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 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. 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 too 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 territorial many of mountain tibeteans 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 territorial.
 * 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 Mediteranean 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 undesisive war with Guelders, to end the war (Mod Response). As the Parliament belives that this war would otherwise continue for ages without any actual progression, and with only more human lives gone to waste. The Council beliving that a ecclesiastical state should only attack and war for either self defense or to restore a pontificial regime. While in the habours 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 trough 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 tittle of Honorary Member of the house of Reginar, thus Becoming Hendrickus Pisacus Reginar. Pisacus Reginar now Going by Merchant sailboat from the Habour of The Hague to the habour 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 too 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 too 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 too 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 too 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 too 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 territorial of 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 territorial most of citizen practicing the Buddhist on the authority of Dynasty and most of soldier perpah to take their siege on the southern territorial 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 belives 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 boattrip only being two days long, but the unpacking of all his equipment taking alot of time. This equipment including alot 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 alot 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 alot 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, alltough Hendrickus does keep his belt and other items that he uses alot of. Pisacus also needing to replace his shoes as due to the distances walked his shoes had completely worn of trough 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 alot 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 belive 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 too 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 there forces to the east are much weakend.  This leads to us launching a suprise invasion of the Yuan and declaring war upon them too reclaim the Chinese lands that are still in there hands, and acquire a land connection too Korea. With 240,000 troops jointly led by General Mao Xieren and the Emperor invading through the lands too 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 territorial and governing on it whoever Changchub return at his palace Royal Tibeteans they're establish some colony territorial 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 territorial by the way, he send it again most of 12,000 soldiers and cavalry they're attacking the enemy on the territorial 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 build 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 habour which name was even heard by Pisacus when in tangiers, Habour 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 2nd 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 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 too retreat from the area too 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 too bleed eachother 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 too war, as are the Koreans, who we encourage to launch raids on the Yuans remaining coastal territories near them too make supplying the mongols harder for any other enemies we might have, such as the smugglers that have been attempting too undermine our regime. We also do our best too 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 Scotish ,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 Habours 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 alot 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 build per year for the Navy, So His Majesty and the Parliament now order 15 ships per year to be build. These ships being build 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.
 * 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
 * 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 it's 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 too. 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 5 Tumans 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, whil 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 too 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 2 ships to explore the North East. (Mod Response Needed).
 * Papal diplomacy: Pope Sixtus IV welcomes archbishop Ari in Rome.
 * 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 daugther named Margaret.