Merveilles du Monde (Map Game)

After a long trek through Asia spanning two decades, Venetian explorer Marco Polo published the compiled journal of his travels in 1295. He described in great detail the Near East, with its many castles and fortresses held by many mighty empires. He entered the Gate of Iron, through which Alexander crossed into the east millennia ago. He toured the eight kingdoms of Persia and witnessed scores of miracles and wonders, many of which he dared not publish for he felt his audiences would not believe what he wrote. He described in great detail the exploits of the great Kublai Khan, the intrigue in the Emperor's court, the sprawling landscape of Yuan China, and the massive battles that took place during his stay.

Polo named his work Livre des Merveilles du Monde - Book of the Marvels of the World. In publishing these journals, he brought knowledge of the eastern world back to Europe and vice versa. Just like that, the world got a little bit smaller. The Holy Roman Empire - locked in a state of interregnum with no end in sight - became aware of the wars of Kublai Khan. The faltering Byzantine Empire and its breakaway state of Trebizond became the subject of discussion from Lisbon to Kathmandu. The wealthy Abu Bakr II of Mali would seek to follow in Polo's footsteps, paving the way for the rise of Mansa Musa. The Kamakura Shogunate of Japan defeated wave after wave of Mongol forces while, an ocean over, Mesoamerica was still reeling from the fall of the Toltec Empire.

Merveilles du Monde is a spiritual successor to the Principia Moderni franchise. It sets the clock back to the year 1295, in the Late Middle Ages - in other words, an era of great change and great suffering - an era in which nations rose and fell - an era in which power was cemented ...

Moderators

 * Death: Curmudgeonly yours - Crim 01:38, October 14, 2019 (UTC)
 * Famine: User:Nathan1123
 * Pestilence:
 * War: User:Tullin

Important Pages

 * Rules and Algorithm (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Alliances (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Holy Roman Empire (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Feudal Dynasty (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * College of Cardinals (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Nations (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)

1320
''' Across the world, temperatures noticably fall to much lower levels during Spring and Autumn, with slightly longer and colder winter. '''

''' With the forces of Uzbeg Khan continuing to invade Poland, his forces focus on attacking Lviv and the Vistula near Warsaw. The Slavic Principalities of Tver, Rostov, Yaroslavl and Ryazan rise up in revolt, seizing advantage of the majority of Mongol forces being occupied by Poland. Some 10,000 Slavic troops defect from the Mongols invading force: 3,000 from Vistula and 7,000 from Lviv. Grand Prince Danielvich of Moscow maintains neutrality in the conflict. Additionally, Lithuania offers to help Poland fight the Mongols. '''

''' Emperor Louis IV sees the action of Brabant attempting to leave the Holy Roman Empire as further plot from France and Luxembourg, and if that is not rectified then he will send military action against the Rhine States. Other Electors, however, are wary of this rash threat. '''

''' The Pandyas dynasty recovers from their civil war, and offers to maintain peace with the Delhi Sultanate by paying anual tribute. They focus on their navy, to expand their large trade pressence through the Maldives to both the Middle East and Indonesia. '''

''' Delhi, however, has issues of their own. Sultan Alauddin Khilji is murdered in Delhi by a conspiracy led by Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan, seizing control of the capital and claiming Ulugh as Sultan. Shaadi Khan supports his claim in attempt of gaining favor ahead of his brother, and pressures Lahore to do the same. Most of the rest of the governors of India, however, do not recognize this claim, and instead proclaim Khizr Khan as the Sultan. '''

''' Pope John VIII of Alexandria dies, and is succeeded by Pope John IX. '''

''' Dominican Nun Margaret of Castello dies at a young age of 32. Her pious life being so evident, disabled children who attended her funeral were found to have suddenly healed. '''

''' A teenage boy in Normandy claims to have a vision from the Holy Spirit, telling him a God-given goal to drive the Moors out of Iberia completely. This sparks the Second Shepherd's Crusade, as thousands of peasents across northern France gather simple weapons and begin haphazardly marching their way to Iberia. By the time they reach Gascony, they have wrecked havoc of attacking castles that stand in their way, and leading pogroms against Jewish populations. '''


 * Mali Empire: Infrastructure of Mali continues to be built up in size and splendor using its finances across the empire. Dakar is expanded along the coast with larger ports, and takes the brunt of influence from European trade with monopolies of ports dedicated to welcoming Spanish, Italian and German traders alike. This also helps to give a steady stream of immigrants to the Gorgades islands, which has an unusually high attrition rate during this subsequent decade. Timbuktu is also rapidly growing in population as the hub of overland trade by caravans. The buildings of Timbuktu are expanded to be larger and more complex, but still maintain an Afro-centric architectural style with only modest influence from Middle Eastern sources. They also take on a sense of majesty, with carved iron images of lions and serpents in order to drive off evil spirits. Domestically, the upper nobility acquires large manageries of tamed wild animals from across Africa, including lions, giraffes, and elephants. These manageries also come with their own exotic assortment of customs taken from other cultures, such as collectios of slaves and concubines. Musa dedicates dozens of new depots across the caravan desert, mostly in the east to further supply the current invasion of Kanem, as well as facilitate individual feudal expansions into Central Nigeria. Centrally organized supply routes are conveyed through the recently-captured cities of Hadijah and Daninski, as the two armies press from two sides to seize the area of Lake Chad itself. These armies consist of 40,000 each at this point, with Musa himself leading the northern army as its own leader. [Algo request]
 * Delhi Sultanate: The Sultan is murdered by Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan, they are supported by Shadi Khan, Alauddin’s second son and the Governor of Lahore who is under pressure by Shadi Khan and Nusrat Khan. The Sultan’s bodyguards defect to Kara to meet up with Khizr Khan, who has been proclaimed Sultan by the other nobles of the Chalisa. Alp Khan quickly sends messengers to Malik Kafur. Malik Kafur accepts the Pandyas offer of becoming a tributary state to Delhi. On hearing the news of the situation from Alp Khan’s messengers, Malik Kafur swears loyalty to Khizr Khan Khilji and rushes with his army of six tumen Northward leaving one tumen in Belur. Alp Khan’s forces attack Multan but are repulsed by Shadi Khan’s forces a few miles away from the city. Alp Khan starts recruiting Rajput mercenaries and leads a second attack later in the year and is able to capture the city of Multan. Shadi Khan’s forces retreat to Lahore and set up a formidable defense line which prevents Alp Khan’s forces from advancing further. Alp Khan’s forces are led by a young military general, Malik Feroze. Meawhile, Sultan Khizr Khan Khilji raises a sizeable force and with the aid of the Governor of Malwa launches an attack on Delhi which is brutally crushed by the combined forces of Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan, Ulugh Khan leading the forces himself. The Governor of Zaranj prepares his forces and begins moving onto Kabul. The governor of Peshawar also sends a small force toward Kabul so as to not alert the Governor of Lahore and Shadi Khan. The Governor of Peshawar is surrounded by hostile forces and sends a letter to Shadi Khan in Lahore swearing loyalty even though he supports Khizr Khan. Malik Kafur arrives in Kara in November and helps replenish Khizr Khan’s forces. Khizr Khan awards Malik Kafur the control of his forces. Malik Kafur starts marching toward Delhi in December leading the combined forces. Meanwhile, in Delhi, Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan murder many of the ex-Sultan’s loyals including many of the spies that made up his intelligence system. Similar steps are taken by Shadi Khan in Lahore, who has now deposed and murdered the governor of Lahore, who was reluctant to join Shadi Khan.
 * Belur Sultanate: Madhavcharya engages in a religious debate with the Sultan of Belur Veer Ballala III and his priests and is able to prove the supremacy of Dvaita Vedanta. The Sultan of Belur starts patronizing Madhavcharya and his philosophy. Madhavcharya begins touring the major temples of the Belur Sultanate spreading his philosophy. Veer Ballala III orders the reconstruction of the Hoysaleswara temple in Dwarasamudra.
 * Tarascan State: Tariácuri, with the second message from Curicaueri, continues to urbanize Tzintzuntzan and Angamuco. With the aid of Urichu, Erongarícuaro, Pechátaro, and Jarácuaro, expansion is made to the west toward the sea while settlers scan the geography for adequate housing locations. In Tzintzuntzan, military barracks are installed under a new philosophy meant to minimize the total numbers while maximize strategy and efficiency. With this, it is decided that roughly one-fifth of all male adults at the age of 14 must begin militant training, spending upward of 12 years in a faction of 25 before they are able to retire to a live of serenity before reaching the skies. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro votes toward the creation of a tributary system and a plans to reform bureaucracy over the coming years. While not limiting Tariácuri's power, it would allow Citlali's military power to be expanded. After completely destroying the confederation, the primary policy over the newly acquired territory continues to be conducted for another eight years. The coast is finally reached and settlements are established. With this, fishing is established as a form of gathering food, while the major agricultural and cattle regions in the former Jalisco are absorbed and owned by warriors and nobles. Tariácuri's sons, Hiripan and Tangáxoan, are installed as lords of Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan, allowing domestic rule while maintaining military alliances. Mining occurs in the recently conquered Jalisco region, which produces large obsidian deposits. While iron and bronze had been used primarily, the creation of obsidian spears, short swords, and knives occur. A new faction in the military is created by Citlali called the "Chicahtoc Tlacatl", who dress in all black linens and carry these obsidian weapons to attack in the night. They number roughly 1,000, and consist of harshly trained militants in an effort to help produce savages. To help create a more mainstream and easier means of production for amate, Tariácuri begins writing a language script for the Purépecha so as to end the over-usage of pictograms and make production of text much easier. This is expected to fully engulf the state's territory by 1400. With an increasing influence and dominance over this side of Mexico, the remaining city-state confederation of Tonallan, Poncitlan, Cuitzeo, and Coinan are offered tributary status in the Tarascan state. (Mod Response Needed).


