Explorers 1452 (Map Game)

This map game will be like no other! Rules:


 * If you wish to both explore and colonize new unexplored territories, you must give up one turn.


 * After you capture a region, revolts are sure to happen, so you must give a description of how you put it down: With either force or propaganda.


 * It must be plausible. Example: No taking-over-Russia-as-Finland in a few turns.

Here is a list of new moves you can make:
 * If a nation wants an alliance with you, your nation can bargain (example-Portugal wants an alliance with Spain, but Spain will only join if Portugal gives its land claims in South America.)
 * You can hire raiders/pirates and make them raid any nation's ship, but this greatly reduces that country's relationship with your nation.
 * Unoccupied countries or nations led by inactive users can be invaded. If no resistance is made by said inactive users or the nation is unclaimed, you can conquer it in a plausible amount of time. Remember, the population will be angry about this, and after completely annexing a nation or a blank province players must explain how they deal with the entire populance. There are several options: Suppress them by force, massacre them, deport them, leave them as they are, etc.

Once eight to eleven turns in a year are made, we can move on to the next year. This includes the turns of two separate nations controlled by one player.

Keys/Legend




Nations

 * Poland Lithuiania - Duchland 03:44, July 21, 2010 (UTC)Duchland
 * Union of Kalmar - Destroyanator 03:50, July 21, 2010 (UTC)
 * Byzantine Empire - Nationcreator 19:19, July 30, 2010 (UTC)
 * Castille- Fedelede
 * China- (octiman10 16:08, October 31, 2010 (UTC)


 * England- BoredMatt 19:40, July 30, 2010 (UTC)
 * Empire of Trebizond - Emperor of Trebizond 00:27, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ireland- CrimsonAssassin 14:09, October 18, 2010 (UTC)
 * Japan- CrimsonAssassin 19:35, November 1, 2010 (UTC)
 * Papal States - Emperor of Trebizond 22:40, October 5, 2010 (UTC)
 * France - Ownerzmcown 00:52, October 2, 2010 (UTC)
 * Muscovy - Ownerzmcown 21:46, October 3, 2010 (UTC)
 * Portugal - BoredMatt 21:47, October 3, 2010 (UTC)
 * Ottoman Empire (octiman10 19:53, October 6, 2010 (UTC))
 * Kingdom of North Britain - Bob 16:46, October 7, 2010 (UTC)
 * Aragon - Keperry 17:43, October 7, 2010 (UTC)
 * Teutonic Knights-Baconton 16:58, October 9, 2010 (UTC)
 * Mamluk Sultanate- StarkBlack
 * Venice-StarkBlack
 * Florence- Fedelede 23:00, October 20, 2010 (UTC)
 * Hapsburg- Azecreth 14:28, October 25, 2010 (UTC)

Unclaimed Nations

 * Kingdom of Naples
 * Milan

1452-1479
See Explorers 1452, 1452-1479

1480



 * The Ottomans decide after the crusaders' refusal of both peace offers, decide that the only way to deal with these stubborn crudsaders, send an army of over 40,000 troops, including the new cannon the great bombard, to Cyprus. The attack totally suprises the the crusaders and wipes out over half their forces, driving them from Cyprus. The empire also finishes the frotress the crusaders started. Reinforcements are sent to the colonies and the Florentines are pushed out of overseas territories. The Empire offers an ultimatum, cease the crusades or the sultan will call a Jihad against all crusading nations. Any nation who accepts the ultimatum will be spared from the jihad.
 * The Empire of Trebizond, displeased with the interruption of their business in the Mediterranean by the Tenth Crusade, pledges financial help to the Turkish sultan and begins hiring mercenaries and mercenary fleets to protect their ships and merchants in the sea and in Palestine as well. Meanwhile, they subdue the last of the Asiatic tribes in their vicinity directly to the East. Asiatics displaced by this conquest are granted tracts of land in Africa and join the next Greek colonists in expanding Trebizond's territory on the coast.
 * The Papal forces continue to battle desperately for Rhodes. Knowing that no mercy will be shown to them, the defenders fight on with dogged fury. Their strategic defensive positions ensure that the Mamluks begin to take heavy losses. Their huge size of over 70,000 also hinders the Egyptians, as they are becoming cramped on the island. This leads to unsanitary conditions, ripe for viruses and bacteria. Realizing this, the Papal forces release diseased cows into the Mamluk camp, beginning a plague outbreak that affects the Egyptians but for the most part, spares the European defenders.
 * The whole Tropa Coloniale Sudamericana', composing of 50,000 well-armed men, reinforce the Florentine remains in Ottoman South America, and re-take much of the land. At the same time, the Tropa Coloniale Centroamericana, a much smaller army of 1,000 men, takes much of the backward Inca Empire, and takes Cuzco again. Finally, an attack from Bengal into Ottoman India, taking over much of Bihar and the easternmost regions. Piero Pitti, the Doge's Prime minister, declares a speech that states: Islam won't be tolerated in Florentine territory, unlike other religions. The Italians attack the Mamluk lands from the Florentine-controlled cities of Damietta and Alexandria, and with a huge army of 55,000 (mostly brought from the former European armies) take over huge swaths of territory. Finally, the Italians finish expanding into OTL Costa Rica and continue their projects of the Mexican border and connecting the South American settlements.
 * With their troops replenished through recruitment of Mesoamericans and Great Basin tribes into the Carib Legion, as well as 30,000 European volunteers and half that many trained sergeants, the Knights of Saint Andrew attack and capture Naxos, and, using their navy, are able to break the seige of Rhodes for 3 days to get in about 2 years supply of food, as well as 15 tons of cannon shot and half that in arrows and bolts. The force then leaves Naxos and divides itself; the Carib Legion reinforces the defense of Crusader territories in Africa, while the Knights and the volunteer brigades, along with the Knights' navy, sail down te Nile and burn Cairo (as well as loot it). The treasures are brought back to england; to Windsor Castle, while the troops then return and assist the Castillians and Florencians in defense of their holdings in Africa.
 * The Mamluk soldiers who are sick, are sent back to africa to be nursed. The Mamluks send thousands of fresh soldiers and hundreds of cannons to Rhodes. They mine uder the walls and pack black powder and blow up the walls. When the Egyptians finally capture Rhodes, every Crusader is killed and thier bodies are sent to Rome in sacks. The mamluks find a massive amount of gold and food and supplies on Rhodes. With this money, they rebuild Cairo and make it better than before. Also, thier Indian Colonies expand into south India, and by the end of the year, all of southeren India is mamluk territory. An army of 100,000 is sent to Libya, and they start buring down forts, and the army begins to slaughter the papal soldiers and citizens. The Pope's brother, who was in Libya, is captured and beheaded. The head is sent to the Pope himself, with a message saying that this war will end badly for him.
 * France greatly expands its colony on Madagascar, by now they control the entire coast of the island and now use it as they plan to expand their African colonial empire.
 * Muscovy continues its massive eastward expansion, reaching an unknown empire called the Northern Yuan, as they are Mongols, a long time enemy of Muscovy, trade with them is forbidden.

