Principia Moderni IV (Map Game)

The Ming Dynasty still rules over the vast lands of China. On the other side of the world, the Hundred Years War continues between England and France. Europe is still stuck in the old ways of feudalism and chivalry while the notions of a New World are considered figments of imagination.

We welcome you to the long awaited fourth expansion of that immortal series. Welcome to Principia Moderni IV! Starting in 1400 AD, this is the dawn of the modern world and the tail end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance is just kicking off in Europe, while the nations in the western side of the continent are locked in the last gasp of the Hundred Years War. The Muslim world is still reeling from the invasions of Turks and Mongols, with the Caliphate resting in the collapsing Mamluk Egypt and the Ottomans on the rise in Anatolia. Make it count.

The first game was the most successful on the wiki, leading all the way to the modern day with mostly plausible posts and little controversy. The second game reached almost to the modern day, but failed due to a plethora of ASB events and moderator bias. The third game was much more worthy of the first, almost running into implausibility but climbing back into a shining glory by the end. Riding on the latest reforms of map games since the end of PMIII, this is the most logical next step in that evolution. Remember  above all other rules — have fun.

The Map
1475 AD

Important Pages

 * Rules and Algorithm
 * Alliances 
 * Holy Roman Empire
 * Feudal Dynasties
 * College of Cardinals
 * Nations

Oversight Committee

 * Chief Overseer United Republic

The Night's Watch (Moderators)

 * Lord Commander Scrawland
 * First Builder JoshTheRoman
 * Commander of the Eastwatch by the Sea Reximus55
 * Commander of the Shadow Tower Wolves
 * First Ranger Callumthered
 * First Steward Edgeofnight
 * Mapmaker NicDonalds


 * MGOC Overseer: United Republic

The Wildlings
All users currently on the wiki may play unless otherwise noted.

Banned Users
A ban from plausibility strikes lasts thirty days, afterwhich the third strike is repealed and the banned player is unbanned. However, the newly unbanned player rejoins the game with two strikes, as a form of probation.
 * Bibleboyd (1461)

Plausibility Strikes
'''Three strikes and you're out! Each strike resets after 30 years of the most recent strike.'''
 * Nova - I (1464)
 * Tim - I (1469)
 * Vivaporius - II (1467)

Moderator Strikes
These are strikes for moderators and how they moderate. The same three strikes rules apply. If a moderator is banned from moderating, however, they can still play as their nation. Mod strikes can be delivered in one of three ways: Moderators can be given strikes for the following reasons: This system will take effect beginning in 1476.
 * 1) If a sufficient number of players (more than half of all players voting) vote to give a moderator a strike.
 * 2) If I, Scraw, give them a strike.
 * 3) If a majority of all mods (ie more than half of the total number of mods, excluding that moderator) vote to give a moderator a strike.
 * 1) Exhibiting bias that would benefit the nation they are playing.
 * 2) Exhibiting bias that would negatively affect a player they have a personal dispute with.
 * 3) Making a ruling that contradicts a proven fact from OTL or an established fact from earlier in the game.
 * 4) Overruling a decision of a majority of moderators.



1470
Please do turns on time?? -Feud

In East Africa, Islamic merchants continue to trade with Ethiopia, ignoring the order of the Caliph.


 * Astrakhan: We publicly declare our support for the Permian rebels and send 12,000 men to aid them in their rebellion against their Russians Overlords. We call open our ally Gurkani to aid us against the Russians specifically mentioning it will weaken the Russians further. Integration of the Kazakh realm continues with those who don't submit being murdered, From this a reputation of fear and bloodshed begins to spread about the Astrakhani men. The Capital of Salai continues to be built up. Abukhan grows old and his inability to rule grows more evident his son Möxämmätcan rules in his stead who is already popular among the Khans and military,
 * The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 34 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversionsCal. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst hand cannons and rocket launchers were increasingly developed as gunpowder became ever so popular. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's fore point, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Sultan Salman Beg continued his policy of constructing educational madrassahs, hoping to enlighten the people of his nation and reestablish the Islamic Golden Age. Meanwhile, in a bid to further hasten the spread of Zaidi Islam, the Caliph initiated the process of converting Sunni Mosques into Shi'ite Mosques. About along the same time, severe restrictions were placed on Twelver Shias who were essentially considered as heretics by the Caliph. He referred to the Twelvers as the Khwarij and simultaneously initiated the forceful conversion of the Sultanates tiny Twelver community to Zaidism. 
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Renaissance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salmans desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient.
 * Gurkani Diplomacy: Queen Eleanor is assured of the welfare of Iberian merchants by the Amir of Hatay, Ibrahim Goudarzi.
 * Korean monarch Yi Un withdraws ten thousand Korean auxiliaries from China, seeing as the rebellion is subsiding. Yi Un seeks to increase trade with the Khmers and Tondo and its vassals, sending a fleet of ten ships (four naval, six mercantile) per month. Yi Un sends a second fleet to the Bahmanids, seeking to explore its neighbours as well. With the monopoly over the straits broken, Korean ships move more freely than it was before. Using the map made from the previous voyage, the fleet lands over to what the Bahamnids called Delhi. Korean desserts and silver coinage were presented by envoys as gifts, to the local court. Yi Un makes the development of military and industry the top priority; promoting gunpowder, firearms and weaponry production. The Korean metallurgy is further augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces, with the metal used in creating ships and weapons. Korea continues its entrenched naval tradition, building bigeodo, gwaseon, and geobukseon, while scrapping older ships and the outdated gwiseon. Yi Un spearheads a new era in Korean history. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted, with several academies and universities being built and many elite partaking in education. As a result, Korea undergoes an era of unprecedented interest in literature–eased by construction of metal block presses. Many wealthy members of the yangban, including the royal family itself, patronize these arts. Buddhism continues to gain traction among the people, with buildings being upscaled with added Buddhist elements.
 * Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation.
 * Brandenburg-Luxembourg: The formation of the North reformed Catholic Church is hailed by members of the Hussite rite. Higher members of the Hussite clergy become the leading members of the church at the discretion of Heinrich. As the debates on liturgy and canon progress to establish a tradition within the new church, several generally agreed upon is the formation of an elective council made up of members of the clergy to oversee the basic running of the church within the Holy Roman Empire and Scandinavia should the Scandinavians agree to this, the council will be subservient to the pope but will retain administrative autonomy and religious autonomy. It is also unilaterally agreed that the Adelphinian and Hussite reforms will be completely enforced, particularly the clause of poverty, all members of the clergy shall declare complete allegiance to god and shall not pursue material gain under pain of eternal damnation and expulsion from the church. It is agreed upon that Icon worship shall be forbidden as it diverts from the worship of god, and is heretical as there is only one divine being, though images shall be permitted to acknowledge the saints and people who have committed their lives to the church and performed miracles in the name of the lord. Debates on Morality however remain in a dead lock as the different members of the clergy have issues coming to term with what should be considered canon. Baptism remains something done at birth in line with the Roman Catholic Church, however it is mandated that Confirmation upon reaching adulthood is required to determine if the child will be part of the Roman Catholic or Reformed Catholic Church. Heinrich's Heir Otto is baptized by the Hussite rite along with his first child Otto. Many other members of the Brandenburg Family and Brandenburg nobility convert formally to the Reformed Church. Heinrich himself remains a part of the Roman Rite. Heinrich requests to talk to the pope and the Hochmeister to determine the future of the Teutonic order within the HRE, and while a devote catholic, he is a secular leader who would be willing to allow the Order to continue to exist but as an order without territorial claims that acts in the service of the empire as a whole and to serve as a military wing of the church and the Empire in the defence of Christianity. Military expansion continues with more arquebuses being made and the number of foot soldiers using them increasing. The reforms started during the Second War of the Lions continue to change as the lessons learned from the usage of infantry continues to evolve, noting the benefits of using a highly mixed formation of pikemen, swordsmen and arquebusiers. Naval expansion begins again, as the Emperor looks to secure trade and to further consolidate his position in the Baltic Sea. efforts to improve the education system in the universities continue. expansion of the faculty of Mechanical Arts, in Breslau and in Luxembourg continue while the University of Berlin expands in the number of students taking philosophy and theology. Renaissance ideas from the South and West are explored by Brandenburg Scholars and debated. Luxembourg and Lorraine experience greater trade with one another. The arts continue to flourish. Construction of the Brandenburg Palace in Berlin reaches the halfway point, meanwhile construction of the Brandenburg Archives continues and collecting of scripts, books, and other writings begins in earnest. The younger of Heinrich's sons, Karl decides to go on Pilgrimage to the holy land as he has yet to find and heir, meanwhile Otto decides to accompany him as far east as Bulgaria having falling in love with the country upon his last visit, this time he sends word in advance to request an audience with Emperor Vasili.
 * Papal Diplomacy: The Papal Legate in Berlin conveys His Holiness' approval of the progress within the new Rite, but does make the minor point that those who have already received baptism need not re-receive it to change Rites. He also reiterates his position on the Teutonic Order: given the conversion of the pagan tribes, the crusading nature of the Teutonic Order is no longer required. However, he asks that, if Brandenburg must subsume their land, they give the order special privileges, such as keeping control over key properties such as castles, the right to maintain an armed force, a position of highest honour in the Empire and in Brandenburg for the Hochmeister, and other rights deemed necessary for the Order to remain in a position of appropriate honour for those who subjugated the pagans. The Emperor's proposal regarding the idea of the Order acting as a military wing to defend the Empire and Christendom is approved of.
 * Brandenburg Dip: Heinrich once more proposes a reunion between the pope, the hochmeister and himself to determine the future of the Teutonic order in the HRE.
 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We build up our fleet and experiment with newer naval designs. With the war in South East Asia ending, we decide to send a fleet to China to pay tribute by switching ships. Crown Prince Absame reaches Bengals, and changes ships to head to Malaya. 
 * Bulgarian Empire: The conflict having not escalated between the Austrian and the Italians leaves the Tsar in a position where he must be forced to foot the bill for a non conflict force that has potentially of not coming into contact with the enemy. However with money filling the coffers from various instances of trade, tribute from the ottomans among other things, the Army of 35,000 is kept raised in the event of escalation of the current tensions. The Empires developing road network is forced to developed in a more sophisticated fashion as, at least through the mountains as various nautral elements and even other things which require a more robust road network are required through the mountains. These roads are scheduled to be finished off within the next few years as they has seen increased funding from trade entities to speed its construction. The Renaissance continues in the Emprie as well with continued pushes by the intellectuals and artists to permeate the culture of the empire. This leads to an artistic revival in the empire with much artistic tradition from the old second empire being given a modern approach. One of the most significant art projects is a giant mural in the palace at Tarnovo is Kaloyan the Roman slayer who is painted in his victory over the Romans all those years ago. Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan agrees to accept the Brandenburger royal Otto offering to personally take him on a more in depth and personal tour of the country looking to become personal friends with Otto. In a letter to Otto the Tsar expresses his excitement for the German royal to be accepted into the Bulgarian Court in perfect German. The Tsar presides over further expansion of the cities as Tarnovo expands to include upward of 50,000 people, and Sofiya nearly 45,000. Vasiligrad remains the most populated with nearly 145,000 with its attractiveness putting Vasiligrad among one of the best places to live in the empire. After going about figuring out the sewage and water systems of Vasiligrad the lessons begin to be employed in other cities with Tarnovo, Sofiya, and Tirgoviste being the main recipients with expected completion of these within a decade. The vast re-establishment of the orthodox church specifically under the Tsar with the patriarch under his thumb has led to a vast rebuild of the church system throughout much of the Balkans mostly within Bulgar territory. The Bulgarian military fleet expands a bit too now with nearly 60 ships in the fleet
 * Japan: The Japanese traders in Korea bring back much trade, as do traders in China and Majapahit. Japanese piracy increases in Indonesia due to the recent warfare in the area. While the economy of Japan booms, it is the culture especially that experiences a vibrant expansion. Taoist scholars and missionaries travel to Korea while Japanese traders ensure that Japanese culture sees a growth of interest in non-Japanese areas. The same goes in areas of China and Southeastern Asia. A Japanese writer from Kyushu Island strikes fortune in Honshu, Shimazu, and Hokkaido. His works, seen as revolutionary for both Japanese literature and the Japanese language itself, see much fame this year, though their renowned status as of 1470 is nothing compared to how his works will be viewed in the coming years and decades. Work with the Shiba Clan sees the Ashikaga Shogunate's influence in the lands expand even more. In June, Shogun Ashikaga Yoshikage passes away due to old age. Shogun Ashikaga Tetsushido becomes the new Shogun. With his ascension, the Shiba lands effectively become controlled by the Ashikaga Shogunate. In the meantime, Japan settles the island of Mukojima in the Pacific. Trade with Indonesia is difficult due to the currents fighting against ships traveling near the Philippines. The Ogasawara Islands, in the meantime, present an easy method of travel to Southeastern Asia. The Japanese navy sees expansion, several ships being retired in favor of new ships. Parts from old ships that can be used in new ships are taken to the new ships and fitted.
 * Khmer Empire: After many years of successful rule, Emperor Sutka dies, leaving Khmer to his son, Sutkan. Sutkan continues to implement laws reducing the civil liberties of the 150,000 Guntruists living in Khmer. They are now restricted to certain Guntruists only communities, and are forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. These Guntruist communities are overlooked by Khmer soldiers, who are there to keep the peace should riots or other unrest break out. In addition, 8000 Guntruists are recruited as slaves in service to the Emperor. 5000 of these slaves are brought to Angkor Wat to assist in general upkeep, as well as new construction projects, while the other 3000 are brought to the city of U Thong to,help facilitate the architectural boom in the region. Noticing the four options Guntrists in Delhi have, Sutkan suggests a fourth: they can be deported to Khmer, and used as slaves in the Empire. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This helps to both justify his rule, and also helps bring the empire closer together. In order to beef up the navy, which currently lags significantly behind Majapahit’s, Sutkan starts several programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. The nation begins to also push guns and cannons into a more central role in the Khmer military. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade increases with Tondo, with many traders making the trip back and forth as many as five times a year. We hope that in the future this will lead to closer relations, both economic and political, with Tondo. Meanwhile, trade also expands on land, bringing wealth to many Khmer traders. In order to facilitate more overland trade, we send out an offer to the three major Indian states (Delhi, Bahmanis, and Bengal) to make an official overland trading route between our nations. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a center of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole.
 * Bahmanids: Ismail Shah receives the explorers from Korea and Tondo with hospitality. The port of Karachi is once again expanded, and trade flourishes. The settlement of Gunturists in the Laccadives continues, though under careful monitoring. Shipbuilding continues.
 * Kingdom of Burma: Binnya Dala's health begins to decline. Shipbuilding continues. On behalf of the Bahmanid Sultan, Binnya Dala accepts the Khmer trade offer, and several mountain passes are surveyed as possible arteries of trade.
 * Madlives: Sultan Hassan reduces the tariff, in the hope of establishing a new trade route for Arab and Swahili merchants wishing to access the east.
 * Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
 * Papal States: The Papal Guard and Castilian Guard are improved upon this year. Pope Callixtus IV begins drafting a Bull about indulgences and the abuses that have sullied their holy name in recent times.
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. A holy edict is issued banning all merchants from transpiring commerce with the Christian nation of East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We begin to mobilize a small number of troops to Nubia and Yemen.
 * Iroquois Nation: In the late Winter, Chief Apenimon falls ill. Many fear that he won't survive through Spring, preparations are made to choose his successor. All regional chiefs gather at the capital of Sustawan (OTL Ithaca) to discuss who shall be the next leader of the Iroquois Nation. Chief Apenimon nominates Degotoga, the son of Apenimon's predecessor, which is welcomed by many in the council. Degotoga is eventually elected to be the next Chief of the Iroquois and sets about continuing the work of the great chiefs that came before him. He first goes to the chiefs that voted against him and asks what can be done to win favor. Many still wish to go on the war path with their braves. To make them happy, he permits raids on all tribes north of Lake Erie. Agriculture continues to be expanded, to keep up with the crop, farmers begin experimenting with modifications to their stone tools. In Powhatan, the boat builders believe that they have made a breakthrough. After years of fighting for his vision to become reality, the man named Mingan, who first suggested making sails out of hides to Chief Apenimon has found a way to steer the new craft. Using a large, angled oar off that is placed off the back of the barge, it becomes much easier to turn a craft that's moving with the wind. The plans are given to Degotoga, who orders 5 to be made to test the abilities of the new craft (note, actual sailing is still years away). Chief Degotoga appoints Mingan as the Chief Boat Builder. He also appoints a woman named Tanakana as the head shaman. She has traveled far and has learned much about other tribes and nations. During her travels, Tanakana learned that many of the tribal religions share a common belief, even the ones in the far west. Production of copper goods, as well as oil and furs, continues to bring trade into the Iroquois Nation, providing it's people with resources and knowledge from all over the known world.
 * Ethiopia: Baeda thanks the merchants for continuing trade with Ethiopia. From now on trade ships heading down the Nile are escorted by Bow ships. The new emperor continues his efforts with the new technology and sends the royal guard on another round of training people around the country for better protection. City centers continue to provide large sums of money for the empire which are almost immediately used to help the people of the empire.
 * Delhi Sultanate: After hearing of the tales of the "Koreans" from the Bahmanids, we are prepared to welcome these foreigners; they are given a warm welcome on behalf of the Delhavi Sultan. Our army and navy continue to expand, with cannons and firearms continuing production. We continue to crack down on Gunterists in the Empire, giving them the four options; based on Khmer's recommendation, we give them a 5th option: leave for Khmer (though we don't tell them what fate awaits there). We continue to promote the growth of Puri and its port, which is a center for maritime trade. We accept the Khmer offer for trade.
 * Himalaya Kingdom: We continue to construct roads and other infrastructure. The training of the younglings in Khumjung occurs, the oldest of them fourteen years old; the values of Islam and loyalty to the Delhavi sultan are strong in their minds, forgetting their old ways. The number of new younglings in the academy in Khumjung continues to decrease, as many Gunterists opt for moving to Ladakh or leaving for Khmer; in those options, the young ones are allowed to stay with their families.
 * Ladakh: Gunterists continue to arrive in Ladakh, settling down in heavily guarded villages. Delhavi settlers continue to outnumber the Gunterists greatly, helping cultural integration. Roads are built to connect Ladakh with the rest of Delhi. The capital city of Leh sees a good amount of growth this year, with new academic buildings, mosques, and Hindu and Buddhist temples being built this year. Leh becomes known as the "cultural melting pot" of Delhi's sphere of influence.
 * In the Kingdom of Italy, tensions with Austria continue to mount after the strongly worded reply from the duke. We point out that the original Treaty of Trieste is still in effect, except for the small portion amended by the revised edition. Nonetheless, King Matteo does not order his men to advance on Vienna at this point in time, for he has commitments elsewhere. The Kingdom's wealth surges extraordinarily this year, as the Compact of Valletta has yet to be signed by any other nation, allowing Italy and Naples a virtual monopoly on the spice trade. The Istriot language continues to lose ground in Istria, as does Ligurian in Genoa and Corsica.
 * Austria informs the Italian King that the titles of the Monarch are not "Duke of Austria" as that title no longer exists. The Monarch hold the title Apostolic King of Hungary, a title given to St Stephen by Pope Silvester II and claimed by the Habsburgs as his heirs. Furthermore, the title "Archduke" was bestowed by the Privilegium Maius, and recognized by the pope himself in 1404 after the Hessan Crusade. therefore, if the King continues to use the outdated titled and inaccurate title of "Duke", this is not only a grave insult upon his Apostolic Majesty, but an insult upon the supreme Pontiffs that conferred these titles, and thus Heresy.
 * In the Kingdom of Naples, King Matteo Visconti declares war upon Dukagjini, and moves his men swiftly to seize the capital city of Lezhë. After a quick siege, he declares the aging Stefan Thopia of Croia, Duke of Albania, which shall also incorporate Berat. The Italian and Neapolitan migration to Albania, Epirus, and the Morea continues at an even faster pace as land is made available cheaply.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built, as per the Sultan's orders. Envoys are also sent to the Koreans that landed in India to welcome them.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
 * In Austria, the Authority of the Apostolic King continues to increase, especially since his proclamation last year. More troops are set on the italian border. Internally. more programs to encourage inventors and other academic pursuits in the university of Vienna continue at full speed as all know the generosity of their sovereign, who begins using his highest title, Apostolic King, as well as Archduke in official correspondence, setting which title first in respect to which crown he is acting on behalf of. He is getting increasingly irritated at the Italian king's refusal to acknowledge the Archducal and Royal titles of the Habsburg Monarchs, sending him a new letter. Meanwhile, recruitment to the Guards increases, as well as investment in Austrian industry and industrial infrastructure. continues as to support this new addition to the landscape as the main armed force of the nation, becoming less and less like mercenaries over the years, establishing an official code of conduct and ethics, especially in terms of civilians this year. Military officers are appointed to regional commands as liaisons to the nobility as most of their levies are dismissed. After all, without the permission of the local garrison commander acting in stead of the sovereign, the nobility may not have a retinue in higher numbers than the local garrison in their lands during peacetime. After all, if there are bandits, is it not necessary to bring more Guardsmen as well? IN any case, the large numbers of troops begin to sink in and the truly absolute loyalty of these guardsmen begins to come into focus as the nobility, the local barons, begin to loose their most of their power. The Viceroy of Hungary is invested with the title "Archduke". In any case, great happiness is spread across the nation as Ferdinand has another son, named Prince Maximillion. It is decreed that all grandchildren of reigning monarchs, beginning with Ferdinand, are entitled to use the title of "prince" or "princess".
 * Hungarian and Serbian troops continue to mop up affairs in Zeta, finalizing their conquest of Zeta. As a result, Zeta officially is annexed into the Serbian Despotate as a result of the Treaty of Zeta. Meanwhile, the internal workings of Hungary are continually brought to further instruction by the government in Budapest, headed by the Duke of Hungary Rudolph, the King's brother.
 * A great Serbian celebration is held in Belgrade this year after the great reclamation in the southwest. These gifts make the DEspot in great appreciation of the new Habsburg overlords, as they gave him access to the sea, and an opportunity to build a navy for the nation. The treaty of Zeta is signed, officially and for all time making Zeta a subsidiary of Serbia.
 * Chinese Empire: With the fall of Ang in the south, Shu is reinforced with what remains of his once rival army. Raids are stepped up into Mongolia, destroying areas along the border. In order to increase efficiency and in general cement the position of the Emperor and the new China that must rise from the ashes, talks with Mongolia are conducted, agreeing to have Mongolia join the Empire officially, while giving the Mongolian culture the respect it wishes within the Empire. Mongolia will be reshaped into a few provinces, and the former Gong will be among the Emperors senior advisors. With the incorporation of Mongolia, the Emperor throws everything he has at Shu's forces, from former Mongolia in the north, and from the south and east, bringing the faction to its knees in late June. As loyalist forces march into the region, the rebels retreat burning the farmland and leaving the locals destitute after destroying countless farms and homes. The supporters of Shu attempt to flee, but those captured by the Imperials are given over to the civilians and slaughtered by their victims By December the war begins to reach its end, with Imperial forces approaching the western edges of what had been Shu's domain. Shu is found, and brought to this former capital, being publicly executed by the son of a farmer who was executed by Shu's troops for refusing to leave his farm and join the rebellion. Afterward, as his armies mop up whatever resistance remains, the Emperor, taking the name of Xian Gen Ming, the Great Unifyer. He gives a speech after the rebel leaders body slumps over, "My fellow patriots and citizens of the Empire, I speak to you today not as a Conqueror of rebellions, but as a leader that is now desperatley needed more so than ever. The rebellions have left our once land of plenty of into an Empire lacking enough farmland, resources, and even appropriate materials to house those displaced by this retched war. I will do all in my power to regain our poistion of strength from this dangerous position we now find ourselves in. But we must not be content for what we once had, we must strive, strive for something better, we must strive for the creation of a new and eternal Empire. One that will never again be brought so close to its knees by lack of food our resources. We must gain and expand so that no matter what happens in our future, whether it be another civil war, another rebellion, or an invasion, we will be supplied and ready to throw everything we have and need and more at it. Our Empire must not perish, it must rise and it must strive, like all of you, to be better than what we are and once were, we must strive for Glory, Security, and Safety. Only if we do that can we secure the Empire and our rich culture for the centuries to come. We are one Empire, one voice, and one people." With those final words the Emperor sheiths his sword, and salutes the ancient flag of the Empire.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * The Queen of Aragon, Eleanor I, expresses her gratitude to the Amir of Hatay. She orders the military to continue its growth; the Royal Armada now stands at 362 ships, and has thus surpassed pre-War numbers; this is a subject of much discussion and celebration in the Admiralty. In the interests of the national economy, the Armada is ordered to begin research on ocean-going vessels capable of traversing the vast Atlantic, in the hope of finding a new route to Asia given the de facto blockade imposed by Italy's Compact of Valletta. Meanwhile, Crown Prince Ferdinand begins his leadership education, as his late aunt did many years before. His training entails, among other things, foreign diplomacy and languages, and the art of war. We begin negotiations with the German states with whom we had made contact last year for the temporary safe passage through German territory to and from the Eastern and Western sides of the Mediterranean for Iberian subjects, given the unlawful Compact has impeded Iberia's ability to travel by sea. (MOD RESPONSES PLEASE)
 * Ngarrindjeri: The Temple of Tjilbruke, officially called the Ochre Chapel, was completed this year. Tjilbruke himself gave a stirring speech as to the significant of this monument: a physical reminder of the all-knowing presence of Lord Ngintaka. The law code painted within the chapel, mostly in meaningless symbols and obscure pictures, declares the end of cannibalism, the use of cities and farming, well care for animals, and a devoted love toward family and the state. Cities continue to expand with metal working, and animal domestication. However, the good news was not to last. Bunyip, the demon of the Murray River, grew greatly jealous of the success of the Ngarrindjeri, and determined in its heart to destroy the nation by any means it could think of.

