1520 to 1529 (Ninety-Five Theses Map Game)

Second Archive of Ninety-Five Theses (from 1520 to 1529).

1520
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''' IF YOU WANT AN ALGO POST ON THE TALK PAGE!!!! '''

''' Tensions escalate between Spain and Austria over the rightful heir to the Habsburg throne. The threat of war is ever rising. '''

''' In Panama and central Hispaniola, escaped slaves and renegade natives form small rebel groups. They begin to attack Spanish settlements, freeing more slaves, slaughtering Spaniards, and stealing weapons. The threat of these “maroons” slows expansion in both areas to nothing. More importantly, the slaves know how to forge metal weapons, and knowledge of metalworking begins to spread south into the Amazon and north into Mexico as some slaves choose to flee as far from Spanish colonies as possible. '''

''' Localized peasant rebellions break out in Austria as taxes on serfs are raised, particularly in the Tyrol, where the peasants kill tax collectors and officials in large numbers. Tax revenues plummet. In areas without rebellion, serfs begin to starve from high taxes. '''

''' A plague of smallpox devastates Mexico, killing hundreds of thousands of natives, including the Aztec Emperor, as it sweeps north before petering out near the Mississippi. Entire villages are emptied and mass graves spring up everywhere; many Mayans believe the end of a cycle is occurring and the world’s destruction and rebirth is imminent. '''

''' Due to the Maldives radical change in religious stance, instability rocks the island chain and militant Muslims manage to gain control of several islands. '''

''' The economy of Tibet begins to wane slightly, as the government maintains high spending, as poor infrastructure, not much trade, and low population can only yield so much. '''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: the alliance with Hamburg and trade with Lübeck allow Brunswick-Lüneburg merchants greater access to Hansa trade, giving a noticeable boost in the Brunswickian economy. Heinrich V calls for a new look to be taken at the military, specifically at how firearms can be more efficiently incorporated. An envoy is sent to Sweden, offering to recognize Gustav as the rightful king and aid them against Denmark if, in return, they recognize Heinrich as the rightful Duke of Holstein, currently a Danish fief within the Holy Roman Empire.


 * Joseon: A series of reforms continue as King Jungjong seeks to establish a self-reliant, powerful Korea capable of defending itself from a hostile China and a unified Japan. Neo-Confucianism, which promotes obedience to the state, is made the official state ideology. In addition to this, the Korean government promotes academic achievement, innovation, artistry, and Korean nationalism. The use of Hanja is heavily discouraged and is banned in formal situations. Hangul is declared the sole official script and is used to teach adults how to read and write. The rigid, hereditary, caste-based system known as the bone rank system is abolished to prevent power struggles between the aristocratic elite and the Korean monarchy and to establish equal opportunities for Koreans of different socioeconomic classes. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation, and external trade is limited to, stop a disastrous outflow of precious metals and an inflow of foreign ideas. An increase in the production of gunpowder weapons continues and Korean scientists continue to flirt with the prospect of weaponised fireworks. Compulsory military service is enacted for all able-bodied men (excluding members of the government or nobility).
 * Poland-Lithuania continues the expansion of her military, aiming to build up to over 200,000 men. Fire arms, such as muskets and cannons, are mass produced, and an alliance offer is sent to Austria, with the promise of support against Spain. Another alliance is sent to Bohemia, and Martin Luther's thesis is widely banned. As both Poland and Lithuania grow closer, the two continue to act as one nation. The King seeks a major border to align with, as this would aid against possible Muscovy aggression. The King is willing to pay handsomely. Poland asks the Nogai and Astrakhan for an alliance against Muscovy, offering large sums of money.
 * No mass production. Firearms are not mass produced right now, they are present in the army but are not efficient enough to make up the entire bulwark of an army, Lets be realistic here, were in the era of Tercio and semi gun warfare, not out and out gunpowder warfare. You also have no way to ally with Nogai or Astrakhan. You got prevented not even two turns ago from doing this, why are you doing it TWICE. -Feud
 * I've spoken with Sat about this and we both agree that he should be able to ally with Nogai and Astrakhan. Physically speaking, it's possible for him to send courier undetected through Muscovy, and alliance between Christians and Muslims has happened to confront common-foes. -Dax
 * Crim and I spoke and agree that it's kinda BS for him to ally with the hordes. He has no impetus to ally with them when I'm in an active DEFENSIVE coalition against him. The entire threat from me is that he's being a threat to all his neighbors. The Hordes in general are not really in the position to ally with Poland either, they have zero reason to trust any European coming from the west even one in some far away land that isn't Russian. On top of that, he has no reason to feel threatened by me since none of the historic Russo-Polish wars haven't happened yet, and Muscovy has been expanding almost exclusively at the expense of ethnic brothers and hordes -Feud
 * After further deliberation, the forbidding of these alliance stands. Sorry, Sparta -Dax
 * In my opinion, Poland can ally with whomever he likes, but the fact is that Poland knows nothing about the successors of the Golden Horde -Nate
 * So, what can I do? Shall me and Feud just invade the Crimea then? -Sparta
 * There are multiple goals to a game like this, some people want to avoid wars and be major trader/colonizers, others want to conquer and bust out large empires, some people just want to propagate their cultures. You DON'T have to go to war, that's just an option and against someone like the ottomans... an ill advised one for the time being. -Feud
 * Rhodes: Prince Philippe I and his wife have their first child in October this year, a son who they name Philippe, like his father. The succession of the Principality is now assure. The Prince order celebrations all around the island. Prince Philippe travel all around the island to promote Lutheranism as the true faith, helping the number of conversions to grow among the local population. Philippe I still hope that some sort of nationalism will come out of those conversions. He also continue to invest in order to help the development of new naval technologies, realizing that as an island with a small population, having advanced fleet is the only way to survive. But secretly, he also dream of one day owning a faraway land somewhere.
 * Bengal: With a new age, comes new ambitions. With the conquest of Gondwana, we thank our allies with gifts of spices and perfumes. We continue military development across the nation and begin to incorporate Gondwana. To prevent revolts, we implement of a new system of provinces, having a native ruler preside and watch over the region. We continue trade with Kabulistan, Delhi, and Portugal. However, with the declining economy of Tibet, we offer some financial aid in thanks for helping us in the war. 
 * Württemberg: We hope that our secession from the Holy Roman Empire will not damage our friendly relations with Bavaria, as we saw independence from HRE politics as necessary for the protection of our religious freedom. Meanwhile, we begin a program of accelerated military expansion, in anticipation of retaliation from Austria and other loyal HRE states. The Diet is re-organised into the Kronrat (Royal Council), which is to serve as an advisory board to the King. Württemberg is divided into a series of provinces. Crown Prince Christoph is made the Governor of Ludwigsburg.
 * Rhodes Dip: Prince Philippe I sent a letter expressing his support to the King of Württemberg for standing against the Pope, and hope that good relations between the two nations will me possible.
 * Württemberg Dip: The King thanks Rhodes for their support and proposes trade between the two countries in the hope of building friendly relations.
 * Rhodes Dip: Prince Philippe accept the trade deal.
 * Bavarian Dip: We do not begrudge your decision to exit the HRE, and in fact we might yet have to do the same, but the fact that we sit adjacent to Austria, the largest and most powerful of the Holy Roman states, might make secession ... difficult.
 * Bukhara: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. We begin to mobilize our armies using Mongol hordes back and Turkish battle tactics pushing into Persia (of 20,000) aiming for the cities of Merv, Nishabur, and Herat killing and slaying enemies on horseback or using huge human wave attacks for anyone opposing us, where their heads are chopped off and placed in one mass grave, with Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan leading his men. Children 13-18 are taught how to fight for the nation and ones with a bright future are brought to better military schools to be train as Shock troops for four more years. We send 40,000 more troops to the Persian front, and besiege the cities of Merv and Nishabur (with 20,000 troops), with no Persian military action we begin to occupy cities in the Kavir Desert and begin to send an army of 20,000 to Damavand riding on horseback. 20,000 more troops are sent to the Persian front. We begin to use the Kavir Desert as a FOB after seeing victories. We begin to re send troops on their way to Damavand to Isfahan (Persia capital) along with the 10,000 new troops. Kochkunju declare that god is on our side. We begin to rush the cities of Merv and Nishabur (ALGO PLEASE).
 * Maldives: We ask Bengal to help deal the revolt in the country. We start building a port in the Chagos Archipelago after scouting the land and picked Diego Garcia Island. We repeal the death penalty for practicing Islam, but keep the new state religion of Buddhism. We accept the agreement proposed by Delhi.
 * The Ottoman Dip: Caliphs Selim and Yazid are repulsed by the Maldives sudden abandonment of Islam, which is the core ideology of the Empire. As such, the Ottomans withdraw all support from the Maldives and forbid trade with them, until they change the state religion back.
 * Oman declared jihad on the Maldives   due to the rejection of Islam, and the whole navy along with 7,500 mercenaries and 500 slave soldiers to occupy the islands. The Sultan calls for aid from Muslim countries around the Indian Ocean sanctions the Maldives and encourages slaver raids in their territory.
 *  Bengal Dip:  We send utmost aid, about 2,000 of our best men and many crates of supplies.
 * Bukhara Dip: Maldives sudden abandonment of Islam, which is becoming the core ideology of the state. As such, the Bukhara withdraw all support from the Maldives and forbid trade with them, until they change the state religion back.
 * Benin: The Oba continues his reforms of Benin, organizing the industrial capacity of his realm, and embarks on the process of constructing a major industrial complex in Edo and Onim. Leveraging the knowledge of the weapon-smiths from Europe, it is intended that the industrial complex to be established in Edo shall produce army equipment such as guns, cannon, armor, and helmets, while the one in Onim shall produce the needed equipment for the shipyards in the city. In the city of Onim, Benin finalizes the sell of one hundred slaves to Venice for a total of two thousand zuruoke ($290,340), and sends them to Onim for processing and transportation to Venice. Oba Xadreque turns his attention to the development of the Roman Catholic Church in Benin, establishing a series of edicts regulating the teaching of the religion. Attempts to bring the Christian teachings closer to those of Rome are made, with the Benin people taught that their gods are not what they thought. Priests with a warm and approachable personality are sent out to clarify the teachings of the church, helping many to understand that traditional Edo religion and Roman Catholicism are incompatible. While some elderly members of the communities are aggressive in their attempts to stop this shift in religious belief, the majority of those believing in Christianity shift their views more in line the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The kind manner in which the Benin priests taught these doctrines also serves to attract more individuals to the religion, seeing the kindness of the church as more welcoming than the harshness of their traditional beliefs. Elsewhere, as the slave trade grows, the needs of the state do as well, leading to Benin to expand by 150 px into the eastern ports of the region, and capturing many natives from the region and selling them of to Europe. Desiring a port of operations for the anti-slave smuggling effort in the Bright of Benin, the Oba declares the annexation of , and sends 300 warriors to the island to plant the flag of Benin on its shores as a sign of its claim there. The Royal Regiment of Benin is reorganized to train with European weapons, tactics and armor. Xadraque attends the first military parade in Benin demonstrating the first time an African state utilized Europe military tactics in the field. He hails the drill as as a landmark achievement in Benin's transition into a European state, and reaffirms to his court and people that Benin shall become European. As the wealth of adopting European traditions begins to trickle down to the average person in Benin, many begin to change their stances on the subject of Benin's transition, and some even adopt Christian names as they begin to see the benefit of European traditions. However, the anti-Christian groups hiding in the bush continue to resist the Oba's actions, and attack many newly-built churches and villages. Rather than respond violently to the attacks, Oba Xadraque's supreme war chief, Iyase Emovon, instead responds by painting the attacks as "the devil's attempts to maintain his dark grasp on Benin", and paints the rebels as heathens attempting to keep the kingdom of God from being opened to the Edo people. He effectively rallies most Benin subjects, Christian and non-Christian, against the anti-Christian forces, limiting the number of places they can hide in, either forcing them out of Benin or drawing them out into direct confrontations. Oba Xadraque orders a census of Benin, and the Eghaevbo n’Ogbe (palace chiefs) deliver the statistics for Benin, and declare that Benin has a total population of 9.6 million individuals, pointing to the trade of foodstuffs and medical goods with Europe as well as the expansion of the nation's borders into densely populated lands to the east as the source of the steady rise in population growth.
 * Oman continues expanding the military and economy, as the populace is now wealthier and the army now stands at 28 ships and 5,000 soldiers, and at least 10% of both consisting of slaves. Expansion continues 5 px along the North Coast and 5 px along the South. The Sultan relocated to the traditional throne of Oman: Muscat, which the Sultan plans to make the jewel of the Indian Ocean. The population continues to grow due to importation of slaves and limited amount of Shia and Ibadi refugees fleeing persecution in the Ottoman Empire and fleeing war in Persia. Infrastructure is expanded upon, with new ferry systems and maintained roads being constructed between cities.
 *  The Ottomans  send military hardware and financial support for Oman's war on the Maldives
 *  Oman's Sultan  appreciatively thanks the Ottomans.
 *  Bukhara Dip:  We would like to trade with Oman to help with their war against the Maldives.
 * Oman begins a military operation in the Persian Gulf to seize coasts, islands and ports owned by Persia, and uses the faux excuse that the local non-Sunnis must be protected from the extended war.
 * Tibet enacts several policies in response to the economic slowdown. First, with the schools of Tibetan Buddhism now united, the Dalai Lama orders a reform of Tibetan monasticism. Monasteries are consolidated and their ability to place tolls on local peasants is ended, with monks instead needing to farm their own food on monastic land. As a result, large amounts of uncultivated land return to cultivation and peasants' wealth increases significantly. Second, infrastructure is improved, with monks being ordered to labour for the community's good by building new roads to link disparate valleys and encourage commerce. In return, the Dalai Lama rewards monks with posts in the civil administration and Lhasa monastery. In Lhasa, religious debates are promoted; several Sufi mystics who believe in reincarnation, as well as Zoroastrians and Kashmiri tribal pagans, attract the Dalai Lama's interest. However, the Dalai Lama recognizes Tibet's remoteness means it needs to acquire access to major trade routes. The Tibetan army is already on the southern border with an eye to aiding Bengal; with this now unnecessary following Bengal's victory, the Kashag and Dalai Lama agree to redeploy it to a better use. Tensions have already risen with Ava over its refusal to accept the Dalai Lam's religious jurisdiction and its rulers' close ties with Arakanese Muslim rulers. In December, the Tibetan army attacks south into Ava in a surprise attack, joined by the Kachin and Chin hill tribes of the north and by Shan auxiliaries and raiders for a total of around 20,000. Although the Tibetan lords' levies are not particularly effective, the Dalai Lama is impressed by reports of his artillery's success after an Avan cavalry charge is blown to pieces; he orders more guns cast. Mongol-style light cavalry from northern Tibet spearheads the Tibetan advance, which outruns Avan mobilization, sweeping up Avan lords' forces piecemeal and enabling the Tibetan force to close on the capital city, Ava, itself.
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. Among these travelers, an imperial envoy led by Pasha Arpad as-Saghir returns from the Ming Dynasty, bringing many incredible tales of the wonderous state of China. WIth this new trade, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. In return for this offer, Sultan Selim sends the Emperor of China a large gift, containing many spices and perfumes, as well as copies of the Arabian Nights and the Koran. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. Scouting operations on the fortifications of Kyrenia report daily. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. Meanwhile, the 70,000 troops of Mehmed continue to invade Persia through Azerbaijan, with help from the forces of Georgia, while Hasan Pasha, after his great victory at Bosra, continues to invade Iran and march on Esfahan with 60,000 troops. In order to match with Persia's new strategy, an additional 20,000 troops are sent to engage with Ismail's army, including a recent form of colossal artillery piece called a "Great Bombard". Five such Great Bombards are sent with the new troops, leveling the Persian cities. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.
 * Colony of Algiers: Governed by Aruj Barbarossa, Algiers improves its infrastructure and increases trade across the Sahara, as well as with the European nations of France and Navarre. The military stands at 12,000, with an additional 7000 on loan from the Sultan.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Muscovy or Poland. Crimea invites the Khazakh Khanate to participate in the Kievan Horde
 * Hafsid Dip: We ask the Ottomans for joint naval and military training at Carthage's ruins and Tunis adjacent seaport


 * Moldavia: The government reforms instituted by Bogdan III the One-Eyed, the voivode of Moldavia, are complete. The state now functions more efficiently. New administrative divisions for the Moldavian Principality have been created, and taxes are collected much faster now. Infrastructure projects continue across the country. Currently we are building roads from the major cities to the smaller settlements and to the borders, in order to improve transportation and trade. Speaking of which, trade continues with other nations, including Europeans and Ottomans. Bogdan III's daughter marries Prince Phillipe of Rhodes. The army, currently at 15,000 men, remains at its posts.
 * Sweden: Without any serious Danish attempt to retake Sweden King Gustav decides to march his army south into Scania and lays siege to the Southernmost city, Malmo. The navy also moves south to cut off the city's access to the sea and to prevent any army from crossing the straits from Denmark. The king lays claim to the region of Scania in the south, the island of Gotland, and the kingdom of Norway and its colonies. Envoys are sent into Norway, offering the nobles land, titles and autonomy if the recognize Gustav as their king and join the war against Denmark. (NPC Response needed) Tariffs are raised in order to better finance the war. The port of Stockholm is expanded and more ships are built for the navy. We continue to expand our borders in northern Sweden and Finland.
 * Poland-Lithuania supports Sweden as an ally, offering them economic and political aid. Advisers are withdrawn from Denmark.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We agree your earlier proposal for Iceland and join the war in your side against the rest of the Kalmar Union.
 * Brunswick-Lüneburg (Secret) Dip: we offer to join the fight against Denmark if Duke Heinrich is recognized as the rightful ruler of Holstein, currently a Danish feif in the Holy Roman Empire.
 * Kabulistan: Babur rides victoriously through the shattered streets of Haozdar to the main square where he declares himself the lord of all within this land, envoys from various regional powers flee the city to spread word of Babur's victory. Baluchi tribals may arrive, but they will find little in the way of Sistan warriors. Babur beheads publicly those who denied his ultimatum leaving a power vacuum in the city, Babur makes quick work assigning a governor and ruling body. Babur sends an envoy to meet any Baluchi messengers, or tribal forces that may be entering Sistan, informing them of the fall of the city and offering them what the Sista rejected. Babur extends an offer subordination to the Baluchi to sit on Babur's war council and govern their province as part of his Empire. (NPC Response Required). Satisfied that his latest acquisition will be brought into line with the rest of his realm Babur takes to the smaller villages surrounding the city, distributing alms and supplies to the terrified denizens. Babur's faith is not shared by Sistan and many grumble, however following the implimentation of the Timurid (and previously Mongol) religious ethos, religious tolerance is proclaimed. Several leading Sista clerics are taken from Haozdar to the capital Kabul where they are installed as personal theologians to the Padshah to advise him on Shi'a matters. Upon Babur's return to Kabul he is delighted with news that while on campaign a son has been born, Abu Nasir Muhammad Hindal. This is Babur's fourth son and fourth child, the astrologers proclaim this great line of males shall like Genghis before them, spread their influence across the world. Chin Timur Khan, Babur's cousin and foremost general informs the Padshah that word has reached across the Kush of disruption in the Indian states and possibility of intrigue. Babur's ambitions, he is told, are a few year's preparation away. Babur sends word to the noble families of Multan promising them freedom to worship and self-governance as part of the Timurid Empire if they will help him seize the province. As a gesture of good will Babur sends with each envoy a large sum of gold, and this message, "This gift is but a fraction of the possibilities ahead, yet no amount of gold shall halt my horsemen. Let us be as one, or let the lessons of Haozdar be eclipsed by the torment that will descend upon Multan." (NPC Response Required) As the year comes to a close Babur hosts his first Kurultai, a revived mongol concept in which all men of good standing and their retinues discuss the business of state, and then feast and wrestle as in days of old. Babur makes his intentions to the Kurultai clear and the chieftains renew their vows to the realm they intend to carve out of the Hindu Kush.
 * Baluchi tribes overwhelmingly reject the Kabuli proposal (RNG, 1-3)
 * Dissenters in Multan accept, and confess loyalty to Kabulistan (RNG, 1-2))
 * Republic of Florence: In 1519, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With both Pope Leo X and Lorenzo II being from the Medici family, the two nations remain closely tied with healthy relations. The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the Ninety-Five Theses. With Luther's new statement after the religious debate, he the government officially denounces him and bans indefinitely from entering the nation. With Ulrich Zwingli spreading evangelicalism, he is also indefinitely banned by Lorenzo II from entering the realm. Although these ideas are being widely received in Switzerland, the exclusive lumber trade between Florence and the Swiss still continue. Florence continues investing Florins into buying lumber from the Swiss to build a navy. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy. Lorenzo's son, Giovanni de' Medici reaches the age of one, still being a perfectly healthy newborn. More celebrations occur throughout the republic with the birth of Contessina de' Medici on December 24. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about seven hundred ships.
 * Florentine Diplomacy: Lord Lorenzo II de' Medici of Florence offers an alliance to King Manuel I of Portugal. He also asks for a betrothal between Contessina de' Medici and Manuel's five year old son, Duarte Aviz. The Florentine government also supports Charles I of Spain for the Austrian and Imperial thrones. Lorenzo meets with his uncle Pope Leo X to discuss religious matters, and also visits Spain to meet with his brother-in-law, King Charles of Spain. He also requests to the his uncle the Pope, his uncle, that his cousin, Ippolito de' Medici be made a cardinal as he already is Archbishop of Avingnon.
 * Hafsid Tunisia: The construction of fortifications along the coasts continue, Military and navy are built up, economy is heightened Trade with the Saharan berbers continues growing, we Request the Ottoman Governor of Algiers permission to move our armies in their domain in the future as the Sultan believes it might come in handy in a future desire he wishes to fullfil.<
 * The Ottomans agree to set up training of Ottoman and Algerian soldiers and navy near Carthage.
 * Cherokee: With the new hunting trails and the new income of food, we begin experimenting with administrative dealings of our tribe, seeing how to better define our bands and their hunting grounds. We also send a band of about 1500 people into the creek of north eastern Alabama to kick them out of their hunting grounds and add it to ours. We have a good yield of deer and rabbit this year allowing our population to grow larger. We also send scouts eastward to find sign of large deer populations.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell as trade diverts from Austria due to the problems in Tyrol. The Swiss offer Tyrol a place in the Swiss Confederacy, free from excessive taxes. Refugees flock to Switzerland regardless. The standing armies in many lieus expand this year. Cannons are produced this year. A trade deal with Spain is proposed, wishing to trade horses for lumber. Switzerland experiments with introducing muskets into their military, with good degrees of success in most lieus. In the meantime, Evangelicalism continues to spread in Zürich, though it has stopped spreading to the other lieus and allies of Switzerland. The Zorort of 1520 takes place in Bern this year, Switzerland offers an alliance to France, inviting their king to Bern for the negotiations, along with a generous sum of money should the French accept. They also request military alliances with Würtenburg and Bohemia. The Swiss also express interest in working with the Lowlands.
 * ​Three Leagues: The economy of the Three Leagues expands while standing armies and mercenaries are both outfitted with new weapons. Roads along Austrian and Milanese borders are planned, with the existing ones being maintained this year.
 * Valais: Roads from Savoy to Milan and Switzerland are maintained, increasing the economy of Valais. Equipment from Switzerland is sent to Valais, boosting its military. Mercenaries are trained in Valais, making the state even more powerful by way of military prowess.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We appreciate Switzerland's support for the Reformation, and agree to a ten-year military alliance treaty, renewable under mutual agreement. We engage in active trade with the Swiss, and we also request joint military training maneuvers.
 * Grand Principality of Muscovy: Vasili III, still lacking an heir, divorces his barren wife and begins to hunt for a new bride potentially choosing from the Royal Family of Ryazan or from some other nobility in Western Europe. Vasili III having continually organized his nation and gathered the Russian Lands to himself begins to implement military reforms adopted from the West via Brandenburger advisors. The first drilling sessions with the new army tactics come into place as the Muscovite forces begin to come up to a new military standard. With the promising settlement in Siberia so far it's estimated that Ekaterinburg has gained another 1000 people as well as a host of Cossacks who have taken up residence in the area acting as business fur trappers and frontiers guardsmen. Vasili III recognizing the importance of this provides some rations to the Cossacks for their service and begins to kindle a special relationship. The majority of Russian immigration occurs in Kazan, particularly the city which has seen the previously lightly populated Russian Quarter with nearly 80,000 Russians already, many of these having come from Russian prisoners taken in raids secret or otherwise. The Grand Principality also begins to centralize further control over Kazan as it starts to play preferences to Cossacks and the other nomadic peoples (to now all be labelled as Cossacks) by favoring those who were Christian or converted to Christianity, which many do purely to get a steady supply of food. This preferential treatment starts a divide and conquer process which shows serious success in disrupting the Cossacks unity in favor of falling in with Muscovy. Parties headed east continue to expand as more Siberian territory falls under Russian influence (400 px). The Grand Prince continues to promote new policies on eastern settlement, and specifically calls out to direct people towards Ektarinberg. A few trade ships are launched in the White sea and Baltic sea areas being based off of a new fur trading company in Novgorod.
 * Principality of Ryazan: With the further centralization of the Muscovite principality the people of Ryazan particularly the prince agree to annexation by 1525 into Moscow. In the mean time, Ryazan drills with the Russian army to keep its military up to par with Muscovy for its integration. A String of forts continue to be manned guarding against the Tartar Crimeans to the south
 * Duchy of Lesser Kazan: While seeing some resettlement to the north, the horde lifestyle of Lesser Kazan turns into a crowded one as many people from Kazan proper immigrated to the rump Kazani state east. Unable to casually hold so many people in such a small territory the Hordesman fight each other and nearly 15,000 people are killed before the local Muscovite garrison was able to prevent any further massacre. The Muscovite general hoping to keep the peace, keeps his army on high alert as he begins to work on improving fortifications and infrastructure towards the city of Kazan.
 * Ryazan to be Russian in over 425 years? Wow. What an agreement.
 * Good lord, thanks for catching that typo -Feud
 * Bohemia: We continue to build buildings and though we could stop the construction of fortifications to avoid the border clash with Bavaria. Although the alliances of Swiss Confederacy will be though accepted, since we still recruit more Bohemian troops through 1520. The military will expect more construction, while the alliance with Poland-Lithuania sent us, we wish to work on more relations in Europe. King of Bohemia, says that Bohemia should not invade Bavaria, which it could cause in a massive breach of war.
 * Poland-Lithuania offers Bohemia support against any aggression, in return for a firm alliance and trade agreement. This move would prove beneficial to both nations.
 * Aztec Empire: With the plague killing the beloved emperor despite centuries of Aztec faith in the gods, as well as the death of thousands of our citizens, many Aztecs start to question the authority of the priest and the religion itself, causing slight unrest in Teotihuacan. The new emperor proclaims the state as above all, including religion, earning the ire of the powerful priests. Emperor Maxatan issues reforms attempting to federalize the Aztec Empire, with each tribe's territory forming the basis of a 'state', in the basest form. The emperor attempts to reach out to all the neighboring tribes in the region, as an attempt to unify all the people of the Mexican valley as one. In the meantime, agriculture becomes much more efficient as lakes and rivers can now house floating gardens to suit our food requirements. Tress are cut down to provide housing for the Empire. The military expands, but retains the advancement system, where one can be a 'jaguar' and become an 'eagle' after sufficient training and experience. Every family with a minimum number of four must send one of its members to the military for a year's worth of training. After that, the member would have to go home and be replaced by another member. We construct centers of learning for the citizens.
 * Papal States: The Papacy starts working among its subjects to bring them closer to God through the Eucharist and the Blood of Christ. Plans to also spread the gospel throughout the Papcy are implemented, with more masses being offered to lowly peasants to help save their lonely souls. Leo X also calls onto those who will honor the Papacy with indulgences, for a small fee. Martin Luther is labeled a heretic and excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. All those that find Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses intriguing or as a correct way to reform the religion will be sought out and brought to Rome for questioning. The King of Württermburg is excommunicated, and is called upon by fellow devout Catholics to destroy the heretical kingdom. Pope Leo X celebrates the fact that the king of Benin converted to the Catholic Church, and says in a speech "God is on our side. The pagans are now waking up to the true glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.". Pope Leo X continues vassalizing Siena, hoping to bring it closer to the Pope and God. Meanwhile, the Papacy, seeing that the Knights of Rhodes have converted, are considering an occpuation of the island to restore religious order. Ulrich Zwingel is also wanted to be rounded up to be questioned about his reforms.
 * Duchy of Milan: After no news from diplomats in Genoa, The Duke begins to increase military action on the border with Genoa. Diplomats are sent to Austria, France and Savoy to discuss further action. Grumblings occur in Parma and Milan over the unstable relationship with Genoa and links are made to the Lutheran ideas. In order to put a halt to the situation, The Duke decides to make it known of his intention to find a Duchess and invites foreign diplomats to Milan in order to find one. To continue the economic and cultural improvements the Margravate of Mantua is placed under the influence of Milan, The Duke believing it to unlock great wealth for both regions.
 * Spain: More ships are sent to Hispaniola so we can stop the rebellions. About 500 rebels are captured in our colonies and put to work harder than before. In the home nation, we continue to capture Predestine rebels going against the Catholic church. The military asks for more recruits. The roads get repaved so that everything is new and smooth. The military sees an advantage of the sick native Americans and attacks them. We declare war on the Aztec and the tribes by OTL New Orleans. About 300 ships are sent to each area to take over their territory. Charles gets pissed, because he and his brother the Archduke of Austria both want the head seat of the Habsburg family. The King also is getting restless in finding a princess to marry, this search has been three years with no results happening. Since most of our military is off in our colonies, the King uses extra protection from his personal guards when leaving his castle to go outside.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still closeour borders to everyone. Outpost are continuing to be made to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Siena: We denounce Martin Luther. We ask France to guarantee our independence. We go around Europe creating the Inquisition to defeat the Lutherans. We ask for forces from Catholic nations to help in this effort.


 * Kingdom of Hungary: The Kingdom of Hungary is celebrating its one year anniversary of the new ruler of Louis II of the Jagiellon Dynasty. The Kingdom of Hungary focuses in on its administrative mission statement to help further trade from the influx and increase in trade in Eastern Europe as well as help maintain its alliances. With one of the largest standing armies in Europe, with 35,000 armed soldiers in the borders, the Hungarians put the military maintenance on the top tier to maintain but improve the army, bumping their size to 40,000. The Hungarians agree to the Ottomans seven year peace treaty. There's a growing of Martin Luther's teachings among some of the nobility, due to the diplomats and traders coming from Northern Europe. The years of laying claim to the lands close to Hungary in the hands of the Venetians comes to a head. Louis II declares war on Venice and calls upon its many allies to aid in its conquest to help it in its reclamation of historic Hungarian lands
 * ​Taking advantage of the Venetian War with Hungary, Sultan Selim I decides to put his improved navy to the test. The fleet of under Aydin Reis, containing 45 galleys, 23 galliots, and eight frigates, convoys 40,000 troops from Damietta to Lepanto, on the south side of Cyprus, who then march inland to lay siege to Nicosia. These troops include 800 Janissaries, 800 Sipahi cavalry, 5000 Azap archers, and three Great Bombards. After the landing, the frigates circle around the island and begin bombarding the Castle of Kyrenia in the north, using a line of seven galliots as cover. Meanwhile, the two fleets in the Aegean moves in to blockade the coast of the Peloponese, cutting off Crete and Cyprus from Venetian control.
 * 10,000 Polish and Lithuanian troops are sent to aid Hungary, but the King is uneasy over recent Ottoman aggression in Cyprus. Several nobles suggest an attack now upon the Crimea, with the Ottomans distracted by two different wars, but the King is still unsure.
 * Accepting the call to arms, Duke Alfonso d'Este personally leads the armies of Ferrara to attack Venice.
 * After the Sultan Selim falls gravely ill, the Ottomans withdraw from the war, signing the Treaty of Lesbos with Venice
 * Duchy of Ferrara: Duke Alfonso d'Este continues funneling money into the patronization of many Ferraresi artists and writers. The universities in Ferrara, Modena, and Reggio Emilia continue to swell with students from all places in Europe. Administrative improvements across the realm continues to increase the amount of money that flows into the state's coffers. The Duke continues to emphasize trading with Genoa over Venice. War is declared upon Venice, with Duke Alfonso d'Este himself leading the armies of Ferrara to attack Venice.
 * England: In England, King Henry unveils his ten-year plan to take over Ireland which will culminate in his ascension to the position of King of Ireland. Meanwhile, he continues to focus on the continent with keen interest. England seeks to repair relations with France. Despite the king's best efforts, there seems to be a number of people embracing Luther's heresy. The king's advisers are split on how best to handle this, so the king decides to ignore it for time being. At the end of the year, the queen becomes pregnant again.
 * Sultanate of Delhi: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Continues training more soldiers and cavalries, and more cannons are made. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial buildings, militaristic buildings and mining plants are built. Roads and farms are built or improved and cities continue to grow. Education is improved and more educational buildings are built. Continues fortifying its borders by building new fortresses and armies are placed in fortresses. Primary focus on militaristic and secondary focus on administrative continues reaching. Delhi finishes their invasion war on Bikaner and is now annexed into the Sultanate. Vijayanagara is now ally of the Sultanate, asking Gujarat, Gajapatis and Seistan for alliance, as well as trade arrangements with all Indian states are accepted. Asks Multan to join the growing Sultanate or being invaded.
 * Kabuli Diplomacy: The envoys to Seistan find the province now part of Timurid Kabulistan, loyalists in Multan have informed the Padshah of Delhi's ultimatum to Multan and warns Delhi that if they encroach upon an ally of Kabul they will face them as well.
 * France:' Angered by the completely unprovoked attack on an ally, Venice, the Kingdom of France calls for a partial mobilization of the military. 50,000 troops are sent on their way, and 25,000 more are called up. France calls on its many allies to defend Venice from the unprovoked aggression of Hungary and the Ottomans.
 * Poland declares war upon France, citing that Hungary has perfectly legal claim on Venetian land. The military is fully mobilised.
 * Nogai Horde: With no response received about them jining the Kievan Horde, we resume our plans and invade the Astrakhanate. Civil unrest continues to increase to dangerous levels following this invasion, due to the implication of more migration. With Sibir, us and the Crimea Khanate in the Kievan Horde, we send a "diplomat" to Kiev for the first meeting(begin making resolutions). We propose the first resolution, to counter Moscow and their aggression. After disliking the migration, some in the horde support creating a confederation.
 * Angu: Namton A'fao, leading his people whilst exploring, comes into contact with the Kâte people whose language he finds interesting and attempts to establish relations with them. Angu continues vassalization of Zia (3/5) by sending more gifts and strengthening the relations. Namton A'fao Koito's interest in the way the Angu produce clothing rises for now unexplicable reasons.
 * Songhai Empire: We keep building up Islamic principles with limited actual Mosque building work but heavy teaching of the faith as well as incorporating a regional part of Islam specific to a Songhai identity. While at the same time we construct a number of irrigation canals throughout the country to encourage better agriculture. We reorganize the tax system with tax inspectors who answer directly to the Emperor to give back an accurate reporting using the new weight system and currency which made of single coins with the royal seal impressed upon it and is made of gold which is roughly eight karats. We send explorers north to explore North Africa and bring back knowledge for the Empire to use. Our forces push ever further into the Jolof Empire with the army led personally by Askia the Great.
 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. The edition of the 100 slaves from Benin leads to more of a production leads to a spike in ship production. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. Experimentation of heavy artillery begins in the Arsenal, with more accurate guns hoped to be used against pirates in the Mediterranean. The purpose is to provide a more accurate and farther ranging gun. They begin to establish certain artillery classes to distinguish one gun from another and there purpose. Venetian interior traders encounter a Nuremberg man by the name August Koetter. He is a pioneer in the field of rifling. The traders impressed by the accuracy and speed of his guns buy two. The guns are then shown and sold to the doge who proposes to experiment more with "groves". OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. To expand Atlantic trade the Doge and other Venetian noble families establish the Venetian Atlantic trading company Veneziana Società Commerciale Atlantic. A strong condemnation of the blasphemous heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. Troops are placed on the Venetian-Hungary and the Venetian-Ferrera border. Ventian boats begin a bombardment of Ferrera and Hungary.
 * Florence joins their ally, Venice in the Hungaro-Venetian War.
 * Genoa:  "The time for war has come" declares the Doge. We join our ally, The Dutchy of Ferrara, against Venice in the Hungaro-Venetian War and we deploy a navy of 100 galleys, 50 galliets, and 10 frigrates, first from Genoa, next to Porto Vecchio, and then the navy swiftly moves into the Adriatic Sea to blockade Venetian ships from leaving or entering while the Ottomans are cutting off Venice in Cyprus and Crete and elsewhere. Our land forces are  mobilize also bisiege the Venetian port of Split with the Genoese navy and 10,000 troops.  We also put 10,000 troops on the Genoese-Florencian border and we request our ally Spain to join the war. Meanwhile we heavily trade with Spain and the Ottomans, intercepting Venetian ships that trade in Alexandria. We also establish Catholic monasteries in Corsica to reeducate the Protestants and apologize for the diplomatic incident with Milan and punish the diplomats responsible and we seek to repair relations with Milan.
 * Joyful news is brought to the Electorate of Saxony as Prince-Elector Frederick III is elected Holy Roman Emperor. He travels from Frankfurt to Rome to be coronated Emperor by Pope Leo X as Emperor Frederick IV, Holy Roman Emperor. By the time Frederick returns to Wittenberg, he realizes just how popular the Evangelical movement has grown in his absence under his brother, John. Frederick announces that no secular realm within the Holy Roman Empire shall be permitted to ban the work of Martin Luther. He also announces plans to recreate an Imperial Government after a previous attempt was ditched by Maximilian von Habsburg, saying the the enactment will continue into the future. The docks at Wittenberg are completed, and workers now focus on building similar structures to enhance trade and production in Leipzig. Finally, the influence over Brunswick-Göttingen continues.

1521
WAR UPDATE: OTTOMANS, Bukhara, OMANIANS CRUSH PERSIA/SPAIN CRUSHES AZTECS, CHINESE CRUSH TRIBES, TIMURID EMPIRE CONQUERS SISTAN, DELHI AND SONGHAI ON THE VERGE OF VICTORY, VENICE CRUSHES INVADERS  NOTE: The ecclesiastical movement founded by Martin Luther and based in his Ninety-Five Theses is properly referred to as Evangelical, not Protestant or Lutheran.

A Frenchman named Jean de Nice returns to France after successfully circumnavigating the globe, and he brings with him great tales.

'''Another plague devastates native tribes in the New World, this time striking the Mississippi region, devastating the Cherokee, Creek, Muskogee, Sauk, Fox, and Iroquois, among other groups. Technological developments begin to percolate to these groups, most notably escaped horses, which are eagerly adopted by several plains tribes.'''

'''The new Principality of Rhodes suffers an economic collapse as it no longer enjoys the vast revenues of the Hospitaller Order, which fall into Papal hands, or the remittances and donations of thousands of nobles who had previously supported it. Maintaining its large military becomes increasingly difficult. '''

'''Discontent grows among the local Cypriots and Cretans on the two newly Ottoman islands, which fear and distrust their Muslim rulers. Some attacks against Ottoman officials occur.'''

''' The Maldives' army manages to regain a fair portion of lost territory, as the Muslim revolters have no outside support and the King's new more moderate stance drives fewer recruits. However, many imams on the island continue to preach of overthrow. '''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: reorganization of the military continues, and increased trade boosts the economy. Vassalization of Lippe begins.


