Merveilles du Monde (Map Game)

After a long trek through Asia spanning two decades, Venetian explorer Marco Polo published the compiled journal of his travels in 1295. He described in great detail the Near East, with its many castles and fortresses held by many mighty empires. He entered the Gate of Iron, through which Alexander crossed into the east millennia ago. He toured the eight kingdoms of Persia and witnessed scores of miracles and wonders, many of which he dared not publish for he felt his audiences would not believe what he wrote. He described in great detail the exploits of the great Kublai Khan, the intrigue in the Emperor's court, the sprawling landscape of Yuan China, and the massive battles that took place during his stay.

Polo named his work Livre des Merveilles du Monde - Book of the Marvels of the World. In publishing these journals, he brought knowledge of the eastern world back to Europe and vice versa. Just like that, the world got a little bit smaller. The Holy Roman Empire - locked in a state of interregnum with no end in sight - became aware of the wars of Kublai Khan. The faltering Byzantine Empire and its breakaway state of Trebizond became the subject of discussion from Lisbon to Kathmandu. The wealthy Abu Bakr II of Mali would seek to follow in Polo's footsteps, paving the way for the rise of Mansa Musa. The Kamakura Shogunate of Japan defeated wave after wave of Mongol forces while, an ocean over, Mesoamerica was still reeling from the fall of the Toltec Empire.

Merveilles du Monde is a spiritual successor to the Principia Moderni franchise. It sets the clock back to the year 1295, in the Late Middle Ages - in other words, an era of great change and great suffering - an era in which nations rose and fell - an era in which power was cemented ...

Moderators

 * Death: Curmudgeonly yours - Crim 01:38, October 14, 2019 (UTC)
 * Famine: User:Nathan1123
 * Pestilence: Feudy McPlagueface (talk)
 * War: User:Tullin

Important Pages

 * Rules and Algorithm (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Alliances (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Holy Roman Empire (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Feudal Dynasty (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * College of Cardinals (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)
 * Nations (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)

1330
''' The War of Polish Succession continues to heat up, more will be added when the player posts for it. '''

''' Emperor Frederick III "the handsome" dies, and is succeeded as Duke of Austria by his younger brother, Albert II "the potatoe-faced". Abert continues the war against Bohemia leading the Habsburg realm. Meanwhile, an Imperial Diet is called to elect the new King of Germany. Most support currently favors John the Count of Luxembourg, son of the more favorable Emperor Henry VII. '''

''' Around the world, temperatures continue to fall at a noticably rapid pace, with winters lasting much longer and crops becoming harder to sustain. During Easter this year, the holiest day in Christendom, all of central and western Europe experiences snowfall. Famines appear in parts of Mesoamerica and Peru. '''

''' The  Taymiyyah  sect of Sunni Islam rapidly spreads in popularity across much of the Mamluk Sultanate, and moderate schools of thought begin to be violently expelled by local mobs. The disciples of Ibn Taymiyyah declare that the Caliph spends too much time focusing on external threats, and fails to properly cleans the House of Islam of impiety and apostasy. '''

''' Interested in the lands of the Horn of Africa, Ibn Battuta travels south from Mecca and Medina to visit the port of Jeddah, and from there continues to explore the Sultanate of Yemen in southern Arabia. He passed through the cities of San'a, Taizz and Zabid, where he met the Sultan of Yemen himself, and settled the winter at the city of Aden. Meanwhile, John Maunderville travels around the lands of Anatolia, exploring the various provinces of the Byzantine Empire as well as the Osman Sultanate, and briefly passes through the Empire of Trebizond before moving south. '''

''' The Kingdom of Serbia expands rapidly eastward, taking lands from Bulgaria in a decisive victory. '''

''' King Edward III and Philippa of Hainut begin a career of fertility by producing their first son. '''

''' James Douglas is elected as speaker of the Parliament of Scotland. '''


 * Mali Empire: The internal infrastructure of Mali continues to be reformed and expanded. The conquered regions of the Bonoman help to create a large supply of ivory and coffee that is exported along with the usual supplies of gold and salt. The great road system of Mali continues to be constructed, to connect the various individual oasises and supply depots together across the empire's variety of climates. The military cultivates more tactics of infantry and skirmishing training, relying less on Mali's traditional cavalry and focusing on infantry lines of javalins and spears. Cavalry are still heavily used, however, in conjunction with Arab siege weapons. With the private army of Musa's demesne fully supplied, he pushes through further reforms to keep the feudal nobility of Mali in check. Musa implements a system of tributaries across the empire that requires a hefty amount of income from the nobles to be relinquished to the imperial treasury, along with similar regulations that prevents individual nobles from monopolizing local economies on their own. At the Library of Timbuktu, the Latin manuscripts supplied from Venice and Genoa help fill the halls of the library with a variety of works on European mathematics, geography, and theology. A great body of gramarians form at the University of Sankore, that finally creates a fully standardized ajamic script for the translation of Tamashq and Mandike languages. With this script fully devised, the Library works daily to translate the tens of thousands of books from Arabic and Latin into the local Mandinke and Berber tongues. At the same time, Musa supports the construction of smaller schools at various metropolitan areas of the empire as well, modeled after the success at Sankore. The navy goes through its own reformation at this time, utilizing techniques studied from the European visitors. Each ship of Mali at Dakar is expanded for larger hulls, with larger sails attached for quicker navigation along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. With these advancements of Mali's navy completed at this time, some scholars have debated whether the stories of Abu Bakr crossing the Atlantic decades earlier could have actually taken place. Still, this mostly helps to resupply the thinly-populated colonies along the Gorgades islands, which mostly benefit as a supply post between Mali and Europe. In the south, Larger fortifiactions are built at the Lake Kanji to create a secure border in Nigeria from the more unfamiliar nations in the south. Fascinated with the cultures south of the empire, the Islamic cleric named Ibn Tulun is sent as an emmissary of Mansa Musa to explore southern Nigeria, arriving at the court of Oyo, now a closer trading partner with Mali.


 * Georgia: King David VIII dies at the age of ~60, Crown Prince Anastasius, aged ~34, succeeds him to the throne. The death of his elder brother allows Prince George to broaden his influence within the royal court. His marriage with Mongol princess Altansarnai ends due to her succumbing to the flu. Nevertheless, the pair had been infamously cold with one another (possibly stemming from the arranged nature of their relationship), and as a result, the union bore no children. George vows not to remarry, and instead, he dedicates himself to Georgia. With his sister-in-law Oljath – now the Queen dowager (the mother of the King, not the Queen regnant) – also suffering from advanced age, George covertly works to dismantle Turko–Mongol influence within Georgia. As the Lord High Constable, he prohibits the usage of any language other than Georgian within either the Naqivchaqari or the Monaspa. This is done to reduce the former body's historical origins within the Georgian–Kipchak minority. He also stipulates that each battle will commence with a mass (thus garnering favor from the Orthodox Church), though it remains nominally religiously-tolerant with Muslims and religious minorities allowed to abstain. This will also promote camaraderie and heighten morale while pressuring the religious minorities within the bodies to convert to assimilate. After a long period of trying, Anastasius bears a child with his half-Mongol half-Georgian wife, Rusudan. He names the child Tamar – after his distant forebearer Tamar the Great, who had led Georgia into a period of prosperity. As part of his reforms, he sets aside a portion of the tax revenue for the patronage of the Gelati and Ikalto Academies – the premier medieval universities in Georgia, and a center of learning within the Orthodox World. To encourage the establishment of such educational institutions, he codifies a standard curriculum, consisting of law, philosophy, medicine, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music, rhetoric, and Greek – though the most important subjects are rhetoric, philosophy, and law. He also promotes monastic life in general and philosophy such as Neoplatonism and scholasticism (reconciling the concepts found within pagan Hellenic thought and the Christian worldview). To procure more high-quality military equipment, the government grants contracts to private workshops in Tbilisi and its vicinity. The manufactured equipment includes lances, bows, arrows, and plate armor. Similar to this, the royal stables are expanded. Horse-breeding is encouraged, with larger horses (above the height of 16 hands) being preferred. Fortifications are maintained in Tskhumi, Sumqayit, Yerevan, and Batumi. Silver and copper are mined from Imereti and Kartli and are turned into coins – thus underpinning the economy. Under the encouragement of the Crown, commerce expands. Merchant and artisan guilds thrive in Tbilisi, Ganja, and Batumi. Cotton becomes the main export; wine, wool, and enamels are also traded. o increase agricultural productivity, three-way crop rotation (in which fields are split into three sections: grain, legumes, and fallow) instead of two-way crop rotation. Irrigation becomes more used.


 * Oyo Empire: With horses secured the Alaafin uses the mercenaries to train his forces into a true regular cavalry. The infantry, however, is trained for using crossbows and arrows dipped in poison. Of his elite soldiers being trained about 15 are sent to spy on Owu. But besides all that the Alaafin uses his extra revenue to fund a few plantations that will feed his army. The Islamic scholar is accepted to the capital of what they call “Katanga”. After passing the first wall it is a rural area where farmers work on plantations and all the roads lead to the inner city. Past the city’s great imposing walls a city of thousands could be seen, with courtyard styled houses everywhere and large alleyways in between where children would play. Craftsmen making steel glass pottery and all of Oyo’s goods. After passing the market where a flurry of traders at the market they finally reach the courtyard palace of Alaafin IShango himself.
 * Mali Dip: The Mali Empire provides the Oyo with plenty of horses and armor in exchange for their exports of glass and cotton, and establishes closer diplomatic relations
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The Sultan focuses on developing the region of Kabulistan. The Governor of Kabulistan develops horticulture in Kabulistan focusing on fruits such as melons, grapes, pomegranates and dried fruits. The Sultan orders the construction and renovation of fortifications of the towns of Ghazni, Kabul and Bamiyan to protect against the Mongol invasions. The Sultan also orders the construction of a fortified wall around Balkh and also the reconstruction of the city of Balkh. The Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya passes away. The Sultan, who was a disciple, orders the construction of the Shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya in Delhi. Bengal is annexed. Malik Kafur returns to Delhi and is bestowed with many gifts and monetary rewards. The Sultanate focuses on securing control of the vast region, officials are recruited and appointed but the feudal system of Bengal and Bihar is left as it is.
 * Iceland: The Government buys out many fishermen and pay them a monthly salary as along as the give them their fish and the Government redistributes the fish to inland towns. The population rises by 2,000, the population reaches 55.500 and the government buys to families to live in Arnarbæ in Heimey. 2,000 soldiers in the command of Róbert Arnarsson is offered to be sent to the papacy for the Crusade (Papal Response Needed).
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV thanks Iceland for the soldiers and gives to the people his apostolic blessing.
 * Lordship of Ireland: Following on from the sound victory as Aasleagh, Aodh mac Domnhall Ó Neill the Duke in Eiru and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland offers to the remaining two rebel Kingdoms under Ualgarg Mór Ó Ruairc (King of West Brefine) and Maelruanaidh mac Diarmata (King of Magh Lurig) the opportunity to bend the knee in exchanging for maintaining their lands and way of life.
 * The rest of Ireland submits to vassalage.
 * Papal States: With the bad crops of this year, Pope Sixtus IV repeats Gregory's actions during times of Famine. Money of the Fund of the Poor is used to buy any food available and grains stocked in the Barns of the Poor are taken. All these things are used to help the poor. The religious orders returns to distribute food. The Order of Divine Mercy being the first to offer help for the people, with Catharina and her fellow nuns distributing nun's bread for the poor. Once again, the pope asks Michael of Cesana to come to Rome to renounce his teachings and if he don't come this time, Michael will be excommunicated and considered a heretic. [MOD response needed, please]. After making contact with the Maronites, Sixtus write letters to the Nestorian Patriarch and the Pope of Alexandria asking for dialogue between the Christians [MOD response needed, please]. With the approval of Emperor Frederick before his death, Sixtus celebrates the wedding of Victor Capet and Anna of Habsburg. At the request of the bride, the pope writes for Anna's uncle Albert II asking him to visit the couple in the Capet's Estate in Ostia [MOD response needed, please]. After hearing about this kingdom named Mali, the pontiff asks Milan to help make contact with these people and to offer a trade agreement in the name of the pope to their king [Milan and Mali response needed, please]. The Ecclesial Tribunal continues to do a great work monitoring acts of corruption by clergy and the Holy Father makes Pierre Roger the cardinal responsible for the Tribunal. Cardinal Roger send a letter to the cardinal-bishop of Chur and the leader of Switzerland asking for the implantation of the Tribunal in their lands to investigate cases of misconduct of the clergy there. Sixtus reminds all kings of Europe that there is a call for a Crusade against Granada. The construction of the Church of Divine Mercy is coming to a end and will end in the next three years. The repairs of buildings continue across the Papal States.
 * Lordship of Ireland Diplomacy: Can Aodh mac Domnhall Ó Neill the Duke in Eiru be named the Duke of Eiru and named holder of all of Ireland.
 * Papal response: Pope Sixtus IV allows Aodh mac Domnhall Ó Neill to be named Duke of Eiru and holder of all of Ireland. Sixtus also give his blessings to the new Duke.
 * Swiss diplomacy: The cardinal-bishop of Chur and the central council of the Swiss Confederacy support the Tribunal taking place in Switzerland.
 * Michael of Cesena complies to come to Rome, but brings William of Ockham with him, who nominally supports his position.
 * Pope Benjamin II sends a minister to visit Rome, Marinus of Damietta. Nothing is heard from the Nestorians.
 * Duke Albert II agrees to briefly meet with the Capetians and the Pope in Ostia
 * Mali Dip: Desiring to have a direct trade relationship from one Emperor to another, Mansa Musa asks to create a trade agreement with the King of the Romans, whoever that may be.
 * Republic of Milan: With the treaty of Florence finished Milanese forces bolstered by the money gained from now having Florentine banks as well as the Milan banks. The forces numbering around 20,000 walk to Siena and prepare for a siege. (Algo needed) Early in the year a new book is written by Patrizio Colombo, the art of the deal. A second version is later written by a de Medici and then a third is written by Azzone Visconti all three copies set selling records throughout Milanese controlled land. The election in the republic this year is won by Azzone Visconti and he immediately continues to support the expansion of Milan and the treaty of Florence. With Bohemia’s struggles the long lances are ordered north being commanded by Galleazzo’s brother and his second in command Luchino Visconti.
 * Swiss Confederacy: A small disaster occurs in the Confederacy as the wooden bridge over the Schöllenen Bridge in the canton of Uri collapses after heavy snowfall, cutting off the main road between the Confederacy and Italy through the Gotthard Pass. However, with contributions from the cantons of Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne the route is restored by the end of the year by a new, sturdier wooden bridge. With colder temperatures in the region, wool and linen garments are sold to surrounding states at higher profits, though the trade partners of Bern and Zug receive favourable rates. The Canton of Schwyz sends an envoy to their eastern neighbours the canton of Glarus, proposing a trade alliance/agreement between the Swiss Confederacy and Glarus which would benefit Glarus in this time of famine. (Mod response) The Confederacy's central council closely observes the situation unfolding immediately to its south with the tensions in Milan and Venice over the Treaty of Florence.
 * Glarus joins the confederacy.
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Dmitry the Terrible Eyes, without his wife Princess Maria of Lithuania make a tour of the lands of the Rus', including Moscow, where they visit Prince Yuri in a motion of peace. In his stead, his brother Prince Aleksandr is left as regent along Princess Maria of Lithuania. The ambassador to China, Fyodor Dvoryaninets, a nephew of the posadnik of Novgorod, seeks further good relations with the Emperor of China, citing the enmity of both the Rus' and China to the Mongols. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, discuss plans to expand the role of Novgorod on the Northern Silk Road, including embassies farther away from the Mongols into other territories, and an expansion into the White Sea trade. They support Prince Dmitry, but they want to expand their powers in Novgorod and elsewhere, and they send agents secretly to Smolensk, Rostov and Yaroslavl, who instigate the traders to demand more authority in the form of a local veche. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. Otherwise, we continue developing Mikhailov on the Neva, and build a large port, and build several roads connecting Novgorod to Mikhailov, Staraya Rusa, Vologda, Vyborg, Pskov and Tver. While Princes Dmitry and Aleksandr give some small support to the cause of Conrad III, in secret, many traders from Novgorod and elsewhere in the Rus' send monetary support to Henry VI and Casimir of Krakow.
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): Tver becomes a leading power in the Russian states, and as a grand road from Novgorod passes through Tver, becomes a leading center in the economy of the Rus'. A grand road is built to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Murom, as well as to Smolensk, in order to facilitate trade with Bohemia. Supported by Novgorod, the merchant elite starts secretly plotting to align itself with Novgorodian ideals, and begin scoffing at a Russian prince, and they send agents to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Smolensk, as well as Chernigov and Kiev. A successful appeal is made for the Prince of Tver to have a veche assemble, but no posadnik to be elected. A great road is also built toward Ruthenia's capital Lviv.
 * Principality of Kiev (PU with Novgorod): Kiev begins rebuilding its lands long destroyed by the Mongols. It establishes a new river market, and hope to be able to trade with the Black Sea downward from the Dnieper. Towns such as Pereyaslavl are rebuilt, with the hope for them to become trading towns. A road is built toward Chernigov, in hope to be able to trade with the west. An embassy is sent south toward the Venetian holdings in Crimea, hoping to foster good relations with them (Venice response).
 * Republic of Pskov (PU with Novgorod): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and builds a fort near the village of Narvia called Reya, and one farther east and inland called Yama. In addition, the ambitious and vain Pskovian posadnik Gleb Romanovich sends secretly, at the behest of Ostafiy Dvoryaninets an agent at the court of Yuri of Moscow to spy on the Prince. In addition, they ask to build roads to connect the Pskovian fortresses of Yama and Reya to Reval [TEUTON response]. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Tuetonic Diplomacy: We Accept the building of roads to Reval.
 * Venice Dip: The governor of Kerch agrees.


 * Tian China: With our crushing victory in the Battle of Dali in November of last year against Yunnan, their armies have been annihilated and we are easily able to sweep into the country and secure control over the majority of the area by the end of April, with most resistance being swiftly crushed and control being swiftly asserted over the majority of the populace. The Christians of the province, which had been a large part of the administration despite much of the population disliking them, either flee the province or are driven out after the Confucianist leaders of the province, who had previously rebelled in order to resist the Yuan's attempts at Christianizing the area, eagerly welcoming the invading Tian forces and encouraging their followers to do the same, while happily leading our forces to the hideouts of those Christians who hadn't already fled the country. We reward these men for their loyalty to the Empire and the teachings of Confucius while also siezing the lands of the Christians and distributing them to loyal Confucians and Han people, with many of those Mongols who had agreed to serve in our cavalry being given lesser land grants of seized Christian lands throughout the province. The provinces Churches are also demolished and rebuilt into Confucian temples, or if they were previously such merely reconverted to such, while those who resist are slain. In the process of siezing control over the province, we also discover large amounts of materials smuggled into the province, similar to those previously found in Chinese ports, and raids are launched over the Laotian and Vietnamese borders to destroy the bandits who had been distributing such materials to our rebelling subjects, successfully destroying these areas bandits before returning them to their rightful owners in Laos and Vietnam. With the seizure of Yunnan now completed, and with Sichuan having been successfully reconquered over two years ago, the Emperor is now free to return to his duties of ruling in the capital of the Empire, returning to Luoyang in September and taking back the reigns of power from his regent, Mao Xieren. As a reward for his exemplary service in running the Empire in the Emperor's absence, he is given command over all forces in the prosperous northern provinces above the Yellow River, while also (SECRET) being given the order to begin preparing his forces in the are for a campaign against the Mongols to the north and west, with the campaign planned to take place in four years, and with his position as one of our best generals he is selected to be the leader of this northern expedition. (SECRET). Our efforts to destroy piracy in the East China Sea continue, as we further expand our bases on Taiwan and increase their garrison to 4,000 men. We also begin to consider laying a permanent claim to the island, in order to prevent Piracy from ever taking root in the area again and secure our hold over the region of the East China Sea, which we hope will also allow us to more easily deal with smugglers. We also welcome the first Novogrodian Ambassador this year, and welcome him into the Imperial court, although many are suspicious of him due to him being a foreigner. The Emperor also receives the Ainu prisoners sent as gifts by the Japanese, and although he takes several as concubines or sells them off as slaves, many of the rest are offered lands in the just reconquered Yunnan in exchange for swearing an oath of loyalty to the Emperor and renouncing there claims on Japanese land. Although many refuse this offer, many others accept this and are sent to the area to settle it, helping to increase the population and ensuring there are even more loyalists in the region to help secure our rule of the region.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The count of Julich accepts peace, John III Archduke of Lotharingia assumes the tittle of Count of Julich. This ads to all the titles of Lotharingian Realm, the Parliament of Mechelen discussing how many representatives to give Julich. The Parliament knowing that representation is needed to keep the County happy but at the same time knowing, that Julich should be punished for its treason. Although most believe the only punishment should be either money from the cities and nothing more. While in Malines the Parliament of Mechelen is debating if the Council should swear loyalty to the Archduke or not. As some believe that the Parliament should Lotharingia and itself first and then the Archduke, while some mostly the Nobles believe that Loyalty to John III and the house of Reginar is most important for the Parliament. They believe that the only duty of the Parliament is to represent the Archduke and his authority, as they believe the power of the Archduke comes from God through the pope and Holy Roman Emperor. While those who do not desire an oath to the Archduke, believe that the duke is just a representative of the state a figurehead. They believe that the people's will and idea's are what should be implemented, that God does not need a Noble to be with Lotharingia. In The harbours of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam begin an enormous boost in the Building of Both Merchant and war ships. For these Merchant ships they have small surface area but a lot of sail area, this making the ship very quick in movement. The Movement, being quick compared to the warships. as these Merchant ships still have a very big bows, these big bows allowing the carrying of a lot of cargo from far far away. While the military ships are made with Big rams and bigger surface area to carry more men on the Deck as to be able to have a lot of Archers and other footmen, as even now Naval warfare is more of a sub discipline of Naval warfare then its own form of war. This is due to the lack of weapons that are easy to use by ships. The only real naval weapon being trowing stars and cheap oil-fat fire bombs, although this combination needs an actual spark making it only being used in times of desperarity. His Highness, the Archduke John III and his Parliament ordering 25 more warships to be built in total ten of which to be completed before the 30th of May 1331 AD. The Other ships having a completion date of December 31st 1334 AD, the ships that need to be built with the lesser completion time being due to the Foreign treats Lotharingia fear of war. Hendrickus Pisacus Begins his Duty by Lotharingian ships, his aim being to find the source of the African Gold in Lotharingia. The items he carries being books on Alchemy, Latin, Arabic and history as these are believed to be the most important of information. His plan being to first go to Castile by boat and then study in their lands and go on foot from former Navarre to the south of spain, where after he will take the boat to Morocco. As he believes Morocco could give the needed information on the Land of Gold. In England John III sends them a message telling them to move to The Mumbles which they Humbly do to be farther apart from London and its Madness. The Soldiers Carrying the Flag of Cmyru the Red Dragon of Freedom, as they want to show the Path they have gone together with Mortimer's troops. The English king Edward III unjustifiably killing Roger Mortimer the Lord of Horn and Military adjutant of the Duke, John III asking the English King for compensation and the Release of the Heir of Horn and son of Mortimer (English Response).
 * Teutonic Diplomacy: we ask the Lotharingian government if we can join the expedition to the land in Africa
 * Edward III refuses to give any sort of compensation but agrees to allow the Edmond Mortimer to head to Lotharingia to succeed his father.
 * Tibet: As a tributary state, the people of Tibet are going to come at building their homeland and border behind Mongolia and China Possibly we are going establish our state in built fortification people are writing in Chinese on the wall, in the north territory many of mountain Tibetans are building wall border and is being organized due to development and starting building Buddha's status local Chinamen are selling some rock to build town and territory.
 * Crown of Castile-Aragon: The year before, with the Royal Wedding, a public event made for the eyes of all of Toledo to see was arranged and Maria of Portugal becomes Maria, Queen of Castile and Aragon. Plans for Toledo are made for expansion in a different fashion than usual cluttered cities. This design is adopted by various municipalities where city centers would be designed with more so square communities to optimise traffic and community localisation. Physicians and areas where the sick may receive remedies for treatments are expanded upon, especially in the territories in Sardinia but also abroad in the realm of the crown. Ships continue to be built up further as the Sicilian Fleet expands to be a key base within the Mediterranean and as a result, illegal activities at sea continue to diminish mainly by Carusso and his brutal tactics. Maria bares the king's first child, Francisco a year prior. This secured an heir to the throne of Castile, Aragon, and claim to the Crown of Portugal. Celebrations are held with various festivals across the nation. Vibrance in an age of increasing wealth and prosperity amongst urban living. These new block areas built by various spanish architectural designers account for the Tagus river which using water account for stream use for waste disposal as by orders of Alfonso to find better means of maintaining the city sanitation. As a result, streets are relieved of clutter and any waste which becomes so frowned upon that municipalities and cities adopt laws to institute fines and charges for lack of proper waste disposal. This new law is popularised and appealed to the Council of Hispania. The council agrees to institute the law across the minor courts to regulate and enforce. The new grand home of the King of Castile and Aragon and the royal family in Toledo sees further layout and construction. Groves are made and expanded to account for its scale with the Council Office also having a new grand building for itself as well. In Cagliari, an influx of Aragonese and Castilian financed migrants begin to settle across Sardinia and the city. The same thing occurs in Sicily but this is relatively limited. In newly financed institutions in Sicily and Sardinia, the language of the Aragonese and Castilians become the base language spreading it beyond being the base language of trade and spread throughout communities. A slanged mixture begins to take hold slowly to make communication easier. Stockpiles of materials to supply in the "Imperial Defense" as labelled in the latest documents made by the Council, are expanded upon by royal decree. Longbows begin to be adopted outside the standard crossbows as the Castilian and Aragonese Arching groups while being reformed to adopt longbows as a standard for higher levels of professionalism. With higher level of cannon adoption and hand cannons, the military's use of gunpowder is raised to be standard in these uses of practice seeing its success against reinforced and stone structures. Trade continues to prove to be highly profitable as cities continue to grow through profit. A formal alliance is offered to the Portuguese in hopes of uniting the Iberian Peninsula under one united region of mutual support, trade, and protection (Mod Response). With preparations for the crusade set in motion years prior, the armies and generals of Castile and Aragon with an invitation extended to the portuguese (mod response), ready for war next year; The blockade of Granada begins.
 * Portugal agrees to an alliance
 * Teutonic Order: While attending a charitable event in Balga a mad knight who was angry about the lack of crusades kills Werner von Orslen. Heinrich Dusemer becomes Grand-master.his first action was to take a Pilgrimage to Rome to meet Pope Sixtus IV and tell him that the Order will participate in the crusade against Granada(Papal Responds Needed). We see the war in Bohemia but we can not do anything about but we will allow some refugees and donate food to poor people in Bohemia who are not doing good in the war.We ask Bohemia to sell us some cannons to be used in our army(Bohemian Responds Needed). We start building a port and a fort in Reval,the port will be complete in two years and the fort will be complete in three years. the cathedral in Memel is complete and is open to poor and all people to worship and house themselves if need be. Heinrich Dusemer merges the towns of Altstadt and Lobenicht and calls the new city Koneingsberg. in celebration the older smaller cathedral is demolished and a larger and more holy and will take three years and it will be named the Koingsberg Cathedral.the winter is colder than usually so we house poor people in churches and taverns and some in castles to survive this winter.the food problem in Europe do to the winter does not effect us do to fishing in the Baltic. We ask Sweden to allow use to create a Hansetic trading post in Helsinki. (Mod Responds Needed). We ask the Archbishop of Riga to be fully Incorporated into the Order(Mod Responds Needed). By now the Samogotian tribes are fully Catholic and integrated into our society. we create the county of Livornia and the first Landmeister is Burchard von Dreileben who starts to focus on infrastructure in and around Reval.
 * Sweden allows a trading post.
 * Riga would agree if the Pope permits it.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Amda Sayon's outnumbered army meets the forces of the Sultanate of Ifat outside the walls of Zeila. In a heated and intense battle the Sultan is struck by an arrow in the eye and killed. The death of the Sultan causes panic to spread throughout his embattled forces and they begin to flee the field. The Ethiopian soldiers pursue them closely and are able to capture the gates of Zeila, left open as the soldiers attempted to flee into the city. With the gate captured, Zeila's remaining defenses quickly falls and the city is captured. Ethiopian soldiers loot much of the city but the citizens are ordered to be spared and respected by Amda Sayon. With the Sultan dead and Zeila captured, Amda Sayon declares victory over the Sultanate of Ifat. Amda Sayon appoints a local Christian noble to become a vassal king of, which is renamed to the Kingdom of Axum. The Empire annexes the northern half of the former Sultanate of Ifat, taking everything north of the Awash river. The Emperor also demands that the new vassal Kingdom of Axum pay an tribute of gold, silver and other valuables. This tribute is paid directly to the Emperor, who uses this new source of revenue to continue building up the Royal Guard. New men are recruited to join the guard and are armed and trained. Fresh from his victory over the Muslims, Amda Sayon returns to Ethiopia a hero, triumphantly marching through the country with his army laden with loot and slaves. Capitalizing off his support following the successful campaign, Amda declares that God has appointed him the warrior to defend the Christian faith. To better defend the faith, Amda decrees he shall build a permanent capital of Ethiopia. After inspecting several possible locations, Amda Sayon finds a suitable spot on Mount Entoto, and declares: "Upon this rock, I shall build my Church." Amda Sayon begins building a new permanent capital city on Mt. Entoto. Additionally, rumors begin reaching Ethiopia of traders who have sailed the oceans and beyond, finding new and exotic lands to trade with. Emperor Amda Seyon sends a trade and diplomatic envoy to these traders at Mombasa, offering to formalize a trade alliance with the merchants there [MOD RESPONSE]. The Emperor also hears of a vast power to the West from several Ethiopian coffee farmers who claimed to have done business with merchants from a great golden kingdom in the West. The Emperor sends a delegation of nobles and diplomats westward to attempt to make contact with this mysterious new power [MALI RESPONSE NEEDED].
 * Mansa Musa, the Great Lion of Africa, Emperor of Mali and Kanem, King of Mali, Waalo, Songhai, Bononam, and Ghana, greets the envoys of Ethiopia at the summer palace in Daura. He offers to make trade deal with the Emperor, to buy his exquisit horses and steel in exchange for his supply of ivory and salt
 * Mod Response: A group of Mombasas trade groups agree toward further formalizing trade agreements with the Ethiopian Empire.
 * Japanese Empire: The empire this year consolidates firm hold over its new conquest to the north and a small port is set up on the northern portion of the island with clear intent to use this to foster trade, development, and most important a clear port for explorers to use in the movements north. The mapping of an island now known as Sakhalin continues with parts of the southern coast being more completely and clearly mapped. The small trade outpost set up in southern Sakhalin in the previous years has led to an influx of trade from the native Ainu and Evnikhs on the island and an information gathering campaign is launched. The Emperor knowledgeable of some of these exploits charters a trading company in Sendai to sent a small armed force of about 50 men to establish further contact and try to see how far the island goes. The famed Ronin Akihito having retired from combat to take a more laid back lifestyle acdepts the call of his emperor to lead the expedition alongside a young man Gaku looking to make his fame and fortune on this expedition. The Expedition arrives in Sakhalin in the middle of the year at the trade outpost with various traders, explorers and Ronin guards who are to act as security for the expedition. They then set off north into the unknown. The Japanese navy begins to clamp down heavily on piracy along its trade routes using Okinawa as a major base to set forth and patrol known trade routes. The expansion of the fleet has been notable and as the trade income from China becomes a clear driving factor in the ongoing boom in the Japanese economy. The notable trade in furs is able to procure a serious influx of bullion into Japan as it becomes clear that many in Korea, and China will pay dearly for high quality furs comming out of Japan, particularly comming from the rather virgin lands of Hokkaido and the influx of furs comming from Sakhalin as well. It is noted that some of these furs come from "the mainland" which spurs many trade families to begin pressuring the government to allow further expansion into Sakhalin and with clear attempts to find more virgin lands to the north untouched by civilization to help procure more furs. The Japanese army having performed rather proficiently in the conquest of the Ainu is expanded to add another 10,000 troops. The army itself is used to help construct various public works projects in Japan focusing heavily on the japanese roadway system. The establishment of Quarries and other engineering projects to procure materials for the road sees the roadway system having gone from just a few roads of dubious quality running from Kyoto to Osaka and Nagoya into a clear and well maintained system which now crisscrosses across central Japan. The roadway network linking the major cities stimulates a much easier routes of intercity trade. In response to this, however, groups of disgruntled war veterans have taken to banditry on some of these new routes forcing the Emperor to tackle these outlaws. However, with the mountainous terrain, it becomes clear this may take more than a year to put down. With the demand in Japanese product clear, the Artisans continue to export product to China with the demand for unique Japanese goods driving growth in various artisan industries. After over a decade the Imperial Palace in Kyoto is completed and the Imperial family takes full residence inside the complex. The first true noble revolt against Emperor Daigo takes place this year. A collection of northern Daimyo having not truly tasted defeat following the collapse of the Tetsuko clan revolt against the emperor in response to perceived slights to honor, and the curtailing of noble rights. This brings the Imperial army back up to the north in which they face off against a well-armed and organized noble army of roughly 20,000. The Emperor sees this as the final challenge to his reign and the 30,000 strong Imperial army is sent in its entirely to test the new tactics against a more powerful and more professional and organized force. The two armies meet outside the ruined Tetsuko capital  and once again the new form of shock related warfare is tested. This time, however, a new tactic is tried. The Ranged units attempt to skirmish with the Daimyo army by harassing them with arrow while a much thinner than usual line of frontline naginata infantry gives enough space for the Hand cannon regiments to unleash a barrage before a general charge is called. The Noble army slams into the line attempting to break it only to be met with a hail of Hand cannons. The second line of Naginata infantry move up to reinforce the main line as the Shock cavalry meet with the Samurai cavalry in the field. The battle is much more indecisive. However, with Daigo in command of the army, the Imperial army holds and then progressively gains ground throughout the day of the battle. As multiple high level officers are killed the Daimyo officially offer their surrender and many commit Seppuku in order to regain their honor. The noble army is disbanded and the survivors are granted a pardon by the emperor himself wishing for the killing to truly end. The propagation of Japanese "warrior monks" is also noted as they fight some of the modest attempts at banditry as they move from temple to temple in Japan.
 * Zimbabwe: Having fully investigated the terrain to the direct east of the capital city of Lusvingo, it is decided that the location of the kingdom's second port city shall be placed at the mouth of a natural harbor to the northwest of Sofala, a Swahili port city beyond the control of the King of Zimbabwe. The site itself is designated Muromo Weshiri by the king, who declares that it shall serve as the primary port of entry into his kingdom, with the goal of surpassing that of neighboring Sofala. Many of the Shona fishermen of the coastline begin to flock to the new city for work and to residing within its future walls with their families, hoping that the city's completion in the near future will serve as a source of additional income as they sell their stock of fish to the new population of urban denizens. The census of Zimbabwe is concluded by the censors of the king, who report a total population of 802,196 people, along with some 120,000 head of cattle and 8,200 steeds both wild and domesticated (a third of which are mature). Lusvingo's population itself has expanded to more than 40,000 inhabitants, with the stone enclosure of the king extended to support his larger flocks and personal servants, his household, and the royal bodyguards who residing with the enclosure itself. The details from the census are used by the state to organize a series of new domestic policies to direct the expansion of the state and its resources in line with the needs of the known population. For the first time in Zimbabwe's history, the records of the census and other vital information to the state are documented in writing and stored in a specially-built library in the manner of the Arabs, with the documents themselves written in the recently-introduced Nhema script. With regards to the demographics of the nation itself, most of the subjects are employed as farmers and fishermen on grounds owned by the state and administered by officials assigned to the bomas by the king and his court. With their wages largely centralized by the state, a royal report is presented to the king with an estimate on the overall salaries of all subjects of the realm based off of their theoretical wages. In the city of Muromo Wenyika, Farai completes a number of his writings based on his personal philosophy on regarding humanity and the nature of god, as well as on other topics such as the behavior of a noble citizen of the realm, and the role of faith in the lives of men. Some of his colleagues are fascinated by the non-theistic teachings of Farai's latest work, which advocates for the use of rational thought in a world plagued by emotionally-driven behavior that blinds the eyes of men to the right way to think and act when considering the needs of their fellow people. He denounces the predatory behavior of the various shamen of the kingdom, who worship numerous gods but fail to properly "predict" the future of their countrymen, praying for rain and receiving droughts, blessing warriors for victory and receiving the dead and defeat, cursing those who do not bow to them and expecting anything other than scorn. He states that as long as the kingdom remains bound to antiquated beliefs and traditions, then it will never claim what he calls igunya, or "dominion", something which empowers a people to obtain that which is unattainable to the backward and superstitious. Though few of the rural Shona are literate, those selling their goods in the port city become interested in Farai's fiery speeches on the matter, and take what they learned home with them to spread word of the cruelty of the shamen and the oddity of their religions. Some frank discussions are held while in the fields away from their overseers as to the honesty about religion. Some state that they don't know which god or gods to worship, while other voice their fears of superstitious, and yet others seem to accept wholeheartedly the idea that religion as a whole does nothing to improve their lives. Whatever the argument made, all agree that Farai is stating points that may establish him as a contrarian that opposes the traditions of his people, and could result in his death. In the same city, Shohiwa continues to promote his script throughout Muromo Wenyika, with many of the city's literate population abandoning the use of Arabic for Nhema. Shohiwa travels to Lusvingo to assist his colleagues in the capital educate members of the royal court on how to read and write, and move to petition the king on establishing a network of literate individuals who can assist with the documenting of information in written form, as well as educating members of the government to ensure their ability to better govern the kingdom on Kutonga's behalf. The king agrees to Shohiwa's request, and places him in charge of promoting a royal literacy campaign for all of the officials working for the king. In the northern districts of Zimbabwe, copper mining is expanded to accommodate the increase in trade taking place with the Arabs and Swahili, who frequently arrive for raw materials to be exported to other nations along the Indian Ocean. Roads are extended to the mines of the northern territories, and infrastructure put in place to assist the workers in extraction of the copper ore from the sites. In the southern districts of the kingdom, the expansion of the population continues to fuel migration into the region, now supported by the introduction of drought-resistant crops and significant numbers of livestock. The move to settle the south is spearheaded by Prince Akashinga, who with his personal army of mounted warriors, raid Nguni kraals and pillage the land of its livestock and crops, reducing the Nguni population throughout the region. Indeed, due to the lack of mobility for the Nguni warriors combined with their fractured nature, the Shona sweep them aside and inadvertently conduct a massive campaign of genocide as they kidnap and rape Nguni women and put the men and boys to death to prevent them from posing a threat to Zimbabwe. As the Shona bands return to their homes in the north, they leave entire tracts of land devoid of any human life.
 * Merchant House of Munashe: Leveraging all of the contacts made in Mombasa during his early career there, Munashe establishes a working relationship with many Arab traders who agree to an exclusive contract with Munashe and his request to bring him goods from various locations throughout the Middle East, which he will then resale to the Japanese and his other clients in the Far East through his network of storehouses and ports facilities as per the corrupt arrangements between his enterprise and that of various port officials across the region. The profits from the sales will then be distributed across the various hands hired by Munashe, with the largest share going directly into his pockets for use in the expansion of his merchant business. In the region of Indochina, Munashe's coordination of smuggling operations in northern Vietnam and southern China continues, with the movement of Bibles, weapons, armor, food, and raw materials sent into the country at the request of those persecuted by the new Chinese dynasty in Beijing. In Japan, the merchant house moves to set a good reputation for themselves, bringing in goods and services unknown to the local Japanese people and their imperial court. Of the goods imported into the country are silken fabrics and exotic animals such as tigers and the occasional elephant from India, tongba millet beer from Nepal and bugnay wine from the Philippines, poetry an``````````````````````````````````d artwork from Persia and Arabia, and watermelons and cotton fabrics from Egypt. Dancers from Egypt, musicians from Mesopotamia, and warriors from East Africa, are paid a fair sum of money to entertain the Japanese court officials and entice them to continue their trade with the merchant house of Munashe. The expanded trade with Japan comes just as the first few ships ordered by Munashe to expand his fleet are completed, allowing him to focus on trade lanes with other major powers in the region such as Hindustan and the Majapahits. A series of storehouses are built in the Indonesian islands to help Munashe maintain a stock of western goods in the far eastern regions, allowing his traders in the South China Sea focus on their work in the region, while another set of ships resupply that location with goods and material for sell in the east. Seeking to access new markets beyond the Indian Ocean, Munashe organizes a trade delegation to depart for the Suez region of Egypt, and work with the government and merchants there to obtain transit access to the kingdom and allowing their goods to move through the land without opposition, with the merchant house paying a small tariff in exchange for protection.
 * Abassid Caliphate (Baghdad): General Gawdat Abdul-Hamid Al-Amin and his army flees Zeila via ship, vowing to one day destroy Ethiopia while sailing to the Caliphate's waters. Arriving in the Caliphate he goes to Baghdad to relay the news of his defeat to the Caliph, asking why his armies lost. Upon hearing of the news of the defeat, the Caliph knows why. "The self must be purified before we defend others. As the self must be purified, The House of Islam must be purified before we help other Muslims far away. Once Islam is purified, we shall realign with the will of God, this is why God restored me to Baghdad, to restore and purify Islam." With this decree, Caliph Al-Mustakfi declares his support for the Taymiyyah sect, and orders his Holy Guard to purify Islam of apostates and the impious across the Caliphate, launching a Jihad of Purification against false believers. General Gawdat Abul-Amid Al-Amin blames the unrighteous for his defeat at Zeila, concluding that God was no longer with him and the Muslims he defended for there were those in Islam who went against God and his will, thus General Al-Amin goes into Mamluk Egypt with the Caliph's blessing to join with the Tamiyyah Sect on their righteous campaign to purify Egypt and the holy cities of the Mamluk Sultanate, becoming a leader in this internal holy war, remaking and reforming connections with the leaders of the Tamiyyah movement, stating the Caliph has now seen the light through the darkness of Zeila, the darkness he, the General, personally saw, and calls for unity between the Caliph and the Mamluks to end apostaty and impiety. General Al-Amin also asks if the Mamluk Sultan has joined the Tamiyyahs in their righteous jihad. (Mod Response Please) In a secret move, Admiral Yaser Nurullah Nagi takes control of the Soldier Cicilian fleet, blessed both by the Caliph and under orders of the Soldier King Al-Amin, goes to Venice under the guise of a trading mission where he proposes striking the Aragonese fleet together to lift the blockade of Granada, knowing that such a move will benefit Venice and ensure their naval domination in the Mediterranean with the formal request being to set up closer trading ties with the merchant republic, which also stands on the table. (Venice response please)
 * Venice agrees.


 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward, with mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. The absorbed farms are used to combat shortage while fishing becomes a largely favorable method of surviving, in addition to the return of Although a formal retreat is made, the war is far from over, as Citlali dies a martyr of the cause. With this in mind, an expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are expected to be built over a period of the next three years. Gradual absorption and trading with the northern Chalchihuites occurs, as the use of gold and material accessories unknown to the tribal culture allows for Tariácuri to establish an area for the Chalchihuites to exchange their agricultural goods for wealth near the Xalisco states.