1481



 * The Papal forces in Libya, numbering some 10,000 knights, musketeers, and foot soldiers retreat to Fort Pious, armed with its impregnable, 30-inch thick stone ringwalls. They poison all the wells outside the fort and stock up on their five-year food supply. The fortress, built on a towering rock, is also impossible to mine, unlike the forts at Rhodes. Due to its natural stone defenses, even cannon will fail to make an impression on certain parts of the masonry. The pope reinforces his troops at Fort Pious with a fresh detachment of Knights of the Vatican and their men-at-arms. Crusader cavalry continues to operate across Libya, however, luring the Mamluks into ambushes and cutting the long supply line back to Egypt. The pope also begins gathering a new army to help retake Rhodes, by this point so totally devastated by the fierce and bloody battles that it may take years to recover.
 * The Empire of Trebizond at last announces an end to their present eastern expansion, instead pushing to the south and establishing trade relations with China. They concentrate on expanding the borders of their African colony further north, and send a fleet from the Mediterranean to bring back reports of the situation in the Americas, as well as set up a trading post near the Ottoman territories to conduct business with Turkish colonists.
 * The Ottomans push the Florentines out of most of buyuk orman and send an invasion army into Florentine India taking large portions of land; the empire encourages rebellion in Florentine controlled territories and will aid in the event of rebellions. The sultan takes the fight directly to the pope and dispatches a massive fleet with over 100,000 troops to sail across the Mediterranean and attack Rome on the Italian Tiber River.
 * After many years, the Hapsburgs finally emerge from political isolation, rejoining the world at large. These years had been spent getting their proverbial house in order, and building up their military strength in order to better protect their nation. One of their first moves is to deploy troops to Bavaria-Landshut, and annex the whole region (That small nation right to the northwest.) The current objectives of the nation are still unknown, but it is assumed that they will try to become a major European power, by hook or by crook.
 * English forces take a break from Crusading, instead concentrating on expanding colonies in the New World. Friesland and Oldenburg are annexed, with the majority of the English army in the area (the Carib Legion is now being tasked more with keeping order in the colonies).
 * The Knights of Saint Andrew destroy the Ottoman's Mediterranean fleet under cover of night. Based out of Florentine Genoa, they by pack their own entire fleet of ships with gunpowder and sail it up the Tiber. The ships are crewed by fanatical members of the Carib Legion's maritime contingent, and the resulting explosion takes out much of the siege camp (several of the galleys accidentally hit the shoreline at top speed and detonated, destroying most of the artillery). The land component of the Knights returns to it's fortresses leased from the neutral Portuguese at Gibraltar and finishes the construction there.
 * Ireland joins the Tenth Crusade. They invade Egypt from the northwest, driving the Mamluks from Libya.