1471
Guess I'm doing turn rollovers now... -Feudyboi

'''From now on, in order to call an ally (which are capped at 3) into a war, that alliance must be listed on the following page: Alliances. Thank you for your cooperation.'''


 * Korean monarch Yi Un amplifies the Mahayana Buddhist revivalist movement within Korea, which had started under the reign of Sejong. Many arts and architecture continue to be influenced by Buddhist elements, while statues portraying Buddha become increasingly commonplace. This also coincides with a new intellectual movement that is patronized by yangban, including the royal house itself. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted, with several academies and universities being built and many elite partaking in education. Despite competition from Buddhism, some fundamental Confucian doctrines persevere through this movement, particularly the concept of rén (humanness), moral purity, and the Confucian work ethic. A renewed interest in outside lands takes place, with the court sending a team north of the Nivkhs and into the periphery of the Yakuts–however, they find nothing but thick and burly men and endless taiga. Instead, interests are oriented toward the south; to the Indies. Yi Un dispatches a third mission to the Bahmanids, sending envoys to the Bahmanid court to formally establish relations, and open a trading agreement under which Korean ships will trade once a year. With Majapahit's power apparently weakening, Korean ships covertly raid Majapahit ships and settlements, using naval artillery to blast opposition. Meanwhile, trade with Tondo, the Khmers, and the Japanese increases–with Korean Buddhist missionaries being sent out to Kyushu in Japan alongside merchants. Yi Un welcomes the arrival of Shinto and Taoist missionaries in Busan and Gyeongsang, and hopes that a cultural exchange would cement favourable relations with the Japanese. Yi Un makes the development of military and industry the top priority; promoting gunpowder, firearms, and weaponry production. The Korean metallurgy is further augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces, with the metal used in creating ships and weapons. Korea continues its entrenched naval tradition, building bigeodo, gwaseon, and geobukseon, while scrapping older ships and phasing out the gwiseon.
 * Bahmanid Dip: Sultan Ismail agrees to this trade agreement. He also inquires whether the Koreans would be interested in adding our vassals, (Burma and the Maldives) to this.


 * The Gurkani Sultanate:  Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 34 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst hand cannons and rocket launchers were increasingly developed as gunpowder became ever so popular. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus.  Sultan Salman Beg continued his policy of constructing educational madrassahs, hoping to enlighten the people of his nation and reestablish the Islamic Golden Age. Meanwhile, in a bid to further hasten the spread of Zaidi Islam, the Caliph initiated the process of converting Sunni Mosques into Shi'ite Mosques. Due to the severe persecution of the Jafari and Ismaili Shias, thousands of them left the Gurkani Sultanate, leaving for the more tolerant India; effectively leaving behind a tiny community of a few hundred Ismaili/Jafari Shias. About around the same time, many people began to voice their concerns in regards to the Sultan decision to not marry. Meanwhile, Suleiman Shah Mirza's first son was stillborn. 
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Rennaisance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Roughly around 45k troops are sent to assist the Astrakhan in aiding the Permian rebels. 


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: the final phase of the Charlian Reforms completes this year, with administration finally centralized into King Charles' own authority, and the General Estates. In a message to England, King Charles suggests, that while he intends to bury the hatchet with France, it is only prudent to be prepared in the event of attempted French retribution. Therefore, a mutual defense pact, to be invoked if either country's territory is threatened by France, but not applicable to offensive wars, is offered to England.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * ​The Crown of Castile, in response to the Compact of Valletta, we declare that Italy can no longer use the straight of Gibraltar to gain acess to the Atlantic. The Castillian navy expands to grow to 450 ships. With the growing conflict in the Med, Castile begins to search for new naval trade routes, and sails down the coast of Africa, eventually rounding the OTL Cape of Good Hope (Scraw oked this as Viva's rounding of the cape still stands). Trade with Atlantic Nations increases sharply with the tensions in the med. The Theories on Perfect Humanity continue to spread, as the National Institute opens a University in Lisbon. Population stands at 5.25 million. Pedro of Eca, Fernando's brother, stages a small revolt, rallying 4000 men to fight against the Crown. The Revolt is Crushed by a Castillian force of 12,000, and Pedro is executed. In order to secure the legitimacy of Peter, King of Portugal, Sancho and Peter execute Peter's uncles, leaving no possibility of a rival claimant to the throne of Portugal or Eca. This prompts a second, smaller revolt of 2500 men, also crushed by the Crown and Portugal. Galicia falls under direct control of the Crown. More later, maybe.
 * The Government of Aragon, observing Austria's rising tensions with Italy, has its representatives in Austria meet with the Austrian leadership in an attempt to conclude a secret alliance against Italy. We inform the Austrian government that we have been equally insulted by Italy's betrayal (Italy had previously promised that it would leave Sicily and Sardinia in Aragonese hands). Thusly, we suggest that, due to the increasing likelihood of armed conflict, our Armed Forces gradually but quietly build and mobilise before launching a surprise preemptive strike against Italy and Naples, with Austria coming from the north, and Iberia invading from the south. The fall of Italy would serve both our interests well, and thus we ask Austria to consider our proposal. In other news, we continue to refuse signing the Compact of Valletta, and our subjects in the east continue to be cared for by the Gurkani government in our absence - an act for which we are most grateful. The Royal Armada this year has produced an additional 10 ships, bringing our total to 372. We continue negotiations with the Germans for safe land passage through their territories due to the de facto blockade imposed by the Compact of Valletta. (MOD RESPONSES PLEASE)


 * I believe some of the territories you may be speaking of are player controlled. -scraw
 * Within the Kingdom of Portugal, the great Fernando of Eca passes this year. His only known son, Peter, takes the throne. The civil war mostly concludes, with a majority of the nations former nobility killed off, and replaced with a more Pro-Castillian Nobilty. Peter renounces his claim to Morocco and Galicia to focus on maintaining Stability in Portugal. Population stands at 1 million. Navy Stands at 100 ships, and exploration of the Southern Atlantic continues.
 * The Kingdom of Morocco continues its deportation efforts. Now under direct control of the Crown of Castile, the kingdom's deportation efforts double down, bringing the Berber and Muslim Populations down to 250,000 and the Christian population up to 200,000. Argicultural output grows as well, increasing food output to Castile and Iberia. Morocco expands to the south along the coast.
 * The Kingdom of Navarre completes its deportation efforts, with most of the Culturally French, Basque, and other ethnicities/nationalities being mostly depleted. The population stands at a meager 20,000.
 * The Duchy of Athens requests support form Bulgaria, now cut off from Castile and Aragon by Italy and Naples. Military stands at 10,000, and the navy at 50 ships.
 * The Ottoman Empire continues it's military reforms and economic growth, but both are progressing slowly. With gunpowder becoming commonplace in the army and the expansion of the navy, special focus is put on training and logistics, with plans for several roads to be made to help connect the empire. As trade in India continues, our merchant fleet slowly does grow. We do continue to quietly trade with Ethiopia, but make sure it is out of sight.
 * Gurkani Diplomacy: In a bid to finally strengthen relations and mend ties, the Sultan visited the Ankara, keen on becoming friends with the Ottomans. The Sultan expressed his interest in reversing the aggressive policy persued by his predecessor and officially invited the Ottomans to join hands with the Gurkani and declare the start of an alliance.
 * Cologne: Morale in the country increases and Archbishop Emmerich continues to encourage the Knights to take peasant militia under their wing to improve their technical skills. By the end of the year, many more peasants are better equipped to defend their country. Trade continues to prosper and revenue from the printing press is steady. In December, Archbishop Emmerich calls together a meeting of his Chapter, bishops of wider Cologne and Westphalen, and any relevant nobles, particularly those in Westphalen, to discuss unity.
 * Essen: The canonesses in Italy finally return to Essen, bringing with them extensive knowledge of ancient culture. These young canonesses begin work on the curriculum for a small course in each of their preferred ancient cultures to eventually be taught at the University of Essen, and Abbess Sophia funds their work. Meanwhile, the partnership between the infirmary and the university becomes even stronger with the introduction of a further course of physick and biology aimed at assisting with childbirth in any way possible, or easing the bumpy ride into motherhood.


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We build up our fleet and experiment with newer naval designs. Crown Prince Absame switches ships in Malaya and heads North to the port of Guangzhou.
 * Swahili Dip to China: To the Great Son of Heaven of the Celestial Empire, your wisdom and strength is legendary. We pay a tribute of multiple wild animals, gold and ivory sculptures and wish to receive pieces of Chinese technology and books. 
 * I'm pretty sure China is to far from you. -Nova
 * Swahili (it has Arab technology), assuming it docks multiple times along the voyage instead of doing one continuous trip, could reach southern China. iirc, this was approved by Andy.
 * The Arabs sent envoys to China as early as 656
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: King Richard IV (Great General) is taken ill from a fever and his son and heir Edward, the Crown prince who has had his first child with his new wife Isabel Neville and their son is named Henry Plantagnet, returns to England from Calais days before his father dies of the fever and he is subsquently crowned King of England and Scotland while the Kingdom of Ireland and Duchy of Brittany swear vassalage to him. Their is a lot of mourning at the King's death but the passage between 2 kings is quite smooth. The straits of Dover are now subject to a 2% tax on goods passing through. (I control both the Pas de Calais and Dover) We keep our regime of low taxes and an aversion from war while the English fleet has another 10 ships constructed and the work on the tax system contuines in England while deportations in Calais contuine to occur.
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. Sutkan continues to implement laws reducing the civil liberties of the 150,000 Guntruists living in Khmer. They are now restricted to certain Guntruists only communities, and are forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. These Guntruist communities are overlooked by Khmer soldiers, who are there to keep the peace should riots or other unrest break out. After the success of enslaving Guntruists last year, 18,000 more are enslaved. 11,000 of these slaves are brought to Angkor Wat to assist in general upkeep, as well as new construction projects, while the other 7000 are brought to the city of U Thong to help facilitate the architectural boom in the region. Sutkan thanks Delhi for allowing Guntrusits to move to Khmer, and this year, almost 12,000 Guntruist immigrants are enslaved. This means that overall, 30,000 Guntruists became slaves. Sutkan announces that within two years, private people may take advantage of these slaves, though the exact rules need to be worked out. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This helps to both justify his rule, and also helps bring the empire closer together. In order to beef up the navy, which currently lags significantly behind Majapahit’s, Sutkan starts several programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. The nation begins to also push guns and cannons into a more central role in the Khmer military. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade increases with Tondo, with many traders making the trip back and forth as many as five times a year. We hope that in the future this will lead to closer relations, both economic and political, with Tondo. Meanwhile, trade also expands on land, bringing wealth to many Khmer traders. Sutkan Thanks Delhi and the Bahmanid Sultanate for agreeing to establish a trade route, and Sutkan begins to make a plan to increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. The offer is once again sent to Bengal, and is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a center of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole.
 * Iroquois Nation: Chief Degotoga announces his marriage to a Cherokee princess named Yona. It is estimated that the Iroquois Nation has 50,000 people in it. Raids continue to be carried out on the northern tribes. Agriculture and trade continue to expand, with more and more southern land routes opening up through the Gulf territories. Degotoga's chief boat builder, Mingan, finishes the 5 barges with new rudders and sails. After a maiden voyage around the Chesapeake Bay, it is found that they are still too unwieldy in open water. The group returns to Powhatan to find a way to make their craft more nimble on the water. The head shaman, Tanakana, begins teaching her students at Nowadaga under a new curriculum. They are given the option to learn various trades outside the realms of healing, including but not limited to; carpentry, fishing, boat building, hunting, and agriculture. Her, as well as Degotoga's, objective is to provide allies and neighboring tribes with access to skilled craftsmen to bring them up-to-par with the Iroquois.
 * Papal States: The pope reiterates to Brandenburg that he does not oppose Brandenburg absorbing the Teutonic Ordensstaat, provided the following stipulations are met: the Order keeps control over key properties such as castles, retains the right to maintain an armed force, the Hochmeister gains a position of highest honour in the Empire and in Brandenburg, and the Order acts as a military wing to defend the Empire and the Catholic Church (as the Emperor suggested last year). Provided these quite reasonable requests are met, His Holiness says there is no reason why the lands of the Order, which the latter no longer requires due to its success in defeating the pagans, cannot be vassalised or outright annexed by Brandenburg. In spiritual news, His Holiness publishes his new Bull on Indulgences: Indulgentarium Doctrina. The Bull upholds the doctrine that indulgences are legitimate ways by which the Church, using the Power of the Keys, can forgive the temporal punishment of sins alreadyb forgiven by God through Confession. The large part of the Bull, however, details the abuses that have been growing in recent years, including the printing of absurdly large indulgences (of a thousand years or more) and, most troublingly, the fact that some clerics and self-proclaimed "pardoners" are purporting to actually sell indulgences. The Bull specifically mentions the noticeable benefits to Cologne which resulted from thr local ban on all indulgences involving money changing hands. As a result, to stop the sin of simony and to shield the Church from any accusation of corruption, the Bull bans any indulgence involving fees, donations or any other form of money changing hands, and says that anyone who purports to grant an indulgence through such means is automatically excommunicated. The Bull also establishes an 'Enchridion of Indulgences', an official list of all the indulgences approved by the Holy See. The list is quite short, and limited to pious activities such as saying certain prayers, making a pilgrimage to certain especially holy sites, and certain penances (like fasting). Any cleric who (after a reasonable time is given for the Enchridion to be disseminated) purports to create a new indulgence not listed in the Enchridion will also be automatically excommunicated.
 * Chinese Empire: With the integration of the former rebel regions and Mongolia mostly complete, construction on roads to reconnect the country together, farms are still in high demand, with the country still in need for more food and resources.The speach of the Emperor rings in the ears and hearts of the citizens of the Empire, with his handling and the allowing of the people to punish there murderous overlords making patriotism and loyalty to the Emperor soar, and the people enlist in droves, with the standing army burgeoning with new recruits, and most are directed into local defenses and border patrolling, or even sent north while the overflow goes too the navy. The people are abound with their new patriotism, knowing that the Empire must survive and be stronger. The colonization of Taiwan has climbed to almost 60,000, while Luzon is reaching 45,000. Both colonies continue to expand as the growing navy demands more personell in the colonies. With the pride in there country, and the hope for peace, the birth rate explodes, and the population begins to grow drastically compared to growth rates.
 * Bahmanids: 'Tis a rather uneventful year. There is some anger among the nobles against Khmer, saying that they stole the profits of a war the Bahmanids fought. Ismail lets them state their case, but otherwise ignores this paranoia. Sultan Ismail Shah informs Sultan Salman Beg Mirza of the Gurkanis that the Bahmanids and their vassals would like to join the Compact of Iskenderun (see offer on relevant page). The chorus of hammers and saws shows the continuance of the shipbuilding program.
 * Kingdom of Burma: Binnya Dala's health continues to decline, even as shipbuilding continues. There is general joy at the improved relations with the Bhuddist Khmer. As stated above, Burma also wishes to join the Compact of Iskenderun.
 * Maldives: As stated above, the Maldives also wishes to join the Compact of Iskenderun.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: The Sultan wishes to join the Compact of Iskenderun. In other news, the Bengali Navy reaches 280 vessels, and the quota of 20 ships a year is still being successfuly reached.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Susenphaa also asks to join the Compact of Iskenderun.
 * Austria, now with a seaport in one of its underlings, begins rebuilding the Austrian Fleet, incorporating the Zetan Fleet into the forces. King Ferdinand continues to drum up support for Austria, and in the wake of increased Italian agression, begins promoting the Noble who claims that the votes in Ernstberg were rigged by Italy, who used its military as a form of blackmail to the people they occupied. His story is published and spread throughout Austria and Hungary, increasing the enrollment in the Royal Guards. The Border towns with italy are bolstered with new defences and increase garissons and a disproportionate ammounts of money going to increasing infrastructure for easier communicacion between garissons. The threat of an enemy, notably Italy, invading has silenced most oposition to Ferdinand's rule, both in Austria and in Hungary as the powers of the Sovreign grow ever more powerful. Ferdinand officialy asks the pope to confirm the title, Apostolic King, and style, Apostolic Majesty by aknowledging the Habsburgs as true heirs to St Stephen of Hungary in order to once and for all silence Italian denial, lest they delve into Heresy. It helps that a large sum of money is also donated to various churches both in Rome and the Papal states, or at least Ferdinand von Habsburg-Wittelsbach hopes so. The so-Called "Garisson Law" is ammended allowing for Commanders to take command of "militarized borders" and the regions surrounding them, giving them more authority than even the Barons, making the Barons but meek assistants to the military administrators along the "militarized borders". In conjunction with this, the Italian Border is Declared such a border, with an automatic expiry period of five years. Comprehesive reform is being discussed in regards to Royal Guard command structure, in conjunction with the Hungarian Counterpart.
 * Hungarian troops return home after campaigning, having fully united in following Ferdinand's command and successes as a battle leader. His power and loyalty to the crown grow, especially amongst the appointed counts of Hungary, and even then some in the Hereditary counts. the menace of Italy is also a good motivator, Duke Rudolph using it to pass further reforms increasing the power of the central government and getting final rattification of the "Guarisson Law" and its related ammendments, requiring that retinues not exceed the ammount of Royal Guard garisson in the region and instituyting a "militarized border" regime, whereby local lords would owe temporary patronage to the garisson commanders assigned to their region. No such border is declared, however, as no borders with avowed enemies exist. Comprehesive reform is being discussed in regards to Royal Guard command structure, in conjunction with the Austrian Counterpart.
 * Serbia continues its shipbuilding activities. trade is encouraged through the new seaports in Zeta.
 * Ngarrindjeri: This year, while the people of the tribe worshipped Lord Ngintaka at the Ochre Chapel, Bunyip enacted his evil plan. One day, as Tjilbruke was watering the Kangaroo, he appeared as large and fearsome dragon, saying that he, too, is an awakened god, only much stronger than Lord Ngintaka. But Tjilbruke's faith was unshaken, and instead scoffed that even he, an old man, is stronger than the Bunyip. Challenging the monster to a contest, Tjilbruke gave Bunyip a stone to throw. The monster hurled the stone so far, it skimmed the water and landed on OTL Kangaroo Island. However, Tjilbruke said he could throw a stone that would never touch the ground. So he switched out his stone for a black bird, and released it into flight while pretending to throw it like a stone. Frustrated, the Bunyip tried an alternate plan. He diguesed himself as a beautiful woman, with legs like marble and eyes like almonds, and tried to seduce Kulutuwi while he was peeling taro. But the faith of Kulutuwi was equally iron-clad, and he spurned the approaches of Bunyip by diving into a field of spinosa. Finally, as a last resort, Bunyip took the form of an elderly man, and goaded the infant child of Kulutuwi to follow him with the promise of sugur canes. Seperated from his parents, the son of Kulutuwi followed the Bunyip to a cliff of rocks, which the monster prepared to crush the child. But Kulutuwi, realizing what was happening, leaped on a kangaroo (for extra speed) and charged to the scene as fast as he could. Arriving just in the nick of time, Kulutuwi dove on top of his infant boy, protecting him from the avalanche by his own body. And so Kulutuwi died, and was buried underneath the Ochre Chapel, where his family mourned for 90 days/
 * Delhi Sultanate: We continue militarization, but boost our economies through trade routes; our most recent move is Delhi's request to join the Second Compact of Iskenderun. The five-option plan is still given to convicted Gunterists. More academic buildings are built in our cities, and firearms and cannons keep playing a larger role in the military. Puri continues to see great growth, especially with the shipbuilding program.
 * Himalaya: Nothing of note occurs.
 * Ladakh: Cultural integration continues with Delhavi settlers still largely outnumbering Gunterist refugees. The city of Leh continues to be a cultural melting pot, with Tibetan, Indian (both Hindu and Islamic), and Gunterist cultures present. Guards continue to patrol Gunterist villages.
 * Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
 * Bulgarian Empire: The conflict having not escalated between the Austrian and the Italians leaves the Tsar in a position where he must be forced to foot the bill for a non conflict force that has potentially of not coming into contact with the enemy. However with money filling the coffers from various instances of trade, tribute from the ottomans among other things, the Army of 35,000 is kept raised in the event of escalation of the current tensions. The Empires developing road network is forced to developed in a more sophisticated fashion as, at least through the mountains as various nautral elements and even other things which require a more robust road network are required through the mountains. These roads are scheduled to be finished off within the next few years as they has seen increased funding from trade entities to speed its construction. The Renaissance continues in the Emprie as well with continued pushes by the intellectuals and artists to permeate the culture of the empire. This leads to an artistic revival in the empire with much artistic tradition from the old second empire being given a modern approach. One of the most significant art projects is a giant mural in the palace at Tarnovo is Kaloyan the Roman slayer who is painted in his victory over the Romans all those years ago. Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan agrees to accept the Brandenburger royal Otto offering to personally take him on a more in depth and personal tour of the country looking to become personal friends with Otto. In a letter to Otto the Tsar expresses his excitement for the German royal to be accepted into the Bulgarian Court in perfect German. The Tsar presides over further expansion of the cities as Tarnovo expands to include upward of 50,000 people, and Sofiya nearly 45,000. Vasiligrad remains the most populated with nearly 145,000 with its attractiveness putting Vasiligrad among one of the best places to live in the empire. After going about figuring out the sewage and water systems of Vasiligrad the lessons begin to be employed in other cities with Tarnovo, Sofiya, and Tirgoviste being the main recipients with expected completion of these within a decade. The vast re-establishment of the orthodox church specifically under the Tsar with the patriarch under his thumb has led to a vast rebuild of the church system throughout much of the Balkans mostly within Bulgar territory. The Bulgarian military fleet expands a bit too now with nearly 60 ships in the fleet.