 * Bohemia-Poland: Ottokar manages to produce some 25,000 in total in the support of his nephew including about one-half of the Knights of St Wencesalus. While the Piasts manage to amass about 20,000. Support for the crown remains strong in Bohemia as well as in Greater Poland, along with control over Lublin and Warsaw cities garrisoned by loyalists, while Warsaw receives the 12,000 troops supplied by his father in law Grand Duke Gendiminas. Ottokar takes over the instruction of the young Conrad. Meanwhile, he and his new wife finally have their first boy who is named Vladislaus z Premyslid. Efforts to keep the economy intact are made with the crown relying more heavily on the economic strength of Bohemia and in particular of the silver mine.  Having contracted the Long Lances in Praga Ottokar begins organizing the forces under his control in the Army of Bohemia standing at 15,000 levies and knights, along with 10,000 mercenaries from Milan and the Army of the Vistula allowing made up of 10,000 loyalists and 12,000 from Lithuania. Realizing that the most immediate threat posed right now is by Henry who was the right hand of Wenceslaus III throughout the war with the Mongols and the former leader of the Knights of St Wenceslaus seeing him. Ottokar, taking an interest in gun powder which has been experimented with in mining, sees the possibilities of using the blasting of gun powder as both a means of breaching city walls faster and as a means of disorienting the enemy. Ottokar leaves 10,000 troops behind in Bohemia to defend the reginon against a possible Austrian incursion while 15,000 troops are sent to attack Silesia sending an envoy to the forces in Warsaw to order the troops there to attack the Henry's flank. Ottokar employs an increasing number of light cavalry due to their higher mobility and harrassing potential attacking the sides of Henry's forces while a mix of crossbowmen and cannoneers fire into the enemy ranks. The Lithuanian foces are employed in a similar fashion to the light cavalry attacking and also using them to prevent the other rebels from moving to support Henry. The 10,000 left in Bohemia are also there to provide a reserve and lay in wait to support Krakow if the city comes under seige. Ottokar, seeing the importance in maintaining ongoing communcations, focuses on keepinmg roads under his control, and keeps some of his horsemen reserved for such a purpose.

1331
'''At the end of the Imperial Diet, Count John of Luxembourg is elected as King Johann of Germany. He petitions Pope Sixtus IV to be crowned Emperor.'''

'''The Principality of Wallachia revolts again against Hungarian rule, and raises 10,000 men in their defense. The Kingdom of Serbia, capitalizing on their recent victories, allies with Wallachia and invades the Hungarian vassal of Bosnia.'''

''' Having taken full control over Egypt, the Taymiyyah sect of Sunni Islam begins a religious purge of what is considered idolotrous in the nation, destroying some Prophetic shrines and erasing people or animals from certain works of art. The Sultan Nasir Al-Din Muhammad joins the order as well as the Caliph's Jihad against impiety. '''

''' Ibn Battuta arrives on the continent of Africa at the city of Zeila, and writes extensively on the various travelers and merchants he finds about the great Empire of Ethiopia. From there, he travels around the horn of Africa to the city of Mogadishu in the land of Berbers, and continues further south to the Swahili states of Mombasa, Zanzibar, and Kilwa. He is particualrly impressed by the Great Mosque of Kilwa, and also writes about the travelers and merchants he meets from the Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe. He then moves back north on his way back to Mecca, stopping at Muscat in Oman before passing through the Strait of Hormuz and landing at the city of Qatif, before crossing Arabia back to Mecca. '''

''' John Maunderville leaves Anatolia and passes through the Kingdom of Cyprus, writing about a dragon that he saw nearby it. He then moved north to stay in the Kingdom of Cilicia. '''

''' After China has been fully unified by the Tian Dynasty, the mysterious illness of "the plague" appears in the north around Hubei for the first time. '''

''' Odoric of Pordenone, an Italian monk that spent much of his life exploring Asia, arrives at the court of Pope Sixtus IV and reports his journeys, claiming to have visited the Kingdom of Prester John. '''

''' In Syria, Abu Al-Fida completes a chronicle detailing the history of the Shahdom of Tabriz. '''


 * Oyo Empire After years of preparation war against the Owu finally begins. A army of 15,000 men consisting of 10,000 archers and 5,000 well armed archers are to head south to attack Owu. They will be dispatched in two, while one consisting of 1,500 cavalrymen and 6,000 archers will make a direct march for the Owu capital and be the main army battling Owu infantry, a second army consisting of 3,500 cavalrymen and Malian mercenaries along with 4,000 archers will pillage the countryside and hit Owu everywhere it is weak. But both of these campaigns are to distract the smaller Owu from the objective of freeing prince Ajaka. The three years in the training special forces put together by the Alaafin will use information handed to them by 15 spies in Owu to attack the Owu garrison holding the prince and bring him back alive. This force will have some 150 well trained and equipped men.
 * Mali Empire: The vast trade network centered at Mali becomes even greater and complex with new trade routes established across North Africa and the Mediterranean. Horses and berbere spices are imported from Ethiopia, and helped to upgrade the cavalry of the military. Finer steel weapons and shields are imported from the Oyo Empire as well as trade across the rest of Nigeria. The Kingdoms of Europe all pay homage to the Mali Empire at Dakar where the greatest exports of gold, copper, salt, ivory, palm oil, and cofee are all found. In addition, Mali imports goods of far eastern spices and silk through the Middle East and Egypt across the Sahara desert, which are also sold at Dakar. As the military control over the Gbara is fully organized, Musa establishes a direct imperial administration over regions of the Empire to be organized as local military commanderies: the commander of the East at Njimi, the Commander of the West at Dakar, the Commander of the South at Bono, and the Commander of the North at Agadez, with Timbuktu in the center. The Great Library of Timbuktu continues to import books from across Europe and the Middle East, translating the Arabic and Latin texts into an ajamic script of Mandinke and Tamashq. The great road system of Mali continuse to be constructed. In addition, the Mansa organizes a complete school system to be available in every major city of the realm, including private tutoring for children of noble families, as well as higher education of the literati elites. This school system and curriculum is given to the Morikanda nobles of the Gbara to organize. Fortifications are completed in the Lake Kanji in Nigeria. Mansa Musa offers to ally with the Oyo Empire to help them defeat their rival kingdoms in the region, such as the Owu people, along with any other rivals they may have. In exchange, the Oyo should pay reasonable annual tribute to the Emperor of Mali, and provide a small number of slaves to the empire every few years. A marriage agreement between a member of the House of Keita and the rulers of Oyo would help to cement this deal. (Oyo RESPONSE)
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Construction of the new Imperial capital continues, with the new city being named "Barara" by the Emperor. To help manage the newly conquered territories in the south as well as to assert Imperial control over them, the Emperor appoints several Christian battle commanders who are also personal friends to rule over the newly conquered areas as military governors. Christian missionaries are sent into the newly conquered territories under Imperial protection to begin the process of Christianizing the area. Additionally, Christian missionaries are sent to the Oobja tribe on Ethiopia’s eastern border. These missionaries attempt to convert the Oobja from their various animist and Muslim faiths to Christianity [MOD RESPONSE ON SUCCESS]. The Emperor also hears disturbing rumors of a new radical Islamic theology taking hold in the north and of a jihad that the new radical Caliph has issued against Ethiopia. Emphasizing the radical Islamists’ threat to Christians in East Africa, the Emperor makes an offer to the Christian Kingdom of Alodia to form an alliance as well as to form a royal marriage to unite the kingdoms [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. The Emperor also marries one of his relatives to the new Christian king of Axum, binding the vassal kingdom closer to Ethiopia. The merchants and diplomats sent west last year return, informing the Emperor of the Mali Kingdom, a great golden kingdom in Western Africa. The Emperor is eager to trade with this new power Mali and accepts their proposal to trade horses and steel for salt, ivory and other valuables (hopefully gold). The merchants and diplomats also inform the Emperor of the sophistication of the Mali Kingdom. The Emperor is most interested in the complex infrastructure that Mali has developed. Seeking to build a similar infrastructure, the Emperor asks if Mali would be willing to send a team of builders and engineers to help Ethiopia develop its own road network and infrastructure [MALI RESPONSE]. The Emperor also invites several merchants from Mombasa to move to the new capital of Barara to establish a merchant presence there as well as to help organize Ethiopia’s trade and make it more efficient. The Emperor also focuses on expanding the Royal Guard, recruiting 4,000 more men and creating a corps of highly trained and well armed professional troops that number 10,000 strong.
 * Alwah accepts the alliance.
 * Mali Dip: We will help give advisers for Ethiopia's road system if they are properly paid.
 * Some Oobja tribes convert to Coptic Christianity, most do not.
 * Tibet: Rest well,the Tibetans are well organized. We're working on territory and conquering our home at north and south the people are now converting to Islam (the Hui people) and starting to developing to conquer or builting our homeland.
 * Iceland: This year we welcome 1,500 children to Iceland putting the population to 57,000, an extra 500 are let into the military putting its whole size into 4,000 but only 2,000 at home. 100 citizens are sent to Arnarbæ to settle and a School and a church for 80 people is built. A small manor is built in Akranesi (Population: 3,000) for a permanent Papal Diplomat (Papal Response Needed). Fishing Industry grows with the new policy by the government. An extra 1,000 troops are requested to be put under Róbert Arnarsson (Papal Response Needed). A former child of Cardinal Ari Guðmundsson named Ari Arason turns like his father into a Priest, he then later becomes Archbishop at age 31, he builds a large Church in Akranes for the Cardinal to pray in and names it Orsinikirkja, he requests a Relic of a Saint from Orsins’s home nation for the middle of the Church (Papal Response Needed) and he commissions a potrait of Orsini for the entrance.
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV sends Cardinal Matteo Orsini as Papal Legate to Iceland. The pope sends 1,000 troops to be put under Róbert Arnarsson. A relic of Saint Gregory the Great is sent to Iceland.
 * Papal States: Pope Sixtus IV welcomes Marinus of Damieta at Rome. After conversations between the two, the pope establishes a Coptic Embassy to allow diplomatic contact with Alexandria. Wanting to establish diplomatic relations with the Archbishop of Novgorod, the pontiff writes a letter saying that the Roman Church deeply regrets the harm caused to Orthodox people by the Catholics during the Crusades against them. He says that the victory against the pagan Mongols showed that Catholics and Orthodox can work together and asks for the opening of diplomatic relations between Novgorod and Rome [Novgorod response needed, please]. Michael of Cesena and William of Ockham arrive in Rome to abjure their teachings. However, before asking them \for an answer, Sixtus take both of them to see what the Church is doing with its physical possessions. The pontiff shows them the ecclesial lands that are being used to produce food for the poor, the humble life of the papal court and the hospitals built with Church's money. After showing they these things, Sixtus says that he agrees that the clergy must have a humble life, but rather than abolish the physical possessions of the Church these possessions must be used only to help the poor not to support the princely life of the clergy. He also says that if the Church don't have her possessions to do this, who will? The nobles are only interested in making wars. The Holy Father ends asking for an answer of William and Michael. Will they help the Church by teaching that the clergy must have a humble life and that the Church must have physical possessions to be used to help the poor or will they continue in heresy? [MOD response needed, please]. Victor Capet and Anna of Habsburg have their first children, a boy that is baptized by the pope. The boy is named Louis in honor to his grandfather and the child is presented to Albert II during his visit. This year pope Sixtus creates as cardinals Gian Gaetano Orsini (Papal States) and Alexander of Bicknor (Ireland). The Holy Father crowns John of Luxembourg as Holy Roman Emperor.
 * William of Ockham recants and asks to be allowed to leave Rome. Michael Cesena refuses to change his mind
 * Abassid Caliphate: As the Taymiyyah sect takes over Egypt and begin their purification campaign across the ancient land, Soldier King Al-Amin joins the purification by purifying Alexandria of Coptics, sending his army of 20,000 to persecute, destroy, and kill the Coptics and their temples, burning everything in their wake, churches, monasteries, and Copts alike. After sweeping through Alexandria, General Al-Amin advances to Cairo at the end of the year, besieging Saint Mercurius Church, the eccelestial seat of Pope Benjamin II of Alexandria. This violence by Al-Amin is for both purification and retribution for Zeila. In Syria, Abu Al-Fida's Tabrizian History becomes popular in religious and scholarly circles, with the Shadom of Tabriz being recognized as the true successor state of the Ilkhanate via lineage to Nogai Khan and Tuga Khan. A point of contention is the classification of the Imamate after the ascension of Oljeitu, to label it as a part of the Shadom of Tabriz, as a vassal of it, or independent of it, some contending to color it in as a vassal of the then Cairo Caliphate or the Mamluk Sultanate, whatever historians decide, it shows the geopolitical uncertainty of the region during that time. More significantly, however, is the discovery made by the Underground in Syria, the sects forced into hiding following the Caliph's War of Purification. They find that the Caliph unilaterally took over land that was under the direct rule/vassalization of the Shadom of Tabriz, the land of Tabriz's vassal, the Imamate. Due to the Caliph's violation of Tabriz's claim, the Underground secretly urge the Shah of Tabriz to reassert his claim over his rightful land stolen by the Caliph, and to free the people from his persecution and madness by reducing the Caliph's power to his eccelestial seat in Baghdad. (Mod Secret Response Please.) The Caliph is overjoyed that Sultan Nasir Al-Din Muhammad has joined him and the Tamiyyah Order, and that together Islam shall be purified of all apostasy and impiety.
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The Sultan and the Chalisa condemn the actions of the Tamiyyah sect and sever ties with the Caliph. They are enraged by the views of the Tamiyyah sect on the Chishti order and the fact that the Tamiyyah ideals violate the policy of tolerance adopted by the Sultanate. Many supporters of ibn Tamiyyah in Gujarat are enraged but they are exiled. Many of the scholars fleeing Arabia are provided refuge in India in the madrassas of Dholka, Khambhat, Kara and Delhi. As a result of this, trade between Arabia and Hindustan is severely affected. As a result direct trade is established with Ethiopia, Somalia and the East African Coast. The Sultanate focuses on increasing trade with the Mombassa merchants and Hindustani merchant ships establish contact with Zimbabwe. An embassy is sent to the Chinese Emperor with many gifts, seeking a trade pact and also invites Chinese scholars to the Madrassa of Delhi (CHINESE RESPONSE). The Sultan sends envoys to the Kingdom of Khorasan, an ally, requesting the King to reject ibn Tamiyyah keeping in view the fact that Khorasan boasts of a religiously diverse population and also that they have a policy of tolerance. The Sultan also offers the King help in conquering Tabriz and further ridding Islam of the radicals that have taken control of Arabia. (KHORASAN MOD RESPONSE). Amir Khusro begins introducing Qawwali (Sufi devotional music) in the various cities of India. Qawwali also spreads with the Sufi saints patronized by the Sultanate. The canals in Kara are completed boosting productivity. Bengal comes under the administrative structure of the Sultanate. Two provinces are created, Bihar and Bengal. With trade becoming the most important revenue source, the Sultan orders the construction of more roads and trade networks. The Eastern Trade Network is being expanded to Bengal. The Sultanate now participates in the trade of Bengali goods. The first thoughts of controlling the Indian Ocean trade start forming in the mind of the Sultan as well as in his second eldest son, Fateh Khan who is made the Governor of Gujarat after the death of the Sultan’s uncle and close friend Alp Khan. The new Governor, Fateh Khan focuses on maintaining a proper navy, now with increased trade, it has become important to protect those trading with India from enemies and pirates and also to fend off any Arabian attempts to interfere with Indian trade. He begins by maintaining a fleet of 70 ships (Baghlas and Kotiyas) working with the merchants in the Arabian Sea. The newly appointed Governor of Bengal also start maintaining a fleet of 30 Kotiyas. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Chishti Sufi saints begin attracting Non-Muslims who accept the saints but continue to practice their own rituals. The shrines of the Sufi saints are open to people of all religions and this goes well with the Policy of Tolerance adopted by the Sultanate. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. An envoy is sent to the tributary Kingdom of the Pandyas, who have a navy far superior, to send experts to Gujarat to help in establishing a proper navy. To this effect, the Sultan pledges to help the Pandyas in conquering the Cheras and Lanka (PANDYAS MOD RESPONSE).
 * The King of Khoreson agrees to reject the Taymiyyah sect and expulse it from their nation.
 * Pandyas accepts this deal to help their conquests in exchange for supplying Delhi with a navy.
 * Caliphate response: The Caliph declares the Sultan to be an apostate and prays to God for mercy upon his soul.
 * Republic of Venice: The Treaty of Florence has now defined the spheres of Influence in Italy, and the military presence in Mantua, Dalmatia and the Garda region. The ports of Corsica are expanded and modernized, garrisons are set up to minimize the pirate threat. Many of the more prominent and influential pirates and their fleets are offered to become high ranking members of the Venetian armada (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). They would be allowed into the high ranks of the Venetian navy (receiving very good wages to stay under Venetian rule), and the brutality of the crews would be used as a sort of special force. However, not all of Corsica is a large pirate nest. The average citizen benefits from Venetian rule as well, due to the expansion of ports like Bastia and Ajaccio, where industries like ship-building and the first steps toward commercial fishing. Furthermore, wine and salt production is immensely increased. Special emphasis is put on modern farming techniques to be combined with the knowledge of the local vineyards, so that the wine has an exceptionally good wine. The contacts to Novgorod bring wealth to Venice as well (short turn).
 * Icelandic Dip: In search of intellectuals the government wants to invite a Venetian Professor and his family to teach in the University of Iceland.
 * Some prominent Tyrrennian pirates come into the service of Venice.
 * Swiss Confederacy: Bishop of Chur Johann I von Pfefferhart dies and is replaced by Ulrich V von Lenzburg, a relative of the House of Lenzburg which ruled an area currently under the control of Aargau and Zürich in the 11th and 12th centuries but went extinct in the male line. Bishop Ulrich V's diocese covers the cantons of the Swiss Confederacy but his see at Chur Cathedral is located outside of it, being about 20 km to the east of the canton of Glarus. Ulrich V of Lenzburg approaches the leadership of the city of Chur and the adjacent Four Villages of Landquart (Vier Dörfer) and requests them to join the Swiss Confederacy as the bishopric or canton of Chur so that the Confederacy's diocese's cathedral can be within its borders and so the city can receive the trade and defence benefits of being in the Confederacy rather than be at risk of Habsburg domination. (Mod response) The new cantons of Lucerne and Glarus are given seats on the central council of the Confederacy, expanding its size to five. Meanwhile, the five cantons work on developing a combined military to defend against potential attacks from the Habsburgs or Italy. The council also pays attention to the ongoing war in Poland because of Habsburg Austria's involvement.
 * Chur joins the confederacy.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": Archduke John III of Lotharingia Congratulates his Father in Law Count John of Luxembourg on his election victory. John III directly recognising him as the king of Germany and Roman emperor, John of Luxembourg being recognised so fast due to the good relations between the Archduke and the count. John III even defending his Father in Law during the Imperial war when the Insane emperor tried to attack Luxembourg City. John III being able to repel that from happening and saving the County of Luxembourg at the same moment, Since that day the Archduke and the now emperor have become friends. This Friendship is even clearer when John of Luxembourg had his Daughter Margaret Mary to the Archduke. The Parliament of Malines also apeals to the Bishopry of Utrecht who is still in a undecisive war with Guelders, to end the war (Mod Response). As the Parliament beleives that this war would otherwise continue for ages without any actual progression, and with only more human lives gone to waste. The Council belirving that a ecclesiastical state should only attack and war for either self defense or to restore a pontificial regime. While in the harbours of the Great Lotharingian realm begin to pomp out more and more ships. With the ships that John III and the council ordered for this year being finished, this totals the number of ships to 25. This deemed to the minimum of naval strength that is required to protect the Lotharingian Realm, as Lotharingia has a Big and verry island ridden coast. This big amount of Small islands making if difficult to navigate easly in for ships near the coast, as they allways need to watch out for islands to not crash on sandbanks. Even when the biggest single order of shipbuilding in Lotharingia is done, 15 more ships are planned to be shipped in the next four years. This to make the Franco-lotharingia force able to rival the English nation, these ships being made through a Brabantine standardised shipbuilding technique. This technique using the fact that are plans are made from the same Blueprint where after they are each customised to their specific needs. One of these Customised merchant variants Having the Lotharingian Alchemist Hendrickus Pisacus, the best alchemist of the Realm. Hendrick fischer even being able closer and closer to replicating Orriental Blackpowder, even if he is not yet there due to issues of material impurity and ratio. For his in finding for a good replication of Orriental Blackpowder he's awarded the title of Honorary Member of the house of Reginar, thus Becoming Hendrickus Pisacus Reginar. Pisacus Reginar now Going by Merchant sailboat from the Harbour of The Hague to the harbour of Crunia. From here be begins to read more and more into his books of Latin, which are carried by a caravan of Horses and Mules. These being hired from station to station as not to overwork these animals, As the books and scientific gear that he carries are verry heavy and big. His final Destination in spain being Huelva, this all due to the sailing and the long torcherous marching taking him a full year. Hendrickus only ending his trip in November due to the weather and the Bad sailing conditions he endures.
 * The Bishop accepts a status quo antebellum with Guelders.
 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward, with mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. The absorbed farms are used to combat shortage while fishing becomes a largely favorable method of surviving. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are expected to be built over a period of the next three years. Gradual absorption and trading with the northern Chalchihuites occurs, as the use of gold and material accessories unknown to the tribal culture allows for Tariácuri to establish an area for the Chalchihuites to exchange their agricultural goods for wealth near the Xalisco states. The ally Matlatzincoteach begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This is implemented into some regions within the Empire, while the rotational method contradicts some farmer's beliefs, therefore it is only partially used in the east and at the center of the Tarascan. Citlali's first son, Tenoch, writes the first documented codex, named Ahmīki: Sē Teyaochiwāni, describing the life of his father and what could be learned from his military mistakes.
 * The united Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland:During a expedition to the island where the beothuks lives,The Jarl and his entourage gets into a fight with the beothukians who were sent to welcome them.When the Jarls ship fails to return to Greenland as scheduled,Crown prince Sven af Nuuk appoints himself acting regent of greenland and Vinland and orders a new expedition be sent there.The expedition arrives there and manages to rescue the Jarl and his entourage ina glourius battle,which cemetns Jarl Anders III as another legendary jarl.The beuthuks are so impressed by this act of heroism that they surrender to the Jarldoms.The jarl says that he will think about whether to Give them their protection or admit them as a state t the Jarldoms.
 * Tian Dynasty With the unification of the primary lands of China now complete, the Empire can finnaly relax after more than a decade of frequent war. With the conquest of Yunnan finally completed most of the soldiers who had been raised for the war are now alowed to return to their homes, or encoureged to settle in Yunnan to ensure more loyalists are in the region. With the unification, we are able to turn our attention outward again and finally begin getting our house in order. With the bases on Taiwan established, and looking to expand further to secure our hold on power further, the Empire  officially lays claim to the island of Taiwan this year, declaring it to be imperial territory and baning anyone else settling on the island. Although this control will remain mostly nominal for quite awhile, the first official Chinese settlement, Taichun (OTL Taepi), is established around our primary base in the north during this year, although it remains small and has only around 70 people, it will slowly grow over the following years, serving as a base for latter settlement. This also allows us to more efficiently begin tracking down the smugglers and pirates that have been plaguing the Middle Kingdom for the past few years, with signs slowly begining to point toward somebody in Indonesia supplying them, with some additional sources also beginning to point toward a group of merchants that have established themselves in our region recently. This renewed attention to imperial issues also allows the Emperor to finnaly take notice of the problems the so called "plague" is causing in some of the northern provinces.  In an effort to prevent its spread further and to weaken our enemies, a large group of soldiers comprised primarily of those who have already survived the disease begins to exile sufferers of the disease into Mongol controled territory, in the hopes of preventing further spread of the disease among our own people and spread it to the great barbarian enemy. Those who agree to do so are compensated and helped in their journey, while those who do not are forced to move. Finnaly, the persecution of Christians continues, as the bounties provided on Christian leadership finnaly begin to bear fruit. One of the most major leaders of the Christian community in our country, a women named Sala, being captured this year while attmepting to sneak out of the country with her congregation. The members of said congregation are executed for their crimes, while Sala herself is tortured for months in order to attempt to get her to publicly renounce her faith, in an effort to demoralize the remaining Christians of the country. When this ultimetly fails her tounge is cut out in order to prevent further spreading of her lies, before she is sold to a passing slaver from Indonesia. This same fate also befals many other Christians who refuse to renounce their faith but are to popular to turn into martyrs, with a small scale profit being made from selling captured Chinese Christians to slavers from other countries. (SECRET) In the North, General Xieren continues to prepare for the planned campaign against the Mongols in five years, fortifying the northern provinces further and training his troops for the terrain they will face in the lands they plan to invade (END SECRET)
 * Republic of Milan: War is declared on Cyprus with the Milanese Navy moving out transporting 25,000 Milanese troops to Cyprus in order to conquer it for Milan and increase the control of Milan in the Mediteranean. (Algo needed) Other justifications are made with discussions being made as far as Crimea and Byzantium are concerned. Debates begin sparking between the Milanese banks and the banks in Florence as the two continue to compete within the sphere of influence of Milan. Whilst other forces are moving into Cyprus, the Long lances are offered to Bohemia in order to assist with there actions against Poland and Austria. Otherwise the moves in Africa reach Milanese ears as a few merchant ships are sent toward Mali with the intent to explore farther down the coast and see what’s beyond. A negotiation is started with the Papal States to grant them access to the imported goods as well as contact with Mali, (Papal response needed) Patrizio is elected this year as Doge of Milan. The de Medici family continues to expand their influence and moves begin to be made to make the Milan banks the premier banks of Europe.
 * Zimbabwe: King Kutonga's health begins to decline rapidly as he enters into his sixtieth year of life. Concerned with the future of his kingdom and people, Kutonga summons his son Akashinga and his family to come stay with him in Lusvingo. Though the crown prince chaffs at his lack of freedom to act as he has in the past, he respects his father's wishes and concerns for his nation, begins his role as the regent of the kingdom while the king rests. Under the prince's command, the policies of his father continue largely unchanged, with the development of the land and mining infrastructure of the kingdom continuing without interference or alteration. Wide stretches of Zimbabwe's fertile northern territories are developed into rice fields which have produced crops for the decade without issue. As the cultivation of rice continues to grow into the kingdom's primary source of food, the number of healthy offspring born to the Shona continues to increase, rapidly enough to see the population of the average boma rise to nearly 800-900 individuals in some of the most productive lands in the kingdom. The Ministry of Land's land management reforms have played a role in much of the development of the nation's population and livestock, with some locations reporting significant stockpiles of rice and sorghum in their regions, allowing their quotas for food to be meet by the time of the first or second harvesting seasons. In the lands south of the Limpopo River, the Shona population has exploded to some 100,000 people, with the Nguni population all but eradicated in most parts of the several regions of southern Africa. Those who remain have retreated into the arid southwestern half of that region, competing with their former San allies and attacking them for the few sections of fertile land outside of Shona control. In the city of Muromo Wenyika, Shohiwa's oversight over the literacy programs of the kingdom's elite continues with some breakthroughs in the method of education, with literate individuals paid by the state to provide reading and writing sessions to students for a period of an hour a day for six days a week. Depending upon the age and ability of the student, some have shown capacity to become literate with as little as six months, though prior experience has also shown that it can take as many as three years for the oldest students to comprehend. Regardless, Shohiwa informs the king that at a minimum, it would take about a year for a student to become reasonable literate. Within the upper class comprising some 40,000 people, approximately half of these individuals fall within the ages of peak physical and mental health, and it is these individuals who are to be targeted for an education in reading and writing at the king's command. Along the coast, the future port of Muromo Weshiri continues to be developed toward completion, with the regional overseers for the project visiting the site with the king regularly to make changes to any plans for the city, as it is hoped to replace the southern port of Muromo Wenyika as Zimbabwe's primary trade city. The number of Shona who are competent seafarers continues to grow as those individuals serving as fishermen and sailors for the Arabs, Indians, and Swahili return to their homeland to start families for themselves. With the construction of a new port city closer to the population center of Zimbabwe surrounding the capital of Lusvingo, a large number of Shona along the coastline have migrated to Muromo Weshiri to sell their goods there and take advantage of the city's proximity to the Swahili port city of Sofala. Many of the fishing vessels operating out of the new port are increasingly built by Shona using Arab techniques, such as lateen sails and deep-water hulls, allowing the Shona vessels to venture farther and farther out into the ocean for their catches. Back in Muromo Wenyika, the scholar Farai relocates to the city of Tsindi in the kingdom's north, where he and his colleagues start a school of philosophy based around Farai's teachings on the issues of human behavior and humanist thought. Using the movable type blocks introduced into the kingdom several years earlier, and taking advantage of the increasing number of literate individuals who can now read his works, Farai continues to expand his collection of writings in the Ukuqonda, further detailing his ideas and beliefs in the manner in which humans should treat one another and interact with the world around them. Central to his teachings is the concept of kuratidzwa, or "the manifestation" or "reflection", the inward self-scrutiny which he advocates for as a means of helping one rebuild themselves and shape their personalities into ones that benefit their fellow man. Though many of the religiously-inclined question his works, Farai's advocacy for morality and humane treatment of others has stayed their hand for the time being.
 * Merchant House of Munashe:As news of the plague in China reaches the regional branch overseers of Munashe's merchant enterprise in East Asia, trade with merchants hailing from China is discontinued until the crisis is resolved. However, as the transfer of contraband material to China is conducted by Lao and Vietnamese bandits and Japanese pirates in coordination with Chinese merchants paid by Munashe, the movement of illegal goods and equipment into China continues. Hundreds of bibles, suits of armor, weapons and shields, literature from other nations, Buddhist and Hindu icons, and anti-Tian propaganda pamphlets are smuggled into China, with Munashe's enterprise reaping the benefits of a sizable profit once all of the other hands have been withdrawn from the pot. In the north, trade with Japan continues, with the merchants of Munashe bringing in goods unknown and inaccessible to the Japanese and their own merchants. Many of the Japanese courtiers are introduced to wines and delicacies from halfway across the world, dances and pleasures from the lands of the Middle East, and songs and literature which rivals that of the Japanese themselves. Back in Mombasa, additional baghlahs are added to the fleets of the merchant house, expanding Munashe's fleet from twenty vessels to thirty-five, with an additional thirty-five to be added as the years pass. As the fleet increases in size, the merchants under Munashe have their storehouses accross the ocean's various ports expanded to aid them in their movement of goods within their respective regions of trade. This continues to have a positive impact on the ability of Munashe's merchants to jump into new markets with goods in ports close to the centers of trade, rather than having to bring the goods from a location many weeks away by sail. While conducting business in Java related to the recent events in southern China and the threats posed to his smuggling operations in the region, Munashe comes into contact with a bound Chinese woman fiercely resisting her owners and attempting to preach a faith known to Munashe only through his contacts with the Christians in China. Intrigued by the woman's attempts to defend her honor and religion, Munashe inquires of her owners the origin of the slave. He is told that she was once a legendary preacher in her homeland and had been a notable traveler seeking to spread the teachings of the Christ throughout East Asia. However, after the overthrow of the Yuan dynasty by the Tian, she fell afoul of the new emperor who had committed himself to the persecution and extermination of the Christian population in his new empire. Beaten, tortured, and likely defiled at the hands of her captors, the woman refused to recant her faith in her god, which ultimately ended with her tongue being removed and herself sold into the hands of a slaver from the island of Java. Mirroring his own tenacity in the face of adversity while fleeing Zimbabwe for the lands of the Makonde, Munashe decides that he will purchase the slave for a fair sum of money. He has her sent to his ship where he has her washed and groomed to be presented to him latter in the day. Though she cannot speak thanks to her torture, the woman is able to introduce herself as Sala, once a member of the Huangdist Church of China, but now a slave of a foreigner in a foreign land. After a long and emotional discussion between the two throughout the evening, Munashe comes to hold a new respect and appreciation for her faith though he does not wish to adopt it, and asks that she serve at his side as an advisor and translator, to which Sala agrees. Throughout the rest of the year, the two come to form a close, personal bond, culminating in Sala's giving birth to twin daughters Munashe names Nyarai and Tariro.
 * Crown of Castile-Aragon: With the developments and good trade throughout the nation continuing, merchants make the Crown territory and realm an even more significant hub of trade and commerce. 50,000 men proceed to march into Granada led by the Castilian General Ricardo Alvarez. With Alvarez now leading in the battle for Granada, the city is surrounded by further hindering supplies.with the blockade set in motion and the city surrounded through cavalry support, siege weapons including catapults and trebuchets are put to use. Cannon's are also added to be used to shock and create damage to the defenses. Fire is used to also bring the defenses down even more with digging and flame. As the countryside is captured for supply and routes for movement using cavalry, The order is given to apply similar techniques on the city of Malaga using 20,000 men in which the city would be flanked having shore supplies cut off, combined mercenary and allied military forces would converge in a forceful push south from the north and with the port blockaded, men would spread and be sandwiched into Malaga in hopes of victory in taking a key port. Flamed long arrows see use as men with swords see deployment and use in this holy campaign. May God bless Hispania with a victory in this crusade.

1332
''' As the Middle East and Egypt erupts in religious persecution as a result of the Taymiyyah order, the Shah of Tabriz declares that the Caliph is unjust and not the rightful successor to the Prophet. As such, the Shah adopts the Ismali branch of Shia Islam, and mandates it across the nation. The Shah supporst the rebels in Syria against the acts of the Caliphate, and sends two armies of 50,000 troops and 20,000 troops against Mosul and Baghdad, respectively. '''

''' The Taymiyyah oligarchy in Egypt decide that now is the time to strike against the Ahl Alkitab, and sends 12,000 troops to invade the Kingdom of Jerusalem to siege to city of Acre, while Cyprus is being attacked by Milan. '''

''' A vast amount of people from Central Asia of Turkman descent invades eastern Iran in migration, divided into two groups: the Black Sheep Turkmans and the White Sheep Turkmans. Both of these groups wrecks havoc for the Kingdom of Khoreson and the Sultanate of Zaranj. '''

''' Ibn Battuta at this point decided he wanted to journey farther east from Mecca to work for the Sultan of Hindustan. So he first crosses the Red Sea and arrives in Upper Egypt, and journeys north to Cairo which he visited earlier. Then he crosses the Sinai and moves through Jerusalem and Palestine as far as Damascus, before turning west through Cilica and arriving at the court of the Karamids. '''

''' John Maunderville crosses from Cilicia into Egypt, and makes his pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, walking to all the Holy Sites of the lives of Jesus and the Biblical Patriarchs. He then moves to Lower Egypt and visits Alexandria, to view the tomb of Alexander the Great. '''

''' King Christopher II of Denmark dies, and his son is crowned Valdemar IV. As he is only 12 years old, Count Gerhard III of Holstein is made his regent. '''

''' Hearing the humiliating defeat of the Owu, the states of Nupe and Bariba say "what's this?" and form an alliance against the Oyo. '''


