Update 9
To Balance a Scale
450 Years into the Bronze Age (2600-2550 B.C.)
The world changes very fast in these few years. Stable nations crack and fall apart even as devastated regions rebuild themselves. New empires are conquered, new states are formed, and new souls are reaped even as old ones disintegrates, falls, and were born. Yet the balance is once more tipping on the edge between disaster
and catastrophe.
India
The world is as big as you can sense. The world is as good as you can hope. The world is as yours as you can command.-First Rajpalya of Goa to Raj Kumar IV
India is now at a turning point as old conflicts are shelved and new conflicts emerged. On the Ganges River, the Daretokiman soldiers and their Dakinsan allies managed to capture the Kingdom of the Stellar Crown, despite fierce resistance by the Stellar Fangs. For the first time in decades, trade oncemore flowed uninterrupted throughout India. Meanwhile, Gujarat and Dakinsa both collected bands of adventurous young men and delved deep southward along the coastal lands, overseen by the towering bulk of the Western Gnats. There, new peoples, new ideas, new goods, and new conflicts are slowly revealed, deeper into the jungle.
The War for the Stellar Crown was tilting in Daretokiman favor when Vanassi unleashed their Stellar Fangs. Champions collected from every noble and armed with a metal sword forged from sky-rocks, the desperate blades were crude but effective, almost acting like a sharpened, deadly club against the closely-packed Daretokiman spearmen. It was then that the Macemen fought back the advancing wedge and forced the skilled swordsmen back. With the defeat of the Stellar Fangs and the death of the last King, the Raj Vaias of Daretokimas conquered Vanassi and Patni wearing the Stellar Crown, thus reuniting the Stellar Realm. To the south, mostly ignored by the triumphant allies, the Yetahorsehockye Farmers and the Bangladite Fishermen clashed in the reeds of the lower Ganges.
The two Rajdoms became close allies. The war had forged a strong bond between the two states and their leaders. The economy, seeing goods of the Mid-Ganges return to the markets and bronze, scarce due to the war, return to the forges regained vitality. Raj Vaias of Daretokimam is a kind conqueror, and divided his holdings under appointed Rajpalyas, copying the Dakinsan government, to allow better control of his enlarged realm.(Daretokimas: -Many troops, +Culture +1 Urban +1 Domestic +1 Trade)(Dakinsa: -2 Gujarati Macemen, +1 Macemen Experience, +Metallurgy, +1 Domestic)
To the south, explorers and adventurers rowed along the Western Gnats and traded with the locals. Although the tribes on the coast are rather primitive, or so it seems, they do have some seemingly anachronistic goods- when asked, they simply point beyond the mountains and talk about a land of gems and goods. Dakinsan explorers managed to buy one of the best natural harbors they found with several large crates of bronze tools and trinkets, while Gujarat settled a market somewhat northward, near a concentration of tribes with good connections into the mysterious mountain culture..(Dakinsa and Gujarat: Both +1 Trade, Both +Some Curragh Experience)
Finally, Dakinsan Metallurgists made a new breakthrough in studying bronze. While other bronze manufacturers generally add whatever scrap metal into the crucible they can get their hands on to make up for the low amounts of available bronze during the wars and the plagues, they found a way to remix the bronze to adjust it to the formula, which used to be able to be made only with pure ores. New bronze tools in this era show an increasingly small distribution of the ratio between copper and tin, as they now must find the final ingredient for bringing bronze to the masses.
True peace is here at last. Not a peace with far-off skirmishes. Not a peace with tensions, or bandits, or death. True peace has arrived in India.
Perhaps she wishes to stay.
China
One Dream; One Culture; One People; One Brotherhood; One State; One Empire; That is the past; That is the future..- Xiyi Philosopher Kan Laishi
As Chinas Golden Age reaches a greater heights, new ideas and new horizons spread far beyond, lit by their glory. The idea of a true unified China, one which will last for generations since, is growing strong in Xiyi. Meanwhile, trade expanded and the growing Yueh city of Shanghai, and the growing Chosen town of Seoul begun funneling resources and goods from their region towards the unstoppable flow of Chinese merchants from Zhou and Xilatang. Borders, even as they are stabilizing, are meaning less and less every passing moment as philosophers, traders, and inventors move throughout the region.
