das
Regeneration In Process
The Deadline is here, but I suppose that if those who haven't sent orders REALLY hurry they have a chance of sending theirs as well.
ITNES I - An Epoch of Change
- Thread starter das
- Start date
das
Regeneration In Process
Still am waiting. 
das
Regeneration In Process
Any pleas for mercy that will follow will be ignored because I most probably won't be here until I have an update ready or nearly ready.
erez87
Lord of Random
- Joined
- May 16, 2002
- Messages
- 13,500
"That is just mad!"
"That is what we are going to do. Now give the orders to the generals. We got a huge war going."
"You must joke my King! They are far too powerful for us. We must back down from this! You cannot seriously think we can be of any of use in this war. To whatever side we choose."
"How dare you. Nortugal is not some side country that can be pushed aside! That can be used by greater forces! By the time our invasion will commence, they will be severely weakened by our allies. Our navy will out number theirs for the first time in hundreds of years. We will win!"
"But mine King. They are a world power. Nortugal cannot match that. Our armies are small. Any landing will be hard to deal with and looses will be high. We can't allow ourselves any looses."
"The city of Carthage is burning. Southern Gaul is in ashes. Olmecia is in a great civil war. This is the time to choose a side. This is the time to build Nortugal. Our enemies, rivals and... New lands, they are open for invasion. The time to strike is now. The future of Nortugal does not lie in Europe anymore. It lies in the new world. I have sent messengers to Gaul. Our hateful relations must stop. After all, we have no plans to expand in northern Europe. We have only plans of trade and prosperity for the island of Hibernia. There is no reason to continue this foolish argument of past wars. Yes our people may continue to hate each other for many years to come, but that does not mean a war must come among us. Trade may not be as strong, but it will be. Our only risk in this move is a treachery from Gaul. And in their situation, I don't see any risk. They are weak navy, and lack a navy. This is the perfect time to strike and secure much more lands in the new world. Now go, I need our invasion force ready within a month. They will never expect us. Soon Nortugal will rule the new continent. Dawn."
"Yes my King. I shall go right away."
And so, the navy was preparing. The armies were training. Nortugal was preparing for their greatest war yet. A war upon one of the most powerful empires the world has ever witnessed. A war upon a kingdom so mad they will probably try to destroy Nortugal. Carthage.
ooc Gah got to go to sleep and it's so short. Sorry sheep, you were just too wanting in the Americas... and thats my escape point not yours. Oh and Kalthazar... sorry to
Your country just looked too.. too ready for this... so sorry..
Israelite, you better sent 1 ep...
"That is what we are going to do. Now give the orders to the generals. We got a huge war going."
"You must joke my King! They are far too powerful for us. We must back down from this! You cannot seriously think we can be of any of use in this war. To whatever side we choose."
"How dare you. Nortugal is not some side country that can be pushed aside! That can be used by greater forces! By the time our invasion will commence, they will be severely weakened by our allies. Our navy will out number theirs for the first time in hundreds of years. We will win!"
"But mine King. They are a world power. Nortugal cannot match that. Our armies are small. Any landing will be hard to deal with and looses will be high. We can't allow ourselves any looses."
"The city of Carthage is burning. Southern Gaul is in ashes. Olmecia is in a great civil war. This is the time to choose a side. This is the time to build Nortugal. Our enemies, rivals and... New lands, they are open for invasion. The time to strike is now. The future of Nortugal does not lie in Europe anymore. It lies in the new world. I have sent messengers to Gaul. Our hateful relations must stop. After all, we have no plans to expand in northern Europe. We have only plans of trade and prosperity for the island of Hibernia. There is no reason to continue this foolish argument of past wars. Yes our people may continue to hate each other for many years to come, but that does not mean a war must come among us. Trade may not be as strong, but it will be. Our only risk in this move is a treachery from Gaul. And in their situation, I don't see any risk. They are weak navy, and lack a navy. This is the perfect time to strike and secure much more lands in the new world. Now go, I need our invasion force ready within a month. They will never expect us. Soon Nortugal will rule the new continent. Dawn."
"Yes my King. I shall go right away."
And so, the navy was preparing. The armies were training. Nortugal was preparing for their greatest war yet. A war upon one of the most powerful empires the world has ever witnessed. A war upon a kingdom so mad they will probably try to destroy Nortugal. Carthage.
ooc Gah got to go to sleep and it's so short. Sorry sheep, you were just too wanting in the Americas... and thats my escape point not yours. Oh and Kalthazar... sorry to
Your country just looked too.. too ready for this... so sorry..Israelite, you better sent 1 ep...
Disenfrancised
Beep Beep
OCC:ooc Gah got to go to sleep and it's so short. Sorry sheep, you were just too wanting in the Americas... and thats my escape point not yours. Oh and Kalthazar... sorry to
Israelite, you better sent 1 ep...
I think you seriously underestimate Olmec manpower reserves, not to mention as soon as the Carthagians leave the Caribbean the old olmec lands (subjegated for less than 15 years after all) will rise up and resist a new invasion. Should be interesting to watch though
. I'd reckon this will be the spotlight 
Maras Aktrandash breathed heavily as he raced up the side of the steep, red-rocked mountain. On his back was a heavy pack of equipment. Leather and metal armour defended his torso and the beginnings of his limbs.
The Eternal Guards. You, soldiers, are the best of Parhae. None can outfight you, outrange you, outdo you...
He gazed up. His legs burned but he had to keep going. His sword and dagger rattled in the constant rocking of the run.
...you are the first and last lines of defense and offense. Your skills shall serve Parhae at all times, from foreign campaigns to the last defense of Persepolis...
At last. The top. Maras gazed around. The sun was barely rising over the mountains to the east. Drinking a quick gulp of water from a pouch at his side, he walked over to the heavy bags stowed here. He unhitched a camel tethered there, and in one swift motion, hoisted the two bags over its back. The creature grunted a protest, but didn't fall. Maras grabbed a shield and 3 spears, and began to run.
...you are self sufficient. You can find sustenance in the most barren scrubland, most frigid mountaintop, the most hostile situations imaginable...
Maras and the laden camel raced down the rocky pathway expertly. At the base of the hill, he skidded to a stop, and without missing a beat raised a throwing spear and flung it at the target. Before it struck just below the center of the target another spear was in the air. It struck dead center.
...you will fight with sword, with spears, with arrows, with anything that your enemy leaves behind. You will fight on foot, horseback, and camelback. You know no physical or mental limits...
Gasping for breath, Maras began to sprint towards his final destination. The strongly built blue-clad figure holding a scroll gazed up at him. Maras reached him and halted in a bow.
"Sir."
The man looked past Maras' shoulder at the other soldiers after him. He wrote something and gave Maras a nod.
The young Parhaen strode past the recorder, quelling his exhaustion down within him. He had a time to rest at the barracks. And then swordwork after breakfast...
...for you are an Eternal Legionary of Parhae. And you shall wear that title with the utmost reverence that it deserves.
The Eternal Guards. You, soldiers, are the best of Parhae. None can outfight you, outrange you, outdo you...
He gazed up. His legs burned but he had to keep going. His sword and dagger rattled in the constant rocking of the run.
...you are the first and last lines of defense and offense. Your skills shall serve Parhae at all times, from foreign campaigns to the last defense of Persepolis...
At last. The top. Maras gazed around. The sun was barely rising over the mountains to the east. Drinking a quick gulp of water from a pouch at his side, he walked over to the heavy bags stowed here. He unhitched a camel tethered there, and in one swift motion, hoisted the two bags over its back. The creature grunted a protest, but didn't fall. Maras grabbed a shield and 3 spears, and began to run.
...you are self sufficient. You can find sustenance in the most barren scrubland, most frigid mountaintop, the most hostile situations imaginable...
Maras and the laden camel raced down the rocky pathway expertly. At the base of the hill, he skidded to a stop, and without missing a beat raised a throwing spear and flung it at the target. Before it struck just below the center of the target another spear was in the air. It struck dead center.
...you will fight with sword, with spears, with arrows, with anything that your enemy leaves behind. You will fight on foot, horseback, and camelback. You know no physical or mental limits...
Gasping for breath, Maras began to sprint towards his final destination. The strongly built blue-clad figure holding a scroll gazed up at him. Maras reached him and halted in a bow.
"Sir."
The man looked past Maras' shoulder at the other soldiers after him. He wrote something and gave Maras a nod.
The young Parhaen strode past the recorder, quelling his exhaustion down within him. He had a time to rest at the barracks. And then swordwork after breakfast...
...for you are an Eternal Legionary of Parhae. And you shall wear that title with the utmost reverence that it deserves.
Israelite9191
You should be reading
I put in my orders to Erez. Hopefully, das will oblige and not decide that my eco are no good until I have stats.
Defenders of Luca
It began just like any other day for Shirez.
Shirez lived at the southern coast, in a booming city of Tarsus. He had moved into the city with his family when he was just a boy, and later followed in his father's footsteps and became a leatherworker. Now he had a family of his own, beautiful wife and three childs, oldest soon reaching the age of fifteen years.
It began just like any other day for him. He had just finished a breakfast with his family in their house, and he was preparing to leave to the grand forum to see if someone would be interested to buy his goods. He used to go halfway to the forum together with his oldest son who also made his way to that direction, not to work but to study, with the guidance of local halabanist priests. They were preparing to leave as Shirez kissed his wife for goodbye and waited for his son to pack up his lunch. It would seem to be just like any other day his family...
Then, Shirez heard something. So did his family. They all fell silent. Soon, they could hear how the noises outside weakened, noises created by busy people rushing for their work. Suddenly it became so quiet that it could be heard clearly. They all heard the bells now, feel it in the hollow silence as if it was a spear that would thrust into their heart. Shirez could feel the blood rushing in his veins as his heart started beating faster and faster; he knew what thos bells meant, just as did his wife. She gazed upon his husband with horror in her eyes, taking support from the close-by table. Shirez noticed this, moved to her side and kissed her again, this time longer and with more feeling in it than normally. "I have to go", he said. Shirez took few long steps which brought him to a room with a large chest. He moved to it and started opening the lock. Meanwhile the noises outside changed from the usual buzzing of people into the sounds of despairing women, running feet and clashing metal.
