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: Feudy McPlagueface (talk)
 * War: User:Tullin

Important Pages

 * Rules and Algorithm (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Religion (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)
 * Flags (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Treaties (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)

The Game
      

1420
''' The reversal of Louis XI's decision causes the papal schism to steadily implode on itself. All public support toward Clement VII across the French nobility evaporates, leaving only some nominal political support in Portugal and Ireland. Clement barricades himself in the Episcopal residence in Paris, while all the remaining schismatic Cardinals go to Rome to seek clemency. The local clergy and bishops appointed during the schism, however, still remain. '''

'''With the end of Louis XI's excommunication, the previous nobles fighting against him find an amicable rapproachment. This reduces the Burgundian side of the conflict by 4,000 troops. However, due to the recent nobles that switched sides as a result of the death of John the Fearless, the Burgundian side is restored 2,000 troops.'''

The years of conflict have exhausted much of the resources in Burgundy, causing a large national deficit and shortage of anual crops.

'''Prince Frederick "the empty-pockets" of Germany officially sends 3,000 volunteer forces into Lothairingia to help quell the Taborite revolt. Using the Wagenburg tactics, a Hussite military named Jan Franz (ATL Jan Zizka) makes a startling victory against the Royal Forces at a battle near Namur. Sigsmund of Brandenburg-Bohemia requests that the Pope should sanction a Crusade against the heretics. So far, the actions of the Patriarchate of Catholic Hussites have pacified much of the German population outside of the Rhine.'''

'''Over the course of this generation, the Germanic language in the Lowlands begins to shift sharply from the language of the rest of the Holy Roman Empire. Retroactively, linguists would refer to this phase as "Middle Franconian", which begins to differ significantly to German.'''

'''Another gradual development at this time is the use of gunpowder. Having been at war the most in the last century, the Kingdom of France develops some of the revolutions of gunpowder technology this decade. The first is the arquabus, known in French as the punaise gun. The second revolution is a lighter siege cannon, able to also be used in field combat. Quickly, however, this technology is also adapted by Spain.'''

'''Wallachia revolts from Hungary, with 5,600 troops are organized under the banner of Prince Dan II, supported by the Tsardom of Bulgaria. He crosses over the Danube and approaches the regional capital.'''

In China, the cult of the White Lotus begins organizing a conspiracy to revolt against the Tian Dynasty, centered around the eschatological worship of the "Unborn Venerable Mother".

'''Florence Cathedral, which had been under contsruction since the early 14th century, is now almost complete, but is only missing a dome. The clerics of the Cathedral demand that there should be no scaffolding in the interior of the Church, or it would disturb their daily prayers. The Republic of Florence holds a competition across Italy, surveying if any genius of the Renaissance can figure out some way to construct a dome with no scaffolding.'''

In the wake of the Marcian schism, the French theologian Pierre d'Ailley writes that the College of Cardinals should be held to a standard of infallibility, as a check of power against the Pope.

'''A massive earthquake strikes in Chile, shaking much of the southern Andes Mountains. This is largely unnoticed except by some local Amerindian tribes. However, tsunamis caused by the incident strike against the coastlines of Japan and China.'''

The offices of the Knights Templar in Portugal petitions the Queen of Portugal to sponsor their ongoing Crusade along their trading missions abroad.

The Forbidden City is constructed in the Capital of China.


