LONES: Quam ut Subsisto orbis terrarum

[Lord of Elves]

Orders received from: England, Sweden, Hungary, Burgundy-Savoy, the Teutons and the Ottomans

 

[germanicus12]

We do not know what these "Falklands" are, and very well, we do not want an alliance with English scum.

OOC: I was exhausted last night and have no idea why put down the Falklands, I meant to say Scandinavia. Apologies for the confusion.

 

[Lord of Elves]

The update will begin this weekend, and I expect that it will be posted by Monday. I will respect orders sent by Sunday.

 

[ZeletDude]

OOC: I was exhausted last night and have no idea why put down the Falklands, I meant to say Scandinavia. Apologies for the confusion.

I was confused but I had to put it in ic some how:

 

[badunoff]

orders sent

 

[Lord of Elves]

All orders have been sent and received save for Normandy's.

 

[Omega124]

OOC: If Normandy doesn't want to send orders, they can always join the crown of Burgundy.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Apparently I had some sort of hallucination. Orders have not been received from Normandy and Castile-Leon. This is a warning to all players who are not able to send orders on a reasonably consistent basis: Major powers (England, Castile-Leon, Holy Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, etc) who do not send orders will be NPC'd for that turn. Players will be dropped after two turns in a row of not sending orders.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Update I: Storm Clouds Over Europe
1492-1493
Domestic Events​

An Imperial Church?: After dozens of ineffectual Emperors, the Empire seems to have awoken. This year the Holy Roman Emperor made moves to convene a council of the leaders of the Empire's bishoprics and abbeys for the swearing of an oath of fealty to the Imperial crown. While not so long ago this would be grounds for excommunication and civil war, the religious leaders of the Empire were not as averse as one would think they would be to the Emperor's proposition. Though no oath of fealty was sworn at that table, a gathering has been convened for all the religious leaders of the Empire of whether to swear such an oath. With the lack of Papal authority, or a Papacy at all for that matter, many priests and bishops believe that joining the fold of the Emperor would return the authority and clout the Church once had, while refusing such an offer would only continue the deplorable sinning and wretchedness of Christendom, with a Church powerless to offer aid to so many lost souls. While one would expect a response from the princes and nobles throughout the Empire, recent events in another sphere have changed the tune of many. Despite this, the rest of Christendom must lay their eyes upon the Holy Roman Empire and wonder. There are some in Canterbury who may have a claim even more valid... (+1 Loyalty for Clergy faction, -1 Loyalty Nobility Factions)

The Merry Wives of England, Norway, Denmark, etc: The rather young reign of Harthacanute II has begun with a bang, as the King has ordered a great festival in London. Invitations have been extended to notables within all the various aristocratic families throughout the Kingdom and its environs, along with their betrothed and entourages. Mock battles are held for the amusement of the peasantry, and confidence is generally high in the leadership of the young King.

All Roads Lead to the King: In Hungary, King Bela VI has commissioned the creation of a great road network to unite his shattered kingdom economically, militarily, and hopefully culturally. While in times past this would have been merely a dream, the prospect for greater trade and therefore an expansion in the size of the coffers has attracted the attention and interest of the nobility, who have luckily for the monarch put their support in this project. While benefit is purely theoretical at this time, once completed wealth shall surely flow like water in the Danube. This comes on the heels of concessions to non-Hungarian nobles, as well as projects to bridge the Danube River and make it more useful to the realm in terms of economics. All told, King Bela has much to hope for at the moment. (+1 Loyalty Non-Hungarian Nobility, +2 EPT, +5 VP, Hungary)

Gold Among the Sands: In the young Ottoman Sultanate, concessions have been made to Jewish, Slavic and Iraqi minority groups in the interest of maintaining the general peace. While these may make the Sultan appear weak in the eyes of some, the Sultan's advisers are unanimous in the wisdom of this decision. Far better than a revolt. (+1 Loyalty, non-Ottomans, +5 VP, Ottoman Empire). Though some may think the Sultan weak, he is not without style. The creation of a glorious palace for the Sultan is under way, and projects for the irrigation of the desert are also being undertaken (+2 EPT). Religious tolerance is the order of the realm, although the translation of all documents of import has some raising ire, though not to a degree of any true import as of yet. There is also to be a statue of the great Sultan in the newly-christened “Istanbul”, to stand in front of his palace. Feeble attempts to encourage cooperation between the realm's religious groups have, however, failed miserably.

