Medieval
Roma
Lords of the Earth
Campaign Two
Anno Hegira 199 – 203
Turn
86 Orders Due By Friday, May 16th,
2003
To
all our players currently in the Gulf:
Keep your bloody head
down and come back in one piece! Or
I’ll give you a DF!
We’ve Moved! Yes indeedy, Lords Two has
moved to new digs. The email
address has not changed and you can still send me orders to that address. If you are still sending orders via
regular mail (all one of you), the new address is:
4858 East 2nd Street
Tucson, AZ 85711
Email: ancaric@throneworld.com
Changes in Payment: When paying via Paypal, you can continue to send the funds to Thomas at his account. If sending checks by mail to Tucson, go ahead and fill them out to me.
I’m going to keep these reminders here for a while, so everyone sees them.
Mercenaries: Remember that you MUST specify a city where you are hiring the Mercs. Failure to do this will result in no Mercs and the money being lost. Also, mercenaries may not be hired for more than one turn at a time. This may change when the Years per Turn reduces sufficiently enough for a contract to carry over to multiple turns.
Transferring Gold, NFP and Agro: To transfer these commodities between non-trading Empires requires a leader to move them with all the risks this entails. FURTHERMORE. Regardless of how they’re transported BOTH parties to the exchange MUST note the exchange in their orders. The first time this is not done will result in the items being returned to the sending player. Subsequent failure to follow this rule will result in the loss of the commodities in question.
Tax Rate, Admin Ratings, Harvests, and Censuses: Be aware that a bad harvest may reduce your tax rate, even if you have a census in effect (in fact, a Famine may eliminate an existing Census status, entailing the player to conduct another one. Furthermore, I may shut down an existing Census if I feel that it has been in place too long and requires a new one to be conducted.
Also, if a leader with a poor Admin rating is on Administrate, his incompetence will drive the tax rate down, again regardless of whether or not a Census is in place. However, it would not eliminate an existing Census. Just get the incompetent duffer off the job!
Primates and Open Empires: From this point onward, ANY construction (city, colony, project, etc) that one player desires to erect, raise or settle in the regions controlled by the other requires the written permission of that player (i.e. in their orders). “Controlled” in this case refers to non-Primate statuses. So, if the Omnetian Order decides to build a road link in Dai Viet territory, he’d better have the Viet player’s permission to do so. Conversely, if the Indonesians wish to add a city level to an Omnetian city, they’d better have the Grand Dragon’s permission. Again, the first time this is not done, I will put the gold and nfp in saved. After that, they will be lost.
Primate Influence: Primate players should be aware that Influence in a country must be maintained (similar to an Intel infiltration) by use of the Maintain Influence Religious Operation. Failure to do so leads to a loss of levels of Influence.
More Primate Influence Fun: Okay, I just found out that for the purposes of the Exacting Tithe Religious Operation, the Primate needs to have an Influence in the country where the EXT operation is taking place. If you do, you can exact a tithe % equal to or less than the influence value. So if a primate had a two influence in a nation, the primate player could attempt to exact a one or two percent tithe. This makes establishing and maintaining influence extremely important.
Action Points: Finally, please make a note of the action points expended when writing leader actions. While most of you do this, some don’t.
Pacified & Pacified Tributary: Diplomacy can be conducted on these regions with the success number being added to the Years from Conquest (YfC) number on your stat sheet. It is still a long process.
Rule & Admin Actions: Only the King, Regent or Heir may conduct a Rule action. Only an Heir, Prince or Lieutenant may conduct an Admin action.
Having Kids: A leader conducting either Rule, Defend (not React), or Admin in the Capital or Homeland region may also perform Have Children actions at the same time. I’m assuming he’s not working 24 hours a day on Administrating! Also, please let me know for how many actions your King, Queen, Heir, etc, is having. Unless, it’s not specified, I’ll assume the HC action is being done for the entire turn. Finally, if the individual doing the HC is female, there is a chance that they may die in childbirth, which can throw a really a crimp into your plans.
Megalithic Projects: the costs on various projects imposed by border terrain are in addition to the regular cost and are not effected by the cost multiple. For example: A postal road between a cultivated and wilderness region for civilized cultures costs 37.5 gps and 19 nfp (.5 base x 1.5 for the wilderness multiple). If there’s a type one mountain range between the regions, that will add one level to the project for a cost of 87.5 gps and 44 nfp.
Merchant Conduits: For all of you Seafaring types out there, remember that the conduit limit per trade route is one. Also, please, please write out your routes that use conduits when you fill in your orders. It makes it easier for me to find them.
Leaders as Espionage Points: If you’re using a leader for an espionage operation or bonus point, they must be located in the region or city where the operation is occurring. If the op is a spectacular failure, there is a chance that any leader assigned to the operation may be caught or killed, which can be embarrassing.