 * Mali Empire: The road system of the Empire continues with new infrastructure built into the Sahara Desert and Senegal delta as the temperature continues to fall. Centralization reforms are completed, with the feudal titles of the empire assumed as the ultimate property of the Mansa himself, with permission of Gbara. Military administration are expanded in beuracracy, with the highest officers of the commandaries given to members of the Keita Dynasty, and lower officers given by merit in the military itself. The Library of Timbuktu continues to expand under the supervision of the gramarian schools and the Morikanda. A more complex education system across the entire empire continues to be developed for the upper noble classes, helping to increase literacy. The military cavalry is upgraded with horses imported from Ethiopia, thus increasing the cavalry of the imperial army to 20,000. The navy continues to expand the size and strength of ships in the Atlantic, and resupplies settlements in the Gorgades islands. Settlements to the south in Nigeria are made near the fortifications of Lake Kanji. Mansa Musa this year sponsors the creation of an imperial zoo to collect animals from across the continent of Africa in one place. Islamic clerics are sent to southern Nigeria to convert the population to Islam, particularly to the states of Nupe, Oyo and Warri. They are led by Muhammad ibn Ishaq, an astute theologian from the University of Sankore.
 * Iceland: Arnar Sigurðsson dies of complications due to Heart Disease, Althing chooses Archbishop Ari but quickly realised that he doesn’t want it, so the constitution now makes the President to serve a year. 3,000 kids are born bringing the population to 60,000 and 500 cavlary are allowed to join the military. With Arnarbæ growing only four families are moved there. The 50 Icelanders move to Akranes just to view the Orsini Church. The Monastery has decided to ask the Papal States to be able to dedicate the Monastery to former Pope Gregory (Papal Response Needed). Althing says a monarchy will succeed Ari and the grandson of Ólafur Sturlungur named Ólafur will take the title king of Iceland after Ari as King Ólafur I.
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV give his permission to this.
 * Papal States: Pope Sixtus IV is satisfied with William of Ockham after he recanted the heresy and allows him to leave Rome. However, due to his stubbornness to continue in heresy, Michael of Cesena is condemned and sentenced to life imprisonment in Castel Sant'Angelo. His works about Evangelical poverty are condemned as heretical and forbidden to be taught. After hearing from one of the Coptics in the Embassy about the persecution against the Christians in Alexandria, Sixtus offers save heaven in the Papal States to any Coptic Christian, lay and clergy, that is fleeing from Egypt [MOD response needed, please]. The construction of the Church of Divine Mercy finally ends and the pope celebrates the first mass there. The Church is given to the Order of Divine Mercy to be used as their main Church. The pontiff establishes a limit of how much the papal court can spend with itself, this way formalizing the donation of most of the Church's money to the Fund of the Poor. The hospitals of the Papal States continues to treat the sick and train physicians. Sixtus starts the construction of a university in Rome, the plan is that the university will educate better priest by teaching theology and canon law. A library is planned to be built in the university. The Holy Father answers the call of Milan for negotiations about the access to the imported goods as well as contact with Mali [Milan response needed, please]. The pope creates as cardinals Ulrich V von Lenzburg (Switzerland) and Friedrich von Pernstein (Riga). The pontiff encourages Odoric of Pordenone to write a book about his travels [MOD response needed, please]. Pope Sixtus extend to the Carmelites all the rights and exemptions that exist for the Franciscans and Dominicans.
 * Some Coptic clerics come to Rome to live in the Papal States.
 * The Milanese decide that it is only right for god on earth to have access to the goods of Africa in order to enlighten them of the true way. 
 * Tibet: Changchub Gyaltsen and his Dynasty, Phagmodrupa governing the local central of Tibet. After a while he send about 1,000 soldiers to conquer the whole of territoryof the state's Tibet and their respective his and administrating the whole region who ever they taking the siege of Dzong with his army. Meanwhile, some people from south ofTtibet (Bhutan) trade with them it and sending some horse soldiers at the service of Changchub Gyaltsen he would educate to child at school, most of Chinamen built their houses and hospital at the service Changchub walkout around the city his work continue to his life and most of soldier investigating the whole region and even the southern territory most of citizen practicing the Buddhist on the authority of Dynasty and most of soldier perpah to take their siege on the southern territory and Chang continue enjoy his life at Tibet.
 * The White Horde: Ozbeg Khan, ruler of the White Horde, had become bored of ruling. He desired more land, and was obsessed with obtaining it. It was as if he had developed some sort of psychosis, believing his Country and himself to be stronger than all, even alikening himself to a god. As if he had forgotten their failure in Europe, when reminded he denied it ever happening. There were members of the White Horde that considered removing him. He sends 120,000 to strike in the Yuan, hoping to take them out while they are still recovering from the Chinese Succession War.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: The fortress city of Barara is completed. With the fortress completed, the Emperor and his Court moves in to establish Barara as the new capital. The merchants of Mombasa are also granted residency within the fortress, which quickly becomes a source of power in the region. With Mombasa’s merchants taking up residence in Barara the city begins to turn into a trade hub, with markets springing up throughout the city. The new markets and opportunities rising rom the new markets attracts many from the countryside, which soon raises the population of Barara and leads to the city’s expansion as new residents build houses and suburbs around the main fortress. The Mombasa merchants also bring a huge benefit in their connections with the Delhi Sultanate. With the Delhi Sultanate cutting trade with the Middle East, the Mombasa merchants quickly capitalize off of the development and begin to develop Ethiopian trade with India. The influx of trade form India leads to the Ethiopian markets being flooded with exotic goods and provides a huge boost to Ethiopia’s economy. With the main source of this trade based in an Imperial city, the Emperor’s personal wealth increases greatly, also increasing his personal power. With Mali agreeing to send engineers so long as they are compensated, Ethiopia quickly provides a large amount of horses in exchange for the engineers’ service. The engineers quickly begin mapping out Ethiopia and potential routes to build roads on. With a road network planned, the Emperor provides teams of slaves and servants to serve under the Malian engineers to build the roads. The Emperor also promotes trade with the Malian Kingdom, establishing trade depots and market towns near the western border of Ethiopia to encourage trade with Mali. Additionally, the Malian engineers prioritize the construction of a road linking the western territories of Ethiopia with the rest of the country, hoping to facilitate trade. The Oobja tribes’ refusal to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior infuriates the Emperor, and he sends an ultimatum to the tribes stating that they must either convert and submit to Ethiopia or face war [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Additionally, hearing of the widespread persecution of Christians to the north, the Emperor denounces the Caliph as a radical madman, and denounces the Tamiyyah factions attempts to “purify” Egypt. The Emperor sends diplomats to Makuria and Banu Kanz to ask them to allow Christians fleeing from Tamiyyah Egypt to pass through their countries to reach safety in Alodia and Ethiopia. In exchange Ethiopia will pay these states large numbers of horses and and amounts of ivory [MOD RESPONSE]. With the demand for Ethiopian horses increasing and realizing the value of the horses, the Emperor begins assembling massive herds of horses for widespread trade and also begins a breeding program to raise the number of horses under Imperial control.
 * The Oobja tribes surrenders to Ethiopian rule.
 * Large number of Coptic Christians migrate south to the Sudan.
 * Swiss Confederacy: A hall is built in the city of Schwyz as a permanent location to hold meetings of the central council of the cantons, making Schwyz the de facto capital of the Confederacy, though it remains officially capital-less and the council agrees the meeting location could be changed in the future. The new canton of Chur is given a seat on the council for the burgomaster of the city, but Ulrich V von Lenzburg, Bishop of Chur and newly created cardinal, is also given a separate seat, meaning the council now has seven members. The city of Lucerne sends envoys to nearby rural villages extending to Entlebuch in the southwest and Willisau in the northwest, suggesting to them to become part of the canton of Lucerne in the Swiss Confederacy to give them the benefits of the centralised infrastructure, trade and defence of the Confederacy (OOC: this would essentially expand the canton of Lucerne to its OTL modern (since ~1500) size). (Mod response) The joint military of the Confederacy focuses on building fortifications around the city of Schwyz due to the importance of the central council it is now housing.
 * This is accepted.
 * Lordship of Ireland: Since the unification of Ireland under one banned everything goes well. Trade in wool and whisky grows slightly. Otherwise all quiet.
 * Kingdom of England: With the recent Lotharingian Naval Buildup as well as their Anti-English and Pro-French intentions, Edward III begins to see the Archduchy of Lotharingia as a threat to his plans to take the throne of France. With Lotharingia becoming an increasing threat to Edward III’s plans, Edward III sends a message to Utrecht to negotiate an alliance between England and Utrecht along with seeking the aid of the County of Flanders to counter any sort of Lotharingian Expansion. (Mod Response Needed). Meanwhile, with the rise of Gunpowder, Edward III takes interest in the substance and after being given a demonstration of a hand cannon Edward III orders the weapon to be mass produced in order to allow the English Army to gain the advantage against its enemies. Despite the fact that England is a little bit late to the adaptation of gunpowder. Nethertheless Edward III see the hand cannon as a perfect weapon to use to defeat his enemies despite the fact that most of Europe already has the technology. Meanwhile, with the Rise of the Hispanic Empire, Edward III sends a message to Madrid proposing a Trade deal between England in order to gain a new Trade Partner for the Kingdom of England. (Hispanic Response Needed). Meanwhile, the Military Buildup continues as Edward III responds to the recent Lotharingian Naval Buildup with his own expanding English Navy to over 300 ships with a Flotilla of 50 ships being sent to the Strait of Dover to protect the English Fortress at Calais from any sort of Lotharigian or French attack. Meanwhile, in Gascony, the Fortifications in the area are reinforced as the English Garrison in Gascony is further increased to 10,000 Men. Seeking once more to undermine the French, Edward III sends a message to Robert I of Provence requesting an alliance with him and offering to support him in a campaign to restore the Kingdom of Arles as a means of restoring the prestige of the former Neapolitan Angevins. (Mod Response Needed)
 * Flanders and Utrecht acepts an alliance.
 * Arles cautiously accepts.
 * Calm down that military a bit.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": Peace returns to the Lowlands as Utrecht accepts a white peace with Guelders. As the Council of Mechelen was able to Mediate a peace between the two states, and so prevent the Fall of its ally. Guelders being a recent but a close ally of Lotharngia, John III of Lotharingia even asking for a Formal defensive and offesive Alliance (Mod Response). As John II at the end his life aproached Count Reginald I of Guelders, who has been succeded by his Son Reginald II. John III continuing the friendship that has been made with the County of Guelders, The archduke even promised to guarantee the county. In Julich the Council accepts the adding of two commoners and one knight to represent Gulik, this comes after the Imperial civil war. The war between Gulik and Lotharingia being the result of the tensions left over from the Imperial civil war as John III believes Gulik was sabotaging the war effort against emperor. But now the Council of Mechelen decides that the Gulikan punishment has gone far enough and they now allow them to represent themself in Malines. Hendrickus Pisacus Reginar moves in May after the bad weather has cleared from Huelva, to Tangiers. This is done after he packed all of his needed equipment into ships for the small boat trip he has to make. This boat trip only being two days long, but the unpacking of all his equipment taking a lot of time. This equipment including a lot of books on topics like History, Alchemy, Geography and Linguistics, the books on Linguistics being so that he is able to communicate somewhat with the carevans. Hendrickus also needing this linguistic help to be able to read books and Hendrick even trying to Transelate them both in Franconian and latin, even he uses Franconian more often as he is not so good in the use of latin. The lack of Lating with Hendrickus coming from the Fact that he is infact a commoner who got into his wealth and knowledge, Due to the fact he lived close to the Heyst council and was able to use it to sell a lot of Browncoal. His buisness also making him able to meet some of the Members of the council and learning to read from the church on the grounds of the Council. One of the Items he brought from His native town of Hilshet being a Branch of dried up Hollywood, Hendrickus bringing a lot of Materials in earthwork Bottles for him to reference with materials he meets. He Even had a bit of Ground from the grounds of the Council with him to give to the Great ruler of the Nation of Gold he Knows as Mali. Hendrickus Moving from Tangiers to Agadir, this trip being mostly made On cammel and Mules. Hendrickus even being forced to now finaly change his European Tunic, trousers and Hat with an Berber Aselham made of Course sheep wool. This change in dress being due to the difference in weather and Climate, although Hendrickus does keep his belt and other items that he uses a lot of. Pisacus also needing to replace his shoes as due to the distances walked his shoes had completely worn through the soles. His shoes being replaced by Sandals that have cloths wrapped inbetween them. In England the Army of Kymrien which is only a small force is ordered to make camp in the Mumbles, as the Lotharingian Archduke and merchants agree that its current mission is protecting of the small trade going to the town. This being as a lot of Welsh Wool is send to Lotharingia and the Archduke wants to make sure it is well protected from possible bandits. While John III proposes to the Emperor that the Imperial city of Aachen should become a Duality under the Emperor and the House of Reginar, as Brabant Fully serounds the city but does believe that the City is the seat of the Empire. So he Sends the Emperor his father in law a formal request to make a Duality out of the Imperial city. (Mod Response). Aachen being the City of Both Charlemagne and Otto the founder of the New Roman Empire and the Owner of the Lotharingian Cross which John III seeks to put on a new Crown of Lotharingian Realm.
 * Guelders accepts an alliance.
 * Emperor Johannes agrees to this request.
 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward, with mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. The absorbed farms are used to combat shortage while fishing becomes a largely favorable method of surviving. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are expected to be built over a period of the next year. Gradual absorption and trading with the northern Chalchihuites occurs, as the use of gold and material accessories unknown to the tribal culture allows for Tariácuri to establish an area for the Chalchihuites to exchange their agricultural goods for wealth near the Xalisco states. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This is implemented into some regions within the Empire, while the rotational method contradicts some farmer's beliefs, therefore it is only partially used in the east and at the center of the Tarascan. The next codex written, Tēotl Weitlahtokāyotl, is written by Tariácuri.
 * The united Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: After a vote in the parliament, it is decided to admit Beothuk as a protectorate state of the jarldom until it has been brought up to Greenlandic standards. In the meantime, the parliament is once again expanded with two new seats bringing it to ten seats in total. Meanwhile, the Royal cavalry guard begins hearing of a thing called a cannon and asks the jarl to purchase some from Europe. The jarl congratulates the icelandic people for becoming a monarchy.
 * Tian China: The secret efforts to prepare for war with the Mongols that have been ongoing for the last few years continue this year, as the forces become more and more well trained and armed, increase in number even more, and are prepared overall for the campaign that they shall soon be fighting. However, although the campaign had not been planned to begin for another few years, they are more than prepared for it, and an unexpected turn of events ulitimetly leads us into war with the Yuan earlier than expected, but not in an unwelcome way. Although the general in command of the northern armies had been ordered to wait for the Emperors command to attack, he had also been given the orders to sieze the initative if a great enough opprotunity arises, and that is exactly what happens this year. With the forces of the White Horde and Ozbeg Khan launching an unexpected invasion into the Northern Yuan, the barbarian usurpers are sufficientlly distracted that their forces to the east are much weakend.  This leads to us launching a suprise invasion of the Yuan and declaring war upon them to reclaim the Chinese lands that are still in there hands, and acquire a land connection to Korea. With 240,000 troops jointly led by General Mao Xieren and the Emperor invading through the lands to the west of us and forcing a major battle upon the suprised and disorganized forces in the area, who were severley weakened by the abscense of the forces sent to fight the White Horde. Our allies in Korea and Japan are also called upon to join us in our just war against the Barbarian warlords who just a few decades before had invaded there lands and murdered many of there people, and promising territorial rewards from the Yuan in the aftermath if they join us. (JAPANESE AND MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). A delegation from the Sultanate of Hindustan also arrives in Luoyang this year, shortly before the Emperor left the city to go lead his armies in the north, requesting the opening of trade between us,  we agree to do so and send our own delegation to Delhi, on the condition that they continue paying us tribute every few years, as our other trading partners all do. This is also accompanied by further fortification of our Taiwanese forts and single settlement on the island, which now has around 200 people, almost all of whom are newly imported from the mainland. Efforts to continue fighting against smuggling continue, and the evidence is increasingly seeming to point at the mysterious Black men who occasionally trade with us and some of our allies despite being unauthorized to do so. Although no action is taken for now, this posibility is continues to be investigated, as we also ask our Japanese ally to help us in investigating this possibility, since they have had far more direct contact with them than we have (JAPANESE RESPONSE NEEDED). Finally, efforts to combat piracy continue, as many more pirates are hunted down this year.
 * Hindustan Response: The Hindustani delegation accepts the offer.
 * Great Zimbabwe: The construction of Muromo Weshiri continues, with the enclosure walls for the city completed and construction of the port facilities new taking place. Shona merchants have already begun to purchase sites within the city itself to open their businesses and begin trading with the foreigners and selling the fish caught at sea by the Shona fishermen. At present, some 5,000 people live within the boundaries set for Muromo Weshiri by the king and his government, however, it is expected that this population will soon eclipse that of most settlements in the region, such as neighboring Sofala. The number of Shona seafarers increases considerably, with the number of individuals working at sea or in trades related to fishing and sailing, totally approximately 160,000 people in all divided between the two port cities of Muromo Wenyika and Muromo Weshiri and their respective districts. Several Shona have turned to building their own ships in the manner of the Arabs and Indians with whom they have had many interactions over the years through their trading relations. Many of the local shipbuilders have been met with considerable success in their ventures, with several of the larger designs coming to replace foreign-built vessels due to their cheaper costs and more fine-tuned structure tailored to the littoral needs of the inhabitants. These vessels constructed by the Shona use the lateen sails and deep-water hulls of Arab dhows and baghlahs, but with local African influences of the Swahili such as raised prows and sewn hulls on the smaller boats used by the fishermen of the coastline. Within the interior, the cultivation of rice across the northern regions of Zimbabwe has come to displace sorghum as the kingdom's primary source of food, with the majority of Shona now subsisting off of rice rations allotted to them by the state. Though previously unuse to the bountiful harvests provided by the cultivation of rice, the Shona have since adapted quickly to its three to four harvests a year, and have since expanded many of their storehouses to properly stockpile the large amounts of food brought in over the year. Naturally, the Shona population has begun to enter into a rapid expansion phase as the increase in food production has now allowed for a higher cap on the number of people sustainable with the current level of available food. It is suspected by the royal court that the number of subjects in the empire will for the first time surpass more than a million souls by the end of the decade, allowing for goals once impossible for a kingdom with a population as small as Zimbabwe's. Elsewhere, the literacy campaign of Shohiwa begins to bear fruit, with his teachers turning out the first batch of educated individuals capable of reading and writing within Zimbabwe as a part of a concerted effort to increase the kingdom's literacy rate, with 1,179 individuals added to the Zimbabwe's pool of literate citizens. Prior to the campaign, only some 800 people throughout all of Zimbabwe, about 0.1 percent of the nation's overall population, were able to read and write. Of these, about a third agreed to serve as teachers for Shohiwa on behalf of the king, and educate a modest number of people in small groups of about seven students each, all of them are personally mentored by a teacher residing in their city. Within the first two years of the literacy campaign within the upper levels of the kingdom's people, some 1,200 individuals have been added to the literate population, increasing their share from 0.1 percent to 0.25 percent of the total population. Seeking to help expand the number of literate people in the nation, Shohiwa is authorized by the prince regent on behalf of the king to reach out many of the former students and ask them if they would be willing to volunteer as literacy teachers, of which some 300 of the graduates have agreed. Using printed documents produced in Lusvingo, Mapumgubwe, Danangombe, and Muromo Wenyika, the teachers are able to standardize their materials in line with Shohiwa's direction, allowing them to simplify their courses and ensure a universal education of education for their students to comprehend without issue. Thanks to the small number of the kingdom's inhabitants, the adoption of a standard system of weights and measurements along with the monetization of the economy, has been implemented rather smoothly by the state. Nearly all transactions in the kingdom are conducted in exchange for gold, sillver, or copper coins, though bartering is still present in the rural sections of the kingdom where the penetration of the new monetary system has yet to reach. King Kutonga's health has begun to fail rapidly, with the once mighty warrior-king no longer able to leave his quarters in Lusvingo, and must be feed boiled and mashed foods by his wives and servants as he is no longer able to eat unassisted on his own. Though only in his early-sixties, the king has lived a rough life as expected of a man of his station within the region of southern Africa. Consequently, his body has been damaged extensively, bringing him closer to death than would have otherwise been found in other parts of the globe. In his steed, his son and the regent of Zimbabwe, Akashinga, continues to promote many of the policies and developments throughout the kingdom that his father championed. In light of the successes attained by Shohiwa and his aids, Akashinga establishes the Ministry of Knowledge as a segment of the royal court responsible for marshaling the resources and manpower needed to educate the people of Zimbabwe. Shohiwa is placed in change of this body, and ordered to continue his works in the name of King Kutonga. In the city of Khami, Farai continues to develop his teachings for a wider audience of people, many of whom are now regularly attending the speeches made by Farai on the nature of human interactions and faith as a whole. His writings detail the ideals of a strong work ethic, a system of justice maintained for the good of the people rather than the good of their rulers, the humane treatment of the poor and downtrodden, the pursuit of knowledge and the promotion of logic and reason, and loyalty to the idea of the state as reflected by the king and his court, rather than for the man himself and his administrators. His teachings gain him much notoriety, though Farai has now attracted the attention of the government through the direction of the prince regent, who feels that his future reign as king will be threatened by the secularist and humanist teachings of Farai. His father while ailing, refuses to authorize Farai's death at the hands of his son's warriors, as he sympathizes with the scholar's ideas. For now, Akashinga must wait, holding out that his father's death will come soon enough, allowing the prince to remove this threat to the kingdom and its future king.
 * Merchant House of Munashe: Trade with the Japanese continues as the merchants of Munashe bring in all items that the Japanese could not source themselves either locally or regionally, using their system of storehouses to maintain a constant supply of any goods the Japanese find themselves desirous of. In the lands of India, the merchants move to reach a favorable trade deal with the powerful Sultanate of Hindustan, which has come to dominate most of the Indian subcontinent. As is standard protocol, the merchants depart for India with a series of gifts and large sums of money, both to woo the sultan and his courtiers, but likewise to highlight the wealth and prestige of the merchant house and their ability to deliver goods of great rarity. In the south, the number of sites within Mombasa controlled by the merchants continues to grow, as Munashe spearheads a soft campaign to buy out rival merchants or encourage them to join his enterprise and gain access to markets far beyond their usual reach. An entire quarter of the city has been dominated by the merchants, who use their vast wealth to buy out their competitors and bring many of the residence into compliance as workers and porters for the merchant house's ships. In the city's shipyards, additional vessels are constructed and completed for Munashe's fleet of trade baghlahs, increasing his fleet from thirty-five vessels to approximately forty-three by the end of the year. Munashe returns home to Mombasa with his family and new wife Sala, who chaffs at the idea of living among heathens and pirates. Though not comfortable with her new life with a merchant prince and his subordinates, Sala has come to find contentment in Mombasa and satisfaction at no longer being a slave in Indonesia. While reading through the documents assembled by Munashe and his aides on the trading routes of the South China Sea, Sala comes across the information revealing that Munashe was responsible for organizing the smuggling operations into southern China to move bibles and other information opposed to the Tian dynasty's rule. Though she understands that he did so purely for financial gain rather than humanitarian beliefs, Sala's demeanor toward her husband changes into a strongly positive one, and she encourages Munashe to continue his operations in China and to aide the Christians there however he can. In the far north, Munashe's merchants continue to establish themselves in the lands of Egypt, hoping to establish a safe and stable over-land trade route that can be used by Munashe's men to sell their goods to the Persians, Syrians, Turks, and Greeks, as a long-term plan to break into the European markets. Back home, Munashe and his inner circle scheme to track down new centers of trade yet unknown to the rest of the world, and begin to send out large ships and crews across the ocean to look for new sites to trade with and new lands that can be used for their resources to sell to other locations.
 * Republic of Milan: The first victory in Cyprus is viewed as a sign that we should continue pushing forward and as such Milanese forces continue the cannons assist with taking down the heavy fortifications of Cyprus. The forces are lead by Galleazzo’s brother Luchino who has learned at the feet of the great Galleazzo and continues to employ his tactics in battle. The force continues to expand its influence on the island of Cyprus and a blockade is set up around the Island in order to prevent anyone from getting in or out without direct permission from the ruler of Milan. The forces begin to move toward the capital and are ordered tobesSiege the capital. (Algo needed)  Azzone Visconti begins to look for a wife and many suitors come about throughout Milan. However, Azzone looks bigger as he looks to secure his control of Milan, he looks to Antonia De Medici a 22-year-old woman known for her ability with numbers and understanding of the banks. Azzone and Antonia instantly connect and many throughout Milan and Florence begin to notice the amount of time spent together as such Azzone requests Antonia's hand in marriage. (Mod response needed).
 * The marriage is agreed upon
 * Abassid Caliphate: The forces at Mosul comprise of a small garrison of 5,000, caught completely by surprised at the army of 50,000 Tabrizians who have swept through the land virtually unopposed because of its sheer suddeness. The garrison is simply defending because that's what they do, defend from invaders, it's a battle of indifference and blind obligation. In Baghdad, however, the fighting is fierce and fervent, as the 10,000 strong Holy Guardians fight off the 20,000 Tabrizians house by house, the Caliph declaring this a Holy War for the Soul and Purification of Islam, heavily fortifiying in the Great Mosque of Baghdad, calling it the Citadel of Truth, where most of the fighting takes place in the later stages of the siege. Some in Baghdad rally to both sides, the Shah and the Caliph alike, but most stay in their homes and defend themselves and their families picking up their swords in defense of their own survival. Though the Shah and the Caliph fight each other the true ruler is Chaos, God having abandoned this place long ago. General Al-Amin recieves news of the Shah invading the Caliph while beseiging Acre, and immediately departs the siege with his 20,000 men unto Aleppo, where he declares himself Sultan of Aleppo and consolidates his lands and forces by subduing the Syrian rebels, the Syrian Underground, forcing them underground once again, and calls upon all the Taymiyyah faithful pick up their swords and save the Caliph from death and destruction, both new Holy Warriors and the soldiers beseiging Acre once they have completed their conquest. (Mod Tamiyyah Response, Please) Sultan Al-Amin builds up and trains his amassing forces in Aleppo, preparing to counterstrike the Shah of Tabriz and his forces in order to save the righteous Caliph. The Sultan's domain, Aleppine Cicilia, is the only place that prospers during this chaos, acting as a connecting points for two famous explorers in 1332 and the merchants and people who follow them on their journey, increasing its fame and attracting more and more people, God has truly blessed Cicilia! The connection brings more connection as new ship designs are implemented from all around the Mediterranean while our ships set sail across the Mediterranean bringing vast wealth on lucrative trade routes, specifically with Alexandria and Venice. A ten percent comission of these profits is given to the Soldier King/Sultan Al-Amin, which he uses to fund his mass amassing of forces to save the Caliph.
 * Mod Response: As their plate is already full, any semblance of organized Taymiyyah aid does not arrive. However, some local and like-minded people pick up arms numbering roughly 2,000 people.
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The provinces of Lahore and Multan are merged into the province of Punjab. Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, the Sultan’s younger brother is made the Governor of Punjab with the capital at Lahore. The Sultan visits the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and orders the renovation of the Dargah. With the knowledge of Arabic hydrology, the Sultanate embarks on a massive irrigation project in the Punjab region. The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. The navy continues to be expanded with the help of experts from the South.
 * Free-City of Lübeck: A new year dawns on Lübeck; last year, to celebrate Lüneburg and its profitable salt trade, the Weihnachtsstadt was themed for Brunswick-Lüneburg. The city council and the richest men in northern Germany – one in the same for all intents and purposes – celebrated in joyous merriment. The Abbey at Göldenitz supplies the ale at this Christmas celebration. Brewed with marzipan, one of northern Germany's creature comforts, this ale reflects the regional culture: one of warmth, welcoming, and subtle decadence. Furthermore, it utilizes hops in its brewing process, making it truly a revolutionary ale. The brewers of Einbeck, which began this style known as a Bock, aided in the brewing process. The Göldenlitz 1300 Bock earns its reputation across the region as one of Germany's best. One of its most coveted. And, after the guilds purchase the bulk of the Göldenitz wares, one of its rarest. For but a brief month, Göldenlitz's 1330 Stout earns its reputation. The members of the Rat especially drink it in droves, driving up the price. In the meantime, the Sinterklaasfeest festivities led to a particularly charitable season, meaning other beer was more affordable. This led to many members of the Rat becoming intoxicated – horribly so. Albrecht von Bardewik, in fact, drank so much he suffered from acute alcohol poisoning. In the days after New Year's, he dies from complications due to alcohol poisoning. The previous year's Weihnachtsstadt goes down in legend as perhaps the idealized and famous examples of Medieval Christmas, as well as German Christmas for quite some time. Göldenlitz 1300 Bock goes down in history as Die Bürgermeistermörder – "The Mayor Killer." Göldenlitz tries to reproduce the formula and does to a certain extent, but those at the Weihnachtsstadt swear that it isn't the same. The Tagfahrt convenes and Arnold von Bardewik takes the place of his father as a Bürgermeister of Lübeck, becoming the newest and therefore leading member of the three mayors. The other seat possessed by Albrecht von Bardewik goes to Hans Lüneburg. Arnold von Bardewik, who also assumes a seat on the council of Lauenburg. He immediately begins to allocate funds to the route between Lübeck and Lauenburg. This project, which had been his prior to his father's death, now had full funding. Von Bardewik plans on creating an artificial canal to Lauenburg for Baltic trade. The plans are ambitious, expensive, and lauded by the council of Hamburg. The peasantry, however, begin to relocate to areas near this trade route as it is constructed, bringing increased agricultural productivity to the region as they make the region their homes. Though this increased population of otherwise poor men causes strife in older elements of the Hanseatic League, the younger entrepreneurs see this as a means of providing the League with an even easier way to transport salt through the Baltic. In the meantime, some enterprising ship captains begin establishing Hanseatic outposts along Jutland against the permission of the Danish crown. Though the crown stands to lose, the Magistrates stand to gain from this increased trade. Other captains begin doing the same on Pomerania. Though this activity was already taking place against the wishes of the Duchy for some time, this increased Hanseatic pressure on the Pomeranian market, coupled with the salt monopoly held by Lübeck, means Pomerania is going to be feeling the weight of the Hanseatic punishment for years to come. The Hanseatic League offers loans at a 1.2x rate to Bohemia in its attempts to fight the Polish rebels, along with reduced rates on Hanseatic mercenaries. As the Polish lords are in competition with a friend of the Hanseatic League, they face severe economic penalties.

1333
''' With Cyprus barely hanging on after narrowly winning the Siege of Nicosia, they sacrificed all their Asiatic territories to the Mamluk Sultanate. The Taymiyyah forces proceed to loot the Christian Holy Sites in Jerusalem and Bethlehem. They manage to pull off a stunning victory against the Shia forces that rescues the Caliph in Baghdad, although the Sultanate of Mosul is overrun in the process. '''

''' Further east, the Turkmen invaders cause the Kingdom of Khoreson to collapse, and split into various smaller Emirates: Herat, Sabzewar, Samarkhand, Hyrcania, and Kirman. The Sultanate of Zanj survives but is sacked, and their Sultan is captured alive. '''

''' With all their military sent to the far east against the Yuan Dynasty, a revolt takes place at the city of Sarai to restore control to the Golden Horde, under the leadership of Jani Beg. The remaining vassals of the Golden Horde in Yaroslav, Moscow, and Nogai support Jani with a total of 60,000 troops. '''

''' In the far east, a great famine strikes central and southwestern parts of China, killing over 700,000 people this year. '''

''' But Europe is not safe from troubles. A famine strikes across the Mediterranean states of Iberia, Naples, and Byzantium, being a late-stage aftershoke of the 1315 famine of decades earlier. '''

''' Ibn Battuta travels north from Anatolia from the port of Sinope in Kastromanou, and crosses the Black Sea to land in Feodosia in Crimea. He continues on to enter the White Horde territory, visiting the royal court at the city of Astrakhan. He then turns back to move through the Empire of Bulgaria, and arrives this year at the city of Constantinople, where he meets with the Emperor at Hagia Sofia. '''

''' John Maunderville travels into the Middle East himself, visitng both the Great Mosques in Mosul and Baghdad, and admiring all the religious sites of Islam, while also noting the sites of famous cities of Biblical times. '''

''' In Japan, the Buddhist preacher Nikko Shonin brings a large following to the teachings of Nichiren Buddhism. In paritcular, he predicts that the recent political turmoil and natural disasters in Japan are a sign of the end times, or the "Latter Day of the Law". '''
 * The White Horde: The Horde sent 120,000 soldiers across the Hoxi Corridor into Wuwei to stand by Tian, as thanks for their help in taking out the Yuan remnant. But at home Ozbeg's mind starts to dwindle more, as he loses track of what is real and what isn't.


 * Iceland: King Ólaf takes the throne crowned by the pope himself, Ari Arason returns as Archbishop of Iceland. A year of fertility for the Icelandic Population as 4,000 kids enter the world. Ari Arason builds a Hospital near the Grand Church named St. Thorlaks Hospital. 500 People are moved to an inland farming town named Ólafsborg. The new King builds a small Manor in Seyðifjörð which will act as a small museum and the Mayor’s Home. A Theatre is Built in Akureyri and the first play shown is Kjalnesinga Saga which gets great reviews. The Jarl of Greenland to see the play (Greenland Response Needed).
 * Hindustan Sultanate: Asif Faiz, a noted agronomist in the Madrassa of Dholka, compiles a book on Indian agriculture, extensively detailing the practices for growing many crops in the various regions of India. The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. A naval administration is created under Fateh Khan headquartered in Khambhat. The navy is expanded to 200 ships and divided into squadrons. Exports to Ethiopia, Somalia and the Swahili increase. Trade with China also increases. A delegation is sent to Ethiopia and another one is sent to Mombassa to establish better trade relations. (ETHIOPIA PLAYER AND SWAHILI MOD RESPONSE). Trade with Zimbabwe is also increased. The abrupt severing of trade with Arabia has an adverse effect as many businesses are disrupted in the coastal region. This is partly offset by opening up of new trade with other nations. The sudden influx of the Turkman people in the East has alerted the Chalisa and the Sultan. As Khorasan falls and the Sultan of Zaranj is captured, it is decided that it will be best to establish friendly relations with them. To this effect delegations are sent to the many new nations (MOD RESPONSE). A force of four tumen is stationed in the Kabulistan province. A force of five tumen under Malik Kafur attacks Modasa. Siege weapons and hand cannons are used. (ALGO REQUIRED)
 * Swahili states accepts trade.
 * Ethiopia Dip: Ethiopia gladly agrees to better trade relations and a formal trade agreement.
 * All the new nations open friendly relations with India. The Turkmans demand that Delhi pays a one-time tribute to them in order to keep peace.
 * Republic of Venice: Having established a large naval presence in the Thyrrenean Sea, the Venetian navy sets up garrisons along the Corsican coast. Instead of a colonial government, Corsica is organized into three provinces under the direct Venetian rule. However, the region is given a large degree of autonomy. The Corse citizens are not conscripted into labour programs to improve the infrastructure. However, many citizens and former pirates are hired to engage in a campaign against the last remaining pirate holdings. The Pirates who are arrested (and usually executed) are stripped from their wealth, weapons and ships, which are handed over to Venetian officials in Bastia. The Milanese war against Cyprus is aided, 200 ships with 30,000 men are sent to Northern Cyprus, to occupy the region while the majority of the Cyprean army is off fighting the Milanese. A landing is attempted in Kyrenia  preceded by a constant bombardment the previous night, preventing the soldiers stationed in the city from sleeping and destroying fortifications. (ALGO NEEDED) The Icelandic request for a scholar unfortunately has to be declined, due to the current domestic need for them. However, many copies of scientific, philosophical and theological literature can be lended to Iceland instead (ICELAND RESPONSE PLEASE). Speaking of scholars: many intellectuals who are specialists in mathematics and physics, the first mortars are developed, conceptualized to be installed on a ships deck, to prevent enemy vessels from being able to properly maneuver and to cause chaos on deck. SECRET A trade deal is offered to Naples, with which food, wheat in particular, would be given to Naples to just one-tenth of the normal price, but Naples would have to import textiles, spices and porcelain exclusively from Venice. (NAPLES/MOD RESPONSE NEEDED) Furthermore, interest rates could be lowered for Neapolitalean businessmen and the state when they conduct their banking via Venetian banking houses instead of Milanese ones. However, this is an optional possibility and not directly tied to the treaty itself. SECRET END The grain and wine production of Corsica is massively increased, as new farming methods become widely accepted among the peasants, who are increasingly encouraged to become more than subsistence farmers and bring their crops to the market.
 * Naples accepts the secret deal.
 * Tibet: Changchub and his army trip conquering an unknown place in the territory south of Tibet after the siege of Dzong he send among 14,000 soldiers in the territory and governing on it whoever Changchub return at his palace Royal Tibeteans they're establish some colony territory on Tibet with his control dynasty of Phagmodrupa this night Changchub walked in the place among most of Phagmodrupa soldier Royal he say that most of enemy on our colony have been escape on our influence territory and by the way, he send it again most of 12,000 soldiers and cavalry they're attacking the enemy on the territory and launch cannon result the victory at the enemy who ever Changchub demanda nicely to the enemy to not fiught and battle again in the morning the citizen of Phagmodrupa building scholar, and university from businessmen at the state the university is first established by the dynasty and their scholars, farewell in the north his army continues his trip conquer a day.
 * Crown of Castile-Aragon: With success after military success in finishing the reconquista, what is believed to be the last battle begins at San Diego. 45,000 men strong gather surrounding of what remains if Granada's Army. The Cavalry and long arrow Arching Groups ready themselves. King Alfonso himself joins the battle. He waves a united banner, a red cross with jagged edges on a plain white flag, a symbol of blood, a symbol of unity, and a symbol of pride under God. A demand of surrender is given to the remaining men in San Diego. For if they do now, they will receive mercy, and if not, they may face complete annihilation and may God have mercy on their souls (Mod Response). The men are ready to continue the charge first with the archers swooping in with flamed arrows launching grenades and using cannons to deliver shock and disarray. Following this, the infantry would come in and charge into the panicked men hacking away while having them isolated to the shore. The cavalry would then swoop in and overwhelm from behind and by the sides while any defenses would be brought down prior using siege weapons. With the decimation of most piracy in Castilian and Aragonese waters, trade continues to prosperously blossom with the expansion of docks. More revenue and income allows for the renovation of various forts and expansion of such in Cagliari and Porto Torres becoming important areas of trade in the mediteranean on the island of Sardinia. Palermo and Catania also see expansion of fortifications and a wall to protect the cities begin having investments added to them. The simplified versions of Castilian and Aragonese languages continue to spread into Sicily and Sardinia while its grip takes hold already in Hispanic Morocco where communication locally in Ceuta, Melilla and Tangier are centered around this system. Prince Francisco continues to grow and be raised by his mother and royal servants in Toledo. Vineyards across Hispania and the Mediteranean continue to output high quality wine although as a result of a famine that has taken hold in Iberia, wine prices rise to maintain profit while cheaper quality increases to allow for some variable of affordability. Meanwhile, produce raised from the valleys and irrigated farmlands see outputs lower as well with collectives of communities relying off each other for the sake of securance of supply to prevent death and starvation. The crown ensures imports and rationing across municipalities to protect against the famine with the same being applied across areas affected within the realm. Commercial fishing is increased in Sicily and the Mediteranean to provide a sustainable source of food while an emphasis in trade focus continues to allow products of high value such as Ivory, Gold, Coffee, Salt, Copper, and Palm Oil to be imported and then exported abroad across Europe creating and generating profit allowing for a means of damage control within the economy as a result of the famine. This also includes products produced within Hispania consisting of Olive Oil, various products of produce, Wine, Wool, Livestock, Fish, and Cereals and other various goods that see exports. Carusso by his service in the Mediteranean further gains status through his heroism as being the leading head of the Admiralty. His tactics and means of discipline stretch over the Hispanic Naval Sphere. Despite being ruthless, he offers pirates the opportunity of being a part of the navy under Castile and Aragon giving high positions to those who show loyalty for the good of the motherland and have had high levels of experience on the unforgiving sea. The great libraries and schools of Toledo, Barcelona, and Zaragoza continue to expand with new works of literature being added in great numbers from across Europe and even Arabia where translations are made for easier means of understanding. These new translations take into account as well the linguistic diversity of Iberia applying the simplistic translation or what is referred to as "Hispanic Script" to the translated versions to be read by the general populace across the region. The block community structures continue to be developed and networks through roads continue to advance further. Physicians continue as well helping the ill as more and more rise to prominence and take a more professional approach through the means of courses and classes in higher schools of learning by scholarly works but also through the means of enlightenment through reading from medical books at the great libraries. These professionals begin to make classes of their own elsewhere using their knowledge and spreading it on. This as a result opens schools of medicine in Toledo, Zaragoza, Madrid, and Valencia. These new institutions as a result grow through the means of demand for higher grade physicians. As the reconquista comes to a close, King Alfonso and the Council of Hispania move on to bring about a new title for the nation. More facilities are established in Valencia, A Coruna and Barcelona to allow for the expansion of Naval Capabilities and means of construction of vessels while new facilities are established in Ceuta to allow for further production. Lumber and Iron find easy ways of making it to these areas of production in Iberia by means of networks by road raising the speed further than it had been in the past, increasing the efficiency of industry and the arsenals that have supplied the Crown's War Machine overseas and abroad. With naval activity continuing alongside Naples and Sicily, basing is expanded to the Latin Empire for patrols in support of protected shipping in waters.
 * Japanese Empire: Emperor Daigo, in poor health and seeking to live the rest of his life in peace and tranquility working his artisanship and painting in Traditional Japanese styles. His first painting is noted to be a massive mural in the the Throne room allowed by the new Emperor, his Son Katsumoto Yamato known simply as "Katsumoto the Tempest". Katsumoto funny enough holds the Yamato court this year changing the throne room for one month into the council chambers of the court, the Mural of Emperor Go-Daigo crushing the Minamoto standing triumphant behind them. He reveals the request of the Chinese Tian emperor that the Japanese empire join in the war against the Northern Yuan. This sees some protest from some of the lords with the notable Amago Lord Isorichi claiming "Japan has just entered into its period of prosperity, why squander it on such an adventure." Another lord, this time the Tachibana lord Aichi responds. "My father fought and died against the Yuan. My uncle spent years trying to survive in the new northern province of Hokkaido, and all this suffering and destruction is a direct result of both of the Yuan invasions. We must strike back for the sake of the honor of our fathers, and the honor of Japan, and most importantly the Honor of Japan!" This is met with murmurs only to be silenced by the new Emperor Katsumoto. Young and driven, the 18 year old Emperor shows his hand. He had spent the previous year quietly funding and expanding the army. It had been taken from the Emperors personal retinues and quietly brought about by lords sympathetic with abdicated Emperor Daigos want to expand Japanese land holdings. The Army had been doubled. From 30,000 to 65,000 and the the naval buildup had not been done purely to defend the coastline and trade routes. The emperor declares his support for the Tian emperor and the Japan marches to war. The Economy remains under a year of lesser but still standard growth as funding the army has taken precedence. The Japanese forces marshall near the coast looking to sail over to Yuan controlled Manchuria and slam into the relatively unprotected coast which had been raided previous years by the Japanese navy. (more to come)
 * Swiss Confederacy: Hearing of the fall of Cypriot control in Acre and thereby the loss of the remaining territories gained by Christendom in the Heathens' Crusade, Bishop of Chur Ulrich V von Lenzburg urges Pope Sixtus IV to declare a new Crusade to the Holy Land. (Papal response) In light of the recent famines in Europe, the central council of the Swiss Confederacy sends an envoy to the Republic of Milan, proposing a trade alliance/agreement in which crops and other foodstuffs from Milan would be traded for wool, linens and lumber from the Confederacy. (Milan response) The Confederacy also proposes a similar trade alliance/agreement with the city of Zürich, the most populous city in the region and a centre for trade. (Mod response) Domestically, the canton governments work on improving and expanding farms, especially in the cantons of Schwyz and Uri. The military focuses on fortifying the city of Lucerne, the most populous city currently in the Swiss Confederacy. Construction of the small chapel at Chur Cathedral is completed.
 * Zurich agrees to trade and ally with the Swiss.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV says that he will call a new crusade when the Famine ends.
 * Milan Diplomacy: Milan accepts this trade agreement looking specifically for the lumber to assist in ship construction.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Following the Oobja tribes’ submission to Ethiopia and conversion to Christianity, the leaders of each major tribe are invited to Barara to attend a baptism and pledge their loyalty to the crown of Ethiopia. Following their baptisms and pledges they are formally made Ras of the Empire. In exchange for Amda Seyon not appointing Imperial governors to oversee the newly incorporated lands, the Oobja tribal leaders agree to allow the Emperor to build a port city on their coast line (in modern day Assab). The Emperor orders the construction of a massive port city, envisioning it to be the gateway from Asia to Africa. As such, the new port is named "Beri", or gateway in the native Amharic tongue. Built at the entrance to the Red Sea and as close to the Arabian Peninsula as possible, the port is meant to be both an economic hub and a military stronghold meant to assert Ethiopian might over the nearby sea. After Makuria and Banu Kanz agree to allow Coptics fleeing the Tamiyyah-fueld destruction of Christian communities to pass through their country to Ethiopia, Amda Seyon arranges for as many Christians as possible to be settled in Ethiopia. Intellectuals, doctors, philosophers and clergymen are specifically invited to reside at the capital, with Amda Seyon hoping to use their knowledge to build Ethiopia. The refugees also relay the horrific tales of mass murder and persecution that the Tamiyyah radicals are carrying out. Word of this brutality spreads, and Amda Seyon capitalizes from the outrage to propose an alliance to all nearby Christian states, stating that with a threat as dangerous and as violent as the Tamiyyah sect in Egypt all the East African Christian kingdoms must ally to protect Christianity. As such Ethiopia, already allied to Alodia, offers Makuria and Damot an alliance with Ethiopia. The Emperor proposes an alliance of Christian kingdoms who will each aid each other in case of a Muslim attack [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Trade from India continues to pour into the Kingdom, and the markets of Ethiopia are filled with faraway valuable goods such as spices, perfumes and more. With the infrastructure of Ethiopia continuing to be developed, trade flows a little easier in certain parts of the country. The Mali engineers and their Ethiopian laborers continue to clear jungle and create dirt roads throughout most of Ethiopia. Several market towns are founded near the western borders in order to provide an easier place to trade with the Mali merchants. A trade route begins to form as merchants carry Indian goods westward to Mali.
 * Makuria and Damot accepts alliance.


