[ index | archive | maps | rules | nations ]
< prev turn | msi | next turn >

Lords of the Earth
Deus Vult!
Turn 022
(1205 to 1209)

 

WESTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	74mi, 193mc, 24ms, 15mw, 6mt
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

One-thousand infantry and twenty-three hundred cavalry are conscripted, the former being gifted to the Prince's Crusade. Twenty-two light transports are refitted and manned from the captured shipping of previous cycles. King Kenneth ships four-thousand cavalry to Calais, where he and Cardinal James join the French coalition. Lord Daniel sails to Palermo, gifting the Sicilian Count with gold. Prince Robert perishes during the conflict with Flanders.

 

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

Thirty-eight light transports are constructed or converted from harbored merchant shipping. One unit of cavalry is raised and equipped. Robert steers the government, seeing two more daughters and the education of Reginald in Administration. Prince John oversees the execution of Paul Dubois of Flanders. His head is sent to Cologne as a warning to the Flemish occupiers. A small number of citizens take the opportunity to rebel, but the Flemish garrison commander is quick to crush the revolt. John sires a daughter with his own wife before traveling across the Channel. Lord Duncan and Bishop Even travel to Swabia, defending the regions with two-thousand men.

 

County of Flanders
( Utrecht in Holland )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Henry III

Three-thousand cavalry are raised for the war. The Count quickly weds Steffi of Thuringia, regaining a Defensive Pact with Duke Sieghard.

 

The Norman-Irish Civil War
Duchy of Normandy
vs.
Norman County of Ireland

Norman assassins are sent after the new Count of Ireland, but are unable to find their target. Agents are more successful in stirring up a mutiny among the defenders of Dublin. The Irish Count appeals to the men's loyalty, and it is taken at face value, the potential rebellion suppressed for now. Suspecting that Ireland's best chance at survival is the deny Normandy a landing point, Count Edward splits his already meager forces into two. He commands six hundred infantry and three engineering companies, and strikes into Ulster. Lord Calvik takes the other five-hundred infantry and two engineering companies, striking at Connaught.

Calvik is the faster leader, and reaches his target first. Arrayed against him are eleven-hundred infantry and a field fort. Luckily, the garrison commander is only average, and the enemy troops are cut off and isolated from the Norman mainland. During the first round of fighting, Calvik destroys five infantry and the field fort, losing one of his siege units. When he learns that the garrison commander has been killed in the fighting, he is assured victory. Count Edward finds no defenders at all in Ulster. Both Irish regions are liberated, and become full supporters of the Irish County.

Duke Finnoch of Normandy has been busy organizing his own forces. Lord Peter has been recalled from the French coalition, and brings back eleven-hundred troops from the front lines. He collects the twenty-one hundred mercenary cavalry, and boards a fleet of thirty two cogs and twenty warships under the command of Duke Finnoch. The leaders sail to the coast of Connaught, but find the region under Irish control. Reasoning that Rouen will be able to far out produce Dublin in new troops, and that the mercenaries were completely expendable, Peter urges the Duke to risk the amphibious assault. Finnoch consents, and the Normans swarm the shores.

Lord Calvik had by now returned to Lienster, taking command of the entire army. He gets word of the Norman landing and reacts to meet the invaders. Lord Peter successfully navigates the waters, losing only two of the mercenary units in the initial landing. Lord Calvik assaults the landing parties with his eleven-hundred infantry and five engineering companies. The initial Norman troops only number six-hundred infantry and five engineering companies. The cavalry still in the process of regrouping. The Normans hold the line, both sides losing six-hundred men. Afraid of the cavalry, Calvik retreats to Lienster with the remaining army.

Peter liberates Connaught, regaining control of the region. Duke Finnoch takes the fleet and sails back to the mainland. While this breaks the Norman supply, Peter is confident in his numerical advantage. He presses into Lienster. Calvik has positioned himself amongst the two field forts of the region, and now benefits from a supporting fortress and the advantage of fighting from the homeland. Luck is with the Irish, and Calvik manages to launch an attack while the Normans are engaged with the destruction of the western-most field fort. Surprised by Calvik's assault, the Norman men are routed. The field fort costs the Normans fourteen-hundred men, but the crushing news is that Lord Peter is among the dead.

The remaining thousand Normans retreat to Connaught, and Lord Calvik gives chase with his own thousand mobile forces. The garrison leader of Connaught manages to kill six-hundred of the Irish before his army panics. With no where left to run, the surviving six-hundred mercenaries quit the campaign, and Calvik is able to liberate Connaught.

 

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

Gael addresses the church within her borders, specifically targeting the laity with ties to Thuringia and Flanders. She appeals to their sense of justice, and calls upon them to lend their influence instead to Normandy. Some of the Flemish priests are swayed, but the Thuringian holy men prove quite stubborn. Duke Finnoch oversees sees an expansion of the government's infrastructure, making up for the portion lost to the Irish. The Duke allows his brothers-in-law, Mark and Henry, to be granted official court positions. He negotiates the release of Lord Stephen from Thuringia, ransoming the lord from his Imperial captors. After Lord Peter establishes a beachhead in Ireland, Duke Finnoch sails to the city of Brest, there the city elders refuse to agree to any ties. Lord Rickard remains in Nivernais with the French coalition, commanding almost seven-thousand men.

 

Norman County of Ireland
( Dublin in Lenster )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Count Edward I

Count Edward sires a daughter, and marries his eldest daughter to a local nobleman, promoting his new son-in-law to the position of Prince. With the gain of Connaught and Ulster, his fledgling government is stretched thin.

