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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 019
(1190 to 1194)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	86mi, 71mc, 14ms, 22mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5
Leader:	Geoffroi Dammartin [M848] -- Minimum Bid is 16 GP

 

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

Most funds are diverted to the navy. Twenty light transports converted from old, pirated hulls into active service. An additional forty-nine cogs built from scratch in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Land forces also see attention, with two-thousand infantry raised. King Malcolm attempts to seize the Flemish shipping coming into Edinburgh, but spends little time in the attempt and nothing is gained. This doesn't stop him from closing the ports to Flemish trade. He settles into reaction for the rest of the cycle, commanding just under five-thousand men. Prince Robert takes command of seventy-four warships, twenty transports and two-thousand infantry. The group sets sail for the Elbe river, disgorging in a raid against the region of Thuringia. No reaction is forthcoming from the Duchy, and much of the wealth is carried off. Holland is the next region targeted, but a reaction from both Corin and Eugene (along with almost ten-thousand men) manages to destroy the entire infantry force of the raiders.

Cardinal James and Lord Geoffry load aboard a second fleet of fifty-two warships and forty-nine cogs. Almost five-thousand mercenary cavalry are loaded, and the group sails for Kabilya where Geoffry offloads and goes on reaction. James continues on to the Black Sea, where he begins to pirate the shipping coming out of Trebizond. After his success, he returns to Edinburgh, but leaves Geoffry in Africa. Distant from the Scottish capital, Lord Geoffry soon grows restless and abandons the realm. Malcolm perishes at the age of sixty-six, Kenneth replacing him without issue.

 

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

The city of Norwich is expanded. Another thirty warships are raised. The Gulf of Cyprus Rutter is gifted to the Kingdom of Sweden. Duncan Montfort collects forty warships, sailing East to launch a raid against the region of Brabant. Like the Scots, two Flemish leaders react to intercept and destroy almost thirty ships. Duncan retires from aggression for the cycle, instead turning his focus on the escort of a Sicilian bride to her Makurian husband. Regent Lancaster Seizes the merchant shipping coming from Flanders, then steers the government. Bishop Evan founds a Church in Norwich, educating Prince John at the same time. King Robert comes of age and assumes the throne.

 

County of Flanders
( Ghent in Flanders )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Luka Finn, Regent For
Count Henry III

Intelligence effectiveness improves. A company of engineers is raised in Ghent. Five field forts are strewn about in Champagne, Brabant, Flanders and Holland, with six field forts raised in Lorraine. Eighteen hundred new cavalry are conscripted. The Count remains in the capital, siring two children and steering the government. Both Count Henry and the heir, Eugene, take ill in 1194 and waste away. Luka Finn takes on the regency for the underage Henry III, defending the city of Utrecht. A mercenary contract is taken out in Utrecht, almost six-thousand cavalry and another one-thousand infantry.

 

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

Both Henry and Isaac receive church educations, both of the diplomatic skills being enhanced. During Isaac's studies, Flemish agents attempt to infiltrate the academy in an effort to poison the Crown Prince. They are discovered and the plot fails, but the culprits evade capture. Two-thousand infantry, five-hundred cavalry and five light warships are conscripted. A new royal road section is completed in Lienster. Duke Isaac steers the government, taking over the training duties of his son and namesake, advancing him in the administrative arts. Prince Gabriel takes command of fifty warships, fourteen cogs, and two-thousand infantry. He sails to the Rhine, launching a raid against the region of Franconia. Lord Aurel and Duke Sieghard react with almost ten thousand cavalry, repelling the raid and killing eleven-hundred of the raiders, including Gabriel. The fleet sails back to Rouen. Prince Finnoch and Lord Horace react from Dublin with twelve-hundred men. Horace catches ill one winter and perishes. Lords Stephen and William react from Rouen with fifteen-hundred men. Lord Robin reacts out of Brest with six-hundred troops.

 

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

The region of Limousin is fully cultivated, with a new project begin for the clearing of Auvergne. Twenty five engineering companies are conscripted.

King Louis announces the official formation of the Frankish Kingdom. Louis is declared the divine authority, with the Duchy of Burgundy, Duchy of Normandy, Kingdom of Aragon and the County of Flanders all owing fealty to Paris. Duke Rudolf, Duke Isaac, and King Adolpho all swear allegiance to Louis VI. Only Count Henri of Flanders has yet to declare his support or rejection. King Louis then sets out for the East, with six-thousand troops under his command. He crosses into Swabia, then into Bavaria. He has brought his son Cheyney, and arranges a marriage and Defensive Pact with the German Duchy. He reacts in defense of both his allies.

