Capto Iugulum: Empires and Nations

Uhhh I sent my orders already.

To Burgundy and Sweden, &c.
From Paris

Paris fully supports the Pope and Catholic League in their war against the Swiss and Sicilians. Furthermore, we will support our Burgundian allies in any reasonable action that they might be forced to take in Germany.

From: Portugal
To: Sweden

We would happily open trade with your country.

From: Portugal
To: The World

Portugal has become a great place for practicing medicine and learning about safer methods of using medicine, Portugal is above all the rest of the world in the medical field. With that being said Portugal is willing to open it's doors to the world to help spread the knowledge it has discovered, and allow other nations to send doctors to study in Portugal along side our very talented doctors for a simple fee for every year your doctor(s) stay. The fee will be 1 EP per year for 50 medical students you want to study in Lisbon.

OOC:
Wow...most expensive doctors in history.

@Cannae: It'd be beneficial then if you resent them. I have no record of orders from you, and I suppose it's possible they were deleted.

No more orders of any type will be accepted beyond this point. Update ETA=5-6 hours

@Cannae: You can be the exception to this if you resend any orders you may have sent for this update before.

Dropping out, Japan is open.

Adrogans said:

OOC:
Wow...most expensive doctors in history.

Click to expand...

Revised the cost, 1 EP for 50 medical students per year.

Unfortunately the storms here are getting rather bad. I'm stopping the update for now and shutting down my electrics. It should be done tomorrow however.

I don't think anyone has claimed Vietnam. I have read the rules, and do see I am too late for orders... But I would still like to claim Vietnam, barring any catastrophic events that may happen to them when the update is online.. mischief

If for some reason the Netherlands become open, I would love to jump in and play them.

Weird apparently I didn't send them... but yeah I just sent my new orders in now.

The Update is nearing completion, as I worked on it all night. Unfortunately I have to start getting ready for work and will soon depart. For those interested in the progress there remains approximaely 24 articles left to write with the update. Based on the evening's progress, I estimate this to be about 2-3 hours worth of work. You may look forward to a completed update being posted in approximately 14 hours.

YAYYY!!!! New update soon! (Though, it'll be at 1 AM for me if it is really 14 hours from now when it will be posted)

Global News Report​

RIFLED MUSKETS SPREAD FROM MAMLUK CALIPHATE. In the two years since the invention of the rifled musket by engineers in the Mamluk Caliphate, the new weapon has begun to appear in the armies of Southern Europe and the Middle East. Spread by merchants and spies, other factories in other nations have begun replicating the Mamluk designs. So far, it seems that no nation has yet organized its army to take advantage of the firepower enabled by the range and capabilities of the new muskets. With widespread use of rifled muskets not far away among Western nations, the Mamlukes have remained on the forefront of their production and potential. The following nations have received a corresponding boost due to the arrival of rifled muskets (+5 Economic Power for Mamluk Caliphate, +3 Army Quality for all below):


WAR OF THE CATHOLIC LEAGUE COMES TO AN END. Santiago, Empire of Holy Spain. After heated negotiations, the Treaty of Santiago has been signed, as the Spanish affirm their victory over the Protestant Allies in the late war. Spain's successes in the Caribbean Sea have brought the conclusion of the conflict to a close in Spain's favor. The Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom have all begun to pay limited reparations, and the Bahamas and Bermuda have been officially annexed into Spain's empire. The British residents of these islands have been less than thrilled with this development, and most have since left for Jamaica or other islands, stirring up confusion and unrest. Spain's sole concession in the treaty has been to abandon Catholic League, allowing at least Sweden and the Netherlands to claim some sort of victory, though it may well be a hollow one. All sides have taken heed of the military lessons of the war, adopting new tactics and doctrines, in preparation for the next probable war in the years ahead. The following status changes have occurred as a result of the conclusion of the war:
Empire of Holy Spain: +2 Stability, +1 Stability in all colonies, +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality
Portugal: +1 Stability
Republic of the Netherlands: +1 Navy Quality
Sweden: +1 Navy Quality
United Kingdom of Great Britain: -1 Stability in all colonies, +1 Navy Quality

News from Europe​

SCIENTIST IN PORTUGAL COMMUNICATES USING NEW DEVICE. Lisbon, Portugal. A Portuguese inventor has recently demonstrated an amazing new device allowing for the transmitting of information over a series of wires. Using his own codes and system the inventor managed to send a simple message from one side of Lisbon to the other, during a test of the device. An English observer termed the new invention a "telegraph" which has stuck as a name. The applications for military and economic use are vast, and the inventor has received financing for a system of communications across European Portugal. (+20 Economic Points, +1 Army Quality, +1 Navy Quality for Portugal)

SPANISH ARMY DEVELOPS NEW ARTILLERY TRAIN. Madrid, Empire of Holy Spain. Engineers in the Spanish Artillery Corps have developed a new system of mobilizing and deploying artillery in support of armies. The new system involves a series of minor but significant changes in the order of artillery, allowing guns to be moved more quickly along rough terrain. New carriages have been designed for the transportation of artillery pieces, while the guns themselves have been designed to be lighter and with improved range. The developments have been more or less a minor change in the order of artillery, and most nations had already begun reform in a similar direction. The efforts have proven mostly successful and have been demonstrated as valid in the ongoing Second Venetian War. (+1 Army Quality for Empire of Holy Spain)

POPULATION BOOM IN BRANDENBURG. Berlin, Brandenburg. Over the course of the year, it seems that the population of Brandenburg has been unusually active in their home proclivities. For whatever reason it seems that the nation's yearly birthrate is double the norm, and the boom has been quite noticeable. The population explosion has led to increased commerce in the nation, as well as booming home life for much of the Brandenburger people. Most observers attribute the growth to some sort of statistical fluke rather than any government policy or social development among the population. Regardless of the cause, there are many more bouncing baby boys and girls populating the nation of Brandenburg. (+28 Manpower)

PRIEST RALLIES SUPPORT AT EXPENSE OF POPE IN BURGUNDY. Cologne, Burgundy. A Burgundian priest assembled a large crowd of supporters in the city of Cologne upon the steps of the nearly complete cathedral there. The charismatic individual rallied the masses of workers and others in the square with his words, claiming that the Pope has gone too far in his recent intervention with secular affairs. The priest has called upon the Catholic Church to deal in affairs of the spirit more than affairs of nation states. To rally the masses, he stated that secular worldly things such as cathedrals and churches should be in the hands of devout rulers such as King Conrad VII. The priest's constant speeches and efforts were monitored by the local aristocracy, but kept the watch and military at bay due to the priest's open support for the King at the expense of the Pope. With the year's completion of the Cologne Cathedral, a monumental celebration was held, and a festival was held in honor of the king at the local priest's prompting. (+1 Stability)

ANTI-AUSTRIAN FERVOR GROWS IN MILAN. Brescia, Milan. The Milanese people, as war erupts with Austria and the Papal States, have joined together with the other Italian nations in arms against a common and foreign foe. The Milanese people have placed most of the blame for the war upon the Austrians and their latest invasion of Milan's soil. Angry mobs have attacked Austrian merchants remaining in Milan as well as members of the clergy, most of whom have barricaded themselves in their churches or cathedrals, or joined the mobs themselves. In the town of Brescia a particularly tragic event occurred as a church caught fire for unknown reasons while the priests were barricaded inside. The population of the town attempted to break in to rescue them from the flames, but failed to do so and apparently the whole of the town's clergy perished in the fire. After this incident, the fervor declined a bit, but much inspired hate remains towards the Pope and his Austrian servants.

COUP ATTEMPT LEADS TO DRAMATIC POLITICAL SHIFT IN NOVGOROD. Pskov, Novgorod. The battles along the border with the nation of Moscowy during the Great Famine created a popular hero out of Mikhail Gryf, a nobleman who made a name for himself as one of the few successful leaders. During his time in Moscowy, he frequently rewarded his men not just with food, but with looted treasures from raided Moscovite towns and forts. As one of the few leaders to withdraw from the nation rather than be bloodily defeated, his record remains untarnished, experiencing only victory. With a loyal army and even more loyal group of officers, Lord Gryf moved to Pskov, where he hoped to capture the king and establish his own dynasty. Unfortunately, the king had already departed to oversee the reconstruction of Novgorod. So Lord Gryf captured the city and helped himself to the lands of his rivals and their wealth in the region, creating noblemen out of his officers who did not possess lands of their own and giving great wealth to his men. When word reached King Andrei of the upstart's actions, he attempted to negotiate, and rather than fighting his own forces, managed to strike a deal. Intrigued by the possibilities by the ambitious young man, and his capabilities, King Andrei recognized the lands of Gryf and his officers. Gryf was appointed Grand Marshal of Novgorod, and preparations have begun to be made for the marriage of one of the king's daughters next year. It seems to many that King Andrei's actions are not representative of what he once was, and that he has parted from his old reactionary ways. Furthermore, Gryf has ruthlessly used his position to exile or execute any of his old rivals in the nobility and military. This has created more than his fair share of hostility from the surviving nobility as they plot to remove him from his lofty new position. (-1 Stability)

UNREST GROWS IN SERBIA. Belgrade, Roman Empire. Last year's abortive revolt of the Serbians in Belgrade has inspired further unrest this year as those who were executed now serve as martyrs for the surviving leaders of the Serbs. The city of Belgrade has risen up in full open revolt against the rule of Constantinople, as the members of the local Catholic clergy throw their support into the rebellion. Barricades were established among the city's narrow streets and fighting quickly became intense as the local garrison did its best to suppress the uprising. After a month's worth of fighting and the arrival of reinforcements from the south, the Romans at last managed to bloodily end of the uprising, though most of the rebels have since fled into the countryside. They have continued their war by attacking Roman outposts, forts, and authorities throughout the region, using their local knowledge to outmaneuver and attack the Roman forces. (-3 Manpower, -1 Stability)

ANTI-PAPAL SUPPORT GROWS IN SAVOY. Turin, Savoy. The ongoing Second Venetian War has continued to bring into focus the priorities and potentials of the people and rulers of the nations on and around the Italian Peninsula. The king of Savoy has come under increasing pressure from local interests to enter the war on the side of Sicily and Milan, as the fighting escalates throughout the region. Members of the educated upper and middle classes have begun expressing the idea that Italian people should stick together and work together against foreign threats. The entry of Spain into the naval war has reinforced this idea, as many believe that a Spanish entry into the land war may well be the next logical step. These people have been frequently putting more and more political pressure upon the king, constantly lobbying for ways to support the war effort against Vienna and Rome.

