Imperial Europe (Map Game)

1400

 * Scotland turns it's vision north by invading Iceland, the Orkneys, the Shetland islands and the Faroes


 * The Jalayrids invade the White Sheep Turks, trying to retake their lost territories.


 * The Crimean Kahnate sends forces to occupy the Caucasus region, expanding south.


 * Castille invades Maroc, causing Granada to start a war with Castille.


 * The KU counterattacks, driving the Scots off their islands. Due to Scotland's almost nonexistant navy, the KU set up a blockade on the northeastern coast, preventing the fishermen out of Aberdeen and Halkirk from entering the rich fishing grounds of the North Sea, and depriving that area of their livelyhood. They also hire several thousand German mercenaries and put down revolts in Sweden. An alliance with England is proposed.


 * Brittany finds gold and valuable gems. They offer to trade it to France. Due to the infation of wealth, a massive harbor town is proposed. The town of Les voie de l'eau begins construction of said harbors.


 * The Mamluks fall into civil war between western helped and supporter christians and muslims.


 * Muscovy expands to the south, capturing much land from the small Russian states such as Tver and Ryazan.


 * Aragon begins to expand its armed forces. A larger navy and standing army begins construction. To pay for this, Aragon begins to seek new trading opportunities in the mediterranian. A venture to explore the option of spreading into Africa is found favourable, although no attempt to expand southward is yet made.


 * The Empire of Trebizond declares a policy of strict military neutrality as their highly trained, but small army consists of only around 4,000 troops. The emperor begins to focus on trade and gaining wealth through the Silk Road.



1401
'''Where are the borders between Portugese Navarre and Aragonian Navarre? '''
 * Aragon invades Navarre. Resistance is heavy, but futile, and Navarre is almost completely conquered within the year. Aragon, seeing that its tactics are still incomplete, continues to reform it's army. An exploration mission to Africa is planned, to be launched in 1402.
 * Starting to worry about their relations with their Scandinavian and Russian neighbours, the PLC sends ambassadors to those countries.
 * Denmark proposes an alliance with the Commonweath, primarily in order to try to stop the Teutonic Knights from gaining more influence in the region. They also reestablish control over some of the rebellious regions of Sweden opposed to the Union. A small but permeanent navy is built, allowing the KU to retire the hired merchantmen used in the blockade of Scotland and employ a more cost-effective solution to keeping hegemony over the North Atlantic islands.
 * Muscovy continues its advance south, until parts of Muscovy border the Golden Khanate.
 * Brittany prospers with wealth as the new harbor capital is completed.
 * Navarre begs for assistance to England and Aragon.
 * The Jalayirids finish conquering the White Sheep Turks. A civil war, similar to that of the Mamluks', starts between the Arameans of the nation (Christian) and the Turks and Arabs (Muslim).
 * The Golden Horde, realizing the threat to the north, seeks to expand economic trade on the Black Sea to strengthen its power, as well as occupy as much land as possible to the north before Muscovy takes it all over.
 * The Portuguese invade Navarre.

Since when does Portugal have a border with Navarre?

'''I think they have territory just north of it, it doesn't matter as they have an alliance with Aragon, I just want it to be more clear on where Navarre became Portugese and where it became Aragonian. '''

But Portugal has NO land border with Navarre.

It doesn't matter, Aragon does, it lets Portugal through there.
 * Scotland issues a formal apology to the Kalmar Union and offers several large plots of land in Perthshire to Queen Margaret personally. At the same time the Scots recrute several thousand new foot soldiers and significantly boosts it's naval capabilities before sending it's troops to the east of Ireland and attacking the English lands and giving it back to the locals, before suggesting an alliance.