 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward, with mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are finally built. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This is finally implemented into all regions of the Empire, allowing for the end of the short famine and a short boost in population. The policy of no mercy, as well as continued metallurgy advances, allows for the idealization of newer, more brutal weapon concepts to be implemented, including the longbow, a lighter pike, and the battle axe. These are expected to be implemented by next year into the primary forces. The military is re-invigorated although with harsher military training and is mostly filled with volunteers, currently topping off at 10,500, although it is expected to rise in the coming years. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. The various southern warlords of the Chalchihuites continue to be traded with.
 * Papal States: With another Famine affecting Europe, pope Sixtus IV intensifies the works of charity. Once again food is given by the religious orders across the Papal States. The pontiff welcomes the Coptic clergys that fled from the persecutions in Alexandria. These muslins' attacks are worrying the pope, now the heathens are looting the Holy Land. When the crisis of the famine ends, something will be done about these heathens. Cardinal Roger writes to Iceland, Venice, Milan and the Bishoprics of the Holy Roman Empire asking for the creation of Ecclesial Tribunals in their nations to help oversee cases of corruption by the clergy [Players and MOD response needed, please]. The university of Rome continues to be built and books start to be gathered to be placed in its library. The repairs of buildings continues across the Papal States.
 * Milan Diplomacy: Milan looking to become the first to adopt this installs it with both the cardinal of Florence as well as Milan.
 * Iceland Dip: Iceland installs the Tribunals as well.
 * Kingdom of England : In preparation for his planned endeavours in France, Edward III decides to focus on Scotland. With the recent death of Robert I in 1329 and his son David II who is currently nine years of age, Edward III decides to take the advantage given that both France and Scotland are ruled by Child kings. Deciding to strike on Scotland First, Edward III decides to launch an invasion of Scotland in an attempt to install Edward Balliol as a Puppet ruler for Scotland. In July 1333, an Army of 12,000 English Soldiers launch an invasion of Scotland under the Command of Henry de Beaumont with Edward III calling the Lordship of Ireland to launch a separate invasion on the West Coast of Scotland with a Force of 7,500 Men with the 6,500 English troops in Ireland assisting them (Irish Response Needed). With this Henry marches towards Edinburgh in order to seize control of Southern Scotland and prepare to besiege the Scottish Capital of Scorn once the Irish troops land on the West Coast (Algo for Invaison of Scotland Please). Meanwhile, in order to prevent the French from ever assisting the Scots, Edward III orders the English Fleet to sink any French vessel transporting troops that might be deployed to Scotland while having the English Forces in Gascony fortify their positions in case of a French Attack. Meanwhile, Edward III begins to have second thoughts on his alliance with Utrecht and decides against it still keeping the alliance but largely deciding to ignore any sort of call to arms from Utrecht. With Lotharingia continue to distance itself from England Edward III begins considering boycotting the Archduchy of Lotharingia and halting all trade with them but unsure of such an action decides to consult his advisors on what to do (Mod Response Needed). Meanwhile, Edward III continues to seek new allies in France having done so with the Duke of Provence and begins focusing his attention on the Duchy of Brittany where the Duke of Brittany is seeking to contest the claims of his half-brother John of Montfort. Seeking to gain the support of Brittany for his upcoming campaigns in France, Edward III sends a message to the Duke of Brittany proposing a wedding arrangement between John of Eltham, Edward III’s younger brother and the Duke’s heiress Joan of Penthievre while offering the Duke of Brittany support against John of Montfort in the succession to the Duchy of Brittany. (Briton Response Needed).
 * Zimbabwe: At the age of 62, King Kutonga dies in the royal enclosure in Lusvingo surrounded by his family, advisors, and most loyal servants, having ruled over Zimbabwe for some twenty years and presided over the most transformative period in the kingdom's history to date. His eldest son and the prince regent of Zimbabwe, Akashinga, ascends to the throne in a lively ceremony where the former king is buried at a holy site not far from the capital, and his most cherished possessions buried by his side. A period of mourning is declared by the new king in honor of his father, and a great feast held for the transition of the throne from father to son. Wasting no time in his elevated position of power, Akashinga begins to drastically overhaul the military forces of the kingdom to fit the future goals he has planned for the nation under his reign. Many of the steeds bred within Zimbabwe have reached maturity, and have begun their training as war mounts for the warriors of Zimbabwe. The importation of Arabian horses continues under Akashinga with the goal of supplementing the growing population of Zimbabwean steeds already being bred within the country itself. The number of horses brought in each year from Arabia had been increased from 240 to 300 in 1330 under Akashinga's direction shortly before his installment as the kingdom's regent, adding an additional 900 horses to Zimbabwe's estimated 12,000 believed to be in the land since the census three years ago. Having had great success using horses to wipe out Nguni and San warriors in the south and west, Akashina mandates that all Shona warriors within the kingdom be trained in the riding of horses as part of their royal military service to the king. So far, the stables in Lusvingo and Mapumgubwe have been training hundreds of Shona warriors and elites in horsemanship, but have done so in manageable numbers in line with the size of their staffs and available steeds. Akashinga had been responsible for instituting the mandatory three-year training regimen for his personal host of warriors to learn how to ride the creatures themselves, the amount of time it would take to become reasonable capable in equestrian pursuits be it for war or leisure. Because of this timescale, the stables in the two great cities are unable to train all 12,000 warriors of the kingdom at once. The king's advisers move to temper his ambitions, and suggest that he develop a system that will accommodate his goals while not stressing the ability of the royal stables to manage his demands. As such, the king decrees that a Ministry of War shall be established and staffed by his most trusted companions to oversee the training and management of the warriors in the kingdom, as well as the royal stables, the king's herd of horses in the capital, and the housing the warriors families while they are away on campaign. The king also moves to introduce a number of structural reforms into the army of warriors that his father had blocked or ignored in favor of the more traditional system of a call to arms practiced throughout Africa. Akashinga organizes his warriors into five categories based on their role within the military; the akapikira (royal bodyguards), the muzinda (royal field army), misasa (mobile field armies), macheto (frontier garrisons), and vavhimi (mounted patrol). He names the overarching host of warriors within Zimbabwe the Vakadanwa, meaning "they were called", referencing their livelihoods as soldiers in service to the king. In a drastic break from tradition, after calling his men to arms to access their capabilities, the king does not dismiss them to their homes, instead keeping them at arms throughout the year. While some of his advisers are concerned that the warriors may become restless and bitter at their continued service, the king moves to compensate them for permanent all-year mobilization, using the recent monetization of Zimbabwe's economy to pay all warriors three silver fedha per day. Seeking to give them something to do with all of their free time since they aren't to be dismissed, the king implements a series of regular training regimens to keep the warriors in shape and their senses sharp, as well as placing them in their own enclosures at locations throughout the kingdom with their families and livestock, separating them from the general population so as to ensure the warrior spirit can be strengthened rather than diluted. Understanding that he cannot keep of his men at arms for the rest of their lives, Akashinga introduces a twenty-year period of service for all men called upon to serve as warriors at the expense of the state. Additionally, he radically alters the weaponry of the warriors to fit more into the method of war he used while fighting the Nguni more than a decade ago. He has all of the spears shortened, which now requires his men to move closer to an enemy to kill them, forcing them to be more aggressive and proactive in battle rather than defensive and reactive. He removes all javelins from the storehouses of the army, and introduces a punishment for all men should they be found without their stabbing spear. His reasoning for this is that by throwing their weapon at the enemy, they have effectively given them an additional weapon, as well as disarmed themselves for the rest of the battle. All men in the kingdom are now liable for drafting into the armies of the king, though for a period of ten years as opposed to the twenty years for a volunteer. With his military reforms largely complete, Akashinga moves on to domestic issues, namely, the persecution of all those who threaten his reign. For years, the teachings of Farai had undermined the authority of the king, as he spread the ideals of a nobility based on virture and spirit rather than a nobility of blood, effective calling for a merit-based hierarchy; the harmony of faith and reason and a removal of fanaticism and close-mindedness; an education for all men and women in the kingdom rather than just the elite; an elimination of the inequality of wealth and power granted by the kingdom's vast wealth; and limitation of the powers held by Zimbabwe's absent corrupt religious leaders. Wasting no time at all, Akashinga sends 1,000 mounted warriors to hunt down and apprehend Farai in Khami, and set fire to his home and writings. Farai escapes the city and evades capture in the bush, though his home and possessions are destroyed in the process. Wisely however, Farai had several copies of his works printed and distributed throughout the kingdom, leading to a rise in the number of Shona following this new ideology known as Faraism. The construction of Muromo Weshiri is completed, and the port opened up for trade with the foreign peoples of the lands surrounding the Indian Ocean and beyond. Some 5,000 people now call the city home, living and working within the modern walls of the port city, and benefiting from the trade brought in from the foreign merchants. Many of the Shona who had begun their lives as sailors and fishermen more than two decades ago have begun begun building their own seafaring vessels to trade with the Swahili to the north and the Indians far to the east. A handful of these vessels are successfully completed and sent out to sea, with the sail of these new vessels seeing Zimbabwe entering into its new status of as seafaring nation.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The Bishopry of Utrecht has decided to ally themself with the English, which is a direct attempt to sabotage the Peace. A peace that just has been set after the Mechelen parliament was able to make a status quo ante Bellum. Utrecht allying with England being a danger, as this would allow Utrecht to be more agresive without any punishment. We Call on the Pope, to ensure that the Recent peace that has been established will continue. That Utrecht will not be in any war with or against nations outside the holy Empire(Pope Response). John III fearing possible war and the possibility of of Dike and damm niglect, as that could create natural disaster. This disaster being extreme flooding and sinking of lands close to rivers and river mouths. To protect the Rivers and Mostly the seas Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam built ships with the Standardised measurement and production Methods. Lotharingian Navy now having a total of 30 ships, this being seen as sufficient by the Merchants of the Council to protect Ducal waters of the state. The most Famous merchant and seafares continue's his Travels, once more by sea. Hendrickus Pisacus after a month of rest and studdy, Hendrickus boarding a merchant ship that is going from Agadir to Dakar. A harbour which name was even heard by Pisacus when in tangiers, Harbour renowned for its wealth and prosperity. The Trip from Agadir to Dakar taking Hendrickus, the sailing from the locations taking five days. Although the actually loading of His honorary member of Reginar's goods takes another two days to finish, this also including indentification and paying tariffs. But finaly Hendrick pisacus enters the allmost legendary Empire, The famed empire of Gold. Hendrickus Finaly being able to wear a Tabard with the Royal banner. In England in The Mumbles the army of Kyrmnien is ordered to let their guard down slightly and begin to interact more friendly with the English population. The fear being that being actively hostille would make it harder for the army to get their provisions they need to defend and mostly live in their quarters. In Luxembourg the Archduke and the Holy Emperor decides on the Faith of Aachen. The city will become a Duality of the Archduke of Lotharingia and the Sacred emperor.
 * Kingdom of France: Charles de la Marche declares support for Scotland, demanding that England back down or forfeit Aquitaine entirely. An army of 30,000 men is moved to bordering Gascony, and supply caches are built to sustain it. In addition to that, 20,000 are raised to protect Normandie and Calais. Charles I asks the Briton king for an audience, wishing to discuss matters with one of his vassals. He also sends riders to all of the major vassals, asking them to pledge their support of their king in protecting the interets of France.
 * Republic of Milan: With the marriage proposal complete plans begin to come about for the largest and most extravagant wedding in european history with some of the fanciest wines from throughout Northern Italy as well as Azzone and Antonia’s rings each containing a pure diamond at the top. Antonia’s dress is decorated with some of the most expensive items at the time. This wedding is anticipated to be a battle of proving of wealth between De-Medici and Visconti. It is a high security event, however, as the forces of Milan prepare for war. The entirety of the merchant families of the Milanese controlled regions show up except for Della Torre and Abizzi who are rivals of the Visconti and De-medici respectively. On the island of Cyprus word of the Venetian invasion reaches Luchino's ears he instantly orders all ships to attack the Venetians and prevent them from landing. (Algo needed). An offer of peace is extended to Cyprus in which Milan will be paid half the price of buying Cyprus in exchange for peace for the next 30 years guaranteed by the pope. (Mod response needed) (Papal response needed) A second request is sent out to the pope citing the violation of the Treaty of Florence as Venice declares war and requests the Pope take action. (Papal response needed) As for the banks the wedding grants decent portions of income to them as both De-Medici and Visconti take out large loans in order to outdo one another. The forces of Milan not on the Island instantly move out with the remaining 20,000 mercenaries of Northern Italy and Southern Germany being hired and ordered to move quickly towards Venice. They are lead by Averardo De Medici the current Duke of Florence. These forces are given the orders of no mercy stating these Venetian backstabbers deserve no second thought from the forces of Milan. (Algo needed) Other requests are sent throughout the HRE requesting assistance in destroying the treacherous Venetians. (Mod and player responses needed)
 * Cyprus is willing to accept this offer for Milan to leave
 * Mali Empire: Hendrickus Pisacus arrives at the port of Dakar, and beholds a spralling metropolis of merchant settlers from across the known world: people of Italy, Germany, Spain, as well as Moors, Berbers, and various west African people groups all congregated to the same city for selling and buying, and dwelling a variety of architectual styles. He moves west from there along the road system of Mali along the Senegal River into the heart of the empire. He hires a guide with him that is able to help him translate the local dialects, a former slave named Addas who is able to fluently converse in both Berber and Mandinke. He notices many local customs of the Muslim Africans to be far more liberal than those of the Moors, where women often have no headscarfs and, in the cases of slaves and the poor, sometimes wear little at all. Some cultures in Mali are still more pagan than those in the cities, and explain that they worship angels called "Genies" that were once impisoned by King Solomon, but now roam free. Eventually he arrives to the city of Timbuktu, the largest and wealthiest city in the entire empire. He finds there is a very comfortable standard of living, such that even the peasents of the city lived in houses. In the heart of the city is the University of Sankore adjacent to the Library of Timbuktu, containing a vast wealth of knowledge in books written in Latin, Arabic, Tamshq, and Manding. Hendrickus inquires about the source of Mali's wealth, the locations of the salt and gold mines. Addas explains that those are located in the far south near the capital of Niani, but for now he needs to rest in this city for the winter. So the year ends with Hendirckus booking at an inn in Timbuktu. Expansion continues to place settlements in Central Nigeria with setting up a military depoy around Lake Kazir. Trade prospers with Ethiopia, now allowing far eastern silks and spices to come from India directly through Ethiopia.
 * Abassid Caliphate: We are victorious at Baghdad, the Caliph and the Great Mosque saved, God is surely with us and our righteous struggle against the Shah, we praise and thank God for our victory against the blasphemers who defy both the will of God and the Caliph, who God has chosen. The Army of 30,000 remains in Baghdad to rebuild and refortify the city in case of a second attack from the Shah, who declares himself the Shah of Tabriz and Mosul, renaming the Sultanate of Mosul into the Shahdom of Mosul. The Syrian Underground supply the Shahdom of Mosul with left behind weapons and supplies from General Al-Amin's Army that is found in the desert. With victory secured in both Acre and Baghdad, Sultan General Al-Amin calls upon the Tammiyad Order and Mamluk Sultan An-Nasir Muhammad to send in vast amounts of soldiers to conquer Mosul, even Tabriz, ensuring Mamluk-Tammiyad domination and hegemony over the region to the end of time. Aleppo to be acting as a gateway and base of operations to the Mamluk-Tammiyad forces before they reach Baghdad (Mod Response Please.) It is noted that the Kingdom of Khoreson has collapsed after expelling Tammiyads from their Kingdom for the Black Sheep Turkmen have invaded and plunged their lands into chaos, as if sent directly by God to punish Khoreson for defying the pure.



1334
''' The royal summons of Edward III of England, vassal of the King of France, to come to the continent sparks tensions between the French vassals loyal to the Plantagenets and those loyal to the Capetians, especially as France now supports the king of Scotland. '''

''' The Turkmens proceed to invade Persia, sacking the cities of Esfahan and Tabriz before proceeding to raid along southern Iraq as well, pillaging the city of Basra. Mamluk forces are able to take back parts of Syria, and defeat an attempted raid in the region by the Turkmens. Mosul is not yet captured but is pressed on both sides. The Emirates of Kirman and Hyrcania convert to Shia Islam. '''

''' As Uzbeg Khan continues his campaign in Mongolia, Jani Beg manages to capture Sarai and restore the Golden Horde across eastern Europe and Ukraine. The White Horde, in the meantime, continues to occupy significant territory in the east of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. '''

''' Ibn Battuta leaves Constantinople and returns across the Black Sea to Azov, and from there journeys back to the court of the Golden Horde at Astrakhan. From there he moves straight south overland, passing the Aral Sea and the cities of Samarkhand and Bactria. He then moves into India to appear at the court of the Delhi Sultanate, where he decides to stay for a while. '''

''' John Maunderville leaves the Baghdad Caliphate and visits the Shahdom of Tabriz, or the de jure rulers of Persia, admiring thier various monuments and cities. He takes note of specific regions that are mentioned in Herodotus as well as the origins of the Three Magi. '''

''' As the Osman Sultanate begins to grow, it invades the eastern territory of the Beylik of Karasi. '''
 * Papal States: This year pope Sixtus IV receives a copy of the book The Mirror of Simple Souls by the deceased beguine Marguerite Porete. Marguerite published this work during the Schism and due to this her book never was properly analyzed. The pontiff creates a commission to study the book to see if this is really heretical as was said at the time of the publication. Sixtus writes for Cardinal Ulrich asking for his opinion about Marguerite's book [Switzerland response needed, please]. The repairs of buildings across the Papal States continues and now the aqueducts also begin to be repaired, this way facilitating people's access to fresh water. After receiving the request of the Archduchy of Lotharingia, the pope writes to the Bishopric of Utrecht demanding that they stay out of the growing conflict between England and France. He justifies saying that both nations are Catholics and this way is not correct for the Church to take sides. This way the pontiff orders to the bishop of Utrecht to stay neutral and to honor his peace treaty with Lotharingia [MOD response needed, please]. As requested by Milan, the pope gives his approval to the proposal that was offered to Cyprus. The Holy Father demands that Venice ends any conflict with Milan. If they don't do this Sixtus will be forced to excommunicate them due to breaking the Treaty of Florence [Venice response needed, please]. Sixtus write to the Repuplic of San Marino asking for a visit [MOD response needed, please]. In the end of the year, mother Catharina of the Divine Mercy falls deeply ill. Physicians are called from the Hospital of Rome to take care of her. However, she says to her fellow nuns that her time on Earth is coming to an end.
 * The Captain-General of San Marino welcomes a visit from the Pope
 * Venetian Dip: The Doge of Venice would like to inform the pope that conflicts on Cyprus were not intentional and occurred as a result of misleading communication on the Venetian side, and were not intentional. The responsible admirals will be tried accordingly.
 * Swiss diplomacy: Cardinal Ulrich V von Lenzburg examines The Mirror of Simple Souls and writes back to Pope Sixtus IV his conclusion that some parts of the book may contradict scripture but its overall declaration of being heretic seems excessive and this book may be a worthwhile contribution to mysticism, so Ulrich recommends this book by examined for further study in Rome along with the new mystic book by Ari Guðmundsson.
 * Iceland: An extra 1,000 kids are born bringing the population to 66,000. King Ólafur buys out 2,000 people to make four 500 population towns along the Great Road so people can rest up. Arnar Sigurðsson received the title of Arnar the Learned from his country men. A Royal Palace is Constructed in Bessastaðir and a portrait of King Ólaf is commissioned. The King writes a book called “My Great Predecessors” and it’s about the three men that secured Icelandic Independence; Ólafur Sturlungur, Arnar Sigurðsson and Ari Guðmundsson. Crown Prince Ólafur causes a fuzz when he is seen entertaining both women and men. He is forbidden to go out of the house but if anyone wants to marry him let me know (Response Needed). After many nights of Fever Dreams the Cardinal maps out the levels of Hell. (The levels of Hell are like Dante’s but the two extra layers; The Void where the people that only complemented themselves go to where it’s pitch black and they float around for ever and the Royal Dungeon where people of power who only cared for themselves got to live for eternity as a peasant under their own rule. Ari assures the Map becomes apart of a book he wrote against corruption as he saw the corrupt priest being punished, he wishes the pope accepts the Map as the legitimate map of Hell (Papal Response Needed). The 3,000 troops come home heroes after the crusade and bringing the troop count to 4,500.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV receives the book write by Cardinal Ari and it will be placed in the library of Rome to be used in future theological studies of the university of Rome.
 * Kingdom of Hungary, Croatia, and Dacia: In the Kingdom of Hungary things continue as they have with rebuilding and consolidation of power continues under the monarchy. In Dacia the rebuilding of the central power and economy of the land continues the city of Suceava becomes a center of commerce and business with the Diet of Dacia commencing in it. Interestingly enough saxons living in Transylvania begin to migrate further east settling into the lands of Dacia and creating pocket communities of German Speaking Catholics within it. Interestingly enough a codification of the Dacian language begins with a translation of the Orthodox bible in Dacian printed with the Latin Script being published. Stephen and Margaret have a child this year, a healthy young son who they name Emeric (Henry) after the father of Margaret, with this they have solidified Margaret's line claim to the Duchy of Carinithia and County of Tyrol dissuading potential claimants from seizing the lands upon the death of Henry, her father.
 * Oyo Empire with Owu being occupied for two years the Alaafin feels this land is secure enough for most of his army to leave. He has decided to annex the land of Owu and all nobles of the area must pledge allegiance to their new lord or be killed and have their lands taken. Those who pledge allegiance will gain the lands of those who don’t. With his empire doubled in size, 2,500 men are left to garrison the area as the Owu royalty are put on house arrest in Katanga. This war has gotten the Alaafin thinking about his armies weaknesses and strengths. Though they performed well Owu‘s archers were deadlier then they should’ve been on our forces. For this we suggest using heavy armor for the elite soldiers of the empire. Making up their own heavily their own heavy armored elite unit these forces will be more resistant to surprise arrows. But since the empire will pay for their armor these men must be those with experience and are looking to be full time soldiers always standing in the capital. As well more soldiers who have proven to be intelligent and aware are to be trained as spies and informants. With those reforms aside, in fear of a Nupe and Bariba invasion from the north the Alaafin has built A river, of course away from there sights, where in case of war he can cross the river and surprise attack the enemy. A survey is to be held for the Alaafin to see how many men he can effectively get into the army. Finally traditional rulers will maintain their positions in Owu. However, a government official for every 1tenhouses will be established to keep a eye on them.
 * The population of Oyo's realms are found to be 1,120,453
 * The White Horde: The White Horde continues the offensive at Wuwei to break the stalemate.
 * Tian China: With the surprise offensive at Wuwei by the White horde temporarily beaten back, the Emperor and his generals make the decision to retreat from the area to a more fortified position, since our supply lines are becoming overstretched and the area has little value at the moment. However, as we retreat we do our best to strip the area of resources and destroy what we can’t take, in order to deny the Horde resources and make holding the area more difficult for them. We instead retreat to Anyuanzhen, and continue holding the rest of our territory, in an effort to allow our enemies to bleed each other and force them into more favorable terrain if they follow us. This also allows us to consolidate our supply lines and allow us to make our position more secure, so the horde will now find it harder to fight us as we will be less weakened well they will be more so. The Japanese are thanked for their answering our call to war, as are the Koreans, who we encourage to launch raids on the Yuans remaining coastal territories near them to make supplying the Mongols harder for any other enemies we might have, such as the smugglers that have been attempting to undermine our regime. We also do our best to blockade this region, with about half of our fleet.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The Archduke of Lotharingia,Duke of Brabant and Limbourg Declares his full support for Scottish independence and freedom. As the kingdom of scotland is under the treat of the English armies, The English wanting to install a Royal house loyal to English might, this as an effort to be able to strike at france. So his Majesty the Archduke proposes to the Scottish, French and Guelders that if one is attacked by England all are attacked by England (Mod response) (French Response). While Due to the Desires of Unification John III of Lotharingia, requests to the house of Flanders to end their claims to Tournais and Namur. That the House of Flanders Either install a Local Noble or one of the House of Reginar, as either would ensure that Flanders is not able to encircle the Archduke with her armies (Mod Response). As Tournais is part of the reformed Parliament of Mechelen, and so Having a Ruler who has lands directly allied to the parliament's enemies could be a danger. So His Majesty John III of Lotharingia and the King of France do not have to fear a Flemish rebelion any time soon, in any of the lands Nearby. The Archduke for the first time Visits the City as Co-lord of the Duality of Aachen, Which is the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the seat of his rule. This City being Where Charlemagne was crowned the Emperor of the Franks and Romans, Now John III asks the City of Aachen and the Emperor if he Could get the Cross of Lothair. (Mod Response). The Cross of Lothair was a processional Cross that was Made to Honour the Founding Father of Lotharingia, Lothair II. John III wanting it back due to his view of himself as a direct succesor of Lothair II and His empire, John III Calling himself Archduke of Lotharingia and defender of Luxembourg. In the Harbours of Antwerp, Amsterdam and Rotterdam John III his advisors see that they have made a big underestimation on the speed of ship construction, they see that Construction men and shipbuilders can build a lot more ships as expected. This laying due to the fact that the old estimations were based on what Brabant soley could produce and Not togheter with Zeeland and Holland. So the Advisors and seafarers of the Navy conclude that around 15 ships can be built per year for the Navy, So His Majesty and the Parliament now order 15 ships per year to be build. These ships being built by using the Technique of standardised measurements and lengths for each ship, these shipbuilders also using the Brabantine foot and mile and Inch for example.
 * The Archduke of Lotharingia is given the Cross of Lothair.
 * The Count of Flanders refuses to have his relatives deposed from power in Namur and Tournoi
 * Mali Empire: Hendrickus Pisacus spent quite a lot of time in Timbuktu. He was told that in order to visit the court of the Emperor of Mali, he has to prepare a special poem for the Mansa. So he needed to learn to master the local language of Mandinke, which he went to the Library of Timbuktu to study. After some time, Hendrickus also spent time visiting local villages near Timbuktu. Some smaller villages had never seen a European before, and was completely shocked at his appearence. Some people came up to him and asked "did you have a father and mother, or have you come down from heaven?" when he did not answer satisfactory, the local people thought he was an evil Jinn and tried to kill him. Addas thankfully intervened in this incident, and helped him to escape. Hendrickus also took note of the local diet and foods people would eat in Mali, such as Malian rice, millet, baobab vegetables, and sorghum. Everyone from the middle classes up had plenty of perfumes, salt, coffee and tea to consume, which had been either developed in the nation or imported from distant trade partners. Hendrickus also shared much of his customary foods he was familiar with from the Lowlands, and the family of Addas were greatly pleased by this, although actually preparing the food was difficult because of lacking ingrediants. Hendrickus and Addas would frequently share each other's knowledge of theology and philosophy, and Addas particualrly was fascinated to hear everything he could about the Roman Empire and its German people. The military continues to be built up, replacing standard cavalry horses with those imported from Ethiopia. As more horses have been imported at this point, they start to be bred in the cities of Gao and Niani.
 * Republic of Venice: After the information delay in the Cretan navy led to the bombardment of Kyrenia, which was at the point already under Milanese control, not under Cypriot. Doge Francesco “Cangrande” della Scaglia sends a letter to the Venetian court, stating that the attack was a product of wrong and delayed information, not an intentional violation of the Treaty of Florence. Therefore he asks that the Soldiers on the way to the Venetian border are given the order to return (MILAN RESPONSE NEEDED). Production of textiles, wine, agricultural products and glass continues to be very profitable in the large trading net of Venice
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Dmitry the Terrible Eyes is concerned about the rise of the Golden Horde under Jani Beg in his backyard, and prepares for an announcement. The ambassador to China, Fyodor Dvoryaninets, a nephew of the posadnik of Novgorod, seeks further good relations with the Emperor of China, citing the enmity of both the Rus' and China to the Mongols. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, discuss plans to expand the role of Novgorod on the Northern Silk Road, including embassies farther away from the Mongols into other territories, and an expansion into the White Sea trade. They support Prince Dmitry, but they want to expand their powers in Novgorod and elsewhere, and they send agents secretly to Smolensk, Rostov and Yaroslavl, who instigate the traders to demand more authority in the form of a local veche. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. Otherwise, we continue developing Mikhailov on the Neva, and build a large port, and build several roads connecting Novgorod to Mikhailov, Staraya Rusa, Vologda, Vyborg, Pskov and Tver. While Princes Dmitry and Aleksandr give support to the cause of Conrad III, in secret, many traders from Novgorod and elsewhere in the Rus' send monetary support to Henry VI and Casimir of Krakow. The Archbishop of Novgorod, Daniel, agrees to the PAPAL wish for an embassy in Rome and sends a trusted acolyte by the name of Pimen Izvekov to Rome, and accept the apology of the Pope. 
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): Tver becomes a leading power in the Russian states, and as a grand road from Novgorod passes through Tver, becomes a leading center in the economy of the Rus'. A grand road is built to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Murom, as well as to Smolensk, in order to facilitate trade with Bohemia. Supported by Novgorod, the merchant elite starts secretly plotting to align itself with Novgorodian ideals, and begin scoffing at a Russian prince, and they send agents to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Smolensk, as well as Chernigov and Kiev. A successful appeal is made for the Prince of Tver to have a veche assemble, but no posadnik to be elected. A great road is also built toward Ruthenia's capital Lviv.
 * Principality of Kiev (PU with Novgorod): Kiev begins rebuilding its lands long destroyed by the Mongols. It establishes a new river market, and hope to be able to trade with the Black Sea downward from the Dnieper. Towns such as Pereyaslavl are rebuilz, with the hope for them to become trading towns. A road is built toward Chernigov, in hope to be able to trade with the west. A priest is sent by Archbishop of Novgorod David to proselytize and appoint an Archbishop for the Goths in Crimea. 
 * Republic of Pskov (PU with Novgorod): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and builds a fort near the village of Narvia called Reya, and one farther east and inland called Yama. In addition, the ambitious and vain Pskovian posadnik Gleb Romanovich, on secret orders from the posadnik of Novgorod, orders his assassin in the court at Moscow to execute Yuri and his family (MOD roll on whether this assassin suceeds or not). Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * The United jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: After a long and succesfull reign,Jarl Anders III passes away in his sleep.His reign saw the admission of Vinland as a new jarldom and Beothuk as a protectorate.He is held in alsomst as high regard as jarl Brunhilda II is and is buried in the royal cathedral in Nuuk. Meanwhile, in Beothuk, work on bringing it up to the jarldoms standards are going well. Jarl Anders III is succeded by his son Ragnar who takes the name of Ragnar I and wows to continue his father's legacy.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Construction of the great Imperial Port of Beri continues. As the port continues to grow, merchants begin establishing themselves already at the fledgling port city. The Mombasa merchants establish a base there but also merchants of the Hindustan Sultanate soon begin establishing themselves there as well. Realizing that Ethiopia has no naval experts or sailors, a request is made to the Hindustan Sultanate asking that they provide shipbuilders to help Ethiopia begin building its own ships [HINDUSTAN RESPONSE NEEDED]. The road network continues to be built, with the engineers nearly completing construction of the roads linking the highlands to the lowlands. The road network provides a great boost to the economy of Ethiopia as it allows easier travel and trade and enables the Emperor to assert his authority better by more easily moving royal troops. The new capital of Barara continues to thrive, as Mombasa merchants, Egyptian Coptic intellectuals and others help make the city a great place. With a thriving market and a center of learning and intellect, the city’s population booms as people are attracted to its economic and cultural magnificence. The combination of the trade from Beri and the Barara, placed exclusively under Imperial control, gives the Emperor a huge influx in wealth, allowing him to begin asserting his power. To begin asserting Imperial control over the nobility, Amda Seyon begins demanding certain nobles visit him at Barara with their families and stay for at least a month. This is done in order to keep an eye on them as well as to ensure they are not scheming in their own lands. The Emperor also raises imperial authority by growing the Imperial Guard, raising its numbers from 10,000 men to 12,000 men. As trade with Mali grows, the peoples of both kingdoms begin interacting more, and word of Mali’s sophistication and magnificence continues to spread throughout Ethiopia. Hearing of these stories, the Emperor decides he would like to see Mali for himself, and makes a request to Mali that the Emperor be allowed to visit the Kingdom and tour it to see for himself the great golden kingdom [MALI RESPONSE NEEDED]. The road network that links Mali and Ethiopia continues to be developed and expanded as more and more merchants flow west into Mali laden with Indian goods to sell. The trade posts and market towns built along this road soon turn into flourishing settlements themselves, with both Mali and Ethiopian peoples living there peacefully. To help cement the alliance of Christian kingdoms of Damot, Makuria, Alodia, Axum and Ethiopia, united against the Tamiyyah threat, the leaders of each nation arrange to meet at Barara. There they formally pledge to aid each other and celebrate with a magnificent feast hosted by the Emperor, where he displays the various Indian goods that have reached Ethiopia and gifts them to the other kings as a sign of respect.
 * Mansa Musa, the Lion of Africa, Emperor of Mali and Bornu, King of Mali, Waalo, Songhai, and Ghana, welcomes the Emperor of Ethipia to come sit at his table and drink from his cup at the court in Niani.
 * The Governor of Gujarat, Fateh Khan Khilji responds to the request and sends shipbuilding experts and traders to Beri to help the Ethiopians in constructing Dhows. 
 * Lordship of Ireland: Aodh mac Domnhall Ui Neill raises 5,000 men in the new year and sails from Dublin to Lancaster in a few convoys offloading before marching east across England to Newcastle upon Tyne and arrives at the border with his army in full in May. Crossing the River Tweed taking command of the war with Scotland and setting up a pontoon bridge just upstream of Berwick upon Tweed while the 5,000 English forces now under his command who just failed to take Edinburgh fall back to link up with the Irish forces outside Berwick upon Tweed. The combined force begin the siege on Berwick cutting off the town and castle from the land pinning them between the river, the sea and the besiegers. By creating a ditch lined with stakes, then another ditch in front of a rampart using dirt from the ditch and a palisade between the river and the sea to stop a breakout while construction of a trebuchet for targeting the castle along with dozens of scaling ladders and rams for an attack on the town. Longbowmen and blockships block off the entrance to the river Tweed discouraging a seaborne relief. Trou de loups are placed in a quincux in a perimeter along with Irish hedgehogs around Haildon hill where the Duke makes his camp. If there is an attempt to relieve Berwick upon Tweed the army will block them at Haildon hill inside its perimeter. Chevauchee's are launched in groups of a few hundred men with a number of groups active at any one time north into the Scottish marches burning the countryside and villages pillaging supplies and killing people. In the event of a relief attempt the raiding parties will pull back to Haildon Hill.
 * Empire of Hispania: Peace! With the decimation of Granada led by Alfonso, his ruthless efforts to completely preserve the crown of christendom in Iberia and Western Europe is rewarded with his fulfillment of Hispania following the annexation of Granada. In his 3rd coronation, he is fitted with a new crown, a crown that signifies unity of his realm. It is fitted with a thick and ruby red silk covering in the center with the finest gold. Various pieces of fine gems and pearls are placed on as well and a cross on top. Noble families from across the realm including municipal figures of authority are invited and the House of Barcelona gather in Toledo. A fine banquet of food from across the realm and exotic goods from beyond are put on full culinary display. Now Alfonso I of Hispania, he begins to see the construction of expanded fortifications around Toledo and the important port areas with Gibraltar having docks expanded and light forts beginning to be built for the use of an important base of the fleet. The School of Medicine in toledo sees the rise of new theory although uncertain of its effectiveness which is described as hyper sanitization developed by Alexander Vasquez who receives criticism for his methods of "washing the wicked away" by means of cleaning oneself in ways to keep illness away. In the School of Medicine in Toledo, this sparks controversy abroad saying that the pores would be left open to infection. The institution is left divided. This leads to a clash between head physicians Marco Rodriguez and Alexander Vasquez testing their theories on patients. The School of Medicine in Toledo is regarded the greatest in Hispania. Whoever comes on top would determine which methods are worth continuing to follow. Vasquez supporters adopt these methods while the skeptics continue on with the traditional methods and of those who have come before them. Palermo and Catania see further developments and the introduction of the Hispanic Script which has taken hold of the fastest group of writing format in any of the languages spoken within the Empire. In former Granada, islamic places of worship are taken hold of and are bestowed upon the church as their property gifted by the crown. Municipalities are granted permission to bar muslims from entry or gains in status. As a result, muslims face displacement and are given financial incentives to depart to lower Morocco or outside of Hispania or convert to christianity resulting in an increase in church membership across Granada with some unrest. This is met with forceful appliance of military action though and a temporary basing established in Granada. With the expanded facilities in Valencia and Barcelona, more ships are built to expand the fleet further while continuing trade of valuable goods increase profits further. Montpellier sees expansion as a result of the spice trade adding income to the Empire and expanding influence. Defenses and added station for the expanded Aragonese Fleet are made place for city defense with fortifications being worked on to ensure protection of the city from foreign interest due to its value and profits. Malta with its expanded base experiences high levels of traffic from trade in the Eastern and Western Mediteranean adding to further value and wealth of the territory. The Royal Bank of Toledo finances a great project that will become important as a possession, the Lighthouse of Gibraltar.
 * Swiss Confederacy: Lumber is traded to Milan in exchange for crops and other foodstuffs as part of the new trade agreement; as a result of this, the lumber industry in the Swiss Confederacy is expanded and recruits new workers. The canton of Schwyz sends an envoy to the canton of Zug, one of the Confederacy's trade allies since 1328, suggesting that Zug join the Confederacy to receive the benefits of the joint defensive system in light of the aggression shown by the Habsburgs in Bohemia and the potential of a conflict breaking out in Italy. (Mod response) Heinrich von Lenzburg (b. 1290), brother of Bishop of Chur Ulrich V von Lenzburg and a relative to the extinct-in-the-male-line House of Lenzburg which ruled near Aargau in the 11th and 12th centuries, visits the central council of the Confederacy along with his brother. Heinrich proclaims himself, his brother and his children as the restoration of the House of Lenzburg and asks to be seated as a noble on the central council. Despite Heinrich's proclamation of nobility being somewhat frivolous as he does not own any significant land, the other members of the central council agree to give him as the patriarch of the House of Lenzburg a seat on the council anyway, arguing having a "noble" family in the Confederacy is useful because they could expand the Confederacy's territory by inheriting landed titles, which the elected burgomasters of the Cantons and the Bishop of Chur could not. Heinrich von Lenzburg also states he intends to build a new castle or manor at Lenzburg if that area comes under Confederacy control. Meanwhile, the joint military of the Swiss Confederacy focuses on fortifying Chur, as the seat of currently the nation's bishopric.
 * Zug joins the confederacy
 * Japanese Empire: Emperor Katsumoto having marshalled his strength for yet another year and having managed to streamline some of the cost as his lords have acquiesed to his decision (rather than having to raise it on a secret basis within funding) The Army arrives in Niigata and embarks upon easily the greatest fleet ever assembled by the Japanese in any instance. Many ships are brought to Niigata with light Hikarifune (light ships literally) numbering some 150, medium Nakabune numbering some 60 ships and most importantly the 30 heaviest of the Japanese fleet the Hebifune boasting a strong marine component and more importantly 60 handcannon soldiers aimed at providing fire and shock support as well as puncturing ship hulls arrive. Alongside nearly 400 transport ships many of them conscripted merchant and private vessels are brought as well to transport the army. The fleet embarks on its journey across the Sea of Japan arriving off the coast of Yuan controlled Manchuria and the army is disembarked near the town of Furdan (OTL Vladivostok). It is noted a small force of roughly 5,000 troops has been marshalled to meet the Japanese Army and Katsumoto and his generals agree that consolidating the whole army following the crossing is best and the town of Furdan long since emptied of available manpower, is seized and its food stores seized. The town is turned into a supply depot and the Japanese army of 65,000 marches on the local provincial army looking to wipe it clear off the face of the planet. The army far outnumering its enemies slams into the enemy forces doing a semi envelopment after managing to pin it down with Cavalry. The Japanese Spearmen close around them keeping them pinned against the lake in the region which harass the army before its ranged hand cannons and archers inflict casualties. The heavy samurai cavalry inflict the final blow riding the rest of the army down with intent to push them into the lake. (waiting on algo). At home the Japanese economy sees no new groth as the need to support the war takes away from potential growth. The Sakhalin outpost is continually expanded as a small village of natives and some scant japanese settlers springs up around the settlements trade fort. The expedition sent a few years ago finally returns of wonderous tails of an underdeveloped mainland ripe for settlement and exploitation.. Albeit colder than previously though. The expedition returns with exotic furs and other local goods bought or traded for with natives on the mainland.
 * Kingdom of France: Heir Philip VI is almost of age, having reached 12. He has already started his schooling, being educated in diplomacy, warfare, politics, latin and greek, and the like. Some would say the young child is put through too much, however Philip seems to thrive in his difficult schooling, developing a love for books. The court already has taken a liking to the charismatic, if a bit arrogant, preteen. Charles de la Marche is confident that he will hand the reins of the kingdom to a strong leader. In the meantime, Charles declares that any vassals who side with the English will forfiet their holdings, having large mobilzed armies standing to prevent any resistance from this. (mod response needed with the names of the vassals who are opposing france)
 * Republic of Milan: With the Venetians taking back their actions the Milanese agree to peace but a request is sent for a way that the Venetians could repay the Milanese for this mistake discussions of Money and trade are made but Azzone silences them all and says “Let’s see what the Venetians think would be appropriate.” (Venice response needed) In other news the English French conflict opens up large opportunities and proposals are sent to the English by the De-Medici and the French by the Visconti to finance loans through them (English and French responses needed). The unnecessary mercenary forces are disbanded and prepared for jobs throughout the rest of Europe. De-Medici make moves to outdo there competition by offering lower interest rates at 1.4 percent rather than visconti interest rates which have recently raised to 1.8 percent. De-Medici have a much smaller money pool to pull from but view these new interest rates as a great way to challenge the Visconti.
 * Great Zimbabwe: King Akashinga continues many of his military reforms, introducing a series of strategies tailored to the method of warfare utilized by the other African states in the region. He establishes a four-part combat system inspired by the shape of a bull, consisting of a chest, horns, and loins. Within Akashinga's offensive formations, the central fighting force of his army will comprise the "chest" of the field army, and consists of the best fighters in the army. The horns of the formation will consist of the youngest members of the army, and will be tasked with encircling and pinning the enemy forces down where the Shona want them to be. The loins will form the reserve forces of the Shona army while in battle, consisting of older warriors who will be placed in the rear until they are required to stand and fight. An addition to this force will be the formations Akashinga calls the hooves, two mounted formations of warriors who are tasked with running down the foot infantry of the enemy army, slaughtering them to a man and preventing as few survivors from escaping as possible. These reforms to the military tactics of the royal army are made all the more fitting as Akashinga also introduces a new manuver force known as a ute, or "army", which will consist of a thousand warriors and serve as a permanent formation at the command of the king. These units are to be managed by the Ministry of War, who shall track their locations, assign them their duties, and manage their payment and housing accommodations. Approximately twelve are formed over the year, and spread throughout the kingdom based on the security needs assessed by the king's war council. Within the economic sphere of the country, the monetization of the kingdom continues, with the penetration of the new coinage system reaching deeper and deeper into the rural areas of Zimbabwe. On the subject of the economy, the king inquires of the finances of the state now that a taxation system has been implemented across the kingdom, with all adult subjects liable to a 15% tax on their income regardless of their social status. As requested, the king's advisers provide a report highlighting that the equivalent of 454,556 gold dhahabu were collected in taxes over the year; of which 37% has been allocated to the pay and housing of the military, 25% to the expansion of roads, ports, and other infrastructure, 16% to the administration of the realm, and 22% delegated to the formation of the state's treasury of gold and silver. The royal stables of Zimbabwe are expanded in Lusvingo and Mapumgubwe, with a third stable location established in Danangombe, where there king seeks to establish a proper supply of horses for his military away from the two great cities of the realm. Within the region of Khami, Farai continues to evade capture at the hands of the king's soldiers, who continue to hunt the scholar in the bush and bring him back to the king for judgement. In spite of his efforts, the king cannot supress the spread of Farai's teachings within the general population, who are increasingly of the opinion that all citizens of the state ought to be educated and afforded the opportunity to advance their social status in the kingdom. To ensure his safety, Farai's friends in the area urge him to head north for Ingombe Ilede, the most distant northern city in the kingdom, where the king would not think to send his men. Following their advice, Farai flees north where he hopes to remain unnoticed by the locals. In Muromo Weshiri, trade with the other realms of the Indian Ocean continues to increase, as the port's proximity to Lusvingo makes it a more attractive center of trade than its southern counterpart, Muromo Wenyika. The latter of the two port cities remains a prominent center of trade, but its most frequent visitors are now just the Arabs, who had earlier established themselves in the city on a permanent basis under the prior king, Kutonga. In the far southern territories of Zimbabwe, the Shona population has grown significantly, so much so that it now comprises a fourth of the kingdom's total population. While somewhat rugged compared to the northern half of the kingdom, the three southern districts of Zimbabwe are perfect centers of agriculture for the sorghum crops that have been largely displaced by the cultivation of rice in the north. King Akashinga takes a tour of the territories in the south, lands which he had been responsible for conquering in the name of his father when he was just a prince. Now having reformed the military, centralized the government under his reign, and looking for target to exercise his strength upon, Akashinga announces to his men that they will be expanding the realm as far south as they can, bringing the light of Lusvingo to the savages of the Nguni homeland. Inspired by his words and still furious at the old attacks upon their lands years in the past, Akashinga's warriors rally for a campaign into the rest of southern Africa. Under the direction and guidance of Shohiwa, the Ministry of Education has streamlined its education process and expanded its staff of teachers, with the number of those employed by the ministry including seven overseers (Shohiwa included), 178 clerks, and 1,913 teachers. Under his oversight, Shohiwa has increased the literacy rate to 3.6% of the population, though almost all of these individuals belong to the upper classes of the kingdom, with the rest of Zibmabwe's middle and lower classes remaining almost entirely illiterate. While Shohiwa having been a member of the lower class himself in the past is somewhat opposed to this disparity, he continues his duty and maintains a strict divide on the individuals permitted to receive an education at the expense of the state. Shona shipbuilding continues to grow within the two ports of the kingdom, with more and more members of the fisherman population on the coast becoming sailors to support their families back home.
 * Merchant Principality of Munashe: As Munashe's enterprises across the Indian Ocean have continued to expand from East Africa, to India, to Arabia, to Indonesia and Japan, the individual wealth of both Munashe and those affiliated with him have grown to excessive proportions. Having bought up nearly a quarter of Mombasa's land within the city walls, and having in his possession the single largest personal fleet of any merchant in the city, Munashe's compatriots throughout the Swahili Coast have taken to calling him the "Merchant Prince", a title Munashe has quickly taken a liking to. Munashe begins to address himself and his coalition of merchants as the "Merchant Principality" on official documents directed to business partners and foreign dignitaries, adding an air of prestige and exclusivity to his organization. The fleets of Munashe are expanded to sixty-two vessels by the end of the year, with another eight to be added by the end of the following year. The storehouses for the principality's wares and supplies are dotted across the ocean, with large stores located in the cities of Mombasa, Kilwa, Zanzibar, Chennai, Bandar Abbas, Suez, Banda Aceh, and Malacca, with plans to extend the network to other parts of the region. Representatives of the Merchant Principality are sent to Hindustan to negotiate for official status under the sultanate's administration, seeking to obtain favorable trading status with the realm and supply them with goods, services, and even mercenaries from throughout the region of the Indian Ocean. Back home, Munashe oversees the construction of a massive palacial estate outside the walls of Mombasa in the area of Nyali, where the enterprise of the principality is to be headquartered rather than out of the spare rooms of Munashe's personal home within Mombasa's walls. Here, the organization is to be based alongside various barracks for personal guards, stables for their horses, housing for servants and extended families, halls for guests and potential clients, a large private harbor for the ships of the merchants, and a large wall to separate it from the surrounding lands of the local inhabitants of the region. It is here that Munashe's future for an ocean-wide economic empire will be established and administered under his command. In the far south, vessels of the principality locate and establish an outpost on the island of Mayotte, which they hope to use in the future as a source of resupply for the principality's trade fleets. The merchants release several goats and cattle onto the island, where they will grow in number and serve as a supply of food and leather in the future.
 * Bohemia-Poland: Conrad III now an Adult begins to take a greater concern in the affairs of state seeing the continued civil war in Poland and the ongoing skirmishes with Austria.  Haven grown up in the court of his father Conrad had always expected to follow in his father, and his grand father's footsteps as a military man and as a good catholic king. His uncle Ottokar had made sure that he was trained in horseback, swordsmenship, though his knowledge of state affairs remains limited. Conrad continues lean on his uncle's support who continues the campaign in Silesia, while Conrad starts to take on greater responsibilities within the defence of the city of Krakow and of Bohemian affairs and defences. Conrad sends an envoy to Emperor Johannes I  asking him to ask as an intermideary between the Duke of Austria and himself, making a note that Conrad is the rightful king of Bohemia and Austria's attacks on Bohemia are unwarrented, and would threaten the balance of power in the HRE (mod response).  Ottokar still campaigning Silesia decides to push the advantage knowing that the campaign can't continue much longer. He decides to get creative employs gun powder in barrels placed under several points in the walls of Wroclow both above ground and in tunnesl dug out by the Loyalist forces while his forces continue lay siege to the castle. Ottokar continues to employ hand cannons and some slightly larger cannons mounted on wheels, though this does little more then act as noise, and as a shock factor in skirmishes with rebels and with the Austrians. realizing that supplies are starting to run low Ottokar requests a loan in the form of funds, supplies and contracted mercenaries from the Hansa States, Ottokar also requests that these loans have a low interest rate by reminding Lubeck of the profit that the transcarpathian region brings to the Baltic region, specially with the planned expansion into the North Silk road (crim response).
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. The Sultan expands the intelligence system and strengthens it to check corruption, regulate trade and check any conspiracies against the Sultan. Bazaars regulated by the bureaucrats of the Sultanate are now ubiquitous across the cities and towns of the Sultanate. Bazaars begin being established in Bengal. Waqf institutions also spread to Bengal. A force of five tumen under Malik Kafur attacks the Guhilla capital of Chittorgarh (ALGO NEEDED). Ibn Batutta is welcomed at the court of the Sultan in the Siri Fort in Delhi and is offered accommodation in the Madrassa of Delhi. The Sultan orders the restoration of Qila Rai Pithora enclosing the Qutb complex area.

