Ages in Chaos (Map Game)

Ages in Chaos is a casual map game set in 964 AD, the heart of the chaotic and backwards time of history known as the Dark Ages. In this dismal time, no part of the world is safe: China is split between multiple rival kingdoms and dynasties, the Middle East is collapsed between three different Caliphates of equal power, Mesoamerica is suffering chronic famines, and Europe is trying to figure out if dunking people in water is admissible evidence in court.

Done of being policed for plausibility by mods? sick and tired of algos and algo-blocking for each and every war? Well, have no fear, because this map game is sure to fulfill all the needs of your inner wank. In this game, there are no rules, no algo, and no plausibility checks. Feel free to be as wild and crazy as you want! It's the Dark Ages after all, the more chaos the better. Let anarchy reign!

Mods will exist to enforce some ground rules, namely: Everyone should be nice to each other IRL, because when it comes to trouble, it never rains, it pours. Thank you for your cooperation.

Map


Labelled Start Map

Americas

 * Culican -
 * Cholula -
 * Toltec Empire -
 * Zapotecs -
 * Hueves -
 * Tiwanaku Empire -
 * Chimu -

West Africa

 * Ghana Empire -
 * Songhai -
 * Daura -
 * Bornu Empire -
 * Kanem -
 * Fatimid Caliphate - Solace
 * Emirate of Sicily - Solace
 * Zirid Dynasty - Solace
 * Emirate of Iraq - Solace

East Africa and Arabia

 * Ikhshidid Dynasty of Egypt -
 * Dongola Kingdom -
 * Alwah Kingdom -
 * Sultanate of Adal -
 * Sada -
 * Emirate of Sana -
 * Sultanate of Yemen -

Iberia Peninsula

 * Caliphate of Cordoba - The History Nerd
 * Majorca - The History Nerd
 * Kingdom of Leon -
 * Kingdom of Navarre -
 * Barcelona -

British Isles

 * Kingdom of England - User:Person67 (Tell me on my talk page if you interested in playing)
 * Kingdom of Scotland - The Expendable Broccoli Rob (Say Hi!)
 * Strathclyde - The Expendable Broccoli Rob (Say Hi!)
 * Kingdom of Wales - 99501l90210 (talk) 22:50, January 4, 2018 (UTC)
 * High King of Ireland -
 * Lordship of Ulster - The Expendable Broccoli Rob (Say Hi!)
 * Lordship of Leinster -
 * Lordship of Munster -

Central Europe

 * Kingdom of France -
 * Duchy of Brittany -
 * Kingdom of Burgundy -
 * Kingdom of Germany - With Blood and Iron (talk) 03:20, December 15, 2017 (UTC)
 * Stem Duchy of Saxony With Blood and Iron (talk) 03:20, December 15, 2017 (UTC)
 * Franconia- With Blood and Iron (talk) 06:40, December 30, 2017 (UTC)
 * Ostmark With Blood and Iron (talk) 02:18, January 2, 2018 (UTC)
 * nordmark With Blood and Iron (talk) 02:18, January 2, 2018 (UTC)
 * Corisca -
 * County of Flanders - Tullin
 * Papal States -
 * Anti-Pope - With Blood and Iron  ( talk ) 03:20, December 15, 2017 (UTC)
 * Others? (due to the decentralized nature of the HRE, you can play any nation if you can prove to me it exists)

Italian Peninsula

 * Capua -
 * Gaeta -
 * Naples -
 * Amalfi -
 * Salerno -

Northern Europe

 * Kingdom of Norway -
 * Kingdom of Sweden -
 * Commonwealth of Iceland -
 * Commonwealth of Greenland - Oh, I didn't mean to push that button! † Oh, well leave a message I guess  04:31, December 16, 2017 (UTC)
 * Kingdom of Denmark - The local bird, Falconis
 * Geatland -

Balkan Peninsula

 * Croatia -
 * Bulgaria -
 * Serbs -
 * Thessoloniki -
 * Byzantine Empire -
 * Crete -
 * Venezia -
 * Dalmatia -
 * Magna Graecia (southern Italy) -
 * Sardinia -
 * Cyprus (de facto) -

Eastern Europe

 * Kievan Rus' -
 * Pomeranians -
 * Volga Bulgar Khanate -
 * Khazar Khanate -
 * Lithuanians -
 * Prussians - NewHorizons123

Caucasus Region

 * Abasgia -
 * Caucasian Iberia -
 * Derbent -
 * Shirvan - Adolf Coffee
 * Ani -
 * Kars -
 * Taron -
 * Vespurakan -

Middle East

 * Emirate of Mosul -
 * Azerbaijan -
 * Adabil -
 * Dailam -
 * Tabaristan -
 * Samanid Empire (no leadership) -
 * Ahwaz -
 * Hamadan -
 * Fars -
 * Abbasid Caliphate - Side

Central Asia

 * Kashgar -
 * Xijou -
 * Shajou -
 * Ganjou -
 * Liao Dynasty (Kara Khitan Khanate) -
 * Bei Han -
 * Ding Han -

East Asia

 * Southern Song Dynasty -
 * Jiangnan -
 * Wu Yue -
 * Ling Nan -
 * Kingdom of Shu -
 * Kingdom of Tali -
 * Kingdom of Goryeo -
 * Empire of Japan -ISSACAGNEW
 * Fujiwara Clan -

Southeast Asia

 * Kingdom of Vietnam -
 * Champa -
 * Khmer Empire -
 * Haripunjaya -
 * Dvaravati -
 * Bagen Kingdom -
 * Srijivaya Empire - Belialoftheillusion
 * Kingdom of Mataram -

Transoxiana

 * Khanate of Bukhara - KK
 * Kingdom of Seistan -
 * Kingdom of Kirman -

Indus Valley India

 * Shahis -
 * Kingdom of Multan -
 * Sind -
 * Kingdom of Gujarat -
 * Cahamanas -
 * Gurjaras -
 * Candellas -

Ganges Valley India

 * Nepal -
 * Mithila -
 * Palas -
 * Kamarupa -
 * Candra -
 * Gonds -
 * Somvamsis -

Southern India

 * Rastrakutas Dynasty - Bozi
 * Kingdom of Kalinga -
 * Gangas -
 * Kerala -
 * Kingdom of Lanka -

964 AD
'''The Game has begun. This first turn will go to Sunday to give people time to put in a first turn. -Nate'''

''' The world is in the heart of the Dark Ages. In Europe, science is unknown, with the greatest scholars debating how many angels stand at the head of a pin, and experiments are conducted solely in the realms of alchemy and astrology. Across all the civilized world, persistent famines and long winters makes the sustainment of large agricultural populations a daunting task. '''

''' The Americas are hit worst with by these natural disasters. Many populations began abandoning cities such as Tiwanaku out of shortage of food, and return to a hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Greenland, a sole colony of Viking origin, remains the most advanced portion of the continent, although it's almost entirely isolated from Europe. '''

''' With the complete disintegration of Charlemagne's empire, France and Germany have emerged under two separate dynasties: the Capetians of France and the Ottonians of Germany. Otto I the Great, now Holy Roman Emperor, is faced with many campaigns against both France and Italy. This year his focus is on northern italy and Tuscany. '''

''' Although the Dark Ages of Europe is entirely dependent upon its religion for sanity, even the Catholic Church is strained. Pope John XII dies, and a new Pope Benedict V is elected to replace him. However, Otto I has Rome under siege, and he has his own crony Leo VIII posing as Antipope. Although there is officially only one branch of Christianity, there is no doubt the relations between Latin and Greek branches of the church are distant at best. Christianity continues to be spread into the hinterlands of Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, although only recently Norway and Sweden were more inclined to the religion. '''

''' The British Isles are divided in rule between various Celtic and Saxon kingdoms, the most powerful being the dynasty of Wessex in England. However, the whole of Britain and France suffer from invasions by the Norse of Scandinavia. These vikings continue on to raid across rivers in both France and Germany. '''

''' The Byzantine Empire fights successfully towards the Arab-Byzantine War, which has locked conflict between the Macedonian Dynasty and the Abbasid Caliphate. Cyprus, although officially in joint condominium between the Abbasids and Byzantines, is completely occupied by the Greeks. The empire also attempts to invade Sicily, but is repelled by their African overlords. Meanwhile, they face constant threat of the north from the growing Bulgarian Empire and further invasions from nomadic peoples. '''

''' The Muslim world suffers from its own divisions, however. The Abbasid dynasty has only nominal control over the house of Islam, with the city of Baghdad completely under the occupation of the Ahwaz Sultanate. The greater Samanid Empire, run by Tajik invaders to the Middle East, are greatly decentralized with no official ruler. Even the Ikhshidid dynasty of Egypt are no more than Turkic mercenaries who lap at the feet at the Caliph. '''

''' Further west, however rivals to Abbasids remain. The Fatimid Caliphate, ruling in the name of Shia Islam, dominate across North Africa and Sicily. Meanwhile, the Caliphate of Cordoba, a remnant of the Ummayyads in Spain, have a magnificent library at its capital that by now has surpassed even that of Baghdad. '''

''' Caravan trade continues to spread Islam across the West African states, particularly the Empire of Ghana. Many other states, however, remain steadfast to their native African religion. '''

''' India remains a shell of its former self since the end of the Golden Age of India. However, the Rasakutras Dynasty, which had just recently overthrew the Chalukya, are well on their way to see a new united subcontinent. '''

''' Even China, in the far east is not immune to these dark times. Two rival emperors exist, one at the Song capital of Keifeng and the other among the Manchu people known as the Kara Khitan Khanate, or otherwise as the Liao Dynasty. Japan remains nominally under their own emperor, but he is no more than a puppet under the Prime Minister from the Fujiwara Clan. '''
 * Scotland: This year sees the synthesis of a "Scottish State" as King Dubh of Scotland decides to lead his knights to conquer the north. A series of raids are conducted on the fractured Scandinavian fiefdoms as Dubh becomes famed in battle for his extreme brutality. The Scottish clans begin to greatly respect Dubh. He becomes known as Dubh the Brutal as opposed to his former title of Dubh the Black. The Scots launch an invasion into the Kingdom of the Isles (the Hebrides) using ships taken from raiding vikings in order to expand his land. The Hebrides, not expecting an attack, Dubh the Brutal names himself king of the Hebrides. He decides that a navy must be built to fend off viking raids and the Scots begin building the navy.
 * Denmark: Harald Håkonsson sees with growing fear the Christian churches popping up in his land. He decides to outlaw churches, and sends officials to seize treasure from them. He also personally leads a campaign against the Geats, attempting to become ruler of both Danes and Geats. Raiding continues basically everywhere, with special focus on the farmlands of England.
 * Scottish Diplomacy: King Dubh the Brutal offers to pay tribute to the Danes and give one of his daughters to the Danish King in order to facilitate a more friendly relationship between our two nations as well as an alliance against the English and possibly Norwegians.
 * Danish Diplomacy: This is accepted.
 * Abbasid Caliphate: With Islam growing as a religion with trade, trade is redirected to unenlightened nations, in hopes of spreading our great religion further. Meanwhile, we decide to help stabilise the Samanid Empire by directly annexing it, knowing that they will be better off under the Caliph's gentle hands. As for the subject on the Abbasid control in the House of Islam, it is decided the Caliphate will annex the city of Baghdad, with or without the consent of the Ahwaz Sultanate. An alchemist in Tehran announces the discovery of an explosive material which is dubbed الغبار النار, or fire dust. It's used in very pretty firework displays, and its potential as a weapon is to be considered. Other discoveries include the workings of the human circulatory system and it is actually used for something, and the effectiveness of quarantine methods in dealing with infectious diseases. Texts from Ancient Greece and Rome are extensively studied to help in advancement and progress by building from where they left off.
 * Samanid Imperial Diplomacy: We accept the annexation of the Abbasid Caliphate under the condition that Amir Mansur I still reigns over Samanid territory and the Caliphate supports Mansur I's conquests.
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: The old law-speaker, Grimwald Thornsfoot, continues to be the leader and administrator of the people. With a steady population of about 2000 people, the commonwealth continues to expand its farmland to the interior of the island. Fishing ships continue to hunt around the coastline, and head back to Iceland in an attempt to make contact with our former viking brethren.
 * Shirvan: As Shirvanshah Ahmad tries to hold down the throne, He is deposed by an uprising. Following this, their is now no legitimate leader of the state of Shirvan. During this all a Civil War breaks out in Shirvan for leadership over the state. In the Battle of the Young where teenagers and young adults led by Muhammad II against the self declared ruler, Manuchir. Muhammad in this battle comes out as the victor and taking the throne in Shirvan. Across the nation though, the civil war rages on. He orders his men to go off and to take the city of Baku who is controlled by Aali, a general who also was fighting for the throne. In the city, the men attack at night lighting on fire and engaging in fights to take out Aali. He sails into the Caspian Sea hoping for a way out but is attacked at sea and is presumed dead. Following this, the army of Muhammad begins to recapture more and more territory back from rebels. In the end, Muhammad recaptures the throne. Baku is left in ruins. most of the homes are destroyed and the city is left unrecognizable. Under Muhammad, a period of rebuilding begins. The city is renamed to Kahk after the fields of wheat in the city outskirts that remain of the suitable zones to live in around the area. Roads that had been damaged are rebuilt and farming begins to recover. In Kahk, people begin to exchange goods and small street markets become quite a common sight. Mills for wheat and flower production are built to make the staple food item more accessible to the surviving inhabitants of the city. Strange people's from the north are noted to begin migrating from the north but are let in by Muhammad with open arms
 * Samanid Diplomacy: Trading vessels are sent across the Caspian sea and we make contact with Shirvan and our diplomats request an alliance.
 * Comté de Flandre: Viva la France Our Count Arnulf de Grote dies Our country mourns the death of their great count.His grandchild is still an infant and so to young to rule. So, a regent takes place and they immediately ask the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of England to aid the county of Flanders against the French Kingdom, to save the liberty and freedom of Flanders,and to be placed under English protection. (Mod response) With this the army is getting ready and 10,000 knights are preparing for a defensive war against France and because the defensive earth peasants and merchants allowed to aid them and if a peasant or merchant show good skill he can get ennobled by a knight of his region or one of afar which will make him able to move and help the knight. The farmers are also required to get a basic weapon to defend the coasts from the Noormannen. The capital of Flanders also stays in Brugge. This is so that the capital can benefit from a central location and the coastal trade without being on the direct coast.
 * England agrees to ally with Flanders -Nate
 * Byzantine Empire: Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas enters into his first full year of reign. The Empire is experiencing great prosperity and a sense of excitement surrounds the capital of Constantinople over the new ruler, who is an experienced war general. Sensing the Bulgarians to the northwest and the Arabs to the southeast, Nikephoros II first desires to unite Graecia. To this end, he sends an envoy to the ruler of Thessaloniki, offering protection from the Bulgar threat in exchange for joining the empire as a loose subject. The offer comes with a subtle suggestion that force will be used, if needed, to achieve the reunification of the city with the Roman Empire (Mod Response). Having heard back in the affirmative from Thessaloniki, the Emperor works to improve the nation's defenses, especially along the border with the Bulgarians. He further works to reintegrate Crete into the Empire after the expulsion of Arabs following the Siege of Chandax; this means the re-Christianization of the island, which is entrusted to a prominent itinerant missionary named Nikon the Metanoeite. Nikephoros II Phokas then prepares for a large-scale military operation. After sending generals throughout the Anatolian themes to gather large forces of men, the Emperor then makes a grand procession to the eastern reaches of the Empire, picking up more and more followers - inspired by the general-turned-Emperor's bold leadership - along the way. Nikephoros then divides his forces into three prongs: one he personally leads, one led by his younger brother Leo Phokas, and one led by John Tzimiskes. The three men, arguably the best generals in the Empire, encircle Tarsus in Cilicia. They then move on to liberate the rest of Cilicia, followed by the parts of Syria occupied by the Emirate of Mosul.
 * ​Thessaloniki accepts protection -Nate
 * Kiev: Christianization continues under King Sviatoslav. The Rus controls Territory from Crimea to Novgorod and Sviatoslav dreams of enlarging his empire. Sviatoslav and a few thousand men begin to march east into Ukraine to eliminate any threats east of the capital Kiev. This threat came in the form of the Khazars, nomadic horsemen from the eastern plains that would raid the borders of the Rus'. Many boyars and the king sought to eradicate them. Sviatoslav himself converts to Christianity to wage a holy war against these nomads.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Denouncing the Abbasid Caliph as the false successor, al-Mu'izz Li-Dinillah continues his religiously centralized control as the true success to Muhammad and the current Caliph. To spread the belief of al-Mu'izz as the current head of Islam, expansion os spread through the western Berber coast, as a means of re-solidifying the territory once held by the Umayyad's, as well as spreading Shia Islam to replace the inferior Sunni Islam on the north African coast. The Caliphate of Cordoba is denounced as also holding the true successor to Muhammad. al-Muizz, very hateful of the current utensils used to write, demands the construction of a pen that could not stain his hands nor his clothing; a pen where ink is held in a finely tipped reservoir. Tolerance towards religion becomes large due to the minority of Christian's and Jew's, as well as not wanting a religious civil war to break out. Caliph Al-Mu'izz, a military general if you didn't know, strategically sends large boats carrying around 30,000 total men to invade and occupy the small and militarily-weak Naples. By the end of the year, Naples is occupied, with remaining men sent are to enforce the new Fatimid dominance, as well as to enforce Shia Islam upon the citizens of Naples.


