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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 012
(1155 to 1159)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	134mi, 72mc, 19ms, 24mw, 6mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

 

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

Edinburgh city is expanded, its walls rebuilt. The Viking Bank rutter is inked and sent to the Prince's Crusade. King Malcolm runs the government, siring two daughters before moving to reaction with his four-thousand man army. Prince Duncan escorts his sister to Norway, where a marriage and Military Alliance is agreed upon. Logan convinces the Feudal lord of Orkney to offer troops and taxes in a Full Alliance. His ship is lost at sea as he sails back to the capital. Douglas and Bishop Eadmar work jointly to found a Catholic Cathedral in the capital. Many wonder who the king has in mind for investiture. After the work, lord Douglas retires from service at the age of sixty-three. Kier, now a full ally in Orkney, perishes of age without any heirs. He leaves his realm fully with the King. Prince Duncan returns to the Viking Bank, patrolling the waters with his fifty-one warships. The months drag on, and the men grow restless. Duncan shares their boredom, and decides to take advantage of the merchant forces in Bergen. Lowering the Scottish flags, he descends upon the sleepy northern village.

 

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

King Reginald hears word of an important visitor. Pope Gelesius II himself arrives in London to speak with the King on Religious matters. He is pleased by the forced conversion of the Welsh in Dyffed and Gwynned. Reginald gains much influence with the Vatican as a result. Perhaps as a side-effect, religious capabilities of the realm increase. Assassin effectiveness does as well, but likely due more to investment. Twenty Cogs are built in London, quickly pressed into internal trading fleets. Reginald the Younger is appointed to an official position. Prince Richard is sent to join the Prince's Crusade where John is already giving service. The King rules from London, growing weaker in his old age. It is not long before Reginald II claims the throne. David Southam travels to Skjern to fetch a bride for the new King, arranging a Trade Partnership at the same time. Lot gains a Full Alliance from Gwynned. The Allies each react from their Regions.

 

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

Count Henry sees to the government, marrying a girl from Champagne and starting out his family with three healthy children. All other leaders concentrate on diplomacy in Champagne, successfully bringing the region to Friendly status. Griel and Bane grow sick during the negotiations and perish.

 

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

A total of twenty field forts are built throughout the nation, taking advantage of Siege and territory increases. A full fortress is erected in Brittany. Ten cogs are converted to internal trade fleets. Elias and Henrique convince Allied Lienster to become fully Friendly to the nation. Lord Robert commissions five new warships and explores the Gades. Princes Danyel and Richard go on a religious tour, attempting to found churches in every Catholic holding in the realm. They are successful in Rouen, Normandy, Brest, Cornwall, Plymouth and Munster. In Lienster, they are set upon by brigands, Richard is killed and Danyel is taken hostage. The Pagan lord of Connaught quickly converts to Catholicism, hoping not to be the target of any retribution. Duke Isaac steers the government, marrying and quickly adding an heir and two daughters to his family.

 

The Frankish War of Reassertion
Kingdom of France and Duchy of Burgundy
vs.
Duchy of Aquitaine

Duke Roland of Aquitaine, concerned about the fall of his capital, attempts to sneak out from the besieged city. The Burgundians are vigilant in their choking off of the capital and Roland is captured. This leaves Bishop Bertrand entirely in charge of resisting the Siege. The French forces in Aquitaine move off, while the Burgundians continue to encircle the city with their nine-thousand cavalry. The French, under command of King Henri, initiate a passive siege of Poitiers, Crispin Sordeau sailing ten light warships to the city to cut off any supply by sea. Within two years, both cities have fallen. Duke Roland is marched to Worms, where Duke Rudolph of Burgundy gives him a choice: beheading, or the surrender of his titles and lands and an oath to join the Prince's Crusade. Duke Rudolph even promises to contribute yearly payments to the Crusade for as long as Roland serves. In the end, though Roland despises the Burgundians, he agrees to the terms. With the government captured, and France attacking into Limousin, little chance remains for Roland. He takes the oath. King Henri is victorious.

His Majesty, Henri I, Deo gratiae Rex Francorum, declares an end to the War of Just Reclamation. He hereby creates the Grand Duchy of Burgundy, merging the duchy of Burgundy and the province of Aquitaine and grants the title of Grand Duke to Rudolf I of Burgundy. Let there now be peace in the Frankish Kingdom.

