The Ashes of Rome (Map Game)

The year is 500 C.E., and the mighty Roman Empire has finally crumbled. Lying in its wake is its legacy state, the Byzantine Empire, occupying The Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia and Northeast Africa. It remains the most powerful European state, though its barbarian neighbors continue to threaten its prosperity. To the East is the mighty Sassanian Empire, centered in Persia, although its forces seem to be steadily encroaching on southeastern Europe.

In the former Western Roman Empire, several Gothic Kingdoms have formed and continue to grow in size and power. The Visigoths are situated mostly in Hispania, the Ostrogoths in Italy, the Franks and the Burgundians in Gaul, the Gepids in Dacia, and the Vandals in Northern Africa. Additionally, the Celtic people, long divided and hostile, have formed the Celtic League, modeled after the long-dead Roman Republic.

In addition to the centralized Kingdoms, tribal groups of Germanic peoples are beginning to gain strength, though they are not quite yet unified. These groups include the Suebi, the Anglo-Saxons, the Jutes, the Danes, the Alemanni, the Lombards, and the Saxons. To the Northeast lie the Baltic and Slavic nomads, far from unification, and still living in territory untouched by any true nation-states. In this tumultuous time, change is inevitable, but yet to be known is who will be lost to the sands of time, and who will emerge triumphant and mighty. (The chief difference in this ATL is that, as opposed to the OTL in which the Gothic kingdoms quickly fell, they have been effectively run, and are now actual, unified nations. They still suffer from countless internal problems, but less so.)

'''The game has officially begun. New players can still sign up.'''

Rules:

 * 1) New turns will begin every day at 22:00 UTC. I will begin each turn in bold, sometimes including pertinent details from the previous turn.
 * 2) Each turn signifies five years. This will most likely change as the game approaches the current year.
 * 3) The map will be updated every turn (five years).
 * 4) Inactivity for over ten turns will cause your name to be removed from the nation you are playing. You may return whenever. However, you do not get priority, and if your country is taken, it’s taken.
 * 5) You may join the game whenever by putting your name on the nations list. You are allowed to join the turn immediately after signing up.
 * 6) Keep all actions plausible. Repeated infractions will cause you to be kicked from your nation, and possibly banned, depending on severity.
 * 7) Remember, your actions have consequences, invading territories, whether they were previously inhabited or not, will cause unrest. Keep in mind that when you invade another territory, its people will not immediately be converted to your language, culture and religion.
 * 8) Be as specific as possible, especially when describing the invasion of another territory. If you are not specific as to location, the mapmaker will most likely not understand exactly what you intend to do.
 * 9) Metagaming is strictly prohibited, and several offenses will result in a permanent ban.
 * 10) Keep the game and the talk page kind and mature. No major arguments, OOC.
 * 11) Do not edit the map unless you are a mapmaker. If you see any issues with the map, write about it on the talk page.
 * 12) You may randomly switch nations only once, after which you must wait until your nation is defeated to switch.
 * 13) New nations will be added periodically to both the map and the nations list, whether by historical emergence, or by secession. You, of course, may sign up for these whenever they become available.
 * 14) You are encouraged to make pages within this category for nations, coalitions, treaties, or whatever else you believe merits a separate page.
 * 15) In each turn, in addition to whatever actions you choose to perform, you may do one of the following:


 * Improve military.


 * Improve economy.


 * Improve infrastructure.


 * Declare war or seek peace with another nation.


 * Expand the nation into unsettled land. (It is imperative that you are plausible with this).

(Just a reminder. Do not, under any circumstances, edit the map and replace official images with your modified images. It typically results in grainier images, which are saved at different resolutions, and mess up the uniformity of the page. More importantly, it can violate the wiki's code regarding duplication images, and I do not want any action to be taken against players or me. If you have any comments or concerns with the image, post them in your turn or on the talk page. I read both, and appreciate you pointing out mistakes I have made, because, unfortunately, I do mess up.)

The Map

 * 700 ASHES.pnger shades of a nation's color represent occupied territory, and darker shades represent client or satellite states.


 * I’m a decent mapmaker, though I’m certainly not the best. If anyone would like to be the full-time mapmaker, please apply on the Talk page, and be sure to provide me with some examples of your work.
 * The map will, of course, be changed as more of the world becomes explored.

Nations (Signup)
Example Proper Format: Empire Name/ Leader title/ leader name/ signature

Europe:
- SwankyJ  SwankyJ   The Itallian    Stallion   _ 03:02, September 8, 2015 (UTC)

- Chairman Roderic Lousean Afunnymouth - Spar
 * Albion - Duchess Branwen Seighbert Long Dong Johnson
 * Kingdom of Essex
 * Kingdom of York

- ~DicklessWonder (MrFixx) -
 * - Adamgerd (Talk)

- Genesaria 23:18, September 2, 2015 (EST)

-

-

- –Alexander 17:26, August 2, 2015 (UTC)

- The Bearded B*st*rd (talk) 06:23, September 7, 2015 (UTC)

- Thisismacedon

Asia:
- AH28 -The Epic Dragon
 * Persia - Bozistanball

-

- Zamarak500

-

- Laoboy343

- Tao64

- ~Candiesrgood

- Alynnear

-

- Revolution 9

-

Africa:
-

- Leaders are deceased/ Writer must be compelling and introduce new leader.

