DNES2: War and Civilization

By 650 AD, a new era had begun. No-one knew what to call it, or exactly when it had started - perhaps it was with the bombing of the Antalyan imperial palace by Phosist extremists, or the fall of Orion, or the epic conquests of Kaelazar, or the disintegration of the Thulean League, or the Kaliate, or the Rovien and Taej empires...

Technology had bound ahead, especially when it came to warfare. Trade routes linked the whole world. But in most countries, society had hardly changed since the 'medieval' times or even earlier. There were still many ancient guilds, feudalisms and fixed monopolies that stood in the way of progress. Most peasants did not have any rights, or the freedom to move around in search of work in the fledgling industries. In any case, work in the new mines, foundries and factories was hard and dangerous. Bigger wages were not always enough to entice people work, since there was little for them to buy beyond the necessities of life. In most cases, the few luxury goods were still reserved for the aristocracy. And so the old way of life continued much the same as before.

And, of course, religion was another complication. It was still a force which could motivate the masses like nothing else, but it generally stood in the way of new scientific ideas and social change. Though a few nations had managed to shed themselves of this burden...

Crusader Genocides

The Europe of 445 AD was one with many unresolved issues. And the Europe of 650 AD was little different. Though a few things had been explosively resolved along the way.

By 445 AD the Holy Rovien Empire had called a halt to its war with the Kaliate, but the tide of anger and hatred they had stirred up was not so easy to dispel. The Theosists of Gallica were being persecuted into extinction, but this was not enough to satisfy the bloodlust of the Aeonist fanatics.

The HRE also had economic problems after years of warfare. A large proportion of peasants had been called away from their farms to become 'crusaders', and most of these never returned. Some were dead, while others were committed to a life of constant travel and warfare. They had become organised into 'holy orders', whose leaders were gaining a little too much power and influence for the Emperor's liking.

The HRE's problems were partly caused by the crusaders, yet these same problems helped to fuel the crusaders' zeal even further. More and more peasants flocked to their banner. Soon it was not just Theosists who were to blame for all the Empire's problems, but also the heathen Ultimists and especially the heretical Lavinquists of Freiland - The Freilanders had been enjoying an annoying amount of peace and prosperity, while the true believers fought and died for the true faith...

It was all too easy for the crusader hierarchy to lead the HRE into a war with Freiland. The promise of much-needed loot helped to convince anyone that needed convincing. Emperor Gabriel I was left with no choice but to sanction the war, or face a dangerous and very public showdown with the crusading orders and their allies.

The crusaders stormed through southern Frieland, burning and pillaging their way through picturesque windmill villages, burning or beheading anyone who refused to renounce their heretical beliefs. Eventually, though, they were halted at the battle of Bastersfeld, 456 AD. The remnants of the hard-core Levanquist forces had joined forces with a large number of Thulean mercenaries, and were led by the legendary Pictish general, Tomas 'Ironbonce' Maktay (so named for his short stature and habit of wearing oversize, heavily-armoured helmets). After that close-fought battle, which was a bloodbath by any standards, the Freilanders were eventually able to expel all the Crusaders from their country.

Because the Crusaders had carried out so much killing and looting in Freiland, the enraged Levanquists carried the fight into the north of the HRE itself. The Thulean League continued to send mercenaries and a small amount of supplies. Meanwhile, famine and trade problems in the HRE were blamed (unjustly) on Thulean merchants, who were often exiled or murdered in interesting ways by angry mobs.

The Crusaders now set their sights on the Thulean League itself. Emperor Gabriel's authority was too weak to prevent the HRE's military elite from being dragged into the fight.

From 461 to 466 AD, the HRE fought a disastrous war with the Thulean League. Rovien forces reached as far north as the ancient city of Ys, but Thulean fortresses proved too strong wherever they went (thought the war was notable for improvements in artillery tactics and siege warfare on both sides, and for the losses taken by heavy cavalry against new muskets and stronger crossbows). The Thuleans wore down their enemy and then went on the offensive, with reinforcements from the new world (in particular, troops fresh from slaughtering native Hanawauk villagers). Thulean forces sacked Emperor Gabriel's luxurious new palace at Robime, 'the most splendid building in Europe', just years after it was completed. Meanwhile, the Thulean navy had naturally taken over the HRE's overseas colonies and crippled what remained of its overseas trade.

Though no one realised at that point, the HRE was effectively at an end.

Death of the Kaliate

The HRE's old enemy lasted for a few decades longer before reaching its own demise. Though unlike the HRE, it was deliberately dismantled by its own leadership, while still in its prime.

Ismail's status was always an uneasy issue. After his death, his successors continually pushed the viewpoint that he was 'divine' and had been more than just a man. This was never fully accepted by all parts of the population. Ironically it was those furthest from the old Sarukian heartlands, particularly the Savarians and the horse-riding tribes of north Africa, who continued to hold the most faith in Ismail.

The failure to rescue the Theosists of Gallica was never forgotten, and continued to gnaw away at the confidence of the Kaliate. Cultural differences also caused some tension within the empire. There were no real allies, and few friends to be found outside Africa. The Theosists were never sure about allowing trade with peoples of other religions.

But overall, the large empire was still in a strong position even after 500 AD, by which point it had absorbed large parts of the deteriorating kingdom of Umidia. The people of the empire enjoyed some of the best standards of living in the world. Although the large cities of Africa were not the most sophisticated, they offered good sanitation, medical care, and a reasonable diet. Although the faith of Theosim had become divided into different sects, there was nonetheless a sense of unity and purpose that tied the empire together.

Ismail's line had continued for two generations until Mahmud came to the throne. He took the title of 'Kalin', a reference to legendary leaders of the time well before Saruk ever existed. This annoyed both the Ismail cultists and Sarukian traditionalists, and it was the only the start. Mahumud was bored by affairs of state and religion, and spent most of his reign enjoying the trappings of power, casting doubt on the divinity of Ismail and his descendents.

Mahmud's authority steadily weakened, as did the cult of divinity begun by Ismail. Although the empire itself faced no real threat to its continued existence, it no longer had a driving force at its heart. The nobility of the empire gathered together for a great council at Xhoastan in 502 AD to discuss which course to take. They reached a decision which was surprising to all - Mahmud would remain as a figurehead, but the Kaliate was to be peacefully divided among the noble houses of Knza and Kzame. The wealthy merchant Jrek Knza was keen to expand trade links with Asia from his family's lands in western Africa, and would later become a keen navigator himself. Meanwhile the Kzame family were intent on taking power in the old Sarukian heartlands.

None of this was approved by the Savarians and the military forces of the north. According to them, the division of the Kaliate was the result of a long-running conspiracy by the selfish, jealous, irreverent rivals of Ismail's 'holy' dynasty. Within a few years, the Savarians and their northern allies were fighting a war to rebuild the Kaliate in their own liking, with Mahmud as their puppet. Meanwhile petty rivalries and old hatreds began to flare up again all along the old borderlands of the empire. Much of Africa would remain plagued by war for another century...

