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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 018
(1185 to 1189)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	86mi, 65mc, 16ms, 14mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

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

Cavalry quality jumps in its rating. The city of Glasgow is expanded and improved. Crown Prince Andrew dedicates some of the captured shipping to internal trade. He then reacts from the capital with four-thousand men. The late nights are too much for him, and his health fails. He perishes just before King Malcolm returns from the Crusades. Cardinal James travels to the Isle of Man, securing a Full Alliance from the island. Prince Robert and Lord Hamish share naval reaction duties, the former with seventy ships out of the North Sea, the latter with a dozen out of the English Channel. Hamish's fleet is caught in a storm, the lieutenant's own vessel sinking in the night. Rory MacDonnal takes four warships, sailing to explore the Mare Negri and Black Sea. The twins, Kenneth and Kennedy, take a pair of English sisters as their brides. Scotland and England form a Military Alliance and a Joint Conflict agreement against the Fatimid Caliphate. Bishop Eadmar upgrades the church in Glasgow to an Abbey. He, also, perishes during the cycle, but peacefully in his sleep. Forty-nine hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Edinburgh.

 

Kingdom of England
( London in Sussex )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
John Lancaster; Regent For
King Robert I

Thirty light warships are raised. The stolen rutters for the lower Nile are inked, with copies being sent to Sweden, Scotland, Sicily and the Prince's Crusade. Regent Lancaster steers the government, teaching the young King Robert the basics of administration. Baron Luc takes ill after his return from Egypt, retiring from service.

 

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

Eighteen-hundred cavalry and twenty-five hundred infantry are raised. The Count rules from Ghent, remarrying and siring two daughters. Paul Dubois sets up a defense of Antwerp, while Luke Finn does so in Utrecht. Religious effectiveness degrades due to sabotage from earlier cycles.

 

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

Missionaries are successful in eliminating the Casildan presence in Cornwall - the region reverting fully to Roman Catholicism. With the cultivation of Ulster, the wild Irish forests are a thing of the past. The Duke arranges a marriage between his daughter and Finnoch, the ally of Ulster. Finnoch becomes a Prince of the realm, and gifts his old lands directly to the crown. Ten light warships and one-thousand cavalry are brought to service in Rouen. The Duke then turns his time between his family and reaction out of the capital at the head of forty-two hundred troops. Prince Gabriel supports him, another fifteen-hundred cavalry at his call. Horace, Elias and Brian secure a friendly alliance from Connaught. The latter two leaders both perish of illness. Robin of Locksley commands forty-five warships, reacting out of Rouen.

 

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

Infrastructure for the Kingdom expands, the military sees improvements in the quality of cavalry and warships. Four hundred cavalry are brought to service, with most other resources going into the cultivation project in Limousin. King Louis and Jacques-Hugues Rocher react with the main army (a bit over ten-thousand men) out of the capital. With news of peace in Swabian lands, they they have no cause to see conflict. Crown Prince Charles continues to ease tensions in Poitiers. Jean Ambard joins Vauderre in the retinues of the Prince's Crusade. Young Framboise takes a fall while climbing trees in the royal gardens, his back broken.

 

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

Warship quality improves. The Grand Duke travels to Aquitaine, joining lords Thomas and Tilmok in smoothing tensions with the region. Crown Prince Rudolph remains in the capital, steering the government. He takes time to arrange two political marriages with Sicily. Lord Guy reacts from Burgundy with five-thousand men. Prince Guilliame is dispatched to North Africa with twenty-five hundred troops. Tilmok and the Grand Duke perish during their negotiations in Aquitaine. The royal court turns out to be a nest of vipers and cheats - only Lord Thomas remains loyal. Prince Humbert and Lord Guy both struggle to seize the army in Burgundy, each gain an equal amount of support and the two sides fall on each other in combat. Lord Guy proves to be the superior commander and carries the field, killing Humbert. Lord Thomas arrives soon thereafter, appealing to the army's sense of honor. They are mindful after the spilled blood, and surrender up Lord Guy - Thomas quickly hangs him. Perpignon is the only holding to revolt.

