The Ashes of Rome (Map Game)

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

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

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

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

Rules:

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


 * Improve military.


 * Improve economy.


 * Improve infrastructure.


 * Declare war or seek peace with another nation.


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

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

The Map

 * Mapgame715.pnger shades of a nation's color represent occupied territory, and darker shades represent client or satellite states.


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

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

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

- Chairwoman Sventhilla Lousean Afunnymouth - Spar
 * Albion - Duchess Branwen Seighbert Long Dong Johnson
 * Kingdom of Essex -
 * Kingdom of York -
 * Duchy of Saxony -

- ~DicklessWonder (MrFixx) - TheRyderx1
 * - Adamgerd (Talk)

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

-

-

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

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

- Thisismacedon

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

-

- Zamarak500

-

-

-

- Laoboy343

-

- Tao64

- ~King Wonjang (personal name: Chu Changjun) - Candiesrgood

- Alynnear

-

- Revolution 9

-

Africa:
-

-

- Sef - (UNCLAIMED)

- Geberic Illdephon - (UNCLAIMED)

-

- King Kaya Magha Cisse' II ~ Hddenevil

- Kruntchie

- Thabo Khananda - (UNCLAIMED)

- snoopdigdogg11

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

-

Supranational Organizations
The High Council of the Mediterranean

The High Council of Eurasia 

Archives
500-600

600-700                                

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silla/Korean Empire: Our export-oriented economy has made our economy vulnerable to changing external demand, but luckily, we did not trade with the Caliphate that much. We still compensate for this miniscule loss by drastically increasing trade with the Chenla Queendom. Regent Wonjang wouldn't take any chances, and he starts Silla's transition from an export-oriented economy to a consumer-oriented one. We continue to harvest Northern Silla's vast mineral wealth, estimated by mathematicians to be worth $6 trillion in value. We acquire new technologies to help us mine the precious minerals. We continue "dumping" excess agricultural produce to Chenla to avoid inflation, we see this as a two-way beneficial relationship, since it'll help Chenla's people avoid starvation. Regent Wonjang sees a lot of potential in the Chenla Queendom, citing its fairly large population, an abundance of raw materials, and a large room for area expansion. He knows that the Chenla Queendom will make a good ally in the upcoming years.

Due to some structural problems becoming increasingly prominent, some advisors (the second highest power) ask for the abolition of the strict, hereditary bone rank system, which only allows people with an aristocratic background to obtain high positions. King Wonjang considers this idea, but he thinks that the elite minority will rebel and the Sillan state will collapse. The advisors finally convince him to abolish the rigid bone rank system, getting rid of the increasingly powerful aristocratic families.

Due to the Ghanan plague, population growth almost halts. Most of the government, including the Royal Family and the Regent's family, is sent into palaces located in the hillsides where they are isolated from the rest of the population. Potentially infected individuals are killed and their bodies are smuggled into Japan. Our population is estimated to be 17.8 million people, a 0.56% increase from the last estimate from five years ago, though there is less people from the younger cohorts, the labor force is still rapidly growing and prevents negative population growth. We launch a massive sanitation campaign to avoid the spread of the plague and population decline, and to combat decline in the labor force, we dramatically reduce unemployment and increase worker productivity. Public bathrooms are installed in its main cities. After discovering the source of the smuggled bodies, we ban all trade and travel with the Caliphate (and its allies) and any Western nation. We suggest the Chenla Queendom to also impose the trade and travel ban.

We start increasing taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund our sanitation campaign. Due to our advance technology, high troop morale, and the fact our population outnumbers Japan's by more than five times, we are confident that we will win. We begin to focus our energy on one front and focus on defending the Korean peninsula from the lesser Japanese navy. Our suprise counter-attack somewhere in Southern Honshu ends in victory, and we gain large tracts of coastal land. We incorporate these areas into the Saeloun-do, meaning the "New Province". We begin to attack in all directions, from the north with 20,000 troops (less because it is less populated), and from the South and West, with a total of 170,000 troops. We withdraw most of our troops from Hokkaido and order the massive evacuation of the Ainu population to the Sakhalin province, this will probably result in the temporary loss of Hokkaido, but it is worth it. We use this surge of extra labor to manufacture supplies needed in our war. We increase our military presence on the Sakhalin, with 30,000 troops patrolling the borders.
 * (Chenla) If the Silla are open to a "Special Relationship" (like the one the US and the UK enjoy) where scientific advances are shared, joint military operations take place, the prospect of making each other's economy better, etc. This will cause a free flow of scientific advances and technologies between the two nations and bring their friendship much closer. 
 * OOC (Chenla) Also not quite sure if you accepted the offer of building embassies in our two capitols. 
 * Silla: I, King Wonjang agree to open a "Special Relationship" between the two countries. We will begin building a Chenlan embassy in the Jeju province (the southernmost point of Silla). 

The Kingdom of Mbali: King Bjorn is faced with a difficult decision: He could assist The Republic of Morocco and gain one rather unorganized ally; or he could promise The Vandals and The Illdephons to keep his nose out and avoid gaining two, more organized enemies. He discusses his choices with his advisors and they unanimously agree that Mbali is in too deep -with the Caliphate’s persistence and the plague that still ravages the land- to start another war. Diplomats are sent to The Vandals and Illdephons explaining that their attack on The Republic of Morocco poses a bit of a hindrance on Mbali. However, the threat could be avoided if they were to ally with Mbali instead. The navy continues to grow in the Red Sea.

King Bjorn hears the cries of his people to end the war with the Caliphate. Though complete control over Sinai is important, Bjorn is content with the claimed area. King Bjorn writes up a treaty: The Caliphate can keep claimed lands in Sinai, and Mbali keeping its claimed lands in Sinai - as well as a 50-year non-aggression pact. If The Caliphate deny the treaty a palisade is set up along the claimed territories in Sinai reinforcing defensive procedures used in the past, and the Mbalian navy is to attack Caliphate Sinai full force, focusing its western coast.

King Bjorn cannot express enough thanks to Prince Salavarman for his gracious gift of elephants. Bjorn had read stories of these savage war beasts but never thought he’d get to see one first hand. King Bjorn makes it against Mbalian law to kill elephants, claiming they have royal blood and that they should be treated as such. Elephants are bred and incorporated into the army, and some are even acclimated and released to the wild.

The Frankish Kingdom, with the Lombard offensive into Burgundy still ongoing, sees King Joseph raise an army of both cavalry and infantry, which has the goal of crushing the Lombardy threat in our borders. King Gerald appoints his brother, Prince Joseph, as the overall commander of the entente forces pushing into Lombardy, and with many calling for peace, the King feels that this may be the perfect time to begin establishing Frankish control over Saxony. Thus, a new Holy Saxon Duchy is established in the conquered lands, with the capital being centered in an area soon to known as Lipsia, which is set to become a major city and trading post for the Franks, with the blessing of the Pope. Christian missionaries are sent around the conquered areas,  spreading the faith, and helping to stamp out the pagan ways. The continued expansion of the navy sees it growing to over 150 ships. These ships are used to guard against pirates, and help to protect the shipping and trade of the Franks. King Gerald's son, Prince William, is still searching for a bride, and should any of our allies wish, they may propose a bride for him. The treasury begins to grow from the massive amount of conquered gold and land taken from the Lombards, and taxes are imposed on the conquered areas. As the plague continues to ravage the land, quarantine is put in place in the south, and massive amounts of resources are put together to help stop the spread of the plague. As Frankish ships patrol the seas, the King decides to send his ships into the Baltic, where he hopes to help cut off the Lombards from their colonies, and starve them out. Another plan is also made to land Frankish troops in Northern Lombardy, with the goal of completely surrounding the Lombards. 20,000 men are being used in this operation. A review of Frankish military might shows that, with a grand total of 300,000 men, the Franks are committed to these fronts as follows. 150,000 Frankish troops invading Lombardy, combined with 50,000 Anglo-Saxons beings the force to 200,000 men. 50,000 men and cavalry are defending Burgundy. 20,000 are taking part in the attack on the Lombard coast, and 50,000 Franks, aided by 40,000 Anglo-Saxons, are helping to defend Albion. That leaves only 30,000 men left, and these men are still kept as reserves, being allowed to remain home. The establishment of several Christian Churches concedes with the destruction of several Pagan temples.

York and Essex both experience relative growth, with both areas becoming major trade routes for the Franks. The conquered Pictish land is made into the Pictish Duchy, and several forts are built to help guard trade in the Duchy.

Chenla Queendom/Kingdom: Thanks to the warnings provided by the Supreme Elegance of the Silla, Queen Jayavedi shuts down all trade with the Caliphate and other disease riddled nations of the West. Trade will reopen when signs of the plague have died down. Trade is increased with the Silla, Ganga and the Gupta. Like the Silla, Queen Jayavedi also begins government funded sanitation programs to dramatically decrease the chances of the plague coming to the Chenla Queendom. She also has the Royal Scouts with their vast network of acquiring information check all ships coming to the Queendom or simply passing through the Strait of Malaka. This is done off the mainland with the Royal Scouts wearing masks with herbs in them that are thought to fend of disease. The people who are not ethnic Chenlan citizens are told to turn back from whence the came from or are immediately eliminated. Any Chenlan citizen showing signs of the plague is immediately sent to quarantine on the small island near the Northwest coast of the mainland. Also to ensure that the plague doesn't get anywhere near the Queendom, Queen Jayavedi has the Royal Navy occupy all the small uninhabited islands Northwest and West to the Island of Sumatra and establish checkpoints there. '''To thank the Silla for their friendly advise a 30 foot, solid gold Buddha statue is sent to the Sillan capitol with a regiment of 30 Royal Chenlan Elephants (the elephants are also a gift). Since only the Royal Navy ships are large enough to transport the elephants they are sent to deliver them. A quarter of the Royal Navy is sent with High Admiralty Chan Leung to deliver the gifts and assist the Silla in the war against the Japanese if the want it because the Chenla will always honor its alliance with the Silla. A declaration of war against Japan is also sent with the High Admiralty Chan Leung if the great leadership of the Silla does call upon Chenlan assistance and askance if Chenla could build an embassy in the Sillan capitol, and in turn a Sillan embassy would be built in Luang Prabang. If the Silla don't require Chenlan assistance then the delivery force will return home. '''

The start of the new century goes very well for the Chenlan people, in the year 700 the wedding of Prince Thepaman and Princess Chamekamba of the Ganga, commences in the capitol. The city of Luang Prabang is bustling with excitement as thousands of spectators come to watch the wedding and the War Games celebrating this special occasion. Also the return of the beloved Prince Salavarman raises more excitement as many people gather to hear the stories of his journey to the Westerlands. With him he brought over many new technologies in which the Royal Engineers take complete advantage of and begin to study them. The naval technologies from the Gothic Empire is immediately implemented, as their designs on war ships are far more superior. In the year 702 an even bigger wedding is thrown for the Queen as she marries Lord Jun Pheng, a nobleman in which she attended the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang with and was always closely associated with. She still retains all her power as the sole leader of the Chenla as dictated by Chenlan law.

With the great political and economic prosperity of the beginning of the new century, a 56 foot statue begins its construction in honor of the late King Jayavarman,  in the now bustling port city of Kong Sad in Sumatra, for planning out this great prosperous time. Another statue begins its construction in the capitol in honor of Queen Jayavedi for continuing her father's great work. All the positive morale flowing through the Queendom has Queen Jayavedi end slavery of all ethnic Chenlan peoples. The barbarians from the southern islands are still subject to enslavement. She also declares Buddhism as the official religion of Chenla and has a massive Wat begin construction in Luang Prabang; all other religions are still legal to practice as long as they don't cause strife within the Queendom.

Within a few years of its full colonization, the island of Sumatra produces more than 60 percent of Chenlan goods. More farms are built and natural resources are mined. This causes the Chenlan economy to swell. To deter pirates from kidnapping Chenlan citizens from Sumatra and raiding; Queen Jayavedi hashes out a deal with the largest pirate gang in the waters around Sumatra, the Black Vipers is what they call themselves. The deal says that if they no longer raid Chenlan trade ships, leave Chenlan citizens alone, and deter other pirate gangs they would get paid and not be hunted by the Royal Navy. The deal to everyone's surprise drastically reduces the abduction of Chenlan citizens and the raiding of trade ships.

The Royal Engineers continue to make advances in technology, especially with the material brought back by Prince Salavarman. They begin plans of improving infrastructure throughout the Queendom with funding from the Royal Crown. They also begin to formulate new plans of sending more Engineers West in 10 years to gather technologies and information because Prince Salavarman's trip did prove to be successful. With all the new information the Royal Engineers begin the construction of the Royal Library in Luang Prabang to further the city's reputation as being the central hub of knowledge and culture in the Queendom.

