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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 016
(1175 to 1179)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	103mi, 64mc, 18ms, 18mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

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

The King orders another fifty ships commissioned for the Scottish Navy. Prince James comes of age and is appointed to the court. The captured ships from previous piracy is set to use in a new trade route with Aragon and fishing and internal trade fleets. The King, after meddling with his merchants, reacts from the capital with just over four-thousand troops. Crown Prince Andrew sails all the war to Corinth, where he picks up the Byzantine Princess Ekatarina. The two nations form an Open Ports agreement, and Andrew returns to the capital. A son is soon born of the union. Lords Hamis and Robert, with seventy warships between them, sail out for more adventures in piracy. They first descend upon the Flemish city of Utrect, but almost immediately, one of Robert's men slips poison into his meal. The General survives, but he remains wracked with pain for many years. Still, he manages to ravage Utrecht, scooping up some thirty-two merchant vessels. The Danish and Saxon traders complain to their respective governments. Robert has less luck in Ghent, the city militia sinking one of his warships. Six more merchant vessels are seized outside of Antwerp. The fleet then moves to the Rhine, going after Frankfurt this time, and capturing all thirty-three vessels operating out of the city - this time the Norman merchants take offense. Bishop Eadmar sets out with forty-eight warships of his own, first traveling to the Ionian Sea and successfully charting its waters. He tries his hand at Piracy against the Fatimid City of Al-Iskandria, but the defenders sink four of his warships. Eadmar switches targets, sallying up the Nile for additional maps, but is confused by the twists and turns. He returns to port in Salamis, taking advantage of the new Byzantine marriage. Cardinal Duncan perishes on the long journey back from the Holy Land. Vatican missionaries report success on the Isle of Man.

 

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

Monks out of Westminster found a new church during their travels to Wessex. A field fort is placed in Mercia, a wall point added to the Tower of London. Money continues to be sent in support of the Prince's Crusade. Fifteen warships are added to the naval forces. King Reginald takes on the task of the government, first attempting to call again for war against Damascus. The nobles are still interested in letting the Crusaders carry the fight, later pointing out the fate of John Buckingham as an 'I told ye so.' He sires a daughter during his administrative work. John Adelin continues to work with the PRince's Crusade, but he is not used in the battles this cycle. Gerard Montfort negotiates the release of Bishop Stephen, captured by the Fatimids last cycle. He and the ally from Northumbria sail to the Gulf of Cyprus with sixty-odd ships, delivering John Buckingham to Lebanon. The fleet quickly turns to raiding, but their first choice is Levant itself, which houses the entire Damascene mobile forces. The raiding force is wiped out, though a few cogs do return to London. With Matthew's death, Northumbria becomes a full part of the Kingdom.

 

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

While Count Henry remains trapped in an Imperial Prison, Lord Jean, in charge of the capital, once again tries to funnel money away from the taxes. This time his subversion is discovered, and Flemish forces move to arrest him. He manages to escape by the skin of his teeth back to Augsburg. The Emperor grants him a minor estate outside of Strassburg for his services. The betrayal is the final straw for the nobles, they rally behind Henry the Younger's call for war against Swabo-Lorraine. Andre Flahaut moves to defend Utrecht with one-thousand infantry. Prince Eugene is appointed an official position at court. Shortly after, word spreads that the Count has died in Swabia. Henry the Younger, now Henry II, takes over the County. Sixteen-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Ghent.

 

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

Cavalry quality sees improvement, as does intelligence effectiveness. The cultivation of Connaught is finished. Robin of Locksley is tasked with retrieving the stranded infantry in Sicily He returns them to Rouen. The Duke's brother and Heir, Joseph, dies in a riding accident. Gabriel is appointed the new Crown Prince.

 

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

King Louis takes on another fourteen-hundred horse, ready to intervene should more conflict in Germany erupt. With the Thuringians and Flemish abandoning the offensive, Louis refrains from intervening. The tithe to the cursed Aquitainians continues to be paid, the horde contenting itself with the bribery. Amidst other affairs of government, Louis continues to be prolific, siring four more children during the cycle - bringing his brood up to thirteen. The unlucky number takes its toll with a childhood illness visited upon Crown Prince Philip. He does not survive. Crispin Sordeau continues to ease tensions in Poitou, making steady, if slow, progress before his death in 1179. Jacques-Andre Jacquemin continues to earn his keep as an able Parisian administrator. Fifteen-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Paris.

 

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

With war on the borders, the military is not ignored. Seventeen hundred new cavalry are brought to service. The Grand Duke orders gold sent to both the Popular Crusade and to the Norman County of Sicily. The Grand Duke spends the cycle on Reaction out of Burgundy with six-thousand cavalry. He educates his son and namesake on military matters. While the lad does learn something, it is clear his grasp of military strategy will never go far. Lord Guy supports the Grand Duke in the reaction, commanding four-thousand cavalry and ten companies of engineers as his own. Lords Thomas and Tilmok continue to work in Aquitaine on smoothing tensions, but they also pause to host a party from Tuscana, cementing two marriages with the Elective Margravate. Rudolf the Younger and Prince Guillaum are both given positions at court.

