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Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 020
(1195 to 1199)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	85mi, 90mc, 15ms, 19mw, 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

Eighteen-hundred cavalry are raised. King Kenneth orders funds shipped to France and Bohemia. To offset worries about a potential famine, he converts many of his Internal Trading fleets to fishing duty. He then settles into reaction out of his capital with three-thousand men. Lord Daniel sails some of the nations extra merchant shipping to Stockholm, selling it to the Swedes. Lord Rory travels to Flemish held Lorraine, unfortunately he neither attempts to hide his movements, nor succeeds in his evasion attempt when Flemish troops come to arrest him. The Ally Magnus has better luck avoiding the garrison of Flanders itself, and safely avoids capture. Unfortunately he dies of age shortly afterwards, his replacement refusing to honor any treaty with Scotland. Robert Argyle ships troops to France, then reacts with his one-hundred and thirty warships in the English Channel. Cardinal James and Bishop Turgot respond to claims that the Flemish Count is a Heretic and Demon Child - rumors spread that the underage count feeds from the blood of other children and desecrates the host in nightly black masses. The religious men travel to Nivernais, bringing thirty-six hundred cavalry to a growing French coalition.

 

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

Fifty light warships are constructed between the shipyards of London and Norwich. Robert's brother John is granted a position at court and shipped to Augsburg for a royal wedding. A new Defensive Pact is formed with Swabo-Lorraine. King Robert orders his harbormaster to continue seizing Flemish and Thuringian trading vessels. He then steers the government, siring a son and daughter. Lords Duncan and John Lancaster sail to the Rhine. Bishop Evan founds a church in Anglia, attempting a second foundation in York. There he runs afoul of a group of city thugs hoping to profit from a kidnapping of the religious leader.

 

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

Thirty-three new cavalry are raised. Regent Luke accompanies the mercenary hires to Lorraine, then retires to Ghent to steer the government. Corin and Andre go on the offensive.

 

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

Infantry and Siege quality both increase. Seven-hundred cavalry, five-hundred infantry and twenty-five engineering companies are raised. Prince Finnoch collects two-thousand troops and settles in to react out of Rouen. Other leaders move East in support of their allies. Lords Rickard and Stephen travel to Nivernais to join the large coalition army. They command forty-eight hundred infantry, thirty-six hundred cavalry and twenty engineering companies.Lord Edward travels to Paris, where Isaac the younger is married to the French Adele, forming a new Military Alliance. Lord Robin escorts five-hundred troops and young prince Henry to Augsburg, forming a Joint Conflict alliance against Flanders. Robin and his men then set up a defense of the Swabian capital until Robin's death in 1198, the troops march back to the homeland.

 

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

Nine-hundred cavalry are raised. King Louis reiterates that the Frankish Kingdom has been formed and that Flanders is to be punished for its refusal to acknowledge its place in the coalition. Louis then moves to the capital, first pulling his merchants away from foreign trade and placing them on internal. He then steers the government. Clarembaud de Valenciennes sets up a defense of the homeland with three-thousand men. Crown Prince Charles continues to work diplomacy in Auvergne, gaining a Tributary agreement. Jean-Louis remains on Crusade. Prince Henri, Prince Gervais and Lord Rocher form the main leadership of a large coalition force in Nivernais. They themselves command seven-thousand cavalry and fifteen companies of engineers.

 

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

Perpignon abandons its tenuous ties. Government infrastructure expands. Thirty-four hundred cavalry are raised. Gold and agro are both sent to Sicily. The Grand Duke steers the government from Worms, bringing three more daughters into the world. He even goes so far as to treat Isabella of Venice, a royal hostage, as one of his own. Lord Thomas wrangles an Economic Alliance from Perpignon before he succumbs to age. Lord Charles continues to ease tensions in Aquitaine. Prince Marquis and Lord Hugo march to Nivernais to join the French coalition. Thirteen-thousand cavalry and ten engineering companies join them.

 

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

Infrastructure of the government increases. New fortresses are raised in New Castille and along the coastline of Catalonia. Five-hundred infantry, five-hundred cavalry and 10 light warships are raised. King Adolpho remains in the capital, in charge of the government administration. Crown Prince Zacarias travels to Worms, where he marries the beautiful Jeannine, organizing a defensive pact. Jeannine's midwives accompany the couple back to Zaragoza and help the royal pair sire three children. Prince Valerio founds a new church in Gascony. Prince Sancho increases the site in New Castille to an Abbey. Lord Esteben is unsuccessful in his attempt in Aragon, as is Lord Phillipe in Catalonia. Lord Guillarmo continues to ease tensions in Gascony. King Adolpho passes on in 1198, the realm transferring to Zacarias without issue.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	77mi, 40mc, 13ms, 51mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