1472
'''My life is a lie ... turn rollover. boys -Feudalis Maximus'''
 * The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 34 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst hand cannons and rocket launchers were increasingly developed as gunpowder became ever so popular. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Sultan Salman Beg continued his policy of constructing educational madrassahs, hoping to enlighten the people of his nation and reestablish the Islamic Golden Age. Meanwhile, in a bid to further hasten the spread of Zaidi Islam, the Caliph initiated the process of converting Sunni Mosques into Shi'ite Mosques. Meanwhile, rumours began to spread that the had no interest in women after it was noticed that he was rarely ever in the company of the royal harem. About around the same time, the Bahamanid and Delhi Sultanates were accepted into the Second Compact of Iskenderun, effectively establishing Indian spice markets in the Gurkani Sultanate and also granting Indians access to the Mediterranean if they so wished. 
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Rennaisance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient.
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We bolster garrisons on the frontier of the Caliphate, espicially at Tunis and the Levant. 
 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * Aragon continues to prepare for the increasing likelihood of war with Italy. The Royal Armada currently stands at a total of 380 ships, not counting the vessels of the other Armadas in the Crown Union. Research on ocean-going vessels is going well, and it is projected that by 1480 we would have maritime vessels able to traverse the vast Atlantic Ocean in an effort to find an alternative route to Asia - it appears logical that as the Earth is round, travelling west would eventually enable our ships to reach Asia and make contact with the local peoples in order to secure trade with the East. Meanwhile, the Royal Bank of Barcelona is doing well, having opened branches all over the United Crown, and making very careful investments. The locals of Iskenderun in the Gurkani Sultanate also frequent their branch of the Bank, which brings in even more revenue. However, the blockade imposed by Italy in the form of the Compact of Valletta is still causing major disruptions to the economy, and we continue negotiations with the states of Southern Germany for the safe passage of our merchants and subjects through their lands in order to bypass the Sicilian Channel. The Queen also sends another letter to her cousin and friend King Jacob I of the Hellenes, and in it expresses her hope that in the event of war between an Iberia-led coalition and Italy and its cronies, Greece will remain neutral.
 * In order to secure the support of Bulgaria in a future conflict with Italy, the Duke of Athens is instructed to begin negotiations with Bulgaria on a transfer of vassalage from Iberia to Bulgaria. In the meantime, we continue building our armed forces, and improve upon our fortifications.
 * Portugal, on the order of King Sancho I of Castile, is released from Castilian vassalage, and is proclaimed an equal constituent country of the United Crown. The process of release will take about two years, after which Portugal will be integrated fully into Great Iberia. (SEAN, YOU MAY CHANGE THIS AS YOU SEE FIT.)
 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We build up our fleet and experiment with newer naval designs. The Sultan begins to fund a book translation movement aimed at translating Benin, Arabic and European books to Swahili Arabic. Crown Prince Absame switches ship in Guangzhou and stays in Beijing.
 * Swahili Diplomacy to China: We again present a tribute of wild animals, ivory and gold and wishes to receive pieces of Chinese technology and books.
 * The Ottoman Empire continues its policies of social reforms, now expanding to education and building roads to help connect the cities of the empire.
 * Gurkani Diplomacy: An alliance is offered to the Ottoman Empire
 * Kingdom of France: With the death of the sick king Charles VIII, and with no issue or alive brothers, or uncles, the throne is traced up through the line to Louis of Orleans (this happened OTL). Louis of Orleans at eleven years old becomes King of France, and the Marmousets form a small regency council. Orleans is integrated in the royal domains once again. Louis XII gets tutored in Paris by the finest scholars.
 * Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and 10 ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer,  the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly  to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue.
 * Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
 * Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang  (OTL Scarborough Shoal)
 * Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Development of the reformed Catholic Church continues as the codification of the rite and canon continues in Berlin. Military expansion and reform continues. Otto decides to remain in the court of Emperor Vasili to learn what he can and the young heir takes a liking to a Bulgarian noble girl named from the ancient Asen family. Her name is Klavdiya Asen who is 16. Alas word gets back to him that his previous lover Katerina von Havel passes away due to health complications. Her two children are however looked after by their grand father Heinrich. Heinrich continues to promote economic development in his domains and across the Holy Roman Empire. He starts pushing for the codification of laws of inheritance to remove the loopholes that exist within Salic Law which remains the standard for inheritance within Brandenburg. The younger Karl von Brandenburg returns from his pilgrimage assuming the role that his brother had as governer of the Empire. Elsha von Brandenburg, remains a roman catholic and ensures that her son the younger Otto and her 2 other children, Ursala, and Frederick remains a catholic aswell despite all the other children of Otto von Brandenburg converting to the hussite rite. Cultural and Scientific progress cotniues as the court of Henrich remains a place of patronage for artists, engineers and inventors. Mining in Silesia, Luxembourg, and Lorraine start to expand more as the demand for metal grow. Construction of the Brandenburg Palace continues, as well as the expansion of the Brandenburg Archieves. Heinrich offers to allow Burgundy to make thier domains outside of the HRE a part of the Empire should they desire. Heirich continues to press for the Teutons to secularize with the pope having given his agreement. Heinrich offers the following terms. The Teutonic Order will be granted the honors of a military order that supports the empire and christianity, and will be granted recruitment centres and fortress across the HRE however they will be required to renounce the lands of Prussia which shall be recreated as the Duchy of Prussia under a member of the House of Brandenburg, and in return the order shall recieve extensive payments, and will be allowed to retain all lands outside of the empire should they desire. The Teutonic order will also be granted the title of Imperial Defenders and its leadership will be granted extensive tax exemptions within the empire and recieve imperial funding. (mods respond please) 
 * ​Russian Diplomacy: Russia offers a trade agreement to Brandenburg-Luxembourg. 
 * Burgundian Dip: King Charles accepts the offer to move the Imperial border to include Burgundys remaining territory.
 * Brandenburg: Heireich agrees to allow Russian traders to expand their activities in Brandenburg's territories but also requests that Merchants have access to Russian cities. 
 * Papal Diplomacy: The pope approves of the terms, although would request that the new Duchy simply be under the Hochmeister generally (so that the current Hochmeister's successor would subsequently be Duke etc.). 
 * Russia agrees
 * The Teutons decide to accept the offer. -Scraw
 * Tsardom of Russia: Tsar Ivan III seeks to bring Russia back to it's pre-war levels, as he envisions Russia to become the major power in Eastern Europe. As such, he orders improvement of the military, as well as ordering increased trade to improve the economy.
 * Chinese Empire:  With food stocks having to be imported with a growing degree, the Empire sees the fertile regions of Korean Manchuria and a diplomat is sent to Korea, demanding the ceding of Korean Manchuria to the Empire. The ceding of territory will go greatly to feed and strengthen the Empire, knowing that if udner Chinese control, the fertile region would go a long way to feeding the population of China. In preperation for the cession, Chinese troops are moved to the border to prepare to secure the new territory, The navy is improved, with ports scrapping older models and refitting those that can be upgraded, and the roads are nearly reconnected with all major cities nbow being tied together and trade flows again, with Imperial and local troops establishing the security of the Empire.
 * Bulgarian Empire: The Tsar, caught in a hard place, agrees to entertain the Aragonese and Athenian envoys but remains dubious in a conflict with Italy. He takes the diplomats in for secret negotiation. The Tsar begins the overt tutoring of his Son bringing the Brandenburger Heir Otto along as well promoting Otto as Simeons tutor in grander European politics as well as German. Vasili himself tutors his son in the arts of war, hunting, ruling as a monarch, and rigiourously trains his son to be at least a fraction of the Ruler as his father is. Simeon immediately takes a liking to the tutoring between the two high lords and sees Otto as almost a second father figure to himself. Besides these inner workings politically, the Tsar begins a major construction project of a fortress in Gallipoli planning to arm it with cannons essentially turning the Dardanelles and Vasiligrad into massive guard posts. The Renaissance continues as many arts revolving around the church and religion begin to pop up. The Hagia Sofiya begins to become known as "The Jewel of Christendom" as it surpasses the various giant papal residencies in Rome and the other papal territories due to the extreme investment into its restoration. On a wall standing near the rear of the giant church, a painting known as "Gods Creation" is commissioned as famed painter and thinker Mikhail Angelov begins the massive project. Outside of this, cannons and firearms become somewhat more  pre-eminent in the imperial military as the Tsar having taken personal interest in the weapons sees it chiefly as a weapon of fear rather than a true weapon of war, but realizing that fear is as well a very powerful weapon. Another few nobles are arrested for challenging openly the authority of the Tsar and are impaled as a result of their treason. The Tsar aside from his non military merchant navy undergoes a large building program hiring ship builders by the hundreds as he attempts to fill out his navy. The Bulgarian fleet stands roughly at 100 ships from previous years of construction but with his new focus on filling out his navy, he expects to reach a fleet of 350 ships. The Bulgarian Army however still remains in pre-eminence as no expense is spared arming his troops with the finest equipment. Some new interest is taken in the territory of Kosovo as the mining of gold and other minerals picks up. The gold extraction, however, is of great interest to many in the state as an influx of bullion strengthens confidence in the Bulgarian economy. However the Tsar unwilling to see the unyieldly loss of gold in and out of his empire. With the Banks in Tarnovo and Vasiligrad having been doing rather well, their expansion is allowed as Vasili-Kaloyan puts it at an extreme priority to maintain the gold and silver reserves in the Empire. The majority of the refined and established reserves are stored in the capital or in Vasiligrad with minor reserves beginning to be stocked in banks in other cities. He orders coins to be striken in more common metals and on the advice of two Venetians and a former Genoan banker orders them to be backed against gold and silver reserves as they build to give the currency a trade value for gold and silver.
 * Moldavia: Normal buildup, development of key cities, and navy builds to about 15 ships.
 * Papal States: Implementation of Indulgentarium Doctrina begins. The army and military infrastructure are improved. Scholars at the University of Bologna begin studying old Greek manuscripts of various Bible passages which their new colleagues from Constantinople have brought with them.
 * Sweden: We send envoys to the Grand Northern Religious Council. More to come ...
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The straits of Dover are now subject to a 2% tax on goods passing through. (I control both the Pas de Calais and Dover) We keep our regime of low taxes and an aversion from war while the English fleet has another 10 ships constructed and the work on the tax system contuines in England while deportations in Calais contuine to occur. We agree to the Burgundian offer made last turn.
 * Bahmanids: Trade massively increases with the treaty with the Gurkanis, and to accommodate the new prosperity, the ports of Diu and Karachi are expanded. The Gunturists on the Laccadives are kept isolated on a few islands, with warships around to ensure that no escape is possible. Muhammad Shah, Ismail's son, along with others, takes a berth on a ship of the annual Korean trade fleet to learn the mysterious lands beyond Majapahit and see wether the Swahili tales of great wonders and technology there are true. (He is also secretly instructed to discreetly observe any Majapahit vessels that come nearby.) He will return home next year. Shipbuilding continues.
 * Kingdom of Burma: Binnya Dala's health seems to be improving, along with trade and shipbuilding. A branch of the University of Gulbarga is opened in Pegu.
 * Maldives: Trade with the Gurkanis increases.
 * Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation.
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. Sutkan continues to implement laws reducing the civil liberties of the 150,000 Guntruists living in Khmer. They are now restricted to certain Guntruists only communities, and are forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. These Guntruist communities are overlooked by Khmer soldiers, who are there to keep the peace should riots or other unrest break out. After the success of enslaving Guntruists last year, 18,000 more are enslaved. 11,000 of these slaves are brought to Angkor Wat to assist in general upkeep, as well as new construction projects, while the other 7000 are brought to the city of U Thong to help facilitate the architectural boom in the region. Sutkan thanks Delhi for allowing Guntrusits to move to Khmer, and this year, almost 11,000 Guntruist immigrants are enslaved. This means that overall, 30,000 Guntruists became slaves. Sutkan announces that within two years, private people may take advantage of these slaves, though the exact rules need to be worked out. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This helps to both justify his rule, and also helps bring the empire closer together. In order to beef up the navy, which currently lags significantly behind Majapahit’s, Sutkan starts several programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. The nation begins to also push guns and cannons into a more central role in the Khmer military. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade increases with Tondo, with many traders making the trip back and forth as many as five times a year. We hope that in the future this will lead to closer relations, both economic and political, with Tondo. Meanwhile, trade also expands on land, bringing wealth to many Khmer traders. Sutkan Thanks Delhi and the Bahmanid Sultanate for agreeing to establish a trade route, and Sutkan begins to make a plan to increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. The offer is once again sent to Bengal, and is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a center of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: The Bengali Navy reaches 300 ships, and 20 ships are continuing be a built a year. The Sultan founds the University of Gaur.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
 * Ngarrindjeri: With Kuluwuti dead, Tjilbruke became dejected and depressed. Over time, he divided the posessions of his clan between his nephews and cousins. Anjea remarried Djalu, cousin of Kuluwuti, and Tjilbruke gave the majority of his posessions to them. Then Tjilbruke withdrew from the society, and lived out his life ascetically in the desert near Mount Uluru. Meanwhile, everyone in the tribes returned to their own tents, decentralizing the nation back to a kinship by city. Yet, the words and wisdom of Lord Ngintaka remained in their hearts, as the Ochre palace remained an eternal reminder. A large monument of stone, about half a mile away from the Ochre palace, was constructed in memory of Tjilbruke and his son. And so the cities continued to grow, as did their work in metalergy, animal domestication, and art. The pet Kangaroo continue to ever so slowly be bred for a more quaduped nature.
 * Delhi Sultanate: We continue to improve and expand our army and navy, with cannons and firearms continuing to have a bigger and bigger role in the military. Our cities continue to be guarded. Our economy continues to grow as trade with the Gurkanis soars. To help with this new trade volume, the port of Puri is expanded; this only helps the growth of the city. With the opening of univerities throughout India, the construction of the University of Agra begins on the banks of the Yamuna River (on the site of the OTL Taj Mahal); this new walled university will feature a library, and most notably a Muslim mosque and Hindu temple on opposite sides of a reflecting pool. The five-option plan remains in place for convicted Gunerists.
 * Himalaya: Nothing of note.
 * Ladakh: Nothing of note.
 * Iroquois Nation: Early in the spring, Chief Degotoga is given twin sons, named Gawonii and Adahy. A great celebration is held for 2 weeks. Mingan continues to work on new designs for boats. Agriculture continues to flourish, some foolhardy attempts to use dog sleds with large, angled stones attached to the back to till the land better are carried out but to no avail. Trade with the Gulf territories continues to expand. Better ways to preserve and store food are developed, mainly being large root cellars under longhouses. The earth is dug out and supports are put in place to ensure there are no cave-ins. Curing techniques from the Plains tribes begin to be used, mainly pemmican, wasna and jerky. Some try using salt but the method isn't perfect. Copper mining continues at a steady pace, as well as the production of copper items.
 * Cologne: The meeting called together last year continues, as morale continues to increase and Knights continue to teach peasants how to be better warriors. By the end of the year, the meeting has produced a result, to be released as soon as possible in the next year, and Archbishop Emmerich is confident that unity will soon be achieved. In other news, Emmerich notices the impact of His Holiness’s Indulgentarium Doctrina with great pleasure.
 * Essen: Abbess Sophia is inspired by the returning canonesses, who speak so highly of these aging ancient documents, to notice that the current Latin Vulgate was translated over a thousand years ago from the original Greek, Hebrew, Aramanic and other ancient languages. Accordingly, she tasks the four canonesses with organising a re-translated, updated version of the Latin Vulgate, involving annotations where relevant to increase accessibility. Before the task begins, however, she sends a letter to the pope, enquiring as to whether some scholars from the Papal States could be sent to Essen to assist.

1473
Anti-foreign sentiments begin to grow among the native population in Taiwan, as Japan, Korea, and China all establish colonies, encroaching further onto the island.

The nomadic Mongols and Manchu begin to grow dissent against the Chinese and Koreans, especially as small hamlets and villages begin to pop up bordering the steppe, which has historically been the land of horses and nomads.

'''The lands formerly belonging to the Kingdom of Ava, now in the hands of Bengal, revolt in protest of their foreign overlords, who have ruled the land for decades. '''


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: King Charles announces the birth of his first son, his second child, who is named Robert. Exploration of the west African coast continues.