1482



 * The Irish push the Egyptians back on several fronts.
 * The Papal forces crush the remaining Turkish forces encamped in Italy. The pope himself inspires his troops by personally carrying the banner of the cross behind his army. As the Ottomans are unable to send more reinforcements very quickly across the stormy Mediterranean, this is a huge loss for them. The pope orders that the Tiber River be temporarily dammed and diverted from its course around Rome to ensure the Turks cannot try the same invasion again.
 * The Empire of Trebizond establishes its first trading post in the Americas, near the Ottoman Empire's colony in South America. Their African colony reaches Morocco and the imperial forces continue expansion to the southeast of Central Asia, soon to reach the very tip of northern India. The emperor hopes to establish trade with the Indians here. Greek merchants also begin to flock to Ottoman India in search of Indian riches and goods to bring back to their nation.
 * The Commonwealths colony in Louisiana continues its growth, while forces in Bulgaria continue to push the Ottomans back. Its navy finally reaches the Black Sea and begins to sink Ottoman vessels. With more and more merchant ships from Trebizond sinking, the Commonwealth decides to only attack any vessal that comes close to Bulgaria's coast.
 * The Knights co-opt the English fleet and attack Cyprus again, utilizing the fanatical Carib Legion as shock troops. They burn most of the port towns to the ground, as well as slaughter livestock. As a result, many of the residents living there move to Anatolia or some other region of the empire, and the island is a lower priority on the Ottoman's "to-do" list. The fleet sails back to Gibraltar, where they continue to fortify the Straits. The entirity of the Knight's budget is focused on improving the fortifications there and building a smaller, more specialized fleet to defeat any attacks trying to break the blockade.
 * The English continue to expand in America. Most of the land between the eastern shoreline of the Mississippi to the Alabamba river, and south to the northern border of Louisiana has been taken. The Cherokee eagerly join up with the Carib Legion; as they are offered the same agreement that the Caribs and the Great Basin trbes were (namely that they receive payment in the form of iron ingots, and keep their weapons and armor at the end of their ten-year tenure).
 * 100,000 Florentine troops, mostly from Western Africa, land in buyuk osman for the last time and conquer all of it. They also re-take all of Bengal and much of Ottoman India, and they have almost totally finished with their project of Mexican borders. They also land a gigantic army in Mamluk South India. Florence starts torturing the Egyptians with the Italian fleet, burning Cairo. They also land a last army in the Antioch area, re-establishing the Principality of Antioch in the name of the Pope.
 * The Hapsburg's, after securing control of Bavaria, have established a free trade agreement with England in Germany, in order to protect each other from conflict with each other. The Hapsburgs have also heeded the summons of the Pope, and have joined the Tenth Crusade. Military focres have been seen martialing at the Hapsburg ports in the Adriatic, in anticipation of an assault on Ottoman or Mamuluk territory.

1483



 * Thinking for some odd reason that English army is away campaigning, the Kingdom of North Britain launches an invasion, seizing Glasgow and Edinburgh after siege. Hiring Irish and Trapezuntine mercenaries, the North British invade England proper, getting as far south as Manchester before settling down and fortifying their holdings as well as putting down rebellions and executing English nobles. Troops are withdrawn from all the North British colonies to provide more reinforcements for war.
 * Ireland's Mississippi River colonies expand and connect to their Mexican Colonies. The Irish see the fighting in England and decides that it is best to stay out of the way unless Ireland is attacked.
 * England easily counterattacks, retaking Britain up to the old border. The entire of the Carib Legion arrives, consisting of almost 90,000 Caribs, Paiutes, Chumash, Cayuse, and a 10,000 man contingent of Ute shock troops. They quickly spread out through England, preparing to use guerrila warfare that their anscestors had perfected generations ago to attack and defeat any invasions.
 * The Hapsburg Army launches an invasion of Ottoman Europe, landing in the Ottoman territory on the Adriatic, mostly because it will be easier to resupply the army. Their plan is to cut off the Ottomans in Europe, then surround and destroy them. The assault goes fairly well, with gains being made in several places, but the Ottomans manage to keep the Hapsburgs from making progress in cutting off the Ottomands from their supply bases. The Beachheads have been connected, and the Ottomansd have been pushed back several miles, but their morale is not wavering. The Hapsburgs realize that they will be in for a long fight. Also, the German Mercenaries that were previously with the Hapsburg army have left the army, seeking "greater fortunes elsewhere".
 * The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth begins its first major offense in Bulgaria. Parts of the Ottoman army there are trapped while the navy near the coast prevents any Turkish transport from reinforcing its surrounded forces.
 * The Papacy sends an army of 20,000 men, mainly Catholic volunteers, to attack the coast of Palestine. The Knights of Augusto lead the campaign, along with their hired mercenaries, men-at-arms, and musketeers. A swift landing on the coast is quickly achieved.
 * The Empire of Trebizond ships the first major group of merchants to their American trading outpost. Back home, the Trapezuntine Greeks continue to expand to the south, subduing native peoples left and right.
 * The Florentinea colonies on North America expand hugely. They also continue conquering the Inca, getting much money from the extremely wealthy Incan cities. At the same time, Florentine soldiers continue fighting on Ottoman India, Ottoman South Africa, and the Middle East. The Principality of Antioch expands to the east, and further expansion south revives the County of Tripoli, while the Indian and African troops take much of the territory. At the same time, the Italians sail down the Nile river, taking cities and towns along it, until they reach Luxor, which they siege. Finally, the Florentines land a large amount of troops into Chalkidiki.
 * The Knights of Saint Andrew land again on Cyprus. The island is taken, and the fortresses partially rebuilt. Ammunition, powder, and food is shipped in, enough to last the Knights about two years in case of a large seige. A small contingent remains at Gibraltar along with a partially rebuilt navy, blocking the Ottomans from sending reinforcements to their colonies in the Americas.