Ten minutes after Shirez stormed out of the door to the streets. He was wearing chainmail that covered his body, carrying large shield on his left hand and spear on the right, while his sword was hanging in it's seath at his side. He joined the stream of armoured men running at the street, all going to the same direction. As he ran towards the forum, he saw how more men coming out of the houses, fully armoured and equiped, with blazing eyes joining the growing stream of men. He could feel the excitement in the men around him, and the fear. He knew it, they all feared. They feared the power that was emerging in the horizon, the power that would come to lay waste on their land and murder their families. The power, that would destroy Luca, if no-one would stand up against it to stop it. He knew what would happen, just like did the men around him, and this fear pushed them forwards. The fear of seeing their homeland in ruins was what made them to take action, to save her. And they were prepared to do what was needed in order to do so.
Shirez arrived at the forum, which was allready filled with men, and more were pouring in from every possible street leading to it. He saw one unit already marching out of the forum to the city gates. He slowed down, and began looking for a flag, the banner around which his unit would assemble. He soon found it and ran to it. He saw the commader of his unit holding the flag, shouting the unit's name for bypassing soldiers. Slowly but steadily more men rallied around the flag, recognising it as their own. Soon, Shirez heard a command, and after few seconds of uncertainty, he remembered it's meaning through the memories of past training. Line was formed, soon another and another. As the ranks formed, the men become less and less of a chaotic mass, and looked more like what they were in reality; Disciplined army of Lucan citizen soldiers.
The unit was formed, and soon marched out of the forum towards city walls. Shirez knew his task, he knew what he has to do. He has to defend Luca against her enemies. None else matters now, and nothing will until Luca is safe.
OOC: omg, I wrote a story...
Probably ought to be "Dachsese" or something of that nature.
On a more serious note, the FCPS-wide server system died on orders night (morning for me), so I was unable to send orders, and instead spent about thirty minutes staring at an error screen with mounting fury. When we finally got the Internet back, deadline was long past...sorry.
das
Regeneration In Process
IT IV Update 4 - Years 415-420 AD
Non-Military Events:
Integration and colonisation of Nihon's Aztlanese conquests had begun.
Nortuguese colonisation of the New World begun in the earnest, with several towns and cities springing up on the Tuniit island and some in the mainland holdings as well.
Algonquia was joined by another indigenous North American nation: the Wabanaki state, Kingdom of the Dawn Land. A theocracy based on the religion of Trinitarianism that quickly united several related peoples, to the northeast from Algonquia itself. Soon enough it made contact with both Algonquia (proselytising vigorously, but with little success thus far) and Nortugal, and signed trade and technologic exchange agreements with both. The latter agreement with Nortugal, however, is yet to bear fruit despite the Wabanaki payment of a tribute; many, in fact, grow discontent with this act as the Nortuguese seem to have played High King Assacumbait for a fool (-1 Confidence), while some others wonder just what exactly was that agreement supposed to mean in the first place.
Similar agreements have been signed by Algonquia, but it didn't pay anything yet.
Olmec Empire's efforts paid off as its technology advances further (Olmecia in Middle Bronze Age now); also, instruments, weapons, mounts and technologies from overseas were employed, though the process of fully integrating them would take more time than was hoped.
Preliminary Huanc trade contacts with Nihon and Phoenicea have been made, although more serious trade is yet to develop due to geographical difficulties and the abrupt Nihonese withdrawal from the area. Still, future trade seems mutually-profitable, especially with certain recent events taken into consideration.
The Tiwanakans withdrew from their Mojo gains... handing the control over to vassal chieftains that kept the frontier safe for them now.
The Phoenicean expedition to the other side of the western continent discovered by the previous expeditions - where, according to the calculations, Huancac was supposed to be located - had failed, largely due to climate and terrible weather. Nevertheless, some additional trade outposts had been set up along the way.
While the Nihonese have managed to limit the spread of native diseases, at the price of slowing down colonial development, the Carib Plague intensified in the Carthaginian colonial possessions, as many of the troops and colonists there have become dangerously malnutrioned lately (-3 Carthaginian thousands, -2 Carthaginian Imperial Stormtrooper thousands). It spread further; Carthage's Old World territories too were plagued by... plague. And it didn't stop there neither - no, it spread into Gaul, Cimberland, Dacoillyria, Luca and Egypt as well (economic damage (note - military losses have been added to general casualties as its often hard to set them apart)). Nortugal and Phoenicea did take certain measures to protect themselves, with a degree of success, but their trade suffered (-1 Trade both).
Constant fighting experience in Alba neutralised the quality degradation in the rapidly-grown armies. Meanwhile, the initial flurry of Iceni propaganda backfired as the Lord-Pontiff of Gaul suddenly changed his mind and agreed that the Iceni were heretics (+1 Caledonian, -1 Iceni Confidence). Nonetheless, the Iceni fight on with the usual zeal, their elite making up various excuses as to why that didn't matter.
To the shock of all of Northern Europe, Magnus V of the Norge was declared Konig by the Council of Jarls (or, at least, by those of the Jarls that agreed to declare him Konig), naturally granting them the retention of many rights, priveleges and powers in their lands; the new Scandinavian state is called Nordrike. This seemed to be a rather sudden decision even for Magnus, as it wasn't executed all too well, Svearland collapsing into civil war (see military events).
Many Frankish Solists fled from the Tarunist raids and attacks to Alba, joining the Caledonian armies there in exchange for safety, land and pay (+10 levy thousands). Yet many others rallied around the foremost Solist warlord, Waldimar, who preached his own, "Frankish" or "National" (for the specific Frankish nation) version of Solism, declaring that Gaul has lost sight of Sol's light and fell into corruption, citing the Gaelic abandonment of both Frankreich and Icenia. His message was popular as the Gauls were perceived as traitors by many Franks, and Waldimar's men managed to unite most of Frankland outside of Wenedian-ruled territories.
The Dacoillyrian plan for a Mediterranean Trade League has been unveiled, proposing maximization of trade between the various Transpoenic and Mediterranean countries, and at the same time embargo against "rogue" nations like Carthage. Although supported in the Bimarine Basin[1], outside of it the League didn't get as much enthusiasm. In any case, it seems to have been postponned for now.
Meanwhile, a long series of assassinations - often enough carried out by Greeks - stunned Dacoillyria (-1 Efficiency).
There have been some increasing border tensions between the Onoghurians and the Cernorusians, especially as several parties of Onoghurian Slavic penal workers fled to Cernorus in 419.
With some Onoghurian influence and assistance, a somewhat more unified Alan tribal confederation came to be, serving the role of a buffer state between Onoghuria and Luca.
Ghana Sumbrike of Wagadou, ever eager to expand his realm, suddenly decided to try and use the peaceful approach. Intimidated by his previous show of force and unwilling to go against him, several Mande tribes have now eagerly accepted his offer and joined Wagadou; amongst other things, the empire gained a coastline. As for the northern Berbers... more on them later (see spotlight). Same for why did he suddenly become so peaceful...
Thanks to Dukunnugeyan influence, advanced protostates - often Nevasanghist - are beginning to arise in southern Africa.
Through a variety of means, the Dukunnugeyans expanded westwards from their African possessions, working surprisingly well with the local Bantu tribes even as Dukunnugeyan colonists arrived en masse. Conflict isn't totally avoided, though (see military events). Meanwhile, Nortuguese-Dukunnugeyan trade started out just fine, and some more Dukunnugeyan trade outposts were set up in the west of southern Africa.
A wide-reaching government reform had been enacted by the Phoeniceans after long preparations, setting up the world's first true parliamentary monarchy (a more advanced and formalized version of the counciliar monarchy). This went surprisingly well. In the meantime, trade agreements with Olmecia, Huancac and Aryavarta have been signed.
A conspiracy against Shah Saraxeres, led by a distant relative Adirishar, had been betrayed and quickly nipped in the bud; nonetheless, some of Adirishar's supporters and allies rose up in arms in fear of crackdowns after the interrogation (see military events).
Rumours spread about weird Tieh Chinese experiments in secluded locations, and some claim that they have even developed some sort of a variation of the Byblos Fire (and a few say that it is only distantly similar; in fact, the only similarity is that it is explosive and related to fire).
The Khmer explorers first sighted an inhabited island to the southeast from New Khmeria. The natives there seemed fairly advanced, and unsurprised at meeting the Khmers; there were some other reasons to believe that some other expeditions have been there before as well... And another small island was found to the south, but the natives there were very primitive. As for New Khmeria, some more peaceful expanding was done.
Military Events:
Armed Nihonese expansion in the New World now concentrated on the north, where more coastal areas were seized, despite ingenious native resistance.
(-1 Nihonese thousands)
Seeing the weakness of the Chimakum tribes, the Hong Kees too do some military expansion of their own, securing a fairly wide area around their northern base, which expanded into a port, although the fighting with the Chimakums impeded the development of Hong Kee trade in the area.
(-1 Hong Kee thousand)
The Aztlanese rebellions are crushed one-by-one over this half-decade.
(-2 Nihonese thousands)
Alarmed by the growing levels of organization and xenophobia of the New World natives, the Nortuguese launched a major military conquest campaign that lasted over four years, capturing and cleansing wide areas of land. Many tribes retreated elsewhere and regroupped; holding on to the new gains will probably be harder than the conquest itself...
(-3 Nortuguese thousands)
On both sides of the Atlantic, great wars raged, and ancient empires tumbled towards their doom, hostile and other nearby powers visibly eager to carve up their lands.