 * Rhodes: Prince Philippe I, who at first though about attacking Cyprus to gain more lands while the Venetians were occupied, must forget the idea, as the collapse of the economy is a more urgent matter. He try to appease his population, trying to convince the population that everything will be good soon enough. However, the Principality is not able to keep all its men, and the Prince is forced to reduce the troops from 10,000 to a mere 6,000. He then pass most of the year with his steward. working on a more effective way to tax the population and produce enough good to sustain the island. Another objective, less important than the taxation, is to boost the trade power of Rhodes in the region. The Prince especially hope people will see the island as the only trade post for those who do not which to pass through the Merchant Republics. Finally, he ask for financial help to both Moldavia and Württemberg, promising to send his ships and troops in their next war should they help Rhodes.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We offer to alleviate Rhodes' economic and budget problems by effecting a transfer of part of Rhodes' military assets to joint Rhodes-Württemberger control. Under this proposed agreement all Rhodes-Württemberger units would continue to be under the command of the Prince's government, but would be funded by the King and orders from the Kingdom would take priority over those of the Prince. The King would however be obligated to ensure any orders given by him would not threaten the independence of Rhodes.
 * Rhodes Dip: Prince Philippe I reluctantly accept the offer.
 * Rhodes (OOC): The way I understood the deal, it is that I technically keep my troops, but should their be war I'm force to obey your orders over my own. Correct me someone if I'm wrong, so I can change my answer accordingly.
 * Württemberg OOC: Oh no, I never intended to sound like I wanted to vassalise Rhodes. I will change the text of the request to make it less ambiguous.
 * Bukhara: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia. Men between 18- 37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. We begin to mobilize our armies using Mongol horseback and Turkish battle tactics pushing into Persia (of 20,000) aiming for the cities of Merv, Nishabur and Herat killing and slaying enemies on horseback or using huge human wave attacks for anyone opposing us, where their heads are chopped off and placed in one mass grave, with Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan leading his men. Children 13-18 are taught how to fight for the nation and ones with a bright future are brought to better military schools to be train as Shock troops for four more years. We send 40,000 more troops to the Persian front, and besiege the citites of Merv and Nishabur (with 20,000 troops), with no Persian military action we begin to occupy cities in the Kavir Desert and begin to send an army of 20,000 to Damavand riding on horseback. 20,000 more troops are send to the Persian front. We begin to use Kavir desert as a FOB after seeing victories. We begin to re-send troops on their way to Damavand to Isfahan (Persia capital) along with the 10,000 new troops. Kochkunju declare that god is on our side. We begin to rush the cities of Merv and Nishabur. We lay sleigh to Isfahan with 30,000 troops. We demand Persia to give up or the city of Isfahan will burn. seeing the victory over Persia we begin to draw out maps for Persia 
 * Yeah no way your gonna be able to annex the whole of Persia. Thats a serious overstep of your abilities to administrate. -Feud
 * I am going to set up a vassal state
 * Kabulistan: Babur relents and leaves the Baluchi tribes to their own affairs as he solidifies his control on Sistan. News reaches Kabul of the Delhi threat to invade Multan, the loyalists who pledged themselves to Babur call upon him to keep Multan from the grasp of the aggressor. Fresh from their celebrations the armies of Kabul march towards the Khyber Pass. An envoy is sent ahead to Multan, the messenger tells the leadership of the capital that Babur has grain and supplies for an inevitable siege at the hands of Delhi. Babur promises to defend Multan but appeals to those who did not pledge their loyalty to do so now and allow Multan to come under the protection of the Timurid Empire. Babur leans on the Princes in his service to try to make the city's keepers see sense, or if possible to use their own influence to consent. Babur preaches again about the freedoms his empire will bring, and the fate that might befall them under the insane Delhi Sultan who changes his nation's faith on a whim. No matter their response Babur ensures Multan that he will defend their city against Delhi aggression. (NPC Response Required). Kabul sends a replica bronze cannon to the leader of Bengal as a sign of friendship, however the envoy accompanying it informs Bengal of the situation across the sub-continent. Envoys then go beyond Bengal into Tibet to convey the Padshah's friendship to the Dalai Lama and despite their difference in faith, pledges not to surpress Buddhism within his borders. As the armies wait, ready to aid Multan, Babur decides to use the image of an opressive Sultan in Delhi to attempt to convince his former allies Sindh (in which Babur had spent a part of his youth) to join the growing Empire. Babur's message to Sindh invokes the senseless conquest of Bikaner and the risk to them should Multan fall. (NPC Response Required.) Drawn into a conflict he did not foresee for a decade, Babur prepares to unite both Indian and Afghan under a single power and to defend the ideals it holds. (NPC RESPONSES REQUIRED.)
 * ​Multan: rejects, but offers an agreement of multal defence instead. (Sorry if this is what you wanted, the post to me implied that you were trying to make them a protectorate.
 * Sindh also rejects but offers the same thing as Multan.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Duke Antoine remains neutral on the topic of Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses, however, secretly agrees with them. However, his public neutrality causing division between Catholic and Lutherans in the country and religious tensions. Despite the divide in religion the duchy is strong. In attempt to defend against growing worries of Hapsburg Imperialism the army recruits 500 hundred able bodied men and opens a school for training young men in military affairs.In attempt to expand its economy Lorraine proposes a trade agreement with Saxony Milan and Württemberg.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We agree to the establishment of a trade agreement.
 * Saxon Diplomacy: Emperor Frederick IV accepts the offer of a trade deal.
 * Württemberg: The Württemberger government begins secretly drafting plans to expand into the south, with the aim to ultimately create a seaport for the Kingdom. The Kingdom, now officially Evangelical, closes all churches which still stubbornly adhere to the Catholic faith, and detain priests who refuse to convert.
 * Ottoman Empire:  Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Sultan Selim I dies of his illness, and is succeeded by his very young and percocious son, Suleiman.  Suleiman declares that his father was a fool for having been so leneant to the Ahl Al-Kitaab, and withdraws many of his agreements in the Mediterranean. 7000 troops are deployed with 40 galleys and two frigates to take the city of Rhodes . Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms.   The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak.  In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives.  Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria.  with the end of the Ottoman-Persian War, the majority of the troops formally in Persia are redeployed to manage the vassals in Europe, filling the regions of Moldova, Romania and Wallachia with a total of 80,000 troops on the Hungarian border.  The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him.   The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.  The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the prosylatizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital.
 * Colony of Algiers: Governed by Aruj Barbarossa, Algiers improves its infrastructure and increases trade across the Sahara, as well as with the European nations of France and Navarre. The military stands at 12,000, with an additional 7000 on loan from the Sultan.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Muscovy or Poland. Crimea invites the Khazakh Khanate to participate in the Kievan Horde
 * Wilayet of Mesopotamia: After the fall of Esfahan to the Ottomans and Mongols, the Sultanate annexes the region of greater Mesopotamia from the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea. Mehmed Hasan Pasha, entering the city, uncovered the Sword of Rostam, which he presented to the Sultan. The Sultan proclaimed Hasan with a new title: Iskandar Akbar Thanee (The Second Alexander the Great) and appointed him the governor of the region. A port is constructed in the Kuwait region. The city of Baghdad begins reconstruction, as it has not been repaired since the time of the Il-Khanate. The religion of the area is proclaimed as Sunni once again, and all those still aligning with the Rejectors are deported to Oman. Over 1300 families are forced to leave. 
 * Wilayet of Cyprus and Crete: The 40,000 soldiers who volunteered to invade these islands are freely given tracks of land to settle in. All the French and Venetian military stationed in these islands are forced to leave and return to their country. The Sultan institutes the Millet System in these islands, allowing the Orthodox communities to govern themselves, after they had been suppressed by Catholics for so many years. The Jizya tax is imposed, but made lighter than the rest of the Empire.
 * Poland-Lithuania continues its military build up, building several modern weapons, and researching all new tactics in modern warfare. Now formally at war with France and Venice in support of Hungary, Poland-Lithuania begins deploying large amounts of men to aid the Hungarians, while also watching the Ottomans carefully. 100,000 men remain in Poland and Lithuania to guard against attack. Poland acts only to help an ally. It has no interest in acquiring land from the war. Poland-Lithuania continues to preach Catholicism. However, Poland-Lithuania eventually withdraws, feeling it must conserve its strength. Instead, 10,000 troops are sent to aid Sweden instead, and Poland-Lithuania strongly urges the Kalmar Union to allow Sweden to become independent, or risk war.


 * Papal States: The Papacy starts working among its subjects to bring them closer to God through the Eucharist and the Blood of Christ. Plans to also spread the gospel throughout the Papcy are implemented, with more masses being offered to lowly peasants to help save their lonely souls. Leo X also calls onto those who will honor the Papacy with indulgences, for a small fee. Martin Luther is labeled a heretic and excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church. All those that find Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses intriguing or as a correct way to reform the religion will be sought out and brought to Rome for questioning. Prince Phillipe I is excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Pope Leo X celebrates the fact that the king of Benin converted to the Catholic Church, and says in a speech "God is on our side. The pagans are now waking up to the true glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.". Pope Leo X continues vassalizing Siena, hoping to bring it closer to the Pope and God. Meanwhile, the Papacy, seeing that the Knights of Rhodes have converted, are considering an occupation of the island to restore religious order. Ulrich Zwingli is also wanted to be rounded up to be questioned about his reforms.
 * Württemberg Dip: We wish to inform the Papal States that we have accelerated our military development and growth and have stationed several units in Rhodes in defence of the religious and political independence of Prince Philippe and his realm against the selfish and ungodly advances of the Papacy.
 * Vijayanagara: Vijayanagara looks for allies in the Indian subcontinent, especially Hindu countries. We do, however, ask Kabul and Bengal for secretive non-aggression pacts and possible collaboration and trade. Furthermore, we declare war on and invade Bijapur, hoping to grow our country and convert Bijapur from Islam to Hinduism, and to gain ports in the Arabian sea. Finally, we focus on the internal reforms of codifying and wiritng down our law, devloping a strong police force, and having a small tax on certain castes. Our economy is very based on agriculture, and our king is Naagpar I.
 * Siena: We stop the Pope from trying to annex us as we want to be independent. We declare war on Ferrera to help Venice and there allies. we send 18 ships over to help Venice's fleet bombard Ferrera and Hungary. We send six thousand men with General Enzo De Siena leads the army.
 * Republic of Florence:  In 1519, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With both Pope Leo X and Lorenzo II being from the Medici family, the two nations remain closely tied with healthy relations. The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the ninety-five theses.  With Luther's new statement after the religious debate, he the government officially denounces him and bans indefinitely from entering the nation. With Ulrich Zwingli spreading evangelicalism, he is also indefinitely banned by Lorenzo II from entering the realm. Although these ideas are being widely received in Switzerland, the exclusive lumber trade between Florence and the Swiss still continue. Florence continues investing Florins into buying lumber from the Swiss to build a navy.  Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy. Lorenzo's son, Giovanni de' Medici reaches the age of two, and Contessina turns one, both still being healthy children. Lady Eleanor is declared to be pregnant with yet another child.  Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about eight hundred ships. With war declared on the Republic of Genoa, the main front near the city of Lucca is garrisoned with a small amount of defensive troops under Giovanni dalle Bande Nere Medici, supported by number of Coalition forces. Garrisoned on the northern Ferraran border sits a small amount of troops under Malatesta II Baglioni, who are also supported by a larger coalition force outside of Modena. While Genoa is occupied blockading Venetian Dalmatia, the slightly smaller sized and growing Florentine navy gets its first naval experience by transporting a large amount of Florentine soldiers and mercenaries to Corsica under the fierce Franscesco Ferruccio. The main force lands in Bastia, while a smaller force lands in Bonifacio. Quickly an effective blockade is set up to beleagre the island. The island is swiftly taken by the overwhelming force of most of the Florentine army, and the army sets up defensive positions along the coast.


 * Florentine Diplomacy: Lord Lorenzo II de' Medici of Florence offers an alliance to King Manuel I of Portugal. He also asks for a betrothal between Contessina de' Medici and Manuel's six year old son, Duarte Aviz. The Florentine government also supports Charles I of Spain for the Austrian and Imperial thrones. He also requests to the his uncle the Pope Leo X, that his cousin, Ippolito de' Medici be made a cardinal as he already is Archbishop of Avingnon.
 * Oman continues its military expansion, especially the land army now that the sultanate has managed to acquisition significant coastal lands from Persia. The population increases swiftly, as thousands of Shiites and and other non-Sunnis are expelled to Oman from Mesopotamia, and the Sultan decides to settle most of them along the outskirts of major cities in Oman proper and Bahrain, though any Persian speakers of Kurds are sent to Oman's new Baloch region.
 * Soctotra continues to develop, as new infrastructure increases trade from the islands along with the creation of more frankinscense plantations. The Sultan builds two Ibadi mosques and demands that the majority, being Christians, pay the jizya, which upsets some Christians, but the lack od major discrimination and new economic opportunities keep the Nestorian islands calm. Any Mesopotamian Christians taken are settled on the island.
 * Omani Balochistan, Oman's newest province, is heavily occupied by slave soldiers and mercenaries to keep order. Shiites are treated fairly, though Ibadi mosques and benefits encourage conversion to Ibadism. Baloch nobles are alowed to keep their place should the convert, and those who resist have their lands forcefully bought from them, but are allowed to keep some estate. The Baloch population adds a substantial amount of people to Oman, resulting is a limited cultural influence between Balochs and the majority Arabs.
 * Benin: The Oba continues his program of modernizing Benin, bringing in more European instructors and teachers, providing them with extensive support be it economic, military, and industrial, giving them access to new schools and churches being constructed throughout the empire. Using the new road network, Oba Xadreque is able to quickly transfer the needed goods and personnel to the locations the European instructors are operating, hastening the modernization of Benin wherever needed. The first printing press in Benin is opened in the capital city of Edo, set up in the palace of the Oba. It is used to propagate the laws and decrees of the Oba, as well as print out literature the Oba and the Roman Catholic Church deem to be vital to the development of the nation. As the first printing press is built in Benin, many of the traders and nobles in the country move to reading and writing as hobbies, a trend that the Oba hopes will take with the rest of the people in Benin. However, for the time being, the majority of the new readers in Benin belong to the upper class of the empire, and the growing middle class of merchants, traders, and artisans operating out of the growing cities of Benin. Benin is expanded by 150 px to the east, with the routine process of capturing and enslaving all inhabitants save the women in the land, and selling them off to the Europeans in Eko (previously Onim). The tons of gold and silver filling the coffers of the empire are put to use in developing the industrial capabilities of the nation, with the two industrial complexes in Edo and Eko still under construction to meet the needs of the Benin state. The shipyard in Eko nears completion thanks to the assistance of the Portuguese, Genoese, and Venetian instructors, who continue to train the Edo people in the construction, sailing, and maintenance of ships. The first small vessels are now under construction in Eko, where it is hoped Benin will begin to build its own ships and take part in the global trading network. Benin sells another hundred slaves to Venice for two thousand zuruoke. The hand of the Roman Catholic Church is strengthened in Benin as more priests arrive to spread the word of Christ in the land. Traditional beliefs are thrown to the side as more and more Edo people seek to follow the lead of their spiritual and temporal head, the Oba, converting to Christianity as he did. As time passes, more and more of the syncretic systems brought into the church in Benin are removed, brning Benin more and more in line with the traditional teachings in Rome. With these efforts, Benin hopes that the Pope will look favorably upon it, and view the nation as one following the pure teachings of the Christ. In Europe, the nobles sent to the continent by Oba Xadreque begin to send back reports of their studies in Portugal and Venice. They write of the arts, music, ways of war, traditions, customs, and cuisine of the European states, and more importantly, give insight into the way of life of the Europeans. With this knowledge, many of members of the Uzama imperial council and the Oba himself, see a more pressing need to modernize. While the knowledge of European culture is absolutely vital to the development of Benin as a modern state, the wars and squabbles of the continent concern many nobles in Benin. It is known that that continent is densely-populated, home to hundreds of states, hungry for war, and in need of resources to support itself. While it was long known in Benin the fact that the Europeans were expansive, the knowledge of the extent of the Europeans imperial ambitions have horrified the Oba. He now understands that the majority of Europeans do not consider him their equal, nor do they look kindly upon the African people. Though they will accept their nobles as gold knows no race, the Europeans will not accept Benin as an equal partner, something that deeply angers Xadraque. While he and his court remain committed to the development of Benin, they now do so as a means of survival. Swords and spears do not stop bullets. Gods and curses will not sink ships. For this reason, Benin must evolve to meet the challenges of the wider world, and Xadraque only thanks God the Europeans arrived when they did. Only time will tell if Benin will survive. For the time being, this knowledge is restricted solely to the Oba and the seven members of the Uzama, and the Oba is keen to warn that nothing of this matter shall be known to the Europeans, lest they react violently.
 * Joseon: The massive reformation program continues as King Jungjong and the rest of the imperial government seeks to establish a self-reliant, powerful Korea capable of projecting hard power outside its borders. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism. Laws against any type of discrimination are implemented and tolerance/equality is mentioned by the government as an integral part of Korean society. Ideas such as sexism, male chauvinism, racism, and homophobia are banned and supporters of said ideas are persecuted and faced with dire penalties. The ability to read and write in Hangul is continued to be taught to all Koreans between the age of four and forty. The use of Hanja, borrowed Chinese symbols, is heavily discouraged and is banned in formal situations. Following the abolition of the bone rank system, the financial assets of many rich aristocratic families are seized and redistributed among the poor. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation, and external trade is limited to stopping a possible outflow of precious metals and an inflow of potentially dangerous foreign ideals. An increase in the production of gunpowder weapons continues and Korean scientists continue to flirt with the prospect of weaponised fireworks. Compulsory military service is enacted for all able-bodied men (excluding members of the government).
 * MODS wtf is this stuff that I bolded? mods pls review
 * Way too early for this unless there is a historic precedent.
 * Liberalism in the 16th Century. LOL
 * Sultanate of Delhi: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Continues training more soldiers and cavalries, and more cannons are made. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial buildings, militaristic buildings and mining plants are built. Roads and farms are built or improved and cities continue to grow. Education is improved and more educational buildings are built. Continues fortifying its borders by building new fortresses and armies are placed in fortresses. Primary focus on militaristic and secondary focus on administrative continues reaching. Delhi cancels its last request to Multan because of growing threat from Kabulistan. Now asks Kashmir to join the growing Sultanate or being invaded. Gujarat and Gajapatis are now new allies of the Sultanate and asks Bukhara for both alliance and trade agreement.
 * Kabuli Diplomacy: Padshah Babur, from the fields of Multan sends an envoy to the Lodi Sultan declaring that his aggression against the Indian princes will not stand. With legitimacy of Buddhist Tibet and the support of  Bukhara the Padshah demands Delhi ceases their intention to expand towards Kabulistan, warning them that should they invade Kashmir, Babur will add Sultan of Delhi to his growing titles.
 * Tibet completes its conquest of Ava, with the city falling as the Tibetan artillery smashes down the city's walls. Ava's uninvolved nobles submit; the Dalai Lama takes their children, and the entire Avan royal family, back to Lhasa, where the children will be educated and the royal family held hostage. Two of the King's daughters are wed to Tibetan nobles; the rest is swiftly and quietly disposed of. In Ava, nobles who fought for the King are dispossessed; Tibetan soldiers and nobles are granted their former lands. The civilian administration is replaced by new people hired from the local population and Tibetans; Tibetan becomes the sole administrative and liturgical language, with the Dalai Lama exchanging most of the Avan monks for Tibetan ones and placing the Avan ones in the northern desert or in the new monasteries in Mongolia. Meanwhile, former Avan royal lands and those of the dispossessed nobles are offered for Tibetan settlement, with thousands of second and third sons, rejected monks, and others pouring south to settle. With Delhi's threats to Kashmir, with a large Buddhist population, the Dalai Lama expresses his support for Kabulistan and accepts thousands of fleeing Kashmiri Buddhists, who are also sent to settle in Ava.
 * Taing Kachin is established under the rule of its native Kachin, who are grateful to Tibet for freeing them from Avan domination. Infrastructure is upgraded.
 * Kabuli Diplomacy: Padshah Babur is horrified to hear of the continued Delhi threats and send the Dalai Lama assurances that Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim alike shall feel his protection should Kashmir face aggression from Delhi.
 * Bohemia: We continue to improve our economy and military. With the response of Poland-Lithuania supporting Bohemia against any aggresion, we accept their firm alliance and trade agreement, but Bohemia fears Brandenburg should invade Bohemia, which that should be the case of a war with Bohemia. Also, the King of Bohemia, sees opportunity to build fortifications in closest border of Brandenburg, if this may cause a war during the disappointment of Brandenburg to launch their attack on Bohemia. The Bohemian troops are recruited mostly, and trained. Whilst more fortresses and bunkers will defend the military's area and capital city Prague as well. We establish more buildings throughout and cities will be likely in construction to build.
 * Spain: The war against the Aztec ends in victory after one year of fighting. The Aztec surrender their land to us, so that we do not kill them all. Monetarists are built so we can convert all the Aztec people. We force the Aztec to mix with our people. We move all they way to the Pacific side of OLT Mexico, mapping out the area. Predestine rebels continue to try to devastate the home lands, by blowing up a Catholic Church. Troops seize the rebels quickly before it gets out of hand and ship them to our newly Aztec lands. More slaves are taken from north Africa, in the triangle trade, sending them to the new world. Charles becomes restless in finding a mate so he can make an heir to the throne for his nation and people of the nation. All troops are reported back the motherlands so we can recuperate from war. Most of the infrastructure of our nation is beginning to be rebuilt and fixed so it could be preserved. We continue to trade with our allies.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still closeour borders to everyone. Outpost are continuing to be made to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * County of Flanders:We keep building more boats in bruges but I ask Spain to give me Flanders independence as a Duchy we also if independence gained some land from all IRL Belgium that you control and for independence we will give you troops and money.
 * Nations didn't just ask for independence in this day and age. Also write in character and don't use I.
 * Sorry, Sir, and I am used to use I for refering and can I this ask for more independent?


 * Ostland: We officially become a member of the Holy Roman Empire, even though our proposal to become an elector was declined. King Walter I leads the army of 20,000 men strong in total that includes 15,000 footsoldiers, 5000 cavalry and artilery against Denmark, coming to assist his ally Sweden as agreed. Queen Valentina I gives birth to a boy named Klaus and a girl named Isabel. Riga and Tallinn experience a flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and many new landmarks being build like a new colossal magnificent Cathedral of the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, with its dome made out of gold. Grand palace of Riga is finnished, an immense golden palace, becoming the King's main residence. Toompea Castle and Riga Castle are reassigned for military use, as barracks of the army. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Construction of watch posts and fortresses along the Polish-Lithuanian border finnish. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 20,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask the Duchy of Pomerania for a trade agreement, while we also ask them for an alliance, offering our heir Klaus to betroth a daughter of the Duke of Pomerania (RNG needed), while in the same time we attempt to influence/vassalize the Duchy of Pomerania.
 * Pomeranian Dip: Accepted. (Moded By Edge)
 * Bradenburg: Joachim Assumes II Hektor assumes full control over Bradenburg but retains the regency as advisors. Having learned a lot about statehood and realizing his own lack of experience. Joachim is heavily interested in the ideas of Luther but keeps this a secret due to the unstable situation in the hre at the present. Military improvements continue as military reforms and expansion by hiring mercs continues. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science.  Efforts to improve relations with Ostland begin and a royal marriage is requested if Ostland hasa female. Ties with the Teutons and BOhemia are also expanded.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: King Walter I of house Plettenberg offers his beloved two year old daughter Isabel to our ally Joachim II Hector of house Hohenzollern to betroth further sealing our alliance and improving our ties, also a secret deal is offered to split coastal baronies, counties, duchies in the area above and west of Bradenburg after King Walter I of house Plettenbergwins the war against the Kalmar Union helping its ally Sweden become independent.
 * Cherokee: A strange epidemic begins going through some of our tribal cities. It has affected many of us and has killed already about 1000 of our 40,000 people. We do continue our invasion of the Creek Tribes, now that their numbers have dwindled but we reinforce any that were loss from the band we sent (Est. 250) and send 500 to reinforce them. Because of the loss of hunters we begin trying to move to the cultivation of Corn and Squash and try to increase our yield. We hear rumor of white men that have taken over tribes to our west. We send an expedition of ten to go and meet them.
 * Ethiopia: Due to the influx of workers for the building of Mina' Alaizdihar, the completion date is now 1545. Because of all the military campaigns, the manpower of Ethiopia is thinning, and Ethiopia cannot continue its occupation of modern day South Sudan and must pull back to its holdings in modern day South Sudan in 1518, and consolidate their manpower. A "cold war" of sorts starts between Ethiopia and the Adal, due to Ethiopia's rapid expansion and nationalist movement. Ethiopia closes and fortifies their borders near modern day Somalia and where bordering the Adal.
 * Savoy: We continue military buildup and economic expansion. With war exploding in Venice, we decide to join the conflict on the side of Venice and decide to strike at Hungarian and Genoan positions, and we decide to prepare our troops to march on Genoan territories. We begin to provide France some access to our ports in order to allow them to resupply. In secret we decide to use this as a display of force against a potential French incursion and our people decide to go in favour of this conflict as a part of that. In addition, the resupplies are to serve as information gathering on French positions, which are secretly relayed towards Spain in the form of couriers disguised as merchants. Pantaleone Natale's Una Bella Nuovo Mondo, continues to slowly slowly gains popularity among various French-speaking Savoyards, and even spreads its popularity into neighbouring France and other nations bordering the north of Savoy. The Savoyard Golden Age continues, as Charles III continues to strengthen his power and work on various projects to make the current capital: Chambéry better than it was in the past. Meanwhile, Charles III decides to make a design for his own palace, making it a luxurious, beautiful but capable of being defended with ease, and providing some of the best equipment for its defenders. The Palace is named St. Medici's Palace, named in honour of Pope Leo X. This allows our nation to focus on administrative matters first, and then on diplomatic ones as well. We decide to become an innovative nation to accelerate our progress.
 * Inca: Just waiting for Spanish explorers.
 * Grand Principality of Muscovy: With the further gathering of the Russian lands complete, Vasili sets his sights on the Russian populated areas of Smolensk, Kursk, and a few other minor lands there. This is done following the immensely aggressive position fostered by the Polish. Now being distracted in Hungary, the Muscovite forces marshall nearly 170,000 soldiers actively to begin the invasion of Poland with a further 30,000 in reserve in Southern Muscovy pairing off with 20,000 troops from Ryazan who immediately come under control of the Muscovite leaders arraying a 50,000 strong blocking force to prevent any horde incursions into Muscovy. The Small southern force mostly links up with 15,000 strong garrison force manning the southern forts putting a 65,000 strong force while noticeable made up of older or fresh troops. It's expected this force could hold in a defensive action but remains a strategic reserve in case things in poland go badly. The Grand Prince leaving his one-year old Ivan son to his new wife Catharine who stays in Moscow, but also manages to run the day to day of Moscow with little to no issue. Grand prince Vasili personally leads his army into Lithuania immediately beginning attacks of Polotsk, Smolensk and even down to Kursk. This invasion is structured specifically to take Smolensk and Kursk and their in between Russian areas. With such a declaration war taking place Grand prince begins to open up talks with Denmark, who is suffering from a revolt in Sweden, which is particularly supported by Poland. Muscovy calls for an alliance with the Danish particularly to prevent the loss of Sweden, and to prevent Poland from further expanding its influence to the detriment of Denmark and Muscovy. The Muscovite economy begins to gear towards war as in many cases the Muscovites are able to start recruiting some soldiers directly from occupied Polish areas being directly Russian and hence amiable to a Russian ruler coming to support their inclusion in the Greater Russian state. Vasili III immediately begins to support Ruthenian, Belarussian and Russian Compatriots trying to have them raise a rebel force, promising support for independent Kiev, and Polotsk if they join in the war effort. 
 * Ryazan: Turn deferred to muscovy due to military purposes
 * Lesser Kazan: With war breaking out in the west, the General holding down the lesser Kazan territory begins recruiting Cossacks and other opportunistic tribesmen to his banner promising better lives and good rations/pay to serve with his new force. While made up with a backbone of 1000, Russian soldiers, the force swells to nearly 10,000 as the force takes to its new power role quickly and without much pain.
 * I have just pulled out of Hungary.
 * Poland-Lithuaina fully mobilises, sending its troops to defeat the Muscovy invaders, declaring Kursk and Smolensk to be forever Polish. 150,000 troops are sent to defeat the Muscovy invaders. However, the border with the Teutonic Knights is carefully watched, and a further 10,000 troops are made ready on that border. Poland-Lithuaina calls upon its ally Bohemia, stating that this war, if lost, will hurt Poland's chances of aiding Bohemia.
 * You just put 50,000 troops towards the Swedish front ... really don't see how you can mobilize 150,000 against me -Feud
 * How many troops do I have?
 * We did the full amount and you still lost 154 to 143. -Feud
 * Muscovite Dip: With the victory in Eastern Lithuania, the nation of Muscovy offers peace terms to Poland, P-L must part with Kursk, Smolensk, and all the Russian populated lands in between the two and Muscovy will cease its attack on Poland-Lithuania
 * Bohemian Dip: We already accepted the alliance with Poland-Lithuania, we also fear Muscovy is looking to attack on Bohemia as well, so we send at least 20,000 troops to defend Poland-Lithuania.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: Raises an army 20,000 men strong, 5000 of them being cavalry, supported by artillery to aid our ally Grand Principality of Muscovy, attacking northern Lithuanian main cities, honoring the Anti-Polish coalition and our aggrements.
 * Muscovy Dip: We request that the Bohemians stay out of the Eastern Politics as their intervention will cause nothing but more bloodshed of precious Bohemian manpower, of which could be sorely used elsewhere within the Holy Roman Empire.
 * Bohemian Dip: We decide to stay out of Eastern Politics, as we message the troops not to attack Muscovy due to a peace offer.
 * Muscovite Dip: For the Bohemians show of faith in the Grand Prince, we will send a gift of thanks (in money furs, and cultural items) to Bohemia as well as openly establish friendly diplomatic relations.
 * ​' Bavaria:'  We begin exerti   ng influe   nce over the Berchtesgaden Provostry in an effort to make them subordinate to us. William IV continues converting the clergy, hoping that by the time the rest of the Holy Roman Empire realizes what has been happening, he will have consolidated control over Bavaria. We continue working on improvements to our weapons tech, and begin producing cannons, with 10 to be completed at year's end, and 50 to be operational by 1525.
 * Never mind, that's actually part of Bavaria.
 * Sweden: The siege of Malmo continues as the Swedes receive reinforcements from their allies. The navy is again ordered to raid Danish shipping. The king lays claim to the region of Scania in the south, the island of Gotland, and the kingdom of Norway and its colonies. Envoys are sent into Norway, offering the nobles land, titles and autonomy if the recognize Gustav as their king and join the war against Denmark. (NPC Response needed)Tariffs are raised in order to better finance the war. 15,000 additional troops are raised and sent south . The port of Stockholm is expanded and more ships are built for the navy. We continue to expand our borders in northern Sweden and Finland.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We asks Sweden to break its alliance with Poland-Lithuania and join the winning side, the Anti-Polish-Lithuanian coalition.
 * Swedish: Diplomacy: We break all relations with Poland but remain neutral in the war as we are currently fighting our own war with Denmark.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We thank Sweden for agreeing and also affirming our alliance.
 * Maldives: We ask Portugal for a trade agreement. We send ships to Jaffna and ask for an alliance (Mod Response) We continue to build our port on Diego Garcia and expand further into the island. We continue expanding our navy. We continue to rebuild the stupas and we set up a school in Malé.
 * Jaffna agrees (RNG).
 * Hungary: With a Hungarian defeat in the Venetian-Hungarian war, the Hungarians return home hateful and betrayed. The Hungarians brandish many surrounding them traitors and cowards. The French are considered rohadékok and démonok as due to their unjust intervention, they cost the Hungarians the ability to return historic Hungarian land to proper rule. The Ottomans are considered hazugok and gyávák due to them backing out of the war. The Poles and Lithuanians are considered the same caliber, but at least we are still trading with them and have broken our alliance with them. The Hungarians focus on military to bring it back to its full strength of 35,000. To deal with unfortunate rebellions or government hatred, the Hungarians work on its administration to deal with that. Luthers teachings have become quite popular with a viable 18% following his teachings, and that number is growing. Hungary puts out a call for any nations willing to ally with it, to replace the Poles and Lithuanians.
 * England: The Queen gives birth to a healthy son, Prince Henry. Not wanting to be left behind when compared to the continent, King Henry focuses on expanding the military. He especially wants to build a large navy but has trouble finding the funds for it. He also seeks to obtain modern weaponry from the continent. Meanwhile, England continues to focus on taking over Ireland. England continues to pursue its goal of establishing good relations with France or the Hapsburgs.
 * Nogai Horde: We cross the Volga River, the beginning of our invasion of the Astrakhanate. Meanwhile, Kazakh forces apporach our capital, suggesting we may need to relocate to a different city.  Unrest remains at dangerous levels, but it is stable. The khan contracts a mysterious illness, but continues to lead the country and is not dangerously unhealthy. We acknowledge the end of the Ottoman-Persian War, and are happy with the result.
 * Flanders: We keep building more markets and we also make some boats. We also demand independence from Spain. (Posted by AH for vinny).
 * Persia: As our enemy soldiers are at the door, the desperate king hides under the floorboard praying for him to be found. He was living on grain seeds which he hid away. The enemy soldiers stormed the palace and did not find the king. The king stayed there for 50 days till finally it was safe to go out. He hurried out of the city and found a village roughly 20 miles from the capital. He persuaded the village to rebel under the enemy rule and therefore began the rebellion of 1521. We begin to march around Persia where we would become more strengthened and when we've got enough men we circulate the capital city and begin to stave the citizens within demanding for them to give half of Persia back to them.
 * Songhai Empire: We keep pushing the war against Jolof to its final climax and end. We keep pushing for more Islam in our nation along with our own deities and progressively convert our new Jolof subjects. We keep constructing our new irrigation canals while reforming our economic system by adding in a new currency and taxation laws across the Empire. We announce the opening of our markets for slavery in exchange for gold. We raise these slaves from our captives amongst the Jolofs for sale.
 * Ming Dynasty: With the tribal territories now in our possession, we use as a staging ground for a future invasion of Qazaq (Khazahk) Khanate. We also begin an invasion of the Jurchen lands in eastern Manchuria. 
 * Kingdom of France: Jean de Nice is greatly rewarded for his accomplishment. He is knighted and given more funds and crew to make more expeditions. Rifling technology is obtained from the Venetians, and the armories continue to pump out more modern weapons and armor. 55,000 troops remain in Venice, preparing for an offensive into Hungarian lands while an additional 25,000 are mobilized in case of future war. Benefits and pay are increased to decrease war weariness. Research continues on military technology.
 * Angu: The contact with the Kâte expands. Angu continues vassalization of Zia (4/5) by sending more gifts and strengthening the relations. Namton A'fao Koito's interest in the way the Angu produce clothing rises for now unexplicable reasons. He requests that his mal and the one of the council members be differentiated through a symbol made on them.
 * Holy_Roman_Empire_Circles_in_1517.png the Electorate of Saxony, Emperor Frederick IV announces his new imperial reforms. The government shall be organized into three branches: the imperial, judicial, and consultative. The imperial branch is to be comprised of the Emperor and his confidants, the Electors. The judicial branch is to be consolidated from the Reichskammergericht and Reichshoftrat to simply the Reichskammergericht, which will be located in Magdeburg. The consultative branch is to be comprised of a standing Diet, to be established in Dresden. The Diet will be made up of eleven members, one from each Imperial Circle. Emperor Frederick IV also establishes the Italian and Bohemian Circles. Back at home, progress on the Leipzig dock continues, and a new building for the Dresden Diet begins to be designed. The nephew, and eventual heir, of Saxony is married to the Hessian princess Elisabeth, the elder sister of Duke Philip of Hesse. On the religious front, Lucas Cranach publishes Luther's German Bible while Luther continues to preach throughout Saxony and some other nearby states.
 * Poland-Lithuania: Troops pull out of Sweden to focus on Muscovy/Ostland. More at five.
 * Genoa: With Savoy invading us we pull back our military to Genoa and send 30,000 troops to the Genoese-Savoy and we fortify defensively on the border and we station our navy in Genoa. Trading continues and we plead for Spain to intervene on our side for we are being attacked by our enemies.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell as trade diverts from Austria due to the problems in Tyrol. The Swiss offer Tyrol a place in the Swiss Confederacy, free from excessive taxes. Refugees flock to Switzerland regardless. The standing armies in many lieus expand this year. Cannons are produced this year. A trade deal with Spain is proposed, wishing to trade horses for lumber. Switzerland experiments with introducing muskets into their military, with good degrees of success in most lieus. In the meantime, Evangelicalism continues to spread in Zürich, though it has stopped spreading to the other lieus and allies of Switzerland. The Zorort of 1521 takes place in Zürich this year, Switzerland offers an alliance to France, inviting their king to Bern for the negotiations, along with a generous sum of money should the French accept. They also request military alliances with Augsburg and Konstanz (Mod response required). The Swiss also express interest in working with the Lowlands.
 * Three Leagues: The economy of the Three Leagues expands while standing armies and mercenaries are both outfitted with new weapons. Roads along Austrian and Milanese borders are planned, with the existing ones being maintained this year.
 * Valais: Roads from Savoy to Milan and Switzerland are maintained, increasing the economy of Valais. Equipment from Switzerland is sent to Valais, boosting its military. Mercenaries are trained in Valais, making the state even more powerful by way of military prowess.

