Turn 4
Naval Explosion!
While the waters of Europe were to this point relatively undisturbed, navies have sprung up all over in just a single short year. Barcelona, Sweden, and the Ottomans all have built sizeable navies using stockpiles of gold, but whether these fleets are to be used for trade or for warfare is yet to be seen.
Sweden Invades Norway!
Using its new navy, Sweden has pulled a power move in the contest for dominance of the Scandinavian region by launching an invasion on the new nation of Norway. One morning, the troops garrisoning Oslo Castle awoke to the largest fleet since the Wars of Judgement on their coastline. While this took a noticeable blow on Norwegian morale, it also gave the defenders a chance to prepare for the attack. When the galleys finally reached the beachhead, the invaders were met with a shower of arrows. However, Swedens newly developed Iron Armor prevented too many casualties during the initial rush. Once the castle was stormed, both sides abandoned their bows and resorted to close combat. Within the narrow walls of the city, fighting became relatively cramped, thus casualties were relatively low on both sides, but the better-equipped Swedish troops still held the upper hand. While Sweden holds the distinct numerical advantage at this point, they are now fighting on Norways proverbial turf.
Sweden: -100 men
Norway: -200 men
First International Trade begins!
The Ottoman Empire and Greece have established the first international trade route. The Ottomans have given the majority of their 35-galley navy to this route, while the Greek contribution remains on the relatively small scale. Whether other nations will follow suit likely depends on the routes success.
Egypt booms!
The new kingdom of Egypt has experienced a rapid growth. Many Muslims in the region are angered by the Ottoman Empires stance on religious tolerance on European Christians, and turned to Egypt to create the ideal Muslim state. While neither Egypt nor its caliph have been openly hostile towards the Ottomans yet, popular sentiment is firmly against them.
Egypt: +250 men, +1 eco level
Mongol rampage continues!
The Mongol horde continues to sweep across Eastern Europe, ransacking everything in its path. The kingdom of Muscovy is frantically preparing for war, believing that they will be the first nation targeted, but the Mongols course of action is unknown to anyone, probably including themselves.
Officer/Wife Searches:
Mohammed: Success! You manage to find a capable, if slightly dim, Warrior by the name of Ahmed al Salih.
Phillippe: Failure.
Wife: Success! You succeed in hooking up William with your friend Jennifer, who unfortunately is not of officer caliber.
Economy Raises:
Manuel: Success!
Item Searches:
Shrubbery: Success! Its not quite the Holy Grail, but you do find an Amulet of Negotiation. (+2 Pol)
Random Events:
General Bravehearts weapons-based training proves effective. (+5 Training)
King Shrubberys abolition of serfdom creates a flock of eager recruits. (+200 men)
Newly built road between Cordoba and Castile boosts the economy of the smaller city. (Cordoba: +2 banked eco)
Wife Wifehampton and Maria Del Rio are both pregnant!