 

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

Missionaries finally make headway among the Casildan followers of Gascony. Both aspects of the Religious Sector increase, as does the assassin capacity of the nation. Five-hundred infantry and one-thousand cavalry are raised in the homeland. The King steers the government, siring a daughter late int he cycle. New Castille, Navare and Gascony all se diplomatic envoys dispatched. Prince Adalberto smoothes tensions in New Castille. Guillermo fully incorporates Navarre into the Kingdom. Lord Saure smoothes tensions in Gascony. Lord Elroy takes up the defense of the Catalonian garrison. Eleven-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Zaragoza.

 

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

 

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	45mi, 32mc, 7ms, 39mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

Infantry and Siege Quality both see improvement for the cycle. The city of Trond is given charter on the cold waters of the Norweigian Sea. The King decrees several new Saint's Days across the realm, increasing the attention to the Christian festivals of the lay people. The King orders two main uses of his manpower, first is among the merchant classes. Fifty cogs are paid for and built, then assigned to carry trade between the Kingdom's cities. All of the foreign routes are relocated to the capital for ease of protection. Second, the structured defense of each region is seen to, with thirty-five field forts scattered across the nation. Two of the King's sons come of age and are granted official positions in the court. Prince Sverre, the older of the two, has traveled extensively in his education, visiting the Greek centers of learning in Byzantium but also the Universities of Hungary, the current envy of Europe. Sverre already commands five languages and the customs and etiquettes of most western realms.

King Hrafn concentrates on steering the government, and dealing with the headache of all the new merchant contracts his interference has unleashed. He sires one final daughter before an illness settles into his body, freezing his joints and leaving him paralyzed. His lungs collapse in the fifth year of the cycle. Brandr takes on the crown without issue or upheaval. He appoints his brother, Sverre, as his Heir. The new King pairs with Lord Asgeirr and travels into the mountains of Oopland where they negotiate a Feudal Alliance from the pagan lord, Rikard. Lord Asgeirr becomes fascinated with the bear hunts of the pagans, joining many of the hunts during his stay. His party fails to return one winter. Lords Torsson and Terje, meanwhile, travel to the Faeroes islands where they negotiate a Full Alliance with its leader.

 

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

In the East, the Estonians (Following on the heels of the Musans of last cycle) abandon the tenuous ties they held to the Kingdom. Ministers and envoys are added to the local cities of each region, increasing the infrastructure ability of the nation. The military sees an improvement in the quality of its infantry, the Swedes second now only to the Leonese Longbowmen in Iberia. King Njord takes command of the garrison of Uppsala, leading the seventy-two hundred troops in reaction out of the region. Sensing an opportunity with King Hrafn of Norway's death, Njord orders a large contingent of diplomats to travel to Christiana. Prince Halver, Lords Suderland, Molander and Hilsberg, and Vauno and Karlis, the Allies from Saarema and Musa. With the new King of Norway off in Oopland, they delegation is entertained by the young Prince Sverre. Prince Halvar, known to be one of the best diplomats Sweden has seen in a generation, finds more than his match in Sverre. His offers, coercions, and subtle threats are parried and countered by the Norweigian Prince. No merger of the Kingdoms will take place. Lord Janne takes command of five warships and five cogs, setting sail for the waters around Iberia. The Gates of Hercules are quickly mapped, but a storm catches the fleet in the Gades, sinking three of the ships. Janne does returns to Stockholm with maps of both seazones.

 

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

The cities of Skjern and Helsingborg continue to see improvement and enlargement. The capital now extends to the full capacity that the region can support. Four light warships are brought to service in the docks of the capital city. Gifts of monies continue to be sent out to Sweden and the Popular Crusade. Erik spends most of the cycle seeing the the governing of the realm, but does take time to press seven Cogs into merchant service. They base out of Nija, serving the Kingdom's internal routes. Crown Prince Michael helps his father with the administration, but is used more importantly in sealing a trade marriage with Scotland. The rutters to the Gulf of Finland, the Vistula and the Dvina Rivers are all gifted to Scotland as a dowry. Twin sons bless the couple, Orjan and Orvar, in 1178. Lord Thomas takes command of four warships, following the path of the Swedes in mapping the Gates of Hercules and Gades seazones. Lord Peda sets up a defense of Latvia, while Sven commands a reaction out of Denmark. Both leaders see a quiet five years. Queen Nija is taken by age, the King holding a quiet and simple funeral.

 

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

The Royal Road into Pomerania is finished, linking that region closer to the government center in Leipzig. A new field fort is added to the defense of Freisland. Along the border with Holland, a much bigger defensive project is begun, a series of dikes and walls running across the expanse of the region. It is paid for by funds from the Western Wall Edict. The Duchess earmarks additional funds for the Popular Crusade, getting closer to living up an older Imperial Edict. In the military, eight-hundred infantry, four-hundred cavalry, two companies of engineers and a segment of wall militia is brought to service in the capital. The Duchess immediately calls for war against the Thuringians, but the nobles, while willing to help liberate the Swabo-Lorraininan regions, are reluctant to engage in full-scale war on the new Emperor's behalf. She switches tact, urging the nobles to accept her distant cousin, Heinrich Liudolfing, as her Heir-Apparent. The court agrees, and Heinrich is appointed to the position, and now eligible for the Imperial Elections. Hildegard steers the reigns of the government, growing pregnant in the third year of the cycle. A son is born. With multiple options for Ducal Heirs, Hildegard orders Heinrich into Westphalia. Ulbricht von Sachsenhausen remains on react in Friesland with twenty-four hundred men.