1522
 WAR UPDATE: SWEDEN IS PUSHED BACK (AGAIN), MUSCOVY AND OSTLAND SMASH INTO POLAND LITHUANIA, VIJAYANAGAR MAKES INROADS TO BIJAPUR, VENICE AND CO DEMOLISH HUNGARY, FORCE SURRENDER, MING CHINA WRECKS JURCHENS, OTTOMANS TAKE RHODES 

''' Also, the map is incomplete so please just tell us what to change on the talk page. Thanks! '''

''' The publication of Luther's German translation of the Bible spreads rapidly throughout the German-speaking regions of Europe. It gives a substantial boost to the Evangelical movement and risks destabilizing the archbisoprics that claim their power is derived from the ability to interpret the Bible. '''

''' More events to come. Standby. '''
 * Bengal: While we deal with militant Muslims wishing to revert the state religion back to Islam. We also seek help from allies such as Kabulistan, Delhi and Tibet. While still being Hindu, we tolerate Islam in the nation, going so far as to have the king's close allies allowed to be Muslim. We continue a tenous trade through Europe with Portugal and across the subcontinent with agreements from Kabulistan and Tibet. We attempt to develop our military with our sights on the three neglible states of Gondwana, hopefully integrating them into the Kingdom with given time.
 * Tibet, with its military recovered from the war against Ava, decides to continue its attack against anti-Buddhist regimes by invading Arakan, whose Buddhist population is heavily influenced by the rule of Muslim pirates and extremist refugees from Bengal. Tibetan troops feint around the southern end of the Arakan mountains while the main Tibetan forces advances over the central passes, turning south to take the Arakanese forces in the flank.
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Suleiman declares that the Tunisia is merely a "harbor of pirates, brigands, and other bastards". Accordingly, Suleiman declares war on the Hafsids, utilizing the two fleets already near Tunisia to blockade and bombard Tunis, consisting of 116 ships and commanded by Hayreddin Barbarossa. At the same time, 20,000 soldiers with seige equitment comes up from Algeirs and attacks Carthage. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Luthrenism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. Many of the military in the empire retires with their new lands, as the army is downsized by 25%. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature. The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the prosylatizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital. Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring Patriarch Theophrastus I as "Guardian of the People".
 * Württemberg Diplomacy: We refuse to leave the island in the face of Ottoman invasion, and stand ready for an Ottoman attack on Rhodes.
 * Colony of Algiers: Governed by Aruj Barbarossa, Algiers improves its infrastructure and increases trade across the Sahara, as well as with the European nations of France and Navarre. The military stands at 12,000, with an additional 7000 on loan from the Sultan. These 20,000 troops are sent to crush the Hafsids of Tunisia
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Muscovy or Poland. Crimea invites the Astrakhan Khanate to participate in the Kievan Horde
 * Wilayet of Mesopotamia: The last of the Shia families are deported to Oman. As the port of Kuwait is completed, a new navy is constructed in the Persian gulf. Baghdad continues to be reconstructed, with plans of reestablshing the House of Wisdom. One day, as the Sultan was surveying the city of Baghdad, he came upon the woman Aisha al-Baghdadi, and was immediately struck by her beauty. The next day, when he came to visit her, she was not to be found. When Suleiman asked the local artisans, they said "she was taken away to the ships in Kuwait, for her father is a hard man, who will not leave the way of the rejectors". So Suleiman rushed at full speed to beat Aisha to the ship, hoping not to lose his love. Once there, the Sultan asked Aisha's father for his daughter's hand in marriage. But he refused, because he would not capitulate with the Sunni Caliph. The Sultan debated theology with Aisha's father, until he finally relented and gave his daughter in marriage. And that is how Suleiman the Magnificent was married to Aisha al-Baghdadi, the most beautiful woman among the Arabs.
 * Venice: The Doge is extremly happy to annouce the annexation of Ferrera in to Terreferma, with the annexation of Hungaries coastal lands and La Spezia in to el Stato de Mar. The Ventian arsenal contiues to expand as well as the Ventian gunsmithing industry. Trade continues. More coming.
 *  Rhodes:  Fearing the ambitions of the new Ottoman Sultan, Prince Philippe I try to search support into Europe against the Muslims in order to protect his island. He especially call for help King Ulrich of Württemberg and Prince Bogdan III of Moldavia, his brother-in-law. However, he refuse to make the first move against the Ottoman Empire, prefering to buy his time until the war. The troops that were demobilize last year are brought back into service. This growth in manpower helps the army to return to its 10,000 troops. They are posted on strategic positions all around the Island, with the majority of them in the city of Rhodes. Prince Philippe also count on the German garrisons from Württemberg to defend the island in case of invasion. However, he also invest part of his revenues to help improve the fleet, as it is the first line of defence. Finally, the Prince make secret plans in case the island is invaded, so that he and his family could be able to escape to Württemberg.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We agree to these arrangements, and the Elector offers apartments in Wirtemberg Castle in Stuttgart to the Princely family.
 * Moldavian Diplomacy: Due to the fact that we are an Ottoman vassal, we cannot help Rhodes, and we inform the Prince that Bogdan III has recently died, succeeded by his son Stephen IV.
 * Rhodes (OOC): I just got informed that I'm actually dead, so I'll make the last things about how I escaped to Württemberg then I'm done.
 * Württemberg: Under threat of devastating war with the significantly stronger HRE, and after private negotiations with Saxon and HRE leaders, ironing out a few misunderstandings, Ulrich I reluctantly agrees to rejoin the Holy Roman Empire, under the condition that he be permitted to retain his current governmental structure (i.e., the Kronrat) and his nation's religion (Evangelicalism). He is forced to settle for the title of Elector, under the reasoning that there cannot be a "Kingdom within the Kingdom [of Germany]." Thus, Württemberg becomes the Electorate of Württemberg. Newly-created Elector Ulrich I orders the creation of a new flag and has a new coat of arms created.
 * Hi, I'm not trying to do the job for the mods but I don't think the HRE would allow a non-Catholic state because you know, Holy Roman Emperors are crowned by the (Catholic) Pope and everything. -Sky
 * This happened somewhat in OTL, a good chunk of the North German states turned Protestant.. it's actually a major reason so many religious wars happened. So this is actually pretty much in line IMHO with how the HRE would be reacting right now to some degree -Feud
 * I know that part, I'm just saying I don't see it being possible that they'd let him rejoin without reverting back to Catholicism. -Sky
 * Rhodes Dip: Prince Philippe join Württemberg after Rhodes was invaded. He offer the following deal to Württemberg. He is willing to seel all his claims to King Ulrich in exchange for a seat on the Kronrat.
 * Württemberg Dip: We offer our condolences for Prince Philippe's losses, and offer him a seat in the Kronrat. We call for the states of the Holy Roman Empire, Catholic and non-Catholic to unite to liberate Rhodes from the treacherous Turks who stole these lands from the Christian Prince.
 * Moldavia: Our army of 15,000 is put on alert as our ally Ottoman troops enter the country for any upcoming conflict. Bogdan III dies and is succeeded by Ştefan IV, his son. The new monarch is not as pro-Ottoman as his father was, but complies with them. Meanwhile, projects to improve the road system continue, with more taxes being collected due to increased efficiency.
 * Ottoman Diplomacy: To improve relations with Moldovia, the Ottomans give greater liberties to the local Orthodox communities, appointing the Patriarch Theophrastus I as representative of the Orthodox Millet to the Sultan. The Turks settling in this region are also instructed to learn Greek in their education.
 * Bukhara Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives. Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Some Shia Muslim begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslim. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate.
 * Inca: Sapa Inca resumes the conquest of the north and personally goes to Kito to command the army. Sapa Inca interested in the rumors about coming down from the north "white people."
 * Duchy of Milan: After the recent communication trouble blamed on the Venetian-Hungary War, The Duke has finally decided to defend its borders and has launched a swift attack on Genoa, hoping to incorporate its land into his to create great wealth for both areas and gain Milan a seafront. He calls on its friend France and their allies to help in the defeat of Genoa. Economic prosperity continues through trade. The Duke has entered discussions with Francesco II of Mantua over his daughter Margherita for marriage. Therefore, the Vassalation of Mantua continues and The Duke looks forward to a swift conclusion in 1525.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1522, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With both Pope Leo X and Lorenzo II being from the Medici family, the two nations remain closely tied with healthy relations. The family stays heavily rooted on the Catholic church with one pope and two archbishops (that are also cardinals).  The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the ninety-five theses. Luther and Ulrich Zwingli remain denounced and banned from entering the nation. A new Florentine law is also passed which was heavily pushed by the Medicis that states, that all excommunicated persons are banned from entering the nation. Another law is passed by the Council of Ancients which states that any person who creates or prints a non-Latin version of the Bible can be punished by death. The exclusive lumber trade between Switzerland and Florence continues with Florins investing large amounts of money to build a navy.  Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy.  Lorenzo's son, Giovanni de' Medici reaches the age of three, and Contessina turns two, both still being healthy children. Eleanor de' Medici (von Habsburg) gives birth to another child in which Lorenzo and her name, Giorgio de' Medici.  Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about one thousand ships. With the defeat of Genoa in the Veneto-Hungarian War, and other multiple wars beleaguering the Genoans, the Doge Antoniotto II Adorno is forced to sign the Treaty of Pisa, which cedes the entire island of Corsica to Genoa, but slightly compensates the republic with a small amount of Florins. Lord Lorenzo II regrets that Manuel did not accept an alliance, but still bethrothes his daughter, Contessina de' Medici to Duarte Aviz. Most of the Florentine army sails back home, but a decent amount of soldiers stay. The island remains under some unrest, but also accepts their new rulers due to the similarities in culture and language between the Tuscans and the Corsicans. Lorenzo is also glad that Ippolito has been risen to the title of Cardinal.  The Florentine government also supports Charles I of Spain for the Austrian and Imperial thrones.
 * In the Electorate of Saxony, Emperor Frederick VI oversees the completion of the Leipzig docks, the start of construction on the Dresden docks, and continued preparation for the Diet Seat in Dresden. He improves diplomatic relations with all of his neighbors, including Hesse (with which we have a royal marriage) and with Brunswick-Gottingen (which is being vassalized). Local burghers are growing increasingly powerful and a cottage economy with small-scale production begins to take place.
 * The Lowlands continue the consturction of the navy, even though it's already a good size. Margaret conitnues being a regent and doing regenty stuff. A local(20 years old) man, from the city of Brussel, with the name of Nicolaes Brugger, begins having desires of independence but doesn't act on them. He is intrigued by Martin Luther's theses and considers preaching them, but decides not to for now. With the County of Flanders now incoroporated into the Lowlands, the territory has greatly increased in size.
 * Joseon: The massive reformation program continues as King Jungjong and the rest of the imperial government seeks to establish a self-reliant, powerful Korea capable of projecting hard power outside its borders. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism. The ability to read and write in Hangul is continued to be taught to all Koreans between the age of four and forty. The use of Hanja, borrowed Chinese symbols, is heavily discouraged and is banned in formal situations. Following the abolition of the bone rank system, the financial assets of many rich aristocratic families are seized and redistributed among the poor. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation, and external trade is limited to stopping a possible outflow of precious metals and an inflow of potentially dangerous foreign ideals. An increase in the production of gunpowder weapons continues and Korean scientists continue to flirt with the prospect of weaponised fireworks. Compulsory military service is enacted for all able-bodied men (excluding members of the government).
 * Nogai Horde: We continue our war with the Astrakhanate, deploying all of our forces there. The khans mysterious illness causes his health to worsen, with him being extremely unhealthy. He sends his son in his place to lead the army, not wanting morale to fall as a result of this. Unrest increases with news of the khans illness, which finally causes small revolutions in some areas, although these are nothing compared to what would happen if the khan died. We verbally support the Ottomans in their war with Tunisia.
 * The Portuguese Empire continues the settlement of Brazil, with the existing brazilwood camps and sugar plantations being bolstered and expanded by the arrival of hundreds more slaves, trade from Benin. The colony also expands 50 px south, encompassing more areas for brazil weed exploitation. More missionaries and scribes are sent to Benin to assist the speed of Catholicism in the region. In response to growing tensions in Europe, King Manuel I orders the land army to be more rigorously trained, as his trust for other nations is wearing thin, seeing the feuding in the rest of the continent. Along with this, he orders the construction of 20 new warships, designed using new techniques, and constructed in Lisbon. Under the command of the local governor, Garcia Jofre de Loaísa sets out East from Malacca, breifly landing at the Banda Islands, where he trades with the local spice farmers, before continuing on to the Moluccas. On hearing from locals of a land further east, he continues in that direction, before landing in OTL New Guinea, which he names Papua. Upon returning to Malacca, he sends out a group of colonists, intent on setting up a settlement on the South Coast of the newly discovered land, intentions that bear fruit and are successful. Expeditions inland are planned for the following year, as though no direct human contact has been made, signs of former inhabitance are abundant, and it is suspected there could be some tribes living inland. Diplomats are sent to Ming China, with the request for the purchase of the land of the Macau Peninsula, for Portugal to set up a permanent trade outpost for the East, and to help strengthen existing trade between the countries. Further fortifications on existing feitorias in Ormuz, Goa and Zanzibar, to help secure and expand trade from those posts. Manuel I sends a personal envoy to Benin to discuss the potential of the purchase of land for Portugal on the western reaches of the nation, to set up a trading base, and help create a much more direct trade and cultural link from Benin to Europe, to assist both nations to prosper in the future. 
 * ​Savoyard Diplomacy: We request to send some of our best navigators to study in Portugal, so that you may use them for any future expedition.
 * Benin Diplomacy: On behalf of the Oba of Benin, Xadraque I, the Benin Empire wishes to express its deepest gratitude to the Portuguese Empire its support of Benin. We owe you much thanks to bring to us the light of God and the Church, the knowledge of the arts and sciences of Europe, and an understanding of the greater world around us. As a sign of peace and friendship, the Oba of Benin wishes to bequeath upon the King of Portugal, 2500 zuruoke ($362,925) and 15,000 mpempe ($210,300), two hundred ivory tuskes from the imperial hunting grounds of the Oba, four hundred women and girl slaves taken as war trophies in the latest conquests of the Edo people as concubines and servants to the King, and a large sea-going vessel we have named the Manuel in honor of the King, built at the newly constructed shipyards in Eko as a sign of the growth of Benin and the unity of Portuguese instructors and Edo shipbuilders. We give these things to our friends, and we hope that the Oba of Benin shall find favor in the eyes of the King of Portugal. We remember all acts of kindness and sacrifice, and return them in kind. We grant your request for a port, and give you the territory near the city of Eko as a gift. We ask only for greater aid in being like your great nation.
 * Maldives: The King changes his last name to Misra so he can be more Buddhist-like. King Kalu enacts a law of religious toleration, all religions are allowed to be practiced but the state religion is still Buddhism, which will be intertwined into the government. The King Kalu Misra grants the new port on Diego Garcia to his son Prince Vijaya Murali Misra to rule, but just the port not the whole island. The Prince names the new port Burecca after his mother. The King and The Prince give Portugal mooring rights at Burecca on Diego Garcia. The King asks King Cankili I  of the Kingdom of Jaffna for one of his sons to marry his daughter Princess Riya Sharmila Misra. (Mod Response)
 * ​The Kingdom of Jaffna acepts the marriage offer and also proposes a trade deal (Mod - Dax)
 * Spain: After a year of exploring our new added colony, we decide to give it a name. This new colony will be called New Spain. We merge the territories of Habsburg Lowlands and Flanders to form one new nation called The Lowlands. The military sends ships and troops to help our ally Genoa from being crushed in this war happening in northern Italy. Ships from our home nation set sail to explore OTL Florida and New Orleans. Predestine terrorist groups are still going around the nation trying to destroy as many Catholic Churches as possible. The royal guard is put on high alert all around the nation. About another 100 people are arrested and put in jail. Trade with north Africa goes well and continues to do go for the nation and its colonies. The King asks for more people to join the military so that we do not have too be so stretched out an thin in certain areas. An ambassador goes to the Papal states to that we can talk about how Spain and Portugal would divide Asia up since we both want many lands in that part of the world. Ab explorer of the name Carlos Fernandez goes on a mission to sail around the whole world and to map it out. May of 1522, Carlos Fernandez sets sail to sail around the world with his crew.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still closeour borders to everyone. Outpost are continuing to be made to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Savoy: We continue military buildup and economic expansion. With the conflict against Genoa we begin to march into their territory and advance toward the capital. We begin to provide France some access to our ports in order to allow them to resupply. In secret we decide to use this as a display of force against a potential French incursion and our people decide to go in favour of this conflict as a part of that. In addition, the resupplies are to serve as information gathering on French positions, the data which is secretly relayed towards Spain in the form of couriers disguised as merchants. Pantaleone Natale's Una Bella Nuovo Mondo, continues to slowly slowly gains popularity among various French-speaking Savoyards, and even spreads its popularity into neighbouring France and other nations bordering the north of Savoy. The Savoyard Golden Age continues, as Charles III continues to strengthen his power and work on various projects to make the current capital: Chambéry better than it was in the past. Meanwhile, Charles III continues work on St. Mecidi's Palace in Chambéry and it is expected to be completed by 1540. This allows our nation to focus on administrative matters first, and then on diplomatic ones as well. We decide to become an innovative nation to accelerate our progress.
 * Bohemia: We continue to build the military and expand economy. Though with staying out of Eastern Lithuania, which troops are not likely to invade Muscovy due to some peace offer and likely Muscovy wants Bohemia to stay out of the Eastern Lithuania. Although, King of Bohemia says that the tactics made a wrong decision on defending Poland-Lithuania, because if they defend, Bohemia would be in a very very bad situation. But the decision is cleared from the military tactics briefing. We're still thinking about HRE's future, after Maximillian's death. We also continue to recruit some of our troops and train for good improvement.
 * Cologne:  We officially break from the HRE founding the kingdom of Cologne under our new king King Lucas of The house of Bär, we ask Spain for a trade and we send men to the Far East to get weapons.


 * ​As I said on chat, at this point you are not breaking from the HRE.
 * Grand Principality of Muscovy: With the Muscovite armies slamming into Poland-Lithuania full force the nearly 170,000 man force is bolstered by nearly 20,000 Russians from Smolens and Kursk who immediately take on the seige of Vilnus and the rest of Lithuania while the bulk of the Army continues on into the heart of the Belarussian and Ukrainian heartlands seizing Minsk and other major cities in the Ukraine. This push takes the Muscovite forces all the way to the border with Poland proper with the major incursion into poland expected to take place the next year. This second year of war has brought nearly all of Lithuania under Muscovite control. The occupation begins in earnest but with help from local Russian forces able to placate some of the cossacks and others in the area, the Area stays relatively quiet. With no response on the peace offer coming out of the Polish rulers, Grand Prince Vasili expands his designs past ethnic Russian territory with plans to annex much of the Lithuanian controlled Ukraine. With some pretty outstanding victories in Poland the whole of Muscovy shows its pride, especially considering the liberation of their brothers in Smolensk and Kursk. Vasili himelf after touring the Ukraine agrees with many of him nobility and generals that the majority of the Ukraine is a massive agricultural area, and could very well become the breadbasket of Muscovy. The Muscovites make it their goal to occupy warsaw now at this point and take the good majority of Ukraine alongside the ethnic Russian cities in the area. With the war forcing many men and the nobility off into the west, the various merchant and trade families of Novgorod are able to secure the blessing of the wife of Vasili back in Moscow, seeking to monetize the Siberian expansion, particularly the growing city of Ekatinburg (now with 12,000 people) create a series of fur trapping groups forming small companies which begin hiring out settlers and Cossacks to create a fur industry. This does however begin facilitating some expansion further east as the companies look for more sources of fur deeper into siberia as well (300 px) The Russian settlement of Kazan continues as well with the city seeing a grand total decline of population in the city of Kazan but a total increase in Russians. With much of the nobility gone, many serfs are able to try to escape and begin migrating to new areas making a new life for themselves elsewhere, with many beginning to head towards Ukraine and Kazan, with a minority heading east towards the habitable near eastern siberian plain.
 * Ryazan: With the war going well in the West, Ryazan begins to come under the full umbrella of the Muscovite principality looking for annexation earlier rather than later. This is done with the death of the Prince leaving an interregnum/regency for the young heir. The Regency thinks that joining Muscovy proper earlier rather than later  will promote a much better transition for Ryazan.
 * Lesser Kazan: The Duchy of Lesser kazan continues to reorganize itself as it tries to fit all the hordes and tribesmen in the area. with the spurring of the local Russian overlord (designated by the Grand Prince) the duchy encourages some of the hordesmen to settle down, offering some incentives for such.
 * Benin: Benin continues its slave trade, selling more capturing Africans in the neighboring lands, and selling them off to the Europeans in the port city of Eko. As is the normal policy of Benin, the country is expanded by 150 px to the east, though the war chiefs of the forces sent to subdue the natives for slavery, state that there exist fewer locals in the region, forcing them to slowly scour the land for the inhabitants, and restricting the hastened territorial growth for the empire Oba Xadraque had planned. Elsewhere, the funds gained from the slave trade are used to modernize Benin, pay for the building and purchase of new ships, as well as fund the construction of industrial centers in the major cities of Benin. The industrial complexes in Edo and Eko are completed, built to be on part with those in Europe to the best of the ability of Benin. Thanks to the support of the Venetian instructors sent to the country by Venice, Benin has been able to develop these complexes to such an extent that it can begin producing most ships on its own. However, the need for more trained crew continues to plague the embryonic fleet of Benin. The Oba has made it clear that he wishes for Benin to partake in the global trading network, but that that time may be some ways off for the time being. Until then, Benin continues with the construction of new ships in Eko under the supervision of the Portuguese, Genoese, and Venetian instructors in the nation. The Edo students sent to Europe to learn European arts and sciences, continue to send reports of their progress back to Benin, detailing the new technologies and discoveries made by the Europeans. Many of the Edo people are fascinated by the works of the Europeans, and seek to emulate their achievements at home, lending support to the Oba's programs in the country. The successful spread of the Oba's written script for the Edo language as well as the pressing pres established in the Royal Palace in Edo, have since given raise to a growing middle class of educated subjects seeking to exploit the growing wealth of the empire. As more and more subjects are becoming literal thanks to the educational programs of the Roman Catholic Church in Benin at the behest of the Oba, additional printing presses utilizing the new Edo script are built in major cities and towns throughout the empire to cater to the growing hunger for knowledge of Benin's equally growing middle class. To facilitate the continued growth of this trend, Oba Xadraque funds the building of new printing presses in several cities in his realm, helping to spread knowledge to his people and bring them into the modern era. Though many Edo continue to remain illiterate, the Oba is pleased to see that his people are learning and willing to learn more about the world around them. A partial translation of the Bible is printed in Edo for the Oba to read to his court, a gift from the bishop based in the capital city. The bishop is pleased with the Oba's efforts to bring the people of his realm closer to God by teaching them the correct doctrines of the church, and dealing with the anti-Christian forces that were once threatening the very fabric of his nation. Many Benin subjects begin to adopt European dress and grooming standards based on those they see at the port city of Eko, where the European traders rest up for their journey to and from Europe and East Asia. The stories of the Cathay and the Indians intrigue many Edo people, some of whom are so enamored by the stories of the traders, one day wish to sail the high seas too, trading goods and meeting new peoples from around the world. On the subject of the military, the majority of district regiments in Benin are equipped with pikes, swords, firearms, and armor, all of the European standards. The Oba was keen to have the military instructors brought in from Portugal educate his nation's ironsmiths on the proper design and production of European-style weaponry. With the best and most renown ironsmiths in West Africa, the Oba is pleased to hear that his smiths have passed the tests of their European counterparts in the country. An Edo swordsmith who recently visited Europe to learn how his counterparts in Europe produced their swords, returns to Benin and produces a sword based on that German Zweihänder to the best of his ability, and presents it as a gift and a sign to the Oba that his people have heard him, and are seeking to match that Europeans as best they can. Xadraque declares the sword a royal treasure, and states that it shall be passed from Oba to Oba as a symbol of Benin's entrance into the modern era.
 * Denmark: We send 250,000 troops inside Sweden so that rebelion will be stopping.
 * Try again, in the Swedish war of liberation it was about 27,000 to 10,000. The Kalmar Union might be big but it doesn't hold a lot of people. The armies from Scandinavia have always been top notch but seriously undermanned -Feud
 * Ostland: King Walter I decides to retreat from Sweden, taking his army to fight against Poland, while the reformed Livonian order also joins the fight against Poland-Lithuania. King Walter I attacks Lithuania trying to occupy whole Lithuania, sieging the remaining unoccupied cities, while his forces continue to battle against the Polish-Lithuanians. Riga and Tallinn continue to flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and Tallinn. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 20,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask Denmark to make peace, and to keep status quo, as we want to close our front in Scandinavia, in order to concentrate against Poland-Lithuania. (My army wasn't even counted on the algorithm...)
 * Denmark: We accept your offer of peace and we thank you.
 * Ming Dynasty: We accept Portugal's offer to buy the Macau Peninsula. We march south and occupy Bhutan. We begin to develop Manchuria. We send an expedition of five warships and three merchant ships to the Ryukyu Islands, specifically Okinawa. A large wall with three checkpoints is set up at the Tibetan-Ming borders to ensure nothing goes wrong. We further security on the Chinese portion of the Silk Road to ensure the safety and security of merchants travelling from Europe to China and vice versa. 
 * Khmer Empire Diplomacy: We offer an economic and military pact between our two great nations.
 * Hungary: With a Hungarian defeat in the Venetian-Hungarian war, the Hungarians return home hateful and betrayed. The Hungarians brandish many surrounding them traitors and cowards. The French are considered rohadékok and démonok as due to their unjust intervention, they cost the Hungarians the ability to return historic Hungarian land to proper rule. The Ottomans are considered hazugok and gyávák due to them backing out of the war. The Poles and Lithuanians are considered the same caliber, but at least we are still trading with them and have broken our alliance with them. The Hungarians focus on military to bring it back to its full strength of 40,000. To deal with unfortunate rebellions or government hatred, the Hungarians work on its administration to deal with that. Luthers teachings have become quite popular with a viable 23% following his teachings, and that number is growing. Hungary after recovering from its war, turn to the Poles and Lithuanians and launch a war of revenge on Poland-Lithuania. The war is launched towards the Poles and Lithuanians in the bordering nation with the full force of 40,000 soldiers as well as the 10,000 raised in mobilization following behind as reinforcements. The Hungarians call on none of its allies.
 * Khmer Empire: the government continues to rebuild our ruined cities, agriculture, and industry. The military begins to help in reconstruction efforts. New irrigation methods are discovered to help revitalize our industry. Silkworms are imported to begin building up a silk and textile industry. The government offers an alliance with the Chinese.
 * Sweden: Following his defeat at the siege of Malmo, King Gustav marches North with what is left of his army at 29,000 troops. He prepares for any Danish counter-attack hoping to meet them in a decisive battle. The navy is again ordered to raid Danish shipping. Tariffs are raised in order to better finance the war. The port of Stockholm is expanded and more ships are built for the navy. We continue to expand our borders in northern Sweden and Finland. Negotiations begin with the Danes hoping for either white peace or more autonomy for the Swedish people. 
 * Cherokee: Many of ours have become sick with the new disease. It has killed off 1500 of our people in just two years. We see about either migrating or expanding into areas like Cahokia. We try to increase hunting efforts in our territory and increase our production of squash. We End our invasion of the creek. and bring the 1500 soldiers back.
 * Siena: We get a part of Corsica to be named later. Our troops come back with out fighting. About 200 troops are sent to Elba to restore peace. The fleet returns.
 * Can a mod please cross this out, I was told by Sat and others that Elba is under Pisan sovereignty, which is technically a subject inside of me (was controlled by Lords of Piombino since 1398). It wasn't Genoa's during the war.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Tensions between the Catholics and growing amount of evangelicals are at high in the duchy between the two groups. Recently riots broke out in the east about evangelicals being forced to attend Catholic mass. In an attempt to appease the rioters the Duke shifts the traditional bishopric boundaries and give the land that traditionally belonged to Catholic clergy to its evangelical clergy. The military of Lorraine is expanded by 50 mercenaries in attempt to stabilize the duchy and put down future revolts. However, secretly the country is looking to expand into OTL Luxembourg and Netherlands. The country proposes a trade agreement with the Swiss confedracy and again tries to offer a trade agreement with the electorate of saxony. 
 * ​Swiss Diplomacy: We accept.
 * Lorraine Diplomacy: We thank the Swiss for accepting.
 * Angu: The contact with the Kâte expands. Angu finishes vassalization of Zia (5/5) by sending more gifts and strengthening the relations. Namton A'fao Koito's interest in the way the Angu produce clothing rises for now unexplicable reasons. He requests that his mal and the one of the council members be differentiated through a symbol made on them. He devides more symbols for different ranks.
 * Zia: As subordinates to the Angu tribe, they are becoming influenced by Angan culture and mixing between tribes begins.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south east. While at the same time Askia the Great just fresh from having defeated the Jolof Empire see's their is a serious need for reformation in his armed forces and creates a new officers academy in Gao for the new leaders of his army to be taught new skills such as history and cartography. At the same time our own army techniques are improved with experiences of the war with the cavalry making emphasis on being light and mobile while spear men being able to hold and be disciplined. While at the same time having won the war and advancing into other territories we now have a fresh large number of slaves. We offer Dakar as a trading port for sale.  While at the same time we begin to attempt to improve the level of industry in Gao with a large new school for craftsmanship and an industrial complex hiring large numbers of in- training metal workers for the construction of new weapons. We send further explorers north to understand the technologies of North Africa better. We start to include the Jolof Empire in our ambitious plans to improve agricultural output.  
 * Kabulistan: Babur is enraged by the rejection of his proposals and summons the loyalist Princes of Multan to his camp outside the capital. He informs them that the army of Kabul is at their door, and the pledge to protect them is worth nothing without loyalty to his cause. During the exchange one of the princes falls to his knees, begging for mercy due to the fear Babur has instilled within him. Babur uses his influence over the princes to have the gates opened in a gesture of peace, to fortify the city against Delhi. As the soldiers march into the city, Babur's soldiers, alongside the Loyalist Prince's retinues suddenly turn violent. Days of fighting and looting finally ends with the banner of Kabulistan being raised over the city and the Prince Vijayan Indirini being installed as Prince of Multan, subservient to the Padshah in Kabul. Locals rise up in outrage at the overtaking of their province, however Babur's army, already present to defend Multan is now used to supress her. Babur soldifies his first step into the sub-continent in a way that haunts his dreams, his image of honour is at risk of faltering. The new Prince of Multan, despite his original animosity towards Babur recognises the benefts of Multan as part of the Empire, and pledges that no more promises shall be broken from their side. As the weeks turn to months Babur begins to gather his forces on the border of Sindh in preparation of invasion, though taxes and men must be rallied before another war may take place.
 * Owari: We offer Mino half of the loot and land if they accept a war with Mikawa (MOD RESPONSE). We begin to influence Ise (Turn One of Seven). The Oda clan is in power in our country.
 * Mino declines (RNG - Dax)
 * Genoa: Hungary is now defeated but we refuse to surrender to our enemies and now their wrath is upon us. We refuse to except Siena's "annexation" of Corsica and defend Genoa to the bitter end against the Savoyan invasion halting their advance wherever they go. In the north, we also defend against the Milanese invasion, halting their advance as well. With Spanish intervention, we are able to defend easier and we gain a massive morale boost from our ally supporting us and the flood of new troops on our side. Local militias also form to defend Genoa from aggressors and our best generals and military leaders are called upon We continue to trade with Spain and the Ottomans. We thank Spain wholeheartedly for saving us in our time of great peril.
 * You can't really refuse the annexation of Corsica by Florence and Siena, you joined the Hungarian War, and the algo even states that you guys got crushed. We, the other belligerents, clearly won the war, and you can't escape the war without any reprecussions, especially if you are on the side that got decisively destroyed. Plus you can't use Spanish intervention in the Hungarian War, because there was no Spanish comments in those turns, and he was not in the algo. Mods, please fix this. ~Nic, Florence
 * The posts were mostly regarding the defeat of Hungary, and the mod event said that Hungary gets decisively crushed. There has also been no former end to the war as there has been no formal treaty, so the land has not been allocated to the various parties. This year, the focus has turned to Genoa, so I can use Spanish intervention because Savoy and Milan have invaded Genoa -KawaiiKame.
 * No, incorrect. If you read the algo, it says: "1520: Venice and Co defeat Hungary  and Co crushing their military and forcing them back. 1521:  Venice and Co defeat Hungary  and Co effectively  winning  the war." The war was over by last year. ~ Nic
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell as trade diverts from Austria due to the problems in Tyrol. The Swiss offer Tyrol a place in the Swiss Confederacy, free from excessive taxes. Refugees flock to Switzerland regardless. The standing armies in many lieus expand this year. Cannons are produced this year. A trade deal with Spain is proposed, wishing to trade horses for lumber. Switzerland experiments with introducing muskets into their military, with good degrees of success in most lieus. In the meantime, Evangelicalism continues to spread in Zürich, though it has stopped spreading to the other lieus and allies of Switzerland. The Zorort of 1522 takes place in Schwyz this year, Switzerland offers an alliance to France, inviting their king to Bern for the negotiations, along with a generous sum of money should the French accept. They also request military alliances with Augsburg and Konstanz (Mod response required). The Swiss also express interest in working with the Lowlands.
 * Three Leagues: The economy of the Three Leagues expands while standing armies and mercenaries are both outfitted with new weapons. Roads along Austrian and Milanese borders are planned, with the existing ones being maintained this year.
 * Valais: Roads from Savoy to Milan and Switzerland are maintained, increasing the economy of Valais. Equipment from Switzerland is sent to Valais, boosting its military. Mercenaries are trained in Valais, making the state even more powerful by way of military prowess.
 * England: The Search for More Money continues as King Henry sends envoys to the continent to find the necessary funds for the king's vision of a grand navy. However, the economy at hope is also built up by promoting trade with the continent. The queen gives birth to another son who is named Edward. Sir Thomas More continues to write vigorously against Luther and his evangelical movement, but many in England continue to accept these ideas. The king is surprisingly lax with this, seeking to pay more attention to Ireland. In his capacity as the Lord of Ireland, he decides to pursue greater control of Ireland beyond the Pale, starting by influencing Ulster. England accepts the trade offers from Milan and Navarre. Sorry I didn't respond sooner, I didn't see it in all the other posts. Together we're going to make Europe great again.
 * Oman continues its usual developments. Expansion along the coasts continue, 15 px on the North Coast and 20 px on the South Coast. A small 3x3 penal colony is also founded on OTL Xaafun, south of Socotra. The navy continues to expand, as new tax income greatly boosts the economy, and as a result more slaves are imported as soldiers, and to appease many Balochs, they are offered good-paying jobs in the military, especially the newly-converted nobility. Ibadi Islam continues to grow in Southern Persia and the Gulf in general. Slave raids all along the Indian Coasts continue, and they are also increased along the African coast. More explorers are sent out to find new trade routes, and several that went south return with maps of the Comoros and Northern Madagascar, and ones sent east travel as far as Shanghai. Civic development continues, and the Sultan decides to spend his new wealth on sanitation throughout the Sultanate. Many small forts undergo construction along the coasts and in inland-borderlands, as the Sultan grows somewhat cautious of both increased Portuguese trade in the region and Ottoman aggression.
 * Socotra continues to grow in population and economy because of the benevolence of the new rulers. Ibadi Islam grows slightly as some Omanis, mainly administrators, settle on the island. The Sultan also briefly visists the island, and after viewing its extremely peculiar ecosystem he creates a team of researchers to try to categorize, name, and list the island's unique species.
 * The currently-unamed African colony grows slightly, but due to the low population there is little economic or civic development. The colony mainly consists of Shiites and Nestorian colonists. The natives are viewed with contempt.
 * Bradenburg: Joachim Assumes II Hektor assumes full control over Bradenburg but retains the regency as advisors. Having learned a lot about statehood and realizing his own lack of experience. Joachim is heavily interested in the ideas of Luther but keeps this a secret due to the unstable situation in the hre at the present. Military improvements continue as military reforms and expansion by hiring mercs continues. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science. Efforts to improve relations with Ostland begin and a royal marriage is requested if Ostland hasa female. Ties with the Teutons and BOhemia are also expanded.

1523
Spread of Luther’s German bible, and increase in Evangelical movement

Protestant revolts in German Archbishoprics (Metz, Verdun, Mainz, Cologne, and Trier).

'''The Maldives’ new more moderate policy again helps in combating Islamic extremism, however it still remains and religious attacks and vandalism against Buddhist temples is common. The militants now only control a few smaller islands in the north.'''

''' Pope Leo X dies from pneumonia. '''

''' Martin Luther releases his German translation of the New Testament, and it sells thousands of copies within weeks. '''

''' Johann Esch and Heinrich Voes become the first Flemish Lutheran martyrs, as they are burned at the stake in Brussels. '''

'''We can't go on like this. You mods have GOT to be posting the war reports at THE BEGINNING of the turn. Otherwise, us players don't know what happened -Nate'''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: Vassalization of Lippe continues. Economy improves with trade from Hamburg.


 * Württemberg: The Rhodian military has been fully incorporated into the Württemberger Army. A river flotilla is commissioned, and the shipbuilders of Rhodes who have been evacuated to Württemberg are called in to construct the first Württemberger ships. The new flotilla is to be headquartered in Stuttgart, which sits on the River Rhine. Meanwhile, an order is placed for German bibles, which are to replace all existing copies of the Catholic Latin bible. Prince Phillippe I of Rhodes is granted the Governorship of Tübingen. We also formally abolish feudalism in our territories, though in reality this has been in decline for years.
 * Isn't Wurttemburg landlocked? -Nate
 * Württemberger OOC: Yes, but this is a river flotilla, not a navy per sé.
 * Joseon: Korea begins to adopt an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To increase the number of active military troops, Korea continues mandatory military service for all able-bodied men (excluding nobles/government) between the ages of 20 and 24. To guard Korean interests in the surrounding region, the construction of 20 ships based off Chinese ones (is this a plausible amount?) begins. Korea continues an increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to supplement a growing military, Korea begins to construct two industrial complexes modelled after China’s in Incheon and Ulsan, which are two important port cities. Due to the lack of some crucial resources in the Korean peninsula, Korea begins to expand 150 px northward into Manchuria. Korea begins to harvest Northern Korea’s mineral wealth and uses the profit to further advance the construction of the mentioned industrial complexes. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation, and external trade is limited to stopping a possible outflow of precious metals and an inflow of potentially dangerous foreign ideals. Following the abolition of the bone rank system, the financial assets of many rich aristocratic families are seized and redistributed among the poor. In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. For commoners, primary and secondary education becomes compulsory and is subsidised by the government to create a highly educated populace. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime.
 * COMMUNISM!
 * It's to reduce the power of the Korean nobility. How is it Communism?
 * Moldavia: Stephen IV continues to rule, reaching his second year as Prince of Moldavia. He introduces reforms to the military, drafting additional troops and raising it to 25,000 men. It consists of about 18,000 infantrymen, 5,000 cavalrymen, and 2,000 support and militia troops. He also makes cultural achievements, promoting the Romanian language and culture among the Moldavian population. The young prince continues the infrastructure projects began by his father, including the improvement of roads in the country. He maintains a sizable force on the border with Hungary, and allows Ottoman troops to enter the country. Additionally, Stephen IV aims to improve and form closer relations with Wallachia.
 * Bukhara Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan begins to look for love in Bukhara due to it becoming a trade rest stop. Men between 18- 37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia. We begin to rally people for war and amass at the Khiva border invading at (army of 40,000) using horseback and new Persian war movements attacking the city of Kat.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Some Shia Muslim begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslim. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. We invade Khiva from the south with 19,000 troops attack enemy troops southern flanks and the city of Khazarasp. The whole Khanate is put at war ready standby and forts are made.
 * Tsardom of Russia: Grand Prince Vasili III marches into the Polish capital of Krakow hours of pillaging and looting take place as the forces of Muscovy seize the city. With the Seizure of the city now complete and much of Lithuania and Poland occupied Grand Prince Vasili III has the Russian Patriarch come to Krakow Crowning Him Tsar of the Rus. Now duly named as the Tsardom of Russia, the nation begins to administratively divide new territories seized from Poland-Lithuania. The land in Ukraine and Belarus are divided into the Principality of Minsk, and the Principality of Zhytomyr. The two new principalities are ruled almost directly by Vasili III but a viceroy is appointed in each allowing each state to be developed relatively hands off but still under close supervision of Russia. The Tsardom sees many forces continue to occupy Poland while nearly 20,000 Russians from the army, many of the men being some trying to establish lives for themselves, settle between Minsk and Zhytomyr. This begins to set the pace for some Russian settlement of the area, especially ukraines massive farmlands which are immediately evaluated and set up to be production powerhouses. The Tsardom consolidates many of the gains it has made over the past few years particularly making administrative progress in keeping the new territories within the influence of the Tsardom. The settlement of the East by the Cossacks continues with a large push eastward (500 px) beginning a new area of corporate exploration and exploitation in Siberia as the nogorodian merchant families are able to gain considerable influence, even allowing a few of the most powerful families into the Duma with the head of the families being the representative. Vasili seeing some of the unrest in his nobility over the merchant families entrance into the Duma calms them but also warns them, saying that these families cannot be removed and they are going to be a core reason for the rapid economic advancement of Russia in the future. With the proclomation of the Tsardom, the principality of Ryazan is annexed into Russia proper as is the Duchy of Lesser Kazan.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: The Principality of Zhytomyr is created out of the former Lithuanian controlled Ruthenia. With Zhytomyr as the capital, nearly 15,000 soldiers from the Russian army involved in the war are settled directly in or around Zhytomyr. The Area is quickly evaluated and many farmers are put on record while many displaced persons particularly Russians from the opening stages of the conflict neat Kursk and Smolensk are resettled in Ukraine with generous farmland compensations being allowed. In order to fill the need for more farmers and settlers laws of Serfdom are laxed out so many people can become free and move to the more preferable farming areas. The Principality maintains a currently unknown population as the many Cossacks and new Russian settlers skew any hard population numbers. However the settling of the nearly 15,000 Russian settlers causes a pretty solid increase in people that have settled down, with many of the Russians taking Cossack/local wives. The Principality itself is beleived able to raise nearly 30,000 troops total but they are left unraised so as to allow for a recovery from war. The full troop capacity is potentially able to number nearly 70,000 however. The Russification of the lands begin with many cultural exports coming out of Kursk and even as far back as Moscow, looking to claim and keep the Ukrainian fields permanently.
 * Principality of Minsk: The Principality of Minsk, centered on the major Belarussian city of Minsk is formed by the end of the war with Poland. With 5000 Russian settlers almost all from the Russian army, local wives are taken by these new settlers in order to facilitate some familial growth. The Principality has an unknown population and a moderate agricultural capability but the state itself serves as a good buffer for the Rus' with the west. The Principality is given a great deal of autonomy by the new Viceroy to handle the organization of Belarus, and the Russifying of the territory begins with most of the cultural movement coming out of Smolensk. The Principality is expected to be able to raise 20,000 troops but when the territory is fully explored and assessed potentially able to raise 50,000. The Principality shows pretty positive public opinion on their freedom from Lithuania due to their ruling by a very small ethnic group support by the brutally oppressive Poles who essentially used Belarussians nearly exclusively as bodies to throw at their enemies.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the South East. We offer Dakar for sale as a trading port. At the same time having constructed our new officers academy we take the first intake of officers training them in cartography, the history of warfare and an understanding of basic reading and writing. While for our standard troops we reorganize them into stricter formations with established unit types and how large their units should be giving a regular form to our armies. We also introduce dedicated signallers who can pass messages on via either horns or flags allowing better communication between our forces. We introduce the former Jolof Empire and our growing territories to our new system of taxation and understanding of weights and currency as well as our law and justice system. We keep constructing our new city at Gao with people being trained at the craftsmen centre then going on to work in the making of the new city or in the foundries being established. We keep pushing for all the people to accept Islam but allow their own tribal idea's to mix in with Islam so as to both soften the blow and differentiate us from others. We send a caravan north to the Ottoman colony of the Algiers where we offer them Gold and Salt as gifts and to swear allegiance as a tributary state.
 * The Ottoman Sultan is delighted by this gift, and sends a diplomatic envoy to increase relations with the Songhai
 * Askia the Great in recognition of his role as tribute to the Ottoman Empire and the importance of good relations offers one of his daughters to one of the Sultan's sons.
 * The Sultan accepts the daughter of Askia as his wife under the laws of Islam, bringing her to the Blue Mosqe of Istanbul and commencing with the ceremony within the year
 * Genoese Dip: We request a trade agreement with the Songhai Empire.
 * In the Electorate of Saxony, the vassalization of Brunswick-Göttingen is completed. Emperor Frederick IV then begins to focus on the vassalization efforts in Nürnberg.
 * Ottoman Empire:  Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Luthrenism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms.   The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak.  In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives.  Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. Many of the military in the empire retires with their new lands, as the army is downsized by 25%. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him.   The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.  The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the prosylatizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital.  Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring  Patriarch Theophrastus I  as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancienent Pentapolis. After becoming masters of the Eastern Mediterranean, Suleiman desires to expand control over the Red Sea as well, starting with Yemen. So a fleet of 53 ships attacks the port of Aden, while a total of 30,000 troops are sent into the Ziyad region to take Sana'. 