Xiyi sponsors a growth both culture and trade, as Confucianism continues to gain strength in this region. One school of thought, gaining strength, is widely sponsored by Kan LaiShi, a famous philosopher and confucianists who spoke about a united China to match those of the legendary Emperors. There are whispers that he has brought the Silent Emperor to his way of thinking, and even now the noiseless monarch is planning for control of China, however he wishes to define it. Meanwhile, trade southward, pioneered first by the Zhou, has been engorged by large amounts of Xiyi merchants. Infact, a Yueh warlord sold a large harbor to an enterprising Captain in exchange for support. When he won, the increase in trade led to his hometown to becoming a growing, if small, city. (+1 Confidence, +1 Trade, +5 Curraghs)
The two Man states expanded as well. Zhou was glad to share her markets with Xiyi, and were well paid to help navigate many of the less-experienced crews to the Yueh River. Zhou ships sailed across all over the Yellow Sea and beyond, establishing the first continuous trade with Seoul. They also hint about a distant land of the rising sun. Although a few tried decipher their cryptic remarks, most simply marveled at the strange and exotic things they brought back. The Duchy of Wei developed more with an eye towards Metallurgy. With the expansion of trade and the abundance of ores, they slowly mastered many techniques pioneered by Xiyi. By the end of this time, they have nearly caught up to their northern neighbor. Both Man states also imported Confucian ideas from their northern neighbor. (Zhou +2 Trade, Wei +1 Domestic)
In distant Japan, things didnt change much. Sabers were rattled, but nobody wants to risk a war
yet. The treasury grows as the Katos horde every ounce in preparation for the conflict to come.
The status quo has yet to change, but all are planning just in case it does..
Levea
When the Last Dual King died in 2559 BCE, he left a gigantic kingdom to the helm of his very competent son.
Very competent wasnt enough-A Chronicle of the Maelstrom
For this portion of history, we shall refer to the
Chronicle of the Maelstrom.
Most of the Chronicles were correct. Internal tensions slowly ripped apart the Exaltation into various parts. However, they tried to sugar coat what happened at Ortun.
The Exaltation of Ortundia was a combination of ancient Ortundian practices, Aramyan administration, and Hyak culture. The nation was ruled by the wealthy military commanders that had seized the military and declared Ortun their capital. The Hyak people for a long time had their culture suppressed, but the new military king, to appeal to the people, made Hyaks honorary Leveans, and began a long process of integrating them with the Aramyans in the region. They were the next country in the line of nations that slowed trade between the east and west, and theirs was the only country next to a none Aramyan people. Ortun received support from other nations, often because of the negotiation of the Viziers to assist in the pushing of Forman initiatives. They had two patron gods, Tarias of the wilderness, and Sune of wisdom.
Those military commanders who are mentioned? They are the Lieutenants of Baragan-Sar, High King of the Hyaks. The land is no more an Exaltation then Aramya is a democracy; the Hyaks are back, and ready for more. The story of the High Kingdom is truly a story of Baragan-Bel, a dispossessed Hyak Mercenary fighting for unification and power.
Do I trust an Aramyan? Yes, as far as my blade can reach.
-Commonly attributed to Baragan-sar, High-King of Hyak, Avatar of Takarzi
Baragan-Bel started his resistance in 2565, half-way between the Last Dual Kings southern Campaign and his death. The Hyak Revolts have, indeed, stopped as per the Chronicle, but thats because Baragan-Bel started unifying the various underground societies and bandits in this region. Feeding off the discontent at ever higher taxes and growing conscription for a new Forman War, he established a small underground professional army and a wide net of sympathizing bandits.
He saw his chance when the southern Plutocrats rebelled. The young King of Aramya tried to retreat to his established military base at Ortun, as before. But this time, Ortun is no longer the safe province it once was. Baragan declared that the time has come, and in a single year liberated Merion and Alamhadt with the defection of the Aramyan Mayor of Khurzel and the Forman Hazerel. While the other rebellions ran their course, Baragan smashed the Kings last attempt at securing his hold, and when the King fled northward, he wisely let the broken man flee to preserve his force.
Thereafter, he marched south. Intra-city fighting was common as Hyak and Aramyan sympathizers turned against each other, while many of the neutral bystanders found safety behind Baragans camps. After unifying all of old Hyak, he declared himself High King of the Hyaks.
Ortun was in a state of turmoil; generals assassinated generals, colonels dueled colonels. However, the wall was still patrolled no matter who was currently ruling or fighting, and the city would cost much too much to crack.
Baragan-Sar decided to court the current King of Ortun, one Laren the Strong who has killed over 100 challengers in duel, and survived three coups, and who owned a sword from the far east, said to have been made from a star. Laren, in exchange for stability in his Hyak population and peace for his merchants anguished cries, accepted.
And so, what was once Leveas borderland against the Hyaks, became Hyaks border against Levea. This final coup ended the small conflicts in the other four Exaltations, who stopped, if not to unite, at least prevent Baragan from penetrating further.
