SKNES: Architecture of Aggression

SouthernKing · Jun 6, 2012

It's coming along, I still have the HRE, Eastern Europe, and bits and pieces of the Mideast to do. shouldn't take that long.

Terrance888 · Jun 6, 2012

shouldn't take that long

That means no major wars.

SouthernKing · Jun 6, 2012

Update 7: Intermission (925 AD/312 AH)

The Mediterranean

True, declared, peace finally came to the border between al-Andalus and Holy Rome for the first time in over two centuries. With merchants from Aquitaine now able to access the valuable ports of Cordoba, and merchants from al-Andalus now able to reach markets in the Holy Roman Empire through the Caliphates Provence enclave, there was a fairly large economic boom.
(Maghrebs, Badajoz, Barcelona, Basqueland, Aquitaine: +Economy, +Stability)

Although Basqueland was forced to give up its holdings south of the Ebro River to Barcelona, this proved to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise, as these lands were largely inhabited by Muslims. A law was soon passed expelling all Muslims from Basqueland, and confiscating much of their property. Basqueland was also given authority over a strip of coast largely Basque inhabited from Aquitaine.
(Basqueland: +Stability, +2 banked EP)

In the city of Lisboa, a major port renovation was under way. The Grand Port of Lisboa began construction, to turn Lisboa into a major center of trade. Although it is not yet finished, when it is it will eclipse even the port of Venice itself.

The Western Caliphate underwent a peacetime boom. The influx of new wealth from the conquest of Provence gave the Caliphate a boost. Provence was Islamified, despite the best efforts of Catholic missionaries to prevent exactly that from happening. Another remarkable achievement was made at the same time the opening of the Silk Road by Maghreb traders to the Islamic world. It is hard to say that any Islamic town between Sevilla and Khorasan did not grow richer from trade with the mysterious eastern lands. For Cordoba, it was a golden age indeed.
(al-Maghreb, Vandals, Fatimids, Zengids, Abbasids, Ghaznavids, Khorasan: +Economy, +Stability)

Although the war between Islam and Holy Rome was over, a new war, a much longer and subtle war, had just begun. All across al-Andalus there was a new wave of Catholic missionary activity. The younger generation of Catholics in the Empire, those not old enough to remember the wars, have begun to call for a Reconquista to reclaim the rightfully Christian lands of Iberia. A duel for the ages, between the faiths of Christ and Muhammed, has just begun.

The city of Paris underwent major improvements, to turn it into a city rivaling Constantinople, Baghdad, or Rome. Among the improvements was a library, boosting scholarship.
(France: +Economy)

Although Sicily is now nominally Byzantine, very little has changed. Trade has largely shifted eastwards, with the Syracuse-Constantinople trade route now free from pirates and Vandal raiders and protected by the Byzantine fleet. Much of Sicily has been rebuilt. There is talk about perhaps re-establishing independence, but it is agreed that Byzantiums resurgence has reached a point where any attempt at rebellion would be instantly crushed.
(Sicily: +Economy)

The Tatar threat began to wane as the Croats of the Adriatic coast simultaneously threw off the Tatar yoke and declared independence. Tatar succession crises had made it more and more difficult for administration of the large Khanate. The Tatars have already decided to retreat from the western reaches, abandoning it to Thuringia and the Croats.
(Tatars: -Economy, -Stability; Thuringia: +Economy, -Stability)

Across Italy, soldiers massed, awaiting the Byzantine attack that could come any day. It never came. In fact, a succession crisis emerged when the last of the current Byzantine ruling dynasty died. He was replaced by a weak member of another dynasty, one easily manipulated by the nobles. The Emperor of Angora has claimed the throne, wishing to reunite the Empire once and for all, something that has not gone will with those in Constantinople. Meanwhile, in Constantinople, there is an effort to recreate the Great Library. Scholarship in the Empire has clearly undergone a rapid increase.
(Byzantium: -stability)

Instead, there was a counterattack by Venice at the Byzantine possessions in Naples. Although technically owned by Sicily, these lands were defended by the Byzantines. The Venetian and Neapolitan armies easily crossed over and conquered the lands. However, the Venetian navy was stopped by the Sicilians before an invasion of Sicily could be attempted, and the economic loss to Sicily was more than made up by a burst in trade.
Casualties:
Naples: 2 Irregulars, 3 Swordsmen, +Economy
Venice: 3 Marinas, 2 Crossbowmen, 2 Dromons, 3 Cypri-Dromons
Byzantium: 4 Crossbowmen, 2 Avars, 2 Swordsmen
Sicily: 2 Dromons, 1 War Dromon

Angora, to the east, built a wall of fortifications along the border with the Abbasid Caliphate.

In exchange for a jar of the Breath of Surtr, the Vandals allowed skalds to spread their religion in their lands. Despite this giving the Sultanate a powerful new weapon, it has not been popular among Muslims at all. Aside from this debacle, trade blossomed with the final completion of a port in Carthage. There is also talk of creating an Alchemical Academy to make Carthage the center of science and alchemy in the Mediterranean world.
(Vandals: +Economy, -Stability)

The North

At the heart of the Dominion, roads began to be built connecting the major towns and cities, and a messenger system used to traverse those roads. The messengers were recruited from the ranks of Skalds.

