Lords of the Earth

Campaign Twenty

Turn 24
Anno Domini 1016 – 1020

Turn 25 Orders Due By:  December 9th, 1998

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60 Second Summary


The Orient
Mercenary Troops 10mc, 8mi, 11ms, 16mw, 17mt
Mercenary QR’s c03, s02, i03, w04
Mercenary Leaders           Kotowari Haisen (M896)

Yamato Nihon

Jenguku Tohiro, First Minister of the Diet

Diplomacy Cheju Do(ea), Silla (t)

Kobi, Kentosani, Ise, and Edo got bigger.  The enormous merchant fleet expanded yet again.  Nihon's merchants laughed at the small flotillas of the Chinese merchants.  The heavy overbalance of Nihon shipping versus that of their Chinese partners earned Nihon the lion's share of the profits.

Far to the north, mountainous Tumin rebelled from Nihon, destroying the garrison there.  This would have been insignificant except that Nihon's international trade then had to be traced from Kumamoto and Ise, instead of from the Korean city of Anjiro.  This severed trade with Zhuangzu and Shensi.  The merchants complained bitterly at their unprofitable inactivity.

The Honan Chinese Kingdom

Mao Ling, Supreme Monarch of Pienching

Diplomacy None

Honan, Shensi, and Chin made mutual defensive plans in case of attack.  None was forthcoming, but it's good to be prepared.  You never know when a mass of bloodthirsty riders will coalesce from the grasslands.  The Chinese are determined that there will be no mixing of their gene pool with that of the northern barbarians.

Vast numbers of irrigation ditches and cartpaths were emplaced in Bao Ding.

The Shensi Chinese Kingdom

Qin Guan, King of China

Diplomacy None

Cheng Ping brought together all his resources for one big diplomatic effort in pacified Kansu.  He prepared his list of Shensi good deeds and went over it with his wise men:  protection from hordes, the city Luh-erh, marrying daughters into Kansu, and building forts to protect them.  His wise men disagreed, pointing out that the forts were extracting Kansu resources for Shensi use.  They warned Cheng Ping that diplomacy is useless in a conquered region.  Cheng Ping wouldn't listen to them.  He left, and the wise men feared for his life.

Indeed Cheng Ping did assume room temperature; one night during his trip his tired body gave out.  Qin Guan's training at administering the affairs of the kingdom ceased, and he took over without incident.  His younger brother Qin Sheng became the heir to the throne.

The princess Qin Boqing continued to guard the northern approaches.  No breaches of the defensive line would occur at her post!

The Ch’in Kingdom

Che The, Divine Overlord of the Middle-Kingdom, Lord of the River

Diplomacy Ganzhou (t), Kienchou (a)

While Che Teh continued his administration of the realm, he sent two of his lieutenants to round up the unneeded garrisons and bring them back to the capitol and into the large army.  Jong Mah and Lou Tsu had great diplomatic successes, bringing the kingdom into closer contact with the Bacphan Zhuangzu in the southern lands.

Lin'an, Taishan, Chenjing, and Jiujiang expanded.  

Bacphan Zhuangzu

K556, Overlord of South China

Diplomacy None

Mao Liu Ven and L361 keeled over in rapid succession, so L556 had to take over as king.  This put a damper on the diplomacy plans.  Luckily for the tax rate, he did turn out to be an at least average administrator, unlike his predecessor.

Tonkin, Vijaya, Hong Kong, and Xiamen expanded.  Many canals and aquaducts were built in Kwangtung.  The long postal road was rediscovered, and maintenance resumed.

The Celestial Kingdom of the Jade Buddha

Singh Hao "the Generous", 4th Incarnation of the Blessed Jade Buddha, Light on the Path to Nirvana, Illuminator of the Human Soul, Thinker of Deep Thoughts, Mayor Shangri-La

Diplomacy None

Singh Hao did a head count to improve his impressive cash flow.  Conversion activities in India and Southeast Asia continued.  Khemer was already buddhist because of its Sirivjayan colonists.


The Pacific Rim and Southeast Asia
Mercenary Troops 19mc, 20mi, 20ms, 25mw, 10mt
Mercenary QR’s c03,s04,i03,w03
Mercenary Leaders           Korash Sharana (M846)

The Katoomba Riders

Yamma Lamma, Chief He’e Nalu-sen

Diplomacy None

The Katoombans invested more cash in their highly effective university.  Everyone had too much Toohey's Gold, so Yamma Lamma decreed that everyone should take a five year vacation.  L855 converved his energy, preparing for a long voyage.  The perfect waves continued to roll in from the eastern ocean.