The Faeroe islands finally abandon their tenuous ties to the Kingdom. The military sees an increase of two-thousand infantry, ten light warships and five cogs. Two new sections of walls are added around the capital city. The foundations for a new postal road across the Oopland mountains is begun. King Brandr remains in Christiana, steering the government and siring two boys. He orders his younger brother, Sverre, to continue Diplomacy in Oopland and Trondelag but doesn't actually want closer ties to either region. Sverre resents the busywork, especially when he is tasked with educating his nephew, Hakon, in the process. He decides to show the boy some real diplomatic works and sails him to Turku in complete violation of the King's orders. He arranges a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the region before returning with Hakon to the capital. Prince Sigurd is dispatched to the Faeroes where, despite the offering of princess Arnora's hand in marriage, is unable to increase relations. Prince Magnus and Lord Terge strike out with fifteen warships to the far north. They return with maps of the seas and ice-floes of the Kolisky Zauv and White Sea. Lord Harald reacts from the capital with almost forty warships. Lord Torsson attempts to do some royal training himself, hoping to upgrade the class of two-thousand infantry under his command. He is unable to complete the training regiments. He then moves North and begins to preach in Oopland, squeaking out a few converts before his return to Christiana, where he retires from service.

 

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

Warship quality sees an improvement. Four sections of walls are quickly erected around Reval to protect against the Teutons. Four-hundred cavalry, one warship and eleven cogs are conscripted. King Njord ferries three separate groups of soldiers across to Estonia. He then reacts with his ten warship Navy from the Baltic before returning to port in Stockholm. His second in command, Lord Janne, perishes shortly after their return. Lord Halsten takes command of the almost nine-thousand troops in Estonia and strikes out to engage the Teutons. Lord Stuer administers from the capital until his own death from illness. Lord Gunna defends the Saarema islands with eight-hundred men.

 

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

Gold is shipped to both Sweden and Sicily. Thirty Cogs are raised and loaded with troops. Lords Sven and Oskar sail East to deal with the Teutons. King Michael, Crown Prince Orjan, and Lord Thomas all see to the ministrations of the government in Skjern. Prince Erik sails far to the South, visiting Palermo and offering his four warships in defense of the city. Lord Oskar and King Michael both perish from age. Orjan is crowned.

 

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

Religious piety continues to raise. Duke Gottfried enhances the defenses of the realm, seventeen field forts being spread out through the nation's regional holdings. The Duke gets started on his own family, spending five years with his wife from Pomerania. Four children grace the king, though his youngest daughter does not survive her second year. All other national leaders converge on Friesland in diplomacy. The region agrees to a full merger with the Duchy.

 

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

Twenty-one hundred cavalry are added to the ranks. Lords Harmand and Franz continue to whip the Thuringian nobility into a frenzy. Casus Belli is declared against Saxony, though Bohemia is left out of the fray for the time being. Agro production is poor during the cycle, and famine strikes the Duchy.

 

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

Two-hundred infantry and four-hundred cavalry are raised. Gold is sent to the Popular Crusade while agro is shipped to Scotland. Duke Vratislaus spends the early cycle with his wife in Prague, but then switches to a defense of the homeland, at the head of four-thousand men. Lord Zdenek spend his own time in the homeland before traveling to Dresden. He is unable to improve the economic alliance of the city. Lords Karel and Alexej ride West into Thuringian territory. Karel succumbs to age after his eventual return.

 

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

Vienna increases its city walls. Nineteen-hundred cavalry, six-hundred cavalry and two companies of engineers are raised. The Duke steers his government from Regensburg, siring two more sons. Prince Otto founds the church of St. Moritz in Austria. Defense is quickly seen to, with Prince Albrecht in charge of Regensburg. Prince Lothair defends Bavaria with eight-hundred men and the regional field forts. Lords Guntram and Johannes saddle up and ride West, joining the forces in Nivernais with four-thousand horse. The royals Karin and Albrecht die peacefully. Heinrich the Younger's death is a shock to the court.

 

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

Seventeen-hundred infantry and twelve-hundred cavalry are raised. The fortress in Swabia increases its walls. The Emperor continues to split his time between the defense of the capital and his wife. Lord Heinrich sets up a defense of Swabia with three-thousand men. Prince Johann and Lord Wolfgang join the forces in Nivernais, bringing thirty-two national and two-thousand mercenary cavalry. Prince Johann perishes of illness during the cycle.

 

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

The first skirmishes of the cycle are in Hesse, the region erupting into rebellion against the Thuringian occupiers. This time the rebels are successful in ousting the garrison, and Hesse reverts in control to Swabo-Lorraine. Duke Isaac of Normandy collects fifty-warships and institutes a blockade of Ghent, disrupting a few of the Flemish foreign routes and closing down the city's internal trading and fishing fleets. Lord Werner of Bavaria leads five-thousand cavalry across the border into Thuringian Nordgau. For now they content themselves with scouting the area.

In other naval actions, Lord Roland of Swabia takes a dozen warships and pirates the city of Frankfurt. Leonese merchants are angered by being caught up in the plunder. A Scottish fleet of over one-hundred and twenty warships launches a raid against the region of Flanders, but no villages report losses to the raiders. Lord Duncan of England sets up his sixty-warship fleet in the Rhine, reacting in the river and making army crossings much more time consuming. When Paul Dubois of Flanders sails into the river with the shipping of Augsburg in his sights, Lord Duncan reacts to meet the force. The Flemish have only ten warships, but has a better knowledge of the tides and flows of the Rhine. Duncan grounds his ship into a shallow sandbar, and Dubois is quick to take advantage. Duncan's ship is surrounded and forced to surrender, the only loss of the English fleet. Lord John of England, second in command, is unable to rally, and sails back to London to regroup. John resupplies in England, then returns to the fray, this time catching the Flemish ships by surprise. He sinks four and captures one ship, and in reverse of the previous battle, Paul Dubois is captured. The five remaining Flemish boats sail back to Antwerp.