 

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

Four-thousand cavalry are brought to service. King Louis steers the government. Crown Prince Charles returns to Paris and spends five years with his teenaged mistress. Four children spring from the relationship. Lord Rocher picks up the new recruits and the twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry. He and Prince Gervais join the coalition army. Jean-Louis remains with the Prince's Crusade. Twenty-five hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Paris.

 

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

City Elders in Perpignon agitate over spice tariffs. Soon, the Economic Ally has declared only a Tenuous link with the Grand Duchy. Twenty-six hundred cavalry are conscripted. The Grand Duke officially adopts Isabella o Venice, a royal hostage who has grown up in the Burgundian Court. He hand in marriage is given to the war leader, Al-Azek, for his faithful services to the crown. Immediately after the wedding, Crown Prince Rudolf, Lord Hugo and Al-Azek march to join the French coalition with thirteen-thousand Burgundian, and nine-hundred mercenary troops. Lord Charles' preaching in Aquitaine manages to fully return the region to Catholicism.

 

Kingdom of Aragon
( Zaragoze in Aragon )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Phillip, Regent For
King Hernan I

Assassin effectiveness improves. Zacarias orders the port of Barcelona expanded, then funds a new royal road in Navarre. The King focuses on the government, two new children added to his family, but his daughter, Lupe, perishes from pneumonia. Lord Guillarmo spends another cycle in Gascon, easing tensions. He perishes at the age of fifty-nine. Lord Esteban commands five warships, successfully mapping both the Sea of Portugal and the Bay of Biscay. Lord Ballelo investigates the region of New Castille. The Princes of the realm see to the military. Phillip defends Catalonia with two-thousand men; Valerio reacts out of Gascony with two-thousand; Sancho defends New Castille with one-thousand. King Zacarias suffers a heart failure at the end of the cycle, leaving the Kingdom to his underage son, Hernan. Prince Phillip is declared regent. Queen Jeannine retires to Bordeaux with her daughters Isabel and Margarita.

 

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

CENTRAL EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	118mi, 103mc, 25ms, 41mw, 6mt
AQRs:	i5, c5, s5, w5

 

 

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

Papal agents spontaneously build a new church in the city of Farsund. The first round of colonization in Vaasa is completed, with the port city of Sundsbyen constructed along its banks. King Brandr steers the government, training his son Thorbrandr in Administration. He orders more resources to finish the postal segment in Oopland. He also orders his brother, Sverre, to cement a new marriage between Crown Prince Hakon and the nobles of Hergelad. The headstrong and genius diplomat refuses the King's order, and instead travels to Gotland, hoping to woo the island away from Sweden. When a Swedish diplomat arrives Sigurd is pleased by the competition and begins negotiations in earnest. Luckily, perhaps, for relations between Sweden and Norway, Sverre catches ill during the cycle and perishes. Still, his efforts manage to nullify the Swedish diplomat's attempts.

Prince Sigurd is gifted the city of Trond as his personal fief, moving to the city with his wife and two daughters. Crown Prince Hakon is quickly appointed a courtly position in his place. Prince Magnus sails to the Bay of Biscay, successful mapping the waterway before returning to the capital where he succumbs to age. Lords Asmundr and Ketill ferry resources to Vaasa. Lord Harald reacts from Christiana with seven-hundred troops and twenty-six warships. Bishop Kari and the ally Vemundr join forces in the conversion of Oopland. Their efforts stall for the moment.

 

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

The city of Gavle is expanded with six-hundred new infantry raised for the army. The bare minimum of funds are set aside for the eventual colonization of Vasterbotten. King Njord, approaching sixty, worries about his lack of an heir. He pushes the nobles to accept general Tyko Halvarson as the Heir-Apparent. Grudgingly, they do so. Lord Gustav runs into diplomatic competition in Gotland. Lord Haval takes a tour around the gulf of Bothnia, assigning garrisons to each of the unsettled regions. Lord Gunnar gains a Feudal Alliance from the region of Musa.

When Njord perishes at the end of the cycle, chaos erupts as the various families attempt to usurp Tyko's precarious hold on the Throne. The regions of Gotland, Jamtland, Livo-Joki, Lorhar-Jarvi, Musa, Norbotten and Vasterbotten move away from Tyko and toward local control. The cities of Reval, Visby and Gavel follow suit. Tyko leads his forces and quickly crushes the rebellion in Kalmar, then Jamtland. Lord Halstan regains control of Gavel.

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness improves. King Orjan rules from the capital. He promotes Orvar to the Heir position, sends Gregers to the Prince's Crusade, and Aksel to the Vatican. Prince Erik sails four light warships and a cog to Palermo, where a gift of gold is transferred. Erik defends the Sicilian city before returning to Skjern. Lord thomas continues to aid the government with his Administration. The other leaders return to the mainland now that the Teutonic Horde has been defeated.

 

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

One-thousand national cavalry and one-hundred infantry are raised for the Duke. Tobias of Pomerania receives a grant of five-hundred allied infantry. The Duke and Lord Meinhard set up a defense of Leipzig with six-thousand national and two-thousand mercenary troops. Lord Norbert defends Friesland with three-thousand. Tobias moves to Lausatia, defending with his allied units. Lord Hubert is discovered by Thuringian authorities in Nordgau, but manages to evade back across the border before being captured.