The Molucca Seahold

Te Rangi, Arikara of the Molucca Te Anu

Diplomacy None

Other than the heir's death in boating accident, nothing happened.

The Javan Federation

Boronoraja, President Sirivjavan

Diplomacy Kediri (a)

It was looking to be another calm, peaceful five years for the Javans.  The heir Boronoraja went to Perak to do a little preaching, and P'ayao made slow progress diplomatically in Kediri.  Geo'shinkon rounded up some warship from the outlying regions and brought them back to Sirivjaya.  Then the old king Cankuang died.  This left Geo'shinkon alone in Sirivjaya with the armada.  He hemmed and hawed.  He raised his left hand and looked at it, "duty, honor, county..."   He raised his right hand and looked at it, "fame and power".  Luckily for Boronoraja, Geo'shinkon decided on duty, honor, country.

Java denies all responsibility in the attack on the Avan diplomat in Mon.

The distant Andaman islands rebelled.  The populations of Singhasari, Sunda, and Kadaram grew.

The United Monarchy of the Avans

The Celestial, Virtuous, and Benignant King Anisakan II, Monarch of all Burmese People, Munificent Potentate of Pegu, Dispenser of all Avan Goodness and Benevolence

Diplomacy Lampang(c), Manipur (a), Mon (ea), Nam Pung (c), Laos (aw)

King Anisakan II smiled at the boneheaded Prince Phunim, "...true, we have slave raided Laos recently, but I'm sure they won't hold it against you.  Now go over there and make some friends!  I know you can do it."  So off went Phunim, singing a happy tune to himself: "I love to sing, sing-sign-a-ling..." until he got to Laos.  He skipped merrily into the reception tent of the chieftain of Laos.  "Hey, dude, want to join the cool United Monarchy of the Avans?"  Aides and servants ducked for cover, sure that heavy or sharp objects would be flying through the air toward Phunim.  But the chieftain remained outwardly calm for now.  "Listen to me, monkey-dung.  I'm going to count to 10.  If you are still here when I get done, I'm going to personally stake you down to the jungle floor and watch the army ants eat you for breakfast."  Phunim was long gone before the Chief of Laos got to 4.

The Chief of Laos rounded up a few thousand warriors to exact revenge upon the Avans.  The Laotian force chased Banu out of Nam Pung, raided Surin, tried to raid Siam and Nakhon, and chased the Benevolence Dispenser himself (Anisakan II) out of Lampang.  Then they returned, still simmering with anger, to Laos.

As if that wasn't enough excitement, Javans tried to kill Malin while he was talking it up in Mon.  Luckily, the abysmal diplomat escaped, and went on to conclude successful talks.

Phunim made it back to Pagan much later.  "Oh, you're back," said Anisakan II, trying to sound pleased, "don't worry about it.  Happens to everyone."

The Nakhon ally died, and Nakhon changed to a tribute-only agreement.  Thaurin, Narathu, and Pagan expanded.


India
Mercenary Troops 15mc, 15mi, 25ms, 13mw, 15mt
Mercenary QR’s c04, s04, i04, w02
Mercenary Leaders           Shalbeb (M767)

Palankala

Kanamori, Guardian of the Ganges, Divine Wrath of Kali

Diplomacy None

The Ganges Guardian was on the lookout for activity and direction within his empire.  There was not any.

Xanthi Empire of Xanadu

Palpatyn III, Grand Poobah of the Xanthi Zieterund, Rajah of the Rajputs

Diplomacy Jats(nt)

The Grand Poobah sent Prince Mikal to look for suspicious activity.  He looked high.  He looked low.  He found nothing.

From Xanth through Thanesar to Amchan, the road was smoothed and widened.  In Xanadu, new ditches and sewers increased production.

The Chola Mandalam

Tu Arshtra, Mandala Chola

Diplomacy None

The silence was deafening.

Sultanate of Sind

Mehmet, Mansurashah, Protector of the Indus, Barrier of Allah

Diplomacy None

Mehmet almost woke up.


