TerraNES: The Civil Experiment

Many nations who had stumbled now found themselves on more stable footing. The (First?) Holy War in Keltia ended, if in great controversy, as both the Druids and the Faith rebuild-or, more likely, reload-and contribute to the fight against the buggerites. The Varna-Katanic war finally stopped, releasing both thousands of Katanic troops to crash into Doria’s flanks as well as thousands of bushels of grain into the Central Seas, fueling growing post-migration cities in Tarase, Ildaris and urbanization elsewhere. Egypt too, begun looking further from her borders even as they sought to fill in cracks in their system as soon as they appeared. As the Hyakkids marches deeper into Zargatu mountains and the Padavi Raj attempts to establishe itself ontop the Iron Throne, the “Barbarians” of the deep plains and high mountains show that civilization can establish itself with the growth of Sugudia and Ulyan among the nomads. Japan found itself truly without rival on her island home even as the rivalries within Korea and among the Yi successor states intensify. Elsewhere, a revived monarchy successfully leads an invasion of barbarian states on its border even as another monarchy falters due to its failure to achieve the same.

Truly, it is a time of finding things to be thankful for during a history of trouble.

The Central Seas​

The Sardinian Senate held parliament in the former capital of their foes, smugly preening their resumes and lording over their “fellow, mistaken Sardinians of the Sassari disposition”. A veritable who’s who of Sardinian Society has basically gathered to gloat over their complete and utter victory. Sassari, once a militaristic penal colony established by the mythical Valyrians, kept its regimental manner even after all these centuries of history and humanity. Blocks and rows of dull barracks and guard towers dominate the heart of the ancient old town, and even the newer fringe buildings merely served to contribute to the atmosphere.

More disturbing than the areas history as the historic homeland of the War Faiths is in the back of the room and in the senator’s minds, where a Leonese representative sat quietly, back to the wall, observing the proceedings for his distant king. Apparently orders were that the Leonese forces, instead of turning over the conquered land to Caligari, were to annex them instead. The fact that Caligari cut infront of the Leonese in declaring a republic of ALL Sardinia, some fear, has cause them to sign their death warrants.

Only “Prince” Luskan Aiken III, elected Elder Vopulius (possibly corrupted from the Vox Populii of Cytrian Fame) and supposedly of the Ancient and Most Pure bloodline of the Triple Crown scowled instead of celebrated this victory. Only last week he was forced to work with his fellow Younger and Eldest Vopulii in giving away the ancient tile and the queen’s jewels- both of whom claimed by his house- to the passing Leonese King Joan de Calliaro III, who arrived to congratulate them on their victory and to take HIS precious birthright for himself. He yawned as the youngest Vopulius Triskan de Magnalorme- the General who aided in the capture of this very city, continued to wax poetically of the new alliance between the two nations.

“Like two oxen on a plow, like two rowers on a ship, like two horses on a chariot we shall push as one to a brighter future!”

Disgraceful. The Sardican Empire once ruled Leon from what is now called Barcia. Even after the core of the Royal Family- not including himself- and all the major barons perished in Ziril’s Wrath, there was no reason they had to betray his ancestors. Their past betrayal has lead to their current vassalage to their former colony.

Yes… he must add that to the family speech of revenge. Most of the Senators have come from warlord families who carved up Sardinia and Corsica after the Zirilist Eruption for their own gain, reuniting only after the Sassari warlord managed to conquer a third of the island with his own abilities. Fighting over HIS birthright.

Leeches.

He watched the speech further, but his mind was not in the chamber. It is in the future, plotting and tasting the sweet, sweet dish of vengeance.



The restoration of the Fallen Sea Trade injected and turbocharged the Central Seas economies, and every single nation had a prosperous year. From the expanding nations of Iberia and Valyria to the squabbling merchants of the Eastern Seas, the entire region is being tied ever more tightly together by growing ribbons of trade and wealth. Few wars and incidents, however, show that the picture was not perfectly rosy. The undercurrent of strife continues to flow, and always threaten to spill over into reality at any moment…

The Oledo tribes fearfully announced their decision to refuse to sell any more land to Ildaris, hoping it would either inspire the exponentially growing state to hesitate and fearing that it would inspire the unstoppably growing state to attack.

They should have feared obliteration.

In preparation for the growing influx of refugees from The Holy War of Keltia, the Ildarii army utterly crushed the Oledo chiefdoms, crossing the Oledo river at low tide to destroy their main centers of resistance and then surging uphill, destroying clans left and right.

From the Drakan rulers, the war made sense. The Oledo sullied the otherwise peaceful gathering in Iberia; that of the Faithful, Druids, Bokononists and Zirilists. For many of the new arrivals, however, it merely seemed all too similar to events they just escaped from, even if here the Faith were undeniably succeeding.

The new arrivals’ culture also clashed with those of the originals. The roads, aid, and helpful natives they witnessed are much different from the muddy paths and ruthless barbarians the Drakans had to endure. Indeed, even as the newly christened Gold Faith blossomed on the principles of paradise and long pilgrimages established itself, segregated communities of White, Violet and other Faiths established themselves slighty aloof from their gracious hosts, preferring to forgoe the bustling cities for farming the countryside in peace and quiet, buying land from the Drakans seeking their fortunes by the sea.

Speaking of the sea, Ildaris promised to pay tribute to Kaditz in exchange for more reasonable tolls, especially for much needed grain. When the cash-starved state realized they fell short, they urgently informed the Kadizite King of their short fall. Amused, he accepted their offer of a double payment and allowed the first grain ships of Varna to pass.

This proved to be the salvation of Ildaris. The grain fed freshly arrived and as of yet unsettled families, reducing their discontent and allowed them to respect Paradise for what it was. The segregated communities became more urban as another one of their duns grew into an impressive city in its own right.

For the ambitious King of Kaditz, however, Ildaris is small cake compared to more pressing matters. Specifically, another attempt to conquer Africa. He built a new fleet and recuited a thousand men, landing suddenly on the coast and chasing away the local chieftain from an oasii. This Oasii used to supply smugglers avoiding his tolls. Now, it waters a second taxation post. With unprecedented control of the growing Central-Northern seas trade route, it remains to see how they will use that power or now other nations would react.

Instead of war, his counterpart the King of Lamari calls peace the name of the game. He has developed extremely close relationships with King Joan de Calliaro III of Leon. The renovation of the Leonese village of Aliara into a town just as their trading relationship is increasing causes a great growth in their economies on both sides of the border, and greater ease for Lamari to soliciate and invite various chiefs along the Leonese border willing for their trading benefits.

Joan also began a major project- the Great School of Barcia- in order to attract the brightest and the best of the Central Seas to his realm. While the Forear Escola was a practical finishing school of mathematics, recent events, language and currency studies, the Great School of Barcia focuses on Philosophy, Cultural and Religious Studies, and all masters of the more nebulous and unappreciated disciplines. Already, some of the great thinkers of the Central Seas have arrived from numerous nations to talk with their fellow thinkers about nothing whatsoever. Others donated books or works of their studies, whatever it may be- of note are two different Orangesmiths, one from Egypt and one from katan, who showed off their nation’s ability with Bronze. While the Egyptian smith used skill and manipulated the intricalities of the ore until it obeyed his every whim, the Katanic smith simply beat the metal with heinous amounts of heat until it submitted to his will as a weak and seemingly terrified fluid ready to be casted. Another infamous early work is the infamous “Leonese Map” of the surrounding region, inscribed with descriptions of regions and major towns, and is one of the most detailed maps of this type in this time period.