 * They agree to be tributaries of Michoacan.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: After that the Aragonese occupations,solved the problem the noblemens administrative and reforming the region the pope written a code law called in pace mean 'The pace' in latin which is from the new rule update of Sicily the Sicilians support that movement of the nobles which is make Sicily in good state what for now the Sicilians of the people tells that in Gascony there is a crusade called 'Shepherd.' Meanwhile, the Sicilians monarchist demands to Rule Apulia-Calabria the neighbor territorial of Sicily for advancing the loyalty of the law.(Mod Response)
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Novgorod rallies 11,000 troops in support of the 18,000 troops of Tver, Yaroslavl, Rostov and Ryazan led by his son, Dmitry the Terrible Eyes.  The 11,000 troops of Novgorod, supported by 4,000 Pskovian troops, lay siege to the city of Smolensk, and Prince Mikhail asks the Teutonic Order, Lithuania and Polotsk to aid in the acquiring of this goal [TEUTON and MOD RESPONSE]. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Semyon Klimovich, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, conspire in order to spearhead reform, go away from their plan of reforming without a Prince, and see the need to keep strong military leaders around. Other plans for reformation are made. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The secretly hired Ushkuyniks are sent to sack Murom from the riverside [ALGO needed for Siege of Smolensk and Battle of Murom].
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): The troops of Tver, Yaroslavl, Rostov and Ryazan are led by Prince Mikhail's son Dmitry, who's nicknamed 'the Terrible Eyes' and his smaller brother Alexander. Ambitious, the troops 18,000 men strong lay siege to Kiev in order to take the old seat of the Rus' [ALGO needed for Siege of Kiev]. Dmitry sends letters to the King of Bohemia, asking him to counter-raid into Chernigov [BOHEMIA response]. Otherwise, Tver has grown rich of trade between Novgorod and the other Russian principalities.
 * Republic of Pskov (Novgorodian vassal): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and supplies 4,000 troops.  Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Teutonic Diplomacy: We will help due to us being somewhat allies with Bohemia and will send 5,000 fresh troops to fight the Mongols and protect Europe.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: Hungary has continued its fortifications of it in case of a Mongol invasion. However, with the devils distracted and pillaging the lands to the north, an opportunity has arose for a counterattack. Knowing that they have the chance to reclaim territory from the devils, they launch a surprise attack over the Carpathians into the lands of the Moldavia taking advantage of the lack of troops and the distraction of the Mongol Army. The force primarily consists of 13,000 men, consisting of infantrymen, heavy cavalry, and light cavalry scouts. With the remaining army available passes for the Mongols to enter are fortified and kept on heavy watch in case they deign it to trapse into our lands. Concurrently the King Géza III offers the hand of his son Stephen to the daughter of the Count of Tyrol, Margaret [Mod Response]. Meanwhile, with the city of Esztergom, Buda, and Pest academic learning is encouraged and at the now named Royal College of King Géza, the king begins to hire Byzantine, Russian, Italian, and Spanish scholars in order to develop his knowledge and the understanding of various parts of the world. Alexander Baśič returns home from his journey in Africa bringing with him gold, salt, and riches beyond the comparison of men. This begins to spark some interest within the merchant circles in Dalmatia, of this mystical land beyond the Africa. Trade continues to allow the Kingdom to flourish. In order to provide more heirs for the King in order to stabilize the claim of Géza following the death of Elizabeth of Bohemia, we offer the hand of Géza to Joanna of Flanders. [Mod Response] Secretly this is done because she comes from a rich and noble house, but is far enough removed to not be a challenge toward the children of Elizabeth.
 * Both of these are accepted.
 * Yuan China: Well the Emperor is away from Beijing inspecting the state of his armies in preparation for the renewal of the campaigns in Korea, a second coup is launched by general Yexi Xiong and his supporters (who are primarily made up of Christian converts in the court dissatisfied with the new Emperors rolling back of missionary efforts and softening stance on the Confucians) with the backing of the Imperial Guard, who attempt to capture the former Emperor Maxiu with plans to threaten Taiding with his reinstallation, thus forcing him to agree to their demands and implement harsher measures to spread Christianity in contrast to Taidings more moderate stance on the issue. However, in the process they clash with the guards of those Generals who had previously supported the conspiracy to remove Maixu in the hope of reinstating Confucianism, and the plan of keeping fighting to a minimum collapses as violence erupts throughout the city. Although Xiongls forces and the Imperial Guard are ultimately successful in driving the Confucian forces out of the city, in the chaos surrounding the fighting they accidentally kill Maixu, ending any hopes of a peaceful resolution too this conflict. Knowing that if he is defeated he will be executed as a traitor, and feeling like he has no other options if he wants to survive, Xiong declares that the Yuan are forgein barbarians who have betrayed china and lost the mandate of heaven, and declares the beginning of the Xing dynasty, with him as the founder. When he hears of this the Taiding Emperor is enraged and declares Xiong a traitorious usurper, vowing to drive him from the lands of the Yuan and destroy him and all who support him utterly, gathering his forces to do so in the north and preparing to drive Xiong from Beijing. Meanwhile, to the south those who fled from Xiongs coup are able to gather a large amount of support for themselves and sieze control of much of Southern China, declaring Xiong to be a traitorous usurper of the imperial throne and the Yuan to be foriegn barbarian invaders who have betrayed confucianism and must be driven out of China, declaring a boy who they claim to be the last living member of the Song Dynasty the Zhiyěmán Emperor, and vowing that they will destroy the other two factions. This marks the beginning of a civil war that will shape the destiny of the entire nation for centuries to come, and although apart from the initial violence during the coup there has been little fighting yet, this war promises to be a bloody one.
 * Teutonic Order: We see the Mongol invasion of eastern Europe as a threat to us and Christianity. We send 5,000 fresh troops to Bohemia to fight the heretic Mongols and protect Europe. The Grand-master sees the chaos in the HRE and takes pity on those who are living in hell over there. So he donates cloths and some food to parts of the HRE. The Grand-Master has remained silent over the crisis of who is the Emperor in the HRE but he starts to favor Fredrick the Fair more than Loise. We hear of the 2nd Shepherds Crusade and we support the crusade by sending 2,000 Knights to help against the Muslim occupants to make Iberia Christian again.  This years winter is longer and colder than before so the Grand-master orders churches and taverns to let the poor and freezing people inside to keep them warm to survive this grueling winter. We ask the Pope if we could participate in some of the charitable acts that he is doing (Papal Response Needed). Paslek Castle is built in Eblag. The Town Skalva is founded. We have a short battle with some pagans at Medininkai. Nurberg Castle is built. Colmberg Castle is built. We ask again if Venice will allow us to get into Trade relations with an African nation down south that they recently got trade relations with (Venice Response Needed)
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Gregory says that of course, the Teutons can participate in his charitable acts. He suggests the creation of a "Fund of the Poor" in Teutonic territory to deposit money which will be used to help the poor. However, the pope also warns the Teutons to not give support for the Shepherds Crusade, because they are hurting innocent people wherever they go. If possibly, the knights must stop it.
 * Lordship of Ireland: Much and brutal suffering as a result of the famine and disease, very little which can really be done. People begin to leave towns and move to the countryside to get better access to food. Fall in trade and nothing especially good.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa":Seeing that Archduke John III does not have a wife or an heir to the throne, and that the Tensions are rising Between our Dear emperor and the states. His Majesty Archduke John III of Lotharingia asks John of Luxembourg if he can have the promise to Marry his daughter Margaret when she comes an adult(Mod response) As Lotharingian succession needs to secured, and the Alliance with Luxembourg and his Majesty Count John of Luxembourg. Seeing that the Count of Loon wants to gradually sell his lands and his domains so he can live a safer and more restful life, John III of Lotharingia offers to buy the right of Count of Loon for the price of 100,000 Brabantine pound, and a plot for him and his descendants at the Averbode Abbey (Mod response). While this is happening the Council of Heyst is looking into how to exactly give seats to the County of Tournai and the Bishopry of Verdun, as Tournais is mostly outside the Holy empire and Verdun is ruled by a bishop. This created a lot of Complexity as, the ruler of tournais has to always look and check if something he does required imperial support. While this happening a full reconciliation between Brabant and Guelders, is getting started as John III wants to end the grudge that started at the Battle of Woeringen. So his Majesty begins making plans to ensure more trade and more prosperity between the nations, John III offering lowering of Taxes and only having the minimal number of Soldiers. John III also offering to fully pay for the Future funeral of Renaud as he sees that his future death should be one of Greatness and no shame indeed(mod Response). As Renaud fought Bravely against John I, and he tried to fight what was inevitable Brabantine glory. While this Happening we offer one of our Lesser Vassals Land of Cuijk one seat for the lesser city of Cuijk. As they have gone unrepresented and forgotten for far to long. Cuijk only being a Vassal since the war of Limbourg succession, when they had to join to defend themselves from the Invading guelders. The Lotharingian nobility is called upon by His Majesty John III to gather the army up, for the possibility of war. As even if not wanted war is verry likely, So we openly support the Pope whatever action he does. The sacred duty to Christ and his messenger, so Brabant will indeed help the pope whatever it required. While This is happening Trade with Castile and Nevarre increases, with many African and Asian spices coming to Lotharingia and Specifically Antwerp. Antwerp Being known as a city of spices and textile, Some Antwerpine Textile even being reported reaching Africa. While at the same time some Gold is reported reaching Antwerp from the Country of hippoes, this Country Being Know as Mali. Although the Name is known not much else is due to the distance and having Castile as a mediator. But the most valuable resource for the Realm is Spice, as it is loved to be put on Food of the merchant and nobility class.
 * Renaud agrees to this
 * Count Arnold V agrees to sell the title. However, his son, Count Louis VI of Chiney, is displeased with this and supports a revolt of local barons
 * Count John of Luxembourg agrees to the marriage
 * Japanese Empire: The Emperor Daigo marches on the Minamoto in earnest after his northern forces subdue the last of the daimyo to the north and either force their submission or force their suicide via Seppuku. This opening of vast tracts of northern land to be reordered brings the Imperial army to the point of destroying unneeded castles and beginning to employ the land redistribution reforms as ordered by Emperor Daigo. The submitted families are brought to reserved small plots of land nearest the capital to keep a much closer eye on them while loyal daimyo (and notable samurai) are handed the new territorial grants of the Emperor. Taking place throughout the year even men to the south waiting to invade the Minamoto are awarded lands. While modest compared to previous land grants it still remains a way to maintain a relatively rich and prosperous aristocracy while also not allowing these feudal lords to be major issues in the way of Imperial governance. The establishment of the reformed Shoen system allowing some semi autonomy and greater latitudes in developmental procedure while paying simply lesser taxes (however, bureaucratic systems are still in place to take note of the developments.) With the secure establishment of the Imperial capital Region made of up of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya puts a large swathe of central Japan under direct oversight of the emperors personal retainers with non hereditary bureaucrats and appointed governors taking up positions within the Capital region with taxes, manpower, development, and grand projects put under the Imperial family. Various other cities specifically in the now pacified north are granted the ability to chose their own governors with no Daimyo given the ability to assert control over a major city. These governors are noted to be fiercely loyal due to their attitude against the former much more exploitative Daimyo who drained much manpower out of the cities to fight their wars. Various former soldiers having accrued quite the amount of coin with their time in service are also able to buy land privately in various regions with the potential for food surplus is much greater under free hold farmers. The Re-codification of the Ritsuryō Law system with major Shinto aspects helps maintain relative stability in pacified parts of the empire. Implementing a codified form of etiquette for the martial nobility it becomes clear the Emperor for many purposes has tamed and brought the daimyo and bushi to heel within Japan. While still technically the security and guards of the estates the Samurais new code of honor describes defense of the defenseless, loyalty to the Emperor, and development for the greater good along side of many more niceties. The Imperial army adds another 5,000 troops this year to its southern army which officially ends the truce and marches against the 30,000 strong Minamoto army. The first series of battles occurs near Hiroshima as the Minamoto have spent much time extensively fortifying the area and the southern routes into their territory. After three months of campaigning Emperor Daigo and Hiruzen break the defenses and manages to secure the city of Hiroshima all the way down to the coast. The Imperial navy and Minamoto navies begins conducting a long winded campaign for another four months out of the year as failure to take control of the straits will lead to a failure of the campaign. The arrival of newer and larger warships alongside previous designs proves to be the deciding factor as the series of clashes finally results in a close but decisive victory. As the year nears its end the Imperial forces land on Kyushu and the campaign is renewed. The Minamoto fight desperately all across the island hoping for one decisive victory to reclaim the initiative and push back against the emperor. However, his battle hardened and disciplined forced and new organizational and battle strategy proves to be too much for the traditionally based Minamoto armies. The final battle takes place at the Minamoto Capital of Kumamoto. Wishing to be secure in his power after witnessing over 20 years of civil war Emperor Daigo punches a hole through the cities defenses and storms the city in a dramatic battle. After the fall of much of the city leaving only the cities government quarter the Minamoto Daimyo commits seppuku turning over the collapsing clan to his 16-year-old son. As Emperor Daigo marches into the Minamoto palace he is shocked to find a well armed boy standing before him challenging him to a duel. The Duel is short and to the point as the Emperor having spent years training his martial abilities is more than a match for the 16 year old Minamoto Yoshimaru. The boy, however, is not killed and is spared and told that "Seppuku for one who has not yet truly established his honor is a waste." The last rebellious Daimyo finally collapses and the Imperial army garrisons the island of Kyushu and the areas around Hiroshima with 15,000 imperial troops while the rest return to Kyoto with the new Minamoto daimyo held as hostage. Daigos triumphant return to Kyoto is met with fanfare, a military parade, and most importantly the first of the yearly imperial court meetings presided over by the Emperor who now sits with dominant authority over his lords. While technically having broken the major tenants of Japans feudal system with its Manoral complexes and Martial nobility having either been dismantled or reformed, the Empire sees the necessity in reforming the nobility. The first of these "Policy meetings" is conducted and the Emperor and his loyal nobles, aristocrats, and highest bureaucrats preside over the redistribution of the remainder of the northern and southern land holdings. New clans are granted lands to replace extinct or defunct clans while a series of large Imperial holdings are guaranteed in the north and south with every major province of Japan maintaining at least one serious Imperial land holding. The redevelopment of the taxing laws as well and the final ability of the Imperial army to scale back many of its purchases has led to a small but noticeable tax surplus as Daigo begins making clear moves to begin the redevelopment of clearly devastated regions of Japan.
 * Papal States: Pope Gregory XI denounces the Shepherd's Crusade as a heretical movement that only incites violence and says that they must be stopped and the Jews protected. The Ecclesial Tribunal continues to investigate cases of simony and abuses of priests and a prison for these clergymen start to be build in outskirts of Rome. Three priests and one monk are imprisoned in Castel Sant'Angelo due to simony and they will be transferred to this prison. The repairs of the Lateran Palace finally come to an end and the pope move there. However, he continues living humbly and using the money to works of charity. Gregory continues to encourage the other members of the clergy to live in this same way. The new hospitals in the Papal States continue to treat the sick, with the Hospital of Rome being the most efficient due to the direct administration of Catharina and Matthias. The construction of the Church of the Divine Mercy continues. With the growing importance of the port of Civitavecchia for the trade of products in the Papal States, a merchant guild is formed. At the request of those merchants, Pope Gregory writes to Lübeck asking for a trade agreement with the Hanseatic League [Lübeck response needed, please]. Pope Gregory starts to plan reforms for the administration of the regions of the Papal States. The agriculture continues to be encouraged and grains are stored in the Barns of the Poor and are used to feed the poor. The production of handicrafts and textiles continues. The city of Ostia gains prominence in the production of sea salt. After hearing about Margaret of Castello, the pontiff creates a commission to investigate her life and the possible miracle, for now he declares Margaret Servant of God. The commission analyzing the case of Francesca Occhino continues with its works and it seems that there is a miracle attributed to her intercession. This miracle will be analyzed. Pope Gregory creates as cardinals Walter Reynolds (England), Jan IV z Dražic (Bohemia-Poland), Alessandro Guidi (Papal States) and Gonçalo Pereira (Portugal). (Secret) Due to the recent events in the Holy Roman Empire, pope Gregory writes to the Rhine States, Cologne, Mainz and Austria saying that Louis is unstable and paranoid. The pontiff says that the emperor is threatening the stability of the Empire by antagonizing with the Hanseatic League, that was so helpful to the workers of charity of the Church during the Famine. He ask them for their support to Louis possibly deposition if the situation get worse (End of Secret) [MOD response needed, please]. In their audience with the Duke of Lithuania, Brother Pietro Benanti and the other monks of the Divine Mercy apologize to the duke and his people for the suffering caused to Lithuania in the name of Christ during the Crusades in their territory. Pietro says that violence is not the way that Jesus teaches and if the duke allow, he and his monks will show to the people of Lithuania Christ's endless goodness and mercy. He ends sayng that acting as a conduit for God's love toward others is the true meaning of being a Christian. He them asks the duke if they can stay in Lithuania to show the true face of the Christianity [MOD response needed, please]. Pope Gregory gives his blessings to the Christians fighting the Mongols on Eastern Europe.
 * All three states secretly support the idea of deposing Louis.
 * The Duke of Lithuania is pleased by the conduct of the monks and permits Christianity to be preached peacefully.
 * Zimbabwe: The Shona successfully rout several attacks from the west and south of their lands by the Nguni and their San allies, who endeavor to break through the defenses of the Shona and loot the homes and livestock of the inhabitants of Zimbabwe. To dissuade further incursions into their territory, the heir of Katonga, Akashinga waKatonga, spearheads a direct attack on the homes and compounds of the Nguni in the south, crossing the Limpopo River with some five thousand warriors, and killing hundreds of Nguni men, women, and children, while setting fire to their homes and placing the dismembered heads and limbs of the Nguni slain on pikes scattered throughout their homeland as a warning to others who dare invade the lands of the Shona. Akashinga's successful punitive invasion of the Nguni lands sees him return home as a hero to countless thousands of Shona subjects throughout Zimbabwe, who hail him as a ruthless warrior dedicated to the protection of his people and their homeland. As a reward for his actions, Katonga has seen fit to install him as the new prince of the first royal district now governed from the port city of Muromo Wenyika, having stripped the former prince of the district and executed him for attempting to rob the Arab traders in the city of their goods. Akashinga quickly takes a liking to his new position in the east, seeing the office has not prevented him from maintaining his warrior lifestyle, as he continues to campaign in the south to keep the Nguni in the southeast from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe. The great royal road leading from Naletele through Lusvingo and onward to Chibvumani is completed, and immediately witnesses a growth in inter-regional trade between the three cities and their subordinate boma settlements throughout the countryside. With the increase in trade comes the increase in revenue for the state to put toward other endeavors, such as the expansion of the kingdom's gold and silver mines for use in trade with the Arabs and the Swahili to the north, who have begun sending trading expeditions to the south upon hearing of the Arabs successes in trading with the Shona kingdom of Zimbabwe. The Arabs continue to provide swimming and fishing lessons to the Shona living in the new port city, many of whom have quickly taken to the water and learned how to respect the waves under the tutelage of their foreign teachers. Others are deemed proficient enough in the water that several have been allowed to serve as sailors aboard the sailing vessels of the Arabs and Swahili, both of whom have been granted this allowance by the king, who seeks to immerse as many of his people in the ways of the foreigners as possible so as to obtain their wealth and power. Several of the Shona who have successfully proven themselves capable in the water return home to adopt the life of fishermen, opening a new sector of the economy to the Shona, and providing the kingdom with a new source of food. Back in the capital of Lusvingo, the king is provided with the results of the census taken at his demand. The results of the census show a population of 589,263 subjects and 90,000 head of cattle, with many of the latter having been reclaimed from the Nguni during Akashinga's campaign through the south earlier in the year. Dozens of new boma have been constructed throughout the newly cultivated sections of the kingdom, with the population of the average boma in the hundreds as the fertile lands and healthy livestock have provided a degree of food security to the people of Zimbabwe. The construction of the royal road has also allowed crops from the primary urban centers to flow into regions where the land has yet to be cultivated, allowing the inhabitants of the area to sustain themselves while they wait for the next year's harvest to allow them to sustain themselves locally. In Muromo Wenyika, the port is officially opened in a ceremony attended by King Katonga and his son and prince of the city Akashinga, and the various members of the royal court. They welcome the Arab and Swahili traders into the city as friends and allies, and grant them guided tours of the kingdom's interior where the bulk of the nation's resources are extracted to provide for the wealth that allowed for the city to be built in cooperation with the foreigners. The Arabs for their part construct a mosque in the city with the permission of the king, and bring in many goods and services unknown to the Shona such as centers of learning, large markets, and healthcare facilities. These centers primarily cater to the needs of the Arab merchants setting up shop in the city and their clients, though many of the Shona have become intrigued with the new concepts that had once been unknown to them back in the interior. In the far north, Munashe gathers all of his warriors and their families for an address to them regarding his plans for the future of the people. He states that in the five years he has served the Makonde people as a protector of their lands and a warrior of their people, he has been blessed with many experiences he had not expected in his quest to rid his homeland of their insular king and his traditional policies. However, Munashe believes that he has sufficiently repaid his debt to the Makonde for taking him in and sheltering him during his time of need. The Makonde are in the eyes of Munashe, capable for defending themselves with the tools and ideas he equipped them with, and that he must continue on with his personal goal of returning to Zimbabwe to rid the kingdom of Katonga. Though tearful and saddened with Munashe's declaration, the Makonde wish him farewell on his journey, as Munashe departs for Mombasa to see for himself the civilizations of the north he came to know through his education at the feet of his Arab captives. Departing by foot, Munashe leaves with the weapons and clothing of the Arabs and Swahili he released in return for educating him, and with his understanding of their languages as part of that education, Munashe moves to enter into the city of Mombasa to continue with his goal of returning to Zimbabwe equipped with both knowledge and power.
 * Kingdom of Navarre: The Western Patriarch Federico Goikoetxea denounces the Shepherds' Crusade as senseless violence, calling on the participants to cease as this violence is not in the will of God. King Louis I allows some Jewish refugees from Gascony into Navarre for their protection. The Western Church's missionaries in Gascony and northern Castile continue their work recruiting Basque peasants and also call for the Shepherds' Crusade to end. The Navarrese government focuses on expanding the fortifications of the cities of Iruñea/Pamplona, Donostia/San Sebastián and Tudela, and the military increases recruitment efforts, recruiting 500 new soldiers and employing various mercenaries. (Secret) Louis I sends an envoy to Denis I, King of Portugal proposing a military alliance between Navarre and Portugal as the nations have a mutual interest in defending against the aggressive expansionism of Aragon-Castile. (Mod response) (End secret) Louis I and Margaret of Burgundy have a fifth child, a son named Charles. However, he dies of a disease at four months of age, leaving them again with three surviving children, Victor, Frederick and Sophia.
 * Portugal tentatively agrees to a secret alliance, but generally does not want to antagonize Castile.
 * Jarldom of Greenland: During a cavalry exercise with the royal cavalry, Jarl Brunhilde falls dead down from the horse and is succeeded by her oldest child,princess Alexandra who takes the name of Brunhilda II. The late jarl is laid to rest in the royal cathedral in the capital of Nuuk. The two week long coronation takes place two months later in an elaborate ceremony which reveals that lack of any sort of crown jewels,we begin to scout the island looking for valuable metals to make them of. Meanwhile, seeing the decrease in temperature,the Jarl issues a royal decree stating that a new village constructed with stone houses an fireplaces will be built.
 * Bohemia Poland: Wencelsaus III continues to to carry hold the line at the Vistula and in Lviv. He takes heart in the news of desertions by the Rus, this gives him a renewed resolution that he is carrying out the will of god and honouring the legacy of his father. He takes a renewed interest in the Order of St Wenceslaus increasing its numbers and placing it under the command of his brother-in-law and right hand, Henry Piast of Wroclow. He sends an envoy to his new found allies the Lithuanians requesting they attack Warsaw while Henry  of Wroclow led 20,000 troops  themselves to attack the Mongols amassing at Warsaw through Plock to attack them from the west while their supply lines are disrupted by the Russian revolts. Secretly the envoy also offer marriage between Wenceslaus III's brother Ottokar and Gendminas's daughter while also privately offering a chance to discuss a possible division of Mongol and Rus' lands, with Wenceslaus III seeing Gendminas as a strong barrier against further Mongol or steppe peoples incursions into eastern Europe. Wenceslaus III also offers to serve as a godfather to Gendminas or his children should they decide to convert to Catholicism as a sign of comradery between the Bohemians, Poles, and Lithuanians. (Mod Response). Wenceslaus III attends a great mass in the Great cathedral of Krakow built by his father, and sends word to Rome to ask  for Papal blessing the war against the Eastern Heathens. Wenceslaus III himself leads an assault on  Lublin  leading 20,000 of his own men and an contingent of 10,000 well paid mercenaries from Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Krakow and Praga continue to grow as centers of learning and of sciences with an influx of Italian, German, and other foreign scholars. The disturbing stories out of Kutna Hora continue but without much attention being paid to it with the war in Poland drawing the attention of the crown. Noting the colder weather Wenceslaus III makes provisions to procure as much grain as possible through the Baltic, Transcarpathian region, and northern Italy to make sure that enough supplies are to had to feed his domains and his campaigning armies while foraging.
 * Duke Gendminas agrees to join the coalition, and to allow his daughter Aldona to marry Ottokar, at which point she will be baptized.
 * Republic of Milan: The navy continues to grow at astonishing rates, with the ship production beginning to reach the expected numbers of roughly a little over half of Venice's daily. The Long lances numbering 12,000 begin to look for work outside specifically once again looking to Bohemia as they prepare for a battle against the Mongols. (Bohemian response needed). A number of bankers of the Mercenary Bank look outward to begin financing other mercenary groups throughout Southern Germany and Northern Italy looking to consolidate the mercenary groups. (Mod Response needed on success). Galleazzo makes a statement saying that these next years will be used to consolidate the Milanese realm and better the lives of the peasantry as well as grow the income of Milan back to its “Normal levels”.
 * Bohemian Diplomacy: Wenceslaus III contracts the Long Lancers to assist in the crown in the war against Mongols in particular to assist in the attack on Lublin.
 * Most free mercenary groups in northern Italy take up the offer, and a couple of major German groups from Switzerland and Bavaria do as well
 * The Imamate: The 20,000 Mamluk Soldiers have seized control over the Belen Pass, and with it the Amamos Mountains and the cities within the mountains, including Alexandretta, Portella, and Payas, adding vast wealth and power to the Soldiers, who consolidate their gains before marching upon Kars, the last city standing between the Soldiers and the Sicilian capital, Sis. The conquered lands of Derbesak and the Amanos Mountains, including its cities are given to Aleppo to administer over, the now true home of the Mamluk soldiers and their families. Since these lands are now ruled by Aleppo it is now called Aleppine Cicilia.

1321
''' Yet another poor harvest causes a famine in Europe, not as bad as the Great Famine. '''

''' The Second Shepherd's Crusade proceeds to invade Navarre, continuing to attack Jewish and Muslim settlements they come across. The sheer attrition and actions of the Catholic Church have caused their numbers to decrease dramatically. '''

''' No sooner that they leave France that a new terror appears in Europe. A local inquisitor in Tolouse named Jacques Fornier reports that thousands of lepers across France have entered a secret conspiracy. Their goal is to poison wells and water supplies with their disease, as an act of vengence against society for constantly shunning and discriminating them. King Sancho of Majorca reports that this conspiracy is also in Aragon as well, orchestrated by the Emirate of Grenada as a plot against Christian Iberia. '''

''' Growing tired of Edward II's consistent favoritism toward the Despensers, Roger Mortimer leads a rebellion across Wales and western England, with the support of the Duke of Lancaster and the Marcher Lords. Their faction has a total of 10,000 troops. '''

''' The University of Florence is established, bringing a far greater supply of knowledge and classic literature into Tuscany. Most significantly, Dante Alighieri publishes his monumental work The Divine Comedy this year, forever defining the Italian language. '''

''' But Italy is not the only place of central learning, as this year Ibn Al-Banna in Marrakesh publishes works on algebra and engineering of canals. '''

''' King Stephan Uros II of Serbia dies, and the kingdom falls into civil war between his sons, named Stephan Constantine and Stephan Uros. '''

''' After the death of Co-Emperor Michael IX of Byzantium, his son Andronicus Angelos usurps the title of Co-Emperor to succeed him, initiating an uprising against the current Emperor Andronicus II. '''

Algos on the war with the Mongols will come shortly


 * Mali Empire: Infrastructure for cities of Dakar, Timbuktu, Niani and Gao continue to be expanded along with large agricultural centers across the Empire. Millet, rice sorghum and baobab vegetables continue to be staple crops in this agricultural development. Some architecture in Dakar and Timbuktu start to take drastically different appearences, due to different cultural influences of the trade centers there. Aragon, Venice, and Brabant are now considered familiar trading partners, with some promises of encountering more Europeans indirectly. Some independent feudal nobles take advantage of the cooling temperatures to expand settlements into the Sahara Desert, creating many smaller cities as well as local carrier depots for both commercial and military use. These are also expanded southward, into Central Nigeria to facilitate the continual war in the Bornu Empire, as well as south of Wagadugu to begin consistent hunting of wild elephants. Local feudal lords of Mali continue to enjoy a sumptuous lifestyle using exotic animals and slaves from distant lands. But for Musa, his focus was entirely on the work dedicated before him to conquer Kanem. After Musa seized control of Lake Chad, he held an informal court across all the peaseats and local clan leaders of the Kanem region, attempting to restore order personally as the Bornu Empire is nearly collapsing. Thousands of common farmers, peasants and tribal leaders came to pay homage to Mansa Musa, and respected him as a great leader far greater leader than the Sons of Abdullah, the titular Emperor of Bornu. Finally, a large group of military from Bornu came to swear their alligence to Musa. They explained that Abdullah, the Emperor of Kanem, was brutally murdered by an uprising of the So people, and now the military has defected to the House of Keita and proclaim him, Mansa Musa, as Emperor of Kanem-Bornu. Musa graciously accepted this honor, and had declared that Selma ibn Abdullah, who sits in the current capital city of Njimi, to be in rebellion against his rule. Musa leads his army of 60,000 troops to begin the siege of Njimi, bringing a small number of war elephants to use as the most basic forms of siege equipment. The military will be divided into two groups of 30,000 each, to strike at western and southern flanks respectively as they close in on the city. The remaining military not used on this battle will help to occupy and assimilate the current regions of western Bornu, and pacify the region under the House of Keita.[Algo requested]
 * Kingdom of Navarre: As the Second Shepherds' Crusade enters Navarre, the government moves Jews from small towns into the fortified cities of Iruñea/Pamplona, Donostia/San Sebastián and Tudela for their protection. The nation's military is divided between these three cities to prevent the thuggish brutes of the Shepherds from coming inside, though they are essentially allowed free roam of the countryside due to their dwindling numbers and their stated desire to push further into Iberia which means they would not remain in Navarrese territory for long. However, Western Patriarch Federico Goikoetxea continues to call for an end to the senseless violence of the Shepherds' Crusade. Funding for fishermen in the Bay of Biscay is again boosted during the famine, and as soon as the Shepherds pass through the Navarrese countryside the military is set to work helping peasants repair any damages the mob caused to their farms and provide relief for the famine. Western Church missionaries in Gascony also help the locals there with repairing damages caused by the Shepherds.
 * Tarascan State: Tariácuri, with the second message from Curicaueri, continues to urbanize Tzintzuntzan and Angamuco. With the aid of Urichu, Erongarícuaro, Pechátaro, and Jarácuaro, expansion is made to the west toward the sea while settlers scan the geography for adequate housing locations. In Tzintzuntzan, military barracks are installed under a new philosophy meant to minimize the total numbers while maximize strategy and efficiency. With this, it is decided that roughly one-fifth of all male adults at the age of 14 must begin militant training, spending upward of 12 years in a faction of 25 before they are able to retire to a live of serenity before reaching the skies. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro votes toward the creation of a tributary system and a plans to reform bureaucracy over the coming years. While not limiting Tariácuri's power, it would allow Citlali's military power to be expanded. After completely destroying the confederation, the primary policy over the newly acquired territory continues to be conducted for another six years. The coast is finally reached and settlements are established. With this, fishing is established as a form of gathering food, while the major agricultural and cattle regions in the former Jalisco are absorbed and owned by warriors and nobles. Tariácuri's sons, Hiripan and Tangáxoan, are installed as lords of Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan, allowing domestic rule while maintaining military alliances. Mining occurs in the recently conquered Jalisco region, which produces large obsidian deposits. While iron and bronze had been used primarily, the creation of obsidian spears, short swords, and knives occur. A new faction in the military is created by Citlali called the "Chicahtoc Tlacatl", who dress in all black linens and carry these obsidian weapons to attack in the night. They number roughly 1,000, and consist of harshly trained militants in an effort to help produce savages. To help create a more mainstream and easier means of production for amate, Tariácuri begins writing a language script for the Purépecha so as to end the over-usage of pictograms and make the understanding of text much easier. He is assisted to some degree by the shaman Nathecul, who uses his status and beliefs to help with the communication of this new language script to the masses. In Erongarícuaro, serfdom increases due to some anomaly, with a growing rumor of mythological chipmunks in the north.


