1530 to 1539 (Ninety-Five Theses Map Game)

Third Archive of Ninety-Five Theses (from 1530 to 1539). 

1530
 '''With plague essentially burning out hopes of ending the conflict between Ostland and Poland decisively, and nearly every army in the region gutted, the various forces are forced to return home, bringing the plague with them. This whole situation leaves Poland and Ostland absolutely demolished with massive amounts of manpower and civilian population having been killed by war and plague in the past few years. This also de-facto leaves Danzig and West Prussia back under Polish Control'''

'''Not denying the logic behind this, and it is shameful we don't have any other active mods, but isn't Feud modding for his own region? -Nate'''

'''I'm active, and this has widespread mod-team approval. -Rex'''

'''Yeah, my bad/ Regardless, definitely shouldn't be modding my own area, but since someone got mad we didn't say anything last turn. I think this was needed. -Feud'''

 '''Religious discontent begins to ravage the Catholic regions of the Holy Roman Empire as the clear contradiction between the Evangelical-leaning Emperor and the office as established by the Pope becomes apparent. Protests and riots break out in some areas, and conflict appears inevitable. '''

'''By the way, wouldn't the current "Emperor" be just King of Romans since you'd have to be crowned by the Pope and I don't really see it plausible that the Pope crowns an Evangelical King. -Sky'''

 Flooding strikes the city of Rome and parts of the Netherlands.


 * Netherlands: Ships sail for the Cape, establishing a colony there. All the stuff mentioned last turn continues (I can't make a detailed turn due to conditions.)
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We request passage for the Rheinsstreitkräfte down the Dutch parts of the Rhine so that we are able to access the North Sea. We wish to participate in the exploration of the world, and thereafter the colonisation of new lands. We are willing to pay 50,000 Thalers for free passage for a period of ten years, and sharing 15% of all new resources and other such materials we find on our voyages for the same time period.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Evangelicism continues spreading through the region with Catholics becoming a minority. The regent Count Nicholas attends the Erfurt meeting in the stead of the duke.The country agrees to join the League and urges its ally Wüttermberg to join as well. Trade continues as usual with a steady rate of income. The country also allows the churches to teach common folk how to read and write. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. The duchy - seeing Luxembourg's decline to join the Netherlands republic - offers a deal to attack the country and split the spoils between them plus other benefits. Seeing the danger that pose the country the country begins massive conscripiton. As the young duke nears the age of marriage the duchy sends diplomats to evangelical countries in the HRE in attempt to find a wife
 * Archduchy of Austria Diplomacy: We inform the Duchy of Lorraine that the Duchy of Luxemburg is our vassal, attacking them would mean war with us, too.
 * Lorraine OOC: Oops! thought the duchy was allowed independence with the Netherlands. Ignore it, sorry.
 * Oman continues expanding the military, with the navy now standing at 95 ships and 20,000 soldiers in total, though a sizeable minority of them are slave-soldiers. Expansion continues 35 px along both Gulf and Ocean coasts. The beaurocracy is also expanded to help deal with these areas. Dubai and Muscat begin to boom even more significantly due to the increase in trade accompanied by Oman's new possessions and infrastructural development. The Balochs are basically fully integrated into Omani society with the exception that many are still Shiites. However, Ibadiism continues to grow in both Balochistan and throughout the nascent empire. Subsequently, Baloch culture begins to have an effect on Omani culture at large, with the adoption of their extravegent dresses becoming more common place throughout Oman, and the adoption of Persian as a language of poetry.
 * Socotra continues civil development and grows in population. Wealth continues to flow into the islands as one of the benefits of being encorporated into Oman.
 * The Xahuun colony expands by 10 px and continues to grow in wealth, infrastructure, and population. Due to racist causes and administrations the natives continue to be systematically expelled, though converts to Ibadism are integrated into the colony if they wish to keep their lands, and any resisting tribes have all their men sold into slavery and all their women forcefully converted and integrated into the majority-male colony. Subsequently, the demographics of the colony are odd by East African standards, with over half the population being of Arab or Balochi descent.
 * Mogadishu is now almost fully rebuilt and even upgraded by the new infrastructure. Many Balochs and Arabs move into the city, but it still remains majority black as the Africans are the established merchant class. Tri-lingual Ibadi Madrasses continue to be built and the Omani strain of Islam continues to overtake the previous forms. Explorers often use this city as a launch pad for expeditions, and a cartographer even returns with the maps of a large southern island and the southern cape of Africa. The district expands by 5 px. 
 * Cherokee: While some people still have small pox, the amount of people that have died was much lower. only 200 died. leaving 28,800 tribe members. There is a population boom from large yields of our domesticated rice, deer, cattle, and corn. We can expect to see a population increase never before seen on the north american continent. 8% per year due to us recovering and the new amount of yield. We send explorers to attempt to map the Mississippi Valley.
 * Cherokee Diplomacy: We ask Spain if we can study their government systems and their form of writing. We also ask for help with translating our language into Spanish.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell with new trade routes after the Treaty of Turin. Refugees flock to Switzerland due to the various troubles around Europe. 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 1530 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 Württemberg and Bohemia. The Dutch offer is accepted.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We agree to this military alliance and hope for a fruitful friendship.
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khan, although willing to stop any possible war with Russia, decide that he will not just stand there waiting for Russia to encircle his country. He order so Baqaqs to go with their Clans to settles steppes to the east of Kazakhstan, his “settlers” entering western Kazakhstan. Burat Khan tries little to hide his ambition to one day have his lands be vast enough to touch Mongolia. But for now, his real objective is to get to the Oirat before Russia. Other than the territorial expansion, the Khan passes most of his year focusing on his army. With guns arriving from the Ottoman Empire, he lost no time to ask help from the Ottoman workers sent with them, hoping they could teach the Kazakh how to learn this new military technology. A small recruitment also took place during the year, with 5000 new horsemen joining his armies, making it a total of 55,000 soldiers ready to protect the Khanate.
 * Uzbek Dip: We would like to trade and send veterans from the Persian war to help train and help your economy. We ask for an alliance
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khan agrees to an alliance with the Uzbek Empire.
 * Hungary: As certain European nations continue to expand - mainly in the New World, we create a new act for our nation. This act states that we, instead of sending ships to the New World, build ourselves up as a power. We first fortify our borders and put strict laws on travel and immigration to prevent exposure to the plague. We start to build up our military, economy and infrastructure.
 * Hungarian Diplomacy: We ask Austria if they are currently infected with any of the Plague or any other deadly plague, disease or virus.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist foreign policy and asserts its status as a regional power, breaking off any unnecessary ties with China. 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 ships annually continues. However, production is doubled to 40 ships a year with 120 already having been built. 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, and in an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items.
 * Württemberg: With the end of the war, our troops are ordered to remain in Memelland until the plague passes, so that the disease does not spread to Württemberg proper. Medical aid is sent to Memelland to help the sick. Groups of soldiers are screened carefully for signs of the disease by physicians; those cleared after multiple checks are allowed to go home. Meanwhile, we offer our protection to Burgundy. We are also proud to announce that Princess Anna is now pregnant with her first child! We propose a marriage to secure friendly relations between us and Brandenburg by wedding Electoral Prince Christoph to Brandenburg's Princess Maria Anna.
 * 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. The current standing army is 14,000. 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. 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 400 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.
 * Bohemia: Economy and military is continuing to expand in our nation. Whilst we can claim the title on Margraviate of Moravia, which should be our best option, as Prussia is not possible because Brandenburg denies it. Although, we don't hope that this nation comes from the plague, but the fears may come in for the nation that plague could be a possible collapse situation. There isn't much disgrace about it, but it may well come out good. We continue to recruit more Bohemian troops in our army and continue to build more cities.
 * Poland-Lithuania continues to recover from the war, and begins trying to find a way to deal with the plague.
 * 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 farther 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 the Nogai Khanate, hoping to tip the balance of the civil unrest in favor of the confederates. 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. The crown Prince Selim is sent palace education at this time. Pargali Ibrahim Pasha continues to lead 80,000 troops in the Hungarian War, besieging both Belgrade and Mohacs. 12 ships continue to blockade the Danube River. 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.
 * Ostland: We give the Ottomans the best gifts we can afford to give them to improve relationships, with the plague devastating our lands, while we ask them for supplies in our war against Poland, helping us they would harm Russian efforts of keeping Poland intact. (Feud: while I don't agree with your event, even though the war is ongoing because my nation hAdn't officially agreed to peace, after I asked some other mods they said they would answer me after they think about it and since you are modding an area that you have interests on, I will regard that event about the war like it hadn't happened, until I get a (neutral's) or other mod's response, I asked Rex. He will answer me shortly, if they think this event is OK, then I will delete this/cross this out and agree the war is over, also you know that I could keep the war going even with IDK 100 soldiers, since Poland has forces of the same size ...)
 * The Ottomans send many stores of food and medicine to Ostland, along with a diplomatic envoy.
 * Archduchy of Austria Diplomacy: We ask the Ottoman Empire for a non-aggresion pact for ten years in order to split Hungary between our two great nations.
 * The Ottomans accept this deal.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khan came to Istanbul with gifts for the Sultan. To thank him for his help last year, he offer him his sister as a concubine for his harem. Burat Khan also offer the Sultan a deal. He is willing to join any war of the Ottoman EMpire to help the Sultan as long as the Ottomans continue to send gunpowder weapons to the Kazakh.
 * Spain: Our few ports in Bissagos, Morocco and Namibia areas continue expand inward about 75 px. Trading with the native Africans continues to go well. The arts thrive more than the sciences do this year in our nation, due to the King funding the arts more. More jobs open up, since we need more people to help rebuild the nation from our recent devastation in the war that was lost. The military hires more people. Ships are continuing to be built. Charles' second child is born. This time it is a girl. He names her Carmen. The economy tries to fix itself, buy selling many resources taken from our colonies to our allies. Trade goes fine with our allies. Since the King feels sad, confused, and angry he thinks about converting to another Christian religion, since the Catholic religion is not helping him out. Ships with maps of the world are sent out to Asia, so we can trade and colonize the Asian 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.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands is 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 new lands is 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.
 * Ostland: Even though the war against Poland has not officially ended, most of the fighting is over, King Walter I decides to support the growing movement of the People's Vengeance to stay in power, boosted by Ottoman support and supplies, the King provides every able ethnic German citizen with weapons (swords, knives, rifles) and armor and incites a massacre against everyone non-German in the country, seeking revenge against their acts against the Germans during the rebellion. In Riga and Reval and other urban areas, which have enough German population the massacre ends with the Germans killing everyone non-German, while the German millitias and mobs now attack against the non-Germans in the rural areas. Kings guard and the King are helping the mods and the militias kill non-German people.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 devastate the Polish forces more. 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 mistress, thus he is eager to betray his country. The reformed Livonian order, fought 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 1000 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 privileges. Due to the plague immigration to Ostland is none. We also try to assimilate them into the local German culture, seeking to strengthen 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: Due to our nation being decimated we ask Pomerania, which we have married our heir Klaus, with one of the duke's daughter's, have an alliance and good relationship with them, to become their vassal, swearing allegiance to them. (Mod Response/RNG required)
 * The Duke of Pomerania (MOD) accepts Ostland's offer and sends a force of 10,000 men to enforce its dominion over Ostland after hearing of the ethnic cleansing.
 * Maldives: We expand farther into the island we discovered and set up a fort there and we appoint a governor general in charge of the fort. We continue to expand our agriculture and our military. The King asks Delhi again for an alliance or non aggression pact.
 * Bavaria: After getting help from Württemberg, the first ship of the Donaustreitkräfte (the equivalent of Rheinstreitkräfte, except with the Danube), the Herzog, is launched in the Danube River, and another two (the München and the Landshut) are commissioned to be built by 1535. The first shipment of cannons is sent in return, containing five of the promised weapons. With the beginning of riots in Catholic areas, we understand that Austria will soon be involved, so we secretly position 20,000 soldiers and 15 cannons by our border with them in hopes it could allow the rest of the League of Erfurt time to rally behind us (see also: 300). We also begin expanding musket use in the army, starting with arming 5000 of the soldiers sent to the Austrian border with them, to allow us to more easily defend fortified positions. We also begin moving troops to our borders with other Catholic states, moving a combined total of 15,000 infantry, 1000 cavalry, and ten cannons to the border with Burgau, Oettingen, and Burggrafschaft.
 * Pomerania: With the submission of Ostland, expendable military forces are sent to keep the peace and stop the genocide. Known aggrevators are tried and killed publically, and reparations are made to affected families. Because of the plague, Pomeranian military officials begin to separate and quarantine those with the plague from healthy citizens, taking percaution to not catch it themselves, and placing a policy of death for those who show symptoms. To prevent the spread back to Pomerania, no shipments of troops or goods are allowed out of Ostland, and temporary barracks for stationed troops are built. The banning of The 95 Theses is overruled. All Ostland/Livonian troops are ordered immediately back from Poland, and those with plague are killed. Ostland and Livonian governments are merged into the Kingdom of Livonia, with the Ostland ruling family placed at the throne. However, the real power is held by the military officials. Back in Pomerania, the border with Poland is heavilly fortified, with any Polish/Baltic refugees turned back at the threat of death. Evangelical Churches begin to spring up, especially in rural areas, and are supported by Duke Barnim XI.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south east of our nation. We keep building trans- Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large amounts of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * 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'.
 * 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.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We wish to strengthen our ties with a marriage between our Electoral Prince Christoph and your Princess Anna Maria.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): With no new cases of the plague it is declared over as the last infected people either die off or recover. The quarantine is declared over and the king and his court return to the city of Copenhagen. With the plague continuing in the East the king is reluctant to reopen Baltic trade and instead looks to expand trade relations in the North Sea. He also looks to reform the problems of the Kalmar Union and truly forge a powerful, unified state. A meeting is called in the castle of Kalmar between the king and all the nobles of the Union. After many months of heated negotiations, many meaningful reforms are agreed upon along with a plan for official unification in a few years. Under this Kalmar Declaration each kingdom would retain their council of nobles which would rule over their respective kingdoms on behalf of the king and would provide him with taxes and soldiers. Three times a year all these councils would meet together to advise the king on issues facing the Union. A high Chancellor would be elected from the Swedish council and will serve the king for a period of ten years. Copenhagen is declared the main capital while Stockholm will be the secondary capital. Having achieved many reforms the king returns home. The army and navy are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons. With the kings official conversion to evangelicalism many nobles and people rush to convert to the new religion.
 * Sweden: Gustav Vasa is elected as the first high Chancellor. 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. Soldiers are raised and trained for the unions army.
 * 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 into 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.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: With our newly established presence in the Baltic, we request the opening of trade negotiations between us and the Kalmar Union, in the hopes of creating a friendly dialogue.
 * Delhi: We accept the alliance with the Maldives as we try to sign a treaty with the Timurid Kabulistan on the war. We continue to try to develop our cities. We also continue to develop our agriculture and our infrastructure from the war that is devastated our country at the moment. We also try to restock our army with the plan being to defend our territory in case of another attack from our neighbors.
 * Diet_of_the_Holy_Roman_Empire_(95T).jpg the Electorate of Saxony, Emperor John unveils the new Palace of the Diet, or Palast der Reichstag, in Dresden. It is widely hailed as an architectural masterpiece. It is decided by John that the Reichskammergericht, or Imperial Chamber Court, shall relocate from Magdeburg to Dresden, and the Emperor shall also have a court within the Gothic-style palace of government. With the new system ready to become operative, John summons delegates from throughout the Holy Roman Empire to be sent and comprise the first Standing Imperial Diet. The first issue to be addressed is the Catholic-Evangelical feud. During the Diet's convening address, Emperor John make a startling announcement, stating that the Emperor does not rely upon the Pope for authority and severs all ties between the Empire as a whole with the Papal States. With the new Holy Evangelical Church of Germany having replaced the Catholic Church, the remaining Catholics either quietly convert or practice their faith in private. Vassalization efforts continue in Nürnberg. In Hesse, a large urban renovation in Kassel occurs as Saxon trade pours into the new realm. In Brunswick-Göttingen, the status quo is preserved as the popularity of the new arrangement increases.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We applaud His Majesty's decision to formally renounce the Catholic crown in favour of an Evangelical Germany. We fully support Saxony and the Holy Roman government to enforce the Reformation in all German territories. Representatives are immediately and enthusiastically appointed by the Elector and sent to the new Imperial capital of Dresden to join the Reichstag.
 * 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, however, is repurposed from its initial putting down of the rebellion in Ostland, and instead is tasked with containing the plague from moving farther 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 toward 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 farther south the agriculture of the area. The Tsar continues to develop his new bureaucratic 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. (500 px) The military reforms of the Tsar finish with many Western tactics and arms leveraged and adapted toward 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 10.2 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.


 * Mughal Empire: The Mughal Prince delivers victory in Gujurat, the princes and ports surrendering themselves to the will of the Emperor in Agra. The region is swiftly brought into the new administrative system and religious minorities are assigned their freedoms. Unlike other provinces, many prominent aristocrats attempt to attack the commissioners of the Emperor as they march into the city. Though easily subdued many murmur that the Emperor in his old age has become soft, when word reaches Babur in Agra he is thrown into a rage not seen for some time. Following his frightening display he was brought the three Princes, thrown before him. Babur sentences them to be left in the sun for the birds to devour without the release of death. This show of extreme force for those who many saw as opressors improved Babur's image in the eyes of the farm tillers, but damaged his reputation amongst the elite. Oman is granted two trade posts in Gujurat to assist in the distribution of Mughal trade. The Emperor grants this great privilege at the expense of their loyalty within the borders of the sub-continent. Humayun, Shahzade and heir to the Mughal throne took in bethrothal a princess of Bengal, to be wed after Humayun's first wife has been negoatiated.
 * Archduchy of Austria: Archduke Ferdinand I, decides to deal with current rebellions in our realm, to do that he recruits more soldiers in the army, the army is now composed out of 60,000 men which they are send to deal with the rebellions throughout the realm. Archduke Ferdinand I knows that this action alone isn't enough, so he also decides to decrese taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, while he also decides to stop persecuting evangelical followers/supporters and allow the free practise of Evangelicalism, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign, seeing the momentum that evangelicalism has gained, while also hoping to please the Emperor and avoid a direct confrontation with the Holy Roman Emperor John the Steadfast. A census shows the population is about two million but over 1.6 million are serfs. Infrastructure is improved. Evangelicalism gains momentum due to Swiss preachers now being able to come to the Archduchy of Austria and spread Evangelicalism throughout the realm.  We attack the rebels at Burgundy, with the full might of our forces.  We back out of Burgundy as asked by the Holy Roman Emperor, while we do not relinquish our claims for Burgundy. We attack Hungary with the full might of our forces, cause we seek to extand our territory, while we also see that they are vulnerable, having lost the war against Venice and being at war with the Ottomans.
 * Duchy of Burgundy: Religious freedom is promised to Evangelical supporters followers following Archduke Ferdinand I decision to enforce it on the Archduchy of Austria. The full might of Austrian forces attack and try to reassert order in the Duchy of Burgundy. Anyone who wishes to cooperate with the Austrian authorities against the rebels is handsomely rewarded, while anyone that wishes to stand down and surrender, due to the rebellion having to reason to exist, now that we allowed freely and full religious freedom to Evangelicalism followers/supporters, is promised inpunity. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs.
 * You don't control Burgundy. It is independent. -Rex
 * They have declared independence and you have guaranteed their independence, but I should probably still have control of some areas there, while there is a difference from declaring independence to achieving independence. ~Wrto12
 * Anyway, my bad,. It wasn't thoroughly explained last turn. I misinterpreted this whole situation, so I just have a claim there right? ... ~Wrto12
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Infrastructure is improved. Religious freedom is promised to Evangelical supporters followers following Archduke Ferdinand I decision to enforce it on the Archduchy of Austria. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots.
 * Archduchy of Austria Diplomacy: We ask Henry von Sundgau, the Burgundian rebellion's leader to stand down and swear allegiance to Archduke Ferdinand I since we have make legal practicing Evangelicalism in the Archduchy of Austria and we do not persecute Evangelicalist followers/supporters anymore, while we promise him and any rebels impunity from any crimes commited during the rebellion. (Mod Response/RNG required) We ask Saxony for an alliance, shall they renounce support for independent Burgundy, since we now allow free practise of Evangelicalism, as well as Pomerania and the Swiss Confederacy shall they renounce their claims/stop vassalizing in Tyrol.
 * Burgundian (MOD) Diplomacy: The sovereign state of Burgundy refuses, but they are willing to open diplomacy/friendly relations with Austria, should Austria peacefully let them go.
 * Emperor John of Saxony respectfully declines the alliance with Austria and reasserts its protection for Burgundy.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We politely remind Austria that Tyrol is under our military protection and is an independent County.
 * Archduchy of Austria Diplomacy: (Crim told me its still mine) We inform Württemberg that Tyrol part of our Archduchy, not independent, (was never free to be vassalized) there was a rebellion going on but are dealing with it, we ask Württemberg to renounce all claims in Tyrol.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: (Oh, apologies. The map of the HRE is quite confusing.) Not wishing to risk conflict with the significantly more powerful Archduchy, we reluctantly withdraw our forces from Tyrol. We hope that this has not caused any damaging in relations between us.


 * Angu: The Angan rendition of the Latin script is finished due to the trade with the Portuguese. Namton A'fao Koito is still working on an original script for the Angu peoples, whilst also learning the tongue of the Portuguese. The trade does many good things for the Angan peoples as they are now the most developed tribe in the region, which allows them to incorporate the Zia tribe and its four clans into the Angan Tribal Conglomerate.
 * Nogai Confederation: After years of civil war, the pro-confederation rebels finally manage to defeat the Muscovy backed khan(and the weaker ruling khan). Unrest continues, however, as many want to return to being a horde. As a confederation, we begin to set up devolved areas of government in different regions. A new role of "Grand Khan" is established, who is supportive of the Ottoman Empire and is the head of state of the nation. We begin to set up a defensive line on the border with the Kazakhs
 * Benin: The construction of Mahin continues as planned, with the construction of the city walls now underway. The port of Mahin is partially completed, as the desire to work on constructing another shipwright has resulted in for the dock being siphoned away for the shipbuilders. The slave trade continues as planned, with thousands of African natives captured and sold away by Benin. Benin expands by 200 px as the Olukore takes over the responsibilities of expanding the borders of Benin for the military. The Oba orders a census of the nation, and his palace officials report a total population 10,750,000, mostly from the new births and female slaves captured in the new territories, along with the normal growth rate of Benin. The transformation of Benin into a modern state continues, with more Edo subjects literate, thanks to the efforts of the Portuguese and Genoese living in Benin. The printing presses are now everywhere in Benin, with newspapers delivering knowledge on subjects of all topics, educating the Edo on local and world events. The education of the Edo too continues with much success, as many Edo children are sent to new schools built in the major cities of the empire, teaching them basic skills such as math, reading, writing, and theology. The goal is to educate the next generation as best as possible to ensure that it will be able to compete to some degree with the Europeans. The merchant fleet of Benin continues to grow under the supervision of the Portuguese merchants residing in their new enclave outside of Eko. New goods from Europe continue to pour into the trade city and circulate throughout the nation as the roads constructed years prior make trade and the spread of ideas easier than ever before. The Oba convenes his War Council for a planned invasion of Oyo. For years, the nation has been an obstacle to Benin's growth, and more importantly, a deep fervor to spread the word of Jesus and the Church have dominated the discussions of many war chiefs in Benin. They seek to convert their Yoruba cousins and bring them into the light of the Catholic Church. The Oba agrees to the plan, and with the permission of the Bishop of Edo, declares a holy crusade again Oyo. Benin mobilizes its 180,000 troops for war, and begins its invasion of Oyo seeking to take its capital city of Ile-Ife. The war will put to the test the Edo and Eko metropolitan regiments armed with European weaponry and cannon, as well as the many district regiments which enter into battle with European-style armor and swords given them over the last decade and a half.
 * Owari: We thank China for signing the Treaty of Kiyosu, but remain skeptical and somewhat guarded against Korea. With the United Front useless, at least until another war should arise, we dissolve the United front, but try to keep our good ties with states like Izumo. We continue to influence Miwaki (Turn Two of Seven), and try to integrate Ise into Owari as much as possible.
 * Hungary: As war escalates, we fortify our borders and send more men to ambush hostiles outside of our fortified nation. From estimations, Hungary is greatly fortified and the probability of invasion is significantly low. Our nation continues to build up and becomes greater as a power. We offer a truce to all our enemies.
 * Demak Sultanate: After we defeated the once great but infidel empire of Majapahit, we move to secure the rest of Java but we faced odds with the last remaining kingdom of Pajajaran located on the eastern end of Java. We begin building our military to a total of 20,000 troops. We forcefully convert our subjects to Islam. We launch raids into Pajajaran since we have more troops and money than them. We begin to incorporate our kingdom into the vast structures that the Majapahit left behind. We also raid all valuables like gold and silver from their temples. We will also begin to make a navy by building more frigates to put the total amount at ten.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1530, 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 eleven, Contessina turns ten, Giorgio turns eight, and Leonora turns six. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus, the Florentine Navy reaches the number of about one thouand seven hundred and fifty 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, and the Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. 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. Lord Lorenzo de' Medici officially declares that the Republic of Florence officially leaves the Holy Roman Empire. He states, "Council of Ancients, Council of Consuls, Commonpeople, the so-called 'holy' institution which we are subjects of, seems to be holy no more. This institution is nor Roman, as the great Roman emperors would despise what has come of this institution. As the unholy heretic German ruler has rescinded all ties to the Pope and no longer follows Italian interests, we rescind all ties to his unholy institution." Lorenzo invites many other Italian states to leave the Empire, including Siena, Genoa, Savoy, and Milan. Lorenzo also declares that he will cut off any ties with other heretic rulers.
 * 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 farther 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. Bengal accepts the Mughal offer of marriage, proposing King Anu's young sister, at 19 years of age. 

1531


''' Major violence begins to break out within the Holy Roman Empire as a debateable Evangelical Emperor on top of Severing the Empires connection with the Papal state generates an intense serious of revolts all across the Empire, from Bohemia to Lorraine and down to Austria, with everything in between. The Catholic states feeling betrayed by their emperor begin considering Catholic Candidates for the HRE with Austria being a well known Decision. The movement away from the Pope as and hence Catholicism as a whole has threatened to spark massive religious wars within the Empire '''

''' The Plague continues to spread with moderate outbreaks happening in villages before the well-secured string of forts coming to be known as the "Grand Russian Line" but with more obvious events beginning to occur in the HRE. Bohemia, Würrtemburg and multiple other states in central Germany are reported to have many cases of the disease brought back by thousands of troops who came from the indecisive Osto-Polish War '''

Württemberg troops were not permitted to return to Württemberg proper until they were cleared of the disease. Outbreaks, if any, would have been small and contained.

 The Teutonic order Secularizes 

''' In Benin, an accident breaks out leaving 40 dead as a perceived attack on a Portuguese trading fleet forced the Portuguese to fire cannons on some Beninese Ships which promptly sunk, sparking the debate as to whether Benin has truly matched European quality. '''

''' Quick Note, if you do not have a proper port city on the coast os Europe you ARE NOT colonizing. '''

As the "Great Mod" Pita has stopped doing any algos, I don't see how the game can progress -Nate

<p style="font-weight:normal;">inb4 next turn doesn't go up tonight

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''I believe I know why this event was created and the "quick note" made. Unless you are partially retarded (to those believing Benin is trying to colonize that is), I believe I made myself clear when I stated Sat gave me the green light to colonize around 1590. I also made it clear that I am not on the same level of Europe, so this event does more to express the mods ignorance of my posts rather than my "veiled" attempts at colonization. But please do carry on with your fears. Your hatred only makes my resolve harder. Bonus points to those of your who know where that quote came from. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) ~Viva'''


 * Spain: Our few ports in Bissagos, Morocco and Namibia areas continue expand inward about 75 px. Trading with the native Africans continues to go well Our colonies in Africa become official starting this year. The arts thrive more than the sciences do this year in our nation, due to the King funding the arts more. More jobs open up, since we need more people to help rebuild the nation from our recent devastation in the war that was lost. The military continues to hire more people. Ships are continuing to be built. The economy tries to fix itself, buy selling many resources taken from our colonies to our allies. Trade goes fine with our allies. Since the King feels sad, confused, and angry he thinks about converting to another Christian religion, since the Catholic religion is not helping him out. Some ships stop on Madagascar colonizing the island. While other ships land on Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. On the other side of the world in the Americas, Ships land in what is OTL New Orleans, Venezuela and Ecuador.
 * 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 is 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Namibia: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.


