempts to issue a general call to war against Burgundy, but most merely see the conflict as an exploitation by the Doge.

 

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

Duke Roger personally investigates the affront against his children. He uncovers even more evidence that directly links Sicily to the kidnapping attempt. During all of this, his wife sires another daughter, but never quite recovers from the labor, and passes that winter. Roger, seeing Sicilian agents everywhere (despite the midwives' insistence that the difficult birth was the cause of her death) invests heavily into the espionage sectors of the Duchy. Spies, assassins, thieves and informants come out of the woodwork, improving the realm's capabilities on all levels. Pouring himself into further investigations, Roger soon discovers a trail of bribes leading back to a Sicilian merchant of Naples. He arrests the trader, and soon emerges with a full testimony from the man admitting acting as a direct agent for Sicily in both the murders of Roger's sons (he had hired the maidservant to smother them in their sleep), and the arson some years back. The merchant is quickly and violently executed, and tensions between the two nations escalate.

 

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

Simon continues to increase the strength of the navy, this time with a new twenty-five warships. George takes the now 75 ship force on patrol outside of Palermo. Simon merely rules his realm, though does appoint his son to a position. Jordan, in Epirus, is able to secure a Feudal Alliance. Finally, Emma is delivered to the Emirate of Tunisia in negotiations of a Trade Partnership.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

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

 

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Boleslaus III

Investments into the infrastructure of the Kingdom pay off, and with the cultivation of Little Poland completed, the bridge over the Vistula river is also finished up. A new land based trade route is initiated with Bavaria. Radoslav and Tomasz move to the region of Danzig and are quick in securing a Feudal alliance from the lord there. Dariusz escorts the Bohemian Reina to Poland for a marriage to Boleslaus, improving trade. He then founds an Abbey in Warsaw.

 

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

The Rutters for the Odor River and Skaggarak are inked and sent to Kiev, accompanied by Vladimir, along with a little bit of gold for the troubles of the past. Six cogs and five light warships are added to the fleet in St. Petersburgh. The Boyar concentrates on keeping the government running. Alixandir and Oleg embark on a mission of conquest to subdue the region of Turku. It takes them four moths and the loss of 400 men to do so. Both generals die on the return trip to Novgorod after the fighting, and are given hero's burials.

 

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

Kievan gold is successful in purchasing five rutters this cycle, which should enhance trade quite a bit down the road. Pechneg sees the construction of Odessa city, while in the capital, the darker side of the Principality sees an increase in hired killers. Sviatopolk II, approaching the age of seventy, turns over the reigns of power to his son. He retires to a villa in the countryside, spending time with his grandchildren. Yaropolk immediately sets about taking a direct hand in the government. He also appoints his Heir, Andriy, to an official position and quickly marries him to a girl from Odessa.
Etan converts 4% in Seversk to Eastern Orthodoxy, but takes ill and passes. Bohdan and Pavlo manage to convert 6% of Pechneg. Vasili negotiations in Tver net a Tributary alliance.

 

Kingdom of Hungary
( Budapest in Alfold )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Bela, Regent for
King Kolos I

In Bakony, the followers of Bogomilism gain much prominence, usurping the traditional catholic priesthood and monasteries. King Kolos is occupied elsewhere, pressing six new cogs into merchant service, training a new 200 cavalry, and seeing the quality of his infantry improve. The King, and all three national Lieutenants concentrate on the conversion of Wallachia, making good headway. However, Konyves and Istvan would perish one year apart, leaving seven year old Kolos as King. Bela would step up to regent for the child.

 

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

The King sees the cultivation of Ludgorie begun, then expands the bureaucracy of his government. He marries into a wealthy merchant house, quickly siring two sons from his new wife. Petar travels to Constantinople, retrieving the hand of Anna Comnenus and arranging a more lucrative trade partnership with the Empire. Returning to Croatia, he also sires a son. Milan administers from Ilyria, but succumbs to distraction and embezzlement, his efforts harming the state more than helping. Vesik attempts to woo the city of Nish, but the governor still considers himself a Byzantine citizen, and negotiations go slowly. The Feudal Allies of Ludgorie and Dalmatia react from their regions without issue.