Female Rulers: While I don’t want to disallow them totally, the Dark Ages were a pretty male dominated time. Consequently, after this turn, a female Royalty member my only act as a Queen, Empress, Regent, or Heir must have a Charisma of AT LEAST 10 (ten) to be able to eligible for those positions. A Princess will only become an active leader if her Charisma is at least 8 (eight) or greater. Any Charisma statute less than this will result in no generation (although you can still marry them off). Any existing Female Rulers, Heirs, Princesses may remain. Finally, Primates and Military Orders may never have female leaders of any kind.
Banks: Some of you are under the impression that banks are going away. This is not the case. All banks are CLOSED and may only be used for internal loans only, however.
Religious Monoliths: As many of you are now building Religious Megalithic Projects to increase your nations’ religious strengths, I feel a need to play evil ref and put a restriction; to whit, a nations RS may not be increased above 5 through the construction of religious megaliths. The rate of 2 levels per point of RS is the same, however, they levels need not be all in one site, you can distribute them among various sites as you wish.
Conceal Fact: This Intel Operation will not work on City Construction/Expansion or Megalithic Construction projects.
Building in Neutral and Claimed Areas and Cities: If an area or city begins the turn uncontrolled or claimed you may not build cities, city levels, projects, or invest in PWB points in those locations.
Claimed Regions and Cities: These regions and cities will no longer be assigned a control color on the map. They will continue to appear on your stats sheet however.
Cultivation Projects: Starting this turn I will no longer be assessing the terrain multiple for cultivating wilderness and steppe regions to cultivated. I have trouble remembering to assess it and a lot of you don’t take it into account when you pay for such projects. I probably will continue to assess Intensive cultivation and Jungle cultivation project terrain costs however.
Following these procedures will make my life immeasurably easier. And when my life is easy, results get processed faster. Which is a good thing.
Thanks,
C.D.
|
Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
15c, 10i, 2s [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
Tochigi Akira (M727) [5gp] |
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|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
I4 w5 s3 c2 |
Ishida Fujiwara, Emperor & Shogun of Nippon.
Diplomacy No effect
Ishida was one frustrated Shogun. The passle of diplomats that were sent to Anshan failed miserably. The passle of missionaries sent to Mantap failed miserably. His heir failed to begat an heir of his own (failing miserably). The only good news was the establishment of a new city, Etorofu-to, in the barren, windswept, effing freezing Kurile Islands and the retrieval of the expedition marooned ion the Marianas last turn.
Ratu Vuetilovoni “The Beautiful”, Emperor of the Fijians, Ruler of the Open Oceans
Diplomacy Moluccas (fa) [Granted as fief to lieutenant]
Faikava by Ratu Vuetilovoni
The dear lily flower
is staying behind, but we would be weeping remembering the appearance.
You can please yourself and a select a sweetheart -- or somebody who would be
your equal, and who might have known you better.
My dear Maile (leaves), I wish that you could read my
mind as this romance will drive me crazy.
Alas, poor me. Alas.
I don't know. How could I be? How could I be?
Aside from trying his hand at poetry, the new Emperor, also ordered the construction of a new port city, Uturoa, on Bora-Bora [Note to self: Of course it’s a port, all he controls are bloody islands!] and the expansion of Ipota on Vanuatu. Cultivation of the Moluccas continued.
Other Imperial endeavors weren’t so successful: a squadron was dispatched to the Palaus to reclaim the islands only to find that the fort and anchorage built there long ago had since been swallowed up by the swamps there. The granting of the Moluccas as a fief to a Fijian lieutenant couldn’t hide the fact that the locals still hate their overlords with a bloody passion. Finally, a ten-ship expedition to the western seas under Prince Ratakele set forth from Patna, in Jaunpor in the spring of 821. A year and a half later, the Fijians set out for Zanzibar City and headed for the Cape of Good Hope. Nothing more was ever heard of them again.
Rhama II, Rajah of Camoweal.
Diplomacy None
Minded their own affairs.
|
Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
15c, 25i, 10s, 5w [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
Tsung Dao (MB77) [10gp] |
|
|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
I3 w1 s2 c4 |
Oljaitu, Emperor and Great Khan of the Naiman
Diplomacy None
Oljaitu’s people continue to be busy. The royal raod link between Hopei and Shan’si was completed and a new link, between Honan and Anhui was built as well. Honan has become quite the communication hub. Abgar increased in size as well.
Chang Tse, Emperor of Wei
Diplomacy Kiang’si (a), Kwangsi (f), Kweichou (t, following allied leader death) Mao
Ling (f, following allied leader death)
Work began on a Royal road segment between Kweichou and the mountain fastnesses of Om’chu. A new city, Luzhao, was also built in Kweichou as an anchor point for the new road. The cities of Am’l and Chang-Sha also increased in size. Death cut a grisly swath through the Empire’s leadership as one lieutenant, one prince and two allied leaders croaked off.