 * Goryeo: In fear of any Liao military incursions, fortifications are constructed along the Yalu river, while Emperor Gwangjong renounces any territorial claims over former Balhae. Any Balhae refugees aristocrats advocating for an anti-Liao policy are stripped of their real powers though retain their nominal aristocratic titles. The Emperor enacts a policy of compulsory military service for each firstborn male, with service lasting for two years. In order to monitor the movement of his subjects and to prevent tax evasion, a system of household registration is established, while wooden tags used for identification is issued to each citizen. Each conscript is supplied with lamellar armor made with reinforced leather and iron plates, and are trained to be adept in archery as well as melee warfare. Women are encouraged to work in the fields as their husbands and sons are drafted into the military, with said women designated the head of their respective households. He establishes a Confucian civil examination system, though continues to patronize Buddhist religious activities. In order to underpin the economy, copper and gold coinage are minted while banknotes made of mulberry bark are issued by the government. The production of jewellery made of precious metals and gold, porcelain pottery, and intricately-woven silk textiles, are encouraged. The cultivation of cash crops - namely cotton and tea - is encouraged. Using blueprints from the Song dynasty, industrial facilities are constructed, converting pig iron into wrought iron to be used in the production of armor and melee weapons.
 * Samanid Empire: The reign of Amir Mansur I continues, with his rule being direct in the capital of Bukhara and the city of Samarkand, beyond that his rule is fractured, divided and broken between various Turkic generals. Last year, the treacherous general Alp-Tegin, governor of Ghazna died, which is a major victory for Mansur I, ending the insurgency. With Alp-Tegin's insurgency ended, Mansur I plans how to consolidate power without igniting a Turkish military uprising. The capital city of Bukhara continues to flourish via trade along the Silk Road, and Mansur I receives a vision of vast unparalleled conquest for Allah. With this, he receives the idea to reunify Persia and unites the Samanids under one banner, to unite them against the Saffarid dynasty, and thus war is declared on Amir Khalaf ibn Ahmad and a massive invasion is launched with the intention of capturing the Saffarid capital of Zaranj. The invasion is conducted primarily on horseback with sweeping advances that purge out and surround the enemy, with infantry inbetween horseback forces giving hard support. The Invasion of the Saffarids is financed by the wealth of Bukhara and Samarkand, and a deal is struck with Mansur I and the Turkic generals, guaranteeing autonomy for the Turkish generals in Samanid territory while Mansur will impose direct rule in Saffarid territory, Bukhara, and Samarkand.

965 AD
This turn will go until 10:00 PM EST tomorrow.

''' As Tarsus and Mop fall to the Byzantines, the Arabs fall back to fortify their position in Syria, and all Muslim raids into Anatolia cease. Cyrpus comes completely under Byzantine control. However, things don't go as well in the west. Sicily is completely conquered by the Fatimids, and the military of Naples is subsequently crushed. The Neopolitans fall back to the city itself for a final siege, as most of terra firma is under occupation. The call in the cities of Amalfi Salerno for support. The Fatimids have proven to be navally par, and the populations under occupation become sold into slavary. '''

''' Seeing the lack of succession in Flanders, King Lothair of France invades the region, but is temporarily stopped by 10,000 Flemmish knights at the Battle of Some. The English sends monetary aid, but don't feel able to contribute full military support at this time. '''

''' The Duke of Lothraingia dies and his land is divided among his sons by Otto the Great. '''

Rome surrenders to Otto, and Pope Benedict V is deposed by Leo VIII. However, only a few months later Leo dies, and John XIII is elected Pope to succeed him.

''' Boleslaus the Cruel of Bohemia and Mieszco of Poland ally to expand into the interlands of Silesia. '''

The Abbasid rapid takeover of the Saffarid Empire (not Samanids, my bad) is met with logistical strain. The former Saffarid princes offer to help the Caliph administrate in his name over the empire, as feudal domains. Meanwhile, the Abbasid poet Al Mutanabbi is killed by bandits outside of Shiraz. Also, the Empire of Bukhara is now invading the Abbasid domains in the east, caputring the city of Zaranj.

''' The Lower Don is captured from the Khazar Khanate by the Kievan Rus'. '''

''' The Song Dynasty of China conquers Shu, and consolidates its control over the rest of central China. '''

''' The Hebridies are conquered by Dubh the Cruel Black. Welcoming him as king, they offer their help to build the Scottish navy. '''

''' In peacefully resisting the King of Denmark, Bishop Reginbrand is killed in Jutland. He is considered a martyr and beatified by the Catholic Church. The Geats are generally crushed by Harold, and they flee into the highlands of Sweden to stay away from him. '''


 * Shirvan: As Muhammad quickly holds a tighter grip over Shirvan, the government stabilizes. With quick reforms, it is altered to a despotic monarchy. Nobles that remain in government are dismissed or at times, killed in the dark of night mysteriously. Even though by using brutality as a method to keep the role in the palm of his hand was morally wrong, it was the only way to avoid new civil conflicts. Kahk continues to grow as market places expand in the street. General Al-Bahia is hired to be the leader of the 2nd Army to the East. Muhammad marries a woman by the name of Alisha at the age of 18. During the month of december, she gives birth to Muhammad II, the next heir to the throne. As the process of rebuilding speeds up, Kahk becomes a network hub for merchants and the town folk alike. Due to this, Muhammad orders a palace to be built in the heart of Kahk. Farming and such is expanded outside of urban centers allowing more goods to be produced. Settlements to the north west begin to become a sight while Nomadic people settle within Shirvan from the North. A Muslim prophet by the name of Ali Bazar begins preaching in the streets about a true form of Islam where communities love one another and although might not believe in you, it is up to the person to seek Allah as their god and the one that brings bountiful blessings. This idea gets picked up in Kahk but only exist with around 3000 members. Armor and such are produced in mass numbers to expand on our army uniforms and quality of such
 * Comté de Flandre: Seeing the French try to invade het Vlaanderland. Our Regent readies all knight and voetvolk which totals 10,000 knights and 20,000 peasants with basic training with clubs,short swords and spears. They ready on paths to make simple wooden spikes to make it difficult for French Knights to go trough streets. The Flemish peasants also shout "lelieblaters" at the French in an effort to mock them and shame their fighting. The Regent also asks the English for aid against the French as this would also make it easier for them to declare a war against the Scots. The Noormannen are being defended against but way less then French. Brugge also begins to get a more fortified wall and now on all merchants have to pay a tax of 0.5% of their info on getting the capital better defended.
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: More farmlands are expanded into the north, and larger fishing ships are made. Grimwald Thornsfoot establishes the houses of his family bigger than everyone else's, and instructs his friends and family on all the ancient laws of the Asgard. The population steadily grows.
 * Denmark: Harald Håkonsson consolidates his territory in Geatland. A force under Bjorn Ulvson sails to Norfolk, where they then proceed to March to London, laying siege to the city. However, this is cut short when the Duke of Åken revolts, drawing his army back to put the revolt down.
 * Cordoba Dip. Seeing the King of Denmark as a patron of resistance against Christianity, we offer his realm to ally with the Caliphate in a pledge in destroying Christianity.
 * Abbasid Caliphate: All other caliphates are denounced as false, and we continue to solidify our status as the True Caliphate of Islam. The Caliphate accepts the requests of Amir Mansur I, and wish them best of luck while under our care. Firedust has been found to have a potential in the military, and as such is implemented in rockets, where a tube of arrows is fired when the firedust compartment is lit. A great mosque is built in the city of Tehran, about the size of OTL Vatican City. Meanwhile, the Caliph calls on Allah to deliver swift justice to the Empire of Bukhara in the form of great storms, relentless weather, droughts followed by floods of water that will destroy the blasphemous nation. With the following conditions in Bukhara drowning their crops in water and the heat of Allah's fury, we invade, pushing towards their capital. Seeing the Ahwaz Sultanate as a failure to worship Allah as He truly is, we invade them too. A small convoy of ships carrying colonists reach the alleged "Horn of Africa", where we immediately form a colony.
 * Scotland: The Construction of the new Scottish navy goes on well and Dubh begins sending them on raiding missions through England and Norway. Seeing England weakened by Danish raids, King Dubh begins planning for an invasion. He goes to the French, asking for an alliance against the English (Mod Response for France). King Dubh also sends several Scotsmen to the Isle of Man, hoping to assimilate the island and bring it into his empire. Maritime industries become more and more popular as more people start building boats. Sailors start going north, settling in Shetland, Orkney, and the Faroes. A few Scots even reach Iceland, where they set up a few churches and attempt to convert the norweigans there.
 * King Lothair of France declines allying against the English, as he has no quarrel with them. However, Count Richard the Fearless of Normandy offers to ally with Scotland instead -Nate
 * Scotland Accepts the Offer.
 * Caliphate of Córdoba (sorry didn't realize it was open): the Old Caliph Dies, and a New one succeeds Aldulas II..... his name is Ibrahim the First, Caliph of Córdoba,and Has ambitious plans for Al-Andalus (Iberia), and dreams of a Caliphate spanning over all of Al-Andalus, with Islam and sharia law ruling over the peninsula dominate. The Caliph starts building up his army, recruiting an extra 30,000 into his forces. He tells his generals that he plans to finish off the Christian kingdoms in the north, and finish off the last barrier preventing Islamic expansion into Western Europe. Though the Battle of Tours made it clear the Moors couldn't expand futhur into Europe, Ibrahim the First plans to prove this false. Moor forces amass at the border with the Kingdom of Leòn, with a messager sent to Leòn border guards, requestion they send it to their king, the message requests for the Kingdom of Leòn formally become a protectorate of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and allow Military access, and Moor Troops to rest there ( MOD RESPONSE ABSOLUTLY NEEDED!!). The Caliph also prepares to conquer the smaller Christian states left in the north of Al-Andalus.
 * Loyal Emirate of Majorca: we follow in the footsteps of the Caliphate of Córdoba, and all our orders come directly from the capital, Cordoba. We support Islamic expansion in the rest of Al-Andalus, calling for one last final Jihad against the northern Christian states, so that Al-Andalus can finally be united under Islam.
 * King Sancho I of Leon does not accept this offer -Nate


 * March of Tuscany: Seeing the onslaught of Muslim heathens in Italia and Iberia, Margrave Hugh 'the Great' becomes very concerned with the implications, he begins to build up defenses in his land to defend against any possible heathen incursions. The Margrave sends a letter to the Count of Capua offering protection against the heathen Muslims who would burn down your churches, rape your woman, and sell your children into slavery in exchange for vassalage to him and his imperial great Emperor Otto the first. ( MOD RESPONSE). In the city of Pisa merchants are attracted to the city and begin to build up ships to use in future expedition. (Secret) Hugh knowing the Island of Sardinia could be a strategic invasion point for the Muslims sends word to Emperor to plan a conquest of the Giudicatos to protect our land.
 * Capua accepts protection from Tuscany. -Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Expansion continues westward along the Berber coast until we reach the end of the Atlantic Ocean, or rather the backdoor to the False Caliphate of Cordoba. Due to the Caliphate's naval superiority in the Western Mediterranean, Islamic messengers are sent further along the coast of Western Africa, as a means of spreading Shia Islam and supporting Al-Mu'izz's religious superiority as the rightful successor to Muhammad. The military increases rapidly as a mandatory military term of five years is put in among the entire population, including women. Military campaigns continue in the Italian Peninsula as a means of retaining and further Fatimid rule over the rest of Sicily and Naples. Knowing how large the military conflict between the Abbasids and Fatimids will be, mobilization of the military begins, with the most high end Fatimid military technology availabe. A Sicilian slave by the name of Jawhar is finally accepted by the Caliph and appointed to the position of personal secretary to the Caliph. Jawhar's intelligence and general cunningness is what propelled him to this position. His intelligence of military strategies and how military campaigns are recorded by the Caliph, realizing that his idea's are better than his own, but makes sure not to speak about it. Military fortresses and bases in Sicily and occupied Italy are built by Christian slaves, after seeing the Tuscany military fortresses being built. Religious tolerance continues to be effective in core Fatimid territory, with small sects of tolerance being implemented in Sicily.
 * Córdoba Delegation: seeing the recent expansion into Maghreb, land Ibrahim honestly planned to conquer,Ibrahim ordered a delegation to be sent to Fatamid. They wish to negotiate an alliance and a deal, that the title "Caliphate" would correspond to their respective locations, like the Caliph of Córdoba repredenting Mohammed's Interests in Europe, and the Caliph of Fatamid representing Mohammed's Interests in North Africa.
 * Bukhara/Samarid Empire: Amir Mansur I is immensely confused, the Caliphate wishes us the best while under their care, even accepting Mansur as ruler and accepting the request to support our conquest of the Saffarids yet they invade our lands on the side of the Saffarids and wish Allah to doom us, even advancing upon our capital Bukhara. This shows the pure treachery and hypocrisy of the Abassid Caliphate, they attack those who they swear to protect. If the Abassids are not treacherous and hypocritical swine then they are inept idiots, unable to differentiate between us, the Samarids and our enemies the Saffarids. On both accounts, they Abassids have no right to rule any Persian land in any capacity. Doom does indeed befall on us as the Abassids invade large swaths of land, and we are plagued by immense drought, massive floods, and sporadic fires as the Abassid Army advances to Bukhara. We use this opportunity to surround the Abassids with our cavalry and trap them in barren wastelands where no food is grown, starving the invaders. Those who do reach Bukhara face the heavy defense of the Samarid Army, angry at the Abassid betrayal and are surrounded by Calvary outside Bukhara. In the midst of this chaos, large amounts of Abassid forces are wiped out and Turkic generals gain even more power in Samarid. With the Abassids anhiliated, the Saffarids are in shambles and we reconquer Zaranj, preparing for our final offensive next year to conquer all of the Saffarid land and reunite Persia.

966 AD
'''Will the real Caliph please stand up? ;)'''

''' Bishop Aethelwold of Winchester establishes establishes the Benedictine Abbey of Petersborough. '''

''' Lothair III of France offers to marry Princess Emma of Italy, first cousin of the Margrave Hugh of Tuscany. At the same time, Duke Peter IV of Venice offers to marry Waldrada, Hugh's sister. Lothair hopes to gather more support from the HRE in his campaigns against the lowlands. However, at the same time one of the Dukes of Lothraingia offers to ally with Flanders. '''

''' Otto the Great continues to centralize his control in Italy, primarily by invading Lombardy. He is proclaimed in Rome as "Liberator of the Church". '''

Miezcko I of Poland converts to Christianity by his wife Dobrawa, and in doing so establishes Poland as a state on the map.

''' Hungarians en masse invade Bulgaria, and forcefully settle in the land of Tsar Peter I. They proceed to cross the border unopposed to invade the Byzantine Empire. '''

''' The Qarmatians, a group of Shia nomads of Arabia, invade en masse across Hejaz and Palestine, creating chaos and havoc among the Ikhshidid Dynasty. Patriarch John VII of Jerusalem writes to Emperor Nikophorus II of Byzantium, pleading him to come liberate the Holy Land from these new Muslim invaders. He is immediately burned at the stake by a mob of Muslims. The Qarmatians, meanwhile, reach out to ally with the Fatimids. '''

''' Waystyle calligraphy is established in Japan. '''

The people of Iceland are very friendly to the Scottish visitors, and allow them to set up churches there. The Norwegians however are not as nice, and at the Battle of Askoy all the raiding ships sent from Scotland are decimated by the Norsemen.

''' The "Burning of London" is a terrific event in the annals of Edgar's otherwise Peaceful reign. Hundreds of people are killed, and hundreds more are taken into slavary as the city and Norfolk are sacked by Danish Vikings. '''

''' The City of Naples is fully conquered by the Fatimids, putting their foothold within mainland Europe. Thousands of Neopolitans flee from the region, migrating to neighboring towns in Magna Graecia, Capua, and Rome. '''

''' The pen invented by the Fatimids quickly spreads into Italy through Barbary Merchants. '''

''' Miraculously, a series of strange natural events allows the Abbasid military, mostly commanded by Saffarid nobles, to invade Central Asia all the way to the outskirts of Bukhara itself. However, at the Battle of Oxus the Abbasid military is completely crushed by the defensive forces of Bukhara. The devastation left on the Samanids forces them to stop their invasion after retaking Zaranj. However, at the same time the Abbasid nation is internally weakened, as the feudal nobles have less trust on the Caliph to rule in his own right. '''
 * Scotland: After the burning of Scottish ships by the Norwegians, King Dubh decides to stop Scottish missionary work in favor of pure trade. An assassin is sent into Norway to kill their king. The entire army of Scotland is risen to destroy the Saxon menace. Scottish forces aim at taking all of England north of Hadrian's wall and destroying the Wessex dynasty. Lords that switched loyalty are spared and Scotland offers that any lords on the border that become loyal to the Scots will be spared from pillaging. King Dubh. The Scottish Navy, although weakened, begins to recuperate and continues to visit Shetland and Orkney.
 * ​Kingdom of Denmark: Harald Håkonsson decides to press a claim to the Norwiegen throne, personally leading a force of 100,000 soldiers to Nidaros, where the ruler of the Norse is. In addition, improved farming tecniques are appearing in Denmark, significantly increaseing farm productivity. A trading mission is sent to Kievian Rus, hoping to trade iron for very valuble fur pelts. 
 * Abbasid Caliphate: With the events in Central Asia proving that Allah exists, missionary forces at deployed to spread the One True Faith of Islam to everywhere they may go. The Caliph acknowledges his faults while planning the attack, but claims he will come up with a better plan, lest Allah strike him dead. Shortly after, he was killed in a lightning strike. Seeing this as a sign from Allah, a new Caliph is put in place. The Caliphate immediately builds up an army better equipped than the last, and lines city walls with defenses and rocket arsenals. Meanwhile, discoveries of steam power are capitalized on by the creation of mechanisms that run on steam. These may have a future in society, but for now make interesting contraptions. Another colony is formed in Antarctica, where try as our missionaries may, fail to convert penguins to Islam.
 * Comté de Flandre:The Regency accepts the Loriën Offer of an alliance and they also ask them if they are willing to join against the French Kingdom.(mod response). Our knights and local nobles now also have to recruite more soldiers so that 15 000 are there in two years and 30 000 peasant soldiers. Nobles also begin to think of the basic idea that is derde klasse-vloot,which is the idea that merchants with trade ships should aid the vlaemsche vloot. Our peasants and merchants also begin marshland inbetween some smaller islands to increase land that is farmable and habitable.
 * The Duke of Lower Lorrain accepts to give Flanders support -Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Seeing the Qarmatians spreading Shia Islam across Arabia, Caliph al-Mu'izz seizes the opportunity and allys the Qarmatians. The Caliph denies Cordoba's offering, killing the delegation and putting their bodies up for public display, showing the citizens what happens when they convert or join the other false Caliphates. Aftering conquering Naples and surrounding areas, the city and surrounding areas begin incorperation into the Emirate of Sicily. Military fortresses and castles are built by the Christian slaves, as Muslim immigrants begin to "replace" the population there as a means of converting more of the population into Shia Islam. A large Mosque is built in Naples. Total religious tolerance begins in the Emirate of Sicily, however, due to the amount of opposition, most of the populace remain slaves. Caliph al-Mu'izz sends out  Jawhar to fully complete Berber coast expansion, and with co-operation with the Zirids, are able to effectively occupy the large city of Fez.
 * Caliphate of Córdoba: Ibrahim is quite troubled by the genocide of his delegate, he thinks of another way to have better relations with the Muslims empires, but decides to put it off. He holds a traditional Muslim funeral for the dead delegates, and, despite the violence and hostility by the fatamids, requests for the Delegations' bodies (FATAMID RESPONSE ABSOLUTLY NEEDED). Due to the King of Leòn's rejection of our peace, we Declare war on the Kingdom of Leòn, and immediately, 90,000 Soldiers charge into Leòn territory, with Cavalry speaking ahead of the main army, quickly taking villages and a couple of towns, before having to deal with the Leòn military in the fields. The Córdoba Armies also meet Leòn Forces, and imedietly begin clashing with them. Stricter Islamic Law is introduced to Córdoba, specifically for the non-Muslims in the area. The rule of The caliphate is becoming more and more similar to Sharia Law, which the caliph plans to enforce once al-Andalus is united under Islam. Woman have to wear Burqas and dresses according to the Islamic Dress Code. Islamification of Al-Andalus begins, with Christians having to practice their religion in private and new mosques being built in every city, town, and village. In occupied Leòn territory, Moor Soldiers have to be polite and kind to the people in villages and towns, and must buy their supplies like food and stuff, rather then just taking what they Please.
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: Grimwald Thornsfoot, the Lawspeaker continues to improve the lives of his family, expanding their residence as a wooden citidel among the rest of Greenland. Farms and fishing boats continue to expand. Grimwald's eldest son, Ethbald, takes on an administrative job of his own, breeding horses. A single trading mission is sent to Iceland, in the hopes of becoming less isolated from their Viking brethren. Grimwald is very suspicious against the natives of Greenland, and makes frequent raids against them.