 

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

Gascony is fully converted back to Roman Catholicism. Intelligence capacity sees an increase. funds are diverted to new Castille and the foundation of a new city. Fifteen cogs are raised and shifted toward internal trade. King Adoplho steers the government, appointing three of his sons to official positions in the court. Guillermo and Saure continue to smooth tensions in Gascony. Phillipe travels to Catalonia, where he sets up a protracted defense of the region. New Castille turns friendly, fully embracing both the Kingdom and Roman Catholicism.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	95mi, 62mc, 12ms, 31mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

A postal road to the Oopland border is completed in Norway. Ten light warships are conscripted. The King sees to the government, siring two sons, then upgrading the city's church to a full abbey. Prince Sverre is given leave by his brother to head diplomacy in Hergelad and does not disappoint, quickly securing a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the pagans. Prince Sigurd sails with Princess Halldora to Warsaw, arranging a marriage with the Polish Prince Oskar. The two nations establish a joint Clerical Network. He travels back to Norway, where his efforts to found a church are for naught. Worse news comes in Christiana, when his English wife dies in childbirth. Prince Magnus reacts from the Viking Bank with twenty-seven ships. Torssen charts the Celtic Sea at the head of ten ships. Harald reacts from the capital with three-thousand men.

 

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

Estonian forests see a complete clearing, all the old woods now arable land. King Njord spends time in the capital with his wife before taking command of eight-thousand men and reacting out of Uppsala. Lords Steur and Gunnar negotiate a complete absorption of Saarema into the Kingdom. Karlis of Musa reacts from his region with his allied troops. Lord Birger perishes shortly after taking command of a small fleet outside of Stockholm.

 

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

Infantry and Siege quality both increase. The cities of Handel and Helsingborg receive sanctioned expansions. Thirteen hundred infantry and five cogs are raised in the capital. Monies are sent to Sweden and the Popular Crusade, as usual. Four national leaders - King Erik, Crown Prince Michael, Lord Thomas and Lord Oskar - attend to the government in Skjern. It will be King Erik's and Lord Thomas's final actions. Lord Sven sails to the shorelines of Greece, mapping the currents and routes of the Agean Sea. King Michael ascends to the throne without conflict, though is saddened by his wife's death later in the cycle.

 

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

The Duchess succumbs to her years. Gottfried, though young, asserts himself as the next Duke of Saxony. A great wall segment is completed to mirror the Danish segment in Friesland.

 

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

Siege quality and assassin effectiveness both increase. Two-thousand cavalry are brought to service for the continuing conflict. With the victories of the previous cycle, Lord Otto is able to win the support of the nobles, and the war is widened to include Bavaria. The Duchess perishes from a sudden stroke back in the capital.

 

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

Infantry and cavalry forces see an improvement of quality. The city of Brno is expanded. The Duke raises two hundred infantry, continuing the funds sent to the Popular Crusade. Vratislaus arranges a marriage with Mary of England, then sees about forming a robust defensive pact. He ends the cycle on reaction out of Prague with thirty-six hundred men, plus possession of the Shroud of Turin. Vilem Rozmberk is still unable to issue a general call to war against the neighboring Thuringians. The Duke is frustrated by the attitude shared by many in his nobility, "Let the Poles spill their blood, as they clearly have the Emperor's ear." Karel Zerotin spends much of his time in defense of Meissan, but ends the cycle in Prague, searching for rumors regarding a lost relic. Each day he prays and eats only meals of bread, after a year of dedication, he returns to the capital, weak and skinny to the bone. With him is the True Cross. Petr Vitkovec takes over Zerotin's defensive post in Meissan after acting as escort to and from England with the young Duchess.

 

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

The church of Our Lady of Sorrows is founded in Slovakia. Two and a half thousand cavalry are quickly raised, with three and four field forts constructed to defend the regions of Austria and Bavaria. The Duke quickly marries, though the cycle sees no children. His attentions then focus on steering the government. Princes Otto and Albrecht defend the region of Bavaria, Prince Lothair and Lord Ludwig react at the head of the new cavalry force. Agents are successful in breaking Lord Guntram from his Thuringian captives at the end of the cycle.