The massive coalition in Nivernais, led by France, now composes eleven different leaders and forty-six thousand men. The army presses into Flemish held Lorraine and attacks the garrison of six field forts without mercy. The forts are obliterated, the allies losing only two units of troops. The region is liberated and the allies learn that a large Thuringian and Flemish host left the region barely one month prior. Burgundian scouts report the army traveling North, but French and Norman spies say South. Rocher of France trusts his own people, and embarks Southwards.

The French intelligence was correct, four allied Flemish and Thuringian leaders, under the overall command of Duke Sieghard, assault Alsace with twenty-one thousand cavalry, four engineering companies and an additional twenty-thousand mercenaries. Two companies of engineers are lost in sweeping aside the five field fort garrison. As the Thuringians drop their own garrison in place, the coalition army enters the region. The two massive forces draw up the battle lines.

The first exchange is economic, as mercenaries on both sides are wooed with bribery. Thuringia and Flanders have planned for this, and have paid the mercenaries with additional counter-bribery contracts. In addition, Flemish agents manage to steal some of the gold en route from the French attempt. Still, twenty-five units of mercenary infantry violate their contracts to Flanders and Thuringia, marching off the field. Close to ninety-thousand men on both sides remain in Alsace and ready for combat.

The coalition has a plethora of decent military commanders, but their effects are somewhat hampered by the three different languages spoken by the soldiers. An enhanced military alliance between Burgundy and France is countered by the fact that the Scottish supply is nonexistent. Lord Rocher of France is an excellent commander, but Duke Sieghard of Thuringia is even better, and benefits from a better junket of battle intelligence. Army quality is better for the coalition, plus they receive a bonus for their troop training. This combined with the fact the Flemish and Thuringians have not been able to set up a proper defense swing the odds back toward the middle. In the end, Sieghard commands only a small advantage in the tactical situation.

Three months of non-stop fighting erupts between the eight different nations in Alsace. Sieghard and Corin of Flanders are able to keep their armies in check, fighting and moving as one effective force. The coalition, meanwhile, is a jumble of communication and strategies. As the months drag on, Rocher of France is forced on the defensive. Bishop Turgot of Scotland is killed, Lord Wolfgang of Swabia is wounded and Lord Hugo of Burgundy is captured. Worried about a break in morale, Rocher orders a march in good order back to Lorraine. Thirteen-thousand of the coalition forces are slain, Thuringia and Flanders weakened by five-thousand.

Once the coalition quite the region, Flanders and Thuringia immediately break ranks and separately perform assault actions. Flanders targets the city of Strassburg, while Thuringia assaults the Rheinfels fortress. Corin of Flanders is successful in breaching the city, losing one engineering company, but does not survive the battle himself. Sieghard has no trouble with the fortress. When the assaults are concluded, the allies cross the river into Franconia, slowed by two months by the presence of the English Fleet.

Rocher of France begins to regroup the coalition in Lorraine. Lord Desoult of Burgundy is unhappy with the loss amounts his army has taken and quits the campaign, retiring back to his own nation. The rest of the coalition stays firm. Without Casus Belli against Thuringia, Rocher is unwilling to press into Franconia in chase of the army. Instead, he orders the forces to return to Swabia to take up defensive position. Their path takes them back through Alsace. The three-hundred cavalry garrison is swept aside, but Stephen of Normandy is taken captive during the quick skirmish. The region reverts to Swabian control, though the city and fortress are ignored. The host moves into the Swabian homeland.

Across the Rhine, Duke Sieghard learns of two invading forces within his Duchy. A group of Bohemians in Thuringia, and Bohemians and Bavarians in Nordgau. Sieghard moves to engage the groups in Nordgau, expecting about ten-thousand enemy troops. He first catches Lord Alexej of Bohemia in the region, raiding with a force of two-thousand cavalry. Sieghard hunts them down to a man, but his second in command, Alfons, is kidnapped during the conflict. Sieghard next encounters Werner of Bavaria and nine-hundred horse. Werner attempts to evade the oncoming army, but is outmatched and out-trooped. Sieghard chews through them all, Werner barely managing to limp back to Bavaria. When Sieghard learns that the rest of the supposed invading forces are simply rumors, he marches back West in an angry haze, worried the distraction may have cost him precious time. Ignored in the north, the Bohemian infantry in Thuringia is repulsed by the local garrison, six-hundred infantry lost to the Bohemians.

Sieghard and the new Flemish Commander, Andre, march south into Swabia. The coalition forces are waiting for them, minus the Burgundians but reinforced by the Venetians. The Swabians now have a slew of additional tactical advantages - homeland bonus, supporting city, a leader in the region on an active defense. But, communication issues continue to plague the various armies. In addition, the Norman, Scottish and Venetian forces are all cut off from communication with their home nations. The invaders are having their own problems, the losses of both subcommanders has made both armies too large to control by single leaders. For the first time in a long while, Sieghard finds himself at a tactical disadvantage.