 

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

Infantry quality improves. With Aquitaine destroyed, Henri seeks an ease in conflict with Germany. Money is gifted to the Duchy of Swabia and Lorraine to help fight Tunisian pirates. This quickly strains relations between France and Tunisia, but the Muslim nation hardly notices amidst her struggle for survival.

His Majesty, Henri I, Deo gratiae Rex Francorum, acknowledges the rights of Frederick I von Stauffen to the duchies of Swabia and Lorraine, and declares an end to all hostilities between those Estimable duchies and the Frankish kingdom. He further declares his intention that henceforth there will be both peace and cooperation with the most Excellent Duke and his heirs.

Jacques Ouvrard is unable to gain an alliance with Auvergne. Control of Gascony is handed over to the Kingdom of Aragon. The added territories overextend the national infrastructure, and Limousin rebels from control, the garrison routed to Anjou.

 

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

Religious strength of the new Grand Duchy continues to wane, and the religious capabilities of the nation are completely defunded. Infantry quality improves. Four field forts are constructed in conquered Aquitaine, while six-hundred siege engineers are brought to service in Burgundy. Duke Rudolf marries in Aquitaine, where Anton seeks to ease tensions after the war. He appoints his son, also Rudolf, to a position at court. The boy then marries into the family of Aragon, as does his older sister, Lisette. Both a Military Alliance and Defensive Pact are formed.

 

Duchy of Aquitaine
( Toulouse in Aquitaine )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Duke Roland I

The Vatican founds a church in Poitou where national missionaries continue to make progress. Roland agrees to the Burgundian terms and enters service to the Crusades.

 

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

Missionaries show much progress in Navarre, more than three-quarters of the populace returning to Catholicism. A hefty sum of money is sent to the Norman County of Sicily. King Adolpho and Lieutenant Edmundo escort the King's sister to meet with the Burgundians, sealing their end of the marriages. They then take direct control of Gascony from France. Lord Apolinar conducts a census of the realm. Elroy gains a Tributary agreement from the city of Pamplona. A plague of locusts strikes the nation, causing a minor famine.

 

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

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	27mi, 8mc, 5ms, 58mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w5

 

 

Kingdom of Norway
( Christiana in Norway )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Hrafn Youngblood

Lord Ulfar, after receiving news of improvements in the quality of warships, hears alarm of pirates in the north. He sallies forth his twenty-one warships and speeds to the defense of Bergen. The pirates hold an advantage in numbers, but Ulfar is the better admiral. He loses three ships of his own, but ultimately captures or sinks sixteen of the enemy vessels. When the captured men turn out to be Scottish, much strain is placed on the newly forged Military Alliance between the nations. King Hrafn rules the capital, ending the cycle on reaction with his five-thousand man army. He sires a son and heir with his Danish wife. Steingrimr is unable to gain agreements from the islanders of the Faeroes. Snorri has better luck as a missionary worker, though not much to speak of yet. Bishop Teodor's diplomatic overtures to Trondheim are likewise rebuffed.

 

Kingdom of Sweden
( Stockholm in Uppsala )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
King Rolf Tegner

Warship quality improves. Estonia sees the beginnings of a cultivation project. Rolf Tegner wrangles an Economic Alliance from Saarema island. Gustav Ulvaes continues to smooth things over with conquered Estonia. The allies react from their regions. King Ludis finally retrieves his bride from Novgorod (and subsequent Defensive Pact). He returns home, only to catch a wasting illness on the voyage, In 1158 he succumbs to it with no heirs in place. The realm would weather the crisis, the nobles rallying behind House Tegner. Papal Missionaries are successful in converting the Pagans of Musa.

 

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

More attempts at sabotage are launched at the Duchy of Saxony, but all are quickly defeated by counter-measures. Money is gifted to both Sweden and the Popular Crusade. King Erik, in command of eight-thousand troops, defends the homeland of Denmark. William conscripts four new light warships before taking on seven cogs and transporting resources to Latvia for the construction of a new port city. It is named Nija after the queen. Johnas' diplomacy in the region goes nowhere, however, when he fails to wake up one morning.