 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khan continues to study this new technology known as “gunpowder weapon”, hoping to be able to produce those himself in a near future. Those weapons also bring to the Kazakhs new tactics that could help modernize the warfare of the Clans if used properly, and so ask the Basqaqs to work closely with the Ottomans to learn how to modernize the military. The Khan's charisma also convince many people to join the army and serve the Khanate, thus allowing the army to expand to 65,000 troops. Although this number of troops is hard to held together, the Khan hope that he'll be able to stretch it up to 10,000 more in the following years. The Clans continue to move eastward, beginning to create villages in the Oirat. The Khan also allow the creation of two new Clans in order to assure the Kazakhs authority in the newly gained territories. The eastern expansion thus continues. In this year 1531, Burat Khan celebrates the 20 years of House Beg, when in 1511 his uncle Karym was elected Khan of the Kazakhs. He invites fellow rulers of Central Asia to come celebrate in his capital, Turkistan. He also invites the Caliph of the Ottoman Empire, hoping that he could personally bless House Beg, which would allow Burat Khan and his descendants to assert their supremacy over the other Clans.
 * Ottoman Dip: A high-ranking Kazi representing the Caliph comes to visit Turkistan, bringing gifts of seige cannons and Turkish rugs for the Khan.
 * Bohemia: We continue to recruit more troops, after an Ostro-Polish war that we sent. We fear the plague that could spread to many HRE states as it may be a bad situation. But it looks that this disease is looking to rise. Although we build more buildings, as in this case, it looks like the conflict rises on HRE.
 * England: The King watches the events unfolding on the continent with a keen eye. The Lord Chancellor Thomas Cranmer points out to him that the power of the papacy is failing and is becoming corrupted, as the Medicis have successfully bought two consecutive papacies. The King begins to seriously consider a break with Rome, especially in troublesome times like these. Meanwhile, an outbreak of plague strikes southern England. Upon reaching London, the plague attacks Queen Catherine and she dies. The heartbroken king vows to never marry again, despite the fact that he has many mistresses. The influencing of Ulster continues. The crown continues to encourage trade with the continent and the purchase, manufacturing, and use of modern weapons.
 * Kalmar Diplomacy: Hoping to foster friendly relations between our countries we ask for an official trade agreement.
 * England accepts this arrangement.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: Following the creation of the Capecolony last year, this year a North American colony is created, as Nieuw-Brussel is founded on western Bevereiland (OTL Long Island). We trade with the native Lenape primarily using furs. The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. 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 to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. 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. Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come.
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands.
 * Emperor John of Saxony permits the Netherlands to withdraw from the Holy Roman Empire but reminds them that they may no longer vassalize member states of the Holy Roman Empire.
 * The Netherlands informs Emperor John that the withdrawal is temporary for now, and that we simply seek to avoid being involved in a religious conflict.
 * Kalmar Diplomacy: As the plague in our lands has been dealt with we ask for a resumption of trade and a formal alliance between our nations
 * Angu: The Angu tribe expands 25 px around toward the inland. In light of the longlasting trade, the Portuguese are asked to teach the Angans how to make the shiny rocks pointy. The trade expands the economy of the tribal union.
 * Vijayanagara Empire: We begin an invasion of all nations north of us in the 'Reconquest of Southern India' which is not allied with the Mughal Empire. (CAN SOMEONE DO THE ALGOS?) We continue to trade with Portugal and and any other European or Asian power. We build our military and economy. We offer the Mughal Empire an alliance and a personal union. We send a diplomat to the Maldives and Portugal.
 * ​Mughal Diplomacy: A message arrives from the crown-prince of the Mughals, Humayun proclaiming that the Emperor will not bind the Mughals to their lessers. However, attached to the denial, is another letter from Humayun, within it he declares his father's time is coming to an end, and when he is Emperor, Vijayangara will have its alliance. However, he notes a Personal Union would require the Vijay to accept Humayun as their monarch.
 * Cherokee: Our expedition arrives at the port city of Palm Beach that is held by the Spanish. We request that we be allowed to study their government. We also begin trying to start a written language. Trading with the Spanish is going well. Death from small pox has been lowered greatly. The large yields from our ranches, hunts and farms causes a population boom with 1000 people born - bringing our population up to 30,000. We hope this boms continues
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south east of our nation. We keep building trans-Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large amounts of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * Pomerania: Programs are put in place to convert Catholic Churches to Evangelical ones, to speed up conversion of the rapidly Protestant nation. Riots by the shrinking Catholic populace are put down by force, and ties with the Papacy are severed. More anti-plague measures take place, with ships entering the nation forced to stay on board for 20 days, being turned away if any member shows symptoms of the illness. Shipbuilding techniques improves as more military and trade vessels are constructed..
 * Livonia: The segregation and quarantine of the ill into quarters already infected continue to stop the spread of the plague. Reparations to Baltic peoples killed by the German militias are made, and ethnic collaboration measures are implemented. Leaders of the ethnic cleansing effort, sans the ruling family themselves, are tried. The ruling family of Ostland is removed from power, with Duke Barnin XI of Pomerania installing his nephew Phillip I as ruler.
 * Bavaria: As Catholics throughout the Holy Roman Empire begin to revolt against the Evangelical Emperor, revolts begin in Bavaria by the last of the Catholic clergy, led by Louis X, who believes he should be given power in Bavaria one again. While receiving some support initially, the rebellion hits a substantial roadblock in that peasants begin to grow disillusioned by the fact that the clergy often targets peasants, Evangelical or not, for violence, and so the peasantry turns on them and decisively defeats them. The government and military, seeing the violence caused by Catholic remnants, decide that it is no longer effective, or even safe, to simply attempt to expand power through diplomacy or to not expand at all, and fabricate reports of rioters in Burgau, Oettingen and Burggrafschaft attacking soldiers who had been sent to border regions to prevent Catholic rioters from attacking Evangelical Bavaria. Hoping to end the disorder in the area quickly and to support the Emperor, Evangelicalism, and his own territorial ambitions, William IV declares war on the above states using the fabricated reports as a casus belli and forces already there, with support from 5000 additional musket infantry, invade. We continue producing cannons for Württemburg, producing another five, but add them to forces invading the Catholic German states until these invasions are over and they can be transported safely to their destination.
 * Duchy of Milan: After several weeks of negotiations from the Duke and his Barons, there is stability in the Duchy once again. A new committee is formed with The Baron Amoriso of Mantua as its leader, from which the Duke can discuss and get advice from his Barons. This unites the warring Barons and satisfies the Northern Evangelistic movement as they have more representation in Milan. The South continues to thrive culturally and economically with the North not too far behind and religious freedom and liberty is enjoyed everywhere. However, The Duke yearns for Milanese access to the sea for greater trade. All 26 Barons agree with the action and decide to raise taxes in order to support the Dukes act of buying access to the sea. Therefore, diplomats are sent to Genoa in order to discuss the purchase of land.
 * Württemberg: The continued presence of Catholics is becoming an increasing hassle for us as they begin to revolt against Emperor John's decision to sever HRE relations with the Papal States. A force known as the Extraodinary Commission for the Enforcement of Religious Unity (German: Außergewöhnliche Kommission für die Errichtung einer religiösen Einheit, or simply the Commission/Kommission for short), the first standing centralised police force in the world, is established to combat the Catholic threat. The Commission is authorised to use terror tactics to force Catholics to cease their revolts and convert to Evangelicalism. We furthermore attempt to begin the vassalisation of Basel by establishing a protectorate over the Prince-Bishopric, as well as trade relations (VASSALISATION ALGO, PLEASE). We reiterate our request to the Netherlands for passage of our ships through their part of the Rhine so that we can get access to the North Sea. We are willing to pay up to 50,000 Thalers for use of the waterway for a period of ten years, as well as 15% of any spoils we gain from the exploration of the world which would follow thereafter. With our newly established presence in the Baltic, we also ask to establish trade relations with the Kalmar Union in the hopes of creating a friendly atmosphere between our two countries. As the HRE has declared independence from the Catholic Church in Rome, we propose that the state be renamed the Holy German Empire (German: Heiliges Deutsches Reich) to reflect the current state of affairs.
 * Kalmar Diplomacy: We accept your offer to establish trade relations.
 * Benin: Benin continues with its invasion of Oyo, taking large swathes of Oyo land and killing all of the men who take up arms against it, while sending all resisting Yoruba into slavery. Benin sends additional forces to assist with the subjugation of the neighboring empire and bring it into the Edo realm. Elsewhere, the construction of Mahin's port continues as planned, with many of the Genoese living in Benin moving to the new city to take part in the shipbuilding industry in the city. In the wake of the incident in Eko, the forty dead Edo sailors are buried at sea by the Portuguese merchants operating out of the city as a way of asking for forgiveness. The Oba officially pardons the Portuguese for their error, and the press in Benin circulates the matter as purely accidental, showcasing the great lengths the Portuguese have gone to seeking forgiveness. The act wins the hearts and minds of the Edo, and brings the Portuguese merchants and Edo subjects closer together. The Oba states his concern as to the ease with with his ships were sunk, the majority of Benin's fleet having been built in Europe, and speculation throughout Benin on the seaworthiness of European vessels arises. This results in the Edo putting more faith in locally-built ships than European-built vessels, creating a local boom in the shipbuilding industry. The Olukore expand Benin by 200 px, bringing many new slaves into the global market and gaining fame in their homeland as powerful warriors. The new lands are opened up to the paionia, who bring their large polygamous families to the region and settle the land in exchange for grants given them by the government. The trend of adopt European fashions and ideals continues throughout Benin, especially as the Edo are taught European customs in their schools and churches. One of the most remarkable facts is that of the Edo making an active effort to bring their cultural ideals to the level of those held in Europe, seeking to be as European as possible. The Oba even decrees that European dress shall be the only form of dress in his lands, and the more "regressive" forms of traditional clothing banned.
 * Hungary: As our nation continues to build up, we begin to build Catholic missions in honor of Catholicism and to rebuild Catholicism as it was. Our nation begins to become a regional power in the area and have a significant decrease in immigration due to our act and no signs of the plague have been spotted in our borders.
 * Demak Sultanate: After we defeated the once great but infidel empire of Majapahit, we moved to secure the rest of Java but we faced odds with the last remaining kingdom of Pajajaran located on the eastern end of Java. We begin building our military to a total of 22,500 troops. We forcefully convert our subjects to Islam. We begin to incorporate our kingdom into the vast structures that the Majapahit left behind. We also raid all valuables like gold and silver from their temples. We will also begin to make a navy by building more frigates to put the total amount at 15. We do a full-on war against Pajajaran launching an offensive against their navy at port and launch attacks at their capital to seize their royal family. (Algo or Mod required). We use our earlier raids to establish routes into their nation.
 * Electorate of Saxony: Aging Emperor John the Steadfast realizes the disruption throughout the Holy Roman Empire and seeks to remind his vassals that they are still free to practice whichever religion they should please. Within Saxony, however, he forms the Evangelisch Inquisition, or Evangelical Inquisition, to root out preachers who contradict the doctrine of the Holy and Evangelical Church of Germany. The nation sees a small riot in Dresden, with the Evangelical populace raiding Catholic homes, but the Emperor sends the army to dispel the rioters.
 * Poland-Lithuania continues trying to rebuild from the wars, and begins a massive quarantine of infected areas. No one gets in or out. In the mean time, the king sends diplomats to Hungary, requesting an alliance, and also begins rebuilding the military, updating it with modern weapons. Noting how the plague has spread, the king also orders a closure of borders with the HRE, to avoid spreading the plague. Polish and Lithuania troops also begin reasserting control over Lithuania, as well as constructing roads in several areas. Noting the situation in Bohemia, the King orders the fortification of the borders, fearful of violence spreading to Poland.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist foreign policy and asserts its status as a regional power, breaking off any unnecessary ties with China. 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 ships annually continues. However, production is doubled to 40 ships a year with 120 already having been built. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. Korea expands 100 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, and in an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items.
 * TO THE MODS: How come the map doesn't show any territorial expansions? I've been expanding 20 px to 50 px into Manchuria right now, and it doesn't show it! D:
 * New mods on the job! We'll take a look at the map with hopes for a full update in 1533. -Simmy
 * Mughal Empire: Emperor Babur collapses during a Kurultai and is ushered out of the chamber, despite his attempts to improve his health, it is deteriorating. Great secrecy falls over the capital Agra as Humayun is recalled to the city. Meetings upon meetings are held amongst the religious council and Kurultai, as well as the Crown-Prince. Gujurat is formally accepted as a province of the Empire after its conquest and its representatives arrive in the capital, along with news that half of their navy remained afloat, despite attempts to scuttle it. Babur in a rare public appearance embraces the Prince of Gujurat and takes him into the palace for a meal. Rumours spread that the prince was snuck out the back door as Babur cannot keep his food within his belly, many begin to fear that the great conqueror's life is coming to a close at only forty-nine. Babur dispatches letters to the sovereigns of the Ottoman Empire, Oman, Bengal and Tibet giving thanks for their long friendships, and many great victories. Within each message is an ivory carving of a tiger, its teeth solid gold. Babur signs the messages in his own, shakey script. As the year comes to an end the Empire holds its breath, unable to know if the year will dawn the era of Humayun.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): This year the newly created Council of the Realm holds its first meetings in Copenhagen. Final plans are made for official unification of the union by 1534. They also decide on an official currency, the Riksdaler. With a majority of the population of the Union evangelical, the council and king agree to make evangelicalism the official religion of the union with the king as head of the newly created Evangelical Church. All Catholic Church property is seized by the crown and much of it is re-purposed as evangelical churches. Catholics are encouraged to convert to the new religion or are fined heavily. An official army and navy are created for the union and are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons.
 * Sweden: Gustav Vasa is elected as the first high Chancellor. 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. Soldiers are raised and trained for the unions army.
 * 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. Missionaries begin to spread the evangelical movement throughout the country.
 * 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.


 * Republic of Florence: In 1531, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With Lorenzo's cousin once removed, Clement VII (Pope OTL), being Pope, and another relative being an archbishop cardinal, the nation remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church. 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 (Naval). 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 twelve, Contessina turns eleven, Giorgio turns nine, and Leonora turns seven. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. 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, and the Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. With Florence's exit from the Holy Roman Empire in the previous year, more power is given to the national legislatures. Lord Lorenzo still invites other Italian (and German Catholic) states to leave the tyrannical new empire. Lorenzo also creates the "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" (The Tuscan Tribunal Office of the Inquisition), with the intent to keep Florence a Catholic state. The first action made by the inquisition was to uphold the Florentine Laws that banished evangelicals and other heretic Catholic sects. A small knightly order is established with the assistance of the Papacy that upholds the Tribunal and Florentine religious laws.
 * France: Our current king, Francis the First begins to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Oliver of France, his heir, as the Duke of Naples. He also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, with other roads in planning. As another part of this plan, efforts to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. We also launch an mission to sail around Africa, mapping out the coastline and marking valuable locations. The mission will also set up trading posts on the african coast to trade with natives. We continue to encourage trade with other nations. We ask for an alliance with Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from them.
 * 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 is requested of Portugal, in order to distribute worldwide goods throughout Europe.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: Trade continues as Normal the country scared of revolts expands their armies and outlaws the usage of Catholic scripts and mass
 * 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. 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, continuing trade in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. The aged Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, guided by the Council of the Ulema. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics, and literature. This system is expanded into an education system across the entire empire, curtailed by individual milets. Males starting at five years old are instructed until the age of twenty-five. Trade is opened up with European nations, asking to trade books, art, and literature with western Europe and Italy. A university in Damascus is constructed this year, based on the European modal. A milet system is made universal across the Empire, allowing Orthodox patriarchs to govern their own communities, as well as smaller communities for Jews, Armenians, Alawites, and Druze. Patriarch Jeremiah I remains as Guardian of the People. After a seemingly-endless war with Hungary, the entire nation is annexed by the Ottomans. The military is greatly cut back after the end of the Hungarian war, and thousands of Turks settle in Eastern Europe, where they are instructed 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 finish reconstruction, and are filled with books imported from around the world. Scholars around the empire gather to study at these two cities. In order to address the problem of tax collection in the Empire, Suleiman imposes a system in which anyone who catches an Emir or Bey with embezzelment is rewarded with over half the money stolen. 
 * Khanate of Crimea: Mehmed Giray dies and is succeeded by his brother, Sahib I 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. Giray'  Khan'  visits Burak Khan at Turkistan, discussing the future of the Kievan Horde and how it could be more properly unified as the great Golden Horde once was.
 * 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: In spite of smaller outbreaks of The Plague every few months, the nation returns to stability. After Vasilov III succumbs to the plague and dies childless, the Ottoman military comes in on the return voyage from Belgrade, and annexes the nation.

1532
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''In light of the of the insidious and blasphemous actions of John von Wettin, uncrowned Holy Roman Emperor, the Vicar of Christ, His Holiness, Pope Clement VII has declared that the legitimacy of Kaiser John is null and void. In a Papal Bull titled, Revertere ad amorem Dei, the Pope excommunicates the false Emperor and demands that the electors choose a Catholic monarch before 1534, or face the revocation of the status of Holy Roman Empire, further denouncing John’s arrogance at attempting to reform the Empire into a secular title. The Pope calls upon the Christians of Europe; Catholic and heretic alike to return, with amnesty, to the See of Rome and that their souls will be saved. The Pope proclaims that any ruler who has not recanted heresy by Christmas tide in 1535 will be excommunicated from the church, and from the love of God. Excommunication means that the common people too, alongside their King, are damned. Peasants within Protestant regions begin to doubt their new freedoms and arm themselves. Any ruler remaining protestant on Christmas, 1535 will be excommunicated from the Church, and with it, excommunicated from the Catholic world. The Pope absolves all German lords of their loyalty to any form of German Empire, and in turn, to any German Emperor in Europe and encourages them to return to the fold of Christ.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The Great Plague has subsided amongst the major cities of Europe, the almost fantastical illness took many lives, but it seems to have past. Rumours that it has spread even into the African continent spread like wildfire, though little evidence is seen. With such devastation, the nations affected by this plague see minor peasant uprisings as people scramble for food, resources and ambition. Any major changes to government or faith will not be warmly received until the realities of the plague can be repaired.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Bandits under the Tibetan outlaw, Sonam Tashi have begun to pillage the Silk Road between China, Tibet and the Great Turkmen Empire. In some cases entire shipments of silk and other fine trading stock were wrestled from the unsuspecting merchants. With no income arriving in China, and no silk flowing into Europe, the price skyrockets as demand outweighs supply. Ports along the Indian coast begin to lose more and more visitors as their Silk Road connections dry up. Unless these outlaws are caught, the situation will continue.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Due to the voracious appetite and constant conquests of the Ottomans the logistical and administrational aspects of the Empire wane. Subsequently, taxes from certain areas like Yemen, inner Adal, Funj, Kurdistan, and Algiers are barely collected due to insufficient bureaucracy, which leads to a slight decline in the Ottoman economy.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Due to the rapid expansion of Benin, the administrative abilities also wane significantly. Dealing with new settlements in jungles while also trade with Europeans and moderninizng the whole military results in a dearth of bureaucracy, and as a result taxes from recently settled areas aren't collected at all, and areas in the proper outskirts are barely noticed. Soldiers in the frontier find themselves eating old food, not receiving new munitions, and are also constantly harassed by native guerrillas, which is exacerbated by the extremely difficult terrain, vicious diseases, and absolute lack of infrastructure, which all also culminate in a dramatic decrease in frontier morale. Social issues also arise, as in Benin proper, the male population is rather depleted due to the advancement of colonies and territory, leaving a disproportionate number of women in the Beninese homeland. As a result, the economy wanes and the overextension requires expansion, to be temporarily ceased (Benin can't expand more than 25 px for the next five turn).'''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: The military is expanded with sectarian tensions growing. Duke Heinrich V dies, and is succeeded by his son, Duke Julius. Julius, though an evangelical supporter, sees the Holy Roman Empire as the legitimate heir to old Rome, and rejects any notion of forming a secular German Empire (even though the concept of a German nation wouldn't get traction for three hundred years). Instead, he seeks reconciliation with Rome. He invites Evangelical and Catholic heads of state from the northern side of the Empire, specifically Evangelical Hamburg, Lübeck and the Catholic Bishoprics of Münster, Bremen and Osnabruck, but most states north of Gottingen are invited, to determine if there is any middle ground among themselves that can be reached  (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE) . Julius also accepts the excommunication of Emperor John, and supports the election of a "unity" Emperor, one that can moderate between the sides peacefully. With the news that Emperor John has died, Julius decides to push his own candidacy for the Emperorship.
 * Please mark the mod response with a red font, see above for how to do it. Hamburg declines, Lübeck accepts,  Münster and Bremen accept, Osnabruck declines. -Sky


 * Württemberg: The Commission continues its work to force conversion of the population to Evangelicalism. We call upon the League of Erfurt and all other Protestant constituents of the Empire to stay strong and continue to stand against the corruption and treachery of the Catholic Church. We applaud efforts by His Majesty the late Emperor John to secularise the Empire. We will elect the next Saxon leader to become the new Emperor, and hope that the League will continue to stand as the Imperial bastion against the disgusting self-indulgence that is the "Holy" See in Rome. Again, we call for all Protestant members of the Holy Roman Empire to secede and form a new German Empire, without the horrid influence of Rome. Electoral Prince Christoph is declared of age at 17 years. He takes his place in the Kronrat and moves into Château de Montbéliard in Mömpelgard, and Philippe I's eldest daughter, 8-year-old Marie de Villiers de Tübingen, is betrothed to him. With the plague having passed, we begin to have our soldiers at last return to Württemberg proper. We also encourage civilian migration to our territories in the Memelland. Our navy, both merchant and military continues to grow as trade with the Kalmar Union flourishes.
 * 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. 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, continuing trade in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. The aged Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, guided by the Council of the Ulema. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics and literature. This system is expanded into an education system across the entire empire, curtailed by individual milets. Males starting at five years old are instructed until the age of twenty-five. Trade is opened up with European nations, asking to trade books, art, and literature with western Europe and Italy. A university in Damascus is constructed this year, based on the European modal. A milet system is made universal across the Empire, allowing Orthodox patriarchs to govern their own communities, as well as smaller communities for Jews, Armenians, Alawites, and Druze. Patriarch Jeremiah I remains as Guardian of the People.  After a seemingly-endless war with Hungary, the entire nation is annexed by the Ottomans.  The military is greatly cut back after the end of the Hungarian war, and thousands of Turks settle in Eastern Europe, where they are instructed to learn Greek. A military expedition deposes Bogdan III of Imereti, and forces Georgia IX of Kakheti to resign. All of Georgia is thus fully annexed, but a loose Georgian millet is established to honor the agreement with Selim I. 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 finish reconstruction, and are filled with books imported from around the world. Scholars around the empire gather to study at these two cities. In order to address the problem of tax collection in the Empire, Suleiman imposes a system in which anyone who catches an Emir or Bey with embezzelment is rewarded with over half the money stolen. 
 * By the rules of the new algo, winning fully doesn't mean you can annex all. So I suggest you split up Hungary with Austria. -Sky
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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. After visiting the Khazakh Khanate, Giray Khan declares that the Kievan Horde must be more unified, with a collected military and an elected leader to sit as the Kagan again.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khan clearly agree to Giray Khan idea of unifying the Hordes to reform the Golden Horde (or a new Horde), and so rise again like in the Great Age of House Borjigin.
 * 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.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khan came to Istanbul with gifts for the Sultan. To thank him for his help last year, he offer him his sister as a concubine for his harem. Burat Khan also offer the Sultan a deal. He is willing to join any war of the Ottoman Empire and to help the Sultan as long as the Ottomans continue to send gunpowder weapons to the Kazakhs.
 * Ottomans accept this deal
 * Uzbek Dip: We would like to be a part of this deal.
 * Archduchy of Austria: We remind the Ottoman Empire that we have fought against Hungary too and occupy parts of Hungary too, therefore we ask them to sign the Treaty of Budapest.


 * Duchy of Lorraine: The regent count Nicholas denounces the papacy as opulent and ungodly losing all connections it had to god with it corruption. The duchy supports the empereor John von Wettin as emperor and agrees with Württemberg that the protestant states should secede and create a new german empire as in our eyes the papacy is ungodly and corrupt so in order to become closer to god we must cut our ties with them. The country also asks various evangelical leaders from Europe for a wife for duke René III. The army expands more to protect itself against from invasions. It economy expands with trade.
 * Württemberger diplomacy: We have been asked by the Governor of Tübingen, Prince Philippe I of Rhodes, to inform you that if René is willing to wait a few years, he will have his younger daughter Sophie betrothed to the Duke.
 * Lorraine Diplomacy: The regent body accepts these terms and are wiling to accept the marriage.
 * Oman continues military expansion, with the navy now nearly at 90 ships and the army closer to 17,500. Expansion continues 45 px north and 30 px inland. Slave raids along India are slightly compromised, as the Omani ally the Mughals now own much more of the coast, which raiders are now ordered to stay away from if they wish to trade in Oman, so many former slave-raiders who preferred the northern Indian coasts have switched to spice trading. Because of the shortage of goods from the silk road into India, many Omani merchants find trouble getting the goods they want from the ports, resulting in many ventures south into East Africa for new goods, and even as far east as Shanghai for the previous ones. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas continue to be built throughout the nation.
 * Socotra is annexed into the crown's lands proper, and is no longer viewed as an outpost. The Nestorian population continues to be allowed to live in peace.
 * The Xahuun Colony continues to grow by 15 px. The colony is still mainly Baloch and Arab in demographics, but as the colony expands more natives are integrated, and because of the natural lack of female colonists many mixed-race children are born. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas begin to become the center point for growing cities along the frontiers.
 * Mogadishu is no effectively rebuilt, and even improved. The port is expanded and a squadron of ships is left in the city in case of rebellion or aggression. The city is used as a launch-point for inland slave raids into virgin populations previously untouched by Omani slavers. Along with this is the new inflow of ivory into Oman through Mogadishu, which from the cheaper prices sparks increased demand. The city is sometimes referred to as "the City of White and Black" as a direct result from the city's wealth from the ivory and slave trades. The district expands by 15 px. 
 * Oman proposes scholarly exchanges with the Ottomans, to foster technological and academic growth between the two countries.
 * The Ottomans agree to send some Sunni scholars to Oman periodically, and invites the Ibadi scholars to come study at the new Library of Baghdad
 * Great Uzbek Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travellers 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. The current standing army is 30,000. 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. 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 500 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask Persia for more gunpowder and guns.
 * 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.
 * Ottoman Dip: Seeing the recent threat against the Silk Road, the Ottoman Empire sends large numbers of guns and siege equipment to supplement the Uzbek military


 * Benin: Benin completes the majority of its construction of Mahin, establishing a second port city in Benin. Construction on a third industrial complex in Benin at Mahin is underway, with the in-flowing wealth from the slave trade helping to finance its construction. Bureaucrats in the Imperial Palace report that Benin has come significantly closer to the military, industrial, and technological levels of the Europeans, though they are still not on par with the likes of Portugal and Venice. The Olukore expand Benin's borders by 25 px, taking what food that need from the land and the villages they conquer. The city of Nnwere (OTL Libreville) and Nwayoo (OTL Port-Gentil) are established along the southern coast of Benin, as settlers establish themselves in the newly conquered region. Using the Ogooué River for access to the interior, Benin sends scouts into the region to locate deposits of iron ore in the region. With the new industrial complexes up and running in Eko, the construction of new ships begins immediately. The Oba is keen to have the ships destroyed a year ago replaced soon for his merchant navy as the slave trade expands. Settlements spring up all along the various regions in the newly conquered lands as tens of thousands of Edo people move into the new lands to escape the overcrowding in Benin proper. They take with them their new European customs and ideals, and quickly replace the weakened tribal populations in Gabon and Cameroon. Many natives fearing the expansion of Benin flee deeper into the bush, avoiding the patrols of Benin district forces as best they can. The city of Ijo continues to grow, and a port is under construction in that city as well to give it access to the growing trade network in West Africa. A major road is built through the thin southern region to the southernmost settlement of Oji-Ala (OTL Pointe-Noire), where the district regiment is supplied with modern weapons to protect it from the potential raids of the neighboring Kongo. However, the danger of a war with the far larger Benin Empire is believed to be a factor in keeping the Kingdom of Kongo passive. On the home-front, with news of the plague in Europe and rumors of it spreading to Africa, the Oba institutes a strict quarantine procedure, restricting access to Benin by Europeans to the ports. With only two ports capable of dealing with the European vessels, any possibility of the plague spreading to Benin is reduced significantly. Any pests on-board the ships are prevented from moving to the mainland by being kept out away from the land as the ships are forbidden from docking, and most move all goods by ferry after extensive examination by customs officials. A secondary quarantine for Benin's customs officials and European traders who must go onshore after leaving the ships, are restricted to quarters at the ports and not allowed to leave, further reducing the possibility of the plague spreading through a local. Court officials have ordered the construction of countless temporary shelters for quarantined individuals, with all resources they will need set aside near the ports' quarantine centers. All Benin can do is wait.
 * You say you expand 200 px, but the mod events say you can't expand more than 25 px.
 * Actually, a mod added the event with no grounds for it boree his personal opinion. I'll "play along" with him for now. ~Viva
 * Kazakh Khanate: The Kazakh Clans continue to expand eastward (250 px), with the new Clans settling in the region and gaining tribute from the local population. This expansion into Asia is part of Burat Khan's plan to one day acquire Mongolia as part of his lands. The Khan begin to convince his population of the necessity of a new Khaganate like the Crimean Khan, Giray Khan, proposed last year during the celebrations, and to unite the Kievan Horde  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED ON THE PAGE) . Burat Khan continue to encourage his artisans to learn how to produce the gun powder weapons given by the Ottoman Empire, while he also force the Baqaqs to incorporate this weapon in their forces and truly learn this new technology. Hearing of the destruction on the Silk Road, Burat Khan sees it as an occasion to develop his own trade, and encourage merchants to pass through his lands instead of using the most conventional, but risky, Silk Road. He even goes so far as promising men to protect the voyagers on his lands.
 * Uzbek Dip: We would like to help create an Uzbek-Kazakh brotherhood and would like to increase trade and help train your troops.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khan agrees to the Uzbek offer.
 * If the Crimean Khan agreed, you agree, and the Nogai agreed, then yes. (I also RNG'd it, both Astrakhan and Sibir were a positive) -Sky
 * England: Princess Mary marries King James V of Scotland. As the situation unfolds on the continent, the Reformation Parliament, as it comes to be known, meets to discuss the religious future of England in a rapidly changing Christian world. The Reformation Parliament, guided by Thomas Cranmer and Thomas Cromwell, and with the support of lords like Thomas Boleyn, Buckingham, and Northumberland, begins moving toward the empowerment of the Crown in religious matters by passing legislature restoring Praeminure and revoking the clergy's special legal status. The King views these developments favorably as Cranmer and Cromwell keep his ear. Sir Thomas More, on the other hand, is against them, and resigns as Lord Chancellor as a result. He is succeeded by Cromwell. The influencing of Ulster is completed. The King fathers a bastard on Lady Jane Seymour, whom he recognizes as Arthur FitzRoy.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Calais is used as a port to promote connections between Europe and the continent.


 * Mutsu: In the midst of the Sengoku Period in Japan citizens of the Provence Mutsu become restless after years of civil war and decide to secede from Japan and form the Empire of Mutsu. The Emperor of the nation is former Daiymô of the Provence, his name is AKIHITO meaning "Bright Prince". The new small country decides to assist in the unification of Japan if necessary to the safety of its people, but will not rejoin Japan. People from other provences flee to Mutsu in hopes of escape from civil war. The population of Mutsu is around 750,000 which is around 5% of Japan's total population. The emperor has a small team of advisers who help him make decisions but he gives all the excetutive orders. The new country's economy is suffering due to small amounts of natural resources to export. The country has no one to do trade with yet except a warring Japan. Lots of subsistence farmers are able to feed their own families and supply a bit for local markets. The government focuses its resources on building two main seaports one on the north of the coast line and one towards the south in hopes to open trade with China and other Asian countries. The northern port is called Mutsu Port, the more southern port is called AKIHITO named after Emperor. There is one capital City called Mutsu City, located on the east coast in the far north. Mutsu Port is on Mutsu City. The country is also focusing on recruiting men to make an army, knowing it will most likely have to defend itself from the rest of Japan. Right know they have about 7000 men training just outside of Mutsu City and another 2,500 training in a smaller village to the North. Anyone who is willing to become allies with Mutsu is welcome to propose something.
 * Korean Dip: We would like to ally with the Mutsu.
 * Note: Japan's population is 15 million, so 5% of it is 750,000. 500,000 is only 3% of it.
 * Mutsu: Mutsu declines Korea's offer to become allies. (Also thanks for the correction I must have been reading a bad article.)
 * I find it hard to believe at this time for a currently small country in the way North of Honshu to have 5% of the population. -Vatonica
 * Owari: Seeing that Korea has joined an alliance with Mutsu, we assume they have ended their policy of being against unification with Japan. We also ask Mutsu for a non-aggression pact and a trade agreement.
 * NOTE: The areas that the Mutsu currently have would roughly have 4% (~600,000 people) of the Japanese population.
 * Joseon: Korea continues adopting an expansionist foreign policy and asserts its status as a regional power, breaking off any unnecessary ties with China. 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 ships annually continues. However, production is lessened to ten ships a year with 200 already having been built. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. Korea expands 100 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, and in an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items.
 * In the Electorate of Saxony,​ Emperor John is surprisingly at peace with the Pope's excommunication. He relies upon Martin Luther, who publicly criticizes the Pope's abuse of authority, and publishes a manuscript entitled "On the Salvation of Man," where he verbalizes the concepts of Sola fide, Sola gratia, and Sola ​​​scriptura as the only way to truly receive salvation. The Evangelical Inquistion offers to help any Evangelical Church nation with internal troubles. Vassalization of Nürnberg continues in one of its final years. Emperor John dies towards the end of the year, to much mourning of the Evangelical majority of Saxony. The wake is held open to the public, who admire their former Emperor for his constant devotion to the true Christian Church. Landgrave of Hesse John Frederick von Wettin accedes to the throne of Saxony, but announces that he will not be running for the office of Emperor, instead suggesting the Margrave of Brandenburg as a moderate alternative to either a Catholic or Evangelical purist.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: The Electorate also enters a period of mourning for the death of the great Emperor John, and now that John Frederick will not be running for Emperor, we also agree to vote for the Landgrave.
 * Owari: With Korea allied with a Japanese imperial country, we resume our expansion. With the United Front useless, at least until another war should arise, we dissolve the United front, but try to keep our good ties with states like Izumo. We continue to influence Miwaki (Turn Three of Seven), and try to integrate Ise into Owari as much as possible. We begin to build an army for a potential war with Ashikaga.
 * Poland-Lithuania breathes a sigh of relief now that the plague is beginning to subside, but still must deal with the aftereffects. As rebuilding continues across the nation, efforts are made to truly unite Poland and Lithuania under one monarch, as order is restored across the nation.
 * France: Our current king, Francis the First, begins to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Oliver of France, his heir, as the Duke of Naples. He also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, and is already midway through construction. Other roads are also being built, mostly across the northern portion of France, but with a major highway leading from north to south. As another part of this plan, efforts to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Our economy is also improved, both through trade and internal development. We also launch an mission to sail around Africa, mapping out the coastline and marking valuable locations. The mission will also set up trading posts on the african coast to trade with natives. This year the mission lands in a land the natives call Benin. The leader of the voyage, Luca Eishens immediately offers goods and weapons as a sign of goodwill, and offers to enter trade with the nation. We also send a voyage of 16 ships to go to the far east and try to open trade with nations in the area. We continue to encourage trade with other nations, focusing on Venice and nations within the Holy Roman Empire. We ask for an alliances with both the Netherlands and Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from Venice.
 * Archduchy of Austria: Archduke Ferdinand I decides to run for the office of Emperor of the HRE, after Emperor John died, urging all HRE Catholic states to support his candidacy, while also seeking support from Evangelical states, being moderate at his religious views, promises that Evangelicals will be free to practice their religion and will personally negotiate with the Pope, in order to reduce tensions between Catholics and Evangelicals, not wanting the HRE falling to civil war. Archduke Ferdinand I, with the rebellions have been dealt with a year ago, an army consisting of 20,000 men are deployed in our vassal Burgau and Oettingen lands, while we attack Bavaria with an army consisting of 40.,00 men, joining the war in their side, in order to secure our vassals independence. The army stands at the number of 60,000 men, with casualties that happened during the War for Hungary, being replenished. A new grand ambitious project is started, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The first road is to be from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ening in Trent and is already midway through construction. Another part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrese taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, while he also decides to stop persecuting evangelical followers/supporters and allow the free practise of Evangelicalism, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign, seeing the momentum that evangelicalism has gained, while also hoping to please the Emperor and avoid a direct confrontation with the HRE Evangelical nations. A census shows the population is about two million but over 1.6 million are serfs. Evangelicalism gains momentum due to Swiss preachers now being able to come to the Archduchy of Austria and spread Evangelicalism throughout the realm. After the end of the war for Hungary with the treaty being signed, King Louis II is released after he agreed to rule our parts of Hungary as our vassal. However, the royal family isn't released though they receive good treatment, with all luxuries at their disposal, this move is made to remind King Louis II where his loyalties lay.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Infrastructure is improved. Religious freedom is promised to Evangelical supporters following Archduke Ferdinand I decision to enforce it on the Archduchy of Austria. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: The King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: We ask France for an alliance, in order to keep the Evangelical states in the HRE in check and try to limit the Ottoman Empire's expansion. We also make an offer to the Venice offering them the Italian parts of Tyrol (the parts where the ethnic Italians constitute a majority), in exchange for Istria, aiming to get access to the Adriatic Sea. We also offer them an alliance and secretly offer them to help them against their enemy Milan, shall they help us in our wars. We ask the HRE Catholic states that border Bavaria, to become our vassals, to protect them from Bavarian aggression.  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED) . We start vassalizing Augsburg.
 * Burgau and Oettingen accept, Burggrafschaft declines. (Are you sure these are legit states, though?)-Sky
 * Yes they are, check this map


 * Shitotzuke: I am a newly seceded nation and I want to look for ways to expand my nation.
 * Mutsu Dip: Mutsu offers an alliance to Shitotzuke.
 * Shitotzuke: We accept Mutsu's offer.
 * Spain:  Our new territory on Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand start to expand by 50 px. On the other side of the world in the Americas, our territories in New Orleans, Venezuela and Ecuador also expand 50 px.  A massive plague hits Europe hardly killing thousands. In our nation, the plague hits hardly, but mostly on the coastal parts of the nation.  The King slowly tries to convert to Protestant, due to the fact that our lands are not unified with Aragon. Also that the Catholic Church is not going any good for our King. More jobs open up, since we need more people to help rebuild the nation from our recent devastation in the war that was lost. The military continues to hire more people. Ships are continuing to be built. The economy tries to fix itself, buy selling many resources taken from our colonies to our allies. Trade goes fine with our allies. This year science is funded over the other fields, due to the plague hitting our nation.
 * Too soon, you recently got wrecked. Also, you're not going to become Protestant.-Sky
 * 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 is 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 east
 * Cherokee: Our population boom seems to be subsiding. Dropping from 5% to 1%. Our population has recovered 5,000 individuals now up to 37,000 Individuals in our tribe. Due to the huge number of young people we build special long houses just for the raising of young. We attempt to start the development of a bureaucracy and keep working on a written language. We build another corn field and rice paddy for the recently domesticated rice. Our studies of the Spanish government in Palm Beach is going nicely but some of our efforts are hindered due to the lack of a written language.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. 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 to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations, seeking an alliance with Brunswick-Luneburg and accepting the Kalmar Union's offer for an alliance and trade. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade.
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. No expansion is made as of now.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. We expand 20 px eastward (Nieuw-Brussel is placed wrongly on the map, it's on the western part of Long Island).
 * Bohemia: The military and economy continues to expand. While the plague is fearing the nations in Europe, we continue to recruit more Bohemian troops. More buildings start to build and also the bunkers to protect the military area. We're really saddened about John the Steadfast died, which we support voting John Fredrick to suceed as Emperor of HRE to continue evangelical dominance.
 * Bavaria: Seeing Austrian attempts to check Bavarian advances, Bavaria offers the leaders of the states it is invading terms: Become vassals of Bavaria and receive its help in rebuilding and stabilizing while maintaining power in their realms, as well as receiving repayment for the trouble they were caused, or be deposed and allow Bavaria to do these things on its own terms without receiving any compensation.  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)  With difficulties getting food for the people, the government begins supporting merchants to expand the country's trade along our rivers, and we begin reorganizing the land system to make acquiring crops grown on a noble's land more efficient and so that less of it rots in transit. One large part of this is creating a larger road network across Bavaria, starting by connecting Munich with its surrounding large towns, and connecting those with the large towns around them and outside of the towns around Munich, and so on, until the country is connected in this way, which is predicted to take until at least 1540. While William IV is Evangelical, he sees that suppressing religion is not a good idea, especially given the suppression of Evangelicalism in many German states prior to its current level of influence, so he decides to allow all residents of Bavaria and the lands it controls to practice the religion they wish, hoping that this will bring Bavaria closer to God than "the oppressive clergy who stifled the revolution that is now established across the lands of the Holy Roman Empire" in spite of the fact that very few Catholics remain in Bavaria; it was intended, and received, as "the sect of Christianity they wish". However, as Islam is still greatly mistrusted. William IV decides not to cast his support to any of the candidates for Holy Roman Emperor, seeing that doing so would put him at odds with the one he did not support and expose Bavaria to unnecessary danger, and would be unlikely to make the preferred candidate more likely to be elected, as Bavaria is not an electorate. We produce another five cannons, and we prepare to ship these on to Württemberg, believing the war against the small Catholic states to be nearing its conclusion.
 * NPC RESPONSE: The States under the boot of Bavaria speak with once voice and declare that they shall never be part of any scheme that robs them of their Holy Roman status. They demand Bavaria withdraw and Catholic neighbours to aid them.
 * Empire of the Great Ming: In response to the news of the Tibetan bandits, we request the Tibetan Army join us in an effort to take on the bandits' small patrols. Trade continues with the Ottomans and the Portuguese. We expand 200 px farther into Manchuria. Using our position in the Ryukyus, we set sail for OTL Sakhalin Island and begin settling troops and government officials in the southern part.
 * You can't simply expand 200 px into barren, useless wasteland and you cannot colonise the Sakhalin from the Ryukyu Islands.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1532, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With Lorenzo's cousin once removed, Pope Clement VII, and another relative being an archbishop cardinal, the nation remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church. 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 (Naval). 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 thirteen, Contessina turns twelve, Giorgio turns ten, and Leonora turns eight. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. With the death of the current evangelical emperor, and the possibility of Ferdinand of Austria (Lorenzo's brother-in-law) being elected, Florence chalks up an alliance with the Archduchy of Austria, and states if the moderate archduke is elected, that Florence will realign and rejoin the empire. The Medici family gives the Archduke significant funding to try to influence the election. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. Two main figures continue the enlightment: Niccolo Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be comissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. Lord Lorenzo II sends a letter to the Lord of Bologna, stating that Florence guarantees the safety of the nation, and requests an alliance  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED) . Florence also begins to influence Bologna and starts to vassalize the nation.