RIOTS IN RIGA OVER CLERGYMAN'S DEATH. Riga, Sweden. An Eastern Orthodox clergyman was arrested during a sermon at his church in Riga by Swedish authorities. He was charged with spreading sedition and treasonous thoughts among the population, which had been proven to regularly partake in. Unfortunately, he resisted being taken away and was shot in the process by the one of the Swedish officers. An outraged congregation swarmed the Swedish soldiers, and most were beaten to death by the angry mob, and those who fled called in more soldiers. Fighting escalated throughout the city streets as the city rose in riots, and ultimately it took nearly a week for the Swedish army to restore full control over the city. (-1 Stability)

IRELAND REBELLION RISES AND FALLS. Dublin, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The Irish people, angered at their treatment after last year's vicious fighting in Dublin, rose up again this year in the countryside. Numerous towns were seized as the Irish army grew, using local farmers' guns and small armories to arm their forces. Growing to nearly ten thousand in size, they soon marched upon Dublin itself in the hope of ousting their British rulers. Though they were spirited and eager, the British met the Irish army southwest of Dublin at Naas. Thanks to having artillery and real guns, the British defeated the Irish, though the frenzied attacks caused them casualties of their own. Regardless, the Irish have once more been beaten back and their army has been shattered. The British have since restored order to the countryside and taken out appropriate punishments upon those who supported the upstart army. (-3 Manpower, -2 Infantry Brigades, +1 Stability)

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF SPAIN. Madrid, Empire of Holy Spain. Emperor Carlos V, known champion of the Catholic Church and Spain, passed away this year at an advanced age. A massive state funeral was held for him, and even the Pope sent some of his personal representatives from Rome to honor the man's life and death. The new monarch, however, has some people rather nervous about the immediate future. The first prince to have been sent to an Italian university in Milan, the new Emperor Carlos VI has been known to harbor some less than desirable political proclivities. The clergy and the aristocracy are uneasy about his intentions and fear that he may succumb to the winds of change his father had so gallantly resisted until his death. (-1 Stability)

DEATH OF THE KING OF PARIS. Paris, Paris. King Louis XII has perished in Paris, after experiencing some sort of heart failure in the midst of an intense argument with the prince. The funeral was held with great pomp with the many monarchs and lords of Western Europe in attendance to commemorate his passing with subdued respect. The new King Louis XIII, as stated not on friendly terms with his father, has also been met with resistance from the upper classes. As a noted troublemaker at university, the prince has been known to partake in rather unhealthy friendships with less than desirable elements of society. Rumors also state that the old king had announced his intention to deprive him of his position in the chain of succession, but his death prevented it. Though he had died of natural causes, some members of the aristocracy have begun spreading rumors that the new king may have murdered his father for the thrown. (-1 Stability)

DEATH OF THE IMPERATOR OF ROME. Constantinople, Roman Empire. Imperator Andronikos VII passed away this year from extreme old age, and as is recent custom, his son has been appointed the new Imperator Constantine XIX. The change has so far barely been noticed, as Constantine is like his father in almost every significant political way. His appointment to power has been one of the desire for stability and the status quo, much favored by the bureaucracy and upper classes. Prior to ascending to the post of Imperator, the new ruler of the Roman Empire has been known for participating in campaigns to suppress Turkish rebellions and maintain the empire's frontiers against native threats. (+1 Stability)

BURGUNDY ARRESTS AND EXECUTES LEADER OF THE BADEN REBELLION. Dijon, Burgundy. While it appears that most of the leaders of the 1831 Baden Rebellion have fled to other nations, some have been said to still remain in Burgundy, fermenting further uprisings. One of these rabble rousers was at last located this year, a very young Catholic university student who had studied in Cologne. In a very public event he was charged for treason and hung before a watching crowd. It was said that the leader of the rebellion had tearfully begged for the king's forgiveness and was rejected before his execution, a humiliating end to the rebellion, shaming their leadership even further. Unfortunately, some Germans have viewed him as a martyr nonetheless, and continue to be inspired towards their own independence.

KIEV CONTINUES LAND REFORM. Kiev, Kiev. The King of Kiev has continued encouraging the middle class to become more involved with agriculture in the nation, aiding them in buying out lands and managing farms. Various angry noblemen have been compensated for the trouble, but continued to be angered by these upstarts without noble blood owning so much land. Furthermore, the middle class, mostly educated by various Romans, have insisted on changing the ways agriculture is performed, at last upsetting the balance for the peasants. The peasantry are not amused and have begun muttering against the arrogance of the middle class, telling them new ways to do things their families have been doing the same way for centuries. (-1 Stability)

PORTUGUESE MONARCH ACCUSED OF OBSESSION. Lisbon, Portugal. Noblemen in Portugal have been expressing more and more concern over the queen's mental and physical health as of late. Queen Maria II has been spending more and more of the nation's treasury on medical concerns rather than affairs of state. The nobility have expressed concern that the army, navy, and empire have all been allowed to let slide as funds are being dedicated to a glorified "doctor's village." Also, virtually every butcher with an idea about medicine has received funding, and some have been disgusted with the methods that the doctors use for research, claiming that what they do could very well be considered a sin in the eyes of God. Regardless, the queen continues to come under increasingly harsh criticism for her efforts. (-1 Stability)

DUTCH COMPLETE BORDER FORTS. Amsterdam, Republic of the Netherlands. A system of modern border fortifications have been completed by the Dutch army along the border with the nation of Burgundy. Due to rising tensions between the two nations in recent years, the Dutch seem to be obligated to protect their nation against possible Catholic treachery. The Burgundians have provided lackluster protests, as the effort has finally come to fruition. Engineers in other nations view the completed works as ideal models of modern fortresses and defenses for a stationary battle. It is believed that while the forts won't stop enemy armies, it'll make them think twice about bypassing the stations and give some protection to local villagers.

SECOND VENETIAN WAR CONTINUES. Venice, Austria. The Second Venetian War has continued in unbridled ferocity as the overall strategic scene seems to be fairly stalemated in most theaters. Though the Italian armies have managed to take Rome, the northern allies seem to face great difficulty. The Swiss army is a shell of its former self, barely holding back the hordes from Zurich. The Milanese have done slightly better, defending themselves against invasion and driving the Austrian armies back from the very gates of Milano itself. Though the Papal States perseveres throughout the fall of Rome, the intervention of Spain has given some hope to their cause, as they destroyed the Sicilian navy in their attempt to take Corsica. Neither side has been completely defeated, despite various setbacks, it seems to foreign observers that the war is likely to continue into yet another year. Please see the special section below for complete details and casualties within this conflict.

MOSCOWY BEGINS LAND REFORM. Moscow, Moscowy. Inspired by Kievan efforts to make agricultural land usage more efficient, the Moscovites have begun pursuing a similar course of affairs. Rather than working through the debatably decadent middle classes, the king has instead sponsored the upper classes. The monarchy has begun offering substantial sums of gold and wealth as incentives to members of the nobility who made their lands more efficient. Thanks to the confusion created by the various rebellions by the peasantry during the famine, the effort has actually met with considerable support from all classes. The increased profits alone have been considered to be a benefit, as the lower classes once more find work, returning to their villages to find the need for workers has grown.

MOSCOWY BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ROADS. Moscow, Moscowy. The Novgorodian raids during the famine have given evidence to the concern about the vulnerability of the nation to invasion. The main concern has been about the failure of the army to respond quickly to the various incursions. The blame for this failure has mostly fallen upon the atrocious state of roads in most of Moscowy. In order to counter-balance this, new roads have been commissioned across the nation, as stones are gathered to pave in both the cities and along the frontiers of the nation. The effort is said to be immensely expensive in the long haul, but military leaders warn about the possible cost if they forgo it.