967 AD
''' Otto the Great holds a Council in Rome, having completed his conquests in Italy. The Council offiically places Pope John XIII as monarch of the city, completey under control of the Holy Roman Empire. Otto procedes with tours throughout Italy, specifically Lombardy and Veneto, assuring the mutual alliance of the cities there. He writes to th Byzantine Emperor, offering to marry his daughter and establish a permenant alliance, in exchange for allowing him to annex Byzantine holdings in southern Italy. In Christmas, Otto's son is crowned co-emperor by the Pope. '''

''' Otto dedicates Madgeburg Cathedral as a haven for missionary efforts in eastern Europe. '''

''' A power struggle occurs in Mosul for the throne of the Emirate. '''

''' There is a new Emperor of Japan, who is insane. '''

''' Scotland under Dubh the Cruel Black scores key victories against the English, taking territory north of Hadrian's Wall. England internally continues to suffer economically, but nonetheless Edgar the Peaceful establishes Romsey Abbey, appointing his daughter Aefflead as Abbess. '''

''' Harold Greycloak, the King of Norway is crushed at the Battle of Nidaros by the Danish invasion, as the Jarl Hakkon Sigurdsson rebels against him to ally with the Danes. Greycloak is taken alive to Denmark, but his sons manages to escape to Estonia. Hakkon Sigurdsson offers the King of Denmark to rule Norway on his behalf as a vassal. '''

As Leon is invaded by the Muslims, King Ramiro III surrenders on the condition of becoming a vassal. However, at the same time other vassalized states in Cordoba become more unstable in reaction to the Islamification of Caliph Ibrahim Al-Hakan, especially the County of Castile.

''' Morocco is completely annexed by the Fatimids. '''

The Abbasid colony in Antarctica is destroyed by a group of Jinn.


 * Denmark: Hakkon Sigurdsson's offer is accepted. With the resources from this unity, an army is sent to invade Iceland. They accidentally land in Greenland, offering the local government vassalization in exchange for development.
 * Abbasid Caliphate: The Antarctic colony's failure is not taken too heavily, as another colony is set up in Australia. Armed with rocket arsenals and superior troops trained yesterday, they are equipped to deal with the extremely dangerous wildlife found there, including kangaroos and more penguins. Those that are more docile are converted to Islam. We make plans to reinstate the Abbasid Caliphate as it was, but long term solutions are still needed. The colony in Africa expands, covering OTL Somalia. Soldiers are now trained in jinn repelling classes to not repeat the mistakes of the failed Antarctic Caliphate.


 * Caliphate of Córdoba: we agree to the King's terms as long as he swears absolute allegiance to the Caliph and Allah (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED!!!!). The army is sent in to quell the violence in Castile and other vassals. The army jails many people, and many crowds see swords slashing through people, injuring many. The caliph promises that this will never happen again, and will pay his respects to all who died in the protests and riots, along with pay for their funerals. The caliph says that Christians will still be able to practice their religion, as long as they don't undermine the sovereignty of the Caliphate. De-Christianization of many towns and villages, along with major cities, such as Leon commence, and sees new mosques being built in place of churches. In schools, children of all races and religion must praise Allah and pledge loyalty to the caliphate. Ibrahim says that Al-Andalus was always destined to be Islamic, and says that the Christian empires of the past such as the visigoths forced their religion and faith into the poor people of Al-Andalus, and claims that the Caliphate is just here to help. The Calioh readied an invasion into Barcelona,which, if done correctly, would put his caliphate as the dominate state in Al-Andalus, and Islam would reign supreme over the peninsula. Cordoba is a prime expample of a Islamified City, that once used to be a Christian paradise, with churches Roman architecture all around, now has mosques, and Arabic Architecture all around, and with all signs of European Colonists have dissapeared, with the moors and Arabs the majority in the city. The whole caliphate is having a drastic change in demographics, with more and more Moor/Arab babies being born, and settling in, and with more Christians and Europeans moving out, Al-Andalus will soon be reconquered! Just as Allah destined us to be! We send a delegation to The kingdom of Barcelona, directly to the king, and offers him to become a protectorate of the Caliphate, with himself as Protector of Barcelona, and the Christians being allowed to practice their religion in public if they so wish, but must also accept Muslim/Moor dominance over Al-Andalus and must refer the peninsula as that, along with swearing complete loyalty to the Caliph and Allah.(MOD RESPONSE ABSOLUTELY NEEDED!)
 * ​Count Borell II of Barcelona is favorable towards protection from Cordoba, seeking help to maintain autonomy from France. However, the details of these protections he finds extensive, and will continue to deliberate over them. -Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: With the annexation of much of Morocco, the Berber populations are automatically re-incorperated into the Caliphate as citizens due to their original presence in the Umayyad Caliphate a few centuries prior. The territory of Naples continues to be incorperated into the Emirate of Sicily. Mobilization of the entire military begins, and with the success that Jawhar had in his invasion of Fez, he is instituted as a military general and will lead the campaign against the Fatimid's larger enemies in the future, including the Abbasids, seeing as they are the major rival to the Fatimids at this point. Caliph al-Mu'izz continues to spread his tolerance of religion across the Emirate of Sicily and Berber coast. The Caliph also shows general disappointment for the current player who is playing as the Caliphate of Cordoba in the Ages in Chaos (Map Game).
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: Grimwald Thornsfoot institutes new laws over Greenland, parceling out parts of land to each of his sons to rule themselves. The capital estate of his administration, the town of Brattahlid, is made the capital of the realm. More farms are established north, and more ships are expanded, establishing more trade in the North Atlantic and with Iceland. Natives of Greenland are raided and hunted against, in order to keep them at bay. Lawspeaker Thornsfoot gladly accepts the visitors from Denmark, offering them to stay in his great hall at Brattahlid for winter, givng them mead and boars. He accepts protection and becomes a Danish vassal.
 * Shirvan: As Kahk continues to be built, the city becomes an area of much of the nation's trade. In the meantime, Muhammad orders an army of 23,000 men to invade Derbent capturing the small country. The new Shia prophet from the village of Ababua in the deep sections of the Caucus continues to preach the word of Allah gaining much support. Roadways begin to connect small towns to the new great city as we continue to accept Turks and Nomads from the north. A university begins to be built by the order of the Shah. Prophet Aali is requested to meet with the Shah once he returns back from the war. In the meantime, with rumors of victory in Derbent and the army returning home, Dozens of thousands of men are sent to invade Ardabil led by one of our most brilliant generals, Hakim I.
 * Kingdom of Germany (Saxony): Otto, having achieved much of his desired goals in Italy, waits impatiently for the Byzantine response. However, several of his advisors including his own sons view the demands for Byzantine holdings as unnecessary and a diversion from Otto's main objective which is the consolidation of his grip over the other Stem Duchies, and indeed, the empire itself. With his hold over northern Italy already secured, Otto sends a second delegation to Byzantine with an alternative offer. To leave the possibility of a dowry of South Italy for future negotiations while the Emperor marries the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor. Otto continues to promote trade and agricultural growth within his own personal domains of Saxony while he promotes the evangelization and settlement of the lands to the east of the Empire mainly with the intent of securing the lands for his domains. Otto calls upon the pope to grant him and the empire the right to bring Christianity to the savages of the east in a way similar to that of Franks centuries ago. He begins by authorizing military support for the Evangelical efforts of the Cathedral of Madeburg. This increased support for the church is mostly due to his own desires to establish a secure frontier to the east specially around OTL Balkans region and Brandenburg from raiding Nords and Slavs. Military reorganization begins within the Stem Duchy and to a larger extent an effort is made to pass through the Imperial Diet a levy in times of war for the defence of imperial interests making note of the recent developments in Scandinavia as a threat to the good Christians of the Empire. He also offers the pope aid in expelling the Muslim dogs from Naples in exchange for the title defender of the faith.
 * Scotland: King Dubh offers peace to the English if they give up all land north of Hadrian's wall. Building of the Scottish navy continues as we raid english ports in the Irish sea. If the English do not agree to the peace, we will continue to London. After the decimation of Northumbria, we begin resettling it with Scots. The King also meets with the lord of Ulster and offers to protect them militarily if they agree to become our vassal.

968 AD
<u style="font-weight:700;">Brian Boru expels the Vikings from southern Ireland.

<u style="font-weight:700;">Capua begins raids in preparation of fighting the Muslims in Italy around Naples. Pope John XIII blesses this effort, and offers to make the emperor Defender of the Faith if he sends Saxon military to expel Islam from the peninsula. The Pope also acknowledges Otto's efforts to bring Christiantiy to the East.

<u style="font-weight:700;">Mieszko I of Poland constructs Poznan Cathedral.

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Byzantine Emperor denies Otto's offer of marriage, not wanting to lose control over Italy.

''' Tsar Peter I of Bulgaria declares war on the Kievan Rus, and asks Byzantium for aid. This is in spite of the fact Bulgaria has done nothing to mitigate the Hungarian invasions of Byzantium. '''

''' Navarre quickly calls in French aid for their protection, and Lothair sends a massive military to occupy the kingdom. '''

''' Leon and Barcelona remian partially within the vassalage of the Umayyads, and the other Christian states within Cordoba's domains remain to cause strife in response to the Islamification. '''

The Ikhshidid Sultanate is generally powerless to the Qarmatians, who by now have seized control over all of Syria, Palestine, and Arabia.

Derbent falls to the forces of Shirvan.

''' The Sultanate of Fars, part of the Abbasid domains, considers these colonial efforts fruitless, and cuts off his naval support for the Caliph. '''


 * Denmark: Harold Bluetooth has a vision. Of a unified northlands, with power unimaginable. To complete ththis dream, the army that wintered in Greenland now sails to Iceland, demanding vassalization. A diplomat is sent to Svealand, offering their ruler wealth if they submit to Denmark. (Secret: A massive army is drafted, and fleets levied.) News leaks that a heathen army shalldecdecend somewhere in ttherine.
 * Abbasid Caliphate: We do stuff like converting kangaroos to Islam. Rocket arsenals are installed alongside city walls, and we predict imminent Fatimid invasion. As such, we make more walls and install more rocket arsenals. We begin equipping soldiers with a miniaturized version of a rocket, which will fire a high speed arrow at enemies, sometimes lit on fire. We chalk the loss of the Sultanate of Fars up to them not understanding the will of Allah to spread Islam, so we build up a navy to replace their naval support.
 * Kingdom of the Franks//France: With Navarre fully occupied and protected from invaders, King Lothair III declares the “temporary“ vassalisation of Navarre appointing Hugh Capet as Duke. With the Lowlands in revolt and supported militaristically and financially by the Duke of Lower Lorraine, the invasion continues throughout the year. The Army of the Franks initially has success, once agin capturing many cities and beginning a march towards Brugge. However, they are repulsed miles away from the Capital by an army of 15,000 Flemish Soldiers. The Armies battle but the Franks are able to secure a victory. The Flemish leaders are tortured, beheaded and their bodies dumped into the Somme as a response. The woes of Franks are not over, however, as Brugge has been heavily fortified, which causes for a devastating siege, in the meantime what remains of the County is occupied and secured. On Christmas Eve, the Flemish surrender Brugge. The County of Flanders is bequeathed to Lothair who annexes it to the Kingdom. King Lothair now turns his eyes to Lothagria, demanding the Duke of Lower Lorraine surrender (MOD RESPONSE)
 * ​German Dip: Emperor Otto demands that the king of France backdown from their attempts to annex Lower Lorraine promising to meet the French with military force if necesarry. He also calls for the marshalling of other forces i the empire to defend against French aggression. 
 * Just as a note, for the sake of being fair to all players Flanders is not completely out of the game yet -Nate
 * Lorraine refuses to surrender and joins with Otto against France, along with the other German states in Lothraingia -Nate
 * Commonwealth of Greenland:  Grimwald Thronsfoot builds up Battihild as the largest settlement in Greenland, and continues to expel natives from around it. A wooden fort is built around the meadhall where he administrates. More farms and ships are expanded. New is taken from Denmark on situations in Europe, and we send grain as yearly tribute. Longboats are imported from Iceland and Denmark to make larger ships.
 * Comté de Flandre:With the French Arround our Capital of Brugge surounded Our Regent ask the German Kingdom,if Flanders can join Their Kimgdom as "het graefschabp Fleandern".(German Response)The Regency Also now for the first time without proper doctrine forces the derde klasse-vloot With Merchants now asked to Raise a navy under leadership of nobles and merchants who show great bravery will even be enobled.At the Same time the regency request that their Ally England joins the war as a flemish ally and defender of Liberty.(mod response)
 * ​German Response: Otto responds positively to the Flemish request and calls on them to join the imperial army mustering in Lower Lorraine to wage war against the vile French.
 * Germany (Saxony): Angered by French aggression against the Empire Otto declares war on the French, mustering his own forces and preparing to come to the defence of Lower Lorraine. He also calls on the other Stem Duchies and on North Italy to supply troops in the defence of the empire (mod response please). His own personal forces numbering 25,000 are sent to meet with the lothringians who support the emperor's forces brining the Imperial army to an overwhelming 50,000, he also calls on the ramnents of Flanders to support him if they desire to regain their independence as well. Otto leads the Army personally. Marching to defend the cities and strongholds of Lower Lorraine from the French onslaught that is sure to come with the collapse of the flemish war effort. He divides his forces into one force to support the beseiged Lothringians and another force of attack the French flank from the south once they engage the fortified Lorraine positions. The attacking forces are made up mostly of veteran knights from the italian campaigns. Otto fortifies his position in Lorraine mostly with the native lothringians. Orders are made to take all nobles possible hostage for ransom. On the domestic front his son helps with the appointment of administrators, bishops and lords within the empire further tightening the grip of the empire. In an effort ot further consolidate his family's position he declares his son Otto II (co-emperor) the heir to the Duchy of Saxony to ensure a smooth transition. Otto II further expands the efforts to Christianize the lands of the Eastern Empire - the so called Marca Geronis (a subsidiary of the Saxon duchy that is in the process of being settled. It encompasses OTL Eastern Saxony, Brandenburg, and Pomerania), splitting it up into two separate marks: Nordmark and Ostmark for better administration. Settlement by good Christian Germans is encouraged in the territories while efforts to evangelize the Slavs living under German rule there is encouraged. Otto declares his intent to eventually lead the charge to liberate Christians from the heathen hordes of Islam once he has succeeded in defending the Empire from French aggression. Otto in particular sends out an envoy to his loyal vassal the Magrave of Tuscany to muster troops for the eventual liberation of Naples and Sicily from the Fatimids.
 * Caliphate of Córdoba: Sharia Law is imposed in all main Caliphate territories, while all our vassals do not see this, instead, they experience some Islamic Laws being past, but see a good amount of Christian laws being passed as well. Our vassals become a vast melting pot of Arab and European Cultures, as Moor and Arab colonizers move into the New Vassal states all by their own. Executions are introduced in the Caliphate's Territory, as anyone opposing the law will face the consequences in pure Islamic fashion. Barcelona is De-Christianized, as new type of archetecture is introduced, and less churches are built while more mosques are constructed, while still keeping the Christians happy and respecting the agreements made with the Count of Barcelona. A green flag with the Islamic Moon and Star is introduced as our official flag, flying over major cities like Córdoba,Lisbon,Leon,Barcelona and etc. Now that Al-Andalus is under our influence and Islamic reign, we officially Change our Name to the Caliphate of Al-Andalus with our capital still in Córdoba.
 * Scotland: After securing of all land north of Hadrian's wall and the English's refusal to surrender, King Dubh and his troops advance into southern England, raiding and pillaging the entire country. The Scottish Navy forms a primitive blockade around Winchester and they begin bombarding it with corpses, dung, and fireballs, hoping to get a surrender out of the English. King Dubh offers to spare the lands of the Princes of Wales if they switch from English to Scottish Suzerainty. More and more Scots are settled in northern England. Dubh pursues a primitive version of total war in the south, calling it "Viking's War" in which all are combatants except priests and those affiliated with the church. Celtic Christianity continues to develop, and with relations between Scots and Pagan Danes becoming better, continues to veer farther off from traditional catholicism.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Following total mobilization and Jawhar becoming a military general, he starts a military campaign against the false Abbasid Caliphate, specifically Egypt, leading a total of 100,000 men into battle [Mod Response Needed]. With the annexation of much of Morocco, the Berber populations are automatically re-incorperated into the Caliphate as citizens due to their original presence in the Umayyad Caliphate a few centuries prior. The territory of Naples continues to be incorperated into the Emirate of Sicily. Religious tolerance becomes key in the Emirate of Sicily, with many simply converting to Islam based off the fact that Caliph al-Mu'izz is allowing religious tolerance.
 * Shirvan: As expansion is made in unclaimed lands, Aali becomes a leader in these expansions for him being the main prophet and leader of the Ababua tribe. After Muhammad's return to the city, government presence is placed in the now conquered state of Derbent. Myths and legends of what lies behind the gates and north of that is something that many are afraid to explore. Eight ignorant teenagers went beyond the gates earlier in the year but never returned. Some villagers reported hearing faint screaming but payed little mind and almost as if they tried to ignore it as they knew it was nothing good. Next year, Aali is planning to explore what some describe to be the gates of hell itself. In the meantime, Kahk continues the buildup in population and infrastructure. More and better farming methods are introduced to the field leading to a surplus in goods that are soon sold off by merchants and such. Aali meets with Muhammad and is hired as the Sultan of the nation. Thousands of men with tactics such as calvalry and ad experience from the previous conquering of Derbent wage war against Ardabil laying devastation but hope in the conquest's wake due to care for citizens who had fallen victim to the war especially to women and children who have been taught to hold the highest respect for during military training and combat and has become sort of a moral. We go for the capital with most of our army still intact to capture Ardabil's capital and to remove the infidel leader.