However, King Joan de Calliaro also continued the honored Leonese tradition of conquering distant lands and adding new titles to the crown. A series of sharp mountain battles brought the Leonese across the Pyrenee mountains into the land of the High Frenks, commonly known as Hifrenks. They also threw their weight behind the Republic Caligari in their vicious war with the Sassari Kingdom. The reunited Republic of Sardinia granted further legitimacy to the Leonese Conquests across the central seas by turning over the Sardican crown jewels and the title of the Hegemon of the Triple Crown to the ambitious king.

With growing prosperity and cultural influence, ever more people look to the Kingdom of Leon to take the helm once worn by Valyria and Sardinia for the sake of peace in the western seas.

Tarase and Mediolaun continued to work together in smoking out and annihilating the Ashlanders, be they Faithful Fanatics, Zirilist Zealots, Druidic Dervishes, Exnotist Extremists, Takarzite Terrorists or any other flavor of religious extremism and die-hard cults which has flourished in the region. Mediolaun didn’t rush, slowly and methodically clearing land and introducing their own settlers. In contrast, Tarase sought to gain more land for their barely sedentary and overcrowded migrants and grabbed as much as possible, and worried about killing all the religious crazies later. Also of note is the Ashland Agreement, which also included Leon and which established future borders of these three nations. The reason; when you are fighting on the grave yard of empires, it is obvious you should take precautions to not trip on a tombstone. Of course, a much better reason could be found in the mutual distrust among the three nations.

Just to the south in Utica, a new Great Temple of Ziril was completed with fanfare and the first Zirilwine in two centuries. This coincided with the completion of one of the libraries of the Great School of Barcia, and many talented Zirilists left for Leon after the end of the celebrations. With all the lands of the former Toras-Noth controlled, Utica is full on her way to raise the banner of Zirilism upon the Central Seas. Already, the reviving religion has found converts in Andalusia, Sardinia, Tarase, Mediolaun, and Apulia.

Unfortunately, this served to increase misgivings Mediolaun has about the preservation of Cytrian culture. As the only remaining independent Cytrian nation in the world which worship their historic Ancestor Cults, the growing attempts of various nations to evangelize causes them to close their hearts instead of baring it to the world. New laws were established, and the deified Nicattas of lore were to be offered ritual sacrifice by all citizens on certain holidays. This specifically targets patriarchial or matriarchial pantheons like Zirilism and Exnotism, which places their own god above all else, to say nothing of a deified mortal.

A different reaction occurred among their Thloryo-Cytrian cousins in Apulia. There, Ziril found herself married to Exnot, and they rule together despite being as different as night and day. Exnot is constantly boisterous and loud, in constant motion. Ziril stays silent… into she explodes into a flurry of activity. Exnot maintained constant vigilance on specific things which interest them, be it an ambitious king, an honest farm boy, or the boy’s father, leading general of an Emperor. Ziril stays aloof until she decides to intervene, and often in spectacular scale. A constant tailwind is providence of Exnot, while a sudden gust throwing away a storm is that of Ziril.

Of course, both are depicted as drunken parents of a highly dysfunction but infinitely more active pantheon of gods.

Indeed, a major Cytrian rebellion attempted and failed to recapture Apulia’s urban areas. The local Katanic Garrison then launched a sharp counter attack and pushed the rebels into the wilderness or across the border into Mediolaun or Utica. The heavy losses prompted them from pursuing them to the ends of the peninsula, but their new armor and shields multiplied their effectivness against the Cyrian mobs.

Elsewhere in Katan, confidence continues to rise as they successfully fought back barbarians on multiple fronts. Against Hurria they remained vigilant, learning their lesson for Doria’s revival. Their coordinated armies crushed the Hurrian probes, and chased their raiders back across the border.

On the other side of Katan, the peace with Varna allowed them to release an army from the frontlines. This, bolstered by Kosan recruits and the Knights of Exnot, crashed into the Dorian flanks. From southern Makedon, the hard pressed soldiers were joined by the veterans of the Apulia Campaign and a fleet of new chariots. The Dorian settlers were quickly swept out of the way and the two armies begun siege under Pella, ending it the day after the second army arrived and completely crushing the Dorians. Their government collapsed utterly as their people fled from the Katanic slavers. The Terror Hounds regrouped and attempted to ambush the Katanic Army only to meet the Knights of Exnot. At the famed Battle of the Hounds, the Knights of Exnot routed the Terror Hounds. Their dogs ate well that night. The fates of those who survived are simply unspeakable. I am certain that the committer of these acts would like to elaborate himself. *coughcough*

Of course, the peace with Varna allowed more than a release of soldiers. The grain trade, cut off for almost three hundred years, was finally once again opened. We have already seen how this was crucial in aiding the migrant towns of Tarase and Ildaris into becoming cities. In the Aegean itself, there were minor skirmishes between Novaricum and the Levantine League, with Katanic ships caught in the cross fire trying to mediate and control their waters. Eventually, the League won a majority of the protection rights to ship the grain all the way to Utica, while Novaricum ships return to their city to plot. They built themselves a drydock so that they can build more ships at a time. Unfortunately, due to their desert environment this project costs much more than they expected.

It is a testament to human nature the fact that even as relative peace and prosperity descends upon the Central Seas, nations all around it are already preparing for the next conflict that might come.

The Grand Cradle​

Ships flowed through the Levean and Red Seas, more often than not belonging to the mysterious nation of Dakinsa Raj. Their merchant ships dominated the trade routes since the end of the Nilotic War, also known as the Trade Wars or Wars of Egyptian Hegemony. Their ships were advanced enough to dispel the few pirates that menaced everyone’s trade and avoid bias from the locals, as well as carrying exotic goods such as diamonds and cotton textiles.

Until now.

Dakinsan ship leaving or arriving at their homeport are starting to suffer under coordinated corsair assault. Soon, this assault by raiders bearing Gujaratic standards spread across the region. Ships start to gather in convoys with escorts in the attempt to mitigate this damage, but this only made their dominance of the region’s trade cumbersome and ineffective. Just south of Eterika an entire supply convoy to the Dakinsan colony there, advanced escorts and attached marines all, was annihilated.

Dakinsan trade suffered as a result, and so did the trade of Hormun and Eterika, whose tolls on the far-sailing merchants declined precipitously.

This fact, combined with prudent investment and outright bribes, meant that Aksum manages to, *somehow*, maintain control of their independent-minded colonies. The Monarchy fulfilled their obligations, from wages to debts, and managed to maintain the level of confidence in their nation even.

Their once-stagnant neighbor Eterika, on the otherhand, was a vibrant and expanding society. Their well-trained armies were thrown against the Bedouin raiders menacing Aden and the Teripian highlanders. Although their spear-dominated force was not very effective, they did push out and secure Aden- with Eterikan investment and the project constructed there the city slowly regrew into its rightful size. The war with Teripia led to the conquest of koffee fields and the stabilization of Axum’s Koffee Monopoly- however, everyone admits their roasts are usually of immensely inferior quality. This does not stop lower-middle class folks from getting addicted to the brew cheapened by competition.

The Kingdom of Bekke went on an all out offensive against the rebellious Bedouin hordlings. The largest civilized chariot force the world has ever seen, over 500, streamed across the desert savaging the independent tribes and securing their oasii. The Semetics, who live in urbanized societies at the fringe of various Levean empires, and The pastoral Bedouins stream northward and collide with the frontiers of Canaan, Levant, and Levea.

As the decades chased each other, a massive Egyptian expedition flowed down the red sea, resettling former colonies and scaring the coins out of the Axumite merchants. After passing through the Horn of Eterika, they streamed north and established new and more direct Egyptian-Dakinsan trade, which are dominated by the seemingly invincible merchant vessels from the nile and the massive war barges.