 

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

The military is paramount, one thousand cavalry and two thousand infantry quickly raised to replace last cycle's losses. Ten field forts are brought to service between the regions of Swabia, Alsace and Lorraine. the Rheinfels fortress has a new guard tower added. Many trade routes are reopened, with captured ships from last cycle's piracy being added to internal trade in Strassburg. The Emperor steers the merchant affairs, spends time with his wife, and attempts to bribe the nobles of Flanders with appeasement (but is unable to make a difference). Lord Albrecht travels to Tyrol, where he establishes a small church before his death of age. One-thousand mercenary infantry and twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Augsburg at the end of the cycle.

 

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

Lord Roland of Swabia issues a blockade of Frankfurt with his dozen warships, interfering with many of the Thuringian trade routes coming out of that port.

Duke Sieghard I of Thuringia and his lieutenant Aural march at the head of just under ten-thousand cavalry. They rendezvous in Brabant with the Flemish army: Princes Eugene, Aldric and Corin plus lieutenant Andre commanding forty-five hundred Flemish infantry, six-thousand cavalry and ten engineering companies. The allies press into Lorraine. Bavaria utilizes its Defensive Pact with Swabia, and Prince Lothair and Lord Ludwig rush to the region with their twenty-five hundred cavalry. Three Swabian leaders are already in the region (Prince Johann, Prince Rudolph and Lord Wolfgang) with one-thousand cavalry, twenty-seven hundred infantry and six field forts. They have also contracted thirty-five hundred mercenaries. Before battle is joined, the mercenaries receive bribery offers from the attacking armies. The Flemish pay the infantry to stay out of battle, while Duke Sieghard is able to win the one-thousand mercenary cavalry directly, adding them to his own forces. Chaos breaks out in the attacking side soon after, many of the Flemish troops turning mutinous, showing much hostility toward the bribed mercenaries. Lord Andre is quick to put down the heavy gauntlet, a few hangings quelling the rebelliousness.

Things settle, the fighting ready to begin in earnest. The attackers have a three-to-one advantage of troops, better battle support, more elite units and better scouting. Still, the defenders are on friendly soil, have already set up defenses, and benefit from the support of the local city and fortress. The advantages balance out, and both sides end up equally utilizing their tactics and strategies. Thus, only the numbers of the attacking troops carry the day. The defenders give as good as they take, but can take far less without the numbers of soldiers. Three thousand attacking troops are lost, with the defenders once again seeing a total defeat. Surprisingly, no leaders on either side suffer any hardship.

One month later, a Polish force of three-thousand cavalry push into Lorraine, expecting to be welcomed by their Swabian allies. The Polish leader Kurgan is a match for Sieghard's military prowess, but knows he will likely be cut down by the German numbers. Kurgan immediately attempts to evade back across the border to Alsace, but Sieghard catches him. Nine-hundred of Sieghard's men are killed - None of the Poles survive. Sieghard stands alert in Lorraine for further conflict, while the Flemish infantry and engineers launch a siege of the regional fortress. Neither army takes much damage in the first round, but both Flemish leaders are wounded. Prince Corin reinforces the besiegers for the second round. The fortress falls, this time Prince Aldric is outright killed in the fighting. Two companies down, the Flemish begin the siege of Cologne. Six-hundred infantry and four companies of engineers becomes the cost of taking it. The siege forces of Flanders move back into Brabant, while Duke Sieghard retires his cavalry back into Wurzburg.

 

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

Intelligence and Assassin capacity both expand. Twenty-six hundred infantry, two hundred cavalry, five light warships and cogs are raised. Leopold Totalini ferries fifteen-hundred infantry to North Africa. Leonardo di Pama sets up a defense of Tuscany, while Louis Elia oversees Pisa. Giovanni is elected to the Margravate after Michelino's death in Tunisia.