 * Austrian Diplomacy: Archduke Ferdinand accepts Florence-Lord Lorenzo's II offer of an alliance.
 * NPC RESPONSE: The Lord of Bologna accepts the offer of an alliance from Lord Lorenzo II, he adds that Florence as their new ally should stop attempting to gain claims upon their sovereignty. The Lord of Bologna works actively to define Bologna as a separate state.


 * Kandesh: In order to gain influence in the Japanese Islands, We request an alliance with Mutsu, and as the nation of Kandesh sees great armies in the north and west, we will start development of more efficient gunpowder weaponry.
 * Mutsu Dip: We accept Kandesh's offer for an alliance.
 * Angu: Trade with the Portuguese carries on. Once more the Angu request help with making the shiny sharp rocks from the Portuguese. The literacy rises from 0% and the infrastructure expands while the tribe expands 50 px west-northwest.
 * Portugal continues growing the Brazil and Papua colonies, with a large influx of new slaves from Benin. Constructions in Macau and Porta Dourada continue. The settlers in Papua meet with the local tribes and begin to teach them Portuguese methods of metallurgy, a process as yet unknown to the local population. In response to the Spanish attempted colonisation of areas in Africa and Asia, beyond their area of possession as decreed by the Papal Treay of Torsedillas, Manuel demands that the Spanish leave these colonies at once, or Portugal may be forced to take action. 
 * Demak Sultanate: After we defeated the once great but infidel empire of Majapahit, we move to secure the rest of Java but we faced odds with the last remaining kingdom of Pajajaran located on the eastern end of Java. We begin building our military to a total of 22,500 troops. We forcefully convert our subjects to Islam. We begin to incorporate our kingdom into the vast structures that the Majapahit left behind. We also raid all valuables like gold and silver from their temples. We will also begin to make a navy by building more frigates to put the total amount at 20. We do a full on war against Pajajaran launching an offensive against their navy at port and launch attacks at their capital to seize their royal family. We use our earlier raids to establish routes into their nation.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south east of our nation. We keep building trans-Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large amounts of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * Pomerania: While the duke dismisses the ramblings of the now delegitamized papacy, many in the countryside begin to worry. Fearing rioting, the government begins to block information coming from Catholic Europe. Catholics within the central government are purged, while the royal family nearly fully converts. Due to the subsiding of the plague, ports are opened up again, and the mandatory quarantine time is lifted. Ship building and arms creation continues. With the plague over, troop movements to and from Livonia reopen, as civilians begin to enter and visit. With the plague over, Duke Barnim XI decides to finish what Ostland started, sending 25,000 men across the border into Poland to capture Danzig, along with the 10,000 in Livonia plus regional regimens into West Prussia. 


 * Livonia: With the plague subsiding, segregational quarantine measures are repealed. Reconstruction from the war, disease and genocide begins at a rapid pace, the beginning of national rebirth. The population begins to stabilize after years of turmoil and 30% loss, growing with the new influx of Pomeranian bourgeois. A standing military is created, advised by Pomeranian officials. Coenciding with Pomerania, Livonia attempts to recapture West Prussia repurposing many ethnic and peasant militias not even 1000 strong and adding them to the 10,000 Pomeranian West Prussia invasion force helping.
 * Poland-Lithuania, rather then give in to losing this land, concentrates its forces to defending Danzig.


 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): With a resumption of trade and the end of the plague the city of Copenhagen begins to expand again. The merchant class also begins to expand along with the city. The king allows these merchants to ship in extra food, keeping prices low and the peasants fed. Any damage caused by the plague is repaired. The king and the council of the realm are finally allowed to use the king's new palace. All Catholic Church property is seized by the crown and much of it is re-purposed as evangelical churches. Catholics are encouraged to convert to the new religion or are fined heavily. An official army and navy are created for the union and are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons.
 * Sweden: Gustav Vasa is elected as the first High Chancellor. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px into Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism. Soldiers are raised and trained for the unions army. A new secondary palace is build in the city of Stockholm as it prepares to become the secondary capital.
 * 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. Missionaries begin to spread the evangelical movement throughout the country. The port of Olso is expanded in order to accommodate an increase in North Sea trade.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administer both colonies. Settlers are encouraged to come to the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.
 * Mughal Empire: In the early hours of the darkest morning, the founder of Gurkani and father of hte nation, Babur, passed away after a painful and slow illenss. Despite his attempts to better his health, the only delayed the inevtiable. Crown-Prince Humayn, at his father's side was declared Emperor fo the Mughals by both the Religious council and Kurultai. Already gathered in anticipation of the passing of their Great Mughal, many lords of the realm resounded the calls of the authorities in Agra, May the light of a new Era dawn, Long live the Emperor, Long live Humayun, defender of all faith, Lord of the Indus."
 * 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 is requested of Portugal, in order to distribute worldwide goods throughout Europe.

1533
<p style="font-weight:normal;">

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' The Ottoman combatment of embezzlement does prove successful and supplements some of the treasury. However, any area still remain with little tax revenue, and the recent annexation of Georgia, expansion into Africa, expansion of education prospects (all of which require a thorough administration) and lack of administrative growth exacerbate the initial issue further. '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' Nikolaas van Beck, a priest hailing from the Netherlands, travels to Rome following the emergence of heresies in the Dutch lands. He, and the priests that joined him on his travel to Rome throw themselves at the feet of the Holy Father. The Pope in his infinite wisdom bestows upon the priests a great charge, to go forth into Europe and purge her of all heresy. The Order of St. Nicholas, known as the Nicolites, is born. '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' The Pope recognises Ferdinand I of Austria as the official successor to the Holy Roman Empire despite the final votes not arriving from the electors of the Empire, though the votes cast for Ferdinand convey legitimacy. Clement VII proclaims that should the Empire accept their Emperor and return to the status quo, the threat of excommunication will not be carried out. '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' The raids on the Silk Road intensify as little is done to combat them, the attacks leave merchants poor and bandits well armed. Many rally to the banner of the Tibetan outlaw, as more arrive, more raids take place. The economy of the East and the supply of luxuries to the West plummet. Ming's attempts to quell the outbreaks is admirable, but without consensus their efforts only create more dissenters. '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' Feud here, can we please be realistic with alliance, I see people making a ton of willy-nilly alliances, it just seems like everyone is doing PM style and making every alliance possible just cause they can. I will be making moves to curb this and will be speaking with other mods about the overabundance of alliances. -Feud '''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: the alliance with the Netherlands is accepted. while Julius had stood for election, hoping to bring the Imperial crown back to the Welfs, Brunswick-Lüneburg accepts Ferdinand as Emperor. Duke Julius also condemns Württemberg, saying "their attempt to form a "German" empire shows they hold no regard for their heritage, for we of Germania and Italia are the true and proper heirs of the Roman Empire and Charlemagne. Their belief in some "German" state is only another attempt to create a fantasy title, hoping to elevate their own prestige." Meanwhile, Julius hosts his conference between Brunswick and Hamburg, representing the Evangelicals there, and Bremen and Münster, who represent the Catholics. Julius puts forward a list of the main grievances of the Evangelicals; the sale of indulgences, nepotism within the clergy, selling of clerical offices, and usury. He says to the bishops that if they bring them before the Pope, and he agrees to implement reforms to combat these, then reconciliation, at least for Brunswick, could hope to begin.  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)
 * The bishops agree to bring this forth the Pope.


 * Mutsu: Mutsu continues to expand its militaries with a total of 20,000 men now enlisted. The military has doubled in size because the Emperor has decided to invade Dema. Mutsu will focus 16,000 of its men on this invasion. Mutsu requests the help of a 5,000 man army from its ally to the south Shitotzuke. Mutsu's goal in the invasion is to completely take over Dema and make it part of Mutsu's territory. Mutsu Port in Mutsu City is completely finished. Mutsu decides to cut off their alliance with Korea because they are enemies of China and Mutsu wants to be able to trade with China eventually. Mutsu starts building up a navy, only five naval ships are finished so far. The economy is slowly improving because Mutsu has started to export lots of dried fish to Shitotzuke.
 * Shitotzuke Dip: We will grant the troops, in exchange for 50 px of land in the south of Dema afterward if the invasion goes as planned
 * Mutsu Dip: Mutsu agrees, send the troops to the south border of Dema
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt a more expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power, considering itself as no longer a mere Chinese satellite regime. 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 ships annually continues. However, production is lessened to ten ships a year with 210 already having been built. 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 construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continue but at a slower pace as the Korean economy modernises. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; three blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each (each both have 93 already made), melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable of producing three tons of steel within a day. 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. Restrictions on the production of paper bills is lifted as inflation is controlled. Trade with China experiences sharp decline, while trade with Portugal through several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. Education is highly 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. Korea expands 250 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, and in an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items.  Korea invades Japan via Shikoku and Kyushu, and begins to invade Hokkaido via the Sakhalin Island.  Following an agreement with China, Korea restricts invasion to the islands of Kyushu and Shikoku due to its Korean majority. Using its growing naval force, Korea begins to colonise the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido, and Taiwan, expanding 10 px into each island.
 * Korean Diplomacy (to Owari and the United Japanese Front): Korea proposes the following terms to Japan. Firstly, Korea will be given the island of Kyushu, which is ethnically Korean. Secondly, Japan will begin the shipment of all ethnic Koreans from the rest of Japan (around ~500,000). If these terms are accepted, Korea promises to not invade Shikoku or Honshu within the next half-century and end the current conflict between Japan and Korea.
 * Owari: accepts, so long as the mass Korean immigration out of Shikoku is completed within fifteen years.
 * 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 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. The current standing army is 70,000. 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. 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 600 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask China for more gunpower and guns. and are willing to send a heavily armed convoy to come get the guns and powder. We begin to amass people for war and begin to draft people in the army.
 * 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.
 * Mod: Guys, please read events. Bozi as yourself and Tibet ignored the Silk Road bandits your economy sadly doesn't improve, but plummets. The Silk Road, your connection to China has been utterly pillaged. Recap on events and make nescessary changes. Good luck, ~Simmy
 * Um, Bozi did post about the Silk Road bandits (albeit not in much detail), and I sent supplies to help -Nate
 * Ottoman Dip: Three expeditions are sent to the Uzbek Empire to quell the silk road bandits, who are damaging our economy
 * Guys, I apologise unreservedly. I misread 1531 as 1532. Please ignore my message here. I'll resolve the Silk Road next turn. Sorry again! ~Simmy
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khan continues to study the weapons sent by the Ottoman Empire, and local artisans try to learn the fabrication of gunpowder weapons from Ottoman emissaries. Those weapons slowly become more and more used by Kazakh troops around the Khanate. Many settlers made the bold move of implanting their new home up north of the frontier (250 px north east, just over the newly colonized region and the border). A small recruitment continues among the Khanate, many younger Kazakhs desiring to defend the newly established Khaganate. The army is finally able to be 75,000 man strong, just like Burat Khan wanted. Although the Kazakhs do not feel threaten by the Tibetan bandits, Burat Khan still order his men to provide protection to any merchant or trader that cross his country. As for the new Kievan Horde (which is also refer as “The Khaganate” among the population), Burat Khan officialy present himself as a candidate for the role of Khagan. He insist that the Khaganate must start with a strong ruler that made his proofs, and point out that the Nogai were too shaken by the civil war to lead the nwly form nation.
 * Kazakh (OOC): Hey, does anyone know what is the nation east to me? The one between me and Mongolia.
 * That would be the Oirat Horde. - Dax
 * Württemberg: We are outraged by the Papal States' blatant attempt to install an Emperor on the throne before the completion of the Election.  Ulrich I states, "Who is the Italian Pope to decide on the German Emperor for the Germans?"  He also says that he is at peace with his and his realm's excommunication from the Catholic Church, dismissing it as the "fluffy words of a senile old man" and glorifying the Holy Evangelical Church. In an act of further defiance against the Pope, Ulrich I invites Martin Luther to Württemberg to be ordained as the first Knight of the Order of Conrad  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED) . Popular protests break out in Stuttgart against the Pope's announcement. We refuse to accept Ferdinand I as the Holy Roman Emperor until the Election has been completed and the results are in favour of him.  Our government secretly summons the leaders of the League of Erfurt, as well as other Protestant leaders — particularly Bavaria, Lorraine, the Netherlands, Saxony and Switzerland — to Stuttgart to discuss the possible formation of a new Empire. (OOC: If three players or more agree to attend, I will create the page.)  Meanwhile, we station troops along our borders, especially the south, to protect our realm from the Nikolites. The soldiers, who are also accompanied by officers from the Commission, are ordered to arrest on sight any Catholic priest that comes anywhere near the border posts. They are authorised to use any means necessary to find if any arrested priests are associated with the Order. If proven guilty, they are to be immediately executed. Any movement advocating counter-reformation, the reversal of religious independence or the destruction of the Holy Evangelical Church will not be tolerated in Württemberg.
 * Lorraine Secret Diplomacy: The duchy agrees to send the duke and regent Diet to meet in Stuttgart in secret and discuss a new German empire.
 * No way this forms a new empire. It would cause a religious war to install a your favored emperor, not push to create a new empire. If I see this new empire nonsense again its a plausibility strike instead of a warning -Feud
 * German nationalism isn't a thing, nor isn't nationalism in general. It's not the Italian people, it's the Bishop of  Rome, installing an Emperor on the throne of the Holy  Roman  Empire. -Sky
 * Württemberg OOC: @Feud, all right fine, I won't speak of it anymore for now. No need to be so rude about it. And thanks Sky for clarifying the reasoning. I understand much better now. However, I may bring it up again in say the 19th century when romantic nationalism is present.
 * 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. 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, continuing trade in the Indian Ocean, including the Sultanates of Oman, Bengal, Aceh, and Demak. The aged Yazid IV continues to preside of the universal House of Islam from Medina, guided by the Council of the Ulema. A system of universal education continues to expand across Anatolia, teaching young men the latest knowledge of science, mathematics and literature. This system is expanded into an education system across the entire empire, curtailed by individual milets. Males starting at five years old are instructed until the age of twenty-five. Trade is opened up with European nations, asking to trade books, art, and literature with western Europe and Italy in exchange for caffine, silk, spices and Ming pottery. A university in Damascus is constructed this year, based on the European modal. A milet system is made universal across the Empire, allowing Orthodox patriarchs to govern their own communities, as well as smaller communities for Jews, Armenians, Alawites, and Druze. Patriarch Jeremiah I remains as Guardian of the People. The military is greatly cut back after the end of the Hungarian war, and thousands of Turks settle in Eastern Europe, where they are instructed to learn Greek.Egypt expands into Cyrencia 240 px, subjugating the local tribes and re-establishing the ancient Pentapolis. The Fatha Al-Farun (Canal of the Pharaohs) is completed this year, capable of sending a few merchant ships (or one warship) through at a time. The Ottomans charge a reasonable, but expensive fee for its use to reach India. With the canal completed, two fleets from the Mediterranean are redeployed piecemeal to the Indian Ocean, with prospects of beginning colonization in the near future. The House of Wisdom in Baghdad and the Library of Alexandria finish reconstruction, and are filled with books imported from around the world. Scholars around the empire gather to study at these two cities. Frustrated with the corrupt beaucracy in the Empire, Suleiman the Magnificent dedicates this year to reform the administration. A new, more even system of governance is placed over all the regions under Ottoman control, with the individual millets reassessed as more local administration. The Caliph alone reserves the right to reassume any lands given to the nobility, which Suleiman uses to rapidly depose several corrupt ministers. The Ulema, or Council of Senior Scholars, are put in charge of trying the cases of any suspected disloyalty.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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. Giray Khan calls for the now united Kievan Horde to vote for the first Khagan of the Horde since the fall of the Golden Horde generations ago. 
 * 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.
 * The Sultan of Oman proposes a large land-purchase of much of Eastern Yemen. In payment, the Sultanate will offer an Oman_yemen_proposal_mini.pngsive deal in very cheap child slaves for the Ottomans for five years to boost janissary numbers without further burdening the Ottoman's Christian population. The rest of the payment will be made in gold, eastern luxuries, fine ivory from Oman's recent African colonies, and of course, gold. The Ottomans would also recieve an easment to continues military exercises in Yemen for five years and would keep port access for fifteen. Sunnis in the purchased land would also guaranteed protection and exemption from the jizya for 25 years, and the Ottomans would recieve 15% of the income from the area for equally as long. This deal is of course up for further negotiation.
 * Ottoman Dip: The Ottomans take this deal into consideration, but due to current administative reforms, it will take some time for deliberation.
 * King Manuel I of Portugal offers the Ottomans a trade pact, so that our two great powers of eastern trade can work together rather than compete for the lucrative spices in the east. He also offers a the Eastern shoreline of India, from Nagapatnam to Chittagong, previously claimed by Portugal, to be free for Ottoman aspirations of colonisation, in return for limited Portuguese access to the Fatha Al-Farun. Manuel hopes these deals can be the beginning of goodwill between nations.
 * Doesn't Portugal only have land on the Western coast of India? -Dax
 * Portugal (being an arrogant expansionist European empire) claimed (not colonised) those areas a while ago. The ownership of it is in reality just a claim, but if I sell my claim it means I won't at any point try to take it for myself. ~FP
 * As Portgual doesn't have control over this area, I don't see how this deal would benefit me ~Nate
 * England: The Reformation Parliament continues to discuss the fate of England. They cease the payment of Annates to Rome in the Annates Act. The totality of the payment of Annates is diverted to the Crown. In a radical turn of events, the Parliament goes on to pass the Acts of Supremacy, acknowledging King Henry VIII as the Supreme head on earth of the Church of England, Fidei Defensor. The Acts of Supremacy absolve England and the Crown of all loyalty or allegiance to Rome. Thomas Cromwell begins to devise a plan to extend these new-found evangelical sentiments to Ireland. more in England later.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Calais is used to connect England to the continent in terms of trade.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We welcome England to the Protestant community.
 * Empire of the Great Ming and the Ryukyuan Islands: Upon hearing about the Korean invasion of the Japanese archipelago and the Matsu Domain allying with the Koreans, the Emperor is enrages and issues a declaration of war to Korea. From the Ryukyuan Islands, we send 13 warships with 70,000 troops to seize Jeju Island. From the mainland, we dispatch an invasion force of 375,900 troops, mainly horsemen and artillery (first wave) into the Korean border. We prepare a second wave of ground troops and horsemen, as well as chariots and cannons, comprising of 279,100 troops. Warships are send to bombard the Korean coast. We fortify the Ryukyus and our coast with hundreds of ships. We send ships to blockade the Sea of Japan. The Emperor asks the United Japan Front to join us in this war against the aggressor Korea.
 * Korean Dip: We never knew you were allied with Japan. Fine, I'll withdraw from Japan but stop invading me.
 * The Emperor of the Ming issues a treaty, stating that The Ming will withdraw from Korea if and only if 1) Korea stops it invasion of Japan and withdraws 2) Honors the Ming's protection of the United Japanese front and 3) not interfer with Japanese expeditions. 
 * Korean Dip: We will agree to the second and third terms, but we will still invade Shikoku and Kyushu due to their Korean majority. Deal?
 * The Emperor of the Ming signs the treaty, but states that he still does not approve of the Joseon's actions. 
 * Owari: We reassemble the good old United Japanese Front. The same coalition is asked back to defend against Korea. We also ask Mutsu to either join us in the war or to stay neutral, as we do not want to go to war with them, but would prefer unity within Honshu. We ask China for a more permanent alliance and trade agreement, as well as some help gaining technology for cannons and better firearms. This time, with the United Japanese Front, we have more of an intention to keep the front after the war is over, as this is the second time Japan has been invaded, and we fear future invasions from China, Korea, and/or Europe. We ask any nearby Japanese states to join the United Japanese Front to protect against Korean invaders. (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)
 * Korean Dip: You have no right to interfere with us because Shikoku and Kyushu, the areas we are currently invading, are ethnically Korean and thus it is only natural for us to annex them.
 * Mutsu Dip: Mutsu chooses to stay nuetral and continues its invasion of Dewa.
 * Owari: Korea did not originally have this policy. We will consider a treaty.
 * Portugal continues growing the Brazil and Papua colonies, with a large influx of new slaves from Benin. Constructions in Macau and Porta Dourada continue. The settlers in Papua continue to meet with the local tribes to teach them Portuguese methods of metallurgy, a process as yet unknown to the local population. The Venetian trade offer is accepted, and it is hoped that it brings great riches and fruitfulness to both nations. To assist the Venetian spread of Asian trade around Europe, King Manuel offers Venice trade access of the Portuguese port of Cueta, ideally placed as a European processing point of overseas goods. In response to the Spanish attempted colonisation of areas in Africa and Asia, beyond their area of possession as decreed by the Papal Treay of Torsedillas, Manuel again demands that the Spanish leave these colonies at once, or Portugal may be forced to take action. 
 * Kandesh: When looking south, we begin to notice our souther neighbours becoming more aggressive in order to unify the southern half of the Indian sub-continent, in response, we will begin recruiting 50,000 men and request an alliance with the Mughal Empire, and the Ming dynasty. Because of the large quantities of silk in the region, we will start production of multiple silk plantations to help boost our economy. We also continue developement of more advanced gunpowder weaponry.
 * Tsardom of Russia: 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 initially going to flood into Minsk and Zhytomyr. Ektarinburg in general sees is population expand to 16,000 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 farther south the agriculture of 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. The Cossacks moving through these areas also begin building forts every year and manning them securing the territory and also creating a sort of rudimentary highway system as Russian advisors coming through pave the way for making standard travel routes. (1000 px) 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 but leave Russia blameless due to the independent nature of the Cossacks. Russia reaches a population of 10.7 million and growing as a population boom begins to set in from increased agricultural production. The Russian Tsar becoming old begins to promote extremely good education for his son, only with the greatest minds he can bring to Russia to help his Son. With this he does train and educate his son personally on Bereaucracy, and Military grounds, and his son shows both great administrative and Military capabilities, with in some cases being classified as a Military Genius. The Russian Tsar Vasili realizing the importance of the orthodox church as well as recognizing their importance in the legitimacy of the Tsar, promotes the Russian Patriarch to be the supreme religious rule of the land. The Tsar himself begins considering ordering a call of something never done before. The Marshalling of a Grand Orthodox Army to cleanse the eastern muslim threats of Christianty. This is only discussed in secret with most trusted nobles and the Partriarchate of Russia. (OOC, the nation of Russia has very few obstacles to expand through Siberia, getting it going early was deemed plausible, and historically the Russian state expanded by the size of the Netherlands every year for 50-70 years) With newfound support from Orthodox Christians in Minsk and Zhytomyr, the Russian Patriarch begins to be considered the leader of Orthodox Christendom. The Russian patriarch begins to openly question the Patriarch in Constantinople.
 * Principality of Minsk: 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. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 500,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk after being caught butchering locals is replaced by the Tsar as he wishes to integrate the population of Minsk rather than butcher it. Sums of money are paid to some of the richer families effected by the Crises. The orthodox church in the Principality establishes the Partiarchate of Belarus. being unable to show its support for Constantinople due to the so called "Ecumenical Patriarch" under turkish influence. Being under influence of a Muslim the new Partriarch in Minsk recognizes the Patriarch of Russia to be the Ecumenical Patriarch.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 600,000. The Patriarchate of Zhytomyr is created alongside the new Patriarchate in Minsk who also refuses to recognize the patriarch of Constantinople. The Patriarch in Zhytomyr recognizes the Patriarch of Russia as the Ecumenical Patriarch.
 * Ottoman Dip: We understand that the loose, backward nation of the Rus' has trouble asserting basic justice in its nation, but we still demand that you work to quell these raids of Cossacks that are damaging to our economy and yours.
 * OOC: The Cossacks did this OTL no matter who actually owned the territory they were on. While historical using it to my advantage is really within reason. Even if I stop encouraging it there is no guarentee they will stop. You also have no proof of Russia doing this.
 * OOC: I am well aware of this, I was just channeling my imperial arrogance :p
 * Russian Dip: Considering the Sheer number of Cossacks as well as the fact Cossacks are located on both our territories and their fierce independence we will do our best but our promises remain hard to enforce at best.
 * Prince-Elector John Frederick of Saxony offers the hand of Princess Maria von Wettin, his younger sister, to Prince Ivan Rurukovitch.
 * Cherokee: Our new buildings are coming along good, but we begin having problems with administration, such as people stealing food from storages or smoked meat due to us not keeping records of what we have. So we put much greater efforts into developing a written language and due to trading from the Spanish we get a slight boost and should have a new (Very Undeveloped) written language. We begin trying to urbanize and move as many efforts towards having all of our population permanently in Cahokia, and build long houses on the mounds there. We do keep bands roaming our hunting lands to keep it under our control and we keep hunting deer to increase our food supply.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. 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 to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. We offer trade to Portugal.
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. No expansion is made and no expansion is planned. The colony is kept small to minimize the costs of sustaining it. Small scouting groups explore the region.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. We expand no lands for now and keep the settlement small, not willing to test our economy on this scale yet. Instead we send exploration parties to see if the lands are safe. (IT'S PLACED WRONGLY ON THE MAP, IT'S THE WESTERN END OF LONG ISLAND)
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and our colonies. The economy is string to stabilize itself to what it was before the war. The military offers more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships go around to different islands in the Caribbeans and start to colonize them. Some of the islands colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is taking place with more jobs opening up for more people. More ships are built in the shipping yards. We ask Austria for an alliance. Our markets flourish with goods from our colonies.
 * 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 is 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, west, 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * I assume this is actually Western Sahara, as Wattasid Morocco is an independent nation ~Nate
 * Bohemia: We continue to recruit more troops and expand infrastructure. After John the Steadfest's death, we think HRE should continue its evangelical dominance. It doesn't expect to be much of that plan. The army of Bohemia recruits 1000 troops by training them. Possibly some of the explorers aren't sent, but we rule that out as we're within HRE.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): With a resumption of trade and the end of the plague the city of Copenhagen begins to expand again. The merchant class also begins to expand along with the city. The king allows these merchants to ship in extra food, keeping prices low and the peasants fed. Any damage caused by the plague is repaired. The king and the council of the realm are finally allowed to use the king's new palace. All Catholic Church property is seized by the crown and much of it is re-purposed as evangelical churches. Catholics are encouraged to convert to the new religion or are fined heavily. An official army and navy are created for the union and are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons.
 * Sweden: Gustav Vasa is elected as the first High Chancellor. The iron mines are expanded. Expansion continues 50 px into the northern part of the country and 50 px into Finland. With the Bible being translated into Swedish many people and nobles begin to convert to Evangelicalism. Soldiers are raised and trained for the unions army. A new secondary palace is build in the city of Stockholm as it prepares to become the secondary capital.
 * 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. Missionaries begin to spread the evangelical movement throughout the country. The port of Olso is expanded in order to accommodate an increase in North Sea trade.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administer both colonies. Settlers are encouraged to come through the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.
 * France: Our current king, Francis the First begins to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Oliver of France, his heir, as the Duke of Naples. He also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, and is already midway through construction. Other roads are also being built, mostly across the northern portion of France, but with a major highway leading from north to south. As another part of this plan, efforts to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Additionally, a new education program is introduced. While it is influenced by Catholic teachings, it is at least in part secular. Children of any christian religion from the ages of 6-12 are aloud to enroll. Our economy is also improved, both through trade and internal development. We send another voyage of 12 ships across the Atlantic, a mission that lands in an area dubbed New Orleans(OTL NYC). in this area, a major trading post is set up, and we begin to consider turning the area into a colony. The ships This year the mission lands in a land the natives call Benin. The leader of the voyage, Luca Eishens immediately offers goods and weapons as a sign of goodwill, and offers to enter trade with the nation. The 16 ships we sent to the far east land, and offer to open trade with Mutsu and China. We continue to encourage trade with other nations, focusing on Venice and nations within the Holy Roman Empire. We ask for an alliances with both the Netherlands and Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from Venice.
 * Mutsu Dip: We accept your offer. We ask you to grant us access to French military technologies like cannons and guns.


 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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. With a new era of Japanese unify is born, the Japanese shogun has decided to grow the nation even stronger and powerful. It introduces the federal administrative divisions system and the Japanese Shogunate is made of daimyos. Each daimyo is ruled by a daimyo, appointed by the Shogun. Asks France, China and Mutsu for trade offer, and Mutsu and Owari for alliance. The number of troops are increased to rough 50,000 depending on population size, while the army also have 10,000 cavalries and 5000 siege units. For now, it asks Etchu to join the united Japan as member daimyo state.  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)
 * Sorry, you can't just ask it to join united Japan.
 * Angu: With the start of metallurgy the Angu grows faster, and the nation expands yet another 50 px while consolidating its rule over current territory. The building of roads commences in order to more effectively controll the land. With the start of metallurgy, the mining of copper in a nearby mine slowly commences. The trade with the Portuguese flourishes as the Angu are now able to gather more goods to trade with.
 * Archduchy of Austria:Archduke Ferdinand I accepts the office of the Emperor of the HRE from the Pope, but he speaks of unity between the Catholic states of the HRE. Emperor Ferdinand I personally negotiates with the Pope, in order to reduce tensions between Catholics and Evangelicals, not wanting the HRE falling to civil war. After we defeat Bavaria, Maximilian, son of Ferdinand I, a Catholic prince is installed as the Duke of Bavaria, though we annex Bayern Munchen, half of Bayern Landshut and two thirds of Bayern Ingolstadt into our nation with many Catholic nobles which are our supporters are given lands and titles there, which are taken away from Evangelical nobles and we give Burggrafschaft the remaining one third of Bayern Ingolstadt (the northern part), in an effort to improve our ties with them. Huge fortifications are built along the borders with Bohemia, expecting them to attack us since they are an Evangelical bordering state, which we do not have good relations with.  Württemberg electoral seat is removed from them, being too unimportant. Instead their electoral seat is given to the Archduchy of Austria, thus ensuring a majority of Catholic electors.  Emperor Ferdinand I outlaws Evangelicalism in the whole HRE. The army stands at the number of 60,000 men, with casualties that happened during the War for Hungary, being replenished. A new grand ambitious project is started, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The first road is to be from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ening in Trent and is already midway through construction. Another part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrese taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign. A census shows the population is about two million but over 1.6 million are serfs. Evangelicalism gains momentum due to Swiss preachers now being able to come to the Archduchy of Austria and spread Evangelicalism throughout the realm.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. Our army is inscreased in size, now composed of 5000 men, aiming to fight off the threat of the Netherlands, who seek to annex Luxemburg into their nation, shall they attack.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: The King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control. The nation begins to stabilize and rebuilt due to the combined efforts of Emperor Ferdinand I and King Louis II. The army is restructured and regrouped after the defeat of Hungary in the war for Hungary, with its losses being replaced. Army is around 50,000 men strong.
 * Country of Burgau: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong.
 * County of Oettingen: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: We offer Venice again the Italian parts of Tyrol (the parts where the ethnic Italians constitute a majority), in exchange for Istria, aiming to get access to the Adriatic Sea. At the negotiations with the Pope, Emperor Ferdinand I asks the Pope to take actions to reduce tensions with the Evangelicals and bring them under the fold of our beloved Catholic Church once again, as they have been fooled by various Charlatan's promises, before the problem magnifies (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED). We also offer them an alliance and secretly offer them to help them against their enemy Milan, shall they help us in our wars. We ask Burggrafschaft to become our vassal to protect them from Evangelical aggression, with their memory of the Bavarian war being recent, while we also ask them for a marriage between our two great dynasties (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED) We accept Spain alliance offer. Emperor Ferdinand I asks every Catholic state of the HRE to join the League of Innsbruck in order to protect our shared interests and Catholicism in general, like the Evangelical states did(NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED).  We continue vassalizing Augsburg(Turn Two of X).
 * Marriage accepted. -Sky
 * No way you can appoint yourself an elector, and no way your revoking an electorate without a war. 
 * Republic of Florence: In 1533, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With Lorenzo's cousin once removed, Pope Clement VII, and another relative being an archbishop cardinal, the nation remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church. 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 (Naval). 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 fourteen, Contessina turns thirteen, Giorgio turns eleven, and Leonora turns nine. Giovanni, the presumed heir to the Republic, receives education from the old Niccolo Machiavelli, who bestows many ideas and principals on the young prince. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. Two main figures continue the enlightment: Niccolo Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be comissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. With the disputed election of Ferdinand of Austria (Lorenzo's brother-in-law) and a Florentine-Austrian alliance, Lorenzo makes arrangements at a meeting with the Pope and the new Emperor to realign with the empire. As a gift and to improve relations, Lorenzo presents Ferdinand with very expensive olive oil and other expensive gifts. Lord Lorenzo also sends a handful of men to go join the newly formed Nicolites. Towards the end of the year, Lord Lorenzo visits the city of Bologna to bring their alliance closer and ensure that Florence respects their independence.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: The duchy enraged by the papacy declaring a new emperor without the proper votes of the electors declares that it shall not aknowledge the emperor or any laws decreed by him saying that it is a false emperor who won the throne through the help of a corrupt old man. It secretly calls upon its allies to prepare themselves for the inevitable Catholic attack. All forms of Catholicism are banned in the duchy and all Catholic priests will be imprisoned to prevent attacks by the order of nicolites. It creates large spread conscription to prepare for the looming war.
 * Songhai Empire: We expand 200 px to the south east of our nation. We keep building trans-Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large numbers of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * 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 is requested of Portugal, in order to distribute worldwide goods throughout Europe. Three ships travailing to Benin gets hit by a storm and lands in OTL Monrovia. Whith only one ship left in tact a small trading post is built there.
 * Benin: Benin continues its invasion of Oyo, conquering many of its cities and enslaving tens of thousands of Yoruba. Elsewhere, the city of Mahin is completed insofar as its economic and industrial areas are concerned. The port for the city is finished, serving as a secondary port in western Benin, and opening up the ability of Benin to expand trade in a more competitive fashion in the future. Work on the city walls is now underway, as well as construction on a cathedral for the city of 20,000 inhabitants. The process of bringing Njo into the circle of developed cities in also in the works. The growth of the Edo middle-class is such now that the construction of libraries, schools, universities, and military academies to exploit this new pool of literate Benin subjects for the sake of the nation's prosperity. The Oba orders a tally of Benin's young fleet of ships, seeking to determine the future of the new navy of merchant vessels and warships. His palace officials hold a count of the ships, and report back to the Oba the total. There exist eight galleons, three Portuguese, two Venetian, and three of Edo design, though two of the five original Portuguese galleons deliver ironically destroyed by the Portuguese merchants two years prior. Another twelve Venetian deep-water war galleys and six caravels of Edo origin exist within the fleet of Benin, alongside more than two hundred war canoes for riverine warfare and transportation. With this knowledge, the Oba orders the construction of six galleons for the navy of Benin, and about ten caravels for the merchant fleet, seeking to put Benin's new shipbuilding industry to the test with a major order of vessels. European culture has been firmly rooted into Edo society, as Christianity and European customs continue to seep into the way of life of the average subject of Benin. Benin warmly welcomes the Frenchmen into his lands, accepting both their gifts and offer of trade with France.
 * Demak Sultanate: After we defeated the once great but infidel empire of Majapahit, we move to secure the rest of Java but we faced odds with the last remaining kingdom of Pajajaran located on the eastern end of Java. We begin building our military to a total of 25,500 troops. We forcefully convert our subjects to Islam. We begin to incorporate our kingdom into the vast structures that the Majapahit left behind. We also raid all valuables like gold and silver from their temples. We will also begin to make a navy by building more frigates to put the total amount at 25. We do a full on war against Pajajaran launching an offensive against their navy at port and launch attacks at their capital to seize their royal family. We expand east through the east of the Indonesian Islands.
 * Oman continues military expansion, with the navy now nearly at 90 ships and the army closer to 17,500. Expansion continues 45 px north and 30 px inland. Slave raids along India are slightly compromised, as the Omani ally the Mughals now own much more of the coast, which raiders are now ordered to stay away from if they wish to trade in Oman, so many former slave-raiders who preferred the northern Indian coasts have switched to spice trading. Because of the shortage of goods from the silk road into India, many Omani merchants find trouble getting the goods they want from the ports, resulting in many ventures south into East Africa for new goods, and even as far east as Shanghai for the previous ones. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas continue to be built throughout the nation.
 * The XaafuunColony continues to grow by 15 px. The colony is still mainly Baloch and Arab in demographics, but as the colony expands more natives are integrated, and because of the natural lack of female colonists many mixed-race children are born. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas begin to become the center point for growing cities along the frontiers.
 * Mogadishu is now effectively rebuilt, and even improved. The port is expanded and a squadron of ships is left in the city in case of rebellion or aggression. The city is used as a launch-point for inland slave raids into virgin populations previously untouched by Omani slavers. Along with this is the new inflow of ivory into Oman through Mogadishu, which from the cheaper prices sparks increased demand. The city is sometimes referred to as "the City of White and Black" as a direct result from the city's wealth from the ivory and slave trades. The district expands by 15 px. 
 * The Electorate of Saxony is incensed by the blatant actions of the Pope to overthrow the new order of the Holy Roman Empire. Prince-Elector John Frederick is also enraged by the Austrian invasion of Bavaria, and invokes the League of Erfurt to declare war upon Austria. Now at war, the army is mobilized fully and troops prepare for combat. Meanwhile, at home, a princess named Ada is born to John Frederick and his wife.

