Alternative History
Register
Advertisement

Even before the auspicious sighting of Halley’s Comet in 1066 ushered in a new era in the High Middle Ages, the world was undergoing a period of transformation. In December of 1065, King Ferdinand the Great’s death led to the partition of his Spanish kingdom into three parts. And, just a few weeks before the comet sighting, Edward the Confessor had died childless, triggering a succession crisis for his island realm of England.

The era to come is at the peak of the Middle Ages, an era where chivalric knights and population growth seem to be setting Europe up for expansion - and religious tensions are coming to a head. But elsewhere around the world, from the Icelandic frontier in the New World to the Mesoamerican civilization; from African tribal kingdoms to the Far East, regional tensions are ever present.

Welcome to the world of Domesday!

Map

Moderators

Important Pages

The Game


1120

In the midst of the Second Investiture War, the recent Pope Benedict X dies. A new Conclave is held to elect the new Pope.

The Second Investiture War begins to unravel into further chaos. Emperor Conrad III is slain in battle by the Duke of Saxony at the Battle of Ulm, leading to an immediate destabilization across the Holy Roman Empire. As Conrad has no clear succession of either his personal domains or the Empire, a new Imperial Election must be held to decide the new German Monarch. The remaining Salian Dynasty had become largely tied to the ruling Bilung dynasty of Saxony by marriage, but also the Hohenstaufen family claims succession by right of being the Count Palatine of Swabia.

Bohemond takes advantage of the papal focus on Pavia, marches on Piacenza with 16,000 threatening the rear of the Papal army, while 5,000 men move to retake Pavia.

The Second Almoravid War continues to be locked in combat between the Christian states and the Moorish empire. Zamora ends in a stalemate with Alfonso the Battler turning away the Almoravids and taking the city of Zamora. The Iberian-bred Longbowmen gain reputation in Western Europe for single-handedly leading many victories for Christendom.

The Kingdom of Poland makes one last attempt to recover Pomerania from the Wends, and sends 17,000 troops to attack the Obortrite encampment. The Duchy of Pomerelia centered at Danzig officially submits as a Polish vassal.

The Pomesanian tribe's attempt to establish the "Kingdom of Prussia" in a single year of his reign turns out to be short lived. The military led by Banis becomes tired of the high death tolls demanded by King Pomesmo, with little to offer in return. With his further attempts of taxing the decimated population and imposing draconian executions, the people rally behind Banis for a revolution. He storms the palace to seize the personal wealth of the Pomesanian king, then migrates one quarter of the population east to settle in the newly-conquered region of the Pogesanians, where Banis is proclaimed their king. While still at war with the Natangian coalition of tribes led by King Bartion, Banis maintains a more cautious approach for slowly building his military before attempting to strike again. This revolt puts the stability of the remaining population of Pomesania back at equilibrium.

The 7,000 troops sent by the Sultan of Tunisia become enamored by the charismatic teachings of Ibn Tumart, and decide to join his religious movement. He arrives in the city of Fez, and encounters a princess of the Almoravid dynasty, the sister of Sultan Ali Ibn Yusuf. Ibn Tumart publicly denounces her, for shamelessly going in public without the formal veil of Muslim women. Having stirred up a spectacle across the city of Fez, Ibn Tumart demands a personal audience with the Sultan to debate him in theology.

The Jin Dynasty continues to crush the armies of the Liao, and lays siege to the capital city of Shangjing. The Song attempts to invade the Liao directly from the western territories, but are driven back.

The Song Dynasty itself begins suffering setbacks of their own. In Hangzhou, a large-scale peasant revolt rises against the Emperor led by a Manichaean merchant named Fang La.

In Jerusalem, Hughes de Paynes establishes his fraternal order of knights, who don't have a name yet. Other people in Jerusalem believe that the fledgeling state deserves to have a codified set of laws, as an example for all other states beneath the Naval of the World, and to smooth out the contradictory customs that all the different settlers in Jerusalem are accustomed to.

The Croyland monastery in England begins recording its own Chronicle, comprising events throughout the British Isles from the abbey's perspective.

  • Pomesania Tribe: After the death of Posmeso, the newly crowned Banis King of Pomesania had first made talks with Pogesania about a compromise between them that would put the interest of both nations. Banis proposes that Pogesania would be intregreated in Pomesania and but would still retain the laws and customs of Pogesania, and laws and taxs would only be allowed to change if the repesentative of Pogesania and the King of Pomesania would both agree. In exchange Pomesania would intergrate Pogesania lands and people into Pomesania and Pogesania would protect Pogesania from possible invaders like Natangia in the west, the possiblity of Natangia or Warmia invading was possible due to the weaken state of both nations (Mod Response).
    • King Banis agrees to the proposal
  • Kingdom of Sweden:Fort Skandium sees extensive investments this years as shipbuilding facilities and ports are built in the area while in the surrounding area small defensive structures are constcuted.Crown prince Gustaf celebrates his coming of age and therefore begins taking up his first official duties as crown Prince.The king names him commander of the garrison in Fort Sakdnium.Meanwhile the Sapmi and karelian states petition the king for the creation of their own 1000 strong small armies which the king agrees to.These units would nominally work under the respective regions but come under swedish control in times of war.Meanwhile after having served in nearly every war since the death of King Stenkil,Field Marshal Einar Grauberg dies at the impressive age of 88.He is granted a state furneral in the royal church in Sweden and thus becomes the first sapmi person to get such a furneral.After his death,his son General Sture Grauberg is appointed as the next field marshal of Sweden.With his fluency in Karelian and Sapmi and swedish playing a big role in this.
  • County of Sicily: This year marks the 10th year of the reign of Roger II as Count of Sicily. To commemorate his first decade as Count, Roger tours the island of Sicily in a grand procession. Roger’s wife, Elisabet, refuses to join the procession, insisting on remaining at Palermo to care for the young Adelaide. Irritated but unwilling to force his wife to attend, Roger tours the island with his heir, Roger III, and his youngest son Tancred. The royal procession first moves north to Messina, seeing the vibrant merchant and seafaring culture of Sicily’s northern coast before reaching the city itself. Greeted by Ozouf de Pomeroy’s wife ruling in his stead while he fights Bohemond the Mad Crusader in northern Italy, the procession spends a week at Messina, where Roger takes note of the bustling ports and vibrant markets, filled with products from across the eastern Mediterranean and Western European merchants purchasing such products. Roger then proceeds south to Syracuse, another flourishing city thriving from trade and mercantile activity, where he meets an Arab noblewoman, Safiyyah bint Abdul, allegedly while he was riding and saw her bathing in a nearby river. Taken by her beauty and charmed by her wit, he would spend nearly a month with her in Syracuse before finishing his tour by returning to Palermo through the inland road. Traveling inland Roger sees Sicily’s abundant agricultural base, with farmers growing everything from wheat to olives to grapes, along with great herds of cattle being tended by herdsmen. Roger particularly takes note of the success of Norman and Lombard settlement in Sicily’s hinterlands, creating new communities to farm what was once uncultivated land. Roger is celebrated by the entire island as he does his tour, with native Muslims and Greeks as well as Norman and Lombard settlers greeting him warmly due to his tolerance and construction of numerous mosques, Churches and Cathedrals. Fluent in Latin, Norman French, Arabic and Greek, Roger is able to communicate with them all, and is happy to find his people living in relative harmony. However, Roger does take note of the relatively chaotic state of the local administration, with each ethnic and religious community (Mainly Arab Muslims, Greek Orthodox and Norman and Lombard Christians) having their own judicial system. Roger makes plans to eventually stabilize the island’s administration by creating a legal code to standardize the island’s administrative and judicial systems as well as bring the various systems into one cohesive bureaucracy. Militarily, the training of longbowmen under Catalan veterans who have mastered the weapon continues slowly, as the weapon takes time to master. Some experienced archers prove unable to adapt to the new bow, and Roger instead begins to train new recruits in the weapon, with some proving more able to wield it than Roger’s regular archers.
    • Lordship of Sirte: With the establishment of fortified trade posts and the fortification of Sirte along with the construction of a Norman castle, Norman rule over the Libyan coastline is largely solidified. Lombard and Norman settlers continue to raise sheep and goats in their farms in the Lordship, with the area able to support grazing by herds of livestock. Tariffs and taxes imposed on merchants traveling the trade route along the Mediterranean littoral also provides a stable source of revenue for the Lordship, who uses parts of its funds to pay local Bedouin tribes to not harass or attack local settlers or merchants. This year provides an interesting opportunity for the regent to gain the favor of a local Bedouin tribe who has come into conflict with another tribe. After appealing to the Norman regent for help, the regent instead invites both leaders to Sirte to hopefully resolve the issue peacefully, with the goal of improving the Norman’s status among the Bedouins and establishing some authority to mediate over them.
  • House Barcelona: With the war ongoing, Ramon sends his son Pere-Ramon to rally reinforcements that have been gathering in Barcelona. These include 2,000 volunteers from Aquitaine and stragglers from the call to arms. These men bolster the force in Valencia. Taking some time to regroup. Ramon sends letters to the Sicilians and Venetians seeking ships and men for his war. He offers both gold and trade concessions should they be victorious. (Sicilian and Venetian Responses) After reviewing his army, Ramon sends a letter to House Baux and William IX of Aquitaine, seeking that each send 2,000 able-bodied men. Ramon is clear to ask for fervent men of god from among the peasantry of both regions, rather than trained soldiers, as these men are to receive training in Barcelona before joining the effort (Mod Responses). Ramon also sends a letter to Olegarius Bonestruga, Bishop of Barcelona and Tarragona, seeking his help in rallying men from the parishes to arms with instructions to convene at Barcelona where they will be trained.
    • County of Sicily: Roger sends 30 ships and 5,000 men to aid Barcelona in its fight against the infidel.
    • Raymond of Baux is only able to provide 800 troops at the moment
  • Papal States: The situation across Italy, Germany and Spain begins to become dire, as the actions of the previous two Popes have reduced these two secular empires to fall into a state of disorder. The surviving Cardinals in Rome become heavily divided in their decision of how to proceed, while the Papal Election is ongoing. Guy of Burgundy and Lamberto Sannabecchi continue to push with the war against Bohemond, expecting him not to yield too easily. 3,000 troops led by Cenecio II will hold the defense at Pavia (algo request), while the remaining 9,000 troops will encamp just north of Piacenza. The two Cardinals reach out to their allies Saxony and Bavaria, having freed up the front in Germany, should send at least 5,000 troops to support the front in Italy (mod and Saxony response). Should this aid come, then Pietro Columna will strike with the two armies on either side of Bohemond from the north and west, while a small militia of 100 soldiers are left to garrison the city (algo request). The Consistory of Cardinals informally discusses the demands they will impose on Germany, having been exhausted with this needless conflict over the Church lands in Italy, the secular Emperor of Rome should be permanently punished. Suggestions include breaking up the Emperor's titles, or relinquishing military to the Pope's authority. Of course, none of this can be formally demanded as a synod of Bishops can only be called by the Pope, who isn't elected yet. However, the other faction of Rome has different priorities. Pietro Pierleoni and Peter Senex secretly extend a diplomacy with Bohemond, promising to let him and his descendants rule as King of Lombardy if he acknowledges authority of the Pope and Emperor, and will redirect his army to fight in the Crusade in Spain (mod response, please). This faction is less interested in dominating the German empire, seeing the Moors in Hispania threatening Christian princes as a much higher priority. Other Cardinals, however, are more concerned about the church itself than politics. Cardinal Corrado Demitri dispatches Anslem of Treviso, a Papal Legate, to preach the gospel in Pomesania and become an "Apostle of the Prussians". Once he arrives in the region, Anslem works to establish the first churches in Skandium, where many German colonists are quickly moving to. (Pomesania and Sweden response). The House of Ivrea from Queen Urraca sends their children to live in Rome, out of fear of the Almoravids. They hang out often with the Orsini family, one of Rome's prominent noble houses. William, the bastard son of Cardinal Guy, makes close friends with the Orsini child Giacinto Bobone, who was fourteen years old. William lives a good life as his foster parents treat him with love and respect, as well as his new friend Giacinto. The eight-year-old John Pascellion, however, does not fare as well. John's mother had now died, and his step-mother Gertrude proved to be an abusive mistress. One day, John told his father and mother that he has re-occurring lucid dreams, giving strange signs of things to come. Shortly after hearing this, Gertrude had the child spirited away to his step family in anther village, who urged him to have more prophetic dreams in the hopes of making them rich.

Swedish Response:The king accepts it.

    • Bishop of Barcelona and Tarragona Olegarius Bonestruga suggests that the Cardinals revoke the Holy Roman Emperor's lordship of the Arelat, and cede it to the Holy Iberian Empire as punishment for his crimes.
    • Bohemond returns a message to Pierleoni and Senex, expressing an interest in their proposal and an openness to their idea. He requests that the Cardinals direct the Papal forces to withdraw from Pavia, in a show of good faith. After all, if Bohemond is offered the crown of Lombardy, he ought to be confident in his sovereignty over the region. -Rex
      • Ramon-Bereguer II sees it fit that if Bohemond be sent to aid the 2nd Iberian Crusade that he deploy his forces in support of Castile and Aragon. So as to sure-up their defenses and perhaps even turn the tide.
      • Papal dip: Peter Senex reports some delay as he has to convince the other Cardinals, but in the meantime he would like to see the greater army begin to withdraw from Piacenza to be assured of Bohemond's good faith
      • The Papal troops withdraw completely back to the border of Tuscany
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem: The death of Benedict X is mourned in the Kingdom and Patriarch Teobald celebrate a mass for his soul in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. King Raynald continue with his projects of building fortresses in cities of the Kingdom. This year fortresses are build in the towns of Bethlehem and Arsulf. The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, the church that was used for the coronation of Raynald, starts to be restored and receives new decorations by orders of Queen Eva. The Queen also funds the establishment of Armenian monks in the city of Jerusalem. Her actions are supported by Patriarch Teobald, who thinks that these actions will help establish good relations between the Armenian Church and Rome. Since the arrival of Demyan of Edessa, the number of Armenians in the Kingdom increased. King Raynald orders the construction of two new ship in the shipyard of Acre. By now, the Sicilian shipbuilders already teached their office to other Latins and even to the some Armenians that are now living in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. This way a guild of shipbuilders is established in Acre. Guilds of merchants and artisans also appear across the Kingdom. By order of the King, the ports of the city of Caesarea are expanded and fishing is encouraged there. The city also receives a fortress with a permanent garrison. By suggestions of Seneschal Baldric, King Raynald writes to Emperor John II Komnenos in Constantinople asking to buy from him 5 ships to be used for the fleet of Jerusalem. The King also proposes an alliance of defense and trade between the two kingdoms. To solidify this alliance, Raynald proposes the betrothal of his son and heir, Robert, with Emperor John's daughter, Eudokia Komnene (c. 1116) [Byzantine response needed, please]. While he stayed in Jerusalem, Demyan of Edessa teached some of the soldiers of the Kingdom his tactic's of war. Soon these soldiers start to teach others in the military centers of Jerusalem and Acre. This year Queen Eva gives birth to a new son, who is named as Baldwin. Prince Richard and Adelaide of Saxe-Anhalt marry this year. Richard causes a scandal during the wedding feast, by being very drunk. Even so, the new couple have a daughter late this year, who is named Hodierna. In the Council of Nablus several canons regarding the religious and administrative situation of the Kingdom of Jerusalem are established. These canons establish punishments for several crimes and the situation of the Church in the Kingdom (the same canons established in the OTL Council of Nablus). The main point of the Council is that by suggestion of Patriarch Teobald, King Raynald grants Hughes de Paynes and his friends with a wing of the Royal Palace, the Temple of Solomon, to be their headquarters. The King also offer the recently build fortress in Bethlehem as their headquarter, with the Church of the Nativity as their main Church. He says that Hugues and his friends must choose one of these two locations [MOD response needed, please].
    • Hughes would like to be based at the Temple of Solomon, or as close to it since the Mosque of Al-Aqsa is still around
    • Byzantine response: We accept and will send him five Ousiakon ships
  • Byzantine Empire: Response to the Demyan Crisis. The Emperor Iōannēs II Komnēnos, having waited until the fall of Nikopolos to approach Demyan of Edessa on the territories of anatolia and the end of the war is greeted with strange words. In their meeting Demyan had refused to return core anatolian Byzantine lands to the Emperor, claiming that they were "rightfully armenian" and many times snubbing the Emperor by insisting his loyalties were not that of a true vassal. Instead Demyan had insisted that only certain titles paid vassalage to Constantinople whilst others paid vassalage to Jerusalem and still other were independent under him. The Emperor known as John "the good" for his piety and personal moral fiber made many attempts to hammer out a deal with Demyan to try and honor the alliance and respect gained for Demyan work against the Turks in anatolia. However, it became clear Demyan had no intent on relinquishing anatolian land, making paltry concessions such as the cities of Ankara and Konya, and only with demands of the Emperor of increased autonomy and aid. The Emperor made several deals, such as promising aid to retake central Armenian land in Mesopotamia and the Caucus region, and even ceding cappadocia for the Konya region. But Demyan was persistent to the point that the Emperor could no longer believe Demyan a loyal vassal. The meeting came to a head when Demyan told the Emperor that none of his lands would submit to the Emperor and would fight should he ever wish to integrate anatolian lands. The Emperor, who is known for his patience, thanked Demyan for his service and left their meeting tent. He then began organizing a response to the new crisis unfurling before him. A once loyal vassal, who utilized the Empires need of support against the turks to further his own ambitions is now directly threatening the Empire. This could not be allowed to stand, as Emperor of the Romans it is John II's role to defend the land of the Empire. Emperor John II Komnenos would confer with his chief advisors, among them Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger, George Palaiologos, and Michael Stypiotes. It was Stypiotes that provided a cunning plan to neutralize the errant vassal with the least possibility for bloodshed. Enacting the Plan:The plan decided upon and implemented by the Emperor would occur around the devil's hour (between 3 and 4 am) for the symbolism of defeating a dark threat at its greatest strength. The troops of John II would be arrayed in several camps alongside that of Demyans forces, already having the excuse of night training implemented by the Emperor whilst on the road to Ankara with his army the order would be given for the troops of John II to arm and ready themselves. The passed word would be for training and drilling, but the commanders of the Emperors forces would know their parts. With the camp(s) under Demyan lulled into a false sense of security by this reasoning and the fact that Nikopolis had been won and the turks finally routed none would be the wiser. To add to this the Emperor would order (by the suggestion of George Palaiologos) celebration throughout the night until the midnight hour only a few hours before, but giving strict restrictions to his own forces on this celebrating limiting it to roughly only Demyans forces and that of his Rus mercenaries (this to be done as demyan having stated he was done with the turks and will be heading east, leaving the "mopping up" to be done by the Emperors forces, giving good reason for the restriction) well into the night. Assault on Demyan's camp: At the time of the plans commencement the forces of the emperor would array around the camp(s) of Demyan and his forces. At this time a call will be given, and the horse archers of the Emperor will begin a circular circuit around the far perimeter of Demyans camp(s), with the infantry arrayed behind them and archers poised with flaming arrows and heavy cavalry behind to ensure quick response to any attack. Simultaneously at this call, the 5,000 original troops sent to aid Demyan will rise up at the call of their commanders within the camp and begin executing the plan. The first task will be to secure Demyan in his tent and neutralize his guards should they pose issue, the second is to cordon off the weapon caches and separate the troops of demyan within their own encampment by blockades of troops among the tents. Dealing with Demyan's army: Officers among the men will spread the message of Demyans treachery, they will state that Demyan is being arrested for trial and that all troops are to remain calm and continue their night. Demyan will be escorted out of the camp to the waiting army of the Emperor. Should the forces of Demyan for some reason decide to organize an attack on these forces trumpets would blare and fire arrows fired into the camp. The officers within the camp have their orders cutting a path to the exits and standing guard over them from a good distance away but not beyond a certain demarcation point. Should any soldier go beyond this demarcation point they wil be considered aggressors and the horse archers will quickly dispatch them. This will continue until the encampment lays silent. Then the soldiers will move in to recover bodies and return the dead. Separately, when initial plans are set in motion to cordon off troops, Demyans officers will be offered amnesty from the crimes of their liege lord and offered full access to the loot taken from the turkish campaign within demyans baggage train. Plans for Demyan's imprisonment: Should Demyan be arrested with no difficulty and no assault made Demyan will be quickly tried by Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger, he will be offered the ability to plead mercy, should he do so he will only be blinded and live under house arrest in exile, but should he not he will be blinded, have his tongue cut out, and remanded to a prison in Constantinople for the remainder of his days. Partition of Armenia-Cilicia: In regards to demyans soldiers several suitors will be approached by the Emperor and offered the titles of dux of Edessa, under direct vassalage to the Emperor as a fully integrated vassal. All other lands of Demyan will be remanded into the custody of Byzantine governors such as the renewed Theme of Cappadocia, Theme of Konya, Theme of Cilicia, and so on. All these lands becoming direct integrated Byzantine provinces. The first suitor will be Demyans illegitimate son who will be offered all of the holdings of Edessa and its coffers as well as a lions share of the loot taken on the anatolian crusade. Other suitors such as Valentinos Milakos will be approached, whoever takes the offer will be conferred all lands and titles as Dux of Edessa. The forces of demyan will go unmolested unless blood is spilled or disrespect made, if this occurs but is contained by the 5,000 troops within the camp at time of the plans execution the troops will draw straws and every tenth man in a group will be executed by members of his regiment. In either case 2,000 of Demyan's forces will return home with the new dux of edessa whilst the rest marches with the armies of Constantine to Smyrna where they will prepare to board ships. 18k of the Emperors original 36k sent to the campaign led by Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger will continue to clear out the Turks in Anatolia and ensure stability in the new regions previously tenuously held by Demyan. Another 18k led by Emperor John II Komnenos ill escort the former forces of Demyan to Smyrna to prepare for their voyage (which they will be told will take them home). Roman culture: Currently Byzantium stands as the spirit of Rome. But it has strayed from many of the policies which made Rome great, for instance, its immigration policies. This will change, as will the status of minorities within the Empire. Rights have slowly become more and more narrowly defined amongst the empires population, especially its minority population. This has led to slow staunching of immigration and more firm sort of hellenization. To reverse this and to bring a Roman touch back to Byzantium our citizenship policies and minority rights policies will change. The Empire will enforce a firm free practice of religion policy, Orthodoxy will of course still be maintained as the state religion and the Emperor as its head, and the church will be expanded beneath him, but the excercise of all religious views will be allowed within the Empire. Punishments are afforded to those which persecute others religious beliefs, such as hard labor, paying fines, or restitution to victims and their families. Citizenship reforms: Citizenship policies will also change, a multi layered system such as that which Rome had is adopted, allowing for the expansion of citizenship not just based on Jus sanguinis, but a Romanized form of Jus Solis as well. All current Byzantine citizens or Romaioi will retain their full status as such, however, citizenship will be extended beyond simply Christian greeks. In several different forms. The first being "Eléftheroi" or "freedmen", who were former slaves who had gained their freedom. Slavery, although technically "legal" in the Byzantine Empire, became rare after the first half of 7th century. From the 11th century, semi-feudal relations largely replaced slavery, and so the term of Eléftheroi will apply to those that retain these semi feudal relations i.e serfs. Eléftheroi are not automatically given citizenship and lack some privileges such as running for executive magistracies, however have much more freedoms and rights than held previously. The Romaioi are full Byzantine citizens, who enjoy full legal protection under Byzantine law. Romaioi are sub-divided into two classes: The non optimo iure who held the ius commercii and ius conubii (rights of property and marriage) The optimo iure, who held these rights as well as the ius honorum (the additional right to hold office). Latínoi refers to the Latins, which relates to western Christian migrants who hold the Latin Right (ius Latii), or the rights of ius commercii and ius migrationis, but not the ius conubii. Lastly is the Synomospondíes the client state or citizens of states which had treaty obligations with Byzantium, under which typically certain legal rights of the state's citizens under Byzantine law are exchanged for agreed levels of military service, i.e. the Byzantine magistrates have the right to levy soldiers for the Byzantine army from these states. The multi faceted system of citizenship is intended to broaden the abilities for one to obtain a level of citizenship within the Empire and to expand the rights and privileges of the people including many minorities within the more Neapolitan Empire of this century. In keeping with this one could obtain citizenship through military service, however their children would not be born a full citizen unless the mother also is. Education reforms: Education in the Empire is far better than anywhere else in Europe or the Middle East, but the Empire must not be allowed to lag behind. The Emperor has made the decision to expand the educational services within the Empire, grammatistes or elementary scool teachers which teach children around 6-10 years of age will receive elevated pay and a campaign to establish teachers within the more rural regions of the Empire is started by offering progressive pay depending on locale. The same will occur with the grammatikos or secondary school teacher, as well as the expansion of the role beyond the study and appreciation of Classical literature and of literary Greek—from which the spoken Greek of everyday life differed more and more in the course of time, but also to Latin, German, and Arabic. The same will occur with the rhetorician, or rhētor which is the third stage of regular education within the Empire who taught pupils how to express themselves with clarity, elegance, and persuasiveness, in imitation of Classical models. The rhētor role will also be expanded beyond its usual axioms, guilds around the Empire will provide expert teachers to educate students on the various fields of occupational knowledge, such as trade and commerce, administration, numbers and arithmatics, construction and architecture, and so on. Finally the optional fourth level of education will receive the expansions of the primary and secondary levels, provided by the teacher of philosophy, who introduced pupils to some of the topics of ancient philosophy, often by reading and discussing works of Plato or Aristotle. Rhetoric and philosophy formed the main content of higher education. All of these levels of education will be expanding and becoming further available across the Empire, to aid this monasteries will be allowed to teach lay pupils should the pupil and/or their families choose to enroll the pupil, monasteries will be allowed to introduce ecclesiastic teachings. This way students who cannot pay tuition fees (misthos) will be able to receive education, albeit that they do so with the knowledge that all pupils of monastic teachers are subject to the curricula of the teachers which may include ecclesiastic or theological teaching. Continued Cilician war: The War against Demyans Tainted Offspring begins with the little known somewhat but not total but also separate (but not) ruler of Armenian cilicia, Thoros "The Backup" having stepped forward to form a new army to continue the legacy of Demyans betrayal. The first step of this fight is to begin moving the forces. Valentinos Milakos will move with a force of 8,000 men (around 5,000 of which being split from the main army of the Emperor and around 3,000 of which raised mercenaries from around Anatolia mainly being turcopoles and Mourtatoi) to complement his own force of around 1,000. Strategos Michael Stypiotes will accompany Valentinos and be tasked with aiding him in successfully marching his force of around 9,000 around the Tarsus mountains to Melitene and on to edessa proper for Valentinos Milakos to take his new place as ruler of edessa. The main army of Emperor John II will split, the main force being 20,000 strong being placed under the command of Nikephoros Bryennios the Younger who will remain within the strategic region around the mouth of the tarsus mountains and will continue cleaning up the turks in anatolia whilst establishing a strong eye on the mountain passes preventing Armenian armies from marching through and Armenian raids to be carried out. Invasion of Antioch: The remaining 18,000 troops of Emperor John II will march to the port of Attalea where the Imperial Navy will send 14 squadrons of warships totaling 196 ships to escort 125 transport ships of the Imperial Navy across the eastern Mediterranean. Another 75 warships will patrol the eastern med stopping all Armenian ships, seizing their cargo, and generally embargoing the nation of Armenian Cilicia and protecting Byzantine shipping and military transport vessels from Armenian naval attacks and privateering whilst the rest of the Byzantine navy is put on high alert. 2,000 additional Latinikon, turcopole and Mourtatoi mercenaries will be hired and included in the army of Emperor John II. The Byzantine fleet will invade Armenian cilicia near Antioch. Initially contact with the Armenian cilician navy will be avoided if possible until after debarkation of troops, however, if it is not possible the nearly 200 strong warships of the Byzantine fleet will force the Armenian navy back to its ports or defeat it outright, utilizing greek fire, and the quick and nimble galea to intercept ramships and fireships of the Armenian Cilician navy as its heavy dromons and trireme dromons attempt to overwhelm and divide Armenian Cilician naval forces. Orthodox christians, especially Greeks within the city of Antioch and surrounding region will be encouraged to rise up against the Armenian Cilician garrisons and attempt to cause chaos in the communications and supply lines of the Armenian Cilician forces. The forces of emperor John II Komnenos will march north forcing the Armenian Cilicians into a decisive battle and threatening their capitol of Tarsus. (algo request)
    • Mod note: This will be decided by an algo and an RNG
    • Following his capture the old Demyan is dragged before Emperor John II in all his majesty. The old wolf looks upon the man who now holds his life in the balance. He breathes calmly and says the following: " It seems that the lord has passed his judgment for my hubris, and my sins. I congratulate you on your feat and your guile my Emperor, and I bear you no ill will for doing what I myself have done in my younger days. You will make a great leader of this I am sure, but I shall give you warning he who betrays a friend to gain power must in turn be ready for the same to befall him. The lord has a way of humbling us with our sins in the long run. Do with me as you will I am at peace with fate, and I know god is with me always."
    • Jerusalem diplomacy: King Raynald of Jerusalem friendly reminds Emperor John II that Edessa is a vassal of Jerusalem and only the King of Jerusalem can decide who will occupy it.
  • Armenian-Cilicia: Enraged by news of the betrayal of Emperor John II, and the capture of his brother-in-law from the survives at Nicopolis including Demyan's bastard son Ivan who speaks of the ruthless actions of the Emperor. Realizing that the time for games has ended Thoros Moves to aid his kin bringing some 5,000 men to aid the surrounded camp. After a desperate fight Thoros's reinforcements manage to help the Russo-Armenian army break out from there they carry out a fighting retreat to the CIlician Gates with some 12,000 men remaining. Thoros I and Ivan Demyanovich fortify their position at Heraclea and the Cilician Gates with plans to fall back into the pass back into CIlicia carrying out a fighting retreat as they shower their enemies with arrows with the Varyag, and Armenian Heavy Infantry holding the line as they pull back inflicting as many casualties as posisble on an enemy that cant outmeneveur them. The Chorni Klobuky will carry out hit and run tactics on the Greek army withdrawing into the Taurus Mountains torching everything as they go along to inflict as much attrition as possible on the enemy forces (Algo Needed should the Greeks attempt to make a push into Cilicia). The Rus Fleet at Ayas also move into action moving to deny the Greeks entry into the waters near Armenia retrofitting some of the ships into fire ships which will be used in a pitched battle targeting the Greek fire ships (Algo Needed) Envoys are sent to the Italian city states, and to the Italo-Normans of Apulia and Taranto inviting them to join the war in exchange for lands in Byzantine Europe, and for low tariffs and preferred access for merchants (Mod/Venetian Response needed). Thoros sends his and Demyan's families south to Jerusalem to protect them from suffering at the hands of the treacherous Greeks. 1,000 men are sent to secure Edessa.
    • Mod note: it's actually 12,000 as 3,000 more were slaughtered at the camp
    • Jerusalem diplomacy: (Secret) Queen Eva plots with Tancred of Galilee and they reunite 2,000 men, who are sent with orders to aid her relatives in Edessa (Secret ends).
    • Apulia is hesitant but ultimately does not accept due to the inaction of Sicily
  • Lombardy: Bohemond "the Mad" has found himself in yet another tricky situation, but as has been his lot in life, is confident that he will see himself through it successfully. A brave warrior in his youth, now aged 66 Bohemond has taken to strategic oversight and diplomatic guile in his older age. With an army of 21,000 men in Northern Italy, the Norman prince is in a prime position to strike at the very heart of Europe, and indeed, Christendom. But, as he prepares a large force of his army to strike behind Papal lines, he receives word of the death of his principal backer, Emperor Conrad III as well as the death of Pope Benedict X. Suddenly granted the chance to flex his diplomatic muscles, Bohemond agrees to a temporary truce as the Papal forces leave Lombardy for Tuscany. As they are retreating, Bohemond sends his cousin, Roger II of Sicily, a series of letters - the goal being familial reconciliation for the Norman Hautevilles and the return of Sicilian troops to Sicily, away from the frontlines (Sicily Response). Domestically, the people of northern Italy are pleased to see the battle winding down in their homelands but continue to work especially hard to maintain the large Norman army. Bohemond's deputy, Albéric de Lacy, himself a notable leader, works to train the Norman levies in the lulls between battle.
  • Obotrite Confederacy: Aware of the impending threat poised by the Polish, Henry mobilizes a detachment of men to bring Woldemar's forces back to 8,000 men by sending new Jomsviking recruits and the like to fill the ranks. In response to the approaching Polish forces, Woldemar moves to one of the only crossings across the Notre river at Drezdenko and entrenches his troops there. Utilizing the expertise of the Germans he moves to fortify his position with bulwarks and other defenses to trap the enemy for as long as possible at the river crossing so that his troops can funnel them into a storm of arrows and walls of spears (Algo Needed, Note: 8000 men [1,000 Jomsviking, 600 Rough Riders, 6,400 Wendish Spearmen] / Terrain: Marshland, River crossing/ Commander: Woldemar). Woldemar pursues the Polish force hoping to catch the retreating Polish forces at Nowe Kwiejce (Algo Needed). An envoy is dispatched to Boleslaw demanding that he surrender Silesia, Greater Poland, and land up to the Warta River in exchange for peace (Mod Response). Woldemar continues to outside the remainder of the Polish expedition into Pomerania and opts to try and wipe them out at Wagrowiec. He deploys his cavalry to eliminate stragglers as well as harass Polish forces to slow them down to allow him to maintain a slower pace with his men (Algo Needed)With the Poles having escaped, Woldemar opts to march on Poznan and lay siege to the city with his forces and allow him an advantageous position against future Polish forces (Algo Needed). Spies and scouts are dispatched to deliver an assessment on the surviving Polish force and any other Polish forces that might have been obilized in the wake of their disastrous campaign (Mod Response). King Henry decides to take measures against Polish unity and dispatches envoys to the various and numerous pagan settlements, towns, and chiefs within Poland urging them to rise up and side with him against the Poles after informing them of the victories scored by Obotrites forces. Furthermore, he says that those who side with him will be permitted to continue practicing their pagan religions as seen with the fact that the majority of pagans in his state are not forced to convert to Christianity (Mod Response). The stiff resistance at Poznan leads Woldemar to believe it is time to end the campaign season and withdraw back to Drezdenko to settle down till the next year.
    • This is absolutely refused
    • A small group of pagan peasants in the village near Pomerania join with them
  • Saxony: The Duke of Saxe-Anhalt, having led the coalition against the Imperial forces during the Second Invesisture War, and having slain the treacherous former Emperor Conrad in battle, elects to run for the position of Emperor. The Duke of Saxe-Luneburg, although the son of a previous Emperor, is unpopular due to his refusal to take up arms against Emperor Conrad, and thus declines to run. With his taking command of Saxon troops, the Duke of Saxe-Anhalt has shown himself to be the dominant one of the two Saxon dukes, and enjoys a high level of popularity in the region following his victory. He decides to go straight onto campaigning for the election, visiting battle-torn areas and healing sick babies. He asks the other German nations and their electors to vote for him. 5000 troops are sent to aid the Papal armies at the Pope's request.
  • Sur Empire: Following the death of the Ghaznavid Sultan Masu'ud III in 1115, the Empire saw increasing internal strife. Sultan Shir-Zad was overthrown by Arslan Shah in 1116. Following the sack of Ghazni, by Ahmad Sanjar in 1117, Bahram Shah was installed as a Seljuq vassal. Bahram Shah had to fled as Arslan Shah's armies advanced on Ghazna. Ahmad Sanjar sent another army to retake Ghazna, the army was defeated by Rehman Lodhi's forces who attempted to take the throne for himself. Rehman Lodhi was himself overthrown by his second-in-command, Ibrahim Suri who ascended the throne as Ibrahim Shah Suri in 1117. Ibrahim Shah Suri had all the three claimants, Arslan Shah, Bahram Shah and Rehman Lodhi blinded and strangled. Ibrahim Shah Suri shifted his capital to Lahore in 1118, thus establishing the Sur Empire. Having consolidated control over the territories of the erstwhile Ghaznavid Empire, Ibrahim Shah Suri is preparing a campaign against the Chahmana King Ajayaraja II.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 9th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. Cnut Edwinson and Anna of Sweden have a child named Anna. The Ætheling and his bride spend much time in Scania and Norway attempting to settle debts and end any sort of feuds stemming from the recent war. Wulfstan likewise spends time as a representative for Edwin in Sodor. Later in the year, the king himself surveys Sodor, meeting the leaders of Scottish and Norse-Gael clans that peacefully surrendered during the war. Many of them joined English forces in throwing off the yoke of the Norwegians. Their claims to their lands are respected and life continues almost uninterrupted. Those that resisted find their property forfeit and subject to claim by any landed man in England to claim it. Most of the gold from the war, however, goes to Denmark. Construction begins on a series of castles in southern Denmark, both to keep the Danes there in line and to serve as a bulwark against the Prussians. Chief among them is Hedeby Castle, located at the former site of the old Viking town. In 1066, Baltic Slavs raided Hedeby, destroying it and forcing the survivors not far north to Schleswig. The construction of this fortress along the River Treene not only will allow England a point from which it can put down any revolt in the area, it will serve as a sort of gateway into Denmark for continental traders. As Hedeby Castle rises, people begin to settle closer to the site of the old town. This is a process that will take decades and will result in the temporary expansion of Schleswig, though towards the end it seems to drag the trade city of Hedeby kicking and screaming out of the dustbin of history. Hedeby is not the only site of a new castle - work on new fortifications at Ribe and Lund begin, again with the goal of keeping locals in line. Edwin pursues a policy of landing otherwise obscure but talented men who have served him and his sons well. Land in England and Denmark is granted to these new nobles, who begin building their own estates meant to keep local rulers in line. Work on cathedrals also begins across the border regions of England, such as Llandaff Cathedral in Wales. The return of soldiers from Sodor and Norway means the return of a labor force needed for the numerous construction projects in England and Denmark. It means more folks working in the fields, feeding England. It also means England's manpower continues to recover, though many men are interested in fighting in Iberia. Another 3,000 men are sent to the Christian front to join Cnut Haroldson in whatever he is doing with the Crusaders. The Papal banner given for the war ends its tour around England and Denmark this year and is sent back in good condition with the Papal Legate. By the time it returns, two Popes will have passed since the last time it was in Rome. Instructions for who the electors should vote are also sent. Lamberto Sannabecchi received the English delegation a few years ago when Edmund sought the Papal Banner and has the best rapport with the English of any cardinal. He is expected to make a fine Pope indeed. Æthelstan Edwinson arrives in Constantinople with several of his housecarls requesting employment in the Varangian guard. (Byzantine response needed) In the Baltic, missionaries and friars are sent to Prussia to aid Papal legates in the construction of new churches. They speak Danish as a common tongue, though a few are familiar with the local languages. An effort to spread the English language to the region goes about as well as one might expect. However, a language shift in Denmark is beginning to take place, especially in Jutland. Ironically, this is where the English language began.
    • Byzantines: We accept the Engish players request to send his kin to serve with 300 others in the varangian guard
  • Kanem Empire: After forming diplomatic and trade relations with the Almoravid Empire, the Trans-Saharan trade has finally become active in West Africa, especially the slave trade, that includes connecting Almoravid trade route to Tunisia then to Zawila. This makes the Empire now well-connected to the known Muslim civilizations in North Africa, including of exchanging technology such as maps, etc. Now, Zawila isn’t the only city that has access to West Africa but Bilma as well. 5,000 slaves from the Almoravids were purchased by the Kanem Empire. These slaves are used to construct a stone bridge (which’ll be finished by 1123) that’ll connect the future imperial capital Sadayna to the mainland Kanem, Sadayna itself (which’ll be finished around 1140s) and the basic road system between Bilma and Zawila (which’ll be finished around 1124/1125). Meanwhile, the newly-constructed port settlement of Injamina has its increasing population - mixed with Kanemites and the Sao peoples which increased activity in Chari and Logone rivers. This’ll finally connect the Sao people to the Empire’s civilization. To summarize, nothing much is happening in the Kanem Empire other than building infrastructures and road systems, the slowly but yet increasing literacy rate in the Empire, upgrading the Empire’s education with the assistance from the first batch of graduated students from Egypt, the abundance of food and water thanks to oasis-cities and underground aqueducts being built in the northern and southeastern territories, the increase of Kanem’s economy thanks to the Trans-Saharan trade and connecting all minorities to the imperial civilization. Lastly, mashallah, in the twenty-third (23rd) of his reign, Mai Dunama I, Dunama's unnamed wife has finally give birth to an heir named Biri, the first of his name and the Tajamyr (Crown Prince) of the Empire.
  • Sultanate of Tunisia: Due to the unstable situation of the country, Yahya asks for aid from Almoravids or Egypt. He wants to convert Tunisia as a protectorate of one of these nations. [Player response.].
    • You can't give your nation away because you want to switch nations
  • Goryeo dynasty:The Song-Jin war against the Liao continue, the mandate over heaven has not yet been decided. As rebelions are sparked in the land of the song in the region of Hangzhou. Allthough not any concern to the Wonsu 石峯, it is a clear sign that the mandate of heaven is not as easy to hold and conquer. The Wonsu deciding to focus his efforts on the navy and the islands close by continueing shipbuilding and exploration of coastal islands. The merchant having his workers continue on building of the 3 small junks for his eventualy journey to the Great Wa state. The Merchant and the Great Wonsu having a deal that in exchange for the millitary expertise and sailors he would donate these ships to the great Wonsu. The Wonsu waiting for new ships to be build until the port of 貂港 is completed and functional, Suck Bong not wanting to split his efforts. With the war and the stress of factionalism the Emperor Yejong retrearing more and more from public life and rule. The Great emperor getting alot more into doaism. Thus indirectly helping with the growth of the Wonsu's power and influence.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: With the war with the Zagwes coming to an end the veterans return to theirs Gadiis. Many of them return the the greening Awash. Badit has a fourth child named Maymot. The Sultan also travels around the nation making sure the Gadaas are established and functioning correctly. With land not being a qualifier to who can participate all in society have a voice. With the grand adoption of the Gadaa, Oromos begin to settle in the Sultanate in large numbers. Gadaas are encouraged to participate in large games to build community. With grand games being held once Dir is completed. The large amounts of young men willing to work due to the Gadaa system makes the building of Mosque with Sycamores in their courtyard fast. The greening of the Awash also means more tribes decide to settle in core lands of the Sultanate. Happy with the fact they will be heard. A local Harari farmer also discovers he can terrace his farm. This quickly spread through the mountainous regions in the north and south. With the word for God being shared by most Kushitic languages, syncretism and conversion is a smooth process. Sufi practices begin grow outward from Dir and Harrar. A seafaring school named after Badit is founded in Zeila to study trade and the ocean. The first study is the prices and distances to ports around Arabia and the Red Sea. Better roads are built to connect Dir to Zeila and Berbera. Scholars continues to find lodgings in the nation aiding to the culture of Shewa. Art begins to catch Badits eye and he orders that’s the Mosque of Dir be decorated in local mosaics. With the building of more mosque religious leaders begin to teach the lower grades of Gadaa boosting literacy and also allowing childern to learn more languages. Fortifications are built to the North and East.
  • Republic of Venice: Faliero wants to do patronages, especially in science and music. Also, he invests in monasteries and scriptoriums among the Venetian proper and Dulcigno. The Doge friendly invites intellectuals to come to these places. Some settlers are moving to the southern territories in the Duklja region
  • Almoravid Empire: with the war raging onward and the Christian Hordes at the ready, a Jihad is declared. This results in the mobilization of men from across the realm to assist in the grand effort of ensuring national security and pushing back against the forces of christendom. Talaal ibn Raaji gains the support of more forces with their allies coming from the Atlantic joining in the battle of what may seem to them be a lifetime. The Sadies Alsufuns had performed exceptionally. It is expected with the aid of Said al-Can as well as support of the remaining Al-Muarbitun Fleet, their service in the campaign against Barcelona would only grow. The reports from Leon and Valencia are disheartening. Despite best efforts, bloodshed with no land taken had left them in an unfavorable position buying the Christians time for reinforcements. Thankfully Ali's intellect allowed the Almoravid Armed Forces to be at the ready in case of such a scenario. The Tuareg and Sudanese Forces now gather with the Badajoz army for what will be a reinvigorated war effort. The reinforcements as well were another saving grace. Now with a solid footing, the Empire is ready for whatever the corrupted believers may throw at them. With the trade network in large part being left undamaged, the movement of goods continues rather swimmingly. This peaks great interest in the Prime Minister as he continues to manage internal affairs. As a result, an envoy is dispatched to the Doge of Venice where they offer the finest of goods with reduced tariffs. This also includes the offer of a Venetian Quarter in the city of Algeciras just to solidify their mutual partnership (Venetian Response). Meanwhile the news of Ibn Tumart comes off as rather striking. The disrespect shown to Ali's sister doesn't go well at all among parts of the Ulama and the Lords. They see his teachings as honorable and ironically identical to that of Prime Minister Ibn Tumart. Yet, he believes somehow despite the reforms that had occurred, the Almoravids have somehow fallen from grace. A debate is indeed held by Ibn Tumart in place of Sultan Ali as he is off trying to ensure that the Christian forces may be driven back. The Debate of Gibraltar turns into a stalemate given their identical values, let alone appearance. Thus, they head out the castle and take in the scenery of the region. During their conversation, Ibn Tumart humbly apologizes respectfully for being harsh on the Sultan's dear sister. In the meanwhile, Ibn Tumart remains in Algeciras. During this time period, the Ulama see potential in the young man as being quite the scholar and although he is an opposition and controversial at times, it may be best to keep him close and allow him to have a voice as Prime Minister Ibn Tumart plans a diet to be held next Spring after the latest run of campaigns conclude. With the latest Jihad ongoing, Ibn Tumart is questioned if any of his followers may help lead a fight against the infidels that wish for their people's elimination. Meanwhile forces are called upon across North Africa to assist in the Jihad (Mod Response).
    • Venetian response: Faliero accepts the friendly Almoravid's envoys offers.