 

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

Warship quality advances. Missionaries sent to Bakony in an attempt to convert the Bogomil heretics only agitate them, and the Bogomils spread back into Slovenia. Ten light warships are added to the navy. The ally from Forli receives one-hundred infantry. Doge Ruggerio and Prince Vocorra react from Venice with twenty-seven hundred men. Vocorra finds the time to sire an illegitimate daughter. Prince diStefano and Captain Lorca command one-hundred and fifty warships, patrolling first the Bay of Tunis, then the Gulf of Cyprus. No Muslim fleets are encountered. Remus Barchetta travels to Naples for a wedding. Consigliori Parinti arranges a full absorption of Forli into the Republic. He quickly modifies the gained allied troops to more skilled versions. Baron Monteno of Lombardy takes a gold shipment to Augsburg, spending two years in the Swabian capital - and while too late to support the invasion of Lorraine - stands ready in case of further advances. He returns to Lombardy without seeing combat. Doge Ruggerio and his wife both perish at the end of the cycle, the diStefano family is elected to power.

 

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

Eight-hundred cavalry are raised. a large shipment of gold is sent to Venice. Duke Alphonso oversees the capital, arranging a marriage between his eldest daughter and Benito Ruggiero of Venice. A Defensive Pact is formed. The Duke then travels to the trade city of Catanzaro, hoping to negotiate a return, but the hasty action does more harm than good, and the city elders turn Hostile to the Duchy. Prince Bruno and Lord Guy load up two-thousand cavalry and ten engineering companies aboard the fleet of one-hundred fifteen warships and thirty-nine cogs. They make an amphibious landing into the desert of Gefara, sweeping aside the local defenders at the cost of only three ships and one-hundred of the engineers. The fleet and army then split up, setting a passive siege over the unled city of Kairouan, which capitulates immediately. Both locations are garrisoned, the leaders traveling back to Italy. Lord Richard remains in the capital for the cycle, reacting with twelve-hundred men.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. One thousand infantry and fourteen engineering companies are raised in Palermo. Prince John and Lord Roland widen the conflict in Africa to include the Fatimid Caliphate - already having been in conflict with the Egyptians for many years, the nobles immediately rally behind the call. The young Christian takes ill and perishes, his uncle John becoming the new Heir-Apparent. Five-thousand mercenary cavalry are contracted in Bone at the end of the cycle.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	46mi, 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
King Miloslaw IV

Siege quality increases. The Postal road to Goryn is finished through the wilderness of Pinsk. Four hundred infantry are disbanded in Danzig, with eight-hundred cavalry raised to replace them. Three wall sections are strengthened around the city of Pruszcz. A good chunk of gold is sent to Kiev once again. Seventeen cogs are built and quickly pressed for internal trade out of Warsaw. King Miloslaw and Princes Oskar and Konrad negotiate a Tributary agreement from the Pagans in Courland. Konrad then retires to Danzig, where he is granted lordship over the region with his new bride. Ryszard replaces Konrad in the court offices. Prince Adalbert makes a tiny bit of progress in the conversion of Courland. Lord Slweis makes conversion progress in Pinks as well. Jacek Bozek reacts from Warsaw with two-thousand men and twenty ships. Princess Marcela perishes from illness.

 

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

The Grand Prince orders three and a half thousand infantry raised, and the armies to march to the East while he directs the government. Marlen sets up a minor administration post out of Kur. Alex Nevsky and Lord Alexander march first against Vologda with the twelve-thousand man army. Vologda, Kotlas and Kalinan are all quickly conquered and subdued - only the pagans in Kostroma are able to rebuff the offensive, though only two units of infantry are lost to the Principality.

 

Principality of Kiev
( Kiev City in Kiev )
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Vilen Romenko, Regent for
Grand Prince Borislav III

The Grand Prince rules from Kiev City, siring two children, though the new daughter dies while still an infant. Lord Fedir is unable to gain any converts in Turov. Symon has more success in Suzdal. Vilen Romenko reacts from Chernigov with twenty-five hundred men along with Afanasy of Atelzuko. In 1188, the Grand Prince suffers a fatal seizure, leaving the crown to his underage heir. Lord Fedir is in Turov, closest to the capital, and returns to the city to declare himself the new Grand Prince. He murders the young Nazariy. Vilen Romenko arrives soon thereafter with the national army, stating his loyalist intentions. Without command of the troops, Fedir's cause is quickly abandoned, and he finds himself in the gallows. Romenko is declared Regent for Borislav III. In the turmoil, Atelzuko, Pechneg, Pereaslavl, Tver and Saratov are lost. This strands the important trading city of Odessa.