Crown Prince Charles first travels to Poiters, but his antics have little effect on the conquered city. He fares no better with his negotiations in Auvergne, though does meet up with a new Aragonese bride. Geoffroi de Dammartin joins him in the region, but with a religious purpose. The beginnings of progress are made in conversion. Prince Henri sets up a defense of Ile De France with fifteen-hundred men. Jean-Louis-Simon Ambard remains in the service of the Prince's Crusade. Jacques-Hugh Rocher strikes a quick raid into Champagne with one-thousand men. Princes Eugene and Corin both react to intercept with ten-thousand troops. The French troops are destroyed, and Jacques limps back to Ile de France, picks up three-thousand garrison troops and remains on reaction.

At the end of the cycle, the region of Auvergne is outside of effective control and rejects French rule. Lord Geoffroi follows suit, taking on the life of a mercenary. Queen Margot succumbs to her years.

 

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

Princess Jeannine makes her appearance at court, quickly gaining influence with her charm and beauty. Cavalry quality improves, now second to none in the world. Both assassin capacity and effectiveness increase. Nine-hundred cavalry are recruited for the Grand Duke. He remains in the capital to oversee the nation's government, siring a single son. Marquis Desuolt is granted the hand of Princess Aldis and takes a position as Prince of the realm. His first task is the completion of a national census. Lord Thomas is able to secure a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from Perpignon. Lord Charles continues the diplomatic effort in conquered Aquitaine. Monies and agro are shipped to the Norman County of Sicily.

 

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

Priests and missionaries found two churches, on in Aragon and one in New Castille. Warship Quality, Intelligence Effectiveness, and Assassin Capacity all see an increase. King Adolpho returns to the capital to run the government. Prince Zacarias expects a bride from Burgundy, but the lass never arrives. He occupies his time with the foundation of a church. Prince Valerio travels to Auvergne, in escort of the bride-to-be, Estrela. He then sets up a defense of Gascony with the two-thousand man garrison. Prince Sancho reacts from Aragon with one-thousand men. When a small Apulian force from Valencia raids into Catalonia, he is quick to intercept them. Six hundred of the raiders are destroyed. Guillermo continues to ease tensions in Gascony. Lord Saure is unsuccessful in founding a church in that region before his death. Count Philippe investigates the region of Catalonia. Prince Inigo is sent to join the Vatican. Six-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Zaragoza.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	96mi, 59mc, 14ms, 34mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

Infrastructure and Intelligence effectiveness both increase. A postal road now cuts through the mountains of Oopland. Twelve-hundred infantry, five warships and five engineering companies are raised. King Brandr attempts to found a monastery in Christiana with his son's help. The locals resent the Kingly interference in their religious life, and the site loses most of its flock, downgrading to a simple church. The King then settles in to steer the government, siring three children. Prince Sverre arranges a marriage to Sigurd from the region of Trondelag, cutting a Non-Paying Tributary agreement in the process. He moves back to Oopland, but his preaching skills are far less polished than his diplomatic, and he makes no personal progress in the conversion of the region. After his wedding, Prince Sigurd is able to sire a daughter of his own. Prince Magnus spends the cycle in reaction on the Viking Bank, at the command of fifty-two warships. Harald Fredrikson reacts from the capital with thirty-five hundred men.

 

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

Siege quality, Religious capacity, and Intelligence capacity all increase. King Njord reacts from the homeland with nine-thousand men. Halsten Sandvik first delivers princess Cilla to London for a royal marriage, then goes exploring with nine warships and three transports. The Celtic Sea is quickly mapped, but the Irish Sea is trickier, and Halsten returns to Stockholm with only a partial map. Gunnar Blomqvist defends the Saarema islands with eight-hundred men. Karlis of Musa reacts from his region.

 

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

Warship and Cavalry Quality both improve in tandem with the government infrastructure expanding. The cities of Handel and Helsingborg are both expanded. Fourteen cogs and one-thousand infantry are raised in the capital. The King personally sees to the government of the realm. Orjan and Erik are granted official positions at court. Lord Thomas Administers from Skjern successfully. Lords Oskar and Sven travel to distant Palermo, gaining a bride for Erik and a new Defensive Pact with Sicily. They immediately uphold the pact, unloading four-thousand infantry in Bone and defending the city before returning to Skjern.