-

-

-

- King Kaya Magha Cisse' II ~ Hddenevil

- Kruntchie

-

- snoopdigdogg11

- Great showing. B23 (talk) 11:52, September 15, 2015 (UTC)

Supranational Organizations
The High Council of the Mediterranean

The High Council of Eurasia 

Archives
500-600

600-700                                

700 C.E.
'''The 7th century came and went with people living and dying just as they would have regardless of what number you had put before the word. Would the 8th century prove to be any different? It's difficult to say...'''

'''Sef, Emperor of Kanem, orders for a great expansion into the surrounding territories. In turn, his people acclimate themselves with the Ghanians and spread to adjacent lands. Sef hopes for friendly relations with Ghana.'''

'''Many refugees from the various African wars flee to central Africa, where the Empire of Kanem experiences mass immigration. The Kanem populations bolsters and grows rapidly.'''

'''The Caliphate forces more of their terrified subjects to sail across the Red Sea to settle far into un-explored Africa. The colonists make landings and spread into the land, but their numbers drop rapidly and many of them succumb to the unforgiving terrain. The originally founded African territories begin to grow a sense of disconnect with the new migrants and in turn they begin work on a declaration of secession.'''

'''The Muslim Free-State begins expansion southeast along the Caliphates borders. They continue to preach of Muslim freedoms and their sentiment is felt throughout Africa.'''

'''Gothic controlled former South-Egyptian territory becomes far more united and begins to reject Gothic rule. With the Goth’s devoting their attentions entirely elsewhere, the small budding nation declares their independence under the new name Vermundia. Much of the population follows the new ideas of a peaceful Islam and completely rejects the notion of Christianity. The new nation forms an alliance with the Muslim Free-State'''

Thabo Khananda forms an alliance with Geberic Illdephon and the two plan to split Morocco in half amongst themselves;

'''The Illdephons start the invasion by marching further south and conquering a Moroccan port, further strengthening their navy. Their borders expands quickly as many more Moroccan people subjugate themselves to the new growing African power.'''

'''The Vandalic Kingdom, galvanized and united by a return to the old ways, are eager to take back their lands from the Moroccans. The Vandals swarm into Morocco and capture a large portion of land, meeting up with the Illdephons on the north coast.'''

'''The Illdephons use their new naval ships to spread south to the former Gothic territories in the Verdinian Isles. The Illdephons build several forts and establish a presence in the abandoned area.'''

The Upper-Egyptians continue their westward sprawl and the people become ever more disconnected, but whether it's good for Upper-Egypt to live in 8th century could be most likely.

'''The clash between Euric Vermundo’s Gothic walking deadmean and the Caliphate’s doomed Muslim army is especially bloody. After a month long struggle, the Muslims finally overwhelm the Goths and stamp out their main military force. By the end of the battle, the Caliphate is weakened and dying. The Mbalians capitalize on this and launch an attack on western Sinai. The Mbalians make great ground and kill of much of the main Muslim fighting force, but soon lose momentum as the men continue cutting down the endless Muslim hordes without ever seeing any sign of them stopping.'''

The Gothic presence in Arabia dies off, leaving behind a long ugly scar in the Caliphate’s territory.

Gothic naval support in Alaricia manages to drive out the rebels and restore the island into one solid and loyal Gothic region.

'''The Khazars swarm Croatia, surprising the Russian people and making great headway. This victory is short lived however, as nearly two-hundred thousand Rus’ soldiers and sixty warships heed the counteroffensive and reclaim the coasts of the Black Sea.'''

'''The Caliphate sends droves of men into the Khazars territory and quickly overwhelms them, engulfing about a third of their total land. However, thanks to the Khazars naval supremacy in the Caspian, the Caliphate neglects to get a coastal foothold.'''

The Avars makes light gains out of the Khazar’s newly colonized Adrian territory, but are repeled quickly and experience great casualties at the hands of the Khazars monstrous navy.

Chenla continues their expanse after dealing with the marine threat of barbarians, and in turn manage to spread throughout the entirety of the Sumatran mainland.

Followers of Buddhism continue to feel increasingly oppressed by the Ganga and their cries are heard throughout India and Asia.

The spread of plague in Mbali is at an all time low, the people however, feeling galvanized by their years of suffering and call for King Bjorn to end the fruitless war against Islam.

Control over Scotland falls back to the Pictish coalition who have subordinated themselves under the Celts in exchange for giving the Celts nearly half of their gross-income on tax.

'''Ghanian death rampages through Hispania and Iberia, and the deaths are innumerable. It is predicted that over 40% of the population is infected, whilst another 25% have already perished. This relentlessness is in part thanks to the Lombardians infecting Gothic water supplies, and in turn many new Gothic militias form and begin making counter attacks against the Lombards.'''