 

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

Assassin capacity improves. Four field forts are raised in Hesse, with another eighteen-hundred cavalry raised for the Duke. Tired of Thuringian merchants being pillaged and press-ganged by his enemies, Sieghard closes most of his sea routes. Prince Torsten finally convinces the nobility to include Bohemia in its long list of active enemies. Lord Alfons manages to negotiate the release of Crown Prince Sieghard from the Swabians.

 

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

Nine-hundred infantry, twelve-hundred cavalry and four engineering companies are raised. Lord Zdenek brings the city of Dresden fully into the Duchy. Lord Radla defends Prague with ten engineering companies. Lord Alexej reacts from the capital, at the head of four-thousand troops. Duke Vratislaus takes his son (and four-thousand troops) to Astria. A marriage and Defensive Pact is arranged with Bavaria, and the Bohemians react in their new ally's territory. Twelve-hundred mercenary cavalry are contracted in Prague.

 

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

Twenty-eight hundred cavalry are raised for the mobile forces. Four field forts are built in Slovakia, another in Galich. Krakow gets a new wall point. The Duke steers his government, assigning the rest of his leaders to military actions. He grants his son, Ansgar, control of the Devil's Horn, a satanic relic that grants the bearer unearthly strength. Church Elders across the nation demand for the unholy object to be destroyed, but the Duke ignores their pleas.

 

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

One thousand cavalry, eighteen-hundred infantry are raised, the Emperor squeezing out a higher tax rate during the cycle.

 

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

 

Northwest Front

French Intelligence pegs the Flemish army in the region of Champagne in defensive posture. Taking a chance, Jacques-Hugues Rocher, the grand French general, decides to move against the County of Flanders. All the leaders convene and set out battle plans. Rocher and Gervais of France, King Kenneth and Cardinal James of Scotland, Rickard of Normandy, Rudolf, Hogo and Al-Asek of Burgundy. All told, the coalition field thirty-thousand cavalry, a thousand infantry, and over thirty engineering companies.

Duke Sieghard and Lord Adalard of Thuringia are reacting out of Holland with fourteen-thousand cavalry. They immediately set out to intercept the invaders in the region of Flanders, taking advantage of the Defensive Pact who's ink has barely had time to dry. Sieghard dispatches agents to Champagne to inform the Flemish army of the attack. Count Henry quits his defensive position and moves to join Sieghard in Flanders with his own forces. He sets up his position among the dozen field forts.

The sides begin to draw battle lines when the Normans suddenly break from the field. Flemish mutineers manage to infiltrate the Norman army. Why are troops being sent to Flanders, when there is a civil war? The questions mirrors the thoughts of many in the army, and Rickard's second in command takes control of the men, marching back to Normandy demanding to be sent to fight the Irish rebels. For his part, Rickard manages to avoid being lynched, and stays on to lend his leadership to the coalition, if not any manpower.

Soon thereafter, the mercenary bribery antics begin. Flanders issues counter-bribery payments, but the English manage to steal some of the funds. Scotland bribes twenty-five of the cavalry units with enough gold to cancel their contract. France quickly bribes the remaining fifteen, four of them even switching sides to French control. Flemish bribes are then offered to the French mercenaries, but Rocher has ample counter-funds on hand and retains their services.

The invaders have better overall leadership, the full range of scouting benefits, and over half of their army is elite in training. Thuringia and Flanders have the advantage of homeland territory, the support of the regional fortress, and a better overall army quality. All told, the invaders retain a 20% tactical advantage. Almost sixty-thousand Catholics smash into each other over a three month period and come to a draw. Thirteen-thousand dead invaders, versus sixteen-thousand dead defenders. Hugo Brun of Burgundy is the only leader to perish.

Without their third leader, Burgundy now controls an oversized force. In addition, the light cavalry units of both sides have been completely destroyed, so that aspect of scouting is lost to the coalition. During the second round, the tactical advantage is completely neutral. After thirty years of combat, Sieghard makes a mistake. Sensing a weakness in the coalition supply, he splits the armies. His cavalry attempting to draw off the main host of enemies, while Flanders strikes at the flank. Rocher sees though the plan, and immediately pounces on the Flemish troops. Sieghard rushes his army to aid Count Henry and the Flemish army, but by the time he arrives, they are in a full rout. Morale falls among the Thuringians, and Sieghard attempts to retire from the region. He loses control of his men, and soon his own forces are routing as well. The coalition has a good advantage in cavalry at this point, and uses it to pursue the fleeing troops, cutting them down with abandon. The defending troops are completely destroyed, though the leadership makes it to the walls of Ghent. The coalition loses only two-thousand troops.

Rocher encircles the city with the coalition force. Scottish and English fleets cut off the city from the sea. After six months, Rocher has an effective passive siege in place. It takes another five months for the stored food in Ghent to run out. After a further eight months, and the death of the Count's brother, Ulrich, Henry is willing to offer terms of surrender, but when word reaches the besieged city that the Swabian Emperor has died, Sieghard urges the Count to hold out. Four months later, the seventy-three year old Sieghard succumbs to the illness running rampant throughout the starving city.