1484



 * The Empire of Trebizond expands into Morocco, waging war against the government there after Muslim raiders attack and massacre over a hundred resettled Asiatics Trebizond had moved to their African colony. Bloody border clashes between Greek forces and the native Berbers ensue. Meanwhile, until the violence has settled, the emperor removes all colonists from the conflicted zone and ships them to the American outpost instead.
 * The Papal army in Palestine bottles up an stubbornly resisting Ottoman force within Jerusalem itself. The Crusaders, however, take heavy losses from Turkish artillery and begin to suffer from lack of water and the summer heat. Their supply line is also strained. The Pope has his army lay siege to Jerusalem, to keep the Ottomans preoccupied while seeking reinforcements from the Florentine-reestablished Crusader states further north.
 * Several armies in the County of Tripoli move south to help the Pope re-establish the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Another Florentine army, stationed in Antioch, moves into Mesopotamia, trying to re-establish the County of Edessa. They also move further south-east into Mesopotamia, and when they reach Mosul, they declare that the territory is the Chaldean Catholic Church's heartland, and declare all of Mesopotamia other than Edessa and Antioch part of the new Kingdom of Aram. They also create the Indigenous Army after the Carib Legion of the English, made up mostly of Mayans, Quimbayas, Muiscas and Nazcans. They expand further south into Inca lands. Finally, the Florentines expand over much of Ottoman India, and fortify the new borders. They also take over much of Mamluk India, and then land into Aden, creating the Arabic Front. The Italian colonies in North and South America expand gigantically inland.
 * England fortifies it's northern border, and moves about half of the Carib Legion and some 20,000 German and Dutch recruits from it's mainland territories to Naxos, which they use as a base of operations. Combined with elements of the English navy and the almost-rebuilt fleet of the Knights, they defeat Ottoman forces in Thrace and Bursa. They then abandon Naxos and move to Cyprus, bringing in even more supplies and continue to fortify the island. The combined fleets then return to Gibraltar to escape any Turkish retaliation
 * The Knights of Saint Andrew's full army lands in the Sinai and secures the land as the Dominion of Goshen. Thousands of volunteers from throughout Europe flock to the Knight's banner, and the new nation is quickly settled by Europeans.
 * The Irish rush in to help secure Jerusalem. By the year's end, a siege on Jerusalem would be highly impractical.
 * The King of North Britain is assassinated by his nobles, who establish a noble republic in the style of Venice or Florence. Duke David of Perthshire is elected to be Jarl (head of the new British Republic). He sends an apology to England and suggests a free trade agreement in return for allowing North Britain to maintain control over Glasgow and Edinburgh.
 * The Hapsburg army launches another attack against the Ottoman forces in the Balkans, attempting to drive them against the Commonwealth anvil coming from the north. the attack makes progress, as the Ottomans are just too far stretched, with too any attacks to fend off. At the urgings of the Pope, the Hapsburgs launch an invasion of the island of Rhodes. They send in an army of 10,000 men, and bloody fighting commences. The Egyptians know that their chance of evacuation is slim, so they fight like those who have no hope but a cause. By the end of the year, the Hapsburgs have only managed to take 1/3 of the island, and partisans in the rear are making advancement difficult. However, the Mamluks are believed to be running out of supplies, and the military command is preparing for a winner-take-all offensive next year.

1485



 * Allied European forces of the Tenth Crusade sail up the Red Sea lead a siege on Mecca. The battle is long and brutal. The Christians are defeated the first time. They launched another large scale assault on Mecca. The Muslims manned their catapults. Rock and debris rain down on Christian soldiers, but the Christians also have a weapon of their own: cannons. The large cannons are wheeled in and blast the catapults away. Egyptian soldiers marched out, only to have death in the form of a cannonball rain down on them. The cannons penetrated the walls and the Christian soldiers rushed in and stormed the city. The Battle of Mecca lasted a month. During this time, the eastern part of the city was held by Crusaders. Finally, on December 25th, 1485, the Crusaders finally pushed the Muslims out of the city. The crusaders finally reached the Mosque. The Muslim inhabitants were slaughtered. The rest were baptized in boiling water by Irish priests. The main mosque was then bombarded with cannons. The towers fell in an iconic way, crushing Muslim prisoners. The mosque was torn apart and set ablaze. The Templar forces in Mecca were too large to fight off. The Koran states that Allah would protect Mecca. Some wanted to keep the city, while others (particularly Irish) wanted to burn the city down as a final insult to the Koran.
 * The Hapsburgs launch an offensive on Rhodes, which draws the Ottomans into a large battle there. The Hapsburgs emerge victorious from this battle, although they have taken casualities that cannot be easily replaced. With this victory, the Hapsburg take the entire island of Rhodes. A few of the Ottomans manage to escape on some Ottoman boats who made it through the blockade. The Hapsburg will hold onto the island until the pope can deploy occupying troops there. In Greece, the offensive continues, with less ground being gained than last year, as the Ottomans are outraged due to the fall of Mecca to the Christian forces. This also means that the Ottomans are taking more losses than they were before.
 * The Papal States dispatch a small force to relieve Rhodes from the Austrian forces. Papal reinforcements are also sent to join the Habsburgs in Greece. Meanwhile, Jerusalem's walls begin to crumble. The Pope makes the decision to drag out the siege longer to torture the Turkish garrison. Their water supply is cut; and the Ottomans begin to die of thirst.
 * English forces retake the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. The Knights and most of the Carib Legion begin campaigning in Greece, taking the Aegean and Attica. Another force of English troops arrives to take part in the seige of Jerusalem.
 * The Ottoman Empire begins to sue for peace with the nations of the Tenth Crusade.
 * The Florentines celebrate the taking of Mecca by also storming Baghdad. The city is taken too. At the same time, the Kaaba's Black Stone is stolen from Mecca and taken into the Santa Maria dei Fiore Cathedral. They also expand their colonies inland gigantically on America, finally conquering Panama and much of non-Irish Mexico. They also conquer much more Inca land. The Italians also take over much of west and south Mesopotamia, and the Kingdom of Aram moves it's capital to Al-Musayyib, where Babylon once was. Finally, they lay siege to the ashy ruins of Cairo, taking it and expanding south into Luxor. By now, much of the Nile delta is under Florentine control.