 * Sultanat-e-Hindustan: Malik Kafur attacks Delhi in late January and easily defeats the forces of Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan. Ulugh Khan is killed on the battlefield and Malik Kafur sends Ulugh Khan’s head to Khizr Khan in Kara. Nusrat Khan escapes with the remaining forces to Lahore and joins up with Shadi Khan. Meanwhile, Humayu Khan’s forces are able to defeat the Kabuli garrison and secure the area. Humayun Khan’s forces block the Khyber Pass while a contingent secures the Jammu-Kashmir region. Malik Kafur leads his forces toward Lahore and attacks Lahore in conjunction with Alp Khan’s forces. Ghazi Malik leads the attack and in a brave attempt, he dislodges Shadi Khan from his horse and kills him. The attack is successful and Lahore is captured. Nusrat Khan is taken to Delhi and beheaded. Khizr Khan Khilji accepts the title of Sultan-e-Hind and formalises the name of his Empire as Sultanat-e-Hindustan. The Sultan bestows many gifts on the nobles that supported him. The Sultan elevates Ghazi Malik to the rank of a noble, makes him a part of the Chalisa. Malik Kafur is also bestowed with many gifts and honours and is made the Head of the Military. Feroze Malik is made the Amir-i-Mamalik (Head of the Diwan-i-Mamalik). Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, Alauddin’s third son is made the Wazir. Alp Khan remains the governor of Gujarat and is bestowed with many gifts and honours. Malik Kafur renames Devagiri as Alaipur in honour of Alauddin Khilji. The Sultan orders the construction of Alauddin Khilji’s tomb in the Siri Fort Complex in Delhi. The Sultan reorganises the Sultanate. The Kabul iqta remains as it was. The Peshawar iqta is merged into the Lahore iqta. The iqta of Nagaur is created with its capital at Nagaur. The iqtas of Malwa and Awadh remain as they were. The iqta of Devagiri (now Alaipur) is divided into two, the iqta of Alaipur and the iqta of Sultanpur (a new city established in Goa). The Governor of Peshawar, Humayun Khan is made the Governor of Kabul. Muhammad Shah is made the Governor of Lahore. Mahmud Shah is made the Governor of Multan. Ghazi Malik is made the Governor of Nagaur. Sultan Khizr Khan Khilji makes himself the Governor of the iqta of Delhi. Jamshed Mir, a close friend of Khizr Khan is made the Governor of Awadh. Khusro Khan is made the Governor of Alaipur. Ahmad Shah becomes the Governor of Sultanpur. Having regained control of the Sultanate, the Sultanate and the Chalisa decide that it is not worth taking over Zaranj as it does not possess any valuable resources and it is not worth fighting over a bunch of rocks and mountains. The Sultanate still does not recognise the Zaranj Sultanate and stations a permanent force of two tumen in Kabul.
 * Belur Sultanate: Madhavcharya starts touring the other states of South India and spreads his ideology of Advaita Vedanta. He establishes a Matth in Belur, the Belur Matth, as the main center of learning of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy. His actions are patronized by the Sultan Veera Ballala III.
 * Papal States: Due to the poor harvests of this year, the Church repeats the same charity acts done during the Great Famine. The grains that were store in the Barns of the Poor are used to feed the people and the money in the Fund of the Poor is used to buy any food available. Soon crowds are formed in the front of monasteries and convents across the Papal States seeking for food. The poor of Rome seeks the help of Matthias and Catharina, the "Twin Saints", and they continue to distribute food. The people start to call the bread with nuts distributed by Catharina and her fellow nuns of the Divine Mercy as the "mercy bread". Pope Gregory XI also starts to distribute food in front of the Basilica of Saint Peter. The pontiff thinks that this new famine is a signal that God isn't satisfied with his efforts to reform the Church, and again exhort the clergy to have more humble lives. Once again fish turns into a important food item and due to the growing production of sea salt in Ostia, there is more ways to conserve it besides smoked fish. The pope continues to condemn the Shepherds' Crusade and says that they must be stoped. The construction of the Church of the Divine Mercy and of the prision for simonists continue. The Ecclesial Tribunal continues its investigation of cases of simony and misconduct. The commission that is studying the case of Francesca Occhino is now analyzing the cure of the hand paralysis of a boy after his mother prayed for Francesca's intercession. Pope Gregory creates as cardinals Nankier Kołda (Bohemia-Poland) and Henry IV of Aspremont (Verdun). After hearing about the plot of lepers wanting to contaminate France, the pope asks inquisitor Jacques Fornier if he has physical evidence that this is true [MOD response needed, please]. After receiving a letter from Pietro Benanti saying that they are spreading the Word of God in Lithuania, the pope starts to pray for the conversion of Lithuania to Christianity. Due to the efforts that king Wenceslau is doing to stop the pagan Mongols of invading Europe, Pope Gregory gives to the king of Bohemia-Poland the title "Defender of the Faith".
 * Kingdom of England: With Roger Mortimer launching a rebellion with the support of the Earl of Lancaster, King Edward II responds by raising a Force of 15,000 troops to confront the Rebellious Marcher Lords and moving his forces into Wales and Western England to defeat the Rebels before they could fully mobilize against his forces (Algo Needed, Please). In addition, Edward mobilizes a force of 7,000 Irishmen and a fleet of over 40 ships in order to cross the Irish Sea and invade Wales from the West in coordination with the King’s main thrust (Algo Also Needed). Meanwhile, with the Shepherds Crusade ravaging the Duchy of  Gascony, the Duke of Gascony mobilizes a force of 5,000 troops and moves forward to intervene in Navarre in order to support the king of Navarre and help the Kingdom of Navarre crush the Crusaders as they move into Navarre. Meanwhile, reconstruction efforts begin in Gascony in order to repair all damaged and destroyed property while some Crusaders captured by the Local Gasconian Forces are charged with heresy and are either imprisoned, or executed for their crimes against the fair Jewish people of Gascony.
 * Navarrese Diplomacy: King Louis I thanks Edward II for assistance in driving the brutish Shepherds from Navarre, limiting the damage they could do the countryside, and proposes a formal alliance between the two countries as they have a mutual interest in defending against the Kingdoms of France and Aragon. (England response) Meanwhile, Western Patriarch Federico Goikoetxea criticises the excessive violence at the battle of Xavier between the English army and the untrained peasants, though he is relieved the violence and destruction of the Second Shepherds' Crusade will now be over.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: The Romans's Sicily launch an crusade with the people pagans, so they accros and fought on battle on the southern territory the mecenarys push it off the pagan and the pagans Sicilians took an siege on the south basin of Sicily the locals Sicilans force accros the south territory with among 1,000 army and cavalry the cavalry push the fire on it and the pagan capture most of Sicilians soldier the damage continue crossing in the basin the Sicilians kickout the pagan out of the country and most of survivor resist to the crusader occupations the noblesmens and Frederick III of Sicily asked a trade route for Europe and the East in the congress of the palace Roman Sicily then that the battle continues the monarchy building up some harbor defending for invader.
 * Yuan China: The civil war which began last year begins being fought in ernest at the begining of this year, with all three major factions having prepared for fighting and now being ready to bring the fight to the others. The Yuan begin the year with most of northern China, Mongolia and Manchuria under their control, with the 's control ending not far from Beijing. As it turns out, the Emperor Yexi Xiong actully controls the smallest amount of territory of the three factions, controling most of Henan, Shaanxi, and everything below Beijing before Song territory. In the south the "Song" have siezed control of most of the lands bellow the Henan area, well the Yuan control everything North of Beijing As a result of having the smallest territory, the Xing Emperor is forced to put himself on the defensive and dig in and fortify as much as possible the areas surrounding Beijing, leaving his southern lands vulnerable too attack, and the Song forces take advantage of this to solidify there control over the south well launching an offensive into Henan and Shannxi in September well the Xiong forces are focused on defending against the Yuan, who attack into his territory from the north and, led by the enraged Taiding Emperor, force him too flee Beijing and retreat south, leaving most of northern China in the hands of the Yuan. The Song continue to press their advantage after his defeat, siezing most of his territory bellow the Yellow river and some parts of southern Shannxi. This leaves the Xing in an extremely bad position, and thus they are now unlikley to win the war. However, between the Song and the Yuan, it remains to be seen who will be victorious, with the fighting in the next year being likely to be the deciding factor in the war.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": There is a new title to the Lotharingian realm, Count of Loon. His Majesty John III having bought the title of Count of Loon, from the current Count of Loon Arnold V of Looz. John becomming John II of Looz officialy even if he uses the Name John III under the pretext that his Uncle was the count for the period when the deal was made thus making him John III still. Even if this a manouver just for the sake of naming it is still done by his majesty as he wants simplicity in his realm. While this is happening his Majesty archduke John III reaches out to nations far and close wanting to ally with them, An offer for a defensive Alliance is send to Renoud the Count of Guelders, and The bishop of Both Utrecht and even Liege(Mod Responses). As for now local grudges are less important than to defend independence and introduce reform into the realm, as The Archduke now truely belives that the emperor is a tyrant that is neither Christian nor sane. John III begins to make his voice clear on his want of Imperial reform, where the Hierarchy is simpler and more defined. Where Under the emperor the titles are well defined of who listens to who, where a Duke listens to a king, and a Count listens to a Duke. While John III is unsure on how the role would be of the emperor himself he does belive that this kind Hierarchy, could possibly make it easier to be ruled and managed. John III calling this reform "Einigheit ordnung" as this is a ordening for the unity of the Realm. Due to the Unstability in the Realm Archduke John III also begins get his army ready once more, The Archers of  Brabant being readied the most and in the greatest numbers. The Number of Soldiers allready readied being a total of 10,000 with more being called to face the possible treat, His majesty asking the Bishop of Verdun and Tournais to aid Lotharingia by sending soldiers to Malines to prepare for a fight against imperial tyranny(Mod Response). John III also looking into improving his army of the Realm, one of the manners he's doing it is by making archery training mandatory. While some times also giving grants to towns and cities if they can get their city guards up to a certain quality, quality serounds mostly guards their gear and ration. John III mostly wanting better quality rations with enough meat and the least amouth of filler, fillers being things like wallnut and the lowest of quality grains. Meat that is most eaten is pig and cow meat, with the restants of meat are begining to be used mostly in stews. The archduke even forbids using meat restants that is unworked as part of a soldiers meat ration is to meager and not able to keep a men in spirit. To help the spirit of soldiers and the country as a whole, is getting new spices from far away. To get these spices Many ships are build that are getting bigger and bigger, and mostly deeper hulls. These hulls made deeper so that they can carry more cargo, cargo such as spices and Gold. Gold Coming from Mali trough Castille and nevarre and Spices coming from the asia and the east. Spices from lands not know, Trades who go to the mediteranian only knowing it comes from Beyond the Indus.
 * The Rhine states support Brabant against the Emperor.
 * Teutonic Order: It is a sad year for the Order because our Grand-master Siegfried von Fuechtwangen has died of smallpox. His successor is Werner von Orslen. The last thing that that Siegfried did before he died was that he and the Order give full support to Fredrick the Fair to become Emperor of the HRE. the first thing that Orslen did was pulled out troops from the 2nd Shepherds Crusade and wrote a apology to the Kingdom of Navarre for the damages caused (Navarre Response Needed). Orslen also reveled that Siegfreied was a closet anti-semetic and joined the crusade to fulfilled his anti Jewish deeds.We agree to set up a Fund to the Poor to help poor people and get better relations with the Pope. a small famine has occurred but due to us getting salt and fish from Lubeck and with the recently fund to poor deaths are not as high as the Great Famine before. the town of Golub is founded.the town of Barendt is founded. the town of Trakai is founded. Bytow Castle is built.We send some priests to pacify and civilize the Lekow tribe. the town of Tzzew is founded. We built a fort in Radzyn Chelminski. The town of Swieriki is founded. We ask one more time if Venice can tell the Hansetic League where they if they can give us trade relations with a nation down south (Mali) that they recetly got trade relations with (Venice Response Needed). 
 * Navarrese Diplomacy: King Louis I accepts Orslen's apology for the Teutonic Order's involvement in the Second Shepherds' Crusade and praises Orslen's efforts to reform and improve the Order as its new leader.
 * Jarldom of Greenland: Work on the new village goes smoothly, with many new families moving in there. A month later a census is held which reports that the population has now reached 2,989 persons with 3,000 being a very short time away. The port of Nuuk begins to be expanded to accomate more fishing and exports.
 * Crown of Aragon: With the Shepherd's Crusade over, any fears of damage to property are gone but at what price? These questions are raised following accounts of an absolute slaughter of these people in Navarre yet not much is done. James the Great though has raised concerns though following the establishment of the Universal Aragonese Constitution in which all respective regions follow a set standard of laws held by the Council and her representatives including the King Himself excluding certain respective regions that have had representatives file appeals to the king.The English partaking in being centered within Navarre prove to be taken as concerns of English influence set within Navarre and an envoy is sent requesting peaceful retreat from the region after their goals had been met (English Response). The conspiracy of poisoning of water supplies sees some respective investigation but not much is done seeing it as nothing more than a hoax. With that said, 30,000 men from Castile and Aragon converge on Navarre following a meeting between James and his son in Castile. Their reasons? threats of territorial influence and securance of claims on the Iberian region as a whole and claims of illegitimacy of the Western Church amongst the Aragonese and Spanish body as a whole. The portion of Navarre's Bay of Biscay is blockaded by the Castilian Fleet as raids along the shoreline occur. Weapons and supplies are brought in with predominantly Cavalry being dispatched from Castile and Siege Weapons and the bulk of manpower being brought in from Aragon. James the Great leads his forces in the battle of Pamplona where he leads his men in the surrounding of the city and occupation of the countryside. Orders are made clear not to engage with the English forces unless they become hostile first. Boulders and Flammable materials are launched into the city of Pamplona while San Sebastian faces raids and 10,000 forces engage in battle at Tudela while the main forces march into Pamplona. The walled areas and areas of defenses become main targets while the Arga River is surrounded to prevent river usage. Beyond the war actions, James encourages his son to take similar administrative actions like he had done so in Aragon. 65 more ships are ordered to be built. Naval Developments around Harbors and Ports continue while the Fortresses ordered to be built see further levels of completion. The University of Barcelona continue to be proven as an educational national treasure as the Library of Barcelona is established with various portions made of pure concrete and marble made to prevent fires as much as possible as archived works of literature are deposited from abroad. Conversions continue across the Aragonese Realm to unite all of the people under the one true church seeing funding from the Royal Bank of Barcelona which reports well this year with growth. The small famine is isolated to small communities who find quick relief under the new Council who by the orders of the king and under predominantly common law are able to share produce and grain from areas that have produced a surplus of goods. Trade continues to prove to be highly profitable. To appeal to the Portuguese in better relations and affairs, we offer a trade agreement discounting the value of prices and goods exported through Aragon with the addition of two of the Easternmost "Islas de Fortuna" (OTL Canary Islands) and a royal marriage between King Alfonso in Castile (Mod Response).
 * Navarrese Diplomacy: King Louis I calls on his new ally Portugal to help defend Navarre, promising them they could gain territory for Castile with a victory. (Mod response) Navarre also calls on the English forces who fought the Shepherds to help defend against this new opportunistic attack, promising them Aragonese territory for Gascony with a victory. (England response) Western Patriarch Fernando Goikoetxea calls on the Pope to condemn this attack on the Western Church (Papal response) and calls on nations in the HRE to help defend the Western Church, a Papal ally, against the Aragonese who have repeatedly attacked HRE nations and the papacy. (Player and mod response)
 * Milan Diplomacy: Milan declares there support for Navarre and also encourages others to do the same.
 * Kingdom of France: King Philip V announces that a child has been born, a new heir to the French throne. Seeking to fully capture the joy he feels for this child, he names him after himself. Philip VI is born. Additionally, lepers are imprisoned throughout France, in order to prevent this evil and wicked plot.
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Novgorod, garrissoned now in Smolensk, now reinforced with fresh Teuton troops to reinforce his army. Leading the troops of Pskov and the Teutons, Prince Mikhail leaves the Novgorodian troops in Smolensk to defend the city against any Mongol threat. Mikhail himself goes to Kiev to support a new attack. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the new posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, conspire in order to spearhead reform, go away from their plan of reforming without a Prince, and see the need to keep strong military leaders around. Other plans for reformation are made. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. The secretly hired Ushkuyniks, rich from their raid, are sent to Kiev for a new battle.
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): The troops of Tver, Yaroslavl, Rostov and Ryazan are led by Prince Mikhail's son Dmitry, who's nicknamed 'the Terrible Eyes' and his smaller brother Alexander. Ambitious, the troops, reinforced with men from Pskov and the Teutonic Order lay siege to Kiev again in order to take the old seat of the Rus' [ALGO needed for Second Siege of Kiev]. Dmitry sends letters to the King of Bohemia, asking him to counter-raid into Chernigov [BOHEMIA response]. Otherwise, Tver has grown rich of trade between Novgorod and the other Russian principalities.
 * Republic of Pskov (Novgorodian vassal): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and supplies 4,000 troops. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Japanese Empire: Emperor Daigo now presides over his first year as the unchallenged sovereign of all Japan. From Okinawa to his northern territories in Hokkaido the Emperor maintains some semblance of involvement in the local lives and politics of every province and area of Japan. This first year of unchallenged rule comes with its own set of problems as some remaining daimyo have expressed their discontent with the Emperors policy of land re-distribution and the scaling back of territorial amounts to the nobility is a notable cause of this unrest. However, with the decrease in available martial manpower available to the restless lords and the success of those within the Imperial Capital Region undercuts their complaints, the arrival of 3,000 Imperial troops and a singular Koto emblazoned with the Yamato sigil is delivered alongside a singular bereaucrat who says one sentence. "Seppuku or Submission." Two of the Daimyo realizing their bluff has been called commit ritual suicide in the name of the Emperor and the rest fall into line as the Army departs in short order. Emperor Daigo is forced to deal with the devastation wrought by the civil war and on the crisis of land within the empire. Land is open and free yet the Emperor hoards it many claim. It is the primary conversation of the "Yamato Court" (the council conducted yearly between the Emperor, Daimyo, and High Merchants, and Aristocrats) and finally a decision is reached. The Daimyo are to be given new small grants of land in order to help them support themselves and thus also address the concern of the possible decline in quality of the Martial nobility. These estates are much smaller than the previous ones but with many of these daimyo being young, or recently elevated this sates the Daimyo while the remaining land of agricultural value is to be consolidated into private holdings. Many of the high merchants and aristocrats hoping to offload sons who were to gain no inheritance and various other lucky farmers are chosen to have these lands consolidated and various enclosures are to be developed over a ten-year period. As the first part of this process are put into place the expected unrest does not occur. It becomes clear the the population of Japan has taken enough of a hit that actions that traditionally would have caused unrest have simply not. The Emperor contracts his administrators to conduct a thorough census of the Japanese islands which would also help more accurately develop and tax the various provinces of Japan. As the census occurs it becomes clear Japan has suffered catastrophic amounts of casualties from its civil war. While estimates had places the pre war population at nearly 8.6 million the numbers have come back much smaller. 7.5 million people remain in Japan. It is believed most of these have died due to the massive amounts of conscription which had effectively neutered agricultural production for multiple years which had caused a famine. This famine and subsequent disease outbreaks gone unnoticed during the desperate times of war are believed to be the primary driver in Japan's lesser population. However, with the expansion of Artisan districts in cities, increase in overseas trade and the administrative authority of the Census, the taxes flowing in this year are notable. While not exorbitant, the various administrative and legal reforms have led to an increase in taxing efficiency. It is expected the enclosure system of many farmlands in Japan while relatively new in concept, will allow for a much richer agricultural productive class allowing for higher productive surplus as well as a richer taxable population to work with. Taxes this year are also notably increased by the Emperor Daigo as various projects across the country are planned and begun with plans to rebuild cities, establish a better roadway system, and help the new enclosed private land holders develop their lands. Some of these enclosures notably begin looking for ways to take loans in order to develop their new lands with Animal husbandry becomming a more major force in the Japanese food production scene. Agricultural output this year is still somewhat low but not at famine or population breaking levels and many expect it to go up as the rebuilding and prosperity of the country increases. It becomes clear with the deaths of nearly one million people that labor in general has become much more valuable in Japan. The sudden and drastic reduction of the labor force and the new reforms in place have subsequently made labor much more valuable in Japanese society as many seek to do labor simply to make a nice sum of money before striking out to purchase a plot of land or attempt to go out on their own. The Shinto shrine system while subject to much much lower taxation is still taxed which does anger many in the temples. However, with improvements to the temples themselves being mandated by the government and the infrastructure allowing for greater access and hence greater revenue from those who worship at these shrines and temples is notable and the kneejerk reaction is rescinded on many cases. The capital city of Kyoto sees the continued construction of the Imperial palace and the unveiling of the nearly completed construction of the Kyoto Grand Shrine puts many in Awe. A Temple dedicated to Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess is to be consecrated with the dynasties connection with the Goddess emphasized. Many already look to visit the grand temple and word spreads quickly across Japan over the Imperial families construction of the temple and their dedication to the gods.
 * Zimbabwe: The Shona continue to expand their new port city of Muromo Wenyika, with the support of the Arabs based in the city providing the training and technology necessary to develop Muromo Wenyika into a proper port of trade. These merchants spread the news of the new port throughout the Swahili Coast and the major trading powers of the Arabian Peninsula, which begin to bring in new goods and services in exchange for the gold, silver, iron, and ivory procured within Zimbabwe. To help accommodate the movement of goods and people from the coast to the interior, the king and his son organize the construction of a great road moving from the city of Muromo Wenyika to Manyikeni, and then on to the city of Thulamela where the goods will be sold into the interior for the population to benefit from. The road will be planned in coordination with the Arabs in Muromo Wenyika, who assist the Shona with the engineering needed to make the road wide and stable enough to allow the movement of wagons along the road itself. In the trade of goods at the port city, the Arabs import several dozen Arabian horses to facilitate the racing and trade outside the city walls. The Shona residing in the area frequently gather to observe these races between the Arab horsemen, fascinated by the speed and power of the creatures they ride. Included in the observation of these races is Prince Akashinga himself, who is immediately awed by the horses of the Arabs. He demands that he be given one of his own, and though the Arabs try to warn him that one requires extensive training to become a capable rider, they relent not wishing to insult their powerful host. Immediately mounting one, Akashinga fails to control the horse and is thrown from its back, nearly killing him in the process. Akashinga is rushed to his home where he begins to recover from his injuries. Though fearful of the consequences of Akashinga's inability to accept that he was not trained to ride something so powerful, the Arab merchants are put at ease by Akashinga himself, who declares that he will master the horse and bend it to his will, and instructs the Arabs that they can obtain his forgiveness by teaching him and his how to ride the Arabian steed. King Katonga rushes to Muromo Wenyika after hearing of his son's injury during his attempt to ride a horse, but upon reaching his son, he is informed that the fiery prince has largely recovered from his wounds, and has requested that his father aid him in furnishing the facilities needed for the Arabs to breed their horses in the interior of the country, where the climate and geography are largely similar to that of Arabia where the horses were imported from. While concerned with the danger of additional equestrian incidents taking place, the king permits it at the urging of his son, who sends several Arab horsemen and their steeds to Mapungubwe to begin their work. In the south, the Nguni have largely remained on their side of the river, fearful of another violent incursion by the Shona to punish them for their intransigence. Rather, they have learned from their error, and have taking to inquiring of the Shona's willingness to trade with them instead as a means of obtaining their favor and keeping them passive. They bring leopard and gnu (wildebeest) hides, gazelle horns, and rhino horns to the Shona cities in exchange for cattle, cereal crops, and iron weapons, all of which helps to calm tensions between the settled Shona and pastoral Nguni. The San bushmen for their part have refused to cease their hostilities toward the Shona, having escaped retribution from Zimbabwe thanks to their location on their opposite end of the Kalahari Desert. Instead, they continue to raid into the lands of the Shona people, who continue to resist San aggression and repel their assaults upon their livestock and enclosures. Munashe enters into Mombasa for the first time, taken aback by the sheer size of the city and its population and wealth. Though only home to some 25,000 inhabitants and sheltered along the coastline behind modest city walls, Mombasa's bustling nature and commerce have surpassed any and all accomplishments of the Shona back in Munashe's homeland, with the greatest city of Zimbabwe, the capital of Lusvingo, though similar in population greatly paling in comparison thanks to the scale of buildings, roads, artwork, and surrounding agriculture of the location. Munashe begins to integrate himself into the city's culture and society, taken on the job of a bodyguard after demonstrating his capabilities as warrior and tactician. He is immediately taken into the service of a high-ranking bureaucrat who is impressed with the statue and skills of the young warrior, and helps to introduce Munashe into the ins and outs of Swahili society.
 * Republic of Milan: Milan once again prepares for war. Hoping to use this as justification to retake corsica and Sardinia Galleazo declares war on Aragon in defense of Navarre he also encourages other nations loyal to Pope Gregory to do the same. (Responses needed) The long lances are encouraged to stay in Bohemia for the time being as other mercenary groups in Northern Italy and a few major ones in Southern Germany are reorganized into three groups by the Mercenary Bank of Milan. Each group numbers roughly 15,000 with them being split based upon geographical location, all of the Southern Germans are put together all of the Northwestern Italians are put together and all of the Northeastern Italians are put together. This is designed to create a sense of bonding between the different regions and keep them working as effectively as possible. Each group also begins to have individual specializations. The northeastern Italians are capable sea combatants and the majority of their training and tactics are focused on that. The Southern germans become specialized as frontline Infantry. The Northwestern Italians follow in the long lances footsteps and become major cavalry and archer power houses. The Northeastern Italians are hired for this war in order to allow for easier invasions and takings of Sardinia, Corsica and other islands and isolated Aragon controlled land. The Milanese fleet is dispatched to clear out any nearby Aragon ships before transporting the 15,000 Northeastern Italians, who have been nicknamed the Sea Wolves to Corsica and then the Southern Germans, who have been nicknamed the lions claws to move toward Naples and prepare to make sure no Aragon soldier makes it north by defending Rome and the entire area on the border. (Algo needed for Corsica) The long lances are told to be prepared to be recalled should Aragon move their full focus.
 * Aragonese Response: with the declaration of war, General Carlos Jimenez and Carlos Vinicci are sent to organize the armies of the mediteranean with attention being given to Corsica as 15,000 men comprised of combined forces from Corsica,Aragon and Morocco organize themselves with suplort from the Catalan Company including lancers, front linesmen, archers, and cavalry as archers and infantrymen are placed in secure higher ground points while catapults are used to launch boulders into any men who dare to land. The full force of the Aragonese Mediteranean Armada is put into display to terrorize Milan with thw assistance of flamed arrows and barging tactics to attack enemy vessels causing as much damage while surrounding transports paving the way for a Genoese Blockade to secure dominance overseas and push Milan into submission. General Juan Figueres is sent to Sicily to organize the men there with the armed forces who have stopped the rebellions in the past in Sicily proper being sent off in defense of Naples if the Milanese forces see fit to antagonize a neutral party.
 * The Imamate: After four years campaiging in Cicilia, the Mamluk soldiers finally siege Sis systemitically, surrounding the city, and with its fall shall come Cicilia's conquest for it is the capital city of Cicilia. Internal development and the study of the stars continue domestically.