1335
''' Having completed a devastating raids across the Middle East, the Black Sheep Turkmens set up a new dynasty over the Shahdom of Tabriz, and settle their peoples across Azerbaijan, Fars, and the Kurdish regions of Iraq. The rest of Syria, including the city of Mosul is jointly occupied by the forces of Egypt and Baghdad. The Taymiyyah Muslim army proceeds to demolish the Tombs of Jonah and Ali, completing their quest to end idolotry. '''

''' The White Sheep Turkmens set up power over the Sultanate of Herat, and settle their people across Iran. They proceed to send further raids into Zanj and Kabul to increase their wealth, while subjugating the Balochi regions. '''

''' In the wake of chaos across the Middle East, a devastating plague springs up across much of Iran, Bactria Mesopotamia, killing thousands of people. This seems similar to the plague that had been affecting China for some time. '''

''' Ibn Battuta continues to work for the Sultan of India at Delhi. John Maunderville, in the meantime, takes a ship across the Arabian sea, visiting the Sultanate of Oman in Muscat, before proceeding through the islands of Soccotra and Lakhadshweep and arriving at the Sultanate of the Maldives, currently a vassal of Pandyas. He takes note of all these places as being the same as locations in Classical Greek literature, including the utopian kingdom of Panchaea and the Islands of the Blessed. '''

''' A Christian mystic in Brussles named Heilwijch Blomart preaches that the perfected soul in meditation in the Holy Spirit is sufficient for salvation, and such perfected soul is equal to God. This teaching spreads in the core duchy of Brabant. '''

''' The Kingdom of Sweden-Norway abolishes slavery, being one of the first European nations to do so. '''

''' The Cistercian Order of monks or "White Monks" is organized in Rome, branching off of the Benedictines. '''

''' In an attempt to end the war in Poland, Emperor Johann orders Austria to stand down. The duchy, not willing to face the wrath of the Emperor, offers to stand down. A harsh winter affects both Bohemia and Poland. '''
 * Iceland: 3,000 children are brought in the world bringing the population to a nice 69,000. The King abolishes slavery and allows all runaway slaves to come or return to Iceland. After the publication of the map of Hell many priests come forward about their wrong doing and repent their sins. Archbishop Ari is sent to the Papal States to study The Mirror of Simple Souls to see if it’s contradictory to his Father’s and if it’s heretical, he also encourages the pope to end Heilwijch’s teaching (Papal Response Needed). King Ólaf puts more people along the Grandroad and the fishing business grow exponentially along with the capabilities of the Army. Cardinal Ari writes another book named The Basis of Humanity which shows the anatomy of Humans will theorising why god designed us that way. A young Admiral named Páll Snorrason goes with two ships to explore the North East. (Mod Response Needed). The economy grows very much and the Hospital finishes Construction.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV welcomes archbishop Ari in Rome.
 * The ships find water, lots of it, and mostly frozen. There are also a lot of whales with valuable blubber
 * Papal States: This year Pope Sixtus IV and part of the curia go in a pastoral visit to the Republic of San Marino. There, in a reunion with the Captain-General and Cardinal Benvenuto, they talk about the creation of an Ecclesial Tribunal in San Marino. The visit ends with Sixtus celebrating a mass in the Basilica di San Marino. After returning to Rome, the pope welcomes Pimen Izvekov and organize the Russian Orthodox Embassy in the Papal States. The Holy Father condemns the teachings of Heilwijch Blomart as heretical, since its denies the importance of the sacraments. He sends inquisitors to Lotharingia and writes to Archduke John III and the Council of Heyst asking for their help to stop this heresy of spreading in their nation [Lotharingia response needed, please]. The repairs of buildings and aqueducts continues across the Papal States. The construction of the University of Rome continues and the pope writes to Venice and Milan asking for books to be put in its library. Sixtus also apologize with the people of Venice due to the misunderstanding about the war in Cyprus [Milan and Venice response needed, please]. Sixtus writes to Constantinople seeking to reestablish diplomatic relations with the Greek Patriarch and the Emperor [MOD response needed, please]. The pope creates as cardinals Marco Rognoni (Papal States) and Ildebrandino Conti (Venice). The pontiff gives his blessings to the recently organized Cistercian Order. The health of mother Catharina continues to decline and in July, after having received the anointing of the sick, she dies in the presence of her brother and of the other nuns of the Divine Mercy. Her body is transported in a procession to the Church of Divine Mercy and while the procession passes through the streets, a crowd follows it shouting: "Saint! Saint! Saint!". Catharina's body is buried in a chapel inside of the Church of Divine Mercy. Vittoria Bellini is chosen as the new prioress of the Order of Divine Mercy. One month after Catharina's death her brother Matthias also falls ill and in November he dies. Like happened with his sister, while the procession carrying Matthias body passes, the people shout "Saint! Saint! Saint!". He is buried next to his sister in the Church of Divine Mercy. Fabrizio Cascioli succeeds Matthias as prior of the Order of Divine Mercy. Due to the reputation of sanctity of the twins, the Church of Divine Mercy starts to attract people seeking for miracles of the "Twin Saints". Victor Capet and Anna of Habsburg have a daughter named Margaret.
 * Patriarch John XIV agrees to have an embassy in Rome for the time being
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The Shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya is completed and stands as a grand building in Delhi to the north of the Siri Fort complex. Kannauj is made the capital of Awadh. The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. A madrassa is constructed in Sonargaon hosting scholars from China. The Surajkund Reservoir near Delhi is restored. Madhavcharya’s Dvaita Vedanta philosophy starts spreading rapidly in the Hindu community of North India. The Sultan further increases his efforts at spreading the Chishti order of Sufism and begins establishing Khanqahs (which house Sufi saints) in the towns and cities of Punjab namely Lahore, Multan, Ajodhan, Uuch, Samana, Bhakkar and Dipalpur. The Governor of Gujarat, Fateh Khan, invites Ethiopian merchants to Khambhat. The Sultan is enraged by the fact that the Turkmans have started trying to raid Kabulistan, the raids are unsuccessful and are repelled by the force of five tumen stationed in Kabulistan under the Governor of Kabulistan. The Sultan reinforces the Kabulistan force with another tumen of troops and three tumen are also sent to Sindh to reinforce the defenses. The Sultan sends envoys to the Turkmans and in a show of brotherhood (belonging to a Turkman dynasty himself), he allows the Turkmans to settle and live in India if they stop raiding the territories of the Sultanate. (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE). The Sultan commissions Ibn Batuta to create an atlas for him. Ibn Batuta presents the Sultan with the atlas and the Sultan is highly impressed. The Sultan engages in daily conversations with Ibn Batuta and gets to know a lot about the Muslim world and is particularly intrigued about the nation of Mali and its leader, Mansa Musa.
 * The Turkmans agree to take this offer and make peace with India
 * Ethiopia Dip: Ethiopia agrees to send merchants to Khambhat. 
 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward, with mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are finally built. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This is finally implemented into all regions of the Empire, allowing for the end of the short famine and a short boost in population. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. The various southern warlords of the Chalchihuites continue to be traded with. The Michoacan military is set up with 14,500 volunteers whom, with harsh training and the instilling of harsh, near-genocidal ideology, are zealous in nature. Additionally, another 7,500 forces are pooled from tributaries and the allies, bringing a total of 22,000 forces. An alliance with the eastern Huastec civilization is asked for, with the standard promise of conquering our collective rival, the vicious Atzcapotzalco, as well as the promise of territory and wealth for them if an invasion led by our Empire against Atz's was initiated (Mod Response Needed).
 * The Cazoncis of Huextla, Tuxpan, and Tollan agree to an alliance
 * Republic of Venice: In a letter to the Pope, Doge Francesco della Scaglia forgives the Holy Father for his mistake and thanks him for making Conte the cardinal. Conte will function as a sort of ambassador to Rome as well, retaining good contacts to Venice. 50 cannons are offered to the Papal army, with a 50% discount, or, if the Pope is willed, 100 for free (including officers to teach the Roman soldiers how to use them, and military advisers to properly set up a standing army) in exchange for the permission to incorporate the lands of Este and Bologna into Venice (PAPAL RESPONSE, PLEASE). To the matter with Milan and Cyprus: Venice offers to repair the damage done in Kyrenia with no monetary interest, for the small price of Venice keeping the North-Cypriot peninsula, so that communication between Venetian building teams and the Cretan outpost can function properly (MILAN RESPONSE). Corsica, Crete and Kerch are continued to be treated as gems of the colonial realm of Venice, with vineyards being set up, arts and literacy flourishing and the textile industry booming. The spice trade with the east begins to deepen, as a group of merchants is sent to Hindustan, to establish direct trading routes for the spice trade, bringing fine glass works, cloth and gold to the court. (HINDUSTAN RESPONSE, PLEASE) This would simplify the process of acquiring and selling spices in Europe, which would guarantee good prices for the Hindustani. The sphere of influence around Venice begins to tighten: Formerly independent lands that are under Venetian control are now closer tied to the capital, however they have their own representative, known as the Signore of the city, who also functions as a mayor. The senate is extended by 100 seats, making up 700 seats. This is done so that representatives from the colonies (who are tied closer to the mainland by this, enforcing Venetian rule more directly) can fit into the decision-making process.
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV allows the annexation of Este and Bologna. However, he will not accept any free cannon, because this can be see as bribery. He will pay the integral price of the cannons.
 * Milan Diplo: Milan finds this deal unacceptable due to the loss of Cyprus from Venetian maneuvering and actions. And once again Azzone asks them to come up with an idea.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The Canton of Schwyz sends an envoy to the town of Gersau, now entirely surrounded by the Swiss Cantons of Schwyz, Unterwalden and Lucerne, suggesting to them to join the Swiss Confederacy for logistical and economical reasons as they are entirely surrounded by the Confederacy. The envoy assures the burgomaster of Gersau the town will be able to retain some autonomy as its own Canton of Gersau. (Mod response) Ulrich V von Lenzburg, Bishop of Chur criticises the preachings of Heilwijch Blomart as they, unlike Marguerite Porete, go against the sacraments. The new canton of Zug is given a seat on the central council of the Confederacy in Schwyz, expanding its size to nine (seven Cantons plus the Bishop of Chur and the House of Lenzburg). The joint military of the Confederacy focuses on fortifying the southern borders of the Cantons of Uri and Glarus by building fortified gates on mountain pass routes. In Lucerne, some boats are built to ferry people across Lake Lucerne to Gersau, Schwyz or Altdorf, Uri.
 * Gersau joins the confederacy
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The Cross of Lothair is Finaly Returned to His Majesty Archduke John III, The Cross being Made for Otto III King of Germany. The Cross being made in Honour of Lothair II the Founder of the Duchy of Lotharingia, and Now it being Returned for His Majesty John I Duke of Brabant and Lothier. John I Duke of Brabant, Limburg and Lothier now sometimes been seen as the Founder of the Renewed Lotharingian Realm, Which is often called Ionia. Although the Name of Ionia is a name specificly given in relation of the land Ruled by the Archduke of Lotharingia and all his titles he posseses. Although the Archduke does make it verry clear that he does not want this name in any official use, John not wanting to have a cult based around himself. While he sees that in Brussels and serounding areas a heretical cult appears, who believe strange overly pacifist and anti-papal teachings. So his Majesty and the Council decide that in the Heyst Charter Loyalty to the Pope now has to be sworn, this to ensure that this Cult cannot publicly grow to the council. The Clear underestimation of Brabantine Shipbuilding has now been greatly reduced,in 1333 the Harbours having built 15 ships in total. These ships making it so that the Ducal Navy has a total of 45 ships, which is enough for  the Defence of the rivers and the Zuydersche Zee. The Archduke now badly trying to look for ways to fully blockade the Zuyderzee from enemy ships, the most liked technique being semi stegnant ships with who are anchored down. These ships being big but with less ability to have a lot of material goods in them, this being offset by the bigger weaponry. The army of Lotharingia even requesting five ships a year to be built by Castile (Aragon and Castille Response). This being done to have ships far away from the Lotharingian core, so it is more difficult to be attacked by Foreign Wrath. While with the improvement of the County of Julich, his Majesty the Count of Gulik is Finaly able to recruit her man in the Army of Lotharingia. So this army which is the size of 20,000 splits herself up with 10,000 near Namur and 5,000 near Utrecht and Flanders Each, this is done due to the Flemish rejection of the Lotharingia which of Severed Family ties. So the Archduke John III now requests to Tournais that is swears Loyal to the Archduke of Lotharingia and the Parliament of Mechelen, as it is a member of this Council. John III also demanding for the Last time to Namur, that it breaks ties with the House of Dampiere which is a House not Loyal to France Nor the emperor(Mod Response). The Archduke justifies this to his Father in law by saying that, he only wish to remove Royal houses who are not Loyal to Him our Dear Emperor. John III Archduke of Lotharingia being curious if the Emperor would lend any soldier to help his authority. As his majesty Invites the Count of Luxembourg to Aachen once more, to discus the current events that ought to be done. While in the Mumbels the small force is still resting but getting a bit frustrated due to the Distance and the unability to go back home to their family. Although they have now buil houses for themself in the Mumbels and some small farms to get proper food without needing trade for the supplies.
 * Count Namur II calls on help from Flanders and his allies against Lothraingia's aggression.
 * Tibet: In the morning, Changchub saw a troop of nomadic asian in the territorial came from the north which is result a raid battle he demand to be in the throne by walked and suddenly Changchub request to his royal among 13,000 soldiers against them meanwhile with the citizen of Tibet most of territorial are establish by the council of the Dynasty he would led any soldier to fight against the invader on his own territorial his majesty pray at the statues of Budhha on his palace in the battle near to the north they launch greek fire on it resulta that the tibetean army win easily by their troop the commander scream hopefully as 'we finally win victorial royal!' after the battle one of his nobleman construtce most of army ship to trip and conquering river on Tibet a to diccus about it chang and his noble speak in a way of strategy to push it them off so is would be easily to kick off them Chang is curious what would happen if they take assault on the territory in this night he senda a letter to the army office to built fortifications against the invader who keep ruined on it which,they won't reallly destroy or introducing on it.
 * Kingdom of Hungary, Croatia, and Dacia: Things have continued in the kingdom as they always have with the slow process of rebuilding the country continues, interestingly as Géza gets older he begins to develop a further interest in the arts and science inviting many scholars, artisans, and actor to his court offering them his patronage while he carefully budgets this in order to avoid a finacial strain on his country it begins to develop the splendor of his court and make it slowly renowned within the art community in Europe, with Esztergom developing into a great city of culture. Within the lands of Dacia, the native Dacians or Vlachs living in them begin to develop their own cultural identity with it beginning to show syncretic structures within the church building adopting elements from traditional orthodox structures and western churches this new style is unique to the people living in the land, the area it encompasses is taken to a more specific name of Moldavia after the Moldova river while Dacia is a more general term. Use of latin oddly enough is prevalent within the orthodox services as well. The city of Buda continues to develop as a city of writing and literature with many nobles taking on the profession and publishing various stories.
 * Lands of Stephen and Margaret: With the death of Margaret's father Henry, and as her father's only heir the lands pass to Margaret and Stephen jure uxoris, they are quick to act establishing their rule fast and orderly and installing themselves over their lands. With this the lands of Tyrol, Carinthia and Carniola are placed under the control of them. They begin by establishing contact and diplomacy with the various lords and princes surrounding the area and take up preparations in case of Austrian aggression as they have shown themselves to be ambitious and that they will stop at nothing to acquire more lands for their upstart family.
 * Mali Empire: Hendrickus Pisacus completes his studies at the University of Sankore, graduating with an associates degree in Manding poetry. Hendrickus composes a basic acrosstic for presenting to the Emperor of Mali, along with various manufactured trinkets he brought with him from Antwerp. So at last, Hendrickus and Addas set out on their caravan from Timbuktu towards the south, entering the heart of Mali itself. He documented many of the exotic animals and wildlife that he encounters along the way, such as the lions, giraffes, rhinos, and elephants. He took a lot of care at identifying these animals from the native words that Addas showed to him, and compare them to similar species found in the medieval beastiary that he took with him. He also documented the organization of society in Mali, including the relationships between slaves and masters, and the regional people groups between Mandike, Tureg, Berber, and Bantu peoples, and the relationships between feudal lords and peasents. Eventually they came to the city of Niani, a glorious and austere city of its own, but much smaller and less grand than either Timbuktu or Dakar. After waiting for a few days in the outer courts of the capital, the two men recieved invitation from Mansa Musa to come into the palace of Niani itself, and dine with him at his own table. Hendrickus was amazed by the finest works of entertainment and grandure that the African world can offer: silken purple robes, far eastern spices, Nigerian dancers, whilring dervishes from Egypt, and many more pleasent diversions. He also saw that many major heads of state would routinely pay homage to Mansa Musa, such as the Emperor of Ethiopia and the Emperor of Oyo, who would also eat at the same table. After feasting, Mansa Musa worked off the food with a lot of physical sports and wild hunting, using a private forest located inside his palace. With the integration of various people groups into the feudal structure of the empire, the size of the army is likewise increased beyond its normal capacity of of 100,000 troops, parituclarly with the expansion of the cavalry unions. More settlments expand into central Nigeria.
 * The United Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: In the capital of Nuuk, Jarl Ragnar I inaguarates the Nuuk University where both male and female students are going to study.In other news,the jarl begins showing great interest for this thing called cannons. In Nuuk, plans to build the greatest coastal fotress the world has ever seen is drawn up.
 * Latin Empire of Romania: In his fourth year as Emperor, William de la Roche, son of Matilda, Latin Empress and Guy II, Duke of Athens, continues his rule. At 27 years of age, Emperor William seeks to marry a prominent European princess, and so sends a proposal to marry the daughter of the King of Hungary (Hungarian Response), an important Eastern European power. In other news, the continued Frankification of the realm has made serious progress since the early reign of Empress Matilda. This has been promoted by the Roman Catholic church's influence over the Empire, especially in Matilda's later years. The Latin Patriarch of Constantinople, Nicholas of Thebes, who had been a prominent figure in the country, dies this year, however, and so a request is sent to His Holiness, the Pope, to make an appointment (Papal Response). The legal structure of the Latin Empire begins to be consolidated in greater degree this year, as the Assizes of Romania continue to be compiled under the direction of Emperor William. The death of Nicholas of Thebes, who had been spearheading the effort under the Emperor's request, leads to Emperor William appointing the Duke of the Archipelago, Nicholas I Sanudo, to head the effort. Elsewhere, with the collapsing Persian states, a loyal Greek Orthodox emissary is sent to that region, inviting their prominent scholars to take up refuge in Latin Romania. Finally, a diplomatic mission is sent to the Duchy of Neopatria, asking for a mutual-defensive pact against the Byzantines (Mod Response).
 * Hungarian Diplomacy: We accept a marriage between Judith of Hungary and Emperor William of Romania.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV appoints Henry of Asti, bishop of Negroponte, as the new Latin Patriarch of Constantinople and creates him as cardinal.
 * Neopatria accepts the alliance.
 * Tian China: With the White Horde and the Yuan having now bleed eachother significantly in the second battle of Wuwei, we launch an attack from our fortified position in Anyuanzhen, flanking the Mongol army and attacking their flanks in a pincer attack, with one side led by General Mao Xieren and the other led by the Emperor himself. This attack consists of a significant portion of our army and outnumbers the Horde forces, well our Korean allies also helping us in this battle aid in increasing our number advantage even further. ALGORITHM NEEDED). We also continue to blockade the Yuan costal cities. In addition to this, we finnaly begin attempting to deal with our famine, distributing large amounts of food from more well stocked provinces to the affected regions and doing our best to relive the people of the famine, in order to ensure their continued use to the empire. We also expand our settlement on Taiwan slightly, by another 50 people, bringing the population up to 350 people.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Having received the Mansa Musa’s invitation, Amda Seyon prepares a large entourage to travel with him to Mali. The procession includes the most powerful nobles of Ethiopia as well as several Coptic priests and is laden with gifts of exotic Indian goods meant for the Mali Court. As Amda Seen arrives in Mali, he is greatly impressed with the sophistication of its culture and society, marveling at the cities and highly developed roads. What strikes the Emperor, most of all however, is the great center of learning he is shown at the University of Sankore and the Library of Timbuktu. The amount of knowledge and intellectual capacity impresses the Emperor greatly. Amda Seyon finally arrives at the Court of Mansa Must in Niani. There the two rulers meet and exchange greetings and gifts. As a gift for the Lion of Africa, the Emperor Amda Seyon presents Mansa Musa two live Bengal tigers, a male and female, calling them “Lions of India.” After meeting with Mansa Musa Amda Seyon returns to Ethiopia, inspired by the wonders he saw in Mali. After returning to Ethiopia Amda Seyon orders the construction of Ethiopia’s own university in Barara. There Amda Seyon gathers as many intellectuals as he can. Doctors, lawyers and philosophers from among the Christian refugees who fled Egypt are given teaching positions, as well as Mali engineers and Indian shipwrights and shipbuilders. To provide students for the university, the Emperor decrees that each noble must send their first born son and heir to Barara to learn at the university and allows nobles to send all their children there. This has the added benefit of putting the children of the nobility under Imperial control. The university also teaches to the children of the nobles the importance of the monarchy and the Christian virtue of loyalty, attempting to influence the children and turn them into complacent and loyal vassals. The shipwrights and shipbuilders sent by Hindustan to Ethiopia construct Ethiopia’s first shipyards at Beri, the Imperial port. Under the tutelage of the Hindustan shipbuilders Ethiopia soon begins building its first ships based on the Indian Dhow. Encouraged by the progress, the Emperor orders the construction of a large fleet of ships. The port city itself continues to be expanded along with Barara, and the growth of these two cities, both under Imperial control, boosts the Emperor’s wealth. The Emperor soon becomes far wealthier than his nobles, further tightening his control over them. With Ethiopia thriving from trade with India, the Emperor makes an offer to nearby Christian realms Alodia, Makuria, and Damot the opportunity to partake in the Indian trade if they agree to be vassals to Ethiopia. The Emperor also offers complete protection of each nation from the Taymiyyah threat in the north, naval technology and infrastructure engineering advice, and offers to allow each ruler to maintain autonomy within their realm, so long as they followed Ethiopia’s lead on foreign policy affairs. [MOD RESPONSE].
 * All the Coptic states of Africa want to be part of the same international trade of Ethiopia. Damot agrees to become a vassal. Alwah agrees for protection but not full vassalization. Makuria turns down the offer.
 * Japanese Empire: The Emperor this year orders the withdrawal of nearly 20,000 troops from the Manchurian campaign in order to conserve costs and allow many of the levy troops to work on their plots of land at home and prevent an issue regarding food in some parts of the empire. Leaving roughly 40,000 troops in Manchuria with most of the coastal and southern regions of Outer Manchuria secured, the Japanese army begins securing more and more of the tribal lands and countryside. With only 2,000 troops left of the formerly 10,000 strong army the Army splits in half to pursue the remaining 2,000 troops while the remainder of the area is occupied. Standing orders are given that if a larger force arrives to assist the 20,000 strong army under General Shikadai Hosokawa then they are to withdraw and rejoin with the main army. The light cavalry screening force of about 700 light cavalry is used to scout the terrain nearby and run interference as well as raid more territory of the Yuan. This is done specifically to forage and gather supplies to support the army in the northern part of the campaign. The Supply depot at Furdan is expanded to more thoroughly support the army as a makeshift port is constructed using the engineer which were brought alongside the army in order to allow the Japanese imperial navy to support the campaign. At home the reduction of forces from the now 60,000 to about 40,000 lightens up the military burden on the Imperial treasury. Stories of victory in the distant lands leads to celebration in Japan. The development of the roadway system continues in a somewhat lesser ability as usual manpower that would have been used for this is currently campaigning however the Roadway linking Hiroshima to the Capital sees its completion this year and smaller tertiary roadways to smaller settlements and towns begin construction after years of building the roadway from Kyoto to the southern regions. The expansion of trade in Sakhalin continues however it becomes clear warring factions of natives divided on how to deal with the Japanese in Southern sakhalin spills over as the trade fort is put to siege. However the garrison force is able to resist and hold out against the onslaught inflicting a decent amount of casualties against the aggressive natives. This does however force the local charter administration to consider how to best deal with the issue and more choice trade agreements are agreed upon with more favorable natives. The wartime stimulation of the Artisan economy showcases the shortfalls of the domestic manufacturing (this is pre industrial manufacturing to be clear) and the Emperor Katsumoto expands the apprenticeship system to more effectively expand the artisan and manufacturing trades hoping to see some notable growth in these economic factors within 10-15 years. It becomes long standing policy to help promote further expansion of the artisan classes to meet demand in china as well as on the open market which is beginning to coalesce in a non official sense as trade further to the south begins to see an exchange of japanese and goods from the kingdoms to the south. The enclosure movement finally meets its first real strain of resistance as peaseant farmers not wanting to see their own farms overrun by the more prosperous enclosure farms and livestock farms resist further attempts to expand into the Japanese countryside.


 * Oyo Empire: With a successful survey the Alaafin sets a quota of mobilizing 56,000 men for his army by 1337. The Ajaale and horse riders must work quickly to get that many men armed trained and stationed within 2 years. In the meantime all of the Alaafins current men are to be stationed on the frontlines. Fortifications are to be built, and watchtowers for when the Bariba and Nupe forces cross the Niger River into Oyo. Besides that a offer is sent to neighboring Igbodimina. This kingdom has been tormented by raids from the Nupe and Bariba for centuries, and has not been conquered only due to its hilly terrain. With the raids and constant attacks by our mutual enemies, I offer Igbodimina to become a Oyo protectorate. In exchange we will not only protect them from raids but give them the force to strike back at their tormentors. Aswell Igbodimina is a impoverished Kingdom and we promise a opportunity to use our trade platform for them to prosper. To strengthen the tie we offer both the Alaafins brother Ajaka and the Alaafins niece hands in marriage to Igbodimina elite. We sweeten the deal with gifts of foreign goods from trade with Mali and gold.


 * Republic of Milan: Azzone begins to question the state of Venice as Azzone feels as though Venice is simply looking to take advantage of the alliance to gain things they haven’t earned. Otherwise ships are sent eastward to land and invade into White horde controlled Crimea. 40 thousand troops make the move with a full blockade being set up. (Algo needed). Merchants of Milan begin to look for opportunities to set up direct trade deals with african nations for commodities such as gold. As such a merchant fleet escorted by a couple of mercenary ships hired by the De-Medici travel down the coast of western Africa in search of new land and new nations to trade with. (Mod response needed).
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Dmitry the Terrible Eyes is concerned about the rise of the Golden Horde under Jani Beg in his backyard, and prepares for an announcement. The ambassador to China, Fyodor Dvoryaninets, a nephew of the posadnik of Novgorod, seeks further good relations with the Emperor of China, citing the enmity of both the Rus' and China to the Mongols. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, discuss plans to expand the role of Novgorod on the Northern Silk Road, including embassies farther away from the Mongols into other territories, and an expansion into the White Sea trade. They support Prince Dmitry, but they want to expand their powers in Novgorod and elsewhere, and they send agents secretly to Smolensk, Rostov and Yaroslavl, who instigate the traders to demand more authority in the form of a local veche. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. Otherwise, we continue developing Mikhailov on the Neva, and build a large port, and build several roads connecting Novgorod to Mikhailov, Staraya Rusa, Vologda, Vyborg, Pskov and Tver. After the death of Prince Yuri of Moscow, we ask every other Russian state to recognize Dmitry as the Prince of Vladimir.
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): Tver becomes a leading power in the Russian states, and as a grand road from Novgorod passes through Tver, becomes a leading center in the economy of the Rus'. A grand road is built to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Murom, as well as to Smolensk, in order to facilitate trade with Bohemia. Supported by Novgorod, the merchant elite starts secretly plotting to align itself with Novgorodian ideals, and begin scoffing at a Russian prince, and they send agents to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Smolensk, as well as Chernigov and Kiev. A successful appeal is made for the Prince of Tver to have a veche assemble, but no posadnik to be elected. A great road is also built toward Ruthenia's capital Lviv.
 * Principality of Kiev (PU with Novgorod): Kiev begins rebuilding its lands long destroyed by the Mongols. It establishes a new river market, and hope to be able to trade with the Black Sea downward from the Dnieper. Towns such as Pereyaslavl are rebuilz, with the hope for them to become trading towns. A road is built toward Chernigov, in hope to be able to trade with the west. A priest is sent by Archbishop of Novgorod David to proselytize and appoint an Archbishop for the Goths in Crimea. 
 * Republic of Pskov (PU with Novgorod): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and builds a fort near the village of Narvia called Reya, and one farther east and inland called Yama. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * Lordship of Ireland: After taking Berwick upon Tweed and winning the battle of Haildon hill but suffering similar casualties to the Scots remains wary. Leaving 500 troops to garrison Berwick, 7,500 troops under Aodh mac Domnhall Ui Neill leaves Berwick marching to Dunbar and then skirting south around Edinburgh entering into the Central Lowlands and continuing onto Glasgow avoiding attacking the city itself then Kilmarnock. Anglo- Irish forces burn and loot the countryside as they advance destroying crops and villages in a violent chevauchée keeping them supplied and forcing the Scots into battle hopefully. Most of the raiding is done by mounted troops. If they reach Kilmarnock without a fight the Anglo- Irish force double back and take the same route back to Berwick. If a Scottish blocking force holds a river the Anglo- Irish forces try and cross the river up or downstream at night. If the Scots attempt to block the advance in the field, the Anglo- Irish forces attack with longbows on the flanks and men at arms in the centre by moving the army to 200 metres away with the long bowmen placing Irish hedgehogs in front of themselves and then attacking with longbows from the flanks while the centre remain slightly back until the enemy advance then the centre protects the archers on the flanks hoping to inflict a serious defeat on the Scots in the field.
 * Great Zimbabwe: The king of Zimbabwe leds an invasion of the south with all two thousand of his cavalry and ten thousand of the warriors of the kingdom, wiping out entire population centers from the Crocodile River to the edge of the Highveld in the southwest. The Nguni scramble to put up a meager defense against the forces of Zimbabwe, which boasts plentiful cavalry, superior armor and tactics, and a determination to drive the Nguni into the sea. Every woman and girl deemed suitable for marriage is carried off into the newly-conquered territories of the Shona, while all of the males in the region are put to death and their cattle taken to support the ever expanding realms of Zimbabwe. Some fifty thousand Nguni women who survive the invasion are captured and forced into marriage within the homes of the victorious Shona men, who set fire to the kraals of the local peoples and visit a level of viciousness never-before witnessed in all the land. The Shona fight using methods of war unknown to the Nguni people, the latter more use to basic skirmishes for pastures, water, and to see wrongs written in the field of battle. The Shona have arrived to kill and to pillage, taking all that can be carried and setting fire to the rest. Upon reaching the edge of the Highveld in the southwest, Akashinga calls a brief end to the campaigning, setting up camp in the region and preparing for future operations in southern African lands. Back home, the road network of Zimbabwe is expanded to include nearly all of the major cities within the kingdom, as well as linking them to the two major port cities in the east. Several of the gold mines receive special attention as they are expanded to feed to needs of the kingdom and its exports to the foreign merchants visiting the lands of the Shona, who have taken great effort to advance their standing in the area as a regional power. Merchants visiting Zimbabwe's ports find that Muromo Weshiri and Muromo Wenyika have become more profitable centers of trade that Sofala, which is relegated to a second-tier city as the two Shona ports eclipse it in size and prestige. Muromo Weshiri's population balloons as a direct result of the increased trade, growing from some five thousand inhabitants to more than twelve thousand, catering to the needs of Shona fishermen and Arab and Indian traders visiting the port. The Shona merchants in the region have begun to invest in the construction of a full-fledged dry dock in Muromo Weshiri, where they seek to enter into the Indian Ocean trade network, and begin profiting from the great wealth of the nations lining the edges of the ocean. In Ingombe Ilede, Farai begins to collect all of his works into a single book entitled Umthombo, or "The Source". He explicitly chooses a non-Shona name for his work as he believes it is the role of his people to spread his messages of peace, logic, and understanding to the surrounding Bantu peoples of Africa, and bring them into what he deems "unitary compliance", a state of submission where the light of rationality is forcibly imposed upon the irrational. These teachings of sound thinking and humane behavior have taken much of northern Zimbabwe and parts of the capital region by storm, evading any attempts by King Akashinga to subdue them. His advisers get a hold of a copy of Farai's book, and bring it to the king to inspect, so as to gain a better understanding as to why his people have been enraptured by the teachings of a subversive loon in the opinion of the king. The literacy rate of Zimbabwe continues to climb, with the literate population reaching nearly 5% of the general population. Shohiwa continues to spearhead the efforts to provide the upper class of the kingdom an education which will ultimately aid Zimbabwe's efforts of developing into a proper realm governed by qualified administrators. Monetization of the economy continues under the direction of the king, continuing the policies of the previous ruler to establish an economy based on a regulated coinage system rather than a primitive bartering one. Advisers to the king suspect that penetration of the monetary system may have reached 30-40% of the total population, with the newly-conquered lands of the south and the western and northern extremities of the nation remaining within the old bartering system. In spite of this, as the population continues to grow, the revenue of the state grows with it, allowing for direct investment in several public works projects such as the construction of roads, expansion of cities, and development of royal granaries throughout Zimbabwe to ensure a supply of food during droughts or famines.

1336
''' King Philip VI of France dies of fever, leaving a question in France who is the rightful successor. The nobles of the royal lands of France, as well as Normandy and southern France, support the Count of Valois as the new King, who is proclaimed as King Philip VII. However, the lands of Burgundy as well as the remainder of France's vassals instead believe that Victor Capet, the son of Louis I of Navarre, is the proper king instead, being descendant from an older sibling. Victor's claim is also supported by the Count of Luxembourg and the Duke of Austria. The lands of Gascony and Aquitaine, however, defers the decision to their liege Edward III. '''

''' After the soldiers return to Delhi from the campaigns against the Turkmen, the Bubonic Plague sweeps through Kabul, Kasimir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. It wipes out thousands of people from each city it passes through. In the far south, a group of nobles exiled from the Hoysalas Dynasty founds a new nation in the southern parts of the Deccan Plataea, known as the Realm of Vijayanager. '''

''' Due to the events that transpired in the Middle East these last few years, the spice trade from the far east is severely disrupted. The nations largely dependent on eastern Mediterranean trade, such as Venice, Cyprus, Byzantium, Romania, and Hungary, are now cut off from recieving the silk road from that direction. Instead, a new trade route is established in a tropical latitude, where the Sultanate of India trades directly to the Empire of Ethiopia, who in turn trades along the Caravan route to Mali. '''

''' Ibn Battuta begins work on a world atlas while being patronized by the Sultan of India. Meanwhile, John Maunderville arrives in India himself in the Kingdom of Pandyas. He surveys the island of Ceylon, then arrives on the continent at the port of Kerala. He spends a lot of time with Nestorian communities in southern India, visiting the tomb of Saint Thomas particularly. He writes bout how the structure of the Nestorian church functions as like a cosmic counterbalance to the Roman Catholic Church. '''

''' The Italian poet and philosopher Petrarch ascends the Mountain of Ventoux in southern France, and writes extensively about it. '''

' Ghiyas Rashid Al-Din publishes a beautifully-illustrated edition of the Shahenmeh'', the traditional Islamic history of Persia, in the city of Tabriz. '''