 

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

Once again, the Wall Edict is ignored. Having experienced much combat against the cavalry of the Swabo-Lorrainians, improvements in Thuringia's own mounted military is brought back and implemented in Wurzburg. Just under four-thousand new horse are brought to service, along with three hundred engineers, and four field fortification in conquered Hesse. Lord Hans undergoes quick negotiations with Erfurt, arranging a bride for the Duke and integrates the city (and its Allied troops) fully into the Duchy. The Duke abandons the region of Swabia, content to focus on defending his fully controlled realms. The Saxon invasion of four-hundred infantry, twelve-hundred cavalry and two companies of engineers is met by the Duke and his force six thousand cavalry, thirteen-hundred infantry and three companies of engineers. Without Casus, the result of the Saxon attack is predictable. Sieghard systematically cuts down the small forces of the invaders, until only the subcommander, Adelbert Graf Schonburg, returns safely to Leipzig. Heinrich survives death for the indignity of capture.

 

Duchy of Bohemia
( Prague in Bohemia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Karel Zerotin, Regent For
Duke Vratislaus IV

The Bohemians still remember when Sieghard's line came to power in Thuringia, it was a bloody affair that left only one member of the old line alive, the wife of Emperor Stephen I. The memories only increase the tensions between the two duchies in this time of conflict. The regent orders an embargo of the trade route between the two nations. Field forts are built in Meissan and Bohemia (two and one) with the Regent raising three companies of engineers. He watches the appointment of Karel Zerotin to the court with wariness, still remembering the Zerotin that attempted to overthrow the young Duke. Monies are invested into the Wall fund, as well as gifted to the Popular Crusade. Sobeslav Rozmberk's skilled tongue is able to woo back Dresden into an Economic Alliance. Karel collects two-thousand infantry and five-hundred engineers, moving to set up a defense of Meissan. The Regent reacts from Prague with thirty-seven hundred troops and the Shroud of Turin. Both Jan and Sobeslav perish at the end of the cycle. Karel steps up to the Regency.

 

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

Bavarian priests work night and day in Slovenia, persecuting and eliminating the Bogomil Heretics. The region is cleansed, and reverts back to Friendly status to Venice. Warship quality makes an advance, as does the realm's assassin capacity. The latter immediately works to attack the corresponding offices in Thuringia, and the new agents are successful in damaging that Duchy's investment. Two-thousand infantry and one-thousand cavalry are raised for the military. Duke Conrad runs the government. He expects a bride to arrive from Poland, but learns that the girl has been betrothed to the Crown Prince of Swabo-Lorraine instead. Prince Albrecht spends the entire cycle warning of the dangers Thuringia poses to the greater safety of the Empire. The nobles rally behind him, and war is declared against Duke Sieghard (The Duchies also cut trade with each other).. Prince Lothair marches forty-six hundred infantry, twenty-three hundred cavalry and five companies of engineers to the defense of the region of Swabia. He is joined by Lord Johanens. They end the cycle protecting their fellow Duchy's homeland. Lord Guntram commands twenty-three hundred troops in Reaction out of Bochnia. Lord Manfred is given escort duty for the Poles as they cross Bavarian lands, but perishes on their return journey. Radbot, the ally from Slovakia, reacts from his region.

 

Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine
( Augsberg in Swabia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Gerhardt I

The republican leanings of the Tuscans from the south begin to mingle among the nobility of the Duchies. The Lorrainians begin making noise about greater pull with the Swabian born Emperor. Gerhardt is quick to move against this stirring of republicanism, revoking many of the rights of the separate noble lines. He reorganizes the regions into one distinct Duchy, with his office as the ultimate authority. He also assigns many merchants supporting internal trade to work on fishing instead. He orders four-hundred infantry are raised in Lorraine. Sixteen-hundred in Augsburg, along with two companies of engineers. Finally, a new section of wall points are added to the capital. Gerhardt beats the war drums throughout his new Duchy, and the people rally behind him. War is declared on Duke Sieghard of Thuringia. The Emperor orders his brother, Johann, to the attack, then sets up a defense of the capital with a few warships and a dozen cogs. Johann, Rudolph and Lord Wolfgang press into Swabia at the head of three-thousand infantry and seven-hundred cavalry. The four-hundred defenders are quickly swept aside and control is restored over the region. Lord Roland sails his fifteen warships against the city of Frankfurt in Piracy, but the city militia manages to sink three of his ships and he disengages empty handed. Lord Albrecht guides a large coalition of Bavarians, Poles and Venetians into Swabia after the main battle. Two marriages and Defensive Pacts are quickly arranged. Everyone waits for...