 * Bohemia-Poland: In the aftermath of the battle of Lublin Wenceslaus III and his troops secure the city and surrounding area to rid it of any remaining mongols. Wenceslaus III holds a mass withhis men in the Lublin cathedral in honour of avenging his father's defeat at lublin 20 years, and marking long coveted unification of all of Poland's lands under one ruler. Wenceslaus's rest is short. However, as news of the victory at Warsaw reaches Lublin, Wenceslaus III sends order to Henry to leave behind enough of his men to secure the Northern vistula region while he is to bring the rest of the troops south to join up with Wenceslaus III in Lublin to move onto Lviv to assist the still beseiged Ruthenians and to begin the expulsion of the mongol ramnents in the Transcarpathian region cooperating with the Hungarians and Ruthenians. An order is giving to show no mercy to any Mongols still carrying arms or seen around, while those who were captured during the battles of Lublin and Warsaw are offered the good book or the sword.

1322
''' Knowledge about the formula and power of gunpowder begins to slowly reach Europe from the Mongol Empire, mainly transmitted to the Balkans, Carpathia, Greece and Anatolia. Such knowledge is entirely limited to hand cannons and fireworks. '''

''' A Florentine monk named Jordan of Pisa invents a new kind of optical lenses to help magnify vision for the impaired, known as spectacles. Very rapidly this becomes popular among the elderly and nearsighted across northern Italy. '''

''' After his initial defeat at Pontefract Castle, Roger Mortimer and the March Lords calls on an alliance with King Edward Bruce of Scotland. Scotland proceeds to invade England with 3,000 troops against Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, while Mortimer's remaining 8,500 troops regroups at Worchester. Queen Isabella, the wife of Edward II, pleads with him to exile the Despensers instead of supporting the ongoing conflict. '''

''' Elsewhere in England, a local Knight named John Maunderville is implicated as being in league with Mortimer's rebellion. He decides to leave England forever, and dedicate himself on a journey to replicate Marco Polo's voyage to reach China. This year, he crosses the channel and visits France. (Will update this consistently for now on. Any player nation he visits can do whatever they like with it :) '''

''' King Philip V of France dies, and his 8-month old son is crowned as King Philip VI. Charles the Fair, the Count of La Marche, is nominated the Regent of France. '''

''' With the sudden Aragonese invasion of Navarre, a Kingdom in dynastic union with France, many nobles across France (including Valois, Orleans, La March, and Normandy) urge intervention to save the Basque nation. Although Alfonso XI answers his father's call to arms, the nobles of Castile are rather reluctnat to support this thirst of expansion. Both Castile and Portgual end up only giving limited support to their respective sides. '''

''' Siezing advantage of the civil war in China, the Kingdom of Korea launches a counter-attack to besiege the fortress of Pyongyang, taking back their territory lost in previous conflicts with the Mongols. '''

''' In spite of the chaos in Yuan China, multiple advances of literature continue to be produced. Zhao Mengfu paints a mural known as Bathing horses, and Ma Duanlin publishes an encyclopedia called Wenxian Tongkao. '''

''' In the Lowlands, Count Louis VI of Chiny leads a local rebellion with a few barons against the takover of Loon, consisting of 900 troops. '''

''' The Serbian civil war between Stephan and Stephan over the death of their father Stephan results in Stephan winning and being crowned as Stephan's successor. '''

