The Ashes of Rome (Map Game)

The year is 500 C.E., and the mighty Roman Empire has finally crumbled. Lying in its wake is its legacy state, the Byzantine Empire, occupying The Balkan Peninsula, Anatolia and Northeast Africa. It remains the most powerful European state, though its barbarian neighbors continue to threaten its prosperity. To the East is the mighty Sassanian Empire, centered in Persia, although its forces seem to be steadily encroaching on southeastern Europe.

In the former Western Roman Empire, several Gothic Kingdoms have formed and continue to grow in size and power. The Visigoths are situated mostly in Hispania, the Ostrogoths in Italy, the Franks and the Burgundians in Gaul, the Gepids in Dacia, and the Vandals in Northern Africa. Additionally, the Celtic people, long divided and hostile, have formed the Celtic League, modeled after the long-dead Roman Republic.

In addition to the centralized Kingdoms, tribal groups of Germanic peoples are beginning to gain strength, though they are not quite yet unified. These groups include the Suebi, the Anglo-Saxons, the Jutes, the Danes, the Alemanni, the Lombards, and the Saxons. To the Northeast lie the Baltic and Slavic nomads, far from unification, and still living in territory untouched by any true nation-states. In this tumultuous time, change is inevitable, but yet to be known is who will be lost to the sands of time, and who will emerge triumphant and mighty. (The chief difference in this ATL is that, as opposed to the OTL in which the Gothic kingdoms quickly fell, they have been effectively run, and are now actual, unified nations. They still suffer from countless internal problems, but less so.)

'''The game has officially begun. New players can still sign up.'''

Rules:

 * 1) New turns will begin every day at 22:00 UTC. I will begin each turn in bold, sometimes including pertinent details from the previous turn.
 * 2) Each turn signifies five years. This will most likely change as the game approaches the current year.
 * 3) The map will be updated every turn (five years).
 * 4) Inactivity for over ten turns will cause your name to be removed from the nation you are playing. You may return whenever. However, you do not get priority, and if your country is taken, it’s taken.
 * 5) You may join the game whenever by putting your name on the nations list. You are allowed to join the turn immediately after signing up.
 * 6) Keep all actions plausible. Repeated infractions will cause you to be kicked from your nation, and possibly banned, depending on severity.
 * 7) Remember, your actions have consequences, invading territories, whether they were previously inhabited or not, will cause unrest. Keep in mind that when you invade another territory, its people will not immediately be converted to your language, culture and religion.
 * 8) Be as specific as possible, especially when describing the invasion of another territory. If you are not specific as to location, the mapmaker will most likely not understand exactly what you intend to do.
 * 9) Metagaming is strictly prohibited, and several offenses will result in a permanent ban.
 * 10) Keep the game and the talk page kind and mature. No major arguments, OOC.
 * 11) Do not edit the map unless you are a mapmaker. If you see any issues with the map, write about it on the talk page.
 * 12) You may randomly switch nations only once, after which you must wait until your nation is defeated to switch.
 * 13) New nations will be added periodically to both the map and the nations list, whether by historical emergence, or by secession. You, of course, may sign up for these whenever they become available.
 * 14) You are encouraged to make pages within this category for nations, coalitions, treaties, or whatever else you believe merits a separate page.
 * 15) In each turn, in addition to whatever actions you choose to perform, you may do one of the following:


 * Improve military.


 * Improve economy.


 * Improve infrastructure

16. Nations that players have signed on, but have failed to make a turn, will continue to be mod controlled and essentially act as this games "AI".
 * Expand the nation into unsettled land. (It is imperative that you are plausible with this).

(Just a reminder. Do not, under any circumstances, edit the map and replace official images with your modified images. It typically results in grainier images, which are saved at different resolutions, and mess up the uniformity of the page. More importantly, it can violate the wiki's code regarding duplication images, and I do not want any action to be taken against players or me. If you have any comments or concerns with the image, post them in your turn or on the talk page. I read both, and appreciate you pointing out mistakes I have made, because, unfortunately, I do mess up.)

Mods

 * 1) Knoxmoor
 * 2) Afunnymouth
 * 3) Genesaria
 * 4) Zamarak500

The Map

 * Mapgame740.pnger shades of a nation's color represent occupied territory, and lines of seperation represent clients, vassals, or satellite states.
 * The map will, of course, be changed as more of the world becomes explored.
 * Lined separations can also represent separate regions within a nation, autonomy or even simply cultural rifts.
 * Keep in mind there is a limit to the number of distinct colors.

Nations (Signup)
Example Proper Format: Empire Name/ Leader title/ leader name/ signature

Europe:
- Pesco27

- Queen Sventhilla Lousean Afunnymouth

- Duke Osryn Seighbert (UNCLAIMED)

- Spar
 * Kingdom of Essex -
 * Kingdom of York -
 * Duchy of Saxony -

- ~DicklessWonder (MrFixx) - TheRyderx1
 * (Under Martial Law) - Adamgerd (Talk)

- Genesaria 23:18, September 2, 2015 (EST)

-

- chapchap96

- –Alexander 17:26, August 2, 2015 (UTC)

- Zamarak500

- Thisismacedon
 * Autonomous Karluk Tribes -

-

-

-

Asia:
- AH28 -The Epic Dragon
 * Persia - Bozistanball

-
 * Orissa -
 * Sri Lanka -

-

- Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl - Seiga

- Laoboy343

-

-

- User: Tao64

- ~Emperor Chu Jaewon - User: Candiesrgood
 * Honshu -

-

- Revolution 9

-

Africa:
-

-

- Great showing. B23 (talk) 14:37, October 3, 2015 (UTC)

- Sef - (UNCLAIMED)

- snoopdigdogg11

- Kruntchie

Supranational Organizations
The High Council of the Mediterranean

The High Council of Eurasia 

Alliance of Sovereign East Asian Nations

Archives
500-600

600-700

700 C.E.
'''The 7th century came and went with people living and dying just as they would have regardless of what number you had put before the word. Would the 8th century prove to be any different? It's difficult to say...'''

'''Sef, Emperor of Kanem, orders for a great expansion into the surrounding territories. In turn, his people acclimate themselves with the Ghanians and spread to adjacent lands. Sef hopes for friendly relations with Ghana.'''

'''Many refugees from the various African wars flee to central Africa, where the Empire of Kanem experiences mass immigration. The Kanem populations bolsters and grows rapidly.'''

'''The Caliphate forces more of their terrified subjects to sail across the Red Sea to settle far into unexplored Africa. The colonists make landings and spread into the land, but their numbers drop rapidly and many of them succumb to the unforgiving terrain. The originally founded African territories begin to grow a sense of disconnect with the new migrants and in turn they begin work on a declaration of secession.'''

'''The Muslim Free-State begins expansion southeast along the Caliphate's borders. They continue to preach of Muslim freedoms and their sentiment is felt throughout Africa.'''

'''Gothic controlled former South-Egyptian territory becomes far more united and begins to reject Gothic rule. With the Goth’s devoting their attentions entirely elsewhere, the small budding nation declares their independence under the new name Vermundia. Much of the population follows the new ideas of a peaceful Islam and completely rejects the notion of Christianity. The new nation forms an alliance with the Muslim Free-State'''

Thabo Khananda forms an alliance with Geberic Illdephon and the two plan to split Morocco in half amongst themselves;

'''The Illdephons start the invasion by marching further south and conquering a Moroccan port, further strengthening their navy. Their borders expands quickly as many more Moroccan people subjugate themselves to the new growing African power.'''

'''The Vandalic Kingdom, galvanized and united by a return to the old ways, are eager to take back their lands from the Moroccans. The Vandals swarm into Morocco and capture a large portion of land, meeting up with the Illdephons on the north coast.'''

'''The Illdephons use their new naval ships to spread south to the former Gothic territories in the Verdinian Isles. The Illdephons build several forts and establish a presence in the abandoned area.'''

The Upper-Egyptians continue their westward sprawl and the people become ever more disconnected, but whether it's good for Upper-Egypt to live in the 8th century could be most likely.

'''The clash between Euric Vermundo’s Gothic walking dead men and the Caliphate’s doomed Muslim army is especially bloody. After a month long struggle, the Muslims finally overwhelm the Goths and stamp out their main military force. By the end of the battle, the Caliphate is weakened and dying. The Mbalians capitalize on this and launch an attack on western Sinai. The Mbalians make great ground and kill of much of the main Muslim fighting force, but soon lose momentum as the men continue cutting down the endless Muslim hordes without ever seeing any sign of them stopping.'''

The Gothic presence in Arabia dies off, leaving behind a long ugly scar in the Caliphate’s territory.

Gothic naval support in Alaricia manages to drive out the rebels and restore the island into one solid and loyal Gothic region.

'''The Khazars swarm Croatia, surprising the Russian people and making great headway. This victory is short lived however, as nearly two-hundred thousand Rus’ soldiers and sixty warships heed the counteroffensive and reclaim the coasts of the Black Sea.'''

'''The Caliphate sends droves of men into the Khazars territory and quickly overwhelms them, engulfing about a third of their total land. However, thanks to the Khazars naval supremacy in the Caspian, the Caliphate neglects to get a coastal foothold.'''

The Avars makes light gains out of the Khazar’s newly colonized Adrian territory, but are repeled quickly and experience great casualties at the hands of the Khazars monstrous navy.

Chenla continues their expanse after dealing with the marine threat of barbarians, and in turn manage to spread throughout the entirety of the Sumatran mainland.

Followers of Buddhism continue to feel increasingly oppressed by the Ganga and their cries are heard throughout India and Asia.

The spread of plague in Mbali is at an all time low, the people however, feeling galvanized by their years of suffering and call for King Bjorn to end the fruitless war against Islam.

Control over Scotland falls back to the Pictish coalition who have subordinated themselves under the Celts in exchange for giving the Celts nearly half of their gross-income on tax.

'''Ghanian death rampages through Hispania and Iberia, and the deaths are innumerable. It is predicted that over 40% of the population is infected, whilst another 25% have already perished. This relentlessness is in part thanks to the Lombardians infecting Gothic water supplies, and in turn many new Gothic militias form and begin making counter attacks against the Lombards.'''

The Lombards break the Frankish line and push into Burgundy, casualties on both sides are high, but the Lombards appear to have the advantage at the moment thanks to the Wyrdu’s rapid offensive.

The population of Byzantium continue to dwindle as the plague ravages the country side.

'''Lombardian people are increasingly dis-unified and war-fatigued. Many of them simply throw down their arms and call for peace under new rule, without caring who their new overlords are to be.'''

'''The Rus’ surge into the relatively unprotected capital of Warsaw and attempt to capture it with minimal destruction and loss of life. This proves difficult however as the Lombardians feverish volatility is a force all of its own. After three years of back and forth warfare, the Rus’ capture the ruins of Warsaw and expand their rule of a territory inhabited mostly by corpses.'''

The Rus’ Principalities armies acquire a land connection to the Baltic Sea.

'''The Germanic people of Albion take an offensive against their ethnically equal invaders and prove to be surprisingly loyal to Duchess Branwen. Anglo-Saxons and Germans fight side by side and their co-operation leads to a total victory in the war for Albion.'''

The Franks continue their push into classical Lombardy and slaughter the Saxon’s military defensive.

'''Call for troops to support the Saxon offensive proves to be an utter failure for the Celts. Only one-hundred men agree to join in the offensive and close the distance. The Celts are only successful in making amphibious landings thanks to the Franks presence, but the well trained Celtish soldiers prove instrumental in furthering Frankish pushes into Lombardy.'''

'''The Jutish army meets up with the Frankish and Celtic armies and the three armies begin falling under the command of a high ranking Frankish general. This unified entente proves to be a near unstoppable force.'''

'''Lombardian colonists are either captured and killed or get lost and wind up heading north. The majority of them end up in Scandinavia and settle just north of their brothers and sisters.'''

Not all is a loss for the Lombardians, as their Scandinavian territories grow in strength and repel the Jutes, conquering much of their land.

'''The Gothic economy flips on its head and begins hemorrhaging money. The Gothic treasuries are drained and the job market is nearly non-existent. Gothic focus on warfare gives way to a great deal of increase in general poverty throughout the empire.'''

Tensions continue to rise between the Gothic nobles in the east and the impoverished west.

'''Votes in Vivianis prove a majority of the populace to be in support of continued Gothic rule. The rebels are then quickly driven out of the area and their leaders executed.'''

The Gupta continue their expanse and fill the gap between themselves and the Liang.

Loss of the Tibetan king due to an unknown illness causes the kingdom to split into eleven dynasties ruled by each of his eleven sons.

'''Ghanaian death arrives in Silla thanks to the Caliphate smuggling infected peoples into their land. The plague quickly grabs hold in the new humid environment and rapidly spreads throughout China.'''

'''Japan makes great gains against the Ainu and even captures the militia leader Shakushoa. Without the militia, the continued survival of the Ainu is entirely dependent on Sillian intervention.'''

More land is gained for the Persian-Free State as they close the land gap between themselves and the Ainu (I know the PFS is a player now, but until they make their first move they will act as an AI.)

'''The Danes declare war on the Balts and invade them, capturing a moderate swath of lands. The Danes request the Rus’ assistance in the war. The Balts also request the Rus’ assistance in the war.'''

 

Autonomous Albion:  Osryn enters into ASF training, taking after his mother in his stature he is one of the largest among his peers.

Cadfael takes to going into battle along with his troops, bolstering their nerve and their loyalty, witnessing him let slip havoc with his own blade. Cadfael marches into Lombardian territory, raiding villages and sending the spoils back to Branwen to distribute throughout the country. All troops are offered 10% of the swag that they find.

Shades are scattered out among the Lombardian people, and given the mission to incite rebellion by causing ruckus and spouting disloyalty to the public, regardless of any actual issues.

Branwen orders continuation of a wall along the border of Albion and Lombardy.

Cadfael is trusting of the Frankish troops, as he knows firsthand of their prowess in battle.

 Japan: We are launching a massive offensive against Sillian forces in Hokkaido, we are also invading Korea.

Khazar Khaganate: We are losing this war but our resolve shall never wave. Our leader has figured the reason why so many people are dying by the cruelty of this plague. It is because so many do not believe the word of Christ anymore. The only way to cure this plague is to make holy war against the pagans and the non-believers and to join in our new found war to convert this people. We send ravens and spread rumours that there is a crusade happening to all nations with a sizable Christian population to join us in our troubles. We send our ships in the Black Sea against the Russian and Caliphate held coastline and to raid coastal settlements. We will also send envoys to the Byzantine empire and the Gepids to join us in war. We also will give Abkhazian people, the Alan horde and the Oghuz tribes more independence if they help us in our war. We will also send an envoy to the tribes to the Afrighids, Kangars, Kimaeks, Kipchacks, Turgesh and the other tribes in return for money and all the fertile land they can desire. We will continue to attack and raid the borders of our enemies. We will send envoys to Tabaristan and Gilan in the Caliphate to help us.
 * The Gothic Empire sends a letter entailing that if the Khazars were truly Christian, they would cease their aliance with the heathenish Lombardians and join the High Council of the Mediterranean.

Silla/Korean Empire: Our export-oriented economy has made our economy vulnerable to changing external demand, but luckily, we did not trade with the Caliphate that much. We still compensate for this miniscule loss by drastically increasing trade with the Chenla Queendom. Regent Wonjang wouldn't take any chances, and he starts Silla's transition from an export-oriented economy to a consumer-oriented one. We continue to harvest Northern Silla's vast mineral wealth, estimated by mathematicians to be worth $6 trillion in value. We acquire new technologies to help us mine the precious minerals. We continue "dumping" excess agricultural produce to Chenla to avoid inflation, we see this as a two-way beneficial relationship, since it'll help Chenla's people avoid starvation. Regent Wonjang sees a lot of potential in the Chenla Queendom, citing its fairly large population, an abundance of raw materials, and a large room for area expansion. He knows that the Chenla Queendom will make a good ally in the upcoming years.

Due to some structural problems becoming increasingly prominent, some advisors (the second highest power) ask for the abolition of the strict, hereditary bone rank system, which only allows people with an aristocratic background to obtain high positions. King Wonjang considers this idea, but he thinks that the elite minority will rebel and the Sillan state will collapse. The advisors finally convince him to abolish the rigid bone rank system, getting rid of the increasingly powerful aristocratic families.

Due to the Ghanan plague, population growth almost halts. Most of the government, including the Royal Family and the Regent's family, is sent into palaces located in the hillsides where they are isolated from the rest of the population. Potentially infected individuals are killed and their bodies are smuggled into Japan. Our population is estimated to be 17.8 million people, a 0.56% increase from the last estimate from five years ago, though there is less people from the younger cohorts, the labor force is still rapidly growing and prevents negative population growth. We launch a massive sanitation campaign to avoid the spread of the plague and population decline, and to combat decline in the labor force, we dramatically reduce unemployment and increase worker productivity. Public bathrooms are installed in its main cities. After discovering the source of the smuggled bodies, we ban all trade and travel with the Caliphate (and its allies) and any Western nation. We suggest the Chenla Queendom to also impose the trade and travel ban.

We start increasing taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund our sanitation campaign. Due to our advance technology, high troop morale, and the fact our population outnumbers Japan's by more than five times, we are confident that we will win. We begin to focus our energy on one front and focus on defending the Korean peninsula from the lesser Japanese navy. Our surprise counterattack somewhere in Southern Honshu ends in victory, and we gain large tracts of coastal land. We incorporate these areas into the Saeloun-do, meaning the "New Province". We begin to attack in all directions, from the north with 20,000 troops (less because it is less populated), and from the South and West, with a total of 170,000 troops. We withdraw most of our troops from Hokkaido and order the massive evacuation of the Ainu population to the Sakhalin province, this will probably result in the temporary loss of Hokkaido, but it is worth it. We use this surge of extra labor to manufacture supplies needed in our war. We increase our military presence on the Sakhalin, with 30,000 troops patrolling the borders.
 * (Chenla) If the Silla are open to a "Special Relationship" (like the one the US and the UK enjoy) where scientific advances are shared, joint military operations take place, the prospect of making each other's economy better, etc. This will cause a free flow of scientific advances and technologies between the two nations and bring their friendship much closer. 
 * OOC (Chenla) Also not quite sure if you accepted the offer of building embassies in our two capitols. 
 * Silla: I, King Wonjang agree to open a "Special Relationship" between the two countries. We will begin building a Chenlan embassy in the Jeju province (the southernmost point of Silla). 

The Kingdom of Mbali: King Bjorn is faced with a difficult decision: He could assist The Republic of Morocco and gain one rather unorganized ally; or he could promise The Vandals and The Illdephons to keep his nose out and avoid gaining two, more organized enemies. He discusses his choices with his advisors and they unanimously agree that Mbali is in too deep -with the Caliphate’s persistence and the plague that still ravages the land- to start another war. Diplomats are sent to The Vandals and Illdephons explaining that their attack on The Republic of Morocco poses a bit of a hindrance on Mbali. However, the threat could be avoided if they were to ally with Mbali instead. The navy continues to grow in the Red Sea.

King Bjorn hears the cries of his people to end the war with the Caliphate. Though complete control over Sinai is important, Bjorn is content with the claimed area. King Bjorn writes up a treaty: The Caliphate can keep claimed lands in Sinai, and Mbali keeping its claimed lands in Sinai - as well as a 50-year non-aggression pact. If The Caliphate deny the treaty a palisade is set up along the claimed territories in Sinai reinforcing defensive procedures used in the past, and the Mbalian navy is to attack Caliphate Sinai full force, focusing its western coast.

King Bjorn cannot express enough thanks to Prince Salavarman for his gracious gift of elephants. Bjorn had read stories of these savage war beasts but never thought he’d get to see one first hand. King Bjorn makes it against Mbalian law to kill elephants, claiming they have royal blood and that they should be treated as such. Elephants are bred and incorporated into the army, and some are even acclimated and released to the wild.

The Frankish Kingdom, with the Lombard offensive into Burgundy still ongoing, sees King Joseph raise an army of both cavalry and infantry, which has the goal of crushing the Lombardy threat in our borders. King Gerald appoints his brother, Prince Joseph, as the overall commander of the entente forces pushing into Lombardy, and with many calling for peace, the King feels that this may be the perfect time to begin establishing Frankish control over Saxony. Thus, a new Holy Saxon Duchy is established in the conquered lands, with the capital being centered in an area soon to known as Lipsia, which is set to become a major city and trading post for the Franks, with the blessing of the Pope. Christian missionaries are sent around the conquered areas,  spreading the faith, and helping to stamp out the pagan ways. The continued expansion of the navy sees it growing to over 150 ships. These ships are used to guard against pirates, and help to protect the shipping and trade of the Franks. King Gerald's son, Prince William, is still searching for a bride, and should any of our allies wish, they may propose a bride for him. The treasury begins to grow from the massive amount of conquered gold and land taken from the Lombards, and taxes are imposed on the conquered areas. As the plague continues to ravage the land, quarantine is put in place in the south, and massive amounts of resources are put together to help stop the spread of the plague. As Frankish ships patrol the seas, the King decides to send his ships into the Baltic, where he hopes to help cut off the Lombards from their colonies, and starve them out. Another plan is also made to land Frankish troops in Northern Lombardy, with the goal of completely surrounding the Lombards. 20,000 men are being used in this operation. A review of Frankish military might shows that, with a grand total of 300,000 men, the Franks are committed to these fronts as follows. 150,000 Frankish troops invading Lombardy, combined with 50,000 Anglo-Saxons beings the force to 200,000 men. 50,000 men and cavalry are defending Burgundy. 20,000 are taking part in the attack on the Lombard coast, and 50,000 Franks, aided by 40,000 Anglo-Saxons, are helping to defend Albion. That leaves only 30,000 men left, and these men are still kept as reserves, being allowed to remain home. The establishment of several Christian Churches concedes with the destruction of several Pagan temples.

York and Essex both experience relative growth, with both areas becoming major trade routes for the Franks. The conquered Pictish land is made into the Pictish Duchy, and several forts are built to help guard trade in the Duchy.

Chenla Queendom/Kingdom: Thanks to the warnings provided by the Supreme Elegance of the Silla, Queen Jayavedi shuts down all trade with the Caliphate and other disease riddled nations of the West. Trade will reopen when signs of the plague have died down. Trade is increased with the Silla, Ganga and the Gupta. Like the Silla, Queen Jayavedi also begins government funded sanitation programs to dramatically decrease the chances of the plague coming to the Chenla Queendom. She also has the Royal Scouts with their vast network of acquiring information check all ships coming to the Queendom or simply passing through the Strait of Malaka. This is done off the mainland with the Royal Scouts wearing masks with herbs in them that are thought to fend of disease. The people who are not ethnic Chenlan citizens are told to turn back from whence the came from or are immediately eliminated. Any Chenlan citizen showing signs of the plague is immediately sent to quarantine on the small island near the Northwest coast of the mainland. Also to ensure that the plague doesn't get anywhere near the Queendom, Queen Jayavedi has the Royal Navy occupy all the small uninhabited islands Northwest and West to the Island of Sumatra and establish checkpoints there. '''To thank the Silla for their friendly advise a 30 foot, solid gold Buddha statue is sent to the Sillan capitol with a regiment of 30 Royal Chenlan Elephants (the elephants are also a gift). Since only the Royal Navy ships are large enough to transport the elephants they are sent to deliver them. A quarter of the Royal Navy is sent with High Admiralty Chan Leung to deliver the gifts and assist the Silla in the war against the Japanese if the want it because the Chenla will always honor its alliance with the Silla. A declaration of war against Japan is also sent with the High Admiralty Chan Leung if the great leadership of the Silla does call upon Chenlan assistance and askance if Chenla could build an embassy in the Sillan capitol, and in turn a Sillan embassy would be built in Luang Prabang. If the Silla don't require Chenlan assistance then the delivery force will return home. '''

The start of the new century goes very well for the Chenlan people, in the year 700 the wedding of Prince Thepaman and Princess Chamekamba of the Ganga, commences in the capitol. The city of Luang Prabang is bustling with excitement as thousands of spectators come to watch the wedding and the War Games celebrating this special occasion. Also the return of the beloved Prince Salavarman raises more excitement as many people gather to hear the stories of his journey to the Westerlands. With him he brought over many new technologies in which the Royal Engineers take complete advantage of and begin to study them. The naval technologies from the Gothic Empire is immediately implemented, as their designs on war ships are far more superior. In the year 702 an even bigger wedding is thrown for the Queen as she marries Lord Jun Pheng, a nobleman in which she attended the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang with and was always closely associated with. She still retains all her power as the sole leader of the Chenla as dictated by Chenlan law.

With the great political and economic prosperity of the beginning of the new century, a 56 foot statue begins its construction in honor of the late King Jayavarman,  in the now bustling port city of Kong Sad in Sumatra, for planning out this great prosperous time. Another statue begins its construction in the capitol in honor of Queen Jayavedi for continuing her father's great work. All the positive morale flowing through the Queendom has Queen Jayavedi end slavery of all ethnic Chenlan peoples. The barbarians from the southern islands are still subject to enslavement. She also declares Buddhism as the official religion of Chenla and has a massive Wat begin construction in Luang Prabang; all other religions are still legal to practice as long as they don't cause strife within the Queendom.

Within a few years of its full colonization, the island of Sumatra produces more than 60 percent of Chenlan goods. More farms are built and natural resources are mined. This causes the Chenlan economy to swell. To deter pirates from kidnapping Chenlan citizens from Sumatra and raiding; Queen Jayavedi hashes out a deal with the largest pirate gang in the waters around Sumatra, the Black Vipers is what they call themselves. The deal says that if they no longer raid Chenlan trade ships, leave Chenlan citizens alone, and deter other pirate gangs they would get paid and not be hunted by the Royal Navy. The deal to everyone's surprise drastically reduces the abduction of Chenlan citizens and the raiding of trade ships.

The Royal Engineers continue to make advances in technology, especially with the material brought back by Prince Salavarman. They begin plans of improving infrastructure throughout the Queendom with funding from the Royal Crown. They also begin to formulate new plans of sending more Engineers West in 10 years to gather technologies and information because Prince Salavarman's trip did prove to be successful. With all the new information the Royal Engineers begin the construction of the Royal Library in Luang Prabang to further the city's reputation as being the central hub of knowledge and culture in the Queendom.

The Royal Scouts continue to survey land throughout the Queendom for deposits of natural resources and areas for potential mining. They also send out to the island of Bornéo for future plans of colonization. Queen Jayavedi doesn't plan to colonize the island until the year 720 when the Royal Navy and the Royal Standard Army are significantly stronger.

Also the decree from Queen Jayavedi that states no ethnic Chenlan can be enslaved, causes many former slaves to join the RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps. Greatly strengthening the armed forces. Coalition of Picts: We turn our entire population into Pictish Paganism. We also fund our economy, by turning most of our country side into towns. We close down on immigration and whoever wants to immigrate must not have the plague. We destroy all monasteries and churches using their gold to create Pagan Ritual Places and also the help the economy and military. We also shoot down anything, which comes from the mainland to prevent the plague. We send Legion I to explore the northern sea and conquer any uninhabited land they see. Along with the Legion, as extras we send astrologers and cartographers to map the place.
 * Regent Wonjang would like to thank Queen Jayavedi for sending the gifts; a 56 foot tall statue of Buddha, and some elephants, to the Sillan capital. He sends the elephants to Jeju instead of Seorabeol, due to Jeju's warmer climate. He also appreciates the military aid in our war with Japan. He would also appreciate if Chenla shares their new knowledge (obtained from the west) with Silla, stating that it'll help them in their war with Japan and help them defend the Korean peninsula from the Japanese navy. 

Coalition of Picts (Secret, Exception: Celts): We also reorganise our troops into two parts. The Allied Legion and The Pictish Legion, with the Celtic troops under The Allied Legion and The Pictish Troops under The Pictish Legion. The Allied Legion is under the control of the Celts. The Pictish Legions is under the control of the Picts. The Pictish Legion is 50/50 with army and navy. The Pictish Navy has 30% Light, 60% Heavy, 10% Transportation. The Pictish army has 60% Infantry, 20% Missile Infantry, 10% Missile Cavalry, 8% Heavy Cavalry, 2% Light Cavalry. We take out of The Pictish Legion 50% of troops, but also improve it. We retrain the infantry to fight as a phalanx with pikes, like Alexander The Great's army. We also improve their armour from leather armour into iron armour. We drill them daily as a phalanx and also alone, in case the phalanx broke. We create compound bows, so our missiles can effectively shoot in the cold, damp conditions of the North. We train our missile cavalry to shoot accurately at high speeds, by using straw dummies, as well as training our missile infantry at stationary into straw dummies. We breed and buy our cavalry, so that our light cavalry is the fastest cavalry we can afford and the heavy cavalry is the strongest cavalry we can afford. For our navy, we create light, but fragile for our light and strong, but slow for our heavy. Our Transportation navy is in between. The Army and Navy are combined into a Legion, which has in total 5000 troops. 75% is our typical army composition and 20% is our typical navy composition and 3% are support (cook, water, engineer, etc) and 2% are extra. The extras depend based on the mission. '''We let the Celts decide how to choose the composition of their Allied Legion, but ask them if we can assimilate the allied legion into the Pictish legions and so ban the division between the two legions and so improve their relations. We will train their legion under the same composition as ours and in return the Celts will pay 50% of the costs.'''

Celtic Secret Response: We accept to allow them to train together, and we shall pay the expense of the additional troops being trained.

Ganga Dynasty: The marriage between Princess Camekamba and Prince Thepatan of the Chenla Kingdom took place in the Chenla capitol. Both the Raja Khadaga II and his brother Mahakala were present, even if the Raja later said he regretted to go in a Buddhist realm. Many chenlan nobles complained about the arrogance of disrespect of the Raja. His younger brother, although only 17, impressed many noble in his attempt to continue diplomatic relationship between the two kingdoms in the name of his brother (even if many suspect the later was never informed of it). Mahakala also used this time in Chenla to meet his bastard brother Indravarman, who was 6 at the time.

In the mainland, it was again the uncle of the Raja, Jagadeva and Chandrajara. Jagadevra is living in opulence and Chandrajara is making life a living hell for northern Buddhist. With the return of Khadaga II from Chenla, things just get worst. In 701, a new special tax is made for Buddhists, and temples must now pay enormous money in order to remain open. The nobles of the capital, who receive most of the money, are living like kings. In 703, Buddhists are not allowed in Bhubaneswar anymore, and those willing to enter must pay enormous brides in corruption.

However, the arrival in 702 of Mahakala in the power structure made many hope he would stop the future bloodshed. As part of the tradition, the Raja gave his brother an important position in the administration, promoting him treasurer of the Ganga Dynasty, an office which was occupied by their uncle Jagadevra until now. Many nobles who opposed Jagadevra and Chandrajara (should it be because of their policies or the among of power they and their allied own) began to see in Mahakala a chance to  make their voice heard to the Raja. Within the following years, the nobility began to divide itself into two factions: the Grina (green) Faction, led by the uncles of the Raja (although it was evident that Chandrajara was the real leader of the two), and the Nila (blue) Faction, led by Mahakala and seconded by Kahamala Dandavaran, his brother in law. Both faction fight on the politic scene to allow their leader to influence the Raja.

However, the Grina easily own the power structure and the Raja's thrust. In 704, the Khadaga II pass a law making Buddhism an illegal faith in the kingdom. Even worst, his uncle Chandrajara is publicly encouraging persecution against them. This led to many Buddhists manifestations. In those years of turmoil, Buddhists of the Bengal turn to a Guru named Susarman Visayapati to be their leader. Guru Susarman call the Buddhists to revolt, saying that negotiations have failed. '''Many Buddhists in the Bengal fallow him in his revolt to force the bring down Khadaga II and his followers. He also explain he does not desire independance, but a better place for Buddhists in the Ganga Dynasty.''' The local nobility fearing for their life, escaped and went hidding in Bhubaneswar, asking the Raja to act.

And there is worst. Living in the far north of the kingdom, a Jainist nobleman named Hirapal Yadava heard of the revolt. Seeing it as an opportunity to gain power and influence in the kingdom after a Buddhist victory, he converts to Buddhism and claims his loyalty to Guru Susarman. Hypocrite as he is, he claims to the people he always wanted to stop the evil Raja, but never had a chance to act on his own. And now, as he claims, the Guru opened the path to courage and salvation for all Buddhists. With his great lies, Hirapal is able to gather many locals in his army, and join force with the Guru.

And thus, in 704, the Ganga Buddhist Crisis began.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. In response to the Ganga Buddhist Crisis, India broke its alliance with Ganga Dynasty and begin mobilized its military and sent to Ganga-Indian border.
 * OOC (Ganga): OK, I'm curious, because it doesn't make sense in my head. Why are you mobilizing against me? I mean, you are pro-hinduism (you passed so many turns converting your nation), so why doing this for Buddhists? Also, don't we have a 50 years non-agression since 682? I kust want it to be clear for me so I know how to answer next turn.

'''Lombardy: The Lombard ambassador in the Caliphate informs his majesty, the Caliph that, due to the Caliphate's continued aggression toward Khazaria, a Lombard ally, and a nation THAT WAS ALLIED WITH THE CALIPHATE IN A WAR, the presence of Lombardy in the High Council of the Middle East will be terminated, and the alliance with the Caliphate will be broken off. The members of the Lombard embassy, founded by the first King of Lombardy, pack their things and leave for Khazaria, muttering about Arab stupidity.'''

The Army of Wyrdu continues its push toward Provence. By now, its focus is more on doing as much damage to the Goths as possible. To this end, every village encountered has its inhabitants slaughtered to a man, and is torched. Caravans or traders found on the road are killed and their corpses looted, and any domesticated animals found by the army are killed and cooked. Soldiers begin stuffing infected corpses into sources of water, obstructing wells, and choking streams and rivers with corpses. Downstream, in some of the largest rivers of the area, a blackish, oily, infected film, permeated by an unholy stench, drifts on top of the water.

The armies of Freir and Freija band together and focus on defending the Slavic coast, sacrificing the inland territories to the individual chieftains.

The king orders two diplomatic messages sent, one to the Jutes, and one to the Goths. ((These are contained below in two separate diplomatic posts due to their length)).

All tribal armies along the Saxon border retreat toward Lombardy, while the large, state-owned armies in Lombardy move toward the capital, which has its walls strengthened with a mixture of tree-trunks, mortar, and gravel. The cisterns of the capital are expanded, and massive amounts of non-perishable food are brought in and stored away, often in the houses of those families that were wiped out by the plague. The entire population of the capital begins drilling to withstand a siege.

Lombardy (Diplomatic): The Jutes are requested to stop their war against Lombardy in exchange for several concessions. These are: Lombardy (Diplomatic): The Goths are requested a discussion of peace terms. They are also requested to keep in mind during the talks, though, that they are currently experiencing a major insurrection in their south-west, another one in their south-east, they have just lost a massive army to the Caliphate, they have lost occupation of the Sinai peninsula, their prosperous heartland is being decimated by the plague, internal trans-Mediterranean trade is completely nonexistent, their government is likely running under a massive deficit, and their entire Empire seems on the verge of total socio-political collapse.
 * The Jutes will be payed a hefty annual fee for the next 10 years.
 * Jutish traders will receive an 85% customs and tax reduction rate at Lombard ports indefinitely.
 * Jutland will receive all land they currently occupy in Scandinavia (Scandinavia, not territory in Germany/Poland, or the Hailuoto island off the coast of Finland).
 * The Lombards will promise to halt future expansion along the Jutish border, and will sign a non-agression pact with the Jutes for however long they feel necessary.
 * ((Mod Response)) The Jutes will accept peace on the condition that they be allowed to maintain their currently held territories.
 * The Gothic Empire agrees to discuss peace with the Lombardian leader, but will only accept on the condition that all of its allies do the same.

The Franks note the fact that the Lombards have completely ignored the might of the Frankish Kingdom, and find it most annoying that they would be so arrogant as to think that they would be able to withstand the Frankish powerhouse. Thus, we tell them that they will not be given peace of any form, and will be made subservient to the Frankish Kings. Now and forever, all Lombards will be the slaves of the Franks.

Celtic League: So far the lands have been fine under the rule of King Jon Eversnow. Five years have come and gone without a hitch. The Pictish have gotten their land back even with how thin their military is. We will have to assign more soldiers to help the Pictish secure their borders. (let's say we send 1000 Celtic civilians and 200 soldiers)

We begin trading with the Pictish the silver from our mine. Both raw silver and handcrafted jewelry (This should count as Improved economy). The celebration of Quin Everstorm's 60th birthday took place today (The year 703) very few Celts have lived to this age in the past 50 years, but also most Celts lived in the harsh conditions of Greenland.

(Celtic Secret): We send three different ships filled with three different groups of spies. We send one group to the Goths to try and learn more about their armor. Our Leather Celtic armor isn’t as good as the present day Iron Suits. We also need to learn about their weaponry, to see if Celtic Iron is still the best We send some spies south to the Terrorist south of the Goths. We want to find out how they are still able to succeed in their rebellion against the very powerful Goths. And finally we send a group to the east to spy and steal any technology we can use.

(Sorry for the lackluster Writing this turn. Just not feeling it today.)

Avar: With Khazars busy fighting the Rus' and Caliphate regroup our armies, build back up and attack again, this time in Caucasus with all our forces. We improve economy and expand far eastward.

The Gothic Empire: Beloved and charming leader of the Ostrogoths, Theudis Harents, dies in his sleep and leaves a power rift in the rich eastern Gothic regions. His superior, chairman for the Visigoths, Roderic Lousean, holds a meeting of the senate where a new Ostrogothic leader will be elected. After much deliberation, the heir to the Chindaswintha estate and grandnephew of a once fearsome arena champion, Harric Chindaswintha III is elected as the acting chairman for the Ostrogothic people. Roderic congratulates Chindaswintha III and welcomes him into office; taking time to show his respect and admiration for great uncle Audo Chindaswintha, as Roderic personally was at the arena on the day that he died.

Following the loss of the Gothic military in Africa, the efforts to gain African religious supremacy are hopeless and an order is put out to call all remaining units out of Mbali and surrounding territories back home. With the Sinian portage completely cut off from the empire, the naval presence in the Red Sea will surely become discontented. To battle this, Roderic begins to commend and accept non-expansive peaceful Islamic sects such as, but not limited to the newly formed sovereign nations of Vermundia and the Muslim Free-State. Gothic diplomats going under the name of  “The African Peace Committee” (APC), travel to these areas bringing gifts of foreign foods and tradition. An alliance under the APC name is offered with the newly established Muslim states in exchange for the allowance of establishing land trade routes through their territories with Gothic portages in along the coast of the Red Sea.

Seeing the expanse of the Gothic breakaway state, the Illdephons, the Goths offer peace with the rebels and ensure they maintain their independence. In exchange the Goths demand that the Illdephons and their allies cease their raids against Gothic ships and return 25% of their confiscated naval goods. The Goths will also help establish governmental control for the Vandalic Kingdom and the Illdephosians over the Moroccan anarchy on the condition that they join the APC and discontinue their rapid aggressive expansion. Considering the fact that the Illdephons lack the proper equipment to mine gold from the area, the Goths agree to send teams of workers to assist in ore mining, in exchange for a 40/60 split of the profit, the majority funding going to the new independent African nations.

The spread of plague becomes widely associated with falcons, and as a result, the falcon is seen as a symbol of death. All falconry towers and aviaries are reduced to smoke and cinder, leaving the east and west in their state of discontinued communications, but also ensuring that the spread of the plague calm down while the nation recovers. The Goths formally commend the duchy of Sieghberts for their decision to ban falconry, and soon follow in suit making it a nationwide policy. If communications were to continue, there would have to be some newly devised means.

Several scouting teams are sent to the abandoned canary islands in search of new birds that weren’t carriers for the disease. The black raven is discovered and brought back to Spain. New aviaries are built in place of the old and new jobs are created in raven breeding. Dried condensed seed is sold in bulk throughout rural western ships and in turn many westerners adopt personal falcons to fill the rift in their hearts left by the loss of their former avian companions. Plans are in the works to begin opening up messenger stations throughout the east and west, using papyrus parchments to deliver information throughout the empire. For now, information about the potential noble uprisings is suppressed and the impoverished westerners are to remain ignorant.

 A reward system is put in place to encourage citizens to beat back the Lombardian hordes. A bounty office is set up in Madrid, Rome, Vivianis and Vasconia where any Gothic citizen can bring Lombardian heads and be paid accordingly. Made obvious by the macabre title, “The Headsman’s Payday” is a reward policy devised that entails a a payout to Lombardian head hunters; For every man’s head, citizens can expect a payout  of 2 Euros, the heads of high ranking officers earn 5 euros and women and children earn only about 50 eurettes. For heads of the infected, the reward is completely void.

Watching troops be cut down by the fearsome Lombardian archers encourages the Goths increase production on tower shields and decrease use of the newly invented Targo. The excess targos are repurposed by sending them to the nearby subordinate Albionites and Anglo-Saxons who can use them in their push against the Lombardian flank and help in cutting off the occupied Lombard territory from classical Lombardy. Covert weapon engineers perform espionage against the Lombards and take note of their bow and arrow designs, planning to incorporate them into the Goths own military.

In hopes of galvanizing Gothic troops against their common enemy, the truth about Lombards tainting Gothic waters is exposed. Clean-up crews are dispatched to clear the waterways and burn the corpses piling up from the years of warfare. The clothes of the Gothic cleanup crews are to burned once a day as well, and as a result, the production of fabrics such as cottons, wools and silks becomes instrumental.

New jobs are created in mass clothing factories and business owners are encouraged to capitalize on the opportunity by buying in bulk and selling for a profit. Shepards grow in importance and in turn the sheep population begins to grow rapidly. It is hoped that the excess fabrics will prove useful for trade opportunities in the future.

The Lupexcercito, making great gains against Lombardy, becomes viewed as the Goth’s main fighting force. Many Gothic traditionalists are offended by the increased reliance on woman soldiers and begin to call out for better male representation on the fronts. Chariman Roderic’s response is the redirect the Gothic conscripts from Albion to the Croatian front line and begins relieving members of the Lupexcercito from the heavy battles of the at the war’s head.

The mysterious leader of the the Lupexcercito,  Victoriana Hairuwulf,  breaks it into three main battalions, consisting of ten legions each. Each battalion is lead by a female Gothic general; the easternmost being lead by Aura Austraguta, the west lead by the daughter of General Lazarus III, Egica Lazarus, and the middle is brought up by the unpredictable and potentially volatile, Amoret Beremud. The legions in turn are lead by legates, there being thirty in total. One of the legates stands above the rest and is recognized by Victoriana for her valor and ferocity in battle. Legate Ricca is elected head legate and acts as a pivotal agent in the ladder of communication between troops and their commanding officers. Beneath Ricca, she has three advisors who stay clear of the fighting but help plot strategy and maintain communications with the troops; Narcissa, Nyx and Opaline are renowned far and wide for their strategical prowess. Narcissa is particularly famous for neglecting the needs of ethnic non-equals and preaching her bigoted views toward believers of the Germanic and Islamic faiths - in turn, the term “narcissist” is adopted by the Goth’s to denote someone who holds themselves and their own beliefs high above that of others. Opaline however is on the polar opposite end of the spectrum and boasts equality and acceptance, whilst Nyx simply acts as the mediator between the two.

The Vangothic port is reopened as a naval epicenter for the mediterranean world. It is hoped that the Vandals and Illdephons will accept the Gothic alliance and in turn meet and convene with the Gothic seamen. A conference is planned to be held every six months where the three nations will share what new discoveries or inventions they have come up with in efforts to improve marine power and secure the Gothic stance of supremacy.

A marble statue of Franz Vagneriano and Euric Vermundo shaking hands is erected in Gocithica to represent the unity of the Gothic military and to mourn the loss of those battling in the Sack of Mecca. It is hoped that the memory of these brave soldiers will live on through the art of others and they are recorded in history as heroes.

The Gothic navy, led by Avagis Eunamus, tightens its blockade of the Lombards and begins closing in on coastal territory. Several detachments of soldiers attempt to make amphibious landings in the area, intent on destroying Lombardian ports and reducing their navy to nothing. All trade ships and colonists are captured, raided, and promptly reincorporated into the ever-growing Gothic navy.

The isle of Alaricia undergoes mass political reformation. A census is taken in the area to get a better idea of population vs density in order to determine the proper number of representative delegates to sit on the Roman senate. Ports are constructed to better connect trade between Alaricia and Sabador to help them become codependent on each other and less dependent on the empire as a whole. The two islands are considered a “middle-state” in that they don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the west or the east. This loose jurisdiction leads political identities to become less diverse and for tensions to calm as disagreements fade out of relevancy.

Chairman Roderic Lousean travels to the northeasternmost territories to give a speech to the local militias and military leaders. An hour into the filibustrous speech and the crowd begins to heckle and boo. Roderic is surprised, having always been renowned for his charm and ability to get the people on his side. His tricks don’t work this time however, as too often have his lies have carried no weight. The crowd becomes irate and are barely held back by the royal Lousean guard. The crowd separates allowing a walkway for someone from the back of the crowd. The leader of the Lupexcercito, Victoriana Hairuwulf, reveals herself publically for the first time as she stands before the high chairman. The resemblance between the two is uncanny, and Roderic is left speechless with his mouth agape. He begins to mutter a few words but is cut off by Victoriana as she steps forward, the Lousean guard, recognizing her authority and allowing it. Victoriana draws her finely crafted Celtic dagger and holds it out against Roderic’s throat.

“Stop. Pray now, for the old and infirm.”   (“Prohibere. Ora senior iam et infirmior .”)

“I will speak to you, you are my daughter; my ally by virtue of flesh and blood!” (“Loquar filiame! Propinqui secundum carnem et sanguinem”)

“I am not a friend. (“Non sum amicus.

I am the people. Sum populum .

I am your reckoning. “                        Ero mors tua .”)

 

With those final resounding words, Roderic realizes his people have forsaken him. He looks into the eyes of his daughter and sees nothing but hatred. Defeated, Roderic turns and makes a mad dash for his podium where Alaric II’s memoirs are located. His daugher, leader of the Lupexcercito, Victoriana Hairuwulf, or, Sventhila Lousean, unshoulders her bow and pulls an arrow back against the string. Roderic clasps the memoirs against his chest and attempts to make his escape, but is stopped short as an arrow hits its mark directly between his shoulder blades. The chairman collapses to the ground and rolls over to face his daughter one last time. His final breaths escape his lips as his eyes glaze over and the world fades from his sight. He smiles at the girl as she kneels over him and mutters his dying words:

''“Catalus usurpus ursum ... Quam pulchra es et matre amet; Te amo, filia mea. ”''

 “And so the cub dethrones the bear ... You are just as beautiful as your mother. I love you, my daughter”

Sventhilla rises from her father’s body a new woman, and is accepted as the new leader of the united Goths. She renounces her old fake name and exposes her true identity as heir to the throne. She pledges to lead the nation back to the state of its glory days, with peace and prosperity not being an unreachable goal, but instead an immediate reality. She declares the meeting to be adjourned and allows the people to continue about their business. The Lousean guards are ordered to take Roderic to the Lousean mausoleum where his funeral proceedings are to be prepared. She climbs down off the stage to attend to her duties once more. This time, however, with Alaric II’s memoirs clutched underneath her arm.

Caliphate: We begin our invasion of Sinai. We blockade the barbarian part of Saudi Arabia. We move 200 infected people into China and Chelna, with this working well in the past. We continue to expand in Africa, expanding 3800 pixels. We offer the Treaty of Asmara to the Muslim Free State. We wish for the Persian Client State and the Persian Free State to reunite as 'Greater Persia'. This won't be a client state of the Caliphate but would allow Caliphate troops pass through it. We continue to invade the Kazach and say to the Lombards 'fine' if they want to leave. We aid the rebels in the Goths. We would like the Celtic League and the Franks to join the High Council of Eurasia and in return they'll have to cut all ties with the Goths but won't have to declare war on them. We build our navy And huge ships so we can be the king of the sea. We build our army and military. We blockade Sinai.

705 C.E.
((The color of the Khazars has been changed to a dark brown/blood red to avoid confusion.)) ''' Five more grueling years would pass of war, famine, and plague in the western world. Thousands die out and the streets are figuratively paved with blood. Those left alive by the year 705 have either developed immunities to the plague, or have miraculously managed to avoid the infected. One thing is for certain, and that is that the only way to beat this plague is through versatility; adaptation to the unconquerable, a familiar motif witnessed throughout history.'''

'''Human cruelty would prove to be a leading ally to the spread of Ghanaian Death, as biological warfare becomes used nearly universally. The normally untouchable asian nations, being especially susceptible to the new, virulent, disease, are quick to become sick and spread illness throughout the dense population. '''

Silla and the northernmost half of the Liang are hit especially hard by the plague and many empirical trade routes are abandoned.

'''By consolidating loose power and settling into abandoned villages, the newly formed Uyghur Khaganate carves out a personal haven from the carcass of the East Turkic Khanate. The Uyghurs form loose alliances with a nearby group of nomadic tribals by the name of the Karluks, prompting them to settle in and adopt a nation capital, naming it Suyab.'''

The Karluks hear the Khazars cries for help and begin to raid Rus’ and Avar caravans.

'''Japanese begin to flood Hokkaido and capture much of the Ainu mainland. The Japanese offensive leads them to make amphibious landings in Korea at great cost to Japanese life. The response from allied Asian nations is a violent and quick one, as the Silla and Chenla ally to push the Japanese menace out of Ainu territory.'''

'''The anti-Buddhist sentiments of the Ganga are spoken of far and wide. Though Buddhism, being a strict religion of peace, seems incapable of doing anything to stop it. Many Buddhist revolutionaries refuse to give in to violence and instead give peaceful protests and begin preaching and hoping to convert locals to their cause.'''

'''India lines its troops along the Gangan border and plans for liberation of the Buddhist people. Much of the Indian population is confused, as they are a nation of Hindus, and wonders why they would fight and die for a theology separate from that of their own.'''

'''The Tibetan dynasties group up into clans consisting of two or three dynasties each. These clans are named after the ancient Tibetan inhabitants, the Se, Rmu, Stong and Ldong. These clans are then subdivided into the Dbra, Vgru, Ldongza, Lga, Dbas and Brdav.'''

'''A royal marriage between a Tibetan prince and a Guptan princess takes place, solidifying an alliance between the two nations. A child is born by the name of Rabgyal Ngawang Jigme and is considered to be the heir to the Ldong dynasty as well as having stakes in some northwestern Guptan territories.'''

Gupta begins to offer a safe haven for Buddhists who would seek to escape the oppressive religious regime of the Ganga.

'''The Queendom of Chenla continues to consolidate power and admiration from the eastern world. Their rapid development and presence in the Gulf of Thailand and Java sea causes many wandering maritime clans to settle in along island coasts and begin to consolidate counter forces to the Chenlan policy of expansionism.'''

'''The Black Vipers settle in on the island of Borneo and begin to build ports for their navy. Increased traffic on the island causes the locals to unify and the Bruneian Sultanate soon forms under the control of Sultan Alak Brunei. Chenlan scouts on the island are seen as a threat and promptly butchered by the natives.'''

'''Suggestions from the Caliphate for a re-unification of Free Persia and Subordinate Persia are considered by a large majority of the populace. The end decision still pivots on the choices made by the leaders of the two nations.'''

With the focus of the Caliphate lying entirely on military efforts, the people of Saudi Arabia become discontented and begin crying out for more attention from the government.

Overwhelming Muslim force cuts the Khazar Khaganate in half, many of the people converting to Islam and subjugating themselves under new rule.

'''It would seem the Khazar Khaganate is on the unfortunate verge of collapse. Although the nation shows great potential in naval combat and manages to assert their supremacy in the Caspian and the Adrian, the overwhelming number of enemies is simply too much to bear.'''

Crimea is reclaimed by the Rus’ Principality, and with their lands returned the assault against the Khazars becomes that much easier.

'''With such a large number of Dromons in the Caspian and the Adrian, the Khazars become a sort of naval superpower for the middle-east. The Avar controlled territories are reclaimed and the Khazars find it immensely easy to make landings in Avar territory.'''

Seeing an opportunity to consolidate power, the Avars invade the Khazars and capture a moderate chunk of land.

The royal couple formed from marriage between Avar and Khazar stands strong, and the two run away to start a family of their own away from their oppressive and warlike overlords.

'''The Caliphate crushes the Mbalian counter-offensive in Sinai and smashes through their palisade seeing it as nothing more than a child’s toy. The Mbalian front line is slaughtered and the Muslims begin pouring into north Egypt. The Muslim offensive arrives outside of Cairo and the inhabitants begin to either flee, or prepare for battle. The Caliphate is reminded that they are now in control of the Gothic portage, and with the help of slaves could potentially transfer their navy into the Mediterranean.'''

'''In Africa, Sef continues his strict policy of expansionism and continues to enclave several Ghanian provinces. With refugees and nomadic tribals flooding in from all over to settle in central Africa, the Kanem Empire becomes among the most populated nations in Africa in less than a decade.'''

The Muslim Free-State neglects to sign the Treaty of Asmara as it would require the peaceful Muslim people to once again go to war and die for the Caliph, a fate the people are not ready to once again face.

'''The Caliphate’s expansion into Africa is surprisingly successful, noting previous attempts. However, due to the presence of the Gothic blockade, the people of Africa become increasingly independent, and many begin calling for the growth of a separatist movement.'''

'''Vermundia expands west into Africa and begins to consolidate a loyal religious following. The people follow a strange and unlikely mix of Arian christianity and radical Islam.'''

Vermundia and the Muslim Free-State join the Africa Peace Committee and agree to the Goth’s terms and conditions.

'''Upper-Egypt continues their westward sprawl and their borders grow exponentially. Their nation size however, is not proportional to their power, as the nation is incredibly disunified and cultural tensions have nearly ripped it in half.'''

The Illdephonic/Vandalic alliance proves wildly succesful as they are able to conquer and divide up all of the Moroccan anarchy in a matter of five years.

The Illdephons military prowess only continues to grow following funding from the Lombardians and the Caliphate.

'''The Illdephons and the Vandals accept the Gothic treaty and alliance. The three nations convene in the Vangothic port and share their knowledge on naval expertise. The Illdephons and the Vandals both join the “APC”, though their continued aggressive actions do not accurately reflect the intended purpose of the organisation.'''

Gothic presence in the Red Sea continues to dwindle, and any external pressure would surely result in the Gothic naval supremacy being fractured.

'''The Rus’ Principality crushes the Warsaw resistance and floods into classical Lombardy. Civil war prisons are captured, and in turn, many Western Slavic revolutionaries escape. The pressures built up by slavs fighting their ethnic equals reaches its zenith and the Western Slavs declare independence and neutrality in the war.'''

'''Lombardy now retains complete control of Scandinavia and their power in the north only grows. The separation from classical Lombardy as a result of the Gothic blockade however encourages many Scandinavians to think about the possibilities of independance.'''

Lead by the new Gothic leader, Sventhila Lousean, the Lupexcercito rips a hole through the center of the Lombardian line and unites with Cadfael and his shades who have been making much headway against the Lombardian hordes on their own.

Frankish and Gothic forces meet up and work together to solidify the split of the two Lombardian fronts.

'''Offensive measures against the Goths prove successful and the Lombards push deeper into Gothic territory, but soon find that they have a different enemy nation on each side of them. The Great Siege of Classical Lombardy begins. The native Lombardians are fearsome warriors, and thanks to their defensive measure, no nation is able to push into their capital.'''

'''The Main Lombardian fighting force, the Wyrdu, make significant gains against the Franks, but soon find themselves spread too thin and surrounded by the enemy. The Battle for Provence begins with a bang as the Lombards storm the capitol and begin an open slaughter. The Franks arrive to give aid finally, but are only able to reclaim a small portion of their land.'''

The Gothic blockade in the Baltic is successful and they are even able to secure a presence in the Lombardian ports, cutting them off from the sea completely.

Celtic soldiers, though few and far between, are seen as effigies of the apex warrior and many foreigners become influenced by their techniques and lavish style.

'''Danish occupation of the Balts continues and they gain a great deal of land. The lands are looted and prove to be extremely resource rich. The Danes make a great deal of profit from this war.'''

The Rus’ secure their connection to the Baltic sea and ascertain the ability to deploy ships.

Alaracia, Vivianis and Sabador are all re-united as Gothic middle states.

The population of Byzantine continues it’s downward spiral.

Rus' Principality: The nation celebrates the victories in the war against the Lombards and the Khazars. Army Group Yaroslav, the 1st and 2nd armies, remain in recently liberated Warsaw and other Western Slav territories to defend them and to mop up any remaining pockets of resistance. Army Group Mstislav, the 3rd and 4th armies, are sent to the north for an offensive toward the West Slavic coast, to liberate the remains of Western Slav lands and to eliminate a potential threat in the form of the Lombard Armies of Freir and Freija. Meanwhile in the Khazar lands, the offensive continues, with the goal of conquering as much land as possible before the Caliphate. Troops are ordered to kill any Khazar who resists. The war at sea also continues, with the fleet prowling for the Khazar navy.

We respond to the Balts and the Danes that since we are already fighting a war on two fronts, we will remain neutral. Meanwhile, on the home front, measures continue to be in place against the plague, to prevent its spread, and some trade continues. In the northeast, expansion resumes as the population in the northern lands increases, with colonists moving into the eastern portions of Khanty Mansi lands.

Ganga Dynasty: Because of the roads built by Khanchana I 30 years ago, the troops of Chandrajara are able to charge to access the northern part of the Kingdom easily. He charge in the Bengal, killing hundreds of men, women and children on his way, since they are all seen as “Rebels” in the eyes of the state. The violence push Mahakala to talk with his brother in order to stop this, but Khadaga II doesn't want to hear anything. But he at least agree to his brother proposal of letting Buddhist flee to India, and send Mahakala to negotiate with the indian troops on the frontier.

The poor Buddhists who hoped to preach their cause to the population where ether slaughtered, escaped the country or converted to Jainism (like many did to protect themselves from the persecution). Guru Susarman wasn't able to convince the bengalis of the danger that Khadaga II and his uncle Chandrajara represented, and it lead to a bloodshed. With the few followers he have, he renforce his positions in the region, and try to calim more persons to his cause.

During that time, Hirapal Yadava was somehow left alone by the Ganga forces. He used this time to reenforce his positions and to recruit mercenaries from the Tibet to fight for him and Guru Susarman.

Khadaga II send a message to the Raja of the Gupta Dynasty, and inform him that supporting rebels by allowing them on his lands would be breaching the Treaty of Pataliputra, which included at the demand of Gupta (which Khadaga II remind) a 50 years non-agression treaty, which will end in 732. Thus, helping the rebels in their fight could be concidered as an agression. However, Khadaga II claim that if the Gupta refuse entrance to the Ganga Buddhists, he will forget the fact that the Gupta Dynasty breah the treaty.

The reforms put in place by Mahakala and the Nila Faction are finally showing results, and even with the violence up north and the terrible corruption of Jagadevra, Mahakala was still able to made the economy better, and to restore trade with some nations, which was an extremely difficult task. Members of the Nila Faction even help some Buddhist to escape the persecution. During this time, the Grina Faction  is still gaining more influence in the capital. Khazar Khaganate: We are losing this war but our resolve shall never waver. We send ravens and spread rumours that there is a crusade happening to all nations with a sizable Christian population to join us in our troubles. We will also send envoys to the Byzantine Empire and the Gepids to join us in war and we will send offers to all the governors to help us as well. We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We also send spies into the the Byzantine Empire to find the key to the “fire that always burns”. We will send peace offers to the Avars for the sake of our family. We will either continue to hold the territory we conquered or both sides will continue our pre war borders.
 * OOC (Ganga): For the mod information, through history Buddhists had a tendency of fighting for their faith, even if it goes against the peaceful spirit of the faith. The most recent example being the Buddhist Uprising of 1966.
 * I understand this, and there are Buddhists fighting, I was merely trying to point out that due to their pacifistic sentiment, their numbers would be a fare smaller than that of the invaders. - Funny
 * OOC (Ganga): Oh, OK! Sorry, the way I read it it seems like the Buddhists were like "Nan, we're not fighting. Peace and love man." It was already clear in my head that not every Buddhist was fighting, just didn't explain it well. I change my post a little bit.

Middle-Egypt: Our leader Alecksander XIV dies due to his old age and his oldest son, Alecksander XV takes the throne. He is known to our people as the "pharaoh", but the title has no religious connotations attached to it. It is merely seen as an homage to ancestral Egyptian beliefs. Under the new rule, our empire seeks to strengthen its borders and unify the people. Alecksander XV makes a five-year plan in which he hopes to expand naval presence into both the Mediterranean, as well as the Red SWea. A policy of religious freedom is adopted, though many of the people are thought to have abandoned the idea of theology. A messenger is sent to Upper-Egypt ​requesting a formal alliance and trade once the plague has receded. We will also send some of our medics to support the sick Upper-Egyptians and teach them our methods of sanitation. Seeing our homeland of Cairo under attack, we mount an offensive and send our armies north. Alecksander XV leads the charge with his cavalry and is followed by three by six rows of infantry. We begin using sneak tactics, flanking and surprise attacks, never engaging in direct warfare and retreating when confronted. Our empire is renamed True-Egypt to reflect our governmental origins and we hope that all other Egypts will see us as a beacon of influence.

Chenla Queendom: The news of a ravenous plague raging through northern Asia makes many people in Chenla worry that it may spread to the Queendom. To combat this Queen Jayavedi amps up the sanitation programs by building sewers to keep waste away from densely populated areas, and constructing public bathhouses making it mandatory that all populated areas must at least have one,  even if they are a small village. Street sweepers are hired to maintain the cleanliness of towns and cities. Special masks holding herbs within them that are thought to keep disease away become a common sight as they are provided for free by the Royal Crown. The Royal Engineers immediately begin working on a possible cure using many herbs found in the Chenlan jungles. This causes a new school to open up in the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang known as alchemy. All trade slows down significantly as the Royal Scouts monitor everything at checkpoints located on the mainland and at sea. The Royal Engineers begin devising a way to deliver messages in a clean manner so that the transfer of scientific breakthroughs can be sent back and forth between the Chenla Queendom and the Silla Empire without having there to be human interaction, increasing the chances of spreading the plague. Any ethnic Chenlan showing a kind of sickness whether it be the plague or not are sent off to designated quarantine zones off the mainland and the island of Sumatra. In the West the strip of islands under the Gangan strip of islands is converted into into a naval stronghold so that it may act as a checkpoint even farther off the mainland to check any ships coming in. Nonethnic peoples with any sign of sickness are told to go away or are immediately eliminated and burned so as to not spread sickness. Many Royal Advisers tell Queen Jayavedi that these measures may be too drastic, but within months the Chenlan people are more healthy than can be and public morale is at an all time high.

The murder of the unarmed Royal Scouts scouting the island of Bornéo causes a public outrage in the Chenla Queendom. To answer the cries of the people, Queen Jayavedi declares war upon the Bruneian Sultanate so that they may face justice. Also all relationships with the pirate gang the Black Vipers are all severed. New and improved ships based on Gothic designs are sent with a tenth of the RSA, a fifth of the Ahan Phi, and two regiments of elephants from the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps, 60 elephants in total, are sent to the island of Bornéo. In no time the measly army of the Bruneian Sultanate is crushed. Queen Jayavedi forces the Sultanate to sign a treaty saying that they will become a subordinate of the Chenla Queendom and not be able to have a standing army consisting of more than 20 thousand troops. They are told that they can keep their sovereignty but they must keep friendly relations with Chenla, a Chenlan embassy must be in the Bruneian capitol, and Chenlan troops can pass through the island of Bornéo at any time. Also they are limited to be able to expand to only the main Bruneian island, if they go any further drastic consequences will sure to ensue.

In the year 709 the Chenlan Queendom rejoices as a new Royal baby is born, Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll. Festivals are thrown all around the Queendom for the event and many people travel to the capitol to congratulate the Queen on her new born son. The people can only hope for good things for the boy as he shares the namesake of his grandfather, a king considered to be the best king in Chenlan history.

The Royal Engineers continue to study the sciences in hope of bettering the Chenla Queendom. They improve infrastructure and the general welfare of the people. The Royal Scouts find new economic ventures on the island of Sumatra, where now the island produces more than 80 percent of the Queendom's food supply. This allows the mainland to focus on the production of more refined goods such as farming equipment, weapons, clothing, etc.

The Royal Navy begin to decommission old war ships replacing them with the new and improved ships that have catapults on them, based on Gothic designs. Also the introduction of the Royal Marines comes about as the prospect that combat over seas may become a thing in the future. The RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps instead of increasing in numbers has their equipment improved as more refined methods of smithing begins producing much stronger products.

Silla/Korean Empire: Due to the Ghanan plague, population stands at a near standstill after decades of constant high growth. Travel to infected areas is banned and those areas are heavily fortified to prevent the escape of the infected individuals. Potentially infected individuals that are caught outside are killed and their bodies are smuggled into Japan’s main population centres, hoping that their people also catch the plague.

The capital is changed from Seorabeol (Gyeongju), to Hanseong (Seoul), a small city where the palaces containing the royal family and most of the government are located in order to isolate them from the rest of the population. It is later discovered King Hyoso has contracted the highly contagious disease and died during his sleep, causing much grief across the kingdom. His body is cremated and his ashes are buried in a cemetery in Pyongyang, the royal capital. Wu Zetian (the emperor of the Liang), and Queen Salavarman (the queen of the Chenla Queendom) are invited in King Hyoso’s funeral. Wonjang, the former regent, is declared king and starts focusing on the sanitation campaign to avoid further deaths. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign and our war with Japan.'''

We begin to focus our military might on one front. Most advisors propose to '''withdraw all Sillan troops from Hokkaido and abandon the Hokkaido/North Honshu campaign, stating that Hokkaido will be only a temporary loss. Regent Wonjang agrees to this as long as the Ainu people still residing in Hokkaido are moved to the Sakhalin province. Our troops, which total to more than 300,000 people, are all mobilised. 30,000 troops are stationed at the Hokkaido—Sakhalin borders while the rest (190,000 troops) are stationed in Southeast Korea. We launch a counter-offensive in Southeast Korea with 80,000 troops. '''Due to our advance technology, our larger population, and other factors, we are confident we will emerge triumphant. ''' We also begin to use our newest weapon; a cannon that fires weaponised fireworks. '''
 * ((Mod Response)): I'm gonna have to veto the weaponization of fireworks. I think for a nation to develop it should be mod's choice of where and when. Sorry, but keep up the research and you will be more likely to be the one!

The Frankish Kingdom begins mounting an offensive to retake our land from the Lombards and begins pushing them back with reserves who have been called up to help fight, meaning that the whole army is now mobilised. 80,000 men are fighting to drive out the Lombards, and with the Lombardian armies cut in two, our troops currently fighting them are closing in for the kill. However, as the Lombardian capital proves to very well suited to a siege, siege weapons are deployed, and the capital surrounded. Catapults are used as well as siege towers and ladders, and various siege tactics are tried to defeat the Lombards and take their city. Supply lines are maintained throughout the conquered land, and the recently made Duchy of Saxony begins to solidify its hold over the conquered lands. As Christianity spreads across through the Saxons, pagan beliefs are slowly crushed, and plans are laid to ensure the word of Christ remains. With our forces having retaken a small amount of land, a general offensive begins to retake it all from the Lombards. King Gerald is beginning to grow old, and his son, Prince William, marries a Frankish noblewoman of the House of Neville.

Essex and York continue to develop in both infrastructure, and in agriculture. As trade begins to flourish with the Celts, both serve as major trading posts for the Franks, and the Pictish Duchy is now serving as an important route for trade with the Celts.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. India continues mobilized its military on the Ganga-Indian border, in hopes to conquer Ganga Dynasty into Indian heartland.

Caliphate: We expand 3900 pixels into Africa. We build our navy. We begin the starvation of the Goth presence in the Red Sea, blockading Goth ships and destroying them one by one, this means that the Caliphate can freely rule the Red Sea. We begin the Siege of Cario, demanding that all the people convert to Islam or they die. We push into Northern Egypt, we countinue our invasion of the Kazachs. We build our military. We begin building houses and the cities in the Caliphate, so the people would be happier. We spread pro-Caliphate proper gander in our African Caliphate, this hopefully will slow down independence movements. We aid India in their war. We begin to spread our military influence over the Mediterranean shooting down ships. We send aid to Lombard. We would like to buy Syria and Isreal from the Bytxan Empire. We want Persia to be reunited!

Japan: We continue our advance into Hokkaido and Korea, while also invading Sillian Sakhalin and what remains of the Ainu.

The Gothic Empire: It takes a while, but the Roman senate finally grows to accept Sventhila Lousean as a competent ruler and soon grow to admire not only her intelligence and beauty, but astounding valor in battle. She leads not only the Lupexcercito, but is the main acting military strategist and leader in the entire Gothic military. She takes breaks once every eight months and her second in command, Egica Lazarus ,leads during the periods of her absence.

The War of the Children still wages on, but Sventhila puts a stop to the use of child soldiers and sends them all home. It is expected for Gothic military to take a hit, but a minor one at that.

The Goths lead their military force after the Wyrdu and join in the Battle for Provence.

The blockade of classical Lombardy continues. The blockade will be open to the Western Slavs if they join in the war and attack the Lombards.

Lombardy: The Army of Wyrdu moves toward the Ligurian coast, continuing to massacre the local population.

 

The rest of the Lombard armies either pull back to the capital region, or attack Gothic-occupied Eastern Slavia.

 

Abandoned buildings in the capital are pulled down, and their materials used to reinforce the walls. The places where they used to stand are plowed over and sowed with seeds, hopefully giving the capital a permanent internal food source. The cisterns are dug out to absolutely massive proportions, and a few small, natural springs are tapped into (by having an iron pipe hammered into them) giving the city a permanent, safe source of water.

 

Small quantities of supplies are sent to the Saxon underground, to aid them in their resistance.

 

Excerpt from “The Ballad of Euric,” composed c. A.D. 708

we can hope. Hopefully by then, we’ll have invented wormhole travel, and colonized the Centauri system.

 

I’m in too much of a hurry to be bothered with grammar, so I’ll just have some vocab (modified to fit the alliterative pattern), and some random Germanic-sounding words that sound cool.

 

Wulfar travelled to the hall of the Gold-Germans, large and great-beamed, filled with kinsmen of Rutgar,

Yeoric was their ring-giver, a mighty warrior, beloved by Thorr, he met Wulfar before that great building,

He brought him in, gave him hospitality, his bard regaled him with stories of great warriors, told him of Feomar and Beowulf.

After twelve moons had passed, marauders descended from the western forest. Large Jutish-men,

Wild and cruel, wielding iron pikes and bronze axes. Wulfar fought with the warriors of the Gold-Germans.

Wodin frowned on Yeoric, angry for a previous transgression, and sent up a great storm to obscure the Jutes.

Many Gold-Germans became carrion, food for the ravens that descended in flocks from the heavens.

 

Wulfar gewát oþ de béagsel sylfum de Notmeres-Gelde   |   gréatian aet béam-strio, ellen dei sibgedryht a Ruotgaer,

Yeoric wæs hiera hringe-ælmesgiefa, un beornwiga   |   be freá'wine Thorr, at agénarn Wulfar aer þrýþærn.

Gut enne wiluoman, ælmesland cumlíðnesse   |   cun scópes segaþ tiamen ælmgivé a, tala emme frat Féomare Buowulf.

Yanné þwelfe monna het sylfon, grennes cánne westvalde. |   Wælfen gréaþana Yutfolke,

Wolfe en Welle, ferre-gara egsáþ dunna   |   Ye dot Wulfar ecgtheow en vatfulké dan Notmeraes-Geldes.

Wodin dritnhe gelaedad Yeoric, hi féond cenned gyldenne   |   a gearwe ricge þeart þannyon sturme béarna Yutenes.

Feo aldor-léas scyldas, monten Wodflukés aet sunu   |   Dydon man-cynne minné cwomon deussa.

(( Quick side-note: if the writers behind the Gepids (The Bearded Bastard), Byzantines (SwankyJ) and Liang (Tao) do not respond by the end of next turn they will be kicked.))

Turn will be late. Not very late. But late. maybe like 30 minutes tops.

710 C.E.
'''Rus’ troops advance practically to the old Slavic-Lombard border. While the Slavic populace is dubious of their new overlords, there are, at least for the moment, no open revolts.'''

'''Kanem expands its borders to the south, and conquers several regional kingdoms, eventually giving it a strip of coast along the Bay of Bonny. The Sayf dynasty, ruling from their court at Njimi, become respected, and feared, in the area, and begin to command respect from eastern tribal warlords.'''

'''Lombard armies, fighting for the survival of their nation, destroy several small Gothic armies. Legate Ricca has her arm broken and is taken out of battle.Their armies remain weakened and overextended, though; basically surviving on nothing but the equivalent of a two-decade-long adrenaline rush. '''

'''Combined enemy armies surround the Lombard capital. The decades of wall-improvements, cistern construction, farm creation, and food stockpiling pay off, however, as the rather large city shows no signs of weakening at the initial assault, and the inhabitants fairly effortlessly repel the first couple exploratory waves of attackers. In time however, the people of Lombardy begin to grow hungry and and close quarters leads to an increase in common disease.'''

'''A Frankish victory is the finality in the Battle for Provence, but at great cost. The Lombards destroyed the once bustling city and torch several roads. The nation is in shambles and many warriors begins throwing down their arms to instead aid in restoration efforts.'''

'''The Duchy of Saxony, loyal to their Germanic comrades in the east, promptly revolts against Frankish rule and massacres the missionaries sent into the territory. As the entire Frankish field army is either in Provence, Upper Burgundy or Lombardy, the Frankish garrisons are shirked off rather easily, leaving a reinvigorated populace in control of the forts and some cities.'''

'''The puppet Pope established in Saxony by the Franks bars the doors of his church in the Frankish regional capital. A mob descends on the church. When they are unable, after a few hours of trying, to break in, they simply stand back and burn the entire structure to the ground with the Pope and his entourage inside. The Pope is dead.'''

'''The Army of Wyrdu reaches the Ligurian coast. The years of fighting in enemy territory have taken their toll, however, and it largely scatters at the first sight of a full Gothic army. The various groups spend the next year devastating the countryside before they are hunted down and destroyed. Though the army is gone, they have left a legacy of complete destruction in Upper Burgundy, Provence, and Liguria.'''

'''The Plague expands along trade routes into Eastern India. The first few cases are reported in Tibet, while Baluchistan, hit by another wave, begins seeing massive waves of emigration to the east.'''

'''Chenla, through its prudent plague-control tactics, is able to keep South-East Asia completely sterile. Trade with India starts to slip, however.'''

'''Chenla enters a new period of economic prosperity, and quickly becomes, objectively speaking, filthy rich. The downside of this, of course, is that class distinctions become more prominent, as it seems like the only people benefiting from the wealth are the nobles. Unrest begins to bubble among the commoners.'''

'''The Sultanate of Brunei is initially shocked by the size of the invasion, and several port cities fall to the invaders. In time, though, the armies of Brunei rally around their Sultan and, through a combination of guerrilla-fighting through the jungle, and shock tactics, are able to regain their lost territory and push Chenla offensives back. Casualties are much higher than expected on both sides, and over a fifth of the war elephants are killed by talented spearmen.'''

'''Khazaria is almost completely obliterated by the strangest impromptu coalition ever seen, the Rus’ and the Caliphate, neither technically at war with the other, but one at war with the other’s ally. The last remnants of the Khazars exist on the eastern coast of the Caspian Sea, and the rugged terrain combined with the density of fortifications and their naval supremacy in the Caspian and Adrian means that they might hold out for a while.'''

'''The Karluks expand their territory, and increase the frequency of their raids on Rus’ caravans. The tribes completely overwhelm some of the underdeveloped Avar territory and claims it as their own.'''

The Swahili city of Sofala begins to gain prominence in south-eastern Africa along the Buzi River.

Muslim soldiers swarm into the Nile Delta, completely overwhelming the few Mbali garrisons in the area, and capturing Cairo and Alexandria.

'''The Vandalic Kingdom and the Illdelphons split up and annex the Kingdom of Morocco. With this newfound power and wealth they expand their borders.'''

'''Arian Egypt, unified for a few brief, glorious years, suffers another civil war, and splits in half. Citizens across the two nations now live again in constant fear.'''

The Muslim Free-State pushes its borders to the west, and improves its border fortifications.

Radical Islam becomes more and more influential in Vermundia.

'''The Muslims in Africa become better associated with their rulers as the Gothic blockade is crushed and Gothic territory is captured. The Caliphate is the master of the Red Sea.'''

The Jutes capture more of the Lombardian isles.

'''The Japanese are driven out of Hokkaido and Korea. Due to Japans powerful coast guard no nation is able to make amphibious landings against them.'''

The people of the Caliphate begin refusing to travel to Africa as it is seen as a vile war torn land full of heathens and their pestilence.

The Persian people feel continued pressure to re-unify.

The Jutes surrender Scandinavia to the Lombards and instead focus on annexing and controlling their captured territory in the south.

'''The Balts are conquered by the Danes. Danish power in the Baltic sea is at its apex.'''

  One of the Se clans in Tibet is invaded by the Uyghur Khaganate and laid to waste by the barbaric people.

''' The Celtic soldiers settle down in Saxony and take Jutish women as wives. The small village of Celtico is established.'''

The Frankish Kingdom moves to put down the revolt in Saxony, and the troops that have crushed the invaders, along with some that have been diverted from the front, and sent into Saxony. However, the need to rebuild Upper Burgundy results in several thousands arriving from across the Kingdom, as well as York, Essex and the Pictish Duchy. The Siege of the Lombard capital continues. With the rebuilding of the land ruined by the Lombards underway, roads are build in sevral places to connect the kingdom to Paris, and new, more powerful forts are built to protect the land. The Saxon revolt is met by an army of 30,000, lead by Sire Mortimer se Naverra, and naval expansion begins anew, with several ports being constructed. We request aid from the Celts in putting down the rebellion. King Gerald dies, and Prince William is now King. His uncle, Joseph, is now the Grand Duke.

Chenla Queendom: Queen Jayavedi is astonished at the fighting resolve the Bruneans have. The amount of military force on the island of Bornéo is dramatically increased with a third of the Royal Navy sent to blockade all ports as to cut off the Sultanate from any economic ties. The newly appointed High General of the Army, Prince Salavarman known for being a brilliant tactician, is sent to lead the troops. There is now a quarter of the RSA in Bornéo, a third of the Ahan Phi (the elite of the elite of the Chenlan armed forces specifically trained to fight with guerrilla tactics), and 3 more regiments of 30 elephants each from the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps. Prince Salavarman has the orders to continue marching south until the Sultanate sues for peace. All peoples that show no resistance are left alone as the war was only declared so that the Sultanate could face the duly needed justice for having unarmed Royal Scouts slaughtered. Until then any armed resistance is to be but down or captured. Also the forces aiding the Silla in the war against Japan returns home as the High Admiralty Chan Leung has died at the ripe age 67. At the moment there are no plans of returning to the Sillan/Japanese war front.

Seeing the disparity between the rich and the poor, Queen Jayavedi passes a series of new social reforms. From now on there will be a set minimum wage one makes a day at 5.4 nickel Kip. (Denominations of the Chenlan Kip: 10 coppers = 1 nickel, 10 nickels = 1 silver, and 10 silvers = 1 gold). Before the reforms, nobles and very wealthy merchants could practically pay their employees nearly nothing. Also another reform is passed that the Commons may now come to positions of power whether it be in government or in the military. This is based off the merit system. There are now two houses in government below the Queen: the House of Nobles and the House of the Commons. They are tasked with maintaining the military, regulating trade, and ensuring the well being of the Chenlan people. The Queen though still has the power to veto anything and that it cannot be overridden. A new tax reform is passed that states that everyone within the Queendom no matter they be of noble birth or a Common must pay the same proportional value of one-tenth of their annual income. Also no one within the Queendom may have a large militia for personal use. Wealthy citizens can now only have a maximum of 20 guards in there retinue. Queen Jayavedi hopes that these new reforms will decrease the discrepancies between the rich and the poor.

The Royal Engineers continue to improve the Queendom's infrastructure. The RE begins to research with ways to tell time better throughout the day as the new wage system is based on an employee being paid at high noon and at when the work day is over. The realization of this being an inefficient way to determine time, the RE experiment with telling time by the positioning of the sun, levels of the tides, etc. They begin research in metallurgy as to provide Chenlan smith's new and better techniques of providing better equipment for farming and the armed forces.

The Royal Scouts begin searching for better ways to relay information across far distances. They begin to experiment with many things from smoke signals, flags, and many bird species. At the moment the white-winged magpie seems to be the best choice for the delivery of messages, but more test continue to ensure that it is. In Chenlan folklore the white-winged magpie is considered a sign of health and vitality. With the idea of being able to transfer information across far distances the Chenla would be able to collaborate with the Silla without the need of direct human interaction because they are dealing with a plague.

Due to plague spreading in northern Asia, Queen Jayavedi amps up the sanitation programs even more. The checkpoints become more rigorous, causing there to be nearly a complete halt with all trade. Sumatra is tasked with producing enough agricultural products so that the Chenla Queendom could be self-reliant with food until the plague dies out. More public bathhouse and sewers are constructed and the wearing of the masks that are thought to keep away sickness is encouraged.

The Royal Navy continues to decommission old ships and replaces them with the new ones. The RSA, Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps is increased. An additional branch is added to the Royal Chenlan Elephant Corps as the horse cavalry seems to fit in it more than in the RSA.

Khazar Khaganate: We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We also send spies into the the Byzantine Empire to find the key to the “fire that always burns”. We will send marriage offers to the Karluks for my heir to marry their daughter to secure an alliance. We will request that they also convert to christianity. We build up fortifications and our navy to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will also promote anyone in Khazar lands to begin Guerrilla warfare.

Silla/Korean Empire: Due to the Ghanan plague, population stands at a near standstill, though there is a slight recovery due to the effects of our sanitation program. Travel to infected areas are banned and anyone caught entering or exiting these restricted areas are killed immediately. Most of their bodies are dumped in the South China Sea (the sea which borders maritime Southeast Asia) while some are smuggled into Japanese population centers. '''We spread East into the steepes of Mongolia (invading the East parts of the Ughyur Khaganate with a small 20,000 troops, since they are weak) and into more of Pacific Russia. Due to the Chenla not participating in the war anymore, we cede the parts of Hokkaido militarily occupied by Sillan and Chenlan forces to the Ainu.'''

The abolishment of the bone rank system has caused wealth disparities between its socio-economic groups to narrow significantly, cause of this, despite the plague and the recent occupation of the South Korean coast, the population is happy in general.

Due to the previous invasion of the South Korean coast by the Japanese, people living in coastal cities in the area (including people in its former capital Seorabeol) are evacuated and sent to cities located farther north or west, such as Sabi or Pyongyang. Hanseong is still off-limits to normal people because it is where the palaces that are housing the royal family are located, and we are trying to isolate the royal family from the rest of the population to avoid infection. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign.''' Masks are encouraged to prevent the spread of the disease. We stop exporting agricultural produce to Chenla, stating that they are nearly self-sufficient and no longer need the help of the Sillans.

'''With most Japanese forces in Southern Honshu, we invade Northern Honshu with 50,000 troops. We also invade Southern Honshu with 120,000 troops. Meanwhile, scientists in Pyongyang create prototypes for a new concept: a cannon that fires weaponised fireworks. So far, all the tests we have conducted for the new weapon had failed or had been partially (but not entirely) successful. We hope that in the next five years or so that we successfully develop the weapon and use it to expand into more land.'''

Ganga Dynasty: The news of the massive indian army on the frontier finally arrived tothe capital, but nobody seems to care about it. Khadaga II still believed that the Indians are his allies, and that they are here to help him. Chandrajara is still up north, killing Buddhists. The only one realizing the danger is Mahakala, who try to warn everyone possible.

Finally, he find someone willing to listen to him: the Yuvraj Palaka, now 17 years of age. The young boy is more open to Mahakala's suggestions than his father. But the young boy, instead of heading to the capital and talk of it with his father, take his own men and charge the Indian troops on the frontier, hoping to end this before it start with his small forces. Mahakala, shocked by this, finally decide to do something he would never have done if the situation wasn't so terrible: he asked Chandrajara for help. Sadly, the message is lost in way, and his uncle never heard it. In the end, the army is up north, and only Palaka and his few men can try to stop the Indians in what Mahakala call a suicide attempt. Japan: We launch an all-out attack on Hokkaido and Korea (AGAIN, Dang it, I keep getting driven out of Korea, -_-).
 * OOC (Ganga)  to the mod: Hey, I have a question about something. India is more powerful than I am, it's clear to everyone. Ganga is divided, corrupted and disorganized. I probably only have 15 years to live at best. So if I changed, would it count as the one random switch? It's because I'm doomed. (I accidentally doomed myself with the Buddhist thing but well, I had fun with it) and next turn three awesome nations are gonna be available.
 * ((Mod Response)): Personally, I don't mind if someone jumps nations, just as long as they don't abuse that privilege. I, myself, thoroughly enjoy reading your turns for Ganga and seeing the pages you create, so If Ganga is dying, It would make me happy to see you at least stay on the ship until it sinks; then feel free to choose a new nation.
 * OOC (Ganga): Well, it's not that I want to abandon because it's gona sink. It's just that the Gepid Republic really interest me and I fear I will die too slow and someone would already have pick them up (Because let's be honest, the guy playing them will not come). I wouldn't even be talking about changing of nation if Gepid wouldn't become available next turn. But yeah, If I am lucky I'll sink Ganga with style (and maybe causing a new war in the process since Inida broke the Treaty of Pataliputra). But could I reserve the Gepid? ( ಥـْـِـِـِـْಥ) Nan, kidding, that wouldn't be fair for the others.
 * (OOC): Albert Eenstein's definition of insanity anyone?

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India closes its borders with Tibet and Gupta Dynasty to protect the Indian people from spreading Ghanaian death to becoming sick. Finally after finishing its mobilization, India declares war on Ganga dynasty and simply invades it.'''

Pictish Coalition: Legion I discovers a new peninsula/Coast (i.e., modern Greenland) and explores it and after looking far inside. They discover it's freezing, so they establish a city on the coast of Greenland named "Greel". Then they send a small fleet back home to report back and ask for civilians to populate the colony. This will take five years. The legion names the land "Greel Land" and claims it in the name of the Pictish Coalition. We later find the Celts, close to us and so cancel our name of "Greel Land", but still claim our souther coast as Pictish land. We rebuild the ancient Hadrian Wall, which was destroyed over the centuries and improve it. We position a small guard of a demi-legion (half a legion) every one km along the wall. We also improve the defense of the wall and have an early warning system, that if a part gets attacked, it gets lit and then the part which sees it also lights and so on as an early warning system. We also improve the wall in parts and militarize it highly against the Frankish threat. We ask the Celts if we can ally with the Eurasian supernational alliance.

(Celtic League): I see no problem with you becoming an Ally with them. Just know that any wars that you go into in order to keep your alliance will not be with the assistance of the Celtic league without ulterior motives.

(Pictish Coalition}: OK.

Pictish Coalition (secret, exception: Celts): We also incorporate all the Celts into the Pictish army. We ask the Celts if we can pay only 10% of our taxes to them and in return they don't have to fund their portion of the army.

(Celtic Secret Response): You make it 15% and you have a deal!

(Pictish Secret Response): Deal

Pictish Coalition (secret): We create a division of spies, which we send to Byzantine under the presumption of being diplomats to investigate rumours of "fire which never dies" and that they use fire in war to find out if it's true and if it is to find how to use it in warfare, so we can use it in warfare.

Rus' Principality: We continue our advances into Khazar lands, where we kill any partisans and institute a policy of executing twenty Khazar civilians for every Rus' soldier wounded by a Khazar warrior, and forty for every Rus' soldier killed. We hope this retaliations will get people to surrender, and enemy warriors captured are sent back to the principality for slave labor. Meanwhile in the Lombard lands, we work with Western Slavic leaders to establish bureaucracies in the liberated land and to fully integrate the territories into the principality under their Western Slav princes. We are now on the defensive, having liberated most of Western Slavic land, to prevent any Lombard counteroffensive. In the homeland, measures to keep the plague from spreading continue, and expansion also continues in to Khanty-Mansi lands, further into the eastern forests.

Liang: not much happens inside the nation. Taking advantage of tibet's weakness, we invade (again)

Autonomous Albion: As Cadfael is growing out of his prime years, he requests that his nephew, Osryn, accompany him on his campaigns against the Lombards. Once Osryn arrives at the siege of the Lombard Capital, he proposes that plague-ridden corpses should be flung over the walls of the city, as to spread disease and force the Lombards out.

Branwen’s husband passes, she grieves quietly, not taking time from her duties to mourn. She orders all citizens over 20 years old to take six months of basic training in the military. She proposes an income tax on all citizens, which scales steeply based on their annual income, attempting to reassure that the wealth of the kingdom is spread evenly. Farmers are advised to grow more cash crops in addition to their own food.

Celtic League: Ten years after the turn of the century and the Celtic league has been as prosperous as ever. With our militaristic autonomous state, Coalition of Picts, are strength as a nation has more than doubled, our population even more so. Since I, King Jon Eversnow became leader things have never been so prosperous, and all the people are rallied behind me, and hope for a long kingship from me. The father of the King died just two years ago and there was a funeral for him in his homeland of Greenland.

'''I have decided to revisit the marriage of A Frankish Prince to my sister Kassidy. I send the Franks a letter to ask them to join our countries closer together.''' I walked up to my chambers prepared to write the letter. I took off my weapons and laid them on the table. At long last I had made my Handcrafted weapons that all of us are supposed to do when we take the throne. I made a Dagger and a Broadsword. I was even able to engrave the dagger. And then began to write the letter.

“I, King Jon Eversnow, contact you on behalf of my sister Kassidy.

A couple years ago you brought up the idea of bringing our people together with a joint marriage with two of our royal family members. My sister has come of age and seems to like the Frankish culture along with the fair way you rule your people. I will have her sent along with her guardsmen  (About 45 Armed Soldiers) to accompany her to see if she like your Prince. I will expect to find out if she likes your Prince only a couple of weeks after she arrives.

Only once you accept this of course shall she be sent over to your land.

~King Jon Eversnow”

Lord Keaghan has been given rule of the two islands just off the Pictish Mainlands. He has seemed to rule them fairly and the lands are happy under his lordship. Although this could also be contributed to the I, The King, who’s been ruling the entirety of the kingdom.

Ankou my youngest sibling. He is an outcast amongst the family. Its as if he is an outcast just for being the cause of death, for simply just being born. I feel as though I probably resent him too subconsciously, even though I try not to. It is difficult with the whole family acting the same way toward him to not act and feel the same way toward him. He has been learning how to fight with a one handed blade by a very skilled teacher. And in his off time he is reading books about the old kingdom before my mother ruled and we held most of the British Isles in our power. When I asked why he says, “Knowledge is the most important luxury that many seem to squander. I don’t want to be one of those people.” Maybe it's his attitude I don’t like… I am not really sure.

I have been talking with some of my counselors, which does include my youngest brother. We have been talking about the Idea of giving the Pictish their land back, and letting them become a full nation with its own rights. I am all for it but my whole group of counselors seem to be against it, especially my brother. He says that if we would give them their land back that they would simply attack us at first chance, and the shock from the lack of income may ruin the country. But I don’t think they would do such a thing.

(Secret that is just for story purposes): I have decided to act on my decision to free the Pictish and allow them to be their own Nation. I am planning on sending them a letter and telling my group of counselors about my decision. But before I do I decided I would invite my brother to my chambers and talk to him.

I start off by making some small talk to lead into my decision. I told him that Father gave me a book that I wanted him to read. It's the only book of its kind, because it was written by our mother. The story of how she took the throne from the old king. I handed him the book and then led into my next subject. I told him that I was going to make the Pictish free anyway, without the consent of the group counsel. My brother was angry and started yelling talking about how bad of a decision it was. He walked over to my letter writing table and said, “Are you sure you want to do this?” I reassured him that I was and that my mind was made up. He walked up to me and grabbed my forearm and gave it a firm shake, then he changed his mind leaned in and gave me a hug. He whispered in my ear, “For the Celts ...” as he stabbed me in the gut with the very dagger I made and engraved. Those were the very last words I heard before I fell to my knees and fell unconscious from lack of blood and shortly afterward I died.

(Back to Public information): I send a letter to all the nations of importance (Gothic, Frankish, and the Pictish).

“I, acting King Ankou Eversnow, regret to inform you that our loyal and fair ruler Jon Eversnow has passed away. He was murdered in his chambers by an unknown assailant. I have vouched to track down whoever may have had motive to kill him. If any of you would like to assist us in the task to find the murderer please do.

~Acting King Ankou Eversnow”

Pictish Response: We shall send our best trackers to track down the assassin of our beloved kind ruler "Jon Eversnow". We also pledge the oath of loyalty to the new Celtic King.

Pictish Coalition (OOC): I am confused, does having the Picts free still exist or what? Remember this is an OOC question to help me react as the Pictish Coalition.

Celtic League (OOC): No. It was something Jon Eversnow was going to announce, but was murdered before he could relay to anyone else besides Ankou.

I began to improve how our mines work to create a more efficient workplace. (I Improve Economy) This should mean we have more silver to trade in our already established trade routes.

The Kingdom of Mbali: King Bjorn falls into a deep depression. He tried to save his country from the persistence of the Caliphate and their tyrannical religion, but in doing so he left his own life empty and joyless. No wife, no kids, no one to talk out his personal problems to. His life had become his kingdom and everything about it, and yet he had still failed. King Bjorn dies in his sleep (713 CE) leaving no heir to his throne and the people of Mbali to fend for themselves.

The Kingdom of Mbali sits in shambles awaiting its inevitable end, many take to looting and killing, others flee to nearby nations that will accept them. Large areas become completely abandoned, more significantly the far west newly inhabited regions. However, many Mbalians surge into Cyrene in efforts to protect their homeland’s capital and the historically religious ruins in the area. Small adobe walls and deadly traps are placed, as more of a detour to slow down and delay Caliphate troops. Defenses are set up all around Cyrene and its surrounding cities and anyone who stays is well informed that this is their last ditch effort.

Japan: We begin using biological warfare against the Sillians by launching heads infected with the plague into Sillian cities. We launch an all-out offensive into Hokkaido.

The Gothic Empire: The state of the nation is, for lack of a better word, chaotic. More than half of the nation's population is engaged in open warfare, the other half is dying of the plague, and all the while rebellions are breaking out across the empire. But amongst the chaos, some would find it facile to find order out of entropius circumstance.

A diplomat by the name of Eriks Ermingeld travels to Illdephosisian Morocco to meet with king Geberic and discuss the prospect of an alliance and protection from the Goths in exchange for their subordinacy and a protection tax. The head of state could maintain their power, and a patriarchy based on their royal blood line would be formed. The same offer is extended to the Vandals though an additional term is offered in that they must mount a counter-offensive against the Caliphate front line while the Goths devise a plan to end their encroach.

The Gothic troops are galvanized behind their final push for Lombardy and a charge is led by General Beremud hoping to crush the Lombardian offensive, driving them back behind their walls and into their extra spacious and cozy cisterns. The push to reclaim eastern Gothic land becomes viewed as a symbolic “final-battle” by the people and as such it should gain much support. The few remaining noble families are expected to help fund the war effort in an attempt to stifle the macabre atmosphere and hopefully win back their wealth - an investment, so to speak. The commoners, impoverished and slaves, men, women, young and old, all fight together in the most astounding united militia history has possibly ever seen.

With the Battle for Provence won, the Umbra-Gotha garrison units in the scorched Frankish lands, orders are given to kill any surviving Lombard sympathizers and hopefully clean out any pockets of resistance from the area.

Jobs are created, setting up hospitals and medical caravans in the conquered territories and charging a small tax to nations or locals to allow their injured soldiers or citizens free medical care. These citizens, while under Gothic care, benefit from the privileges and rights appointed to a Gothic citizen and as such are treated with the utmost care and respect. The money gained from this stunt is then sent to fund the expansion and remodelling of hospitals, providing the most modern care methods available.

Despite her maimed limb, Legate Ricca drags herself bag out onto the battlefield and continues to lead her legion. The people see her carrying her sword in her off hand and recognize it as a symbol of Gothic resilience. The people in turn switch the weapons to their own off-hands and raise them high above their heads, this gesture becoming a Gothic war taunt that continues to be used throughout the history of the United Goths.

The two legendary Gothic generals, Egica Lazarus and Lazarus III meet on the battlefield and combine their forces, operating smoothly as a joint battalion. The Lazarites are revered as extremely competent warriors and set the example by leading the Gothic charge under the command of General Beremud.

They continue Blockade of Lombards, promise to seed coasts to Western Slavs. if they help them finish and win the war.

The elegant Chairwoman, Sventhila Lousean, whilst on leave from the battlefield, becomes drunken and lays with a young charming bard by the name of Harrion Dondarrion. She is extremely embarrassed the following day and has Dondarrion banished to Africa. Unfortunately, this is not enough to hide the truth, as Sventhila is with child and gives birth in 712 C.E to a boy. She names him Roderic II, after her father. As much as she hated his choices, she still admired and respected him as her father.

Lombardy: Þórbjörn Hróaldr packs up his entire family and flees to Gotland. Not being a very surreptitious man, constitutionally, he accomplishes this by ordering a massive sally from the Lombard capital, followed by one of the largest cavalry charges in history. It does its work though, and he makes it to the coast, boards a ship to Gotland, and soon arrives at the island, which is controlled by his relatives, and is one of the most fortified localities on the planet. His first order upon arrival is to improve the defenses further. The coastal walls are strengthened with rubble quarried from the center of the island, and the classic mix of plaster and mortar is applied to the outside of the walls and painted. Observers note a difference, however, between the painted walls of 715 and the painted walls of 690. Though they were only made 25 years apart, the walls of 715 are covered with depictions of skeletons and the undead, malignant spirits, depictions of war, of sieges and of death.

Þórbjörn orders the creation of a massive body of literature chronicling the story of the Hróaldr family and of Lombardy in general. ((I’m in sort of a hurry as I’m writing right now, but tomorrow I’d like to expand upon this idea more)).

The Lombard field army (now composing the remains of the Army of Freia, several fragments of the Saxon armies, and a massive body of militia) attempts to march out toward the south to gather food and other provisions from the countryside.

The various tribal armies in Scandinavia decide to take advantage of the inevitable chaos brought on by the Danish invasion, and strike into Jutish territory.

'''((Turn will be late again. Shoot me.))'''

715 C.E.
The Pictish Legion I discovers, after returning to Pictish territory, that their “discovery of Greenland” was actually a hallucination brought on by the freezing temperatures of the North Sea, and that they’ve spent the last few months gnawing seaweed on a frozen islet off the coast of Norway.

The African Gothic territories all die out after being cut off from the Empire.

'''Mbali is devastated by the Caliphates invasion; their military is immensely outnumbered and less advanced than Caliphate infantry and as a result are quickly cut down. The nation's war elephants rack up a good amount of casualties for the Mbalians, but the animals are soon killed and stripped of their tusks. '''

'''Mbali manages to gather its main force in its capital of Cyrene where they prepare to repel the Muslim hordes. The Caliphate soldiers surround the small Mbalian capital and prepare to push in. Cyrene is under siege.'''

'''A man by the name of Recimi Avagis appears in the Vandalic kingdom claiming to be the grandson of the child of Alaric III and Sabina Mbali. He gains a following most largely in the capital of Carthage, but the breadth of his influence is vast; from Mbali to Morocco, many see him as a savior come to rescue the people.'''

Sef, Emperor of Kanem, orders an attack on the enclaved Ghanan province and conquers it with an overwhelming victory.

Zanzibar begins trading activities with the Caliphate, causing its population to swell with thousands of hopefuls, ready to get rich through trade.

'''Danish forces sweep into Jutish coastal territory, while simultaneously attacking Lombard holdings in the Baltic. The Aland islands surrender immediately, but when a Danish fleet arrives at Gotland, it is turned back violently. The Danes attempt to starve the island out, but quickly discover that it’s producing food for itself, plus a surplus. The next month, the fleet withdraws from the blockade, and moves to support its fellows in attacking the Jutes.'''

Danish ships are sighted skirting the range of Gothic shipborne archers.

'''After years of desperate prodding and picking away at enemy forces, the Japanese finally mount a large offensive and push the Chenla out of Hokkaido and drive into the Sillan territory. The Japanese troops prove to be remarkably relentless and as a result they wear down the spirits of their enemies.'''

'''The Lombard's ally into the south proves moderately successful initially, but is chased back to the capital before many supplies are gathered, leaving the city in more-or-less the same desperate straits as it was before. '''

Enemy armies push closer to the Lombard capital, while the Lombard Slavic attack is isolated.

The Lombard attack into Jutish territory proves devastatingly successful, but halts when local Chieftains become timid of attacking into the territory of the fierce Danes (which is compounded by fears that their army, which is composed mainly of Danish immigrants will mutiny if they were to attempt it).

The Japanese biological warfare proves to be moderately effective in occupied Hokkaido, but doesn’t spread much beyond the island.

'''The 30,000 Frankish troops step right into a revolutionary hell. While they are able to destroy a few patchwork rebel armies, they largely make it worse, as the locals see the militarization as an affront to their freedoms. Soon after the intervention, a coalition of towns declares independence as the Duchy of Saxony, while several other towns, particularly in the east, seize control of nearby military installations and proclaim that they’re reverting to Lombard control (although central administration of them is obviously impossible by the Lombard government). Local militias step up guerilla tactics, and increase their reliance on biological warfare, hoping to devastate the Picardy region through infection.'''

'''The Chenla manage to retain their control over the south Ainu islands as their coastal military strength is unmatched. The troop morale is at all time low however, as many troops continue to wonder why they are even fighting. Most soldiers openly proclaim that they would rather be fighting in Borneo where there was at least a tangible justification.'''

 Khazar spies find the recipe for Greek fires and return home triumphant.

 The Karluks agree to the Khazar offer, and begin skirmishing into Avar territory.

 The Khazars lose a small amount of territory, but mostly the front stays static.

''' The Liang emperor orders a full-scale invasion of Tibet. The governors of Sichuan, Gansu, and Longzhou martial their local armies, and join with an imperial invasion force that sweeps into the north of the country. The troops are ordered not to engage the Uyghurs, and so make swift progress across the north of the country. However, they soon become mired in fierce guerilla warfare when they attempt to march into the Himalayas, and the attrition caused by both the raids, high altitudes, and the freezing temperatures forces them to withhold any further attacks.'''

''' Cases of the plague begin to be reported in Brunei, spread in by the trade routes. The government manages to take quick action, however, to prevent the spread of the plague, meaning that the only affected on Borneo is that which is occupied by Chenla.'''

 Chenlan armies make some progress in Borneo, but are slowed by the defensive advantage that the combination of high mountains and dense jungle gives the defenders.

 Indian troops make headway in the center of Ganga territory due to the Gangese government’s apathy, but are turned back in the swampy north and the densely-populated south.

 The Indian economy suffers due to the closing of its land-borders.

We need mod events for the Caliphate invasion of Cyprus

OOC (Chenla): This doesn't make sense. How are my forces still on the Ainu Islands when they pulled out last turn when my High Admiralty Chan Leung died of old age?

OOC (Silla): This doesn't make sense. I've launched an invasion of South and North Honshu at the same time (most Japanese troops were in South Honshu), and I've amassed a gigantic army to invade it, there is no mention of this invasion in this turn. I also invade the Eastern part of the Ughyur Khaganate, and there's no mention of it.
 * ((Mod Response)): Sorry guys! There were quite a few mix ups with the last turn due to a shift in control over much of the writing and mapping. Just make up some justification for it and we will roll with it. We will try to not let any mistakes past next time!

Silla/Korean Empire: Our sanitation campaign has had a drastic effect on mortality, the plague is largely contained despite biological warfare with the inferior Japanese peoples. Travel to infected areas are banned and anyone (except the proper authorities) caught entering or exiting these restricted areas are killed immediately. The bodies are burned and are buried in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. '''Due to the Chenla Queendom not participating in our war against Japan anymore, we pressure Queen Jayavedi into participating again, threatening to cut diplomatic and economic ties (such as ceasing to export excess agricultural produce which feeds a majority of its population) with the Queendom. We will also declare support the Bruneian empire if the Queen refuses to. '''

The abolishment of the bone rank system has caused the once wide income disparities between its socio-economic classes, racial groups, and its different provinces to narrow. The successful containment of the plague causes support around the empire to surge.

People living in its maritime borders with Japan are evacuated and relocated to the northern, more safer cities such as Sabi or Pyongyang. Hanseong (Seoul) is still off-limits to normal people because it is where the palaces that are housing the royal family are located, and we are trying to isolate the royal family from the rest of the population to avoid infection. '''Sewages and plumbing systems are built in all major human settlements, channeling human wastes away from living space. Hygiene is taught to many people. We dramatically increase income taxes to create more revenue for the government, and use the money to fund this sanitation campaign.''' Masks are encouraged to prevent the further spread of the disease, which has been dying out. The population (which now stands at 18.2 million) grows at 0.5%, a recovery from near-zero growth rates during the worst of the plague.

'''We focus on defending Silla from Japanese attacks, withdrawing all troops from the Sakhalin and Hokkaido provinces. The local people are relocated to Southern Manchuria. We amass an enormous army of around 550,000 active troops (nearly 3.06% of the total population). This ginormous military force is used to protect the Korean peninsula and Manchuria, which forms the core of the Sillan Kingdom, from the Japanese barbarians, trading space for time. We invest a large number of time on the research of weaponised fireworks (MOD RESPONSE, WHETHER IT IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT), hoping for it to be complete by 720 CE. We will use this weaponised fireworks to invade Japan and defend it from potential threats.'''
 * Mod: Hey, I just wanna personally apologize for last turn's mix ups. I'm glad you just kinda rolled with it. For the record the first version of the map included your invasion, but there was a switch and some things were left out. All of your posts have been read and re-read to ensure the prereqs next turn will accurately reflect your intentions as a player. -Afunnymouth
 * I accept your apology. I understand that you were busy, so I just rolled with it. Is there any mod response regarding the success of the weaponised fireworks (whether it was successful or not)?

Khazar Khaganate: We will send our ships to the Byzantine and Gepid coastline to recruit people to join our crusade. We also will raid into the Dnieper, Don and Kuban rivers. We build up fortifications and our navy to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will also promote anyone in Khazar lands to begin Guerilla warfare. Driven by what is left by our Black sea navy and the chemicals used to make “fire that always burns” ,we will raid the coast to rally up our people to join our cause and rebel against their oppressors. We also begin raiding in the Caspian Sea and the Caliphate territories to rally our people too.

Ganga Dynasty : The attack of the Yuvraj Palaka, which somehow helped to slow the Indians,also caused his violent death, which resulted in much more turmoil in the realm. With the Yuvraj death, Mahakala is the heir to the throne. But Khadaga II refuse to allow his brother to rule over Sri Lanka, accusing him of failing the negotiations with India and to have sent his son to his death. Khadaga II begin organizing his forces from the capital, and send a letter to his uncle Chandrajara, ordering him to strike against the invading forces. It seems that Khadaga II is finally taking things in hands.

But the following years send the Ganga Dynasty to downright chaos. In 716, Mahakala is forced to go in exile in the Adaman and Nicobar Islands by his brother, on the order of commanding the navy forces staying there (Just remember that Palaka I turned the islands into military fortress and in his main military harbor). However, Khadaga forbid his brother of helping. And so, Mahakala and many other members of the Nila Faction leave the Ganga Dynasty.

In 717, Jagadevra believe everything is doomed, and that his nephew will cause his death if he doesn't act. With a few members of the Grina Faction, he murder his nephew during a meeting, then flee the capital before anyone could catch him. The traitor go hiding into the Gupta Dynasty, hoping he would be able to stay away from the war there. With the death of the Raja and the escape of the administrators, Bhubaneswar soon burn under the chaos of popular revolts. Both Chandrajara and Mahakala are enraged by Jagadevra actions, his brother even sending a letter to the Gupta Raja asking for his head.

During those times, Hirapal Yadava once again convert, but this time to Hinduism. Seing in the Indian Empire a better opportunity of gain than in the Buddhist rebels, he galddy claim his loyalty to the India Muharaja, and send his men as reinforcement.

As for now, Mahakala as been inform that he should b the Raja of the Ganga Dynasty. But he soon realize that he will never be able to reign over the Ganga Dynasty, as he lack the support and troops. But he doesn't want the traitorous Indians to win this. His choice of action surprised everyone. He officially announce he would renounce his pretensions over his throne in favor for his brother-in-law, Prince Thepaman of the Chenla Queendom. This surprise come with a request to the Queen of Chenla. He tell her that as the ruler of the Adaman and Nicobar Islands, '''he pledge loyalty to her crown and ask to become her vassal. He also encourage her to push Thepaman new claim over the Ganga Dynasty''', telling her that the Indians are not to be trusted to protect the local population.

The news of Mahakala stepping down reach the ears of Jagadevra, who is living an easy life in the Gupta Dynasty. In a succession way, he is now technically the Raja. Through his habitual political tactics, he propose to the Gupta Raja two things. First of all, he propose him to marry his only daughter, thus making him the Yuvraj of the Ganga Dynasty. With this, the Gupta Raja can take his revenge for the First Great War of India, and claim the entire Ganga Dynasty as his own. He also remind the Raja that by attacking, the Indian Empire broke the Treaty of Pataliputra, which included a 50 years non-aggression close between the three nations. Since the close was suppose to end in 732, the Indian Empire is breaking the agreement, giving the Gupta Dynasty every right to replicate. (Will need mod answer for Gupta)

And then there is Chandrajara. He became enraged over what his nephew and brother are doing, abandoning their heritage to foreigners Buddhists. He simply cannot tolerate this. With what's left of the Grina Faction, Chandrajara claim the city of Dhanbad and proclaim it the new capital of the Gupta Dynasty, and auto-proclaim himself the new Raja of the Ganga Dynasty.

Guru Susarman and his rebels are in a difficult position. The Ganga Dynasty is falling, and the only men left that fight for its independence is the same men that murdered many of them in the last decade, the one many even fear to pronounce the name, fearing he would hear it and come to kill them. The Indian Empire is clearly not an option, as they heard of the massive conversion happening there. Now come the hard choice. They can ether support the Gupta Dynasty, which was once their homeland, or the Chenla Kingdom, which is Buddhist and shall treat them well. In the end, Guru Susarman choose to follow the first one to act against the Indian Empire and Chandrajara. Until then, Guru Susarman proclaim the Provisional Theocracy of Bengal.
 * OOC (Ganga): Just to be clear, the murder of Khadaga II was planned for a long time (I was playing Palaka I when I first thought of it). It just didn't happen exactly the way I planned it since India invaded. Since Chandrajara is the only guy fighting for independence and the Raja, I'm gonna play this arrogant bastard for the few years the Ganga Dynasty have left. Oh and in my post I assumed that the actual Raja of the Gupta Dynasty is a young man, I hope it isn't a problem. Also, I'll make a page for the war and for Jagadevra, Chandrajara, Mahakala, Guru Susarman and Hirapal Yadava when I have time. Those guys lived (and caused for most of them) the end of this nation and deserve more than being just a name on a list.

Rus' Principality: The troops in Lombardy hold their positions as the Western Slavic lands are integrated into the principality. Meanwhile, in the south, the third army group continues its assault against the Khazars, invading their territory and heading to their capital, killing anyone who attempts to get in the way. A new army group, consisting of two 50,000-man armies, the 7th and 8th Armies, is sent down south to aid them against the Khazars after being mobilized. Expansion continues further east into Khanty-Mansi lands. Wounded war veterans are given pieces of land in the new territories as a reward for their service.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India continues invading Ganga dynasty. After the economy becomes to suffers, India opens its borders with Persia and the Caliphate, but Indian Border Force will check the what goods are OK or not. Infected traders are killed while trying to spread the plague on us.'''

Japan: We continue our attack on Hokkaido.

The Kingdom of Mbali: Civilians watch as their families and loved ones; parents and children are slaughtered before their eyes. Cities fall in groups and anyone who can retreats to Cyrene. The capital is surrounded by the Caliphate and many Mbalians prepare to die for the history of their nation. Word manages to work its way to Cyrene and soon everyone has heard of Recimi Avagis. Rumors circulate that he has emerged to rise up and defend Mbali from the Caliphate force. However, many are pessimistic and assume it’s much too late to save not only the capital but the nation as a whole. On the other hand the west regions of Mbali are quite optimistic, Recimi Avagis could be everything they’d hoped for. A savior to their people, an heir to their throne and even the strategist that could overpower a much bigger, more powerful army.

Liang: Some traders make their way across the Indian lands, through the Caliphate, and into Europe, and bring back many riches, spices, and most importantly, ideals. The traders say they brought silk and fireworks to Europe and were looking for other lands to trade to. They also bring news of a plague, however none of them seem to have caught it. The ideas and theories spread rather quickly, however the native Chinese philosophies are still dominant. The invasion of Tibet continues. The idea of using fireworks as weapons is experimented with, and the emperor declares war against Japan for attacking Silla, although this is viewed as late. The navy mobilizes against Japan.
 * (Chenla Diplomat) Proposal to join ASEAN.

True-Egypt: Hoping to form a lasting allegiance with our neighbors, we reopen all of our borders and continue to spread our culture. A famous harp player by the name of Nerfetiti begins touring nearby nations and demonstrating the eloquent beauty of Egyptian culture. Diplomats are sent to the tlilldephons and the vandals in hopes of forming an African alliance.

The Gothic Empire: While turmoil and despair has become commonplace in the Gothic way of life, the people need not fret, as this has always been their way. Speeches are given and rallys are held to further convey the idea that the Gothic Empire’s strength comes from the unity of it’s people, and despite how desperate things may seem, through team-work and perseverance, things can, and hopefully will, change for the better.

With her newborn child necessitating constant care, Sventhila Lousean is forced to retire from the front line and instead lead from her throne in the Lucien Castle of Toulouse; General Beremud is elected the head of the Gothic military and in her steed, Legate Ricca, after miraculously surviving her injuries but being left with a permanently disabled arm,ascends to the role of leader of the third Gothic battalion. The troops lead on last assault to clean up Lombardian opposition groups and hopes to join forces with the Mediterranean Entente for one last sweep over the area to wipe Lombard invaders off the map.

To dispel ideas of gender inequality and sexist behaviors, the derogatory title “Lupexcercito” is dropped completely. The female troops are assimilated with the males; the change is gradual at first, but it is expected to soon culminate to the point where men and women share the same barracks. Coquetry between the troops is forbidden and highly frowned upon by military officials, any soldiers caught engaging in romantic relations are suspended, separated into different legions and put on probation for a period not exceeding six months.

Complete control over the female representative seat in Senate falls to Sventhila, and as a result there are only four chairs (sans the head Chairman spot) left; The Abelone chair - belonging to the Jutes, The Suebian chair- belonging to the Suebians, The Roman chair - belonging to the Ostrogoths, and the Toulouse chair - belonging to the Visigoths. Considering the vacancy of the Abelone chair, Sventhila seeks to discover who the proper heir should be.

The Ostrogothic leader, Harric Chindaswintha III, travels to Jutland to parlay with the leading body. It is aimed to gain a better understanding of what has transpired in the Jutish nation whilst they remained largely quiet and isolationist.A wooden effigy of Bodil Abelone is carved out by professional artisans and is brought with Harric on his journeys to offer to the Jutes as a symbol of the lasting bond between the two nations, even in the most desperate of times..

The siege of classical Lombardy is tightened around the nation's throat in hopes of forcing their submission. A diplomat by the name of Recared travels into Lombardy accompanied by his guard of professional Umbra-Gotha and hired mercenaries, carrying a treaty for peace drawn up by none other than Sventhila Lousean herself. The treaty dictates an end to the Gothic participation in the war and a promise to allow the Lombards continued survival in their capital.

 

The Treaty of Milan Signatures:''' '''
 * 1) The fighting between the Goths and the Lombards will cease, and the Goths will insist their allies follow in suit.
 * 2) The Lombards will sue for peace with the Franks.
 * 3) The Goths will pull out of the Baltic Sea completely and allow the Lombardian isles as well as Scandinavia their sovereignty.
 * 4) Lombardy will be allowed to keep their holdings in Milan
 * 5) Lombardy may hope to remain unconquered as a protected state, assuming they agree to pay a measly tax of 5% of annual income once their nation is back on its feet.
 * 6) The Goths will provide the Lombards with marble and silver as immediate war reparations.
 * 7) Lombardian prisoners of war will be released unharmed to the Lombardy proper.
 * 8) The Goths aspire to reconnect the Amber road through Milan and would like the Lombardians compliance.
 * 9) The Hroaldr family will be provided amnesty and offered a fief in Ostrogothic territory.
 * 10) The Goths will command that Albion cease their slaughter of Lombardians and instead act as a partner in the reformation process.
 * 11) The Goths will denounce the Danes intrusions and in turn hope for their allies to take action.
 * 12) Lombardy will not be allowed to aggressively build military or expand for at least 50 years.
 * 13) Ties between Lombardy, Scandinavia and Gotland must be cut.
 * 14) A proposal will be made to the High Council of the Mediterranean for all other allied nations to seek a similar peace with Lombardy.
 * 15) The Lombards will be allowed to build ships for trade purposes only, in Gothic ports. The ships must have two Gothic officers on board at all times and are forbidden from transporting weaponry.
 * 16) An agreement of mutual peace shall be made to last upward of at least 50 years and until such time as “a new generation comes to power”.

The Gothic Empire - Sventhila Lousean Afunnymouth

Lombardy -  Þórbjörn Hróaldr ~Genesaria~ 

Albion - Branwen Seigberht Long Dong Johnson

Comments:'''  ______________________'''

If agreements of peace are reached the Goths hope to begin a massive clean-up of the war-torn countryside. “The First Wave”, consisting largely of the Gothic lower class, are to traverse through the devastated lands, looting corpses and bringing home objects and resources of value - in return the people are not only paid a minimum wage in Euros, but are also offered a 30% share of all the loot that they come across. “The Second Wave”, a team of architects are sent in to survey the territory and record ideas. The third, and “Final Wave” is sent in last to begin complete reclamation and reconstruction efforts, focusing mainly on rebuilding group homes and general stores to allow some of the people to return to their normal lives. A post wave of colonists and job-seekers, going by the name “The Anastase”, are sent into the area to operate markets and establish a presence.

In a surprising turn of Gothic character, Sventhila Lousean orders the Lombardian people will be allowed to maintain their culture, customs and theology, so long as they pay a 10% tax on all imported goods and services. It is propagated that this excise is to be used for the sole purpose of maintaining churches, but in reality, only 10% of that 10% (1% net-tax on total goods) actually goes to churches. Church monetization is banned as protocol and big churches are disbanded into multiple smaller ones. Sventhila is not much for the limelight, resigning much of the speech giving processes to her subordinates. It is not that Sventhila cannot give rallying speeches, as she has demonstrated this genetic capability on the battlefield numerous times, but when in the infuriating silence of acourtroom, it becomes difficult for her to not become nervous and make poor decisions. Instead, the rich and charismatic Harric Chindaswintha III acts as figurehead for the people, and as such, the expected outcry against a female ruler is stifled.

Pardon my shorter-than-usual turn, but I had to go back and change it at the last minute.

Lombardy: Þórbjörn Hróaldr views the Gothic offer of peace as too harsh for the Lombards to accept, especially as they are the defenders in this war.

A messenger is immediately sent to the Goths, informing them of Lombardy's immediate refusal of the offer and all of its terms. The king and his family orders that the defenses on Gotland be strengthened even more, and all Gothic prisoners in the kingdom are executed. The citizens of the capital prepare themselves to fight to the death. Gotland begins minor food-rationing. While the island is currently producing an abundance, the local leaders want to be ready for an individual siege of the various settlements scattered across the island. Across the kingdom, military conscription becomes mandatory. The priests daily sacrifice people, mostly enemy prisoners, to the gods.

Lombardy (SECRET): A detachment of volunteer Lombard-Gutish cavalry is snuck to Holstein, which is in chaos due to the Danish invasion, and gallops most of the way to a close-by Saxon town that's proclaimed its reversion to Lombardy. The horses are hidden in a collection of abandoned farm buildings in the thick Saxon forest, and the cavalry-members trade their uniforms for civilian garb. It is hoped that if the Franks refuse Lombardy's call for peace, that these soldiers will be able to train locals, and possibly perform hit-and-run attacks on Frankish supply chains.

Lombardy (Diplomacy): A messenger is sent to the Franks, requesting peace in exchange for massive cuts on duties for Frankish traders in Lombard ports, and a yearly reparation for a period of 50 years. If this offer is accepted, all Frankish prisoners will be released, and messengers will be sent to the revolutionary cells in Frankish-occupied Saxony, requesting that they halt their attacks while Frankish troops are withdrawing. Frankish military ships will also be given free berthing in all Lombard ports, up to the harbor's maximum capacity.

Uyghur Khaganate: The Uyghur Khaganate continues the invasion of Tibet and attacks the two far western clans that border the Uyghurs. Meanwhile, Buddhism sees a rise in popularity and followers. Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl also offers a peace treaty with Silla and proposes the following terms:


 * 1) The fighting between Silla and the Uyghur Khaganate will end, and peace will be established.
 * 2) Silla will get to keep its conquered lands.
 * 3) Uyghur Khaganate will ally with Silla.
 * 4) The Uyghur Khaganate will also send 50,000 military personnel to help Silla's war against Japan.

Signatures:
 * Uyghur Khaganate - Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl ~Seiga~


 * Silla -- King Wonjang (Chu Changjun) ~ Candiesrgood


 * Chenla (Diplomat) Proposal to join ASEAN.

______________________

Chenla Queendom: Queen Jayavedi fearing loss of an ally, remobilizes a force to return to the Silla/Japanese war front. A quarter of the Royal Navy is sent, mostly composed of the stronger and technologically advanced warships. Also on each ship is a regiment of the newly formed Royal Marines, a branch that has just been formed and is seeing its first combat missions. They are heavily armored and armed soldiers that make up the elite fighting force of the Navy. A new High Admiralty is chosen, Haviland Ipo, a Common born citizen that quickly rose through  the ranks at the Royal Military Academy. He is sent to lead the task force aiding the Silla in their war against the Japanese. Back on the war front against the Bruneian Sultanate the troops immediately pull out and return to the mainland, but before they can set foot on it they must first go to a special military quarantine zoned island where everyone and everything is thoroughly washed thoroughly the prevent the spread of plague. Also to take the possibility of more troops for the Sultan of Borneo, any Bruneian citizen is offered the ability to escape plague by moving to the Chenla mainland. They must of course be subject to the thorough cleaning that the Chenlan troops are going through. Before departure from the island, Queen Jayavedi has messages sent to the chieftains of the many tribes that make up the Bruneian Sultanate, that says if the Sultan is handed over the war would end and the Chenla Queendom would leave Borneo alone. The war did only start because it was the Sultan who ordered the murder of the Royal Scouts instead of sending a peaceful envoy to greet them. So it is only justified that the Sultan should face not the Bruneian peoples. Until then the blockade around the continues and all armed forces on the beaches are bombarded with the catapults on the ships. '''Queen Jayavedi seeing that there are four nations with moderate friendly ties to one another, are at war with Japan proposes the idea of ASEAN (The Alliance of Sovereign East Asian Nations). A proposal is sent to the Silla, Liang, the Ainu peoples and the Ughyurs Khaganate. In the proposal it says:'''

 Promises of Alliance

1. All members within ASEAN shall be recognized as a Sovereign nation.

2. When in the event that a member nation goes to war and asks for the aid of the other members; then it is the duty of the other members to send aid in the said war.

3. In times of peace each member will dedicate tariff free trade between the other members, the sharing of scientific and technological breakthroughs, and the assurance that each member will try to better the economies of the other members.

4. In times of "misfortune"  such as plague, it is the duty of the member with the "misfortune" to try and prevent the plague from spreading; while the other members will send whatever aid is needed.

If any nation that the proposal was sent to would like to add anything to the proposal so that it benefits all parties, then they may do so.

By signing that party agrees to the conditions of the proposal. Signatures:

Chenla Queendom - Queen Jayavedi ~ Laoboy343

Silla Kingdom - King Wonjang ~ Candiesrgood Liang Dynasty - 
 * Perhaps the Ughyur Khaganate, and Tibet could join to, but if they do, the Liang and the Ughyurs shall cease war with Tibet.

Ainu Peoples (mod) - ~King Yaihlu Katama'ana

Ughyurs  Khaganate- Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl - Seiga

Tibet (only if the Liang and Ughyurs cease war)-

 ________________________ 

Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll is enrolled into the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang to begin his studies. Queen Jayavedi warns Prince Thepaman that trying to be the Raja of the Ganga would be futile and it would get the Queendom into unwanted situations, so instead she gives Prince Thepaman the title of Prince Thepaman Duke of Sumatra where he would have governance of the island. The offer that Mahakala of the Ganga is accepted that Queen Jayavedi  will accept him as a vassal as long that he brings with him the Adaman and Nicobar islands, where he will rule over them as its lord. Queen Jayavedi also approves that if the Ganga should fall the assumption of its territory should go to the Gupta as they would have greater jurisdiction over it.

The Royal Engineers in the School of Alchemy, have found an elixir, made by rare herbs found in the remote Chenlan Highlands, that help remedy the effect of the plague. The elixir doesn't cure the plague but weakens it allowing the body a greater chance of fighting the plague naturally. Also the RE have found a more efficient method of telling time by using the sun. The contraption used to tell time is called a sun dial where the shadow the sun produces when it hits it tells what time it is. The RE also increase the infrastructure and invest more into the sciences. They also begin research of improving the design of warships.

After many different experiments the Royal Scouts have proven that the white-winged magpie is the best avian to carry messages. Roosteries are immediately built in major towns and cities so that the transfer of messages is more efficient. The RS continue to survey potential economic hot spot and expand their network of information gathering. The Royal Navy expands its production of modernized ships and continues to decommission the old ones. The RSA, Ahan Phi and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps strengthens as new recruits join the armed forces.

Queen Jayavedi amps up the sanitation programs even more with the construction of more sewers, public bathhouses and introduction of public plumbing. More street sweepers are hired and the encouragement of wearing masks continues. It even gets to the point where anyone caught not wearing a mask is fined 500 silver Kip and the possibility of imprisonment for multiple offenses of not wearing the masks.

The Coalition of Picts: The Pictish Coalition embarrassed at Legion I, disbands Legion I and executing all of the Legion I men. So we only keep Legion II-Legion ? (Mod, How much troops do I exactly have). I is also an unlucky numbers and no number can be 1. We create a new numerical system, which starts with a 2 and no 1. We launch Legion II to the north sea with more food supplies (to prevent starvation) to discover some islands in the north. We finished building the Hadrian Wall. We now create molten oil pots on the door. We disband all our shrines to get economy. We ask the byzantines to open their gates to let our diplomats into Byzantium to discuss a treaty. We put all of our army, except for the 1 legion on the walls. After months of being somewhat isolated, to better connect with the world, we open up selective immigration (everyone who doesn't have the plague can immigrate.

The Coalition of Picts (Secret): After looking at how our artillery is weak, we try to create missile artillery. We call our best chemists to start researching explosive combinations involving explosions. Meanwhile, our spies under the disguise of diplomats arrive at the gates of Byzantium. We are on high defensive alert and prepare for a war against the Franks as the tensions between our countries are on the rise.

The Coalition of Picts (Secret, Exception Celts): Can we wage a war against the Franks. We await a response.

Japan: We attempt to use the blitzkrieg tactic against the Sillans with the cavalry being the "tanks" of the strategy. This is where (for those who don't know) the cavalry breaches the front lines, then they turn around and attack from behind with the infantry advancing from the front and causing a pincer effect.

We also advance our forces into the recently withdrawn-from territories of Hokkaido and Sakhalin (though we will be ready if they return). Another thing is that we are denouncing the Sillans for calling us "barbarians", for I should tell all of you, we are not barbarians. We are the Empire of Japan, dedicated to unifying the homeland into one single entity, and we are VERY civilized. And you people won't be able to deny THAT.
 * We refuse to believe the claims of the war-mongering, bloodthirsty Japanese barbarians, since Hokkaido and Northern Honshu had been historically inhabited by Ainu peoples.

Caliphate: We expand 4000 pixels into Africa. We continue to invade and blockade Cyprus, hoping that it would be a valuable base in any war against the Goths. We continue to invade Mbali. We invade Northern-Egypt, seeing as they are in civil war. We build our navy. We continue the battle in the Mediterranean against the Goths and take valuable sea of them. We blockade the Byzantine Empire, saying that they MUST surrender to the Caliphate before it's too late. We besiege Byzantine Empire cities. We would like the Persian Empire to join the Caliphate freely (mod response). We continue to fight against the Muslim Free State. We wish to trade with China and East Asia. We trade with India.

Lombardy: In light of some new information that's come to my attention about the exact nature of the Goths' peace deal, I've changed my turn. If you're in Europe, you'll probably want to go back and re-read it.

'''((MOD RESPONSE)) Late turn again? REBEL! REBEL!'''

720 C.E.
'''Lombard Scandinavia declares independence, then immediately gets invaded by Danish longships. Being mostly ethnically Danish,the Scandinavians are apathetic toward fighting and the nation quickly falls to the Danish invaders. '''

'''The Jutes mount a massive armed force and push the Danes back to the coasts where their massive navy lays in wait. Casualties are immense for both sides, and neither country has a clear upper hand.'''

'''Ankous is accepted resoundingly as the true leader of the Celtic people. Though many still believe that the Picts should remain subordinate to the nation, there is an overwhelming sentiment of hatred toward the simple murder of a king whom had altruistic desires for an ally nation.'''

'''Recimi Avagis, self proclaimed descendant of Sabina Mbali and Alaric II, quickly rises to power in Morocco. Geberic Illdephon views him as a threat and rides out one night to confront him. After a brief altercation, Avagis and his party overthrow the Illdephons and consolidate control over Morocco.'''

'''Seeing his ally quickly overthrown, Thabo Khananda orders the execution of the would-be king, Recimi Avagis. Several covert missions are conducted, all resulting in miserable failure and loss of life. The people, seeing Avagis to be their savior come when they needed him most, quickly reject the idea of war with the Avagisian. The Avagisians march on the Vandalic Kingdom, and are met with minimal resistance. The kingdom quickly assimilates with the Avagisians and their power grows.'''

'''The Avagisians march peacefully into Mbali, preaching the name of Recimi Avagis, and proclaiming him to be the savior of Africa. The Mbalian people eagerly accept their savior and soon are assimilated into the growing unification beneath Recimi.'''

With the unification of three nations complete, the Carthaginian Empire is re-established, taking inspiration from their ancient heritage and seeing an opportunity to repel the Muslim invaders.

The Caliphate invades east and west Egypt, completely overwhelming the native people and claiming control within less than three years.

Seeing the encroach of the Caliphate as a threat to their continued existence,Carthage mounts a massive unified offensive and attacks the Caliphate, pushing back the front line and killing a great deal of Muslims.

'''Sailendra establishes itself as a significant regional power on the island of Java. Trading starts up with Chenlan settlements on southern Sumatra.'''

'''Kanemi troops push further into Ghanan territory, detachments make it as far as Benin. '''

Bhubaneswar is laid to waste by the overwhelming internal and external pressures.

''' A group of Chinese and Korean scientists get together and collaborate on the prospect of using fireworks as weaponry. A device allowing for proper measurements to be made whilst positioning the rocket, is invented, and is put to the test in open warfare. It proves wildly successful and the militaries of both nations are expected to benefit greatly from this development.'''

The Khazars continue to boast their superiority over the Caspian and in turn capture some coastal territory from the Caliphate.

'''Pictish emissaries arrive in Byzantium only to find a graveyard ravaged by plague and uprisings. It is hard to find clear semblance of leadership, but after making their presence known, Anastasius II reveals himself and welcomes the Picts to his “lavish empire”.'''

'''Massive rioting sweeps across the Pictish kingdom, as the people, angry at the senseless massacre of an entire legion, begin spontaneously attacking government buildings. The Pictish capital is thrown into chaos, as thousands stand chanting outside of the palace, calling for the heads of the ruling family. Meanwhile, large segments of the Pictish army either mutiny or refuse to obey orders originating from the king.'''

The Himyar people begin grumbling in Yemen, angry along with the Arabs at the level of conscription, and the damage war is doing to the countryside.

Sofala begins trading with the natives of Madagascar.

'''Khazar spies ambush a Byzantine courtier, and force him to retrieve the book on Greek Fire from the Constantinople Palace library, finding Greek Fire to be a mixture of naphtha, saltpeter, and calcium phosphide. Once the Khazars have secured those ingredients, production can begin. Note: for everyone else, keep in mind that only the Byzantines and the Khazars currently know the recipe for Greek Fire, so if you’re not the Khazars, just ignore this.'''

'''Enemy troops surround the Lombard capital completely, enclosing it, and preventing any sort of aid from reaching the walls. The city starts to starve and falls to overwhelming invasion.'''

Lombardy has fallen and the Gothic Empire and its allies are left to lick their many, many wounds.

The people of Brunei are reluctant to give up their beloved founder and sultan, Alak Brunei, but he, being the altruistic leader he was proclaimed to be, agrees to submit to the Chenla on the condition that they let his people be free.

'''The plague starts to recede in northern Africa and southern Europe, as most people have either developed an immunity, or died. It is far from over, though.'''

The Picts discover the Shetland islands.

'''Construction begins on a massive Kanemi palace in their capital of Njimi. '''

Gothic presence along the Red Sea coasts quickly fades into oblivion, territories being reclaimed by barbarian tribes.

The Japanese smash through resistance in the Ainu mainland and devastate the Sillian counter-offensive.

Without any established government or military support, the south Ainu islands quickly fall.

'''The Silla swarm into Japan and make successful amphibious landings in both the north and south. The northern conquests are surprisingly more successful than the south as the South Japanese border is largely militarized and prepared for an assault by sea. Nonetheless, the Sillians are able to completely maintain their footholds in Japan.'''

'''The Vermundians take a page from the Caliphates book and adopt of policy of mass expansionism. The economy is entirely funded by expansion and the people begin to regard mass holdings of land to translate to mass holdings of power.'''

'''Guru Susarman consolidates control over Bengal and declares himself the new nation “The Theocracy of Bengal”. Mass recruitment begins to prepare to defend the new country against potential enemies.'''

Rus’ territory is successfully assimilated into the empire and the slavic people find it easy to blend in with their new overlords.

Sef orders the continued conquest of Ghana, and as a result of a massive lack of Ghanaian intervention, the Kanemi make tremendous gains.

'''Angered by the Gothic blockade, the Western Slavs rise up and push the Goths out of their ports. The Goths are taken by surprise and are quickly overwhelmed, giving way to Slavic supremacy over the coastal territory.'''

Liang continues its invasion of Tibet, securing more northern land, but again not deigning to cross the Himalayas

Ganga Dynasty: Chandrajara I may be a brutal and short tempered leader, but at least he know military tactics. Being during more than 30 years one of the main generals of the Ganga Dynasty help building some military skills. From 719 to 723, he made numerous guerilla-style assault on the Inidan Empire, pressuring the ennemies where they were at their weakest (Result of the tactic to be determined by the mod). In 722, he take a large contingent of troops and strike at the north of the Ganga/India border, and try to push as much as he can in Indian territory, knowing most of the indan troops left the kingdom to fight in Ganga (Again, mod answer of the result). With this, the reign of Chandrajara is mainly marked by war against the Indian Empire. Some conflicts also appear from time to time with the Gupta Dynasty, but those end rapidly.

However, Chandrajara I die in 723 at the age of 66, leaving his son Khadaga to succeed him. The new Raja, Khadaga III, start a program to build new infrastructures in his kingdom, and to help the villages destroyed by the war. He also start the renovation of the royal palace in Dhanbad. He even try to put garrison on the unstable frontier between his lands and the Indian Empire.

But after a year, he realize the Indian will end up winning the war, resulting in the death of many citizens of his nation. To protect the land against this, he send a letter to Raja Ravivarma II of the Gupta Dynasty. In the letter, Khadaga III express he doesn't have the capacities to properly rule his lands anymore, and thus would like to surrender them (same for his crown) to the Gupta Dynasty, expressing the profound belief they would protect the Ganga citizens. He also claim that he was able to convince his supporters to follow his surrender, and that by 725, the lands of the Ganga Dynasty will be under Gupta's control. His only request, an easy one, is that Raja Ravivarma II recognize the reigns of both Cahndrajara I and Khadaga III as legitimate Raja, instead of a bunch of usurper, so that history will remember that some tried to save the Ganga Dynasty. Should he agree, the Ganga's lands will be his.
 * OOC (Ganga): OK, I think this is my last post as the Ganga Dynasty. I had a really fun ride (although short) with this nation, living its highs and lows. And hey, I was able to turn my doom (or what I saw as my doom) into a cool scenario and an awesome war, just like I wanted, so ... SHOTGUN GEPID REPUBLIC! PS: Wasn't clear if Gupta was entering the thing, but with all the reason they had to do so and the support of Chenla (and Gur Susarman), I'm gonna suppose they did.

Theocracy of Bengal: Guru Susarman, realizing that the Gupta Dynasty is supported by the Chenla Kingdom and will soon be the new master of the Ganga Dynasty, support the young Raja Ravivarma II of the Gupta Dynasty over his claim on the Ganga Dynasty. They recruit more troops for the upcoming war.
 * OOC (Ganga): I did the post just so you knew what they did, but I'll also stop laying them from now on. Your choice is if they fuse with the Gupta Dynasty or stay independent as a small nation free to play.

Uyghur Khaganate: The Uyghur Khaganate decides to end their invasion of Tibet, and offers them a peace treaty. Meanwhile, Buddhism sees a rise in popularity and followers; and several Buddhist Temples are being built in parts of the nation. Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl sends 50,000 military personnel to support Silla's war against Japan. A new palace in Ordu-Baliq begins construction and when completed, will be where the Khagan's will rule from.

Chu Dynasty (former Silla): King Wonjang dies due to old age, and is succeeded by his eldest son, Jaewon, who is around twenty years old. He ends the Silla kingdom and establishes the Chu Dynasty, modelled after the dynasties of China.

With the Ghanan death declared over, the dynasty resumes human contact with the Chenla Queendom and lift travel restrictions to formerly infected areas. He continues the sanitation program to prevent the future re-emergence of the disease, funding it with tax money. Sewage systems are built in all human settlements, removing human waste from living spaces. Basic hygiene is taught to most people. Masks are commonly worn in public spaces. The population grows at a relatively fast rate of .7% annually, due to a high birth rate, a low death rate, and immigration of Ainu people into Russian Manchuria.

Due to the recent success of military campaigns in Japan, troop morale grows, reaching unprecedented levels. '''We attempt to blockade troops in Hokkaido by trying to take over all of Northern Honshu, therefor disrupting supply lines with the rest of Japan. Once the Japanese troops in Hokkaido are starved of supplies, we will invade Hokkaido and if successful, we will continue our rapid advance south into Japan. Around half of our army (225,000 troops) are sent to Japan to fight while the rest are used to protect Korea and Manchuria''' (when I say Manchuria, it includes "Inner" and "Outer", or Chinese and Russian Manchuria, not only the three Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Jilin). Due to the recent success in our military campaigns, we also re-establish our presence on Hokkaido and the Sakhalin. We continue researching the concept of using fireworks as weapons with the Chinese, in the condition that they will not use the newly developed weapons against us.

King Jaewon also begins discussing plans to divide Japan into different spheres of influence with his advisors; Taiwan will be given to Liang China, while Japan (excluding Hokkaido) will be divided into five Korean satellite states, North and South Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Ryukyu. Also we will try to prevent the five states from ever unifying into a single state, and will also keep the Japanese states fairly primitive in terms of technology.
 * Chenla (OOC) : Could you by chance create a page for ASEAN because I don't have the ability to so right now?
 * Chu Dynasty (OOC): I already did. By the way, I'm sending membership proposals to the Gupta dynasty and India. And if you are okay with it, the Bruneian Empire as well.
 * Chenla (OOC): I'm okay if you send a membership proposal to the Bruneian Sultanate because I'm planning on trying to secure friendly relations with them. I just don't know about India because they are still allied to the Caliphate, do you think they will break that alliance or no?

Chenla Queendom: Hearing no news of plague, Queen Jayavedi reopens its borders and sea trade routes to help once again boost the economy. The sanitation programs continue to be in effect, but it is not as extreme as it once was. The street sweepers are kept because it does help with employment. Attending bathhouses becomes the social normality in the Queendom with over 90 percent of people going to them daily. Wearing masks becomes optional now and there will be no penalty for not wearing one, but many people still choose to wear them. Trade with the people of Sailendra is increased and an envoy is sent to see if the leader of the Sailendra would like to begin friendly relations. With the acquisition of Sultan Alak Brunei,  all Chenlan military presence on the island of Bornéo ceases and occupied lands are given back to the peoples of Brunei. The blockade ends and trade is opened. The people of Brunei are prompted to allow the construction of a Chenlan embassy in their capitol, which in turn would allow the Brunei Sultanate to build one in Luang Prabang. With the war now over between the two nations Queen Jayavedi hopes friendly relations would soon ensue. For the Sultan on the other hand, Alak Brunei is sent to attend the Royal Academy of Krung Thep to learn Chenlan culture so that he would understand that when the Royal Scouts landed on his shores those long years ago; they did so because of the intellectual curiosity that the Queendom's culture possesses for exploration.

(Chenla edit) Heeding the warnings provided by the High Elegance of the Chu Dynasty, the colonization program that was purposed for the Philippine islands is scrapped. Instead a friendly envoy is sent to the barangays of southern Luzon to see if they would be interested in trade and in return the Chenla Queendom would provide them weapons so that they may centralize the entirety of the island of Luzon. The fleet of 30 ships no longer have the order to build a naval stronghold on the island, but 3 Royal Navy ships are sent to escort the friendly envoy because the last time an unarmed task force from the Queendom went to foreign lands they were slaughtered.

<strike style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;">The Royal Scouts report of great riches from the islands that make up the modern day Phillipines. A fleet of 30 ships from the Royal Navy is sent to the northern most of the islands to build a naval stronghold. The plan is to have all the islands industrialized with mines by the year 730 with Chenlan colonization slowly spreading south during the 15 year period.

The Royal family grows with the birth of Princess Sahvan Leung, the daughter of Prince Thepaman Duke of Sumatra and Princess Chamekamba. Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll continues his studies in the Royal Academy of Luang Prabang where h excels over his classmates just like is mother. He is given a name similar to if mother's nickname, but he is called Seu Fi (the Fiery Tiger) for his physical and intellectual prowess.

The military force aiding the Chu Dynasty helps them continue to capture territory in hopes that the war with the Japanese will end soon. The RE begin researching how to produce stronger metal alloys as iron materials have become to common and there is now a need for stronger equipment. The Royal Navy continues to build more ships and the RSA, Ahan Phi and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps continue to recruit more people.

The proposal for the Supreme Majesty of the Liang to join ASEAN still stands. Zanzibar Sultanate: We extend the territory of 20 px southwest. The economy and infrastructure has began to build its extent to our nation, with the tribes to expect to explore the land. (Short turn but it's OK.)
 * Liang: Accepted.
 * Chu Dynasty: Jaewon warns Chenla to stay out of the Philippines, since the archipelago is prone to natural disasters and it'll be expensive to colonise it. Despite its great wealth in terms of natural resources, it is inhabited by many people (ranging from the wealthy, advance barangays of Southern Luzon to the animist, primitive tribes of Cordillera) and the island's natural treasures are theirs.

Liang: Starts using rockets against the Tibetans. Rockets are mounted on ships and used against Taiwan, and landings start. Ships start to go east. The idea of democracy spreads. Trading with the Europeans continues.

Caliphate: We decide to stop our expansion into Africa for 5 years due to many wars being fought against the Caliphate. We establish our power in our current Aftican lands. In Yemen we spread pro-Caliphate proper gander so protests can be put down. We offer the Treaty of Tripoli to Carthage empire to end the Carthage-Caliphate War. We fight against the Muslim Free State, demanding that they surrender to the Calipate. We invade Middle Egypt in our conquest to reunify Egypt under Caliphate rule. We build our militar. We build our navy. We continue to fight the Goths in the Mediterranean Naval Battles. '''We invade Kriti, blockading it from the outside world. We also plan to invade Southern Italy in the next ten years. We try to find a cure to the Plague, we encourage all people to keep clean and this should Limey the plague. We demand that the Bytzantine Empire gives us Cyprus, Syria and Lebanon. '''We invade the red country on the map. We would like Persia to be reunited our the Persian Empire to join the Calipate.

(OOC) You should clarify what you mean by "red" country on the map.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. India continues to invade Ganga dynasty.

Khazar Khaganate: We build up fortifications to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We also begin raiding in the Caspian Sea and the Caliphate territories to rally our people too. We will continue to dish out dromons to keep control of the Caspian Sea and to destroy ports our enemies may have. With Calcium phosphide found by boiling bones in urine and saltpeter commonly found in preserving food, we must find where to get naphtha. The only source that we know of currently is in Rus territory, we will send mercenaries to get our source back. We will also send miners to mine any place that might have '''naptha. (There is one in Baku, Grosni Petrovik and Tiflis). (Mod). We will propose a union of the Karluks and the Khazars''' to better both of our nations.

http://www.antiquaprintgallery.com/caucasus-georgia-hot-springs-naphtha-sketch-mapc1885-42311-p.asp

Japan: We launch counterattacks against the Korean invasion by attempting to cut off supplies and attack the Koreans from the back.

Rus' Principality: We continue to occupy Khazar lands and begin negotiating with local chiefs for them to integrate into the principality. With the campaign in Lombardy over, only the 2nd and 3rd armies are left in the Western Slavic lands, a total of 140,000 men, many of which are Western Slavs. Our other forces are sent to the south to aid the 5th and 6th armies in occupying Khazar lands and continuing our war against the Khazars. Our navy continues to attack the Khazar positions along the coast and along the rivers, while the army has taken up the policy of capturing major cities and settlements, along with roads, to cut off resisting Khazars from each other. We also continue our expansion into Khanty-Mansi lands.

The Gothic Empire: After years of constant warfare, it would seem the Goths had found a small semblance of peace. The war for Lombardy is over and the people rejoice. The gains are enormous and with access to new trade routes, there is hope for the Gothic economy to rejuvenate. Sventhila Lousean does a fantastic job of steering her nation from the back seat while allowing Chindaswintha III most of the credit.

Jobs are created cleaning up wartorn lands and spreading culture and religion to the Lombardians. The tax of intolerance is raised and the treatment of Germanic peoples by the Goths is worsened. Sventhila orders that all Anglo-Saxons who fought in the war be given to Duchess Branwen as indentured servants. Albion is given the lands adjacent and southward and are encouraged to form The Independent Duchy of Albion.

Laws are passed forcing complete and total gender equality. Discrimination is made illegal. It is hoped to have women fully integrated into the empire and all of its affairs by the end of the next five years. Artists are commissioned to create propaganda posters depicting Gothic traditionalists as vile and bigoted.

The young Roderic II begins practicing sword fighting. His mother discourages it but he rebels against her word and often sneaks out to practice with his friends. Roderic II is only ever lightly disciplined by his mother as she can't help but to see so much of her own father in him.

The Frankish Kingdom is still putting down the Saxon rebellion, and many feel that peace is needed.

Kingdom of Gotland (formerly Kingdom of Lombardy): Lombardy is gone, but the Hróaldr dynasty is not. Þórbjörn Hróaldr still rules from the self-sufficient, impenetrable, and fairly wealthy fortress that Gotland has become, surrounded by chiefs related to, or of, his dynasty, and citizens willing to risk everything to defend their beloved nobles, their land, and their gods. Gutish ships, while not as numerous as those of the Goths, are much more maneuverable, and make several runs to the mainland, carrying messages back and forth. The island's fortifications continue to be built up, and they have now reached almost absurd proportions. The local population, which has never seen the plague, is now booming, and local trade reaches incredible proportions. The local cisterns become legendary among the people and one day, during a particularly dry summer, Þórbjörn has a pair of small warships lowered down into the largest one, and a naval battle is staged for the local nobles and a few commoners.

Plans are drawn up for a massive palace-temple complex in the north of the island. The main feature would be a massive throne room, surrounded with bedrooms and storage closets. To the east, another hall, almost as large, would be dedicated to Woden, and it too would be surrounded by rooms, some to house offerings and sacrifices, and some to give worshipers places to venerate statues of Freya, Thor, and Loki. The complex would be high-walled, and fairly self-sufficient, with massive underground storage places for food, and the largest cistern on the island, connected to several fortunately-placed springs. There would also be a library in the back housing all 40 books that were rescued from the mainland, a massive amount, to be sure. The throne room would be 30 feet high, and there would be two stories of rooms directly abutting it. The entire complex would constitute the largest architectural program undertaken in the north to this point, but the many Greek architects in the king's personal entourage, and the industriousness of Gotland's inhabitants, should make it possible.

Þórbjörn continues work on his monumental History of the Royal Lombards, hoping to complete it before his death.

Work begins on a highway between the north of Gotland and the south. In the event of an invasion, it should allow troops to quickly traverse the length of the island to repel the invaders.

Gotland (Diplomacy): The Danes are requested a military alliance.

725 C.E.
'''Sometimes the calm comes before the storm, and sometimes it comes after. But most of the time, the storm never ends.'''

Carthage makes more gains against the Caliphate - acreage is negligible, the real focus being the massive amount of Muslim deaths proportionally to the Carthaginians.

'''The rapid expansion of Vermundia becomes increasingly worrisome. Many neighboring African nations fear that the expansion will soon become violent.'''

'''Nefertiti continues to spread Egyptian culture throughout Egypt. It is expected that much of Africa will soon view True-Egypt as the cultural epicenter of the world.'''

'''Sef continues his large scale invasion of Ghana, making great gains for his people and reaping in a rich sea of benefits. Gains along the coasts are negligible as the Ghanaian navy is far superior.'''

The Caliphate troops attempt to locate the red country on the map, but become confused and disoriented by the lack of specificity, and decide to remain in the African barracks.

Overwhelmed by their invaders, the peace-like people of the Muslim Free-State quickly surrender to the Caliphate and are wiped off the map.

'''The Liang slaughter the Tibetans with their superior and otherworldly technology. Though, despite the Liang having without question the superior military, conquering the Himalayas, is still a rare feat, and as such, no gains are made.'''

Tibet sues for peace with Liang, requesting that it be allowed to keep at least some of its territory north of the Himalayas.

The Se and Rmu clans of Tibet accept the Uyghurs peace offer, and sends them 20 pounds of fine gold as a token of their appreciation.The easterly Stong and Ldong however continue to make raids against Uyghurian caravans.

'''Acceleration rates for the growth of the Chu population reach a new height. The populations begins to grow by approximately 0.5% annually and the need for new housing becomes prevalent.'''

Taxation across the Chu dynasty leads to a vast social divide between economic classes.

'''Northern Honsho is completely occupied by the Chu dynasty and as a result the Japanese military there is cut off from the capital. Japanese supremacy over Hokkaido quickly begins to fade.'''

'''Brunei has all of its territory ceded back and is vehemently grateful to Chenla. They hear news that their leader has not been harmed and are eager to hear from him again.'''

'''Gangan tactics work fairly well, but not enough to reverse the course of the war. The Ganga dynasty is conquered by the Indians. The Theocracy of Bengal proves widely successful and is able to repel invaders from their borders.'''

The Gupta refuse to take control of the failing Ganga kingdom, and instead close their borders and build defenses along the western border.

The local Filipinos (so called for lack of a better term), are divided over the Chenlan offer, but eventually choose to accept it.

'''With no word of new cases of plague, trade reopens between the Chenla and Chu Dynasty. '''

'''The Japanese counterattack against the ASEAN forces prove to be moderately successful, with the Japanese forces cutting off significant supply routes between the allied forces. '''

'''Having very little experience at sea, much of the Uyghurs forces are slaughtered by the greatly adept seafarers of the Japanese Navy. '''

With all of the ingredients assembled, the Khazars now have access to “The Fire That Never Dies.”

The Karluks announce that they will accept the offer of union if the Karluk Khagan is established as equal to that of the Khazars.

Due to the high rates of military conscription, the Ghanaian Death, and an incredibly unlucky year in regards to flooding, famine begins to sweep across Mesopotamia.

Khazar chiefs prove resistance to Rus’ immigration, due to their massive cultural differences and independent streak.

The Rus’ are unable to make any coastal gains against the Khazars across the Caspian as they lack any naval force in the sea.

Despite the high amount of Caliphate proper gander, unrest still bubbles in Yemen.

'''The strength of Albion as an independent continues to flourish. The people are rallied together and bound behind common goals and beliefs. At least this bloody war appears to have some benefactors.'''

The Anglo-Saxons eagerly accept their new master and show fervent loyalty to the Sieghberts.

'''The Pictish people find themselves easily confused without something to represent a quantity of one. Most ignore the new numerical system, and see it as just another idiosyncrasy of a failing government.'''

The Danish army pushes into Jutland but quickly finds itself surrounded and cut off as the Jutes recapture their coastal territory.

'''Time would prove however, that the Goths winning this war would not bring resolve, but only instead, exponentially boost conflicts. Many of the Gothic nobles feel that they have right to large portions of land due to their funding of the war once the treasuries ran dry. Peasants, however, still reeling from the loss of Morocco, cry out for more farmland, and Lombardy is ripe and ready for farmers to move in and work.'''

Gothic nobles begin to amass private armies.

The captured Gothic lands aren’t divided up fairly enough, many people believe they reserve rights to the valuable territories captured by the Franks and Jutes.

'''People faithful to the Germanic belief systems begin rioting as a result of their taxation. The Germanic Rebellions cripple the social structure of northeastern Gothic territory.'''

The Pictish riots continue, and the government becomes increasingly shaky.

'''The Gothic people believe that by allowing their heathenish neighbors to keep their barbaric religion that the empire is effectively weakened. The thick religious glue that holds the Goths together seems to be losing its adhesion.'''

Word spreads about the new female leader, Sventhila Lousean and the Traditionalists are in an uproar.

Ethnicities begin to feel strong divides from each other and a sense of nationalism begins to fade for the Gothic people.

'''The Gothic navy gets slammed by Caliphate pirates on its way back to the Mediterranean. However, the Caliphate has little no naval presence in the Mediterranean and this makes things difficult if not impossible.'''

'''The Umbra-Gotha, seeing its home nation fall apart, begins to convene in Toulouse guilds and plan a government reformation. Word spreads to Gothic leaders, but evidence is nonexistent and many dismiss the idea of the Umbra-Gotha questioning their loyalty as absurd.'''

The Italian city of Alaric grows unruly and a group of enraged citizens marches on the Gothic treasury and manages to drain it completely.

'''Anastasios II develops the plague and perishes quickly. The Byzantine empire falls into turmoil.'''

'''A Byzantine general by the name of Leo III quickly gathers support and soon conoslidates power of Byzantium. He uses his newfound power to invade the weakened Goths, seeking to reclaim the ashes of Rome. The battles are quick and concise, as the only opposition is that of nobility-hired militiamen and mercenaries who quickly surrender to the overwhelming enemy.'''

'''The plague starts to fade in northern Europe. It is still increasing in Britain, though, albeit slowly.'''

The Caliphate successfully captures Crete, and the sparsely-populated countryside gives practically no resistance.

'''Revolt continues in Saxony, and starts to spread across Lombardy, most of which is practically a wasteland. Western Slavia remains comparatively stable, with only a few minor uprisings.'''

'''Seeing the disarray brought on by the Danish invasion, a group of Norwegian nobles declare themselves independent and form the Princedom of Nordvjald. Raids immediately begin into Pictish territory.'''

'''The Caliphate is unable to invade that "red-nation" due to a clear lack of communication as to where troops needed to attack. '''

Chu Dynasty (former Silla): Emperor Jaewon decides lower tax rates significantly (for the lower classes) to narrow the growing income disparities of the socio-economic classes, and fortunately the disparity had not reach the "pre-abolishment of the bone rank system" levels. '''The less fortunate peoples are given benefits such as free healthcare, free education, and free housing. New settlements are built in Southern Manchuria. Jaewon finally ends the sanitation program but its effects prevents the future re-emergence of the disease.''' People begin to migrate back into formerly infected areas such as Seorabeol and its surrounding satellite cities. The population grows at a relatively fast rate of 0.5% per annum, due to massive immigration, a high natural increase (due to a high birth rate and low death rate), and growing life expectancy. The fertility rate declines as the population continues to urbanise, with Sabi and Pyongyang having a population of more than 600,000 people each. The population of the Chu dynasty proper (all of the Chu dynasty apart from its occupied territories in Japan) reaches 19.3 million.

Troop morale continue to grow, reaching unprecedented levels. '''We use our new weapon (cannon firing weaponised fireworks) against the Japanese. We begin the mass production of the weapon. We continue our rapid advance southward into Honshu. With most Japanese troops concentrated in either Southern or Northern Honshu, we do a sneak attack in Middle Honshu. '''We tell Liang China to invade Taiwan. We keep our forces well supplied by sending a hundred armed ships carrying food, ammo, and other things every week. More than half of our army (330,000 troops) are sent to Japan to fight while the rest are used to protect Korea and Manchuria (when I say Manchuria, it includes "Inner" and "Outer", or Chinese and Russian Manchuria, not only the three Chinese provinces of Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin, it also includes the Sakhalin).

Emperor Jaewon also begins discussing plans to divide Japan into different spheres of influence with his advisors; Taiwan will be given to Liang China or will become independent, while the Japan will be divided into four Korean satellite states, South Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku, and the Ryukyu. Jaewon proposes to make North Honshu a vassal instead of an independent state so that the Koreans can maintain a substantial military presence on the Japanese archipelago.

Chu Dynasty (diplomacy): We ask India, the Gupta dynasty, Brunei, to join ASEAN. Liang China and Tibet still haven't responded to the membership proposals.
 * (Chenla) OOC: The Liang accepted last turn to join ASEAN when I reproposed it to them, sorry I forgot to tell you.

Uyghur Khaganate: Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl accepts the 20 pounds of fine gold from the Se and Rmu clans, and is glad to achieve some peace. Meanwhile, he orders a few military to stand guard of the Uyghur caravans that travel close to the borders with the Stong and Ldong. Meanwhile, Buddhism sees a rise in popularity and followers; and several Buddhist temples are being built in parts of the nation. A new palace in Ordu-Baliq continues construction and when completed, will be where the Khagan's will rule from. Despite suffering heavy losses by the Japanese navy, some of the Uyghurs forces still continue to try and fight, though the Khagan begins to have them withdraw; though he still supports Silla in the war effort.

Zanzibar Sultanate: After expansion, the economy still builds and also as military. Meanwhile, with our aim to High Council of Eurasia, some mining began underground to hunt for golds and steels.

The Frankish Kingdom commits 50,000 men to end the Saxon revolt. King William dies with no heir, and Prince Peter becomes king. His father, Grand Duke Joseph, has died of plague. Noting the war between the Goths and the Byzantines,war is declared on the Goths, citing their unchristian behavior, from using children as soldiers, to using the plague as a weapon, a result of which has been the death of the Grand Duke. Thus, King Peter decides that the Goths have lost their christian ways, and 100,000 men are marching into the Gothic Empire, while 10,000 march into Vivianis, claiming it for the Franks. We send a message to Albion, hoping for an alliance. The Pictish Duchy is made part of York, and both Essex and York begin invasions of the Gothic land in the British Isle. Furthermore, we send a peace offer to the Saxons, detailing the if they wish for peace, they must accept the Franks as their rulers, and they must leave all Christian missionaries alone. Christians are to be protected in Saxony, and a military occupation will be put in place until such a time as it is deemed safe for the Christians. In return, Saxony will be granted autonomy, and Saxon citizens will have their rights respected. The Frankish Navy sets sail, and massive wartime production begins, with the goal of ensuring the Frankish military can stand against the Goths. Meeting the private armies of the Gothic nobles in battle, several Frankish generals begin to distinguish themselves, inflicting many defeats upon the Goths. As we are ensuring the return of real Christianity to the Goths, we request that various christian bishops meet in Paris to elect a pope, who will be free of all influence of outside powers. This Pope will take his rightful place in Rome, with a new Papal states established as well. With the Siege of Rome underway, The Frankish Kingdom declares war upon the Caliphate, and a force of 100,000 men quickly move south to save the city of Rome, lead by King Peter himself. This means that now 200,000 men are fighting in the Gothic Empire. The navy sets sail, numbering 150 ships of war, with the goal of entering the Mediterranean, and an alliance is requested with the Carthaginian Empire.
 * Gepid Diplomacy: Consul Galindus Aric would like to invite Peter I to a meeting in the Gepid capital on neutral grounds to talk about the future of the war and the formation of a Papal State, and hope he will attend.
 * King Peter I agrees, and advises that the Gepids aid in driving off the Caliphate. 
 * The Celtic League: Would like to know if you would like our assistance in this war. All we would like in return is a portion of the coastal mainlands as displayed. If you would like to discuss more terms we would be happy to hear them.

Pictish Coalition: The people overthrow the old government and install the army general as the new elective kIng, later we discover the royal family planned to attack the celts, and apologize to the Celts for the crimes of the old family. The New ursuper recreates legion I, retakes the old numerical system, increases the people in the military from 25% of the population to 50%. The government is also changed to an elective monarchy, with a senate, who is created soley to represent the people and elect a new monarch if the old one dies. No one can support the royal family and say their last name again. Also the Legion II in Falklands is renamed Legion I and reports back their findings to the pictish people. We also rename the Pictish Coalition into the Pictish Kingdom as it's no longer a coalition, but a nation. Our happiness goes up due to the actions and the rebellion is over as it suceeded. The new leader title isn't king, it's General.

Pictish Coaliton (Secret, except Byzantium): We enter the city of Byzantium and ask for the book of Fire. In return we accept the new leader of Byzantium. We also ask them for a mutual military defensive alliance.

Pictish Coaliton (Secret, Except Celts): Can we attack the Franks?

Celtic League (Secret): You may not. The Franks are an ally of our nation and by extension an ally of yours. If you are unaware you do not attack allies, that has a tendency to destroy the alliance. Although if you wish to aid in their war you may, as we have intentions too.

~Your King, Ankou Eversnow"

Pictish Coaliton (Secret): We churn out tested soldiers and command all troops, except for Legion I to be on the wall, as the tensions are rising between us and the Franks.

Khazar Khaganate: We build up fortifications to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We also begin raiding in the Caspian Sea and the Caliphate territories to rally our people too. We will continue to dish out dromons to keep control of the Caspian Sea and to destroy ports our enemies may have. We accept the terms of the Karluks by creating their chieftain equal to ours in return for continued support in the war and support in our new offensive. We will launch an offensive to surpass them all by launching all of our troops including our navy in the Caspian Sea to destroy the Caliphate’s Khazar territories. We tell the Karluks to protect our borders and to attack the Avars while you can. We will use the “fire that never dies” against the opposing forces through ships and catapults to launch fear into our enemies and boost morale for our own troops.

Liang: Accepts the Tibetan peace proposal, however on the condition that the Liang forces get free access to Tibet, and the Tibetans pay tribute to the Liang empire. We order the Stong and Ldong to cease attacking the Uyghurs.''' We continue researching Rockets and invade Taiwan. We hear of "the fire that never dies" and take interest and traders try to find the secret ingredients. We start trading with the Europeans and the Arabs on a great scale and declare that anyone who attacks the caravans will be attacked.'''

Gepid Republic: Galindus Aric is elected as the new Consul, and Frigeridus Bessas is relected as Justicar for a second mandate. The militarization of the Gepid Republic under the precedent Consul, Recimer Valomer, is beginning to diminish, just like Galindus promised to the Senate. However, he still reenforce the troops on the frontier with the Gothic (Byzantine occupied) lands.

The war that began in Europe alarm the new Consul, as he saw in it what could be the doom of his Consulate. The Gepid Republic stand in a difficult position right now. He was elected on the promise of remaining in peace, and was opposed to the militarist Recimer Valomer (although only to win his Consulate). But the Gepids are Christian, just like the Byzantines and the Franks. Even if the Gepid Republic had his problems with the Papacy (the elective archbishop caused many conflicts), and a Bessas (the religious family) is Justicar. Galindus must plan his next move with caution.

First of all, he sent a letter to the Pope, congratulating him for his return to Rome in a close future, and expresses a desire to support the Papacy with commercial agreements when the Pope will finally reclaim the Holy See. With this, he know the Bessas Family will support him, and that the Justicar will not try to stop him in his next plans.

He then sent a letter to both the Frankish King Peter I and the Byzantine Basileus (Emperor) Leo III, inviting his Christian brothers to the Gepid Capital of Buteridava, which is actually a neutral territory for the war. He hope this Christian Meeting will succeed to bring Christianity into a massive agreement (and to win himself a new mandate in five years). Waiting for the leaders arrival to the capital, he order massive renovation of the city in order to make it more presentable for the foreign rulers.
 * OOC (Gepid): Will need mod answer for both if Leo III agrees to the terms Galindus propose and if Leo III attempt to the meeting at all. Will also need Frankish answer. Also, I would like to rapidly remind that the schism between East-West never happened in our timeline (and in OTL it only happened in the 11th century, even if signs of it started in the second half of the 8th century with Charlemagne and shit), so we are all Christians under the Pope. Page for the meeting here.

Caliphate: For the first two years of this turn, the Battle of the Mediterranean countinues. For many years know the Caliph, major generals and his advisers planned a new invasion of the Goth Empire. After years of planning on the year 727 the Caliph says these famous words 'lets do this thing'. A naval force never seen in the history of the world left Alexandria for the most daring battles the world will ever see. The force sail majestically through the Medieranian, shooting down any emeny ships they see. However, they don't invade at the most obvious place, they sail around Scilly and into the Tyrrhenian Sea. The ships then split up and began the invasion of Southern West Italy. More ships are navigated to the north to once the most powerful city in the world ... Rome. The Siege of Rome happens where 'None will be spared'. If people don't convert to Islam, they get killed, if they convert to Islam then they'll be deported back to Arabia to become slaves. Any important person are sent to Arabia to get executed in front of the Caliph. Every building in Rome will be burnt. Rome will never be rebuilt after this. The Caliphate will do this to every Goth city they capture. When the Southern West coast of Italy is conquered we invade the rest of Southern Italy, and Scilly. We then push northward.

'''In other news the Caliphate asks for peace with the Carthage Empire. We begin the blockade of the Byzantine Empire. If they want to be free again they have to: give Cyprus, OTL Israel, Syria and Lebanon to the Caliphate and the Bytzantine Empire will become a client state of the Caliphate. We also siege Instanbul saying that everone should know convert to Muslim, or they get killed. If they convert to Muslim then they may live there lives in peace.''' We expand 4100 pixels into East Africa. We would like the Persian Empire to join the Caliphate (mod response). We build our military. We build our navy, by now it's the best in the world. We engorgae everyone in the Caliphate to keep clean. We invade all of Egypt (Al of the countries). This is called the reunification of Egypt. We aid rebels in the Goth Empire. We buy gold from Zanzibar.

Rus Principality: The current Grand Prince, Sviatoslav, orders statues to be built for the past grand princes: Kyi, Yaropolk I, Yaropolk II, and Vladimir, in Kiev. Meanwhile, the generals decide to try a different approach in the Khazar lands. Most of the forces in the former Western Slav lands are recalled, leaving behind garrisons in major settlements and on the border. Many of these forces, all professional troops, are sent to bolster the forces facing the Khazars. The total number of troops in the war against the Khazars is 400,000. A new tactic is used: getting Khazar warriors to strike seemingly undefended convoys, which are followed by large armies. Once they take the bait, the armies surround and eliminate all enemies. Another tactic, against larger Khazar formations, is to feign a retreat and allow the enemy to catch up, surrounding and destroying them. To take care of insurgents, we start wiping out populations of entire villages where partisan activity is known. Khazar residents are encouraged to give away the locations of Khazar hideouts and camps. Our army attacks and occupies major settlements and roads, cutting off all trade for the Khazars to bring down their economy. The navy blockades their ports on the Black Sea, and attacks any vessels in the area. The Prince Council is expecting that these measures well end the fighting in the region within the next decade. Meanwhile, with population growth resuming, expansion of our territories is also continuing. With the whole of the Khanty-Mansi region occupied, we began advancing into Sverdlovsk Oblast and Tyumen Oblast. With more resources being brought in from the new lands, we begin a project to upgrade the infrastructure in major cities across the principality, as well as in the smaller settlements. A new road network will also be established for faster transport.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India, after end of Second Great War of India, fully occupied Ganga dynasty and becomes part of the unified Indian Empire, as well two new kingdoms, Orissa and Sri Lanka, are created based of former Ganga lands. Begins to place its soldiers on Indian-Gupta border to defend its border.'''

The Celtic League: After a decade the people seem to be forgetting about the murder of my brother… Good. The faster it gets out of their heads the more I will be accepted as king. Keaghan does not seem to want the throne. He says it’s a curse and who ever sits on it is bound to die. Silly superstition in my opinion. One of three things decides if someone dies. Power, iron and luck, or rather being unlucky. Power can influence someone to kill if it suits their best interests. Iron means someone's sword, their wrath or vengeance. Or luck, catching an illness, choking on food, even dying in childbirth. Out of all the ways to die the third seems the worst. No one to blame, no way to get rid of the rage that boils inside of you. It just sits there and festers until you get rid of it on to someone who probably doesn’t deserve it. Anyway, I have more political matters to attend to.

I send word to my sister in the Frankish Kingdom whom I assume is married at this point.

“Hello sister, I, King Ankou Eversnow, send this letter to ask how your assumed marriage is going. To see if you require anything or if you have any nieces or nephews for me to visit. Please reply as I am eager to hear.

~King Ankou Eversnow”

(The Franks or the Mods can reply as Kassidy if they would like to.)

Kassidy's response 

"I am doing well, brother, and as you know, have become Queen of the Franks. They are most welcoming, and I have adapted well to their customs. I have recently given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The boy is named Peter, after his father, a fine strong man, who reminds me of the dashing rogue Joseph Burgundy, and my daughter is named Ygritte, after our mother. However, I worry over the outbreak of war with the Goths. My husband, Peter I, had informed me that the Caliphate has landed in Italy, and intends to burn Rome to the ground. Before he left me, he spent a night with me, telling me how much he cared for me since the first time we met. I worry for him dearly."

I work on my navy, upgrade the soldiers and the fleet. I prepare my men with crossbows to replace the longbows we originally used. I use techniques learned from the Gothic empire to make my ships as fireproof as possible (The whaler that was sent decades ago to prepare their ships with whale bone supplied me with information, or at least his son did). I begin teaching some of my guard and some field generals about my technique of fighting which with enough time I hope to be mimicked throughout the nation. I assume it will take half a decade or so before it becomes commonly used. It is a mixture between water dancing, Asian sword fighting and good old Celtic barbaric fighting style. It uses the stance of the water dancer, the concentration of Asian sword fighting but incorporates the dirty and brutal tricks the Celts use to win fights. (AKA:I improve the military)

It's been fifteen years since his death but I still haven’t brought myself to read the book that was his final gift to me. Maybe some other time I will finally work up the courage to read it. I don’t even remember what he said it was about…

I send word to the Picts about their lands and how we might be able to further improve them.

“I, King Ankou Eversnow, send word to you on behalf of your land. Before we had time to properly scan your area for valuable natural resources we gave your land back to you. My plan is to send some men over into your land and scan the areas for anything valuable. If something is found we can work out a deal where we split the profits 50/50 and have a new resource to trade with our allies.

If you are interested, please reply.

~ Your king, Ankou Eversnow”

Chenla Queendom: The islands of Pulau Lingga, Singkip, Bangka, and Belitung are claimed and naval bases are built on them. Women are given equal rights, and anyone opposed to the new law is thought to have disgraced the Queen and is shunned by society. School is made free to the public as more educated people are needed. This is paid for by the taxes that are in the Royal purse. Trade increases to the other ASEAN members and the southern islands. The RSA, Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps continue to recruit more people building up their forces. The forces aiding the Chu Dynasty continue to do so and a small force is sent to aid the Liang capture the island of Taiwan.

The Gothic Empire: Every nation has its time to crumble; this is not new information, it is the way things have always been. But what if it didn’t have to be? What if one nation truly could stay standing against the relentlessly crashing waves of time, only to come out bettered by the chaos on the other side?

These are the questions Gothic forefathers would ask themselves - these were the questions once easily thought to be answered with a simple patriotic, “Yes!”. But now, reality is knocking on the door, letting the ravages of time wait just on her shoulders.

Long gone are the days of fishing for sport and worrying about familial quarrels. Enter stage right the root of all evil, the unmissable horrors wrought through the greed of living a carefree life.Perhaps, the days of the optimist are over too, leaving now only realists - those who see the world for what it is and nothing more, potential being only an unreachable dream, while survival being the single necessitate goal.

The empire no longer resembles itself in the days of its infancy: with hopes of prosperity and unity, eager to impress and quick to go to war in defense of its allies or beliefs. The strength of the Goths as staunch defenders has wavered for far too long, and now, a gaze out across the skyline of Hispania shows nothing but the wretched workings of the twin world wreckers, Bedlam and Ataxia.

  '''The words of her father resound in her ears like the roaring ebb and bay of the Mediterranean. He had warned her that a day would come; a day when being a just and amiable ruler could not coincide with being an actual effective one. He had told her, “Sometimes good leaders have to do bad things.”, it wasn’t true to her then - how could it be? Being faced by the adversities of leading a nation, especially in the darkest days of its existence, something had changed inside Sventhila Lousean. '''

The chairwoman of the once great nation sits down at her desk with a parchment and quill, her thoughts and creativity flowing through her hands and expressing the desires of a young girl, long since deceased.

 Imperium a Spe    by Sventhila Lousean

 

“Ne desperes, a mea, sed spei.

Spes cingitur opprimit hostis

Faciesque subsannabit eos et corde diligamus alterutrum .

Nos pascit manum momordit, Sed cibus est luxary.

Deos relinquere, fraternitatem non faciunt.

Successus advenit et recedit

fide in aeternum,et spes nunquam moritu

''Nomen mihi Imperium, nomen a regibus rex regum, populus populi. ''

vide tropaea mea, o fortes , et spem deponite in posterum”

 

“Do not despair ,my dear, only hope.

For when you protect your hope, it suppresses the foe.

And thou shalt make ridicule them, and spare a heart not, to not love one another.

We have bitten the hand that feeds, and now food is our luxury.

The gods may abandon you, but your brothers do not.

Success is fleeting, but loyalty will always survive.

For, My name is the empire, a name for the king of all kings, the people of the people,

When the brave see our trophies, all of their hope for the future is ours.”

 

This work doesn’t accurately reflect Sventhila’s beliefs, but it does however, act as symbol to rally a nationality behind. The brilliant queen realizes the difficulty of controlling a dying nation this large, and officially announces the west’s independance from the east. The Visigoths consolidate a their holdings in Spain, hoping to maintain control from Vangoth to the westerly border of Unigothica, excluding Portugaul and Brittany.

The Roman Senate is disbanded and Sventhinla officially assumes full control. Traditionalist backlash is to be expected, and as such,protests are put down with full overwhelming Gothic force, both when necessary and often times when not.

The Ostrogothic figurehead, Chindaswintha III, assumes an actual position of political power and begins working for an independant reformation of the once great Roman Empire. Many of the people are ecstatic about the idea, while many others view it as just another idealistic goal of unity that would end in more blood being spilt than it is even worth.

The New Roman Empire is birthed through Chindaswinthas insistence and soon the infant nation realizes what it means to be sovereign. The Christian coalition of Byzantine and the Franks swarms into Italy and the people are left confused and helpless. Some of the Arian people question why their christian brothers would cut them down, but most accept this as simply another barbaric atrocity committed by foreign theists.

Vangoth is held on to with the full might of the Visigothic military, as the navy is hoped to remain loyal to Lousean family. Each Visigothic ship is appointed a loyal court officer as to prevent mutiny, and substantial benefits are provided to sailors who choose to support the westerly Gothic kingdom.

In an eager attempt at gaining funds for the new and reformed Visigothic Kingdom, a deal is proposed to Carthage called the “Islands Purchase of 726” in which the Gothic empire will cede control of Alaricia, Sabador and the Sicilian and Palm Isles to Carthage in exchange for a moderate lump sum of Euros, (Carthage is on the Euro gold standard as well). This money is to put to use ensuring that the Visigothic national guard maintain their excessive rates of pay, while also bailing out small business owners and providing tax reliefs to the impoverished.

Fourteen thousand acres of wheat are planted along Hispanic shores, requiring a new need for a strong workforce along the coasts. Orphanages are allowed to bring orphans to plantations and allow them to work for a profit. The children will get 60% of the pay while 30% goes to the orphanages themselves and 10% is taxed by the empire.

An indentured servant program is created in which men are promised land, power, good seed, and a barrel of fine ale (all a medieval farmer really needs) in exchange for them working five years as a farm hand in rural territory.

Hearing rumors of Umbra-Gothic covert rendezvous, Sventhila marches to the head Umbra-Gothic guild and demands to speak with the lord commander. Alexander Salvioli denies the claims of Umbra-Gothic rebellion and insists his loyalty to the Lousean bloodline. This prompts Sventhila to spit on the floor at his feet and condemn the very statement. She replies with her famed cold words,

''“Non credo nomen. Credo populi”''

“I do not believe in that name. I believe in the people.”

 

The hulking beast of a man, Lord Commander Salvioli, smiles down at the short but powerful Gothic woman and offers his hand and a nod of approval. It comes to light that the Umbra-Gotha is planning revolution, and Sventhila in turn, supports this. She makes the Umbra-Gotha the official Gothic military and gives Salvioli the title of “Hand of the Queen”.

  '''Madrid is collapsed into a mere intersection territory and Toulouse is made the official Visigothic capital. Sventhila plans to continue living in Castle Lucien as it is her ancestral home, and her forefathers were in a mausoleum not far from where she slept. It brings her a solemn comfort, being so near to her deceased ancestors, a sort of reassurance that everyone winds up in the same place eventually.'''

On the morning of October 04, 723, Sventhila comes across a block of text in Alaric II’s memoirs that speaks of the importance of Rome;

''“The Roman Empire is the single most important asset in the western world, as it acts as a cultural epicenter - the going-ons of which are publicized worldwide, and the traditions of which are emulated across various separate ethnicities. He who controls Rome, might as well control the world, as it is to control the very glue that keeps a nation strong.”''

She runs over the line in her head over and over; “He who controls Rome controls the world.”. It makes a whole lot of sense to her, and she can’t put aside the burning need to follow the advice of her Great Great Great grandfather. As a result, Sventhila convinces Salvioli to lead a counter-offensive in Rome to help prevent the monetization of churches and the inevitable development of religious corruption.

Salvioli leaves the following night and hopes to capture and control Rome under guise of the shadows. Large palisades are to be set up surrounding the area as well as an emulation of Alaric II’s anti-cavalry tactic, in placing angles spears spread about in the dirt to impale fast riding horsemen by surprise. Pit-fall traps are set up throughout just outside the borders; eight and half foot falls into a bed of spikes coated with fecal matter and human remains, as to infect the wounds and lower chances of survival. Areas surrounding Rome are torched to the ground, and the Umbra-Gothic stands behind the flames at the ready to face off against the onslaught of Peter I and his troops.

A detachment of Umbra-Gothic troops are sent to do what they do best, and capture an enemy. This time however, the target is not a political leader, but instead a religious one - the Frankish Pope. As soon as word gets out of a Pope consolidating power, the detachment is to sneak into Frankish territory and track him down, and then bring him before the queen to face judgement.

The need for support in the war leads Sventhila to write two letters, one to the Celts and one to the Picts:

"Dearest Ankou,

It is with great disdain that I am privy to sultry this fine parchment with such vile conspiration. As your benevolence has surely come to know, the Frankish Kingdom has declared war on The United Gothic Regions and would seek to establish a papacy in Rome. Such a government would surely lead to an influx of corruption and monetization which would no doubt reflect poorly on the religious freedoms your people enjoy. Seeing as how the Franks have betrayed us, their ally, for slight disparities in ideological preference, it would be foolish to assume your people would be exceptions to their rule of autocratical religious rule. I hold a great deal of respect for the late Queen Ygritte and would also finally like to thank your people for their lavish culture, as well as the influence you have had on not only my people, but myself as well. I pray the dagger gifted to me by your people as a sign of allegiance not be used against your people on the field of battle.

With much admiration, Sventhila Lousean"

Celtic League Response: "It is with dispair in my heart that I must inform you that I will not be able to aid or assist you in your war with the Franks. In fact, I will be fighting against you. If only someone proposed to my sister from your family this might be different. But alas, with the loss of my brother I can not very well allow for the loss of my beloved sister. If we collect enough of your land we promise to make you into an autonomous nation under our control.

~sincerest regrets, King Ankou Eversnow"

"To whom it may concern,

The growing tensions between yours and the Frankish people has not gone unnoticed. It is because of this, that I, Sventhila Lousean, offer an opportunity of mutual benefit; should the Celts agree, the Goths will support the Picts in reclaiming the British Isles and forcing the Franks back, away from lands they hold no covet over.

With hope for future peace and brotherhood, Sventhila Lousean"

((Turns have been pushed to 03:00 UTC until further notice.))

730 C.E
'''Power, like water, flows in and out of different nations, wreaking havoc as it cuts its path through society and into the soul of man. This Shakespearean sonnet, Ozymandias, by Horace Smith expresses the general atmosphere of these next five years pretty well:'''

 In Egypt's sandy silence, all alone,

Stands a gigantic Leg, which far off throws

The only shadow that the Desert knows:—

"I am great OZYMANDIAS," saith the stone,

"The King of Kings; this mighty City shows

"The wonders of my hand."— The City's gone,—

Nought but the Leg remaining to disclose

The site of this forgotten Babylon.

We wonder,—and some Hunter may express

Wonder like ours, when thro' the wilderness

Where London stood, holding the Wolf in chace,

He meets some fragment huge, and stops to guess

What powerful but unrecorded race

'Once dwelt in that annihilated place.''

Walls put up by the Caliphate are torn down and many Muslim protesters begin flooding into Mecca in search of lost Islamic artifacts.'''

Persia loses significant coastal territory to the Khazars.

Caliphate “proper-gander” is viewed as an illiterate joke by the locals.

With the End of the Second Great War of India, the Indian Empire is now fully in control of the region, forming for the first time the one true India.

'''At first opposed to the Indian Empire occupation of the lands, the ancient citizens of Ganga saw in the new Kingdoms of Orissa and Sri Lanka a mark of respect and recognition from the indian ruler, and many noblemen of the ancient ganga now acclaim their new indian overlord. '''

'''Conversion in India continued, but met some oppositions in the old Ganga territories, where years of religious persecution for non-hinduists is still fresh in many memories. Many Buddhists and Jainists escaped India to join the Theocracy of Bengal.'''

Bengal, led by the forces of Guru Susarman, makes slight gains against the Indian invaders.

The Chenla meet little native resistance in the colonization of satellite islands and in turn set up a well constructed scheme of naval bases.

Coastal territory along the Caspian belonging to Caliphate quickly falls victim to the Khazar invaders whose naval supremacy grows stronger every day.

With the Khazars leading the war and making significant independent gains, the Karluks resign to spend their resources expanding their borders and improving fortifications.

'''The new palace in Ordu-Baliq is finally completed, and it majesty and artistic beauty make many rulers in Asia jealous. The center of the Uyghur Khaganate is ready to welcome its ruler.'''

'''Many uyghur forces have retreated in the eastern part of the Khaganate, but the moral is low among the troops, and anger begin to rise among them as they begin searching a responsible for their humiliating naval defeat. '''

'''The Chu dynasty’s clear technological advantage makes gains against the Japanese simple. The southern Japanese front finally starts making as much traction as the northern front, and the two hope to meet in the middle in the next ten years.'''

Japanese military presence in Hokkaido becomes practically non-existent and the Chu are able to quickly claim the island.

Things are not looking good for the Japanese, if they do not switch up their tactics quick, they could easily fall.

'''The Rus’ make significant gains against the Khazars and begin completely crushing their resistance. However, the loss of life on both sides is tremendous, with over 50,000 Rus’ soldiers perishing in the first five years alone.'''

'''A divide between the northeast and southwest Rus’ Principality becomes visible. Though the people are all ethnic equals, they still disagree on a cacaphony of hot-button topics.'''

'''The Meeting of both Frankish King and Byzantine Emperor in the Gepid Republic was a success, and now both armies will work under the command of King Peter I in order to reclaim Rome from the Gothic Empire. As for the Gepid Republic, they send troops as mercenary forces to the Frankish Kingdom and Byzantine Empire to support their war.'''

 Reports of the Caliphate capturing Crete prove to be falsified, as the Gothic navy has its heaviest presence on the Island.

All of the Caliphate’s attacks in the Mediterranean are unsuccessful as they have absolutely zero ships in the Mediterranean, meaning the only way to attack would be by going all the way around south Africa, which is not possible with modern technology.

'''The Caliphate’s siege of Rome proves to be impossible, and the Caliph quickly realizes that their presence in the Mediterranean is negligible at best. The government officials are keen to remind him that they do have access to the Gothic portage, but they have yet to employ workers to operate it, and it would take a good amount of time and patience to have it back up and running.'''

The Blockade of Byzantine fails for this same reason - the Caliphates naval presence in the Mediterranean is greatly lacking.

In a last ditch effort to save their dying ally, the Jutes sacrifice  the safety of their nation and declare war on the Franks.

Byzantium easily conquers Crete as much of the Gothic navy has been diverted to either defend Rome or port in Vangoth.

The Danes accept a military alliance with the Kingdom of Gutland.

Danish assaults of Jutland prove wildly successful and the people of Scandinavia prove to be a valuable resource in the push southward.

'''Germanic revolts in Gothic-Lombardy quickly culminate to full scale rebellion. The Germanic people gain great traction and manage to re-secure the abandoned lands as their own. Though no government exists yet, the nation has all the characteristics of a budding European power.'''

The Albionites, led by Osyrn Sieghbert, agree to attack the Germanic peoples and consolidate their lands.

'''The newly formed “New Roman Republic” is seen as a joke by many of the Italian locals. Stable government like that of ancient Rome is no longer viewed as a possibility, and instead is seen as some kind of idealistic goal gone awry. '''

Portugaul, Brittany and easterly Cataluña unite and succeed as the independent nation of Portugal.

Frankish borders are extended southward as a large scale conquest of the United Gothic Regions begins.

Vivianis, being notoriously weak and unfaithful, is easily conquered by the Franks.

'Publication of the “ Imperium a Spe ''” leads to a widespread identify of Hispanic nationality. The Visigoths manage to consolidate their power over Hispania, but their influence over the world’s affairs is completely crippled.'''

'''The Umbra-Gotha quickly mobilize in defense of Rome, burning the surrounding area, fortifying borders with barricades and traps, and creating a military fortress. '''

'''The Battle for the Ashes of Rome proves to be one of the bloodiest conquests in history. Thousands are killed daily all across Europe, and yet the people still feel a great fervency in their need to fight.'''

'''A pope, John Francis II,  is elected in Paris. The morning following his inauguration however, he is kidnapped by Umbra-Gothic forces who deliver him to the queen of the Visigoths.'''

Emperor Leo III, known for his lone-wolf escapades, leads several independant naval missions onto the easterly shores of Italia, proving to be an extremely competent military leader and strategist.

The Franks make gains in westerly Unigothicia, cutting off the Visigoths from the Ostrogoths.

'''Carthage agrees to the “Land Purchase of 726” and purchases all of the Gothic controlled Islands in the Mediterranean. This deal results in the Carthaginian navy growing significantly, as well as the Visigothic economy making a full 360 turnaround.'''

Byzantium makes amphibious landings in Sicily but are soon repelled by the locals who have decided to unite as Southern Italy.

'''Frankish and Byzantine invaders fall victim to the Goths many traps and in turn are unable to push into Rome. The offensive finally regroups however and a full frontal assault on Rome is thought to be successful in the next five years.'''

War becoming so commonplace and easy for the Frankish Kingdom, the people lose their vigor and sense of urgency, tending to slack whilst on the battlefield.

'''The empire of Kanem, lead by the relentless Sef, continues picking away at Ghana, acclimating much Ghanaian territory into the empire. The fervency previously found in the Ghanaians seems to be fading into obscurity and the offensive is met with little opposition.'''

Vermundia’s rapid expansion is unparamounted as the scouts seem to understand the land far better than foreign colonists.

 After being severely underestimated by the Caliphate, Carthage continues its push, slaughtering Muslims and making great gains along the south Mediterranean coastline.

The Celtic soldiers grow more ferocious due to increased training and as a result many of the Celtic people begin to view them ‘demi-gods’ of sorts.

 Fear of religious persecution from the Franks becomes widespread in the Celtic kingdom.

 The Jutes launch a counter-offensive in Anglo-Gothany, hoping to reclaim the lands of their allies and prevent the Franks' frightening conquest.

''' Anglo-Gothany is completely conquered by Frankish invaders from York and Essex. Considering much of the locals have no ethnic relation to the Goths, they are easily assimilated into the Frankish Kingdom.'''

Gepid Republic: The success of the Christian Meeting backfired on Galindus Aric. In an attempt to assure some kind of neutrality for the Gepid Republic, he instead spark the desire of many Gepids to fight for against the Gothics (or what is left of it), especially after the Gothic Queen dissolved the Roman Senate and kidnapped Pope John Francis II. Thus, Hermenigild Valomer, who was originally supposed to lead the mercenary forces with the Franks, is elected Consul in 730 instead of Galindus,a as House Valomer is known for their talent in war time.

The new Consul doesn't lose anymore time. He nominate Sigeric Bessas, son of the actual Justicar, to replace him as leader of the Second Gepid Mercenary Force. He then call the generals to assemble their garrison and follow him to Rome. Many volunteers join the army, hoping to defend Christianity against the Goths. As requested by his office, Hermenigild Valomer will lead his forces to battle. He also send letter to both Peter I and Leo III, assuring them he will send them their mercenary forces, and that he will not seek new lands for his Republic. Knowing the mercenary forces will join the Frankish and Byzantine armies in time, he walk toward Rome with a slow pace, putting down any revolt or opposition in occupied territories on his way there.

The First Gepid Mercenary Force, lead by Vithimiris Aric, has already joined with the Byzantines, and decided to stay in their southern Italian territories in order to keep them from falling to ennemies. On their side, the Second Gepid Mercenary Force, lead by Sigeric Bessas, finally join the Franks. Their high spirit and their desire to fight may be what the frankish troops needed.

In the capital of Buteridava, masses of people go to the Saint Iakonos Cathedral, praying for the victory of their Consul in the war. Many see in this war the final test for the Gepid Republic, which claimed since his founding to be the heir of the Roman Republic. Now that the Roman Senate is over, it is finally time to see if Elemund Aric war right when he said “I, heir of Rome, son of Gepid “. Khazar Khaganate: We build up fortifications to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We also begin raiding in the Caspian sea and the Caliphate territories to rally our people too. We will continue to dish out dromons to keep control of the Caspian sea and to destroy ports our enemies may have. We tell the Karluks to launch an offensive against the Rus with the help of our army to knock out the Rus. We will send people all across our former lands and Karluk lands by stating "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” We will use the “fire that never dies” against the opposing forces through ships and catapults to launch fear into our enemies and boost morale for our own troops. With the Rus inside the Karakum desert and in foreign land, we take advantage of that fact by laying ambushes and scorched earth policy. This is demoralized to Rus forces. With footholds across the Caspian, we begin supplying and rallying support in our former territories, slowly but steadily advancing into their lands. We also send envoys to the Byzantine empire to help us out in our fight for christendom.
 * Khazar: We request help against the Rus.
 * Gepid: The War against the Gothic Empire take too much ressource to strech our army on two sides. At the very best, if you could secure us a path, we could send a mercenary force (just like we did with the Byzantines and Franks). However, we will not send another mercenary force if no secure path can be find to your lands. And the mercenary force will be smaller than the ones fighting in Europe. This is the best offer we have right now.

Lombardy-Gotland: The aging Þórbjörn watches these events with interest from his detached position on Gotland. Just five years ago, it seemed as if the dream of a Lombard Kingdom had been reduced to ashes. Now, however...

Now, backstabbings and invasions have thrown mainland Europe into turmoil. Þórbjörn has command of a large, fervently loyal army untouched by the plague. He has the resources of Gotland, and the vast Lombard treasury at his command. He has people on the mainland still dreaming of an ascendant Lombardy. At this moment, he has the resources for Empire layed out before him. The question is whether to act. If he stays on the island, his kingdom is guaranteed to survive for centuries. The walls of Gotland are unbreachable, even by the mighty Danes, and he had=s friends and family in the area. To embark for Pomerania would be to risk everything. To embark would restore Lombardy. He reaches for a pen...

The icy waters of the Baltic swirled around of the prow of the lead ship, Edstaðelinged; "the Restorer". Behind it sailed five separate groups of narrow-beamed Gutish ships, crowded from prow to stern with warriors, and lined with shields; normally brightly-painted, these were covered with sackcloth to preserve the secrecy of their mission. The air aboard the ships was pervaded with a palpable tenseness, which was only increased by the hoarse cry of the lead navigator as he sighted land. The warriors prepared themselves, shouldering their shields, donning their helmets, and unhooking their axes. Edstaðelinged bumped against the shore, and its warriors leapt out of the boat, splashing through the shallow water and vanishing into the dense fog. They were followed immediately by the next two boats, and six minutes later, all the warriors were ashore, engulfed in an eerie, muted silence. Wuldann, the king's oldest son and leader of the expedition, signaled to his two lieutenants, and began jogging south, followed by his small army of around two-thousand. His father had given him specific orders to ignore the Slavic traitors and, while he didn't like them, he knew that he had to obey them. A few days later he had crossed over the border into Frankish-occupied territory. His army melted away into a thick forest, to be led to the outskirts of the ruined Lombard capital by some local guides. Wuldann himself took his finest warrior with him to the walls of the local Frankish garrison. The two camped in a nearby stand of trees until nightfall, then slung their equipment over their back and scaled the outer, rough-hewn fortress walls. Once inside, they made their way to the backdoor of the main administrative center, which Wuldann opened with some deft maneuvering of his knife. They crept through the short hallway to the room of the base commander. While the warrior stood watch at the doorway, Wuldann approached his bed, hauled him up by his nightshirt, and hissed into his ear "Take me to the king! Take me to him or your life is forfeit!"

A week later, Wuldann was inside Paris, and had his requested audience with King Peter. With little regard for pleasantries, he thrust a document at the monarch:

Lombardy-Gotland (Diplomacy, Secret to all but the Franks ): To the esteemed King Peter of the Franks, may you live in happiness and wealth for the rest of your days. While I recognize that our two nations have had our differences, namely those involving your invasion of Saxony at the prompting of the Goths, I recognize that those times are over, and that you answer to the Goths no more. As one monarch to another, I implore you to put aside your unreasonable hatred for the Lombards, and make peace with our nation. With my son I have sent a force of 2000 of our finest warriors, and alongside them are several thousand Waepanbora, fine mounted warriors that have been hidden among the population of Saxony. All that I require is for you to return Lombardy and free all of the Lombards who have been living in oppression since the beginning of the great war in my grandfather's time. In exchange for that concession, the warriors stationed within your territory will march on Gothic territory. Each one has sworn a beaducáþ, a death-oath, and will not return home outside of a coffin until the war is won. In addition to this, I will allow your navy free basing rights in all Lombard ports to aid them in prosecuting their war against the demonic Goths.

I feel obligated to warn you, however, what will happen if you do not accept my offer. The warriors will stay undercover, raiding Frankish supply caravans, and assassinating your leaders. If this message has reached you, then my son has already proved what a trained Lombard can do if he's desperate. First, then, your conquered territories would lose their infrastructure, logistical network and leadership, and quickly collapse into a starving turmoil. Meanwhile, those very same troops would be at work training the hundreds of thousands of loyalist Lombards still living in the territory. Within a year, the province would be in open revolt, and you wouldn't be able to stop it. Any attempt to put down the revolt would involve you pulling troops away from the Gothic front, meaning that you'd lose the territorial integrity of the entire south of your kingdom. My men know the land like the back of their hands, as do any potential recruits. Meanwhile, Lombard pirates would make sure that maritime trade became a wistful memory for your traders, as every ship that ventured out from a harbor would be destroyed by the vastly superior Gutish navy.

As you are an educated man, I trust that you have heard the story of Spartacus. The consequences of your refusal would be very much like Spartacus' war on Rome, except that the Franks aren't Rome, my army is no gladiatorial rabble, and you, I trust, are no Pompey. I am giving you a way out of the anarchy and invasion your entire kingdom could fall into if you refuse. I am ready, however, to retake Lombardy by force, and in the process destabilize all of Francia. Give me Lombardy, Peter, or your children's children's children will curse your name. Give me my land back.

-Lord Þórbjörn the Great of the Thorrblessed Hróaldr clan, first of the name, and, hopefully, your friend.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A detachment of royal cavalry, wrapped in bright red cloaks, and carrying gold-encrusted lances, gallops into the Gepid capital. When they arrive at the consul's court, the lead one drops to his knee and delivers this message:

Lombardy-Gotland (Diplomacy, Secret to all but the Gepids ):' To my friend and brother ruler Hermenigild Valomer, greetings. To preface this, I would like to remind you of the decades in which our two nations enjoyed each-other's solidarity as ally nations, and the massive amount of money made by Gepid traders and the Gepid government in the trade Lombardy allowed to pass between the Baltic and the Gepid border. We have been companions in the world scene for over a century, and I hope that this message will not spell the end of those good relations.

I would like to call to your attention the stretch of land to your north which is now owned by the Rus' Principality. If you were to invade that land, not only would you be attacking an ally of the accursed Goths, but it would give you a chance to expand your own territory. The land there is freshly-conquered and, while it integrated with the Rus' fairly well, we still control several resistance cells in the area that can be called upon to drastically destabilize the region in the event of a Gepid invasion, opening up the territory to easy occupation. Furthermore, it would give you an opportunity to capture the fantastically rich trading ports in the Ukraine and the Crimea, quite possibly making your nation one of the richest in the world. A combined attack between you and the Franks would catch the Rus' unprepared. Your armies are likely equal in side as, despite they are vastly larger than you, most of their territory is populated largely by reindeer.

If you were to go through with the invasion, I will pledge my support in the north. Lombard longships would sweep out from Gotland and blockade the Rus' ports. I am sending a request for cooperation with the Danes, and together we would attack into northern Rus' territory and conquer Novgorod itself. Such a three-pronged invasion undertaken by four immensely powerful nations could not fail to be victorious, and every nation involved would reap riches beyond their wildest dreams.

All I ask is that you remember this letter in your coming meetings with the rulers of the European nations.

-King Þórbjörn of the Hróaldr clan, first of the name.

Gepid Diplomacy (Secret except for Gotland): Like we answered to the Khazar Khaganate, we are in no state to launch a new war against the Rus, especially since our troops are now walking toward Italy. The Senate chose me to lead force against the Gothic, not the Rus. More than that, House Bessas and their bunch of religious fanatics have control of the Senate right now, and will never let me help pagans in those times of religious fanaticism.

We plan of talking of the Rus to the rest of the Christianity during the Council planed after the return of Pope John Francis II in Rome, as they are pagans. I will try to preach a holy war to support our christian brothers of the Khazar Khaganate there, but it will not be doable until th end of the war against the Goths. It would make things easier for me if you would allow christian missionaries into your lands, as a sign of good will to the Pope. I won't push it to the point of asking you to convert however, but should you be interest I would gladly be your godfather.

However, should you declare war without us, we would gladly send you supplies and weapons through the Frankish Realm. We may also use the occasion to send missionaries into rus territory. But whatever is your answer, I am not in any position to make any direct military move against them.

-Hermenigild Valomer, 14th Consul of the Gepid Republic

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A Gutish ship leaves the north of Gotland. it is covered in pitch and black felt, and travels only during the night. Landing at the Danish capital, a messenger disembarks and carries a messenger to the Danish king.

Lombardy-Gotland (Diplomacy, Secret to all but the Danes ): Dear Wallfrad, legendary king of the Danes, and brother-ruler:

I would like to propose a treaty of sorts to you. While hostilities have occurred between our people in the past, I believe that it is time for them to cease. It is clear that you cannot conquer Gotland, and my navy isn't powerful enough to reconquer any of the islands you... obtained from us, so there is no point in more lives being lost for a pointless cause.

Instead, if it would please you to direct your attention to the east of your kingdom, you will notice the vast swathes of Rus' territory lying almost completely undefended. If you agree to aid us in this, we can work together to invade and conquer those heathen demon-worshippers. I have already approached the Gepids about an invasion of Rus' territory, and I have reason to believe that Francia might join us in this. An invasion that large would be almost guaranteed to succeed, and put an end to the hegemony of the evil Rus'. Every participatory nation would gain tremendously from it; for instance you would be able to annex Novgorod, and supplant every other nation to become the trade capital of the north.

-King Þórbjörn of the Hróaldr clan, first of the name.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Þórbjörn contacts the resistance in Saxony, and informs them and the Waepanbora training them to prepare for a potential Frankish refusal. On Gotland, he calls up some of his old wartime comrades, all members of the once-great Royal Archer Corp, and has them begin training a new generation in the art of the warbow.

The Royal palace is extended to the north, with its own windmill and extended stables. Construction begins for a massive pewter statue of Þórbjörn to be placed behind his throne, and moved into its own alcove in the main hall once he dies. A paid, professional militia begins patrolling the north-south highway, doing their best to keep it clear of brigands. Each militia division has several riders with them, which can inform nearby cities of a potential full-scale invasion, and each group is trained to work as a cog in the trans-Gotland logistics network, with their own stashes of extra saddles, spurs, carts, dried rations, wine barrels, and weapons. In the invent of enemy securing any part of Gotland, the local militia would go undercover, and work to relay communications back-and-forth between the resistance and the central government, while also supplying any allies that would need it.

The first stones are laid for a massive fortress overlooking the south of the island. By this point, Gotland is likely the most densely developed area of its size on the planet, as waves of immigration, and a government money-chest swelled from the long-dried-up Amber Road, have prompted a wave of construction of unbelievable proportions across the island.

Hearing about the chaos in Byzantium, Þórbjörn, remembering the great services Greek architects and wise-men have brought him, announces that he will give shelter to any Greek who requests it. To further this, he has those very-same Greek architects begin work on the λευήπoληkόn (Leuipolikon/Lefipolikon), or "White city", so called because of the large amount of limestone used in the construction of it. While it is less a city, and more a few small apartment buildings clustered in the middle of some fallow fields, the name catches-on among the local Greek population, and it is hoped that it will entice refugees from the Balkans.

The king also makes a declaration that he will provide aid and living space for any Jew who needs it. While he knows little of the Jews, he has heard of their mercantile prowess, and their willingness to follow laws. The deciding factor in accepting them in, of course, is that they seem to be looked-down upon by the Gothic Aryans. They are given a district near the λευήπoληkόn, since, he assumes, a higher percentage of them would speak Greek than the local Germanic dialect.

Extract from Fér Ande Andetnes, a Gutish folk poem written around 950:

They came upon the mainland, the greatest warriors of the country.

They travelled in secrecy, guided by the raven of the hallowed Odin.

In brightly-colored cloths they marched, death-bound to reclaim lost glory.

Módnessa síþfæt de Esangel | Ieldest waeþannes en ell land,

Ness don díegol | deteág swatz-vedenfa Wodennes,

En híwennes vaste þessa voten | hærdéaþa e edstat ande andetnes.

Egypt: Seeing no real need to call ourselves "True" we are simply now Egypt. Alexander XV sees his chance to reclaim Cairo and launches an assault with the Egyptian infantry. The wings of the assault are brought up by the rapid Egyptian chariot archers who are trained to hit among targets from a moving vehicle. Neferiti continues to sing her music in Vermundia hoping to gain sympathy from the locals.

Uyghur Khaganate: Some of the military continues to stand guard of the Uyghur caravans that travel close to the borders with the Stong and Ldong. Meanwhile, Buddhism sees a rise in popularity and followers and several Buddhist temples are being built in parts of the nation. In light of anger and low morale amongst those who suffered a naval defeat, Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl decides to have the remaining forces withdraw from the war against Japan; and apologises to the Chu Dynasty for not being able to stay in the war and hopes that he can repay the Chu Dynasty some other way.

The Frankish Kingdom: Launches counterattacks upon the Jutes, with the goal of driving them out of the British Isle, and several troops move to defeat the Jutes invading the Frankish kingdom. As the push on Rome continues, King Peter I instructs his most trusted minister, Louis Allard, to work on improving relations with the Celts, stating that while they are pagans, they are pagans who have fought with valour, and thus, deserve the respect of the Franks. The Queen is herself a Celt. Thus, a proposal is made that Christian Missionaries be allowed in the Celtic lands, to spread the word of Christ, but they will have to respect the ways of the Celts. The war with the Goths goes well, but the king stills feels sadness over his father, and how he should have be able to seen his grand children more. As the navy and army prove capable of fighting on even ground with the Goths, Frankish influence begins to spread. However, King Peter I plans to begin an age of peace once the war ends, as he has grown tried of it. With the emergence of new neighbours, but feel forced go to war with Portugal, and continue the assault on Italy, to bring the Pope to Rome. Fearful of what a new Lombard nation could do, we send 50,000 men into Gothic Lombardy to prevent it's rise to power. As the military is over 300,000 men strong, the king reviews how many men are committed to each front. 70,000 men are fighting in Portugal, 100,000 men are pushing into Italy, 90,000 Anglo-Saxons are fighting in Britain, 50,000 men are pushing into Jutland and 50,000 are attacking Lombardy. King Peter I declares this war to be the '''Gothic War. '''The navy, which is now 200 ships strong, sets sail for Jutland and the Mediterranean, with the goal of cutting the Jutes off from Britain, and taking several Gothic islands. We ask for an alliance with the Danes, if they agree to accept christian missionaries. Having been given a letter from the Lombards, the King decides that action shall now be taken against them, to put a stop to their silly ambitions, and restore peace to Europe. Thus, a massive resistance action begins to find the key members of the Lombards, and to prevent an uprising. With the kidnapping of the Pope by the Umbra-Goths, and reports that he is a captive of the Queen, Sire Alein de Par of the Order of the Grail is assigned his rescue, and is given permission to lead the Order of the Grail's knights on a crusade to save him.

Chu Dynasty (former Silla): '''Emperor Jaewon decides to build new settlements in Southern Manchuria, with some new settlements having more than 50,000 people each. '''They connect trade routes from Northern Manchuria to the Korean peninsula. The Seorabeol Capital Region reaches a population of above a million people, as well as Sabi and Pyongyang. The rapidly urbanising population causes the population growth rate to drop to 0.4% annually, but increases in life expectancy balance the effects of lower fertility rate. The population of the Chu dynasty proper (all of the Chu dynasty apart from its occupied territories in Japan) reaches 19.7 million, and with the introduction of more advance agricultural technology in occupied Japan, its population grows rapidly, reaching pre-war levels with nearly three million.

'''We continue to our mass production of the weaponised firework-firing cannons and use them against the Japanese. '''We begin to shift our tactics to ensure quick, guaranteed victory against the Japanese. First, we starve the Japanese navy by taking the coastal areas, then we attack from all directions (from North and South Honshu via land, from Mideast Honshu, crossing the Sea of Japan, and Midwest Honshu via the island of Shikoku across the West Pacific ocean). We colonise more of the islands leading up to Taiwan and plan its future invasion, which is expected to be quick due to its low population density, and the lack of supplies from mainland Japan. We keep our forces well supplied by securing supply routes to Korean troops in Japan. With the lack of Japanese presence in Hokkaido and areas near to Manchuria, we deploy a total of 300,000 troops (60% of the total troops) into Japan. We expect a quick victory due to our carefully thought tactics and large troop nuber.

We begin to force the mandatory teaching of the Korean language as the lingua franca in occupied areas, though since we promote multiculturalism, we still allow the Japanese language to be spoken. We destroy the belief of Japanese racial superiority, instead teaching them that they are equal to other races. The statue of the woman representing Japan in the “Unification Statues” is rebuilt. '''The captured members of the Japanese government are executed and are referred to as “the demonic beings that had planned the destruction of the known world”. '''The Japanese commoners are being slowly accepted by other peoples, and most of the warcrimes that country had done is now blamed on the government and its elite. '''Many Japanese able-bodied men are enlisted in the “Japan Liberation Army”, which aims to “free” Japan from the former government. A group of soldiers attempt to assassinate the Emperor of Japan. '''We propose the renaming of Japan (natively known as Nihon) to “Wa”, the oldest known name to refer to Japan.

Emperor Jaewon scraps all previous plans to divide Japan. Instead, they will control Japan as an Autonomous Province, while Taiwan will be either ceded partially to Liang China or will be under Korean rule as a directly-controlled province. Jaewon prefers the second option due to Taiwan's strategic location in the middle of East Asia and its nearer location to Southeast Asia.

Zanzibar Sultanate: We think the Caliphate can buy some gold from our territory, which means the miners found some of it and still continuing to mine again. Meanwhile, we develop some basic weapons like spears, shields, etc. - in order to give troops more defence during the war. Also based on economy, it turns out that it went pretty well.

Lombard (Diplomacy, Secret to all except the Gepids ): We thank you for your cooperation, and wish you luck in your invasion of Italy.

We will consider opening Gotland to Christian missionaries, but our people would understandably be wary of this, as they have not had good experiences with missionaries, or indeed any Christians, in the past. For the moment, we will allow priests into the Greek district to minister to the immigrant population, but their visitation rights will be cancelled the moment one of them leaves the borders of the district without explicit governmental permission, at least partially for their safety (a lynch mob forming up to kill stray missionaries wouldn't be that unlikely in this day and age). Please tell your priests not to abuse their privilege.

We will contact you if we do enter into a war against the Rus'. At the moment, that is undecided.

Hálette Heirmoningald der géarcyning!

-King Þórbjörn of the Hróaldr clan, first of the name.

((Turn has been delayed until Tuesday due to site maintenance.))

Chu dynasty (OOC): What site maintenance? Is it why there isn't as much people as usual, or is it just because it's monday? By the way, it's already Tuesday on UTC time.

The Celtic League: So much happening in such little time I haven’t been this excited since I became king. I am so enticed to join the battle that it almost physically hurt to know that I can’t at this moment. First I must attend to the Pictish and make them an Offer they can’t refuse.

“Hello Pictish Coalition, I King Ankou Eversnow, would like to address you for an invitation to assist us in a war. If you fight alongside us and aid us in our plans it should fare well for you. I have plans to take a poll in your nation. If the majority is for it you will become an independent nation. This will of course take place after the war is over.

I understand the tension between you and the Frankish are growing. And to resolve any confrontation before this happens I conclude the only way to keep you two from going to war, is to go to war with someone else.

You are a small nation but you have well trained men, because of this I have planned tactics for you accordingly. Your main focus will be on protection the British Isles, but you will also be assisting us in the invasion of the Jutish mainland. Send us word if you accept, because I will only allow you to be freed if you aid me in this war.

If you refuse to enter this war no harm will come to you, if you do however attack the franks expect my forces to be redirected to your nation.

~Your King Ankou Eversnow”
 * The Government unanimosly agrees to this offer

My spies return from the Goths just in time to avoid being attacked or killed in the war. So do all the other spies I sent out. Using their combined knowledge we managed to create an armor that impersonates a lizard or a fish. Its called scale armor, and offers more protection that our current leather armor. It's made from leather but for whatever reason works better than the tradition leather pads. (Military improve)

I send word to the Frankish about our attack plans on the Goths (I believe that would mean its a secret unless they have spies)

“Hello Frankish Officials. I, King Ankou Eversnow, send you this letter on behalf of the war with the Goths. I have some tactics that should lead to the quick downfall of the Goths. My ships with raid and capture the outer coast. This would mean that they would have to send their soldiers from the inner lands to reinforce their fallen towns. This is where you come in. If you attack them in a front along the inner lands we should be able to cut off reinforcements from arriving ever. And once we have fully secured the coast we the Celts can move inland and we will have them caught in the middle fighting a war on two fronts.

If you or some of your allies want to help us secure the coast you can send some of your men along the shores to reinforce towns that we have captured. Be sure they fly the Frankish flag alongside theirs or my men will see them as an enemy. This is our battle strategy and if you care to aid our plan please send word.

~King Ankou Eversnow”

After that I know I have to address my people about the Frankish and the whispers that after the Goths fall that they will turn their weapons on us. I send this letter to each of my officials who are on separate islands or different landmasses.

“Hello my all Celts. I, your King Ankou Eversnow, send this letter to ease your minds about the Frankish and their war with the Goths. Even though this war between them started from a religious dispute, I can assure you that this will not happen to us. Our Princess Kassidy Eversnow is there as we speak, my very own sister! She has practiced our religion for years, and still does. Plus we do not force our people to be any religion. The Celts are proud to be a place where religion may be practiced freely. If anything happens between us and the Frankish it will be them asking to make a few Churches to spread their religion.

I hope this has eased all your minds.

~ King Ankou Eversnow”

Religion has never been something that I have been able to believe. In the end it always turns into whose god is better, and then bloodshed. But the very gods they were fighting for never lifted a finger to help. It was the soldiers who fought and died that won that battle. But of course I could never let my people know of this. For as soon as they found out I am an ungodly man they would start speculating. I can imagine the things they would say, “Satan worshiper, Witch…” They would even ask, “Where is his moral Barometer? If he has no god how does he think righteously?” heathens... Every last one of them.

As I pondered certain things about the war I figured before I went off that I should find a wife to marry. To make sure my blood line stays on the throne even if I die. I send word to the Goths, the Pictish and the Franks.

“I wish to marry, as all of you have proven to be my allies at one time or another I figure this will help concrete one of our relationships. If you would send one of each of your finest noble women for me to chose whom I want to marry.

~Thank you, King Ankou Eversnow”
 * The General sends a beloved noblewoman from the north of the Pictish Coalition called Olivia Arkentosh to the celts as a gift escorted by 100 men to make sure no one attacks her.

With all the political issues underway I decided that I am going to lead the defense in Wales. This should be a huge moral booster for my men. And this way i may be able to persuade the Picts personally.

(Secret Celtic Battle Strategy: Exception Pictish)To start my attack in the war I send my coastal raiders to the coast of the remaining Gothic lands. They strike quick, raid, capture, set up a perimeter, leave, rinse and repeat. After each place is captured and Secured I make sure to command my troops to leave at least 75 soldiers in each town to await reinforcements and leave at least two fishing boat afloat in order that they have an escape in case of Gothic reinforcements.

 I send the entire fleet from The Cornwall and The Erie, leaving only the ships and soldiers in Wales(Incase the Jutes manage to completely break though the Frankish line), to do this until we have captured as much of the coast as possible. I order the soldiers to take note of who they capture. If a nobleman or high lady is captured she is to be sent straight to the Erie, and no harm is to come to them.

 As for the Problematic Jutes I send all my ships from Iceland to the Jutes mainland in order to distract from the Main conflict in Europe. I leave 5 ships each of the traveling fleet (That means the fleet traveling from Iceland) on each of the islands above the Pictish. (This should leave about 15 Warships on each island because of the ten that were already stationed there) This is incase the Jutes do a full attack on the Frankish in the British Isles that I can attack them on three different fronts. I will be able to use my men in Wales to attack the Jutes from the West, my Ships I have left on my two Islands to attack from the East, and The Pictish to attack from the north.

This also opens up an opportunity if they leave themselves so vulnerable as to do a full attack on the British Isles. That my men I have sent from Iceland can then fully invade the Jutish mainlands.

King Peter I agrees with the Celtic plan of attack. He also send a fair Frankish noblewoman, Aceline of the House of Lorraine, as a bride for king Ankou.

The Visigoths: It would seem that peace is in truth the minority, while wartime is what the perceptions of the real world are based upon; Nations do not “go to war”, they “go to peace”, for peace is but a bitter-sweet break to the fighting that clouts daily life. And now as it would seem, one of the last few choices left for the Visigothic people is to take this road less traveled and instead of searching for a way to ‘win the war’,  they would start their search for a way to make peace.

To prevent the entanglement of alliances, Sventhila orders that the Visigoths leave the High Council of the Mediterranean, claiming it be run by “a bunch of uncivilized traitors”.

Despite Celtic declaration of war, Sventhila Lousean still holds the nation in high regard, often times reading and re-reading Queen Ygritte’s letters to her father, even attempting to emulate her handwriting and vocabulary. She watches from the ports, expecting the Celtic invaders to land any day now, her broad Celtic dagger clenched tightly in her hands. She would fulfill on her promise. She would destroy them with the very weapon they had provided to her.

The Vangothic navy is ordered to hold the strait of Gibraltar at all costs. Lead by the newly dubbed Admiral, Amoret Beremud, the Gothic navy arms its ballistas and readies boarding teams atop their quickest boats the Jack-Rabbits and the Peregrines. It is planned to fire harpoons into the sides of enemy ships and to reel them in closer for boarding parties to take quick advantage of the struggling vessel. Amidst the battle, several teams have been assumed to simple survey the waters and attempt to rescue anyone injured or thrown overboard, be them Frankish or Gothic alike. The Franks are hoped to be mostly taken prisoner, and as such, teams are ordered to coerce surrender if at all possible.

Captured religious icon, Pope John Francis II, is placed in a renovated cell within the dungeon of Castle Lucien, but rumors are spread that he is really being kept with Gothic ‘allies’ in Portugal. He is to be treated like royalty, having his every desire satisfied and his every need fulfilled. Sventhila visits with him nightly to debate religion and other controversial topics, hoping to learn more about Franko-Christian culture and their values. Of course, the Franks do not know of Pope John’s fair and equitable treatment, and as such, are expected to assume the worst.

A raven is sent into France with a message for the king and a pamphlet translated into Franconian expressing this messages necessity to reach King Peter I in a timely manner. The message requests a so called “meeting of the minds”, in which the many great leaders may parlay in Gothic territory on peaceful in terms in order to discuss the turmoil that Europe has been thrust into as well as other frightful matters of immediate importance. The Goths promise to return Pope John Francis II to Paris completely unharmed on the condition that this council is agreed to. If this is denied however, the Visigoths will not hesitate to humanely execute Pope John Francis on the spot. This Council of Legends would require an immense amount of co-operation and as such, the Goths urge each nation involved to inform their allies should they not already have received word.

 A similar message to the one above is sent to the five Gepid senators, Jarl Bodil Abelone II of Jutland, Ankou Eversnow of the Celts, Byzantium’s Emperor Leo III, and Harric Chindaswintha III of the Novus Romans.

 Confirmation of Attendance:   To prevent invaders having ease of access, all roads leading into Gothic territory from the outside are blocked off and littered with large pitfall traps. National guardsmen receive extra monetary incentives to patrol border roads as they are clearly at more risk than those deep within the security of Hispania.
 * Gepids -
 * Celts - Keaghan Eversnow will attend if the Franks agree to attend as well.
 * Byzantium - Pesco 27
 * Novus Romans -
 * Jutes -
 * Franks -
 * Visigoths - Sventhila Lousean
 * Persian Free State - The Epic Dragon (sorry, I haven't posted yet)

Hoping for a more self sufficient kingdom, a road system is planned for construction, going under the name of the “Trade-City Road Complex” (TCRC). This road complex is planned to connect Valladolid, Toulouse, Murcia, Suebia, Vasconia and Andalusia at a common intersection in the site of former regional kingpen Madrid. Being the first region to become downgraded to the title of city, Madrid is an inspiration for several other large regions with strong spatial density differentiations. Toulouse, being the capital of the empire, becomes it’s own “city-region” in which it has all the privileges of both a city and a region as well as being able to operate outside of the regional laws of Catalonia.

Attention shifts to the Roman front, Lord Commander of the Umbra-Gotha, Alexander Salvioli, devises a plan to defeat the outnumbering Christian crusaders and as such, requires all of his soldiers to swear a blood oath of silence and secrecy, binding them tighter than even the strict rules of the Umbra-Gothan guilds.

Under the guise of shadows, the Umbra-Gotha creep out into the night, vacating Rome and allowing scouts to spread rumors of a Gothic retreat. The Umbra-Gotha however, have not in actually retreated, but instead are hiding in the ashen ruins of the territory surrounding Rome. Entire legions of soldiers coats themselves in ash and soot and lay in wait in the burned out buildings, weapons held at the ready to jump out in the open and ambush the flank of any military force expecting to reach Rome.

An additional ten legions of soldiers are led by General Beremud and the Lazarites across the Mediterranean and hope to make amphibious landings in Rome. Once in Rome, the troops are to garrison themselves in guard towers, laying out in completely silent secrecy, waiting for Commander Salvioli’s messager to give the signal that the ambush has begun. Once the offensive of Christian crusaders is distracted, the Lazarites will begin setting up an encirclement of Frankish forces, allowing just their silhouettes to be seen on the horizon, making them appear as a much bigger and ferocious military force, as to strike fear into the hearts of the enemy, discouraging resistance and promoting surrender.

Word is received of the Khazars using “The fire that never dies” against the Rus’ and the Goths see the name as a fitting symbol of the state of Goths. Their fire ever burning, never to be stamped out by the treacherous betrayals that plague their entire history .Although the general recipe is already understood due to Gothic occupation of Rome, spies are sent to infiltrate constantinople and bring back extra information, perhaps to refine their technique and allow a honing of their alchemical skills. This devastatingly effective agent of war is to be employed along the waters on the coasts of Vasconia and Galicia, with archers standing at the ready to fire a volley of flaming arrows into the invading ships, igniting them and hopefully defeating an invasion before it can even begin.

A letter finally arrives from Salvioli on the Roman front line to Sventhila. He professes his love for her and likens it to a war.

"Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus,

Militat omnis amans, et habet sua castra Cupido:  Sventhila, crede mihi, militat omnis amans.

''sic erit; haeserunt tenues in corde sagittae, ''et possessa ferus pectora versat Amor. Cedimus, an subitum luctando accendimus ignem? no cedamus! leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus. 

Amo, Alexander"

"You let us live, my Sventhila, and we shall love,

Every lover wages a war, even Cupid has his own campaign Believe me this,Sventhila, every lover wages a war.

Thus it will be; slender arrows are lodged in my heart, and Love vexes the chest that it has seized Shall I surrender or stir up the sudden flame by fighting it? I will not surrender! - a burden becomes lessened when it is carried with intention.

Love, Alexander"

The rumors of Novus Carthage being run by a descendant of Lucien prompts great intrigue with Sventhila Lousean, being also of direct descendance from the once great leader. In turn, Sventhila travels to meet with Recimi Avagis and hopes to reunite with family long ago separated. ~King Ankou Eversnow
 * King Peter I is interested in such a meeting, but states that as long as the Umbra-Goths and other Gothic forces are in Rome, it will not happen. Killing the Pope will also result in his clear martyrdom, and this will not be taken will. The Visgoths must reconsider the threat.
 * The Visigoths send Pope John Francis II to the Roman front line under the guise of a Visigothic soldier, word of the Pope being forced to fight on the front light is rapidly spread to the Franks. Other front line soldiers are taught to speak Franconian and impersonate the Pope, making impossible to recognize him on the battlefield. He will be pulled out ONLY if the Franks agree to the Council of Legends.
 * Visigoth OOC: The Franks are supposed to be under the impression that the Goths have retreated. As I feigned retreat.
 * Celtic League: I, King Ankou Eversnow, have taken notice to one of your finest female warriors. Legate Ricca is one of the names I keep hearing from my men on the field. They tell of her beauty, her passion, and her ferocity. I would very much like to meet this woman, and if it comes to it I would like to take her hand in marriage. Of course this would be her decision to accept it or decline. But I figured it would be better that she live on now, than to die in a lost war.
 * The Visigoths are sure that Legate Ricca will accept, and gives her charter for visitation of Celtic territory during ceasefire.

The Pictish Republic: We close down monasteries and direct all our money to the military. We officially declare war on the Jutes and so by extension on the goths.

Gepid Diplomacy: Consul Hermenigild Valomer is in favor of continuing the war, and both the Justicar and the Senate want Rome in the hands of the Pope, and believe that the Visigoths are bluffing. The Consul also point out that killing the pope would only spark christian rebellions in gothic kingdoms. Herminigild was elected to reclaim Rome for the Pope, and this is exactly what is gonna happen.

The Byzantine Empire: The Byzantine Empire would like to be at peace with all the European countries. The Byzantine Empire is improving its economy by opening new train routes to the Red Sea and it is improving the cargo-ships. The new cargo-ships of Byzantium are faster, more resistant to storms and pirates attacks. The Byzantine Empire forces every woman and man that are in the 18-50 age boundary to join the army for 12 months, the best 40% will be forced to stay in the army after the 1-year training.

OOC: Hello I am new here, this is my first map game and I am not sure of a few things. Is there an algorithm for war, army, economy... if yes where can I find them? Am I at war against anyone now?

thanks

((MOD RESPONSE)): Okay, so, I would seriously recommend at-least skimming 500 -730, maybe even just Ctrl+F and type Byzant (or Bytzan as the Persians call it) to see every-time it was mentioned. I'll give you some basic info first to help you get acclimated; There is no algorithms, it is more of an oligarchical structure with some use of RNG in order to determine results. Things are much more free form here, ie; less of a game, more of a story. Some info on the Byzanintes right now: They are recovering from a devastating plague and numerous conquests and rebellions. The empire finds stability under Emperor Leo III (Real guy, different circumstances) who then lead the nation to war of the Gothic Empire (The unified Gothic nation made up of the Ostrogoths,Visigoths,Vasconia,Suebia, and Alemannia) effectively prompting a Christian crusade against the Arian goths that would lead in the ultiamte downfall of the Gothic empire. So now, Byzantium is in a war allied with the Franks against the Visigoths and the Novus Romans (The Ostrogothic republic modeled after ancient Rome and largely under the control of Harric Chindaswintha III). Oh, and the Caliphate is threatening you to give them lands. That's pretty much it.

The Pictish Republic (secret, exception: Franks, Celts,Basically everyone who's in a war against the goths):We train our troops to the hardest and do an emergency enlistment for war with mandatory recruitment for all fit men in the armies. We manufacture the best millitary equipment and defend the british Isles. We ask for millitary access through the Franks and Celts to position our troops across all of the british Isles. We also call for a meeting between us, the franks and the celts about the british Isles and if we can get them and so help be more directly in the conflict called "The Meating of The british Isles". We also call "The Meating Of Gothic War" between all the members to discuss battle plans. We divert 5 entire legions to attack the Jutes and escort them by fleet.

Japan: We are officially surrendering to the Koreans on the condition that they may annex Japanese Hokkaido, but give back the rest of taken Japanese land.

Lombardy: Following the Frankish refusal of terms, the beaducáþes turn from the Gothic border and occupy the depopulated Lombard capital. They stay only a day though, gaining recruits among the local population, spreading the word of the Lombard return after 16 years, and resupplying. Afterwards they melt back into the dense Germanic forest, followed by 3,000 more recruits. Attacks on Frankish supply lines in the area begin soon after. Meanwhile, the Waepanboras collect the small, professional army that they've trained in Saxony, and march east towards northern Lombardy. Northern Lombardy was always more independent than the rest of the nation, as evinced by Alfarr's revolt, and they find thousands of willing recruits, and several Lombard and Anglo-Saxon warlords who have gone into hiding and are willing to finally strike back against their hated occupiers. They start by attacking Frankish supply depots. Most are defended only by a skeleton crew of untrained militia, and fall easily. Their supplies are carted off into the forest, and the buildings themselves are burned.

Meanwhile, along the main roads, traps are laid. Caravans passing along them are ambushed, villages have their populations conscripted, and are densely trapped. The Western Pomerania and Brandenburg regions are filled with shallow oil deposits, and, while oil itself is mostly used as a folk remedy, its flammability has been known for centuries. Oil is mixed with animal dung to form a disgusting slurry. Buckets of this are attached to springy saplings, and green-wood planks under high tension that are hidden near roads. When Frankish patrols are sighted travelling along major roads, local Waepanbora-trained militia rush to their places. When the soldiers begin passing by their positions, they light the mixture with torches, and cut the ropes holding the makeshift catapults under tension. The flaming, oily dung is slung through the air and coats the Frankish soldiers. Those unarmored are burned alive, while those in armor are boiled in their suits, sometimes figuratively melting, depending on the heat of the flame. Any survivors who attempt to flee are hit in the flanks by a full-on heavy cavalry charge, courtesy of the Waepanbora. The charred corpses of the massacres are tied to stakes and posted at night outside of Frankish corpses, while their equipment is cleaned and used to outfit local resistance fighters.

In relatively loyalist towns (which are few, as every Lombard harbors some level of resentment towards the Franks for taking their freedom in a violent and unprovoked attack), the local blacksmiths are kidnapped and forced to work resistance workshops. These focus on turning out thick copper and iron wires, which are coiled to form springs. These springs are buried underneath the roads of major townships, which are abandoned. Heavy spikes are attached to the top of these springs, and are surrounded in a few cubic feet of dust. This entire assembly is blocked by wooden plank that's placed at an angle, prevented from sliding out of the way by an L-shaped wooden construction at its base, which is itself placed on a spring. To finish the trap off, the L-shaped piece of wood is topped with a paving stone, and the wooden plank covering the spike is itself covered in a conglomerate mixture of weak mortar and small pebbles. When a Frankish patrol to arrives to investigate the disappearance (or if information is fed to them that the village is rebelling), and one of them steps on the trapped paving stones, the L-shaped piece of wood drops out of the way, causing the wooden plank to slide out of the way, allowing the metal spike to shoot up, scattering pebbles and massive amounts of dust throughout the patrol. At this point, archers (usually hunters recruited by the resistance) begin firing at the soldiers from concealed positions. At this point the Frankish soldiers, unable to see where they are being fired from, and losing soldiers rapidly, either to bleeding from spike-inflicted wounds, or being shot with arrows, turn to flee, and run right into a massive cluster of caltrops scattered by the resistance. With their horses crippled, anyone who escapes the town can easily be hunted down by the mounted Waepanbora. Again, the corpses are stripped and their equipment sent to armed resistance cells.

The Gutish first fleet departs Gotland for the Straits of Jutland. It is hoped that the Jutes will be too preoccupied with the Danish naval struggle (which is fairly massive) and that they'll be able to get into the North Sea. If they do, they immediately start raiding Frankish shipping. Lombard ships have been developed and tested in the tempestuous waters of the Baltic and North Seas, and many Jutish and Danish shipbuilders live in Lombard territory, meaning that their ships, with the overlapping plank design are some of the best in the world, and most have a scorpion-style giant crossbow mounted on the raised stern deck, designed by a Greek engineer. Any bolts fired are wrapped in pitch and oil-soaked cloths and set alight, and a trained team of firers, mostly Greek, can fire roughly three bolts per minute.

((That last plan is actually less complicated than it seems.))

Lombardy (Diplomacy): The Lombards request entrance into the Meeting of the Gothic War, noting that they have been at war with the Goths much longer than the other nations involved, and may be able to provide quite a bit of info on their tactics, military organization, supply locations, and equipment.

Rus Principality: Prince Sviatoslav, the ruler, has spoken with members of the Prince Council this year and decided on several reforms. First off, it should be noted that the number of Rus' troops in Khazar territory is being lowered to 120,000 men for the time being, since the general staff has a new plan to completely pacify the Khazar lands on the western bank of the Caspian Sea (the Caucasus region).

In waging our campaign, '''we settle down in the northern Khazar lands that we already control and begin to fortify them, as well as mop up any remaining resistance there. This is to force the disorganized Khazar guerrillas to attack our forces in conventional warfare in order to destroy them.''' The northern Khazar lands, closest to the principality that have been cleared out of any potential threats, are being colonized by Rus' settlers as part of our Russification campaign of the conquered territory. Local Khazars are taught East Slavic language and are Russified. Meanwhile, those of our forces that are retreating back into the conquered lands that we will fortify burn everything as they leave and set fires to forests, in order to use scorched earth against the Khazars themselves. It is hoped we can starve them out and make them much weaker. Fortifications are being constructed in the northern Khazar lands that we occupy in preparation for their attacks.

'''The first of the reforms is the military command is organized into six military regions. The goal is to form a more efficient way of organizing the forces in the homeland and for administering logistics.''' They are as follows: Central Military District (180,000 men total), which covers the central regions of Russia, including Moscow, Novgorod, Tver, and others. There is the Southern Military District (220,000 men), which includes southern Russia and most of Ukraine. Then there is the Western Military District (200,000 men), which covers parts of Poland (liberated West Slav lands) and far western Ukraine. Then there is the Northern Military District (30,000 men), covering the northernmost Russian lands along the Arctic Coast, and the Eastern Military District (25,000 men), which includes the expanding Rus’ lands to the east of the Avar territories. Those numbers include both professionals and male conscripts currently serving their mandatory two-years.

The navy is divided into the Baltic Fleet (50 ships), Northern Fleet (50 ships), and Black Sea Fleet (150 ships).

Trade continues throughout the principality. Using some of the revenue, we begin upgrading the fortresses on our borders, expanding and fixing them. Meanwhile, expansion continues in the eastern territories of our settling, which include which include the lands of Khanty-Mansi, Sverdlovsk, Tyumen Oblasts. At the same time, infrastructure projects also continue across the country.

Persian Free State:We declare war on The Caliphate, hoping to reunite Persia under our rule. We offer an alliance to any other enemies of The Caliphate. We offer non-aggression pacts to anyone who wants them. We change our name to the Persian Republic. We attempt to upgrade our navy.

We would like to request an alliance with the Byzantine Empire, offering them some of the land. Chenla Queendom: Deeming that the Sultan Alak Brunei had learned enough of Chenlan culture and no longer seems to have a hostile attitude towards the Queendom is finally returned to his people. He is urged to join ASEAN as it would be beneficial for everyone in the region. Queen Jayavedi having had enough with the persecution of Buddhists, sends monetary aid to the Theocracy of Bengal. The Royal Navy also stations 60 percent of its forces on the west coasts of the mainland and Sumatra. Trade i also increased with all the members of ASEAN. The Royal SScout expand their intelligence networks and create a new sect in its Order called the Shadow Striders, a group of highly skilled spies. The RE continue the research for techniques of producing stronger metal alloys for the use in the military as pure iron is no longer sufficient. They also continue to improve the infrastructure of th Queendom. Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll, now at th age of 21,and no longer in Academy, begins to become a renowned master swordsman, as he wins melee after melee in the greatly esteemed War Games. The Royal Navy continues to build more ships and the RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and Cavalry Corps continue to recruit more men into the armed forces. The forces aiding the Chu Dynasty continue to do so hoping that the war will end soon.
 * Khazar: We are at war with the Caliphate so we accept the alliance.

'''((MOD: The turn will (again) be slightly delayed. It should only be a few minutes though, so don't bother picking up your pitchforks.))'''

735 C.E.
'''Can love truly sprout from hate? Can peace truly be birthed from war? Can smoke and ash coalesce to rebuild an empire? All questions without answers. All questions man wants to be answered.'''

The Persian Free-State invades Caliphate Persia and manages to capture land.

Japan and its territories falls to Chu rule as the Koreans’ technology is simply overwhelming to the Japanese people.The Japanese are surprisingly accepting of Chu rule, and the only real resistance comes from the Shoguns and Emishi of northern Japan, though the resistance is considerable, and the Emishi are well-versed in guerilla warfare.

The Ainu people spread north farther.

'''The Bruneians are grateful towards Chenla, and agree to participate in ASEAN. Tibet and the Gupta, however, are still skeptical.'''

The Rus’ use of scorched earth against the Khazars proves devastating and the Rus’s able to repel any attempts at invasion by Khazar soldiers.

The Rus’ fortification proves moderately effective, and their navy is badly damaged by the Khazars’ use of Greek Fire.

'''The Fire that Never Dies once again helped the Khazars gaining lands. However, Rus finally begin to create countertactics against this new weapon.'''

The acceptance of the Buddhist faith by the Uyghur Khagan and his nation pushed many displaced Buddhists from the south to immigrate, leading to an influx of population growth.

Frankish gains in Portugal are moderate, but the casualties for the unmilitarized Gothic people is astounding.

'''Ambush. A word every Frankish soldier loaths to hear, let alone folly his lips to speak it. But as these five years would prove, it would become one of the most spoken words in the Franconian lexicon.'''

The Lombardians successfully massacre the Franks with their clever traps and are able to secure a few villages, as well as the support of the people in them, to help them in them in their thrust for reclamation.

The Gepid detachment makes small gains in Southern Italy.

'''The Gothic Navalli-Ballista-Excusus are pushed back in Gibraltar initially, as their Captains find that it takes several sailors to reel in captured ships, and once the enemy’s light ships draw alongside the Gothic Excusus, they’re likely just to cut the rope, shoot the harpoon firing crew, and sail away. The Goths begin fighting back properly, though, when the Captains order the ropes removed from the harpoon ends, and fire them as proper ballistae. The Peregrines are withdrawn as the Celtic ships prove that they can almost match them in maneuverability, but otherwise the battle goes fairly well for the Goths. The Frankish navy, still mostly intact, soon withdraws to the Portuguese Coast.'''

'''Rome is a dying city. As the Frankish force approaches the city, the Umbra-Gotha spring their trap, obliterating almost a third of the Frankish army in five hours of the bloodiest fighting Italy has ever seen. As the Umbra-Gotha pull back, the Lazarites arrive. The Franks turn to face them, exposing their back to the Umbra-Gotha, who attack alongside a mob of Roman men who have turned out to join them. Ironically, however, these extra soldiers prove the Umbra-Gotha’s doom, as they disrupt their formation, and allow their encirclement by the north and south wings of the Frankish army. The Umbra-Gotha is forced to retreat again, this time for good. The Frankish commanders order their army to wheel toward the Lazarites who put up a brave fight, but are forced into retreat from the sheer numbers of Frankish troops, and the demoralization they suffered when their psychological tactics failed. The Franks and Gepids put up a perimeter within the depopulated Roman suburbs, and fierce street-fighting ensues, which is put to a stop when the Franks decide to torch a government building, causing a fire that spreads among the buildings of outer Rome. Both Franks and Goths perish in agony.'''

'''By the time the Franks are joined by the Gepids and begin the real siege of Rome, their army numbers less than half of its original strength, and morale is atrocious. The Frankish soldiers begin lobbing debris into the walls of Rome, and soon catapults arrive to assist them. Roman citizens begin to live in fear of having their brains figuratively bashed out with a brick, or possibly a half-rotted human head, and most choose to stay inside, and many begin getting their food through the Roman catacombs. Most would flee the city, but they are worried of being massacred once they do.'''

Zanzibarian prospectors discover a massive deposit of silver in the unclaimed lands to the west of the nation.

'''Ghana continues to incrementally lose its territory to Kanem. The empire of Ghana appears to be on its last leg.'''

With the help of Middle-Egypt, Carthage manages to recapture Cairo and push Muslim forces nearly back to their highly fortified base in Sinai.

Egypts’ culture influences much of the population of the newly colonized Vermundian territory, and for the first time in history, mass conversions to atheism are seen in Islamic nations.

Egypt suffered tremendous casualties in their war against the Caliphate, but the population still support the cause of reclaiming Cairo and acclimating its people.

Peace offers from Byzantium have yet to be responded to by the Visiogothic or Roman people.

Celtic fear of religious persecution dies down at first, but is re-galvanized at the prompt of Pictish religious freedoms being stripped.

'''The Pictish Republic explodes into massive violent protests nationwide. The people are incredulous at the fact that their government had decided to close down their beloved monasteries in order to fund a foreign religious war in an alliance with their enemy. The nation is completely toppled by chaos and political officials are hunted down like animals.'''

''' Celtic naval ships dot the horizon and temporarily cast black shadows across the shores of Vasconia. The Visigothic queen lays in wait with her authentic Celtic dagger in hand, ready to give order to her team of archers to set the Celtic fleet ablaze with “the fire that never dies”. But when the ships finally arrive, the force is far larger than expected. The vast majority of the ships still fall victim to flames however, and as the day fades into night the brilliant spectacle lights up the Bay of Biscay with brilliant dancing lights, accompanied with the music of Celtic screams as their skin and armor fuse to become one. The only ships to survive are the ones smart enough to retreat from the heavily fortified Gothic coastline. The following morning several units of displaced and injured Celtic soldiers drag themselves ashore and find themselves face to face with Sventhila Lousean, Celtic dagger in hand and surrounded by her national guardsmen. Two hundred Celtic soldiers are captured by the Visigoths.'''

''' The Frankish troops have pushed the Jutes back to their coastal cities, but the Jutish naval supply lines are well-thought-out, and well defended. Even the brave Anglo-Saxons begin to grow tired of the constant city assaults. As their commanders exhort them to fight for patriotism and in the defense of their country, they only reflect on the fact that they are already living in an occupied country, and at least the Jutes speak a language that can be understood.'''

'''Legate Ricca, swooned by the unexpected romantic attentions from Ankou Eversnow, agrees to travel to Iceland to meet with the Celtic king, on the sole condition that they cease their invasion of Gothic coasts for the moment. She travels to iceland from a repurposed Vasconian war-vessel. '''

'''The Celtic force sent to Jutland is doomed to face defeat. Slight landings are made, and many Jutes lose the their lives, but in the end, the Celtic confidence proves to be far too high. This is not surprising, considering the prowess of Jutish sailors and shipbuilders as the most ferocious warriors of the sea. Many Celtic mariners begin crying out to be allowed to retreat to Celtico. '''

Bengal is pushed into and Guru Susarman is captured by the Indian invaders.

'''Word has still not gotten back on Pope John Francis II's condition in the war. Many Frankish soldiers are disturbed by the possibility of fighting against their own Pope.'''

Uyghur Khaganate: Some of the military continues to stand guard of the Uyghur caravans that travel close to the borders with the Stong and Ldong. Buddhism continues growing in popularity and followers and several Buddhist temples are being built in parts of the nation. Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl orders the nation to expand northwards, with some new towns established along the way.

Chenla Queendom: With the war seemingly over 90 percent of the forces helping the Chu Dynasty return home for a much earned rest. A week long festival is thrown to celebrate the end of the greatest war the Queendom has been in before and the construction of the Gong of Peace is built in front of the Royal Palace to commemorate the event. Havika Ipo, the common born High Admiralty, is especially praised by the Queen making him the example that all common born citizens could raise to such great renown if they worked for it. Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll, now 26 and a renowned swordsman, catches the fancy of the beautiful daughter of the High Admiralty. They soon wed in the year 736 with the approval of Havika because through the marriage he is raised to the title of Duke of the Malay Peninsula. Within a few years a new baby boy is born in the year 738, named Crowned Prince Salavarman ll, taking after his uncle with which Crowned Prince Jayavarman ll had always looked up to.

The Royal Engineers having plannes for decades now,  send a small group of engineers west, 1 Royal Engineer Master named Malum Tai, and 11 other Royal Engineer Adept to acquire new technologies. Instead of going by ship they decide to traverse the journey on land. The RE continue their research on stronger metal alloys as they belive they are nearing something stronger than iron. They plan out new layouts for cities near the borders near the Gupta and the Liang so trade can be better regulated before it goes to the rest of the Queendom. The Royal Scouts continue to expand their network of intelligence gathering and '''begin to send more Scouts south to explore what other islands and people may be there. '''

The Royal Navy continues to build more ships and start to conduct their own studies to improve the ships. The RSA, the Ahan Phi, and the Royal Chenlan Elephant and  Cavalry Corps continue to recruit more people into the armed forces.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. All people in southern OTL India are fully converted to Hinduism. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''Continues invading Theocracy of Bengal and will soon be fully occupied in next turn. The occupied lands of former Ganga dynasty are completely annexed into Indian rightful hands.'''
 * Chenla (Diplomacy): Queen Jayavedi will offer 45 thousand gold for the purchase of the Adaman Islands.

Kingdom of France finds itself fighting a war on multiple fronts, but King Peter I is unwilling to make peace with the Goths until Rome has been captured. New recruits are sent to help take Rome, and the knights of the Order of the Grail become the elite of the Frankish troops, and take part in the fight to take Rome. As Lombardy has again risen up, 50,000 men currently in lombardy are assigned to crushing the rebellion. To prevent the Celts have aligning with the Goths, spies are sent to capture Legate Reccai, to prevent her marriage to King Ankou. A decision is made, that once Rome falls, the war with the Goths will end, and only Portugal and the Jutes will remain to oppose us. With the amount of ambushes in Lombardy, Frankish troops are assigned to be on a constant alert for enemy activity. Thus, more and more French warriors are deployed in Lombardy, with the overall goal of slowly breaking the will of the Lombards by utterly crushing the. For good.

Chu Dynasty (former Silla): Emperor Jaewon decides to eradicate racial and cultural intolerance in occupied Japan by destroying the belief of Japanese racial superiority. The members of the former government (including the Emperor) are executed for warcrimes. Japan’s population is rapidly deurbanised and its major economic activities are halted, and they have to start from scratch. Honshu is given independence, but is under the Korean sphere of influence as a satellite state. Occupied Japanese Hokkaido are given to the Ainu. We annex Taiwan (and incorporate it into the Tamra or Jeju-do province), Shikoku and Kyushu (into the Wa province). The Japanese population residing in those islands migrate to Honshu. The Japanese people are being accepted by other peoples, and are recognised for helping the Koreans to destroy the warmongering, barbaric, former government of Japan. Any person that has sympathy for Japanese imperialism are fined and are jailed for a year.

The population growth (of Chu proper) regains momentum, at 0.5% (due to the sudden arrival of troops participating in the conflicts in Japan), and the population is recorded at 20.2 million. Jaewon decides to re-start the sanitation program to prevent the spread of common diseases.

We re-open trade with the Western nations apart from the Caliphate (who introduced the Ghanan plague to us in the first place), but human contact is almost non-existent and merchants are heavily monitored for any symptoms of the Ghanan plague. We offer to trade with India, and Free Persia, trading porcelain products and excess agricultural produce for spices, which are on high demand.

Zanzibar Sultanate: Discovery of those lands saw some of our Zanzibirian prospectors founded in some unknown lands. We still continue mining as miners mining some gold and deliver it to the markets. Some explorers plan to explore to the east, and hopefully our land for the expansion will be 50px east.

Khazar Khaganate: We build up fortifications to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will continue to dish out dromons to keep control of the Caspian sea and to destroy ports our enemies may have. We tell the Karluks to launch an offensive against the Rus with the help of our army to knock out the Rus.(Mod) We will send people all across our former lands and Karluk lands by stating "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” We will use the “fire that never dies” against the opposing forces through ships and catapults to launch fear into our enemies and boost morale for our own troops. With the Rus inside the Karakum desert and in foreign land, we take advantage of that fact by laying ambushes and scorched earth policy. This is demoralized that Rus forces. Instead we will focus most of our forces into seizing back our former lands from the Caliphate since they are stretched thin from the three front war and co-ordinate an offensive with the Persian free state.

Gepid Republic: Hermenigild is reeletected as Consul, and Ansiric Bessas is elected Justicar to replace his father, who became too ill for the job. In the year 736, the Senate, who heard that their Consul is finally arriving in Rome, drink to the return of Rome after it's fall, 250 years ago. “Today, Rome will rise from it's Ashes under Pope John Francis II, may he be blessed!” say the Leader of the Assembly.

In Rome, the siege is going as well as it could be, with the Franks loosing morale and motivation, even with the goal of Rome in front of them. The Consul is extremely frustrated of what he see in the betrayal of the Byzantines, remembering them that they started the war, and that they should keep their end of the bargain made at the Christian Meeting of Buteridava. He also encouraged him to continue the campaign in Italy, remembering him all the lands he would get after the war.

The Consul also send a letter to all Romans in the city, presenting himself as a “member of a Roman Senate”. In the letters, he encouraged them to surrender unconditionally, as he fear his men could not be stopped when Rome fall completely. His also express with joy the liberation of Rome fro the traitorous gothic influence. He send a captured prisoner to them with the letter, hoping it would have some influence. Hermenigild isn't stupid, he know that they wion't probably just accept to surrender. But at least some of them will want to, and this is the division his forces need to win this siege.

Rus' Principality: We continue our policy of using fortifications and scorched earth tactics against the Khazars. We will annihilate the Khazar forces by allowing them to continue to attempt offensives against us and bleed them dry. As they abandon areas, we gradually advance and take them over, building fortresses there and creating strongpoints. Russification continues in the northern-most occupied Khazar territories to turn the inhabitants into suitable citizens of the Rus’ Principality. We allow freedom of religion, however, so that this would work. New roads are also constructed so they are closer to those of the principality for better transportation.

Meanwhile, the shipyards along the Dnepr and Volga rivers are used to construct more ships to replace the ones lost to the Khazar naval forces. Our scorched earth policy and the constant fighting should keep them from constructing any more in the Black Sea and bleed their navy dry. We interrogate captured prisoners and look over captured Khazar ships to figure out how to make Greek fire.

In the homeland, trade continues. Expansion in the east also continues in to Khanty-Mansi, Sverlovsk, and Tyumen lands. The population continues to grow due to the abundance of resources and improving infrastructure. The new military organization system proves to be useful and allows for more efficient operating and administration. Fortifications on the borders are continuing to be refurbished on Grand Prince Sviatoslav's orders, especially those on the western borders with the European states, in case they became aggressive like the Lombards.

Lombardy-Gotland: ''Áwuldre þon cyningé! Áfieht fér seon Hrýoaldres!'' The shouts ring out over the battlefield, as the squad of Waepanbora charge into battle against the panicked Franks. A few minutes later, their opponents are all dead. This is an example of what now seems to be happening all over Lombardy, as the Lombard troops have been winning victory after victory, either through training, guile, or sheer numbers. Moreover, their morale is considerably better than that of the Franks, as the Lombards are, by now, convinced that the Franks (and Goths) are figuratively demons, and most are wondering why Thor hasn't smitten any of them yet.

In response to the success of the traps in the original bout of fighting, Þórbjörn sets his engineers to work on more traps ((I'm having fun with these)), the blueprints for which are sent to the resistance leaders in Lombardy. These include:

A rather entertaining trap in which the attics of houses are filled with trained, starving wolfhounds. When the door of the house is opened, a rope slides attached to it slides open the trapdoor for the attic, dumping several hungry wolves on the unfortunate Frankish soldiers' heads.

Local members of the resistance cut trees almost completely down near popular Frankish campsites, but fills the cut area with a combination of mud covered with bark. When the Franks encamp for the night, the resistance members sneak up close to the camp, and are able to collapse the trees on the Frankish tents simply by pushing the mud out of the gap with a long stick.

Logs that are tied to tree-branches at eye-level for a mounted soldier, then pulled up to the tops of trees. When the attaching ropes are cut, they swing down towards the road, sometimes actually knocking off the heads of the Frankish soldiers (think Endor).

The ports in the south of Gotland are opened for limited access, to allow boatloads of goods from Lombardy to reach the new capital on the island. All of the money looted by the resistance is left with them to aid in the prosecution of the Lombard war effort, but things like semi-historical relics taken from the old capital are not.

The main tower of the new southern Gutish fortress is heightened a staggering 70 feet at great expense by a team of Greek architects. When it is done, the top is fitted with five ballistae, and a large copper mirror on a pivot. This mirror can be used to communicate with the nearby townships in the event of an attack, using a system developed by Þórbjörn's top military commander. Work begins on a massive catapult that will be brought up and placed on the top of the tower, allowing the fort a range of several miles.

The borders are opened for Christian missionaries, but they are told to stay within the walls of the λευήπoληkόn. If even one steps beyond the boundaries set for him, they will all be banished from the country.

Several groups of Gutish warriors set sail for Pomerania, swearing to liberate Lombardy from foreign oppression.

The ships in the North Sea continue their raids on Frankish shipping. Again, as the Lombard/Gutish ships are much, much faster and more maneuverable than even the lightest Frankish ships, these raids are expected to go well, and possibly even bankrupt the Frankish monarchy.

Gutish coastal defenses are improved, in both breadth and thickness.

Lombardy-Gotland (Diplomacy): The Jutes are requested to put an end to the fighting with the Lombards, and to send a delegation to Gotland to peacefully resolve their differences.

The Visigoths: It would seem for the moment, that luck may be a two headed mistress; just as eager to grant economic bailout and provide fertile soil, as to prompt senseless rebellion and foreign betrayals. For centuries now, the Visigoths have been a nation run on pure luck - rising and falling as quick as the tides that would soon wash them away - but this, by no means, should be counted as a bad thing. For was it not luck, that did make existence possible; that chose to govern daily lives with a sense of exciting unpredictability; that allowed for the very circumstances catalysing the birth?

 

Having tried their hand at peace, the Visigoths are once again taught the harsh lesson that diplomacy is the far more difficult option in the modern world. Sventhila Lousean, likening the lies and backstabbing of world affairs to her father Roderic and his influence on her early life, is now willing to fall back on the simplistic old ways of Alaric II, fighting not for glory or power, but for the very continued existence of the nation and unification of the people. A dark defender shel, a leader willing to do bad, to bring forth better good.

 

It is true, Gothic success was birthed by Roman failure. The Roman empire, however, never completely fell - like the melting snow after a harsh winter, or a caterpillar escaping his cocoon as a newly formed butterfly, it had merely changed forms. The Goths had not wrought the fall of Rome. No. The Goth’s had prevented the fall of Rome. When the Roman people were in need, the Gothic people saved them; welcoming them in with open arms and allowing their society to stand as it was. The Gothic ways had been modeled around that of Rome, and many of its citizens had hardly even noticed the change. In truth, - Non alias missi cecidere Romam, Romae facientes non peccabitis aliquando - Rome never fell, and has yet to fall. 

This makes the Goths the hero of the tale as it were, at least that’s what they all allow to tell themselves; the last best hope for humanity. Visigothic soldiers are conditioned for this sort of chaotic playground of warfare, fully expecting to take advantage of the overconfident Franks. Confidence breeds with nothing but Failure when in the face of true skill and technique. 

Word reaches the ear of Sventhila Lousean of the French commandeering one of our vessels and capturing a high ranking officer in our military. Being in close relations with Legate Ricca, she becomes highly defensive; she rallies up the captured French soldiers and pulls Pope John Francis II out of Rome back to his posh quarters in the Toulouse dungeon. A Loyalist representative by the name of Gunthis Irnfried  travels to France to speak of a possible prisoner exchange.


 * 1) The exchange would have to take place in neutral Byzantine territory. (Unless they re-declare war, in which it will take place in Gothic territory.)
 * 2) Every Frankish soldier is assured to be unharmed and sent home with some water and food.
 * 3) The Visigothic Legate, Ricca, is to remain completely unharmed and be released to Vasconia. The Franks may keep the transport vessel as their just dues.
 * 4) Pope John Francis II will be returned to Paris, unharmed and well-fed and pampered.

If by the end of all this, the French still refuse, Gunthis Irnfried is to travel straight to the Rus’ Principality and seek their allegiance and assistance in war against France. While Sventhila is dearly against entangled alliances, she views the Rus’ to be one of the last nations left that has yet to betray the Gothic empire. The Rus’ Principality is encouraged to march on Provence as the area is weakened from a recent war with the Lombards and poorly founded by Frankish presence.

The son of Sventhila, Roderic Lousean II, has reached adulthood, and as such, has earned right to decide what to do with his life. He eagerly insists on sailing to Rome to join the Umbra-Gotha and fight under the command of Lord Commander Alexander Salviolis. Sventhila is hesitant at first, as she already has much emotional investment in the Roman front as it is, but finally agrees and allows for Roderic II to make the journey.''' '''

Two more months would pass before Sventhila would receive another letter from the Roman front, signed by Alexander Salviolis himself. It reads;

“Your son was received well. He had proved a very competent warrior for sure and allowed for sense of self to inflate; his overzealous disposition proved to best of him however, as he was recently killed in battle. We buried him behind the Roman church.

I have ordered those under my command to march north in troops of twenty-five, much like Umbra-Gothic parties of old when we were nothing more than a task force. These parties are on orders to regroup in neutral Byzantine Croatia where they will attempt to purchase a fleet of ships on credit (please send gold on a ship to Croatia). Once together as a unified force, we will march on the weakly guarded Provence in hopes of causing fall to France.”

Caliphate: We continue to expand 4400 pixels in Africa. '''We would like to annex Caliphate Persia (mod response). We rename the High Council of Eurasia the Alied League.''' We buy gold from Zanzibar. We aid Zanzibars growth and in return Zanizibar becomes Muslim. We put more fortifications in Sunai. We countinue our naval presence in the Red Sea. We bulgur military and infastucture. We build our navy. We invade the Kazachs and the Persian Free State. We offer peace to the Carthage Empire and Middle Egyot under these turms:

1. The 3 countires don't attacks each other for 75 years.

2. The Caliphate has to pay major reparations to the Carthage Empire and Middle Egypt.

3. The Caliphate is aloud to keep Sunai.

Signatures

Caliphate - AH28

Carthage Empire-((Mod Response)) Recimi Avagis

Middle Egypt - snoopdigdogg11

'''((Turns are going to be every other day. I think it's something we'll all like.))'''

The Celtic League: I can’t believe the devastating defeat that was taken from the wars against the Jutes and the Goths. The Pictish fell apart before the war even opened up. Brilliant fucking idea to shut down the one thing that keeps simpletons happy: Their monasteries… I immediately send myself over to their lands and declare martial law. (all moves made by the Pictish Leaders this turn are invalid until their land is restored to order). The True King will rule over these lands until they are content again. (When the people fall back into line the Pictish Leaders may regain control.)

The first order of business is to get the monasteries up and functioning again. I additionally create two Worshiping Temples of the Celtic religion, to see if it takes off in the Pictish land. I spend the vast wealth of the Celtic League. Although the wealth is dwindling it should be fine unless something drastic happens. Granted the Pictish Leaders will be upset but their people should embrace me as I am the restorer of order and religion to their land.

I prepare a letter to send to the Franks.

“After the utter defeat of our Navy by The Goths and The Jutes, we are going to have to resign from the war until our military is rebuilt. There is an estimated 50 ships left to fight and we will need to bring them back for repairs and upgrades. We apologize but the ultimate downfall of the attack was the Pictish’s collapse of government. For whatever reason we hadn’t noticed their absence until it was too late.

But speaking of the Goths they are sending me who might also be my future bride. I must apologize for the inconvenience of you sending your Princess for I am expecting someone from the Head of The Gothic Nation’s army. She seems to be more my type than I assume your fairest princess would be. I will keep her to accompany me until my other future option arrives. Thank you.

~ King Ankou Eversnow”

I send my fastest ship to go into Jutland and give word to retreat to either the Picts land or the Islands above them.

I begin improving my infantry and creating new ship designs. I begin with making a ship that will greatly improve my naval tactics. The ship is called Odlid and its design is quite simple. It has a hooked spear on the front of the ship. The ship rams into a different ship and then hooks onto it so it can’t move away. This allows for the men on the Odlid to board the ship kill the men on board the enemy ship and then detach the spear keeping the ship damaged, but useable. The ship design keeps it so as few as ten men can keep it sailing fast and smoothly. Nine to zero men will work as well but it will more than likely cause problems that ensue catastrophic failures such as completely missing the enemy target due to the reduced agility or the complete lack there of. The entire ship can hold 35 sailors at a time. This gives me an edge if my ships manage to hit its target because my army is vastly better at hand to hand combat than most of the nations close to me. The ships are relatively easy to build but it suffers from this because they are also easily destroyed. It is possible to build at least twenty a year if you fireproof them as I intend to. But if you would skip that it would probably be more like 40 a year. I improve infantry by adding chainmail to the arms of the scale armor further improving protection with almost no side effect to limb agility.

I further research the attack method that the Goths used in destroying my fleet. Using a form of something called “Gunpowder”. Apparently it explodes when exposed to flame or something hot enough to cause a flame. It is said that it comes from a place in the Asian lands. I send my spies to the east to chart the lands and to discover what this “Gun powder” is, and how it is made.

Thinking about the flames brings to mind something the Celts have an abundance of: Whale oil. A small trusted group and I will take the time to research the way to weaponize this common luxury.

After an additional year of waiting I send word to the Goths to find out what happened to Legate Ricca, and if she still plans on attending.

“Hello amiable Gothic friends. I, King Ankou Eversnow, send word to you on behalf of Legate Ricca. I believe she was supposed to be sent to visit me here in the Erie. She has yet to arrive and I was curious if she has changed her mind. Please respond and let me know what has happened.

~ King Eversnow”

Today is the day I read the book my brother gave me all those years ago. It is titled “The taking of the Throne From a Blood Thirsty Man” ... I just noticed that it was written by my mother, Ygritte Snow. It's a decent sized book but I’ll tell you some of the highlights. The first highlight talks about the King and what went wrong.

“The King who held the throne was always thirsty for more and more power, more and more lands. He only built up the military and didn’t care about his people. He eventually took it too far. He pissed off the wrong people, mostly the Goths and Lombards. They had every right to do what they did to us as a people. The king made us deserve what happened. That is why I am so willing to forgive and forget what happened to us.”

The next part where it picks up is when they form a rebellion and start planning attacks on the king's army.

“Eventually the people slowly began to rise up against the king. It started with the youth who were tired of the ruler’s stupidity and hostility in every situation. We had at least 75 to a hundred people when we did are first hit-and-run tactics. Since most of us couldn’t afford iron swords and armor we settled for wood splitting axes and pickaxes, with no armor. We would pick the bodies clean of everything but the armor. The armor would take to long to pick off the bodies, and if we would wear them we may get confused in the heat of battle. The training to use an ax as a weapon is different than the traditional weapon. You see with the ax you have faster attacks but less defence. You can’t block with them as they have a tendency to break. So in order to use them you need to dodge incoming attacks. The next tactics we used were fire raids. We would set fire to some building or important structure. While people were distracted with taking care of the fire we would come in from behind and take out the soldiers.

Eventually we managed to get half of the country to back us. Celtic soldiers who deserted their posts to avoid going back to war for no reason. With each passing day more and more people joined us until eventually we had more people fighting for us than they had in the entire Celtic army.“

After a few more battles it gets to where she takes the castle.

“Many were lost on both sides until we as the rebellion took the castle. The people wanted to just keep him jailed until he died of old age. I even went along with it so that we could finally attack the castle. But once we were inside and it was me and him… I zoned out. I forgot everything that we had agreed on, everything that was planned for him. I walked up to the throne, brought my axe above my head, and with all my force brought it down into the side of that bastard's neck. It didn’t fully decapitate him, though. It went half way through his neck until it stopped. Watching him squirm while bleeding out was one of the most bizarre feelings I have ever had. A moment of both disgust and ecstasy. To know that after the three year war between the throne and the rebellion that it was finally over and that I never had to worry again. It was also partly because I knew that I was now queen, and I had even more power than I did before. But I will not repeat the same habits of the old king. I will not wipe out complete nations just for the lands or for more power. It will be for the lands I lost and that is it.”

After reading all this it will take me some time to ponder it and decide what I will do with this new info. I think that I will publish my mother’s book. Let everyone see what she has written and see if it influences them like it has me.
 * The Visigoths have come to learn that Legate Ricca's vessel was intercepted by Frankish sailors.

Liang: The Liang forces invade Taiwan.''' More trade occurs. Not much else happens.'''

'''Middle-Egypt:. '''we halt our invasion of the caliphate and declare victory in pushing them out of North Africa. We request that cartilage cede us control on Cairo.

'''((Turns WILL proceed as normal today. After today, we will be following the every-other-day schedule.))'''

740 C.E.
'''Trade flourish in the Chenla Queendom, and the new ships are built to support the Chenla dominion of the sea. '''

The Chu Dynasty successfully continue their plans of occupation in Japan, dividing the lands the way they wanted.

'''The Ainu undergo several governmental reformations and come out a more unified and militarily sound nation. The Ainu navy continues to grow and their land empire does also as they journey northward claiming more lands.'''

'''Honshu becomes a subordinate state under rule of the Chu dynasty. The people do not welcome their new oppressive rulers.'''

''' War is declared on the Chu dynasty by the Liang as they easily conquer Chu occupied Taiwan. The Liang have thus broken their side of the agreement in the ASEAN alliance, effectively declaring war on much of Eastern Asia.'''

Trade between nations of the ASEAN breaks down as the Liang declare war on an ally.

'''The Theocracy of Bengal is finally overwhelmed by the Indian Empire, who expand his lands once again by destroying another nation. '''

'''In the old Ganga Dynasty, many begin to fear that the annexation of their lands will end up the few autonomy they had left. Many riots began to spark in the region. '''

Gupta would like to purchase Bengal from India for a generous surplus of gold and silver.

'''The use of similar tactics keep the war between Khazars and Rus to a stalemate on the front, and the offensive of the Karluks only help loosening the pressure on the Khazar lands. '''

An official integration of the Karluks into the Khazar khaganate takes place, with the Karluk Khagan accepting subordinancy.

 The Stong and Ldong make peace with the Uyghurs.

'''The Khazar and Rus’ soldiers on the front line begin to lose their animosities, and many troops begin interacting with the enemy. While the Khazars celebrate their native customs, some of the Rus’ soldiers are interests and join in the celebration with them. The fighting all but stops as both sides are apathetic toward the war.'''

The Uyghur new tactics to protect their caravans, which cause the failures of Stong and Ldong attacks, making roads much safer.

Karluk forces, being fresh and well-trained, do inflict some damage against the Rus’, but otherwise are not able to advance far.

'''The Caliphate annexes subordinate Persia and is able to repel the Persian Republicans. Most citizens hardly notice a shift in control. ((Bozinstaball can try to resist, but if he doesn’t, then Persia is gone and he’ll have to choose a new nation)). '''

New eastern lands are settled under Rus’ control going by the names of Khanty-Mansi, Sverdlovsk, and Tyumen.

'''Walls come crumbling down as Muslim protesters flood back into the prohibited areas destroyed by the Goths decades ago. Mecca is repopulated and the people’s faith is reinvigorated.'''

The Avar people in Rus’ occupied territory grow discontent and begin protesting the Russian reign.

'''Cultural and political rifts between the southwestern and northeastern Rus’ people continue to grow at exponential rates. Many people begin questioning their government's authority over them; Northerners in sparsely populated lands even more so.'''

'''Seeing the inter-breeding between Celts and Jutes as an abomination, The Jutes seek to destroy the Celtic colonies. Landing in Celtico, the Jutes burn the small colony to ashes and slaughter the meager resistance.'''

Albionites lead by the usurper Osryn Sieghbert join forces with the Frankish to make a push into Lombardian Germany.

'''The Danish king, after much consideration, decides to accept the Lombard offer of an alliance, agrees to stop raiding their shipping, and sends a token force of ships to aid their maritime war against Francia. Accordingly, they also begin raiding the Rus’ coast.'''

Portugaul easily falls to Frankish invasion as much of the military retreated with the Visigoths.

Pope John Francis II dies of natural causes on the way to Toulouse, throwing his escort into a panic.

In 739, the Gepid and Frankish combined forces are finally able to enter into Rome, killing most of the defenders, However, news of the Pope’s death rapidly comes to the shocked armies, which leave everyone with the following question: “What will become of Rome?”

'''Frankish King, Peter I, while valiantly leading his armies in the assault on Rome, spots a high priority target amongst the carnage of the battlefield: Chairman Harric Chindaswintha III. Taking the opportunity to cripple Novus-Roman resistance, King Peter I, mounting his steed charges toward the Ostrogothic leader, sword held high ready to strike down upon his unmounted victim. Harric turns round rapidly, spear erect, and impales the charging horse. The two leaders collapse atop one another;a long violent bout of fighting ensues, ending with King Peter I rising from the mangled corpse of his opponent and declaring victory over Rome. The injured King collapses shortly after and succumbs to his injuries, dying where he lay.'''

'''After Rome falls to Frankish control, The Gepid’s skilled mercenaries take the opportunity to replace the Byzantine fronts and quickly squash the puny Novus-Roman defenses. The Chindaswintha Estate, vast in numbers an economic stature, manage to gain enough support to fortify their borders and repel Gepid and French invaders.'''

''' The Slavic Confederation begins to fall into a state of civil war between the partisans of a Lombard return and those who want the region to remain free of their old rulers. '''

''' The Jutes refuse the peace offer sent by Lombardy, saying that they cannot accept while Lombardy is allied with their Danish enemies, even in light of Lombardy’s struggle against the Franks. It would seem however, that the Jutish loyalty to the Gothic empire is wavering, as the Visigothic queen had dissolved the Roman Senate, thus removing the Abelone Chair.'''

'''Danish warriors finally break the Jutish frontline and turn the tides of the war. The Jutish people begin retreating in fear.'''

Umbra-Gothic raids into Provence are largely successful as the area is weak, unguarded, and recovering from a recent war with the Lombards.

'''The war between Lombards and Franks continue, and the naval fights are dominated by the Lombards, who destroy what is win a resounding victory in the Baltic. On land, however, the arrival of new troops help pushing a little bit in Lombard territories (exept in the disorganized, coastal Slavic lands), but moral is low among the Franks, and locals feel more oppressed than ever. '''

The Germanic rebellions get worse day by day and the Frankish seem helpless to stop them due to their outstanding Guerilla warfare and use of superior war tactics.

Martial law is declared in Pictish territory and the Celts heed to much of the people’s wishes.

The Celtic spies turn back after traveling for a year, convinced that there’s nothing to the far east but tundra, deserts, and war.

''' The Pictish people happily accept the Celtic restoration of order, and elect a representative to go speak with the Celtic general. He says that the Pictish population will not resist their occupation as long as they withdraw from the country after order is restored.'''

A few Celtic ships return from Jutland, but most were destroyed by the dreaded northmen.

Recimi Avagis of Carthage accepts the Caliphates proposal of peace and pulls out of Sinai.

'''Middle-Egypt accepts peace with the Caliphate and annexes it’s captured lands. '''

 Alecksander XV of Egypt requests that Carthage cede them control of Cairo - Recimi rejects this request, claiming an attempt to unify north Africa as one people.

 Carthage colonizes the Canary islands and dominates the market on ravens and other messenger birds.

''' The Empire of Ghana is completely absorbed by Kanem and Sef dubs himself the new grand emperor of the African people. He starts a greedy campaign claiming control over the whole of the continent.'''

 Sofala begins experimenting with new ship building techniques and manages to establish several new ports along the Eastern coasts.

 Vermundia’s unrelenting expanse continues, motivated by a need to spread the word of Allah.

Chu Dynasty (former Silla): We give Honshu considerably more autonomy and sends Jaewon's oldest daughter, Hee Seo to Japan as one of the "advisors" for the new Emperor. Hee Seo can speak Japanese fluently and abolishes the mandatory teaching of the Korean language in schools. She also convinces the Emperor to reverse some of her father's policies and starts to slowly urbanise the population once again. She improves living standards and improve the stagnant agricultural sectors of its economy. Hee Seo still does not allow Japanese imperialism and people who do such things are heavily fined and jailed..

All of Korean Hokkaido is given to the Ainu, as it is their historical homeland. The population growth slows down rapidly, it now stands at 0.3%. The population is recorded at 21.5 million, while Honshu's population is recorded at 2.2 million. Jaewon decides to re-start the sanitation program to prevent the spread of common diseases. Infrastructure is improved and we begin to focus on science and technology. We wish to continue trade with the Caliphate, but they would have to apologise for bringing the Ghanan death to Korea and for spreading rumours about the royal family. They would also have to stop trying to convert the population to islam.

Most people are enraged at Liang China for (without warning) invading Taiwan (part of Jejudo province). Jaewon believes that this may be a miscommunication and still had thought it was part of Japan. He lets go of Taiwan since he believes Liang China had the right to get it (due to its proximity) but his daughter (and most of the population) believes that this was an act of aggression and betrayal. Hee Seo overthrows Jaewon and is placed as the new monarch of Korea, deciding to annex Japan as an autonomous region. She builds up the military and ends economic and diplomatic ties with the Chinese. She begins to sketch a plan for the future invasion of Taiwan and the territories forcefully ceded to Liang China.

Uyghur Khaganate: Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl accepts the peace from the Stong and Ldong. Buddhism continues growing in popularity and followers and several Buddhist temples are being built in parts of the nation. Hearing about the Liang's declaration of war against the Chu Dynasty; Khagan Qutlugh Bilge Köl declares support for the Chu Dynasty and is ready to help the Chu out when they request it. The military is built up in preparation.

Gepid Republic: Hermenigild Valomer is reelected Consul and Ansiric Bessas is reelected Justicar. With the news of their victory in Rome, the Senate is fueled with joy, but it doesn't last forever. News of the death of Pope John Francis II come to them, as well as the news of Peter I decease in Rome. Many began to see an opportunity there. The Franks will need to reorganize with the death of their actual king, and the Byzantines only remain in their positions without ever taking initiative.

Since the Gepid will gain nothing from this war (as Italy will be divided between Franks and Byzantines), both Leader of the Assembly and Justicar send the Archbishop of Buteridava, Witiric Hunigild, in order to push the Romans to elect him Pope. They believe that the Consul has enough charisma to convince them (or at least the intimidation skills needed). And so, if things go well, the Coalition forces will indeed have a Pope in Rome, a Gepid Pope.

At the same time, the Senate forge new Ardars in the Republic, and new laws are passed to make the economy stronger. Those reforms are only possible because of the money gathered from the Franks and Byzantines, who paided for the Gepid Mercenary Forces during the entire war.

When the actions of the Senate came to Hermenigild, he was preparing the corpse of Peter I in order to be returned to Paris. He also gave a speech on the Frankish King, praising his bravery and religious zeal against the heretics. When he finally understand a Gepid Pope will be “elected”, he understand what he need to do, and began assembling the cardinals on the behalf of preparing the election of John Francis II's successor, and use this time to ether intimidate or corrupt (using the money gathered during the sack) in order to have them on the good side. He also send a letter to both Franks and Byzantines, only saying “''Don't worry. Our Holy War wasn't in vain. A pope will seat in Rome, I'll make sure of it.''”

Rus' Principality: The government of Grand Prince Sviatoslav continues to make reforms to settle any internal problems in the principality. To settle the tensions between the northern and southern territories, he reminds the people that alone they would be easy pickings for the aggressors from the west, while together they are one of the powerhouses of Europe. They speak the same language and are ethnically the same, and regional princes that were chosen by them are largely left to manage their lands as they want, so there is no reason for any sorts of separation. They are reminded that their standard of living will go down if they fragment into small, poor states. At the same time, a new national education system is created, which includes history of the motherland as a course and teaches all children in the principality nationalism and the glory of the Rus'. Rus' nationalism is increased and encouraged, while anyone who promotes separatism quietly disappears.

At the same time, a military oath of loyalty to the Grand Prince is introduced to the Rus’ army and navy. Those men who serve well and perform the bravest in battle are given large pieces of land for their service and are made members of the nobility, making it a meritocracy. Anyone is able to reach the status of a noble if they try hard enough, a piece of knowledge that is spread throughout the population.

Work on fortifications on and near the border continues, as does the general improvement of infrastructure. Expansion in the east continues into Khanty-Mansi, Sverdlovsk, and Tyumen.

Rus' naval vessels pursue and attack any raiding vessels aggressively, making it clear that it will not be tolerated. Our agents secretly enter the Baltic lands and begin spreading pro-Rus' propaganda into the population, advocating for unification with the principality so that the Balts can have the wealth and success the Rus' have.

Meanwhile, with the war on the Khazar front becoming a stalemate, the government figures that the Khazars must have exhausted themselves and taken heavy casualties and would be willing to compromise as a result. So they offer the Khazars a treaty:

Treaty of Tsaritsyn

1. The Khazars will cede their northern provinces that are already under Rus' control to the principality.

2. The Khazars and the Rus' Principality will sign a non-aggression agreement lasting for the next 20 years.

3. Rus' ships will stop raiding Khazar ports and stopping ships, and the blockade of trade into Khazar lands from the north and west will be stopped, allowing the Khazars to rebuild their economy.
 * Khazar Khagnate: We will accept these terms. (By the way, you only own Avar occupied land)

The Kingdom of France mourns the loss of King Peter I, and his son is crowned King Peter II. With Rome captured, King Peter II moves to make peace with the Goths, stating he is willing to free all prisoners taken by the Franks, and will only accept Northern Italy and Portugal as French. As the rebellions in Lombardy get worse, more and more troops move to defeat them, with the new amount of troops being around 100,000. However, the guerrilla warfare is still very hard to overcome. More and more ships are now built. As lombardy attempts to land on our shores, a defence force is deployed of our finest warriors, and they will not budge, all of them natives of the northern shores.

Zanzibar Sultanate: We expand our land even more with 20px southwest. Meanwhile more miners mine some gold to get them back so The Caliphate buy some more if they want. The economy rises, and some buildings about to be builded and also some explorers also explore east.

India: Economy, infrastructure and military improve. Population continues to grow fast. Continues building a series of war elephants and catapults. Fewer Hindu mandirs and more houses, shops, Hindu temples and mining plants are built. Continues to plan new reforms and continues investing heavily in technology and science. Roads and farms are improved and cities continue to grow. Missionaries continue to convert the non-Hindu peoples of India to Hinduism. '''India accepts the offer from Chenla Dynasty, solding the Adaman Islands for 45 thousand gold. India declines this offer from Gupta Dynasty and annexes the Bengal region into rightful Indian hands.''' Sends troops to these areas where rebels spawned, to defeat the rebels.

Lombardy-Gotland: Weapons are forged. Armor is beaten. The thousands of tools and implements that make military life possible are cast. An invasion is being prepared.

With complete naval mastery in the North Sea, the aged Þórbjörn Hróaldr decides to press his advantage. New ships depart the Gutish shipyards to join their brothers in the complete pillaging of the Lombard coast. Now that their navy is destroyed, and all chance of seaborne trade extinguished, warchiefs are given free reign to land troops on the Frankish shore and make off with whatever they can find. It is now hoped to starve the Franks out, to exact revenge for their plundering of Lombardy, to drain their coffers dry, and to destabilize and ruin the richest parts of the kingdom, namely Normandy and Picardy. The royal court sends out a standing order to wipe any "demon" monastery off the face of the earth, and that anyone who lets a monk escape will be severely punished. This is in stark contrast to the monarchy's treatment of Christians in Gotland, which focuses on protecting them from the possible ravages of a vengeful populace (though this is because the Christians in Gotland, Greeks to a man, are very useful to the Hróaldr monarchy, while the monks are not).

Supplies are sent to the resistance in Lombardy in ever-increasing quantities, this time including a few ballistae and a couple-hundred bolts to go along with them.

A large squadron of Gutish ships join up with their Danish allies. Their goal is an ambitious one; they plan to sail up the Daugava, then portage over to the Dnieper and follow it to the Black Sea. From there they will raid the Gepid coastline, and attempt to force them to give up their neutrality in the war by cutting off their trade. Their orders are to not fire upon any Rus' citizens or property, but to defend themselves if attacked. They will focus on using the incredible speed of the Lombard and Danish ships to outrun any potential Rus' army.

Meanwhile, the Rus' are told that their raiding in the Baltic will not be tolerated, and the Danish are asked to contribute more ships to the defense of the Baltic coast. The ambassadors to the Danish court point out that roughly three-quarters of the Baltic coastline is Danish-owned, and that it would be very important.

A join Lombard-Danish task force begins massive attacks on the Rus' Baltic coast, to attempt to deny their ships a place to land. The Rus' are told that the attacks will cease as soon as they stop their raiding in the Baltic, and that if they wait long, their raiding will likely be stopped for them.

A small Lombard force, preliminary to the major invasion, lands north-west of Oskywie and begins occupying nearby Slavic villages, and training volunteers to overthrow the shaky Slavic Federation government when the time comes. Since the natives are Baltic Germanics (mostly of the Rugii group), it is hoped that their loyalties will trend more towards their cultural Lombard brothers than their foreign, Slavic overlords.

In 742, following the discovery of the Franks attempting to build up their navy again, Þórbjörn orders that a whole third of the royal Lombard treasury be dedicated to ship construction, and some of this is budgeted as grants to give out to chieftains who build ships and raid the Franks on their own accord. Warnings are sent out to every nation in Europe, to be disseminated to the trade guilds and captains living within, warning them that to attempt to trade with northern France is to risk your ship and your crew. Each ship is built using thick oak ribs reinforced with iron bars, that are covered with layered slats of sturdy wood. They are waterproofed with a mix of resin and gypsum dust, making them gleam a light grey, which is painted with images of the major Germanic deities, and the patron gods of the captain's house (the gypsum-resin coating has the side effect of making the sides almost completely fireproof). The top is surmounted by a mast, from which hangs a black tar-paper sail (in this case, a sheet of felt impregnated with tar). In the stern, there's a raised section where the steering oar and ballista is located. Below the raised section is the storage for ammunition, extra oars, food, and water, and a roll of wax-coated waterproof fabric which is raised to cover sections of the ship when groups of people sleep. Belowdecks is more storage, a few cots on top of the iron bars (which are used as sleeping quarters for those who need to during the day), and stacks of oars which are used to row the boat when there's no wind, and when it's close to shore (as having a massive black sail raised isn't particularly propitious for secrecy.

In return for the Danish aid against the Franks (and anticipating their acceptance in raiding the Rus', mostly because the Rus' started by raiding them), a small squadron of royal ships begins attacking Jutish targets in the Danish straits.
 * Rus' Diplomacy: The Rus' ambassador demands clarification, and says, "The Danes started raiding our coastline, and we responded by destroying their attacking ships. It was an act of aggression against the Principality, and we responded appropriately. Our police has also noted the presence of foreign agents on our territory, with operations currently underway to remove them. If you had anything to do with them, we highly suggest that you cease."
 * Lombardy Diplomacy: The Lombardian ambassador responds by saying that the various Danish chiefs were only conducting light raids into your territory, before you attacked them and involved their monarchy. He also tells the Russian Prince that his chance to make either demands or suggestions was lost the moment Russia invaded West Slavia.

Byzantium: We improve our military greatly and we send 300'000 of our best troops to conquer Sicily. We attack Sicily in Syracuse, Palermo and Messina, we use Greek Fire and our best seize equipment to conquer these main cities. We isolate these cites and block all food and water sources, we also catapult dead bodies of humans with the black death to spread the disease in these cities. We accept Persia's alliance.

Secret to all: We send "Diplomats" to the Germanic tribes and they kill some tribe leaders, then everything is blamed on other tribes to create a civil war.

Secret to all except Persia: In 5 years Byzantium will move troops against the Khanate Khazar Khaganate: We build up fortifications to stop any threats against our de facto borders. We will continue to dish out dromons to keep control of the Caspian sea and to destroy ports our enemies may have.Since we are still at war with both the Avars and the Caliphate, we will use our beachheads, “fire that never dies” and our battle hardened troops to begin invading both of their nations. We  will use the new Karluk troops to help us in our war against them. We will  tell our troops to conquer the mountain passes of the Caucasus to block any reinforcements. We will also begin re-establishing colonies west of our nations to expand.
 * ((Mod Response)) Okay, so I have a few issues with your turn. First of all, when you say "The Khanate", whom are you refering to? As there are several Khanates. In the case that you are referring to the Khazars, it would not make any sense for Byzantium to wage war on them considering they are Christians. The alliance with Persia is a bit strange as well, considering Persia is an Islamic nation subordinate to The Caliphate, which has been at religious war with Byzantium for ages. One last thing, the "Black Death" is not what happened recently, it was the "Ghanaian Death" and was an entirely separate disease, and even then, the plague died off decades ago, so there would be no more infected bodies or spreading of the plague.

The Visigoths: Realizing that they have pushed themselves beyond their limit, The Umbra-Gotha begin to pull out of Provence, France, and travel home to Iberia. The soldiers only travel at night, and in the day they wait in forests or will overtake a small farm to sleep in until nightfall. The Umbra-Gotha soldier's trade out their traditional black leather garb for civilian outfits and travel under the guise of Frankish missionaries traveling to spread the word of Christ.

When Lord Commander Alexander Salvioli finally arrives at Castle Lucien, still covered in blood, dirt, and soot, the Visigothic queen,  Sventhila Lousean immediately rushes to his aid. After a few weeks Sventhila has nursed Alexander back to health and the two enter into a romantic relationship. The two lovers promptly marry, having their modest wedding in Toulouse open to all of the people of Hispania. Formal invitations are sent to Ankou Eversnow, Bodil Abelone II, Recimi Avagis, and far eastern Visigothic allies in the Chenla Queendom.

In the winter of 742 CE, Sventhila Lousean gives birth to a healthy baby boy. The baby boy is named Alaric IV, for the beloved ancestral bloodline of the people. Many of the Loyalists are comforted merely by having another Alaric in the royal family, and as such, his birth is celebrated nationwide. An unofficial holiday takes place in the third week of winter each year in which the people sing patriotic songs and express their nationalistic ideals.

With the empire no longer resembling itself in its youth, Sventhila feels she has gave rise to the birth of a brand new nation. The idea of a united Gothic empire becomes nothing more than a distant dream, as the motherhood of the queen is felt strongest in Iberia. The strong adaptation of Roman social structure leads the Iberian peninsula to being referred to by its latin name “Hispania”. This title is viewed as appropriate and is incorporated into Visigothic lexicon;  thus the nation of Hispania is formed.

The old “Gothic Empire” flags are torn down from the walls and burned. A new flag is designed by Hispanic patriots and is adopted as the official flag of Hispania. Graffiti representative of Visigothic and Ostrogothic “brotherhood” is scrubbed clean and pro-unification propaganda is torn down. In its wake, Hispanic propaganda is hung proudly, artists are commissioned to make all of the paintings pro-Hispanic and writers are encouraged to express the beauty of Iberian unity through songs and poems. Sventhila herself uses her literary knowledge to promote the new nation.

 

 A Gentem Unam   by Sventhila Lousean

 “Our land now together and

our moon will greet the sun;

 as we discuss our path to glory

let all thou falsehoods gone.

Brothers and sisters, 

 they dane forget our grand story of pride

the Gold color that I love;

for such holy red that blessed our tide

with illuminating blue light.

 When the enemy comes by way of our unseen side,

we cry not; such holy serenities only bring respite,

we duel with the moon and sun;

 as they sing for the valiant unite -

''A sole nation, not two, not three. Just one.''”

 The overwhelming joy felt from this national reformation leads to much ‘celebration’ between the royal couple, Sventhila and Alexander. By late 743 CE, Sventhila is once again with child, and nine months later mothers a young girl, taking the name of her great grandmother and being called, Marcella Lousean II. This child does not mark the end of Sventhila’s fertility, as soon after giving birth to her third child, she is impregnated again, this time it becoming known to her in December of 744.

With the absence of a unified front, the Franks and Gepids quickly swarm Italy, acting as a symbol representative of the true fall of a unified Roman empire. The people are expected to be thrown into turmoil, but it is far beyond the control of the Visigoths for now. With the nation being  barely spared from the brunt of the warfare, the Visigoths eagerly accept peace with the Franks, releasing Frankish war prisoners and formally apologizing for the death of Pope John Francis II. However, the Visigoths do good to remind the Franks that they are currently in position of an esteemed military commander, Legate Ricca, whom shall be returned to the Visigoths as soon as possible.

Now that some semblance of peace has been found in Europe, Sventhila Lousean once again plays with the idea of holding congress between the brilliant minds of the western world in an attempt to better forge out a lasting peace between the squabbling nations. This so called “Congress of Legends” would act as a week long meeting of world leaders where any and all representatives could have their voices heard and their opinions and needs considered. The meetings will take place in the Toulouse Courthouse  for twelve hours during the day, and each foreign delegate is provided with food and drink as well as a deluxe room in Castle Lousean to sleep in during the nights.

The aforementioned “Legends” that are to be invited to this congregation are to be representatives assigned by the nation they are representing. The meetings will start on January 1st, 745 and will last until January 8th, 745. An invitation is extended personally to King Peter II of France, Emperor Leo III of Byzantium, Recimi Avagis of Carthage, Ankou Eversnow of the Celts, Jarl Bodil Abelone II of Jutland, The Hróaldr family of Gotland, and the five Gepid senators, as-well as Witiric Hunigild, the Pope-to-be. Each nation may send whomever they wish as a representative, so long as that individual holds a place of power in the nation they represent. Every nation is ensured the continued protection and positive treatment of their assigned delegate until such time as the congress is adjourned and every individual returns to their home.