DNES2: War and Civilization

Ooh, I want to see the map!

I don't want to see the map. Seeing as I should be losing on all fronts, the map without the update will make me unhappy .

Btw: Good luck Jal.

Ha! You might as well be wishing for a miracle if you think jal is going to win this!!

map w/ out update = update without words = just as good for now

Ha! You might as well be wishing for a miracle if you think jal is going to win this!!

Click to expand...

Its not so much as I'm wishing for him to win than I can feel for his position. Fighting larger alliances isn't fun, you kow .

EDIT: Krimzon, check your pms.

Sorry but y'all got pwned by Zantlwan. TEH EDN.



Update tommorrow, i dare to say, cos i was almost going to do it tonight.

This is why I tried to destroy Kenbu when I had the chance, then with the whole Saruk scandal and Ormash skirmishes we havent been able to keep prominant forces involved in ensuring this did not happen!

Its your fault! I laid claim to them, but NOOOO you had to go and interfer with my genocides! Nosy northerners!

Format maybe OK, detail still too much. This could well be the last 'big' update. Im determined to be a lot more rutheless at cutting things out in future. I have kinda tried to copy Azale's style




North Asia

Tianese propaganda fell on deaf ears. Kymash didn’t rebel. Ormash remained stable. The Rayamese peoples remained hostile. Ormash had been just as bad in the past, but in the minds of the Rayamese, it was now Tian and its allies who were the oppressors.

Videssos made a surprise peace with Ormash. Videssian troops withdrew from Garuda and Jara, much to the dismay of the Tianese, who were already moving their forces eastwards to protect the Tianese heartlands. As the invincible Phosist alliance seemed to break up, and far fewer soldiers were around to oppress them, the malcontents took up arms. The result was a general Rayamese uprising, and the souring of relations between the Videssians and Tianese.

Tianese, Ryakhi, and Rayamese-Phosist forces struggled to restore order. The best they achieved was to keep the rebels fragmented and prevent the rise of a rebel kingdom. Kymash and Ormash made several trips northwards to support the rebels. Various Rayamese factions also fought each other. The Videssians were outnumbered and at odds with their former allies. Things were messy to say the least – too chaotic for Tian to establish a Rayamese vassal state as planned. The Phosists at Kyderivam were on the verge of collapse.
(Tian: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry, -2 Light Cavalry, -1 Support)
(Videssos: -1 Light Infantry)
(Kymash: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry)
…
A series of earthquakes in Kymash damaged roads and important buildings, including some ancient temples. Local Orhadist monks said that heaven was displeased with humanity for its warlike actions, and predicted more disasters in future.
(Kymash: -1 Infrastructure)
...
By this time, Orion ‘Fire lances’ had found their way into the armies of Ormash and Torai/Gytuans. These weapons had evolved into something more like matchlock muskets, though the original name had stuck. They were easy to carry around, but were terribly powerful or accurate. Orion metallurgy was still ahead of its neighbours. The Orion-made weapons were particularly sturdy and lightweight.

At the same time, Videssian envoys were acquiring the ‘Arquebus’. This was a style of gun that was evolving in Tusca and the Antalese Empire, and was also finding its way into Germanica and the HRE. This was more powerful gun, with real armour-piercing potential. But it was much heavier, and really needed to be anchored into the ground for firing. These two styles of gun had yet to meet in battle. Other armies at this time (Thuelans, Umidians and Pangari) had a mix of various types of basic firearms.

The Tianese were still obsessed by rockets. Incendiary rockets were devised for use in sieges. Exploding nail-bomb types were used against enemy troops. The Tianese also copied the ‘Vodasha’ style cannons they captured at Bengvari. In general they had a better selection of artillery than any other army at this time.
…
Ormash attempted to rescue its soldiers and allies from Kaiep and Mandal Tiepe, without much luck. The Jarans fell pray to the Rangers and large Tianese forces on their way eastwards. It was a sad end for those who had fought against Tian all their lives. Only a few were able to make it to Ormash-held ground.
(Ormash: +1 Light Infantry)

Yet Kaiep still held out, still defended by Ormash-made cannons and several thousand fanatics. Inside its walls, it had fresh springs and enough farmland to support the reduced garrison for years to come. The sabotage and poisoning efforts by Tian’s forces made little impression.


Meanwhile, General Madhava ordered a desperate breakout from Mandal Tiepe, as Tianese rockets and mortars rained down on the ruins of the city, and fanatical volunteer infantry drawn from the city’s former inhabitants prepared to attack. Madhava never knew that a combined Ormash/Orion relief force was on the way – but in any case, it probably would have been several months too late. The general and his elite bodyguard fought a brave rearguard battle, but they were eventually worn down by an endless rain of arrows, and finally dismembered on the battlefield by Tianese cavalry.

Madhava’s severed head was brought to Tian’s general Aman as a trophy. He became the latest of Ormash’s sacrificial heroes. If nothing else, he had succeeded in drawing Tian’s attention from the west.
(Ormash: -3 Heavy Infantry)
(Tian: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Heavy Cavalry)
…
The main fighting was along the Ormash/Tianese border. Tian sent powerful raiding forces into the south. At the same time, Ormash sent more forces into the Ulakhi jungle, following the rivers once again.

Ormash was still hoping to rescue the situation Mandal Tiepe. There was more help from Orion, but still not as much as hoped.