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Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
4c 5i 3w 2s [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
Ngo Thieu (M9B4) [10gp] |
|
|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
i3 w5 s3 c3 |
Nguyen Kao Ky, Emperor of Ava
Diplomacy Laos
(nt)
Work on various projects continued. The Avan side of the Manipur -Tz’uk’ai road link was finished, as was a new link between Lampang and Siam. A giant Bodhi tree was planted on a great man-made hill on the outskirts of Mandalay, attracting ooohs and ahhhs from various passersby.
Trouble set in shortly after the death of Emperor Lon at the end of 824. Well okay, it set in after the death of his inept son, Sanju, a year later, an event that marked the end of the dynasty. Of Lon’s generals (all of whom were outside the capital at the time), only General Ky showed any kind of initiative, sending word to his son in Mandalay to seize the Throne in his name.
Reaction was rather subdued, the Empire did not blow apart, but several regions did revolt: Seylan and Polonarva revolted (big surprise) but so did Assam, Lampang, and Manipur, which was more troubling. The rebels in these regions quickly conquered their associated cites (which were undefended). Finally, Sakais in Nakhon and Tennneserim, in Thaton, also revolted. The new Empero has a bit of work to do.
Nguyen Menh, King of Vijaya
Diplomacy Nan
Chao (f), Kachan, in Preikuk (f)
Desiring an heir now, disliking the present crop of Princes and unwilling to wait for any of his sons to grow up, Menh designated general Tre Van his designated heir. Shockingly, the kingdom did not blow apart as the Princes who were passed over for consideration seemed to accept the Kings decision with some equanimity. In other events, a new fortress, Fort Menh was built in Khemer overlooking the Mekong River.
Sum Sum “I can’t help it I was born sneering.” Lord High Executioner, Regent for…
Rutdayjay, Emperor of Indonesia
Diplomacy Sabah (f following allied leader death)
Attempts to open trade with the Jainists was complicated by the fact that apparently the Empire had been trading with them for some time. However, further investigation revealed that the referee had miscalculated the original trade range in the first place so the end result was that the Indonesians were indeed trading with the Jainists but the reverse was not true. I hope that makes sense.
Elsewhere, Sum Sum continued to rule wisely in the name of the child Emperor, a new city, Sabah City was built around the fort in (where else) Sabah. Several small fishing fleets were also constructed. In Sulawesi, the pagan natives prove surprisingly resistant to the charms of Indonesian missionaries and an Imperial representative was manhandled rather roughly while tryng to spread the word of Shiva.
Agung Rah, Lord High Dragon, Father Confessor of the Omnet
Diplomacy Annam (mn), Tonkin, in Annam (ch), Pajajaran (ab), Jakuva, in Kediri (ca)
The Omnetians kept very busy, as is their wont. In addition to the usual spate of site foundations, a cultivation project in Nam Pung begun last turn was completed.
|
Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
42c, 47i, 22s, 4w [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
Vhakti M959 [5gp], Altay Khan [5gp] |
|
|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
I4 w4 s5 c4 |
Mehuta, Emperor of
India, Ruler of Juanpur
Diplomacy No
effect
Mohana, after a rule of barely ten years, died. Again, the Empire did not blow apart in
a horrific subcontinent-shattering civil war. Fortunately, the late Emperor had
managed to Begat an heir at the start of his reign and he quickly took up the
responsibilities of state. To the
north, the Juanpur segment of the Tibet to Tz’uk’ai royal road was finished and Karach
expanded a level. The new Emperor
also continued the policy of dispensing large amounts of cash to his
sycophants, er, allies, and a huge infusion of cash was sent to help jump start
the activities of the new Buddhist Primate (see below). Don’t you wish YOU had so much money to
waste?
Moggaliputta Tissa, some long grandiose title will be forthcoming, I’m sure.
Diplomacy Dacca, in Palas (hc), Neefa, in Assam (ch), Srikshetra, in Arakan (ch), Pegu (ch), Thaton (ch), Tenneserim, in Thaton (ch), Mon (ch), Palas (ch), Gaur (ch), Baghalpur, in Gaur (ch), Maghada (ch), Damodarpur, in Maghada (ch), Jaunpur (ch), Patna, in Juanpur (ch), Rajput (ch), Bankipur, in Rajput (ch), Nadavaria (ch), Migasirhavana, in Nadavaria (ch)
Starting
out with a bang, the new head of the Buddhist Primate established his Holy City
in Dacca, roughly in the midst of the Buddhist world. From that point a constellation of new
churches sprang up among the Jaunpuri megalopoli and down the Burmese coast.