Rocher occupies the city, setting up a garrison of cavalry in both Ghent and the region of Flanders. One Thuringian and four Flemish leaders, including Count Henry, are imprisoned. Rocher captures a haul of Flemish shipping, and holds half the government and the Flemish university in abeyance. He does not have enough time left to initiate a siege of the Flemish fortress in the region. Max Peter relocates the remaining Flemish government to Utrecht in Holland. Rocher learns that King Louis has died in Paris. Prince Gervais approaches Rocher with a plan to seize power, rather than let the throne fall to Charles. Rocher immediately throws the traitorous prince in chains, condemns him for mutiny, and has him hanged before the entire army. The trouble spot of Auvergne takes the opportunity to once again revolt.

 

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

Cavalry Quality and Assassin Effectiveness both improve for the cycle. A cog, two-thousand infantry, eleven-hundred cavalry and five engineering companies are raised. The Margrave rules the realm without issue, ending he cycle on Reaction with three-thousand troops. Prince Ludovico and Lord Dominico continue to woo the conquered people of Algeria. Lord Leonardo is tasked with transporting two leaders and eleven-thousand troops to Byzantium.

 

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

Assassin Capacity improves.

 

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

The Duke sends his brother Sabino to Rome in hopes of seeing another Pope established from his familial line. Lord Guy receives the commission of another ten light warships, ten light transports and one-thousand marines. The King also raises four engineering companies for his personal command, and two-hundred infantry, six-hundred cavalry for Lord Richard. Brindisi, Naples and Foggia all have double posts added to the city walls. The Duke steers the government. Lord Guy reacts from Naples with one hundred and fifty warships and three-thousand troops. Lord Richard from Campania with five-thousand men, he perishes before the cycle ends. Princes Ofeo and Leopoldo travel to the Black Sea, and take brides from the pagan region of Polovotsy. However, the region proves to be too distant for Naples to control effectively and abandons the alliance at the end of the cycle.

 

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

Cavalry quality sees an improvement. One-thousand infantry and cavalry are raised in the capital. Duke Simon, Prince John and Cuthbert de Marne travel to Naples, where the Duke proposes a merger of the Sicilian and Apulian houses. Simon proposes a series of royal marriages (five in all) and espouses the need for unity in the effort of freeing the holy land. Duke Alphonso of Apulia listens, but in the end holds off on the merger. Jordan de Lench and Raimund de Chalons set up a defense of Tunisia with six-thousand troops. Prince Andre seeks to establish churches in Palermo and Sicily. He is successful in the latter only. Two-thousand mercenary cavalry are contracted in Tunis.

 

EASTERN EUROPE

Mercenaries
Troops:	100mi, 24mc, 6ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s4, w4

 

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

Warship quality increases. Rutters for the Bay of Biscay and Gulf of Finland are traded to Kiev. Twelve-hundred cavalry are raised for the army. King Oskar secures Danzig as a full part of the Kingdom before returning to the capital to sire a daughter. Prince Adalbert and Lord Rejek travel to Odessa in hopes of running diplomacy. No word has reached the city from the Grand Prince about the efforts, however, so the city authorities keep the leaders under house arrest until word comes back from Kiev. Adalbert isn't cut out for captivity, and perishes in 1208. Prince Ryszard travels to Courland, but his diplomatic efforts fizzle. Ludzwig continues to make progress in the conversion of Pinsk. Lord Chubik travels to Slovakia with five-thousand cavalry, reacting in defense of the neighboring Duchy.

 

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

Slept.

 

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

Cavalry Quality and Assassin Capacity improve. One-thousand infantry, thirteen-hundred cavalry and twenty light warships are raised. The Grand Prince tries his hand at preaching in Kur, gaining some success. He then returns to the capital to rule and marry a Bavarian princess, cementing a Defensive Pact. Sadly, the girl dies during her first pregnancy. Lord Ivan offers up Princess Rufina to the Atelzuko tribes for marriage. In turn, they agree to a Feudal Alliance. Lord Oleg sails twenty warships to the Gulf of Cyprus for reaction. Lord Volodymyr travels to Slovakia with five-thousand men to defend the Duchy.

 

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

Twenty-two hundred cavalry are raised. Gold is set aside for the Prince's Crusade, but without a trade route, a Crusader will need to come and pick it up. Crown Prince Moric is officially granted a position at court. King Jenci steers the government, siring two more children.

 

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

Both sectors of the national clergy expand. Like Hungary, gold is set aside for the Prince's Crusade, though unable to reach the order quite yet. King Ivenko comes of age and assumes the throne.

 

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

 

Southeast Front

Everything is quiet for the first two years of the cycle. Kiev, Poland, and Bohemia all send troops to the support of Bavaria in case of a second attack from the Balkans. In 1207, it comes, but the invaders have been quick to squash any news of the invasion. The mercenary leader Hassan is in command of the invading forces, he is supported by Lords Hermann and Salo of Hungary (commanding thirty-four hundred infantry, thirteen-thousand cavalry and six engineering companies) and Lords Vrodig and Sven of Croatia (commanding eight-thousand infantry, nine-thousand cavalry and eighteen siege companies).

Waiting them in Slovakia are Prince Lothair, Lord Johannes and Lord Werner of Bavaria (commanding five-thousand infantry, four-thousand cavalry, one engineering company and four field forts) plus the Polish commander Chubik (At the head of five-thousand horsemen). The invaders field an array of advantages: superior leadership, quality of troops, a training bonus, all factors of scouting, and a two-to-one advantage in strength. The Bavarians and Poles benefit from a prepared defense, support from the regional fortress, and the fact that the Croatian leaders do not have Casus against Bavaria. In all, the invaders field the tiniest of tactical advantages.