''' A Franciscan Friar in Italy named Simon Rinalducci is accused by political enemies of committing "several serious crimes". In a hasty trial, the Friar seems to plead guilty to these accusations. '''
 * Mali Empire: With the growth of agriculture and infrastructure helping to facilitate a far larger carrying capacity of the nation, less emphasis is made on growing residential districts of the current trading cities of Dakar and Timbuktu. Instead, many smaller towns and cities begin spralling out along the countriside along the Niger and Senegal River valleys. The cooling temperatures helps to facilitate the expansion into the desert, placing oasis depots for military and caravan trade along the Fezzan and Central Nigeria. Rapid expansion of local feudal nobles pushes south beyond Wagadugu toward the Atlantic Ocean, closer to bordering the Bono Kingdom. As the military of Mali has been fully upgraded with proper steal weapons and short swords, larger siege weapons are also introduced. Primarily this comes from the realm of war elephants, tamed in the wild from the Niger River, but other weapons from Europe and Egypt help conduct sieges using towers and crows. In the east, Mansa Musa fully occupies the city of Njimi, the capital of the Bornu Empire. Musa immediately proclaimed himself as the Emperor of Kanem-Bornu, the true successor of Emperor Abdullah, and the only one purely wise and pious enough to deserve ruling the people of Kanem. The lords of Kanem politely objected to this declaration, saying it was an ancient tradition of theirs that the rulers of Bornu should always be of the same family, the eldest male of their dynasty, and their family had not changed hands in the last five hundred years. Being respectful of this ancient tradition, Musa declared that the houses of Keita and Sefawa should be forever united together, and rule both houses and both courts of each realm simultaneously as one family. The sons of Abdullah were all executed for their treason, and the remaining males of the family were married to daughters of the House of Keita: Dawud the son of Ibrahim was married to Fathima, the daughter of Abu Bakr II. Soloma, the daughter of Dari, was married as Musa's second wife after his first wife Aisha. Finally, Mariam the daughter of Abdullah was married to Ayyob, the eldest son of Musa. Thus, as Musa was now the eldest male of the united house of Keita and Sefawa, was crowned as the new Emperor of Bornu in the city of Njimi.
 * Kingdom of England: With the Forces of Mortmier retreating to Worcester, Edward II continues his advance with 10,500 Men moving his forces toward Worcester while a force of 3,500 Men remains in Pontefract Castle in order to besiege the castle with the English Forces bringing in Siege Equipment in order to quickly force the surrender of the Castle. With his own wife pleading to exile the Despenser and seeing an opportunity having recently opened in Iberia, Edward II decides to consult the English Parliament on whether the Despensers should be exiled or not given how the Opposition toward them has increased (Mod Response Needed). Meanwhile, with the Scottish Invasion in the North, a Force of 5,000 Men under John of Brittany, the Earl of Richmond are sent to Newcastle-upon-Tyne to halt the Scottish Invasion. With the Scottish Intervention, Edward II calls for his Vassal of the Lordship of Ireland to contribute some of their forces in crushing the Scottish and the Rebel Marcher Lords (Irish Response Needed). With the Aragonese Invasion of Navarre giving an opportunity for Edward II who sees Aragon as a potential ally in Iberia against France, Edward II orders his troops in Navarre to withdraw from the country as the Kingdom of England declares its support for the Aragonese Invasion. However, due to the current Rebellion, England will be forced to remain neutral until they can make a final decision on whether to intervene or not once the Rebellion has been crushed. With this the Forces in Aquitaine and Gascony are increased to 8,000 Men as Edward II gives the order to begin the construction of Fortifications along the French and Navarrian Border while a Fleet of 35 Ships is amassed in Bordeaux while another Fleet of 50 Ships are assembled in Bristol in case of French or Navarrian Aggression against the Kingdom of England.
 * Mod response: Eager to prevent war, Parliament holds that the Despensers must be exiled, though many believe the King will simply allow them to return after the conflict is over. A show of good faith may be needed to dissuade these cynical opinions.
 * With this, Edward II agrees to exile the Despensers at one condition. That the Marcher Lords, Roger Mortimer and the Earl of Lancaster stand down and reaffirm their loyalty to the King. 
 * Delhi Sultanate: The Sultan establishes the Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi (the Department of Agriculture). The Arabic books on Agronomy are currently being studied and copied by scholars in the Madrassa of Dholka. Islamic Capitalist concepts/institutions are now firmly established in the Gujarat region and have also been introduced to certain trade nodes in the interior of the Sultanate. These concepts now begin to seep into the traditional trading communities of the other regions and begin influencing businesses in the major cities of the Sultanate. With the growth of trade and Gujarat being the main trade node, the Sultan orders the construction of a road leading from Kara to Cambay; passing through Budayun, Delhi, Dhar and Dholka (which I will call ‘the Eastern trade road’). A port is established in Sultanpur. The Delhi Sultanate begins participating in the spice trade through the port of Sultanpur (Goa). The Sultanpur fort is being constructed. The Sultan initiates the campaign to conquer Sindh, Malik Kafur leads an army of five tumen to attack the capital, Thatta. The Delhi armies use siege machines and Turko-Mongol tactics.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": His Majesty John III Archduke of Lotharingia leads an army of 7,000 men into Kortessem. This army being to fight the army of Count Louis IVI of Chiny as he fights against the newly acquired title of the Archduke of Lotharingia. So His majesty marches with his force until he's near the town of Kortessem, where John III splits his army into two groops. The larger groop being the combination of infantry and Archers which goes slightly to the east going to Hemelspark, this groops being around 7,000 of the 9,000. While the other 2,000 soldiers mostly man at arms and knights marching westward, they do this with a fast tempo making sure they can suprise the enemy. This suprise is done due to the fact that most of Lious' forces are busy fighting the infantry, when sudenly the Lanced knights apear from the most outer flank of the Chiny forces. The reason for this fight is due to Lious VI of Chiny the son of the old Count Arnold resisting his father and his father's succesor John III Archduke of Lotharingia, this is due to the earth of Lious who is verry opertunistic and corrupted. This even being the reason why his father arnold V sold his county to John III. While this is happening there begins to grow a nickname and a general Naming rule, John III who was educated in Greece using quite often when talking and writing to foreign envoys refering to himself as Ioanis. His nicnakme even being John the Roman, as the Greeks are seen as Romans even after 700 years after the fall of Rome itself. While all this is happening the John III as count of Holland looks at the current situation in the frissian freedoms, which is in his eyes a mess and not any mess a dangerous and complicated one. Frissia has no King no duke no leader, not central government to hold diplomatic actions. There is no possibility for the people of frissia to hold anyone easly responsible for the actions that are done against them, criminal acts that happen to often for one people, this all due to to the weak legal code and administration. So His Majesty the Archduke John III proposes that the government of Frisia becomes more centralised, standardised and hierarchical then it is as of now. This when combined with a better judical system would make Frissia a more stable and fair country in the empire. An empire and an emperor who most belive to be unchristian and even not sane enough to rule the the Sacred realm that is the Roman empire. This Roman empire that has been rotted allready before Lious IV took the throne, the Decay of the empire accelerated since his majesty took the Throne. So the army who won and Crushed the Loon rebellion now begins to prepare themself for a sacred war against the enemy of the Lord, the son and the Holy spirit, So John III prepares his army once more. An army that has gained more experience due to the Rebellion and is now even stronger and more knowledgeable then it was before. But War is not only waged on land, but also in the Sea trough economics. This economic part of the Realm being expanded by looking into new ship technology such as better ways of log burning and bending and finding ways to simplify and standardise the proces of making the ships. This is done by companies or crews of shipmakers deciding to make their ships all to one standard lenght so each part of a ship can be replaced more easly by just stating which part of a ship has damaged as then they can get a log of the fitting size. Although this is meant to enhance efficiency of shipbuilding during this first year it actualy slows it down as now ships are measured more presicely then they ever were before. But even now benefits are seen as now they can calculate more how much cargo they can sell and buy, this making it plausible to have a rough estimate of profit for the crews of ships.
 * Papal States: Pope Gregory XI continues to encourage the clergy to have a more humble life and to help more effectively the poor. The Church"s acts of charity continues to be done across the Papal States, with the most part being done by the Order of the Divine Mercy. The hospitals continues to treat a large number of patients and the construction of the Church of the Divine Mercy continues. The construction of the prison for simmonists finally ends and those imprisioned in Castel Sant'Angelo are transfered there. This year the harvests begin to normalize and more grains coming from Church lands are stocked in the Barns of the Poor. The pope took notice of the case of Simon Rinalducci and feeling that something is wrong, he writes to the responsible for the trial of the friar saying that he wants all the informations about the case and that a new judgment will be made by the Ecclesial Tribunal in Rome [MOD response needed, please]. The pontiff congratulate Jordan of Pisa for his invention and says that God blessed the monk with great intelligence and creativity to create so useful object. Gregory criticizes the violent manner in which the king of England dealt with the Shepherd's crusade. These people could be causing trouble, but they didn't deserved to be massacred that way. (Secret) Pope Gregory writes to Saxony and Switzerland asking about their position regarding Louis IV and his growing paranoia with the states of the Empire. He asks them if they will continue to support an emperor that for no reason decided to antagonize the Hanseatic League and that without reason threatened with invasion the Rhine States (End Secret) [MOD response needed, please]. The pontiff is outraged with the invasion of Navarre by the forces of Aragon and Castile. He says that this invasion have no purpose other than feed the expansionist desires of king James II. Even the so called illegality of the Western Church is a false information, due to said church having reconcilied with Rome in 1317. The pope exhorts all the Christians of Europe to repudiate the Aragonese attack on Navarre. 
 * Saxony is currently divided, but the actual elector, Duke Rudolf of Saxe-Wittenburg, firmly supports the Pope's decision. Duke Eric, of the much smaller Saxe-Laurenburg, supports the Emperor. Switzerland is .... neuteral
 * Rinalducci privately confesses that he took the fall in order to prevent scandal to his brethren in the order
 * County of La Marche: With Philip VI's accession to the throne with his brother's death, resulting in Count Charles becoming the Regent of France, the Count immediately begins working to establish a sense of continuity with the previous reign of his brother, hoping to ensure stability in France, with much turmoil having occurred lately across the kingdom. Although much of the nobility across France desires to intervene in order to defend Navarre, Charles has never been terribly fond of his eldest brother, and though he has not flaunted his dislike by any means, he decides to hold off on any immediate intervention in the name of caution. (Secret) Messengers are sent by Charles on a mission unknown by the court in order to negotiate with the King of Aragon, with the Regent hoping to leverage the possibility of intervention in order to gain something of value for the whole of France (End Secret) (Aragon Response). Firmly believing in the honesty of the honourable Jacques Fornier, Charles begins the execution of the lepers previously imprisoned by his brother, on the charges of treason and conspiracy against both the Crown and the people of France. Messengers are sent to the Papal States calling for a Crusade to be called against the Emirate of Granada, due to their orchestration of this unholy conspiracy in both France and Iberia (Papal Response).
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Gregory XI is suspicious  if the accusations made by Jacques Fornier are really true. However, he supports the formation of a Crusade to defeat the Emirate of Granada - not because he believes in this “leper plot”, but because Muslims have been in Iberia for a long time and now is time for the Christians to reclaim their territory.
 * Aragonese Response: the regent's diplomatic request are accepted with open arms with James daughter Blanca being offered in a hand of marriage to a man of their choice in France to the addition of discounted goods and access to trade goods from the Spanish territories. Othee various offers lay open for further discussion.
 * Zimbabwe: Several Shona merchants within the interior who have profited greatly from the trade with the Arabs have relocated to the coast, where they seek to expand their trading ties with the foreigners and try to bring in new goods from Arabia and India through their Arab contacts. These merchants bring with them their households, servants, slaves, and livestock, establishing several large communities outside of Muromo Wenyika, where they trade their wares with the inhabitants and their foreign guests. The Shona who took up a life by the sea as fishermen and sailors return periodically to take their children with them and get them accustomed to a life at sea, showing them the skills and trades they were shown by the Swahili from the north. These individuals became invaluable in helping to expand the number of food sources along the coast in the east, where thousands of Shona have begun migrating from the interior. They quickly find that their crops of sorghum, millet, and marpula perform poorly in the humid, tropical climate of the region, and look to the foreigners for aid in acquiring a new source of food. Several of the Shona who accompanied the Arabs in their trade missions across the Indian Ocean have spoken of the rice crops from India and Bengal which they saw during the dry season there, which appeared to perform well in the wet and tropical regions of Mozambique. Merchants from Muromo Wenyika familiar with the rice crops of Bengal import rice seeds at the request of the mutariri stationed in the district to help alleviate the issue of crop failure in there, and begin distributing the seeds to the farmers to begin planting ahead of the harvest season. Several of these crops are planted around the city of Manyikeni in the interior of the district, though the inexperience of the Shona in handling the crop results in a very poor harvest later in the year. Many of the farmers are upset, stating that they were told that they could see three or even four harvests in a year with this rice crop, but have only seen one very poor harvest. The merchants who provided the seeds calm the farmers with support of the overseers in the region, who state that they will continue working with the farmers on how to properly cultivate rice in their region. The construction of several new roads leading from the capital city to the surrounding urban centers continues with haste, as the movement of people and goods between the major population centers has increased under the trade-focused policies of the king. Several of these roads are built to pass directly through local boma enclosures, where travelers are entitled to stay if they are coming from a distant city and require a place of shelter and protection during the evening. Most of these roads consist of soil that has been lifted and beaten down, with rocks and stony soil removed to make the roads themselves flat and easy to move through. In the city of Mapungubwe, Prince Akashinga begins his equestrian training alongside several of his close friends and advisors, as well as several warriors he selected to receive similar training themselves. Having fully recovered from his wounds from his previous attempts to ride a horse without proper training, Akashinga has taken heed of his teachers and their warnings, and sought to show the four-legged creature the respect it properly deserves. A large stable is constructed for the Arabs and their steeds to use, as well as any other facilities they deem necessary for their work, and a full staff of local Shona laborers have been seconded to the foreigners to provide the manpower needed to run the stables effectively. The king declines to join his son in his training, but offers to pay for any of the costs accrued in the process of his work to master horsemanship. In the city of Mombasa, Munashe accompanies his master to the ports to assist him in checking in on his ships and assessing the worth of the goods traded over the year. Intrigued by the work of the sailors and merchants at the port, Munashe inquires about the nature of the city's trade and its foreign relations, to which his master begins to go into detail the background of the city's economy and its history, providing a wealth of information that stuns Munashe as to the true scale of the world as a whole. The great merchant himself states that he will be heading off to India on a trading mission and will be taking Munashe with him, both to give hima taste of the foreign cultures as well as to provide him with the knowledge necessary to better serve him in the future. These experiences help to give Munashe a firsthand experience of the world of sailing and trade, and upon learning of the great wealth obtained through these endeavors, convinces Munashe that his prior desire to overthrow the king of Zimbabwe was pointless compared to the true power that could be obtained through gold and silver, of which man is especially fond of.
 * Republic of Venice: The few recent years of religious trouble and bad harvests made the need for reforms necessary and a few new laws come into practice. First of all, the Jews are allowed to settle and worship freely and are free from any religion based taxes. However, the newly settling jews are not allowed to enter the Venetian merchant class but are encouraged to work as artisans, intellectuals (if they have the qualification to do that) and farmers. Especially the Murano glass manufacturers seek to hire Jews, as they live relatively isolated and are therefore less likely to spread the secret of the glass. Second of all, the state pays more attention to the rural areas, as the republic has been expanding rapidly without changing its almost exclusive trade based economy. The cultivation of raw materials required for the production of textiles is expanded in the Greek possessions of Venice, Rhodes and Crete especially and to a minor extend to Dalmatia, Ragusa and Durazzo. The domestication of sheep and cattle is encouraged as well, with limits imposed on the animals themselves, making them affordable, while creating a large base for wool and secure food sources. After almost a decade of Venetian influence and heavy political work making Florence a vassal, the influence is expanded even more, as the overwhelming majority of lectures at the Florentine University are held in venetian. Not only that, but the (temporary) total Venetian control is deemed necessary due to the war in the Thyrrenean Sea. To secure Venetian and Italian interests and defending the only true Pope himself in Rome, the Pope is asked to permit the annexation of Florence by Venice, to be able to properly operate in the western Mediterranean (POPE RESPONSE NEEDED). SECRET A ridiculously large amount of money, approximately 100,000 Ducates is planned to be used for convincing the pope to permit the annexation SECRET END Sensing large profits, the Arsenali once again begin to produce war material en masse in cooperation with hired admirals and mercenaries. A navy of 400 warships is planned to set sail to Aragon and wreak havoc on their navy. If the annexation of Florence goes right, the Navy could start from Livorno and cut the delay of the attack by at least a month. The language policy is also making progress: a (for now) only written language that is close to all the various dialects and languages with heavy borrowings from Venetian, Tuscan and Latin, while many Greek words enter the language as well.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Gregory XI would be happy to support the actions of Venice. However, due to attempt of bribery, the pontiff don't give his blessings to the annexation of Florence. He says that the next time that this happens Venice will be excommunicated. The money is sent back to Venice.
 * Kingdom of Navarre: The Navarrese military defends to its best ability against the Aragonese attacks on Iruñea/Pamplona and Donostia/San Sebastián. King Louis I thanks Milan and Venice for their intervention on behalf of Navarre. With the backing of Western Patriarch Federico Goikoetxea, the Western Church's missionaries who have been working on converting Basques in northern Castile call for the Basque peasants in northern Castile to rise up in rebellion to oppose the Basques in Navarre from being subjugated by Aragon. (Mod response) With the Regent of France's official neutrality, Louis I sends envoys to individual nobles who have expressed support for Navarre like Valois, Orleans and Normandy, urging them to aid Navarre against Aragon with their local militaries. (Mod response)
 * Volunteer militaries amounting to 4,000 men are sent to Navarre from various parts of France
 * Small groups of Basque peasents revolt and severly damage supply lines from Castile
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich of Novgorod and Tver's second son Alexander recruits new levies from the city of Smolensk and leads his troops to aid the Bohemians against the evil armies of the Khan at Lviv [ALGO request, but also with Bohemia]. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the new posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, conspire in order to spearhead reform, go away from their plan of reforming without a Prince, and see the need to keep strong military leaders around. Other plans for reformation are made. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. The secretly hired Ushkuyniks, rich from their last battles, are sent to sack Chernigov.
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): The troops of Tver, Yaroslavl, Rostov, Pskov and Ryazan, along with their Teuton allies are led by Prince Mikhail and his son Dmitry, who's nicknamed 'the Terrible Eyes.' They rush to aid the Bohemians against the evil armies of the Khan at Lviv, to free the Rus' once and for all [ALGO request for Lviv, see above]. Otherwise, Tver has grown rich of trade between Novgorod and the other Russian principalities.
 * Republic of Pskov (Novgorodian vassal): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and supplies 4,000 troops. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Crown of Aragon: James seeing no true success in his war against Navarre begins to have the council reconsider the operations of war and the campaign. He orders an envoy to be dispatched to England requesting military access and economic support with supplies. In exchange, trade is encouraged (English Response). If accepted, 10,000 men will march on the already blockaded port of San Sebastian from Gascony securing the port. The rest of the men including mercenaries of the catalan company and reinforcements with organized supply from Zaragoza, a nearby city to Navarre has supplies redirected to Ejea de los Caballeros to make higher rates of efficiency unlike before in this war impacted by attrition. Already in a similar environment of terrain as the Navarre Forces, men are sent to Pamplona through already secured areas of countryside to take the cities already having supplies affected with arrows and cavalry put to use to surround and seize fortifications and defenses while also destroying others and using catapults to the Aragonese advantage. Waterways are used by Cavalry Units to assist in transport and control of the countryside further depriving supplies. Fire continues to be used as a method of striking down the Basque while holes are made with flames used to weaken and collapse defended areas. Beyond this, James convinces his son to try and appeal to the Castilian Nobles to take action against Navarre as they seem to support rebellion in the Castilian Basque region giving a reason for more attention in war (Mod Response). With the defense of Sardinia and Corsica, the portion of the Armada is used to redirect forces after securing mutual dominance in the protection of Corsica and Sardinia against the Milanese. 69 more ships are ordered to be built to replace any lost or damaged vessels. In maintenance of naval dominance in the Western Mediteranean against Milan and Venice with more of our Navy put to use for defensive purposes only taking advantage and using wolf like tactics to surround vessels and destroy them when the opportunity is left available. Bombardments and strikes on ships with flames and other means are used in the meantime. An envoy is sent to Gregory in Rome to arrange potential talks and discussions of peace.With surplus funds reserved in the Aragonese Treasury, more funds are pushed in the naval yards and arsenals to produce much needed materials for war and fund mercenary support more specifically from Aragonese well expreienced veterans who have expressed their devotions to James the Great. The admirals continue to do their best with the posession of the crown's armada.
 * Castile agrees this action is intolerable, and they give more support against Navarre.
 * England agrees to give Aragon Military Access and Economic support with the King of England providing Aragon with a small force of 2,500 Volunteers 
 * Japanese Empire: The second year of Daigos unchallenged rule sees the fruits of some prior labors made by previous Emperor Uda come to fruit. Some of the imperial developments in agriculture under intensive government subsidy of various high population communal farms. These farmers are provided for in security, food, and in some cases entertainment and small villages grow around these intensive farms. This helps fill in the gaps in lackluster Agricultural performance in Japan. However, Emperor Daigo sees the necessity to potentially break this system following further development of the enclosure movement with the labor being repurposed for other projects. The support for the enclosure and its development goes forth at full speed as government grants and opportunistic people looking to get away from cities are either granted or purchase large plots of land for re-development. The expansion of the artisan communities in various cities does begin to pay off as the overflow in the amount of artisans of all types sees their need appear in the various redeveloping areas of Japan. In the south multiple Artisan communities begin to integrate within Japanese villages and Hiroshima undergoing its own reconstruction sees its own rather lacking community expand heavily. This is partially due to their need to help rebuild and partially due to the increased trade between various peoples across the sea in a land known as China. While knowledge remains limited outside of previous attempts to invade via Korea, the knowledge of some sort of civil conflict allows the Japanese traders some leeway in trading with what are known to be multiple chinese factions. There are other trade relationships developing with various Korean merchant families across the sea which sees many relationships begin to form in a positive light. The new tax system sees benefits as well as the imperial treasury begins to fill up a bit more with the accurate census data and catalogue of much of Japan's economic and production systems. With the nobility sated for the time being the Emperor begins focusing further on the peseantry. While a clear class system exists the Emperor begins looking into implementing a possible system to judge the aptitude of the peasantry and the possibility of getting gifted individuals into professions more suited to them. The system is expected to be developed over the next few years. However, resistance in the nobility is dubious. A reminder that much of the new nobility owes its position to the emperor is made clear in presiding over the Yamato court this year and Daigo expresses "I have given you your station, and judging from who rules Japan, I do believe I can take it away." The Loyal clans stand steadfast with the emperor giving him a clear majority (not that it was needed) to force through the reform. However, with the clear majority of his loyal daimyo in support of the reform, it is passed with no further issue. The military measures expected to be revoked following the war are instead streamlined and the Emperor creates a moderately sized imperial army drawing on the freemen to form the massed core of his forces with possibilities to expand the army ever present by issueing levies to the cities and lords and other free communities. The 20,000 strong force is made up of about 12,000 Ashigaru formed into a 7,000-strong force of frontline spears/glaive infantry, a 2,000 strong force of light melee swordsmen and 3,000 Archers which are split between mostly archers and a 500 strong Fire lance regiment which is to be used alongside the integrated nobility forces made up of 7,000 samurai retainers with 2,000 shock infantry, and 3,000 heavy cavalry to be augmented by a screening 1,000 strong ashigaru light cavalry force. This effectively splits the cost of the Emperors army between the Ashigaru outfitted and funded by the Emperor himself and the Samurai retainers who already rich and noble in their own right will provide their own equipment but will be paid out of the Imperial treasury for the duration of their service. Terms of service are streamlined as well with five-year enlistment periods and vouchers for labor for the Ashigaru families. The Emperor turns his attention to Hokkaido looking to consolidate the holdings and the native Ainu and the Japanese settlers. In order to pacify the new nobility and keep their attention focused (along side with promises of land in Hokkaido) the Emperor sends 5,000 Samurai under his new Kampaku Katsumoto Niryu taking the position after the resignation of the previous Kampaku. The forces arrive in Hokkaido near the end of the year and turn north against the unorganized territories and begin marching on the Ainu settlements north of the organized border with full intent to bring the rest of the island under Imperial control. In other news in Hokkaido Japanese settlers and Ainu peoples organize around the chief settlement of Sapporo which sees notable growth and had passed up Hakodate as the most populous Japanese city on the island.
 * Tarascan State: Tariácuri, with the second message from Curicaueri, continues to urbanize Tzintzuntzan and Angamuco. With the aid of Urichu, Erongarícuaro, Pechátaro, and Jarácuaro, expansion is halted in the west while settlements are further built. In Tzintzuntzan, military barracks are installed under a new philosophy meant to minimize the total numbers while maximize strategy and efficiency. With this, it is decided that roughly one-fifth of all male adults at the age of 14 must begin militant training, spending upward of 12 years in a faction of 25 before they are able to retire to a live of serenity before reaching the skies. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro votes toward the creation of a tributary system and a plans to reform bureaucracy over the coming years. While not limiting Tariácuri's power, it would allow Citlali's military power to be expanded. After completely destroying the confederation, the primary policy over the newly acquired territory continues to be conducted for another three years. The coast is finally reached and settlements are established. With this, fishing is established as a form of gathering food, while the major agricultural and cattle regions in the former Jalisco are absorbed and owned by warriors and nobles. Tariácuri's sons, Hiripan and Tangáxoan, are installed as lords of Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan, allowing domestic rule while maintaining military alliances. Mining occurs in the recently conquered Jalisco region, which produces large obsidian deposits. While iron and bronze had been used primarily, the creation of obsidian spears, short swords, and knives occur. A new faction in the military is created by Citlali called the "Chicahtoc Tlacatl", who dress in all black linens and carry these obsidian weapons to attack in the night. They number roughly 2,000, and consist of harshly trained militants in an effort to help produce savages. To help create a more mainstream and easier means of production for amate, Tariácuri begins writing a language script for the Purépecha so as to end the over-usage of pictograms and make the understanding of text much easier. Expansion inland to the east is made.
 * Jarldom of Greenland: This year sees the pupulation reach 3,000 people which is celebrated all over the island. Meanwhile, explorers are sent out to make contact with the Thule people and laern their languagee.To mark this occasion the people are asked to vote on what should be built to commemorate it and the winner is that a gigantic tower should be built in the capital, overlooking the ocean.
 * Yuan China: The civil war continues throughout this year, and at long last one of the three sides falls, leaving only two remaining contenders for the throne to fight for the title of Emperor. Specifically, the faction of the man who started this conflict to begin with, Yexi Xiong, is defeated and has his lands conquered by the Song forces. Although at the begining of the year it sees likley that the Xing will fall to the Yuan, Korean forces attack into Yuan territory and besiege Pyongyang in an effort to retake territroy previously lost to the Mongols in early (second month of the year). This forces the Yuan to divert many of their forces fighting the Xing to the border to fight Korea, leaving them with a disadvantage missing 30,000 men and allowing the Xing to regroup and even retake some previously lost territory from the now distracted Yuan. However, this short resurgence does not last, as the Song, now seeing that the Yuan are to distracted to do anything about it, launch an even bigger invasion of the Xing held lands with almost all of their forces, managing to conquer almost all of their territory and in doing so gain an advantage against the Yuan in terms of manpower and resourses which they otherwise would not have gained. This also allows the Song to finnaly secure the loyalty of the Eastern lands of China, which had previously been mostly neutral, wanting to wait and see who would gain the advantage over the others first, which gains them a massive influx of manpower and resourses, further strengthening their position against the Yuan to the north. Although they do not begin activley attacking the Yuan yet apart from a number of small expeditions and raids to test defenses, the leadership of the Song forces, led by General Mao Xieren, begins planning a major campaign into the vulnerable Yuan lands to the North of them, which have been left underdefended due to the need to fight the Koreans. The Song also  reach out to the Koreans to raise the possibilty of an alliance between the two, as they have a mutual intrest in defeating the Yuan and the Song have no reason to fight with what had, up until the invasion by the Mongols from the North, been one of China's most loyal allies and tributaries. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). With all of this in mind, by the end of the year it seems increasingly likley that the Song will ultimetly be the ones to triumpth in this war, and they begin preparing for the aftermath of the war, even if they havent begun to actully implement anything yet, and do not plan to until after the war is fully decided.
 * Korea accepts the alliance and considers the Song to have the Mandate of Heaven, so they send as much military to the Song's assistance as needed
 * Bohemia-Poland: Wenceslaus III's forces meet are joined the Novgorodian forces and engage the forces of the white horde outside the walls of Lviv. Wenceslaus III takes control of te centre and the left wing leaving the right to the Rus. His light cavalry harrass the flanks of the mongol camp while the crossbows continue to fire on the mongol forces protected by mobile wooden shields with squares of archers and pikes advance. the mop up of mongol bands in the recently reaquired eastern poland. Efforts to begin providing food and other goods to the displaced.
 * Republic of Milan: Milan continues to prepare for the opportunity to arise to gain more influence throughout the Italian peninsula and to reconquer there lost lands of Sardinia and Corsica, As such the opportunity seems to have presented itself with Aragon believing the Islands safe the full might of the Milanese forces are prepared to reconquer Corsica and Sardinia for Genoa. The addition of the Naval forces of Pisa and the continued build up and preparations of venice cause Galleazzo to come up with an idea, two things occur the first and obvious one is the moving of the entirety of the Milanese, Genoese and Pisan navies to surround and Blockade Corsica, then forces are moved to Corsica to prepare for an assault. (Algo needed) Secret: An agent is sent to Corsica and another to Sardinia to tell of the major expansionist policies of Aragon and how poorly they treat their citizens long term and ask for the people of the Islands whom are originally Genoese to rise up and assist the Milanese forces in returning this Island to Genoa (Mod response needed). End Secret. The banks continue to do well as more customers come in with the increased drama in Florence and the lower interest rates of the Milan banks. Secret:Multiple bankers are sent to Florence to discuss with them a potential move from the banks of florence to the banks of Milan as they will be safer in Milan and won't be at the mercy of Venice and their policies. (Mod response needed) End secret.
 * Florence doesn't feel like they want to give their banks to Milan, but instead will fight for their freedom against the Venetians if necessary.
 * The Imamate: The defeat at Sis leads to a brutal realization, that the siege of Sis cannot be continued with these dwindling numbers, as such the Mamluk forces abandon Sis, setting up camp as a garrison in the recently captured city of Kars, securing control of it and reconstructing it, setting up a defensive position in case the Cicilians reorganize their armies into one unit and launch a massive counteroffensive. The men are reminded of their massive gains throughout the campaign in Cicilia and that their defeat is honorable after so many victories, the Cicilians were forced into a last stand at a major fortress city, and that it is only a matter of time before Sis falls. With the Soldiers reassured, they send out calls to arms en masse to the Muslim World, highlighting their victories in Cicilia and saying they simply need more men to siege Sis successfully and this surge of numbers will secure victory for the Soldiers. This call to arms is answered most profoundly in Aleppo, where 5,000 Mamluks and 5,000 Aleppines take up arms and march to Aleppine Cicilia (the recently conquered territory of Cicilia.) Additionally, the city of Aleppo, with its newfound wealth, diverts a portion of its finiances to hire 5,000 mercenary forces to siege Sis. The call to arms reaches south of Aleppo to the Mamluk Sultanate, where 5,000 soldiers are requested to secure Mamluk hegemony over Cicilia. Alternatively in secret, another proposal in made, a naval battle disguised as a naval invasion, to split the Cicilian forces (Mod Response Please) All the forces called up this year converge in Kars by years' end, where they set up defenses, the offensive commencing again next year. The opposite is happening in Baghdad and Mosul, unconcerned with war and the things of the false reality of the world, peace and prosperity reigning as internal development continues, further strengthening the ties of Baghdad and Mosul, which are being seen more and more as one city as both look to the Stars in awe, with many books being written on the subject of these heavenly bodies.
 * The Imamate: The defeat at Sis leads to a brutal realization, that the siege of Sis cannot be continued with these dwindling numbers, as such the Mamluk forces abandon Sis, setting up camp as a garrison in the recently captured city of Kars, securing control of it and reconstructing it, setting up a defensive position in case the Cicilians reorganize their armies into one unit and launch a massive counteroffensive. The men are reminded of their massive gains throughout the campaign in Cicilia and that their defeat is honorable after so many victories, the Cicilians were forced into a last stand at a major fortress city, and that it is only a matter of time before Sis falls. With the Soldiers reassured, they send out calls to arms en masse to the Muslim World, highlighting their victories in Cicilia and saying they simply need more men to siege Sis successfully and this surge of numbers will secure victory for the Soldiers. This call to arms is answered most profoundly in Aleppo, where 5,000 Mamluks and 5,000 Aleppines take up arms and march to Aleppine Cicilia (the recently conquered territory of Cicilia.) Additionally, the city of Aleppo, with its newfound wealth, diverts a portion of its finiances to hire 5,000 mercenary forces to siege Sis. The call to arms reaches south of Aleppo to the Mamluk Sultanate, where 5,000 soldiers are requested to secure Mamluk hegemony over Cicilia. Alternatively in secret, another proposal in made, a naval battle disguised as a naval invasion, to split the Cicilian forces (Mod Response Please) All the forces called up this year converge in Kars by years' end, where they set up defenses, the offensive commencing again next year. The opposite is happening in Baghdad and Mosul, unconcerned with war and the things of the false reality of the world, peace and prosperity reigning as internal development continues, further strengthening the ties of Baghdad and Mosul, which are being seen more and more as one city as both look to the Stars in awe, with many books being written on the subject of these heavenly bodies.