969 AD
''' Tsar Peter I of Bulgaria dies of a stroke, and is succeeded by Boris I. Boris continues the war against the Kievan Rus. '''

''' Capua, Amalfi and Salerno form an alliance against the Muslims in Italy with support from the Pope. They begin initial attacks in the form of raids against Naples in the hopes of getting an Imperial army soon. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Byzantine Empire invades the Emirate of Mosul, taking both Antioch and Aleppo. Emperor Nikophorus II is unfortunately assassinated soon after.

''' The Ikhshidid Dynasty of Egypt comes to an end with the nation entirely overrun by Shia forces from the Qarmatians and the Fatimids under Jawhar. The Qarmatians settling in Egypt welcomes the Caliph to come live in Egypt as their rightful religous leader. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Rashakutras Dynasty of India is being overrun by the Chola dynasty.

''' That crazy Emperor of Japan from two turns ago is now dead. '''

''' Iceland becomes a vassal of Denmark. '''

''' King Olof Bjornsson of the Swedes offers an alliance with Denmark, and his daughter Gyrid in marriage to Harold. '''

''' The County of Flanders is de-jure overrun by the French invasion, which occupies the region and proceeds into Germany. They are stopped, however, and prevented from invading Lorraine by the alliance of German military at the border. In Flanders itself, there remains 20,000 peasent soldiers in defense of Brugge against the surrounding French. '''

''' King Edgar the Peaceful is captured alive by the Scottish forces at the Siege of Winchester. Edgar's seven-year-old son Edward is crowned his succor in London. The English forces are generally crushed, but 7000 soldiers remain in London against further Scottish invasion. They still send about 300 soldiers to Flanders to help their war with France. '''

''' King Iago of Wales has nothing to do with this war, but seeing the Scottish strength, he offers a treaty of peace. '''

''' Ardabil falls to Shirvan. '''
 * Abbasid Caliphate: We launch an invasion of the Fatimid Caliphate, denouncing them as infidels that oppose true Islam, but we begin working on a method to sway all Islamic nations in the Middle East and soon the world, to the true side of Allah and the powers of his Holiness. Converting kangaroos to Islam is considered a lost cause, and we begin converting the natives there instead, spread the name of Allah.
 * Al-Andalus Dip: We secretly support the Abbasid Caliphate in their war against the Fatamids, and, if they succeed, will declare loyalty the Abassid Caliphate.


 * Germany: Otto leading the charge against the French forces launch a two fold offensive with the Lothringian forces making up the bulk of the imperial army facing French forces directly at the border while Otto's personal army attacks the French flank from the southwest collapsing on Lothair's outnumbered troops. The Imperial Army presses forward after wrecking havoc on the French army. With one-third of his forces march into Flanders aimed at liberating Flanders while the Saxons aided by some of the Lothringian forces are ordered to march on Paris, with 35,000 strong at his back Otto the Great makes way to the capital of the Franks, he sends an envoy in advance telling Lothair that he will pull back under three conditions. First, Lothair will renounce all claims to Flanders which shall become a part of the Empire and a vassal of the Emperor. Second, he will stop waging war providing troops to help reclaims Naples from the Muslims. Third, he shall pay a ransom for the return of all captured French nobles. Reorganization of the Nordmark and the Ostmark continue under the leadership of Otto II,  Efforts to Christianize the Slavs in the marks continue while settlement of the lands with Germans continues at a steady pace mainly destitute nobles or wandering mercenaries who form the core of the small military unit established by Otto to protect the church in the heathen lands. Otto I accepts the offer of marriage without officially renouncing Sicily. However, Otto II turns down the marriage given it to his father on the advice of his advisors. Otto II instead declares his intent to marry a German noble asking Henry of Bavaria for the hand is his sister's hand in marriage to secure the loyalty of the German nobility and to promote the idea that Otto II will focus on German affairs first and foremost (mod response please). Otto and his father both promote the arts and sciences at their court With many Italians and Germans coming to court to receive the patronage of the Ottonians. Otto II under orders from his father calls on the mustering of a second imperial army to aid in the liberation of Naples, he calls on the Italians in particular promising swift Saxon support once the war in France is concluded (mod and Tuscany response please). 
 * ​A local army is called up from Lombardy and assembled in Rome. -Nate
 * Tuscany: We respond to such by agreeing to help in the liberation of Naplese and the war against france. We send an army of 8,000 men up through italy into provence to help the war with france, and muster a second army of 11,000 men to help the liberation of Naples.
 * In the Byzantine Empire, the death of Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas sends the nation to the brink of civil war. His murderer, general John Tzimiskes, leads on faction while Nikephoros II's younger brother, Leo Phokas, leads the other. Both seek to outmaneuver one another, but ultimately Leo Phokas ends up crowned as Emperor Leo VII Phokas. He blinds and exiles John Tzimiskes to the island of Lesbos. Realizing that his position is not as secure as his brother's was, he agrees to a royal marriage of his eldest daughter to a relative of Otto of Germany, but refuses to give up Magna Graecia (Nk response). Having secured Cilicia and Syria, Emperor Leo VII seeks a truce of ten years time with the Emirate of Mosul (Mod response). Having established peace with the Arabs to the east, Emperor Leo VII then turns his attention to the other end of the empire. He gathers a large and technically-advanced army and fights off the Magyar threat to the northwest. Having fought his way past the leading vanguards, he then moves to surround the encampment of the leading chieftain. If we capture him, we offer the following ultimatum: convert and join our armed forces or die and be scattered. Secret: We send military arms to the Rus' to help them hold out for at least another yera.
 * Mosul gladly accepts a ten-year truce -Nate
 * Scotland: King Dubh offers that Wales will come under the suzerainty of Scotland in exchange for Scotland protecting them from Vikings and the English (Mod Response for Wales). Dubh orders for winchester to be burnt to the ground to demoralize the English. He orders that the news of Winchester's burning be spread across England and that the 7000 remaining English troops will be allowed to live if they surrender (Mod Response for Remainder of England). The plunders of England flow out from England into Scotland. Scots settling in Northumbria begin rebuilding it, slowly cementing its population as core scottish. In England, Scottish soldiers continue marauding through England, killing men, women, and children, and burning cities and towns to the ground. The churches, however, are spared. Scottish Christianity continues to veer off from core Catholicism as it incorporates Norse and Celtic pagan traditions.
 * King Iago of Gwyned would accept military protection, and would confer a military alliance, but does not feel obligated towards giving suzerainty -Nate
 * English Diplomacy: You may have north of Hadrian's wall, other than that we expect the Scottish to leave English lands.
 * Scottish Response: The Scottish are happy with this, but also require that no English troops set foot in Ireland or Wales. As Scottish soldiers go home, they take much of the wealth and plunder from destroying the English countryside. King Edgar the Peaceful maintains his claim over the throne of England and tries to garner support from the English people to help him overthrow the current regent.
 * British dip: If Edgar came to the English position he could have his throne back. No need for a rebellion or anything. Just come south to the Isle of Dogs.
 * Denmark: For a second time, an army is sent to Kent in order to claim the English throne. It advances to London, attempting to capture the city. In addition, the Great Heathen Army, which has been assembled, lands at Caux and begins raiding a great area relentlessly. The Frankish Capital of Paris seems out-of-scope at the moment, but Brest and Caux are besieged. Trading takes place with Rus.


 * Caliphate of Al-Andalus: The Europeans of Al-Andalus have begun to Arabize, as more and more Arab influence is around them, many Europeans start singing "Allah Akbar", and singing songs of Islam, and a lot of European woman are volunteeraly putting a Burqa over their faces. With the sudden Self-Arabization of the Europeans, we see this as the perfect leverage to use against the strife in our Christian Lands. Arabized Europeans start throwing objects at Christian Protestors, confusing the Christians greatly, then the army comes in and arrests them, with much support from the Arabized Christians. Many Europeans are now marrying into Arab Families, dumping their culture for Arab culture instead. Leon is now significantly de-Christianized, with most Roman Catholic Architecture gone, and replaced with a more neutral architecture, and with more mosques, the same goes for Barcelona, which is seeing a mass influx of Muslim settlers and Arab colonists. Children, both European and Arab, Start Playing together, with European children adopting many Arab things. Many Europeans in the north are converting.
 * Sorry to intercede, but no, the process of Arabization in Iberia took centuries and in many ways it was highly superficial cause at the end of the day when the Reconquista occurred the Arab and Muslim identity fell away accept for the die hard Moros, and the Mozarabs who were cultural Hispano-Arab but religiously Christian. Remember, OTL Islam did not become the majority religion in Iberia and it would not here either. With Blood and Iron (talk) 15:21, December 22, 2017 (UTC)
 * This map game is meant to be unrealistic and implausible. I would still be in a war right now with Leòn right now if it were realistic, I mean, come on, the Abbasid guy made missile launchers! I think you should be commenting on his turns, not mine.
 * I've already commented on that, too, Nate, and also, it's not meant to be unrealistic and implausible. It's meant to be a blood bath - which is frankly not too bad as it suits the period. Just remember that implausibility is frowned upon in the wiki, Buddy. With Blood and Iron (talk) 15:58, December 22, 2017 (UTC)
 * I understand it's frowned upon, and frankly, I don't like it either, but since it's allowed, I'm just rolling with it. Trust me, I wouldn't do this if it weren't allowed.
 * Kingdom of England: The 7000 survivors rally around Earl Rynair who declares himself regent over the young child who is King and orders the troops to move to the Isle of Dogs along with the people of London to support the construction efforts. Peace is offered to Scotland giving them the lands north of Hadrian's wall but they leave the rest of England. No peace is offered to the Danes who seek to take the rightful English crown and must ask for something else. The army moves to the Isle of Dogs and start digging a moat one metre across and one metre deep at its lowest beneath the palisade with the slope at 45 degrees. This earth and some trees cut down, fire hardened, sharpened to staves as thick as a man's thigh are used to make a palisade one metre high and this palisade is just short of the lip of the moat. The moat and palisade start at the eastern side of the Isle of Dogs right up to the quick sands and goes for 1200 metres across the Isle of Dogs. The moat subsequently floods as water from the Thames flows in. The lower parts of the English soldier's bodies should be protected by the assembled palisade while the moat will serve to disrupt any formation and give the English a height advantage. The moat will put any enemy at a height disadvantage In addition since the Scots having been killing people senselessly and it is assumed the Danes will do the same recruitment is increased to form a militia of some 4000 victims of Scottish violence and are armed with shield and spear. They will fight in a shield wall on the right of the English positions behind the palisade while 3000 Thegns and the Housecarls who survived fighting against Scotland will hold the centre also in a shield wall and the left flank will be open allowing an enemy to advance but 2000 Thegns and Housecarls hold a line further back of a moat and palisade while another 2000 including the 500 English horse form a flying wedge behind the English centre to hit the flanks of anyone trying to move down the left flank or land on the banks of the river Thames and move through the quicksand. Bridges over the Thames are destroyed by the English to make it harder for the Danes or Scots to reach them. Bowmen are placed on the English right flank to shoot fire arrows at any ships coming up the Thames.
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: Grimwald Thornsfoot continues to expand the farms and boats, and drives more natives north from the Norse settlements. He also continues to pay vassalage to Denmark, where more longboats and more horses are imported from. An expedition is set forth from Greenland westward, in order to find more water to hunt wales from. They find an island that they call Newfoundland, and return home. Grimwald's sons become the direct rulers over all the land in Greenland.
 * Shirvan: The fall of Ardabil leads to a great celebration following our Shah's great conquest. Aali preaches the word of Allah but calls for unity in the city of Kahk. With more Turkish migrants flooding the city, we see a slight change in culture and ethnic mixing but no tensions surprisingly especially with the popular Sultan pushing for cultural peace and unity while spreading the word. Muhammad explores what lies behind the gates with 800 men ordered to search for any bodies of the teenagers that went missing last year. What is found is horrifyingly disturbing. A world of mythical beast and Dragons. They somehow are able to speak the native language. Muhammad is escorted by 2 humanoid beings that resemble the likes of angels. He is taken to a large man that claims to be Allah. He says to him that he was a wise student and a great leader of religion and the nation. But before he could say much more, he warned of possible times of tribulations within the world and that this magical place that you had entered would be closed soon. He also says that all the nation's that had claimed the title of Caliphate are false and that the true Caliphate and Caliphate shall arise in the near future East of Arabia. The teenagers were punished dearly and must work as slaves in this fantasy world till the end of their days after being rescued by several angels from falling off one of the cliffs. Following this Muhammad gives a farewell to Allah and a giant door appears behind where he had entered. When the men tried opening it, it was impossible. They soon return back to Kahk. Kahk is officially declared the capital of the nation. Rebuilding of Derbent and Ardabil begin while Muhammad tells his story to Aali who believes in the tale. Market places become more common across the state while farm owners prosper with raw goods. 1,800 men are recruited to the shirvan military and are given a blessing. A prosperous growing season is delivered to the nation sustaining the much larger populace.

970 AD
<p style="font-weight:400;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;">''' Olof Bjornsson dies and is succeeded by Eric Olofsson, changing the title to King of Sweden. In helping his ally Denmark, Eric sends Swedish vikings to also raid the British Isles. '''

''' The Kievan Rus is largely successful in their war, led personally by Prince Sviatoslav, before getting bogged down in Thessaly fighting the Bulgarians. '''

''' After seeing his uncle seize the throne, Bardus Phokus the Younger rebels against Emperor Leo VII. He has few followers, as mostly his military company who proclaim him emperor in Kayseri. '''

''' The Fatimids establish complete control over Egypt as far as Palestine and Hejaz. '''

The volcano of Lake Mashu in Japan erupts.

'''The Siege of London ends with a heroic victory for the English, as the fortification on the Isle of Dogs thwarts the Danish attempts to take it. This fort becomes colloquially called "King Edward's Castle", in honor of the de-jure monarch. Ultimately, a freak rainstorm floods the Thames River, which the Earl Rynair uses to his advantage to drive them from the city. The Danes still have the foothold in Kent, unless they decide to reateat and fight another day.'''

'''France's forces are initially crushed by the German invasion, but although Paris is sacked, the local resistence prevents the Saxon forces from staying too long. Flanders is liberated and becomes part of the HRE. It is up to Lothair to decide if he agrees to Otto's demands.'''

'''Assuming no one objects, Otto I is betrothed to marry the Byzantine princess Junnia of Capadocia, whenever he wants to get around to it. His son, the prince Otto II is married to the princess Gisele of Bavaria.'''

