WESTERN WORLD
Tanresios was once the edge of the world; now it seems they are the center
Tanresios could very well be finding it's path to Empire, as their efforts at centralizing their economy through the implementation of a currency-based economy meet success as it spreads to the neighboring countries of Barber and the Bascland Union, as well as to the Eastern power of the Phoolan Devi. Their political and cultural influence in the nearer countries is obviously given a major boost as well, however local events could very well dash all of these hopes to pieces.
The mine project started in the past few decades has met it's completion, and has also seen the rise of the Tanresan military far above many others in the region; the use of bronze weapons for warfare and also a stark new training and organization method, as well as the designing and implementation of the new Tercio military unit, a heavy infantry unit with light cavalry attachments, has left them in a position of power and authority. How they handle this power has yet to be seen.
The Bascland Union, a country becoming increasingly dissimilar to Tanresios, is experiencing quite a bit of internal turmoil. Many local populaces are getting fed up with the Council's inability to cater to individual, local needs, and are calling for reform.
More specifically, a complete change in government. Although the government is loosely based on similar principles as that of the Tanresan government, corruption and powermongering has taken hold in many places, but is having most negative effects on an area known locally as Andorr. Many occurences in which the rights of the local Councils have been overruled unjustly by the governing body of the country have taken place, much to the chagrin of the affected populace and that of sympathizers in the surrounding Councilships and towns.
Taking heavy inspiration from their western neighbors in the badlands known as Tanresios, the Barbers start their own massive mining project, and meet just as much success as that in the former. The mines spew forth bronze which is exported to the Phoolan Devi in the east, Africans in the south, and even the Tanresans and minor trade between the Bascs in the mysterious north.
A new type of conflict has arisen here, however. The ancient Barber and Tanresan religion of Ancestor Worship has simultaeniously been pushed out of the country by the ancient line of Barber High Chiefs in the capital (to be replaced with the more modern and "right" Phoolan religion of Devi Mareas) and pushed right back in again by increasing Tanresan influence in the region, as well as preachers specifically sent there by the Tanresan government.
While some (including those responsible) blame competing Tanresan and Phoolan spheres of influence in the country colliding for causing this cultural stress line, many are far too busy killing eachother to contemplate this.
Far north, beyond (current) Tanresan ambitions and African civil wars, Lünde grows larger daily, as more immigrants (and slaves) arrive and new buildings are built and streets trodden wider.
Many Brettans join the rising star that is Avrantic Bretta, however just as many seem to be emmigrating from the lands of the north, where a new country called Druidia has appeared from the mists and myths of the north. A warmongering people on the warpath, believing in a plethora of nature spirits, this comes as a stark contrast to the invaders to the isle in the south.
However all is not well in the Avranti lands; the once rebellion in the western lands, which once held so much promise and pride to the people, had now reached critical mass. There was no turning back now, without proper war upon another country: The Britto-Gullic Kingdom had carved its name in the blood of the Avranti, fighting it's way from obscurity.
The Gullic people worship a strong Moon deity known as Rios the Invincible, or Rios Gulli. Raising various small bovine-like creatures and marrying multiple women is the main passtime of the average Gullic peasant, while for the higher-ups (namely the King and his various affiliated strong-arms) it is marrying many many women, and leading wars against their lessers.
A strong leader united the Gullic and Brittonic people in the past century, though it is not known how long this union will last. Tensions are already rising with the war in the newly calmed north, and rumors of dissention circulate.
The Domic Tribes continue to turn a blind eye to the distress of their neighbors, as no official request for aid has been sent. Not that the Tribes would be particularly heeding of any such request, however. Their massive treasury is causing tensions with the Avranti, who have on multiple occasions accused them of saving up for a massive army, to which the Domic have denied multiple times.
Not far south now, in Italy, The Cyseean Imperium funds the construction of a large complex of buildings, in mind of streamlining the efficiency of their tax system upon the masses. Also in the works is the restructuring of what primitive administration is in place, wherein the various trusted generals of the Imperator (dictator, King?) own land, and may construct fortresses along major tracks and paths through the Imperium, and extract tax from the local merchants.