 

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

Jenci sires an illegitimate daughter.

 

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

Infrastructure increases.

 

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

Mordva's cultivation is completed, and a new project is immediately started in Patzinak. Tigor steers the government, giving his oldest son a position at court and siring his impressive twentieth child. Numbers of the brood lessen, however, from various accidents and illnesses. Prince Karaca gains a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the Greeks in Taman. Hamid is unlucky in Nogai, perishing of age before cementing any sort of alliance. The Feudal Allies of Mordva, Torki, Saksiny and Patzinak all stand on reaction within their regions. When a Rum leader tries to make his way into Patzinak, the other three Feudal Lords send him (and the princess he accompanies) back on their way.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	98mi, 29mc, 24ms, 23mw, 5mt
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

Cavalry quality improves. The city of Al Qatar is founded in Bokhara. Ylik Nam Baku, Prince Qamar Azzah and Assam El Mimar arrange a Tributary agreement from Khurasan. Muhammed begins the long process of converting the Turks of Scythia. The Feudal Allies of Gurgan, Khazakh and Chorasima all react from their local regions.

 

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

Government infrastructure sees an increase in size. Three postal road segments are completed in the northern mountains. The Khan steers his expanded government from Samarqand. Prince Khafiya reacts from the capital with two-thousand men. Omar, Sammi and Afrasaib convince the region of Frunze to integrate fully within the Khanate.

 

Great Seljuk Empire
( Esfahan in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emperor Kamuran I

Infantry quality improves. The Bureaucracy expands, the heroic Ebrahim al Mu'Tamid offering his diplomatic services to the empire. A royal road is linked with the Abbasids across the Diyala border. The Sultan urges his court to accept Lord Kamuran as his appointed heir. Begrudgingly, they do so. After the appointment, Kamuran celebrates with a marriage to an Atabeg princess. The very next year, Sultan Shaud dies. The realm erupts into dynastic turmoil for the second cycle in a row. Lord Ferid, dispatched to Dasht'Kavir with fifteen hundred men, marches back upon the capital. Kamuran is not the most Charismatic man, and many in the capital scurry away from his banner. Sensing an opportunity, Ebrahim approaches the new Sultan, offering to rally the nobles to his cause, but only for a price. He demands the hand of Princess Sairah and the promise to make their first born the Heir-Apparent. Facing limited options, Kumaran agrees. Ebrahim sets a trap for Ferid, allowing him into the city for negotiations, all the while making back-alley deals with Ferid's army. After two weeks of discussion, the army turns on Ferid, and he is quartered. The isolated city of Qom is lost. Kamuran's Atabeg wife does not survive her first pregnancy.

 

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

Shapur comes of age, taking his place as Sultan of the realm. Gdridg is thanked for his service and loyalty. Lord Arial travels to Patzinak, where he is turned away by the Volga. Lord Hassan attempts negotiations in Lazica (who refuse any treaty) and Urmia (who turn hostile).

 

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

Eight hundred infantry and fifteen engineering companies are raised in Mosul City. Sultan Hadi, Prince Farooq, Lord Pothmir and Pahkmed of Circis all stay on reaction in Aleppo, combined they field eleven-thousand troops. Marriages are arranged with the Fatimid Caliphate, the Great Seljuk Empire and the Emirate of Tunisia. The last is unable to go through due to the blockade of the Emirate's capital. Princes Ghasib and Firh are dispatched to Lebanon with the new recruits. In the court, the Sultans wife and brother both perish from illness.