 * Spanish Dip: The King things that you guys are crazy that we would give land for goods. The answer is no.
 * Emirite of Tunisia: After the crushing victory at Tunis, the Hafsid family are completely removed from power, and Hayreddin Barbarossa is made governor of the region. This new nation is merged with the Colony of Algiers. The military stands at 20,000, with an additional 5,000 on loan from the Sultan. (OOC: Sine can post as this now)


 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Muscovy or Poland. Crimea invites the Astrakhan Khanate to participate in the Kievan Horde
 * Kabuli Diplomacy: Padshah Babur of the Timurids sends congratulations and exaltation to the great Caliph and Sultan of Rum, his envoy declares that the Padshah wishes to bind the two great realms on either side of Persia by marriage. Gulchehra Begum, eldest daughter of Babur is presented to Suleiman, with the promise that within four years she will reach maturity and be available for marriage. Babur offers Gulchehra in her youth so that the Ottoman court may shape her education. He hopes this sign of total confidence inspires better relations between Turkey and Kabul.
 * The Ottoman Sultan is delighted to entertain this alliance by marriage
 * The Portuguese Empire continues the settlement of Brazil, with the existing brazilwood camps and sugar plantations being bolstered and expanded by the arrival of hundreds more slaves, trade from Benin. The colony also expands 50 px south, encompassing more areas for brazilwood exploitation. More missionaries and scribes are sent to Benin to assist the speed of Catholicism in the region. In response to growing tensions in Europe, King Manuel I orders the land army to be more rigorously trained, as his trust for other nations is wearing thin, seeing the feuding in the rest of the continent.Further fortifications on existing feitorias in Ormuz, Goa and Zanzibar, to help secure and expand trade from those posts. The King graciously accepts the gifts from the Oba of Benin, and again requests the purchase of a small tract of coastal land in Benin, as to set up a permamnent trade link in Benin, and to act as a hub of Beninese Modernization. With the purchase of Macau from Ming China complete, a plethora of traders, merchants, nobles and craftsmen are sent on ships to the peninsula, in an attempt to set up a thriving hub of European trade and culture so far in the east. King Manuel expresses his desire to transform the previously barren tract of land into the centre of trade in the Far East, calling the town 'The Future Jewel of Asia'. He also greatly expresses his gratitude and respect to the Chinese for allowing Portugal to establish a presence in China. As the town grows, the king commissions the construction of a large culture-house to be a centre of administrating for all Portuguese trade in the east. The construction is expected to take 15 years, with the eventual building to house the newly-formed South China Trade Company, and all its subsidiaries. The Papua colony grows further, through an influx of slaves from Africa, with sugar plantations being set up all along the coast. Expeditions inland continue, and contact is made with a local tribe, who the explorers can discern call themselves Angu. The explorers trade with these local peoples, spices from Malacca and Oman, and invite them to the colony to learn each others languages and to offer trade and assistance to each other. 15 ships, carrying 2500 soldiers, sail to the Banda Islands to conquer and occupy them, as they are a primary source of spice in the east, and the King wishes to add them to the great trade Empire of Portugal.
 * Kabulistan: Following a year of preparation and solidifying Timurid influence in the newest province of the Empire, Babur wastes no time in using the momentum of the campaign to invade Sindh. With his 15,000 Timurid troops alongside his 8,000 loyalist retinue, march straight into Sindh, declaring their disobedience to be an afront to the fledgling Empire. Babur meets heavy resistance in the lowlands of Sindh, his troops number 21,500 est. a significant loss by the time they reach Karachi. Despite these loses the army's morale is lifted, screams of 'God is Great' echo with the chants of many other faiths. Their unity inspires them and the first cannon fire occurs not two hours after making camp. Sindh is given no chance to formally surrender, Babur intends to take this city by force, the time for negotiation has ended. News reaches Babur that is Empress has delivered to him a baby girl, despite the lack of a son Babur is overjoyed as he has just sent his eldest daughter to the court of the Ottoman Sultan and his heart ached for the affection of a daughter. His resolve is hardened to find victory, for his dynasty and his people.
 * Owari: With Mino refusing war against Mikawi, we ask Mikawi and Ise to assist us in a war against Mino (MOD RESPONSE). We also ask a trade agreement with Ise. We continue to Influence Ise (Turn Two of Seven).
 * Poland and Lithuania collapse.
 * Nope sorry, you don't get to collapse the nation yourself because you lost one war. -Feud
 * Due to internal pressure and attacks by our enemies on all sides, Poland-Lithuania completely collapses.
 * Still no.. OTL P-L had most of the country occupied and didn't collapse. You're collapsing a perfectly good nation because you want to whine and cry on chat isn't gonna fly. -Feud
 * Poland-Lithuania requests peace with Muscovy, proposing they are given the land with ethnic Russians. If they pull out, Poland would like a non-aggression pact.
 * Persia: Our current Shahanshah dies, resulting in Abbas I becoming the leader of our nation. His first act is to begin restructuring our military, which is currently comprised of 100,000 men. This restructuring is set to slightly increase the size of the military by 10,000 men within the next two years. However, the main point of this restructuring is to reorganize the military into 17 groups of approximately 6400 troops each, and make it a better fighting force overall. While this plan is our main goal currently, funding it also directed to begin working on a highway system, to facilitate both domestic and international trade. These highways is mostly relatively short links between major cities, but one is planned to eventually link the eastern and western sides of our nation. Meanwhile, work is put into the economy, particularly in the agricultural sector. While arable land is limited, recent agricultural laws have ensured that it is used to maximum efficiency, thus increasing productivity, and improving our economy. We also encourage the population to move to coastal areas, to increase population and make sea ports more viable. We also begin to look into building a small navy, mostly to control the Persian gulf, but also for future trading. Lastly, we request trade with the ottoman empire.
 * Bengal: While we deal with militant Muslims wishing to revert the state religion back to Islam, we also seek help from allies such as Kabulistan, Delhi and Tibet. While still being Hindu, we tolerate Islam in the nation, going so far as to have the king's close allies allowed to be Muslim. We continue a tenous trade through Europe with Portugal and across the subcontinent with agreements from Kabulistan and Tibet. We attempt to develop our military with our sights on the three neglible states of Gondwana, hopefully integrating them into the Kingdom with given time.
 * Spain: Carlos Fernandez first stop on his expedition around the world is a place called Morocco in northern Africa. Trade goes well with the natives. The next stop is to a place called Bissagos a group of island in Africa. We trade with the natives of the land. The stuff we get from the natives are mostly food and raw materials. The next stop on his exploration is called Bioko and Sao Tome. off the coast of West Africa. Most of the trade is done for food supplies and raw materials. After sailing for a little bit we stop in a place called Namibia. Again we trade with the native for African goods. Madagascar is the next place we stop in on the west side. With the natives we trade for African goods. The last top in Africa is Somalia. Trading with the natives goes well for African goods. After sailing for a while we land in a place called Sri Lanka. Since this island is more developed than the tribes of Africa, we explore the island more carefully and become more cautious of the islanders. We trade for Asian goods with them. Right across from Sri Lanka is the nation of Vijayanagara. We trade for Asian goods with the natives. In this nation we stay a little longer to rest for a little bit before setting sail in the vast ocean. Back in the motherland, Predestine terrorist are stopping their attacks since we are able to shut down their operations quickly and effectively. Ships from the new world come back with many resources. Markets flood with goods from the new world. The military comes back together after being stretched thin for a few years. We continue to rebuild parts of the nation so it can look new rather than looking old. Our economy is increasing each year. The population starts to go up a little bit, but nothing to be worried about.
 * Ottoman Dip: We would be interested in puchasing the land around the Moorish Castle in Spain, in exchange for giving the Spanish many silk and firearms from China
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Duke Antoine dies because of a sudden illness leaving his five-year old René to ascend the throne as Duke René III. Because of the sudden death of the duke a power struggle occurs with various groups attempting to take control of the boy Duke. The main groups are his two uncles Count Louís and the Evangelical count of Moselle Nicholas. The power struggle ends quickly with the Count of Nancy occuring in control of the Duke. With this Evangelical Clergy and supporters are elevated to member of its Diet through the new influence of the Count of Nancy.Evangelicalism is spread through the use of papers and missonaries through the region. To protect the nation from attacks from Catholic nations and revolts. It asks the Electorate of Wüttermberg for a military alliance with the country to protect it from attacks on the premise of fully converting to evangelicalism and it would lend support when the country wars. The country expands its military by 100 soldiers.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We welcome a new friendship between our countries. We propose, in addition to a military alliance, multiple trade agreements. We offer our help to raise René III, proposing that we send Evangelical tutors to educate him. We also propose an informal meeting between René and Prince Christoph to secure future friendship between us.
 * Lorraine Diplomacy: We most graciously thank Württemberg for their acceptance. We agree to the trade agreements from Württemberg and thank them for the offering of help raising the young duke and welcome it. We accept the proposal of the informal meeting between the duke and the prince however we ask to do so inside not in Lorraine due to the Count Louís still holding sway over the population of Catholic and this could endanger the prince. We start our plans to evangelicalize the duchy
 * England: With the death of the Pope, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey decides that he will seek to become the next Pope. King Henry sends his brother-in-law Charles Brandon to Venice to negotiate the purchase of ships for England. The takeover of Ulster continues in pursuit of the goal of establishing the Kingdom of Ireland under the rule of the English Crown. The crown continues to encourage trade with continental merchants to benefit the English economy.
 * Venice Dip: 20 ships are sold to England.
 * Genoese Dip: We request a trade agreement with England.
 * Hungary: With a Hungarian defeat in the Venetian-Hungarian war, the Hungarians return home hateful and betrayed. The Hungarians brandish many surrounding them traitors and cowards. The French are considered rohadékok and démonok as due to their unjust intervention, they cost the Hungarians the ability to return historic Hungarian land to proper rule. The Ottomans are considered hazugok and gyávák due to them backing out of the war. The Poles and Lithuanians are considered the same caliber, but at least we are still trading with them and have broken our alliance with them. The Hungarians focus on military to bring it back to its full strength of 50,000. To deal with unfortunate rebellions or government hatred, the Hungarians work on its administration to deal with that. Luthers teachings have become quite popular with a viable 27% following his teachings, and that number is growing. Hungary after recovering from its war, turn to the Poles and Lithuanians and launch a war of revenge on Poland-Lithuania. The war is launched towards the Poles and Lithuanians in the bordering nation with the full force of 50,000 soldiers as well as the 5,000 raised in mobilization following behind as reinforcements. The Hungarians call on none of its allies.
 * Benin: The Oba of Benin grants the land request of Portugal to acquire a small piece of land in Benin, granting them 3 px of land in the region just to the immediate east of Benin's largest port city Eko. It is hoped the Portuguese will be able to maintain their deal within Benin, and establish a hub of trade in the territory. Elsewhere, the Oba continues to develop the regions of his empire, with the adoption of European-style city planning to expand the standard of living in his empire. Thanks to the wooden nature of Benin cities, they are easily leveled and replaced with stone buildings, all in accordance with European architecture. He orders the reconstruction of the Royal Palace of Benin, seeking to compete with the monarchs of Europe in terms of palatial size and design. The Royal Regiment of Benin is fully equipped in line with European customs and weaponry, and fully training in European war tactics. However, the troops are clothed in cotton rather than wool, allowing them to be comfortable in the tropical climate of Benin. And rather than heavy metal armor, the use of breastplates and helmets for protection are used so as to prevent heatstroke in the sweltering heat of West Africa for the troops. The metropolitan regiments of Benin are currently being equipped to European standards, though they have been largely trained in European tactics as of the present. Most metropolitan units are equipped with firearms, adding to their lethality on the field of battle. With the production of cannon in the capital city's newly built industrial complex, compliments of the Venetian instructors and traders, cannon are being produce with some regularity in Benin. Though the Royal Regiment has the majority of the nation's cannons, the Oba instructs his new complexes to produce cannon for the metropolitan units and later on the district armies. The only cannon available to the metropolitan armies at the time being are used by the forces expanding the borders of Benin. With the use of guns and cannon, as well as some cavalry forces, the Benin are unstoppable in their conquests, as the many tribes in the eastern regions of the Bright of Benin lach both organization and unity. In their reports back to the Oba, Benin war chiefs remark of the extreme backwardness of the natives of the Cameroon Highlands, speaking of the poor villages and ignorant natives. Benin expands 200 px into the east, using new gunpower weapons and European tactics to cull entire population centers, and sending the survivors off to be sold into slavery. Benin priests accompany some units of the army in their expansion of the borders, giving many natives a choice between life in service to God, or death at the hands of the Benin warriors. With little choice but to accept, many natives convert, and have been shielded from a life of slavery. However, most are women and young girls, who are allowed to stay on the land but forced to marry Edo men who are moving into the region. With most local men either killed by the Benin warriors or sold into slavery, there is a large female-to-men ratio in the region, attracting thousands of Edo men to settle the land and marry multiple widowed women left behind in the lands. To continue this trend, the Oba provides a one hundred mpempe incentive to any unmarried man of the Iroghae age group (men below age 30), willing to settle in the newly conquered land and permanently reside there and cultivate the land. Many men form groups calling themselves paionia, or "pioneers", and move into the land together taking the many women left behind for themselves. They form polygamous households which come to dominate the newly conquered land, and begin cultivating the land for Benin. To sanction this behavior, the Catholic Church in Benin points to the example of King David, King Solomon, Abraham, and Jacob as examples of men who had multiple spouses, seeking to justify the new trend of polygamous families in the new regions of Benin. In Eko, three new ships are completed by the shipwrights in the city, and all three are paraded in front of the Oba visiting the city to showcase the achievement. The growth of the Benin middle class continues, as the opportunities once unknown to Benin are opened up to the people. The encourage this growth, the Oba invests much of the nation's new-found wealth into the education of his people, focusing on literacy to make the learning of more advanced subjects possible.
 * Please slow down on the modernization to European standards. This would take decades with your limited access to European technology. This isn't negotiable, this has been decided through me and Scraws Concern -Feud
 * Bohemia: We continue to improve infrastrucutre and recruit more men in the military. Though no events are happening in Bohemia, but some of the bunkers are built in the military to defend the army.
 * Angu: The contact with the Kâte expands. Namton A'fao Koito's interest in the way the Angu produce clothing rises for now unexplicable reasons. He requests that his mal and the one of the council members be differentiated through a symbol made on them. He devides more symbols for different ranks which becomes more specific and detailed.
 * Zia: As subordinates to the Angu tribe, they are becoming influenced by Angan culture and mixing between tribes begins.
 * Genoa: We have been defeated in the Hungarian-Venetian War but we still do not recognize the land cession of Corsica and other lands until there is an official treaty regarding the outcome of the war. We still defend our land against any Milanese or Savoyan aggression if it is still going on. The Doge is expelled and a new Doge assumes power, Doge Antoniotto II Adorno and he immediately begins on reconstructing the nation by investing in the Bank of St. George and renewing trade routes as well as rebuilding the Genoese navy.
 * Genoese North Africa: Genoese North Africa is seen as the crown jewel of Genoa, after mainland Genoa has been defeated in war many Genoese go here in search of new life and new profit, establishing many ports for the motherland to trade with. We also trade with local tribes, thus furthing economic development as well as population. We farm and begin to mine for rich minerals such as gold, iron, lead, and zinc.
 * Genoese expedition to Benin: Still other native Genoese, a smaller population, want to escape Genoa all together after being defeated in war and seek new opportunity in Benin. Dejected and humbled, they arrive in the port city of Eko, where they see Benin in magnificence and victory, unlike in Genoa. If given permission, they shall set up Genoese businesses and be educators. Meanwhile, those who return home gain the wealth of Benin to Genoa. We also request to purchase slaves from Benin.
 * Benin Diplomacy: Benin welcomes the Genoese into its lands with open arms. We shall care for you as if you were of Edo blood. Accept our deepest sincerity for your loss in Europe. All Genoese seeking to move to Benin shall be free to do so, and they shall be furnished with a temporary stipend of 120 mpempe per month until they establish themselves in Benin. As for the slaves, we shall sell to you any number of slaves you wish to purchase. Another fifty thousand have been locked away in the slave district of Eko just this year. You may pick from any of their number.
 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The advances of Venice in those fields leads the doge to create the Terreferma arsenal, the Venetian Arsenal for guns. They begin my using some of the same techniques the Venetian Arsenal uses such as the assembly line/specialization of labour. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. Ferrera is incorporated into Terreferma.
 * el Stato de Mar: With the annexation of Hungarian costal lands many rich Venetians begin to establish summer homes along the coastline.
 * Oman  continues its usual developments. Expansion along the coasts continue, 15 px on the North Coast and 20 px on the South Coast. The navy continues to expand, as new tax income greatly boosts the economy, and as a result more slaves are imported as soldiers, and to appease many Balochs, they are offered good-paying jobs in the military, especially the newly-converted nobility. Ibadi Islam continues to grow in Southern Persia and the Gulf in general. Slave raids all along the Indian Coasts continue, and they are also increased along the African coast. More explorers are sent out to find new trade routes, and several that went south return with maps of the Comoros and Northern Madagascar, and ones sent east travel as far as Shanghai. Civic development continues, and the Sultan decides to spend his new wealth on sanitation throughout the Sultanate. Many small forts undergo construction along the coasts and in inland-borderlands, as the Sultan grows somewhat cautious of both increased Portuguese trade in the region and Ottoman aggression.
 * Socotra continues to grow in population and economy because of the benevolence of the new rulers. Ibadi Islam grows slightly as some Omanis, mainly administrators, settle on the island. The Sultan also briefly visists the island, and after viewing its extremely peculiar ecosystem he creates a team of researchers to try to categorize, name, and list the island's unique species.
 * Xahuun Colony grows slightly by 4 px, but due to the low population there is little economic or civic development. The colony mainly consists of Shiites and Nestorian colonists. The natives are viewed with contempt.
 * France: Military grows, economy grows, etc.
 * Ostland: After the fall of OTL Lithuania (as shown in 1522 turn) King Walter I pushes deeper into Poland, in coordination with the Russian armies, sieging the remaining unoccupied cities. Lithuania is annexed into Ostland, thus we recruit more troops from our whole domain, around 20,000 5000 more, they join the fight against Poland-Lithuania, coupled with our armies that retreated from Sweden focusing against Poland-Lithuania and the reformed Livonian order fights fiercely against Poland-Lithuania, we cause devestation to our enemy.  Riga and Tallinn continue to flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and Tallinn. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 50,000 25,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: King Walter I of House Plettenberg offers his beloved two year old daughter Isabel to our ally Joachim II Hector of house Hohenzollern to betroth further sealing our alliance and improving our ties. We also request Spain and Portugal to send some of our best navigators to study in Spain and Portugal, so that you may use them for any future expedition, thus gaining valuable experience.
 * Mecklenburg: We build up defenses seeing the chaotic situation of Europe. We endorse the Catholic Church, and punish protestants who preach the work of Luther. We start to build warships to protect the ports.
 * Maldives: We continue to expand our port of Burecca. We also continue to build more schools on other islands near Malé.
 * Maldives: We continue to expand our port of Burecca. We also continue to build more schools on other islands near Malé.

1524
 NOGAI KHANATE GET PUSHED BACK BY ASTRAKHAN, OTTOMANS ROLL OVER TAHIRID, PORTUGAL REKTS BANDA ISLANDS, BUKHARA TAKES KHIVA BY 1525, TIMURIDS TAKE SINDH BY 1525 

''' THE GREAT MOD PITA WOULD LIKE TO REMIND THE PLAYER OF OSTLAND THAT THE WAR AGAINST POLAND HAS ALREADY CONCLUDED AND THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY EMERGED VICTORIOUS. THE GREAT MOD PITA WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TELL THE PLAYER OF HUNGARY THAT THEIR WAR AGAINST POLAND LITHUANIA IS BOTH IMPLAUSIBLE AND DISASTROUS FOR HUNGARY. '''

''' Thank you, PIta. Also, ostland recruiting twenty thousand troops from my lost land is implausible. '''

Erased it.

''' Scottish explorer Seamus McChader lands makes an expedition to Cape Fear and explores many parts of the coastal Southern Eastern Seaboard. '''

''' Protestant theologians Martin Luther and Andreas Karlstadt dispute at Jena. '''

Due to Ostland's rapid civic expansion a plague outbreak occurs in the capital due to poor sanitation, and it quickly spreads to neighboring major settlements.

A well-off Milanese Baron sympathetic to Luther offers to buy five ships from Venice.

''' Many barons tradesmen of Northern Europe begin to buy German translations of the Bible, and a Swedish theologian begins to translate the Bible to Swedish. '''

''' Protestantism increasingly becomes on the rise in Northern Germany, especially in Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Berlin. It also begins to spread rapidly in the Dutch lowlands. '''

''' Vasco da Gama dies at the age of sixty-four. '''

I'd just like to remind everybody that mods should not be modding in regions where their in-game nations have a direct interest.


 * Ottoman Empire:  Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Luthrenism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms.   The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak.  In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives, all trade is suspended from the Maldives.  Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. Many of the military in the empire retires with their new lands, as the army is downsized by 25%. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him.   The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.  The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the prosylatizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital.  Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring  Patriarch Theophrastus I  as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancienent Pentapolis. Continuing on their campaign, Piri Reis leads an invasion across the strait of Djibouti and invades Adal, using the same 30,000 men and 46 ships. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete.


 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Kabulistan: The siege of Karachi continues with great success, after battering the city, the people within were left to starve. Rumours of families eating their cats and horses, even corpses spread amongst the camps, demoralising those within, and some of those without. Babur is informed of unrest in Delhi and summons his generals immediately, declaring this siege all but won and that they must make haste north. Babur leaves 2,000 men and several cannons before setting off towards the north. By the midsummer Babur is passing the recently conquered Bikaner with his 19,500 men when he sends riders into the villages, proclaiming liberation and religious freedom if they help to fight. Not straying from their path, shouts of, "forward to Delhi! Forward to Delhi!" 6,000 soldiers, peasants and laymen rally to the cause of Babur, marching towards the borders of the Delhi sultanate. Despite the former capital, Delhi not being the residence of the Delhi Sultan, it was key to conquest over the subcontinent. With skirmishes on the borders, Babur's men barrel through the Sultanate, their horsemen riding down all who would inform the Sultans of their presence. Delhi comes into view, cannons ready, Babur orders them to fire. The Siege of Delhi begins.


 * Württemberg: Electoral Prince Christoph and the young Duke René III of Lorraine are introduced to each other for the first time in Stuttgart, with René and his entourage/escort meeting with the Württemberger Electoral family in Stuttgart Castle. Meanwhile, Elector Ulrich I continues his program of accelerating military growth and development. He institutes conscription, and all able-bodied men aged 14 to 25 are to report to local barracks for military training and service for a period of at least two years, then ten years in the reserve. (Please tell me if this is implausible.) Construction of the river flotilla, now named the Rheinstreitkräfte (RSK for short) continues.
 * Doesn't look implausble to me - Dax.
 * Owari: (Let me just say that I asked Pita. He said that he will not do algos for tiny tribal wars, and that I can assume victory if I do it plausibly).  Ise and Mikawi aid us in a war against Mino, which we started after Mino resisted a request to help us in a war. This country is larger than Owari or Ise, but weaker than Owari, and especially weaker than the combination of Mikawi, Owari and Ise. We make some gains in the country, but it'll take 1-2 more years to conquer Mino. We continue to influence Ise (Turn Three of Seven), and we continue to ensure loyalty to us among the people of Owari and Ise (and the conquered territory of Mino.
 * Bukhara Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives and Bengal, all trade is suspended from the Maldives and Bengal. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan begins to look for love in Bukhara due to it becoming a trade rest stop. Men between 18- 37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia, 30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child.The current standing army is 100,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Some Shia Muslim begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslim. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat.Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Bengal: While still being Hindu, we tolerate Islam in the nation, going so far as to have the king's close allies allowed to be Muslim. We continue a tenous trade through Europe with Portugal and across the subcontinent with agreements from Kabulistan and Tibet. We invade Delhi with Kabulistan, as the kingdom grows their imperial ambitions, plotting with Kabul secretly.


 * Joseon: Korea begins to adopt an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To increase the number of active military troops to rival those of its neighbours, Korea continues mandatory military service for all able-bodied men (excluding nobles/government) between the ages of 20 and 24. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. Most manpower in the agricultural sector is replaced by animal-power in order to create a labor surplus and increased productivity per worker. Most of the excess labor is instead directed to the labor-intensive industrial complexes, and as a result, urbanization begins to occur. Large-scale mining operations begin in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. The processed material is then sold as construction materials or as luxury items, with the profit being used to fund further industrial expansion. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation. External trade begins to increase, however, heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. Following the abolition of the bone rank system, the financial assets of many rich aristocratic families are seized and redistributed among the poor . In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. For commoners, primary and secondary education becomes compulsory and is subsidised by the government to create a highly educated populace. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime. Korea expands 20 px into Manchuria.
 * Korea (OOC): Mods, is it plausible for my industry tier to be changed to tier 4?
 * Too early for compulsory education or military service on such a large scale. Also, wealth redistribution is not a concept yet. You're not a communist nation; no medieval country would plausibly do what's basically a Maoist Ten Year Plan.
 * Oman  continues its usual developments. Expansion along the coasts continue, 15 px on the North Coast and 25 px on the South Coast.  Ibadi Islam continues to grow in Southern Persia and the Gulf in general. Slave raids all along the Indian Coasts continue, and they are also increased along the African coast. More explorers are sent out to find new trade routes, and several that went south return with maps of the Comoros and Northern Madagascar, and ones sent east travel as far as Shanghai. Many of them return with detailed maps, and the Sultan is intrigued by the Spice Islands and sends more explorers to map out that perticula region. Civic development continues, and the Sultan decides to spend new wealth on increasing literacy in both Arabic and Persian, and so many dual-lingual madrasas open throughout the country. The Sultan declares an invasion of Mogadishu and mobilizes 10,000 soldiers and 60 ships, hoping to expand Oman's grip of East Africa.
 * Socotra continues to grow in population and economy because of the benevolence of the new rulers. Ibadi Islam grows slightly as some Omanis, mainly administrators, settle on the island. The Sultan also briefly visists the island, and after viewing its extremely peculiar ecosystem he creates a team of researchers to try to categorize, name, and list the island's unique species.
 * Xahuun Colony grows slightly by 4 px, but due to the low population there is little economic or civic development. The colony mainly consists of Shiites and Nestorian colonists. The natives are viewed with contempt, and are often attacked in a most racist fashion.
 * Cherokee: We begin the process of migrating to Cahokia for the land has cursed us, killing 4000 of our ariginal 40K numbers. We begin the hard journey of migrating the remaining 36,000 to cahokia.
 * Maldives: We expand further into Diego Garcia. The King sends coconuts to Jaffna. We continue to expand the navy. The King also announces that the type of Buddhism practiced in the kingdom is  Vajrayāna. The king begins to mass produce prayer flags from coconut fibers and we expand our plantations.
 * Port of Burecca: The port begins to export fish to the Kingdom of Jaffna.
 * The Lowlands: As Protestantism spreads in our lands, some friction forms between the Dutch and the Spanish. No incidents occur just yet, but the people being slowly getting fed up with the Spanish rule, feeling that we should rule ourselves. Nicolas Brugger aligns himself with this idea and his charisma aids him in gaining respect.
 * Württemberger secret diplomacy: We inform Herr Brugger that we will support him and a potential independent Dutch revolutionary government in their struggle for religious and political freedom should the Dutch ultimately decide to overthrow their Spanish overlords.
 * Poland-Lithuania having made peace with Ostland and Muscovy, begins rebuilding, and launches a counter attack with over 50,000 men. Anticapating their defeat, the King is eager to seize control of Vital Hungarian land, such as Slovakia and Ruthenia. Recovery begins in several areas, and the king realise that alliances are needed to combat the Russians. Thus, the king sends emissaries in secret to the Venice and Denmark, hoping to repair relations with both nations. Rebuilding begins across the nation, with plans to improve the defences of Poland-Lithuania. Industry begins to be rebuilt quickly, and expanded upon.
 * Not  a mod but you just got out of a war where you got your ass handed to you and now you're sending in 100,000 men? I don't think you'd be at full power.
 * 100,000 is a bit much. You just got curbstomped, I think maybe half that number is plausible, especially when you were nearly entirely occupied. -Feud
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask Poland-Lithuania for the whole West Prussia and all the parts of Posen and Silesia that have 20% or more ethnic German population, in exchange for giving them back OTL Lithuania and a 10 year non-aggression pact.
 * Poland grudgingly accepts, provided it is also paid handsomely.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We agree.
 * Angu: The contact with the Kâte expands. Namton A'fao Koito's interest in the way the Angu produce clothing rises for now unexplicable reasons. He requests that his mal and the one of the council members be differentiated through a symbol made on them. He devides more symbols for different ranks which becomes more specific and detailed. The outreach of the foreigners (Portuguese) was quite interesting for the Angan tribes, as their skin is different, and they cover themselves in different clothing.
 * Zia: As subordinates to the Angu tribe, they are becoming influenced by Angan culture and mixing between tribes begins.
 * Bradenburg: Joachim Assumes II Hektor assumes full control over Bradenburg but retains the regency as advisors. Having learned a lot about statehood and realizing his own lack of experience. Joachim is heavily interested in the ideas of Luther but keeps this a secret due to the unstable situation in the hre at the present. Military improvements continue as military reforms and expansion by hiring mercs continues. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science. Efforts to improve relations with Ostland begin and a royal marriage is requested if Ostland hasa female. Ties with the Teutons and Bohemia are also expanded. Bradenburg weary of Polish aggression propose an alliance with Hungary and offer them military support should the Polish attack them. 20,000 troops are brought up between conscription and mercenaries and they are placed near the border to prepare for any further aggressions on the part of Poland towards its neighbors. Protestants in Berlin and the Magrave start to gain influence as the Elctor himself is a sympathiser to the reformation and closer ties to the Lowlands and to the protestant elctors is seeked specially since the emperor is himself a Protestant.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: King Walter I of house Plettenberg offers his beloved five year old daughter Isabel to our ally Joachim II Hector of house Hohenzollern, elector of Brandenburg to betroth further sealing our alliance and improving our ties.
 * Joachim agrees conditionally. 
 * Hungary says yes because why not. -MP
 * Inca: Major part of ATL Equador are conquered by Inca. Our citizens meet white people (New Spanish explorers). Sapa Inca is very interested in unknown people, but personally does not want meet with them. Inca wants to establish trade relations.
 * Ostland: Emergency measures are taken, a curfew is established in the cities hitted by the plague outbreak, while all cities and areas hitted by the plague outbreak are put into quarantine. In the capital and other cities that have poor sanitation, we try to improve sanitation, while its people after told by the authorities, that poor sanitation is the cause of the plague outbreak, those which are able to work, are put at forced work to improve their city's sanitation, everyone else, may work voluntarily to help us fight off the plague. We also make quarantined areas where the victims of the plague outbreak, are transported, separating dead victims of the plague outbreak, from alive people which were infected, in different areas, still believing they can somehow be saved. Latvians,Lithuanians and Estonians are left to their fates, while we try to make the situation worst by secretly poisoning their wells with dead rats and infected people. German, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse not infected population are moved voluntarily in rural areas to escape the plague, while we told them that this is the only way to avoid the plague. Our top researchers start to work on way to cure the plague and if not, at least limit it, or find a way to ease those poor peoples pain, with some of them resorting to researching herbs, that could possibly cure or limit the plague. The reformed Livonian order, fighted fiercely against Poland-Lithuania during the war, thus receives many honorary awards from King Walter I. We stop assimilating Latvians,Lithuanians and Estonians, unbanning their languages. Riga and Tallinn continue to flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and Tallinn. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 50,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: King Walter I of house Plettenberg offers his beloved five year old daughter Isabel to our ally Joachim II Hector of house Hohenzollern, elector of Brandenburg to betroth further sealing our alliance and improving our ties. We also request Spain and Portugal to send some of our best navigators to study in Spain and Portugal, so that you may use them for any future expedition, thus gaining valuable experience.
 * Württemberg diplomacy: Wishing not to restrict ourselves to only Germany, we implore Ostland to consider trading with us, paving the way to establishing a secular and friendly relationship, regardless of our religious differences.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We wish to remind Württemberg that we are part of the HRE, while we agree to trade with Württemberg, we don't wish to upset the Pope, thus any other offer than trade, can not be accepted, for the time being.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to our east. We offer Dakar for sale as a trading port. As we construct our new city at Gao complete with large industrial works. As we continue to expand we harvest more slaves and encourage polygamy to make up for the short fall of men in conquered lands with land rewarded to those who settle and marry at least three women. The slaves are moved to Dakar where they are then sold off to other nations for transport. While at the same time we keep working on militarist reform with batches of new highly trained nobles who can act better as officers to command our men while the signalling teams armed with flags and horns are trained and ready for combat. While at the same time all males are required to own a spear and shield for combat but the use of cavalry is restricted so that only the nobility and their chosen can have cavalry allowing revolts to be crushed easier. While in the economy we keep reforming our taxation system and send our yearly gold and salt tribute to the Ottomans. The new currency is now used at the high levels with nobility and in the large towns but it is still struggling to gain credence in the villages which we plan to counteract with the creation of a lesser coin made of copper which is worth a 100th of a gold coin to allow the currency to be used for smaller transactions. The Emperor works hard to indoctrinate people into Islam and the Songhai history. A new part of the religion is added which states that Allah has chosen Askia to lead the Songhai and to disobey his laws is to disobey Allah which will hopefully create a sense of fear in the leader.
 * Tibet begins the work of integrating the newly acquired territories of Arakan and Ava into one centralized government, continuing the work of replacing the native monks with Tibetan ones, dispossessing their most vehement noble opponents, and forcing the others to send their sons and heirs to be educated in Lhasa. The ports of Arakan are heavily fortified and garrisoned with Tibetan troops; the passes of the Arakan mountains are heavily fortified too, with blockhouses built and the roads upgraded. In Arakan, several pirate lords are made "Admirals of the Ocean Sea in the Service of Tibet", throwing their fleets into Tibetan service. Heavily reinforced with Tibetan troops, they begin the work of clearing their pirate kindred from the coasts of Arakan. Tibetan diplomats are sent forth to set up trade deals, taking advantage of Tibet's new oceanic access. Taing Kachin is annexed; Tain Rakan, under the rule of Tibetan-allied ethnic-Rakan chieftains, is set up in northern Arakan. The identities of non-Bamar ethnic minorities, such as the Mon, Kachin, Chin and Rakan, are promoted, with Tibetan made the sole language of administration and promoted as a lingua franca.
 * Tain Rakan: Several pirate rulers are set up in northern Arakan as rulers of a new, ethnic-Rakan vassal state. They begin, with Tibetan funding, expanding their fleets, but are ordered to halt piracy against other nations and begin instead attacking fellow pirates.
 * Spain: Carlos Fernandez leaves the coast of India and sails for a little while until he hits the island of Nias. On the island trading is done with the natives. After a few days of exploring the island we leave and explore the coast of Indonesia. The exploration of Indonesia takes a few months because they explore all of the islands. Trading is done with most of the natives. After leaving Indonesia we land in Australia. We only explore the coastal line of Australia. After sailing a while we bump into New Zealand. Next we land in New Caledonia and Vanuatu. After leaving those islands we shoot up to the Solomon Islands. The after a very long few months at sea we land in Japan. Our crew trades with the Japanese by giving them guns for Asian goods. We meet the emperor of Japan and ask him if we could have a trade alliance. Back at the motherland things are still going good. The Predestine terrorist groups start to die down a bit. Now the Catholic church can relax for a bit. We ask the King of Navarre if we can marry his sister Isabella. Ships are sent out from the Bahamas and land in what is OTL Florida. The explorers and colonists start to for a small port city in what is OTL west Palm Beach. The colonists call this port Playa de Palmeras. The explorers go more inwards and search the sub tropic lands.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Scotland: The Scottish navy goes on a venture to improve naval performance, and so does the Scottish ground army. We send more explorers after our current explorer to explore more. We also decide to construct more ships and increase our fleet.
 * Tsardom of Russia:  Grand Prince Vasili III marches into the Polish capital of Krakow hours of pillaging and looting take place as the forces of Muscovy seize the city. With the Seizure of the city now complete and much of Lithuania and Poland occupied Grand Prince Vasili III has the Russian Patriarch come to Krakow Crowning Him Tsar of the Rus. Now duly named as the Tsardom of Russia, the nation begins to administratively divide new territories seized from Poland-Lithuania. The land in Ukraine and Belarus are divided into the Principality of Minsk, and the Principality of Zhytomyr. The two new principalities are ruled almost directly by Vasili III but a viceroy is appointed in each allowing each state to be developed relatively hands off but still under close supervision of Russia. The Tsardom sees many forces continue to occupy Poland while nearly 20,000 Russians from the army, many of the men being some trying to establish lives for themselves, settle between Minsk and Zhytomyr. This begins to set the pace for some Russian settlement of the area, especially ukraines massive farmlands which are immediately evaluated and set up to be production power houses. The Tsardom consolidates many of the gains it has made over the past few years particularly making administrative progress in keeping the new territories within the influence of the Tsardom. The settlement of the East by the Cossacks continues with a large push eastward (500 px) beginning a new area of corporate exploration and exploitation in Siberia as the nogorodian merchant families are able to gain considerable influence, even allowing a few of the most powerful families into the Duma with the head of the families being the representative. Vasili seeing some of the unrest in his nobility over the merchant families entrance into the Duma calms them but also warns them, saying that these families cannot be removed and they are going to be a core reason for the rapid economic advancement of Russia in the future. With the proclomation of the Tsardom, the principality of Ryazan is annexed into Russia proper as is the Duchy of Lesser Kazan.


 * Principality of Zhytomyr: The Principality of Zhytomyr is created out of the former Lithuanian controlled Ruthenia. With Zhytomyr as the capital, nearly 15,000 soldiers from the Russian army involved in the war are settled directly in or around Zhytomyr. The Area is quickly evaluated and many farmers are put on record while many displaced persons particularly Russians from the opening stages of the conflict neat Kursk and Smolensk are resettled in Ukraine with generous farmland compensations being allowed. In order to fill the need for more farmers and settlers laws of Serfdom are laxed out so many people can become free and move to the more preferable farming areas. The Principality maintains a currently unknown population as the many Cossacks and new Russian settlers skew any hard population numbers. However the settling of the nearly 15,000 Russian settlers causes a pretty solid increase in people that have settled down, with many of the Russians taking Cossack/local wives. The Principality itself is beleived able to raise nearly 30,000 troops total but they are left unraised so as to allow for a recovery from war. The full troop capacity is potentially able to number nearly 70,000 however. The Russification of the lands begin with many cultural exports coming out of Kursk and even as far back as Moscow, looking to claim and keep the Ukrainian fields permanently.
 * Principality of Minsk: The Principality of Minsk, centered on the major Belarussian city of Minsk is formed by the end of the war with Poland. With 5000 Russian settlers almost all from the Russian army, local wives are taken by these new settlers in order to facilitate some familial growth. The Principality has an unknown population and a moderate agricultural capability but the state itself serves as a good buffer for the Rus' with the west. The Principality is given a great deal of autonomy by the new Viceroy to handle the organization of Belarus, and the Russifying of the territory begins with most of the cultural movement coming out of Smolensk. The Principality is expected to be able to raise 20,000 troops but when the territory is fully explored and assessed potentially able to raise 50,000. The Principality shows pretty positive public opinion on their freedom from Lithuania due to their ruling by a very small ethnic group support by the brutally oppressive Poles who essentially used Belarussians nearly exclusively as bodies to throw at their enemies.


