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

Lords of the Earth
Campaign Twenty-Eight
Turn Twenty-Three
1564 C.E ~ 1566 C.E.

	THE ISLES
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	20mi, 5mc, 5ma, 5ms, 5mw

The Gaelic Empire
( Aberdeen in Strathclyde )
Protestant Christian, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Emperor Erc MacAngus

Diplomacy and Warfare: London [+YFC] in Sussex

Large investments in Warship and Artillery QR pay off. London continues to be wood by the crown.

The Protestant Reformation
( London is Sussex )
Protestant Catholic, Tech Level 008 - Renaissance
Edward Stuart, Arthur I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Cornwall [N/E], Newtown [N/E] in Denmark [CH], Devon [N/E], Odenborg [N/E] then [N/E] then [CH] in Freisland [AB], Aachen [-UN] in Hainaut [-UN], Bremerhaven [CH] in Holstein [CH], Cologne [-AB] in Lorraine, Edinburg [N/E] in Lothian, Northumbria [MN], Skane [N/E], Sussex [CH], Zurich [CA] in Switzerland [-UN], Copenhagen [CH] in Zealand [N/E]

Arthur oversees the expansion of the Holy City, London, then orders a large round of expansion with, ultimately mixed results. Shortly thereafter, church offices begin coming under attack by terrorist agents, seemingly of both Roman Papal and Gaelic Christian agents. Elsewhere, Protestant Missionaries see good success in many Danish and Holy Roman cities. Catholic Missionaries in Switzerland, meanwhile, eradicate the Temple there.

	NORTHERN EUROPE
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	21mi, 6mc, 6ma, 6ms, 5mw

The Kingdom of Denmark and Norway
( Newtown in Denmark )
Protestant Christian, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Lord Karl, Regent For
King Harald

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Missionaries are sent to Vastervik under the crown's direction, while a new city is built in frozen Kolozero at the top of the world.

The Kingdom of Sweden
( Stockholm in Uppsala )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
King Sten Gustafson Sjoblad

Diplomacy and Warfare: Visby [T] in Gotland [T], Karela [-AW], Lekskoza [-UN], Livohamm [-OC] in Livo-Joki [-UN], Lohar-Jarvi [-NT], Johannesborg [-T] in Neerwick

Sweden arranges a Royal Marriage with both Latvia and the Holy Roman Empire. Influence in conduit cities are swapped between Latvia and Sweden as part of the dowry arrangements. King Sten ordered diplomacy to continue in the already hostile region of Karela, which unsurprisingly goes nowhere fast. Unwilling to take 'Go Away' for an answer, Sweden moves to attack the region.

[See: The War of Words and Swords.]

The Orthodox Kingdom of Karela
Eastern Orthodox, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
King Holawuson

Diplomacy and Warfare: Karela [HM], Lekskoza [PT], Livohamm [PT] in Livo-Joki [PT]

King Holawuson was tired of the Swedish. Their bumbling diplomacy had been running him ragged for the last six years. It was almost a welcome relief when the Swedes escalated things into direct conflict.

The War of Words and Swords

1565: Spring - Sweden moves a total of four leaders (Prince Gustaf, two Lieutenants, and the Feudal Ally from Lekskoza) at the head of 400 Cavalry, 4,200 Infantry, 600 Engineers, and 8 Artillery Batteries. King Holawuson and his brother form up a defense of the region, commanding 800 Cavalry, 3,200 Infantry and 2 forts. The combined levels of leadership are about equal, as are the quality ratings of both armies. The advantage lies with Karela, being home territory and favorable terrain. The Karelans carry the victory, routing the Swedes who flee into Lekskoza, leaving behind 200 Cavalry, 800 Infantry, 200 Engineers, and Prince Gustaf as corpses. Holawuson's forts are both destroyed in the conflict.

1565: Fall - King Holawuson, knowing of the Swede's aggression against most regions around the Baltic at one time or another decides to make his move now, rather than waiting for the next cycle. He launches an attack into Lekskoza, chasing down the Swedish army. Battle is fought, and again the Swedes are pushed back. This time losing 200 Cavalry, 600 Infantry and the Lekskoza Ally. With more Cavalry than the Swedes now, the Karelans chase down and destroy more of the army, capturing Lieutenant Nils in the process. The remaining Swedish Leader reorganizes the army in Mikelli.

1566: Spring - Holawuson's brother, taking a gamble, invades Livo-Joki on the coast... and finds the region undefended.