1121

Habemus Papum! Lamberto Sannabecchi is narrowly elected the new Pope, who takes the papal name of Honorius II.

As a result of the Treaty of Oslo, the Catholic Church gains power over many institutions within the Kingdom of Norway. Earl Sigard "the Crusader", who is allied with the Church, uses this to bolster his political position with more control over the realm. As King Eystein II pushes back against these efforts, while still maintaining his obligations to England, the nation slowly begins to see civil unrest.

King Donald III of Scotland dies, and is succeeded by his son who is crowned King David.

King Boleslaw III of Poland reaches out for an alliance with Sweden, to work together against the other Baltic states. He offers unlimited economic and naval access to the Duchy of Pomerelia in exchange for forcing the Wends, to whome Sweden is a liege, to withdraw from Poland.

Having felt that his righteous cause has been accepted by the religious scholars of the Sultan, the 8,000 followers of Ibn Tumart and his military disciple Abd Al-Mu'min agree to join forces with the Almoravid Sultan. But first, as they are immigrating as outsiders they would like a new place to settle, and Ibn Tumart is especially interested in settling the desert region south of the Atlas Mountains, around the city of Sijilimasa. The younger generation of the court of Ali Ibn Yusuf advises that these desert regions are largely inconsequential, while the older generation of the court believes it to be a vital resource.

The Artuqid dynasty in the Seljuk Sultanate attacks the Kingdom of Georgia. The Seljuk Sultan in Hamadan, hoping to improve relations with the Abbasids, requests the Caliph to declare a Jihad against the Georgians.

A revolt of 5,000 peasants rises against the Almoravid Sultanate in Cordoba.

The Liao capital of Linhuang falls to the Jin Dynasty, forcing them to relocate to Dading further south. The dynasty begins to emplode on itself, as members of the Liao attempt to launch a coup against Emperor Tianzhuo, which ultimately fails. As the nation begins to fall apart, many people begin to look for a new homeland for the Khitans. Meanwhile, the Song Dynasty takes significant setbacks, as the Fang La rebellion has cost a couple million lives in the process of putting it down.

Peter Abelard, the renowned grammarian, philosopher, and lover of Heloise, publishes a book from Paris titled "Yes and No". In this work, Abelard details many contradictions between Church fathers, and addresses the question of whether faith or reason is the basis of religion. His critics accuse him of propogating a Modalist heresy, which believes that the Trinity are one entity that are expressed in three different modes.

A farmer by the named of Malcolm McAlester is traveling through his nations highlands when he comes across a peaceful lake. It’s a rather hot day so Malcolm goes for a swimming and as he floats in the middle of the lake something grazes his leg. He looks down and color beneath changes as something swims under him. Malcolm starts to swim back to shore but is bit in the ankle and pulled down. He sees the mark of the cross left by Saint Columba and decides to fight back by jamming his finger into the beast which let’s him go but this sparks the spirit of adventurers around the world that the beast of Loch Ness can be killed. Malcolm is made the Baron of Loch Ness.

With a peace being brokered between the Papacy and Bohemond the Mad, the princes of the Holy Roman Empire elect Frederick of Swabia as King of Germany. A Papal ally during the war, Frederick's reign brings the House of Hohenstaufen to seniority over the region. As soon as it becomes safe to travel in Italy again, Frederick travels to Rome to petition the newly-elected Honorius II for an official imperial coronation to end the interregnum.

  • Obotrite Confederacy: Prince Henry decides that as a show of good will to the Catholic world, he will offer to reestablish the Bishoprics of Havelburg and Brandenburg on the condition that Brandenburg's investiture be by nomination due to the fact that it resides within the very city of Brandenburg where its rulers govern from (Papal Response). Aware of the Poles weak response to the activities of the Obotrites, the decision is made to advance into its vassal of Pomerelia and conquer it. Woldemar takes action and decides to march his forces against the city of Gdansk and lay siege to it (Algo Needed, note: 1000 Jomsviking, 700 Rough Riders, 5834 spearman ). Prince Henry considers the moment opportune to conduct begin peace talks with Poland, he dispatches an envoy to Poland informing them that for peace, they must consent to yielding the entirety of Pomerelia and Pomerania along with the weird gap of land they control between Pomerania and Pomerelia that on the northern side of the Notec River and as well as Silesia and a strip of land to connect to it. (Mod Response).
    • They will cede Pomerania and Pomerelia but not Silesia
    • Obotrite Response: The Obotrites can make do without Silesia and will accept.
    • Papal dip: Pope Honorius II welcomes the new diocease of Brandenburg and Havelburg, and will agree to the investiture for the time being
  • Sur Empire: Sultan Ibrahim Shah Suri declares his intention of conquering all of Hindustan. Ibrahim Shah appoints Mahmoud Shirazi, a Persian nobleman based in Lahore as the Vizier. A large force of 10,000 cavalry (mostly Turks and Afghans) and 20,000 infantry (mostly recruited from the Indus river valley) as well as 60 war elephants is assembled and begins preparations to fight the Chahmanas. In late August, Ibrahim Shah leads his force into battle near the fort of Nagaur with the intention of defeating the Chahmana Raja Ajayaraja II and annexing his lands (ALGO REQUIRED)
  • Pomesania Clan: King Banis had began talks with the King of Sweden and had came to an agreeement of mutual understanding,they had agreed to allow the marraige between the princess Matilda of Sweden and King Banis of Pomesania and they also had agreed to split Gdansk between each other (Sweden Response). King Banis had ordered to sent 5,000 men led by Degutis to help the Obotrite Confederacy in the siege of Gdansk. (Algo Needed: 2,000 Prussian Infantry, 1,000 Prussian Archers, 2,000 Prussian Cavalry).
  • Kingdom of Sweden:Seeing the fall of Gdansk to the Obotries,the king sends his representaive to fulfill the treaty which they had discussed last eyar,this treaty would see the privnce of Gdansk ceded to Sweden while all remaining conquered territroy would belong to Obotrites(Obotrites response needed)As a thanks for this the king sends several swedish trainers to help the obotrites become a fighting power.The king is very glad to see that his protectorate is slowly but steadil embracing the one true faith.In Sigismundia,,the king offer the Tavastian tribes an autnomous prvince within sweden similiar to that of the Karelian and Sapmi provinces have.(mod response needed)Another important event this year is the birth of the kings first granddaugther.She is named Ulrika Elonora after a vision the king said that she would be a great fighting queen.Meanwhile in the Prussia region the king offers to place the arius tribes under a autonomous sweden vassal state known as the Principality of Prussia,with all tribes having a representative.This will make it easier for sweden to train their troops and to prevent outside attacks.(Mod response needed)With the southern coast of sambia ceded to Sweden,the privnce in renamed and reorganized under the name of Swedish Prussia or Svenska Preussen.This province is not fully integrated as of yet but is expected to be fully integrated into sweden in 1150.Until then,the province will be ehaded by Governor Erik Blixt,a trusted friend of the king.The governor has been tasked with swedenizing the province but alowwing thetribal people to keep their culture and religion.Although cristianity is prefereed many sembians keep their old relgion.The capital of this privnce will be the old city of Königsberg,now named Kungsberga,The king always keeps his promsies and therefore sends several swedish traineds including some from the tribal areas to help improve and modernize the varius armies of the prussian region.The king sends an army of 4000 swedish troops and 1000 karelian jaegers and 1000 sapmi skiers to attack the Tavastian tribes.These forces are to be commanded my field marshal grauberg.
    • Tavasstian tribes refuse
    • The Sambians offer to cede their southern coast to Sweden for that purpose
    • Obotrite Response: The city of Gdansk will be handed off as agreed by the Obotrites to demonstrate their appreciation for Sweden respecting its deal with the Obotrites for becoming tributary.
  • Khalilid Egypt: In order to gain access to the rich lands of Syria, and Knowing that the Persians are not in a position to do much about it, a force of 25,000 is sent to subdue Jordan, and then onto Damascus. (Algo) This force will be supplied by caravans of Camels from Hejaz, and they shall route and defeat any local force. Back home, the expansion of the fleet is ongoing. The gold mines of the south are mined in order to make revenue. This alongside with trade and centers of learning are improving the economy drastically. An offer is sent to the Doge of venice where Egypt will offer the finest goods of China, Silk, pearls etc. from the great lands from the east with lower tariffs. This also includes an offer of a fraction of Alexandria for Venitan Merchants. (Mod/Player Response)
    • Venice response: the Doge accepts the Egyptian offers.
  • Papal States: Pope Honorius II, a true Roman Pontiff, works immediately for the reconstruction and consolidation of Italy in the aftermath of the Second Investiture conflict. With the increasing need to hold a more formidable defensive force in central Italy, the coalition military of 8,000 troops under Pietro Columna and Cenicio II are maintained as a standard mercenary force under the Papal states, based out of the County of Tusculum. The title of Margrave of Tuscany is officially dissolved by the Pope, and the individual Counties and Baronies are incorporated as direct vassals under the Papal States. Pietro Columna is appointed as Legate in Florence, and given the title of Roman Patrician, which he can retain through his desendents. The local economy across both northern and southern Italy had become severely disrupted by the political upheval, causing a rise of local robbers keeping the roads unsafe. The roads between cities are systematically cleared by the Papal army, encouraging more trade once again. This is a particular problem in the south, as the Campania Barons protected by Norman nobility run rampant against local peasants. As Pope Honorius works to put down these robbers, he hopes to support installing Bruno of Segni as the new Abbot of Monte Cassino. As Pope Honorius works to improve trade and individual lives in central Italy, he seeks to establish a formal alliance with the Republic of Pisa, as well as Prince Jordan II of Capua, who dominates the Campania region (mod responses, please). In France, Honorius similarly works to clear out corruption from Cluny Abbey, where he installs Peter the Venerable as Abbot. Bernard of Clarvaix works with the Primate of Gaul for gradual Church reforms in France, hopefully to secure the Papal investiture over the Kingdom in the future. In order to further spearhead these reforms, Pope Honorius elevates the Bishop of Paris as a Cardinal. With respect to the Holy Roman Emperor, Honorius himself was among the original Cardinals who advocated for punishing the Kingdom of Germany for their insolance against the Church, which had initially been given clemancy by Pope Gregory VII many years earlier. Pope Honorius calls together a council to settle the end of the Second Investiture War, and bring reconciliation for the new political and religious order for the Holy Roman Empire, known as the Council of Florence (Saxony, Lombardy, Sicily, and Mod response). The main objectives of this Council will be to re-affirm the Papal investiture over the entire Holy Roman Empire, recognize the newly-elected Emperor, and impose limitations on the Emperor's authority to prevent a third crisis in the future. With the crisis breaking out across the Jordan valley and Damascus, many Syriac Christians flee as refugees to the Crusader states of Jerusalem, and some go as far as to make Pilgrimage to Rome. From these Syriac visitors in the Vatican, the Consistory of Cardinals hear about the upheval caused by Egypt's invasion, and the treatement of Jews and Arabs across the Latin states. Pope Honorius therefore issues a papal bull titled Sicet Judaeis, the first official church action on the protection of Jews across Europe. Pope Urban II had begun the work of bringing better treatement and reconciliation with the Jews, but it is Pope Honorius who puts that into practice. This bull not only outlaws pogroms against the Jews, but gives specific requirements for the standards of living in Jewish ghettos from across European cities. With the settlement of Bohemond the Mad as King of Lombardy, the Pope now faces a future dilemma in Italy, as the same family of Normans rules in both the north and south of Papal domains. Honorius immedatiely works to secure some control of the situation. The Pope personally requests that Princess Constance and Prince Bohemond, the family of Bohemond the Mad, be transfer from the Kingdom of Jerusalem to live comfortably as guests in Rome. Once in Rome, the 13-year-old Bohemond will be heavily encouraged to take up a career in the clergy as an altar boy to assist the Roman priests. This is offered as a chance for the younger Bohemond to devote his life for the Church and distance himself from his largely-absent father, who has developed a dark and sinister reputation (mod response please). Peter Abelard is also condemned for heresy, according to the earlier Council of Toulouse.
  • Mod response: In an attempt to gain back family honor the offer is accepted.
  • Emirate of Mosul: In the context of Anatolian wars, Zengi allows the Turk and other Muslim refugees to come, from civilians to soldiers. (Secret) The main reason is to increase the nation's manpower. Otherwise, the Emir sends emissaries to set diplomatic relations and then establish an alliance with them. [Mod response]. (Secret over).
    • They are generally friendly to the Zengids, but nearby rival Atabegs maintain caution as they are hungry for more power
  • Sultanate of Shewa: Infrastructure and irrigation projects continue with the first phase of the Gadaa system going well. The second phrase is now to add the social and religious sides of the system to encourage unity and one Shewen nation with many cultures. Doum Palms are planted in the dryer regions to provide shade and food for inhabitants. Sturdier trees are moved to the mabala mounts and Fote Day to provide for naval building. The seafaring school continues its work on seamanship and studying the ocean. The amount of imported works from around the Middle East has reached a level that some local scribes can change from translating to teaching the concepts in their native languages. He also wants his new scholars to find out more by looking at the works and seeing what they can expand or refute. Works of Math, Science and Philosophy are distributed inland from Zeila, Berbera, Harar and Shewa (OTL Adama). The expansion of knowledge will allow a more innovative and logical populace ready to join the muslim golden age in time. A Native Harari vessel makes portage in Persia adding more knowledge of the ocean to the Hararis, although the Somalis in the nation find themselves also willing to open up about their knowledge of the seas. Contributing greatly the the school in Zeila. Badit ask his scholars to also do a long term study on what plants are best for the soil in the Awash and the southern highlands.
  • Oman: On internal issues, is set the capital of the Imamate in Nizwa. The imam orders the construction of new shipyards in Masqat and Sharjah. (More to post)
  • Byzantine Empire: Surveys of the Empire. Emperor John II Komnenos has decreed an Empire wide survey of the land. Civil servants will be sent out across the Byzantine Empire to conduct surveys on the land, testing it for agricultural land quality, digging in it to discover its natural resources, and taking stock of the resources that are abundant to the regions across the Empire. Main goals are to uncover natural resources and record areas of possible good quality land for settlement. Finishing the Armenian resistance. The army under John II Komnenos will move on from Armenian cilicia to the last vestige of resistance in the war against Demyans unruly family of Edessa. The beleaguered Armenian force will be put once again to the test, as the near 20,000 strong force of the Emperor will force Edessas surrender. The defenders of the city, being reminded that they stand alone as the rest of the lands of the Demyan family have already submitted, will be offered the chance for mercy if they surrender Edessa and the commanders of the defending forces seek the mercy of the Emperor and submit to be remanded into Byzantine custody, if doing so allowing all the men of the defending forces to leave the city unmolested should they agree to make an oath to never take up arms against the Emperor again and hand over their weapons to the Byzantine force, the city and its inhabitants will be spared as will the surrounding region. (Mod response needed). Should the defenders throw out this offer of mercy the Emperor will make war with the defenders and take the land by force. The force of Valentinos Milakos will be directed to support the Emperors force (Algo possibly needed depending on Mod response). Once Edessa is pacified envoys will be sent to Jerusalem, Jerusalem will be allowed to continue the vassalage of Edessa with transferrance of Valentinos Milakos' vassalage to The Kingdom of Jerusalem and will be asked to allow the Byzantine Empire to demand reparations of Edessa for the next four years (mod response needed). The rest of the land recently taken both Turkic and Armenian will be organized within the respective Themes laid out previously by the Emperor to include the newly remade Themes of Cappadocia, Seleucia, Cilicia, Charasianon, Lykandos, Sebesteia, Koloneia, Antiochia, and Teluch. With the existing Themes of Kibyraioton, Anatolikon, Bukellarion, and Armeniakon gaining full reinstitution of former territorial boundaries. Post war rebuilding: The newly reconstituted Themes will be disqualified from paying full taxes to the imperial treasury for the period of two years to help negate the expenses of rebuilding and the creation and expansion of new administrations. To this end, administrative positions will be open to all eligible candidates of any ethnicity within these Themes so long as pledges and oaths to the Byzantine state and Emperor are made. New Dux will be appointed to the reconstituted Themes as will Themata granted land titles off of titles seized from the Demyan family after the conflict. Greek settlement of the new regions will be encouraged and previous actions taken by the last Emperor Alexios I and John II will be extended to these new regions. A grain stipend will be offered to all those families which claim damages from the Anatolian crusade or the war against the traitorous family of Demyan which will be open to all ethnicities and beliefs upon verification by a local official. The Kingdom of Jerusalem will receive the safe passage of any troops from the Kingdom of Jerusalem that fought with Edessa back to their homeland in exchange for the family of Demyan being transferred into Byzantine custody with the promise of fair trials and of removing the sentence of death if found guilty from all members (Mod response needed). As for Demyan, the old wolf will be blinded, but as he caused little trouble after his capture will keep his tongue and live the rest of his days in exile under armed house arrest on Crete, with the mobility of his estate and surrounding area to include a beach and garden, and will be afforded visitation rights from his children if they are found not guilty of any crime against the Empire. The embargo of cilicia will of course be lifted, as will a general stand down of the Byzantine navy allowing damaged ships to receive needed repairs in port. All mercenary forces will be lowered after the final confrontation with the defenders of edessa. Newly established Greek settlers will hopefully fill the ranks of the new thematas which will begin their duties by ensuring stability and peace is kept within the newly established themes as the armies of the Emperor after their battle with Edessa will return to Constantinople, making sure to take their time moving over land through the new Themes to ensure a smooth transition process. Diplomacy of the Emperor: Once in Constantinople the Dux's will be thanked for their service in the campaign, bestowed with gifts and honors by the emperor as befits their station and contribution to the war effort and allowed to return home with their forces. The Emperor himself will resign to his place as head of state and begin personally overseeing the many reforms and policies passed whilst on campaign to their completion and further dealing with the administrative needs of the Empire including sending diplomats to the Kingdom of Jerusalem to negotiate a trade agreement (mod response needed). Children of fallen generals and commanders on both sides of the war, Byzantine, Armenian, Rus, and even Turk will be taken in and made retainers of the Imperial household and given tutelage as befits noble children in honor of the sacrifices made by their parents and ensuring a continuation of their legacies through the youth they have left behind. Many of these children will be offered a place within an Imperial guard force such as the Immortals, Varangian Guard, or Vestiaritai/Hetaireia upon reaching adulthood and land and titles after service. As the Empire finally settles back towards its peacetime role the Emperor begins looking to diplomatic routes to ensure the continued growth of the Empire. To this end envoys will be sent to the venetians to negotiate a possible trade agreement and pact of non-aggression for the term of ten years upon the end of which terms will be reviewed to possibly be renewed (Venice response needed). Envoys will also be sent to bordering nations such as Georgia, Alania, Hungary and the Pechenegs to establish friendly relations accompanied with gifts to assess the possibility of forging new trade agreements and pacts of non-aggression of the same terms proposed to the Venetians with these nations (mod response needed) and with possibly forging a new alliance with the Georgians and Hungarians (mod response needed). Diplomats will also be sent to even the various Turkic states including the Seljuks to propose pacts of Non-aggression and possible trade (mod response needed). The Cumans will also receieve the same offer of non-aggression pact and trade agreement (Cumans response needed). Expansion of the Church. Emperor John II is known for his piety and moral fiber, and as head of the large orthodox church he has the responsibility of ensuring the continued growth of the church and protection of its adherents. John II Komnenos begins efforts therefore to begin proselytizing, missions to foreign lands to convert non-believers, and the construction and expansion of churches within the Empire. Of the first policy the Byzantine Empire will begin the organization and approval of priests and missionaries into surrounding regions and across the seas. North Africa, Italy, Rus, and other parts of eastern europe will b prioritized but trips into other regions will not be limited. Diplomats sent to Hungary, Alania, and Georgia will ask for permission to establish orthodox monasteries within their respective nations and guarantees to the protection of Orthodox Christians from persecution within their lands. Churches and monastaries within the Empire will be refurbished, renovated, expanded and even built in areas that previously did not have them or in areas where they may have been destroyed such as the new themes in anatolia utilizing a lions share of the personal loot of the Emperor taken from the anatolian crusade and war with the family of Demyan. Emperor John II Komnenos humbly gives this loot to finance the new polcies taken with the church and the trips planned by priests and missionaries, hoping to bring glory to the institution and spread the word of God far and wide.
    • Edessa refuses to surrender, but the last 112 do after the battle
    • Jerusalem will allow the reparations after the vassal is transferred
    • On the consultation of the Haute Cour, the Kingdom of Jerusalem regretfully informs that they cannot hand over the two sons of Demyan, but will have them sign a treaty to relinquish any claims to Cilicia
    • Jerusalem will agree to a trade deal
    • Georgia, Alania and Pechenegs welcome friendly relations, while King Stephen II of Hungary is more reluctant. Only Georgia accepts the alliance
    • The Seljuks will agree to non-aggression, but are very limited in the trade they permit for the time being
    • Venetian response: we accept the Byzantine trade agreement and pact of non-aggression.
    • The Khagan Bonyak of Cumania welcomes friendly relations and he accepts the non-aggression pact and the trade agreement.
  • Hakia: Utteaknassuame or Uhyooliaamume? What to think of them? Utteaknasuame is indeed martial, but a great chief must be good with peace as he is with war. Utteaknassuame was driven by love, but of the wrong kind: the love of power. A man like this is unfit to be chief. Utteaknassuame returned to Hakia in triumph. With him, he brought the spoils of war, in the form of slaves, precious stones, fine cloth, and salt - as well as other luxuries unowned by the common man. Utteaknassuame expected praise for his successes. He thus felt unfairly maligned when Kopalai, his very own father, publicly admonished him for his supposed insolence. Utteaknassuame was further aggrieved upon learning that Kopalai had revoked his candidacy and that Uhyooliaamume was to inherit the chieftaincy. Utteaknassuame sought the reassurance of his sister, Kuruese. In midst of their talk, Kuruese felt a stabbing pain in her abdomen. She was promptly taken to the medicine men, who informed her that she was pregnant. Utteaknassuame, a new father, was excited by the prospect of being an uncle. Kuruese took the news less eagerly, as she did not think of her union with Uhyooliaamume as anything more than a political move. During the cover of the night, Kuruese visited the medicine men, seeking to terminate her pregnancy. They prescribed her a concoction of abortifacient herbs, which she eagerly drank. The following day, she became severely ill; nonetheless, her unborn child survived the attempted abortion. As her stomach grew, Kuruese became increasingly desperate. For her second attempt, she asked the medicine men to repeatedly jump on her abdomen to induce a miscarriage. That night, Uhyooliaamume noticed Kuruese’s absence, and believing her to be in danger, asked Utteaknassuame to help him find her. Utteaknassuame agreed, but only because of the prospect of his sister in danger. The two eventually discovered what Kuruese had been doing. The shock of it all caused Utteaknassuame to walk out of the room in disgust, and Uhyooliaamume to fall on his knees. Uhyooliaamume began to whimper, ‘why are you doing this? Do you not love me?’ Moments later, Utteaknassuame returned to the room and rebuked Kuruese. Kuruese kept quiet out of shame, causing her brother to angrily say, ‘at least dignify us with a response!’ The resultant commotion awakened the houses nearby. Kopalai was eventually informed of the situation and ordered bystanders to vacate the surroundings and return to their homes - leaving him alone with the trio and a few medicine men. Kuruese then argued with her father, saying, ‘I did not choose this! I did not choose who I married - you did! This is your fault!’ Kopalai understood Kuruese’s frustration then, and arranged a deal in which she would progress with her pregnancy. In return, Kuruese would be allowed to leave Uhyooliaamume when the child turns six months old; if Kuruese decides to do so, the child would be given to and nursed by Yo'ore, the child’s paternal aunt. Kuruese readily agreed, as did Uhyooliaamume - albeit with much hesitation. After this incident, Uhyooliaamume and Kuruese grew distant. As the arrangement between them was secret, they still appeared together at public functions. Behind closed doors, however, they were seldom seen together - they even slept in separate rooms. Uhyooliaamume felt dejected. His marriage with Kuruese had been shattered, and he doubted his ability to be a great leader. Even Utteaknassuame, with whom he had an intense rivalry, pitied him. Uhyooli took notice of her son’s melancholy and attempted to console him. However, Uhyooliaamume rebuffed her - a decision that would regret. Uhyooli died that night. Uhyooliaamume was further dispirited by his mother’s sudden death. Her final words echoed in his mind: ‘You look just like your grandfather, I am sure he is proud of where you are now. I love you.’ He attended her funeral in silence - ignoring the other attendant’s attempts at small talk. When the funeral concluded, he shut himself in his house, ignoring his family’s efforts to coax him out. On the seventh night, he saw a glowing entity materialize in his room. This entity took on the form of a woman - Maala Yooriwa. Uhyooliaamume called out to her but was met with no response. After some hesitation, he gathered the strength to approach her. Suddenly, Uhyooliaamume was transported to a strange land. A land where there were pueblos a hundred stories tall - wherein each room was lit by a miniature sun. The cornfields stretched as far as the eye can see and were watered by metal veins that spouted out water. Uhyooliaamume, however, was most stunned at the kivas. The kivas he saw were far larger and grander than any he knew of. At the end of the chamber stood a statue of Maala Yooriwa, who held a child he did not readily recognize. The statue began to weep, and as Uhyooliaamume traced the trail of tears leading from its eyes, he was returned to his room. However, in front of him stood another apparition - this time, a man. Uhyooliaamume asked the man to identify himself. The man replied, ‘I am he who is the bestower of light and life to the totality of the cosmos. With his unblinking, all-seeing eye, he is the stern guarantor of justice. Do you know who I am now?’ Uhyooliaamume realized who the man was, and prostrated himself on the ground. However, when he looked up, the man disappeared - leaving behind a shield that bore the mark of the sun. Uhyooliaamume had shut himself for a total of forty days and forty nights, during which he consumed nothing but water. He emerged from his solitude a changed man. His face was filled with resolve. He marched to the city square and declared his intention to conquer Paquime for Hakia. The people stood in awe at his transformation. He then requested a private audience with Kopalai and the village elders, during which he requested control over 1,500 troops - not a small sum by any metric. His request was granted, to Utteaknassuame’s chagrin. Before the expedition, Uhyooliaamume visited his mother’s grave and swore to complete the expedition in her honor. Uhyooliaamume also visited his dear sister, Yo’ore, and his infant niece. Even Utteaknassuame wished for his safe return, saying, ‘dear cousin, make sure to come back in one piece.’ With those final goodbyes, Uhyooliaamume departed for Paquime.
    • ALGO INFORMATION: The journey to Paquime was short but tough. The expedition was well-supplied. Provisions were transported by travoises pulled by dogs. They augmented their supplies by gathering, and coercing encountered villages to surrender excess foodstuffs. The 1,500-strong war party consisted of about 1,000 spear men: the remaining 500 were divided into archers and spear-throwers. Uhyooliaamume divided this force of 1,500 into two wings, a center, and a rear. He instructed each warrior to lay at least five torches to artificially enlarge their numbers. Prior to the battle, squads were sent within the enemy’s view to taunt them. They shouted obscenities, promised to raze their fields, and mocked their manhoods. Meanwhile, the bulk of the war-party prayed and danced to again divine favor and invincibility. When the battle actually commenced, the slaves and light infantry ran near the enemy, and fired/threw projectiles at them. Light-armored and quick-footed, they were able to evade enemy fire. Uhyooliaamume then sent the two wings and the center to encircle the enemy: the warriors used their fields to guard against enemy projectile fire - it also offered minimal protection against enemy spearpoints. With their free hand, they held short spears, which were optimal for both thrusting and slicing motion. The tips of these spears were hardened with copper - an improvement over the stone spearpoints of the enemy. When [if] the enemy fell behind the walls of the city, ladders and ramparts (given the lack of wood in the region) were used to scale the relatively short walls. Meanwhile, rams fashioned out of large logs were used to break down thinner walls and doors.
  • Iceland: King Þórður decides to launch an expedition to make contact with the Greenlandic outlaws to make peace and ask the English merchants to loan them a ship to reach the island and in turn will be given trade rights in Greenland (English response needed).
  • Goryeo dynasty:The Wonsu decides to addopt one of his bravest and smartest soldiers of his whole army, this boy born 1101 being called Suck Junghoon (楨勳). The Great Wonsu addopting this boy in the hope that he can one day succeed him as Wonsu and continue the defence of the Goryean homeland. His addopted sun thus being given command over the 6.000 貂港 Cho-hang troops, who are building the small town into a proper port and town. Suck bong hoping to attact people to settle the town properly, as the town at the moment only consists of workers who are hired by the army and the army itself. The army hoping that farmers will soon settle as to make lessen the need for food and other basic goods, this in turn helping logistics of the town and the whole army organisation as a whole. The only merchant being Kim Daesang whom has his 3 tiny junks allmost ready allthough he has trouble getting the suplies for the journey itself to go to the Great Wa and establish connections in the lands.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 10th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. In February, Edwin travels to Norway to meet with the two kings in an attempt to mediate the situation. The situation continues to spiral out of hand for some time, with Edwin taking time to grow closer to Sigurd the Crusader. With Eystein II clearly not intending to play the proverbial game of ball with the Church Edwin wants him to play, the king of England and Denmark considers petitioning the Pope for Eystein's excommunication. Instead, a different route is taken: The betrothal of Leofgifu (1116) to Magnus Sigurdsson (1115) is proposed, creating an alliance with Sigurd of Norway. Very little action about Eystein is taken so long as he performs his duties to England. Quite frankly, he is not expected to like the outcome of the war. The longer Norway remains fighting itself, the better. The witan is held once Edwin returns from his duties abroad and the debts that were not settled in January are settled by April. The bolstering of the English and Danish navies takes place, especially in northern Jutland and in northern England. In the wake of the death of Donald III of Scotland, England seeks to reaffirm its alliance with King David and sends him a gift to congratulate him on his coronation. (Scottish response needed)
  • Almoravid Empire: with the war still ongoing and the status of the conflict lacking much change, the Almoravid Empire gears up for another campaign that will shape the lives of its millions of subjects. Ali walks through the palm groves of Seville hearing word of the arrival of more of the Tuareg and various Sahel and Sudanese Veterans arriving. General Sana's nephew, Juliu al-Rudrighiz, the Sultan's secretary, advises him to organize the armies at Zamora and Albacete while more reinforcements and conscripts take residence in the lower region. This would allow a steady supply of men as well as support the logistics of the armies. Meanwhile outside the war situation, the outbreak of a minor rebellion in Cordoba is welcomed by Prime Minister Ibn Tumart's arrival in the city to speak with the governor. The greetings by an angry force of mob men led him to call upon the city garrison as well as The Black Guard. The clash lasts a week with their leader Assan ibn Sebkha being captured in the heat of battle away from the city after they refused to accept the generous offer of surrender given that the conflict started on the basis of rising taxation on wine and pork. Asian had been a merchant with him and his family thriving off the sales in the region. The rise had led to him mustering an angry force of 5,000 but it wouldn't be enough. Soon after the capture of Assan ibn Sebkha, he is sent to Nouakchott and exiled in the Sahel region as punishment for his crimes and triggering unrest especially in a time of conflict where all the brave men of the empire are needed. The taxation set out by the governor following the conflict was reduced to accommodate for exported sales that would depart from Lisboa ensuring the merchants may maintain their trade with little penalty outside the Empire but must pay their dues within. Following this, the Prime Minister meets with the Governor of Seville, Cordoba, and Lisboa. The Prime Minister gives his gratitude for the job well done on holding off the Christian Fleet last year at the Battle of the Pillars of Haraqla, a skirmish that had occurred in the middle of the Strait of Gibraltar between members of the Allied Fleet as well as those set out by the Atlantic Fleet. They are told the Governors of Casablanca and Tangiers have been made aware of the threat of more raids this year as well and should be prepared to act accordingly with the applied support of the Atlantic Fleet. Over in the city of Fez, Sultana Ruza as well as her sons Al-Iskander I and Kifin I take them to see their grandfather who had been a resident of the palace since the marriage with the Sultan. There the boys meet their cousins for the first time in years. Al-Iskander does get into an accident though resulting in a scar across his eyebrow. As he grows, he becomes more experienced with the world around him.