1323
''' Ulugh Khan sues for peace with the Europeans, relinquishing Novgorod and its allies from the Mongol yoke, while retaining the other Slavic vassals, and withdrawing all forces from Poland and Lithuania. As the conflict comes to a close, a wake of destruction is left arcoss various parts of Eastern Europe. 50,000 civilian lives were lost by various sacking and pillaging in Ruthenia and eastern Poland, and another 10,000 survivors were left homeless with their villages destroyed by the Mongol hordes. 8,000 other casualties are combined from the Slavs, Mongols, and Hungarian peoples. The last two rulers of Galicia-Vorhyria, Leo and Andrew Yuriyevych, are among the casualties of the war. '''

''' Vilnius is made the capital city of Lithuania, now in a far stronger position over eastern Europe thanks to their participation in the war against the Mongols, as well as their allies Poland and Novgorod. This in turn leads to a weakening position of the Duchy of Moscow and the Teutonic Order in that same region. '''

''' During the chaos of China's civil war, disruptions of trade and farming causes significant famines and droughts across thenation, leading to 100,000s of people either dying or at risk of dying across southern and western China. Among the various deaths in the nation, one significant cause of mortality arises from a terrible and contagious disease springing up in Jinagxi, known only as "the plague". '''

''' An earthquake strikes Egypt and destroys what's left of the Lighthouse of Alexandria. '''

''' Certain miraculous healings are reported to be found by pilgrims at the tomb of the theologian Thomas Acquinas, and a new star is reported in the sky hanging over his crypt. '''