BRITISH ELECTIONS HELD. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. In the wake of the disaster in Burma and the end of the War of the Catholic League, outrage has grown so immensely that the Puritan prime minister and his supporters in Parliament have been deposed by an act of no confidence and new elections. Many have abandoned the party like a sinking ship, and fresh elections have been held, hoping to guide the British Empire in these dark times. The conservative Tories, despite some limited association with the Puritans have managed to gain the majority in both Houses of Parliament. Though the prime minister is still frequently at odds with King John IX, the Tories have proven much more acceptable to the British people. (+2 Stability)

NEW IMPERATOR LAUNCHES INQUIRY INTO STATE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. Constantinople, Roman Empire. Upon his ascension to the leadership of the Roman Empire, Imperator Constantine XIX has organized an launched a major inquiry into the status of the empire politically in order to learn of the grievances of the various provinces. Throughout most of the Balkans, the main issues seem to be a boggling amount of languages and separatist movements including the relatively notorious one in Serbia. Also are movements among the Bosnians, Albanians, and Bulgars, all wishing for rule away from the notoriously corrupt and inefficient bureaucracy of the Roman Empire. Similarly in Crimea, recent influxes of Russian and Kievan settlers have led to separatist movements growing, feeling very little in common interest with Constantinople. In the east are the infamously rowdy Turks, constantly raiding and sabotaging Roman efforts in the eastern empire. The Caucuses are equally divided and disloyal, though as yet the Georgians do preserve some sentiment towards the empire. No solutions have been stumbled upon as most of the local separatists have no interest in any form of association with the empire or Constantinople. Fortunately, so far only the radicals have rallied to most of these banners, though the Serbian rebels continue to gain support and arms from the population.

NOVGOROD REBUILD CAPITAL. Novgorod, Novgorod. The Great Earthquake of 1832 devastated the city of Novgorod and over the course of this year, extensive and massive funding from the government was redirected to rebuilding it. Architects were hired from Sweden and the United Kingdom to design a new city layout for Novgorod, based upon the great cities of the west. Significant tracks of housing were leveled as room was made for the new organization of the city, and great streets and paved roads were put down in the process. By the end of the year most government buildings had been restored, though people are still returning, attempting to rebuild their own homes. Though the city is impressive in its layout, quite a few are upset at the demolition of their old homes, even if they hadn't been destroyed in the earthquake itself. (-1 Stability)

PRUSSIA LOOSENS CENSORSHIP LAWS. Konigsberg, Prussia. King Wilhelm II of Prussia announced the loosening of Prussian laws regarding the printing of newspapers and broadsheets throughout the nation this year. Though some laws remain in place to prevent sedition, some texts which had previously been considered objectionable are now allowed to be printed. This has met with considerable protest from the upper classes of Prussia, who are the ones who have fallen victim to the mostly negative publishing which has resulted from the increase in printed words throughout the nation. They have protested to the king, who had long been known as a reactionary, about his abrupt shift from his old political positions. (-1 Stability)

BRITTANY BEGINS EXPANSION OF PORTS. Brest, Brittany. Even as the nation slumps into a major economic recession, the Breton government has announced plans for a major expansion of the nation's ports. Following on the heels of the very similar Norman program, the hope is to compete in international trading and to exploit the growing commerce on the Atlantic Ocean. Tensions have begun mounting with Normandy, as both nations rely on their ports for trade with the same nations in the interior of France. After a series of minor accidents at the construction sites in Brest, the Breton authority there blamed the problems officially on Norman sabotage, though no official protest or support was given to these claims.

HUNGARY WELCOMES ASPIRING COMPOSERS. Budapest, Hungary. With the Italian peninsula consumed in the fires of a major war, and the Austrian throne less concerned with its traditional role of supporting music as an art, the Hungarian King Louis IV has entered a new role as patron of the arts. The king has begun offering considerable financial support for local opera houses as well as for several up and coming aspiring composers. Would-be musical artists have begun flocking from across Central and Eastern Europe to Budapest in the hopes of achieving financing for their own skills and music. For the time being it seems that the Hungarian capital has become the center of achievement for European music.

LANGUEDOC BEGINS URBAN PAVING. Toulouse, Languedoc. Like multiple other European monarchs, King Louis II of Languedoc has noticed the sorry state of roads within his nation. Though not going so far as to call for the paving of all of his nation's roads, the king has begun sponsoring the paving of the main cities, particularly Toulouse. Though the central portions of the city have been paved for decades, the outskirts and military fortifications around the city still rely on glorified trails and flattened dirt paths at best. The king has agreed not only with the move's beautification of the city, but for the possible armed defense of the city against an attacking army.

ORLEANS COUNTERS BURGUNDIAN PATRONAGE. Orleans, Orleans. As the one of the primary Protestant monarchs in France, King Philippe II has recently become upset at the "Burgundian pretender's" efforts to promote French nationalism. Claiming that Burgundy is barely a French nation to begin with, the king of Orleans has offered even greater sums to French nationalist writers and artists. He has also promoted critics of the Catholic Church and has particularly welcomed any Protestants among them. As part of the move, the king of Orleans and his noble supporters have been known to denounce the "German nation of Burgundy" at various upper class gatherings throughout France.

BOOMING ECONOMY CAUSES SARDINIA TO WORK ON NEW PORTS. Cagliari, Sardinia. The booming trade created in Sardinia as a neutral nation in the Second Venetian War has led to greater demand for docking space. The devastation of the Sicilian ports by the Spanish navy have furthered these demands, and on a regular basis the Sardinian harbors have more shipping they can handle. Due to the increasing congestion of the nation's harbors, King Carlo II has ordered that the ports be expanded to the greatest capacity, as well as designs to be made to accommodate steam vessels as well as sailing ones. The cost of such a program has been obviously offset by the growing prosperity as the nations of the Mediterranean Sea use Sardinia as a neutral and safe trading port amid the fires of war.

POLAND EASES ON RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE. Krakow, Poland. King Stanislaw II has made a royal proclamation this year, banning taxation or discrimination based upon religion. The primarily Catholic leadership of the nation hasn't been too thrilled about this, viewing it as a weakening of the central authority to recognize any form of equality for the heathen Orthodox Christians or worse, Jews. The aristocracy has resisted the move extensively, and the king's word only spreads so far. Rumors state that most aristocrats and landowners in the eastern part of the nation are simply ignoring the proclamation and taxing the locals as they always have. This of course has led towards a significant degradation of the king's authority in the eastern provinces. (-1 Stability)

SPECIAL: Second Venetian War​

SPAIN EXTINGUISHES SICILIAN FLEET. Bastia, Papal States. The Sicilians, hoping to reduce papal resources and provisions, launched a naval expedition to seize Corsica from the Papal States. Prepared for such a move, an overwhelming Spanish fleet blocked their way. The Spaniards immediately opened fire at a much greater range than the Sicilians could ever hope to match. After wrecking much of the Sicilian navy in the opening valleys, the Spanish ships soon got among the enemy fleet, and two of their new steam warships proved their worth, running literal circles around the Sicilians. Most of the Sicilian ships were sunk outright, though a couple managed to escape back to port, huddled in fear over the possibility of further attacks. Other vessels were captured by the Spanish, but not many, as the steamships left most of the Sicilian fleet sinking or sunk. The Sicilians were right to fear retribution as the Spanish proceeded to steam straight into Naples, and sunk what was left of their fleet, bombarding the harbors mercilessly. Similar raids would be launched against Taranto and Palermo, though local forts managed to sink several Spanish ships in the process. The Sicilians consider these attacks a major setback as some of their most talented workers and leaders in the navy were killed, setting them back years.
Casualty List
Empire of Holy Spain: 3 Second Rate Warships (+4 Third Rate Warships from captured prizes)
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: 7 Fourth Rate Warships, 16 Third Rate Warships, -1 Navy Quality

CAMPAIGN FOR ROME. Rome, Papal States. The papal center of Rome faced attack from two sides this year as Tuscany and Milan joined in the growing conflict. The Tuscans and Milanese invaded from the north early in the year, meeting a fresh and untested papal army at Viterbo. The papal armies managed to gain an early advantage with a defeat of the allied cavalry, routing them and preventing them from conducting proper reconnaissance and destroying them as effective units. Regardless, the allies pushed forward, facing flanking attacks from the Pope's cavalry and repulsing them. The allies managed to hold back the cavalry long enough to launch a surprisingly strong frontal assault upon the papal center. The Pope's soldiers, most untested in battle, broke after the first three volleys. The army soon crumbled with it, fleeing to the north and leaving the northern approaches to Rome undefended. As soon as word of the allied victory in the north spread, the Sicilians prepared an immediate attack upon the papal defenses south of Rome. Thanks to a concentration of artillery, the Sicilians managed to achieve a major victory over the combined Austrian and Papal forces, turning their flank and sending them running from the field. The remnants of the papal and Austrian armies marched north, regrouping with the other forces to defend against any deeper penetrations into the Papal States or towards Venice.
Casualty List
Austria: 2 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Papal States: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Kingdom of Two Sicilies: 3 Infantry Brigades
Milan: 1 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade
Tuscany: 1 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade

EASTERN SWISS CAMPAIGN. Davos, Switzerland. As the Swiss launched their opening gambits against the Bavarians and Austrians, the Milanese began an offensive to relieve their allies. Opening to cut the passes into the interior of Switzerland, a portion of Milan's army began marching to the north. They were met by Austrian scouts at St. Moritz, where they engaged the main Austrian army protecting the passes over the winter. In the bitter cold, the Austrians were clearly outmatched, and so they fought till nightfall, when they made their escape. The Milanese never managed to break their lines, and the Austrian army inflicted disproportionate casualties. Though they found the field empty in the morning, it was a fairly hollow victory as the Austrians escaped. The two armies met again at Zemez, where the Austrians were reinforced by the main Bavarian army which had just been brought down from the north. The Milanese found themselves unpleasantly outnumbered, and began to withdraw when they came under attack by the enemy army, forcing a battle or face a rout. The Milanese managed to hold their positions well enough, but the enemies superior numbers ultimately resulted in the turning of both flanks and they had to pull back, though a few brigades were caught in the enemy's trap. Though the Milanese army survived in good order, their defeat was harsh enough that they were forced to pull back to Milan, particularly in the wake of the Austrian invasion, leaving Switzerland alone to deal with both the Austrian and Bavarian armies.
Casualty List
Austria: 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade
Bavaria: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Milan: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade

SWISS INTERIOR CAMPAIGN. Zurich, Switzerland. The Swiss began the year by attacking the Austrian and Bavarian army positioned at Sargans. Having been mostly out of supply during the winter and their reinforcements tied up fighting the Milanese, the odds were for an almost even battle. The Swiss cavalry managed to wipe out the Austrian horsemen, giving them an immediate advantage. The Swiss exploited the lack of knowledge of the terrain and surrounds by outflanking the enemy army, and striking them where they least expected. Credit was to be given to the Austrian commander who managed to retain order in his ranks and repulse later Swiss attacks. In defeat, they managed to preserve most of the army, though it turned into a rout as they moved to join up with their reinforcements in the east, fresh from their victory over the Milanese. The Swiss managed to retake Davos and their old fortifications in the passes around there. Meanwhile the enemy regrouped and prepared to reclaim the territory they had lost over the winter and spring. Vastly outnumbering their opponent, the Bavarians and Austrians launched a new offensive over the summer and once more began their attacks upon the positions outside of Davos. The battle turned into a fight of attrition, as the far superior Swiss gunners took a heavy toll on the Austrians and Bavarians. As they say, however, quantity has a quality of its own. For every artillery gun put out of action by the Swiss, two more took their place. By the day's end, by far the bloodiest single day of the war, the Swiss retreated with a shell of their army, though they inflicted a heavy cost upon the Bavarians and Austrians who defeated them. The Swiss cavalry managed to cover their retreat, preserving the army's remnants. With their bloody victory, the Austrians and Bavarians moved to take Zurich, which had eluded them the previous year. Desperate in the face of still overwhelming numbers, the Swiss brought in what few reserves they possessed to stem the onslaught. Outside of Zurich the Swiss army turned around and faced the Austrians and Bavarians once again. The Swiss won a surprising victory, using their cavalry to launch an attack upon the enemy flanks even as they advanced. Once again, superior Swiss skill in firepower resulted in a heavy toll upon the enemy artillery corps, which was not as numerous as it had been at Davos. Deprived of their artillery support the Austrians once more fell back, once again just short of Zurich.
Casualty List
Austria: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 4 Artillery Brigades
Bavaria: 8 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 4 Artillery Brigades
Switzerland: 6 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades

AUSTRIANS INVADE MILAN. Milano, Milan. As the Milanese army heads north and south to fight in Switzerland and the Papal States, respectively, they soon faced a massive assault at home. The bulk of the Austrian army, and one of the largest armies ever mustered in Europe, marched west into Milan, surprising them strategically. Some preparations were made, and in abandoned towns, the Austrians found poisoned food and water, and a cavalry screen. The Milanese cavalry did not last long against far superior numbers and were disbanded in the wake of a devastating battle against the Austrians, though they fought very well. Fearing the worst, the Milanese called for Tuscan support, which arrived just in time to meet the Austrians in battle near Brescia. Attempting to lay a trap for the Austrians in the woods, the Austrian screening cavalry spotted the ambush and after a brief fight, the main armies were brought up into battle. Badly outnumbered and positioned due to the hopes of achieving an ambush, the Milanese were brutally mauled and the Austrians smashed through their and the Tuscans' defensive positions. The battle wasn't a rout, however, and the Italians managed to inflict relatively even casualties upon the Austrians before retreating further west. As the Austrians regrouped and consolidated their gains, Tuscan and Milanese armies returned from the victorious campaign against Rome in the south, leaving their Sicilian allies. This allowed a much larger and more evenly matched confrontation at Treviglio, where the Italians met the Austrians in an open fight. The Austrians managed to eliminate the enemy cavalry, gaining an advantage when the main battle was fought. Otherwise the armies were fairly evenly matched in terms of numbers and positioning. Ultimately, the Austrians slightly superior numbers won the day, managing to turn the Tuscan army and separate them from their Milanese allies. The Tuscans were routed and sent scurrying south, while the Milanese managed to regroup and pull back to their final defensive positions near Milano. Secure in their flank against the Tuscans, the Austrians began besieging Milano itself, as Milanese reinforcements began to trickle in from their defeats in the north. Thanks to the return of these troops, Milan's army managed to possess superior artillery support against their enemies. In spite of this, the Austrians attempted a frontal assault upon the city's defenses. They were utterly defeated and sent running away from Milan, as their forces attempted pursuit. The Austrian cavalry managed to hold off the enemy in a delaying action, sending them back for resupply and rest at Brescia as the campaigning season came to an end.
Casualty List
Austria: 13 Infantry Brigades, 5 Cavalry Brigades, 3 Artillery Brigades
Milan: 7 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
Tuscany: 5 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade

THE VENICE CAMPAIGN CUT SHORT. Perugia, Papal States. Fresh off their victory against the Austrian and Papal armies outside of Rome, the Sicilians prepared for a new campaign to wrest away the remnants of the continent Papal States and to take Venice itself. Undaunted by the departure of the Tuscans and Milanese to defend the north from Austrian invasion, the Sicilians began their new offensive campaign. The first major battle was fought at Perugia, where the Pope's armies had reassembled. Well informed of the enemies movements thanks to superiority in cavalry, the Sicilians managed to launch an attack at several weak points along the enemy line. Surprisingly, the papal commander managed to use his forces well as reserves, and managed to plug any holes in the lines created by the Sicilians. Though the Sicilians were never routed and still faired well in the fighting, they were unable to take the town or defeat the papal army. With no reinforcements to arrive and unable to risk trying to go around the enemy army, a stalemate ensued with neither side advancing or retreating.
Casualty List
Austria: 1 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade
Papal States: 3 Infantry Brigade, 1 Cavalry Brigade
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies: 4 Infantry Brigades, 2 Cavalry Brigades

News from the Americas​

REVOLT IN CUBA SUPPRESSED. Havana, Empire of Holy Spain. Another spate of anti-Spanish fervor has erupted in Spanish Cuba this year, as Havana once more broke out in rebellion against the crown. The governor did his best to quell the uprising, though for several weeks control was lost in the areas around the city. Eventually the arrival of fresh troops from Spain enabled the governor to reestablish control. Several leaders of the Cuban resistance were eventually rounded up and arrested by the local government. They were hung for treason against the throne of Spain, and their rebellion has all but evaporated in the wake of the imperial victory. (+1 Stability)

SLAVES ESCAPING FROM PORTUGUESE WEST INDIES. Grego, Portugal. Slave owners in the Portuguese West Indies have noticed a disturbing trend over the past year. A significant number of slaves have begun to go missing from the plantations on the island of Santo Lucia. The slaves have escaped in the dark of the night to unknown locations. Some believe that they have established their own free settlements in the interior of the colony, but others think that smugglers may be aiding their escape to Venezuela or the United States. Regardless, the Portuguese aristocracy have begun to demand that the governor act upon the worsening situation, as profits begin to decline from a shortage of cheap labor and trained slaves. (-3 EP)

PEOPLE DISAPPEARING IN AZTEC EMPIRE. Tlaxcala, Aztec Empire. Authorities in the Aztec Empire have begun to notice a disturbing trend. Apparently loyal workers and people have begun disappearing without a trace to unknown locales. The numbers were minor at first, but have since been growing quickly throughout the whole of the empire. The majority come from people in the northeast or south, and local authorities are at a loss of where they may be going. As the number of disappearances grow ever higher, the population fall has even begun to have a minor, but noticeable, effect upon local production and economy. (-1 EP)

PANAMA DECLARES INDEPENDENCE. Panama City, Panama. As the Republic of New Granada falls under siege from Venezuela and Ecuador, the confederation Bogota once represented has continued to crumble. Thanks to Bolivar's rebellion in Ecuador, other parts of the nation have begun to reconsider their involvement. Panama, one of the most productive and populated parts of the nation, has broken away under the leadership of Juan Calvo, a newspaper writer in Panama City. The new nation has assembled a limited militia and seized control of all major towns and cities in the region from the scattered Granadan garrisons. As Bogota faced direct attack from two directions, President Moreno has had little choice but to accede the breakaway province their freedom. The temporary President Calvo has called together a committee to establish a new national constitution, as they prepare to establish a new republic.