 

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

Young Hilegard, just coming of age this cycle, shows herself to be a true creature of the court, her beauty astounding to behold. Two field forts are raised in Friesland, with another in Holstein. A royal road is extended to the city of Rostock. Duke Otto arranges a marriage between his eldest daughter and Rainer von Lohnsdorf, a promising new lieutenant. Despite a desire to appoint his new son-in-law as his rightful heir, he concentrates on diplomacy in Friesland. Oswald is charged with a diplomatic visit to Pomerania, but with the Polish invasion, the effort is quickly aborted. Duke Otto grows ill during his negotiations, and perishes. Rainer has been busy with his new bride, hoping to sire a son to legitimize his claim to the throne. While a daughter quickly appears, Anneliese dies during her second pregnancy. It would be Hildegard, and her extensive charms, who steps into the power vacuum.

 

Duchy of Thuringia
( Wurzburg in Nordgau )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Heinrich I

The republican sentiments striking at Tuscany are felt here as well, but the Emperor is quick in nipping the motion in the bud. He promises to consider the switch to a more elective government system. He gets in trouble, however, with the greater Imperial Diet for failing to invest in the Western Defense fund for the second cycle in a row. Lieutenant Franz wastes away in Hanover.

 

Duchy of Bohemia
( Prague in Bohemia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Mikulas, Regent For
Duke Spytihnev III

The regent raises three-hundred cavalry, seeing personally to the government. He arranges the ransom and release of Vaclav Rozmberk. Marik Zerotin takes command of five light warships and maps the Skaggarak and Odor River. Investments are made into the Saxon defense fund, with a little extra sent to the Popular Crusade.

 

Duchy of Bavaria
( Regensburg in Bavaria )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Manfred, Regent For
Duke Conrad I

National priests found the Church of St. Stanislaus in Krakow, though religious capacity of the realm is voluntarily lowered. Moldavia's cultivation is completed, a new royal road snaking into the region. Defense funds are invested into Swabia and Lorraine. Walls are built around Weisseburg. Land trade is opened with Venice. Duke Leonhard directs the government, his wife dying in a late pregnancy. He quietly passes on a short month later. Prince Zelig continues to react from Slovakia with the main army. He dies of old age at the same time as the Duke, this leaves the Duchy to Conrad, still underage. Reto and Manfred escort marriage parties to Apulia. The Feudal Ally reacts from his region, but rebels during the dynastic turmoil. Slovakia and Austria both rebel from the crown, the Slovakians successful in causing the garrison army to flee into the safety of the regional fortress.

 

Duchy of Swabia and Lorraine
( Augsberg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Lord Manfred, Regent For
Duke Gerhardt I

The region of Lorraine is fully cultivated. Nine light warships are built for the navy, with three field forts in Lombardy disbanded and a new thousand allied troops built. All three national fortresses have their walls expanded. Duke Frederick, sympathetic for Aquitaine's plight, seeks a royal marriage with Duke Roland, but Roland's capture prevents it from coming to fruition. Frederick issues a public statement condemning the French actions, but they are too little, too late. Frederick concentrates on rearranging the shipping of the foreign trade routes, then handles the government and three new babies. Prince Wilhelm is unsuccessful in negotiating a stronger relationship from Allied Lombardy. Prince Karl reacts out of Lorraine with over four-thousand men and the help of Lieutenant Wolfgang. Hermann and Manfred set out with twenty-five warships and twelve cogs, exploring the Sea of Portugal. Their second attempt at mapping the Bay of Tunis is unsuccessful. Frederick grows ill at the end of the cycle, appointing Lord Manfred as the regent to his young son.

 

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

Cavalry quality sees improvement. Two-thousand infantry, two warships and ten cogs are raised in Pisa. Seven field forts are constructed across Liguria, Savoy and Tuscany. The fortresses in Savoy and Liguria have their walls strengthened. Godfrey rules from the capital, siring four children during the cycle. This triggers a sudden sentiment of democracy, as many of the upper classes are now filled by mercantile families, worried of their prospects under the hereditary Margravate. Much pressure is placed upon Godfrey to accept a new form of rule, one mimicking that of the Republic of Venice. Lacking political support, Godfrey acquiesces to the demands. The new council is quick to affirm an election of his existing titles. Petros the Greek sees to Religious matters, founding an Abbey in Tuscany.