Prashant II, Emperor of the Jainists
Diplomacy Belur (ea), Karnata (ea)
Satpuran efforts to consolidate control of the Deccan continued apace through diplomacy (see above) and the establishment of additional colonies of Jainist loyalists in Chera, Chola and Madurai. The city of Junagarh also expanded.
Shapata II, Prince of Peshwar
Diplomacy None
No
orders. Shapata
died and was duly replaced.
Boraz II, Emperor of Parthia.
Diplomacy Kara-Khitai (fa)
Aside from some diplomacy, things were pretty quiet in this neck of the woods. Boraz died and was succeeded without incident. The new Emperor, desiring to curb Buddhist influence in the immediate vicinity, dispatched a cartload of Zoroastrian missionaries to Hazarajat. There they quickly engaged their Buddhist counterparts in lively debates on beliefs and general theology.
|
Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
10c, 7i, 5s, 1w [1gp each] |
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Captains |
Aziz M8A6 [5gp] |
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|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
I4 w4 s4 c3 |
Rholah Khalid ibn al-Walid I, Khan of the Scythian Turks, Protector of the Caliph and the Holy Places.
Diplomacy Mecca, in Madina (f)
Feeling bored and out of sorts, Rholah decided a little military adventure would be just the thing to dispel his ennui. Mustering his troops (over 27,000 strong), the Khan marched north and browbeat the Hijazi into paying tribute, the local sheikh really not caring one way or another (being pretty much broke and pretty much used to doing the same thing himself to others). When the Turks tried to start enslaving the locals on the other hand, then the sheikh did whatever any self-respecting desert nomad would do: gathered his tribe up and vanished into the desert. Rholah pursued the locals around vainly for several months before giving up and marching south were he attempted to do the same thing in Madina. Again while the locals were rather indifferent to the prospect of being “conquered”, they took to their heels when the Turks broke out the slave chains. Thoroughly disgusted, Rholah returned to Sheba where he had to spend the next several months listening to interminable scolding about the illegality of Muslims enslaving other Muslims. A slave-seeking naval expedition to Zufar and Berbera met with a similar lack of success. About the only good news was the opening of trade with Und, that and both Mecca and Ash Shihr increased in size. Finally, the Cannanites of Jabal Shammar embraced the True Faith.
Artaxeres, Supreme Mobad of the Holy Church of Zoroaster, Hebadan-Herbad of the Light, Dihgan of Ctesiphon
Diplomacy None
No orders. Everyone, send get well wishes to Lorin, he’s laid up.
Pirouz I, Shahanshah of the Sassanids, Ruler of Mesopotamia, Lord of Persia.
Diplomacy Syria (f), Ardabil, in Georgia (a), Shirvan (ea)
Aside from some diplomacy and city expansion (Basra, Jerez, and Erech), Pirouz pretty much kept to himself. The search continues for the arch-traitor Mazaeus, rumors abound as to where he may be. Some say that he fled across the border with the Romans, though Justinian flatly denies the charge; others that he sought refuge with a Parthian trade delegation (the Parthains deny this as well); yet another group tend to think that he died in the fighting in Antioch. Your guess is as good as anyone’s at this point.
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Mercenaries |
Minimum
bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
80c,
27hc, 55i, 15s, 20w [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
Argus
(M933) [10gp] |
|
|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
C4, i4, w2, s2 |
Justinian II, Emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire
Diplomacy None
Concerned about increasing Zoroastrian influence among the steppe nomads to the east, Justinian dispatched a large cavalry force (over 24,000 strong) under Prince Theophilius to set matters right and generally show these uncouth pony-riders who was in charge in this part of the world, by God! Sallying forth from Vaspurakan via Pontus and Abasigia, the Imperial troops spent the next three years, chasing nomads to and fro, burning yurts and generally ramming the Donatist faith down the throats of the locals. Finally, Kuban, Khazar and Patzinak were conquered and the former two were converted to the Donatist creed. Dontaist missionaries made some small progress among the Orthodox communities in Lazica as well.
Closer to home, the region of Vaspurakan was put under the plough, while Illyria and Croatia were ceded to the Western Romans.
Hadrian, Legate of Durazzo, Rock of the Church of Christ, Pontiff of the Holy See, Keeper of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
Diplomacy Serbia
(ab), Croatia (ab), Romagna (ab), Latium
(ab), Slovenia (ab), Verona
(ab)
The Declaration of Hadrian
Since the foundation of this Church by the Emperors Hadrian & Timeron in 680 Anno Domini, the Church has faced many threats, from the sloth of its leaders, the armies of the Persians and the Heresy of Arius.