 * Hanseatic League: As a new year dawns and the Baltic thaws, the non-stop trade of the Hanseatic League continues to guide German economics into a daring, new age. Every year, representatives of the Hanseatic League (Ratssendeboten) meet at an assembly in Lübeck known as the Tagfahrt. However, since the mid-14th century, the aldermen of the League have had the true say in what happens in these meetings. The League has come a long way since the days of its early inception. Civility reigned; if a consensus was threatened that may benefit the League as a whole, an alternative idea was not proposed. Something, after all, is better than nothing. Now, however, the central states of the Hanseatic League dominate trade and therefore hold significant sway over the politics of the region. The Hanseatic League recognizes four men who represent the entire central political entity and who also hold considerable sway over those who may not be governed by Hanseatic ideals. They are as follows: the Bürgermeister of Lübeck and Hamburg - Heinrich von Bardewik, who share a mayor and who hold the final say in where shipments throughout the four regions go; the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, who determine the prices of salt; the Prince-Admiral of Rostock, Anton von Warnow, who holds a permanent hereditary military position; and Prince-Archbishop of Bremen Johann Slamstorp, who holds significant sway over ecumenical politics in the Baltic. The amber trade throughout northern Europe continues to bring in wealth for the Aldermen, who petition the Ratssendeboten for the ability to determine the price of certain goods. This petition is rejected, meaning the central Hanseatic states retain control over the price of amber. However, a petition to rejuvenate the Hanseatic navy with new ships - namely bulks rather than cogs - is accepted. The shipyards of Rostock are put to good use this year as old ships are scrapped and new ships are built with the usable parts. The docks of Rostock swell with new ships and their banks swell with more coin. Additionally, the newly-founded University of Rostock, the first university in the Baltic or Northern Europe, brings in a plethora of new thinkers, from new men from ambitious families to those from older families aiming to give their prospective heirs to their fortunes the best education money can buy.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: With the integration of the rebel vassals underway and with key administrators and military forces in place, the Emperor turns his attention toward running the Empire. Emperor Tewodros inherits a relatively centralized and prosperous Empire from his father, heavily profiting from numerous trade routes to India, the Swahili states, Egypt and Mali. The Empire’s economy is also supplemented by a diverse array of other trades, including a growing domestic textile industry, a strong agricultural system and productive mines, with currency now being used to greatly facilitate trade and economic production. The Empire also maintains a stable and relatively efficient administrative bureaucracy, with the mesafint of the Empire becoming a heavily literate and prominent class of bureaucrats. Corruption still plagues the mesafint. However, as numerous bureaucrats attempt to place family members in profitable and key positions. The Empire also maintains a strong military, with thousands of feudal levies supporting a strong corps of trained veteran citizen soldiers, whose loyalty is to the throne. With such a strong state and with few enemies posing an immediate threat to the Empire, the Emperor Tewodros shifts the focus of the government from foreign conquests toward building Ethiopia domestically. Emperor Tewodros focuses on improving the capital, hiring more workers to help clean the streets of animal and human fecal matter as well as attempting to keep main roadways clear of impromptu shacks and merchant stands. Seeking to further improve Barari as a city and remembering the stories of the magnificent European Christian cities of Italy, the Emperor sends diplomats to Rome to ask the Pope if he might be willing to find Italian engineers who would be willing to come to Ethiopia as honored guests to help improve Ethiopia’s capital. This would include artisans, architects, road engineers and more [PAPAL RESPONSE, PLEASE]. They would be paid handsomely and be treated as high-ranking members of the Imperial bureaucracy. The delegation is also instructed to collect information on Europe and collect whatever information the Ethiopian clergy in Rome have gathered.
 * Dai Viet: The Le Loi army has reached 20,000 men, and with Tran support, the army has a total of 30,000 men, overpowering the Ho army of 10,000 men. And so, on 14th February, Le Loi decided to wage his troops and attack Tay Do. He divides his troops into two units, one infantry unit with 20,000 men and one naval unit with 10,000 men. The infantry unit would march from Thang Long to Tay Do. There weren’t any other routes instead of going straight because the narrow land borders of the country. Otherwise they would have to cross the Lan Xang border which can cause annoyance to the Lan Xang king. The naval unit would go by the Red River to the Eastern (South China) Sea, sailing by the shoreline then cross by the Mã River. They would carry most of the artillery since carrying them would be difficult for the infantry unit as they would have to cross a mountainous terrain. Hồ Nguyên Trừng sends a number of troops to try stop the army from advancing but there’s no use. Because Le Loi army is stronger than the Ho’s, plus they had the people support so they can have supplies of food and cereal crops, the Ho army can only hold on for two months before Tây Đô eventually fell. Before Le Loi’s army can capture Tây Đô, the Ho royal court has fled to Cambodia by boat. The war resulted in victory for Le Loi. However, some historians and former officials of the Tran dynasty are questioning Tran Thiem Binh's legitimacy as they do not recall him whatsoever. After an investigation by Nguyễn Trãi and well-respected historians throughout the country, Lê Lợi finds out that Tran Thiem Binh is not a descendant of the Tran dynasty in any kind. In fact, his family name is not even Trần - his real name was in fact Nguyễn Khang (阮康). Tran Thiem Binh had convinced the Tian Chinese Emperor that he was the son of Emperor Trần Nghệ Tông, which historians can confirm that Trần Nghệ Tông had no such son with this name. This was confirmed by his former boss Trần Tông who is now in jail after he recognized the Emperor is actually his former farmer which was arrested for treason at the time the Tran army was in war Champa, as Trần Tông turned to Champa instead. Lê Lợi first plan to kill Trần Thiêm Bình and seize the throne but remembers that Binh has the support of the Tian dynasty and Dai Viet might get invaded by Tian China if he does so. Knowing that Binh has deceived the Wushu Emperor by making him believe he was a descendant of the former Tran dynasty, Lê Lợi sends one of his generals, Lê Lai to China to prostrate before the Emperor and explain to him that Trần Thiêm Bình has been deceiving him this whole time and he was pretty much like how Hồ Quý Ly did to the Emperor. Should the Emperor allow Lê Lợi to take the throne he would recognize the Heavenly Kingdom and pay annual tributes, as he got the Viet people’s support throughout the whole country. (Mod Response needed)
 * The Tian Emperor agrees to change their support to the Le Dynasty, provided that he provides the same tributary status as before
 * Duchy of Burgundy: After losing the Battle of Montauban in 1416, our army has pulled back to the town of Brens. With this defeat, Duke Phillip III the Good conceived a defensive strategy to force France to peace out, instead of giving up all hope and allowing the usurper Louis XI to steal his rightfull titles. A grand scheme began in 1417, with a lot of resources invested upon Albi, hoping to fortify it to weather the incoming storm. The fortifications of Albi are greatly expanded, by constructing five-metre high stone walls to protect the entire city. These walls link with castle Château de Castelnau-de-Lévis, previously serving just as an outpost on a hill, now serving as the citadel of the city of Albi. Taxation on the still prosperous and largely uneffected by the war, parts of our realm such as Flanders and Artois is increased to pay for these works. Unlike the wartorn Duchy of Burgundy and the Counties of Burgundy and Nevers. However, whenever the French King attempts to invade either the Duchy of Auvergne or our domain, we dispatch the majority of our forces, 15,000 men, under the command of Duke Phillip III the Good to assist our ally. If the French choose to engage us in open battle a flanking manouvre is carried out against them by our experienced commander, Phillip III the good, learning much from his father's cunning and prowess in battle, John the Fearless, before his untimely passing, using our superior numbers and the terrain to our advantage to encircle the French forces. Since His Most Holiness, the Pope, in essence is appointed by God and creating an Antipope is questioning almighty GOD himself, our bishops as representatives of the Catholic Church denounces the vile Anti-Pope Falkenstein. Given the dire state of our economy and our war weariness, we plead Emperor Francisco of Hispania to military and financially assist us in our efforts to reinforce the defenses of Albi, as losing the south of France would lead to terrible consequences for all of us. The same plea is extended upon the Swiss Confederacy, offering to renounce once and for all our claims, recognizing the Swiss annexation of the south part of the County of Burgundy that was lost to in our previous war with them, in exchange for financial support to resist the efforts of King Louis XI to forcibly annex us into France. Also we plead King David III of Scotland, our fierce ally, to help as financially in our efforts to reinforce the defenses of Albi, as losing the south of France would lead to terrible consequences for all of us. We also request from the Hanseatic League to loan money to be able to defend ourselves against France as well as mercenaries. [Hispanian, Scottish, Swiss and Hanseatic Player Response].
 * Swiss Diplomacy: The Central Council accepts this deal and will aid Burgundy financially.
 * Kingdom of Tondo: By 1419, the Battle of Potrero River was the turning point in the conflict where the Yellow Faction forces tactically won the battle against the defending Red Faction forces although the Yellow Faction faced heavy casualties than the Red Faction forces. The forces of YF lost 20,000+ forces while the RF lost almost 10,000 forces. The forces of the Red Faction broke their morale as their overall leader, Datu Maitan - was slain by Lakan Lontok himself and were dispersed across the central Luzon region. The aftermath of the battle led to the Battle of Kulyat where the Yellow Faction decisively won the battle. Malatarlak; the last rebel stronghold, surrendered to the Yellow Faction which means that the Red Faction is now a fracture of its former self (although they still exist, they are now just a group of resistance cells against the new ruling dynasty) even though the War of the Tondoese Succession hasn't ended yet due to spillover war between the two empires of Brunei and Majapahit and the two empires must yet create a treaty to formally end the succession war. Commanders and loyalists of the rebellion were hunted down under the orders of Prince-turned-Lakan Lontok of Brunei and the Yellow Faction finally consolidated its rule over Tondo, the respective houses of Gatchalian, Kuwanko and Sambal were heavily punished by rebelling against the new ruling dynasty although Lakan Lontok doesn’t want to execute the entire household as it is not the “way of Islam”. Lakan Lontok also ordered a crackdown of Red Faction sympathizers although the aftermath of Battle of Kulyat has led to the Invasion of Caboloan (and Brunei-Majapahit spillover war) a year later which the remaining combined 35,000 Tondoese, Bruneian & Maynilan forces led by Lakan Lontok and his ally Rajah Majul marched to Caboloan (OTL Pangasinan), their war of justification against Caboloan was to punish supporters of the Red Faction and to end the anti-Bruneian/Islam influence in Luzon [MOD-RESPONSE NEEDED].  Meanwhile, incoming Majapahit goods that were sent to supply the Red Faction in the conflict attracted the Moro pirates/raiders that were affiliated to the Sultanate of Sulu (Yellow Faction). 50 pirate war galleys (lanongs) equipped with cetbangs/cannons attempts to attack the Majapahit trade ships that are roaming around Maynila Bay and the west coast of the kingdom to plunder and loot their goods (ALGO NEEDED) since they somewhat intervened in the succession war by attacking the Bruneian Empire in Sarawak. While Lakan Lontok is leading the invasion of Caboloan, Lakambini Dalangitan is temporarily the one who is leading Tondo at this moment. The couple discussed the future of Tondo and the Lakan himself agreed to his wife’s suggestions. The ruling dynasty will continue to follow Lakan Sukwu’s accomplishments. Despite the ruling dynasty bearing the Muslim faith, they continue to tolerate any religions despite the ruling dynasty’s beliefs were Islam (especially that Lakambini Dalangitan converts to Islam) to avoid religious rebellions thru out the Kingdom although this beliefs would soon clash between Hindus, Buddhists and the ruling Muslims. Former rebel cities that are currently devastated from the succession war are now in the process of rebuilding, most of the funds were used to rebuild the cities who were devastated in the war in which the new ruling dynasty is unable to fund the colonization & expansion efforts in the Visayas region. Meanwhile; the three nations of Brunei, Sulu and Tondo entered into a dynastic union as both of the ruling monarchs came from the House of Bolkiah. Lakambini Dalangitan also expressed his support to his father-in-law’s domain (Brunei) in its war against the Majapahit Empire. Lakambini Dalangitan also issued an order that any Majapahit ships that are lurking in the region will be harassed and the Kingdom of Tondo (same as Rajahnate of Maynila) will send its goods to fund Brunei in its war against Majapahit.
 * The Iroquois Confederacy: We do more baby making. We are keeping make a primitive rune/pictograph writing system which is being improved over time. We start to hunt and move around about nation more. We also start to farm corn, squash and more. We start to sell furs and beads to other tribes. We make more worshiping places around our nations. We start to have more oral and cultural exchanges with each other. We start to trap animals for fur. We start to make a lot of weapons for the future. We build more longhouses around the nation, peace for now is declared in a state of security for the expansive territories of each tribe. We start to train in canoe warfare and keep making giant war canoes. This also develops major cultural connections within the Five Tribes. We also pass down many stories. We have many births during this time. This is the region of Hiawatha.
 * Papal States: In Rome, Pope Martin V welcomes the cardinals that supported Falkenstein during the schism. He says to the cardinals that they are pardoned and reinstates their functions in the College of Cardinals. The pontiff writes to the clerics and bishops that were appointed by the antipopes during the schism saying that they can continue in their positions if they swear allegiance to Martin V [MOD response needed, please]. Cardinal Julian Cesarini is chosen by the pope to the position of General Commissary of the Church. Pope Martin V calls Pierre d'Ailley to Rome, seeking to understand his ideas about the College of Cardinals [MOD response needed, please]. The pope starts the construction of gardens in the Vatican, using the projects made by the deceased Alexander V during his papacy. This year, the Holy Father creates as cardinals Juan Cassanova (España) and Louis Aleman (Kingdom of Arles). With Sigsmund of Brandenburg-Bohemia asking to the formation of a Crusade to fight the Taborites, Pope Martin V writes to Jan Hus and Cardinal-Patriarch Jacob of Mies, asking if they think that a military intervention is necessary to deal with this group, which violence is growing fast. He wants their opinion because the Taborites are also a problem of the Catholic Hussites, this way the pope don't want to interfere in the matters of the sui iuris Church without asking their opinion about it [MOD response needed, please]. Leonardo Da Nacho, Headmaster of Saint Augustine's University, continues to act as a father to Ari VI. After returning from Migliarelli, Ari Sturlungur is able to meet with Sister Anna Forti and the two talk about her visions of Our Lady of Hope.
 * Republic of Ancona: The economy of the Republic continues to grow due to the trade relations with Arles, Tripolitana and Byzantium. New galleys are built in the shipyards of Ancona, this way making the Republic navy grown in number.
 * The cardinals accept the agreement.
 * Pierre suggests that the College of Cardinals, being infallible, should collectively have power in conjunction with the Pope, similar to a kind of parliament.
 * Empire of Japan: The arrival of a Tsunami in the Nankai region devastates coast parts of Shikoku as well as the port facilities in Osaka. Thousands are reported dead and the Emperor is forced to send elements of the army as a labor force to help pick up the pieces from the devastated region. Digging into food surplus as well as budget surplus the Emperor invests heavily into restoring the region hoping to affect its rebuild time into roughly a decade with much to be seen as back to normal within four-to-five years. The issue of the Wokou is noted now, and a serious garrison is sent to Tsushima to raid and destroy various pirate hideouts and a more noticeable addressing of the issue if produced. Teh navy would actively assault and destroy pirate outposts, and free slaves and captives hopefully to return them to their home country. This is somewhat of a daunting task since the concept of "Wokou" due to Japans strong and widespread trade network has become widespread reaching as far south as Vietnam and the northern islands of Majahpahit. The navy in this instance happily welcomes a new ship. Inspired greatly by Chinese designs from Zheng He's fleet and with the great increase in Japanese ship architectural skill, a ship of somewhat smaller size to the Great Warships of the Tian (which also served as their treasure ships) are built matching roughly the dimensions of the Chinese equivalent. It effectively serves as a hybrid battleship/transport ship and models of both are constructed in order to fulfill both roles. It is said that these ships in the trade or troop capacity can carry double even possibly triple of the current largest Japanese ships, and could carry nearly 400-500 troops per ship highly simplifying some of the transport issues the army has. The new Trade zones of the Zaibatsu have now been fully realized as each as adjusted to their new region and more thoroughly ordered trade within the Empire. The veritable goldmine of Furs coming out of Kowa to the north prompts notice from the Crown Prince who hoping to make a name for himself in the investment and financial world sends a hefty sum to the Trade guilds operating the Kowa settlement with clear orders. "Turn this place into a thriving town, great riches lie in this region". This prompts an expedition of nearly 100 freemen and engineers and artisans who are to arrive and establish a more thorough and dynamic domestic economy for the growing town. This is also to expand the port facilities and build housing in which two-to-three years time the families of those married freemen will arrive as well as women who have taken to escaping their former lives in the main islands who have begun migrating to frontier regions. The usual internal migration seems to begin to annoy the nobility who within their own lands attempt to lower the autonomy of the Peasants to prevent their flight to frontier regions as freemen. There are also growing conflicts between the Freemen and the nobility as their class is purposely marginalized in favor of Noble authority within territories. One of the Joen Daimyo, however, pushes this too far. A unit of nearly 1,500 Veterans forming from an unusual concentration of Freemen veterans within his territory have taken up their old arms against the Daimyo. While raising his own 4,000 strong force to crush this revolt and place his utter control over the Freemen in his domains, the Freemen revolters are proven to be much smarter than the Daimyo and his leadership cutting his army down nearly in half and forcing him to agree to their demands of guaranteeing their further autonomy outside of the Peasant system. Many other Daimyo pause at their own actions with their freemen now beginning to realize that for the first time in centuries. the Samurai and Daimyo did not necessarily have a monopoly on trained military manpower. Many of the Ronin had been funneled toward the Growing Kensei order which while keeping japan stable, has limited total manpower that could be called from lone wanderers or free samurai companies. Their own inferiors, the Freemen are noted to be excellent soldiers, while lacking the Japanese code of the warrior, they are the literal backbone of the Imperial army and generally speaking if these men have served, they have served with the absolute best Japan has to offer. It's a terrifying thought, however, with prior noble revolts unsuccessful, and their lands having been regranted as the final relaxation following the nearly century old restorations aftermath at this point, the Daimyo of all walks of the social spectrum begin to settle down and just try to improve their holdings and maintain the current power they now control.  Seeing growing unrest in the Azuma island kingdoms specifically Tondo embroiled in their Civil war, a presentation is made by the the trade guilds and some opportunistic naval captains. Intervene and secure Tondo as a vassal to the Japanese empire and use that as part of the springboard for the rest of the islands down the line. This is wholeheartedly accepted and the Imperial army marshalls 15,000 troops which arrive on Fort Koba late in the year preparing for next years campaign. The explicit war goal looks to be to enforce Hegemony and end the civil conflict affecting the trade of the region. The arrival of the troops strains the supply in the region overloading many of the new dockyards in Appari. However, with the arrival of the Army, so is the arrival of the armies engineers who quickly and efficiently begin building more jetties and docks expanding the small settlements modest trade jetties into full blown military jetties heavily increasing the supply through the port. The arrival of more men from the home islands as well prompts the construction of quarters for the new men who are practically shipped in to deal with the increased supply through. This also prompts a massive embarking of the Japanese navy which brings 30 of its great Atakabune, 15 of its new massive Chinese based War/transport ships as well as nearly 50 medium and 70 light ships which are added to the regular patrol pool until the war is to begin. A practical fortune is spent in building up the storage and supply facilities as well as the ports for the Imperial army