1122

King Raynald of Jerusalem officially establishes the Order of the Knights Templar, with their headquarters at the Temple Mount of Jerusalem. Although not yet recognized as a Crusader Order, the fraternity quickly grows in popularity across the Crusader States and Western Europe, much faster than any previous fraternity so far. The Grandmaster Hughes de Paynes himself travels across Europe to spread word of their righteous cause.

Valentinos Milakos (known by historians as Count Valentine of Edessa) works to systematically remove political or military control of the region by the Slavic immigrants from Demyan, in order to quell any resistence left over from the Byzantine invasion. A group of former Rus mercenaries have become very discontent from this, and begin spreading rumors of the impending return of Demyan to remove the presiding traitor. However, his rule is recieved more positively by the Armenian population, and a growing population of Latin immigrants from Jerusalem and beyond.

The Seljuk Jihad against Georgia is immediately cut short. At the legendary Battle of Diogori, over 300,000 troops of the Seljuks were defeated by King David IV.

Following a few years of skirmishes between the Christian and Muslims in Iberia the border region becomes increasingly desolate while unrest among Muslims under Christian rule grows, and vice versa.

With the ongoing war between the Almoravid Sultanate and the Christian states in Spain, the Muslim population of Malta raises a revolt against the Sicilian Normans, and seizes control of the local Norman garrison.

Duke William IX of Aquitaine becomes a grandfather this year, as his son William has a child this year by Princess Jimena of Barcelona. The child is a daughter, who by William's suggestion is named Eleanor.

The city of Dading is captured by the Jin, removing the Liao's secondary capital. At this point, the Liao dynasty splits into two factions. Emperor Tiaozhu flees from the court westward, taking much of the royal family and military with him led by Yalu Dashi. The rest of the court moves south to the city of Nanjing, who claims Tiaozhu has abdicated and proclaimed Yalu Chun as the new Emperor. This "Northern Liao Dynasty" immediately faces attack on two sides, as the Song Dynasty invades again with 7000 troops while the Jin continue to press from the north.

At the initiative of Bishop Godebald, the Rhine will be closed off at Wijk bij Duurstede. The Lek will now become the main arm of the Rhine.

  • Sur Empire: Sultan Ibrahim Shah Suri returns after a devastating defeat. He catches a fever which keeps him confined to his bed for days. Concerned, he installs a clear succession law based on Agnatic Primogeniture. This places his eldest son, Adil, as the designated heir to the throne. Adil is appointed the Governor of Sindh. Ibrahim Shah orders the construction of a Great Mosque in Lahore and begins to amass a larger force to prepare for another battle with the Chahmanas in the future.
  • Nippon (Taira Clan): Taira no Tadamori from his power base in Harima continues to exert influence over Western Japan demanding the loyalty of the various clans from the San'yodo and Nankaido regions while he extends his grasp over the island of Kyushu. Collecting taxes from the Shoens (private estates) under his family's control as payment for services to the Imperial court in Kyoto, sending a small tribute every year to the court as his dues, while retaining the majority revenue for the clan coffers. Building upon the work of his father Taira no Masamori, Tadamori engages in the daily affairs of the Imperial court in Kyoto sending gifts and carrying out the tasks issued to him by the Cloistered Emperor (retired emperor) Shirakawa in particular the suppression of Bandits in Central Honshu and pirates in the Inland Sea to gain an advantage over the Minamoto, and Fujiwara clans who also seek to secure favour and exert influence over the Imperial court. With the ongoing power struggle between the Imperial house and the Fujiwara clan, Tadamori stays out of the lime light allowing the pleasure loving and soft courtiers of the emperor fight it out. Trade continues to grow with the mainland in particular Tadamori takes an interest in trading with Korean kingdom of Goryeo seeing their growing presence at sea (Goryeo response).
  • Kingdom of Sweden: The king visits the newly aquired city of Roststad(otl Gdansk) where he announces that it will be a part of the province of Swedish Prussia and will have the same governor.However the king announces the creation of the title of Borgmästare av Roststad.The first person to hold this position is none other then the kings close friend of Erik Hansson.Erik Hansson quickly approves several laws including the creation of the Rostad Garrison of 1000 men.This garrison gets its men from natives who wanted to sign up and is therefore commanded by a native who can speak both swedish and the local language.The king sends an invention to three of the strongest rulers of the prussian region to come to Stockholm to debate the future strategy and relationship with them.(Mod response needed) The king Arrives in Sigismundia to survey the newly conquered region the tavastians.With their defeat,he offers the last tribe in Sigismundia the same deal(Mod response for< the Savastians).If they accept they will be alowed to have their own army and elect their own leaders.
    • Some representatives of the Sambians and Natangians come to visit Stockholm
    • Savonians agree to it, and will expect to maintain their own nomadic government separate from Sweden
  • House Barcelona: Emperador Ramon-Berenguer’s son, Pere-Ramon, after serving as his father’s aide is given command of his own unit for the first time. A talented leader. Prince Pere brings with him a cadre of his former playmates, now men at arms and his loyal retainers. These young men form a small core reinforcing the battalion Pere now commands. In the far north of Catalonia, on the border with Toulouse. A charismatic aesthetic of the Cathar school of thought by the name of Francesc the Perfect. He leads a small band of heretic Cathar extremists preaching a distorted version of their faith. He espouses a “Cult of Struggle” wherein the worthy can prove their devotion, grace, and eventual perfection through battling the forces of evil that torment this world. High in the mountains, in the county of Empuries he forms the “Order of the Perfected” to combat the evils of the world and he and his followers begin building a small monastery in the untamed wilderness. With support from local commoners and lower lords, the order lays the foundations of a center of theology and militant spiritualism.
  • County of Sicily: With the Holy Father making peace with Bohemond the Mad Crusader in northern Italy, Ozouf de Pomeroy takes the remaining Sicilian troops and returns home. Having taken the opportunity to raid the wealthy central and northern Italian countryside, the troops return home laden with wealth and loot. While war breaks out on all sides of the Mediterranean, Roger II instead takes time to further reform the administration of his island. During his tour he noted the rather chaotic state of the island’s administration, with each religion and ethnicity having de facto independent judicial systems. Seeking to standardize the island’s administration and bring the various systems into one single administrative bureaucracy, Roger begins working on a series of reforms aiming to merge the various judicial and administrative systems into one cohesive bureaucracy. His work is distracted however when his Arab mistress Safiyyah bint Abdul arrives at Palermo with a son, who she claims is Roger’s bastard. Roger, still enthralled with the exotic and beautiful Safiyyah, is thrilled to have another son, seeing as Elisabet refused to have another child with him due to her obsessive caring for their youngest daughter Adelaide. Roger allows Safiyyah and her family to move into the royal palace at Palermo, where they begin spending most of his free time together even as he works on his reforms. The presence of a mistress at first does not bother Elisabet, who is utterly devoted to Adelaide, however as Roger’s affections begin to go more and more towards Safiyyah, Elisabet can’t help but feel a little jaded and humiliated by her husband’s open affair with another more beautiful and more charming woman. In response to the uprising on Malta, Roger dispatches 5,000 men to retake the island along with 15 ships led by Eugenius of Palermo [ALGO NEEDED].
  • Papal States: With the conclusion of the Council of Florence, Pope Honorius II consolidates Papal supremacy over the Imperial titles in both Germany and Italy. Infrastructure and economy are rebuilt across Central Italy, connecting the roads from Rome back to Florence and Modena, and from there to Lucca and Pisa. As the roads are safe enough for travel at this point, Pope Honorius II has King Frederick make pilgrimage to Canossa in Tuscany, where he is crowned as Holy Roman Emperor. Suppressing corrupt Barons and bandits in the Italian countryside becomes an ongoing effort for the Papal military, especially in the southern region of Campania. 1,000 troops by the Papal army led by Cenicio II moves to capture the city of Segni (algo request, purely economic with no territorial changes). The Pope publicly denounces Oderisio di Sangro, the Abbot of Monte Cassino, as a robber in league with these same robber barons. Prince Jordan II of Capua is asked for his help in suppressing Campania. Dogo of Champagne is made the new Bishop of Ostia to replace Honorius II, and elevated to Cardinal. While these are going on, the Pope needs to further consolidate the reforms of the Church which have been an ongoing effort since the days of Pope Gregory VII. Pope Honorius II convokes the First Council to take place in the Lateran Palace, and invites Bishops from every Catholic nation to participate. This council was not addressing any particularly new issue, but was re-affirming the laws of the Church established by various precedent over the last few decades. The Pope is particularly concerned about the growing power of the Hauteville dynasty, now flanking the Papal States on both sides in northern and southern Italy, and it seems likely that the Norman states of the south may soon fall under a single state. With his only assured asset in his favor, the Pope works with Princess Constance to nurture and raise the child Bohemond of Antioch (b. 1108), keeping him comfortably held hostage away from his father. The younger Bohemond is carefully taught about the supremacy of the Pope over all worldly powers, and how important it is to distance himself from unholy princes who think otherwise. Bohemond soon makes good friends with Giacinto Bobone (b. 1107) and William of Ivrea (b. 1116), and soon the three of them form an adolescent clique.
  • Fujiwara Clan (Nippon): The Fujiwara Clan is in the zenith of their power. Through the monopoly of regent positions, Sesshō and Kampaku, the Clan was able to secure great influence over the politics in Japan. At the moment, Fujiwara no Tadazane held the position of Kanpaku (関白), which in theory is sort of chief advisor for the Emperor, but in reality Tadazame occupies the position of both first secretary and regent who assists the Emperor. Due to the Clan's prestige and influence their home town, Hiraizumi, have received several artists from Kyoto. Through the Fujiwara's patronage, Hiraizumi expanded in size and explendor.
  • Goryeo dynasty:The King is dead, long live emperor Inpyo of Wang may he reign forever manse ! manse ! manse! This new king being placed upon the throne partialy due to the great influence of his grandfather Yi Cha-gyeom, whom made sure the Ten Injunctions of Taejo would be followed. This to the dislike of Injong's uncle Prince Po and the Han An-in which has desires on the Goryeo throne. The great and powerfull Wonsu 石峯, the general seeing the young king as easly influencable.Supporting the young Inpyo to keep the continuitiy of the royal line, hoping that this will keep Wonsunate's influence and help it's legitimacy. Another way to gain glory and pride for his great Wonsunate is by repairing the old ancient capital and building new palace and infrastructure. The Wonsu and his architects having one set back as while going going to his toaist smells a small burning of plants after which he goes into a trance. The Wonsu and the monks and scolars around noticing the power of the plant. Which he asks his alchemists and religious community to study and to see what it can all achieve. Mainwhile in Cho-hang the so called Merchants of Junks sets sail togheter with the Wonsu's sailers for the Wa state. The merchant planning to have the trip no more then a month or two with favourable currents and winds, this including the stay in the Wa state. The Wonsu being curious at the news of this journey, and hoping for it to succeed.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: The prosperity of the Awash leads to more tribes settling and converting. Oromos along the Awash bring to build Harla like stone houses. Badit as the builders of the mosque is Dir to put welcome in language of the Sultanate along the outside. A large meeting house also begins construction in Dir to be used as a work building for the Leader of the Gadaa the Ababa Gadaa. The costal cities of Zeila and Berbera are not left out as defensive walls are built around the core of the cities and the docks. The scholars of Dir and Harar set up schools in the heart of the nation, the teach studies of all realms. Using the collected Muslim works and knowledge they’ve learned themselves. Students are always encourages to expand upon already known knowledge and question it. To increase internal commerce especially to the ports, an army raised by Badit of 4000 men is sent to clear the road between Harar and the fork point to the two ports. Soon men of the local Gadaas join in to gain recognition. The Harari tradition of keeps spear and shield next to ones door begins to move outward. Gadaas continue coordination to increase social cohesion. A new road to connect Shewa and Dir commences extending even more influence internally.
  • Byzantine Empire: Rebuilding. Efforts to erase the marks of conflict from the newly reconquered anatolian land is underway as Emperor John II approves multiple policies to help along the rebuilding effort. Among these are efforts to offer supplies and stake in communal farms in the region in exchange for settlers (mainly Greek) emigrating to newly reconquered anatolian land and supporting the reconstruction efforts. Land leveling, reconstruction of damaged buildings and agricultural land, and repopulating. With recent losses in the wars in anatolia new recruitment drives have begun throughout the nation. Utilizing criers and journeymen to spread the message new forces will muster at local mustering grounds before signing their contracts, going through a fundamental training course, and being issued equipment and command to then be sent on to Constantinople to join the Imperial army and going through further training along with regular forces. Usual term of service is anywhere between 30-35 years, with the usual accommodations for end of term of service along with added benefits to certain men such as citizenship upon end of term of service, and a guaranteed stipend to soldiers families should they fall in combat. Rus refugees from Edessa will be welcomed into the Empire in exchange for military service.
    • The Rus refuse to serve the traitorous emperor.
  • Ainu: the southern tribes remain partly agricultural. The powerful chief Shirokani Ekashiba, along with more people from the northern communities, wants to embrace those rudimentary cultivation technics in the rest of the regions but conservating the traditional hunt and fishing activities.
  • Obotrite Confederacy: The war against the Polish has resulted in massive territorial gains for the Wends and bolstered confidence in the leadership of Prince Henry. Furthermore, Woldemar's conduct in leading the war effort has been considered nothing less than commendable and earning the widespread approval from the chieftains and nobles. Aware of the Polish interests in the regions conquered and wary that they might attempt to retake it, the construction of fortifications at Drezdenko, Santok, and Bydgoszcz to hinder any future incursion by the Polish. The lack of infrastructure has become a major hindrance to Prince Henry and so he begins to lay out plans for roads to connect the various lands of his kingdom together. The Duke of Pomerelia, Swietopelk, is compelled by Prince Henry to send his firstborn son to Lubeck in order to ensure his loyalty for the time being and to accustom his son to business within the royal court. The two dukes who ruled over Pomerania (OTL names unknown, ATL names: Dragomir Mrdakovic and Bohumer Dworzak) are required to travel to Lubeck to meet Henry. Henry decides that since his son, Woldemar, is without a wife he would be wedding the daughter of Duke Dragomir, Mirjana, to Woldemar to foster a closer connection to the powerful duke within Pomerania.
  • Almoravid Empire: Sultan Ali had seen enough stalling. The conflict that had raged on for 4 years now has resulted in little to any movement. He and his retainers, The Black Guard, travel to Toledo. There, the Sultan expresses the needs for much needed action and redistributes his loyal commanders posts. He remains in the region taking charge of what can only be described as one of the most riskiest staring contest in all of Iberia. Men of the Almoravid Army march north to Zamora where they ready to assault the Castilian Forces at Leon. In the meantime, the reassigned forces of the Badajoz army march on from Coimbra and move on to assault the city of Porto. In the meantime, Ibn Tumart's appeal reaches the Prime Minster who had taken charge of internal affairs as he focused on the war. Instead of Sijilmasa becoming the new home of Ibn Tumart's movement, he is offered to settle in Ksar Es Souk given that it is a pleasant and peaceful region north of Sijilmasa. This should satisfy their desires to live past the Atlas mountains while also ensuring any concerns over Sijilmasa may be put to ease. He feels as though in due time, the older generation may warm up to the new theologian. In the meanrime with traffic streadily moving from Wolof up to Lisbon and beyond, interest from the Fadel family are raised on potentially settling the island of Mina Sakhri (OTL Buenaventura).
  • Hakia
    • Uhyooliaamume had set forth to conquer the great city of Paquime. When he reached its gates, he gave an ultimatum to its people: ‘Submit to the Sun-God, or face His wrath'. The people of Paquime laughed at him and refused the ultimatum. Uhyooliaamume thus ordered his troops to take the city. The Siege of Paquime lasted for seven days and seven nights. The people of Paquime sought safety in the city’s walls, but this would prove a grave mistake. The Hakians cut the water supply to the city, leaving the people inside parched with thirst; after thus a mere three days without water, they surrendered. After this victory, Uhyooliaamume ordered the evacuation of the city. When this had been completed, he set fire to the city. The fire lasted for seven days, and seven nights. Nothing was left of Paquime - not even a single pebble. The former residents of Paquime dispersed and sought refuge in neighboring towns and villages. They warned others of ‘the menace insistent on worshipping one god’. This novel threat galvanized the local population into defensive action: they stockpiled their weapons, armed every single man and boy, and prayed to their gods. Little did they know that this would be in vain; the gods were on the side of the Hakians. Paquime’s destruction was for one reason, and one reason alone: they refused the one and only god deserving of worship - the God of the Sun, the leader of the other gods and spirits; the one who gives life to the universe and the one who sees and judges all. Uhyooliaamume only served as to deliver the Sun-God’s wrath - and deliver it, he did. The gods were pleased. It was an exceptionally wet year: during the rainy season, every riverbed or streambed was flowing with water. The rivers were filled to the brim, proving good for agriculture; that year’s harvest proved bountiful.
    • The vanquished people of Paquime offered Uhyooliaamume a multitude of riches, but Uhyooliaamume refused them and chose to come back empty-handed. Uhyooliaamume did not covet such things, what he had longed most for was the familiar warmth of his sister and the sight of his newborn child. Uhyooliaamume returned to Hakia in triumph. The people rushed to see him. The air in Hakia after his return was of festivity. The people drank to their heart’s content, filled their stomachs with food reserved for such festivities, and tirelessly performed dances for the gods. Any doubt about Uhyooliaamume’s worthiness disappeared, and it became clear that it is Uhyooliaamume who shall become chief.
    • While Utteaknassuame wished for his cousin’s safe return, he was also saddened and enraged by Uhyooliaamume’s success. He was proud to be tied, both in blood and in marriage, to such a valiant and virtuous man. However, he was also envious of his position. He reflected on his sister’s words - were they true? If not, was he then resigned to second place? If his cousin was the champion of the gods, what would that make him? Is he just simply one of the champion’s many subjects then? Not wanting to bear witness to his cousin’s success, Utteaknassuame rushed to his home and broke his belongings in frustration - he even broke his prized spear, the one he had fought with during his many battles. Utteaknassuame wondered if there was something wrong with him. However, it was clear to the gods that he was unfit to be chief. He was too hot-headed and impulsive to be the leader of the gods’ people, the Chosen Tribe; otherwise, he would have been fit for the role. He had the height of an ancient oak and the strength of a bison, yet his temperament was that of a child.
    • Ilitchitaabu rushed to the house to check on her son and was taken aback by her son’s actions. It became apparent to her, that while Utteaknassuame had completed his transition from boyhood to manhood, he still lacked the wisdom and calm that came with maturity. IIitchitaabu thus consulted the medicine-men about her son, and they visited his Utteaknassuame’s home one night.
    • Utteaknassuame was surprised by the visit, but he nevertheless accepted them into his home. Utteaknassuame seemed penitent about his behavior the other day and offered the medicine-men corn-tea. The medicine men approved of Utteaknassuame’s penitence and formed a circle, which they asked Utteaknassuame to sit in the middle of. They then burned some sage in preparation for the ritual. One of the men then held Utteaknassuame’s hands and went into a trance. While in trance, he asked the spirits what of Utteaknassuame’s future. What was revealed must have shocked him: it was evident in his face. The man’s face became contorted in a mixture of confusion, disgust - and most worryingly of all, fear. The man suddenly jolted back into consciousness and ran to the other side of the room in fear of Utteaknassuame. After a while, the man calmed down and relayed what he saw to Utteaknassuame and the other medicine-men: ‘I saw a great darkness. Then, I saw Hakia engulfed by flames. And finally, I saw him - I saw our Utteaknassuame. Even amid this destruction, Utteaknassuame smiled. However, his smile was unhuman. It was like that of a demon - stretching from ear to ear. And then, Utteaknassuame opened his mouth, but the sound that came out was also unhuman; it was a sound too deep, too broken, and too monotone for a man to produce. No, our Utteaknassuame must have been possessed - possessed by the Deceiver himself!’
    • As the man uttered the name, ‘the Deceiver’, he once again became agitated. And when Utteaknassuame reached out his hand to console the man, the man shrieked and ran opposite of him to a corner of the room. Utteaknassuame was dispirited by the man’s reaction and considered exiling himself for the sake of the pueblo. However, one of the mother medicine men stopped him and said: ‘Your greatness comes from your blood - the exquisites blood crafted by the gods themselves! The blood shared by your grand-uncle, the Chief-Prophet, and your cousin whom the gods have declared their champion! However, your excessive wrath is indeed a problem. Perhaps, anger is not your natural disposition. Perhaps the Deceiver had latched onto your soul, wishing to corrupt you, and use you for its malevolent purposes. You must fight this darkness! There is a tree, in a place that I do not know, which bears fruit so pure that even the evilest of spirits will vacate the body. You must find it to untarnished your soul of this parasite. You must go at once!’
    • The fruit in question was the Fruit of Humility. The fruit was borne out of a tree that Maala Yooriwa herself had sprouted and mothered - as if it were a child. Utteaknassuame knew of the Deceiver and knew of how it had seduced the Chief-Prophet’s brother O’oubwia into siding against him. The tree was so diminutive, that it only bore one fruit every twelve years.
    • After learning of what he must do, Utteaknassuame approached his father for permission to embark on his journey. His father was amused by his effort to better himself and offered to send five other men to accompany him. However, Utteaknassuame refused this aid, and said: ‘this is a journey that I must complete by my merit’. And with his right hand carrying a short-spear, his left hand carrying a shield, and with a bow on his back, Utteaknassuame went off to the great wilderness in search of a fruit that he knew little of, but the fruit that might deliver him from a path of darkness.
    • He sung: O Sun, protect me / From the marauding band / From the plodding beasts / From the thirst / From the heat / O Sun, help me / Help me find the way / So I won’t turn astray / That dwarf tree that bears fruit / Every dozen years, it bears fruit / The fruit’s rarity, / No one can dispute / In pursuit, of this fruit / I plowed through the forests / Waded through the rivers / Braved the deserts / Encountered men / Men of all temperaments / Mean and good / Some offered me food / Some offered me, / Their spear-tips / But with the godlike strength / That you have given me, Sun / I fought them back / And the men ran away in fear / Then, after I sensed that I was near / O Sun, / Thanks for this! / Your aid, / And a better man emerges from today / I offer you my body / So I can embody, / The Chief-Prophet’s piety / And my cousin’s valiancy / I am forever in your debt, Sun / Never shall I allow / Your chosen people to be beset / O Sun, / I am in your debt
    • Utteaknassuame plucked the fruit from the little tree and bit into it. He relished the taste: it was sweet and juicy. After finishing consuming it, he suddenly felt lighter - as if something pressing into his chest had been lifted. Then, he saw a black cloud just above him and heard a voice that cursed him. Utteaknassuame was free of the Deceiver’s possession! His dark fate had been averted.
    • Then, he saw a light from afar. Utteaknassuame went to the direction of the light, and the sight that he was greeted with, left him in awe. It was a flaming panther; the panther was unfazed by the flames that engulfed his body. The flames were biggest and reddest surrounding his neck while surrounding the panther’s head was an aura. Suddenly, the panther let out a deafening shriek that was unlike that of a regular panther: it sounded as if the ground had split open. Then, the flames engulfing the panther grew until the panther was no longer visible; and then within a second, the flame - along with the panther inside of it - disappeared. He suddenly knew what he must become. If Uhyooliaamume was to become the successor to the Chief-Prophet, then Utteaknassuame must be the successor to his progenitor - the great Cougar of the Desert. Utteaknassuame sought to embody this great sight. In the night, he slept with his braids and then uncurled them in the morning. Thus, he was left with glorious, flamelike locks, that reached his shoulders. With his hair like that of a mane, he returned to the Hakia.
    • The great Utteaknassuame, / Had just vanquished / The darkness that dwelt in him / O, how proud must the gods be, / That he braved through this trial / The great Utteaknassuame / Who has encountered / Marauding bands, / Plodding beasts / Felt thirst / Felt the heat / But his effort bore fruit / He had become a better person / And as a better person / He returns to Hakia


1123

This is the year that the user Nathan1123 was born.

Ibn Tumart settles his nomadic followers south of the Atlas mountains, taking residence around the regions of Ksar Es Souk and Timnel. Some local vassals along the Saharan trade route complain of violent clashes with the new immigrants, which Ibn Tumart denies. Furthermore, Tumart's religious movement causes a rift in society as different people in Ali ibn Yusuf's court are divided between conservatives and liberals, split on exactly how quickly and effectively to implement these new reforms into society.

The disenfranchised Rus mercenaries rise up against Valentinos Milakos, and he is found murdered in the palace of Edessa. King Raynald of Jerusalem quickly intervenes into this, and sends Prince Jocelin of Galilee and William of le Puy to regain control and purge out the rebellious conspirators.

King Raynold of Jerusalem reaches out to form an official alliance between Jerusalem and Venice. (See the OTL Pact of Warmund)

King Eyestein II of Norway dies, and Sigard the Crusader siezes the throne as King Siard II. Although favored by both the Church and England, he is extremely unpopular among the Norwegian nobility, and the northern earldoms act autonomsly from his rule. In order to improve relations with Sweden, he asks the King of Sweden to join on a crusade against the pockets of paganism that exist in Scandinavia, particularly around the region of Smaland.

A fire erupts in Lincolnshire that levels an entire town in England. Due to the small size of the town and difficulty of travel, it is goes practically unnoticed in contemporary records.

Nanjing is captured by the Jin Dynasty, where the combined allied forces meet between the Jin and Song. Emperor Tianzhuo of Liao fled from the battle, abandoning the Khitan empire to seek refuge in the Western Xia Dynasty. The ephemeral "Northern Liao Dynasty" had already come to an end, and the fragile alliance between the Song and Jin have begun to dispute over the remains. Very quickly, the disputes had turned to violence as the Song military led by Zhang Jue slaughtered the Jin garrison to seize the city of Yanjing for the Song. Emperor Taizong, the new leader of the Jin, refuses to cede any more land to the Song.

In Japan, Emperor Toba retires from the Chrysanthemum throne in favor of his three-year-old son, who becomes Emperor Sutoku. A previously retired emperor, Shirakawa, is appointed as the regent.

The Tomaras dynasty of Delhi begins mustering an army of some 20,000 men

Sultan Ahmad Sanjar of Khorasan enters Baghdad to be proclaimed as "Emperor of the East and West", while Mahmud II is still recognized as Sultan of Hamadan.