 

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

The conviction of the Orthodox adherents continue to increase, the attacks of the Muslim Hashshashins in the past cycle spurring a return to God. The effectiveness of Byzantine spies increase, as does the effectiveness and number of assassins. The military continues to grow, with eight new field forts dotting Thrace, fifteen new warships gracing the navy, and another two-thousand cavalry entering the ranks of fighting men. The Emperor orders the Gulf of Cyprus, Adriatic Sea, and Ionian Sea inked as maps and sold to Kiev. Shortly thereafter, Petros is appointed to an official position in court.
The Emperor and Basil Glabos settle in to react from Thrace with 3000 Imperial Cavalry. John rules from Constantinople, marrying a third wife and siring a new daughter whom he names after his late mother. Germanicus Akropolites patrols Bithynia with a little over 6000 men. Choniates and his 35 warship navy scour the Agean Sea for enemies. He dies, leaving the fleet in Neocastra. Nikephoros of Morea reacts from his region with his feudal levies.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	20i, 14c, 5s, 5xw
AQRs:	i4, c4, s4, w4

 

 

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

The government bureaucracy increases, allowing the Sultan a free hand in conscripting a new 1000 cavalry, 1200 infantry, and another wall section around the fortress of Psidia. The Sultan and his son first defend Pontus with the 8000 man army under Kilij. Kilij then takes a hand at the now expanded government from Pontus. During a banquet that a handful of the royal women are attending, many of the people get terribly ill. The sickness would claim the wives of both Kilij and Rukn as well as three other minor women of the court. Nizam the Black escorts two daughters, Shirin and Yagmur, to nations in the South. Shirin is wed into the Atabeg court, in exchange for a defensive alliance. Yagmur is taken to Damascus, and while the court receives her with proper pomp, the proposed wedding is a surprise to the Damascene ministers. Nizam curses the entire way back to Trebizond. Izzedin secures a Feudal Alliance from the Alan with a promise and a song. The other Feudal allies continue to combine and see to the defense and Reaction of the Sultanate's borders.

 

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

The Sultan manages to institute sweeping reforms in the mosques and Imams of his country. His efforts push the official dogma, and root out any tangential teaching that could one day become heresies. Along with the marriage and defensive pact with the Rum Sultanate, a small dowry is also sent. Cilicia sees an upgrade of its postal road, while Mosul houses a new fortress and field fort. 1000 Cavalry, 500 Engineers are built in Mosul City. Kerbogha then reacts from the capital with 3000 Cavalry. Zengi would sire a 9th child with his wife before her body would give out. He would join her in death soon after. Aazaad garrisons 500 Engineers in the Aleppo fortress, then escorts the Rum Princess Shirin to Mosul City for the marriage.

 

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

Two field forts are added to the defense of the homeland, and another 500 cavalry are conscripted for the sultan. More spies are added to the payroll as well. Tutush marries a local girl, siring a son, then also weds a Yemeni princess. He rules from the capital, then ends the cycle on React with his 2000 troops. Prince Fahimir attempt to woo the island of Socotra, but the Shi'ites aren't interested in further rule by Sunni Damascus. Prince Ismayana Administers from Petra, helping the government officials. Samad gets escort duty, taking an inked Rutter of the Gulf of Cyprus and the princess Souf to meet the Almoravids. He gains the rutter for the Gades, arranges an extended trade pact, then sails back home to patrol. Thaqib Akhtar reacts from Selucia with 1000 cavalry, while the Feudal Allies defend their regions.

 

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

Suakin slowly continues to be repopulated. Seven Cogs are built in Al-Qahira and pressed into Merchant Service. Ahmed rules from the capital, instructing his heir in Administration. He sires another son as well. Mohamed l'Sagen defends Mansura with 1000 Cavalry and Engineers. Mohamed ibn Tarek Administers and Investigates Al-Qahirah. The Feudal Allies defend their regions, but expect no real combat.