The Middle East
Mercenary Troops 9mc, 8mi, 7ms, 20mw, 20mt
Mercenary QR’s c02, s03, i04, w04
Mercenary Leaders           Pireheram (M965)

The Kingdom of Mongolia (formerly White Huns)

Jasmir, Kucha Khan, "The White Demon"

Diplomacy Mongol Horde (fa)

Jasmir looked over his newly conquered land.  His father, the late Khan Mishrak "The Black Demon", would have been proud of this accomplishment.  But Jasmir wasn't finished.  While Turkestan was beautiful and fruitful, it wasn't home.  He had a greater plan.  Sending his generals out to gather the troops, Jasmir announced they would be leaving.  ALL OF THEM!  Hastily the regional and city folk gathered their essentials.  The ancient city of Samarkand was sacked to raise some quick cash. With the horde as protection, Jasmir headed off to the northeast.

After years of travel across the plains he arrived at his destination, Mongol.  Here the new empire would be formed!  After meeting with the Mongol leader and detailing the future plans for the empire, a celebration was held, concluding with the marriage of Jasmir to the Mongol Khan's daughter.  Jasmir now controls Mongol, Tatar, Buryat, and Angaraland.  The fortressed capitol city in Mongol is called Karakorum.

The Shahdom of Merv

Uthman al’Saidar, Shah of Bactria

Diplomacy None

Uthman's jaw dropped when the White Huns took off.  He grabbed some cavalry and liberated Khwarzim.  The additional wheat production was sorely needed.

The Abbasid Caliphate

Mahtaub, Kaliphat Rasul Allah

Diplomacy None

The mighty Abbasids bided their time.

Imam Al Muslim

Ali Mahdi, Siadat Kuran, "The Sustainer"

Diplomacy Andalusia (mn), Mesopotamia (ab), Dimashq (ca), Granada (ab), Murcia (ab)

The Imam ordered the establishment of more holy sites.  He was relieved to see the White Huns move away from Islamic lands.  Now if only he could get the Islamic states to shake themselves of their sleepy inactivity.

The Fatamid Empire of Egypt

Montiqit Amal, Guardian of the Holy Places, Emperor of Egypt.

Diplomacy None

Montiqit sent the heir Jafan and most of the army to look for suspicious activity in Levant.  "Oh, great," thought Jafan, "a wild goose chase.  Just what I needed."  But being a good son, he did some snooping around. He looked high.  He looked low.  In the hills of Levant, Jafan came across a boy who said he had seen something fishy.  The boy, Ahmed, took Jafan and two dozen guardsmen to a hiding place looking down on a gulley.  "Wait and watch," Ahmed told Jafan.  Eventually a small band of men came down the gulley and stopped at an odd-looking spot in the rock wall.  "Open sesame," said one of the men.  A piece of the rock slid aside, and the men squeezed through.  "Knassis nepo," said the same man, and the rock door closed again.  Jafan waited for the men to leave, at Ahmed's recommendation, before taking his guards down to investigate.  "Open sesame," said Jafan, and the door slid open, spouting a great plume of dust which billowed through and around the group, blotting out the sunlight.  Dark shapes attacked them from the dust cloud.  Guards fell, screaming, to the rocky ground.  Jafan gave the order to retreat, but less than half of his men made it back to the rendevous point.  Ahmed was among them.  After questioning Ahmed, it was decided that this was not the heart of darkness that Jafan was saving the army for, but a lesser abode of evil.

The teachings of Allah gained ground in Coptic lands.


Eastern Europe
Mercenary Troops 7mc, 8mi, 10ms, 12mw, 20mt
Mercenary QR’s i03, c03, s03, w03
Mercenary Leaders           none

The Eastern Roman Empire

Justin, Imperator Romanus Orientalis

Diplomacy Bulgaria (a), Attica (a), Pamphyla (ne)

Leo fell down a flight of stairs, and his ancient body couldn't take the shock. Justin took over without much fuss.  Miklos of Isauria died, and his successor ended the alliance and tribute, but still allowed the Byzantines free movement through the region.  With some palm grease, Theodore convinced Attica to make their alliance economic as well as military.  Pamphyla informed Michael that the current military-only alliance was the most they would ever agree to.  It seems the desert wanderers don't want to be closely associated with a civilized nation.

Public works were added in many regions, but the tiny university remained practically unfunded.