 

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

Failed missionary work in Qatar leads to the loss of converts. Infantry Qualify and Cavalry Quality both improve. The intensive cultivation of Diyala is completed. Eleven field forts are raised across Mesopotamia, Abadan, Ahvaz and Hahmar. A large gift of gold is sent to Damascus. Caliph Bakkar steers the government, siring three children. Prince Mu'ammar travels to Qatar to preach, perishing in the harsh desert region. Prince Al-Muqtafi reacts from Mesopotamia with one-thousand men, dying himself at the age of sixty-six. Prince Jibril manages to survive the cycle, negotiating a Feudal Alliance from Selucia. His support diplomat, Abd al Khaliq, takes an infection into an old wound and perishes. Sawwar al-'Abbas remains in Levant helping the Damascenes, he lasts until age seventy-one. His troops march back into Selucia. Tamman ibn Mansur negotiates an Economic Alliance from Diyala, he catches the eye of a young noblewoman and marries her, retiring to the Diyalan countryside. Wa'd abd al-Qadir of Dharan reacts from his region, replaced at the end of the cycle by his nephew.

 

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

Seventeen-hundred infantry and a dozen siege companies are raised. Two more marriages and defensive pacts are completed, this cycle with the Rum Seljuks and Fatimid Caliphate. Zafar al Rashid is the leader tasked with bride delivery. A small trickling of funds is dedicated to the cultivation of Lebanon. The Sultan remains in Damascus, steering the government and siring three sons. Crown Prince Saleem and Akif of Bostra react from Levant with four-thousand men. Akif retires to his region at the end of the cycle to replenish his feudal troops. Three leaders march to As-Sur.

 

Emirate of Yemen
( Sana in Yemen )
Shi'a Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Emir Abd-al-Hamid I

The Shi'a populace reaches a new height of religious fervor, missionaries chomping at the bit to spread the faith up into Hijaz. Defenses are added, with three, three and a dozen field forts added to Aden, Zeila and Yemen. The Cultivation of Berbera is begun. Five cogs are constructed, quickly pressed into merchant service, along with the national fishing fleets. Foreign trade routes see a burst of MSP, the rest going to inter-city commerce. The Emir, fifty-four years of age and without an heir, starts the process of proclaiming Lord Hassan as his replacement, but both men die the very next year, before the task is complete. The yemeni tribes avoid dynastic turmoil, and the young Abd-al-Hamid gains the Emirship through a series of alliances and marriages. He takes the throne at the age of eighteen, already dealing with a thinned governmental state. Hakim and Kasim negotiate a full alliance from the region of Zeila. Bari of Zufar reacts from Yemen with his allied troops, while Majid of Adal defends Zeila.

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	85mi, 130mc, 15ms, 61mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c6, s4, w6
Leader:	Guilliame [M516] Minimum Bid = 11 GP

 

Nile Conflict of 1185
Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland
vs.
Fatimid Caliphate

The Kingdom of England arranges a marriage with Scotland, joining in the greater war. For the cycle, Scotland stays quiet, but Baron Luc of England sails with thirty ships to the Nile. He first raids the region of Faiyum, where his navy manages to outwit the defenders. There is little to strip from the region, however. The Baron strikes at Egypt next, but the Fatimid Caliph reacts into the region with his thirty-seven hundred troops. Seven of Luc's ships are destroyed or captured. Mansura is the next target, which hosts many more Fatimid field forts than Egypt, plus another leader on reaction. The Caliph travels back to defend yet again, this time costing the English thirteen ships. Baron Luc quits the region, sailing back to London.

 

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

Dongola sees some converts due to efforts by the Caliphate's missionaries. Two cities are chartered in the regions of Faiyum and Thebes, both encompassing the regional fortresses already in place. One thousand cavalry are raised in the capital. The Caliph accepts command of four-thousand men, reacting out of Al-Qahirah while his brother takes a direct hand in the government and an Atabeg bride. The young Aliya perishes during a difficult first pregnancy, throwing the new trade pact into immediate jeopardy. Prince Al-Quddus remains in Thebes, reacting with two-thousand men under his command. Muhamad al'faruk is given escort duty, transporting on-thousand cavalry to the armies in Tunis,then traveling to Damascus to receive a Damascene bride for the Caliph. The Feudal allies continue their reactions in case of conflict: Al-Adan of Ad'Diffah in Egypt, Mohamed of Sinai in Mansura, and Murrafindo of Suakin defending in Thebes.