Baragan, urged by Laren, turned his eyes northward.
Ortun is going to war with Siria, after all.
One final footnote: Boukae took this interlude as their chance to penetrate into Levea. The Semetic city-state unleashed centuries of pent-up energy and managed to capture Irud and much land southward along the coast. Viria found itself a much smaller entitlty, but also much more dense. Sarte became a cultural center and Kitalo a religious center, and much grain was shipped as tithes to the two cities dominating the central Levea.
Levant
We shall drive them back to Damascus.
-Baragan-sar on the Sirians
We have defeated God Kings before, but never Gods
-Kalarel-Sar of Siria
Baragan-Sar pushes northward deep into Siria. In his first campaign he recaptured a major town, and through siege he conquered a second. Even through many battles were fought The High King Baragan-Sar, along with the Kings Khurzel, Hazerel, Laren, who known as the Four Charioteers of Takarzi, have not lost a single battle. They have captured many of the old borderlands between the Sirian and Hyak homelands, and they only need to cross one more hill to overreach the Aramya high tide. Damascus wasnt being lazy, either. Walls were built at Mosul, soldiers were trained, and defenses strengthened. They will try to survive the storm
and prove that they can still win against the Gods.
Phoenicia was probably the most united it can ever be, and even now splits are forming between the confederate Cities. The Levantine Sea was cleansed and Rhodes culled of Pirates, but from further afield comes new problems: Sardinians are gaining ever larger presence in their Sphere of Influence, and while cities like Tyre urge war, more conservative and smaller cities like Ugarit hope for continued peace.
In Palestine, tribes are slowly coalescing once more, as sentiment grows against Egyptian interference in the Timian valley, and perhaps, if they unite with the voice of all, they can stay united.
The Nile Valley
The Nile Flows, the Battle Rages, The Shattering Blows, The History Pages
What Do They Know, Those Ancient Sages, What We Did Sow, to Grow in Stages -Scribes Rhyme
Although Egypts political landscape is still remarkably open, already we see two states becoming ever stronger. Damietta is known for running out an attempt by the Sardinians to establish a colony (and break their trade monopoly), as well as annexing the northern Oasii Confederacy. Thebes, meanwhile, used their army as a leverage into the rich resources of Palestone, and the gratitude of the first Emperor of a united Nubia. However, the other states are not sitting idle. Anor and Avaris formed a close alliance, and Abydos, although courted by Thebes, is still ambivalent, and used their neutrality to conduct ever more trade. To the south, Kartoros is struggling to unite the Kuhorsehockyes while Axume managed to simmer down the Traditionalists with clever diplomacy, and established themselves a stable agricultural base for their growing cities.
Starting from the North, we see Sardinias eastwardmost attempts at expansion. Damietta loved and admired Sardinian merchants- they were honest, they bring wares from nearly all lands east of Toras-Noth, they kill pirates, they know how to bargin for entertainment and for business-whats not to like? These merchants often brought their family along with them, and they established a small Sardinian on unsettled land outside of Damietta. And the King, Hasrun II, Punisher-of-Baset, was fine with that.
It was when this town started sprouting walls and harbors when Hasruns danger sense tingled- theyre trying to infringe on Damiettas Monopoly! Even the gift of a large amount of money did not sway the King, and he issued an Ultimatum; leave or else.
As Sardinia is also busy in conflicts ranging across the Central Seas, only a small task force was sent. Hasrun crushed the tiny fleet, tore down the fort, and relocated those merchants back to Damietta. Of course, he wasnt unfair- he repaid the merchants to stay (with the bribes he was given in the first place). This gave him much prestige in the eyes of many Egyptians, and his ability to command led the Northern Oasii Confederation to petition him to aid in their defense. (Sardinia -2 Curraghs, +1EP banked, +1 Trade) (Damietta +Confidence +1 Curragh +1 EP Loot +1 Trade)
Damietta used this windfall well, completing their toll-harbors before schedule and quickly dominating the rest of the Delta. This influx of trade and their control of the Entrance into Egypt gave them an economic center and allowed them to overshadow the other Lower-Egyptian states, Anor and Avaris. Although they, too, relied on Damietta for their trade, they allied themselves against their large-neighbors influence.
Avaris built strong walls, and garnered influence east of the Delta for those seeking for safety. Anor, however, restored some of the grand Temples from the time of the Empire to their former glory and cleaned up their city, allowing them to still continue to claim heritage for the heartland of Egypts Empire. (Avaris +1 Domestic, Anor +1 Culture)
Abydos continued along with their project and developed closer relationships with Thebes, the power of Upper Egypt. However, to the north a minor town managed to gather enough power to contend Abydos for the economic control of Middle Egypt. Beni-Hasan is a young City-State, but stoutly opposed to control by the greedy merchants of Abydos.
