Update 12 - Year 1315 CE
Global Events:
The TSA expeditionary force attacked the Caribs of Cuba. The Caribs fought bravely, but were overwhelmed and crushed two months later.
(-3 TSA battalions)
Siege of Chichen Itza drags on, as Svenian forces begin to lose hope...
The Pope Fantasius I moves to Dublin from Toulouse (1 Culture from Visgothia to Britannia), where he is granted territorial independance in the form of the Papal States, with the capital in Fantasium.
Entire Svenia mourned the passing of Petran - the great Svenian Konig died in a fierce battle somewhere in Scandinavia (his body was never found, and to this day it is said that he did not really die, but went to Valhalla as a guest, and when the last days of Svenia come, he will return and save its people). This has bad effects on Svenian morale, especially as Olaf is not even half the leader his father was (-2 Confidence). This death might as well mean the beginning of the end for Svenia...
On the sea, the Svenians and Fennians manage to prevent the Britannian fleet from getting into the Haraldian River via numbers and maneuverability in the Battle at Edwardferd. But this simply a minor setback for Britannia...
(-19 Britannian ships, -9 Svenian ships, -6 Fennian ships)
The Svenians and Fennians continue offering brave resistance to the Britannian crusaders - bolstered somewhat by the low morale of Britannian troops after the "Five Winters of Waiting" and the growing crisises in the joint Christian and Britannian commands. But that is not enough. In Anglia, the Svenians advanced much to the west at first, but the Britannian Marshall Gawen attacked the rear of the advancing Svenians, and in the ensuing massacre, gained control over all of Anglia west of Haraldian River. Meanwhile, a huge Britannian army advanced south along the Baltic Sea coast, taking large casualties to attrition (especially frostbite), guerrila warfare and scorched earth strategy of the Svenians. All this and the fighting retreat of the Svenian army prevented an easy victory - especially as Svenians avoided battle - and thus, though the second army entering from Anglia did catch the Svenians by surprise and inflict many casualties as Wattenberg, the Svenians managed to keep many forces intact and ready for the defense of Kalmar. The Svenians no longer have anywhere to retreat. This is to be the Last Stand of Svenia. And further east, Fennians have managed to fight back the Britannian incursions... for now. When Britannia is done in Svenia, Fennia won't last for long.
(-39 Britannian battalions, -2 Britannian UU, -49 Svenian battalions, -20 Fennian battalions)
In Severoslavia and Baltia, the fighting is harsh indeed, though not as much as in Scandinavia. Here, again, there were problems with coordination. Burgundia and Croatia apparently refused to carry out the Britannian plan in the last moment, and chose to join the eastern offensive. That, in turn, caused the Severoslavians and Lombardians to have to deal with the Baltian Pocket. Deal with it they did, and after very difficult fighting that raged in the area for two weeks, the supply problems of the Baltians begun to show and the Baltian army surrendered. All the prisoners were rounded up... and slaughtered by Severoslavians. The Baltians further east faced Polian and Croatian assault into their flanks. Baltians expected it, and fought it off. But they were not prepared to face the Burgundians that soon followed the routed Croatian forces into the Baltian flank. The huge Burgundian army, inspired by the presence of their king and by the previous victories, advanced slowly but inevitably across Baltia, crushing all that Baltians threw at them. Soon enough, Britannians joined the attack of their wayward allies from the west, and Baltians were now firmly on the retreat. Burgundians pillaged as they went (1 Economy). Further north, due to the plan changes and the victory at Edwardferd, the Svenians evacuated Severoslavia as a part of their preparations for Gaettermendrung at Kalmar. Henrich van Dunkelheit would have turned in his grave (funeral pyre?) if he had found out of these defeats... especially of the one that came soon after. But by the time it came, Baltia did not have much of an army left.
(-24 Baltian battalions, -9 Baltian UUs, -4 Severoslavian battalions, -3 Lombardian battalion, -2 Britannian battalions, -3 Burgundian battalions, -1 Burgundian UU, -4 Polian battalions, -5 Croatian battalions)
A massive Khazarian army crossed into the unprotected Baltian territories. The Baltian villagers and the armed Tarunist Khazarian refugees resisted bravely and inflicted many casualties, but were overwhelmed quickly and thus the Khazars now are well into the Baltian territory. So many Tarunist Wars against Khazaria were now being reversed...
(-2 Khazarian battalions)
Khazarian technology is advancing on both assigned fields of research. Neither one bears fruit yet... but will soon.
The Alexandrines were expecting what came soon. Really they did. They prepared well, too - defensive lines were erected, and so on, and so on. But it proved to be not enough. The Judeans, Persians and Khazarians started a massive assault like that against the Byzantines. They took many casualties, but the Herculean Canal line of defenses was overwhelmed by numbers. The army marched on, crossing the canal under fire, and bumped into the next line of defenses. Alexandrines fought back three waves of attacks in a heroic defense, but even that was overran - the Alexandrines were lucky enough to salvage much of their forces from this line, though. The Itzhakist armies are nearing Nile yet again...