 * Bahmanids: Muhammad Shah returns home with the annual Korean trade fleet. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED ON WHAT, IF ANY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HE LEARNS OF.)  At home, the trade boom with the Gurkanis continues, and from this newfound wealth, Ismail Shah begins construction of a grand mosque in Gulbarga, also managing to pay off the debts from the Great Eastern War. Shipbuilding continues.
 * Burma: Binnya Dala dies and his replaced by his son, Binnya Kyal II. Nonetheless, shipbuilding continues.
 * Maldives: Sultan Hassan III continues to rule as a faithful Bahmanid vassal. Support for the Bahmanids increases with the massive boon in trade from the Gurkanis and Swahilis.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: The Sultan's orders continue to be followed, and 20 ships a year are still being built. The Bengali Navy reaches 320 ships. The Sultan's son takes a berth on a Swahili trade ship, to try to make diplomatic relations and learn more about the Bahmanid's ally to the west. The University of Gaur develops a branch in Chatagon.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Branches of the University of Chariadeo are built in Garghaon, Jorhat, and Rangpur.
 * Bengali Diplomacy to the Khmers: The Sultan is most interested in the trade agreement and approves.
 * Delhi Sultanate: We continue to expand and improve our army and navy. Our economy continues to prosper through trade with the Gurkani and Khmer. Construction of the University of Agra continues, bolstered by the economic prosperity from the trade boom. Promotion of growth in Puri continues, its port bustling with trade and shipbuilding. The five-option plan remains in place for Gunterists found in Delhi.
 * Himalaya: With the trade boom in India, economic prosperity brought on from Delhi helps our economy grow. Kathmandu grows as a stop for merchants on their way to and from India and Tibet (and, extensively, China).
 * Ladakh: The trade boom also helps the economy in Ladakh prosper; the city of Leh doesn't grow as a trade stop nearly as much as Kathmandu has, though it does see some amount of growth. Gunterist villages continue to be guarded heavily. Cultural blending in Ladakh continues, though cultural integration continues simultaneously as Delhavi settlers still flow in, largely outnumbering Gunterists. Those of half-Tibetan, half-Delhavi blood become prominent in the region.
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The straits of Dover are now subject to a 2% tax on goods passing through. (I control both the Pas de Calais and Dover) We keep our regime of low taxes and an aversion from war while the English fleet has another ten ships constructed and the work on the tax system contuines in England while deportations in Calais contuine to occur.
 * Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich receives the recommendations of the 1471-1472 meeting with open arms. It is recommended that, in order to preserve unity between Essen, Cologne and Westphalen, which are currently separated by Berg and Mark, Archbishop Emmerich find some way of acquiring small strips of land in between the three sections of land coming under his rule. Archbishop Emmerich, as a Godly man, is averse to invasion or any violent conflict, and decides to negotiate with his relatives in the Duchy of Berg to purchase a section of land to the east of the Rhine, between Cologne and Essen. Cologne has acquired a very significant sum of money from printing press royalties, so Archbishop Emmerich is confidentthat he will be able to match whatever sum the Duke asks for. Further, Emmerich reiterates that Berg and Cologne have been religiously unified through Adelphinian Reforms since 1429 (44 years) and is confident that the citizens of Berg would easily adjust to living under Cologne rule. (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED FOR BERG, PLEASE) (OOC: Please see this map, in which existing Cologne/Essen territory is highlighted yellow and the proposed additional territory from Berg is highlighted in maroon.)
 * Essen: While the update of the Latin Vulgate begins, very slowly, with canonesses gathering resources dutifully, Abbess Sophia establishes a system wherein new canonesses, after five years at the abbey, will be required to travel to another part of the world in search of knowledge. This year, many canonesses go to Brandenburg in the hopes of acquiring new skills. Finally, the school established during the Adelphinian Reforms makes a connection with the University of Essen and the overall quality of education in Essen increases.
 * Ngarrindjeri: The tribe, now broken into its smaller clans, stands as the cultural and economic center of the southern Australian civilizations. These civilizations of southern Australia, with a combined population of 250,000, are now totally settled down as farminng communities from OTL Perth to Sydney, with varying degrees of urbanization and homogeny. Ngarrindjeri, however, remains the most advanced, benefiting from the river valley of the Murray River. Each of the clans, throughout these civilizations, all form communities around each other, into proper polities or city-states. Although trade in ochre, taro, and sugur still continues, the strongest tie of every individual is to the city, although even the cities have no central government at this time. Wombats and emu are raised for meat, with larger wombats and kangaroo raised for show. Dingos are used mainly for hunting, although some are experimenting with minor burdens. The cult of Ngintaka, still unique to the Murray river, continues to be interpreted and retold by the Dreamspeakers in oral tradition.
 * I think that's a bit too wide an expanse at the moment, your mode of life should be limited to the Murray delta region. Callumthered (talk) 13:02, September 30, 2016 (UTC)
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. Sutkan continues to implement laws reducing the civil liberties of the 150,000 Guntruists living in Khmer. They are now restricted to certain Guntruists only communities, and are forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. These Guntruist communities are overlooked by Khmer soldiers, who are there to keep the peace should riots or other unrest break out. After the success of enslaving Guntruists last year, 18,000 more are enslaved. 11,000 of these slaves are brought to Angkor Wat to assist in general upkeep, as well as new construction projects, while the other 7000 are brought to the city of U Thong to help facilitate the architectural boom in the region. Sutkan thanks Delhi for allowing Guntrusits to move to Khmer, and this year, almost 11,000 Guntruist immigrants are enslaved. This means that overall, 30,000 Guntruists became slaves. Sutkan announces that within two years, private people may take advantage of these slaves, though the exact rules need to be worked out. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This helps to both justify his rule, and also helps bring the empire closer together. In order to beef up the navy, which currently lags significantly behind Majapahit’s, Sutkan starts several programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. The nation begins to also push guns and cannons into a more central role in the Khmer military. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade increases with Tondo, with many traders making the trip back and forth as many as five times a year. We hope that in the future this will lead to closer relations, both economic and political, with Tondo. Meanwhile, trade also expands on land, bringing wealth to many Khmer traders. Sutkan thanks the Indian states for approving the trade route, and begins his plan increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. In order to expand this net work further, the offer is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a center of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole.
 * Tondo Dip: We would like to request free use of Khmer ports and trade routes for our merchants and trade ships, and offer the Khmer the same in return


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We build up our fleet and experiment with newer naval designs. The Sultan begins to fund a book translation movement aimed at translating Benin, Arabic and European books to Swahili Arabic. With no Chinese reply, we pay the tribute and buy Chinese books or interesting pieces of technology before heading back to Swahili.
 * Chinese Empire: With no response from Korea, the Emperor begins to feel disprespected, moving more troops to the border in the event of risk. More troops are raised locally and the nation is ready to defend. The colonies in Luzon and Taiwan continue to grow, while Taiwan and former Mongolia continue to be swarmed with Chinese citizens, boosting trade and infrastrucure in the region. The navy begins to stop trading as much with foreign nations, as promotions to produce more at home begins to create some results.
 * Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and 10 ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer,  the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. ''' Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly  to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue. '''


 * Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
 * Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang  (OTL Scarborough Shoal)
 * Papal States: Implementation of Indulgentarium Doctrina continues, with the new Bull being incorporated into collections of sources of Canon Law. With older Greek manuscripts of Holy Scripture increasingly common, the pope is pleased with Essen's suggestion that the Vulgate be updated with the knew knowledge from the ancient documents. His Holiness creates a Commission for the Improvement of Biblical Textual Accuracy, and appoints members of the Inquisition, academics from the universities (including some from Constantinople), bishops and priests who are noted theologians, and also the canonesses from Essen to it. The Commission will faithfully study the ancient manuscripts and fix any minor translation errors which Saint Jerome may have made-through no fault of his own- when he prepared the Vulgate a thousand years before. Accepting the wisdom of the Essene decision, His Holiness tasks the Commission with producing a new translation of the Vulgate, an acceptable and approved German translation for use by the Hussites, and an annotated Latin version which will use notes in the margins to provide context, references to other relevant sections, and explain how the verses relate to Church doctrines.

1474
'''Economies in almost every country near the Mediterranean Sea begin to decline and stagnate due to the several trade restrictions, regulations, and tariffs in the region. European trade with the East especially declines, cutting nations such as Castile or Aragon off from regions in the Balkans and Middle East.'''

The rebels in Ava reestablishes their their own nation as the rebellious state easily cuts off the Indians from crossing into their land due to numerous mountain chains, especially the Arakan Mountains.

A large typhoon with wind speeds of over 130 knots strikes northern Taiwan, destroying a large amount of infrastructure on the island and driving the native tribes to near rebellion in order to kill all the colonists.

'''For Cologne: last turn I wrote that Berg accepted, although it seems to have vanished. Therefore consider Berg to have accepted your offer. -Scraw'''


 * Bahmanids: The events in Burma worry Ismail Shah. He fears that a crushing of this revolt will inspire resistance throughout Burma, and perhaps even Majapahit intervention. He decides to send Binnya Kyal to negotiate a peace between the involved parties. Nonetheless, 100 ships and 40,000 men are sent, though they are ordered not to fight unless the peace offer falls through.
 * Burma: The events to the north worry Binnya Kyal, and he is glad to be the olive branch. He proposes the Peace of Pegu. The terms include:  Ava will become independent as a Bengali vassal, with Binnya Kyal as its king. Ava will get general autonomy in internal affairs, similar to the Bahmanid’s relation with Burma. Arakan will become an independent subah (province) within Bengal, with the current King of Burma being subahdar (governor). Within Arakan, Burmese culture and religion will not be infringed upon. Unlike the Kingdom of Burma, Gunturism will not be allowed in Ava or Arakan.  (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED ON WHETHER THE REBELS WILL ACCEPT).
 * Ava, having re-established its own nation, refused the Bahmanid offer. -Rexmod
 * Then it is with regret that Ismail orders the Bahmanid troops to be landed in Arakan and march into battle. The Kingdom of Burma still officially stays neutral.


 * Iroquois Nation: Farmers continue to refine the new method of turning soil, trying to perfect what is being called the plough. In Powhatan, Mingan continues studying and searching for an answer to sailing. Trade with Micmac and Beothuk continues to prosper, as well as the established trade routes in the Gulf area. After gaining popularity in the capital of Sustawan, all new longhouses are now constructed with a cellar. The new ways of preserving meat and produce spread in popularity. Braves continue to be trained at the fort near Sustawan to be part of the permanent regiment (500 strong), they serve on two year rotations or can volunteer to serve longer.
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support a movement to bring back the Ummah to the Golden Age, before the sack of Baghdad by the Mongols This includes supporting the arts and specifically the sciences. Because of this, the ancient school of Muʿtazila, the Islamic idealogy of thought and reasoning, becomes popular among many intellects within the Caliphate, from as far as Tunis, to the farthest reaches of the realm, in the Levant. Due to threat from enimies, we bolster garrisons on the frontier of the Caliphate, espicially at Tunis and the Levant. 
 * Sultanate of Bengal: The Bengali Navy continues to grow by 20 ships a year. The Bengali Army prepares for mobilization if the rebels refuse to accept the Peace of Pegu.  The expanded Bengali fleet goes on maneuvers, from its port in Chatagon. Port facilities are improved in Chatagon, and further fortifications are built. Sultan Rukunuddin Barbak Shah dies peacefully, and his son, Shamsiddin Yusuf Shah becomes the Sultan of Bengal.
 * Chinese Empire: With the begining of the second year with no response from Korea, the Emperor is enraged at the disrespect Korea has shown, refusing to even respond  to the Empire.While at first not wanting to resort to conflict, his advisors caution that refusal to act and the disrespect and growth of Korea as of late leaves no other path, and after hearing the reports of an increased need for farmland, the Emperor finally relents. Not willing to wait any longer, the Emperor orders the military units on the Korean border to move in and occupy Manchuria and bring it under Imperial control. Troops are raised to reinforce the occupation force. The Imperial navy is mobilized to defend the ports of the Empire and the colonies. Several squadrons are dispatched to patrol the trade routes between the colonies and the mainland, with the Emperor hoping to prevent the war from spreading to the region. 2 fleets are sent to combat the Koreans along the Manchu coast, in able to secure the coast line and prevent reinforcement by sea. The official aim of the war is to take everything north of Pyongan and Hamgyeong, while installing a more respectful ruler on the Korean throne should the Korean government choose to refuse the Chinese occupation of the north. With the civil war so fresh in the memories of the people, and the thought of new fertile land to settle and start farms on, the Chinese population seems almost jubilant at the thought of new fertile land being added to the Empire. Due to the civil war, populations moved around greatly, with troops falling for local women and some choosing to stay there, while other brought home new spouses. The Mandate of Heaven is talked of by certain nobles, but noticing the patriotic fever and the dire straits caused by the last war sparked by those who feared the mandate was violated, and the matter is dropped as so much of the population has been sweapt up in what many begin to believe is a new age for China.
 * Japanese Dip: We offer to aid the Chinese in putting down the Koreans.
 * Chinese Dip: We are thankful for the Japanese offer, and welcome them to join the conflict.
 * Delhi Sultanate: Since we are still repairing from the Great Eastern War, we remain neutral in the Ava conflict. Meanwhile, we continue improving and expanding our military, and construction of the University of Agra continues; both are helped along by the trade boom. Puri is a bustling major city busy with trade and shipbuilding, with its growth still encouraged. Roads continue to be built and improved, connecting the whole Sultanate, from the beaches of Orissa to the Kashmir Valley. We send an expedition south to learn about the seas south of the Chagos.
 * ​Himalaya: Nothing of note.
 * Ladakh: Nothing of note.
 * Papal States: The new papal commission for translating the Bible gets underway in its job helped by the canonesses from Essen, collecting and analysing the ancient manuscripts brought by the Greeks. The commission creates a sub-committee whose specific job is to write the annnotations which will make the mysteries of Holy Scripture more accessible, and allow untrained readers to find related passages. The commission sends letters to many renowned scholars in various universities through Christendom, asking for advice on aspects of the translation process, or the historical background etc. In other news, Pope Callixtus IV writes to the King of Italy and Naples. His Holiness asks that the crippling restrictions on trade through the Straits of Sicily be removed to allow the economy to recover.
 * Japan: To aid China, Japan declares war on Korea and invades them through the Korean Strait with ships.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * The economic situation in Aragon grows increasingly dire due to the blockade of Valletta. However, the Queen stubbornly refuses to give up what she believes to be her rightful claim over Sardinia and Sicily, and continues to mobilise the military in preparation for a war to retrieve the islands. While economic crisis hasn't exactly hit the country yet, it looms over Aragon like a spectre. In an effort to prevent the economy from worsening still, the Queen orders ships to carry diplomats to the Beninoise Empire to initiate trade negotiations. (MOD RESPONSE PLEASE), and we continue negotiations with German states to secure safe passage for our merchants. (PLEASE RESPOND, MOD OR OTHERWISE)


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We build up our fleet and experiment with newer naval designs. The Sultan begins to fund a book translation movement aimed at translating Benin, Chinese, Arabic and European books to Swahili Arabic. With Chinese books and pieces of technology back in Swahili, our artisans attempt to rebuild them.

1475
''' The economic situation in Europe and neighboring regions start to deteriorate even faster as the trade pacts and tariffs dissuade merchants from doing business. This is espicially notable in Iberia. '''

''' A play is released in China and played in the major theatres of China, mocking the Emperor for losing the Mandate of Heaven due to his actions and calling for a dynastic change. This prompts in the protestary action of the Royal Threatre Group to perform this theater in front of the Emperor in his palace. '''

''' The city of Ancona, a fief of the pope, becomes a popular port to call in the Mediterranean, and the city board begins to receive much more money due to this new-found richness. '''

'''I'm delaying the start of a new turn for a day, due to complications. I belive that a turn was started too early within the last few days. This will give people more time to post. In addition to this, the mod team is adding a new rule: If you haven't posted within five days, you will be removed from your nation and another user will be able to join the game as it.'''

'''China's occupation and annexation of Manchuria will be retconned due to implausibility. For complaints and issues, use my talk page-Sky'''


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: Exploration and mapping of the African coast. Flemish sailor Henri Slyke proposes that an alternate route to India, and overseas route, can be established if a way around the coast of Africa can be discovered. He wins funding from the newly established Bruges Trading & Shipping Company, and makes the first of his voyages this year, although an underestimation of his needed supplies forces him to turn back before reaching the Congo.