 * Georgian Empire: In 1418, Esfahan finally fell to Georgian hands. With the Timurid remnants relocating to Kerman, Bagrat's claim on the Persian throne was virtually unchallenged. However, in the aftermath of the siege, it was found that Rostam – his favorite in court and beloved cousin, had died. Allegedly, upon the sight of the latter's body, Bagrat had reportedly "wept like a woman"; due to his popular image of virility, contemporary accounts of the siege and its aftermath, often excluded or modified this narrative – for example, claiming instead Bagrat had vowed to honor his death as the latter was in his final moments. Regardless of the actual events, Bagrat would be greatly affected by this loss; for the last decades of his life, he would withdraw from public life and relegate his kingly duties to the Crown Prince in perpetuity. After the capture of Esfahan, Georgia did not press farther east: this was attributed to both the death of Rostam, as well as the perceived lack of need to – as the eastern Iranian plateau was assessed as not a major threat due to its sparse population and low level of development. With the imposition of the Georgian social order upon his new subjects, Bagrat resettled tens of thousands of aznauri (lesser nobles – accompanied by their serfs and retainers, in Iran and Mesopotamia. Most of them came to reside in administrative centers such as Mosul, Baghdad, and Esfahan – all three and many other cities in the region developed separate Georgian quarters, which often grew from pre-existing Armenian or Arab Christian ones. Following Byzantine and Italian examples, the Gelati and Ikalto academies began granting their students degrees – this would mark their transition from monastic schools to true universities. The core curriculum was comprised of the three preparatory arts of grammar, logic, and rhetoric; and the four liberal arts of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music theory. However, theology, medicine, law, and philosophy was also taught. Having developed from monastic schools, most students were destined to become monks or nuns; however, nobles were encouraged to send their sons and daughters in emulation of the Bagrationi's (who began sending their princes and princesses to these centers of learning commencing with Anastasios I the Great in the early 14th century). With peace restored, trade resumed unperturbed by war. Georgia benefited from the control of trading routes, as it allowed the expansion of trade with the East (which brought silk, spices, dyestuffs, and sugar) and access to new markets for its own cotton and woolen textiles. Taxes on imports also constituted a new source of revenue, particularly on the lucrative spice trade.
 * Hindustan (Gurkani Dynasty): After breaking away his share of the Empire and having to contend with several rebellions, the Amir, Shah Rukh Mirza sat about to consolidate his possessions with the help of Ulugh Beg, his eldest son in the year 1413. He attempted to take over Samarqand and the surrounding areas which had been marred by chaos ever since Timur’s death while Ulugh Beg sat out to create an administration for the various Indian cities with the help of the few officers who had been a part of the older administration. Ulugh Beg created a second army under himself formed of the Turkic and other tribes of the garrison towns of Hindustan, and began a campaign to suppress the rebellious factions beginning with the Havali-i-Dilli (Region of Delhi) in 1414 which was brought firmly under the control of Delhi by 1417 and also helped in securing the region between Delhi and Punjab. Amir Shah Rukh twice attempted to capture Kabul but failed to do so and on the advice of his eldest son retired himself from the army and took to solving matters of his Empire in 1417. Borrowing heavily from the aspects of the old administration, the Sarais system was reinstated and a small pseudo-police force on horseback was established to patrol the main trade routes and roads to protect the traders. Officials were appointed for all the major cities. Ulugh Beg sets out to conquer the weakened state of Bengal, remnant of the Khilji Empire, undergoing a civil war between the members of the Khilji dynsaty. Most of the Timurid army perished in Amir Shah Rukh’s attempts on Kabul and only 20,000 of the original Timurid troops remain and were settled in the Havali-i-Dilli in villages and in the cities. Ulugh Beg's Indian army comprised of Afghans, Turks, Jats and Rajputs numbers around 120,000 and is based on the Turco Mongol style but slightly different from the Timurid armies. Ulugh Beg marches with his army toward Bengal and captures Gauda by the end of this year.
 * Vinlandic Peoples: Ólaver Leifsson has reached his middle ages, being 39. Yet he remains spry as ever. Voyages of discovery commence once more with stable societies in both Daelstaðr and Vinland. Settlements are made on Île Saint Quentin, which is named Fjlótenya, and in Glace Bay, which is named Leifsland. Attempts are made to locate good sources of iron, as the Vinlanders successfully made a working forge and have made iron with it, and wish to repair and make tools and weapons. Additionally, the Beothuk and Vinlanders collaborate to try and produce some fabric substitute, as all the sheep died a long time ago. A cotton-like plant is suggested, but it's difficult to process. As for now, sailing ships are impossible, with the ships used being longship hulls without the sail. Farming continues to become more common.
 * Wattasid Kingdom: The sultanate of Morocco known as Abu' claim the mozarabs people did enjoy equal right under islamic rule in Magbreh and they greatly affect the interior of Morocco even thought the development hey managed to control some possessions on the Moroccan coast  and seapost colonies of their own' to outlive the reconqueista so far even since the principalities has create among high office in the colonies and vassal tribes (including with the south's contact) with the authorities his own goal is that is to morderising and gain rights under islamic rule also the point is that to better counter the hilal nomads in the region' and relation politicals with the alomhads caliphate the capture of septa as been controlled by the wattasid and the alomhad in north of position due lack of invasion at real point the true is that the mozarab did NOT enjoy itself under Islamic rule and practice their own religion from avoiding the persecution follow their fugitives it is supposed that the Mozarab were tolerate as the  Dhimmis (non-Muslims) and valued taxpayers, however, which is why the Moroccan church is suffering in Granada position at al Andalus (Spain) which the Muslims eye to had provided to be a failure of their own culture and being islamiced which why the Mozarabs has been refuge in the North African territory to avoid those islamic law and had own peace in our part kingdom to not had any protest risk again' speaking of in our course of development we sent up payment and siezing Afrocoastic island also seaport in under alomhard rule commerce has become a social society in both which fez and Casablanca is one focusing in important power to gain more influence Islamic and merchant in retrospective we do more agriculturing at the point additionally to gain more office and morderising to benefit it' and the greatest thing is Morocco instituted a series of development plans to modernize the economy (to gain more organization) other major goal is was achieving a growth rate processus and supplies need' to had more vassal asunder the vizier and miner as mines to exploit cobalt, coal, silver, lead, and copper deposits, and oil-shale development whoever this settlement was mean a good richesse resource found out in Morocco's history to let believe of good hour' and currency pay revenue insist that the high officer as forcer to took over the principalities and share own accord with Abu as reign in Ifriqya (Africa OTL) we also do main trade interest and establish communications toward of interest agreement they had a potential degree overall the culture to itself finest well we make more laws to continue as for now the ships is sourrounding in our position of building and pay repair to make such tools also foods in adventure and colonies in our way we do from the tribes trade is that is increase the limit and own sell to them for being used as trade slave and payment tribe but we don't do that anymore for our own new rule he attemps that Abu claim again take over of Tangers used as a city and sea colonies to face the control in trade commercial and establish those goals objective of what they dreamed the settlement of refuge in Maghgreb become a friendly targest toward the persecutions and tribes some theologians under islamic law learn the Christianity and life of Jesus to gain more society discusion and arguably topic of interesting laws also artisan has increase the economy settlement to gain more money and thus so far we always expand our enjoyment under islamic right with the development of Muslims trade was combined with other callings, such as politics, scholarship, or medicine in organizaiton theory and southward expansion that is in common and we do more religious practic settlement and gain more money colonies.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The Swiss bishops and the Central Council are pleased about King Louis XI of France acceding to the Treaty of Saint Vith, and thus will stay officially neutral in the current conflict in France for the time being, and no Swiss soldiers or mercenaries are sent out of the country currently. However, the Central Council does agree to Burgundy's deal where they will aid Burgundy financially in exchange for Burgundy renouncing all claims to the Swiss Canton of Pontarlier. Meanwhile, as Savoy and Auvergne have since 1414 had a trade agreement where Auvergne will trade directly with the county but not lower nobles, putting economic pressure on said lower nobles; Anna von Lenzburg, regent of Savoy in her last year of regency before Count Gustav reaches adulthood, asks the lower nobility if they would like to revise their opinion on her 1413 proposal of Savoy joining the Swiss Confederacy. (Mod response) About one-half dozen scholars from the Zürich Library travel to Florence to take part in the architectural competition for the dome of Florence Cathedral. (Mod response for results) As King Louis XI of France has ceased being schismatic, the joint military of the Confederacy now places less focus on being ready for immediate deployment to France or Germany, and instead work is done on fortifying mountain passes on the southern border of the nation in the Cantons of Geneva, Sion, Uri, Disentis and Chur. Domestically, the government focuses on recruiting peasants to be soldiers in the joint military to help replenish it, and also does some work on improving roads around the city of Schwyz where the Central Council is convened. Ulrich VII, Count of Lenzburg visits Hermann II, Landgrave and (according to the Imperial Charter of 1357) Elector of Hesse and proposes a marriage between Ulrich VII's daughter Catherine (b. 1400) and Hermann II's son Louis I (b. 1402). (Mod response) Henry of Geneva-Lenzburg (1372-1420), Bishop of Chur and brother of Amadeus V, Count of Geneva, dies of a disease. Johann Naso succeeds him as Bishop of Chur.
 * Marriage accepted.
 * Florence says thanks.
 * Kingdom of Portugal: The queen sign the treaty of Saint Vith but relations between the queen and the pope remains strained due to her excommunication. Meanwhile, during a trip to Madiera, the queen begins funding roads and ports on the island which now has a population of 250 permanent inhabitants. Moreover, the army and navy is reformed and modernized to be up -o-date with the latest tech. The queen begins writing her memories as a book about her life and her struggles with her sister Princess Triss. The queen begins reaching out for better relations to Mali and offers to meet with their so-called Musa or that the Musa should come to Lisboa. (MALI RESPONSE NEEDED).
 * Mansa Musa II does not personally wish to visit Europe at this time. However, he sends an ambassador from Niani of 60 scholars to visit Lisbon with a small gift of two kg of gold and five kg of salt.
 * Roman Empire: Basileus Herodotus has another child whom he names John. Commerce continues as a major part of the economy and the incorporation of businesses grows more popular. The move away from family or individual owned trade enterprises to more widespread ownership accelerates the growth of the middle class. Investment in the arsenal system is increased with trade revenues. Specifically, 5 more war galleys are launched to secure Roman naval supremacy in the region. Work on cannons and guns is also increased, specifically working to develop longer thinner barrels.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: Enraged by the uprising in Wallachia and the Bulgarian support, King Stephen VII and his nephew Istvan are preparing their armies. Istvan raises a total of 3,000 men, mostly infantry while a huge force consisting of 7,000 Hungarians is marching toward Wallachia, many of them cavalry. the forces meet near Targoviste and the rebelling forces are encircled by the Hungarians, while supply lines are cut off. As Istvan is an experienced leader in battle, he personally visits the battlefield not only to overview the advance, but to boost the morale of his soldiers as well. However, the objective is to capture as many soldiers as possible, not to slaughter them (ALGO NEEDED). (short turn only)
 * Kingdom of Arles: More money is now invested in trade and farming. It asks the Burgudians and Spanish for donations of arms of money. They ask the French if they could occupy Dauphine and Vivarois. The army starts research on stronger Burgundian weapons. The Kingdom of Arles decide to send some money, but not too much to support Hungary.
 * Tripolitania: This year, a number of local Christians (who speak Arabic and are increasingly learning Africae/Latin for commercial/church purposes) seek an audience before the Curia. Seeming unusual, the Curia grants the petition. Speaking on behalf of the North African Christians, a local merchant indicates that there has been an increased level of tension between the Christian population and Muslims. The incidents seem to bear the marks of the Hafsids, as they occur more frequently along the border towns in the West. Recognizing that this might pose a serious threat to stability, the Curia for the first time since the Lex Tripolitana was issued make a request of the monarch, King Sigismund. Delivered by Philippe Leonard Seghers, a Cardinal and the most respected member of the Curia, they request no new churches be added to be constructed for the time being, instead focusing on recruiting more Europeans to settle in Tripolitania. The King assents to this request, believing that his Curia - which has four members of the clergy as members - is looking for the best interest of the realm. However, in addition to taking their advice, he begins to grow increasingly suspicious of the Muslim population he governs. Sigismund sends a team of diplomats across Europe to encourage migration to Tripolitania, promising great wealth and opportunities in the cities and in the caravan trade.
 * Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di": With Prince Frederick "the empty-pockets" of Germany sending 3,000 soldiers against the Taborites. These are the most radical of Radical husieren rebels, as they are not to be negotiated with. Their "Krijgskarren" being infamous for their effectiveness in Namur, the Taborites winning in the battle of Talpa Tsland. The Taborites being a small but a very devoted gruop of religious Husites, who exchange numbers for pure fanatasy to their Husite interpretation of the Christian faith. King Feinsan fully denouncing the movement as heretical and pseudo paganism, as even Cardinal Werner von Falkenstein found these movements extreme. Thus all efforts a collective 12,000 strong force existing of German and Lotharingian soldiers are focused on this small radical group. The soldiers near Talpa island surrounding them and making camp on both sides of the Muese river, their camp being only 1.2 Brabantine miles (five km) away from Namur city. In the town of Vaals and Kelmis the Friedists continue to convince the locals of Overmaas to support Prince Godfrey and his movement, Godfrey not openly supporting or aposing the opinion. As he does not want to anger the Parliamentists nor the friedists more then they already are, His father Feinsan believing that negotiations would be the best action. As both sides are still willing to hold talks and if needed even have a truce until the most radical of radical forces, the Taborites have been beaten. On the seas The Jersey-cogs begin to slowly gain in size, as the "Den Rote hand Compagnie" need more storage. This storage is most importantly needed for keeping the crews of the Voyages to the land of Gold and spices, the Land of Hendrickus Pisacus. The voyages send by the "Rote hand Company" Either coming back without having found the land of Gold, or not returning at all. With six of the ten voyages not returning back to Mokadoor Island, three out of four getting lost and then returning due to their magnetic compas having found nothing. One voyage reaching some islands owned by the Spanish, and on the coast hearing stories of White men farther south of these islands. This Mythical people being refered to باباني (The Babani), a People who make a Pa sound. A sound foreign to Arab and very common in Franconian, which combined with rumours of silver like skin are quite interesting to the "Hertog Jan I 3rd seetoght". The sailors and captain telling the local master of Mukadoor Island about these Pa-pa people. The Captain called "Egbert de Leeuw" together with the headmaster of the Mukadoor component, they request to the headquarters in Antwerp for possible funds to find the Land of Gold and باباني (The Babani). As they believe more spices and gold can be found and bought more cheaply ,spices being highly sought after by those in Europe thus having a good profit.