Both Axum and Eterika capitalized on the increased trade routes, with Axum gaining a advantage on poaching business due to their luxury brands of Koffee. Meanwhile, Bekke’s port cities are seeing a smaller share of the trans-redseanic trade, although although overall volume has increased.

Another such expedition was sent northward and westward through the Central Seas. It watched the merchant conflict in the Aegean, swept through a revival of the “Religious Crazies” and managed to reach Iberia. After viewing the Great School of Barcia, the main fleet returns.

A detachment to reach Ildaris returns two years late, claiming to reach the land of the “Frenks” and “Are Moron Cuns” where, less than a century ago, armies of over fifty thousand ground into each other until barely five thousand on either side agreed to a peace. Supposedly the Vizier of the Sea responded thusly, “Frankly, no people, Frank or otherwise, can achieve the frank greatness of Egypt, frankly much less so in military affairs. ”

At home, Wajetosaphir embarks on reforms similar to those in Hyak by taking soverign power away from the Nomes and moving his capital to from Thebes the much-maligned Anor. Within the decade, the priests supported another Nome, the ruler of Aysut, for the rule. This rebellion was utterly crushed, and led to the reformist God-King to reform and centralized the Egyptian priesthood and temples under his control. Countless attempts to overthrow failed and by the end of these years he still held power in his wrinkly grip.

In and around Upper Nubia the bubbling cult of Nirilism, where the Nile River itself is declared the supreme and ultimate lord of gods above and beyond the God King. They believe that the farmers are the ultimate priests, and that councils of all fed by the river’s “holy life” should rule in its stead, with their leaders merely elected to be their collective voice. It seems that the religion has taken inspiration from Zirilism; indeed, some claim it had laid dormant for hundreds of years before reemerging now.

Nirilism or no Nirilism, the Kushite rebels were utterly crushed, the pass between two bends of the nile secured with boots and blood. Secured zones tend further and further from the riverbanks as the rebels begun relying on mountain streams and shriveled shrubs to survive.

On the Lybian front, they progress steadily against the hostile tribes. During a lull in the rebellions and conflicts, the allied tribes petitioned the God King: Their seed is growing dormant and their women less fertile with age, and they desired a few years of child making and raising to fight the next war. Wajetosaphir agreed and unleashed his massive armies into the Lybian desert, marching along oft-traversed paths with several divisions. His archers easily handled the Lybian skirmishers and forced them into decisive battle. Two times he crushed Lybian armies and scattered them to the wind. While resting his main army, one of his trusted generals led a division to bring loot back home and prepare celebrations. Trapped in a sandstorm and assaulted by remants of the region’s tribes, the entire division was massacred.

Before Wajetosaphir returned to destroy another Nirilist “Speaker of the Waters of Life”, he found another boundary. Past a certain boundary Lybians allied to Novaricum are also conducting their own private war against the unaligned tribes between them.

Despite rebellions, revolts, nomadic uprising, revolution, civil disorder, and an incident where a man ran around naked infront of the God King with a raging erection, Egypt has never been stronger. Frequency and intensity of resistance died down as the still-living God King once more turned his mind away from home and to the many lands on the fringes of civilization.

One such land is the beleaguered Levantine League. Both Egypt and Hyak made grandiose pronouncements of the region, promising lucrative positions, bribes, aid awards, protection, aggression, and their hot cousins, legates from nations wandered the union. The interregional and intercultural ambitions are slowly becoming ever more inflamed. The Cyrpiot-Egyptions of Cypress were inspired by the great fleets of Egypt the same way that the Sirian city of _____ wishes to integrate with the Hyak’s province of Siria. Ugarit are growing ever more worried of their northern border and of the over emphasis of the navy while Damascus begins to challenge Tyre for the leadership of the League. If tensions keep up, the League will fall within the century.

As for Hyak, the levean empire has reached the bronze age under Nahash-sar, as they expanded into the Iordane mines in conjunction with Doussa. New mixes of tin and cooperation with Doussa lead to a widespread implementation of the metal from everything from common crafts to tipping plows, as well as being more effective in battle. This, combined with their ever more effective and efficient internal trade networks, lead to a further growth of their already sizable economy.

In addition to Iordane, Nahash-sar also extended their protection over the weak and freshly-defeated independent Hurrian tribes into the ever more united and powerful Hurrian Lordship. Combined, their new territories gave them access to new resources, even if their relatively undeveloped trade networks limited actual growth.

To the south, Boukae, tied further by their marriage to Sharkali-sar, finally agrees whole heartedly the prospect of joining the Hyakkid Empire directly. Meanwhile, conflict is rising as their fellow Semetics demand land and aid within Boukae even as the Bedouins raid the refugees from the far south.

Hormun desparately raise armies against the Aryan menace, and barely starved off defeat as wave after wave of the charioteers smashed into their defenses, brining them one death closer at a time to their loss. Some are even considering simply allowing Xiraz to fall, and retreat to Hormun proper- others claim this sentiment is merely due to the Hindu majority developing in Hormun and their desire to see their Kitabalist rivals be wipped off the map.

As for Dakinsa itself, it enters an another era of decadence… again. Their treasuries grow fath with taxes with the only expenses being to pay off Aryan tribes. Speaking of Aryan tribes, the Padavi manages to reunite the Iron Throne, only for their candidate to be overthrown by his Aryan mercenaries. In a sudden uprising the Aryans took over the Iron Throne, crushed dissent, and begun inviting their families into the land upon which once dwelled their enemies. Infact, I’m bored. All of Khand falls into decadence. Hehe. Except for the expansionistic Aryan Empire; for they are the master race!

HEIL KISHNA. FUHRER OF THE ARYAN REICH.

Xilan
​

“… So the Jinyinese sent all their women for the hills, NOT because they wanted to keep them safe, but because the women kept nagging them about their male partners!”

Two men- merchants by the looks of it- laughed and then downed small shots of yellow wine. “You are a riot” chucked the Korean partner as he set his cup on the table, “So, now our deal is done; what brings you from the Yang Republic to the beautiful city of Sauseu si?”

“Tax cuts for the wealthy, what else?” Joked the Yangren. They both shared another laugh. The King of Seoul made the former sleepy pitstop along the way to Japan a tax haven merely a decade ago. And within those few years the town blossomed like a gigantic mushroom, overcrowded both with merchants, weapon suppliers, as well as those seeking to make their fortunes. “Actually, truth to be told, it is because the Republicans are… getting rather frightening.”

The Korean stopped laughing. “How so?”

“For one, they stopped sending tribute to Shangyi.”

“What?” Barely a century ago. The Jinyi dominated everything from a mile off Japan to a mile off from the great mountains inland.

“I said, they. Stopped. Sending…”

“WHAT?” Barely a century ago, the Jinyi were on the verge of demanding tribute from the Korean states themselves!

The Korean looked at the Yangren with pleading eyes. The Yangren rolled his own and sighed, “They are idiots.”

“Won’t that cause war…”

“Yes. And guess what we do with wars? We sell weapons.” The Yangren clasped his arms around the Korean, “War on the islands. War on the mainland. It is the destiny of Korea to stay neutral and sell to all. After all, you told me this yourself when the bartender first introduced me to you.”

The Yangren continued. “Anyway, the Wei Duchy decided to gain some favor and tax release by destroying the little collective in one blow. And guess what the Merchant Lords did?”

“What?” It wasn’t as if he could force himself to say much more.

“They had made themselves wealthy by confiscating and selling Imperial land, but the last acre had been sold already. Well, they found plenty more land to sieze. That of the land lords. Cash paid for a small army of mercenaries to take my land and sell it to my tenants, who in their eagerness offered extremely high tax rates- I’d admit in the end that it was in the end still less than my renting fees- and now, they have an army they can pretend to be proud of. What can I do?”