''' Princess Ingeborg of Norway becomes the new regent of Sweden-Norway, and seeks to keep peace with Novgorod. '''
 * Teutonic Order: With our position in eastern Europe we set our eyes to somewhere else.with Venice not telling us where the locations of a nation in the south (Mali) we send our own expedition to the south using directions from merchants coming from there to explore and see if we can find the nation to for the Hansetic League to profit on(Mod Response Needed for Success). The grand Master wants peace between us and Lithuania and to have us trade relations (Mod Response). We ask the Pope to launch a investigation at the crypt of Thomas Acquinas to see what is going on there and also we want to participate (Papal Response Needed). We send the Grand-Master to meet Princess Ingeborg to congratulate her on becoming regent of Sweden and hopes peace will be maintained in the Baltic by her. Werner von Orslen makes a pilgramige to Rome to meet the Pope and to seek better relations with the Vatican. (more to come)  
 * Lithuania accepts trade.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Gregory XI warmly welcomes Werner von Orlsen in Rome. About the investigations at the crypt of Thomas Acquinas, a commission already decided for his canonization, which will happen while Werner is in Rome.
 * Papal States: Pope Gregory XI continues to perform works of charity using the money of the Church. This increase in the charity works of the Church was allowed due to the reduction in the expenses of the papal. Due to this Gregory continues to exhort the clergy to imitates his actions. Due to the great number of patients, the hospitals across the Papal States start to train new physicians, soon many young men start to appear seeking for apprenticeship. Grand-master Werner von Orlsen is welcomed by the pope in Rome. The pontiff shows the humble life that now the papal court have and encourages the leader of the Teutonic Order to do the same. The commissions investigating both the cases of Francesca Occhino and Margaret of Castello come to the conclusion that the miracles attributed to them are true. The same happened after a commission studied the phenomena happening in the crypt of Thomas Aquinas. Due to this, pope Gregory declared in a ceremony in the Basilica of Saint Peter Thomas Aquinas as a Saint and Francesca and Margaret as Blesseds. The ceremony happened during the visit of Grand-master Orlsen. The pope continues to criticize Aragon's invasion of Navarre. Due to the actions of Louis IV of Bavaria, Gregory decides to take a drastic measure. In a ceremony in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the Holy Father says that Louis showed to be mentally unstable and paranoid, this way being unfit to rule the Empire. The pope says that Louis showed his paranoia when threatened the Rhine States and the Archduchy of Lotharingia without reason and all of them being Christian nations. Louis justified his actions by saying that there was a plot of France and Luxembourg to gain power in the Empire. However, this plot only exists in his deranged mind. He also antagonized the Hanseatic League, while the League done nothing to receive this treatment. The Hansa showed great Christian virtue when they helped with the works of charity made by the Church during the Famine. Gregory also says that Louis broke his promisse made during the coronation that he would help the people suffering in the Empire. When the cattle started to die, rather than occupy himself with helping the people, the Bavarian preferred to threaten the Rhine States. How the people of the Empire can trust in a emperor that broke promisses made before God? Or maybe Louis don't even believe in God! Due to all these factors, pope Gregory XI declares in the name of omnipotent God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that Louis IV is deprived of his position as Holy Roman Emperor and says that all the archbishops, lords, dukes, archdukes and margraves of the Empire are free from the oaths made to Louis. After ending the ceremony, the pope writes to all the states of the Empire and to Louis telling about his decision [Players and MOD response needed, please].
 * The Rhine states (including Luxembourg), Bishop Electors, Austria, and Saxe-Wittenburg support the Pope, while Bavaria, Brandeburg, and Saxe-Laurenburg support the Emperor.
 * Milan declares there support for the Pope. 
 * Lübeck and the Hanseatic League will support the Pope.
 * Mali Empire: Having seized the throne of the Bornu Empire, Mansa Musa establishes Njimi as a secondary capital of the empire, and partitions off its territory to various feudal vassals. He has many of the leaders of the previous Sefawa dynasty deposed, and replaces them with military leaders of the So people eleveated to minor feudal titles. Major titles that dominate the entirety of Kanem he award to allies of the Keita Dynasty, who had immigrated this far east from Mali. Infrastructure of Mali and Waalo continue to be built up, but Musa also brings the finances and infrastructure into the Bornu Empire as well. This especially focuses on the construction of new smaller depots and towns across the Sahara Desert from Lake Chad up to Fezzan. The Gorgades islands also sees more construction and immigration. As siege equipment of the military is fully upgraded to the standards of Egypt and Morocco, Musa uses the finances of the caravan surplus to fund the creation of an imperial army controlled directly by the Emperor, outside of the will of the Gbara. This military primarily for now focuses on expansion sothward, pushing the borders of the empire up to the border of Moss as well as down the Niger River toward the sea. It was around this time that Abu Yunus, still a very young prophet, prophesied to Musa that the houses of Keita and Sefawa will forever be at odds with each other, as he approached the problem of the Bornu Empire with fear instead of wisdom. This year, Musa decides to make his own personal pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina. He takes a route of touring all the major spots of the Islamic world across North Africa and the Levant, including Tunis, Cairo, Alexandria, Jerusalem, Damascus, and the Hejaz. The procession he takes with him includes 60,000 personnel, with 12,000 slaves, each wearing lavish embroided silk and carrying a gold staff. Provisions for all these people to comfortably eat and sleep are adequately provided for, in addition to 80 camels laden with 240,000 Mithqals of gold. This gold is specifcally dedicated to the Caliph and various mosques and Islamic communities he visits. 
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The Loon Rebellion has been crushed, loon and the commen people have Accepted John III as count of Loon too, His Royal title continues to grow. Legitimacy begins to grow of John III he is indeed a new Lothair, John III now also begins to ally himself with the rest of the Rhenish nations. This alliance with the Rhenish state being mostly related to the fact that The Rhenish states including Lotharingia have a deep distrust of the Emperor. As the Emperor has instead of helping the poor and the sick during the famine, he chose to treathen The Rhenish states and Lotharingia as he saw his political ambitions as more important. The emperor not even having spend one pound in helping the poor of the empire, which greatly increased their suffering of the people of the empire. For this combined with the seeming disrespectfull and even just unlogical acts of the emperor, the Archduke John III begins to see his Majesty the emperor as insane and mentally unable to rule. To prevent the emperor of taking action against the Rhine the Lotharingian Nobility is who is allready set ready due to the Loon Rebelion. In total 15,000 soldiers are readied with 12,000 Near the city of Limburg and the rest of them in the land of Horne. As the soldiers in the land of horne are positioned so they can move quickly and change from defensive to agressive at the stroke of a pen. As it is belived that even if most states will be neutral or join the side against the emperor there will be a lot of movement and maneuver. John III requests to the Imperial of City that they send troops with the Rhenish part of the deposition of the Emperor(Mod response). The archduke Himself tells the Imperial city of Aachen that the Army at Horne is enough to defend any against any attack from the emperor if the need is be, and that it is possible to request these troops to directly defend the city if need is be. While this all is happening the Archduke John III asks of the Brabantine shipbuilders who are begining to standardise shipbuilding with their more standard and less variable measurements, to possibly build ships explicitly meant for warfar and troop transport. His desire for this is to not only be able to economicly cripple a nation but also by means of supressing an enemies coasts and seas. So they Build two Ships for his Majesty of the greatest size possible, with deep bows and large sails, these have as armament small spikes and a lot of archers. The archers being located mostly on the aftercastle near the end of the ship, while the Infantry is mostly on the forecastle with a lot of cheap wooden spear to try to trow them at the enemy before boarding the enemy ship after it has rammed the enemy. These two ships being unofficialy called "Geradus primus" and "Woeringen slaght" after two of the most famous names of the Realm. This being the start of the "Erzherzoglich bewaffnete Handelsschiffe" the archducal armed Merchant ships, as these ships will be from the duke but when not needed Merchants if they can afford to upkeep it can loan it from his Majesty and the Council of Heyst. The council of Heyst having the final say over the amouth a company has to pay The realm for these ships, this money being used as a form of tax collection so the council can afford the upkeep of the institutions of Lotharingia. Such as paying the commoner for archery training compesation. In malines the Lord of Malines and uncle of John III dies due to having eaten a black powder from the east which his alchemist told him, could heal you so that thou are 20 years younger once more.
 * Aachen is willing to support Brabant with the rest of the Rhenish states, but wants some assurance against the risk of fighting the emperor, who is their direct liege 
 * Kingdom of Navarre: With the loss of Iruñea/Pamplona and Donostia/San Sebastián, the 3,500 remaining soldiers from Iruñea/Pamplona and the 2,000 from Donostia/San Sebastián retreat to Tudela, hoping to hold the city long enough that attacks from Milan and Venice will force Aragon to retreat. The Navarrese royal family retreat to the See of the Western Church at Tudela Cathedral, apart from King Louis I's wife Margaret of Burgundy, who travels to her home country to ask her brother Odo IV, Duke of Burgundy, for Burgundy to militarily assist Navarre to prevent its annihilation, and she also asks him to try and convince other nearby HRE nations to do the same. (Mod response) An envoy is also sent to the King of Portugal, asking him to assist Navarre more fully now that Castile, who they wanted to avoid angering, has become openly aggressive anyway. (Mod response) Missionaries from the Western Church continue to call for Basque peasants in Navarre and northern Castile to join the effort to prevent Navarre from being annexed which would lead to subjugation of the Basques. (Mod response) The military focuses on fortifying the city of Tudela, as well as some of the surrounding farms to ensure a food supply for the city.
 * Odo IV of Burgundy sends support of 3,000 volunteers helping Navarre.
 * The envoy to Portugal got captured by Aragonese forces near San Sabastian.
 * Kingdom of England : With the opposition to the Despenser’s growing and new opportunities opening up in Iberia for the Kingdom of England, Edward II decides to not exile the Despensers and instead sends them to Ireland with Edward II confiscating their lands in England and Wales. Then Edward II officially declares that the Despenser’s would no longer be the royal favorites but announces that Roger de Mortmier and the Earl of Lancaster will not be pardoned for their treasonous actions. With his recent victories at Worcester and Pontefract, the English Forces from Pontefract are sent to reinforce the English forces in the North in repelling the Scottish invasion as this new Army of 8,500 troops launches a Counter-Offensive against the Scotts who are clearly outnumbered. Meanwhile,Edward II moves his Army of 9,500 and moves forward in Wales willing to force the capitulation of Roger Mortmier’s remaining 6,000 troops as Edward II intends to put an end to the Despenser War once and for all. Meanwhile, with the Conflict in Iberia, the Forces of Gascony are increased to 10,000 as the Fortifications along the French and Navarrian Border continue to be built as naval reinforcements are sent to Bordeaux increasing the number of Ships there to 70 while the Fleet at Bristol is increased to 90 with the English Fleet positioned in the Irish Sea moving there. With France remaining Neutral, King Edward II continues English Neutrality though some English Volunteers are sent to aid the Aragonese.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Sicily's government objects to Aragonese forces using Sicily as a base for naval attacks and, in support of Navarre and Milan, Sicily's military attacks the Aragonese forces stationed in Sicily to drive them off the island.
 * Aragonese Response: Minor impacts are delivered to the already occupying force in Sicily.
 * Crown of Aragon: As King James marches into Pamplona, the Council and Crown of Aragon and the people she governs celebrates in the face of victory. Surprisingly though, the desperation of Navarre continues to be seen as James notes leaving his generals to finish off the forces in Tudela with 20,000 men comprised of the coalition forces and well supplied groups of archers, cavalry, and infantry used to take the already surrounded city through fire and assault. With that in mind, concentration is given to the Mediteranean battles with the Milanese managing to take advantage in Corsica, James leads his fleet in resecurance efforts alongside the Sicilian Admiral Roberto Carusso guided by the support of the Sicilian Fleet and her men. With so much concentration in the waters and the island of Corsica, Carusso orders the flanking of Pisan and Genoese ships while the Armada of Aragon with Castilian assistance as a result of the Milanese supporting of Navarre, a state in which had threatened to instigate instability in Iberia and the Spanish lands flank and surround and divide the groups of ships surrounding Corsica in wolf like tactics and strategies of baiting using smaller vessels giving the full authority of annihilation resulting the paveway for the landing of support and supplies in still held Aragonese Corsica with 15,000 more men consisting of hired mercenaries commissioned by the Catalan Company and Aragonese forces. Moroccan Pirates paid by the Royal Bank of Barcelona and Mercenaries are hired to harass and attack Genoese, Milanese, and Pisan merchant and naval ships and also raid the ports when possible in order to weaken their forces. Reports of Milanese agents in Corsica and Sardinia are uncovered by allied locals and the administrative government's loyal to the crown. They are arrested and tried. On the island of Corsica, the supporting forces and reinforcements after inflicting heavy hits on the Milanese Forces and Fleet arrive and begin the battle to drive the Milanese Coalition forces into the sea as the island is blocked off from Milanese support. In this conflict, the bulk of the forces initiate a counter offensive in which the men are flanked and surrounded at the beachhead following their tactical retreat toward the mountains. On higher elevation, these forces issue a barrage of flamed arrows and boulders launched by catapults and trebuchets with Cavalry soon following leading the charge of flanking and surrounding the beachhead. As the forces strike, infantrymen come down to hack away at the rest of the men who have been trapped at the shore in order to raise the highest chances of a devastating defeat to the coalition forces. The Arsenals of Aragon prove to be quite successful and yards prove to be highly successful in the production of supplies, ships, and materials for war with nearly 100 more ships built pushing forth for further support of the Aragonese Armada against the forces of Venice who have been attempting to disrupt trade. Beyond this, conversions continue across Aragon in large numbers as the push continues. An envoy is sent by the Council of Aragon to Rome in order to reach terms of an official peace treaty with Navarre seeing the fall of her to be nothing but inevitable (Papal Response). Las Islas Fortunas see further Aragonese settlement as peace remains with the native populations. In Navarre, relief to families impacted by war are supplied by James and the crown showing sympathy for the basque people wishing for smooth recovery from those directly impacted while the Crown invests in proper burials of her men and her "misguided brothers" as James describes it.
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Mikhail Yaroslavich falls ill after the Battle of Lviv due to a wound sustained in the fight. In his stead, his son Dmitry the Terrible Eyes and his brother Alexander call for a treaty to be signed in Kiev by all parties [MOD, TEUTON, BOHEMIAN AND HUNGARIAN response needed]. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the new posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, discuss plans to expand the role of Novgorod on the Northern Silk Road, including embassies further away from the Mongols into other territories, and an expansion into the White Sea trade. They both, however, agree that the Terrible Eyes shall succeed his father, Prince Mikhail the Liberator. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. Otherwise, we scout out the Neva delta and found a new city named Mikhailov, in honour of the Prince. We also send diplomats to the Swedish-Norwegian court, and assure Princess Ingeborg that we seek no war. 
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): Tver becomes a leading power in the Russian states, and as a last act, Prince Mikhail offers his daughter Fyodora in marriage to the Prince of Ryazan in order to forge further alliances between the two states [MOD response]. An envoy is sent to Prince Yuri of Moscow to recognize Prince Mikhail and his successors as Grand Prince of Kiev, but in return, Yuri will be recognized as Grand Prince of Vladimir-Sudzal [MOD response].
 * Mod response: Ryazan and Moscow accept given the sweeping victory against the Horde.
 * Republic of Pskov (Novgorodian vassal): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and supplies 4,000 troops. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Jarldom of Greenland: A mystical woman who says she is the half-sister of the jarl begins spreading rumours about this and the populatios begins to be divided into those that belive her and those who don't. One spark is all that would be needed for this to escalate out of controlOn the 28 march the jarls halfsister ingeborg seizes the eastern and the southern settlements while Jarl Brunhilda II manages to keep control of the northern settlement as well as the old capital and the new capital of Nuuk.the army retains under the control of the legitimate jarl and begins an advance toward the eastern settlement which they capture after a week in which 25 cavalery died. After regrouping, the army begins to march toward the southern settlement.The two arrmies clashes on the 21 april in which the loyalist forces under jarl Brunhilda pushes all the way into the town square,where a final fight between the jarl and her half sister takes place,In the end no one would emerge victorius as the jarl was killed by a archer but managed to decapitate her sister with her final breath.After this battle the loyalist forces declare victory and begins rebulding the ravaged towns even getting the help of some natives.qith the Jarls death the royal greenlandic bloodline has become extinct and the throne is declared vacant with general Anders declared as the regent. This is, however, solved on 23 November when the people elect a new dynasty from one of the nobility and on 31 December Jarl Anton af Nuuk is declared the new jarl.
 * Yuan China: With the support of Korea now fully secured, preperations made, and supply lines secured, the Song offensive into Northern China begins, with Song forces pouring over the border into Yuan territory. This campaign manages to pushes far into the north, but progress is slow and eventully stalls around Jinan, which is put to siege and becomes a major focus of the conflict for both sides, with the Song doing their best to take it as the major strongpoint stoping them from securing their hold over their newly conquered territory, well the Yuan hope to expel them from the city and renew their previous offensives to the south in order to push back the Song and begin the path to retaking the rest of China. This siege is absolutley brutal for both sides, and it and many others like it make the war even worse as they continue throughout the year. However, a major disease outbreak inside the walls in febuary and a traitor opening a gate for the Song forces eventully allow the Song to take the city in a brutal battle in which many men on both sides die, including many civilians. However, despite the high cost, the siezure of the city allows the Song to secure their hold on the Northern territroies they have siezed and to secure their flanks, ending this campaign with significant gains made and with victory looking increasingly likley, increasing the morale of the Song forces significantly. However, the Famines and plauge that result from the disruption of trade and farming and from the warfare throuhout China are extremley worrying, and the Song increasingly cite these disasters as proof that Heaven is displeased with the Yuan continuing to rule in much of China, and that they need to step up their efforts to defeat them in order to end these disasters. Alhough this does placate many for now, the Song government becomes increasingly worried about the possibiltiy of rebellion as a result of these occurences, deciding that their needs to be a decisive victory against the Yuan to prove that they have accquired the mandate, or they will be seen as weak and overthrown, and thus begin planning to force a confrontation early next year.
 * Free City of Lübeck: Typically, there are three mayors or bürgermeisters in Lübeck, who preside over a governing council known as a rat. One chief bürgermeister is placed in charge, who is generally the newest-elected figure in office. The other two still hold significant power, but the say of the chief bürgermeister holds more sway. Currently, Bruno Warendorp, Albrecht von Bardewik, and Heinrich of Wittenborg are the bürgermeisters. Each of these men have made indelible marks on Hanseatic affairs. Bruno Warendorp and Albrecht von Bardewik, however, have been Bürgermeisters on-and-off for the better part of two decades. Heinrich of Wittenborg is currently the new blood of the trio, making him the chief Burgermeister. However, this year, Heinrich of Wittenborg is killed in a freak accident - he is found crushed between a fishing boat and a pier after a bad storm. His icy body is fished out of the Baltic and given a funeral, attended by every member of the Rat. It is during times like this that the Hanseatic League defers to the judgment of other Hanseatic states. A Tagfahrt - or "meeting ride" - is held, partially to determine how exactly Heinrich of Wittenborg died. During this interregnum, the interests of Bruno Warendorp and Albrecht von Bardewik begin to clash. Though the von Bardewik family has a shipping and trading empire, the Warendorps have better inland relations. Without a mediator, these two families begin to clash. Bitter deals are made throughout the year, both hoping to bankrupt the other. It is during this time, however, that one of the mayors of Hamburg also passes away. The Tagfahrt is extended, as the Rats of both cities need to elect new Bürgermeisters. The infighting between the two pre-eminent Lübeck families has become famous in northern Germany at this point, and both seem poised to ruin one another without some form of mediation. This could potentially damage Hanseatic standing in northern Germany. The Tagfahrt decrees, then, that Bruno Warendorp will become the Bürgermeister of Hamburg while Albrecht von Bardewik will hold two seats in Lübeck for the time being. Should conflict between the two arise, both will lose their offices. This deal is to end upon their deaths, though their sons will be eligible for re-election in both positions. Bruno Warendorp expands the riverside docks in Hamburg much like Albrecht von Bardewik had the decade before. To outdo the von Bardewik family, he intends to bolster the fleet of Hamburg. To facilitate easier trade between the two city-states, a number of peasants in Bremen are hired (ordered) to build and update the roads spanning the distance from Lübeck and Hamburg (and Bremen for that matter). The Hanseatic guilds, however, propose the establishment of a builder's guild in Northern Europe, which should allow for a tighter control on building projects in the region. With this, the Hansa can approve projects it sees as productive or constructive while blocking otherwise needless projects. The Knights Templar quickly hijacks this endeavor, hoping to attach something of a military presence in the region. Doing so will prevent the unruly magistrates of Denmark, now no longer bound by a monarch, from attempting an attack on Hanseatic interests as they have in the past. The economy of Lübeck and Hamburg swell during this transitional period, with ship parts being sold throughout the Baltic as Novgorod attempts to put down its Mongol foes. These parts are also sold to the Teutonic Knights, who seem to be aiding in this war. In doing so, the Hansa makes a quick profit. In the west, the Hanseatic League begins to sell discounted ship parts to England as war begins to sweep across the island and beyond. However, with the increased shipyard capacity, the number of trade ships the Hanseatic League is using begins to swell. These trade ships are captained by military men and manned by traders. This navy sees drastic logistical changes, with the captains given orders to maintain certain courses and act in a larger unit. Some protect trade routes while others bully non-Hanseatic ships. Especially in the face of war, some are given certain and direct orders in regards to Pomerania, which side it chooses, and how Brandenburg plays into all of this. Should war break out, the traders on the ships are expected to be conscripted into a fighting force for the Hanseatic League. Training of sailors for the outbreak of war keeps them active, especially on cold winter nights.
 * Republic of Milan: The forces in Corsica are reinforced and begin to siege the city proper. With their numbers swelling to 43,000 some being mercenaries from throughout Northern Italy the rest are members of the Long lances who have recently returned from Bohemia. They dig in prepared for a long siege and multiple challenging encounters with Aragon. The Navy continues to blockade Corsica and Sardinia as well as attacking and destroying any Aragon ship that they find within their patrol zones which cover an arc from the tip of Sardinia down toward the border of Naples and over toward the border of the Kingdom of France. (Algo needed). The Venetian help is greatly appreciated and requests for help are sent to all other nations of Italy who have a port outside of the Papacy who has already declared Neutrality. (Mod and Player responses needed). The bank looks to continue to raise their profits even during this war which is quite a drain on their economy, they look for outside contracts for building as the Mongol war that was giving them such a large income comes to a close. Messages are sent to the Papacy and those involved in actions against both the ex-emperor as well as Aragon looking for opportunities to finance loans or other things from the Banks of Milan. (Mod and Player responses Needed)
 * Bohemia-Poland: With the war concluded and Eastern Poland restored to the Polish crown Wenceslaus III disbands most of his army and releases the Long Lancers back to the Milan. Upon his return to Krakow he sets about awarding parcels of land in the newly aquired lands to the men who showed skill and loyalty to the crown. He also promotes the idea of building hospitals like what the pope is doing in the Papal states to help the displaced and suffering in eastern Poland and also to help in Bohemia and Western Poland due to the lingering effects of the great famine and disease. He also takes a great deal of interest in expanding the markets and fortifications of warsaw, and Lublin, along with building a great cathedral in both cities. He also extends an invitation to the Grand Duke of Lithuania and his daughter to Krakow along with an invitation to the to the Divine mercy order to proceed over the marriage and to give mass to the start of a new friendship between the Polish and the Lithuanian people under the blessed providence of God. Plans are also laid out to assist to provide some grain and supplies across the restored eastern lands. Efforts to begin resettling the displaced begin along with efforts to identify skilled labour and those who can write so as to assist the new administration. Wenceslaus III finally turns his attention to growing tensions in the HRE between the Pope and the Emperor. He declares his support for the pope both out of fear of Bavaria gaining to much power and possibly posing a threat to Bohemia in conjuntion with Brandenburg who has historically mettled in both Polish and Bohemian affairs, and in support of Pope Gregory a man the king holds great respect for. He also orders Henry of Wroclow to lead the Knights of St Wenceslaus III to assist in the Pope a Wenceslaus and Catherine have their second male child who is named Grzegorz.
 * The Imamate: It was the intention of General Gawdat Abdul-Hamid Al-Amin of the Mamluk Soldier Coallition to march the majority of the army from Kars onto Anazarba and leaving a few behind to defend Kars with a trifold purpose, to secure both victory and an advantegous position for the Second Siege of Sis, launching dual invasions from both Kars and Anazarba once victory in Anazarba was secured. Anazarba was also meant to test out the reinforced army, see their strengths and weak points, all of this to make sure they are better soldiers for Sis. These plans are evident in his writings while on campaign in Cicilia. The General, however, lost control of his forces, surged with pure excitement and acting upon impulse they stormed the city, rushing in eagerly with haste to conquer the heavily fortified capital city of Sis defended only by 3,000 Cicilians, certain of their victory. This certainty, combined by acting on pure impulse and excitement, caused doom for the Mamluk Coallition, with the 3,000 defenders miracalously defending Sis from hordes upon hordes of their enemies, the scene a nightmare from every side, Mamluks dying by the day with Cicilians barely holding on for their lives in an incredible last stand. It is here that General Gawdat Abdul-Hamid Al-Amin arrives, taking control of the chaotic Siege after another defeat by Cicilian hands at Sis. It is here where General Gawdat Abdul-Hamid Al-Amin and his soldiers pin the Sisian soldiers to the Tarsus mountains they so resolutely defend from, now having nowhere to escape to. With escape impossible, fire is launched into Sis, engulfing everything it touches, the walls, buildings, churches, gardens, and palaces, all burned away in its wake. With the walls set on fire and consumed, they are broken down, and the Mamluk Soldiers pour into the gates of Sis, killing and capturing all remaining enemies including Baydu's son Albert. King Leo IV also dies in the chaos, with General Gawdat Abdul-Hamid Al-Amin proclaiming himself King, establishing the Soldier's State of Cicilia, and with his army, quickly establishing control of all of Cicilia, including the wealthy trade ports of the Mediterranean Coast, which have suffered the least amount of damage from the invasion aside from Alexandretta, which is being rebuilt. From the port of Alexandretta, a sailor named Yaser Nurullah Nagi sets sail to Alexandria along a trade route, arriving upon the complete collapse of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, sending him into complete disbelief at the chaos that unfolded in front of his eyes, seeing the massive waves it caused upon crashing into the sea. This captures his attention and imagination, things fall into the water and waves are caused, yet waves happen when objects do not fall in them. "What if", he hypothezises in his account, "what if the answer lies in the Stars, that a Heavenly body is causing waves upon the Earth?" News of victory over Cicilia in Sis reaches Aleppo and massive celebration ensues as many soldiers return home to their wives and children. There are those, however, who do not see their husbands and fathers returning, so they mourn and are prayed for, with the community comforting those families of those who died in campaign in Cicilia, where a massive memorium is held to honor the fallen soldiers after the victory celebration. It is during this time of victory and mourning that the gold of Mansa Musa reaches into Aleppo, both expotentially expanding the city's economy and crashing it simaltenously, reflective of the emotional state of the Aleppines. Those who do not have families in Aleppo, however, start new lives in the Soldier State of Cicilia, as they are awarded land, women, and wealth, many setting up businesses of their own with the wealth and capital they recieved, but they are ready to be called upon again to fight when the moment is right. The Imam hears word of victory in Sis and rejoices, for this conquest is only the beginning for this false reality, the first step complete, God has affirmed his vision, miraclously all of this was not even intended. "The plans of man go arry, but the plans of God are forever, for He is forever among the infinite Stars, His creation. All shall bow before God under the Stars."
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: On the advice of Alp Khan, the Sultan orders the Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi to begin implementing the agricultural practices described in the Arabic books on agronomy. As a result, the crop rotation of flax with wheat starts in the wheat growing regions of North India. Khizr Khan establishes a Madrassa dedicated to Mathematics in Kara. Alp Khan establishes a Madrassa dedicated to medicine in Cambay. Waqf institutions now maintain a number of Bimaristans, Pharmacies in the major cities. The import of books on Botany from Arabia leads to a great spread of pharmacology in the Sultanate. The Eastern Trade Road is being constructed, the Sultan orders the construction of Sarais on the easter trade road in every city and town that it passes through. The Sultan starts raising his elder sons, Feroze Shah and Fateh Khan. The new Sultan upholds the Policy of tolerance and continues the reforms that were being implemented by his father. However, most of these reforms have been completed. The city of Cambay starts to expand with a large influx of merchants. The port of Cambay is expanded. The Sultan makes a major effort to increase irrigation in the Ganges valley. Major projects are initiated to construct canals with an increased use of wind pumps and the water-wheel. Sindh is annexed and merged with Gujarat.
 * Zimbabwe: The development of Zimbabwe's economy continues apace, with new infrastructure for the needs of trade and commerce to expand in line with the growing trade with the Middle East and India. Trade ties with the northern cities of the Swahili see the economy of Zimbabwe play a greater role in the regional economy, as Shona gold and iron become a more common sight in the trading hubs of East Africa and the Persian Gulf. Silks and spices brought into Muromo Wenyika by Arab, Indian, and Swahili traders are exchanged for Shona gold, iron, copper, and sorghum, giving the Shona a greater footprint in the region and making them more influential as a regional power in turn. Though not as powerful as the states on the Swahili Coast, the Shona can count themselves as a power in their own right as the Arabs continue to profit from the joint endeavors between their nation and that of Zimbabwe. Several of the Shona have begun to construct their own fishing boats based on those of the Swahili, relatively small for their needs but large enough to accommodate the regular catches of fish in the sea that have become and increasingly common sight for the growing number of Shona living along the coastline. As promised by the local mutariri officials and the merchants of Muromo Wenyika, the two groups continue to assist the farmers in the kingdom's eastern districts learn how to properly cultivate rice in the soil of Zimbabwe, guiding them patiently for their own sake if nothing else, and providing them with the knowledge needed to obtain a good harvest in the year. Though skeptical of the officials' promises, the Shona farmers do get to witness the first successful crop of rice cultivated in southern Africa, though the harvest is their only harvest of the season. Regardless, the sheer volume of food collected during the harvest astonishes the farmers, who have never witnessed such a large bounty from such small seeds, and fail to grasp just how important an accomplishment they have made in the history of their people. The large size of the harvest combined with their inexperience in handling rice grains sees the Shona scrambling to find ways of storing their rice for the year, though as much as a third of the crop is lost to exposure and pests as a fair portion of the yield is left in the fields to rot. In spite of this loss, the Shona in the more humid parts of the kingdom have decided to switch their primary crops to that of rice, seeing as how it is vastly more productive and provides a higher yield relative to the energy expended during the planting season. King Katonga permits the local princes to switch their crops to rice after hearing of the reports of the local yields, but mandates that the farmers should still grow sorghum and other crops on approximately a third of their allotted lands to avoid potential crop failures should the rice fields not live up to the new expectations of the farmers. Expansion of the kingdom's urban infrastructure continues, with the capital of Lusvingo growing rapidly to include a new population of some 35,000 inhabitants, as many of the subjects in the countryside have relocated to the city to benefit from the heightened levels of trade to Lusvingo and its merchant class. Several new granite walls are built to help facilitate the larger population in the city, as well as new stone enclosures for those livestock brought along with the new inhabitants of the city. Elsewhere, Prince Akashinga continues his equestrian training alongside his colleagues, advancing in his skills on horseback and learning how to use weapons while mounted and in motion. While visiting his son to observe his progress, King Katonga is intrigued by the use of bows while mounted on horseback, viewing its potential in war as a viable means of advancing the kingdom's goals. However, he discards the idea in favor of the more traditional foot infantry formations that currently dominate the armies of Zimbabwe. While discussing the topic with his son during a meal after his training, Akashinga states that his father would be wise to acknowledge the benefits of cavalry in the army of Zimbabwe, but the current lack of numerous stock for steeds as well as the overall inexperience of his men with the creatures, dissaudes the king from taking any serious effort to utilize horses in his army. Though he respects his father's wishes, Akashinga goes to the Arab merchants in the city of Muromo Wenyika to import more horses for Zimbabwe, primarily for his own "needs" in the interior. Rather than the standard trade of textiles, weapons, and beads, Akashinga instead exchanges gold and copper to the Arabs for more horses and men capable of training his personal retinue how to use the steeds in war. Akashinga goes so far as to formally request that he and the prince of Mapungubwe exchange positions, allowing the heir to continue his training in the flat plains of the district, while having a strong power base in the coast where he can continue to influence the trade flowing into the city through his contacts there. Believing his sons passion for horsemanship to be the driving factor in his request, Katonga grants the request and shifts his son and the ruler of Mapungubwe to different locations. From his new position, Akashinga builds up his stock of horses in the ever expanding stables of the city and the support infrastructure required to sustain them. Housing is constructed as well to accommodate the large Arab staffs following into district to assist with the development of a local equestrian culture in Zimbabwe at the call of Prince Akashinga. In India, Munashe has his first experiences outside of Africa and in the exotic cultures of the Indians. In service to his merchant master, Munashe comes to learn a great many things about the world of trade, diplomacy, and warfare, the latter as a direct consequence of watching the local powers war among themselves over the wealthy and bountiful lands of the sub-continent. Munashe observes as tens of thousands rather than hundreds of warrior as in Zimbabwe, march against one another in great shows of force and brutality, using weapons and technologies he couldn't have even imagined in his wildest fever dreams. Upon returning to the coast to continue trading with the locals, he is absolutely stunned by the massive cities which cover vast portions of land and have populations that in some cases, exceed that of all Zimbabwe's. Using his knowledge of Arabic to support his hunger for knowledge, Munashe finds himself in vast libraries that contain more knowledge that any of the wisest men in his homeland. Upon setting sail for Mombasa at the end of the year, Munashe leaves a greatly humbled man, one who's previous aspirations see to fall well below the cultural and societal notice of those civilizations vastly superior to his own. Munashe is keen to purchase several of the books for his return trip home, and spends his time delving into the vast tomes of knowledge to expand his own understanding of the world, and most importantly of all, his place within it.