 * Kingdom of France: The forces in Auvergne number 15,000. A further 15,000 are sent to Albi with cannon and torch to sabotage the Burgundians, destroy their makeshift walls, ramparts and scaffolding, and bring the area back under French control. With Scotch Auvergne under partial military occupation, the Bishop of Clermont attempts to increase his influence in that region. John I, Duke of Bourbon, successfully asserts his authority in opposition to the bishop, and lays claim to Auvergne by his right as Count of Clermont-en-Beauvaisis, and as Dauphin of Auvergne, a title inherited from his late mother Anne. He raises 4,000 troops to enforce this.

1421
'''The Marcian schism officially ends with no more secular powers supporting the Antipope. Clement VII continued to push his claim until he died of disease toward the end of this year.'''

'''The Hussite Crusades begin this year as Prince Regent Frederick Habsburg organizes the Prince-electors into an army lead by Sigismund Premyslid. He calls on the support of Lotharingia and Luxembourg from Vincent, as well as King Stephen of Hungary. He designates the leaders of Hesse and Nassau as generals of the Crusader force. A total of 10,000 troops of Germany cross over the Rhine.'''

The "Red Hand" trading company of Antwerp makes a failed attempt to chart the west coast of Africa, losing one ship in the process.

'''A significant flood takes place in Lotharingia on the Feast of Saint Elizabeth, as the dikes around Dordt fail and destroy 72 villages, resulting in the death of 10,000 people. The ultra religious leaders of the Hussites and Counter-Reformers alike see this as a Biblical sign, knowing the words of Jesus that the Judgment will come "as in the days of Noah".'''