The Royal Scouts continue to survey land throughout the Queendom for deposits of natural resources and areas for potential mining. They also send out to the island of Bornéo for future plans of colonization. Queen Jayavedi doesn't plan to colonize the island until the year 720 when the Royal Navy and the Royal Standard Army are significantly stronger.

Also the decree from Queen Jayavedi that states no ethnic Chenlan can be enslaved, causes many former slaves to join the RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps. Greatly strengthening the armed forces. Coalition of Picts: We turn our entire population into Pictish Paganism. We also fund our economy, by turning most of our country side into towns. We close down on immigration and whoever wants to immigrate must not have the plague. We destroy all monasteries and churches using their gold to create Pagan Ritual Places and also the help the economy and military. We also shoot down anything, which comes from the mainland to prevent the plague. We send Legion I to explore the northern sea and conquer any uninhabited land they see. Along with the Legion, as extras we send astrologers and cartographers to map the place.
 * Regent Wonjang would like to thank Queen Jayavedi for sending the gifts; a 56 foot tall statue of Buddha, and some elephants, to the Sillan capital. He sends the elephants to Jeju instead of Seorabeol, due to Jeju's warmer climate. He also appreciates the military aid in our war with Japan. He would also appreciate if Chenla shares their new knowledge (obtained from the west) with Silla, stating that it'll help them in their war with Japan and help them defend the Korean peninsula from the Japanese navy. 

Coalition of Picts (Secret, Exception: Celts): We also reorganise our troops into two parts. The Allied Legion and The Pictish Legion, with the Celtic troops under The Allied Legion and The Pictish Troops under The Pictish Legion. The Allied Legion is under the control of the Celts. The Pictish Legions is under the control of the Picts. The Pictish Legion is 50/50 with army and navy. The Pictish Navy has 30% Light, 60% Heavy, 10% Transportation. The Pictish army has 60% Infantry, 20% Missile Infantry, 10% Missile Cavalry, 8% Heavy Cavalry, 2% Light Cavalry. We take out of The Pictish Legion 50% of troops, but also improve it. We retrain the infantry to fight as a phalanx with pikes, like Alexander The Great's army. We also improve their armour from leather armour into iron armour. We drill them daily as a phalanx and also alone, in case the phalanx broke. We create compound bows, so our missiles can effectively shoot in the cold, damp conditions of the North. We train our missile cavalry to shoot accurately at high speeds, by using straw dummies, as well as training our missile infantry at stationary into straw dummies. We breed and buy our cavalry, so that our light cavalry is the fastest cavalry we can afford and the heavy cavalry is the strongest cavalry we can afford. For our navy, we create light, but fragile for our light and strong, but slow for our heavy. Our Transportation navy is in between. The Army and Navy are combined into a Legion, which has in total 5000 troops. 75% is our typical army composition and 20% is our typical navy composition and 3% are support (cook, water, engineer, etc) and 2% are extra. The extras depend based on the mission. '''We let the Celts decide how to choose the composition of their Allied Legion, but ask them if we can assimilate the allied legion into the Pictish legions and so ban the division between the two legions and so improve their relations. We will train their legion under the same composition as ours and in return the Celts will pay 50% of the costs.'''

Celtic Secret Response: We accept to allow them to train together, and we shall pay the expense of the additional troops being trained.

Ganga Dynasty: The marriage between Princess Camekamba and Prince Thepatan of the Chenla Kingdom took place in the Chenla capitol. Both the Raja Khadaga II and his brother Mahakala were present, even if the Raja later said he regretted to go in a Buddhist realm. Many chenlan nobles complained about the arrogance of disrespect of the Raja. His younger brother, although only 17, impressed many noble in his attempt to continue diplomatic relationship between the two kingdoms in the name of his brother (even if many suspect the later was never informed of it). Mahakala also used this time in Chenla to meet his bastard brother Indravarman, who was 6 at the time.

In the mainland, it was again the uncle of the Raja, Jagadeva and Chandrajara. Jagadevra is living in opulence and Chandrajara is making life a living hell for northern Buddhist. With the return of Khadaga II from Chenla, things just get worst. In 701, a new special tax is made for Buddhists, and temples must now pay enormous money in order to remain open. The nobles of the capital, who receive most of the money, are living like kings. In 703, Buddhists are not allowed in Bhubaneswar anymore, and those willing to enter must pay enormous brides in corruption.

However, the arrival in 702 of Mahakala in the power structure made many hope he would stop the future bloodshed. As part of the tradition, the Raja gave his brother an important position in the administration, promoting him treasurer of the Ganga Dynasty, an office which was occupied by their uncle Jagadevra until now. Many nobles who opposed Jagadevra and Chandrajara (should it be because of their policies or the among of power they and their allied own) began to see in Mahakala a chance to  make their voice heard to the Raja. Within the following years, the nobility began to divide itself into two factions: the Grina (green) Faction, led by the uncles of the Raja (although it was evident that Chandrajara was the real leader of the two), and the Nila (blue) Faction, led by Mahakala and seconded by Kahamala Dandavaran, his brother in law. Both faction fight on the politic scene to allow their leader to influence the Raja.

However, the Grina easily own the power structure and the Raja's thrust. In 704, the Khadaga II pass a law making Buddhism an illegal faith in the kingdom. Even worst, his uncle Chandrajara is publicly encouraging persecution against them. This led to many Buddhists manifestations. In those years of turmoil, Buddhists of the Bengal turn to a Guru named Susarman Visayapati to be their leader. Guru Susarman call the Buddhists to revolt, saying that negotiations have failed. '''Many Buddhists in the Bengal fallow him in his revolt to force the bring down Khadaga II and his followers. He also explain he does not desire independance, but a better place for Buddhists in the Ganga Dynasty.''' The local nobility fearing for their life, escaped and went hidding in Bhubaneswar, asking the Raja to act.

And there is worst. Living in the far north of the kingdom, a Jainist nobleman named Hirapal Yadava heard of the revolt. Seeing it as an opportunity to gain power and influence in the kingdom after a Buddhist victory, he converts to Buddhism and claims his loyalty to Guru Susarman. Hypocrite as he is, he claims to the people he always wanted to stop the evil Raja, but never had a chance to act on his own. And now, as he claims, the Guru opened the path to courage and salvation for all Buddhists. With his great lies, Hirapal is able to gather many locals in his army, and join force with the Guru.

And thus, in 704, the Ganga Buddhist Crisis began.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. In response to the Ganga Buddhist Crisis, India broke its alliance with Ganga Dynasty and begin mobilized its military and sent to Ganga-Indian border.
 * OOC (Ganga): OK, I'm curious, because it doesn't make sense in my head. Why are you mobilizing against me? I mean, you are pro-hinduism (you passed so many turns converting your nation), so why doing this for Buddhists? Also, don't we have a 50 years non-agression since 682? I kust want it to be clear for me so I know how to answer next turn.

'''Lombardy: The Lombard ambassador in the Caliphate informs his majesty, the Caliph that, due to the Caliphate's continued aggression towards Khazaria, a Lombard ally, and a nation THAT WAS ALLIED WITH THE CALIPHATE IN A WAR, the presence of Lombardy in the High Council of the Middle East will be terminated, and the alliance with the Caliphate will be broken off. The members of the Lombard embassy, founded by the first King of Lombardy, pack their things and leave for Khazaria, muttering about Arab stupidity.'''

The Army of Wyrdu continues its push towards Provence. By now, its focus is more on doing as much damage to the Goths as possible. To this end, every village encountered has its inhabitants slaughtered to a man, and is torched. Caravans or traders found on the road are killed and their corpses looted, and any domesticated animals found by the army are killed and cooked. Soldiers begin stuffing infected corpses into sources of water, obstructing wells, and choking streams and rivers with corpses. Downstream, in some of the largest rivers of the area, a blackish, oily, infected film, permeated by an unholy stench, drifts on top of the water.

The armies of Freir and Freija band together and focus on defending the Slavic coast, sacrificing the inland territories to the individual chieftains.

The king orders two diplomatic messages sent, one to the Jutes, and one to the Goths. ((These are contained below in two separate diplomatic posts due to their length)).

All tribal armies along the Saxon border retreat toward Lombardy, while the large, state-owned armies in Lombardy move towards the capital, which has its walls strengthened with a mixture of tree-trunks, mortar, and gravel. The cisterns of the capital are expanded, and massive amounts of non-perishable food are brought in and stored away, often in the houses of those families that were wiped out by the plague. The entire population of the capital begins drilling to withstand a siege.

Lombardy (Diplomatic): The Jutes are requested to stop their war against Lombardy in exchange for several concessions. These are: Lombardy (Diplomatic): The Goths are requested a discussion of peace terms. They are also requested to keep in mind during the talks, though, that they are currently experiencing a major insurrection in their south-west, another one in their south-east, they have just lost a massive army to the Caliphate, they have lost occupation of the Sinai peninsula, their prosperous heartland is being decimated by the plague, internal trans-Mediterranean trade is completely nonexistent, their government is likely running under a massive deficit, and their entire Empire seems on the verge of total socio-political collapse.
 * The Jutes will be payed a hefty annual fee for the next 10 years.
 * Jutish traders will receive an 85% customs and tax reduction rate at Lombard ports indefinitely.
 * Jutland will receive all land they currently occupy in Scandinavia (Scandinavia, not territory in Germany/Poland, or the Hailuoto island off the coast of Finland).
 * The Lombards will promise to halt future expansion along the Jutish border, and will sign a non-agression pact with the Jutes for however long they feel necessary.
 * ((Mod Response)) The Jutes will accept peace on the condition that they be allowed to maintain their currently held territories.
 * The Gothic Empire agrees to discuss peace with the Lombardian leader, but will only accept on the condition that all of its allies do the same.

The Franks note the fact that the Lombards have completely ignored the might of the Frankish Kingdom, and find it most annoying that they would be so arrogant as to think that they would be able to withstand the Frankish powerhouse. Thus, we tell them that they will not be given peace of any form, and will be made subservient to the Frankish Kings. Now and forever, all Lombards will be the slaves of the Franks.

Celtic League: So far the lands have been fine under the rule of King Jon Eversnow. Five years have come and gone without a hitch. The Pictish have gotten their land back even with how thin their military is. We will have to assign more soldiers to help the Pictish secure their borders. (let's say we send 1000 Celtic civilians and 200 soldiers)

We begin trading with the Pictish the silver from our mine. Both raw silver and handcrafted jewelry (This should count as Improved economy). The celebration of Quin Everstorm's 60th birthday took place today (The year 703) very few Celts have lived to this age in the past 50 years, but also most Celts lived in the harsh conditions of Greenland.

(Celtic Secret): We send three different ships filled with three different groups of spies. We send one group to the Goths to try and learn more about their armor. Our Leather Celtic armor isn’t as good as the present day Iron Suits. We also need to learn about their weaponry, to see if Celtic Iron is still the best We send some spies south to the Terrorist south of the Goths. We want to find out how they are still able to succeed in their rebellion against the very powerful Goths. And finally we send a group to the east to spy and steal any technology we can use.

(Sorry for the lackluster Writing this turn. Just not feeling it today.)

Avar: With Khazars busy fighting the Rus' and Caliphate regroup our armies, build back up and attack again, this time in Caucasus with all our forces. We improve economy and expand far eastward.

The Gothic Empire: Beloved and charming leader of the Ostrogoths, Theudis Harents, dies in his sleep and leaves a power rift in the rich eastern Gothic regions. His superior, chairman for the Visigoths, Roderic Lousean, holds a meeting of the senate where a new Ostrogothic leader will be elected. After much deliberation, the heir to the Chindaswintha estate and grandnephew of a once fearsome arena champion, Harric Chindaswintha III is elected as the acting chairman for the Ostrogothic people. Roderic congratulates Chindaswintha III and welcomes him into office; taking time to show his respect and admiration for great uncle Audo Chindaswintha, as Roderic personally was at the arena on the day that he died.

Following the loss of the Gothic military in Africa, the efforts to gain African religious supremacy are hopeless and an order is put out to call all remaining units out of Mbali and surrounding territories back home. With the Sinian portage completely cut off from the empire, the naval presence in the Red Sea will surely become discontented. To battle this, Roderic begins to commend and accept non-expansive peaceful Islamic sects such as, but not limited to the newly formed sovereign nations of Vermundia and the Muslim Free-State. Gothic diplomats going under the name of  “The African Peace Committee” (APC), travel to these areas bringing gifts of foreign foods and tradition. An alliance under the APC name is offered with the newly established Muslim states in exchange for the allowance of establishing land trade routes through their territories with Gothic portages in along the coast of the Red Sea.