Hassan earns his pay, merciless in his efforts to hunt down the defending forces. Lothair's men break into a rout, slipping beyond his control. Hassan leverages the invading cavalry to eliminate the entire defending force. The invaders lose seven and a half thousand troops. As the defeated leaders flee to Austria, Hassan presses the army to follow, leaving a token garrison of infantry in Slovakia. Unable to keep the invasion a secret at this stage, the other reactionary forces inside Bohemia kick into motion, speeding to the defense of Austria.

Hassan's remaining forces now face reinforcements from Kiev and Bohemia. Still, his twenty-seven thousand troops continue to outnumber the ten-thousand defenders. The Bavarians are now benefiting from more competent leadership in the form of Duke Vratislaus, have gained better trained troops, and surpassed the invaders in one area of scouting. Hassan finds himself at a small disadvantage, but expects his numbers to carry the field. In the first round, he is wrong. The defenders push Hassan back, wounding Lord Hermann and killing almost eight-thousand troops. Of course, the defenders pay a price of five-thousand of their own.

Hassan regroups in Slovakia, and heads right back into Austria to continue the fight. The defenders have lost their advantage in scouting, and Hassan new outnumbers them three-to-one. Tactically, the sides are matched. Luck sides with Hassan, as the weather turns black in the West, floods causing havoc among the defender's supply lines. Hassan loses another two-thousand men as he wiped Austria clean of resistance. Lord Conrad is wounded as the defending leaders escape to Bavaria.

Only twelve field forts stand in the way of Hassan as he invades the Bavarian homeland. Three engineering companies are pulled back to Regensburg. Hassan loses four hundred men in taking the region. Lord Johannes of Bavaria is captured (and later dies in captivity), Werner of Bavaria is wounded, Volodymyr of Kiev is killed. As Hassan begins setting up siege lines around Regensburg, Duke Heinrich prays for a miracle. God is silent. Thousands flee the city as the walls crumble under Hassan's assault. The Hungarians capture the Duke and his royal family, as well as Duke Vratislaus of Bohemia, the Shroud of Turin is taken as a prize.

The remnants of the Bavarian government set up a temporary capital in Regensburg. Hassan sets up a defense of the region while the Croatian forces return to their homeland.

 

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

A bridge anchor is completed in Urkel, intending to span the Volga into Patzinak. The Khan reacts from the homeland, in charge of ten-thousand troops. He orders his three feudal allies to react from their own regions. Crown Prince Imran continues to rule from the capital. He sires a son. Prince Irfan, Lords Altan and Ilgiz, and Cleric Tey form a group and travel to Patzinak. Half the time is spend in religious counsel, the other half in the negotiation of a Tributary agreement. All but Cleric Tey perish during the cycle.

 

MIDDLE EAST AND PERSIA

Mercenaries
Troops:	107mi, 61mc, 87ms, 22mw, 6mt
AQRs:	i4, c5, s5, w4

 

 

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

The Shah's moles and informants detail meetings between key regional elders and agents who appear to be from Samarqand. The Shah completes the Mosque of the Prophet, many pilgrims now visiting the site. The City of Qyzylorda is expanded. The homeland sees many of its defenses strengthened. A regional fortress, a dozen field fortifications, and five engineering companies. The first installment of gold for the purchase of Khurasan is sent to the Great Seljuks. The Shah rules from the capital, gaining a bride from the Diplomacy in Herat, but perishes at the end of the cycle. The new Shah Khalid reacts from the capital with eight-thousand troops. Lord Yaqub is unable to gain an alliance from Kul'Sary. Lord Samad travels to Ghuzz to preach, but the pagan horsemen are uninterested in tales of Allah. Lord Assam brings Herat fully into the nation before his death in 1209. The feudal allies react from their regions.

 

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

Infantry quality sees an improvement. Five royal road segments are completed, and the cultivation of Shadad is begun. The homeland receives a new field fort. Wassim rules from the capital, gaining four new children from his second wife. Prince Nizar and Lord Omar negotiate Shadad into fully joining the Khanate. Lord Jahangir has no luck with his diplomacy in Avar. Prince Kamal, Lord Jsasper and Dario of Transoxania react from the homeland with six-thousand troops.

 

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

The Empress grants her favor to the Hashshashin Order, then orders the cultivation of Tabaristan completed. Six hundred cavalry and one hundred infantry are newly raised. She settles in to the capital to steer the government. Her father, Ebrahim, travels to the wilderness of Neyriz, his legendary negotiation skills gaining an Economic Alliance. Ghayda's husband, Rahim, wrangles a Feudal Alliance from El Burz. Lord Ramin negotiates a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the tribesmen of Khvor. Lord Soheil gains a full alliance from the coastal region of Mand. Mand also abandons its Tenuous ties. Lord Tahmouress remains in Qom, gaining an Economic Alliance. Brother Forruka reacts from the capital with ten-thousand troops.

 

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

Assassin capacity increases. Missionaries sent to Kuban succeed in converting the pagan region. Lord Cosmo negotiates a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the Kuban, but is chased out of the Alan steppes and beaten. Lord Mahmud is only able to convince the Cappadocians to view the Khanate with hostility. The desert tribes of Pamphyla completely ignore him. Grdig the Armenian retires after many years of faithful service.

 

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

Sultan Hadi of Mosul isn't keen on his ability to withstand another combines assault in Mosul. He recruits thirteen more engineering companies, stationing then in strategic points about the capital city. Prince Noor and Lord Isma'il set up a defense of the dozen regional field forts in the Mosul homeland. Noor directs his efforts toward Carhar, while Isma'il guard the roadways from Mesopotamia.