  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 12th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the second to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. England also receives tribute and defensive protection from Norway. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. The death of Eystein is met with some murmurs in England. On one hand, he was a thorn in the side of the English and the church. On the other hand, the shared kingship meant each ego was tempered by the other. Now, Norway was at the whims of its king. As before, so long as the Norwegians pay their dues, England will not presume to tell the Norwegian king how to do his job. The deal with Sweden is side-eyed a little bit, as the Scandinavian country is beginning to expand throughout the Baltic as well. Though Sweden is an ally of the English crown, their expansions are throwing the region into chaos. The trade guilds in England begin establishing ports in their allocated quarters. A warehouse and some docks are erected by the end of the year, but work will continue for some time. Here, goods being sent to and from England are counted before being shipped or sold. The Old English word - "tealdary" is similar to the Old Norse word for the same thing - "teldari." This is more than likely not a new word, but starting around now, the English quarters in foreign cities is referred to as a tealdary. They are practically the same thing as the OTL Hanseatic kontor. The guilds in England continue to establish close ties to their Danish analogues, though this largely means the English guilds are expanding operations into Denmark. Textile guilds from Yorkshire especially oversee an almost hostile takeover of similar merchant associations in Denmark. Though Denmark likely did not have feudal merchant guilds before this time, the arrival of English feudalism has brought its trade practices over to Scandinavia. Around this time, the Dunwich Guild Hall is built. The coastal city, which is already a major trade city in southern England, sees a massive explosion in prosperity around this year. The local guildmembers form a number of agreements with guilds in other cities with Dunwich serving as one of the foremost economic capitals in the kingdom. Not only is it one of the primary ports of transit between England and Scandinavia, it is close to Germany and France. The Dunwich Pact is one of the best examples of the trade leagues operating throughout the English channel in the High Middle Ages. Protected and discounted trade to and from Dunwich is offered to several cities throughout Denmark: Ribe, Hebedy, and Kolding chief among them. Plans for another tealdary in Bergen begin and land is acquired, though no work officially begins.
  • Kingdom of Sweden:The Crown prince and crown princess announces the birth of their second child,another daugther who they name Beatrice after the kings grandmother.The king celebrates this by going on one of his famous royal tours,he visits places such as Rostad and Skandium where he is warmply welcomed by the loacal population.With the submission of the last tribe in Sigismundia the king annoucnes the integration of Sigismundia into Sweden as an integral part.The local languages and the autonomous provinces will all be allowed to continue.Following a long discussion with some of the most important dukes in Sweden,the king announces that Sweden will stopits expansion in the baltics for the time being in order to consolidate its position.It is hoped that this will avert any possible conflict with England as the king sees that reltions between them two need to be stregthened.In order to do this he sends a diplomatic envoy to England to discuss varius trade deals and bettered reltions between the two countries.(English response needed)In other news the province of Bohusllän sees increased trade with Norway as most of its ports have now been rebuilt and expanded.The kign agrees to the deal with Norway if they also agree to having a new alliance with Sweden(Mod response needed)The kings sister who is married to the english prince arrives home for a short visit to the king where the king meets his nepheews for the first time.The sambians elect local elder Sampo Sverike as their new governor and he travels to Stockholm to meet with the king.
    • Norway agrees to it
  • County of Sicily: Following a year of work on reforms, Roger II issues what becomes known as the Assizes of Palermo. The Assizes comprehensively reform Sicily’s administrative structure, combining elements of Greek, Arab and Latin administrations into a cohesive bureaucracy that serves the ruling Norman Court directly. Firstly, the island of Sicily is divided into three overarching administrative districts, with their capitols based in Palermo, Syracuse and Messina. Each district is named after its capitol, with the districts being named “Val Palermo”, “Val Syracuse”, and “Val Messina”, the “val” being taken from the Arabic “wadiya”. Each Val will be governed by an Emir, however military matters will be handled by an appointed Marshal. The Emir and Marshal will conduct their own censuses to determine the economic and military output of each Val and create tax and manpower quotas, however collection of taxes and recruitment of manpower will fall to the local lords and nobility. Within each Val separate Islamic, Orthodox and Latin Christian judiciaries are created, with leaders appointed by the Emir, to arbitrate disputes between members of each faith. Interfaith disputes will be brought before the Emir, who will govern the matter according to secular laws. Additionally, the Assizes states that each year every Val will convene a diwan al-mazalim to hear grievances of the people and complaints against local nobility or officials. While the assizes establish some laws regarding inheritance, tax collection and punishments for treason or rebellion, Roger elects to largely leave most lawmaking to local administrators. His affair with Safiyaah continues, however Elisabet becomes increasingly displeased by her presence, finally realizing her error in ignoring Roger to care for Adelaide. Elisabet’s attempts at reconciliation go largely ignored by Roger, however, who is too busy with his work and spends what little free time he has with Safiyaah.
    • Lordship of Sirte: The regent’s attempts to mediate peace between the rival Bedouin tribes are unable to secure an agreement. This tension culminates in a brazen attack within the city of Sirte itself as one tribe attempts to massacre the other’s leaders. Fortunately, the Norman garrison is able to prevent the attack, but this brazen act of aggression within the walls of a Norman city enrages the regent and prompts him to fully side against the aggressors. Taking a force of 20 knights, 100 levies along with 200 allied Bedouin tribesmen, the regent rides into the Libyan desert to settle matters and break the power of the clan who betrayed both the Normans and their fellow bedouin tribesmen.
  • Papal States: With the conclusion of the Lateran Council, the reforms of the Universal Roman Church established by Gregory VII had finally come to completion. The churches and imperial powers of the Holy Roman Empire and Italian states have fully come under the Roman Pontiff, although it continues to contend with rival secular states from the Normans and French. Gregory Hildebrand of Sovanna is elevated to sainthood, in honor of his great reforms and piety for the church. The next direction of reforms focuses on the situation in France, where the Capetian monarchs still hold control over bishop investiture. Stephen of Senilis, the Archbishop of Paris and Primate of Gaul, works in conjunction with the Cardinal Bernard of Clarvaix to reform the Churches in France, and applies pressure to remove royal investiture from King Louis (France response). Peter the Venerable is installed as Abbot of Cluny, who works to reform the monastaries of southern France. In an attempt of converting more Muslims to Christianity, Peter publishes a Latin translation of the most Holy Book in the Islamic faith, the Quran. This Latin translation of the Quran contains commentaries on its theological significance to Christianity, and references the criticism of Islam from Saint John of Damascus. With the successful campaign in the Campania region, the Pope deposes Sangro as abbot of Monte Cassino, fully restoring order and justice to Central Italy. In the Holy Land, King Raynald of Jerusalem works to expand the port in Aqaba, and begins constructing new ships for the use of a Crusader navy in the Red Sea. The Order of the Knights Templar quickly spreads in popularity across Europe, which slowly increases interests for a renewed Crusade into the Levant. According to legend, the Abbess Hildegard of Bingin recieved a startling vision from God at the same time as this was going on, which became known as the largest impetus for the next Holy War. Exactly what this vision entailed was not written in any of her own works, but one description is given in a very late commentary. In this version, she saw Godfrey of Boullion and Joshua carrying the Ark of the Covenant, but a swarm of bees rose out of the ground that attacked at their feet, until a legion of angels came to cover the bees in a net of steel. With the Catholics of Europe already growing interest in King Solomon's Temple and the Levant as a result of the Knights Templar, this new vision was interpreted as a mandate for launching the next Crusade. Like the True Cross and the Spear of Destiny, the Ark of the Covenant was a holy relic dearly central to Christianity, and had been lost since the Roman Empire. Hildegard of Bingin was summoned by Pope Honorius to speak before the Consistory of Cardinals, in the presence of numerous theologians and scholars across Italy. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old Bohemond of Antioch continues to be carefully instructed by his tutors in Rome, but has now started to become angsty and belligerent. In spite of knowing the dark path that his father had taken, the younger Bohemond insists on taking some military training himself. Reluctantly, his tutor and mother agree to grant this request, but only if he trains in swordsmanship along with his two other childhood friends, William of Ivrea and Biocento Orisini. Meanwhile, John Pascallion had become terribly victimized by his abusive extended family, and it had been years since he had seen his adoptive father or mother at this point. His step-family forced him to labor all day, and then demanded prophetic dreams from him at night. One day, John's step-mother beat him severely with a stick, and ordered him to take up the scythe to harvest the field. John, with his shimmering yellow, said that he wish the scythe would come alive and cut them down instead. The next day, John took his personal possessions and some food before leaving the house. As he utters some curses under his breath, the whole house was consumed in fire behind him.
  • Iceland: King Þórður After preparing his expedition to the lost outlaw post sets sail under the seal of the national protectors (rng needed).
  • Byzantine Empire: Frontier defense. The Empire looks inwards to its borders, having learned they are not totally immune from hostile foreign forces new moves have begun the fortifying of the Empires borders. On all the land borders of the Empire Thematas aid in constructing a series of physical defenses to keep safe the borders of the empire from raids, invasions, and attacks of all kinds. A series of watchtowers along the borders will allow preemptive warning of attack complimented by signal fires and guardhouses which is established along roads to provide rest to riders who may carry messages around the Empire and to provide protection along the roads to merchants, pilgrims, and other travelers. Large earthworks around border towns and villages accompanied with new garrison buildings and small forts near important supply routes and border cities outfitted with scorpions and other such defensive equipment are incorporated into this plan as well.
  • Sur Empire: Sultan Ibrahim Shah Suri again leads his army into battle with the Chahmana King near the fortress of Nagaur in an attempt to lay siege. The army consists of 100,000 soldiers and 80 War Elephants (ALGO REQUIRED).
  • House Barcelona: The sins of the heratics in attempting to assassinate the Emperor Ramon and his son Pere-Ramon in cold blood cannot be forgiven. After assassins of the devious order slip into each the prince and emperor’s abodes in the night to make a shameless and unmanly attempt on their lives. Ramon is wounded, having drawn his own blade and fought back against his assailant, but being beaten through unfair trickery and lack of preparedness. Worse injury or death having only been prevented by the swift arrival of his guardsmen and their pursuit of the Islamic shadow. Pere is more fortunate to have been with company at the time of the attack, and receiving a small crossbow bolt to his shield arm before the attacker could sneak into the shadows. Both father and son appear before their men the next day, denouncing the cowardly Moors that refused to stand and fight like true men of God. Pere’s call to arms against the Moorish butchers is particularly rousing, he brandishes his wounded arm, before taking up a shield and demanding that all those loyal to God stand firm against pain, against injury, and even against death. The army, in the face of such cowardly hate and treachery is furious and their resolve never greater. Faced with no other choice. Ramon writes to the Papacy, seeking to sponsor an order of inquisitors, spies, and assassins serving God against the infidel. He seeks papal blessing and support for this Inquisitores Dei. An organization dedicated to thwarting the clandestine efforts of the Moorish heathens. (Papal Response) Within his own court, fear of the Moorish knife drives support. The order attracts a number of notable supporters from across Iberia seeking to forward its holy mission of truth and justice. A primitive intelligence network, the order employs the downtrodden as informants, building networks of little birds across Zaragoza, Valencia, and Barcelona. Felip de Cardona, seeing his adoptive father and brother almost murdered, throws himself into the order, becoming something of a spymaster with a network across Valencia. Using some of his father’s old contacts, Felip de Cardona begins work on the Order of the Holy Fire, a sub-sect of the Inquisitores Dei established as the offensive arm and intended to carry out the will of God. Felip makes contact with a notable hired-knife in the city of Valencia, and uses his expertise to begin training operatives for the order to throw at the Moorish threat. At the end of the year, Felip plans the disruption of the enemy war effort, intending to have his agents infiltrate the Almoravid army near Leon, entering the camp under guise as Mozarab fighters from near Alicante, before poisoning the water sources of the army as it approaches Leon with spoiled animal remains smeared with human feces. (Mod Response). Felip also plans the assassination of important Almoravid leaders, noting each for their prowess as warriors and tacticians, he determines that trickery will be best suited. Thus, another smaller and more elite unit of agents is tasked with assassinating Omar I al-Rasheed, setting up an ambush where a specially prepared arrow, with a fragile glass case carrying flammable whale oil and a burning tar-soaked fuse, will be used to ignite the leader’s tent from afar. As the tent burns, Omar will escape from the collapsing structure, and be shot by four bowmen dressed in the armor of Almoravid Mozarab bowmen carrying powerful longbows. These men will then scatter, before fleeing north to Castile-Leon along with the 5th man, the fire-starter. (Mod Response)
    • Omar I al-Rasheed, is assasinated by the Catalan agents who manages to slip away undetected while other agents manage to poison or contaminate several water sources that the Almoravid army depends on leading to a rise in dysentery among their ranks.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: With the amount of Oromos in the Sultanate already Badit and the current Ababa Gadaa meet with the the Ababa Gadaas of the remaining Oromo tribes. They agree to join the Sultanate next year at the beginning of the next Gadaa cycle. Innovations in the Sultanate permeate into the Bale mountains as do those who live in the Sultanate. With all the cultures represented and disputes settled peacefully the nation continues to see growing standard of living. With stone houses spreading further inland. A map is commissioned by the sea fearing school. They hire many merchant ships and put scholars and their mentees to record the distance and cultures encountered. Inter-Gadaa trade increase as Badits mercenaries continue to clear trade routes of bandits. Sea trade continues as reports of prices come into Zelia weekly allowing Shewan merchants to make the most profit and return it to the Gadaas.
  • Wang Dynasty:Jang-gap-do (掌匣島) is the land which the great Goryean merchant stubles upon, the merchant getting pushed offcourse by currents. The currents having pushed him way further north then he had ever planned to do. Temperature and culture of the land clearly not being Wa enemy, as the temperatures often dipping below freezing. The land being named after the gloved people of the island whom call themself Ayno. The Merchant and his sailors getting the impression that the land lacks much of any agriculture the people seeming to be hunters and fishers. The merchant and crew deciding to buy furs and fresh fish in exchange for their pots, rice wine, cloths and metals. The Crew and merchant not being able to make it back to Goryeo due to the bad winter storms, thus being forced to make camp togheter with the local hunters and gatherers. This agricultureless society being very different from that what the sailors and merchant is used to, the meals being alot more meat heavy and less fruits and vegitables. The Wonsu now in an effort to attract Khitans grants them protection form bandits and the ability to settle and set up their own comunities. Suck Junghoon offering the Khitans free housing and citizien rights in the city of Cho-Hang.
  • Almoravid Empire: Roars from the San Marco Bridge thundered as the Casitlian men were driven back. "Sir, we have done it!" Captain Istifan de Rodrigues shouted. He was there four years ago when the Battle of León first occurred and they had been driven back. His "uncle", the man he had grown to appreciate and admire, had driven back the Castilians again. Thrilled, they partied until the nights end as members of the army worked on cutting off supplies and solidifying their reign over the Bernesga. It had been two days since then. Now all he can do is lean over on the floor in the middle of camp in a pool of blood. Tears streamed down the young man's eyes. Despite losing so many comrades in years past, he had felt a rod strike through his chest with a pain searing through his throat like no other. "Why?!Why like this?!You must live!". The echoes of the man's thunderous roars of mourning as he laid holding his near lifeless mentor led his men to flood the encampment. With an arrow piercing his chest, Omar let out his last words. "My men, I could not be more happy to depart this world by your side. Besides my beloved, you, my sons, have always been my pride and joy". As the officers and soldiers begin to mourn he clutches Istifan's hands for one last time he smiles "Do not be sad that I will be gone, be happy..that I was always with you...and always...will be…". With that, the Grand Vizier's body went cold. The legend was put to rest at Zamora by the city's grand mosque, where he had met his beloved Alicia. Syr ibn Abi Bakr after reports of the Vizier's death, would promptly rush to León by horse, thundering through the countryside with dust flying as he rushed with anger and sorrow at heart. He was given the order to take leadership under the orders of Sultan Ali for the sake of the Vizier's sacrifice to not go in vain. The Black Guard after reports of Omar's assasination would promptly be sent to protect varying members of the Ulama and the Dynasty. Members of the Dhunnunid Family as well as Alicia, her children, and Captain Istifan attend the funeral. His loved ones line his grave as it begins to be lowered. His daughter, Marian, watches as her father is laid to rest. As the war chants begin, she begins to hold tight to her mother begging to ask why. "Mommy, why are they putting all that dirt on daddy?" "They're burying him dear" "But if he gets buried then he won't be able to do all his work" Alicia begins to stream tears "Mariaan" she utters as she lifts her and hugs her tight. "Daddy said he has a bunch of work he needs to do! No! Stop it! Stop putting dirt on him! Daddy!!" she cries as the others shout with tears streaming down their face. "It is a terrible day for rain" Isitifan says as he looks up to the sky with watery eyes. Nonetheless, war never changes. As the word had spread far and wide, hatred towards the christian lords grew especially as soon as word had reached the rest of the Muslims of Iberia. With word of the poisoned water supply reaching the Sultan as some of his men convulsed, or fill severely ill and died, all the water was ordered to be dumped immediately and resupplied by reservoirs only a select few men were tasked of knowing to ensure utmost security against this befalling upon them again. By the time this discovery was made though, a minor fraction of their men had perished. On top of the deaths of Omar al-Rasheed combined by the assaults on his men, Ali would no longer be the same man he was. The death of his uncle figure had shook him to the core. A respectable man lost from an undeserving fate. Said al-Can had taken the death harshly himself. Now in the position of Grand Governor of Al-Andalus, he secretly sends notices to the Imams of Valencia as good will telling them "I will free you, my people, from the underhanded rogues of Barcelona, or so I will perish with you all trying". In the meantime, the Diet in secret agreed on a secret branch of the Black Guard known as the Junud Asifas tasked with espionage. Their first operation would be to travel in the dead of night to tributaries of the Ebro River and dump waste and pig carcasses into the river in an attempt to contaminate the supply (Mod Response). In the meantime, Syr ibn Bakr would focus on besieging the city of León with his men reinvigorated more than ever following the death of Omar. General Sana de Rodrigues after failing to cross near Porto would withdraw to Coimbra where he intends on assaulting the Galician Forces from a different route. In the meantime, the Prime Minister and the Sultan meet at their new settlement around the Atlas where they enjoy a light feast and discuss policies and the war situation with the local vassal leaders invited to reconcile differences.
  • Obotrite Confederacy: The construction on the fortifications at Drezdenko, Santok, and Bydgoszcz continues with Prince Henry trying to acquire those knowledgable among the incoming German immigrants to take part in its design and construction. Small outpost are set up throughout the Obrotrite lands in cities and towns for use by the Jomsviking as their training and housing facilities throughout the realm through King Henry's funds. The road development through the Obotrite realm has reached a standstill in a few locations as local Volknh have voiced concerns about offending the spirits of the forest. Unable to meet in person with these Volknh, Henry sends his son Woldemar in his stead to try and persuade them to allow the continuation of the project who manages to convince or persuade a fair number into permitting it whereas others remain staunchly opposed to the undertaking. Find himself at odds with the Volknh who refuse to budge from their beliefs, Henry and his planners are forced to try and accomodate them by building the road around locations where the spirits reside but in some cases this causes too much of an incovenience. In the locations where there is an incovenience in doing so, Henry attempts to bribe the local lord or chief into opposing and supporting the project so as to guarantee the safety of the workers from possible retribution from the upper class. Henry's second son, Mstivoj, and Swietopolk have become close friends with on another during the latter's stay in the royal seat at Lubeck and are commonly found drinking or sparring with one another. The marriage of Woldemar to Mirjana quickly becomes the talk of the kingdom from nobles to commoners due to Woldemar's growing reputation and his place as heir apparent after Henry passes on his position as Prince/King. The marriage is scheduled to occur in two years to allow time for the realm to recover and also for the necessary arrangements to be made.
  • Hakia: The Epic of Utteaknassuame is a Hakian epic. It can be more accurately described as a prose poem, as it mainly consisted of lengthy passages written in prose. However, it also shared thematic and literary elements with Old World epic literature. Most books are typically structured with a brief narrative establishing the setting and characters; a ‘middle’ filled with dialogue or monologue; and a final song, which is often metered. It deviates from preceding mythologies with the addition of verse; however some folklorists suggest that these sections may have only been reinterpreted in verse with the introduction of European poetry during the colonial period. The fourth book describes the aftermath of Utteaknassuame’s journey in quest of the Sacred Fruit. It starts with the passage ‘Utteaknassuame returned to Hakia a changed man. He had vanquished his inner demons, and as a result, he was great in body, and in spirit. The gods were proud, and in reward for undertaking such a noble voyage, Hakia was blessed with a bountiful harvest that year.’ Afterwards, Kopalai - Utteaknassuame’s father - declares him worthy of being chief. Utteaknassuame thus shares the position with Uhyooliaamume, his cousin. Continuing off with the subplot of the last book, after the birth of their son, Uhyooliaamume and Kuruese divorces and the latter relinquishes custody over her son to her sister-in-law, Yoore. The infant boy, named Yo'obeohtaachi'ite (‘shining victory’ - more literally, ‘victory that is bright’), would be nursed by Yoore, who is also her paternal aunt (the sister of Uhyooliaamume). After Utteaknassuame’s return, his stature within the community grows, and Kuruese, his sister, grows attracted to him. Through a lengthy song/monologue sung/spoken in dactylic hexameter, it is revealed that Kuruese harbors nascent incestuous desires for her brother. The character of the Deceiver, which had been alluded to in the past books, and was a figure in the Story of Teekatamakuak, would also introduce itself following Kuruese’s monologue. The Deceiver convinces Kuruese to admit to her brother her growing lust for him; however, Utteaknassuame refuses and is disgusted by her. It is implied that the Deceiver had purposely set this up to gain influence over her, and utilize her for its own bidding. The book ends with a song describing the Deceiver from third-person.

1124

Following the covert actions of Almoravid agents some 7,000 Moors rebel in and around the city of Valencia against their Catalan overlords. Carrying out attacks on their supply lines and raids on Catalan positions without engaging in a direct attack on them.

Ibn Tumart organizes a communal sub community in the sub Atlas mountains, creating a Ribat (Fortress) in Timnal. His disciple Abd Al-M'uman leads the volunteer military for the Almoravid Sultan.

Nvogorod worried about the growing expansion of Sweden into Finland and proceeds to establish the Karelian people of eastern Finland as a protectorate.

As the Health of King Vladimir II Monomakh declines due to his old age. The Kievan Veche is summoned to proclaim his son Rogvolod of Kiev as the next King of Ruthenia and Grand Prince of Kiev. These actions are contested by the Princes of Novgorod, and Rostov who demand a return to the Rota system. The Prince of Polotsk remains silent on the matter.

Malachy, the Abbot of Balangar becomes Archbishop of Armagh.

In the Western Xia Dynasty, the exiled Emperor Tiaozhuo of Liao demands that the Khitans muster a new force to re-attack the Jin. This causes a divide in the court, as many generals following Yelu Dashi believes that life in Mongolia is a lost cause, and that the Khitan dynasty should move west into exile. Emperor Tiaozhuo musters up a mercenary army and attacks the Jin, while Yelu Dashi takes 10,000 Khitans to begin migrating west.

The Jin Emperor Taizong has decided the Song Dynasty has outlived their usefulness, especially after the incident of Zhao Jue last year. He prepares his campaign for next year as he makes peace with the former vassals of the Liao.

  • Lithuania: Local, German, and Rus masons are still working on the new infrastructure in Aukštaitija; meanwhile, some shipyards in Palanga and Pāvilosta are under construction. Even if some Samogitian Christians had settled few years after the Conquest of Curonia, the spread of the Eastern rite in these lands was too slow, some dare to say it stopped at all, so Mattis resumes the efforts. Korsi converts and Lithuanian masons are trying to raise a church at the Skrunda settlement.
  • Sur Empire: The siege of Nagaur continues, the army is bolstered by a group of 10,000 Turkic merecnaries (ALGO NEEDED).
  • County of Sicily: Following nearly a decade of unparalleled prosperity and peace, Sicily has fully recovered from its wartime efforts, with the treasury filled with profits from trade, piracy, and the booming agricultural market. As Sicily’s administrative reforms begin to be implemented, a large class of bureaucrats form who serve the Norman administrative apparatus. Drawn from minor nobles, landowners, teachers, officials, community leaders, and more, these bureaucrats find themselves appointed to serve the ruling Emir or Marshal of the newly created Vals, helping to conduct censuses, appraise tax and manpower values, and help oversee state-funded projects. In Sicily’s island holdings, nearly two decades of rule have led to the creation of Norman and Lombard communities, with Djerba in particular seeing a sharp increase in Norman and Lombard settlers. The Order of the Holy Sepulchre, having established fortifications and a presence on nearly all Sicily’s island holdings, help to develop the islands, overseeing construction of local infrastructure, providing protection, and more. In Malta, seeking to subtly undercut the power of the local muslim population which just rebelled, Roger encourages the immigration of Lombard, Normans and Greeks, hoping to populate the island with non-muslims who will not join another muslim rebellion. In addition, Roger reaches out to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and offers to allow them to build their own presence on Malta in the form of a monastery and castle [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Militarily the training of archers under the longbows of Catalonia continues. While not great enough in numbers to be deployed in battle, the first native Sicilian units skilled enough to wield their own longbows are formed. Roger witnesses a demonstration of the first few Sicilian longbowmen, who are able to hit targets with more accuracy and at greater range than any bow or crossbow the Normans currently wield. Impressed with the display, Roger promises any support necessary to the fledgling longbow units. Roger even hopes to recruit thousands of longbow trainees by the end of the year, though clearly the 30 Catalonian veterans and few hundred longbowmen will be unable to train that number. Domestically, Roger’s son, Roger III, continues to be trained in martial warfare, becoming a strong horseman and showing increasing prowess with the sword and lance. However Roger is more pleased to see that his youngest son, Tancred, appears to be showing incredible promise intellectually. At six years old, Tancred shows signs of being linguistically gifted, speaking both Norman French and Latin almost fluently, while also learning how to read and write in both languages. Roger encourages this by hiring a number of skilled Greek, Arab, and Latin tutors to teach him whatever they can. Roger also spends time with his bastard by Safiyyah, Muhammad Ibn Hadir. Safiyyah by this point has become extremely comfortable in her role as Roger’s favorite mistress, attending feasts with him and even offering advice as he holds Court with his nobles. Her influence begins to irritate Norman nobles, who detest being condescended to and lorded over by a minor Arab noblewoman, and a heretic to bat. A number of nobles, including Roger’s childhood friend Ozouf de Pomeroy, encourage Roger’s wife Elisabet to confront him about his affair and force him to send Safiyyah away. With the support of Roger’s advisors and friends, Elisabet confronts Roger, berating him for humiliating her with a mistress and for his failures as a husband while also acknowledging her own failures as a wife. She begs him to start fresh in their marriage, promising to be more open, loving and caring. Roger, shamed by his adultery and moved by his wife’s emotional outburst in contrast to her previously cold demeanor, agrees. He promptly sends Safiyyah and her family, including his bastard, back to Syracuse, ignoring her pleas for a personal meeting. However he does provide her a sizable allowance to care for his child, who shows signs of becoming increasingly ill with an unknown disease. With Safiyyah gone, the tension in the Norman Court subsides, and Roger and Elisabet begin spending much more time together, with Elisabet finally entrusting young Adelaide to nurses. Eventually Elisabet finds herself pregnant once more, and gives birth to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl.
    • The Order agrees to it
  • Papal States: With Castile and Leon under threat by the Moors, the Emperor Ramon II has called on the Pope for direct intervention. Honorius remembers the days of the First Crusade by Pope Urban, and how the two fronts of Spain and Judea were seen as components of the greater conflict against Islam. Following up the success of the Lateran Council, the Pope sends Peter the Venerable as legate to coordinate a mechanism of enforcing Papal decrees to the general population. With orders from the Pope, Peter summons a Synod of Bishops across the Empire in Spain known as the Council for the Doctrine of Faith. This council of clerics will be tasked to judge and root out public dissention against the Church, with all cooperation from the resident secular authorities, and will then grant these same secular authorities the ability to carry out the appropriate punishment, which can go as severe as branding or mutilation. (Barcelona response). This should enable the Emperor Ramon to eliminate internal dissention from the Moorish population, while also satisfying the needs of the Church for Papal supremacy in Spain. Back in Rome, the Consistory of Cardinals hears the words of Hildegard of Bingen, and concludes that this is a clear sign from God that a new Crusade is needed to take Damascus. Scholars at the Vatican point out that according to the Book of Maccabees, the Prophet Jeremiah had the Ark hidden at Mount Nebo, which lays across the Jordan River in the land of the Saracens. The Pope summons the Council of Viminal, an international council of princes as a direct successor to the Council of Ravenna from Pope Urban II, in order to organize a coalition of military to fight in either Spain or Syria, which will be the Third Crusade. Specifically the nations of the Imperial Princes of Germany, the Republics and Norman states in Italy, the princes of the Kingdom of France, as well as England, Norway, Sweden, Hungary and Poland are invited for this meeting (mod and player responses, please). The Order of the Templar knights are officially recognized as a Crusader Order by Pope Honorius II, and summoned Hughes de Paynes to Rome to be consecrated as the first Grandmaster of the Order. As Hughes traveled to Rome, he came across a child with yellow eyes who was left hungry on the road. Hughes gave the child some food and shelter, not realizing that this was in fact John Pascellion. John looked directly at Hughes and uttered a prophesy, that if he goes to Damascus then his heart will die. Hughes found this oracle very startling, but decided he must do what he is summoned for, because his life is a small price to pay for doing good for the Church. Hildegard of Bingen returns to her monastery, but along the way helps to spread word of the new Crusade far and wide to the common people. Meanwhile, Bohemond of Antioch demands that he is ready to join in this Crusade as well, but his mother Constance insists that he is too young, and confides him to remain in Rome. Arnald of Brathild is appointed as the first Bishop of Greenland.
    • Emperador Ramon-Berenguer II is wary of granting greater powers to the Papacy, but does agree to allow the Council for the Doctrine of Faith to serve as a guide for secular officers in rooting out disloyal populations.
  • Kingdom of Sweden:Sigismund II is shocked after hearing about the treachery of the Novgorods.He orders the sending of 3000 troops to Sigismundia while also making sure that the tribes are ready for any eventuell conflict with Novgorod.In other news,Crown prince Gustavus welcomes the birth of their third child and the kings first grandson.This son who will eventuelly be king of Sweden is named Adolf in honour of the kings great uncle Adolf.Crown Prince Gustavus pays a visit to Swedish Prussia where he visits the troops and the Rostad Garrison where he holds a rousing speech.In Stockholm,the royal council proclaims Sigismund II as Sigismund"The great"" II due to his expansion of the kingdom.The royal council is wwhat could be described as a loyal group of vassals who advise the king on matters of the realm.The queen is horrid about what is going on in her homeland and sends a letter to the Spanish Emperor about the possibilty of a rade deal between the two countries(Steph response needed)At the same time,she tries unsuccesfully to cconvince the king to send troops to spain.He says that at the moment they are needed at home.
    • Emperador Ramon is amenable to a trade deal to provide luxuries from the Levant to Swedish merchants for transport north.
  • Wang dynasty:The Jin and Song prepare for war once more, the mandate of heaven cleary not being settled. The Wonsu ordering the enlargement of the army by 1/3rd of the current size. While in Cho-hang good news is recieved the merchant and his entourage is alive and they found new lands inhabited by a hunter gatherer society. They pose to threat to the mighty Wonsu, but they do give opertunity for trade and prosperity.
  • Byzantine Empire: With the Empires Anatolian heartland now stable and under Byzantine control the largest threat against Emperor John II Komnenos' rule other than the Turks must be faced. The Emperor once again calls upon the Dux's to answer a call to arms and raises his banners in Constantinople. the Imperial Navy will send 14 squadrons of warships totaling 196 ships to escort 250 transport ships of the Imperial Navy across the eastern Mediterranean. Approximately 20 of these ships being Heavy Dromons and Trireme Dromons outfitted with mangonels and at least 30 of the Ousiakon, Pamphylon, and Dromons outfitted with Onagers and Springalds. All siege weapons will be outfitted for use with Greek fire, heavy stones, and large shaft projectiles. The Imperial Navy will send 75 warships to northern Africa to attack Norman Sicily ports. The army of the Emperor totaling some 40,000 troops and siege weapons parts will be transported across the Mediterranean to attack Sicily. The Imperial Navy will begin its attack at Syracuse. 7 squadrons will attack the harbour of Syracuse, using the element of surprise the 7 squadrons of Byzantine ships will attempt to enter the harbour under peaceful circumstances before disembarking 3,500 marines at the break of dawn in the morning to wrest control of the majority of the harbour and its Norman Sicilian ships from their crews and port authorities. [Mod note: the haboring was denied] (Algo needed) However, should the 7 squadrons not be allowed to port for any reason they will simply begin the assault against the city. The other 7 squadrons will land their forces on the western side of the city and aid in the assault should it need to be carried out. The siege weapons aboard the ships will target the fortifications at the city's harbour, the incessant bombardment is to collapse the towers of the seaward fortifications, along with the adjoining stretch of walls, forming a breach where our troops will concentrate their attack. The Byzantine army will use the element of surprise to overcome the cities soft defenses. If the city manages to not open its port space to Byzantine ships, or if they manage to defend against being assaulted lonmg enough to raise the fortifications of the city the Byzantine armies will siege the city outright slowly spreading their encampment around the whole of the city and preventing it from gaining supplies whilst bombarding it with siege weapons from the sea and from the land as the troops erect mangonels, onagers, rams, and springalds.(algo needed). Once the city of Syracuse falls Imperial Army and Navy will split, 7 squadrons will remain with 20,000 troops at Syracuse to be led by Nikephoros. These troops will see to the pacification of the city and change in administration and then move southwards towards the cities of ragusa and Modica. These cities will be assaulted and taken. The other force of 20,000 troops to be led Manuel Anemas by and 7 squadrons will move North towards messina to lay siege to the city. The 75 ships sent to north Africa will assault Norman sicilian ports, using the element of surprise to lay waste to Norman ships in their harbours and preventing norman ships from leaving port until debris is cleared and the harbours unsilted and repaired. (Mod response/algo needed) The rest of the Byzantine Navy will be put on high alert and made to patrol Byzantine coastal waters and waters of the eastern med interdicting any norman sicilian ships of war or trade. Privateers in the eastern med will also be contacted, an extra 30 ships will hopefully be hired to do the aforementioned whilst pirates/privateers will be offered bounties on razing Norman Sicily african outposts and towns (mod response needed). To prepare further for the war effort manufactories will begin producing more parts for siege weapons and an extra 2 squadrons of warships will begin construction in Aegean ports. The Thematas will be put on high alert and offers will be made to the upset Norman lords to turn allegiance and promise to support the Byzantine cause in exchange for greater land and titles.
    • Sicily Response (for Syracuse Algo): Unwilling to allow the Byzantines to reap the rewards of Norman rule via the capture of Syracuse, Roger intends to set a trap. He instructs his men to place tinder along with barrels of oil and fat in key locations throughout the city. When the Byzantines inevitably break in, the local garrison will wait for as many soldiers to enter the city’s walls as possible before igniting the tinder, hopefully creating a firestorm that should simultaneously destroy the Byzantine’s only foothold in Sicily as well as wipe out massive numbers of Imperial troops in a firestorm of death [MOD RESPONSE / RNG NEEDED].
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 13th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. Ulf Haroldson (b. 1067) enters into an alliance with his nephew Cnut, Earl of Northumbria (b. 1086). Though the crown has been passed down through descent by King Godwin, Ulf is the oldest member of the family. He is the last surviving child of Harold II, having been born in 1067. Ulf has something of a reputation for being weak-willed and has been put off in Dublin to keep him complacent. Both Cnut and Ulf are descended from Edith of Mercia, who was the church-law wife of Harold II, the other being married in the Danish tradition. They wield considerable power in the Witan, though Edwin is popular with the clergy so his reforms are usually passed. Cnut Haroldson marries Etherelda of Bamburgh. Her father is Dolfin, high-reeve of Bamburgh, son of Gospatrick of Bamburgh. Late this year, Cnut and Etherelda have a son named Egbert. The group also is allied with Ulric Haroldson. They share an even further affinity with the Danes, as their lands are located in the former Danelaw. England is prepared to pledge 6,000 troops to the Levant, though just as the Crusade is launched, the Byzantine Empire invades Sicily. This presents something of an issue for England, as Ætherald (1099) is serving as a Varangian Guard. As England pledged to send 6,000 men to fight the saracen and it is unwilling to break the promise of protection, these men do not participate in the defense of Sicily.

1125

The Byzantine invasion of Sicily has caused a shock across Italy, with a great army of the Greeks of unprecedented size landing close to the heart of the Catholic world. The Italo-Norman nobles in both southern and northern Italy, all related to the House of Hauteville, summon their respective fiefs and retainers to confront their old rival.

Albert of Aix, German historian and writer, begins his Historia Hierosolymitanae expeditionis

David IV, Nicknamed the Builder, Of Georgia dies this year. Per his specific wishes, he is to be buried under the stone inside the main gatehouse of the Gelati Monestary. This is as he wants that everyone who enters the monestary will step on his grave first

The first fair in Portugal is held in Ponte de Lima.

A collection of Zen Buddhist stories is completed in China, known as the Blue Cliffe Record.

With the collapse of the Liao Dynasty, the former Liao vassals in Mongolia form a strong confederacy for their own organization, independent of the Jin Dynasty. This confederacy is simply known as the Khamag Mongol.

In attempting a hopeless assault against the Jin forces, the Emperor Tianzhuo is captured and imprisoned by the Jin Emperor Taizong, thus offiically ending the Liao Dynasty. In the west, Yelu Dashi assembles 20,000 loyal Khitans to proceed in a long migration into Central Asia, seeking better lands. With the end of the Liao in the east, Yelu Dashi is proclaimed to be Emperor of the "Western Liao".

With the Taizong Emperor of the Jin declaring war on the Song, the Jin-Song Wars have begun. The Jin sends numerous armies to invade the northern parts of China, sacking the city of Qinhuangdao and capturing cities as far south as Luoyang.

A significant faction of crusaders, largely from countries outside of Italy, are reluctant to put their plans on hold so short after pledging forces to at the Council of Viminal. France sends a force of crusaders to the Holy Land to protect it against Seljuq incursion. Many of its vassals, along with Louis VI himself, are currently embroiled in a years-long battle with the robber barons of France. Genoa, Pisa, Apulia, and Capua provide assistance in Italy, lending a total of 8,000 men and 40 ships.