1534
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> ''' The Eccumenical Patriarch, once loyal servant of the Roman Emperor in Constantinople has abandoned the faithful of his church and embraced the very messenger of Luficer, Suleiman the Satanic. News of the Patriarch travels across the dwindling Orthodox world to the court of the Russian Tsar who has ambitions to see himself Caesar of Rome. The Russian Patriarch Joasaphus establishes the Patriarchate of Moscow and All Rus, declaring authority over all Russians who follow the orthodox faith. Word of the rising Orthodox theologian spreads and many consider if the seat of the Orthodox faith should rest solely in the North, rather than the South.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''That particular part about the patriarch does not make sense and would almost certainly never happen, and the Ottomans would almost certainly not allow him to do so. -MP'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Pope Clement VII passes away in Rome, he will be remembered for his fierce defense of the Catholic Church and his ordaining of the Order of St. Nicholas. However, a conclave is swiftly brought together. After nearly six rounds of voting no Italian candidate could gather a majority and many began to debate within the gathering of cardinals. As men of the cloth are nearly at each other’s throats a name begins to be whispered. Talk after talk results in the first non-Italian election in generations, Francisco de Quinomes, a Spanish Franciscan Cardinal who had until recently been champion the counter reformation. Pope Ioannes (John) XXIII, or as the people of Rome affectionately call him, Padre Juan, has declared his intention to push forward the counter reformation, and reminds protestant heathens they have a single year to return to Christ.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> The Tibetan Outlaw Sinju Su is slain in battle at the hands of a coalition of Silk Road states, though defeated, the scars of these attacks will linger for decades. <u style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">Trust in the safety of the road will take many years to repair, especially for Eastern traders wishing to traverse towards Europe.   

<p style="font-weight:normal;"><u style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">'''As Europe erupts in civil unrest and religious turmoil the Great Hordes of the East have begun to seem like relics of a once great lifestyle. With great Conquerors like the Great Turkmen and the Mughals calling themselves Empires and adopting the practises of Lords, rather than Khans it seems that the legacy of Genghis is dying. The Kievan Horde, a loose confederation of warlords and horsemen, bound by a fear of the Rus suffer a terrible loss. During a meeting of good faith, the son of a great Crimean noble is found dead in his tent, the banner of the Nogai Horde draped over his mutilated body. As words of anger fly around the camp and swords are drawn, this once promising alliance is revealed to be a sham, the idea that true warriors could negotiate peace seems foolhardy. Whether the Nogai were behind the murder is unable to know, but trust amongst the horselords is key, and none remains after this horrific event.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' Through the elimination of the particular Tibetan outlaw allowing the Silk Road trade to return, the building of a fantastic dam and administrative reforms, the Ottomans manage to properly restorte their economy. '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">''' The Demak Sultanate is repulsed in its war against Pajajaran. The subsequent lack of confidence in the government, coupled with forced religious conversions, leads to a minor uprising among the peasant class who question the Sultan's abilities to govern with their best interest in mind. '''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: as Duke Julius awaits the Papacys response to his letter, he looks at the growing situation within the Empire. While he is Evangelical, Brunswicks small size means that he adopts realpolitik. Therefore, he determines that Austria's large collective military would prove it the most effective emperor. Duke Julius secretly writes to Emperor Ferdinand, saying that if he agrees to respect the faith of his citizens, then Julius will join Austria's side.


 * Kazakh Khanate: Strong of his election at the head of the Kievan Horde, Burat Khagan continue to encourage the expansion of his lands, sending new settlers in the east (250 px east). The gunpowder is not the only military technology studied in the Khanate, as Burat Khagan returns with much military knowledge from the West, especially in term of tactics and formations from the Ottomans. With the restauration of the Silk Road, Burat Khagan encourage more and more merchants to come on his lands, especially since slavery is legal, and that the Khanate is a good way toward the Ottoman Empire or Russia. Following the failure of the meating where Burat Khagan was elected, he officially declare war on the Nogai Khanate, as the flag on the body seems to indicate that they ruined the Kievan Horde meeting. Burat Khagan also strongly invite the Crimean Khanate to join him in vengeance against the treators of Nogai.
 * The Event pretty explicitly states the Hordes alliances are broken and the banner was hardly proof of the murder. If you want to speak with a mod about it. Approach Simmy who wrote it but regardless I will enforce it. The Horde alliance is no more. -Feud
 * Kazakh (OOC): Kind of don't understand why, but well ... Still gonna style myself Khagan since I was elected (that and the last Kazakh Khan was in 1840's). The event was really not clear by the way,
 * There is a trust that was convened when it comes down to it and the murder of nobles, etc., breaks that and considering cultural implications of even just the most minor "slight" that broke the alliance. I'll take my example from the Mongol conquest of Khwarezmia, mongol merchants were imprisoned and following this had their ambassadors killed. The Khan essentially invaded Khwarezmia on the issue of some dead diplomats. He proceded to absolutely demolish that empire into the ground and murder hundreds of thousands of people OVER three DIPLOMATS AND SOME MERCHANTS. The murder of a noble at a high level meeting like this would forever breed issues and burn all trust you all had with each other especially since that noble would be considered a diplomat in this sense. -Feud
 * Kazakh (OOC): Make sense. But with all that hatred and anger, I'll probably need to use it somewhere. The Nogai is under me, right?
 * To your West, Happy Hunting. -Feud
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt a more expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power, considering itself as no longer a mere Chinese satellite regime. 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 ships annually continues. However, production is lessened to ten ships a year with 210 already having been built. 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 construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continue but at a slower pace as the Korean economy modernises. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; three blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each (each both have 93 already made), melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable of producing three tons of steel within a day. 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. Restrictions on the production of paper bills is lifted as inflation is controlled. Trade with China experiences sharp decline, while external trade, especially with Portugal, surges through several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. The production of highly-sought, yet "impure" Celadon porcelain begins once again, but the product is restricted to traders and pure Confucian white porcelain is produced for the local population. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as mandatory to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries, and universities are built in all major settlements. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. The Korean "middle-class" continues to grow rapidly. Korea expands 250 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, and in an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items. Following agreements with China and Japan, Korea continues the invasion of Kyushu, which has Korean majority. Using its growing naval force, Korea continues to colonise the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Taiwan, expanding ten px into each island.
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbeans and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards.Our markets flourish with many goods from out colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. With the death of Pope Clement VII, King Charles attends the funeral in Rome. Francisco de Quinomes is put into the discussion as the New Pope. If that happens, he will be the first Spanish Pope to rule.
 * 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 is 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, west, 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Württemberg: In support of our great ally Bavaria, we declare that a state of war now exists between the glorious Electorate of Württemberg and the Archduchy of Austria. May the best army win. We call upon all members of the League of Erfurt to declare war upon Austria in support of Bavaria. Our navy, now consisting of 25 ships, is immediately mobilised and sent down the Rhine to attack Austrian riverside cities such as Hard and Hörbranz. An army of  20,000  6,000 soldiers is also mobilised and they enter Austria to occupy the towns ravaged by the naval vanguard. Meanwhile, we reiterate our offer to Martin Luther to be knighted as the inaugural Knight of the Order of Conrad.  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)  The Commission continues to work on cleaning up the rest of Catholic resistance in Württemberg, and our southern border guards remain extremely vigilant. Later in the year we mourn the death of Philippe I of Rhodes, the Governor of Tübingen. His service to the Electorate will not be forgotten, and he is granted an Evangelical state funeral, buried in a new mausoleum in Tübingen dedicated to the de Villiers family. His son, Philippe de Villiers de Rhodes, at 14 years is declared of age and succeeds his father as Prince of Rhodes (in pretence, Philippe II) and as Governor of Tübingen.
 * Your population is 65,000, you can't have 20,000 soldiers, six thousand maximum. P.S. I think Saxony (Rex) "controls" Martin Luther. - Sky
 * Thank you for clarifying, Sky. Until now I actually had no clue what my population was. I will adjust the values accordingly. ~Tim
 * Luther agrees to be knighted as the first Knight of the Order of Conrad, calling for peace to be restored to the Empire and for the true Evangelical faith to be universally protected.
 * WTF Bavaria you have been defeated, the algo clearly states that you have been defeated, plus your reserves were counted in, I think, but even if they didn't the size of the army doesn't really matters on the algo. I mean I attacked you with 60,000 soldiers and it counted for six points out of 100+, plus the Catholic states army wasn't even counted on the second round for some reason, that said you are officially defeated. Also Württemberg wtf, you can't use rivers ships to conquer me, plus the Rhine and the Danube don't even connect, at that era except if your nation travel in time and then attacked me. As you are really cluless of geography let me spell it out for you the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, an artificial canal, finnished construction in 1992 and do you know that you don't even have access to the Rhine, neither do I, while you think that you have an army which surpasses your population, 60,000 men are too much for you, you don't even have that much population, how could you maintain an army that big, even your way to get an electors seat could be considered as a joke, declaring independence out of the HRE and while the Emperor is dead for some reason you join back and get an electors seat, that said I think your whole contribution to this game can be considered as a joke, I find you unsuitable to play a country even as small as Württemberg. ~Wrto12
 * Watch your insults, Wrto. READ THIS CAREFULLY. I'm not stupid, and I'm not as incompetent as you insist on believing everyone who has not played your way is, and neither is anyone else you've decided to spout your foul language on as if you were a spoilt child who decided they'd been done wrong for no discernable reason. I know that the Rhine and Danube don't connect. My assumption was that both Württemberg and Bavaria would use our navies to attack you on the Rhine and Danube respectively and simultaneously. It's called a STRATEGY. If you READ the bloody articles on the Rhine and Danube rivers on Wikipedia, and I suggest you do before WTFing me further, it says that the Rhine flows through STUTTGART, and the Danube through VIENNA. The Rhine has a mouth at Lake Constanz, which has always been under Austrian jurisdiction. Yes, I READ up on my geography and history before writing my posts.  Also, no formal mod announcement has been made regarding Bavaria's fate, so until that happens, I am not acknowledging your claim that Bavaria no longer exists.  As for my gaining of the Electorate status, I did not take advantage of an Emperor's death. I declared independence without even thinking about the Emperor. However, the new Emperor (Saxony) persuaded me to rejoin the Empire shortly afterward, and agreed to allow me to become an Elector. I achieved this through legitimate channels, not by HIJACKING a country that a player had stated he was returning to. And to your claim that you can't be defeated on the rivers, consider this. I have spent close to a decade now building my navy (the Rheinsstreitkräfte). All that even resembles a navy on the Austrian side are a few ships without centralised command floating about on the DANUBE. (See article entitled "Military history of Austria" on Wikipedia.) Who wins the war is the algo's decision anyway; you cannot make the decision for it. Thank you, and be more polite in future. That will get you a long way. ~Tim
 * CORRECTION: After reading further down, I found the announcement. My apologies, and I will recalculate and retcon my moves accordingly. My other points, however, still stand.
 * Aragon: We expand 20 px north. We adopt an administrative policy with our secondary policy being diplomacy. We send a trade delegation to Spain, France, England and Navarre in order to strengthen our ties with regional neighbors as well as create a profitable trade. We also offer a military alliance with Spain. We increase our navy and army.
 * Aragon and England have a personal union so we already have those good relations. Also you can't expand north because your border with France already exists.
 * Empire of the Great Ming and Ryukyus: With the agreement reached between Korea and Japan, we withdraw our troops from Korea. We continue trading with the Ottomans and Portuguese, rebuilding our section of the Silk Road damaged by the bandits. We accept France's trade deal. We also begin sailing towards Taiwan and settling people in the southwestern part of the island. We also increase naval presence in the Taiwan Strait. More weapons and gunpowder is produces to ship to Central Asia and Europe.
 * Ryukyuan Special Administrative Region: a large naval base on the southwestern section of Okinawa island begins construction and warships begin docking there.
 * Bavaria: [OOC] OK, can someone please tell me WHAT IS GOING ON? Have I defeated the tiny Catholic states? I haven't been here for the last two turns, so have my fortifications been overrun? Were my reserves ever deployed or are they just watching as the Austrians invade? Have the Austrians actually managed to do all the BS they said they did? [/OOC] With a massive Austrian force encroaching from the south, and another force (somehow) reinforcing the small states Bavaria had (attempted to) take over (I'm getting mixed messages here; on the one hand, they continue to fight, but on the other, they are somehow "under the Bavarian boot" even though the war hadn't ended to the best of my knowledge), the Duke decides drastic measures are in order. We attempt to recruit anyone and everyone who will fight alongside the Duke to resist Catholic oppression, adding 15,000 soldiers, though somewhat poorly equipped due to the rushed preparations, to the ranks. These, and the ~15,000 other soldiers that had been in the reserves since the P-L disaster, are sent to reinforce the (remnants of the) 20,000 soldiers fighting the Austrians, while forces in occupied territory are ordered to take defensive positions and resist Austrian attacks when they can. We also deploy the Herzog in its first operation, providing bombardment support for troops near the Danube. We also complete five more cannons, which are sent to troops fighting Austria alongside five that had been in occupied territory. Duke William IV personally thanks the League of Erfurt for their support, but warns that this war will be far from the last, as the Catholics will attempt to regain their former power for as long as they remain.
 * Bavaria doesn't exist as a protestant nation anymore and is now a Catholic duchy led by the same dynasty like Austria, you can either continue as Bavaria as a loyal ally to the Holy Roman Emperor or chose another nation -Sky
 * Württemberg Secret War Strategy: We propose that we use our navies to corner the Austrians, working our way to Vienna itself. Austria does not possess a centralised, organised navy, only a few ships aimlessly floating about the Danube, and none on the Rhine or in Lake Constanz. However, while Württemberger ships will face next to no resistance from watercraft, the Bavarians may, so we reassign some of our more experienced commanders to Bavarian ships to help in the naval war effort. Meanwhile, our troops march on the lakeside towns rendered defenceless by our naval vanguard, and we loot these cities and send the spoils back to Württemberg.
 * WTF Bavaria you have been defeated, the algo clearly states that you have been defeated, plus your reserves were counted in, I think, but even if they didn't the size of the army doesn't really matters on the algo. I mean, I attacked you with 60,000 soldiers and it counted for six points out of 100+, plus the Catholic states army wasn't even counted on the second round for some reason, that said you are officially defeated. Also Württemberg, WTF, you can't use rivers ships to conquer me, plus the Rhine and the Danube don't even connect, at that era except if your nation travel in time and then attacked me. As you are really clueless of geography let me spell it out for you the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, an artificial canal, finnished construction in 1992 and do you know that you don't even have access to the Rhine, neither do I, while you think that you have an army which surpasses your population, 60,000 men are too much for you, you don't even have that much population, how could you maintain an army that big, even your way to get an electors seat could be considered as a joke, declaring independence out of the HRE and while the Emperor is dead for some reason you join back and get an electors seat, that said I think your whole contribution to this game can be considered as a joke, I find you unsuitable to play a country even as small as Württemberg. ~Wrto12
 * OK, I had no clue what had happened with this war at the time of writing that turn, and I believed (perhaps without reason, but I did) that the fortifications at the border (which had been under construction for years beforehand) would have been able to sufficiently delay the Austrian army to compensate for the fact that I hadn't even been here the last two turns to command the army effectively because of being busy and the unusual timing of turns where I live (CST). I had no idea of what had happened, so I went with my best guess that the Austrians wouldn't have been able to completely oust the duchy and its supporters in such a short time. I was wrong. I apologize. ~Kirbs
 * Owari: With Korea allied with a Japanese imperial country, we resume our expansion. With the United Front done for 50 years, following the treaty with Korea, we dissolve the United front, but try to keep our good ties with states like Izumo. We continue to influence Miwaki (Turn Four of Seven), and try to integrate Ise into Owari as much as possible. We declare war on Ashikaga, and call on Ming to help as well as Miwaki (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED). We remind Korea that intervention is a breach of their treaty with us.
 * 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 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. The current standing army is 70,000. 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. 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 600 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask China for more gunpower and guns. and are willing to send a heavily armed convoy to come get the guns and powder. We begin to amass people for war and begin to draft people in the army.  We would like to buy this from Persia (MOD RESPONSE)
 * 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.
 * Hungary: We continue to build and partially isolate ourselves in the region. Local militias assist in securing the outer lands from other nations. Our economy, infrastructure and military are about to reach a peak of power.
 * Pretty positive you've got partitioned. -Feud
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercentile trade sends caffine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia, and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocea, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottary and firearms across the northern Khanates. Yazid IV dies, and the Ulema elects Al-Mustamsik II to succeed him to the Holy Office. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neihboring Muslim nations like Oman. Al-Kindi's neo-Platonic philosophy regains popularity, and the literature of the Ottomans greatly flourishes. The Ottomans open trade with western Europe and Italy, asking to buy books and art in exchange for silk and spices from the far east. Many scholars in the Empire emulate western Rennaissance thinkers, and the term "Kulahl" (everyman) becomes popular. A few "Grand Mosques" begin to be built in the Empire, copying the style of Cathedrals of Europe, with the largest under construction in Smyrna. However, these Mosques replace all the religious images with images of nature, in accordance with Muslim law. Bell towers are also replaced with Minerets. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irigate agricultutre in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans. The deal with Oman is accepted to sell the desert region of Yemen for all they offered. The Fatha Al-Farun sends merchant ships between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Vassalization of Johore in the East Indies begin. With the Patriarch of Constantinople converted to Islam, a grand coronation is held in which Suleiman the Magnificent is ceremonially proclaimed Emperor of the Eastern Rome. War is declared on Austria, and 40,000 troops are sent to take all the rest of Hungary and eastern Austria.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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.  Outraged by the treachory of the Nogai Khanate, Giray directs the united military of the Kievan Horde to round up officials of Nogai and execute them, as retribution. 
 * Read the event. -Sky
 * 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.
 * C olony of Andaman:   A single expediiton of 2000 brave Ottomans set up a colony in the largely uninabited Andaman Islands, known by travelers for centuries but never claimed. Ports are constructed with houses and markets, and one Mosque.
 * Ottoman Dip: We seek a trade alliance with the  Demak Sultanate<./u>
 * The Sultan of Oman proposes a revised deal, in which slightly less of Yemen is bought and the Ottomans also recieve port access in in the Socotra Islands for fifty years.
 * The Ottomans accept
 * Sorry, too far - Dax
 * Ottoman Dip (to Portugal): We accept the deal to not disrupt each other's trade in the Indian Ocean.
 * Ottoman Dip (to Netherlands): We want to exchange books and works of art for silk and spices.
 * Mutsu: Mutsu's economy continues to grow as it now exports silk to France. The invasion of Dewa continues but the population and the military have both grown. The population is now 756,000 people and the army has expanded to 30,000 men. 21,000 are now focused on the invasion of Dewa. The Emperor is wary of Korea making its way into Japan, but decides not to take any immediate action. Mutsu also continues to expand its naval force now up to ten large battle ships. Mutsu doesn't want any thing to do with any unification of Japan. Mutsu decides anything south of Shitotzuke they will not disturb. Mutsu does offer an alliance to Owari and Ashikaga In case anyone should try to invade the Japanese Archipelago. Mutsu starts an infrastructure project building a main road from Mutsu City down to Midori City in the south. Mutsu also starts to develop gunpowder weaponry.
 * Your population cannot grow by 33% within a year. 0.4% per annum would be a more plausible figure.
 * Thanks, I changed it.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The economy of Switzerland continues to swell with new trade routes after the Treaty of Turin. Refugees flock to Switzerland due to the various troubles around Europe. 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 1530 takes place in Bern this year.
 * Poland-Lithuania continues to grow ever closer, as repairs continue across the nation. New technologies are introduced, and Catholicism remains the dominant religion. The military has been rebuilt to about 70,000 men in total, and an alliance is sought with Austria. As order is reestablished across Lithuania, with any roving bandits being crushed, the official plan is to create a nation that will be able to become strong enough to defeat any invader.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: We warn Poland-Lithuania not to get involved in the League's war against Austria.
 * Austrian Diplomacy:  We agree to ally with Polish-Lithuania, we also offer them them to join their war against Pomerania and in return they join our war against the rest of the heretic League of Enfurt, cause Pomerania, which injustly attacked the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania, is allied with them, which has suffer a lot by the plague, while we send our ambassadors, to improve relationships with Poland-Lithuania, bringing the best gifts we can afford to offer the King of Poland-Lithuania. A warning is send to Poland-Lithuania about the aggressive Ottoman Empire, which attacks European nations one by one, seeing the as a real danger to the Catholism all around Europe and central European nations in general.
 * France: Our current king, Francis the First begins to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Henry of France, his heir, as the Duke of Naples. He also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, and is already midway through construction. Other roads are also being built, mostly across the northern portion of France, but with a major highway leading from north to south. As another part of this plan, efforts to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Additionally, a new education program is introduced. While it is influenced by Catholic teachings, it is at least in part secular. Children of any christian religion from the ages of 6-12 are aloud to enroll. The schools are mostly one room school houses, serving nearby areas, but the larger ones have several rooms, with the students separated by age. Our economy is also improved, both through trade and internal development. Following our opening of trade in Benin, our economy improves due to the influx of slaves from the region. Trade with Mutsu and China also improves our economy, though the effects are more muted because of the distance between our nations. We continue to encourage trade with other nations, focusing on Venice and nations within the Holy Roman Empire. We ask for an alliances with both the Netherlands and Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from Venice.
 * New Orleans: This small colony mostly serves as a trading post for the local natives, and has a relatively small population. However, the colony is also used as a base for further exploration of the continents coast, and to eventually serve as a colonial city.
 * Cherokee Diplomacy: We wish to trade with you.
 * French Diplomacy: We agree to trade with you.
 * The Netherlands propose that all nations involved in the current religious conflict as well as all other German states, regardless of religion, convene in the Conference of Brugge, where we will discuss terms to end the war and prevent further religious conflict
 * Austrian Dip: Agrees to attend, but doesn't put its hopes up, war is almost inevitable.
 * Kandesh: Continues development of our silk plantations. Our division of troops has almost been finished in recruitment. We stop development of gunpowder weaponry. Over the past few years, our population has been increasing, now reaching close to 134,000 people. This increase of people and because of a bad harvest has led to the beginning of a small famine. Our capital, Jalgaon, has already reported deaths from starvation. We expect that by the end of the year, our population will have decreased by 2.6%. In response to this threat, we request a trade proposal with *Mutsu. Once our plantations are done, we can begin trading silk to you in exchange for food supplies. The trading would begin next year. We expect our allies in The Japaneses Islands to aid their allies in the Indian Sub-continent from famine. We also discontinue our developement of gunpowder weaponry. ( Also, if it's okay with the admins, I would like to add Kandesh to the map because I don't think it has been added yet. Thanks.)
 * Mutsu: Mutsu agrees to send large shipments rice and dried fish to Kandesh within the next year.
 * Oman continues expansion 45 px north, now bordering with the Ottomans, and 30 px inland. The different cultures of the nation continue to blend rather smoothly, with more and more multi-linguals residing in the nation, and subsequently from Oman's recent expansionsim and deal with the Ottomans Muscat becomes a lesser center of learning. The Sultan decides to built the Great Library of Muscat to further expand Oman's nascent scholarly tradition, with the focus on being accumulating books from the most distant corners of the Earth and translating them. The navy now stands at 100 ships.
 * The Xaafuun Colony continues to grow by 15 px. The colony is still mainly Baloch and Arab in demographics, but as the colony expands more natives are integrated, and because of the natural lack of female colonists many mixed-race children are born. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas begin to become the centre point for growing cities along the frontiers.
 * Mogadishu is now effectively rebuilt, and even improved. The port is expanded and a squadron of ships is left in the city in case of rebellion or aggression. The city is used as a launch-point for inland slave raids into virgin populations previously untouched by Omani slavers. Along with this is the new inflow of ivory into Oman through Mogadishu, which from the cheaper prices sparks increased demand. The city is sometimes referred to as "the City of White and Black" as a direct result from the city's wealth from the ivory and slave trades, and the city quickly becomes on the rise to be known as the Jewel of East Africa, second only to Zanzibar.. The district expands by 20 px. 
 * Archduchy of Austria: Emperor Ferdinand I after Saxony declared war against us, modilizes the whole army and set up defences to be used against Saxony and the Ottomans throughout the whole nation. Half of our soldiers are positioned to defend against the Ottomans and the other half are positioned to defend against the League of Enfurt. Cooperation with the Order of St. Nicholas against the Evangelicals is achieved, with many of those Heretics killed throughout the Archduchy of Austria and our vassals. Huge fortifications are built along the borders with Bohemia, expecting them to attack us since they are an Evangelical bordering state, which we do not have good relations with them. Emperor Ferdinand I outlaws Evangelicalism in the whole HRE. The army stands at the number of 60,000 men, with casualties that happened during the War for Hungary, being replenished. A new grand ambitious project is started, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The first road is to be from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ening in Trent and is already midway through construction. Another part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrese taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign. A census shows the population is about two million but over 1.6 million are serfs. Evangelicalism gains momentum due to Swiss preachers now being able to come to the Archduchy of Austria and spread Evangelicalism throughout the realm.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. Our army is inscreased in size, now composed of 5000 men, aiming to fight off the threat of the Netherlands, who seek to annex Luxemburg into their nation, shall they attack.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: The King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control. The nation begins to stabilize and rebuilt due to the combined efforts of Emperor Ferdinand I and King Louis II. The army is restructured and regrouped after the defeat of Hungary in the war for Hungary, with its losses being replaced. Army is around 50,000 men strong. We defend against the Ottomans and the League of Enfurt. Half of our soldiers are positioned to defend against the Ottomans and the other half are positioned to defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Country of Burgau: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. Half of our soldiers are positioned to defend against the Ottomans and the other half are positioned to defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Oettingen: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. Half of our soldiers are positioned to defend against the Ottomans and the other half are positioned to defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Burggraffschaft: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. Half of our soldiers are positioned to defend against the Ottomans and the other half are positioned to defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: Emperor Ferdinand I asks every Catholic state of the HRE to support the rightfull Emperor, Ferdinand I and join the war against the League of Enfurt (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED). We call upon every Catholic nation to attack the vicious the Evangelicals and the Ottomans, which break our ten-year non-agreession pact and attacked as in our time of need, in order to aid the Heretics, the Evangelicals and as we see it this is a war against Catholicism (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED). We ask Burggrafschaft to become our vassal to protect them from Evangelical aggression, with their memory of the Bavarian war being recent, having already very good relationship, shall they decline, we ask them for an alliance(NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED). We also call our allies of Spain, Florence and Poland to help us in our wars (Against the Ottomans and against the League of Enfurt). We also ask Russia for an alliance and help in our war against the Ottomans. We ask the new Pope to aid as in our wars, with a crusade and the Papal states joining in the war, against the Ottomans and the Evangelicals of the HRE, as we truly are in desperate need of the most holy's help, to purge Europe from Heretics and Heathens (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED).
 * The Pope and Burggraffschaft agree, but I really don't know how many Catholic nations there are, but I'm guessing most would agree? (I will check this with the other mods) -Sky
 * I checked. The religious fervor of the Catholic states sways them into helping their Emperor as well as the fear of Suleiman the Satanic. Coolio, have fun. -Sky
 * I would argue this isn't plausible unless on a case-by-case basis. 100% of Catholic feudal rulers wouldn't put their nations up for risk due to a conflict that doesn't really involve them. They are saying "if we lose, I will cede all of my land," something which wouldn't plausibly occur. -Rex
 * Wouldn't it technically involve them if the League of Erfurt wants to topple Catholicism as to dominate faith in the HRE? -Guy
 * The League of Erfurt wants to liberate Bavaria, nothing more, nothing less. The League doesn't want to overthrow Austria or anything else, we just want to free Bavaria. Other nations would be ambivalent at most towards this effort. -Rex
 * Florentine Diplomacy: As an ally, we join Austria against Saxony and the Evangelical League.
 * Brunswickian Secret Diplomacy: Duke Julius secretly writes to Emperor Ferdinand, saying that if he agrees to respect the practice of Evangelicalism faith by his citizens, then Julius will join Austria's side.
 * Tsardom of Russia: 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 initially going to flood into Minsk and Zhytomyr. Ektarinburg in general sees is population expand to 16,000 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 farther south the agriculture of 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. The Cossacks moving through these areas also begin building forts every year and manning them securing the territory and also creating a sort of rudimentary highway system as Russian advisors coming through pave the way for making standard travel routes. (3000 px) (I will explicitly point out that the Russian Cossacks settled, claimed and took over Siberia in a span of 57 years. Massive expansion here is plausible) Russia reaches a population of 10.85 million and growing as a population boom begins to set in from increased agricultural production. The Russian Tsar becoming old begins to promote extremely good education for his son, only with the greatest minds he can bring to Russia to help his Son. With this he does train and educate his son personally on bureaucracy, and military grounds, and his son shows both great administrative and Military capabilities, with in some cases being classified as a military genius. The Russian Tsar Vasili realizing the importance of the orthodox church as well as recognizing their importance in the legitimacy of the Tsar, promotes the Russian Patriarch to be the supreme religious rule of the land. With Declarations of War on Austria to the south by the ottomans, and the issue of the now disunited hordes to the South, the Tsar marshalls his forces numbering nearly 200,000 and marches on Nogai realizing they have lost favor with the other hordes and that trust has been forever broken. Sending envoys to Kazakh and Crimea the Tsar reaffirms he is not moving on either of them and is taking some revenge for previous slights of the Nogai who has consistently raided and taken slaves from the Rus. His announces his objective to his nobility and generals as the seizure of parts of the Volga (Taking OTL Tsaritsyn, Saratov and Samara and their surrounding areas) He openly promises to avoid interfering in the Crimean and Kazakh conflicts with Nogai but does not openly tolerate territorial expansion, mostly ravaging and pillaging as is custom of the horde states. The Russian forces maintain a force of roughly 50,000 in reserve, mostly of Cossacks and older Russian forces who make up border guards. Having acted well before the Kazakhs or the Crimeans Russia is able to move well down the Volga seizing Samara, Tsaritsyn and Saratov as well as some surrounding areas with minor issue but halts going beyond the surrounding lands deep into the Caucauses areas intending to avoid the rampaging Kazakh armies who would be ravaging the Nogai Khanate. The Russian Tsar accepts the Saxon marriage proposal.
 * Principality of Minsk: 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. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 500,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk after being caught butchering locals is replaced by the Tsar as he wishes to integrate the population of Minsk rather than butcher it. Sums of money are paid to some of the richer families effected by the Crises. The Principality of Minsk in outright support of its overlord raises 50,000 troops to join the Russian Armies march on Nogai. These forces do not commit and serve as a reserve.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 600,000. The Principality of Zhytomyr raises 50,000 troops as well in support of Russia marching on nogai. The forces, however, do not immediately commit and serve as a reserve
 * Bohemia: We continue to build military and expand infrastructure. Population in Prague, begins to grow up whilst in response of Austria are thinking they will be attacked, we sure to build many fortifications as fast as possible in closest borders, but to avoid clash. The HRE, seems in good situation and could made evangelical dominance. Although with Austria, we set huge foritifcations on them, which we expect them to attack us as well. Though at leas 500 troops recruited in Bohemian's army, and surely in military there will be some bunkers built to protect and in Prague.
 * Duchy of Milan: The Duke pledges his allegiance to the new Pope, but allows the duchy to remain in a state of religious freedom. All faiths are tolerated and the Evangelistic movement grows further in the cities of the North. Displaced Evangelists are welcomed in the Duchy with many flocking to where they have been promised protection: Mantua. The Duke grows impatient with his diplomats in Genoa and sends his brother to discuss Purchase of land for sea access. In light of the growing agitations on the continent, Mass fortifications are built on the Duchy’s border and the Military is expanded with serfs conscripted. The army now stands at 40,000. Economic and Cultural revival continues and taxes are lowered to appease the lower orders. The Barons and the Duke remain in a close relationship, in particular the Duke’s Minister the Baron of Mantua, with whom a Golden age of Milan is attributed to. An offer of alliance is sent to Moldavia. The Baron of Mantua, High Representative of The Duke is sent to France and Switzerland to discuss restitution for Savoy.
 * Maldives: We continue to expand the fortress on Misra Island and install a second capital on the island. We install a school within the walls of the fortress. The King instructs his men to build a palace at the fortress (probably will take a few turns). We accept the offer from Vijayanagar.
 * Angu: Namton A'fao Koito requests from the Portuguese to be sent literary works in Portuguese so he can extend his studies and use them in governing his nation. The copper mine expands and the Angu now attempt to mine the gold, although at a slower pace than the copper. The gold is very much favoured by the Portuguese.
 * In response to the Angu request, Portuguese merchants based in Papua bring several acclaimed political works of literature to the leader of the tribe, at a price of course.
 * Denmark (Kalmar Union): After many years of centralizing rule, King Frederick I, with the support of the council of the realm, officially declares the Kalmar Union one, unified state. A few months after this the king dies peacefully in his sleep. He is succeeded by his son Christian III. The new king looks to continue centralization of the union and wants to include the nobles in this process of ruling. He works closely with the High Chancellor, Gustav Vasa, and appoints several nobles to key position in the union's army and navy. As a staunch Evangelical he orders the construction of the University of Copenhagen, a school where evangelical ministers are trained and religious philosophers can gather to combat the coming Counter-Reformation. Catholics are encouraged to convert to the new religion or are fined heavily. Religious texts on the ideas of Martin Luther and the corruption of the Catholic Church are distributed among the lower classes. Newly trained ministers roam the countryside and win over many converts. The great port cities of the union, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Olso begin to see a shipping boom as trade from the Baltic and North Sea begin to increase. The iron mines of former Sweden are expanded along with the fishing industry in Norway. Road are built across the country in order to better connect the union. Expansion into the northern part of Sweden and Finland continues and increases to 100 px. An official army and navy are created for the union and are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons. Finally the king declares his support for the Evangelical rulers of the HRE and calls for both sides to work to settle their differences.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administer both colonies. The king sends missionaries to convert any Catholic to Evangelicalism Settlers are encouraged to come through the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.
 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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. Begins to influence Etchu (Turn One of Five). As Owari declared war on us, Ashikaga mobilize its army and defended the country against Owari invaders. Accepted alliance request from Mutsu and requests Mutsu to help Ashikaga in their war against Owari.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: In response to Bavaria being invaded we declare war on Austria as per the League of Erfurt. Sending an army of about 4000 men to assist in the war. The duchy also calls upon the evangelical nations across all of Europe to help in the war against Austria. The duchy also continues on with mass-conscription increasing their troops at home by 700 men to help defend against any Catholic attacks.
 * Songhai Empire: We halt expansion for a while so we can finish reorganizing our nation. We keep building trans-Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large numbers of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * England: In England, Sir Thomas More protests the Acts of Supremacy, effectively making him a traitor. He is arrested and confined in the Tower of London. He is replaced as Lord Chancellor by Thomas Cromwell. Parliament allows Cromwell to visit the monasteries. King Henry supports the evangelicals and Ottomans on the continent in their war against the Austrians and their allies, though England refrains from actually joining the wall. Cromwell introduces his plan for spreading evangelical movement to Ireland by commissioning the translation of the Bible in Irish Gaelic. 20 new large ships are commissioned for the Royal Navy, which will raise the number of ships to 30. Henry Brandon, Earl of Lincoln is named Lord High Admiral. England begins to influence Connacht.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Calais continues to serve as a connection between England and the continent in terms of trade and culture.
 * Ireland: In Ireland, the Crown sponsors the construction of roads throughout the Kingdom.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1534, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. With Lorenzo's cousin once removed, Pope Clement VII, and another relative being an archbishop cardinal, the nation remains heavily rooted with the Catholic Church. 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 (Naval). 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 fifteen, Contessina turns fourteen, Giorgio turns twelve, and Leonora turns ten. Giovanni, the presumed heir to the Republic, receives education from the old Niccolo Machiavelli, who bestows many ideas and principals on the young prince. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Venice, Austria, Bologna, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. Two main figures continue the enlightment: Niccolo Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be comissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. With the disputed election of Ferdinand of Austria (Lorenzo's brother-in-law) and a Florentine-Austrian alliance, Lorenzo makes arrangements at a meeting with the Pope and the new Emperor to realign with the empire. As a gift and to improve relations, Lorenzo presents Ferdinand with very expensive olive oil and other expensive gifts. Lord Lorenzo also sends a handful of men to go join the newly formed Nicolites. Lorenzo also joins the Austrian war with the League of Erfurt and requests other Catholic nations to join.
 * In Saxony, Prince-Elector John Frederick reminds the population of the Holy Roman Empire that its war is simply to protect Bavarian independence, and that he desires religious peace in the Empire. The vassalization of Nürnberg is completed this year, and the war continues in full-force.
 * Benin: The invasion of Oyo continues as usual, with more Yoruba enslaved by the Benin warriors. The Oba invests considerable resources into the expansion of Benin's southern-most city, Oji-Ala, seeking to build up a major center of trade in the area. Edo settlers moving into the region are given several grants by the imperial government for their hand in developing the land there, taking advantage of the rich arable land near the mouth of the Congo River. The navy is expanded by two galleons and four caravels, supplementing the growth of Benin's new naval power. Noting the future role the navy will play in Benin's future, the Iyase of Benin moves to organize the naval forces of Benin. The new force is named the "Imperial Navy of the Oba of Benin", or simply the Imperial Navy. To make shipbuilding easier, all future ships are classed into four groups; "royal ships", "great ships", "middling ships", and "small ships". The new rating system shall serve as the basis for the navy of Benin, and make the formation of the fleet more organized than it has been so far. The continued expansion of Njos as a major port of trade in Cameroon continues, and the expansion of the slave trade grows as the city does. The middle class of Benin continues to demand more knowledge from Europe, especially as scholars in Benin have determined that Benin has come to the same level as some European states such as Poland and Denmark, two states frequently spoken of by Edo students learning in Europe. Trade with France, Portugal and Venice continue as before, fuelled by the growth of the Portuguese enslave east of Eko, and the establishment of the Venetian trade outpost in the far western edges of West Africa.