 * The Gurkani Sultanate:  Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 35 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst hand cannons and rocket launchers were increasingly developed as gunpowder became ever so popular. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus.  Sultan Salman Beg continued his policy of constructing educational madrassahs, hoping to enlighten the people of his nation and reestablish the Islamic Golden Age. Simultaneously, in a bid to further hasten the spread of Zaidi Islam, the Caliph initiated the process of converting Sunni Mosques into Shi'ite Mosques. Meanwhile, the application by the Knights Hospitaller to enter the Second Compact of Iskenderun was rejected by the Gurkani Sultan due to major pressure from the Shia clerics who felt it would not be wise to allow crusader heretics the right to step on Gurkani soil. About around the same time, support of Suleiman Shah II drastically increased throughout the nation as many believed that he was more suited to become Sultan, most particularly concerned with Salman choosing not to marry. 
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Rennaisance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient.
 * Cologne: The people of wider Cologne celebrate the newfound unity between Cologne and Essen, and Archbishop Emmerich makes it clear through a series of lectures that the people of Berg are to be welcomed into Cologne’s culture. He makes plans to build a further hospital and roads through this new section of Cologne, which will make travel and trade much easier. Construction begins as the year ends.
 * Essen: Abbess Sophia is impressed with His Holiness’ ability to latch onto an idea so quickly, and does everything she can to help the process of updating and annotating the Latin Vulgate, sending her most learned canonesses directly to the Papal States. She is somewhat disappointed that the commission could not be held in Essen itself, but is certain that an update made in Rome will be better in the long run and undoubtedly more respected. In the meantime, this year she sends a few canonesses to France to learn whatever they can from the finest scholars in Paris.
 * Knights Hospitaller Diplomacy:-We applaud the people of Cologne and Essen for their piety, and ask if we may establish commanderies in their regions and for monetary support as well as new recruits.
 * Cologne Diplomacy: Archbishop Emmerich welcomes the establishment of the grand master's commanderies in wider Cologne (including Westphalen and Essen) and promises the Knights monetary support and new recruits on the condition that the Knights assist Cologne's small militia. In particular, Emmerich proposes quarterly joint training sessions between the two groups: Cologne's knights and peasant militia would welcome guidance from a much older and more experienced defence force.
 * Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1475 and our current Grandmaster is Giovanni Battista Orsini. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. Right now, we are concerned about the lack of trade due to restrictions. We write to the King of Italy and Naples ask asks that the crippling restrictions on trade through the Straits of Sicily be removed to allow the economy to recover. We also call upon all of Christendom to provide us with funding in order for us to weather the trading crisis and continue with our duties (Diplmatic response required). We also continue raiding Ottoman, Caliphate shipping in order to maintain the order. Due to our access to printing technology we build a print shop in Rhodes and in Heraklion to build more printing machines and print books/ broadsheets (finish in 1477). We also inquire Italy/Naples about Malta and ask they give it to us to help us continue our holy purpose.(Italy response required). In order to recover from the trade crisis we sign the Compact of Valetta and Iskenderum in order to gain access to important trade routes.
 * Aragonese Diplomacy: We ask that the Knights Hospitaller to refrain from engaging in cession negotiations with Italy, as Malta is the rightful territory of the United Crown, under the illegal occupation of Italy. When Iberian control over Malta is re-established, the Queen will consider entering similar negotiations with the Knights.
 * Knights Hospitaller Diplomacy: We apologise for our mistake and agree to discuss Malta after this affair has been resolved. However we wish to enquire about funding and manpower for the Order and if you are willing to help us. We are willing to concede port access.
 * Papal States: The Bible Commission continues its work, continuing to collate sources. The Prefect of the commission decides that it shall spend two years in Essen to take advantage of German scholarship and the sources available through the Empire. The pope authors a short bull giving automatic excommunication to anyone who molests the Commission whilst it is out of Rome. The Grand Master of the Order of Knights Hospitaller is raised to the position of lay Cardinal, giving him a vote in the next papal conclave and entitling him to the composite title of "Eminent Highness". Italy and Naples is once again asked to relax the trade restrictions crippling the Mediterranean. Norway is asked how the new settlement in Greenland is going (Skyboi u r my only hop)
 * ​Italian Diplomacy: King Matteo Visconti of Naples (which imposed the Compact of Valletta) urges the Papal States to negotiate and ratify this treaty in order to have access across the Straits of Sicily.
 * Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation.
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. A holy edict is issued banning all merchants from transpiring commerce with the Christian nation of East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We begin to mobilize a small number of troops to Nubia and Yemen. We also start begin sending large amount of barbary pirates in secret to raid the Knights Hospitaller. These pirates have had their tongues cut out and their lives spared, in return, they need to serve in the name of the Caliphate for life.
 * Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Heinrich continues to negotiate with the Teutons over secularization and with Papal approval to the outlined planned Heinrich requests that the Hochmeister visit Berlin to hammer out a final agreement (mod response please). Military expansion continues and reforms continue. economic expansion continues though there is a bit of a downturn in southern trade as the med sea states suffer from the closing of the east med sea, this leads to an increased amount of Brandenburg Merchants travelling to Bulgaria to acquire their eastern products. Otto remains in Bulgaria teaching Vasili's heir german and about european politics, Meanwhile he begins writing a series of papers on politics and philosophy based on what he has seen in Bulgaria, of the emperor's state building and based on what he knew from the HRE political machine. He becomes quite the admirer of Vasili;s hard line politics and his heavy handed apllication of force to achieve his goals. Otto formally becomes involved with the much younger Klavdiya Asen, who is 19 while he is pushing 35 now. The younger Otto begins his own military command in SIlesia assuming his father;s position as governor of SIlesia. The younger Otto is in need of a wife and as such begins searching for one amongst the nobility of Europe. Theological debates continue and more concepts are hammered out into the final canon of the Northern Reformed Catholic Church. The first copies of the bible in German are published for the new rite. German is declared the language of prayer in Brandenburg though Latin is still highly respected. within the Reformed Church. Naval expansion continues.
 * The Hochmesiter agrees to the Brandenburger requests and makes his way to Berlin to discuss a final agreement. -Rexmod
 * Essen Diplomacy: Abbess Sophia offers one of her most attractive young secular canonesses (who is in fact nobility and is permitted to marry) to the younger Otto as his bride, noting the prosperity of the relationship between Cologne/Essen and Brandenburg. Her name is Claramond II von Munster and she has a keen interest in politics and military strategy, though at the moment she can only admire it from afar.
 * Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: The navy grows by 20 ships this year, and Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah orders the navy to continue expanding at the same rate. The Sultan sends his son on a Swahili trade ship to learn more about the Swahili Sultanate. The Sultan also orders the expansion of road and trade networks.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Susenphaa orders the expansion of the University of Chariadeo. Road networks are improved.
 * Addendum: The Sultan still wishes to give the rebels of Ava the terms of the Peace of Pegu even if the rebels are defeated in battle.
 * OOC Bengal: Did Ava fall? Or does it still exist?
 * ​It still exists.
 * OOC Bengal: How? I protest! Rebuttals: 1) The only mountain range in my way is the Arkan range. 2) The armies of the Kingdom of Pagan crossed them many times in the 13th century. 3) Troops in a mountain pass does not equal invulnerability (e.g. Thermopylae). 4) Then how was Ava conquered anyway? The reason for that is a mod event.
 * Benin: The vast resources of the empire are devoted to the expansion of the Benin Imperial Navy, which has been set as the priority of Oba Nosagie following the Benin Civil War. Recovery from the conflict has been steady, and the redevelopment of the military completed thanks to the many years of military experience of the Oba, allowing him to tailor the army to the needs of the nation as they currently exist. Numerous shipyards were built throughout Benin following the conflict, as many Bini turned toward the ocean for their wages. As trade with other nations has picked up, the need for more seagoing vessels increased as well. The navy, needing to protect the trade in region, as well as project power to the region around them, have been patronized by the Oba and his government, gaining them vast manpower and vessels to use. The navy is expanded exponentially, with the major port cities of Eko, Kalabari, Warri, Kokoro, Tanna, Apata, Ominira, Ziguinchor, Serekunda, and Dakar, all tasked with maintaining an output of five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe every year for each city over the next ten years. While this number will naturally vary per city, all are given the responsibility of expanding the navy of Benin for the vision the Oba has set. Thus far, all of the ships for the year have been provided, and a stipend from the government awarded to any shipbuilder who can meet their quotas on time with quality ships. Growth of the intellectual community in Benin continues to flourish, as more and more Bini attain literacy as per their state-provided education. Rebuilding of the cities damaged by the war have largely been completed, and the rehabilitation o the farmlands of Benin completed as well. While the nation's economy is still somewhat sluggish from the aftermath of the civil war, the empire has recovered to a certain extent that food security and public safety are no longer a major concern. Investigations into the old Malian king, Abu Bakr II, and his famous disappearance at sea, continue to gain the attention of the Oba and his court. Nosagie wishes to know where this man was going, and why he disappeared. Many rumors of Abu Bakr II exist in Benin, with many stating that he perhaps found a land so full of unclaimed riches that he abandoned his kingdom in Africa and stayed in the new land. This is the most prevalent theory in Benin, though being a nation of rationalists and logicians, the Bini have decided to wait and investigate, and send an expedition out one day to follow the known route of this old king out to the far western reaches of the ocean. Utilizing its much larger navy and merchant fleet, Benin continues to expand its trade power in the Indian Ocean, taking full advantage of its merchant contacts in the city-state of Sofala, as well as the Malagasy lands. Extension of the Bini trade routes to the Arab Peninsula and Somali state of Mogadishu, are both made priorities of the Bini merchants. Expansion of Benin's kola, cocoa, and sugar fields are made, as the demand from foreign states has led to the need to expand production of these cash crops at home. In the interior of Benin, many Bini have decided to begin moving from their home regions and into the unsettled interior regions, where rich soil and untapped minerals remain to be exploited. With the backing of the newly reorganized Benin Imperial Army, the Bini settlers driven by the Kuzir concept of Nla Kadara, or "manifest destiny", settle lands no yet claimed by Benin. The Bini expand their holdings in the giant pocket of tribal lands by 20,000 square kilometers, enslaving and selling the natives to buyers across Africa or overseas. Expansion of the infrastructure is made to link the new settlements to the core of Benin. A census is held by the Oba to determine the number of citizens in the empire, and adjust the tax rates accordingly. With use of the local gazettes made possible by the printing press, the government of Benin is shocked to discover that the population of Benin is in fact closer to 45 million subjects rather than the nearly 60 million it was led to believe for decades. This error is believed to have originated from a series of overly optimistic statistics provided to Edo by bureaucrats seeking to gain higher commissions for "greater effort in taking the census". Following the civil war and the grand reorganization of the military and purging of the clergy of traitors, the truth has finally emerged.
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The straits of Dover are now subject to a 2% tax on goods passing through. (I control both the Pas de Calais and Dover) We keep our regime of low taxes and an aversion from war while the English fleet construction is halted to save money and the work on the tax system continues in England while deportations in Calais continue to occur. Seeing growing economic turmoil in Europe especially the new King grows concerned his reign could become one of poverty due to rising tensions between Spain and Italy. The King realises that there is little he can do though and allows the merchants to contuine reminding them to be cautious.
 * Sweden: Weary of rising tensions in the Mediterranean, the King contacts our friend's son. King Edward IV, and plan to discuss with him about the situation in a royal visit to England next year, in which we will discuss terms to the Anglo-Scandinavian friendship, Meanwhile, we attend the Council at Berlin and demand that Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Gutnish and Scanian can be used as liturgical language in Scandinavia and especially, Holstein. We ask Norway about the progress in the Papal-ordoned colony. We ask for a royal marriage between Eric, Prince of Denmark and Kristina, Princess of Sweden. (MOD for both). 
 * Denmark accepts. -Rexmod
 * Ethiopia: Emperor Baeda cuts back on some spending for the nation cutting the royal guard back to around 4000. Also efforts to mordernize are going well but slightly slowed by the decreased income.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * With economic crisis growing increasingly likely, the Aragonese government begins to grow more and more desperate. As a result, the Queen, Eleanor I, reluctantly signs the Compact of Valletta, but in private continues to uphold her rightful claim to Malta, Sicily and Sardinia. In a private convention of the Supreme Council, the Queen says that Italy and Naples shall in time pay for their treachery. She also orders the navy to continue research on ocean-going vessels so that we will be able to cross the Atlantic. We make contact with West African nations, in particular Benin, to negotiate trade, and we also reach out to Britain and the Kalmar Union to negotiate new trade agreements so that we are no longer completely dependent on Mediterranean trade.
 * English Dip: We agree to make new trade agreements with Iberia.
 * Sweden agrees in the name of the Empire of Scandinavia (which includes Denmark and Norway) to trade further with Britain, also paying the tax on Dover. 
 * Iroquois Nation: Agriculture and trade continue to flourish. Our urban centers of Sustawan, Tiohero, and Tonawanda all see small expansion. The northern trade port of Catcodoga grows and has more barges built. Raids intensify along the Cree border in the north. The border with the Potowatomi is heavily fortified, while all other borders are patrolled regularly. Copper and oil trade sees minor growth. Chief Degotoga, wishing to keep friendly relations, sends 50 braves on a mission to the Winnebago to assist them in training their own braves.
 * Bahmanids: Ismail Shah is relieved that the war in Burma is finally over. Shipbuilding continues, nonetheless. The army is also expanded to include more gunpowder weapons. The trading cities on the east coast are expanded.
 * Kingdom of Burma: Binnya Kyal is relieved at the war to the north ending. He re-issues his call for the Peace of Pegu, reminding the Bengalis that if they do not change their ways, they will only kick the revolt down the road. Shipbuilding also continues, with worry that Majapahit may try to intervene. Patrols along the Neutral Zone are intensified.
 * Maldives: Sultan Hassan begins to lose his health.
 * Addendum: The Bahmanid navy is currently 270 vessels, the Burmese 106, and the Maldivian, 50.
 * Addendum 2: With Bengal agreed, and the rebels on the brink, I'm going to go ahead and make a treaty page for my proposal. (After we get the issue of wether Ava's alive or not straight, that is.)
 * Chinese Empire: With the victory in Manchuria, the Emperor, in order to ensure the continued loyalty of Korea to the Empire, orders his armies to continue southward to install a new loyal monarch on the Korean throne as the current still refuses to acknolwedge the Chinese occupation of Manchuria or the envoys. Many if not most Koreans flee Manchuria as Chinese forces cement there rule of the region, and Chinese settlers excitedly sweep over the border into Manchuria after the military seizes the region. Troops are increased to patrol the borders and local regions in the new area, as the Emperor prepares for any Korean reprisals. The Keiku are now sharing a border with the Empire, and we promise them that we have no plans to infringe on their sovereign borders as they stood before the declaration of war. The play that mocks the Emperor, after it is played in front of the Emperor, is laughed at by his majesty, and he expains the situation and the reasoning, causing most of the theatre group to understand his position, and the play group fractures as some wish to continue the play, and some refuse to continue acting in it, all in all over 2/3 of the acting cast disperse, while the remaining cast members attempt to play again south of Beijing, only to be booed off the stage by a crowd of civillians whos family members are part of the army. The play is never played again. The Emperor, having just proved his way in a long civil war and becoming triumphant, makes any real resistance to his handling of the mandate small and little effect. Soldiers raised across the nation that are stationed in other parts of the nation continue to settle down with new wives after being discharged, further creating family ties across the Empire. The Emperor celebrates Japans entry into the war, cementing the ties between the two Empires. The people enlist in droves in order to defend the Empire and increase there prosperity, hoping to keep there families full and there lives honorable with there service to the Empire and the Emperor who leads it.
 * Explain to me WHAT damn reasoning you pulled out again in chat, Nova, or else I am removing this. ~Wolves
 * In the Kingdom of Italy, tensions have begun to cool down with Austria and Iberia. We continue to offer all nations, regardless of previous relations, the opportunity to negotiate and ratify terms to the Compact of Valletta, which can be anticipated to alleviate the economic concerns in Europe. During the year, many Italian merchants make a lot of money from acting as spice trade middlemen and monopolists, with only France and England having access past the Sicilian Straits (so far) and of those two only England has access to the Persian markets at Iskanderun. Istriot and Ligurian continue to be subsumed into the standard and proper Italian language, as instituted by the Royal Academy of Italian. Publishing of new materials reaches an all-time high, as local lords and the King himself encourages new prose and poetry. Seeing the progress made in Ancona, efforts are made to enhance the desirability of Trieste and Venice as Adriatic ports.
 * In the Kingdom of Naples, King Matteo Visconti rules over a period of foreign tensions. We work to protect and build infrastructure in Sardinia and Sicily, along with Malta and the peninsula. Arts and the Renaissance continue to flourish in the city of Naples and throughout the realm. Urbanization continues, with major cities seeing more and more inhabitants and population continuing to increase rapidly. In Epirus, the Morea, and Albania, Italians and Neapolitans continue to settle the regions. Italian also takes hold as a dominant language in these regions, with local dialects beginning to lose their grasp on common usage.
 * Croatia: The nation experiences a slow but constant development, although Ragusa's trade power is less vocal than it used to be. The improving of the administration and bureaucracy in Croatia works well, increasing efficiency. The Sabor and it's chambers grow stronger and in Dubrovnik the Rennaissance explodes, causing the release of numerous artworks, literature and philosophical discourse, including the theological debate about Unitarianism.


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. With the Bahmanid Prince visiting our nation, we give him our warmest welcome and invites him on a tour in Mogadishu around the Madrassa of Mogadishu, the Madrassa Observatory and the Royal Dockyards. 
 * OOC Bengal: I believe it's a Bengali prince who is touring Mogadishu. His name is Jalaluddin Fateh Shah.
 * Bengali Diplomacy: Jalaluddin Fateh Shah wishes to make trade agreements with the Swahili Sultanate.
 * Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and 10 ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer,  the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. ''' Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly  to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue. '''
 * Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
 * Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang  (OTL Scarborough Shoal)


 * Korean monarch Yi Un accepts the Bahmanid offer to extend the trade offer to its vassals. Yi Un enlarges the Cheondoryeol province by expanding into neighbouring islands, and sending a hundred more settlers to the islands. With Majapahit's power apparently weakening, aligned pirate ships covertly raid Majapahit settlements, using naval cannonry and geobukseon to achieve a swift victory. Yi Un amplifies the Mahayana Buddhist revivalist movement within Korea, with architecture and the arts being patronized and being influenced by Buddhist elements and doctrines. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted, with several academies and universities being built and many elite partaking in education. Yi Un makes the development of military and industry the top priority; promoting gunpowder, firearms, and weaponry production. The Korean metallurgy is further augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces, with the metal used in creating ships and weapons. Korea continues its entrenched naval tradition, building bigeodo, gwaseon, and geobukseon, while scrapping older ships and phasing out the gwiseon.
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. Sutkan continues to implement laws reducing the civil liberties of the 150,000 Guntruists living in Khmer. They are now restricted to certain Guntruists only communities, and are forced to pay a heavy tax to the government. These Guntruist communities are overlooked by Khmer soldiers, who are there to keep the peace should riots or other unrest break out. After the success of enslaving Guntruists last year, 18,000 more are enslaved. 11,000 of these slaves are brought to Angkor Wat to assist in general upkeep, as well as new construction projects, while the other 7000 are brought to the city of U Thong to help facilitate the architectural boom in the region. Sutkan thanks Delhi for allowing Guntrusits to move to Khmer, and this year, almost 12,000 Guntruist immigrants are enslaved. This means that overall, 30,000 Guntruists became slaves. Sutkan announces that within two years, private people may take advantage of these slaves, though the exact rules need to be worked out. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This helps to both justify his rule, and also helps bring the empire closer together. In order to beef up the navy, which currently lags significantly behind Majapahit’s, Sutkan starts several programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. The nation begins to also push guns and cannons into a more central role in the Khmer military. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade increases with Tondo, with many traders making the trip back and forth as many as five times a year. We hope that in the future this will lead to closer relations, both economic and political, with Tondo. Meanwhile, trade also expands on land, bringing wealth to many Khmer traders. Sutkan thanks the Indian states for approving the trade route, and begins his plan increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. In order to expand this net work further, the offer is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a center of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. U Thong also begins to attract a class of intellectuals, and as a result, Sutkan begins to allow public forums in the city, where citizens can debate many things openly. While there are certain topics that still can't be debated, these forums are popular and grow quickly. This year, we accept Tondo's offer for mutual free port access, though we request they don't use our ports to trade with Majapahit, as we believe any economic advantage to them could have huge negative impacts on the security of Khmer. To continue or reconquest of former Khmer lands, we invade Laos, using 65,000 troops, many of them armed with guns. In order to continue weakening Majapahit, Sutkan follows Korea's example, and starts sponsoring pirates to attack Majpahit ports and settlements. This year, several successful attacks occur, two of which are targeted at Majpahit naval bases, noticeably weakening their navy.
 * Delhi Sultanate: We continue improving and expanding our army and navy. Our economy continues to prosper as trade from the Gurkanis and Khmer give us great fortune, and also makes our cities grow. Construction of the University of Agra continues. The five-option plan remains in place for convicted Gunterists.
 * Himalaya Kingdom: Nothing of note.
 * Ladakh: Nothing of note.


 * Astrakhan: Abukhan dies this year. His son Moxamattcan succeeds him. He dreams of a pan-Tatar empire, on that will exceed the glory of the golden horde. He begins to reorganize the state under the Persian model. He proclaim the Tatar empire, simply known as the golden empire. He is proclaimed Golden Emperor at the end of the year. Sarai continues to be built up. Turkomen sultanate is demanded to become a vassal of us otherwise face the same fate as the Kazakh empire Mod Response.
 * ​The Turkmen reject the Astrakhan demands and loudly proclaim their free spirit. -scraw
 * France: Coming soon.
 * Bulgarian Empire: Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan continues to heavily promote the renaissance but with his sons education and development taking priority the Heir begins heavily training Simeon in the arts of combat and war with intent to develop Simeon into a good leader and commander in his own right. Strict discipline and all forms of martial skill begin to be drilled into the 14 year old boy as he even gives by the end of the year 1000 troops to personally command and drill with. Outside of this the Economy of Bulgaria minus the failure in trade with Castile continues to blossom as many towns, farms, and newly settled regions begin to contribute legitimately to the nations economy. The Tsar remains commited to his naval project now having nearly 250 ships in the Bulgarian navy who specifically begin to see use as protectors of merchant shipping. The Cities of Sofiya, and Tarnovo both see their populations expand to a rough 80,000 as the urban movement slows down. Vasiligrad remains at a full 140,000 as trade and money flow through the city once again. Bulgarian envoys are sent to Gurkani expressing interest in the Trade Compact. The Bulgarian population reaches 3.65 million as the expanded settlement of Wallachia, Thrake, and Thrace sees a well off population growth. The Bulgarian generals convene with the Tsar saying that no less than 14 new fortresses must be build along the Bulgar coast and on the 2 gaps  which are not protected by mountains along the black sea coast. The Tsar carefully funds this but only in a first needed basis, focusing on the east flank to prevent hordes from crossing the area unchallenged. The Guns and Cannon complements of the Bulgarian military are expanded moderately. Bulgaria postures with Greece sending an envoy requesting they swear Fealty to the Bulgarian Empire offering one of the Bulgarian daughters to the Greek king and a large dowry in exchange for their fealty (mod, please). The Bulgarians begin citing issues of tension in the balkans between Italy and Austria not wishing to see their development and contributions to the local economy ruined due to the continuous conflict. Bulgaria officially accepts the Athenian deal to more effectively take control of the city as a protected state but agrees to release it to the Iberian kingdoms again if they come back to reclaim the city. Bulgarian trade ships make a concentrated effort to begin courting Ionian Greeks into resettling into the Balkans. The bankers hired by the Bulgarian Tsar officially establish their own respective banking guilds in Tarnovo, Vasiligrad and Sofiya, with another unrelated guild coming into being in Tirgoviste. The plan to back lesser metaled coins to the gold and silver bullion in the bank vaults has come with great success as the copper, iron, silver, and gold coins are all issued and put into circulation. The copper and silver coins are valued at higher rates than neighboring countries due to the introduction of the copper and iron coins.
 * ​Principality of Moldavia: The Moldavian principality remains as a clear buffer zone from the rest of Eastern Europe and its development as a military march and fortress zone for the Bulgarian Empire gives Moldavia a clear advantage in their autonomous management and a very clearly low tribute is exacted as the Bulgarians make up for it in investments into the northern Forts in Moldavia which are to be the first line of defense in the East. The Population grows to about 500,000.
 * Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece while dubious about their new Status under Bulgaria, remains wary but with a Bulgarian heiress coming in as his wife in just a few years, the King is optimistic that the Bulgarian will do no further harm to Greece. While some popular support against the fealty to Bulgaria is clearly apparent, the immediate influx of money coming from Bulgarian trade and the exchange of ideas shows Greece clearly beginning to develop as a trade state. The Greek population stands at roughly 150,000 with slight growth. The relaxation of the borders does see some influx of Greek immigration from the Bulgarian Greek territories. The King outwardly questions the Italian presence in the Balkans mentioning that not only did Italy abandon the Greeks in the Greco-Bulgarian war, but the Italians have been actively hurting Greeks in Epirus and Morea.
 * ​The Greeks are very pleased by this generous offer and accept it, thanking the Tsar. -Scraw

1476
''' False reports of a large earthquake in Shanxi spread across the lands belonging to the Ming Dynasty prompts many high-officials to question the legitimacy of the current emperor. Nonetheless, these rumors are quickly silenced as news that the reports are false is confirmed. '''

''' Chinese and Japanese settlers on the island of Taiwan get into a border dispute when the two settlements make contact with each other. Many people die on both sides. '''

''' The Duke of Julich proclaims himself the rightful heir of the territories of Berg due to the dynastic union between the two territories. He demands that Cologne surrenders his lands back to him. '''

''' During an inspection in Civitavecchia, the port of Rome, mysterious cargo appears on a boat bound for Marseille, which shouldn't exist in the region. '''

'The pope will die next year, and we will once again start the Conclave a turn early to minimise the sede vacante'' period. Aragon, Greece, the Hospitallers, Brandenburg, Castile, Cologne, Italy, Bulgaria, and England all have cardinals.''' Callumthered (talk) 05:59, October 3, 2016 (UTC)


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: Explorer Henri Slyke continues his expeditions down the west coast of Africa. Reform of the army progresses along the Brandenburgian model, with about one in ten being armed with an arquebus, acting as ranged support for the pikemen. The army stands at about 70,000, and the navy continues scrapping old carracks and galleys, replacing them with modern models.