“What?”

“Well, I can become a merchant myself. I hear that some guy, Chul or something, just won a major battle against the Chosen up north. Maybe one day I will earn enough to buy myself an estate. Until then… a toast!” He refilled both cups, “Continued war in Xilan! Forever Peace in Koera!”

As the Korean copied his partner’s motions and signed the agreements, his mind was in a whirl of motions. With Xilan in war, the sale of weapons would spike further. A chance to hoard some of the newest axes and release it later at a premium! As soon as he finished the necessary small talk to satisfy the Confucian, he should find his agent as soon as possible and cut sales at this moment.

Continued war in Xilan and Forever Peace in Korea, indeed!



Perhaps unsurprisingly, Japan turns on their funny Ainu allies for labor and supplies. By asking them nicely and courteously, they manage to rebuild their nation and a new allia… WTH, no. This is Japan we’re talking about! This is what they really did; By taking them and killing all those who resisted. They used a trick to catch them unawares, crushed them utterly, and wiped out all resistance with the expression a man uses while wiping his butt hole. Ainu slaves by the thousand are clapped in chains to rebuild Japan while the Yamato slaves were given a sex break for procreation.

Korea cheers as Japan descends once more back into war. Pusan even used the chaos to establish several colonies off the mailand and organized Ainu fishing villages to export their weapons far into the interior. This gave them a new way to sidestep the Ocean-striding advantage possessed by Seoul.

Seoul didn’t just sit on their haunches either. They invested heavily into expanding their southern port of Sauseu Si, as well as mobilizing the support of their burgeoning population of war profiteering merchants by making it a tax haven. That advantage made those already established in the newly minted city wealthy beyond imagining, and drew others like fleas to a lazy dog to try to get into the action. Pusan is obviously jealous of the growth of a massive trading entrepot just outside of their border, but their weak military, combined with the formidable archers stationed in the city, kept the peace.

Seoul also expanded into the Chosen plains, their archers often risking melee combat in fighting off the natives. After several sharp skirmishes and close calls, the northern units were reorganized as Chul-Gungsu. The archers were trained in the use of the spear, buckler, armor and melee tactics, and worked in small units to contain, skirmish, and counter charge enemy attackers. These new unique units devasted the locals and opened the way to new settlements.

Instead of giving these new lands to his settlers directly, the King decided to take possession of them and sell them parcel by parcel. Soon, his treasury is quite fuller, and landlords dominate the new territory. Many of whom had just fled from the Yang Republic or their conquests in Wei. The new arrivals are Confucians in a Daoist land, and they established militias from their tenants not only to defend themselves from the Chosen, but also against any Daoist reprisals which might appear.

This is not to say that no farming families or communities uprooted themselves and transplanted into the new province. The two types of settlements are harshly mixed together, creating some unforeseen tensions in the region even as the king marks success after success of his rule into the history books.

Meanwhile, the fleeing Chosen clans sought shelter of the strong Chief of Dongye. This Chief gained enough power to declare himself King of the region, and prevented- ro far- Seoul’s influence from crossing the mountains.

Before we leave to see what the Yangren did, we shall take a look at the young Silla Confederacy. Believing that they need to knit themselves tighty together and into their neighbors, they built a series of roads which increased trade and output. They also signed a defensive alliance with Pusan even while they increased export of ores to Seoul.

And the rumors of the upheavals in the Yang Republic are true. The government was running on the fumes of their confiscation of Imperial lands, and decided on a three part plan to collect themselves. First, declare war and raise patriotic fevor. Second, sieze the land o the Land Lords and give them to peasants who promise fighting men or merchants who promise fighting ships. Third, sever ties with Shangyi and keep the wealth at home.

And it worked surprisingly well. Securing the goodwill of the merchants and peasants, they chased out the land lords and with the proceeds outfitted a large profession army and a well practiced navy. Meanwhile, they organized their state into a bureaucratic meritocracy pioneered by Jinyi’s Shining Confucianism and expanded trade into Korea and Japan. The Ministers of Heaven, Earth, and Sea are the executives of the state, leading the religious, political and economic future of the nation. Then, they waited for the Wei invasion.

The Wei did not disappoint. A massive fleet of Ocean Striders and Curraghs arrived, and the Yang fleet seemingly scattered before their very appearance. It landed and troops dismounted. Almost immediately the Yang forces fought back with arrows, javelins and militia, harassing them and taunting them. The men on the ships watched in awe or labored to unload and deploy their units faster.

It was then, in front of the setting sun, that the Yang fleet struck. Within moments a third of their fleet was taken out and dozens more were boarded. The Yang army revealed itself in full force and pinned the Wei army onto the beach. The Wei general promptly fell on his sword, and his ships and soldiers surrendered.

The Republicans were not done yet. After spending a year to quickly retrofit and reissue the captured equipment, they successfully launched an attack to capture the undefended Wei capital, and quickly set to work reeducating the inhabitants. This took quite some time and prevented further expansion or strain on their young bureaucracy. The fall of Wei led to the domination of the Yi-Korean trade routes by the Republic, especially the crucial weapon shipments to the beleagured Shangyi. The Yang Republic basks in the afterglow of their achievements as the countryside fell to squabbling warlords or a quietly resurgent Shangyi. They now saw their new destiny to Export the Revolution across the world.

For Shangyi, this was nothing compared to the great task they set before themselves- resettle the Jia plains and especially the north bank of the Yi river. Working with the Xiong Khanate they fought several costly battles against the now disorganized Lunche nomads, keeping them off balance and chasing them away from the newly arriving settlers. There, they found devastation. Most of the homes and buildings were destroyed, around which the nomads wandered in their own, temporary homes. What was once thousands of acres of irrigated and tended land is now cut up, overgrown with saplings and several older trees, and teeming with wildlife.

This would not do. The barbarism that the Lunche introduced is excised by bronze and fire, new canals dug, and new militias raised as the Lunche are pushed further and further north.

Meanwhile, the Xiong launch deeply penetrating punitive campaigns, destroying any chief who manage to gain any kind of regional hegemony. These campaigns tax heavily on their limited funds and tribute, but were crucial to the success of their southern neighbors.

La Yang was resettled with fanfare, its burnt-out walls tore down and used to build a brand new town on the north bank. Holding down a slowly but surely spreading network of new communities Shangyi is returning to their homeland at last. A port city established deep to the north where expeditionary armies once equipped and disembarked renewed contact with the Xiong.

The Lunche reacted naturally. Several of them, disgusted at how hard it is to earn any wealth by raiding these days, with the prepared enemies and alert militias, moved back north onto the wide Jia. Others prepared to attempt to crush the first army the allied southerners bring against them, and then go on a true looting trip.

While Shangyi was so focused on the north, Guo is carefully supporting Man rebellions in what was once the Zhang kingdom. Already they made a significant dent in the region’s taxation to Xila, although the Shang Emperor couldn’t place a finger on direct evidence of Guo involvement, they do have their suspicions when border territories defected to Guo instead of Huai.

The other major region of importance is of the rising Community of Louyang. They sold several rebellious Man fiefs to the Man Kingdom and won the disputed region between Xi’an and themselves with messangers, criers, and straight up bribes extorting the commune’s strong culture and military. Their other investments are aiding a certain town right at the junction of several borders, drawing trade into the very urbanized commune and looking to grow into a city in its own right rather soon.

As for Xi’an, they took to the hills and settled a farming community high into the mountains, around a private tin vein. They also established more formal interactions with the northern Hua farming barbarians, and a rather rich trade grew between the two outcaste peoples of the Yi valley.