Sieghard's attack is repulsed, Andre of Flanders is killed, and the unled Flemish army begins to march back to Brabant. Sieghard retires in good order to Franconia to lick his wounds. The invading forces are short seventeen-thousand troops, but only three-thousand are national, the rest of the death toll falling among mercenary units. The coalition loses just under nine-thousand total, only one-thousand of which are mercenaries. The coalition begins to disperse as the cycle ends, the Ventians marching south, the Bavarians into Bavaria, the Scots to Calais, the French and Normans to Nivernais.

 

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

In addition to mobile forces, four field forts are added to the defense of Corsica. Cosimo rules from Pisa, dispatching missives to the frontline in Africa. Prince Ludovico awaits reinforcements in Algeria, then sets about smoothing relations with the conquered populace. Dominico Suzon manages to even found a new church in the region.

 

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

The Venetian bureaucracy expands and assassin effectiveness increases. Five-hundred allied cavalry are built for the Baron of Lombardy. Monies are shipped to Swabo-Lorraine, with three leaders being dispatched to the north to defend the Swabian Homeland with three-thousand allied forces. Doge Rafael remains in Venice, steering the government, but perishing in 1197. His son, Santino, is elected to replace him. Two leaders immediately protest the results, the loudest voice is Guiseppe Lorca, on the fleet with the new Doge in the Mediterranean. Both men appeal to the navy, neither able to gain an advantage over the other. So, supporting boats on both sides begin to skirmish. Doge Santino proves to be the superior commander, and carries the waves. Fifty-odd warships, however, are lost in the battle. On the mainland, Slovenia and Trieste erupt into rebellion, but the local garrison overcomes the rebel forces in Slovenia. Word reaches the Senate that Lombardy will be abandoning its Alliance upon the return of its leader. Consigliori Parinti is the final disloyal figure, and makes it to Venice before the new Doge can return to dock. Parinti claims the mobile army in the capital, and tries to muscle the Senate into accepting his rule. They merely wait for Santino to return, who burns Parinti alive in his manor and reassumes control of the Republic.

 

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

The Baeleric islands abandon their tenuous ties. Thirty-seven warships are raised in Naples. Duke Alphonso steers the government. Prince Lucio and Lord Guy react from Kairouan with almost one-hundred and fifty warships. Prince Leopoldo negotiates a Full Alliance from Catanzaro. Lord Richard reacts out of Naples with twenty-four hundred men. Valencia erupts into rebellion, the local garrison withstanding the first assault, but perishing under the second. The people of Valencia revert to their Sunni faith as the region falls uncontrolled.

 

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

The Count ships the new recruits to Bone, then goes on reaction with the hundred-ship fleet from Palermo. Prince John travels to Valetta, where he negotiates a new Economic alliance from the previous feudal lord. His visit to Cheliff is hasty, and despite the Prince's promise of religious freedom (such as given to Geb-al-Tarik under Sicilian rule), the muslims are much closer in family ties to the populace of Algeria and Kabilya, both of whom have been brutally repressed. The region becomes Hostile to any further Sicilian overtures. John returns to Palermo to spend time with his family. Three-thousand mercenary infantry and four-thousand cavalry are contracted out of Bone.

 

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

Tunisian efforts to rescue the Emir meet without success. Lord Omar finds himself at the head of the defensive forces, raising one-thousand new infantry, a company of engineers, and four field forts. He buckles them all down in defense. The Sicilians and Tuscans don't hesitate to press their advantage. Sicily raises a new four-thousand troops, while Tuscany sees an additional thirty-five hundred infantry and three warships. Three Sicilian and two Tuscan coordinate in Kabilya. The Sicilians field twenty-one hundred infantry, forty-five hundred cavalry (and another two-thousand mercenary horse) and eleven siege companies. They are bolstered by the thirty-five hundred infantry and cavalry, and four engineering companies of the Tuscans. Lord Omar has only eleven-hundred troops, but leverages them in the eight field forts of the region and a directed defense at the oncomers. Jordan de Lench, the overall Sicilian commander is an excellent strategist, and despite the capture of Raimund de Chalons is successful in destroying the entire enemy force. The allies lose thirteen-hundred infantry and a company of engineers.

Omar retreats into the capital, manning the walls of Tunis itself. But without other defenders, the Italian Allies encircle the city and after only three months Tunis is broken. Sicily garrisons the city itself, but hears word that the removal of the Kabilya garrison has erupted into open revolt. While the local garrison retains control of the region itself, the populace does cast off the military conversion. Jordan de Lench has his own plans for the populace of Tunisia, and begins to institute a new pogrom. The expected rebellion is put down with only one unit of infantry lost. Back in Palermo, Count Simon tangles with the remnants of the Tunisian fleet. He loses a few warships, ut protects Sardinia from any raiding. The Tunisian fleet disbands after word reaches them of the capture of the capital.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	93mi, 14mc, 5ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4
Leader:	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

A postal road stretching through the wilderness of Goryn is completed. Eight hundred cavalry are added to the mobile forces. King Miloslaw leads an expedition to Pechneg, supported by Prince Ryszard and Lord Jacek. Through the arrangement of a diplomatic marriage, the Orthodox region agrees to a Tributary arrangement. Crown Prince Oskar steers the government while his father is away, blessed by two daughters. Prince Adalbert is unsuccessful in spreading the word of God in Pechneg. Lord Slweis fares better with his preaching in Pinsk before he catches ill. Chubik reacts out of Warsaw with seven-thousand men. The Archbishop of Warsaw perishes, opening the diocese to investment.