The Abbasid expedition is unsuccessful in reaching the Fatimids, as the Emirate of Mosul in the way does not grant him passage.
 * Scotland: As the Scottish army returns from a great plundering, the people of Scotland are greatly enriched. King Dub, as his final act, visits the King of Strathclyde and offers that they become a vassal now that the Kingdom is fully surrounded by Scotland (mod response for Strathclyde). Dub is very old now, and as his last act as king before his death sets for the construction of the scottish capital called Edinburgh. He wants it to be the model of a great city. Dub's reign will be marked as the beginning of the Scottish Empire. Dub orders sewers to be built under the city and for the city to be built on a roman grid. The day after the sight for the city is chosen and construction begins, Dub dies.
 * RajasomethinglongnamewearejusttheblueplaceinIndia: We invaded that tiny yellow and red state to our Southern coast and annex them into our state. We begin to work on ports to conduct trade with South Southern East Asia and Africa. The government works on emplementing a consistent tax among the poor and rich.
 * Denmark: Harald decides that England isn't worth it. He instead has his army join the one in Normandy, and meets with England to sign a peace.
 * Goryeo: In fear of any Liao military incursions, fortifications are constructed along the Yalu river, while Emperor Gwangjong renounces any territorial claims over former Balhae. Any Balhae refugees aristocrats advocating for an anti-Liao policy are stripped of their real powers though retain their nominal aristocratic titles. The Emperor enacts a policy of compulsory military service for each firstborn male, with service lasting for two years. In order to monitor the movement of his subjects and to prevent tax evasion, a system of household registration is established, while wooden tags used for identification is issued to each citizen. Each conscript is supplied with lamellar armor made with reinforced leather and iron plates, and are trained to be adept in archery as well as melee warfare. Women are encouraged to work in the fields as their husbands and sons are drafted into the military, with said women designated the head of their respective households. He establishes a Confucian civil examination system, though continues to patronize Buddhist religious activities. In order to underpin the economy, copper and gold coinage are minted while banknotes made of mulberry bark are issued by the government. The production of jewellery made of precious metals and gold, porcelain pottery, and intricately-woven silk textiles, are encouraged. The cultivation of cash crops - namely cotton and tea - is encouraged. Using blueprints from the Song dynasty, industrial facilities are constructed, converting pig iron into wrought iron to be used in the production of armor and melee weapons.
 * Commonwealth of Greenland: Grimwald dies this year, and his succeeded as Lawspeaker by his eldest son, Ethbald Thornsfoot. Ethbald reshapes the whole nation starting this year. He establishes the meadhall of Battihild as a fortress, a wooden palace of his opulant residence. He establishes his brothers as feudal nobles over large tracks of land throughout the island, with himself as chief. Ethbald continues to pay homage to Denmark as its vassal, but changse his status officially to the Earldom of Greenland. Ethbald greatly expands the navy, placing 15 longboats under his command, and sends them out to explore the north Atlantic. Farmlands continue to expand. The first military is also established by Ethbald, consisitng of a total of 80 brave warriors.
 * Kingdom of England: Having secured peace with the Scots and Denmark, England is free of invaders. King Edgar the peaceful isn't so peaceful after having been captured by the Scots and having had his Kingdom burnt by the Scots and then invaded by the Danes. Earl Rynair returns to his lands and Edgar plans serious military reform, first the King places a tax on the dispensation of justice to come from any blood money paid and in addition a tribute is placed with a set rate for every hide of land to be taxed upon the owner. It can be paid in cash or equivalent produce. Those who died in the war have their lands redistributed between the King and his nobles but most of the King's royal lands are rented out. Customs on goods coming into England through the southern ports are increased and more carefully checked. Edgar justifies his new taxation scheme by his promise to build a fleet and army to protect England. The lack of ranged weaponry amongst the English forces is an issue and the King orders for one-third of the Fyrd will be equipped as bowmen instead of spearmen with self bows between four and five feet and bodkin point arrows. The capital is moved to London with the destruction of Winchester. This will be the new base of the English fleet and Housecarls. At London with new money raised from taxes construction of a new fleet is begun with wood being taken from west of London and moved down the River Thames to London. Iron forges in London work to make nails and rivets. The Snekkja are assembled with shallow drafts in Danish fashion for beaches and rivers. Seeing the lack of cavalry means an enemy cannot be properly hit when out of shield wall it is decided that the Housecarl of the King should become a more cavalry oriented force with new revenue being made to help their transition to the cavalry. The Housecarl maintain light armour but move to lances instead of spears. The English Benedictine reform is continued.


 * Caliphate of Al-Andalus: Islamification continues, with Islam becoming the dominate religion throughout the peninsula (yes, I know, in a more realistic scenario, this would have to take CENTURIES, to do.) We celebrate the Islamic Version of Christmas, as well, and make it an official holiday. Europeans continue being Arabized, as children are taught in school how to act like Arabs and to praise Mohammed. We fortify and entrench our border with the French, and put a significant more amount of troops on the border.
 * I just want to mention that the Islamic calendar is Lunar, so there is no fixed date on the winter solstice. -Nate
 * Abbasid Caliphate: We pull a /annex MOS and annex the Emirate of Mosul EU4 style. The invasion of Fatimah proceeds as planned. We successfully convert more natives in Australia to Islam, and help them set up technology, culture, relations and establish the Sultanate of Australia. Education is reformed to help develop the youth into contributing to the advancement of technology and the Caliphate. Conversion of more natives in Africa to Islam results in the expansion of Abbasid Somalia. Expansion begins into Arabia for the purpose of looking more intimidating on a map should anyone want to invade us, and for other minor reasons. We begin developing a simpler, more efficient and replicable process to refine iron, and discover it is stronger when combined with carbon. Using a simple process that is currently manual but planned for automation, steel is produced on a larger scale, and as such we have more swords for our armies, and the surplus is used for armor on ships, and is crafted in a way that the ship will still float with the armor on it. We implement the holiday celebrated by the Caliphate of Al-Andalus, and name the festivity Mohammedmas.
 * There is also a Muslim holiday for the birth of Muhammad called Eid Milad an-Nabi. -Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: With control over Hejaz and Palestine, Caliph al-Mu'izz decides to move the capital city to OTL Cairo, due to it's location between the Berber coast and the Arabian peninsula. Although very anxious to continue expansion into the Middle East, the Caliph decides to use this new position as a means of defeating the false Abbasid Caliphate and establishing full Fatimid rule over the Middle East. With the Emirate of Mosul separating the two Caliphates, Caliph al-Mu'izz offers the Emirate of Mosul vassalage into the Caliphate on the terms that the Emir of Mosul retains most of his political power while the Caliph obtains religious power over the Muslims living there. [Mod Response Needed]. Due to the shared border that the Fatimid Caliphate and the Byzantine Empire now hold, Caliph al-Mu'izz sends a delegate to the Byzantine's, offering them a non-aggression pact (or something OTL equivalent) for 30 years, and in return the Fatimid Caliphate will cede the city of Naples to the Byzantine Empire. The Caliph also requests that the Byzantine Empire remain out of the Middle East and in return the Fatimid's will remain out of Anatolia and the Caucasus (and for possible clarification, the Byzantine Empire retains the territory it recently acquired in the Middle East). [Player Response Needed]. Caliph al-Mu'izz writes to the Caliphate of Al-Andalus, telling them to either disassemble their false Caliphate and become a vassal of the Fatimid Caliphate with the pretext that the Umayyads may retain political power in the Iberian peninsula, or face the power of the Fatimid's and Jawhar.  [Player Response Needed]. In case of a sudden unexpected Al-Andalus invasion, military fortresses and bases are created near the Gibraltar straight, and the Berber coast is placed on lock down until the false Caliphate responds. Proselytising of the new territory begins. More military fortresses are built in the Emirate of Sicily. The total military personnel reaches 250,000 with the introduction of Egyptians and Palestinians in ranks. Caliph al-Mu'izz, staring over the city at sunset in OTL Cairo, shakes his head in disappointed towards the player of the Abbasid Caliphate in Ages in Chaos (Map Game).
 * Germany (Saxony): Following the overwhelming victory in France and the plunder secured from the Sacking of Paris Otto the great disbands the imperial army in France except for his Saxon forces which he pays handsomely with the riches gained from France, He marches his personal forces south to Italy to aid in the liberation of Naples. Assuming the tittle of Defender of the Faith Otto I demands that the muslims in Italy surrender and leave in peace or face the might of the Imperial forces. Otto II and his new wife Gisele have a child who is named Otto after his father and grand father. The Ottonian cultural patronage continues to grow as more money flows into the coffers due to introduction of tax reforms and the plunder of war from Otto the Great's campaigns. Settlement and christinization of the Eastern HRE continues particularly in the Nordmark as new coastal and river towns pop up to support trade, which in turns leads to the growth of agricultural settlements. Otto II continues to protect the Catherdral of Madeburg as it carries out the good work of the lord in the Heathen lands. The Count of Flanders is welcomed as a prince of the HRE.

971 AD
''' Duke Richard of Normandy narrowly manages to fight off the Danish invasion. '''

''' Due to a famine in the Kievan Rus, the Grand Prince retreats from the region, signing a Peace Treaty with Bulgaria. '''

''' Bardus Phokus grows in power with local support in central Anatolia. '''

''' Willigis becomes Archbishop of Mainz in Germany. '''

''' King Dubh's successor as King of Scotland is killed by local Brittonic raiders, putting the nation into unrest. Strathclyde agrees to be a Scottish vassal. '''

''' The Abbasid armines quickly overruns part of Syria, and the Emir of Mosul flees to the Fatimids, where he pledges servitude. The Fatimid and Syrian armies decisively defeats the Abbasids at the Battle of Alexandretta, which subsequently raises Antioch to the ground. The overall campaign is a stalemate, splitting Syria three ways between Egypt, Persia and Byzantium. '''

''' The former Saffarid nobles in Iran are increasingly restless. '''

''' The Kingdom of Yue is conquered by the Song Dynasty. '''

''' The Muslim militaries in Naples is crushed by the Saxon and Roman forces. The city itself is taken, but the remaining Muslim military holds back for a final siege at Castel Nuovo. Neopolitans returning to their city begin to clash with the African immigrants who was given the land around Naples by the Faitmid Caliph. '''

''' The West Ganga dynasty falls to the Rashakutras. '''


 * Germany (Saxony): Otto the Great lays siege to the Castel Nuovo not allowing any supplies to get into the strong hold with the intent of starving the muslims into submission. Otto also orders the expulsion of all muslims from the Italian Peninsula. He alows his troops to plunder and pillage the muslim population while forbidden any attack on christians. Leaders of the muslim community are strung up from Naple's walls alongside those who resist the expulsion order. smoke clouds the night sky as thousands of muslims are burned alive. Despite the general brutality of his saxon troops Otto refuses to let the city of naples itself be damage instead allowing the native citizens of Naples do as they see fit. Otto II begins expanding the administration of the Empire y appointing people loyal to his family to positions of power particularly Willigis as the Archbishop of Mainz, using these key appointments Otto II continues his policy of centralizing power both through nespotic appointments and using the church as an important tool of the State. Using the power and titles gained through the campaigning in Italy and influence over the Papacy the Catholic Church is greatly intertwined with the figure of Otto I and the Ottonian family as the god leader of the German people and Christianity as a whole. Ptraonage of the arts and sciences continue. Otto II continues promoting the contruction of new cities in Nordmark assuming direct control of both the Ostmark and the Nordmark integrating them into the Duchy of Saxony. Reform on taxes continues to improve the stream of revenue coming into the imperial coffers. Efforts to keep on good terms with the dukes of the other sterm duchies re made with Otto convening regularly imperial diets to include the other rulers in all changes being made in the state, and Otto II begins to form a close relationship with his brother in law Heinrich II of Bavaria. Efforts to influence the Duke of Swabia are also made given the fact that the aging Duke is without heir,leading many to speculate who the Emperor will appoint as the next duke. A great mass is held in Rome to commemrate the liberation of Naples and the glory brought upon the church and christ himself. Otto I personally attends the mass.
 * Comté de Flandre:With the sacking of Paris ,The flemish army begins to fortify the north of the Somes.The Burger-armee defending the makeshift walls which are mostly made from bricks of local houses and from wood of the forests near the the river.While the Knights of flanders defend the bridges over the river so that if the french come that they can warn the rest. The merchants of the  derde klasse-vloot get the offer by the regency to join the Flemish navy as kapitijn der volke which make them able to command their own ships,and they gain low nobility status of Esquire,which makes them able to bear their own coat of arms


 * Earldom of Greenland: Earl Thornsfoot expands the navy, nationalizing the whaling inconomy around the north Atlantic. Trade is increased with Iceland, and wheat continues to be given to Denmark as tribute. A shipment of five longboats are sent to Newfoundland, led by the great viking admiral Hans Olofsson. Hans explores across the coastline of North America, attempting to encircle the island of Newfoundland and surveying the wildlife there. Hans is the son of Olof of Kujalak, a farmer whose lands was appropriated by the Thornsfoots. Without land to inherit now, Hans is a freelance adventerer. At the Battle of Kitaa, five brave warriors are killed by the natives of Greenland.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Caliph al-Mu'izz writes to the Caliphate of Al-Andalus, telling them to either disassemble their false Caliphate and become a vassal of the Fatimid Caliphate with the pretext that the Umayyads may retain political power in the Iberian peninsula, or face the power of the Fatimid's and Jawhar [Player Response Needed]. After further incorporating more Egyptians and Arabians into the army, the large military force is split into two armies, one for Africa and one for Egypt and Arabia. The Emirate of Sicily becomes more militarized after the loss of Naples to the Romans. The Fatimid navy continues to reign superior in most of the western Mediterranean, with ships continuing to be built and docked in ports across northern Africa and parts of southern Sicily. Expansion into Southern Egypt is made as to secure the Horn of Africa. Military campaigns are continued against the Abbasid Caliphate, with over 45,000 total troops having been used so far. As to not further escalate the situation between the Byzantine Empire and Fatimid Caliphate, the Caliph requests white peace between the Greeks and Ismaili's, with the pretext that the Byzantine's are allowed to keep their territory they have acquired in the Middle East but must cease all military campaigns against the Fatimid's [Player Response Needed]. Expeditions into the kingdoms of lower Egypt are sent, and the Kingdom's of Makuria, Alodia, and Zagwe being offered vassalization into the Fatimid Caliphate [Mod Response Needed].
 * Al-Andalus Response: we refuse to become a vassal of the Fatimid Caliphate, but agree to negotiate a name change, the new name of the Caliphate of Al-Andalus is proposed to become the Viceroyality of Al-Andalus, and would claim to represent Allah's interests in Al-Andalus.
 * Fatimid Diplomacy: Although no longer a Caliphate, Caliph al-Mu'izz proclaims Al-Andalus to be the epitome of God's hate on Earth. The Berber Coast is subsequently militarized as the Fatimid campaign in Iberia will take place soon.
 * Scotland: After the death of the heir to the kingdom, an emergency meeting is called by the earls, who decide to elect a "Lord Lieutenant" among themselves to lead the country and to offer the King of Strathclyde the position of figurehead king due to their good relations. As they are our vassal, they naturally agree. The lord lieutenant is to serve for life until death, when they will be re-elected by the court. The Lord Lieutenant abbreviated as LL, named Raonull MacPhilip, orders his head engineers to study roman ruins across the known world to get a gauge of building the new capital which will be named Duburgh (after king Dub and in modern day Edinburgh). LL Raonull (anglicized as Reynold) orders that Hadrian's wall be reconstructed. English populations in conquered land have been significantly reduced after the ravages of war and Scottish farmers resettle the region as growing towns in the north become overpopulated.
 * Strathclyde: Strathclyde, now officially united with Scotland, becomes more incorporated into Scotland, with Cumbric becoming an official language of the entirety of Scotland to enfranchise brittonic people. The army of Strathclyde is incorporated into the Scottish army.


 * Korea: In order to solidify itself as the successor state of Silla and move itself to the epicenter of the Korean population, the ruling Goryeo dynasty relocates their capital from Gaeseong to Seorabeol. Fortifications lining the Yalu river are constructed, comprised of reinforced earth bricks. Compulsory military service extends to all males between the age of eighteen and twenty years, with service lasting for two years. Each conscript is supplied with lamellar armor (of reinforced leather and ironed plates) while trained to be adept in both archery and melee warfare. Using blueprints acquired from the Song dynasty and Chinese diplomats, industrial facilities are built, converting massive volumes of pig iron into wrought iron to be utilized for the production of armor and weaponry. In order to monitor the movement of Korea's citizens and to prevent tax evasion among the nobility, a system of household registration is enforced and wooden identification tags is issued to every individual. The census yields approximately 780,000 households, amounting to a total of 3,900,000 inhabitants. In order to underpin the economy, copper and gold coinage are minted while banknotes made of mulberry bark are issued by the government. The production of jewellery made of precious metals and gold, porcelain pottery, and intricately-woven silk textiles, are encouraged. The cultivation of cash crops - namely cotton and tea - is encouraged.


 * Caliphate of Al-Andalus: due to Fatamid refusing our offer to change our name, we keep Caliphate in our name, and prepare to oncoming invasion. Our strong navy patrols the southern waters, and our coasts. The Southern coast, and strategic military bases such as in Gibraltar, are militarized and highly protected. Soldiers ready for an invasion, and also line up on our other coasts. Europeans continue to voluntarily Arabize, and are commonly accepted into society now they have decided to join us. European Woman wear Burqas, by force and voluntarily in the Caliphate, and in the vassals and protectorates, many woman voluntarily wear Burqas, as the Arab influence has effected the clothing of Europeans in the so called "free zones", which are the protectorates and vassals of the Caliphate. The public is being readied for war, with propaganda being plastered everywhere, calling for all men to join the army, and the woman to not cook for a fatamid men, and for the children to reject Fatimid traditions and education. Europeans, Now nicknamed "Arabpeans" due to their high adoption of Arab culture, speak out against the fatamids, and pledge loyalty to the Caliph and Mohammed. Ibrahim publicly claims to be the rightful heir to Mohammed, and shall not be intimated by the forces of evil, and claims that Allah is with us!
 * Kingdom of England: People continue to rebuild from the war with the Scottish. King Edgar creates new advisers at his court to be selected from amongst the Earls and Thegns with Master of the Horse being responsible for the armies and fleets. The Master of the Horse is Earl Rynair who concerned about the amount of practice being done on archery mandates that on the seventh day of the week those members of the Fyrd who are archers must practice in the village green. In addition construction of long ships continues to occur with them building on dry land near London town and then being sent out to various Earlodormen for use as commercial ships and in times of war to be used for war. Aware of the lack of skilled craftsmen, King Edgar creates royal trade schools with recruits being from younger sons of freedmen to pass on skills. Continued raising of taxes with a new Thegn appointed to nationally oversee the King's ways and means to pay for military expansion in the form of ships and equipment for Housecarls.