  • Sur Empire: The Grand Mosque of Lahore is completed after 3 years. The Vizier, Mahmoud Shirazi and Adil Shah Suri begin working to revamp the system of administration in the territories of the Empire. With the capital being shifted from Ghazni to Lahore, a large number of Turkic and Persian noblemen and commoners have moved to Lahore and the boundaries of Lahore have expanded. Ibrahim Shah Suri has ordered the reinforcement of the Fort of Tabarhinda (Bathind) and Adil Shah Suri has led the recrutiment of 5000 Turko-Persian soldiers to garrisson and repair the fort. Following the capture of Nagaru, a garrisson of 9,000 soldiers is left at Nagaur to repair the fort and take control of the surrounding region. Ibrahim Shah Suri moves towards Ajmer, the capital of King Ajayraja II with the remaining 80,627 troops (ALGO NEEDED).
  • Papal States: Pope Honorius II gathered the coalition military of the Christian armies ready to take Damascus, assembled at the Viminal hill in Rome. Here the custody of Bohemond of Antioch and his mother Princess Constance was transferred to the military commander of Lombardy, and will remain in the Lombard's care until the end of the war. Still, to Bohemond's wishes he kept along his friends for the duration of the campaign as well, the children Gioconde Orisini and William of Ivrea. Unfortunately, the Pope's plans were immediately derailed by news of an uprovoked attack on Italian soil by the heretical Greeks, invading with a vast army into Syracuse. The Pope immediately assembled the commanders of the Crusader forces and persuaded them to join the defense in Sicily. The Byzantines, living in the error of the filolique heresy, are as much a threat to the Roman Church as the Saracens. And once Sicily is saved, the Crusader army may continue on its Holy mission to Syria. Furthermore, the vast majority of commanders in the Crusader force are either papal legates or Norman nobles serving some members of the same Hauteville family that sits in Sicily. The main difficulty of this negotiation is the Anglo-Saxons, whose kin serve in the Varangian guard of the Byzantine emperor. Pope Honorius sits to hear the complaints from the Saxon commander, and solemnly and privately he agrees that the war against the Saracens in the Levant, a truly Holy Mission, should not be confused with the more immediate task on hand. Following this moving conversation with the Saxons, Pope Honorius orders that the Crusader states in the Levant (Jerusalem, Tripoli, Antioch, Edessa) will remain neutral concerning the war against the Greeks, and will not contribute military to either side. Verbally the Pope addresses the situation directly, denounces the Greek trechary and violence against a Catholic nation, saying the Byzantines are no better than the Saracens. The alliance of Alexios signed in the Council of Piacenza is now voided. The combined Crusder force consists of 31,000 troops (8,000 from Central Italy, 21,000 from Northern Italy, and 3,000 of Holy Orders), using the same unit composition as in the First Crusade, and led collectively by the Papal commander Pietro Colonna. An additional 6,000 troops of the Anglo-Saxons remain in Rome. Further military assistance is asked of the Pope's other allies in Italy, requiring responses from Bavaria, Apulia, and Capua. Apulia is also requested to give military access, so the army can reach Sicily overland instead of by sea (mod response needed). The combined force will move to the strait of Messina in southern Italy, where they will be supported by a coalition navy of 65 ships, including 40 from Genoa, 15 from Pisa, and 10 of the Papal navy based in Ostia. Having crossed the strait, the coalition army will join the Sicilian forces for the defense of Messina, and provide manpower for whatever strategy they have for that battle (algo request). The coalition navy, combined with the navies of Sicily and Venice, will close in on the Strait of Messina from two sides, surrounding the navy of Manuel Anemas (naval algo request). Once victory is achieved in Messina, the coalition army will push south, liberating Syracuse and pushing on to engage the rest of the Byzantine army in Ragusa. The combined navy will also assist, using a pillaging maneuver against as many of the Byzantine ships led by Nikaphoros as possible. (land/naval algo request). With the navy predisposed and the military caught in hostile territory, they are forced to either fight or surrender, with no possibility of retreat. As the Consistory of Cardinals discusses the situation in Sicily, the topic of discussion turns towards the possibility of bringing the Eastern Roman Emperor under the heel of Papal Supremacy as much as the Western Roman Emperor is. After all, the Greeks have placed the vast majority of their professional forces, both and sea, on the offensive far away from their homeland, leaving much of their coastline now particularly exposed. Once the expedition into Sicily are laid waste, the Crusaders might be persuaded to take to the offensive. A restoration of the Norman Kingdom of Albania, or a Latin domination in Cephalonia, Crete, or Cyclades, are all considered viable options.
    • Apulia agrees to give military access to the Papal States and agrees to send a total of 5,000 men to help.
    • Bavara regretably are not able to send any troops at the moment, but will pray for the crusade.
  • Kanem Empire: In the twenty-eighth year (28th) of his reign, the Mai Dunama I, the stone bridge that is constructed between the future imperial capital of Sadayna that is centered on an island to the Kanem mainland five years ago, is finally finished. Professional workers and slaves of Hausa and West African origin are able to cross the bridge to the island, bringing the required materials with ease. The future imperial capital has already some small settlements being constructed for the workers & slaves. The outskirts of Sadayna located on the entrance of the bridge, is already a bustling settlement - attracting people across the Empire as they’ve already heard about the project. Meanwhile, the basic road system between Bilma to Zawila is finished as well. Zawila itself has been a bustling city, with more infrastructures being built. The military camp in Zawila is already finished and was able to recruit around 500 swordsmen, mostly of Berber and Tuareg origin. Meanwhile, news spread [by merchants/traders/wanderers] to the Zawila Governorate regarding a powerful Bedouin clan who attacked a port settlement in the north controlled by the heretics, attacking both the Normans centered in Sirte and traitorous Bedouin tribesmen. This reached the ears of the Mai, who will do any necessary to protect the Fezzan region from the heretics and make Fezzan either part of the Empire or Kanemite-influence due to the region being one of the vital parts of the Trans-Saharan trade. The Mai sends its emissaries to the rival Bedouin clan [who attacked Sirte in 1123] by giving them protection, rights as an Imperial citizen and luxury in exchange for joining the Empire, their lands will be incorporated to the Zawila Governorate if the clan leader accepts the Empire’s offer [MOD RESPONSE]. This prompted the sending of professionally-trained 800 Kanem cavalrymen to Zawila, this is to increase the military presence of the Imperial Army in the region. Back in N’jimi, the ijazah of the Madrasah has already been finished. The Kanemite ijazah madrasah in N’jimi is modeled that to Egypt, most of the professional fields that exist in Egypt were incorporated to the ijazah education system in which Kanemi students will no longer go to Egypt for ijazah in the future but solely to the Kanem heartland, this’ll make Kanem Empire the center of civilization in Central Africa in the years to come. Meanwhile, with the help of the madrasah advisers - Dunama I created a decree as part of the education reforms. Kanemi, a standardized form of the Kanuri language, will become the official language and make it the lingua franca of the Empire with its writing script modeled in Arabic to promote Kanuri language and culture throughout the Empire with Arabic/Islamic influence. Although minorities within the Empire are able to practice their culture and speak their language freely, it is important to learn Kanuri under this new decree with the exception of the elderly. These reforms enacted by Mai Dunama, the first of his name, will not stop here just yet as he has a lot of things to implement laws that’ll benefit the Empire. Meanwhile in Injamina, the port settlement continued to be a bustling and a growing city mostly dominated by the Sao people. The agriculture in the southeast region of the Empire drastically improved thanks to the agriculturalists. Injamina is poised to become a new major city of the Empire in the future. Plans of constructing a Madrasa is put into effect by urban planners, engineers and architects so that Sao children will no longer go to the capital and just study in Injamina. Several years have passed since Zawila has been incorporated to the Empire as the northernmost province, the Mai turned its attention to Koufra; another oasis-city located northeast of the Empire that is near to the Khalilid Egypt border. The Mai sends its emissaries to Koufra, the conditions were the same as Zawila several years ago, the free city becoming part of the Kanem Empire in exchange for protection from raids orchestrated by hostile nomadic tribes and will be offered a luxurious environment [MOD RESPONSE]. This was the Mai’s plan to finally secure the northern Trans-Saharan trade and make it centered to the Kanem Empire.
    • The Bedoins accept protection but don't want to be incoroporated
    • Koufra accepts the offer
  • Kingdom of Sweden:With the situatio in the east heating up,King Sigismund II sends a secret latter to the court of kiev,There he offers his support in any civil war that might happen if the former borders in Sigismundia are recogniced.(Mod response needed)The king is horrified with the ongoing wars in both Spain and Sicily and sends Prince Erik to help in any ways down there (Papal State response needed)However the king suffers a tragedy this year as the queen dies due to an infection.The queen who was very well loved by the people will be greatly missed.In her honour,the king orders the constructionof the Stenkil Maouseleum,the future burial site of all swedish monarchs.In The varius autonomous areas,elections are held for new leaders:In sapmi,Former field marshal Einar Graubergs second son Erik Grauberg becomes the ruling governor.In Sambia and karelia,local elders are elected.This becomes somewhat of a tradition that the rulers serve for 5 years.The king can however if he feels the need to,depose them.Sigismund II however rarely intervenes in the affairs of them as he allows them to tend to their own business.The king sends 1000 troops to Sicily,led by prince erik.
    • Against their rival Novgorod, Kiev accepts the deal
    • The Pope asks for Swedish troops to join the Crusader coalition in Rome
  • Sultanate of Shewa: Second Gadaa last year goes well with the New Ababa Bokuu being an Oromo named Raasa Arsii, while the military leader elected is an Harla by the Name of Is’mail Dar. They, Badit and the council passed laws that’s are scared to the Oromo as well as practical laws for the Sultanate. The most important being the opening of schools in the interior, Initial findings of the farming study, and Gadaa military reform. The Qaallu institution is also formed by religious leaders to help promote the Gadaa system, and act as mediators. The road from Shewa to Dir is completed; internal migration picks as all cultures move around to find the best living. The council also begins a study in the best places the dig wells to bring more tribes into the fold. Shewa settlers also begin to move into the upper regions of the Shabelle living peacefully with the tribes there. Protection is offered to the Afar who are also Muslim, And the Dahlak sultanate. (Mod response) Trade is going well with the sea fearing school taking great notes of the areas around the Eastern Indian Ocean. The first scholars to go sail with merchants to India return. Having studied the ports they later over in, and observing trade good and local customs. A ship building facility begins construction in Tadjoura to protect the Red Sea and our trade ports from piracy. The schools in Dir and Harar continue to become local hubs of knowledge as their scholars are known as hard working and intelligent. More and more cultures send their young boys to said schools where they will also learn a second language. Stone villages begins to replace pastoralist camps along the Awash.
    • Some Afar tribes agree, the Dahlak Sultanate does not
  • High Kingdom of Iceland: While King Þórður has sailed to Greenland to obtain peace, and potential fealty (mod response needed), the affairs of the home island, Iceland, are left to his wife Hanna and their son Sturla Þórðarson, heir to the Icelandic throne and now thirteen years old, guided by Ari the Wise. Gathered were the various earls (the goðar as they are known in Iceland) at the Althing and here was established a court of appeals where the goðar were blessed with the right to nominate judges for this court. Also held were feasts and the giving of gifts, attempting to cement the young Sturla’s popularity and generosity with the important leaders of Iceland. The young Sturla held a popular appeal, described in Icelandic sources so, “hann var stórbokki og lét aldrei sinn hlut fyrir nokkrum manni” (He was a big buck and never gave his share to any man). The boasting Sturla declared his intent to bring the word of God to the heathens in Skrælingaland, beyond Greenland, and received praise and the swearing of crusading fervor to the task by many goðar, words encouraged all around by the quaffing of ale.
    • Greenland will submit to Iceland
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 14th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. Stories of Cnut Haroldson's marriage to Etherelda of Bamburgh in Spain reach England, and the romantic notion of knighthood commonly portrayed in French and Spanish literature makes its way into the popular perception of thanes in northern England and Denmark. Cnut was wearing full armor save for his helm during the wedding, which would go on to inspire centuries worth of poems. A popular play written centuries later about the event will itself inspire paintings, literature, and a bit in Monty Python. The fact that a child was born that year was indeed proof of their deep affection of one another. In January, his wife and infant son are sent back to England. Cnut Haroldson promises to visit. That year, all hell breaks loose in Italy right in the middle of a Crusade, meaning all hell breaks loose everywhere else. Despite arriving in numbers, the English forces are fighting for their lives in Spain right now. Because a Crusade has been called and the Pope may or may not be a no-show for quite some time, the Spanish front might crash before it gets off the ground. The 6,000 men England and Denmark fielded is going to the Spanish front. Many of the veterans of the previous defense against the Almoravids are sent back home, though many are willing to push back the Saracen. This puts total Anglo-Danish forces in Iberia at a solid 9,000. Norway's tribute this year is to come in the form of 1,000 troops to the Spanish front as well. A fleet of about 30 drakes are also sent to participate in the Spanish front. 10 more ships are put into production this year in Dunwich as the docks of the economic hub expand to meet the growing needs of the city. The League of Dunwich expands to cover several more Danish and English settlements, largely across Jutland and East Anglia. Business for the guilds absolutely explodes this year as fervor for the Crusade spreads through England. Festivals celebrating the religious war act as recruiting grounds for many members of the Crusades. The war in Sicily is far away, so the atmosphere in England and Denmark is energetic and joyous. Edwin encourages landed men going to fight in Spain to throw parties before they leave, driving awareness and raising spirits higher. The king himself invites Sigurd II and his family to London, where a post-Mass celebration in London takes place. Danish and Swedish crusaders on their way to Spain are invited to the celebration before the armies are seen off. The festive tidings are sent to other petty kings outside of England. Some of the more jaded in the English population (which is quite saying something) see the parties and feasts for what they truly are: a means of drawing support for a Crusade that has been thrown into question. Further aid from Norway is requested and will be rewarded. In addition, a call to war in Iberia is sent out to Flanders, Franconia, Normandy, Brittany, and Aquitaine. (Mod response needed) In other news, Ulf Haroldson passes away after accomplishing very little. He shot for the stars and landed in Dublin, but with his death, the evil spirit of Tostig Godwinson is now once again free of its mortal coil. A disturbed little boy named Eadwig is born to Cnut Edwinson this year. He has virtually no moral compass and suffers from seizures and paranoid hallucinations all his life.
  • County of Sicily: Scouts and ships across southern Italy relay news of a massive Byzantine fleet moving along the Italian coast towards Sicily. In Sicily, the Emperor’s treacherous actions against the Rus along with his betrayal of the Normans in Albania years prior have ruined any trust the Byzantines once had in Norman Sicily, and hearing news of this massive fleet Roger instantly assumes the worst. The 30 ships sent to aid the Iberians against the Almoravids are recalled and rendezvous with the main Sicilian fleet at Palermo, uniting into a 60 strong fleet once more. Here the fleet joins with the Papal allied fleet for its attack on the Byzantines in the Straits of Messina [PAPAL ALGO ALREADY REEQUESTED]. All cities are placed on high alert, and the fortifications, while built years ago, remain formidable. Additionally, Roger rallies every man available, telling his nobles, Emirs and Marshals: “Let every man be summoned, every sword raised, every shield readied. The battle that comes will decide the fate of us all, regardless of our faith, regardless of our differences. In the eyes of the Emperor, we are all but subjects to be conquered and ruled.” Across Sicily loyal Norman lords, Muslim qadis and Greek commanders answer Roger’s summons, assembling into an army of 25,500 men that represents the full might of Norman Sicily (3,000 Norman knights, 8,500 Norman levies, 13,000 Greek and Muslim recruits, 500 Sicilian longbowmen). Joining the army for the first time is a force of Sicilian longbowmen, trained by Catalonian longbowmen for the past seven years. While they may not be as experts as their Catalonian comrades, they do understand how to use the weapon somewhat effectively. Roger reaches out to the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, asking them to help defend their Sicilian holdings against the heretics that now come to betray Christendom yet again [MOD RESPONSE]. When asked by a Norman lord at what point Roger might consider surrender, Roger famously states: “Never. We shall fight them on the beaches, we shall fight them in the hills, we shall fight them in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight them with growing strength and growing confidence on the seas! We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall never surrender!” His words are met with widespread support and acclaim by the gathered Norman lords and local leaders, who vow to defend Sicily to the last man. Amidst this fervor word reaches Roger that the Pope, with an army of crusaders intended to attack Syria, has instead directed his attention to defending Sicily from the heretics, formally denouncing the Byzantines as traitors to Christendom and a threat on par with the Almoravids or Seljuks. Roger, moved by the Pope’s stalwart defense of Christianity and Sicily, vows to be an eternal friend of the Pontiff should they prevail. When word of the Pope’s aid reaches Syracuse, the population rejoices with the knowledge that reinforcements are imminent and that the Pope has blessed the defense of Sicily. The combination of Roger’s words and the Pope’s actions spark an almost religious determination amongst the populace to resist the Byzantines. Emboldened by knowledge of reinforcements, fed by religious fervor and determined to defend their homes, the morale of the Sicilian forces skyrockets. With the fall of Syracuse, Roger is informed the Byzantine army has split in half, with 20,000 men moving southward to pacify the regions south of Syracuse while another 20,000 move north to besiege Messina. It is in this division that Roger sees an opportunity to strike. As the Byzantines move north along the coastal road, Roger assembles his army to make a stand at the Simeto River. On the north bank of the river assembles Roger’s infantry, led by Ozouf de Pomeroy, a veteran of the Second Investiture War, his forces including 8,500 well armed and trained Norman levies and 13,000 eager Greek and Muslim recruits along with 500 longbowmen concentrated in the center of the battle line. Roger keeps a force of 1,000 knights in reserve to counter any potential breakthroughs and to reinforce the line if necessary. The remaining 2,000 knights are hidden in the hills and woods south of the river, with knowledge of the local landscape provided by friendly locals, and when the Byzantines are fully committed to crossing the river these knights will charge out into the open plain and strike the Byzantines’ rear, intending to collapse the entire Byzantine army (25,000 Norman troops total) [ALGO NEEDED: Terrain-Crossing River; Tactics- Flanking Maneuver]. Besides his military skill, Roger utilizes his diplomatic acumen. Merchant ships traveling on established trade routes to Armenia and Bulgaria carry Norman agents that spread word that the entirety of the Byzantine military forces have been committed to an invasion of an overseas territory, and thus now is the time for rebellion. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Similarly, merchant ships carrying Norman agents spread word to the Normans of Albania that the Emperor has once again betrayed Christendom by attacking the Normans of Sicily, and that his entire military force has been committed to this invasion. They attempt to convince the Normans to rebel both due to Byzantine weakness and to repay the Byzantines for their treacherous betrayal of the Normans and Christendom. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED].
    • With the war in its infancy and the Byzantine Empire currently in a strong position, the calls for sedition fall on deaf ears and a few of the noisier ringleaders are arrested.
  • Obotrite Confederacy: The marriage between Woldemar to Mirjana starts the year off with lavish celebration in the capital of Lubeck with merchants having come in from across the kingdom to sell and hawk their wares for this occasion. Mirjana quickly becomes impregnated with a child a scant few months after the wedding with the royal physician declaring that the child will be born next year. For matters of business, Prince Henry has decided to purchase shares in merchant vessels that traverse through the Baltic Sea as well as invest in some merchants he finds to be promising. Furthermore, Henry continues to invite merchants from across Europe to visit and conduct commerce within Obotrite lands. The fortifications along the Notec and Vistula River in preparation for the eventual assault by the Polish that Henry imagines and the forts constructed are delegated to trustworthy nobles and chieftains to reign over them in his stead. The Jomsviking following the war have seen an influx in their numbers due to the reputation they gained during the war and have been integrated as personal troops in the employ of the Nakonids. The wars in the south have made their way to the ears of the nobles and chieftains in the Obotrites with some insisting that Henry take action and potentially launch an assault on the Christian states as they send men south. Henry refuses on the grounds that in doing so, they could turn the eyes of the Christians to them.
  • Wang Dynasty: With the increased need for workers, Suck Junghoon is looking for incentives to get people in the port city of Cho-Hang. He offers to not tax any trade nor any goods going in or out of the city, allow religious freedom, and even more property rights then even the most freedomloving cities of Goryeo. As an extra insentive for farmers,hunters and other individuals on the outer parts of Cho-hang they are allowed to own certain weapons and tools such as pikes and bow and arrows outside of the city proper. The bringing of certain tools and weapons being allowed inside the inner city only if one belongs to certain profesions or has to do certain activities within the city. Loggers becoming one of the most sought after workers due to the large need for wood which can be made into not only housing but more importantly fishing vessels. The sailors in the city mostly being used to get enough food for the sailors themself, the local workers and the millitary, the millitary being the largest buyer of goods in the city. One of the ways the army wants to protect their food source is by making the killing of martens a punishable offence, the punishment per marten being two months of labour at local farms. Another light of hope for Suck Junghoon is possible trade with the Glove people of 掌匣島 (Jang-gap-do), whom sells furs and other specialty items which are addopted for the harsher winters in the north of Goryeo. The Goryeans being more adjusted to a settled farming life style based around rice and grain, instead of the hunters meat and fruit heavy meals.
  • Abbasids: Al-Mustarsahid formerly declares Jihad against the Crusader States in ash-Sham. These heretic barbarians brought misery to the Levant Muslims! The Caliph sends the call from Egypt to the Seljuks atabegs/vassals (mod and Zengi responses).
  • House Barcelona: Hearing of the Greek invasion of Sicily, Ramon sends a letter offering Roger and his vassals safe harbor should he need it. He offers to make Roger Count of Valencia if he is forced to flee and resettle as many Normans as wish to make the voyage. Those that arrive will be given plots of land belonging to those Muslims who rose in revolt. (Norman Response) Meanwhile the war drags on. With the success of the poisoning mission in Leon some years past. Ramon orders a more wide-spread effort to destroy Almoravid's ability to advance. Ramon orders the feces-smeared and three days rotten corpses of 20 pigs be dumped into the feed-waters of the Tajo, Guadiana, and Guadalquivir rivers. As these lands are under Christian control and can be readily accessed, the effort proceeds with limited enemy awareness. The effort will continue until the war ends, with weekly contaminations. He expects to see the major cities of Cordoba, Seville, and Toledo rioting due to water shortages and sickness within a month.
  • Almoravid Empire: As the war drags on for another two years, the notoriety of Estevan grows. His victory at Tarazona is seen as a moment that spared the Army at León from being faced by an onslaught of men. His quick thinking and action had spared them great losses and a potential defeat. His notoriety even grows further after the Diet discovers that he had faced head on with the Emperor of the Christian Iberians himself. Nonetheless he remains humble. The war has only just begun. As the espionage of the Spanish had noted, great effects such as leading to the deaths of men in the army, as well as assassinations, water tests before drinking by select brave members of the army and boiling have been stressed more than ever to prevent any horrific incidents from being transpired once more. "The Spanish Curse" had killed thousands of soldiers in years past but for now they had remained free of that suffering with them learning their lessons. Nonetheless, tests and scouts have been placed on high alert more than ever. Scout-Captain Hernan al-Salamanca had been placed in charge of the operation. The Janud Asifas in the meantime had been tasked with assisting the Muslim Rebels supplying them with food and weapons. General Syr at León plans on this year being the year the Castilians are decisively defeated, putting this battle to an end. In the meantime Sana de Rodrigues returns for vengeance on the city of Porto. With the arrival of reinforcements, the campaign is intended to be hopeful. Beyond these matters, the call for jihad by the Abbasids gives Ali some hope finally after many years of feeling as though they had abandoned the Islamic World in their time of need. Though he objects from giving in to much greater credit. The older generations of the Ulama hold funerals this year as more of the elders fall, paving the way for Ibn Tumart to appoint Abd al-Mu'min into the Ulama, which Ali strongly approves after meeting with him and the volunteers that arrived. Ali describes the decay of the old elite as the start of a butterfly for something more grand. Given the unity between the Almoravid Dynasty and the Almohad Movement, the opposition within the older members of the Ulama such as Nasir al-Hassan and Khalil ibn el-Kabir had begun to worry. The loss of their power from older members' deaths as well as their growing popularity had placed them at huge risk within the government. The Almohad Movement, tied to the Almoravid Dynasty, now becomes known as the Muahadi Movement. Rooted from "those who unify". Their expressions of conservative Islam and being more quick to execute policy had left the elders in a pinch. That is why before Ramadan, the Elders planned on murdering Ibn Tumart in the banquet at Gibraltar. It was the Eighth of Safar. As the Black Guard had been sent off for the evening and the meeting with Khalil and the others for a banquet had begun, dining was well and easy. Estevan had attended since he had been left off-post for the time and was invited to celebrate in his name as well for past success and to ease the minds and consciousness of the people as if their leaders weren't weary in the land afflicted by conflict, neither should they. Estevan had stepped out though to flirt with the daughter of one of the elders of the Ulama. In the meantime as all this had gone down, the setting was set. The dozen of the old had presented themselves with smiles until it appeared to him that those smiles were that of malice. And just like that, Tumart felt it. The sharp cold steel driving into his back as he readied a glass of the finest fig juice the lands had to offer. The blood seeped his clothes and soon enough more stabs were driven. The ordeal was hell. They all tossed their blades. Ibn Tumart was left bleeding profusely but standing. "You have betrayed not just the trust of me, but Allah and his people. by the power left within me, I will ensure you all shall fall". It was not enough. The shock in their eyes came as Ibn Tumart snatched a dagger and cut Khalil's bloody hand clean off "I am no Ceasar. You allowing me to live will show you less mercy than the Lion Prides of the Barbary. My power….is unlimited!" He shouts as the bloody and scarred man launches Khalil off the balcony and to his death by the Palace Fountain. Sadly without the Black Guard, he was left with only Estevan there to carry his body on horseback to Algeciras for immediate medical attention. There was no time to immediately hunt the elders. The Eighth of Safar at Gibraltar ends in failure. The greatest hunt in the history of the Empire begins. "Remember The Twelfth of Sha'ban" echoes across the Empire. Following word of the event reaching the Sultan, a bounty is placed on all members who had partook in the attempted assassination. Their families, including wives and children, were all placed under house arrest or imprisoned. In the meantime Ibn Tumart comes to visit Ibn Tumart starting by his side through his recovery where the Black Guard is now ordered by his side at all times. In the meantime, Junud Asifas works around to hunt them down, only capturing Nasir where he is interrogated. An Emergency Diet is scheduled as soon as Ibn Tumart recovers. Nonetheless, it is expected of them to all receive the death penalty. The Governors with full loyalty engage in full-cooperation with a motion signed by Ibn Tumart in his recovery for destroying the lands of the traitors and plowing their fields with salt forever accusing them for their wrongs even beyond the grave when their game of running comes to an end.
  • Byzantine Empire: Response to the Pope. Emperor John II having learned of the Popes declarations was saddened and disheartened to hear that the leader of the western Christian world had decided to name the Byzantines, who had thus far enjoyed friendly relations with their western brothers, an enemy on the same level as the saracens. The news was so troubling and dismaying to the Emperor that the Pope would forego his intentions in bettering the relations between east and west in the name of "defending" a so-called allied who has thus far proven to be an untrustworthy adversary to the Papacy has publicly announced his intentions to fast. John II has committed himself fully towards ending the conflict and showing his resolve to stand by his Christian principles, he has chosen to fast for 30 days, only drinking small glasses of water and finally breaking his fast with plain unleavened bread to show solidarity with his western Christian comrades. After his fast John II needed intense aid from his advisors to begin eating healthy again, his weight dropping massively and some fearing for his health. John II would however recover fully with most importantly the help of his wife who is also extremely devout. Had his wife not intervened John II may have lost his life due to malnourishment, but he has regained his strength after his fast and reposed himself within the war room in the Imperial palace in Constantinople. He has decided to take an extremely heavy hand in the ongoing conflict as his fast has led him to believe that this conflict may lead to the end of the separation between east and west churches should he prevail. His religious fervor now strengthening his resolve and his spirit he has committed to attempting to strengthen the war readiness at home. The Emperor called on many communities to heed his calls, he has asked for each town and village to put aside 10% of their grain for the war effort (voluntary), and to pray for victory. Byzantine Empire: The Emperor is involving efforts of the church, delegating members of the clergy around the Empire to deliver liturgies with solemnity calling for brotherhood, unity, and for triumph. John II increases propagandizing measures including the adoption of leaflets and posters in major cities hand drawn by artists to cover entire facades of busy commercial areas and town criers to go into the heartland and rural areas of the Empire and spread the word to do your part for the war effort reminding the people of the brutality of the conflicts brought by the Normans. John II has decided that the current Pope has either been hoodwinked by the crafty Normans into aiding their cause, or has fallen to the corruptions of power and wealth which John II himself must battle daily with. John II makes public announcements that before the involvement of Papal forces he had no ambitions upon Italy, and that the door to peace with Rome shall always stand open especially considering the Emperor considers himself a Roman. Upon the Emperors request his wife Empress Irene of Hungary writes to her cousin pleading for him to allow the extended hand of friendship from the Byzantine Emperor to be accepted and for the two to enter talks on the current war and possible Hungarian aid from the Empresses family. (Mod response for Hungary needed). The Emperor also calls upon the people to make a war tithe, a completely voluntary act to willingly give a small percentage of their money to the war effort. Members of the nobility and pronoiar will be asked especially to help give at least 5% of their monthly profits to the war coffers. The Emperor will make decree to the Themata to ready themselves, to open mustering grounds and prepare space at Constantinople in case the Themata are called up. The merchants of the empire will be asked to give up a ship (if it can be spared) voluntarily to the use of the Megas Doux in constantinople. Each ship receievd will be retrofitted for war. Byzantine Empire: Naval Actions. Hearing word of the activity of the Italians to join the war effort the notable commander of the Imperial navy Megas Doux Eumathios Philokales will take control of the large fleet of 7 squadrons nearing Messina. His orders are to aid the troops (who also have orders to construct siege weapons near the coast if possible to aid in any naval engagement) in marching on Messina. However, should he encounter the Italian ships he will reserve his forces and harass the Italian Naval contingent from afar sending his quick light gallea to effectively lure the Italian navy away from the strait crosing and disrupt the crossing of soldiers. The Navy WILL NOT attempt to engage in battle with the Italians at this time, rather the other 7 squadrons of Leontius Akropolites will come north and will join forces with Philokales. The naval contingent of Philokales will draw the Italian Navy southwards and into favorable areas for Byzantine ships. [Should the Egyptians come with their Navy they will join it to the Byzantine Navy] At which point the full contingent of 14 squadrons (a full 196 warships) will be joined by 20 Privateer vessels and force the Italians into battle before the Italian ships from the western side of the peninsula can join the ships from Rome. The Heavy Dromons and trireme dromons will utilize their greek fire on the most concentrated mass of Italian ships (which around the straits region should not be hard) whilst the galea protect their flanks and full abttle is met by the rest of the Naval continegents. (Algo needed)
    • Papal response: Emperor John's actions of bringing a vast army of conquest into the Italian archipeligo against Sicily speaks much louder than any empty words, and the interpretation of such action is a direct threat against Rome. When Honorius had called for a Crusade against the Saracens and Moors, including the army and navy of the Italo-Normans, the Emperor could have honored the alliance of Piacenza to join in the Holy campaign, but instead they sent their military in the opposite direciton so close to the Seat of Peter. His Holiness does not normally intervene in the conflict between the Normans and Greeks, but should it be necessary the Pope would gladly reduce Sicily's military projection, as his prerogative as Sicily's liege. Indeed, the Pope has been the liege and ally of the Italo-Norman states by numerous papal decrees since the time of Pope Benedict IX. Whether that alliance is judged by foreign powers as "trustworthy" or not is not irelevant, and doesn't justify an annexation of a Papal vassal.
    • King Stephan II of Hungary declines to send direct aid to Byzantium in their war in Italy, however for the sake of his cousin he invites Empress Irene and her family to take relocate to Hungary if she would find that beneficial. He also promises for her sake to maintain peace with Byzantium for the time being
  • Nippon (Taira clan): Taira no Tadamori begins the formal education of his first born Taira no Kiyomori grooming him to become his heir as the head of the Tiara clan. He and his wife have their 4th son Taira no Ryumori. He continues to curry favour with Retired Emperor Shirakawa who as the cloistered Emperor continues to run the state in the place of the young Emperor Sukotu. He petitions and receives control of the governership of Bizen along with the right to patrol the inner seas to purge the pirates from the region. To this end he musters a small fleet of 30 ships manned by his retainers to clean out the inner sea and assume control over the straits of the inner Sea attacking Pirate bases along the coastlines of Sanyodo and Nanyodo to restore peace and security tothe region. During the Battle of Aki he and his Men valiantly stormed a Wokou ilsand base off the coast. Tadamori and his men shower the enenies from their boats preventing them from going out to see and storming the base in the aftermath some of the Pirates and cut down in hand to hand combat as Tadamori's Samurai enter into close quarters. Following this he moves inland to assume direct control of the province from any bandits or master-less bushi Returning to Harima and continues to develop the lands given to him in the form of Shoen (personal fief) as payment for his services. He promotes local temples both Buddhist and Shinto and collect taxes from the region providing payments to the imperial court while also enriching the clan's coffers. He places Taira members in the local police and administration throughout Western Honshu to strengthen the Clans grip over the region and promotes trade with The Chinese and Koreans to acquire luxury goods from the mainland from which he can use as gifts to the court nobles to bolster his standing in Kyoto and gain an advantage over the Fujiwara and Minamoto clans. In a visit to Kyoto to visit Cloistered Emperor Shirakawa He listens to the bickering Fujiwara no Tadazane's and some of the Court nobles over the recent news unrest brewing with the warrior monks of Mount Hiei, thinknig that Tadazane is underplaying the threat posed by these monks tells him he should join them and prove his treasonous nature if he really supports them so that Tadamori may cut him down (Fujiwara response).

1126

Despite the fall of Leon, the valiant efforts of Alfonso the Battler embolden Catholic Resistance to the Moors while the Almoravids are left with a war torn city. Disease spreads among the ranks and populaces of Iberia as both sides in the conflict result to trickery poisoning and decimating the no man land.

Queen Urraca of Castile-Leon dies, and is succeeded by her son who is crowned as King Alfonso VII Raimundez.

A crop failure in the isle of Sicily as a result of the year of supporting large armies, made worse by a dry summer, can account for the recent decay in stability and order in the region. The presence of the Byzantine fleet is proving to be a further hinderance to trade. A number of cities along the Adriatic see an upheaval in their markets as a result of the war in the Mediterranean.

The Zengids and Egyptians proclaim support for a Jihad against Jerusalem however it isnt a united effort. The Zengids muster 20,000 men while the Egyptian raise 10000.

While presiding over a local Thing in Sweden, a group of disgruntled peasants attempt to assassinate King Sigismund II. They were agitated by the King's cousin, the Earl Magnus of Gothland, who has designs on the royal throne.

The Jin Dynasty lays siege to the city of Keifeng. The Emperor has summoned larger armies from the west to help in the war, but they are slow to arrive. In order to protect himself, the Emperor Huizong wishes to take his personal belongings and royal court to relocate further south. The Confucianist advisors refuse, saying that leaving the capital would be effectively abdicating. So the Huizong Emperor abdicates in favor of his son who is crowned as the Qinzong Emperor. Once the forces of the west arrived, the Jin are forced to abandon the siege.

Two previously written Chinese pharmaceutical works, one by Shen Kuo and the another Su Shi, are combined in one written work.

Adelard of Bath, an English philosopher, translates Muḥammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī's arithmetic and astronomical works into Latin.

On the island of Mauritaus, local people began worshipping the Dodo

During the crossing of Messina and the harassment of coalition forces, the Byzantine navy has managed to sink 18 Norman galleys and severely damage 9 more. Supplying the coalition army becomes more difficult as well due to the presence of the Byzantine fleet and continued danger of fire traps in the straits of Messina. The action also galvanizes about 10 few freelancer crews and mercenaries from Egypt to come join the frey.