15:66: Fall - Livohamm is unwalled, and so falls quickly as well, a group of leaderless Swedish Warships and Transports being captured in the port, giving the Karelans a small navy.

Settling in for the winter, Holawuson pens missives to the members of the Baltic Alliance, proclaiming his willingness for a peace, and requesting one of the Baltic nations to act as a mediator between Sweden and Karela.

	WESTERN EUROPE
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	11mi, 5mc, 5ma, 5ms, 5mw

The French Empire
( Paris in Ile De France )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Emperor Reynaud I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Barmouth [N/E] in Gwynned, Paradis Terre [N/E]

Three new road segments are completed, including one connecting France to Burgundy and increasing the trade revenue between them. The Royal Palace of Versailles is finally completed to the Royal Family's delight. Emperor Reynaud quickly moves into the place, his eleven children needing a lot of space. Exploration in the New World fails to get started. [Rules Note: Leaders attempting EX actions outside of the Nation's CCR must pass a loyalty check, or the EX action is aborted. Explorer Positions do not suffer this penalty.]

The Burgundian Empire
( Antwerp in Brabant )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Emperor Gabriel Henry

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Resources are shipped to Orkney for a city, but not enough to finish it. Preaching to the Protestants continues to be a slow, uphill battle. Exploration in the Sea of Dogs fails to get underway, but closer to home advances in City Planning see fruition within the Empire.

The Kingdom of Portugal
( Lisbon in Portugal )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
King Anselmo

Diplomacy and Warfare: Akan [N/E], Zirid [+YFC]

A system of Basic Scientific Organization is codified within the Kingdom. Further away, two new conduit cities are built, one in the Atlantic, one in Afrika.

The Spanish Empire
( Madrid in New Castille )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Queen Isabella

Diplomacy and Warfare: Sicily [A]

Isabella orders a large number of troops added to the rosters. Navarre sees some colonization, improving its productivity, while rudders are sold to Hungary. Late in the cycle, someone deliberately sets fire to the Temple of the Inquisition, damaging the structure and making it unstable for worship or use.

	CENTRAL EUROPE
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	5mi, 15mc, 5ma, 5ms, 5mw

The Holy Roman Empire
( Kolberg in Pomerania )
Protestant Christian, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Emperor Casimir III

Diplomacy and Warfare: Brunswick [N/E] in Saxony

The Empire begins the laborious process of dredging the Oder river and then orders an investigation into Thuringia.

The Swiss Confederation
( Zurich in Switzerland )
Protestant Christian, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Over-Speaker Ulrich

Diplomacy and Warfare: Norwich [+YFC] in Anglia

Rudders transferred to Mamelukes and city co-built in Arguin. Swiss researches develop Topsoil Conditioning techniques.

The Austrian Empire
( Vienna in Austria )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Emperor Otto I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Alsace [F]

Two more roads fill out the nation's infrastructure. A joint Conduit City is constructed with Poland in Afrikan Gambia.

	ITALY
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	15mi, 10mc, 10ma, 10ms, 10mw

The Milanese Empire
( Milan in Savoy )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Emperor Augustus Sforza II

Diplomacy and Warfare: Algiers [F] in Algeria, Benin [PT], Ife [PT], Spoleto [EA]

Multiple missionary efforts were directed to Algiers under the Pope's direction. At the same time, however, Muslim missionaries attempted to counter. With the region so polarized by the two faiths, it was no surprise that violence would break out here and there. However, the development of a string of grisly murders against Christian believers shocked the community, many being cowed back into worship of Islam. Ultimately, the Catholic missionaries would end up ahead in the city, but the more rural communities of the region itself slipped back toward the Sunni faith under the pressure.

Spoleto sees a round of construction efforts, a new City, Pozuolli, and a new fortress making an appearance. Basic Crop Improvements are made within the Empire's agricultural fields, and troops and resources are sent south with Florence.

Conflict on the Niger

1565: Spring - Milan and Florence land in Benin, Milan immediately marching out against the locals, while Florence hangs back, setting up a construction site for the new city. Milan starts with 1,000 Cavalry, 1,000 Infantry, and 10 Artillery Batteries. Being below the fly line, the Cavalry quickly sickens, and by season's end all Milanese are afoot. The Italians encounter a force of 2,200 local Infantry, supported by 4 forts. Milan systematically attacks the forts, destroying each of them and a further 800 Benin Infantry, while only losing 200 Italian Troops.