 * Swiss Confederacy: After discussions in Schwyz, the central council of the Swiss Confederacy issues a public statement supporting Victor Capet as King of France over Philip of Valois, citing his closer familial connection to the previous kings and his favourable relationships with the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor. (Secret) The central council sends an envoy to Victor Capet, offering him the services of 3,000 Swiss mercenaries if the French succession crisis devolves into armed conflict. (Mod response) (End secret) An envoy is also sent to the Confederacy's trade allies the Republic of Milan, urging them to also declare support for Victor Capet for the aforementioned reasons. (Milan response) The canton of Lucerne sends an envoy to the Free City of Bern, a trade ally of the Confederacy since 1323, suggesting that Bern and its allied cities such as Biel/Bienne and Thun should join the Swiss Confederacy as the Canton of Bern as, because of the recent instability in both Italy and France, they would stand to benefit from the Confederacy's joint defensive system. (Mod response) Domestically, the government works on improving and expanding sheep farms, particularly in the Cantons of Lucerne and Unterwalden. The joint military focuses on recruiting additional mercenaries.
 * Bern agrees to a joint defense
 * Milan seconds the support for Victor by offering him 5,000 Milanese Long lances at the price of 3500 ducats per year.
 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward. Mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. After descendents of the Toltec settling the valley is sent to Tariácuri, he changes his policy in light of the recent failure in the war to effectively begin killing all of the Culhua-Mexican peoples, beginning with farmers on the outskirt blocking the path to the eastern sea. Women are sold into slavery while the men are left naked, mutilated, and discarded near the outskirts of the enemy. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. General infrastructural defenses are finally built. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This three-part crop rotation has allowed for a small population boost. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. The various southern warlords of the Chalchihuites continue to be traded with. The Michoacan military is set up with 14,500 volunteers whom, with harsh training and the instilling of harsh, near-genocidal ideology, are zealous in nature. Additionally, another 7,500 forces are pooled from tributaries and the allies, bringing a total of 22,000 forces. After relaying the strategy of invading from the northwest, the north, the northeast, and the west, as well as after allowing the eastern sea's allies build up their own forces, the final campaign against Atzcapotzalco is conducted, with the Tarascan invading force numbering 10,000 in the west, while 12,000 invade through the north (Mod Response Needed). The policy of no mercy, while also plundering and setting fire to a number of buildings is put in place for this campaign.
 * Iceland: The Expeditionary forces is restocked and head out to sea(Mod Response Needed) The population grows 3,000 kids bringing the population to 72,000 and some families are moved around the country to stabilize population count. The King tours the country and while in Akureyri he slips on the frozen ground and become paralyzed from the waist down. Cardinal Ari meets with the pope and advises him to call a Crusade on a Heretical nation that would be easily converted. The nation becomes richer with selling the blubber so a big Laboratory is added to the University. After sending the the expedition again an extra 3 ships. (Mod response needed)
 * They think they find some evidence of land, but the way is blocked by iceburgs.
 * The united jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: The parliament votes with full support on proposing an alliance to Iceland, which the Jarl giving it the royal approval. (ICELANDIC RESPONSE NEEDED). Meanwhile, in the capital of Nuuk, Military leaders working on the fort, demands that the jarl look into the purchase of some cannons. The jarl sends his son to Milan to ask if they are willing to sell. (MILANESE RESPONSE NEEDED). For the first time since its foundation, Jarl Ragnar I steps into the royal ship and travels to iceland to meeet with their leader.
 * Kingdom of England  With France apparently descending into a War of Succession, Edward III takes the advantage and orders an additional Army of 5,000 Men to invade Scotland in support of the Anglo-Irish Forces already present as Edward III places them under the command of the Irish while preparing his own intervention in France. In Brittany, Edward III offers the Duke of Brittany a way to prevent John of Montfort from taking power if he dies stating that shall he die, the rival claimants of France would instigate a Civil War within Brittany and stating that in order to prevent such a calamity, he should accept a Marriage between Joan of Penthievre and Edward III’s brother, John of Eltham (Mod Response Needed). Meanwhile with Count Namur II requesting the support of Flanders and its allies, Edward III sends messages to the Count of Flanders and the Prince-Bishop of Utrecht to mobilize their forces in opposition to the Lotharingian Mobilization. (Mod Response) With France distracted, Edward III sends a Force of 8,000 Men to the County of Flanders while a Fleet of 85 Ships are mobilized in anticipation of a possible Lotharingian Attack. Meanwhile, with the French distracted, Edward III decides to stop paying homage to the King of France as he states that he cannot pay homage to the King of France as there is not one distinct successor to the Throne. Though Edward III does possess a legitimate claim on the French throne, he does not decide to intervene in France willing to take care of the Lotharingians and the Socttish first before doing so. Meanwhile with Victor Capet gaining support in France, Edward III sends a message to the Emperor of Hispania alerting him of the threat posed by Victor Capet shall he become King of France and offers him an alliance as a counter measure to such a threat. (Hispanic Response Needed). As the proposal for an Anglo-Hispanic Alliance is made, Edward III orders the increase of the Garrison in Gascony and Aquitaine to 15,000 Men as he orders the construction of new fortifications in opposition to the apparent Civil War in France. Finally Edward III then sends a message to the Holy Roman Emperor asking that he helps Edward III contain Lotharingian Expansionism as they have become more aggressive and currently threaten the peace in the Lowlands. (Mod Response Needed)
 * Flanders mobilizes against Lothraingia, only provided they get direct English support. The Bishop of Utrecht refuses to break their agreement of peace with Brabant.
 * John de Mortfort agrees to the marriage.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The county of Namur Refuses to break her ties with Namur, His majesty the Archduke wanting that all states in the empire are Loyal to His majesty the Emperor Johan. John III Archduke of Lotharingia not trusting the House of Dampiere and her loyalities, As the House of Dampiere hasn't had to swear Loyalty to the emperor. So the Archduke Unfortionatly has to Declare war on the County of Namur, so he does writeng "It hurts me to do so but i now must declare war on your state Guy II of Namur, But we shall fight to know which of us is right in her Demands. Weri di and Shall the lord have Mercy on thou." So the Army of Lotharingia now invades the nation both fighting natiosn doing it against their will. But a Force of 5,000 still invade the nation, This force attacks the County in the city which is her namesake. The army of the South attacks near Namur with Siegeweapons and all the while improving her roads, during this the Brabantine navy and smaller forces are able to blockade any trade from namur going north and west of her Possition. THe West being the County of Hainaut who's loyal to the Parliament of Mechelen this force being so small as there is expected to be foreign backlash against this actualy of his majesty. As His majesty fears that the unloyal flemish will try to use this as an excusse to attack Lotharingia and her realm. So His majesty archduke John III asking the Count of Guelders Reginald II for his aid for the possible defense against Utrecht and her English ally(Mod Response). While at the same time the Archduke proposses some idea's to the emperor Johan of Luxembourg, these idea's being concerning the french and Namuroi Dynasty issue. John III proposes that he will Support the House of Capet by presure and monetary aid, in return he asks for the same against the fight with Namur who's Leaders are more loyal to the English then to him(Mod Reponse). The harbours of Lotharingia keep pumping out more and more ships, Brabant now Having 65 ships this partialy being due to a deal made with castille. This deal is one where castille builds some ships in former kingdom of Navarre, this distance keeping the ships to be destroyed in Harbour. Amongst the Soldiers in the Mumbles Morale begins to lower as they constantly hear false alarms about a possible war, they want to leave their garisons but cannot until their service is done. Although Morale is helped by Edmond who joins his man and continues the Command of His father. In mediteranian a new order has been founded The Merchants and Pilgrims of Christ and the order of Nicholas of Bari, by the Monk Conrad of Drunen. This order being losely created to help Pilgrims and Merchants who have found them unfortionate to have run out of funds to go to the Holy land. This Order being Rather small in numbers only around 130, Although small in number this Order Quickly with the Help of Sailers and Merchants is Able to Set a food and Proclaim the Island of Karpathos as Church lands. The Island now being part of the Holy order and due to this The Catholic church, The profits the order Makes going to Pilgrims and Stranded Merchants.
 * Guelders answers their ally in the war
 * Republic of Venice: Venice is very grateful that the Pope allows the annexation of Bologna and Este, and sends the military experts and cannons ordered by the Papacy are delivered as quick as possible. SECRET Since venice has ambitions in Crimea as much as Milan has, an envoy is sent to Milan to discuss the split of Crimea. Venice would expand to the north, while Milan gets help with the conquest of Sevastopol, which would function as an apology for the disaster at Cyprus. The around 3,000 men stationed at Kerch would be enforced with another 3,000 men and 100 artillery pieces. (MILAN RESPONSE PLEASE) SECRET END Due to recent developments in the near east, the Doge sets up a special envoy to get around the blockade made by the Mamluks towards the spice trade in India. Muslim Tartar representatives from Crimea are hired to negotiate a deal with the Mamluks, so that spices can be directly imported from Ethiopia via the ports in Alexandria. the trade would be conducted via muslim merchants, who travel down the Nile river, buy spices in Ethiopia and bring them back to Alexandria, from where they are brought to the Venetian island of Candia (Crete). The Tartar merchants would be willing to pay a 10% tariff on the spices that flow through Egypt (MAMLUK/MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE). No Christian will enter Egyptian soil with this method, and the Mamluks could benefit from the wealth of the Republic of Venice. The arts and sciences are funded immensely under Doge della Scaglia, who has funded the Universities of Padua, Venice and Bologna massively to train physicians of all kinds, to develop the sciences and philosophy further and to study the arts of war as well. The glass, textile and wine production continues to boom, and farmers in the Greek colonies have (for the first time) such a grain surplus with more efficient farming techniques and a tight administration of the working of the fields by governmental officials, that taxes can be cut in half for the average peasant. Similarly good harvests occur in the Emilia-Romagna and Corsica, where the population growth seems unstoppable due to large investment into the wine and agricultural sectors by the new Venetian administration. Ship building continues as well, where the Arsenale are now given stricter rules on how and when they are supposed to build merchant ships, and how and when to build military ships. The Arsenali have received better technical and more streamlined methods to build ships, which is especially required to build for the navy.
 * Mamluks are interested in this deal, but are worried the recent actions of Ethiopia will keep a monopoly of trade on the Coptic states in the Sudan 
 * Papal States: Pope Sixtus IV observes apprehensively the dispute for the Throne of France. For now, the Holy Father decides to stay neutral in the conflict. Pope Sixtus denounces the aggressiveness of the King of England with the Archduchy of Lotharingia, saying that this have no reason and who is showing signals of being a expansionist and paranoic is the English king. The pontiff writes directly to the Bishopric of Utrecht, demanding that they stay neutral in this conflict like the Holy See. If they move one soldier against Lotharingia or any other nation to support this war, Sixtus will excommunicate and depose the bishop and place a interdict over the Bishopric. He also writes to the emperor and other Holy Roman Nations to aid Lotharingia in their figth against Edward III, the expansionist and real threat to peace [MOD response needed, please].Sixtus gives to the Major Penitentiary, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the function of manage the humanitarian actions of the Army of Mercy. He choses to the position of Major Penitentiary Cardinal Andrew Corsini.  With the ongoing civil war in Bohemia-Poland, Cardinal Corsini sends physicians and priests with supplies to help the people affected by this conflict  [Bohemia-Poland response needed, please]. Due to the constant wars in Europe, the pontiff decides that the Papal Army needs to be organized. He creates the function of General Commissary of the Papal Army, which will be responsible to organize the Papal Army. Sixtus chose as General Commissary Cardinal Marco Rognosi. The pope writes to the Latin Empire asking for the deployment of the Ecclesial Tribunal in their territory [Latin Empire response needed, please].
 * Lordship of Ireland: Forces under Aodh following up from the victory at Glasgow fields lay siege to Glasgow encircling the city and 1,000 of the 5,000 English reinforcements dispatched are sent to Glasgow to bring the total forces besieging Glasgow to 8,500 bottling up the remaining 4,000 Scots, they surround the city cutting it off from resupply and begin creating a circumvallation in the form of ditches, ramparts, palisades and sharpened stakes in no mans land to prevent a breakout as well as a contravallation using similar constructions to the rear of their camp to stop an attack from behind. Siege weapons in the form of ladders and battering rams are assembled to storm the city next year. 4,000 English forces are sent to lay siege to Stirling Castle and placed under the command of Aodh's son Tighearnach and he encircles the castle and digs defences inwards and outwards. A trebuchet is set up smash down the walls next year. Supplies are brought in through the River Forth and Renfrew for the sieges of Stirling and Glasgow. Raids are launched into the Central Lowlands by both besieging forces for food and just to burn stuff. If the Scots try to break out or relieve Glasgow or Stirling castle the soldiers stand steadfast and fight behind their defences.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: With Damot submitting to Ethiopia as a vassal, Amda Seyon greets the ruler of Damot warmly and allows him to retain his title as King, so long as he accepts Amda Seyon as his overlord. Damot is also granted access to the Trans-African silk road, with Indian goods and products arriving in Damot’s markets for the first time. With Alodia accepting a military protection alliance, Amda Seyon sends a force of 2,000 men into Aloda to garrison the nation against potential attacks from the Taymiyyah forces in Egypt. Although Makuria turns down Ethiopia’s offer, Ethiopia makes sure to reaffirm its alliance with Makuria and expresses no ill will towards the Kingdom for refusing. However, as a consequence Alodia and Makuria are not granted access to the Trans-African silk road. The port city of Beri begins producing its first Ethiopian ships, with the Emperor being invited to the city to view the growing Ethiopian fleet. The Emperor proudly watches as a fleet of 20 warships sails into Beri’s harbor, flying the colors of the Emperor. Besides military ships, the shipyards at Beri also produce trade ships, which soon begin carrying Ethiopian merchants throughout the Red Sea, trading with Yemen and different Arab city-states. Ethiopian merchants also begin exploring south of the Horn of Africa, and also begin trading with Somali settlements. The University of Barara begins schooling the first class of nobles’ children, with the children being taught classes in Greek philosophy, Roman law, and history. The children of merchants and local landlords, also allowed to attend the University, are taught more vocational classes, with them being educated as doctors, shipwrights, and engineers. The children of Ethiopia’s allies kings, Alodia, Axum, Makuria, and Damot, are invited as well to attend the university and learn. The Ethiopian Royal Guard is also expanded further, being raised from 12,000 to 15,000 men, funded by the trade revenue that is under Imperial control. The road network and general infrastructure continues to be improved, and the Emperor also begins building rest stops in especially harsh areas. These rest stops are essentially empty shacks with huge jugs of accumulated rainwater available to be boiled and drank. The shacks also provide shelter for weary travelers and merchants and a place of rest. Trade with Mali continues to flourish, with the various market towns on the caravan route growing into full-fledged settlements as huge trade caravans carry exotic goods and luxuries from India west to Mali.
 * Republic of Milan: The Mercenary bank begins to attempt to regulate the rates of Milan for mercenaries. Stating that the core rate will be one ducat per mercenary. Inside of the HRE it will be 0.8 ducats per Mercenary. If it is in Milan’s government interest an additional 0.2 ducats per mercenary will be covered by the Grand Merchant of Milan. The long lances being the elite capable force they will charge an additional 0.1 ducats per mercenary. Loans will now be done at 1.4 percent interest by the Visconti and 1.3 percent interest by the de Medici. As for the French Conflict Mercenaries are offered at 0.8 ducats per mercenary for any amount to Capet. (French response needed). Mercenaries are also proposed at 0.6 ducats per mercenary to Lotharingia. (Lotharingia response needed) In other news the soldiers in Crimea begin to prepare for a defense of the outpost they have gained. The Merchants sent to Africa continue exploring down the coast in search of more nations to trade with. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED).
 * Mali Empire: Hendrickus Pisacus is greatly impressed with all the luxeries and fineries offered to him at the palace in Niani, both in night and day. After having his fill, Hendrickus insisted on wanting to find the source of the mines that make Mali so prosperous and wealthy. So Mansa Musa sent Hendrickus with a group of his concubines and eunuchs, to go tour around the mines of Ghana and Mali. Hendrickus was amazed to see all the thousands and thousands of workers in the mines, procuring salt, gold and copper in large quantities. In one single mine Hendrickus noted the number of workers exceeded the population of Antwerp, and in some ways more comfortable living. Hendrickus proceeded on to see many other wonders around Mali, getting full experiences of his senses, as well as inspirational ideas for his postcards. Reportedly, according to one account it is said that Hendrickus fell in love with a girl named Maryam, who was one of Mansa Musa's concubines. One evening, when Mansa Musa caught Hendrickus flirting with Maryam, he considered this an inexcusable act of trechary, and challenged him to a trial by one-on-one combat. Musa gave him a sword to wield, and said he was allowed to make only a single move in attack against the Mansa, after which he will strike back. Hendrickus, being very cowardly and peace-loving, laid down the sword and opened his shirt, saying "I do not deserve any opportunity to strike you, being innocent. Just strike me now and do justice." Musa laughed and was greatly pleased, saying that an act of honesty is the single move of combat that can take down any man. And so, Musa dismissed both Maryam and Hendrickus from his court entirely, and ordered them to leave Mali forever. And so the two of them along with Addas set out along the Niger River further east.
 * Tian China: With the Mongol forces around Anayuanzen defeated, and the Yuan's territory outside of Mongolia itself now largely undefended, we Launch a major attack against and besige their few costal cities with 40,000 troops, hoping to quickly take them over and thus cut off the Yuan completely from the coast before we offer terms for the end of our war with them. This also ends up being one of the first recorded instances of biological warfare, as, in an effort to end the siege more quickly, the bodies of many plague victims are catapulted over the wall sof the besieged cities, infecting them and weakening their garrisons. (ALGORITHM NEEDED). We also attack the White horde forces at Wuwei once again, bringing in another 20,000 forces as reinforcments before launching a surprise attack on their stronghold, before a major flanking attack, led by our Korean allies, attacks them from the back well they are busy dealing with our massive army in the front (ALGORITHM NEEDED) A second settlement is also founded in Taiwan, at the mouth of the Qigu river, with about 100 people founding the initial settlement, which is named Shaojing. The expansion of trade with Vietnam and Japan continues, well we begin to reach out to some of the native tribes surrounding our settlements, offering them better technology and protection from their rivals in exchange for swearing vassalage to the Emperor and China, with plans being made to integrate them more directly at a latter date if they succeed. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED)
 * Bohemia-Poland: The siege of Wroclow continues, meanwhile plans to begin a campaign against Casimir are planned with Milanese, swiss, and German mercenaries being contracted to shore up troops, meanwhile a loan is requested from Milan and Lubeck to ensure that there is enough money to buy more supplies and food.  Conrad III begins looking for a wife. He approaches the Lithianuans, and the other princes of th HRE. Ottokar continues to put pressure on the troops stuck in Wroclow, launching dead animals and people into the city in an effort to flush them out, while continuing to apply gun powder and catapults to the walls in an effort to break into the castle that has lasted so far (though i contest it ).  COnrad also sends reinforcements in the form of 3,000 mercenaries from the Swiss. (confirm with topaz)
 * Swiss diplomacy: 3,000 Swiss mercenaries are sent to help Bohemia-Poland at rates of 0.8 ducats per mercenary per year or the equivalent in silver (with silver-ducat exchanges to be handled by Milan if necessary).
 * Republic of Novgorod: Prince Dmitry the Terrible Eyes is concerned about the rise of the Golden Horde under Jani Beg in his backyard, and prepares for an announcement. The ambassador to China, Fyodor Dvoryaninets, a nephew of the posadnik of Novgorod, seeks further good relations with the Emperor of China, citing the enmity of both the Rus' and China to the Mongols. In secret, the veche (government), headed by the posadnik (mayor) of Novgorod Ostafiy Dvoryaninets, in collaboration with the Archbishop of Novgorod David, discuss plans to expand the role of Novgorod on the Northern Silk Road, including embassies farther away from the Mongols into other territories, and an expansion into the White Sea trade. They support Prince Dmitry, but they want to expand their powers in Novgorod and elsewhere, and they send agents secretly to Smolensk, Rostov and Yaroslavl, who instigate the traders to demand more authority in the form of a local veche. Otherwise, Novgorod exports fur, salt, hops, timber and tar to the rest of Europe, making profits. The Archbishop sends some monks to the Karelians, hoping to convert them, and to mend the relations between the two groups. Otherwise, we continue developing Mikhailov on the Neva, and build a large port, and build several roads connecting Novgorod to Mikhailov, Staraya Rusa, Vologda, Vyborg, Pskov and Tver. After the death of Prince Yuri of Moscow, we ask every other Russian state to recognize Dmitry as the Prince of Vladimir-Sudzal and join him in war against the Mongols [MOD response for ROSTOV-CHERNIGOV, YAROSLAVL-SMOLENSK, RYAZAN, GREAT PERM AND MOSCOW]. Dmitry raises 30k men himself for the campaign and sends them to besiege Tomakivka and hires the Ushkuyniks just in case.
 * Principality of Tver (PU with Novgorod): Tver becomes a leading power in the Russian states, and as a grand road from Novgorod passes through Tver, becomes a leading center in the economy of the Rus'. A grand road is built to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Murom, as well as to Smolensk, in order to facilitate trade with Bohemia. Supported by Novgorod, the merchant elite starts secretly plotting to align itself with Novgorodian ideals, and begin scoffing at a Russian prince, and they send agents to Yaroslavl, Rostov and Smolensk, as well as Chernigov and Kiev. A successful appeal is made for the Prince of Tver to have a veche assemble, but no posadnik to be elected. A great road is also built toward Ruthenia's capital Lviv.
 * Principality of Kiev (PU with Novgorod): Kiev begins rebuilding its lands long destroyed by the Mongols. It establishes a new river market, and hope to be able to trade with the Black Sea downward from the Dnieper. Towns such as Pereyaslavl are rebuilt, with the hope for them to become trading towns. A road is built toward Chernigov, in hope to be able to trade with the west. A priest is sent by Archbishop of Novgorod David to proselytize and appoint an Archbishop for the Goths in Crimea. 
 * Republic of Pskov (PU with Novgorod): Pskov continues helping Novgorod in its endeavors, and builds a fort near the village of Narvia called Reya, and one farther east and inland called Yama. Exports of lard, mead, timber and fur continue.
 * On the pretense of still recovering from their previous conflict with the Mongols, the states of Chernigov, Moscow and Perm do not answer Dimitry's call to arms. Yaraslovl and Ryazan accept and raise their troops for war. They unanimously accept Dimitry's title as Prince of Vladimir
 * Latin Empire of Romania: Emperor William de la Roche continues his reign in Romania, and this year he is formally married to Princess Judith of Hungary. The royal wedding takes place in Glarentza, Achaea, which is widely regarded as the most luxurious of imperial palaces in the Empire. In ecclesiastic matters, Latin Patriarch of Constantinople Henry of Asti makes a request to the Papacy to effectively grant the Patriarch greater influence over the appointment of bishops in Romania and to make the Patriarch elected by the archbishops of Romania, subject to a papal veto and the oversight of the Ecclesial Tribunal (Papal Response). Two other major trends continue: first is the codification of the Assizes of Romania, and second the collapse in trade with the Middle East. This brings about an economic shock to Romania - as it does to much of the Mediterranean trading nations with which Romania does business. Finally, the emissary in the Middle East continues to invite wise men from Persia and the Middle East to Romania.
 * Great Zimbabwe: Akashinga's forces push further south into the regions of southern Africa, upending any of the location tribes which once called the land home. He ceases his invasion of the region at a great river flowing down to the west, which he names the "Nyoka", or "Snake River" (OTL Orange River). It is at this point that Akashinga returns to the settlement of Tsime (OTL Bloemfontein), which he established as a forward base of operations for his conquests of the surrounding territories. Due to the newly expanded state of Zimbabwe following the aggressive expansion policies of the king, Akashinga has determined that to ensure the security of the realm with its current resources, he establishes two new offices within the army for the purposes of managing the troops and logistics of the northern and southern halves of the kingdom. Akashinga creates the positions of Marshal of the North and Marshal of the South; the former post is held by the more experienced warrior and eldest son of the king, Chatunga, who is given charge of protecting the more wealthy and populous lands of northern Zimbabwe, while in the south, the younger son of the king, Wataida, who is given command of the forces protecting the sparsely-populated lands in the south of the kingdom. Being the superior organizational mastermind and boasting a high degree of attention to detail, Akashinga entrusts the development of the new southern territories to Wataida, hoping that his son will be able to turn the south into a productive breadbasket for the rest of the realm. To manage the settlement of the lands in the south, the Ministry of Land is tasked with resettling Shona subjects from the populous north to the conquered lands just north of the Nyoka River, where several new bomas are constructed and assigned to cities being planned for construction throughout the region. Prince Wataida establishes himself and his court in his father's military camp in Tsime, where he begins to repopulate the region with Shona subjects and their new Nguni wives and daughters, who will serve well as mothers for the new generation of inhabitants soon to reside in the land. Several new settlements are constructed throughout the region at the direction of the king and his younger son, with the goal of establishing several points of control to keep the Nguni beyond the Nyoka River taking precedence. To that end, the most distant town from the core of the southern districts, the settlement of Huro Yenyoka, meaning "throat of the snake" due to its location at a bend along the river, is constructed and garrisoned with approximately a thousand mounted warriors. These troops are assigned the responsibility of patrolling the distant western edges of the frontier, and keeping tabs on the movements of the San and Nguni peoples in the region. To support the inhabitants within the largely arid region, sorghum fields are cultivated outside of the palisades of the settlement, along with several other drought-resistant crops, and livestock are brought in to graze upon the inedible shrubs in the area to provide milk and hides to the inhabitants. Within the central spine of the kingdom, the royal road leading from Thulamela to Kuputsa is extended further south to reach the city of Akashinga, which has grown into the largest city south of the Limpopo River. Plans to extend the road even further south than that is planned, as the migration of Shona into the region increases in line with the conquests of Akashinga and his reformed armies. On the cultural front, the teachings of Farai have extended across much of the northern half of Zimbabwe, fascinating thousands with the ideals of human fellowship and acceptance of contentment over endless ambition and strife. Akashinga's own readings of these teachings have stupefied him, as he recoils at the concepts of humanism, secular rule, rebuke of bloodline-based aristocracies, and formation of a merit-based bureaucracy as seen in some parts of Asia. While he is somewhat supportive of a widespread educational system, Akashinga fails to understand the support for the rejection of a monarchy which has been vital to the ability of Farai to even promote his teachings in the kingdom. On the coast, the Shona shipyards are still under construction, though this has not dissuaded many maverick merchants in the kingdom to contract the building of their own vessels along the beaches outside of Muromo Weshiri with Shona builders to see their nascent merchants fleets established. Many of the vessels take on a markedly local design, though they remain known as baghlahs and dhows, largely due to the influences of the Arab traders and their vessels upon Shona designs. However, as the experience of the Shona fishers and merchants grows year by year, many of these ships begin to emerge into their own bubble of excellence which showcase a uniquely Shona feel to them, allowing foreigners to determine that the new ships in their ports hail from the kingdom of Zimbabwe. After several years of oversight and having played a vital role in the creation of a new script for the people of Zimbabwe, Shohiwa dies at the age of 59 in the city of Chibvumani. His death is mourned by all of the members of the royal court, the king and his family, and the high-ranking members of the Ministry of Knowledge which Shohiwa directed for four years. He is replaced by a close aide and confidant named Goredenna waRunako, who had revered much of Shohiwa's work and the ideals he held related to the education of Zimbabwe's citizens. Goredenna takes a much more aggressive approach toward the promotion of an education within the kingdom, using state funds to have more literature printed in the cities of Lusvingo, Mapumgubwe, and Muromo Wenyika, which artisans were contracted by Shohiwa to produce movable type blocks in the Nhema script he created. Several writings from various scholars from throughout the kingdom, including Farai's own works, are directed to be printed and published for use by the Ministry of Knowledge, with the funds released from the royal treasury at the king's command upon receiving the request from Goredenna to do so. In the north, rice farming has completely displaced sorghum cultivation as the primary source of food for the inhabitants through. In the city of Tsindi, the larges granaries in Zimbabwe's history have been constructed to store the vast quantities of rice harvested throughout the year for consumption and use as animal feed. To Shona have found themselves producing more food than they can reasonably exploit within the existing population of the land, and have thus begun exporting much of the excess food to Arabia and the Swahili city-state across the waters in northern Madagascar.
 * Oyo empire: As the new recruits and levies for the Oyo empire are being trained and armed their is increasing fear in the Alaafin that the Borgu and Nupe will attack before he is ready. With roughly 13,000 men at the border in fortified positions the Alaafin opts to use the common talking drum in a martial way. While these drums are usually to tell stories or communicate, the to communicate over vast expanses of land may make them useful for military communication. Skilled griots are being brought to the frontlines and put in watching towers. If the enemies arrive they are to begin banging with many drums to alert main forces beforehand. brief Training in identifying messages from the drum are to begin for commanders and esos on the frontline. Some experimenting with possibility of using these drummers to communicate simple transitions and exercises in the heat of battle are to occur in the capital.

1337
''' The clash of Dutch and English troops at the Battle of Namur has sparked a war spanning across much of Western Europe, the first battle of a very long conflict. The supporters of both Victor Capet and King Philip VI of France push for a full conflict against England, on the grounds that they have engaged conflict with their allies Lothraingia, Guelders, and Scotland. Count John of Luxembourg, who also Emperor of Rome, sends troops in support of Brabant. '''

''' At this point, some primitive form of black powder hand cannons are well known across the entirety of Europe, as well as the formula of gunpowder. '''

''' In India, the Empire of Sultanpur grows in strength after annexing part of the southern Deccan near the Indra River. In the north, the Bubonic Plague continues to devastate many cities, reaching Delhi and Malwa this year, as it continues to ravage Iran and Mesopotamia. '''

''' Ibn Battuta remains in the court of Delhi. John Maunderville travels north along the eastern coast of India, visiting many historic places in the Sultanate of Hindustan. He writes particularly about the shrines and burial places of religious and mythological rulers, both in the history of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. He eventually ends up in the city of Pataliputra. '''

''' in Italy, a revolution begins regarding the theory of music, expanding on existing polyphonic techniques and melody. Petrarch, the "Father of Renaissance Philosophy", comes to live in Rome and begins taking an interest in Classic works of literature of Greece and Rome. '''

''' The famine that has ravaged China since the end of the Yuan Dynasty has come to an end, having claimed the lives of 6 million people. '''

''' Some Formosan tribes accept China's proposal and buy up modern armaments from China. This begins a series of lare-scale conflicts across the island of Taiwan. '''
 * Tarascan Empire: Expansion is made eastward and southward. Mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This three-part crop rotation has allowed for a small population boost. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. The various southern warlords of the Chalchihuites continue to be traded with. After conquering the Atzcapotzalco Empire and capturing the city of Tenochtitlan, its land is divided up between all of the belligerents. Tenochtitlan is purged of all males while the women are sold along the coast and to the nobles and troops. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro is moved to this new city, troops are given land, while their families begin re-settling and construction begins. Tariácuri's third son, Nalhen, is selected to rule over the city of Tenochtitlan. With the success in the war and hoping the alliance remains, Tariácuri proposes a potential Tarascan-Toltec Empire, which would be divided between the four leading Cazonci's (Mod Response Needed), as a means of creating a perpetual alliance and a powerful military that could conquer the entire region at a moments notice and securing eternal peace for the Empire. Trade increases.
 * The Toltec quadruple alliance is formed.
 * Tibet: at the moment,chang his army that coudl conquer Himalaya and bhutan the expansion were made in south territorial and continue a small port boat on it to take the siege afterwhile the royal family of the dynasty Chang continue to his write poem at the status of Budha and his peace's historical they made assembly on the territorial and builting fortifications again against nomadic asians invader and send among 13,000 man on the himayala to perpah conquering is reformed with warrior and cavalry to push it off back the dynasty continue trade their border neighboor with boat and army meanwhile the army conquer Nepal (in south of tibet) by the dynasty who request it which is would make tibet powerful that could conquer the entire region of his territorial.
 * Iceland: The King splurges on another expedition (Mod Response Needed). We accept Greenland's alliance and the Crown Prince visits Greenland. The King offers 3,000 soldiers under the command of Róbert Arnarsson to Lotharingia (Response Needed). A Year of Fertility happens with 4,000 kids are born bringing the population to 76,000. The Kings health gets worse and worse by the month.
 * Papal States: With the the beginning of the conflict between England, France and Lowlands, Pope Sixtus IV reiterates the position of neutrality of Holy See, but not ignoring the suffering of the people there the pope askor the Major Penitentiary, Cardinal Andrew Corsini, to send humanitarian aid from the Army of Mercy for the people that is being affected by the war. Much of the construction of the University of Rome is completed, only its library continues to be built. The pope decides to open the university with the name of "Pontifical University of Saint Augustine". After hearing about the scholar Petrarch, Sixtus invites him to teach at the new University [MOD response needed, please]. The physicians of the hospital of Rome start to show interest in the medicine practiced in Hispania and asks for some works to be sent for them to read [Hispania response needed, please]. The pope agrees with the request of the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople and Cardinal Roger send agents of the Ecclesial Tribunal to work in its implementation in the Latin Empire. General Commissary Cardinal Marco Rognosi plans to create a center of training for the Papal Army and writes to Switzerland asking for some veteran mercenaries to be sent to the Papal States to act as teachers [Switzerland response needed, please]. He also asks the Knights Hospitalar and Templar to come to the Papal States to help with the organization of the army [MOD response needed, please].
 * Petrarch comes to work at the Saint Augustine University.
 * Zimbabwe: With the increase in food production within the northern districts of Zimbabwe, the towns of the rice producing regions experience a notable upswing in their urbanization rates, as fewer hands are required in the fields to assist with the cultivation of the rice farms. Consequently, the Shona farmers who lack work begin migrating to the cities in search of employment as local servants, craftsmen, and porters. For example, in the town of Tsindi, the population there explodes from approximately two thousand inhabitants to more than seven thousand within the span of a year, as the harvests of the previous year allowing so much excess food, that not all farmers residing in the countryside need to work to meet their quotas or support their families. While some have begun moving into areas of the kingdom where the land remains uncultivated by the Shona, others have followed others in moving into the cities where they can find plentiful work in light of the booming trade with the nations of the Indian Ocean. The literate population for the year has increased to by a substantial rate, though due to the rapid influx of new territories and thus new subjects of the realm, as well as the rapidly growing population of the kingdom as new sources of food and agricultural techniques are introduced, the overall rate of literacy in spite of the increase is only about 4% of the total population. Understanding that the Ministry of Knowledge is having difficulty keeping up with the growing numbers of illiterates in the kingdom, Goredenna begins work on developing an grand education plan for the common population of Zimbabwe, one that will allow for a respectable degree of literacy for even the most destitute members of society. However, he decides that he needs a suitable location to test his theories, which are based on the Faraian precepts of mass education. To that end, he decides to use the rapidly swelling population of Tsindi as the test bed for his ideas, and directs his attention and resources toward that city and the creation of an educational apparatus in the surrounding bomas. To assist with this project, Goredenna brings into the fold of the Ministry of Knowledge approximately some two hundred literate Shona who can serve as teachers, and assigns them literature which he had commissioned from various members of the elite scholar class within the kingdom. Most of the information he requested contains the teachings of Farai, who remains in hiding in Zimbabwe's northern territories, an enemy of the king but widely supported throughout much of the realm. Goredenna assigns these teachers to a handful of bomas within the district of Tsindi, with his goal being to educate the youth rather than the adults, as the former are largely free from having to work in the fields thanks to the high productivity of the rice farms, as well as the design of the boma, which centralizes all members of the rural population into a single point. This ultimately allows all of the children of the boma to be gathered together and taught by a single teacher rather than having to locate and educate all of them in various farmlands as is the case in other parts of the world. In Lusvingo, the royal court has found that the rate of delinquent taxpayers has decreased as more and more members of the population are added to the tax base as their incomes are finally monetized and subjected to taxation by the royal government. The Ministry of Land moves to centralize gold and copper mining operations within the kingdom to increase productivity and better organize manpower needs by concentrating labor at a handful of sites. This move helps to also ensure the road networks are better utilized where they are needed. In the south, migration into the conquered lands continues, with the formation of new cities in the region as the population grows. In the central plans of southern Africa, the settlement of Mauya (OTL Welkom) is founded near a large underground water source, making it a viable site of transit for settlers moving deeper into the region. North of Mauya, the settlement of Kunzwa (OTL Johannesburg) is established to the southwest of Akashinga with a population of 2,750 inhabitants. They begin the widespread cultivation of sorghum in the region, which becomes the dominate crop of the land south of the Limpopo River, as it thrives in the semi-arid continues of the region. Within the government of Zimbabwe, the level of literacy among the court officials has grown rapidly to meet the needs of the state in line with the king's goals. All documents produced by the state are stored in archives within the city of Lusvingo, with a secondary archive located in Chibvumani, where copies of these documents are stored as a protection. As the young bureaucracy of the kingdom matures, the king comes to rely upon the various organs of power instituted by his father decades ago to govern his realm. Seeing the value of these salaried officials in his direct employ, Akashinga decides that the time has come to officially recognize the court officials as a royal ministry in its own right, establishing the Great Officiate as the organization responsible for managing all aspects of the state with regards to government affairs. To complement the formation of this organization, the king authorizes the institution of a new office of power known as the Akapiwa (Shona for "he was given it", or to be entrusted with authority), a position akin to a chief minister tasked with overseeing the day-to-day management of the government's operations. Akashinga selects Mudiwa waTinashe to become the first chancellor of Zimbabwe, being a close friend and confidant of the king, and known for his wisdom on matters of state and warfare. Mudiwa immediately reorganizes parts of the government with Akashinga's blessing, instituting a new structure in which all districts of the kingdom are provided with a staff of professional administrators and bureaucrats with a history of royal law and politics. The institution of the district princes is abolished, and replaced with a new class of governors selected from high-ranking members of the bureaucracy with experience in actual administration. Beneath these men is a hierarchy of judges, overseers, clerks, censors, tax collectors, and secretaries who aid the governor in managing the needs of their district. A uniform pay-scale is instituted under Mudiwa, who organizes the old hierarchy of mutariri into a true bureaucratic organization capable of administering the will of the king throughout the country. The ministries of War, Land, and Knowledge are subordinated directly under the Great Officiate, which shall now govern the pay of the bureaucrats and assign the heads of each ministry in line with the chancellor's will in concert with that of the king's. A literacy requirement is placed on all positions within the government, and documentation of all activities becomes mandatory. All of the districts within Zimbabwe are dissolved and reorganized into eighteen geographical regions known as circuits, with each circuit having staffs of about 100 bureaucrats under a centrally-appointed governor. While this massively expands the government expenditures, it aids the nation is better marshaling its resources and manpower in such a manner as to become more efficient in the productive management of land and people, with the actual number of staff employed for the purposes of direct circuit administration. All governors and their staffs are placed under the Ministry of Land, while a new ministry, the Ministry of Means, is established to manage the state coffers and the collection of taxes throughout the kingdom to help finance the new state institutions.
 * Merchant Principality of Munashe: After more than twenty years in exile from his homeland, Munashe experiences a pang of nostalgia and longing for the land which gave birth to him. Looking upon his vast possessions and influence within Mombasa and various swathes of the Swahili Coast and beyond, Munashe has found that he has abandoned the ideals he held for a time where he would be able to return and aid his homeland in progressing into modernity. After convening a meeting with the other members of his merchants guild, Munashe announces that he will be dissolving the organization and returning to Zimbabwe with his family. In his place, he will be dividing much of the wealth of the enterprise across his colleagues in the leadership council, and allowing them to keep the vessels they directly own, while he will be returning to Zimbabwe with all of his personal wealth, slaves, possessions, and ships. All of the storehouses across the Indian Ocean are shuttered and demolished, and the contacts of the organization sold out to regional traders to prevent any threat of a new organization rising in the vacuum. Munashe, his wife Sala, and their children, all depart for the port city of Muromo Weshiri, a port Munashe has heard of but never visited, and there he hopes to attain an audience with the king of Zimbabwe to request his re-entry into the realm as a citizen. In a great display of wealth and prestige, Munashe's personal vessel, greatly adorned with decorations and gold trims, docks at Muromo Weshiri to disembark its passengers. There Munashe is welcomed into the city by its resident prince, who offers to provide housing to the merchant and his household. The rest of Munashe's fleet dock in the city and the companion city further south, and await a response from Munashe as to their future. (From this point on, there will be no further posts regarding the Merchant Principality.)
 * Swiss Confederacy: The central council of the Confederacy sends envoys to Normandy and the nobles supporting Philip of Valois in southern France, urging them to support Victor Capet instead because he has a closer familial link to the previous kings and he also has better relationships with the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, which will be important for France's survival in the now inevitable war with England. (Mod response) The Canton of Schwyz sends envoys to the rural areas immediately to its north, specifically, the Abbey of Einsiedeln and the villages of Höfe and March, suggesting to them to join the Canton of Schwyz to receive the economic and infrastructure benefits of being in the Confederacy (OOC: this would essentially expand the Canton of Schwyz's northern border to its OTL post-1500 location). (Mod response) Bishop of Chur Ulrich V von Lenzburg publicly condemns England's invasion of Lotharingia as senseless violence and a distraction from potential crusades to recover the Holy Land for Christendom. Domestically, the government works on improving roads between the Cantons of Glarus, Schwyz, Gersau and Zug. The military focuses on fortifying the city of Bern as part of the new joint defence agreement with the Canton of Bern.
 * Einsiedeln, Hofe, and March join to the Canton of Schwyz
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The Merchants and Pilgrims of Christ and the order of Nicholas of Bari has now fully settled on the Island of Karpathos, This is done with the help of Sailers and Merchants. Now that the Monks have built a basic Monestary and Improved the Harbours of island. This order Replaces the Orthodox priests in favour of Catholic ones, although Greek catholic priests are prefered above Western europeans. The Order wanting to keep friendly relations with Locals and the Merchants of the Aegean. Although not yet prosperous it does get money and food from her farming in combination with Donations from Christians and Pilgrims. These munks with their food, Shelter and Harbours begin to grow in Numbers Greatly 20 knights from the Kingdom of Jerusalem Joining the Order of bari. Combined with the Knights, Monks and other Believers of Christ there now being an estimated 630 Members. This Number being higher then the Actual population of the Island, Which makes the Island Practicly fully Roman Catholic. Seeing this Increase in Numbers the Archduke of Lotharingia Guarentees the Independence of the Order of Bari, Conrad von Drunen now asking the same from the Papacy. (Pope Response). News from the Far south Reaches Lotharingia, This news being on Hendrickus Pisacus. Some gold and crates of Malian material arriving, Like samples of Sand and books in Either Latin or Lotharingian. The Latin being snubbed slightly by the Clergy due to the amouth of error, but yet containing a lot of information that the Lotharingian nation needs to know about. Such are Techniques of Gold extraction and cooking, Malians apperently using a lot of Spices and strange fruits. These fruits and Spices being drawn in the books he has send back to Lotharingia, One of these fruits being Baobab which is often combined with rice and stew. Hendrickus writen that the Rice of Mali is delicious but that the Baobab is rather dry and bland, in a container there is even for the Archduke and the Emperor some Pieces of Baobab for them to try. One of the Exploits that Pisacus tried to solve by Going to Mali being gunpowder proportions, but unfortionately without his know the Recipe as been bettered. This makes the Hand Cannons very popular, the Lotharingian army mostly using them as part of Pike units. These Cannons being used just before the Pikemen engage the Enemy, to shock and confuse the enemy who's to be engaged. often this is used in combination with Knights, as they are able to use their speed to attack before the enemy can recover from. The Archduke, Seeing the Current situation and the Loss of the Local Hainaut forces, begins to march his forces from Namur to the current frontline with the Anglo-Flemish forces. This totals the Amouth of troops of Purely Lotharingia on the Flemish border to 15,000 while around another 5,000 march from Utrecht's border to that of Zeelandic Flanders and Aalst. The Duke asking for his troops to get defensive and only attack when there is a clear advantage. The archduke asking for help from the Emperor, reminding the Emperor of How Lotharingia defended him during the Battle of the Moselle. The Archduke explaining the treat the English would be for Luxembourg should Lotharingia fall(Mod Response). Troops in the Mumbles are ordered to finaly go in action again, Lord Edmond Mortimer raising Back the Dragon. Edmond Promising any men who join his army in the Mumbles, Liberty, Money and food not only he also promises to the English Parliament to respect her rights and Duties. The recruiting is slow but steady, the small force now moving out of the forests of the Mumbles into the town proper, this giving acces to the docks that are present able to give supplies.
 * Luxembourg sends many forces of the Rhineland to help Lothraingia.
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV guarantee the independence of the Order of Bari by placing the Island of Karpathos under Papal Protection. Any Christian nation that tries to conquer them will be excommunicated.
 * The United Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland:The jarl is welcomed back to the country when he arrives home after having been in Milan.during a royal visit to Vinland,he commisions a vinlandic blacksmith to ssmith him a royal sword,after arriving back here some time later,the Jarl is so happy with the results that he personally gives the blacksmith some jewels as thanks.Meanwhile the vinlandic parts of the jarldoms sees a great expansion with the population increasing to 9,500.
 * Lordship of Ireland: Aodh launches an assault on the Scottish army within Glasgow sending 8,500 men up against the 4,000 Scottish men who had been under siege in Glasgow for over a year using siege weapons to damage and scale the defences around Glasgow. If the Anglo- Irish forces under Aodh take Glasgow then the rest of them head north to Stirling castle to join Tighearnach and his 4,000 Englishmen who launches his own assault on the castle regardless of who wins but if Aodh wins using his force as reinforcements. A trebuchet is used to breach the walls and Tighearnach attempts to force his men through the breach at the same time carrying out an escelade and attempting to sap the walls to take the castle. With the fall of Glasgow and then Stirling Castle. Anglo-Irish forces spread out with Aodh leading Edward Balliol to Scone where he is crowned and then Aodh heads north to bring the rest of Scotland into submission while Tighearnach turns south and enters Edinburgh and Dunbar castle. Berwick upon Tweed, Dunbar castle, Edinburgh castle, Glasgow castle and Stirling Castle each have 1,000 troops left in them to garrison against a potential revolt while the Scottish nobility are all expected to have one of their children (a son unless only daughters) or if they have no children a sibling (brother unless only sisters) to be taken to England or Ireland as hostages to their good behaviour. Aodh and Tighearnach then prepare to head to the continent next year having defeated Scotland.
 * Japanese Empire: Following the crushing defeat of the Yuan forces within the outer and coastal manchurian regions the Japanese forces withdraw the bulk of their forces to Furdan having spent multiple years turning the area which could constitute a port into a veritiable fortress able to accomodate roughly half of the Japanese army giving a two fold defense of the area allowing half the army to commit to a defense outside of the fortress and the other half to commit to a structured defense of the fortress itself. With an open back facing the coast and with some defenses guarding the coastline it allows for seabourne resupply effectively allowing the fort to remain relatively secure during a siege as long as the Japanese naval forces remain in the area. The 40,000 strong army in the area had 20,000 remain at the beachhead at the fortress named Amoi while the remaining 20,000 go about policing the countryside and securing the territory definitively while looking further south towards Tian China to figure out what to do next. In Japan proper further development of the roadway network continues in earnest linking the northern city of Niigata with the roadway network. The implementation of examination and apprenticeship policies to help address lacking artisan manpower begins. This is done specifically to push more goods out as well as keep the Army and navy well supplied in their actions. Japanese explorers under the Sakhalin charter discover a few islands which are known as the Kurils which are charted and added to maps. Further exploration is planned by the charter to the north and East hoping to create more accurate maps and possibly find new trading opportunities. Emperor Katsumoto welcomes twins this year. A son and daughter as well as yet another child from a woman in the imperial harem.
 * Mali Empire: Hendrickus Pisacus, Addas, and Maryam Abiudd set out along the Niger River out of Mali into the rest of the Empire. For many days, they passed through a variety of depots and oasises across the deserts of Mali, each place giving them plenty of food and provisions. At one point, a story was shared with the party of a ghost in the heart of the open desert, who would grant a wish to any traveler who would find it. Hendrickus found this a splendid idea and insisted the party should leave the comfort of the depot to seek this ghost. Addas refused to comply to this request, saying that he and his family greatly feared the spirits of the dead and should not tempt fate like that. After much persuasion, however, Hendrickus convinced Maryam and Addas to follow him into the desert for this pilgrimage. At first, the greedy and impious explorer envisioned many wonderous treasures or powers he could ask from the ghost for his own gain. But after that he suffered many trials and tribulations, being persecuted by a variety of evil spirits and Jinn that often scared off Addas and his other companions. By the time Hendrickus reached the great ghost of the desert, he accepted that all he really needed in life is ultimate knowledge of his soul. And so the ghost helped him to achieve enlightenment within himself, accepting conversion to Islam. From there, he arrived with his party at the city of Gao in the former lands of Songhai. Hendrickus learned that Songhai used to be a great nation, but over time its territory had been attacked and consumed by nearby tribes and nations, until it was reduced to the form it currently is. The Songhai people remain in the city, but largely discriminated in separated ghettos akin to the Jews in Europe. And in a similar fashion, the Songhai preserves their historical legacy in mainly oral traditions, longing for a messiah figure one day to restore their lost kingdom. As the military is expanded and reformed, Mansa Musa helps to train them in a variety of styles of combat, taken from the people groups incorporated from northern Nigeria and Bononam. Mansa Musa seeks to upgrade the military of the empire with technology from Europe. Mali asks their trading partners in Europe if he can purchase hand cannons and hire engineers for the purposes of our military (Spain, Milan, Venice RESPONSE). More military bases and settlements are set up in central Nigeria north of Abuja. The Mali empire gives an offer to ally with the Nupe and its allies to grant them military protection from outside threat, in exchange that they submit to providing tribute and slaves for the Empire (MOD RESPONSE).
 * Milan response: The Milanese merchants travelling down the coast of Africa return and are then sent back out with Engineers and the hand cannons and a head banking associate is sent with them to discuss the price.
 * Nupe agrees to this and its allies follow this lead and agree to it as well.
 * Kingdom of England: With the situation in Lotharingia escalating into a full scale conflict, Edward III officially declares war on the Archduchy of Lotharingia due to the fact that it poses a threat to his plans. With the Anglo-Flemish Force scoring an early victory against the Lotharingians, Edward III sends an additional 10,000 Men to invade Holland and create a second front against the Lotharingians while having the remaining 16,500 Anglo-Flemish forces advance against Hainault with Edward III intending to declare himself the Count of Hainault due to his marriage to Phillipa of Hainault. Meanwhile Edward III assembles a Fleet of 200 Ships in anticipation of a French Naval Attack due to the French moving forward to prepare to intervene as Edward III also has his Forces in Gascony increased to 12,000 Men and the force at Calais increased to 4,000 Men. Fortifications within Gascony and Calais are further fortified to withstand any sort of French Attack. Meanwhile despite the opposition by the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, Edward III decides to go forth as the Pope and the Emperor do not understand the truth behind the campaign and largely ignores their denunciations. Meanwhile as the campaign against Scotland progresses, Edward III has decided to give Ireland more autonomy as a reward for their great status giving the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the status of Duke establishing the Duchy of Ireland as a more autonomous English Vassal. For Edward III this is just the start of a series of promotions for the Irish as he intends to progressively give them autonomy depending on how well they serve their liege. Then Edward III sends a message to the Duke of Ireland requesting that he quickly finishes the campaign in Scotland so that England and Ireland can fully focus on the French, Lotharingians and the  forces from the HRE whom all pose a threat to Edward III’s ambitions. (Irish Response Needed). With this, the hostilities between the French and English royal houses is reignited as Edward III intends to retake the lands that his ancestors had lost to the French nearly a century ago and to restore the Angevin Empire.
 * Irish Dip: 7,000 troops are being dispatched to the continent next year fresh from victory in Scotland.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Thanks largely to the contributions of Mali and Hindustan in terms of skilled workers and craftsmen, the Empire continues to build itself up as a strong, centralized, culturally advanced nation. Ethiopia now has a strong monarchy with an educational institution, developed trade networks, growing infrastructure, and increased naval capacity. As the nation advances, the Emperor seeks to further consolidate his power. To handle the growing trade revenue directly under monarchical control and to organize trade better, the Emperor creates a Ministry of Trade in order to better coordinate crown servants to organize and facilitate trade. The Ministry of Trade centralizes trade practices and dispatches agents to the various trade hubs and routes of Ethiopia’s growing trade network. Crown trade agents are dispatched to the markets in Barara, the docks at Beri, the market towns in the west, and to the various trade routes going westwards to Mali. These agents help enforce tariffs and trade taxes and report those incomes accurately to the crown. Additionally, shipwrights from Hindustan push the idea of developing the Blue Nile as a trade conduit through Ethiopia. Agreeing with them, the Emperor begins developing various settlements along its riverfront and also begins constructing barges to carry goods up and down the river. The Imperial cities of Barara and Beri continue to be built up while many from the surrounding areas continue to flock to the cities in search of opportunity. Beri continues constructing more Ethiopian ships, aiming to build up Ethiopia’s navy. The Emperor also dispatches Hindustan shipwrights with Ethiopian workers and guards to Zeila, the capital port-city of the vassal Kingdom of Axum. The Emperor orders construction of Ethiopian ships in Zeila’s harbor, adding another dockyard to construct Ethiopian ships, speeding up the construction of the navy. Ethiopian merchants continue trading up the Red Sea (excluding Egypt) and around the Arabian Peninsula. Merchants also continue building trade relations with Somali settlements on the Horn of Africa while others continue exploring south of the horn. Merchants there hear rumors of a strong Africa kingdom in southern Africa. Ethiopian trade with India continues to flourish and remains strong, with Ethiopian merchants with their own ships now sailing to India and back. Trade with Mali also remains strong, as the merchants continue to carry Indian goods westwards along the caravan route. The road network of Ethiopia continues to be expanded and developed. Seeking to better solidify relations between Ethiopia and its vassals, Ethiopia also begins developing a road network in Damot and Axum, hoping to improve their infrastructure while also providing Ethiopian merchants and soldiers more direct and easier access. Ethiopia offers to develop road networks in their allies of Alodia and Makuria as well. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED] 
 * They agree to build connecting roads.
 * Tian China: With the war against the Yuan now pretty much won and the White horde having withdawn well the Yuan themselves have retreated to Mongolia, we decide to finnaly offer them terms to end the war, in the Treaty of Wuwei. However, we continue to keep our forces mobilized and ready to defend the territories we have taken if the Yuan attempt another attack, and are fully prepared to continue the war if necessary. In the meantime, we also continue to encourage Han settlement of Yunnan, as that region is home to many Minorites, and we wish to Sinicize the province to ensure their and the provinces loyalty. This also marks the beginning of a larger campaign of Sinicizeation towards the empires minorites, as we increasingly begin making large scale efforts to integrate them into broader Chinese culture and erode some of their independent identity, in order to ensure they have no loyalties to groups apart from the Empire. These efforts focus especially on those of Mongolian culture within our society, who are viewed with increasing suspicion due to the frequent clashes with various Mongol groups by the Tian so far, the previous Mongol invasions of China, and a general distrust for anything non-Chinese. Also, we begin actively supporting those Taiwanese tribes who accepted our proposal of vassalage against their enemies, hoping to establish greater control over the island in general through the expansion of our native allies territory at the expense of those who oppose us.
 * Republic of Milan: With the newly regulated rates loans are offered to Bohemia-Poland, Brabant and Capet France. Mercenaries are proposed to all three of those nations as well. Mercenary ships are proposed to both Capet France and Brabant at a rate of 30 ducats per ship per year. (Player responses needed). Otherwise the Milanese outpost in Crimea continues to be reinforced hoping to turn into a center for Milanese economic outreach to the east. The deals with Mali continue and discussions are made as to what an appropriate charge for Gunpowder and Handguns would be to the Africans. Messengers are sent to Egypt looking to allow Milanese merchants through Egypt and into India as well as around the eastern coast of Africa. (Mod response for Egypt.) Milanese merchants look to expand their areas of influence by trying to find way should Egypt decline to make it to the land beyond.
 * ' A' Abassid Caliphate: As the Black Death ravages Mesoptomia and Persia, the Tamiyyad sect seizes de facto control of Abassid lands, occupying the region with their soldiers, partially in Baghdad and all throughout Mosul and Syria, establishing the Tamiyyad Lands, lead by Sultan Al-Amin. The Tamiyyads begin a campaign to execute those infected with the Plague en masse, citing their infection as evidence they are unpure, full of aposty and impiety. Many flee this persecution and en masse killing to Aleppine Cicilia, leading to a massive population shift to the fringes of Tammiyad/Abassid control. Some of these people who flee take to sailing the Mediterranean Sea, carrying much cargo, including the Plague, landing in Venice and Alexandria, spreading the Black Death to these important trading ports. The Caliph declares his support for the Tamiyyad's actions of cleansing the unpure and continues to thank them from saving him from the now fallen Shah of Tabriz as he now rules Baghdad from the Great Mosque.