After a century of inactivity and peaceful relations, the local leaders and peoples of northern Italy did not expect the armies of the Imperium to come knocking at their doors; as such, they were forced to lay down what few arms they had, and assimilate.
The Phoolan Devi's piracy problem is no longer their problem, as a massive fleet constructed solely for the purpose of eliminating the pirates (or risk war with the Spartan Empire and losing their trade lanes permanently) saw success, as well as the groundwork for the construction of a new city of immigrants (possibly former pirates) in Africa, of Phoolan control. This city, known as Carthago to some and refuge to many like-minded religious Barbers, is seen as a heralding of the new age of the Phoolan Devi, and their asension from the depths of a pirate-stricken trading people to a maritime trading power.
After a century of (admittedly, one-sided) warfare, the Spartan Empire finally calms it's borders enough to establish a trade route with their eastern Anatolian neighbor, the Cypriot Empire. Their new territory in the region of former-Ilium has seen better days; the Iliac religion is a strong one, resisting Spartan attempts at purification; it seems rebellion is imminent, as the Spartan Empire is a theocratic one, steeped in religion and history going back to before the Greeks settled these lands.
Spotlight Region said:
Cypriot expansion into Anatolia has reaches new heights as their reputation as peaceful traders has been spread far and wide; rumors (possibly started by the Empire itself) have reached all the way to former Ilium in Europe of the Cypriot quality of life, and the implementation of basic sanitation; cesspools and cesspits arise around the Empire, making it a generally cleanlier place.
Cypriot efforts at colonization have also lead to the city of Haliphast to begin being constructed, at the supposed crossroads of the world; north of the land of the Lyscovian city states, where the camel-back traders of the east and mountain folk of the north meet and intermingle.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the seas belong to the Cypriots. Their advent of the new Bireme ship, a two-story high monster with a crew of 50 oarsmen and 20 more deckhands, as opposed to the previous Rafts' crew of 5, sees a dramatic increase in Cypriot pride, if there is such a thing in these copper ages.
Far north of the trade lanes of the world and the rumored "spice roads", the Scythians meet a rather unfortunate series of events. The monarchy declined to pay the military their wages this year, and subsequently floundered to defend against massive desertion and revolution. The country has split down the middle into three factions- that based in the new city of Jujya in the west, those based in Kalsoot, the old capitol of the country, and those in the fledgling city of Izme in the east.
Thousands of miles north, the Wovvolk embark upon a new war campaign, however oddly they leave the non-military population alone; the women, the children, the elderly; even small towns of farmers and fishers. Much unrest is had at this new style of warfare- it is too barbaric for the war-hardened people of the north. Much pillaging and ravaging goes on anyway, but Wovvolk efforts at maintaining peace have bought them glory in the eyes of the Stoneys they currently hold dominion over.
In the north of the country, however, the Wovvolk living there put much effort into the continuation of the domestication of Bears, to the point that they can nearly use them for lumbering the great woods found in the east.
Stoney starts the construction of a series of roads that span the entirety of the vast Estonian countryside, although disruption due to the northern invasion has slowed this down immeasurably. An army is drafted to counter this invasion, and support from the Norsemen via the sea helps them with this.
The Norse country of Norselk is discovered beyond the Wovvolk borders, though the extent of its tendrils reaches far beyond the icy mountains of Scandinavia. The massive Norse pantheon is worshipped in this land, as well as the occasional hundred year old sheep that reaches god-status among the various locals.
A world away, in the arid, hot regions of the world, the Nile Dynasties finally complete the immense irrigation projects, making them the most populous land in the western world. The people celebrate night and day for a week in honor of the God-Monarch's greatness, and it is made a Holy Day, wherein the peasants are allowed to ask for forgiveness from the Gods in the Monarch's tombs and places of worship. This goes a long way to calm the heads of those still angry at Aneb-Hetch.