Not only did the isolated Ulakhi tribes refuse Ormash’s overtures, they organised themselves into warbands and ensured that Ormash’s forces were harassed from all directions. Tian’s huge advantage in cavalry meant little in the jungles and mountains, but the fast-moving Rangers and Ulakhi soldiers made up for this.
(Tian: +2 Light Infantry)

Some survivors of Madhava’s army made it back to Ormash lines in the jungle. News of the general’s death was another blow to morale.

Ormash’s northern provinces continued to suffer. But not much could be looted that hadn’t already been taken, and Ormash’s border forts still remained untouched.

Both sides leaned towards the defensive. Ormash held the south banks of the Manash river, still in Tianese territory and still posing a potential threat to the heartland of Tian. But after years of gruelling jungle warfare, they had taken a much higher rate of attrition than they would have liked. Disease killed more men than combat, especially on Ormash’s side. Ormash wasn’t so blessed with good leadership this time around.
(Ormash: -3 Heavy Infantry, -1 Heavy Cavalry)
(Orion: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry)
(Tian: -2 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry, -1 Light Cavalry)
…
The Tarkan Khan retook his homeland, with help from Tianese cavalry and Ryzovy mercenaries (who were given a share of territory as payment). Antal closed its borders to any rebel escapees. The Oruist uprising put up a good fight, but in the end it was completely crushed.
(Tian: -1 Heavy Cavalry)
(Tarkan Khanate: -1 Light Cavalry)
(Ryzovy: -1 Heavy Infantry)
...
Videssian leaders and diplomats made a major effort to integrate the former Chamka territory, and it seemed to work, despite there being only a small fraction of the Videssian military on the scene to back things up. Some of the Cham warlords decided they had more to gain by siding with Videssos and embracing Phosism. The pockets of resistance were removed, roads and forts were built, and Videssian institutions were established in the nearby cities. Some of the hardened Cham warriors joined the Videssian army. The threat of rebellion was not totally gone, but things seemed calm at this point.
(Videssos: +1 Light Infantry)

Abandoning their efforts to conquer Ormash’s island strongholds, the Videssians sent an expedition to the remote islands north of Shimazu. There was little resistance from the local tribes.
(Videssos: -1 Light Infantry, -1 Caravel)

Over in the northeast, the resurgent Nakuri tribes were mostly contained by Videssos and their allies. Some Nakuri raiding parties broke out to pillage surrounding areas.

Under threat from the Nakuri, the nomadic Tungusi peoples reluctantly offered their full allegiance to Videssos. Tungusi warriors were poorly armed, but made up for this with their loyalty and bravery.
(Videssos: +1 Light Infantry)

The old kingdom of Hojo had recently become known as ‘Hojon’, and not just the name was changing. Edu, the capitol city, was now a kind of mini-Videssos, complete with its own miniaturised ‘grand temple’. Local culture was being replaced by Videssian customs, but otherwise being a vassal of Videssos had worked out well for the Hojo people. Videssian engineers helped to expand gem-mining operations in the north. The profits were being used to fund Videssian-style academies of science.
(Hojo: +1 Science)


…

South Asia

Southeast Asia remained fragmented, with all kinds of outside inference. It was an increasing mixture of different cultures, if not religions (Taoism generally held sway).

There was one last battle between the Torai and Ugasan. Torai’s conscripts armed with ‘fire lances’ defeated Ugasan’s well-trained bowmen in a head-on exchange. Although in many ways less deadly than well placed-arrow from a composite bow, the gunpowder weapons required far less strength and skill to use. This was perhaps a sign of things to come.
(Ugasan: -2 Light Infantry)

Then the Antalese arrived in Ugasan, offering supplies and mercenary help. Ugasan’s army recovered and began to regain territory from the Torai, perhaps more than the Antalese would have wished. At the same time, the Orions were advancing cautiously towards Gatoro with a sizeable army of their own. The Torai were doomed. The remains of this over-ambitious rebel dynasty were absorbed by their ally, the Gyutan Kingdom.
(Gyutan: +1 Heavy Infantry, +1 Light Infantry)

In the west, the Gyu raided into the semi-autonomous province of Toju in the Taej Empire, only to find surprisingly strong resistance. Afterwards, the Gyu remained in their own borders, and settled into an unofficial truce with their neighbours.
(Gyutan: -1 Light Cavalry, Taej Empire: -1 Light Cavalry)
…
The Taej Empire was still in crisis, but the Toju population were being rallied by a woman, Gao Ynying. She was the wife of a loyalist Taej general who was wounded on campaign against the Gyu. She was able to take over his duties, making such an impression that she was made a general herself.
(Taej Empire: +1 Heavy Cavalry, +3 Light Cavalry)

Gao gathered more loyalist volunteers and eventually defeated the neighbouring rebel states, while also preventing more rebellions from appearing. She led the re-establishment of strong leadership in Taej heartlands, taking the title of Supreme General, and becoming the power behind the throne of the young Emperor at the sumptuous palace of Tianzou (outside of Huich’on). But various rebel states continued to exist. In particular, the pro-Ormash Kya Tyong state, and pro-Pangari Ongans both refused to bow down.
(Taej Empire: -2 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry, -1 Light Cavalry)