Antalya Ascendent

By 450 AD the Rationalist philosophy (which could almost be called an anti-religion) was taking hold over the Antalyan empire. It was endlessly promoted by the Bazilevs and most of the aristocracy. The Phosist faithful remained quiet, but great anger was simmering away beneath the surface. The Aeonists of the Mycenean borderlands remained in open rebellion, but no-one cared much about that for now.

As always, the Antalyans were plotting to destroy the hated Orion empire. War with the Orions had become something of a national tradition, which was about to be revived in a big way. But first, the Bazilevs turned to the European frontier. A large supply train of weapons and gold was sent to Talibria, along with military advisors, to aid their ongoing invasion of Germanica. The Antalyans had envisioned the sacking of Merlin by the hordes of Talibrian cavalry and tribal warriors, leading to the weakening of the Aeonist east. This did not happen, but the Talibrians did pillage large tracts of Germanican land, before being forced to withdraw.

Meanwhile, an attempt to spark a new rebellion in the Almoth lands was a complete disaster. Antalyan agents failed to realised that the Almothian cause had been well and truly stamped out after centuries of brutal fighting. Antalyan ships were captured on the Almothian coast, and their crew's attempt to disguise themselves as Tuscans quickly proved futile. The Tuscans found out about all this, and seized the opportunity to score propaganda points against the Antalese.

In 462 AD, having successfully enraged the Tuscans and Germanicans, and stirred up trouble at home with both Phosists and Aeonists, Bazilevs Feodor I then left the country and took most of the military with him, to begin an epic invasion of the Orion Empire. In hindsight, it was clearly recipe for disaster. But this didn't become apparent for some time. First came victory, glorious victory. The invasion of Orion went better than expected.

The Orions were suffering from another inept, lazy, decadent emperor, Ulmahn II, who was psychopathic enough to prevent anyone more qualified from taking over. Rationalism had done as much harm as good to the morale of the Antalyan army, but it was nonetheless well organised, well armed, well supplied, and well led. And for the Ak-Ibir tribes, Antalyan bribery was more attractive than that of the Orions, especially as Antalyans had one success after another.

This war was interesting for the wide variety of weapons in use. Massed formations of musketeers and pikemen rubbed shoulders with camels, horse bowmen, lancers, fanatical swordsmen, mobile cannons and rapid-fire crossbows. The war was also notable for its casualties, with some battles lasting several days and ending with as many as one hundred thousand dead (mostly Orionese, it must be said).

By 463 AD the Antalyans had already reconquered the country of Sarbaralyk, which they claimed as part of the inheritance of ancient Altyn-Kanalat, and cut the Orions off from the sea once again. Next came the legendary battle of the Asashin Pass, Antalya's greatest victory, where Emperor Ulmahn was trampled to death by his own fleeing men. After being held up in the mountains for some time, Antalyan armies worked their way through from the north and south, to attack the heartland of Orion, and ultimately the capitol city of Oro itself. The target which had eluded them for so long was finally sacked in 464 AD, by which time no less than three successive Emperors of Orion had either been killed on the battlefield or captured by the Antalese.

The Orion Empire was in chaos, and the Antalese generals were drunk with victory. The Antalese armies were lured further and further into Orion, especially as the Gyutans refused to cooperate and perused their own agendas, and fanatical sects of Oruist warrior-monks continued to fight against all sides in order to defend their fortress monasteries. But far to the north, the homelands of the Antalese empire would soon face their own troubles...

Thulean Greatness - Trade and Empire in the Americas

Following the defeat of the HRE, the Thulean League entered a new golden age. The Thuleans controlled much of the economy of eastern Europe and North America, not to mention parts of the African coast, the Kenbu islands, Ohukal and the Yihamcoross. The Euris Ocean became a Thulean possession. There was no European or African power able to change that.

Back in Europe, the HRE began to collapse quicker than anyone expected. The Thuleans reclaimed areas which had once been part of the ancient Ys League - namely the Roazhon valley - but went no further than that at first. They supported Freiland's ongoing wars with various HRE factions, but only enough to keep both sides occupied.

Thulean attention turned to the north American continent. Almost the whole north and western coastlines were settled. At the height of colonisation, around 520 AD, the Thuleans were pushing deep into the interior of the continent, following the routes of the major rivers (the so-called 'canoe wars').

However, the Thuleans never had the manpower to fulfil their ambitions. Their brutal treatment of the natives came back to haunt them. Native tribes were becoming more hostile, more united, and more sophisticated. At the same time, the flow of colonists from Europe was being spread too thin. And most preferred to settle in the established colonial cities of the west (Nuys and Moray) rather than face a harder and much more violent life on the frontier.

From around 525 the natives were on the rise again, and many Thulean settlements in the interior were overrun. Others were reduced to little more than forts from which Thulean troops would set out on patrol, and keep in contact with the few native allies they had left.

The far north-east colony of Vancuissi was one exception. Vancuissi became a major centre of trade, as the gateway to the treacherous northern passage (which only the Thuleans knew how to navigate well) and also to the Mogui river which reached deep into the continent. The Thulean fleet at Vancuissi was strong enough to deter rival powers like the Videssian Empire. Meanwhile far to the south, Thulean advisors were gaining the favour of the god-king of Hocatelco. And further south still, the Thuleans were making friends in the kingdom of Zhizou. Though the Pangans continued to control the central American straights, the Thuleans were gaining an ever greater share of trade in the Zeyris Ocean, and beyond. In fact by 530 AD, Thulean trading ships could be found in almost any harbour in the world.

The Thulean League was getting very, very rich. Unfortunately, the League's next generation of leaders would squander much of this wealth on a war for control of Europe...

The Rytarrian Empire

After 445 AD, the frustrating and costly wars with Ormash were over, and Tian was left in peace to tighten its grip on Jara and Gaiyvara, using a mixture of extreme force and cunning diplomacy. The native Rayamese peoples remained resentful, but eventually gave up on the idea of overthrowing Tianese power, at least for now. Gaiyvara was eventually turned into a fairly-stable vassal state. Jaran resistance never truly died, but was pushed further underground until it was hardly noticeable amongst the regular bandits and outlaws of the borderlands.

Tian's rule proved peaceful and prosperous for most. A succession of Khans focused their efforts on grand social issues - expanded aqueducts and sanitation, paper currency (the use of Videssian coins was steadily stamped out), education, and encouragement of universities etc. There were also many reforms of the bureaucracy and military. Their grand ambitions were rarely met, and things sometimes backfired, but overall some real improvements were made.

By 489 AD, Tian's leaders felt secure enough to push for the long-awaited annexation of the Ryankhi and Tarkan vassal states (in the north west and north east respectively), both of which were now thoroughly 'Tianized'. All the various steppe peoples were quite happy under the protection of the Khan. And so the Rytarrian Empire was born.