The Varangian Empire of Kiev Rus

Piotyr Nechesik, The First Czar of Kiev Rus

Diplomacy Patzinak (aw), Lithuania (a), Courland (a, then t), Pechneg (c)

Piotyr noticed that his nation was now one of the most powerful on Earth, so he decided  that he and the nation needed more impressive-sounding titles.  He also kicked the economic ally Pereaslavl out of the nation for "arrogant behavior."  The nation's feudal and full allies did a lot of slave raiding.  The just kicked-out region of Pereaslavl, as well as the claimed regions of Cuman and Goryn, were among the victims.  This, coupled with the Polish slave raids on Lithuania and Daugavia, caused some upheavals.  Cuman, Goryn, and Smolensk rebelled.  Courland reneged on the alliance that Andrej had just negotiated.  Daugavia announced that they would henceforth only allow free passage.

The khans of Atelkuzo and Polovotsy informed Piotyr that they would only use the slaves to benefit their own regions, unless a much better relationship developed between them and the Varangian Empire.

Prince Vladimir the Younger travelled to Patzinak to woo the steppe Asia Pagans into the kingdom.  He offered his sister Ekaterina's hand in marriage, but she got sick and died in the last year of negotiations.  Things went downhill from there, and Vladimir escaped with nothing more than his life.  Things went a little better for the brilliant diplomat Dmitrij in Pechneg, although the results were disappointing, considering the amount of effort.  The religious and cultural differences were just too great.

Kingdom of Russia

High Lord Vostov Borislov, the Wanderer, King of Russia

Diplomacy None

All was quiet in the northern forests.

The Polish Kingdom

Bram Brodzinski, King of Poland

Diplomacy Bochnia (t), Galich (ea), Pomern (a), Bohemia (nt), Moravia (nt)

Bram wanted to use slaves to increase the populations of Lodz and Gdansk, but cancelled the plans when his advisors warned him that they would become pacified cities, requiring a garrison and producing no manpower.  {Well, since Eddie's supplement said you can, this time it's OK, but no more.}  But he sent for more slaves anyway.  Morgenthaler and several thousand soldiers slave raided Kur and the Kievan regions of Lithuania and Daugavia.  They tried to get some slaves from Courland, too, but one of Kiev's armies was in the region.

Bram had heard that the Khitan were leaving the Germanic lands, so he designated a couple of armies to recover the lost provinces.  Lek Lekzinski died before he could round up the troops and move out, so it was a small allied army that liberated Thuringia and Alsace.  Franconia remained independant of Poland.


Western Europe
Mercenary Troops 6mc, 5mi, 2ms, 28mw, 30mt
Mercenary QR’s c03, s03, i05, w04
Mercenary Leaders           Mario "the Younger" Orsini (M557)

Denmark

Halfner, Imperator Danmark

Diplomacy None

The Papacy sent a little cash to help Denmark rebuild their decimated army.  The Danes received a few dozen more chests of gold from an unknown source.

Kolbyr Swanson ordered Wotan to gather up some warships and transports and go ferry the Khitan across the North Sea to Edinburg.  This would have been easily done, but Wotan fell through some thin ice in March 1016 and drowned.  Kolbyr was greatly saddened by Wotan's death.  His sorrow was short-lived, however, because Kolbyr died of pneumonia two months later.  Halfner was just about to head south with the army to liberate the Khitan-conquered regions, but his thirst for power got the best of him.  He declared himself Emperor, killed the heir Thorfinni, and seized power.  There was a little disruption in the empire:  Norway and Smaland rebelled.  No fleet ever did get sent to help the Khitan.

After the Khitan came by and pulled out their garrisons, the regions of Holstien, Friesland, Saxony, and Westphalia rejoined Denmark.

The Khanate of Khitan

Altan the Red-Handed, Thunder Lord, Khagan of the Khitan

Diplomacy I don't THINK so.

Altan knew that he would not be able to hold onto his conquests in the face of multiple attacks from all directions.  He agreed to pull out of most of the conquered land in return for help getting across the North Sea to invade England.  It became apparent that there was very little love for England on the European mainland.  Denmark, Lombard Italy, and the Pope all agreed to send fleets to help out.