Finally, we reach Thebes. The growing State used their well-trained army to expand their influence in all directions while their merchants kept the finances afloat. A trading colony was founded on the opposite shore of the Red Sea, shortening the distance between Axumite and Theban lands, and connecting to the local Arabs. An expedition was sent to cow the Chief of Petra, but when the Chief of Timnia balked, it turned to fully attach this region into the Kingdom. Now Thebes has a true, secure foothold into Palestine, and they must move fast if they wish to expand further. (+1 Trade -1 Spearmen (1.5))
However, their greatest adventure was against the overbearing force of Tos-Getha. It had, a generation ago, attempted to invade Egypt while it was weak, and was defeated by a combined force of Theben Chariotry and desperate militias. Now, Theban spearmen advanced southward to the cheers of the local Egyptians while Napata marched north, freeing Abu-Simel and nearing with the Thebans at the mouth of the Allaqui, having cut off the troublesome Hill tribes to save Tos-Getha once more. Several battles led to a single definitive one where the demoralized Gethan force was broken by Chariots, shattered by Napatans, and scattered into the wind. (-1 Spearmen (1.5), -1 Archer (3), +Egyptian Chariot Experience, +Confidence)
The Napatan King crowned himself Simel Friend-of-Osiris, Pharaoh of the South to the cheering of thousands. He then declared that Thebes was a equal and a friend of all Nubians from this moment on, to be remembered until the Sun himself forgets to rise.
(+STATs for Nubian Empire, +1 Domestic Thebes)
And so rose the Nubian Empire.
To the South, the Severi manage to put up a good fight against the Kingdom, using the local terrain and their warriors against the more disciplined Spearmen. Nonetheless, the Kingdom has fully secured the necessary river routes on the Nile, and they have plenty of money to hire more men to comb the mountains for survivors.
Then we get to the lands of the Ethiopians. Axume annexed her friends, and used guile and intimidation well to prevent conflict. After that, they used slick diplomacy to confuse their enemies. With those friendly to Axume building larger villages and protected from their individual anger, the Traditionalists disappeared more then defeated. More of interest for the Axumnites was the organization of the Adenite tribes. Closer to them formed Eterika, a more war-like tribe who established a strong army and sought to unite the hills to the east. On the opposite side of the pay formed Aden, a pacifistic merchant tribe holding many contracts leading into the interior.
The Fallen Sea
The World is my oyster, Altyria is my pearl.-Triml Alantyin
The northernmost edge of the Aegean formed its own area of civilization, dominated by mercantile politics, Exnotism, and wheat. The Kingdom of Altyria fell and was reformed into the Alantyin Empire, and the other wheat states took advantage of this room to declare independence and organized their own kingdoms against the Empires clout. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Byzantinos managed to sweep away the Pirates of the Fallen and Aegean seas, only to find trouble closer-much closer-to home. Makedonia managed to get over their fear of the sea to launch a fleet and invade.
It all started when the Byzantinon Kingdom reorganized their royal house in a minor coup with major implications. The new Royal Family stingily saved for a rainy day, while leading their military directly against the Pirates. In the Fallen Sea, they established an important colony to secure the northern coast of Koyulun, and defeated and repurposed a Pirate Cove at the far edge of the Fallen Sea. They then turned their attention southward, with effects to be seen later. (-3 Curraghs (0.5), 3 Curraghs +XP)
Because of this coup, a charismatic prince, Triml Alantyin and cousin to the old King, left to find his fortune. Following the path of many a merchant, he found his way to Altyria where dissent is brewing. The new mercantile upper-class is conflicting with the old traditional clan-leadership, especially due to the new wealth of the Plutocrats despite lack of real action against the pirates. Muttering was heard about the intervention in Thloryn (which was a major Pirate center during its Despotism) and discontent was ripe.
He convinced the Terror Hounds, one by one, to support him. He convinced many a spear-captain, a merchant, a tribesman. It is said that he can convince Exnot to stop drinking if the God willed himself to listen. Preaching both a return to traditional values and gods, and an understanding and respecting of Atyrias (his) interests and loyalties, he managed to rally the public against the Clan Chiefs. In a brutal but short civil war, he alternatively lured, dealed, assassinated, or battled the resistance into the footnotes of history and established a new government, based on loyalty and religion- the Alantyin Empire.(Stats reorganized)
Now that he is in power, the former income and thithes that used to go to the Clans now flowed to him. He set about proving that he was right by establishing many public improvements-canals, walls, roads. With this wide-ranging campaign he established himself into the heart of his new land.