  • Kanem Empire: The annexation of Koufra to the Empire further increased the imperial economy due to the Koufra’s well-connection to Khalilid Egypt. The Koufra annexation also made Kanem completely consolidate its complete control in the northern sector of the Trans-Saharan trade or OTL Southern Libya. Koufra was promised to make it one of the great oasis city-states however Koufra will not have the same privilege as Zawila in terms of the dhimmi status. The northeastern part of the Empire increased its human activity as trade goods from Egypt via Koufra is now directly headed to Bilmi without any worries from hostile bandits as Toubou peoples who stayed in the region are now considered the patrolmen or those who guard roads. Meanwhile, as Zawila now houses around a thousand men - ranging from conscript Berbers/Tuaregs to imperial army (Kanemi cavalry, swordsmen and spearmen), they have a right to protect the Bedouin clan in the north of their border against hostile forces, regardless if it’s another Bedouin clan, nomadic Berbers/Tuaregs or the heretical Normans themselves. Back in N’jimi, as the Empire’s territory became somewhat stretched, Mai Dunama, the first of his name, enacted administrative reforms which Mai Dunama puts ethnic Kanuri (Kanemi) people in charge of all new territories (the north and the former Hausa region) EXCEPT Zawila due to its dhimmi status, also keeping bodyguards and generals ethnically Kanuri. However, he allows conquered peoples to join/climb the ranks in the imperial government and the military EXCEPT ethnic Hausa people as they are considered slaves of the Empire. This was to avoid unrest and unfairness from non-Kanuri Kanemi peoples to avoid imperial overstretch.
  • Sur Empire: Ibrahim Shah Suri returns after a victorious campaign against the Chahmana King Ajayraja II, and prays at the now completed Grand Mosque of Lahore. He also orders the erection of a victory column to commemorate his victory. The Chahmana territories are annexed to the Sur Empire. Ibrahim Shah Suri decides to halt his campaign to conquer all of India and declares his support for the Jihad against the crusader states. He sends his younger son, 19 year old Asif Shah, at the head of a 30,000 strong force comprising of mostly Turko-Afghan cavalry, Punjabi Infantry and two dozen War Elephants to join the Crusade in the Middle East. Sent along is Akbar Lahori, a diplomat, of Punjabi origin, who will present gifts to the Abbasid Caliph and ask him to recognize Ibrahim Shah Suri as the rightful Sultan of al-Hind. Akbar Lahori is also asked to seek permanent residency at the court of the Abbasid Caliph (Abbasid Response). Meanwhile, Ibrahim Shah Suri focuses on establishing the adminsitration of his newly conquered lands. On the advice of the pragmatist, Adil Shah Suri, Ibrahim Shah decides to co-opt the willing petty Rajput Kings to help administer the newly conquered lands. He establishes direct control of the forts of Ajaymeru (Ajmer) and Nagaur by having the young, unmarried troops of his army settle down and marry into the local people. The rest of the territory is ruled by semi-vassal petty Rajput Kings who rule from their small fortresses. The petty Kings are supposed to contribute a fixed amount of levies at the request of Lahore. The petty Kings are also supposed to maintain a permanent ambassador at the court of Lahore and a permanent resident from Lahore at their own court. Moreover, Adil Shah Suri promulgates the setting up of a Diet of the petty Rajput Kings which will meet every 4 years in Lahore to discuss their grievances and administrative issues with the Sultan.
    • Abbasid response: the Caliph accepts the aid from Ibrahim Shah Suri, who Al-Mustarsahid recognizes as the rightful Sultan of al-Hind, and Akbar Lahori can reside in the court.
  • Duchy of Burgundy: It is the 23rd year of Hugh II’s reign as the Duke of Burgundy, he and his wife Matilda of Mayenne, who is the daughter of Walter; Count of Mayenne and Adelina de Presles, birthed another daughter for the first time in nine years. They named her Sibylla (b. 1126); the third daughter and the ninth child of the Duke. Hugh II has plans to make the Duchy of Burgundy relevant in the French politics although these plans will not yet be executed due to his children being young. Nevertheless, the Duke decides to summon a Diet where the estates of Burgundy; the representatives of the clergy, nobility and the bourgeoisie get together. The estates of Burgundy have proposed agendas for the summoned Diet. The clergy bemoan the poor regarding the Pope has for the nation. The clergy cited the reaffirmation of Burgundy's standing as good Christians by solidifying relations with the Papacy. Meanwhile, the nobility are concerned at Burgundy's status in the French politics, regarding it as weak and irrelevant. The nobility recommended that Burgundy must distance themselves from France & make connections with other French states or other European kingdoms thru marriage alliance to make Burgundy a regional power and highly autonomous from the French throne. However, Hugh II has already planned about that, it’s just that it’s too early for the Duke to send his children in this game of politics. Lastly, the Bourgeoisie called to increase commercial presence in Bordeaux, an action they claim would greatly increase the prosperity of the nation. Hugh II also had plans for that as he was eyeing Brittany for quite a while which isn’t part of the French politics. The Duke reasoned out that the agendas cited by the nobility and the bourgeoisie are too early to execute, saying that “we must play our cards right” which the two estates understood. The Duke decides to accept the proposal of the clergy. The clergy blessed the Duke of being a good Christian and that Lord Jesus will always be by his side. Duke Hugh II sends emissaries to Rome to set diplomatic relations, reaffirm its status as a loyal Catholic nation (aka crusader) and improve papal relations with the Pope [Papal States response]. This was the Duke’s plan to have influence in the Curia in the future which is the administrative body of the Catholic Church overseen by a group of cardinals although he needs to choose a son that is worthy of being a bishop and then to be a cardinal in the future, he’ll do this once one of his sons becomes of age. Months later, the Duke ordered to seize 5% of estate lands of the three estates for the Burgundian crown. This was considered a shock/surprise to the three estates as to why the Duke would seize 5% of estate lands. Although the Duke had reasons to seize them (i.e. state wealth), the three estates didn’t like that at all but the three estates decided to shrug it off unless their estates' lands were seized by the Duke again. The actions of the Duke have temporarily affected the loyalties from these estates. Meanwhile, the Duke sends an emissary to Brittany to establish diplomatic relations, a military alliance (if possible), ask for fleet basing rights and arrange a political marriage between Odo II, heir of Burgundy (b. 1118) and Lady Bertha of Brittany (b. 1114), the eldest daughter & second child of Conan III of Brittany [Mod response]. (although they’ll be married in 1136 once Odo II and Lady Bertha has reached adulthood) // The Duke also sends an emissary to Sweden to establish diplomatic relations, military alliance and arrange a political marriage between his first daughter and eldest child Aigeline of Burgundy (b. 1116) & Anders of Sweden (b. 1117) [Sweden response] (it depends on Sweden player on when they'll be married). Even though the Duke didn't select the nobility estate’s recommendation in the Diet, he just went with it anyway to avoid disorder from the noble-class Burgundians.
    • Conan III of Brittany agrees to the alliance and marriage
  • Wang dynasty:With ownership over the old lands of Gugoryeo comes not only glory but old contacts renewed. The new peace and proxity to Goryeo to people further away, makes it easier for foreigners from the heavenly kingdom and beyond to visit the Wonsunate. Suck Junghoon in an effort to help grow his dear port city, he invites Former Song and and Liao Jǐng jiào (christians), Kāifēng yóutài zú (Jews) and Ānlā=Ān (Muslims) to Cho-Hang. Suck Junghoon promising that they can rebuild the houses they had in Kaifeng and Yanjing, they will even be allowed to expand on what they had and build even more temple then they ever had.
  • Papal States: Pope Honorius II is gravely concerned about the situation across the Christian world. While the previous pontificates of Urban II and Paschal II had succeeded in bringing the Holy Armies of Christendom to the offensive, now they are under threat from all sides. He consulted daily with his advisors and Cardinals, but none would give him satisfactory consolation. The Pope orders the monasteries of Latium a period of 30 days of prayer for each individual killed during the war, whether he be Roman or Greek. The Holy Father further seeks intercession with God, as he takes off his Papal regalia and wears a hair shirt, during a period of fasting and supplication. While the Pope was in this lowly state, he met with Hildegard of Bingin who came to offer some hope from God. According to Hildegard's prophesy, the city of Constantinople will once again be conjoined to the Church of Rome, but this will not take place until "the sign of Constantine and Andrew return". This prophesy was first recorded in Rome, but the oldest extent version is given by Hildegard's autobiography many years later. Meanwhile, John Pascellion was fishing by the River Tiber when he overheard some soldiers preparing their way to go to Sicily. At that point, John received a vision in which a great wooden wall had collapsed in fire. The exact meaning of this vision would not become clear until the events that followed. The three lads of Rome (Gioconde Orisini, William of Ivrea and Bohemond of Antioch) have numerous adventures together participating in the war. The embassy of the Burgundians is accepted in Rome, although somewhat awkwardly as the Pope was still dressed in his hair shirt. The Pope gladly accepts Burgundy's participation in the Crusade, but due to the dire situation in Spain the Pope insists that Hugh II dispatches his forces for the aid of Castile-Leon. After the current Crusade is completed, the Pope wishes to make further negotiations with Burgundy, elevating their own Bishops in Church rank in exchange for implementing the reforms of Gregory VII (Burgundy response). In the Holy Land, the worst fears are met with the appearance of a Jihad while the Catholic world is largely preoccupied. King Raynald of Jerusalem takes the current army of 20,000 troops to guard against the two possible fronts. 10,000 troops are sent to garrison the fortress of Ascalon, while 10,000 troops defend the Golan heights from the Zengid invasion. King Raynald sends a request to his ally, Emperor John of Byzantium, to send some military to support these defenses (Byzantium response).
    • Burgundy response: Burgundy accepts the mission to aid Castile-Leon although it'll take a year to fully mobilize the men since Burgundy has been a peaceful nation for a long time. Burgundy also accepts on implementing the reforms of Gregory VII.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: The seafaring school hears of the call for Jihad and sends a dispatch to Badit and the Council. Badit sends 2 Malassay ‘regiments’ comprising of 4000 men to Suez to meet with Egyptian forces( Mod response) The sea faring school send dispatches to Baghdad and Lahore asking if young boys and men may study in their schools. (Player responses) The council also sets up Malassay regiments in Zeila, Berbera, Dir-Harar areas. Regiments are also set up and sent to Hadaya, Fatagar, Shewa, Ifat, and Dawaro. They set up stone fortifications, wells and mosque. Bringing them closer to the local tribes and converting more of the populace. They also show them better farming techniques, and the Gadaa system. Settlers move into the Afar regions that have accept protection setting up trade in farms with the Afars. They do the same in Bale and Dawaro. Ships begins leaving Tadjoura and combating piracy increasing trade profits. Dir is renamed Harlaa. The council begins to build more wells and mosque in tribal areas educating local boys.
    • Sur Response: We agree to let the young men from Shewa study under the guidance of the learned men of Lahore.
    • Abbasid Response: The Caliph let the young boys and men from Shewa study in our schools.
  • County of Sicily: The year of 1125 marked a year of slow progress for the allied Norman and Papal forces. The successful defense of Messina proved that together the Papal Coalition forces along with the native Norman Sicilians are capable of defeating the Imperial Army that has marched to betray Christendom during its hour of crisis. Despite being repulsed from Syracuse, the allied army reports to Roger that a significant number of casualties were inflicted upon the Byzantine army, more than casualties sustained during the battle. Hearing that the Byzantines’ forces are significantly depleted from the battles of the prior year and that the Greek commander was killed, Roger and his commanders conclude that a final victory over the Byzantine army is possible. Deciding to once again push on to Syracuse and free Italy from the heretical Byzantine threat, Roger uses his vast personal wealth to hire 5,000 mercenaries. Along with 3,000 men from the Papal coalition’s remaining reserve forces, these 8,000 reinforce the allied army for a final attack on Syracuse, outnumbering the Byzantine forces 2 to 1 while the Byzantine forces are leaderless. [ALGO NEEDED: 52,000 allied Italian troops]. The Byzantine attacks on the allied Italian fleet forces the fleet commander, John of Palermo, to improvise a new strategy. Keeping the fleet mainly in a defensive posture near Palermo, the allied Italian navy attempts to lure the Byzantines deeper into the straight towards the city of Messina. Here, supported by artillery based on the walls of Messina, the Normans have converted a number of merchant and fishing vessels into fireships loaded with oils, fats and timber, intending to sail these into the heart of the Byzantine formation should their navy enter the strait again to attack the Italian fleet [POSSIBLE ALGO / RNG].
    • The Sicilian fireships actively hinder their navy, as one of the fireships explodes in the dock, causing a fire that damages the dock and several ships moored there. The vast majority of the other fireships launched end up either missing their targets and sailing into the Mediterranean or carried by the wind back to the shores of Sicily.
  • Mosul: Zengi decides that from the 20,000 troops, 14,000 (2,500 Iqta Militia, 3,500 Ghulam, 2,000 Kurdish Heavy Infantry, 2,500 Sinjar Light Cavalry, 2,500 Turkmen Bow Archers, and 1,000 Turkish Cavalry) will go to Jerusalem to aid the Egyptian forces. He will lead them. The 6,000 remaining troops are protecting the rearguard, and 2,000 Ghulam are being raised at Erbil. [Algo needed]. With the enthusiasm of the Jihad, new mosques appear in the northern frontiers.
  • Kingdom of Sweden:King Sigismund is baffled by the attempt of his life by the earl of Gotland and begins planning actions against him.However these plans are cut short when duke magnus falls down and dies due to a heart attack the next month.He is succeded by his 17 year old grandson who is a firm supported of king Sigismund and his policies.The marriage and alliance offered by Burgundy is accepted and the wedding is held in Stockholm at the end of the year.Following this,the king goes on a tour of Sigismundia where he visits most if the major cities before moving on to Sweden proper where he visits many smaller cities.
  • Imamate of Oman: The Imam plans to conquer the coastal lands from the Dhofar region. A group of 3,000 Azd Light Infantry*, 1,000 Khaliji Archers, and 1,000 Imam's Guards will depart into this area [Algo needed]. In other issues, some shipyards are restored or built at Masqat and Sharjah.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 15th full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons of Morcar squabble over their father's realm. The region was split among three heirs and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. The English attempts at rallying the kings in the region came with a middling degree of success last year. The same can be said for the defense of Iberia. England hopes to fill the gaps in the Spanish defenses by calling for French assistance to retake Leon. Word of Cnut Haroldson's survival comes to the relief of the entire royal family. Though the descendents of Edith of Mercia tend to clash with the descendents of Edith the Fair, the family is genuinely happy that Cnut is alive, as he is currently the face of British honor and knightliness (chivalry) abroad. The heroes of England alive today are largely those who participated in the invasion of Norway or the defense of Scotland, with the Battle of Dover Fields and the defeat of William the Bastard a distant memory by now. Now, Harold II's grandsons are carrying this torch abroad at home. Much of this rhetoric is, of course, propaganda delivered by House Godwin, which Edwin capitalizes upon greatly. His sons, however, receive very little recognition from this, making them jealous. The exception to this is Cnut Edwinson, who has been mistaken for his brother more than a few times and it is really starting to upset him. The construction of the waves of castles started during the Godwin Age has largely concluded by now. Harold II, who was the largest landowner in England during the reign of St. Edward the Confessor, was responsible for this large-scale construction of castles to allow the King of England to retain this title in perpetuity. He constructed castles in the lands of his allies to keep them safe and in the lands of his enemies to keep them too afraid to attack. This continued under Godwin and even expanded to Denmark in his reign. By this point, England has reached a point in its history where it is fairly stable and indeed able to expand its hegemony across Scandinavia and the North Sea. The fortresses being built are where England seeks to solidify its power. These include places such as the tealdary in Norway, which is beginning to see the construction of walls. A representative of the Oslo tealdary speaks with Edwin at the Witan to lay out plans for what should happen if the tealdary is attacked by Norwegians. These plans include guarding the treasure merchandise with their lives should it come to it. The walls and docks of the tealdary see extensive construction this year. The maritime power that is England oversees the construction of 10 new ships and the retirement of half as many old ships. The Dunwich Pact sees expansion through southern England along the channel this year. This is largely the result of the crusaders passing through and using their ports as halfway points.
  • Keraite Khanate: Orta Balagasun, the capital of the Keraite Khanate, undergoes significant improvement, as the fortifications of the old Uyghur and Khitan fortress are repaired and strengthened even more, as the stone foundation of the exterior walls is bolstered by the addition of mixed wooden/stone extensions. Likewise, the construction of an imposing stone building, a very rare sight in the cities of the Steppes, built as a temple, a tribute in honor of the Holy Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Khan Marcus Buyruk proposes to his holiness, the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Eliya II Bar Moqli (Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon) the establishment of a new Metropolitan see, based in Orta Balagasun, his capital, to be housed in the newly constructed temple in honor of the Holy Trinity, as the proposed Metropolitan see would be encompassing everything east of the Irtysh river, to better service the needs of the Keraite and other Mongolian Nestorian faithful, given themore than apparent inability of the Metropolitanate of Merv to properly oversee the Keraite and the other Mongolian faithful, due to the vast distance and geographical obstacles, such as mountain ranges and desert ranges, that seperate the Metropolitanate of Merv from our region. The geographical boundaries of the proposed Metropolitan see have been specifically drawn as to avoid conflicting with the jurisdiction of the Metropolitanate of Merv, out of deep respect for them and their past great efforts at proselytizing and guiding us towards the one true faith, that of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Khan Marcus Buyruk offers substantial donations to the proposed local Metropolitan see, to enable the newly established local Metropolitan see to devote itself towards organizing its hierarchical structure, establishing new dioceses and archdioceses where needed, as well as appointing new priests to these dioceses and archdioceses under it, when there is a lack of. Finally, if the Metropolitan See is approved by his holiness, then Khan Marcus Buyruk nominates Cyriacus Dungkhait, a pious bishop, whose simple spiritual life should serve as an example to us all, to become the new Metropolitan of Orta Balagasun, for his holiness, the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Eliya II Bar Moqli (Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon) to decide. [Mod Response]
    • Eliya II agrees to this request
  • Lithuania: Martynas (b. 1108), son of Mattis, was in his childhood under the tutelage of Rus priests, and now he is a man interested in science and other academic issues, so he starts traveling to the main Rus' cities with intellectual activity to contact with scholars from there. The first ships are under construction of hired Rus shipbuilders in Pavilosta and Palanga, Lithuanians are learning their skills. Development of Cyrillic script for the Lithuanian language has started, and some characters are created for nonexistent sounds in Slavonic.
  • Almoravid Empire: Ibn Tumart cannot be stopped anymore. Prime Minister Ibn Tumart after recovery held the Emergency Diet at the start of the new year. In the emerald, oak, and gold interior, large parts of the Ulama Representatives' seats lie vacant. "My fellow brothers, I come to you today with great sadness that some of our trusted friends had betrayed not just myself, but the heart, soul, and spirit of the empire. Our movement and our leaders symbolize a metamorphosis, one that unfortunately for some, weren't willing to embrace. It has brought us to this point that I must report to you, ten of the conspirators and their families have been apprehended. These men are a symbol of our nation's hate and toxicity, channeled into one source right before our very eyes. For those of you who worry of my current condition, I must admit I have been heavily scarred...But my resolve could never be stronger! That is why on this day, we begin to fulfill our metamorphosis and conclude following the footsteps of our great leadership and the legacy of Yusuf as he saw fit!" With standing ovations and cheers, the next step in Ali and Ibn Tumart's plan moved quickly in-pace. Under a majority decision from the support of the Governors as well as the remaining Ulama, it was decided that a new generation would be appointed to fill in the missing seats. With Said al-Can being Supreme-Governor of Al-Andalus, he submitted a proposition to Ibn Tumart to appoint the young Istifan to the position of Governor of Assad (Formerly León). Amghar Ibn Tumert would be positioned as Vizier in the meantime to fill in the vacancy left behind by Omar I al Rasheed. Another list of legislations are passed as well. With these motions set in order, the final and 66th order is given: hunt down the remaining conspirators. One by one, their heads rolled. Meanwhile Estevan is tasked with the reconstruction of Assad. Firstly, fresh food and grain finally reaches the city after many years of war. Children who had lost their parents are sent south to Salamanka. Meanwhile the Assad cathedral is refitted to be a mosque. The incompetent local nobility who had subjected their population to this maltreatment are given the opportunity to be punished by the Assadian Mob. Estevan refuses to intervene in the matter resulting in the deaths of dozens of lords and noblemen of the former heartland of the Leonese Kingdom. In the meantime the Assadians displaced in the war begin to trek south. Estevan makes a deal to assist in their movements from the north to Casablanca, the developing city along the Empire's Moorish shoreline. Meanwhile, with failure to take a foothold in Valencia, Ali has to reorganize his strategy. In the meantime with the liberation of Assad, Sana finally readies for his march to Braga. Scout-Captain Hernan issues the order to extend reports further. In the meantime, with the Castilian Kingdom abandoning the Former Leonese, a detachment is sent out to Gijón to secure the shoreline along with the Almoravid Fleet. The now 10 year old prince, Iksander I ibn Ali, is sent off to study in Qortoba for the next 5 years.
  • High Kingdom of Iceland: King Þórður's success in Greenland spurred the High King to sail on to Vinland, landing on the Great Northern Peninsula of the island. Here, with Greenlanders sailing alongside him, Þórður requests fealty from the Vinlanders (mod response required), with overt suggestions of protection against the Skraelings and highlighting the shared heritage of the Vinlanders and Icelanders and, notably, highlighting the nearness of Iceland to Vinland. Þórður's desire remains for a secure land in case of population surplus, for settlements, as well as gaining an important base for the much-needed timber and myriad natural resources these untapped lands west of Greenland provide. Þórður further sails south to the southern point of the island, the location named Hóp (Mattis Point, Newfoundland) with a great show of establishing a colony, here he leaves Icelanders and Greenlanders to settle. The expedition moves on to Kjalarness (Forillon National Park area, Gaspe, Quebec) to repeat what had occurred at Hóp. Meanwhile, in Iceland, Sturla, guided by Ari, continues to de-facto govern, guided also by Hanna, his mother. Young Sturla's popularity continues to grow and, at Ari's suggestion, feelers are sent to England inquiring about potential brides for the youthful future-High King of Iceland, Sturla, and, to go with, possible alliance and friendship (England response required). Sturla further cements the goðorð system (translatable now, for lack of a better term, to earls/earldoms) modeled on a mixture of hereditary feudalism seen in Europe with the traditional electoral and somewhat free-flowing Icelandic/Norse model. Einar Þorgilsson and other important Icelanders obtain prominent court positions as goðorð, sworn to the High King but lords in their own right, while Sturla grows a strong friendship with goðorð Jón Loftsson of Oddi.
    • Vinland is only too glad to see people again
  • Byzantine Empire: Military investments. As the Sicilians prepared themselves for another attack upon Syracuse the army under Nikephoros extract themselves from the city. The Imperial Navy taking them out of the city leaving behind a skeleton crew of local defenders led by a loyal commander. The Navy then will transport the army to the other side of the island. There they will begin the siege of Palermo, debarking troops near the city to establish the siege and begin bombardments of the city from land and sea. The Imperial Navy forcing a decisive Naval battle against any Italian or sicilian naval forces in the region of Palermo to push them out of the area. As this occurs the Themata of Paphlagonia, Armeniakon, Charsianon, Kappadokia, Anatolikon, thrakesion, and Paradounavon will gather at Constantinople being around 25,000 strong, where 75 ships formerly sent to raid the North African coast will transport them and their 100 transport/supply vessels to Palermo to reinforce the besieging army there. Should Palermo fall before they arrive they will simply reinforce the city, but should they arrive whilst it is still under siege they will help assault the city bringing fresh troops, siege weaponry, and ships to supplant those lost in the fighting and raise their numbers to continue the fight in Sicily. Commercial investments: As the war in Sicily rages on the Emperor has entrusted his wife Irene of Hungary to begin making affairs of her own. The Emperor has devoted himself completely to the task of the war, commanding his generals and admirals in wartime strategy, which has left many internal domestic affairs in the hands of his capable advisors. However, his wife is pious and upright and wishes to do all she can for the nation. After having written to her cousin she has devised new plans. The war in Sicily presents new opportunities to the Empire. As many merchantry and commerce dependent cities have been hard hit from the cessation of Sicilian and plenty of Italian trade this creates new doors the Empire may open. The Empress will authorize the creation of a temporary board of commerce, this board will devise new strategies and implement ones being enforced across the seas for driving a prosperous commercial enterprise. One of the many new policies the board will undertake is the granting of low interest loans to commercial guilds and large merchant enterprises around the eastern med, mainly among those most affected by the loss of sicilian and Italian trade and commerce. In exchange for this the Empire will require, as part of a contract with these guilds and merchant enterprises, the establishment of commercial ties with the Empire including exclusionary deals. These will replace the old Sicilian and Italian commercial ties, and help to slowly shift the entirety of eastern Mediterranean trade into the control of the Byzantine Empire.
    • Sicily Tactical Response: Seeing the Byzantine forces evacuate Syracuse, Roger is quick to storm the city, rapidly overrunning its skeleton garrison and finally retaking Syracuse. With news that the Byzantine fleet has been sighted sailing north, however, Roger realizes they can only be trying to take Palermo and quickly assembles the army for a forced march. Roger is shocked the Byzantines would attempt to storm Palermo, the heart of Norman power in Sicily and the most fortified of all his cities. Leaving their own skeleton garrison in Syracuse, the Normans rapidly march to reinforce Palermo with 50,000 men, with another 5,000 rendezvousing with them at Messina after the Papal commander there is informed of the Byzantine attack. Together the 55,000 strong allied army brace to repel the incoming Byzantine attack. The allied fleet under John of Palermo also arrives in Palermo to provide whatever naval support the allied navy is able to offer.

1127

The Death of King Vladimir II Monomakh of the Rus sparks a major crisis as vassals of Kiev Polotsk, Novgorod, andRostov Refuse to recognize his son Rogvolod as King Rogvolod I of the Rus. Both sides begin mustering their men.

William II, the Duke of Apulia and Calabria, dies. The title of Apulia remains vacant without any children, but the most natural choice of succession goes to his cousin Roger II, the Count of Sicily.

Duke Theobold the Great of Normandy is annoyed that his daughter Mary will not end up marrying Odo of Burgundy, as he had previously planned. Instead, Mary is given in marriage to Count Geoffrey V "Plantagenet" of Anjou.

Duke William IX of Aquitaine dies. His inheritence, comprising a large portion of French territory, is inherited by his adult son who becomes Duke William X "the Saint".

In the Papal states,a member of the Vatican council flees to France where he talks about an illegitmate son of a former pope,this causes minor outrage in the papal states and calls or a investigation into the rumours is demanded.

The Northern Song Dynasty collapses in an event known as the "Jingkang incident". The armies of the Jin Dynasty sieges Keifeng for the second time, this time capturing the capital and sacking the imperial palace and surrounding area. Both the incumbent Emperor Qingzong and retired emperor Huizong are captured and imprisoned. The scale of destruction of the city is unprecedented, with imperial archives and royal treasures being looted and destroyed. The imperial harem was enslaved or mistreated, and the local population largely espulsed from the city or massacred. As a result of this catastrophe, the Jin Dynasty manages to sweep over northern China, annexing large territory from the Song.

However, much of the royal family and nobility, as well as the military managed to evacuate from the city and relocate south, organized by the prince Zhao Gou. Once the government is reorganized at the new Imperial capital of Nanjing, Gao Zhou is enthroned as the new Emperor Gaozong. Gaozong manages to preserve the contiguity of the government known as the "Southern Song" Dynasty, as well as continue the war against the Jin.

Count Charles I of Flanders dies. Having no children, the local city lords hold a vote and decide to accept Theoderic of Alsace as the new Count.

Fulcher of Chartres, a great chronicler of the Crusades and first Grandmaster of the Holy Sepulcher, dies while traveling from Taranto to Tripoli.

The Kalyan minaret (as part of the Po-i-Kalyan mosque complex) is completed in Bukhara (modern Uzbekistan).

Frau Ava publishes numerous poems in the German language.

Big fire breaks out in the city of Münster

Digging of the Vaartsche Rijn is started.

Smelling blood in the water, the Tunisian Sultanate sends 4,000 men to seize the Kerkennah Islands, taking advantage of distracted crusaders and the state of affairs in Sicily.