CATHOLIC CORRUPTION IN URUGUAY. Montevideo, Uruguay. While a war involving the hatred of the corruption within the Catholic Church rages onward in Europe, in the Americas an investigation has yielded some similar results. A group of priests in Uruguay were found to be speculating in the purchase and sale of land in the interior, as well as arranging illicit smuggling from Paraguay, avoiding taxation. These priests have since accumulated a tidy profit, enriching themselves at the expense of honest regular merchants. The Uruguayan government has immediately cracked down upon these people, seizing their assets and sending them back to Rome through the Empire of Brazil. The government of Uruguay has since asked the Pope to appoint new clergy for their positions in Uruguay, but with the chaos of the war and invasion, so far the churches remain awkwardly closed.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM BEGUN IN VENEZUELA. Caracas, Venezuela. President Soublette of Venezuela has announced intentions on establishing a formal constitution for the nation. As a first step, the president has declared complete freedom of religion in Venezuela, ousting several "spiritual advisors" appointed by the local Catholic Church. As the theoretical absolute leader of his nation since independence, no constitutional convention has ever been assembled. The powerful landowners and caudillos have viewed this new development anxiously, openly opposing any centralization of government in Caracas. Some have even threatened to withdraw their forces from the war against New Granada should the constitution grant too much control to a central power. Along the coast, the move has won support from city dwellers, particularly in Caracas, which stands to benefit from any organized central government. Unfortunately most of them are landless and do not possess the military influence of the landowners that dominate most of the country.

VENEZUELA BEGINS ORGANIZING NEW MILITARY ACADEMY. Caracas, Venezuela. The war against the Republic of New Granada has led to some in Venezuela acknowledging the unpreparedness of the nation against the attack. To this end, the government and several major landowners have begun sponsoring the construction of a combined army and naval academy in Caracas to improve training in the military. The naval element of this has gone well so far as British advisors are hired to aid them. Unfortunately, the efforts for the army have been less successful, as some landowners resist the effort, even forbidding the officers under their command from participating. They have expressed concerns that the effort is an attempt to consolidate the military under a permanent central authority, thus removing a good portion of their power and influence.

NEW GRENADA WAR. Bogota, Republic of New Granada. The war between the Republic of New Granada and Venezuela and Ecuador continued this year as New Granada continued facing down attacks from both north and south. In the beginning of the year the Granadan army prepared themselves for a Venezuelan assault upon Bogota but were unpleasantly surprised to find that the Venezuelans only launched a few probing raids to the south. The Venezuelans have begun to have problems controlling an occasionally hostile populace, and trying to maintain security for their supply lines, which continue to grow more and more strained through the rough terrain. Several New Granadan cavalry raids have shown the vulnerability of these forces, even annihilating one particular Venezuelan brigade that had been defending supplies. As Venezuela continued to advance along the coast, shutting down Grenada's Atlantic trade routes, they found most of the Grenadan navy had fled to the Pacific a long time ago or been seized by the Panamanians. Aware of their enemies' efforts to control the north, the New Granadans were able to turn the bulk of their forces against the Ecuadorian army advancing up the Bogota River. The New Granadans attacked, gaining tactical surprise against their enemy and routing Bolivar's force. They suffered only minimal casualties while the Ecuadorians were utterly smashed in the fighting, fleeing all the way back into their own territory. The New Granadans then return to the capital, preparing for a new confrontation with Venezuela.
Casualty List
Ecuador: 2 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 1 Artillery Brigade
Republic of New Granada: 1 Infantry Brigade
Venezuela: 1Infantry Brigade

NEW SPAIN RISES IN REVOLUTION. Tegucigalpa, Empire of Holy Spain. The Spanish colony of New Spain, one of the largest colonies in the empire, rose in open chaotic revolt this year against the empire. The initial fighting resulted in the loss of substantial forces, as some of the local militias and soldiers defected to the southern provinces. Two new nations have emerged from the colony, both frequently as hostile to each other as to the Spanish. In the north an uprising led by educated Mayan nationalists has resulted in the establishment of the Maya Republic, rallying the Mayan people. Their army is the smaller of the two forces, but just as eager to engage the Spaniards. The southern provinces have rallied around the local leaders, mostly of Spanish descent though more loyal to the land of their birth than Spain. They have established the United States of New Spain, declaring their independence from the Spanish. They assembled a fairly decent army, even obtaining artillery pieces and those trained to use them from prior experiences in wars of independence in South America not long ago. In response to the uprisings, Emperor Carlos V dispatched a large army from Puerto Rico to quell the rebellions. Upon landing, they secured the city of Tegucigalpa, which had been held by the local garrison, barely, against USNS attacks. The local commanders separated the army into two, one to fight the Mayans and the other to restore order to the south. The Mayans were the first to engage, attacked in defensive positions by the larger Spanish army which had the advantages of cavalry recon and artillery support. Thanks to a timely charge by the cavalry and the superior firepower, the Mayan army was broken with hardly any casualties among the Spanish forces and their forces all but shattered. The Spanish managed to reclaim a considerable swathe of territory before the rising disease rate and supply concerns forced them to stop. The southern Spanish army engaged the stronger and better armed USNS army near Managua, the proclaimed capital of the proclaimed nation. The defending army was in prepared positions, using the local fortifications to their advantage against the Spanish. In a bloody fight, the Spanish were unable to penetrate the USNS' lines, and suffered enormous casualties in the process. The fortifications held, though the defenders suffered equally harsh casualties. Tropical diseases have taken their toll on both sides as Spain continues the siege of Managua.
Casualty List
Empire of Holy Spain: 6 Infantry Brigades
Maya Republic: 2 Infantry Brigades
United States of New Spain: 2 Infantry Brigades

VINLAND PUSHES WEST AGAINST RESISTANCE. New Stockholm, Sweden. Swedish settlers in western Vinland have once more sparked a war against a local native tribe, which resists their expansionist efforts. Swedish forts and homesteads have fallen under attack by the Ojibwe people, who have refused to accept Swedish rule or expansion. The Ojibwes have been very successful, rallying other tribes to their banner and containing much Swedish expansion. They have even inflicted a few humiliating defeats upon the Swedish army in battle. The fighting remains intense, and vicious much like the Cree War not long ago. (-3 Infantry Brigades)

AZTECS RELEASE SPANISH SLAVES AND WELCOME TRADERS. Tenochtitlan, Aztec Empire. The Aztecs, after facing armed confrontation with Spain, have agreed to release all enslaved Spanish missionaries that still survive to the Spanish crown. Furthermore, they have reluctantly opened their borders to Spanish traders, provided that they do not travel with priests or other members of the clergy of the Catholic Church. The Spanish alone have been welcomed into these markets and so far the British and others have yet to be able to gain access, lacking any real support from their governments. The new Spanish traders have been met with hostility by most Aztecs, though some seem to appreciate and pay well for the manufactured goods the Spanish have to offer.

ARGENTINA CONTINUES INTEGRATION. Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Argentines have managed to achieve new victories in their efforts to consolidate power in Buenos Aires. Though the caudillos and farmers in La Plata continue to resist, two of the most charismatic and determined of the bunch passed away this year from natural causes. Without their voices leading the resistance the Argentine government in Buenos Aires has made substantial gains in their attempts to gain power over the countryside. President de Rosas has vowed that within his lifetime "Argentina will be a single united entity, a power in South America." (+30 EP into Integration project)

UNITED STATES AND CHEROKEE COME TO TERMS. St. Phillips, United States of America. After the so-called "Civilized Tribes" established a constitution and independent nation, they have since entered into negotiations with the new American President Harrison. After unease at first, the American government has since recognized the Cherokee Nation and their territory, pledging to stop any hostilities currently existing. Since the agreement, the Cherokee have stopped raiding the settlers, though they continue to infringe upon the boundaries of the new nation. Some Cherokee have also expressed concern at the recent annexation of the Republic of West Florida and the fact that their peoples are nearly surrounded by the American republic.

CHEROKEE BEGIN BUILDING CAPITAL. New Echolta, Cherokee Nation. As their nation stabilizes and war declines with the American settlers, the Cherokee have set to the task of building a capital suited for a modern nation. Engineers have been hired from the United Kingdom and Sweden to design the new capital. This of course has not been met with favor from some of the population, who feel it is a rejection of the old ways and a form of subservience to the white man. Regardless most of these voices have been squelched by the nation's leaders, and the Cherokee continue the task of building their new city.

PARAGUAY BEGINS ROAD PAVING. Asuncion, Paraguay. The dirt roads and poor infrastructure of Paraguay has not gone unnoticed in recent years. In the hopes of developing a new portion of its economy and helping establish some status for the capital, the president announced intentions to begin paving roads in the larger towns and city of the nation. The effort is said to be fairly pricey for the South American nation, but they hope that the program will pay for itself in time. The Paraguayan government has protest against the price, particularly since most of the materials have had to be important from Europe and even further away.