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness increases. Thirty-three hundred cavalry are raised. The Grand Prince rules from Novgorod City. Lord Marlen supports the administration, but succumbs to age. Lords Alex and Olaf march sixteen-thousand troops to the South. Evgeni replaces his aging father after his death in 1198.

 

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

Warship Quality and assassin effectiveness increase. Kirivitch, Seversk and Smolensk all see regional cultivation projects completed. Volodymyr runs diplomacy in Atelzuko, even arranging a marriage to Princess Petya. The region continues to refuse ties. Volodymyr returns to Polotsk and reacts with one-thousand troops. Regent Symon returns the the capital city, quickly taking the reigns of the government. Lord Oleg marches to Kur.

 

Rise of the Teutons

With none of their demands for bribery met, the horde begins to move. The forces move into Latvia and brutally loot the region, destroying many of the villages, farmsteads and wells throughout. As the horde begins to approach the city of Nija, Lords Sven and Oskar attempt to force a landing in the region with around seven-thousand troops. Five-hundred cavalry never even make it to the shore. Danish agents are quick to sow discontent within the ranks of the horde, but the leaders are quick to repress the mutiny. Danish blades prove more effective, wounding the Teutonic King and one of his subcommanders. The Danish cavalry is useless in landings from the sea, and the high ground effectively doubles the combat strength of the barbarians. But, the Danish assassins and the fact the barbarians were caught on the move allows Oskar to force a landing. The barbarians are driven from Latvia, one Teutonic leader killed. Sven, himself, takes wounds during the battle. Still, the Danes lose over two-thousand men in the fighting, the Teutons only three-hundred. The Danes quickly liberate the city of Nija.

The Teutons regroup in Daugava, and decide to launch a strike back across the river. The Danes are waiting for them with a directed defense and quickly repel the attack. The Teutons lose four-thousand of their men, the Danes only nine-hundred. The Teutons lick their wounds and go on the defensive. They react to the East when a combined force of Russians from Kiev and Novgorod attack. Eighteen thousand Russians face the remaining six-thousand barbarians - and are pushed back, regrouping in Polotsk. The Russians lose twenty-five hundred troops, the Teutons half that amount.

The Teutons decide to go on the offensive, and strike across the river into Livonia. With the Novgorod army in Kiev, the pacification is opposed only by two field forts. They are both destroyed at the cost of one-hundred troops. The Russians renew their attack on Kur, and are surprised to find no defenses. The region is garrisoned by Kiev. The Russian allies then press into Courland, pacifying the region with similar ease. Their scouts learn that the Teutons have attacked into neighboring Prussia, defeating the reactionary army of Lord Chubik of Poland. Deserters from the Polish army report that Chubik was wounded during the battle, his army losing eighteen-hundred. Six-hundred Barbarians are thought to have been killed.

The Allies push north into Daugava, taking the region without any losses. A Swedish and Danish army crosses the river to join in the coalition. The group organizes and strike West, taking the region of Musa. The Teutons have been busy as well, liberating Courland, then Kur from the Kievan garrisons.

 

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

Ialomita and Wallachia both have their cultivation projects finished, the steppe lands of both regions converted to fields and grazing lands. A regional fortress and six field forts are added to the defense of the homeland. Five-hundred infantry and four companies of engineers are raised in the capital. The King spends time with his family siring two children while he runs the government. Prince Erszi returns to Alfold, going on reaction with three-thousand troops. Lord Laszlo soon joins him with another seven-thousand. Lord Janos enters negotiation in Ialomita, but makes no progress with the pagan residents before he catches ill and perishes. Lord Odon makes a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, granted one-hundred bibles for the people of the holy land. After three days of preaching in the city he is apprehended by Damascene troops and thrown in prison. The Feudal Allies of Wallachia, Ialomita and Transylvania return home to defend.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. The King shakes off the inactivity of previous cycles with a large increase to the national troops. Two-thousand infantry, three-thousand cavalry and ten companies of engineers see recruitment. Domotor takes a direct hand in the government, siring another son with his wife. A few years ;later, young Javor, the Heir-Apparent, develops a cough from which he does not recover. Most national leaders attend the funeral. The Feudal Allies of Dalmatia, Ludgorie and Epirus react from their regions. Nandor Misi and Pista Piroska both perish of age at the end of the cycle.