A migration was ordered.  Altan told tales of a wondrous land on the other side of the Channel, with rolling hills, excellent horses, and beautiful women.  He declared that all Khitan would become Christians, and do their holy duty to get rid of the heretic menace in England.

The Khitan hired all the mercanary warships and transports they could find, and then built some more.  All of the Khitan cavalry and settlers started moving toward the mouth of the Rhine.  Not waiting for the Bishop Louis to arrive, Altan loaded up half of his own troops at the port city of Karnkorb and took them to Edinburg.  It was already October of 1017 by the time he made it back.  His Liao and Tangut allies were still there, looking apprehensive.  "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!," Altan yelled.  The two uncomfortable khans explained that no Danish, Lombard, or Papal fleets had arrived yet, because of various difficulties.  To top it off, the bishop had still not arrived to baptize Altan and his countless masses.

The conversion to Catholicism was a critical part of the plan, so Altan waited.  And waited.  "Maybe I should just attack Italy and the Pope," he grumbled to himself.  Finally, in April of 1018, Bishop Louis showed up, explaining that it had been a long trip, and he had to establish a monastery on the way.  Altan seethed, but maintained his composure.  After all, wasn't forgiveness a Christian virtue?  Louis baptized Altan and all his followers.  It took a week to run everyone through the Rhine.

Altan threw the rest of his national troops into the fleet and made haste for Edinburg.  He gathered his horsemen that had been in garrison over a year, and headed south.  Lothian, Northumbria, and Anglia were forced to pay tribute in a quick and easy sweep.  Ahead lay the Saxon homeland: Sussex.  Altan stopped to give the troops pep talk.  "Alright, men, listen up!  We are about to attack the base of English power.  It will be a tough fight, but I know that with God on our side, we will prevail in the end."  The Khitan advanced into Sussex, finding the region guarded by <drum roll, please> nothing.  The army attacked London next, and discovered that the only force guarding the English capitol was 50 warships.  No walls surrounded the city.  Altan was not as pleased as you might think.  "I should have landed right here in the harbor!"  The English were swept aside, and London captured.  The Khitan captured some of the English shipping, treasury, and university.  Somehow, Edward III slipped away to Wessex.  Altan fingered his Sengir-skull drinking mug, imagining how nice the Saxon monarch would look once he was similarly treated.

Being a proactive guy, the Laio khan went to Edinburg and brought the fleet back to Karnkorb.  Thousands of settlers and cavalry shipped across the waters, marched down the freshly captured eastern coast, and settled in Northumbria, Anglia, and Sussex.  It was near the end of 1020, with Wessex next on the list, but winter postponed the completion of the conquest.

The Khitan pulled out of all the pacified mainland regions except for the three on the English Channel.  The Tatar khan demobilized tens of thousands of cavalry to build bridges, paths, and dikes in these regions.  The Liao cavalry were not willing to do the same, for the regions belong to the Tatars.  The Tangut khan was unable to take his fifty-plus thousand cavalry to Lothian for want of transports.

Austria, Bavaria, and Bohemia rebelled from the now-distant empire.  On the mainland, Khitan controls Flanders, Brabant, and Holland.  In England, they control Lothian, Northumbria, Anglia, and Sussex.

Grand Duchy of Verona

Leonardo Maquina, Grand Duke of Verona, Defender of Italy, Chosen of Christ, Shepherd of the Faithful

Diplomacy None

Jesus died in his sleep in 1016.  The heir Leonardo became the new Shepherd, and began counting sheep:  Zzzzzzzzzz.....

The Lombard Kingdom of Italy

Mario D’ Orsini, Rex Sognari

Diplomacy Bavaria (ne)

Mario Orsini II ruled his empire and begat a couple of rugrats.  He voluteered the heir Mario "The Younger" Orsini to ferry the Khitan to Scotland.  Mario the Younger happily obliged, for he was getting a little bored, and could feel the years taking their toll on him.