Upon signing the Treaty of Saint Vith, Queen Cyrilla of Portugal is confronted by her nobles to recognize her marriage with the Sturlungur family once again, since the dispensation of her divorce was given by an illegitimate Pope.

''' Zheng He, after returning last year from his voyages that took him as far as Malindi, departs for another voyage on the orders of the Tian Emperor. Once again, the effort is intended to impress the known world of Chinese influence and power - the treasure fleet carries great wealth out and brings back emissaries from India and the Muslim world to China. '''

''' With the Kingdom of Tondo in chaos, Zheng He lands a sizable expedition on the island of Luzon, with the intention of restoring order. He brings 8,000 troops in favor of the Bolkiah dynasty, compelling the king to submit as a full tributary state of the Tian Dynasty. '''

'''Yaluk II of Mexico dies, leaving behind a power struggle over who should succeed his place as ruler of Mesoamerica. His biological son is officially crowned as Yaluk III in Michoacan, but his adopted son Ikel manages to raise a significant amount of support across the territories east of Cholula. This results in a civil war between the two claiments. In the Mayan Empire, a great library of written material is constructed at the city of Ceh Pech.'''

''' Despite the variety of applications to the contest of architecture in Florence, Filippo Bruneschelli stuns them all by his remarkable technique for the construction of domes. This technique, he says, was rediscovered from the Ancient Romans by studying the translated works of Vitruvius. The D'Medici family of Florence likewise creates the first patent office. '''


 * The Iroquois Confederacy: We do more baby making. We are keeping make a primitive rune/pictograph writing system which is being improved over time. We start to hunt and move around about nation more. We also start to farm corn, squash and more. We start to sell furs and beads to other tribes. We make more worshiping places around our nations. We start to have more oral and cultural exchanges with each other. We start to trap animals for fur. We start to make a lot of weapons for the future. We build more longhouses around the nation, peace for now is declared in a state of security for the expansive territories of each tribe. We start to train in canoe warfare and keep making giant war canoes. This also develops major cultural connections within the Five Tribes. We also pass down many stories. We have many births during this time. This is the region of Hiawatha.