 * Duchy of Lorraine: The country begins its evangelization converting Catholic Churches to evangelical ones. It officially converts to evangelicalism. It abolishes the archbishopric of Metz and converts them into evangelical bishoprics. It orders that all Latin bibles be replaced with German bibles and all ceremonies be conducted in German. Revolts by Catholic occurs against the countries conversion but troops quickly put down the revolts. The country has formally established a military agreement with the Electorate of Wüttermberg and friendly relations with them with duke René III being sent to the Electorate to have an informal meeting with the crown prince. It expands it military beginning minor conscription with boys age 18-20 being conscripted in the army. It seeing the growing religious tensions in the lowlands offers a secret deal to the Protestants in the Region that if they rebel against Hapsburg rule they will support them with military support in exchange for being allowed use of ports along the coasts.

​
 * Benin: The Oba of Benin continues his modernization program, calling upon the aid of Portugal, Venice, and Genoa to continue with their trade of knowledge and technology to the nation. With the migration of several hundred Genoese refugees in the previous year agreeing to serve as teachers and instructors, Oba Xadraque is keen to put their skills to use, and askes them to train new educators for his land. In accordance with his promise, the Oba furnishes the Genoese with all equipment they request as per the terms of their staying in Benin. Elsewhere, the Edo students in Europe continue to report on their progress in Europe, with many even returning home as their education in Europe comes to an end. Those young men who were sent to Europe to learn a trade, skill, or become clergymen, return to Benin to begin taking part in building up their nation to the standards of that seen in Europe. Many who became architects immediately petition the Oba for permission to begin redesigning many of the cities and towns in Benin, which the Oba grants limited permission for. The public projects planned throughout Benin come to employ many young Edo people in the empire, bringing countless thousands of skilled craftsmen in Benin into the cities, and training them in European forms of building and craftsmenship. Benin expands 200 px into the eastern lands of Cameroon, continuing the policy of capturing and selling any native men, boys and girls they come across, and settling the land with Edo people from the homeland. The typical fragmented nature of the locals and their primitive social structure make expansion for the Benin forces easy to exploit, and many tribes in the region are reported to have made attempts at gaining the favor of the Benin in exchange for protection and freedom from enslavement. Most Benin war chiefs refuse and take the chance to kill off as many fighting age men as possible, and attack the defenseless villages. The lack of communication in the region between villages has meant that Benin can continue with the same strategy without fear of losing their momentum. New roads are built into the conquered regions in the east, where new towns are being built by the paionia moving into the region. Three of the Benin produced ships, the Ebube, Eziokwu, and Nsopuru, makes their first trip to Europe, each with an all Edo crew trained by the Portuguese instructors which arrived in Benin in 1517. In the last six years, the Portuguese have helped to train the Edo people in seafaring. Though they have a far way to go, the trip represents a marginal turning point in the history of Benin. The three ships have Portuguese navigators onboard to ensure the trip is successful, but many report to the Oba that they have no doubt the crews will perform admirably. It is a first step into what many in the Benin court hope to be a transition into a glorious era as a global trading state. Only time will tell.
 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The advances of Venice in those fields leads the doge to create the Terreferma arsenal, the Venetian Arsenal for guns. They begin my using some of the same techniques the Venetian Arsenal uses such as the assembly line/specialization of labour. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black sea market, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. ' Venice would be willing to sell two ships to the hectic but for three times there normal cost. The Doge also offers his son up for marriage to Princess Elizabeth of England, if the request is accepted three Venetian galleons will be transfers to English rule.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1524, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. Although Lorenzo's uncle, Giovanni (Pope Leo X) died, the family remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church with two archbishops that are also cardinals.  The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the ninety-five theses. Luther and Ulrich Zwingli remain denounced and banned from entering the nation.  A new Florentine law is also passed which was heavily pushed by the Medicis that states, that all excommunicated persons are banned from entering the nation. Another law is passed by the Council of Ancients which states that any person who creates or prints a non-Latin version of the Bible can be punished by death.  The exclusive lumber trade between Switzerland and Florence continues with Florins investing large amounts of money to build a navy.  Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy.  Lorenzo's son, Giovanni de' Medici reaches the age of five, Contessina turns four, Giorgio turns two, all being healthy children.  Eleanor de' Medici (von Habsburg) and Lorenzo give birth to another child, which they end up naming Leonora Lorenza de' Medici.  Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about one thousand two hundred ships. The occupation of Corisca continues with a portion of the army still staying on the island.  The island remains under some unrest, but also accepts their new rulers due to the similarities in culture and language between the Tuscans and the Corsicans. Lorenzo is also glad that Ippolito has been risen to the title of Cardinal.  The Florentine government also supports Charles I of Spain for the Austrian and Imperial thrones. Lorenzo and his advisors begin to draw up a treaty between them and Genoa that will officially end the war and the hostilities between their nations. With the vacancy in the papacy, Lorenzo pours loads of Florins into influencing the Cardinals into electing his first cousin once removed, Giulio (OTL Clement VII) as the Pope (Sat, where are you...?).
 * You can't just say your guy is the Pope, you need Sat or the mods to do that.
 * Genoa: We have been defeated in the Hungarian-Venetian War but we still do not recognize the land cession of Corsica and other lands until there is an official treaty regarding the outcome of the war. We still defend our land against any Milanese or Savoyan aggression if it is still going on. The Doge is expelled and a new Doge assumes power, Doge Antoniotto II Adorno and he immediately begins on reconstructing the nation by investing in the Bank of St. George and renewing trade routes as well as rebuilding the Genoese navy. Plans are made to expand Genoa.
 * Genoese North Africa: Genoese North Africa is seen as the crown jewel of Genoa, after mainland Genoa has been defeated in war many Genoese go here in search of new life and new profit, establishing many ports for the motherland to trade with. We also trade with local tribes, thus furthing economic development as well as population. We farm and begin to mine for rich minerals such as gold, iron, lead, and zinc.
 * In Benin, the Genoese pay the fine and set up local Genoese business and are grateful for receiving the supplies from Benin.and we order the purchase of 50 slaves. Trading continues.
 * Ottoman Dip: We would be interested in buying the Geoese North Africa for 100,000 Ducats, as well as giving Genoa Aegean firearm
 * Sultanate of Delhi: We continue to improve our economy, infrastructure and military. Population continues to increase which helps out on training more soldiers and cavalries as Ibrahim Lodi army goes forth and attack Kabulistan despite tensions with an alliance with Bengal saying "you want war, we will give you war". We also hope for an alliance with the Kingdom of Kotte and the Kingdom of Kandy.
 * England: In England, King Henry accepts the Doge of Venice's offer. The King commissions some new galleons based on the Venetian designs. Sir Thomas More's attempts to crackdown on the Lutheran Evangelicals is not meeting great success, so the King decreases his manpower in order to better devote them to the goal of bringing Ulster into the English domain. The Crown continues to promote trade with continental merchants.

1525
'Livonians, Estonians and Lithuanians in Ostland notice ongoing efforts to kill them off and begin fleeing their farms into wilderness areas, where they form partisan bands under the leadership of former Polish-Lithuanian officers. Much of the Ostland army deserts when the soldiers realize the government has actively given their families and dependents the plague; tax revenues plummet as Livonian peasants start to lynch officials (and all Germans) on sight. Government control retracts to mainly only urban centres and coastal areas. Rapid spending on sanitations also drains a portion of the Crown's coffers, and due to the mass dying of native farmers and villagers a massive food shortage occurs, resulting in a nation-wide famine.'

The Swiss Anabaptist Movement is born when Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and about a dozen others baptize each other in the home of Manz's mother on Neustadt-Gasse, Zürich, breaking a thousand-year tradition of church-state union.

In the German town Memmingen the pamphlet The Twelve Articles: The Just and Fundamental Articles of All the Peasantry and Tenants of Spiritual and Temporal Powers by Whom They Think Themselves Oppressed is published, the first human rights related document written in Europe.

'Martin Luther marries ex-nun Katharina von Bora. The painter Lucas Cranach the Elder is one of the witnesses.'

The word "spatula" is first used in English.

Age of Samael ends and the Age of Gabriel starts according to Johannes Trithemius.

'The New Testament is translated into English by William Tyndale. The Swedish scholar also finishes the Swedish translation.'

'A lesser outbreak of European brought diseases reaches several small Inca communities. An outbreak occurs in North America, and thousands of tribes and communities begin to be wiped out.'

The Milanese baron refuses the Ventian offer and instead offers to buy five ships from Genoa for a more reasonable price.

'''Note: Wasn't the Elector of Saxony/Holy Roman Emperor meant to die this year? Assuming that's the case, I believe that the HRE Elections should be taking place ... ~Tim'''
 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: the evangelical movement continues growing in B-L. With the economy growing thanks to trading with the Hanseatic cities, more effort into reforming the military is placed. Vassalization of Lippe continues
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Luthrenism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature. The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the prosylatizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital. Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring Patriarch Theophrastus I as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancienent Pentapolis. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete. With control over the strait of Djibouti, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandreia are reconstructed. An army of 40,000 troops invade Funj down the Nile River as far as Khartoum, meeting Reis' 15,000 troops coming north from Ethiopia. Suleiman and Aisha have their first child this year, who they name Selim after his father.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Colony of Adal: Being the Ottomans' first sub-saharan colony, the Sultan subjugates the Somali people there and topples the original rulers of Adal. The ports at the strait of Djibouti are built up, to control trade in the Red Sea. After conquering Adal, Piri Reis enters the Empire of Ethiopia with envoys of peace from the Ottomans, assuring Ethiopia that now their "cold war" is over, the Ottomans will respect their borders and allow Ethiopia to give the Caliph tribute.
 * Cherokee: We have migrated most of our tribal bands to Cahokia, and spread smallpox to the inhabitants there collapsing their tribes. We lost a total of 2000 on the way from disease and attrition, so the 34,000 of our tribal memebers begin to settle in. We begin the domestication of wild rice near the Mississippi river and begin planting our corn and squash crop. We also begin hunting deer. Since there is already some infrastructure built in ahokia, we can begin the construction of our new city here and begin constructing loges. There are an estimated 250 members of our tribe resistant to Smallpox and 30,000 that have not yet contracted it.
 * Cherokee Diplomacy: Having Made contact with Spain from a tribal expedition we request the trading of Guns, Horses and Domesticated animals in return for furs, Corn, and Squash.
 * Spanish Dip: We will trade with the natives and the deal is agreed to.
 * Bukhara Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives and Bengal, all trade is suspended from the Maldives and Bengal. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan begins to look for love in Bukhara due to it becoming a trade rest stop. Men between 18- 37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia,30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child. The current standing army is 150,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.Kochkunju and his wife have a child. Kochkun likes the idea of firearms and begins to buy them for himself and his armies but in small amounts due to the cost. We annex Khiva
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. In mass Shia Muslim begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslim. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 50 ships.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1525, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. Although Lorenzo's uncle, Giovanni (Pope Leo X) died, the family remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church with two archbishops that are also cardinals. The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the ninety-five theses. Luther and Ulrich Zwingli remain denounced and banned from entering the nation. The two strict catholic laws continue to be enforced throughout the republic. The exclusive lumber trade between Switzerland and Florence continues with Florins investing large amounts of money to build a navy. Lorenzo's children continue to grow up healthy: Giovanni reaches six, Contessina turns five, Giorgio turns three, and Leonora turns one. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about one thousand three hundred ships. Lorenzo still supports Charles I of Spain for the Austrian throne. A treaty is finally signed between Florence and Genoa (Treaty of Pisa), and Florence is officially ceded Corsica. Little unrest occurs on the island, as the inhabitants don't really experience any change, and feel relatively similar to their new overlords due to the relation between Tuscan and Corsican languages. We slowly try to assimilate both cultures together though. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy. Lorenzo continues to finance the Papal Exclave using bribes to attempt to get his relative, Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici (OTL Clement VII) elected as Pope (Saturn, please come back).
 * With a growing navy, the Republic of Genoa sets up and takes control of major trade routes. These include routes to the cities of Barcelona, Valencia, Gibraltar, Napoli, Catania, Palermo, and Pontevedra. New profits from these routes show immediate effect in the republic, causing a boost in the economy and in the worth of florin.
 * Genoa: The tides have not been in our favor, for we have went to war on the losing side and now we are paying the consequences of defeat. Astoundingly, there has been mercy in failure, for while we have lost Corsica to Florence, they have paid us 10,000 florins for it, and the Ottomans have purchased the port Benghazi for 100,000 ducats. Even in defeat and loss of land, we gain hope in the form of money. but now the question is "How to spend this money?" The most urgent issue at hand is the Savoyan invasion of Genoa, and since we refuse their unjust peace treaty, we continue to fight against their aggression and use the new found money to invest in raising up and training more troops as well as rebuilding our damaged navy with the most advanced ships, with 500 new ships being comissioned. Right now the military takes a defensive strategy, with the main divisions fortifying in military forts and firing upon the invaders, thus halting their progress. Once they are impeded, we surround them, effectively destroying the Savoyans and take those who surrender as Prisoners of War. We also attack and loot the already overextended Savoyan supply lines, cutting off much needed food, drink, and weapons to continue the advance. With the advance stalled, we plan to go on the offensive next year. The remainder of the funds is invested in the Bank of St. George and trade routes as well as potential Genoese colonies. These investments shall increase the wealth of Genoa. The Doge of Genoa accepts the Milanese baron's offer to buy five Genoese ships, and they are commissioned and built. We join the Spanish-French War on the side of Spain and we invade the French port of Marseille with our grand navy.  (Please disregard the war declaration and invasion, it was made too late to be in this turn.)
 * Poland-Lithuania begins reasserting control over the land we had sold to Ostland, now revealing it to have been a cunning ploy. Noting the rebellion in Ostland by ethnic Estonians, Lithuanians and Livonians, the King begins secretly supporting the rebels, sending them arms and weapons, and offering them autonomy if they join with Poland Lithuania. Meanwhile, rebuilding efforts continue across the nation, and the industry begins to slowly increase. The military now stands at 70,000 men. Concerned over possible Brandenburg aggression, Poland-Lithuania requests that Bohemia renew the old alliance against Brandenburg. As economic recovery begins, we request an alliance with Hungary, citing the close relationship between the two nations, as well as its shared royal family. The King has fortifications built along our borders to defend against possible aggression. An alliance offer is now sent to Saxony, proposing a mutual defensive partnership against Brandenburg. Mercenaries are hired to help improve the military. Relations between Poland and Lithuania continue to grow closer as a nation, almost becoming one. (MOD RESPONSE FOR HUNGARY!)
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We inform Poland that any attempt usurp west Prussia and our parts of Silesia and Posen, will be seen as an act of war and a violation of our non-aggression pact.


 * Württemberg: Our military has reached a respectable size of around 50,000 soldiers, and we now have two ships ready for our Rheinstreitkräfte. We name them the SWMS (Seiner Württemberger Majestät Schiff, His Württemberger Majesty's Ship) Stuttgart and SWMS Philippe Villiers, after the Governor of Tübingen and former Prince of Rhodes. We secretly prepare to mobilise and to begin expansion southwards.
 * Joseon: Korea begins to adopt an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea begins to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; a half dozen of blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are built in Incheon and Ulsan each, melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable if producing a ton of steel within a week. The steel is used to create efficient tools and components to common items. Large-scale mining operations begin in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. Like the Chinese Song dynasty before it, bituminous coke replaces the role of charcoal, sparing lots of forests from logging. Canals are beginning to be constructed to link Incheon and Ulsan to major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Slash-and-burn agriculture becomes prevalent as the need for arable land grows. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation. External trade begins to increase, however, heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime. Korea expands 20 px into Manchuria.
 * Mods, here's the detailing about Song industrial practices. Also, the blast-furnaces only produced a total of 624 tonnes of steel annually. It may seem a lot, but if you compare it to real industrial nations, it's only less than a percent of the production. Also, at its peak, the Song Industrial complex was capable of producing 120,000 tonnes of iron annually.
 * Bohemia: Military continues to build up and recruit more men whilst we think Brandenburg is planning to attack Poland-Lithuania, which we may renew the old alliance with Brandenburg. Unfortunately, Bohemia shouldn't accept the help from Poland-Lithuania, which we have Brandenburg's alliance already.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: Since Poland brake our non-agreession pact and attack us we ask Bohemia for an alliance and joining the war against Poland, telling them that this is their chance now that Russia join the war in our side too.
 * The Portuguese Empire continues the settlement of Brazil, with the existing brazilwood camps and sugar plantations being bolstered and expanded by the arrival of hundreds more slaves, trade from Benin. The colony also expands 50 px south, encompassing more areas for brazilwood exploitation. More missionaries and scribes are sent to Benin to assist the speed of Catholicism in the region. In response to growing tensions in Europe, King Manuel I orders the land army to be more rigorously trained, as his trust for other nations is wearing thin, seeing the feuding in the rest of the continent. Further fortifications on existing feitorias in Ormuz, Goa and Zanzibar, to help secure and expand trade from those posts. With the purchase of land from Benin complete, a plethora of traders, merchants, nobles and craftsmen are sent on ships to Africa, in an attempt to set up a thriving hub of European trade and culture in Africa. King Manuel hopes that such a concentration of European culture, so close to Benin, will assist the Oba's desires to create a modern state. He also greatly expresses his gratitude and respect to the Oba for allowing Portugal to establish a permanent presence in Benin. He names the new town Porta Dourada. As the town grows, the king commissions the construction of a large customs-house to be a centre of administration for all Portuguese trade in West Africa. He also commissions a large cathedral to be constructed in Porta Dourada, to assist the establishment of Catholicism in the area. The construction of both is expected to take 10 years. The Papua colony grows further, through an influx of slaves from Africa, with sugar plantations being set up all along the coast. Macau grows further, and trade with the Chinese begins in earnest through Macau. Construction of the trade centre in Macau continues. In light of the growing number of overseas requests for tutelage from world-renowned Portuguese navigators, the king commissions the construction of a large international navigation school, where navigators and sailors from all around the world can come to learn the much-demanded Portuguese techniques, at a price of course. With the conquest of the Banda Island complete, Portugal has control of the only source of the popular nutmeg and mace spices. Samples are sent with ships around the empire and Europe, to try to promote the trade of these commodities in the courts of the continent. Production of the spices continue as usual on the island, with distribution set to improve, with improved shipping resources being constructed on the island. Trade with Angu tribes on Papua continues, with several merchants attempting to learn the complex Angu tongue, but to no avail.
 * Korean Diplomacy: Having heard of Portugal via Ming China, Korea would like to set up trading relations and offers joint-administration over the islands of Yeongjong and Yongyu, which are near the growing city of Incheon.
 * Portuguese Diplomacy: The trade offer is welcomed, and the offer of the joint-administration of the islands is graciously accepted. The King orders merchants to take up residence on these islands as a permanent trade link to Korea. They are expected to arrive next year.
 * Spain: Carlos Fernandez leaves the coast of Japan and sails into the the Pacific ocean. After a few months he reaches Alaska and maps out the coast. He keeps sailing down hill he reaches what is now OTL Seattle. Next he maps the coast of western side of north America all the way down to our colony of New Spain. After restocking in our colony we head down what is south America. While exploring the coast of south America we are interrupted by a group of natives called the Inca. With the natives we trade with them. In a few weeks we reach the tip of south America and then make our way to the Atlantic ocean. After a few months we finaly make it back to Spain. Carlos tells the King of his amazing journey on the vast ocean. All the goods that were traded for are presented to the King. A map of the world is given to the King. The King starts to make copies of this map so he can give it to everyone in the colonies. In our newly colony of Playa de Palmeras, we expand inwards about 50 px. Trading with the natives of north Americans goes well for the most part. More ships are being built for exploring and military purposes. A population boom in our colonies happens, because of the surplus of crops being farmed. Troops on the home front can relax now since the wars in Italian states are over. We continue to trade with our allies. In response to France attacking Naples, We send 50k troops to Naples and 100k troops to France. The 100k troops march all the way to Paris burning down everything in their path. In the city of Paris we burn the city to a crisp. All 100k troops kill everyone that is seen. We loot the palace in Paris of all their treasures. 
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Inca: From Spanish explarers Incas got some European thing (the Bible, compass, spyglass). But most importantly, that the Incas found out that White came from the north. Sapa Inca, orders to organise expedition to the north to find the white and establish permanent trade. All ATL Ecuador are conquered.
 * Nogai Horde: The Nogai Horde manages to successfully defeat the Astrakhanate after a short two-year war(Pita said this in chat). We continue to improve and modernise our military in order to overcome future, more powerful, enemies. The khan is killed by the illness he contracted. This causes revolts, which the khans successor attempts to quash. Several people claim the title of khan and begin to raise their own armies.
 * Russian Dip: The Russians quickly proclaim their support for a pro-Russian Khan promising wealth and support to his bid for the khanate, and even potentially troops.
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Tsardom having now occupied the Ukraine, and Belarus for over a year, sees the need of the expansion of the Russian populace, and Vasili III declines the law to restrict the peasants to their land indefnitely and allows some free movement, particularly to Zhytomyr and Minsk, most of them farmers. These peasants are allowed under a special agreement known as the "Tsars agreement" allowing many peasants to pull up and move to these new areas in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazan, and Siberia to settle and farm. The Settlement in siberia of Yektarinburg sees great growth and now with a population of 12,000 begins to see some movement east, with farmers and cossacks predominantly moving east to cultivate and secure more territory as it is. The Russian population reaches about 9.6 million and growing as a new system put into place on the new principalities of Minsk and Zhytomyr put a certain agricultural export quota to be met by these two states. Vasili rationalizes this with the need to feed a Russian population expansion particularly into the Siberian territories. Cossacks under the authority of the tsar, and bankrolled by the Novgorod merchant families continues expansion into Siberia (500 px). The fur trapping companies begin to show great promise and their export of furs to Europe begins to show great monetary promise, spurring the creation of a Trade Fleet in Neva. The Tsardom while seeing much population growth, sees the majority of it occuring in Kazan, Ryazan, and the directly annexed Ukrainian territories. The farmlands of Kazan and Ukraine are particularly exploited specifically by the settled soldiers, most of which have come accustomed to this life rather quickly, and settled down with families. The Tsar recognizes the semi independence of certain groups of Cossacks as he seeks to exploit their nomadic and exploratory attitude to secure eastern territories, guard the borders, and protect farmlands near the frontiers. Defenses with Crimea are built up in the case of further raids or attacks. Russia begins a major push towards russifying many of the cossacks, specifically in Zhytomyr and Minsk, using able bodied Russian men from the war to take cossack or local wives. While some resentment is bred from this, the hands off attitude in a lot of cases puts the Cossacks in an advantageous position whether or not the local women are being married off or not. Russia offers to commit troops to end the revolt in Ostland Proper. With their acceptance of our plea for help, Tsar Vasili raises nearly 50,000 troops to bring order to Ostland Proper marching them into the kingdom on the border but refusing any troops to head towards West Prussia or Posen. The troops immediately begin to restore order.


 * Principality of Minsk: the Viceroy of Minsk, under the authority of the Tsar re-organizes its agricultural system, but with the influx of well versed Russian farmers, and soldiers turned farmers, the agricultural production of the whole of the Principality shoots up, with records harvest occuring, this mostly just stems from the lack of mass agricultural production previously. The Principality continues to show Russification as many cossacks and locals begin to adopt Russian languages, particularly due to the integration of many low class Russians to the local population. The Principality, seeing unrest in Ostland and Poland, moves to handles the situation begins to draw up forces for potential conflict but mostly to keep borders concrete and prevent revolts in its own territory. The "Tsars Agreement" shows great positivity in the nobility in Minsk as many local populations expand due to this, many of the nobility in response to this, begin to adapt the Belorussian language to fit Russian due to similarity.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: Zhytomyr itself sees great productivity in its own agricultural sector as the influx of Russians peasants, and the settlement of Russian soldiers following the Russo-Polish War has put out a large increase in agricultural product. This allows Zhytomyr to meet the agricultural quota of Russia with ease and aside from some small resentment over a quota from local ukrainians, many of the Russians in the Area see it as a neccessity to allow Russia to continue to advance, prosper, and continue to protect Russians, Belarussians, and Ukrainians from outside influence. The Ukrainian population will more significant than the Belarussian population is similarly illiterate and begins to see more and more nobility push towards learning Russian rather than ukrainian, with certain higher level nobles beginning to just include Ukrainian into the Russian language proper. The population of Zhytomyr, particularly Russians, increases dramatically as the assimilation of local peoples into Russian culture as well as Russian settlement proper expands the local Russian population base.
 * Ostland Diplomacy:We ask Russian Tsardom, our ally, to aid/intervene us against this rebellion we are facing. 
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask our ally's help in our war against Poland, after they break our non-agreession pact and attacked us.
 * Danish Diplomacy: We look to reaffirm our alliance and also offer a trade agreement and non-aggression pact
 * Bavaria: Seeing the very weak position Bavaria is in diplomatically (no offense Württemberg), William IV decides that some change is in order. We attempt to increase diplomatic and trade relations with Bohemia, Brandenburg, Lorraine, Ostland and Hungary. We continue producing cannons, with 25 to be in service by the end of the year. We still remain neutral on the Catholicism-Evangelicalism debate due to the divided sympathies of the dukes, but Evangelicalism is gaining massive momentum among the people as the Bible becomes readily available to them, helped in no small amount by the lack of bans placed on the German-language Bible in the duchy. William IV and Jakobea of Baden announce that the latter has gotten pregnant. (For reference, their first child was born in 1526 in OTL) We begin work on improving the economy, in an attempt to keep the peasantry from violent actions. Political reform continues, now going somewhat more quickly with the clergy's loss of much of their power.
 * Empire of the Great Ming: We seize control of the Ryukyu Islands, setting up the capital in western Okinawa. We continue trade with the Portuguese and our neighbors. We invite the Dai Viet to join into our tributary system as an ally. 
 * Khmer Empire: We offer the Ming a treaty, trade deal, military pact, and usage of our ports in exchange for help rebuilding our nation, building up our military, and expanding our territory north to your border.
 * Ming Diplomacy: We agree to the KHmer Empire's requests.
 * Austria: After years of strife with localized peasant revolts, constables massacre the remained revolters. An influx of Austrian-merchants travel to Mila and trading posts are built across the Duchy. We accept any alliance proposed by other nations. Two diplomats are sent to the Swiss Conferderacy and begin trying to influence the Swiss. Artists begin reforming Vienna and Linz in their own image. Ferdinand kf Austria begins reshuffling the members of the royal court as rumors spread that the royal courtiers are secretly supporting Charles claim to the throne. Tax is placed on Alcholic Beverages, property and weaponry. A Catholic Priest begins a persecution of all Evangelical men near his area and son this sweeps across the country. The group of priests name themselves the Catholic Inquisitors and Protectors of Faith of Austria. Firearms are purchased and produced but at a slow rate.
 * Poland-Lithuania accepts an alliance offer. 
 * Russian Dip: We request the Austrians enter into a common agreement to avoid interfering with our conflicts outside the HRE, and we will avoid meddling at all in any internal HRE conflicts. this is done to reassure the Austrians that we are not looking to rampantly expand west
 * Austrian Dip: We accept and tell the Russian diplomats that Austria has no wishes in the east.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We accept Austria's offer of an alliance.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask our ally's help in our war against Poland, after they break our non-agreession pact and attacked us.
 * Ostland: King Walter I and his family and many of the remaining rulling class/nobles escape to west Prussia, to the city of Danzig, while some of the rulling class/nobles choose to remain in Estonia/Latvia to help the advancing Russian forces that are aiding us against the rebels. Most of the reformed Livonian Order (four-fifths of them) are put in the fight against Poland while the rest are put to fight against the rebels, being mostly Germans they are more than happy to avenge their own people from the rebels massacres. We annex west Prussia and our parts of Posen and Silesia, as agreed with Poland and establish control and administration over there. Around 25,000 troops are recruited from west Prussia as well as our parts of Silesia and Posen and are trained and later put to fight against the rebels . Since Russia is helping us against the rebels, we keep most of our armies in west Prussia, parts of Posen and Silesia to repel the Polish invaders. Emergency measures are taken, a curfew is established in the cities hitted by the plague outbreak, while all cities and areas hitted by the plague outbreak are put into quarantine. In the capital and other cities that have poor sanitation, we try to improve sanitation, while its people after told by the authorities, that poor sanitation is the cause of the plague outbreak, those which are able to work, are put at forced work to improve their city's sanitation, everyone else, may work voluntarily to help us fight off the plague. We also make quarantined areas where the victims of the plague outbreak, are transported, separating dead victims of the plague outbreak, from alive people which were infected, in different areas, still believing they can somehow be saved. Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians are left to their fates, while we try to make the situation worst by secretly poisoning their wells with dead rats and infected people. German, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse not infected population are moved voluntarily in rural areas to escape the plague, while we told them that this is the only way to avoid the plague. Our top researchers start to work on way to cure the plague and if not, at least limit it, or find a way to ease those poor peoples pain, with some of them resorting to researching herbs, that could possibly cure or limit the plague. The reformed Livonian order, fighted fiercely against Poland-Lithuania during the war, thus receives many honorary awards from King Walter I. We stop assimilating Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians, unbanning their languages. Riga and Tallinn continue to flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and Tallinn. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 50,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive''' becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We inform Poland that any attempt usurp west Prussia and our parts of Silesia and Posen, will be seen as an act of war and a violation of our non-aggression pact. We ask Russian Tsardom, the Margraviate of Brandenburg,Austria, the Duchy of Pomerania and the Teutonic knights/order (Mod Response/RNG needed for Teutonic knights/order and Duchy of Pomerania since player is inactive), our allies, to aid/intervene us against this rebellion we are facing and Poland attacking us, after they broke our non-aggression pact, since they threaten our common interests, while we inform the Teutonic knights/order that Poland is planning to invade them next. We also ask Hungary for an alliance and them joining the war against Poland in our side since Poland betrayed them and double crossed them. (Mod Response/RNG)
 * Khmer Empire: We finish repairs to our capital, and continue economic repairs. Our military begins to expand again, and we begin building ships for a navy, and arming them with ballistas and cannons. The capital is moved back to Angkor, and new roads are put under construction around the empire.
 * Angu: With the Portuguese trade, the economy (if we could call it that) expands. Namton Afao works on the Angu pictograms, while attempting to remember the words of the Portuguese.
 * Zia: The Zia are also affected by Portuguese trade, and they become closer to the Angu.
 * Kingdom of France: With the intent of curbing Hapsburg power in Western Europe, King Francis I declares war on the Kingdom of Naples. The 55,000 French troops stationed in Venice begin pouring into Naples, and 35,000 more are sent into Savoy to secure the area for the Kingdom of France. Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard is sent to command the army in Naples.
 * Kabulistan: Trumpets sound as news that Bengal has entered Delhi's borders reaches Babur's camp alongside word from Sindh that is now flew the Timurid banner. With Delhi taken, the forces of Babur arrived at Agra, ready to achieve his ambition, his destiny. The fighting was bloody, the cannon fire constant, and the taste of copper was forever on the tongue. Of the siege Babur's court calligrapher scribed, "to see such men, Moslem and Hindu fighting for a common liege was like to see the miracles of Allah." As the year came to a close Agra fell to the armies of the great Tiger, the descendant of Khans and Khaguns. WIthout hesitation and with the Lodi dynasty on its knees, Babur set up an administrative centre in Agra, declaring it his future capital, to be functional by 1530. With the aquistion of Delhi's conquest, Bikaner, Babur called his second Kurultai and reqested representatives from all provinces of the now sizeable realm. Hindu, Shia, Sunni, Jain, Buddhist, even Christians came to Babur's new court to hear his declaration of governance. Within this Empire of the Mughals, all we be subject to the Padshah in equality, and their safety is assured. Babur made a pledge, to bring under the realm the remaining Princes of India alongside their brother-in-arms, Bengal. Babur swiflty began plans to declare his Empire a reality.
 * The Lowlands, in response to the French war on Spain, declare independence as the Republic of the United Netherlands. 20,000 Dutch men fight for the independence under the leadership of Nicolaes Brugger. 
 * England: King Henry pushes for Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as the Pope and insists to all the nations of Christendom that they cannot suffer another Medici Pope, lest the Holy See become a hereditary seat, which would be a violation of Catholic practice. Upon hearing of the outbreak of war, King Henry declares war on Spain. He decides to lead 20,000 men into battle to aid our noble Portuguese allies. He also sends 5,000 men to the Lowlands to help their revolt under the leadership of his brother-in-law, Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk.
 * Duchy of Milan: The Duke can now happily announce his engagement to Margherita of Mantua and after the successful vassalation of Mantua; he hopes this alliance will lead to a Milanese Annexation of the region. He sets the date of the wedding for 1526 and invites all leaders of allied countries to attend. Due to the buoyant mood in the Duchy and the libertarian attitudes towards religion, the Baron is allowed to continue, however he is watched carefully by government officials. The Duke is unsure why a Baron of a Landlocked nation would need ships from Genoa. Especially after the countries recent and brief aggression toward each other. The Austrian merchants are made welcome and The Duke sends state funded Merchants to Austria to set up trading posts. Due to these trade relations in addition to previous trade relations the economy continues to grow and prosper. In particular the famous Violins of Mantua are championed by the Duke and become well loved and enjoyed in the Duchy. Violins are sent as gifts to the leaders of all nations with whom we have relations with as a show of friendship.
 * Benin: Benin continues with its modernization, with the construction of the new Imperial Palace of Benin, which is to serve as the most visible example within the capital city of Edo of Benin's development into a modern nation-state. The trend of adopting everything European in Benin continues to grow, with most Edo people wearing European clothing, taking on European names, and reading European literature translated into Edo using the Edo script, thanks to the new printing presses appearing throughout the nation. The three vessels sent to Lisbon by Benin as part of their maiden voyage make it to the city. On the pre-existing orders of the Oba, they are ordered to purchase Portuguese goods such as firearms, artwork, armor, horses, and cannon, and return to Benin with the goods as a sign of their success. Back home, Benin expands by 200 px into Cameroon along the coastline, expanding the reach of Benin's power into the primitive region. Many Benin warriors taking part in the conquest see themselves as God's chosen warriors, anointed to bring God's wrath to the lands of the heathens who have refused to convert to Christianity. This serves as a potent sign of the Roman Catholic Church's power in Benin. Working hand-in-hand with the Oba, the Catholic Church has managed to extend its religious authority into Benin by using the Oba's status as spiritual and temporal leader of the Edo people, to guide them into the Catholic faith. The education of the people of Benin continues with the support of the new Genoese residents living in Benin. They are given permanent wages by the government of Benin, which realizes their importance in developing the realm's literacy rate. The recent arrivals of the Benin nobles sent to study in Europe in 1517, has seen many of them establishing their own workshops and studies in the empire. Some take to artistic endeavors, with some putting their new skills to use for the empire. One Edo paints a portrait of the Oba of Benin as a birthday gift, and presents it to the Oba. So pleased with his work is Xadraque, that the man is appointed as the Chief Painter of the Imperial Palace, granting him a stipend and a living space on the palace grounds. Other Edo seek to improve the quality of life in their homeland, with some laying down the foundations of a planned city in the village of Mahin, seeking to build the "model city" for Benin, and a template for all future cities to come as the nation grows in wealth and population. The Oba orders three more ships for the growing navy of Benin, seeking to add them to the ships delivered to Benin by Venice, Portugal, and Genoa years before. Their construction is funded by the tariff on the slave trade through Benin's territorial waters, as well as the slave trade out of Benin itself.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south. We expand Gao as a city into the new heart of our empire with older buildings removed and replaced by new better constructed houses using stone as well instead of mud houses while the main heart of the city is based around the ironworks and large groups of blacksmiths to make weapons to fuel the war. Islam is promoted and people are reminded that the word of the Emperor is supported by Allah. The military reforms are continued with the introduction of an intelligence section to gather information and organize scouts while there is also a system of establishing supply lines. With much of the country newly included a lot of work is needed to bring up the new area's to infrastructure speed as the older country and a lot of work is put into building up irrigation canals and better road systems. At Dakar we sell off slaves as we capture them to make money and store in our treasury. 
 * Duchy of Lorraine: The country officially makes all Church services in its borders be conducted in German and orders copies of Martin Luther's German Bible. It continues to expand on its trade with Wüttermberg. It also looks to expand its military to expand into nearby lands. Duke René III is taught by evangelical tutors from Lorraine and Wüttermberg. The country offers military support to the Dutch rebels. The country officialy demolishes the bishopric of metz making duchy land.All former church land become property of the duchy.
 * Bradenburg: Joachim II decides to back his ally in Ostland but doesn't outright declare war on the Poles sending troops to help protect Ostland troops in need of it but Berlin requests both the Livonians and the Polish to come to the negotiation table with Bradenburg guidance. Military improvements continue as military reforms and expansion by hiring mercenaries continues. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science. Efforts to improve relations with Ostland begin and a royal marriage is requested if Ostland hasa female. Ties with the Teutons and Bohemia are also expanded. Bradenburg weary of Polish aggression propose an alliance with Hungary and offer them military support should the Polish attack them. 20,000 troops are brought up between conscription and mercenaries and they are placed near the border to prepare for any further aggressions on the part of Poland towards its neighbors. Protestants in Berlin and the Magrave start to gain influence as the Elector himself is a sympathizer to the reformation and closer ties to the Lowlands and to the protestant electors is sought specially since the emperor is himself a protestant.
 * Danish Diplomacy: We as Brandenburg for an alliance and trade agreement.


 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The advances of Venice in those fields leads the doge to create the Terreferma arsenal, the Venetian Arsenal for guns. They begin my using some of the same techniques the Venetian Arsenal uses such as the assembly line/specialization of labour. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. Ferrera is incorporated into Terreferma. War is declared on Spain with ships landing on Sardina. 
 * Denmark( Kalmar Union): Peace is finally restored to the region and everyone is allowed to recover. In exchange for self-rule, Sweden is forced back into the union and has to recognize Frederick II and his descendants as their king. The former king Gustav I is allowed to continue to rule as head regent. Hostages are taken from all the influential Swedish noble families and are treated very well as they stay in the capital. Trade through the Baltic returns to normal and the profits begin to roll in. The king commissions scholars to translate the Bible into Danish. The ideas of Martin Luther begin to reach the nobles and are accepted with great popularity.
 * Sweden: Begins to recover from the war. Trade begins to increase into the newly expanded port of Stockholm and tariffs are lowered back to prewar levels. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px in Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism.
 * Norway: The country begins to develop its cities. The fishing Industry is expanded. the country is also developed militarily. Many of the nobles begin to intermarry with the Danish nobility.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administrate both colonies. Settlers are encourage to come to the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.
 * Oman  continues its usual developments. Expansion along the coasts continue, 20 px on the North Coast and 25 px on the South Coast.  Ibadi Islam continues to grow in Southern Persia and the Gulf in general. Slave raids all along the Indian Coasts continue, and they are also increased along the African coast. More explorers are sent out to find new trade routes, and several that went south return with maps of the Comoros and Northern Madagascar, and ones sent east travel as far as Shanghai. Many of them return with detailed maps, and the Sultan is intrigued by the Spice Islands and sends more explorers to map out that particular region. Civic development continues, and the Sultan decides to more on expanding ports and trade infrastructure, and a large focus on Dubai results in a boom in the small settlement. The Sultan continues an invasion of Mogadishu and mobilizes 7,000 soldiers and 60 ships, hoping to expand Oman's grip of East Africa.
 * Socotra continues to grow in population and economy because of the benevolence of the new rulers. Ibadi Islam grows slightly as some Omanis, mainly administrators, settle on the island. The Sultan also briefly visits the island, and after viewing its extremely peculiar ecosystem he creates a team of researchers to try to categorize, name, and list the island's unique species. Due to the Sultan's increased funding of infrastructure Socotra is now connected to Oman via ferry ways, and ports on the island are expanded.
 * Xahuun Colony grows slightly by 5 px, but due to the low population there is little economic or civic development. The colony mainly consists of Shiites and Nestorian colonists. The natives are viewed with contempt, and are often attacked in a most racist fashion, resulting in a slaying of the men and taking of women, but due to the colony's rather diverse nature they are not forced to convert to Ibadiism.
 * Owari: We conquer Mino, with the help of Ise and Mikawi. We then split up the land of Mino so that Mikawi gets the eastern third, Ise gets the southwestern sixth, and we get the rest. We continue to influence Ise (Turn Four of Seven). We move in bands of samurai to act as Daimyo in the conquered land. Settlements begin to grow near Atsuta Shrine (these settlements will grow into present-day Nagoya).
 * Maldives: The King selects Jaywant Shrinivas Nibhanupudi as the Buddhist leader posted at the royal court in Malé. We continue to expand our lands in the Chagos Islands.