With a decent-sized force of warships and transports, he sailed around Iberia and headed for the English Channel.  Far away from Italy, off the coast of France, he bones began to ache again.  He wondered if he would ever become emperor.  Besides, he never liked the old man anyway.  Mario the Younger announced that he was striking out on his own, and would work for the highest bidder.  (see Mercenaries)

The Roman Catholic Papacy

Innocent V, Il Papa, Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ

Diplomacy Sjealland (ab), Flanders (mn), Saxony (ca), Poland (mn), Carinthia (mn), Bochnia (ab)

Innocent V wanted to hire an Eastern European mercenary fleet to help the Khitan, but he didn't have any monasteries or cathedrals in East European ports.  Oh, well.  At least he could get the Khitan baptized.  A few of his advisors thought that helping nomads attack a civilized nation, when he had recently done the same for the Turqs, might cost him some influence in the civilized nations.  But others pointed out that the English not only were heretics, but had recently assisted the Moors in their war on the now-exiled Christian Spaniards, and had at one time planned to murder the entire population of Alsace.  It turned out the second group was correct in their assessment.

Lombard Italy sent several shiploads of grain, but the food went unnoticed and rotted on the docks.  The Vicar of Christ sent some gold to Denmark, and a decent chunk of change to the French Turqs.  He also lent the Khitan and the Turqs a couple of bishops and some government officials.

Kingdom of Turquis

Soloman II, King of Turquis, Champion of the True Faith, Lord of the Franks

Diplomacy Khirgiz horde (f), Osman horde (ne), Hainaut (nt), Lorraine (nt)

Soloman II heard the Khitan were leaving, so he waited a few months and then liberated Ile de France, Nivernais, and Vermandois.  He was happy to discover that there was little damage to the public works of the area, because he has a big army to maintain.

Noticing that his allied khans were getting a little long in tooth, Soloman tried to entice them to fully join the kingdom.  The Khan of the Khirgiz consented.  Soloman asked them to talk each other into joining, but it didn't work out.

The Kingdom of Sussex (it's only a flesh wound!)

Edward III Saxon King of England

Diplomacy None

The King of England was bored.  "My, what a dull decade this is turning out to be," thought Edward III.  "Charles, we want you to explore to the north and west of the Orkneys.  See what you can find."  "Sire, what do I seek?" Charles queried.  "Don't worry about it.  You'll find something, we assure you.  Tell us a good story when you get back."  Charles never returned from his mysterious journey.

But another source of excitement was about to inflict themselves upon Edward III.  A few tens of thousands of Khitan horsemen descended upon Sussex in 1019.  Without one soldier, rampart, or siege weapon, Edward cowered in London and called upon his handfull of marines in their warships to defend him.  The inevitable occured swiftly.  Somehow, Edward slipped away, despite the mercenary galleys blockading the city.

Cornwall and Mercia rebelled.  Cornwall became Roman Catholic again.  Edward's kingdom has been pared down to one region: Wessex.

Kingdom of Eire

Cedric, Defender of the Cross, High King of Eire

Diplomacy None

All was peaceful on the Emerald Isle.

Ummayad Caliphat Al Cordoba

Asad Nasir, Caliph al Cordoba, Infidel’s Bane

Diplomacy None

Asad Nasir had trouble producing more offspring, but his son did all right.  The ally from New Castille went to Paradise, and the next ruler of the region opted for an economic-only alliance.  The standard anti-horde defense plan was enacted.  Asad Nasir was pleased to see the Khitan leave the mainland, but he still wants everyone to stay on their toes.

The city of Naranjo now surrounds the fortress in Valencia on the Gulf of Lyons.


Afriqa
Mercenary Troops 19mc, 10mi, 4ms, 10mw, 15mt
Mercenary QR’s c02, s03, i04, w03
Mercenary Leaders           Rayshey (M694)

The Caliphate Al’Moravid

Caliph Siddig Al Farrd, "Zaban Nogreh", Lord of the Rif, Lion of Morocco, Sword of the Prophet

Diplomacy Cheliff(a)

The Lion of Morocco slept peacefully.  For five years.

The Songhai Herdsmen

Osei Kersil, Chieftain of the Herds

Diplomacy Dogamba (ea to Tchad), Walata (c), Mossi (ne)

Akia went to Dogamba and talked them into decreasing their ties with Tchad.  The Chief of Senegal had a heck of a time negotiating with the desert pagans of Walata; they were only willing to agree to meet again in the future.  Haula had similar troubles in Mossi.

Osei wanted to improve the walls of Gao, but the Songhai knowledge of siege warfare was not up to the task.  

The Kingdom of Tchad

Yambuku, King of the Dead, Omar Kanembu

Diplomacy None

The Saharan dust settled over the kingdom.