 * Roman Empire: Witnessing the Anagennisi appear to be thriving in the Latin lands, Herodotus determines to construct a grand library to cement Constantinople as a center of learning and the arts. He orders several city blocks cleared and solicits architects and designers to plan a massive complex in the classical style. Marble columns are preemptively prepared for what is expected to be one of the largest buildings ever constructed. By the end of the year preliminary designs show a massive three story cathedral to knowledge with six halls surrounding a central dome. The halls: mathematics, literature, strategy, philosophy, medicine, and theology, each represent a specific topic. The center spire shall host the most important texts, as well as be the center of administration and study for the library. Work will begin next year and shall consume perhaps 50 years. Enterprise and trade continue to grow the middle class as thousands invest in small trade companies and corporations. Banking, long the pursuit of solely the Jewish population, begins to be conducted by corporate entities which are swift in displacing their more traditional and small-scale rivals through more aggressive lending and the ability to secure larger pools of financing. The insurance of cargo and ships also grows into a massive industry as corporate entities demand greater assurances and avoidance of risk. With complex financial and inventive activity on the rise the news from Florence of a “Patent Office” induces the Syndikátoi Empóron and Mathimatikós to petition Herodotus to establish such a service. The Basileus agrees and a new office for the distribution of patents for new technology for a length of up to five years is established. With generous funding, the arsenals are tasked with developing lighter, more maneuverable siege weapons with utility beyond just bombarding stationary defenses. More war galleys are ordered, baiting Venice into a naval arms race.
 * Majapahit Empire: Following the defeat of the trade guild fleet in Maynila Bay, a force of 150 Djongs and 400 other vessels of various sizes are removed from the blockade around Borneo to enter Maynila Bay and sink or seize every ship on the side of the Yellow Faction from trade ships to military ones, the ports held by the Yellow faction are ordered to be decimated from cetbang, rentakas, and three meter long cannons with all ships equipped with scattershot and normal ammunition for engagements. For any engagements against massed forces, the larger djongs are ordered to move in formation with the smaller ships filling in the gaps (Mod Response/Algo) The ships are also armed with troops wielding hand cannons and smaller variants of cetbangs (can be used by one person). With the defeat of Brunei at Serawak, 6,000 troops are reassigned from the forces present their to Balikpapan through Majapahit territory on Borneo. The remaining 27,000 men are order to deploy in order to eliminate any enemy troops that are still continuing to flee by horse but are ordered to stop at engaging large massed and prepared forces of Brunei. They are also ordered to entrench and fortify their position in case of an enemy counterattack. The forces at Balikpapan have been given orders to continue efforts to sap the defenses and are supported by artillery fire from blockading ships and siege engines (Mod Response/Algo, note: 6,000 men reassigned from Northern forces). The trade guild is ordered to move their ships in groups of at least 50 vessels if passing by Maynila Bay, but the supplying of Red factions are halted until the Navy crushes any Yellow faction forces. The trade guild is ordered to use Khmer ports as stops rather than those going by the Phillipines or Borneo in order to keep away from the dangers of enemy raiding fleets. The Majapahit Raja reaches out to pirates in order to offer them employment and greater pay then Yellow to looti and raid Yellow Faction vessels and also offers any defectors of the Yellow Faction as well as any willing informants pay in exchange for their services (Mod Response). The Majapahit Navy, consisting of 450 djongs and 800 smaller vessels (armed with cetbangs, rentakas, and 3m cannons, still blockading Borneo are ordered to begin burning and decimating Bruneian ports and sinking Bruneian ships in order to keep them from supporting the Yellow Faction. Majapahit vassals and tributaries are ordered to cut trade with Brunei on the occasion they escape the blockade and contribute their navies to decimating Brunei's fleets and port infrastructure (Mod Response/Algo). The shipyards at Cirebon are comandeered by the government in order to devote all production to the war effort but shipyards across Majapahit continue with production of smaller vessels for other purposes. An appeal is made to China to withhold themselves from involvement in the Civil War until after the Yellow Faction is suppressed in the tribute mission to China. (Mod Response).
 * A few pirates agree to be employed
 * Zheng He will coordinate his forces with the Majapahit, a loyal tributary
 * Kingdom of Arles: They ask Burgundy if they could join the Alliance. The current Arlean King, Louis I, decides to spend more in food production technology, increasing revenue. Seeing that the French are at war with one of their allies Burgundy, 25,000 men are dispatched to Defend Auvergne while letters are sent to our allies the Swiss to financially support us.  Letters are also sent to north Italian states and Rome to lend us military support. Our Navy Blockades the ports of Toulon and Marseilles.
 * Icelandic Dip to Arles:  Though the King is ready for war he believes that Arles doesn’t know the military backing up Auvergne and suggests pulling out.
 * Dai Viet: On April 10th, 1421, Le Lai has returned to Dai Viet by boat. As the Tian dynasty has accepted for Lê Lợi to seize the throne, he revealed Tran Thiem Binh’s crimes to the public at Bo De, Thang Long. This news makes the people of Dai Viet furious. Immediately, Tran Thiem Binh knows about this which made him furious and worried at the same time. He denies all of this and orders for his soldiers to execute Le Loi. However, the majority of his troops has turned on him, and later, Lê Lợi bursts into the imperial court and captured then beheaded Tran Thiem Binh. On April 15th, Le Loi had his coronation done in Đông Kinh, Thăng Long and took his era name of Thuận Thiên. He enforce a new set of law, stating that: ”From ancient times until now, ruling a country requires law and order, if not then it will be chaos. So similarly to the former dynasties I must set up laws to tell the officials and the people what is right and what is wrong, so they could do the right thing, avoid doing wrong things and break the law.” He divides the country into 5 provinces. Below provinces are prefectures, counties, communes and villages respectively. Each has their own mandarins to govern the respective administrative division. He orders each household should get a housing book that documents their household and land status and ownership. If there’s abandoned farming land in one commune, people from others are highly recommended to take them for their farming. He orders the soldiers to temporarily return to their hometown and reclaim the farming land to avoid land contention. He orders to return the land and household for the arrested citizens in Tây Đô during the Hồ war. He encourages people to report local corrupt mandarins to imprison or execute them. The current army comprises of 35,000 men and he divides them to go back home to farm, guarding each province and guarding the imperial palace respectively. He had scientists studying the gunpowder and artillery science to create and produce them, as well as ships and weapons. Also, the first annual university exam during his reign results in 32 valedictorians. He sends an ambassador to Cambodia and Lan Xang, hoping the rulers of the countries recognize the new dynasty and build better relations, as well as send gifts of their will, not as tributes but as a symbol of friendship to congratulate the new Emperor. [Mod Response]
 * Lang Xang gladly accepts the diplomat. Khmer has poor relations with Vietnam, but tentatively accepts the gift.
 * Iceland: More regulation is put on food storage to prevent food famines in the future, Ari announces that in six years he shall resign. The people of Iceland grow more anti-Vatican since they have never seen their Pope so prince Andrès Heinrich offers the Pope to visit Iceland. (Papal Response Needed).
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Martin V leaves the Papal States with a commitive to visit the people of Iceland. A member of the papal commitive is Frederick of Habsburg, son of Ernnest of Habsburg.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: The delegation of Ethiopians arrives in Rome, where it makes contact with the local Ethiopian clergy there. Together, they petition the Pope for an audience to request that the Pope if he might be willing to find Italian engineers who would be willing to come to Ethiopia as honored guests to help improve Ethiopia’s capital. This would include artisans, architects, road engineers and more [PAPAL RESPONSE, PLEASE]. They would be paid handsomely and be treated as high-ranking members of the Imperial bureaucracy. The delegation takes notice of the prominence of cannons on European vessels now, and sees that many fortresses and castles are now defended with similar cannons. Back in the Empire, the Emperor uses the Empire’s vast wealth to improve the nation’s two universities, granting both universities substantially larger subsidies in order to incentivize more Ethiopians to become scholars and academics. The Emperor also asks the Order of St. Anthony to begin providing classes in Greek and Amharic writing to all Ethiopians, regardless of class or wealth. In exchange the Emperor will pay a large subsidy to each monastery which does so. Monasteries slowly start to introduce an additional sermon to educate people in reading and writing Amharic and Greek. Indian merchants along with some Ethiopian merchants to India mention rumors that a powerful Christian Empire has conquered Persia. Seeking to investigate the rumors, the Empire sends five dhow staffed with Imperial trade agents to Persian cities. In Egypt, Ethiopian merchants also hear news that a large army of Christians has conquered territory far to the west of the Nile. These rumors are substantiated by Egyptian merchants arriving in Ethiopia. The Emperor  sends a delegation of trade agents to Egypt to attempt to find this new kingdom as well. The rumors of two new Christian kingdoms, combined with the recent discovery of the Christian Roman Empire and Christian Europe, causes a massive surge of Christian pride. For centuries Ethiopia had believed that it was one of the few Christian kingdoms in an world of Muslims. Now the Empire has come to realize that there are many Christian nations, and that Ethiopia is not alone. The faith of the Empire dramatically increases with this revelation. The merchants of Ethiopia find heavy success in trade, profiting greatly from renewed trade to India, Egypt an the Swahili city-states. Some merchants with large amounts of wealth begin to buy lands from impoverished nobles or nobles who simply wish to sell. This causes a stir amongst the nobility, as for centuries only nobles had been wealthy enough to own land.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Martin V meets with the Ethiopian delegation and sends a group of workers to help improve their capital.
 * Kingdom of Portugal: During a trip from the Madieras, Prince Alphonso the navigator discovers and claims the islands of the Azores which are immidietly given 200 people as permanent inhabitants. (approved by Nate). Meanwhile, the fort and the wall in Gordes sees more funding as a huge effort of modernizing the defenses of it begins to take place in Portugal.
 * Wattasid Kingdom: We took succesfully the siege of Melila and no longer Spanish influence on it we gain opposition of those colony claim as in our port but the military success contrast with the wattasid policy conciliation toward the Catholic kings to the north Abu took over the capture of Asilah and become a seaport in trade commerce and showup a new territory far the rumor told up Abu has gain to all state and introduce themselves from Europe to Africa he manage to control the afrocoastic island and morderising in his own view anyways the authorities has enter a new model ideal toward the principalities and payment taxe's resource they gain them and his delegates locals who face him was emerging as an exporter of manufactured and agricultural products due political reason those rumor show morroco had achieved some nicely work and high control economy in regardless and begin to pay commision to relation trade stablish whoever so far the kingdom had a high influence of what they diccus cause a massive development to had benefit relation with nation and diccusion' see many fortif and resource water are in position to morderising alongside with the help of Abu his popularity and power was still strong enough to secure the appointment of his nephew ali ibn yusuf esnured religion authorities and the living member of the idriss member confirm it and a huge diccusion to the alomhad back to Tanger,we still more developing factions and request this commision is a need help from the principalities to size them and some merchants improve their skills and trade from Europe they took promise of controlling the ship to morderising and those new movement and Anarchy would continue to prevail in Morroco's nowaday and in cueta is was lifted (save from occasionally makeshift puritan column that marched up the wall of cueta to demand a trial of arm like in OTL) any of his idea Abu might have his now-popular and powerful minister were sheveled. But we're still more making progress in our nation idealist concept we engange delegants in trade commerce to combine with oil and huge mix supplies of what we have and we pay them is make a nice huge effort to make those modern movement and helpful which is in our state they success become built more port and seaships to gain promotion in our country and the fort arre well builted in final conctrustion which lead the open of our door we also do more principalities control to have more people who can control and is a reason that why we need trade socializing and goodness Abu feel himself proud with mohammed and his nephew they make good effort and gain control payment of currency taxes and islamic law establishment in his own rule at our rank and nobles are whoever can control the upper level principalites to gain more limit colonies and border from south and development is doing well.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The Central Council continues to pay close attention to the ongoing conflict in France, including the actions of Arles, but continues to remain officially neutral aside from providing financial aid to Burgundy as part of their 1420 agreement. The Central Council also pays attention to the Hussite Crusade taking place in Lotharingia, but they or the Swiss bishops do not endorse this yet as Pope Martin V has not endorsed said crusade yet. The Central Council sends an envoy to Pope Martin V while the Canton of Montfort sends an envoy to their eastern neighbours the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg (which does not include the Free City of Augsburg), proposing that the Prince-Bishopric join the Swiss Confederacy as the Canton of Augsburg (similarly to the Prince-Bishoprics of Basel, Constance, Lausanne and Sion) for the benefit of greater protection against conflicts in the increasingly unstable Holy Roman Empire, more trade and more opportunities for interaction with the bishoprics and abbeys already in the Confederacy. (Papal response) The joint military of the Confederacy focuses on improving the fortifications of Zürich, the largest city in the nation, by building new defensive moats outside the city walls. Domestically, the government works on increasing lumber production for construction and trade by encouraging and teaching peasants to become lumberjacks. Debates between Swiss nobles on the relative merits of the Zürich Library and Bern Library's books on the game of chess continue. The Zürich scholars who went to the architectural competition in Florence return to their hometown after Bruneschelli's victory, but have now become interested in establishing their own patent office after the example of the Medici. Johanna von Lenzburg (1347-1421), mother of Amadeus V, Count of Geneva and aunt of Ulrich VII, Count of Lenzburg dies of natural causes at the impressive age of 74. Ulrich VII's daughter Catherine von Lenzburg and Louis I, Landgrave of Hesse have their first child, a son named Hermann III (b. 1421) in honour of Louis I's father.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Martin V allows that Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg be part of the Swiss Confederacy.
 * Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di": On Talpa island the Ardennes Crusades continue's. As the Emperor and the german states have arived in the ardennes to end the Taborite movement once and for all. As no secular power in catholicism recognises the Taborites or the Markish schism, thus their legitimacy is waning. The king feinsan informing Frederick von Habbsburg, that he will allow the German soldiers to squash the Taborite movement. The king telling them to be hard but just and thoroughly, meaning they are allowed to punish Taborites but have mercy on those who surrender (Mod Response?) The faith of the Taborites who surrender being either Jail, Public shaming, or forced comunity work combined with having to renounce taborites and recognise the Pope. One of the things that is meant to prevent the Taborites getting stronger of Tabor is keeping archers on the island so that if one gets close to the waterline to fish, wash and resuply. This causing the suplies for the Talpa Taborite to slowly deteriorate, although there are taborites in different parts of the Ardennes. As it's easy to hide in the Ardennes Forest for these Taborites, the Crusaders being allowed to hunt these taborites down. This disturbing trade in Lotharingia which causes companies in Lotharingia to look outward and inward. The "Rotterdamsche Handels Compagnie" trading more and more norwegian cod while selling Lotharingian fabrics for the local population. The "Lakenhalle" producing more and to a higher quality as foreign demands for this fabric increases, these halls being able to produce high quality and high quantity. These halls being very commen in medium sized up to bigger cities, cities including Mechelen, Düren, Louvain and Zoutleeuw, Zoutleeuw having the oldest Lakenhal in the whole of Lotharingia. These halls employing high amouths of skilled workers to create good wool and maintain the machinery of the halls. This wool being the main commodity that Lotharingian trade companies, The "Rotterdamsche Handels Compagnie" being the main seller of it. This company working togheter with the Holland and Zeeland, as dikes and dams break. The Government asking for companies to repair the main damage as cheaply as promised, The flood killing more people then the Lotharii-Burgundy war. Thus the king decides to lower taxation and interests rates for the affected area and the rest of the Zeeland Country, done in the hope that peasants are able to pay to rebuild the dikes and dams. The king personally visiting the affected area as he is in shock of the damage that has come to Dordt. While close to the town of dordt, king feinsan accepted the "Rote hand Company" request for extra funds. The catch being that they have to help with the rebuilding of zeeland, as to do their duty. The specific contract of this mission being rather short, as they get a contract to explore the باباني (The Babani) and bring information, gold and spices. While also having to record their encounter and represent the Lotharingian crown and not to start any possible conflict. Thus "Egbert de Leeuw" with new funding from both the Government and "Rote hand Compagnie" begins his new journey from Mokadoor island. The "Hertog Jan I 3rd seetoght" after 3 weeks discovering new land on a peninsula 290 Brabantine miles (1420ish km) from the original camp in Mukadoor island. "Egbert de Leeuw" and his loyal 3 ship crew being amazed at what they see and here, as they here a language very simmilar to that of their forefathers. This combined with their lighter skin tone and population that follows Lotharingian traditions, the People refering to their old homeland as لوثارينجيا (Utharengjia). This name being close to Lotharingia, the Lord of this nation talking about their Founder Hendrickus Pisacus - Al ismak. This ringing a bell with one of Egbert's sailor boys recognising the name, as he tells the captain that Al ismak was a local of his town who visited all of Africa before visiting his home town and leaving again. The interaction with the men of the city being bit tense due to different interpertations of history although they do all remain friendly and formal. Egbert bringing back some books, Gold, spices and one Nomand slave. "Hertog Jan I 3rd seetoght" returning successful to Mukadoor Island, where the captain writes about his visit. This report being taken seriously by the "Rote hand Compagnie" as it is known that Pisacus setled close to the Empire of Gold and spice. Thus the "Rote hand Compagnie" Requests even bigger and more formal contract with and from the government. As the "Rote hand compagnie" sees this as a way to cut out some of the middle men in the spices trade and all of the middle men from the African gold trade. A Lotharingian noble bring a variant of the Hand cannon called the Punaise, this having a different firing mechanic then the regular Hand cannon. The Lotharingian noble agreeing with the "Messenkempher compagnie" to inspect this cannon as to find out if it is better, and if it is worth selling and making in Lotharingia itself. Or cheaper for the "Amstelse Handels Unie" to import these cannons from France, due to their technological edge in with weapon.
 * Papal States: With the Schism finally finished, Pope Martin V removes the excommunication of Queen Ciri of Portugal. The idea of Pierre d'Ailley about turning the College of Cardinals in a parliament, impresses the pope. This can help stop abuses made by the pope. However, he don't agree with the College being considered infallible, since the cardinals also showed their corruption when some supported the antipopes during the Schism. Pope Martin V thinks that as the cardinals oversee the pope's conduct, the Ecclesial Tribunal should oversee the College of Cardinals' acts. For Pierre d'Ailley (France) brilliant idea, the Holy Father creates him as cardinal. The construction of the gardens desired by Alexander V in the Vatican starts and plans are made to bring plants from various regions of the world. The conflict against the Taborites isn't see as a Crusade by the pope, but as a military intervention by the German States against a group that proved to be violent and dangerous. However, this doesn't stop the pontiff of making one last attempt to stop blood from being spilled, he writes to the Taborites, pleading that the they become part of the Catholic Hussites and accept the authority of the Hussite Patriarchate of Bohemia [MOD response needed, please]. The pontiff also writes to Cardinal-Patriarch Jacob of Mies, asking for the establishment of a Catholic Hussite embassy in Rome. [MOD response needed, please].  The pontiff makes a pastoral visit to Iceland. Leonardo Da Nacho, Headmaster of Saint Augustine's University, continues to act as a father to Ari VI and the boy start to be tutored by professors of the University. After his meeting with Sister Anna Forti and influenced by the workers of John Duns Scotus, Ari Sturlungur starts to write about the Virgin Mary and her place in the Economy of Salvation. His writtings focus mainly in her perpetual virginity, about she being the Mother of God and her Immaculate Conception.
 * Republic of Ancona: The economy of the Republic continues to grow due to the trade relations with Arles, Tripolitana and Byzantium. New galleys are built in the shipyards of Ancona, this way making the Republic navy grown in number.
 * Jacob agrees to make an embassy in Rome.
 * 'Nobody responds to the Taborite request.
 * Kingdom of Scotland:We continue to fight against the French attempts to invade Auvergne and usurp the rightful lands of the duke of Auvergne, King David III of scotland. We move our forces from Albi to Auvergne to fight the heretic Usurper and false king, and call upon our allies Arles and Burgundy to do the same (Burgundy and Arles responses).
 * Arles response: We have done so, as stated in our eariler action.
 * Tripolitania: With the kingdom's soldiers on high alert, a small incident breaks out in Misurata, where a Nubian Christian soldier is accused of wrongfully killing a Muslim merchant who is suspected to have ties with the Barbary pirates from the Hafsids. The King orders a redoubling of the guard in Misurata, where tensions are already quite high. A small riot breaks out in the Muslims slums of the town, which is swiftly put down by highly-skilled, combat veteran knights. The Order of Bari is called into Misurata, and an increased effort is placed on converting the moderate Muslims in that city. In other news, Sigismund and Caitrìona Bruce have a third child born in Tripolis, a son named Alexander. Efforts at recruiting young unlanded European nobles continues, selling Tripolitania as fertile ground for crusading and leading a chivalrous life, something that is increasingly being lost in Europe.