Of course, the Yi peoples were not the only people on mainland Xilan. To the south lay the various Man and Yueh peoples who worked to roll back Yi influence and dictate a new future for their cultures free of Yi dominance. The Wei Duchy has collapsed after their failure, and the land begins to return to barbarism, which was quickly taken advantaged by Shangyi. Some of the people want Huaiyi to intervene, others want to overthrow their war lord and still others want to convince their neighbors in the Zhou Duchy to revolt.

With the old Emperor killed during the Yueh Invasions and Rebellions, his consort Lu Jing became the Heaven Embracing Empress over his weakminded son with the support of the court, and quickly passed The Edict and established the calendar of Following Her Edict. Based on a synthesis of reformed Daoism and shining Confucianism, the Empress Cult of Dao begun the laborious task of transforming the nation into a paradise of good chi and community organization.

Daoist spiritual guides wandered the country and reported to Her Empress, marking nodes of power and the chi flows between them. Monastries are built, shrines consecrated, and the Confucian custom of the State Cult borrowed with Her Empress herself immortalized as the eternal watcher of the state. As the years go by, the Empress Cult of Dao became ever more accepted as advantages stacked upon each other, creating harmonically balanced towns and a growing sense of community venture.

Even with the bone of the Empress Cult and free expression offered to the Confucian establishment, discontent still brewed in the countryside and especially in the old Huai valley homeland. The change was more evolutionary than revolutionary, but still considered radical by various reactionaries and peasants. Wandering Daoist sages are viewed with questioning eyes, as are Confucian scholars. Are they spies of the Empress? Will they confiscate the land or tear down a mountain to achieve balance?

However, the Empress Cult was able to dismantle the Yueh rebellion and invasion rather handily. Large bribes, titles and pardons brought many of the Yueh warlords quietly back into the “winning side” while stubborn ones found themselves pulverized by the newly rebuilt and enlarged Huaiyi army. The Yueh chiefs who invaded Huaiyi land didn’t receive the assistance of the rebels they expected, and were pushed back in a serious of bloody battles and inexplicit betrayals. The Yueh east of the Border sided firmly with their Empress, and marched in unison with Huai forces. Meanwhile, the Yueh west wonder about their inadequacies and their offers even as they fleed further into the gorges whence they came.

Huaiyi quickly retook their position as the leading state in the south. A good relationship was maintained with the two other Man-led states of the Duchy of Guo and the Kingdom of Man. Especially with Guo, whom they invited to their former capital at Huaijin and worked on culture-sharing projects, exchanging formerly-secret Confucian texts and bronze techniques in exchange for traditional Daoist writings and other cultural works. This sharing of cultures also greatly increased the goodwill between the two states and trade of Guo ores for Huai crafts are growing in the Huai Valley.

Man, instead, works on creating their own cultural center for all the Man peoples. Ancient tales were collected and retold, and new ideas were brought from all across Xilan. They hope that with the culture of Man thus enshrined in the capital of a new Manyi, they will survive any Yi attemps to expand south once they are done with their preoccupation with the north.

Just as these year began to end. A dilapidated fleet appears outside of Dahai. As the damaged ships landed, one of the Yueh from the far south, who is apparently a translator, accompanied several men dressed in what would have once been considered finery. The Great Khand-Xilan Expedition has arrived.

At the same time, a tiny expedition of two ships arrived from high in the mountains. A new state has been founded deep in the craggy valleys of the great mountains which spawned the Yueh River, and they came to bring news and tidings from the roof of the world.

Central Asia​

Disclaimer Notice: I am a blatant cheater and plagerist. Accept it.

The Jin horde was one of the best organized and coordinated mass movement of people in world history. The horde moved in stages, allowing periods of rest and movement even as it stays together. Squads of men circuited the fleet of wagons, repairing breakdowns and ensuring a steady movement through the path blazed by the youth leading the way.

Through various trials they reached the Yueh Rvier.then the heights of Nanbu Shanqu, faced raids by the Arbat before finally arriving at their destination. This led to new maps of the region as well as commentaries of the new peoples found there. But the journey was but the first trial facing the exiles.

At their new mountain home they worked with the local Dawar in establishing their new homes. Gaining great trust and friendship from their hosts with their gifts of technology and crafts, they settled the fertile Ulyan and the central city of Ul-tei valley and made it into a rather urbanized region in the middle of the Nanbu Shanqu. The resources brought by the Jin were put to good use, and the new state quickly established itself on the top of the world.


Across the Nanbu Shanqu another people begun digging roots into the formerly chaotic and everchanging barbaric “hitherlands”, known as Samara by the locals.

Supposedly founded by the mythological Joc the Gentle and under the auspices of their three civic gods of medicine, engineering and mathematics, the city of Balkh slowly grew strong enough to prevent constant raiding and movement of nomadic tribes both towards and away civilization to uproot it in their tide. This stability slowly attracted more and more followers, who appreciated its comparably strong walls and the relatively advanced civilization that dwelled there, a synthesis of both Aramyan and Dakinsan ideals, combined with the rough laws of the nomadic plains. They called their nation Suguda.

This civilization soon expanded eastward, into the fertile [Ferghana] with the establishment and fortification of the small town of Shamba at the bend of the Dari. Expanding into this new region led to some small skirmishes with their spearmen, but also led to better control of the region between the two fortified centers of Suguda.

From the land of Turan, a wisp of trade begins to flow up the river, from the faroff land of Levea. Trade too, comes from the south along the passes in the mountains.

Keltia​

The Iron Prophet Jonnah read through the report, his gray eyes flickering at the doorway every few seconds. His predecessor, Fellip, had apparently died of a Forsworn Assassination plot, and he is taking no chances. Not the Iron Lancers could do anything about the death of their visionary leader. Over six hundred of them perished or were converted in Vahlshallah or Pommerania in the weeks after the Day of Ash, and even the Grand Temple, guarded by a full (if primarily administrative) Lance was irradicated. Fellip couldn’t afford to send new agents, although the ones in Hamburg did what they could.

That he is helpless to retaliate doesn’t mean he cannot defend himself. Even without teufela, Fellip suffered over sixty woulds, thirty-seven of them considered mortal, before falling to the assassin’s blades. Although the bodies of the assassins were taken away, the glen in which he want to meditate was covered in pieces of shorn metal, chunks of flesh, teeth, six eyeballs, four fingers and several gallons of blood as well as a single patch of vomit. As for Jonnah himself, he, as the Iron Prophet, is ready to face whatever the Kindly One wishes him to face before entering the robbed one’s final embrace. His lance, under the table, points towards the entrance. A naked short sword laid on his lap, while a longer, curved sword is strapped across his back. Daggers and darts line his belt, while replacement lance heads are strapped to his armor.

As for the report itself, it generally consists of surprisingly good news, at least the Iron Lancers are concerned.

The first few pages concern the Red Faith and the Barbarians.

The disgusting curs in Vahlshallah bestirred their heretical mouths to vomit their curse at the Teuts instead of within the Faithful land. Aided by a reinstated Royal Guard and a nationwide levee, the Teuts were utterly crushed and destroyed, to be replaced by the Red March and the strange archers and sailors of an expansionary Prusijia. At least, hopefully, the Red Faith itself is gone. The historical texts only concerned the dangers of the Red Light and never of the various other War Faiths which abounded in Vahlshallah.

Speaking of War Faiths, most of the “Red Faith” under the Bloody Throne actually appeared to be merely over sanguinated members of the Grey faith-none of the torture-sacrifices nor depravity, just an overemphasis on blood. All in all, only two thousand Red Faith members were taken out, with only a hundred being men in any sort of power position and the rest being cults within the militias.