With limited re-stabilisation, the Taej sought to regain a foothold in ocean trade. The southern port of Onguhn was renamed Ning-Po (upsetting the Ongans who still claimed this as their old capitol) and became the base for an expanded trade fleet. Taej merchants were eager to contribute. A new kind of ship was designed; the so-called ‘Treasure Ship’ became the largest type of ship in the world, a huge bulk carrier armed with a variety of rockets and cannons for defence. Growing exports to Acre, Orion, and the Antalese Empire staved off further economic problems.
(Taej Empire: +1 Treasure Ship, +2 Yuan Junks)


The biggest threat to trade in the east was from Yutanese pirates. The Taej still had a grip on Yutan, but large parts had fallen into disorder. Much of the Yutanese navy fell into the hands of pirate captains (several of them were women). Powerful pirate fleets ruled the coasts and collected tax from helpless coastal towns.
(Yutan: -2 Heavy Infantry, -2 Caravel, -2 Yuan Junks)
…
Pangari was peaceful and prosperous. Its huge trade fleet competed with Taej trade in the east and Thulean trade in the Americans. Pangari shipbuilders also took it upon themselves to design new ships - the ‘Tarsa Junk’ was larger and sturdier than the old ubiquitous caravels. It combined elements of Taej, Thulean and Garudan shipbuilding.

The great science academies vied for power against the Pangari trading houses. Both had vast wealth and political influence.

The obsession with science continued, but it was leading into more abstract areas. Pangari astronomers imagined a universe filled with spinning galaxies, and stars that grew old and exploded causing the ‘novas’ sometimes seen in the night skies. The cataloguing of plants and animals also became popular, especially those of the exotic Americas. Thulean and Pangari biologists exchanged notes. Early ideas about evolution and genetics were thrown around (especially as the religions of Taoism and Orhadism had no moral objection to this line of thought).

An idea to create a mechanical calculating machine was put forward by a young Pangari inventor, only to be dismissed due to its complexity.

Arts and culture were on the increase more than anything else. Pangari culture asserted itself against the ever-present Taej influence. Pangari influence was exported further across Asia and to the Americas.

The starving and exhausted Tosunga peoples were overwhelmed by Panga’s charm offensive. The Taej were unhappy, but they of course had other concerns.
(Pangari: +2 Light Infantry)

A wave of anti-militarism swept the country, reducing recruits for the army. Progress with gunpowder weapons and steam power also suffered.
(Pangari: -2 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry)

Middle East

Something stirred in the Antalese Empire. A generation of brilliant leaders emerged in science, military and politics.

After being neglected for many years, the Antalese tradition of science and philosophy was revived. High Academies’ were established in many cities, at great expense, with the ambitious aim of creating a whole new class of educated citizens. Many new roads and public buildings were constructed. New towns sprung up.
Confidence was high. A sense of unity returned to the empire.

The military received no less attention. Recruiting and rearming continued.

‘Academies of Alchemistry’ had been set up during the Orion war. Antalese chemists continued to make progress in many areas, rivalling the achievements of the Tuscans.

Steam engines were already widespread and used for pumping water. But attempts to produce ‘steam carts’ ended in failure. How the Pangari managed to build their ‘Pangan Engines’ remained a mystery. Some wondered if the stories from the Pangari-Taej war were actually true.

The last remaining sections of the ancient Great Wall (dating back to Aahnad times) were abandoned and fell into ruins. Gunpowder was an issue, but in any case the wall no longer matched the borders of the Empire.

To finally honour the promises of Basilevs Karlyk, work began on the ‘Grand Canals’. This was a huge project to link up the great lakes at the centre of the empire and connect them to the Ak-Dynghez sea. But progress was slow. This was a sideshow for now; the Empire’s attention was focused in other directions. And a vast amount of manpower and organisation was needed for this task. Foreign engineers from Tusca and as far away as Pangari found their way onto the project.

Nonetheless, news of the project grabbed the imagination of the people. It all added up to make this a good time for Antalese culture and influence.
(Antalese Empire: +1 Culture)
…
Border skirmishes were fought with the Acrians along the Herakleia peninsular. Tensions remained. The Acrians rebuilt Hamadan, while a little to the west the Antalese prepared to dig another ‘grand canal’ to link the Mediterranean the Ak-Dynghez seas.


A messy campaign in the Ak-Ibir desert subdued the local tribes for a while. These were elite desert raiders who had switched sides many times in the Antalese-Orion war. Some were bribed to join the Antalese army.
(Antalese Empire: +1 Light Cavalry)

Others didn’t take kindly to Antalese veterans being granted control of oases and the only arable scraps of land. Hostile tribes refused to stay down. By 435 AD they had rebelled again and retaken Urluk Sarai, probably with support from Orion.
(Antalese Empire: -1 Heavy Cavalry)
…
Meanwhile, Antal remained a separate vassal state. An idea of an incestuous ‘marriage’ between Bazilevs Alexandyr’s son and Prince Aleksevs’ daughter was rejected. Though such things were not unheard of in the past…

Tensions rose after Antal conducted separate negotiations with Tian, still seen as the traditional enemy of the Empire. Antal gained parts of old Karthian territory in return for defeating the local rebels. It was also rumoured that large sums of money changed hands.
(Antal: -1 Light Cavalry)

But Antal couldn’t strengthen itself enough to hold off the influence of Altyn Sarai. The old guard of the Kristynd faction passed away. Antal’s aristocrats were more and more in favour of reunification. They undermined Antal’s leadership from within.