WEST FLORIDA JOINS THE UNION. San Antonio, United States of America. Only a few years after the American victory over the Spanish Empire, the Republic of West Florida at last has been brought into the United States. Due to the size of the Republic, the government has since divided West Florida into two states, known as West Florida and Acadiana. After two years of heated debate, it was agreed that these two new states would be admitted as slave states and as a compromise, the territories of Maine and Nova Scotia were admitted as free states. This way the Senate has remained balanced with senators from both free and slave states. The transition has been fairly smooth, though the slavery debate has been rekindled as the new territories were predominantly populated by slave owners.

URUGUAY BEGINS INTEGRATION. Montevideo, Uruguay. Following Argentina's lead the new Uruguayan government has begun consolidating the nation's outskirts and caudillos under a central government in Montevideo. This has been heavily resisted by the Blancos, who possess consider support in the more rural regions of the nation. Threats of civil war have begun to grow and the resistance against centralization is quite severe. Some political leaders have expressed fears that continued efforts for centralization could well lead to violence like that taking place in the more rural regions of Argentina. (-1 Stability)

UNITED STATES ENTERS OJIBWE WAR, TENSIONS RISE WITH SWEDEN. Chicago, United States of America. The northwestern frontiers of the United States of America push ever westward and have since met with a new threat. The Ojibwe people, who have been fighting against the Swedish settlers from Vinland, have expanded their conflict to include the Americans. They have proven effective in their raids and have burned numerous settlements throughout the northwest. The war frequently takes on a nasty form between settlers as well as Swedish and American settlers have occasionally "accidentally" fought each other over various bits of land. The whole area has turned nigh anarchic as a three sided struggle erupts. (-1 Infantry Brigade)

SAO PAULO ACCORD SIGNED. Sao Paulo, Empire of Brazil. The Empires of Brazil and Holy Spain signed a defensive agreement this year, pledging to protect each other from military threats in South America. The effort is said to help provide some sort of stability in South America, to discourage aggressive fighting among the nations in the area. As the two largest powers in South America the move has likely done much to contain urges for war among the other smaller nations.

BRAZIL BEGINS CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. Rio de Janeiro, Empire of Brazil. The Emperor of Brazil has called for the creation of a constitutional committee to provide a more liberal structure of government. Leaders in business and agriculture have come together with all elements of Brazilian society, hoping to forge a new future for the nation. The emperor has called for the creation of a legislative part of government similar to the model established by the United States of America. While no one truly opposes the legislative reform, the biggest debate has been over the centralization or decentralization of powers by the capital government. The representatives of various provinces have threatened dire action if the rights of the various areas are not kept preserved by any new constitution. Efforts are still underway, and the constitution has not yet been solidified by the committee. (-1 Stability)

News from Africa and the Middle East​

CORRUPTION OF THE ARMY OF OMAN. Muscat, Oman. The Omani army has shown some signs of deterioration over the course of the year, reflected in the lackluster attitude of its officers and soldiers. The Omanis have shown their armed forces to have an inherent corruption, and most of their leaders are prone to selfish acts of bribery and decadence. The end result of this failure of the apparatus has been a noticeable decline in the fighting capacity of the army. This has been mostly due to the attitude of the officers spreading quickly into the rank and file, many opportunistic individuals even selling army supplies to tribes or other individuals. The monarchy seems to have little interest in correcting the problem due to other concerns, further worsening the situation. (-1 Army Quality)

TRIBES RAID MISSIONS ON IVORY COAST. Gustavas, Sweden. Swedish Protestant missions on the Ivory Coast have faced growing problems in the course of the year, as they fall under attack by local tribes. Sparked apparently by a missionary's guard accidentally killing a tribal leader, the fighting has been vicious as the small missions are protected only by small contingents of Swedish soldiers. There seems to be no inherent organization to the attacks, simply rage and raiding resultant from this. Also, most of the fighting doesn't truly seem to be upon the missions themselves, but against supply wagons and travelers between the missions.

TRIBAL WARFARE IN GHANA. Cape Coast, United Kingdom of Great Britain. A dispute among tribes has led to a stalemated battle between the tribes of British Ghana. Though the British forts along the coast have typically turned a blind eye towards these matters, the fighting has grown more intense than typically known in these affairs. The local slave traders, though enthusiastic about the increasing supply of slaves available for sale from the local natives, have expressed concern for their merchants and outposts in the interior. They have begun to appeal to the local governor to allow for intervention by British troops to put things into order in certain parts of the interior of Ghana.

ASSASSINATION OF KING IN OMAN. Muscat, Oman. Said bin Sultan died this year, choking upon a poisoned meal, as his brother made a play for sole rule of the nation. As the lesser member in a co-ruling status, Salim bin Sultan chafed under his brother's leadership. Over the past ten years, he has spent time working on assembling support for a regime change, which at last went into motion. The former sultan died at his meal, while his brother soon came into power, with the support of the military and various other important figures. The merchant classes also support his rule, and gave him their economic support. With his rise to power, Salim has done well in eliminating opposition and riding the waves to sole power in Oman. (+1 Stability)

EMPEROR OF ABYSSINIA PASSES AWAY. Addis Ababa, Abyssinia. Emperor Gigar of Abyssinia died this year, dying of an unknown condition likely due to his advanced age. During his reign, Abyssinia has experienced constant warfare and the rise of banditry. He also managed to open Abyssinia more up to the world, welcoming in traders along the coast and constructing new port facilities to allow for the expanded trade. His brother has become Emperor Dori, and the new ruler of the nation, and is known to be a skilled fighter in his younger years, and has begun making plans for even more intense offensives against the bandits plaguing the nation.

ABYSSINIA COMPLETES PORT EXPANSIONS. Assad, Abyssinia. The construction of new facilities for the port of Assad at last came to an end this year, as the ports have been enlarged to accommodate the largest European merchant vessels. The local merchants and traders hope that the new port will allow improved commerce with the seafaring nations of Europe, and plans have even begun being made to allow for a emissary to be sent to Oman or the Mamlukes to encourage trade with them as well. The effort has met with little resistance except for the locals who were there before the expansion took place, resenting being forced off their land. Fortunately, most of them are rather pleased about the prosperity this has brought to their town, and dissent is fairly low among the rest.

ABYSSINIAN WAR ON BANDITS CONTINUES. Bekoji, Abyssinia. The Abyssinians continued their efforts to reign in the rise of bandit lords this year, as the military continues their attempts to control the southern lands. They have actually met with some reasonable success, and several of the more powerful bandit gangs have been defeated or destroyed and their leaders executed. This has been mainly due to the activities of an elite cavalry force which has swept through bandit controlled regions when they least expect it. The fighting continues, however, as some groups have managed to evade being corralled by the Abyssinian military, raiding and looting villages and even winning some victories against local garrisons.

SWEDEN NATIONALIZES SENEGAL. As the Swedish Senegal Company declared bankruptcy, the crown of Sweden has since nationalized the defunct company and assumed direct control of the Senegal colony. So far new national efforts to spur the economy continue to meet with failure, as the colony remains empty and devoid of immigrants. The appeal of Vinland and the Ivory Coast are too much for the arid colony, which faces constant drains upon the local budget. Some minor trading has picked up in the slave trade, but overall the market continues to be heavily dominated by supply from other European colonies.

MADAGASCAR REFUSES SWEDISH ENTRY. Antananarivo, Madagascar. After taking measures to investigate concerns among her subjects, Queen Ranavalona discovered much Swedish tampering and corruption among the tribes. Believing that the Swedes were attempting to subjugate her people through their not too subtle threats of force for territory, she has outright refused any Swedish trading vessels or entry onto the island. Warning against retaliation, the queen has begun searching out new allies to support her against Swedish invasion. Foreign observers very well believe that in her effects, she may well find refuge with the Empire of Holy Spain. Regardless of her hopes, the Swedes have done a fairly effective job of riling up dissent on Madagascar, though the most powerful tribes still back the queen over any other potential ruler. (-1 Stability)

ROMANS MILITARIZE MAMLUK BORDER. Trebizond, Roman Empire. The Roman army has begun overseeing the construction of numerous forts along the border with the Mamluk Caliphate. Modeled upon the fortifications of other nations being construction throughout Europe, the new forts are hoped to provide substantial new security for the Empire. The effort is likely to be incredibly expensive as Western engineers are hired to provide advice and blueprints for the new forts. Regardless, the army is in full favor of this program, fearing the power and skill of the Mamlukes in comparison to their own training and doctrines. Mamluk government officials have protested this effort, and have moved additional forces to the northern border in case this is a pretense for attack.

TUNIS BEGINS CONSTRUCTION AND TRADE REFORM. Tunis, Tunis. The Tunisian monarchy has begun establishing new ports, after seeing the success of trading in Sardinia due to the outbreak of the Second Venetian War. The hope has been to capitalize upon the increased trade among the neutral states along the Mediterranean Sea caused by the outbreak of the war. The new ports are said to be patterned after the designs currently used by the Sardinians in their own expansion efforts. They have made preparation to accept steam vessels as well as the largest among them. The Tunisians so far have not had much success with this, and thus have followed by lowering tariffs on imports and trade participating in the nation.

PERSIA CELEBRATES VICTORIES WITH MONUMENT. Tehran, Persia. To celebrate the Persian empire's victories over the Durrani Empire and the Khazak tribes, the nation's finest engineers have worked to create a new Obelisk of triumph in Tehran. Stated to be the largest such monument of its kind, the victories have led Persia to its greatest territorial height since the empire before Alexander's conquests. The construction has begun, though the engineers and builders have called for more funds to provide for this structure, which is said to be planned to tower over the whole of the city.

