Newsfax, Turn 17, y 881-885

            The following is a limited newsfax. Each nation will only be covered, so long as you have an embassy, in that nation.

            Mercenary lists have been moved to this newsfax. You get a listing of them, only if you have a city, within the region.

Brittania    

The Celtic Empire            Queen Ceridwen        

Munster ( f ), Ulster ( f ), Connaught ( f ).

            The Celts continued to build up internally, building many public facilities, for the betterment of the Celtic peoples. The cities of London, Aberdeen, Land’s End and Stonehenge all grew in size.

            They also started to build up substantially their sea trade...as evidences by 20 heavies added to support existing routes within the Empire.

            In y 881, they responded to a request from the Polish Republic,

see Republic of Poland.

The Celtic Primacy            High Priestess Rhiannon

Abbeys: Anglia, Cambridge, Cornwall, Land’s End, Dyffed, Gywnned, Lancashire, Lothian, Mercia, Northumbria.

Churches: Connaught, Galway, Lienster, Dublin, Glasgow, Ulster, Muenster, Cork, Portsmouth.

            Rhiannon “the Great”, although an aging priestess, continued to guide her empire spiritually; steps were taken to finally separate the primacy from the empire. Many churches and abbeys were ordered (see above).

            But she did respond, one last time, to the call of battle, see Republic of Poland.

Western Europe

Empire of Asturia            King Mandell

Aquitane ( f ), Auvergne ( t ).

            The king continued with several projects. Bilboa grew in size again, and many improvements were built there; and many improvements were built in Aquitane and Gascony as well. Farming was also improved in Aquitane. Much extra grain was grown there...almost enough to support Bilboa by itself.

            Preaching by several leaders in Auvergne backfired, causing that region’s status to degrade.

Empire of Iberia                       King Muluhm

New Castille ( t ).

            Muluhm was blessed by Allah greatly these past few years -- several new children born to his house.

            Barcelona, Palma and Varan all grew in size. Varan and Valenica were both greatly improved with a number of new marketplaces, granaries and other important public improvements.

            Sea trade was also improved; new routes (including one to Egypt) and many internal routes were improved.

            Much preaching was done in Barcelona, but that city remains christian.

Ile de France                    King Clovis

            The musings of a French king:

            Clovis was a bit nervous. After all, much had gone into the preparations of the impending marriage of his son and heir, Clothar to...what was her name again? Boudicca, that was it. Flame haired and a temperment to match. Perhaps she was the reason, Clothar had begun to support an understanding between France anf the HRE. No...he had started that almost some seven years before; only recently, had he become more vocal about it.

            And what of Boudicca’s older sister, Nimue? Almost ten years older, but possessing a sweet smile and a disposition to match. Or did it just seem so, when compared to her sister?

            No matter, with his own wife dead, from childbirth some six or seven years before (was if really that long ago?), Clovis found himself wanting to do anything, to see that smile.

            So, a planned wedding, became a double wedding. And Clovis became a father again, three times over in fact, the next three years.

Central Europe

Mercs:  15 I, 9 C, 4 S, 4W, 2 T

The Ruhr Empire            King Gabran

Austria ( p ), Bohemia ( c ), Praha ( n ), Slovakia ( t ).

            A very large army was raised, to support the Polish Republic in a new alliance, see Republic of Poland.

            A new port was built, Kiel in Holstein, on the Baltic Sea. The cities of Bonn and Calais both grew in size.

            A few regions (Kauyavia, Pomerania & Silesia) were given away via treaty with the Polish Republic. Ruhr gained rights to Austria (whom they had to pacify), Bohemia, Praha, & Slovakia.

            The HRE turned down an offer of 250 GP for the region of Bavaria; a subsequent offer of 300 GP has been made.

The Roman Republic                King Artimus

Apulia ( nt ), Tarentum ( nt ), Calabria ( nt ), Paestum ( nt ), Latium ( ea ), Sicily ( t ),

Sardinia ( n ).

            Things were rather quiet in Napoli until late in y 882. Then all h... broke loose.

King Cassius and the heir Maxillius were both assassinated within the space of a few days. The Catalonian Assassin’s Guild was blamed for the acts, although no assassin was caught.

            The three remaining lieutenants all made a bid for power. Giovanni had no troops, and was out of position to do much of anything, but he did try to raise a peasant army and march on Napoli. Scipico had the bulk of the army, but felt that he had the best position, so he sat back, and waited for the others to make a fatal mistake. Laeilus has the fleet and the capital. He too, felt that he was in a secure position, and waited for one of the others to make a move.

            It all became rather academic; early in y 883, the assassins struck again. Lt. Giovanni was killed, but the others survived attacks. Laeilus managed to actually kill his attacker -- but unlike previous assassinations (of years past), this assassin did not have the telltale livery of the CAG. Scipico’s attacker got away.

            Laeilus, felt that at this point, that it was best for the empire for one of them to concede the empire to the other. They arranged a rendevous, wherein Scipico betrayed Laeilus and murdered him.