1526
 SPAIN REPULSES FRENCH AND ENGLISH ADVANCES, NAPLES CONQUERED BY FRENCH FORCES, VENICE STRUGGLES AGAINST SARDINIA, OTTOMANS DO THEIR THING 

''' Holy Roman Emperor Frederick von Wettin dies. New elections are held in Dresden to elect his successor. Eligible players, vote here: Holy Roman Empire (Ninety-Five Theses Map Game) '''

If you want something about your nation on the map changed, then post a detailed explanation in the map issues section.

' The Spanish ship Santiago'' from García Jofre de Loaísa's expedition reaches the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the first to navigate from Europe to the west coast of North America.   A Transit of Venus occurs, the last before optical filters allowed astronomers to observe them. '''

''' Disease further ravages the Americas, now killing significant amounts in some Inca cities and decimating populations in the Caribbean and Central America. '''

''' A Norwegian translation of the New Testament is written. '''

''' Please format your posts, the turn looks really ugly if not. ~Josh '''

Start by formatting the mod events -Nate

'''I try reformat everyone's posts whenever I can. I just redid the mod events.'''

QUIT DELETING POSTS
 * Poland-Lithuania continues to reassert dominance over the land lost to Ostland, but agrees to meet with Brandenburg to discuss working out a peace treaty. Rebuilding and recovery continue, and the military is still growing in size. Modern weapons are researched, and an alliance is once again request with Hungary. (mod reponse)
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Lutheranism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature. The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the proselytizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital. Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring Patriarch Theophrastus I as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancienent Pentapolis. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete.  The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandreia are reconstructed. With war raging in Italy, Suleiman taks advantage of the situation, and sends two fleets manned by Iskandar Asha and Oruc Reis to take Sicily and surrounding islands. 50,000 soldiers with Sipahi, Jannisaries, and morters land at Selinunte and march across the wine country of western Sicily, first laying seige to Monreale, then pressing on to take Palermo. The fleets themselves concentrate on the Island of Malta, bombarding Valleta and depositing 1500 soldiers to take the city. (See update)
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Colony of Adal: Being the Ottomans' first sub-saharan colony, the Sultan subjugates the Somali people there and topples the original rulers of Adal. The ports at the strait of Djibouti are built up, to control trade in the Red Sea. With control over the strait of Djibouti, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Update: After being guaranteed Malta in the Palmero Agreement, Oruc and Iskandar withdraw their forces, except for 1500 stationed in Malta. Instead, the four fleets of Oruc, Iskandar, and two others converge on the Duchy of the Archipeligo, blockading the strait of the Peloponese and sinking any Venetian ships nearby.
 * Württemberg: We continue to mobilise our forces and expand our armies. Conscription continues, bolstering the numbers of our military to around 55,000. Our population also grows, hitting the 300,000 mark.(Are the numbers plausible?) Meanwhile, Elector Ulrich I makes overtures to Bavaria, Lorraine and Switzerland to consider expanding existing trade agreements. We send representatives to Saxony to prepare for the upcoming election for Holy Roman Emperor in the wake of the incumbent, Frederick III of Saxony's, death last year. While we're at it, we ask Saxon leaders to consider opening trade relations with Württemberg.
 * Bavarian Dip: We agree that it would be beneficial to expand trade relations.
 * Switzerland Dip: We gladly accept, proposing a well-maintained and guarded road from Würrtemberg to Zürich and other key Swiss cities.
 * Lorraine Dip: We accept the proposal to expand trade relations.
 * Oman  continues its usual developments. Expansion along the coasts continue, 20 px on the North Coast and 25 px on the South Coast. Ibadi Islam continues to grow in Southern Persia and the Gulf in general. Slave raids all along the Indian Coasts continue, and they are also increased along the African coast. More explorers are sent out to find new trade routes, and several that went south return with maps of the Comoros and Northern Madagascar, and ones sent east travel as far as Shanghai. Many of them return with detailed maps, and the Sultan is intrigued by the Spice Islands and sends more explorers to map out that particular region. Civic development continues, and the Sultan decides to more on expanding ports and trade infrastructure, and a large focus on Dubai results in a boom in the small settlement. Balochs are also further integrated, as a ferrysystem between Oman and Balochistan is developed, and more bi-lingual madrassas are constructed, but due to the Sultanate's increasingly multi-lingual nature Arab is declared the lingua franca, and official documents in local languages are only printed and distrubted in the lingual homelands. During the invasion of Mogadishu tragedy strikes as most of the first assault waves are quickly slain. Due to the unexpectadly high casualties the strategy changes, and the soldiers are deployed around the city to seige it via attrition while a blockade and persistent barrage weakens the city.
 * Socotra continues to grow in population and economy because of the benevolence of the new rulers. Ibadi Islam grows slightly as some Omanis, mainly administrators, settle on the island. The Sultan also briefly visits the island, and after viewing its extremely peculiar ecosystem he creates a team of researchers to try to categorize, name, and list the island's unique species. Due to the Sultan's increased funding of infrastructure Socotra is now connected to Oman via ferry ways, and ports on the island are expanded.
 * Xahuun Colony grows slightly by 6 px, but due to the low population there is little economic or civic development. The colony mainly consists of Shiites and Nestorian colonists. The natives are viewed with contempt, and are often attacked in a most racist fashion, resulting in a slaying of the men and taking of women, but due to the colony's rather diverse nature they are not forced to convert to Ibadiism.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell as trade diverts from Austria due to the problems in Tyrol. The Swiss offer Tyrol a place in the Swiss Confederacy, free from excessive taxes. Refugees flock to Switzerland regardless. The standing armies in many lieus expand this year. Cannons are produced this year. A trade deal with Spain is proposed, wishing to trade horses for lumber. Switzerland experiments with introducing muskets into their military, with good degrees of success in most lieus. In the meantime, Evangelicalism continues to spread in Zürich, though it has stopped spreading to the other lieus and allies of Switzerland. The Zorort of 1522 takes place in Schwyz this year, Switzerland offers an alliance to France, inviting their king to Bern for the negotiations, along with a generous sum of money should the French accept. They also request military alliances with Augsburg and Konstanz (Mod response required). The Swiss also express interest in working with the Lowlands. The Swiss Confederacy votes to join France in their attack on Spain and Savoy. 13,000 troops, Swiss mercenaries, German mercenaries, vassal troops, or otherwise allied forces invade northern Savoy with France.
 * Three Leagues: The economy of the Three Leagues expands while standing armies and mercenaries are both outfitted with new weapons. Roads along Austrian and Milanese borders are planned, with the existing ones being maintained this year.
 * Valais: Roads from Savoy to Milan and Switzerland are maintained, increasing the economy of Valais. Equipment from Switzerland is sent to Valais, boosting its military. Mercenaries are trained in Valais, making the state even more powerful by way of military prowess.
 * Great Empire of the Ming: From the capital in Okinawa, we launch an initial invasion force of 30,000 horsemen and 5 warships towards Chiyoda. Another force of 15,000 men will be launched into Hiroshima two days after. We have approximately 1,000,000 troops ready to invade Japan if it becomes necessary to send in the full force. We blockade several Japanese ports, letting foreign ships past but not Japanese ones. 
 * Japan isn't united, and invading Tokyo (which I assume is what you mean by Chiyoda) would mean nothing to defeating Japan. You'd need to get every small state in your control before you conquer Japan. Therefore, taking control of Japan would take decades and blockading ports does not affect other states. -Vatonica
 * Cherokee: With the trade of guns and domesticated animals with the Spanish we can begin to further develop our new territory. We build our first ranch which can house 50 cattle, and some horses. Now that we have guns we can increase our hunting of beavers and deer to sell as fur and meet demand for the Spanish. We can equip 100 of our members with guns. There are 1,000 members who have survived the small pox disease but an additional 2000 have died leaving us with 28,000 members of our tribe who aren't dead. We build a large corn field in cahokia. This new influx of food will hopefully start a population boom.
 * Bengal: King Anu of Bengal assumes full control over the state with the overthrow of the previously oppressive Muslim government. He bears his first son this year, achieving a family of three. He focuses on administration with the conquest of Bengal as our imperial ambitions screech to a halt to control the new population and take care of previous conquered nations, hopefully reducing any any risk for revolt. Along with administration, we miss draining the royal treasury as our streak of war almost burned the war chests clear. We retain alliance with both Tibet and Kabulistan. While managing to keep a tenuous trade with Europe and the West through Portugal, first brought to existence by Vasco de Gama. We grow interest in trade as well, with plots concerning a Bengali enclave near Southern India to increase our trade power, and thus income from trade. In addition to this, such an enclave would boost technology to Bengal. The King begins construction on a center of learning in Bengal's capital, where all Brahmins are welcome to study. The lower castes are allowed inside at specific time slots, however. Bengal, secondarily, maintains military, since decreasing Bengal's military power would leave the nation open to attack from all flanks. We plan a huge exploration expedition around the Eastern peninsula and further into the Red Sea, hoping to increase Bengal's knowledge of the world. We request modern guns and explosives from Europe, as Indian fire arms begin to become outdated.
 * Kabuli Diplomacy: In recognition of Bengals courageous support of the Kabuli cause, Babur sends from the recently taken city of Agra, the great seals of eastern Delhi. These lavish symbols of authority, alongside a reasonable sum of gold convey thanks and legitimacy on the Bengali Delhi territories. Kabul further seeks a bride for Babur's eldest son and heir, and wishes to offer the honour to our dearest allies first.
 * Spain: The King changes the name of the colony of Playa de Palmeras to Florida. Trading with the natives of north Americans goes well for the most part. More ships are being built for exploring and military purposes. A population boom in our colonies happens, because of the surplus of crops being farmed. Trading with our allies still happens, but not as much because of the war against France. The military continues to send a good portion of its troops into France for a full invasion of enemy lands. In Naples, we continue to hold the enemy troops out f our land and into the Papal state's lands. Troops are also sent to Sardinia to stop the Venice's troops from invading. King Charles gets married to a beautiful women of the name Mary. During the same year, Charles' first son Reinaldo is born. since most of our money is being pumped into the war efforts, we have little money to spend on everything else. We let the Lowlands become an independent nation so we can save a little money and not have more things to spend on. Our ship yards continue to make more ships for trading, expeditions and war. A few ships leave our ports to go to Bissagos, Morocco, and Namibia so we can start to colonize the areas. After reaching the areas we explored before, we start to set up colonies in Africa. Trading with the African natives goes very well for now. We give up the island of Malta for an alliance with the Ottoman empire.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Florida: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; a half dozen of blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each, melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable if producing a ton of steel within a week. The steel is used to create efficient tools and components to common items. Large-scale mining operations begin in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. Like the Chinese Song dynasty before it, bituminous coke replaces the role of charcoal, sparing lots of forests from logging. Canals are beginning to be constructed to link Incheon and Ulsan to major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Slash-and-burn agriculture becomes prevalent as the need for arable land grows. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation. External trade begins to increase, however, heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime. Korea expands 20 px into Manchuria.
 * Great Turkmen Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives and Bengal, all trade is suspended from the Maldives and Bengal. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan begins to look for love in Bukhara due to it becoming a trade rest stop. Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia, 30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child. The current standing army is 150,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. Kochkunju and his wife have a child. Kochkun likes the idea of firearms and begins to buy them for himself and his armies but in small amounts due to the cost. We annex Khiva. A counsel is made taking two Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Jews from every region (Khiva, Persia, and Bukhara) they must be voted in by the people, and from their they work on fixing problems but our leader has the final word.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. En masse Shia Muslims begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslims. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 100 ships.
 * Kabulistan: With war now becoming a more distant memory, Babur surveys his latest territories on a newly established map. Commissioned to Babur's specifications the map splits the realm into ethnic and religious regions, ensuring that no community is forced to conform based on their faith or caste. Babur allows the Hindus to observe the caste system but abolishes its relevance within government. Babur officially announced Agra will be the new capital of the Empire and summons forth emissaries from all corners of the now bustling realm. Gathered around their Padshah, they pledge their allegiance once more; Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist alike ring out in a single voice. A declaration follows this great swearing, that Kabulistan shall be a province of a greater empire. Babur, in the sight of his newly established Religious Council and all his vassals is proclaimed Al-Sultan-Al-Azam Babur of Gurkani, though word spreads swiftly of a more ominous and prestigious name, the Mughal Empire.
 * The Sultan of Oman proposes a formal alliance with the Mughal Empire and commends it for its impressive levels of tolerance.
 * Emperor Babur's emissary openly embraces the Omani envoy, along with this show of affection Oman is presented with an ivory and gold carving of the illusive white elephant. "Let this symbol of my realm be a symbol of our cousin love, for though we do not agree on our praise of Allah, our praise of him is absolute." The Mughal Empire formally accepts Omans alliance and proclaims the fact across the Empire, as a consequence the small Ibadi minority in the western empire rejoice.
 * The Electorate of Saxony is shaken to its core by the death of Emperor Frederick IV "the Wise." In his stead, his younger brother John is crowned Prince-Elector and announces his desire to be crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in the 1526 elections. John, a devout Evangelical and patron of Luther, pledges to maintain imperial neutrality in the conflict and preserve his brother's popular imperial reforms. After the 1524 completion of the Dresden docks, the Magdeburg docks are completed this year. These projects have brought immense Central European trade wealth to Saxony, and have also inspired more production in local cottage industry. Relationships with Nürnberg improve as vassalization continues and Princess Maria, daughter of John, is betrothed to the Burgrave of Nürnberg.
 * The Portuguese Empire continues the settlement of Brazil, with the existing brazilwood camps and sugar plantations being bolstered and expanded by the arrival of hundreds more slaves, trade from Benin. The colony also expands 50 px south and north, encompassing more areas for brazilwood exploitation. More missionaries and scribes are sent to Benin and Porta Dourada to assist the speed of Catholicism in the region. In response to growing tensions in Europe, King Manuel I orders the land army to be more rigorously trained, as his trust for other nations is wearing thin, seeing the feuding in the rest of the continent. Further fortifications on existing feitorias in Ormuz, Goa and Zanzibar are constructed, to help secure and expand trade from those posts. With the purchase of land from Benin complete, a plethora of traders, merchants, nobles and craftsmen are sent on ships to Porta Dourada, in an attempt to set up a thriving hub of European trade and culture in Africa. King Manuel hopes that such a concentration of European culture, so close to Benin, will assist the Oba's desires to create a modern state. The construction of both the customs house and the cathedral continues. The Papua colony grows further, through an influx of slaves from Africa, with sugar plantations being set up all along the coast. Macau grows further, and trade with the Chinese begins in earnest through Macau. Construction of the trade centre in Macau continues. Samples of mace and nutmeg from Banda continue to be sent with ships around the empire and Europe, to try to promote the trade of these commodities in the courts of the continent. Production of the spices continue as usual on the island, with distribution set to improve, with improved shipping resources being constructed on the island. Trade with Angu tribes on Papua continues, with several merchants attempting to learn the complex Angu tongue, but to no avail. A new warship, the largest ever constructed, is built in Lisbon. It is named Botafogo, the 'Spitfire'. In response to their allies England and friends France and Venice declaring war on Spain, Manuel sends an armada of 200 ships, led by the Botafogo, and with 45000 troops aboard, using the element of surprise in an attempt to take the Balearic Islands from Spain. Troops in the mainland are also mustered all along the border with Spain, to construct defences in anticipation of a retaliatory attack. Six smaller raid groups of ten ships are sent from Cueta to perform hit-and-run raids all along the Spanish Mediterranean coast, to damage coastal defences in the area.
 * The Kingdom of the Fourteen United Netherlands: As the Spaniards leave our lands, the Republic sees peace soon after the declaration of independence. No leader has been chosen yet and thus the nation is ruled by a regency council. The Council goes around the nation, visiting universities and lords, to gather the opinions on who should rule. A theologist, Desiderius Erasmus, preaches for a republic and gains in popularity. The council takes note of this while in Rotterdam. Next year the council will vote on who will be the ruler of our nation. We offer an alliance to Brandenburg and France. Dutch ships move south, intending to go around Africa to get to Asia. They make tiny stops at coastal places to trade with natives or just to rest, but don't explore. Brussel is made the capital of the kingdom. The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom.
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Tsardom, having now occupied the Ukraine and Belarus for over a year, sees the need of the expansion of the Russian populace, and Vasili III declines the law to restrict the peasants to their land indefnitely and allows some free movement, particularly to Zhytomyr and Minsk, most of them farmers. These peasants are allowed under a special agreement known as the "Tsars agreement" allowing many peasants to pull up and move to these new areas in Belarus, Ukraine, Kazan, and Siberia to settle and farm. The Settlement in siberia of Yektarinburg sees great growth and now with a population of 12,000 begins to see some movement east, with farmers and cossacks predominantly moving east to cultivate and secure more territory as it is. The Russian population reaches about 9.7 million. With the further growing of the heir Ivan, he welcome a sister into the world known as Maya. Born during one of the coldest days in the winter, she is known as the Winter Princess and is championed as a success of the Tsar. Vasili III personally tours the Belarussian and Ukrainian territories seeing progress in many of his policies but noticing the pretty solid independent atitude of the Cossacks. Meeting with multiple Cossack leaders Vasili manages to strike deals to register many of the cossacks over a time period looking to bring about the full registry of the Cossacks in the Russian territories to more accurately raise and track the cossacks. In Kazan the Russian settlement has heavily increased to nearly 150,000 Russians now outnumbering many of the remaining hordesman who have migrated away towards Russian frontiers, or assimilated into Russian culture proper. This settlement amount has surprised the local boyars who initially against the Tsars lack of want to tie the serfs entirely to the land, now seeing extremely profit and growth from the lack of want to keep the Serfs tied down show new and prolific support for the Tsar. Many Boyars are upset with the Tsar for his policy with the Serfs but gaining support from the Boyars in Kazan and the rich merchant families in Novogorod as well as the growing Merchant families in Moscow and Vladimir as well as the monolithic Pskovite families has led to Vasili being able to maintain control. Boyars particularly in Ukraine and some of the other newly acquired frontier territories show extreme support for the Tsar as they have much to Gain. In order to calm his nobility in the core of Russia, the Tsar reintroduces the quota system growing the numbers just a bit to satisfy his fringe territories expansion but also keeping his core nobility happy. The new advancement of the merchant families in Russia begins to show great profit as the Tsar is able to impose a small tax on the revenues of these families corporations which allow the Tsar to profit and commit funds to interior improvement. The expansion to the East also continues with further cossack movement and claiming for the Tsar allowing for the Russian nation to claim this territory as its own (500 px) The Russian Tsar still continues to ship in support to the pro russian Khan the claimant known only as Edig, is given monetary support as well as some support from the borderland Cossacks on the Nogai Border, looking to lax their border duties by putting a friendly nogai in place
 * Principality of Minsk:  the Viceroy of Minsk, under the authority of the Tsar re-organizes its agricultural system, but with the influx of well versed Russian farmers, and soldiers turned farmers, the agricultural production of the whole of the Principality shoots up, with records harvest occuring, this mostly just stems from the lack of mass agricultural production previously. The Principality continues to show Russification as many cossacks and locals begin to adopt Russian languages, particularly due to the integration of many low class Russians to the local population. The Prcincipality seeing unrest in Ostland and Polish moves to handles the situation begins to draw up forces for potential conflict but mostly to keep borders concrete and prevent revolts in its own territory. The "Tsars Agreement" shows great positivity in the nobility in Minsk as many local populations expand due to this, many of the nobility in response to this, begin to adapt the Belrussian language to fit Russian due to similarity.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr:   Zhytomyr itself sees great productivity in its own agricultural sector as the influx of Russians peasants, and the settlement of Russian soldiers following the Russo-Polish War has put out a large increase in agricultural product. This allows Zhytomyr to meet the agricultural quota of Russia with ease and aside from some small resentment over a quota from local Ukrainians, many of the Russians in the area see it as a necessity to allow Russia to continue to advance, prosper and continue to protect Russians, Belarussians and Ukrainians from outside influence. The Ukrainian population will more significant than the Belarussian population is similarly illiterate and begins to see more and more nobility push toward learning Russian rather than ukrainian, with certain higher level nobles beginning to just include Ukrainian into the Russian language proper. The population of Zhytomyr, particularly Russians, increases dramatically as the assimilation of local peoples into Russian culture as well as Russian settlement proper expands the local Russian population base.
 * Savoy: We continue military buildup and economic expansion. With the recent invasion of Savoy by the treacherous French, Savoy officially joins the Franco-Spanish War on the side of Spain, and Charles III decides to rally the people to join the fight against France and speaks to those in occupied territories to be set free from the French traitors. Pantaleone Natale's Una Bella Nuovo Mondo, continues to slowly slowly gains popularity among various French-speaking Savoyards, and even spreads its popularity into neighbouring France and other nations bordering the north of Savoy. The Savoyard Golden Age now comes to an end, despite Charles III's best efforts to strengthen his power and work on various projects to make the current capital: Chambéry better than it was in the past, as the conflict with France begins and war begins to ravage the nation. Meanwhile, Charles III continues work on St. Mecidi's Palace in Chambéry and it is expected to be completed by 1540. Our navy is mobilised to take on the French navy and decide to open fire upon them. This allows our nation to focus on administrative matters first, and then on diplomatic ones as well. We decide to become an innovative nation to accelerate our progress.
 * ​Savoyard Secret Diplomacy: We propose to Henry VIII of England the restoration of the old Angevin Empire, and an attempt to strengthen England's position on the world stage.
 * Savoyard Diplomacy: We propose to the nations of Florence, Genoa and other nations across Italy to join the fight against France mentioning that it is time to end the French influence in the region once and for all.
 * Swiss Diplomacy: We offer protection to Savoy in exchange for Savoy swearing fealty to the Swiss Confederacy, becoming an eternal ally (and effective vassal) of Switzerland.
 * Milanese Diplomacy: The Duke is not prepared to risk the future of the Duchy, especially in a war with his friends in France. However, if assurances are guaranteed to the Duchy's future or if a more favourable situation in the war occurred then this may change.
 * Bohemia: We continue to build more buildings and recruit more men whilst Poland breaking the non-aggression pact with Ostland, Bohemia accepts the alliance with Ostland and joins the war to send 35,000 men to attack Poland for crushing non-aggression pact to Ostland.
 * Bavarian Dip: We request an alliance with Bohemia against the overly aggressive Polish-Lithuanians, and for the ability to move troops through the country to support them.
 * Russian Dip: We argue that while enforcing the truce via a war is amiable, the Russians will not tolerate mass expansion in this kind of war, it may cause a collapse on all our borders than can cause major issues for all parties bordering.
 * Bohemian Dip: We accept the alliance with Bavaria, although in a response to Russia, we don't want to be collapsed and we have to be careful.
 * Bavarian Dip: We also agree to avoid border expansion (which we already would have done, not bordering P-L) in this war, but reserve the right to ask for reparations.
 * Bavaria: In response to an invasion of the country by neighboring Bohemia, William IV declares war against Poland-Lithuania. The army is mobilized in an attempt to support Bohemia and Ostland, but whether or not we would be able to do so largely comes down to whether or not Bohemia allows us through. The first census in the country, done by sending messengers into towns and asking a series of questions to mayors and other officials about tax rates and revenues and using these to get an idea of the number of people (give or take) in any given region, reveals that somewhere between half and three quarters of a million people (the actual number being 550,000, unless that would be implausible) live in the country. (Technology does not exist to perform very accurate censes (or whatever the plural of census is) yet.) We begin expanding the army in order to begin fighting effectively, with a 30,000-strong force supported with 500 cavalry units and 15 cannons, and forces at home are scheduled to expand to 30,000 infantry, 1500 cavalry and 15 cannons by the end of the year. Jakobea of Baden gives birth to a son, whom William IV names Albert  (Not to be confused with  Albert V )  after his own father Albert IV.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We congratulate the Duke and Duchess of Bavaria on the birth of their son, and offer to act as the child's godparents. Furthermore, seeing opportunities for economic gains, we offer our assistance in the war against Poland-Lithuania.
 * Kingdom of France: Following the fall of Naples and the treacherous behavior of Savoy, 33,000 of the troops used to subjugate Naples are sent to Savoy to secure the strategic nation and put down any future betrayal. 4,000 are sent to Sicily to secure the transition of governments. Meanwhile, after the recent failures in Spain, 11,000 more troops are raised and are expected to be ready by 1528. Another attempt is made to push into Spain proper, this time with Portuguese help from the west. Francis I personally leads his troops into battle, serving as an inspiration for the army. The offer of alliance from the Swiss and the Lowlands are accepted.
 * Benin: The three ship fleet sent to Lisbon returns with the goods purchased in Portugal, and a nation-wide celebration is held in the honor of the crew who made the first major step in Benin's history as a seafaring state. The Portuguese navigators who spent the last decade training the crew are given gifts of land, slaves, and gold for their role in making the voyage a success. The Oba orders more vessels to be built seeking to add to the growing navy of Benin. However, his advisers state that the progress will be slow as many of the European navigators and shipbuilders have left for their new lands in Benin, though they did voice their confidence that Benin would be able to succeed with the knowledge it now has from the years of training and instruction from the Portuguese and Genoese in the nation. Elsewhere, Benin continues to develop its industrial capacity, seeking to invest in more industrial complexes in major centers of trade near the coast. The planned city of Mahin begins the first phase of its construction once all necessary labor, equipment, and materials have been brought to the city in the past year. The city is to be planned around a cathedral and palatial complex in its center, with a major port and shipyard to the southwest. A large industrial complex will be constructed on the northeastern side of the city, where several major foundries are to be built to serve the needs of the industrial complex. The city is being built to house a population of 35,000 people, with the explicit aim of competing with the Europeans in terms of appearance, wealth and industry. Calling up the aid of the Genoese who moved to Benin a few years prior, along with several Venetian and Portuguese instructors, Benin hopes the city will be successful in showcasing the capabilities of the African race, and giving Benin a spot on the world stage. Benin expands by 200 px along the southern coastline, enslaving thousands of African natives and selling them off to Europe. The wealth from the slave trade continues to bring in several tons of gold and silver into the coffers of the imperial government and the merchants living throughout Benin. The literacy rate in Benin continues to increase, with many thousands of Edo moving into the cities with the aim of learning a trade or becoming a merchant. More than half of Benin's population identifies as Catholic thanks to the aggressive conversion methods of the church with the support of the Oba. Weekly periodicals are now being published in most major cities in Benin, thanks to the increased popularity of the printing press as a mode of communication, the increased literacy of the Edo people mainly in the growing cities and towns, and the ever-expanding middle class of merchants, artisans, and laborers living in throughout Benin. A cathedral in the port city of Eko begins construction with the goal of serving as a visible icon of Benin's status as a Christian nation to foreigners visiting the city from the port. The cathedral in Edo is about one-tenth of the way completed. Many Edo reckon that it will take nearly half a century until the cathedral is even halfway completed. The Oba orders a quick census of the nation given the missed five-year period for the next census. The palace officials report a population of 10,120,000 people in the empire, with most of the growth coming from the native Africans in the east who were not enslaved as per the conditions of their conversion to Christianity. So as to prevent further mistakes for a census, the Oba decrees that all future census shall take place on the first year of each new decade starting in 1530. The census after that shall be scheduled for 1540 as per the Oba's decree.
 * Owari: With China invading Japanese mainland, (Pita okayed me on this) we get Ashikaga to join us in a temporary United Front. We also get our allies of Ise and Miwaki to join this temporary United Front, and we hope to bring in more Japanese nations into the temporary United Front (treat as more of a temporary alliance than a union). We ask Korea for their help in defending against China, arguing that if China gains control of Japan, Korea will be next. We continue to influence Ise (Turn Five of Seven). We begin to attack the Chinese invaders with defending samurai, and also consider enlisting untrained citizens, though these plans are not put into effect.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south of our nation. As our nation is growing so rapidly we try to keep the countries under control by mass deportations of their male population and selling them to the European powers who can then transfer them to Africa. Meanwhile as we come back with a better understanding of North Africa and Europe having sent explorers north, we see the strife and turmoil raging and understand why we must grow to ensure they never control us. At Gao the construction of the new city continues as much of the work is done and now the new city actually will become the heart of the empire with large numbers of newly trained craftsmen being trained and working in the industrial quarter to mass produce quality weapons for expansion. While in the rural bulk of the empire we continue our expansion of the irrigation system and start to work on creating a road made from pebbles and mortar which goes through the heart of the empire to allow better internal trade.
 * Duchy of Milan: Despite the turbulent events in neighbouring states there is joy in the Duchy. The Duke has married Margherita and it is discovered she is pregnant. Twins are born later in the year, two boys: Ludovico and Tomas. Due to overwhelming pressure from The Duchy, Mantua decides to yield and is paid 50,000 ducats in compensation. Mantua is annexed into the Duchy of Milan. The Duke one day hopes to create a great Duchy of Lombardy. Economic and cultural prosperity continues especially with the combined societies of Mantua and Milan. Following the French sending troops to Savoy military activity is increased; in particular on the border and the Milanese Militia academy where new attack tactics are developed. Nothing is heard of the Baron who bought ships from Genoa other than that the ships remain in the Duchy.
 * Milanese Dip: The Duke, himself included sends a diplomatic envoy to Savoy to discuss terms with France and Switzerland in order to make sure Milanese claims to the region are upheld.
 * England: King Henry remains involved in the war in Spain. England extends offers of alliance and trade to the new nation of the Netherlands. The King continues to seek the funds for the great navy he wishes to construct. The Evangelical movement continues to grow in England, despite the efforts of the Crown to prevent it. Progress is made toward the goal of bringing Ulster into the fold. Charles Brandon and his 5000 men arrive in Spain to bolster the King's army. While fighting in Spain, the King realizes the need to modernize the English army and bring them up to speed with the great powers of the continent. Pursuant of this goal, he begins looking into continental weapon designs and the construction of modern weapons for the English.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: The duchy spreads evangelicalism through the use of missionaries. The duchy shows support for the Saxon Duke for nomination of Holy Roman Emperor. Its trade continues to grow with Various other countries. Its military is expanded. A revolt by Catholics in the duchy is quickly put down. It officially moves its capital to Metz. Duke René III's regent body wishes to find a wife for him sending diplomats across Europe. The duchy also wishes to establish an alliance with the Netherlands.
 * Venice: Sardinia continues to be invaded. Stuff happens.
 * Genoa: The war against Savoy continues and we go on the offensive with our massive naval fleet invading the port of Nice. We surround Nice with our ships blockading goods from going in and out of the port and we also surround Nice with soldiers. On the second front, we launch the invasion of Turin and bombard the city. Trading continues and we expand our wealth.
 * Tibet continues its assimilationist policies in Ava and Arakan. Ships are sent out to establish maritime contact with nearby nations and create new trade routes to funnel trade into Tibet. Tibetan resettlement in the Irrawaddy Valley, particularly around garrison towns, continues, and Tibetan grows as a lingua franca. Aid and auxiliary troops are sent to China to aid it in its conquest of Japan, per Tibet's obligations as a tributary state. Tibet recognizes the new Mughal Emperor and sends the new Emperor congratulatory gifts, such as caterpillar fungus, a hundred tame golden eagles, and a Persian-speaking monk to act as permanent ambassador, if accepted. 
 * Maldives: The King also appoints Mohammed Zakariyya Darzi as the official Imam of the Maldives at the Royal Court in Malé. We make a law stating that all genders are allowed to go to school if they so desire. We send a delegate to the nearest Ottoman outpost to ask if they'd like a trade agreement with us.
 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The advances of Venice in those fields leads the doge to create the Terreferma arsenal, the Venetian Arsenal for guns. They begin my using some of the same techniques the Venetian Arsenal uses such as the assembly line/specialization of labour. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. Ferrera is incorporated into Terreferma.

1527
'''War Report: FRANCE AND SWITZERLAND CRUSH INTO SAVOY, VENICE STRUGGLING IN SARDINIA, OTTOMAN FORCES RUN AMOK IN VENETIAN ISLANDS, FRENCH AND ANGLO FORCES PUSH INTO SPAIN. '''

 Disease continues to push through the American states as Mesoamerica and the Inca empire sees hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dead as smallpox and a host of other diseases burn through the American populations 

''' A Minor economic downturn occurs across Western and Eastern Europe as the sheer volume of large conflicts occuring within the past few years takes its tolls as the lack of men returning home from war takes its toll on production in many countries, most notably in Poland and Spain, having suffered extreme casualties in a quick way over the past few years. '''

''' With the Chinese invasion of Japan underway and the Feudal States of Owari, Ashikaga and their allies joining in a United Front, The Japanese states of Suruga and Izumo openly declare for the united front, which begins to bring other Japanese feudal lords more in line with the cause with the potential for more support to come. '''

''' With the proclamation of the Mughal Empire many hindus are visibly scared but with no persecution coming the Empire retains relative stability, and with religious respect and even respect for the Castle systems, some of the conquered Indian Rajas are unable to raise any forces to revolt against the "Muslim conquerors" with the content Hindus refusing to take up arms. '''

''' Pomerania joins the war against Poland this year, fighting alongside nations such as Brandenburg and Ostland. In the meantime, the Teutonic Knights prefer to stay out of the fight. '''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: measures are taken to mitigate the impact of the economic downturn. Vassalization of Lippe enters its final year.


 * You need an algorithm to vassalize. Without the algorithm, this isn't valid.


 * Great Turkmen Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia.In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldives and Bengal, all trade is suspended from the Maldives and Bengal. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan begins to look for love in Bukhara due to it becoming a trade rest stop. Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia, 30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child. The current standing army is 150,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. Kochkunju and his wife have a child. Kochkun likes the idea of firearms and begins to buy them for himself and his armies but in small amounts due to the cost. We annex Khiva. A counsel is made taking two Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Jews from every region (Khiva, Persia, and Bukhara) they must be voted in by the people, and from their they work on fixing problems but our leader has the final word. We ask Kabulistan for an alliance.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. En masse Shia Muslims begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslims. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 150 ships.
 * Mughal Diplomacy: The Mughal Emperor Babur cannot consent to an alliance due to conflicting interests in the region, but reminds Bukhara to remain within their realm and not to encroach on the sovereignty of Gurkani.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): Continues to recover from the war. The army and navy are expanded and trained.  Trade through the Baltic returns to normal and the profits begin to roll in. The city of Copenhagen begins to expand and the king starts to build a larger more luxurious palace to impress the nobility. The king commissions scholars to translate the Bible into Danish. The ideas of Martin Luther begin to reach the nobles and are accepted with great popularity. The king begins to fund scientists and explorers. These explorers are sent east to expand the kingdom's knowledge of the continent there.
 * Sweden: Begins to recover from the war. Trade begins to increase into the newly expanded port of Stockholm and tariffs are lowered back to prewar levels. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px in Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism.
 * Norway: The country begins to develop its cities. The fishing Industry is expanded. the country is also developed militarily. Many of the nobles begin to intermarry with the Danish nobility. The country celebrates the translation of the New Testament to Norwegian.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administrate both colonies. Settlers are encourage to come to the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.


 * Württemberg: We redirect our mobilisation in preparation for war against Poland-Lithuania to assist our ally Bavaria and Ostland; we have nearly completed training and mobilisation of our core units, and stand ready to march alongside Bavarian troops. Expansion of the Rheinstreitkräfte continues. We wish to place a bulk order with Bavarian cannon-builders of 30 cannons to be delivered to us within a space of 15 years. We offer to pay 50,000 Thalers for these cannons, which will be used to arm our ships.
 * Babur and Humayun.jpgMughal Empire: Emperor Babur calls 1527 (Islamic year 933) his glorious year, declaring that it shall be remembered as the time in which he nullified any thought that the Mongols had vanished from the earth. With work underway to impliment the divisions of the Empire, Babur looked to his own walls, his own family. No longer was his heir Humayun a boy, rather as war had aged the Emperor, youth had sprung in his child. The nineteen-year old prince now thirsted for glory, a quality his father drew great pride in. Babur placed a great charge on his son, he was to ride west from Agra and administer his justice to the regions there, however he was not to stop. Instead, Humayun was to ride through Persia as part of a great retinue to the court of the Ottoman Sultan. On Humayun's arrival, the Prince brought news to his sister, now of age, that she was Princess not of Kabulistan, but an Imperial Princess of Gurkani. Humayun's presence at the Ottoman court was not just to oversee this declaration, but to oversee the Princess' wedding to the Sultan himself. Gulchehra Begum within a short period had become Imperial Princess and now Sultana in one swoop. While not his first wife, Gulchehra's position in the Ottoman court symbolised the strong loyalty of Babur to the Caliph in Rum. Within Agra, preparations for the capitals transformation had already begun with administrative centres springing up around the city. The Emperor's court swiftly became a debating hall between theologian and scholar, to which even Babur regularly joined in. In his mid-forties Babur's health was not perfect and so he gave up the vice of drinking, making his court do the same, even making them swear an oath to abstain from alcohol. He wrote of this, "Everyone regrets drinking and swears an oath (of abstinence); I swore the oath and regret that." (Actual OTL Quotation) Despite his and his courtiers' grummbling, Babur's health seems to improve, he even takes to long walks along the Agra walls with his ministers, instead of clutching round a dusty table. Many question the Emperor's reasons for such an obsession with fitness at such a sudden hour, many claim he does not wish to drop dead after only attaining his heart's desire. As the year comes to a close Babur is seen in his chambers with senior councillors and the Bengali delegation long into the night for nearly two weeks straight. As the sun sets on the final day of the year, looking haggard and exhausted Babur addresses his Religious Council and informs them of a deal that will bring peace to India, for all faiths.


 * Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent welcomes the arrival of Humayun, giving him gifts of gold and perfumes, and prepares straightaway to prepare the wedding with Gulchehra
 * In the Electorate of Saxony, new Prince-Elector John officially converts the realm to Evangelicalism, his personal religion and the religion of most nobles, burghers, and peasants. The Erfurt docks see construction, and the flotilla is strengthened to protect inland river trade and assert a presence over central Europe. John nationalizes all Catholic lands in Saxony and asks Martin Luther to help establish an ecclesiastical structure for the Electorate. In neighboring Hesse, Landgrave Philip suddenly passes away, putting the throne up for grabs. At the prodding of his father, heir John Frederick, the son-in-law of Philip, claims the throne and uses the Saxon army to enforce his rule over Hesse, entering the two states into a dynastic union.  Vassalization efforts in Nürnberg continue; we use trade to maintain the beneficience of the Catholic Electors as much as possible.
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Lutheranism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature. The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the proselytizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital. Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring Patriarch Theophrastus I as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancienent Pentapolis. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandreia are reconstructed. After sinking much of the Venetian Armada, the Ottoman navy closes in on the island of Andros, where the military of Venice primarily withdrew. The majority of the 248 ships blockades the Cyclades, with an additional 18 ships bombarding the harbors of Andros City on one side and Gaviro on the other. The Sultan extends the offer to make the Andrean branch rulers over the island if they murder the Sommaripa Duke.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Colony of Adal: Being the Ottomans' first sub-saharan colony, the Sultan subjugates the Somali people there and topples the original rulers of Adal. The ports at the strait of Djibouti are built up, to control trade in the Red Sea. With control over the strait of Djibouti, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Oman continues expansion, growing 30 px north and south. Victory is declared after a long and bloody seige of Mogadishu, though the costs were much higher than expected, and the war increasingly became reliant on slave soldiers due to the large attrition rates. Furthermore, due to the seige and bombardments of the city much of it is destroyed and much money is spent on rebuilding its infrastructure. Military expansion continues, and the navy now sits at about 70 ships in total. The Sultan comes down with an unfortunate illness, but he survives. Civic devlopment continues. Because of succesful integration of Balochs into the country an increasing amount of them rise to prominance in the government, however for them to gain signifcant titles it is required that they convert to Ibadiism.
 * Socotra continues devlopment as it becomes and increasingly popular port. Many Muslims try to build mosques and preach to convert the mainly-Nestorian population, but this is prevented, as the Sultan does not wish to anger the locals.
 * The Horn Colony continues to expand by 8 px. Due to the increasing size of the colony it is no longer restricted to prisoners, and merchants are encouraged to set up residence here because of the cheap land and its strategic importance. Many natives continue to be slain and their women taken, however a policy is instituted that if they become Ibadi they may be integrated into the colony.
 * Mogadishu is taken in the war near the beginning of the year. Much of the city is destroyed, as the Omani generals allowed their troops to plunder the city. Much of the original population died during the seige due to either starvation, disease, or barrages, and the plundering of the city reduces it further, with much of the population dead and most of the survivors carted off as slaves, however much of the merchant class is left alone because of their importance to the city, assuming that they convert to Ibadism. Much spending is used to rebuild infrastructure, the port, and sanitation, and its expected to take another year or so for the city to be properly repaired. In the mean time many Balochs move to the city, as the Arab population is somewhat stretched, and female Indian slaves are brought in, both of these factors help replace some of the population. Ibadi madrassas are built in Arab, Persian and Swahili, though due to the demographics Persian and Swahili are the predominant languages used in the city.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; a half dozen of blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each, melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable if producing a ton of steel within a week. The steel is used to create efficient tools and components to common items. Large-scale mining operations begin in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. Like the Chinese Song dynasty before it, bituminous coke replaces the role of charcoal, sparing lots of forests from logging. Canals are beginning to be constructed to link Incheon and Ulsan to major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Slash-and-burn agriculture becomes prevalent as the need for arable land grows. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation. External trade begins to increase, however, heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime. Korea expands 50 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The Council votes this year, and Desiderius Erasmus wins the vote unanimously. As the Council wants to crown him as king, Erasmus refuses that, not accepting the position of a king. Instead, the council offers him the position of Stadhouder, which Erasmus does accept. As such, the Kingdom is not truly a kingdom, and instead a Republic. Erasmus offers an alliance to Brandenburg and France, and we accept both the alliance and the trade offer from the English. Erasmus offers trade to all nations willing to trade. Dutch ships move south, intending to go around Africa to get to Asia. They make tiny stops at coastal places to trade with natives or just to rest, but don't explore. A Dutch ship shipwrecks near the Cape, leaving the survivors stranded. To survive, the men build a small fort which they call "Fort Cape of Good Hope". They explore the coastal region and go slightly inland, but return to their fort. They find useful lands. Brussel is made the capital of the republic. The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. Ships sail for North America, to trade with the natives and to explore the coasts. In line with Humanism, Erasmus decides that all Dutchmen should speak the same language, and thus orders the formation of one universal Dutch language, in which the New Testament will also be translated, intending to educate the lowborn so they can fully use their potential as humans. The Republic does not affiliate itself with either Catholicism or Protestantism. Instead, Erasmus calls for an end of the splitting of the church. He shares his own beliefs with his followers, who decide to write them down. They present Erasmus's beliefs to the people of the Republic, intending to spread them throughout the Netherlands.
 * Tsardom of Russia: With the further gathering of lands to the Russian Tsar, Vasili, he recognizes the need for his heir to be wed as well. He extends his want to find a princess to the royal families of Europe particularly to England requesting to his son Ivan to the English Princess. Vasili after realizing he has somewhat overextended his realm and realizes the inability of the Nobility to fully deal with the overextension issues, begins recruiting a servant corps taking great care to make sure the nearly 300 men he has initially recruited through their merits all are literate. He ties in his Viceroys in Minsk and Zhytomyr with this new group as he begins investing serious funds from the treasury into building a bureaucracy. Quickly the nobility in Vladimir and Yaroslavl raise up a force of 10,000 to march on Moscow, to prevent the usurping of some of their duties and privileges, only to meet a force twice their size led by the Tsar himself. The 20,000 strong army known as The Tsars Black Legion meets the noble revolters outside of Moscow in clear view of the cities populace. A more loyal noble, known as Dimitry Adashev - a low ranking noble in Novgorod in Moscow at the time of the revolt - is able to work his way into the command group of the army speaking with the Tsar himself. Vasili is initially skeptical of his strategy but the next morning the Black Legion looks to be nearly half its initial strength making it seem as if nearly half the army has deserted. The nobles attack the Black Legion later that morning only to be caught in a cunning trap, with forces under the noble Adashev having moved around to the rear of the noble's army with the split forces enveloping the armies of the nobles, the battle is won in nearly 45 minutes as dissenting nobles are killed relatively quickly making much of the army surrender. The Tsar, realizing his need to reconcile with any other nobles in the Army, appoints Dimitry Adashev the new Duke of Yaroslavl and allows him to take half of his newly-raised Black Legion to Yaroslavl with any men from there to set up his new noble title how he sees fit. The Tsardom itself continues to embark on Russifying policies in its puppets in Minsk and Zhytomyr, with little resistance being incurred due to the Cossacks being left alone for the most part aside from those who willingly assimilate to Russian culture. The Russians run into issues settling the frontiers only expanding by 100px to the east as many cossacks in it for the profit have declined the movement further east. The Peoples of Sibir however being to be subjugated as Cossacks secure territory. The 50,000 troops in Ostland continue to rampantly and brutally destroy all resistance and ruthlessly restore order. This is wildly successful due to the sheer number of Russian troops involved and the brutality involved for any who resist. A few captured peoples are sent back to their rebel camps to describe the absolutely brutal force the Russian Army has used. Russia proposes the elevation of a Russian noble to the throne in Poland, with them probably finding it more amiable to have a Slavic king in Poland than a German king. The Russian tsar however requests that if anyone is to be put on the throne it be through the Polish Sejm. Russian forces however also look poised to seize the remainder of Lithuanias Ruthenian and Belarussian territories but refuse to act without orders of the Tsar.
 * Principality of Minsk:  the Viceroy of Minsk, under the authority of the Tsar re-organizes its agricultural system, but with the influx of well versed Russian farmers, and soldiers turned farmers, the agricultural production of the whole of the Principality shoots up, with records harvest occuring, this mostly just stems from the lack of mass agricultural production previously. The Principality continues to show Russification as many cossacks and locals begin to adopt Russian languages, particularly due to the integration of many low class Russians to the local population. The Prcincipality seeing unrest in Ostland and Polish moves to handles the situation begins to draw up forces for potential conflict but mostly to keep borders concrete and prevent revolts in its own territory. The "Tsars Agreement" shows great positivity in the nobility in Minsk as many local populations expand due to this, many of the nobility in response to this, begin to adapt the Belrussian language to fit Russian due to similarity.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr:   Zhytomyr itself sees great productivity in its own agricultural sector as the influx of Russians peasants, and the settlement of Russian soldiers following the Russo-Polish War has put out a large increase in agricultural product. This allows Zhytomyr to meet the agricultural quota of Russia with ease and aside from some small resentment over a quota from local Ukrainians, many of the Russians in the area see it as a necessity to allow Russia to continue to advance, prosper and continue to protect Russians, Belarussians and Ukrainians from outside influence. The Ukrainian population will more significant than the Belarussian population is similarly illiterate and begins to see more and more nobility push toward learning Russian rather than ukrainian, with certain higher level nobles beginning to just include Ukrainian into the Russian language proper. The population of Zhytomyr, particularly Russians, increases dramatically as the assimilation of local peoples into Russian culture as well as Russian settlement proper expands the local Russian population base.
 * England accepts the Tsar's offer of marriage between his son Ivan and the Princess Elizabeth.
 * Spain: Our few ports in Bissagos, Morocco and Namibia areas start to expand inwards about 75px. Trading with the native Africans continues to go well. With the war against France and England still going on, start to draft more people into the military. We send a good portion of our troops into France for a counterattack. Some war ships are sent to England for an attack. The rest of the troops are sent to Naples so we can get the French out of our lands. The King is very angry that our troops can't get the war over with. A huge wall is being built between France and Spain so that French troops can't get in. The ship builders continue to build more ships for the military. Our economy has taken a hit from this war, but with all the resources coming from our colonies, we are only breaking even. Special guards are being put on duty in the King's castle so that the King's family can stay safe. Since we are still importing slaves from Africa, we use them in our military to help with the fighting forces. We try to keep cities from being destroyed from enemy troops attacking and destroying our beautiful cities. Most expedition set to happen this year get pushed back a year or two, because of the major war happening on the home front.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Florida: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north.
 * Cherokee: Our domestication of rice is coming along nicely. We continue our trading with the spanish and the guns have greatly increased our yield of deer and furs. Our population has had an increase in births but small pox is still here and has killed 3,000 of our members, so we are down to 25,000 members. But only a couple thousand still have small pox. An estimated 2,000 have developed a resistance to small pox. Our ranch and corn field have begun the raising of corn, cows and horses.
 * Cherokee Diplomacy: We ask the Spanish to guarantee our sovereignty.
 * The Portuguese Empire pulls out of the assault on the Balearics, and the armada returns to Lisbon. The soldiers disembark, and are moved to garrisons along the southern part of the border with Spain, joining the existing force of 28,000 there, bringing the total force on the border to around 85,000. The king orders the enlistment and training of around another 20,000 soldiers, expected to be prepared for early next year. The raiding fleets based in Cueta turn their attentions to cutting off supply lines to the Balearics, while continuing to pester Spanish coastal forces. The Brazil colony continues to prosper with the influx of slaves from the new port in Benin. Papua is beginning to struggle, with limited food sources on the island. Constructions in Macau and Porta Dourada continue.
 * Vijayanagara Empire: We begin to invade Bahmanis in the 'Conquest of Southern India' begins. We think about a political union with the Maldives. We prepare for an invasion of other unfortunate countries. We build our military. We also build our diplomacy. We would like a trade deal with the Portuguese Empire seeing as they're arriving in India. However, we do keep wary of them. We also would like to trade with China and Korea. We tighten our control of the empire. We build our navy in preparation for oversea voyages. We would like a trade deal with anybody else with offers us one.
 * Maldives: After hearing stories of uninhabited islands (OTL Seychelles) from East African traders, the king sends a fleet of five ships to go find them and to bring men for setting up a port. Once discovered we intend to add a second capital in the port that is created. (probably two or three turns to get there.) The king asks Vijayanagara if they would like to offer one of their daughters hand in marriage to Prince Vijaya Murali Misra, Governor of the Port of Burecca. We also ask The Kingdom of Jaffna if they would be willing to part with Neduntheevu or Kachchatheevu Islands or both off their coast. (Mod Response)
 * I'm gonna say no to the islands at the present time. -MP
 * Bradenburg: Bradenburgish troops continue to expand their war effort. But once more request that all sides come to the negotiation table to determine the future of the areas in dispute. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science. Ties with the Teutons and Bohemia are also expanded. Protestants in Berlin and the Magrave start to gain influence as the Elector himself is a sympathizer to the reformation and closer ties to the Lowlands and to the protestant electors is sought specially since the emperor is himself a protestant. The alliance with lowlands rebels is affirmed in secret.
 * The Netherlands are no longer rebels 
 * Ostland: Our forces fighting against the rebels, wanting to avenge their own, which are now dead, punish the rebels as hard as they can with the help of the Russian forces. Fights happen all around Poland, our coalition against Poland composed out of Brandenburg, Bohemia, Bavaria, Pomerania and Württemberg manage to achieve significant victories against Poland. King Walter I and his family and many of the remaining rulling class/nobles escape to west Prussia, to the city of Danzig, while some of the rulling class/nobles choose to remain in Estonia/Latvia to help the advancing Russian forces that are aiding us against the rebels. Most of the reformed Livonian Order (4/5 of them) are put in the fight against Poland while the rest are put to fight against the rebels, being mostly Germans they are more than happy to avenge their own people from the rebels massacres. We annex west Prussia and our parts of Posen and Silesia, as agreed with Poland and establish control and administration over there. Around 25,000 troops are recruited from west Prussia as well as our parts of Silesia and Posen and are trained. Since Russia is helping us against the rebels, we keep most of our armies in west Prussia, parts of Posen and Silesia to repel the Polish invaders. Emergency measures are taken, a curfew is established in the cities hitted by the plague outbreak, while all cities and areas hitted by the plague outbreak are put into quarantine. In the capital and other cities that have poor sanitation, we try to improve sanitation, while its people after told by the authorities, that poor sanitation is the cause of the plague outbreak, those which are able to work, are put at forced work to improve their city's sanitation, everyone else, may work voluntarily to help us fight off the plague. We also make quarantined areas where the victims of the plague outbreak, are transported, separating dead victims of the plague outbreak, from alive people which were infected, in different areas, still believing they can somehow be saved. Latvians,Lithuanians and Estonians are left to their fates, while we try to make the situation worst by secretly poisoning their wells with dead rats and infected people. German, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse not infected population are moved voluntarily in rural areas to escape the plague, while we told them that this is the only way to avoid the plague. Our top researchers start to work on way to cure the plague and if not, at least limit it, or find a way to ease those poor peoples pain, with some of them resorting to researching herbs, that could possibly cure or limit the plague. The reformed Livonian order, fighted fiercely against Poland-Lithuania during the war, thus receives many honorary awards from King Walter I. We stop assimilating Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians, unbanning their languages. Riga and Tallinn continue to flourish due to the inscrease in trade with the rest of the world, with our trade fleets bringing many wealth and with many people migrating (part of the Ostsiedlung) to our lovely capital and Tallinn. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 50,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive, while we also try to assimilate the locals, too (Livonians, Estonians). Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We expand ties with the Teutonic knights/order, though we are kind of annoyed they didn't joined our alliance, we also try to influence/vassalize them.
 * Angu: The tribes continue trade with the Portuguese while Namton A'fao starts learning their script and language, as well as a few other selected Angu.
 * Zia: The Zia also benefit from the trade to some extent and become more connected to the Angu tribe.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south of our nation. As our nation is growing so rapidly we try to keep the countries under control by mass deportations of their male population and selling them to the European powers who can then transfer them to Africa. Meanwhile, as we come back with a better understanding of North Africa and Europe having sent explorers north, we see the strife and turmoil raging and understand why we must grow to ensure they never control us. At Gao the construction of the new city continues as much of the work is done and now the new city actually will become the heart of the empire with large numbers of newly trained craftsmen being trained and working in the industrial quarter to mass produce quality weapons for expansion. While in the rural bulk of the empire, we continue our expansion of the irrigation system and start to work creating a road made from pebbles and mortar which goes through the heart of the empire to allow better internal trade.
 * Tibet continues its assimilation and economic development, while working to expand infrastructure. The Dalai Lama sends out monastic delegations by ship, while successfully reestablishing his authority over monasteries in Southeast Asia.
 * Owari (And the Japanese United Front): We continue to fight the Chinese invaders, and try to fend off the Chinese. We do, however, try to slowly unite the members of the United Front in language, culture, religion, morals, etc, though we still treat it as a mere alliance and do not intend to unite the states after the war. We ask other Japanese states to join the United Front. We continue to influence Ise (Turn Six of Seven), and try to increase production of weapons, armor and food for soldiers.
 * Benin: Benin continues to develop its status as a modernizing country, expanding the roads and agricultural regions of the empire, developing the economy into other trades away from slavery, and expanding its small trade fleet. The Portuguese, Venetians, and Genoese continue to educate the Edo on matters of trade and finance, as well as seafaring. The Genoese living in Benin in particular continue to educate large numbers of Edo in advanced skills, such as glass-making, ironworking, masonry, and weaponsmithing. Benin expands by 200px along the coastline to the south, continuing with its regular habit of enslaving all those who refuse to convert to Christianity, and all adult men and young boys and girls for sell in Eko. To facilitate the sell of slaves in the region without having to worry of the issue of transporting them all back to Eko, a "factory" is set up in the region at Njo (modern-day Douala), where the sale of slaves shall begin, establishing a second port for the Edo slave trade. Oba Xadraque establishes a new force for the military of Benin known as the Olukore, which shall be devoted solely to the expansion of the realm of Benin and the enslavement of natives in the usual fashion. The construction of Mahin continues as planned, with the street grid for the city laided out by the laborers, and the buildings themselves now under construction. The walls are considered a priority of the Oba's bureaucrats in Mahin, though given the lack of threats in the region, the construction of the city walls are delayed until the first of the homes and businesses are built for the city.
 * Genoa: With war ravaging Europe and Savoy falling to France, we turn our attention to Northern Africa in an e and we declare war on Wattassid Morocco and invade it with our massive navy and 50,000 troops in order to secure ourselves as a great nation and in the case we are invaded in Europe. Our navy invades the port of Tangier. Meanwhile, we continue to trade with Europe, which is being ravaged by war and we sell excess military supplies.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Developments are continued as usual with trade being expanded with various countries.The duchy also sends troops to help Wüttermberg in its war with Poland-Lithuania. The duchy also begins to start printing more books and considers a more publicly avalaible education. In the duchy among nobility the book Divine Comedy gains popularity. The duchy also sends diplomats to various evangelical countries such as Saxony, Bavaria, Wüttermberg, and Netherlands to find a wife for the young duke. The duchy also tries to begin to influence Pfalz (Mod Response).
 * England: King Henry continues to fight the war in France. In England, the evangelical movement continues to grow. The influencing of Ulster continues. Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Henry Stafford distinguish themselves as commanders in Spain. The crown continues to encourage trade with merchants from the continent to boost the English economy. The English army continues to buy and build modern weaponry.

1528
'''FRENCH AND ANGLO FORCES SMASH THROUGH SPANISH LINES, CAPTURING VALLADOLID AND FORCING CHARLES I TO CAPITULATE. SPANISH FORCES IN SARDINIA, GIBRALTAR, AND ALL OTHER TERRITORIES ALL SURRENDER UPON HEARING THE NEWS. THE OTTOMANS CONTINUE TO BE VICTORIOUS IN ALL THEIR EFFORTS.'''

'''In the New World, native tribes seize the opportunity of Spain’s distraction from their colonies due to the ongoing war. In Florida, the Tequesta and Calusa tribes form a coalition against the invaders and launch a concerted assault against the new colony, destroying it with huge slaughter. In the former Aztec Empire, the conquistadors seize on the lack of Spanish rule to abandon most of their remaining pretensions of loyalty to the King, halting the sending of taxes and basically ruling the fiefdoms they have carved out as they please. They unite to defeat the loyalist governor and hang him in the plaza of Mexico City.'''

'''With Ostland's active efforts to spread plague, the newly named Livonian Plague suddenly explodes into virulent success, devastating Lithuania as it sweeps south. Almost half of the Polish, Ostlander, and German armies fighting in Posen die; Danzig's streets are filled with the dead, and commerce in the East Baltic comes to a total halt. Outbreaks appear in Hamburg and Copenhagen, carried by ship; the plague also appears in Wallachia, where the ruler dies, and in Minsk and Zhytomyr, where Russian soldiers returning from Ostland carry it. Ostland and Poland begin to have difficulty mustering new armies or feeding those they have under arms.'''

'''Partly as a consequence of the plague, Evangelicalism (and new, darker offshoots of religious rebellion) spreads into Eastern Europe. Marginalized Livonian peasants in Ostland widely adopt the new religion as a way of separating themselves from their Baltic German rulers, and it sees some success among Lithuanian and Ruthenian peasants in Russia and Poland also. Strange rumours begin to spread in the streets of Minsk and Vilnya about a new cult dedicated to the worship of the old Slavic death god Chernobog, who believe the plague is his work and they must placate him with blood sacrifice. No one is certain of its truth, but several are lynched on suspicion of such devilry.'''
 * Württemberg: We are shocked as a significant number of our 2,000-strong expeditionary force to Ostland die due to the plague. The remainder of the force, however, continues to fight against Poland-Lithuania in an attempt to gain some coastal lands. Meanwhile, reinforcements are sent to replace those who were killed; the bulk of our army, however, remains in Württemberg as we do not want to waste our entire military on one conflict. Further expansion of the army continues, as does the development of the Rheinstreitkräfte. Another two ships are now available for service. Meanwhile, as Christoph approaches the age of majority, Elector Ulrich begins searching for a girl for his son to marry. We propose marrying Christoph to Anna Maria of Brandenburg. We attempt to begin influencing the nearby County of Tyrol by opening trade negotiations. (MOD RESPONSE)
 * Bavarian Dip: In regard to your previous offer to purchase cannons, we will agree to sell them to you, but would prefer if instead we could waive the fee if you agree to help us design our own river flotilla.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We graciously accept, and some of our engineers go over to Ingolstadt to begin construction of Bavaria's first ships on the Danube river.
 * Tyrol (MOD) is responsive to the trade negotiations with its larger neighbor. It is open to being influenced, but please do a vassalization algo if that is your endgame.
 * Great Turkmen Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia. In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldive all trade is suspended from the Maldives.  Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia, 30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child. The current standing army is 150,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. Kochkunju and his wife have a child. Kochkun likes the idea of firearms and begins to buy them for himself and his armies but in small amounts due to the cost. We annex Khiva. A counsel is made taking two Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Jews from every region (Khiva, Persia, and Bukhara) they must be voted in by the people, and from their they work on fixing problems but our leader has the final word.Sunni Islam is now the official religion
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. En masse Shia Muslims begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslims. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 200 ships.


 * Empire of the Great Ming: We continue our invasion of the Japanese archipelago. The Emperor issues an ultimatum to the Japanese, which states that any Japanese domain or country willing to collaborate with the Chinese government will be allowed to keep their sovereignity and their leaders and that the Chinese won't interfere with them. Navy construction continues with 100 more ships under consruction to join our large fleet. We consolidate our forces and collaborators on the Ryukyuan Islands and enlist them to fight in the island of Honshu and/or as civil defense of the Ryukyuan islands. Trade continues with our tributaries, the Ottomans and the Portuguese. We send around 5,000 kg of cannons and muskets to the Khmer Empire and send in several training officers to help raise the Khmer Army. We would be willing to trade 20,000 muskets and 50,000 kg of fireworks and gunpowder to the Great Turkmen Empire in exchange for raw materials and spices. 
 * Great Turkmen Empire dip: We accept the trade and begin to send traders to China.
 * Tibet, as a loyal tributary state aiding China in its wars in Japan, asks for military assistance such as that offered to the Khmer.
 * Ming: The Emperor agrees to send 100,000 muskets and 500,000 kg of gunpowder to Tibet.
 * Owari: We ask for you to sign the Treaty of Kiyosu.
 * Joseon: Do not listen to the inferior Japanese. Victory is inevitable. The Owari will simply unite Japan against you if you leave them alone.
 * Spain: Our few ports in Bissagos, Morocco and Namibia areas continue expand inwards about 75px. Trading with the native Africans continues to go well. Back in Florida, the natives drive back some of our colonists, but More ships from Hispaniola and Cuba land in our colony of Florida to up the population. On these ships, most of them are troops ready to fight the natives in Florida. Ships full of troops are sent to our colony of New Spain to get the people to listen to our rule, since the last governor died due to a revolution of the colonists. The war against France and England is still going on. More troops are sent to France. In France our troops are told to destroy everything in sight. This time we do not sent any ships to England, to save on what troops we have left in the nation. Troops that do not go with the invasion forces to France are put on defending the capital city from being destroy. The King is pleased on how the troops are working harder to try and win this war. Each city within the nation is put on high alert. All money that is going throw the nation is being spent on the military of the nation. More ships are being built for our military. In the New World trading goes good with all of the natives.
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Kingdom of Naples: To the north we still close our borders to everyone. Outposts are continuing to be built to the north, so that troops with firearms can attack invaders to the land from a distance. Farming continues to go well in the nation. More ships are being built for trade purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sicily: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * Kingdom of Sardinia: Farming is doing fine within the nation. More ships are being built for trading purposes.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south. Ships from the mother land land and demand the colonists to listen to our rule. The troops threaten the colonists to listen or else a war will brake out.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Florida: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north. More ships full of troops get to the colony and start to fight the Natives for our land back.
 * Scar the war is over. It says so in the mod events you were forced to capitulate.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist, neutral foreign policy and ends its status as a Chinese tributary state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues, with 80 already made. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; a half dozen of blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each, melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable if producing a half-dozen tons of steel within a week. The steel is used to create efficient tools and components to common items. Large-scale mining operations continue in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. More canals are constructed to link Incheon and Ulsan to major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Slash-and-burn agriculture continues to be prevalent as the need for arable land grows. The production of paper bills is restricted to prevent hyperinflation. External trade begins to increase, however, heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. In an effort to pool knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content isn’t threatening the regime. Korea expands 50 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River. Korea sends 8,000 troops and 15 ships to help the Chinese invasion of Japan.
 * Ottoman Empire:  Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Lutheranism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.  The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the proselytizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital.  Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring  Patriarch Theophrastus I  as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancient Pentapolis. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandria are reconstructed. Suleiman's second son is born last year, and is named Mahmood.


 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Colony of Adal: Being the Ottomans' first sub-saharan colony, the Sultan subjugates the Somali people there and topples the original rulers of Adal. The ports at the strait of Djibouti are built up, to control trade in the Red Sea. With control over the strait of Djibouti, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Wilayet of the Dolat Al-Bahar: Renamed from the Stado De Mar, the old Duchy of the Archipelago is incoporated into the Ottoman Empire.  After a crushing victory over the Venetians after the  Fourth Ottoman-Venetian War, Suleiman adds the title "Kaputan Al-Bahar Ubiut" (Captain of the White Sea) to his list of titles. Mehmed Bey is placed as Emir of Andros, and the Turkish settlers in the Aegean are elevated to take on public offices. The day of Oruc Reis' sinking of the Venetian ships are commemorated as a public holiday.
 * Principality of Wallachia: After the death of Radu V, the nation collapses into civil war. Suleiman sends in his own army to place Vasilov III on the throne, in exchange of giving the Ottomans more direction control over the nation. In order to curb the threat of the Livonian Plague, physicians are sent in to the nation to treat the sick, and Imams to bless the houses. The Caliph declares that God is cursing the house of Dracule, and forbids any Wallachian merchants or beggars from leaving the nation.
 * England: King Henry celebrates the victory over the Habsburgs. Meanwhile back in England, Buckingham moves to kill Cardinal Wolsey. Upon Wolsey's death, Sir Thomas More is named Lord Chancellor. The evangelical movement continues to grow despite the best efforts of the Crown. The Crown continues to exert influence over Ireland and promote trade with the continent, especially France, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
 * Tsardom of Russia: Realizing the effect the disease is having on many people in Ostland and Poland as well as some Russian troops, many troops are checked out as best they can by physicians and many of the men are unable to return to Russia proper, stuck on the Border. While many of the men cannot return home, the Army is however repurposed from its initial putting down of the rebellion in Ostland, and instead is tasked with containing the plague from moving further into Russia, Minsk or Zhytomyr. The Russian army particularly stands almost directly on the border and establishes a series of forts and patrol routes containing Ostland. any Russian soldiers that contract the plague are moved away from the others as a last resort and to give them the leeway to die in peace. Morale drops in the Ostland expeditionary army as nearly 8000 of the 50,000 man force have contracted the plague and nearly 6000 of those who contracted the plague have died. Tsar Vasili himself in co-ordination with his viceroys suspends any and all civilian travel to Ostland, Minsk, or Zhytomyr as he calls upon his viceroys to raise significant armies to prevent further spread of the Disease digging directly into the Tsars Coffers to pay for these armies. While many noblemen are skeptical after a high level Noble from Neva contracts the disease and dies, the nobility falls in line almost immediately contributing heavily realizing the threat of this plague. The Tsar while leaving the nearly 42,000 men on the border creates a secondary line of forts to be spaced evenly from Neva around Novgorod, down towards Minsk and into Zhytomyr and finally looping around to cut Moldavia off as well preventing any plague from migrating from Wallachia. The Tsar himself deploys nearly 100,000 troops and with noble help is able to raise them well and man the Russian parts of the wall and commands his viceroys to do the same, he also orders than should anyone try to break this blockade or the forts, that they are to be killed, and any other violators are to be killed on sight as well. While there is trouble in the West, the East once again sees a resurgence as Ekatinburg sees most of the immigration this year that was initiall going to flood into Minsk and Zhytomyr. Ektarinburg in general sees is population expand from 12,000 to 15,000 as the city itself sees a pretty solid natural growth on top of nearly 4000 people settling in smaller villages around Ektarinburg which begins to push the fur trapping industry and further south the Agriculture of the area. The Settlers however begin to run up on Kazakh which shows some serious problems for Russian Expansion in the Area. The Tsar continues to develop his new bereaucratic system heavily and establishes a mandated exam system to promote the bereuacracy.
 * Principality of Minsk: With the Tsar of Russia openly containing the expansion of the plague from Ostland, the Principality meets its first real task as a Russian state. nearly 50,000 troops are raised with a further 20,000 in reserve who help build, man, and maintain the forts the Tsar of Russia has ordered constructed. With a major issue of where to build them, the decision is made to build them miles from Minsk to give some sort of buffer but also not to place the forts directly into territory already affected by the plague. The Forts maintain the same system as the Russian system and with evenly spaced forts, and regular patrol routes under effect its beleived the plague will be unable to penetrate deep into Minsk. In the case of the plague breaking the blockade and infecting many, the Principality begins to stockpile foodstuffs in order to weather the plague just in case, and orders many cities to begin shoring up as well. The Principalities Viceroy openly praises the Tsar for his quick and decisive action. Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 20,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: The Principality of Zhytomyr follows the same example of Minsk and Russia fully developing the fort system and raising 50,000 of its own troops as well as 30,000 in reserve just in case to prevent plague outbreak. With Many of the forts being built and manned the same precautions for patrols are taken. Zhytomyr in particular begins to see major population growth of Russians as new villages spring up, and existing ones see Russian majority. Assimilation also continues as many of the illiterate begin pushing for their children to learn Russian, and many are able to adopt Russian themselves developing their native slavic tongue almost into a Russian Dialect rather than a separate language. The Principalities agricultural capacity does not take a hit as much of the farmland is located far away from the plague but foodstuffs are stockpiled nontheless to prepare for possible blockade breaches and a subsequent plague outbreak. The Russian population of Zhytomyr is estimated as nearly 50,000 and growing.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We ask Russia to give us supplies to feed our army to be able to continue the war, while we wish to grant them all their demands shall we win the war, as a token of our gratitude towards Russia.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: Noticing the plague in the Baltic region, Stadhouder Erasmes temporarily ends all trade with Ostland, Russia, Poland, Denmark and Hamburg, until they can contain the plague. Erasmus offers an alliance to France. Erasmus offers trade to all nations willing to trade. We have alliances with England and Brandenburg. Dutch ships move south, intending to go around Africa to get to Asia. They make tiny stops at coastal places to trade with natives or just to rest, but don't explore. A Dutch ship shipwrecks near the Cape, leaving the survivors stranded. To survive, the men build a small fort which they call "Fort Cape of Good Hope". They explore the coastal region and go slightly inland, but return to their fort. The stranded men are saved this year by our ships and taken back the Netherlands. When they arrive they start campaigning for the Republic to set up a trade colony on the Cape. Brussel is made the capital of the republic. The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. Ships sail for North America, to trade with the natives and to explore the coasts. A bay and a large river(OTL Hudson) are discovered, and Dutch men land on the coast. They build Fort Zeelandia, and they trade with the natives. In line with Humanism, Erasmus decides that all Dutchmen should speak the same language, and thus orders the formation of one universal Dutch language, in which the New Testament will also be translated, intending to educate the lowborn so they can fully use their potential as humans. The Republic does not affiliate itself with either Catholicism or Protestantism. Instead, Erasmus calls for an end of the splitting of the church. He shares his own beliefs with his followers, who decide to write them down. They present Erasmus's beliefs to the people of the Republic, intending to spread them throughout the Netherlands. We offer Sticht-Utrecht and Gelre to join the Republic. '''
 * Bengal: King Anu of Bengal assumes full control over the state with the overthrow of the previously oppressive Muslim government. He bears his second daughter this year, achieving a family of four. He focuses on administration with the conquest of Bengal as our imperial ambitions screech to a halt to control the new population and take care of previous conquered nations, hopefully reducing any any risk for revolt. Along with administration, we miss draining the royal treasury as our streak of war almost burned the war chests clear. We retain alliance with both Tibet and Kabulistan. While managing to keep a tenuous trade with Europe and the West through Portugal, first brought to existence by Vasco de Gama. We grow interest in trade as well, with plots concerning a Bengali enclave near Southern India to increase our trade power, and thus income from trade. In addition to this, such an enclave would boost technology to Bengal. The King continues construction on a center of learning in Bengal's capital, where all Brahmins are welcome to study. The lower castes are allowed inside at specific time slots however. Bengal, secondarily, maintains military, since decreasing Bengal's military power would leave the nation open to attack from all flanks. We begin the huge exploration expedition around the Eastern peninsula and further into the Red Sea, hoping to increase Bengal's knowledge of the world. We bring in modern guns and explosives from Europe as trade and as Indian fire arms begin to become outdated. Following the war in Delhi, we invade Orissa, as King Anu sees it is the time to strike. We request a call to arms by Kabulistan, Tibet, and any other allies. and at the least, supplies.
 * Mughal Diplomacy: The Mughal Empire sends two regiments of riflemen and two bronze cannons to assist in the war effort, reminding King Anu to consult and to consider signing the Treaty of the Two Tigers.
 * Bavaria: William IV is shocked by the loss of so many soldiers to plague. He declares the plague an act of God and believes that it is a sign that the war should be ended, and agrees to Brandenburg's proposal to make peace. He also believes that it signifies a need for change, so he announces the secularization of the duchy (though not its independence from the HRE) and his conversion to Evangelicalism. Louis X strongly opposes the move, but he is easily removed from power after the loss of most of his political allies. In a speech following his brother's fall, William IV says that "while it saddens me to say this, it also makes me proud. The duchy is no longer under the rule of a corrupt and excessive clergy, led by my brother and former co-duke, and now falls under the rule of God, who has chosen myself and my descendants to further His will through our experience and ability, and, it is hoped, the support of the Bavarian people." We begin influencing the Upper Palatinate (or whatever that state between Bavaria and Saxony is) through the proposal of an alliance and improvement of trade relations. We begin attempting to make up for losses through recruiting enough soldiers to reach the numbers of troops we had last year, though we begin focusing on arming greater numbers of troops with muskets. We also begin producing cannons to attempt to meet our obligations to Württemburg, starting with two this year.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We plea Bavaria not to give up on the war completely, just to withdraw for now and consolidate his losses, waiting for a time to strike, after the plague has been dealt with.
 * Ostland: We do everything in our power to stop the plague from spreading to areas that are populated by 20% or more Germans in our Kingdom, we quarantined/isolate areas those areas, we also make a curfew, making fortifications to block traffic and trading with the areas which are not quarantined/isolated. The guards make regular patrols, being assisted by physicians, which are tasked to keep non-German people and the infected people, infected Germans too, out of the quarantined areas. Our physicians check the people in the quarantined areas, with the infected ones being expelled from the quarantined areas. '''Riga, Reval (nowdays Tallinn) and Danzig and the rest of the German populated main cities are heavily quarantined. We feeling indifferent, to say at least, after those people commited genocide against us, the Livonian, Lithuanian and Estonian people, which justifies our actions against them. King Walter, doesn't wish for his whole army to die from the plague so he withdraws his army from Posen, leaving the infected ones behind, with a task, to make their fatherland proud, by spilling our enemies blood, while we promise them that we will take care of their families, shall they die honorably holding the Polish from taking their homeland and killing their families. Polish infected soldiers are also promised the same thing, while an awareness is given to what horrific things will the Polish forces do against their families, thinking them as traitors, shall they win. Rumors are spread terrifying the Polish infected soldier, which all of them are left behind to fight, from changing sides. Around 10,000 troops, which are not infected, return to Danzig, while King Walter I waits behind the safety of his walls for this plague to devestate more the Polish forces. He makes Danzig provisional capital of the country, in order to be able to focus on his campaign against the Polish and in order to not neglect his duties for the time being. A clique is established by some German nobles, namely Count Maximilian Wrangel and Duke Frederick Nikolayevich Ungern being the most influential amongst this new clinque, dedicated to the worship of the old Slavic death god Chernobog, who believe the plague is his work and aim to help the plague to exterminate the non-Germans inside Ostland, wanting to avenge their own (people-relatives) sons and daughters which died in vain from the rebels genocide, while also believing they are doing gods work. They become known as the People's Vengeance "Menschen Rache". They quickly gain many support and members and reform into a society. Rumors start to reach the ears of King Walter I, he find's himself disgusted at the mere thought of this idea, so they slander him, that he was unaffected by the plague and he doesn't care for his fellow compatriots and that he is has a Livonian mistrees, thus he is eager to betray his country. Queen Valentina I gives birth to a healthy boy named Dietrich. Klaus and his sister Isabel being already 8 years old are taught how to read and write in German and mathematics, while Klaus is also trained in fencing and is taught on how to rule and command, to take his father's place, being the heir, as King of Ostland, while Isabel is taught good manners and how to heal people, the Kings thinks this is more meaningful, than learning how to knit, due to the recent events. The reformed Livonian order, fighted fiercely against Poland-Lithuania during the previous war, thus receives many honorary awards from King Walter I. Livonian Order is reorganized as vassal of the Kingdom of Ostland, while some consider them a mercenary company now. Infrastructure is repaired and improved throughout the nation. The Ostland army is around 15,000 men strong and the navy about 40 ships. We continue researching new cannons, muskets and other modern weapons, while also trying to improve gunpowder. Martin Luther's Evangelical interpretations and rejection of Catholic excesses gains momentum amongst the people of Ostland, while many Livonian order knights and nobles start supporting Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses. However, due to our agreement with the most holy Pope Leo X we denounce Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses as heretical, while a law is made imprisoning anyone that possesses Martin Luther's heretical theses or preaches favoring them. However, that law is not applied on basis, being mostly used exemplary. Ostsiedlung/German eastward expansion continues, as we encourage Germans, Dutch, Flemish, Danes, Swedes, Norse to settle in our realm in order to promote the development of the less populated portions of their realm, so we provide them an incentive to immigrate giving them huge privilages. Due to the plague immigration to Ostland is none. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to enstrenghten our country, by enacting many measures to reduce the use of their mother tongue, while trying to not be too oppressive. Our merchant fleets trade with most of Europe. We focus on our military, thus administrative matters become secondary priority, while offensive''' becomes a priority.
 * Ostland Diplomacy: We expand ties with the Teutonic knights/order, though we are kind of annoyed they didn't joined our alliance, we also try to influence/vassalize them (turn 2 of x). We ask Russia to give us supplies to feed our army to be able to continue the war, while we wish to grant them all their demands shall we win the war, as a token of our gratitude towards Russia.
 * Poland-Lithuania sends messangers to Ostland, saying that it is time for peace to be made. The King says that negotations should begin in Brandenburg, to end this pointless war. To deal with the plague, massive quarentines are put in place.
 * Ostland declines Poland's stupid peace offer, which could never be accepted in the first place, cause of its conditions being ridiculous, a fool's joke meant to offend great King Walter I, while believing Poland obliteration is a matter of days, after the plague has been dealt with, by our glorious coalition.
 * Württemberg diplomacy: Ostland has our continued support. Our troops continue to bravely fight in Poland-Lithuania, and we are now making gains and occupy small patches of former Polish-Lithuanian territory. We immediately begin converting these regions to Evangelicalism and closing all Catholic and Orthodox churches that refuse to convert and imprison priests who insist on remaining Catholic or Orthodox. We will encourage German migration to these new lands when it is declared safe from the plague. We manage to occupy a seaport and the troops and workers already there begin the transformation of the existing Rheinstreitkräfte into a full-fledged navy.? (Mod checkup on plausibility please. I'm not sure how the war will play out as the algo for this war hasn't been done yet.)
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south of our nation. As our nation is growing so rapidly we try to keep the countries under control by mass deportations of their male population and selling them to the European powers who can then transfer them to Africa. Meanwhile as we come back with a better understanding of North Africa and Europe having sent explorers north, we see the strife and turmoil raging and understand why we must grow to ensure they never control us. At Gao the construction of the new city continues as much of the work is done and now the new city actually will become the heart of the empire with large numbers of newly trained craftsmen being trained and working in the industrial quarter to mass produce quality weapons for expansion. While in the rural bulk of the empire we continue our expansion of the irrigation system and start to work on creating a road made from pebbles and mortar which goes through the heart of the empire to allow better internal trade.
 * Maldives: The King sends messengers to Lakshawdeep (Portugal), Jaffna(Mod Response) and Vijayanagara to ask for some warships to be purchased. The fleet we sent out last year has spotted an island (OTL Coëtivy Island) which we name Misra Island after the royal family. The ships were equipped with materials to start a new settlement there as well. The King delcares there shall be a new school of Buddhism based on the Buddhism practiced in the Maldives called Maldivian Buddhism. We go into the island 50px. We ask Delhi for a Non-Aggression pact.
 * Port of Burecca: The Prince extends the law about all genders are allowed to attend schools. The Prince creates a military school attached to his royal residence for all nobility to attend.
 * Jaffna (MOD) is willing to sell some small warships to the Maldives.
 * Bohemia: After a victory against Poland-Lithuania, Bohemia now fears that the nation has a plague and also as army, which King of Bohemia will claim the title being as Duke of Prussia along with currently held titles. During that, we continue to recruit more troops and build more buildings in the capital city of Prague.
 * Austria: Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria begins to have an interest in the election for Holy Roman Emperor, as such he begins bribing the Electoral College offering a an a amount as large as 120,000 Marks in turn for a vote. To get this money however he begins taking loans from Local Nobility who begin charging heavy interest. The economic situation falls and serfs starve to death. A rebellion called "Die Große Upheval" starts and upheaval starts across the Arduchy. Battles between the Law-enforcers and Rebels happen across the Arduchy especially in areas and towns near Vienna and Gratz. To avoid the rebels Ferdinand moves to Linz and starts to reform the Royal Court. Vinelands are built across the Danube and Austrian Wine is sold and traded to states such as Milan and various others. A various type of Wine produced from bitter grapes is mass-produced for the nobility. A census shows the population is about 2 million but over 1.6 million are Serfs. Trade continues with the Duchy of Milan. Ferdinand, Archums of Austria despite causing controversy with the local nobility he begins improving relations with the German Princes and improves relations with Spain. Elisabeth Von Hapsburg has her 2nd birthday. While the rebellion goes on she and her mother seek refuge in Milan. She is raised by her German tutors and nurses who teach her to be a fine elegant lady meanwhile a marriage is proposed between Elisabeth and Sigsmund of Poland. However by the time the Queen and Elisabeth have left Linz, the princess begins to have an ecliperic seizure almost killing her as the girl seemed as if she was going to roll out of the carriage. The carriage is stopped near an inn where the queen stays in disguise as a nurse by wearing her servants clothing. While Elisabeth recovered many men tried to flirt with her majesty until she managed to escape them by tending to Elisabeth. The artists revolutionizing Vienna flee due to the rebellion to Venice in fear of the constant upheaval. 
 * Angu: The tribes continue trade with the Portuguese while Namton A'fao starts learning their script and language, as well as a few other selected Angu. The development of the angan script continues.
 * Zia: The Zia also benefit from the trade to some extent and become more connected to the Angu tribe.
 * Republic of Florence:In 1528, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. Although Lorenzo's uncle, Giovanni (Pope Leo X) died, the family remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church with two archbishops that are also cardinals. The nation focuses primarily on diplomatic matters, with administrative matters following closely behind. The republic focuses on creating a huge navy to rival other republics in the region and mimic their European trade empires. The republic continues to pass many laws and policies denouncing and attempting to disprove the ninety-five theses. Luther and Ulrich Zwingli remain denounced and banned from entering the nation. The two strict catholic laws continue to be enforced throughout the republic. The exclusive lumber trade between Switzerland and Florence continues with Florins investing large amounts of money to build a navy. Lorenzo's children continue to grow up healthy: Giovanni reaches nine, Contessina turns eight, Giorgio turns six, and Leonora turns four. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about one thousand five hundred ships. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Savoy, Venice, and the Papacy. Little unrest occurs on the Corsica, as the inhabitants don't really experience any change, and feel relatively similar to their new overlords due to the relation between Tuscan and Corsican languages. We slowly try to assimilate both cultures together though. The islands of Corsica and Elba continue to be heavily developed. The Renaissance continues and spreads to cities in Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be comissioned by the Medicis to make various great works throughout the Republic. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they begin to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean.
 * Benin: The construction of the city of Mahin continues as planned, with more than 5,000 residents living in the city's new residential centers. The port for Mahin is under construction with the development of the nearby slave "factory" in Ejo necessitating its growth to help facilitate the slave trade out of the city. Benin expands its borders by 200px, moving along the coastline south of the Bright of Benin. The new slaves are instead sent to Ejo rather than Eko, where shipbuilding and trade with Europe have overtaking the slave trade there. A major road is built from the capital of Edo to the town of Ejo, where development of the new southern territories will be directed from. The metropolitan regiment in Ejo is too be equipped with gunpowder weapons and cannon to protect its lands, given the importance of that town. Trade with Europe continues as planned, with the construction of a merchant fleet continuing as planned. The "Europeanization" of Benin continues, with many Edo reading newspapers more oftenly, wearing European clothing, and using the Edo script to write books and documents, expanding the culture of Benin to heights never before witnessed. Thanks to this, the Oba has been able to unify Edo culture in such as way as to make conflicts within the empire's different Edo tribes non-existent. Once petty differences between villages have been resolved by the universal access to knowledge, bringing villages closer together as they are able to learn of one another through their written works and their relative positions on the maps. Many chieftains now see each other as brothers once they gaze upon a map of Benin, and see just how insignificant they are compared to both the Oba and his nobles, and the rest of the known world. This helps facilitate comraderie between the chieftains, and focus their energies into more productive works.
 * Mughal Empire: The Mughal Empire dawns into its first age of Imperialism as the new divisions of the realm are put into place. The Religious Council alongside the Kurultai keep a vested interest in their own affairs, in turn maintaining the stability of the Empire. The lush farmlands and sweeping mountains provide the Empire with the resources needed to thrive and grow. Babur sends his son Hindal Mirza with 30,000 men and artillery to Gujurat, the great port that shall be the maritime capital of the Empire. Without warning the army marches in from Sindh, clashing with the Gujurati and aiming to take the province by the following year. Administratively the Empire progresses smoothly establishing the legendary psotal service associated with Genghis Khan, allowing all people to communicate with distant family. As with the Mongols, Babur uprooted many prominent scholars, politicians and tacticians and spread them across the Empire, inspiring innovation as they shared their ideas. Local Hindu uprisings took place during the year after two people of different castes attempted to convert to Islam and marry. Babur's Hindu councillor, Jubir Dubari demanded that the Islamists stay out of Hindu affairs. Babur flew into a rage throwing all of the council out, many feared the warlord's patience had reached its end. The couple were brought to Babur and married by his imam, the Jubir Dubari was thrown from office, yet another Hindu yogi was eager to take the reins.
 * Owari (And the Japanese United Front): We continue to fight the Chinese invaders, and try to fend off the Chinese and Koreans. We do, however, try to slowly unite the members of the United Front in language, culture, religion, morals, etc, though we still treat it as a mere alliance and do not intend to unite the states after the war. We ask other Japanese states to join the United Front. We continue to influence Ise (Turn Seven of Seven), and try to increase production of weapons, armor and food for soldiers. We ask Ming China to sign the Treaty of Kiyosu, and we warn them that Korea is growing too strong.
 * Genoa: The war against Morocco from last year continues in an effort to secure Northern Africa. Having captured Tangiers we go down the coast to Casablanca and our army invades Fes. Trading continues.
 * Oman continues expansion, growing 30 px north and south.  Military expansion continues, and the navy now sits at about 70 ships in total. The Sultan comes down with an unfortunate illness and dies, but is smoothly replaced by his chosen son, Ahmed.. Civic devlopment continues. Because of succesful integration of Balochs into the country an increasing amount of them rise to prominance in the government, however for them to gain signifcant titles it is required that they convert to Ibadiism.
 * Socotra continues devlopment as it becomes and increasingly popular port. Many Muslims try to build mosques and preach to convert the mainly-Nestorian population, but this is prevented, as the Sultan does not wish to anger the locals.
 * The Horn Colony continues to expand by 9 px. Due to the increasing size of the colony it is no longer restricted to prisoners, and merchants are encouraged to set up residence here because of the cheap land and its strategic importance. Many natives continue to be slain and their women taken, however a policy is instituted that if they become Ibadi they may be integrated into the colony.
 * Mogadishu is taken in the war near the beginning of the year. Much of the city is destroyed, as the Omani generals allowed their troops to plunder the city. Much of the original population died during the seige due to either starvation, disease, or barrages, and the plundering of the city reduces it further, with much of the population dead and most of the survivors carted off as slaves, however much of the merchant class is left alone because of their importance to the city, assuming that they convert to Ibadism. Much spending is used to rebuild infrastructure, the port, and sanitation, and its expected to take another year or so for the city to be properly repaired, but it does manage to expand by 1px.. In the mean time many Balochs move to the city, as the Arab population is somewhat stretched, and female Indian slaves are brought in, both of these factors help replace some of the population. Ibadi madrassas are built in Arab, Persian and Swahili, though due to the demographics Persian and Swahili are the predominant languages used in the city.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): Continues to recover from the war. The army and navy are expanded and trained. We cut off all Baltic trade until this plague is dealt with. Copenhagen is quarantined with the sick and anyone showing symptoms separated from the rest of the population. The king and his court are moved to the countryside in order to protect them from the disease. The city of Copenhagen begins to expand and the king starts to build a larger more luxurious palace to impress the nobility. The king commissions scholars to translate the Bible into Danish. The ideas of Martin Luther begin to reach the nobles and are accepted with great popularity. The king begins to fund scientists and explorers. These explorers are sent east to expand the kingdom's knowledge of the continent there. We call for an end to the war between Poland and Ostland as it is starting to affect our trade.
 * Sweden: Begins to recover from the war. Sweden closes all it's ports to prevent further spread of the disease. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px in Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism.
 * Norway: The country begins to develop its cities. The fishing Industry is expanded. the country is also developed militarily. Many of the nobles begin to intermarry with the Danish nobility. The country celebrates the translation of the New Testament to Norwegian.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administrate both colonies. Settlers are encourage to come to the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.