1422
'''The Anti-Hussite Crusade in Lothairingia succeeds in recovering several towns from Taborite control, and strikes multiple major victories against the Parliamentarians. However, Jan Franz proves to be a very formidable miltiary leader, winning multiple decisive battles against the Crusaders. '''

'''Domestically, some factions of the Hussites establish an anarchic society of communal living, calling themselves the Adamites. This is criticized and suppressed by both Jan Franz and Jan Hus. Hus in particularly writes against the Taborite movement, and strongly condemns the shedding of innocent blood, even if their cause isn't wrong.'''

'''King Henry V dies in England. Having no children, the throne passes to his brother, the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Bedford, who takes on the name King John III. This sudden change of power causes a drastic reduction of the King's direct power over England. This does not hamper his ability to conduct the ongoing Anglo-French War, but it does cause further discontent among the nobility, particularly the northern nobles being led by the Duke of York.'''

'''Despite the Majapahit's policies toward foreign immigration, ongoing appearence of Muslims in Indonesia begin to present a problem across the northern territories. Sufi Bhakti missionaries from Bengal see significant conversion among the people of Malaysia and Aceh, particularly as conversion is offered to princes as a prerequisit of buying their spices. Starting this year, the ongoing conflict against the Muslim hegemony in Brunei and Tondo galvanizes Muslims in the empire to cause general civil disorder.'''

'''Constantine II of Bulgaria dies. Having no children, the throne of Bulgaria passes to his son-in-law, Stefen the Tall of Serbia. This forms a personal union between Serbia and Bulgaria, known by historians as the formation of the "Second Serbian Empire".'''

'''In an unlikely turn of events, Ikel wins decisively against the claiment Yaluk III of Mexico at the Battle of Uatlan. Yaluk's forces quickly implodes over time, until Yaluk himself is captured after the Siege of Colima. The epic history of Ikel's biography would detail Yaluk as a ruthless tyrant, and the downfall of his empire was likened to the epic heros of Mayan mythology.'''

The nobles in Portugal suggest that Queen Cyrilla should despense with the "Caesar era" of dating events, which dates events starting with the conquest of Spain by Julius Caesar in 38 BC. Instead, they should change over to the Anno Domini calendar as the rest of Europe uses.