1486

 * A year after the siege of Mecca, Irish forces have taken much of southeastern Saudi Arabia. The Christians and Muslims discuss peace terms.
 * In order to help provide some "persuasion" for the Ottomans to make peace, the Austrian soldiers previously on Rhodes join the Hapsburg and Papal forces already on Greece. They start preparing stockpiles, and make ready for an offensive if the peace talks fail. Meanwhile, a day of rejoicing is proclaimed in Austria, both doubly joyous due to the near victory in the crusade, and the marriage of Prince Ferdinand into the Hungarian royal family. Prince Ferdinand is also the first son of the Hapsburg Monarchy, and this is seen as a move to bring two strong peoples together into political union.
 * The Pope gives the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church position of Cardinal of Aram, and appoints him to manage the new Crusader state jointly with a Florentine-elected king. Meanwhile, Jerusalem finally falls. The Muslims of the city are butchered for three days and the Dome of the Rock leveled. The Pope proclaims the reestablishment of the old Kingdom of Jerusalem. The Grand Master of the Knights of the Vatican is crowned king, and rules jointly with an elected assembly of Papal nobles. Meanwhile, the Papacy takes over direct administration of Mecca and that portion of Saudi Arabia, claiming it as an overseas territory of the church. A new 'Bishop of Mecca' is appointed to construct a large cathedral there to honor the ultimate Crusader victory over Islam.


 * Martine Lutero is born in Florence, Italy. He will bring a great series of reforms to the Lombard Church, turning it into the majority church on most of Italy, Germany and France. At the same time, the Florentines finally finish conquering the Inca: The many riches of Cuzco become avaliable for the Florentine government, which starts a project of consolidation and peaceful expansion on Florentine colonies. The Californian colony expands gigantically, controlling all land until OTL El Paso, TX. They also start to expand the Rio de la Plata colonies and set several colonies further north, including one in "Rio de' Gennaio" (Rio de Janeiro). Finally, the Florentines continue advancing into India, but much more slowly, as the Ottomans and Mamluks are now fighting desperately. However, many of the ports on Western India are taken. The expansion into the Ottoman Empire is finally halted in the OTL west borders of Pakistan.
 * The Empire of Trebizond is forced to restrict its trade more and more due to its vessels being sunk by Crusader ships in the Mediterranean. Due to the war in Bulgaria, their merchants are also limited to the eastern Black Sea. The emperor begins to panic, realizing he may lose his access to the Mediterranean if the entire accessible coast is controlled by the Papacy or a Crusading nation. The solution is quickly discovered when Trebizond formulates a trade agreement with the Florentines, their new neighbors on the South American continent.
 * After years of stopping this, Muscovy continues its eastward expansion, and now at a massive, unforseen rate.
 * France sets up a colony off the coast of southeast Asia.
 * The North British colony on the Hudsons bay expands outh while the colony in New Brunswick expands north. The British Northern Republic begins instituting changes in its military and economic structure, in order to reform the system that failed before. The Colonial Company invests in a colony in Africa.
 * The Commonwealth slams Ottoman forces in the Balkans, aided by local Bulgarians (the Commonwealth promised to allow Bulgaria to gain its independance if it helped). Forces in Turkey also begin to advance, they also try there best to conivnce the locals to assist them.
 * The Commonwealth demands that the Ottomans grant Bulgaria its independence, due to the fact it had promissed its people this. The end of the war allows its Louisiana colony spread out and continue up the Mississipi river.