 

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

Twenty-five light warships are constructed, and the Doge sets out with the fleet to join with the Sicilians. Lorenzo marries a Swabian girl, the crown granting thirteen-hundred elite infantry as a dowry. Consigliori Barroso attempts to foster a full-scale war against Tunisia, but the senate is not yet convinced.

 

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

A fierce storm outside of Malta catches the trade fleet to Sicily, sinking most of the vessels. Four field forts and two wall points are added to the conquered Baelerics, while a light transport and one-hundred cavalry are raised at home. Duke Francois rules from the capital, siring another son. Bruce sails the new transport to the Baelerics, picking up the four-hundred cavalry in Medina Mayurqa and begins a colonization of the city. He is able to destroy the thirteen-hundred rebels, but is wounded during the fight. He continues the process on the island itself, losing one-hundred infantry this time. Once the colonies are in place, he sails back to Naples. A trade partnership is arranged with Bavaria after the delivery and marriage of princess Regine to the Apulian Heir, Alphonso.

 

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

Infrastructure and cavalry quality are both improved. Geb-al-Tarik and Epirus are both abandoned. Government support of both infrastructure and Bureaucracy are loaned from the Prince's Crusade. Count Roger rewards George of Antioch, an admiral valuable to his campaign in Africa, with the title of Exarch. He arranges to have his daughter, Liboria, married to the son of the Exarch and made a Prince of the realm.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	18mi, 7mc, 5ms, 5mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness increases. Warsaw's walls are torn down and the city is expanded. Ten cogs are built and converted to internal trade fleets in Lublin. King Boleslaus and his brother, Pawel, concentrate mainly on family, a total of seven children born between them. Wladyslaus takes command of four-thousand infantry and one-thousand cavalry. He marches into Pomerania, where he quickly forces battle with the nine-hundred defenders (And ousts a diplomatic contingent from Saxony). His victory only costs him one-hundred men. Kulik gains a full alliance from Poznan city, convincing the burg to abandon its Tenuous ties. Andwaus attempts to found a Cathedral in Krakow, but is plagued by setbacks and unsuccessful. In 1159, six-thousand Teutonic barbarians stream into Little Poland. Eighteen-hundred of them are killed while taking out the field fort garrisons, but after a year and a half, they are successful. The horde then descends upon unwalled Poznan, defeating the five-hundred allied infantry, though losing another three-hundred of their own. Both locations are quickly looted an a tribute is demanded from the crown.

 

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

St. Petersburg and Novgorod City see expansion. The Boyar sees to the government, then defends the capital with five-hundred engineers. Dmitri administers ineffectively. Taras and Mikhail react from the homeland with over seven thousand troops.

 

Principality of Kiev
( Kiev City in Kiev )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Govoric, Regent For
Grand Prince Borislav II

Warship quality sees improvement. A royal marriage is planned with Bavaria, but the new Duke is just a tad too young. This doesn't stop the Grand Prince from sending rutters for the Ionian Sea and Gulf of Cyprus along. Odessa is expanded and rewalled. The city of Kaunus is constructed in Lithuania. Seversk, Suzdal and Chernigov all see field forts constructed. Dobrek explores the South Caspian Sea, gaining the maps for the realm. Bohuslav's negotiations in Pechneg see no fruit. Vasyl reacts from Chernigov with twenty-five hundred men. Oleksander finds some converts in Turov. Borislav rules from the capital, educating his son and heir in the arts of the government. Age catches him in 1159. His brother Govorich would declare regency for the new Grand Prince.

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness improves. Eight cogs are constructed and pressed into internal trade. Kolos sees to the government, siring three children during the cycle. All three lieutenants work diplomacy in Transylvania, gaining a Feudal Alliance from the realm, the maximum ties available for a mountainous region. The Feudal Allies react from their regions.

 

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

Religious effectiveness improves for the nation. Kladavo city is expanded. Plans and initial funds for a new road are laid out toward Dalmatia. The King runs the government, siring two children. His son is weak, and does not survive his third year. Prince Ferko is sent to join many of his brothers in service to the Vatican. Vladimir founds a church in Croatia, while Dmitar and Batist work on a Cathedral in the capital. Count Vilmon negotiates a Feudal Alliance from Epirus. The other Feudal Allies defend their regions.