Sultan Basir of Lyssa disbands six companies of cavalry before they realize they aren't being paid for the cycle. He orders his ally, Sahifd, to station in Edessa on reaction. Basir garrisons five hundred cavalry in Cilicia, then six-hundred infantry in Aleppo. He takes his remaining eleven-thousand men and marches to Arbiliq. Awaiting him in the region is the Abbasid Caliph Bakkar. The Caliph has brought his daughters Huma and Noor, and two political marriages are quickly arranged. The marriages work directly toward the elimination of the Mosulites: Joint Conflict and a Military Alliance.

The Caliph has also brought troops, five-thousand cavalry under Lord Umar; four-thousand infantry and twenty engineering companies under Lord Wadi. The two generals join with the Lyssan force, and the group marches into Mosul. The Mosul generals scramble to redirect their forces, caught off guard by the attack from Arbiliq. The allies are quick to cut off and isolate many of the field forts. Lord Isma'il panics and flees back to the capital, leaving Prince Noor to defend the homeland. Noor is overwhelmed, his fortifications destroyed he barely escapes to Mosul City. The allies lose only one company of engineers.

The allies quickly march to the walls of Mosul City and set up a passive siege. Sultan Hadi lasts two years before he surrenders. The Lyssans do not hesitate to claim aspects of the Mosul Government and University. Afterwards, they give up the rich region and city to Abbisid control.

 

 

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

The Hadimite Dynasty is executed by the Lyssan rebel.

 

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

The Sultan attempts to quash the heresy in Edessa, but only succeeds in igniting a spread to Aleppo. No attempts are made to react to the invasion of Cilicia.

 

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

Intelligence effectiveness and Assassin capacity both improve. The Caliph's agents then bribe the jailors in Mosul City and secure the release of Crown Prince Nazih. A large stipend of gold is sent to the Atebegs of Lyssa. After to conquering of Mosul, Bakkar settles in to rule his now larger realm. His wife from Damascus sires his nineteenth child before expiring. Prince Rauf is sent to the steppes of Circis, gaining a new Feudal Alliance from the nomad chief. Lord Abu converts over a fifth of Lebanon back to the Sunni faith. The Feudal Allies of Dharan and Selucia react from their regions. The MErcenary Zafir defends As-Sur with eleven contracted warships, while Seemab defends Damascus with six. A minor tremor in the region of Mesopotamia exposes an ancient ruined city.

 

Sultanate of Damascus
( Damascus in Petra )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 004 - Civilized
Prince Fawzi, Regent For
Sultan Sajjad I

The Sultan six-hundred cavalry built, then organizes the realms agro storage. He moves on to steer the government, educating Crown Prince Sajjad in Administration and siring two sons with his favorite concubine. Prince Fawzi takes the Hajj, then investigates Jerusalem. Prince Ubaid also takes the Hajj, but rounds out the cycle on Reaction in Lebanon with five-thousand men. Lord Qasim investigates As-Sur. Lord al Kamil is the third leader to travel to Mecca, then busies himself in an investigation of Lebanon. Lord Zafar oversees the execution of Odon of Hungary. Odon is caged and hung on the city walls of Damascus, where he is stoned to death as an infidel. Zafar then takes the Hajj himself, before overseeing the investigation in the Levant. He is later found with his throat cut. Bahir ad Watar reacts from the Levant with fifteen-hundred men and the support of the Feudal Lord of Bostra. Saleem takes ill in 1209, leaving Fawzi the regency for young Sajjad.

 

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

The postal road in Asir is upgraded to the royal version. The Emir sees to the government in the capital, siring a daughter. Lord Tayyib cements a Feudal Alliance from Asir, with Lord Rahman doing likewise in Muscat.

 

NORTH AND EAST AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	115mi, 126mc, 13ms, 41mw, 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

Crown Prince Aurelios of Makuria is charged with bringing a settlement to the war. He arranges appeasement gifts of gold, agro, the region of Suakin, the city of Dunquhla and four-hundred infantry. In addition, a Good Relations marriage is arranged between Princess Kashena and the Fatimid Prince, Al-Hakim. Most of the court is appeased, but a few holdouts within the nobility urge the Caliph not to revoke the war against Makuria quite yet.

 

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

Siege Quality and Assassin Effectiveness both increase. The Caliph steers the government, siring two more children before his wife's death. Prince Al-Yabbar and Lord Bilal travel to pagan Ras Hafun. Neither man survives the voyage, though they first manage to gain a Non-Paying Tributary Agreement. Lord Iqbal reacts from the capital. Lord Mohammed ferries resources to Socotra, founding a new port city on the island. The Feudal Lords of Ad'Diffah and Sinai take efforts to replenish their levies.

 

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

Missionaries continue to spread west, now claiming Darfur as Coptic adherents. Ten field forts spring across seven different regions, adding to the overall defense. Walls are erected around Zulafta and Mazawah. Six-hundred infantry and a unit of cavalry are raised as mobile forces. King Kumerios rearranges his trading routes, even opening a new route to the Masai Tribes. He then marches to Atbara, where he takes on a bride and convinces the allied region to fully join with the Kingdom. He teaches young Prince Markos the ropes of Diplomacy during the effort. The King then returns to the capital, spending a year and a half on honeymoon. Prince Paul reacts from the capital with two-thousand troops. Lord Mareb travels to Dongola, but that Allied region is not convinced to increase ties. Lord Makonnen sees to the agricultural distribution between the Kingdom's cities, then manages to talk himself nowhere in Shoa. Lord Quaim'In takes six warships on a successful mapping expedition of Cape Kilwa. He returns to Mazawah, ending the cycle in reaction. The Allied and Feudal leaders focus on defense: Ras Kasar of Kassala in Danakil; Asq 'Adat of Atbara and Toconda of Gezira in Adulis; Yehosef of Dongola in Alwa. Both Adowa and Lalibela slip from control due to distance from the capital.