 

The Imperial War of 1180
Duchy of Bavaria & Duchy of Swabo-Lorraine
vs.
Duchy of Thuringia & County of Flanders

 

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

The Margrave charters a new city, Torino, in the region of Savoy. Michael and Leonard, of the old royal family, are sent to join the Popular Crusade. He uses funds to support his fortress and field forts in compliance with the Western Wall Edict. Then, retiring to the capital to steer the government, he attempts to gear the nation into full scale war with Tunisia. The Senate is content with their current gains, however, and uninterested in further conflict. Francisco di Modena sails his fleet of twenty warships and thirty cogs to El-Jezair, delivering one-thousand infantry of reinforcements. Michelino di Siena and Tosca Picolino now field five-thousand infantry, one-thousand cavalry and a few companies of engineers. With their forces, they intend a military conversion of the region and city. The Algerians immediately erupt into revolt, their militias totaling thirty-two hundred combined men. Tosca is killed and the Tuscans lose six-hundred men, but they crush the rebellion, and institute the Catholic Religion onto the populace. Agro is delivered by hand to Swabia by Leopold Totalini. Petros the Greek is charged with transporting the spouses of two new marriages with Burgundy. Petros and Francisco both retire from service at the end of the cycle, content to live out their old age with their estates and families. The di Siena and Nicolo families are quick to fill the vacancies. The Margrave's wife, Santuza, meets her end to age.

 

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

Three light warships are constructed, and six-hundred allied infantry is raised for Baron Monteno of Lombardy. Doge Santrusco reacts from the capital, fielding a force of twenty-seven hundred. Prince Garibaldi and Baron Bruno begin an investigation into Lombardy. The pair is ambushed by a few dozen smugglers afraid their ring is about to be broken up. Garibaldi takes an arrow to the lung in the struggle, perishing later that night. The Baron returns to Forli bruised and scratched. Admiral Rafael diStefano, along with Prince Torrenzi Ruggiero and Captain Guiseppe Lorca, embark on the one-hundred and forty ship navy. They sail to the Bay of Tunis with the intent of raiding, but the Sicilian army has already taken one of the target territories, and the Sicilian Fleet is not letting anything near Tunis. diStifano contents himself with traveling to Egypt, where he spends a few years terrorizing the Fatimid coastal villages. Lieutenant Alberto Vocorra and Baron Monteno of Lombardy strike north across the mountains to support Lombardy's previous lord, the Duke of Swabo-Lorraine. They arrive too late to affect the battle, but spend the cycle patrolling the region defensively until returning to Lombardy. The Barons of Carinthia and Slovenia react from their regions. The Doge perishes at the old age of fifty, the Senate rallies behind Torrenzi Ruggiero.

 

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

A breakthrough in siege theory suddenly catapults the quality of Apulian engineers. The Duke remains in Naples, overseeing the government and the construction of forty-four light warships. Prince Giorgio spends some time defending the region of Valencia, then moves to permanently join the Reconquista. Prince Bruno is tasked with diplomacy in the cities of Chandax and Catanzaro, but he makes no progress in either. Lord Vincenzo defends the Baelerics with four-hundred cavalry. Lord Bruce reacts out of Naples with the eighty warships fleet. He perishes in the winter of 1178.

 

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

Missionaries coming though Bone manage to make progress int he greater region of Kabilya. Twenty-six hundred cavalry are raised in the capital. When Simon returns from Africa, he sires a son and Heir. John, Simon's brother, is given an official position at court. Lord Maniakes, retiring from the African campaign, travels to Geb-Al-Tarik, gaining a Non-Paying Tributary agreement before his death in 1178. Twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry are conscripted in Bone.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	35mi, 5mc, 5ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4
Leader:	Shane Gallant [M877] -- Minimum Bid is 15 GP

 

Kingdom of Poland
( Warsaw in Poland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Lord Kurgan, Regent For
King Miloslaw IV

Prussia abandons its Tenuous ties to the crown. The Regent continue to cling to power, this time claiming the greater war in the Empire as the need to do so. A postal road pushes its way past the periphery of Pinsk, permitting plenty of Poles ease of passage. Twenty-one hundred cavalry is raised by the Regent. He also orders a large sum of gold sent to Kiev. Prince Adalbert travels to Prussia to preach the word, but finds few willing to listen. He has more success upon returning home to his wife, siring a daughter in 1179. Konrad attempts more diplomacy in Pinsk, but the pagans are unwilling to commit to closer ties. Lord Pekoslaw accompanies Princess Patrycja to St. Petersberg, arranging a trade partnership. He then smoothes tensions in conquered Danzig. Lord Jacek takes command of forty-five hundred men and twenty warships, reacting out of the homeland. Leopold, the ally from Goryn, defends his region. The Regent takes command of thirty-two hundred cavalry and marches through Bavarian lands to join the coalition in Swabia. A defensive marriage is arranged and rutters for the Skaggarak and Viking Bank are delivered to the new emperor. With the Thuringians making no more aggressive moves, the Regent returns to Little Poland without issue. Salomea, one of the King's younger cousins, perishes after a series of heavy seizures.