Such were the threats when I took up the Office of Papal Legate from my unlamented predecessor Julius in 790. Now some 25 years on I suspect that the Lord shall call me to Him soon, and I am glad that my efforts humble though they may have been have borne some fruit.
The True Church is firmly established in the lands that gave birth to it and is poised to expand beyond them into new lands, soon it may be possible for the great dream of Donus to be realized.
Peace has been achieved with the Persians and the Eastern Empire stands strong.
The Arian Prime Hierarch Ouen, who at first appeared to be such a threat, bought about his own defeat when he attacked Us with a fiery speech, one in which his arrogance bought about his downfall, for he denied the fundamental tenet of Arius and declared his support for the indivisibility of Gods true nature whether He be Father, Son or Holy Spirit.
But it is not to the past to which I look, but the future and to the many and great challenges which the Church must and will face. And it is with these future challenges in mind that I declare the following.
Henceforth and for all time, in those lands directly ruled by the Church, the sons of farmers shall be farmers, the sons of soldiers be soldiers and those of merchants be merchants, unless they desire to become Priests and do Gods work.
Henceforth and for all time, in the West the language to the Church shall be Latin and in the East the language of the Church shall be Greek.
So do I declare now and for all time.
Legate Hadrian, Bishop of Durazzo, Rock of the Church of Christ, Pontiff of the Holy See, Keeper of the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
The Decretals of Hadrian
Because of the sloth and indolence of my predecessors many false practices have entered into the Ritual of the Church, these have bought ridicule unto the Church and to those who serve it.
It is to restore dignity to the Holy Offices and to the Church that I make the following Decrees, to come into effect as soon as they are read from the High Altar of every church under the dominion of Christ’s Church.
I. That the man who refuses to be reconciled to his brother should be reduced by the severest fastings.
II. The man is rendered infamous who knowingly presumes to forswear himself.
III. A man and a woman subject to madness cannot enter into marriage.
IV. Marriage relations in the fifth generation may unite with each other; and in the fourth generation, if they are found, they should not be separated.
V. Blood connections alone, or, if offspring entirely fails, the old and trustworthy, should reckon the matter of propinquity in the synod.
VI. Every one of the faithful should communicate three times a year.
VII.
A presbyter should not be ordained
younger than thirty years of age.
VIII.
That the oblation of the altar
should be made each Lord's day.
IX.
That an illiterate presbyter may
not venture to celebrate mass.
Let these Decrees given unto my hands by God serve to begin the next stage in the regeneration of the Church of Christ.
Legate Hadrian, Bishop of Durazzo,
Rock of the Church of Christ, Pontiff of the Holy See, Keeper of the Keys of
the Kingdom of Heaven
In addition to founding the various sites listed above, Hadrian put both money and manpower into the expansion of Holy Durazzo. Attempts to establish a network of Churches in eastern Anatolia were frustrated as the regions in question where too far away.
Piotyr, King of
Europe, Prince of Kur
Diplomacy No
effect
Deciding
that Vilnius was looking just too tacky, Piotyr
invested more money and manpower in improving the overall standard of living
conditions in his capital.
Boris, High Priest of Odin, Grand Legate of the Aesiri
Diplomacy: Suzdal (ab), Kremenchuk, in Pereaslavl (ch), Impavarra, in Polotsk (ch).
Well, Tamandahaf had made some big plans that’s for sure. Regrettably, his premature death in early 822 threw them all into a cocked hat. Legate Olav’s attempt to upgrade Aesiri sites throughout the Kievian and Varangian states wasn’t very successful either. The new High Priest, Boris, vowed to continue the work of spreading the word of the One-Eyed God and keeping the monotheists at bay.
Thierry,
Czar and Boyar of Kiev
Diplomacy Turov (fa), Pechneg
(nt)
Thierry
changed the name of his kingdom, deciding that “principality” was just too darn
wimpy sounding. The royal road
between Kiev and Chernigov was completed. To the west, Thierry decided that if the
Kurites didn’t want the region of Turov,
he did by Thor! Some diplomatic
progress was made among the Asiatic pagans to the south.
Gundabert, Emperor of the Ostrogoths
Diplomacy Jal, in Poland (a)
Aside from descending upon the city of Jal with every diplomatic incentive except the kitchen sink. The Ostrogoths were pretty quiet. Oops, a postal road was also built between Little Poland and Poland as well.
|
Mercenaries |
Minimum
bid listed in [x]. |
|
Condotierri |
10c,
45i, 25s, 40w [1gp each] |
|
Captains |
None |
|
|
|
|
Quality Ratings |
C4, i4, w3, s4 |
Ethelred, Bretwalda of Britain, Emperor of Wessex and King of the English
Diplomacy Lothian (independent following a truly awful dp roll).