A Jute fleet set sail for Scotland, carrying jars of what appeared to be the fabled Roman substance of Greek fire, or as the Northmen called it, the Breath of Surtr. They reached Edinburgh and laid siege to it. Although the small force took casualties from the much larger Scottish army, the use of Breath of Surtr allowed Edinburgh to fall with ease. Once the rest of the Scots saw the power that the Jutes wielded, most simply decided not to attempt to fight.
Casualties
Jutland: 1 Son of Odin, 2 Crossbow Groups
Scotland -> Dominion of Midgard member

Brythonia used military force to establish small outposts on many of the islands around Britain, racing against less successful Tamanese soldiers in the north. Beyond even that, the Brythonians established a number of small settlements on the Norwegian coast. However, this did not go as well as Brythonia would have hoped. When Catevallauni still angry at their kingdom getting destroyed raided the one Brythonian port on Britains North Sea coast, trade with the settlements halted and most of them were abandoned.
(Taman, Brythonia: +Economy)

Elsewhere in Britain, the last traces of Celto-Coptic Christianity as an organized religion completely collapsed, with many simply converting to Catholicism. Although Forn Siðr has an established hold on Britain, Catholicism may yet stand a chance at eroding that hold away.

In a land beyond civilization, a land the few traders of Midgard and Novgorod who have been there call Finland, a true nation was finally being born. The Suomi tribes were united under a chief they called Kalevi the Bold, who won a great battle near Lake Näsijärvi. Despite this, the Suomi remain very fragmented, and the Kalevis new line must prove their strength in order to show their mettle on the foreign stage. The news of Kalevis victory and consolidation of the tribes reached the ears of skalds from Jutland, who have already set up shop in Finland.

The East

Albeit at some cost, the Armenians and Tamanese conquered the rest of Azerbaijan, the Abbasids caring too little to bother defending it with force. Armenia grew strong in trade, with the conquest of Azerbaijan helping bring new merchants. At the same time, Armenia adopted a system of dividing land amongst its soldiers. This move has helped increase Armenias administrative efficiency. Meanwhile, Taman began to reinforce a wall that had been constructed between the Volga and Don, eclipsing Hadrians Wall.
Casualties:
Armenia: 2 Swordsmen, +Economy, +Stability, -> Military Feudalism
Taman: 1 Swordsman
Abbasids: 2 Swordsmen, 2 Crossbowmen

Both the Poles and Novgorod continued easterly expansion. In Poland, Gdansk became a center of trade, while roads began to be built across the country, helping to connect the far-flung reaches of this still tribal land. At the same time, a gathering of texts at Romuva temples helped increase literacy, bringing Poland up to the European standards of the day in scholarship and technological capability.
(Novgorod: +Economy; Poland: +Economy, +Stability)

The war for the Nile continued. Despite an attempt by Axum to bolster its defenses by allowing the old Makurian royal family direct control, the Zengid Emirate sent nearly its entire massive army to help defend the Fatimid Caliphate. Not only were the Zengid foot soldiers greater in number than the Ethiopians, they also were of greater quality and training, something that would prove decisive in this war for the Nile.

The war began for Axum with continued attacks up the Nile, which met with some resistance from small bands of Fatimid soldiers. The Ethiopians made it all the way to within sight of the Great Pyramids. But there, they were counterattacked by the bulk of the Fatimid army, supplemented by the Zengids. Outnumbered, outclassed, and surrounded, the Ethiopians fought hard anyway, but were all but shattered, and those that managed to get out fled back south to Aswan in a hasty retreat. Those that attempted to surrender were slaughtered without hesitation.

From there, the combined Muslim army advanced south. Another battle was fought near the city of Aswan, along the First Cataract. The Nubians who served as archers in the army of Axum were able to inflict heavy casualties, but the greater strength of the Muslims won out. With the bulk of the Ethiopian army shattered, the Muslims were able to advance far enough south to capture Axum itself. However, the king of Axum had fled to Socotra. In the end, tens of thousands of Christians lay dead along the Nile, although large parts of Nubia remain under Christian control. The victories have brought the Fatimid Caliphate back to relevance again, and have brought Islam much closer to domination of Africa.
Casualties
Axum: 10 Irregulars, 5 Swordsmen, 3 Horsemen, 2 Nubian Archers, -1 Stability, -Economy
Fatimids: 4 Irregulars, 5 Swordsmen, 1 Horseman, +1 Stability, +Economy
Zengids: 3 Irregulars, 8 Swordsmen, 3 Crossbowman, 2 Horsemen

Near India, strife between Hindus and Muslims threatens to tear the border between Persia and India apart. The strife was not helped by the formation of the Sultanate of Khorasan by settlers from Persia, something that the Guptas of India have not taken lightly. However, a succession of weak rulers in India has made it difficult for them to make any major military action. Indian raiders, however, did strike at Hormuz, worrying many in high places.
(Ghaznavids: -Stability)

In the Gupta Empire, it was quickly realized that one person ruling such a large empire could not be good. After several Emperors were murdered, one Emperor decided to divide the Empire up into several subunits,
(Guptas -> Imperial Confederation; +Stability)

OOC:
Fairly light update compared to the last few. If there are any mistakes, let me know.