There was nothing terribly new about the Empire. Local leaders were able to keep their positions much as before, or even rose in rank. The Khan gave way to the new title of 'Khaizar'. Some powers were lost, while others were gained, along with extra prestige. The 'Yurtyr' was created, a kind of rubber-stamp parliament which was unable to challenge the Khaizar on any serious matters of state. Still, it was a less autocratic form of government than most others of the time. The Rytarrian Empire was also notable for the lack of restrictions placed on women, who could sometimes even fight in the military.

After 489 the new Empire's leaders remained focused on affairs of state. But the Khaizars were keen to grab a larger share of the trade which was growing across the Zeyris Ocean. They entrusted this task to Rayamese merchants and seafarers of the west coast, with the creation of the 'League of Western Traders', otherwise known as the 'Western Guild'. They operated with great freedom, so long as a share of its profits found their way back to Aral Tiyu.

Unlike the ambitious colonising of other countries, the Guild cared little for territory, but much more for profit. Unlike most of the colonies of other powers, the Guild's settlements actually made money. They claimed much less territory than the Khaizar wished - little more beyond the Ghama and Palam islands already colonised by Rayamese for several centuries - but they organised their fruit and spice business very well, so that they began to draw trade away from rival colonies. The Guild often found itself cooperating with the Thuleans of Vancuissi - both had something to gain by cutting out the Pangans and the drug-dealing Videssians.

On the east coast of North America (where a scramble for coastal territory was taking place), the Guild faced a dilemma when it came to dealing with the people of Taruda, who were fellow Rayamese - they were the descendents of exiles form Garuda, the state which Tian had conquered and re-created as Gaiyvara. The Guild was building up its own fleet and army, thanks in part to the Thulean assistance. But in the end, the Tarudans were not so much conquered by the Guild, more like bribed and gradually absorbed into the Guild's 'sphere of influence'. Further inland, the Maru people remained fiercely independent - they were a mix of native cultures, old Rayamese, and disaffected newcomers from the Guild's colonies and from western Asia itself.

Back in Asia, the Rytarrian Empire remained at peace, though it was surrounded by hostile powers. Relations with Videssos remained sour, after the Videssians had made a separate peace with Ormash during the last war. The Khans and Khaizars had also upset the Phosist Patriarch by being more permissive of other religions in recent years. And of course, Ormash still harboured a bitter hatred of the 'northern barbarians', though neither side was prepared to fight another war. The harsh jungles and mountains of the borderlands had already claimed too many lives.

And so, the Rytarrian Empire was in position to benefit from the troubles of its neighbours over the course of the next century...

A War of Three Faiths

The Antalyan Empire's troubles began in Karinthia, when in 460 AD, Prince Leontius 'the bold' came to power. Leonitus began to gather support from his Germanican overlords for an attack against the mighty Antalyans, to avenge their many crimes, and to liberate the Aeonist rebels of the former Mycenean lands. Leonitus also hired a large number of Tuscan mercenaries, who brought along the latest cannons and muskets that Europe had to offer. Leonitus was a charismatic leader, and he needed to be, for the Antalyan Empire was at the height of its power, and defeating them seemed an almost impossible task...

The army of Leontius's multi-national 'western crusade' crossed into Antalese territory in summer 465 AD, with at least 40,000 men. Within weeks they had joined forces with thousands of Aeonist rebels, and were besieging the great city of Mycenae. The cracks were beginning to show in the Empire. Antalese garrisons could only skirmish and try to slow down the invaders. The once legendary Knights of Mycenae were now little more than a city guard with a mainly ceremonial role. They could do little to stop the modern Tuscan-made cannons from steadily smashing up the walls of the city.

Most of Antal's ships were in the Ak-Dynghez. The small Mediterranean fleet did what it could to intercept supplies and harass the flanks of the besieging army. Its ships were mainly old-style Dromons with flamethrowers as their main weapons. Though still officially neutral, the Tuscans sent their own fleet of powerful cannon-armed galleys to hunt down the 'Mycenean pirates'. The Tuscans were becoming bolder after they had conquered the island of Buto from Umidian 'pirates' a few years earlier. They gradually become more involved in the fighting.

Mycenae fell to the Western Crusade in 466 AD. By which time, Bazilevs Feodor I, 'the conqueror', had already returned from Orion along with some of this best generals and troops. But before they met the crusaders in battle, rumours were spreading of another hostile army gathering on the borders...

The Videssian Empire had been keeping a close eye on events in Antal. At its height in the century before, Phosism looked set to dominate the northern world. The Antalese had been a big part of that. For centuries, the soldiers of the Antalese Empire had gone into battle with the blazing sun of Phos painted on their shields. Now the faith was losing ground to the 'corrupting' influence of Rationalism. Exaggerated stories told of the beatings and murders carried out by Antalese troops against unarmed Phosist protesters. Meanwhile, the faith was losing its grip on Tian (later Rytarria), while in Europe, Talibria and Norgar were under attack by the vengeful Aeonist armies of Germanica...

It was all too much to take. Both the Patriarch and the Avtokrator of Videssos were in agreement - first and foremost, the Antalese Empire had to be reclaimed for the Phosist faith. To make it happen, Videssos and their vassals assembled their biggest ever army, perhaps 120,000 men at its peak. It crossed the border from Ryzovy in early 467 AD and made rapid progress. To make matters worse for the Antalese, the invaders were not acting alone. Phosist noblemen in the western half of the empire (centred around the sprawling city of Antalyak, the home of the original Antalese faction) were ready and willing to rise up in support of their 'true' faith. They had been conspiring with Videssos for some time, and also with the Tuscan spymaster Daros Pulo (who was to play an important role in future events), in order to arrange a simultaneous uprising of their own.

Bazilevs Feodor chose to deal with his rebellious nobles first, before they became too established in the west. But he almost didn't get the chance. In the summer of 467 AD, Phosist fanatics began to smuggle tons of gunpowder into a cellar under part of the Imperial Palace in Altyn Sarai. They denoted it prematurely after being discovered. Still, much of the palace was brought crashing down, and the Bazilevs was fortunate to escaped with only minor wounds. The people of Altyan Sarai were outraged, as were Rationalists across the Empire. Now they were all hoping for a short, swift showdown with the rebels..

The Rationalist Struggle

In late 467, a large, bloody, inconclusive battle was fought east of Antalyak - the scene of so many other battles throughout history. With the Videssian army closing in from the north, and the Aeonists marching out from Mycenae in the east, Feodor withdrew to Salonyka to gather reinforcements. There he issued a call to all Rationalists and all patriots to fight for the 'freedom and liberty of human souls and intellect'.

And so, for the next twenty years, the great struggle for Rationalism was fought across the central plains of the Antalese Empire. Bazilevs Feodor was wounded in battle early on, and never recovered. He was followed by a succession of capable Bazilevs, none of whom really stood out. It was the generals of this age who won the most fame. The great battles, intrigues, tragedies, massacres, shifting alliances, and inspiring acts of humanity are far too many to detail here. Needless to say, it was more complex and more frantic than any war seen before. The three main sides were joined by many smaller factions - desert tribes of the south, ambitious local nobles, and bands of foreign mercenaries that tried to settle down and carve out their own territories...

