Europe, 700 A.D.
In his room, the Pope writes an apology in latin. His most trusted mathametician had miscalculated, as it turned out that this was indeed the year 700 A.D., whereas the last decade was 690 A.D. The note is sent to all the major rulers of Europe, however being written in Latin, not many understand. The Russians do however, as the completion of a recent wonder has sent their culture skyrocketing. The rest of the cultured world is too busy with it's own affairs to fret over the error.
The mighty Islamic caliphate is near collapse. It has continued expanding and now controls more territory than any other empire in the world, however a rift has arisen in Islam itself. The believers are split between the Shia' and Sunni sects, which are struggling for power. As various rulers declare their allegiances, it seems likely that barring a miracle the empire will split into several independent caliphates.
Estonia is invaded! Just after gaining new leadership, the semi powerful Baltic State decides to expand once more. This turns out to be a mistake, as it is invaded by Norway to the North and Poland in the South. The Norwegian invasion is halted somewhat due to Estonia's navy. A fierce battle occured in which several Norwegian longboats sunk, costing Norway many men, but which also resulted in the total destruction of Estonia's navy. Back in Norway itself, the recent increase of the army has brought Norway into a depression, and the population boom seems to have come to a close. In the South, the Poles gain what land they can in the initial heavy woodland.
To the Northwest, Estonia's long time ally of Finland finds it's populace enraged. Many join the ranks of the army to help out Estonia, however the king is of course very of the imense might of Norway, Finland's direct neighbor.
Hungary had by now sent it's troops to Northern Magyrland to fortify against a possible Polish threat. Now that it turns out the Poles have for the most part left Poland, many are wondering what will come next. They are soon answered by a large German strike on Hungarian held Austria. The huge German imperial army and it's auxillary troops from Austrian nobles gain much land with minnimal casualties, and lay siege to the Hungarian stronghold of Vienna.
To the South on the Balkans the Serbs, Hungarian vassals, increase their army as Hungary directs them too. They also expand East, but contrary to Hungary's excpectations meet stiff resistance from the local Slavs. This seems to have apparently come from the strenthening of the large Bulgar tribe, which has recently experienced something of a mini golden age.
The Iberian peninsula remains peaceful as the Andorrans increase their navy, and the Visigoths their economy. Nobody is sure what their stance in the French war is. Speaking of which...
Sicily now belongs to the Byzantines. After the French decided to focus their Southern defences on Italy proper, they burned all that they could in Sicily and left for Naples, the recently constructed fort town South of Rome. The Byzantines, who had planned a major assault on Sicily, gained the Island with next to no losses.
On Italy itself, the Byzantines are having a bit of a tougher time. The Pope has left himself basically defenseless, sending thousands of Vatican pikemen to fight the Byzantines. This combined with the French troops already there, has managed to slow down the Byzantine assault. With the help of the populace, it seems the tide is turning.
Still, the Byzantine empire is doing relatively well. Emperor Maurice I was succeeded by Constantine II the reuniter. The Byzantine Empire has formally changed it's name to "the Eastern Roman Empire". In Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia is completed. One of the most beutiful churches in the world, it attracts hordes of pilgrims, giving the Byzantines a significant economic boost.
France has finally gained control of what remained of Gaul, and fortified the Atlantic Coast. It's vassal of Wallonia is now only a shadow of it's former trading glory, and thus France has lost it's biggest source of income. For years, France has gained tremendous amounts of gold by putting a heavy tax on the Wallonian merchants. Now that the Byzantines have destroyed Wallonia, they have sent the French economy spiraling downward.
In Iceland, a great decade for fishing has brought the Iceland economy up to never before seen heights. As a result, it's ruler has made great increases in the army. 3000 plus knights join on goverment orders, and 1000 more join just for the hell of it. Iceland now controls all of Ireland, and a fair deal of Scandanavia.
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From Visigoths
To Andorra
Split the land between us?
From Russia
To Norway
We are not sure that we will stay in our old alliance if you mantain this pace of agression...
From France and Papacy
To Eastern Roman Empire
Please... we'd pay you an economy level each if you just leave Italy completely. You would be allowed to keep all other gains.
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