(see spotlight)
(Carthaginian Economy in Crisis, +100 Carthaginian levy thousands, +1 banked eco. for Wagadou, +20 Wagadou levy thousands, -Carthaginian Trade, +2 banked eco. for Nortugal, +1 Carthaginian Army Quality, -1 Carthaginian Confidence, -1 Carthaginian thousand, -10 Carthaginian levy thousands, Olmecia in chaos)
(-all Olmec factions, -8 Huanc thousands, -7 Nortuguese thousands, -6 Nortuguese ships, -19 Gaelic thousands, -6 Gaelic Equites Invictii thousands, -4 Cimbrian thousands, -4 Cimbrian levy thousands, -3 Cimbrian Royal Guard thousands, -1 Cimbrian ship, -6 Dacoillyrian thousands, -6 Dacoillyrian ships, -20 Carthaginian thousands, -10 Carthaginian Imperial Stormtrooper thousands, -43 Carthaginian levy thousands, -15 Carthaginian ships, -5 Wagadou thousands, -3 Wagadou Imperial Berber Camel Rider thousands, -10 Wagadou levy thousands, -3 Lucan thousands, -2 Lucan Companion Cavalry thousands)
With the Caledonian landing in southern Alba and the apparent Gaelic betrayal, the Iceni situation seemed grim in all regards. Hemmed in between two powerful Caledonian armies, the Iceni had no real chances of winning a long two-front war. That was why they decided to defeat their enemy in detail instead, undertaking a bold gambit and moving ALL of their regular forces south, under the command of Lord Aedan. Inadvertly, Prince Artuir, the Caledonian commander in the south, made this even easier for Aedan by splitting his forces. Artuir and his main force were engaged by an Iceni army double its size in the Wye Valley. Although it had hilly terrain, this was compensated by the fact that the Iceni caught the Caledonians on the march. Surprised and partially-broken by the initial Sons of Sol charge, the Caledonians nonetheless were rallied by Artuir, and gave a fierce battle. Yet they were kept on the defensive, while the Iceni used their numeric advantage to attack from multiple directions... The Galloglaigh thrived, inflicting a heavy toll on the enemy, but eventually most of them were cut down, and so was Artuir. The Caledonians broke for real this time, and fled. As per tradition, most of them were cut down by the Sons. After that, the Iceni intended to pursue and liberate the south, but bad news came; Caer Bechet was under siege and on the brink of collapse. Lord Aedan rushed east, but came too late; the Caledonians decided to do as much damage as possible, and broke the weak militias inside, killed Emperor Makar, razed the city and pulled back to the ships, retreating north. Lord Aedan came too late to do anything about this, and the only consolation was that the Emperor was mostly a figurehead anyway. The south was recaptured, ofcourse, but the damage there was quite thorough as well. And lastly, Mael Coluim, enraged at the news of his son's death, now marched south. His massive armies overwhelmed Lord Soltan's fresh levies in a series of brutal border battles, and the Caledonians advanced very far. Near the ruins of Caer Bechet, however, Lord Aedan won another victory, preventing further Caledonian advance in that direction. The war still hangs in the balance, but it seems that the Iceni victories have only granted them a temporary relief, as the economy is breaking down, with the countryside and the capital in ruins.
(-8 Caledonian thousands, -17 Caledonian Galloglaigh thousands, -6 Caledonian levy thousands, -7 Iceni thousands, -2 Iceni Sons of Sol, -18 Iceni levy thousands)
While all the other Gaelic armies were busy fighting the Sixth Transpoenic War, Waldimar, the reformist Solist leader of Frankland, declared a great Soliade - not against Wenedia as many had expected, but against Gaul, to purify the Church of Sol. Improvising as they went, the Franks commandeered fishing boats and merchant ships and quickly crossed the Rhine at several locations, literally taking the outdated border fortresses by surprise. Defeating isolated militias one-by-one and using captured villagers as human shields, the Franks advanced to Remi, and, in a hard-fought battle, broke the Gaelic levy troops. The fortress was unprepared for resistance, and desptie the failure of the initial Frankish assault, it was eventually starved into surrender. The Franks only stopped on the Seine, securing many other areas and carrying off much plunder. The Dumnorix was nothing short of furious (-1 Gaelic Economy, Confidence, +1 banked eco. for Frankland).
(-7 Gaelic levy thousands, -6 Frankish thousands, -3 Frankish levy thousands)
After Magnus V's peace with Nortugal - in which the Nortuguese promised to never enter warships into the North Sea again - his popularity and prestige within the Tarunist world was never higher, and his power too was something many others could only envy - a mighty war machine was at his disposal, and at home his power was, for all purposes, absolute. Yet he aimed for more. He had a wish to forge an empire like none before, to unite Scandinavia. Actually, there were only three powers in the way; the discredited, unstable Solist Jutland, the poorly-coordinated, fragile Jarlic Svearland... and Tarunia, the present great power of the Baltic. After giving his situation some serious thought, he decided on a mad, highly-risky plan that just MIGHT see him through. He planned to unite Scandinavia in less than five years. The first move in his ambitious campaign was a political one; an union with Svearland had been negotiated. Sadly, not all the Jarls accepted it, but it was fairly easy to transform the de jure situation into a de facto one in this case; now that he had a casus belli, Magnus simply sent in troops to crush the rebel Jarls, with the help of the loyal ones, amongst whom their lands were partitioned. As soon as he was secure in his control over Svearland, Magnus begun preparing his attack on Jutland... when news came from the east of Tarunia's war with the Mordvins. Not only did this activate the secret Norge-Mordvin alliance, but it also implied certain redeployments... Specifically, the Tarunians gutted their key Scandinavian garrisons, and moved a large fleet through the Skaggerak. On one hand, that was an excellent opportunity, on the other, it was highly suspicious; the Tarunians had already bypassed Jutland, while a landing in Mordivinia's freezing northern provinces was simply too absurd an option to even consider. Magnus V gave the order. The Tarunian fleet, vulnerable as it moved through the Skaggerak, was surrounded by Norge fleets coming from different directions, and before the Tarunian commander could do anything, he was sneak-attacked. Although the attack wasn't carried out all that well due to poor coordination, the Tarunians were shocked and panicked, and before they could recover many ships were already sinking, while Magnus' elite Berserkirs boarded the ships. The sea-sick levies were barely worthy of their attention; the sailors and Northmen fought better, but they too were ultimately no match. Though the Tarunians did recover later in the battle and their superior quality begun to show, it was too late, their fleet was in shambles and divided. The Battle of Skaggerak was fought on well into the night, and when the sun rose, Magnus V was the winner. It was the worst defeat in Tarunia's history (-1 Tarunian Confidence, 12 Tarunian ships to Nordrike). And things got worse; the hosts of Nordrike, as Magnus' new empire was called, quickly occupied Tarunian colonies in Scandinavia despite fanatical resistance, and proceeded to capture Bornholm, Copenhagen, Gotland and Longumare. Much of Tarunia's anvy was simply destroyed at Skaggerak, so Magnus V's rear was safe when he launched his final invasion for this decade, attacking Jutland from multiple directions, with the help of local rebels and conspirators (including crypto-Tarunist military commanders). It was a pitiful show; Judikel I and his last few retainers, so recently victorious, were now smashed, and adding insult to injury, it occured almost as an afterthought, while both of their self-declared allies did nothing at all. The Nordrikians were also assisted by the Tarunist Franks, who had joined them in exchange for protection against all sorts of Solists. Jutland was smashed, and the Solist Jutlanders now woed the day they reached for power, as now they were being slaughtered en masse or forced to flee for Alba.
(-Norge, Svearland, Jutland as individual nations, +Greater Nordrike, -18 Nordrikian thousands, -7 Nordrikian Berserkir thousands, -13 Nordrikian levy thousands, -13 Nordrikian ships, -8 Tarunian thousands, -29 Tarunian Northmen, -10 Tarunian levy thousands, -37 Tarunian ships)
The Gdansk rebellion suddenly collapsed just like that, its leaders disappearing - most probably captured by Wenedians. The rebels surrendered soon after. Now the Wenedians turned towards the Cernorusians, attacking their northern army with Nadruvian help. The army, attacked from multiple directions, demoralized by previous defeats and generally outmatched, was utterly broken at the village of Siedlce. Upon hearing this, Vladimir I's advisors persuaded him to retreat with the rest of his army back into Cernorus, under the pretext of it being threatened by the Nadruvians; however, much as Vladimir had feared, most at home considered thsi to be cowardice, and he had to kill his son, who intended use this as a pretext for a powergrab, in single combat. Cernorus' first great military adventure has been an ignominous failure, alrgely due to overestimation of its forces and Vladimir's hesitation in a decisive moment (-1 Cernorusian Confidence). On the other hand, at least something has been salvaged from it - namely, the southern army, and with it fighting experience (+1 Army Quality).
(-20 Cernorusian thousands, -5 Cernorusian Ljuta Druzhina thousands, -3 Cernorusian levy thousands, -7 Wenedian thousands, -6 Nadruvian thousands)
As already mentioned, Tarunia invaded Mordvinia, wisely anticipating the Mordvins to attack later on. Wisely becaue the Mordvins WERE planning to attack Tarunia at a later point, and in fact were preparing to strike as soon as their anticipated invasion of Jutland bogs down. That mistake the Tarunians did avoid, but they compensated by sending a large part of their land force and their strongest fleet to their deaths in Skaggerak (see above), and by launching a straightforward land attack against a nation whose land army was superior to the Tarunian one in both quality and quantity. Although some early victories in the north were achieved, the surprise effect wore off by the time the Tarunians barely won the battle at Kashin (on the road to Valdakva). At this point, hit-and-run attacks and assassinations (carried out by highly-trained, agile gray-caped men) commenced, while a vast Mordvin army amassed at Valdakva and after some skirmishes landed a terrifying defeat on the Tarunians at Kineshma. Ilpotar, the highest-ranking surviving Tarunian commander, rallied the army at this point and ordered a retreat in the face of almost-inevitable doom ensured by any other option. Miracilously, his orderly retreat did succeed, as the Mordvins expected the Tarunians to attack again. The Tarunians retreated to their great wall and braced themselves for the Mordvin attack.. which never came. It was a very odd campaign, all things taken into consideration.