News from the Far East​

JAPAN'S NAVY SHINES. Tokyo, Japan. The Japanese navy, as small and backward as it may be by European standards, has begun to show improved capabilities in minor regional fights with pirates and smugglers. Though their ships remain woefully obsolete and incapable of an open fight with most major powers, their officer corps have shown great promise. The new captains of the ships of the Japanese navy have proven to be exceptionally talented, and have inspired their crews to greater heights and ability. As temporary as this change may or may not be, it is clear to most that the Japanese fleet has entered a new age of competence and excellence. (+1 Navy Quality)

TRIBAL UNREST ON BORNEO. Balikpapan, Republic of the Netherlands. Missionaries on the Dutch island of Borneo have begun to report increasing numbers of tribal attacks upon Christian missions throughout the island. These attacks have occasionally been extending to various plantations and other installations, though most of the assaults have been upon unarmed missionaries. Various plantation owners and the missions themselves have appealed to the governor to release military forces to hunt down the tribes and their leaders, but they have so far remained hesitant about sending the army into the jungles. Some of the wealthier plantation owners have directly appealed to Amsterdam, hoping to forced the release of soldiers to end these worsening raids. (-1 Stability)

SMUGGLERS DISCOVERED IN JAPAN. Nagasaki, Japan. Japanese authorities in the trading city of Nagasaki have discovered a discomforting new trend among the people. Opium has begun showing up in large and cheap quantities, and the locals have become increasingly addicted to it. While the drug has not yet appeared outside of the trade port, it has appeared in great numbers and it is believed that Portuguese and other Europeans are responsible. The Japanese government has begun to isolate few European merchants allowed in Japan even further, refusing to allow any trade with the interior and monitoring European ships very closely. The local government has passed laws forbidding the use or possession of opium, and particularly its sale.

DISCONTENT IN THE MARATHA CONFEDERACY. Jaipur, Maratha Confederacy. While the government has had enormous success in recent years with the defeat of the Durrani Empire and the ousting of the Europeans, some have grown uneasy about the ramifications of the policies. With no war against the remaining Europeans in India materializing and the arrival of major European armies in the region, some rulers have become disillusioned with the policies of the government. The end of trade with the European powers has shut off a major stream of revenue in some of the cities and realms within the Confederacy, and the various leaders, led by Jaipur, have begun suggesting some sort of limited reopening. The loss of tax income has become noticeable and the regional lower monarchs have begun looking for new ways to increase their wealth and power in this time. (-1 Stability, -2 EP)

UNEASE AT EUROPEAN ATTENTIONS GROWS IN SIAM. Bangkok, Siam. The recent British invasion of Burma has led to some concern in the courts of Siam. The fear of Siam meeting a similar fate has led to calls for some limited trade reform and westernization in order to accommodate European merchants. The monarchy has been mostly opposed to these notions, preferring to remain in the old ways, and looking for a new opportunity with the outbreak of the Burmese civil war. Those calling for reform grew more and more persistent throughout the remainder of the year and continue to call for some sort of change. They continued to be opposed by the old guard, mostly consisting of anxious local merchants and leaders, afraid of being supplanted by European trade interests. (-1 Stability)

RIOTS OVER PRICES IN VIETNAMESE COASTAL CITIES. Da Nang, Vietnam. The Vietnamese have experienced several riots throughout the coastal cities of the nation, as prices begin to rise on nearly all goods. With the European merchants arriving and causing local prices to rise in proportion to their own, and the people have begun to be angered about this increase in cost of living. Unfortunately, when select merchants began buying up European goods and selling these to the rest of the populations, they artificially raised those prices as well. In response the population rose up against the merchants and the army was soon sent in to restore order and stop the looting. The army was mostly successful, but the nation continues to reel from the rising tensions in the nation. (-1 Stability)

NEW KHAN AMONG THE KHAZAKS. Khazak Khanate. Khan Gubaidolla has died this year after being killed by his rival Kennessary. Kennessary, having been far more successful in leading war against the Moscovites than Gubaidolla had been in the south against Persia, used his more motivated tribe to attack and eliminate Gubaidolla's. Having been proclaimed Khan himself, Kennessary has begun efforts to drive the Persians out of Khazak land, assembling a new army to do so. The Khazaks have put their faith in this new ruler, hoping to reverse the territorial misfortunes they have suffered in recent years. (+1 Stability)

BRITAIN AND SWEDEN INTERVENE IN BURMESE CIVIL WAR. Amarapura, Burma. The Burmese Civil War has continued unabated as the rebel prince attacked towards Amarapura in the hopes of capturing the king and ending the war. The king's army met them in open battle, and it soon became a battle of attrition. After the brutal slugging match came to an end, the king's forces retreated into their prepared fortifications around the city. After winning the battle, the prince began to lay siege, but was forced to withdraw after hearing of a major intervention by Europeans. Consisting of British and Swedish troops, a substantial army had landed at Yangon and begun marching upriver, leaving their ships protecting the harbor. With over three times as many soldiers and confident of victory, Therrawaddy's army marched south to meet the invaders. They met in battle not far north of Yangon, and the Europeans took up defensive positions with their fair superior firepower. Therrawaddy, realizing the difficulty and the relative strength in melee combat, attempted to enter into close combat. Though the superior firepower of the Europeans took a devastating toll upon his armies, the Burmese managed to advance to close quarters. The Europeans, especially the British, were ill-trained for such combat. The swords and warriors of the Burmese got among the enemy, and the artillery stopped firing, and eventually the stalwart defense turned into a rout. The British and Swedes were sent running back to their ships, abandoning their artillery, and fleeing back to India.
Casualty List
Burma (Therrawaddy Faction): 20 Infantry Brigades, 1 Cavalry Brigade, 2 Artillery Brigades
Burma (Bagiydaw faction): 8 Infantry Brigades
Sweden: 3 Infantry Brigades, 1 Artillery Brigade
United Kingdom of Great Britain: 5 Infantry Brigades, 2 Artillery Brigades

PERSIA SMASHES KHAZAK KHANATE. Shirvan, Persia. Throughout the year the Persians have done their best to consolidate their possessions in the Khazak Khanate, bribing the remaining tribes and establishing authority over the various villages and towns. The Khazaks, under their new khan, hoped to end the Persian occupation and began assembling their armies for a final confrontation. The Persian army managed to hear about the effort from a local tribal leader who even offer them guides and support in the upcoming battle. Persian cavalry managed to stop any significant raids by the Khazaks and ultimately the Persian army was able to ambush the enemy army into an open battle. The Khazaks were devastated by their enemies' superior artillery and fighting skills, and ultimately routed. The khan has since sent a message to Persia, recognizing their rule over the land. The Persians have since continued their efforts of consolidation, improving the state of their much larger empire.
Casualty List
Khazak Khanate: 6 Cavalry Brigades
Persia: 2 Infantry Brigades

Financial Section​

ECONOMIC DISASTER EMERGES IN FRANCE. Nantes, Brittany. Brittany and its neighbors and trading partners have discovered this year that trade as reached a devastating low and revenues collected by the government are worse than ever before. Attributed to a growing global supply of previously locally produced goods and agriculture, the failure has spread across the nation of Brittany and then to its immediate neighbors. Fortunately due to the relative isolation of these nations from the bulk of the European trading networks, the downturn has been mostly regional, not effecting many nations beyond the area. Regardless, unemployment is on the rise in the area, as is emigration and unrest in Brittany. Economic changes:
Brittany: -5 EP
Normandy: -3 EP
Poitou: -3 EP
Dauphine: -3 EP

BANDITRY BREEDS ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN ABYSSINIA. Addis Ababa. The activities of bandits over recent years have made it clear that doing business in Abyssinia is a risky proposition to most foreign merchants. Even locally, traders and farmers have found themselves put out of work by the rampaging bandits or by overzealous soldiers attempting to locate the said bandits. The result has been a continuing local and worsening economic situation, as the nation continues to be plagued by ongoing issues with the bandit lords. Foreign businesses continue to remain away from Abyssinia, believing that the local commerce is not sophisticated or protected enough to allow the safe sale and distribution of their goods and services. (-3 EP)

NORMANDY AND PRUSSIA OPEN NEW TRADE DOORS. Cherbourg, Normandy. Previously isolated from each other by miles of other kingdoms and nations, both Normandy and Prussia have begun looking for partners abroad to trade with. The nations have been scoping out various other markets, but fate ultimately led them to find each other. Though some claim that Prussia is only interested in the size of Normandy's ports, plying her merchants with new food and luxuries from Eastern Europe. Neither has truly been successful in independent trade of their own, but believe that this trade agreement could be the start of something truly special. (+2 EP for both nations)

EUROPEANS BLOCK TRADE WITH MARATHA CONFEDERACY. Calcutta, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The recent problems with the Maratha Confederacy have brought about new laws in the Indian territories of both the United Kingdom and Sweden. Both nations have forbidden local European merchants from engaging in any trade with the Maratha Confederacy, legally or illegally. This has proven to be a self-destructive move as the local colonies find themselves losing a major market for goods and trade. While the Confederacy has so far evaded much damage from the shutting down of trade, having expelled the European merchants, the British and Swedish merchants chafe and complain about this new legislation. (-15 EP for Swedish Indian, -25 EP for British India, -3 EP for Maratha Confederacy)

AUSTRIA MISSES EXPENSE PAYMENTS. Vienna, Austria. The Austrian monarchy, consumed with the need to provide arms and training for fresh forces to fight in the Second Venetian War, missed several key payments for the administration of national territories. This has led to an uneasy situation in Venice, where payoffs where expected and provided, as well as in Austrian Croatia. The move has also caused lending and other markets in Vienna to tremble and the economic situation to teeter a bit with the failure of the monarch to pay his bills. (-2 EP, -1 Stability)

PARISIAN CROWN BUYS INTO FRENCH MARKETPLACE. Paris, Paris. Under King Louis XII, the crown of Paris begun buying into one of the largest trading companies along the Seine River. Unfortunately the recent downturn throughout the area has made this a rather foolhardy enterprise and the company has been forced to trim sails in order to compete in Normandy. Various merchants and other members of the middle class have resented the crown's intrusion into the market, but few openly oppose it. Some members of the nobility have also stated that the crown's crass foray into commerce is quite improper for a head of state.