 * The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 35 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Sultan Salman Beg continued his policy of constructing educational madrassahs, hoping to enlighten the people of his nation and reestablish the Islamic Golden Age. Simultaneously, in a bid to further hasten the spread of Zaidi Islam, the Caliph initiated the process of converting Sunni Mosques into Shi'ite Mosques. About around the same time, pressure mounted on the Sultan to choose a bride and secure a suitable heir with many rumours spreading throughout the Empire that the Sultan was either homosexual or infertile. This extremely diminished his popularity whilst surging that of his brother, Suleiman Shah II whos policies in Iraq were widely supported and who was seen as a more popular candidate for the throne. Meanwhile, word reached the Shia Cleric Council, and the Caliph that the Sultan was leaning toward allowing Bulgaria access to the Compact of Iskenderun. This severely damaged his opinion amongst the clerics, and under extreme pressure from the Caliph and Suleiman Shah, the Sultan finally agreed to reject the Bulgarian request. This action relaxed the anger and prevented any further increase in hostilities. 
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Rennaisance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient.
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. A holy edict is issued banning all merchants from transpiring commerce with the Christian nation of East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We begin to mobilize a small number of troops to Nubia and Yemen. We also start begin sending large amount of barbary pirates in secret to raid the Knights Hospitaller. These pirates have had their tongues cut out and their lives spared, in return, they need to serve in the name of the Caliphate for life.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * ​Within the Crown of Castile, expansion of the Atlantic Fleet continues, as again Castile rounds the cape of Africa. Infrastructure expands as well.
 * Queen of Aragon Eleanor I breathes a sigh of relief as economic crisis has been for now averted. With access to the eastern Mediterranean reopened, homesick Iberian merchants eagerly return home to their families, and trade between west and east can now resume. Ships bound for Iberia are now once more seen sailing through the Sicilian Strait. The Queen, however, continues to assert to officials that the peace will not last, and that Italy and Naples are not to be trusted. New regulations are published by the government, requiring merchant ships to be armed with the newest cannons available, ostensibly to protect them from piracy, but in reality to ensure that these ships will be able to defend themselves against Neapolitan naval forces without Iberian military assistance. Merchant crews are now given government training in cannon use and military tactics in the event of conflict with their enemies. As the Queen said in a secret meeting of the Supreme Council in Barcelona this year, "One can never trust those filthy Italians."
 * I would note that not all parties have signed the Compact of Valletta, and I will not be accepting the compact as valid until the signature of the Aragonese queen does not include the titles in contention. -Rex
 * Stop being petty, no ruler in their right mind would renounce claims either way over a trade compact. Those kinds of claims are only lost in a war. -Feud


 * Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1476 and our current Grandmaster is Giovanni Battista Orsini. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. Right now, we are concerned about the lack of trade due to restrictions. We also call upon all of Christendom to provide us with funding in order for us to weather the trading crisis and continue with our duties (Diplomatic response required). Due to our access to printing technology we build a print shop in Rhodes and in Heraklion to build more printing machines and print books/ broadsheets (finish in 1477). We also inquire Italy/Naples about Malta and ask they give it to us to help us continue our holy purpose.(Italy response required). Due to increased raids by Barbary pirates, we withdraw our ships raiding the Abbasids to protect our shipping and our territories though we continue to raid the Ottoman shipping and begin escalating by raiding coastal towns and villages. Due to economic hardship, we attempt to sign the Compact of Valetta. We also attempt to attract trade and commerce by declaring Rhodes and Crete as Freeport reducing tariffs and regulations in order to increase commerce (Mod response on effectiveness). We agree with the Cologne offer and we send a small detachment of veterans to train their troops in exchange for funding and coin (Response to Cologne). We build infrastructure and our military, while we also plan on setting up an European network of Banks to fund our state.
 * Aragonese Diplomacy: We stress to the leaders of the Knights Hospitaller not to engage in any dealings with Italy or with Naples, as both are absolutely not to be trusted. Their treachery and betrayal have very much proved that this is so. The Queen sends her regards in a personal letter to Grandmaster Orsini, and says that even if the Italo-Neapolitan government were to agree to cede Malta to the Knights or even sell it, there is no telling if they would go back on their deal and retake the territories back into their greedy, grubby hands through force.
 * And how exactly are you getting through the Sicilian Straits if the Compact of Valletta has yet to be fully ratified yet? -Rex
 * Rhodes does not benefit greatly, but Crete used as a stopover/rest point for many merchants and sailors travelling to and from Anatolia and the Near East. -scraw


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We agree to the Bengal Prince's offer of a trade deal, and gives him many wares to take back to his home.
 * Bengali Diplomacy: The Bengali Prince is touched by the Swahili Sultanate's generosity and sincerely thanks them.
 * Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and 10 ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer,  the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly  to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue.
 * Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
 * Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang  (OTL Scarborough Shoal)
 * Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Tsar continues with the famous artwork in the Hagia Sophia being completed. It is considered an absolute masterpeice. The Population of Bulgaria continues to see growth with nearly 60,000 population growth, much of it occuring in Wallachia, and the newly settled Greek territories This puts Bulgar population at 3.7 million. Wallachia has noticeably seen is local Bulgarian population grow from roughly 40,000 to nearly 120,000 with the southern regions of Wallachia seeing a clear Bulgar majority. The Nations military continues to be provided with top notch equipment and training as the Tsar makes it a clear priority to maintain not only Balkan Hegemony, but also remain the bulwark of Christianity as well. The Tsars merchant guilds under authorization wish to open negotiations with Gurkani to speak about the Trade Compact. With the falling of Greece under the umbrella of the Empire, this seems almost as a recognition of Bulgarias Balkan pre-eminence and concession to the Bulgarians the historical Greek position in the Balkans. This prompts Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan to march an army of about 10,000 into greece for a personal visit to the Greek king. The economy of the empire continues to see positive growth as the peaceful development and heavy change in the value of workers and the Tsars dominant control to allow a more prolific growth. The Expansion of Renaissance ideas on top of this has turned the Empire into a veritible paradise for peasants and freemen alike as the open lands in the north, and in Bulgarian Macedonia have mace striking out on your own to establish yourself in relative peace and stability. Internal commerce forges ahead at an all time high but with noticeable slowdown as the initial boom of the emergent economy has waned and a more normal status resumes. The banking system shows relative stability and the issueing of coins has led to a more accurate value to be pegged to the Bulgarian coinage and its economy and its purchasing power abroad shows notable increase as the now resident Venetian, Genoan and even now Domestic Bulgarian banking and merchant families prove the worth and stability of the Bulgarian Lev (currency). The training and education of the heir apparent continues and two nobles are killed acting as would be assasins to the heir. Simeon however in a surprising turn in his training easily outfights the more experienced Boyars and kills the two of them. Word of this spreads and Simeon is seen as a miracle fighter due to this. He even enters a sword dueling contest and places second behind only the Tsars personal bodyguard Vladislav Korolev. Grand Prince Simeon becomes relatively well known for his sword skills as well as being extremely able in commanding soldiers as referenced by the 1000 man force he was given to hone his command training. Bulgarian ships bring back a few dozen Ionian Greeks to be settled within Greece itself and in the frontiers of Bulgaria given profitable land. In a surprise Vasili announces he has fathered another set of twins, The Brother-Sister twins of Boril, and Daniela.
 * ​Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to support his new Bulgarian overlords and is able to undergo a quick but decisive journey to Vasiligrad visiting some of the houses of his ancestors in the city. King Jacob begins to do some digging through his family history looking for a connection to Byzantine royalty but only discovers a very distant and old claim which is already known to the Bulgarian Tsar. The Greek population stands at roughly 150,000 with slight growth. The relaxation of the borders does see some influx of Greek immigration from the Bulgarian Greek territories and an influx of Ionian Greeks.
 * Principality of Moldavia: The Moldavian principality remains as a clear buffer zone from the rest of Eastern Europe and its development as a military march and fortress zone for the Bulgarian Empire gives Moldavia a clear advantage in their autonomous management and a very clearly low tribute is exacted as the Bulgarians make up for it in investments into the northern Forts in Moldavia which are to be the first line of defense in the East. The population grows to about 500,000.
 * Chinese Empire: Wondering what fool was in charge in Taiwan leads to the the Emperor placing his nephew in charge. The thought an issue arose is inconceivable, and so upsetting to the Emperor. It was well known Japan was established on the island, the fact that violence broke out is regrettable. The military is increased and the population continues to grow, with former Mongolia and the lands to its north becoming hot spots of settlement by Chinese civilians. The military begins pushing northward from northern Mongolia, trying to find local tribes that may wannt to join the Empire. Contact is made with the Buryats tribe, a large tribe in the north and extremely uncivilized in comparison to the Empire. Troops begin arriving on the northern frontier soon after contact is made, with an armed expedition into the region deemed necessary in order to secure the northern regions. Settlers continue to flow into Luzon and Taiwan, and the recent incident calls for a talk with Japan on how to divide the island and prevent any future events between the two Empires. The navy continues to patrol the oceans and the colonies, mapping new lands. A fleet is prepared for travel westward, hoping to reach southern India and map out the regions with more accuracy.
 * Sweden: Weary of rising tensions in the Mediterranean, the King contacts our friend's son. King Edward IV, and visits him in England next year, where we discuss terms to the Anglo-Scandinavian friendship, Meanwhile, we attend the Council at Berlin and demand that Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Gutnish and Scanian can be used as liturgical language in Scandinavia and especially, Holstein. We ask Norway about the progress in the Papal-ordoned colony. (MOD response).
 * Swedish Secret Diplomacy to England: If England helps us in unifying Scandinavia, we will cede them the ports of Aberdeen, Dundee and the Hebrides from Denmark.
 * English Secret Dip: Yes, we will do that.
 * The colony is dead. -scraw
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: With trade resuming through the Sicilian channel the economy maintain itself. The new King is confident that he has resolved the problems but keeps England much as it is.
 * Delhi Sultanate: It is a rather uneventful year. The city of Agra prepares fireworks for the opening of the University of Agra next year. Our expedition south arrives back in the bustling port of Puri, finding that no land lie directly south of the Chagos. The status quo is in place for everything else.
 * Himalaya Kingdom: Nothing of note
 * Ladakh: Nothing of note.
 * Bahmanids: 'Tis an uneventful year. More money flows into the treasury, more ships are built, law and order spreads, traders trade, and everyone grows a year older.
 * Burma: Now, 10 warships a year will be built, instead of seven.
 * Malives: Nothing of note.
 * Papal States: With Ancona becoming more and more popular a place for traders, the Papal Legate over Ancona sends out an offer to all Mediteranean traders: traders can take the overland route from Ancona to Ostia, thus avoiding Neapolitan taxes through the straits. Such traders will pay only a small tax compared to that expected by Naples. In other news, the Pope, who grows frail and old, asks Norway about the fate of the colony he ordered (Skyboi ur mi onle hpe).
 * Aragonese Diplomacy: We welcome this offer, and the Government directs all merchants to transfer goods through the port of Ancona instead of passing through the Sicilian Strait. As a result, the Queen considers withdrawing completely from the Compact due to the new availability of this alternative route. We express our utmost gratitude to the Holy Father for his generous offer.
 * This colony has failed and is dead. -scraw


 * Sultanate of Bengal: The Bengali Navy grows by another 20 ships. Nothing else of note happens.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
 * Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Heinrich continues to negotiate with the Teutons over secularization and with Papal approval to the outlined planned Heinrich requests that the Hochmeister visit Berlin to hammer out a final agreement (mod response please). Military expansion continues and reforms continue. economic expansion continues though there is a bit of a downturn in southern trade as the med sea states suffer from the closing of the east med sea, this leads to an increased amount of Brandenburg Merchants travelling to Bulgaria to acquire their eastern products. Otto remains in Bulgaria teaching Vasili's heir german and about european politics, Meanwhile he begins writing a series of papers on politics and philosophy based on what he has seen in Bulgaria, of the emperor's state building and based on what he knew from the HRE political machine. He becomes quite the admirer of Vasili;s hard line politics and his heavy handed apllication of force to achieve his goals. Otto formally becomes involved with the much younger Klavdiya Asen, who is 19 while he is pushing 35 now. The younger Otto begins his own military command in SIlesia assuming his father;s position as governor of SIlesia. The younger Otto is in need of a wife and as such begins searching for one amongst the nobility of Europe. Theological debates continue and more concepts are hammered out into the final canon of the Northern Reformed Catholic Church. The first copies of the bible in German are published for the new rite. German is declared the language of prayer in Brandenburg though Latin is still highly respected. within the Reformed Church. Naval expansion continues. Heinrich publicly supports the Archbishopric in the disputes with Julich though he offers to arbitrate the dispute between the two states. 
 * Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich of Cologne is surprised to be confronted by the Duke of Julich and immediately assures him that the money offered last turn in return for his territory would, in fact, have been offered to him if he was the ruling "Duke of Berg". Accordingly, Emmerich goes to Berg personally to consult with the apparent imposter who sold land he was not entitled to sell. He sends a letter to the Duke of Julich noting that this land was acquired by means that were completely above-board and that it was in fact a mistake as to the identity of the "Duke of Berg" on Emmerich's part. Accordingly, if the Duke of Berg was not entitled to sell this land, Emmerich will do his best to recover the money from the Duke of Berg and pass it on to the Duke of Julich instead as the rightful owner. (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE for both Duke of Berg and Duke of Julich – OOC: also see the Essen post below) Meanwhile, veteran Knights Hospitaller begin to train with the small militia in Cologne. The people are inspired, even in the wake of this confusion involving their new comrades in Berg.
 * Essen: Abbess Sophia is also heavily invested in the purchase of land from Berg and is disturbed to hear that the Duke of Julich thinks he has been slighted. Several secular canonesses, who are daughters and cousins of the Duke of Julich, are sent to Julich to negotiate peacefully with the Duke and ask whether the Duke would be willing to accept the sum of money originally paid to the Duke of Berg. Meanwhile, some canonesses are sent to the Kingdom of England in search of further knowledge.
 * The Duke of Julich seeks an annual payment that is a percentage of all profits and revenues that he would have received as Duke of Berg. -scraw
 * Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation. Randolph marries a noble lady of the name Sabrina.
 * Austria, hearing no response from kempten, Ulm and Montford, taking this two year wait as refusal of the generous Austrain offer of "protection", Ferdinand officialy declares a war of conquest on these nations, citing the reclamation of the old territory of the Stem Duchy of Bavaria as the reason (although this is not really convincing, thus giving Austria +1 in the algo). Austrian forces march on the three nations, Marshalling thirty thousand troops who are eager to fight, especially given the recent conflicts with italy, marching his armies onto the Montford capital, However before the city can be reached, the Austrian army, large and cumbersome, is intercepted by the armies of the three nations, numbering about four thousand in size, hoping to ambush the austrians in asymetric warfare, only god (the algo) will deciede the outcome now... While tensions may be cooling with italy, they are not lukewarm yet, as the border remains under the "armed" designation, renewed for another five years. In other news the renaissance fourishes in Austria, with a center at the University of Vienna, which recieved much patronage from the Habsburgs since its inception. the Many books and printing presses owned by the university only work to spread the words of Austrian philosophers and theologians. An idea of a "united south Germany" begin to surface, including the possibility of a formal union of Bavaria and Austria in more than de facto, but a merger into a greater Archduchy of South Germany. THis thought begins to take hold in Bavaria as well, although it will take much longer for anything to truly get done, even if the process is immediately started.
 * In Hungary, the Regency council, headed by the Duke, Rudolph, begin implementing reforms of the infrastructural variety, investing heavily into the roads of the nation, not the least of which would mean increased speed for military movement. A fleet basing treaty is negociated with Serbia, and succesfuly implemented as Hungary begins building a proper fleet for itself instead of relying on others. Shipbuilders from all across Europe are invited to by Hungary to seek patronage.

1477
''' The violence in Taiwan escalates as neither the Chinese nor Japanese have intervened to stop their people from fighting. '''

Please see talk page - -Nova 23:11, October 4, 2016 (UTC)

''' The Fortebracci family of Perugia commissions the renown artist Magnus Vasa, court painter in Iberia, to paint frescoes in their family crypt. It is unknown how they came to the money, as they were a smaller noble family of Perugia. '''

''' Pope Callixtus IV dies after a long and eventful pontificate. Voting for his successor begins. '''


 * Kingdom of Burgundy: In the age of tariffs and trade compacts, Burgundy takes a different approach. King Charles has tariffs lowered, and as a result, ports like Ostend, Nieuwpoort, Middelburg, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam, attract merchants alienated by rising tariffs elsewhere, providing an increase in Burgundys trade income.
 * Swedish Bank of Birgitta Diplomacy: We thank the Burgundian king for lowering the taxes and ask for the opening of an outpost in Amsterdam.
 * Burgundian Dip: the Birgitta bank is allowed to open an outpost in Amsterdam, in exchange for allowing a post for the Royal Bank of Antwerp.
 * Aragonese Dip: In the spirit of friendly capitalist competition, we also ask to establish a branch of the Royal Bank of Barcelona in Amsterdam, and in exchange will agree to the establishment of a branch office of the Bank of Antwerp in Lisbon.
 * Burgundian Dip: the Aragonese request and offer is accepted.


 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. A holy edict is issued banning all merchants from transpiring commerce with the Christian nation of East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We begin to mobilize a small number of troops to Nubia and Yemen. We also start begin sending large amount of barbary pirates in secret to raid the Knights Hospitaller. These pirates have had their tongues cut out and their lives spared, in return, they need to serve in the name of the Caliphate for life.


 * France: With Louis XII finally coming upon the age of majority, his coronation officially occurs in Paris. Diplomatic envoys are immediately sent to Valletta and Iskenderun. The first envoy finishes negotiations of the compact for the Sicilian straits, while the second envoy visits the Sultanate to negotiate how France can access the spice trade through Persian trade routes. Chauleaux continues to be used to trade with the Muslim world, and accessing goods in North Africa and Egypt. Louis XII starts his reign by passing the Edict of Meung-sur-Loire. This edict declares a large tariff on any goods traveling through French lands, except for the nations of the Caliphate and Italy. He also passes the Edict of Le Bardon which allows the king to sell noble titles more freely. This allows the crown to gain more profits, and it weakens the power of individual noblemen. A third edict is passed this year, Edict of Chambord which declares certain castles and forts to be decommissioned due to being outdated, moving some nobles to Paris to become part of the bureaucracy. France also begins greatly funding the arts and continuing to hold university competitions to encourage learning. Paris continues to be greatly improved and kept as one of the most influential cities in Europe compared to its counterparts. Louis XII begins to shift his favor to larger infantry armies over small groups of knights to combat the tactics of the crossbow and other weapons. The army continues to be kept-up-to-date, and continues to expand.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * The Queen of Aragon condemns France's close ties with Italy and the Caliphate, and redirects all Iberian trade through the Papal States' ports of Ancona and Civitavecchia. We establish a system whereby our merchant ships on the opposite sides of the Mediterranean transfer their goods between the two sides before continuing on to their destinations, allowing us to completely bypass the Sicilian Strait. We once again thank the Holy Father for his generosity; following his death the entire nation enters a period of mourning, especially with the knowledge that he was the first Spanish Pope. In other news, we join Castile's efforts in attempting to round the Cape, and our research on ocean-going vessels continues. The Royal Armada has reached 380 ships, and is once more the pride and joy of the Crown.
 * Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built. Otherwise, no other noteworthy news occurs.
 * Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We plan a flagship for our Navy with 30 cannons.