Ethelred, under intense diplomatic pressure, packed up his ball and bat, loaded his ships and departed Portuguese shores.
Carloman, King of the Franks
Diplomacy Vermandois (f), Lens, in Vermandois (f), Brabant (f), Languedoc (f), Anjou (a), Bourges, in Anjou (+2 to yfc) Provence (+12 to yfc)
Feverish Frankish finagling continued among the erstwhile rebellious provinces with fabulously fantastic fallout (and I promise never to do that again!).
In other news, the Frankish half of the Savoy/Lyonnais highway was finished, thus ensuring better overland trade and communication between the Franks and the Romans to the south. Determined to make the city of Arles a viable commercial port, Carloman ordered the construction of a huge, nay, gigantic canal linking that city to the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of peasants were press-ganged into constructing the canal and some lovely Stalinist style architecture was also built with lots of pictures of Carloman in various dramatic poses (okay, the last bit was a joke).
Closer to home, the King demonstrated his commitment to working with the various Estates by constructing a great hall where they could meet to discuss the issues of the day. Wags joked that it was hot air for the clergy and nobles with labor for the peasantry. The king glared at them and they fell silent however. Finally, Brabant and Marseilles both expanded.
Robert, Prime Hierarch of the Arian Church
Diplomacy Ile de France (ab), Burgundy (ab), Brabant (ab), Normandy (ab), Limousin (ab), Arras, in Flanders (mn).
Hierarch Ouen went to his eternal reward (or damnation, depending on your point of view in these things) after a wearying journey across the Frankish realm, establishing abbeys everywhere and an especially nice monastery in Arras.
Antonio II, Prince of Aragon, Follower of the
Nicean Creed
Diplomacy: None
Badly stung by last turn’s events, Antonio built more troops and took a more active role in the defense of his Kingdom. The departure of the English was greeted with mixed feelings of regret (one less problem for those #*$*@ Andalusians to worry about) and relief (one less #*$*@ contender for the Spanish prize). Finally deciding that tit for tat would be great fun, Antonio managed to hire a passel of mercs (under Gaeseric, of course) and sent them south to pay the #$#*$# Andalusians back with interest.
Ferdinand I, King of And-Alus, Follower of the Nicean Creed
Diplomacy: No effect (worst die roll I ever saw.)
Fritigern tried to hire some more mercs to protect his realm but was outbid by both his enemy, Antonio and the Vandals to the south, who had their own reasons for the mercenaries services. Andalusian diplomacy in Galacia continues without success, to the frustration of the entire court. Then there was the war, of course.
Gaeseric’s 8000 cavalry descended upon Granada where they immediately started to try to wreck the property values of the place. They had not been at it long, when the Andalusian army, 10,000 troops under the ubiquitous Prince Theodoric and with the very King in attendance poured over the mountains from Murcia. Sadly for Gaeseric and his chums they were caught in mid-pillage and decisively smashed, the mercenary leader perishing in the rout. Happy that they had prevented large amounts of economic damage to the general vicinity, the Andalusian host remained on react for the balance of the turn, returning to Andalusia in early 825, where Fritigern promptly kicked off.
While all that was all going on, a small Andalusian force (this is really a war on a shoestring folks) marched into Portugal and liberated both it and Lisbon from the departed English.
Matugenus Aurelian, Augustus of Imperial Rome, Dictator of the Romans.
Diplomacy Sicily (f)
All and all, a quiet turn in the lands of the Novi Romani. Donatist missionaries finally managed to convince the Syracusans of the error of their ways and continued to make headway among the Arian heretics in Linz. The Caesar Cato spent months pacing around the palace waiting for something, even making preparations for a great gala event to celebrate that something. But when the something in question never materialized; Cato gave all the rich foods and gifts to Roman poor. They were very appreciative. Finally, in an attempt to promote some degree of stability among his neighbors Matugenus shipped off both his daughters, Olivia and Anna to the Vandal and Frankish courts respectively, there to marry princes of those distant realms.
Johann I, Grand Duke of Saxony
Diplomacy Westphalia
(f), Lausatia (nt),
Franconia (+3 to YfC)
Johann continued to urbanize a good portion of central Germany as Berlin, Cologne, Rotterdam, Brandenburg and Liepzig all expanded a level. A new city, Hanover was raised in Westphalia.
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Mercenaries |
Minimum
bid listed in [x]. |
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Condotierri |
40c,
50i, 5s, 3w [1gp each] |
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Captains |
Magnus
(M966) [10gp] |
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Quality Ratings |
C2, I5, w3, s3 |
Einer, Emperor of Varangia, Ruler of the Slav and Norse
Diplomacy Latvia (f), Livonia (at war!)