1324
''' A civil war breaks out in the Holy Roman Empire over the deposition of Emperor Louis IV. Bavaria and Austria clash on multiple fronts with each other, while Brandenburg invades Bavaria with a force of 4,000 men commanded by Duke Louis I. The smaller state of Saxe-Lauenburg attacks Lübeck with a force of 2,000 troops and ten ships, attempting to seize the advantage to create his own hegemony over the Hanseatic League. Finally, Louis IV leads his personal levies of 5,000 imperial knights to attack the County of Luxembourg. '''

''' The Earl of Lancaster is captured after the Battle of Worcester, putting an end to the Despenser's War in England for the time being. However, Roger Mortimer and the bulk of the March Lords military escapes the British Isles and is invited to the court of the Count of Hainaut. Roger appears before the Heyst Council of Brabant to plead his case for gathering support from the Lowlands to return to invade England. '''

''' With Uzbeg Khan agreeing to the Treaty of Kiev, the White Horde loses much of their European territory, and concentrates more on their Asian sphere of influence from Sarai, while retianing control of their vassals Moscow, Vladimir and Great Perm, and most of the Nogai core. The days of the great Mongol Empire are surely numbered as the Yuan begin to lose control over China. '''

''' A dispute in the lands of Kiev is escalating between two lesser barrons as they have difficulties with who owns a farms due to the fact that their writers cannot actualy write the name of it. This farm being Verkhnekutlumbetevo farm near Les'ky​​​​​​. '''

' William of Occam, an English monk living in France, publishes his own book of Sumae Theologica,'' comprising many logical questions about theology in the scholastic fashion. Some of these coins a system of deducing logical problems known as "Occam's Razor". In Italy, Marsilius of Padua writes a treatise defending the secular state over ecclesiastical rule, called The Defense of Peace. '''

''' John Maunderville leaves France and visits the city of Milan in Italy, and from there journeys through Genoa and Pisa into Tuscany. '''

''' "The plague" continues to fester in isolated parts of southern China, but seems relatively weak in its potency. '''

''' Marco Polo dies peacefully in Venice, willing his personal wealth to go to the Convent of San Lorenzo. '''


 * Mali Empire: Mansa Musa continues to have the agriculture and infrastructure of Mali and Bornu improved and expanded. Architectural styles from the Marinid Dynasty, including older mosques from the days of the Almohad Caliphate, are carefully imported to expand and adapt the achitecture of Timbuktu. The main public buildings and residential areas of the city remian of the Sahelian architectual style, but now more proper areas dedicated to religion and science take on a more rounded and stylized look reminiscent of the Mosques found in Maghreb. Most specifically, Musa dedicates the Djingarey Mosque in Timbuktu at this year, and its construction begins. The dropping temperatures also helps to expand depots and towns into the desert north of Mali and Bornu as well, creating a direct connection by Caravan trade across from Kanem through Darfur to the Blue Nile region of Egypt. On the other side of the empire, more ports and navy are built around the Gorgades Islands to protect trade by sea from Europe, expanding the city of Dakur. The military being fully upgraded, Musa expands the private army of the imperial demesne using the surpluss finances of the caravan trade, now being equal to the combined militaries of the Gbara. Southern expansion by local nobles continues in Central Nigeria to claim control over the entire Niger River. Musa arrives in the city of Mecca, and makes the monumental donation of 200,000 mithqals of gold to the Zakat of the House of Islam. He lays out an elaborate entourage of tents, camels and slaves for all the personnel and attendants of this pilgrimage. Robes of pure silk are laid along the road so Musa and his family would not have to step directly on the ground. Musa uses this time in Egypt to secure a more direct trade route from the Middle East towards the core of Mali, so that the trade of oriental silks, spices and books can be enjoyed by all the people of Africa as well. He similarly offers this direct trade to the nations of the Middle East, using the Imamate of Baghdad as his spokesman for speaking to the Shah of Tabriz. Of course, money is no object (IMAMATE PLAYER RESPONSE). 
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The Sultan establishes the Bayt-al-Hikmah (House of Wisdom) in the Siri Fort, as a public library complex which also houses scholars and their working areas, named after the House of Wisdom in Baghdad. A total of five Bimaristans (Hospitals) operate in Delhi maintained by the Waqf and the treasury. Kara, Dholka, Cambay, Lahore and Multan each have a Bimaristan. One is being built in Kabul. The new Sultan, a devout follower of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya begins intensely patronizing the Sufi saints of the Chishti order across India. With the establishment of the province of Sindh, Alp Khan makes an effort to increase the production of Dates in SIndh using the methods as mentioned in the Arabic books on agronomy. Malik Kafur begins preparing a large force of ten tumen. Mubarak Shah raises 30,000 fedual levies and 10,000 mercenaries in preparation for a major expedition.
 * Kingdom of Navarre in exile: After being forced from Tudela by Aragonese forces, the remaining 3,000 Navarrese soldiers surrender. The royal family, along with various clergy from the Western Church and a small personal guard, flee their homeland to the Papal States; in Rome, King Louis I urges Milan, Venice and Sicily to keep fighting so they can retake Navarre from Aragon. Western Patriarch Federico Goikoetxea (1256-1323) died during the fall of Tudela and is thus succeeded as Western Patriarch by his named heir, Bishop of Pamplona Loren Velásquez (b. 1280), who fled to the Papal States with the royal family. In Rome, Louis I uses Goikoetxea's death as an example of the savagery of the expansionist Aragonese forces and urges nearby Italian nations such as Siena, Arezzo and Florence (who had previously sided with Navarre against the corruption of John XXI) to join in the war effort to take down Aragon. (Mod response)
 * Mod response: With the outbreak of war in the Holy Roman Empire, Sienna and Arezzo wish to focus on supporting the Pope first, but declare that, should Navarre guarantee their independence from Milan and Venice, they will provide troops.
 * Free City of Lübeck: War! Following the Hanseatic declaration of support for the Pope, a number of belligerent states have risen to support the Holy Roman Emperor. In a misguided attack to shape Hanseatic affairs, an army from Saxe-Lauenburg marches on Lübeck. The city closes its gates to the south and prepares for a siege. In hearing reports about an advancing army, letters are sent with riders and carrier pigeons: Lübeck is under attack. Before the army is able to reach Lübeck's gates, the riders would reach Hamburg, Bremen, and Rostock: the League is under attack. Enough money to field 8,000 soldiers is sent to Hamburg, where the unencumbered city will field mercenaries and prepare to defeat the siege quickly so that Lübeck may do what it does best: trade. An additional 2,500 members of the Knights Templar, hired men, and Lübeck citizens pick up arms and prepare for war. The ships are pinned against the Baltic coast by the Hanseatic navy. Though some fighting ensues, the naval presence of Hanseatic ships or other ships trying to protect their trade would be enough to dash these ten ships against the rocky coast. As the approaching army marches towards Lübeck, Travesmünde is garrisoned by 1,500 men in case of attack. When the attack comes, the 2,500 men will wait on the opposite side of the Trave River and enjoy the advantage of a river defense and the high ground. The hired army from Hamburg will be sent to cross the river at Krummesse, downstream from the Saxe-Lauenburg army. With this, they will advance north, pinning the army against the river. With the northwest side covered by Lübeck's forces, the northeast covered by the physical city itself, and mercenaries to the south, the army is surrounded. (Algo 1 and mod response needed for mercenary and allied help numbers.) Should this defense work, Lübeck will go on the counterattack, sending 3,000 men along the east side of the Ratzeburger See and 6,000 along the west. By splitting their numbers, this will allow the armies to surround Ratzeburg from both sides and siege the city. Though some rudimentary defenses should be plausible at best, the island City is trapped and cannot hope to survive a siege. The armies appeal to the Bishop of Ratzeburg to surrender, but they will siege if denied. This attack is a ploy to draw more Saxe-Lauenburg forces out into the open to defend their city. (Mod responses needed for surrender and Saxe-Lauenburg retaliation).
 * Teutonic Order: With a great civil war beginning in the HRE the Grand-Master decides to help our allies in the Hansetic League and give support to Fredrick the Fair. We offer 7,000 troops to Lubeck to help in the civil war.We also offer five ships from our navy to protect Hansetic trade until the war is over.(Lubeck Responds Needed). The Grand-Master knows of the suffering of the people in the HRE so we are going to send our troops with cloths and food to give for charity to help relieve their terrible situation. The Grand-master wants to explore new lands and hears of lands in the south(Mali) and wants to know of the location of this nation so he sends a expedition of explores and a Argoneses Merchant to give us directions(Mod Responds On Success). a religious crisis begins in our nation with a priest reveling that he brutally slaughtered a entire tribal village with the help of knights and he is put on trial for barbarianism but some people believed he did the right thing by killing pagans so the nation is divided between divine mercy or killing in the name of god. The Grand-Master sends 2,000 settlers to the Courland region to start rapid development of the region. a massive cathedral project begins in Memel and will be a center of worship and a home for the poor. (More to come). We send a diplomat to Sweden to meet Princess Ingeborg to reopen relations after the war we had with them seven years ago(Swedish Responds Needed). We take a census and our population is at 280,000 which is lower than our last census which our population was at 310,000. a port begins construction in Altstadt and is expected to be completed by next year. due to the training and impoving the army our army size is about 25,000 with 1,000 calvery still in training and will be ready to be in the army by next year. We begin to construct a fort in Liepaja to make a sizeable garrison in the Courland region and will be conplete in 3 or 4 years.
 * Mod response:The sailers try to reach the land in the south for months on end, but eventualy empty ships that look like those of the Teutons apear near the coasts of Portugal and Morroco.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": His Majesty the Archduke John III moves with his force of Limbourg moves to the County of Luxembourg as to prevent the fall of the county. This force totalling 12.000 as it is the main army of Heyst council which is led by the Archduke himself. The archduke waiting to attack the duke until Emperor Lious IV crosses the moselle near Greiveldange in the county of Luxembourg. The reason for the wait is to be able to then pin the emperor to river and burn the bridges behind hm so he cannot escape the County. Lious IV emperor of Romans is pinned to the moselle,  So His majesty John III waiting for the army of the other Rhenish states. While defending all against any plausible Imperial attack until the foreign armies arive to Greiveldange which is a total of 9,000 soldiers from the foreign nations. The biggest contributors of this combined army being Trier, Cologne and some smaller forces from Liege and Valkenburg. This combined force of Lotharingia and the Rhenish states totals 21,000 soldiers, John III being the overall commander of this army. His Majesty decides that due to the specific geography the best move would be to try to pincher them. The bigger foreign contigent of the army is planned on just slowling marching forward and thing to push the emperor while the Army of the Archduke himself is split of in one army of 2,000 and one of 3,000. The remaining 1,000 staying with the foreign contigent, as to boost the morale of the armies. So two armies move in the flanks and one in the centre all trying to push them into the river which has no bridges trying to make them slowed down in the river easy targets of the archers. With the Archduke trying with the flanking to capture the emperor himself, to have him punished for his deeds and to force an early retirement.While this is happening in Luxembourg in Lotharingia and Primarely Brabant and Hainault, something strange happens a visiter from afar. This visiter Being Roger Mortimer Earl of March a Welsh noble who has sought more rights for the the Welsh. His majesty Roger of Kymrien as he is called in Lotharingia, WHo arived in Antwerp with is his 8,000 soldiers from his native cymru. While his soldier stay behind in antwerp and serounding area, Mortimer and his most trusted advisers go to the small town of Heyst the base of the Heyst council. Here at the council he explains from where he comes and what his cause is and how he currently is. He explains to the half empty council that he comes from Cymru and is trying to apose english centralisation and oppression, that he had to flee Wales so he could assemble an army. Mortimer told he want the Help of Lotharingia to free his wales from the English Dictator and Tyrant Edward II of England. While the Council does hear his pleas it does admit it cannot help him yet much, alltough the Council does offer Roger Mortimer the Lordship of Horn and John by letter offers Mortimer to take his Soldiers in duty to become the Lotharingian guard(Mod response). This is offered so he Can train his troops and give a place to his troops to live for a couple of years, and for John to gain a base of foreign apolitical guards to defend in John's time of need.
 * Roger Mortimer accepts the offer to train his troops in the Lowlands, and the title of Lord of Horn, but insists that he doesn't want to stay too long
 * Papal Diplomacy: After hearing about the efforts of the armies of Lotharingia, pope Gregory XI gives his blessings to the good men that are fighting against the deranged Louis, especially to the men from the Bishopric of Verdun.
 * Papal States: Pope Gregory XI welcomes the royal family of Navarre in Rome and gives to them a estate in Ostia, there they can settle and live. The pope is saddened with the death of patriarch Goikoetxea and he promises to help patriarch Loren Velásquez the priests of the Western Church. With Aragon now having conquered Navarre and fearing for the life of the innocent people if the war continues, the pontiff agrees with the Aragonese proposal to mediate in Rome talks about the resolution of this conflict. However, he will only accept the validity of these talks if all beligerents are present [Players response needed, please]. The pope continues to live a humble live and to use the money that before was used to pay for the luxuries of the papal court to help the poor. Pope Gregory creates as cardinals patriarch Loren Velásquez (Navarre) and Nicholas Dörögdi (Hungary). The hospitals of the Papal States continue to train physicians and the Hospital of Rome is the more wanted by the aspirants a physicians. After hearing about the plans of king Wenceslau to create hospitals in his kingdom, Gregory offers to send some of the physicians of the Papal States to help in these new institutions. With the invitation of the king of Bohemia-Poland to the Order of the Divine Mercy, a group of monks and nuns is sent to there by Matthias and Catharina.The monks are leadered by the monastic priest Lorenzo Borrelli and the nuns are leadered by Evangelina Derico. They plan to establish the Order in Bohemia-Poland if king Wenceslaus allows [Bohemia-Poland response needed, please]. The construction of the Church of the Divine Mercy continues and the agriculture and handicraft continues to be incentived. The prison for the simonists, named as Prison of Saint Peter, receive a new prisoner. He is a priest that demanded money to give the Anointing of the Sick. After an investigation and judgment, he was declared guilty by the Ecclesial Tribunal and sentenced to prison. With Louis of Bavaria ignoring the decision of his deposition and declaring war on those who wisely accepted, pope Gregory decides to make a drastic decision. Reunited with the cardinals in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, in the same place that Louis was deposed last year, the pope performs the Formal Rite of Excommunication. He proclaims: "By the judgment of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and of all the Saints, and by virtue of the power which has been given us of binding and loosing in Heaven and on earth that which was divinely entrusted to us, we deprive him, Louis of Wittelsbach,  with all his accomplices and all his abettors of the Communion of the Body and Blood of Our Lord; we separate him from the society of all Christians; we exclude him from the bosom of our Holy Mother the Church in Heaven and on Earth; and we declare him excommunicated and anathematized, as well as judge him condemned to eternal fire with Satan and his angels and all the reprobates. So long as he will not burst the fetters of the Devil, amend himself and do penance and make reparation to the Church which he has offended, we deliver him to Satan for the perdition of his flesh, so that his soul may be saved on the Day of Judgment". And then the cardinals answer "Fiat, fiat, fiat", that means "So be it". After ending the ceremony, Gregory writes to all of Europe telling that Louis of Wittelsbach and all of his supporters are now excommunicated and that the Holy Father is placing over Bavaria an Interdict that will only be lifted when Louis abandon his stubbornness and accept the judgment of the Church.
 * Milan response: Milan agrees with the papal idea of peace however states that the only way they'd be willing to accept peace with Aragon is if Corsica and Sardinia are returned to their rightful ruler, Genoa.
 * Navarrese response: King Louis I in Rome suggests to the Pope to wait with treaties since the Milanese and Venetian armies are still making progress against Aragon and might be able to secure a more favourable outcome for Navarre.
 * Republic of Milan: The victory on the island of Corsica brings even more motivation to the large Milan force and as such it begins to move out to Sardinia with a force of 8k being left behind to help garrison until a later time where we can actually set up a normal garrison on the island. The navy is ordered to continue their same patrols and continue to keep Aragon and its allies out. The force of 35k attempts to land in Sardinia, (Algo needed) a messenger is sent to Aragon with the outlines of a peace treaty in which Aragon would give both the islands of Sardinia and Corsica back to Genoa in exchange for a ten-year guaranteed peace. This treaty is proposed to be signed in Rome in front of man and god. (Aragon Response needed). Messages are sent to the Rhine states as well as Bohemia and the Hanseatic League with opportunities for 1.2 percent interest rate bi-yearly (Player and Mod responses needed). Should Aragon decline this offer following the capture of Sardinia, We will have no choice but to take the fight to Naples.
 * Aragonese Response: the messenger stands before the council where he is told that the agreement will only be truly considered if the fall of Sardinia comes to pass.
 * Crown of Aragon: With the fall of Navarre, some relief efforts resume in the region with James and the Council of Aragon sending assistance in the means of food and various other supplies that can be used. In the meantime, with the evacuation of Corsica, The men land in Sardinia with the already active force and assistance from Castile and mercenaries from the Catalan Company totalling 40,000 men comprised of mercenaries and various other groups of Moroccan, Sicilian, and Aragonese Troops including Castilians. With a much more sustainable focus in the mediteranean with Castile agreements of support and cooperation as their future claims may be under threat also set eyes on the reconquest of Corsica with the assistance of other forces and mercenaries alike gathered from cooperative forces across the realm taking a landing in Ajaccio consisting of 25,000 men. Naval harassments persist further with investments and the treasury being used to follow through with war assistance as another 100 ships are built. In the landing at Corsica, Sicilian Admiral Carusso leads the way with small ships including floating debris sent forward that are set ablaze to create haze and smoke with the landing of the men led by one of the Aragonese Generals and various officers using cavalry and charges with lances and swords to break through the haze and surround the men and take back the island. Meanwhile, unrest is sparked in Corsica following the fall of the government present as the liberties granted for the Corsican People are left once more insecure. This is fueled by agents in the island stirring up allied support allowing for those municipalities who had supported the administrative head to rise up against "occupiers" who they had abandoned just some time ago. With much expense being used by the treasury, gold is resupplied through the valuable North African Trade and from Mali. Funds are raised from across the entire realm to fund this effort against an enemy who threatens the Aragonese Realm in her entirety. As much as peace is desired, these goals can't be met until Milan withdraws as sent by an envoy to the Holy See. Admiral Carusso issues the lead of targeting Genoese and Pisan ships while patrol vessels lay in use. Pirates continued to be hired and bring back some positive results in exchange for their duties. In Sardinia, the men sent to defend take the time to develop defenses and entrench themselves on the island using the natural topography and the already present defenses. Tactics of archers and siege weapons are used while Cavalry and ground men are supplied to enclose on the men in a pincer like movement coming in from both flanks as defensives hold in from the shore. The "Spanish Armada" as referred to by Carusso and recognized name by the Council of Aragon unofficially and the king himself is used to block the escape of any men that land ashore while naval dominance of the islands are being secured, Naval vessels continue to be a target set by the Spanish Forces with areas of supply being targeted for raids and disruption of trade out at sea hoping the mess in the HRE may destabilize the Milanese Economy and their system of budgets to fund the war. A functional Police force in the absence of many men in the army to assist in the sustainment of law and order is established with the La Santa Hermandad. Local people from various municipalities rather than relying on direct nobility are hired by and paid for by regional municipalities with the tax of 850 maravedis on every 100 households. Another envoy is sent out delivering a message directly from King James that if the fall of Sardinia is to come to pass, the terms of peace shall be worked upon and settled in Rome.
 * Iceland “Atli”: Some Icelandic Goðar get together and discuss the future of Iceland, the head of the Sturlunga clan; Ólafur proposes that Althingi would be reinstated and be able to control the Islands money for development.
 * Kingdom of Sweden-Norway: Iceland's proposal is accepted.
 * Republic of Venice: Since the pope refused to give his blessing for the Venetian incorporation of Florence, the Venetian delegation that is permanently in Florence is given a new order. The Venetians invited a Florentine delegation, where they are offered a new system: a system called “two republics, one Doge”, under which Florence would have a say in who can become the Doge in Venice, while remaining independent within the Venetian sphere. Furthermore, a Florentine could technically be elected  Doge as well. Doge Baiamonte even indicated that a Medici could follow him into the office. MOD RESPONSE NEEDED The preparations for the war with Aragon are finished, an armada of 450 ships with 30,000 men are sent to show up near the Balearic islands, to cut off access to the Western Mediterranean, and to interrupt the supply lines for the theatre in Sardinia and Corsica to aid Milan. SECRET Invasion plans for Mallorca are developed even since 1323, with a smaller force capturing the ports of the Island, while others siege out the island itself. A backup force of around 10k men would be used to secure the routes to the islands. The plan is to be executed in early 1325. SECRET END The ideas of Marsillius are embraced in secular Venetian universities, as they largely support the republican ideas. However, to not sour the relations with the Church once again (the embarrassment of the bribery scandal are still fresh memories) the government does not accept the ideas officially and “only” lets them remain in intellectual circles. Marco Polo's death is mourned all over the nation ago and is given a state funeral. Something that would further mythologize him and support his rule as a national hero. Scientists begin to gain more interest in the mysterious matter of gunpowder. They begin to develop early fireworks who are fun to look at but not as useful. As a deep apology towards the church and to repair relationships, the pilgrim sights in Venetian lands and the roads to Rome are modernized, so that pilgrims and merchants (and military units) could travel safer, quicker and easier through Italy. the textile industry of Crete continues to grow, wheat is increasingly cultivated in teh Emilia-Romagna while the wine production, though fairly large on Crete, has been massively increased in Istria and Padua.
 * Aragonese Response: The fleet are spotted by patrols and the newest ships and portions of the sicilian and Moroccan fleets are routed to defend against the Venetian fleet with a pincer formation being applied out at sea to overwhelm the ships on both sides engaging on tactics using flamed arrows and ramming while civilian merchants ships with naval captains are applied and ordered to be used to increase numbers of Spanish ships at sea to outdo the Venetians now being stretched and cutting support off. These strategies are advanced further of flammable material usage with oils and fluids that are also flammable being launched and used to deliver heavy hits to galleys carrying men. In the defense of the Ballearic Islands, mercenaries and other forces are dispatched to the islands numbering 20,000 with dugouts and areas of defenses built up even using high terrain and supplies from the cities. Troops needed to be redirected from Corsica with a possible landing failure would be applied in the Ballearic Islands.