Then around 480 AD, the Tianese Empire joined in. Tianese forces swiftly annexed the largely barren, desert territory to the west of Antalyak, known in ancient times as Karthia. Sometime later they also added the important trading city of Khandahur. Tian had some justification for all this, as the area had become plagued with bandits and rogue forces from the Antalese and Orion wars, and these often went raiding into Tianese territory. But Tian and Rytarria continued to hold this land for the next two centuries.

The Empire also came under attack from Africa - on several occasions, the Savarians and their various North African allies took breaks from beating up their rivals to invade the Hamadan (Herakleia) isthmus. Each time they were beaten back by strong defences, though their raiders reached as far west as Mazyr (where they had as much chance of running up against other invaders as the Antalese).

Meanwhile Tusca, with the aid of Daros Pulo, was constantly manipulating things to its advantage. Tuscan ships famously entered the port of Argos in 468 and, within sight of the ancient Great Pyramids, destroyed what remained of Antalese mediterranean fleet. Tuscan soldiers later invaded the coast of the Antalese Empire, and even held the city of Argos itself for a brief time between 475 and 479 (by the time they left, the ancient city was little more than a tourist spot, with no real value to anyone). Tuscan ships also blockaded the mediterranean side of the Hamadan Canal and charged extortionate fees from any merchant ships that wished to pass.

As if this was not enough, the south of the Empire was attacked by Kalazar the Great in the mid 480's, possibly the gravest threat the Rationalists ever had to face. The Rationalists were very fortunate that Kalazar's campaign was cut short by his ill health.

Yet the harder things got for the Rationalists, the more determined they became. Peace deals were sometimes offered, but the Rationalists flatly refused to give up any of the core territory of the empire. Their troops went into battle with huge war banners that had to be carried by dozens of men - they hijacked many of the old Phosist symbols and added many of their own. The advance of an Rationalist army was said to be a very inspiring (and terrifying) thing to watch.

In time, they succeeded in winning over most of the people, and demonised the Phosists as the side which had conspired with foreign powers to bring death and destruction (it was even claimed that the legendary 'Sacred Spear of Tengri' had been found, and was in the Bazilev's possession, though this was often dismissed as baseless propaganda).

With the highest proportion of the population, economy and industry under their control, the Rationalists only had to make fewer mistakes than their opponents, in order to become stronger as every year passed. Finally, by the mid 480's, fanatical Rationalist forces were gaining the upper hand. The Videssians officially withdrew their forces as early as 479 AD, but kept on sending supplies to the Phosists. Leonitus the Bold died of disease in 480 AD, by which time the Aeonist Crusaders in the north-east had already degenerated into a band of squabbling territories, basically ruled by petty warlords (though they gave themselves grander titles than that).

Following one final great battle, most of Antalyak was burned to the ground in 486 AD, as Rationalist troops were about to overcome the city's defences. It is said that Phosist fanatics started the fire themselves, preferring to see their city burn rather than fall into the hands of heretics. Agre and Altyn-Sarai had endured many sieges, but were basically intact. Many other cities were badly damaged, and large swathes of the countryside were pillaged.

486 effectively marked the beginning of the new state - the 'Imperial Republic of Antalya', though it remained fragile for a long time. The civil wars were not over, either - constant plotting by the Tuscans and Videssians ensured that another two civil wars would break out over the course of the next 60 years. Both were much smaller in scale, but both served to delay the rebuilding of Antalya, and increased anti-Phosist paranoia and hatred by the victorious Rationalists, to the point where peaceful reunion with the remaining Phosists was almost impossible. None of the Bazilevs had ever wished to stir up such hatred, but they were almost powerless to prevent some terrifying waves of persecutions in the wake of the civil wars, which damaged the reputation of Rationlism for a long time.

By 650 AD, after a century of minor wars and civil wars, Antalya had still not recovered to its former strength. The Grand Canals were eventually completed amidst all the chaos, but much of the wealth they generated was being funnelled into the military. A body of nobles called the 'Kuzma' acted like the 'Yurtyr' of Rytarria, with some powers taken away from the Bazilevs. The new leaders had grand ambitions to reform society in the Rationalist image, granting voting powers and a Charter of Rights for the ordinary people, but the process was slow and frustrating...

Antalya had become something like a fanatical, militarised society, with a high proportion of soldiers, even considering the Empire's above-average population. A whole new kind of army had been forged from the fighting. The combined use of muskets, pikes, cavalry and artillery had become a fine art, more so than anywhere else in the world. Neighbouring states were increasingly nervous. Science and the arts had also flourished from the late 550's, and many breakthroughs in metalworking and weapon design had been made during all the turmoil. In general, Antalya probably had the most sophisticated technology of the time, though it was no more 'industrialized' than anywhere else.

Meanwhile, the chaos in Antalya was matched by the events across central Asia...

Kaelazar's Conquests

Kaelazar Maratash Ortozai was the unlikely name of the greatest military leader in history (according to consensus). He was from a long line of soldiers. His father was killed in battle against the Tianese sometime in the late 430's. He grew up to be one of the many disillusioned and impoverished citizens of the sulking Ormash Empire after 445 AD.

Ormash was not at its best. In the wake of defeat to Tian, Ormash's influence over the Rayamese region was being rapidly stripped away. Trade had declined, and attempts to establish a colony in North America were not so fruitful. Ormash had high hopes for Silash, founded as it was by rough-and-tough refugees from Jara, many of whom were veteran guerrilla fighters used to living off the land. But Silash had the same problems as other colonists - the failure of Asian crops in the American climate, the lack of discipline amongst the people, and the strength of native tribes. It wasn't until much later that Sliash would expand, and then it would be as a partially native-ized culture.

Ormash's ruling regime was wielding less and less authority. This was worsened by the great scandal of the 'foul temptress' Kosylena, a beautiful Videssian peasant girl who rose to become concubine of one Emperor, before helping to assassinate him, in order to become the wife of the next - Emperor Valtash II was probably the most unpopular of Ormash's history. His Videssian peasant-wife was hated by most of the population. He alienated most of the nobility, dismissed his most talented generals, and personally commanded over a disastrous military showdown with the Taej Empire over the disputed region of Tanash. Emperor Valtash was sent home, defeated and humiliated, while tens of thousands of Ormash dead were left behind.

Unsurprisingly, Valtash was soon overthrown. However, nobody could agree on a replacement Emperor, or even if there should be another Emperor at all. A council of generals took power, a temporary measure that gradually became more permanent.

Kaelazar Maratash Ortozai rose through the ranks at this time, as a commander of a garrison fighting against bandits on the Orion border. After the Antalese capture of Oro, the Orion Empire began to disintegrate. At the same time, the generals of Ormash were starting to squabble with each other, and civil war seemed possible, or even a division into rival city-states.