Then in 434 AD, Bazilevs Alexandyr died of a mysterious fever. Prince Aleksevs of Antal would have become Bazilevs, if he himself hadn’t died a few weeks earlier. Bazilevs Stepan I ascended to the throne, while his cousin Princess Irina led a regency in Antal. One way or another, it seemed reunification wasn’t far away.
…
The Orion Empire was outshined by the Antalese at this time. But stability and prosperity began to return here also. The defeat of the Torai (see South Asia) was a welcome event.

The newly-conquered coastal province of Sarbaralyk saw much investment by the Orions. Its Ak-Dynghez ports were built into major trade centres, trading with the Antalese, Taej, Acrians and Pangari.

The ‘Great Foundries’ of Oro finally saw some more investment, and things came closer to reaching the original vision. Orion’s level of metallurgy was still unsurpassed in many areas.
…



Africa

Umidia was still gripped by instability and civil unrest, but the ruling dynasty held on to power. Out of necessity, there was a reconciliation between the King and the trading guilds, but not before a ‘purge’ of many collaborators. There was also an Acrian-sponsored truce with the hated Segu.
(Umidia: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry)

Whether Ismail intended it or not, Umidia came further under Acrian influence. In many ways it was the Acrians who were holding Umidia together.
…
The Kaliate of Acre was still only a few years old. This was a time of consolidation. Ismail was still in charge and relatively young.

As a more liberal follower of the Ibya dal Eos (the written collection of the teachings of Murabi.), Ismail not only encouraged greater distribution of wealth but also stressed equality for all Theosists. This, together with the defence of Theosim, was taken as the justification of Acre’s involvement in the ‘great northern war’. Not that justification was really needed. At this point, regardless of good or bad news from Europe, the vast majority of people seemed enthusiastic for Ismail’s continued rule.

A special point was made of promoting the rebuilt Hamadan as a sacred city of Theosim, due to the number of Theosist lives expended on capturing it and recapturing it. But the city had far less practical value, especially as the Antalese prepared to build their great canal a little to the west (see Middle East).

Provinces and governors were nothing new. But ideas of elections and representation of the people began to filter into the Kaliate.


Acre’s attempt to secure north-west africa was not so successful. Due to a mixture of cultures and faiths, a single vassal state could not be created. The Theosist chiefdom of Najif was annexed easy enough, but Beer Sheva stubbornly resisted all Acrian influence. As did the Thaoist stronghold of Tergamon, which recruited Tuscan and Antalese mercenaries and tied down a chunk of the Acrian army.
(Kaliate of Acre: -1 Light Infantry, -1 Light Cavalry)

All this was in spite of Acre’s good treatment of non-Theosists, as ordered by Ismail.

Road building and settlement slowly spread across the vast African wilderness. Acrian explorers moved into the harsh desert north of Tamlki, converted the native tribesmen, discovered gold and founded a mining outpost there.

Tamlki was now almost completely surrounded by Acrian territory. Tamlki’s attitude to Acre remained a mix of goodwill and paranoia. Rumours of conspiracies on both sides did not go away.
…
Tarrist pirates attacked the south coasts of Acre from their bases in the straights of Zantlwan, using simple but effective boats (something similar to longboats of northern europe). Combined with the Yutanese pirates and occasional Thulean raids, it was a tough time for Acrian’s merchants. This added to the war expenses to put a dent in the Acrian treasury.
(Kaliate of Acre: -1 Khima, -1 economy)
…
With rumours of support from the Thuleans, the state of Tanyis defeated Zantlwan’s army and captured more of the old lands of Kenbu. In the process, the faith of Tarrism was revived. Old Kenbuan temples were found and restored by the Tanyisians.
(Zantlwan: -1 Heavy Infantry, -3 Light Infantry)
(Tanyis: -1 Light Infantry)

On the south-western island, the chieftain of Tongusu converted to Theosim. Acrian/Sarukian culture began to take hold.
…



Europe

Tusca enacted its ‘Bill of Rights and Duties’, basically the first official, written constitution. Slavery was officially outlawed, freedom of speech and religion were guaranteed, and all citizens were considered equal. In return, all shared a duty to defend the country. Some would say this was one of the greatest achievements of humanity thus far. The Tuscans were proud of having the only form of ‘democracy’ in the world. Though, as the population grew, the system struggled to cope.

Any slaves or Almothian rebels fleeing into Tusca were granted full citizenship. This caused some tension with the Knights of Mycenae and Germanica.

Building on earlier Antalese works, the concept of electricity and charge became better understood. Tuscans experimented with electricity and chemistry to create simple ‘batteries’.

Another interesting idea from Tusca was the concept of concrete reinforced with iron and steel bars, treated to reduce corrosion. The use of concrete was already widespread, but buildings could now be built even taller. Eight or ten-story apartment buildings were not uncommon in Tuscan cities (some even had running hot and cold water pumped to the top floors, with waste flowing into the well-maintained sewer system)

Tuscan metallurgy reached new levels, rivalling Orion and Pangari. Tusca poured huge resources into building the great ‘Tuscan Steel Works’ outside Viroconium. The project was too big to be finished by 435 AD, but it promised iron and steel production on a scale never seen before in europe.

Tusca was in fact a hive of invention and experimentation. Agriculture and industry benefited. Tuscan culture and influence continued to be exported abroad.
(Tusca: +1 Culture)
…
The Kaliate of Acre declared an embargo of all european goods. Umidia followed suit. This only really changed things for Tusca.

