Europe, 510, A.D.
As the memory of Rome grows ever distant, Europe becomes more and more divided among powerful warlords. During the last decade, even more emerged.
Along the Danube in the kingdom of Austria, the King Franz Ferdinand ordered an increase of the army. The economy is now horrific and the king won't be able to raise his army till it's improved, but at this time in Europe, who's isnt? Numbering 2000, Ferdinand's men quickly expand East along the river Danube. The people are Germanic too and offer no great resistence. Even farther East are rumors of a strange warlike people. The people's mood dropps significantly out of fear that Ferdinand has discovered the remmants of Atilla the Hun's old kingdom. The good news however, is the recent discovery of plentiful iron in the mountains to the South of Vienna. Blacksmith becomes a position of great importance in Austrian society. The Austrian armory can now produce swordsmen, though it's current economy couldn't possibly support it.
In the old Roman province of Gaul, the Franks had traveled considerably westward since the days of Julius Ceaser. A tiny Frankish kingdom appears around the Seine's banks, lead by the noble, Clovis, composed of the city of Paris and the village of le Havre. Though historically a barbaric people, these Franks come to be known as great farmers. Farms appear all around the Seine, especially in the vicinity of Paris. Grapes become especially popular, as the Frankish soil proves favorable to them. To celebrate this, the king starts construction of a Great Winyard. The fabolous idea should take around 30 years to build.
In the Pyrennaese, the Bishop of Andorra declaered the time was ripe for a Christian expedition into Iberia. 950 Andorrans march down the mountains and into the fertile lands of Spain. They first meet a queer folk calling themselves the Basques, who agree to become a province of Spain. Movement is temporarily halted as the new tax increase is worked into the new territories as well. The Basques don't complain too much. The economy is bad, they say, but at least it's better than earlier. Farther South are rumors of small kingdoms of a people calling themselves the Visigoths.
In Norway, Amon Savag the great refuses to accept a Catholic mission into his country, and deciding to keep his ancestors old Nordic mythology. Thor's hammer is still the most popular symbol in Oslo, although the cross is slowly garnering some popularity. Still, only 3% of Norwegians are Catholic. The economy is horrific, but the army is one of the biggest in Europe, numbering 2000 footmen.
In the tiny region that connects Europe to Asia, where the Roman city of Byzantium once stood, the Byzantines begin their mission to rebuild the Roman empire. The remmants of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Byzantines set out to claim as much of the land their ancestors lost as they can. They have already expanded outside of Constantinople and have achieved considerable gains in both Europe and Asia, making them the first country in the world to controll land on two continents. Within the walls of Constantinople itself, construction of a great Canal is started. It should be finished in 30 years, and will expand the economy. The econmy itself is already ahead of much of Europe, although still bad.
Farther East in Scandanavia, the kingdom of Finland first appears. The country expands in all directions, most significantly South, and starts construction of the Great Fort of Helinski, set to be completed in 20 years. Fisherman in the South meet another people across the water called the Estonians. Finland and Estonia become the first 2 countries in the world to have diplomatic contact with someone besides the papacy. Speaking of which, Pope Symmachus sends a messanger to the halls of King Volum that same year.
In Estonia itself, the goverment has yet to formalize a position on their new neighbors. The newlly recruited 1000 footmen make Estonia more powerful, but without a real navy, and in the icy Baltic sea, this is hardly cause for celebration. Instead, the Estonians begin a slow march East.
And in Germany, King Dietrick splits his men up evenly and advances in all directions. The neighboring German kingdoms are too drunk to offer any real resistance, nor would they have if they were sober. When the dust settles, Germany has made considerably expansion. Sadly, as most of the land is forests and swamps, there's not too much that can be done with it. The economy however, is increased thanks to the many markets that appear throughout Germany.
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From Pope Symmachus
To Finland
We ask that you let us establish a mission in Helsinski to further the advancement of your people by way of god.
From Pope Symmachus
To everyone but Norway
In the name of Christiandom, we ask you not to develop healthy relations with any pagan cultures from the North you may meet.
From Pope Symmachus
To Andorra
We applaud your dedication to your faith and the recent conversion of the Basque peoples. We ask you to continue, and perhaps we'll reward you in the near future.