 

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

A wave of religious piety overcomes the Duchy under Gottfried's hand. Gottfried becomes attentive to the military, worried the war will spill across his borders. He raises a series of new units: five-hundred infantry, fourteen-hundred cavalry, two-hundred engineers, four warships and four field forts in Saxony. Gottfried begins to honor old edicts, updating his tithe monies to the Popular Crusade. The cultivation of Lausatia is slowly begun. Most trade routes are rebased into Leipzig, with six garrison cogs converted in Internal Trade in Rostock. Gottfried spends the rest of his time between his family and reacting out of the capital with nine-thousand troops. Heinrich Liudolfing returns to the realm, freed during the Bavarian jailbreak of the last cycle. Sadly, he perishes soon after his return. Lord Matthias collects garrisons to put under command of the Duke, then leads four light warships in the exploration of the Sea of Portugal.

 

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

Nine-hundred cavalry are conscripted. Duke Sieghard welcomes his new Flemish wife, quickly siring a son and daughter upon her. She pases during the second childbirth. Lord Otto attempts to widen the war to include Saxony, but dies at the age of sixty, well before the task is complete. Paul dubois escorts Lucrece to Thuringia, arranging a new defensive pact and marriage. Otto and Aurel are caught by age. A huge mercenary contract is taken out in Wurzburg: seventy-five hundred infantry, thirty-five hundred cavalry and twelve engineering companies.

 

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

Agents infiltrate into neighboring Thuringia, damaging the intelligence investment. Five-hundred infantry and cavalry are raised. The Duke remains in the capital, siring two daughters with his young English wife, both of whom die in their infancy. A third child, a son, remains strong and healthy. Vilem Rozmberk and Karel Zerotin urge the Bohemian subjects to join the war against Thuringia, preaching the evils of the Butcher Duke to the West for the entire cycle. Vilem perishes before the task is complete, but by the end of the cycle, Karel has gained the support from the nobility. Petr Vitkovec takes up the defense of Meissan in case the Butcher turns his eyes on Bohemia. He perishes in the winter of 1193.

 

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

Government infrastructure expands. Three-thousand cavalry are conscripted, with four field forts raised in Bavaria. Duke Heinrich sires two children as he steers the government, his brother, Otto, siring a daughter as well. Prince Albrecht tries to widen the war to include Flanders, but no one is interested in marching that far afield when Thuringia poses such an immediate threat. Prince Lothair (with Lord Ludwig) reacts out of Bavaria with three-thousand men. Lord Guntram escorts princess Maria to Paris, arranging a Defensive Pack with the Frankish Kingdom. He returns to Bavaria, but is unsuccessful in founding a new church. Lord Johannes defends the homeland.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Twenty-five hundred cavalry, three-hundred infantry and a siege company are recruited. The Emperor personally rallies everyone for a full-scale war against Flanders. The nobility supports the action without hesitation. Gerhardt settles in Augsburg, siring three children. Crown Prince Johann spends his time between defending Alsace with one-thousand men and spending time with his wife in Augsburg. He is with her when she perishes at the end of the cycle of a wasting disease. Lord Heinrich runs the main reaction of Swabia with fifteen-hundred men. The Duchy takes out its own mercenary contract in Augsburg: five-hundred infantry and two-thousand cavalry.

 

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

Prince Eugene retires from conquered Lorraine, traveling back to Flanders to set up a defense of the region with his twenty-eight hundred men. Corin and Andre of Flanders remain in Lorraine, defending with over six-thousand troops.

In Thuringia, the conquered region of Hesse erupts into rebellion. Eleven-hundred infantry and three-hundred cavalry attempt to liberate the realm from the four field fort garrison. Lord Aurel of Thuringia, charged with reaction, fails to respond to the threat, instead remaining in Wurzburg. The rebel leader mounts a blind assault, and his skills prove to be less than the local garrison commander. The rebel forces are repelled.

Prince Rudolph of Swabia collects the thirty-five hundred mercenaries under contract, and launches a raid into Franconia when it is clear the Thuringians are not attacking during the cycle. This time Aurel does respond, pulling Duke Sieghard from his bedside duties and marching almost ten-thousand troops to the defense of the region. Johan's forces are caught off guard and decimated, twenty-three hundred dying in the conflict. Rudolph is himself wounded, the injuries festering and taking his life at the end of the cycle. Lord Roland of Swabia continues the Blockade of Frankfurt, hurting the trade routes out of that city.