1402

 * Brittany offers trade to France. Brittany also increases their military. They're preparing to join the fight to hold back the English from Ireland next year.
 * The Golden Hourde offers a Treaty of Friendship with Poland, as well as Trading rights along the Silk Road.
 * Aragon and Portugal divide Navarre between them.
 * Aragon sends an expedition to the northmost shores of Africa. While it was hoped that new wealth would be discovered, this is not the case. Meanwhile, Aragonian merchants begin to increase their shares of Mediterranian trade, including a new trade route to Portugal.
 * The Jalayirid Civil War rages on. However, it is obvious that it is soon to end when, in the 24th of December of the year, Baghdad is captured by the Arameans. It is almost sure that the Arameans are victorious and the Government's troops start deserting. The Muslim Jalayirids are almost certainly defeated, and many nations start recognizing the winner Christian side as the true Jalayirid government.
 * The KU replies and accepts Scotland's apology. They stand down their navy, enabling them to redeploy it in the Baltic, to stave off Teutonic Knight-sponsored attacks by the Victual Brothers. They also accept Scotland's alliance under the condition that KU ships will be able to dock in Scotland's harbors. They also reestablish contact with the dwindling colonies in Greenland, restoring them to crown control. A small but steady influx of immigrants is able to increase the population, and Inuit tribes throughout the island are brought into the KU. Greenland, along with Finland and Sweden, are made Grand Duchies of the Union. The navy is also improved, with a naval college in Stockholm allowing for an influx of well-trained and loyal officers to replace the ex-pirates and merchant captains previously commanding the fleet.
 * The Portuguese propose buying a small part of Iceland from the KU. The Union declines, citing the fact that there is valuable fishing grounds to the west and they do not wish to have to compete with another naval power there.
 * The Empire of Trebizond's convenient location on the Silk Road, their large amount of wealth, and their military neutrality makes it ideal for a banking entity to take shape there. The emperor thus founds the Bank of Trebizond, which caters to any nation in the known world and provides jobs for shrewd Pontic businessmen to invest in the new enterprise as bankers. It appears attractive to many merchants to store their money along the Silk Route and get paid a high interest by such a rich people, than entrust their money to European bankers where it is possible for them to lose it all on war or banditry.
 * The Irish agree to the alliance proposed by Scotland and begin attacks on English lands in eastern Ireland. They also begin constructing a navy to protect their coasts from attack.
 * A young Scottish mariner by the name of Ian Dundas sets sail south to establish the Colony of Inns Gall Naudh (New Hebrides) on the Canary Isles. Later in the year, the teaching of English in all Scottish schools is faded out and replaced with French and Danish as a sign of friendship to their new allies.

1403

 * Brittany becomes obsessed with exploring and colonizing. They colonize a small part of Eastern North Africa and a few islands in the Atlantic.
 * The Scots begin to focus the majority of their military on the colonisation of Africa, from the newly founded port city of Jamesburgh, Inns Gall Naudh, several ships are sent colonise a large stretch of land in and around Laayoune.
 * The KU takes the island of Gotland from the TN through both force and the threat of closing the Great Belt to Teutonic shipping. The navy is also expanded with the addition of three new"galleons", a brand-new ship of Spanish design. Margaret raises a large army and sets about subduing the Finnish/Karelian tribes to the east of the KU. Colonies in Iceland and Greenland are expanded modestly, with an overhaul of the port at Reykjavik (doubling the capacity of the piers and adding several warehouses) and a town beginning to grow around a coastal fort south of Nuuk.
 * Realising that a global "land grab" race has begun, Aragon begins to colonise Northern parts of Morocco. As a indigenious muslim kingdom has existed for years there, the Aragon military is used to subjugate the new territory, a move which is supported by the Pope. Aragon's navy is largely expanded due to this.
 * The Jalayirids are defeated by the Aramean revolt. The nation takes the name of Neo-Babylonian Empire and changes it's capital to Babylon (during Jalayirid times, Al-Musayyib)
 * Portugal to the KU and Aragon:I request an allaince.

1404

 * Cyprus begins raiding passing ships. Brittany declares war on Cyprus. Cyprus is under Brittany's control by October.
 * The Babylonians invade a part of OTL Oman, and declare war upon the Timurids. They soon conquer Elam.
 * Over the past 20 years the parliament of Scotland has moved further away from the royal powers and on the 15th of August 1404 the Parliament Act 1404 is passed which limits the powers of the monarch and turns Scotland into the first true democracy in northern Europe while at the same time giving the new colonies representaion in the first democratic parliament. Later in the year an armada is sent from Strathclyde south across the Irish sea with the goal of conquering Wales and the Isle of Man.
 * The PLC increases soldier build-up along the Golden Horde-PLC border to discourage raids. Soldiers also move up to the border with the Tuetonic Order.
 * The KU invades the Teutonic Order. Striking from Finland, all of Estonia is captured, as is the Latvian lands on the Gulf of Riga and the port of Danzig. A smaller army continues to move through the Karelian tribes to the east, pacificating them and claiming all of occupied Karelia and the independent parts to be part of the Grand Duchy of Karelia. The fishing industry also expand dramatically, mainly off of Iceland and to the east of Greenland.
 * Aragon, accepting the alliance offered by Portugal, invades Castille, intending to seize approximately half of the country, leaving the rest to the Portugese. (NOTE: I will be unable to post for the next 2 days, I'm taking my turns now, they won't be involving any other active player, they're just so I'm not at a disadvantage when I get back)