1565: Fall - A second fighting season sees a further 1,000 Infantry in the grave for Benin. Milan loses only 200, but the commanding leader is wounded, the army morale suffering for effective leadership.

1566: Spring - Milan continues to press the attack, and successfully wipes out the defenders, losing only two batteries to the river mud of the Niger.

1566: Fall - Milan crosses the river and attacks into Ife, and is met by a truly abysmal defending leader. Consistently using things like tactics, and strategy, the Italians take the regions in perfect form, suffering only 7 casualties. With winter coming in, Milan surrounds the city of Kano, ready to begin a siege come the next cycle.

The Republic of Genoa
( Genoa in Liguria )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Doge Rufino

Diplomacy and Warfare: Apulia [EA]

Afrikan Exploration fails to get off the ground, the expedition harboring in Milven.

The Republic of Florence
( Florence in Tuscany )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Doge Angelo

Diplomacy and Warfare: Calabria [EA]

Beyond the joint city built with Milan in Afrika, gold and troops are gifted to Magellan, while payments for Calabria are shipped to Spain. Improved Cultivation Techniques are discovered.

The Republic of Venice
( Venice in Verona )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 010 - Renaissance
Doge Guido

Diplomacy and Warfare: Campania [A], Kyklades [-NT], Yoruba [NT]

Venice joins Her Italian brothers in the Afrikan rush, though tries things a bit more diplomatically. Venice sees expansion, using the new City Planning techniques previously discovered. Improved Cultivation also sees discovery in Venice, matching the Florentine scientists. Dongola is colonized, but not before the transporting fleet is thoroughly searched by the Mamelukes Navy for any surprises. Gold is shipped to Spain and Magellan and the nation's Fishing Fleets see reorganization into Internal Trade.

The Roman Catholic Papacy
( Rome in Latium )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Pope Innocent IX

Diplomacy and Warfare: Bochnia [-UN]

The tithe on Poland is reduced, helping that Nation's tax rate edge back toward normal. Cologne and Algiers see Bishops arriving and leading Missionary efforts. Pope Innocent himself visits Burgundian Protestant Sites, attempting to sway the local flocks away from Luther's teaching. With the Protestant Influence in Burgundy having been eroded to nothing during the last many years, Innocent is successful in all but Lorraine.

	EASTERN EUROPE
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	6mc, 6mi, 6ms, 6ma, 6mw

The Teutonic Empire of Latvia
( Riga in Latvia )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
King Augustin Brecht

Diplomacy and Warfare: Visby [-T] in Gotland [A] then [-T], Johannesborg [T] in Neerwick, Rzhev [-NT]

The conduit swap with Sweden is successful, the national diplomacy less so. Livonia is cultivated fully.

The Empire of Poland and Lithuania
( Vilna in Lithuania )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Emperor Krzysztoff III

Diplomacy and Warfare: Chernigov [F], Danzig [F], Kirivitch [EA], Silesia [A]

Gambia sees a new Conduit city of Polish and Austrian make, named Freeport. Danzig is cultivated, while exploration off Cape Verdes is a success. Money is shipped to Magellan, Colombus, and the Mamelukes.

The Russian Empire
( Moscow in Muscovy )
Russian Orthodox, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Czar Yuri I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Cuman [+YFC], Levedia [+YFC], Polovotsy [N/E], Veposkava [N/E]

Gold deposits are discovered in Murom, the fishing village of Luzhki growing to a full city with the onset of people looking to earn a fortune. Missionaries see progress in Urkel and Kuban, while gold and agro are gifted to the Mamelukes.

The Russian Orthodox Primacy
( Moscow in Muscovy )
Russian Orthodox, Tech Level 008 - Renaissance
Metropolitan Zorba

Diplomacy and Warfare: Crimea [CH], Mordva [AB], Novgorod [MN], Veposkava [MN]

Zorba continues to oversee the quiet expansion of his primacy. Missionaries are sent to Urkel.

	THE BALKANS
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	5mi, 5mc, 5ma, 5ms, 5mw
	Islamic:	16mi, 11mc, 5ma, 5ms

The Hungarian Empire
( Buda in Alfold )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Jonathon Aquintas, Regent For:
Emperor Mathias Corvinus III

Diplomacy and Warfare: Bakony [OC], Carpathia [OC], Croatia [OC], Kuban [T], Moldavia [-UN], Slovakia [OC], Transylvania [OC]

Rumor of an invasion by the Ottoman Empire instigated a currency crisis within the Nation which caused the Imperial tax rate to suffer. Regardless, Maps were purchased from Spain and Internal Fleets were expanded for the increased trading revenue they would bring. Then the rumors came true.