1535
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> <p style="font-weight:normal;">''' NOTICE TO MODS AND PLAYERS: Mods please refer to the Mod document immediately or you may be marked as an inactive contributor, I will take the opportunity to point out that Mod events require consent from several mods and anyone posting them solely, without discussion is not doing so on behalf of the mod team. I think it's best this stopped and if Mods could refer to the document for how to proceed, I'd appreciate that. The mod events are NOT a discussion forum, no one should edit this section unless they have permission or proper reason to. All invalid events have been removed that were either not discussed, or have been decided to remove. Thanks for understanding, looking foward to seeing your stuff for this turn. ~Simmy '''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> ALL TIER UPGRADE REQUESTS ARE APPROVED.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''WAR REPORT: BENIN WILL TAKE OYO BY 1536, MUTSU DEFEATS DEWA, KAZAKH KHANATE DEFEATED BY NOGAI KHANATE, OTTOMAN EMPIRE AND OMAN TAKE THE MALDIVES. NOGAI WAS CRUSHED BY RUSSIA.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">   '''Pope John XXIII follows through with the Papal Bull of his predecessor and announces that all Protestant monarchs have lost their legitimacy and right to their thrones. In the eyes of God they are damned and with them their people, any person who puts a blade in the heart of these rulers will experience no sin. The glories of heaven await those who depose these abominations of vice and wretchedness. Padre Juan sends a Papal Bull to England demanding the removal of the acts of parliament that strip the church of their ancient rights, and should King Henry refuse, he will not recognise his rule and will remove his right to the title Lord of Ireland, technically a Papal given title. People within England murmur more and more about the church’s bulwark stance against the King, many consider that if Henry were to be excommunicate, to kill him would not be a sin.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The Kievan Horde reconciles a bit following some strong actions taken against Nogai by Crimea, and the ongoing war with Kazakh. While trust in an outright alliance is broken, the overall consideration of the recreation of the “Golden Horde” eventually, still remains.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Many Catholic Nations of the Holy Roman Empire rally in defense of the Emperor citing they will not see their religion and their livelihood purged and overtaken by heretics from the north. (Nations will be decided soon this requires multiple mods to be on to discuss and get the ball rolling, please be patient while we get this going). The League of Erfurt retorts that it is only protecting its member, Bavaria, and seeks religious peace.'''


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: with Austrian forces gaining momentum (and Brunswicks secret offer accepted), Duke Julius declares war in aid of Austria, officially to free Brunswick-Gottingen, ruled by a branch of Julius' own House of Welf, from its Saxon yoke. Its newly reorganised military, 10,000 strong, marches into battle with those Catholic states who joined the Emperor. Duke Julius asks Emperor Ferdinand I that, in the event of a final victory, he allow the incorporation of Brunswick-Gottingen into Brunswick-Lüneburg.


 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercentile trade sends caffeine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia, and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocean, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottery and firearms across the northern Khanates. Yazid IV dies, and the Ulema elects Al-Mustamsik II to succeed him to the Holy Office. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neighboring Muslim nations like Oman. Al-Kindi's neo-Platonic philosophy regains popularity, and the literature of the Ottomans greatly flourishes. The Ottomans open trade with Western Europe and Italy, asking to buy books and art in exchange for silk and spices from the far east. As the printing press is imported from the Netherlands, copies of books at the libraries in the Middle East grows quickly. Many scholars in the Empire emulate western Renaissance thinkers, and the term "Kulahl" (everyman) becomes popular. A few "Grand Mosques" begin to be built in the Empire, copying the style of Cathedrals of Europe, with the largest under construction in Smyrna. However, these Mosques replace all the religious images with images of nature, in accordance with Muslim law. Bell towers are also replaced with Minarets. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irrigate agriculture in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans. The Ottomans keep the possessions taken thus far in attacking Austria, and pull out of the conflict. War is declared on the Maldives, who have always been troublesome in the Indian trade, and three fleets of ships are sent to encircle the capital Island and force it to capitulate.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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.  Having crushed the Nogai Horde, Crimea gives it as a vassal nation to the Kazakh Khanate, whose leader is the elected Khagan. 
 * 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.
 * Ottoman Dip: We seek a trade alliance with the  Demak Sultanate.
 * Venice Dip: Offers to put the past behind the two nations and become trading partners.
 * Ottomans accept this deal
 * Pretty sure Kazakh was beaten by Nogai
 * Austrian Diplomacy:We ask the Ottomans Empire for a ten-year non-aggression pact.
 * Oman continues expansion 50 px inland. Infrastructure and civic development continue. An outpost is build on Aldabra Island. After this year, the two Africa be merged into one entity, and will be called Al-Balad Min Al'Abyad Wal'Usud A, the Country of White and Black.
 * The Xaafuun Colony continues to grow by 20 px. The colony is still mainly Baloch and Arab in demographics, but as the colony expands more natives are integrated, and because of the natural lack of female colonists many mixed-race children are born. Tri-lingual Ibadi madrassas begin to become the center point for growing cities along the frontiers. A 1 px outpost is built in OTL Al-Hur.
 * Mogadishu: Is now effectively rebuilt, and even improved. The port is expanded and a squadron of ships is left in the city in case of rebellion or aggression. The city is used as a launch-point for inland slave raids into virgin populations previously untouched by Omani slavers. Along with this is the new inflow of ivory into Oman through Mogadishu, which from the cheaper prices sparks increased demand. The city is sometimes referred to as "the City of White and Black" as a direct result from the city's wealth from the ivory and slave trades, and the city quickly becomes on the rise to be known as the Jewel of East Africa, second only to Zanzibar.. The district expands by 20 px. 
 * Oman declares war on the Maldives in hopes to seize the Seychelles, as Sultan sees that the iron is hot.
 * England: The King, with the support of Parliament and the assorted members of the English peerage, declares that the Pope has no authority in any of Henry's domains and that no man in his kingdoms needs to answer to a man so evidently owned by the Medicis, as his two predecessors were. Parliament goes on to pass the Treasons Act, which makes denial of royal supremacy a treasonous act. Thomas More denies supremacy and is summarily executed. Parliament proceeds to pass the Act against the Pope's authority, outlawing support of Papal authority throughout England. Cromwell realizes that seizing the wealth, land, and property of the monasteries for the Crown and redistributing the land would be extremely beneficial to the Crown and would bring more people to the Crown's cause. Meanwhile, he continues with the translation of the Bible into Irish Gaelic with the intent of spreading it in Ireland.
 * Kingdom of France: France invades Provence and forces them into the kingdom. New Orleans continues to grow.
 * Maldives: We ask Vijayanagar and Bengal's help fighting the Oman and the petty Ottoman. We also ask Portugal to come to our aid. 


 * Hungary: We grow in economy, infrastructure and military as we build ourselves up. No plague has been spotted in our borders and researching a minor push back to the plague. As we try to resist becoming isolationists, we ask if any nations will please accept a trading alliance. Please respond to our request as we have developed a major surplus of food and ammunition that we are willing to sell. But we seek new pharmaceuticals and scientists to assist in our research. Any nation that does see our request, please reply, we may be able to negotiate.
 * Your country was partitioned turns ago.
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt a more expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power, considering itself as no longer a mere Chinese satellite regime. 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 ships annually continues. However, production surges to 20 ships a year with 220 already having been built. 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 construction of two labor-intensive industrial complexes in Incheon and Ulsan continue but at a slower pace as the Korean economy modernises. In order to further boost economic catch-up with China, Korea continues to follow successful Song Chinese industrial practices; three blast-furnaces powered by waterwheels are further built in Incheon and Ulsan each (each both have 96 already made), melting weak and inferior wrought and cast iron together to form the stronger steel. Each of these blast-furnaces are capable of producing three tons of steel within a day. 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. Restrictions on the production of paper bills is lifted as inflation is controlled. Trade with China experiences sharp decline, while external trade, especially with Portugal, surges through several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. The production of highly-sought, yet "impure" Celadon porcelain begins once again, but the product is restricted to traders and pure Confucian white porcelain is produced for the local population. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as mandatory to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries, and universities are built in all major settlements. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. The Korean "middle-class" continues to grow rapidly. Korea expands 250 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, trying to prevent further Chinese expansion. In an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items. Following agreements with China and Japan, Korea continues the invasion of Kyushu, which has Korean majority. Using its growing naval force, Korea continues to colonise the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Taiwan, expanding 10 px into each island.


 * Great Uzbek Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travellers 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. The current standing army is 70,000. 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. 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 600 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask China for more gunpower and guns. and are willing to send a heavily armed convoy to come get the guns and powder. We begin to amass people for war and begin to draft people in the army.
 * 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.


 * Württemberg: We offer refuge to the Bavarian government, including the Duke and his family, and to use Stuttgart as a base for a Bavarian government-in-exile, in order to coordinate the internal Bavarian resistance effort against the Austrian occupiers. Meanwhile, the Rheinsstreitkräfte continues its raids on Austrian towns on the Rhine and in the Lake Constanz region. Our population continues to grow rapidly, at a rate of X% per annum (Mods please give me a suitable number to use.). With more men coming of age, our war machine is being fed more and more soldiers, who are sent to the front as part of our naval and land forces. A legion is sent into Bavaria to fight for its liberation, and on behalf of the Duke we implore former members of the Bavarian armed forces to rise up against their oppressive new Austrian masters, and to mutiny against them. The Donausstreitkräfte is commanded to fire upon Austrian ships, and the Rhodian shipbuilders sent to Bavaria to construct Bavaria's fleet are recalled to Württemberg and are immediately evacuated ahead of the Austrian advance.
 * Württemberger Secret Diplomacy (not mainstream): The Electoral Prince Christoph, without the knowledge of his father, secretly has a copy of a draft of his manifesto entitled On the Church and its Denominations sent to the Papal States and to the Pope, which he plans to publish upon his father's death. In the document, he professes that there should be unity in Christendom against the threat of the Muslim Ottomans, and that all religious wars between denominations should end. However, he also states that necessary reforms to the Catholic Church he would like to see include the cessation of indulgences, which he believes is institutionalised theft and a major cause of concern due to the corruption running rampant which was a major catalyst for the Reformation in the first place; allowance for services to be carried out in the native language of attendees; and allowance for the publication of non-Latin Bibles. In the manifesto he hails Martin Luther as a loyal and well-intentioned Christian, an example of the drive towards self-improvement that must be present within such an institution as the Catholic Church. He has representatives travel to Rome to deliver the copy to the Pope. He secretly asks the Pope to carefully and objectively consider the points presented. (OOC: Who even is Poland-Lithuania anyway?)


 * Kandesh: As expected from last year's estimates, our population has decreased by around 2.6%, from 134,000 last year, to 130,516. But we have completed construction of the silk plantations and due to the aid of Mutsu, we are no longer going through a famine. We begin construction of ten cargo ships to send the silk to Mutsu. Over the past few years, the economy has been growing, with the construction of the plantations completed, our people start looking over to the East to the Sea of Bengal. 10,000 people started the migration this year to the region in hopes of finding rare minerals, and settling farms. Because of this, we expand 5 px east towards the Sea of Bengal
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbean and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards.Our markets flourish with many goods from out colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. King Charles tells the King of Aragon that he would like a trade agreement for the time being. Charles tries to translate the Bible into Spanish so that commoners could understand what is being read to them.
 * 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 is 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, west 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 east.
 * That's physically impossible.
 * In the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, the government is left shaken after a coup occurs. The weak infant ruler, Ratsadathirat, is overthrown within only a few months of having been on the royal throne in Ayutthaya. His usurper is his uncle, Chairacha, a nobleman and member of the royal dynasty, used military forces to overthrow his nephew and had him murdered. Chairacha then sees himself declared Somdet Phra, ruler of Ayutthaya. Chairacha is dedicated to making Ayutthaya a powerful nation, and begins by sending diplomats abroad to foreign nations to seek trade deals whereby the nation would trade rice, salt, skins, and lumber for modern European technology. Chairacha then spies a weakness in his southern neighbor, the Sultanate of Johor, and declares a surprise war upon the Sultanate. The larger and more advanced Ayutthayan military is easily able to make great progress in Johor. During this war, Chairacha decides to send men to explore the nearby Andaman Islands to serve as a base closer to major potential trading partners. The nation's economy continues to be extremely strong and vibrant, with diverse basic sectors consistently performing well.
 * Ayutthayan Diplomacy:  We seek trade deals with Portugal and the Ottomans.
 * Oman proposes a trade deal, and proposes that Ayutthaya provide port access in return for a large contingent of East African slaves.
 * Ayutthaya accepts the trade deal, and provides port access to Phuket, the primary port in the Kingdom.
 * Portugal accepts the trade deal, and suggests the primary location of interaction be the Portuguese-controlled Malacca, which is well-placed to serve such a purpose.
 * The Empire of Portugal continues trade-based constructions in Macau and Porta Dourada, developing them into hubs of commerce that are bustling with activity. The King sends an envoy to Ayutthaya to personally welcome the new rule, and to insist on good will between the nations, so we both may flourish. Ormuz in the Persian Gulf is the site of the new plans to develop a new trade hub. Currently merely a fort and small port, development begins on what the King hopes will become a thriving nexus of trade between Portugal and the nations of Arabia. Also improved are fortifications on the East African islands of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, currently busting trade hubs. Ships in the East Indies continue the exploration of all the islands, and contact is made with the rival sultanates of Ternate and Tidore. A garrison of warships, including the famed Botafogo, are moved to be stationed in Madeira, with a fleet of around 30 remaining in Ceuta. The King sends a personal request, bearing gifts of spices, slaves and the finest European literature, to the courts of the Ottomans and Oman, suggesting plans of creating a communal port, a city to be a centre of trade between these three great powers of the Indian Ocean, to assist the coexistence of strong trade presences of each nation, and to help avoid conflict over claims in the future. The King suggests the Persian Gulf island of Ormuz, which is currently under development to help it fit the purpose suggested, as the site of this nexus. He asks that any religious or political differences can be put aside, to assist each Empire to flourish economically. 
 * ​The Sultan of Oman acknowledges Portugal's gracious gifts, and proposes that the three empires develop Ormuz into a place of learning and commerce, complete with Sunni, Ibaadi and Shiite madrassas, along with a Catholic church. As well as this a library and an expanded bazaar.
 * Bohemia: Military build up and economy are continuing to work. The population goes up in Prague, whilst we recruit more troops in the Bohemian army. Since then, we continue to build bunkers and more buildings protecting Prague, to establish more defence from other enemies.
 * Kazakh Khanate:Although defeated, Burat Khagan sees an opportunity in the actual situation. Although the Kazakhs were defeated, the Nogai is in a worse shape due to a multi-front war against Russia. Burat Khagan offers the Khan of the Nogai to pledge loyalty to him as vassal, since he has the protection of the Ottoman Empire. Otherwise, the Nogai Khanate will be annexed by Russia. Whatever happens, their war is now meaninless in any sense. It is the only way for the Nogai Khanate to survive. (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)  Burat Khagan continues to recruit troops en masse, fearing the expansion of Russia, reaching 85,000 troops, which is probably the best that the Khanate can afford right now. The peoples of the Khanate also continue to learn from the weapons and tactics of the Ottoman Empire. Finally, while the Kazakhs continue to expand east (250 px), Burat Khagan calls all members of the Kievan Horde (or what is left of it) to prepare their troops in case of an eventual war.
 * Inca Empire: Regrettably our Sapa Inca, Atahualpa, dies this year. He is replaced by his 16 year old son, Manco Inca Yupanqui. The new leader takes on expansionist polices, and begins expansion across the continent. We expand 30 pixels north and 60 pixels south, both inland and on the coast. Citizens are encouraged to settle these new territories, hoping to put them firmly under Inca control. The new Sapa Inca also begins to consolidate power across current Inca territory. He does this by beginning a major infrastructure project, to link major cities to each other. The network will be centered on Cuzco, but will expand as more funding gets diverted to it and more roads are built. Another project is also created, this one being schools for children between the ages of six and 14. While there is no requirement to attend, many children take advantage of the opportunity. However, the system is not well funded, and is seen by many as more of an experiment than a permanent institution. Our military is also improved, with at total of 150,000 men enlisted. 30,000 troops are set aside to expand into unclaimed territory, and help colonize it once it is under Inca Control. We also begin building up a small navy, to begin exploration of the sea.
 * Archduchy of Austria: Emperor Ferdinand I declares the day that the Saxon-Württemberg and Ottoman armies were kicked out of Austria and its vassals, a national celebration day throughout the whole HRE, as this is a victory of the Catholicism against the heathens and the heretics. We attack against Württemberg and Saxony with our whole army (and our vassals) of 130,000 men strong. Cooperation with the Order of St. Nicholas against the Evangelicals is achieved, with many of those Heretics killed throughout the Archduchy of Austria and our vassals. Huge fortifications are built along the borders with Bohemia, expecting them to attack us since they are an Evangelical bordering state, which we do not have good relations with them. Emperor Ferdinand I outlaws Evangelicalism in the whole HRE. The army stands at the number of 60,000 men, with casualties that happened during the war for Hungary, being replenished. A new grand ambitious project is started, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The first road is to be from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ending in Trent and is already midway through construction. Another part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrease taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign. A census shows the population is about two million but over 1.6 million are serfs. Evangelicalism gains momentum due to Swiss preachers now being able to come to the Archduchy of Austria and spread Evangelicalism throughout the realm.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. Our army is increased in size, now composed of 5000 men, aiming to fight off the threat of the Netherlands, who seek to annex Luxemburg into their nation, shall they attack. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control. The nation begins to stabilize and rebuilt due to the combined efforts of Emperor Ferdinand I and King Louis II. The army is restructured and regrouped after the defeat of Hungary in the war for Hungary, with its losses being replaced. Army is around 50,000 men strong. We defend against the Ottomans and the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Country of Burgau: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Oettingen: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Burggraffschaft: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 3000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: We thank the Catholic nations that they joined the war on our side, sending them our finest gifts. We accept the secret Brunswickian deal, we will look the other way, but their Protestant faith must be kept secret, as we are in no condition to oppose the Pope.
 * Württemberger Diplomacy: Elector Ulrich I is assassinated by members of a Catholic resistance movement that recently formed in Württemberg. Electoral Prince Christoph is crowned the new Elector in October. Being of a more moderate attitude towards the Reformation, he publishes his manifesto, On the Church and its Denominations, and asks to negotiate for peace with Austria. He asks for mercy towards the Württemberger people as many were forced by such organisations as the Commission to convert to Evangelicalism. Christoph makes a formal apology to the Emperor and the Pope and also requests to maintain religious freedom in Württemberg, with the new Elector promising to allow Catholics to practise their religion freely, but to also allow Evangelicals to practise theirs. He himself says that he would like to see such reforms as those proposed in his manifesto occur in the Catholic Church. He asks to be allowed to retain the throne of Württemberg, and to maintain its independence, though he is willing to pay reparations for Austria's expenses during the war. He presents a copy of the manifesto to the Emperor and asks him to carefully and objectively consider the points presented.
 * Angu: The tribe begins advancing more rapidly as the Namton A'fao reads the books and uses them to guide his nation to a more sophisticated type of government. The gold trade helps highly through the trade and because of the use of metallurgy, coins are created with Namton A'fao Koito's monogram. The tribal conglomerate expands 50 px westward.
 * Mutsu: Mutsu's people celebrate as the invasion on Dewa is successful. Mutsu annexes Dewa and makes its part of Mutsu. The new bigger Mutsu has around 1.2 million people as Dewa's population was only around 500,000 and loses in the war. Former Dewa citizens are resentful and bitter of Mutsu's government because their homeland was taken by force by a former friend but the Emperor of Mutsu decides to let them have full rights to try to avoid conflict or rebellion. Mutsu's people and former Dewa citizens don't mingle yet. The development of gunpowder weapons continue. The army grows a little again to 32,000 as the Emperor is still wary of Korea's invasions. Mutsu begins to send settlers to Hokkaido (around 10,000) and expands 25 px into the south of the island. Mutsu's goal is to colonize the island. Mutsu decides to stop Naval Ship production because it already has a fleet of twenty large battle ships in Mutsu Harbor (formerly known as Mutsu port).
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Tsar champions his conquest of the Volga having secured the tail end of a major tract of farmland adding a new major source of agriculture. The Duma, however not amused by the Tsars brash and violent action south regardless of the issue with Nogai, is unable to see the benefit in further angering the southern Hordes. However, with the new tracts of land to settle, including a new vast belt of agriculture adding onto Russia's already large agricultural base the Duma agrees that this may have been a move in great foresight. The Russian populations heading east particularly in Ekatinburg which now numbers roughly 20,000 in the city proper and about 8000 in the areas around it. The Russian populations now with much more territory at its disposal in Along the Volga the cities of Tsaritsyn, Saratov and Samara are all founded with many Russians moving to these new territories. While legitimate settlement east of the Urals has ceased the Cossacks under impressions of great wealth begin to push farther east and through the many Siberian rivers using the rivers and the nearby portages as key points for establishing forts and now with a clear push east to secure more and more furs. The Cossacks in this endeavour make concentrated efforts to subjugate he many Siberian natives. (2000 px) The Russian population with record harvest this year sees a boom to 11.1 million but growing slower as settlement of new territories does make a hit on population growth of Russians larger more northern cities. (there was a rough integration of nearly 800,000 Russians in Poland earlier in the game giving me a decent population boost). Tsaritsyn in particular sees a huge swell in growth as it pushes from the low hundreds to nearly 10,000 as many unfortunate Russians from up north flock to the city populating it heavily with farmlands around it seeing population as well. The Russian Merchant families as well as the Tsar make a concentrated effort to further fund settlement in the newly conquered territories looking to lock it down with a large population before a retaliatory effort can be locked down. The Russian military having adopted some western elements has developed a ratio of melee to firearms more balanced towards the heavy cavalry focus of the eastern plains sees great improvement but remains directly behind the french in comparison. The continued secret encouragement of the Cossacks to raid and do damage in Crimea continues. The Son of the Tsar, Ivan is revealed by his father to have taken place in the campaign as the leader of the battle of Tsaritsyn which was a resounding victory for the Russian army. This establishes his presence among peasants and nobles alike who recognize his aptitude for military matters and leadership. The Russian patriarch now declares himself the true ecumenical patriarch over the one in Constantinople. 
 * Principality of Minsk: Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 25,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 500,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk continues to see improvement in the principality as a more Russian stance begins to be taken.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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 nonetheless to prepare for possible blockade breaches and a subsequent plague outbreak. The Russian population of Zhytomyr is estimated as nearly 52,000 and growing. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 600,000.
 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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 to influence Etchu (Turn Two of Five). With Owari no reposing, Ashikaga continues to defend its sole country (unless invasion if algo is here). Ashikaga begins its open trade and improving relations with all Japanese states, Korea and China, hoping the economy growing fast.
 * Songhai Empire: We halt expansion for a while so we can finish reorganizing our nation. We keep building trans-Saharan trade routes with gold and salt being sent across the desert in part to trade for in part for tribute to the Ottomans. We keep selling newly gathered slaves to the European colonial powers for their colonies. This allows our nation to become quite economically prosperous. While at the same time all this new riches goes into investment in the infrastructure of the nation with our new roads between the larger towns completed and much of the irrigation work moving almost as quickly as we massively expand. Our army undergoes further reformation with better training given to cavalry and our officers to make them more discipline and useful. We start the construction of forts up and down the Niger river to defend it from enemy attacks. The construction mainly consists of earthen ramparts and embedded stakes. In our capital our industrial works are becoming very strong with the capability to produce large numbers of weapons in good times as well as meaning we are not that reliant on Europeans for industrial goods. We send men north to discover the ways of North Africa and to a lesser extent Europe.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. 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 to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. We offer trade to Portugal.
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. No expansion is made and no expansion is planned. The colony is kept small to minimize the costs of sustaining it. Small scouting groups explore the region.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. We expand no lands for now and keep the settlement small, not willing to test our economy on this scale yet. Instead we send exploration parties to see if the lands are safe. (IT'S PLACED WRONGLY ON THE MAP, IT'S THE WESTERN END OF LONG ISLAND)
 * 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 blasphemus 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. The deal allowing Venetian traders to use Ceuta is accepted. Venetian Monrovia is renamed Port Sommaripa and it expands 25 px north.
 * Benin: Benin makes great sweeping military gains in Oyo, with the Iyase of Benin reporting to the Oba that his forces should have conquered the nation by the beginning of the next year. Trade with Europe, in particular France, Portugal and Venice, continues to grow and bilateral trade is promoted by the Oba for the sake of expanding the wealth of his nation. The development of Oji-Ala continues as planned, with the completion of the Southern Road from Njos in the north to Oji-Ala in the south. The finished construction of the final stretch of road between Nwayoo and Oji-Ala has opened up the southern-most regions of Benin to its population, allowing for direct trade and transport of people between Benin's most densely populated north, and its more unsettled south, where the majority of the natives have already been enslaved and sold to the Europeans. With the full backing of the imperial government, Oji-Ala's population has exploded to well over 40,000 thanks to the flow of goods and industry into the city, surpassing the growth of both Mahin and Njos in the years prior to the city's construction. Under the new ratings system of Benin, the Imperial Navy now possesses two royal ships, eight great ships, and twenty-four middling ships, along with thirty small ships which serve as the littoral fleet of Benin. The Oba declares that Benin shall construct a university in Edo for the purpose of expanding the educated elite in the country to better compete with the Europeans. He charters the University of Edo, and declares that it shall serve as an example to the world the capabilities of the African people. Elsewhere, the literacy rate of Benin continues to grow with the government policy of educating as many Edo as possible. The spread of printing presses in Benin has continued at a stable rate, and now most major towns have a local printing press and their own periodicals for the affairs of town and its surrounding area. The Bishop of Edo reports to the Oba that at least two-thirds of the population has been encouraged to convert to Catholicism in the last twenty years, and he praises the Oba for his leading role as the spiritual leader of Benin to bring his people into the Church. Though much work remains to be done, at least the Oba has established his legacy as a reformer on par if not in excess of his father's accomplishments. While Ewaure may have transformed Benin into an empire, Xadraque was the one who brought it into the world as a modern nation. Benin expands by 25 px, sealing off the interior to Africa from the Atlantic Ocean between Benin and Kongo.
 * Kalmar Union: The new king looks to continue centralization of the union and wants to include the nobles in this process of ruling. He works closely with the High Chancellor, Gustav Vasa, and appoints several nobles to key position in the union's army and navy. As a staunch Evangelical he orders the construction of the University of Copenhagen, a school where evangelical ministers are trained and religious philosophers can gather to combat the coming Counter-Reformation. Catholics are encouraged to convert to the new religion or are fined heavily. Religious texts on the ideas of Martin Luther and the corruption of the Catholic Church are distributed among the lower classes. Newly trained ministers roam the countryside and win over many converts. The great port cities of the union, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo begin to see a shipping boom as trade from the Baltic and North Sea begin to increase. The iron mines of former Sweden are expanded along with the fishing industry in Norway. Road are built across the country in order to better connect the union. Expansion into the northern part of Sweden and Finland continues and increases to 100 px. An official army and navy are created for the union and are improved and trained in the latest tactics and weapons.
 * Iceland: The colony is combined with the colony of the Faroe Islands in order to better administer both colonies. The king sends missionaries to convert any Catholic to Evangelicalism. Settlers are encouraged to come through the colony from the mainland. A port is built for use by the Danish navy.