Seeing the expanse of the Gothic breakaway state, the Illdephons, the Goths offer peace with the rebels and ensure they maintain their independence. In exchange the Goths demand that the Illdephons and their allies cease their raids against Gothic ships and return 25% of their confiscated naval goods. The Goths will also help establish governmental control for the Vandalic Kingdom and the Illdephosians over the Moroccan anarchy on the condition that they join the APC and discontinue their rapid aggressive expansion. Considering the fact that the Illdephons lack the proper equipment to mine gold from the area, the Goths agree to send teams of workers to assist in ore mining, in exchange for a 40/60 split of the profit, the majority funding going to the new independent African nations.

The spread of plague becomes widely associated with falcons, and as a result, the falcon is seen as a symbol of death. All falconry towers and aviaries are reduced to smoke and cinder, leaving the east and west in their state of discontinued communications, but also ensuring that the spread of the plague calm down while the nation recovers. The Goths formally commend the duchy of Sieghberts for their decision to ban falconry, and soon follow in suit making it a nationwide policy. If communications were to continue, there would have to be some newly devised means.

Several scouting teams are sent to the abandoned canary islands in search of new birds that weren’t carriers for the disease. The black raven is discovered and brought back to Spain. New aviaries are built in place of the old and new jobs are created in raven breeding. Dried condensed seed is sold in bulk throughout rural western ships and in turn many westerners adopt personal falcons to fill the rift in their hearts left by the loss of their former avian companions. Plans are in the works to begin opening up messenger stations throughout the east and west, using papyrus parchments to deliver information throughout the empire. For now, information about the potential noble uprisings is suppressed and the impoverished westerners are to remain ignorant.

 A reward system is put in place to encourage citizens to beat back the Lombardian hordes. A bounty office is set up in Madrid, Rome, Vivianis and Vasconia where any Gothic citizen can bring Lombardian heads and be paid accordingly. Made obvious by the macabre title, “The Headsman’s Payday” is a reward policy devised that entails a a payout to Lombardian head hunters; For every man’s head, citizens can expect a payout  of 2 Euros, the heads of high ranking officers earn 5 euros and women and children earn only about 50 eurettes. For heads of the infected, the reward is completely void.

Watching troops be cut down by the fearsome Lombardian archers encourages the Goths increase production on tower shields and decrease use of the newly invented Targo. The excess targos are repurposed by sending them to the nearby subordinate Albionites and Anglo-Saxons who can use them in their push against the Lombardian flank and help in cutting off the occupied Lombard territory from classical Lombardy. Covert weapon engineers perform espionage against the Lombards and take note of their bow and arrow designs, planning to incorporate them into the Goths own military.

In hopes of galvanizing Gothic troops against their common enemy, the truth about Lombards tainting Gothic waters is exposed. Clean-up crews are dispatched to clear the waterways and burn the corpses piling up from the years of warfare. The clothes of the Gothic cleanup crews are to burned once a day as well, and as a result, the production of fabrics such as cottons, wools and silks becomes instrumental.

New jobs are created in mass clothing factories and business owners are encouraged to capitalize on the opportunity by buying in bulk and selling for a profit. Shepards grow in importance and in turn the sheep population begins to grow rapidly. It is hoped that the excess fabrics will prove useful for trade opportunities in the future.

The Lupexcercito, making great gains against Lombardy, becomes viewed as the Goth’s main fighting force. Many Gothic traditionalists are offended by the increased reliance on woman soldiers and begin to call out for better male representation on the fronts. Chariman Roderic’s response is the redirect the Gothic conscripts from Albion to the Croatian front line and begins relieving members of the Lupexcercito from the heavy battles of the at the war’s head.

The mysterious leader of the the Lupexcercito,  Victoriana Hairuwulf,  breaks it into three main battalions, consisting of ten legions each. Each battalion is lead by a female Gothic general; the easternmost being lead by Aura Austraguta, the west lead by the daughter of General Lazarus III, Egica Lazarus, and the middle is brought up by the unpredictable and potentially volatile, Amoret Beremud. The legions in turn are lead by legates, there being thirty in total. One of the legates stands above the rest and is recognized by Victoriana for her valor and ferocity in battle. Legate Ricca is elected head legate and acts as a pivotal agent in the ladder of communication between troops and their commanding officers. Beneath Ricca, she has three advisors who stay clear of the fighting but help plot strategy and maintain communications with the troops; Narcissa, Nyx and Opaline are renowned far and wide for their strategical prowess. Narcissa is particularly famous for neglecting the needs of ethnic non-equals and preaching her bigoted views towards believers of the Germanic and Islamic faiths - in turn, the term “narcissist” is adopted by the Goth’s to denote someone who holds themselves and their own beliefs high above that of others. Opaline however is on the polar opposite end of the spectrum and boasts equality and acceptance, whilst Nyx simply acts as the mediator between the two.

The Vangothic port is reopened as a naval epicenter for the mediterranean world. It is hoped that the Vandals and Illdephons will accept the Gothic alliance and in turn meet and convene with the Gothic seamen. A conference is planned to be held every six months where the three nations will share what new discoveries or inventions they have come up with in efforts to improve marine power and secure the Gothic stance of supremacy.

A marble statue of Franz Vagneriano and Euric Vermundo shaking hands is erected in Gocithica to represent the unity of the Gothic military and to mourn the loss of those battling in the Sack of Mecca. It is hoped that the memory of these brave soldiers will live on through the art of others and they are recorded in history as heroes.

The Gothic navy, led by Avagis Eunamus, tightens its blockade of the Lombards and begins closing in on coastal territory. Several detachments of soldiers attempt to make amphibious landings in the area, intent on destroying Lombardian ports and reducing their navy to nothing. All trade ships and colonists are captured, raided, and promptly reincorporated into the ever-growing Gothic navy.

The isle of Alaricia undergoes mass political reformation. A census is taken in the area to get a better idea of population vs density in order to determine the proper number of representative delegates to sit on the Roman senate. Ports are constructed to better connect trade between Alaricia and Sabador to help them become codependent on each other and less dependent on the empire as a whole. The two islands are considered a “middle-state” in that they don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the west or the east. This loose jurisdiction leads political identities to become less diverse and for tensions to calm as disagreements fade out of relevancy.

Chairman Roderic Lousean travels to the northeasternmost territories to give a speech to the local militias and military leaders. An hour into the filibustrous speech and the crowd begins to heckle and boo. Roderic is surprised, having always been renowned for his charm and ability to get the people on his side. His tricks don’t work this time however, as too often have his lies have carried no weight. The crowd becomes irate and are barely held back by the royal Lousean guard. The crowd separates allowing a walkway for someone from the back of the crowd. The leader of the Lupexcercito, Victoriana Hairuwulf, reveals herself publically for the first time as she stands before the high chairman. The resemblance between the two is uncanny, and Roderic is left speechless with his mouth agape. He begins to mutter a few words but is cut off by Victoriana as she steps forward, the Lousean guard, recognizing her authority and allowing it. Victoriana draws her finely crafted Celtic dagger and holds it out against Roderic’s throat.

“Stop. Pray now, for the old and infirm.”   (“Prohibere. Ora senior iam et infirmior .”)

“I will speak to you, you are my daughter; my ally by virtue of flesh and blood!” (“Loquar filiame! Propinqui secundum carnem et sanguinem”)

“I am not a friend. (“Non sum amicus.

I am the people. Sum populum .

I am your reckoning. “                        Ero mors tua .”)

 

With those final resounding words, Roderic realizes his people have forsaken him. He looks into the eyes of his daughter and sees nothing but hatred. Defeated, Roderic turns and makes a mad dash for his podium where Alaric II’s memoirs are located. His daugher, leader of the Lupexcercito, Victoriana Hairuwulf, or, Sventhila Lousean, unshoulders her bow and pulls an arrow back against the string. Roderic clasps the memoirs against his chest and attempts to make his escape, but is stopped short as an arrow hits its mark directly between his shoulder blades. The chairman collapses to the ground and rolls over to face his daughter one last time. His final breaths escape his lips as his eyes glaze over and the world fades from his sight. He smiles at the girl as she kneels over him and mutters his dying words:

''“Catalus usurpus ursum ...Quam pulchra es et matre amet; Te amo, filia mea. ”''

 “And so the cub dethrones the bear ... You are just as beautiful as your mother. I love you, my daughter”

Sventhilla rises from her father’s body a new woman, and is accepted as the new leader of the united Goths. She renounces her old fake name and exposes her true identity as heir to the throne. She pledges to lead the nation back to the state of its glory days, with peace and prosperity not being an unreachable goal, but instead an immediate reality. She declares the meeting to be adjourned and allows the people to continue about their business. The Lousean guards are ordered to take Roderic to the Lousean mausoleum where his funeral proceedings are to be prepared. She climbs down off the stage to attend to her duties once more. This time, however, with Alaric II’s memoirs clutched underneath her arm.

Caliphate: We begin our invasion of Sinai. We blockade the barbarian part of Saudi Arabia. We move 200 infected people into China and Chelna, with this working well in the past. We continue to expand in Africa, expanding 3800 pixels. We offer the Treaty of Asmara to the Muslim Free State. We wish for the Persian Client State and the Persian Free State to reunite as 'Greater Persia'. This won't be a client state of the Caliphate but would allow Caliphate troops pass through it. We continue to invade the Kazach and say to the Lombards 'fine' if they want to leave. We aid the rebels in the Goths. We would like the Celtic League and the Franks to join the High Council of Eurasia and in return they'll have to cut all ties with the Goths but won't have to declare war on them. We build our navy And huge ships so we can be the king of the sea. We build our army and military. We blockade Sinai.

705 C.E.
((The color of the Khazars has been changed to a dark brown/blood red to avoid confusion.)) ''' Five more grueling years would pass of war, famine, and plague in the western world. Thousands die out and the streets are literally paved with blood. Those left alive by the year 705 have either developed immunities to the plague, or have miraculously managed to avoid the infected. One thing is for certain, and that is that the only way to beat this plague is through versatility; adaptation to the unconquerable, a familiar motif witnessed throughout history.'''

'''Human cruelty would prove to be a leading ally to the spread of Ghanaian Death, as biological warfare becomes used nearly universally. The normally untouchable asian nations, being especially susceptible to the new, virulent, disease, are quick to become sick and spread illness throughout the dense population. '''

Silla and the northernmost half of the Liang are hit especially hard by the plague and many empirical trade routes are abandoned.

'''By consolidating loose power and settling into abandoned villages, the newly formed Uyghur Khaganate carves out a personal haven from the carcass of the East Turkic Khanate. The Uyghurs form loose alliances with a nearby group of nomadic tribals by the name of the Karluks, prompting them to settle in and adopt a nation capital, naming it Suyab.'''

The Karluks hear the Khazars cries for help and begin to raid Rus’ and Avar caravans.

'''Japanese begin to flood Hokkaido and capture much of the Ainu mainland. The Japanese offensive leads them to make amphibious landings in Korea at great cost to Japanese life. The response from allied Asian nations is a violent and quick one, as the Silla and Chenla ally to push the Japanese menace out of Ainu territory.'''

'''The anti-Buddhist sentiments of the Ganga are spoken of far and wide. Though Buddhism, being a strict religion of peace, seems incapable of doing anything to stop it. Many Buddhist revolutionaries refuse to give in to violence and instead give peaceful protests and begin preaching and hoping to convert locals to their cause.'''

'''India lines its troops along the Gangan border and plans for liberation of the Buddhist people. Much of the Indian population is confused, as they are a nation of Hindus, and wonders why they would fight and die for a theology separate from that of their own.'''

'''The Tibetan dynasties group up into clans consisting of two or three dynasties each. These clans are named after the ancient Tibetan inhabitants, the Se, Rmu, Stong and Ldong. These clans are then subdivided into the Dbra, Vgru, Ldongza, Lga, Dbas and Brdav.'''

'''A royal marriage between a Tibetan prince and a Guptan princess takes place, solidifying an alliance between the two nations. A child is born by the name of Rabgyal Ngawang Jigme and is considered to be the heir to the Ldong dynasty as well as having stakes in some northwestern Guptan territories.'''

Gupta begins to offer a safe haven for Buddhists who would seek to escape the oppressive religious regime of the Ganga.

'''The Queendom of Chenla continues to consolidate power and admiration from the eastern world. Their rapid development and presence in the Gulf of Thailand and Java sea causes many wandering maritime clans to settle in along island coasts and begin to consolidate counter forces to the Chenlan policy of expansionism.'''