(-2 Tarunian thousands, -17 Tarunian Northmen thousands, -4 Tarunian levy thousands, -10 Mordvin thousands, -2 Mordvin Kantir thousands)
Egypt flew into chaos once more with the assassination of the last Berber Pharaoh, followed by the death of most other Berber leaders. This took all the myriad factions by surprise, except for one - that of General Menes, who was apparently behind the assassinations. He and his troops quickly captured Thebes, and Menes claimed the throne for himself. The Republican rebellion against him was defeated in a difficult street battle; elsewhere, however, Menes' authority begun to collapse before it could be properly established. At Akam, General Kufu proclaimed the Egyptian Republic and the List of Rights; the more radical Red Sea coast Judaists rose up in arms, and an even larger rebellion started in Arabia (see below); Berbers, outraged at the terror against them, rebelled in Libya; Nubian separatists rallied around a man named Marsis, who claimed the long-disfunct title of King of Nubia. Although Menes had the initiative, the entirety of the army that would have supported him was busy fighting in Hejjaz; Kufu, though he too had expected the assistance of the army, was able to move faster; he promised considerable say in the post-civil war Egyptian government to the merchants (as well as lowering of the Sile tariffs), and with their financial assistance built a new army, reinforced by his poorer supporters. Quickly taking over the north, he marched on Thebes and defeated Menes' levies there. At this point, a few other rebellions and conspiracies back in the north had to be defeated, as various old dynasties and new claimants tried to use the situation to their advantage. They were all easily ruined, however. By the end of 420 AD, the Republicans were in control of Egypt Proper, but all the peripheries were held by various rebels: Berbers in the west, Nubians in the south, and Menes, who had fled to Hejjaz and there took command of the regular Egyptian military, in the east (including in Africa - Menes recently recaptured parts of the Red Sea coast)... The civil war seems to be only beginning.
(didn't do casualties due to the highly-confusing situation early in the conflict, with the levy armies and so forth)
Non-Military Events:
Integration and colonisation of Nihon's Aztlanese conquests had begun.
Nortuguese colonisation of the New World begun in the earnest, with several towns and cities springing up on the Tuniit island and some in the mainland holdings as well.
Algonquia was joined by another indigenous North American nation: the Wabanaki state, Kingdom of the Dawn Land. A theocracy based on the religion of Trinitarianism that quickly united several related peoples, to the northeast from Algonquia itself. Soon enough it made contact with both Algonquia (proselytising vigorously, but with little success thus far) and Nortugal, and signed trade and technologic exchange agreements with both. The latter agreement with Nortugal, however, is yet to bear fruit despite the Wabanaki payment of a tribute; many, in fact, grow discontent with this act as the Nortuguese seem to have played High King Assacumbait for a fool (-1 Confidence), while some others wonder just what exactly was that agreement supposed to mean in the first place.
Similar agreements have been signed by Algonquia, but it didn't pay anything yet.
Olmec Empire's efforts paid off as its technology advances further (Olmecia in Middle Bronze Age now); also, instruments, weapons, mounts and technologies from overseas were employed, though the process of fully integrating them would take more time than was hoped.
Preliminary Huanc trade contacts with Nihon and Phoenicea have been made, although more serious trade is yet to develop due to geographical difficulties and the abrupt Nihonese withdrawal from the area. Still, future trade seems mutually-profitable, especially with certain recent events taken into consideration.
The Tiwanakans withdrew from their Mojo gains... handing the control over to vassal chieftains that kept the frontier safe for them now.
The Phoenicean expedition to the other side of the western continent discovered by the previous expeditions - where, according to the calculations, Huancac was supposed to be located - had failed, largely due to climate and terrible weather. Nevertheless, some additional trade outposts had been set up along the way.
While the Nihonese have managed to limit the spread of native diseases, at the price of slowing down colonial development, the Carib Plague intensified in the Carthaginian colonial possessions, as many of the troops and colonists there have become dangerously malnutrioned lately (-3 Carthaginian thousands, -2 Carthaginian Imperial Stormtrooper thousands). It spread further; Carthage's Old World territories too were plagued by... plague. And it didn't stop there neither - no, it spread into Gaul, Cimberland, Dacoillyria, Luca and Egypt as well (economic damage (note - military losses have been added to general casualties as its often hard to set them apart)). Nortugal and Phoenicea did take certain measures to protect themselves, with a degree of success, but their trade suffered (-1 Trade both).
Constant fighting experience in Alba neutralised the quality degradation in the rapidly-grown armies. Meanwhile, the initial flurry of Iceni propaganda backfired as the Lord-Pontiff of Gaul suddenly changed his mind and agreed that the Iceni were heretics (+1 Caledonian, -1 Iceni Confidence). Nonetheless, the Iceni fight on with the usual zeal, their elite making up various excuses as to why that didn't matter.
To the shock of all of Northern Europe, Magnus V of the Norge was declared Konig by the Council of Jarls (or, at least, by those of the Jarls that agreed to declare him Konig), naturally granting them the retention of many rights, priveleges and powers in their lands; the new Scandinavian state is called Nordrike. This seemed to be a rather sudden decision even for Magnus, as it wasn't executed all too well, Svearland collapsing into civil war (see military events).
Many Frankish Solists fled from the Tarunist raids and attacks to Alba, joining the Caledonian armies there in exchange for safety, land and pay (+10 levy thousands). Yet many others rallied around the foremost Solist warlord, Waldimar, who preached his own, "Frankish" or "National" (for the specific Frankish nation) version of Solism, declaring that Gaul has lost sight of Sol's light and fell into corruption, citing the Gaelic abandonment of both Frankreich and Icenia. His message was popular as the Gauls were perceived as traitors by many Franks, and Waldimar's men managed to unite most of Frankland outside of Wenedian-ruled territories.
The Dacoillyrian plan for a Mediterranean Trade League has been unveiled, proposing maximization of trade between the various Transpoenic and Mediterranean countries, and at the same time embargo against "rogue" nations like Carthage. Although supported in the Bimarine Basin[1], outside of it the League didn't get as much enthusiasm. In any case, it seems to have been postponned for now.
Meanwhile, a long series of assassinations - often enough carried out by Greeks - stunned Dacoillyria (-1 Efficiency).
There have been some increasing border tensions between the Onoghurians and the Cernorusians, especially as several parties of Onoghurian Slavic penal workers fled to Cernorus in 419.
With some Onoghurian influence and assistance, a somewhat more unified Alan tribal confederation came to be, serving the role of a buffer state between Onoghuria and Luca.
Ghana Sumbrike of Wagadou, ever eager to expand his realm, suddenly decided to try and use the peaceful approach. Intimidated by his previous show of force and unwilling to go against him, several Mande tribes have now eagerly accepted his offer and joined Wagadou; amongst other things, the empire gained a coastline. As for the northern Berbers... more on them later (see spotlight). Same for why did he suddenly become so peaceful...
Thanks to Dukunnugeyan influence, advanced protostates - often Nevasanghist - are beginning to arise in southern Africa.
Through a variety of means, the Dukunnugeyans expanded westwards from their African possessions, working surprisingly well with the local Bantu tribes even as Dukunnugeyan colonists arrived en masse. Conflict isn't totally avoided, though (see military events). Meanwhile, Nortuguese-Dukunnugeyan trade started out just fine, and some more Dukunnugeyan trade outposts were set up in the west of southern Africa.
A wide-reaching government reform had been enacted by the Phoeniceans after long preparations, setting up the world's first true parliamentary monarchy (a more advanced and formalized version of the counciliar monarchy). This went surprisingly well. In the meantime, trade agreements with Olmecia, Huancac and Aryavarta have been signed.
A conspiracy against Shah Saraxeres, led by a distant relative Adirishar, had been betrayed and quickly nipped in the bud; nonetheless, some of Adirishar's supporters and allies rose up in arms in fear of crackdowns after the interrogation (see military events).
Rumours spread about weird Tieh Chinese experiments in secluded locations, and some claim that they have even developed some sort of a variation of the Byblos Fire (and a few say that it is only distantly similar; in fact, the only similarity is that it is explosive and related to fire).
The Khmer explorers first sighted an inhabited island to the southeast from New Khmeria. The natives there seemed fairly advanced, and unsurprised at meeting the Khmers; there were some other reasons to believe that some other expeditions have been there before as well... And another small island was found to the south, but the natives there were very primitive. As for New Khmeria, some more peaceful expanding was done.
Military Events:
Armed Nihonese expansion in the New World now concentrated on the north, where more coastal areas were seized, despite ingenious native resistance.
(-1 Nihonese thousands)
Seeing the weakness of the Chimakum tribes, the Hong Kees too do some military expansion of their own, securing a fairly wide area around their northern base, which expanded into a port, although the fighting with the Chimakums impeded the development of Hong Kee trade in the area.
(-1 Hong Kee thousand)
The Aztlanese rebellions are crushed one-by-one over this half-decade.
(-2 Nihonese thousands)
Alarmed by the growing levels of organization and xenophobia of the New World natives, the Nortuguese launched a major military conquest campaign that lasted over four years, capturing and cleansing wide areas of land. Many tribes retreated elsewhere and regroupped; holding on to the new gains will probably be harder than the conquest itself...
(-3 Nortuguese thousands)
On both sides of the Atlantic, great wars raged, and ancient empires tumbled towards their doom, hostile and other nearby powers visibly eager to carve up their lands.