 

Principality of Novgorod
( Novgorod City in Novgorod )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grand Prince Nestor I

Ministers and bureaucrats are sprinkled throughout the nation, increasing the effectiveness of the capital's rule. One thousand infantry are raised their, and the city is expanded to its maximum capacity. Princess Patycja of Poland is presented to Crown Prince Nestor as a Bride The Grand Prince agrees to a trade partnership with the southern neighbor, quickly converting forty-four cogs and pressing them into merchant service to support the new trading opportunities. The Grand Prince transfers most of the army to Alex Nevsky, then personally sees to the government. A heart attack seizes him without warning, and he dies quickly. The new Grand Prince is away in St. Petersberg, and though tempted, Alex does not use his control of the Army to seize power. Nine-hundred Courland rebels attempt to oust the six-hundred man garrison, but they are defeated by the local commander.

 

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

The Pagans of Turov, slowly making their way toward Christianity, agree to abandon their Tenuous ties to the Principality. Infantry quality of Kiev's military marches forward. The Grand Prince steers his government, traveling to Odessa to meet Arcadia, his young Byzantine Bride. A Trade Marriage is arranged, and the Grand Prince quickly gets to the business of fathering a child. Borislav also has two rutters inked and mapped, the Sea of Lybia and the Bay of Tunis. Both are sent along to Bavaria. A royal road is begun into Kirivitch, though the furthest sections are taking longer than expected due to the terrain of the region. Atelzuko receives funding for the beginning of cultivation. There, Yaropolk is unable to make progress spreading the Orthodoxy. Fedir has better success in Turov, as does Symon in Suzdal. Lord Yakiv and Marko of Atelzuko react out of Chernigov with thirty-five hundred national and sixteen-hundred allied troops.

 

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

Istvan perishes in 1178. His brother is coronated King.

 

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

Prince Baldo oversees many improvements throughout the kingdom. The bureaucracy expands, warship quality sees marked improvement, even intel effectiveness increases. Funds for the improvement of the road between Osijek and Solin are diverted, though neither section is quite finished. Five leaders are assigned to administer in the government: Regent Baldo in the capital, Vladimir in Epirus, Vilmon in Bosnia, Densk in Ludgorie and Bishop Boris in Croatia. The Feudal Allies from Ludgorie, Dalmatia and Epirus all react from their regions. The young King comes of age and assumes the throne. Among his first official acts are many state funerals held for Baldo, Vladimir, Vilmon, Densk and the Feudal Ally of Epirus, the causes ranging from old age to snakebites.

 

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

 

Volga-Kama Bolghar
( Ukek in Urkel )
Sunni Islam, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Tigor Khan

The Khan oversees the expansion of the assassin capabilities of the kingdom. He decrees a move in the capital, settling into the city of Ukek, where he personally steers the government. Lord Hamid is put in charge of the logistics of the move. A field fort is raised in Murom, while full fortresses are constructed in the regions of Bolgar, Suvar and Urkel. Nine-hundred cavalry are added to the mobile arm of the military. The Khan's Uncle travels to Saksiny, arrange a marriage to himself and the Khan in exchange for a Feudal Alliance. Lord Kadria gains a similar alliance, and two more wives for the Khan, from Torki. The feudal lord of Mordva reacts from his region. The Khan is quick to produce five children with his new wives.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	60mi, 25mc, 15ms, 31mw, 9mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4
Leaders:	Zafir ad Balak [M678] -- Minimum Bid is 14 GP Seemaab [M752] -- Minimum Bid is 9 GP John Buckingham [M557] -- Minimum Bid is 12 GP

 

Khwarezmid Empire
( Khiveh in Khwazim )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Shah Hamid I

The young Shah marries twice during the cycle. His first bride perishes in childbirth. His second, from Bokhara, bears him two sons. Prince Qamar and Lord Yalik lead the negotiations in Bokhara, and the region becomes a full part of the Empire. Lords Bilal and Pasha react out of Khiveh and Azad Bahr respectively. The feudal Allies from Gurgan, Chorasima and Khazakh do so from their regions.

 

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

Intelligence capacity sees an expansion. The wilderness in Kuldja is fully tamed, many villages and farmsteads springing up along the traditional paths of the silk route. Frunze is the next to see farming resources spent. The extensive road network is expanded again, snaking out now to the mountains along the border of Otarsh. Khafiyah, the lord of Kuldja, is presented with the hand of Nadiyaa, the Khan's Eldest daughter. Khafiyah accepts a prominent position in the Sultan's court, and gifts his old lands directly to the crown. Nadeem directs the government, siring two children during his term in the capital. Abu Mansur Al-Maturidi sees to its military defenses, commanding one-thousand infantry. He catches ill and does not survive the cycle. Lords Sammi and Afrasiab attempt to convince the Feudal Lord of Frunze the benefits of closer ties, but the steppe people are only willing to offer their strength of arms.

 

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

The Sultan expands assassin effectiveness, then tries his hand at the expansion of Agri. He orders new wall sections built around the only port of the Empire. Aged and without children, The Sultan spends more and more time with Lord Shaud, and many know that if the Sultan perishes without an heir, Shaud will take the crown. The Sultan's wife grows pregnant in 1177, the result is a daughter. For his part, Shaud makes the trek across the Arabian desert, appearing in Damascus with a large train of money and supplies for the nation. He returns to to Agri at the end of the cycle. Lord Tughril concludes negotiation in Fars, the region completely joining the Empire. Qadir of Zagros reacts out of his region for the cycle. Shamisha of Khvor and Alizhdeh of Dasht'e Lute react from PErsia, then return to their Feudal desert regions. Five mercenary warships and five transports are contracted in Agri.