'''The Black Vipers settle in on the island of Borneo and begin to build ports for their navy. Increased traffic on the island causes the locals to unify and the Bruneian Sultanate soon forms under the control of Sultan Alak Brunei. Chenlan scouts on the island are seen as a threat and promptly butchered by the natives.'''

'''Suggestions from the Caliphate for a re-unification of Free Persia and Subordinate Persia are considered by a large majority of the populace. The end decision still pivots on the choices made by the leaders of the two nations.'''

With the focus of the Caliphate lying entirely on military efforts, the people of Saudi Arabia become discontented and begin crying out for more attention from the government.

Overwhelming Muslim force cuts the Khazar Khaganate in half, many of the people converting to Islam and subjugating themselves under new rule.

'''It would seem the Khazar Khaganate is on the unfortunate verge of collapse. Although the nation shows great potential in naval combat and manages to assert their supremacy in the Caspian and the Adrian, the overwhelming number of enemies is simply too much to bear.'''

Crimea is reclaimed by the Rus’ Principality, and with their lands returned the assault against the Khazars becomes that much easier.

'''With such a large number of Dromons in the Caspian and the Adrian, the Khazars become a sort of naval superpower for the middle-east. The Avar controlled territories are reclaimed and the Khazars find it immensely easy to make landings in Avar territory.'''

Seeing an opportunity to consolidate power, the Avars invade the Khazars and capture a moderate chunk of land.

The royal couple formed from marriage between Avar and Khazar stands strong, and the two run away to start a family of their own away from their oppressive and warlike overlords.

'''The Caliphate crushes the Mbalian counter-offensive in Sinai and smashes through their palisade seeing it as nothing more than a child’s toy. The Mbalian front line is slaughtered and the Muslims begin pouring into north Egypt. The Muslim offensive arrives outside of Cairo and the inhabitants begin to either flee, or prepare for battle. The Caliphate is reminded that they are now in control of the Gothic portage, and with the help of slaves could potentially transfer their navy into the Mediterranean.'''

'''In Africa, Sef continues his strict policy of expansionism and continues to enclave several Ghanian provinces. With refugees and nomadic tribals flooding in from all over to settle in central Africa, the Kanem Empire becomes among the most populated nations in Africa in less than a decade.'''

The Muslim Free-State neglects to sign the Treaty of Asmara as it would require the peaceful Muslim people to once again go to war and die for the Caliph, a fate the people are not ready to once again face.

'''The Caliphate’s expansion into Africa is surprisingly successful, noting previous attempts. However, due to the presence of the Gothic blockade, the people of Africa become increasingly independent, and many begin calling for the growth of a separatist movement.'''

'''Vermundia expands west into Africa and begins to consolidate a loyal religious following. The people follow a strange and unlikely mix of Arian christianity and radical Islam.'''

Vermundia and the Muslim Free-State join the Africa Peace Committee and agree to the Goth’s terms and conditions.

'''Upper-Egypt continues their westward sprawl and their borders grow exponentially. Their nation size however, is not proportional to their power, as the nation is incredibly disunified and cultural tensions have nearly ripped it in half.'''

The Illdephonic/Vandalic alliance proves wildly succesful as they are able to conquer and divide up all of the Moroccan anarchy in a matter of five years.

The Illdephons military prowess only continues to grow following funding from the Lombardians and the Caliphate.

'''The Illdephons and the Vandals accept the Gothic treaty and alliance. The three nations convene in the Vangothic port and share their knowledge on naval expertise. The Illdephons and the Vandals both join the “APC”, though their continued aggressive actions do not accurately reflect the intended purpose of the organisation.'''

Gothic presence in the Red Sea continues to dwindle, and any external pressure would surely result in the Gothic naval supremacy being fractured.

'''The Rus’ Principality crushes the Warsaw resistance and floods into classical Lombardy. Civil war prisons are captured, and in turn, many Western Slavic revolutionaries escape. The pressures built up by slavs fighting their ethnic equals reaches its zenith and the Western Slavs declare independence and neutrality in the war.'''

'''Lombardy now retains complete control of Scandinavia and their power in the north only grows. The separation from classical Lombardy as a result of the Gothic blockade however encourages many Scandinavians to think about the possibilities of independance.'''

Lead by the new Gothic leader, Sventhila Lousean, the Lupexcercito rips a hole through the center of the Lombardian line and unites with Cadfael and his shades who have been making much headway against the Lombardian hordes on their own.

Frankish and Gothic forces meet up and work together to solidify the split of the two Lombardian fronts.

'''Offensive measures against the Goths prove successful and the Lombards push deeper into Gothic territory, but soon find that they have a different enemy nation on each side of them. The Great Siege of Classical Lombardy begins. The native Lombardians are fearsome warriors, and thanks to their defensive measure, no nation is able to push into their capital.'''

'''The Main Lombardian fighting force, the Wyrdu, make significant gains against the Franks, but soon find themselves spread too thin and surrounded by the enemy. The Battle for Provence begins with a bang as the Lombards storm the capitol and begin an open slaughter. The Franks arrive to give aid finally, but are only able to reclaim a small portion of their land.'''

The Gothic blockade in the Baltic is successful and they are even able to secure a presence in the Lombardian ports, cutting them off from the sea completely.

Celtic soldiers, though few and far between, are seen as effigies of the apex warrior and many foreigners become influenced by their techniques and lavish style.

'''Danish occupation of the Balts continues and they gain a great deal of land. The lands are looted and prove to be extremely resource rich. The Danes make a great deal of profit from this war.'''

The Rus’ secure their connection to the Baltic sea and ascertain the ability to deploy ships.

Alaracia, Vivianis and Sabador are all re-united as Gothic middle states.

The population of Byzantine continues it’s downward spiral.

Rus' Principality: The nation celebrates the victories in the war against the Lombards and the Khazars. Army Group Yaroslav, the 1st and 2nd armies, remain in recently liberated Warsaw and other Western Slav territories to defend them and to mop up any remaining pockets of resistance. Army Group Mstislav, the 3rd and 4th armies, are sent to the north for an offensive towards the West Slavic coast, to liberate the remains of Western Slav lands and to eliminate a potential threat in the form of the Lombard Armies of Freir and Freija. Meanwhile in the Khazar lands, the offensive continues, with the goal of conquering as much land as possible before the Caliphate. Troops are ordered to kill any Khazar who resists. The war at sea also continues, with the fleet prowling for the Khazar navy.

We respond to the Balts and the Danes that since we are already fighting a war on two fronts, we will remain neutral. Meanwhile, on the home front, measures continue to be in place against the plague, to prevent its spread, and some trade continues. In the northeast, expansion resumes as the population in the northern lands increases, with colonists moving into the eastern portions of Khanty Mansi lands.

Ganga Dynasty: Because of the roads built by Khanchana I 30 years ago, the troops of Chandrajara are able to charge to access the northern part of the Kingdom easily. He charge in the Bengal, killing hundreds of men, women and children on his way, since they are all seen as “Rebels” in the eyes of the state. The violence push Mahakala to talk with his brother in order to stop this, but Khadaga II doesn't want to hear anything. But he at least agree to his brother proposal of letting Buddhist flee to India, and send Mahakala to negotiate with the indian troops on the frontier.

The poor Buddhists who hoped to preach their cause to the population where ether slaughtered, escaped the country or converted to Jainism (like many did to protect themselves from the persecution). Guru Susarman wasn't able to convince the bengalis of the danger that Khadaga II and his uncle Chandrajara represented, and it lead to a bloodshed. With the few followers he have, he renforce his positions in the region, and try to calim more persons to his cause.

During that time, Hirapal Yadava was somehow left alone by the Ganga forces. He used this time to reenforce his positions and to recruit mercenaries from the Tibet to fight for him and Guru Susarman.

Khadaga II send a message to the Raja of the Gupta Dynasty, and inform him that supporting rebels by allowing them on his lands would be breaching the Treaty of Pataliputra, which included at the demand of Gupta (which Khadaga II remind) a 50 years non-agression treaty, which will end in 732. Thus, helping the rebels in their fight could be concidered as an agression. However, Khadaga II claim that if the Gupta refuse entrance to the Ganga Buddhists, he will forget the fact that the Gupta Dynasty breah the treaty.

The reforms put in place by Mahakala and the Nila Faction are finally showing results, and even with the violence up north and the terrible corruption of Jagadevra, Mahakala was still able to made the economy better, and to restore trade with some nations, which was an extremely difficult task. Members of the Nila Faction even help some Buddhist to escape the persecution. During this time, the Grina Faction  is still gaining more influence in the capital. Khazar Khaganate: We are losing this war but our resolve shall never waver. We send ravens and spread rumours that there is a crusade happening to all nations with a sizable Christian population to join us in our troubles. We will also send envoys to the Byzantine Empire and the Gepids to join us in war and we will send offers to all the governors to help us as well. We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We also send spies into the the Byzantine Empire to find the key to the “fire that always burns”. We will send peace offers to the Avars for the sake of our family. We will either continue to hold the territory we conquered or both sides will continue our pre war borders.
 * OOC (Ganga): For the mod information, through history Buddhists had a tendency of fighting for their faith, even if it goes against the peaceful spirit of the faith. The most recent example being the Buddhist Uprising of 1966.
 * I understand this, and there are Buddhists fighting, I was merely trying to point out that due to their pacifistic sentiment, their numbers would be a fare smaller than that of the invaders. - Funny
 * OOC (Ganga): Oh, OK! Sorry, the way I read it it seems like the Buddhists were like "Nan, we're not fighting. Peace and love man." It was already clear in my head that not every Buddhist was fighting, just didn't explain it well. I change my post a little bit.

Middle-Egypt: Our leader Alecksander XIV dies due to his old age and his oldest son, Alecksander XV takes the throne. He is known to our people as the "pharaoh", but the title has no religious connotations attached to it. It is merely seen as an homage to ancestral Egyptian beliefs. Under the new rule, our empire seeks to strengthen its borders and unify the people. Alecksander XV makes a five-year plan in which he hopes to expand naval presence into both the Mediterranean, as well as the Red SWea. A policy of religious freedom is adopted, though many of the people are thought to have abandoned the idea of theology. A messenger is sent to Upper-Egypt ​requesting a formal alliance and trade once the plague has receded. We will also send some of our medics to support the sick Upper-Egyptians and teach them our methods of sanitation. Seeing our homeland of Cairo under attack, we mount an offensive and send our armies north. Alecksander XV leads the charge with his cavalry and is followed by three by six rows of infantry. We begin using sneak tactics, flanking and surprise attacks, never engaging in direct warfare and retreating when confronted. Our empire is renamed True-Egypt to reflect our governmental origins and we hope that all other Egypts will see us as a beacon of influence.

Chenla Queendom: The news of a ravenous plague raging through northern Asia makes many people in Chenla worry that it may spread to the Queendom. To combat this Queen Jayavedi amps up the sanitation programs by building sewers to keep waste away from densely populated areas, and constructing public bathhouses making it mandatory that all populated areas must at least have one,  even if they are a small village. Street sweepers are hired to maintain the cleanliness of towns and cities. Special masks holding herbs within them that are thought to keep disease away become a common sight as they are provided for free by the Royal Crown. The Royal Engineers immediately begin working on a possible cure using many herbs found in the Chenlan jungles. This causes a new school to open up in the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang known as alchemy. All trade slows down significantly as the Royal Scouts monitor everything at checkpoints located on the mainland and at sea. The Royal Engineers begin devising a way to deliver messages in a clean manner so that the transfer of scientific breakthroughs can be sent back and forth between the Chenla Queendom and the Silla Empire without having there to be human interaction, increasing the chances of spreading the plague. Any ethnic Chenlan showing a kind of sickness whether it be the plague or not are sent off to designated quarantine zones off the mainland and the island of Sumatra. In the West the strip of islands under the Gangan strip of islands is converted into into a naval stronghold so that it may act as a checkpoint even farther off the mainland to check any ships coming in. Nonethnic peoples with any sign of sickness are told to go away or are immediately eliminated and burned so as to not spread sickness. Many Royal Advisers tell Queen Jayavedi that these measures may be too drastic, but within months the Chenlan people are more healthy than can be and public morale is at an all time high.

The murder of the unarmed Royal Scouts scouting the island of Bornéo causes a public outrage in the Chenla Queendom. To answer the cries of the people, Queen Jayavedi declares war upon the Bruneian Sultanate so that they may face justice. Also all relationships with the pirate gang the Black Vipers are all severed. New and improved ships based on Gothic designs are sent with a tenth of the RSA, a fifth of the Ahan Phi, and two regiments of elephants from the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps, 60 elephants in total, are sent to the island of Bornéo. In no time the measly army of the Bruneian Sultanate is crushed. Queen Jayavedi forces the Sultanate to sign a treaty saying that they will become a subordinate of the Chenla Queendom and not be able to have a standing army consisting of more than 20 thousand troops. They are told that they can keep their sovereignty but they must keep friendly relations with Chenla, a Chenlan embassy must be in the Bruneian capitol, and Chenlan troops can pass through the island of Bornéo at any time. Also they are limited to be able to expand to only the main Bruneian island, if they go any further drastic consequences will sure to ensue.