Military Events​

The Sweden Incident; Old-Fashioned International Drama; England Waves the Rules: While those of noble birth feasted in the halls of London, events unfolded in the North Sea which shall surely put a sickly taste in the mouth of king and peasant alike. A Swedish fleet was unveiled this year for purposes of expedition, spurred on by Castile-Leon's discovery of shores in the west. Upon their maiden voyage, leaving the Gulf of Bothnia, the Swedes were rather startled to discover an English blockade stopping their passage. Communication between the two fleets revealed the English intentions; the Swedes would be forced to pay a tariff to the Northern Crown in order to pass through the sea, and would be expected to do as such for passage in future for all vessels, military or civilian, which bore the Swedish flag. Enraged, the Swedes spent several hours threatening to board the English vessels, but eventually returned to harbor in Stockholm. The threat of war now looms over northern Europe, as the Kievan Rus threatens reprisal for the English transgression on their ally, and English forces stand at the ready to defend against a possible Swedish assault. (+15 VP England)

The Sultanate Abroad: Sultan Mehmed has taken an interest in Arabia and Africa, and has sent troops and missionaries to sow discord among the tribal peoples therein and to encourage oaths of loyalty to His Glory. Moderate success has been seen, with little resistance being raised.

Holy Roman Growing Pains: For reasons that have been kept strictly clandestine, although there is little doubt what they are, the Holy Roman Emperor has ordained competition among the nobility of the Empire in military affairs. Princes who favor the Imperial Crown are being granted greater clout in Imperial policy, and those that who donate towards an army under the Imperial Crown are receiving even greater dividends. Although this has greatly upset a certain population of the nobles, they are outweighed by their counterparts who benefit from this measure. That being true, though, several small factions took umbrage and were quickly silenced. What this means for the future is uncertain, but for now the results of this measure being taken are positive. (+10% Centralization, Holy Roman Empire, +15 VP, Holy Roman Empire)

A Hungarian Army: It has been an interesting year for the premier Balkan superstate. In addition to the King's economic reforms come military ones. The recruitment of a larger military for the Hungarian crown may worry some, but following the concessions made to non-Hungarian Slavs resistance to the idea is marginal. What Hungary will do with its larger army is yet to be seen. (+5 VP, Hungary)

Brittany – Strongest of the French States?: The King of Brittany has seen fit to enlarge his army and better its standard of training among the many reforms occurring throughout Europe. Perhaps this comes on the heels of fears of a Castilian response to the war of the past, although these seem well unfounded as of late... (+5 VP, Brittany)

Colonial Events​

Norse New World?: The Crown which rules England, Denmark, Norway and the “Noble-States”, of Ireland and Scotland is often referred to as the Crown of the North, or the Norse Crown. Perhaps it shall be the Crown of New Avalon? Spurred on by the success of Castile-Leon's ventures into the west, England has sent an expeditionary force westward to the New World, which has returned with marked success. The discovery, or to be more accurate perhaps re-discovery, of territory has greeted Harthacanute II gladly. The English have applied the term New Avalon to the continent and their discoveries therein, and surely they shall make it their own.

Another Not-So-Lonely Genoan: An Italian expeditionary force made landfall in western Africa this year, startling the natives and increasing the clout Genoa has for exploratory citizens. Several of the African tribes, believing the iron-wearing Italians to be gods, have sworn fealty to the Kingdom. Those that have not were not treated quite as well, and were summarily butchered.

Burgundy Botches: A Burgundian bid for expedition was failed upon reaching the Straits of Gibraltar thanks to unfortunate events unfolding in Iberia. Several ships were lost, and those that survived returned to harbor in Burgundy-Savoy. (-2 Cogs, Burgundy-Savoy)

Spotlight - The Second Sack of Granada​

Paulo Eruela was rather startled when he looked out across the foothills to see what appeared to be a massive black dot on the horizon. Thinking something had gotten in his eyes, he blinked several times and looked again. The black dot was not gone, in fact, it was closer. The Berbers had come.

Mehgred Helorra could ride a horse without fear of falling. He could ford the Straits of Gibraltar without fear of drowning. He could look death in the eye, without fear. For you see, Mehgred Helorra was not a fearful man. Mehgred Helorra was so brave in fact, that he had been chosen to lead the forces of Allah into battle against the Christian infidel, defiler of Islam, enemy of truth and justice. How the Christian Iberian would pay for the Sack of Granada. How they would regret ever questioning the power of Al-Andalus. They would rue the day that any Christian had laid hands upon a servant of Allah. He rode at the head of his army, followed by horsemen and footmen and those that carted the horrible implements of war that they would unleash upon their enemies. They had no fear. They were not fearful men.