 

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

In the capital, military engineers report improvements in infantry and warships quality. Five hundred cavalry and six companies of engineers are raised for the mobile forces. The three fortresses of the nation have their own engineers added, along with two new guard posts for Adulis and Funj. The region of Adulis bristles over the addition of the troops in their region, and reduce their alliance to Non-Paying Tributary only. Trade is initiated with the Seljuks in Agri. Crown Prince Johannes takes the new cavalry to his father in Kassala, then returns to the capital, spending the years siring five children. Prince Barshembar is unable to arrange a further alliance in Atbara. In Kassala, King Moise spends his time on reaction. He perishes near the end of the cycle, his son taking power without issue.

In the north, four leaders press across the mountains of Nubia into the desert of Aswan. Princes Kudanbes, Lords Te' Yehuye and Agao, and the Feudal Lord Setit of Nubia. They lead fifty-four hundred various troops. In Thebes, the Fatimid Prince Al-Quddus notes the movements, but has orders not to engage the desert regions across the river. The local tribal chiefs of Aswan are more aggressive, turning out three-hundred infantry and nine-hundred cavalry to try and turn back the Makurians. The Christians manage to evade conflict for a month, but are caught on the second. The Aswan general is hardened, years spent in tribal feuds and desert raids. Though only inflicting one-thousand casualties, the supply of the Makurians is hampered, and they withdraw back to Nubia to regroup.

 

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

Ten light warships and one-hundred cavalry are raised.

 

Roger's War of 1150
Elective Margravate of Tuscany, Grand Duchy of Burgundy, Norman County of Sicily and Serene Republic of Venice
vs.
Fatimid Caliphate and Emirate of Tunisia

Once again the city of Bone erupts into revolt, one-thousand Muslims launching an offensive against Hector of Sicily's five-thousand mercenaries. Hector loses one hundred of his hired troops putting down the uprising. He is soon joined by three groups of reinforcements - another fourteen hundred Sicilian troops from Palermo added to his mercenary forces. In addition, marriages with Burgundy and Tuscany allow both those nations to join the conflict. Burgundy sends twenty-five hundred cavalry under Guillaume. Tuscany sends Nine-thousand infantry, fifteen-hundred cavalry and three companies of engineers under Giovanni Danilo and Michelino, the Margrave himself. Awaiting them in defense are the Tunisians, down to one-thousand cavalry and two engineering companies. Lords Omar and Salman command them. Also in place are the allied Fatimid troops: Lords Mohammed and Tariq fielding fourty-two hundred cavalry, two hundred infantry, six engineering companies.

The Christians are fielding an array of exceptional leaders in the battle, to the Muslim generals of only middling ability. Lord Omar is wounded by Tuscan assassins early in the cycle, not helping the situation. The Muslims set up a prepared defense as best they can and wait for the onslaught. It isn't long - the allies march in under the overall command of the Tuscan Margrave. The mercenaries are used to draw out the defenders, the Tuscan infantry set to engage the slower moving. In a matter of three months the defending army is broken, all but a few units of troops mowed down in the field. The commanders retreat back into Tunis to wait for the inevitable siege.

Rather than attack the city directly, the allies encircle the walls, setting up a passive siege. Count Simon sails from Palermo with his one-hundred ship navy, blockading the port. The Emir has planned for this position, and stored enough agro to last for fifteen months. The food runs out in 1188, and all of 1189 sees starvation, disease and death within the walls. Still, the Emir is able to prevent the city from surrendering, and the capital does not yet fall. Prince Hector of Sicily doesn't survive the siege, neither does the Margrave of Tuscany. Giovanni Danilo marches the Tuscan troops back to Algeria. Guillaume of Burgundy, hearing of his brother's death in Worms, goes rogue, he and his men becoming mercenaries. When the Sicilian mercenary contracts expire, there are not enough troops to garrison Tunisia. Thibadeaux marches back to friendly soil in Kabilya.