1338
''' Lineup of noble positions on the situation in France: Supporters of Victor Capet: Hugues Quiéret, Count Louis II of Blois, and Duke Rudolph of Lorraine. Supporters of Philip VII: Count Raoul II of Eu, Count Charles II of Alencon, Duke John II of Normandy, and Duke Philip of Orleans. On England's side is Duke John III of Brittany. '''

''' Bubonic plague continues to cause havoc across Iran, but has slowed down significantly in Mesopotamia. It continues to cause many deaths across India, however, particularly in the regions from Delhi to Gujarat, and from Rajasthan up to Kasimir. Due to the use of corpses thrown at Mongol cities, an outbreak of the plague occures in parts of the Yuan Dynasty in scattered villages. '''

''' In the Mediterranean, a small outbreak of plague appears in Alexandria and kills over 2,000 people. In Venice, a single ship of Muslim refugees appears in the harbor, and after a moment that seems that God himself holds his breath... the crew are found fully healthy. '''

''' John Maunderville leaves India through Assam and arrives in the Empire of Tibet, paying visit to many local Buddhist and Nestorian monuments before taking the winter at the capital of Lharsa. He is most fascinated with reading about their pacifist and estoeric beliefs, and writes on many comparisons between them and the Book of Revelations in the Bible. He considers that this nation must be a vassal of Prester John, because of all their similarities to Christianity and their utopian lifestyle. Ibn Battuta continues to live in the court of Delhi. '''

''' The Osman Sultanate slowly grows as it captures the city of Nicomedia from Byzantium. '''
 * Tarascan Empire: Mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureacracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This three-part crop rotation has allowed for a small population boost. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. After conquering the Atzcapotzalco Empire and capturing the city of Tenochtitlan, its land is divided up between all of the belligerents. Tenochtitlan is purged of all males while the women are sold along the coast and to the nobles and troops. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro is moved to this new city, troops are given land, while their families begin re-settling and construction begins. Tariácuri's third son, Nalhen, is selected to rule over the city of Tenochtitlan. The culture of the Atzcapotzalco continues to be eradicated and forcibly changed to Michoacan. The Chalchihuites continue to be traded with, while their southern territory is absorbed. Codices continue to be written by philosophers and priests. The first road system of the Toltec Alliance is proposed, which would connect all major cities in each state (Mod Response Needed). The Chalchihuites begin preaching to some settlers about mystical squirrels further north, resulting in expansion towards these rumors.
 * They agree to build a road system.
 * Papal States: With England officially declaring war to Lotharingia, pope Sixtus IV decides to take a  drastic measure. The pope remains neutral in the dispute for the French throne, but he is angry with the conflict in the Lowlands. There is no reason or claim of England that justifies their attack on Lotharingia. Even after the pontiff and the archbishop of Chur condemned England actions, King Edward III continued with his aggression against the good people of Lotharingia. It seems that the Church's opinion matters very little for the English king. Seeing the disobedience of England and their free violence against the people of Lotharingia, pope Sixtus IV by the judgment of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of the St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and of all the Saints, excommunicate Edward III of England. The excommunication will only be retired if England withdraw their armies of the Lowlands. Saint Augustine's University start to attract students from all parts of the Papal States, many want to learn philosophy from Petrarch. General Commissary Cardinal Marco Rognosi writes to Milan asking for some hand cannons for the Papal Army [Milan response needed, please]. The Center of training for troops start to be built in Rome.
 * Milan agrees to this and asks what the Papacy would pay for these hand cannons.
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. The reconstruction of the Dhar fort is ordered. The Sultan orders the reconstruction of Delhi’s suburbs into a well ordered urban area made up of wards called mohallas and sets up a proper administration for Delhi led by the Shiqdar to ensure that new constructions meet the plan of the city. A proper building for the Delhi Kotwali (Police) is constructed near Hauz Khas. A wide road is constructed from the Siri Fort area to Surajkund. The Sultan renames Surajkund to Faridabad, after the Sufi Saint Baba Farid. The provinces of Bengal and Bihar are reorganized into Shiqs with a Shiqdar as the head, the local feudal system is not interfered with. Kotwalis (Police) are established in each of the Shiqs. Qila Rai Pithora’s reconstruction is completed and is now called the Delhi fort. The centre of the Sultanate remains the Siri Fort. A force of five tumen under Malik Kafur is sent southwards to quell the rebellion in Sultanpur.
 * Swiss Confederacy: The central council of the Confederacy sends envoys to Duke John II of Normandy and Duke Philip of Orleans, urging them to support Victor Capet instead of Philip of Valois because he has a closer familial link to the previous kings and he also has better relationships with the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor, which will be important for France's survival in the now inevitable war with England. (Mod response) The Canton of Schwyz sends an envoy to Zürich, trade allies of the Confederacy since 1333, proposing to them that they should join the Confederacy to improve trade and infrastructure between Zürich and the other Cantons further and for defensive benefit with the oncoming war in France. (Mod response) Bishop of Chur Ulrich V von Lenzburg publicly urges French and HRE nobles to support Victor Capet and end the succession crisis to stabilise France ahead of the likely invasion by England, and continues to criticise England's invasion of Lotharingia as senseless violence. Domestically, the government works on increasing the production of lumber by organising lumberjacks into coordinated groups. The joint military of the Swiss Confederacy works on fortifying the two main religious sites currently in the Confederacy, Chur Cathedral and the Abbey of Einsiedeln.
 * Zurich joins the confederacy and causes a shift of powerfor Switzerland.
 * Iceland: An extra 3,000 kids are born taking the population to 79,000. With the alliance secured 5 ships under the control of Páll Snorrason and 100 men and 100 women from Greenland and try to go a little south of the Greenland Colonies(Mod Response Needed). The Gregorian Abbey gets expanded with the Sixtian Wing.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": The war with the English Continues, the war hitting lotharingia harder then expected. So her allies need to help Lotharingia, the biggest allies being Luxembourg and Guelders but include many other smaller states. One of these states being The Bishopry of Verdun a Member state of the Mechelen parliament, her eclasical army helping Protecting the cities fo hainaut. This war costing so much even if John III is able to take the city of Namur, but only Bearly being able to defend Mons. So his Majesty John III after heavy debates with the Parliament of Mechelen, sends a letter to the English king on the possibilities of a Treaty. John III after recieving an answer, writing togheter with the Parliament of Malines a new treaty of Peace, this Treaty being the Treaty of Ghent. The current treaty, mostly admitting that the war was due to miscomunication of both leaders towards eachother. John III even sending a nice woolen tabard for Eduard III containing the English lion and a Brabantine Cross, this is to show that his Majesty the Archduke is Serious. Serious he cannot realy be, although sad due to the Great Human loss. John III of Lotharingia got his first Child, the Name being Caroliena which makes it clear that the Archdukes First child is a daughter. John III even writing about this to his father in law holy emperor Johan, the letter containing all the information a Noble should need for the future. John III directly also begins to look into succesion law of Brabant and the other subject nations, as they are not all literly the same. This could cause that different people inherit the lands of the feudal subject of the Archduke. While on the Island of Karpathos the order begins, to built a proper Monestary on the island that would replace the basic houses. The order trying to get the locals to work for the order, although some prefer not to due to the Order Being Roman Catholic and not Orthodox. But for some this Monestary seems to be worth the Employment for some of the Men on the Island, these being more often Catholics or less shism caring. This shism being the Eastern Orthox church compared to the Catholic church order of Bari, Although the Order is Tollerant to Orthox. The Bari order does reject to restore any items that are forbidden by the Catholic church, although this seem to be a big change the members assure the inhabitants right to be Orthodox. The structure of the Catholic church on Kartathos being more hierarchical than those of the Orthodox church. Although islam is not officialy permitted, as it is seen as the biggest heresy posible. Ships that port the Harbours of the City being checked to look if they contain islamic books and when they do, writen over with for less important messages. This is done as a cost saving and anti islamic move by the Order of Bari, who now fly their official triangle flag. The flag being Conrad's link to his Native Brabant he used to be a minor priest in, the Flag being Black and yellow.
 * English Diplomacy: Edward III signs the Treaty of Ghent as he does not wish to have both the French and the Germans turn against him. 
 * Mali Empire: As Mansa Musa begins to grow older, he sets out to divide his inheritence among his children. His oldest son Abu Bakr he willed to be crowned the new ruler of Mali, Ghana and Gobir. Ayyob, his second son, he willed to become the ruler of Kanem-Bornu and Kano. Finally, his youngest son Musa the Younger would become the ruler of Macina and Waalo. Musa continud to also look forward to expanding the Keita Dynasty beyond his immediate family. Seeking to improve better relations to kingdoms in the south, Musa offers if a daughter of the Aalafin of Oyo would be interested to marry one of the Keita Princes of Mali (Oyo RESPONSE). The modernized, fully-upgraded infrastructure and agriculture of Mali has ensured a steady population growth arcoss the empire outside of Nigeria. Musa's education system is fully being realized in the next generation, teaching Mandike and Tameshq scripts to all the peoples of the empire in Arabic script. The more elite literati are also taught to understand Greek and Latin for the sake of classic manuscripts in West Africa. Bantu people groups subjugated in Bononam and Nigeria are heavily suppressed at this time of history, and being the largest source of the slave trade. The military is largey improved at this time as well, integrating the Ethiopian horses into the cavalry in exchange for generous trade relations. The navy is steadily improved using technology taught from Europe, integrating two forms of sails on the much larger Atlantic ships. These upgraded ships are also fitted with basic forms of anchoring and rudders. As well as having fully dressed chainmail armor and lancer cavalry, the Mali military also seeks to integrate tactics borrowed from the people of Kano and Bononam. Using the information from engineers hired from Milan, experiments are made to try to create some form of gunpowder weapons. After a few demonstrations of the technology, Musa is generally unimpressed with their potential so far, but commissions the engineers to write down all their information to store in the Library of Timbuktu along with their physical prototypes.
 * Tian China: With the conclusion of the Steppe War in victory for us and defeat for the mongols, great celebration is held throughout the empire as the citizens hear of the news, and the Emperor uses the prestige and renown won from his recent series of victorious wars and glory won on the battlefield to begin consolidating his power even further. He begins intentionally building a legend around himself, spreading tales of his glory and victories on the battlefield through his soldiers and through many travelling storytellers and singers, who he pays to spread his legend further. This also allows him to more effectively continue his campaign of consolidating imperial control and authority around himself, and increase its scope with the legitamicy and respect gained from his massive expansion of imperial territory by nearly a fourth of its former size at the expense of the hated Mongol barbarians to the north. Now that he feels secure in his power over his Empire, he also renews his campaigns of persecution against Christains and Ethnic Minorities, intending to create a "pureley Chinese" state through the purification of the nation under the values of true Confucianism. Frustrated with the slow pace of results in reducing Christian numbers, he orders many of the countries most influential Christains to immedietlly leave the nation or be punished for their continued prescense in the country, being given 2 years to do so unless they renounce their false religion and stop attempting to subvert the sacred order of the son of heaven and aid in wiping out the plague of their false god in this country, in which case they will be allowed to stay in exchange for helping track down their fellow Christians who are in hiding. The detailed records of conversion kept by the old Yuan regime help with this, as many Christians who have been in hiding their faith since the Yuan were ovethrown are able to be identified and tracked down due to these records, and captured to be punished for their actions. At the same time, the Emperor begins an initiative to more effectively enforce Confucian law and values throughout the empire, begin his work on his most famous work of literature at a latter date, the massive Book of Heavenly Order, which will more clearly codify and set up methods of enforcing hundreds of laws based on Confucian Values and legal philosophy, and massively update and expand the archaic legal code of the country left by the previous rulers of the empire over the past centuries, massively updating them and providing a legal model that will be the model for many Chinese rulers for centuries to come. He also begins to ensure that these are much more effectively enforced and that the disorder and chaos that has plauged the land for much of his reign since the civil war first began is much more effectively stamped out, sending miltary and massive amounts of force to ensure his will is enforced where it is defied by corrupt nobles and Beuracrats or petty warlords and bandits, destroying or bringing to heal those that would defy him and ensuring that peace and harmony are brought to and enforced on the land during the course of his reign forever after. Although these actions would be viewed by many in latter centuries as the works of a brutal and power hungry tyrant, many at the time and for a long time afterwords continued to honour him as the bringer of peace and order to a land plagued by chaos and disorder since the mongols first invaded all of those years ago, and as the man who codified and firmly established the legal code and obligations which latter rulers would base their reigns and actions off of, which many continuing to honour him to the modern day, despite his more controversial actions being much more analized in more modern times. Regardless, the fact remains that this brought a grea amount of order and peace to the land, and as long as you weren't someone who defied him or his social order, this was actually likely to be an incredibly prosperous time, as the end of the famine and plague that had been hurting mahy for years, and the victories against the mongols are nowcoming to be seen as a sign that heaven truly favours the Tian dynasty by the majority of the population, with the majority of people continueing to support the emperor and his rule in light of this, especially since they are now seriously reaping the benefits of his new rulership by the destruction of the bandits and corrupt warlords that had been tormenting them for so many years by this point, with many being extremely for this latter. These actions would also be what earned him his latter nickname of Láobùlíngé, the lawbringer, due to the extreme order and security he provided during his reign, even if many would latter critizice the way that this comes at the expense of freedom and human rights for the majority of the population, due to most people truly not caring and desiring security and peace after all these years, which the new order is finnaly beginning to provide In large amounts. The colonization of Taiwan also continues, with the expansion of our second colony by another 100 people, mainly women, who are shipped out to the area with the expectation that they will intermarry with the soldiers there and already existing colonists, and thus will help to expand the colonies population and establish a more lasting presence in the long term. Although this does mostly end up happening, several also do the unexpected and intermarry with some of the natives, helping to bring them into civilized Chinese society and forging stronger ties between the colonists and the governments allied tribes, which will ensure they last in the long term for the most part, and have an easier time assimilating later.
 * The United Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: A heated debate emerges in the parliament egarding the possible expansion of Vinland,this is of yet however vetoed by the jarl but a new vote is scheduled for next year.Meanwhile the army sees an expansion to 350 with the population reaching 8,561 counted persons with full citizenship.
 * Kingdom of England: After receiving a letter from his cousin John III of Lotharingia, Edward III agrees to sign the Treaty of Ghent and along with the Flemish Forces, English Troops are withdrawn from Hainault with the sovereignty of the County of Flanders maintained. With the withdrawal of England from the conflict, the English and Flemish Forces remain in Flanders in preparation for Edward III’s campaign against France. With the Treaty of Ghent signed, Edward III sends a letter to the Pope requesting the lifting of the excommunication currently placed on him as England is no longer at war with Lotharingia (Papal Response). With the War over, Edward III makes preparations for his attack on France as he awaits the capitulation of the remaining Scotish Forces and the installment of Edward Balloil as King of Scotland in order for England to be fully ready for its Invasion of France. With a Fleet of 200 Ships and an Army of 20,000-30,000 Men ready along with approximately 20,000 Allied Troops and approximately 10-30 Allied Ships. Edward III feels pretty confident that he will see major success in the starting phase of the Conflict as he decides to also hire the Catalan Company for his future Campaign (Hispanic Response Needed). Finally on his 26th Birthday, Edward III officially places a claim on the Throne of France and declares that he will stop paying tribute to the King of France through his territories in Aquitaine marking the beginning of yet another large conflict between England and France.
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV lifts the excommunication placed over king Edward III.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Teams of Ethiopian workers under Malian and first-generation Ethiopian engineers are deployed to Ethiopia’s vassals and allies to build road networks. The workers use their experience in Ethiopia to rapidly build road networks in Makuria, Damot, Alodia and Axum. These road networks are linked to Ethiopia’s and allow Ethiopian merchants, civilians and soldiers better access to Ethiopia’s vassals and hope to integrate the nations in terms of infrastructure. The children of Ethiopia’s allies’ rulers also continue to study at the University at Barara. The influx of trade continues to boost the monarchy’s wealth, with the Crown using this wealth to finance another expansion of the Royal Guard, raising its numbers from 15,000 men to 18,000 men. The Royal Guard’s structure is also centralized, with the various commanders of the Royal Guard meeting with the Emperor periodically to report the military affairs. Hearing rumors of a great disease in India spreading to Alexandria and the Middle East, the Empire of Ethiopia begins taking precautions to screen incoming traders from India and the Middle East. Agents of the royal Ministry of Trade are ordered to conduct thorough sweepings of incoming trade ships, checking each member of the crew for any signs of illness or disease. Any ship found to have a questionable crew member is expelled from the port immediately. Additionally general sanitation becomes a priority for the Empire, with the Emperor ordering teams of slaves to be dedicated to sweeping the streets of Barara and Beri. The Bishops of Ethiopia declare that the plague is God’s vengeance on the Caliphate for persecuting Christians and other Muslims. The shipyards at Beri and Zeila continue to construct more Ethiopian ships, with the Ethiopian navy reaching a formidable size of 50 dhows. Ethiopian merchants also continue to develop a fleet of trade ships, exploring further south of the Horn and establishing an Ethiopian trade office in Mogadishu. In Mogadishu the Ethiopian merchants hear more rumors of a mighty African Kingdom located in the far south.
 * Japanese Empire: With the victories in the Great Steppe war and the securing of territory on the mainland, the Japanese empire and his Kampaku decides mostly to allow a very loose control over the seized territory. The return of scant few Jurchens to the tribal communities of the Manchu territory does leave the area relatively peaceful as Japanese control is established. Seeking to buy the loyalty of the Jurchen hordes now located within the territory various peices of land are granted to various tribes and much of their previous lifestyle is allowed. A tribute is expected to be levied on the Jurchens within a 10 year period specifically of Cavalry forces to supplement the Imperial army allowing Domestic Japanese horsemen of the ligh cavalry nature to be left in the homeland to help with domestic projects. The fortress of Amoi is semi dismantled leaving only the core castle intact as the area around it looks to be now bustling with traders going to and from Korea and back to the home islands. The Army officially returns home with 10,000 troops remaining in Manchuria as a guarentee of revolt prevention. Another 10,000 is left now in Kyoto and the rest of the army is dismissed to save money. The Emperor takes a step back this year and opts to continue many projects on current course but refuses to start more telling the Court this year that rebuilding the Imperial treasury following the war is imperative. The Emperor for his acquisition of territory is praised greatly and it is noted as a great victory for all of Japan. The natural expansion of cities continues. The Enclosure movement begins to pick up steam again especially in the previously resistant areas of Southern Japan as various private farmers and estates come to an agreement with the peasants of the various provinces. This is not uniform and various other groups of peasants in other regions of Japan still openly resist the movement. The return of the Merchant fleet and the return of the Imperial navy to patrol routes sees some influx of capital near the end of the year as a sense of normal trade returns. With the Koreans and Tian Chinese now connected by land, this also brings the new Japanese trade settlement of Amoi clearly on the pathway of trade with a direct japanese port which is expected to becomes a much cheaper option for shipping Chinese goods as well as bringing Japanese goods to china avoided some of the Chinese port taxations for the more favorable overland trade taxes in some cases. More territory is effectively claimed and explored on Sakhalin and explorers return with more information of the Kurils finding multiple new islands which prompts multiple claims however no settlement yet. Hokkaido continues to see an influx of settlement as northern parts of the island see Japanese villages pop up more frequently and the consolidation of various Ainu villages has led to the clearing of a new site of a city in the Northern part of the island (otl Wakkanai)
 * Republic of Milan: The republic of Milan continues to wait for responses form Bohemia, Brabant and Capet france as far as loans or mercenaries are concerned. (Player responses needed). Worries begin to spark among the population of Mainland Milan as to these epidemics that are being heard about from Egypt. And all trade relations are cut off with Egypt for fear of it. All of the forces from Crimea are recalled in fear for their safety.
 * Ireland: Ireland sends 7,000 troops to mainland Europe to assist England.
 * Nyazwe (formerly Great Zimbabwe): King Akashinga welcomes the exiled merchant warrior Munashe and his family to the capital city of Lusvingo, which has changed drastically from the tiny settlement of some 10,000 people it once was. Entering into the environs of the city, Munashe observes the now 60,000-strong population of the capital at work in their shops, in the fields, outside the gates of the great enclosure of the king, and tending to the thousands of livestock kept within the city limits. Upon reaching the residence of the king, Munashe is taken aback by the grand scale of the royal house of the king, which now has more in common with the great mansions of the power merchants and rulers of Mombasa than the tiny huts which once dominated the landscape around Lusvingo. Munashe approaches the king and presents to him many of the trinkets and items acquired by him during his time as a merchant in Mombasa, which the king expresses appreciation before having them stored in his quarters. Akashinga was a little older than Munashe when the latter fled the kingdom some twenty-five years ago, and was inspired by the young warrior's words of defiance and urging for modernization. Even though the late Kutonga was a traditionalist, Akashinga states that his father understood that Zimbabwe could not remain in its state as a backwater at the end of human civilization, and slowly introduced reforms and technologies which soon allowed the kingdom to trade with foreign powers in its own right, and adopt many of their ideas and technologies without hesitation. After Kutonga died, Akashinga used his newfound power to force the kingdom into the modern age, introducing horsemanship, wide-scale literacy classes originally adopted by his father, oversaw the construction of port cities, established a bureaucracy, and has recently begun work on codifying the laws and edicts of the court for use throughout Zimbabwe as part of a new and centralized judicial system. Though he had to flee to preserve his life, Munashe has return to a land changed into the nation it was meant to be in his vision of the future. The king offers Munashe a place in his court as a senior official, given his skills in finance and trade with the foreign powers across the Indian Ocean. In return, Munashe provides Akashinga with detailed information on the lands across the known world, which his merchants interacted with during his time in Mombasa. He speaks of China, the lands of India, Arabia and Mesopotamia, the rugged lands of Persia, and the great continent of Europa far to the north. His wife Sala, having been apart of the great Chinese delegation to Europe nearly three decades ago, recounts of her experiences there and the culture of the people and their rulers, as well as the religions, ideologies, and technologies explored by the Europeans and Saracens. Akashinga comes to realize just how backwards his people are, and how vast and powerful the foreign states truly are. Zimbabwe is but a mote of dust on the stage of the world, and if any of the foreign powers have taken note of Zimbabwe, it would be as little more than ants. This revelation horrifies the court when news of the account is broken to them, and they come to understand that only the vast scale of Africa has protected them from domination. With this information in hand, Akashinga and his government convene on the future of their homeland and the goals of the kingdom in the long-term. By the end of the day, it is decided that Zimbabwe must be proactive in all that it does, as it will only be a matter of time before the whole world turns its eyes to the south to devour the kingdom. Zimbabwe shall no longer play with its neighbors, allowing them any respite from the future of subservience to their superiors. The kingdom will survive, and it will dominate others or face domination in turn. Reforms throughout the kingdom continue under the directions of the Chancellor Mudiwa, who pushes for a merit-based system inspired by the teachings of Farai. Though it was an open secret that Mudiwa was using Faraic ideas to influence his reforms, it was understood that as long as Akashinga was hostile to the rogue scholar, Faraism as a system would not play an active role in the future of Zimbabwe. Eventually, thie push for wide-scale implementation of Faraic concepts into Zimbabwe's government caught the attention of the king, who summoned Mudiwa to explain himself, no doubt before his execution as believed by most. However, Akashinga's tone during the interrogation is passive and understanding, Mudiwa himself once terrified but now calm for the time being. The king explains that recent revelations about the nature of the world and its true scale have forced him to reconsider his views, especially though widely accepted by the people. The king admits to reading the teachings of Farai, and agreeing with some of his beliefs, especially those related to faith and dogmas. Being a warrior first and a king second, Akashinga chaffed under the religious teachings of his people, which were disjointed and contradictory, and promoted by men who who proclaim to be holy and voices of the gods, but perform the most ungodly acts in taking the wives of men in the fields or out at war. The king likewise agreed on the subject of merit-based governance, having borne witness to the incompetent leadership of the old princes who once ruled the districts of Zimbabwe in a sluggish and reactive manner, while Akashinga aggressively pursued new policies that helped to make his lands more productive for his father. On that note, while he is somewhat concerned about the ideas promoted by Farai related to aristocracies, Akashinga agrees that while Zimbabwe is still young and capable of being molded as its culture and society become more solidified and codified, incorporating Faraism into Shona culture is likely for the best. As an opening to the institution of Faraic teachings into the fabric of Shona civilization, the king and his council agree to first deal with those who pose the most threat to this new system by targeting the religious elite of Zimbabwe. While the shamen of the people remain weak and divided, serving various gods with differing names and origins, Akashinga orders his warriors to move throughout Zimbabwe and slay any of the holy men who refuse to burn their fetishes, and swear loyalty to the state. Hundreds of people are killed throughout the kingdom, much to the delight of the commoners, who despised the corruption and perversions of the religious leaders. In their stead are placed pillars with the simplified ideals of Farai erected in the center of all major settlements of Zimbabwe. On all of the steles are engraved the following words: Chinangwa, Kufanoona, Kukodzera, Kushingairira, Nharaunda; "Purpose, Foresight, Merit, Zeal, Community". It is these ideals that will guide the people forward into a future where rationalism and humanism will dominate the world that Zimbabwe shall shape for itself. And to solidify this point, Akashinga gathers thousands of his people to the capital to give a speech on the future of the nation and its people. At this speech, Akashinga recounts all of the accomplishments of the people and the history behind it; he speaks on the realities of the world and the nations and cultures that lay beyond. Finally, he accounts that in the spirit of these revelations, a new society must be formed that can meet the challenges that face it. To this end, Akashinga announces that the Kingdom of Zimbabwe shall be desolved, and reconstituted into Nyazwe - the "One State". All shall be within the state, and nothing beyond the state. All lands within reach of this nation shall be apart of it for the benefit of the world and its people. The light of civilization must be spread throughout Africa, and Nyazwe shall be the one to do it. Painful though it is, Akashinga declares that the position of king shall be dissolved as well, replaced by a new office worthy of people who make up the state of Nyazwe; the office of Zvakan, a contraction of zvakaenzana meaning "equal" or "first among equals". Though the title is a bit jarring as it breaks with Shona phonological rules requiring the word end with a vowel, Akashinga jokingly states that a new system requires new ideas, even if they break with the old.

1339
''' The threat of English military presence causes many nobles in France to consider forming a truce between the candidates for the throne, in order to fight against the greater threat. This act of compromise is spearheaded by Duke John II of Normandy and Count Louis II of Blois. '''

''' Bubonic Plague significantly dies down in both Iran and India, having killed over 350,000 people in total. '''

''' Ibn Battuta stays in the court of Delhi. John Maunderville crosses from Tibet into China, passing first through the lands of Yunnan and Sichuan, before arriving at the court of the Emperor in Luoyang. While staying there, he journeys north to visit the lands of Yan and Inner Mongolia. After several months, he travels south and visits the coastal regions in the Wu region as far as Huangzhou. '''

''' In Taiwan, the various wars instigated by the introduction of Chinese military technology has divided the island into five tiny kingdoms. These kingdoms roughly correspond to coastal regions in four cardinal directions, and one kingdom landlocked in the middle. '''

''' Shah Mir, the local Indian governor in Kashmir, defeats the Hindi queen regent Kota Rani at the Battle of Jayapur, assuming control of Kashmir. At the height of conflict during the battle, Shah Mir asks Kota for her hand in marriage, which she initially refuses but is forced to accept after the conflict. '''

''' Florence becomes the first city in Europe to have paved roads since the Roman Empire. '''