 

 

Elective Margravate of Tuscany
( Pisa in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Margrave Cosimo II

One-thousand infantry and cavalry, six light warships and four cogs are raised. The Margrave's throat is found slit the night after he begins working on the foundation of a church in Algeria. Ludovico Nicolo eases tensions in conquered Algeria. The new Margrave delivers more units to Africa, then reacts out of Gena with thirty-four warships. Leonardo di Pama consecrates a new monastery in Tuscany.

 

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

Four-hundred men are raised for the ally of Lombardy. Two cogs are built and used for trade purposes. The Doge reacts from Venice with thirty-five hundred troops. Prince Santino and Captain Guiseppe react with the one-hundred fifty warships fleet in the Sea of Lybia. Prince Alberto Vocorra and Baron Monteno of Lombardy travel to Swabia with twenty-five hundred men, setting up a defense in their ally's homeland. They return to Lombardy at the end of the cycle. Consigliori Parinti arranges an appeasement of gold and a royal hostage to the Duchy of Burgundy, easing tensions between the two realms.

 

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

The city of Chandax abandons its tenuous ties. Prince Lucio is sent to school with the church, gaining diplomatic training. A field fort is raised in Gefara, six engineering companies brought to service in Naples. Monies are gifted to Venice. Duke Alphonso intervenes in merchant affairs, shifting MSP between a few of his foreign routes. He then takes over the government, his wife, long in years, siring twin boys, but then perishing during a second pregnancy. Prince Bruno and Lord Guy sail to Kairouan, then react out of Gefara with three-thousand men and over one-hundred warships. They return to Kairouan at the end of the cycle, shortly afterwards, Guy takes ill. Prince Leopoldo travels to Catanzaro with Lucio, negotiating a Feudal Alliance from the city, and teaching additional skills to the young heir in the process. Richard reacts out of Naples with twenty-four hundred men. Umberto of Valencia launches a quick raid into Catalonia with eight-hundred men, but is repelled before he can do any damage.

 

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

The Count orders a mass conscription, bringing twenty-five hundred infantry and two-thousand cavalry to service. He delivers them to Africa, then returns to Palermo, siring three children. His brother John outdoes him with four. A Joint Conflict marriage with Makuria is arranged against the Fatimid Caliphate, while a more traditional Defensive Pact is arranged with Denmark. Two-thousand mercenary cavalry are contracted in Bone.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	59mi, 14mc, 6ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4
Leader:	Shane Gallant [M877] -- Minimum Bid is 15 GP Ariel [M9A7] -- Minimum Bid is 16 GP Hasan [MB68] -- Minimum Bid is 19 GP

 

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

Seventeen-hundred cavalry are raised in the capital. Another sizable transfer of gold is sent to the Principality of Kiev. King Miloslaw travels to Courland. He finds the pagans of the region will agree to nothing beyond their current Tributary relationship. Crown Prince Oskar spends the entire cycle dallying with his Norwegian bride. No children have yet to grace the couple. Prince Adalbert's wife perishes during childbirth. The Prince consoles himself with traveling to Courland and leading a great preaching effort. Slweis continues to spread the word in Pinsk. Jacek Bozek reacts from Warsaw with twenty-five hundred troops and twenty warships. Bartok of Prussia defends the delegation in Courland.

 

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

Thirty-five hundred infantry are raised. The Grand Prince steers the government, finishing up the cycle on defense. Lords Nevski and Alexandir react out of Novgorod with twelve-thousand troops. Lord Marlen administers from the homeland.

 

Rise of the Teutons

Without warning, twelve-thousand Teutonic warriors come screaming out of the wilderness around the Dvina River. They quickly knock aside the four-hundred man garrison of Latvia, conquering the region and the unwalled city of Nija. Once a garrison is placed, the forces press south, liberating the regions of Daugava and Kur from their Novgorod conquerors. The army in Novgorod City is out of range to react. After the liberation, both pagan regions swear Feudal Alliances with the horde leaders. Next, the group presses south into Courland, where a large delegation of Polish leaders are present. A Polish Feudal Ally is on defense in the region with one-thousand men, and fifteen-hundred more move to the region in reaction under Jacek Bozek. Despite better leadership and quality giving them a decent advantage, the Teutons' ferocity outdoes their civilized opponents. Nine-hundred barbarians are killed to the twenty-two hundred Poles. Prince Ryszard is wounded, but all the Polish leaders make it back to Warsaw. Last, the region of Musa is targeted, the Swedish Ally Karlis reacting in the region with thirteen-hundred infantry. He defeats two-hundred barbarians before he and his men are overwhelmed. Here the war machine stops, with tribute demands being sent to the surrounding nations.