Kaelazar's rise to greatness is another long story (and some say he just built upon the success of other long-forgotten heroes of the time). Suffice to say that he was able to gather support from both Ormash and from the soldiers of former Orion, who were looking for someone or something to follow. Orion and Ormash had never separated too far from their common culture. It is said that Kaelazar originally wanted to restore a legitimate descendent of the last Emperor of Orion to power over both east and west. But in time, he himself became de-facto Emperor (though he cared little for expensive luxuries, and set an example of frugality for others to follow). His camp at Otikash, in what had been part of the western Orion Empire, became the capitol of a whole new state, which was soon expanding at a rapid rate.

At their height, the Antalese had reached deep into the Orion Empire, even as far as Gyutan and the borders of the Taej Empire. As Antalese were set upon by civil wars and various invasions, most of their armies steadily retreated from the south, leaving chaos in their wake. Some Antalese generals stayed behind to become petty warlords, fighting with other local factions. They were all easy prey for Kaelazar, who was already renowned as a mighty general and a great motivator of his men.

But the Taej Empire also sought to gain from Orion's downfall. In terms of manpower and resources, they had a huge advantage over Kaelazar. But their Empire was still being eroded from within by various rebellions and weak leadership. Kaelazar fought the Taej to a standstill, and made them overstretch themselves. The troublesome Gyutans were also defeated - some say cynically betrayed by Kaelazar's false promises.

Kaelazar, now known simply as 'Kalaz' to most, was urged by his followers to return north and settle control over the rest of former Orion. But Kalaz had greater ambitions. First he went on campaign throughout the north of the Taej Empire. With masses of musketeers, aggressive and fanatical swordsmen, and deadly effective horse-drawn cannons, he inflicted many crushing defeats on the Taej. The 'Eternal Empire' was soon in a state of collapse. The unthinkable happened - the Taej Emperor became a vassal, controlling his own much-reduced state (Qi Taej), surrounded by other territories and vassals of Kalaz. Only the southern provinces of the former Taej Empire had any kind of independence. The Pangans accepted many refugees, but otherwise took little interest in the wars.

Several more great campaigns followed, and even a Tianese army was defeated. By 484 AD, much of South Asia was under Kalaz's control, and he turned north, on his most ambitious and final campaign, the conquest of the troubled Antalese Empire. At the battle of Elai in 485 AD, Kalaz had the toughest battle of his life, as he faced a veteran and highly-motivated army of the Rationalists. It was his final and most closely-fought victory. Now an old man, probably in his 70's, Kalaz grew ill, and eventually died in his camp at Lake Tarov, not far from the thinly-held southern defences of Altyn Sarai. History could have been very different. In any case, Antalya's borders had been forced northwards, and they stayed there for the next century and a half.

Amazingly, Kaelazar's empire survived his death largely intact. Under a succession of able warrior-leaders (they used the title 'Atash', never officially claiming to be Emperors themselves), the so-called 'Alliance of Prosperous and Peaceful Empires', or simply 'United Empire' was born. Much of South Asia's population had been mixed up and moved around. The Empire's borders inevitably shrank, as they were simply too huge to sustain, but in most cases friendly vassal states ('Shianashs') appeared in their place. The most notable of which was Rajarash, founded by elite Kymash (Rayamese) soldiers, after they were granted lands for their service. Kymash itself later become Tajeshian, incorporating parts of old Ormash, with a mixed culture. It had steadily lost territory to Gaiyvara in the west.

The Taej provinces were never the same. But over the following century, the southern Sung Taej state swallowed up several smaller rival by force and by diplomacy, to become the closest thing to the old Taej Empire. The most important addition was the former vassal of Yutan, together with its island territories, and the seafaring skills of its people. The Sung soon had a growing fleet of rather large warships and bulk trading vessels, with which they founded colonies right across the southern hemisphere, and built up good relations with both the African nations and the Thuleans.

Qi Taej continued to be led by descendents of the old Taej dynasty, who remained the official Emperors of both the Sung Taej along with the new states of Tyansua and Tojushian. The latter was also split between loyalty to their symbolic Emperor and loyalty to their actual overlords in the United Empire. Meanwhile the Gyutans were also official vassals and allies of the UE, but had bounced back under new leaders to become too powerful for anybody's liking. An independent Onga had also returned, and (with Pangan aid) had survived several wars with the Sung, so that it remained a thorn in their side. In short, things were pretty complicated. Only Panga remained the same...

In 650 AD the UE remained surprisingly stable and strong, but one hundred and sixty-five years was not quite long enough for it to be called well-established. Most of its neighbours still regarded it as an artificial monstrosity, overdue for demolition. Since Kalaz's time, it has rarely seen more than minor rebellions, swift other-throws, and border skirmishes. It remains to be seen how well the UE can handle a serious threat to existence.

Panga's Ocean of Peace

Panga (aka Pangari) is notable at this time for what didn't happen. While other empires rose and fell, Panga was untouched by any war, or any kind of rebellion. By 650 AD, Panga was the oldest surviving state in the world (ignoring the brief episode between 40 AD – 47 AD when it was part of Taejon). Kaelazar never tried to add Panga to his empire, though he may have done if he had lived longer. As it was, Panga fell into a comfortable groove, with no enemies and no real troubles of any kind.

From 450 AD onwards, Panga's great scientific houses had a growing amount of influence over society. These had become more than just academies. Each one was a political movement with its own world-view and its own philosophy. Most of the science houses shared the same general beliefs, but there were fierce arguments over any differences. Theories on evolution and continental drift were the most hotly debated.

Unfortunately, the science houses tended to stifle innovation and new ideas. There was a tendency to believe that they already knew everything. New ideas and inventions were not judged so much by their merits, but more on which science house was giving its support. The other science houses would always gang up to spoil things as much as possible, to prevent others from gaining an advantage. Invention became a pastime of people who were already rich - a hobby of senators and wealthy merchants. Some private palaces even had their own miniature steam-powered trains to carry people through the grounds. As for the idea of connecting whole cities and industries by railroads, there was nobody willing or able to mobilise the kind of manpower and resources needed.

And so, despite having the best educated minds in the world, and a legacy of many innovations, after 450 AD it was elsewhere that real breakthroughs in science and industry were made. There was one exception however - the Pangans were the first to use microscopes in a meaningful way, and by 500 AD these had become powerful enough for the science of Microbiology to emerge. Pangan scientists soon realised that the miniscule moving things they saw might be related to diseases, thus explaining infection, and making it clear why cleanliness in hospitals was a good idea. Though by 650 AD there were still no anti-biotics as such.

Pangan cities were already renowned for their cleanliness and hygiene (at least in the richer areas). Panga's people could expect to live longer than most, though they no longer had such a share of Asia's luxury goods (more was going to the UE and Rytarria).

Meanwhile, Panga's relationship with Pegu (aka New Panga) began to change. Pegu was already fully self-sufficient in 450 AD, with a history stretching back as far as 40 AD, at least a century older than the first Yssian/Thulean colonies in North America. By 650 AD, Pegu was no longer a colony, but an equal and an ally of Panga. The Pangans had managed to get through the past few centuries without doing too much to cause a rift with Pegu. Pegu's culture had changed, blended with other colonists and with native tribes. But idealists on both sides still saw themselves as one half of a whole, joined together by the 'Ocean of Peace' (known as the Zeyris Ocean on Thulean charts). Pegu's culture was more dynamic at this time, and though it did not have the resources of Old Panga, it was a growing in wealth and confidence...