1487



 * Ireland's North American Territory expands to the northern borders of Texas.
 * The Pope declares the end of the Tenth Crusade as the sultan of the Ottoman Empire finally surrenders and agrees to the Papacy's terms, ending their Jihad. The Turks are forced to recognize the independence of the Crusader states, and renounce their claims to India. They give Bulgaria to Poland-Lithuania, western Thrace to the Pope, and surrender all of their overseas colonies to Florence and Ireland. Ottoman South Africa is divided between the two nations, while Ottoman America is claimed by the Florentines and the Turkish settlers expelled to a restricted area in the Amazon River delta.
 * The English colonies in the New World continue to expand. The Carib Legion's quasi-governmental status is revoked as the Crusades come to a close, and they are again firmly under the Knight's authority. England offers a truce to North Britain, with prewar borders restored completely (ie England still has control of Glasgow and Edinburgh).
 * With the Crusade finally over, all the soldiers not on occupation duty in Greece return home to a fanfare. Several soldiers are decorated with medals of honor from the king. The Hapsburgs then turn to strengthening their economy, building up important industries, and improving the infrastructure. They also begin a naval improvement program, to help them better compete with the other Mediterranean naval powers.
 * The Florentine colonies now expand to the Irish border and then northwest. The many colonies on South America continue expanding, and the Incan and Argentinian colonies now touch each other. They also start building a series of settlements in the coast of Brazil. The Italians also start exploring eastern Asia. The colonies on west South America also expand east. The Florentines also conquer much of the OTL coast of Kenya and Tanzania. They also expulse the Turks from former Buyuk Orman, taking them into a small area in the Amazon River delta, and giving that area back to the Ottomans, together with the center of the Black Stone, although they still keep the silver surroundings.
 * The Mamluks ask for peace with the Crusaders.
 * The Empire of Trebizond begins sending merchants to Florentine ports in the Americas.

1488

 * Ireland's North American colonies expand northward, to Oklahoma. Their Mississippi River Colonies expand westward and a colony is established on Cuba. Meanwhile, the Irish discuss peace terms with the Mamluks.
 * The Mamluks ask the Pope if they can have Mecca back. With this new wealth, the began to reorganize thier empire, and the armies are modernized. Cities are rebuilt and they expand further south into Africa.
 * England continues to expand it's American holdings. Settlement in New Plymouth now has crossed the Continental Divide, and continues to expand eastward. Cyprus is continually fortified by the Knights.
 * The Florentines continue to expand all of their American and Asian holdings. On North America, they expand through the gap left between the English and Irish colonies, and then continue northward. They also expand their till now secondary colony on South Florida, until it takes much of OTL Florida and South Carolina. On South America, they begin exploring inward, trying to connect all of their colonies. They also expand their almost-forgotten Cuban colony more. At the same time, on Asia, they continue conquering Indian kingdoms, although much more slowly. They also expand into the rest of Malacca. Finally, on Africa, the Kenyan colonies and their South African coast expand north. The Italian Doge also decides to start consolidating their power everywhere and make gigantic digestions of the conquered territories, excepting in India and America, where they will continue expanding. They start a project so that every subject of the Florentine Empire knows Italian, and start building many educational bases and churches all over the Empire. Lorenzo II also starts a great program of patronage of the arts, and decreases the military funds, to apply them in more productive objects.
 * The Commonwealth's colony in Louisiana expands up the Mississipi river and creates more wealth for the nation. Also, Commonwealth troops from Bulgaria and the homeland invade the Teutonic knights, spliting the nation in two in a matter of days. The European World Council (EWC) is founded, its purpose is to keep peace within Europe and help the reconstruction going on in defeated nations. But the EWC's main job is to keep the peace and help the ecomony. The Commonwealth offers membership to its allies and victor of the war.
 * France puts a maximum effort on making the entirety of Madagascar French territory, they quickely conquer the remainder of the island after just a few months and kill off any tribe they deem a threat.
 * Muscovy continues its great expanse eastward, and its rulers believe they are on the verge of reaching the Pacific Ocean.
 * Castille settles a colony in OTL Somalia.
 * Jarl David of North Britain reorganises the republic into the Scottish Republic. Scots is introduced as the official language and the colonies are incorporated directly into the Republic. The Scottish colonies in North America are merged into one cohesive continuous colony. Scotland request contol of the disparate colonies buried in Scottish territory. The South American colonies are expanded, as are the African colonies, which take control of a native kingdom. The 1st Iroquois Legion is founded, styled after the English Carib Legions.
 * The Ottomans, weak from the war, pulls back into semi Isolation. Except for trade, most of the Turkish empire has no contact with the outside world. They start to rebuild the econmoy, cities and the armed forces.
 * China, after years of Isolation and centuries of being ruled by seperate warlords, is united into a single empire. The Chinese Empire is founded and is ruled by the first emperor, Emperor Long Di or Dragon Emperor. The Empire compromises of over half of OTL China and most of the shorline. They open trade to all western nations and quickly become rich off the silk road and spices.
 * The Hapsburgs continue with what they were doing last year, but they focus on modernizing the army instead of building up the navy. They also manage to obtain some "Cannons" for incorporation into their armed forces.