 * Duchy of Lorraine: The duchy continues attempting to find a marriage for the young Duke René III who just turned 11. The duchy continues sending diplomats to evangelical countries to find a wife for the young duke. The army of lorraine is continued to by expanded attempting to gain more power. The country sends in diplomats and starts trade with Pfalz to influence them Mod response. The country's trade continues to be expanded also the duchy officialy becomes secular
 * The Palatinate (MOD), as an Elector in the Holy Roman Empire, is resistant to any attmpts to influence by trade, but is willing to treat Lorraine like any other imperial trade partner.
 * Venice: The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The arms factory continues to expand with improvement of loading rifles at the forefront of the engineers mind. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea market, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. The Venetian Atlantic trading companies requests a yearly trade pack for ten years is setup with Benin were 500 slaves, Ivory, and gold, are exchanged for European goods and guns. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. With the war against Spain complete, Sardinia is annexed into el Stato de Mar. The Neapolitan city of Almafi and surrounding territories is annexed as well. Caused by that the Doge now receives the title of Duke of Alamafi.
 * El Stato de Mar: Venetian investment grows in el Stato de mar. Certain parts of it become production centers, to create goods for the Venetian trading industry.
 * Benin Diplomacy: Benin accepts the terms as offered by the Venetian traders. We ask that Venice provide more galleons to Benin as well as part of the trading arrangement.
 * In the Electorate of Saxony, John continues to rely upon Martin Luther in establishing the Holy and Evangelical Church of Germany, a semi-hierarchical ecclesiastical structure for all Evangelical followers and nations. The new structure relies upon congregation-called priests at the local levels who then elect church leaders in the Great Synod, a meeting to take place in Wittenberg every ten years to discuss policies of the Evangelical Church. John is also elected Holy Roman Emperor, and has Martin Luther crown him in the Wittenberg Church, breaking centuries of obedience to the Papacy. The Erfurt docks is completed, ending a great period of river development in Saxony. John Frederick, heir to the Electorate, consolidates his and the Evangelical power in Hesse and is the undisputed ruler by the end of the year.  Vassalization efforts in Nürnberg continue as we benefit from our vassal in Brunswick-Göttingen.
 * Brandenburg: Brandenburgish troops continue to expand their war effort. But once more request that all sides come to the negotiation table to determine the future of the areas in dispute. The Aristocracy starts to gain importance as many of the officers are drawn from their ranks. the courts of The country become a place of learning as engineers, artists and philosophers meet and discuss matters mainly on society and science. Ties with the Teutons and Bohemia are also expanded. Protestants in Berlin and the Magrave start to gain influence as the Elector himself is a sympathizer to the reformation and closer ties to the Lowlands and to the protestant electors is sought specially since the emperor is himself a protestant. Berlin calls on Bohemia to not take a seat that doesn't belong to them. that land still belongs to Ostland and treaties of alliance do not allow Brandenburg to permit Prague to seize land unlawfully.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We propose marrying our Electoral Prince Christoph to Brandenburg's Princess Anna Maria.

1529
''' In Austrian Burgundy, the religious teachings of Swiss Evangelicals has led to a massive rebellion. A local noble, Henry von Sundgau, declares independence and begs the Holy Roman Emperor for protection. '''

''' Martin Luther, founder of the Evangelical movemement and the Holy and Evangelical Church of Germany, publishes the Small and Large Catechisms to organize the theological doctrines of the movement. '''

''' Emperor John of the Holy Roman Empire summons all Evangelical rulers to Erfurt to discuss the creation of a defensive pact, the League of Erfurt. '''

'''Seriously? Last turn you make an event about a disastrous plague and now you ignore it? I take it that means it hasn't changed?'''
 * Spain: Our few ports in Bissagos, Morocco and Namibia areas continue expand inwards about 75px. Trading with the native Africans continues to go well. After losing the war against France and England our troops go back home disappointed. We lose our Italian lands and Aragon territory. The King is really angry having to give up land to his rivals. Due to the King being really mad he goes into town and puts down his troops in front of the capital city. An ambassador is sent to France, so we can have an alliance with them and fix our relationship with them. We try and fix the economy of the nation. Our colonies work double time so we can replace all the money that is lost, because of the war. Infrastructure of the nation is being fixed, because of the war destroying mostly everything. The military starts to rebuild its troop count back to what it was before the war started. More jobs are offered in the military since we lost so much troops and so many open positions are available to the public. Money tries to flow again within the nation like it did before the war happened. In the nation, now we try and focus on Art and writing. While more academic areas like science and math get over shadowed.
 * Pretty sure all the involved parties need to make the treaty so we know whats going on in Spain -Feud
 * Hispaniola: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Cuba: On the island, we continue to explore the inland forests. Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Bahamas: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Jamaica: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Puerto Rico: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north and south.
 * Bermuda: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Canary Islands: Along the coast of the island port cities are still developing. More ships are being built, so that we can send all the resources found on the island can be used by people in our home nation. Our troops try to work with the natives by trading with them to show that they are not taking advantage of the natives helping the colonists. Farms are beginning to get bigger with each year of planting. Monasteries are continuing to be built to convert the natives of the land to Christianity.
 * Florida: Exploration of the newly lands are still continuing. Small port villages are being made for trade purposes. We allow the natives to stay on our land but, they would have to help us build up the land and assimilate with us colonists. Churches pop up in many areas so we can convert the natives. We expand our colony both 100 px north.


 * Great Uzbek Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the state, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. We begin to work on urbanizing Bukhara by have spending artists and other important people to the city. Bukhara begins to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming. We also begin to do this in Persia. In light of the Muslim persecution in the Maldive all trade is suspended from the Maldives.  Men between 18-37 are forced into the army and are trained for war. With us in the middle of Chinese Ottoman trade we begin to trade with traders from both countries due to this (the city) Bukhara is becoming a rest stop for traders in Central Asia. We begin to make roads to help traders and people get across the Empire. A standing army of 60,000 is made and 30,000 are sent to the Khanate of Persia, 30,000 are sent to Khiva. Kochkunju Muhammad bin Abul-Khayr Khan marries a Chinese trader after buying from her father caravan and has a child. The current standing army is 150,000. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. Kochkunju and his wife have a child. Kochkun likes the idea of firearms and begins to buy them for himself and his armies but in small amounts due to the cost. We annex Khiva. A counsel is made taking two Shia Muslims, Sunni Muslims, Christians, and Jews from every region (Khiva, Persia, and Bukhara) they must be voted in by the people, and from their they work on fixing problems but our leader has the final word.Sunni Islam is now the official religion. Traders are sent to China and some military units are equipped with guns. Missiles are made with the new fireworks and gunpowder. In Khiva We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 300 ships.
 * Khanate of Persia: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. En masse Shia Muslims begin to be deported to Persia and are replaced by Sunni Muslims. We begin to work on urbanizing by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to Major cities across the land. Nishabur is the capital of the Khanate. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day.
 * Khanate of Khiva: We begin to fertilize our land and begin farming across the Khanate and are sold in markets or sent to the state. We begin to build roads to help people get across the Khanate. Khiva is kept as the capital. We begin to work to urbanize by making roads and major cities across the state and sending people to major cities across the land. 30,000 troops are housed across the Khanate. We begin to work on a navy where criminals are put to work on the boat. Madrasas are built across the state along with more mosques and kids are sent there to learn on Saturdays and Sundays (5-17), while they go to military training (13-17) from Monday to Thursday as Friday is a free day. We build boats and now have a navy of 300 ships.
 * If you annexed Khiva they arent to be posted as a Vassal, please make up your mind. -Feud
 * Ottoman Empire:  Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. The city of Rhodes is incorporated into the Empire, forcing all the foreign military to leave but appropriating all the ships. A millet is set up there for the Catholic population, as Lutheranism is outlawed. Mercantile trade and caravan travelers transverse across the empire, as well as exporting and importing many commodities to many distant lands. Trade networks across the Sahara is set up with Songhai, Ethiopia and Bornu. Up across the Caucasus mountains, overland trade pours in from the Turko-Mongol Khanates as far as Bukhara. With this new trade from China, the Silk Road once again emerges as silk and ivory start begin pouring in to the empire through the northern Khanates, including new forms of firearms. The navy is greatly strengthened, building on the impressive navy of Bayezid II years earlier. Trade continues in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. Admirals Aydin Reis and Iskandar Asha command the two main navies operating in eastern Mediterranean near Syria. The navies of Oruc Reis and Hayreddin Barbarossa are stationed further west, protecting the Ottoman possessions in Algeria and Tunisia. Two additional fleets remain in ports in the Aegean Sea. Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, who reappoints the Council of the Ulema to guide him. The forts and fortifications in eastern Europe are continuously improved to deter invasion from Hungary. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature.  The General Mahmood Riza sends a military expedition of 1500 men into Georgia, declaring that he would support Bodgan III as ruler of the Georgians if he permits the proselytizing of Islam in the region, and establish a Mosque in the capital.  Seeing the success of the liberal millet system in Cyprus and Crete, much more independence and prestige is given to the Orthodox communities of Eastern Europe, declaring  Patriarch Theophrastus I  as "Guardian of the People". The Turkish settlers in Eastern Europe are required to learn Greek. Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and reestablishing the ancient Pentapolis. Continuing to establish control over the Red Sea, Egypt begins reconstructing the massive Fatha al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs). This project is expected to take ten years to complete. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandria are reconstructed. Suleiman's third son is born this year, the son of the Songhai Princess, and is named Ibrahim.   80,000 troops cross over the Ottoman border with Hungary, led by Pargali Ibrahim Pasha. 40,000 are sent to besiege the city of Belgrade, accompanied by 12 ships sailing up the Danube River. the remaing 40,000 march on the city of Mohacs. The Ottoman-Hungarian War has finally resumed. The Sultan requests that all of their Romanian vassals (particularly Moldavia) particpates in the war.


 * Khanate of Crimea: Ruled by Mehmed Giray, the Khanate continues to increase its overland trade. Fortifications are built up to protect them from Muscovy. The port of Sevastapol is built up to create an independent navy. Many of the Mongol princes from the Kazan Khanate come to live in Crimea to follow their natural leader. The military is greatly strengthened to protect against attack from Russia.
 * Colony of Adal: Being the Ottomans' first sub-saharan colony, the Sultan subjugates the Somali people there and topples the original rulers of Adal. The ports at the strait of Djibouti are built up, to control trade in the Red Sea. With control over the strait of Djibouti, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Principality of Wallachia: Vasilov III continues to rule as king, stablizing the nation after the Livonian plague came through last year. The economy and infrastructure continues to improve, with a standing army of 22,000. 12,000 troops are sent to aid the Ottomans in Hungary.
 * Ottoman Diplomacy: An emmisary from the Ottoman Sultan asks for an alliance from the court of Henry VIII, looking for an ally in western Europe. A gift of many silks and spices from China, as well as Turkish rugs and coffee beans are shown to the English.
 * Württemberg: We begin organising our new territories in the Baltics, which includes the port city of Memel. The Rheinstreitkräfte is reorganised and made into a division of the newly formed Kronenmarine (Crown Navy). The shipbuilders already in Memel begin construction of the first seaworthy ships in the service of Württemberg. We begin an intense effort to contain the plague and prevent it from spreading through our newly conquered territories. Areas with severe contamination are sealed off from the rest of the territories, and physicians are sent to help treat the sick. The new territories are named the Province of Memel (Memelland). Meanwhile, we continue fighting the Polish-Lithuanians and expanding Memelland. Princess Anna is declared of age at 15 years and is married to Bavarian prince Georg von Hegnenburg, with great ceremony. Furthermore, we offer our protection to Austrian Burgundy. (MOD RESPONSE PLEASE)
 * Owari (And the Japanese United Front): We thank China for signing the Treaty of Kiyosu, and claim victory against china so that we can further try to consolidate power in Japan. We do, however, continue to try to slowly unite the members of the United Front in language, culture, religion, morals, etc, though we still treat it as a mere alliance and do not intend to unite the states after the war. We ask other Japanese states to join the United Front. We begin to influence Miwaki (Turn One of Seven), and try to increase production of weapons, armor and food for soldiers. We issue an ultimatum to Korea, to withdraw forces by the end of this year or face a war which they will not win and will only further help us unite Japan.
 * Korean Dip: Korea has no interest in the worthless, resource-poor Japanese archipelago and will withdraw its troops, but future Japanese aggression and attempted Japanese unification will not be tolerated and will be met with force.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist foreign policy and declares its status as a regional power, not simply a Chinese satellite state. The government continues to promote obedience to the state through Neo-Confucianism, which is the state’s official ideology. Korean Buddhism is heavily discouraged and its supporters are occasionally persecuted. In addition to this, the government continues to promote academic achievement, innovation, artistry and Korean nationalism and patriotism to bind the nation together. To guard Korean interests in Japan and Manchuria, the planned construction of 20 ships annually continues, with 100 already made. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to support and supplement Korea’s growing military capabilities, the rapid construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continues. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; a half dozen of blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each, melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable if producing several tons of steel within a day. The steel is used to create efficient tools and components to common items. It is hoped that by 1540, there will be a hundred such blast-furnaces in Ulsan and Incheon each, producing a total of 36,525 tonnes of steel per annum. Large-scale mining operations continue in the mineral-rich North Korea while largely untapped, small deposits of iron ore and low-grade anthracite coal are mined in South Korea. The mined material is shipped to industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan for processing. More canals are constructed to link Incheon and Ulsan to major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Slash-and-burn agriculture continues to be prevalent as the need for arable land grows. Restrictions on the production of paper bills is lifted as inflation is controlled. External trade continues to increase, though Korea is protectionist as heavy tariffs are placed on imports to render them uncompetitive with domestically produced products. Education is encouraged. In an effort to pool "higher" knowledge to a smaller group, only nobles, the relatives of politicians and politicians themselves as well as a few exceptions are allowed to receive tertiary education. Hundreds of Korean scholars are sent to China to study Chinese technology, sending monthly reports to government officials in order to catch up with China technologically. Hangul is continued to be taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged, especially in formal situations. To allow the creation of more written text, more printing presses are built. Writing is encouraged as long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. Korea expands 100 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River.
 * The Ryukyu Kingdom begins a process of military expansion, updating and improving the military power of the nation. The navy is heavily expanded, and land forces are also given modern weapons.
 * Bohemia: We continue to expand our economy and military, in response to Brandenburg, it seems we rule out Duke of Prussia, which we are now to claim the title of Margraviate of Moravia, which that could settle our next target. Bohemia still fears about the plague on the nation and army. So in that mind, King of Bohemia, sees the Prussia was a wrong choice to claim that title, with currently held titles. Their next target to claim the title is Margarviate of Moravia.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: Noticing the plague in the Baltic region, Stadhouder Erasmes temporarily ends all trade with Ostland, Russia, Poland, Denmark and Hamburg, until they can contain the plague. Erasmus offers an alliance to France. Erasmus offers trade to all nations willing to trade. We have alliances with England and Brandenburg. Dutch ships move south, intending to go around Africa to get to Asia. They make tiny stops at coastal places to trade with natives or just to rest, but don't explore. A Dutch ship shipwrecks near the Cape, leaving the survivors stranded. To survive, the men build a small fort which they call "Fort Cape of Good Hope". They explore the coastal region and go slightly inland, but return to their fort. The stranded men are saved this year by our ships and taken back the Netherlands. When they arrive they start campaigning for the Republic to set up a trade colony on the Cape. Brussel is made the capital of the republic. The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. Ships sail for North America, to trade with the natives and to explore the coasts. A bay and a large river(OTL Hudson) are discovered, and Dutch men land on the coast. They build Fort Zeelandia, and they trade with the natives. Our men explore the region, going further inland. In line with Humanism, Erasmus decides that all Dutchmen should speak the same language, and thus orders the formation of one universal Dutch language, in which the New Testament will also be translated, intending to educate the lowborn so they can fully use their potential as humans. The Republic does not affiliate itself with either Catholicism or Protestantism. Instead, Erasmus calls for an end of the splitting of the church. He shares his own beliefs with his followers, who decide to write them down. They present Erasmus's beliefs to the people of the Republic, intending to spread them throughout the Netherlands. We continue the expansion of the navy. Erasmus is not fond of the creation of the League of Erfurt, as it will only serve to separate the church further, something Erasmus is entirely against. We ask Switzerland if their offer from 9 years ago(srry I didn't see it then) still stands. We offer Sticht-Utrecht, Luxembourg and Gelre to join the Republic(MODS PLS).
 * Utrech: Yes'''
 * Gelre: Yes'''
 * Luxembourg: No'''
 * Tsardom of Russia: Realizing the effect the disease is having on many people in Ostland and Poland as well as some Russian troops, many troops are checked out as best they can by physicians and many of the men are unable to return to Russia proper, stuck on the Border. While many of the men cannot return home, the Army is however repurposed from its initial putting down of the rebellion in Ostland, and instead is tasked with containing the plague from moving further into Russia, Minsk or Zhytomyr. The Russian army particularly stands almost directly on the border and establishes a series of forts and patrol routes containing Ostland. Tsar Vasili himself in co-ordination with his viceroys suspends any and all civilian travel to Ostland, Minsk, or Zhytomyr as he calls upon his viceroys to raise significant armies to prevent further spread of the Disease digging directly into the Tsars Coffers to pay for these armies. While many noblemen are skeptical after a high level Noble from Neva contracts the disease and dies, the nobility falls in line almost immediately contributing heavily realizing the threat of this plague. The Tsar while leaving the nearly 42,000 men on the border creates a secondary line of forts to be spaced evenly from Neva around Novgorod, down towards Minsk and into Zhytomyr and finally looping around to cut Moldavia off as well preventing any plague from migrating from Wallachia. The Tsar himself deploys nearly 100,000 troops and with noble help is able to raise them well and man the Russian parts of the wall and commands his viceroys to do the same, he also orders than should anyone try to break this blockade or the forts, that they are to be killed, and any other violators are to be killed on sight as well. While there is trouble in the West, the East once again sees a resurgence as Ekatinburg sees most of the immigration this year that was initiall going to flood into Minsk and Zhytomyr. Ektarinburg in general sees is population expand from 12,000 to 15,000 as the city itself sees a pretty solid natural growth on top of nearly 4000 people settling in smaller villages around Ektarinburg which begins to push the fur trapping industry and further south the Agriculture of the area. The Settlers however begin to run up on Kazakh which shows some serious problems for Russian Expansion in the Area. The Tsar continues to develop his new bereaucratic system heavily and establishes a mandated exam system to promote the bereuacracy. The Russian population continues to grow pretty greatly and eastern expansion continues with Cossacks pushing into the east. (500px) The military reforms of the Tsar finish with many Western tactics and arms leveraged and adapted towards fighting in the Vast Eastern Plains. The cossacks in Zhytomyr and the newly annexed Russian Ukraine begin to cross between the Crimean khanate and make links with the cossacks in Crimea which begin to cause problems for the Crimean khanate particularly with some minor and medium scale Raids. Russian cossacks on the border begin to openly support the pro-Russian khan aiding him. Russia reaches a population of 10 million and growing as a population boom begins to set in from increased agricultural production


 * Principality of Minsk: With the Tsar of Russia openly containing the expansion of the plague from Ostland, the Principality meets its first real task as a Russian state. nearly 50,000 troops are raised with a further 20,000 in reserve who help build, man, and maintain the forts the Tsar of Russia has ordered constructed. With a major issue of where to build them, the decision is made to build them miles from Minsk to give some sort of buffer but also not to place the forts directly into territory already affected by the plague. The Forts maintain the same system as the Russian system and with evenly spaced forts, and regular patrol routes under effect its beleived the plague will be unable to penetrate deep into Minsk. In the case of the plague breaking the blockade and infecting many, the Principality begins to stockpile foodstuffs in order to weather the plague just in case, and orders many cities to begin shoring up as well. The Principalities Viceroy openly praises the Tsar for his quick and decisive action. Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 20,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: The Principality of Zhytomyr follows the same example of Minsk and Russia fully developing the fort system and raising 50,000 of its own troops as well as 30,000 in reserve just in case to prevent plague outbreak. With Many of the forts being built and manned the same precautions for patrols are taken. Zhytomyr in particular begins to see major population growth of Russians as new villages spring up, and existing ones see Russian majority. Assimilation also continues as many of the illiterate begin pushing for their children to learn Russian, and many are able to adopt Russian themselves developing their native slavic tongue almost into a Russian dialect rather than a separate language. The Principalities agricultural capacity does not take a hit as much of the farmland is located far away from the plague but foodstuffs are stockpiled nontheless to prepare for possible blockade breaches and a subsequent plague outbreak. The Russian population of Zhytomyr is estimated as nearly 50,000 and growing.
 * England: The King graciously receives the Ottomans and accepts their gifts and the offer of alliance after discussing it with his advisors. Despite the opposition of Sir Thomas More, the King decides that such an alliance is beneficial to England. The King sends Charles Brandon and the Duke of Somerset back to the Ottomans to convey his great thanks and to confirm the details of the alliance. Queen Catherine becomes the Queen of the recently restored Kingdom of Aragon. The King knows that his alliance with the Sultan will be negatively received by the Pope. Meanwhile, Prince Henry is formally created the Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester. The influencing of Ulster continues. The Crown continues to promote trade with the continent and the manufcaturing and use of modern weaponry. Buckingham and Northumberland have beef when Buckingham accuses Northumberland of supporting Evangelicals within his lands.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south of our nation. As our nation is growing so rapidly we try to keep the countries under control by mass deportations of their male population and selling them to the European powers who can then transfer them to Africa. Meanwhile as we come back with a better understanding of North Africa and Europe having sent explorers north, we see the strife and turmoil raging and understand why we must grow to ensure they never control us. At Gao the construction of the new city continues as much of the work is done and now the new city actually will become the heart of the empire with large numbers of newly trained craftsmen being trained and working in the industrial quarter to mass produce quality weapons for expansion. While in the rural bulk of the empire we continue our expansion of the irrigation system and start to work on creating a road made from pebbles and mortar which goes through the heart of the empire to allow better internal trade.
 * Khazakh Khanate: Burat Khan, nephew of Karym Khan, is elected Khan of the Khazakh Khanate after the death of Tahir Khan. Burat Khan must face danger from all side, as part of his lands have already been desecrated by the foreigners. His first action as Khan is to go meet with the clans leaders in order to raise more men to fight with him, convincing most of the Basqaqs that he is their only hope of survival. With their support, he is able to raise an army of 50,000 horsemen, which was the army during the times of Burunduk Khan and of his uncle, Karym Khan. He order his men to burn any new settlements from Russian colonists, hoping to turn them away from Khazaria without the need of a true war. After years of seclusion, the Khanate finally open trade with neighbor countries, hoping to restart the trades in the region. Bulat Khan also sign the treaty of the Kievan Horde, although he doesn't believe it will do much to protect his country. The Khan is open to negotiation with foreign countries.
 * Russian Dip: We warn the Kazakhs that if we discover any further burned russian settlements that the gesture will be returned in kind 10 fold
 * Ottoman Dip: We welcome trade with the Kazakhs and their alliance with the Crimean Khanate, as the main Silk Road to china runs through this region. We ask that the Khan does not provoke the Rus, although colonization in these Mongol regions is verbally spoken against. Artisans and Imams are sent to strengthen the region, allong with gunpowder weapons
 * Kazakh Dip: Bulat Khan thanks the Sultan for his help, and promise that he will not provoke the Russians, although he point out that they came on his lands to steal them and take control of the region, and that he was just defending his territories. Bulat Khan promise he will come to Istanbul next year in order to talk further exchanges between the two nations.
 * Russian Dip: The Russian Envoy makes it realtively well known that not a single Cossack or settler has come to settle on Kazakh land and has steered well and clear of it, skirting the northern Border the Whole Time. We are settling everything north of that, and recognize the Kazakh territory currently. However ,if one more settlement is to be burned the Khan will be seeing the full force of Russias might.
 * Kazakh Dip: Bulat Khan promises that he will not attack any new settlement of Russians out of Kazakh territories as long as no Russian settlers ever come on his lands. As a sign of good will, the settlers that were captured to be sold as slaves are released and sent safely to Russia.
 * Uzbek Dip: We would like to send troops and traders to help Kazakh in military training and economy.
 * Empire of the Great Ming: With the treaty of Kiyosu signed, our troops return back home. Trading continues with the Ottomans, Portuguese and our vassals. We officially give the Ryukyus status as a Special Administrative Territory of Ming China. We continue producing gunpowder and muskets and other goods. More ships are buiit up, outfitted with cannons and rockets. We begin missions into the Malay Peninsula. We assert our naval power in the Pacific Coast and increase maritime patrols. 
 * Angu: The tribes continue trade with the Portuguese while Namton A'fao starts learning their script and language, as well as a few other selected Angu. The development of the Angan script continues.
 * Zia: The Zia also benefit from the trade to some extent and become more connected to the Angu tribe.
 * Bradenburg: Under the influence of his previous mentor Joachim II declares Bradenburg a Protestant faiths although he promises religious tolerance for all. With this declared Joachim promises to back the league but refuses to join it to becomre a medeator between the catholics and protestants within the HRE. Joachim agrees to the marraige between his sister and the Wurtemburg. With fighting over in POland the merc forces are dismantled and the mercs sent away but not permited to enter Bradenburg lands. focus on improving military tactics with lessons learnt from the fighting in poland are made (mil focus). Administrative adjustments are made to improve the crop production and members of the aristocracy continue to sponser artists and philospohers. Engineers in Berlin are commissioned with building improved sewege systems and to work on other urban projects. (administrative focus.) ties with the teutons grow, Joachim proposes that the meister his cousin simple secularize the duchy as a lot of it's inhabitants are now protestant  (as the teuton player hasn't played in a while I propose the mods do an event on this.)  And Joachim promises to support the duchy in all aspects be it military or economic.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): With the plague having seemingly stopped spreading, the city of Copenhagen remains under quarantine as a precautionary measure. The army and navy are expanded and trained. The city of Copenhagen begins to expand and the king starts to build a larger more luxurious palace to impress the nobility. The Danish bible is completed. After much thought the king declares his conversion to evangelicalism.
 * Sweden: Begins to recover from the war. Sweden closes all it's ports to prevent further spread of the disease. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px in Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism.
 * Norway: The country begins to develop its cities. The fishing Industry is expanded. the country is also developed militarily. Many of the nobles begin to intermarry with the Danish nobility. The country celebrates the translation of the New Testament to Norwegian.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administrate both colonies. Settlers are encourage to come to the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.
 * Kingdom of France: France agrees to Spain's terms of surrender, and troops are mostly withdrawn from Naples and Sicily. Military development continues, and rifling technology permeates throughout the kingdom. More work is made to centralize the nation.
 * Duchy of Milan: After little major events occurring in the Duchy over the past couple of years, the economic situation has continued to flourish with all main trading routes and partners growing. Military development continues, with technology being being improved from our correspondents in France. Milanese Barons’ wealth correspondingly explodes and to aggrieve the growing tension between the rich and the poor. The Duke acts to keep the peace. Projects across the state are begun to create modern cosmopolitan cities to allow the poor to experience the wealth. In the south great cathedrals are built in Pavia, Mantua and Cremona, with Milan becoming a central hub of European art, culture and music. However, due to the apparent favouring of the southern states, the Northern barons believe it to be because of their openness to Evangelism. Suppression of the belief comes to a halt and in the main cities of the North: Brescia, Bergamo and Monza Evangelism starts to become the main religious view. The Barons of the North support the rebels in Austrian Burgundy offering them their support. The Duke denounces the Rebellion but accepts the spread of evangelism in the North; he offers his support to the main Austrian state and vows to unite the Duchy once again, by dealing with the troublesome barons next year.
 * Benin: Benin completes work on three of the ships the Oba had requested two years prior, and adds them to the merchant fleet. These ships begin trading slaves to the rest of the world, in particular Europe and any colonies seeking expansion of their labor force. With the support the Portuguese navigators, the Edo crew are able to complete their voyages with most of their slaves alive. Benin's new approach to the slave trade, the Europeans can both come to Benin to buy the slaves, while Benin can also sell them directly to the Europeans through the ports of Lisbon and Lago. Elsewhere, the city of Mahin continues with its construction, with the residential areas of the city completed along with their economic centers. Benin expands by 200px.
 * Venice : The Venetian Arsenal continues to expand. Production in the Arsenal is increased to create more deep water galleons for out of the mediterranean trade and exploration. Venetian ships are offered up for sale. More experimentation with rifling and heavy artillery continue. The arms factory continues to expand with improvement of loading rifles at the forefront of the engineers mind. OTL Venetian trade routes are continued, with ships landing in Tripoli, Alexandria, the Levant, Tunis, Naples, the Black Sea market, Barcelona and Marseille. Slaves continue to be bought from Benin for distribution as workers and servants throughout Europe. The Venetian Atlantic trading company expands due to trade with England and Benin, and the growth of the Venetian galleon industry. The trade pact with Benin continues. Venetian traders being to move into the Baltic sea market to in order to leave the void left by hanestic traders. A strong condemnation of the balasphmus heretic Luther is sent out, him and any other heretic are banned from entering the country. Current heretics living inside Venice are deported. Ties deepen with France. A trade deal s requested of Portugal, in order to distribute worldwide goods throughout Europe.


 * El Stato de Mar: Venetian investment grows in el Stato de mar. Certain parts of it become production centers, to create goods for the Venetian trading industry.
 * Bengal:  King Anu of Bengal assumes full control over the state with the overthrow of the previously oppressive Muslim government. He bears his second daughter this year, achieving a family of four. He focuses on administration with the conquest of Bengal as our imperial ambitions screech to a halt to control the new population and take care of previous conquered nations, hopefully reducing any any risk for revolt. Along with administration, we miss draining the royal treasury as our streak of war almost burned the war chests clear. We retain alliance with both Tibet and Kabulistan. While managing to keep a tenuous trade with Europe and the West through Portugal, first brought to existence by Vasco de Gama. We grow interest in trade as well, with plots concerning a Bengali enclave near Southern India to increase our trade power, and thus income from trade. In addition to this, such an enclave would boost technology to Bengal. The King continues construction on a center of learning in Bengal's capital, where all Brahmins are welcome to study. The lower castes are allowed inside at specific time slots however. Bengal, secondarily, maintains military, since decreasing Bengal's military power would leave the nation open to attack from all flanks. We begin the huge exploration expedition around the Eastern peninsula and further into the Red Sea, hoping to increase Bengal's knowledge of the world. We bring in modern guns and explosives from Europe as trade and as Indian fire arms begin to become outdated.  Following the war in Delhi, we continue invade Orissa, as King Anu sees it is the time to strike. We request a call to arms by the Mughals, Tibet, and any other allies. and at the least, supplies.
 * Mughal Empire: The Mughal war efforts continue in Gujurat with various ports falling to the cannons of the Emperor, administrative reforms continue without delay as more experienced council lots are moved across the empire. Religious tensions begin to come to a head in the capital but the conflicts are at the heights of the religious hierarchy and deal more with tolerance than open conflict.
 * HRE_Religion_Map_1530.png the Electorate of Saxony, John is busy in Erfurt negotiating a league of Evangelical nations to subscribe to Luther's Evangelical Church and enter into non-aggression and mutual defense. His reputation increases throughout the empire, which is divided tensely between Evangelicals and Catholics. John the Steadfast also works to see improvements to the Via Regii that runs through Saxony. The Emperor announces that he will guarantee the independence of Burgundy under Henry von Sundgau.  Vassalization efforts continue in Nürnberg.  In Hesse, joyous news is announced as Elisabeth and John Frederick have a son, named Ernest after his great-grandfather. Hesse also sees a large urban renovation in Cassel as Saxon trade pours into the new realm. In Brunswick-Göttingen, the status quo is preserved as the popularity of the new arrangement increases.
 * Rex, I said in several posts that Brunswick-Lüneburg turned evangelical