 

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

The Chief orders some of his military forces removed from active duty. The soldiers and guards given grazing and farming lands (of which Wekesa is quick to tax with a new census). Zuberi sires a daughter, then travels to Nyasa with the sacred Face of Ngai. He gains a Non-Paying Tributary agreement from the local chieftain. After the Census, Wekesa travels to Burundi with Lord Duna. Wekesa takes a bride, and the two gain a commitment of feudal troops. Lord Chakide has no luck wrangling an agreement from the chieftain of Malawi.

 

WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA

Mercenaries
Troops:	10mi, 6mc, 5ms, 5mw, 5mt
AQRs:	i4, c3, s4, w4

 

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

The royal road extends into N'Jimi. The Emperor travels to Okano, gaining a new bride and a Feudal Alliance. Other diplomacy does not fare well, Lords Cherika and Dunia both being run out of Ikego and Kafin by hostile tribes. The Crown Prince sires a daughter with his Songhai wife.

 

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

Biram orders two-thousand infantry trained, then takes a direct hand in the government, his wife bears a second son late in the cycle. The Heir, Zazzau, accompanies Master Bawo to Nupe, where the two secure a Non-Paying Tributary concession. Karap da Gari travels to Kafin, and just like the Kanem diplomat, finds the tribes hostile and unwilling to negotiate.

 

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

The Emperor raises one-thousand cavalry and two-thousand infantry. He and Lords Kayna and Zenku march to the East, invading the lands of Gorouol. One-thousand infantry rise to meek the invading four and a half-thousand. The local leader proves to be an adept general, and manages to repel the Songhai, costing them seven-hundred men in the process. However, when the Emperor returns two months later, not enough local troops remain to resist the pacification. Lord Kayna stays behind with twenty-two hundred men, and reacts from the conquered province. The Emperor and Lord Zenku move to Zerma in a diplomatic effort. The region agrees to a Non-Paying Tributary arrangement and grants him a royal bride. Crown Prince Za-Kinkin oversees the government, and a marriage between his sister Anetis, and the Kanem Prince, Dunama. The two Empires form a Military Alliance.

 

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

Religious practice among the Wagadou is nurtured and encouraged. The military sees an improvement in the infantry quality, eighteen-hundred new foot soldiers are recruited to take advantage. Bannu Bubu also orders a fortress constructed in Ghana, to better protect the homeland. He then travels to Marampa, where he gains a bride and a Tributary agreement. Majan, the Heir, is charged with diplomacy in Susu. Upon taking two brides, he secures an Economic Alliance. Adegoke and Kwabena react from Ghana with forty-three hundred troops. Lord Obi is unsuccessful in securing any agreement from the tribes in Bani.

 

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

King Nfansu raises one-thousand cavalry and five-hundred infantry for his personal forces. He attempts to form a census of his Kingdom, but spends little time and the effort does not come to fruition. Crown Prince Abdoulie and Lords Kimathi and Kayin travel to Galam, where they arrange a Non-Paying Tributary agreement. They then travel to Ghana, hoping to arrange a dynastic merger. Banna Bubu has little interest, however, despite the desire of Abdoulie to take a bride.

 

Ashanti Kumasi
( Kumasi in Gagnoa )
African Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Ogiso Kweku

The Ogiso orders his tax collectors to work extra hard, squeezing some income that he normally wouldn't receive. He also takes the opportunity to complete a census of every person, goat and fowl (To improve his tax-taking abilities even further). The funds are quickly used to recruit fifteen-hundred infantry. Prince Kweku and Lord Cudjo negotiate in Togo. Kweku takes two wives, and the Togolese agree to a Full Alliance. After the negotiations, Kweku learns his father has died, and he is now Ogiso. Kofi travels to the wilderness of Bomi, but the tribes prove to be less than amenable to diplomacy and turn hostile to the Kumasi.

 

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

En effort by the Ogiso to enhance the religious life of his people backfires. Most minor tribes seeing the meddling as an insult to local beliefs, and turn further away from the centralized rites and practices. Dubaka has more success in his construction efforts. The wilderness of Gurma is tamed and fielded. A free-standing fort is erected along the banks of the Lower Niger. Dubaka personally oversees a census of the realm before taking a bride from the lands of Ife, then retiring to defend the homeland along with his son, Ekene, and twenty-five hundred national troops. Tepembe and Mariska concentrate their efforts on wooing Ife. After gaining brides for both the Ogiso and his heir, the two convince Ife to commit to an Economic Alliance.