 

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

Georgios, his wife on her sickbed, packs up a multitude of retainers and takes a journey to the West with his entire family. They stop in the city of Dunquhla, Georgios wishing to impart to the citizens that the trading city is important to the Kingdom. His wife, Alodia, is further weakened by the journey, and passes on shortly after their arrival. Georgios holds a quiet funeral along the banks of the Nile. Fate does not rest, however, and strikes anew when Kumiara, the older of his twin daughters, falls from the top of a carriage while being ridden across the city with her sister, her skull broken on the cobblestones. For the second time in the same month, Georgios holds a funeral. Lieutenants Simon and Zacharias are able to funnel sympathy for the heir-apparent in easing tensions away from the once rebellious city.

Eager to be rid of the place, Georgios charters a ship, disembarking into the night, but reappearing nine months later in Constantinople. Kalabaha and Debiera are playing on the ship while their father announces his arrival to the dockmasters when Kalabaha tumbles into the ocean and is swallowed by the cold winter sea. Emperor Comnenus arranges an estate for Georgios's family to stay at, but before a funeral can be arranged, death returns. This time, Cyriacus falls from a balcony overlooking the plaza. One of the vendors below claims to have seen the boy pushed, but the only person with him at the time is his five-year old sister. This is too much for Georgios to bear, and he locks himself away for the final year within the estate, communicating only by missive to agree to the marriage to the Emperor's daughter Breca, and to send his two sons Zacharias and Suenkur to the Eastern Orthodox church for God's protection. His caretakers say that Georgios is a broken man, and is merely waiting to die, barely eating or sleeping in his grief.

Back at home, King Basileios and David continue a military campaign, this time descending on Shoa with 1600 Cavalry and 2100 Feudal Troops. The King manages to destroy most of the 1200 defenders in one fierce battle, losing only 500 men himself. 400 men are killed in the final showdown, and Shoa becomes a conquered tributary. The region of Alwa continues to be cultivated, and is almost complete. Merkurios and Asybios are appointed as Princes within the court.

 

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

Two cogs are built, and along with three other national ones, are pressed into the Merchant quarter. Negotiations continue with the regions of Zeila and Berbera. Hassan negotiates the former into a Tributary, while Suliman arranges a full Economic Alliance from the latter. Sabah guards the Holy City of Mecca with 1700 troops. Emir Tariq escorts his sister Ameera to Mecca, where she is gifted to the Damascene Sultan as a bride. Tariq returns to Sana, but is caught in a sandstorm mid-route, and chokes to death. His brother, Aaqil, ascends to the Emirate.

 

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

Two new, large sections of walls are built for the city of Kairouan. 500 Cavalry are raised for the Emir, who rules from Tunis, siring another daughter. Radwah sires two sons with the Norman princess, though the first dies at a very young age. Zahid explores the Black Sea with two ships, returning with completed maps. Miraj, who had collected the Sicilian bride, picks up the now 32 warship navy to patrol outside of Tunis.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grandmaster Ulf Samuelson

The spies of the order see an increase in numbers. The leaders of the Crusade then commit to many site foundations, but few work. Peter the Hermit and Walter the Penniless found one cell, but fail two others. In addition, two other cells close shop altogether. Count Emich, for his part, fails two Lodges. Wilhelm the Pious is able to gain status in Bohemia, but no more in Saxony. Ulf Samuelson fails two cells himself, but does manage to increase the status of the Order in Sweden. Peter the Hermit, Count Emich of Leingan, and Walter the Penniless all die of old age at the end of the cycle, never having reached the Holy land. Ulf takes on the reigns of Grandmaster.

 

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

One of the brotherly orders founds a new cell. But tragically, Primas Adhemar is killed when a temple collapses. Six light Warships in are built. Bohemond buys rutters from Apulia, then returns to the Stronghold. He catches ill that winter, and passes on. Hugh explores the Bay of Tuni and Tyrhennian sea with two ships, before returning to discover he is the new Primas.

 

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

Assaults against the Almoravid government fail to effect their target. El Cid himself takes time to raise a new Stronghold. Garcia is successful in founding a new lodge. Alvar Fáñez de Minaya continues to Administer. Both Garcia and Alvar would perish at the end of the cycle.

 

The Hashshashins
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Basha'ir

Basha'ir founds a new lodge while Faqih and Marwan combine to found a new Temple. Otherwise, Siegecraft of the order sees improvement.