1536
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''With war on the horizon the Holy Roman Empire and those with ambitions within it make ready for combat, a strange chill falls over the forests and fields as conflicts that raged only months before seem to disappear, like the waves retracting before a tsunami. NO WARS may be fought in Germany. However, during this turn, all war preparation efforts will be doubled.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The Silk Road flourishes once again, as the supply rushes to the demanding buyers the prices only slowly drop, eventually resting at a price higher than the days before the pillaging. The East’s economy is bolstered, but with so much wealth inflation risks taking hold.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The Order of St. Nicholas claims its first heretic lives as they sanction burnings in Tuscany of self-proclaimed heretics. Italy, the bastion of the Catholic Church speaks with a resounding voice, their loyalty remains with the Pope in Rome. Meanwhile, a Catholic priest in Saxon-controlled Nürnberg is hanged by the Evangelical Inquisition in Wittenberg. Stories of the shrieks coming from the martyrs fuel the flames of rage in the Holy Roman Empire as the League of Erfurt prepares to meet their Catholic cousins in battle.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Rumours of a girl, covered in strange boils has sent harsh reminders of the sickness only just past in the fields of Toulouse. Though no deaths have reached any authority, the fear of death unsettles an already unruly region.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Creepy

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Big bag of nope right there in Toulouse.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Because of the English action on translating the Bible into Irish Gaelic, many Irish become more welcoming to the English rule for considering the Irish and for helping preserve their language. However, Irish Catholics are largely displeased.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Many Spanish Catholics bishops and priests find themselves quite displeased with the Crown deciding to advocate for the translation of the Bible into Spanish, as many believe the Bible should only be in Latin, and that the Spanish crown is almost pseudo-Reformed in this fashion.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Expansion into Hokkaido by both the Japanese and Koreans results in a type of confederation between many Ainu tribes, resulting in harsher resistance against outsiders (expansion in Hokkaido limited to 15 px for the each country for the next five turns).

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> HRE WAR ANNOUNCEMENT:   The HRE Religious war will be the campaign’s FIRST mega-war, I ask people to refrain from open conflict for this turn, and on Saturday we’ll reveal a mega-war style system that allows all members of the HRE to take part in a single war to define their future. This means that nations must work together to forge a lasting peace, and perhaps stunning victory. The event chain will work like the new plague events, as seen above. Colour-coded they will force HRE war participants to react to scenarios and challenges for their nation, sometimes risking their very livelihood. This is an experiment for the campaign, and I am sure we’ll all get a lot of enjoyment out of it. A full description etc will be available tomorrow at the earliest convenience and if it's completely hated, we’ll obviously not go ahead. I think, however, this will provide us with an excellent example to use throughout the game! ~Simmy

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Do we even need this Rex changed his country from Saxony to Ayutthaya, the Ottoman Empire withdrawed from the HRE, Bohemia didn't join the war, the rest of the HRE protestant players haven't posted for two or three turns, so its Austria, Florence and Brunswick-Luneburg versus Württemberg, no one else is active or thinks of joining the war. I seriously doubt that this should be a Mega War since there aren't enough active players joining this war. ~Wrto12

<p style="font-weight:normal;">The campaign was meant to be a fun and new experience, it wouldn't have been a one-turn war but rather a specific set of events for certain players, helping to tell their story. However, if it's been taken so badly before it is even seen, I can't do much about that. I'll scrap the plans and we'll do the religious wars by ear from now on. at the end of the day if people aren't willing to change at all, I can only put forward so much. However, the people have spoken, plans are scrapped. ~Simmy

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Meh, better to get a trial run in earlier rather than later. ~Guy


 * Brunswick-Lüneburg: Duke Julius spends the year drilling his army in modern tactics, preparing for the coming war.


 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercantile trade sends caffeine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocean, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottery and firearms across the northern Khanates. Yazid IV dies, and the Ulema elects Al-Mustamsik II to succeed him to the Holy Office. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neighboring Muslim nations like Oman. Al-Kindi's neo-Platonic philosophy regains popularity, and the literature of the Ottomans greatly flourishes. The Ottomans open trade with Western Europe and Italy, asking to buy books and art in exchange for silk and spices from the far east. As the printing press is imported from the Netherlands, copies of books at the libraries in the Middle East grows quickly. Many scholars in the Empire emulate western Renaissance thinkers, and the term "Kulahl" (everyman) becomes popular. A few "Grand Mosques" begin to be built in the Empire, copying the style of Cathedrals of Europe, with the largest under construction in Smyrna. However, these mosques replace all the religious images with images of nature, in accordance with Muslim law. Bell towers are also replaced with minarets. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irrigate agriculture in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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.
 * Colony of the Maldives: The native government of the Maldives is overthrown and replaced with an Ottoman administration. The extent of this colony includes OTL islands of Maldives, Chagos and Lakhshadweep. A new mosque is built on Mele. Buddhism is declared illegal and all the Buddhist temples are converted back to mosques. A trading port is enlarged in the north to increase trade with India. An impressive seaport is built in Chagos, being halfway to China. Exploration continues off the coast of Africa.
 * Colony of Mombasa: A port colony is established this year in the city of Mombasa in East Africa between the colonies of Oman and Portugal.
 * Ottoman Dip: We seek a trade alliance with the  Demak Sultanate.
 * Demak Sultanate: We accept the Ottoman Empire's offer.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khagan comes to Istanbul and offers the Sultan an alliance with the Kazakh Khanate, as no offical treaty has been made between the two nations. As leader of the Kievan Horde, he also wants this alliance to be extended to the vassals of his Khaganate. As a gift, he is willing to offer his sister as a concubine for the Sultan.
 * Lakshadweep is Portuguese, sorry. - FP
 * You have to invade Mombasa first. -Dax
 * You can't mod a region within your interest. -Nate
 * Says no other mod. Expanding into an existing country is impossible according to the rules of every map game. Considering the conversation we had earlier, this isn't going to be taken seriously until another mods steps in, but that would likely require at least a conquest of Mombasa regardless. -Dax
 * Demak Sultanate: We begin building our military to a total of 27,500 troops. We forcefully convert our subjects to Islam. We begin to incorporate our kingdom into the vast structures that the Majapahit left behind. We also raid all valuables like gold and silver from their temples. We will also begin to make a navy by building more frigates to put the total amount at 45.  After capturing the kingdom of Pajajaran(I corrected the mistake so there is a 50 point difference),  we look to convert the infidels to Islam. To legitimize our rule our son marries the last remaining daughter of the royal family.  We send our navy to try to bully the other Indonesian nations to become protected or our vassals(How Majapahit did)  (NPC RESPONSE REQUIRED)
 * You still lost the algo ; you can only count your primary motive on your side.
 * NPC Response: After the Demak loss to Pajajaran, no other nation feels the need to submit itself to the Sultanate as they feel confident in their abilities to defend their nation.
 * England: Despite the legal movement toward the evangelical movement, English theology remains close to Catholicism. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, works toward the introduction of new ideas and the removal of commonly disparaged Catholic ideas. Meanwhile, Cromwell continues to push the translation of the Bible into Irish Gaelic and its spread in Ireland. King Henry reaches out to his good ally the King of Portugal seeking a marriage for his daughter Princess Catherine to a Portuguese prince. The construction of the new ships continues. Meanwhile, the Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries Act is passed, allowing the Crown to seize the property, land, and wealth of smaller religious houses. This proves successful, allowing Cromwell to convince King and Parliament to go after more houses. The King fathers a daughter, Anne, by Jane Seymour, but she dies of complications caused by the pregnancies. The Crown continues to encourage trade with the continent as well as the use of modern weaponry.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Some of the new English ships are stationed at Calais.
 * Ireland: The Irish Gaelic Bible is distributed in Ireland pursuant with the Crown's policy.
 * Cherokee: We begin extreme efforts to create a written language. We also put extreme effort into urbanizing Cahokia and moving us towards sustainability by getting more agricultural production. Since it is far easier to trade with the French in New Orleans than Spanish Palm Beach we can begin trading more frequently getting us more domesticated animals and guns than we would have ever gotten from Palm Beach.
 * Kingdom of Mutapa: Mwenemutapa Neshangwe Munembire calls for centralization of the nation. We expand trade ports on the Limpopo and Zambezi Rivers. We build a school in the capital and allow all genders to go. The Mwenemutapa Neshangwe Munembire creates a law stating that only the ruling class may have more than four wives at a time. Our copper production is still going well. We see strange white men wandering around the lands near us and we attempt to send a diplomat with copper to set up trade. (Netherlands Dip)
 * The Dutch outpost agrees to trade with the native peoples. 


 * Benin: Oyo is fully incorporated into the Benin Empire with the fall of Oyo-Ile, and the capture of Oyo's ruling family. The Oba visits the new territory, and installs a new governor for the region. All men over the age of eight are enslaved and sent off to be sold to Europe, while the women of all ages are parcelled out to the warriors and single men of Benin as trophies. However, men who have converted to Catholicism are spared and allowed to remain with their families as a form of reward for their conversion. With the incorporation of Oyo into the empire, palace officials believe the population of the empire has expanded by at least three million, the enslaved males excluded. Elsewhere, in line with Oba Xadraque's modernization plans, the Imperial Navy is expanded in size, with the inclusion of new warships for the Imperial Navy of Benin. Two new "great ships" are constructed along with five "middling ships". The hulls for one "royal ships", two more "great ships", and eight "middling ships" are laid down, along with the hulls for sixteen "small ships". The Oba has stated he has every intention of catching up with the naval prowess of the Europeans, and will do all in his power to compete with them as an equal before he dies. A new industrial complex is built in Oji-Ala, while the one in Eko is expanded for the needs of the Imperial Navy. As the slave trade continues to grow in prominence and wealth, the need to expand Benin's industrial capabilities to cope with the growing trade with the world, continues to impress upon the nation the need to maintain a strong industrial backbone. As young Edo leave the schools of the major towns, they enter into several apprenticeships originally set up by the Europeans for Benin. The modernization of Benin continues as a policy of the state, but the creation of a written script for the Edo language by Oba Xadraque in 1517, instills a certain type of national pride in the next generation of Edo, who appreciate the European customs and Christian religion their parents adopted, but remain true to their deeply held loyalties to the Oba and Benin. No longer the backwards and ignorant substance farmers of the past, the new generation of Edo people have firmly rooted their future in the hopes of a modernized Benin as set forth by their Oba. Many have been raised in the Christian faith, and are both literate and well-educated, well others have made the learning of European concepts a hobby, and instilled that yearning to know more both within themselves and their children. As they enter the workforce of Benin, both as traders and blacksmiths, teachers and soldiers, bureaucrats and laborers, all go forth seeing Benin as a developed, if somewhat backwards "European" state, if in all but name. Many know of the European states, and more readily compare Benin to them, though they understand there is still much left to do. Many have stated the most accurate comparison between Benin and any other European state would be that of Genoa, Poland, and Bavaria industrially and militarily. The pride of this knowledge pushes many to continue to strife for a more developed and modernized state. The new Imperial Palace in Edo is still under construction, though many have reckoned that it will perhaps near its completion by 1545. While Mahin is furnished with the more European style buildings and architecture, Edo is still far behind it, and with only a small portion of the great city having been rebuilt. The desire of the Oba to maintain its great boulevards and gardens has slowed construction somewhat, but he believes that his efforts will transform the city into what he and his aides call the "Venice of Africa". Benin expands by 25 px further closing off the gap between Benin and Kongo from the Atlantic Ocean.
 * Württemberg:  With the war ended, we begin the transition to neutrality, although we still remain as a member of the League of Erfurt. Catholics and Protestants are both free to practise their religion, though Evangelicalism remains as the official religion of the country. The Commission is disbanded, and Lieutenant Friedrich Thun is forced to resign from the military, though he is protected by the state to prevent Catholics from lynching him. Meanwhile, we attempt to improve our precarious position with Austria, while at the same time recovering and repairing our military for the inevitable HRE civil war. Elector Christoph I reluctantly announces his recognition of Ferdinand I of Austria as Holy Roman Emperor, due to Württemberg's extremely weakened status. We request assistance from the rest of the League to rebuild the country, which was ravaged last year by Austria's advance.  (OOC: Since the LoE war has been declared forestalled, everything I have said as Württemberg in the past few turns will be reversed. This will mean that On the Church was never written by Christoph, and Ulrich I was never assassinated. Also, the Württemberger Navy has not yet engaged Austria. The Commission is also still active, and we still refuse to negotiate with Austria.) Württemberg continues to mobilise for the coming war in defence of Bavaria. We reiterate our offer to Bavaria's Duke William IV to relocate to Württemberg to set up a government-in-exile. We refuse to recognise the legitimacy of Ferdinand I's status as Emperor.


 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt a more expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power. 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, buddhist temples are destroyed and teared down for construction material. 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 ships annually continues. However, production surges to 30 ships a year with 240 already having been built. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to supplement Korean military capabilities, the rapid construction of labor-intensive industrial complexes continues, though this time in Seoul and Pyongyang as the number of blast-furnaces in Incheon and Ulsan approaches the goal of a hundred each. Korea continues to follow the Song Chinese economic practice of melting wrought and cast iron together in waterwheel-powered blast-furnaces. The produced steel is used to strengthen weapons, and as construction material. 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 the four major industrial complexes. More canals are constructed and more roads are paved to link 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. Trade with China experiences sharp decline, while external trade, especially with Portugal, surges through several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. The production of highly-sought, yet "impure" Celadon porcelain begins once again, but the product is restricted to traders and pure Confucian white porcelain is produced for the local population. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as essential to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries, and universities are built in all major settlements. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. The Korean "middle class" continues to grow rapidly. Korea expands 250 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, trying to prevent further Chinese expansion. In an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items. Following agreements with China and Japan, Korea continues the invasion of Kyushu, which has a Korean majority. Using its growing naval force, Korea continues to colonise the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Taiwan, expanding 15 px into each island.
 * Inca Empire: Regrettably our Sapa Inca, Atahualpa, dies this year. He is replaced by his 16 year old son, Manco Inca Yupanqui. The new leader takes on expansionist polices, and begins expansion across the continent. We expand 30 pixels north and 60 pixels south, both inland and on the coast. Citizens are encouraged to settle these new territories, hoping to put them firmly under Inca control. With our population so high, standing at nearly 25 million, a wave of urbanization spreads across the Empire. Encouraged by the Sapa Inca and other officials, this urbanization leads to the creation of several major cities, and makes it easier to distribute food and other supplies to the citizens. These growing cities also leads to improvement in water delivery and sewer systems among others within cities. The new Sapa Inca also begins to consolidate power across current Inca territory He does this by beginning a major infrastructure project, to link major cities to each other. The network will be centered on Cuzco, but will expand as more funding gets diverted to it and more roads are built.  Another project is also created, this one being schools for children between the ages of six and 14. While there is no requirement to attend, many children take advantage of the opportunity. However, the system is not well funded, and is seen by many as more of an experiment than a permanent institution.  Our military is also improved, with at total of 150,000 men enlisted. 30,000 troops are set aside to expand into unclaimed territory, and help colonize it once it is under Inca Control. We also begin building up a small navy to begin exploration of the sea.
 * I don't think that's possible considering the Incas didn't even have a writing system. -Dax
 * What the fuck? Why is the population so high? France, the most populous European state at this time, has only 22 million people.
 * The Inca empire is not definitive on population but it ranges anywhere from four million to 37 million in estimates, considering smallpox hasnt hit them yet, id say between 18-24 million is roughly where it should stand -Feud
 * Mutsu: The Emperor, wary of both Ainu tribes and Korea sends a small army of 1000 men to help colonize Hokkaido and to keep the settlers safe. Mutsu expands 15 px into Hokkaido. In Mutsu things keep moving, the population stays around 1.2 million, and the army is 34,000 men, slightly higher in case a conflict should arise between Mutsu and the Koreans and/or the Ainu tribes. The production of gunpowder weaponry increases, hoping to have enough guns for the army by 1540. The economy continues to grow as Mutsu continues to export of dried fish, rice, and silk to its allies. Mutsu and former Dewa citizens slowly start to put aside their differences and accept the fact of their co-existence, although because most of Mutsu's population is still mostly in small villages most of the two groups will not have to be with the other of any reason. Mutsu also requests a trade alliance with China as it's looking to be able to export its silk to Europe.
 * Korean Dip: Any further expansion into Hokkaido will be met with force. :)
 * In the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Chairacha leads the defeat of the Sultanate of Johor, bringing the entirety of the Malay peninsula (excluding Malacca) under Tai control. Johor is integrated into Ayutthaya, and efforts are made to integrate the 1.5 million Malays into Tai society. One way Chairacha attempts to achieve this goal is by distributing lands among the foreign nations, creating pockets of Malays in Ayutthaya and vice versa. The system of education through the Buddhist sangha continues to create an educated middle class, which Chairacha recognizes has increasing importance in society. To further integrate Malays, Chairacha begins to phase out madrassas in favor of the sangha-based education. The expedition to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was a success, and Chairacha decides to commit a small force to settle the islands, which are called the Andaamans. The initial settlement is located at OTL Port Blair, and grows by 15 px. Meanwhile, Chairacha arranges a royal marriage between his daughter and the heir of Cheingmai. He also requests an alliance with his northern neighbor. (MOD RESPONSE PLEASE)
 * ​Cheingmai accepts (RNG).
 * The Sultan of Oman proposes another deal to more closely bind the two nations. The Sultan proposes some minor land Oma_ayut_proposal_mini_1.pngases along Ayutthaya's West coast, mainly on rather obsolete peninsulas in order for ports to be built. The Sultan guarantees the protections and respect of any native peoples, and offers a contingent of haram slaves to sweeten the deal. The Sultan also notices the Thai expansion into the Andamans and promises to supply the colony with ample slaves for its construction if the deal is accepted.
 * Somdet Phra Chairacha of Ayutthaya rejects the Omani offer, citing that Oman already has access to the port of Phuket and is also invited to trade with our capital of Ayutthaya and recently-conquered Singapura.
 * Archduchy of Austria: Emperor Ferdinand I doubles Austrian war preparations. Cooperation with the Order of St. Nicholas against the Evangelicals is achieved, with many of those heretics killed throughout the Archduchy of Austria and our vassals. Huge fortifications are built along the borders with Bohemia, expecting them to attack us since they are an Evangelical bordering state, having bad relations with them. Emperor Ferdinand I outlaws Evangelicalism in the whole HRE. The army stands at the number of 75,000 men, cause we recruit 15000 more men out from the areas that we annexed from Bavaria. Our total forces are around 155,000 men strong, including our vassals armies. The new grand ambitious project finishes construction, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The main road starts from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ending in Trent. A new road starting from Innsbruck ending in Munich. This Innsbruck will become of hub from people wanting to travel to either Trent or Munich will have to pass through Innsbruck in order to get there faster through the main road. The other part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems, is still under construction. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrease taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign. A new census shows the population is about 2.5 million but over two million are serfs. We focus on our military with the Civil war in the HRE, while secondary focus becomes the administration of our lands. We also focus on offensive war tactics, seeking to restore Catholicism inside the HRE.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control. The nation begins to stabilize and rebuilt due to the combined efforts of Emperor Ferdinand I and King Louis II. The army is restructured and regrouped after the defeat of Hungary in the war for Hungary, with its losses being replaced. Army is around 50,000 men strong. We defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Order of St. Nicholas executes any Evangelical priests they spot, fearing that they will cause dissent all over our duchy. Based on their recent aggressive actions, we have reasonable suspicions that Lorraine is sending them. We also fortify our borders with the Duchy of Lorraine, while 2000 soldiers arrive from Austria to deter Lorraine's aggression. Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. Our army is inscreased in size, now composed of 8000 men, aiming to fight off the threat of the Netherlands, who seek to annex Luxemburg into their nation, shall they attack. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Country of Burgau: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 4000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Oettingen: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 4000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Burggraffschaft: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 10,000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: Emperor Ferdinand I secretly accept Duke Julius request of getting back their rightful lands, of Brunswick-Gottingen, in case we win. Emperor Ferdinand I agrees to betrothed his eldest daughter, Elizabeth von Habsburg to Giovanni de' Medici in order to increase our relationships and seal our alliance with Florence.
 * Poland-Lithuania continues rebuilding her strength, and begins to focus on preparing for a war in the HRE. Meanwhile, we focus on preparing for Pomerinan aggression, not wanting them to be too great a threat.
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbeans and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards.Our markets flourish with many goods from out colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. Charles tries to continue to translate the Bible into Spanish so that commoners could understand what is being read to them. While many people in the nation are confused about why the King is doing that. He tells his people that he wants them to understand what is being read to them so they can learn from the church.
 * 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 is 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, west 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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 100 px east.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east and 100 px south.
 * Morocco: Exploration of the lands is 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 100 px south.
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khagan continues to study and incorporate the gunpowder weapons and the Ottoman tactics in his army, hoping to modernize it as fast as possible. He also continue to encourage some traders to pass on his lands. The lost of the Nogai Khanate was hard on the Kievan Horde, but he hope that it will not stop the strenghtening of the Horde. Burat Khagan continue to send settlers up east (250 px), hoping to put some pressure on the Oïrat Khanate. He honestly believe that the Oïrat will end up joining the Kievan Horde, although he doesn't know if it will be willing or by force. In an attempt to help his relations with the Ottoman Empire, Burat Khagan officially recognize the spiritual power of the Ottoman Caliph over the Kievan Horde (in other words, he recognize the Caliph as ruler of all Muslims, and so acknowledge and obey any new religious reform coming from the Ottoman Empire).
 * As an aside, the Oirats would be more concerned with Eastern Asia, and China than the Kievan horde, and the west, more than likely
 * Angu: The conglomerate modernizes exponentially with trade blooming between both the Portuguese and neighbouring tribes which don't have the same techniques as the Angu. The development of fields is in progress as the nation advances and expands westward 50 px.
 * Duchy of Lorraine: The duchy begins mass conscription increasing their armies to 6000 men. They also position men and fortify the border between itself and Luxembourg. The also hire 1000 mercenaries. They also secretly send missonaries into Luxembourg to spread dissent.
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Tsar champions his conquest of the Volga having secured the tail end of a major tract of farmland adding a new major source of agriculture. The Duma, however not amused by the Tsars brash and violent action south regardless of the issue with Nogai, is unable to see the benefit in further angering the southern Hordes. However, with the new tracts of land to settle, including a new vast belt of agriculture adding onto Russia's already large agricultural base the Duma agrees that this may have been a move in great foresight. The Russian populations heading east particularly in Ekatinburg which now numbers roughly 20,000 in the city proper and about 8000 in the areas around it. The Russian populations now with much more territory at its disposal in Along the Volga the cities of Tsaritsyn, Saratov and Samara are all founded with many Russians moving to these new territories. While legitimate settlement east of the Urals has ceased the Cossacks under impressions of great wealth begin to push farther east and through the many Siberian rivers using the rivers and the nearby portages as key points for establishing forts and now with a clear push east to secure more and more furs. The Cossacks in this endeavor make concentrated efforts to subjugate he many Siberian natives. (2000 px) The Russian population with record harvest this year sees a boom to 11.3 million but growing slower as settlement of new territories does make a hit on population growth of Russias larger more northern cities. (there was a rough integration of nearly 800,000 Russians in Poland earlier in the game giving me a decent population boost). Tsaritsyn in particular sees a huge swell in growth as it pushes from the low hundreds to nearly 10,000 as many unfortunate Russians from up north flock to the city populating it heavily with farmlands around it seeing population as well. The Russian Merchant families as well as the Tsar make a concentrated effort to further fund settlement in the newly conquered territories looking to lock it down with a large population before a retaliatory effort can be locked down. The Russian military having adopted some western elements has developed a ratio of melee to firearms more balanced towards the heavy cavalry focus of the eastern plains sees great improvement but remains directly behind the french in comparison. The continued secret encouragement of the Cossacks to raid and do damage in Crimea continues. The Son of the Tsar, Ivan is revealed by his father to have taken place in the campaign as the leader of the battle of Tsaritsyn which was a resounding victory for the Russian army. This establishes his presence among peasants and nobles alike who recognize his aptitude for military matters and leadership.
 * Principality of Minsk: Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 25,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 500,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk continues to see improvement in the principality as a more Russian stance begins to be taken.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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 nonetheless to prepare for possible blockade breaches and a subsequent plague outbreak. The Russian population of Zhytomyr is estimated as nearly 52,000 and growing. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 600,000.
 * Bohemia: We continue to recruit 1500 more troops in Bohemia, and expand the economy, though. Bohemia will join the war but they decide they could be on Evangelical side. We build more buildings, as well to expect the religious war to rage on many HRE states.
 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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 to influence Etchu (Turn Three of Five). After being battling with Owari in three years, winning most victories against Owari and killing five thousands of Owari fighters (as well Owari NO-ONE responding for two turns), Ashikaga begins to lunch a full-scale invasion of Owari. Continues improving relations and trading with all Japanese states, Korea and China.
 * 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 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. The current standing army is 70,000. 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. 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 600 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask China for more gunpower and guns. and are willing to send a heavily armed convoy to come get the guns and powder. We begin to amass people for war and begin to draft people in the army
 * 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.
 * Oman continues expansion 30 px inland. The very multi-ethnic empire continues to grow culturally, with many merchants and businnessmen being either bi-lingual or tri-lingual (for nobles mostly Arab and Persian, for merchants mainly Arab and Swahili). After the success over the Maldives, much of the military rejoices and feels eager for a greater military expedition. The navy now stands at about 120 ships and about 20,000 soldiers. Slaves, ivory, shipping, and spices continue to be the lifeblood of the small empire, especially with the re-opening of the Silk Road, resulting in renewed trade with the West African coast. The newly aquired Yemen territory is developed, with infrastructure and Ibaadi madrassas being built, though conversion attempts are quite passive, as to  not anger any local Sunnis.
 * Balad Al-Abyad W Al'aswad, or the Country of White and Black, Oman's new region developed from merging the East African colonies continues to develop. Demographicly, the colony is now about 70% African or mulatto, a change from previous times in which the smaller colonies were mainly Arab or Baloch. Ibaadi Islam effectively becomes the mainstream religion, though some locals continue to hold more shamanistic and indigenous outlooks on religion, and these few are mainly debated rather than slain. Slaves and ivory continue to be the lifeblood of the region, with most of the slaves exported directly to Oman, and ivory directed mainly to foreign buyers. The colony expands by 100 px.
 * Songhai Empire: We continue to halt our expansion not sure it is the right time. We halt a lot of our larger construction programs to ensure men are ready in the event of war and not distracted. After seeing Venetians land on the coast we begin to become wary especially after they start to expand as we consider this in our area and we are fearful of expansion. We demand the Venitean traders while be allowed to settle pay us a yearly tribute of goods. At the same time in Gao our capital city we also open up our first primary education school for 5-7 year olds where they are taught reading, writing and math. Entry is not free but heavily subsided and there are roughly 150 places for every year with the hope this will make us more educated. We send our own tribute to the Ottomans north across the Sahara.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. 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 to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. We offer trade to Portugal. 
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. No expansion is made and no expansion is planned. The colony is kept small to minimize the costs of sustaining it. Small scouting groups explore the region.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. We expand no lands for now and keep the settlement small, not willing to test our economy on this scale yet. Instead we send exploration parties to see if the lands are safe. ( IT'S PLACED WRONGLY ON THE MAP, IT'S THE WESTERN END OF LONG ISLAND) 
 * I fixed that on the map ages ago. -Dax
 * Republic of Florence: In 1536, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. The family and republic remain close to the church due to having an archbishop cardinal in the Papacy. 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 (Naval). 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 remain healthy. With Giovanni turning seventeen, Lorenzo proposes to Ferdinard of Austria that Giovanni bethrothe his eldest daughter, Elizabeth von Habsburg (ten years old). Although they are cousins, Lorenzo states it will improve Austro-Florentine relations and that it will further unity between the Habsburg and de' Medici houses. Niccolo Machiavelli also dies, but his ideas and teachings are still in the mind of Giovanni. Lorenzo wants to further Giovanni's education so he sends him off on a tour of Italy and Austria. Giorgio turns fourteen and Leonora turns twelve. With Contessina reaching the age of sixteen, she is finally married to the Prince of Portugal, Duarte, and is sent off to the Portuguese court. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Venice, Austria, Bologna, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be comissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. The inquisition office supports the public heretic burnings done by the Nicolites. Lorenzo prepares for war in Germany against the heretics. 
 * Austrian Diplomacy: Emperor Ferdinand I agrees to betroth his eldest daughter, Elizabeth von Habsburg to Giovanni de' Medici in order to increase our relationships and seal our alliance with Florence.
 * 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 blasphemous heretic Luther is sent out. He and any other heretics are banned from entering the country. Port Sommaripa and it expands 25 px north.
 * Aceh Sultanate: Under the reign of Alauddin al-Kahar, we begin expansion south into Sumatra, intending to hold dominion over all of the island, as well as the nearby Malay Peninsula in the future.

1537
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''As border tensions rise between China and Korea along the Yalu River, a skirmish occurs between soldiers on each side, resulting in sixteen dead on the Korean side and ten dead on the Chinese side. Nobles on both sides call for a dramatic action to put the other country in check.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Due to Spain’s expansion in North West Africa, many locals begin to resist the encroaching Spaniards, and this issue is exacerbated by a fearful Morocco consistently launching slave raids into the colony as well. Many people flee the colony, if not for this than because of the colony’s desert aspects with very few to no natural resources. After they flee back to Spain or the New World, the rest of the colony begins to break down. By the end of the year, the Spanish Western Sahara colony is completely deserted (colony lost).'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''A painter from Benin travels to Europe after successfully building a small fortune from painting nobles. Though he initially has trouble finding works, he’s hired to the court of a Spanish noble. His fine paintings of the nobles makes him famous through Southern Europe, and increase some Europeans knowledge and appreciation of the new Christian state.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">So nothing changed in the HRE?

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Wars are permitted again, plans for mega war have been scrapped, still trying to work around the stuff that was planned for now it's just carry on as you please. Wars will be dealt with through algos but religious progress will involve events though not to any massive degree, simply announcing how the Reformation is doing. ~Simmy

<p style="font-weight:normal;">HRE war has been postponed for five turns now, we need the algo's soon. ~Wrto12

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Why? Let's do it and get it over with. ~Guy


 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercantile trade sends caffeine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocean, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottery and firearms across the northern Khanates. Yazid IV dies, and the Ulema elects Al-Mustamsik II to succeed him to the Holy Office. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neighboring Muslim nations like Oman. Al-Kindi's neo-Platonic philosophy regains popularity, and the literature of the Ottomans greatly flourishes. The Ottomans open trade with Western Europe and Italy, asking to buy books and art in exchange for silk and spices from the far east. As the printing press is imported from the Netherlands, copies of books at the libraries in the Middle East grows quickly. Many scholars in the Empire emulate western Renaissance thinkers, and the term "Kulahl" (everyman) becomes popular. A few "Grand Mosques" begin to be built in the Empire, copying the style of Cathedrals of Europe, with the largest under construction in Smyrna. However, these mosques replace all the religious images with images of nature, in accordance with Muslim law. Bell towers are also replaced with minarets. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irrigate agriculture in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. 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. With their new, more modernized army, the Khanate dispatches 10,000 soldiers to loot the Cossack settlements and drive them out of Crimea.
 * 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, and now Mombasa, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Colony of the Maldives: The native government of the Maldives is overthrown and replaced with an Ottoman administration. The extent of this colony includes OTL islands of Maldives, Chagos and parts of Lakshadweep. A new Mosque is built on Mele. Buddhism is declared illegal and all the Buddhist temples are converted back to mosques. A trading port is enlarged in the north to increase trade with India. An impressive seaport is built in Chagos, being halfway to China. Exploration continues off the coast of Africa.OTL Iles Gloriesues is added to this colony
 * Ottoman Dip: A trade alliance is offered to  Aceh 
 * Aceh dip: We welcome a trade agreement with the most Holy Ottoman Empire.
 * Kazakh Dip: Burat Khagan comes to Istanbul and offers the Sultan an alliance with the Kazakh Khanate, as no official treaty has been made between the two nations. As leader of the Kievan Horde, he also wants this alliance to be extended to the vassals of his Khaganate. As a gift, he is willing to offer his sister as a concubine for the Sultan.
 * The Ottomans agree to this deal, and ask that Burat's sister marry the Prince Selim.
 * Oman offers to take all Buddhists from the Maldives over a course of five years should the Ottomans not want them.
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt an expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power. 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, buddhist temples are destroyed and teared down for construction material. 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 ships annually continues. However, production slows down to 20 ships a year with 270 already having been built. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to supplement Korean military capabilities, the rapid construction of labor-intensive industrial complexes continues, though this time in Seoul and Pyongyang as the number of blast-furnaces in Incheon and Ulsan approaches the goal of a hundred each. Korea continues to follow the Song Chinese economic practice of melting wrought and cast iron together in waterwheel-powered blast-furnaces. The produced steel is used to strengthen weapons, and as construction material. 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 the four major industrial complexes. More canals are constructed and more roads are paved to link 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. Trade with China experiences sharp decline, while external trade, especially with Portugal, surges through several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. The production of highly-sought, yet "impure" Celadon porcelain begins once again, but the product is restricted to traders and pure Confucian white porcelain is produced for the local population. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as essential to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries, and universities are built in all major settlements. 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 being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. The Korean "middle class" continues to grow rapidly. Korea expands 200 px into Manchuria through the Yalu River, trying to prevent further Chinese expansion. In an effort to prevent full Chinese hegemony over the Western Pacific, increases its maritime patrols and increases production of military items. Following agreements with China and Japan, Korea continues the invasion of Kyushu, which has a Korean majority. Using its growing naval force, Korea continues to colonise the islands of Sakhalin, Hokkaido and Taiwan, expanding 15 px into Hokkaido, 30 px into Sakhalin, and 100 px into Taiwan.
 * Empire of the Great Ming: Due to the border conflict, the Emperor feels threatened by the Joseon's expansionist policies. In addition to this reason, the Joseon leaving the tributary system, as another, an second invasion of Korea is commenced. We launch 270,000 soldiers across the land borders into Korea and head for Pyongyang. From the sea we launch an invasion force of 200 ships towards the southern tip and aim for Hanseong. We begin launching fireworks and cannons, as well as the use of arrows and muskets at the Joseon troops. Our forces in Taiwan also commence and invasion. The rest of the 1300-strong Ming Navy blockades the entire Korean Sea.
 * Korean Dip: Knowing that Korea could not win the war, Korea issues a treaty of unconditional surrender and presents the following terms; 1, Korea will cede all its Taiwanese territories to China, 2, Korea will end its policy of rapid territorial expansion and adopt an isolationist one, 3, Korea will rejoin the tributary system, 4, Korea will cease intervention in Honshu.
 * Inca Empire: Regrettably our Sapa Inca, Atahualpa, dies this year. He is replaced by his 16 year old son, Manco Inca Yupanqui. The new leader takes on expansionist polices, and begins expansion across the continent. We expand 30 pixels north and 60 pixels south, both inland and on the coast. However, as the terrain becomes harder, and the locals more troublesome, we begin to deploy troops to aid this expansion. This provides a sense of security to citizens on the frontier, and keeps expansion economically viable. Because of these safeguards, citizens are encouraged to settle these new territories. This is part of an effort to solidify Incan control over these new regions, and eventually assimilate them completely. With our population so high, standing at nearly 25 million, a wave of urbanization spreads across the Empire. Encouraged by the Sapa Inca and other officials, this urbanization leads to the creation of several major cities, and makes it easier to distribute food and other supplies to the citizens. These growing cities also leads to improvement in city infrastructure. In particular, water delivery and sewer systems are, dramatically improved within cities. The new Sapa Inca also begins to consolidate power across current Inca territory He does this by beginning a major infrastructure project, to link major cities to each other. The network is already extensive, but will hopefully be built up by as much as 40%. As the project proves more and more successful, funding is increasingly diverted to the project. Our military is also improved, with at total of 150,000 men enlisted. 30,000 troops are set aside to expand into unclaimed territory, and help colonize it once it is under Inca Control. We also begin building up a small navy to begin exploration of the sea.
 * Population is nowhere near 25 million see here ~Wrto12
 * In the Kingdom of Ayutthaya, Somdet Phra Chairacha, fresh off a strong military victory in Johor, declares a surprise war upon the ailing Khmer Empire. The war effort goes quite well, with Angkor soon falling under Ayutthayan control and the military moving to sweep up the rest of the area to integrate into the Ayutthayan sphere of influence. In former Johor, the Malay population continues to be integrated, specifically be resettlement and Buddhist education. The settlement in the Andaamans expands northwards by 20 px. Influence over Cheingmai continues.
 * ​Ayutthayan Diplomacy: We offer Portugal, Oman, and the Ottomans access to the recently conquered port of Singapura if they provide slave labor to build more in the city of Ayutthaya.
 * Oman: accepts the deal graciously and immediately begins shipping slaves raided from Southern India.
 * Ottomans: accept this deal, and ship hundreds of Slavs annually.
 * Portugal: accept the deal, and begin shipping recently procured slaves from Benin.
 * Aceh Diplomacy: We seek friendlier ties between our nations and request the establishment of trade agreements and a non-aggression pact.