972 AD
''' The Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus is assassinated by agents of Bulgaria. '''

''' Bardus Phokus breaks off part of Anatolia as the "Empire of Cappadocia". '''

''' Polish monarch Mieszka I into Pomerania, defeating the Margrave of Ostmark. '''

''' The Ziridi rises in prominence as Emir of Tunisia, as the Fatimids move to Egypt. '''

''' Pope John XIII dies and is succeeded by Pope Benedict VI. '''

''' Petersborough Cathedral is rebuilt in Cantebury after the end of the Scottish War. '''

''' The War of the Capuan League finally expulses all Muslims from the Italian peninsula. '''

''' The Coptic states south of Egypt become vassals of the Fatimids, hoping to gain their alliance against the Sunni muslims they had been fighting. '''

''' Under the strain of holding the Fatimids at bay, the Iranian feudal states breaks off from the Abbasids to form the restored Saffarid Dyansty. The Abbasids yet retain authority over Iraq and Syria, but these are more loose vassals. '''


 * Germany (Saxony): With the final victory in Italy Otto I turns his attention to the north where word has reached him of the Polish expansion into Saxon lands in Pomerania. Otto the Great marches his veteran army into Silesia attacking in leaving 5,000 troops to secure the SIlesian region while the other 20,000 march on Poznan. Otto the Great continues to lead personally ensuring high morale and efficient leadership. An attempt to cut off the Polish forces that have invaded Saxon lands in Nordmark. Furthermore a mercenary froce of 10,000 troops is raised by Otto II to engage the Polish in Pomerania directly creating a pincer action. Consolidation of the rest of the Nordmark and Ostmark hurries up to ensure the regions are firmly under saxon control. Expansion of infrustructure begins throughout the Royal domains and into the other duchies to improve the flow of internal trade. Tax reforms continue and appointment of collectors is established to ensure loyalty and trust in the collection of Imperial funds. PAtronage of the arts continues. Otto I and his wife produce a daughter Ursula. While Otto the child of Otto II continues to grow now 2 years old.
 * Comté de Flandre:The regency decides to make Rysel the Hoofdstad(Capital city).They do decide go keep the hofstad(court city) in Brugge.This action is so that the nation is ruled from a more central location that is closer to france and particulary Paris.Our Profesional navy now also sends 3 ships to the Seine moving during the night so that they can slowly advance to villages near the french capital of Paris,Where they spread rumours about how the frankian king has actualy fled the city and that the person they thought to be the frankish king is actualy a Double to make him look less scared of the danger facing him.The derde klasse-vloot Begins to patrol the mouth of the somme River to prevent any french reinforment to come from near the river mouth.While at the same time Our nobles offer the Mayor of Amiens to Surrender(Mod Respose) and if they do they will get and 5year tax excemtion and 10 years of only 50 % tax on the city.
 * Earldom of Greenland: The navy and military continues to be expanded, as is trade with Iceland. Wheat is still given to Denmark as tribute. Earl Thornsfoot proclaims new laws regarding natives, which incorporates the native population within the realm of Greenland. This solves our disputes with the natives. The colony of Newtown in Newfoundland is expanded, and admiral Olofsson continues further south to explore new lands to colonize.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: After hearing of the recent loss that the Abbasid's had, Caliph al-Mu'izz takes the time to launch a full on invasion of Iraq and Abbasid-occupied Syria, as a means of fully dissolving the Abbasid Caliphate and overrunning the Caliphate's loose holdings over it's vassals [Mod Response on success]. Caliph al-Mu'izz decides to delay the invasion of Cordoba until the Abbasid's are fully annihilated. Turks continue to be phased out of the Caliphate and the military. Sicily continues to be militarized. The Coptic states are welcomed under tolerance by Caliph al-Mu'izz.
 * Scotland: Construction of Duburgh/Edinburgh continues. Population growth doesn't continue as hoped and LL Raonull, through King Dwynal, issues a decree that all families with more than 20 children will be given better plots of land than those who have less. This helps population growth somewhat. We rename ourselves the Kingdom of Alba as it focuses less on Scotsmen. People sent to study Roman Ruins in our ally Normandy arrive there and begin studying them. Fishing becomes more popular and some fishermen become pirates. The boats of the Scottish navy are rented out to individuals who use them to raid parts of Ireland, Spain, and Norway. King Dwynal visits England and presents them several gifts. Scottish pirates siege the city of Belfast in Northern Ireland, hoping to conquer Ulster for the Alban crown.


 * Abenaki Chiefdom: Anakin is declared chief after his father's death from a black bear attack a week before and his burial just 3 days before. As an 18 year old young man, he begins to establish his rule. he request the compulsory service of 200 men per year to be selected at random across the nearby villages and to be put into service to protect the tribe. he orders the construction of a large hut just a mile inland. The wheel is invented as well after his strict request from village craftsmen to make things more easy to carry besides using weaved sacks and such. This invention is name whikicha after the inventors request. Soon he is hired and ordered to work for the new chief day and night in exchange for a slight surplus in goods for his family and relatives to find a way to attach this device to allow cargo to be moved. A man by the name of Aputsiaq discovers a way to lore in turkeys and birds without using spears. Land begins to be cleared by stone axes and such to cut down trees.Along the St. Lawrence, more areas of fishing and such begin to be established. A female weaver by the name Aninaka while helping some elderly men in their fishing happens to weave a net with thread to try and catch fish. Elders are called upon in a meeting ordered by the chief in order to help establish control over the peoples. This proto-government begins to be worked out as a new establishment is made with 86 settlers named Ardabani. The chief catches some interest in this. some pathways begin to be made to help people not get lost while travelling through local villages.


 * Caliphate of Al-Andalus: our army reaches a size of 400,001. We ready for a defense of the motherland. We send a group of explorers out west to establish trade with the Japanese, but then accidentally discover the Americas by landing on the OTL island of Bermuda. Our puppets and protectorates officially join the caliphate, and relinquish their power as child rulers come into power and are quickly used as a puppet to take full control of the north. Sharia law is introduced to the North of al-Andalus, as Christians quickly run into their homes and shut their windows and lock their doors, while Muslim Horsemen Trot down the streets with swords, though Christianity is not illegal, but has heavy restrictions. The Europeans In the north are heavily arabized in schools and out on the street, as new Arabic food is introduced, and Islamic symbolism because common, with Muslim crescents being plastered everywhere, and mosques built across the northern lands. Children in Al-Andalus are indoctrinated at a young age, and are taught in school to praise Allah and to never marry anyone not Muslim. Girls are also taught to wear burqas and taught that wearing other clothes is an act against Allah and blasphemous towards the teachings of Mohammed. The caliph is glorified across the land, as all races cry and cheer when he trots down the streets of Córdoba on his trusty steed. His face is placed at the head of every classroom, and newspaper articles contribute 3 articles to him each day. We publicly claim the Fatmid caliph to be blasphemous and too be a false prophet, and dolls of him are ripped to shreds by children and life sized dolls are burned and hanged in public.


 * Korea: The Emperor announces the abolition of serfdom, emancipating all serfs. However, a system of contracted servitude is established and the emancipated serfs are not granted any private land, and instead landlords grant the peasants their estates and properties in-exchange for rent (paid in grain). The fortification of the Yalu river and the endorsement of militarization continues to defend Korea from Liao incursions. In order to monitor the movement of Korea's citizens and to prevent tax evasion among the nobility, a system of household registration is enforced and wooden identification tags is issued to every individual. In order to underpin the economy, copper and gold coinage are minted while promissory banknotes (certifying the quantity and purity of their metal deposit) made of mulberry bark are issued by government lenders. Government lenders begin building vaults to store vast quantities of bullion. The production of luxury items such as porcelain, jewelry, silk textiles, and handicrafts are encouraged. The cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, apples, and tea, in-conjuction with grains such as rice and wheat, are encouraged. Taro, a low-maintenance root crop, begins to be cultivated after being acquired from trade. Using blueprints acquired from the Song dynasty and Chinese diplomats, industrial facilities are built, converting massive volumes of pig iron into wrought iron, which are to be utilized for the production of military armaments. Each conscript is supplied with lamellar armor (of reinforced leather and iron plates), a shield, as well as melee weaponry and a bow and arrow (which are all reinforced with iron). Each conscript is trained rigorously in both archery and melee warfare. Gunpowder is independently developed using sulfur and charcoal acting as fuelers, while potassium nitrate (saltpeter) acting as an oxidizer. Gunpowder begins to be weaponized; incendiary arrows and rudimentary rocket projectiles are developed, while fireworks are weaponized. These discoveries are applied in the military.

973 AD
<u style="font-weight:700;">The Silk Road is fully established, and spices and silk from China are now sold in Germany, thanks largely to a complex trade network by various Muslim and Jewish merchants. The Vikings have a similar trade network known as the "Golden Arch" that stretches from Byzantium through Northern Europe to Greenland and Newfoundland.

''' The "Regularis Concordia", an order of rules for Monks, is offered by Bishop Aethelwold to King Edgar at the Council of Winchester. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">Amiens surrenders to Flanders.

<u style="font-weight:700;">Pope Benedict VI is consencrated at Rome, and is a puppet ruler for the HRE.

''' The Byzantine general Melias leads a large army to crush the Empire of Cappadocia. '''

''' Miezko I of Poland heroically routes the German forces Silesia in spite being outnumbered. However, the forces led by Otto manage to completely conquer Poznan. Miezko raises 10,000 defensive troops and 5,000 mercenaries to gather at his auxilerary capital of Gniezno, and prepares to meet Otto. '''

''' Construction of Cairo is complete in Egypt. The Ziridi family becomes governors of Tunisia. '''

''' The Abbasid Caliphate completely collapses into the Emirate of Mosul and the Emirate of Basra, while the Abbasids control just the city of Baghdad. Mosul falls to the Fatimid invasion. '''

''' As Ulster is in civil war, the people of Belfast offers Dwynal of Scotland to be their King. '''

''' When the ships of Al-Andalus reaches Bermuda, they find the island inhabited by affectionate plant-women. However, as soon as the women kiss the landing party, they are injected with spores and are rooted to the beach as plant-people. The rest of the ships, seeing the error of cross-pollonization, returns quickly back to Cordoba. '''


 * Alba: King Dwynal accepts lordship over Belfast, Scottish pirates dock their ships in its harbor and begin mobilizing in Ulster. Some ships go back to Scotland and bring several veteran battalions from the English War who swarm over Ulster and bring it under our control. Cities that surrender before we siege them are allowed to live peacefully while those that fight are brutally sieged and burned to the ground. As usual, Church lands are spared. LL Raonull, being part Irish, has great respect for them and treats the Irish much better than we treated the English. Construction continues on Duburgh/Edinburgh. LL Raonull wants to have more people settling in coastal cities to help build a navy and establish a maritime empire, so he decides to tax farmers and those living away from rivers and coasts more than those on coasts and in rivers. The money from this goes to building ships. Scottish merchants/pirates settle all along the Irish Sea in Britain and Ireland, especially in Wales, Leinster, and Ulster. Scottish merchants reach Greenland and begin trading. One Scotsman hears of a land of wine to the west and spreads the story to other scots.
 * Comté de Flandre:With Amiens surendering to the Flemish Knights.The Regency also proposed a peace treaty to the french.The Treaty of Artesië which is to create peace and ease the tension between The county of Flanders and the Kingdom of Frankia.Arnulf II von Flandrensis becomes count of flanders after being under a regent for 13 years he is still adviced by them because his young age. The Flemish Fleet is also now moved to the city of Kales which once was the city where julius ceasar began his expedition into Britanica.And now it will be the Place where the Flemish navy will be based to defend the flanders and the rest of the Germanic world.The Flemish fleet is also officialy created into two components the fleet that is under nobles control the "nobiles classemque" and the merchant fleet who need to directly swear loyalty to the count but who will gain noble titles,their navy is called the "mercatores classemque".Our capital also gets send More recources to Rebuild it since it still haven't fully recoverred the Viking attacks it suffered 40 years ago.These recources are paid by the monotary gain of the War of Freedom and the gains from the Kingdom of Frankia.This way Rysel also gets New walls that are build two spear throw lengths farther then before so that more buildings can be build in the city and so that the wals can if needed be reinforced from the inside.
 * Abenaki Chiefdom: As Anakin pushes to further establish his rule, he places a permanent heir system where his family rules as the tribal leader. If he happens to not have a heir, his brother takes over, etc. (you get the idea) As the wheel becomes more improved, the craftsman gets a bit of help with a carpenter used to making totem poles and such but has been hired to make his stone wheel out of wood. A cart is tested with the wheel to carry goods. It goes down perfectly. With this, the chief announces that a new format of carrying goods have been found. The fishing nets made by the woman last year gets a group of young weavers to weave more nets and to pass down to fisherman. By the end of the year, 13 villages along the St. Lawrence begin to use them and with knowledge of how to make it, some begin to be sold for goods. Town huts begin to see a bit of expansion towards them as they begin to establish a local trading network due to more wealth. Farming is expanded as well. A small amount of wild horses are caught. They see this as a gift from the heavens for such a rare item. Before anyone is able to do anything with them, Anakin orders them to keep them contained and to not harm them. If anyone does, they will be killed and deposited into the river. This disturbs some while the elders for the most part fear him but like his style of fair strictness. As pathways are expanded upon, the missing peoples rate drops. Archers and such are recruited this year and raid the Chikanaki tribe to the north capturing it. A pent is formed with wood to contain the horses in a larger space. More land is cleared and development along the coast grows. Ardabani sees more people coming into it and the elders elect a 28 year old man to run the village and maintain it's inhabitance. He quickly orders the building of hut blocks where a line of 5-8 homes in a line from one side to the other have a easy to walk through path that leads to worship centers and back to their huts. Symbol markings are placed on huts as a form of telling who's hut is whose by a form of proto-address.
 * Earldom of Greenland: The meadhall of Batthild is expanded to a grand palace for Earl Thornsfoot. The army is expanded to 200 soldiers. The military is fitted with chainmail, axes and swords from Denmark. The navy is similarly expanded to 25 longboats, under the command of admiral Olofsson. The admiral expands the colony of Newtown on the island of Newfoundland, going further inland. Olofsson also sends more ships to chart out the coastline of Canada. Farmlands are also expanded, and tribute is sent back to Denmark.
 * Germany (Saxony): Otto the Great haven secured Poznan uses it to establish a supply line between Germany and the Slavic hinterland. Otto rethusely orders the execution of thousands of Slavs who are deemed Pagans with the bodies being strung up from trees, ands walls.. He also sends an envoy to Rome demanding the Pope excummute Miezko so that Otto's campaign gets increased legitimacy as protecting the expansion of christianity as most slavs are nothing but heathens and the Polish ruler is not a true Christian but just de jure convert seeking to protect his crypto-pagan ways. The 10,000 mercenaries raised by Otto II are sent to link up with Otto I who with numerical superiority marches just short of Gniezo instead moving to cut the city off from potential supplies and starve the city much in the way of what happened in Italy in the previous war while he waits on more siege equipment to carry out a siege of the city. The Idea is starve and demoralize the Polish forces to the point that it is either break out and destroy the already outnumbered troops in an open battle where numbers and experience will count more and where Otto can depend on his knights more realibly. The troops live off the land plundering much of the country side while Otto II continues to consolidate Saxon rule over Nordmark and Ostmark. The ottonians promise as a reward for sevice lands siezed from the Slavs once the campaign is over. Otto II continues to reform taxation and administration on the Imperial level though this is strictly the resposibilities that the Dukes owe to the empire and their autonomy is retained. Otto II also continues to extend Ottonian influence in Swabia by approaching the Swabian nobility and Buchard III himself who is an aging old man offering them all large financial aid and tax cuts in exchange for accepting Otto II as their future Duke (mod response please). Otto II begins looking at the old roman Empire the one which the HRE takes its name from as the supposed successor and starts to take an interest in the Romans and their ways. Farmland and mining activities are greatly expanded as the demands for them grow.
 * Swabia accepts - Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: As spoken about loosely last year, the invasion of the Caliphate of Al-Andalus takes place. Much of the naval presence is moved from the Emirate of Sicily to launch an invasion upon the Valencian islands, deploying over 30,000 troops on all three islands. An invasion is launched up through the eastern coast of Iberia, with over 75,000 trained men and Jawhar moving in through the region and another 45,000 moving in from the west. With the remaining 75,000 soldiers, they are directed to strategic military bases along the Gibraltar straight and the Algerian coast. In the Middle East, the war against the ever diminishing Abbasids continue, with the Egyptian and Syrian forces moving further into Iraq with the mission of collapsing the Emirate of Basra and moving to occupy Baghdad. Forces are positioned on the north and west parts of the Emirate, in hopes of quickly pushing the Basra militants eastward into Persia and establishing effective rule over the state [Mod Response Needed]. Al-Aziz, son of al-Mu'izz, begins his ascendance into his position of Caliph, and is expected to succeed al-Mu'izz in 975. Expeditions and expansion is made towards the Horn of Africa, as a means of moving popular native trade to Alexandria and the newly built Cairo.
 * Kingdom of England: The Council of London sanctions the Regularis Concordia as the rules for the monks and such as part of the Benedictine reform. King Edgar continues to see the necessity of a strong navy and so institutes a new tax on coastal and some river settlements which do fishing for the protection of the English navy because the Danegeld doesn't cover their incomes. This money goes to the newly established Royal fleet yards which work on building new larger vessels such as Skied taking larger crew. In an attempt to increase production workers moved to the mouth of the River Exe bringing wood from the surrounding areas and metal from Devon along with space for construction. Focus on shipwrights in increased at the London trade school.
 * Abenaki Chiefdom: The horses begin to become quite well maintained and become friendly to their owners. Anakin establishes a very elaborate home made from logs and Stone. They are chiseled to rectangle like shape and are placed down with mud and such. A proto currency is set up with the upper classes able to exchange with pieces of silver while lower classes exchanging goods with a form of seed currency set up by the chief. These seeds are harvested from pine cones in the forest and are placed within a depository guarded by 45 warriors. A dispute occurs with a native tribe across the Shasquen River (OTL t. Lawrence River). A dispute occurs due to our holdings of OTL Montreal Island being threatened after a family was attacked by 18 warriors by one of their chief Archers cross the river on canoes. A new method of protection is found after a craftsmen made a sort of shield against them to prevent injury. This happens to be successful while crossing the river as the men are encountered by 40 archers on montreal lead by their chief who shoot back at the 40 canoes crossing over. only 13 are killed or injured leavin 230 men on Montreal. With their spears and bows, they manage to take out the other army. They burn down the village of Saquelam on the opposite side after crossing Montreal as a form of revenge. But this is met with sympathy following this where the people are treated with herbal medicines and such. Following this, the chief is caught and executed ending our war. A large designated docking zone made of wooden planks is made to protect and secure our canoes. A chief is placed in charge of the opposite side of Shasquen. 2 designated zones are made named east and west Shasquen. Our armies encounter more of the Arsegantinok and they attack re-igniting the war against their people.

974 AD
<p style="font-weight:400;">''' Prince Hywel revolts against his uncle, King Iago of Wales. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' An earthquake strikes the British Isles. '''

''' After the full victory of the Germans against the Poles, the County of Holstien revolts from the new King Otto II. Due to grievences over taxation, Holstien offers to join Denmark instead. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">Pope Benedict VI is murdered by agents of an aristocratic family italian family, the Crescentii, who puts their crony in power as Pope Boniface VII. The new Pope is more anti-imperial and strengthens power of the Crescentii in northern Italy.