'''At this point in time, the Republic of Florence is the most democratic nation in the world, except possibly for the Nordic commonwealths. 2.5 percent of the nation's population at this point has the right to vote.'''
 * The Iroquois Confederacy: We do more baby making. We are keeping make a primitive rune/pictograph writing system which is being improved over time. We start to hunt and move around about nation more. We also start to farm corn, squash and more. We start to sell furs and beads to other tribes. We make more worshiping places around our nations. We start to have more oral and cultural exchanges with each other. We start to trap animals for fur. We start to make a lot of weapons for the future. We build more longhouses around the nation, peace for now is declared in a state of security for the expansive territories of each tribe. We start to train in canoe warfare and keep making giant war canoes. This also develops major cultural connections within the Five Tribes. We also pass down many stories. We have many births during this time. This is the region of Hiawatha.
 * Wattasid Kingdom: We increase the economy with column and built fortifications we had some new principalities under in our control at ranking our colony' Abu and his vivzer quickly emerge the opposite ruler opportunistcally the nasrid ruler of granada and  Abdalwadids of Tlemcen they intervented each sponoring different candidates for the morrocan throne but the writ of Abu's view did much extend much the beyond the palace' and the forces we're to control those situation but anyways Abu intervention had been facililated by the old maranind palace bureaucracy who fear the other candidate would deliver Morroco to foreign domination also was able to cement and extend his power over Morocco we still developing the modern ideal in those stage early we're making a series of development and increase produce and the main goal is to included phosphoric acid plants, sugar refineries, mines to exploit cobalt, coal, silver, lead, and copper deposits, and oil-shale development from richesse resource ol' and the sub-saharan African are a worker clan class who can export mine and controlling the high office in our principalities also including our limit's colony border and face to face our goal our thing is linked to the Europe's movement economy and morderising such like a rich way and have the position to the nasrid's stage and is describe that we exempt many taxes and religious authority laws from the christian minorty to hiearchy's statues which is still ongoing and Abu is enjoy himself like everyday in his proper claim law of islamic tradition and Casablanca become a huge key commerce in our major culture and ethnic relation with the tribes the mozarabs in islamic rule did pay tribute consisting a yearly supplemented in exchange of the protection it is oftenly mistaked that in Morroco that mozarab merchant forged a vital commercial and cultural link between the north and the south to Iberian frontiers and in our control of Abu itself well is was probably a huge influence law dominate and maintaning their christians faith which we still pay' in tager a source is assertion the expansion of the caliphate's rule had come primarly throught conversion and absorption and only some very throught the immigration and we do welcome the al-andalus people in magbreh which the community shrank into an increasingly fossilized remnant and is siginifcaty that we're still working and had some limit control in our law and controlling afro-coastic state which we pay to the tribes and we do more work from the oil export and merchants diccusion.
 * Kingdom is Scotland: We continue to fight against the French forces in Auvergne, in defense of our rights as its rightful dukes, alongside our Burgundian and Arles allies. Realizing how few the 7,000 Auvergne forced at our disposal are, even with the help of Burgundy, we seek to complement our forces with foreign mercenaries, and make discreet inquiries to the Swiss confederacy about the possibility of hiring 3,000 Swiss mercenaries to help defend our lands in Auvergne, which would bring us up to 10,000 troops to fight back against France with. (Swiss Confederacy response). We also continue to fight alongside Burgundian forces and, in order to seal our alliance and ensure our continued cooperation in the war, King David III Bruce offers the hand of his youngest daughter, Princess Seònaid of Bruce-Auvergne, to the recently widowed Duke Phillip the Good, in order to deal our alliance fully. (Burgundy Response needed). Meanwhile, in Scotland itself, the Clergy of both the Roman Catholic and Lollard Celtic Catholic Churches continue to offer prayers for the interssesion of Owain Lagoch, still seen as a great hero and blessed figure. There is even a supposed account of a miracle this year, as a Noble whose wife had fallen ill and was dying of the Plague who had long ago waned in his devotion and become greedy and sinful supposedly prayed for the deliverance of his dying wife from the illness, only to be visited in the night by the Spirit of Owain, who extracted the promise of renewed devotion and charity for the poor for the rest of his life from the noble in exchange for healing his wife. The noble agreed, and continued to pray, seeing little improvement until, in the third day his wife rose, healthy and cured, and the rejoicing noble began to fulfill what he had promised, generously donating his wealth to the poor in what many saw as a miracle. Roads also begin being constructed toward Iverness, to connect it to the rest of Scotland’s vast road network, as it has becoming an increasingly important port through trade through the northern sea with Iceland, Scandinavia, and some other places, in order to ensure its thriving trade and increased wealth is increased by the rest of Scotland and benifits it as well.
 * Burgundian Dip: Duke Phillip III the Good of Burgundy happily agrees to marry the lovely Princess Seònaid of Bruce-Auvergne to seal his alliance with Scotland/Auvergne.
 * Swiss Diplomacy: Ulrich VII, Count of Lenzburg allows 3,000 Swiss mercenaries to aid King David III of Scotland, on the condition Scotland pays for them and they are used specifically to defend Auvergne rather than Burgundy.
 * Iceland: We offer the nine-year-old Guðný, Princess of the Isles to Lucas, Crown Prince of Arles. The Icelandic Army joins the Arlean army. (Player Response Needed). The pope reveals his beautiful statue in Engey, the guest brought by the Pope is offered the Beautiful Princess of Jónína. (Papal Response Needed). Prince Domnhall returns to Iceland by boat (The mob attack was made non-canon by Nate) and gets to live in the Winter Palace. An alliance is offered to the Örebro Union to keep Scandinavia on good terms. (Mod Response Needed). Crown Prince Andrés has twin daughters, one named Freyja and the other Frigg. In support of his kinswoman he sends money to prince of the HRE to pay for army maintenance.
 * Duchy of Burgundy: A lot of resources continue to be invested upon Albi, hoping to fortify it to weather the incoming storm. Works on improving the fortifications of the city of Albi continue after we successfully repulsed the French assault in 1420 to this day. The stone walls of Albi are raised by 3 metres, bringing them to a total of 8 metres on average. Taking advantage of the Tarn river, the right tributary of the Garonne river, that flows through Albi a deep moat is constructed in the Western perimeter of the city, filled with water from the river, in the process to turn Albi into an impregnable fortress. Our citadel, castle Château de Castelnau-de-Lévis is greatly reinforced and expanded, creating solid foundations for an impregnable fortress in the future. Taxation on the still prosperous and largely uneffected by the war, parts of our realm such as Flanders and Artois is increased to pay for these works. Unlike the wartorn Duchy of Burgundy and the Counties of Burgundy and Nevers. [Will add war instructions soon] If the French choose to engage us in open battle a flanking manouvre is carried out against them by our experienced commander, Phillip III the good, learning much from his father's cunning and prowess in battle, John the Fearless, before his untimely passing, using our superior numbers and the terrain to our advantage to encircle the French forces. The marriage of Duke Phillip III the Good of Burgundy and the lovely Scottish Princess Seònaid of Bruce-Auvergne takes place in the Cathedral of Saint Benignus of Dijon this year to seal his alliance with Scotland/Auvergne, after the Duke was recently widowed by the untimely passing of his previous wife, Michelle of Valois this year. Since His Most Holiness, the Pope, in essence is appointed by God and creating an Antipope is questioning almighty GOD himself, our bishops as representatives of the Catholic Church denounces the vile Anti-Pope Falkenstein. Given the dire state of our economy and our war weariness, we plead Emperor Francisco of Hispania to military and financially assist us in our efforts to reinforce the defenses of Albi, as losing the south of France would lead to terrible consequences for all of us. Also we plead King David III of Scotland, our fierce ally, to help as financially in our efforts to reinforce the defenses of Albi, as losing the south of France would lead to terrible consequences for all of us. We also request the Hanseatic League to loan money to be able to defend ourselves against France as well as mercenaries. [Hispanian, Scottish and Hanseatic Player Response]. (MORE TO BE ADDED).
 * Mali Empire: In his old age, Musa II cedes the crown of Bornu to his cousin, Othman Abu Al-Wathiq, who is crowned the new Emperor of Bornu in Njimi. Othman is the grandson of Mustafa, the son of his daughter Rahi who was married into the Sefawa Dynasty. This restoration of the Sefawa to the throne of Bornu came rather unceremoniously. Effectively, Mali had lost direct control over Bornu long ago as a result of the Treaty of Kano. It was at this stage, during the proliferation of scientific and historical literature, that the Chadian version of the Simba epic was first composed, by the restored Sefawa dynasty that despised the Keita oppression. Even so, the Treaty of Kano ensured the two states administration was still closely aligned, as was their ongoing alliances abroad to the Islamic states of Morocco, Tunis and Egypt. Mansa Othman of Chad sends embassies of gold and salt to his allies in Morocco, Tunis and Egypt. We ask if any royal house wishes to marry their daughter to Al-Wathiq, the crown prince or alternatively a prince to marry his sister Aisha. [WATTASID, HAFSID, MOD RESPONSE]. Abu would greatly accept the request of Musa. The caravan trade across the Sahara desert continues to prove immensily valuable, capitlizing on earlier generations of the Hindu-African trade route to keep a steady flow of silk, spices, oils and slaves. The great surpluss of slaves captured from pagan African kingdoms in Nigeria and Bononam prompts Mali to begin selling them off abroad. Mali offers to sell large numbers of African slaves to the Mediterranean market, providing them to bolster the militaries of the Franks and Romans in exchange for sending us more advanced gunpowder wepaons and engineers [TRIPOLITANIA, BYZANTIUM RESPONSE]. The Atlantic sea trade proves to be somewhat profitable at this time period, but drastically competes against the existing caravan trade. A more direct pressence is placed along the Congo River in OTL Angola, and Abu Ismail sends an ambassador to begin trade wtih the Kingdom of the Kongo. Musa sends an ambassador to Spain, and offers to lend them control over the Island of Brotuqal (OTL Ilha de Orange) for 60 years, where they can build and station on it as they please, and have free access to trade in Mali as if they were within the Empire. In exchange, we ask for Spain to sell us more advanced gunpowder wepaons such as guns and cannons, along with engineering texts for the Library of Timbuktu (SPAIN RESPONSE). In the lands of the Sidinate, the first expedition of Egbert de Leeuw went largely unnoticed by the African Empire, predisposed with other matters. A local Amir named Abdul Aziz came wtih 50 Malian cavalry to meet with the Franconian explorer, and provided him a tribute of gold and copper in the name of the Mansa. This was also presented in the present of the Sidi Nuh Al-Ismak, the son of Jibril. In accordance with ancient tradition, the wives of the Sidi are provided from among the harem of concubines from the Mansa.
 * Kingdom of Portugal: The queen is outraged after hearing that the Malians are offering territory to Spain but not to Portuga and cancels all diplomatic missions to Mali permanentely. Meanwhile, a Portuguese armada is dispatched to Mali to stop any Portuguese ship from selling to them.This is known as the era in which Mali and Portugal became bitter rivals. The queen decides to accept the nobles request of changng the date.
 * Swiss Confederacy: In response to the offer made by King David III of Scotland, 3,000 Swiss mercenaries are readied in the Canton of Neuchâtel for potential deployment to Auvergne, and the Central Council generally pays close attention to the diplomatic situation in France. Meanwhile, the joint military of the Swiss Confederacy heads in the opposite direction to the northeast of the nation to help secure and fortify the new Canton of Augsburg, comprising the territory of the Prince-Bishopric of Augsburg. The new canton is also given a seat on the Central Council, expanding its size to 36 members. The Central Council continues to pay attention to the Taborite conflicts in Lotharingia, with the Swiss bishops still not taking official positions on this issue apart from Bishop of Lausanne Guillaume de Challant, who describes these "crusades" as unnecessary violence. The other Swiss bishops share this concern but are waiting for Pope Martin V to take an official position on this issue. Domestically, the government works on improving roads in the new Canton of Augsburg as well as the other northeastern Cantons of Montfort, Sargans and Werdenberg, to aid the integration of this region and the movement of traders, boosting the local economy. Ulrich VII, Count of Lenzburg has some discussions with King Domnhall II of Iceland about marriages and as a result of these proposes to arrange a marriage between Domnhall II's son Eiríkur Sturlungur (b. 1405) and Bonne de la Marck (b. 1399), who is the daughter of Engelbert I & IV, Elector of Saxony and Count of the Mark and Ulrich VII's first cousin once removed; per Domnhall's suggestion, this would be a matrilineal marriage. (Iceland response) (Mod response) Ulrich VII also proposes to arrange another marriage, between Engelbert I & IV's son Henry de la Marck (b. 1397) and Blanche of Geneva-Lenzburg (b. 1396), who is Amadeus V, Count of Geneva's daughter and Henry's second cousin. (Mod response) Amadeus V, Count of Geneva (1367-1422) dies from an infection of a wound he incurred during the war in France several years prior and is succeeded as Count by his son Aymon IV (b. 1398). Ulrich VII's son Friedrich von Lenzburg and Freyja Sturlungur have their first child, a son named Gottfried (b. 1422) in honour of the previous Gottfried von Lenzburg (1338-1407).
 * Iceland: We Accept.
 * Roman Empire: Basileus Herodotus and his wife have another child this year, a second son, who they name Andronikos. However, the boy succumbs to fever in the winter, leaving John and Sophia as his only surviving children. Work on the Great Library of Constantinople begins this year with the foundations being laid and materials for future construction prepared. The current immediate objective for construction is the functional completion of the central spire and then each of the wings. After the building reaches a usable state it will be decorated and finalized. Banking and merchant corporations come to dominate the financial and trading sectors. Insurance also grows as a business, leveraging the growing capital capacity of the banking sector and the growing demand from trade corporations. The development of patents, having spread quickly from Florence, incentivise many of the Mathimatikoí of the Pandidakterion to work on potentially profitable inventions. Seeing Florence as a potential rival to Venice within Italy, and thus a potential ally to the empire, emissaries are sent to seek a formal military and trade alliance with the republic. (Mod Response). The arsenals continue to work on lighter, more maneuverable siege weapons with utility beyond just bombarding stationary defenses.