 

Rum Seljuk Sultanate
( Trebizond in Pontus )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Gdridg, Regent-Protector for
Sultan Shapur

After decades of contact and failed attempts, the steppe riders of Vasi finally accept Sunni Islam. They tend to ignore the finer points of charity, fasting, prayer and the Hajj, but these things take time. Wall points are increased for various cities throughout the Sultanate. The Sultan marries the young dehquana Buran, siring a son with her quite quickly. Oz grows tired of the endless tasks of government administration, and begins to spend lavishly for entertainment, food and drink to make up for the deadening work. Corpulence sets in, and the Sultan perishes from too much of a good thing.

There is an immediate scramble for power. Prince Mahmud (the legitimate heir until the birth of the Sultan's son), Lord Gulbahar and Lord Narse bid for position over the Sultanate. Only Gdridg the Armenian proves loyal. The first power struggle occurs in the capital itself, as both Mahmud and Narse seek to gain support of the armies the Sultan had at his command. Narse takes advantage of direct tribal ties to many of the Sultan's elite guard, and Mahmud quickly finds himself on the wrong side of a military prison. Bursa, the young Sultana, agrees to wed Narse in fear for both her and her son's life. Soon after the rushed ceremony, the Sultana is contacted by a secret messenger. The Armenian has been in Trebizond appealing to many of the nobles and common people against Narses and has the backing to remove him from power. Posing as a eunuch, the Armenian is smuggled into the palace and personally assaults Narses, slicing off the traitor's hand in the struggle and ousting him from this life. When Gulbahar arrives, his schemings have also been discovered, and he is turned in for the bounty and executed. The thankful Sultana appoints the Armenian as the Regent-Protector of her son, and the pair moves to deal with the chaos in the provinces. Alan, Cappadocia, Kuban, Kurdistan, Lazica, Patzinak, Tabaristan, Urmia, Vasi and the city of Ancyra are all lost outright. Rebels militias attack the garrisons in Psidia and Shirvan but are unable to defeat the local commanders.

 

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

The city of Quinnoch is founded in Arbiliq, along with a new field fort. Walls spring up around the city of Al-Zuzanna. Two-hundred infantry, one-thousand cavalry and four-hundred engineers are raised. The young Sultan gets right down to business with his family, marrying four times and sitting seven children. Prince Sameer reacts from Aleppo with four-thousand cavalry. Prince Majdi searches about in Mosul. Mohamad travels to Damascus, arranging a marriage and Defensive Pact. He then settles in Tarsus to investigate the city. Tepir reacts from Cilicia with thirty-six hundred cavalry. A Scottish fleet appears outside of Tarsus, stripping much of the Merchant Shipping away from the trading city. The Sultan moves to Aleppo, reacting from the region with three-thousand horse. Prince Majdi run afoul of a pirate's den in Tarsus, losing an eye during a brief struggle. Lord Tepir and Pahkmed of Circis react out of Cilicia, five-thousand men between them.

 

Abbasid Caliphate
( Baghdad in Mesopotamia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Caliph Bakkar

Two-thousand cavalry are raised in the homeland. Quinnoch is walled, siege companies built for that city and for Lyssa to take advantage of recent quality improvements. A new road section is completed out of Baghdad, this one linking to the Atabeg border of Mosul. One-hundred talents of gold are paid to the Damascenes for the hereditary rights of Kuwait. The Caliph steers the government, siring four children. Prince Al-Muqtafi reacts out of Hahmar with one-thousand cavalry. Sawwar al-Abbas with fifteen out of Mesopotamia. Tamman and Hassan join forces to spread the Sunni faith in Qatar, progressing steadily before Hassan perishes of heat stroke. The allies from Diyala and Dharan react from their regions.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Thirty-five hundred infantry are raised for the conflict. Jerusalem and Aleppo City both have their walls strengthened. The Sultanate rides to liberate Lebanon. At the end of the cycle, Selecuia cuts ties with the Sultanate due to distance factors from the capital. This disrupts trade with the Abbasids.

 

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

Ten more warships are added to the navy in the capital. Zeila abandons its Tenuous ties, returning to full control under the Emir. He also personally arranges a new Tributary agreement from the region. Lord Hakim and Bari of Zufar lead the defense of Yemen, while Lord Hassan remains in Mansura, lending his four-thousand horsemen to the defense of their Fatimid allies. Lord Kasim continues his administration from the homeland.

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	58mi, 50mc, 11ms, 70mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c6, s4, w6

 

Fatimid Caliphate
( Al-Qahirah in Mansura )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Al-Quddus ibn Jaramel, Regent For
Caliph Al-Muhaymin

Cavalry quality takes a leap forward for the Egyptians. Permanent defenses are erected in case of further Makurian aggression. Eight field forts in Mansura, two in Thebes, two more in Faiyum but also a more robust fortress. The regent takes on a new two-thousand cavalry for the mobile forces. He refuses to step aside as the Caliph comes of age, mane of the local Emirs supporting the seize of power in light of the broadening conflicts. The regent does allow Al-Yabbar, the Caliph's brother and Heir, to serve in an official capacity. He then sets up a reaction with his new cavalry out of Mansura. Muhamad al'faruk takes command of the four-thousand man garrison of Al-Iskandria, reacting from that city in support. The Feudal Allies are also called on to support the defense of the realm: Al-Adan of Ad'iffah reacting from Egypt, Mohamed of Sinai reacting from Mansura, and Murrafindo of Suakin setting up a defense of Thebes. None of them are tested.