Umidia’s increasing practise of raiding the coasts of the HRE, Germanica and Thulean League to capture slaves also upset the Tuscans. Though, Umidia claimed this was justified in response to the Thuleans’ previous actions.

The Tuscan fleet got itself into skirmishes with the Umidians. Tusca’s new ship, the Canade (a very large, strong, cannon-armed galley), fared well against Umidia’s galleons in terms of firepower. The Tuscans suffered from their inexperience more than anything, but they learnt quickly.
(Tusca: -1 Canade)


Tusca’s Peoples Assembly stopped short of calling for war, but demanded ‘harsh measures’ against the Umidians and Acrians.
…
The Acrians attempted to spread propaganda of how the Aeonist leaders had refused the ‘treaty of Kam Ekar’, and were thus foolish warmongers. The peasants of Germanica and Rovien paid no attention.
…
It had been thought that Emperor Maximilian II recovered well from his wounds, but in 426 AD he suddenly died. The brave emperor’s death was deeply mourned by his people. His last remaining son, Gabriel, ascended to the throne.

Emperor Gabriel I made no effort to improve the infrastructure situation. Military leaders and wealthy landholders took it upon themselves to improve roads and build storehouses across the south, to assist the completion of the ‘Maximilian’ fortifications and ease the supply problems. But this came at the expense of progress in other areas.
(HRE: +1 Infrastructure)

Inspired by tales of bravery at the battle of Chaleons, thousands more peasants flocked to join the fight against the Theosists.
(HRE: +3 Light Infantry, +1 Heavy Infantry)
(Germanica: +2 Light Infantry)
…
Neither side paused for breath after that gruelling battle. Isian Muruf, the Acrian commander in Catalia, rushed his Aj-Savar cavalry to the nearby city of Nieme, hoping to take it without a fight. They hit a brick wall. The city was an old Aeonist enclave, and was now well fortified and well armed with cannon, even if the defenders were a disorganised mix. Isian’s own horse was shot out from under him by a cannon shot.

At the same time, Sir Timothée Éon de Beaumont, a Gallic Knight and lesser member of the Rovien imperial family, led the surviving Aeonist cavalry in daring raids against Theosist camps and supply trains. The exhausted Theosists were forced to turn back.

Sir Timothée led a long campaign to retake the lands around Oriant, with some success. Aeonist reinforcements outnumbered those of the Theosists. By 435 AD, after many small battles, Oriant was left in a state of semi-siege.

(Germanica: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(Juhtland: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(HRE: -1 Heavy Infantry, -3 Light Infantry, -1 Heavy Cavalry, -1 Light Cavalry)
(Umidia: -2 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Cavalry, -1 Support)
(Kaliate of Acre: -1 Light Infantry, -2 Light Cavalry)
…
Well-armed Umidian ships continued to own the eastern mediterranean and harass the HRE’ coasts. But by this stage, none of the HRE’s coastal cities were easy targets. The Umidians did however capture the rest of the island of Aragan, at which point only a narrow strip of water separated them from Lenierde and Sharlerde, the holy cities at the heart of the Aeonist religion.

The city of Lisht changed hands several times and became little more than a ruin. Neither side could hold it long enough to repair and rearm the fortifications. The straights of Oriant were no longer so safe for the Umidian ships.
(HRE: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry, -1 Support)
(Umidia: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Support)
…
After hauling some of their Khimas across the Herakleia isthmus into the mediterranean, Acrian forces under Arsec al'Tyan (a Savarain-born general) landed in southern Germanica. Umidian galleons offered support. A large force of Macribi heavy cavalry and war elephants joined up with the Almothian highlanders.
(Kaliate of Acre: +2 Heavy Infantry)

Panic ensued. But Germanica’s leaders had long been preparing for such a move. The invaders were met with scorched earth. The Acrians had stockpiled supplies in north africa, but these were never enough. The local Almothians were soon deprived of all their food stocks, but saw little option but to support the Acrians.

The Almothian warriors of Umidia’s army naturally joined this campaign, and fought against the Germanicans yet again. But after a generation living with a foreign culture and religion, they did not always get along with the ‘true’ Almothians.


Another bloody battle was fought outside of Talbar - smaller than the battle of Chaleons, but just as horrific. After rampaging through endless lines of peasant conscripts, the fearsome Acrian war elephants were finally stopped by tough formations of axemen and pikemen. Germanica’s bravest Chevaliers where put in check by Acre’s Marcibi cavalry. The various groups of Almothians fought fanatically, realising this would probably be their last chance to rescue their homeland. The weaker parts of the Germanican army melted away, but the ‘Holy Crusaders’ and the hard core of experienced infantry refused to budge.

As Aeonist reinforcements arrived, the Theosists were forced back to the highlands, where another stalemate was reached. The Acrians had another toe-hold in europe, but it was dependent on Almothian support, and the Almothians were far more concerned about the fate of their homeland than the advancement of the Theosist cause. Arsec al'Tyan survived the battle and did his best to hold things together.
(Umidia: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(Kaliate of Acre: -1 Heavy Infantry, -3 Heavy Cavalry)
(Seculia: -1 Light Cavalry)
(Germanica: -2 Heavy Infantry, -4 Light Infantry, -1 Support)

The remnants of Germanica’s mediterranean fleet were captured in a raid on Talbar’s port:
(Germanica: -1 Galley, Kaliate of Acre: +1 Galley)

Although he didn’t take part in the battle himself, Germanica’s Emperor was awarded the title ‘Royal Knight of Aeonism’ by Rovien’s Emperor Gabriel (who also gave himself a somewhat grander title).