In the year 709 the Chenlan Queendom rejoices as a new Royal baby is born, Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll. Festivals are thrown all around the Queendom for the event and many people travel to the capitol to congratulate the Queen on her new born son. The people can only hope for good things for the boy as he shares the namesake of his grandfather, a king considered to be the best king in Chenlan history.

The Royal Engineers continue to study the sciences in hope of bettering the Chenla Queendom. They improve infrastructure and the general welfare of the people. The Royal Scouts find new economic ventures on the island of Sumatra, where now the island produces more than 80 percent of the Queendom's food supply. This allows the mainland to focus on the production of more refined goods such as farming equipment, weapons, clothing, etc.

The Royal Navy begin to decommission old war ships replacing them with the new and improved ships that have catapults on them, based on Gothic designs. Also the introduction of the Royal Marines comes about as the prospect that combat over seas may become a thing in the future. The RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps instead of increasing in numbers has their equipment improved as more refined methods of smithing begins producing much stronger products.

Silla/Korean Empire: Due to the Ghanan plague, population stands at a near standstill after decades of constant high growth. Travel to infected areas is banned and those areas are heavily fortified to prevent the escape of the infected individuals. Potentially infected individuals that are caught outside are killed and their bodies are smuggled into Japan’s main population centres, hoping that their people also catch the plague.

The capital is changed from Seorabeol (Gyeongju), to Hanseong (Seoul), a small city where the palaces containing the royal family and most of the government are located in order to isolate them from the rest of the population. It is later discovered King Hyoso has contracted the highly contagious disease and died during his sleep, causing much grief across the kingdom. His body is cremated and his ashes are buried in a cemetery in Pyongyang, the royal capital. Wu Zetian (the emperor of the Liang), and Queen Salavarman (the queen of the Chenla Queendom) are invited in King Hyoso’s funeral. Wonjang, the former regent, is declared king and starts focusing on the sanitation campaign to avoid further deaths. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign and our war with Japan.'''

We begin to focus our military might on one front. Most advisors propose to '''withdraw all Sillan troops from Hokkaido and abandon the Hokkaido/North Honshu campaign, stating that Hokkaido will be only a temporary loss. Regent Wonjang agrees to this as long as the Ainu people still residing in Hokkaido are moved to the Sakhalin province. Our troops, which total to more than 300,000 people, are all mobilised. 30,000 troops are stationed at the Hokkaido—Sakhalin borders while the rest (190,000 troops) are stationed in Southeast Korea. We launch a counter-offensive in Southeast Korea with 80,000 troops. '''Due to our advance technology, our larger population, and other factors, we are confident we will emerge triumphant. ''' We also begin to use our newest weapon; a cannon that fires weaponised fireworks. '''
 * ((Mod Response)): I'm gonna have to veto the weaponization of fireworks. I think for a nation to develop it should be mod's choice of where and when. Sorry, but keep up the research and you will be more likely to be the one!

The Frankish Kingdom begins mounting an offensive to retake our land from the Lombards and begins pushing them back with reserves who have been called up to help fight, meaning that the whole army is now mobilised. 80,000 men are fighting to drive out the Lombards, and with the Lombardian armies cut in two, our troops currently fighting them are closing in for the kill. However, as the Lombardian capital proves to very well suited to a siege, siege weapons are deployed, and the capital surrounded. Catapults are used as well as siege towers and ladders, and various siege tactics are tried to defeat the Lombards and take their city. Supply lines are maintained throughout the conquered land, and the recently made Duchy of Saxony begins to solidify its hold over the conquered lands. As Christianity spreads across through the Saxons, pagan beliefs are slowly crushed, and plans are laid to ensure the word of Christ remains. With our forces having retaken a small amount of land, a general offensive begins to retake it all from the Lombards. King Gerald is beginning to grow old, and his son, Prince William, marries a Frankish noblewoman of the House of Neville.

Essex and York continue to develop in both infrastructure, and in agriculture. As trade begins to flourish with the Celts, both serve as major trading posts for the Franks, and the Pictish Duchy is now serving as an important route for trade with the Celts.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. India continues mobilized its military on the Ganga-Indian border, in hopes to conquer Ganga Dynasty into Indian heartland.

Caliphate: We expand 3900 pixels into Africa. We build our navy. We begin the starvation of the Goth presence in the Red Sea, blockading Goth ships and destroying them one by one, this means that the Caliphate can freely rule the Red Sea. We begin the Siege of Cario, demanding that all the people convert to Islam or they die. We push into Northern Egypt, we countinue our invasion of the Kazachs. We build our military. We begin building houses and the cities in the Caliphate, so the people would be happier. We spread pro-Caliphate proper gander in our African Caliphate, this hopefully will slow down independence movements. We aid India in their war. We begin to spread our military influence over the Mediterranean shooting down ships. We send aid to Lombard. We would like to buy Syria and Isreal from the Bytxan Empire. We want Persia to be reunited!

Japan: We continue our advance into Hokkaido and Korea, while also invading Sillian Sakhalin and what remains of the Ainu.

The Gothic Empire: It takes a while, but the Roman senate finally grows to accept Sventhila Lousean as a competent ruler and soon grow to admire not only her intelligence and beauty, but astounding valor in battle. She leads not only the Lupexcercito, but is the main acting military strategist and leader in the entire Gothic military. She takes breaks once every eight months and her second in command, Egica Lazarus ,leads during the periods of her absence.

The War of the Children still wages on, but Sventhila puts a stop to the use of child soldiers and sends them all home. It is expected for Gothic military to take a hit, but a minor one at that.

The Goths lead their military force after the Wyrdu and join in the Battle for Provence.

The blockade of classical Lombardy continues. The blockade will be open to the Western Slavs if they join in the war and attack the Lombards.

Lombardy: The Army of Wyrdu moves towards the Ligurian coast, continuing to massacre the local population.

 

The rest of the Lombard armies either pull back to the capital region, or attack Gothic-occupied Eastern Slavia.

 

Abandoned buildings in the capital are pulled down, and their materials used to reinforce the walls. The places where they used to stand are plowed over and sowed with seeds, hopefully giving the capital a permanent internal food source. The cisterns are dug out to absolutely massive proportions, and a few small, natural springs are tapped into (by having an iron pipe hammered into them) giving the city a permanent, safe source of water.

 

Small quantities of supplies are sent to the Saxon underground, to aid them in their resistance.

 

Excerpt from “The Ballad of Euric,” composed c. A.D. 708

we can hope. Hopefully by then, we’ll have invented wormhole travel, and colonized the Centauri system.

 

I’m in too much of a hurry to be bothered with grammar, so I’ll just have some vocab (modified to fit the alliterative pattern), and some random Germanic-sounding words that sound cool.

 

Wulfar travelled to the hall of the Gold-Germans, large and great-beamed, filled with kinsmen of Rutgar,

Yeoric was their ring-giver, a mighty warrior, beloved by Thorr, he met Wulfar before that great building,

He brought him in, gave him hospitality, his bard regaled him with stories of great warriors, told him of Feomar and Beowulf.

After twelve moons had passed, marauders descended from the western forest. Large Jutish-men,

Wild and cruel, wielding iron pikes and bronze axes. Wulfar fought with the warriors of the Gold-Germans.

Wodin frowned on Yeoric, angry for a previous transgression, and sent up a great storm to obscure the Jutes.

Many Gold-Germans became carrion, food for the ravens that descended in flocks from the heavens.

 

Wulfar gewát oþ de béagsel sylfum de Notmeres-Gelde   |   gréatian aet béam-strio, ellen dei sibgedryht a Ruotgaer,

Yeoric wæs hiera hringe-ælmesgiefa, un beornwiga   |   be freá'wine Thorr, at agénarn Wulfar aer þrýþærn.

Gut enne wiluoman, ælmesland cumlíðnesse   |   cun scópes segaþ tiamen ælmgivé a, tala emme frat Féomare Buowulf.

Yanné þwelfe monna het sylfon, grennes cánne westvalde. |   Wælfen gréaþana Yutfolke,

Wolfe en Welle, ferre-gara egsáþ dunna   |   Ye dot Wulfar ecgtheow en vatfulké dan Notmeraes-Geldes.

Wodin dritnhe gelaedad Yeoric, hi féond cenned gyldenne   |   a gearwe ricge þeart þannyon sturme béarna Yutenes.

Feo aldor-léas scyldas, monten Wodflukés aet sunu   |   Dydon man-cynne minné cwomon deussa.

(( Quick side-note: if the writers behind the Gepids (The Bearded Bastard), Byzantines (SwankyJ) and Liang (Tao) do not respond by the end of next turn they will be kicked.))

Turn will be late. Not very late. But late. maybe like 30 minutes tops.

710 C.E.
'''Rus’ troops advance practically to the old Slavic-Lombard border. While the Slavic populace is dubious of their new overlords, there are, at least for the moment, no open revolts.'''

'''Kanem expands its borders to the south, and conquers several regional kingdoms, eventually giving it a strip of coast along the Bay of Bonny. The Sayf dynasty, ruling from their court at Njimi, become respected, and feared, in the area, and begin to command respect from eastern tribal warlords.'''

'''Lombard armies, fighting for the survival of their nation, destroy several small Gothic armies. Legate Ricca has her arm broken and is taken out of battle.Their armies remain weakened and overextended, though; basically surviving on nothing but the equivalent of a two-decade-long adrenaline rush. '''

'''Combined enemy armies surround the Lombard capital. The decades of wall-improvements, cistern construction, farm creation, and food stockpiling pay off, however, as the rather large city shows no signs of weakening at the initial assault, and the inhabitants fairly effortlessly repel the first couple exploratory waves of attackers. In time however, the people of Lombardy begin to grow hungry and and close quarters leads to an increase in common disease.'''

'''A Frankish victory is the finality in the Battle for Provence, but at great cost. The Lombards destroyed the once bustling city and torch several roads. The nation is in shambles and many warriors begins throwing down their arms to instead aid in restoration efforts.'''

'''The Duchy of Saxony, loyal to their Germanic comrades in the east, promptly revolts against Frankish rule and massacres the missionaries sent into the territory. As the entire Frankish field army is either in Provence, Upper Burgundy or Lombardy, the Frankish garrisons are shirked off rather easily, leaving a reinvigorated populace in control of the forts and some cities.'''

'''The puppet Pope established in Saxony by the Franks bars the doors of his church in the Frankish regional capital. A mob descends on the church. When they are unable, after a few hours of trying, to break in, they simply stand back and burn the entire structure to the ground with the Pope and his entourage inside. The Pope is dead.'''

'''The Army of Wyrdu reaches the Ligurian coast. The years of fighting in enemy territory have taken their toll, however, and it largely scatters at the first sight of a full Gothic army. The various groups spend the next year devastating the countryside before they are hunted down and destroyed. Though the army is gone, they have left a legacy of complete destruction in Upper Burgundy, Provence, and Liguria.'''

'''The Plague expands along trade routes into Eastern India. The first few cases are reported in Tibet, while Baluchistan, hit by another wave, begins seeing massive waves of emigration to the east.'''

'''Chenla, through its prudent plague-control tactics, is able to keep South-East Asia completely sterile. Trade with India starts to slip, however.'''

'''Chenla enters a new period of economic prosperity, and quickly becomes, objectively speaking, filthy rich. The downside of this, of course, is that class distinctions become more prominent, as it seems like the only people benefiting from the wealth are the nobles. Unrest begins to bubble among the commoners.'''

'''The Sultanate of Brunei is initially shocked by the size of the invasion, and several port cities fall to the invaders. In time, though, the armies of Brunei rally around their Sultan and, through a combination of guerrilla-fighting through the jungle, and shock tactics, are able to regain their lost territory and push Chenla offensives back. Casualties are much higher than expected on both sides, and over a fifth of the war elephants are killed by talented spearmen.'''

'''Khazaria is almost completely obliterated by the strangest impromptu coalition ever seen, the Rus’ and the Caliphate, neither technically at war with the other, but one at war with the other’s ally. The last remnants of the Khazars exist on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, and the rugged terrain combined with the density of fortifications and their naval supremacy in the Caspian and Adrian means that they might hold out for a while.'''

'''The Karluks expand their territory, and increase the frequency of their raids on Rus’ caravans. The tribes completely overwhelm some of the underdeveloped Avar territory and claims it as their own.'''