(see spotlight)
(Carthaginian Economy in Crisis, +100 Carthaginian levy thousands, +1 banked eco. for Wagadou, +20 Wagadou levy thousands, -Carthaginian Trade, +2 banked eco. for Nortugal, +1 Carthaginian Army Quality, -1 Carthaginian Confidence, -1 Carthaginian thousand, -10 Carthaginian levy thousands, Olmecia in chaos)
(-all Olmec factions, -8 Huanc thousands, -7 Nortuguese thousands, -6 Nortuguese ships, -19 Gaelic thousands, -6 Gaelic Equites Invictii thousands, -4 Cimbrian thousands, -4 Cimbrian levy thousands, -3 Cimbrian Royal Guard thousands, -1 Cimbrian ship, -6 Dacoillyrian thousands, -6 Dacoillyrian ships, -20 Carthaginian thousands, -10 Carthaginian Imperial Stormtrooper thousands, -43 Carthaginian levy thousands, -15 Carthaginian ships, -5 Wagadou thousands, -3 Wagadou Imperial Berber Camel Rider thousands, -10 Wagadou levy thousands, -3 Lucan thousands, -2 Lucan Companion Cavalry thousands)
With the Caledonian landing in southern Alba and the apparent Gaelic betrayal, the Iceni situation seemed grim in all regards. Hemmed in between two powerful Caledonian armies, the Iceni had no real chances of winning a long two-front war. That was why they decided to defeat their enemy in detail instead, undertaking a bold gambit and moving ALL of their regular forces south, under the command of Lord Aedan. Inadvertly, Prince Artuir, the Caledonian commander in the south, made this even easier for Aedan by splitting his forces. Artuir and his main force were engaged by an Iceni army double its size in the Wye Valley. Although it had hilly terrain, this was compensated by the fact that the Iceni caught the Caledonians on the march. Surprised and partially-broken by the initial Sons of Sol charge, the Caledonians nonetheless were rallied by Artuir, and gave a fierce battle. Yet they were kept on the defensive, while the Iceni used their numeric advantage to attack from multiple directions... The Galloglaigh thrived, inflicting a heavy toll on the enemy, but eventually most of them were cut down, and so was Artuir. The Caledonians broke for real this time, and fled. As per tradition, most of them were cut down by the Sons. After that, the Iceni intended to pursue and liberate the south, but bad news came; Caer Bechet was under siege and on the brink of collapse. Lord Aedan rushed east, but came too late; the Caledonians decided to do as much damage as possible, and broke the weak militias inside, killed Emperor Makar, razed the city and pulled back to the ships, retreating north. Lord Aedan came too late to do anything about this, and the only consolation was that the Emperor was mostly a figurehead anyway. The south was recaptured, ofcourse, but the damage there was quite thorough as well. And lastly, Mael Coluim, enraged at the news of his son's death, now marched south. His massive armies overwhelmed Lord Soltan's fresh levies in a series of brutal border battles, and the Caledonians advanced very far. Near the ruins of Caer Bechet, however, Lord Aedan won another victory, preventing further Caledonian advance in that direction. The war still hangs in the balance, but it seems that the Iceni victories have only granted them a temporary relief, as the economy is breaking down, with the countryside and the capital in ruins.
(-8 Caledonian thousands, -17 Caledonian Galloglaigh thousands, -6 Caledonian levy thousands, -7 Iceni thousands, -2 Iceni Sons of Sol, -18 Iceni levy thousands)
While all the other Gaelic armies were busy fighting the Sixth Transpoenic War, Waldimar, the reformist Solist leader of Frankland, declared a great Soliade - not against Wenedia as many had expected, but against Gaul, to purify the Church of Sol. Improvising as they went, the Franks commandeered fishing boats and merchant ships and quickly crossed the Rhine at several locations, literally taking the outdated border fortresses by surprise. Defeating isolated militias one-by-one and using captured villagers as human shields, the Franks advanced to Remi, and, in a hard-fought battle, broke the Gaelic levy troops. The fortress was unprepared for resistance, and desptie the failure of the initial Frankish assault, it was eventually starved into surrender. The Franks only stopped on the Seine, securing many other areas and carrying off much plunder. The Dumnorix was nothing short of furious (-1 Gaelic Economy, Confidence, +1 banked eco. for Frankland).
(-7 Gaelic levy thousands, -6 Frankish thousands, -3 Frankish levy thousands)
After Magnus V's peace with Nortugal - in which the Nortuguese promised to never enter warships into the North Sea again - his popularity and prestige within the Tarunist world was never higher, and his power too was something many others could only envy - a mighty war machine was at his disposal, and at home his power was, for all purposes, absolute. Yet he aimed for more. He had a wish to forge an empire like none before, to unite Scandinavia. Actually, there were only three powers in the way; the discredited, unstable Solist Jutland, the poorly-coordinated, fragile Jarlic Svearland... and Tarunia, the present great power of the Baltic. After giving his situation some serious thought, he decided on a mad, highly-risky plan that just MIGHT see him through. He planned to unite Scandinavia in less than five years. The first move in his ambitious campaign was a political one; an union with Svearland had been negotiated. Sadly, not all the Jarls accepted it, but it was fairly easy to transform the de jure situation into a de facto one in this case; now that he had a casus belli, Magnus simply sent in troops to crush the rebel Jarls, with the help of the loyal ones, amongst whom their lands were partitioned. As soon as he was secure in his control over Svearland, Magnus begun preparing his attack on Jutland... when news came from the east of Tarunia's war with the Mordvins. Not only did this activate the secret Norge-Mordvin alliance, but it also implied certain redeployments... Specifically, the Tarunians gutted their key Scandinavian garrisons, and moved a large fleet through the Skaggerak. On one hand, that was an excellent opportunity, on the other, it was highly suspicious; the Tarunians had already bypassed Jutland, while a landing in Mordivinia's freezing northern provinces was simply too absurd an option to even consider. Magnus V gave the order. The Tarunian fleet, vulnerable as it moved through the Skaggerak, was surrounded by Norge fleets coming from different directions, and before the Tarunian commander could do anything, he was sneak-attacked. Although the attack wasn't carried out all that well due to poor coordination, the Tarunians were shocked and panicked, and before they could recover many ships were already sinking, while Magnus' elite Berserkirs boarded the ships. The sea-sick levies were barely worthy of their attention; the sailors and Northmen fought better, but they too were ultimately no match. Though the Tarunians did recover later in the battle and their superior quality begun to show, it was too late, their fleet was in shambles and divided. The Battle of Skaggerak was fought on well into the night, and when the sun rose, Magnus V was the winner. It was the worst defeat in Tarunia's history (-1 Tarunian Confidence, 12 Tarunian ships to Nordrike). And things got worse; the hosts of Nordrike, as Magnus' new empire was called, quickly occupied Tarunian colonies in Scandinavia despite fanatical resistance, and proceeded to capture Bornholm, Copenhagen, Gotland and Longumare. Much of Tarunia's anvy was simply destroyed at Skaggerak, so Magnus V's rear was safe when he launched his final invasion for this decade, attacking Jutland from multiple directions, with the help of local rebels and conspirators (including crypto-Tarunist military commanders). It was a pitiful show; Judikel I and his last few retainers, so recently victorious, were now smashed, and adding insult to injury, it occured almost as an afterthought, while both of their self-declared allies did nothing at all. The Nordrikians were also assisted by the Tarunist Franks, who had joined them in exchange for protection against all sorts of Solists. Jutland was smashed, and the Solist Jutlanders now woed the day they reached for power, as now they were being slaughtered en masse or forced to flee for Alba.
(-Norge, Svearland, Jutland as individual nations, +Greater Nordrike, -18 Nordrikian thousands, -7 Nordrikian Berserkir thousands, -13 Nordrikian levy thousands, -13 Nordrikian ships, -8 Tarunian thousands, -29 Tarunian Northmen, -10 Tarunian levy thousands, -37 Tarunian ships)
The Gdansk rebellion suddenly collapsed just like that, its leaders disappearing - most probably captured by Wenedians. The rebels surrendered soon after. Now the Wenedians turned towards the Cernorusians, attacking their northern army with Nadruvian help. The army, attacked from multiple directions, demoralized by previous defeats and generally outmatched, was utterly broken at the village of Siedlce. Upon hearing this, Vladimir I's advisors persuaded him to retreat with the rest of his army back into Cernorus, under the pretext of it being threatened by the Nadruvians; however, much as Vladimir had feared, most at home considered thsi to be cowardice, and he had to kill his son, who intended use this as a pretext for a powergrab, in single combat. Cernorus' first great military adventure has been an ignominous failure, alrgely due to overestimation of its forces and Vladimir's hesitation in a decisive moment (-1 Cernorusian Confidence). On the other hand, at least something has been salvaged from it - namely, the southern army, and with it fighting experience (+1 Army Quality).
(-20 Cernorusian thousands, -5 Cernorusian Ljuta Druzhina thousands, -3 Cernorusian levy thousands, -7 Wenedian thousands, -6 Nadruvian thousands)
As already mentioned, Tarunia invaded Mordvinia, wisely anticipating the Mordvins to attack later on. Wisely becaue the Mordvins WERE planning to attack Tarunia at a later point, and in fact were preparing to strike as soon as their anticipated invasion of Jutland bogs down. That mistake the Tarunians did avoid, but they compensated by sending a large part of their land force and their strongest fleet to their deaths in Skaggerak (see above), and by launching a straightforward land attack against a nation whose land army was superior to the Tarunian one in both quality and quantity. Although some early victories in the north were achieved, the surprise effect wore off by the time the Tarunians barely won the battle at Kashin (on the road to Valdakva). At this point, hit-and-run attacks and assassinations (carried out by highly-trained, agile gray-caped men) commenced, while a vast Mordvin army amassed at Valdakva and after some skirmishes landed a terrifying defeat on the Tarunians at Kineshma. Ilpotar, the highest-ranking surviving Tarunian commander, rallied the army at this point and ordered a retreat in the face of almost-inevitable doom ensured by any other option. Miracilously, his orderly retreat did succeed, as the Mordvins expected the Tarunians to attack again. The Tarunians retreated to their great wall and braced themselves for the Mordvin attack.. which never came. It was a very odd campaign, all things taken into consideration.
(-2 Tarunian thousands, -17 Tarunian Northmen thousands, -4 Tarunian levy thousands, -10 Mordvin thousands, -2 Mordvin Kantir thousands)
Egypt flew into chaos once more with the assassination of the last Berber Pharaoh, followed by the death of most other Berber leaders. This took all the myriad factions by surprise, except for one - that of General Menes, who was apparently behind the assassinations. He and his troops quickly captured Thebes, and Menes claimed the throne for himself. The Republican rebellion against him was defeated in a difficult street battle; elsewhere, however, Menes' authority begun to collapse before it could be properly established. At Akam, General Kufu proclaimed the Egyptian Republic and the List of Rights; the more radical Red Sea coast Judaists rose up in arms, and an even larger rebellion started in Arabia (see below); Berbers, outraged at the terror against them, rebelled in Libya; Nubian separatists rallied around a man named Marsis, who claimed the long-disfunct title of King of Nubia. Although Menes had the initiative, the entirety of the army that would have supported him was busy fighting in Hejjaz; Kufu, though he too had expected the assistance of the army, was able to move faster; he promised considerable say in the post-civil war Egyptian government to the merchants (as well as lowering of the Sile tariffs), and with their financial assistance built a new army, reinforced by his poorer supporters. Quickly taking over the north, he marched on Thebes and defeated Menes' levies there. At this point, a few other rebellions and conspiracies back in the north had to be defeated, as various old dynasties and new claimants tried to use the situation to their advantage. They were all easily ruined, however. By the end of 420 AD, the Republicans were in control of Egypt Proper, but all the peripheries were held by various rebels: Berbers in the west, Nubians in the south, and Menes, who had fled to Hejjaz and there took command of the regular Egyptian military, in the east (including in Africa - Menes recently recaptured parts of the Red Sea coast)... The civil war seems to be only beginning.