After 450 AD, Pegu and Panga went on the offensive (officially with support of local peoples) to defeat the pirates and bandits of the Hocatelco straights. It was Panga's only real military venture for the next two centuries. For a short time, Pegu incorporated much of Kopeng, and dominated the narrow stretch of sea between the two Americas. The continental part of Kopeng eventually reappeared as separate Pangan-ized state, while the western islands fell into the hands of the Thulean League.

The central straights had long been an area where peoples of all continents had mixed. While a huge amount of trade passed through the region, it was a continual source of problems (and the setting for countless stories and tales). A particular problem occurred in 533 AD, when an alliance of mercenaries and wealthy merchants from Kopeng and Pegu launched an overthrow attempt of the native Hocatelco Empire. Unlike so many before them, these new invaders were successful - thanks mainly to a secret pact with the disillusioned Naochi, one of the warrior tribes that made up Hocatelco's army.

Pegu and Panga now faced a problem with the Thulean League. The overthrow was not officially backed by either of them, still the Thuleans saw it as an affront to their League. Thulean advisors in the court of Hocatelco's Emperor had been killed along with various other foreigners. In 533 there was a real possibility of war between the two powers, even though they were on opposite sides of the world. Fortunately the Thuleans soon had other distractions, and trade routes could carry on as normal.

Meanwhile, on the east coast of north America, the Pangans had joined the scramble for territory. By 650 AD the Pangans of Engui had pushed far inland, to the point were they were intersecting the trade routes of the Vancuissians. Engui was not particularly profitable. But unlike the other colonists, the Pangans had managed to befriend more natives than they annoyed.

Back in Asia, the Tosunga peoples of the far south (once Taej's subjects) were gradually absorbed into the Pangan Republic. Together with the overseas colonies, Panga was probably bigger than ever, but it was no longer a major trading power. Panga's military had also suffered from its lack of experience - they had a vast array of different weapons in their armouries, but not much idea as to what actually worked on the modern battlefield. They were dependent on advisors from the Taej states and from the United Empire, though there was only so much that foreign advisors could do.

In many ways, Panga seemed like a stagnating nation, a left-over from a bygone age...

Rovien's Winter

After 500 AD, things in Asia were calming down. But Europe had another century of war and turmoil...

The HRE was back where it had been in 250 AD - a patchwork of squabbling states. The Emperor was a symbolic figurehead without any real power, living in the huge Palace of Roves at Robime (still without much in the way of furniture or windows since the Thuleans had sacked it). The age of the Crusaders was already fading into memory. But non-Aeonists were still persecuted with a vengeance, and the faith still had an iron grip on central Europe.

In 535 AD, without much warning, the Thulean League (under Lord Protector Luyn III ) began a massive invasion of the Rovien states - a war to 'liberate people from inhuman Aeonist tyranny'. Allegedly this was in response to a renewed wave of atrocities against Ultimists carried out by angry Aeonist mobs. Though in reality, the leaders of the Thulean League had simply grown more ambitious than before (and perhaps, over-confident). There was also another reason, that was to pre-empt a recovery of the Rovien states, something that the Thuleans had being trying to prevent...

Back in 511 AD, Germanica had made a deal with several of the Rovien states to set up the Holy State of Lenierde, based on the city where Aeonist himself was said to have lived and died. Lenierde quickly became the centre of the Aeonist faith. Various Aeonarchs and High Priests moved there from other parts of Europe, until there was a single 'Holy Hierarchy' that most people could accept.

Lenierde had a subtle stabilising influence on the fractured eastern states. They began to combine into a stable alliances. Already by 535 AD, the economy had picked up, and rebuilding had gathered pace. Each city state was competing with others for the tallest churches, grandest monuments, and the best scholars and philosophers...

Luyn III tried to put an end to all this, and very nearly succeeded. Between 535 and 539 AD, great generals like 'Greif Beldersi' and 'Hani den Haniberg' won many victories against tough opposition. Germanica had its own problems, a civil war launched by Emperor Frederick IV to reclaim powers which his predecessor had signed away to his aristocrats (who were increasingly influenced by Tusca's liberal ideals). Eastern Aeonism was on its own...

However, some of Thule's allies became increasingly disturbed by the extend of Luyn's ambition. The Freilanders scaled back their support until, fearing for their own safety, they turned against the Thulean armies. At their height, the Thuleans had reached as far as Anguilairme and Sharlerde, and had also invaded Juhtland and Seculia. The navy had also landed troops along the Mediterranean coast, near Vengano. But the war put too great a strain on the Counille Peninsular - at least, more than the home population were used to. The cost of conducting countless sieges had worn down the Thulean treasury. Resentment grew as sons were killed in battle, and favourite luxuries disappeared from the markets to be sold abroad, in exchange for war supplies. The colonies also saw their taxes increased, and their much-needed garrisons being stripped away.

The winter of 539 AD was bitterly cold, and the Thuleans lost tens of thousands more men to the freezing weather. That agonizing winter was the final straw. Though some would say that the Thulean Civil War was really triggered by events in Videssos...

Civil War

Times were not good for Videssos after the 480's. More than one Avtokrator had poured men and materials into the Antalese wars, only to see their efforts end in failure. Phosism was losing ground everywhere except Videssos and its immediate vassals. Ryzovy had lost some of its best and brightest in the Antalese wars, and was no longer such a keen ally. The title of Avtokrator no longer held such prestige at home or abroad, and confidence was low. Corruption was also a growing problem, especially in the western Chamka territories which were still relatively recent additions to the empire, and also in the new overseas colonies. Many of these lands were being inefficiently run by various friends of the Avtokrator, men with no real talents. The amount of trade vessels entering Videssos harbour was fewer every year. It was said that even the great monuments of the capitol seemed tarnished and faded...

After 490 AD, Videssian nobles began to put pressure on the Avtokrator to allow some reforms of the government system - there were calls for a kind of parliament similar to those emerging in Rytarria and Antalya. Up until 520 AD there were a few half-hearted changes made, but then Avtokrator Valen I ascended to the throne, a fierce authoritarian who saw no reason to change anything.

The reformists grew more and more frustrated. Videssos was being overshadowed by its rivals. The time for action was now. But Valen I had appointed loyal generals throughout most of the mainland. So the plotters turned to the western colonies, and they asked the Vancuissi Thuleans for help - promising trade concessions in return for the aid of powerful Thulean ships and artillery...

There followed several years of intrigues and plots by all sides. The Thuleans were happy to play both Videssian factions against each other. But things became serious in 538 AD, when a fleet commanded by Valen I's most loyal admiral was dispatched into the eastern (Zeyris) ocean, to attack the colonies where reformists were gathering their forces. The fighting spilled over into the waters and borders of the Thulean League itself. The Videssians did not have the most modern fleet, but they were experienced sailors, and were their ships were basically copies of Thulean designs. The Thulean squadron at Vancuissi was just about able to fend of the Videssians after a few small-scale but fierce battles.