            Finally feeling that things were under control, Scipico decided it was best to legitimize his claim to the throne -- he ordered the last surviving female of the old house to be made ready for a royal wedding. He had to do it quickly, as several regions had taken advantage, from all the chaos, to distance themselves from the Republic.

            On the morning of the planned nuptials, Scipico’s guards found the king to be, in bed, with a 6 inch dirk, driven through his left eye.

            Obviously, one of his guards had to have been bought off, but whom? And what of the wedding? A previously unknown minor lord of the city of Palermo came forth, and made a bid for the crown. Him, and his retinue of 40 bodyguards.

            King Artimus first action was the ordering of the execution of Scipico’s bodyguards -- every last one of them.

            Three more assassinations were attempted on the new king, all in y 884. Artimus survived the attacks, but now walks with a profound limp. His new wife, Angeline, has since borne him a daughter and the later a son. With the birth of the son, the attacks have stopped.

The Holy Roman Empire            King Frederico

Austria ( c, oc ), Tuscany ( t ).

            The new diplomatic mission to Austria went well at first. Austria had been part of the old Polish Empire, and now had consented to the HRE a status of  “Claimed”.

Since that time (about y 883), Ruhr forces have moved and pacified Austria,

see Republic of Poland.

            Umberto spent some time in Verona trying to ferret out some spies. In y 882, just when he thought he was closing in, his suspects up and left. All of them.

            Venezia grew in size again, nearly back to it’s size, prior to the infuenza epidemic of some 20 years or so ago. Public services were increased in Savoy and Slovenia.

            Rioting in Tuscany, overflow apparently from the Roman Republic, caused that region’s status to degrade.

            Steps were taken to separate the papacy, from the HRE, this being accomplished by y 885.

            Rumours are flying that Ruhr has offered an obcene amount of gold to the HRE, for the purchase of all rights to the region of Bavaria. So far, all offers have been refused.

Roman Catholic Papacy          Pope Francis

Latium ( mn ), Tuscany ( ca ), Liguria ( ca ).

            The Pope on his on again, for the first time in over 30 years! Literally, since a lack of Bureaucracy, has left the papacy bereft of any leadership, save his.

Eastern Europe

The Kingdom of Poland            King Peter

R. I. P.

            Besieged by over 90,000 troops -- and thereby outnumbered better than 10 to 1, King Peter was very surprised to receive an envoy by his enemies. And more surprising that they had sent someone who very much reminded him of his grandmother.

            He was left with two choices (one really): either abdicate in favor of his Aunt Alexandra, thereby reuniting the kingdom, or continue to fight with his paltry 7500 men and in all likelyhood be slaughtered. Worse yet, this would probably permanently divide the nation, not to mention the dividing of his head from his body.

            Of course the first thing he thought was to scream out “Death before dishonor” but it came out as “Uhhmm, you mean that you have a way out of this mess, without further bloodshed?”. After all, he didn’t like the sight of blood, especially his.

            Although he would rather remain in charge, he felt that he was clearly outmatched, see Republic of Poland.

The Republic of Poland            Queen Alexandra

Bochnia ( f ), Krakow ( f ), Little Poland ( ea ), Ronzak ( ea ), Masuria ( ea ), Balti ( ea ), Volhynia ( nt ), Silesia ( nt ), Pomerania ( nt ), Kauyavia ( nt ).

            Alexandra was worried. If she didn’t get her hands on more troops, Peter would be able to hide behind his forts in Litttle Poland, and this civil war could drag on interminably.

            “Why not go ask someone for help?” asked Claudia. Alex heaved a heavy sigh and replied “It’s not that easy. When someone helps, they only do it for self interest -- what can we do to entice enough troops over to our side, without selling our souls, in the process? And there are a lot of nations who would like to see a divided Poland, the H.R.E. for one”.

            “Why? What could they gain, by having Poland so weak?”

            “It’s really simple, Claudia. We’re a threat to them. Any woman in power is a threat to a male-dominated society. But don’t worry; I have asked someone to help”.

            A knock on the door, brought the conversation to a stop.

            “Yes” asked Alex.

            “A letter from the Celts, milady” replied the servant, after stepping into the room.

            Alex scanned the letter quickly. “Well, what do they say” asked an anxious Claudia.

            Feeling triumphant, Alex explained things to her young niece.

            The Celts responded to the Polish request for aid by sending 30,000 troops. Three leaders would be accompanying them -- including Rhiannon. Taliesin, their most experienced Admiral, and another young leader, Arianrhod II would round out the party.

            The Ruhr Empire matched that and then some by sending some 32,000 men, with Miklos, the crown prince, Efren, and Hanfried.

            Rhiannon would take command of the overall forces, in Poland. Some would come overland, through Ruhr territories, and some by boat, landing at Gdansk.

            Still, both Ruhr and the Celts, did not want a bloody solution to the problem, so a final attempt at diplomacy was planned. Ruhr leaders had come up with a political solution to several problems.