 

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

 

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

Taman abandons its tenuous ties. The Khan orders most resources attributed to the cultivation project in Patzinak. Crown Prince Harun and Lord Ilgiz are unsuccessful in their diplomatic attempt in Nogai. Prince Irfan and Lord Altan gain a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the Pagans of Uze. The Feudal Allies of Saksiny, Torki and Patzinak all react from their regions. Timor perishes in 1199, Harun taking the leadership of the tribes.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	85mi, 27mc, 23ms, 24mw, 7mt
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

Khurasan abandons its tenuous ties to the realm. The city of Qyzylorda sees expansion. Khursan starts to see a road commissioned to connect to the Gurgan desert. The Shah leads a delegation including lords Yalik and Assam to Khurasan. The region easily agrees to fully join the Empire. Hamid the Younger is left in charge of the government. He also switches the large fishing fleet in the city to Internal Trade services. Prince Qamar travels to Kul'Sary, but is unable to gain an alliance from the desert nomads. Lord Muhammed makes some process in the conversion of Scythia. The Feudal Lords of Khazakh, Gurgan and Chorasima react from their regions.

 

 

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

The Khan orders a new city built in Kuldja along the shores of its great lake. Firoz Kshi sees a cultivation project begun. Prince Khafiya accompanies the royal children Nazir, Latif and Sameer dutinga long overland journey to Mecca. After the pilgrimage, the party returns as far as Dasht'Kavir, but young Sameer takes ill and does not survive the trek. Prince Kamal and Lord Omar negotiate a full absorption of Firoz Kshi into the Khanate. Lords Sammi and Afrasaib negotiate a new Feudal Alliance from Transoxania. Both regions grant the Khan a new bride.

 

Great Seljuk Empire
( Esfahan in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Ebrahim al Mu'Tamid, Regent For
Empress Ghayda I

Saht'Kavir abandons its tenuous ties. Emperor Kamuran personally oversees a reinstitution of the national census, then perishes at the age of forty-four. Ebrahim al Mu'Tamid is quick to announce that his child, as per an old agreement with Kamuran is the new ruler, despite her role as a female. Many in the court chaff at the appointment, but no one steps forward to challenge Ebrahim. Ebrahim, of course, institutes himself with the office and powers of Regent. For his part, he does negotiate a full alliance with the region of Dasht'Kavir. A second full alliance is signed, this time in Tabaristan by lords Tahmouress and Forruka. Lord Soheil reacts from Fars with one-thousand troops. Hooshmand of Dasht'e Lute reacts from his region. Six mercenary warships are contracted in Agri.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. An heir is born to the Sultan.

 

The Atabeg Civil War
The Atabeg Sultanate of Lyssa
vs.
The Atabeg Sultanate of Mosul

Sultan Hadi of Mosul knows how precarious his position in the capital is, and so orders a mass conscription and over taxation of the realm. Thirty-two new companies of Siege Engineers are raised to bolster his defenses in case of a siege, six-hundred of his personal cavalry disbanded and retrained in the effort. Despite the over taxation, Hadi orders the troop payrolls withheld. He is able calm the immediate stirrings of mutiny among the soldiers. In As-Sur, Crusader assassins strike at both the Mosul Prince Fihr and the Mosul Lord Tepir. Tepir is wounded in the attempt.

Sultan Pothmir of Lyssa faces a similar situation with his troops, but rather than risk a mutiny, the Sultan squeezes the economy with a large tax increase, almost twice that of Mosul. Pothmir's attempts are not so lucky, and the economy spirals into an immediate depression. The leaders of the region of Mosul affect a quick rebellion, two-thousand native troops attacking Pothmir's fourteen-thousand. Pothmir defeats the rebels while only losing one-hundred men.

Sultan Pothmir and Ibrahim encircle Mosul City, initiating a passive siege of the Mosul capital. Pothmir soon finds that with the mass conscription on Mosul's part, Pothmir does not have the required forces to maintain a siege. Hadi avoids being starved out. Prince Qasim of Lyssa squirrels to the north, entering the region of Arbiliq and claiming it for Lyssa. He collects the twenty-five hundred troops in the region and city garrisons before returning to Mosul and the siege. He adds his forces to the siege attempt, but Lyssa still lacks the numbers to force the siege. To add insult to injury, Mosul assassins strike and kill Qasim in the dead of night.

In As-Sur, the Mosul leaders Fihr and Tepir begin to move. Prince Fihr slips into the Gulf of Cyprus and then Cilicia, collecting the two-thousand garrison troops. Tepir, wounded and moving slowly, begins the trek north through the Lebanese wilderness. Fihr sets up a defense of Cilicia, then times his entry into Aleppo to coordinate with Tepir. Aleppo switches sides. At the same time, Mahakmed of Lyssa his swept into Edessa, clearing the region of its similar two-thousand troops. Mahakmed hands over the men to Pothmir in Mosul. Fihr and Tepir set up a new defense in the Aleppo fortress.

After the delivery of his troops, Mahakmed of Lyssa travels west, hoping to collect Cilicia and Tarsus for his liege. His five-hundred cavalry run smack into Fihr and Tepir and their four-thousand troops. Mahakmed's forces are quickly cut down with no losses to Mosul. Mahakmed manages to escape capture, and returns to Carhae, setting up a defense of the region. The Mosul leaders wait, knowing that their best defensive position is here.