North of there, Aneb-Hetch sends an army south along the river, spooking the Immortal Monarchs in the Upper Kingdom. The peace of the valley between the two Kingdoms had lasted for centuries, and this delicate balance seemed to be upset. An army of 7 warbands swarmed the various smaller communities, easily over running them and gobbling up their grain and livestock. This has given birth to a new nation, by the name of Raliacki. The people here follow the same ancient traditions as the those in Aneb-Hetch, and much joy is had by the population of Aneb-Hetch in causing the creation of such a new country.
Numerous rafts full of supplies set sail from the mouth of the endless Nile river, in an attempt by Aneb-Hetch to colonize distant coasts with their excess of population. This works rather well, however the distances required for some of the colonies are quite great, and this hinders the raft-based travel somewhat.
What seems an unfortunate, but recently commonplace happenstance, is that a military is denied the funds it so rightfully deserves for continued service. A series of foolhardy and inept rulers led to the denial of the army it's payment for a good too many years, and saw massive revolt of the armies, and of the highly independant city states that comprised the Sultanate.
The Imperial Highway that connected these city states was recently completed, however, and made it easy for the (former) Armies of the Sultanate to conquer and subjugate many cities, though Lyrsella itself remains in Imperial control. Diplomats from both major sides of the conflict have been sent to the neighoring countries, perhaps sympathetic, perhaps greedy; what will come of this has yet to be set in stone.
The Pontian Empire is struggling to balance affairs- the continual strain of dealing with rebellious minorities (specifically those they were targeting for "suppression") and the increasing threat that is the war with Tabriz, and a new rebellion spreading to the other peoples of the Empire who are losing faith in their government, due to the decrease of slaving, which is a consequence of the Tabriz, which was a consequence of the slaving. A viscious circle.
Tabriz fairs better, as their scouts were able to easily spread anti-Pontian sentiment all throughout the opposing country, causing dissent in the ethnic Pontians as well as empowering the minorities who had slaved for Pontus for so long.
After long and bitter fighting, both countries seem on the brink of collapse.
EASTERN WORLD
In the eastern world, the Kettick Empire begins the construction of a massive project; a great Temple atop Mount Und, where their Theocrats will train day in day out for combat and to study the words of their God. With the initial investment into the project, a sect of worshippers with influence in the east declares their independance from Kettick, on the basis that the Empire is dealing with too much internal turmoil (that of the elected officials struggling with the church for dominance)
Overhaul in the military has lead to an overhaul in the way the governing body works in the Kutak Tribes- a new Tribe King has been proclaimed, as countless new tribes swear fealty to the rising star that is the Kutak. Their new Suchi unit combines light infantry and heavy cavalry, with light thrown weapons to back them up. Attempts have begun at the domestication of the common Elephant, however it is not known how successful this will be, nor how long it will take in the long run.
The Qing Empire finally over-extends itself in the north, as the monarchy is unable to retain control over these lands- they lack the infrastructure to adminster it, the military to subdue it, and the culture to influence it sufficiently. The coasts, on the other hand, is another story altogether. The ease of transport via ships makes it impossibly easy to retain control over the new colonies they have founded in the north and south, however recent events with the Tairon prove to be far too troublesome to continue colonization thusly.
The Tairon Empire continues as normal; a grand harbor honoring the Kings of the past who made Tairon great, and indeed the Kings of the present who make it greater; the continual expansion on the coasts, unifying their various far-flung colonies, and the quelling of a small rebellion in their northern colonies.
The army that was sent to quell this rebellion "accidentally" marched into Qing lands, however, and occupied them brutally, repelling the Qing forces.
Arkital transitions into a powerful monarchical state, after some internal turmoil; one of the Tribes claimed the military might and political connections over several others, and subsequently dominated them, which lead to a minor civil war. The battle lines were drawn, but ultimately the original contester was on top of the world.
Military Events:
Barber Civil War
The Battle of Barber Bay
The entirey of the Barber army had amassed.
The coast northwest of Barber City, known as Barber Bay for obvious reasons, had been the unfortunate recipient of the main battle of the early Barber Civil War. The place was peaceful at first; the briny, warm ocean wind from the north, dew still on the Argan and Datte trees on the hills hugging the bay, the braying of donkeys and deer grazing in the dry, sallow fields in the south.