The Siege of Granada lasted for three weeks. Castile-Leon had settled into a state of complacency following the Reconquista. Few were shaky enough in their boots to believe that a Berber reprisal would come in any form. No, Iberia had nothing to fear from Islam. Good Castilian Christians were the enemies of Bretons for the moment. That is, until riders dispatched from Granada reported to the Queen and her advisers that Berbers were at the gates of the kingdom at that very moment. Then everyone questioned how anyone could not see this coming. To be fair, response was quick and well-planned. All knew that the Berbers came to reclaim Al-Andalus. Once Granada fell, which at this point it surely would, the Berbers would (if at all possible) continue on to Seville. And so, the armies of Christian Iberia marched to Seville.

Several events followed the end of the Siege. Those non-Christians in Granada were quick to pledge loyalty to the conquerors, and some of those cowards who were. For those that stood fast in their devotion to the Christian God, or those that looked just a little bit too pale to belong to the conquerors' camp, there was no mercy. The Second Sack of Granada came with the Massacre. The conquerors rode through the streets, gathering up Christians and other enemies of the truth, and killed them in execution en masse. The streets of Granada were again painted blood red, though with the blood of Christians, rather than Berbers.

Though the Berbers had taken Granada, there was still much work to be done. The Berber armies were tired from their battle, and already after taking this small foothold in the once-greater Al-Andalus, they already began to splinter into their smaller groups. Mehgred Helorra had no fear of battle, but he would also have to be an astute politician, if Al-Andalus would again be reality. The armies of the Confederacy could not yet march to Seville.

Spotlight Summary
Berber Confederacy
-15 Levee Infantry Divisions
-5 Professional Infantry Divisions
+Granada Regional Center, Population Centers

Castile-Leon
-10 Levee Infantry Divisions
-5 Professional Infantry Divisions
-Granada Regional Center, Population Centers

NPC Diplomacy​

From: The Berber Confederacy
To: Kingdom of Castile-Leon
Heathen infidel! Concede Al-Andalus to us, or you shall suffer a thousand-thousand punishments for your transgression in the eyes of god!

From: The Kievan Rus
To: Kingdom of England
Rescind your declaration over the North Sea immediately or suffer our displeasure!

Update Summary/Other/Notes​

I anticipate there are some errors here, possibly grievous if I know myself. Please inform me of them, if that is the case, and I will take measures to correct them. Players should expect stats up by Wednesday or Thursday, at which point I shall set a deadline. National goal PMs will be sent out following the stats.

The following players did not send orders for this update: Civver764 (Normandy), Cull (Castile-Leon). They will be dropped if they do not send orders for the following one.

Map

Spoiler :

 

[ZeletDude]

To: England
From: Sweden
We consider this act a declaration of war, withdraw you forces.

 

[Julius Gandi]

Great first update

 

[Terrance888]

Awesome.

Waiting for stats. I hope you didn't use my contingencies for that big whoop-@$$ can of conscripts.

 

[civver_764]

Sorry I was especially busy this week. Won't happen again.

 

[Lord of Elves]

Sorry I was especially busy this week. Won't happen again.

It's not a problem. I'm just trying to be more strict about people getting their orders in after Blood and Empire's miscarriage.

 

[Cull]

Oh shoot man, don't think I can send in regular orders right now at all.

Dropping out for now.

 

[badunoff]

good update

 

[germanicus12]

To the Keivan Rus and Sweden
From England

We consider ourselves the rightful rulers of the North Sea, and consider it a part of our territory. You must pay for the privilege of traveling through our territory. We will accept 5 Gold (EP) payment for 2 years (2 Updates) of unrestricted travel for Swedish and Keivan Rus ships, both merchant and war. We do not care who pays this.

 

[ZeletDude]

To: The English Dogs
From: Sweden
The seas are open we do not see anyone owning such a vast area of land. Withdraw immediately.

 

[Lord of Elves]

To: The English Dogs
From: Sweden
The seas are open we do not see anyone owning such a vast area of land. Withdraw immediately.

From: Kievan Rus
To: England
We shall echo Sweden. No tolerance shall be shown for your actions; rescind this insane declaration immediately.

 

[Omega124]

To: Berbers, Castile
From: Burgundy

The royal ships of Burgundy-Savory are to be considered neutral in this war. I don't know whom destroyed what, but if it happens again, I'm sending troops down there against the offending part(y/ies). Do you two understand?

OOC: Either my stats haven't been updated for this turn, or my own build-up of troops weren't included.