In Mosul, Pothmir grows tired of the ineffective siege and quits the region. Unwilling to let Mosul retain Aleppo, Pothmir and Ibrahim of Circis march to meet Fihr and Tepir. Pothmir has a 6-1 advantage in troop numbers, but it is too much of a good thing, and he has problems within his communication lines for such a large force. Tepir and Fihr have chosen a directed defense of the border, giving them a large advantage, plus they receive support from the city and fortress in the region.

In the battle, Mosul takes more damage, losing sixteen-hundred men to the Lyssan eight-hundred. But both Tepir of Mosul and Sultan Pothmir of Lyssa are slain in the fighting. The Lyssan troops retreat into Carhae. Lord Mahakmed is the only remaining national leader in Lyssa, and immediately declares himself the new Sultan. Ibrahim of Circis proclaims his allegiance to a distant cousin of Pothmir. Both leaders struggle for control of the army. Ibrahim is wounded during the skirmishes, but ultimately forces Mahakmed to renounce his claim and support the new Sultan Basir. Ibrahim and Mahakmed, unwilling to return to the meat grinder in Aleppo, set up in reaction and defense of the homeland.

Prince Fihr of Mosul strikes out north, slipping into Edessa. Ibrahim catches news of Fihr's movement away from his defensive position and hurries to intercept. Fihr's forces are destroyed, but Mahakmed is killed in the skirmishing. Fihr retreats to Aleppo. At the very end of the cycle, Prince Farooq of Mosul takes one-hundred light cavalry and speeds into the region of Mosul. Ibrahim of Lyssa is unable to react, and the region switches allegiance.

 

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

The Sultan clings to power and the homeland. Crusader agents damage public works in Antioch. Prince Fihr succumbs to age in Aleppo. Hadi's brother, Lutfi, is appointed Heir-Apparent.

 

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

Basir comes to power in troubled times. Crusaders destroy a small mosque in Lyssa.

 

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

Dharan and the city od Ali al Saleem both abandon their tenuous ties to the Caliphate. Siege quality and assassin effectiveness both increase. The city of Buqabah sees an expansion. Prince Rauf is appointed a position at court, while his brothers Habib and Rushdi are sent to join the Hashshashins. Gold is sent to support the Lyssan faction in the Civil War to the West. The Caliph steers the government, siring two daughters. Crown Prince Nazih takes a bride from Kuwait, where he and Prince Jibil organize a full absorption of the region into the nation. Lords Fadib and Abd react from Mesopotamia at the head of twenty-five hundred men. Lord Abu Karim travels to Lebanon to preach the word of Allah, but his efforts are undermined by the failure of the Abbasid national missionaries. The Feudal Lords of Dharan and Selucia react from their regions. Mercenary contracts are taken out in the Damascene cities of As-Sur and Damascus. Eleven warships, six transports and Commander Zafir in the former, four warships and Commander Seemab in the latter.

 

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

The city of As-Sur is expanded. Five-hundred cavalry and three-hundred infantry are raised for the mobile forces. Prince Sulik and the rutters to the Gulf of Cyprus are granted to the Hashshashins. New trade routes are opened to the Italians. The Sultan and Lord Omar take command of four-thousand troops and move West into Mansura, where the react in honor of their Defensive Pact with Egypt. They return to LEvant by the end of the cycle. Crown Prince Saleem oversees the government and sires a son. Lord Qasim preaches in Lebanon, but his efforts are countered by the failure of Lyssan missionaries. Lord Zafar travels to Lyssa with lady Saliha for a marriage arrangement. Both return after word reaches them of the grooms death at Mosul City. Lord Bahir catches word of a Crusader leader snooping around in Lebanon and he quickly moves to capture the Christian. The Crusader manages to evade the Damascene forces and disappears into the countryside. Smarting from the near miss, Bahir turns to reaction in Levant with two-thousand men, the feudal lord of Bostra joining him.

 

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

Cavalry quality improves. The wilderness of Berbera is tamed and cleared for farming. Three hundred cavalry and four light warships are brought to service in Sana. The Emir takes a new bride, and sires children with both his wives. All other leaders travel to Mecca for a pilgrimage, collecting garrisons and reorganizing the army under the Emir.

 

NORTH AND EAST AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	129mi, 141mc, 16ms, 49mw, 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

The Fatimid Caliph is quick to raise another round of troops. Five-thousand infantry and five-hundred cavalry are brought to service and put under his personal command. Scotland and England are both distracted by the war in Germany. Makuria is invested, and raises fifteen-hundred new infantry. Lords Agao, Moridan and Mareb gather in Adulis with fifteen-hundred infantry and almost eight-thousand cavalry. They press north into Suakin and conquer the region without a response from the Fatimids.