Now, he sought to regrow his influence in his homeland, Byzantinos. The new Monarchs were successful, but in their success they begun to ignore the Cousin of the North. This rivalry inflamed his passions but without true discontent we wasnt able to enact any of his plans. It is unknown whether he will try again to reconcile their differences, or if he will decide to try to fight them for real.
As for the Wheat-States of Odessa and Varna, they saw their chance for independence. A decade of Altyrian rule showed them many tricks of the trade, and they eagerly organized their clans and established new kingdoms on the northewestern shore of the Fallen Sea. When Alantyin returned, he found decently strong and proud, if still unstable, kingdoms selling wheat to Byzantinos without relying on Altyrian middle-men.
AS for the story of Byzantinos, it lies further south.
The Aegean Sea
It is a commonly accepted principle that barbarians are more dangerous than savages- they learn just enough to tear down your city while still not understanding anything when you are supposed to do such things.- a Byzantinos Merchant-Captain
In the Aegean sea, there are three main currents of events. First is the expansion of Byzantinon Power against the pirates, giving them a strong foothold in the central Aegean. The second is the growing conflict on the Greek Peninsula, which soon spilled over into Byzantinon as well, between Greeks (and each other) against the migrating Makedonians. Finally, there is a conflict of religion between the Zirilism spreading from the Aegean islands and the Exnotism spreading from Byzantinon influence.
.First the Byzantinos clearly decided that enough was enough. Meticulously picking their way southward, islands were conquered, coves were smoked, and pirates were wiped out. It took a massive campaign and loss of life, with an end result of reviving the dwindling trade routes and conquering a foothold into the central Aegean. Exnotism was expanding in influence from this victory, and when the Byzantinon and Phoenician fleets meet of Rhodes to defeat the last of the Pirates, closed this chapter of history. (+1 Confidence -25 Curraghs +5 Curragh XP +2 Trade; +1 Trade Thloryn)
This obviously was meet by the expansion of Zirilism from Krete. Slavers found their source slowly dwindling as Pirates were hording their galley slaves as they were destroyed one by one, and the states of the mainland consolidated. Instead, they offered a new deal- we will stay out if you guys sell us your captives. Zirilism expanded most in the central islands despite Byzantinos occupation due to various volcanoes in the area which are lesser to Ziril, but other tenants such as resilience and creativity led it be to adopted by various mainlanders too, glad that the fiercesome raids ended. (+1 Trade Toras-Noth +Zirilism +Exnotism)
Instead, they faced more conventional warfare. Battles between Sparta and Thloryn are slighty to Thloryns favor in that they managed to, once again, retake Cornith. However, the Spartans inflicted disproportionate casualties (especially in captured enemies) in the long process. The Thloryn also moved north and expanded their lands all the way to the Kingdom of Makedonia itself, enslaving many a Makedonian along the way. (+1 Banked each)
Makedonia, meanwhile, focused on two projects. One, they slowly united their brothers in the northern mountains, and two, they trained and practiced, for the first time in their history, the usage of ships. Then, they left off, escorting a new horde to join the one in Koyulun and liberate them from Byzantinos taxes. This, they were only partially successful. One of the local hordes rallied to the standard of the Mountain King, and they quickly captured a local town in Troai. However, the other two hordes were more content to sit and wait, or fight intruding Koyuluns, than each other. Finally, the returning Byzantinos fleet caught the unsteady ships of Makedonia at sea, and went to capture and defeat it in an anti-climatic struggle. Now, however, the eyes turn towards the ever-growing horde based from the ruins of Troy.
Now, we look across the Aegean to the bulk of Koyulun.
Koyulun Peninsula
Heres a tip; you should have handed over your protection money yesterday-Katan Warlord
Katan decided to increase the demand for protection payment, and raised an army to keep it. Keres managed to keep up and build walls for their capital as well, but the Pirates and smaller chiefdoms could not keep up and were crushed, one by one. It was now that the empire first started straining at their finances- many of the new lands in the Plateau are far and away from Katan itself, and without proper infrastructure they are only tentatively held by a disgruntled garrison.
Most of the rest of the tribes collapsed into themselves as migrants once again spread out. These migrants distracted Koyulun Makedonians, joined the Byzantinos Kingdom as settlers and guards, and were converted to Kitabalism in the far east of the peninsula.
Now we look on the other end of the Greek Peninsula to the still unsettled wilds of Valyria.
Part 2