Germanica’s blacksmiths benefited from a law exempting them from tax, so long as they kept up production of weapons and armour. This coincided with a general boom in metalworking.
(Germanica: +1 Production)
…
Another two threats to Aeonism emerged. Germanica became surrounded by enemies, and outcast Talibria suddenly had a choice of powerful Phosist friends.

Videssos arrived with a large army to restore the Phosist kingdom of Norgar. Videssian soldiers had arrived on the fringes of europe. The Videssians and their Nor allies ended up fighting against the Aeonist Juhtlanders and their Germanican allies, while, Tavuri tribes continued to attack into Nor heartland, and a few stubborn Nor chieftains refused to give way for anyone.

In contrast to other wars with their new weapons and tactics, this was true medieval affair. A reduced Norgar emerged from the chaos, under Videssian protection. The Juhts still pressed their claim to rule Norgar.
(Videssos: -2 Light Infantry)
(Juhtland: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(Germanica: -1 Heavy Infantry)

On Videssos’s urging, Talibria attacked the Tavuri, and had surprising success – probably more than anyone wanted. The exhausted Tavuri submitted to overall rule by the Talibrians.
(Talibria: +1 Heavy Infantry, +2 Light Infantry, +1 Light Cavalry)
…
In 425 AD, as a vassal of Germanica, Karinthia was beginning to thrive. Lihpos, the capitol, was growing into a major trade centre with an interesting mix of cultures.

Perhaps envious of this, or just eager for more territory, the Knights of Mycenae invaded the country a few years later. Bazilevs Alexandyr leant his full support, and also forged an alliance with Talibria to aid the attack. Germanica could send little aid at this point. But Karinthia had a strong and experienced army, both infantry and cavalry, armed with the best of Germanican and Tuscan weapons.

The Talibrians and the Knights were hardly willing allies. With the Tavuri to deal with in the north, the Talibrians were content to leave the hard fighting to the Knights, while they did opportunistic pillaging.
(Karinthia: -1 economy, Talibria: +1 economy)

The Knights where neither strictly Phosist nor Aeonist. ‘Thaoism’ was still practised, but the Knights were also rumoured to follow all kinds of strange cults. The Aeonist Karinthians were horrified. But many non-Aeonists in Karinthia welcomed the Knights as a chance to break from Germanican/Aeonist hegemony.
(Knights of Mycenae: +1 Heavy Infantry)


The Knights were stopped outside of Liphos after taking far heavier casualties than they would have liked. The Knights could not easily replace such losses, and began pleading for Antalese assistance. Meanwhile, Antalese and Mycenean merchants mourned the loss of lucrative trade to Germanica…
(Talibira: -1 Light Cavalry)
(Karinthia: -2 Heavy Infantry, -2 Heavy Cavalry)
(Knights of Mycenae: -2 Heavy Infantry, -2 Light Infantry, -1 Heavy Cavalry, -1 Light Cavalry)
…
Northeast europe remained calm by comparison. The ‘wild’ Picts were now well established in the herbidean islands, and they stepped up their raids against Thulean coastal areas. Some groups were using Nor-style longboats. They had no real agenda, other than being opposed to ‘corrupt’ centralised rule of the League and the abandonment of old Pictish customs by their more civilised and wealthy cousins. Either that or they just liked fighting…
(Thulean League: -1 Light Infantry)

Several Umidian galleons made it through Thulean-patrolled waters to supply these Picts with gunpowder weapons. It was the furthest the Umidians had ever ventured into the League. More than one galleon ended up stranded on the shores of the Lyonnese cape, to the amusement of the local people.
(Umidia: -1 Galleon)

The Thuleans paid for the city of Ys to be rebuilt (after having been damaged by fire during a Umidian attack decades earlier) with proud new public buildings. Confidence returned to the streets. The Yssians had a desire to reassert their culture and influence within the League. The city’s patricians stumped up cash to begin the reconstruction of the ancient Great Lighthouse, which had been in ruins for centuries.

Thulean diplomats were often seen in the city of Vorenstad. Many Freilanders welcomed the chance to settle in the new world – perhaps naively, as the romantic image didn’t quite fit the gritty reality of the colonies. In any case, Freiland drew a little closer to the League. Freiland’s culture was still much closer to that of Rovien and Germanica, but the religious divide soured relations.

East Ocean

The new regime in Ohukal continued to fight skirmishes with the Umidians, and faced bands of resurgent Theosist fanatics inside its own borders.
(Ohukal: -2 Light Infantry)

Ohukal’s leaders paid little attention to these troubles. Instead they showed a surprising interest in science and philosophy. They invested heavily in new academies and places of learning. They got their hands on a few Umidian scholars and benefited from some distinguished thinkers of their own. This enlightened attitude gained support from the new aristocracy, and also had some benefits for the army - as knowledge of gunpowder and metallurgy increased, the Ohukals had the know-how to repair and copy captured Umidian weapons.

Ohukal’s native culture began to assert itself, but many useful Umidian ideas were kept. Ohukal extended its control over some of the neighbouring uncivilised areas.
(Ohukal: +1 Culture)
…
The Thuleans kept up their merciless raiding, and did their best to exploit the divisions between Umidia’s king and the trading guilds. The Umidians in the Yihamcoross and the north of Ohukal surrendered to a mix of force and diplomacy. The Thuleans offered protection and the chance to join Thulean colonies in North America. That could have more appeal than years on an isolated tropical outpost.