 

Byzantine Empire
( Constantinople in Thrace )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Alexios II

Taman abandons its Tenuous ties. Intelligence capabilities improve. Twenty warships and sixteen cogs are built for the navy. The Emperor, displeased with Prince Genesius, gives him the 'honor' of becoming governor to Chandax, effectively removing him from court. His twin brother, Gemistos, is placed into the vacant position. A new royal road is constructed between Constantinople and Thessaloniki. The Emperor marries the daughter of a local noble, quickly siring two infant girls. Prince Hilarion transfers eight cogs to ferry duties in Thrace. Lord Narsus reacts out of the homeland with more than ten-thousand cavalry, though he is unable to stop the havoc in Isuaria. Kallistos and Nikephoros travel to the Ionian sea at the head of one-hundred and thirty warships. There to protect Sicilian and Croatian interests, Kallistos receives confusing and ultimately inaccurate news of piracy against Zara. By the time it is sorted out, the naval fighting in the Ionian has been resolved. Mangaphas can't quite get Allied Morea to agree to friendly ties.

 

Volga-Kama Bolghar
( Iske Qazan in Suvar )
Sunni Islam, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Ilgiz Khan

Sixteen-hundred cavalry are raised by the Khan. He rules from the capital, taking a bride and siring three sons. Bulan defends Mordva with nine-hundred men, passing in the winter of 1158. The Feudal Allies react from their regions.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	10mi, 5mc, 5ms, 25mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

Khwarezmid Empire
( Khiveh in Khwazim )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Shah Qutb ad-Din Muhammad I

The steppe pagans of Chorasima convert to Sunni Islam. Infantry and cavalry quality both see improvement. The Shah rules from the capital, siring two sons and a daughter. Prince Ghazi sets out into the Caspian Sea with four new transports. His expedition is plagued with issues, first some supplies go missing, then a ship runs aground. Only the Southern portion of the sea is successfully mapped. Masoud reacts from Qyzylorda, the old man perishes at the end of the cycle. Dharr al Hassan is charged with reacting from Konjikala. The Feudal Allies react from their own regions.

 

Qarakhanid Khanate
( Samarqand in Kara Khitai )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Muhammad Khan

Siege quality improves, as do portions of the intelligence and assassin sectors. The city of Merv is founded along the silk route in Kophat Dagh, a new road quickly linking it to the rest of the Empire. Seemaab and Naden both receive positions at court. Muhammad returns to the capital, taking a direct hand in the government. Prince Fawaz reacts with one-thousand infantry from Kophat Dagh while Abu does the same in Otarsh. Fawaz becomes ill and does not survive. Ulugh and Sallah gain a Tributary arrangement from the Uzebekians. Afterwards, Sallah retires from active service.

 

Great Seljuk Empire
( Esfahan in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Zeeshan

Zagros abandons its Tenuous ties. Intelligence capabilities improve. The Persian half of the Royal Road is begun. The Sultan fails to get a Census off the ground before he concentrates on running the government directly. Malik, the Heir, travels north into Tabaristan for unknown business. He turns up dead a year later. Prince Jelaleddin and Kilij negotiate in Neyriz to no effect. Shaud is able to gain a Full Alliance from Zagros. The Feudal Ally from Dasht'e Lute reacts from his region. The Sultan dies of age at seventy-three, his son Zeshan replacing him without issue.

 

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

Tabaristan abandons its Tenuous ties. Intelligence effectiveness increases. Except for arranged marriage with Tunisia, all else is quiet.

 

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

Typhoid breaks out in Al-Zusana, quickly turning it into a no-man's land. Thirteen-hundred cavalry raised in the capital. Five fields forts are built to protect Edessa. The Sultan wastes no time in marrying twice more to help diplomatic efforts. Many, many children are soon produced. Prince Mamnoon reacts from Cilicia (Along with one Feudal Ally) with almost five-thousand cavalry. Tehran commands four-thousand out of Aleppo. Lyssa joins fully with the nation, and Palmyra agrees to a Feudal Alliance.