 

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

The miners and merchants surrounding the trade center in Danakil, worried about a larger war between Makuria and the Fatimids, stop paying tribute to the capital. They retain submission to the crown in name, and continue to allow the King's armies and traders free passage. Grumbling, King Moise sees to the expansion of the national Infrastructure. He also increases the military by two-thousand cavalry and five companies of engineers. King Moise, Prince Kudanbes and Barshambu of Sennar move to Kassala, reacting from the region in case of a Fatimid strike. Their three-thousand cavalry are not put to the test. Lords Te' Yehuye and Niuty command a similar force out of Alwa. They, too, remain free from conflict. The three feudal allies move to take up defenses in Zulafta, Dongola and Napata. Lord Agao is charged with affairs of state, escorting Princess Samuna to Constantinople, where marriage and a Military Alliance is arranged. When he returns, Agoa is granted the title of Captain of Royal Security.Both the King's wife and his sister die within months of each other at the end of the cycle.

 

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

Eleven hundred cavalry are raised to continue the defense of the realm.

Roger's War of 1150
Norman County of Sicily, Almoravid Sultanate and Serene Republic of Venice
vs.
Emirate of Tunisia, Duchy of Apulia, and Kingdom of Leon

Iberian Campaign:
The sides remain quiet.

African Campaign:
Mohammed, the Fatimid general in Tunis proper is assaulted by Tuscan agents, but his bodyguards are quick to slay the attackers. He quickly preses into Gefara with his twenty-nine hundred men, scattering the nine-hundred defenders and giving him a line of communication back to the Fatimid Capital. Rainuld of Sicily, in Gefara with seven-hundred men, quickly evades the larger Egyptian force, retreating to Kairouan. He orders the city walled, and sets up a defense of the city along with Alfonse of Valetta and his eight-hundred allied infantry. The Fatimids simply return to Tunis and join in the defensive patrols.

Count Simon of Sicily takes command of one-hundred warships and patrols the Bay of Tunis. He brooks no other fleets to enter the Bay of Tunis. A Tuscan fleet slips in and out, supplying reinforcements to El-Jezair without the Count realizing it. A larger Venetian fleet, with raiding on their mind, is detected. Both sides keep their cool and the Venetians retire to other waters. Simon then concentrates on a full blockade of Tunis, once again choking much of the Tunisian trade.

Crusader Rollo, along with Prince Hector of Sicily, return to Palermo to take on reinforcements. Making it back to Bone, they attack into Kabilya at the head of thirty-two hundred infantry and thirty-seven hundred cavalry plus another fifteen hundred mercenary cavalry. The defending garrison is only two field forts. Rollo loses only one-hundred men in the attack. When the forces begin a military conversion, they stir up two-thousand rebels. Rollo loses another hundred men in the conflict.

The Sicilians then make the push into Tunisia, but Prince Hector, unwilling to play second fiddle to Rollo, takes direct command of the army. Having acted as Count Simon's Regent, the troops accept his command. The Tunisians and Fatimids have prepared defenses in the region. The Tunisians field eleven-hundred cavalry, three-hundred engineers and four field forts. The Fatimids host seven-hundred infantry, fifteen-hundred cavalry and seven-hundred engineers. The defenders manage to hold the line, forcing the Sicilians to retire in good standing to Kabilya. Twenty-three hundred Italians and twelve-hundred mercenaries are killed. The Fatimids and Tunisians lose six and five hundred men respectively. Rollo takes ill and perishes a few months after the battle.

Emir Faysal perishes as well, succumbing to age with no son or heir. Sayyid, the defender of Tunisia, has been plotting for years to overthrow the Emir and launches abid for the throne. He is supported by lord Fuad in his bid. A young noble named Zufikar, however, rises to oppose them. He quickly gains support among the troops. The armies mutiny and overthrow Sayyid, presenting both his and Faud's heads to the new Emir. In the turmoil, the Baelerics abandon their occupied status to the nation.

 

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

The Popular Crusade
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Grandmaster Olf Sorenson

Order agents are able to found two cells. The Grandmaster uses his time to set up a Temple. Roman Malkin attempts to move one of the Order Cells, but Roman perishes on the journey, and the cell resources degrade. Gunther Rasputin travels throughout Germany, recruiting Crusader Cavalry from the Duchies of Bohemia, Thuringia and Bavaria.

 

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

In the Holy Land, the first act of the Order is to set up a defense for the Primas, knowing that the Hashshashins will likely by unsheathing their knives. The Apulians send a group of bodyguards in support, as do the Byzantines. The latter under Iovinus, a grizzled veteran missing a hand lost during the Muslim rape of Phrygia over a decade ago. Iovinus barely stops two attempts against the Primus - one an Abbasid, the other Atabeg - both infiltrating the camps of the Apulians. Iovinus suggests to the Primas the Italians stay home the following cycle, "Because if they've not been bribed, then the glory of old Rome truly has fallen."