When the next ship came to collect taxes for the war in Europe, Governor Gunthi of Vancuissi refused to give the full amount, as he felt he needed it to increase Vancuissi's defences. Lord Protector Luyn III saw this as another case of greedy, selfish colonists refusing to do their bit for the common good. Luyn sent another ship with orders to arrest Gunthi and bring him back to Counille. When it arrived in Vancuissi harbour in 539 AD, it was set upon by Gunthi's loyal supporters.

Such rebellion against the League was unheard of. But other colonies soon followed Vancuissi's example. News of events in America gave courage to the Yssian nobles of Counille, who soon announced their refusal to pay war taxes, and began to assemble their own small armies. The loyalist Blue Coat militias were no longer strong enough to stop them. The Hebridean nobles declared their support for Luyn and landed extra troops at Saint Gustparsberg to defend the government. Generals and admirals throughout the League had to choose sides quickly...

Both Videssos and the Thulean League now went through their own civil wars. In the case of the Thulean League, there was the potential for a epic struggle on the scale of the Antalese wars. But cooler heads prevailed in the end, and things lasted little more than three years. When it became clear to Luyn's supporters that they could not win a quick victory, they went behind Luyn's back and began to negotiate. There was only one major sea battle (fought off the island of Nazer, which ended inconclusively) and one major land battle (fought at Argwen in the centre of Counille, which was a minor victory for Luyn's supporters).

By 541 AD, the Thulean League was very big. Too big, it seemed, to be led by one man or one parliament. Or at least, local leaders were very eager to press their own interests. Over the next few decades, more and more power was stripped from Saint Gustparsberg until, by 590 AD, the League had been divided into several closely-allied states. Collectively they were still known as 'Thulean', though the political heart had moved back to the ancient city of Ys. The trade routes and economic system carried on much the same as before.

It all happened without much bloodshed, which had less to do with the 'enlightened' culture of the Thuleans, and more to do with the fact that nobody wanted to disrupt the flow of trade (especially as the aristocrats were the ones with the most invested in the merchants). Though by 650 AD there were still many outstanding and potentially-explosive issues, not least of which was who should rule Saint Gustparsberg. The situation in the Yihamcoross (the islands west of the Hocatelco straights) was also getting dangerously messy.

As for the Rovien states occupied by Luyn's forces, for a while it looked like a pro-Thulean state would emerge there. But the tireless efforts of Rovien nationalists would ensure otherwise.

Meanwhile, the Videssian civil war was more bloody, but lasted little longer than that of the Thuleans - short enough that the Rytarrians never got involved. The reformist faction was greatly outnumbered by the loyalists, and lost several battles, until 543 AD. That year they were fortunate enough to capture Avtokrator Valen I in a chaotic battle, fought somewhere in the woodlands of the Chamka territories (west from the city of Videssos). The reformists eventually got most of their reforms, though they were not as successful as hoped. Throughout the next century, rebellions by 'traditionalist' forces and various dissenting ethnic groups continued to trouble the more remote corners of the empire.

In the meantime, Ryzovy had collapsed into anarchy. By 560 AD, Ryzovy had given way to the ambitious Koruzia dynasty, who set out to create a 'new Videssos' in the east. Within two decades, thanks to some inspired leadership, they had more than tripled their territory. First the troublesome Nakuri tribes of the north were re-conquered and then, thanks to fleet of sturdy longships, the western remnants of Talibria were added too. They even skirmished with the Antalese with some success. All this was done in Videssos's name and for the unity of Phosism, but it wasn't until 609 AD (when it was clear that Videssos was back on its feet, and the Antalyans were a growing threat) that Koruzia reluctantly became an official vassal.

Videssos's prestige had faded over the last two centuries, and Phosism was no longer the force it once had been. Still, by 650 AD, Videssos was trading and colonising like never before, and a sense of optimism was slowly returning.

A New Europe

The Thulean invasions came to an end in 539 AD, but they weren't reversed. There were a whole series of small-scale wars and much political wrangling as the Aeonist aristocracy tried to get back their territories.

Out of all the chaos of the past centuries, yet another patchwork of states began to appear across the Rovien lands. But this time they quickly amalgamated into larger and more secure states. Most important of which, by 650 AD, was the Kingdom of Rove, which ruled much of the old heartland of the former HRE. By this time, the line of the old Emperors had been broken - the last, Emperor Gabriel III, died without any natural heirs while on a pilgrimage to Lenierde. The Kings of Rove declared themselves 'guardians' of the imperial crown.

The 'Holy' state of Lenierde had increased in size after every crisis. It now had its own army and fleet, and owned various other tracts of lands across Europe, donated by devout aristocrats who hoped to gain the favour of Aeonis.

Meanwhile, Germanica's own civil war ended around 550 AD. The ageing Emperor Frederick IV was forced to accept the loss of some of this powers - like other monarchs of the age - to a body of nobles called the 'Reichstag'. But the Emperor was far from the mere figurehead status that some of Germanica's nobles had hoped to reduce him to. The liberalist ideas never amounted to very much. Civil rights remained at a minimum, and the Emperor had veto powers and the backing of thousands of loyal troops. Still, the formula was good enough for a Germanican revival to occur over the course of the next century.

The long running feuds with the Talibrians and the Norgars were settled in Germanica's favour. Talibria was utterly destroyed, and the old state of Libria re-appeared, this time as a more Germanicanized country, though it still threatened to revert back to tribalism. Tavuria was left as the last state in Europe with a large population of 'pagans' who did not follow any of the main religions. Norgar was still a nominally Phosist kingdom, though it now had just as many Aeonists and Ultmists.

In an attempt to open up access to the Euris Ocean, Germanica went to war with the Hebridean League around 605 AD, in alliance with Juhtland. Germanica managed to capture the Lenyahd peninsular, but the other Thulean states rallied in support of the Hebrideans. Germancia's fleet was destroyed, and the resulting blockade and trade war cost Germanica a lot of money. Even by 650 AD, its economy was not the greatest. Though it was now the oldest surviving monarchy in Europe, and also the largest.

However, Rove was probably the continent's strongest military power at this point. Rove's army benefited most from all the fighting, and its troops were now the best trained and equipped.

As for technology, Tusca remained in the lead. In particular, the Tuscans had been doing the most experimenting with steam-power as a mode of travel (though the mountainous terrain of the Tuscan peninsular was not the best place for this). The Freilanders were a close second, as the most paranoid nation in Europe, they were eager to pursue any innovation that might give them an advantage.

Tusca had gained most from the turmoil of the last two centuries, but had made many enemies - most of all the Antalyans, even though Rationalism had much in common with Tusca's liberalist ideas. Tusca was now famous for its intrigues and conspiracies. It was also famous for the frequent riots and gang warfare in its major cities. Tusca's government was struggling to cope with expanded territory and the steady flow of immigrants into the Tuscan heartland. Still, Tusca was fairly prosperous, and its army and navy certainly had the most heavy artillery of any nation.