(didn't do casualties due to the highly-confusing situation early in the conflict, with the levy armies and so forth)
das
Regeneration In Process
The costly African venture of the Aryavartans continued without much success, as grumbling grew at home over this senseless waste of financial and political credit (-1 Confidence). After the collapse of negotiations with the city-state of Grika and its vassal tribes, the Aryavartans quickly attacked and captured that city. Yet further campaigns were marred by constant tribal resistance and surprisingly-efficient hit-and-run attacks by the local tribesmen, which, in combination with absolutely horrible attrition, grinded away at the Aryavartan nubmers and more importantly morale. To make things worse, between the storms and the pirates, not all that much supplies got through - not really enough for the huge Aryavartan army. Many reinforcements sunk too. Thus Aryavartan expansion came to a grinding halt soon enough (especially as the surviving Khoisan states signed an alliance against Dukunnugeya AND Aryavarta), with the only bright spots being some victories in the skirmishes against the pirates (and the raiders, plus the Bantus that begun to attack from the north; the Aryavartan reputation as one of the strongest military powers doesn't seem to be all that unfounded, as even in this difficult situation they had held their own and made gains) and the construction of a more viable base at Rovi.
(-18 Aryavartan thousands, -9 Aryavartan ships)
Embare, the northernmost of the Khoisan city-states, was destroyed by a Dukunnugeyan-Bantu force, the Dukunnugeyans claiming the area as well. Aside from that, large-scale Dukunnugeyan military operations in southern Africa have apparently ceased.
(-2 Dukunnugeyan thousands)
The Lucans finally strangled the northern Caucasian rebels.
(-1 Lucan thousand)
Having mysteriously survived the Battle of Yamama, David ben Yishai used the instability in Egypt and Parhae to make one last attempt to return. But from the start, things begun to go wrong. David greatly overestimated the unity and zeal of his people; the defeat of Israfanidia trully broke the backs of many, and far from all joined the rebellion even in Arabia itself, some even openly condemning it (these didn't last long, meeting painful death at the hands of Israeli assassins). And while many enough of the desert tribes did join David, in the cities, most people were more concerned with survival now. The main rebel attack, that on Mecca, was repulsed with much bloodshed by the large, well-trained Egyptian garrison there. Some other cities all over Arabia WERE captured, but in Lower Ur at least the Parhaens held their own quite adequately. David's hopes for Mesopatamia were also absurdly high; although some Judaists and followers of Adirishar did rebel there, the majority was simply tired of the warfare, and most of the Judaists there only converted when the going was good; now that joining the Judaist rebellion meant joining a lost cause, many enough decided that their new faith wasn't worth dying for. Although the apostates were few, the collaborationists were many. The Adirishid rebels were decisively defeated at Charax after a year of inconclusive campaigning. As the rebels ran out of momentum and their weakness became apparent, the vastly-superior armies struck back, the Parhaen camelry being particularily lethal for the Davidist rebels. Despite still winning a few localized victories here and there, the rebels were now outnumbered, isolated and defeated in detail. David died in one of the last battles, his rebellion clearly premature. It would seem that Israel shall remain buried for now...
(-10 Menesite thousands, -2 Menesite ships, -15 Parhaen thousands, -3 Parhaen Eternal Legions)
In a completely unexpected campaign, the Turanese attacked the southeastern Ugrians on the Jaik, cutting through their lands and besieging the main stronghold of Ilek. Despite fanatical resistance, the city fell in the end, and the campaign ended in success, reinforcing the Turanese Khagan's positions at home thanks to well-managed propaganda (+1 Confidence).
(-3 Turanese thousands)
Random Events:
The Silk Route is prospering and expanding (+1 Onoghurian, Turanese, Tieh Trade).
Word leaks out that the Hong Kee spies have been operating in Nihon, stealing all sorts of secrets and commiting fairly unethical acts to ensure their success. This word is immediately caught on in the anti-Hong Kee circles all over the Far East, and got greatly inflated along the way (-1 Hong Kee Prestige)...
Special Bonuses:
Best Religious Text (stories, diplo): Solism (+influence, +proselytising).
Least Expected Military Operation: Nortugal (+1 Army Quality).
Best Diplo: Dacoillyria (+1 Prestige).
Spotlight:
Empires Aflame.
"Those who are not with us are against us."
- Ariartus, Parhaen statesman and scholar, "Art of Rule", 199 Ad.
"None are with us."
- Iberius, Nortuguese scholar, "Commentary to Ariartus the Parhaen", 397 AD.
Carthage had burned, but its empire survived, and retained considerable power. Yet the fire spread quickly, more quickly than anyone had thought possible, more quickly and more widely than Hannibal Barcelona VI could fight. Thus all of the great empire (which just so recently was at the peak of its expansion with the conquest of the Carib Sea) burned, from end to end.
And at the same time, another empire burned; that of the Olmecs. After the devastation of the pandemics and the humiliation of the Carib War, the empire that seemed eternal fell into a new civil war; the north rebelled, the south disobeyed, and the centre was forced to fight for its very survival. Meanwhile, barbarians and other neighbours gathered on the borders; like Carthage, Olmecia was a tasty snack, and its ability to defend itself and its lands was severely compromised.
Between them was the Atlantic Ocean. For now, it was quiet and serene, at least strategically. That was about to change...
But for now, the wars went on as previously. The 30th Crown Prince purchased weapons and war-mounts from overseas, whilst negotiating a deal with the southern feudal lords, getting their support in exchange for them getting additional autonomy. Although the Coronoprincipals and their new allies had failed to attain numeric supremacy, they still had higher quality. Yet Tzapatjama realized that as well, and so did his best to avoid a decisive battle, gradually retreating from Yucatan - into well-prepared positions in the ancient Olmec heartland, where all the surviving Cornoprincipal garrisons had surrendered by then. In the mountains of Oaxaca, he gave battle to the Coronoprincipals; having already heard of their horses from the previous skirmishes, he rightly judged that in the mountains, his own llamas would prove more effective. The Battle of Yagul proved him right; the horses (which the Olmecs weren't horribly skilled at riding anyway) were completely terrified by the llamas, and the Jaguar Warrior flank charges turned into routs, allowing Tzapatjama's main forces to cut into the Coronoprincipal and Southern Feudal infantry. However, these had superior European weapons, which cut easily through bronze, to Tzapatjama's dismay. After his attack was turned back with considerable losses, the Northern Feudal Lord decided to call it a draw and pull back. The Coronoprincipals were too tired to pursue, and soon enough, new problems came up; the disagreements between the Crown Prince and the Southern Feudal Lords reemerged, and were made even worse when news came of the Huanc invasion of Southern Feudal Lord lands. The Lords declared that they needed to defend their realm, and so left the camp with their entire army. The war, thus, dragged on, but as the Coronoprincipals gained experience - and the horses got more used to local fauna - the situation begun to turn in their favour even though Tzapatjama's forces did finally defeat and kill the insane Coronoprincipal commander Tuwangpin. Tzapatjama had to retreat further and further north. That was when suddenly, a new threat appeared...
The Sixth Transpoenic War went on back in the Old World. Not much naval action was to be seen, early on anyway; two huge fleets, one Dacoillyrian and another Carthaginians, gathered on the opposite sides of the Pillars of Hercules and basically waited for each other to make the first moves, although the Carthaginians also undertook some vain attempts to draw the Dacoillyrians out. A sort of sea war did occur within the Transpoenic, as Carthaginian privateers took to the seas, but the Coalition leaders soon enough learned to assign naval escorts to all the important routes, and the privateers just weren't strong enough to do anything about that. Also, there occured some Carthaginian rebellions behind the enemy lines, especially in the various islands; Malta, Sardinia and the Balearics actually were recaptured, or almost so, in the great uprising of 417; but by then certain obvious adjustments were made due to the events in Egypt (which now clearly was in no shape to intervenne in the Transpoenic War), and large forces were freed up - they were immediately used to put down the rebels, an operation that was followed up by ruthless reprisals.
Ofcourse, the main theatres of war were continental ones - specifically, the Gaelo-Iberian and the North African theatres. In the former, Carthaginians levied lots of troops, including virtually all the Punics they could find in occupied Gaul; against them was amassed a reformed, improved Gaelic army, reinforced by seasoned Cimbri troops. In Gaul, contrary to Gaelic expectations, the Carthaginians went on a fighting retreat, gradually pulling back beyond the Garonne. A fairly large Carthaginian army was shattered at Argel, but the initial attempted invasion of Iberia resulted in a horrible massacre in the Pyrenees, as the Gauls attempted to charge a fully-manned Carthaginian fortress. In the west, a large battle was fought with the Carthaginians at Lapurdum; the Carthaginian Emperor himself was wounded, and only barely survived as he and his army had to flee from the wrath of the Gaelic Equites. Yet again, the campaign stagnated in the mountains; the Gauls simply weren't prepared for siege operations, especially in such difficult conditions. The Carthaginians won time for Iberia to be transformed into a powerful fortress peninsula; confounded with such an obstacle, the Gauls had to put the campaign on halt lest the recent Catalonian enterprise or the Roncesvallus of the previous war be repeated yet again.
It is ironic, but the Carthaginians fared more badly in North Africa. As more and more Lucans arrived, they repelled all counterattacks, secured forward positions in the Atlas mountains, captured Tripolitania and carefully avoided overstretchment, which was key for the Carthaginian plan. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians wre faced with the need to supply their huge levy army; indeed, Carthage entered a crisis, as its key agricultural areas and trade routes were in enemy hands now, and starvation spread. The war here died down as well; and this was bad for Carthage first and foremost, with the aforementioned situation taken into consideration, as in a war of attrition, it stood no chance...
