Domestic Events
Western World
In the western edges of the world, the far advanced Tanresian people begin to construct Houses of Learning throughout their territory, increasing knowledge and the exchange of ideas. Their invasion of Porter goes well, see Military Events.
Tanresian attempts at settling the Balearic Islands failed, as the locals resisted, and the force sent was lacking in manpower of any kind.
The Barbers saw nothing but peaceful expansion, having put their entire years' revenue and that of that last's into the Great Wandering Ranch, a project much inspired by (MilarNESII), which boosted their economy greatly.
The Avranti stagnate. (EP banked; Snake Mother satisfied.)
Dom sets aside money for a trade route with the Avranti, but it stays in their coffers due to the Avranti not going through with their deal. They expand with much difficulty from the local tribes, though still gain some more land.
The Cyseean Imperium in the warm south meets a period of stagnation themselves, but their EP is not banked, and instead stolen by pirates. (No story)
The Devi Phoolan start several projects aimed at making colonization easier- pottery, to hold their grain, and pastures, to provide more foodstuff and clothes. They meet great success at colonizing Italy due to this, and have control over almost all of what they set out to do. Religious zealots explore eastward and westward, both meeting success. The Barbers of Africa are eager to adopt this new rleigion, while the strict Spartans of the Aegean all but booted the preaching wanderers out.
North and east of there, past the busy Aegean states, the Scythian leaders initiate funding for the founding of the cities of Jujya and Izme, and recruits a massive army to help with their expansion, which goes better than expected. Many projects are started, all of which lack funding, and thus don't get off the ground in any real sense, though the ideas have stuck with the populace. A secured sedentary life with farming, rather than hunting.
Spotlight region said:
A unique type of situation had developed in the central Aegean. An Illiac Prince arrived in Sparta with a promise of tribute and peace. This was well accepted by the Spartan King, and a grand feast was held in festival of the Ilium and this ancient peace re-visited.
Little did the Spartans know, this was but a ploy and a power play. An Illiac fleet (of rafts) arrived around southern Attica and set up a blockade, keeping the tiny Spartan navy bottled up and out of the Aegean. Bribes of freedom from the "oppressive Spartan regime", as it was put, were accepted by greedy leaders in the Aegean islands, much to the disapproval of the Spartan King.
The Spartan Empire maintained peaceful borders with the northern neighbors, but still sought a place to expand. Across the Aegean and on the continent of Asia was the spot they decided on, and their colonists and armies arrived mostly unopposed.
A Spartan princess was stolen away in the night by the Ilium prince and his bodyguard, and supposedly taken back to Ilium proper to be his new Queen.
A ways east, the Cypriot Empire has launched a massive colonization program aimed at the Anatolian coast- peaceful settlers arrive there with gifts for the locals, which is a stark contrast to the rumors coming from the Sultanate in the south. The locals join up, a little bit reluctantly at first, but then in larger numbers. The Cypriot Empire also opens the first trade route of the world with the Lyscovian Sultanate, the supposed warmongers of the south.
In the Lyscovian Sultanate, much turmoil goes on. The Sultan is apparently calling for re-organization or reforms of government- mostly to emphasize his rule over the surrounding countryside and city states. While most nobles (particularly wealthy farmers and herdslords) contest this, the Sultan has the support of the people renewed, due to his stark military campaigns, and his Just and Right Rule. A trade route is started with the Cyoriot Empire in the north; products from the hinterland are brought to the nearest port city, to be sent there, to gain the most income possible.
West along the African coast, Aneb-Hetch begins the construction of irrigation works along the great Nile River, which will eventually improve every aspect of the peoples' lives, but also increase the country's income. They also start a trade route with the Nile Dynasties in the south, gaining themselves rarer spices and special african woods and gems.
The Nile Dynasties are left without any treasury and without progress of any kind. The Nile people are left decidedly disappointed at their government and angry at the lower kingdom of Aneb-Hetch. They however have the respite of hearing the news of the expansion down the river, to richer floodplains.
In the east, the Pontian Empire expands slowly, like the lumbering elephant. It's grand project, Walls of Pontus, dominate the populaces' mind. The world's first major defensive structure, the project is projected (pun intended) to be completed in about 150 years. (3 turns.)
Eastern World
A similar story of massive spending, the Kettick Empire has started the great Farms of the Indi project, intended at producing massive amounts of food for consumpion and export, it will greatly increase the regions' population and income.