The Dragon Horde surged forward as Hamburg and the Bloody Throne recruited troops and raised the militias in preparation to counter attack. An Iron Lance regiment stiffened the Buertgang militia while another went on a covert operation to reach the Shahara of Xilexis. All in all, the forces in the north actually matched the conventional capabilities of the chariot-riders, although many of their hunters and raiders are twice skilled as any of the militia. Well, NORMAL militia.

The Buertgang rallied their component clans, even appealing to their honor and their Faith like the Kings of Old, before the allure of the Red Faith. Fighting a fierce retreat for about six years in they launched a fierce counter attack after luring a buggerite chariot lord into chasing their own into an ambush. Relaunching aggressive-defensive actions they disrupted the buggerite advance. Hamberg’s defense was much less effective, and all the land south of the Elbe was ruined. Serves the traitors right. They may have, of all people, left Vahlshallah, but they are still traitors.

It was then that the Iron Prophet Fellip manages to see the sweet result of his first prophetic dream. Xilexis, along with a veritable horde of their own in allied Buggerites, had turned faithful. A massive wedge was carved into the Buggerite Home Camps, turning their war hordes’ attention southward. Buertgang surges and somehow managed to return to more or less their original frontiers, bloody but triumphant. The Faith have triumphed, as it should have, over the Pyrotheistic barbarians.

It was during this time that Danyaria and some Faithful Buggerites conquered and converted the Druids of Helvetii to the Faith, and gave the veritable mountain fortress to the Iron Lancers. He himself, Jonnah, was recruited from the ranks of five year old fresh converts. He had his first vision at seven, and eventually became the Iron Prophet after Fellip’s death. He smiled a bit, going through the memories of his harsh training and equally harsh lesions- Druidism is merely a cult compared to the almighty glory of the Faith! They may be a strong cult, a respected cult, and even an allied cult, but a cult nevertheless, one destined to failure and conversion to the Faith.

Domestically, he read of the suffering in all four States of the Faith; Vahlshallah, Danyaria, Pommerania and Beurtgang. Vahlshallah lost an entire generation of their young men during the last years of the Holy War, and several more cream from the crop against the Teuts- certainly a perfect exposé of the dangers of the Red Faith. Pommerania’s pride and joy, her fleet, was simply on the bottom of the ocean and all the associated manpower and expertise extinct. Buertgang had lost fewer of their militia and their lifeblood during the Holy War, but during the Buggerite invasions? They certainly suffered as much as the rest. Danyaria is perhaps the best and the worst of them all. They certainly suffered the least during the war, but most during the peace as the Forsworn grow ever stronger through suspected forced conversions. Danyaria is firmly of the Iron Faith and was even allowed their own unit of Iron Lancers- why would the Forsworn gains strength there?

In every faithful nation, population is but regrowing very slowly. Almost too slow for his tastes. He remembered his prurient vision he had a few months ago… is there some god of Fertility who wishes to reveal her (or himself, he supposed)self to the Faithful World and lead them to a recovery? Nevertheless, he must iron himself against such temptations, until his vision is verified or denied.

Before the report goes into the lands of the Druids, there was a short page on the efforts of the Union of Brygantia. Formed in cooperation between elements of the Daughters of the Trinity and the Iron Lancers, the Union was established to enforce the Treaty of Ostava. With their base on the Dumonon-Kentus border, just north of the ruins of Lundien, they coordinate the policies of settling the massive island. While Kentus struggles to defend against the ever more aggressive Woadites, only barely holding them away from capturing their northern colony, the Dumonons struggle to resettle their land and convert the natives away from the “Woad Addiction” cult into any more traditional form of Druidism. The Union of Brygantia has gathered a rather large following in the midlands, promising trade and tolerance for the Woadites, as equals in this land dedicated to “equality”. Meanwhile, they inform the mainland that all aid and support should be directed to the Union. Suggestions for allocations are accepted, but the funds will be distributed on a as-needed basis.

Jonnah doesn’t trust that the Daughters of the Trinity and the Iron Lancers there bunk together, but they are warriors, and warriors do what a warrior has to do. He hopes that Fellip’s legacy on this island would bring a history of peace and prosperity, and serve as an example for the rest of the world. After all, the goal of the Iron Lancers are merely thus; Defend the Faith from prosecution and from the Red Faith, Expand the Faith through War or Conversion; Deal Revenge on the Cytrians, Zirilists, and Apulians. If war leads to the Red Faith, then peace shall have to serve the as the weapon of the Gods.

The other major area of cooperation- or rather, mutual subjugation- is in the former realm of Ostava. The shattered and disemboweled remnants of the Central and Northern duchies simply surrendered to Armorica and Danyaria’s marching armies. Annexed into the Druidic kingdom, they have shown Armorica’s intentions- if true, only history shall tell- towards the Faith- integration and reconstruction. More funds went to rebuild Ostava and her trade network than to rebuilding Armorica, and although many did flee to Buertgang protected Eastern Ostava, many others stayed as well. As for Eastern Ostava, Buertgang has shown uncharacteristic restraint, letting the Duke of Eastern Ostava rule directly under the Bloody Throne. The peoples of Eastern Ostava, like those of Buertgang, suffered mainly from conscription and seizure during the Holy War. With their northern friends under attack by the Buggerites, Eastern Ostava has offered many troops and large efforts to defend the Faith and expand the Faith.

Speaking of Armorica, the Druidic nation is on the move. The Armorican King used the occasion of the Treaty of Ostava to reorganize his nation into a series of provinces, with a strong hand in the appointment of governors and the use of the military. Other than their road network in Ostava and their aid to Dumonos, they used the captured Red Scum ships to once again reach Hibernia. The Hibernians this time decided to not humor the outsiders, pushing out the initial landing at Darin and declaring it to be a capital of a Hibernian Kingdom. This lasted only a few months as all who claimed kingship was quickly assassinated, reinforcements from Dumonos regrouped at Ynys Trebes (the local rebellious governor assassinated and a more pliant one appointed) and pushed forth once more, retaking Darin and smashing a large and leaderless gathering of Hibernians just outside of he city. The Armoricans indeed are a strong people.

To the south of them, however, it does seem that the Alfrenks are much wiser allies of the Faith. The great influx of migrants and the Gold Faith, as well as their support and defense of these peoples, development of an internal pilgrimage protection and patrol system, and enticements for some of the Faithful to stay and serve other migrants. And the result as been astonishing. The overwhelmingly agricultural nation (at least, compared to Armorica to their north) developed two sizable cities, one of them facing Iron Lancer lands and with nearly half its population Faithful and serving the growing influx of migrants and pilgrimages. Trade has boomed, and the Alfrenks continue to absorb new Hifrenkish tribes and lands into their kingdom. The Cult has proven an ally to the Faith, and already, some Druids have converted to the religion of their clients. However, this report also claims that some of the Faith proved unfaithful and became Druids. He’ll have to find the Lance Point overseeing the area and give him a good heave-to about spreading such sedition into the official reports and archives.

Finally, the report ends with an overview of the news of four new nations.

Far to the southwest, north of their good friend Ildaris, the Druidic but tolerant colonies known as Corona have formed a confederation, better to organize their self defense and safety, as well as aiding Faithful Pilgrims and developing quite a trade between Ildaris and the Alfrenks.

In the Icy Wastes north of Pommerania, it appears that one of the Swedish tribes by the name of Suiones have united the region. Unfortunately, their new king is young and inexperienced, and many still yearn for independence. Worse still, to the south (and between Pommerania and the kingdom, preventing more news) lay fierce Geatish tribes, cousins of Pommeranians and the Lsinorians of the northern seas.