1405

 * Brittany requests an alliance with France. They also amp up their military might. (I also won't be available tomorrow or Sunday. I don't want a surprise when I come back on Monday.)
 * The Golden Horde, silent for many years, begins to modernize it army, building the first gunpowder units (brought by the Mongols from China decades before) though the majority of the army is still armed with swords and archery units.
 * The Scots push forwards with their Welsh campaign, conquering the country by mid November, whilst laying down plans to expand their influence in mainland Europe
 * The KU makes peace with the Teutons, taking Estonia, Danzig, and parts of coastal Latvia in the peace treaty. The army begins to focus much more on conquering the Karelians to the east. The navy is expanded considerably; it is now the largest standing navy in Europe. Even though the various Italian city-states can call up much more ships in an emergency, they don't have the loyalty and training of the Danish fleet. A Royal War College is set up in Stockholm near the Naval Acadamy, pumping out a small but highly-trained and motivated cadre of army officers.
 * Castille drives Aragon back, and asks them to ally against Granada.
 * The newly elected king of the PLC introduces a policy of neutrality.
 * Aragon constructs a series of forts within it's African lands, to prevent native uprisings. An alliance with Castille against Granada is approved by the king.

1406

 * Aragon gives naval support to Castille's invasion of Granada, blockading most of the Granadan ports in the process. Aragons navy is expanded at this time, and three ports are seized outright. This is the third war in six years, and the economic strain is beginning to show. In response to this, Aragon begins to explore the option of trade to Brittany.
 * Scotland follows the KU's model of setting up naval colleges, and later in the year they send their entire navy and army to the coast of Burgundy, capturing muchl of the coast by the end of the year
 * After four years, the first batch of midshipmen graduate from the Naval Acadamy. The KU sets it's main focus on consolidating it's holdings in Courland and Riga (reestablishing the Archbishopric of Riga as a puppet of Margeret). The navy begins a buildup of carracks and galleys, primarily in order to take complete hegemony of the Baltic. The army turns it's full focus to defeating the Finns, and by years end all but the southern Kola peninsula is in Union hands.
 * The Golden Horde is officially reorganized as the Crimean Empire, under the head of an emperor elected by the nobles. A massive works project is begun, with harbors on the Black Sea built and/or expanded. The army is increasingly modernized, and the first navy is established, with the majority of the fleet being ready by 1410.

1407
Either someone make an updated map, or we'll face 1 map every 10 turns, might not be so bad but hey.
 * Brittany expands its African territory. They also begin exploring eastward.
 * The PLC expands its trade on the Black Sea, specifically with Turkey and the Crimean Empire for exotic goods. The PLC gives up hopes for its own Baltic Sea trade, recognizing KU hegemony over the region.
 * Scotland sets up more naval colleges as well as many military colleges, sending all new recruits to Burgundy to push forwards with the conquest of the country as well as the English colony to the west.
 * The Crimean Empire seeks to expand its trade, so offers the Byzantine Empire protection, in return for allowing Crimean merchant's to sail through Constantinople and open trade routes in the Mediterranean.
 * The KU finishes the conquest of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Finnish and Lapp light cavalry are incorporated into the army (they were the same light cavalry that would have plowed across Germany OTL in the 30 Years War under Gustav Adolf). The navy continues to expand, with the Icelandic Squadron having 15 ships, the North Sea fleet having 37, and the Baltic fleet with 32 (plus 11 in the Kattegat Squadron and numerous "gunboats" patrolling the Great Belt and the Gulf of Riga). Combined with a trained cadre of officers and midshipmen, and a full-time logistics squadron being constructed in order to support expeditionary operations without drawing on the main navy. The whole fleet program is expected to be completed by 1411; this includes 19 more carracks and 12 gunboats (the gunboats being vessels much like a flat-keeled barque with a length of 54 ft and armed with 12 falconets and 4 early versions of what would be called a "bow-chaser" in OTL terminology), and an expeditionary force composed of several thousand longbowmen, an artillery component, and a thousand Lapp cavalrymen.
 * Aragon expands its holdings in Africa, bringing it's borders close to Brittany's African Colony. More forts are constructed, and a KU style naval colledge is founded. Captured Granadan cities are granted to Castille.

'''It doesn't reflect all the edits, but it's a good start. Add any changes that I missed (there's a good many).'''