1489



 * Florence expands it's American and Indian colonies. On America, they continue northward, reaching OTL Montana. They also continue trying to connect all of the south American colonies. They also continue expanding on India from south and north.
 * The English colonize Montana, while the rest of BC is secured from the natives. The eastern colonies connect. The Carib Legion is reformed and divided by tribe; now there is the Carib Legion, Paiute Legion, Ute Legion, Nemepo Legion, Cayuse Legion, Nootka Legion, and Flatnose (Dalles) Legion.
 * Muscovy continues its expansion eastward.
 * France expands its colony in Africa.
 * The Ottomans' Economy grows and after gaining back the Black Stone of Kabaa they build a new shrine for it and a new huge mosque in the capital of Ankara.
 * The Chinese with their new found unity and riches, modernize the military and make a huge army and a huge navy.
 * The Scottish African colonies expand, conquering a number of native kingdoms. Dissenters are shipped to North and South America, expanding those colonies massively. Trading posts are built in India. A Golden Age of Scottish expansionism has begun
 * Poland-Lithunia nearly completes its invasion of the T.K. It also begins a navy, army, and infrastructure programs to build up a nation. It promises that no invasion attempts will be made on nations East of it while it searches for smaller nations to merge into it.
 * The Hapsburg's establish a colony on the western coast of Morocco. With only this outlet for their energy, as all paths in europe are currently closed, they pour lots of wealth and energy into expanding the inital colony east and south.
 * The Mamluks set up colonies in Indonesia and use thier new wealth source to rebuild their empire.
 * The Irish North American colonies expand northward.

1490

 * Scotland declares war on the Kalmar Union and seizes control of landlocked areas as well as invading other Scandinavian colonies. Nova Scotia is captured, and a fleet prepares to seize control of Newfoundland and mainland colonies. Security is stepped up on the mainland. While this is happening, more African kingdoms are conquered, and the Indian territories are expanded. The colonies in South America also expand deeper inland.
 * The Mamluks expand further south into Africa. They send a huge fleet with 20,000 soldiers to India, and build a huge fort there. 3 layers of walls surround the fortress, and the fact that its near a Mamluk shipyard makes sure that they can easily get supplies and reinforcements if a seige comes. They use this fort as a base to start expanding into India, and many of the native kingdoms join the Mamluks to prosper under Mamluk rule. The Sultan orders the construction of a new Capital City. It is built on the Nile River in Northeren Sudan, and is called New-Cairo. It is twice as big as the original Cairo, and is much better defended. By the end of the year, almost five million people live in New-Cairo.
 * The Florentines, which are claiming to be in part the influence of the Kingdom of Kermet, start a re-construction process on the ruins of Cairo. By the end of the year, the new city (in Italian: La soggiogatrice) is an almost completely Italian city, with the Arabic minority being displaced south. In America, the colonies expand more throughout the coast and interior, so that the colonies are closer to be connected. In India, they continue conquering southern kingdoms. Finally, a colony is placed in Indonesia, when lost Malaccan troops land on it, trying to get to the Spice Islands
 * Ireland continues to expand northward. They slaughter any and all Native American resistance. The natives begin to fear the Irish. Some tribes just simply surrender. Meanwhile, the Irish and the Florence make a deal. Florence's South African Colonies for a hefty sum of money. The Irish accept. (See negotiation page)
 * The Ottomans with their army and economy stabilized, they decide to become mostly based on trade and science instead of military. They offer trade agreements to the Mamluks, Papal States, Italians, Scotland, Ireland and any other country that wants to trade exotic goods.
 * The Chinese make their capital Beijing and the Emperor lives and works in a heavily fortified and guarded palace called the forbidden palace and with their new found power they invade OTL Manchuria and Korea. With the imense amount of Chinese manpower and technology the Manchurians and Koreans Quickly give in.
 * England continues to expand. Parts of southern Alaska and Yukon are added to the kingdom's growing territory. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow are fortified, with powder, shot, and food for several years added to the cities' stores. The northern border is fortified as well.
 * The Papacy refuses the Turks' trade offer, as the Church does not particularly depend on trade for its economy. Meanwhile, Papal missionaries make more headway in converting the native population of Florentine Florida to Christianity.
 * The Empire of Trebizond begins bargaining with Florence for the right to set up a trading post on St. John's Isle. The emperor also expresses interest in purchasing Florida from Florence, as this would greatly increase business and influence in the Americas. Meanwhile, Imperial forces resume expansion to the southeast. As the populations here grow more and more hostile towards them, the Trapezuntine Greeks become increasingly brutal. In one such incident, they massacre nearly 200 rebellious villagers with heavy artillery. The emperor makes it known that while he will show the natives here some measure of goodwill and compassion, he will not tolerate rebellion. After all, as a successor state to the original Roman Empire, Trebizond's monarchy observes that Rome was not built through peaceful leniency alone.
 * Japan, who has colonies in Korea to defend, repels the Chinese invasion.
 * The Hapsburgs continue expansion of their colony in Morocco. They are starting to become anxious, as everyone else is beginninhg to eclipse them in power.