 

Abbasid Caliphate
( Baghdad in Mesopotamia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sawwar al-'Abbas, Regent For
Caliph Muqatil

Fars abandons its Tenuous ties. Agricultural breakthroughs in Diyala enable the possibility of higher cultivation. An attempt is made to strike at Sicilian intelligence capabilities, but Palermo is so extremely distant there is little that can be done, despite an effectiveness increase. A road is begun from the capital to Karbala. The Caliph continues to expand his family. He educates his oldest son about ruling while he sees to the government. Princes Al-Muqtafi and Hamid react from Mesopotamia and Hahmar respectively, each with around one-thousand troops. Sawwar al-'Abbas makes much progress in Fars, gaining an Economic alliance. Abu is similarly successful in Diyala. The Caliph, Lord Sayif, Abu and Princess Maryam all die of age during the cycle. Sawwar gains what is expected to be a short Regency for the new Caliph.

 

Sultanate of Damascus
( Damascus in Petra )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Rafat, Regent For
Sultan Rafidh

The Defensive Pact with the Fatimids is quickly renewed through a new marriage with the Sultan. Trade is cut with Venice, Sicily and Apulia. Rafat has little luck in convincing the Selucans to rejoin the nation. Zaheed Hisami reacts out of As-sur with twenty-three hundred men. Fahad Baktiar is unable to successfully complete a census of the realm. The Regent reacts from Petra with six-thousand men, the hard summers are too much for him. The Feudal Ally from Bostra reacts from his region as well. Prince Rafat smoothly takes over the Regency.

 

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

Siege quality improves. One-thousand allied cavalry and three-hundred allied infantry built for the leaders from Zeila and Zufar. The Emir rules quietly from Sana. Murshid, the Heir, escorts his sister Saishta to Egypt, where a marriage and Defensive Pact are arranged (along with a generous dowry). He returns to Sana, defending the city with twenty-five light warships. Hassan continues to Administer effectively. Apu and Omar spend the cycle on vacation. The Allies react from their regions.

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	15mi, 30mc, 7ms, 30mw
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w6
Leader:	Murtaza [M77A] -- Minimum Bid is 17 GP  Yehuye [M694] -- Minimum Bid is 13 GP

 

Fatimid Caliphate
( Al-Qahirah in Mansura )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Caliph Al-Mutakabbir

Infantry quality and Intelligence effectiveness improve. Twenty light warships and three light transports are built in the capital. Al-Jaliq is granted a Prince position at court. Trade Routes with Sicily and the Almoravids are closed. The Caliph spends much time extolling the virtues of brotherly cooperation in the face of the infidels, and while some anger is directed toward Sicily as a result, not enough for the Sultan to press a case for full scale war. Hassam al'faruk travels to Damascus where he investigates the city. He perishes on the return voyage. Ibraim ibn Tarek attempts diplomacy in Sinai, but the desert nomads are unwilling to increase ties. Tarek al'Ali marches four-thousand troops to Tunisia, where he promptly keels over, leaving the men leaderless. Outside of effective control range, they march back to Tripolotania. The Bir Tarfawi oasis slips from control. Twenty-four hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Al-Iskandria.

 

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

Lalibela abandons its Tenuous ties. The city of Juhaynah is founded in Sennar. Thirteen field forts are constructed across the regions of Alwa, Atbara, Dongola and Funj. The King rules from Sana, allowing his daughter Daniella to marry a local merchant's son. He takes the opportunity to more directly influence the national sea routes. Moise, the Heir, marries as well, spending time with his new bride while administering the country. He proves to be very capable. Prince Barak joins the Feudal Allies in Kassala on Reaction, commanding eight-hundred cavalry of his own. A bad fall during a scouting expedition takes his life. Yehuye is sent to the deserts of the east, where he negotiates with both Ennedi and Ayn-al-Ghazar. The latter agrees to a Non-Paying Tributary arrangement, but is simply too far outside King Asybyos's control range. Yehuye, meanwhile, finds he is attracted to the nomadic lifestyle, and abandons the realm to become a desert mercenary. Afrimar gains a Feudal Alliance from Gezira.

 

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

The Imams turn their attention to Damascus, helping foster religious strength in that realm. Two-thousand cavalry and one light transport is constructed. In preparation for a last press against the infidel invaders, the Emir greatly overtaxes the realm. Depression and Famine are quick to strike. Fearing the worst, the Emir sails to Trebizond, where he marries and arranges for the possibility of an Exiled Court.