'''I also didn't include the edit about Brittany taking Cyprus for a few reasons. A; you can't control what another nation does, B; considering that Cyprus is a vassal of the French, I doubt that Brittany would risk it, and C; it would take more men, ships, and capital then Brittany has to take the island by october. To muster and equip enough men to take the island, hire the ships for it (Even with the new harbor town and the gems (is there any historical record of mines in Brittany?), it would simply take far too long to do it), set sail, establish a beachhead on the island, and take it all within 3/4ths of a year makes no sense. Cyprus is pretty damn hard terrain for somebody to just march in and take it.'''

'''Navarre was taken over by Aragon, Castille invaded Granada, and both Brittany and Aragon have territories in West North Africa, around Morroco I think. I'll try to add these edits.'''



1408
'''This is the map I updated. Things that I shall explain: 'I didn't give Brittany that much English Territory because they are tied up in Africa.'I did the same with Aragon (its only me I'm limiting here, so who cares) because it doesn't have enough ships. I gave the Byzantines some Greek Territory from the Ottomans, I hope that's the correct border. And, being the detail freak I am, I made it look a little nicer in Kalmar's teutonic territories, But I don't know where Scotland's african territories are  ''' Scotland's colonies are in the canary isles and Laayoune 
 * Brittany declares war on England and invades lower England.
 * The Ottoman Empire undergoes drastic changes. They become primarily Christian and open up trade again for Christian people. The Ottoman Empire apologizes to the Byzantine Empire and grants them all of Greece, plus lots of gold to rebuild.
 * Burgundy was weakened by the Scottish invasion two years ago and becomes fragmented giving Scotland the chance to move forward significantly.
 * The Kalmar Union continues to expand it's navy in accordance with it's plans. The Baltic Consortium is established to give the Union direct control over Baltic trade. Finally, the Karelians have been conquered, and for the first time in world history, the Scandinavian Peninsula is united.
 * Aragon, honouring it's alliance with Brittany, declares war on England. The main point of invasion is Southern Wales. However, little territory is seized, as Aragon lacks the fleet to support a large overseas army, considering how much of it is currently blockading Granada, trading with Portugal and Brittany or patrolling the mediterranian. Also, Aragon is weakened from recent wars, meaning although it has a large number of experienced troops it has lost much of its men-folk. Aragon is very interested in gaining access to the Silk Road, and requests trade with the Ottoman Empire.

1409

 * Brittany captures more territory in Britain, this time capturing everything on the lower peninsula (OTL Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, and Hampshire).
 * Scotland moves forward with it's relentless Burgundy campaign. At the same time Scotland warns the Malmluk Sultanate of the impending crusade and offers them military support in retur for trade.
 * The era of peace is starting to really show through, banks throughout the PLC expand and the population grows even more. The PLC starts offering loans to Aragon and other nations in need of cash.
 * Realizing that the KU needs a dedicated North Sea port that would be completely clear of ice year-round, the Union moves troops into bremen, citing the agressive actions of Hamburg against the Archbishopric of Bremen. A smaller force moves from Margeret's holdings in Oldenburg into Hamburg itself, taking the city from the burghers and placing it under control of the Consortium. Eric of Pomerania begins plotting his adoptive mother's downfall.
 * Aragon turns control of captured English territories to Brittany. Aragon is now obligated to support the Scottish in Burgandy, the Brittanayians in England, and Castille in Granada, never mind the costs of upgrading their fleet and expanding their african colonies. Aragon begins to focus on trade more. Specifically, it hopes to gain access to the Silk Road or find riches in Africa or other colonies. Aragon is against launching another crusade at this time, feeling that it is more important to consolidate and enrich Aragon herself.

1410
'''I think you guys are moving to fast with colonization. It takes several months to cross the atlantic with medival technology, and years to set up large colonies. The KU does have greenland, but Greenland only has a few thousand people living there, so you'd still have to get people to move from Scandanavia, so it doesn't matter. The territory you just took should have taken you around 10 years to stettle. '''
 * Brittany discovers North America. They set up colonies in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
 * Scotland convinces much of the population of Burgundy that Scotland is a more stable country than their own and they therefore almost completely conquers the country by the end of the year. Much of the navy that has been barely used over the past few years is sent south down the coast of Africa to establish a colony at the tip, a so called place in the sun, they establish a large colony in OTL Cape Town, and engage in trade with the local population.
 * The KU claims all lands to the north of Nye Skotland (Nova Scotia) to be their own. Small colonies are set up at OTL Quebec, Nova Scotia, and in parts of Newfoundland. Queen Margeret sells her lands in Perthshire to Scottish nobles, and uses the influx of cash to complete her navy one year ahead of schedule. A small colony is also set up at Fjord Powaata (the Chesapeake Bay).
 * Aragon sets up a colony in southern New Spain (OTL New Brunswick) on the Saint John river. The Colony at the river's mouth, Saint John, is primarily a fishing town, but with lumber and shipbuilding as emerging industries. A fort is constructed to defend from naval attacks. Expeditions down the river lead to contact with the native americans, who appear friendly.
 * Ireland begins a conquest of the Isle of Man.

'''I said small settlements, as in like 500 people in each. And how does Aragon sail all the way around to BC in 1410? '''

'''My bad, meant New Brunswick, still you have at least 3 colonies, numerous ones in Newfoundland is implied, so this means you have at the very least 1500 people over during the initial year of discovery. It just seems a bit much. Jamestown, first settlement in North America, took around 2 years to found and had around 100 people, who all died in the first winter. It wasn't due to poor planning, just the Europeans aren't used to North America. You'll survive the winter good, because your Scandinavian already :)'''

'''You have to remember that over 300 years ago, some 80 Icelanders did the same thing that the KU are doing, and that lasted for like 50 years. I think the "modern" KU settlers can do better.'''


 * The Crimean Empire begins a military campaign against the Timurids in Persia, but after quickly crossing the Cacusas mountain with over 300,000 horsemen, and many of the new musket men and cannons, are held up about two hundred miles over the border by the Timurid Army at Tabriz, but the Crimean Empire goes on the offensive after a week of resting and recouping. The battle is an enormous victory, destroying most of the Timurid army in the west, but Samarkand and other Persian cities have not been captured yet. Tamerlane, the leader of the Timurids, is currently in India, so can't respond quickly.


 * The Empire of Trebizond works on building up its navy on the Black Sea. Their past few years have been spent investing in gunpowder and improving new rigid and iron standards for their soldiers. Conscription is introduced, and the ranks swell to around 10,000 soldiers. The new professional army is garrisoned at Trebizond itself, and all men of fighting age not in the army are required to own muskets or swords to defend the nation if it is ever attacked. The walls of the capital have been repaired since 1408 until they are nearly 30 inches thick by December of 1410 to stop even heavy artillery. However, all of these are purely defensive measures. The emperor still maintains a policy of strict neutrality, and the empire has become the richest and most lavish nation bordering the Black Sea due to their control of the Silk Routes.

1411

 * The North American colony for Brittany is doing very well. The fertile soil is great for planting and the islands on which the towns are on are beautiful. The winters aren't too harsh. The city hands out supplies to other nations to build cities (at a modest price). However, the Osselets sur la Caroline du Nord is stated. No nation may build any colonies within 100 miles of a colony owned by Brittany. The first European child, Catherine de'Leon is born.
 * (Theres a KU colony within a 100 miles of the Briton colony already)
 * They can keep it. I meant from here on out, no more colonies within 100 miles of Roanoke Island. Anyone who abides by this gets to cash in on our trade, thus allowing their colony to expand faster! Sounds like a fair deal to me!


 * The Crimean armies march deeper into Persia, and are on the outskirts of Samarkand. However, Tamerlane arrives as the Imperial armies arrive, and a massive battle is fought. Although nearly victorious, Tamerlane is shot down in the midst of battle by a musketman, and the Turmird army collapses, and Samarkand is taken. The rest of Persia falls into civil war, which the Crimean empire uses it to its advantage to pick off the other states. By next year, Persia should be under the control of the Emperor of Crimea!
 * Scotland expands the cape colony and heads further east across the southern coast and engages in trade with the Great Zimbabwe.
 * Margeret is deposed by Eric of Pomerania. His first action is to move troops into Pomerania itself, and he establishes a wither capital at Rostock (the summer one being at Stockholm). He then issues a royal mandate declaring tax breaks of up to 80% for those who move to the New World (called Vinland). Each family shall be gifted 111 acres and the OTL USD equivalant of $100,000 apon arrival. This sparks immigration, primarily by Balts left homeless by the recent war, Swedish entrepreneurs and traders, and retired merchants buying plots of several thousand acres to live out their lives on. the colony at Fjord Powataa is expanded, with most of the Necks' coastline dotted with small farmsteads. Modest expansion is undertaken in the northern territories as well. A Swedish trader and his continent of several score mercenaries, explorers, and native guides mahe it to the shores of Lake Superior, but are forced to return by the impending winter and hostile Canadian tribes.
 * The Irish continue their conquest of the Isle of Mann. They Irish also begin a colony in Benin.