1491

 * The Irish expand northward in America at a faster rate, due to a lack of Native American resistance. The Irish begin revolutionizing the musket as well. The prototype is top-secret. The Hand Cannon, however, is allowed to be released to the public. The gun is a handheld gun with a lot of kick behind it. The gun is very expensive at first. Ireland has a monopoly on them.
 * Scotland accepts the Ottoman offer, and begins trade relations. As well as this, Scotland takes control of all Scandinavian colonies on the North American mainland, reducing their territory to densely populated and heavily defended Newfoundland. Scotland offers the Hapsburgs control of Newfoundland and coastal mainland areas in return for military and economic assistance. Territories in India and South America are expanded. The remaining organised neighbouring African kingdoms are conquered.
 * Matthias Corvinus dies, leaving Prince Ferdinand of Austria to take the throne there. However, Hungary is still independent as long as king Frederick is still alive. the Austrian colony in Morocco expands more. Also, Hapsburg spies get wind of the Irish weapons program, and the Hapsburgs begin their own program, using information from German weapon makers, and information stolen from the Irish.
 * Florentine weaponmakers, together with Florentine spies in Ireland and Austria get information of the developing guns, boosting the (till now stagnant) weapon-modernizing Florentine project. The Italian colonies also expand, especially in South America, where the Florentines continue to connect their colonies. By now, expansion elswhere of South America, India and Indonesia is almost non-existent, as the Doge, Lorenzo II, had promised. However, the South Javan colony expands east and west, and on India, expansion continues in the center. New local legions are created and the proffessional armies out of the borders start shrinking. Some of the new armies are: The Mayan army, the Inca Army, the Quimbaya Legion, the Sikh and Hindu Legion and the California-Great Basin Army.
 * The Ottomans consolidate their power, after the Mamluks cede their arabian territory for our strip of land in somalia the empire strives to unite the muslim world under a peaceful banner.
 * The Chinese after being pushed back by the Japanese control all of OTL North Korea at the OTL DMZ Line. They also take Hainan Island and Taiwan Island.
 * France continues in expanding on its African colonial empire as it establishes a colony off the coast of Eastern Africa next to Madagascar.
 * Muscovy continues to expand its eastern most border.
 * A group of eleven drunk locals accidently set fire to a town on the Commonwealths border near the Holy Roman Empire. The Commonwealth is outraged by this fire and belives that it was commited by Hapsburg Spies. Talks begin to break down and it seems that war is almost at hand.
 * Japan asks for peace with China. They colonize the island chains to the north of Japan.

1492

 * Scotland launches an invasion of Newfoundland and after a half month long siege the capital falls, leaving Newfoundland is left in the hands of Scotland who then gives it to the Hapsburgs, major benefactor to the Scottish, along with a strip of land along then coast. The colonies in South America, Africa, and India expand. The Scandinavian population are moved inland and this area is split off as a separate colony.
 * England expands northward. Most of BC and the Yukon are taken. Due to the wide proliferation of "hand cannons", the English begin small-scale production of an improved product. The basic design and function remains the same as the Irish weapon, but small ergonomic changes and differences in materials are made in order to facilitate easier use (such as the use of cheaper and stronger arsenical bronze for the barrel, a curved and checkered stock to improve grip, and a spring-loaded trigger for more reliability and the ability to fire without severely disrupting the aim by pulling the trigger) and to have a more efficient production plan then other nations. However, the English plan to stick with the longbow, due to its accuracy and rate of fire. The hand cannons, on the other hand, are notoriously inaccurate and take at least a minute to reload, negating any advantages whatsoever in firepower. The fleet of both the Knights and the English Navy proper are expanded, with a focus on territorial defense and precision strikes utilizing expeditionary forces such as the Nemepo and Ute legions. Twelve ships are added to those two legions, able to carry some 2000 men and supplies for six months of campaigning.
 * The Irish beef up their security. Any spies are detected and detained. Spying on the Irish is now virtually impossible. The Hand Cannon's accuracy is improved as well. The Irish North American Colonies also, after a long trek, finally expand to the Great Lakes. Ireland also offers to help the Knights in their war against Poland-Latvia
 * A coup occurs against the Teutonic Knights and the Republic of Lithaunia-Latvia is formed.
 * The Pope, seeing a Catholic Order in plight, gently urges Poland-Lithuania to cease the war against the Teutonic Knights and let them keep what little territory they have left. In return, he will respect their claims to East Prussia. He also begins building an army to attack the Republic of Lithuania-Latvia and restore the knights to power.
 * The Commonwealth, seeing the Lithunia-Latvia republic as a threat, attacks it and promises the Teutonic knights that it would retrn most of its land.
 * The Florentines improve the hand cannon, making it more accurate, reliable, and quick. The Italians, unlike those in the British Isles, decide to use the cannon as a more secondary and a weaker firepower, while continuing to use earlier weapons as the main attack. At the same time, South American colonies expand throughout the shore. The ex-Ottoman colony nears the South Brazilian one and the West South American and Argentinian colonies finally touch.
 * Look, Fede, I know it's kind of a prickish thing to ask of you, but could you just describe how the Florentines made the hand cannon more accurate? Technology does not suddenly jump 80 years in a single year; I just want to know the improvements to the gun to make sure that it doesn't just become an arquebus overnight.
 * The Ottomans cede all there lands in Pakistan and india to Ireland in exchange for all their Arabian land.
 * China Accept the Japanese peace offer but for the rest of Korea, but will let them keep alittle colony there and trade rights. They also march south and by the end of the year they capture over half of Vietnam and Laos. The also march west and capture several hundred miles of land to the west.