The mod disapproves of using giant military forces to capture islands that to be honest arent really worth capturing in the first place. Keep that in mind from now on.

@Bair_The_Normal: Your conquests of the islands were not as successful to due to the fact that Brythonia was also colonizing the islands.

@momo1000: Sorry, the PM(s) that had the costs of the Arab Arsenal and Falcons Library projects got accidentally deleted in my last PM box wipe. Could you PM me with what the costs were?

Well, here goes a 3-4 week hiatus. Thanks to everyone who has played thus far!

SouthernKing · Jun 6, 2012

Spoiler Stats 925 AD :

Spoiler Holy Roman Empire :

Spoiler Dominion of Midgard :

Spoiler Other Central European Nations :

Spoiler Byzantine Sphere :

Spoiler Eastern Europe :

Spoiler Africa :

Spoiler al-Andalus :

Spoiler Arabia :

Spoiler Persia and India :

Spoiler Map 925 AD :

spaceman98 · Jun 6, 2012

To Kingdom of Croatia: Let it be known that we have a pact of kinship with the Tatars. Your independance movement is not appreciated. Surrender, or be destroyed.
-Chief of Warsaw.

erez87 · Jun 6, 2012

Pffft... How much money can I spend on religion until it does anything?!

Grandkhan · Jun 6, 2012

Wow... that is a very big Forn Sithr minority. I did not expect it to get that big. Great update, as always.

Also, I think my stability should still be 0 - I gained 1 from the Silk Road, and lost 1 from the Forn Sithr thing.

DC123456789 · Jun 6, 2012

From the Kingdom of Axum
To: The Holy Roman Empire, The Kingdom of Armenia, and any other Christian nations

Please, help us. We may be strong, but the infidels are stronger. You have seen the bloody ruthlessness of the Fatimids and Zengids in the massacre of those who attempted to surrender. Our very existence now depends on your willingness to help us in our war against the infidels. If you do not help us, all of Africa will fall to the Muslims. We await your response.

momo1000 · Jun 6, 2012

OOC: Could you please change my government to Feudal Monarchy?

And both projects were 5 IC

Terrance888 · Jun 6, 2012

We Hang in Balance
Struggling, our Blood drips and pools
We Hang Together

thomas.berubeg · Jun 6, 2012

Does Taman really have islands in Great Britain? How? Why?

TheLizardKing · Jun 6, 2012

OOC: I wonder through what means the Kingdom of Axum is relaying these messages to Europe?

From: The Zengid Emirate
To: Axum

You should save the lives now, before we double our army yet again. We have but used a fraction of our might to crush you; we will not hesitate to see it through to the end. Surrender, and live as honest, true and happy Muslims.

Terrance888 · Jun 7, 2012

OOC: There are many ways. Agents, "Nuetral" merchants, messanger organizations, carrier pidgeons, whatever. They would send hundreds of whatever it was in hopes that at least one gets through to each nation.

POOC: I wonder how much the Maghreb Caliphate can wrest from Tamen by forcing them to pay tolls to get to their British Islands?

Grandkhan · Jun 7, 2012

OOC: Correct me if I'm wrong, but in this period of time the belief in the immunity of messengers was pretty prevalent. It was a bit like diplomatic immunity.

Terrance888 · Jun 7, 2012

Those that attempted to surrender were slaughtered without hesitation.

POOC: I think this is why they won't surrender, TLK. :dunno:

Gem Hound · Jun 7, 2012

OOC: Taman has been there for a while. I don't know why my assault on their controlled islands didn't happen... It was supposed to happen before Norwegian settlement so I could have a solid port to the North... Also, please move me in the stats and change my colour back to the original one in the stats.

momo1000 · Jun 7, 2012

Terrance888 said:
POOC: I wonder how much the Maghreb Caliphate can wrest from Tamen by forcing them to pay tolls to get to their British Islands?

Huh? I've got nothing to do with Britain. Too cold for my camels.

Terrance888 · Jun 7, 2012

Gibraltar.

EDIT: OH SURE! THEY GOT THERE VIA RUSSIA. :rolleyes:

Mickzter97 · Jun 7, 2012

OH YES! Exams are finally over! Now i can take time to write proper orders

TheLizardKing · Jun 7, 2012

Charles Li said:
POOC: I think this is why they won't surrender, TLK.

I don't really want them to surrender. I'm having far too much fun slaughtering them.

SKNES: Architecture of Aggression

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Wandering the World

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Telvanni Master Wizard

Discord Reigns

Deity

King

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The One and Only

Let's talk Michelle.

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