Einrer ordered a cultivation project was begun in Latvia, timed to coincide with the diplomatic offensive conducted there as well. Another diplomatic effort in Livonia was simply offensive, the emissary being killed by the local Boyar in a rage when the former was caught making eyes at the latter’s son! (That’s what using a 2 value diplomat will get you!). In other news, both Ladoga and Starja continued to expand.
Hendrik, Emperor of the Danes
Diplomacy None
No orders
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Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
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Condotierri |
10c, 7i, 5s, 3w [1gp each] |
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Captains |
Deka (M785) [5gp] |
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Quality Ratings |
I3 w3 s3 c3 |
Abraham, Emperor of the Vandals
Diplomacy None
In early 822, a small Roman flotilla hove to off the walls of Carthage bearing the Imperial princess Olivia and her entourage. Shortly thereafter, residents of the great city were surprised to hear of a gala celebration in honoring the betrothal of the princess and the young Emperor himself (following the quiet conversion to Judaism of Olivia of course). Attended by dignitaries from both Empires, a fine time was had by all. The festivities were capped off by the nasty execution of a couple of two-bit Egyptian comedians whose obscene act was accused of corrupting the Empire’s youth. After the wedding, Olivia was born off to the nuptial cambers, where, over the next four years, she bore three children for the Emperor: all daughters (DOH!).
In other events, a great Vandal war fleet made a sortie into the Atlantic and hove to off the Portuguese coast looking for the English dogs! Having found none in evidence, the fleet than sailed all the way up to the English Channel where they cruised around menacingly for several months (Or as menacingly as you can when you’re horking your guts up due to seasickness). Elsewhere, a second Vandal force kept a vigilant watch around Gibraltar, making sure that the fun and games there didn’t spill over into Imperial territory. Back at home, the city of Tangiers continued to grow apace.
Ahab, Emperor of Yighut, Pharaoh of Egypt, Beloved of Elohim
Diplomacy None
Ahab shocked the world by having fewer projects completed than normal. A royal road segment was built in Levant to link with the Sassanid road net in Lebanon. More dramatically, thousands of laborers were pressed into working on a great canal linking the Nile River with the Red Sea. For months they labored under the broiling desert sun, lamenting the return of the Pharaohs.
Such cruelty was noticeably absent at the port of Alexandria on the Red Sea where the Turks played host to a small fleet of odd-looking ships manned by strange-looking people who cam from far, far away. Much celebrating was had before the strangers departed back south. On the urban front, Usiltai, Abydos and Holy Jerusalem itself all increased in size.
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Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
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Condotierri |
10c, 30i, 5s, 2w [1gp each] |
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Captains |
Whitbooi
(MBA8) [15gp] Will not work for Kanem-Bornu. |
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Quality Ratings |
I3 w2 s1 c3 |
Chitambo I, Emperor of Gambia
Diplomacy None
Realizing that he had only survived due to his opponent’s mistake, Chitambo readied his Empire for war! New walls were built around the major cities of the realm and levies were mustered to resist the Songhai scum!
Miso III, King of Songhai
Diplomacy None
The Songhai-Gambia War
Initial
Moves: Miso took great
pains to ensure that his new round of operations would go smoothly. Unfortunately, nothing worked. An attempt on the life of Chitambo was a miserable failure and attempts to subvert
the defending Gambian army and leader in Ghana met with no success (the
defenders taking a decidedly dim view of Miso’s
previous success.
Disappointed,
but not disheartened, Miso dispatched his forces on
two axes of attack. The first,
21,000 troops under general Chukra were to treat the
Gambians to a repeat performance of last turn, marching through Jenne and Khalem to debouch into
Gambia itself and strike at the heart of Chitambo’s
Empire.
Further
south, the main Songhai attack, over 85,000 regulars
led by general Tsemeris and supported by 9000 mercs (under the old K-B usurper Whitboi)
would be far less subtle, driving right into Ghana itself and thence to points
beyond.
Operations
in the North: Chukra’s troops again
crossed the Jenne deserts without incident. Entering Khalem,
the invaders found distressing signs that the Gambians were not going to be
caught napping again, passing under the newly built walls of Dias, from which
the locals jeered and threw garbage.
Nonplussed, Chukra hurried through the region
and entered Gambia to discover 16,000 enemy troops under General Susi drawn up in battle array and looking for a fight. Chukra didn’t
disappoint and the two armies swept together in a welter of blood and steel.
And the battle went very wrong for the invaders, operating in a hostile country with no secure line of communication back to his base, Chukra was obligated to detach a good portion of his force to guard his rear, a weakness that Susi was only too happy to exploit, drawing the Songhai troops into a meatgrinder.