[See: The War of the Boy Kings]

The Baptist Church
( Buda in Alfold )
Roman Catholic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Patriarch Dean Wily Neagu

Diplomacy and Warfare: Bialoweza [N/E], Krakow [N/E] in Bochnia [AB], Kielce [CH] in Little Poland [N/E], Warsaw [N/E] in Poland [CH], Volhynia [CH]

Manpower is gifted to the Empires of Poland and Hungary, the former also benefiting from a grant of Infrastructure. The expansion to Saint John's Cathedral is finished.

	MIDDLE EAST
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	12mi, 8mc, 6ma, 5mw
	Islamic:	1mi, 5mc, 5ma, 5ms

The Ottoman Empire
( Bursa in Phrygia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Kemel Bey, Regent For
Sultan Dominus I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Bakony [P], Istanbul [FA] in Constantinople, Carpathia [P], Croatia [P], Moldavia [PT], Trebizond [N/E] in Pontus, Slovakia [P], Transylvania [P]

Gold is shipped to the Mamelukes and to the Sunni Primacy. Trebizond and Istanbul see diplomacy, the former agreeing to a feudal alliance. Then, simply, War.

War of the Boy Kings

1565: Fall - Kemel Bey, Regent for the Sultan, launches an attack into Croatia at the head of 10,600 Cavalry, 9,000 Infantry and 5,600 Engineers. He finds the region undefended and pacifies it without issue. A second army under Ottoman command attacks into Moldavia to the same effect.

1566: Spring - Kemel encounters a series of 28 forts in Bakony. They slow his advance down, but with no Hungarian leader fall without much effort. Kemel loses 400 men. The second wing campaigns in the mountains of Transylvania, putting the population there under pacification.

1566: Fall - Kemel conquers Slovakia, again encountering no resistance. The Hungarian Army is concentrated in Alfod, busy fortifying the major roadways for the eventual attack. Winter sets in too soon, however, and Kemel is forced to stop at the border. Carpathia falls to the second wing, and Hungary finds itself completely surrounded by the Ottoman host.

The Persian Sultanate
( Tehran in Persia )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 008 - Renaissance
Sultan Oxathres I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Golconda [MA] in Madurai, Banavasi [MF] in Malabar, Zighan [P]

Missionaries are sent to Khwarzim to help the Baber deal with the heretics. El burz sees a city constructed, while a new fortress, dedicated to the Prophets, is constructed in the Zighan oasis. Government investigators poke around in Mesopotamia while Mercantile Interests expand in India once again.

	THE STEPPES
		Mercenary Pools:
	Islamic:	13mi, 30mc, 6ma, 6ms, 5mw
	Islamic Leader:	Rahif (M6A6)

The Emirate of Khwarzim
( Khiva in Khwarzim )
Alawis Islamic, Tech Level 007 - Civilized
Emir Hassan

Diplomacy and Warfare: Destroyed

Things started off poorly when Bojnud was leveled by a giant Earthquake. Then the fighting began.

The Alawis Heresy

1564: Fall - Assassins attempt to kill both kings, the one against Baber failing, while the one against Hassan being countered. Hassan draws most of his troops together and defends Khwarzim. Baber personally leads his army into Bactria, heading 21,000 Cavalry, 9,800 Infantry, 3,600 Engineers, and 40 Artillery Batteries (Including some 4,600 Mercenaries). Hassan is not drawn out, so the region is easily taken.

1565: Spring - Baber turns and marches against Khwarzim, meeting the Emir's troops of 1,400 Cavalry, 6,400 Infantry, and 16 forts. Hassan, while almost a match for Baber's brilliant command skills, just cannot compare against the numbers of Baber's troops. He valiantly attempts to stop the advance, but he and his entire army is cut down on the fields. Baber loses around half the mercenaries, and some 500 national troops.

1565: Fall - Baber attacks Khiva. He uses the mercenaries first, expending most of them to create a breach in the walls, while keeping his troops out of harms way. The Mercenaries are successful, and the army sweeps into the city, capturing it. The subjugated colonists Hassan had taken were liberated, rejoining their families.