 * Papal States: The pope is very sad upon hearing of the loss of Greenland, and spends many hours praying for the souls of the poor heathen Esqimos who may never hear the Word of God. For the pope, already old and frail, this is all too much. Callixtus IV dies in the summer to much general sadness. He was a good, diplomatic man who allowed the Church to weather many a storm. During the sede vacante period, only local issues are taken care of. Chief amongst them: the new trade route. The Legate over Ancona reiterates the offer for traders to take the overland route from Ancona to Civitavecchia, thus avoiding Neapolitan taxes through the straits. Such traders will pay only a small tax compared to that expected by Naples. Aragon is thanked for already directing its trade through the new route, and the various local Legates, councils, nobles, and parishes scramble to improve the roads in their little area. The people of Perugia are stunned by the sudden change in circumstances for the Fortebracci family.
 * Fortebracci Secret Diplomacy: We secretly tell the Papacy of an overland trade route for spices from Ancona to Civitavecchia and accept the trade offer in exchange for the keeping of secrecy of this Spice Road. 
 * Papal Response (Secret): The local Legate is happy for the wealth which the spice smuggling will bring to his part of the States, and offers the Fortebraccis whatever help he can give, as well as promising to keep their route and business secret.
 * Aragonese Secret Diplomacy: Our representatives start hearing rumours surrounding a secret trade route, and after receiving in response correspondence from the Queen asking them to investigate these rumours and ask for Iberian participation in said smuggling operations. In accordance with this, our representatives in Rome approach the Basilica to meet with the Papal Trade Representative to discuss possible Iberian involvement in the secret trade routes, offering to protect the secret route all the way to Barcelona and beyond. We also agree to maintain secrecy of the route, and will dispel any rumours at home that may surface because of this.
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: With trade resuming through the Sicilian channel the economy maintains itself. The new King is confident that he has resolved the problems but keeps England much as it is.
 * Benin: The vast resources of the empire are devoted to the expansion of the Benin Imperial Navy, which has been set as the priority of Oba Nosagie following the Benin Civil War. Recovery from the conflict has been steady, and the redevelopment of the military completed thanks to the many years of military experience of the Oba, allowing him to tailor the army to the needs of the nation as they currently exist. Numerous shipyards were built throughout Benin following the conflict, as many Bini turned toward the ocean for their wages. As trade with other nations has picked up, the need for more seagoing vessels increased as well. The navy, needing to protect the trade in region, as well as project power to the region around them, have been patronized by the Oba and his government, gaining them vast manpower and vessels to use. The navy is expanded exponentially, with the major port cities of Eko, Kalabari, Warri, Kokoro, Tanna, Apata, Ominira, Ziguinchor, Serekunda, and Dakar, all tasked with maintaining an output of five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe every year for each city over the next ten years. While this number will naturally vary per city, all are given the responsibility of expanding the navy of Benin for the vision the Oba has set. Thus far, all of the ships for the year have been provided, and a stipend from the government awarded to any shipbuilder who can meet their quotas on time with quality ships. Growth of the intellectual community in Benin continues to flourish, as more and more Bini attain literacy as per their state-provided education. Rebuilding of the cities damaged by the war have largely been completed, and the rehabilitation o the farmlands of Benin completed as well. While the nation's economy is still somewhat sluggish from the aftermath of the civil war, the empire has recovered to a certain extent that food security and public safety are no longer a major concern. Investigations into the old Malian king, Abu Bakr II, and his famous disappearance at sea, continue to gain the attention of the Oba and his court. Nosagie wishes to know where this man was going, and why he disappeared. Many rumors of Abu Bakr II exist in Benin, with many stating that he perhaps found a land so full of unclaimed riches that he abandoned his kingdom in Africa and stayed in the new land. This is the most prevalent theory in Benin, though being a nation of rationalists and logicians, the Bini have decided to wait and investigate, and send an expedition out one day to follow the known route of this old king out to the far western reaches of the ocean. Utilizing its much larger navy and merchant fleet, Benin continues to expand its trade power in the Indian Ocean, taking full advantage of its merchant contacts in the city-state of Sofala, as well as the Malagasy lands. Extension of the Bini trade routes to the Arab Peninsula and Somali state of Mogadishu, are both made priorities of the Bini merchants. Expansion of Benin's kola, cocoa, and sugar fields are made, as the demand from foreign states has led to the need to expand production of these cash crops at home. In the interior of Benin, many Bini have decided to begin moving from their home regions and into the unsettled interior regions, where rich soil and untapped minerals remain to be exploited. With the backing of the newly reorganized Benin Imperial Army, the Bini settlers driven by the Kuzir concept of Nla Kadara, or "manifest destiny", settle lands no yet claimed by Benin. The Bini expand their holdings in the giant pocket of tribal lands by 20,000 square kilometers, enslaving and selling the natives to buyers across Africa or overseas. Expansion of the infrastructure is made to link the new settlements to the core of Benin. A census is held by the Oba to determine the number of citizens in the empire, and adjust the tax rates accordingly. With use of the local gazettes made possible by the printing press, the government of Benin is shocked to discover that the population of Benin is in fact closer to 45 million subjects rather than the nearly 60 million it was led to believe for decades. This error is believed to have originated from a series of overly optimistic statistics provided to Edo by bureaucrats seeking to gain higher commissions for "greater effort in taking the census". Following the civil war and the grand reorganization of the military and purging of the clergy of traitors, the truth has finally emerged. With this new information in hand, the military is downsized accordingly to lift much of the tax burden off of Bini subjects, and resources reallocated to the proper areas as needed.


 * Bahmanids: Naval construction continues. A delegation under Ismail Shah's nephew, Jafir, is sent to the Abbasids. Despite our theological differences, Ismail Shah hopes to normalize relations with the Arabs, especially in terms of trade. The Grand Mosque in Gulbarga is completed. The port of 'Sat-Jezair' is founded at the location of OTL Mumbai, in hope of increasing trade to the Deccan from the Gurkanis, Swahilis, and Abbasids.
 * Kingdom of Burma: A border incident occurs to the north, as the treacherous forces of Ava massacre an outpost. Popular opinion turns against Ava, and Binnya Kyal promises that soon, Burma will be unified, under him.
 * Maldives: Sultan Hassan III dies and is replaced by Muhammad II. Ismail Shah makes it clear that the cruelty that Hassan displayed will no longer be tolerated. Muhammad Shah is sent to oversee the vassal state.


 * Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich is called away to Rome as a Cardinal. He is nervous about the dispute with Julich but leaves his negotiating power in Abbess Sophia of Essen’s capable hands. Cologne still awaits a response from the Duke of Berg, who did not have the claim to the land he purported to sell, and assures the Duke of Julich that he will get payment as soon as the Duke of Berg cooperates, acknowledges that this was not his land to sell, and partly reimburses Cologne. (MOD RESPONSE for DUKE OF BERG, please)
 * Essen: Abbess Sophia is upset to hear that her old friend Callixtus IV, the first Pope who believed in the Adelphinian Reforms, has passed away. However, she is busy with negotiations with Julich and does not have time to dwell on this loss. In other news, she reaches out to Heinrich of Brandenburg, taking him up on the offer to arbitrate, and calls a meeting of the Duke of Berg, the Duke of Julich and herself, to be held in Berlin in 1478, if a resolution cannot be reached by the end of the year.
 * The Duke of Berg succumbs to pressure from both Julich and Cologne and agrees to their terms. -scraw
 * Sweden: Weary of rising tensions in the Mediterranean, the King contacts our ally Brandenburg and announces that Scandinavia should all join the rite, however, Emperor Olaf will not oblige anyone to become of Hussite Rite outside Sweden. We ask Denmark and Norway to join the Hussite rite. (MOD response required).
 * ​Denmark and Norway object. -scraw
 * Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Military expansion continues and nobles of both the hussite and catholic rite make up the majority of the officers though a small number of commoners particularly mercenary captians are starting to make their way into the force. In an effort improve the amount of seasoned soldiers as it has been over a decade since the war with france. 6,000 mercenaries are contracted in addition to the standard 28,000 troops that are levied in times of war. consolidation of the new army tactics are placed under reform to represent more those of otl Hungarian black army and otl landsknecht. expansion of agricultural and mining activities in Silesia, Luxembourg and Lorraine continue.  Brandenburger Cardinal Gunther von Rantzau casts his vote for Perez hoping that he will continue to endorse the hussite rite as a coming part of the catholic church under an autonomous council. Otto von Brandenburg continues to write his book on politics and philosophy and he starts another paper on war and on the importance of maintaining a strong power base to impose one's will on their subjects and to gain the upper hand in negotiations with one's neighbors. tTe collection of papers comes to be known as the Red Legacy. Based on the life of both Vlad the Impaler of Bulgaria, and of Heinrich von Brandenburg of Brandenburg. the Red Legacy papers represent a very distinct ideal of what a ruler should be like and how they should achieve their goals. Between the pieces on politics and war the collection of paper make the important point that a Ruler must due all they can to achieve the final goals they have laid out and that they must use violence where necesary as it is their right as ruler. Otto makes a very clear point in his works, that " The Ends Justify the Means". With this Otto finally defines his political and philosophical beliefs - many of which are expressed to both his son in letters and to the son of Vlad whom he is the tutor of.  Otto and the young Klavdiya have a child who is named Arnott. Though the Bastard is not officially recognized by his father. Cultural and scientific endeavours continue to be sponsored by the patrons of the Brandenburg court. Talks with the Hochmiester continue as it remains hard to come to a compromise over the fate of Prussian parts of the order.Otto requests a bethrotal between his son Otto the younger and the daughter of Vasili. 


 * ​Bulgarian Dip: Anastasiya Asen will be wed to Otto when she reaches the age of 16
 * Bulgarian Empire:  The Renaissance under the Tsar continues with the famous artwork in the Hagia Sophia being completed. It is considered an absolute masterpeice. The Population of Bulgaria continues to see growth with nearly 60,000 population growth, much of it occuring in Wallachia, and the newly settled Greek territories This puts Bulgar population at 3.76 million. Wallachia has noticeably seen is local Bulgarian population grow from roughly 40,000 to nearly 120,000 with the southern regions of Wallachia seeing a clear Bulgar majority. The Nations military continues to be provided with top notch equipment and training as the Tsar makes it a clear priority to maintain not only Balkan Hegemony, but also remain the bulwark of Christianity as well.   The economy of the empire continues to see positive growth as the peaceful development and heavy change in the value of workers and the Tsars dominant control to allow a more prolific growth. The Expansion of Renaissance ideas on top of this has turned the Empire into a veritible paradise for peasants and freemen alike as the open lands in the north, and in Bulgarian Macedonia have mace striking out on your own to establish yourself in relative peace and stability. Internal commerce forges ahead at an all time high but with noticeable slowdown as the initial boom of the emergent economy has waned and a more normal status resumes. The banking system shows relative stability and the issueing of coins has led to a more accurate value to be pegged to the Bulgarian coinage and its economy and its purchasing power abroad shows notable increase as the now resident Venetian, Genoan and even now Domestic Bulgarian banking and merchant families prove the worth and stability of the Bulgarian Lev (currency). The training and education of the heir apparent continues and two nobles are killed acting as would be assasins to the heir. Simeon however in a surprising turn in his training easily outfights the more experienced Boyars and kills the two of them. Word of this spreads and Simeon is seen as a miracle fighter due to this. He even enters a sword dueling contest and places second behind only the Tsars personal bodyguard Vladislav Korolev. Grand Prince Simeon becomes relatively well known for his sword skills as well as being extremely able in commanding soldiers as referenced by the 1000 man force he was given to hone his command training.  Bulgarian ships bring back a few dozen Ionian Greeks to be settled within Greece itself and in the frontiers of Bulgaria given profitable land.  In a surprise Vasili announces he has fathered another set of twins, The Brother-Sister twins of Boril, and Daniela.


 * ​Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to support his new Bulgarian overlords and is able to undergo a quick but decisive journey to Vasiligrad visiting some of the houses of his ancestors in the city. King Jacob begins to do some digging through his family history looking for a connection to Byzantine royalty but only discovers a very distant and old claim which is already known to the Bulgarian Tsar. The Greek population stands at roughly 160,000 with slight growth. The relaxation of the borders does see some influx of Greek immigration from the Bulgarian Greek territories and an influx of Ionian Greeks.
 * Principality of Moldavia: The Moldavian principality remains as a clear buffer zone from the rest of Eastern Europe and its development as a military march and fortress zone for the Bulgarian Empire gives Moldavia a clear advantage in their autonomous management and a very clearly low tribute is exacted as the Bulgarians make up for it in investments into the northern Forts in Moldavia which are to be the first line of defense in the East. The population grows to about 530,000.
 * After its victory last year at Montford, in spite of an ambush, the Austrian army cotninues its march, following the routed coalition armies. After a few minor battles, Ferdinand of Austria orders the numbers of the army replenished by the reserves, keeping the forces at 30,000 strong. The Armies meet again near the Ulm Capital, where a final battle is had and the three rulers of Ulm, Montford and Kempten are captured and capitulate to Austrian Demands, signing the Treaty of Kempten, effectively annexing their territories into the Austrain crown. They still retain at least nominal power, albeit lowered to the rank of viscounts, however they are to pay and collect taxes directly to the habsburgs, and enforce habsburg laws and follow them, including the "Guarisson law". Now that the territories of Further Austria and The Archduchy propper are united into a contiguous bloc, the Austrians plan a large road network spanning their holdings, connecting the old ancestral habsburg lands with the newer Austrian lands, including the city of vienna itself. Ferdinand marches back to Austria in triumph, leaving his most trusted Captain-general to see that the new territories, dubbed the County of "Middle Austria", is properly integrated.
 * The Hungarian population is growing at a steady pace, although the Duke, Rudolph, plans for the worst. After confering with the regency council, Rudolph institutes a "Grannaries program", which would, in hard times, much like the grain dole of ancient rome, purchase grain from farmers around large cities, or else collect the grain as a form of tax, and store it in large grannaries that are to be build, distributing the grain to the poor and leaving some for a "rainy day", that is to say potential famine. Not wanting to be caught offguard by the worst, Rudolph orders the largest cities to begin work immediately, amidst small rumbles that nobility would be required to now give a portion of their tax in grain instead of silver, which they like hoarding.
 * In Serbia, the population prospers with the new trade. The Serbians, not having anything to do with Italian lands, think of signing the compact of valietta, and acting as a surrogate or middle man for the Habsburg crown and Habsburg merchant to get around the whole "no claims on italy" clauses. The Despot Stefan comes to meet with King Ferdinand or his representative, requesting his presence in Budapest. The Meeting is schedules for next year as Ferdinand prepares his travel itinerary.
 * Chinese Empire: We send a diplomat to Japan to discuss an official border between our respective Empires. The army is increased, and Mongolia becomes a semi autonomous zone within China, receiving limited funding from the Empire through the form of a military presence but otherwise the local government, although somewhat reduced in territory, this new Mongolian Province essentially functions as a vassal while still de jure part of the Empire. Taiwan continues to grow with its population and the naval presence increases there.
 * Japan: Things happen in Japan this year. With the Japanese Emperor busy being Japanese this year, he hires several servants to aid him in being Japanese. In Kyoto, Japan expands its Japan-ness by three-fold. Said writer Japanese Man, "Our Japan output is through the roof, with the throughput of Japan-Japan production sorted into a sorting algorithm. Next year, we expect to be even more Japanese. A recent census reports that 100% of Japanese citizens in Japan are located within the massive borders of Japan. Mound Fuji is very Japanese this year. The military sees an increase in being Japanese, with several new Japanese people hired to be Japanese. The navy is also Japanese this year, containing many Japanese ships. Some Japanese warships are scrapped, their Japanese qualities being transferred to new ships, which are also very Japanese. An ambassador to Korea is noted as saying, "I am Japanese and the Korean Emperor is Korean. There are also very Chinese people in Ming China." The economy of Japan sees expansion this year, as the bull market produces a massive amount of money, which s Japanese, for the treasury. The treasury is also Japanese. In Taiwan, the Japanese colonists are given more Japanese things. A border is proposed between the Chinese and Japanese colonies. In Kyoto, the shoehorn makes its way into the country. This shoehorn, which is very Japanese, is noted for being as Japanese in quality and style. Japan wraps up this year by being Japanese.

1478
The current Caliph, Abu Bakr, dies, plunging the Caliphate into a Fitna, or civil war, between the late Caliph's four adult sons.

'''The Papal Conclave fails to reach a conclusion, and the election carries into this year. With no Pope yet elected, many high officials in the church worry of a repeat of the 1268 Papl Conclave, lasting a full three years, only being stopped following the roof of the meeting place being torn off and food restricted. '''

''' In Florence, the citizens woke up to find many black and red spheres in the sky, fighting an ungodly war. The mood in the city is dropped and some say the apocalypse is near. '''

''' IMPORTANT NOTICE: I, SkyGreen24, must officially resign as a mod due to real life obligations. I will still be on chat and check the wiki when I can so you may ask me for any advice, help etc. But I can't continue neither modding nor playing obligations. Thank you all for the good time -Sky '''
 * The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 35 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The educational policies adopted by the Sultanate worked efficiently with literary rate massive rising, most of the people now capable of reading and writing Persian as well as Arabic. This development occured simultaneously with the rise of scholars present at major educational centres such as Isfahan's House of Wisdom, Maragheh Observatory and Ulugh Beg Observatory; resulting in the intellectuals publishing dozens of scientific journals and books month on topics varying from Chemistry & Physics to Astronomy, Geometry & Anatomy. Concurrently, the Pan-Shia policies promoted by Sultan Salman resulted in Zaidi Islam reaching all corners of the Sultanate, with the majority of the people in Azerbaijan, Fars, Hatay, Iraq, Iran, Isfahan, and Tabriz practicing the religion. In Bukhara, Herat, Khiva and Khorasan, Sunni Islam remained popular whilst various forms of Christianity were mainly practiced in Trabzon, Krymia and portions of Eastern Anatolia. Meanwhile, production of snaplock arquebuses continued on mass scale with gunpowder weaponry becoming quite popular amongst the military and the populace. In particular, work had already started on replacing the snaplock with a more effective lock system. Simultaneously, work on the production of Bombards to more effectively lay siege to enemy fortress, with a massive bombard cannon by Gurkani engineers in around March, which was subsequently named the Great Gurkani Gun . Despite these major reforms, the general opinion amongst the people continued to shift in favour towards Suleiman Shah II as rumours concerning the Sultans sexual preference gained more popularity, most believing that the Sultan was gay.
 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Julius Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Julius Komnenos would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. Humanism rapidly spreads throughout the Khedivate with multiple intellectuals voicing secular thought. The Amir, Julius Megas Komenos essentially supports it, hoping that the Rennaisance will benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. 
 * Khedivate of Krymia: Amir Alairac Balti continued his reign over the city of Kerch. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Krymian authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Kerch, working side by side with Gurkani authorities. The Krymian Amir, Alairac Balti would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Kerch, developing paths leading to the city of Kashgarh and onward to Sarai, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. After the death of Alairac Balti, the Khedivate is reestablished as a Wilayet. 
 * The Caliphate: Continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt and North Africa. The highest officers of the Caliphate begin to allow more and more autonomy to the states south of the First Cataract in Africa, although still promoting Islam. A holy edict is issued banning all merchants from transpiring commerce with the Christian nation of East Africa, specifically Ethiopia. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We begin to mobilize a small number of troops to Nubia and Yemen. We also start begin sending large amount of barbary pirates in secret to raid the Knights Hospitaller. These pirates have had their tongues cut out and their lives spared, in return, they need to serve in the name of the Caliphate for life.
 * Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1478 and our current Grandmaster is Pierre d'Aubusson. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. Right now, we are concerned about the lack of trade due to restrictions. We also call upon all of Christendom to provide us with funding in order for us to weather the trading crisis and continue with our duties (Diplomatic response required). With our Print shop finished, we begin printing broadsheets to increase recruitment as well as religious zeal. Due to increased piracy, we withdraw our ships from raiding and begin a Brutal campaign against the Barbary Pirates to protect our shipping and seize their wealth as well as discover their origin (Mod Response on effectiveness). Due to economic hardship, we attempt to sign the Compact of Valetta. Due to Crete being designated as a Free port, trade is booming. In order to increase our wealth, we copy the strategy of the Knights Templar and buy small-medium plots of land across Europe and building cathedrals and castles while we establish the Bank of St John and we establish branches in our commandries (Mod response on effectiveness). (Also it is hard to find pop statistics so can someone help me find my pop.) 
 * MOD RNG: 44, limited success against the Barbary pirates(1-25 - total failure; 26-50 - limited success; 51-75 - notable success; 76-100 - total victory) ~Wolves
 * Just letting you know, you already have heaps of land and commandries. Doesn't mean you can't buy more, but if you're begging for funding, perhaps a real estate splurge isn't your best bet. ~Cal
 * Aragonese diplomacy: We offer our assistance, and deploy from Athens ships of the Iberian Eastern Mediterranean Fleet (OOC NOTE: THESE SHIPS WERE TRAPPED BY THE COMPACT OF VALLETTA AND THUS NEVER LEFT ATHENS. THEY ARE STILL UNDER IBERIAN CONTROL.) to in concert with the Knights Hospitaller seek out, destroy and if possible find out more about the origins of the Barbary Pirate attacks on our friends in Rhodes.


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * Calls to withdraw from the Compact of Valletta and to re-establish Aragon's rightful claims to Malta, Sicily and Sardinia begin to surface and grow louder, especially those from merchants and from the Council authorities. The Queen of Aragon, Eleanor I finds this an enticing possibility, but decides to wait to see how the Papal States' trade routes hold out before officially withdrawing. Meanwhile, we reach out to the Knights Hospitaller and arrange secretly for the Knights to join a possible future Anti-Italy Coalition: Our Mediterranean trade continues to be solely directed through the Papal States, and our ships continue to survey the African coast with Castile's. Research continues about Atlantic-crossing vessels, too. After Magnus Vasa has completed his work for the Fortebraccis, the Queen expresses interest in commissioning from him another fresco, this time for the Royal University of Barcelona's main building foyer.
 * Magnus Vasa agrees. ~Wolves


 * Benin: The Oba of Benin visits many of the lands of the empire to assess the development of the infrastructure in the various regions of Benin. He requests information on the cost of building materials, the length of construction, size of the typical labor forces, and technical difficulties encountered during the process of building. The process of building a road is explained to Oba Nosagie, who visits a construction site in the Ibukun province where a new road is being built. First the site is surveyed by Bini engineers, a process that takes about a month to complete, which is then followed by the digging of a trench that is about five feet deep and about twenty-five feet wide for the main roads, while other minor roads are typically smaller. These trenches are then filled with gravel on top of mortar for most roads, while heavily-trafficked roads are fitted with stone blocks designed to withstand the moist temperatures of West Africa and constant pressure from usage. With the use of the military and privately contracted groups, the construction of a 100-mile long road takes only about two or three months at the most. The costs are not excessive given the plentiful supply of the required resources and the manpower costs already covered by the state through the military. Pleased with his assessment of the road construction, Oba Nosagie turns his attention to the Benin Imperial Navy, which he designs to continue expanding. An additional five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe are built by each of the ten of the major port cities in Benin, greatly expanding the naval forces of the empire. All are given their stipends as promised by the imperial government, as the navy becomes the main focal point of the Bini military. Growth of trade overseas with Europe and India continues, and Bini merchants continue to dominate many areas of trade in East Africa, while their supply of sugar, cocoa, kola, silk, and palm oil have made many Bini rich. Expansion of the trading operations in Sofala has encouraged many more Bini merchants to come to the city, this time looking further north to the Arab state of Oman as a future center of trade. Taking advantage of the civil war in the Caliphate, Bini merchants attempt to muscle out the Caliphate traders in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf regions, where an opportunity to introduce Bini goods has presented itself. Back home, the state continues to fund the arts and sciences in Benin, with astronomy, literature, and philosophy are highly prized by the Bini people.  The muzzle-loaded rifle is developed in Benin by several Bini merchants during a hunting trip.  Though far more expensive than the handgun, the rifle has taken the upper-classes of Benin by storm as a far superior weapon than the typical gunpowder guns and arrows they utilized before. Along the coastline, Bini settlers expand their lands by 20,000 square kilometers, and establish several settlements in region. Thus far, most of the tribals have disappeared as the Bini begin to enter regions uninhabited by any people. Within the clergy, investigation into the expedition of Mansa Abu Bakr II across the Atlantic ocean continues to intrigue many of them. Studying the testimony of the lone captain who returned to Mali in the mid-1300s, the Kuzir clergymen have determined that the "river with a powerful current" that swept many of Abu Bakr's vessels away across the ocean, was in fact a powerful ocean current that lays just above the Equator. Coo-berating this information with veteran Bini sailors and captains, the dari investigating the matter have also discovered that several powerful winds blow toward the west from the coastline of Africa. Using this information, the oluko provides their report on the matter to the Oba and the uzama, as well as the Dari Council, and leave it up to them to determine what course of action they wish to take. The Oba and his court wish to determine once and for all why the wealthiest man in history abandoned his throne and sailed across the ocean, and discover whether or not he perished or if he found riches greater than anything he had before.