            “The news is grim, my king” an aide told King Peter. “Alexandra has amassed a force of 90,000 troops. They are advancing from three sides on Little Poland as we speak. But there is someone here, to see you”. Puzzled, the young king told him to send him in.         A beautiful lady, of advancing years, was the person who came to see him. Her and a single bodyguard. “Greetings young king”.

            “Who are you?” said Peter, asking the obvious question.

            “An envoy, from your enemies.”

            Peter, though shaken, did listen. Between Ruhr and the Celts, he found he had an offer that would do several important things: keep the empire together, save lives, and most important (to him at least), keep his head attached to his body.

            “Uhh,hmmm, you mean that you’ve got a safe way out of this mess?”. The lady replied that of course she did. For Peter, he found it impossible to say no, to someone that was old enough to be his greatgrandmother.

            With much fanfare, Peter signed an abdication proclamation, in favor of his Aunt Alexandra. With it, the “Civil War” ended, and most of the regions who had sided with Peter, came back into the empire, in one form or the other.

            Taliesin found that he rather liked Poland, so he decided to stay. Marrying the Queen, may have had something to do with that, however. Epona married Peter (who was still somewhat surprised to find his head still attached to his body), while Claudia married Myrrdin. The one surprise that Peter could not take well, was finding out that the Celtic envoy, was none other than Rhiannon the Great. After he woke up, he said “It’s just the heat” although the weddings took place in early March. Rhiannon, of course, officiated over the marriage ceremonies, “conducted in traditional Celtic Style” according to Miklos, the crown prince of the Ruhr empire. It was a double shock for young Peter to realize, it was he, who served as Rhiannon’s “bodyguard”.

The Kingdom of Macedonia         Queen Helena

Bulgaria ( f ), Dobruja ( a ).

            Macedonia started a major build-up of their defenses, in all areas. Walls were increased around their cities and forts built in many regions.

            Permission was granted for the Byzantines to build a road linking Herakleia and Thessaloniki.

            Some diplomacy was conducted with positive results.Some exploration also, but not so positive, as a warship was reported missing, in Egyptian waters.

The Kingdom of Byzantium                    King Basil

            Alexander got married, and he seems to have found a rather fertile wife, who had 5 children in 5 years, including one set of twins.

            The King’s favorite line, during this time, seemed to be “That’s my boy!”.

            Constantinople grew in size, and had many public services added. Services were also beefed up in Thrace and Paphlagonia. A new city, Sinope, in the region of Galatia, was built. A Royal Road was constructed from Herakleia to Thessaloniki, in Macedonia.

            Lt. Karakus spent most of his time conducting a Census.

            Steps were taken to separate the primacy from the Kingdom.

The Eastern Orthodox Primacy                 Constantine VI

Monasteries: Thrace.

Abbeys: Bithnia, Isauria, Lydia, Macedon.

Churches: Herakleia.

            With not a bit of fanfare, Constantine got right to work. Several Abbeys, a Church, and a Monastery, were all constructed.

Southwest Asia (a.k.a. Middle East)

The Kingdom of Aleppo            Caliph Suakam

Egypt (influenced)

            Caliph Monfra decided it was time again, to try to sway the peoples of Egypt into his empire.

            The Heir, Kolaf, and a Prince, Suakam, were to go with him.

            But before they left, the Caliph decided to name a new heir. The existing one didn’t like that very much.

            Late at night, before they were to depart, Kolaf tried to kill Monfra. Al’Bay, a supposedly loyal (to the throne) Lieutenant, tried to help. Monfra managed to survive the immediate attack, and both the Lt. and former heir were killed.

            Although he managed to go on the mission, the wounds eventually caught up with him, and Monfra died enroute to Egypt, leaving Suakam alone to complete the mission.

            Needless to say, Caliph Suakam’s mission didn’t go as planned.

            One message seemed to be clear -- the Egyptians have no desire to rejoin the empire again...at this time.

North Africa

The Kingdom of Egypt            Pharoah Hotep

            * Influenced by Aleppo *

No diplomacy.

            Egypt continued its military build-up, expecting an attack by Aleppo. Its leaders were surpised, but wary of reports of an Alepponese delegation, that was expected to visit.

            The visit was by the new Caliph, Suakam; the old one Monfra, apparently having died enroute, due to wounds sustained by a failed palace coup. Also, with Suakam, his entourage had brought a sizable amount of gold, an obvious bribe.

            There are reports of a Macedonic warship that was missing off the coast of Mansura. The Egyptians have categorically denied any responsibility for its disappearance. Further, they have reiterated their sovereignty with this statement “Any warship, flying a foreign flag, off the coast of Egypt, will be destroyed.”

The Kingdom of Tunisia            Caliph Aliman Ibn Far

Tripolitania ( nt ), Lybia ( nt ), Ad’Diffah ( nt ).

            Mahidia grew in size again and a new port was built in Merrakesh, Casablanca.

            Public Services were increased in many regions.

End of Newsfax.