The Swahili city of Sofala begins to gain prominence in south-eastern Africa along the Buzi River.

Muslim soldiers swarm into the Nile Delta, completely overwhelming the few Mbali garrisons in the area, and capturing Cairo and Alexandria.

'''The Vandalic Kingdom and the Illdelphons split up and annex the Kingdom of Morocco. With this newfound power and wealth they expand their borders.'''

'''Arian Egypt, unified for a few brief, glorious years, suffers another civil war, and splits in half. Citizens across the two nations now live again in constant fear.'''

The Muslim Free-State pushes its borders to the west, and improves its border fortifications.

Radical Islam becomes more and more influential in Vermundia.

'''The Muslims in Africa become better associated with their rulers as the Gothic blockade is crushed and Gothic territory is captured. The Caliphate is the master of the Red Sea.'''

The Jutes capture more of the Lombardian isles.

'''The Japanese are driven out of Hokkaido and Korea. Due to Japans powerful coast guard no nation is able to make amphibious landings against them.'''

The people of the Caliphate begin refusing to travel to Africa as it is seen as a vile war torn land full of heathens and their pestilence.

The Persian people feel continued pressure to re-unify.

The Jutes surrender Scandinavia to the Lombards and instead focus on annexing and controlling their captured territory in the south.

'''The Balts are conquered by the Danes. Danish power in the Baltic sea is at its apex.'''

  One of the Se clans in Tibet is invaded by the Uyghur Khaganate and laid to waste by the barbaric people. 

'''The Celtic soldiers settle down in Saxony and take Jutish women as wives. The small village of Celtico is established.'''

The Frankish Kingdom moves to put down the revolt in Saxony, and the troops that have crushed the invaders, along with some that have been diverted from the front, and sent into Saxony. However, the need to rebuild Upper Burgundy results in several thousands arriving from across the Kingdom, as well as York, Essex and the Pictish Duchy. The Siege of the Lombard capital continues. With the rebuilding of the land ruined by the Lombards underway, roads are build in sevral places to connect the kingdom to Paris, and new, more powerful forts are built to protect the land. The Saxon revolt is met by an army of 30,000, lead by Sire Mortimer se Naverra, and naval expansion begins anew, with several ports being constructed. We request aid from the Celts in putting down the rebellion. King Gerald dies, and Prince William is now King. His uncle, Joseph, is now the Grand Duke.

Chenla Queendom: Queen Jayavedi is astonished at the fighting resolve the Bruneans have. The amount of military force on the island of Bornéo is dramatically increased with a third of the Royal Navy sent to blockade all ports as to cut off the Sultanate from any economic ties. The newly appointed High General of the Army, Prince Salavarman known for being a brilliant tactician, is sent to lead the troops. There is now a quarter of the RSA in Bornéo, a third of the Ahan Phi (the elite of the elite of the Chenlan armed forces specifically trained to fight with guerrilla tactics), and 3 more regiments of 30 elephants each from the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps. Prince Salavarman has the orders to continue marching south until the Sultanate sues for peace. All peoples that show no resistance are left alone as the war was only declared so that the Sultanate could face the duly needed justice for having unarmed Royal Scouts slaughtered. Until then any armed resistance is to be but down or captured. Also the forces aiding the Silla in the war against Japan returns home as the High Admiralty Chan Leung has died at the ripe age 67. At the moment there are no plans of returning to the Sillan/Japanese war front.

Seeing the disparity between the rich and the poor, Queen Jayavedi passes a series of new social reforms. From now on there will be a set minimum wage one makes a day at 5.4 nickel Kip. (Denominations of the Chenlan Kip: 10 coppers = 1 nickel, 10 nickels = 1 silver, and 10 silvers = 1 gold). Before the reforms, nobles and very wealthy merchants could practically pay their employees nearly nothing. Also another reform is passed that the Commons may now come to positions of power whether it be in government or in the military. This is based off the merit system. There are now two houses in government below the Queen: the House of Nobles and the House of the Commons. They are tasked with maintaining the military, regulating trade, and ensuring the well being of the Chenlan people. The Queen though still has the power to veto anything and that it cannot be overridden. A new tax reform is passed that states that everyone within the Queendom no matter they be of noble birth or a Common must pay the same proportional value of one-tenth of their annual income. Also no one within the Queendom may have a large militia for personal use. Wealthy citizens can now only have a maximum of 20 guards in there retinue. Queen Jayavedi hopes that these new reforms will decrease the discrepancies between the rich and the poor.

The Royal Engineers continue to improve the Queendom's infrastructure. The RE begins to research with ways to tell time better throughout the day as the new wage system is based on an employee being paid at high noon and at when the work day is over. The realization of this being an inefficient way to determine time, the RE experiment with telling time by the positioning of the sun, levels of the tides, etc. They begin research in metallurgy as to provide Chenlan smith's new and better techniques of providing better equipment for farming and the armed forces.

The Royal Scouts begin searching for better ways to relay information across far distances. They begin to experiment with many things from smoke signals, flags, and many bird species. At the moment the white-winged magpie seems to be the best choice for the delivery of messages, but more test continue to ensure that it is. In Chenlan folklore the white-winged magpie is considered a sign of health and vitality. With the idea of being able to transfer information across far distances the Chenla would be able to collaborate with the Silla without the need of direct human interaction because they are dealing with a plague.

Due to plague spreading in northern Asia, Queen Jayavedi amps up the sanitation programs even more. The checkpoints become more rigorous, causing there to be nearly a complete halt with all trade. Sumatra is tasked with producing enough agricultural products so that the Chenla Queendom could be self-reliant with food until the plague dies out. More public bathhouse and sewers are constructed and the wearing of the masks that are thought to keep away sickness is encouraged.

The Royal Navy continues to decommission old ships and replaces them with the new ones. The RSA, Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps is increased. An additional branch is added to the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps as the horse cavalry seems to fit in it more than in the RSA.

Khazar Khaganate: We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We also send spies into the the Byzantine Empire to find the key to the “fire that always burns”. We will send marriage offers to the Karluks for my heir to marry their daughter to secure an alliance. We will request that they also convert to christianity. We build up fortifications and our navy to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will also promote anyone in Khazar lands to begin Guerrilla warfare.

Silla/Korean Empire: Due to the Ghanan plague, population stands at a near standstill, though there is a slight recovery due to the effects of our sanitation program. Travel to infected areas are banned and anyone caught entering or exiting these restricted areas are killed immediately. Most of their bodies are dumped in the South China Sea (the sea which borders maritime Southeast Asia) while some are smuggled into Japanese population centers. '''We spread East into the steepes of Mongolia (invading the East parts of the Ughyur Khaganate with a small 20,000 troops, since they are weak) and into more of Pacific Russia. Due to the Chenla not participating in the war anymore, we cede the parts of Hokkaido militarily occupied by Sillan and Chenlan forces to the Ainu.'''

The abolishment of the bone rank system has caused wealth disparities between its socio-economic groups to narrow significantly, cause of this, despite the plague and the recent occupation of the South Korean coast, the population is happy in general.

Due to the previous invasion of the South Korean coast by the Japanese, people living in coastal cities in the area (including people in its former capital Seorabeol) are evacuated and sent to cities located farther north or west, such as Sabi or Pyongyang. Hanseong is still off-limits to normal people because it is where the palaces that are housing the royal family are located, and we are trying to isolate the royal family from the rest of the population to avoid infection. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign.''' Masks are encouraged to prevent the spread of the disease. We stop exporting agricultural produce to Chenla, stating that they are nearly self-sufficient and no longer need the help of the Sillans.

'''With most Japanese forces in Southern Honshu, we invade Northern Honshu with 50,000 troops. We also invade Southern Honshu with 120,000 troops. Meanwhile, scientists in Pyongyang create prototypes for a new concept: a cannon that fires weaponised fireworks. So far, all the tests we have conducted for the new weapon had failed or had been partially (but not entirely) successful. We hope that in the next five years or so that we successfully develop the weapon and use it to expand into more land.'''

Ganga Dynasty: The news of the massive indian army on the frontier finally arrived tothe capital, but nobody seems to care about it. Khadaga II still believed that the Indians are his allies, and that they are here to help him. Chandrajara is still up north, killing Buddhists. The only one realizing the danger is Mahakala, who try to warn everyone possible.

Finally, he find someone willing to listen to him: the Yuvraj Palaka, now 17 years of age. The young boy is more open to Mahakala's suggestions than his father. But the young boy, instead of heading to the capital and talk of it with his father, take his own men and charge the Indian troops on the frontier, hoping to end this before it start with his small forces. Mahakala, shocked by this, finally decide to do something he would never have done if the situation wasn't so terrible: he asked Chandrajara for help. Sadly, the message is lost in way, and his uncle never heard it. In the end, the army is up north, and only Palaka and his few men can try to stop the Indians in what Mahakala call a suicide attempt. Japan: We launch an all-out attack on Hokkaido and Korea (AGAIN, Dang it, I keep getting driven out of Korea, -_-).
 * OOC (Ganga)  to the mod: Hey, I have a question about something. India is more powerful than I am, it's clear to everyone. Ganga is divided, corrupted and disorganized. I probably only have 15 years to live at best. So if I changed, would it count as the one random switch? It's because I'm doomed. (I accidentally doomed myself with the Buddhist thing but well, I had fun with it) and next turn three awesome nations are gonna be available.
 * ((Mod Response)): Personally, I don't mind if someone jumps nations, just as long as they don't abuse that privilege. I, myself, thoroughly enjoy reading your turns for Ganga and seeing the pages you create, so If Ganga is dying, It would make me happy to see you at least stay on the ship until it sinks; then feel free to choose a new nation.
 * OOC (Ganga): Well, it's not that I want to abandon because it's gona sink. It's just that the Gepid Republic really interest me and I fear I will die too slow and someone would already have pick them up (Because let's be honest, the guy playing them will not come). I wouldn't even be talking about changing of nation if Gepid wouldn't become available next turn. But yeah, If I am lucky I'll sink Ganga with style (and maybe causing a new war in the process since Inida broke the Treaty of Pataliputra). But could I reserve the Gepid? ( ಥـْـِـِـِـْಥ) Nan, kidding, that wouldn't be fair for the others.
 * (OOC): Albert Eenstein's definition of insanity anyone?

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India closes its borders with Tibet and Gupta Dynasty to protect the Indian people from spreading Ghanaian death to becoming sick. Finally after finishing its mobilization, India declares war on Ganga dynasty and simply invades it.'''

Pictish Coalition: Legion I discovers a new peninsula/Coast (i.e., modern Greenland) and explores it and after looking far inside. They discover it's freezing, so they establish a city on the coast of Greenland named "Greel". Then they send a small fleet back home to report back and ask for civilians to populate the colony. This will take five years. The legion names the land "Greel Land" and claims it in the name of the Pictish Coalition. We later find the Celts, close to us and so cancel our name of "Greel Land", but still claim our souther coast as Pictish land. We rebuild the ancient Hadrian Wall, which was destroyed over the centuries and improve it. We position a small guard of a demi-legion (half a legion) every one km along the wall. We also improve the defense of the wall and have an early warning system, that if a part gets attacked, it gets lit and then the part which sees it also lights and so on as an early warning system. We also improve the wall in parts and militarize it highly against the Frankish threat. We ask the Celts if we can ally with the Eurasian supernational alliance.

(Celtic League): I see no problem with you becoming an Ally with them. Just know that any wars that you go into in order to keep your alliance will not be with the assistance of the Celtic league without ulterior motives.

(Pictish Coalition}: OK.

Pictish Coalition (secret, exception: Celts): We also incorporate all the Celts into the Pictish army. We ask the Celts if we can pay only 10% of our taxes to them and in return they don't have to fund their portion of the army.

(Celtic Secret Response): You make it 15% and you have a deal!

(Pictish Secret Response): Deal

Pictish Coalition (secret): We create a division of spies, which we send to Byzantine under the presumption of being diplomats to investigate rumours of "fire which never dies" and that they use fire in war to find out if it's true and if it is to find how to use it in warfare, so we can use it in warfare.

Rus' Principality: We continue our advances into Khazar lands, where we kill any partisans and institute a policy of executing twenty Khazar civilians for every Rus' soldier wounded by a Khazar warrior, and forty for every Rus' soldier killed. We hope this retaliations will get people to surrender, and enemy warriors captured are sent back to the principality for slave labor. Meanwhile in the Lombard lands, we work with Western Slavic leaders to establish bureaucracies in the liberated land and to fully integrate the territories into the principality under their Western Slav princes. We are now on the defensive, having liberated most of Western Slavic land, to prevent any Lombard counteroffensive. In the homeland, measures to keep the plague from spreading continue, and expansion also continues in to Khanty-Mansi lands, further into the eastern forests.