Past the Teut remnants huddling around areas that the Red March wasn’t able to settle or Vahlshallah deemed too expensive to control, a new, non Teuton state was discovered. Trade between Pommerania and the rapidly growing and centralizing state of Prusija has brought various eastern exotics to his door, including a strange stone known as “Amber”.]

Then, far to the south, beyond the Veiled mountains, beyond Arles, news once more reached him. Cytrians. Of Mediolaun. His fist clenched as he considered his next move. The world of the Faith is too weak, perhaps, for an open invasion of their old foe.

He does happen to have several thousand Buggerites looking for new homes… he should be a good friend and show them the way? Yes… Jonnah scribbled down a note, and then suddenly saw a flash of a cloak through the open door way.

He drew his sword and cut behind him, managing to cut one of the assassins.

There are more.

Many. Many more.

Western Africa​

The Amir Empire receives new leadership this year as they turned their attention to the barbarian threat to the west. Launching a major expedition, they found unexpected success, surrounding the strongest chief with their Camel Archers and utterly crushing his disorganized warriors, before gaining the allegiance of the cowed barbarians. However, others further down the river have heard the news of the sleeping giant besirring itself, and calls for arms soon ring all the way down to the sea as a new age of conflict arrives in west Africa.

At the same time, they prospect for new salt and gold mines. Salt seems to be more plentiful on their northern border, while gold on their southern. Although expeditions were sent, it is much to expensive to gain both at the same time as Fezzite nomads and the jungle peoples both watch warily.

From the west, however, came dreadful news. It appears that a certain chieftain managed to decisively win one of the many internecine conflicts there and made himself King. Refugees outside of Arin claim for entry, but as of yet the duchy refused both for fear of this new eastern power as well as requesting Amir consideration.

Mississippi​

Defeat.

No, it cannot be.

Defeat. Retreat. We are defeated!

No!

But it is true. Nenekatae sent for their seemingly invincible armies once again into the land of the barbarians like they had done in the north. Women-Probable. Loot-Possible. Victory-Assured.

Except, not quite.

The Nenekatae met their match with the Pawnee Chief Broken Wing. The natives dismantled their early agricultural attempts and melted into the endless plains, constantly raiding and prodding Nenekatae’s troops. Staying out of bow range of the few archers the Nenekataens brought, they themselves rained death by bow and javelin between the crasks in their shield walls. Finally, a stampede crashed into the Nenekatae camp. Emerging from the shaggy underbelly of the crazed beasts were Pawnee fighters. In the chaos if the battle, the Nenekatae Rakko, who had decided to lead this particular campaign personally, was killed. Fleeing in terror the army ran home.

When they finally regrouped, they found that their pride was wounded more than their men, but even so, the Pawnee raided their western farms to feed themselves and to keep the empire off balanced. It seemed that this wound to their pride smarted more than they bleed, because Nenekatae’s new, young and inexperienced Rakko managed to nearly trap one of Black Wing’s raiding parties and mauled it badly, securing the border and even expanding a little bit further…

To the northeast, the Capones are using newer and stronger types of bronze, the copper of which they claim was imported from the far north along the Big Sea. The trade, along with Nenekatae subsidies, calmed the revolts in the region and allowed the former religious center to grow into a mercantile city.

Meanwhile, Kumbere and Seneca concluded a full alliance between their two peoples. They are to coordinate their foreign policy and their defense agreements, as well as any trading agreements they might develop in the future. With the addition of the Adena tribe between them, the Ohio Confederacy is quite a force to be reckoned with.

Just upriver, however, the Miami Kingdom developed around the growing religion of Dehero. This expanded the traditional beliefs in spirits and the Great Spirit by emphasizing three paths to understanding the world. Meditation and labor, Warfare and art, or Family and pilgrimage. These represents contradictions which, when grasped, shows one’s spirit the final path to joining the Great Spirit. Meditation is still, but labor is active. Warfare is destruction, but art is creation. Family is stable and constant while Pilgrimage is fleeting with insight. The route of the current path of pilgrimage is a great waterfall far to the north, where those who have truly reached enlightenment jumped off the cliffs into the mists below after aiding at least another along the path. Those who perfect all three paths are venerated as prophets and speakers of great truths.

EPILOGUE​

And so more nations than ever look towards the future, the scars of the past slowly fading. Empires are rising once more, and at a faster pace than ever. Decaying nations have already fallen, and young upstarts take the helm in these fifty years.

As the last year ended, a lunar eclipse flashed across the old world, a dark shadow devouring the night light. This in itself causes some consernation, but in itself also not unusual.

What is unusual is a sudden blaze through the sky as several meteorites flew infront of the dying moon, marking the sky with their bloody red trails as they fell towards earth. Booming sounds were heard in several places as meteorites smashed into the soil and threw up the sod into the sky. In other places it landed in the sea, launching waves towards the mainland which tossed boats and flooded buildings.

An omen of the future? No one knows, but soon, theocrats, rumor mongers and leaders point to the dying moon and the fallen stars for their own benefit. For they saw portents of a new age. And that they themselves are the cutting edge of the a brilliant future.


OOC:
-1 Confidence EVERYONE in the old world. MWAHAHAHA


Note I changed the training rules. The cost to train cost the level you are training FROM. This means that Level 2 Spearmen are (3) strength at the cost of 2EP, and are much more affordable and thus an interesting tactical choice, 2 Spearmen (1.5) or 1 Spearmen (3)?
Thusly, 1 EP has been returned to SamSniped for his training efforts.
@ Keltia
Concerning certain border discrepancies near the Buggerites, the borders I am showing now are the extent that their armies can march without fearing being destroyed by a night attack- aka semi-secure. There are plenty of down but not tribes behind those borders represented by grey dots. Also, concerning the Hamberg-Vahlshallah border, the Buggerites captured an area and Vahlshallah reconquered it (as per self defense), that is all. NO invasion occurred. Also, maximum push of buggerites have been marked. Just for fun.

Any “Wealth” from attacking the buggerites is given as loot instead of domestic, as most of the area is relatively undeveloped and settling it would only exacerbate current population issues, although would probably fix it in the long wrong. Except to see lots of treasury money even while your standard economy dips.

This wealth does indeed include slaves taken in individual attacks. If you want, I can retcon it and remove some of the loot.

Concerning the Buertgang-Armorica border, I gave buertgang the eastern-most edge of Ostava in the north, and I traced the border along the hills which represents an easily verifiable border.

Concerning the Iron Lancers, they got a mixture of luck, lots of donated/extorted cash from various states, and various bonuses because of circumstances while sidestepping things they are not good at with, again, lots and lots of luck. D:. Well, skill too, maybe. Since most of what they did they perfected in doing several times before.

@Suione/Patchy, the two non-capital towns are homes of the two largest tribes you submitted, and the gray areas are areas of discontent/stuff. In exchange, I gave you a rather expanded kingdom. To the south are Geats who have contact with the sea. They are not aggressive now, but they are very protective of themselves (see: Vahlshallah’s invasion of Pommerania) and will fight if they see a good reason too… such as lots of money (see: Vahlshallah’s use of Pommerania’s navy)

EVERYONE, YOU CAN RENAME AND CHARATERIZE YOUR NEIGHBORS AND YOUSELF HOWEVER YOUR WANT, WITHIN REASONABLE BOUNDS, WITH REASONABLENESS DETERMINED BY HOW MUCH I WANT TO PISS AT THAT MOMENT IN TIME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE MY FAKE HISTORICAL NAMES AND BLAND NPCS WITH STUFF WITH MOAR CHARACTER, AND ANYTHING YOU PROVIDE THAT DOES NOT CONTRADICT 100% A NATION’S FORMER ACTIONS SHOULD BE FINE!

