Colonization of the Brendanias (Early Colonization)

1000 BC: Phoenicia
In the Middle East the Phoenicia Civilization was at its highpoint. It was one of the main powers in the Mediterranean Sea and part of its culture was maritime trading. By 1000 BC the Phoencians were curious about what lay beyond the western side of the Mediterranean. So in 1000 BC a fleet of ships were sent out to discover what was beyond the Mediterranean. The fleet managed to land in OTL Brazil, which centuries later would be known as part of South Brendania. The Native Americans at Brazil taught the Phoencians many things about the land and the Phoencians became excited. When some of the fleet returned to Phoenicia in 1003 the leader of the civilization sent out people to colonized this new land. The Phoencians became rich in power but kept all knowledge of the lands to itself as they did not want other people heading there. The lands remained part of Phoenicia for about 500 years but when the civilization declined a messenger came to the colony saying there were free of Phoenicia control. The people there managed to survive without Phoenician help.

574: Ireland
In 574 a monk by the name of Saint Brendan went on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean searching for Paradise. He went across Iceland and Greenland before landing in OTL Connecticut. He set up a settlement there by the name of New Clonfert. New Clonfert traded with the local Native Populations. After 3 years he returned to Ireland with things from North America such as a Native American. This stirred the interest of the Celtic Tribes and in 581 colonizers from Ireland went to the settlement of New Clonfert. The settlement soon expanded and by 587 New Clonfert had expanded to OTL Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The Celtic Tribes became very wealthy and united into the Celtic Union, covering all of the Ireland island. The Celtic Union was now one of the most successful nations in Europe. New Clonfert traded with all of the tribes of New England.

750: Polynesia
Polynesia from 300 AD to 1200 AD explored and colonized much of the Pacific. Their lands stretched from New Zealand to Hawaii. The Polynesians used canoes to travel to the islands of the Pacific and soon South America. They first settled in OTL Isla Sala y Gomez. The Polynesians soon traded with the Natives in OTL Chile. During the trading the Polynesians discovered the wonders of South America and soon set up coastal towns. Riches soon came these towns, the most prominent being Fou A'ai (New City in Somoan) located in OTL Santiago. One of the most common things traded were Native sweet potatoes for Polynesian chickens. By 800 Polynesia had colonized all of OTL Chile and set expiditions into the Te'le (Big in Somoan) ''Mountains. ''In 802 Polynesian lands were officially united into the "Polynesia Empire" and had territory in most of the southern Pacific. The Polynesia Empire expanded as a result of much more land and colonized western OTL Australia. Polynesia soon had territory in OTL Peru. Polynesia Empire was now flourishing.

830: Scandinavia
In Scandinavia the Vikings were in control and had already colonized portions of Iceland and Greenland as the Celtic Union had colonized other parts. The Vikings learned of these places from the Union. The Vikings settled America in 830 AD, and had named their territory Vinland, which was located in Newfoundland. The Vikings soon expanded into OTL Maine and traded with there Celtic neighbors to the south. The Vikings sent expiditions inland to explore the interior of Markland, which is OTL Canada. The Vikings soon found the Dorset People, who lived on the coasts of Markland. The Vikings soo n attacked the Dorsets but the Dorset would fight in guerilla-style attacks, which stopped the Vikings from expanding further. The Celtic Union helped the Vikings and sent soldiers to fight the Dorset. The Vikings and the Celtics defeated the Dorset and forced them to leave to OTL Alaska. With the Dorset defeated the Vikings settled further inland. The Norse also travelled the Great Lakes and started a settlement at OTL Kensington. Even though the Dorset were defeated the Norse were at war with the Native Americans they crossed at Kensington. The settlers at Kensington were eventually forced to return to Markland and Vinland.

1170: Wales
In 1170 Prince Madoc of Wales set off for the Americas. The ship headed south of the Celtic and Scandinavia colonies and he landed in OTL Florida. The settlement, known as Madoctown, was the first settlement of New Wales. In 1180 a ship headed for Madoctown blew off course and landed in OTL Cuba. The settlers there started a new settlement named Cardiff, after the city they sailed from. The people of Cardiff explored the surrounding islands, claiming them for Wales. The islands they colonized are known in OTL as the Bahamas, Hispanolia, and Jamaica. The Welsh then landed in OTL Florida and found Madoctown. The territory in the Caribean became part of New Wales. New Wales slowly expanded northward going as far as OTL Atlanta. Wales soon became a wealthy nation. Wales recruited Native Americans into their army and New Wales soon had the largest army in the Americas, and took over the southeastern region of North America. New Wales soon expanded to Alabama in the city of Welshia, which is OTL Mobile.

1311 AD: Mali Empire
While the Celtic Union, Polynesia, Scandinavia, and Wales had discovered the Americas, nobody in Africa had even heard about the Americas. The Mali Empire managed to discover America by accident. A Mali fleet of 400 ships was swept off course by ocean currents. The fleet landed in OTL Virginia. After started a settlement there 1 ship returned to Africa. After the ship reported about the western lands Prince Abubakari II went there with 5 others ships of his own. They landed close to the settlement and the prince took control of the colony. The colony, New Mali, thrived and traded and fought other tribes. Several ships went back to Africa carrying the riches of North America. Prince Abubakari II never made it back as he was slain in battle. However, the Prince had a family and he was secceed by Abubakari. The Mali Empire now had several colonies in North America. However as the Mali colonies expanded north and the Celtic and Norse colonies expanded south (as a result of the Little Ice Age) war was looming.

1421: China
By 1421 AD China had discovered much of the world. It had been to India, Iran, and Africa. It had traded with European countries. In 1420 Zheng He and his fleet sailed east, away from China. In 1421 he landed in Mesoamerica. Once landing there, he found the ancient Mayas. The Chinese and the Mayas traded with each other. In 1422 Zheng He returned from Mesoamerica back to China. His superiors showed no interest but when they discovered the Polynesians, who have now taken over the islands near OTL Indochina, controlled the seas as they could blockade them, he sent out another fleet to Mesoamerica. The Chinese colonies expanded southward toward South America. For 6 years the Chinese and Indians in Mesoamerica co-existed peacefully until 1427, when war with the Aztec Triple Alliance began. The Aztecs had the upper hand at first because China had to bring more weapons over but when the ships came the Chinese were defeating the Aztecs as they had matchlocks and gunpowder. The Aztecs lost the war and China was the main power in Mesoamerica, with the Mayas right behind them.