 

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

Religious and Assassin capacity both expand. Kirivitch, Seversk and Smolensk all see cultivation projects, about two-thirds of each region already covered in farmlands by the end of the cycle. Lord Volodymyr travels to Atelzuko, but is unable to gain any alliance from the pagan lord. Lord Symon fares better in the city of Saratov, gaining a Non-Paying Tributary agreement. Regent Vilen Romenko steers the government, taking time to teach Princess Petya about Administration. A fever takes him at the end of the cycle, Lord Symon then takes on the Regency.

 

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

Two cultivation projects are heavily funded for the steppe lands of Wallachia and Ialomita. King Jenci rules from the capital, marrying his mistress and siring an heir by her. He promotes his brother Erzsi to a position at court. Lords Laszlo, Janos and Odon converge in Wallachia, fully converting that region to Catholicism. The Feudal Allies of Wallachia, Ialomita and Transylvania react from Banat.

 

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

Infantry and Siege quality both increase, as does the religious piety of the nation overall. King Domotor orders fifty-two cogs constructed and converted to internal trade in various cities. A few foreign routes are rebased to Zara. He then steers the government, siring three children in the process. Lords Karcsi, Nandor, Pista and Simon move to Ludgorie to preach.

 

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

A new royal road links the cities of Ukek and Bolgar. The Khan orders a new city built along the Black Sea in Taman. Tigor steers the government, continuing to add to his historic brood. The fifty-six year old Kadri is rescued from Levedia, but lives only two more years once he returns to the capital. Prince Harun and Lord Ilgiz negotiate with the Feudal Lord of Mordva, arranging a marriage and an Economic Alliance. Prince Irfan is granted a position at court. A land route is begun with Novgorod, while the Rum route changes to waterborne.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	88mi, 26mc, 21ms, 21mw, 6mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4
Leaders:	Zafir ad Balak [M678] -- Minimum Bid is 14 GP Seemaab [M752] -- Minimum Bid is 9 GP

 

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

Cavalry quality improves once again. The royal road network is expanded to include the desert of Gurgan. The city of El Daja is founded in Singanakh. The Shah steers the government, teaching his son and heir administration, than granting the young Hamid a position at court. The Shah addresses the issue of Khurasan:

It is with regret that, again, we see no reaction from the great Seljuk to our messages. Seeing the turmoil our brothers face, and have yet to resolve, we stand ready to follow through on our commitments. When they have put their house in order, our payment of gold stands ready.

Prince Qamar Azzah administers from the capital, helping the national infrastructure. Lords Yalik and Assam negotiate a Full Alliance from Khurasan. Lord Muhammed continues to make progress in the conversion of Scythia. The Feudal Allies of Khazakh, Chorasima and Gurgan react from their regions.

 

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

Fifteen hundred cavalry are raised in the homeland. A new postal road segment stretches south from Kophat Dagh. Prince Kamal leads three lieutenants into the region, the group able to secure a Full Alliance. Prince Khafiya remains in Samarqand on reaction with two-thousand men. The Khan appoints his son Wassim to an official position, then promptly perishes a year later. Power transitions smoothly.

 

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

The Emperor returns to the capital to marry, settling in to run the government. He orders Ebrahim al Mu'Tamid to the East, but the Prince follows him to the capital to spend time with his bride. The union produces a daughter. Ebrahaim then travels to Dasht'Kavir, where he is supported in diplomacy by Habid. When Ebrahim hears the Emperor has sired a son, he cuts the diplomacy short and returns the the capital. The region still agrees to a Tributary arrangement. Lord Soheil reacts from Fars with one-thousand men. Lord Tahmouress and the Hashshashin loaned leader, Forruka, are dispatched to Tabaristan where they gain a Feudal Alliance. Hooshmand of Dasht'e Lute reacts from his region. A contract for five mercenary warships and five transports is taken in Agri.