  • Papal States: The situation in Italy has begun to turn the tide in favor of the Catholic world. Pope Honorius II restores his papal regalia, and hosts the Consistory of Cardinals wearing the single-tier Papal Tiara. He proclaims there should be a season jubilee held in Rome, and sabbatical relief given to many soldiers in Sicily, carried in solemn mass to give thanks to Christ, Saint Peter and the Virgin Mary. The Greek heretics have been repulsed out of Syracuse, and while they attempted to attack Palermo, the defenses have forced a stalemate. Pope Honorius sends his papal legates to Count Roger, carrying the Pope's decision that he is appointed the new Duke of Apulia and Calabria. However, the new order of southern Italy would see both of these territories, collectively known as "the Two Sicilies", fall under direct vassalage of the Papal States. While the Norman states of southern Italy had always technically been a papal vassal since the time of Benedict IX, it wasn't until the occupation of the Norman-Byzantine War that effective power over the secular government was achieved. Count Roger, now a Duke, will find this arrangement in his best interests in order to restore the stability he now suffers from. (Sicily response). With the Byzantines defeated in Syracuse and stalemated in Palermo, even having depleted a third of their defensive forces, their persistence to conquer the island of Sicily at such great expense seems largely untenable. Emperor John's obsession with crushing the Normans of Sicily has expended numerous casualties for both the Catholics and Orthodox, while the rest of the Christian world in both Spain and the Levant suffer from attacks by the Saracens. Many rumors have spread that the Greeks have indeed allied themselves with the Saracens, having seen ships in the region of Egyptian origin, and allowing the Zengids to invade Jerusalem without remorse. Still, Pope Honorius is willing to give the benefit of the doubt for the sake of peace. Having arranged the new order of direct control in southern Italy, the Pope sends a letter to Emperor John, stating thus: In his Holiness' prerogative as liege of Sicily, he will reduce the naval size and projection of the County, withdraw their claims in Albania, forbid any violence against Byzantine trade, and transfer their naval and trade access in the Aegean coast to Venice, solely on the condition that the Byzantine forces will withdraw from Sicily, conclude a truce with the County for twenty years, and devote some military for the Crusader coalition against the Saracens (Byzantine response). King Raynald of Jerusalem is largely disillusioned that the Byzantine Emperor, both is political ally and father of his daughter-in-law, can't spare to lift a finger in their defense. He begins to rethink the advice from the surviving children of Prince Demyan, that the Byzantines are two-faced to say one thing and mean something else. 3,000 knights of Crusader orders are dismissed from Sicily to help fight in Jerusalem, taking the northern front against the Zengids. Meanwhile, the Pope turns his attention towards the situation in France. While Pope Urban II had helped to centralize the Church in France under the Primate of Gaul in Paris, the King of France still held a royal investiture over the Bishops in the kingdom, and not allowed the full Gregorian Reforms recently affirmed in the Lateran Council. Over the years, this has become in contrast with the neighboring kingdoms near France such as in Spain, Germany and Italy. Pope Honorius calls together a Synod in Dijon, consisting of Bishops across the Duchies of Burgundy and Aquitaine. In this Synod, the Pope proposes that these two dukes will concede Papal investiture over the Bishops in their realms alone, which will be separated from the royal investiture held by the Capetian lands. This will carry along the principles of the Gregorian Reforms and the Lateran Council. The Holy Pontiff has great respect for the piety of these two Dukes, William X and Hugh II, and expects the Synod to confirm their loyalty to the Church (Burgundy and mod response, please). The rumors of Pope Paschal II having a mistress is dismissed, citing his oath before the Consistory in 1110. Meanwhile, John Pascellion travels to Venice, looking for an honest job among people unfamiliar with his past. There he gets a job as a hired hand for a shipwright. One day, in the midst of his job he met a woman named Alice, the unmarried daughter of the Doge, and at once fell in love, although at this time it was not requited.
    • Sicily response: Roger gratefully accepts the Pope's wise decision.
    • Burgundy response: Hugh II accepts the Pope's proposal that acknowledge Papal investure over their own Bishops in Burgundy (since he is left with no choice).
  • Navarre: King Alfonso I of Navarre raises a force of 2,000, trained within a year. Located now in Burgos, Alfonso manages to bring a defensive force of volunteers, numbered at around 400, and heads back to Pamplona, where he oversees the construction of extra fortifications. The soldiers who had fought with him at Leon come with him, and form the Royal Pamplona Army. Burgos is also fortified. In summer, the Pamplona Army sets out to recapture Tarazona, personally led by Alfonso the Battler (algo request). Summer and autumn is a good time to live off the land, and food and supplies are stored. As they march through towns and villages, able-bodied men are taken into the army, and are trained as they marched, so that they had another 500-600 hastily drawn up soldiers. Horses are also taken. They plan to reach Tarazona before the end of autumn, and lay siege until spring, where they can restock with provisions. Meanwhile, Navarre is doing well economically and agriculturally, with the plains of northern Spain good for farming. The King implements a system, whereby the state could gain more supplies and become independently able to feed its people. A portion of all food produced by peasants shall be given to the state, where it can be stored for use by the military, and sakekeeping in the event of a famine or contamination of supplies.
    • Hi, I'm the player for House Barcelona (Catalonia) currently the Kingdom of Aragon & Navarre is engaged in a defensive Crusade against the Almoravid Empire. If you're on the discord for the map game you can reach out to me or one of the mods to catch up on in-game history in Spain
  • Wang Dynasty: War and destruction are happening all of the middle kingdom, the mandate of heaven seeming in favour of the Jin. Allthough not directly involved in the war Goryeo does feel some of the effects related to it. The main side effect that's feelable in Goryeo being refugees from all over the former Northern Song dynasty. This flood of refugees being part merchants and part religious and ethnic minorities, whom were invited over to Cho-Hang and Gungnae by Suck Junghoon. The Wonsu's addopted son offering full rights to the Liao Jǐng jiào (christians), Kāifēng yóutài zú (Jews) and Ānlā=Ān (Muslims), Jonghoon especialy being interested in Ānlā=Ān naval skills. The Ānlā=Ān being being often used by the song for the Director General of Shipping, this fact causes Junghoon to offer abled Ānlā=Ān to join the navy. Joining the navy and serving as advisors to the navy allowing the Ānlā=Ān to climb up the ranks and even possible join lower nobility, and change the social standing of their whole family. Junghoon even investing into translators to get the knowledge of the Ānlā=Ān into his navy. Another way of pleasing the foreigners is increasing the breeding of sacred animals, allowing the foreigners to set up their own butchers. Allthough this right is very much liked by all in the navy, it does not change much with fish still being the most common meat of naval cuisine.
  • County of Sicily: The inconclusive outcome of the battle of Palermo provides Roger some breathing space but not much. Word arrives from Southern Italy that his cousin William has died of natural causes and without an heir, leaving Roger as the most likely to inherit his lands and titles. As the new Duke of Apulia and Calabria, Roger utilizes the resources of Southern Italy now at his disposal, immediately sending 10,000 men from loyal Norman lords along with the remaining ships of the Apulian and Calabrian navy to Sicily. Additionally, Roger publicly announces a call for peace, drafting a lengthy letter in Greek and dispatching it throughout Byzantine lands via merchants and messengers, including sending a letter to the Emperor himself. In this letter Roger emphasizes that the expensive war has yielded nothing but destruction and slaughter on both sides and the murder of Christians by fellow Christians while the Muslims threaten Jerusalem itself. Declaring again that he has never sought war against the Byzantines and only ever wanted peace, Roger publicly asks the Emperor to restore peace to Christendom by withdrawing his forces from Sicily and to stop making war against Norman Sicily and Roger’s liege the Pope. In exchange, Roger will make a number of concessions, including permanently withdrawing all Norman naval forces from the Adriatic and Aegean Seas, granting significant trade concessions in any remaining Norman territories in the Balkans, guaranteeing the safety of all Byzantine merchants and citizens in Norman territory, forever renouncing any claims the Normans may still have on Byzantine lands, and swearing to never raise arms against the Empire or support its enemies [BYZANTINE RESPONSE]. Roger hopes that this will convince the people of the Empire that he seeks peace and will put pressure on the Emperor to make peace while also making it so that if the war continues blame for the spilling of Christian blood by fellow Christians will rest solely on the Emperor and his boundless ambitions. The loss of the Kerkennah Islands to the infidels of Tunisia, so soon after the withdrawal of Byzantine naval forces that had destroyed Norman defenses in North Africa, exacerbates the spread of rumors that the Byzantines have allied themselves to the Saracens. Along with reports that Egyptian mercenary ships have joined the Byzantine navy and the failure of the Byzantine Christians to aid the embattled Kingdom of Jerusalem, these rumors soon spread like wildfire throughout Sicily and southern Italy. Throughout lands held by the Italo-Normans, local priests and monks preach that the Byzantines have allied with the infidels against their Christian brethren, sparking waves of outrage and fury in the populace. With Ozouf de Pomeroy killed defending Palermo, George of Antioch is placed in command of the city’s defense. 5,000 men are additionally moved from Messina to Palermo to reinforce the forces defending the city while 2,000 are moved to Palermo from Syracuse. Prior to the battle Norman forces perform a pillaging maneuver to deprive the Byzantine’s of supplies. Archers and bands of militia harass the byzantine camp, attacking scavenging parties that depart the camp while attempting to burn any outlying tents or structures. Scouts are also stationed all around the camp and throughout the region to report on any Byzantine movements.
    • Papal dip: 5,000 mercenaries are additionally paid to add to the batlte at Messina
  • Keraite Khanate: The newly appointed Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun oversees the reorganization of the structure of the ecclesiastical territories under the Metropolitanate of Orta Balagasun, namely all lands east of the Irtysh river, encouraging the predominantly wandering local clergy to settle down into the newly constructed churches and monasteries, built in the surroundings of rivers and oases, whose establishment has been generously sponsored by Khan Marcus Buyruk, to gradually replace the non-permanent (yurt) churches. For his part, Khan Marcus Buyruk sees the ecclesiastical reforms of Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun as a means to an end, as he is more than eager to magnanimously sponsor the construction and the establishment of new churches and monasteries within, as well as outside of his realm, in his bid to indirectly exert influence and hold sway over the faithful of the Church of the East, as the sole Khan adherent to the Church of the East, thus expanding his power within his borders, as well as increasing his influence outside of his borders, by winning over the loyalty of the faithful of the Church of the East in that manner, all the while ushering the beginning of a golden period for the Church of the East in the Keraite Khanate. Furthermore, during this time, under the spiritual direction of Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun, Apostle Thomas is officially adopted as the patron saint and the protector of the Khan Marcus Buyruk’s family. Other than that, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun attempts to develop new acquaintances with western merchants, through contacting the Metropolitans of Samarqand and Merv to enlist their aid in that regard, in order to ensure a constant supply of wheat and wine for the local Church of the East, set aside for the most part for the celebrations of the Paschal Eucharist. In addition, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun engages in a subtle effort to root out Tengriist/shamanist and Manicheist influences, such as customs, traditions and rituals, that the local Church of the East has been tainted from since its inception, as well as to clear out any confusion in terms of liturgy, in a concentrated effort to bring the local Church of the East closer in line the Orthodox canonical organization, doctrine and rites of the Church of the East in Baghdad, through not without creating consensus amongst the local clergy of the Church of the East for these reforms to take place. However, these ecclesiastical reforms are pragmatic in nature, avoiding to alter anything that would conflict with the Mongolian way of life and diet for example, retaining the outstanding exemption of the local Church of the East from strict church law in regards to fasting, more specifically the current form that sees the Mongolian faithful of the Church of the East only abstaining from meat during the annual Lenten fast like other Christians, while the consumption of milk during that period is allowed, although they have to switch from "sour milk" (fermented mare's milk) to "sweet milk" (normal milk) to remember the suffering of Christ during the Lenten fast. Due to Khan Marcus Buyruk’s backing, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait ecclesiastical reforms are uniformly implemented throughout the territories of the Keraite Khanate, however in lands outside the Keraite Khanate, such as the Naiman Khanate and the Ongud Khanate that the Church of the East is prominent, as well as lands such as the Merkit Khanate, and the Khitan Khanate that the Church of the East has some limited presence, the power of Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun effectively relies on the willingness of the local clergy of the Church of the East and the local Khans to recognize and tolerate his authority and enforce his reforms, initially seeking to assert his authority amongst the local clergy, to have them recognize him as their new Metropolitan, in case they haven’t yet. To that end, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun dispatches emissaries bearing the seal of his holiness, the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Eliya II Bar Moqli (Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon), conveying his decision his decision to establish a new Metropolitan in Orta Balagasun, to be responsible for the region east of the Irtysh river and elaborating on the reasoning of his decision, as to better service the needs of the faithful of the Church of the East, given the more than apparent inability of the Metropolitanate of Merv to properly oversee the faithful of the Church of the East in this area, due to the vast distance and geographical obstacles, such as mountain ranges and desert ranges, that separate the Metropolitanate of Merv from our region. Likewise, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun dispatches missionaries and emissaries to the neighbouring Khans of the Naiman, Ongud, Merkit and Khitan Khanates respectively, seeking to establish contact with them, as well as to have them recognize his ecclesiastical authority as Metropolitan over their Church of the East faithful subjects, while also acting proactively to establish a working relationship to address everyday issues through the cementing of solid diplomatic ties, whom shall additionally act as a deterrent towards the phenomenon of horrid persecution that the Nestorian faith has experienced in other parts of the world, which even though it might be a rare phenomenon in Mongolia, the underlying possibility still exists for this phenomenon to occur, but also in persuit of the underlying purpose of proselytization of the aforementioned Khans, however acting carefully enough as to not offend the religious sensibilities of these aformentioned Khans, but only introduce and hopefully initiate them to Christianity and the Church of the East in a friendly and patient manner. [Mod Response]
    • As toleration of religion is intrinsic to the Mongol way of life, they see no reason to specifically protect a specific religion either, but they permit the proselytizing as long as the sacred mountains of their ancestors are not violated
    • Naiman accepts the request. Ongud and Merkit recognize the Metropolitan but maintain their own traditions, not seeing a need to standardize liturgy. Khitan doesn't believe that Orta Balagasun was made a Metropolitan
  • House Barcelona: With the war ongoing Ramon-Berenguer II laments the fall of Leon and the recent passing of his friend and ally William IX. He writes to his son-in-law, William X, affirming support and thanking him for his continued support. He also writes to Ximena, inquiring as to her health and happiness and his granddaughter Eleanor. Her reply mentions her sadness for her sister-in-law, the now-widowed Agnes of Aquitaine. She implores her father to find her a suitable husband to take on the young widow from among the Catalan nobility. Hearing this, Ramon arranges to have Felip de Cardona’s cousin Eduard-Pere de Cardona (b. 1102) marry Agnes of Aquitaine. (Mod Response for the widowed Agnes of Aquitaine). With that arranged, Ramon continues with the efforts to re-arm in this moment of peace. Elena de Cardona, adoptive daughter of Ramon-Berenguer II is married to Viscount Guerau I of Àger and Girona to ensure the loyalty of these regions. She is quickly with child and is expecting a birth in the coming year.
    • The marriage is accepted
  • Duchy of Burgundy: After securing political marriages and alliances with Sweden and Brittany, the Duke believes that Burgundy is on the right path especially with Odo being married to Bertha of Brittany, although the marriage between Odo and Bertha will happen nine years from now (1136). In order to cement Burgundy into a “regional stage” (or being relevant) in Western Europe, Hugh II sends a letter to Ramon-Berenguer II of Catalonia to establish diplomatic relations between two countries, a military alliance and a political marriage between two nations with Hugh II’s second eldest daughter Clemence of Burgundy (b. 1117) as a candidate. [House Barcelona response]. Burgundy has finally mustered around 2,000 Burgundian western knights to fight against the Muslims in the Iberian front as this was to show their loyalty to the Papacy. Under the orders of Pope Honorius II, they [Burgundian forces] were sent specifically to Castile-Leon. Meanwhile, the letter coming from the Papacy left Hugh II no choice because if he rejects the Pope's offer, there'll be likely a chance that he'll get excommunicated and Burgundy becoming an enemy to the Catholic world which the Duke doesn't want that to happen.
    • Emperor Ramon-Berenguer agrees to a marriage between Clemence and Ramon (b. 1107) in recognition of Burgundy's aid in the crusade.
  • Abbasids: Al-Mustarsahid dispatches envoys who will send the Jihad call to the Sultans of Hamadan and Khorasan, and asking for military support. [Mod response].
  • Byzantine Empire: Military moves. As the Italian forces move to inhabit and defend the city of Palermo this presents a unique opportunity to Byzantine forces. With the mass of tens of thousands of packed troops and the large populous of the city two things will be done. The first is to utilize Norman tactics against them in a move which may actually bring fruit from such schemes. In this regard the Byzantine forces will amass nearest the largest of the cities entryways, those capable of moving masses of troops and the Byzantine navy will utilize their massive siege engines to hurl large projectiles and large amounts of Greek Fire into the crowded and packed cityscape. The deteriorated condition of sanitation in the city due to the massive presence of troops and further troops that continue to trickle in at the behest of the Normans provide the perfect kindling for a great fire. As the largest entryways are blocked by the Byzantine military the troops within (and panicked city dwellers) will need to sally forth to meet the Byzantines outside the city, taking casualties as they do and their cohesion disrupted by the chaos of the bombardment. In Constantinople as the plans are made and Norman troops contnue to filter into the city of Palermo the Emperor will hire a contingent of 7,500 mercenaries made up of Latinikon, Mourtatoi, and various Byzantine mercenary bands such as Skoutatoi and toxotai. 5,000 Local themata from Nikea and Thrace will form an army of some 12,500 to be transported with 2 squadrons of the Imperial Navy, the 20 refitted war galleys, Egyptian privateers, and 100 supply and transport ships. Their destination is Messina, as it has been besieged once before and defenders from Sicily all converge at Palermo to defend the Sicilian capital the city presents itself a supple target for the Byzantine forces. With Roger now completely alienating the many Greek immigrants and Muslims he has conglomerated on the isle. The Byzantine forces in the region can begin rousing these masses against their tyrannical Norman Catholic overlords. Particularly in the south where cities are still held in Byzantine control and in and around Syracuse where the normans attempted to practically wipe out the city with no regard for the lives of its citizens to create a revolt in Syracuse and across the island against Norman rule.
    • Sicily Tactical Response: In response to reports from scouts in Southern Italy of yet another large Byzantine fleet heading to Sicily, the 10,000 reinforcements from Southern Italy are ordered to halt at Messina, where they spare no time repairing and improving upon existing fortifications under the command of Eugenius of Palermo. The 5,000 reinforcements sent to Palermo are also recalled and sent to reinforce Messina. In the meantime, the remaining Norman ships, bolstered by the Apulian and Calabrian fleet, engage the Byzantine navy heading for Messina, attacking them as they enter the straits of Messina.
    • Byzantine Tactical Response: In response to reports from scouts in sicily and southern Italy of more Italian reinforcements nearing Messina and the recall of Norman troops to the desperate defenders of Palermo the leader of the 12,500 strong force en route to Sicily Theodore Vatatzes orders the forces to turn southwards towards Syracuse, choosing the undefended city as their invasion point rather than Messina. And having heard of the Italian naval contingent near the straits of Messina striking out to engage the Byzantine fleet en route to Sicily, Eumathios Philokales the commander of the Byzantine Navy at Palermo orders that, once the bombardment and forced destruction of the Sicilian forces at Palermo are concluded, the Navy will move to intercept the backs of the Italian Navy forcing them from Sicilian waters once and for all.
    • Sicily Tactical Response: 20,000 men from Messina are sent to Syracuse.
    • A salvo of Greek fire and some intense onager fire absolutely devastate Palermo and the fortresses holding the garrisons there. Because the Sicilians already burned their docks playing with Greek fire, the regions around the docks act as something of a fire-barrier. The Palazzo dei Normanni catches fire and burns for almost a day before the fires peter out, severely damaging the structure. Many Roman and Punic ruins still extant even today in OTL are burned and destroyed.
  • Nippon: Taira no Tadamori continues his campaign to suppress pirates in the Inner Sea. His fleet now some 50 ships (galley style ships) methodically works its way up through Sanyo-do and Nankai-do bringing the coastal region under his control by the end of the summer. leaving some 500 men to garrison the various ports and patrol the inner sea Upon his return to Kyoto Tadamori once more attends to meetings with the Daijo Tenno (retired emperor) Toba-tenno providing him with counsel when asked. He must also contend with the politics of Court, dealing with the intrigues of the court nobles, Minamoto, and Fujiwara clans. As fighting among the various Sohei (warrior monks) belonging to the various Monasteries of Mount Hiei grows worse, there is a growing demand for Toba-tenno to address this matter. Tadamori offers his services to put an end to the violence, as does Minamoto no Tameyoshi the head of the Minamoto clan. Toba-tenno agrees to this plan however many of the court nobles and the Fujiwara clan oppose saying it is to early, though their protests are likely more out of fear of the growing power of the Taira and Minamoto. Fujiwara no Tadazane manages to delay the Taira-Minamoto plans after he reaches out to the temples at Mount Hiei bringing back word that they're willing to work things out and seek a meeting with Toba. Tadamori and Tameyoshi regardless begin summoningtheir retinue
  • Sultanate of Shewa: Badit sends off his children to the Sur empire for formal education. Halia the oldest aged 16 will try to find a husband, Badi aged 14 will learn for a few years before offering his service to the Sur. Malsi, 11 will join suit once he grows up (Sur response) Maymot the youngest will stay back until he is old enough to be sent too. Stone quarrys and iron mines are set up by local Gadaas to increase building supplies for the bustling stone villages that are arising. Mora becomes a trading settlement in the Afar region along the Awash. Engineers and mathematicians add to the quality of the road system as the Malassay forts have roads built between them. Gadaas also take up guiding rudimentary roads to connect each other. The city of Harar as-sabir is set up by the Dir and Isaaq Somali clans to act as a rest stop to the coast. The fledgling navy build experience by hunting Red Sea pirates. The council decides to mint its own coins to stop its monetary dependence on Egypt. The craftsman and new artisans add to a urban class that spends time in the rural areas to relax and hunt. More tribes settle around wells and mosque.
    • Sur Response: The Sultan agress to host the children at his palace in Lahore and will personally guide them.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the 16th and final full year of the reign of King Edwin of England and Denmark. He is the third member of House Godwin to hold England and the first to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Margrethe Skjalmsdatter Hvide of Denmark and has sired two children through her: Cnut (1092) who is married to Anne, Princess of Sweden and Æthelstan (1099) who is married to Maria Øysteinsdatter (1100). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Edwin has a daughter with Margrethe Skjalmsdatter named Agnes. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Edwin is popular throughout England, especially among the thanes. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Edwin maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons and grandsons of Morcar squabble over their ancestral realm. The region has been split and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. With Iberia turning into a warzone and the Mediterranean utterly on fire, England has enjoyed a period of prosperity and peace. The laws of Denmark saw extensive codification, a practice that had been ongoing for decades now, creating something not unlike a common law. English law shared many similarities with those of other Scandinavian countries. Largely tribal in origin, respect is given to folkright, or the ability of localities to enact and enforce their own laws. However, some semblance of an overarching legal system has been in place since Æthelbert of Kent. The 11th century saw a dramatic shift in English law, first because of Cnut the Great. Then, in the middle of the same century, St. Edward the Confessor may or may not have attempted to bring English law a little closer to Frankish law. However, much of what we know about Edward the Confessor's legal code comes from a treatise written in the OTL 1130s, which was written to legitimize Norman rule over England. Considering Edward oversaw the installation of many Normans to positions of power, there may or may not be more than a kernel of truth to the legal code of Edward the Confessor. Harold II continued this, strengthening English shared doom (lit. common law) where applicable. Godwin Scyling's reign saw the introduction of Denmark to the realm, necessitating an even stronger set of legal codes. 1127 marks the most likely year that the Doombook (book of judgment) was pieced together. It is based on an earlier compilation of English law in 893 under Alfred the Great, also named the dōm-bōc. This work, among many other things, codifies a number of introductions of Salic law, which have been parts of the legal codes of various kings since Edward, as well as solidifying the concept of shared doom in England as well as in Denmark. This will form the backbone of English and Danish law henceforth and marks a dramatic turning point in the legal history of the North Sea. Though Edwin, avid lawmaker that he was, spent a considerable amount of time ensuring that some commonality existed in the legal codes of the North Sea, it is more than likely that much of the Doombook was compiled posthumously to solidify English rule over Denmark. A revolt of the Earl of Fyn takes place, requiring an immediate response from Cnut Edwinson. He sends a force to deal with the errant earl only for several Danish and Norwegian thanes in Sodor to launch similar revolts. This is dealt with by Edwin Godwinson himself. The former of the two revolts is handled swiftly and mercilessly. Cnut Edwinson's ships sail into Odense, where in OTL, Cnut IV of Denmark was slain by a peasant mob in 1086. Cnut Edwinson himself is struck by a rock, causing a head wound that bleeds horribly through the battle and breaking his nose. Though Edwin is not pleased with this development, he uses it to his advantage in Sodor. The rebellious reeves take very little convincing to surrender and are shown mercy. The local courts are expected to honor this mercy and prosecute no man who took part in this rebellion. On his way back to London, Edwin suffers from a minor stroke. Having survived the circumstances that resulted in the death of his father Godwin, Edwin immediately summons a Witan. In passing down both England and Denmark to his son, Godwin flew in the face of Scandinavian tradition. Ironically, a hundred years earlier, Cnut the Great's division of his realm among his descendants flew in the face of English tradition, which favors keeping the peace under any circumstances (of course, this meant keeping the peace on English terms and many of England's offensive wars were "peacekeeping wars"), but nonetheless an effort was made to avoid conflict wherever. This had a double-sided effect on Anglo-Saxon armies. Avoiding war contributed to the relatively weaker armies in 1066, though it did wonders for English life expectancies. This desire for peace and security, or frith, has an important place in Anglo-Saxon culture and law and it is making its way into Scandinavia. Unifying England under one crown had much to do with this concept and is what separated late Anglo-Saxon monarchies from other Germanic monarchic systems. With that in mind, Edwin intends to continue the system of one king ruling a united North Sea. There are a number of possible heirs and each have their own massive problems. Cnut Edwinson is the first son of the king and has been ruling in Denmark as Earl of Scania for some time and his alliance with Anna of Sweden preserves the peace in Scandinavia. However, his drunken escapades are well documented. He is not popular among some of the English nobility, who instead favor Wulfstan. He has an alliance with Scotland, but has no male heirs. Last time that happened in England, a Norman almost usurped the throne, possibly throwing England into a thousand-year dark age. Cnut Haroldson is favored in Denmark and some parts of England. However, Edwin has no intention of naming his uncooperative half-cousin his heir, not to mention that Cnut Haroldson does not hold a very good alliance. With a lack of a better alternative, Edwin names his son Cnut his heir. The ætheling takes on further responsibilities later in the year as he travels to England to assume the duties of his father. Edwin's health continues to decline, putting more weight on Cnut's shoulders. He sends much of his time in a state of prayer, as the pious King Edwin has transformed the Catholic Church in England and Denmark. He frequently calls the archbishop of Canterbury over to Westminster to hear confessions about everything and anything he is ashamed of, many of which are mundane. Edwin donates a large sum of money to the church and begins summoning a special Witan primarily of clergy to find proof of miracles performed by his late sister Eadgyth, hoping to have her canonized as a saint at some point. In November, it seems as if Edwin is going to make a full recovery, and even plans to appear at the end-of-year witan. However, one cold winter's morning, Edwin of England and Denmark dies peacefully and suddenly in his sleep. He was 57. His son Cnut is crowned before the end of the year, becoming Cnut III of England and Canute V of Denmark.
  • Kingdom of Sweden:King Sigismund II recives the death of his friend and ally,Edwin of England and sends his deepest condolences to him.Following this,he attends the coronation of Cnut III and offers his daugther Edit as a bride to a person of choiche of the royal family of England(English response needed)Following this,the king announches the creation of the Duchy of Sigismundia,a duchy which will be under the control of the crownw prince much like the previus title of Duke of Jämtland.Crown Prince Gustavus celebrates his new title(a honoroary title without any power) by visiitng all the major cities in Sigismundia.AS Sigismund II begins to grow older,the crown prince begins taking on more of the kings royal duties.In response to the situation in Novgorod and Kiev,Sigismund II orders high alert on the border with novgorod and begins a mobilization of the twoo strong karelian and sapmi forces.

1128

Following his success at the Golan Heights, Reynald manages to recruit the support of the Demyanovich brothers Ivan and Pyotr along with some 5,000 Armenians and Rus who also pledge their support for the King of Jerusalem on the promise that they in time aid in the liberation of Armenia.

Rogvolod I of Kiev clashes with the armies of Rostov and Novgorod at Smolensk while Polotsk carries out raids into Kievan lands to the west. Rogvolod calls on his Cumanian allies for aid, and also calls on the Lithuanians who have pledged allegiance to Kiev to honour their vows and join the fray.

Count William of Portugal petitions to the King of Galicia for his autonomy while fighting against the Moors, to bestow the title of "Prince of Portugal".

The Song dynasty continues to fight a losing battle against the Jin, but have successfully re-organized the government at their new capital in Yangchou.

The Kingdom of Champa invades Vietnam.

Bruges begins to differentiate herself from the serounding countryside, with walls and small canals begin slowly dug and build.

With John II Komnenos insisting on complete Sicilian annexation after a lengthy and costly war for the Byzantines that has so far resulted in a number of military blunders and few successes, the themata armies now under control of Theodore Vatatzes know they are likely not going to get their promised lands, and that the war is likely going to go on with the Byzantine war machine continuing to falter. Theodore Vatatzes insists on offering peace. Regional kings and duxes, particular in Trebizond and Cilicia, begin acting autonomously. This includes the likes of Constantine Gabras, who rules his realm more like an independent state than a vassal of the Roman Empire.

  • Navarre: (Tarazona algo hasn't been done yet; more to come)
  • Keraite Khanate: While the reformation process continues. The newly appointed Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun continues to oversee the reorganization of the structure of the ecclesiastical territories under the Metropolitanate of Orta Balagasun, namely all lands east of the Irtysh river, continuing to encourage the predominantly wandering local clergy to settle down into the newly constructed churches and monasteries, built in the surroundings of rivers and oases, whose establishment has been generously sponsored by Khan Marcus Buyruk, to gradually replace the non-permanent (yurt) churches. For his part, Khan Marcus Buyruk sees the ecclesiastical reforms of Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun as a means to an end, as he is more than eager to magnanimously sponsor the construction and the establishment of new churches and monasteries within, as well as outside of his realm, in his bid to indirectly exert influence and hold sway over the faithful of the Church of the East, as the sole Khan adherent to the Church of the East, thus expanding his power within his borders, as well as increasing his influence projection outside of his borders, by winning over the loyalty of the faithful of the Church of the East in that manner, all the while ushering the beginning of a golden period for the Church of the East in the Keraite Khanate. Other than that, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun continues to attempt to develop new acquaintances with western merchants, through contacting the Metropolitans of Samarqand and Merv to enlist their aid in that regard, in order to ensure a constant supply of wheat and wine for the local Church of the East, set aside for the most part for the celebrations of the Paschal Eucharist. In addition, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun continues to engage in a subtle effort to root out Tengriist/shamanist and Manicheist influences, such as customs, traditions and rituals, that the local Church of the East has been tainted from since its inception, as well as to clear out any confusion in terms of liturgy, in a concentrated effort to bring the local Church of the East closer in line the orthodox canonical organization, doctrine and rites of the Church of the East in Baghdad, through not without creating consensus amongst the local clergy of the Church of the East for these reforms to take place. However, these ecclesiastical reforms are pragmatic in nature, avoiding to alter anything that would conflict with the Mongolian way of life and diet for example, retaining the outstanding exemption of the local Church of the East from strict church law in regards to fasting, more specifically the current form that sees the Mongolian faithful of the Church of the East only abstaining from meat during the annual Lenten fast like other Christians, while the consumption of milk during that period is allowed, although they have to switch from "sour milk" (fermented mare's milk) to "sweet milk" (normal milk) to remember the suffering of Christ during the Lenten fast. Due to Khan Marcus Buyruk’s backing, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait's ecclesiastical reforms of the local Church of the East continue to be uniformly implemented throughout the territories of the Keraite Khanate, as well as the territories of the Naiman Khanate, whose Khan and local Nestorian clergy tolerates these ecclesiastical reforms of the local Church of the East, with the local Church of the East clergy within the Ongud and Merkit Khanates opting to retain their existing liturgy, traditions, organization, doctrines and rites, as opposed to acknowledging the standardization of local Nestorian liturgy, traditions, organization, doctrines and rites, yet recognizing the authority of the Metropolitanate of Orta Balagasun and its Metropolitan, Cyriacus Dungkhait, with the local Church of the East clergy within the Khitan Khanate going as far as to reject the authority of the Metropolitanate of Orta Balagasun, along with his ecclesiastical reforms, something that is perceived by the Metropolitan as a purely outrageous act that serves as an affront to his divine role as one of God's representatives on Earth, effectively undermining his authority over the rest of the Nestorian faithful as a result and opening the way for divergent opinions that could later manifest themselves in a permanent schism in the future, damning the faithful to a perpetual infighting and suffering, as historic memory has shown to happen during the Nestorian Schism, alongside a plethora of other schisms of God's Holy Church, something that Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait wants to avoid at all costs, as such, this rejection of his ecclesiastical authority cannot be tolerated. Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun thus enlists the assistance of Khan Marcus Buyruk of the Keraites to mediate between him, the Khan of the Khitan Khanate and the local clergy of the Church of the East, in his bid to assert his ecclesiastical authority over the local Nestorian clergy and faithful. At the same time, a plead is sent to the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Eliya II Bar Moqli (Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon) in Baghdad to dispatch an official representative of his holiness to affirm to the Khitan Khan and the local Nestorian clergy that Orta Balagasun was indeed elevated into a Metropolitanate and thus assist us to preserve the integrity of the local Church of the East. [Mod Response] Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun in addition embarks on an effort to proselytize the Tengriist inhabitants of the Naiman, Merkit, Ongud and Khitan Khanates under his juridstinction to the one true faith of Jesus Christ and bring those folks under the fold of the Church of the East, dispatching Nestorian missionaries carrying the bible to show the light to the rest of the Mongolian people, however in a manner respective of their Tengriist faith, as these missionaries are strictly instructed by Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun to avoid violating the sacred mountains of their ancestors at all costs. It is at this point that Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun realizes the sheer size of the shortage of Bibles within the lands of Mongolia, even more so apparent in Bible translations to the Mongolian language, as past attempts at translating the Bible to the Mongolian language, with only but a few unofficial works made to translate the Bible during the past century and a half that the Keraite people have converted to the Christian faith, and even those ones being only partially completed and a lot of times containing significant errors, as those works have been individually done by Mongolian monks, lacking any significant resources in their efforts. This apparent lack of Bibles and inability to fully understand the ones available imposes an enormous difficulty to missionaries and their proselytization efforts, effectively halting them to a crawl. Seeking to alieviate this compounded issues, Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun takes a firm multidimensional approach, initiating his efforts to translate the Bible to the Mongolian language, contacting the Patriarch of the Church of the East, Eliya II Bar Moqli (Catholicos of Seleucia-Ctesiphon) in Baghdad and the Metropolitan of Merv to that end and requesting their assistance in his efforts to translate the Bible to the Mongolian language, while also seeking to make sure that the translation work would comply with the Church of the East's standards [Mod Response], while also simultaneously encouraging the learning of the Greek Syriac and Latin languages amongst the local Church of the East clergy, instituting the establishment of ecclesiastical Greek Syriac & Latin language schools, to make usage of the vast ammount of Greek Syriac & Latin language Bibles that can be procured from the West, while this would also serve to enable the translation of great works from eastern and western sources alike, ultimately serving for the benefit of the faith. Again, Khan Marcus Buyruk more than generously provides the nessecary funds for these latest projects of the Metropolitanate of Orta Balagasun, believing his fortunes to be interchangeably linked with those of the Metropolitanate, as it serves to increase his power projection capacity and influence far beyond the borders of his realm.
    • The Khitan churches acknowledge the word from Eliya but will prefer maintaining independent traditions.
    • Eliya II believes it would be easier to proliferate the Greek Syriac Bible that had been used by Nestorians since ancient times, as the vast majority of Mongols are illiterate. But at the expense of the Mongol churches he is willing to allow them to translate the Bible in Mongolian if that's what he really wants to do.
    • Keraite Response: Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun might not be fully pleased with the fact that the Merkit, Ongud and Khitan local Churches of the East insist to ignore his championed refomrs and maintain their existing traditions, however he is willing to accept the fact, under pressure from Khan Marcus Buyruk, (whom at the current time isn't willing, or even ready to resort to more extreme solutions to resolve this dispute), at least for the time being, instead shifting his focus entirely towards the local Church of the East within the Naiman Khanate, which is tolerating the ecclesiastical reforms he's championing for, overseeing their implementation and seeking to ensure consensus at all times from the local Nestorian clergy in the Naiman Khanate. Metropolitan Cyriacus Dungkhait of Orta Balagasun greatly thanks Patriarch Eliya for his permission and assistance in his difficult task, procceding with his translation work of the Greek Syriac Bible to the Mongolian language with the Patriarch's assistance to ensure compliance(/that any mistakes made will be corrected to be in accordance with the holy scriptures etc), while simultaneously planning for a mixture of Greek Syriac & Mongolian language Bibles to be read in alternation, to ensure that the word of God is accessible to every living soul, whether literate or illiterate, Mongolian language speaker or otherwise, and as fast as possible at that.
  • Duchy of the Two Sicilies: The Byzantine attempt to conquer Sicily drags into its fourth year, with both sides now sustaining heavy casualties and being drained financially. However, Sicily retains control of all its major cities, and for the first time defeats a Byzantine naval contingent, sending them scurrying back home. News also reaches Sicily that the Byzantine’s regional governors have begun exerting more regional control and disregarding the Emperor, threatening to plunge the Byzantine Empire into a civil war. While tactically the war has turned in favor of the Italian allies, the Battle of Palermo in 1127 is a shocking display of slaughter, cruelty and the Empire’s blatant disregard for human life, with hundreds of civilians and thousands of soldiers killed by the Empire’s brutal tactics and the fire that raged throughout Palermo. As news of the battle and its massive casualties spreads, some Sicilians laugh or cheer while others weep, but most are simply silent. While the fire is extinguished, the damage to the city and its inhabitants is extensive, and Roger and his nobles are horrified by the cruelty displayed by the Byzantines. Throughout the island, tales of Byzantine slaughter of civilians, regardless of their religion or ethnicity, unites the island in a hatred of the invader, with even Greek Orthodox clergy at this point coming forward to denounce the Emperor and his forces and urging the local Greek populace to resist. As if to epitomize Byzantine destruction of all the peoples of Sicily, Roger’s pet project, the Cathedral of St. Michael, a place of multiculturalism, education and discourse between various Muslim, Greek and Latin scholars, is destroyed by the Byzantine’s greek fire attacks. Roger himself is stunned by the brutality of the war, with the fields of dead and dying surrounding the city presenting a sobering sight to even the hardest of soldier. He is often seen standing on the walls staring at the fields of dead and dying in silent contemplation. The cries and moans of pain can be heard throughout the city, causing many to weep at the misery of the slaughter. In a famous instance, a Sicilian peasant woman from the surrounding area, fed up by the cries for help, goes into the field with a bucket of water, tending to the wounded and providing what little help she can to injured soldiers on both sides. The sight of a lone woman tending to thousands of dying young men moves soldiers on both sides, and both the Italian allies and Byzantines allow her to go on. Throughout Anatolia and the Balkans Norman messengers spread word of shattered state of the Byzantine military in Sicily, attempting to encourage local rulers to rebel against the Byzantines while their military and defensive garrisons are committed to a foreign invasion and have suffered nearly 35,000 casualties, over a third of the entire Byzantine’s military capacity [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. The Normans also interrogate the captured Byzantine general Nikephoros Bryennios, and from the interrogation learn of the war weary state of the Byzantine forces, who by now have fought for four years with no gains to show for it and have suffered 35,000 casualties. With this knowledge in hand, the Normans begin sending messengers to the Byzantine camp to negotiate a peace with Theodore Vatatzes, offering the Byzantine soldiers land in Sicily if they wish to switch sides and fight for the Normans of Sicily, sending Greek clergy loyal to Roger to bolster the offer’s credibility. To any soldier that simply wishes to return home, Roger promises all Byzantine soldiers safe passage out of Sicily and Southern Italy in exchange for peace [MOD RESPONSE NEEEDED].
    • Byzantine troops In sicily Response: Theodore Vatatzes agrees to peace with Sicily but refuses to disobey his pledge of allgeigence to the emperor and simply states that he and his troops want to return home.
  • Kingdom of Sweden:Seeing the all out civil war in Russia,King Sigismund II begins mobilizng an combined army of 15000 Swedish and baltic troops on the border with the so called Novgorodian karelian protectorate.He is unwilling to attack yet as he wants to see whether Kiev is able to hold first.Meanwhile King Sigismund II issues a royal decree calling for the increase in payment to the troops.This is done as a response to the added economic surplus this year.With the war for sicily all but over,most of the swedish forces return home with tales of victories and sadness.In particular sadness is the news about the death of the kings second son ERic.Eric was killed by a byzantine archer while he was rescuing a sicilian woman from certain death.The king is so saddened by this death that he builds a statue of prince Eric riding his favorite horse in the central square of Gustavia.Crown prince Gustavus and his wife celebrates the birth of their second son who they name Sigismund in honour of the king.
  • Wang dynasty: A new sect of Taoism is founded with the continued worship and use of the 哈希什 (Haphuiship) plant by the daoshi (道士 "master of the Tao") close to the millitary government of the Great Wonsu 石峯. This new way of taoist worship is often called 哈希什敎 (Haphuishipgyo), allthough many would not call it a religion of a new way of life. The Wonsu himself calling it a enhancement of Taoism, himself seeing 哈希什 (Haphuiship) as a tool get into more restfull spiritual way of thinking. The plant being burned togheter with candles and other forms of incense by the Monks and priests loyal to Bong. Other people loyal to Bong are the Ānlā=Ān (Muslims), Kāifēng yóutài zú (Jews) and Liao Jǐng jiào (christians) the Liao Jǐng jiào apearing to integrate best out of all the refugees in Cho-Hang. Their religion revolving around a Budha apointed emperor, which allthough not the same with the heavenly mandate is simmilar enough as to keep the harmony. This combined with the Liao Jǐng jiào spirit of adopting the habits and the cultures of Goryeo and her people. The Christians even due to a lack of traditional grape wine use 葡萄酒 (Podoju) a fruit wine made from rice wine which is mixed with grapes. A people who cannot drink any wine, their Budha forbidding them being the naval Ānlā=Ān. Whom with their new gained priveledges and wealth start to join the navy in proportionally big numbers. Many of this comunity excelling at the 科擧 Gwageo millitary examination and her lesser variants. The exams for naval possitions still being mostly based on the millitary one with some added civilian aspects due to navy being more often in contact with remote and foreign people. 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon) even apointing Zakariyya Junaid Gim as the head to the Wonsunate navy, this being reconfirmed by his father 石峯 (Suck Bong).
  • Mohawk Tribe: The Mohawk or Kanienʼkehá꞉ka people have long since inhabited the Mohawk river valley. Long regarded as the guardians of the east, the Mohawk have repelled multiple algonquian raids. According to oral traditions, by this time, both the Iroquoian and Aloquinian peoples were shifting to agriculture, with food being supplemented by hunting. The current Mohawk chief, Atená:ti has just been appointed following his predecessor’s demise to illness. His first act is to encourage farming of squash and maize to ensure there will be enough food for the winter. Meanwhile, he assembles a force of 800 to raid the Mochians to seize their fertile Hudson river valley. (ALGO NEEDED) This force will be Archers, spear throwers and men armed with melee weapons. The provisions would be carried by dogs and the troops themselves with pouches . Scouts would distract the enemy while the main warband finishes them off.
  • House Barcelona: Hoping to end the war Ramon writes to his counterpart Ibn Tumart, hoping that they might agree to terms amenable to the Moors to end the bloodshed. He offers a status-quo peace, with the Moors retaining the city of Leon and surrounds. He also seeks to guarantee the passage of both Muslim and Christian pilgrams and a possible cessation of pirate activities by both parties. Otherwise, he prepares for another assault.
  • Papal States: With the conclusion of the Council of Viminal, which was disrupted by unforeseen political disputes, the Catholic Church now sets out on the Third Crusade with the stated intention of Recovering the Ark of the Covenant, although this is largerly seen as a religious cover for the recovery of the cities of Damascus and Aleppo. The organization structure that amassed the recent Italian coalition in Sicily is used for amassing a new coalition, this time under the Cross of Saint Godfrey. The manpower for the crusade is drawn from the military that had opted to not participate in the recent conflict in Sicily, and thereby are fresh troops without any war weariness. While the consistory of Cardinals are aware of the delicate politcal situation in the Mediterranean, the fact remains, as indicated by the Pope, that the Holy Land is under threat from the Jihad recently declared. 15,000 troops from Venice are combined with 6,000 troops from England, led by 5,000 knights of various Holy Orders (Hospitaller, Holy Sepulcher, Templars), which are carried to Tyre on 140 ships and combined with the remaining 18,000 troops in Jerusalem and 5,000 volunteers from Armenia (mod confirmation that these forces all participate in the Crusade). In total, a force of 49,000 troops are placed under the overall command of Count Pons of Tripoli and King Raynald of Jerusalem. This force pushes back againts the Zengids, crossing the Jordan River to capture a defensive position near Mount Nebo (Algo requst, please). 40,000 troops left over from the Italian coalition in Sicily remain on the island for the time being, working to restore order against minor disorders and insurrections in various cities, and gradually reconstruct the cities of Syracuse and Palermo. This force will also ensure the full integration of the Norman states of southern Italy under the vassalage of the Papal States. The Pope also reaches out to Emperor Ramon II of Spain, that if his war against the Moors is still ongoing he may pull troops from this pool of Italo-Normans for that purpose (Barcelona response). Historical anecdotes and contemporary records suggest that enthusiasm for this Crusade became almost the same level as the First Crusade from the 1090s, due to the present threat posed by the Jihad against the Crusader states in Jerusalem. For example, one famous story said how Hugh de Paynes had a daughter named Olivia, who insisted on sharing in her father's glory to fight in the Holy Land, but he refused to take her with him. With her own determination, Olivia took on armor to disguise herself as a man, and independently volunteered in the Crusade alongside her father's regiment. The prophetess Hildegard of Bingen gave cryptic clues for the Crusaders to help them locate the sanctuary of the Ark of the Covenant: The Breath of God, the Word of God, the Path of God. Only a penitent man shall pass. Only in the footsteps of God shall he proceed. Only in the leap from the lion's head shall he prove his worth. The three teenage Crusaders of Rome (William of Ivrea, Bohemond of Antioch, Gioconde Orisini) were also know to have participated with the other Italo-Normans, but they suffered many hardships on the way. William of Ivrea was kicked by a war horse, which possibly gave him permenant damage in his lower intestants. King Raynald of Jerusalem is now surprised that not only has the Byzantines, his official ally, not sent any help at all for the defense of Jerusalem, but now the first people to respond to help Jerusalem are the Russo-Armenians from the house of Demetrivich. While Raynald does not officially dissolve any alliance, he does at this point consider the Byzantines a rather unreliable ally, and from any diplomatic standpoint is no longer worth considering. Meanwhile, Pope Honorius focuses on other religious matters across the rest of the Catholic world. With the success of the Synod of Dijon, the Churches across Aquitaine and Burgundy are ceded under Papal supremacy, and thus disconnecting them from the ecclesiastical structure centered in Paris by King Louis. This is considered to be a comprimise to satisfy Bishop Stephen of Senlis, without taking an approach too radical for the time being. Bishops are appointed for the cities of Holstein and Skandium, and the Obortrites are recognized as a Catholic state outside of the control of the Empire (like OTL Lithuania) (Obortrite and Sweden response). In light of England's support in these Crusades, the Pope the late Queen Edith of Jerusalem beatified (England response).
    • English Response: Around this time, parallels between Edith and the Virgin Mary are made by the clergy. In decades time, these parallels will shift into stories of Edith being guided by visions of the mother of Christ in dreams and prayer. The line between myth and reality begins to blur, especially as more people who knew Edith pass away.
    • Obotrite Response: Knez Henry appreciates his recognition by the Pope and will make an effort to rein in the Magnate's raiding of German lands to better demonstrate his commitment to coexistence with the Christians.
    • Barcelona Response: Ramon-Berenguer would accept such support, and would be willing to continue the fighting should it materialize. He suggests that such an effort be focused on retaking Leon and perhaps Zamora if forces can be organized to that end.
  • Lithuania: As Martynas has been at Kievan lands for the last year, he is the first member of the royal family who knows more about tensions between the Rus nobles. He warns his father (Mattis), who will take the necessary actions. The Prince declares an offensive campaign against Polotsk, and he assembles an army of 9,500 men (4,500 Kaunas Infantry, 3,500 Aukstaitian cavalrymen, and 1,500 Lowland Bowmasters); Šarunas Ulys will lead them. Few converts are becoming priests with Rus support, and Gražvydas of Siauliai is one of the most important; he travels to Dundaga settlement to collect more features about the Livonian language, to convert these tribes.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the first full year of the reign of King Cnut III of England and Denmark. He is the fourth member of House Godwin to hold England and the third to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Anna of Sweden and has sired three children through her: Alfred (1114), Leofgifu (1116), and Anna (1120). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Cnut has a brother named Æthelstan (1099) who is currently serving in the Varangian Guard in Constantinople. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Cnut is popular throughout England, though many of the nobles in the former lands of Mercia sometimes chafe under his rule. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Cnut maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons and grandsons of Morcar squabble over their ancestral realm. The region has been split and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. The witan held on the first day of the year rarely wraps up by the time most would prefer, though this year is one of the longest. Cnut III insists on inserting issues into the witan that are not related to fiscal policy. Though the members of the witan present try to steer the king back in the right direction, their efforts are frequently very short-lived before Cnut finds another new thing to obsess about for the rest of the day. The councilors are becoming irritated and it is clear that Cnut III is also losing his patience with his incredibly important matters being shelved. Many of the debts and legal matters the early January witan is meant to wrap up end up being kicked back to the local folkmoots from whence they came. Some make an appearance at the end of this year, when next January's witan is upon London. Edwin's legal code, just about all of which is still being used, allows England and Denmark to deal with the sheer volume of legal cases being kicked back and forth between every folkmoot, thing, and witan. News of the end of the war in Sicily begins to reach England and Cnut is hopeful that the way will soon be safe for other crusaders to send forces to the Holy Land. Currently, England is supplying the Iberian front at the head of Cnut Haroldson. About 2,500 crusaders return home from the front and are replaced with fresh recruits. Cnut Haroldson himself is growing older and expects to return home to England next year, to be replaced by a different general. Cnut pursues a policy of expanding English presence into the rest of Christiandom. First, he proposes a marriage between Pere-Ramon and his niece Ebba (Barcelona Response) Though he would like his youngest son to return to England soon, the situation in the Byzantine Empire seems precarious and rife for opportunity for Æthelstan to make a name for himself. Of course, this is exactly what the young Varangian is trying to do. Especially this year, Æthelstan has his head to the ground, keeping an ear out for plots against John II or any of the Komnenoi. Those that are found are brought to the attention of the emperor immediately. The recent war between Sicily and the Eastern Roman Empire, the former of which was supported by the Pope himself, was a bookmark in East-West tensions that have been rising since the 1054 schism, and the crown hopes to be able to help mend the gap between Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.
    • House Barcelona: Emperador Ramon-Berenguer agrees to the proposed marriage between Ebba and Pere-Ramon.
  • Obotrite Confederacy: Woldemar begins to govern the realm in the stead of his father who has been faced with declining health possibly due to old age and as a result must take time to hopefully recover. Woldemar continues the policies propogated by his father primarily in supporting the development of agriculture throughout the fledgling realm. A problem begins to rear its head in Arkona where the High Priest has begun to grow disatisfied with the policies of the Nakonids that have permitted a return of Christianity to the region. The High Priest is not alone with his dissatisfaction as fellow Volknh and some nobles begin to voice their opposition to the policies. In response to the growing dissatisfaction, Woldemar begins to consolidate his hold over the Jomsviking by attempting to leverage the position of the Knez as their sponsor to move those who he trusts into officer positions within the Order. Furthermore, Woldemar makes an effort to visit the most important voivodes both to assess them and to deal with problematic issues that may need the direct hand of his father in addressing. Recognition by the Pope eases the worries of Henry and Woldemar regarding the fate of Obotrites domain and its uncertain future though this means little to the still mostly pagan people.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: To show support for the Jihad The council agrees with Badit suggestion to send 8,000 Malsssy to Ayla. Many merchant ships are rented and sent off. They hastily make land fall out side the castle and set up camp. The malassys in the west continue to spread culture and religion to the tribes bolstering the settlements being set up around the forts. Regular scouting patrols begin on the Damot border. Stone villages and terraced farms line the Awash showing the prosperity and rapid urbanization of our region. Young men from around the nation begin to compete in not only war games but debate and academics. Settlements in the Bale and around the Shabelle continue to grow as well as these are the native lands of the Oromo. Badit starts his own coffee and cotton farms. Engineers begin to design a bridge to cross the Awash.
  • Cumans: It is the 29th year of Khagan Bonyak's reign, and he is sending 2,500 Yedisan Raiders, 1,000 Sharukan Archers, and 500 Qipchak cavalrymen to support our Kievan ally. With the Codex Cumanicus completed, the Khan declares the Cuman as the official language and lingua franca in the domain. In the west, it continues a process of sedentarization, where Cumans and Uzes are resettling barely populated areas; examples of this are the cities of Sıkhsvar, Akkirmen, and Jašʹ.
  • Iroquois: small amount of tribes move to the north and make new founded tribes, they begin to expand to the great lakes and begin to fish for food near the lakes, the tribes call the groups of tribes, Iroquois and after a while then begin to build a town named Onondaga, they make it the capital and send 1,000 men to defend the capital, Onondaga.
  • High Kingdom of Iceland: With no response forthcoming from England over the last year or two the proffer of Sturla, the future High-King, to wed is moved to Edit of Sweden and with it a potential friendship and alliance (Sweden response requested). King Þórður further cements the goðorð system in Iceland and, now, Greenland, establishing powerful earls ruling beneath the High King, with election capability for that position, though the slanting of favor towards the house of Þórður remains paramount. Þórður's obsession remains westwards however and, after spending the previous year in Iceland, he once again sails for Vinland, bring more settlers and further entrenching a trade system between the two islands of the north, Vinland and Iceland, with valuable resources on the former and valuable supplies, settlers, and equipment from the latter. Þórður lingers on Vinland and makes Leifsbuðir (L'Anse aux Meadows) his homebase, making a grand ceremony about setting a new King's Hall there, a second Þingvellir (the de-facto capital of Iceland). Building begins on the hall, homes and more, as well as pallisades and security. He sails further, following the Furðustrandir (Wonderstrands, the coast of Quebec along the St. Lawrence) from Hóp (Mattis Point, Newfoundland) and landing in the Kjalarness region (Forillon National Park area, Gaspe, Quebec) at the settlement of Straumfjörð (Chaleur Bay) where the High King again deposits settlers and begins a mild building process, including pallisades. Sharing its name with the settlement, the waterway Straumfjörð (Saint Lawrence River) is explored by teams which include priests intent on spreading the word of God among the heathens of Skraelingland. Sturla settles back into his growing dominance of Iceland meanwhile, Ari aiding in the fine-tuning of governance while his father, the High King, whiles away his visions of grandeur beyond Greenland.