Loyalist Umidians and Acrians regrouped on the island of Amik further south. The ruling chieftain made an alliance with the Theosists. The island became a base for Theosist missionaries.

Thulean ‘Wolf packs’ patrolled the ocean, made up of the fastest ships and most experienced captains. ‘Sea Dragon’ infantry mounted attacks against Umidian settlements.

Acre’s Khimas did a good job of defending the african coast, with help from Umidia. But away from the coast, Acrian and Umidian trade was reduced to almost nothing.

The Umidian leadership sent more resources to the ocean war to sure up the defences and loyalties of the southern colonies. Thulean tactics were copied. Smaller galleons were used in revenge raids against Thulean colonies and shipping, sometimes venturing right up the coast of North America. But as determined as they were, they couldn’t match the damage the damage that Thulean raiders were inflicting.

A gathering of powerful war galleons supported the Umidian forces at Arzoc. Fierce sea battles were fought to prevent a blockade by Thulean fleets. Together with native support and landings by Acrian troops (based at Arzamber), the Thuleans had some trouble. But the native rebels weren’t dependable allies. They didn’t fully embrace Theosism, and still fought each other as much as anyone else.
(Kaliate of Acre: -1 Light Infantry, -1 Khima, -1 Caravel)
(Umidia: -1 Light Infantry, -2 Galleon, -1 Caravel)
(Thulean League: -1 Ys Sloop, -1 Tosess, -1 Ship of the Line )
…



America

After having been ignored for centuries by everyone except the Garudans, the east coast of North America was suddenly a busy meeting place.

The Thuleans were not giving anything away, but the existence of a northern passage across North America was a poorly guarded secret. Thulean ships were rumoured to be aiding Garudan colonies further north. Their ships were seen travelling all along the eastern coast.

Pangari ships arrived with food supplies, and began trading relations with the Garudans.

Ships form Tian and Ryakhi also began arriving, with considerable help from captured Garudan navigators. They tried to halt and inspect Pangari ships, under the guise of being ‘Garudans’ themselves. This didn’t work for long.

Occasional exchanges of fire between Pangari and Tianese ships was not good for the Tianese. Pangari’s ships were more likely to carry heavy defensive armament. And neither the Tianese or Ryakhi were experienced ocean sailors. The west ocean claimed several of their ships along the way.
(Ryakhi: -1 Caravel)

Ormash also entered the scene. Ormash’s leaders had promised to help the few escapees from Jara to create a new nation in the Americas. They settled on the coast north of Taruda, within easy trading distance of the Garudans. But the colony struggled to survive, and was a long way from being able to call itself an independent country.

Finally, Hocatelco’s forces attacked and overran the southernmost Garudan colony, but stopped near Taruda.
(Hocatelco: -1 Heavy Infantry, -1 Light Infantry)

The bemused Garudans tried to make the most of their new contacts. Starvation and collapse were avoided, but by 435 AD they were still divided into different factions.
…
Over on the other side of North America, there was an uneasy peace between the Thuleans and the tribes of the Imawa federation.

Further south along the coast, Thuleans flooded into the fragmented Hanawauk lands. But traditional native antagonism towards the Thuleans hadn’t disappeared. Diplomacy was ignored. The Thuleans turned to their Stormriders to expel hostile tribes. Things got out of hand, and it turned into a terror campaign. Mahutan island became a base for vicious military operations against the natives.

The Thuleans claimed large swathes of land, but the natives were outraged and began to band together. Stories of Thulean atrocities were spread to native tribes all along the coast.

Nonetheless, Thulean traders dominated North America, and were making huge profits.
…
Paranoid about the Theosist attacks on the coast, and fearing being left out of the trade boom, the wealthier citizens in the eastern coastal cities of the HRE funded their own naval force, hiring Thulean shipbuilders and captains.
(HRE: +2 Ys Sloop, +1 Caravel)

These ships were later used to settle another colony in the new world (Saint Rene), this time on the mainland, near the Hanawauk tribes. But instead of causing competition, much of their potential profit was traded away to the natives and Thuleans, in exchange for basic supplies.

The northern cities of Germanica discussed the idea of funding their own colonies in North America. Though this would depend entirely on Thulean goodwill, with heavy tolls to pay along the way.


Chimuko slowed the advance of its enemies, but couldn’t halt them completely. Most of their energies went into rebuilding their capitol.
(Chimuko: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(Zhizhou: -1 Heavy Infantry)
(Tolmecahu: -2 Light Infantry)

The Zocon were content to stay at the boundary of the Tolmec river. Tolmecahu and Zhizhou grew in confidence.

There were rumours of Theosist missionaries at the royal courts of the Chimuko and Hocatelco empires. Theosim certainly seemed to be on the rise in western Chimuko.

Some Acrians were shipwrecked on the mainland coast between Tolmechau and Chimuko. Their camp evolved into a permanent colony (Najran).

Kopeng reaped the rewards of trade, but was paralysed as it struggled to keep a lid on the explosive ethnic and cultural divides within its population. This was more fertile ground for Acrian missionaries. Theosim seemed to offer a sense of unity and purpose that other faiths lacked.
…
For decades, New Panga had struggled to cope with its increased size (after being handed former Pangari-controlled lands). Internal troubles continued. Things came to a head with a showdown between Pangari-style republicans and traditional imperialists.