CHINA REDUCES TARIFF RESTRICTIONS. Ghangzhou, China. To the pleasure of many European businessmen, the Chinese have ended tariffs upon any imported goods besides opium. The lifting of these restrictions have spurred a new surplus of trade, though opium use has not seemed to decline, and in fact the situation has begun to worsen. People have begun to go to more and more desperate measures to acquire opium in China, and rumors state that the Europeans are still smuggling significant amounts in. Furthermore the end of the tariffs has angered local Chinese nobility, who see it as kowtowing to the foreign business interests. (-1 Stability, +10 EP for China, +15 EP for Spain, +10 EP for United Kingdom, +5 EP for Sweden, +5 EP for the Netherlands, +5 EP for the USA)

BRANDENBURG EMBARGOES AUSTRIA AND BAVARIA. Berlin, Brandenburg. The Austrians and Bavarians have been denounced by Brandenburg with their actions in the Second Venetian War and an embargo has been put into place. Brandenburg's military has been moved to the southern border, forbidding local traders from selling goods to Bavaria and accepting imports. This has proven devastating for Bavaria's trade and merchants who had previously relied upon routes through Brandenburg for their overseas exports and imports. Many have started shifting through to Venice for export and import, but the war has made this a more hazardous process as major armies fight not far away. (-10 EP for Bavaria, -5 EP for Brandenburg)

ECONOMIC FLUCTUATION REPORT. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. The global economy continues to overall stagnate over the course of the year as follows:


Immigration and Population Movement

Austria:
-1 Manpower to United States of America
-1 Manpower to Venezuela

Brandenburg:
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil

Brittany:
-2 Manpower to United States of America
-1 Manpower to Venezuela
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil

Burgundy:
-1 Manpower to Venezuela
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil

Dauphine:
-1 Manpower to United States of America

Empire of Brazil:
+2 Manpower from Portugal
+1 Manpower from Brittany
+1 Manpower from Brandenburg
+1 Manpower from Burgundy
+1 Manpower from Kingdom of Two Sicilies

Empire of Holy Spain:
-1 Manpower to Venezuela

Kingdom of Two Sicilies:
-1 Manpower to United States of America
-1 Manpower to Venezuela
-1 Manpower to Empire of Brazil

Milan:
-1 Manpower to United States of America

Normandy:
-1 Manpower to United States of America

Novgorod:
-1 Manpower to Vinland (Sweden)

Paris:
-1 Manpower to United States of America

Portugal:
-2 Manpower to Empire of Brazil

United States of America:
+2 Manpower from Brittany
+1 Manpower from Dauphine
+1 Manpower from Austria
+1 Manpower from Kingdom of Two Sicilies
+1 Manpower from Milan
+1 Manpower from Normandy
+1 Manpower from Paris

Venezuela:
+1 Manpower from Brittany
+1 Manpower from Austria
+1 Manpower from Burgundy
+1 Manpower from Empire of Holy Spain
+1 Manpower from Kingdom of Two Sicilies

Diplomatic Pouch

To: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Sweden
From: Savoy

We would be interested in purchasing any surplus Second or First Rate Warships that you may have available. We're willing to offer 3 EP for any Second Rate Warships and 4 EP for any First Rate.

To: Empire of Brazil
From: Uruguay

We'd like to request that the Catholic Church in your nation dispatch some of its members to Montevideo to help us absolve and carry out other rites until the papacy can send replacements from Rome.

To: Roman Empire
From: Hungary

We insist upon the liberation of our Catholic brethren in Serbia. Your oppression of our neighbors has gone on long enough and we are prepared to turn to advanced diplomatic measures to assure the freedom of our friends.

To: Empire of Holy Spain, Empire of Brazil
From: Republic of New Granada

The Protestants have funded the war effort of our enemies, the Venezuelans. Even now they threaten to dismember our nation. We beg of you to aid our nation in these trouble times with funding to help us purchase and provide for our troops in the ongoing war.

To:United Kingdom of Great Britain, United States of America, Sweden
From: United States of New Spain

Our war for independence is a just one, and we hope your nations will help us claim our lands and end Spanish tyranny.

To: Austria
From: Bavaria

Considering our latest losses, we will not be sending any more soldiers to fight in the ongoing war, as we need to rebuild our defenses against foreign aggression. We still support you in your efforts to preserve your rightful control over Venice.

To: Empire of Holy Spain
From: Madagascar

Due to recent belligerence from another power, we'd like to open up trade relations and a defensive pact with you. We hope to begin a new era with you as our allies.

OOC

@Adrogans: At this point in the NES, shifting in schooling methods is more of a cultural shift than a truly political one. It'll take significantly more time, money, and political effort to shift from one form to another. As for exploring natural resources, that would take as much time and money as you're willing to put into it. Also, the New Granadans have Spanish organization too.

@warman17: You possessed 85 for spending this turn, not 95. You have been appropriately punished.

@Yui108: I had to take a little liberty with your spending orders. Your units cost 2 EP each, so I figured that you meant 8 EP to build those infantry brigades. Also, I'm not sure if you were aware of this in your planning, but in case you weren't, the banked 8 EP went to paying off your domestic policies.

@Those concerned in Italy: Your external source of EP did not send the promised amounts. Therefore I have done what I could with your orders, and did not spend into deficit. Whatever orders came first were the ones which received priority when it comes to spending.

I should restate to all of you, if you want me to have a regularly continuing stat under domestic policies, let me know. I'll be more than happy to put that there.

The Mamluk Caliphate is now open due to Shadowbound's departure.

Jason the King has left the building. Chile is now open.

A minor change has been made to the rules. Naval vessels can be scrapped in exchange for a return of 25% of their EP of their cost. This can be multiplied by the scrapping of more than one vessel. I.e. four Fifth-Rate Warships can be scrapped for a return of 1 EP to your bank.

After careful consideration I have reduced the base cost of new Army Organizations to 20 EP +whatever your standard upgrade cost would be per unit.

@nuclear_kid: you only have old-fashioned sailing ships at the moment, no steamers to head up the river, especially that river.

I have been looking to add more rivers onto the map, as I have been noticing the absence of several key ones throughout the map. If anyone cares to help me with this and add new rivers to the map, I'd appreciate it if you'd help out.

World Map

From: Swedish Empire
To: Madagascar
Words fail to describe our disappointment. Your monarch has failed to heed our warnings, and unilaterally spurned all our attempts to negotiate. Our terms are more than fair, and we will present our ultimatum. Madagascar will cede the following coastal plot to the Swedish Empire, or we will take it. You have mocked the attempts we have made to treat you with dignity and respect. Refuse our more than fair offer, and we will make you suffer for your insolence.

From: Swedish Empire
To: Spain
We trust that following our peace with you, and the honorable conduct between our people and yours, you will undertake no aid to the unruly and generally disrespectful native population of Madagascar.

From: Swedish Empire
To: Novgorod
His Majesty is watching the events currently unfolding in your nation. May Novgorod's sovereign see to it that none of the instability does damage to Novgorod's position as a trusted, long-term ally of the Swedish people.

From: Swedish Empire
To: Savages in Vinland
Resistance to western settlement and expansion? How cute. Apparently, you can never have enough examples of what happens to those who defy the will of His Majesty.

From: Swedish Empire
To: United States
We have long had amicable relations, and mutually respected borders. We hope that this remains so; His Majesty begs that you see to the peaceful conduct of your settlers, as he will do in return. Surely, we must band together against the godless savage heathens that our settlers chafe against so miserably.

From: Swedish Empire
To: Grenada
We find your war against Venezuela unlawful and unprovoked. You have reaped what you sowed. We call on the international community to condemn Grenada's aggression, and not to aid it in its war against its neighbor.

The turn I drop out, Japan finally gets mentioned in an update, twice no less.

TO: Uruguay
FROM: Empire of Brazil

We will do whatever we can to aid your peoples religious needs until the Holy See can relieve your issues.