The Baber Empire
( Samarkhand in Kara-Khitai )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 007 - Civilized
King Baber I

Diplomacy and Warfare: Bactria [P], Khiva [P] in Khwarzim [P]

King Baber leads his men to victory over the Heretics. A minor Khwarzimi leader does manage to raid Otrarsh, but learning of Khiva's fall becomes a Mercenary leader.

	EAST AFRIKA
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	10mi, 9mc, 5mw
	Islamic:	18mi, 13mc, 2ms, 1mw

The Mameluke Sultanate
( Q'arum in Mansura )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 009 - Renaissance
Sultan Hafas

Diplomacy and Warfare: Kosha [P] in Alwa [P], Wajh [T] in Hijaz

Missionaries are sent to Kassala, Ceylon and Sri Lanka, while gold is sent to Milan and Florence for payment over the Arguin Argument. The Khuldun exploration band is gifted with many new ships and a good chunk of cash, while national exploration efforts map more of West Afrika.

The two nations co-found the city of Ha fas-Ulrich in Arguin.

The Sunni Islamic Church
( Jerusalem in Levant )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 008 - Renaissance
Imam Farookh

Diplomacy and Warfare: Urfa [N/E] in Carhae, Malatya [CH] in Edessa, Mansura [N/E], Q'arum [CH] in Mansura [N/E],

Church bureaucracy expands, but bad luck continues to strike site construction efforts.

The Kingdom of Ethiopia
( Soba in Funj )
Coptic Christian, Tech Level 006 - Civilized
King Makennan

Diplomacy and Warfare: Kosha [OC] in Alwa [OC]

Slept.

The Adalese Sultanate
( Afarsa in Djibuti )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 007 - Civilized
Grand Sultan Gulzar

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Sultan Gulzar rejoices to hear the news of our victories in the highlands, though he grieves for the dead prince In the boys memory, vast sums are bestowed upon the mosques and pilgrim-houses of Mecca. Missionaries are sent to the Cape region, while officers hunt for the leader captured by Ethiopia during the war.

	WEST AFRIKA
		Mercenary Pools:
	Christian:	16mi, 5mc, 1mw
	Islamic:	10mi, 15mc, 4ma, 5ms, 5mw
	Dongolan:	13mi, 5mc
	Pagan:	35i

The Songhay Empire
( Timbuctu in Songhai )
Dongolan, Tech Level 008 - Renaissance
Emperor Sundaka

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Investigations occur in Songhai and Gorouol, but most of the nation's effort is spent on massive public works expansion. Oh, and the Songhay become a Renaissance nation.

The Empire of Kanem-Bornu
( Ngazargumu in Kanem-Bornu )
Sunni Islamic, Tech Level 006 - Civilized
Emperor Ali Gaji

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Slept.

The Asante Tribes
Afrikan Pagan, Tech Level 003 - Barbarian
Tombool Asante

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Slept.

	Explorers and Adventurers

Magellan's Band
( Lisbon in Portugal )
Sponsors - Spain, Portugal, Florence
Amerigo Vespucci

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Plagued with bad luck, Amerigo would see four of his leaders encounter trouble with the natives during survey work. In the Kongo, one leader would be ambushed and enslaved, a second simply killed outright. In the Atlantic, one leader would be skinned alive by an Iroquois war band, while a second would be wounded in a duel amongst a more civilized people.

Still, tidy profits were made selling maps to various European powers, and replacement leaders had already been recruited in Portugal.

Pizzaro's Lost Legion
( Antwerp in Brabant )
Sponsors - Burgundy, France, Sweden
Francisco Pizzaro

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Slept.

The Colombus Expedition
( Odessa in Pechneg )
Sponsors - Poland
Christopher Colombus

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Two Leaders and 4 ships lost in the Atlantic. Colombus visits his wife in Przewod, then ships out to Hell's Island. An outpost built on the discovered island of Niska Narod.

Khuldun's Cartographic Armada
( Basra in Abadan )
Sponsors - Mamelukes
Ibn Khuldun

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Map given to Mamelukes of SE-Asia. Three new leaders and 8 new ships recruited.

The Q'raj
( Charax in Fars )
Sponsors - Persia
Ibrahim al-Mahdi

Diplomacy and Warfare: None.

Gains Maps from Adal. Verifies their accuracy, then circumvents Madagascar, claiming it in name for the Persian crown.