And already, the fire of war spread elsewhere. Wagadou's Ghana, Sumbrike I, saw a threat in Carthage; and as the news of its troubles reached Kouronkorokale, he also saw an opportunity in its lands. He launched several separate offensives, correctly assessing the Carthaginian garrisons there to be nothing Wagadou couldn't deal with. In any case, however, Sumbrike I also recruited more people to his side; in particular, the warlike Berbers on his northern borders agreed to join his army in exchange for the possibility of plunder in the Carthaginian lands. With their help, the Wagadou forces not only secured nearby Carthaginian Sahara cities, but even advanced further, and, though this one was carried out by the Berbers themselves unassisted, launched deep desert raids, wrecking havoc on the local trade routes and administration. Meanwhile, the Wagadou themselves also executed rapid, often innovative attacks on the various Carthaginian West African trade outposts, capturing them ofcourse (not before overcoming the local militias though), although the trade with Carthage - Wagadou's most important trading partner - was predictably enough disrupted.
Thus Carthage struggled on. Yet it was clear that in the long-run, it was doomed - in the Old World. The Carthaginians knew that, that was why they already made plans for the relocation of the empire to the New World, that was why even now troops were being "wasted" in conquest campaigns over there. That was Carthage's last best hope, the one thing that kept the morale high no matter what. And it was dashed, but not by one of the Coalition.
The Nortuguese situation wasn't exactly all that good neither, although it was inarguably better than Carthage's, especially after the 416 peace accords with everyone Nortugal was at war with. Yet Nortugal was hated, and Nortugal was threatened, and many felt that the fortress-island of Hibernia, much like the Carthaginian Iberia, couldn't hold forever if Nortugal's neighbours form another coalition against it. Yet to the west, the Nortuguese saw the same land of salvation and hope as the Carthaginians, even though the names differed. The Empire Pact was dead anyway, so the Nortuguese didn't consider it much of a betrayal; and to whatever degree it may have been treacherous to suddenly attack Carthage's colonies, it was automatically justified by the oft-stated need to survive. That was why the Nortuguese fleet sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean, bringing war to its former allies. Avoiding Carthaginian naval concentrations, the Nortuguese captured the Guanahanis in the New World and the Gorgades[2] off African shores. From these bases of operations, they moved on: the Nortuguese New World fleet sunk its outnumbered Carthaginian counterpart, quickly severing supply and trade routes in the area with the apparent intent of starving the divided Carthaginian armies and garrisons into submission, a tactic that may well succeed as only rudimentary agriculture had been restored in the Carib lands thus far. Also, ofcourse, the ships with colonists that were arriving into the Carib Sea were now wide open to Nortuguese attacks, and this opportunity was often used. As for Africa, to be brief, all the Carthaginian outposts not taken by Wagadou were systematically captured by Nortugal, which had competently scouted them out a few years ago.
'Tis horribly anticlimatic on many levels, but here we must once more return to Olmecia, where things were detiriorating even further. Tzapatjama levied more and more troops, and managed to score a local victory at Laventa. As the war dragged on, the 30th Crown Prince was forced to levy more trops of his own, and introduce higher taxes. Already overstrained, Olmecia was firmly in crisis politically, socially, economically... Yet it seemed that a recovery was about to begin. In a small battle at Tanganhuato, Tzapatjama himself fell, and his short-lived state collapsed as well. Nahuans flooded in from the north, warlords squabbled in the centre, and the south was quickly captured by the Coronoprincipal forces. In the south, the Southern Lords were fighting a losing battle with Huancac, and now were also thretened with a resurgent Crown Prince. Fortunately, he was tied down by Tzapatjama's most able successor, Cholutama. Then the Nortuguese suddenly came, in great force, or rather forces, and cut through the unprepared Olmecs as sword through butter. The first force killed Cholutama; the second ransacked Tlictato and killed the 30th Crown Prince; the third finished off the Southern Lords. Wherever they came, the Nortuguese destroyed, looted, enslaved... and then abruptly left, making an odd exception for parts of their southern gains. Obviously, this rampage simply finished Olmecia off. The ancient empire was simply no more; many of its key cities were in ruins, all rulers of importance and most bureaucratic centers were no more, peasants were rebelling, or rather, as there wasn't anyone to rebel against, mostly reverted to semi-tribalism, and only the wandering warlord armies and some few cities resembled Olmecia in the good old pre-crisis days. The post-Olmec space was in anarchy. That said, all order came from there, and the same is likely to happen again in due time...
Unlike Olmecia, Carthage still lives on - but barely. Its last hope, it would seem, has been taken away. Its enemies are closing in; the Gauls finally sapped some of the Pyrenean fortifications, though too late to save any of their co-religionists, and even captured Barcelona, although further advance seems difficult as the Carthaginians made sure to fortify everything they could; the Lucans, fed up with Carthaginian counterattacks and provocations, captured Siga, threatening Mauri now; the Dacoillyrian admirals are increasingly restless, and only the fate of a short-sighted commander, who chased after a Carthaginian ruse squadron and was quickly cut off and eliminated, prevents them from attacking the Carthaginian fleet beyond the Pilars. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians themselves only barely maintain coordination and cohesion, with many cut-off areas losing all serious contact with Carthage, the troops there being placed in a position of autonomy for which they are not prepared at all (fortunately, its not much). The end days are upon the Punic Empire, but as long as it lives on, something may yet be done.
NPC Diplo:
OOC:
Israelite, how about I call your nation the Wabanaki Kingdom?
MjM, choose your faction.
I apologize in advance for all and any mistakes and misunderstandings. And yes, I know that this update is evil. Before anybody asks, no, I'm not out to get any of you specifically.
[1] Bimarine Basin=Two-Sea Basin=Transpoenic+Mediterranean. Some already call it the "Bimarine Sea" (some don't really know Latin, but like to pretend).
[2] Gorgades=OTL Cape Verde.
(-18 Aryavartan thousands, -9 Aryavartan ships)
Embare, the northernmost of the Khoisan city-states, was destroyed by a Dukunnugeyan-Bantu force, the Dukunnugeyans claiming the area as well. Aside from that, large-scale Dukunnugeyan military operations in southern Africa have apparently ceased.
(-2 Dukunnugeyan thousands)
The Lucans finally strangled the northern Caucasian rebels.
(-1 Lucan thousand)
Having mysteriously survived the Battle of Yamama, David ben Yishai used the instability in Egypt and Parhae to make one last attempt to return. But from the start, things begun to go wrong. David greatly overestimated the unity and zeal of his people; the defeat of Israfanidia trully broke the backs of many, and far from all joined the rebellion even in Arabia itself, some even openly condemning it (these didn't last long, meeting painful death at the hands of Israeli assassins). And while many enough of the desert tribes did join David, in the cities, most people were more concerned with survival now. The main rebel attack, that on Mecca, was repulsed with much bloodshed by the large, well-trained Egyptian garrison there. Some other cities all over Arabia WERE captured, but in Lower Ur at least the Parhaens held their own quite adequately. David's hopes for Mesopatamia were also absurdly high; although some Judaists and followers of Adirishar did rebel there, the majority was simply tired of the warfare, and most of the Judaists there only converted when the going was good; now that joining the Judaist rebellion meant joining a lost cause, many enough decided that their new faith wasn't worth dying for. Although the apostates were few, the collaborationists were many. The Adirishid rebels were decisively defeated at Charax after a year of inconclusive campaigning. As the rebels ran out of momentum and their weakness became apparent, the vastly-superior armies struck back, the Parhaen camelry being particularily lethal for the Davidist rebels. Despite still winning a few localized victories here and there, the rebels were now outnumbered, isolated and defeated in detail. David died in one of the last battles, his rebellion clearly premature. It would seem that Israel shall remain buried for now...
(-10 Menesite thousands, -2 Menesite ships, -15 Parhaen thousands, -3 Parhaen Eternal Legions)
In a completely unexpected campaign, the Turanese attacked the southeastern Ugrians on the Jaik, cutting through their lands and besieging the main stronghold of Ilek. Despite fanatical resistance, the city fell in the end, and the campaign ended in success, reinforcing the Turanese Khagan's positions at home thanks to well-managed propaganda (+1 Confidence).
(-3 Turanese thousands)
Random Events:
The Silk Route is prospering and expanding (+1 Onoghurian, Turanese, Tieh Trade).
Word leaks out that the Hong Kee spies have been operating in Nihon, stealing all sorts of secrets and commiting fairly unethical acts to ensure their success. This word is immediately caught on in the anti-Hong Kee circles all over the Far East, and got greatly inflated along the way (-1 Hong Kee Prestige)...
Special Bonuses:
Best Religious Text (stories, diplo): Solism (+influence, +proselytising).
Least Expected Military Operation: Nortugal (+1 Army Quality).
Best Diplo: Dacoillyria (+1 Prestige).
Spotlight:
Empires Aflame.
"Those who are not with us are against us."
- Ariartus, Parhaen statesman and scholar, "Art of Rule", 199 Ad.
"None are with us."
- Iberius, Nortuguese scholar, "Commentary to Ariartus the Parhaen", 397 AD.
Carthage had burned, but its empire survived, and retained considerable power. Yet the fire spread quickly, more quickly than anyone had thought possible, more quickly and more widely than Hannibal Barcelona VI could fight. Thus all of the great empire (which just so recently was at the peak of its expansion with the conquest of the Carib Sea) burned, from end to end.
And at the same time, another empire burned; that of the Olmecs. After the devastation of the pandemics and the humiliation of the Carib War, the empire that seemed eternal fell into a new civil war; the north rebelled, the south disobeyed, and the centre was forced to fight for its very survival. Meanwhile, barbarians and other neighbours gathered on the borders; like Carthage, Olmecia was a tasty snack, and its ability to defend itself and its lands was severely compromised.
Between them was the Atlantic Ocean. For now, it was quiet and serene, at least strategically. That was about to change...