 

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

Shapur settles in with his Damascene wife, soon producing a daughter. Diplomacy in Khazar is unable to advance the steppe region beyond a Feudal Alliance. Grdig administers from Trebizond, but has grown lazy over the years, doing more harm than help. A small force conquers Alan. With no one actively ruling the sprawling realm, many regions fall outside of communication with the capital. Alan and Pamphyla immediately degrade. Rebels in Armenia overcome the local garrison and oust the Sultanate's control. Two leaders in Khazar become mercenary commanders for hire.

 

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

Sultan Hadi, Prince Farooq, Lord Pothmir and Ibrahim of Circis all stay on reaction in Aleppo, combined they field eleven-thousand troops. Prince Firh defends the Damascene city of As-Sur with fourteen hundred men. Mohar of Palmyra reacts from Cilicia with two-thousand. Lord Tepir investigates As-Sur. The fortress in Edessa suddenly erupts into mutiny. The Sultan simply moves his many troops to encircle the fortress, starving it into submission in less than a year. A year later, however, Hadi succumbs to illness gained during the starvation. Lord Pothmir immediately moves to usurp the throne. He gains control of the army in Aleppo, Prince Farooq is wounded but escapes back to Carhae. Ibrahim of Circis declares his allegiance to the upstart and the two march east into Carhae, then Mosul.

 

Atabeg Sultanate of Lyssa
( Lyssa in Carhae )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Sultan Pothmir I

Pothmir is rebuffed at the capital city of Mosul, the forces inside staying loyal to the new Sultan Hadi. Pothmir's son, Qasim, establishes a new capital at Lyssa. The fortresses in Aleppo, Carhae and Mosul remain under Hadi's control. The region of Palmyra declares its complete neutrality to both sides.

 

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

A flood of refugees from the neighboring Seljuk realms settle outside of Baghdad. The new arrivals soon sprawl the city beyond its original walls. Four field forts are raised in Diyala. The cities of Baqubah and Gondeshapur are expanded with national resources. The Caliph sires four more children during his years running the government. Princes Nazih and Jibril gain an Economic Alliance from the city of Ali al Saleem. Abu Karim is able to gain the same from the region of Kuwait. Farid abd as-Samad reacts from Mesopotamia with fiften-hundred men. Abd al Fattah accompanies Princes Mirzah to Damascus, where she is married to the royal heir. A mercenary brokerage arrangement is sealed in the process. The Feudal Allies of Dharan and Selucia react from their regions.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. The cultivation of Lebanon is completed. As-Sur sees a wall point addition, Levant a field fort. The Sultan and his heir react from Levant for much of the cycle. Saleem leaves in year four to set up reaction out of Damascus. Qasim ad Din reacts from As-Sur with three-thousand. Zafar al Rashid combines with the Feudal Lord of Bostra, reacting from that region with eighteen-hundred men. Bahir ad Watar reacts from Lebanon with two-thousand troops. Omar al Zil investigates Lebanon.

 

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

The desert of Adal abandons its Tenuous ties. Hijaz sees a full conversion to Shi'a. Warship quality increases, with eighteen new ships conscripted to take advantage. Tayyib Sofian travels to Hijaz, negotiating a Feudal Alliance and marriage to the Emir. Rahman Rais and Kasim travel to Zeila, arranging a second marriage. Zeila becomes a full part of the Emirate. Bari of Zufar reacts out of Yemen, Majid of Adal reacts out of Zeila.

 

AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	109mi, 104mc, 16ms, 54mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c6, s4, w6
Leader:	Guilliame [M516] Minimum Bid = 11 GP

 

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

No military actions this cycle, though Makuria officially joins the alliance against Egypt.

 

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

Missionaries to Dongola do more harm than good, and many of the converts gained in the previous cycle are lost. Thirty-five hundred infantry are raised. Prince Al-Yabbar administers from the capital. Other leaders see to the military security of the Caliphate: The Caliph reacts from Al-Qahirah with six-thousand troops; Prince Al-Quddus from Thebes with three-thousand; Iqbal Nazir from the Lower Nile with sixty warships; Tariq commands the Feudal allies of Ad'Diffah, Sinai, and Suakin in defense of Faiyum. The latter Feudal Lord retires from service, his region dropping to Non-Paying Tributary status. Tariq and Al-Jaliq both succumb to age.