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction.


 * Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.


 * Papal States: Habemus Papam! Near the end of the year, the Conclave is able to reach the required two-thirds majority, and thus Perez of Castile is elected Pope, taking the name Leo X. the new pope is a true spiritual successor to his compatriot predecessor, sharing his reforming-yet fully orthodox-zeal. For the rest of the year, the States focus on maintaining and increasing the overland route for traders wanting to avoid Neapolitan restrictions.
 * Aragonese diplomacy: Iberia rejoices as yet another one of our countrymen receives the sacred honour of being ordained as leader of Christendom. We hail the new Holy Father, and welcome him with open arms. We hope for many more years of fruitful co-operation and friendship between us and the Holy See.
 * Bulgarian Secret Dip: Bulgarian merchant families, former Venetians and Genoans and some newly prominent Bulgarian ones, offer to provide merchant ships to the papal state to facilitate taking over part of the overland trade route and cutting the time traveled in half.
 * Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with ever 4th man being given an arquebus and 2 backups for a campaign. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Beyond this the economy of the Empire has shown a good increase but it also on a slowdown as increasing projects for purchasing and improving the country itself have seen the economy flag. The banking system still sees growth and prosperity as it becomes widely adopted as a "Renaissance Idea" in the empire. The Tsar also announces the completion of the Bulgarian fleet which stands at nearly 350 ships and is used to patrol and keep trade routes open and unharassed. The Tsar Vasili falls ill and after a harrowing experience in which he says to his son and other close friends "I thought i saw god, and he seemed displeased with me". This prompts the Tsar after undergoing this near death experience to abdicate in favor of his 16 year old son Simeon. This is considered outright surprising to the nobility and many of his supporters overtly beg the Tsar to not abdicate, but Crown Prince Simeon is coronated as the Tsar a month later. The Nobility, merchants, freemen and many others are extremely afraid that his tutelage under a German, and the known to be relatively ruthless father (while being a good centralizing leader). They fear that the new Tsar will share much of the same cruelties as his father. This is however found not to be the case as during his coronation the new Tsar Simeon hosts a lavish feast for his nobility, and reveals his intentions to maintain many if not all the same policies as his father saying "Dont fix what isnt broken". Even following the coronation Tsar Simeon is considering unfit as being too young and will only bring ruin to the family, the country, and everything his father has accomplished. The nobles which however criticize him are taken on a hunting trip and with the Brandenburger Heir, his Father, and a few of his close friends as well. The hunt is considered a smashing success and the New Tsar specifically seals the deal after he single handedly killed 7 deer, and defended himself successfully from a wolf, only to take in the wolves 6 pups as his pets. He takes specific interest in a White Wolf pup which he takes special care of training extra compared to the other pups. The Young Tsar proclaims his marriage to his childhood friend and also member of the Petrov high noble family. This convinient as well as highly political marriage puts the final nail in the coffin which brings much of the Bulgarian nobility to Tsar Simeons side. The Former Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan begins to take up more on his studies and becomes a close advisor to his son. He also agrees albeit somewhat dubiously to remain the supreme commander of the Bulgarian army. The bulgar population grows to roughly 3.81 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of Growth with the Cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste, and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations.
 * Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth.
 * Principality of Moldavia: The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000.
 * Athenian Provisional Government: The Athenians under the previous command of Aragon and Castile respectfully submit to the Bulgarian Empire but only trade occurs and most of the Aragonese and Castilian ships and trade interests are left alone (If y'all want to take back athens let me know and I'll cede it back but I havent heard anything to the contrary.)
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: With trade resuming through the Sicilian channel the economy maintains itself. The new King is confident that he has resolved the problems but keeps England much as it is.
 * Chinese Empire: We begin talks with Japan about a border in Taiwan, and offer them this border to divide the island. The Chinese population continues to grow due to a baby boom, we offer Cheing Mai (Laos nation) vassalage, MOD RESPONSE PLEASE. Local markets begin producing more, and more and more farms begin to be produced, allowing the population to excel to even higher limits as families begin having 5 or 6 children on average around the country if not more. Imperial forces begin to be stationed througout the country, and any if all dissenters are silenced, making the Mandate of Heaven start to become molded into what the Emperor wants as he begins to influence certain ideas with his whims. This will take a while to completely alter to his wishes, but in the meantime Chinese patriotism continues to rise throughout the nation. Taiqan.png
 * Chieng Mai refuses. -scraw
 * Bahmanids: The continuing border incidents in Burma worry Ismail Shah, but troops are not sent yet. We reiterate our earlier offer of restoring normal diplomacy and trade with the Abbasids. Shipbuilding and the construction of the port of Sat-Jezair continues. The explorers from the lands of Tondo and the Great Ming are welcomed.
 * Burma: More border incidents occur with Ava. A local commander massacres an Avan outpost in retaliation for last year, and they respond not only with attacking border posts, but sacking villages. The army is made ready, though Binnya Kyal still wishes to avoid war.
 * Maldives: Muhammad Shah continues his 'oversight' of the islands. Corruption is crushed, cruelty is abolished, incentives are given to merchants, and a five-year upgrade of port facilities is started.


 * Cologne: Because the Duke of Berg hasn’t replied, Abbess Sophia on behalf of the Archbishop still in Rome officially calls the meeting in Berlin and asks Heinrich of Brandenburg to arbitrate between the three parties: the Duke of Berg, the Duke of Julich and herself. (MOD RESPONSE for both, please - I will make a page for this meeting in a couple hours) Back home, Vicar General Wikbold II continues to oversee the training of the militia by the Knights Hospitaller. He has some canons watch the process and write a very small booklet outlining the main duties of an honourable Catholic Knight, and it is published by Stelzner at the end of the year under the title “Kolsch Code for Men at Arms”. As the year comes to an end, the Archbishop returns to Cologne.
 * Essen: Abbess Sophia congratulates Leo X on ascending to the Papacy but is otherwise busied this year with coordinating the meeting in Berlin to deal with the dispute concerning the Duke of Julich. Meanwhile, a young canoness by the name of Ulrike becomes an anchoress, living in a cell under the abbey.
 * The Duke of Berg replied as er last turn (sorry for the late response). -scraw
 * Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation.
 * Japan: Things happen in Japan this year. With the Japanese Emperor busy being Japanese this year, he hires several servants to aid him in being Japanese. In Kyoto, Japan expands its Japan-ness by three-fold. Said writer Japanese Man, "Our Japan output is through the roof, with the throughput of Japan-Japan production sorted into a sorting algorithm. Next year, we expect to be even more Japanese. A recent census reports that 100% of Japanese citizens in Japan are located within the massive borders of Japan. Mound Fuji is very Japanese this year. The military sees an increase in being Japanese, with several new Japanese people hired to be Japanese. The navy is also Japanese this year, containing many Japanese ships. Some Japanese warships are scrapped, their Japanese qualities being transferred to new ships, which are also very Japanese. An ambassador to Korea is noted as saying, "I am Japanese and the Korean Emperor is Korean. There are also very Chinese people in Ming China." The economy of Japan sees expansion this year, as the bull market produces a massive amount of money, which s Japanese, for the treasury. The treasury is also Japanese. In Taiwan, the Japanese colonists are given more Japanese things. A border is proposed between the Chinese and Japanese colonies. In Kyoto, the shoehorn makes its way into the country. This shoehorn, which is very Japanese, is noted for being as Japanese in quality and style. Japan wraps up this year by being Japanese.
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. After many years of Guntruist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. In order to beef up the navy, which is currently almost as effective as Majapahit’s, Sutkan continues his programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Sutkan thanks the Indian states for approving the trade route, and begins his plan increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. In order to expand this net work further, the offer is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. U Thong also begins to attract a class of intellectuals, and as a result, Sutkan begins to allow public forums in the city, where citizens can debate many things openly. While there are certain topics that still can't be debated, these forums are popular and grow quickly. This year, we accept Tondo's offer for mutual free port access, though we request they don't use our ports to trade with Majapahit, as we believe any economic advantage to them could have huge negative impacts on the security of Khmer. We continue funding Pirates to raid Majpahit ports, and at this point, there are dozens of successful raids every year.

1479
'''The war in the Caliphate continues between two of the previous Caliph's sons. The other two are dead.'''

'''Sailors arrive in England claiming to be from the lost Norwegian colony in Denmark. They say that they went beyond Greenland and got lost until they reached a newfound land.'''

'''Rebellion begins in Naples as the local nobles and merchants as their king has allowed the new overland trade route to bypass them and deprive them of wealth. They call upon the uncle of the French king to take up the claim of the Anjous on Naples. They offer lower rates for any nation that resumes trade through Neapolitan waters.'''


 * United Crown of Great Iberia
 * With Aragonese trade now largely unrestricted, our economy recovers at an accelerated rate. Furthermore, we decide that the annoyance presented by the Portuguese government-in-exile based in the Cape Verde Islands must be destroyed once and for all. Hence, we deploy a fleet of 20 warships and an army of 8,000 soldiers to Cape Verde and initiate an invasion of the islands. The weak remains of the old Portuguese government fall easily, and the invasion force proceeds with little resistance. The aged Afonso of the House Aviz, the ex-King of Portugal, is arrested and executed in Praia for high treason against the United Crown. Thereafter, Cape Verde is finally brought under the direct control of King Fernando I of Portugal, and the people of the islands are forced to submit to their new ruler, or face imprisonment. Those who accept the new government become full Iberian subjects and are awarded all the rights thereof. 5 ships and 900 men remain to enforce Iberian law in Cape Verde, while the rest of the invasion force returns to Iberia proper. In other news, Prince Ferdinand on his 20th birthday is invested with the newly created title of Prince of Asturias, which replaces the old Count of Malta title. Ferdinand has completed his education, and begins his training for his eventual kingship at the Royal University of Barcelona, which remains the premier educational institute in the country. In response to the Neapolitan rebellion, we urge Neapolitans not to press for a French takeover of the throne, as the Neapolitan people may indeed suffer from similar circumstances that they have under Italy. We instead offer the alternative solution of electing their own King, as the Greeks did, from the ranks of their nobility. The Queen openly declares her support for the Neapolitan rebellion. (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED)
 * Naples opts to remain on their original course of action but thanks the Queen for her support. -scraw


 * Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1478 and our current Grandmaster is Pierre d'Aubusson. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. With our Print shop finished, we begin printing broadsheets to increase recruitment as well as religious zeal. With our limited success against the Barbary pirates we continue our campaign to protect our shipping and seize their wealth as well as discover their origin (Mod Response on effectiveness). We also ask Aragon to deploy their Athenian Fleet to help us (Aragon response) Due to Crete being designated as a Free port, trade is booming. In order to increase our wealth, we copy the strategy of the Knights Templar and buy small-medium plots of land across Europe and building cathedrals and castles while we establish the Bank of St John and we establish branches in our commandries We stop signing the Compact of Valletta and instead use the trade route of Civitavecchia and Ancona thus bringing a renewed wave of prosperity as trade is no longer restricted. To help facilitate communication between the commandries we begin to establish a courier system between the commandries utilising couriers and mail coaches to send corresondence across Europe while we request funding/investing in exchange for other nations to be able to use this Europe-wide postal network (Other nations Respond)(Please tell me if its implausble). (Also it is hard to find pop statistics so can someone help me find my pop.) 
 * Aragonese Diplomacy: The Eastern Fleet is already in action, hunting down pirates who dare approach Rhodes. However, we intensify the piracy crackdown.
 * I think you're perfectly positioned for the postal service thing, go for it. ~Cal
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Leo X thanks the Order for making good use of the new trade route. His Holiness also grants the Order a monopoly over all mail within the Papal States for a five year trial period.
 * The pirates continue to evade the Knights. Limited success. -scraw
 * Papal States: New Pope Leo X writes to Primate Guther von Rantzau of Brandenburg ensuring him of his continued support for the autonomous Rite (procided of course it avoids heretical theology). Aragon and Bulgaria are thanked for their generous support for the new overland trade route, which grows increasingly popular. In the great reforming spirit of his predecessor, Leo sets out to suppress all excess and luxury which has crept into the monasteries, causing great scandal, and which has even led to the secularisation of some monasteries by greedy rulers. Gold and finery in monastery churches and chapels is acceptable-even recommended-but fine clothes, fine foods, hunting and falconing are not acceptable, and must be stamped out. In other news, the Papal Legate in Stockholm is still not over the failure of the attempt to re-establish the colonies in Greenland, and writes to the Pope, asking him to order some other country, more competent than measly Norway, to re-establish the settlements and allow the Church to bring the Light of Christ to the pagan Esqimos.


 * Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. With printing presses bought from China, we begin printing the Koran and Maps of trade routes for citizens and merchants.


 * Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
 * The Gurkani Sultanate:  Sultan Salman Beg Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 35 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Meanwhile, with the Sultan seen being sodomized by another individual in the company of the Royal Harem and with massive discontent rising simultaneously amongst the people, the Caliph Al Mu'ayyad finally succumbed to pressure and gave the green light to assassinate the Sultan. The assassination attempt on the Sultan however failed, with the Sultan safely evading and the assassin being captured. Following gruesome torture, the assassin admitted that the attempt on the Sultans life was a scheme plotted by the Shia Clergy, including the Caliph. Upon hearing of the news, the Sultan decided to be lenient to the Caliph, and simply restricted him to his quarters in the city of Isfahan, practically putting him under 'house-arrest'. His policy however was not the same for the top Shia clergy who were almost entirely massacred and subsequently replaced by stooges of the Sultan. These policies did not sit well with the general populace, Shia Muslim and Christian alike who now considered the Sultan a heretic and an infidel, demanding his immediate abdication in favour of his brother. The Sultan responded by raising his banners and brutally suppressing the revolts, with major Shia clerics captured and executed. Fearing that the Salman had gone completely mad, Suleiman Shah began to march towards Isfahan with an army of 40,000 men, hoping to bring an end to the unrest once and for all.


 * Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars. Meanwhile, with the death of Julius Komnenos, he was succeeded by his son, Stephen Komnenos. 
 * Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule. After many years of Guntruist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. In order to beef up the navy, which is currently almost as effective and powerful as Majapahit’s, Sutkan continues his programs to increase its size and effectiveness. First of all, the government builds ships as fast as it can, making sure all are equipped with cannon. Sutkan also works to retrofit older ships with cannon, as well as other new technologies. In order to increase the practical size of the navy faster, Sutkan creates a program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Sutkan thanks the Indian states for approving the trade route, and begins his plan increase trading volume by a huge margin over the next 10 years. In order to expand this net work further, the offer is formally extended to China and Korea. The ultimate goal of this deal is to make a series of stable and profitable trade routes across east Asia. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make a of Khmer culture out of the city of U Thong. The influx of slaves certainly helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city begins to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. U Thong also begins to attract a class of intellectuals, and as a result, Sutkan begins to allow public forums in the city, where citizens can debate many things openly. While there are certain topics that still can't be debated, these forums are popular and grow quickly. This year, we accept Tondo's offer for mutual free port access, though we request they don't use our ports to trade with Majapahit, as we believe any economic advantage to them could have huge negative impacts on the security of Khmer. We continue funding Pirates to raid Majpahit ports, and at this point, there are dozens of successful raids every year.
 * Delhi Sultanate: Our army and navy continue to expand, with firearms playing a larger and larger role in both divisions. Our economy flourishes under the trade boom, and we see opportunity to expand that boom with the explorers from China and Tondo. In Agra, fireworks are launched as the University of Agra opens on the banks of the Yamuna River (on the site of the OTL Taj Mahal). The walled university features a grand library, gardens, and most notably a mosque and Hindu temple on opposite sides of a reflecting pool; these buildings are made of stone, marble, brick, etc. to fireproof them. We continue building roads to connect the empire, and more academic buildings are constructed throughout the empire.
 * Himalaya Kingdom: Nothing of note.
 * Ladakh: Nothing of note.
 * Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: With trade resuming through the Sicilian channel the economy maintains itself. The new King is confident that he has resolved the problems but keeps England much as it is. The sailors who arrive in England are interviewed at great length as they are brought to court, and their claims of a journey beyond Greenland, many people view their story with suspicion but one scholar puts forward the theory in relation to Vinland and Avalon being the place they found as maps made by Norweigan scholars suggest they would have found Vinland and their is intrigue at the possibility of finding the ancient Isle of Avalon especially among the King who is a favourite of Arthurian legend. No further actions is taken though since many of the sailors seem confused and the current want for an expedition is small as well as being unsure how to find this supposed place with little kowledge and the sailors are returned to Scandinavia for the Scandinavians to interview.
 * Bahmani Sultanate: The mass unrest across the border in the Gurkani Sultanate worries Ismail Shah, but he chooses not to intervene. A few Shia leaders who flee across the border are allowed in, and several become part of the university system. Ismail Shah commissions a great illustrated manuscript to try and clear his father's bad name.
 * Burma: With the border incidents continuing, Binnya Kyal asks the Bahmanids and Bengal for troops for a campaign up the Irrawady against Ava.
 * Maldives: Muhammad Shah continues his 'supervision.'
 * Benin: The growth of local industries in western Benin continue as more and more Bini relocate to the region. As the lands are opened up to the subjects of Benin, the possibility of gaining much individual wealth becomes more realistic. The cities of Ominira and Enu have both surpassed populations of 50,000 each, and are both thriving industrial centers in the region. Now that the northern sections of western Benin are connected to the southern provinces, the transportation costs for goods to that area of the empire have plummeted, resulted in a population and construction boom. Back in Edo, there is talk of moving the capital city from Edo to a central location in the empire, both to promote settlement in the region and to decrease the time and cost of imperial decrees to reach other parts of Benin. Locations within the interior are surveyed for possible locations that can be utilized by the imperial government as the site for a new capital city. Construction of additional naval vessels for the navy of Benin is completed for the year, with five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe constructed by each of the ten contracted port cities. All of this is done in line with the aims of the Oba to promote Benin as the premier naval power in the Atlantic Ocean. Another major step by the Benin Imperial Navy is the outfitting of all akakan vessels with cannon, which all of the newer vessels have been equipped with. The older vessels of the navy have been undergoing outfitting with cannon as part of the desire of the Oba to have a first-class navy, one of which has mirror the former glory of the Benin Imperial Army at its ultimately height. Gold-mining is greatly expanded in the Oro province, where additional sources of gold have been found. Adding to the wealth of the empire are the diamond mines in Ibukun province, recently discovered not more than a decade ago by Bini settlers. Expansion into the interior of Benin continues, with 20,000 square kilometers of land settled by the Bini. Thus far, most of the Dagomba people have been enslaved and sold overseas by the empire, though many of the women and children are kept and incorporated into the general population as concubines and indoctrinated students of Kuzirism. The dari studying the non-Bini population in West Africa have found that there appear to be fewer and fewer natives in the region, as many have either been assimilated into Benin, or exterminated one another within the two remaining pockets of uncivilized land within Benin. News of violent conflicts between the Mandinka and the Mende within the western-most pocket of tribal land have emerged. As the Bini encircle them, the two tribes have been waging a war of extermination against one another to shore themselves up in the area. Kuzir missionaries residing in the region have reported that no more than half a million men, women, and children of all ages remain within the pocket, and most able-bodied men have wasted away from disease and famine as a result of the conflict. Elsewhere, the printing press has infiltrated virtually all areas of Benin, and the publishing of books has become a major industry within the empire. Local gazettes have reported that the population of western Benin has been growing rapidly, as more fertile farmland is developed and the number of children born to women has increased with the increase food and wages of their husbands. It is expected that by 1500, out of a projected population of 60 million people by that time, nearly a third will be residing within the western half Benin. With virtually all of the land in Benin developed in the core regions, population pressures will force the region of the unsettled and undeveloped regions of the empire to grow, with a projected growth rate of at least 8% per decade.