Europe, 590, A.D.
The start of one of the most famous chapters in Norwegian history starts. Erik Savag, quickly fortifies Oslo. He states a decree upon which one out of every 4 able-bodied men were to join the army. The result is 3000 youth picking up the spear and shield and joining his ranks. The army is quickly trained, while Erik quickly tried to conduct diplomacy.
In 581, he sent an expedition to the Danes, a fellow Nordic peoples who lived on the European mainland. Their chiefatin, "Bloodaxe", is impressed with the young Norwegian, and offers him the hand of his daughter in marriage. The marriage between Erik and Helga of Danemark occurs in the tiny Danish village of Roskilde. 500 Danish troops join Erik's effort from the South.
With political future secured, Erik turned his attention to uniting all of Norway under it's rightful ruler. A message sent to the Southwesternmost faction is not accepted, the noble refusing to surrender to a nation he deemed as strong as he was. So Savag turned to the Northwesternmost faction. It's ruler, scared of Savag's growing army, agrees, and the two factions unite.
After a brief military campaign, Savag and his new ally annhialate the Southwestern faction. The other factions quickly unite, leaving Savag's original plans behind. Erik takes an army and annhialates the two Western factions, losing 200 men. Nor, at 590 A.D. and many years of warring, there's only one faction left. But that is hardly the last of Savag's worries, because throughout the world, many big changes are happening.
In Estonia, the famous Estonian monarch, Juhan the Childbeater, comes home from the pagan expedition in Northern Finland, the tie between the two countries further cemented. He promptly ordered a great expedition. With 100 ships and 500 footmen, he promptly left home again to launch an expedition on Scandanavia. He landed in a place called "Swedeland" where he encountered a bunch of tall blonde-haired folk with strange music. He quickly destroyed a few of their villages, and established an outpost, naming it after the locals' name for it, Stockholm.
The news of the new colony reached Erik Savag around june 587 A.D., as he was preparing to annex the last remaining revolting province. Foreign presence in his part of Scandanavia is the least of his worries however. The people begin to wonder whatever happened to the English, who had promised help. The news comes from wandering fisherman and traders who saw a fleet of ships pass the Frankish cnanel on the way to England. Horrified, Erik correctly guess that this was the new French navy.
Indeed, the aging Guntram hoped to carve out his own legacy as long as his fragile bones could allow him to do so. With the goal of conquering the English heretics in his mind, he hastily built up a navy a few years back. With the best men in his army, he landed on british beaches in 587 A.D. The official English army numbered a mere 500 footmen loyal to Wessex, however with the local peasentry and resistors, the number was likely around 1500. Still no match for the Franks though. The Burgundian swordsmen decimated the English peasentry, and within two years had overrun most of the English kingdom, including Wessex. Cerdic, fortified himself in the newly constructed keep of London with 1000 professional footmen. By the time the Franks arrive to London, the English had heavily fortified the town and prepared for a long siege. The fortress may very well last longer than Guntram himself, however back in France, Clotaire gives his uncle word that he would continue the campaign in case Guntram met his end. Clotaire recently married a daughter of a prominent noble, Marie. He reasons with Gutnram that Marie could run the country, and that he should immediatly join him in the England campaign.
In Visigoth lands, Almarich II recieves a heir, Theodric. The new prince is celebrated throughout the land, but the happiness soon stops. Although the construction of roads is greeted with joy, what follow's isnt. Almarich's "raiders", a name that would be cursed in Iberia for years, begin plundering the countryside. Perhaps in foreign countries this would have been a great tactic, but in Iberia, the only people to get hurt would be fellow Visigoths.
Russia also experiences many changes. The economy is improved by the building of a small harbor on the river. However, a recent trade route with Finland, along with the previous with Estonia, leave the country decimated. A decrease in 6 economy levels is almost unbearable. The Tzar Ivan III, and his son Ivan, promise a better future once income from the trade routes come in, but many Rus can't wait 30 years, especially under the cruel command of their boyars. 1000 men are sent Southward to establish an outpost for the "Novgorod expansion" wonder.
In Andorra, Guillem II dies, and is replaced by Guillem III. St. Guillem's Cathedral is very close to completion. The artwork and actual contents of the inside are the only two components left to be finished. Guillem III valiantly continues work, though he knows of his grandfather only from his father's stories. The economy is increased, and expansions launched into neighboring lands. Gaul is now a strange mix of Celtic, Visigoth, and Frankish peoples. Divided, Guillem III conquers them all.
In Hungary, the army is increased as the Magyrs expand Southward. Groups of Slavs have established home in some of their Southern regions. Most notable are the small yet warlike tribe of Croats, and their allies, the Serbs. Still, they swear allegiance to the Hungarian king.
In Africa, the Tripolian homeland is mysteriously shifted quite a bit Westward. Thier new partners, the Mediterranean's, establish a small colony on a strip of land adjacent to Tripoli. They plan to establish a city there soon, and have begun laying the foundations. The Tripoli people prosper from the arrangement made a few years back, but their constant raids on passing caravans doesn't help their relationship with the surrounding berber clans. It does introduce swords to the Libyans however. Their king, China, quickly puts them to use, arming 500 men with sabres. A great wonder, the Grand Palace of Libyan Saints is started by the few Libyans who believe in Christianity.
Gernany quietly expands. Henry of Saxony reluctantly gives his daughter's hand to Heinrich. The aging monarch has a son, Frederick. A great wonder is started, the Monument of Teutoburgerwald. The only noteworthy news are the rumors of a large Slavic kingdom directly to the East.
Finland continues to expand, meeting little people whatsoever. The new lands are barren and don't offer much to the Kingdom.
In Northern Italy, a small city state called Venice begins to arise. As for the Sassanids, all is quiet on Byzantium's Eastern front. Still no news from the Chinese trade route, and some begin to think it was just a trick by a Sassanid mercheant to steal Byzantium's treasures.
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From the Mediterranean Kingdom
To Tripoli
Excellent! We shall start a trade route as soon as our economy can do so without taking too much of a hit.
From England
To Norway
Please help us! We're not sure we can survive!