 

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

Fourteen-hundred cavalry are conscripted. The King returns to Soba to steer the government. Prince Rathios negotiates a Full Alliance from Adulis, then returns to the capital for marriage to a Sicilian bride. Kudanbes is unable to increase the treaty with Atbara. Te' Yehuye reacts from Funj with four-thousand men. The Feudal Allies of Kassala and Nubia defend their regions, while Toconda of Gezira defends Thebes. Setit of Nubia perishes at the end of the cycle, and his region declares its independence. Kudanbes and Te' Yehuye also meet their end to natural causes.

 

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

Four hundred cavalry and one engineering company are raised. Four field forts are quickly erected in Tunisia.

 

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

The Sicilians and Tuscans amass their numbers in Kabilya, Sicily commands thirty-five hundred infantry, seven-thousand cavalry (mostly mercenary) and fourteen engineering companies. Tuscany brings along ninety-six hundred infantry, fifteen-hundred cavalry and three companies of engineers. The Tunisian Emir awaits them with a directed defense against the Italian approach, but he only commands one-thousand cavalry, an engineering company, and the support of four field forts. The defensive posture pays off, the Emir ambushing the command center of the invaders. Both Lord Thibadeaux and Vincenzo Specialli are killed. Only four hundred troops are destroyed, but the loss of leaders causes the Italians to retire. Tunisia loses nine-hundred cavalry.

Back in Kabilya, the remaining two Italian leaders regroup the force, then push back into Tunisia. This time they are routed, five-thousand infantry lost between the two allies. The remainder of the mobile Tunisian forces are destroyed. Wishing to utilize the mercenary contracts before their expiration, continued rounds of fighting are launched. The allies field three more attacks, each one steadily eroding at the defending field forts. The last round is a bizarre exchange which sees the last of the Tunisian forces destroyed, the Emir captured, but both Italian leaders slain. Seven thousand unled Italian troops march back to Algeria and Kabilya.

Salman of Tunisia slips out of port with twenty-two warships. Raids are quickly launched against the Burgundian regions of Provence and Languedoc. No defenders are present, and the Tunisians make off with minor amounts of loot. Next on the target list is Corsica. Leopold Totalini is on patrol out of Genoa, and catches word of the enemy fleet. He reacts to intercept with his thirty-four warships. Salman turns out to be twice the general of Leopold, and quickly sets the Tuscan fleet packing. Leopold's ship is lost with all hands along with twenty-two others. Salman loses five, but recrews seven captured ships. Corsica and Liguria are then both hit, more loot gained before Salman returns to port.

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Terrorist agents cause minor damage to the Atabeg regions of Edessa and Cilicia. Next, intelligence agents manage to stir mutinies in the fortresses of Edessa and Aleppo. Ten engineering companies, two light warships and three cogs are raised. The Grandmaster and Prince Leonardo complete a long round of site construction, founding six new cultic cells. One cell and one lodge attempt fail. Hans Gunsberg and Prince Michael see to collecting national tithes. Denmark, Saxony, Swabo-Lorraine, Thuringia and Venice are successful. The attempts in Hungary and Tuscany do not take. The end the cycle in the summoning of one-hundred religious cavalry from the Kingdom of Sweden. Olf perishes of age, late in his sixties. Leonardo is chosen as the new Grandmaster.

 

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

With the return of many Crusader leaders to Europe, a dispersion of Muslim and Middle-Eastern culture begins to make its way back as well. The infrastructure of the Prince's Crusade is quick to adapt many useful linguistic and governmental differences are utilized, even the effectiveness of assassins sees a boost. Religious elements manage to found a new cell, they are also able to increase the order's status in the Kingdom of Denmark. Fourteen-hundred new infantry are raised. The Primas takes a direct hand in the government of the Order. Order aid is summoned from the County of Flanders, Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England. Two-hundred religious troops from each.

 

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

Settled.

 

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

Agents manage to poison some of the wells in the city of Neocastra. Old Man Qadir works to increase the order's status within the Abbasid Caliphate, making many gains before his death. As-Salam ibn Jaramel tours the middle-east, summoning order cavalry from the Abbasids (three hundred) and Damascus (six hundred). He takes the time to increase the order's status in the Sultanate of Damascus as well. Wafi Ahmad summons two-hundred religious cavalry from the Atabeg Sultanate.