 * Swiss Confederacy: After hearing Duke John II of Normandy and Count Louis II of Blois's calls for unity in the face of English aggression, the central council of the Swiss Confederacy sends out envoys to Philip of Valois, Victor Capet and the various French nobles on either side, proposing a diplomatic summit. This is to resolve the succession crisis as soon as possible, so that France will be able to present a united front in the face of the increasing aggression shown by England, which the Swiss council feels also poses a danger to the rest of Europe. The Swiss city of Chur is proposed as a neutral location, and envoys are also sent to Pope Sixtus IV and the Holy Roman Emperor Johann of Luxembourg as potential moderators of this summit. (Mod response) (Papal response) Bishop of Chur Ulrich V von Lenzburg criticises Edward III of England's "claim" of the French throne, calling it spurious as Edward III is further from the throne than the other claimants and not even eligible according to French primogeniture laws and a mere pretext for imperialistic warfare. The new Canton of Zürich is given a seat on the central council, held by a representative of the city's guild, and the new trade connections and workforce gained by Zürich's joining boost the Confederacy's economy. The government also uses the Zürich workforce to provide manpower for the wool and lumber industries in the south of the nation, while the southern cantons in turn provide resources for the craftsmen of Zürich. The Canton of Lucerne sends an envoy to the city of Bern, suggesting that Bern fully join the Swiss Confederacy as it has already been in a trade agreement with the nation since 1323 and participating in a joint defensive system since 1336. (Mod response) The joint military of the Confederacy focuses on fortifying Zürich, the new largest city of the Confederacy.
 * Bern joins the confederacy.
 * The nobles agree to this hypothetical summit, as does Emperor Johannes.
 * Papal Diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV agree to be a moderator.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: As the University of Barara continues to educate the children of the Empire’s nobility and landowning class as well as the children of the rulers of Ethiopia’s allies and vassals, Ethiopia begins to advance culturally. Ethiopian literature begins to flourish during this time, with several Ethiopian scholars and scribes compiling a national epic known as the Kebra Nagast, a book of 117 chapters detailing Ethiopia’s religious and national philosophy. Additonally, with help from Coptics refugees from Egypt, Ethiopian historians write the Zena Eksender, a biography of Alexander the Great that ends with him converting to Christianity and becoming a Saint. These literary achievements demonstrate the success of the University of Barara. In order to solidify relations with the nations that comprise the Trans-African Silk Road, Ethiopia invites the Hindustan Sultanate and the Mali Empire to establish political embassies in Barara [MALI RESPONSE NEEDED] [HINDUSTAN RESPONSE NEEDED]. To improve the trade route west to Mali, the Emperor decides it is best to create an official market town from which royal trade agents can monitor goods heading West. Near the westernmost border of Ethiopia, the Emperor purchases lands to build a new city. This new city is dubbed the Weri’kama Beri, the Golden Gate, for it is the last stop to reaching Mali. The Emperor orders construction of this new city and appoints his son and heir, Newaya Krestos, to oversee construction. The Emperor also begins sending Christian missionaries into the Horn of Africa. These missionaries are sent to peacefully convert the Somali to the Christian faith [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Trade on the Trans-African Silk Road continues to thrive, with Ethiopia profiting greatly from the trade revenue. The docks at Beri and Zeila continue to produce Ethiopian ships, fed timber from Ethiopia’s heartland and financed by Ethiopia’s trade revenue. Ethiopian trade ships become a common sight in ports throughout the Red Sea, the Horn of Africa and in India.
 * They are allowed in, but not very successful
 * Mansa Musa, the Lion of Africa, Emperor of Mali and Bornu, King of Mali, Waalo, Songhai, and Ghana, accepts the invitation to send an embassy in Barara
 * The Sultan agrees and sends an embassy to Barara with Fateh Shah, the Governor of Gujarat.
 * Tarascan Empire: Mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureaucracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This three-part crop rotation has allowed for a small population boost. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. After conquering the Atzcapotzalco Empire and capturing the city of Tenochtitlan, its land is divided up between all of the belligerents. Tenochtitlan is purged of all males while the women are sold along the coast and to the nobles and troops. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro is moved to this new city, troops are given land, while their families begin re-settling and construction begins. Tariácuri's third son, Nalhen, is selected to rule over the city of Tenochtitlan. The culture of the Atzcapotzalco continues to be eradicated and forcibly changed to Michoacan. The Chalchihuites continue to be traded with, while their southern territory is absorbed. Codices continue to be written by philosophers and priests. Philosopher Izel has an epiphany about the Purépecha deities, writing a manuscript about how people should live under the divine right of Curicaueri. He theorizes that Curicaueri's eternal light has been shadowed by the recent expansion of Cuitzeo, stating that the reason for these recent wars are a result of Cuitzeo blinding Curicaueri with the help of Auicamine. His manuscript, In Tlawīli, establishes a more refined method of worship to achieve prosperity, advocating that in order to be highly faithful, one must lead a life lacking all wealth-related accessories so that they may be enlightened in the teachings of Cuerauáperi through the cleansing of Auicamine's influence, rather than living in the ignorance defined by the blinded Curicaueri. This method of worship and study is referred to as Xiti'ism.
 * Nyazwe: The Shona forces in the south continue to drive the Nguni into the fringes of the conquered territories, establishing themselves as a permanent fixture in the former homeland of the Nguni people. Cities such as Akashinga, Tsime, and Mauya continue to expand as they receive an influex of new residents from the northern territories of Nyazwe. After assessing the development of the northern districts of Nyazwe, it is determined that the road network of the lands north of the Limpopo River have been sufficiently interconnected for the needs of the state, with virtually all of the major cities in the area added to Nyazwe's transportation network. The movement of goods and supplies throughout the region has be drastically altered, and the pace of trade and travel have been increased to such a point that various districts can now rely upon the speedy movement of food and goods from other districts to help make up for any downturn in local productivity. This singular development has done much to integrate the various corners of the state into a single unit, granting the people of Nyazwe a much closer bond in the form of a shared identity made possible by their ability to contact one another with relative ease. With these developments in the north, the state turns to the south to begin pursing vast development schemes in the south, with the first goal being to integrate the southern cities more fully into the wider transportation network of the country. Beginning at the primary river crossing at Thulamela north of the Limpopo, the main road into the south connects the cities of Kuputsa, Mokopane, Akashinga, and Kunzwa to the north. Beyond this, only a well-worn path leading hundreds of miles to the south guides the feet of those Shona looking to migrate deeper into the southern lands of Nyazwe. On that note, it is decided that a major road extension shall be planned and constructed to reach the southernmost major city of Tsime, where some 2,500 citizens of the state reside. It will be from there that the neighboring city of Maseru, where diamonds have recently been discovered in large quantities. This makes the south vital to the continued economic development of Nyazwe, and its integration into the rest of the transportation network of prime importance to the state and its leaders. Back in Lusvingo, on the advise of the chancellor, Akashinga agrees to the formation of a large body of representatives to be pulled from across all eighteen of the districts within the country. Each district will be responsible for selecting five reputable men in favorable standing with their neighbors in the region, as well as knowledgeable about the on-goings of their home areas. This body comes to be known as the Hamadzese, or "all of the brothers", referencing the brotherhood of Shona coming together to formulate new ways of resolving shared issues. The Hamadzese is established with a body of a hundred men, with ten coming from the capital of Lusvingo and the other ninety hailing from all eighteen districts of Nyazwe. They will be responsible for giving the Zvakane insight into the needs and concerns of the people residing in the districts they hail from, as well as proposing solutions of regional problems faced by the people of a specific district, allowing the central government to plan around said needs address them in wider national policy schemes. By promoting a degree of regional cooperation rather than a solely top-down perspective from the capital, this helps provide the ruler of the nation some ideas as how to best utilize the resources available to him to develop the state as a whole. In the city of Muromo Weshiri, the new Minister of Means, Munashe, establishes himself in the great port city of Nyazwe, where he begins work on developing the merchant fleets of the nation and the trade ties he once cultivated years ago. He personally oversees the education of Nyazwe's new shipbuilders, and directs the design and construction of a new class of seafaring vessels unique to Nyazwe itself, the nyurusi or "mule". The nyurusi constructed by Munashe at Muroro Weshiri are inspired by the vessel ship designs he encountered during his travels, such as the Arab dhow an baghlah, Indian boita, Indonesian djong, Filipino balangay, and Chinese junk, all of which Munashe takes great pains to emulate. Using much of his vast wealth, Munashe reaches out to sailors and builders with ties to all of these regions to come to Nyazwe at his expense, using his former connections and accumulated favors to obtain what he needs for his plans. Housing the foreigners within the city of Muromo Weshiri, Munashe has them begin work on improving and redesigning the nyurusi in cooperation with the local Shona builders, who move to develop a large seafaring vessel capable of fulfilling the trade needs of the country. The literacy rate of Nyazwe continues to grow, with direct hand of Minister Goredenna in the district of Tsindi playing a role in much of the increase. Approximately 10.96% of the population is now classified as being reasonably literate thanks to the reforms originally instituted by King Kutonga and enacted by former minister Shohiwa. As the literacy rate continues to grow, so to does the thirst for knowledge throughout the country. Artisans skilled in the production of movable type blocks are becoming increasingly more common throughout the country, with shops setup in nearly all of the major northern cities, and one recently established in the south in Akashinga. The recent spat of commissions for new literature to assist with the education of the population, and the vast influx of money to pay for it, saw many new artisans open their own shops to cash in on the education plans of the state. Consequently, there are now some 100-120 printer artisans located through Nyazwe. On the rest of the home front, the promotion of Faraism continues under the new government, especially now with the rehabilitation of Farai by the Zvakane the year before. More and more steles containing the simple edicts of the new state philosophy are erected throughout Nyazwe's bomas and cities. To help promote the ideals of Faraism throughout the country, Akashinga passes into law the creation of a new series of positions for the role of mutauri, or "iterator", men trained in rhetoric and capable of promoting these teachings throughout the country to its hundreds of thousands of citizens. They shall be responsible for ingraining the teachings of Faraism into every aspect of life within Nyazwe, combating foolish superstitions, pointless traditions, irrational behavior, and replacing them with the calm and collected understanding form of rationalism and love of logic, and faith in the benefits of scientific and societal progress. Thanks to the personal convictions of the men who have volunteered themselves to become members of the mutauri, having witnessed first hand the role such developments played in their lives as they matured under the direction of Kutonga, the will to act by the mutauri has seen them play a vital role in the expansion of Faraism through Nyazwe. It is often stated within the halls of the Zvakane that no man bar Farai himself can explain the advantages brought by Faraic civilization or the reasons why the destruction of old faiths and traditions must take place, or why those who resist these changes must be eliminated as a necessity for the advancement of the people as a whole, better than a member of the mutauri. These men will go out every morning before the stele in their community, and explain the edicts of Faraism engraved upon them to the masses, and the reasons why their society is better because of them. Understanding the role of the youth in the preservation of these new values, all of the mutauri are roled into the arms of the Ministry of Knowledge, and designated as high-ranking educators within the bureaucracy.
 * Papal States: Pope Sixtus IV agrees with the proposal of Switzerland, he will serve together with the emperor as moderator between the two French pretenders to the throne of France. By influence of Cardinal Pierre Roger, that is becoming more influential in the papal court than the Cardinal Secretary himself, the pope decides to buy the Comtat Venaissin from Provence. This way the Papacy will have a neutral place near France that can be used to help in the future negotiations between the claimants to the French throne [MOD response needed, please]. The construction of the library of Saint Augustine's University finally ended and it's named Sixtine Library. The works of Saint Augustine, Saint Gregory, Saint Leo, Saint Thomas Aquinas, Marguerite Porete, Ari Guðmundsson and many other theological treaties and books are placed there. By Petrarch's suggestion works of classical philosophers and poets are also placed in the library. Cicero, Virgil, and Seneca are some of these authors. The library also have a copy of the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri. After hearing about the election of Youhanna VII to the position of Maronite Patriarch after the death of patriarch Sham'un V, the pope creates as cardinal Youhanna VII. By suggestion of Cardinal Roger, Sixtus also creates as cardinals Étienne Aubert (France) and Giovanni II Visconti (Milan). The reforms of buildings continues across the Papal States. This year the health of the pontiff started to decline and the cardinals fear that Sixtus' time on Earth is coming to an end.
 * Republic of Milan: Milan continues to cower in fear of these epidemics and continues to wait for responses as far as loans and Mercenaries are confirmed for Bohemia, Brabant and Capet France. (Player responses needed). The proposal for a unification of france by Switzerland is seconded by Milan as this would allow for focus against the larger threat of England. England's claim to the French throne are viewed as laughable at best and nothing more than an opportunity for war. The cardinal of Milan, Aicardo da Intimiano dies this year. The people of Milan mourn for their loss. Later in the year Azzone Visconti dies with no children. And a debate of who will gain access to the Visconti wealth comes up, Giovani’s name comes but he declines citing his place as Archbishop. With no other living members of the Visconti family, Visconti's wealth is inherited by Antonia De Medici the wife of Azzone. This means that house De-Medici now has the largest amount of wealth in the entirety of the Italian peninsula. They then win the next election in a close vote with Antonia being appointed Dogaressa of MIlan. This is met with expected backlash but her reputation and absurd wealth cause this backlash to be minimized. Her first few actions are to continue Azzone’s attempts at expanding Milanese economic influence however her worries for the epidemics in Egypt are similar if not worse than Azzone’s.
 * Archduchy of Lotharingia: "Harba Lorifa": Peace has been brought with the treaty of Ghent, Which is favourable to the Archduchy. the County of Namur accepts John III of Lotharingia. While Tournaissis is now fully and finally accepting of the Parliament and rule of his Majesty John III. The council of Mechelen together with John III also begin to discuss the possibility of splitting all the seats into Circles, so that some decisions can be taken that only affect those regions. Altough many might think this would decentralise the opposite is true, Many smaller states in Overmuese could then finally have the voting strength to actually be cared about like they should. The actually plan for these states being to unite all smaller Meuse feudalities into one Duchy, that is bit bigger and easier to be administered. John III Plan being to unite the Parliament of Mechelen and the Heyst charter more closely with each other and him. This idea and plan being oposed by many in the Parliament, these openents of a Mechelen Parliament serving the Duke being Called Constitutionalists, or Chartarians by some want power to the Charter of Heyst. These men believing that Laws made by the Parliament are equal as laws dictated by the Archduke, although there are uncertainties in the groups about laws that contradict each other. These laws existing but mostly because the older one has been forgotten by time, so these are not that relevant. While the Monarchists or currently better know as Johnies, they support the law and Royal orders. They believe that what the Archduke commands are supreme, that the Duke gets his power from God and is able to rule due to his Loyalty to God. Although these forces do oppose each other slightly it is more of a disagreement then a full on split, as most of the members are very moderate and violence forbidden. In the army violence is not forbidden but even promoted against the enemy, as even with now war with England there are foes. For now these new preparations are having more and more ships built, these ships being built all in the now unblocked harbours of Antwerp, Amsterdam, Rotterdam. these ships being built quite quickly through standardisation of lengths and design. This makes it so that Lotharingia Now finaly has 75 ships in total, most being able to reach as far south as Portugal and Castile. These ships bring home the Army of Kyrmnien, who was under command of Edmond Mortimier. Mortimier being allowed to stay but now as a fully pledged vassal of Lotharingia, who cannot wage war against any nation without the Archdukes permission. With this army now home, their protesting having stopped. As they are happy to be home and to finally speak Lotharingian once more, they can see their wives and eat their own bread. These soldiers and other also aiding with the Order of Bari, in sending them money and arms. The Archduke even giving to the Order as a Gift a hand cannon for her troops to demand themself from treats.
 * Iceland: 3,000 kids are born bringing the population to 82,000. Using Greenland’s most southern port to try and settle with the 500 people but extra 40 kids are born. (Mod Response Needed). The economy is booming and Cardinal Ari is sent to Milan to buy Hand Cannons. (Milan Response Needed). Two ships are built to yearly get blubber.
 * Milan: Milan proposes that 10kg of Whale blubber be given in exchange for each hand cannon with specifics of how many hand cannons Iceland wants being asked.
 * Icelandic Response: Ten Hand Cannons.
 * The united Jarldoms of Greenland and Vinland: After heavy and extensive negotiations,the parliament passes the expansion bill which is signed into law by jarl Ragnar I. This law is then made public and a declaration of war against the nearest native nation is made. Jarl ragnar the first and the 490 royal cavalry is moved to Vinland where they began their offensive consisiing of encircling and attrition warfare.The jarl says that all people who surrenders will become citizens.After the decisive victory against the Beothuk, The jarl decides that the territory there shall be granted to Vinland while one senator will be added to vinland bringing the total number of senators to 21. The jarl decides to pursue and exploit the victory at the battle.
 * Tian China: With the opening of direct overland trade to Korea now that we share a direct land connection, trading relations increase even further and increasing our prosperity further. This prosperity in the north also encourages many people, with our encouragement, to begin moving into the northern regions of the country, which are more wild and underpopulated, where much of the population is Manchu or Mongol. We increasingly begin seizing land form those minorities living in these provinces and redistributing their land to fresh incoming Chinese colonists, simultaneously helping to purge these areas of disloyal elements of society and populate them with loyal, eager to contribute citizens of our great empire. We also continue encouraging immigration to those areas which had been depopulated by the famine, and too Taiwan, in theory those going to Taiwan are supposed to set themselves up in the colonies we have already established, and not in anybody else’s land, but in practice we begin actively encouraging colonists too move into Taiwanese lands occupied by our two vassal kingdoms on the island, encouraging the, to help with the process of Sinicizing the locals and too help develop these areas into productive parts of the celestial with better infrastructure and organized bureaucracy. Although many of the natives in these areas are suspicious of the newcomers, the two kingdoms leadership actually welcome the Chinese colonists, as they help to develop their economies and massively aid in the Transition from tribal warlord states into actual proper vassal kingdoms of China, and there will in the future end up being a high degree of intermarriage between the locals and the Chinese colonists, helping to ensure a more loyal and productive population. This also marks the beginning of a large amount of infrastructure projects throughout the empire, as the empire begins encouraging the creation or expansion of a great many roads and pathways throughout the empire, with the intention of tying the empire even more closely together than before. Finally, in addition too this, a foreign explorer by the name of John Maunderville enters the country, and eventually makes his way to the court in Luoyang to obtain permission to stay in the country for several more years, in order to ensure he is unmolested well he documents his findings and observations. Although initially hostile to the Christian man, the emperor does eventually warm up too him, enjoying talking with him about his observations on his journey and tales of his homeland, and decides too order a decree that he is not too be harmed well he is residing in China, before sending him on his way. The Emperor also takes the time to suggest that he continue his travels by heading to Japan after he is done in China, as there is much to observe in our ally that went undocumented by the previous explorer a few decades ago, before sending him on his way.
 * Duchy of Eiru: With his new role as the Duke of Eiru, Aodh travels back to Eiru to rule and leaves command with his son Tighearnach who takes the army to Brittany which comprises 3,000 Irish troops fresh from Scotland, 2,000 from Ireland and 10,000 English troops landing at Nantes meeting up with a 5,000 strong Breton force and they start a march up the Loire at a leisurely pace burning everything and killing all the civilians they encounter. Raiding parties are sent across the Loire to keep up the harassment. If they encounter a field army stronger than them they turn north for Normandy otherwise they keep burning the countryside until they reach Orleans where they turn north and swing west of Paris keeping up the large scale fire and sword tactics until they enter Normandy proper where they cease the indiscriminate violence. If there aren't forces defending Tours, Orleans, Le Mans or Paris, Tighearnach's army will have a go at sacking them but if fails keeps moving north into Normandy. If they encounter a field army smaller than them they turn north while moving along the Loire and then lunge east to get the enemy army between them and the river where they then attack and try force the enemy army into the river. If a field army larger than them blocks their path to Normandy they move east skirting south of Paris and handing towards Flanders. If a smaller force the army will try and run them through. Once they reach Normandy and link up with King Edward III's forces they do whatever he says.
 * Mali Empire: Mansa Musa at this time decided to expand his royal palace at Niani, as a crowning achievement of the wealth and prosperity of the empire during his lifetime. The courtyard of the palace of Niani is built indoors, with fifty marble columns on either side of the building, and a glass domed roof over it. Inside the court yard is an elaborate garden filled with trees, grapevines and many other plants. The marble columns are also adorned with images of plants and flowers, and paintings of birds and lizards as well. Around the outside of the palace includes various smaller wings for servants, concubines, family quarters and guest rooms. There are three separate throne rooms to the palace as well: one to hold public court and entertain guests of both peasents and foreign rulers, one to hold private court with his nobles and ministers and discuss matters of state, and one for purely ceremonial purposes with religion. The road system and education reforms of Mali is fully completed at this time as well. The military continues to be upgraded with technology imported from Europe. A total of five hand cannons are added to the military this year. Settlements continue in Nigeria and Atlantic coastal regions of Africa, where military upgrades and development take place as well. The economy continues to prosper with trade from both the Silk Road through Ethiopia and India, as well as caravan trade to Egypt and Morocco, and sea trade to Europe. The ships of Mali's navy continue to be upgraded with larger hulls and sails as well. Tribute is collected from the states of Nigeria we are allied with. Hendrickus Pisacus travels south to visit the lands of Oyo and Benin in Nigeria, in the name of exploration from the Lowlands. 
 * Kingdom of England: With the Duke of Eiru launching his offensive from Brittany, Edward III takes command of an Anglo-Flemish Army of 15,000 Men and begins marching towards Normandy in order to surround Paris with the Duke of Eiru’s forces moving towards Orleans. The Anglo-Flemish Forces marches towards Rouen where they will proceed to turn south towards Paris and encircle the city with the help of the troops of the Duke of Eiru. Meanwhile, the troops in Gascony (7,000 Men) are tasked in maintaining defensive positions and to wait for the Fall of Orleans and for reinforcements to arrive before making any sort of Offensive. In order to further support his campaigns, Edward III seeks financial assistance from Hispania for his conflict was he also hires the Catan Company to assist him against the French. (Hispanic Response Needed) Intending to spread further relations in Iberia, Edward III seeks an alliance with the Kingdom of Portugal (Mod Response Needed). In addition to this, Edward III also tasks his closet advisor Robert d’Artois III to find any Norman Nobles in Normandy that might be loyal to the English Crown due to the fact most Norman Nobles hold lands in England and in France, with Robert offering these nobles more lands, in particular lands from the Nobles that support the claimants of France. (Mod Response Needed) With this Edward III moves forth to reclaim what is rightfully his, the former territories of the Angevin Empire and the Throne of France as he is a descendant of Philip IV through his mother.
 * Portugal and the Catalan Company defers to the Emperor of Hispania's decision
 * Bohemia-Poland: Henry of Wroclaw is kept in capitivty in Krakow Castle while the campaign against Casimir is launched after the crown has spent the last few years rebuilding their forces following the gruelling campaign in SIlesia. Ottokar's declining health in the field however leads to Conrad taking a more active role in the the military leadership of the war. Conrad in an effort to bring the conflict to an end however extends an olive branch to Casimir offering him and the other rebels including those captured a full pardon in exchange for them laying down their arms. Reluctantly Conrad III leads his army made up of 15,000 bohemians and loyalists, 8,000 Lithuanians, and 7,000 Mercenaries from South Germany and Northern italy hired through Milan, and 3,000 mercenaries from Switzerland.  Conrad III allows his Lithuanian allies to raid Casimir's lands, and cuts off his access to the Vistula, and the trade routes in and out of the Carpathians so as to draw out Casimir into open battle by forcing his larger starving forces to come out scavange or risk a seige similar to that of Wroclaw.  He positions his forces outside Rzeszow where his lithuanian and loyalist cavalry can attack the flanks of the smaller Casimir Army, and eventually to push Casimir into a corner. He employs his crossbowmen, hand cannoners, and archers in on the foothills, protected by infantry. In the centre his heavy Infantry advances on the enemy position. 
 * Casimir considers the Premsylids the enemy of the Piast rulers of Poland, and would be a fool to surrender now, even if that is at the cost of his life
 * Sultanate of Hindustan: The construction of roads, trade routes and serais continues. The Waqf institutions continue opening and maintaining Bimaristans (Hospitals), pharmacies and small schools of religious education for Muslims handled by the Chishtiyya Sufis. The Waqf institutions are supported by the Zakat part of the treasury. The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi continues propagating better farming and irrigation practices. Malik Kafur pursues the fleeing rebels and crushes them when they are attacked by the forces of the Belur Sultan. Impressed by the loyalty of the Sultan of Belur, Sultan Khizr Khan Khilji makes the Belur Sultan a member of the Chalisa, the first Hindu memeber of the Chalisa. This upsets some members of the Chalisa, but most of the nobles are fine with the decision being Sufi Muslims of the Chishti order. The Sultan and the Chalisa start setting up a robust postal system to better communications. The serais are extensively used for this postal system wherein horsemen are stationed every few miles and the system works using a relay methodology.

1340
Religion:

''' Pope Sixtus IV dies of natural causes, for once. A new Papal Conclave is held to elect the next pope. The Papal States player is responsible to keep the list of cardinals up to date. '''

''' Bridget of Sweden begins her missionary work in Prussia, where she organizes a new aesthetic monastic order, the Brigittine Nuns. '''

''' In France, Nicholas of Autrecourt causes trouble with the clergy with his teachings of extreme skepticism and criticism of Classical Works, and that ideas are not always reducible to a first principle. This matter is brought to the papal court clear heresy. '''

Climate:

''' Around the world, temperatures fall dramatically and cause some of the longest winters in recorded history up to this point, putting a strain on agriculture in all temperate climates. Food shortages are most notable this year in Mesoamerica in the members of the Toltec Quadruple alliance and the Mayapan League. In Europe, this causes an economic crisis across both England and France as currency are debased. Unemployment rises across Tuscany and Roma. '''

''' This year in Icleand, a famine caused by the falling temperatures causes many tens of thousands of people to die of starvation, and reduces their overall population. In Greenland and Vinland, the temperatures does not cause as significant a problem of stavation. However, due to the integration of Inuit people groups into their nation, thousands of citizens in Greenland and Vinland abandon city life and embrace the lifestyle of surrounding Natives, become nomadic hunter-gatherers. '''

''' The falling temperatures also cause agitation among certain nomadic people groups, as the Tarascan Empire faces raids and attacks from the Mixtec people of the south and the Chicemec people of the north. Elsewhere in North America, many settlements of the Cahokie civilization in Mississippi are abandoned as the culture steadily declines. '''

''' Europe's population is currently 74 million people. '''

Politics:

''' In Italy, the death of Azzone is taken with great grief across the nation, even among the vassals of Milan, who all collectively admired his work for the nation internally and externally. Antonia Visconti is elected the Dogaressa of Milan, an unprecedented move in Italian history to elect a sovereign female. This causes tensions with the Spinola family, who have gained much political influence within Milano since the vassalization of Genoa. The Spinolas attempts to use the apparent weakness of a female leader as leverage for their influence over Milan. '''

''' Some of the former deposed Yuan courtiers attempts a coup against the Tian Emperor, led by Bayan of Merkid. '''

 With the end of the Polish War of Succession, the Piast Dynasty has been soundly defeated by the Premsylids of Bohemia, securing their position across eastern Europe in spite of the tremendous financial losses to the nation 

''' After the initial chaos of the last few years, Tabriz and western Iran falls under the control of the Jaylarid Dynasty, as the de jure Shah of Persia. '''

''' Denmark's interregnum comes to an end as Valdemar IV takes the throne. He expulses some of the weaker policies of Christopher II, and officially breaks away Denmark as independent from Sweden's influence. '''

''' Civil War breaks out in Trebizond between two Emperesses, Irene and Anna. '''

The Arts:

''' Ibn Battuta stays in the court of Delhi, but begins to consider if now is the time he should visit China. John Maunderville thanks the emperor of China for his hospitallity, and procees to pass through the Kingdom of Korea, reaching the port of Busan. He is quite fascinated by the culture and language in Korea, considering it to be almost even better than that of China, as if the great things of China had been condensed into a single nation. From there he crosses over from the islands of Jeju and Tsushima to arrive in the Japanese Archipeligo. '''

''' Across Germany and Italy, architectural styles shift from Romanesque towards a more modern Gothic style. Most notably, the Habsburgs construct Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna and the Doge's Palace is built in Venice. '''

''' New forms of art continue to be produced in Tuscany, most notably from the studio of Giotto and his pupils Banco and Daddi. This year they produce the painting Pope Sylvester Taming the Dragon. '''

' In Zurich, the Codex Manesse'' is published, the largest collection of poetry this century. '''

Other:

''' Large-scale siege cannons and organ guns are now possible across western Europe. '''

''' The Osman Sultanate continuse to slowly expand east into Anatolia. '''
 * Tarascan Empire: Mining continuing to reign in wealth for the Cazonci. An expansionist policy is made by the Assembly to expand the territories and tributaries within the Tarascan realm while the bureaucracy of the military is reformed with the high state of warfare. The ally Matlatzinco begins to teach Tariácuri and the Assembly about the three-part crop rotation, originally from the valley, involving the continued rotation of maize, squash, and beans. This three-part crop rotation has allowed for a small population boost. Urbanization occurs near the coast of the Empire, as since the famine pushed fishing to be a contending means of survival, settlement had grown hastily within the Xalisco region and continues to do so. After conquering the Atzcapotzalco Empire and capturing the city of Tenochtitlan, its land is divided up between all of the belligerents. Tenochtitlan is purged of all males while the women are sold along the coast and to the nobles and troops. The Assembly of Pátzcuaro is moved to this new city, troops are given land, while their families begin re-settling and construction begins. Tariácuri's third son, Nalhen, is selected to rule over the city of Tenochtitlan. The culture of the Atzcapotzalco continues to be eradicated and forcibly changed to Michoacan. The Chicemec people continue to be traded with, while their southern territory is absorbed gradually. Xiti'ism continues to be developed by the philosoper Izel and his followers. The Amoxtli Huēhuehcāyōmatiliztli is written and produced, detailing the history of the Tarascan state, as well as it's mythological foundation serving as a manuscript of the general worship tactics for Curicaueri. This conflicts with Izel's understanding, however, due to the pacifist stance held by Xiti'ists, nothing violent occurs. With raids coming in from the north, the bordering settlements are sacked before the military of Angamuco is able to arrive. Numbering 2,500, they fight the raiders at the Transvolcanic Belt, being led by Mezcoh of Pechátaro. Mezcoh and his forces are able to defeat the raiding tribes, although suffering large casualties in the process. Mezcoh's army would be re-inforced with 9,000 men after the summer, in which they lay siege to numerous farms and enemy settlements. They march to the city of La Quemada, sieging the old Toltec site and killing numerous combatants in the process, although suffer more casualties than before, resulting in the deaths of nearly 2,300 Tarascan warriors. After plundering and sieging the city, Mezcoh kills the Tlatoani of La Quemada, defeating the major tribe and proclaiming himself as Cazonci of La Quemada, becoming an associate kingdom of the Quadruple Alliance. Although infrastructure had been built in the south, it had not spanned the entire of the southern territorial border, causing in much of the defenses being shattered in a surprise raid. The remaining military forces in Tenochtitlan, numbering roughly 6,800, lead an offensive raid in the night against the Mixtec peoples at Tilantongo, their well-known settlement in the south. Using arrows, they fire hundreds of arrows into the city, while the remaining 5,900 forces move in to attack the city. With the element of surprise and the high ground, they are able to overtake the Mixtec peoples while suffering minimal casualties, occupying the city and starting a campaign throughout the region. They are updated in the autumn period, with the forces numbering 8,500 and continued offensive raids and pillaging against highly populated Mixtec locations. Defenses in the north and south begin the process of being built after success is seen in these skirmishes, with a time set on five years production time. Fishing, as a result of minor food shortages along the western territory, explodes in business, resulting in an increase of wealthy fisherman and nobles along the coast.
 * Papal States: With the death of pope Sixtus IV his Fisher's Ring is broken and a mass is celebrated for his soul. Then he is buried in the Basilica of Saint Peter. The administration of the Papal States and preparations for the Conclave are done by Cardinal Secretary Angelo Tignosi. However due to his old age Tignosi is helped by Cardinal Pierre Roger. They write to Nicholas of Autrecourt calling him to come to Rome to respond to the accusations of heresy when the new pope is elected. Cardinal Roger also writes to Provence saying that the last wish of Sixtus was purchase the sovereignty over the Comtat Venaissin and the city of Avignon. He offers 80,000 ducats that were reserved for the purchase by Sixtus before his death [MOD response needed, please]. While the cardinals enter for the Conclave, the people pray for the future of the Christendom.
 * King Robert of Arles sells Comtat Venaissin and Avignon to the Pope
 * Tibet: Changchub,Expand his army on all northen territorial and their expansion conquering by the dynasty which is would set among 1,300 soldiermens to annexing the north Tibet and the southeast territorial to make ever more powerful they largest built expansion,fortifications,and protection wall in himayala they occupied Dziong and Bhutan as part their own vassal yet the adminstration of royal family Chang continue to work on his expansion and their council of the Dynasty aswell.
 * Kingdom of France: The invasion by Edward III prompts a massive response from France. Victor Capet and Philip VII meet in the city of Orléans and discuss what to do. Victor pledges 15,000 troops from his supporting vassals, and 3,000 from his own, under the command of himself as well as Louis II de Blois and Rudolph de Lorraine. Philip VII raises 7,000 from the crown lands, and 13,000 from supporting vassals, commanded by himself and Philip d'Orléans. In total they assemble 38,000 troops, 10k of which are sent to defend the Loire, the rest are sent to defend Paris.
 * Milan Dip: We offer mercenaries to France to assist in defense against the Invasion, a messenger is sent asking how many mercenaries would be required.
 * Iceland:  With the famine happening the government takes control of all food supplies and redistributes them across the country. People are encouraged to have kids to refill the population. After that stress King Ólaf I dies and his son King Ólaf II is crowned and a marriage is proposed between Ireland (Irish Response Needed). During the Papal Conclave Cardinal Ari has a Heart Attack but not wanting to curse the next pope's term he writes his votes down sits and recites prayers. King Ólaf II issues that all women have to get paid for all out of their house work.
 * Duchy of Eiru: Duke Aodh agrees to the marriage of his daughter Rathnait to Olaf.
 * Swiss Confederacy: Several members of the guild of Zürich read the Codex Manesse and proclaim it a masterpiece, inspiring them to want to create a library in their city. The central council of the Confederacy approves of the plan the guild members share, and construction of the Zürich Library commences. With the death of Pope Sixtus IV, the Chur diplomatic summit is postponed, and the central council of the Confederacy is pleased to see Philip of Valois and Victor Capet are cooperating for the time being. However, the councillors realise this truce may not last and so write to the Holy Roman Emperor proposing this summit be held as soon as peace is achieved between France and England, or earlier if the truce breaks down, and also propose Cardinal Pierre Roger to act as the papacy's representative for this matter given his leading of the Ecclesial Tribunal and the fact he is a Frenchman. (Mod response) The Canton of Uri sends an envoy to the Carmelite Order (which was officialised as one of the Church's major orders alongside the Franciscans and the Dominicans by Pope Sixtus IV in 1332) inviting them to set up a priory in the Swiss Confederacy, offering them a disused manor and some rural land in the Canton of Uri for this. (Mod response) With the cold temperatures across Europe, the Confederacy's sales of wool and linens to other European states and the corresponding profits increase, and developing these industries becomes the government's main domestic focus this year. The new Canton of Bern is given a seat on the central council, expanding its size to twelve, and the joint military of the Swiss Confederacy focuses on fortifying the city of Bern.
 * The Carmelites agree to set up in Uri
 * The united Jarldoms of Greenland and Vineland:The jarl issues a royal decree stating that all people who are hunter gathereres are to report to the nearest recivilizied center to become civilized once more.The program sees a decent sucess with the ecconomy beginning to return by the end of the year.Meanwhile in the newly conqered territories are given vinlandic names and are beginning to be broght up to vinlandic standards of living.The Royal cavalery recives newly trained reinforcements.
 * Duchy of Eiru: In something of an answer to the contraction in the supply of agricultural products Parliament raises taxes on land and movable property both to pay for the army and to drive down consumption by the wealthy owners in theory. Duke Aodh sends his daughter off to marry the King of Iceland while Tighearnach takes his 20,000 strong ABI (Anglo- Irish- Breton) army from Normandy south in a winding path towards the Duchy of Aquitaine first heading towards Le Mans but avoiding it and burning the countryside and killing serfs then heading towards Tours continuing south to Poitiers then heading to allied Bordeaux. The ABI makes no attempt to take manned serious fortifications instead just devastating the countryside. This large scale chevauchee has the aim of destroying much of the countryside. In the event of confronting a French force less than 30,000 men the ABI army attempts to defeat it by sending the long bowmen on the flanks to within firing range establishing defences in the form of Irish hedgehogs and then pummelling their lines with the men at arms in the centre holding out against a counterattack. If the ABI force wins they keep going to Bordeaux and if they lose they fall back to Brittany. If the force is larger than 30,000 the ABI army head east and north trying to move south of them by getting ahead of them but otherwise heading east until they teach the country of Flanders. If they get ahead of them they keep their march south and occasionally offer the french force battle from behind field defences such as pits and Irish hedgehogs. This allows the ABI army to live off the land in the summer and damage the French. If they make it to Bordeaux well done to them.
 * Nyazwe: The censors of the state return to their superiors with the latest demographic information for Nyanze. As of 1340, there were 1,177,118 citizens, 11,404 horses, and 350,000 cattle and other livestock. And for the first time in the country's history, a count of all literate members of the population is taken. It reveals that approximately 14.76% of the people can read and write, though most of these individuals are found within the upper classes of the population, with the exception of the district of Tsindi, where more literate commoners can be found thanks to the efforts of Minister Goredenna. Economic growth within Nyazwe continues under the direction of Akashinga and the body of the Hamadzese, which assists him in assessing the varying regional needs of the state, and addressing them properly as required. Under this system, the rice fields of northern and eastern Nyazwe are properly cared for by the state, which constructs the appropriate granaries for the crops as suggested by the representatives from that region. In the south, the vast fields of sorghum are cultivated with more manpower as the region remains sparsely-populated. The rich gold and copper mines of the central regions are consolidated and exploited more efficiently as the state reorganizes its manpower needs and focuses them on specific locations where needed rather than opening new mines as new ore veins are discovered. To address the concerns of low migration into the south as stated by the southern representatives, construction of the road leading off to the city of Tsime is hastened, with a third of the road completed by the end of the year, halfway between Kunzwa and Mauya. With some progress on this matter by the government, the number of citizens residing continues to increase at a greater pace, largely in part to all of the new and unoccupied land in the region awaiting exploitation. As part of the government's plans for the region, surveyors are sent into the area to take stock of the resources available and where sources of fresh water can be utilized. As a part of this work, the surveyors and their teams excavate parts of the land to determine if anything of use can be mined in the region. In the process of performing this task, a group of surveyors with the Ministry of Land excavate a section of land to the west of Mbombela where they uncover vast quantities of bituminous coal. They assess the value of the material in their possession, and send it back to Lusvingo for investigation by their superiors familiar with the inspection of minerals from Nyazwe's mines. The ministry's agents soon come to find that the material is an excellent conductor of heat, having more stored energy content than wood or charcoal. Local councils governing the city of Mbombela and its southern neighbor Mbabane are immediately instructed by the Hamadzese back in Lusvingo to immediately follow up on this discovery, and begin mining operations in their region to acquire more of this coal for exploitation. The military is further reorganized, this time with the introduction of a rigid hierarchy with clear ranks and powers for all members within, ensuring that every man knows his place within the system. Akashinga maintains both of his sons in their positions as marshals of the north and the south, but makes it clear to them that their roles will not be hereditary, and that he intends to replace them in time with professional soldiers in the future. In the meantime, he assures them that they still have a place back home and will be afforded the rights and privileges awarded their station. A series of permanent units are established within Nyazwe; the mauto, consisting of some 5,300 troops and 1,000 porters; the misasa, consisting of 530 troops and 100 porters; the bhanhire with 100 troops and 20 porters; and the tsoka, comprised of ten troops and two porters. The whole of the military will be divided into two of the largest units, the mauto, and assigned to the northern and southern halves of the country. From these two units, their subordinate misasa units shall be spread across their respective regions as garrison and rapid response forces, allowing the two marshals to effectively secure their areas of responsibility. The misasa being the largest independent combat unit within Nyazwe, is flexible enough to be organized into a singular type of unit, being it light infantry, heavy infantry, archers, or a mixed combat unit. A separate series of units are formed for the cavalry, with the larger 245-man strong guruva being comprised of ten mhashu each. These cavalry units are separate from the infantry forces of the misasa and mauto, but may be assigned to them on an "as-needed" bases. At present, the army of Nyazwe consists of twenty-five misasa and seventeen guruva, or approximately 17,340 combat troops. Based on the said needs of the north and south, the south boasts more cavalry guruva, allowing them to run down the entirely foot-based warriors of the San and Nguni peoples. In the ports of Nyazwe, design of a new class of seafaring vessel blending the various strengths of those ships from more successful seafaring powers continues under the direction of Munashe. At the recommendation of the board of designers drawn from across the Indian Ocean's various port cities, various sub-classes for the Shona vessel will be designed, with three different sizes of purpose-built military vessels, and two types of commerce vessels. On the cultural front, hundreds of mutauri are passed into the service of the Ministry of Knowledge, replacing many of the teachers who once educated the people of Nyazwe as volunteers. With the efforts of the mutauri now in full use by the state, thousands of Shona are educated in the ways of Faraism, with the mutauri carving and erecting additional steles with the edicts of the philosophy in the center of their bomas, and discussing these teachings with their people throughout the country. In effect, the "prozelytation" efforts of the mutauri are effective in bringing thousands of Shona into the light of Faraism, and convincing them to abandon their old superstitions and spiritistic ways of life. The fruits of this work are nowhere more notable than in the northern cities of the state, where Farai's teachings were first adopted on a wide-scale by the inhabitants of that region. In the cities of Khami and Danangombe, nearly the entire population adheres to the philosophies of Farai advocating for humanism and rational thought, with focus on the material aspects of life rather than the ever-changing whims of gods and prophets. These edicts have helped to create a booming market for knowledge-related texts, leading to many of the printery artisans of Nyazwe to flock to Khami and Danangombe to fulfill this desire for knowledge. Dozens of printeries are established between the two cities, producing countless texts and documents for consumption by the locals. However, due to the meticulous nature of using the movable type blocks in their position, as well as the cost of importing paper into the region, the artisans find themselves charging a high price for these books, angering many of the residents who lack the means to afford them. Seeking to remedy this issue to feed his own thrist for information, a wealthy resident and farmer by the name of Bathandwa waBonginkosi, approaches the local group of artisans on an idea he has to lower the prices for texts and increase their number of customers, by producing the paper locally. In exchange for their cooperation in lowering the prices, Bathandwa will send a servant to the Arab merchants in Muromo Wehsiri to share their knowledge of paper-making with him, and aid him in building a paper-mill outside of Danangombe. By using white sorghum produced in large quantities in the country at the base for the paper to be used locally, and calling in manpower from the unemployed youths in his area, Bathandwa successfully establishes for himself the first papermill in Nyazwe, which is immediately bought up by the printery artisans in Khami.
 * Kingdom of England : With the recent advances made into France, the Anglo-Flemish Armies arrives at Rouen unopposed. However with a force of 28,000 French men defending Paris , Edward III decides to move into Normandy seeking the support of a few Norman Nobles due to the fact that many Norman nobles have land in England offering these Nobles more land shall they join him while also threatening to confiscate the lands of those who would refuse to join him. (Mod Response Needed). After his little sejour in Normandy , Edward III decides to back and head east of Paris as a means of going around the city and encircling it by capturing Orleans. As part of the 1st step of such maneuver Edward III’s Forces move towards Reims using looting cities on the way and burning the countryside though sparing the lives of what Edward III considers his future subjects. Meanwhile Edward III once more sends a request to the Hispania offering to hire the Catalan Company for the current conflict and also requesting for Hispanian Support in his war with France. (Hispanian Response Needed)In addition to this , Edward III sends a message to his distant ally the King of Arles to support him in the current conflict in honor of the current alliance between England and Arles with Edward III intending to have Arles conquer most of Southern France intending to use the House of Anjou as his puppets for an intended buffer state between him and his enemies if he is victorious. (Mod Response Needed). With this Edward III continues to advance into France with him and his allies making more gains in France with Edward III being confident that he can defeat the French.
 * Empire of Ethiopia: Under Newaya Krestos, construction of Weri’kama Beri continues as a place to monitor and regulate trade leaving Ethiopia for Mali. With the crown accumulating so much wealth from the lucrative Trans-African Silk Road, Amda Seyon decides to formally centralize management of the crown’s wealth. A Ministry of the Treasury is commissioned, with a crown servant appointed to operate as the Minister of the Treasury. The treasury is moved to a series of vaults dug deep beneath the palace which is guarded by the Emperor’s personal guards and is only accessible by the Minister of the Treasury and people granted express permission by the Emperor. With so much wealth accumulated, the crown begins loaning large amounts to various nobles and businesses within the country. This has the benefit of promoting business and trade in Ethiopia while also asserting financial control over the nation and the nobility. As part of Amda Seyon’s centralization efforts, the personal residence of the Emperor is expanded into a much larger palace. This palace contains offices for the various governmental ministers as well as rooms for the Emperor to meet military officials and Imperial Governors along with the treasury vaults. The Minister of Trade and the Minister of the Treasury are both given offices in the palace. With monarchical financial support, various merchants across Ethiopia come together to form a guild of traders. This guild helps to combine their various resources and wealth to achieve greater wealth than they could have separate. The guild first begins assembling a trade fleet, hoping a large fleet will provide greater protection and greater capacity for trade. Additionally, the guild works to spread the losses of any ships lost to natural disaster or pirates. Ethiopian sea trade continues to expand, with Ethiopian dhows now being common sights from the Red Sea to the Horn of Africa to India. With the arrival of Malian and Hindustan ambassadors to the capital, the Emperor provides them with rooms and offices in the palace. The infrastructure network throughout Ethiopia is mostly complete, with engineers working to improve the roads. Engineers continue to build roads through Ethiopia’s vassals and allies, linking them to Ethiopia. The Royal Guard is expanded again, adding another 2,000 men and making the total 20,000 men.
 * Republic of Milan: The Spinola’s family actions are met with little surprise from Antonia, who was well aware of just how unprecedented a move her election was. As such she schedules a speech in Genoa city in order to get an idea of how much control the Spinola’s have in Genoa currently. During this speech she puts forth her ambitious plan for the future of Northwestern Italy. She states that she desires a unified northwestern Italian nation similar to the one Azzone her beloved husband dreamed about, this would be a federation of republics designed to work together in trade and defense to protect against outside influences on Italy in general but more specifically in the Northwestern parts of the Italian Peninsula. This will also serve as a way for the states to maintain their personal republican autonomy while still uniting Northwestern Italy against outside threats. All of the states of the Federation would have representatives in the council of this federation which would then elect a Doge or Dogaressa of the entire federation who would be a major figure in managing international affairs, as well as inter-state issues. Antonia requests the people of Genoa pressure the Spionla family into accepting this opportunity for a unified northwestern Italy. Antonia then goes and makes this speech to crowds in Milan, Florence, Pisa, Piacenza and Parma. By the time she reaches Florence the word of mouth has beaten her and half the people already know what she’s gonna say. Antonia then meets with the Medici family where her father quickly backs her decision and puts his seal on the treaty which they drafted during their three day discussion. She then in Pisa meets with the reigning merchant families there who all seeing great opportunity for growth and the Medici and Visconti support back it as well, she gets similar results in all other nations until she arrives in Genoa. She sits down with the Spinola family and three weeks go by with minimal progress being made. Running out of options and answers she asks the Spinola family what exactly they would want added to the treaty for them to accept it. He quickly responds with, complete internal Autonomy as long as it has no effect on the surrounding nations. Antonia thinks on it then sends a messenger to get her Father and brother as well as one of the most trusted men at the time, Giovanni II Visconti. The four sit down and consider this to be a very valuable point as it keeps a check on the Doge or Dogeress’s power. Giovanni laughs a little bit saying, have we even come up with a name yet. All four look at each other, no Antonia says slightly amused with herself. The four continue to discuss and then something pops into the great mind of Giovanni, what is the most major thing all of our nations have in common. Antonia for the first time in her life is stumped briefly. We have three things, We are Italian, the alps, and most importantly the Po River. So why don’t we name it after the most important of our commonalities. La Federazion di Padana. (The Federation of Padania.) With the treaty finished the Spinola family signs it, and La Federazion di Padana is founded.
 * Tian China:The consequences of the Emperors ruthless drive too centralize power throughout the empire into his hands exclusively begin to show themselves this year, when the first Mongol rebellion begins. Although it will be swiftly crushed by Chinese forces, it’s consequences will echo for a Ling time, and have a major impact on the history of China. This rebellion begins with an attempted coup against the emperor in Luoyang by the forces of a large group of soldiers under the command of the Yuan courtiers left in the country, which had seen their power increasingly decrease and be stripped from them over the last few years and their culture and religion increasingly persecuted. Led by Bayan, the leader of the Merkids. Although this coup attempt is quickly discovered and foiled by the superior forces of the Chinese military during a large attempt to arrest the plotting nobles and bring them in chains before the Emperor, a traitor among the forces manages to alert them of what is coming before they are fully attacked. This results in many of the Mongol forces managing too sucesffuly flee the city before the Emperor can arrest them or bring them to justice, and they lead their forces into the northern territories, where the majority of our Mongolian population lives, and attempt to seize large amounts of territory from which they plan to launch a campaign to overthrow the Emperor. They mainly plan to do this by relying on the support of the Yuan dynasty, as they are well aware of how severely outnumbered they are by the superior Tian forces. However, with the Yuan currently thrown into chaos by the complete and utter devastation of their lands and slaughter of large parts of their population during the War of the Steppes, and the destruction of most of their armies, they are in absolutely no position to help, and this strategy proves almost entirely useless. Although they do succeed in rallying a number of adventurous Mongolian tribes which had previously been launching raids into Tian territory in this attempt too overthrow the son of heaven, this is only a small supplement to their forces. Ultimately, this rebellion, well it could have potentially been very dangerous, is easily defeated by the superior forces of the massively experienced and large Chinese army, which forcibly drives them and the rebellious lords out of China after the battle of Nianpao, where their forces are successfully routed and forced to flee the region and the country. However, in the process of recapturing the northern areas temporarily taken by the rebellious mongols, large parts of the mongol population are killed or driven out as well, as the army and Chinese in general, already viewing the Mongols as vicious and disloyal savages, comes too see them as completley irredeemable barbarians after this rebellion, and many begin to attempt too slaughter or drive out the general Mongolian and Manchurian population in the north in response to this. This also unnofficcialy leads t9 the depopulation Of large parts of these areas, which causes the emperor too begin encouraging large amounts of Chinese people too move into these areas and reesettle them, begin the building of towns, city’s, and fortresses that will secure those regions for the empire for a long time too come. This also is the beginning of the general rise of the population initiative for southern Manchuria, where the government begins actively supporting and moving thousands of Chinese colonists into the region’s Of Manchuria which we have now acquired, in order to ensure that they become Chinese dominated and are kept as part of the empires central territories.