Roger's War of 1150
Norman County of Sicily and Almoravid Sultanate
vs.
Emirate of Tunisia

Roger waits a few months for Sicilian and Almoravid reinforcements, then sets Eastward with his own nine-hundred infantry, twenty-five hundred cavalry, four-hundred engineers and nine-hundred mercenaries. He is joined by three Almoravid leaders, commanding one-thousand infantry, two-thousand cavalry and one-thousand mercenaries. The forces of Tunisia are prepared, two-thousand cavalry and fourteen-hundred mercenaries amongst the four local field forts. Three Tunisian leaders, two of them excellent military leaders by any standards, face the allies. The Tunisians benefit from a host of advantages: Homeland terrain, a friendly city, successful battle assistance. The Allies suffer a supply penalty due to distance from the controlled city of Fez. Roger recognizes his plight before the battle begins. The battle starts to turn when the high Almoravid leader is killed. Unable to gain any advantage, and hearing word of a large Fatimid force moving toward the region, Roger begins a withdraw. A continued harassment causes the Almoravid host to panic and flee to Kabilya, leaving the Sicilians somewhat open during the departure. Roger regroups in Kabilya, to a reported five-thousand allies dead. In Tunisia, two-thousand defenders have gone to meet Allah.

The new Sicilian Exarch, commanding over one-hundred and thirty warships, descends upon the Tunisian port of El-Jezair. The trade city is quickly looted of over twenty-eight cogs (many of which were once Sicilian transports). This has the side effect of angering the Aragonese merchants invested in the city. The Tunisian Admiral Zafr, commanding his own fifty-six warships, takes the opportunity to make a move against the Sicilian capital. Prince Baldo of Croatia has been put in defense of the city, but oddly has no orders issued to him by the crown. His thirty-one warships make no move to protect the Sicilian shipping, and the Byzantine defenders are off in Zara. Twenty-one Cogs are captured. During this process, over one-hundred Egyptian warships appear with Piracy on their mind as well. Seeing the Tunisians have the effort in hand, they move to a direct raid upon the region. Prince William is unable to stop the raid, and many fields and villages are razed. Count Roger, hearing of the attack, abandons the African campaign to the Almoravids and returns to Palermo.

George of Antioch, now finished in El-Jezair, speeds back to defend the capital with the fleet. The planned siege of Tunis with the Venetians is aborted after Roger's mainland army is repelled. George catches up first to the Tunisians, but the crafty Admiral is able to avoid combat and slink back to Tunis once again. The Fatimid fleet is not so lucky, and George blasts into them without mercy. After taking into account captured vessels, the Sicilian navy has only been reduced by sixteen vessels. The Shi'ite fleet is eradicated.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grandmaster Olaf the Strong

Intel capabilities improve. Olaf, unable to exact a Tithe in Swabia and Lorraine, succeeds in founding a Temple. Adolf Gunderson continues to Administer. Eric Gunderson places a tithe on Sweden. Kol Thorfin fails in the creation of a Lodge, but gains a Tithe in the Duchy of Bavaria.

 

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

Monks found two cells. Two-thousand infantry and two cogs are raised. Five rutters are inked and traded to London, reaching from the Gates of Hercules to the Gulf of Cyprus. Prince Henri of Burgundy is appointed to a position, replacing Commander Arnulf, rotting in a Damascene prison cell. There is some grumbling amongst the higher-ups, but the promotion goes through. Richard of England is also given an official position. The Primas spends time in Scotland, increasing order status. Baldwin spends his time forming a new Temple.

 

The Reconquista
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Diego Rodriguez

Cavalry quality, intelligence capability and effectiveness improve. Diego is unable to get either cell he has planned off the ground. His is displeased to learn that the attacks against the Almoravid intelligence sectors are ineffective. Ramiro and Jerome combine to found a Temple. It would be Jerome's final act.

 

The Hashshashins
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Old Man Jarakel

The bureaucratic arm of the government improves. Ehsan and the Old Man join and quickly found three cells for the order. Aasim oversees the training of five-thousand desert cavalry and launches a quick raid against the Byzantine region of Isauria. The Greek reactionary forces prove to be too distant, and though the location is quite poorer than expected, it is ravaged.