But for now, the wars went on as previously. The 30th Crown Prince purchased weapons and war-mounts from overseas, whilst negotiating a deal with the southern feudal lords, getting their support in exchange for them getting additional autonomy. Although the Coronoprincipals and their new allies had failed to attain numeric supremacy, they still had higher quality. Yet Tzapatjama realized that as well, and so did his best to avoid a decisive battle, gradually retreating from Yucatan - into well-prepared positions in the ancient Olmec heartland, where all the surviving Cornoprincipal garrisons had surrendered by then. In the mountains of Oaxaca, he gave battle to the Coronoprincipals; having already heard of their horses from the previous skirmishes, he rightly judged that in the mountains, his own llamas would prove more effective. The Battle of Yagul proved him right; the horses (which the Olmecs weren't horribly skilled at riding anyway) were completely terrified by the llamas, and the Jaguar Warrior flank charges turned into routs, allowing Tzapatjama's main forces to cut into the Coronoprincipal and Southern Feudal infantry. However, these had superior European weapons, which cut easily through bronze, to Tzapatjama's dismay. After his attack was turned back with considerable losses, the Northern Feudal Lord decided to call it a draw and pull back. The Coronoprincipals were too tired to pursue, and soon enough, new problems came up; the disagreements between the Crown Prince and the Southern Feudal Lords reemerged, and were made even worse when news came of the Huanc invasion of Southern Feudal Lord lands. The Lords declared that they needed to defend their realm, and so left the camp with their entire army. The war, thus, dragged on, but as the Coronoprincipals gained experience - and the horses got more used to local fauna - the situation begun to turn in their favour even though Tzapatjama's forces did finally defeat and kill the insane Coronoprincipal commander Tuwangpin. Tzapatjama had to retreat further and further north. That was when suddenly, a new threat appeared...
The Sixth Transpoenic War went on back in the Old World. Not much naval action was to be seen, early on anyway; two huge fleets, one Dacoillyrian and another Carthaginians, gathered on the opposite sides of the Pillars of Hercules and basically waited for each other to make the first moves, although the Carthaginians also undertook some vain attempts to draw the Dacoillyrians out. A sort of sea war did occur within the Transpoenic, as Carthaginian privateers took to the seas, but the Coalition leaders soon enough learned to assign naval escorts to all the important routes, and the privateers just weren't strong enough to do anything about that. Also, there occured some Carthaginian rebellions behind the enemy lines, especially in the various islands; Malta, Sardinia and the Balearics actually were recaptured, or almost so, in the great uprising of 417; but by then certain obvious adjustments were made due to the events in Egypt (which now clearly was in no shape to intervenne in the Transpoenic War), and large forces were freed up - they were immediately used to put down the rebels, an operation that was followed up by ruthless reprisals.
Ofcourse, the main theatres of war were continental ones - specifically, the Gaelo-Iberian and the North African theatres. In the former, Carthaginians levied lots of troops, including virtually all the Punics they could find in occupied Gaul; against them was amassed a reformed, improved Gaelic army, reinforced by seasoned Cimbri troops. In Gaul, contrary to Gaelic expectations, the Carthaginians went on a fighting retreat, gradually pulling back beyond the Garonne. A fairly large Carthaginian army was shattered at Argel, but the initial attempted invasion of Iberia resulted in a horrible massacre in the Pyrenees, as the Gauls attempted to charge a fully-manned Carthaginian fortress. In the west, a large battle was fought with the Carthaginians at Lapurdum; the Carthaginian Emperor himself was wounded, and only barely survived as he and his army had to flee from the wrath of the Gaelic Equites. Yet again, the campaign stagnated in the mountains; the Gauls simply weren't prepared for siege operations, especially in such difficult conditions. The Carthaginians won time for Iberia to be transformed into a powerful fortress peninsula; confounded with such an obstacle, the Gauls had to put the campaign on halt lest the recent Catalonian enterprise or the Roncesvallus of the previous war be repeated yet again.
It is ironic, but the Carthaginians fared more badly in North Africa. As more and more Lucans arrived, they repelled all counterattacks, secured forward positions in the Atlas mountains, captured Tripolitania and carefully avoided overstretchment, which was key for the Carthaginian plan. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians wre faced with the need to supply their huge levy army; indeed, Carthage entered a crisis, as its key agricultural areas and trade routes were in enemy hands now, and starvation spread. The war here died down as well; and this was bad for Carthage first and foremost, with the aforementioned situation taken into consideration, as in a war of attrition, it stood no chance...
And already, the fire of war spread elsewhere. Wagadou's Ghana, Sumbrike I, saw a threat in Carthage; and as the news of its troubles reached Kouronkorokale, he also saw an opportunity in its lands. He launched several separate offensives, correctly assessing the Carthaginian garrisons there to be nothing Wagadou couldn't deal with. In any case, however, Sumbrike I also recruited more people to his side; in particular, the warlike Berbers on his northern borders agreed to join his army in exchange for the possibility of plunder in the Carthaginian lands. With their help, the Wagadou forces not only secured nearby Carthaginian Sahara cities, but even advanced further, and, though this one was carried out by the Berbers themselves unassisted, launched deep desert raids, wrecking havoc on the local trade routes and administration. Meanwhile, the Wagadou themselves also executed rapid, often innovative attacks on the various Carthaginian West African trade outposts, capturing them ofcourse (not before overcoming the local militias though), although the trade with Carthage - Wagadou's most important trading partner - was predictably enough disrupted.
Thus Carthage struggled on. Yet it was clear that in the long-run, it was doomed - in the Old World. The Carthaginians knew that, that was why they already made plans for the relocation of the empire to the New World, that was why even now troops were being "wasted" in conquest campaigns over there. That was Carthage's last best hope, the one thing that kept the morale high no matter what. And it was dashed, but not by one of the Coalition.
The Nortuguese situation wasn't exactly all that good neither, although it was inarguably better than Carthage's, especially after the 416 peace accords with everyone Nortugal was at war with. Yet Nortugal was hated, and Nortugal was threatened, and many felt that the fortress-island of Hibernia, much like the Carthaginian Iberia, couldn't hold forever if Nortugal's neighbours form another coalition against it. Yet to the west, the Nortuguese saw the same land of salvation and hope as the Carthaginians, even though the names differed. The Empire Pact was dead anyway, so the Nortuguese didn't consider it much of a betrayal; and to whatever degree it may have been treacherous to suddenly attack Carthage's colonies, it was automatically justified by the oft-stated need to survive. That was why the Nortuguese fleet sailed out into the Atlantic Ocean, bringing war to its former allies. Avoiding Carthaginian naval concentrations, the Nortuguese captured the Guanahanis in the New World and the Gorgades[2] off African shores. From these bases of operations, they moved on: the Nortuguese New World fleet sunk its outnumbered Carthaginian counterpart, quickly severing supply and trade routes in the area with the apparent intent of starving the divided Carthaginian armies and garrisons into submission, a tactic that may well succeed as only rudimentary agriculture had been restored in the Carib lands thus far. Also, ofcourse, the ships with colonists that were arriving into the Carib Sea were now wide open to Nortuguese attacks, and this opportunity was often used. As for Africa, to be brief, all the Carthaginian outposts not taken by Wagadou were systematically captured by Nortugal, which had competently scouted them out a few years ago.
'Tis horribly anticlimatic on many levels, but here we must once more return to Olmecia, where things were detiriorating even further. Tzapatjama levied more and more troops, and managed to score a local victory at Laventa. As the war dragged on, the 30th Crown Prince was forced to levy more trops of his own, and introduce higher taxes. Already overstrained, Olmecia was firmly in crisis politically, socially, economically... Yet it seemed that a recovery was about to begin. In a small battle at Tanganhuato, Tzapatjama himself fell, and his short-lived state collapsed as well. Nahuans flooded in from the north, warlords squabbled in the centre, and the south was quickly captured by the Coronoprincipal forces. In the south, the Southern Lords were fighting a losing battle with Huancac, and now were also thretened with a resurgent Crown Prince. Fortunately, he was tied down by Tzapatjama's most able successor, Cholutama. Then the Nortuguese suddenly came, in great force, or rather forces, and cut through the unprepared Olmecs as sword through butter. The first force killed Cholutama; the second ransacked Tlictato and killed the 30th Crown Prince; the third finished off the Southern Lords. Wherever they came, the Nortuguese destroyed, looted, enslaved... and then abruptly left, making an odd exception for parts of their southern gains. Obviously, this rampage simply finished Olmecia off. The ancient empire was simply no more; many of its key cities were in ruins, all rulers of importance and most bureaucratic centers were no more, peasants were rebelling, or rather, as there wasn't anyone to rebel against, mostly reverted to semi-tribalism, and only the wandering warlord armies and some few cities resembled Olmecia in the good old pre-crisis days. The post-Olmec space was in anarchy. That said, all order came from there, and the same is likely to happen again in due time...
Unlike Olmecia, Carthage still lives on - but barely. Its last hope, it would seem, has been taken away. Its enemies are closing in; the Gauls finally sapped some of the Pyrenean fortifications, though too late to save any of their co-religionists, and even captured Barcelona, although further advance seems difficult as the Carthaginians made sure to fortify everything they could; the Lucans, fed up with Carthaginian counterattacks and provocations, captured Siga, threatening Mauri now; the Dacoillyrian admirals are increasingly restless, and only the fate of a short-sighted commander, who chased after a Carthaginian ruse squadron and was quickly cut off and eliminated, prevents them from attacking the Carthaginian fleet beyond the Pilars. Meanwhile, the Carthaginians themselves only barely maintain coordination and cohesion, with many cut-off areas losing all serious contact with Carthage, the troops there being placed in a position of autonomy for which they are not prepared at all (fortunately, its not much). The end days are upon the Punic Empire, but as long as it lives on, something may yet be done.
NPC Diplo:
OOC:
Israelite, how about I call your nation the Wabanaki Kingdom?
MjM, choose your faction.
I apologize in advance for all and any mistakes and misunderstandings. And yes, I know that this update is evil. Before anybody asks, no, I'm not out to get any of you specifically.
[1] Bimarine Basin=Two-Sea Basin=Transpoenic+Mediterranean. Some already call it the "Bimarine Sea" (some don't really know Latin, but like to pretend).
[2] Gorgades=OTL Cape Verde.
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Regeneration In Process
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