''' The Fatimids continue to conquer more of Mesopotamia, pushing the Buyid Sultan of Basra further south. After Baghdad is seized, some of the Abbasid family flees east to Persia. '''

''' Unfortunately things are slowed by the Fatimids with events at home. The Qarmatians revolt in Upper Egypt against Fatimid rule, seeing it as too feudal and imperialistic, and attempt to displace the Caliph. '''

''' The Fatimid campaigns in Iberia remain an overall success. The Islands of Majorca are fully seized by the Faitmid navy, crushing the navies of Cordoba. The Christian states of Leon, Barcelona, and Castile all throw out the Muslims and become independent, collectively managing to resist the Fatimid invasion of the east. The Fatimids manage to establish control over European Gibralter, but a decisive land battle in Granada prevents them from pushing any further. '''

''' The Cappadocian Empire is conquered by the Byzantines. '''

''' On the Chinese New Year, the Liao and Song Emperors have a council of peace with each other. '''

''' A great confederate horde of tribes in Siberia is founded, led by the Nivkhgu people. '''
 * Germany (Saxony): Otto the Great returns from his Polish campaign having conquered the nascent Polish state. Upon his truimphant return to Saxony Otto I unfortunately passes away leaving Otto II as the sole Emperor and king of Germany as well as the new Duke of Saxony. With his father's army Otto II demands the submission of Holstein again or face the reprecussions of revolt. In a secret envoy to Denmark Otto II offers a small payment in exchange for the Danes ignoring the request of the Holstien Nobility. Otto II marches into the region with 15,000 troops to lay siege to Kiel and to secure the countryside With another 10,000 troops being marshalled from fresh levies. The now deposed Duke of Poland Mieszco is spared by Otto II and is allowed allowed to retain some of his previously held power as an administrator with a rump Duchy of Poland being restored to his control minus Silesia and Pomerania which are parcelled out to the troops and nobles as payment for services rendered and for continued service as fiefs of the Duke of Saxony. Silesia and Pomerania are integrated into the Marches o Nordmark and Ostmark while Mieszko is forced to swear fielty to the Ottonian dynasty and to the Kingdom of Germany as a Vassal of the German crown. Otto II continues to consolidate Ottonian authority in the HRE despite setbacks in Rome and Holstein with the Swabian succession secretly secured for himself. An envoy is sent to Rome to demand the pope excomunicate the Crescentii family and submit once more to Imperial authority or face another invasion of Rome to restore Imperial Authority. Otto II and his wife have another child named Freidrich. The Ottonian Patronage of artists and scientists continue as intellectuals from all corners of the Empire travel to the court of Otto II to seek funding. Otto II commissions a new city built to become his capital. He chooses a location on the River Elbe. more to be added later.
 * Comté de Flandre:Victory has come to Flandrensis.Freedom has Been Gained with the Help of the Kingdom of Germany and the Holy roman emperor.For this we will prepare a fest In the City Hall of Arras.Our Count Arnulf II of flanders personaly writes to Otto II "Ego Arnulfus II inuitet arbitratus ut venirem ad Brugae haec erat dies festus Otto II majestatem ad honorem Flandrensis adeptus uictoria tua ob eam"("I Arnulf II invite you my majesty Otto II to come to Bruges for a feast in honor of your greatness and  the victory Flanders gained because of it")(German Response).His diplomats also send message to all most ruling nobles in the german kingdom,in particular the duke of lower and higher lothangria,the bavarian noble family,The English royals and Even the Norse Nobles.With help of advisors our Count Arnulf II decides that the "mercatores classemque" should have 2/3 of the whole fleet and the "nobiles classemque" should only have maximum 1/3 of the fleet.Since Sea faring is seen as less prestegious then being a knight on the land.They do decide that the both fleets should be under command of one leader appointed by the fleet itself where both fleets get half the votes.This does make it so that the nobles have electoral favour.They do decide on the name "regiis classemque"for the combined name of both fleets. Our Capital Rysel is getting rebuild and a great palace build 1000 feet way from it.This palace is called Gravenhof (Countscourt) and it is a combination between a small castle and a palace with it have a minor moat and 30 foot tall walls to defend itself from enemies but also has enough chambers to have 500 munks,peasants or knights in it
 * Earl Thornsfoot of Greenland sends his second daughter, Else of Greenland, to the festival at Bruges. -Nate
 * Earldom of Greenland: The Meadhall of Batthild continues to be expanded, and is now dedicated as Thornsfoot Castle. Trade is expanded across the north sea with Iceland and Denmark, where we send more tribute. The military continues to be advanced, utilizing technology from the Danes. The navy is also improved, and expands their control of the North Atlantic. Admiral Olofsson continues to chart the coast of Canada, coming close to the mouth of the OTL Lawrence River. The colony of Newtown on Newfoundland expands. Thornsfoot offers his daughter, his only child in marriage to a merchant from Iceland.
 * Alba: Scottish pirates fresh from our new territory in Ulster travel to Wales to help out King Lago. King Dwynal offers to send the actual scottish army to help out Lago if they agree to vassalization (Welsh Response please!). LL Raonull fears that the English will intervene in Wales and readies the Scottish army along hadrians wall, which has been somewhat restored for use as a military battlement. Scholars return from studying roman ruins in Normandy and have compiled a tome on roman architecture. The tome is brought to the head architects constructing Duburgh/Edinburgh to help with construction. Cumbers begin settling across Scotland and scots settle in stratchlyde, mixing the populations of the two states.
 * Lordship of Ulster: LL Raonull appoints Arthur Machein, a popular lord and earl of Derry, as Lord of Ulster. Lord Arthur appoints a court of Ulsterian lords who will elect the next lord of Ulster in the same way that the Lord Lieutenant is elected. Scottish pirates settle in coastal cities and become merchants and fishermen.
 * Kingdom of England: Aware that a Scottish army in Wales would pose a significant threat to the English due to their un-godly behaviour during the last war, the King of England offers to support King Lago as a gesture of goodwill but if a Scottish army were to be allowed on Welsh soil the English would have to support the rebelling Hywel. (Mod response). While the King is unhappy about the possibility of another land war in Great Britain, preparations must be made. Further efforts are made to increase the cavalry to infantry ratio and the Fyrd has more archers than previously. The Fyrd are raised in expectation of conflict and moved to assembly points of Gloucester, London, King's Lynn and Hull while the Housecarl are moved by sea to Hull. The fleets of the Earldormen are dispersed to coastal settlements near the Fyrd assembly points so troops can be moved quickly. Taxes continue to be raised to pay for a growing fleet and bodyguard with work in London and Exmouth only halting with the raising of the militia.
 * Alban Diplomacy: LL Raonull, not wanting a war, offers a deal where Wales becomes a buffer state and no troops, English or Scottish,enter. Scottish and English merchants will retain trading rights in Wales, however. Nobody will intervene in the Welsh civil war.
 * Fatimid Diplomacy: Due to the power of the flying carpet, a mystical genie comes over and tells the King to not pay attention to the Alban Diplomacy, and to ignore everything the Scottish ever want to offer.
 * British dip: The deal with Scotland is agreed neither side will have troops enter into Wales.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: With the expedition and general expansion southward, Arab traders introduce Islam to the various tribes in Southern Egypt, which begin to slowly supplant Christianity. Conscription of more Syrians and Palestinians continue following the successful capturing of Baghdad. As ordered, all members of the Abbasid dynasty are to be successfully purged and killed throughout all of the territory successfully occupied. Forces are positioned all throughout the north, as a means of coming straight down onto the diminishing Sultanate of Basra and capturing the city of Basra by the end of the year [Mod Response Needed]. The recent revolts by the Qarmatians are quickly stopped by Jawhar after he orders much of the Egyptian military to assist in displacing the Qarmatians out of Egypt. In response to the incident, Caliph al-Mu'izz declares war on the Qarmatians, with military fortifications being made in key Fatimid cities that have been conquered in the Middle East. Although no military campaigns are planned yet, ideas are made for further war following the defeat of the Abbasids.
 * Zirid Sultanate: With much of the secular control having been given graciously by the Caliph, military campaigns continue in Iberia as ordered under by the Caliph. With the success, pride and nationalism are enjoyed graciously among the populace, with more and more men signing up for the military. With this new sense of pride, the military increases from 75,000 to 154,000, and with that, 50,000 more men are subjugated to participate in the war. 15,000 troops are asked to further the advancement in the west, 15,000 up through the east, and the remaining 40,000 are directed straight up into Gibraltar to stop the stalemate. With much of the navy having been retained following the moving of the Fatimid's, rule over the Kalbids continues to be strong, with further militarization continuing in Sicily.

975 AD
''' Edgar the Peaceful dies in Winchester. Both his sons Edward and Aethelred have a claim to the throne, and although many nobles support Edward, some magnates that support Aethelred mount a large army at London. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;">''' Count Oberto I dies. The March of Genoa is subsequently divided among his sons. '''

'''<u style="font-weight:700;">Pope Boniface VII does not contradict the Emperor, but delays the receipt of his envoy. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">Wiligis becomes Archbishop of Mainz.

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' King Boleslaus II unites the Bohemian lands. '''

''' Having reunited Anatolia and cementing its rule over Aleppo, Byzantium declares war on the Fatimid Caliphate and invades Syria, attempting to push towards Jerusalem. Basra however fully submits to the Fatimids. '''

''' The Song Emperor Taizu unites the rest of central China. '''

' Iago '', King of Wales, defeats his nephew in the civil war. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Festival of Arras in Flanders is famed across all of western Europe, as noble familes from Germany, Italy, France, and Britain all dine at the court of Count Arnulf II. "Festivarras" becomes a household word for a party.

''' Harold Bluetooth of Denmark is sufficiently bribed by the Emperor, and the Holstein rebels are defeated. '''

''' The Nivkhgu apoints a Khan to rule over themselves, and expands to control most of the Amur Basin. '''

''' The Japanese Empire begins expanding north from Honshu to colonize Hokaido. '''
 * Comté de Flandre:Arnulf II begins to encourage peasants and workers to go to the Habour city of Kales.He promisses that everyone will be given work there working to Improve the Natural Habour to become a well defended hub of trade and of naval defence.Their first job is to Build a Dockyard to build the first new boats.Our Capital Rysel begins to get more trade with the jobs that are needed to make it a defendable and self sufficient city.The Local nobles also begin to demand toll on certain roads that are needed for trade,suplies and contact with other cities and Most Importantly the Court city of Bruges where Arnulf II.
 * Earldom of Greenland: Else and Bridget, the daughters of Earl Ethbald, return to Thornsfoot Castle this year. The farmlands are expanded along with the navy. Native crop techniques are added to supplement native nordic crops, as mroe tribute is sent back to Denmark. The colony of Newtown is expanded on the Island of Newfoundland, as the navy of Olofsson has completely claimed the whole island. Bridget is betrothed to marry the merchant named Erik. Hans Olofsson explores more of the Lawrence river, and discovers the Abenaki people. He offers trade of fur for beads with them.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: After Caliph al-Mu'izz dies at age 44, his son al-Aziz succeeds his position and is labeled Caliph. The Caliph begins his reign by annexing the territories of Basra and Mosul, but do the large extension of the Caliphate and the inability to govern all of Iraq and Egypt, he decides to keep ʿIzz al-Dawla in semi-power under the condition that Iraq becomes a vassal/emirate of the Fatimid's and subsequently see al-Aziz as the true successor to Muhammad. Much of the military campaigns in Iraq stop, and most of the armies the regions remain posted in Baghdad and Basra in case of possible rebellion or invasion by Persia. Due to the Byzantine Empire attempting to seize Jerusalem, Caliph al-Aziz divides the Egyptian military in half, with one half remaining in Egypt to keep order and one going to go fight the Byzantine Empire. Lead by Jawhar, an army of roughly 25,000 are sent to defend against Byzantine invaders in Syria. Caliph al-Aziz, under his father's last words (or something like that), tells Emire al-Dawla to begin military campaigns against the Qarmatians, and for the Zirid's to continue the invasion against Iberia. To end the war against the Byzantine's, Caliph al-Aziz calls for the ending of conflict under the condition that the Byzantine Emperor obtains sovereignty over the Orthodox/Catholic/Christian population in Jerusalem, with Jerusalem being neutral territory between both nations, in which military activity in the city limits are not allowed.
 * Zirid Sultanate: With the war against Iberia pretty much over, Gibraltar and the Islands of Majorca are rightfully annexed to the Sultanate and with the Caliphate of Al-Andalus being nearly diminished, peace is called with the Christian Kingdoms under the fact that they may keep their sovereignty if they do not attempt to seize Fatimid claims. With this ending, and the recent Byzantine invasion of Fatimid-held Syria, Sultan Buluggin orders the invasion of Byzantine Sicily under the reasoning that they are busy attempting to seize Syria. The navy, which is statistically on par with the Byzantine Empire, is ordered to attack and seize the territory, and with Fatimid-held Sicily being a militarized state, the powerful army of 30,000 begins a large invasion of Byzantine Sicily.
 * Emirate of Iraq: With Emir al-Dawla remaining in power, and under the orders of Caliph al-Aziz, military campaigns against the Qarmatians begin under the pretext that they attempted to dethrone and displace the Caliph. With the total military being roughly 60,000, a squadron of 12,000 are sent to move southward. Upon the invasion of al-Hasa, Emire al-Dawla calls on to all slaves in the Qarmatian state to revolt on the pretext that they will be given rightful citizenship and will be allowed the riches that the Qarmatians are rumored to have.
 * Kingdom of England: Aware of the importance of there being no blood spilling over who should be the new King, all the nobles meet up to discuss what should happen. In the end they decide that while Edward should come to the throne as the elder and the parentage of Ethelred is uncertain because Edgar was busy with Danes and Scots when Ethelred was conceived, Ethelred will be given some lands belonging to his father and if Edward should prove unsuitable he could always go. The Queen Dowager is sanctified because she is aware a war would be bad and it would be more preferable for Edward to die. In addition some nobles take back lands they had lost during the Benedictine reform keeping some happy. No war with Scotland means demobilisation occurs and these men go back to their lives. Work continues on the navy at Exemouth and London with largely Skeid's being built now as techniques get better as those finishing the trade schools begin working while more recruits enter. English ships range further north and south going to Iceland and Muslim Spain as the fleets grow in quantity and size and competition increases.
 * Alba: Scotch merchants visit the Danish colony of Newtown and bring news to LL Raonull. LL Raonull gives a a grant of land to the merchants as well as a port and dockyard so they can go on expeditions. These men become the Company of Caledonia, which resembles a guild. The Company hears of Spanish expeditions to the strange isle of plant people and decide to send an expedition. They think that the plant people only kill heathens and bring several priests along with them to the isle (Bermuda). While stationed along Hadrians wall, soldiers view the prowess of the English army and generals begin formulating a way to combat them. Scottish soldiers are trained to be stealthy by holding simulations of sieges, skirmishes, and raids. Feudal lords take a back seat to commanding their armies and decide to promote subcommanders based on talent, not blood. In rural towns and villages, common spaces are seized and converted into farmland for lords to own. Construction on Duburgh/Edinburgh continues. Scottish pirates land in the county of Leon and offer to help out with their fight against the muslims if they sign an alliance with Scotland and allow for trade. King Dwynal also offers a royal marriage between the heir to Leon and his daughter, as he has no son. This would create a personal union upon his death and would secure our relations. The Scottish navy continues to be expanded and trade reaches from Newfoundland to Spain to Denmark.
 * Ulster: Sertlement by scots continues. Scots intermarry with the local Irish. Various ports are founded by Cumbers and Scots. A standing army is raised to protect our holdings from the other kingdoms and hostile Vikings.


 * Korea: With the establishment of contracted servitude, many former serfs eventually attain enough money to buy their own plots of land, with this privatization resulting in an increase in agricultural productivity. However, the majority of peasants remain tenant farmers, occupying the properties of landlords. The fortification of the Han river and the endorsement of militarization continues to defend Korea from Liao incursions. In order to underpin the economy, copper and gold coinage are minted while promissory banknotes (certifying the quantity and purity of their metal deposit) made of mulberry bark are issued by government lenders. Government lenders begin building vaults to store vast quantities of bullion. The production of luxury items such as porcelain, jewelry, silk textiles, and handicrafts are encouraged. The cultivation of cash crops such as cotton, apples, and tea, in-conjuction with grains such as rice and wheat, are encouraged. Using blueprints acquired from the Song dynasty and Chinese diplomats, industrial facilities are built, converting massive volumes of pig iron into wrought iron, which are to be utilized for the production of military armaments. Each conscript is supplied with lamellar armor (of reinforced leather and iron plates), a shield, as well as melee weaponry and a bow and arrow (which are all reinforced with iron). Each conscript is trained rigorously in both archery and melee warfare. Better rocket projectiles are developed, with a higher success range and higher range. Weaponized fireworks are tested, yielding favourable results. Over two hundred thousand trained conscripts are sent to Pyeongyang in preparation for the invasion of the Liao dynasty, with a tributary mission sent to the Song dynasty reassuring their alliance.

976 AD
<p style="font-weight:400;"><u style="font-weight:700;">Caliph Hakan II dies, and the Cordoba Caliphate is succeeded by his son Hisham II. However, as Hisham is 10 years old, de-facto power is held by the General Almanzor, who proceeds to lead 15,000 troops to seize Gibrlater back.

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' The Ziridi navy plunders the cities of Cosenza and Cellere, and manages to occupy the Apulia region. The Pope reaches out to other Christian powers to once again consider this problem of Muslims in Europe. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' Having conquered roughly 1/3 of Syria as far as Antioch, the Byzantine Emperor returns to Constantinople and dies. His successor, Emperor Basil II, accepts the offer of peace from the Fatimids. A triumph in Constantinople and the Pope consider this truce a general victory. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' Henry II of Bavaria begins bucking against the centralization of the Ottonians, and stations an army of 2,000 soldiers at Regensburg. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' A large mob of peasents revolts against Duke Peter IV of Venice. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' The Yuelu Academy is founded in Kaifeng by Emperor Taizong of Song. There, the philosopher Zheng Sixun invents the world's first mercury-based thermometer. '''

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' The Nivkhgu Khanate expands along the coast of OTL far-eastern Russia, and develops pastries. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">Similar to Raonull's hypothesis, the plant-women only subsume the laymen of the expedition. The priests, as a reward for their success in this trial of piety, are subsumed into heaven.