Despite Yambuku's great administrative talent, Gefara rebelled due to distance.  This caused the closure of several Mediterranean trade routes.

Kingdom of Nigeria

Santara the Witch, Empress of Benin, Darkknife

Diplomacy Kafin (c), Oyo (f)

Santara decided that the national defense needed some more attention, just in case.  Some of the troops were given heavier weapons and armor.  Several fortifications and warships were constructed.  L268 conducted a census to make sure everyone was accounted for.  Then he travelled to Kafin and wrested control of the region from Tchad.  

Great Zimbabwe

Chunkalor, Shaka Zulu

Diplomacy None

Even the mosquitoes were asleep in Zululand.


The Americas
Mercenary Troops 4mi, 9ms, 12mw, 12mt
Mercenary QR’s s04, i05, w03
Mercenary Leaders           Recka (M655)

The Sonoma Kingdom

Leaping Bird, King of Sonoma

Diplomacy None

Leaping Bird celebrated the births of a few children and ruled his peaceful kingdom.  Prince Laughing Fox, and Lieutenants Happy Snake, Gumbling Buffalo, and Laughing Salmon enjoyed some serious time off, pleased at their boss's generosity.

Albion, Ursa Minoris, and Mokelumne grew more populous.

Anasazi Republic

Grey Feather, Chief Executive of the High Desert

Diplomacy None

Arikara died of old age.  Grey Feather became the next Chief Executive.

The master plan of colonizing the empty lands continued.  Mescalero was colonized to 2 gpv, Tonkawa to 1 gpv.  Standing Timber and Little Turtle made a little progress converting Tahue.

The Iroquois Nation

King Talon, Prime Chief of the Council

Diplomacy None

King Talon was in the mood for some tales.  He wanted to hear about a long journey.  "Hey, Thunderbolt, go Iceland and see what you can find."  "Where's Iceland?"  "East of Greenland."  "How do you know?"  "Don't worry about it."  "Why do they call it Greenland?  It's a mountain of ice.  If that's Greenland, I'd hate to see Iceland."  "Listen, Thunderbolt.  Just go find it, and tell me what you saw."  "Wilco, boss."

Thunderbolt grabbed the couple dozen shiny new boats and sailed south around the big swapy peninsula.  As he made his way north toward Labrador along the continental coast, some of the men began to gripe.  "This is ridiculous.  Who cares what's out this way?"  Thunderbolt was able to keep them in line.  He did indeed make it to Greenland, and sailed east from there.  But soon afterwards, the lookouts spotted a large shape moving in the water on the horizon.  As the ships drew near, it began to take shape and move toward the expedition.  It became visible a few miles out as a giant green sea monster about the size of a city.  Soon, the creature was close enough that they could see the individual slimy scales covering its body.  It opened its unimaginably huge gaping mouth and swallowed the entire fleet in one gulp.

Either that or the ships got lost and everyone died of thirst and starvation.

Ayoel expanded.

The Aztec Empire

Ometepec, God-Emperor, Divine Ruler of Mexico

Diplomacy None

On the seventh day, God-Emperor rested.

The Mayan Astronomers

Ah Cacao, Priest-King of the Yucatan

Diplomacy None

The jungles were eerily quiet.

The Andean Incan Empire

Ahualpa, Emperor of the Heavens

Diplomacy None

Emperor Ahualpa proclaimed that a royal road was needed from Huari to Raqchi.  He also had a couple of kids.

Quiro Mapuche

Kniso, the Chosen

Diplomacy None

The Chosen chose inactivity.