 

Ogiso of Benin
( Ibinu in Benin )
Raff Dulan, Tech Level 003 - Civilized
Ogiso Nthanda

Ogiso Nthanda calls a great religious council in the homeland. Witch doctors, healers, shamans, diviners, sorcerers and tribal priests all attend the five-year gathering, the center of which occurs under the great Image of M'Dula. Carved into a stark cliff-face, the image is said to have been sculpted by the hands of the Earth Mother Raff, to give form to the longing in her heart for a consort. Such stories and myths are exchanged and written down, Ifke Nthanda, the heir to the throne, is tasked with organizing the myriad tales into an orthodox cosmology. Mother Raff, caretaker and nurturer, and M'Dula, protector and warrior, become the primal pair and main focus of the religious council. The codified religion is named after the pair. The polytheistic roots of the new religion's paganism hold, and many lesser gods are worshipped. Perhaps the most famous of which is Jo-Bu, a trickster figure with the ability to change his shape and sex. Jo-Bu's most famous exploit was to change into a beautiful pair of twins, one male and one female, and seduce both Mother Raff and M'Dula. Both gods sought to marry one of the twins, and for a dowry, Jo-Bu asked for the gift of Intelligence from Mother Raff, and the gift of the Hunt from M'Dula. After the weddings, Jo-Bu became so inebriated in the guise of the twins that he could not control his shape, and his true form was discovered. M'Dula then hunted Jo-Bu in an epic chase across the world, bur just before catching the trickster with his net of stars, Jo-Bu hurled both his dowry gifts into the sea. The tides took them, and they washed ashore at the feet of the first Ogiso (Or King) of the Benin.

 

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

Seven of the naval cogs are converted to internal merchant services in Matadi City. Chief Kgosi spends most of the cycle on the implementation of tax codes and a census, he does sire a new daughter. Lord Masozi reacts from the homeland with one-thousand troops. Lord Taonga helms five warships and maps the waterways of the Grand Bassam before returning to Tchibanga.

 

 

SECRET ORDERS

 

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

Crusader Monks manage to found a new cell. Sixteen hundred new infantry and six new cogs are raised. Captured MSP is converted to eleven light transports, the rest pressed into Internal Trade. The Primas busies himself with the movement of troops, he collects a gift of five-hundred engineers from Normandy, as well as three-hundred infantry and two cogs from Norway. Prince Orver is successful in creating a new Cell. Commander Simon founds one as well, before joining the main force under Otto von Drakken. Lord Sean undertakes a new Temple with ease. Justicar Arthur fails in his Cell attempt, also moving to join von Drakken. The newly recruited Lord Kenrick is quick to found a Temple as his first act. Primas Peter, Lord Sean and Justicar Arthur all perish of age. Orvar of Denmark is appointed the new Primas, his brother Gregers quickly given a Prince's title within the Order. Five mercenary transports are contracted in Rouen.

 

 

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

Missionaries undo all the progress of Abbasid conversion in Lebanon, however they are successful in eliminating the heresy in Edessa when Lyssan efforts were not. Two engineering companies are raised. Prince Rushdi summons two-hundred order cavalry from the Abbasid Caliphate, but fails to enact a tithe on the nation. He then goes on to successfully found one of his two planned cells. Prince Sulik, along with Lords Ali, Khallikan and Anushtegin, travels to the holy city of Mecca on the Hajj. Afterwards, Ali fails to found a new cell. Khallikan succeeds in his own cell attempt. Anushtegin fails both of his cell attempts. Lord Ubayd improves his order's status with the Great Seljuk Empire, going on to succeed with one of his two cell attempts.

Prince Sulik joins the Old Man in Cilicia, just in time to see an invasion of the province by Byzantine and Crusader forces. Otto von Draaken leads three-thousand infantry, three-hundred cavalry and eight engineering companies. HE is supported by the Crusader Simon, as well as Jean Ambard of France. Crown Prince Michael of Byzantium fields ten-thousand cavalry. Sulik and Ali host their own twelve-thousand cavalry, five-hundred infantry and two engineering companies. Seven hundred Lyssan troops are led by a token garrison leader.

More than half of the invaders are elite troopers, the defenders only seeing a quarter of their forces similarly trained. The defenders field the advantages of a prepared defense and scouting position. But von Drakken, already a superb general, is benefiting from robust battle intel. The quality of both armies even out, the invaders fielding a slight advantage in combat strength.

Otto wastes no time in plowing his troops into the Muslim defenders. His tactics are straightforward, and met in turn by Prince Sulik's initiative. Otto leverages his numbers, and after three months of off and on fighting, Sulik and Ali are faced with the loss of eleven-thousand troops. The Crusaders have lost only six thousand, and the Hashshashins are forced from Cilicia into Aleppo, Ali taking on wounds in one of the final skirmishes. As the Christians are securing the region, Michael and Otto get into an argument over the positioning of defensive troops and the path of supply lines. Insults are exchanged, causing Crown Prince Michael to abandon the campaign. He leaves a minimal garrison in the region and marches his remaining six-thousand troops all the way back to Constantinople.

Prince Ionnacius has been waiting in Lydia for the arrival of Tuscan forces. The Italians arrive in two groups, and as the second disembarks, Ionnacius guides them into Cilicia. Otto has set up a defense of the region with his twelve-hundred troops. Prince Michael and Lord Veccio of Tuscany command nine-thousand infantry, two-thousand cavalry and five-hundred engineers. They quickly set up an active siege of Tarsus, while Ionnacius leads twenty companies of engineers in an assault against the regional fortress.

Ionnacius blasts through the fortress defenders at the cost of only one-hundred men. The Tuscans take Tarsus with a similar loss, though Veccio is wounded in the siege. Prince Michael succumbs to illness after the city is pacified.

Five mercenary warships are contracted by the order in Al-Iskandria.