 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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 to influence Etchu (Turn Four of Five). Continues improving relations and trading with all Japanese states, Korea and China. Continues to invade Owari.


 * Aceh Sultanate: We continue our program of rapid expansion throughout Sumatra and invade our neighbours. With a significantly more advanced army than nearby countries in the Indonesian archipelago, we prove to be a formidable force to our enemies. We open a dialogue with Brunei  and offer to establish a protectorate over it to secure it against possible future Ayutthaya aggression.  and offer to establish trade agreements.
 * Brunei is more powerful than Aceh at this time, so it would be foolish for them to agree to become a protectorate of Aceh. Furthermore, which nation(s) is/are you invading? The map was recently reverted to include specific states, and to your south is Aru and Pagaruyung. -Rex
 * Oops, sorry. I'll invade Pagaruyung. ~Tim
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbean and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards. Our markets flourish with many goods from out colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. The colony of Morocco/West Sahara is lost after all the colonists leave the lands. The reason for this is, because there are no resources to build the colony up to make stronger. A Benin painter comes to our nation to throw his skills onto us. The King hires this Benin painter to redecorate his castle.
 * 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 is 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, west 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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 100 px east.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east and 100 px south.
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Russian populations heading east particularly in Ekatinburg which now numbers roughly 20,000 in the city proper and about 8000 in the areas around it. The Russian populations now with much more territory at its disposal in Along the Volga the cities of Tsaritsyn, Saratov and Samara are all founded with many Russians moving to these new territories. While legitimate settlement east of the Urals has ceased the Cossacks under impressions of great wealth begin to push further east and through the many Siberian rivers using the rivers and the nearby portages as key points for establishing forts and now with a clear push east to secure more and more furs. The Cossacks in this endeavour make concentrated efforts to subjugate he many Siberian natives. (2000 px) The Russian population with record harvest this year sees a boom to 11.45. Tsaritsyn in particular sees a huge swell in growth as it pushes from the low hundreds to nearly 10,000 as many unfortunate Russians from up north flock to the city populating it heavily with farmlands around it seeing population as well. The Russian Merchant families as well as the Tsar make a concentrated effort to further fund settlement in the newly conquered territories looking to lock it down with a large population before a retaliatory effort can be locked down. The Russian military having adopted some western elements has developed a ratio of melee to firearms more balanced towards the heavy cavalry focus of the eastern plains sees great improvement but remains directly behind the french in comparison. The Son of the Tsar, Ivan is revealed by his father to have taken place in the campaign as the leader of the battle of Tsaritsyn which was a resounding victory for the Russian army. This establishes his presence among peasants and nobles alike who recognize his aptitude for military matters and leadership. Cossack forces continue to do damage in Crimea and encourage local Cossacks in Kiev to begin adopting the Russian model of movement, putting them in a semi autonomous state away from the Crimeans.
 * Principality of Minsk: Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 25,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 550,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk continues to see improvement in the principality as a more Russian stance begins to be taken.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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 nonetheless to prepare for possible blockade breaches and a subsequent plague outbreak. The Russian population of Zhytomyr is estimated as nearly 52,000 and growing. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 620,000.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. The universal Dutch language has been finished. The Republic does not affiliate itself with either Catholicism or Protestantism. Instead, Erasmus calls for an end to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. The navy is expanded. Dutch ships have successfully reached South America, giving us more knowledge of the New World. 
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. No expansion is made and no expansion is planned. The colony is kept small to minimize the costs of sustaining it. Small scouting groups explore the region.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. The colony expands by 20 px.
 * Dutch Diplomat: We offer trade to our Christian brethren in Benin.
 * Benin Diplomacy: Benin welcomes the trade pact with the Netherlands, and accepts the offer.


 * Mutsu: Considering the threats from Korea, Mutsu boosts its force in Hokkaido to 25,000 men and enlists more men to bring its overall army to 36,000 men. Mutsu expands another 15 px into Hokkaido. Relations between Mutsu citizens and former Dewa citizens continue to improve as they accept the fact they are now one country and will remain that way. Production of guns is heavily pushed as the government wants to meet its goal of having enough guns for the entire army by 1540. The naval fleet is expanded yet again to 30 ships. The government. Mutsu also asks Korea to kindly remove itself from Hokkaido or any Korean soldiers or colonists found will be killed. The population drifts to around 1,205,000 in 1537. Mutsu City begins to grow in population as a small wave of urbanization happens and and two more small cities begin to grow one on the east coast, Aka City, while Midori City grows on the southwest coast.
 * Korean Dip: Any Korean colonists/soldiers killed will result in three of your people to be killed. We will threaten to invade you if you continue expanding into Hokkaido you Japanese scum.


 * Kandesh: Farmland starts to expand out east due to the migration last year, and because of the new farmland, our population starts growing by 0.7% from 130,516 to 131,429. We finish our cargo ships and begin sending our silk supplies to Mutsu. We begin to build transport ships so we have the ability to send our troops overseas. We continue to head out east towards the sea of Bengal by 5 px and continue expanding farmland out east. We begin recruitment of 13,000 troops.
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khagan decides to solidify his lands by expanding in the northern region this time (250 px). Military technology coming from the Ottoman Empire continue to come and to be studied, hoping to improve his army with them. He also continue to encourage trades in the Kazakh Khanate. Burat Khagan criticized the Russian moves against Crimea, as it is both vassal of the Ottoman Empire and part of the Kievan Horde.
 * Bohemia: We continue to expand our economy and recruit more 3500 troops. Although, the HRE conflict, may be looming as many of them within HRE states are braced for the war. The population still grows at Prague, whilst there's more buildings established through. Accordingly, the bunkers are built to protect the military and the capital city of Bohemia.
 * The Empire of Portugal continues trade-based constructions in Macau and Porta Dourada, developing them into hubs of commerce that are bustling with activity. The King sends an envoy to Ayutthaya to personally accept the new trade, and to insist on good will between the nations, so we both may flourish. Ormuz in the Persian Gulf is the site of the new plans to develop a new trade hub. Currently merely a fort and small port, development begins on what the King hopes will become a thriving nexus of trade between Portugal and the nations of Arabia. Also improved are fortifications on the East African islands of Zimbabwe and Mozambique, currently busting trade hubs. Ships in the East Indies continue the exploration of all the islands, and trade is had with the rival sultanates of Ternate and Tidore. A garrison of warships, including the famed Botafogo, are moved to be stationed in Madeira, with a fleet of around 30 remaining in Ceuta. The King sends a personal request, bearing gifts of spices, slaves and the finest European literature, to the court of the Ottomans, with Oman having already accepted the deal, suggesting plans of creating a communal port, a city to be a centre of trade between these three great powers of the Indian Ocean, to assist the coexistence of strong trade presences of each nation, and to help avoid conflict over claims in the future. The King suggests the Persian Gulf island of Ormuz, which is currently under development to help it fit the purpose suggested, as the site of this nexus. He asks that any religious or political differences can be put aside, to assist each Empire to flourish economically. 
 * ​The Ottoman Empire agrees with this deal, and sends the Kazir Amir ibn Al-Pasha to administrate in Ormuz
 * Angu: The conglomerate modernizes exponentially with trade blooming between both the Portuguese and neighbouring tribes which don't have the same techniques as the Angu. The development of fields is in progress as the nation advances and expands westward 50 px.
 * Songhai Empire: We give the Venetian Republic the Port Sommaripa agreement and ask them to sign it. While at the same time we keep working on our new primary school for children to be educated in the basics. Our army stands down and the men return home to continue farming and infrastructure work with work on roads and canals continuing. In our city of Gao we keep building on our industrial quarter. We put in a new wave of government reforms hoping to go back to expansion next year and so we introduce our new tax system and religion to included areas.
 * Oman continues expansion 30 px inland. From increased trade with Indochina and imports from East Africa and other Omani-owned islands the Sultanate finds itself with an ample supply of lumber, which is of course used to build for ships, and the navy now stands at about 130 ships in total. Further infrastructural development is done throughout the country to link the new Yemen purchase to the rest of the country. New incoming wealth and prosperity for much of the Omani people results in a population boom, resulting in a substantially larger upcoming generation than the previous one. The culture of Oman continues to diversify and become distinguished from other Arab cultures, as their is much cultural influence from Balochs and Swahilis in the country, resulting in a change in cuisine, clothing, and even the accents of the populace. The Sultanate prepares for its first census next year.
 * The Country of White and Black expands 100 px. The colony continues to export ivory, slaves, and lumber. Some tensions rise with the natives due to expansion, but they are all either enslaved or assimilate, and no reservations are even considered. Development continues; a ferry system is established within the mainland.
 * Benin: Benin expands its naval forces with eleven new vessels, and seeks to continue this trend until 1540. The Iyasu reports to the Oba of Benin that all of the nation's metropolitan regiments have been fully equipped with European-style weapons and armor, and only the numerous district regiments remain equipped with only traditional weaponry. However, with more than half of the combat regiments armed with European-style weaponry, the Iyasu reports that he shall focus on building up the army's stock of cannon, and leave the work of equipping the village armies with gunpowder weapons and steel armor and helmets. With the Olorokun fully resupplied and re-equipped, they continue their work of searching for and capturing new slaves in the uncivilized lands of the interior. Having been trained over the years to survive far from supply lines, as well as maintaining their equipment while in the wild, the Olorokun have be organized in such a manner to operate far from civilization while in the interior of Africa. The forces of the specialist unit have been transported to the mouth of the Congo River, where they being their march up the river into the interior to be establishing settlements to continue the slave trade and search for new resources to trade on the international market.  The borders are expanded by 150 px to the Malebo Pool, where the settlement of Opolopo (OTL Brazzaville) is founded. It is stocked with family members of the Olorokun, traders, doctors, priests, and warriors are based out of the city, as well as farmers who followed the warriors into the interior to claim and farm the land of the enslaved natives. Already 3500 people have moved into the town seeking to carve out their future in the region. At the shores of the pool, more than forty war canoes and 840 members of the Olorokun depart for their journey up the Congo River. With a full stock of medics and priests, and all goods needed for survival including their knowledge of jungle survival, the force departs under the command of Nwankwo Ojukwu, a veteran of the wars of Cameroon in the far north. Nwankwo arranges for regular supplies and reinforcements from Opolopo at regular six month intervals with the full permission of the Oba and Iyasu in Edo. Forts shall be established every 100 miles, which are to be garrisoned by the warriors reinforcing from the rear, establishing the Oba's rule along the interior. Elsewhere, the development of Oji-Ala as a port city continues, with a major port built in the city so as to encourage trade in the city.  The population increase to more than 50,000, and has been designated as the capital of the southern region of Benin. The residential wing of the Imperial Palace of Benin has been completed, and the Oba moves into the new residence in the wake of city-wide fanfare. The European diplomats in the city are invited to the palace to view the new building and the local traditional arts that have been used in its design. The Oba sends a gift of gold to the Benin painter in Spain, seeking to reward him for his works in promoting Benin's image in Europe. With wider respect and acclaim in Europe, the Oba hopes to attract more attention to his empire, and gain even more respect from his European colleagues. Furthermore, the Oba declares the painter a member of his court for his role in having established Benin's place in the world as an equal partner of the Europeans, and having absorbed the arts as his peers have during Oba Xadraque's reign.
 * You were explicitly told no expansion up the Congo River by the ruling between me and Edge. As i have yet to see anything contrary to that and three mods have overuled this expansion. Don't let me see this again -Feud


 * England: Despite the legal movement toward the evangelical movement, English theology remains close to Catholicism. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, works toward the introduction of new ideas and the removal of commonly disparaged Catholic ideas. Meanwhile, Cromwell continues to push the translation of the Bible into Irish Gaelic and its spread in Ireland. King Henry reaches out to his good ally the King of Portugal seeking a marriage for his daughter Princess Catherine to a Portuguese prince. The construction of the new ships continues. Meanwhile, Parliament passes the Second Act of Dissolution, continuing the dissolution of the monasteries. This new income diverted to the Crown helps with the construction of the new ships and the fortification of Calais. The King begins to look into the possibility of starting a colony in the New World. The Crown continues to encourage trade with the continent as well as the use of modern weaponry.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Some of the new English ships are stationed at Calais. Calais acts as an economic trade link between the continent and England. Henry Fitzroy is named Captain of Calais by his father, the King.
 * Ireland: The Irish Gaelic Bible is distributed in Ireland pursuant with the Crown's policy. The Irish Parliament names Henry Tudor King of Ireland.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1537, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. The family and republic remain close to the church due to having an archbishop cardinal in the Papacy. 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 (Naval). 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 remain healthy. Giovanni and Elisabeth get betrothed, and it is settled their marriage will take place in 1542. The couple bonds while Giovanni visits Austria and Italy for greater edification. Giovanni turns eighteen, Giorgio turns fifteen, and his family decides he will pursue a church education, and Leonora turns thirteen. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Venice, Austria, Bologna, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be commissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. The inquisition office supports the public heretic burnings done by the Nicolites. Lorenzo prepares for war in Germany against the heretics. 
 * As the relationship between the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Florence is tied with the Austrian mutual alliance, Lorenzo asks to further the relationship by offering a formal alliance and trade agreement. He also proposes that Leonora is betrothed to Sigismund Augustus, which is the unmarried heir of the Commonwealth.

1538
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Fleeing Natives carrying messages from the north Reach in Inca Empire telling them of “White Men” who conquer all in their way. Many of the Sapa Incas advisors write this off as nonsense. Simultaneously the populations of many of the Incas northern cities begin to contract the disease with thousands dying initially and the disease showing no signs of stopping.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Native resistance in the Andamans proves troublesome for the Thai colonists given their aggressive and territorial nature, along with the dense jungles (colony expansion can not exceed 25 px per turn).

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''Crimeans, is response to Cossack raids, begin launching their own raids in retaliation. Though they do less damage than the Cossacks, many folks living near the border are forced into constant fear of raids after many villages are plundered.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''During the Ming Dynasty of China, a tsunami floods over the seawall in Haiyan County of Zhejiang province, inundating the agricultural crop fields with saltwater and ruining many acres of crops. This drives up the price of foodstuffs and many are forced to live off of tree bark and weeds (as one Wang Wenlu stated in his writing of 1545)'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> A massive famine begins in Central and Southeastern China, steeply depopulating some villages and towns.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> The first university in the New World, the Universidad Santo Tomás de Aquino, is established on Hispaniola.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> Because of increased trade with New Worlders, another disease outbreak occurs within the Cherokee nation, though it is minor in comparison to previous outbreaks, and most survivors or descendants of survivors of the previous outbreak are left unscathed.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> An outbreak of syphilis develops in almost all Caribbean colonies, and subsequently leads to a larger outbreak in Spain and Portugal, and a lesser one in France.

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> From Dutch expansion in Long Island a disease outbreak occurs in the Greater New York area, killing off most natives in Long Island, and alarming many tribes throughout New England, and the nearby Delaware tribe becomes increasingly suspicious of the Dutch settlers.


 * Brunei: Sultan Saiful Rijal of Brunei, not wanting to waste away his legacy, and hearing of the fall of the Jahore Sultanate, does not want to be left to the dusts of history. He embarks on a series of ambitious civil and taxation reforms to improve the status of the state, and puts a new focus on creating a national navy to protect the Brunean people against foreign, especially european interests. One of his reforms is to found the "State School of Brunei", an institution from which all future administrators and civil servants must first graduate before applying to any positions. This was an attempt to reduce the number of incompetent administrators who got their positions solely because of familly. The State school, however, is not a free institution, satisfying some of the nobility (because the common folk can't afford it). This State school also provides an additional source of income for the state, from which the Sultan seeks to build his ambitious fleet. Messengers are sent to China, Islamic India, and Arabia in search of scholars to teach at this institution, using the Indian Ocean Trade Network to travel. Saifu Rijal also decided that it would be good practice to signal to other nations that ships belong to Brunei through flags or other symbols. As such, after consulting with his advisors, a plain yellow flag was adopted as the naval ensign, and as a national seal the Osprey bird, which he adopted as a personal seal of his dynasty,  surrounded by an upwards facing crescent moon, symbolizing Islam. Work also begins on tyring to reroute some trade that used to go to Jahore, and deal with the trade gap there. The Sultan sends men to prospect for gold, and signs into law the creation of a national mint. (sets primary Tech focus to Administrative, Secondary Tech focus to Diplomatic)
 * ​Ottoman: Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent invites the ministers of Brunei to come visit the court of the Turkish emperor, who would be glad to bestow him with gifts of books and knowledge. A trade alliance is offered.
 * Bruneian: Sultan Saiful Rijal humbly accepts the invitation, and while visiting, brings many exotic spices, cornbill ivory and Dragon's Blood pigment from the Island as gifts. The Sultan of Brunei would be glad to offer Ottoman trade vessels safe harbour in Bruneian ports and grow trade ties with a fellow Islamic nation, exchanging technology, knowledge, history and goods.
 * Just as an FYI, Dragon's Blood is also produced in Socotra, which is not only far closer to the Ottomans and West but it's also a place where the Ottomans have port access - Dax.
 * Honestly, it was meant as a gift to the sultan. The spices are probably what interests him more.
 * Portuguese traders and merchants are sent from Malacca bearing gifts for the Sultan and his peoples, to ask for trade to be opened between Portugal and Brunei. King Manuel hopes for prosperous and healthy relations with the Sultanate.
 * Aceh Sultanate: Aceh seeks to pursue closer diplomatic ties with other Islamic countries, including Brunei. In order to accelerate technological, military and overall development in both our countries, we request for the creation of several trade agreements between Aceh and Brunei, for this purpose and to also forge a bond between our two Sultanates. We place a strong emphasis on education and military expansion, forming our first standing Royal Navy and the construction of new schools. One of the first of these is the Royal Academy. We attempt using these schools to institute compulsory education for all male children in the country, and hope that we can produce men more than capable of serving their Sultan. Meanwhile, we continue our invasion of Pagaruyung and incorporate the country into Aceh. The Sultan has heard word of the majestic symbolism used by Europeans, namely coats of arms and geometrically-shaped flags. He orders the creation of such symbols for use by the state. Both will feature the Garuda and Islamic crescent. (Set Primary focus to Administrative, Secondary to Diplomatic)
 * ​Brunei: Accepts the offer for trade, hoping to bolster both the Bruneian and Acehnese economies. Also, extra taxes are always good. All trading vessels from Aceh will be allowed safe harbour in Bruneian ports if the Acehnese provide the same in return. The ability to base military fleets will be good also, but secondary to securing trade vessel harbouring.
 * Aceh Dip: We agree to the Bruneian conditions, and hopes that this agreement will develop into a lasting friendship.
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercantile trade sends caffeine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocea, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottery and firearms across the northern Khanates. Al-Mustamsik II continues to administrate the Holy Office from Medina, where the Ulema continue to hear both religious and poiltical controversies. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neighboring Muslim nations like Oman. As the printing press is imported from the Netherlands, copies of books at the libraries in the Middle East grows quickly, importing much literature from Portugal and Holland. The literature of the Empire continues to flouirsh in its Neo-Platonic philosophy, both with rationalistic and mystical elements Sufi scholars begin appearing in the universities, decribing how secret forms of writing and knowledge is the clearest way to commune with God. Meanwhile, medecine greatly improves with the introduction of western science. University scholars begin discecting animals and humans, with the special permission of the Caliph. The style of "Grand Mosque" continues to be built, but more stylized architecture branches off to more unique designs of public buildings and royal palaces. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irrigate agriculture in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans.With the new access to the port of Singapura, Ottoman vessals begin opening up sea trade with East Asia.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. With a new military and navy created on behalf of the Ottoman Empire, the Khanate increases trade overland and by sea, dominating trade in the Black Sea. The economy of the nation is greatly centralized, copying the style of the Ottomans with a central government collecting taxes based on land ownership. Giray Khan begins erecting a palace for himself on the Bosporus, and collecting much opulance to reflect his rule. More concentrated attacks on the Cossacks within Crimea continue, hoping to drive them beyond the border back to Russia. Cossacks and Slavs are forbidden from entering the capital city.
 * 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, and now Mombasa, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Colony of the Maldives: The native government of the Maldives is overthrown and replaced with an Ottoman administration. The extent of this colony includes OTL islands of Maldives, Chagos, Iles Glorieseus, and parts of Lakhshadweep. A new Mosque is built on Mele. Buddhism is declared illegal and all the Buddhist temples are converted back to mosques. A trading port is enlarged in the north to increase trade with India. An impressive seaport is built in Chagos, being halfway to China. Exploration continues off the coast of Africa. OTL Mayotte and Comoros are added to this colony.
 * Ottoman Dip (to Ayutthaya): Seeing the trouble the Andaman Islands are costing you, we would be willing to purchase this colony in exchange for supplying your nation with western technology and medicine.
 * Ayutthaya sends a large gift of spices to send a message of goodwill as it rejects the Ottoman offer. The King wishes to maintain the close relationship between the two countries, and so offers the Ottomans access to any ports in the Andamans.
 * Korean Dip: We would like to formally establish trading relations with the Turks.
 * The Kingdom of Ayutthaya, under Somdet Phra Chairacha, works to integrate the Khmer and Malay populations into a single culture. In addition to relocation schemes, the king orders language instruction by the priest class in these conquered regions. Overall, however, their lives are mostly unaffected and they see some benefits of economies of scale and increased trade. Our new slave population is eagerly put to work in construction, freeing up the time of natives who are freed from most of their corvée service. Vassalization of Cheingmai continues, and the Andamans colony expands by 25 px.
 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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. Finishes influencing Etchu (Turn Five of Five) and is now annexed into Ashikaga Japan as the fourth daimyo. Continues improving relations and trading with all Japanese states, Korea and China. Start trading with France, Portugal, Ayutthaya and Maldives, hoping the economy become so powerful and largest in Japan. Continues to invade Owari, currently occupying half of Owari. (Sets primary tech focus to Administrative, secondary tech focus to Militaristic).
 * ​Owari has a larger army than you, and has been invading you for a while. It's crazy that the mods haven't done an algo, but crazier that you think you'd be winning.
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt an expansionist, aggressive foreign policy and asserts its status as a major regional power. 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, buddhist temples are destroyed and teared down for construction material. 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 ships annually continues. However, production surges down to 30 ships a year with 290 already having been built. Korea continues to see a rapid increase in the production of gunpowder weapons. In order to supplement Korean military capabilities, the rapid construction of labor-intensive industrial complexes continues, though this time in Seoul and Pyongyang as the number of blast-furnaces in Incheon and Ulsan mee thets goal of a hundred each. Korea continues to follow the Song Chinese economic practice of melting wrought and cast iron together in waterwheel-powered blast-furnaces. The produced steel is used to strengthen weapons, and as construction material. 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 the four major industrial complexes. More canals are constructed and more roads are paved to link 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. Korea formally severs all economic ties with China, and increase trade with Portugal, which has joint-control over several jointly-controlled islands near Incheon surges. The production of highly-sought, yet "impure" Celadon porcelain begins once again, but the product is restricted to traders and pure Confucian white porcelain is produced for the local population. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as essential to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries, and universities are built in all major settlements. 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. Hangul is continued being 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 so long as the content does not encourage/spark anti-government sentiment. The Korean "middle class" continues to grow rapidly. Korea takes advantage of the bleak weather and widespread death in China, and undermines Chinese prestige by inciting anti-government riots. Korea blockades the Bohai Sea. Korea colonises the whole of Cheju island, and from there, attempts to annex the Ryukyu Islands and expand 100 px into Taiwan. From our piece of Taiwan, a small portion of the Korean military attempts to draw Chinese troops southwards. Korea devotes most of its construction materials and labour to the rapid construction of a 10-metre tall wall in the Sino–Korean border in Manchuria, and consolidate control over its borders with 200,000 well-supplied, well-fed, and well-trained troops (2% of the total population). 60 ships carrying 60,000 troops attempts to land and establish a firm grip on the Shandong peninsula. Korean troops are supplied with fireworks, muskets, gunpowder weapons, cannons, and early flamethrowers (basically containers filled with flammable oil). Korea wants to form an alliance with Portugal, stating that they could encourage Christian conversions, give the Portuguese access to trading ports, and allow free trade between Korea and Portugal (without any tariffs) if the Koreans are guaranteed protection.
 * ​King Manuel of Portugal regretfully declines the offer of an alliance, as he does not want to damage relations with their trade partner of China.
 * Korean Dip: At least encourage China to end current hostilities with me.
 * Ottoman Dip: A small escort of three ships arrive at the port of Silla, bearing caffeine, Arabian silks, and asking to exchange gifts on behalf of the Magnificent Empire of the Turks.
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khagan continues to study Ottoman technology for weaponry. He also continues to pass laws to lessen restrains on trade, hoping it will bring more trades in the region. His expansion continue north, fearing the Russian expansion (250 px). In order to support Crimea, Burat Khagan order small raids on Russian settlements and villages on their border, hoping to lessen the pressure for Crimea.
 * Just FYI following this turn I've expanded past you which now prevents any further expansion into the East or North -Feud
 * Russian Dip: We will not tolerate these raids, and due to the fact its the COSSACKS making these movements into Crimea and not Russia, we may consider this a declaration of War. Reconsider you actions carefully.
 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbeans and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards. Our markets flourish with many goods from our colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. The first university in the New World, the University of Santo Tomás de Aquino, is established on Hispaniola. In our colonies a brake out of syphilis develops and starts to spread. Some scientists start to develop a cure for this. The colonists of New Spain are the first to be in contact with the people of the Inca 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.
 * New Spain: Exploration of the newly lands is 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, west 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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 100 px east.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east and 100 px south.
 * Tsardom of Russia: The Russian populations heading east particularly in Ekatinburg which now numbers roughly 20,000 in the city proper and about 8000 in the areas around it. The Russian populations now with much more territory at its disposal in Along the Volga the cities of Tsaritsyn, Saratov and Samara are all founded with many Russians moving to these new territories. While legitimate settlement east of the Urals has ceased the Cossacks under impressions of great wealth begin to push farther east and through the many Siberian rivers using the rivers and the nearby portages as key points for establishing forts and now with a clear push east to secure more and more furs. The Cossacks in this endeavor make concentrated efforts to subjugate he many Siberian natives. (3000 px). With this we expand beyond the Kazakh Khanate. The Russian population with record harvest this year sees a boom to 11.56. Tsaritsyn in particular sees a huge swell in growth as it pushes from the low hundreds to nearly 10,000 as many unfortunate Russians from up north flock to the city populating it heavily with farmlands around it seeing population as well. The Russian Merchant families as well as the Tsar make a concentrated effort to further fund settlement in the newly conquered territories looking to lock it down with a large population before a retaliatory effort can be locked down. The Russian military having adopted some western elements has developed a ratio of melee to firearms more balanced towards the heavy cavalry focus of the eastern plains sees great improvement but remains directly behind the french in comparison. The Son of the Tsar, Ivan is revealed by his father to have taken place in the campaign as the leader of the battle of Tsaritsyn which was a resounding victory for the Russian army. This establishes his presence among peasants and nobles alike who recognize his aptitude for military matters and leadership. Russian support for the Cossacks continues, and secretly allows the Cossacks to organized an organized armed force on the Russian side of the Border which begins to counterattack against Crimean Forces. The Russian military also organizes its regular 60,000 strong border defence forces to deal with raids by Crimea and brutally kills any Crimean found on the Russian side of the Border.
 * Principality of Minsk: Russian population in Minsk grows moderately as the local population of Russians numbers roughly 25,000 and growing partly from settlement, and partly from natural growth. The agriculture of Minsk also continues to advance. The population of Minsk is roughly 550,000 and growing mostly as Russian populations begin to grow. The Viceroy of Minsk continues to see improvement in the principality as a more Russian nationality begins to be taken.
 * Principality of Zhytomyr: 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 52,000 and growing. The population of Zhytomyr grows to roughly 620,000.
 * France: This year, Francis the first died. Because his eldest son, also called Francis, had died earlier, Henry takes the throne. He continues to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Charles of France, his brother, as the Duke of Naples. Henry also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Because Charles is not the heir, he will be replaced as soon as Henry's children are old enough. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, and is already midway through construction. Other roads are also being built, mostly across the northern portion of France, but with a major highway leading from north to south. As another project to complement this plan, satiation in major cities is improved. This is mostly done by improving sewer disposal systems in major city, but regulations are also put into place about where animals can go in major cities. Satiation workers are also employed, with as many as 300 working in each of the largest cities. Additionally, a new education program is introduced. While it is influenced by Catholic teachings, it is at least in part secular. Children of any christian religion from the ages of 6-12 are allowed to enroll. The schools are mostly one room school houses, serving nearby areas, but the larger ones have several rooms, with the students separated by age. Our economy is also improved, both through trade and internal development. Following our opening of trade in Benin, our economy improves due to the influx of slaves from the region. Because of this, laws regarding slavery are introduced, mostly designed to prevent complete abuse of the slaves. Trade with Mutsu and China also improves our economy, though the effects are more muted because of the distance between our nations. We continue to encourage trade with other nations, focusing on Venice and nations within the Holy Roman Empire. We continue efforts to explore the world, with two expeditions to the americas set up this year. The first voyage is merely to explore, and begins exploring the coast south of the Dutch colony. The second lands in a land dubbed New Normandy (OTL Rio De Janeiro). Here another small colony is set, up. We ask for an alliances with both the Netherlands and Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from Venice.
 * Port Francis (Formerly New Orleans): After the death of king Francis, this colony is renamed in his honor. While the growing city still serves mostly as a trading post, it expands 10 pixels inland, and 20 Pixels following the Mississippi. Luca Eischens, the explorer who opened trade with Benin becomes governor of this small colony.
 * New Normandy: After the formation of this colony, it mostly becomes a port as a further base for expansion. However, it is also used as a trading post for the limited population of natives nearby, and a small trading city begins to grow.
 * Songhai Empire: This year after many years of planning and preparation we finally declare war on Benin.  We do not advance and simply prepare a solid defence if Benin attacks us Our spearmen hold the centre while less armed and mobile troops hold the flanks and our cavalry are held in reserves in preparation for the battle when Benin attacks. The force contains 140,000 men of our own with another 10,000 Ottoman troops as we hold the line and do not advance at all. We cancel all major infrastructure projects while we wait for the attack and hold our line.
 * Person requested I post for him ~Fires
 * This war smells meta to me. _Edge
 * Ottoman Diplomacy: We support Songhai's attack on pagan Benin and send 60,000 troops by caravan, along with dozens of mortars and siege equipment
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. The universal Dutch language has been finished. The Republic does not affiliate itself with either Catholicism or Protestantism. Instead, Erasmus calls for an end to 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. His beliefs have gained such a foothold that the people are calling for the creation of a Dutch church, separate from both Catholicism and Protestantism. And this year, this finally happens as the Church of Hollandism (name is subject to change) is founded, separate from both Protestantism and Catholicism. However, Erasmus still seeks to maintain relations with both Protestant and Catholic nations. 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.Seeing how the HRE has recently torn the churches farther apart, and seeing the looming conflict within the HRE, Erasmus decides to temporarily withdraw from the HRE to separate ourselves from the potential conflict that's to come. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. The navy is expanded. Dutch ships have succesfully reached South America, giving us more knowledge of the New World. 
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: The primary city of the colony, Kaapstad (Cape Town) is founded. We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. With the nearby Maputo being friendly, the outpost benefits from trade with them. We expand by 20 px along the coast.
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. The colony expands by 50 px. Seeing the massive native deaths, the colonists realize that the natives have become more wary of us, as a scouting group comes back reporting an attack that has killed two of our scouts. However, we do not seek conflict with the natives and offer all surrounding people trade still.
 * French Diplomacy: We ask for access to Kaap de Goade Hoop, in exchange for goods we bring back from Asia.
 * Mutapa Diplomacy: We offer our daughter Chibuzo, who was born from the fifth wife of the Mwenemutapa, to the Governor of Kaap de Goede Hoop.