A New Africa

Africa was largely disconnected from events elsewhere, but still went through many wars and events of its own.

After the division of the Kaliate in 502 AD, the Savarians and their allies had gradually coalesced into the state of Haman. This was governed by a strict Theocracy, with the descendents of Ismail's line as powerfless figureheads. The people were the most fervent believers in Ismail's teachings, and continued to revere his descendents. Mahmud's tomb at al-Eran became their holiest shrine.

Haman's army was fanatical and formidable. Though they had little in the way of heavy weapons, they had elite desert cavalry and camelry, which later became armed with pistols and muskets as well as sabres.

At their height, around 537 AD, Haman's rule stretched as far south as Xhose, and included much of what would later become Oryx and Segah. Haman came close to establishing a new Kaliate, this time including the old Umidian heartlands too. Haman's generals notched up many glorious victories along the way. But after 537, Haman was hit with simultaneous rebellions and determined counter-attacks by the south Africans, from which it never recovered. Still, the fact that Haman was able to keep fighting against practically all of its neighbours for so long, without much in the way of manpower or resources, says a lot for the strength of their morale and leadership.

The southern kingdoms of Kzame and Macrabi now emerged as the main powers in Africa. Kzame had been founded by merchants, and its leaders continued to expand their trade routes. The Sulchan League was peacefully annexed by 500 AD. By the time of Haman's decline, Kzame had also annexed Arzamber, the Theosist outpost in the middle of the Euris Ocean, as well as most of the small islands around Africa. Kzame also built up good relations with the other side of the Ak-Dynghez Sea, namely Antalya and the Sung Taej (even though the latter of which was traditionally a mortal enemy of all things Theosist).

Kzame grew rich from trade, and much of this wealth was put into funding scholars and artists. The capitol, Kamekar, gradually became dotted with impressive academies, which attracted many of the finest scholars from Africa and abroad. Kzame was also unusual for being the first Theosist 'republic', with leaders elected every six years or so, in contrast to the strict dictatorships which were the norm.

Meanwhile, Macrabi remained much like the old Saruk, a monarchy ruled by a 'Kaliphan'. Its people were conservative, and devout as always. They leaned more towards traditional sects of Theosim, rather than the Ismailism of the north. What Macrabi lacked in money, trade, and ships, it made up for in manpower (its army was still based more or less on the old Sarukian model, with massed light infantry and war elephants). And so, a long and peaceful stalemate existed between Kzame and Macrabi. However, this didn't stop them from competing with each other for the grandest monuments. After 550 AD there was a wave of great building projects - many fine palaces, gardens, academies and observatories, but most of all the great Ihali (Theosist temples). The 'White Ihali' of Kure (on the east coast of Macrabi), finally finished in 643 AD, was soon being called the most beautiful building in the world.

The north was not so fortunate at this time. Haman entered a four-way war with the aggressive Segah (mostly-civilized descendents of the original Segu tribes), the emerging state of Oryx (the closest thing to old Umidia), and also the invaders from Europe, the ambitious state of Vengano (who had Tuscan ships and privateers on their side). These wars dragged on until a stalemate was reached. Meanwhile, the north-east coast of Africa (which had been influenced by the Yssian and Thulean cultures since ancient times) was steadily pulled into the Thulean orbit. The Thuleanized 'Daran League' became the last surviving piece of the former Umidian empire. Though it was forced to release its hold on Ohukal (later known as Oluhanik), it managed to expand on some of Umidia's earlier colonies in the far south. The land of Himutshakla was were one of the last open spaces left for the colonists - here the Daran League was competing with the Sung Taej and the United Empire.

The Africa of 650 AD was as confident and outward-looking as it ever had been. For Kzame especially, there seemed little to fear and much to gain from the future...

650 AD

The future starts here!

Hmm, I think it might take another 6 months for people to read this!

On confirmation that anyone still wants to play this NES, I will finish up the stats, and sometime after christmas I'll start a whole new thread, with revised rules etc (I am embarrassed by a lot of my earlier postings here).

And yes, I've mixed up some of the suggestions people gave for the BT into other things!

NOOO!!!!

But I think Taej culture should be dominant in the United Empires

alex994 said:

But I think Taej culture should be dominant in the United Empires

Click to expand...

Well important certainly, but not dominant. Maybe given enough time, but for now they are still mainly based on militaristic Ormash/Orion culture.

Decloak: Even as someone not playing, I have to say that's impressive, though given its length it's not a huge surprise it took so long. Economy of effort, Daft, economy of effort.

Map redesign is interesting too.

alex994 said:

But I think Taej culture should be dominant in the United Empires

Click to expand...

Symphony D. said:

Decloak: Even as someone not playing, I have to say that's impressive, though given its length it's not a huge surprise it took so long. Economy of effort, Daft, economy of effort.

Click to expand...

Thanks, though I must say that at least 80% of the writing is less than 1 week old! o ) In the end it was a matter of inspiration more than anything else.

Should this continue, i dont plan on writing even 1/4 as much as this for each update. Though, i know i tend to say that about everything and then do the opposite.

Just like I planned. Thank you Daft.

Awesome - best christmas present so far . I'll have to get road to reading it tomorrow.

Wow.

*reads on*

Ugh.

*reads on*

Hya!

Spectacular update! I'm so happy this is back!

Amazing Update! You made my Christmas

Daft, thank you for bringing this back. This will help so much motivating me to finish my own update.

Great update! Ormash survives and prospers!

@Alex: Fat chance!

Excellent. Tusca is in an Excellent position to kick of the next phase of the plan. the pressure is building to a nice simmer. I just need to imploded the government. ah, fun!
did any "Grappler" like technology come about Daft?

lurker's comment: great update!

Interesting situation I've got. It's going to be fun.

Oh yeah, and this:

*Flings self on the ground at Daft's feet, tears in eyes.*

lurker's comment: Good to see that my people are still doing well... all things considered.

I might be back (no need to panic, Thlayli - take that as you will, by the way ).

I just hope that I'm not one of the "things considered."

So Daft, you mentioned reworking the stats and such, and starting a new thread. Will we see new religion and culture maps also?

this is the best Christmas present I've ever gotten

Thanks again

TerrisH said:

Excellent. Tusca is in an Excellent position to kick of the next phase of the plan. the pressure is building to a nice simmer. I just need to imploded the government. ah, fun!
did any "Grappler" like technology come about Daft?

Click to expand...

Im afraid I've forgotten what you mean by 'Grappler' In general tech hasn't increased that much, not as much as some people wanted.

Actually, my plan in future is to prevent people from requesting techs. You just wont have any control over it. It doesn't seem realisitic. All you'll be able to do is throw money at scholars and inventors etc and hope for the best. What they come up with will depend on what the most pressing needs are.

Thlayli said:

So Daft, you mentioned reworking the stats and such, and starting a new thread. Will we see new religion and culture maps also?

Click to expand...

A culture map would be a nightmare, or at least i haven't thought of a good way of doing it. I may do another religion map, but it would be quite messy too.