Liang: not much happens inside the nation. Taking advantage of tibet's weakness, we invade (again)

Autonomous Albion: As Cadfael is growing out of his prime years, he requests that his nephew, Osryn, accompany him on his campaigns against the Lombards. Once Osryn arrives at the siege of the Lombard Capital, he proposes that plague-ridden corpses should be flung over the walls of the city, as to spread disease and force the Lombards out.

Branwen’s husband passes, she grieves quietly, not taking time from her duties to mourn. She orders all citizens over 20 years old to take six months of basic training in the military. She proposes an income tax on all citizens, which scales steeply based on their annual income, attempting to reassure that the wealth of the kingdom is spread evenly. Farmers are advised to grow more cash crops in addition to their own food.

Celtic League: Ten years after the turn of the century and the Celtic league has been as prosperous as ever. With our militaristic autonomous state, Coalition of Picts, are strength as a nation has more than doubled, our population even more so. Since I, King Jon Eversnow became leader things have never been so prosperous, and all the people are rallied behind me, and hope for a long kingship from me. The father of the King died just two years ago and there was a funeral for him in his homeland of Greenland.

'''I have decided to revisit the marriage of A Frankish Prince to my sister Kassidy. I send the Franks a letter to ask them to join our countries closer together.''' I walked up to my chambers prepared to write the letter. I took off my weapons and laid them on the table. At long last I had made my Handcrafted weapons that all of us are supposed to do when we take the throne. I made a Dagger and a Broadsword. I was even able to engrave the dagger. And then began to write the letter.

“I, King Jon Eversnow, contact you on behalf of my sister Kassidy.

A couple years ago you brought up the idea of bringing our people together with a joint marriage with two of our royal family members. My sister has come of age and seems to like the Frankish culture along with the fair way you rule your people. I will have her sent along with her guardsmen  (About 45 Armed Soldiers) to accompany her to see if she like your Prince. I will expect to find out if she likes your Prince only a couple of weeks after she arrives.

Only once you accept this of course shall she be sent over to your land.

~King Jon Eversnow”

Lord Keaghan has been given rule of the two islands just off the Pictish Mainlands. He has seemed to rule them fairly and the lands are happy under his lordship. Although this could also be contributed to the I, The King, who’s been ruling the entirety of the kingdom.

Ankou my youngest sibling. He is an outcast amongst the family. Its as if he is an outcast just for being the cause of death, for simply just being born. I feel as though I probably resent him too subconsciously, even though I try not to. It is difficult with the whole family acting the same way towards him to not act and feel the same way towards him. He has been learning how to fight with a one handed blade by a very skilled teacher. And in his off time he is reading books about the old kingdom before my mother ruled and we held most of the British Isles in our power. When I asked why he says, “Knowledge is the most important luxury that many seem to squander. I don’t want to be one of those people.” Maybe it's his attitude I don’t like… I am not really sure.

I have been talking with some of my counselors, which does include my youngest brother. We have been talking about the Idea of giving the Pictish their land back, and letting them become a full nation with its own rights. I am all for it but my whole group of counselors seem to be against it, especially my brother. He says that if we would give them their land back that they would simply attack us at first chance, and the shock from the lack of income may ruin the country. But I don’t think they would do such a thing.

(Secret that is just for story purposes): I have decided to act on my decision to free the Pictish and allow them to be their own Nation. I am planning on sending them a letter and telling my group of counselors about my decision. But before I do I decided I would invite my brother to my chambers and talk to him.

I start off by making some small talk to lead into my decision. I told him that Father gave me a book that I wanted him to read. It's the only book of its kind, because it was written by our mother. The story of how she took the throne from the old king. I handed him the book and then led into my next subject. I told him that I was going to make the Pictish free anyway, without the consent of the group counsel. My brother was angry and started yelling talking about how bad of a decision it was. He walked over to my letter writing table and said, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I reassured him that I was and that my mind was made up. He walked up to me and grabbed my forearm and gave it a firm shake, then he changed his mind leaned in and gave me a hug. He whispered in my ear, “For the Celts ...” as he stabbed me in the gut with the very dagger I made and engraved. Those were the very last words I heard before I fell to my knees and fell unconscious from lack of blood and shortly afterward I died.

(Back to Public information): I send a letter to all the nations of importance (Gothic, Frankish, and the Pictish).

“I, acting King Ankou Eversnow, regret to inform you that our loyal and fair ruler Jon Eversnow has passed away. He was murdered in his chambers by an unknown assailant. I have vouched to track down whoever may have had motive to kill him. If any of you would like to assist us in the task to find the murderer please do.

~Acting King Ankou Eversnow”

Pictish Response: We shall send our best trackers to track down the assassin of our beloved kind ruler "Jon Eversnow". We also pledge the oath of loyalty to the new Celtic King.

Pictish Coalition (OOC): I am confused, does having the Picts free still exist or what? Remember this is an OOC question to help me react as the Pictish Coalition.

Celtic League (OOC): No. It was something Jon Eversnow was going to announce, but was murdered before he could relay to anyone else besides Ankou.

I began to improve how our mines work to create a more efficient workplace. (I Improve Economy) This should mean we have more silver to trade in our already established trade routes.

The Kingdom of Mbali: King Bjorn falls into a deep depression. He tried to save his country from the persistence of the Caliphate and their tyrannical religion, but in doing so he left his own life empty and joyless. No wife, no kids, no one to talk out his personal problems to. His life had become his kingdom and everything about it, and yet he had still failed. King Bjorn dies in his sleep (713 CE) leaving no heir to his throne and the people of Mbali to fend for themselves.

The Kingdom of Mbali sits in shambles awaiting its inevitable end, many take to looting and killing, others flee to nearby nations that will accept them. Large areas become completely abandoned, more significantly the far west newly inhabited regions. However, many Mbalians surge into Cyrene in efforts to protect their homeland’s capital and the historically religious ruins in the area. Small adobe walls and deadly traps are placed, as more of a detour to slow down and delay Caliphate troops. Defenses are set up all around Cyrene and its surrounding cities and anyone who stays is well informed that this is their last ditch effort.

Japan: We begin using biological warfare against the Sillians by launching heads infected with the plague into Sillian cities. We launch an all-out offensive into Hokkaido.

The Gothic Empire: The state of the nation is, for lack of a better word, chaotic. More than half of the nation's population is engaged in open warfare, the other half is dying of the plague, and all the while rebellions are breaking out across the empire. But amongst the chaos, some would find it facile to find order out of entropius circumstance.

A diplomat by the name of Eriks Ermingeld travels to Illdephosisian Morocco to meet with king Geberic and discuss the prospect of an alliance and protection from the Goths in exchange for their subordinacy and a protection tax. The head of state could maintain their power, and a patriarchy based on their royal blood line would be formed. The same offer is extended to the Vandals though an additional term is offered in that they must mount a counter-offensive against the Caliphate front line while the Goths devise a plan to end their encroach.

The Gothic troops are galvanized behind their final push for Lombardy and a charge is led by General Beremud hoping to crush the Lombardian offensive, driving them back behind their walls and into their extra spacious and cozy cisterns. The push to reclaim eastern Gothic land becomes viewed as a symbolic “final-battle” by the people and as such it should gain much support. The few remaining noble families are expected to help fund the war effort in an attempt to stifle the macabre atmosphere and hopefully win back their wealth - an investment, so to speak. The commoners, impoverished and slaves, men, women, young and old, all fight together in the most astounding united militia history has possibly ever seen.

With the Battle for Provence won, the Umbra-Gotha garrison units in the scorched Frankish lands, orders are given to kill any surviving Lombard sympathizers and hopefully clean out any pockets of resistance from the area.

Jobs are created, setting up hospitals and medical caravans in the conquered territories and charging a small tax to nations or locals to allow their injured soldiers or citizens free medical care. These citizens, while under Gothic care, benefit from the privileges and rights appointed to a Gothic citizen and as such are treated with the utmost care and respect. The money gained from this stunt is then sent to fund the expansion and remodelling of hospitals, providing the most modern care methods available.

Despite her maimed limb, Legate Ricca drags herself bag out onto the battlefield and continues to lead her legion. The people see her carrying her sword in her off hand and recognize it as a symbol of Gothic resilience. The people in turn switch the weapons to their own off-hands and raise them high above their heads, this gesture becoming a Gothic war taunt that continues to be used throughout the history of the United Goths.

The two legendary Gothic generals, Egica Lazarus and Lazarus III meet on the battlefield and combine their forces, operating smoothly as a joint battalion. The Lazarites are revered as extremely competent warriors and set the example by leading the Gothic charge under the command of General Beremud.

They continue Blockade of Lombards, promise to seed coasts to Western Slavs. if they help them finish and win the war.

The elegant Chairwoman, Sventhila Lousean, whilst on leave from the battlefield, becomes drunken and lays with a young charming bard by the name of Harrion Dondarrion. She is extremely embarrassed the following day and has Dondarrion banished to Africa. Unfortunately, this is not enough to hide the truth, as Sventhila is with child and gives birth in 712 C.E to a boy. She names him Roderic II, after her father. As much as she hated his choices, she still admired and respected him as her father.

Lombardy: Þórbjörn Hróaldr packs up his entire family and flees to Gotland. Not being a very surreptitious man, constitutionally, he accomplishes this by ordering a massive sally from the Lombard capital, followed by one of the largest cavalry charges in history. It does its work though, and he makes it to the coast, boards a ship to Gotland, and soon arrives at the island, which is controlled by his relatives, and is one of the most fortified localities on the planet. His first order upon arrival is to improve the defenses further. The coastal walls are strengthened with rubble quarried from the center of the island, and the classic mix of plaster and mortar is applied to the outside of the walls and painted. Observers note a difference, however, between the painted walls of 715 and the painted walls of 690. Though they were only made 25 years apart, the walls of 715 are covered with depictions of skeletons and the undead, malignant spirits, depictions of war, of sieges and of death.

Þórbjörn orders the creation of a massive body of literature chronicling the story of the Hróaldr family and of Lombardy in general. ((I’m in sort of a hurry as I’m writing right now, but tomorrow I’d like to expand upon this idea more)).

 

The Lombard field army (now composing the remains of the Army of Freia, several fragments of the Saxon armies, and a massive body of militia) attempts to march out towards the south to gather food and other provisions from the countryside.

The various tribal armies in Scandinavia decide to take advantage of the inevitable chaos brought on by the Danish invasion, and strike into Jutish territory.

'''((Turn will be late again. Shoot me.))'''

715 C.E.
The Pictish Legion I discovers, after returning to Pictish territory, that their “discovery of Greenland” was actually a hallucination brought on by the freezing temperatures of the North Sea, and that they’ve spent the last few months gnawing seaweed on a frozen islet off the coast of Norway.

The African Gothic territories all die out after being cut off from the Empire.

'''Mbali is devastated by the Caliphates invasion; their military is immensely outnumbered and less advanced than Caliphate infantry and as a result are quickly cut down. The nation's war elephants rack up a good amount of casualties for the Mbalians, but the animals are soon killed and stripped of their tusks. '''

'''Mbali manages to gather its main force in its capital of Cyrene where they prepare to repel the Muslim hordes. The Caliphate soldiers surround the small Mbalian capital and prepare to push in. Cyrene is under siege.'''

'''A man by the name of Recimi Avagis appears in the Vandalic kingdom claiming to be the grandson of the child of Alaric III and Sabina Mbali. He gains a following most largely in the capital of Carthage, but the breadth of his influence is vast; from Mbali to Morocco, many see him as a savior come to rescue the people.'''

Sef, Emperor of Kanem, orders an attack on the enclaved Ghanan province and conquers it with an overwhelming victory.

Zanzibar begins trading activities with the Caliphate, causing its population to swell with thousands of hopefuls, ready to get rich through trade.

'''Danish forces sweep into Jutish coastal territory, while simultaneously attacking Lombard holdings in the Baltic. The Aland islands surrender immediately, but when a Danish fleet arrives at Gotland, it is turned back violently. The Danes attempt to starve the island out, but quickly discover that it’s producing food for itself, plus a surplus. The next month, the fleet withdraws from the blockade, and moves to support its fellows in attacking the Jutes.'''

Danish ships are sighted skirting the range of Gothic shipborne archers.

'''After years of desperate prodding and picking away at enemy forces, the Japanese finally mount a large offensive and push the Chenla out of Hokkaido and drive into the Sillan territory. The Japanese troops prove to be remarkably relentless and as a result they wear down the spirits of their enemies.'''