The Lombards break the Frankish line and push into Burgundy, casualties on both sides are high, but the Lombards appear to have the advantage at the moment thanks to the Wyrdu’s rapid offensive.

The population of Byzantium continue to dwindle as the plague ravages the country side.

'''Lombardian people are increasingly disunified and war-fatigued. Many of them simply throw down their arms and call for peace under new rule, without caring who their new overlords are to be.'''

'''The Rus’ surge into the relatively unprotected capital of Warsaw and attempt to capture it with minimal destruction and loss of life. This proves difficult however as the Lombardians feverish volatility is a force all of it’s own. After three years of back and forth warfare, the Rus’ capture the ruins of Warsaw and expand their rule of a territory inhabited mostly by corpses.'''

The Rus’ Principalities armies acquire a land connection to the Baltic sea.

'''The Germanic people of Albion take an offensive against their ethnically equal invaders and prove to be surprisingly loyal to Duchess Branwen. Anglo-Saxons and Germans fight side by side and their co-operation leads to a total victory in the war for Albion.'''

The Franks continue their push into classical Lombardy and slaughter the Saxon’s military defensive.

'''Call for troops to support the Saxon offensive proves to be an utter failure for the Celts. Only one-hundred men agree to join in the offensive and close the distance. The Celts are only successful in making amphibious landings thanks to the Franks presence, but the well trained Celtish soldiers prove instrumental in furthering Frankish pushes into Lombardy.'''

'''The Jutish army meets up with the Frankish and Celtic armies and the three armies begin falling under the command of a high ranking Frankish general. This unified entente proves to be a near unstoppable force.'''

'''Lombardian colonists are either captured and killed or get lost and wind up heading north. The majority of them end up in Scandinavia and settle just north of their brothers and sisters.'''

Not all is a loss for the Lombardians, as their Scandinavian territories grow in strength and repel the Jutes, conquering much of their land.

'''The Gothic economy flips on it’s head and begins hemorrhaging money. The Gothic treasuries are drained and the job market is nearly non-existent. Gothic focus on warfare gives way to a great deal of increase in general poverty throughout the empire.'''

Tensions continue to rise between the Gothic nobles in the east and the impoverished west.

'''Votes in Vivianis prove a majority of the populace to be in support of continued Gothic rule. The rebels are then quickly driven out of the area and their leaders executed.'''

The Gupta continue their expanse and fill the gap between themselves and the Liang.

Loss of the Tibetan king due to an unknown illness causes the kingdom to split into eleven dynasties ruled by each of his eleven sons.

'''Ghanaian death arrives in Silla thanks to the Caliphate smuggling infected peoples into their land. The plague quickly grabs hold in the new humid environment and rapidly spreads throughout China.'''

'''Japan makes great gains against the Ainu and even captures the militia leader Shakushoa. Without the militia, the continued survival of the Ainu is entirely dependent on Sillian intervention.'''

More land is gained for the Persian-Free State as they close the land gap between themselves and the Ainu (I know the PFS is a player now, but until they make their first move they will act as an AI.)

'''The Danes declare war on the Balts and invade them, capturing a moderate swath of lands. The Danes request the Rus’ assistance in the war. The Balts also request the Rus’ assistance in the war.'''

 

Autonomous Albion:  Osryn enters into ASF training, taking after his mother in his stature he is one of the largest among his peers.

Cadfael takes to going into battle along with his troops, bolstering their nerve and their loyalty, witnessing him let slip havoc with his own blade. Cadfael marches into Lombardian territory, raiding villages and sending the spoils back to Branwen to distribute throughout the country. All troops are offered 10% of the swag that they find.

Shades are scattered out among the Lombardian people, and given the mission to incite rebellion by causing ruckus and spouting disloyalty to the public, regardless of any actual issues.

Branwen orders continuation of a wall along the border of Albion and Lombardy.

Cadfael is trusting of the Frankish troops, as he knows firsthand of their prowess in battle.

Japan: We are launching a massive offensive against Sillian forces in Hokkaido, we are also invading Korea.

Khazar Khaganate: We are losing this war but our resolve shall never wave. Our leader has figured the reason why so many people are dying by the cruelty of this plague. It is because so many do not believe the word of Christ anymore. The only way to cure this plague is to make holy war against the pagans and the non-believers and to join in our new found war to convert this people. We send ravens and spread rumours that there is a crusade happening to all nations with a sizable Christian population to join us in our troubles. We send our ships in the Black sea against the Russian and Caliphate held coastline and to raid coastal settlements. We will also send envoys to the Byzantine empire and the Gepids to join us in war. We also will give Abkhazian people, the Alan horde and the Oghuz tribes more independence if they help us in our war. We will also send an envoy to the tribes to the Afrighids, Kangars, Kimaeks, Kipchacks, Turgesh and the other tribes in return for money and all the fertile land they can desire. We will continue to attack and raid the borders of our enemies.