 

Almoravid Sultanate
( Fez in Morroco )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Usman ibn Baqi

Funding shortfalls continue, and this time the nation's intelligence effectiveness degrades. A full alliance is formed in Cheliff, while competition with Tunisia continues in Zirid. Mukhtar of Merrakesh is stationed in Morroco at the head of his eleven-hundred cavalry. They are alerted to an incoming Reconquista force, utilizing the ferry arrow into the region from Andalusia. Mukhtar rushes into Fez, alerting the Sultan, and joining with the additional twenty-four hundred infantry and two-thousand cavalry. Giorgio El Cid and Gonzalo Espiridion of the Reconquista command five-hundred crusader infantry, twenty-one hundred cavalry and eight companies of engineers. The Conquistidors benefit from battle intelligence, which gives them the overall edge in the fight. El Cid begins destroying the three field fortifications in place, then turns his attention to the Muslim forces. The Sultan is unable to halt the advance, his forces eventually breaking and rushing back to the safety of Fez. Four-thousand Almoravid troops are lost to five-hundred of the attackers. El Cid regroups, then immediately orders an active siege against Fez. The first three months see the Catholics rebuffed, though Mukhtar is wounded during the struggle. It would take another five offensives to break through the walls. El Cid is quick to capture the rest of the royal family, seize the government and university, and impose a new order.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Assassin capacity increases.

 

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

The bureaucracy expands. The priestly services of the order manage to found a cell. Eight hundred infantry and ten engineering companies are raised. The new Primas concentrates on support, but fails to generate two new cells. Lord Sean is more successful, and completes a new temple.

In As-Sur, the Byzantines have reinforced the city with troops, only to find that Prince Silvanus has been kidnapped by Hashshashin agents. The men turn mutinous, ousting Ducha Cavassilla as their commander. Missives are sent to the Byzantine fleet to retrieve the army and abandon As-Sur to the Muslims. Michael Stavrakios refuses, instead sending Dimitri Placichaliti to regain order over the men. He is able to do so, and the mutiny is quelled. Ducha Cavassilla serves out the rest of the cycle with the naval forces.

Not long after the turmoil, the Muslims approach the city in two groups. The Damascenes are led by Qasim ad Din, Fariq al Yelek and the Mercenary Commander, Shane Gallant. They host thirty-eight hundred infantry and fifteen engineering companies. The second group is of the Atabegs, Princes Ghasib and Fihr at the head of one-thousand infantry and fifteen companies of engineers. Twenty-five hundred Greek infantry and twenty Greek engineering companies set up defenses behind the two guard posts of the cities walls. Just before battle begins, the assassins have their night. A Byzantine group sent against Shane Gallant fails, Commander Conrad of the Crusaders is protected by his bodyguards, but a Damascene group gets through to wound the Byzantine leader.

The Siege quality of both sides is even, but with the wounding of the Byzantine leader, the Muslims have a significant advantage in leadership. The Muslims swarm the walls, breaking through after only a month of siege work. The Crusaders and Greeks are hard pressed in the ensuing city-fighting, and are fully routed. Conrad, Dmitri and Vauderre of France are all killed in the struggle. Fariq al Yelek of Damascus perishes on the victorious side.

Justicar Arthur reaches the city only a month later with intended reinforcements. Unable to land, he returns to Europe, summoning a religious siege company from the Duchy of Normandy.

 

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

Two-hundred religious infantry are raised from the Kingdom of Aragon before the order forces move south to finish off the struggling Almoravids. Hector Garcia travels to Granada, where he personally leads the conversion of about a fifth of the populace. After the fall of the Sultanate, El Cid makes two quick attacks into Merrekesh and Zirid - only one-hundred troops are lost in the pacification of both regions.

 

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

Religious effectiveness increases. Loyal Imams are able to found a new cell. Agents set fire to part of the Byzantine city of Salamis, but there is little of value in the impoverished town to destroy. Eleven-hundred cavalry are raised. Bureaucracy support is given to Damascus and the Great Seljuks, the latter receiving infrastructure support as well. The Old Man and Muffada combine to form a new cell. As-Salam ibn Jaramel collects six-thousand cavalry, moving to summon two-hundred religious cavalry from the Atabeg Sultanate, then another hundred from the Rum Seljuks. His cavalry force raids into the Byzantine region of Phrygia, but finds very little of value, the fields and towns not recovered by the raids from years before.