<p style="font-weight:400;">''' The Qarmatians are crushed by the Fatimid armies. '''

''' The Song Emperor acknowledges alliance with Korea, but expresses doubt in their ability to make headway against the Liao, who the former emperor had work to make peace with. '''


 * Caliphate of Córdoba: After the death of Ibrahim I, his son, Ibrahim the Second succeeds him, and begins his rule by outlawing Christianity, and Force Converting every Christian in site. Many Christians flee to neighboring France. We make a surprise attack on Fatimid Gibraltar, and slaughter every soldier in site, taking no prisoners. The Córdoba navy bombards the Fatimid Ports in Majorca, and a Córdoban Marine Corp lands on the shores of Majorca, and begin taking many villages, and forcing the populace to serve in the Córdoban Military. Our navy starts attacking Fatimid trading ships and firing on their ports on the mainland. We contribute a lot of men and resources on retaking Majorca.we overrun Gibraltar and destroy the port,and force the villagers to relocate and transform the village into a fort. Ibrahim II declares that the cordobans shall get revenge for humiliating his Father, and will restore the glory Muhammad! He calls on Allah to bless Córdoba with luck. Women and Girls lose many of their rights and are forced to wear burqas or face harsh consequences. Men and Boys are radicalized in the ideas of Sharia Law, and enforce it on their families. Propaganda is spread all over the Caliphate, showing the tradition Islamic family, and promoting Islamification and glorifying the caliph.
 * Comté de Flandre:The Capital of Rysel is getting more funding by the county with taxes that come from import and export taxes.The city gets more material and textille,with texilles production and trade being encouriaged.Arnulf II also grants the city the right to call itself City of Victors.The habour city of Kales begins to grow in population to more then 25 000 people in it including soldiers and merchants. There are also getting plans drawn to create a moat and walls around the city which they call Kalestijnse muur (Calaisian wall).These plans have many difrences.With merchants wanting many small canals to be able to suply their houses and manors quite easly and with a wall with a bit Port to allow for much trade going to the city.While Nobles prefer walls a bit farther away but in difrend layers and with gernaly small ports and a big moat around it for defence."regiis classemque" has difficulties building good and quality warships because of flanders bigger focus on trade,"mercatores classemque" being the bigger part of the fleet with also more men and recources but they do lack the expierence in naval warfare and technolgy.Even the "nobiles classemque" having difficulties producing quality of the needed amouth of ships.So the Nobles and even the Merchants are looking to get experts from foreign nations with a better naval understanding like the Norse and the Eastern Romans for their expertise.(Norse and byzantium response) 
 * ​Byzantine response: Emperor Basil II sends Greek merchants and scholars to help support the Flemish navy -Nate
 * Fatimid Caliphate: With the acceptance of peace with the Byzantine Empire, all military campaigns are directed towards internal uprisings, as the continued campaigns across the Middle East and Africa has stretched out supplies and resources, causing slight civil unrest. However, people still continue to accept Caliph al-Aziz's position as successor to Muhammad and nonetheless continues to appreciate public support for these conquests. Due to the Cordoba's invasion of Fatimid holdings in the western Mediterranean, Caliph al-Aziz declares jihad against the Caliphate of Cordoba. The Christian Kingdoms in northern Iberia are asked to properly attack Cordoba on the condition that they may accept their former territories in Cordoba as long as Gibraltar and Majorica remain under Fatimid suzerainty. The Yemeni kingdoms are annexed into the Caliphate.
 * Zirid Sultanate: With the invasion of Gibraltar and the Majorica Islands led by Cordoba, the Ifriqiya military is divided in two supporting armies, with one army being under the leadership of Emir Abu'l-Qasim of Sicily and the other being under the leadership of Sultan Buluggin. With that, another invasion of Cordoba is made, with over 30,000 soldiers being sent up into Gibraltar on the defensive while the superior navy remain in defensively positioned in the Majorica Islands. The war against Cordoba becomes large, and the Apulia region is properly abandoned because of it.
 * Emirate of Iraq: Military campaigns continue against the Qarmations as Fatimid expansion is made along the Arabian coastline. Due to the war in Iberia, most troops are placed in defensive positions rather than offensive as a means of relaxing the usage of supplies.
 * Kingdom of England: With this whole succession crisis under control for now things keep moving along well enough. The English Benedictine reform remains steady as monasteries follow the rules laid down. The fleet continues to grow in size and sails around trading, some heavier duty ships with larger drafts are made for such trading across oceans.The King decrees that Friday and Saturday should be animal meat free days and the Church is responsible for enforcing such rules. This causes a spike in demand for fish. The navy continues to grow while most of the Housecarl are moved to a cavalry force but they are still mastering horsemanship and the Fyrd struggle with archery but regular practice increases skill level. The royal trade school changes with graduates being expected to do their apprenticeship and journeyman for the King and then they are free to go. Graduates of the Royal Trade school are given a wergild value of 350 shillings which is better than that of a free man. Picking up on the opportunity to secure a craft is good amongst lower ranking members of society who seek to advance beyond basic freeman status.
 * Earldom of Greenland: Earl Thornsfoot betrothes his daughter Anna to marry the Icelandic noble Erik. Farmland and the navy are expanded, incorporating natives of the island into the realm. The colony of Newtown is expanded, and more satilite villages are sprinkled around the Island of Newfoundland. Admiral Olofsson establishes a thorough trade route across the North Atlantic, exporting goods from Denmark and Norway and shipping the trade all the way to the Abenaki. In the other direction, goods from Newfoundland are exported back to Denmark as tribute. Earl Thornsfoot reaches out to the Count of Flanders, offering to have his daughter Else live in the court of Rysal if the County would send Flemish settlers to Greenland.
 * Flemish Diplomacy:Our Diplomats accept this offer if his Daughter Else is able to learn Flemish customs and culture.And if the greenlanders can get correct information about the Flemish county.
 * Denmark: We send danish sailors and ship builders to Flanders. Danish settlers pour in to Newtown. Diplomats are sent to England to formalize relationships once more, and a military expedision to Dublin, in an attempt to re-open it.
 * Wales: Iago II ab Idwal ascends to the throne and sets out to unify the various possessions of Wales into one united kingdom, which he calls the Kingdom of Wales. The capital of the new kingdom is moved to Aberffraw, which is heavily fortified and planned to be transformed into a proper city. The new king wishes for good relations with both England and Alba, not wanting conflict to arise. Furthermore the western most cities on the coast see a transformation as the king orders the construction of new drydocks and shipbuilders, planning to construct a massive fleet over the course of the coming years. Lastly the king's son, Idwal, is crowned as co-king, in order to ensure that the kingdom will stay intact following the death of Iago. Reforms of the government ensue, in which the king creates a senate, comprised of representatives from all across the kingdom. Next year, he plans, elections among the nobility and wealthy will take place to elect new officials, who join the senate for life after that term.

977 AD
<u style="font-weight:700;">Amaliab MacIlliub revolts against the King of Scotland for control of the throne.

<u style="font-weight:700;">Old Minister is completed by Bishop Aethelwold.

<u style="font-weight:700;">Hugh Capet begins to rise in Frankish military as a powerful figure, becoming more prominent in eastern Duchies.

<u style="font-weight:700;">The HRE breaks out into civil war, as Duke Henry III of Austria, Henry II of Bavaria, and Bishop Henry I of Augsburg (who are three different people) ally in a revolt agianst Emperor Otto II.

''' Tsar Boris II is assassinated by a coup led by his general Samuel, who becomes the next Tsar of Bulgaria. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Imam Ali Mosque is constructed in Najaf in honor of the Fatimids.

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Saffarid Dynasty of Persia, in the name of the Abbasid Caliph, attempts to invade the Middle East against the Fatimids.

''' The Ghaznavid Dynasty is founded in India, I think. '''

''' The Umayyad-Fatimid War explodes in a fearsome shroud of blood on both sides, as fanatical Muslims are thrown against one another in the name of two different sects of the same faith. Although the Fatimids have vastly larger resources, the military under the Umayyads prove to be much more competant on the field of battle. The Fatimid navy manages to crush the Umayyad's attempts at Majorca, and continues to aid Castile and Barcelona in Catelonia. At the same time, Cordoba manges to land a foothold in Morocco and expand control along the Atlantic coast. '''

''' The Nivkhgu Khanate invades the Liao Dynasty, but are defeated in battle at some river. '''
 * Earldom of Greenland: Thornsfoot expands the navy and military, expanding further into the island. The colony of Newtown expands across much of its own island, being apparenlty much smaller. The colony is amplified by the colonists from Denmark, to whom we still owe our loyalty in vassalage. Erik, the son-in-law of Thornsfoot expands his influence in Iceland. Princess Else remains in the Flemish court of Rysel. Admiral Olofsson sends the finest gifts of Viking culture to the Abenaki's Fair, including mead, leather, and jewelry.
 * Comté de Flandre:Arnulf Sends a message to Hugh Capet "Latin:Magno Francorum rege, ego Arnulfus comes Flandriae et Artagensis ostende meos plenus suscipio pro vestra misit nummariam et dominamini Franks.If opus fuerit i etiam militare auxilium ad te Domine exaltetur manus tua et nobles.In Redi enim de filia Gisèle" "english:Great king of the Franks, I Count Arnulf II of Flanders and Artois show my full support for your rule over the Franks.If needed i will even sends monetary and military aid to you and your nobles.In Return For the Hand of your daughter Gisèle".
 * Wales: With the massive Welsh fleet having been completed, the king sails at the head of a large party west into the sea, having been instructed supposedly by a vision. After a long voyage, and several losses along the way, he reaches the Azores, which he calls Tirmawr. A city is founded named Santiago (meaning Saint Iago or Jacob), where the ships dock and begin working on a new city. Throughout the year more and more settlers are sent from Wales proper. Later in the year, disgruntled by some of Iago’s new reforms, his son declares himself king and undoes much of his father’s work. King Iago, in the islands at the time, decides to abandon Wales proper and declares an independent kingdom, having already transported the navy and most of the nation’s army, as well as a large percentage of its population, to the islands. Santiago, he plans, will become a major city, and the site of his personal vision to create a utopian society. He declares himself the temporary dictator, writing in his will that the nation transition into a new system upon his death. The settlement of Santiago is divided into ten districts, or tribes, each named after some figure in Welsh mythology. Each time midyear the tribes will elect leaders to represent them in the senate, which will then elect two consuls for year long terms. For religious matters, Iago creates ten Vates, who will serve as priests for each district, similar to bishops, while an eleventh Prifvate, is elected by them as a sort of pope, seeing as the islands are too far away and out of contact with their Christian brothers and the legitimate pope. Other notable reforms include a change to Welsh naming conventions, with all people henceforth being known by a name, middle name, last name,. To set an example the king assumes the name Iago Solonus Idwal, while his second son becomes Ieuaf Maponus Idwal.


 * Caliphate of Córdoba: hearing of the successful landings in North Africa, Ibrahim the II orders a complete rework and overhaul of the navy, to have another go at Majorca. Ibrahim II also officially declares jihad in public against the Rebilious Christian kingdoms of the North, and vows to implement a "No Mercy" policy, towards the Christian rebels. The foothold in northern Morocco is expanded upon, with Loads of cavalry units rushing down into the south, overrunning Fatimid troops and taking various farm land and resources. We take the port city of tangier, and imeditetly fortify it, and set up camp in the fortified city. Rumors and propaganda are spread through ummyad occupied areas in morroco that the Ummyads came from the north to liberate he Maghrebs from the evil clutches of the Fatimids, and offers to create a Proto-Maghreb state in Maghreb land if they collaborate with the Ummyads (mod response needed). Cities such as tangier, are banned from pillaging by local militias and Córdoban Soldiers, which are forced to buy things with their own money at town markets, and have a limit on what they can buy, as not wanting to take from the locals. This is done to spread a favorable view of the Ummyads to the Maghreb natives, who also experience politeness from ummyad soldiers, who encourage cooperation with local governments, city councils, and Collaberation with the Military Administration. The people in occupied cities experience rare times of food shortages, as the occupier treat the people like they were their own, and tons of food carts and food merchants arrive every hour throughout the day to trade and sell food to the locals. The soldiers who died on the battlefield are honored and glorified at home, and their home towns and families honor them as well.
 * Srivijaya Empire: The country rich in gold and power has been the most fortunate of all nations in the South Sea, however our gaze heightens towards the Kingdom of Mataram, we launch an invasion of the small Javanese kingdom, as 70,000 troops march towards it. The kingdom is completely conquered in the year with the capital Mdaη i Wwatan being completely occupied. The kingdom is incorporated into a province and bhūpati is appointed by the Maharaja. Meanwhile the economy goes through its normal cycles with spices, gold, silver, ivory, and other rare materials being traded to China for Porcelain, paper, and various other materials. The government also launches an expedition into Borneo pulling the northern Bornean tribes into the empire ruled by hāji pratyayas and various nayakas.
 * Abenaki Chiefdom: With Anakin holding a foothold over the villages, he decides to begin integration of the lands that he had conquest's from the nearby tribes. Small proto-districts are established that are lead by governor's that Anakin puts in charge. Shacks and such become commonly used as well for purchases of goods from merchants in the village capital. Farmland is made ready for new crops and such. A fair is held in the capital where Anakin attracts Norse merchants from Newtown to hold an annual event of organized selling and purchasing of foriegn and valuable goods. Anakin had hoped that with this, we could gain mutual access to each other's riches. A hand gestures guide is given by tablet to individuals in order to avoid the language barrier and make trade efficient. This becomes a custom outside the fair and begins to make things much better for merchants. The war close against the tribes in the battle of the great pines where Anakin lead his army to a decisive victory in the forests of OTL New Brunswick.

978 AD
<u style="font-weight:700;">An army of 700 Vikings lands in Wales from Dublin, specifically at Llyn.

<p style="font-weight:400;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:1em;">''' King Edward of England is found murdered in Corfe Castle. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Caliphate of Cordoba captures the city of Tangiers, and likewise defeates the forces of Castile decisively, stopping the Christian advance there. However, generallyt he war is proving exauhsting to Cordoba's limited resources. ''' The War of Three Henrys continues in the HRE, as Otto II sends his army to meet the rebels at Madgeburg. Former Lothraingian states generally supports the rebel cause, while southern Germany and Italy all support the Ottonains. '''

''' Princess Oda of Haldensleben is abducted by Prussian tribes in Poznan. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">The Badia Fiorentina Abby is built in Florence

<u style="font-weight:700;">The earlier revolution in Venice succeeds to overthrow the Duke, and establishes a full Republican government.

''' Duke Pandulf I of Benevento enters in personal union with both Capua and Salerno. '''

''' The Kievan Rus is in a brief civil war between the brothers Yarapolk and Vladimir. '''

''' Wuyue is completely absorbed by the Song Dynasty. '''

''' The Four Great Books of Song is written in China. '''

<u style="font-weight:700;">After King Iago of Wales departed from the horizon at the call of his divine vision, he was lost at sea and never heard from again. Legends circulate around wales that he may still rule Santiago to this day, although its location is shrouded in myth.

''' Gisele of France agrees to marry Arnulf II of Flanders. '''

''' Whales become prolific around Korea. '''

''' The eastern half of Mataram is conquered by the Srijivaya. '''
 * Comté de Flandre:Count Arnulf the Festive asks Hugh Capet to come to a meeting to allow better cordination with his army and suporters.(Capet response)Arnulf even begins to ready 2 500 knights at the french border to be able to aid Hugh when needed.Arnulf also Declares that Flanders will stay neutral in the unrest of the Holy Roman empire and that he shall not aid nor fight against the Ottonian Dynasty.Amiens also gets more fortified against any posible attacks.It gets fortified with simple wooden walls and ports that are 1 000 feet away from the current houses so to prevent fire.At the Same time Kales gets betters shipyard and dock with the Aid of Norse and East Roman expertise.The Merchants and Nobles also agree that the walls will be made in difrend layers with 3 walls that become bigger how closer they are to the city and around the walls on the outer a big 30 feet moat to redirect forces to specific points of the walls.They even Double the amouth of boats with the Merchants now having a total of 40 ships and the Nobles having a total of 20 boats.With merchants having generaly boats with sails that need the least amouth of people posible and nobles having boats that are mostly for speed and efficiency.
 * Fatimid Caliphate: Caliph al-Aziz decides to begin religiously inputting Ismail'i Shia Islam into the territories of Palestine and Syria, in hopes of assimilating the remaining parts of Sunni Islam and inferior sects of Shia in the region. The Caliph, very conscious of the continuous Cordoban invasion of Ifriqiya, becomes very dependent on a Fatimid victory, as the loss could cause for him to be deposed in his position. Islamic missions are sent throughout Africa.
 * Zirid Sultanate: Sultan Buluggin, facing further pressure from the Caliph, makes it a law for all men older than 14 to serve in the military to help fight push the Umayyad out of Ifriqiya and help solidify claims on Iberia. With over 3,200,000 men to use now, 237,000 are sent into Umayyad-occupied territory to overrun them with an overwhelming army size. By the end of the year, Umayyad territory in Ifriqiya is ultimately re-instituted and a military campaign is expected to take place next year to begin the large push into the peninsula. Due to the superiority of the Fatimid navy towards the Umayyad navy, the islands of Majorica are easily defended. Expecting that the Umayyad resources are depleting faster due to their wars in the north, the navy is instructed to remain on the defensive. Religious tolerance continues in the Islands of Majorica.
 * Emirate of Iraq: With the Saffarid Dynasty's invasion of Iraq in the name of the Abbasid's, Emir al-Dawla makes it compulsory for all men aged 20 and older to serve in the military to help defend Fatimid claims on Iraq and the Middle East. Baghdad becomes largely militarized, with it serving as a overall military base and operations for the defensive against Iran. Military campaigns against the Qarmatians end, and any of the territory secured is immediately incorporated into the Emirate.