Also, I changed rules for cultures and religions a bit. I will slowly update the regions with details as we go. I will also begin integrating the wiki into our nations.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their great roleplaying! Expect Minigame 6 to end Tuesday. Also, please don’t be daunted. . Every offering of RP to the RP throne makes it larger.

Spoiler Map :

[/URL]

These updates are becoming massive. Good update.

OOC: I'll be joining in that area near OTL Daylam, if that's okay.

OOC: Sure. I didn't characterize much other than it used to be a major trading region about 200-300 years ago before Shamammu was taken over, it has some exposure to Kitabalism, and it avoided the current migration routes (or not, the choice is yours). You can do whatever you want, really.

Allright, if this isn't an incentive to finish my essay real quick so I can read this I don't know what is...

I assume the orange nation to my south is the Buggerites?

To: The Kingship of Turdetani (More Accurate, Iberian Kadiz Name)
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
You shall promptly receive your 6 EP this turn.

To: The Gold Faith
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
We encourage the growth of so glorious a religion in our lands. We plan to build a temple to your ideals in Wesreth, and donations are certainly welcome.

To: Members of the Other Faiths
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
We apologize for the violence against the Oledo tribesmen you were greeted with. We were merely retaliating to threats. We understand you feel discriminated against in our lands, but understand that you are all openly welcome here, having made the Great Migration. If you do feel the need to be distant, however, we would be willing to help build your own communities in the unsettled lands to our south.

To: Members of the Red Faith
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
Your kind are not welcome here. You deserve to remain in the Hell that is Keltia, as the violence is perfect for you.

Amazing work, Terrance. Great update all around.

From Vahlshallah to the Forsworn;
You will be given a charter and multiple forts to base yourselves out of if you wish.

From Vahlshallah to the Buggerites;
Kneel and we will save you from the wretched fiends that claw at your border.

From Vahlshallah to Red Faith;
The Teutons have been crushed beneath Imperial boots. We will have new orders for you martyrs and zealots that remain true to the cause of the Faith.

From Vahlshallah to Xilexis;
We will tolerate your sovereign borders and establishments, so long as you do the same for us.

From Vahlshallah to the Iron Lances;
Deepest regrets to your organization with the loss of Fellip and his replacement. We hope that you may expedite the process of choosing a new leader, one who is perhaps more tolerant and such to mend the rift between us. Doing so will bring our tithes and donations back.

Tycho said:

I assume the orange nation to my south is the Buggerites?

Click to expand...

Yep. Of your overlord Xilexis. They would demand more tribute for saving your lives, but they feel you are too poor to handle it. :3

Lokki242 said:

To: The Kingship of Turdetani (More Accurate, Iberian Kadiz Name)
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
You shall promptly receive your 6 EP this turn.

Click to expand...

Good. Now stop interrupting me while I'm counting my money!
OOC: Thanks for the name.

To: The Gold Faith
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
We encourage the growth of so glorious a religion in our lands. We plan to build a temple to your ideals in Wesreth, and donations are certainly welcome.

Click to expand...

Thank you! We will help however possible.

From the Iron Prophet Jonnah
We shall send 1EP.

To: Members of the Other Faiths
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
We apologize for the violence against the Oledo tribesmen you were greeted with. We were merely retaliating to threats. We understand you feel discriminated against in our lands, but understand that you are all openly welcome here, having made the Great Migration. If you do feel the need to be distant, however, we would be willing to help build your own communities in the unsettled lands to our south.

Click to expand...

From the White Faith
We thank you for your graciousness and your understanding. And we hope that this wouldn't happen in the future. Meanwhile, we hope to work in your cities and practice some "medicine".

From the Violet Faith
At least it isn't the red faith, of which we have studied much too closely. We'd like the offer of southern monastries, please.

From other Faithful
We'll do fine, hopefully.

To: Members of the Red Faith
From: King Hellath of Ildaris
Your kind are not welcome here. You deserve to remain in the Hell that is Keltia, as the violence is perfect for you.

Click to expand...

Whatever, I have a hunger that only hands can satisfy. Mind me taking your messanger's. Well, too late, anyway. Fried hands coming right up!

--------------------

From Vahlshallah to the Forsworn;
You will be given a charter and multiple forts to base yourselves out of if you wish.

Click to expand...

Thank you. We shall always serve the True Faithful of Vahlshallah, the Blessed lands!

From Vahlshallah to the Buggerites;
Kneel and we will save you from the wretched fiends that claw at your border.

Click to expand...

We don't know how.

From Vahlshallah to Red Faith;
The Teutons have been crushed beneath Imperial boots. We will have new orders for you martyrs and zealots that remain true to the cause of the Faith.

Click to expand...

Forevermore shall the survivors and their descendents plead for mercy from birth to death, and everyone shall live at least twenty years of torture! For the Reaper!

From Vahlshallah to Xilexis;
We will tolerate your sovereign borders and establishments, so long as you do the same for us.

Click to expand...

We accept our vassal's and our Faithful brother's grandiose pronouncement.

From Vahlshallah to the Iron Lances;
Deepest regrets to your organization with the loss of Fellip and his replacement. We hope that you may expedite the process of choosing a new leader, one who is perhaps more tolerant and such to mend the rift between us. Doing so will bring our tithes and donations back.

Click to expand...

From Jonnah
I'm still here, I'm sure. Just a little bloody, but what can you do? *Cough* Hopefully the blades aren't poisoned...

Now, about that rift...

That is one long update. No wonder it took you so long.
Also, are the Spartans in Sicily going to form a nation eventually?

TO: Mediolaun
FROM: The God Throne of Katan, Seat of All Power in the World

Surrender to me and be blessed as a High Prince of War. Under my power you shall be granted the entirety of the the peninsula. Should you reject this offer, as foolish as that would be, the Great Katan will have no choice but to castrate your men, rape your women and abort all offspring by the flame.

Also, thank you for playing and enjoying my update!

DC123456789 said:

That is one long update. No wonder it took you so long.
Also, are the Spartans in Sicily going to form a nation eventually?

Click to expand...

Nope. Too weak. Not even 1EP of income. But then again, they have 3 Vanguard's worth of troops. :3. Maybe an mercenary organization?

To the people of the Alfrenk Kingdom
From Carles de Calliaro II, King of Leon, Hegemon of the Triple Crown, Descendant of the Valyrians, and son of the former King Joan de Calliaro III, of the same titles

We ask your peoples to agree to a pact with us of non-aggression, as to maintain a peaceful state between us, and to further relations between Leon and the Alfrenks.

To: The High Kingdom of Katan
From: Mediolanum
What are the terms, besides my swearing of fealty to the Katan crown?

From Tarase
To Mediolanum

We will allow your acceptance of Katanic fealty if it should occur, but any attempt at claiming further than what we promised for us to share shall be considered by us an act of war. And if that may happen, may Arawn grant you a painful, terrorfilled death.

May Arawn strengthen our mutual friendship in these trying times.


From Tarase
to the Kingdom of Leon

Will you support us in enforcing the Agreement of the Ashlands, should the need occur?


OOC: The list of Druidic Gods is interesting and useful. BTW Arawn is schizophrenic.

Mosher said:

To: The High Kingdom of Katan
From: Mediolanum
What are the terms, besides my swearing of fealty to the Katan crown?

Click to expand...

TO: Mediolaun
FROM: Katan

Self-rule, under the watchful eye of Katanic officials. Eight of every Ten units in your military can be called to fight alongside the empire, as the other High Princes are. A steady stream of tribute from your conquests to Kosa. For accepting this, and with absolute loyalty, you and your children will become the dominate force in "Italy." Any lesser states around you can and will be forced into the Empire.