'''The Lombard's ally into the south proves moderately successful initially, but is chased back to the capital before many supplies are gathered, leaving the city in more-or-less the same desperate straits as it was before. '''

Enemy armies push closer to the Lombard capital, while the Lombard Slavic attack is isolated.

The Lombard attack into Jutish territory proves devastatingly successful, but halts when local Chieftains become timid of attacking into the territory of the fierce Danes (which is compounded by fears that their army, which is composed mainly of Danish immigrants will mutiny if they were to attempt it).

The Japanese biological warfare proves to be moderately effective in occupied Hokkaido, but doesn’t spread much beyond the island.

'''The 30,000 Frankish troops step right into a revolutionary hell. While they are able to destroy a few patchwork rebel armies, they largely make it worse, as the locals see the militarization as an affront to their freedoms. Soon after the intervention, a coalition of towns declares independence as the Duchy of Saxony, while several other towns, particularly in the east, seize control of nearby military installations and proclaim that they’re reverting to Lombard control (although central administration of them is obviously impossible by the Lombard government). Local militias step up guerilla tactics, and increase their reliance on biological warfare, hoping to devastate the Picardy region through infection.'''

'''The Chenla manage to retain their control over the south Ainu islands as their coastal military strength is unmatched. The troop morale is at all time low however, as many troops continue to wonder why they are even fighting. Most soldiers openly proclaim that they would rather be fighting in Borneo where there was at least a tangible justification.'''

 Khazar spies find the recipe for Greek fires and return home triumphant.

 The Karluks agree to the Khazar offer, and begin skirmishing into Avar territory.

 The Khazars lose a small amount of territory, but mostly the front stays static.

''' The Liang emperor orders a full-scale invasion of Tibet. The governors of Sichuan, Gansu, and Longzhou martial their local armies, and join with an imperial invasion force that sweeps into the north of the country. The troops are ordered not to engage the Uyghurs, and so make swift progress across the north of the country. However, they soon become mired in fierce guerilla warfare when they attempt to march into the Himalayas, and the attrition caused by both the raids, high altitudes, and the freezing temperatures forces them to withhold any further attacks.'''

''' Cases of the plague begin to be reported in Brunei, spread in by the trade routes. The government manages to take quick action, however, to prevent the spread of the plague, meaning that the only affected on Borneo is that which is occupied by Chenla.'''

 Chenlan armies make some progress in Borneo, but are slowed by the defensive advantage that the combination of high mountains and dense jungle gives the defenders.

 Indian troops make headway in the center of Ganga territory due to the Gangese government’s apathy, but are turned back in the swampy north and the densely-populated south.

 The Indian economy suffers due to the closing of its land-borders.

OOC (Chenla): This doesn't make sense. How are my forces still on the Ainu Islands when they pulled out last turn when my High Admiralty Chan Leung died of old age?

OOC (Silla): This doesn't make sense. I've launched an invasion of South and North Honshu at the same time (most Japanese troops were in South Honshu), and I've amassed a gigantic army to invade it, there is no mention of this invasion in this turn. I also invade the Eastern part of the Ughyur Khaganate, and there's no mention of it.
 * ((Mod Response)): Sorry guys! There were quite a few mix ups with the last turn due to a shift in control over much of the writing and mapping. Just make up some justification for it and we will roll with it. We will try to not let any mistakes past next time!

Silla/Korean Empire: Our sanitation campaign has had a drastic effect on mortality, the plague is largely contained despite biological warfare with the inferior Japanese peoples. Travel to infected areas are banned and anyone (except the proper authorities) caught entering or exiting these restricted areas are killed immediately. The bodies are burned and are buried in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. '''Due to the Chenla Queendom not participating in our war against Japan anymore, we pressure Queen Jayavedi into participating again, threatening to cut diplomatic and economic ties (such as ceasing to export excess agricultural produce which feeds a majority of its population) with the Queendom. We will also declare support the Bruneian empire if the Queen refuses to. '''

The abolishment of the bone rank system has caused the once wide income disparities between its socio-economic classes, racial groups, and its different provinces to narrow. The successful containment of the plague causes support around the empire to surge.

People living in its maritime borders with Japan are evacuated and relocated to the northern, more safer cities such as Sabi or Pyongyang. Hanseong (Seoul) is still off-limits to normal people because it is where the palaces that are housing the royal family are located, and we are trying to isolate the royal family from the rest of the population to avoid infection. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. Hygiene is taught to many people. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign.''' Masks are encouraged to prevent the further spread of the disease, which has been dying out. The population (which now stands at 18.2 million) grows at 0.5%, a recovery from near-zero growth rates during the worst of the plague.

'''We focus on defending Silla from Japanese attacks, withdrawing all troops from the Sakhalin and Hokkaido provinces. The local people are relocated to Southern Manchuria. We amass an enormous army of around 550,000 active troops (nearly 3.06% of the total population). This ginormous military force is used to protect the Korean peninsula and Manchuria, which forms the core of the Sillan Kingdom, from the Japanese barbarians, trading space for time. We invest a large number of time on the research of weaponised fireworks (MOD RESPONSE, WHETHER IT IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT), hoping for it to be complete by 720 CE. We will use this weaponised fireworks to invade Japan and defend it from potential threats.'''
 * Hey, I just wanna personally apologize for last turn's mix ups. I'm glad you just kinda rolled with it. For the record the first version of the map included your invasion, but there was a switch and some things were left out. All of your posts have been read and re-read to ensure the prereqs next turn will accurately reflect your intentions as a player. -Afunnymouth

Khazar Khaganate: We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We build up fortifications and our navy to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will also promote anyone in Khazar lands to begin Guerilla warfare. Driven by what is left by our Black sea navy and the chemicals used to make “fire that always burns” ,we will raid the coast to rally up our people to join our cause and rebel against their oppressors. We also begin raiding in the Caspian sea and the Caliphate territories to rally our people too.

Ganga Dynasty : The attack of the Yuvraj Palaka, which somehow helped to slow the Indians,also caused his violent death, which resulted in much more turmoil in the realm. With the Yuvraj death, Mahakala is the heir to the throne. But Khadaga II refuse to allow his brother to rule over Sri Lanka, accusing him of failing the negotiations with India and to have sent his son to his death. Khadaga II begin organizing his forces from the capital, and send a letter to his uncle Chandrajara, ordering him to strike against the invading forces. It seems that Khadaga II is finally taking things in hands.

But the following years send the Ganga Dynasty to downright chaos. In 716, Mahakala is forced to go in exile in the Adaman and Nicobar Islands by his brother, on the order of commanding the navy forces staying there (Just remember that Palaka I turned the islands into military fortress and in his main military harbor). However, Khadaga forbid his brother of helping. And so, Mahakala and many other members of the Nila Faction leave the Ganga Dynasty.

In 717, Jagadevra believe everything is doomed, and that his nephew will cause his death if he doesn't act. With a few members of the Grina Faction, he murder his nephew during a meeting, then flee the capital before anyone could catch him. The traitor go hiding into the Gupta Dynasty, hoping he would be able to stay away from the war there. With the death of the Raja and the escape of the administrators, Bhubaneswar soon burn under the chaos of popular revolts. Both Chandrajara and Mahakala are enraged by Jagadevra actions, his brother even sending a letter to the Gupta Raja asking for his head.

During those times, Hirapal Yadava once again convert, but this time to Hinduism. Seing in the Indian Empire a better opportunity of gain than in the buddhist rebels, he galddy claim his loyalty to the India Muharaja, and send his men as reinforcement.

As for now, Mahakala as been inform that he should b the Raja of the Ganga Dynasty. But he soon realize that he will never be able to reign over the Ganga Dynasty, as he lack the support and troops. But he doesn't want the traitorous Indians to win this. His choice of action surprised everyone. He officially announce he would renounce his pretensions over his throne in favor for his brother-in-law, Prince Thepaman of the Chenla Queendom. This surprise come with a request to the Queen of Chenla. He tell her that as the ruler of the Adaman and Nicobar Islands, '''he pledge loyalty to her crown and ask to become her vassal. He also encourage her to push Thepaman new claim over the Ganga Dynasty''', telling her that the Indians are not to be trusted to protect the local population.

The news of Mahakala stepping down reach the ears of Jagadevra, who is living an easy life in the Gupta Dynasty. In a succession way, he is now technically the Raja. Through his habitual political tactics, he propose to the Gupta Raja two things. First of all, he propose him to marry his only daughter, thus making him the Yuvraj of the Ganga Dynasty. With this, the Gupta Raja can take his revenge for the First Great War of India, and claim the entire Ganga Dynasty as his own. He also remind the Raja that by attacking, the Indian Empire broke the Treaty of Pataliputra, which included a 50 years non-aggression close between the three nations. Since the close was suppose to end in 732, the Indian Empire is breaking the agreement, giving the Gupta Dynasty every right to replicate. (Will need mod answer for Gupta)

And then there is Chandrajara. He became enraged over what his nephew and brother are doing, abandoning their heritage to foreigners buddhists. He simply cannot tolerate this. With what's left of the Grina Faction, Chandrajara claim the city of Dhanbad and proclaim it the new capital of the Gupta Dynasty, and auto-proclaim himself the new Raja of the Ganga Dynasty.

Guru Susarman and his rebels are in a difficult position. The Ganga Dynasty is falling, and the only men left that fight for its independence is the same men that murdered many of them in the last decade, the one many even fear to pronounce the name, fearing he would hear it and come to kill them. The Indian Empire is clearly not an option, as they heard of the massive conversion happening there. Now come the hard choice. They can ether support the Gupta Dynasty, which was once their homeland, or the Chenla Kingdom, which is buddhist and shall treat them well. In the end, Guru Susarman choose to follow the first one to act against the Indian Empire and Chandrajara. Until then, Guru Susarman proclaim the Provisional Theocracy of Bengal.
 * OOC (Ganga): Just to be clear, the murder of Khadaga II was planned for a long time (I was playing Palaka I when I first thought of it). It just didn't happen exactly the way I planned it since India invaded. Since Chandrajara is the only guy fighting for independence and the Raja, I'm gonna play this arrogant bastard for the few years the Ganga Dynasty have left. Oh and in my post I assumed that the actual Raja of the Gupta Dynasty is a young man, I hope it isn't a problem. Also, I'll make a page for the war and for Jagadevra, Chandrajara, Mahakala, Guru Susarman and Hirapal Yadava when I have time. Those guys lived (and caused for most of them) the end of this nation and deserve more than being just a name on a list.

Rus' Principality: The troops in Lombardy hold their positions as the Western Slavic lands are integrated into the principality. Meanwhile, in the south, the third army group continues its assault against the Khazars, invading their territory and heading to their capital, killing anyone who attempts to get in the way. A new army group, consisting of two 50,000-man armies, the 7th and 8th Armies, is sent down south to aid them against the Khazars after being mobilized. Expansion continues further east into Khanty-Mansi lands. Wounded war veterans are given pieces of land in the new territories as a reward for their service.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India continues invading Ganga dynasty. After the economy becomes to suffers, India opens its borders with Persia and the Caliphate, but Indian Border Force will check the what goods are OK or not. Infected traders are killed while trying to spread the plague on us.'''

Japan: We continue our attack on Hokkaido.

The Kingdom of Mbali: Civilians watch as their families and loved ones; parents and children are slaughtered before their eyes. Cities fall in groups and anyone who can retreats to Cyrene. The capital is surrounded by the Caliphate and many Mbalians prepare to die for the history of their nation. Word manages to work its way to Cyrene and soon everyone has heard of Recimi Avagis. Rumors circulate that he has emerged to rise up and defend Mbali from the Caliphate force. However, many are pessimistic and assume it’s much too late to save not only the capital but the nation as a whole. On the other hand the west regions of Mbali are quite optimistic, Recimi Avagis could be everything they’d hoped for. A savior to their people, an heir to their throne and even the strategist that could overpower a much bigger, more powerful army.

Liang: Some traders make their way across the Indian lands, through the Caliphate, and into Europe, and bring back many riches, spices, and most importantly, ideals. The traders say they brought silk and fireworks to Europe and were looking for other lands to trade to. They also bring news of a plague, however none of them seem to have caught it. The ideas and theories spread rather quickly, however the native Chinese philosophies are still dominant. The invasion of Tibet continues. The idea of using fireworks as weapons is experimented with, and the emperor declares war against Japan for attacking Silla, although this is viewed as late. The navy mobilizes against Japan.

True-Egypt: hoping to form a lasting allegiance with our neighbors we reopen all of our borders and continue to spread our culture. A famous harp player by the name of Nerfetiti begins touring nearby nations and demonstrating the eloquent beauty of Egyptian culture. Diplomats are sent to the tlilldephons and the vandals in hopes of forming an African alliance.