(-11 Khazarian battalions, -19 Judean battalions, -5 Judean UUs, -13 Persian battalions, -21 Alexandrine battalions, -8 Alexandrine UUs)
Zulu northward expansion continues, but it begins to run into serious opposition as local tribes further north seem to be very different from the Zulus culturally and fiercely resist Zulu encroachment on their lands. The Zulus also begin to grow overstretched - its simply impossible to run such a big empire (especially with the new additions, see spotlight) with sufficient efficiency. This causes estrangement of the northern peoples from Zulu culture (-1 Culture).
(-3 Zulu battalions)
Desperate, Polius Mitrokratus of the Byzantine Empire surrendered much of Anatolia to Khazaria and its allies. The Byzantines never suffered a defeat as big as this since when Antioch was taken by the Judeans in the Melkhama Ha-Kdosha long ago. At least the Byzantines didn't collapse again this time, though they came close (-1 Culture)...
Much of Sinhalese Colonial Empire - sold!
(see spotlight)
(-3 Korean battalions)
The Black Army left Sabah. Now, though, they left for good. But Sabah's troubles are not yet over: a huge Chinese army landed in the north. The Sabahese defenses proved powerless here... and so the capital of Sabah is under siege.
(-2 Chinese battalions, -3 Sabahese battalions)
Random Events:
With the huge influx of plunder to Svenia finally over, the raiding-based economy begins to collapse (-1 Economy)...
Spotlight:
Sale of the Sinhalese Empire.
"An Empire overstretched cannot stand."
- King Vijaya I. Year 1314 CE.
1314. Sinhalese Empire is a huge colonial empire, with colonies along most of the East African Coast and in the continent of Kangappura. It has a (somewhat-unstable) vassal system in Central Asia. The Emperor is beloved in most of the colonies, with the possible exception of South Kangappura and the former Ugul lands in Somalia. The army and the navy are capable of crushing all and any uprisings. But not when combined with an invasion.
Ever since Khazaria begun its "Mitzrav" expansion, the Sinhalese were concerned. Even moreso after all that separated Sinhala from the emerging Khazarian war machine was Kazakan. The Sinhalese believed the Khazarians would attack through it as soon as the Byzantines surrender.
The Byzantines surrendered, admitting their defeat at the Itzhakist hands in 1313 CE. Khazarians begun to look elsewhere to further test out their army - they saw Sinhala. They begun approaching various Sinhalese vassals in Central Asia. They soon found potential allies, such as Dalai Llama and Shashlyk-Khan. Meanwhile they also approached the Kazakans. Kazakan ruler was no fool. He formally accepted various offers coming from both Sinhala and Khazaria, while wanting for the events to unroll first so that he can finally pick his side then.
But this was not to be. To ensure that Sinhala is not threatened and is not overextended, Vijaya made a ground-breaking decision.
To sell most of Sinhalese colonies and to abolish the Vassal System.
The latter was actually cheered on by the nobility and the merchants, who continued to state that holding a large army in Central Asia and draining resources into backing local rulers was folly.
But the former... Though many did view Kangappuran colonies - especially the southern ones, that were sold to the Byzantines - as useless, the sale of Africa was actually opposed by some - the merchants in particular were aghast to see Kaliputra (South Africa) and Tyraputra (Horn of Africa) sold. The sale of latter prompted one of the Sinhalese generals, Maravya, declare that he will no longer serve the nation that sold a land which was gained by the death of thousands of Sinhalese sailors and soldiers in the Persian War - including that of his ancestor. Nevertheless, Vijaya was stubborn. Those lands were useless, and sold to China and Zululand. The only thing about which the nobility managed to change the king's mind was Madagascar. Populated 98% by the Sinhalese people who were more loyal to the king then some of the provinces of northern India, Madagascar could not be granted independance. They didn't want it.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchuria was granted to the Koreans. This greatly expanded the Korean Empire, but it created a multitude of problems for it as well. One of those was quickly dealt with - the growing rebellion was crushed quickly and decisively, but many Manchurs elected to leave the country further west. The leader of those Manchus was Shashlyk-Khan.
NPC Diplo:
From: Svenia, Fennia
To: Britannia
Prepare to face the Gaettermendrung!!!
OOC:
Say. People, I think some of you are not quite getting it. When I say UPDATE IS ON WEDNESDAY, I mean it. That means that orders should notbe sent ON Wednesday, but before it. I will always accept orders that come BEFORE I declare that update has begun, which is early wednesday where I live.
All treaties that were not confirmed by both sides (and prefferibly with one side at least sending the terms) in their orders will not be carried out. I made an exception for this turn, but that's as far as I'll go.
ADDED:
Bad news - this NES will die very soon, if not immediately. In fact, its as good as dead. There are good reasons. First off, many players that were central to it already left. Secondly, people seem to lose interest - no new stories, many orders not sent on time. To top it all, I don't think I'm really in the mood to continue. It was a jolly good time
Good news - there is a possibility of a Modern Age sequel one day. So far, its just a possibility, though... But rest assured that NES2 III will appear after I am rested enough. A discussion thread for what will my next NES be will soon appear, where the setting and the rules will be discussed. The next NES will probably be set somewhere in the Modern Age, in an althist setting. I have several candidates. Including the sequel, the history of which I will post on this thread at some point.
And don't worry - there will be an award list.