2,000 Barbers clashed amongst themselves, for reasons of religion and loyalties, to their generals, their Chiefs, their families; their Gods.
Hours of fighting, and charge after counter charge and the occasional hour long cease fire to mourn the mutual deaths of once-allied leaders, and finally the two opposing armies parted ways, one to the south to recuperate and one to the Coasts to celebrate a victory. The eastern armies, those loyal to the Chieftans and the Devi Mareas, had been successful, at least minimally.
(-2 Warbands, Barber Mareas)
(-2 Warbands, Barber
Black Serpent War
Massacre at Snake Ridge
600 Avrantic soldiers, sent on a rather routine round-up of rogue Brittons and highwaymen still harassing Avrantic merchants and settlers in the region, were met with a rather nasty surprise in the form of a small army of foreigners known as the Gullic. The Gullic leader demanded their surrender. In lieu of this, the insulted Avrantic commanders ordered the army forward to engage the enemy, only to find their horn blowers had been slain in their tracks, caught unaware by Gullic assassins. Needless to say these assassins were quickly found and butchered alive.
The Avrantic army, however, was flanked quickly and surrounded, and eaten alive. Five dozen survivors escaped with the horror stories that was the Gullic, though it is believed this was intentional.
(-2 Warbands, Avranti)
Phoolan, no foolin'
Phoolan Devi's neglected fleet from the past decades saw it's desctruction, sinking, decommission or all three by the new navy of rafts constructed by the Phoolan, but at the cost of several of the new rafts. Hopes run high that the Phoolan don't neglect to pay their sailors again, or else history may repeat itself.
(-2 Rafts, Phoolan Devi)
(-Pirates)
The Scythian Affair
Battle of Three Armies
Although at the end Jujya had gained the upper hand, the battle of the three armies is a long and complex one. The Jujyan general Prizka Boli, the namesake of his ancient tribe, had offered separate (and secret) truces to both the Izme Scythians and the Rael Iyalla faction in the former capitol at Kalsoot, and offered that their armies meet to make a peace treaty against their common enemies.
The armies of the Izme and the Rael had agreed to this. They had agreed to meet the Jujya at the isthmus of the promised land, where the mountains met the ocean on the peninsula. They were befuddled to say the least, at the confusion of meeting an oppsing army. The Rael and Izme then clashed, the Generals having assumed the worst of the other, with the Jujya nowhere in sight.
At the end of the battle, when swathes of men lay dead or dying in the grasses and on the rocks, the Jujyan army marched in and swept out the remaining Izmen and Raelic warriors, and declared themselves the victors.
(-1 Warband, -1 EP, Scythian Kalsoot)
(-2 Warbands, Scythian Izme)
(+1 EP, Scythian Jujya)
Stoney War
4,500 Wovvolk warriors marched into Stoney proper, only to be met with the same situation as before; the population of Stoney disappeared. Weary of the same raids and ambushes as last time, the Wovvolk press on, rebuking all ambushes that come their way. They make it almost all of the way to the Stoney capitol, only to be stopped fifty miles from the city by a massive army of Stoney warriors.
Their numbers, and indeed, training, wasn't as good as the Wovvolk, however. The armies clashed in dozens of pitched battles, each of which drained the numbers of both sides, until the Wovvolk found themselves surrounding the city of Stoney itself. After a week of being repulsed nightly, the massive Wovvolk scout group discovers that the city is being aided by a small fleet of Norse ships bringing them supplies from the far north, the Norse's apparent attempt at undermining the Wovvolk from a different direction.
(-6 Warbands, -1 EP, Stoney)
(-5 Warbands, +1 EP, Wovvolk)
Dissolution of the Lyscovian State?
The wars and revolts that followed the rise of the First Empress and her inept predesessor Maruk the Unable left the Lyscovian Sultanate a broken entity. The rebelling, unpaid army marched up and down the Imperial Highway, conquering and pillaging many of the communities that had arisen from it's mere existance, and even some of those more ancient that it was originally intended to serve.
Eventually, the army found itself divided in twain- a thousand soldiers to the General loyal to Lyrsella, and a thousand more loyal to their pay. The armies met and clashed along the Highway numerous times, only to meet a deadly stalemate.