The two armies thrashed together for over four hours before the Songhai center cracked and broke, and here fate was most deceitful. Chukra with his superior mobility was able to disengage fairly easily, although his infantry had been slaughtered in the process. The withdrawal from Gambia, back through a very alert and hostile countryside was another matter entirely. The retreat quickly became a nightmare, with Gambian troops and locals falling upon exhausted groups of Chukra’s army in their flight and slaughtering them. Then the deserts of Jenne took their toll on the shattered force. Of the 21,000 that set out, less than 8,000 returned to Segu. Finally, to add insult to injury, a Songhai emissary sent to Khalem to woo the locals had his liver fed to him.
Operations in the Center: here, the situation was very different. Both Tsemeris and Whitboi were thoroughly familiar with the tasks before them and they would be operating with a secure retreat route should things go wrong. Finally, their army was much larger than Chukra’s. They would need it.
Storming directly into Ghana, the invaders were immediately confronted with the city of Kumbi-Saleh, well fortified and swarming with over 16,000 defenders under General Malenga. Realizing that this could not be bypassed, Tsemeris invested the city and began a siege.
Operations against the city went on for four months. Among the cinematic highlights was the death of the Songhai prince Abar, smashed by a catapult stone while foolishly leading an assault on one of the city gates. Never could teach that boy a lick of sense, Tsemeris thought grimly as they carted the man’s pulped remains back to camp, and ordered his own catapults to increase their rate of fire.
Inside the city, the defenders were having problems of their own. Now that the siege was beginning to bite, opinion was sharply divided as to whether they should fight to the bitter end or surrender and hope that the victors would be gracious, if not merciful. Malenga, although more experienced and battle-hardened, knew that the city could not hold out forever. His second, General Rebanko felt that resistance should be continued as long as possible, help may come from Tariq! While the two men didn’t disagree openly, their disagreement was having a delierious effect on morale.
Despite these problems, resistance continued for another month before Malenga, finally fed up, managed to have Rabenko clapped in irons and sent representatives onto the battlements to parley. Although bloodied, Tsemeris saw the wisdom of mercy. The defending troops were disarmed and allowed to return home and food was rushed in to alleviate the plight of the citizens, who had pretty much consumed every horse, oxen, dog, cat, songbird, etc. that they could get their hands on. As for Malenga, he too was clapped in irons and sent back to Mali where he continued his “debate” with Rabenko from an adjacent cell.
Having secured Ghana, Tsemeris’ troops rolled into Galam, which was quickly secured. Dinis, although recently fortified, surrendered after a short siege.
Kaasai, Prince of Kwarafa
Diplomacy Bolgatagna, in Akan (ea)
Deciding that taking advantage of one’s neighbors was a virtue; Kaasai decided to take his share of the Gambian cake. To that end, he dispatched over 36,000 troops under General Ordzunikidze and the Heir Mustaf across the border at Akan. Aside from contending with the walls of Abidjan, the Kwarafans encountered little to no resistance. Soon Niete and Gagnoa were official (if unwilling) acquisitions of the Empire. Kaasai was delighted with his little coup. Back at home, Iba and Ibo both increased in size.
Kulanganjovu, Emperor of Kanem-Bornu, Lord of Chad.
Diplomacy Axum (nt),
Ain’Farah (f), Rabak in Kosti (t), Bilma (nt), Ghat-Al-Barkat (t)
Wary about the friskiness of his western neighbors, Kulanganjovu ordered the raising of new levies to protect the Empire. On the domestic front, the cities of Benu and Gumatche both increased in size and yet another religious monument to the Spider-God, Anansi’s Web was raised in Gurma. The results of Makoko’s Traveling Diplomatic Circus and Apothecary were less than promising than previously although the oasis trade route with the Vandals was re-established.
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Mercenaries |
Minimum bid listed in [x]. |
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Condotierri |
4i, 4s, 4w [1gp each] |
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Captains |
Eihrn (MB4B) [15gp] |
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Quality Ratings |
I5 w4 s3 |
Mossadeq, Emir of Abyssinia, Sword of Islam
Life among the Abyssinian highlands continue at it’ usual leisurely pace. Work continued on the Sennar to Funj Royal road and Dese expanded a level.
Things got slightly more exciting when old Mustafa died at the ripe old age of ninety-one without an heir (his son, Jarwal having preceded him in death last turn). The various lieutenants, after discussing matters among themselves, opted NOT to destroy the Emirate in a fratricidal civil war and selected one Mossadeq, to lead the realm.
Mzilikaze, King of Zanzibar
Diplomacy Nyasa (+10 to YfC number)
Life
was even more bucolic here than it was among the Muslims to the north. Tanana, Djibuti and Antanara all grew in
size. A minor incident occurred
when several Scythian imams were
rousted out of Djibuti after stirring things up in
the Mobed community. A stiff note was sent to San’a ordering the Sultan to cease and desist.