Pangari intervention prevented a full civil war. But a splinter state emerged in the inland mountains, calling itself Hanago. It was ruled by the same old dynasty, only with more autocratic powers. New Panga was renamed Pegu, and became a republic in line with Pangari.

Pangari language and culture still dominated the region. It was spreading into the Zocon-held areas, where it spawned a mix of friendly contacts and deep suspicion.

Brave Pangari explorers ventured into the mountainous Zocon lands, and found abandoned cities from a civilisation that seemed to predate Hocatelco by several centuries. Huge pyramids had somehow been built on isolated mesas and hilltops. The Zocon seemed to be afraid of these sites. But there were signs that an ancient written language was being revived.
…

435 AD

In parts of the old world, a wealthy and educated middle class was starting to appear. Change was happening at a faster pace than before. This was causing conflict with the remains of the feudalism. There was greatest potential for trouble in the richest and most technology-minded countries.
…
There were signs of a new and more deadly plague. Hundreds of deaths were counted in Pangari, the Taej Empire, Kopeng, Hocatelco, the Thulean League, Kymash and the Kaliate of Acre. The outbreaks were scattered and isolated. It seemed the plague was carried around by trading vessels.
…
Under Ismail’s guidance, Theosim was impacting a large area of the world and attracting many new converts. But in terms of followers and area of influence, it was Phosism that remained the world’s leading religion. Phosism was not as ‘zealous’ as Theosim. It was this coolness that had allowed it to spread gradually and steadily into several of the most powerful empires in the world.

Time would tell if Phosism would ever turn on itself, or would be overshadowed by other religions. In any case, more of the educated classes were turning to science and philosophy to explain the mysteries of life.
…
Strange weather afflicted much of the world. Not just south asia, but much of the world experienced colder winters and shorter summers. It was more of a nuisance than a real problem. But things seemed to be getting more erratic.
…
The seven greatest cities in the world at this time, a combined rating of culture, population, and morale:
#1: Altyn-Sarai (highest morale)
#2: Panga (highest culture)
#3: Kam Ekar
#4: Huich’on (largest population)
#5: Saint Gustparsberg
#6: Viroconium
#7: Mycenae

The seven most influential books in the world:
#1: ‘Ibya dal Eos’ / the collection of the teachings of Murabi (Acrian)
#2: ‘Aeonist Bible of Dresden’ (Germanican/Rovien)
#3: ‘Compiled Oiukumenographic Works of the Empire and Beyond’ (Antalese)
#4: ‘Explanation of the Works of Nature’, by Sanago-Tak (Pangari)
#5: ‘Conquest of the Intellectual Frontier’, by Jan Ysberg (Thulean)
#6: ‘Principles of Warfare’, by Gotheim von Buelow (Germanican)
#7: ‘Classified Animals and Plants of the Americas’ (Pangari)

NPC Diplo

To: Videssian Empire
From: Juhtland
We reaffirm our claim to Norgar. In the name of Aeonism, we will not rest until we have claimed our rights.

To: Thulean League
From: Umidia
It pains us to do this, but we would like to begin negotations to end the war.

To: Pangari
From: Hanago
Stay out of our lands, leave us alone, and we will cause no more trouble with Pegu.

MAPXORS

edit: changes to all maps

Terrain map

Religion map

Stats updated on front page

Going to sleep now

Main map attached:

Very Very Very Nice Update.

Well, that's a bummer. Not bad I suppose, I'm dissappointed in Warman though, should have had more faith But I can't say I'm surprised. I guess I stand alone now. Diplo tomorrow, nice update daft

Lurker's Comment: An Imperial Twilight. How long can the present world order from Rovien, Germanica, Tusca, the long-living Antalese Empire, the Orions, the Ormash and the Pangari last in the sun?

ooc:

Those western Ormash islands were to be given to me, the map and update make no mention of this.

Very Very Very Nice Update.

Click to expand...

Thanks

Those western Ormash islands were to be given to me, the map and update make no mention of this.

Click to expand...

oopsie. you can consider those islands yours. Ill work it into the next update

Daftpanzer said:

Thanks

Click to expand...

How rude of me, I forgot to comment on how you've given another awesome update. Shame on my family for such forgetfullness.

ic

To Juhtland:
Your claim to the lands of Nor and stands up as well as a fish on land, these lands rightfully belong to the Nor people themselves and we will aid them in defeating you.

Great update daft! You didn't mention anything with Sar though...

I. With the signing of this treaty comes a close to all combat between the Rovien Alliance (Holy Rovien Empire, Theuleon League, Germanica, Vassals of Germanica, and Tusca) and the Acrian Alliance (Umidia and Acre).


II. All lands shown on the below map will be transfered to the Holy Rovien Empire and Germanica. With Umidia being pushed to the mostly African areas around Lisht and Oriant. And the Almoth area will be given back to Germanica.

III. In the Theoist lands now occupied by the HRE. Will now undergo a no persecution law. No force conversions or persecutions of faith will be commited by the Aeonist church.

IV. Most of the old Catalian lands will be turned into a Gallic Knights state. A Vassal of the Holy Rovien Empire. Led by Duke Beaumont.



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

Awaiting the Signatures of...

Theuleon League

Holy Rovien Empire - Signed

Empire of Germanica - Signed

Vassals of Germanica - Signed

Tusca

Umidia

Kaliate of Acre - Signed