(-5 Warbands, -2 EP, Lyscovian Sultanate)
Pontus' War
An interesting juxtaposition of has arisen in the Pontian conflict. 1,200 Pontian soldiers and 1,500 Tabrizd soldiers (both of which were distraction forces) crossed the Tigris river at the southernmost point where the two countries held borders, and ambush and counter-ambush took place, though this seems insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
3,000 Pontian soldiers crossed the river, though somehow missed 3,000 Tabrizd soldiers crossing at nearly the same point. The two respective armies marched to their enemy's capital, expecting a siege, but found them both devoid of defenses. Subsequently, both cities were razed to the ground.
(-1 Warband, -3 EP, Pontian Empire)
(-2 Warbands, -3 EP, Tabriz)
Colonial Mishap in Tairon
Though some say it the work of the elite in Tairon, others claim it is an innocent mistake. Although the Tairon Empire refuses to withdraw from the occupied territories until the reparations are paid for their lost armies, the situation is degrading quickly, with war threatened on both sides.
300 Warriors landed at the Tairon colony in northern Qing to quell a miniscule rebellion caused by unfair taxes (which has been taken care of), though the general in charge of capturing the rebel town mistook his orders for subduing four separate towns, of which 3 were Qing. The general did this and met heavy resistance from a warband stationed there by the Qing empire, but a decisive battle (wherein the Tairon flanked the Qing twice) ended this show of arms quickly.
(-1 Warband, Tairon Empire)
(-2 Warband, Qing Empire)
Arkital's Unification
The various tribes of Arkital aligned with or against one another, and after a climactic battle involving warbands from all sides involved on the outskirts of the city of Ark, the Arttaly tribe stood to have gained the most. It flexed it's muscles and declared it's chieftan the King of the Arkital, and thus the first Dynasty was born.
(-3 Warbands, Arkital)
Spotlight: Kettick said:
Jacobi smiled bitterly. He had volunteered for this mission, and it had blown up in his face. It was recently rumored that the Theocrats in the Church had funded a rebellion in the east to distract the weak leaders there, so that the Church could proclaim it's superiority and remove the Mayors that opposed their absolute rule in the far flung cities of the Empire.
He had been following a Paladin, whom he had been informed was taking information on these events to a few of the Higher Ups in Zanari. Moments ago four guards joined the Paladin, and stood in a wall, shoulder to shoulder in the narrow street, between him and the Paladin. Time was wasting, and the Paladin was getting closer to his destination, and farther from Jacobi.
He tried to recall his youth in the city- he had stolen a few scraps of bread in this area; he would never forget that day, for that was when he was found by the Theocrats and taken to the mayor.
He remembered the route he had tried using to escape; four of the taller buildings to his right, there was a narrow passage that wound at odd angles to the back of the Palace for which the Paladin was headed.
He quietly took a right, and once he was out of sight of the guards, he started running as fast as he could. Accidentally smashing several carts selling oranges and fish from some distant place, he found his way through the winding passage, only to knock into another wall of guards.
He quickly drew his dagger and dispatched two of them through the neck- the weak point in their leather armor.
The other two were on their feet already- no, Jacobi's chest, now. He wrenched his body left and right, pulling a muscle, but smashing his boot into the ear of the third guard. He toppled, probably unconscious, but Jacobi felt no pity for the man.
He was a member of the Zanari Militia; a group of people wholly opposed to the domination of the Empire by the Church of God, and the recent upheaval of the political map by the Charter of the Paladins of God made by the church had upset a very delicate balance.
The fourth guard was pounding his face now. He felt his nose break and he let out a muffled scream, twisting furiously to plunge his knife into the guard's face.
He found himself at the back of the Palace suddenly. He felt his face, only to realize he was missing a finger. He must've blacked out, or worse. Blood poured from his nose. He could never get entrance to the Palace looking like this.
Sighing, he charged down the alleyway between the Palace walls and the city surrounding; he flung himself on the quickly approaching Paladin, catching him by surprise, and ripping his throat wide by his blade. If he couldn't have this information, no one could.