Richard positions himself in the wilderness of Lebanon, expecting a counterattack by the Damascenes. He does not wait long. The Sultan, two princes and a lieutenant lead five-thousand infantry, one-thousand cavalry and fifteen companies of engineers up from the South. From the north, The Atabegs, utilizing their defensive pact, Prince Sameer, send Lord Pothmir and the feudal lord of Palmyra pressing forward with just under six-thousand cavalry. Richard steels his six-thousand (mostly foot) crusaders for the fight. He has positioned himself well. The mobility of the Atabeg cavalry is hindered, the troops oftentimes forced to dismount and fight as footmen. Furthermore, Richard's experience and grasp of military tactics nearly doubles that of every Muslim general on the field. Prince John of Scotland is also on hand to coordinate the crusaders. The Sultan, for his part, recognizes that victory will not be achieved on the offensive here, and orders a steady withdrawal into the Levant. Pothmir of the Atabegs and Lord Fatim of Damascus are both wounded during the retreat. Over three-thousand each of the Muslim cavalry and infantry is left behind. Richard loses just under one-thousand men in the struggle.

Three separate armies then reinforce the Crusader position: Richard's subcommander, Bohemond, brings in another two-thousand crusader cavalry and twelve-hundred mixed troops. John Buckingham of England joins them with fifteen-hundred infantry and seven companies of engineers. Finally, Ducha Cavassilla of the Byzantines arrives with five-thousand Imperial infantry. Richard and Bohemond combine their forces and press south, while the English and Greeks set up in defense of the Lebanese wilderness.

All the other Damascene leaders are positioned for reaction, and all of them veer into Levant. Sultan Rafidh, Princes Fatim and Mandeel, Lords Wajid, Fariq and Zafar, the feudal lords of Bostra and Selucia. The combined forces (Including the Atabegs) total thirty-six hundred infantry, sixty-seven hundred cavalry, twenty companies of engineers and four field fortifications. The crusaders field six-thousand infantry, one-thousand cavalry and twenty-four companies of engineers. Richard cuts into the defenders, capturing Pothmir and wounding Prince Sameer of the Atabegs in an early skirmish. Both sides lose around a thousand men in the first engagement.

The second round of fighting is a chaotic affair. The Sultan is captured while lifting the siege of one of his field fortifications, causing a panic throughout the armies. Richard presses his advantage and attacks aggressively, perhaps a bit too so as Bohemond's company is cut off, the subcommander killed attempting to regroup the two crusader forces. Prince Sameer is the next to fall with his men, and shortly thereafter Prince Mandeel. Richard is unable to complete his attacks before the rainy season sets in. Prince Fatim, still sporting open wounds from the battles, turns the tables on the Crusaders, attacking during the lull. The men panic, and Richard is unable to restore order over the large force. Only seventeen-hundred crusaders, mostly engineer companies forming up the rear guard, make it back to Lebanon. Prince Fatim tallies his dead at twenty-five hundred men. Wounded himself, Fatim doesn't risk attacking into reinforced Lebanon.

By the end of the cycle, the English forces have grown restless. Buckingham soon turns to raiding the villages throughout Lebanon, basing himself out of an old fortress in the mountains. He declares himself King of the Holy Land, but soon finds it difficult to pay and keep his men. They all become mercenaries in the region.

Back in Europe, the Crusader Prince Henri returns and founds a new order cell for the Crusade shortly before age catches up to him. Justicar Roland administers, helping to smooth out the tax rate.

 

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

Order status increases in the nations of Aragon and Apulia. Diego wastes no time in pressing the advantage the disrupted ferry arrow to Africa has given him, he rides with Lord Thibault into Murcia at the head of twelve-hundred cavalry, two-hundred conquistador infantry and five companies of engineers. Lord Abdul of the Almoravids reacts to meet them with seventeen-hundred infantry. He sets up his defenses amidst the three field forts of the region. Diego is the far better commander, and he quickly has the Muslim infantry running back across the mountains into Granada. In a moment of bad judgment, Diego gives chase to Abdul's retreating company, leaving the main army far behind. Abdul's bodyguard overcomes Diego's own guards, and the Conquistador leader is captured. La Tizona and La Colada, the famous swords of El Cid are seized by Abdul for his personal use. With all of his forces destroyed, however, he'll urgently requests reinforcements from the Sultan.

Thibault, now in command of the Conquistador forces, engages the siege of Cordova. He quickly breaches the walls and pacified the city. He turns his attentions to the forced conversion of the region, burning mosques and imams alike. A rebellion erupts, and it takes half a year for Thibault to squash it, but he does so, and the region is militarily converted. Ramiro II of Monzon is successful in founding a temple for the Order.

 

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

Religious fervor continues to rise in light of the Crusader's approach. Terrorist agents strike at the island of Crete, but there is little to destroy on the island. Lord Mufadda and the Old Man are successful in jointly founding two different lodges. As-Salam and Khaled join forces and travel across the Middle-East, increasing order status in the nations of Damascus, the Atabegs, The Abbasids, Great Seljuk and Khwarezmid. Nagib spends the entire cycle increasing status with the Rum Seljuks.