The Kutaki are the first people to actively spread their religion, but that has been their main goal for a long time. Their project (Temple of Eshna) has been started and completed at the delta of the River Kutak (Ganges) and has increased their wealth through religious pilgrimage.
The Arkital quietly save their money in the north of Qin (Asia), and expand with the aid of bribes of admission with full rights into the federation.
Qing spends their entire revenue and then some on purchasing the largest military in history, so much so that they now have a deficit, or will in the coming (turn). Their plans to capture as much territory as possible on the coasts to prevent Taironese colonization have failed, due to lack of manpower or a very speedy transportation; it's a huge coast, and the Taironese have the same equipment.
However, The Qing Imperial Family has deemed it appropriate that all families must build a shrine to their ancestors. No expense must be spared in constructing these; what you can afford, you must build. This emphasizes the new official Qing religion in the region; no others can contest it. It is accepted as fact.
The Tairon Empire practices peaceful expansion on the southwestern coasts, and becomes more than a little alienated at the massive army the Qing have built up. Their coffers fill, however, and they ready themselves for war.
Military Events:
Porter War
Tanresian response to increased Porter activity and, indeed, minor skirmishes on their border, was all out invasion.
The Tanresian invasion of south Porter saw 8 Warbands or a massive army of 3,200, marching against the Porters' 2,800. A clever move on the Tanresians, they also sent 2 more warbands on several rafts unpoosed to land at the site of the Porter capital, Libbon. The Porter King is being held for ransom in the south of Tanresios. In consequence, the Porters can no longer access their massive treasury. A turning point has been reached early in the war, though war is a fickle mistress.
(-5 warbands, gained Libbon, Tanresios)
(-6 warbands, lost Libbon, lost 1 EP, Porter)
Wovvolk Terrorization
The Wovvolk have managed to muster the largest army the north has ever seen, almost 5,000 armed men in total. Their orders are simple: Pillage. So that is what they do. They capture much land, and gain much loot.
(-1 Warband, Wovvolk)
The Trojan War
The Ilium blockade of the Greek mainland and major harbors easily stopped the Spartans from ever retaliating, though there was minor scuffling from raft to raft combat, the die-hard and desperate Spartan rafters taking down one Ilium raft as they went.
(-1 Raft, Spartan Empire)
(-1 Raft, Ilium)
Lyscovian Expansionism
The Lyscovian government issued a decree that all men and boys of fighting age will be called up for war; a shocking 6,000 men at arms were called up to "persuade" or outright conquer the outlying "barbarians" and other city states. Many peoples and states join due to this "persuasion", but many of them also fear it.
(-2 Warbands, Lyscovian Sultanate.)
Spotlight: Qing said:
Chang Li followed his elderly Master closely. It would not due to fall too far behind, or step on the Master's heels. He was being lead to the family Temple, where his ancestors slept. The massive building loomed in the distance, surrounded by a pristine garden and extremely large, well-kept bambo trees. Faded murals of ancient glory glared in the mid-day sun, painted with once vibrant colors from distant dye makers.
He had been to this temple a thousand times, though every time he came, he noticed something new. This time, he took in the fantastic golden rings embedded in the grand wooden door. What purpose they served, he did not know. Warding away evil spirits? Honoring his ancestors?
His master pushed open the door silently, and entered. Li made sure he couldn't be seen, and took a small bite out of the meat he had brought as offerings. His ancestors wouldn't mind, and he had not eaten since early that morning, before the sun had risen in the east.
He entered through the doors, and into a room full of massive statues, all of them towering above his short, boy frame- most prominently, in the center, was his great great grandfather, Chang Su. He sat down and placed the food in front of the statue, glancing only a few times at the statue of Chang Zhi, his father's deceased brother, whom Li had met and admired.
His Master picked him up by the hair and dragged him outside. Li made sure not to make noise until he was outside, but then he let out a startling wail when they emerged.
"What have I done, Master?"
His master smacked him across the face twice. "You have defiled your ancestors, you have eaten their offerings! Do not think I did not see the bite taken out of the fish you left half wrapped up in there."
"I'm sorry, Master, I.."
The Master grabbed him by the shoulder. "Go and pray for forgiveness from Chang Su, and every single ancestor in there, and then you may come out and you may go have dinner. I'll be leaving a guard here, so don't think I won't know."
Li bowed his way into the massive shrine, crying silently.
Chang Xiang sighed. Would his son never learn?