It is when they press into Aswan that the Caliphate moves into action. The Caliph has been waiting in Thebes with the Feudal Lords of Ad'Diffah and Sinai. The Caliph commands nine-thousand infantry, twenty-three hundred cavalry and five companies of engineers. The Makurians host a better array of leaders, with a higher training level of elite troopers. The Fatimids, meanwhile, enjoy troop numbers and a better supply line from the city of Asaibah. All told, the Makurians have the tiniest of overall advantages. Lord Agao runs a conservative campaign, hoping to leverage that. The Caliph, however, has been chomping at the bit to engage enemy forces. After years of fighting the Italians on the Emirate of Tunisia's behalf, the Caliph now has enemies on home soil. He goes after the invaders with abandon, and is wildly successful in the first few battles and Moridan is slain. Lord Mareb comes close to being cut off from the main force and panics, pushing his men into flight in an effort to avoid Moridan's fate. This in turn causes a rout among Agao's main force, and the Makurians retreat wholesale. Agao is unable to control the fleeing men, and many are cut down by the Fatimid pursuers. The Shi'a report sixteen-hundred of their own dead. Only three hundred Christians return to Aswan, where the Makurian Ally of Adulis waits with eight-hundred men on defense.

 

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

After the battle in Aswan, the Caliph returns to the capital and organizes an official declaration of war against Makuria. Flush on the victory, the nobles back the endeavor. The Caliph then returns to Thebes for continued reaction duties. Bilal ibn Tariq defends the city of Al-Qahirah with his sixty-odd warships. A group of bandits assault Tripolotania, looting the few public works of the desert region.

 

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

The King returns to Soba, personally steering the government. He appoints his son Benjamin an official position, but the lad perishes on his fourteenth birthday after consuming far too much mead. Prince Rathios tries his hand at diplomacy. The Nubian's are uninterested in ties with the Kingdom, but Songola agrees to a full alliance. The Feudal lord of Kassala extends his men to the defense of Nubia, but travels back to Kassala once diplomacy stalls. Toconda of Geziria defends Dongola with his feudal levy. Amba Sait of Adulis, worried about a greater war with Egypt, lowers his alliance to feudal in nature. Sixty-four hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted out of Soba.

 

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

Defeated.

 

The Masai Tribes
( Mwarza in Masai )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Chief Zuberi

Controls Kilwa (Tange), Masai (Mwarza), Mombassa (Mombassa City)

 

WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	5mi, 5mc, 5ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c3, s4, w4

 

Kanem-Bornu Empire
( Ngazargumu in Kanem-Bornu )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Emperor Mai Kuntana

Controls Kanem-Bornu (Ngazargumu), N'jimi (Ounianga), Soro (Bol)

 

Hausa Bakwai
( Kano in Hausa )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Biram Bakwai

Controls Hausa (Kano), Jos (Gobir), Kanuri (Katsina)

 

Mali Empire of Songhai
( Gao in Sudan )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Emperor Kukuray

Controls Garou (Douentza), Songhai (Tombouctou), Sudan (Gao)

 

Segu Wagadou
( Kumbi Saleh in Ghana )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Bannu Bubu

Controls Boure (Bamako), Ghana (Kumbi Saleh), Segu (Segou)

 

Tribal Kingdom of Takrur
( Dakar in Takrur )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
King Nfansu

Controls Gambia (Nouadhibou), Senegal (Lemsid), Takrur (Dakar)

 

Ashanti Kumasi
( Kumasi in Gagnoa )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Ndidi

Controls Akan (Accra), Gagnoa (Kumasi), Niete (Abidjan)

 

Oyo Katunga
( Katunga in Oyo )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Dubaku

Controls Gurma (Abuja), Oyo (Katunga), Yoruba (Lagos)

 

Ogiso of Benin
( Ibinu in Benin )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Ogiso Nthanda

Controls Benin (Ibinu), Bubi (Malabo), Douala (Douala City)

 

Mwene Kongo
( Julo in Kongo )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Chief Kgosi

Controls Kongo (Julo), Matadi (Matadi City), Vili (Tchibanga)

 

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Grandmaster Leonardo is unsuccessful in the foundation of a Temple. Prince Michael fares no better in his three cell attempts. Lord Hans founds two cells, but fails at a second two. The brilliant and well-spoken general, Otto von Drakken, offers his services to the Crusade.

 

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

Order status increases in the Duchy of Apulia. Siege quality increases. Three-hundred infantry and four cogs are conscripted. Primas Peter and Lord Sean are successful in raising a new Order Stronghold, allowing the Order to recentralize its control web. Justicar Arthur transfers troops around the order holdings, then retries a rutter for the Adriatic Sea from Byzantium. Lord Stuart is successful in founding a new cell.

 

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

Siege quality and religious capacity both see an increase. Three companies of engineers are raised. Old Man Husayn is unable to complete a temple foundation he had hoped to orchestrate. Lord Muhammad perishes during the cycle, but organizes a new lodge. Ubayd is also successful in his cell creation. Wafi Ahmad sets up a defense of Aleppo, leveraging his five-thousand odd troops against a possible Crusader strike hoping to take advantage of the Atabeg Civil War. He then calls forth two-hundred religious cavalry from the Sultanate of Mosul. Prince As-Salam is successful in recruiting another two-hundred from the Sultanate, as well as five-hundred from the Sultanate of Damascus.Lord Khaled perishes in a Byzantine prison. Government bureaucracy and infrastructure are loaned to the Sultanates of Lyssa and the Rum Seljuks.