ISI Rankings for Turn 24: Anno Domini 1016 - 1020
#  Nation Name             MSI   ESI  Player Name      Phone Number     TV    EMail Address
1  Ch'in Kingdom           171.1   1  Bob Nardone      None             24.9  nardone@mail.del.net
2  Xanthi Zeiterund        154.5  11  Charles Hurst    None             11.2  charlesh@teleport.com
3  Abbasid Caliphate       141.4   2  Geordy           None             28.3  raider26@hotmail.com
4  Fatamid Empire          137.7   6  Ken McGee        01-360-687-0421  18.3  keng@pacifier.com
5  The Honan Chinese Kingdom 118.2 7  John Millsaps    None              9.9  MillsapsJ@aol.com
6  Eastern Roman Empire    113.7  12  BJ Kersteter                      10.4  kerstete@tcfreenet.org
7  Palankala               108.7  10  (John Schamper)  01-815-337-7408  10.0  jschamper@aol.com
8  Andean Incan Empire     104.8   5  Open for a player                 19.2  None
9  Yamato Nihon            101.7   3  (Rick Stevens)   None             43.1  tgreatahz@hotmail.com
10  Kingdom of Sonoma       98.4  16  John Schmid      None             25.3  magus@netcom.com
11  Shensi Chinese Kingdom  89.9  30  John Chan        None              6.0  J1WESCHAN@aol.com
12  Ummayad Caliphate Al Cordoba 85.5 29 Jeffrey Smith 01-505-525-8271   6.4  kaladan@zianet.com
13  Songhai Herdsmen        81.1  28  Mark Willner     None             10.0  marc24@ix.netcom.com
14  Lombard Kingdom of Italy 78.9  8  Mark Bailey      01-650-933-3226  12.8  markcb@bedevere.mfg.sgi.com
15  Anasazi                 78.1  27  Chris Wayne                        6.6  cwayne@nmia.com
16  United Monarchy of the Avans 75.8 23 (Paul Petonak) None            10.3  paulp@microbio.ucla.edu
17  Bacphan Zhuangzu        73.0   9  Therence DeCorse                   8.5  cdecorse@aol.com
18  The Polish Kingdom      72.5  32  Mark Newman      None              6.6  MNewman565@aol.com
19  Varangian Empire of Kiev Rus 69.5 34 Ivan Mostinckx None             8.2  ivan.mostinckx@village.uunet.be
20  Javan Federation        67.7  20  David Salter     None             12.8  salterdj@aol.com
21  The Caliphate al Moravid 66.4 17  Scott Norton     None              8.6  snorton@netcom.com
22  The Khanate of Khitan   64.1  35  Jorge Chacon     None              3.0  jchacon@qua.net
23  Kingdom of Tchad        63.7  25  Open for a player                  8.0  None
24  Denmark                 62.7  26  Steve Hogie      None             13.0  SHogie@deltanet.com
25  The Aztec Empire        60.9  18  Kerry Harrison   01-512-252-4949  14.1  lords@play-by-mail.com
26  Sultanate of Sind       59.1  13  (Stephen Hope)                     6.3  SLHope@ats.com.au
27  Iroquois Nation         59.3  14  David Nardone    01-302-322-5342  18.3  dnardone@inet.net
28  Imam al Muslim          58.4  19  Darin Byrne      None              2.3  dbyrne@woudenberg.com
29  Kingdom of Turquis      54.5  33  Todd St.Pe       None              1.3  todd@mcia.com
30  Chola Mandala           54.3  15  Open for a player                  8.7  None
31  Quiro Mapuche           51.6  24  Open for a player                  6.2  None
32  The Dalai Lama          48.1   4  James Gemmill    01-604-251-6353   2.0  jamesgem@vpl.vancouver.bc.ca
33  Great Zimbabwe          48.4  22  Open for a player                  8.4  None
34  Roman Catholic Papacy   47.2  21  Logan Vanderlinden None            1.3  loganv@concentric.net
35  The Mayan Hegemony      46.6  36  Alan Grieve      02-946-907-64     5.6  algri@nsw.bigpond.net.au
36  Kingdom of Nigeria      41.5  31  Tim Atchison                      12.2  tatchi6544@aol.com
37  Persian Empire of Samarkhand 38.9 37 Keith Parker  8049841775        4.5  kgp8d@faraday.clas.virginia.edu
38  The Molucca Seahold     36.1  38  Mark Hilton      None              5.1  Mark.hilton@lineone.net
39  Katoomba Riders         29.3  39  (John Rascon)    None              2.5  tracker@Flamestrike.hacks.arizona.edu
40  Kingdom of Eire         28.4  44  Open for a player                  1.4  None
41  Kingdom of Russia       27.1  41  Open for a player                  0.7  None
42  Kingdom of Mongolia     23.6  42  Devin Cornwall                     0.8  MaestroDC@juno.com
43  Grand Duchy of Verona   20.3  40  Ben Vincent None                   3.4  vinny@worldnetla.net
44  Saxon Kingdom of Sussex 16.9  43  Bob Gurley None                    1.7  lords_26@yahoo.com

Notes: