'''<u>The rumors of witches in the Alps turns out to a large group of strangely dressed but well armed bandits. They kill many of the Inquisition's guards but are ultimately defeated and captured.</u>'''
'''<u>The rumors of witches in the Alps turns out to a large group of strangely dressed but well armed bandits. They kill many of the Inquisition's guards but are ultimately defeated and captured.</u>'''
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*'''The Gurkani Sultanate:'''<span style="font-weight:normal;"> Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. </span>'''The Gurkani forces successfully crushed the Syrians at the Battle of Damascus, and slaughtered all those convicted of having engaged in the attacks on the Gurkani through bribing as well as torturing the natives into giving up the information. The women, children and the old were allowed to leave peacefully, however the leaders of the raiders were beheaded. The forces then proceeded to return back to the city of Aleppo and an envoy was later sent to the Abbasids to request them to enforce strict control of their borders. '''<span style="font-weight:normal;">Meanwhile, the sea battles between the Gurkani and Oman continued for absolutely no reason because Oman wasn't even Sunni, it was an Ibaddi-majority state and the Gurkani navy was far superior to that of Oman yet the latter was somehow still capable of raiding Gurkani coast and blockading the Straits of Hormuz. It made no sense to the Gurkani as to why Oman was even fighting them or how Oman was doing it, almost as if an outside force with absolutely no knowledge of the Middle East was just trying to create all the negative events cause they felt so. Nevertheless, not keen on losing hope, the fight against Oman continued.. the Gurkani ofcourse didn't care enough to launch an attack upon Omans cities because defeating the enemy in algorithms didn't apparently matter either clearly. Regardless, keen on breaking the blockade, the entire Gulf fleet was sent to engage Omans navy. </span>
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*'''The Gurkani Sultanate:'''<span style="font-weight:normal;"> Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. </span>'''The Gurkani forces successfully crushed the Syrians at the Battle of Damascus, and slaughtered all those convicted of having engaged in the attacks on the Gurkani through bribing as well as torturing the natives into giving up the information. The women, children and the old were allowed to leave peacefully, however the leaders of the raiders were beheaded. The forces then proceeded to return back to the city of Aleppo and an envoy was later sent to the Abbasids to request them to enforce strict control of their borders. '''<span style="font-weight:normal;">Meanwhile, the sea battles between the Gurkani and Oman continued for absolutely no reason because Oman wasn't even Sunni, it was an Ibaddi-majority state and the Gurkani navy was far superior to that of Oman yet the latter was somehow still capable of raiding Gurkani coast and blockading the Straits of Hormuz. It made no sense to the Gurkani as to why Oman was even fighting them or how Oman was doing it, almost as if an outside force with absolutely no knowledge of the Middle East was just trying to create all the negative events cause they felt so. Nevertheless, not keen on losing hope, the fight against Oman continued.. the Gurkani, of course, didn't care enough to launch an attack upon Omans cities because defeating the enemy in algorithms didn't apparently matter either clearly. Regardless, keen on breaking the blockade, the entire Gulf fleet was sent to engage Omans navy. </span>
*'''Vietnam:''' During this glorius year, a lot of food was eaten and a lot of babies were birthed.
*'''Vietnam:''' During this glorius year, a lot of food was eaten and a lot of babies were birthed.
* '''Korean''' monarch Yi Un is enraged, and sends thirty thousand troops (out of an standing army of fifty thousand) to Heuklonggang, fully controlled by rebels, to finally crush the rebellion. All male Manchu dissidents in Korean-controlled areas are executed and mass-slaughtered, with their bodies being thrown into the sea or dumped in graves. Manchu women and children become cheomin, the lowest of the castes, comprising slaves and entertainers. Seeing the rebellion a direct result of the Manchu intellectual movement, Manchu culture is repressed, with Manchus being persecuted and forced to assimilate into Korean culture–to restore ethno-cultural and ethno-linguistic unity prior to the Northern Conquests. The penal colony in Hwatae-do is deemed a failure, and is discontinued. Ethnic Koreans in Bukneong (comprising a third of the population), and Haegi (comprising half) are placed under heavy supervision to minimize casualties.
* '''Korean''' monarch Yi Un is enraged, and sends thirty thousand troops (out of an standing army of fifty thousand) to Heuklonggang, fully controlled by rebels, to finally crush the rebellion. All male Manchu dissidents in Korean-controlled areas are executed and mass-slaughtered, with their bodies being thrown into the sea or dumped in graves. Manchu women and children become cheomin, the lowest of the castes, comprising slaves and entertainers. Seeing the rebellion a direct result of the Manchu intellectual movement, Manchu culture is repressed, with Manchus being persecuted and forced to assimilate into Korean culture–to restore ethno-cultural and ethno-linguistic unity prior to the Northern Conquests. The penal colony in Hwatae-do is deemed a failure, and is discontinued. Ethnic Koreans in Bukneong (comprising a third of the population), and Haegi (comprising half) are placed under heavy supervision to minimize casualties.
The war in the Caliphate ends as the former Caliph's second son emerges victorious. However, his new problem is regaining control of outlying territories that have become self governing during the war.
The candidate for the Neapolitan throne dies en route to Naples. Unable to agree upon a suitable replacement, the council of nobles elects one of their own, XXXX, as Regent of Naples.
Korea undergoes an unprecedented era of peace, facilitated by the ethnic harmony between the Koreans and the Manchus–who are intent on preserving much of their way of life while adopting modern Korean practices. Due to the peace, there is no longer much of a need for an overly strong military. The standing army is slashed to twenty thousand personnel. However, seeking to protect sea lanes and dominance in the Korea Strait and the Eastern Sea, the navy continues to receive investment. Ships, particularly bigeodo and geobukseon, continue to be built under an entrenched naval tradition. Gunpowder weapons continue to be produced, with firms specializing in said industry being subsidized. Under current monarch Yi Un, Yeogun (Yi Hyorin), and Sejong (Yi Do), Mahayana Buddhism under the fusionist Yi sect replaces Confucianism as the most popular ideology. Architecture and the arts flourish due to being patronized by yangban, incorporation Buddhist elements. Buddhist temples are built, especially in Gyeonggi and Gyeongsang. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted, with several academies and universities being built and many elite partaking in education. Meanwhile, a small private fleet of merchants sail west to map out the surrounding region, mapping all of Southeast and East Asia, while also mapping the western fringes of the Indian subcontinent.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza started his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus.As Suleiman reached Isfahan with an army of 40,000 men, he was confronted with a much larger force of 200,000 men under Sikander Mirza. Realizing that he would defeat Sikandar to enter Isfahan, Suleiman quickly ordered his generals to prepare for battle, keen on attacking the opposing army as soon as possible. However, much to Suleiman's surprise, Sikandar surrendered without a fight and pledged his allegiance to Suleiman on the condition that his army would not hurt the general people of the city. Keeping his word, Suleiman ordered a bloodless take over of the city, ordering his soldiers not to lay hand on a single man, woman or child.. even the animals and the trees. Yet this 'general pardon' did not extend to those living in the Golden Fort of Isfahan, with a complete massacre ordered of all of its inhabitants. The army executed the royal courtiers, the eunuchs, all members of the harem, servants, 'crony' Shia clerics and even foreign envoys present. Even the Caliph Al Mu'ayyad was nearly executed before Suleiman intervened upon hearing the Caliph pleading for his life, realizing that the Caliph himself had despised Salman. The Sultan, Salman Beg was subsequently stripped naked and dragged through the streets of Isfahan with rubbish and faeces thrown on him by the people. The "Walk of Shame" finally ended with the Sultan being buried alive on the orders of his own brother. With the war finally over, Suleiman crowned himself the new Sultan with his wife, Yagana Mihrabanid as his royal consort. When news of this incident reached all corners of the Empire, millions of people took to the streets to celebrate the death of Salman and the effective end of his rule. Salman's preference for boys was seen as a sign that he was a heretic, some of his policies were seen as blasphemous and his general mass killing of protestors was seen as the sign that he had gone completely mad, as such, it indeed came as no surprise that his death was seen as a good omen by the people.
Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Salman's desperate need for more scholars.
Kingdom of Burgundy:King Charles sends a secret message to Iberia and Naples, assuring them they have Burgundian support in the event of conflict. Burgundys navy, trained under the tutelage of those who fought at the Battle of Elba, is put on notice to be ready to move to the Mediterranean on a moments notice. Meanwhile, explorer Henri Slyke becomes the first Burgundian to reach the southern coast of Africa.
''Sultanate of Bengal: The Navy receives 20 more ships, as normal. Addendum: 6000 men are sent to crush Ava.
Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
United Crown of Great Iberia
The Queen of Aragon calls on the other Members of the Anti-Italian Coalition - Austria, Bulgaria, Greece and Burgundy - to arm themselves and mobilise for war on Italy. The destabilisation of Italian dominance in the Mediterranean presents the perfect opportunity to bring down the Italians once and for all. We immediately launch into preparing for war. The Royal Armadas of the entire United Crown, altogether comprising close to 800 ships, are placed on high alert, and our armies are mobilised, ready to take back our rightful lands. We now only wait for our allies and the command of the Queen. In other news, the economy continues to improve rapidly thanks to the Papal States' trade route. Research on trans-Atlantic ships have proven quite fruitful, and the plans for the first such vessel are slowly coming together. We hope that by 1490 at the latest we will be able to find a new route to Asia.
Aragonese Diplomacy: We thank profusely all our allies for their support in this risky and dangerous endeavour.
Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1480 and our current Grandmaster is Pierre d'Aubusson. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. With our Print shop finished, we begin printing broadsheets to increase recruitment as well as religious zeal. With our limited success against the Barbary pirates we continue our campaign to protect our shipping and seize their wealth as well as discover their origin (Mod Response on effectiveness). Due to Crete being designated as a Free port, trade is booming. In order to increase our wealth, we copy the strategy of the Knights Templar and buy small-medium plots of land across Europe and building cathedrals and castles while we establish the Bank of St John and we establish branches in our commandries as well as beginning to invest more into it. We stop signing the Compact of Valletta and instead use the trade route of Civitavecchia and Ancona thus bringing a renewed wave of prosperity as trade is no longer restricted. To help facilitate communication between the commandries we begin to establish a courier system between the commandries utilising couriers and mail coaches to send correspondence across Europe while we request funding/investing in exchange for other nations to be able to use this Europe-wide postal network (Other nations Respond). So far this idea has been met with good reception as we hold a monopoly on mail in the Papal States for five years, and so with this funding, we begin to hire more couriers and coaches in order to increase efficiency. (Secret Diplomacy) We ask the pope if we should join the anti-Italian coalition or stay neutral and for his blessing if we take action (Papal States response).We plan on having a census soon to have an idea of our population. We begin a five year expansion of our navy to refurbish our pre-existing ships and build the maximum amount of ships.
Papal Diplomacy: Given the way that the Italians have been dividing Christendom, Leo writes to his faithful Grand Master, giving his blessing if the Order decides to join the Anti-Italian league.
Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. An aging Emperor Atlahua orders his royal engineers to begin experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Atlahua also funds the first non-religious school in the capital, to train new wisemen and engineers. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with every fourth man being given an arquebus and two backups for a campaign. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Beyond this the economy of the Empire has shown a good increase but it also on a slowdown as increasing projects for purchasing and improving the country itself have seen the economy flag. The banking system still sees growth and prosperity as it becomes widely adopted as a "Renaissance Idea" in the empire. The Tsar also announces the completion of the Bulgarian fleet which stands at nearly 350 ships and is used to patrol and keep trade routes open and unharassed. The Tsar Vasili falls ill and after a harrowing experience in which he says to his son and other close friends "I thought i saw god, and he seemed displeased with me". This prompts the Tsar after undergoing this near death experience to abdicate in favor of his 16 year old son Simeon. This is considered outright surprising to the nobility and many of his supporters overtly beg the Tsar to not abdicate, but Crown Prince Simeon is coronated as the Tsar a month later. The Nobility, merchants, freemen and many others are extremely afraid that his tutelage under a German, and the known to be relatively ruthless father (while being a good centralizing leader). They fear that the new Tsar will share much of the same cruelties as his father. This is, however, found not to be the case as during his coronation the new Tsar Simeon hosts a lavish feast for his nobility, and reveals his intentions to maintain many if not all the same policies as his father saying "Don't fix what isn't broken". Even following the coronation Tsar Simeon is considering unfit as being too young and will only bring ruin to the family, the country, and everything his father has accomplished. The nobles which, however, criticize him are taken on a hunting trip and with the Brandenburger Heir, his Father, and a few of his close friends as well. The hunt is considered a smashing success and the New Tsar specifically seals the deal after he single handedly killed seven deer, and defended himself successfully from a wolf, only to take in the wolves - six pups as his pets. He takes specific interest in a White Wolf pup which he takes special care of training extra compared to the other pups. The Former Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan begins to take up more on his studies and becomes a close advisor to his son. He also agrees albeit somewhat dubiously to remain the supreme commander of the Bulgarian army. The Bulgar population grows to roughly 3.87 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of growth with the cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations. After much debate between the Tsar Simeon and Ev-Tsar Vasili announce that the Neapolitans will be receiving Bulgarian assistance in their bid to become an independent Kingdom. Tsar Simeon offers his help to Naples on the condition that the italian territories in the Balkans are restored to greece, and the Principality of Albania (Mod plz??)
Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth.
Principality of Moldavia: The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000.
Athenian Provisional Government: The Athenians under the previous command of Aragon and Castile respectfully submit to the Bulgarian Empire but only trade occurs and most of the Aragonese and Castilian ships and trade interests are left alone
The Regent of Naples accepts this arrangement on behalf of the ruling council. -scraw
Bahmani Sultanate:Ismail Shah sends 8000 troops to Burma, to be placed at Binnya Kyal's disposal.
Burma:Infuriated by the border incidents, Binnya Kyal invades Ava (going up the Irrawaddy) with 14,000 men. He asks both the Bahmanids and Bengal for support.
Delhi Sultanate: Our army and navy continue improvement and expansion. We choose to remain neutral in the war against Ava, and instead turn towards culture and academics. A branch of the University of Delhi opens in Puri this year, where the port remains busy with trade and shipbuilding. The five-option plan remains in place for Gunterists.
Himalaya Kingdom: A branch of the University of Agra opens in Kathmandu. Nothing else of note occurs.
Ladakh: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: With trade resuming through the Sicilian channel the economy maintains itself. The new King is confident that he has resolved the problems but keeps England much as it is.
Papal States:Leo X writes to Aragon, telling the king that he will support the Anti-Italian league. The hispanic pope has long held a belief in the inherent insecurity of having the Patrimony completely surrounded by one state. The Legates and nobles are informed to be ready to call up their military forces, and the Papal and Castilian Guards also prepare. In other news, trade across the Overland Route continues to bring in money for the economy. The pope sends representatives to Visit the monasteries of the States to do a survey as to the mode of life within them and the level of monastic discipline. A young Subdeacon in Perugia is found selling indulgences by the Inquisition. Pursuant to Indulgentarium Doctrina, he is excommunicated and sent to the strictest Cistercian monastery in the land to do a lifetime's penance.
Benin: The growth of the Bini economy continues to fuel population growth and infrastructural development in the western regions of the empire. The expansion of farmland in the western regions has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Bini subjects moving into the area and settling the lands as the cost for the land remains cheap and plentiful. The farming of yams, rice, wheat, sorghum, palm oil, cocoa, and kola nuts have attracted many individuals to the region, and many have been encouraged to have more children to aid them in developing the virgin regions under their control. Elsewhere, the navy of Benin continues to grow, as another five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe are constructed in each of the ten participating port cities as part of the naval expansion program. Trade in the Indian Ocean continues to grow, and the Bini merchants expand their grasp of trade in the region by promoting Bini goods and services to the local states. The settlers of Benin expand their holdings in the central tribal regions by 20,000 square kilometers, seeking to exploit the lack of tribal resistance to their growth. With the Imperial Army supporting their advances, the natives are systematically exterminated wherever they are, the Bini having lost any interest in dealing with them. The few women and children taken by the Bini are doled out to the settlers, and the land divided by the government to the new residents. Kuzir missionaries in the tribal pocket return with a tally of 300,000 native men, women and children of all ages, and report a similar situation as found in the western tribal pocket near the Atlantic coastline of the empire. A table of all the gold mines in Benin and their output is organized for the planned ten-year report for the Oba and the uzama. Across all of Benin, a total of 122 tons of gold is being mined per year. A table for diamond mining is produced, revealing that a total of 175,000 carats of diamonds are mined throughout Benin per year. Chocolate production for export, and as palm oil, sugar, and pepper exports are increasing.
Sweden: Weary of rising tensions in the Mediterranean, the old King rejoices with his sons' heirs, Kettil and Karl, The nation focuses on improving the region's economy, tax base and the Emperor visits Denmark on a state visit to visit his beloved nephew, Eric.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. Our scholars is tasked to build a new language from Somali Arabic with
Ferdinand of Austria, officialy denounces italy as "a nation of thieves and robbers", officialy declaring that the plebicite in Istria was "coerced by the Armies of Italy", as attested by a Nobleman of Ernstberg. Guard recuritment is increased for possible war with the nation. Meanwhile, Ferdinand's eldest son, Frederick, reaches sixteen years of age. As such he is named Count of Habsburg-Wurttemberg, and sent to prepare for his possible future rule of all Austria. Frederick choses Stuttgart as his seat and begins his rule over those lands. Meanwhile, the university of vienna is relatively unaffected by these events. The renaissance thoughts continue to prosper in the Austrian lands, as well as giving rise to a new "south germanist" ideologies that advocate for the unity of souther Germany under Habsburg hegemony.
In Hungary, The Duke Rudolph continues his infrastructure projects, planning several aqueducts and irrigation canals thoguhout the nation. This period is also a large one, as the unviersities of the nation import Austrian books and translate them. The same lisence system is set up for print shops, and many merchants take advantage of this, giving the government profit from the renaissance as more and more books on theology, philisophy, and natural philosophy are published en masse. Recuritment for the Apostolic Guards are increasing, and some men are stationed on the border with albania, with the Serbian despot's permission of course. the Hungarian fleet grows thanks to Serbian fleet basing rights and the leasing of a few minor ports, where drydocks are currently being built.
Serbian Despot Stefan continues to mind his own buisness as a few Apostolic Guards are set on the Albanian border to make sure that Italy does not attack, especially after the proclamations made by the Habsburg monarch Ferdinand. Arabic roots, yet has enough differences to show ourselves as an independent nation.
Chinese Empire: The military continues to grow, and fortresses continue construction on the borders of the Empire, as well as throughout the Empire itself in order to crush any chance of any future rebellions breaking out for ANY reason as the Emperor continues to mold the Mandate into what he wishes. Taiwan continues to grow. The navy presence on the island increases, and marine compliments on Imperial ships are increased more still. Transport ships built expressly to hold marines are constructed, and ships now begin sailing in squadrons, with three transports and 12 warships sailing together at all times in order to make the Chinese Navy the most powerful force in the eastern oceans.
1481
The war in Naples continues.
I don't know what you're talking about unless there is an ongoing civil war between Italian loyalists and independence forces. Italy never invaded Naples, so it has de facto independence at the moment. -Rexmod
Kingdom of Burgundy:Burgundy declares war on Italy, looking to end the Compact of Valletta and re-enter the east Mediterranean trade. The army, 70,000 strong, is mobilized, and a large detachment of the navy, 250 ships, is sent to the Mediterranean.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. With the revolution having succeeded, Suleiman began his rule over the mighty Sultanate. One of his initial decisions including replacing and executing all of the cronies that had been put into positions by power by Salman, replacing them with his own loyalists. Suleiman simultaneously initiated a massive process of settling Persians in the the Wilayets of Krymia and Hatay, hoping to 'Persianize' the state or effectively convert its populace to Shia Islam. At the very same time, Suleiman started cracking down on the smuggling of spices, executing offenders and having their bodies impaled along multiple trade routes. On education, Suleiman continued the policy of his predecessor and made a personal donation of 500 books to the House of Wisdom. However, Suleiman established a clear line between enlightenment and blasphemy, executing all those who spoke against God and promoted atheism. The Sultan in particular also abolished the royal harem, terming the establishment as immoral and the root of all evil. Finally, hearing of the war in Europe and of Astrakhans attack upon Poland, the Sultan mobilized 100,000 men, joining up with the Astrakhan forces and jointly attacking Poland. An additional 240,000 were sent along but would primarily be reserves, given the order to intervene only if the Poles received any outside aid or if the 100,000 started to lose.
Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Suleiman's desperate need for more scholars.
Astrakhan Khanate: The Astrakhan send 20,000 men to invade Poland, hoping to sieze their lands for themselves and keen on re-establishing dominace over Eastern Europe. (posting for Bel with Bel's permission)
United Crown of Great Iberia
After two decades of humiliating pushing around at the hands of Italy, no more! The Queen of Aragon officially declares that a state of war now exists between the United Crown and the Kingdom of Italy. We call our fellow Coalition members to arms, and deploy a fleet of 300 ships in total to Italian waters. 80 are sent to bombard Sicily, another 90 to Sardinia, 40 to Malta, and the remaining 90 are sent to bombard western Italian cities, including Florence, Milan and Genoa. Additionally, the Eastern Mediterranean Fleet, consisting of 150 ships in total, is deployed to attack eastern Italian coasts. An army of 50,000 troops are also sent to Italy to lay siege to Italian cities, in particular the capital of Milan. An additional 10,000 troops are sent to Sardinia. Iberians who have for far too long been under the thumb of Italy in Sardinia rise up against their Italian oppressors and join the Iberian army, raising our numbers to about 15,000.
No creating rebellions yourself in foreign territory. ~Wolves
Bahmani Sultanate:With Ava safely subjugated, on Binnya Kyal's request, diplomats from Bengal, the Bahmanids, and Burma meet to draft the Pegu Accords to determine the future of Burma. Burmese nationalism shall be contained by 'uniting' Burma, but with a ruler under Indian control.
Burma:Binnya Kyal II hosts the meeting of the Pegu Accords and uses the opportunity to create better relationships with the Bengalis. After its signing, Binnya Kyal is crowned Cakkavatti (Universal Ruler) of the Burmese, as well as the new King of Ava, and Subahdar of Arakan.
Maldives: With the islands fully set in order, Muhammad Shah leaves, and control regresses to Muhammad II, who will be allowed to keep the throne, but under close supervision from Gulbarga.
Knights Hospitaller: For too long Italy has divided Christendom and now with the sanction of the pope, we join the United Crown of Iberia and the Anti- Italian Coalition and send our most of our fleet and our army to invade Italy and we aid the main Italian army, while we send our ships to help them secure Malta.
Aragon OOC: Please declare and commit the exact number of troops and ships you are sending to assist the war effort. This is needed for calculation of the algorithm. Thanks. EDIT: Red specified 3000 men and 74 ships in chat.
Cologne: Given the recent resolution of the conflict with Julich, Archbishop Emmerich sends a small envoy of canons to Berg, Julich and Brandenburg, thanking both dukes and the Holy Roman Emperor for their support in reaching an ideal solution for all. The envoy presents each leader with a silver medal that commemorates the rational negotiation between the countries and encourages the promotion of further justice and peaceful conflict resolution. Further, realising that Heinrich’s involvement as Holy Roman Emperor in this conflict was crucial to the peaceful resolution, Archbishop Emmerich writes to Brandenburg enquiring about whether the Emperor would support the creation of courts as an overarching judicial institution of the Holy Roman Empire, designed to lawfully resolve conflicts of this kind. (OOC: courts likethese would be appropriate.) Veteran Knights Hospitaller continue to train with Cologne’s growing militia, and the Kolsch Code begins to unify many of the peasant militia men. Emmerich invests heavily in an additional weapons industry sector in the new segment of land that used to belong to the Duke of Julich, now known as Kolschberg. Emmerich also has plans to build a hospital in Kolschberg.
Essen: This year, Abbess Sophia sends canonesses to Sweden to acquire new knowledge, learning what they can from Sweden’s universities and scholars. The anchoress Ulrike is reported to begin speaking in languages that no one can understand. Meanwhile, the infirmary in Essen finally takes in fewer patients this year, with the general health of the population rising.
Swedish diplomacy:The Abbess of Essen is welcomed in Sweden and is shown around in the university of Uppsala and the Scientae Dei library at Stockholm.
Papal States:His Holiness sends twenty-five ships and 10,000 men-at-arms (including the fearsome Castilian Guard) to contribute to the War against Italy. He also allows Anti-Italian forces to march through Papal lands to attack Italy and their allies in Naples. When not preoccupied with this war, Pope Leo reads the letter from his Legate in Stockholm, and becomes convinced that Greenland must be re-settled for the sake of the salvation of the souls of the poor pagan Esqimos, who could be brough to knowledge of the True Faith. Given Scandinavia's unsatisfactory previous attempt to re-establish the settlement, however, His Holiness is reluctant to ask them again. The Pontifical Bible Commission continues its translation and annotation work along with its friends in Essen.
English Dip: The King of England hears the Papal concerns and endeavours to help a candidate he supported as well as do service to God and enhance his reputation amongst the Kings of Europe. He tells the pope that he will arrange an expedition and bring the Light of God to the Eskimos.
Papal Dip: Pope Leo X blesses the expedition and sends a hand-picked number of Franciscans to accompany the expedition.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. The first book written entirely in Swahili is published and distributed, which is a translation of the Koran.
Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and ten ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer, the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue.
Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang (OTL Scarborough Shoal)
Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation. Randolph's son Frederick is born. Barbara dies this year. Dirk marries a noble woman of the name Elisabeth.
Benin: With the threat assessment of the tribal forces within the two unsettled pockets of land surrounded be Benin completed, the Oba gives the order for the Benin Imperial Army to enter both pockets of land and put an end to the suffering of the natives. The tribal peoples are slowly exterminated in the process, with all the women and children under the age of ten taken by the Bini, and the men, elderly, and adolescent children killed off or sold into slavery. Roads are built behind the forces of the Imperial Army for the benefit of the settlers, who slowly transform much of the forested land into farmland. New towns and villages are set up by the subjects of Benin, and the region finally settled by the empire once and for all. With the region finally secured by the Bini people, the Oba turns his attention to the relocation of his court and capital. The site for a new capital is located along the northern Black Volta River, in the region just recently settled by the Bini people. Visiting the site, Oba Nosagie gives his blessing for the arrangement, and the cornerstone for the new imperial palace is laid down at the feet of the Oba, the Dari Council, and the members of the uzama. The plan for the city shall revolve around a massive palace complex and wide marble avenues that shall serve as the nexuses of the capitals many streets and buildings. It is planned for the capital to serve as the perfect medium for Kuzir ideology and advanced Bini architecture to blend. Vast libraries and schools as well as canals and public utilities shall help to make the city one of the cleanest and safest in the known world. Elsewhere, the expansion of the Imperial Navy continues, with the navy expanded with five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe from each of the ten cities construction them as part of their contracts with the imperial government. All akakan are outfitted with cannon as per the request of the Oba. Thus far, the navy of Benin is larger than next three European navies combined, as planned by the Oba, who seeks to ensure that Benin's naval superiority remains unchallenged. With trade with foreign powers increasing, and no major enemies capable of invading Benin at home, the most rational decision for the military was to turn to a naval-oriented force, especially with the army depleted following the civil war. As Bini trade through the city of Sofala continues to increase the empire's trade influence in the Indian Ocean, the Imperial Navy has found itself escorting many Bini vessels through the region to protect it from rival powers in the region. However, these tasks have been delegated to the Southern Fleet of the Imperial Navy, while the Western Fleet deals with regional issues in West Africa. Seeking to establish a permanent base of operations for a flotilla to protect Benin trade and make the empire less reliant on Sofala, Benin establishes a settlement known as Ireti (or "hope") on the Cape of Good Hope. Five hundred Bini subjects sign up for the twelve day journey to the new settlement along with a hundred Benin Imperial Army warriors, who shall serve as the protectors of Ireti.
France: Louis XII inherits the lands of Anjou, Maine, Guise, Mortain, Gien, and Provence, with the death of Charles IV who bequeaths his lands to his cousin, King Louis (OOC: Happened OTL and has mod approval). Louis XII mobilizes the army with the wake of the coalition, and sends a force to defend his ally, while leaving a force back home to defend the French heartland. Per the Edict of Chambord obsolete castles continue to be deconstructed, making nobility more reliant on the king. Louis also passes the Edict of Angers which establishes a precedent that every noble must visit Paris once per year for a certain amount of time to meet with the King (further undermining their power). Paris continues to blossom under new reconstruction, more arts are financed, and the Renaissance continues to spread throughout France.
Buha: We expand 10,000 square kilometers each year toward the coastline. We make 100,000 more tribal folk into citizens. We work to "civilize East Africa." The Emperor has a dream of uniting all East Africans under one banner, creating a nation very strong. We look up to Benin as influences to our great Empire. We deforest the land to build more farmland. We request that 10,000 Buhan warriors be trained and equipped by Benin. We in turn will offer Benin slaves.
Bini Diplomacy: Benin does not maintain slavery within its borders. We will happily take women and children as concubines and pupils however. As to your request, we are honored to help a fellow Kuzir state in developing its military, and we shall see to it that your forces are well-trained and disciplined.
Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with every fourth man being given an arquebus and two backups for a campaign. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Beyond this the economy of the Empire has shown a good increase but it also on a slowdown as increasing projects for purchasing and improving the country itself have seen the economy flag. The banking system still sees growth and prosperity as it becomes widely adopted as a "Renaissance Idea" in the empire. The Tsar Simeon has taken much effort to highly train and work with his wolf pack and also sets a good price for any hunters who are able to capture wolf pups or trap wolves in general as the Tsar has established a wolf kennel under the royal palace in Tirgoviste. The Tsars Personal Wolf named Bora is known as the second in command wold in the kennel with the Tsar himself having integrated himself as the Wolf packs personal alpha male. The Former Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan begins to take up more on his studies and becomes a close advisor to his son. He also agrees albeit somewhat dubiously to remain the supreme commander of the Bulgarian army. The bulgar population grows to roughly 3.93 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of Growth with the Cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste, and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations. Ev-Tsar and Supreme commander of the Bulgarian Armies raises the entire force of the Bulgarian army and consequently moves the forces into Albania, Epirus and Morea with the expressed intent of expelling the italians and giving freedom back to the greeks and albanians.
Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth.
Principality of Moldavia: The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000.
Athenian Provisional Government: The Athenians under the previous command of Aragon and Castile respectfully submit to the Bulgarian Empire but only trade occurs and most of the Aragonese and Castilian ships and trade interests are left alone
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: As the pope has asked someone to we set out to colonise Greenland. The colonists land in March and set out to work. For the colonisation process mainly livestock farmers from the Scottish highlands are recruited for the colony with the initial colony plant being 40 men and 40 women between the ages of 18 and 27 with the settlement being built in the Qinngua valley which is supposed to be one of the warmest parts of the island with the only natural forest. 20 fishing boats are brought along and moored in the fjord for use of the colonists while hunting of hooded seals and fishing is done while a number of sheep are brought over and hunts for reindeer with bows are done. Rather than try to sow crops they focus on meats while ships are expected to come yearly in the mid summer and exchange grain for their fish, lamb, seal and reindeer meat. This is the initial colony deployed by a number of English ships. Meanwhile back in the British Isles the tax reform system has been a success with a fairer tax system on who actually owns what land so other than that England is going good and we ignore this Italian squabble.
Chinese Empire: The army continues to fortify the borders, and the contruction of fortresses across the country continues, armed with cannons and armed with only the loyalist of forces, swearing their lives to the Emperor before taking up positions. The navy begins patrolling the coasts and the trade routes with Luzon and Taiwan even more cautiously, barring any pirates or enemy raiders from attacking the lifeline that holds the colonies so closely in touch with Beijing. The Mongolian autonomous zone has fortresses built around it, and soldiers of mixed Chinese and Mongolian descent arm the positions, ensuring their loyalty to the Empire and the happiness of the local people. Imperial trade now has the country becoming a melting pot of formerly different Chinese subcultures, with north and south trading causing the two migration of citizens from one part of the country to the other. The Emperor takes a tour around the country, visiting military installations and local villages, causing the people and military to increase their faith and trust with the Emperor, further molding the mandate of heaven to the Emperors whims.
One does not simply mould the Mandate of Heaven to one's whim. This applies to every turn you wrote that in. ~Wolves
It isn't impossible to mold the Mandate over time. Note Im saying Im working on it, not doing it in one turn.
Delhi Sultanate: We continue expanding and improving our military, with our economy still doing very well. With the trade boom still going on, the Sultan realizes he can further boost trade through the Yamuna and Ganges Rivers, the latter reaching all the way to the Bay of Bengal as the Padma River through Bengali rivers; ports are built in a line of Delhavi cities on the Yamuna-Ganges route for trade. The route on the Yamuna is Delhi City to Agra, then finally to Allahabad, where the Yamuna merges with the Ganges. The route on the Ganges starts in Dehradun (on the Song River, in the Himalaya Kingdom), going down to Rishikesh (where the Song merges with the Ganges; also in Himalaya), from there down to Haridwar, and then all the way to Kanpur, to Allahabad, to Patna, to the Bengali border. These new ports and trade routes help these cities grow and further boost our economy.
Himalaya Kingdom: Dehradun and Rishikesh grow due to the new trade routes.
Ladakh: Nothing of note.
The Austrian Monarch, Ferdinand, declares that a state of war exists between Austria and Italy, aiming to retake the lost lands of Ernstberg and the lands of Aquileia. The Austrian army is mobilized, and one hundred men are moved into the Italian territory, begining the siege of Ernstberg (trieste) that will determine the upcoming success of the Aquileia campaign, bypassing the mountians via Austrian territory to the east of the city. Sixty thousand men remain in Austria as a percaution, although an unneccesary one
Seing a good reason to do so (i.e. opportunism), Serbia moves its troops and declares war on Albania and other Italian territories. Mobilizing ten thousand troops (despotic monarchy) to aid the Hungarian armed forces which are moving now.
The Duke of Hungary, Rudolph, in the name of King Ferdinand, raises what will later be known as the "black army", consisting of forty thousand well-trained men, Guardsmen and de facto mercenaries alike, and vows to aid in the wars against Italy, attacking their balkan territories, and preparing a fleet for invasion.
1482
Rebellion begins in Naples and Sicily as the local nobles and merchants as their king has allowed the new overland trade route to bypass them and deprive them of wealth. They call upon the uncle of the French king to take up the claim of the Anjous on Naples. They offer lower rates for any nation that resumes trade through Neapolitan waters.(The original war has been retconned and moved forward to this turn.)
Kingdom of Burgundy: Henri Slyke's latest voyage to the southern coast of Africa brings personnel to establish a supply post at an area on what has become known to them as "Cape Charles" (OTL Mossel Bay). With a new mid point, trade with the Indian Ocean is hoped to become easier. Meanwhile, at home, King Charles declares support for the Neapolitan rebellion, and sends the Burgundian Navy to the Mediterranean to secure naval superiority. The army, 70,000 strong, is mobilized and made ready to move when needed.
The Austrian Monarch, Ferdinand, declares that a state of war exists between Austria and Italy, declaring support for an independant Naples and aiming to retake the lost lands of Ernstberg and the lands of Aquileia. The Austrian army is mobilized, and one hundred men are moved into the Italian territory, searching for a safe/good enough route through the mountains (or around them) that a larger amy could follow to Enrstberg (Trieste), whose siege will determine the upcoming success of the Aquileia campaign, bypassing the mountians via Austrian territory to the east of the city. Once those men reach then city, they send note to the rest of the Austrian forces, who follow their original path as forty thousand other men [1]begin the Siege of Ernstberg. Forty thousand men remain in Austria as a precaution for defence, carefully monitoring the border with Italy for uncursions, especially in the Trent area. The City of trent is well-firtified, as is the city of Lienz, preparing for possible Italian counter-attacks.
Seing a good reason to do so (i.e. opportunism), Serbia moves its troops and declares war on Albania and other Italian territories. Mobilizing ten thousand troops (despotic monarchy) to aid the Hungarian armed forces which are moving now.
The Duke of Hungary, Rudolph, in the name of King Ferdinand, raises what will later be known as the "black army", consisting of forty thousand well-trained men, Guardsmen and de facto mercenaries alike, and vows to aid in the wars against Italy, attacking their Balkan territories, and preparing a fleet for invasion.
Ethiopia: Baeda takes this time to send the Royal Guard to take Red Sea lands held by the Egyptians. Baeda also continues to bring water to the capital city. With the economy stable and slowly growing again research goes into making the nation better and also improving the roads and crop yield. He also encourages craftsmen and painters in larger cities.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus.The Gurkani/Astrakhan military destroyed the Poles at the Second Battle of the Vorskla River, suffering roughly 40,000 casualties whilst the Poles suffered around 59,000 losses. The army then proceeded to persue the Poles to their capital of Vilnius, laying siege to it.
Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Suleiman's desperate need for more scholars.
Astrakhan Khanate: The Astrakhan send 20,000 men to invade Poland, hoping to sieze their lands for themselves and keen on re-establishing dominace over Eastern Europe. (posting for Bel with Bel's permission)
United Crown of Great Iberia
With Aragonese trade now largely unrestricted, our economy recovers at an accelerated rate. In response to the Neapolitan rebellion, we urge Neapolitans not to press for a French takeover of the throne, as the Neapolitan people may indeed suffer from similar circumstances that they have under Italy. We instead offer the alternative solution of electing their own King, as the Greeks did, from the ranks of their nobility. The Queen openly declares her support for the Neapolitan rebellion. We also declare that if Italy chooses to retaliate against Naples' move for independence, Italy shall face the wrath of the Grand Mediterranean Coalition. Furthermore, we wish to purchase the Neapolitan territories of Sicily, Sardinia and Malta, which were wrongfully and treacherously stolen from us by Italy; we are willing to pay a handsome sum for the return of these islands. If Naples is unwilling to sell us Sicily due to its proximity to the Neapolitan heartland, we will also settle for just Sardinia and Malta. (MOD RESPONSES REQUIRED)
The ruling council of Naples firmly objects to giving up Sicily. -scraw (Also, read the event. Only Naples and Sicily are rebelling. All the other islands are still Italian territory.
Aragon OOC: Sardinia and Malta are not Italian territory. Rex has said that Sardinia and Malta are both part of Naples.
Sultanate of Bengal: As always, 20 more ships are constructed each year. The Sultan also hails the victory against Ava. He gives an official pardon to everyone in the revolt and orders no reprisals to be taken against the Avan population.
Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of Ava: Binnya Kyal II offers an official pardon to all former Avan rebels.
Papal States: His Holiness sends twenty-five ships and 10,000 men-at-arms (including the fearsome Castilian Guard) to assist the Neapolitan rebellion against their italian overlords. He also allows Anti-Italian forces to march through Papal lands to attack Italy and their allies in Naples. Leo hopes that by supporting the rebellion, he will be able to break the Italian encirclement of the States. The Pontifical Biblical Council contnues its work with its friends the canonesses of Essen, with plans for the new Latin Vulgate, plus the annotated Vulgate, to be released next year. The Authorised German Translation, and its annotated version, will hopefully be published the following year. England is asked for a report on the progress of its Greenlandic settlements.
Cologne: With no reply from his ally the Holy Roman Emperor, Archbishop Emmerich writes again to Brandenburg reiterating his ideas from the previous year (1481). As a new campaign for unifying Kolschberg with the rest of Cologne continues, Emmerich sends Vicar General Wikbold II to each of the households of nobles in Kolschberg, trying to recruit young men to fight for their new country as knights. When the first nobles’ sons arrive at the barracks in Kolschberg, they learn immediately from Veteran Knights Hospitaller and begin to take note of the Kolsch Code. Integration with Westphalen and Cologne militia is encouraged, with several willing young men changing barracks this year. Furthermore, the hospital in Kolschberg begins construction.
Essen: Abbess Sophia thanks the Swedish government for accommodating her canonesses so warmly, and the canonesses remain in Sweden, to return in a few years. The Essen infirmary seems to be reaching a vaguely sustainable level of new patients per year. Finally, out of pity, a young canoness takes it upon herself to sit and listen to the anchoress’s whispers. This continues for several months. Then, twelve days after the summer solstice that year, the anchoress Ulrike begins to speak clearly in Latin with her eyes rolled into the back of her head. It is a prophecy from the Lord! It is long and incoherent: “One day, people will see without eyes and the sky will cease to be populated by stars. The ends of the earth will burn and melt like wax, and the oceans will encroach upon even the tallest of mountains. People with skin of sapphire will live among the fire of mortals and a select few will have the ability to transfigure themselves into faux-children. A new land will rise from the seas to the west. But when the Great Plague of Perfume comes upon us, only the nuns of the world will maintain control through fear and battleships painstakingly crafted from communion wafers, and a Great Mother will lead the world in pursuit of aubergine butterflies to eternal salvation in the Kingdom of the Lord. Mere mortals will find themselves under such delusions as praying to a god of Cabbage.” The canoness, astonished, writes this all down and takes it to Abbess Sophia, who laughs, takes the inscription, and bids the canoness to bring anchoress Ulrike more water – she must be going delusional from dehydration. But quietly, Sophia wonders if in fact any of this could be true. If so, this scares her beyond belief.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We experiment with farming techniques to ramp up food production and population.
Duchy of Thuringen: The city guard continues to defend the capital city of Erfurt. Our military grows by adding more recruits each year. We continue to trade a lot with our neighboring states. Farming goes well in our nation this year. Peace is upon our nation since Europe is currently not going through any type of wars and such. Our citizens are happy with the current situation of our nation. Karsten dies this year from old age. Ferdinand becomes duke of the nation. Emma marries a noble named John. Karsten II marries Mary. Karoline marries James. Felix marries Sophia.
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Guntruist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. They expand trading even further, Sutkan sends a delegation to Swahili, and through them formally offers to open trade.In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a center of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. U Thong also continued to attract a class of intellectuals, and as a result, Sutkan begins to allow public forums in the city, where citizens can debate many things openly. While there are certain topics that still can't be debated, these forums are popular and keep growing, spreading to other cities.
Bahmani Sultanate: The construction of the port of Sat-Jezair continues, as does naval construction. A new university is founded in Diu.
Burma: Binnya Kyal is glad that the war in Burma is now over, but he now has a new problem: he seems to only be able to sire daughters, and must decide who he will marry the eldest to. Seeing that Mingyi Nyo of Taungoo seems a wise and capable ruler, and one without any wives, Binnya Kyal II asks if he would be willing to marry his eldest daughter, reminding Mingyi Nyo that this marriage will ensure that not only the Kigndom of Burma, but Ava and India as well, will protect his small kingdom against any invasion, as well as raids from the Shan States. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED).
Maldives: With support from Bahmanid engineers, a project is started to increase farming on the atolls, especially of coconuts (for export to the west), and develop the ports more. This will take about five years to complete.
Mingyi Nyo accepts. -scraw
Addendum: At this time, Mingi Nyo was the heir to Taungoo, not the ruler, but it matters little.
Benin: The Bini acquire a fifty year lease on an island of the Azores known as Flores Island (as agreed with Guy), and move to begin building up a base on the island for the Imperial Navy to support Bini trade vessels moving north to Europe. A permanent flotilla of thirty vessels from the Benin Imperial Navy is assigned to the island to combat potential threats from European navies, as well as provide escorts to trade ships carrying high-value goods such as sugar, pepper, and cocoa. The navy of Benin is expanded by another five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe from each of the ten cities contracted by the imperial government. The growth of the population in the western regions of Benin continues, especially thanks to the removal of the tribal population that existed outside of Benin. With access to the virgin territory acquired, the Bini settlers have begun to transform the region into productive farmland and establish towns throughout the region to establish civilization in the region. Benin now devotes its vast resources to the maintenance of its new settlement of Ireti on the Cape of Good Hope. The territory is expanded by 500 square kilometers by the Imperial Army garrison in the settlement, and the foundations for the settlement expanded to accommodate the population. Contact with the local tribals known as the Khoi and San people is established by the Kuzir missionaries, who invite them to adopt the civilized ways of the Bini. They are keen to extend this invitation cordially, teaching them how to build houses and read Kuzir writings. The Khoi and the San are even invited to join the empire as citizens with the full protection of the Oba as their liege, and receive the benefits of imperial life as a reward for their loyalty. Back in the fatherland, after discovering that the Iberians have been sailing through Bini waters without permission, the Oba declares that all non-Bini vessels shall now be subjected to a tax known as the idiyele, or "charge". Using the vast Imperial Navy to patrol Bini waters, any vessels that refuse to pay the tax will either be seized or turned away. However, recognizing his trade pact with Iberia, a case-by-case basis will be permitted for their benefit. Elsewhere, a thousand Buha warriors are sailed down the Congo River and out to Benin where they will be trained in the Bini ways of war, as well as taught proper military discipline and cooperation. Infrastructure in Benin continues to be expanded, with libraries, schools and hospitals built in the increasingly growing cities of the empire. The construction of the capital of Benin continues as well, with the members of the Kuzir clergy routinely visiting the site to bless the workers and overseers for their work. Many more Bini move inland to the unsettled regions to claim their own land, and with the well-watered regions of West Africa, have a steady source of fresh water and fertile soil to work with. A nun working in the main hospital of Edo by the name of Irueghian Uwuimiro, links the death of some patients in her care to the bloody tools of the doctors, and suggests that they be cleaned in hot water before being reused. She also suggests the same of hands covered in blood, so as to prevent "corruption" from one patient from travelling to another. Her ideas are considered by the dari in charge of the hospital, and after much consideration, agrees to the change based on the information he has obtained. Diamond mining in Benin is expanded greatly as more and more Bini move into the western provinces of the empire. The output of diamond mining increases from 175,000 carats per year to 250,000 carats per year, as the rich veins of diamonds are located in the Guinea region of the empire. Gold production is also improved, as the deposits of gold in the Oro province are better exploited by the miners in the region, increasing Benin's gold output from 122 tons of gold per year to 150 tons of gold per year. Production of silk has be promoted by the Oba and his government, to provide the Europeans with an alternative source for silk that is far closer and easier to acquire rather than going overland to China. Thus far, Benin is producing 6000 momme (45 inch by 100 yard bolts of silk) a year.
Knights Hospitaller: The year is 1481 and our current Grandmaster is Pierre d'Aubusson. We build fortifications and strengthen pre-existing fortifications on Rhodes and on Crete. We also focus on our navy and begin refurbishing and renovating the dockyards in Rhodes and in Crete in order to increase our shipbuilding capacity. We consider refurbishing our old ships in the future. With our Print shop finished, we begin printing broadsheets to increase recruitment as well as religious zeal. With our limited success against the Barbary pirates we continue our campaign to protect our shipping and seize their wealth as well as discover their origin (Mod Response on effectiveness). Due to Crete being designated as a Free port, trade is booming. In order to increase our wealth, we copy the strategy of the Knights Templar and buy small-medium plots of land across Europe and building cathedrals and castles while we establish the Bank of St John and we establish branches in our commandries We stop signing the Compact of Valletta and instead use the trade route of Civitavecchia and Ancona thus bringing a renewed wave of prosperity as trade is no longer restricted. To help facilitate communication between the commandries we begin to establish a courier system between the commandries utilising couriers and mail coaches to send corresondence across Europe while we request funding/investing in exchange for other nations to be able to use this Europe-wide postal network (other nations respond). We declare neutrality in this war in Italy, as we believe that Christendom should be united against the Infidel. We also find out in a census that we have around 6000 men (reference here) and 74 ships (found pop from men, then found number of ships). We also renew our raiding the Ottomans sending small groups of ships to capture/raid shipping, and attack coastal towns/village mysteriously razing and abducting villagers.
Chinese Empire: The army continues to fortify the borders, and the contruction of fortresses across the country continues, armed with cannons and armed with only the loyalist of forces, swearing their lives to the Emperor before taking up positions. The navy conitnues patrolling the coasts and the trade routes with Luzon and Taiwan even more cautiously, barring any pirates or enemy raiders from attacking the lifeline that holds the colonies so closely in touch with Beijing. Imperial trade now has the country becoming a melting pot of formerly different Chinese subcultures, with north and south trading causing the two migration of citizens from one part of the country to the other. The Emperor takes another tour around the country, visiting military installations and local villages, causing the people and military to increase their faith and trust with the Emperor, returning to his palace in Beijing in mid-September.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: We send another 30 colonists to our colony in Qinngua Valley to replace the 30 or so who died in the winter while also bringing large amounts of grain to the colony and exchanging the grain they have brought over for the various different meats they have acquired. In the valley itself they have worked hard for a year and have removed the forest in the valley and used it to build a number of huts around the outer valley while inside they have made devoted the area to growing vegetables and there is livestock grazing on the slopes of the valley. The king promises the pope that he will eventually start converting the Eskimos once they have things set up The colony is cold and harsh but the rough Scottish settlers have endured. Meanwhile in England things continue to go well with the economy remaining stable and all.
Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Royal engineers continue experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Construction on the new school in the capital continues. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
In the Kingdom of Italy, Matteo is struck by the sudden rebellion in Naples and simultaneous invasion by Austria. He decides to focus on the treacherous Austrians first, reciprocating their declaration of war. He sends the majority of his armed forces (120,000) to combat the Austrians at Trieste and sends the remaining forces to beat back the Serbians in Albania.
Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with every fourth man being given an arquebus and two backups for a campaign. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Beyond this the economy of the Empire has shown a good increase but it also on a slowdown as increasing projects for purchasing and improving the country itself have seen the economy flag. The banking system still sees growth and prosperity as it becomes widely adopted as a "Renaissance Idea" in the empire. The Tsar Simeon has taken much effort to highly train and work with his wolf pack and also sets a good price for any hunters who are able to capture wolf pups or trap wolves in general as the Tsar has established a wolf kennel under the royal palace in Tirgoviste. The Tsars Personal Wolf named Bora is known as the second in command wold in the kennel with the Tsar himself having integrated himself as the wolf packs personal alpha male. The Former Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan begins to take up more on his studies and becomes a close advisor to his son. He also agrees albeit somewhat dubiously to remain the supreme commander of the Bulgarian army. The Bulgar population grows to roughly 3.93 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of growth with the cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations. Ev-Tsar and Supreme commander of the Bulgarian Armies raises the entire force of the Bulgarian army and consequently moves the forces into Albania, Epirus and Morea with the expressed intent of expelling the italians and giving freedom back to the greeks and Albanians. Also giving outright support to the Serbian forces in the area. This Armed force consists of nearly 70,000 Bulgarian troops led by the famed "Bulgarian Lion" Former Tsar Vasili Dracultesti "The Great Impaler" who marches into the Italian Balkans unopposed as the other Italian troops are trapped against a Serbian Army. A Diplomatic leaf is extended to what is now considered only the Kingdom of Milan, that It abandon the Balkans to its rising player rather than see it fall in the hands of the Austrians and offers a hefty sum of gold in exchange for the territory and Bulgarias non intervention in the greater war. Outside of this, however, the Bulgarian troops join their Austrian allies forces in the balkans. Another diplomat is sent to Naples expressing interest in their outright involvement in the war against the Kingdom of Milan showcasing that a victory here will restore the balance of power. This can be achieved through the a Bulgarian guarentee of Neapolitan independence in all cases, in exchange for a recognition of the return of Albania to independence under Bulgarian eyes, and another return of territory currently under milanese control to the kingdom of Greece (mod plz)
Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth. The Kingdom of Greece sends 5000 troops in support of the Bulgarian campaign.
Principality of Moldavia: 'The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000. The Moldavian troops mobilize and under the governmental umbrella of Bulgaria mobilize 11,000 Troops alongside their Bulgarian ally/suzerain.
Athenian Merchant Republic: The Athenians under the previous command of Aragon and Castile respectfully submit to the Bulgarian Empire but only trade occurs and most of the Aragonese and Castilian ships and trade interests are left alone. The Athenian merchant republic begins to see major growth of its navy but it is left out of the war for economic purposes.
1483
Rumors of witches in the Northern Alps begin to spread across Italy and the HRE.
Since the French claimant to the crown of the Two Sicilies has not responded to their offer, the ruling council of Two Sicilies selects one of their own to rule as Regent-General.
In China, the Emperor falls down a flight of stairs and becomes crippled. People see this as a personal weakness and that he has lost the Mandate of Heaven.
Oh come on, seriously dude? -Nova 22:05, October 10, 2016 (UTC)
Various announcements: The newly independent nation consisting of Naples and Sicily is henceforth known as the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Secondly, a naval algo is needed for the Old Kingdom of Naples (Rex) to send troops to Malta. This algo is Rex vs Two Sicilies as well as whoever is going after Malta. No algo is needed for Rex to transport troops to Sardinia.
Kingdom of Burgundy: The Burgundian Navy sees great success blockading Italian ports. Meanwhile, an army of 40,000 troops is dispatched to aid the Austrians.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The assault on Vilnius turned into a major success with the city captured and the defending army nearly annihilated. The Gurkani and Astrakhan proceeded to sack the city and butchered its inhabitants, beheading almost all of them. Once again, the main blame of the atrocities was put on the Astrakhan to maintain a clean image.. With the war having finally ended, envoys were sent to Krakow to open up peace talks. Meanwhile, keen on multiplying the influence and power of the Sultanate, Suleiman immediately devised a plan to initiate four wars and knocking out hostile states. Acting swiftly, Suleiman sent 80,000 North who joined in with the additional war-hardened 40,000 from Poland and 20,000 from the Astrakhan. A total of 140,000 men, they proceeded to launch an invasion of Russia. Simultaneously, 100,000 invaded the fertile and rich state of Adana, keen on acquiring the state. Finally, upon hearing news of the Knights Hospitallier launching raids on the Ottomans coastline, 80,000 troops backed with a fleet of 300 ships moved in on the Rhode islands, hoping to destroy the Order once and for all. Sultan Suleiman declared to the public that he would remain true and loyal to the historic agreement between Bayezid I and Shahrukh Mirza. Meanwhile, the Caliph Al Mu'ayyad declared Jihad on the Knights Hospitallier.
Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Suleiman's desperate need for more scholars. In response to the Pope decreeing Bulgaria as Christendoms Defender, Stephen Komnenos declared himself and the monarchs of Trabzon as the true representatives of East Orthodox Christianity. Stephen further stated that the Pope was a filthy heretic while the Bulgarians were crazy barbarians who had destroyed Constantinoples rich heritage.
Astrakhan Khanate: The Astrakhan troops returning from Poland send 20,000 to invade Russia, keen on crippling and defeating their historic enemy and on siezing more territory and influence.
Kingdom of France: In the wake of a new war breaking out, France honors the alliance with the Kingdom of Italy, sending troops to its ally as necessary (I am tight on time, subject to change). Louis XII looks for a wife.
United Crown of Great Iberia
The Queen of Aragon seizes her opportunity amidst the Neapolitan rebellion. The Iberian navy is mobilised, and an army raised. An invasion force of 300 ships and 40,000 men are deployed to both Sardinia and Corsica to take back what is rightfully Iberian. We encourage Iberians in Sardinia to revolt against the Italian government (MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE), and we attack administrative centres on the two islands. Our ships bombard major settlements to make them easier to take down.
South Australian Civilization: Over the last ten years, the civilizations of southern Australia continued to slowly develop the technology and society left behind by Tjilbruke. The domestication of animals, particularly wombats, emu, and dingos, have provided an incredible source of food production that have nearly doubled the population in some areas. This was also fueled by the development of taro and sugar as a source of agriculture as well. Red Kangaroo are finally experimented with as beasts of burden, pulling small carts over short distances. From this necessity, a prototype wheel is developed in the Ngarrindjeri culture and soon spreads across the southern coast. City-states begin to develop as certain cities across the continent grow significantly in population and prestigue. Within the city-state of Ngarrindjeri, a crude form of writing is developed of pictograms, based on the symbology introduced by Tjilbruke, and used mostly for the purpose of keeping track of religious sacrifices. Metal working has also become commonplace, most notably in the development of bronze boomerangs. However, no organized government has existed since the death of Tjilbruke, and even the structure within each city-state is mostly tribal in nature. In fact, most of the teachings of Tjilbruke have been largely forgotten, with ritual cannibalism and dreamtime becoming more common over time. Still, the Ochre Temple is maintained as a holy site, and the veneration of Lord Ngintaka as the "awakened one" still continues alongside all the other First Ones. The Bunyip still poses as a terror to the people, rising out of the Murray River once every three years on average.
Aragon OOC: I don't think that kangaroos could possibly be used as beasts of burden. Why? Well, they aren't exactly well-mannered oxen. They jump all over the place; they don't just amble down fields like I presume you are intending for them to do. Kangaroos are free spirits - you can't domesticate them, or we would have done that already. Also, what's with the bunyip? The Bunyip doesn't exist. ~Tim
We've discussed the kangaroo issue before. Stop trying to make such big changes so quickly. Also, Nathan, check out this paper for information about otl Aboriginal agricultural practises around this region. Finally, I sure hope the "Bunyip" is a poetic description of floods like I've been assuming. Callumthered (talk) 13:09, October 10, 2016 (UTC)
I've been working to greatly mitigate my earlier domestication of Kangaroo, as this is just a very early prototype. They weren't domesticated OTL because the people of South Australia did not exercise food-production to the extent of Eurasia (well, among a number of other factors, admitedly, but still enough to improve my odds I'd say). As for the Bunyip, I demand to have the right to use mythological of cryptozoological creatures as long as I'm not using it as an excuse for ASB development. After all, OTL history if full to the brim of events caused by miraculous or magical events.Oh, I didn't mean to push that button! † Oh, well leave a message I guess
Knights Hospitaller: We beg the nations of Christendom to help us fight against the Gurkani Scourge who are invading us and ask the Papal States to call a Crusade against the Gurkani's (Papal States Response). We beg the European nations to help and to put aside all differences until the Gurkani's are humbled (Nation response please). We assemble all our troops and ships and prepare to fight to our last breath. However, we believe that it is not too late and that if the Gurkani's turn back then there is still time for Peace( Gurkani Response, please don't do this). To the Abbasids, don't interfere. We also beg the Bulgarians, Iberians, Italians, French and the English to put aside their differences and help us. Finally our Grandmaster prays for salvation against the infidel and asks for the strength to defeat the infidel, as he had the Barbary Pirates and in his many raids (make him a GG or a GA, Mod Response.)
Iberian Diplomacy: We are afraid that we are unable to help you. The Queen says in a letter to the Grandmaster that "frankly, you brought this upon yourself by deploying your small numbers against the might of the Gurkani Empire. And now you have brought all of heathen Muslimdom to your door, and they have set it alight." She expresses her apologies to the Knights Hospitaller, but due to our obligations to the Compact of Iskenderun and our ongoing conflict with Italy, we will not be able to render our assistance to the Knights.
Papal States: The war continues. Pope Leo X is shocked with the news of the heathen attack on the Hospitallers, and calls on all Christian nations to help the Order. However, with most of the Mediterranean engaged with the Neapolitan War, His Holiness has little hope for the effectiveness of his call in the West. Leo thus decides on a three-pronged strategy: firstly he sends five galleys and 1000 troops to assist the Order. Secondly, he writes to the Tsar of Bulgaria, asking that he step up to his role as great Eastern Defendor of Christendom and do all in his power to rebuff the heathen attack on the bastions of Christendom that are Rhodes and Crete. Finally, he asks that all Christendom pray the rosary, calling on the Blessed Virgin to intercede on behalf of the beleaguered Order. Publishing of the new Vulgate is posponed. England is thanked for its report, and offered ten brave young Benedictine monks, well-practiced in farming, to join the settlement.
Benin: The development of Flores Island in the Azores as a base for Benin merchants and ships of the Imperial Navy continues, with a large harbor built in the southern half of the island capable of servicing up to 50 ships simultaneously. The expansion of the harbor is a major goal for the local government, which seeks to increase the naval range of Bini ships in the north Atlantic Ocean, allowing the Bini to reach lands as far as Norway and Denmark by stopping at the island to restock on preserved food and fresh water for the crew. The population of the settlement on the island grows from 200 residents to more than 750, as services requested by the Bini crewmen lead to growth of the local economy and industries. Many Bini move to the island seeking employment as a result of the economic growth. Back home, the Benin Imperial Navy continues to grow, as another five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe are construct by each one of the ten port cities contracted to help expand the Imperial Navy. Within the last, the number of lives saved by the suggestions given by Kuzir nun Irueghian Uwuimiro, have resulted in the Dari Council of Benin taking note, and investigating this development. After interrogating Irueghian over the breakthrough, the Dari Council has determined that cleaning blood off of medical utensils and the hands of those operating on patients, helps to prevent "corruption and fouling" from travelling from one patient to another, and dramatically increasing their chances of survival. Irueghian is selected by the council to go out and teach other nuns and priests serving as nurses and doctors about how to keep their hospitals clean and safe for those under their care, and her work is published in the local gazettes throughout Benin. Under the supervision of the Oba and the clergy, the new capital city of Benin has been constructed with the aim of making it the most beautiful city in the empire. Marble roads, extensive canals and thoroughfares, great roundabouts and bazaars, as well as large public buildings, have all been built for the new capital. Baths, hospitals, schools, and vast sanitation systems, have also be planned for the city to maintain the Kuzir ideals for a well-educated and healthy people. The construction workers view their work as holy, thanks in part to the Oba and the members of the oluko making regular visits to bless their efforts. Work on the new imperial palace continues as well, and it is believed that at least 15,000 Bini are taking part in the construction of the palace and imperial district alone, an effort that helps to employ many people in the area. In southern Africa, expansion of the Bini colony of Ireti continues, with another 500 square kilometers of land (10 px total) settled by the Bini people. An additional 200 settlers from Bini arrive to assist in the development of Ireti, as well as an additional 50 warriors of the Imperial Army. Missionary work within the Khoi and San populations outside of Ireti have progressed very well, as many have adopted Kuzir beliefs thanks to the awe and power demonstrated by the Bini settlers. Farming and construction of stone buildings have awed the natives into submission as they witness a powerful society rising out of the once empty earth on the Cape of Good Hope. The peaceful and welcoming nature of the Kuzir believers has also helped to promote the religion and the people following it to the natives, and thus, the local dari in charge of the settlement has sent reports to the Oba that he believes that the entire region may possibly be Kuzir within the next thirty to fifty years. The expansion of silk production in Benin continues, with the production of silk increased from 6000 momme to 8000 momme. Plans are drawn up by the imperial government to establish a series of silk producing centers throughout the empire, with the goal of 50,000 momme by the end of the decade set as a priority.
Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with every fourth man being given an arquebus and two backups for a campaign. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Beyond this the economy of the Empire has shown a good increase but it also on a slowdown as increasing projects for purchasing and improving the country itself have seen the economy flag. The banking system still sees growth and prosperity as it becomes widely adopted as a "Renaissance Idea" in the empire. The Tsar Simeon has taken much effort to highly train and work with his wolf pack and also sets a good price for any hunters who are able to capture wolf pups or trap wolves in general as the Tsar has established a wolf kennel under the royal palace in Tarnovo. The Tsars Personal Wolf named Bora is known as the second in command wold in the kennel with the Tsar himself having integrated himself as the wolf packs personal alpha male. The Former Tsar Vasili-Kaloyan begins to take up more on his studies and becomes a close advisor to his son. He also agrees albeit somewhat dubiously to remain the supreme commander of the Bulgarian army. The Bulgar population grows to roughly 4.05 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of growth with the cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations. Tsar Simeon with his father having seized all territories in the Balkans from Italy and trapping its force here offers once again to allow passage of the army and prevent its destruction as well as purchasing Italy's Balkan possessions. Outside of this The possessions are outright annexed into Greece proper and freed to Bulgarias new Vassal/protectorate state the Principality of Albania.
Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth. The Kingdom of Greece sends 5000 troops in support of the Bulgarian campaign.
Principality of Moldavia: The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000. The Moldavian troops mobilize and under the governmental umbrella of Bulgaria mobilize 11,000 Troops alongside their Bulgarian ally/suzerain.
Athenian Merchant Republic: The Athenians under the previous command of Aragon and Castile respectfully submit to the Bulgarian Empire but only trade occurs and most of the Aragonese and Castilian ships and trade interests are left alone. The Athenian merchant republic begins to see major growth of its navy but it is left out of the war for economic purposes.
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Gunturist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 180,000 men. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. They expand trading even further, Sutkan sends a delegation to Swahili, and through them formally offers to open trade. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a bastion of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. U Thong also continued to attract a class of intellectuals, and as a result, Sutkan begins to allow public forums in the city, where citizens can debate many things openly. While there are certain topics that still can't be debated, these forums are popular and keep growing, spreading to other cities.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: We send another 200 people to the colony in Greenland with two more settlements created in the fjords to shelter them from winds and give them a water supply while casualties from the current colony are replaced.
Chinese Empire: The Emperor, having fallen down, dies from injuries following his fall, and his son takes over the throne. He continues his father's opinions on the military and fortifcation of the country. Roads to connect the country together from all directions begin again, repairing old roads and building new ones. In a meeting following his corronation, the army and navy pledge their loyalty to the new Emperor, and the China begins to enter a period of focusing on building itself up and isolation, maintaining diplomatic relations and alliances that it currently has, but in most respects focusing internally.
The Caliphate continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt. After a decade of decentralization and autonomy, the Caliphate begins to take more and more power away from local rulers and governments, removing their petty armies. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We station nearly 50% of our troops in the Red-Sea lands of the Caliphate.
Bahmanid Sultanate: The port of ‘Sat-Jezair’ (OTL Mumbai) is completed, and declared w/minimum tariff for fife years to promote business. Major repair work begins on the road network, and a construction on a new one running from Karachi to Diu is started.
Burma: The Burmese princess Shin Sawbu is to be married to Tuongoo.
Maldives: Corruption and inefficiency puts the fife-year plan behind schedule.
OOC Bengal: I, LordMarlborough, am posting for The Guardian of Forever, as per their request.
Sultanate of Bengal: The navy grows by 20 more ships.
Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich of Cologne hears His Holiness’s call to battle as a devout Catholic, and sends 700 militia men and 15 knights to assist the Knights Hospitaller, to whom Cologne will forever be grateful for teaching its young militia the ways of war. The Archbishop holds a public mass in Essen alongside Abbess Sophia and they collectively encourage the people to pray for an intercessory intervention by the Blessed Virgin, as the pope requested. The Christian people of these lands cannot in good conscience stand aside and watch the noble Order fall!
Essen: Abbess Sophia joins the Archbishop of Cologne in a public mass in Essen, praying as publicly as possible, and uses the efficiency of the official Stelzner printing press to send a short document and plea for help to all Christian countries nearby (Berg, Julich, Mark, Nassau, Munster, Geldern, Cleve, Luttich: MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE), including the Duchy of Thuringen. We must assist His Holiness and the noble Order in defeating this powerful heresy and the only way we can do it is by banding together in the name of the Lord! Quietly, Abbess Sophia secretly fears that these Gurkanis believe in a God of Cabbage, but does not tell anyone else of these incredibly strange fears.
In the Kingdom of Italy, Matteo relishes in the defeat of the Austrian stealth invasion. After selling his Epirote, Morean, and Albanian lands (and Austrian Zeta) to Bulgaria, he pushes further into Austrian territory, sending the remainder of his 45,000 force from the Balkans north into Lubiana. Meanwhile, he is struck by the sudden treachery of Aragon. Ignoring the crisis in the Two Sicilies for now, Matteo sends 100,000 men to defend the islands of Corsica and Sardinia from the Iberians. The sheer numerical advantage leads to an onslaught and the death of the entire attacking Iberian force, effectively repelling the invasion.
Delhi Sultanate: 'Tis an uneventful year. We continue our militarization programs, with trade boosting our economy and making our cities grow. Puri is still a bustling city with a port busy with trade and naval construction.
Himalaya: Nothing of note.
Ladakh: Nothing of note.
1484
In Trebizond, the locals begin rebelling against the ruling Komnenos. They call shame upon him for claiming to be a defender of Christians while he bends the knee to the Muslim tyrant. His overlord oppresses Christians everywhere while he does nothing, even using the filthy Islamic title of Amir. They instead look to his half brother Thomas to restore the Empire of Trebizond.
In the Gurkani wars, the Russians and Poles form a pact to help defend each other against the Gurkani and their brutal Astrakhan servants. They work together to repulse the invaders from their lands in what is known as the Most Christian Alliance. The Gurkanis are driven back from Vilnius to far in the south of Poland. (Getting to Vilnius without passing anything else in Poland is implausible. The battles should be closer to the border.)
Syria, while officially part of the Caliphate, is basically an independent nation controlled by warlords ever since the recent Fitna. The current lord of Syria, Idris ibn al-Hamad, invades Gurkani Mesopotamia as well as the Gurkani Mediterranean coast with the intention of "liberating" local Sunnis from their Shiite overlords. With the Gurkani cut off from the Mediterranean, their attack on the Hospitallers fails and the Knights return to their islands.
In Brittany, the ruling duke dies and is succeeded by his daughter. Only 20 years old and unwed, she is already looking for husbands who will help enhance her power.
Hindus begin rebelling in the Delhi Sultanate.
Oman lays claim to large swaths of unclaimed lands on its border. The King of Oman proclaims his intent to make a great Islamic economic powerhouse.
The Regent-General of the Two Sicilies, Alessandro Miossi, is affirmed as the ruler for life and is given the right to select his own successor as the ruling council of the Sicilian nobility cannot agree on a suitable candidate for king.
In Korean Manchuria, an ethnic Manchu man gets into a fight with a Korean soldier after the soldier makes fun of his haircut. Soon, it devolves into a large fight between Manchus and Koreans. The Manchus, under the leadership of the first man, known only as Fu, kill all the Koreans they can find. However, when Fu returns home, his house is on fire and his whole family is dead. Fu decides to collect all of the villagers and goes on a rampage across Manchuria, killing Koreans and anyone who stands in his way. He gains countless followers and people join his cause without ever meeting him. Fu's Rebellion is raging across Manchuria.
The rumors of the witches in the Alps continue to spread across southern Germany and northern Italy.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The Gurkani forces successfully crushed the Russians at the Battle of Nizhnly Novgorod, capturing the fortress. However, news soon arrived that the Poles had joined forces with the Russians and were marching together to fight the Gurkani. In response, the Sultan sent additional reinforcements to the Gurkani/Astrakhan army who now numbered roughly 180,000. The two opposing armies met at the Battle of Moscow to decide the fate of Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, news arrived that a Syrian warlord had dared to attack the Gurkani Sultanate. In response, thousands of Alawite and Alevi Shias, who dominated the Med coastline areas joined to defend their homelands. They were joined with volunteers from Iraq as well as the 100,000 who had been stationed at Adana. Making up roughly 160,000, the army marched to fight the Syrians at the Battle of Aleppo. Simultaneously, the forces sent to attack the Knights Hospitallier returned, deeming the crisis at home as more important than that abroad. Landing on the harbours of Iskenderun, the 40,000 forces marched to Aleppo to aid their brethren, seeking to surround and cut off the Syrian forces.
Khedivate of Trabzon: Amir Stephen Megas Komnenos continued his reign over the city of Trabzon. Acting as a vassal to the Gurkani Sultanate, he would only be answerable to the Gurkani Sultan. The military and the navy were developed along the same lines as their Gurkani counterparts. Trabzoni authorities continue to work on the construction of a fleet at Trabzon, working side by side with Castilian authorities. The Trabzon Amir, Stephen would continue to develop the trade route leading from his Black Sea port of Trabzon, connecting it to the city of Tabriz, hoping to make the spice trade routes much more advanced and efficient. The Rennaisance continued to gain more ground throughout the Khedivate, with major intelluctuals and scholars making paintings whilst other promoted secular thought. The Amir, Stephen Megas Komenos essentially supported the movement, hoping that the Rennaisance would benefit the Greeks residing in the Sultanate as it would effectively increase their influence, primarily due to Suleiman's desperate need for more scholars. In response to the protests held by the people, demanding the restoration of the Empire of Trebizond and the ascension of Thomas, Stephen reminded his people that independence would only open up the Empire to aggression by the Bulgarians and the Ottomans. Meanwhile, the Amir started negotiations with Thomas and his loyalists, keen on having a clean transition with no major bloodshed so that Thomas may peacefully ascend the throne. Later that year, Stephen fled to Tabriz.
Astrakhan Khanate: The Astrakhan troops returning from Poland send 20,000 to invade Russia, keen on crippling and defeating their historic enemy and on siezing more territory and influence.
United Crown of Great Iberia
Castile: With Milan unwilling to fight Iberia on the sea, Castile launches an invasion of Malta. Unable to send men to defend Malta, Castile captures the island from Milan with little struggle. Castile requests that Bulgaria returns soverienty of Athens to the Iberian Union. With Bulgaria re-entering the war, the Iberian navy blockades the islands of Sardania and Corsica, preventing Milan from sending their army to the islands (Scraw confrimed that Milan needs a naval battle to break the blockade and send men.) Meanwhile, an invasion force of 15,000 men is sent to Sardania. With victory in Sardinia, the remaining 13,000 men, and an additional force of 30,000 men, is sent to assault Livorno.
Though we have been defeated on land, Aragon has achieved a strategic victory on the seas, having decimated the Italian fleet. With no challenge on the Mediterranean, our ships are free to continue firing upon Corsican and Sardinian strongholds. We also blockade the two islands, hoping to starve the Italians to submission. We continue to encourage the Iberians on the islands to revolt against their Italian overlords. Reinforcements of 100 ships arrive with fresh munitions and men. We hope to recoup our troop numbers soon, so that we can launch a second attempt at invasion. In the meantime, we persevere, and focus on maintaining naval superiority, blowing any Italian vessels out of the water and ensuring the port defences are destroyed and unable to operate. We ask our allies for assistance, as Italian power must be removed from the Mediterranean as soon as possible; this can be achieved if Corsica and Sardinia, literally the centre of the western Mediterranean, is removed from the grip of the Italian scum. Furthermore, the Queen announces that she is willingly renouncing her claim to the island of Sicily, in favour of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. We believe that this renunciation is different to that forced upon us by the former Compact of Valletta and by the treacherous Italians, and the Queen promises that this time she will not reverse this decision.
South Australian Civilizations: The populations of the cities continues to grow, giving a total population of south Australia up to 400,000. Each city-state has an average of 2400 people, each composed of a few hundred settlements. Competition for resources becomes much more fierce, as each city-state gradually becomes more centralized to the clans that control it. Burial mounds are used as ritual funerals starting around this time. Metel working becomes more refined, with many works of art developed out of iron and copper. Additionally, more refined metall (non-returning) boomerangs are developed, along with metalic spears and javalins, for improved hunting. A pictographic language starts in Ngarrindjeri and spreads throughout the surrounding states, used primarily for accounting agricultural trade at this time. Canoes are also expanded for increased fishing culture, and gradually spreads further from the coast.
To the dismay of the population, Adalbert of Saxony, Prince-Elector of Mainz dies at the age of 16 in May under mysterious circumstances. Berthold von Henneburg is elected Archbishop shortly after with acclaim. A reformist, von Henneburg immediately begins to restore law and order to Mainz after the past 20 years led to disarray and disorganization. Henneburg begins his restoration by making an example of three thieves, executing them by public hanging. By July, as Henneburg's power becomes established, troops are sent through the streets of Mainz to enforce the public safety, with draconian punishments for thieves, murderers, and rapists. As Henneburg becomes established, his ideals of Renaissance humanism- inspired by Nicholas of Cusa- begin to spread through the aristocracy. Cusa- and his humanists- believed firmly in the power of knowledge and education, and by November Henneburg is already making plans to make Mainz a bastion of human knowledge and wisdom. As word spreads throughout Germany, likeminded intellectuals and nobles begin to trickle into the city
I think you should already have the University of Mainz, opened in 1477 otl. Given that the line of Elector-Archbishops has remained the same as OTL, I think we can assume that the university would likewise have been founded, under the doctrine of Quod Assumpsi Assumpsi (or at least my understanding of that doctrine)Callumthered (talk) 14:02, October 11, 2016 (UTC)
Sorry, my wording here was ambiguous. I'm planning to make the university a much larger and more prestigous place than OTL, where for a long time it was disregarded a bit. ~~Gunny Bunny
Delhi Sultanate: This is the moment we were preparing for. We move in 75,000 troops to deal with the rebellious ones, with guarding of major cities increased. The army's possession of cannons and firearms gives us a great advantage over the rebels. The Sultan rallies Muslims and Hindus alike, proclaiming that we shall defeat those attempting to bring an end to the great peace and prosperity brought upon India. We call upon our brothers in Bahmani and Bengal to help out, as well as Oman. (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED)
Himalaya Kingdom: Security tightens to stop the spread of the revolt to our peaceful kingdom. With the great threat facing Delhi, 5000 troops are sent in; some of these include the now grown up younglings from Khumjung. We also rally Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists alike to secure the stability of India.
Ladakh: Security also tightens, with a particular eye on the Gunterists. Troops are sent into the Kashmir Valley to put down rebellions there. We also rally, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists to secure India's stability.
You rally zero Hindus. Oman refuses; it has its own business to worry about. -scraw
This whole Mod Event is so implausible because never in the history of India has there ever been a popular Pan-Hindu revolt. Heck even when Aurangzeb banned sati and reimposed the jizya, there never was a major Hindu revolt. Yet somehow in PM4, the Hindus decide to revolt for no reason at all, and this isn't even like Hindus from a particular region or belonging to the same ethnic group.. For example the Jats of Punjab, the Rajputs of Rajasthan, the Marathas of Maharashtra etc. Nope, it's apparently all the Hindus throughout the Sultanate rebelling for no reason at all. Just goes to show how little the Mods actually know about South Asia -Rimp
Nobody said it was a Pan-Hindu revolt. Nobody even said it was a big revolt. The event is so short compared to all the other events because I was thinking about a small revolt of a few people, but then Delhi decided to call up 80000 troops to crush it. I delivered a response in kind. -Scraw
It is a Pan Hindu revolt if the Mod Event says that Hindus are revolting and since you crossed out Delhi trying to recruit Hindus, I logically assumed that every other Hindy was in on it too. -Rimp
'In my defense, I sent out so many troops because I didn't know the exact figure. I simply assumed it was a fairly large revolt'. I could bring down the numbers if you wanted me to. Also, how could I rally zero Hindus? Surely there are some loyal Hindus who realize that such a threat could destablize India. -Orange
Bulgarian Empire: The Renaissance under the Empire continues to push forward with the technological and cultural advanvement continuing at a rapid pace. Tarnovo, Tirgoviste, Sofiya, and Vasiligrad all are shown to be absolute centers of cultural development. The expansion of the arms industry also continues with more smiths and artisans producing the weapons which have become popular and due to the Tsars funding and the generals intuition the reorganization of the Royal army with every fourth man being given an arquebus and two backups for a campaign in combination with some new infantry formations involving pikes. This is an unprecedented change and shows the highest firearm troop ratio to normal troops in Europe. Athens is officially returned to Iberia unless Aragon wishes to make a final sale on the territory. The economy of Bulgaria continues to see a good relative increase as more protectorates and vassals are added to the Empires sphere of influence and the major increase of the productivity of the Balkans is known to be increasing. The Bulgar population grows to roughly 4.11 million. Settlements in Wallachia, Thrace, and Thrake remain the major areas of growth with the cities of Thrakiya, Tirgoviste and Vasiligrad and their surrounding areas gaining more farming and citizen populations. The Besarab-Asen family becomes known as famed wolf tamers as every member of the family has taken a wolf pup to train. Tsar Simeon on his own becomes known as the "White Wolf" as his snow white wolf Bora is literally inseparable from his comrade and owner. Tsar Simeon becomes known for taking the wolf into sensitive negotiations with nobles, and merchants as he operates the direct matters of his families lands as an extremely effective intimidation ploy. A Noble of the Velitchkov family personally says to other boyars "if the man can tame a wolf, there is no saying what else he could do". The Bulgarian Tsar Simeon in discussion with his father agrees that under his rule he should remain extremely wary of his neighbors and specifically look to prevent the muslim powers from crossing the sea once again and doing to the Bulgarians what they previously did to the Greeks. Tsar Simeon thankful for the Milanese acceptance of his offer, and hence preventing further insanity, Reorganizes the acquired territory, putting the historically greek territory with Greece to sate their desires and keep them docile, and then reorganizing Albania into a principality but having seen an attempt to undermine the Austro-Bulgarian alliance proclaims his further involvement in the war expressing outright rage in attempting to sell territory to Bulgaria that wasnt italy's to sell. Tsar Simeon demands monetary compensation for this act of treachery and rejoins the war. A new type of agriculture is taken up in the mountains and steep hills in the Balkans and on the foothills of the carpathians. It can only be called step farming referring to the way the mountains and hills get cut as they are turned into agriculture. It mostly has appeared in the foothills and mountains near the balkan mountains and is extremely low intensity on water turning a huge profit for the few adopters. With Milanese treachery in attempting to hurt the Austro-Bulgarian alliance 53,000 troops are assembled consisting of 40,000 Bulgarian troops, 11,000 Moldavian Troops, and 2000 Greeks troops. The Army is headed by General Vasili "The Great Impaler" Dracultesti. This force immediately marches on Istria passing through lands controlled by Austria (through hungary and then through austria). The Bulgarian forces immediately begin to siege Trieste. As a warning to the italians hundreds if not thousands of Italians caught outside trieste are impaled and set up miles down the road on well traveled army routes the Italians would take.
Kingdom of Greece: King Jacob of Greece continues to rule, but takes an expressed interest in expanding the Greek fleet into a large trade fleet, having successfully gained protection from land threats as a vassal of the Bulgarian. This is relatively well received and trade with Greeks in Ionia as well as on the Eastern half of the Mediterranean starts to expand through greece as a good source of wealth. The Greek lands are nearly doubled as the Italian Greek lands are restored to Greece.
Principality of Moldavia:The Principality of Moldavia continues to show a relatively strong growth as well as good military training due to its march status under Bulgaria. It constructs forts to protect its flank from potential raids and invasions from the East. Population stands at 560,000. The Moldavian troops mobilize and under the governmental umbrella of Bulgaria mobilize 11,000 Troops alongside their Bulgarian ally/suzerain.
Principality of Albania: The Principality of Albania is established with the Prince Georgy Mogilev being granted control as the ruler of Albania. The Bulgarian establishment of the principality is met with outright shock as many albanians half expected to trade one absolute ruler for another. This, however, is not undertaken as their borders are respected and a modest garrison is left to begin rebuilding the small principality from the ground up. Not including Italians the Albanian population is estimated at about just over 100,000.
Aragonese Diplomacy: We welcome Athens' return to the fold of the Union, and express our gratitude to Bulgaria for accommodating the territory's needs while we were unable to.
Papal States: War continues (?). News of the so-called incidences of witchcraft filter through to the Curia, and the head of the Inquisition dispatches a group of five inquisitors to the region to investigate. Their instructions note that they must use the highest level of caution and maintain the Inquisition's normal high standard of proof. Pope Leo and the Cardinal head of the Inquisition both believe that the rumours of witchcraft are no doubt unfounded, but wish to bring any Devel-worshippers back into the fold. In other news, the Rome-Essen New Vulgate is published. The work of many years' scholarship by Europe's greatest theologians using the most ancient manuscripts, the new translation is a true marvel. The Roman Press (still run by the Ekhard family) prints a full run of it, and they are sent to all the cathedrals in the States and beyond. The official Annotated Version is also published. The official German Translation for use in the Reformed Northern Rite will probably be completed next year. Poland is warmly congratulated and thanked by Pope Leo for its efforts in defending Christendom, and the King is granted the personal title of fidei defensor.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We experiment with farming techniques to ramp up food production and population.
Swahili Diplomacy:We agree to the Khmer Emire's offer of trade.
As the Austrians continue to fight the Italians, after repulsing them at Lubjana, ejecting them fron Austrian territory, Frederick von Habsburg, Ferdinand's heir, is unmarried and looking for a bride. After hearing of Brittany with a ruling woman looking for a husband, King-Archduke Ferdiand offers to wed this eligible pair, promising that Brittany will have no obligations when it comes to the current war with Italy, and arguing the union with Austria is a good way to begin to assert more independance from England. Mod Response Please Meanwhile, the Austrians at war with italy strike back after regroupijng at Lubjana. Instead of focusing on one target, they decide to resume the siege of two cities at once while the italians are distracted by the Iberians, with their armies not to arrive until next year. The Austrian army, recovered from last year's assault, begins their next moves. As such, the Istrian Campaign begins, as much to give Austria a bargaining chip as to do anything else. The fifty five thousand men divide in two, and are men with further re-enforcements from Austria, Hungary and Serbia to the tune of twenty five thousand men. As such, the total troop count for this operation is eighty thousand, which split in half, half to begin the second siege of Ernstberg(trieste), and another half to begin the Siege of Raska(or an itaian city near that general vicinity if its technicaly owned by Croatia). In case the Bulgarians decide to aid, the borders of Austria, Hungary, and Serbia are opened to the army of Bulgaria and the Impaler.
Duchess Blanche rejects Ferdinand's offer of marriage, saying his lands are too far away to help her and her people. -scraw
Rathher conveniently, the Despot of Serbia dies of old age, without children. The throne passes to his second cousin, a young boy of ten. In spite of this, Ferdinand takes charge of the Serbian troops, and dispatches his cousin Ernst to Act as Lord Regent of Serbia. The war with italy takes presedence, and the quick arrival of a new leader along with five thousand guardsmen certain solved the matter of "who's really in Charge here". Alexandar is declared Despot of Serbia and begins his reign under stern Austrian leadership. His coronation is scheduled for 1490, when he officialy turns of age and is able to rule in his own right. As such, Ernst now wears the regent's coronet while Alexandar finishes his education.
Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto is called back to Berlin upon hearing that his father has falling ill. He leaves Tarnovo with his new mistress, his two children with her. He invites his dear friend Vasili to join him along with his daughter the bride to be of Otto the younger to see the growing capital of the Brandenburg estates. Upon his return to Berlin he is made Regent for his father who remains the dejure ruler but is seen as unfit to rule in his own right anymore. Otto overseas the final construction of Great Brandenburg Palace in Berlin. With the palace complete the royal family takes up residence there. Otto based on his experience in Bulgaria begins carrying out with vigor many of his father's efforts to bring the nobility fully under his control. He finally finishes his works the Red Legacy which is split into three parts. the First is his thoughts on political authority and the needs for a soviergn to adjust to new situations to fully secure his goals, the second part talks about how a ruler's authority and legitimacy rest in his ability to rule and to command the respect and obidience of his subjects though he believes that a ruler is born with the right to rule as long as he can enforce that right. The third and final part is a series of thoughts on warfare and the growing improtance of maintaining a strong military force loyal to the soviergn and not to the nobility. The nobility react with mixed responses to this piece fearing somewhat a lose of their power and influence however Otto retains the loyalty of the hussite/reformed nobles of which make up a large part of his military officers and with the army itself being made up largely of reformed catholics the roman catholic nobles remain quiet. Increasing numbers of commoners adopt the hussite rite as the word of the lord is preached in German making it easier to understand and for them to feel and believe in the word of the lord as a opposed to Latin which they do not understand. Theology, philosphy, and other areas of renassaince thought grow in the University of Berlin. Otto himself becomes a major patron of the arts and of culture inviting Italian, German, and Bulgarian artists, scientists, engineers, and philosphers to his Court in Berlin. Berlin's population continues to grow reaching 29,000 people. The city while small in population is made up of a rather wealthy mix of nobles, merchants, artisans, clergy and soldiers making it the thriving centre of power for the Brandenburg domains. The population of the Brandenburg domains is at present 2.8 million people. Military reforms continue as the Landsknecht units are developed furthger along with firearms tactics are expanded upon. The mechanical arts (engineering, metalurgy, smithing etc, etc) are further developed in the universities of Luxembourg and Breslau with mining and developing of smithing growing in improtance for the economies of these areas. the Merchant and artisans grow in improtance in these areas .Lorraine, Luxembourg, and Sielsia become the main centres of industry for the Brandenburg Domains and efforts to further integrate these regions into the main power structure of the Brandenburg family. Efforts to further Brandenburg influence in the Rhineland continues with trade and economics being the main focus as well as improving relations with Cologne. Otto offers Cologne a deal to protect the Archbishopric in times of need, in exchange they request the permanent support of Cologne for the Imperial Elections, and ask for permission to recruit commoners and nobles in Cologne domains for the Landsknecht units as they represent a mercenary corps. Otto also continues his father's efforts to secularize the Teutonic lands within the HRE, this time he comes to a final offer to offer the Hochmeister after over a decade of talks. He offers them the continued existince as a military order that serves in the protection of the empire. Extending to them the right to man fortresses along the borders of the Holy Roman Empire and the Order along with the Hchmesiter will only be answerable to the emperor, the Order will gain funding from the empire to replace the loss od revenue from secularized lands and they will retain control over Livonia which remains outside of the Empire's control, In exchange Order's holdings in Prussia will be turned into the Duchy of Prussia a fief of the House of Brandenburg under the control of Otto the younger, who will be styled as Duke of Prussia ( i need a mod response to this final offer as The pope has already agreed to the secularization and the mod resimus said he would differ to papal decision this is the final deal so accepting it would lead to prussia being created as a vassal and eventual lesser partner in a pu with brandenburg, and refusal will be war with the Brandenburg ad the disnmantling of the order within the empire.)
The Teutons decide to accept this offer. -scraw
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Gunturist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. The Navy begins construction of three major naval ports: in Kedah, Chaiya, and Vijaya. Additionally, a much larger base is built in Oc Eo - a city well on its way to becoming the naval capital of Khmer. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Currently, around 300 pirate ships are actively raiding Majaphit, tearing their trade and coastal cities to shreds. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 130.000 men due to our renewed focus on the navy. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. Sutkan thanks Swahili for opening trade, and hopes that Both nations will benefit from it. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a bastion of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. The investment in culture begins to pay off, as Khmer begins to experience a cultural explosion, mostly in the city of U Thong, but reaching to Ayyuthaya, Angkor Wat, and even as far as Kedah.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The Greenlandic colony continues to be resupplied as those who died are replaced and more grain is sent into the colony. The King sends his condolences to the daughter of the Duke of Brittany and is deeply moved by his death. His eldest child Prince Edward and heir to the throne is offered to the Duchess (Mod response) Meanwhile in England the young prince and heir Edward at 13 hears stories of King Arthur and becomes fascinated by them and the idea of a legendary King and goes with the aid of his tutors a great deal of effort to become an expert on the legendary King.
Although Duchess Blanche is greatly enamored by the offer to be the future Queen of England, the Breton people and local nobles firmly object as they believe it would lessen their autonomy and mean the beginning of the end for their unique culture and customs. As such, Blanche decides to turn away the Prince of Wales. -scraw
Chinese Empire: The Empire watches the rebellion in Manchuria with caution, not wanting to interfere in Koreas internal affair as it seems Korea is strong enough to handle the revolt on its own. Troops are positioned on the border to ensure Manchurian raiders do not cross into Chinese territory. Other than that Empire continues to focus internally, maintaining the colonies and the routes that connect them. Fortification of the country continues, and research to keep China up to date with the rest of world on terms of both military and non military technology. While we begin to slow our connections in terms of military actions, we do begin trading wiith the Khmer, and through them contact with Muslim Indian states, marking the start of Chinese influence in the region. The islamic culture of these Indian nations has a profound impact on some traders, causing some to convert to Islam and bring Muslim missionaries back home with them.
Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich of Cologne hears of the election of a new, reformist Archbishop of Mainz, and immediately reaches out to his fellow Archbishop-Elector. He points out that both archbishoprics share a common interest in their positions within the Holy Roman Empire, and offers Mainz a trade deal in exchange for Mainz incorporating the Adelphinian Reforms into its many religious institutions. Emmerich notes the importance of solidarity to this cause, and the importance of unity amongst HRE member states. Meanwhile, the archbishop receives the offer of Otto of Brandenburg and refers immediately to his own offer of 1481 regarding potential HRE Courts. Cologne would be happy to take this deal, if Brandenburg will agree to push through reforms of a judicial system in the HRE, and if Brandenburg will agree to send some Brandenburger troops to Cologne to assist Cologne’s own militia (in addition to the Cologne commoners/nobles sent to assist in the Landsknecht).
Essen: Abbess Sophia and the canonesses of Essen rejoice at the final publication of the Rome-Essen New Vulgate and dutifully assist His Holiness’s Roman Press in distributing the new copies. Sophia herself, upon receiving one of the first Annotated Versions, is pleased to note the extraordinary depth of meaning and historical accuracy of the additional notes, and the way that the Bible makes more sense with this additional context. She is confident that finally the Vulgate will be even more accessible. She begins to read from the annotated copy when she gives her lectures, and a few people notice the change and come up to her after the lecture with positive feedback. The Rome-Essen New Vulgate and Annotated Version are both incorporated very quickly into the Study of Theology at the University of Essen. Meanwhile, in response to news of witches, Abbess Sophia gives several lectures assuring the public, saying that these are but mere rumors.
Brandenburg Dip: Otto agrees to Cologne's conditions.
Bahmanid Sultanate: 60k troops are sent to help Delhi. A few Gunturists try to escape the Laccadives by a mutinous ship, but they are quickly caught and deported.
Burma: Due to the new marriage, a road is built to connect with Taungoo. Construction on a road to the Khmer through the three Pagodas Pass is begun. It will take five years.
Maldives: Maldives: Muhammad Shah returns to put the fife-year plan back on schedule. He orders those who show competence promoted, and those without, even if they are nobles, to be placed in lower positions. Anyone caught attempting to corrupt the fife-year plan will be executed.
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built this year. The Sultan also orders the abolition of the Jiziya tax for non-Muslims. Roads are expanded to link Ava with Bengal.
Ahom Kingdom: Roads are improved.
Kingdom of Ava: Roads are improved.
Benin: The residential sections of the Imperial Palace of Benin in the new capital city are largely completed, and the Oba and his household officially move to the palace. In a speech to the growing population of the city, Oba Nosagie decrees that the name of the new capital shall be known as Nla-Olu, or "great capital". Its central location shall allow the Oba to maintain a relatively manageable communication network with the many provinces of Benin, as well as remain in a secure location away from the coastline and the border regions of the empire. The grand marble road avenue that serves as the main nexus for the capital has been completed, and a vast roundabout connecting the palace to the Grand Esuku of Nla-Olu, the new religious center for the Kuzir religion, has been built as well. The Imperial Guard transfers all of its troops to the new capital where it shall continue in its role of protecting the Oba and his government from external and internal threats. Elsewhere, hospitals throughout the empire adopt the sanitary recommendations provided by the Kuzir nun, Irueghian Uwuimiro, resulting in a remarkable increase in the survival rate of patients entering into the hospitals' care. In the northern regions of Benin, the Astronomical University of Nara, having grown from a small observatory thirty years prior under the care leadership of Dari Aisosa Nosariere, has put out a publication affirming the logical conclusion that was originally published in Aisosa's Nature of the The Celestial Bodies. The astronomers of the university have agreed that the earth is without a doubt a sphere, and that the sun does not rotate around the earth, but that the earth instead rotates around the sun. While this information has yet to gain purchase with the Europeans or the Arabs outside of Benin, it has become more or less accepted as fact within Benin. The Bini continue to grow in their disdain for the Arabs and Europeans, who many view as culturally, financially, and intellectually backwards compared to Bini people, who increasingly come to view themselves strictly rational and logical, and accepting the metaphysical realities taught by Kuzirism. The colony of Ireti continues to expand, with another 500 square kilometers (10px total) of land added to the colony's territory. Conversion of the local Khoi and San people continues as a priority of the local clergy in Ireti, who send missionaries out to spread the light of Kuzirism to the natives. Several cannon arrive in Ireti from Benin, and an odi is constructed on the Cape to protect the colony from foreigners. Not far from Ireti in the city-state of Sofala, the local Bini merchants find themselves increasingly placed under heavily taxation for the business they are doing in the city, and largely for the benefit of the Benin Empire. Outraged by this act, the Bini merchants send word to the Oba that their rights are being oppressed. The Oba sends word back to the merchants in Sofala to express calm and obey the laws of the land they reside in, and he will send a delegation to the city to request that the taxes be decreased for the benefit of the merchants. However, unhappy with this offer, the merchants plead with the Oba to enforce the empire's right to trade on its own terms in the region, leading to the Oba to digress and agree to punish the city-state for its actions. A fleet of 100 oke carrying a force of 10,000 Imperial Army warriors is dispatched by the Iyase on the orders of the Oba to the city of Sofala. Back in Benin, each of the ten major port cities contracted by the imperial government to expand the navy construct five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe. The Benin Imperial Navy establishes a permanent flotilla in Ireti which consists of thirty ships, and shall serve as the naval garrison for the colony. Over on Flores Island in the Azores, the expansion of the naval facilities there to cater to the needs of Benin's navy continue. The thirty ship flotilla stationed at the island s expanded to fifty ships, helping the Bini merchants using the island as a waypoint to head up further into European waters stay safe and secure.
Korea sends ten thousand troops to crush the rebellion, while raising the current standing army to thirty thousand. Fu's relatives are all rounded up and killed, and all male Manchu dissidents are either executed for treason or sent to Hwatae-do. A second city is constructed in Hwatae-do, intended as a penal colony. The defection to the Korean side by the Manchus is incentivized, with the central government promising stipends, security, and automatic sangmin status. Korean citizens in Bukneong (comprising a third of the population), and Haegi (comprising half) are put under heavy supervision to minimise casualties. Seeking to protect sea lanes and dominance in the Korea strait and the Eastern Sea, the navy continues to receive investment. Ships, particularly bigeodo and geobukseon, continue to be built under an entrenched naval tradition. Gunpowder weapons continue to be produced, with firms specializing in said industry being subsidized. Under current monarch Yi Un, Yeogun (Yi Hyorin), and Sejong (Yi Do), Mahayana Buddhism under the fusionist Yi sect replaces Confucianism as the most popular ideology. Architecture and the arts flourish due to being patronized by yangban, incorporation Buddhist elements. Buddhist temples are built, especially in Gyeonggi and Gyeongsang. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted, with several academies and universities being built and many elite partaking in education.
Fu's relatives are already dead; that's why he started the rebellion. -scraw
1485
Blanche of Brittany remains unwed.
The Papal Inquisitors disappear in the Alps. Rumors of small children being abducted by the witches spread across the land.
The rebellion in Delhi is sufficiently crushed. Many survivors straggle across the border into Bahmanid territory.
In Manchuria, Lord Fu, as the people know him, or the Outlaw, as the Koreans know him, continues to raise hell. The Korean seach for him and his followers everywhere, but they cannot find him because the Manchurian people are supporting Fu. The haircut Fu was mocked for when he started his rebellion is adopted by men all over Manchuria as a sign of resistance.
Al-Hamad continues to terrorize the Gurkani lands in Mesopotamia as the Gurkani military is occupied in other wars. Hamad sends his brother Sharif to Oman to make an alliance with the King of Oman. King Farhad agrees to the alliance and sends his navy into the Persian Gulf to attack the Gurkani coastline. The Omanis and Syrians avoid direct battle, instead riding (or sailing) across the land, killing Persians, and "liberating" Sunni Muslims. However, support among ethnic Persians for the Gurkani Sultan remains strong as ever. Shiite Muslims are massacred wherever they are identified. Many people accuse their neighbors of being Shia simply so they can seize their wealth.
The Most Christian Alliance reaches out to their fellow Europeans to combat this Islamic terror on their border. They depict the Astrakhan as a land of brutal savages and the Gurkani as morally bankrupt and politically corrupt.
The English colonists in Greenland all die in a mysterious fashion, presumably due to the cold.
The sweating sickness strikes England.
In Trebizond, Thomas Komnenos proclaims himself to be the rightful heir of his father, Julius Komnenos. His half brother Stephen is captured by a mob as he tries to escape to Tabriz and burned in the streets. Thomas, a very wealthy man, gains favor among the intellectual and cultural Greek community by becoming a patron of artists, writers, and scientists. He inspires a movement among the intellectuals where they write against the Gurkani.
Multiple earthquakes strike Taishan, China. (OTL)
Kingdom of Burgundy: with Italian troops focused elsewhere, a force of 15,000 troops cross the border and take Geneva and Vaud, with orders to fall back if a sizable force means to engage them. The troops sent to reinforce the Austrians take part in the fall of Venice, and continue with the allies in the march on Milan. King Charles writes to Blanche of Brittany, offering his second son, John, as a potential husband. (Mod response please)
The Duchess and her advisors are appalled at the offer of a second son and refuse. -scraw
In that case, what about his first son and heir, Robert.
Chinese Empire: We condemn the mass executions that the Korean government has commited against the Manchu, commenting that the Manchu people, "have a right of rebellion" if they view their ruler or rulers as unfit, as dictated in the Mandate of Heaven. The Manchu were conquered by Korea, and do not see their rulers as just and even tyranical, meaning the Manchu have this right to rebel. After the earthquakes, releif is sent to Taishan, with the navy aiding in expediting food supplies and building materials to repair the damage. The Islamic missionaries from the Indian states land in Taishan, as well as other coastal cities, where they begin to spread the word of Islam, gaining the attention of those who wish to change something in their lives, and especially gaining attraction in the region hit by the earthquake. The Chinese population has by this time largely melded into a nearly uniform culture, thanks to the intermarrying of families and groups in the previous decades, allowing the local dielects to erode while the more mainstream version of the language becomes the dominant one throughout the Empire.
The Mandate of Heaven only applies to the Chinese Emperor, and not to Korean monarchs. Second, the Manchu are a Yi (barbarian; unsinicized) people, thus it is very unlikely that they would be favoured over a Hua (sinicized) people like the Koreans.
The post stands.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Trabzon and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Trabzon. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Meanwhile, tired of the continuous attacks upon Gurkani areas by the Syrian, 180k troops bean marching on the city of Damascus to deal with the Warlord and his troops, having already crushed them at Aleppo. Simultaneously, the Gurkani navy started raids on Omans coast, effectively crushing the Omani merchant ships and defeating the Omani pirates as well, due to having a much larger and technologically superior navy.
Gurkani - Russian Diplomacy: The Sultan has been amazed by the Russian bravery and valour in the field. The strong desire amongst the Russians to fight for their people, their religion and their land can truly not be matched. Therefore, on behalf of Sultan Suleiman Shah of the Gurkani Sultanate, an offer of white peace and subsequent prisoner exchange is offered to the Russian Boyardom. The Russians are reminded that the war has ravaged the Russian countryside and has devastated the lives of the innocent Russian people. As such, this offer of peace should not be taken lightly as another might not ever come. [Mod Response Needed]
The Russians consider this offer pure cowardice, but nonetheless, they accept. -josh
Gurkani - Trebizond Diplomacy: On behalf of Sultan Suleiman Shah of the Gurkani Sultanate, Thomas of the House Komnenos is requested to submit to Gurkani authority. The Sultan has promised to never treat any Christian unjustly if Trebizond were to peacefully return and this sign of leniency should not be taken for granted. Thomas is told that if he truly wishes to becone the Protector of Christendom, then he should swallow his pride, reject his selfish desires and accept the offer. Failure to accept the demand will only result in the destruction of Trebizond. [Mod Response Needed]
The Trebizonds deny! -josh
Bini Diplomacy: Lo! The Empire of Benin officially requests of you a trade pact as presented by the Most Benevolent Oba of the Bini Nation. (I made it all fancy and stuff)
Gurkani Diplomacy: Whilst Gurkani accept the offer of a trade pact by Bini, the Bini merchants are reminded that the flow of their goods and the access of their merchants to Gurkani ports will be restricted to a certain amount for now.
By March, extensive renovations of the University of Mainz have begun. 10,000 tonnes of stone and mortar are requistioned from quarries, and Archbishop von Henneburg begins recruiting intellectuals to his cause of humanism. Taking after de Cusa's advice, von Henneburg begins pouring money into the city's churches to improve the literacy of the poor. Meanwhile, plans are drawn up for a mandatory conscription, both to defend the city and to instill discipline in the city. By November, the new laws instituted by von Henneburg are showing serious effect, as crime is down almost 43%. In his capacity as Elector, von Henneburg contacts the Holy Roman Emperor, encouraging the spread of his humanist ideals and encouraging the reform of German politics, suggesting a Diet at Mainz in the near future to achieve an ever closer union (and before anyone calls me out on this, this is an OTL event, von Henneburg was a unificationist who almost achieved it). Towards the end of the year, an attempt is made on von Henneburg's life- the would-be assassin is caught, but dies of his injuries before the name of his master can be tortured out of him. It is, however, noted that the assassin is Italian. Also 1000 Mainz troops march across Germany and invade Milan because Edge told them to. Despite their size, they proceed to lay waste to all of Italy, then head up north, unifying all of Europe by Christmas, at which point they declare the Imperium of Man.
Cologne Diplomacy: Archbishop Emmerich of Cologne hears of the election of a new, reformist Archbishop of Mainz, and immediately reaches out to his fellow Archbishop-Elector. He points out that both archbishoprics share a common interest in their positions within the Holy Roman Empire, and offers Mainz a trade deal in exchange for Mainz incorporating the Adelphinian Reforms into its many religious institutions. Emmerich notes the importance of solidarity to this cause, and the importance of unity amongst HRE member states.
Mainz Diplomacy: Archbishop von Henneburg gladly accepts, beginning the reforms immediately.
United Crown of Great Iberia
With renewed confidence, Aragon rejoices in the retaking of Sardinia, and we welcome the island back into the fold of the Union. However, the Queen remains dissatisfied, and chooses to initiate an invasion of Italy proper. A fleet of 300 ships is deployed to bombard the western Italian coast, and an army of 50,000 troops swarms across the Papal border into Italy. We lay siege on the capital of Milan while our ships continue to pummel port cities and destroy any hope for an Italian naval recovery. With definitive, uncontested dominance over the Mediterranean, our ships continue to make raids and form blockades on Italian coasts.
South Australian Civilization: Cities continue to grow. Metal weapons continue to be improved for hunting. Pictographic writing continues to spread across commercial use. Cultures continue to be more closely aligned by city-state, even as famous stories and myths are recorded in paintings on stone.
Bulgarian Empire: The Bulgarian renaissance continues to advance with literature, arts, philosophy, and now even theological advances continuing through the nation. The Renaissance has officially expanded in Bulgaria now with literature specifically from italy (some of which is brought back by some soldiers or nobles returning home wounded from campaigns or otherwise) begin to permeate the Renaissance of Bulgaria. Dante's Inferno The Divine Comedy specifically becomes one of the most popular works around the thinkers and philosophers of Bulgaria. Tsar Simeon officially tours the city of Vasiligrad now standing at nearly 160,000 people, and at his overview sees the city as potentially the largest city in Europe with only Paris being a contender. However the Rise of Tarnovo as not only the Bulgarian capital, but also a major center of its renaissance has put Bulgarias capital on the map as one of Europes great cities with Tarnovo boasting great architectual works, and a population of 80,000. Adrianograd and Sofiya remain third and fourth respectively with 70,000 and 40,000 respectively. The Population of Bulgaria now stands at 4.22 million and further growing but the growth is slowing as tens of thousands of young men are off fighting in Italy. General Vasili Dracultesti takes Trieste with his Austrian Allies rather quickly. The Bulgarian Army with its vassals now Marches on Venice besieging the city demanding its surrender and promising no harm done if they surrender. The Bulgarian troops along the road and the surrounding countryside kill and wantonly murder thousands of Italians impaling them outside of Venice and giving them an intimidation practice. With the Siege underway the Bulgarians hope to take the city in quick order and push on to the Capital of Milan aiding the Aragonese troops already moving on the Milanese capital. (more to come)
Benin: The city-state of Sofala is successfully taken by the Bini forces, and the merchants of Bini properly compensated for their losses by the previous government in the city. The Oba, believing that the mission of the Bini has been completed, is prepared to withdraw his forces to the empire, though his merchants object, instead believing that the city would serve as an excellent port from which to continue operating out of for the merchant fleets of Benin. Listening to their advice, Sofala is adopted into the empire as an enclave of Benin. A permanent garrison of 10,000 troops and 100 ships are stationed in the city to protect it, and members of the Kuzir clergy are dispatched to replace the previous leaders of the city. The colony of Ireti is expanded by 500 square kilometers (10px total), and the settlement of Ireti itself witnesses an expansion in its population from 700 residents to 1,000 residents, all as the potential of the settlement is seen by Bini back home. The development of Nla-Olu continues, with construction on the residential districts of the city now underway. The number of residents in the city expands from the nearly five thousand construction workers and their families, to more than thirty thousand people, all linked to the government and military needs of the city. Expansion of Benin's navy continues, with five akakan, ten oke, and fifteen epeepe each constructed in ten port cities in Bini contracted by the state to fill the need. Additionally, five more oke are built to replace the vessels destroyed in the war against Sofala. Work to expand the naval facilities on Flores Island continues, allowing the Bini ships heading to northern Europe to refill on fresh food and clean water, greatly expanding the range of those vessels. Trade with India continues, with the Bini trading goods such as cocoa, sugar, silk, and gold with the Indian merchants in the region. Diamond mining continues to expand, with the amount of diamonds uncovered increased from 250,000 carats to 400,000 carats, mostly as a result of the expansion of diamond mining across the western regions of Benin. Silk production has expanded to 15,000 mommes, the result of increasing numbers of silk producing facilities in Benin, and the increased demand for the fabric within Benin.
Papal States: The war continues, with the States' army of 10,000 following the Aragonese across the border into Italy. Pope Leo X calls on Christian kings to support the Most Christian Alliance against the infidel Astrakhan and Gurkani. In other news, the new official German translation of the Bible for use in the Northern Reformed Catholic Church of the Hussite Rite is completed, and presented to the Primate of said church. Due to the excellent efforts of the canonesses and theologians of Essen, it is widely known as the Essisches Bibel. News filters through to the Pope and Cardinal Inquisitor that the small Inquisition sent to investigate the alleged witchcraft has vanished. Given the wars and gangs of bandits prowling the region, this does not surprise nor phase either man, and a new Extraordinary Court of the Holy Inquisition is set up, composed of five highly educated and intellegent Dominicans. This time the group is accompanied by a large entourage of guards, and they set off to the Alpine region. Their instructions, once again, order them to adhere to the strict standards of evidence which befit an ecclesiastical court. Special mention in the instructions is made to the allegations of child abductions by the alleged witches. The Cardinal Inquisitor notes the similarity of the stories to those of Jewish abductions of children for human sacrifices: stories which have always turned out to have no basis in fact.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. 20,000 local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. The Sultanate begins to fund agriculture advancement with the help of the Bank of Mogadishu. Agricultural tools, cows and seeds are produced and distributed to local farmers. Furthermore, an agricultural school is commisionned in the Madrassa of Mogadishu to study agriculture techniques and seeds. We expect these efforts would lead to a population boom as our population moves from subsistence farming to intensive farming. With wars less common for our army, the Sultan has a plan for training. He commissions elite guards and marines to work as conquistadors into claiming territory in the interior of Africa and to capture slaves to farm on the new land. Another population focused policy was the incentivisation of the immigration of foreign farmers: for hard work and taxes paid in the farming of interior lands, they can receive large swaths of land in a few years.
Swahili Diplomacy to the Benin Empire: As we were about to have a personal union with Sofala, we ask to purchase Sofala in exchange for trading posts in Zanzibar, Mogadishu and gold.
Bini Response: The sins of Sofala against our people were many. There shall be no respite for them. We reject your request.
The Caliphate continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt. After a decade of decentralization and autonomy, the Caliphate begins to take more and more power away from local rulers and governments, removing their petty armies. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences. We station nearly 50% of our troops in the Red-Sea lands of the Caliphate. In addition to this we begin to prepare for an invasion of Syria to regain control, though most of our troops are still in Nubia.
Bahmanid Sultanate: The stragglers coming to the Sultanate's lands have 3 options: 1. Go to the Hindu Rajput states. 2. Return to Delhi. 3. Stay within Bahmani lands, but only in Sindh. If they accept, they will receive some money to start a new life and tax-free status for five years. If any of the stragglers are leaders of the rebellion, they have two options: 1. Face whatever justice Delhi will give them. or 2. Exile in the Laccadives. In other news, smail Shah’s health begins to decline. He asks Muhammad Shah to return from the Maldives. A new ‘Royal Company’ is founded to help civilian merchants handle the Sri Lankan spice trade.
Burma: Burma: In an attempt to become a port of call for ships trading with the east, the port of Pegu is expanded.
Maldives: The islands have finally been cleansed and the Five-year plan is now ahead of schedule, and will be completed next year.
The Hindus agree to move to Sindh, ie 3. A local leader of the rebels accepts exile to the Laccadives in exchange for mercy for his family. -scraw
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built, as per the Sultan's orders. The Sultan also orders the Jiziya tax for non-Muslims to be abolished. In other news, the navy goes out on maneuvers. A branch of the University of Gaur opens in Ava, to spread knowledge to the Ava.
Ahom Kingdom: Schools and libraries are improved throughout the kingdom.
Ava: Orders are received for Ava to fortify its border with the Shan States.
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Gunturist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. The Navy begins construction of three major naval ports: in Kedah, Chaiya, and Vijaya. Additionally, a much larger base is built in Oc Eo - a city well on its way to becoming the naval capital of Khmer. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Currently, around 300 pirate ships are actively raiding Majaphit, tearing their trade and coastal cities to shreds. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 130.000 men due to our renewed focus on the navy. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. Sutkan thanks Swahili for opening trade, and hopes that Both nations will benefit from it. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a bastion of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. The investment in culture begins to pay off, as Khmer begins to experience a cultural explosion, mostly in the city of U Thong, but reaching to Ayyuthaya, Angkor Wat, and even as far as Kedah.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: Seeing the death of the Greenland colony and the previous ones we clearly conclude God probably doesn't want us to go there so best leave it be, meanwhile the young Crown Prince is fascinated by Arthurian legend and becomes a great fan of it, trying to understand who King Arthur was and with the help of his tutors tries to piece history together to write his own story about him. With the outbreak of the sweating sickness in England, nothing much can be done other than let it run it's course and hope it is not anywhere near as servre as the plague.
Ethiopia: We hold on to the lands we have taken and begin to ready the militia. The first cannon is built in the captial cities and is sent to Mogran to protect the Nile trade city. water is running is almost 60% of the capital city in 30% in the small cities. 3 large ships are built for the protection of the empire. The College of Axum opens a branch in Adulis to reach more of the country.
Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto the younger oficially marries the daughter of Vasili the Impaler. Otto knowing that his father will pass away soon calls for the electors to vote to select a successor to the Emperorship in an effort to secure the title of King of Germany for himself. Otto overseas the final construction of Great Brandenburg Palace in Berlin. With the palace complete the royal family takes up residence there. Otto based on his experience in Bulgaria begins carrying out with vigor many of his father's efforts to bring the nobility fully under his control. He finally finishes his works the Red Legacy which is split into three parts. the First is his thoughts on political authority and the needs for a soviergn to adjust to new situations to fully secure his goals, the second part talks about how a ruler's authority and legitimacy rest in his ability to rule and to command the respect and obidience of his subjects though he believes that a ruler is born with the right to rule as long as he can enforce that right. The third and final part is a series of thoughts on warfare and the growing improtance of maintaining a strong military force loyal to the soviergn and not to the nobility. The nobility react with mixed responses to this piece fearing somewhat a lose of their power and influence however Otto retains the loyalty of the hussite/reformed nobles of which make up a large part of his military officers and with the army itself being made up largely of reformed catholics the roman catholic nobles remain quiet. Increasing numbers of commoners adopt the hussite rite as the word of the lord is preached in German making it easier to understand and for them to feel and believe in the word of the lord as a opposed to Latin which they do not understand. Theology, philosphy, and other areas of renassaince thought grow in the University of Berlin. Otto himself becomes a major patron of the arts and of culture inviting Italian, German, and Bulgarian artists, scientists, engineers, and philosphers to his Court in Berlin. Berlin's population continues to grow reaching 29,000 people. The city while small in population is made up of a rather wealthy mix of nobles, merchants, artisans, clergy and soldiers making it the thriving centre of power for the Brandenburg domains. The population of the Brandenburg domains is at present 2.8 million people. Military reforms continue as the Landsknecht units are developed furthger along with firearms tactics are expanded upon. The mechanical arts (engineering, metalurgy, smithing etc, etc) are further developed in the universities of Luxembourg and Breslau with mining and developing of smithing growing in improtance for the economies of these areas. the Merchant and artisans grow in improtance in these areas .Lorraine, Luxembourg, and Sielsia become the main centres of industry for the Brandenburg Domains and efforts to further integrate these regions into the main power structure of the Brandenburg family. Otto the younger moves with his new wife to Marienburg as the new Duke of Prussia following the Teutonic Orders agreement to the secularization of the lands. He imediately begins an effort to secure the support of the local german nobility by extending to them the rights and responsilibities demanded of Brandenburgian Nobles.
Brandenburg Diplomacy: Otto places his bid to the other Electors on the grounds of continuing to maintain religious unitry between the reformed rite and the roman rite of the catholic church, promoting further economic growth and trade within the empire, and continuing to pursue the military protection of the minor german princes on the grounds of enhancing imperial military strength. He requests the conitnued support of the archbishoprics on these grounds also accepting Mainz request to establish the Diet of Mainz. Further emphasising the new power the empire had to protect itself by turning the Teutonic order into a military force capable of helping in the deterrence of froeign aggression. Otto further requests Saxony's vote by reminding them that it was thanks to Brandneburg that they regained their indpendence from BOhemian dominance and offers a substantial monetary bribe to Saxony in exchange for their vote. Otto also seeks Papal approval for his bid for the emperorship on the grounds of maintaining the Empire's religious unity and keeping the hussites in communion with the Roman rite and proposes if proclaimed emperor to back the All Christian alliance and mobilize HRE forces to help keep the Muslims out of Europe.
Sweden: I offer my youngest son Sven as a possible husband to Blanche of Brittany and mention that to the King of England.
Blanche refuses. -scraw
Ferdinand of Austria leads half his invasion force to venice in a move to secure quileia. The Rest of his forces, the remaining 40k, focus on holding territory already gotten, while twenty thousand of their number secure the rest of aquileia for Austria. With the Fall of Venice, Ernstberg and Raska, the second Aquileian campaign is much more fruitful for Austria than the first, taking the entire adriatic coast from italy, all the way inland to Lago di Garda (the lake). Plans are made to move on Milan itself to force unconditional surrender to the Duke of Milan, with Ferdinand demanding the "surrender of the Kingship of Italy to the Holy Roman Emperor". Ferdinand proclaims himself "Duke of Veneto", staking his claim to the lands of Aquileia in the process. IN the Meanwhile, hearing of calls to elect a King of the Romans, Ferdinand, still at the front, sends letters to the spiritual electors(Trier, Cologne, Mainz), urting them to vote for his son Fredercik von Habsburg-Wittelsbach, Count of Habsburg-Wurttemberg to the Kingship, with himself getting old, he argues that for the stability of the Holy Roman Empire, "We must pass the torch to the younger Generation" (think what happened during the Skellige King Election in Witcher 3, these arguments are being made)...He points out Frederick has experience in Governing, given his role as plenopotentiary Count of Habsburg-Wurttemberg, ruling his family's traditional holdings.Bribes are also offered if needed, but in rather...concealed forms...("donations to the church in gratitide" and the like)Mod Response PleaseHe also sends a separate pleading to the Count Palatine of the Rhrine to vote for yound Frederick, asking the Count to vote for the recognized heir (by treaties) to the elder branch of His House, the Wittelsbachs..Mod Response Please.
Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich awaits a response from Mainz. Meanwhile, Emmerich has already thrown his support behind Cologne’s ally Brandenburg, but is concerned that the Courts proposition may not go through. Finally, Cologne’s militia continues to grow with the assistance of Brandenburger troops.
Essen: Abbess Sophia is horrified to hear of the disappearance of Papal Inquisitors, but keeps this to herself and continues to give lectures to the public on the basis that these are mere rumours or the work of deviant people playing pranks, and assures the public that there is nothing to fear. Meanwhile, Sophia is also excited to hear about the release of the German translation of the Rome-Essen New Vulgate, the Essisches Bibel, and thanks His Holiness for the honour of its name. The Essisches Bibel is printed quickly and the people of Essen rejoice to hear that they have been recognised in such a way. There are rumours that town leaders have come out at meetings in a grassroots movement supporting the Pope wholeheartedly.
Delhi Sultanate: With the rebellion successfully subdued, we continue building up military as science and culture flourish. The Sultan is met with much celebration when he abolishes the Jiziya tax on Hindus. The economy still soars from trade, though has decreased somewhat due to conflicts the Gurkani face.
Himalaya: Nothing of note.
Ladakh: Nothing of note.
1486
Al-Hamad reaches out to the Caliph in Egypt, calling him the one true Caliph, and insists that they must form a Sunni alliance with Oman and work together to free the Sunnis being forcefully converted in the Gurkani Sultanate. Hamad offers to bring Syria back under the control of the Caliphate as a vassal with him at the head of it.
Meanwhile, Oman continues its raids against the Gurkani in the Persian Gulf. A blockade is set up in the Strait of Hormuz to restrict Gurkani sea trade. The King of Oman agrees with Al-Hamad of Syria that the Sunnis must work together to end Shia oppression and personally reaches out to the Caliph in Egypt.
In Trebizond, Thomas Komnenos prepares for a long siege. He reaches out to Christian leaders, such as the Tsar of Bulgaria and the leaders of the Most Christian Alliance and asks for their aid.
Fu the Manchu is essentially a king by now, controlling large areas of land and having a large personal army. Fu sends messengers to the Koreans, demanding the freedom and independence of the Manchurian people or he will invade Korea with his armies.
The rumors of witches in the Alps turns out to a large group of strangely dressed but well armed bandits. They kill many of the Inquisition's guards but are ultimately defeated and captured.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The Gurkani forces successfully crushed the Syrians at the Battle of Damascus, and slaughtered all those convicted of having engaged in the attacks on the Gurkani through bribing as well as torturing the natives into giving up the information. The women, children and the old were allowed to leave peacefully, however the leaders of the raiders were beheaded. The forces then proceeded to return back to the city of Aleppo and an envoy was later sent to the Abbasids to request them to enforce strict control of their borders. Meanwhile, the sea battles between the Gurkani and Oman continued for absolutely no reason because Oman wasn't even Sunni, it was an Ibaddi-majority state and the Gurkani navy was far superior to that of Oman yet the latter was somehow still capable of raiding Gurkani coast and blockading the Straits of Hormuz. It made no sense to the Gurkani as to why Oman was even fighting them or how Oman was doing it, almost as if an outside force with absolutely no knowledge of the Middle East was just trying to create all the negative events cause they felt so. Nevertheless, not keen on losing hope, the fight against Oman continued.. the Gurkani, of course, didn't care enough to launch an attack upon Omans cities because defeating the enemy in algorithms didn't apparently matter either clearly. Regardless, keen on breaking the blockade, the entire Gulf fleet was sent to engage Omans navy.
Vietnam: During this glorius year, a lot of food was eaten and a lot of babies were birthed.
Korean monarch Yi Un is enraged, and sends thirty thousand troops (out of an standing army of fifty thousand) to Heuklonggang, fully controlled by rebels, to finally crush the rebellion. All male Manchu dissidents in Korean-controlled areas are executed and mass-slaughtered, with their bodies being thrown into the sea or dumped in graves. Manchu women and children become cheomin, the lowest of the castes, comprising slaves and entertainers. Seeing the rebellion a direct result of the Manchu intellectual movement, Manchu culture is repressed, with Manchus being persecuted and forced to assimilate into Korean culture–to restore ethno-cultural and ethno-linguistic unity prior to the Northern Conquests. The penal colony in Hwatae-do is deemed a failure, and is discontinued. Ethnic Koreans in Bukneong (comprising a third of the population), and Haegi (comprising half) are placed under heavy supervision to minimize casualties.
United Crown of Great Iberia
We in Aragon celebrate the overwhelming Coalition victory against Italy in Milan; the Government initiates negotiations for a post-war plan with the other Coalition members. We suggest having Italy pay heavy reparations to the Coalition states, as well as dividing the Kingdom into its constituents. In other news, the Prince of Asturias and Count of Malta, Ferdinand of Great Iberia, nearing the age of 30, begins the long-delayed search for a wife. The Queen suggests to Blanche of Brittany a marriage between the latter and Ferdinand, in the spirit of further improving relations between Iberia and Britain. We also offer a generous dowry of 55 pounds of gold ($1 million) to support the marriage.
Papal Diplomacy: His Holiness agrees with the plan to partition Italy into several smaller states (preferably under their old rulers). However he does not wish to unduly burden them with unpayable debts, stating that such an act would be similar in effect to usury.
Aragonese Diplomacy: We ask His Holiness to consider the terms of this treaty.
Umm Wiki I already Married Ferdinand to an English Princess a while ago. ~Edge
Oh, you did? Okay then never mind.
Papal States: Pope Leo X advises his German bishops to support the Brandenburger candidate for King of the Romans. The young prince's clear faith, his strong desire to maintain unity between the Western Rites, and his valiant plan to defend Christendom from the infidel Saracens all make him the ideal Christian candidate for the ultimate secular position in the World: that of Emperor. The Papal army (10k) continues to support the fight against Italy, and the Pope reckons that we surely must have won by now. The Tsar of Bulgaria, the great Defender of the Faith in the East, is asked (via the Patriarch of Constantinople) to assist the Christian king of Trebizond if he can afford to do so. In other news, a small legation is covertly sent to Ethiopia, hoping to establish diplomatic relations and to bring the Ethiopian Orthodox Church into communion with Rome (whilst maintaining autonomy and distinct rites and traditions). News of the collapse of the Greenlandic settlement is met with sadness from the Pope, but his advisors console him with actual descriptions of the place. His Holiness, relying on the name, had assumed that the island consisted of rolling green pastures, instead of being the icy wasteland hell it is. So whilst he laments that the poor Esqimos who will perhaps never hear the Word of God, he understands that natural forces are to blame, not a lack of missionary zeal on the part of Christians. He also writes a small treatise on how this is a perfect example of how a group of people can be ignorant of the True Faith, but can have the potential for salvation if they follow the Natural Law, due to the inculpable nature of their ignorance. England is thanked for trying. In other news, the Cardinal Inquisitor is pleased to receive the report from his mission to the Alps, stating that the so-called witches had tuned out to be mere bandits. The inquisitors stay in the Alps in order to ensure that the recent discipinary reforms are being properly implemented by the local clergy there, and also to give the common folk some proper catechesis, since they are clearly far too keen on semi-pagan superstitions.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. Tens of thousands of local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards begin capturing slaves, which numbered 10,000 captured this year.
In Mainz, von Henneburg graciously accepts the Emperor's proposals and begins to put into effect the Adelphinian reforms with vigour. As the University's prestige continues to grow, von Henneburg announces a new wing to be built, that will be open to any citizen of the Free City of Mainz, for learning basic mathematics, literacy, and theology. Three chairs of theology and another two of mathematics are appointed by June. Meanwhile, von Henneburg begins to write his Treatise of the Reunification of the German People, and to plan out his reforms for the Diet of Mainz planned in 1490. With the Emperor's support, von Henneburg believes that he can truly enact significant reforms of the Holy Roman Empire. In August, the city begins its conscription program, maintaining a constant standing force of approximately 500 archers and 300 pikemen, and giving an approximate 1,500 others basic military training. Though a small force, with the correct defensive entrenchments, the council believes the force could hold off another ten times its size, in order to defend the palace and the University. As von Henneburg's reputation as a powerful reformist and intellectual grows, like minded individuals continue to flow into Mainz.
Bahmani Sultanate:Ismail Shah dies. Great mourning commences all across the nation at the death of one of the greatest leaders India has ever known. Muhammad Shah now ascends to the throne. As per our membership in the Second Compact of Iskenderum, the Omani blockade counts as an act of war against all signatories, including us. Also wanting to test the newly constructed navy, 250 ships (out of a total of 435) are sent to break the blockade. Muhammad Shah also hopes to prove his military mettle through this expedition. As per this, all Omani trade privileges in Gujarat are revoked and their merchant's property is seized. Despite this, as not to stress the economy, the rate of shipbuiding is decreased to ten ships a year. The Hindu refugees are given money or land to start new lives in Sindh, and many become merchants and bankers. A minor noble leads a copycat Hindu revolt in the far south, but he is easily contained and defeated by local forces. During his travels in the east, Muhammad Shah encountered the Chinese bureaucratic system, and this combined with his experiences with corrupt and infighting nobles in the Maldives, inclined him against the powers of the nobility. Nonetheless, he knows that he cannot get rid of them, and so does nothing about his feelings for now.
Burma:Binnya Kyal offers to pay for a series of fortifications to be built on the eastern border of Taungoo to protect against raids from the Shan States. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). (More to be added).
Maldives: With the ascension of Muhammad Shah, the five-year plan reaches its completion. A few demoted nobles attempt to stir up revolt, but the stream of revenue from the five-year plan robs them of any support.
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built this year, as per the Sultan's orders. Testing is made on firearms to improve them.
Ahom Kingdom: Susenphaa orders the improvement of roads throughout the kingdom.
Kingdom of Ava: A five-year plan is begun to build up infrastructure.
Chinese Empire: The Emperor, seeing the victories of the Manchu, recognized the Manchu as there own independent nation, sending envoys and offering to mediate the Manchu-Korean conflict on the basis that the Manchu independence will be recognized. We ask that Korea see reason and that it join in these talks. We send 40,000 troops to aid the Manchu in securing their independence, sending strict orders not to invade Korea but only to defend Manchu territory and Manchu people against the death that awaits them should Korea reinvade, as the Emperor found it disgusting and repulsive that the Korean government would sink so low as to mass execute so many people after the conclusion of a conflict. We demand Korea recognize the Manchus independence and its leader King Fu. Islam continues to spread slowly along the coast. Before anyone considers striking the post, I had it approved by Scraw and Rex.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The sweating sickness still scares people but things are going good other than that. Blanche of Brittany is still unmarried which isn't great news. The young crown prince is still fascinated by Arthurian legend pilgramging to Glastonbury to see his tomb and what he believes to be Avalon but is disappointed to be nothing of note.
France proposes an alliance with the Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland.
England, Scotland, Ireland accepts the alliance offer is made.
In the Kingdom of France, King Louis XII continues his productive reign over the French people. Seeing the disintegration of of the Kingdom of Italy, Louis laments the loss of a close ally. He moves to secure an alliance with England in an attempt to gain another important point of support. He then declares war upon the newly-freed state of Savoy, claiming historical ties to Saluzzo (which was sold to the Viscontis, and not the Savoyards). Domestically, la Renaissance continues to gain momentum as works of ancients continue to be discovered. Louis XII reaches out to the Visconti family to buy tomes from the Biblioteca Italiana in order to boost the Milanese economy in its time of great reduction (MOD RESPONSE). Finally, it is decided that more emphasis should be placed on the Atlantic navy, and ship-building capacities are increased in La Rochelle and Bayonne.
The Visconti family accepts the offer.
Delhi Sultanate: The Sultan addresses the people of Delhi City in mourning of Ismail Shah, "he who stood up to the Majapahit, he who forged lasting alliances with us, he who brought greatness to India, he who will not be forgotten for his great deeds." We join in with Bahmani in fighting the traitorous Omani, sending 50 ships to help break the blockade.
Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto the younger and his new wife have a child, a female who is named Alice of Brandenburg. Otto knowing that his father will pass away soon calls for the electors to vote to select a successor to the Emperorship in an effort to secure the title of King of Germany for himself. Otto overseas the final construction of Great Brandenburg Palace in Berlin. With the palace complete the royal family takes up residence there. Otto based on his experience in Bulgaria begins carrying out with vigor many of his father's efforts to bring the nobility fully under his control. He finally finishes his works the Red Legacy which is split into three parts. the First is his thoughts on political authority and the needs for a soviergn to adjust to new situations to fully secure his goals, the second part talks about how a ruler's authority and legitimacy rest in his ability to rule and to command the respect and obidience of his subjects though he believes that a ruler is born with the right to rule as long as he can enforce that right. The third and final part is a series of thoughts on warfare and the growing improtance of maintaining a strong military force loyal to the soviergn and not to the nobility. The nobility react with mixed responses to this piece fearing somewhat a lose of their power and influence however Otto retains the loyalty of the hussite/reformed nobles of which make up a large part of his military officers and with the army itself being made up largely of reformed catholics the roman catholic nobles remain quiet. Increasing numbers of commoners adopt the hussite rite as the word of the lord is preached in German making it easier to understand and for them to feel and believe in the word of the lord as a opposed to Latin which they do not understand. Theology, philosophy, and other areas of renassaince thought grow in the University of Berlin. Otto himself becomes a major patron of the arts and of culture inviting Italian, German, and Bulgarian artists, scientists, engineers, and philosphers to his Court in Berlin. Berlin's population continues to grow reaching 29,000 people. The city while small in population is made up of a rather wealthy mix of nobles, merchants, artisans, clergy and soldiers making it the thriving centre of power for the Brandenburg domains. The population of the Brandenburg domains is at present 2.8 million people. Military reforms continue as the Landsknecht units are developed furthger along with firearms tactics are expanded upon. The mechanical arts (engineering, metalurgy, smithing etc, etc) are further developed in the universities of Luxembourg and Breslau with mining and developing of smithing growing in improtance for the economies of these areas. the Merchant and artisans grow in improtance in these areas .Lorraine, Luxembourg, and Sielsia become the main centres of industry for the Brandenburg Domains and efforts to further integrate these regions into the main power structure of the Brandenburg family. Otto the younger moves with his new wife to Marienburg as the new Duke of Prussia following the Teutonic Orders agreement to the secularization of the lands. He imediately begins an effort to secure the support of the local german nobility by extending to them the rights and responsilibities demanded of Brandenburgian Nobles.
Brandenburg Diplomacy: Otto places his bid to the other Electors on the grounds of continuing to maintain religious unitry between the reformed rite and the roman rite of the Catholic Church, promoting further economic growth and trade within the empire, and continuing to pursue the military protection of the minor german princes on the grounds of enhancing imperial military strength. He requests the conitnued support of the archbishoprics on these grounds also accepting Mainz request to establish the Diet of Mainz. Further emphasising the new power the empire had to protect itself by turning the Teutonic order into a military force capable of helping in the deterrence of froeign aggression. Otto further requests Saxony's vote by reminding them that it was thanks to Brandneburg that they regained their indpendence from BOhemian dominance and offers a substantial monetary bribe to Saxony in exchange for their vote. Otto also seeks Papal approval for his bid for the emperorship on the grounds of maintaining the Empire's religious unity and keeping the hussites in communion with the Roman rite and proposes if proclaimed emperor to back the All Christian alliance and mobilize HRE forces to help keep the Muslims out of Europe.
Cologne: Archbishop Emmerich thanks Mainz for incorporating the Adelphinian Reforms and sends two canonesses to Mainz to assist with the implementation of such reforms in a gesture of solidarity between the archbishoprics. Cologne’s militia continues to grow with the assistance of Brandenburger troops.
Essen: This year, Abbess Sophia invests heavily in the University of Essen, and academics from nearby lands begin to flock there to teach in new disciplines thanks to the new facilities. Disciplines of the University now include mathematics and literacy. Given the new relationship with Mainz, Abbess Sophia sends several canonesses to University of Mainz to spend a few years there and learn what they can from the scholars and academics at work. Finally, Abbess Sophia reports in her lectures with great relief that the so-called “witches” in the Alps were in fact bandits, and this solidifies the public’s rust in the Catholic Church.
Benin: The growth of the Bini economy continues as the Bini merchants in Sofala have come to power in the city on behalf of the Oba. Kuzir missionaries operating in the city have been moved up the hierarchy of the oluko to serve as priests there, catering to the needs of the growing Kuzir population. Trade throughout the Indian Ocean increases with the direct access to the ports of Sofala and decreased taxation on the merchants. Trade with the Gurkani and the Indians in particular has grown dramatically, as the Bini seek to access the Persian markets and promote Bini silk and diamonds in the region for the benefit of the empire. Silk production has continued to increase as well, as the demand for Bini silk outside of the empire promotes its production. Thus far, 22,000 mommes of silk are being produced per year now in Benin, and bringing great wealth to the nation and its artisans in particular. Construction of the vast imperial residence for the Oba, now known as the White Palace, consists of some 570 buildings and is surrounded by a large wall. The interior contains a large courtyard and man-made rivers, as well as gardens, private forest reserve, and guest residences. The White Palace is designed to impress, and exemplifies the greatest aspects of Kuzir design and architecture. The city of Nla-Olu itself has grown considerably, with the number of grand avenues, hospitals, schools, libraries, and esuku growing every year. The population for the new capital has reached 50,000, and is quickly catching up to the empire's larger cities in terms of sheer size and population. In the port cities of Benin, each of the ten cities contracted by the Benin Imperial Navy build ten akakan, fifteen oke, and twenty-five epeepe, and their shipyards and port facilities have been greatly expanded to support sea-bound trade with Europe, India, and the Middle East. Flores Island's population has grown considerably in the past years, with the residents growing from about 500 people to more than 2,750 inhabitants, almost all linked directly or indirectly to the trade moving in and out of the island as a waypoint for Bini vessels headed to northern Europe. In southern Africa, the colony of Ireti is expanded by another 500 square kilometers (10 px total). A large port is constructed in the settlement so as to allow it to serve as a stopover point for Bini merchants heading off into the Indian Ocean, or for those seeking a place to rest before continuing on to Benin. Kuzir missionaries continue to make great strides in converting the local San and Khoi people in the region, teaching them of the doctrines of the Iwe ti Iwo. However, to better preach to the inhabitants, the Kuzir clergy in Ireti have been given permission from the Dari Council now relocated to Nla-Olu, to translate the Iwe ti Iwo into the San and Khoi languages, so as to better reach into the hearts of the people of that land. Work on the project begins immediately.
Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria, is relieved during this year. With the fighting all but done with the final push towards milan of allied forces, Italy surrenders as peace talks begin. To sement his position, Ferdinand orders the creation of the "Venetian Guard" loyal to the crown. In any case, Ferdinand officialy begins the re-integration of Ernstberg into the Austrian state, as well as the Integration of Istria. All in all, it is a good year. Many Hungarian troops are sent home after the Milanese surrender, and they are happy to do so as they have fought for the survivial of the crown. the border with Italy, until a peace treaty is signed, officialy remains militarized, however. The Duchy of Veneto finaly gains its own borders, defined by the Po and Minici rivers to the west. The rest is to be decided in Genoa, where the treaty is to be signed. In any case, plans to use to Arsenals of both venice and Ernstberg to build ships for the new Austrian navy is begining to be planned.
In Hungary, troops return home victorious. THis takes a heavy weight off of government shoulders, as they no longer need to pay for upkeep, and instead can spend more money are rebuilding roads and infrastructure. Duke Rudolph is very happy indeed. Some of the more...problematic...nobility seem to have died in the war, with suspicious, friendly-fire-looking wounds. Oh well, it was their fault for not waiting for the arrow barrage it seemed. In any case, the meeker nobility remain and the old are replaced by more loyal subjects, who are extatic enough about rising in life that they do not care to be glorified clerks.
In Serbia, troops likewise return from war. Despot Aleksandar issues a warrant that King Ferdinand of Hungary may act as his plenipotentiary during negociations as his liege lord, including negociations on the sale of Raska, which was heavily burned during a fire this year.
1487
Al-Hamad and the survivors of Damascus escape into the Arabian Desert. They travel to Mecca, where he knows that neither the Egyptians nor the Gurkani would dare to spill blood. Claiming to be on Umrah Hajj, Al-Hamad is actually plotting his next war. He sends riders all across the Muslim world telling them to spread the message that all true Muslims will travel to Mecca to join him.
In Manchuria, Fu the Manchu is bolstered with the arrival of Chinese support. Although Fu is missing and reported dead, many of his surviving followers insist that he is alive. A cult around Fu is developing and many people appear claiming to be Fu. Meanwhile, the most prominent leader of the new Manchus is Fu's former lieutenant Shu. Shu is bitter, hardened, and experienced. Shu is a great general.
The Omani navy is destroyed by the Gurkani. In Oman, the King is replaced as Sultan by Omar al Sharif. He completely withdraws from attacking the Gurkani.
In Russia, the Tsar dies. After a brief period of chaos, the boyars meet to decide who will be the new Tsar. Their proceedings are interrupted by the King of Poland, who asks for their allegiance during his lifetime as Lord Protector and Regent of Russia and promises that the Russians may select their own leader after he dies. In the interest of preserving the Most Christian Alliance, but also to save their own lives, under pressure from strength of arms, the boyars acknowledge the King of Poland as Lord Protector.
The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire dies and is succeeded by his half brother Bayezid III.
Kingdom of Burgundy: integration of Geneva and Vaud begins now that negotiations for the Treaty of Genoa have completed. As per Burgundys promise, the Duchy of Savoy is given assistance improving its independent functions. Iberia is requested that it allow a squadron of Burgundian warships to base themselves in Iberian controlled Mediterranean Ports to better protect Burgundian merchant interests in the region. (Iberia pls respond) Meanwhile, the Burgundian Royal Navy discovers that putting copper sheath on the undersides of ship hulls both prevents shipworms and weeds from attaching themselves to the ship, thus prolonging its operational life, and allows the ship to make faster speeds. King Charles orders the navy to keep the information secret, due to the fact Burgundy can't pay to sheath its ships in copper yet, and doesn't want potential enemies to learn of it. The supply station on Cape Charles continues expanding, providing much needed harbor and supplies for ships bound for the Indian Ocean.
Savoy is no longer independent. -Rexmod
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The effective withdrawal of Oman was widely appreciated, with celebrations held in coastal cities such as Gamrun, Pasni and Gwadar. The intervention of Bahamani and Delhi in particular was quite appreciated by Sultan Suleiman Shah who repaid the favour by sending the Timur ruby to the Sultan of Bahamani, Muhammad Shah. Alongside the ruby contained a letter in which the Sultan expressed his deepest concern and sorrow upon hearing of the death of Ismail Shah. Meanwhile, the defeat of Al Hamad was celebrated throughout the Sultanate with one of the largest Shia crowds having gathered at Aleppo to relish the event. The Sultan announced to the public that the 7 years of warfare had finally ended with the victory of the Gurkani on each and every front. In truth however, the Sultan knew that the threat posed by Ibn Hamad still lingered on. As such, diplomats were sent to the Abbasid Caliph, requesting that he either hand over Ibn Hamad or punish him himself By now, Ibn Hamad was generally referred to as a Khwarij in the Sultanate with his followers termed as Hamadis. The general view amongst the Shia of the Sultanate was that Ibn Hamad was an extremist Sunni who sought to kill all of the Shias. In contrast, Sunnis living in the Sultanate rejected Ibn Hamad and his actions, stating that his ideology did not coincide with that of any Sunni School of Thought and that Hamadism was an entirely new sect. The general idea that both the Sunnis and Shia however agreed on was that Ibn Hamad wanted to destroy and corrupt Islam, and that he was most likely an infidel who was using the cover of Islam to spread his influence. Some rumours suggested that he was the son of Russian named Khamadinovich. Others believed that Idris was actually a member of the Knights Hospitallier named Enoch and had started the unrest to punish the Gurkani for trying to attack Rhodes. Yet there were others who believed that Ibn Hamad was the reincarnation of the famous Syrian raider, Al Ankabut. Nonetheless, whilst these rumours and myths persisted, Suleiman could truly do nothing as Hejaz was far beyond his reach. About around the same time, Suleiman pardoned the Christians of Trebizond and stated that no action would be taken against them. He stated that Trebizond had been offered protection from the Ottomans by Sultan Shahrukh Mirza decades ago and if the Christians of Trebizond felt that they were capable of protecting themselves, they were free to do so. This action initially came as a surprise to the people who were clueless as to why the Sultan did not choose to destroy the city. Only later did they understand the Sultans generosity and wisdom, believing that the Sultan had chosen mercy instead of his wrath. It was in essence a political masterstroke on the Sultans part who realized that Trebizond would still be dependent largely upon the Gurkani for trade and commerce. Moreover, regardless of whether or not the Gurkani directly controlled the petty Kingdom, Trebizond would continue to remain under significant Gurkani influence. By the end of the year, Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza was popularly referred to as Suleiman the Magnificent throughout the Sultanate.
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Gunturist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by god to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. The Navy begins construction of three major naval ports: in Kedah, Chaiya, and Vijaya. Additionally, a much larger base is built in Oc Eo - a city well on its way to becoming the naval capital of Khmer. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Currently, around 300 pirate ships are actively raiding Majaphit, tearing their trade and coastal cities to shreds. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 130.000 men due to our renewed focus on the navy. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. Sutkan thanks Swahili for opening trade, and hopes that Both nations will benefit from it. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a bastion of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. The investment in culture begins to pay off, as Khmer begins to experience a cultural explosion, mostly in the city of U Thong, but reaching to Ayyuthaya, Angkor Wat, and even as far as Kedah.
United Crown of Great Iberia
It is a sad day in the Crown of Castile. After achieving victory over his arch-enemy in Milan, King Sancho passes away peacfully in his sleep. Ferdinad, 31 years of age. Ascends to the Throne of the Crown of Castile,reciving the titles of King of Castile, Leon, Granada, Gibraltar, Morocco, and Lord of Portugal, . In accordance with the Acts of Union, Ferdinand also claims the title of King of Aragon and its associated Titles, and suggest that his mother, Queen Eleanor, abdicate from her postion, lest a civil war breaks out. In other news, the Castillian fleet expands to 500 ships, not including the Aragonese or Portuguese Navies. The Population stands at a healthy 6 million. Morocco, nearly completely Christinized, is offically made a part of the Crown of Castile.
The integration of Sardinia, Corsica, Liguria and Malta begins; Corsica and Liguria are merged to form the Kingdom of Liguria (Capital: Genoa), which becomes a constituent of the Crown Union of Aragon. In Barcelona, the Queen is crowned as the first Queen of Liguria, while the King is invested as the Prince Consort. The Queen becomes popularly known as Eleanor the Great, as she is responsible for Aragon's most significant victory and territorial expansion in more than 50 years. Wishing to finish on a high note, the Queen agrees to abdicate in favour of her son. After allowing a month to mourn the loss of her beloved husband, the Queen announces the end of her reign, and in a lavish ceremony, the new King of Aragon is crowned; we invite the Pope to Zaragoza to crown King Ferdinand II, who becomes the first King of Great Iberia. The former Queen is massively popular in Aragon, and she remains in the King's court as an adviser.
The Kingdom of Portugal expands its navy to include 110 warships. King Peter swears loyalty to Ferdinand, and continues to work with the king of Castile to ensure peace and prosperity within the peninsula. Peter neglects the African settlements, and instead focuses on the exploration of the Atlantic ocean.
South Australian Civlization: In this year, the Bunyip reared its ugly head again, and wiped out an entire city near the Murray River, formally known as the town of Ngaduri. The survivers from this catastrophe fled to various other city-states for shelter. Meanwhile, competition for resources led to outbreak of several wars between city-states, although never in any large capacity. This is one of the first times the weapons developed over the last century were used for war, including the new metal boomerangs. In reaction to the destruction of Ngaduri, and the recent warfare, the people of Ngarrindjeri and several other city-states begin building large walls, as well as centralizing the structure of the city. Meanwhile, the expanded fishing boats have ventured farther out from the coastline, now marketing the fish near the coast of Kangaroo Island. The pictographic language, officially known as Murray Script, is now commonplace for priests and artisans across the whole continent.
No. Too far too fast. Callumthered (talk) 14:26, October 14, 2016 (UTC)
Chinese Empire: With the help of the Empire the Manchu manage to crush the Korean invasion, holding the southern Manch border at the Yalu river (OTL Koreas northern border). After learning of the mass and even more brutal murders the year before, the Emperor cancels all tribute and tradefrom Korea, no longer considering them honorable and worthy of remaining even a tributary of the Empire ensuring an economic crisis in Korea due to there massive relience on China in terms of trade, cutting off any alliances with Korea. 60,000 more soliders are sent in while the wounded and injured are brought back home. We offer the Manchu 3 options, become a full fledged ally of the Empire, become a vassal, and be completely protected from the rest of the world under China's umbrella, or become friendly, but unaligned neighbors after the conclusion to the conflict. We send another envoy to Korea, insisting they recognize the Manchu Kingdom as its own independent nation, consisting of everything north of the Yalu River (OTL Koreas northern border). Islam continues to spread along the coast. We recognize General Shu as leader of Manchu until the real Fu can be found, at which point King Fu will be recognized once again as the ruler of the Kingdom.
Err... I really don't know where to put this, but it REALLY wouldn't be like China to refuse tributary from any nation, even those they consider beneath them or barbaric. In fact, the whole idea was that China considered said nations to be "beneath" them in some way, i.e. less powerful people who we can't invade just yet but want to make them understand who's the real power here, which is the whole point of "tribute". The only reason I could think of for the chinese to cut ties w/ korea is that they were preparing to, with or without Manchurian aid, invade Korea, which the Japanese have already tried with roughly this period's tech. Also, the Chinese wouldn't give away warships to the Manchu, since the Manchu being on Chinese protection/payroll would be good for the Chinese, unless the Chinese just lost in some conflict against the Manchu. ~Chrispang
Chris, I think you make good points and I agree. It doesn't make much sense for China to cease accepting tribute from Korea for some perceived slight, surely they would simply crush them, or demand yet more tribute. I am striking it unless a more convincing argument is made for it. Callumthered (talk) 14:26, October 14, 2016 (UTC)
I wasnt sure if launching an invasion of Korea was plausible, hence I thought this Koreas economy supposedly relies upon Korean tribute, it would make sense to cut it off. I asked scraw before posting and he said it was plausible, but would it make more sense for me to invade Korea at this point rather than stopping tribute? Nova
Okay in that case I think we have a semantic issue here. Tribute would be paid from Korea to you. Merely stopping Korea from paying that would surely have a beneficial effect on the Korean economy. Was your intention that, by ceasing the tributary relationship, you were also ceasing all trade with Korea? If that is what you meant (which wasn't really clear on a casual read of the sentence) then I can see how it would further your goal of crippling the Korean economy. If you did mean that, feel free to un-strike the sentence and just add a few words to clarify. Callumthered (talk) 21:18, October 14, 2016 (UTC)
I think I fixed it, if not tell me and I'll correct it -Nova
Yeah, it would make more sense to cut all trade, and I suppose cutting tribute from Korea if you were really serious about the whole "cutting ties" thing. ~Chrispang
Papal States: The papal Legate signs the Treaty of Genoa on behalf of Pope Leo X, and the nation begins to recover from the long war. Given the lack of fighting on Patrimonial land, the real damage is in terms of the treasury, and the soldiers returning. The new lands acquired under the treaty will hopefully bring in new funds to assist with the deficit. In other news, the Pope travels to Zaragosa to crown the new King of United Iberia. Aside from feeling duty-count to personally preside at the coronation of such a powerful monarch, Leo sees this as an opportunity to cement the growing alliance between the papal States and Iberia. The king of Poland is congratulated on his new position. With the war over, the Pope calls on European monarchs to put their attention to halting the heathen armies from threatening Christendom.
Bulgarian Empire: The renaissance in Bulgaria continues to spread in earnest with the arts, philosophies, and new technologies continuing to spread throughout the empire. Another Printing press is set up in Sofiya under the local cities governor. Tsar Simeon now sees his first Son born who he names Kaloyan, taking the adoptive name of his father, and the name of one of Bulgarias greatest rulers in its past. With the recent victory over Milan the victorious Bulgarian army returns and conducts a parade and great celebration in the capital of Tarnovo. As a result of the victorious army, and bringing back old heirlooms of the Byzantine empire, and a whole host of funds from the former Milanese kingdom. Tsar Simeon refusing to not reward these soldiers awards them lands in Wallachia, Thrace, Thrake, and Macedonia. of the returned 40,000 troops nearly half these go to Thrace and settle near or in the Bulgarian city of Thrakiya which now bosts a population of nearly 15,000 while the surrounding area has a Bulgar population of nearly 30,000. Of the remaining 20,000 half go to set up in Wallachia, and other go to Macedonia. very few of these men return outright to their homes and as freedmen. The population of Freedmen to serfs in many of these locations begins to equalize and cause a few problems for the nobility as their inability to put their power over the freemen seriously hurt their standing in the area forcing them to go back to reconsider their options. The Nobility in these lightly settled areas recognizes very well they will be getting no help from the Tsar and begin considering new ways on how to showcase their authority in the area. The mainline nobility of Bulgaria remains relatively powerless and marginalized as the Tsar has outright established his authority over them and is able to bypass them with his beraucracy and his own agents with relative ease. With the power of the three main Bulgarian families remaining in place the Tsar feels comfortable adding two new great families into the dynamic, bringing in the Wallachian Basarabs, and the Greek Arvanitis families, to give a more accurate representation of the high nobilities of each of the empires major ethnicities.
The construction of the new wing of the University of Mainz continues, with over 10,000 tonnes of stone and marble being brought in from existing quarries. The project is scheduled to be fully completed by June 1489, but by May von Henneburg announces that classes on theology and literacy may begin in the sections of the newly christened De Cusa wing that are not under construction, and appoints Peter Schoffer as a newly founded Chair in the University, giving him extensive funds to improve literacy in the common people of Mainz, and includes designs for a new printing press in the De Cusa Wing. Von Henneburg continues his Treatise of the Reunification of the German People, arguing that for the continuation of the German culture and people there will have to be significant reforms of the Hofgericht. Von Henneburg's conscription program continues to bear fruit, as the crime rate in Mainz plunges to all-time lows, and due to the huge influx of people coming to attend the University, the economy booms. However, tensions are gradually beginning to grow between the native population of Mainz and the overall richer, better educated patricians and students attending the University.
Benin: The construction of Nla-Olu continues, with most of the primary residential centers in the city having been completed. The markets for the city have been built in their entirety, and the sanitary facilities for the city have been built as well. The White Palace has been completed as well by the Bini laborers, and the rest of the government of the empire has transitioned to the city to continue their work there. The Benin Imperial Navy is expanded further by the vessels built by each of the ten port cities it contracted to supply it with new ships. Thus far, another ten akakan, fifteen oke, and twenty epeepe are built in each of the ten port cities for the Benin Imperial Navy. In the Arozes, tfcothe citizens of Muputa, seeking to sell these goods out of Sofala into nations of the Indian Ocean. In the colony of Ireti, the land of the settlement continues to grow by 500 square kilometers (10 px total), as the arable land along the coastline is harnessed by the settlers of Ireti. Thus far, more than 3,000 Bini have relocated to the colony seeking a new home and new lands to pass down to their offspring, as well as expand the glory of their empire. Trade with the Gurkani continues to expand, with the Bini merchants looking to access to the Persian markets to provide additional luxury goods for their homeland. The same is true of the trade with the Europeans, in particular the English, whom the Bini are trading cocoa, sugar, and guns in exchange for coal. Many Bini merchants are looking to sell the English silk and cotton as well to expand their profits back home. The expansion of gold mining continues with the expansion of the gold mines in the empire, providing the empire with a total output of 175 tons of gold per year. Diamond mining has received the full patronage of the Oba, who's contributions to the mining of diamonds has allowed for the retrieval of 600,000 carats of diamonds per year, a number only expected to increase in the coming years. With the new tax revenue from the increasing population, economy, and trade, the Oba looks to expand his patronage work to more areas of art, science and literature. Oba Nosagie states that even though he was a man of war, that the arts themselves are worthy of even an emperor's attention. The idea that he would squander his wealth on personal fancies such as his uncle during his time as Oba, have found no purchase with Nosagie, who believes that so long as the Oba is capable, that his wealth should be utilized to support the arts and the people of his empire. He encourages his fellow men to do the same and help promote the arts, science, and philosophy in Benin. The Oba alone has spent more than 250,000 zuruoke ($34,250,000) in the past year alone on charitable works, patronage of the arts, and the construction of housing and baths for the poor.
Cocoa is not native to the continent of Africa. Porduction of it is impossible at this point in time. As such, a strike has been issued. effective now, with 3 strikes, you are banned from Pm4. ~Edge
You assume that I knew that it was native to America. I was under the assumption that the cocoa was also African (like rice having multiple origins in the world) given that the two largest growers are in Africa. ~Viva
I'm pretty sure the cacao tree is exclusively native to the Americas, but was later introduced by Europeans to Africa, and it so happened to be a good environment for cacao farming. ~Tim
Well I know that now, but I was rather ignorant of the cocoa tree's spread prior to this (my fault). But I was banned on the spot without even having the chance at explaining my actions. ~Viva
In all fairness, we all make that silly mistake from time to time. While it is true that Viva probably should've done a bit more research, I think this particular circumstance is a little inconsequential (it's not a huge timeline-shaking event). So I say that he be forgiven this once. ~Tim
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The sweating sickness still scares people but things are going good other than that. Blanche of Brittany is still unmarried which isn't great news. The young crown prince is still fascinated by Arthurian legend and when a singer hears of this he writes a song about King Arthur and sings it to the Prince and so the singer is welcomed to court and starts writing other stuff about King Arthur.
Iberian Diplomacy: We offer to Blanche of Brittany a marriage between her and the 18-year-old Prince Alfonso of Great Iberia, the oldest unmarried member of the Iberian Royal Family and also currently heir presumptive to the Iberian throne. We offer to England a generous dowry of 55 pounds of gold to support the marriage.
Blanche is not in the royal family and therefore the dowry does not go to England.
Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Royal engineers continue experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Construction on the new school in the capital continues. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
The Caliphate continues to encourage economic growth in its regions, especially in Egypt. After a decade of decentralization and autonomy, the Caliphate begins to take more and more power away from local rulers and governments, removing their petty armies. Meanwhile, in Arabia, the Caliphate continues to build infrastructure for faithful Muslims performing the Hajj to Mecca. In order to keep order and stability in an otherwise overextended state, we allow emirs to host a small army, more of a guard, near their respective capitals. The Caliphate begins to support the arts and specifically the sciences: the Islamic school of Mu'tazili. We accept the soverignty of Al-Hamad as we send him many gifts and women.
Manchurian Rebellion: With the death of King Fu, General Shu emerges as the leader of the Manchurian rebellion against the tyranical Kingdom of Korea. "The Koreans have killed our men and enslaved our women and children, and I shall strike fiery vengence upon Korea for their crimes against our people, thus I call upon all Manchurians to unite with me to overthrow the Koreans who kill and enslave everyone we love." With this, 20,000 Manchurians take up arms against Korea under the banner of General Shu, and General Shu invades Korea 20,000 men, in order to avenge the horrible things Korea has done to Manchuria, crossing the Yalu River, with the intent of conquering Korea. General Shu thanks the Chinese Emperor immensely for his support and as a sign of gratitude he agrees to become a Chinese tributury. Meanwhile, efforts to expand infrastructure in Manchuria begin, and military factories begin to spring up to fuel the war effort.(I changed this because I didn't see the algo of China defending Manchuria)
Fu didn't die, he disappeared. -scraw
Oh, I thought he died-lame.
Chinese Diplomacy: We welcome the Manchu as a tributary, and increase the number of troops stationed in Manchu to 100,000 men. The Chinese navy is ordered to protect Manchu shipping. We hope that with the forces stationed in Manchu that Korea will finally see reason, but in the event they do not we will go to even greater lengths to secure Manchu independance.
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built this year, as always. In other news, the Sultan orders his son, Sikandar Shah to board a trade vessel headed to China to learn more about the Chinese and their culture.
Ahom Kingdom: A branch of the University of Chariadeo opens in Gaur.
Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
In Austria, As a Reward for the soldiers who fought against Italy, Ferdinand awards them lands in the conquered and annexed territories as just rewards for their warring, hoping with this to establish a larger german presence via population. The immediate boost of fifty thousand germans living in the Aquileian territories is a great boon. In any case, with the war over, the nation finaly begins to recover as Ferdinand, a ruler both beloved and resented for his autocratic rule, dies in his bed a few weeks after a victory march in vienna and announcing the construction of the Austrian fleet, commisioning many ships. As such, his son Frederick is declared the new Archduke as he travels to Budapest to be crowned King of Hungary, hoping that his uncle will not impede his way. Meanwhile, with the war over the renaissance continues to sweep across Austria. New thinkers and new books find light in the printing shops of Vienna, Munich and Venice as more money can be put into universities and other such endeavours. Efforts are made to continue such developments.
Hungary...
Serbia continues to recover from the war as the renaissance takes hold of even this nation. begining to spend less money on military matters as things progress, the education of the young Despot Aleksandar continues unabaited.
In Veneto, the soldiers-turned-settlers arrive in their new farmland, some taken from families who were killed in the fighting or whose farms were burned "by the Italians". They arrive without much of a fuss, although some moan that there is no wall preventing german immigrants from "flowing into the country". IN any case, the Venetians take to their new rulers well, or well enough at least, as the first elections for the Doge of Venice are held since the conquest by then-and-now Milan just less than a century ago. A youg Patrician by the name of Alessandro Mocenigo is elected to the post, and recognizes the succession of Frederick von Habsburg-Wittelsbach to the position of Duke of Veneto. With that out of the way, the venetians work on restoring their status as well-known merchants, and slightly alter their weights and measures to be proportional to the Austrian standardized system used in Austria, Bavaria, Hungary and Serbia while remaining approximately the same value as before. With the war over and armies out of the city, more renaissance painters and other such great thinkers begin to slowly but surely come back to the city, now that it is separate from a more oppresive regime.
Bahmani Sultanate:The victorious return of the fleet is hailed by Muhammad Shah as a demonstration of the new international power he now wields. He also gives thanks to Suleiman Shah for his kind letter and gracious gifts. Nonetheless, it is an uneventful year at home.
1488
In Manchuria, the real Fu returns from the Changbai Mountains, denouncing all of his impostors.
Al-Hamad, with the aid and recognition of the Caliph, receives many followers in Mecca. The number of people who come to Mecca in the month of Hajj is the greatest in living memory. Al-Hamad delivers the sermon on Mount Arafat and convinces everyone that they must work together to stop the Gurkani from forcibly converting their Sunni populace and proclaim the right of the Caliph in Egypt as the true Caliph.
The boyars of Russia, having become far more powerful since the death of the Tsar and the accession of the Lord Protector, work with Polish nobles to increase the power of the Sejm and protect their power against the King in future generations.
Prince Kaloyan of Bulgaria dies from medieval things.
In China, Sikandar Shah gets into a fight with a Chinese guy and is killed. The killer is killed by the prince's guards.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. In response to Ibn Hamad's Hajj Sermon, the Caliph Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad declared a pilgrimage to Karbala. There, the Sultan Suleiman held one of the largest public sermons in the plains of Karbala with 500,000 to 1,000,000 pilgrims having gathered. In his speech, Suleiman called out Ibn Hamad's hypocrisy and stated "Ibn Hamad has had no problem in killing Shia Muslims, but what is his stand on the enemies of Islam? What has Ibn Hamad done in response to the Iberians slaughtering Muslims in Morocco & Granada? What about the Shaitan (Satan) of Vlahia who impaled thousand of Muslims? Has Ibn Hamad ever threatened him? Or perhaps the Knights Hospitaller who's sole ambition is to conquer Jerusalem, has he (Ibn Hamad) ever raided their lands? This man (Ibn Hamad) has done nothing but create fitna in the Darul Islam. He has openly propagated his ambition to kill each and every Shia Muslim which shows very clearly that his intentions are evil and sinister. Ibn Hamad is most certainly an infidel who has infiltrated the ranks of Islam with the purpose of creating unrest between Muslims.. Verily, for was it not this man and his followers because of whom the Knights of Rhodes survived? Certainly, Ibn Hamad is the spawn of Satan and he is a threat to the foundation of Shia Islam. Wherever this man goes, death and mischief follow him, and now that the Abbasids have given him sanctuary, they'll suffer from the curse that surrounds him as well". The speech became exceptionally popular in the Gurkani Sultanate with excerpts of it reaching every other part of the Sultanate by pilgrims returning from Arba'een. Meanwhile printing press was introduced to the city of Erzurum by Armenian and Greek merchants arriving from Trebizond. Whilst the new technology did wonders in Erzurum, it wasn't particularly popular amongst Muslims who still preferred hand-written calligraphy over printed books. As such, despite having been introduced into the Sultanate, it would be a long time before the people eventually adapted to it. About around the same time, an oil painting of Sultan Suleiman's coronation was gifted to Amir Biryalai Yousafzai by a painter from Khyber. The painter was heftily paid for the amazing portrait with the painting subsequently passed onto the city of Isfahan and reportedly hung in the Golden Fort of Isfahan. Following the incident, oil paintings become quite popular in the Khyber and Khorasan provinces. (Before someone starts complaining, oil paintings were being made in Afghanistan for centuries before they even got to Europe). Roughly during the same period, the Gurkani started the development of major shipyards at Baku whilst updating the ones at Adana, Iskenderun, Gamrun, Basra and Kerch. Adana in particular was now seen as another important port which could potentially help decrease the massive traffic on Iskenderun. Of particular importance was the work that had started on the construction of a port city at the OTL site of Gwadar.
Chinese Empire: With the increasing of troops to 100,000 last year, we increase them again to 200,000 men in preparation for a final measure should the Korean refuse to accept Manchurian independence. The Chinese is increased in order to secure Manchurian shipping from Korean attacks. We are happy Fu returns, and the Emperor sends him a gift to commemorate the Chinese-Manchurian alliance, and we offer to station troops along the Korean border after the end of the conflict. Several local governors convert to Islam along the coastal regions, and this will slightly spur the growth of Islam along the Chinese coast. The Emperor is told of the spread of Islam along the coast, and some advisors ask the Emperor to be cautious of it, weary it will replace Confucianism if it grows more quickly. An official apology is sent to Bengal, and we send them two warships as a gift in hopes our relations will not be tarnished.
Swahili: The nation's income continues to grow, both from increased tariffs and from the Royal Trade Fleet. Our manufacturers expand and make more money. We expand southward to connect our realm. Tens of thousands of local tribesman, foreign settlers and children born became citizens of our nation last year due to our policies of land reclamation and immigration attraction. We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards continue capturing slaves. Some business minded merchants begin buying land in the interior and slaves, building plantations that farm spices, cotton, tea and other labor-intensive cash crops.
United Crown of Great Iberia
Integration of our hard-won territories, including the Kingdom of Liguria and Kingdom of Sardinia, continues and is progressing smoothly. The Italian language is being phased out of use; all government documents are now written in Spanish, and Spanish becomes the language of instruction. All former Italian subjects in Sardinia, Corsica and Genoa are now forced to learn Spanish, as multilingual services are unavailable, giving an advantage to those who can speak the official language. In schools and in propaganda, Italian is denigrated as the language of the peasant and of the lowlife, and that one must learn Spanish to earn their rightful place in Iberian society. Fortunately, not many Italians remain, so not a lot of money has to be spent doing this. Reconstruction of cities in Liguria and Sardinia also continues, and administrative re-integration is also in progress.
In Aragon, attention is once again turned to our Atlantic project, and research resumes on ocean-going vessels capable of traversing the vast blue Atlantic. It is hoped that within the next four to five years, we will gain the ability to cross the Atlantic Ocean and find an alternative route to Asia. In the meantime, replenishment and repairs to the Royal Armada are underway, and returning veterans from the war are welcomed home. Those who performed exceptionally well in the war are given plots of land as reward for their service to the Crown.
Athenian re-integration into the Iberian Union is also in progress, and the Athenian military is also rebuilding itself. However, it is a sad year, for this year our Duke Antonio I died in his sleep at his home in Athens. As he died without an heir, the Duchy is formally annexed into the Crown of Aragon, and the King of Great Iberia, Ferdinand V and II, is invested as the new Duke of Athens.
Iberian Diplomacy to Burgundy: We allow a small Burgundian fleet to use a select number of our ports, namely those in Lisbon, Cagliari and Genoa, to protect their trade interests.
Iberian Diplomacy to Brittany: We once again repeat our overtures for a royal marriage between Prince Alfonso of Great Iberia, the heir presumptive to the Iberian throne, and Blanche of Brittany. The generous dowry of 55 pounds of gold, which will be paid to Brittany, is still on the table.
Cologne: Cologne’s militia continues to grow with the assistance of Brandenburger troops. Archbishop Emmerich works together with the Abbess of Essen to put forward a plan to begin educating all citizens of wider Cologne, spending a year getting the ideas together in order to ensure that he is going about this the correct way. The Archbishop contacts Brandenburg and asks for the reform about HRE courts to be discussed as a matter of highest importance at the Imperial Diet of 1490. Archbishop Emmerich also mentions as a side note that Cologne is still interested in supporting Heinrich’s idea of roads interconnecting the HRE as a whole.
Essen: Abbess Sophia works with Archbishop Emmerich on the plan for reaching minimum levels of literacy amongst all citizens of wider Cologne. A few ideas are thrown around: Church-funded schools in every town, local nobles being obliged to support the education of children in their towns, integration of literacy and numeracy into everyday work, and the building of a supportive educational culture. This all, however, sounds incredibly optimistic and Sophia will be happy if a mere one is brought to fruition in her lifetime. Meanwhile, there is a significant upheaval and restructuring of the mines at Essen in order to update the infrastructure.
South Australian Civilization: The walled city-states continue to expand and spread throughout the continent. The most powerful and most advanced cities, on average, tend to be the states of Ngarridjeri, Kaurna, and Nukunu. Works of art memorializing wealthy individuals, on either stone, metal, or wood, begin to be buried with them in the burial mounds, accompanied with their name and clan in Murray Script. Of coures, the script is only known as a language by the dreamspeakers and artisans, while the common people see it as mystic symbology. As the city-states become more centralized, some organized government begins to form, and the city of Ngarridjeri elects their first Bakan (Duke), named Djalu. Djalu gained his prominence by blood, being descendant from an uncle of Tjilbruke. Djalu commissions several works of art, depicting himself as connected to Tjilbruke and Lord Ngintaka, to decorate the walls of the Ochre Chapel. The style of art at this time could best be described as more geometric form of the older cave paintings, now being worked on by professional artists. Meanwhile, the cities of the Adelaide Valley fear the growing power of the city-state Noongar to the west. Being a fierce, warlike people, they are seen as barbaric because of their semi-nomadic lifestyle and strange use of art.
In Mainz, a fire is sparked by a bakery that burns down large parts of the city slums and kills almost three dozen people. Von Henneburg immediately announces that the construction on the De Cusa Wing be halted and that efforts be directed towards rebuilding and renovating large parts of the city, delaying the finishing of the De Cusa Wing by approximately a year. However, with now even more stone and metals being used, the city council begins to worry about how prohibitively expensive the construction costs are, and begins to consider alternative methods of acquiring resources. Von Henneburg finishes his treatise On The Reunification Of The German People, and with the new printing press run by Schoffer prints a run of 1000 copies and distributes it among the aristocracy of Mainz.
Brandenburg-Luxembourg:Heinrich the old Red Lion finally passes away. Otto seeks that the rest of the Electors vote and requests they vote for him. Otto overseas the final construction of Great Brandenburg Palace in Berlin. With the palace complete the royal family takes up residence there. Otto based on his experience in Bulgaria begins carrying out with vigor many of his father's efforts to bring the nobility fully under his control. He finally finishes his works the Red Legacy which is split into three parts. the First is his thoughts on political authority and the needs for a sovereign to adjust to new situations to fully secure his goals, the second part talks about how a ruler's authority and legitimacy rest in his ability to rule and to command the respect and obedience of his subjects though he believes that a ruler is born with the right to rule as long as he can enforce that right. The third and final part is a series of thoughts on warfare and the growing importance of maintaining a strong military force loyal to the sovereign and not to the nobility. The nobility react with mixed responses to this piece fearing somewhat a lose of their power and influence however Otto retains the loyalty of the Hussite/reformed nobles of which make up a large part of his military officers and with the army itself being made up largely of reformed Catholics the roman catholic nobles remain quiet. Increasing numbers of commoners adopt the Hussite rite as the word of the lord is preached in German making it easier to understand and for them to feel and believe in the word of the lord as a opposed to Latin which they do not understand. Theology, philosophy, and other areas of Renaissance thought grow in the University of Berlin. Otto himself becomes a major patron of the arts and of culture inviting Italian, German, and Bulgarian artists, scientists, engineers, and philosophers to his Court in Berlin. Berlin's population continues to grow reaching 29,000 people. The city while small in population is made up of a rather wealthy mix of nobles, merchants, artisans, clergy and soldiers making it the thriving centre of power for the Brandenburg domains. The population of the Brandenburg domains is at present 2.8 million people. Military reforms continue as the Landsknecht units are developed further along with firearms tactics are expanded upon. The mechanical arts (engineering, metallurgy, smithing etc, etc) are further developed in the universities of Luxembourg and Breslau with mining and developing of smithing growing in importance for the economies of these areas. the Merchant and artisans grow in importance in these areas .Lorraine, Luxembourg, and Sielsia become the main centres of industry for the Brandenburg Domains and efforts to further integrate these regions into the main power structure of the Brandenburg family. Otto the younger moves with his new wife to Marienburg as the new Duke of Prussia following the Teutonic Orders agreement to the secularization of the lands. He immediately begins an effort to secure the support of the local German nobility by extending to them the rights and responsibilities demanded of Brandenburgian Nobles.
Brandenburg Diplomacy: Otto places his bid to the other Electors on the grounds of continuing to maintain religious unity between the reformed rite and the roman rite of the Catholic Church, promoting further economic growth and trade within the empire, and continuing to pursue the military protection of the minor German princes on the grounds of enhancing imperial military strength. He requests the conitnued support of the archbishoprics on these grounds also accepting Mainz request to establish the Diet of Mainz. Further emphasising the new power the empire had to protect itself by turning the Teutonic order into a military force capable of helping in the deterrence of froeign aggression. Otto further requests Saxony's vote by reminding them that it was thanks to Brandenburg that they regained their independence from Bohemian dominance and offers a substantial monetary bribe to Saxony in exchange for their vote. Otto also seeks Papal approval for his bid for the emperorship on the grounds of maintaining the Empire's religious unity and keeping the Hussite in communion with the Roman rite and proposes if proclaimed emperor to back the All Christian alliance and mobilize HRE forces to help keep the Muslims out of Europe.
Papal States: The States continue to recover economically from the war. With peace having been restored, Leo puts his energy back into his plans to restore discipline to the monasteries and root out any and all excess. The university of Bologna keeps teaching Renaissance humanism, and places greater emphasis on the natural sciences than before (not at the expense of theology and law, however, which are the mainstays of the university).
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The situation if England continues to go amicably, a Bini merchant arrives with rumours of large quantities of silk back in the homeland and so we offer Benin to trade silk for coal. Meanwhile the young crown prince is fascinated by King Arthur after the new court singer writes another song on him. We try to improve relations with the Kingdom of France.
Bini Diplomacy: Benin would be delighted to expand our trade of silk with England in exchange for additional coal.
Benin: Growth of Benin's trade routes in the Indian Ocean continues, with the Bini merchants expanding their trade of sugar, spices, exotic fruits, and weapons in the region. Trade of kola nuts, exotic fruits, and sugar with the English in exchange for coal continues, though much trade has been routed through Flores Island to aid it in growing more prosperous as an enclave of the Bini. The settlement of Ireti in southern Africa grows more prominent as a Bini colony, as the amount of trade heading into and out of the Indian Ocean attracts many Bini subjects to travel south to take up residence there for work. More than 5,000 now reside in Ireti, and the settlement itself has finally constructed a proper esuku for worship and learning. The colony is expanded by 500 square kilometers (10 px total), and its growth has attracted some of the natives to come reside with the Bini whom many share the same faith of Kuzirism with. The work of the missionaries in southern Africa has been remarkable thus far, with a highly receptive populace in the region willing to accept the truth of the Kuzir faith. The peaceful overtures of the Kuzir missionaries is credited with having gained the respect and attention of the San and Khoi people in the region, and it is hoped that this will continue. The White Palace has been completed in its entirety, and the majority of the wide avenues of the capital city have been completed as well. For the most part, the most important parts of Nla-Olu have been finished, and only the minor aspects of the city's construction need be completed. Iyase Aibueku requests and receives permission from Oba Nosagie to build a series of arsenals for the military of Benin, namely to build cannons and firearms for the army and navy at a rate significantly faster than exists currently. As the navy continues to grow, there are some desires within the Imperial Navy and the government to fully outfit the vessels of Benin with cannon, though the Iyase states that this will take many years to do, even with the arsenals completed. In line with the Oba's goals, the growth of the navy continues, with another ten akakan, fifteen oke, and twenty epeepe are added to the navy from each of the ten cities contracted by the Benin Imperial Navy. With the navy now consisting of 4,400 ships following the decades-long construction program, the Oba gives the order to cease construction of new naval vessels for the time being, the navy itself having peaked thus far. The budget for the military of Benin currently stands at 2,136,772,910 mina, with 420,599,850 mina for the Imperial Army and 183,200,000 mina earmarked for the Imperial Navy, and the other 1,532,973,060 mina for whatever additional costs the military as a whole would need be it for ship and base maintenance, equipment production, and military engineering projects. According to the Iyase, the budget is more than enough to cover the costs of the navy and any unforeseen issues it may have in the future, and thus expanding the navy any further is highly unadvised. The Oba wishes Benin to be a center of trade and prosperity in the region, and wishes peace to all his neighbors following the disastrous civil war not that long ago. From his own personal coffers, the Oba continues to patronize hundreds of intellectuals throughout his empire, building centers of entertainment and learning, as well as observatories throughout his empire. Migration of Bini subjects into the western provinces continues as the growth of the economy in that region attracts thousands of people looking for work and land outside of the traditionally heavily populated eastern region of Benin. The growth of the cities there have encouraged many more Bini to migrate to the region, not for land, but to provide services not yet established in the west of Benin.
The Austrian people continue their recovery from the war, happy with their gains both in wealth and in other dignities. The Archducal guard is somewhat reduced in numbers and set to act primarily as the peacekeeping force, although a large enough contingent is set to remain in Veneto as to ensure the region's compliance and integration into the Habsburg Crown. More incentives are given for craftsmen, weapon-smiths, philosophers and alchemists to come to Vienna to study and improve their realms for the good of the crown, and by extention the people. IN any case, support for a united south Germany, a perfect fusion of the Bavarian and Austrian systems, already so close in language and culture and even laws, continues to grow, and calls for unification are heard across the realm in advance of the 1490 Imperial diet, with many calling on the Emperor to allow a new "Archduchy of South Germany (Erzgerzogum Suddeucherreich)" to be created. IN any case, things are managed by Frederick's brother Maxemillian as Frederick is in Budapest awaiting coronation as King of Hungary. Although unbeknownst to Maximilian, his brother's time is not the easiest as both the Austrians and the Hungarian nobles, so maligned and insulted during Ferdinand's autocratic reign, know that Austria cannot afford another protracted war...
IN Hungary, Frederick arrives in Budapest to less than thunderous applause. Despite his uncle, Rudolph, keeping the peace as
Hungary after this year's events.
Duke of Hungary as much as he can, the various expenses and losses of life in the war against Italy have mounted up, and the old nobility have seized their chance at rebellion. Frederick arrives in Budapest to reports that almost five thousand Guardsmen have been killed in various rebellions as many barons, and even some Counts appointed by Frederick's father, feeling no special loyalty to him and especially in Transylvania, have denounced the laws of primogeniture succession, and called a parliament to elect their new king. Rudolph, the Duke of Hungary, has managed to hold onto the west of Hungary alongside the Hereditary counts, and called much of the Royal Hungarian guards to defend the capital, leaving many laws, including the "Garrison laws", effectively unenforced out of necessity. The Hereditary counts are ready to support Frederick's claims, alongside various other minor nobility of the west and even some in the east. News then arrives that the Eastern Diet has elected Michael Corvinus as their King, and declared him the rightful ruler of Hungary. Their main grievances with the Habsburgs is their lack of reconquests (especially in Croatia), and the tightening of central power at the expense fo the nobles' rights, who would have no recourse other than autocratic "characteristic Habsburg Rule". Quickly, in a panic, Frederick convenes a Diet of the East to try and gain some legitimacy with the Hungarian people. When it finally arrives at Budapest, they are skeptical, and are very resistant to re-affirming primogeniture succession in Hungary, or even to recognize Frederick as more legitimate than Corvinus as King. After a week or so of debate, promises were exchanged, including restoring Hungary to "its former glory" under Frederick's rule, and the Diet of the East declared and promptly crowned Frederick King. And now, a situation so eerily reminiscent of what happened only twenty five years ago has occurred once more. The War of Hungarian Succession Has Begun...
Manchuria: General Shu and the Manchurian decimates the Korean Army on the Yalu River, killing every soldier in sight and then thunders down Korea with the firey wrath of a billion suns, and a path of destruction on the way to the Korean capital of Seoul. Upon arrival to Seoul, General Shu enters the Gyeongbokgung palace and kills King Yi Un and every prince in the royal family. Every general and noble involved in the killing of Manchus are slaughtered and the peasants are liberated from the nobles, and the Korean class system collapses. (More to come)
In the Kingdom of France, Louis XII continues to oversee the centralization of the French realm. The edicts of Chambord, which decomissions obsolete countryside castles (both saving money and undermining local power), and of Angers, which requires vassals to visit Paris annually, are both in full effect. We work to improve relations with England after historic difficulties. Meanwhile, the Renaissance continues to flourish in the city of Paris, especially with the arrival of many manuscripts and printed books from the Biblioteca Italiana. After reading up on the Italian consolidation plans, Louis XII orders some of the most talented Renaissance scholars to create a single, unitary French language. Finally, integration of Savoie continues.
Bahmani Sultanate: Muhammad Shah sends his condolences to Bengal on the unfortunate death of Sikandar. At home, Muhammad Shah begins the first of his reforms, and opens up governmental positions to Divehin (Maldivians) and Burmese, as long as they show competence, that is. As the first appointment under this new system, a clever and capable Divehin, Akbar, becomes subahdar of Sri Lanka.
Burma: A large amount of money is sent to Taungoo in order to build border fortifications against Shan raiders and in order to improve the young nation internally. Bahmani engineers are sent for the infrastructure and fortifications to convince the Taungoo of the value of Burma's cooperation with India.
Maldives: With the conclusion of the five-year plan, the economy rapidly increases.
Kingdom of Tondo: Arnis Masid, Diyang Kalangitan's chief naval officer, is tasked to bring a group of 250 men and ten ships to explore the known world. He will personally be the peace envoy with Japan, as the convoy shall reach the Japanese Islands first. After Japan, the envoy shall reach Korea, and then the Chinese cities of Beijing and Nanjing. Following that, visits to Vietnam, the Khmer, the Strait of Malacca, Burma, and the Indian states. Victory against Butuan is celebrated as the troops march in the Cagayan. Diyang Kalangitan, now married to Sugbo of Cebu, formalize their marriage in Mactan, Cebu. As Sugbo's father drowned in a fishing accident, Sugbo is widely seen as Cebu's next monarch due to his uncle being the Rajah, who is currently without wife and without child. At the same time, rumors of the Rajah's infertility circulate around the kingdoms, though no officials have confirmed nor denied. With the recent passing of the beloved monarch, Rajah Gambang, the nation mourns. Diyang Kalangitan assumes the throne, and takes no man to be her husband. Instead, she declares that on the eve of her death, the nobility of Tondo, Ma-I, and Pangasinan shall have an electorate regarding the successor of the united realms of Tondo. Kalangitan further consolidates her poweriscreetely assigning political opponents to far-flung provinces of Tondo or to Tondo's vassals of Ma-I and Pangasinan, or to colonization attempts in Palawan, Busuang and Samar. The government of Tondo can be roughly described as a Federal Monarchy, with each province ruled by a council with members proportionate to the province's population. Diyang Kalangitan invites the Huang of Pangasinan, his daughter and Ma-I's regency council, and officials from every province to draft something akin to an OTL constitution, namely, the Saligang Batas ng Tondo at Nasasakupan Nito (Constitution of the sovereign Kingdom of Tondo and all its holdings and possessions). As Maynila is one of the richest cities in South East Asia, it is now high-time to create a lasting legacy for it. A series of bridges and canals connecting the Pasig and Tagik (OTL Taguig) Rivers and all their tributaries to provide acquatic transportation, ease movement of goods, and simply build bridges above the waterways to ease the transportation of people in the Greater Tondo Province (OTL Metro Manila). To prevent problems of income inequality and unequal development, selected families in the capital are given incentives of food and gold to relocate to developing towns and cities in Cavite, Romblon and Samar. A road network has already connected Tondo Province to Cavite, and a series of roads from southeastern and southern Luzon to Pangasinan has already began construction. Tondo metallurgical capabilities increase as blast furnaces and ironforges are built all around the state. The port of Maynila is further expanded, with the navy increasing by 25 small ships and seven war junks. Trade with nearby states continue. Tondo continues expansion in Samae, Palawan and Busuanga. 2000 additional soldiers are trained. Kalangitan orders 400 ships to move to patrol the Visayas archipelago, mainly to protect the trade routes, and secretly to intimidate Cebu. Expansion into Palawan, Samar, and Negros continue.
Huangdom of Ma-I: With Tondo's grace, Ma-I settles the western part of Busuanga Island, and dedicates 100 citizens there. Li Han thrives as a cultural and financial capital of Ma-I, while Beigang immediately becomes the second port of Tondo, and conducts trade regularly with nearby nations.
Huangdom of Pangasinan: With Tondo's grace, Pangasinan expands into Central and Northern Luzon, attempting to assimilate the mountain and Igorot tribes located nearby to access the massive agricultural treasure in the Banaue Rice Terraces and the farmlands of Central Luzon. The administrative capital city, Pangasinan, begins construction of a road connecting it to Maynila. Blast furnace construction continues, and a small defense fleet of 15 ships is allotted by Tondo to Pangasinan. Pangasinense traders report sightings of small islands west of Luzon, and scouts are sent by Pangasinan to verify their claims. Pangasinan claims these islands west of Mainland Luzon, now named as the Gambang Islands in honor of Rajah Gambang (OTL Scarborough Shoal)
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built this year. The fleet reaches 580 ships. In other news, the Sultan recognizes the murder of his son as an accident and still wishes to have warm relations with the Chinese. He decide to send his brother, Jalalludin Shah, to China.
Ahom Kindgom: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
1489
In Scotland, a feud emerges between Clan Hamilton and Clan Murray.
Blanche of Brittany decides to marry the heir to Burgundy.
Kingdom of Burgundy: King Charles is glad that his son finally has a wife, and invites the English king to the wedding. As the fifteenth century comes to a close, it is decided to build new warships based of the almost half-century old Influence of Powder Weapons on Sea Power writings of John de Luxembourg. They're to be designed on the premise of fighting at stand-off ranges with cannons, abandoning the "land battle at sea" concept that had dictated naval doctrine since Antiquity. The first of this new generation of warships, a large carrack named Saint Sigismund, is laid down in October. In civilian matters, the policy of the Burgundian monarchy of slashing tariffs and reducing trade barriers, makes the ports of Burgundy highly attractive to merchants, allowing Burgundy to claim one of the economies in Europe. Meanwhile, while the supply post on Cape Charles continues to grow as traffic past it does, David Slyke, son of famed Dutch explorer Henri Slyke, proposes to King Charles that a third, westward route to Asia, one that avoids the lands of the Gurkani, and the taxes of Benin, could be found. Intrigued, Charles agrees to fund his expeditions.
The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with Al Mu'ayyad Muhammad as the Caliph. The Gurkani population rose to about 36 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. The military was primarily composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, and sword. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers and swords to be utilised in close combat against the enemy and elephants as well as carts were used for the transportation of supplies. In some cases, a special unit also existed that specialized primarily in the use of hand cannons and rocket launchers. Cannons were constructed to serve as siege weaponry whilst gunpowder weaponry were increasively developed. Naval bases were established at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun to establish the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets. Agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Scriptures and books from the Maragheh Observatory, Ulugh Beg Observatory and Isfahan's House of Wisdom were largely printed and distributed in the cities of Erzurum, Yerevan, Diyarbakir and Van; becoming exceptionally popular with the Armenians residing in the cities. Due to the majority of the Muslim populace having embraced Zaidi Islam, the general interest in science, technology and education also rapidly grew with the resurgence of the Mu'tazli School of Thought, albeit on a much conservative level. Meanwhile, work continued on the expansion of shipyards at Kerch, Adana, Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun and Baku. In particular, the state had initiated a process to replace the now generally defuct Northern route of the Compact of Iskenderun, shifting the route's coastal port entrance from Trebizond to Adana. About around the same time, construction on the port city of Gwadar continued with major Baloch and Arab tribes settling in and near the city, hoping to exploit the eventually inflow of revenue from merchants utilizing the port. Nationally, the popularity of the Sultan and the Caliph massively grew whilst perceptions regarding Hamad remained largely negative. Amongst the Sunnis, the majority of the Hanafi's separated themselves from Hamad, accusing him of following extremist and strict Hanbali policies. In contrast, the policies followed by the Zaidis were supported by the Hanafi Sunnis living in the Sultante. This was primarily because Zaydi fiqh and doctrines was exceptionally similar to those followed by the Hanafis, more so when one considered that Imam Hanifa himself supported the Zaidi cause. As such, most moderate Sunnis residing in the Sultanate favoured Zaidis over Hamad.(In case you think this is implausible, you should go ahead and read up more on Islam and its various Schools of Thought and since you're probably going to be asking for an OTL similar event, you're more than welcome to read about the Barelvi-Deobandi split)
Hamad isn't creating a new fucking school of thought; he hasn't changed any religious doctrines, he's just against Shia Islam and promotes Sunni Islam and the Caliph in Egypt. -scraw
Papal States: The economy continues the process of recovery after the war. The University of Bologna continues to be a centre for Rennaissance humanism, and many exciting debates occur there. The Fortebracci family, now one of the wealthiest in the States, commissions a sumptuous private chapel to be built adjacent to their beautiful country villa. In other news, Pope Leo X grants the Abbey of Essen a Golden Rose -a very high honour- in recognition of the Abbey's key role in both the renewal of ecclesiastical discipline throughout Germany through the reforms of its former Abbess St Adelphina, and also for the tireless work of the canonesses in assisting with the lengthy process of producing a new Vulgate translation. In other news, the Pope displays his sincerity in cracking down on lax discipline in monasteries when he defrocks the Abbott of a particularly luxurious abbey in Bohemia and summons him to appear before the papal throne, after which he is promptly punished. The abbey itself is placed under the administration of a strict Cistercian, who soon restores proper monastic discipline, ensuring that all non-liturgical riches are divided amongst the poor.
Norway petitions the Kalmar Union for invasion of England.
OOC England: Since you forgot to put secret around that comment I am assuming that you basically publicly stood in front of everyone and said that therefore, I know about IC.
English Dip: We are very concerned by this threat of war and hope the Kalmar Union will not attempt anything rash.
Norway: The Norwegian leaders, despite being open about this threat, apolgise for this brash descision.
Khmer Empire: After Emperor Sutka's death, Sutkan continues his rule of Khmer, which currently has about 12.5 million people. After many years of Gunturist slavery, the remaining 100,000 free Guntruists are declared slaves by Sutkan, and quickly rounded up by the Khmer military. Half of these slaves will work directly for the government, while the other half will be sold off to the public. However, if a private citizen buys slaves, the government is entitled to any children the slave might have, thought the owner will have an opportunity to “buy” them at a reduced price. Meanwhile, Sutkan follows in his father’s lead, and begins to style himself as an Emperor sent by God to rule Khmer. This leads him to begin construction of a new palace in Angkor Wat. This Palace will be even larger than the current structures, and will be primarily constructed Guntruist slaves, and should be completed within 30 years, hopefully within Sutkan’s lifetime. It has yet to be given a name, and Sutkan announces he will wait for a sign from Buddha to name it. After the successful conquest of Laos, Sutkan decides to switch the military focus of Khmer from the Army to the Navy. This will help protect our rapidly growing trade, and defend against our main enemy, Majapahit. With the new influx of resources dedicated to naval power, the amount of ships being made skyrockets. All new ships will be equipped with cannons, and the few existing ships that don't will be retrofitted. Guntruist slaves will play a central role in the creation, though all will be closely watched by Khmer soldiers and paid workers. The Navy begins construction of three major naval ports: in Kedah, Chaiya, and Vijaya. Additionally, a much larger base is built in Oc Eo - a city well on its way to becoming the naval capital of Khmer. In order to increase the practical size of the navy even faster, Sutkan continues his program for civilians to build ships for the military. Under this program, if a trader is willing to build their ships to be usable in a battle, and are willing to give them up in times of need, the government will subsidize their creation. This is extremely effective, as it not only allows Khmer to commander many trading ships if need be, many trading ships are now better protected from pirates or other threats. Hand in hand with our renewed focus on Naval output, we dramatically increase our sponsorship of piracy against Majapahit. We hope to hurt their economy badly, and recent signs have shown that that is already the case. We also begin to put bounties on Majaphit naval ships, making them attractive, if difficult, targets for pirates. Currently, around 300 pirate ships are actively raiding Majaphit, tearing their trade and coastal cities to shreds. Meanwhile, the army also increases in size, and currently hovers around 130.000 men due to our renewed focus on the navy. After seeing the effect of guns in the successful conquest of Laos, Guns are heavily invested in improving. Many units of the Khmer military currently have access to guns in some form, though overall it is still very much a melee force. Trade continues to be enormously profitable for Khmer, with the Indian States, China, Korea, and Tondo all major trading partners. Increase on trade has been dramatic over recent years, to the benefit of all involved nations. Sutkan thanks Swahili for opening trade, and hopes that Both nations will benefit from it. In terms of culture, Sutkan once again continues his father's policy, and works to make the city of U Thong a bastion of Khmer and Asian culture. The influx of slaves helps construction oriented projects, and to increase the cultural output, Sutkan sets up a guild in the city to sponsor talented artisans of all kinds. The city continues to attract artistic talent from all corners of Khmer, and also sees high population growth, just like the empire as a whole. The investment in culture begins to pay off, as Khmer begins to experience a cultural explosion, mostly in the city of U Thong, but reaching to Ayyuthaya, Angkor Wat, and even as far as Kedah.
Sultanate of Bengal: 20 ships are built this year. Jalalludin Shah arrives in China, and offers to make trade deals with the Chinese.
Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
Kingdom of England, Scotland, Ireland and Duchy of Brittany: The King congratulates the Duchess of Brittany and the heir to the Duchy of Burgundy and the now Duke of Brittany on their marriage sending them a very nice looking wine goblet as a wedding present and to represent the Kingdom, King Edward's second son Richard is sent. We hope that this will make Burgundy and England closer through Brittany. With the issue of Scottish clan wars while in England as Edward is used to he would intervene and end the dispute his advisers native to Scotland advise that this sort of infighting is common and as long as it does not escalate beyond these two clans it is the best way for the dispute to be sorted therefore the King ignores the dispute while it remains small and not directed against the Crown. The young crown prince writes his own song about the legend of Prince Arthur and is also schooled on other legends of British history and the young crown prince is taught about the concept of King of the Britons.
Chinese Empire: Islam continues to spread slowly along the coast, starting to spread inland along the rivers and reaching into the interior. The war in Manchuria and Korea, with no conflict or battles for several months, is declared a victory by the Emperor, With the conclusion of the war, the Emperor makes it clear that Korea is no longer a special nation in the eyes of China, it is a pariah state and unworthy of diplomatic contact, leading to the withdrawal of all diplomats and embassies from Korea. As compensation for the conflict the Chinese navy attacks the Korean islands of Kuril, Urano, Ulleungdo, and Jejudo, seizing them in order to further show Chinas naval prowess and restrict Korea from becoming a strong naval power for the time being, as well as secure the vital islands for new naval bases. We send teachers and eduacators to Manchuria, in order to eduacate and help the Manchu people. We ship food supplies to the Manchurians in order to stave off famine.
Bahmani Sultanate: Muhammad Shah institutes another administrative reform this year: a list is made comprising all the nobles in the land, in an order signifying rank and assignment. Now, those nobles who show incompetence can get bumped down the list.
Burma: Binnya Kyal welcomes two grandsons into the world. (Names TBD).
Maldives: A guild of merchants proposes to Sultan Muhammad II that more trade protection is needed for their goods.
Delhi Sultanate: We continue to work on expanding and improving our army and navy. The bustling city of Puri is busy with shipbuilding and trade. An expedition is sent to go south, then west, to discover any islands; it will return next year. We ask the states of Marwar and Mewar if they would like to become part of the Delhavi realm; we promise that they shall still have the majority of power in internal afairs, and that their culture will not be infringed upon. (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED)
Himalaya: Nothing of note.
Ladakh: Nothing of note.
Marwar and Mewar accept. -scraw
Ethiopia: We continue our efforts to modernize the nation, we send settlers south to exploit the land around us to provide for our larger populations that has been growing fairly quick.
Austria, still recovering from the war, looks on in peril as the situation in Hungary worsens. The Herrkanzler, Maximilian, receives orders to go in his brother's place if he does not return from the lands to the east, if the war does not end. Maximilian looks at this news gravely, knowing that they cannot spare soldiers at this time, especialy since the austrians need to recover and ensure the integration of Veneto into the realm. The Habsburgs cannot be seen to be week, however Frederick must rely on his skills in battle and the troops he commands in Hungary alone to secure the crown for generations to come, as victory in Hungary is now tied intimately with habsburg legitimacy. Despite these odds, Maximilian follows through. He increases investment into merchant fleets and offers traders lower rates if they buy government debt. IN any case, with an economic pwoerhowse like venice relatively unaffected by the war (peaceful surrender I think), the Austrian economy receives a boon with lessened barriers for trade between the Duchy of Veneto and Archduchy of Austria. All in all, the prevelance of renaissance ideas flowing in from the newly-consolidated Italian territories boost arts and literature in Austria proper, at least around intelectual non-military circles. Maximilian can only hope prosperity falls upon his brother's troubled head. A further step towards full unification with Bavaria occurs as the High council of Bavaria is merged with that of Austria, and the new council of Bavaria given that of a subsidiary role in governance to the edicts of the Austrian council. This change is celebrated by many, as it is seen as a step forward towards merging the states.
In Hungary, affairs are much more grim than anticipated. Winter cold and snow had prevented any serious military campaigns
Hungary after this year's events
from occuring after the proclamations, and even those which occured before that ended in virtual stalemates. before the Guards could be recalled, their numbers had been reduced to thrity thousand, and the barons have little incentive to provide more troops through recruitment drives as they need their lands to be well stocked in food, and many are still weary from the Italian War. In any case, the first decisive battle occurs at Tersiopel, and it is not in Frederick's favour. Frederick is a rather green battle commander, and when facing twenty thousand Rebel troops on the battlefield, he failed to account for their cavalry charge, and thus lost a quarter of his men in a double-encirclement maneuver. With the enemy still at a healthy forty thousand men, the twenty five thousand in Frederick's employ currently do not seem up to the task as the forces of Michael Corvinus, the King in East Hungary, capture more territory by the end of the year. While Frederick's army had some minor successes, the majority of the battles went the way of Corvinus.
The Despot of Serbia, now fifteen years of age and much less influenceable by his Habsburg advisors, does not declare for one King, or the other. Instead, he stays neutral, and gives vague promises to both sides. While his advisors and Lord Regent impore him to declare for Frederick, Aleksandar fears the wrath of Corvinus' armies, who control the border with serbia. Even with access to the sea, the Serbains may not outlast an invasion for long, as Bratislava is surely one of the first targets of the war. IN any case, more work is made on a Serbian Fleet, and the army is increasing its size and muster in case of an invasion, from any of the claimed overlords of Serbia...
Veneto, isolated from the war in the East, prospers generously as the war comes to an end and trade returns to the city of Venice. With the compact of Vallietta annuled, Venetian ships spread across the mediterranian, even though their lords are no longer from Milan. In any vase, the renaissance is thriving, and Venetian ships now find new homes on the shores of the Despotate of Serbia, with whom they are now de facto allies. A foreign and unexposed market, just newly opened, is a juicy oportunity that the traders of venice simply cannot pass up, under any circumstances, whatsoever.
United Crown of Great Iberia
The King of Great Iberia, Ferdinand I, sends out a call to all of Europe, sending emissaries all across the continent to advertise the King's job offer for a competent and courageous sailor willing to brave the unknown and lead an Iberian fleet across the Atlantic. The King promises extremely generous rewards (gold and glory) for such a great service to the Crown, as well as a fleet of 10 state-of-the-art ships which are currently undergoing the planning stages - they will be the first ocean-going vessels in the world. In return, the applicant will claim whatever land he should find for the Crown, provided it is not already occupied by an Asian power. MOD RESPONSE PLEASE!
In Aragon, research on the ships that will take Iberia to Asia is still underway, but is nearing completion. It is hoped that by 1493 at latest we shall be able to cross the vast Atlantic. Integration of our newly regained territories of Sardinia, Liguria and Malta continues; so does promotion of the Spanish language over the local languages. We hope that eventually we will complete cultural Iberification of all Iberian lands, making it more difficult for our enemies to subjugate our territories again.
The sailor Esteban Ferrera is intrigued by the Crown's offer and takes up the commission. -scraw
Benin: The construction of the imperial capital of Benin continues, with the expansion of the residential districts of the city now underway. The connection of major cities surrounding the capital is prioritized by the government, with roads heading off in every direction and transforming Nla-Olu into the nexus of power and finance in the empire. Migration of Bini into the western provinces continues, with the expansion of gold and diamond mining as well as agricultural development serving as means of employment for the people in that region. Development of Flores Island into a trade center for Benin also attracts many to that island for work. With the patronage of the arts and sciences in Benin by the Oba, many artists and writers in the nation move to the capital city to hone their trade there. Elsewhere, expansion of the settlement of Ireti by 500 square kilometers (10 px total) has taken place in southern Africa. Development of the land in that colony has permitted the settlement to no longer rely so heavily on Benin for food imports, and the completion of the local odi for the Imperial Army garrison has provided Ireti with a level of protection that grants it some self-sufficiency in terms of its ability to defend itself. Conversion of the local inhabitants continues as usual, with the colony's population growing considerably as many of these new converts move to Ireti to better learn the ways of Kuzirism. The translation of the Iwe ti Iwo continues, with about a quarter of the book translated into the San and Khoi languages. These are not yet released to the missionaries in southern Africa as the Dari Council wishes the natives of that region to receive a completely translated book from the Kuzir clergy. Trade with Indian and Middle Eastern nations continues, with special attention given to the expansion of trading with the Gurkani Sultanate. Silk production back home has finally hit 20,000 mommes per year, and is considered sufficient enough for the trading needs of the Bini merchants, allowing them to finally sell silk from Benin without having to purchase so much of it from abroad. The growth of mulberry trees in West Africa has taken on very well, given the similar conditions required for their growth in Southeast Asia. With this advancement, the Bini merchants can increase their profit margins considerably. The city of Sofala is expanded by 1,000 square kilometers (20 px total) to the south with the aim of increasing the resource gathering capabilities of the enclave. The influence of the Bini merchants across the many decades have resulted in a largely assimilated population which has absorbed Bini culture, language, and religion over the years. According to a report sent home by the dari sent to govern the city following its capture, he jokingly stated that "Sofala was more Bini than Benin was". The few remaining non-Kuzir inhabitants are given the choice to move to the Swahili Sultanate or remain on the grounds that they convert to Kuzirism. Those that choose to leave are given a lump sum of 1,000 min and free passage to any Swahili city of their choice, while those that stay are given the possessions of those who refused to convert and chose to leave. Many choose to leave the city, taking the money and leaving Sofala. Elsewhere in the city, the Bini merchants move to expand their trade power in the Malagasy city-state of Vohemar, where a few of their compatriots have been operating since the 1450s as traders and brokers. The Bini merchants are quickly followed by Kuzir missionaries accompanying them aboard their vessels. Back on the mainland, the Kuzir missionaries continue to spread the word of their religion within the Kingdom of Mupata, converting many of the inhabitants there. Though they face much resistance from local shamen and witch doctors, the sparseness of the population within the territory allows them to operate with little fear from the authorities which are few and far between the many villages of Mupata.
Cologne: Cologne’s militia continues to grow, and Archbishop Emmerich continues to work with Abbess Sophia to come up with a plan to educate its citizens. Emmerich proposes that several new schools be built around the country, and that they be linked directly with the Universities of Essen and Cologne in order to facilitate better interconnectedness. These Church-funded schools will be open to students of all ages. In keeping with the valuing of strict discipline and an emphasis on assisting the poor, Emmerich obliges the nobles of each village to ensure that each child in their area, regardless of class, attends school for one year to learn basic literacy and numeracy. By this stage, it is an honour for a noble to be responsible for a child who grows up to be an educated canon in Cologne or an educated canoness in Essen; given each institution's preference of canons/canonesses regular over secular canons/canonesses, this is an incentive to teach the peasant children. By the end of the year, Emmerich has written a series of pastoral letters outlining this plan and distributed them not only around the main cities, but around all the relevant towns and given them to the relevant nobles. Some nobles are unhappy with this plan, but Emmerich sends Vicar General Wikbold III, son of Vicar General Wikbold II, to personally convince them that this is an excellent plan for the prosperity of Cologne as a nation.
Essen: Abbess Sophia is incredibly honoured by His Holiness’s blessing of the Golden Rose upon her abbey. Her canonesses are delighted, and their religious fervour increases even more, if that were possible. Sophia makes it her mission to distribute news of this blessing to the people, and the Rose is housed within the main section of the abbey, in a publicly-accessible place. She makes several lectures highlighting what the Rose signifies for the people of Essen: it signifies the support of the Pope for the Adelphinian Reforms that have brought the people and the Church closer together. In fact, the recent punishment of a particular abbey in Bohemia is evidence of this. The people in Essen are rejuvenated by these ideas, and publicly clamour to learn about these Reforms in greater detail. Meanwhile, returning canonesses bring Renaissance thought to the University of Essen.
In the Kingdom of France, King Louis XII arranges his royal marriage to the daughter and heiress of Charles I Armagnac, Juliette, with the eventual aim of incorporating Armagnac into the royal demesne. Meanwhile, enforcement of the Edict of Angers continues, as does the decomissioning of castles per the Edict of Chambord. Paris blossoms as a center of la Renaissance, which features both artistic and scientific advances. Meanwhile, shipbuilding continues to increase as an industry along the Atlantic coast and along the Mediterranean Sea coastline. Louis XII's plans to standardize the French language begins to take a more clear form with the issuing of letters patent to the Académie française, which is tasked to merge the various dialects into a single, standard tongue.