 * Kingdom of Mutapa: We begin to expand 20 px north towards OTL Angola. We send more copper to Kaap de Goade Hoop. We ask the dutch for any technology they are willing to spare.(Netherlands Dip) We set up the Mwari Kororodzo in Zvongombe and proclaim that the Mwenemutapa is the head of the religion and that Mhondoros(Shaman) Olufunmilola Chidi Mukarakate is the second in command (like the archbishop of canterbury).
 * Angu: The conglomerate modernizes exponentially with trade blooming between both the Portuguese and neighbouring tribes which don't have the same techniques as the Angu. The development of fields is in progress as the nation advances and expands eastward 50 px.
 * Bengal: With a new age comes new dreams. Bengal has entered a new era of prosperity with the construction of a university in the capital, and an elaborate road system is taken underway, spending a large sum of money just to it. We hold off on military advancements for a while, taking administrative focus to increase the stability in the realm. We begin to integrate other states into one, huge Bengali nation. The King also has his first son born to his wife.


 * Republic of Florence: In 1538, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. The family and republic remain close to the church due to having an archbishop cardinal in the Papacy. 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 (Naval). 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 remain healthy. Giovanni and Elisabeth get betrothed, and it is settled their marriage will take place in 1542. The couple bonds while Giovanni visits Austria and Italy for greater edification. Giovanni turns nineteen, Giorgio turns sixteen, and his family decides he will pursue a church education, and Leonora turns fourteen. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy becomes one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Venice, Austria, Bologna, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be commissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. The inquisition office supports the public heretic burnings done by the Nicolites. Lorenzo prepares for war in Germany against the heretics. 
 * ​As the relationship between the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Florence is tied with the Austrian mutual alliance, Lorenzo asks to further the relationship by offering a formal alliance and trade agreement. He also proposes that Leonora is betrothed to Sigismund Augustus, which is the unmarried heir of the Commonwealth.
 * Benin: In response to the pending Songhai invasion, the Oba and the Iyasu mobilize Benin's 180,000 troops and 72 cannon, and move to counter Songhai's forces in the west. An additional force of 20,000 men are called up to serve the Oba, all members of the ighele age group, are raised up by the Oba to go against Songhai. These men are trained to serve as a rearguard in Oyo, maintaining a vigilant front against any potential counterattacks. Thankfully, the army of Benin had already been present in the region moving the last resisting male warriors of Oyo to the slave ships. They are organized into their respective armies, and begin their counterattack. The Imperial Navy is quick to begin blocking Songhai coastal settlements, as well as moving thousands of troops to the Songhai's Senegalese territories to open a second front against the invaders. Facing an enemy with only swords, shields, and spears, Benin warriors find that their fight against Songhai may be an easy one. Not allowing this to absorb all of his time, though the war is his main priority, the Oba continues to invest in the arts and sciences. Expansion of the navy continues, with twelve small ships added to the fleet of the Oba. Unfazed by the fighting in the western half of the empire, the Olorokun continues its mission of finding and enslaving villages of tribals, continuing in Cameroon and expanding the border by 150 px. The locals are slowly wiped out in battle as the attempt to fight the advancing Benin warriors, foolishly attempt frontal combat. Having never encountered gunpowder weapons before, the natives are killed one by one, and news of the attacks never make it to the other villages, many several miles away. The Olorokun continue their mission, sending survivor tribal natives to the slave factories in Njos. As is typical, Edo settlers move in and establish themselves in the newly conquered territory.
 * Noting the Songhai attack on Benin, France sends guns and larger weapons to Benin to protect our African trade partner.
 * Benin thanks France for its military aid and desire to protect its financial investments in Benin.
 * 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 blasphemus 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. The deal allowing Venetian traders to use Ceuta is accepted. Venetian Monrovia is renamed Port Sommaripa and it expands 25 px north.


 * Great Uzbek Empire: Economy and military improves in the Bukhara Empire, Mercantile trade and caravan travellers 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. The current standing army is 70,000. 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. 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 600 ships. We begin to guard trade routes in Uzbek killing any robber we can find. We ask China for more gunpowder and guns. and are willing to send a heavily armed convoy to come get the guns and powder. We begin to amass people for war and begin to draft people in the army.
 * 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.
 * England: Due to the great wealth acquired by the dissolution of the monasteries, the Crown commissions another five new ships. The Crown begins to explore options of colonization, with the primary targets being North America and West Africa. Despite the legal movement toward the evangelical movement, English theology remains close to Catholicism. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, works toward the introduction of new ideas and the removal of commonly disparaged Catholic ideas. Meanwhile, Cromwell continues to push the translation of the Bible into Irish Gaelic and its spread in Ireland. King Henry reaches out to his good ally the King of Portugal seeking a marriage for his daughter Princess Catherine to a Portuguese prince. The Crown continues to encourage trade with the continent as well as the use of modern weaponry. The Crown also looks toward the continent with the intent of expanding into Hanseatic trade territory. With the recent turmoil in Germany and the the new alliance with Russia, English merchants begin extended trade along Hanseatic lanes in Germany and Russia. This leads to great profits for the English. This success leads to some calling for the end of Hanseatic privileges in the Steelyards and taking it back for England. The King takes keen interest in this proposal. Meanwhile, the Prince of Wales has a son, another Prince Henry. The Crown emphasizes more trade with the Netherlands.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Some of the new English ships are stationed at Calais. Calais acts as an economic trade link between the continent and England.
 * Ireland: The Irish Gaelic Bible is distributed in Ireland pursuant with the Crown's policy. The Crown continues to sponsor the construction of new infrastructure and roads in Ireland.


 * Mutsu: Considering the threats from Korea, Mutsu boosts its force in Hokkaido to 25,000 men and enlists more men to bring its overall army to 36,000 men. Mutsu expands another 15 px into Hokkaido. Relations between Mutsu citizens and former Dewa citizens continue to improve as they accept the fact they are now one country and will remain that way. Production of guns is heavily pushed as the government wants to meet its goal of having enough guns for the entire army by 1540. The naval fleet is expanded yet again to 35 ships. The government. Mutsu also asks Korea to kindly remove itself from Hokkaido or any Korean soldiers or colonists found will be killed. The population drifts to around 1,210,000 in 1538. Mutsu City begins to grow in population as a small wave of urbanization happens and and two more small cities begin to grow one on the east coast, Aka City, while Midori City grows on the southwest coast. Mutsu ignores Korean warnings and continues to expand into Hokkaido as stated above. Mutsu knows that there is no way that Korea could attack them with the ongoing Chinese invasion.
 * Korean Dip: Korea laughs at the Japanese scum, and begins the invasion of Hokkaido via Outer Manchuria.
 * Owari: We begin by saying that we find it ridiculous that there has been no algo on our war, and even crazier that Ashikaga thinks it would be winning. Either way, we take the opportunity to annex Ise and Miyako into Owari and unite it, and call for the Ming to assist us in the war. We believe that as of now we would be close to Kyoto, but with no mod discretion, there is no way to know. However, unlike Ashikaga, we will not claim victory unless the mods say so.

1539
<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The eruption of hostilities between Crimeans and Cossacks develops into full on military conflicts. Many Cossacks feel united by the common enemy of the Crimeans, and a group of leaders and commanders from the Cossacks rally their own small armies and begin to try to reassert dominance over the Crimeans, largely by wiping out any Crimeans they say is in their territory, and launching their own raids that are not only inspired by possible wealth, but also anger and ethnic cleansing. Several smaller tribes native to the borderlands are outright cleansed by the Cossacks.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">The modding of your own region is real

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''I didn't write this! Jesus Christ! Daxus did. -Feud'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;"> '''The disease continues to burn through the Inca empire with Millions now suffering and many believing the world to be ending. Nearly 1.5 million people have died so far as various diseases, mostly smallpox leave people dying in the streets and the government unable to handle the situation.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">(Sorry for lacking events. Dax didn't post them on time and nobody else was on to co-ordinate to write more events with me. -Feud)

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''Copying and pasting the majority of a previous turn will be grounds for strikes and temporary suspensions. Please update your posts and keep them up-to-date and focused only on the current year. -Rex'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''Can the mods please start doing algos? There has been a Chinese invasion of Korea since 1537, and presumably some other wars that I don't know about. ~Fires'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''I am still waiting for my HRE war algo and results since 1532. ~Wrto12'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''Just a little info. It's not our job to do the algos, we just need to make sure they're correct. If you dislike the lengthy process we have due to our other businesses feel free to learn how to do the algo yourself. -Sky'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''I respect the fact that the mods have lives, too. I respect that they can't always do everything immediately. But if we have more mods than ever before, and yet they perform worse than when we had only Feud and Pita, that really leads me to question the effectiveness of the mods. Especially if they begin making annoyed comments about how they are expected to do everything themselves when they knew they'd have to put in work when they accepted the nomination or nominated themselves. ~Tech'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Algo Report:  Since it is apparently not the mods job to do the algos, I have done the one for China vs. Korea. It has not been checked, but it looks like Korea collapsed last turn. I will try to do the Benin vs. Songhai algo and the HRE one as well. ~Fires

<p style="font-weight:normal;">'''WILD said he ended his decision to attack me and is not playing anymore (idk?). That's why I completely disregarded the war stuff in my turn.'''

<p style="font-weight:normal;">Algo Report:  Austria and co. beat their opposition in 1533. Also needs to be checked.


 * Spain: Trade is going very well with our allies and in our colonies. The economy is continuing to try to be stable like it was before the war. The military continues to offer more jobs to the people of the nation. Ships continue to go around to different islands in the Caribbean and continue to colonize them. The islands that are continuing to get colonized are the Cayman Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Rebuilding the nation is continuing with more jobs open for more people. More ships are continuing to be built in the shipping yards. Our markets flourish with many goods from our colonies. The building of more guns for the military goes along very well. Many of our top scientists are still try to find a cure for all of our sickly colonists. Many doctors from the motherland leave for our colonies. Vaccines are being made by doctors from the University of Santo Tomás de Aquino.
 * 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 is 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, west 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. Colonists try to make a living on the uninhabitable island. 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 lands is 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 100 px east.
 * Bissagos: Exploration of the lands is 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 east and 100 px south.
 * Ottoman Empire: Economy and military improves in the Turkish Empire, with a total population of 12 million. Mercantile trade sends caffeine, spices, and rugs across caravans to southern Arabia, Persia and West Africa, as well as by ship to Western Europe. Spices, gold and lumber are imported by sea across the Indian Ocean, from Oman to Demak and Johore. The Silk Road continues to import Ming pottery and firearms across the northern Khanates. Al-Mustamsik II continues to administrate the Holy Office from Medina, where the Ulema continue to hear both religious and political controversies. The libraries of Alexandria and Baghdad, as well as the University of Damascus become magnets to great scholars across the empire, as well as scholars from neighboring Muslim nations like Oman. Sea trade begins to grow more popular in East Asia, establishing merchant guilds in Guangdong, Silla and Kyushu. As the printing press is imported from the Netherlands, copies of books at the libraries in the Middle East grows quickly, importing much literature from Portugal and Holland. The literature of the Empire continues to flourish in its Neo-Platonic philosophy, both with rationalistic and mystical elements Sufi scholars begin appearing in the universities, describing how secret forms of writing and knowledge is the clearest way to commune with God. Meanwhile, medicine greatly improves with the introduction of western science. University scholars begin dissecting animals and humans, with the special permission of the Caliph. The style of "Grand Mosque" continues being built, but more stylized architecture branches off to more unique designs of public buildings and royal palaces. As most of the agriculture in the Empire comes from eastern Europe and western Anatolia, attempts are made to irrigate agriculture in more arid regions. Guilds of common trades form, especially among merchants and artisans. An additional 20,000 troops are sent by Caravan to assist the Songhai Empire in its war on Benin, bringing the total Ottoman forces in West Africa up to 80,000.
 * Khanate of Crimea: Sahib I Giray rules as Khan. With a new military and navy created on behalf of the Ottoman Empire, the Khanate increases trade overland and by sea, dominating trade in the Black Sea. The economy of the nation is greatly centralized, copying the style of the Ottomans with a central government collecting taxes based on land ownership. Giray Khan begins erecting a palace for himself on the Bosporus, and collecting much opulence to reflect his rule. Seeing domestic hostilities erupt with the Cossack people, Giray Khan rescinds the previous orders against the Cossacks and Slavs. The Khan personally reaches out to the Cossack Confederate leaders, offering them free lands and permanent dwellings in Crimea if they put an end to their fighting. 
 * 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, and now Mombasa, Ottoman ships fill the Indian Ocean much faster, increasing trade with Oman and their colonies. The colony expands south into Somalia.
 * Colony of the Maldives: The native government of the Maldives is overthrown and replaced with an Ottoman administration. The extent of this colony includes OTL islands of Maldives, Chagos, Iles Glorieseus, Mayotte, and Comoros. A new Mosque is built on Mele. Buddhism is declared illegal and all the Buddhist temples are converted back to mosques. A trading port is enlarged in the north to increase trade with India. An impressive seaport is built in Chagos, being halfway to China. Exploration continues off the coast of Africa. Trade agreements with Brunei and Aytthaya allow the Maldives to be a gateway to sea trade with East Asia. OTL Ile Tromlin and Mauritius are added to this colony.


 * Aceh: We continue to rapidly expand through Sumatra and  we claim victory over Pagaruyung, absorbing it into the Aceh Sultanate. The conquered lands become the Pagaruyung Territory. Integration of Pagaruyung into Aceh proper begins. Meanwhile, we turn our attention to Aru and begin the next invasion.  Expansion of the Royal Navy begins, and all males upon turning 18 are required to serve in the Armed Forces for a period of at least five years, followed by a further ten in reserve. We attempt to advance relations between Aceh and Brunei, pledging to open all Sumatran ports to Brunei upon our annexation of the rest of the island.
 * There has yet to be a mod-approved Aceh-Pagaruyung algo on the talk page, so you cannot claim victory yet.
 * All right, fine. This means that I will not invade Aru yet.
 * In Ayutthaya, integration of Khmer and Malay people continue as their cities and villages are also integrated to Ayhtthayan standards and specifications. This includes major slave-led renovations of Angkor and Singapura. under Somdet Phra Chairacha, works to integrate the Khmer and Malay populations into a single culture. In addition to relocation schemes, the king orders language instruction by the priest class in these conquered regions. Vassalization of Cheingmai continues, and the Andamans colony expands by 25 px.
 * Brunei: After establishing trade relations with the Ottoman Empire, the Bornean Sultan turns his gaze towards his nation. In one of the books brought to him from the west, the construction of roman roads is described. Intrigued by the possibility of faster mobilization and communication, the Sultan decrees that roads be built connecting all major ports on the Island. Using the extra taxation because of trade to fuel this project, the State school is officially opened, and the first applicants are admitted. Prospectors sent out last year home with good news. They have struck gold in the mountains, and as such the Sultan ordains the screation of three new gold and tin mines. A few new settlements are made in the islands northeast of Brunei, bringing the Bornean empire closer to the phillipines. The Navy is also expanded, and prepared for a grand expedition, but their destination is not yet revealed...in any case, money from trade is increased dramatically, and as such, the Sultan announces the formation of two Imperial Guard regiments, an elite permanent standing army of one thousand men each to enforce the empire's will without and within. Two new shipyards are commissioned, and emissaries are sent out to Joeson, China, and the Japanese Nation-states in order to establish trade relations between them and Brunei. Brunei begins to exert more influence in the Philippine kingdom of Tondo, through its vassal state in Maynilla, in an attempt to make the Tonan king see the light and swear fealty to Brunei. The Sultan, wanting to see his influence penetrate deeper into the island, decides to invite several Dayak chiefs, promising them his support against their enemies in return for fealty, several agree, those that don't soon find themselves lost in the jungles, never to be seen again after leaving the Sultan's capital city...
 * Banjarmasin: The Banjar expand their military potential, and build new ports to accommodate more trade on the island. Defensive fleets are built in order to protect from potential invaders, and some efforts are made to increase the organization. the proposed road project interest the vassal king greatly ...
 * Maynilla: Maynilla works on spreading its influence further, and sends out missionaries to the pagan lands of the Philippines. The Local Emir tries to extend more trade ties, and commissions two more ships for his fleet.
 * England: The construction of the new ships continues. The Crown settles on a spot for colonization and sends an expedition to the New World over the summer. The English ships reach the OTL Virgin Islands and name the King Henry Islands, establishing the Crown Colony of the King Henry Islands, to be known as the Henry Islands henceforth. Despite the legal movement toward the Evangelical movement, English theology remains close to Catholicism. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury, works toward the introduction of new ideas and the removal of commonly disparaged Catholic ideas. The final large monasteries (abbeys) are dissolved. Meanwhile, Cromwell continues to push the translation of the Bible into Irish Gaelic and its spread in Ireland. King Henry reaches out to his good ally the King of Portugal seeking a marriage for his daughter Princess Catherine to a Portuguese prince. (Where are you, FP?) The Crown continues to encourage trade with the continent as well as the use of modern weaponry. With the recent turmoil in Germany and the the new alliance with Russia, English merchants begin extended trade along Hanseatic lanes in Germany and Russia. Steelyards is taken away from the Hanseatic League is placed under English control. The Crown emphasizes more trade with the Netherlands.
 * Calais: The fortifications at Calais are built up. Some of the new English ships are stationed at Calais. Calais acts as an economic trade link between the continent and England and is used to usurp trade from the Hansa.
 * Ireland: The Irish Gaelic Bible is distributed in Ireland pursuant with the Crown's policy. The Crown continues to sponsor the construction of new infrastructure and roads in Ireland. The Crown begins to consider an invasion of Ulster.
 * Manuel I of Portugal agrees with the betrothal to his son Joao, who still seeks a wife at 37. (Sorry for the delay.)
 * Tsardom of Russia: With the situation spiralling out of control on the Zhytomyr-Crimea border the Russian military stands on alert not just against potential Crimean retribution but also against the newly rising Cossack host which stands to be extremely threatening to all parties in the Area. Raising a force of nearly 100,000 the Russian Tsar now in old age marches towards Zhytomyr and organizes his army for a coming conflict in the Area. In other new the Russian state continues its advancement East and expands by 3000 px through siberian with many river exploration missions going underway with hundreds of Cossack explorers and other forces setting up forts and establishing major deals with the local tribes and settlements for fur tribute. The Fur trade through siberia has begun to become a major profit driver for the Russians as the various merchant families begin to invest heavily into further establishing bases in Siberia with Ekatinburg and Perm becoming the major hubs of Siberian trade back into Russia. The City of Ektarinburg especially advances with the total areas population at roughly 30,000 and the city itself having reached 20,000 with more and more people taking up mining jobs, fur jobs, and lumber jobs as well as various farming jobs which have begun to spring up. Sadly on the organization of armies Tsar Vasili III dies at age 60 with the newly coronated Tsar Ivan Rurukovich taking control of the country at age 21. Proving his legitimacy and his commitment to his fathers legacy he stick to the plan and instead of keeping just 100,000 troops in Zhytomyr he marches 50,000 troops to Perm. In order to prevent further conflict between Kazakh and Russia the New Tsar offers to purchase a stretch of territory from Kazakh in order to avoid a war and prolong a period of peace between the Horde and Russia. The disputed land will be purchased for a hefty sum, and a 50 year truce between Kazakh and Russia will be enforced by both sides. The Russian economy continues to advance as new mining and other institutions take hold. The New Farming territory in Southern Russia around Tsaritsyn shows great improvement as well as population growth with thousands moving into the area. The Russian population reaches 11.67 million and growing.
 * Minsk: The Principality of Minsk continues to show prolific agricultural growth as more settlement of farmers and ethnic Russians occurs throughout the territory. The Belorussian fields become a huge agricultural producer and in general help field a massive surplus for Russia and the Surrounding area. The Russian ethnic population in Minsk increases to 60,000 and growing with the population of the whole area reaching 640,000. The Principality also shows more assimilation of the locals with the Belorussian peoples beginning to see themselves as Russian. The Principality manages to settle quite a bit of its local nomadic populations particularly cossacks in the northern part of the country which helps with economic production
 * Zhytomyr: The Principality of Zhytomyr begins to advance its own agricultural growth as well with more and more Ukrainians and Russians going to farm. The City of Zhytomyr boasts a population of nearly 80,000 and growing as many of the Russians coming to live are moving to the city rather than the countryside. While some do move to the countryside the farming begins to advance as the various farmlands are noticed to be extremely fertile with an agricultural surplus taking place. The Population of Zhytomyr reaches 670,000 and growing with more of the Ukrainians and Russians settling down.
 * Joseon: Korea continues to adopt an expansionist foreign policy, asserting its status as a regional power in Northeast Asia. Neo-Confucianism continues to grow rapidly in popularity; by now almost all of the Korean nobility and middle class has adopted its ideals. Academic achievement, artistry and scholarship, components of a good work ethic are continued to be heavily valued. Due to the completion of the Ulsan, Incheon, Seoul and P’yongyang industrial complexes, the Korean modernisation program re-orients to its military, specifically its navy. An additional forty ships are constructed this year, with three hundred ten already built.The production of gunpowder weapons, with designs imported from Portugal and improved on by Korean scientists, continue to see a rapid increase. Korea continues to follow the Song Chinese economic practice of melting wrought and cast iron together in waterwheel-powered blast-furnaces, which creates steel. Steel is used to strengthen weapons and as a component to construction material. 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 the four major industrial complexes. More canals are constructed and more roads are paved to link major population centres and to make trade and commerce easier. Korea increases its exports to Portugal, Brunei, Ashikaga, and the Ottomans, developing Incheon to become a major trading hub and port city. The production of highly-sought Celadon porcelain increases as demand surges. Education is highly encouraged and is regarded as essential to enter the higher ranks of society. Dozens of schools, libraries and universities are built in all major settlements. 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. More printing presses are built, Hangul is continued to be widely taught while Hanja is continued to be discouraged. Hangul is continued being taught to more people whilst Hanja is continued to be heavily discouraged.


 * Cherokee: The large trading with the French has helped us out tremendously now being able to use the Mississippi as a highway down the continent we can trade in bulk. But we begin running out of fur to trade with the French and begin sending hunting bands (five hunting bands with 25 people each) to Wisconsin to trap and hunt beaver and other animals for furs. Our urbanization efforts are going well, too, now that we can support 10,000 people in Cahokia with just agriculture alone. We have been trading furs for guns and domesticated animals and build more ranches and fields of corn. Our population - despite being burnt down from smallpox - is nearly recovered due to these huge influxes of food never before seen outside of Mexico in North America. We have 45,000 members of our tribe spread out across Illinois. we can expect to exceed 100,000 people by 1565 if our efforts to urbanize continue.
 * Bengal: With a new age comes new dreams. Bengal has entered a new era of prosperity with the construction of a university in the capital, and an elaborate road system is taken underway, spending a large sum of money just to it. We hold off on military advancements for a while, taking administrative focus to increase the stability in the realm. We begin to integrate other states into one, huge Bengali nation. The King also has his first son born to his wife. We slowly begin a military buildup on the Orissan border.
 * Bohemia: Normally, whilst we wait for the results of HRE how it stands, the continuation still begins to work for economy and military. We still wait for the trade, and hopefully to improve relations throughout Europe. More 2500 troops have been recruited so far, and we hope more of that will come. We aim to build bunkers to protect Prague even more, whilst the infrastructure is planned as well. The population grows in Prague.
 * The Republic of the Fourteen United Netherlands: The ports of Antwerpen and Rotterdam are heavily developed to optimize trade options for our kingdom. The universal Dutch language has been finished. We continue the expansion of the navy. Economic developments are made to sustain our colonies, with Antwerpen taking an important role in land trade in addition to its already existing role in sea trade. The navy is expanded. Dutch ships have successfully reached South America, giving us more knowledge of the New World. In order to expand our territory, the Prince-Bishopric Munster is attacked. 20.000 troops are sent into Munster.
 * ​Kaap de Goede Hoop: We explore the region. Several scouting groups are sent inland, tasked to see if there are natives nearby, and if so, if they are hostile. The colony right now is mainly used as a layover, and is visited by ships that are on their way to Asia. With the nearby Maputo being friendly, the outpost benefits from trade with them. We expand by 20 px along the coast. The colony's governor decides to accept the Maputo offer, which leads to some bad reactions from the inhabitants of Kaapstad. 
 * Nieuw-Brussel: We trade with the natives, primarily trading furs with them. We construct walls to protect the colony. We explore the lands. The colony expands by 50 px. Seeing the massive native deaths, the colonists realize that the natives have become more wary of us, as a scouting group comes back reporting an attack that has killed two of our scouts. However, we do not seek conflict with the natives and offer all surrounding people trade still.
 * Brunswickian Dip: As the Prince-Bishop of Münster has been a key part of the religious reconciliation meetings with Duke Julius of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and together with the Prince-Bishop of Bremen has served as a medium between Brunswick and the Papacy, the Netherlands is asked to withdraw from Münsters territory.
 * Japan (Ashikaga): Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow very fast, as it reaches around seven million people and 70,000 soldiers in the whole Ashikaga Japan. More residential buildings, cultural and public buildings, commercial 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. After being annexed Etchu and made removed from map, it begins to influence Noto (Turn One of Three) to become the fifth daimyo of Japan. Continues improving relations and trading with all Japanese states, Korea, China, Ayutthaya and West European powers.
 * Brunei:​A diplomat from the Sultanate of Brunei seeks an audience with Ashikaga Shogun in order to negociate for trade. The diplomat gives various spices, Dragon's Blood pigment, and cornbill ivory as gifts and examples of what traders could expect.
 * France: This year, Francis the first died. Because his eldest son, also called Francis, had died earlier, Henry takes the throne. He continues to consolidate power over the still relatively new Naples. He does this by inserting Charles of France, his brother, as the Duke of Naples. Henry also makes the Duchy of Naples an office that will always be given to the heir apparent of the French throne, similar to the Principality of Wales to England. Because Charles is not the heir, he will be replaced as soon as Henry's children are old enough. Meanwhile, the military, particularly the Navy is strengthened. We start active ship building in our various ports, hoping to create as many as 15 new naval ships a year. Meanwhile, we add more men to the army, putting our total number of troops at approximately 124,000. Another project is also started, with the goal of improving infrastructure through a road system across France. The first road is to be from Orleans to Paris, and is already midway through construction. Other roads are also being built, mostly across the northern portion of France, but with a major highway leading from north to south. As another project to complement this plan, satiation in major cities is improved. This is mostly done by improving sewer disposal systems in major city, but regulations are also put into place about where animals can go in major cities. Satiation workers are also employed, with as many as 300 working in each of the largest cities. Additionally, a new education program is introduced. While it is influenced by Catholic teachings, it is at least in part secular. Children of any christian religion from the ages of 6-12 are allowed to enroll. The schools are mostly one room school houses, serving nearby areas, but the larger ones have several rooms, with the students separated by age. Our economy is also improved, both through trade and internal development. Following our opening of trade in Benin, our economy improves due to the influx of slaves from the region. Because of this, laws regarding slavery are introduced, mostly designed to prevent complete abuse of the slaves. Trade with Mutsu and China also improves our economy, though the effects are more muted because of the distance between our nations. We continue to encourage trade with other nations, focusing on Venice and nations within the Holy Roman Empire. We continue efforts to explore the world, with two expeditions to the americas set up this year. The first voyage is merely to explore, and begins exploring the coast south of the Dutch colony. The second lands in a land dubbed New Normandy (OTL Rio De Janeiro). Here another small colony is set, up. We ask for alliances with both the Netherlands and Venice, and request to buy Sardinia from Venice.
 * Port Francis (Formerly New Orleans): After the death of king Francis, this colony is renamed in his honor. While the growing city still serves mostly as a trading post, it expands 10 pixels inland, and 20 pixels following the Mississippi. Luca Eischens, the explorer who opened trade with Benin becomes governor of this small colony.
 * New Normandy: After the formation of this colony, it mostly becomes a port as a further base for expansion. However, it is also used as a trading post for the limited population of natives nearby. This colony expands 20 pixels along the coast and ten pixels inland.
 * Archduchy of Austria: We declare war against the Netherlands, coming in defence of Munster, which is an HRE state. Cooperation with the Order of St. Nicholas against the Evangelicals is achieved, with many of those heretics killed throughout the Archduchy of Austria and our vassals. Huge fortifications are built along the borders with Bohemia, expecting them to attack us since they are an Evangelical bordering state, having bad relations with them. Emperor Ferdinand I outlaws Evangelicalism in the whole HRE. The army stands at the number of 75,000 men, because we recruit 15,000 more men out from the areas that we annexed from Bavaria. Our total forces are around 210,000 men strong, including our vassals armies. The new grand ambitious project finishes construction, with the aim of improving infrastructure through a road system across Austria. The main road starts from Bregent, passing through Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, ends in Innsbruck, with a side road stating from Innsbruck, ending in Trent. A new road starting from Innsbruck ending in Munich. This Innsbruck will become of hub from people wanting to travel to either Trent or Munich will have to pass through Innsbruck in order to get there faster through the main road. The other part of this plan, is to increase sanitation in major cities, mostly through better sewer systems, is still under construction. Archduke Ferdinand I seeks to reduce tensions in the Archduchy, so he also decides to decrease taxes to unburden the working class and the serfs, aiming to increase the support of his people for his reign. A new census shows the population is about 2.5 million but over two million are serfs. We focus on our military with the Civil war in the HRE, while secondary focus becomes the administration of our lands. We also focus on offensive war tactics, seeking to restore Catholicism inside the HRE.
 * Kingdom of Hungary: King Louis II remains in power, even though he is now a vassal of Archduke Ferdinand I. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Big fortifications are built along the borders with the Ottoman Hungarian Vilayet, to keep the Ottoman threat under control. The nation begins to stabilize and rebuilt due to the combined efforts of Emperor Ferdinand I and King Louis II. The army is restructured and regrouped after the defeat of Hungary in the war for Hungary, with its losses being replaced. Army is around 50,000 men strong. We defend against the League of Enfurt. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Duchy of Luxemburg: Order of St. Nicholas executes any Evangelical priests they spot, fearing that they will cause dissent all over our duchy. Based on their recent aggressive actions, we have reasonable suspicions that Lorraine is sending them. We also fortify our borders with the Duchy of Lorraine, while 2000 soldiers arrive from Austria to deter Lorraine's aggression. Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. In attempt to unify the country the duchy makes its official language German and attempts to alienate its people from their French roots. Our army is increased in size, now composed of 8000 men, aiming to fight off the threat of the Netherlands, who seek to annex Luxemburg into their nation, shall they attack. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Country of Burgau: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 4000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Oettingen: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 4000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * County of Burggraffschaft: Infrastructure is improved. Taxes are reduced to unburden the working class and the serfs. Army is 10,000 men strong. We assist the Archduchy of Austria in their wars, aiding them with all of our soldiers.
 * Austrian Diplomacy: We ask our allies, which fought against the Evangelicals of the HRE, to sign the Treaty of Berlin. We ask the help of every state of the HRE against the Netherlands which are attacking a member of the HRE, Munster. (Mod Response)
 * Zamfara: The city state of Zamfara is hoping to get an alliance from Benin as we hope to try and get and create the West Africa Alliance in which we hope to begin trade in a couple of years time. In other news, the agriculture sector is in a booming period with legumes growing to almost record levels. But its not all good as the leader of the country would like to see a Zamfaran language which we do hope that will catch on in the area.
 * Kazakh Khanate: Burat Khagan continues to invest in the military research, hoping that the technologies received from the Ottoman Empire will help improve the Kazakh Army. New laws are made to help the economy and allow trade to grow. The Khagan will think about the Tsar's offer and will answer next year. He also expresses his openness to peace.
 * Kazakh (OOC): The main reason I'm not answering right now to the offer is that I don't have time to ask questions. There's something I don't understand about the offer: is it me who sells land to you or you who sells land to me?
 * Russia (OOC): I'm asking you to sell land to me mostly in Siberia and the steppes. It gets us out of each others way and also prevents any huge conflicts between us for the next half a century if not more. It will also give you opportunity to open up better avenues to your expansion than Siberia.
 * Benin: The counterattack on Songhai continues from the previous year, with Benin's forces slowly marching into the Songhai territory. Elsewhere, the arts and sciences continue in spite of the conflict, with the University of Edo still educating many young members of the empire. Development of the infrastructure in the empire continues as well, with new roads still under construction linking many towns and villages to the imperial road network. A fourth industrial complex is under construction in Abakwo, where the plan to expand imperial territory further into Cameroon is being planned. More guns are produced for the troops in Songhai at the Edo and Eko industrial complexes, and the blockade of Songhai continues. Firearms and cannon sent from France are immediately sent to the front to aid the troops in prosecuting the war. Several new blast furnaces are built in several cities to increase the empire's smelted iron output, seeking to fuel further industrial development in Benin. The slave trade continues as more non-Christian natives in Cameroon and Oyo are tracked down and sent to the slave factories on the coastline. In Oji-Ala, the construction of a cathedral is now underway. The cathedrals in Edo and Eko are still under construction, though their completion is still several decades away. Preparations for the planned census next year are underway, and officials are assigned their census regions for 1540. The printing presses circulate this information in their hometowns, alerting the people to this information, so as to prepare them for the census. With this, the government hopes for a highly accurate count of the population next year.
 * Republic of Florence: In 1539, Florence remains heavily under de' Medici control. The family and republic remain close to the church due to having, Ippolito, an archbishop cardinal in the Papacy. 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 (Naval). 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 remain healthy. Giovanni turns twenty, Giorgio turns seventeen, and Leonora turns fifteen. Due to the purchase of lumber from the Swiss and the tireless expansion and focus and the destruction of the Venetian Navy to the Ottoman Empire, the Florentine Navy remains one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Florence continues to sustain alliances with Spain, Siena, Venice, Austria, Bologna, 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 (but we slowly try to assimilate both cultures together). Large naval bases continue to be built in major coastal cities and on the islands of Elba and Corsica. Even though Florence continues to be a major banking power, they start to rival other Mediterranean trade republics. The worth of the Florin continues to increase, as many trade routes are set up through the Mediterranean. The Renaissance continues to pulse out of the city of Florence, with many great peoples (artists, philosophers, mathematicians, and sculptors) being born in the city. The renaissance continues to spread throughout the nation, including Corsica. Michelangelo continues to be commissioned by the Medici family to create art at many cathedrals and villas. The Medicis continue to bankroll the renaissance. The "Tribunale Toscana del Sant'Uffizio dell'Inquisizione" continues the inquisition, but there is no major change in policy since last year. The inquisition office supports the public heretic burnings done by the Nicolites.
 * For Bologna  (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED) : With the Florin already being adopted by the Republic of Siena, Florence asks the City of Bologna (as their ally and close partner) to adopt the Florin. This would strengthen the economy and the worth of the Florin.
 * Bologna  (MOD)  accepts the Florentine offer to adopt the florin as legal tender and the de jure coin of the realm.
 * For Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth  (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED?) : ​As the relationship between the Poland-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Florence is tied with the Austrian mutual alliance, Lorenzo asks to further the relationship by offering a formal alliance and trade agreement. He also proposes that Leonora is bethrothed to Sigismund Augustus, which is the unmarried heir of the Commonwealth.
 * Poland-Lithuania  (MOD)   accepts both counts of the Florentine offer: the alliance and the royal marriage.