1129

Prince Robert II of Capua wants to push back against Roger II's control over the two Sicilies. He creates alliances with the local princes of Naples, Melfi, Bari, and Salerno as a political bloc.

Following the Capetian tradition, King Louis VI (the Fat) has his eldest son Philip crowned as co-ruler of France at Rheims Cathedral. Louis himself becomes the national protector of all France.

In the chaos following the collapse of the Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Gaozong is forced to abdicate by a conspiracy of the military, and his two-year-old son Zhao Fu is made emperor instead. This only lasts very briefly before Gaozong is able to regain control again.

Burgsteinfurt Castle is built in what is now Steinfurt

  • House Barcelona: Having reached an agreement over peace with the Almoravids, Ramon turns his focus Eastward. He dispatches his sons, Pere-Ramon and Ramon, to visit Tarés and then go on to tour Italy. However, the voyage would only set the stage for tragedy. The tragedy of Pere-Ramon de Barcelona and his brother Ramon de Barcelona began with that simple expedition to Sardinia. The brothers had planned to visit Tarés and view the trade facilities built by Pere-Felip de Cardona. The journey went well at first, the island route being a common and well travelled trade route and the Mediterranean a calm, placid sea. The transit should have been a simple one. However, on the third day of travel a period of calm air and humidity would give way to a storm of unprecedented intensity. A hurricane, a rare occurrence in the Mediterranean, would sweep across the seas, driving the small fleet towards shore. After a day running before the storm the princes’ ships find themselves trapped in the path of the cyclone as the wall of the storm bears down. Pere-Ramon, Ramon, and their men try to ride out the storm, battening down hatches and taking in sails. On the third day, the wall of the cyclone catches the scattered ships. The princes struggle against the storm as waves crash over their flagship, smashing to splinters any oars in use to stabilize or steer the vessels. Without sails or steering the flagship is caught in a wall of waves and high water, swamping the even the freeboard of a high-sided Galera. Pere-Ramon and Ramon hold fast to their doomed ship for dear life, before the force of the water shatters its keel, shredding the ship into its timbers. As their ship scatters to the waves, the Pere-Ramon, Ramon, and the crew find themselves struggling to hold tight to what flotsam remains buoyant in the troubled waters. Ramon is the first to slip beneath the waves, his fight cut short when a large section of mast sweeps over him and his raft, knocking him unconscious and dooming him to drown. Pere-Ramon, heir to the empire and his father’s kingdoms, watches on as his brother is swept into the depths. Holding fast to what remains of his cabin’s door, Pere-Ramon persists against the storm for hours on into the night. Blinded by the driving rain, exhausted by the endless struggle against the crashing waves, and deprived of sleep, Pere-Ramon clings to the flotsam until the sun rises in the morning of the 4th day. As the sun rises, the son falls. Unable to fight on against the driving waves that suck him from the boards that bear him aloft. Prince Pere-Ramon sinks beneath the waves leaving Catalonia without an heir and Ramon-Berenguer without sons. The news comes to court on the 6th day with the recovery of sailors from the princes’ ship. A distraught Ramon-Berenguer is recorded having said “If all else perished, and they remained, I should still continue to be; but now the universe has become a mighty stranger.” He then staggers off to his study to mourn his grief. And so, with the passing of his sons, the Tragedy of Ramon-Berenguer II comes to pass. Unable to carry on, his health rapidly deteriorates. A series of minor heart attacks shatter the aging emperor.
  • Wang dynasty: Hurah the shipbuilders can build once more as رأس الأسطول (rāʾis al-usṭūl) Zakariyya orders the making of more ships. The rāʾis al-usṭūl wanting to have atleast 1 Great junk, 2 big junks and 7 lesser junks, with the great junk being for the rāʾis al-usṭūl Zakariyya Himself. The plan being to renew contact with the people of 掌匣島 (Jang-gap-do) as the wonsu needs needs people with expertise at handling colder climates, and possible even people willing to move to the Wonsunate. Thus 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon) gives the rais 2 years to get the ships build and start his voyage, this being a rather short time as to push the rais to the best he can. Zakariyya thus going thus hiring even more shipbuilders, architects, carpenters, smiths, butchers, bakers and many other people from Cho-Hang and Angdong, the Wonsunate employing over half of the people in both cities. Allthough most employment is seasonal with civilians working on farms and fields when not working for the government. The citiziens of the wonsunate being allowed to arm themself with spears and small daggers outside towns, this new right being put in place by the aging Wonsu who wishes for the peasantry to be able to handle nature. 石峯 (Suck Bong) hoping this will cut down on the costs for milittias and at same time encourage farmers to settle in the frontier north of the Yalu and Tumen river. The weapons which can be used being specificly chosen as they're common hunting tools and work well against possible nomadic incursions into their fields and hunting grounds. The Wonsu himself also ordering Zakariyya to take with him 3 Daoshi so they can learn more about the glove people of 掌匣島 (Jang-gap-do). The hope being they can learn from the glove people their knowledge and religion in the hope of advancing the toaist 哈希什敎 (Haphuishipgyo), and possible spreading 哈希什敎 (Haphuishipgyo) to the glove people. Possible finding better growing area's for the sacred hasheesh plant due to the use in the millitary taoist rituals.
  • Kingdom of Sweden: Seeing the sucess by the klev Goverment,The king decides to launch an offensiven into the novgorodian puppet state of eastern karelia with a coalitiom of 10000 troops commanded by field Marshall.This is all done per the agreement that was signed between kiev and Sweden several years prior. But all is not happy in Sweden as Sigismund II dies after having ruled for almost twenty years.Many people Wonder if he died of a broken heart,due to his son Erik dying the previus year.He is succéer by his son Gustavus who decided to switch things up and take the reignal name of Ragnar II,after the legendary king Ragnar Lodbrok.
  • Nippon: Taira no Tadamori wraps up his subjugation campaign of Shikoku and Western Honshu by the end of April, wiping out or bringing into his service most of the Pirates in the inner sea. Upon his return to Heian-Kyo (Kyoto) he is awarded with the rank of Shoshiinoge (Senior fourth rank in the Imperial Court) and is granted the governorship over his recent conquests along with many more Shoens (Fiefs) from which the Taira clan can draw funds and tribute from. The rapid growth of Taira power infuriates many in the Imperial court with the Fujiwara clan in particular growing concerned over the rising influence that Tadamori at court. Fujiwara no Tadazane protests the rise of the Taira, and finds himself increasingly in alignment with the representatives of the Monks from Mount Hiei who demand more Shoens for themselves and the demobilization of the Bushi of the Taira, and Minamoto clans. Things reach a head when one of the monks from the Mt. Hiei delegation is found dead in Heian-Kyo (Kyoto), sparking a large scale revolt around Nara by the sohei (warrior monks) of the region numbering some 6,000. Tadazane is quick to denounce Tadamori as the perpetrator and demands that he be stripped of all lands and titiles. Cloistered Emperor (retired) Shirakawa sides with Tadamori, granting him a mandate to muster his clan's forces and suppress the monk revolt. The Minamoto clan join him in this endevour raising together some 2,000 Bushi (samurai) mounted, and some 6,000 Ashigaru (levies). The Taira-Minamoto army face the Sohei forces outside of Nara which has fallen to the revolting monks. The Samurai contingent is unable force the monks from the city and settle into a siege of Nara, and Mount Hiei where the Sohei have set up several makeshift fortifications all the way up the mountain. The Education of Taira no Koyimori, and Ryumori continues as both prove to be the brightest of his many children.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: The Gadaas have organized 6,000 volunteers to join the Malassy in Ayla. Them and 4,000 malassy troops go to set up a ditch in the pass. (between otl Rahama and Yotava) The ditch is lined with spikes and has a mound built behind it mounted with troops. Scouts maintain patrols in the mountains to give watch of any Christian reinforcements. The 4,000 troops left at Ayala demand the castle to surrender (Mod response). Tribes from Arabia are asked if they would like to bolster our forces. (Mod response) Tribe members continue to move into villages and cities. The village of Dawaro becomes a city. Literacy improves ask scholars in the Gadaas open schools. Metal work improves as techniques from Arabia arrive in Zalia and Berbera. Ship building sites in the ports are also improved, as well as porting facilities. Games are held in Harlaa as well as a joint military exercise with those that arrived. The new Gadaa of Harar as-sagir grows at a great pace being a natural resupply stop.
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the second full year of the reign of King Cnut III of England and Denmark. He is the fourth member of House Godwin to hold England and the third to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Anna of Sweden and has sired three children through her: Alfred (1114), Leofgifu (1116), and Anna (1120). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Cnut has a brother named Æthelstan (1099) who is currently serving in the Varangian Guard in Constantinople. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Cnut is popular throughout England, though many of the nobles in the former lands of Mercia sometimes chafe under his rule. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Cnut maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons and grandsons of Morcar squabble over their ancestral realm. The region has been split and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. News of the death of Pere-Ramon shocks Cnut Edwinson, who travels to attend the funeral. As he returns, he takes back with him the remaining English soldiers who participated in the Iberian Crusade, all of whom are happy to be returning home after years of fighting. This includes Cnut Haroldson, who returns to his wife and son in Northumbria. Around this time, Cnut Haroldson and Wulfstan become close friends and political allies. Their partnership undermines the stability of the realm. The witans held by Cnut are made into prolonged affairs. The passing of Brictric of Execaster, a powerful ally of the Godwins, leaves another hole in the king's witan. A mere child when it happened, Brictric was likely the last remaining active attendee of the witan who remembered the Battle of Dover Fields. He and his father kept Harold II's mother safe in Dover during the Norman invasions. A thegn with an estate that was quite sizable even at that time, Brictric was named earl of Devon. He leaves his holdings to Leof Gotshelm Brictricson of Execaster. Much of the land, however, reverts back to Cnut Edwinson. The king grants a few holdings to the church, realizing it was probably more important to ally with the clergy than with one earl. However, much of Gotshelm's realm is returned to him. In Denmark, Asminderød Church is constructed. Cnut Edwinson discovers a number of Icelandic offers for marriage and alliances crammed into the back of a desk. With Ebba now widowed, childless, and still young, he sends an enthusiastic letter back to Iceland offering Ebba's hand in marriage to Sturla. (Iceland response needed) However, she has yet to arrive in Iceland by the end of the year due to much of this year having been spent in Spain.
    • Icelandic Response: Iceland accepts the offer of Ebba's hand in marriage to Sturla Þórðursson. The High King, upon returning from the lands-beyond-Greenland, responds personally with a matched enthusiasm, indeed characteristically boistrous and over-warm to this "new family" and "strong steel of the North Sea".
  • Duchy of Swabia: Since his election to the office of Emperor after the death of Conrad III, Frederick I is seeking to solidify the position of the Hohenstaufen family as the leading dynasty of the Empire. Differently from his predecessors, Frederick I understood that to remain in power he can't antagonize with the pope. Due to this, he starts to implant the Gregorian reformation, which wasn't done correctly during the last administration, in his Swabian lands. The Emperor orders the construction of an Abbey in Bregenz, to work as the centerpoint of the Gregorian reformation in Swabia. The Abbey is planed to be great building, with a Scriptorium where monastic scribes will work in the production of books. Hearing about a certain Bernard of Clairvaux and his participation in the reforms of the Benedictine Order in the Cîteaux Abbey, Frederick I writes to Bernard inviting him to come to Swabia and help in the organization of the Bregenz Abbey in accordance with his reforms [MOD response needed, please]. The Emperor sends a letter to Pope Honorius II with description and his plans for the Bregenz Abbey, asking for his approval and blessings for the the project. In the letter, Frederick also offers to the pontiff aid in the ongoing Crusade, offering to send 5,000 men under the leadership of his younger brother, Conrad of Hohenstaufen. The letter ends with the Emperor calling himself as "the most faithful servant of Your Holiness" [Papal response needed, please]. Regarding the administration of his lands, Frederick I continues to consolidate the Hohenstaufen estates with the construction of several castles along the Rhine river and in the Alsace region. Knowing the rebellious nature of the Imperial Princes, the Emperor start to think about in measures that can be used to stop possible conflicts, while at the same time solving the problems. So far none of his ideas proved to be useful. Seeking to secure the continuation of the Hohenstaufen dynasty, Emperor Frederick start to search for future brides for his seven-year old son, Frederick. In an attempt to make alliances with European powers outside of the Empire, the Emperor writes to Duke William X of Aquitaine proposing a betrothal between William's daughter Eleanor and Frederick's son [MOD response needed, please].
    • William allows the betrothal of Eleanor to the Emperor's son
  • Duchy of the Two Sicilies: With the withdrawal of the Byzantine army from Sicily, peace finally returns to the island. While the Byzantine threat is defeated, Roger is faced with an overwhelming amount of issues to address, but firstly, he plans to meet with the Pope himself at Salerno, to thank him for his efforts in repelling the Byzantine invaders and to affirm the loyalty, friendship and vassalage of the Italo-Normans, now bound to serve the Pope by virtue of his actions in defending them. At , Roger and the remaining Italo-Norman nobles meet the Pope and his entourage outside the city. Roger expresses his deepest thanks to the Pope for defending Italy from the heretical Byzantines. Roger also shocks both the Pope’s men and his own by falling to his knees before the Pope and kissing his feet in an act of total submission to the Papacy, a far cry from the days when Norman lords and dukes would openly war against the Papacy. Roger then swears what becomes known as the Oath of Benevento, an oath pledging eternal fealty on behalf of the Hautevilles and their vassals to the Pope. Roger, a natural poet and intellectual, finishes his Oath with a short poem describing how the Normans and Papacy have transformed from bitter enemies to faithful allies: “So full of hate were our eyes that none of us could see. Our wars would yield countless dead but never victory. So let us cast arms aside and like discard our wrath. Thou, in faith, will keep us safe, whilst we walk the path.” Following this, Honorious and Roger preside over a victory celebration, with captured Byzantine standards being paraded before the two leaders before being thrown at the feet of the Pope and Roger. Next, the Pope publicly confirms Roger’s overlordship of Apulia and Calabria, and oversees the swearing of fealty of the Apulia and Calabrian lords to Roger, who the Pope declares the “Duke of the Two Sicilies.”
  • Papal States: Pope Honorius II is growing old in years, but he will not relent for the push into the Holy Land for the Third Crusade. As always, a full dispensation of indulgences is granted to all the worthy knights who participate in this Holy mission. Pons of Tripoli is disappointed by the inconclusive battle supported by an overwhelming force of Crusaders. He is ridiculed by the other Jerusalemite commanders, due to his lack of experience in a field command. But in his stubbornness, not only did Pons not defer command to a more experienced general, instead he determined to consult an even more inexperienced commander, namely the 13-year old boy William of Ivrea. It is not certain in the historical record how much Pons actually got from this consultation, or if the appearance of William was for a political stunt of some kind, echoing the words of scripture "Out of the mouth of babes does God ordain strength". Nonetheless, Pons reworked his strategy for the second battle at Mount Nebo. 5,000 troops from the Holy Roman Empire are added to the Crusader army, bringing their force up to around 50,000 troops. Of these, 20% of the troops consist of Langbomann-Sagrementals [artillery]. A force of 1,000 troops will used a feigned retreat maneuver to lure the Seljuk armies off of the mountain, and allow the other two flanks to attack against the Seljuks from two sides (algo request, please). During the encampment at Mount Nebo, Bohemond of Antioch accidentally discovers that Olivia de Paynes is a woman, when he visited her tent unannounced. After a prolonged discussion and consideration, Bohemond agrees to keep her secret safe, and allows her to join the greater group of young Crusaders from Rome. The Pope Honorius personally visits the city of Benevento to meet with Duke Roger II of Sicily, now the de jure overlord of both Sicily and southern Italy. After the Duke had performed the rite of kissing the signate ring of the Pope, Honorius officially confirms him as the Duke of Apulia and Calabria, and the Campine principalities as his vassals under the realm of the Papal States. The Pope doesn't directly intervene with the insubordination of Salerno, but he does personally negotiate to smooth over relations between Prince Robert of Capua and the Duke of Sicily. The Pope works with Emperor Frederick for expanding and reforming the monasteries of the Roman Empire, particularly in Bregenz Abbey. Bernard of Clairveux is transferred to this abbey for implementing his reforms along the lines of Pope Gregory and the Lateran Council. In order to still combat the Byzantines politically, the Pope personally invites Ivan Ivanovich, the son of Prince Demetry, to stay in Rome and be given a minor title in the Papal states. This became the progenter of the Varangi Italian family. Meanwhile, John Pascellion finally won the admiration of Alice in the process of his job as a shipright. While they were both at sea, the crew mutinied and took over the ship, binding both John and Alice in chains. The perverted mutineers believed they could have their way with Alice, but as soon as they laid hands on her John's eyes flashed yellow once again. Suddenly, the sea frothed and a terrific storm arose, filled with an agonizing wailing coming from a horde of undead spirits. The shipped buckled, until the entire vessel split in half and dumped the crew overboard. John stood up as the chains dissolved around him, and ordered the spirits to put the ship back together. The ship was held only by the efforts of the spirits until Alice was returned safely to shore. From that point onward, Alice and John formed a special relationship outside of her father's knowledge.

1130

Pope Honorius II dies due to a building falling on him. A new papal election is called.

The devastation brought fourth by the Iberian conflict leaves almost 500,000 Christians and Muslims displaced, while many Jews flee to Lombardy and Tunisia. The city of Leon is a shadow of its former self after almost 8 years under siege. The City of Valencia finds itself rather empty as many Moors flee south fearful of Catalan retribution in the wake of their support for the Almoravids.

Alfonso I The Battler of Aragon gains much prestige among the Spanish aristocracy for his valiant but doomed defense of Leon, and for his stalwart campaign against the Moors. Much of the Castilian nobility remain in contact with him with some privately promising to support him should he attempt to claim the Castilian crown.

Alarmed by the large Catholic army mustering in the Levant he Egyptians are spurred to action mustering 15,000 men supported by 6,000 men from the Suri Empire. The Army moves to secure Gaza.

In Norway, a man named Harold Gille appears who claims to be a long-lost son of King Magnus III. As soon as King Sigard II dies, Harold proclaims himself king in defiance of Sigard's infant child, named Magnus. This causes a split of loyalty among the nobility of Norway, resulting in a civil war. On Harold's side are the nobles who desire a more independent state of Norway from Catholic and English influence, while the supporters of Magnus are mostly supported by the Church and pro-English factions.

Rogvolod I manages to turn back the Coalition forces of Novgorod, and Rostov however he does this ata great cost losing some 5,000 men. He subsequently seeks further support from his Cuman allies.

The island of Gotland is consolidated control by the local Swedish noble named Sveker, who styles himself as King but still pays tribute to the King of Sweden.

The Jin Dynasty continues to be successful against the Song, including one terrific naval battle involving 100,000 troops along a river.

Abbey of Tongeren is founded in the fields outside Tongeren

A knight loyal to the holy roman emperor himself is found dead after having taken weapons from local arms depot of Maastricht. The cause and reason for his actions unknown by the emperor and the people.

  • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona: Emperador Ramon-Berenguer II dies in his sleep. After the stresses of his final year as emperor, he falls to heart failure at the age of 50. Having lived a life of extreme loss and violence, he has finally found peace in God’s Grace. As he passes, his lands and titles pass to his daughter Ximena, Duchess of Aquitaine and Countess of Toulouse. Ramon extols Felip and Elisabet to support their sister, despite issues they may have had in the past. Elisabet, incensed by the request, departs his company finding refuge with friends in Urgel. Felip, however, agrees to support his adopted sister; he begins organizing support for Ximena as she travels to Catalonia to assume power. As she moves to return to Catalonia, Ximena raises a small army to ensure a smooth transition of power. Felip likewise raises a force and moves to meet Ximena, joining her army with his loyalists. The joint force arrives in Barcelona where Ximena is crowned Queen of Catalonia, Valencia, and Zaragoza, and Countess of Provence. With support built among the noble families by Felip, Ximena names him Governor of Valencia and Zaragoza, tasking him with building support and loyalty among the nobles and Sagramantals. Seeking to remove Elisabet from the picture, Ximena sends an envoy to Cnut Edwinson offering Elisabet‘s (b. 1106) hand in marriage to an eligible bachelor in his family. (English Response) After this, Ximena takes up residence in Barcelona, using its proximity to securely rule her territories. Hearing of the desolation of Valencia with the departure of several thousand Moors, Ximena decided to exploit the situation. She sets about resettling thousands of French and Catalan peasants in the region. She institutes a standing policy granting any person who speaks the language of Oc lands across Valencia. Furthermore, the Jewish Quarter is expanded into the depopulated portions of the Moorish Quarter and laws are promulgated offering Jews protection from persecution. (Mod Response for number of Peasants that arrive) As she now controls a realm rivaling that of her husband, Ximena approaches her husband, William X of Aquitaine with a proposal. She asks that he adopt the legal codes of her father which already hold in Toulouse. She suggests that doing so will protect their daughter, Eleanor from potentially domineering husbands. (Mod Response)
    • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona Continued: Hearing that England has no possible husbands for Elisabet, Ximena approaches King Alfonso VII offering her sister as his queen should he agree. (Mod Response for Castile)
    • William X will adopt the laws of Toulouse
  • Kingdom of England: Now is the third full year of the reign of King Cnut III of England and Denmark. He is the fourth member of House Godwin to hold England and the third to hold Denmark. He is wedded to Princess Anna of Sweden and has sired three children through her: Alfred (1114), Leofgifu (1116), and Anna (1120). He has two siblings: Wulfstan (1072), Earl of East Anglia, who is wed to Matilda of Scotland, securing an alliance with the Scots; and the late Eadgyth, Queen of Jerusalem. Cnut has a brother named Æthelstan (1099) who is currently serving in the Varangian Guard in Constantinople. The population of England is roughly 2 million, with most of the population being centered around Winchester and London. Though the majority of the people in England are of Anglo-Saxon descent, there is a sizable Scandinavian population, especially in regions once under the control of the Danelaw. There are also a number of Britons, especially along the Welsh and Scottish borders as well as in Cornwall. Though the monarchy of England is more-or-less absolute, the Witenagemot is a folkmoot of secular and clergymen who advise the king, discuss legislation, and hold judicial hearings should the need arise. If the reigning monarch were to die, the new one will be chosen among the eligible Æthelings in England, though they typically choose members of the deceased monarch’s family. Cnut is popular throughout England, though many of the nobles in the former lands of Mercia sometimes chafe under his rule. In Denmark, he reigns with an iron fist, allied to the remaining Estridsens and the English lords introduced to replace rebellious nobles. The worst revolts have petered out, though they do still happen and likely will for some time. Though Cnut maintains alliances with those in his family as well as with the sons of Ælfgar of Mercia, tensions are known to run between earls from the north and south of England. Right now, the sons and grandsons of Morcar squabble over their ancestral realm. The region has been split and their hatred for each other seems to keep an otherwise powerful block of vassals fighting among each other. Last year, Cnut III visited many funerals. This year appears to be no different, as he travels to Norway for the funeral of Sigurd the Crusader. The king had been an ally of the English in the wake of their invasion a little over a decade ago. Since then, England has guided Norway into an era of prosperity and dependence upon the trade network established in the North Sea. Cnut III remains in Oslo for some time to oversee the transfer of power between Sigard and Magnus IV. The young king is betrothed to Cnut's daughter Leofgifu and could very well be a stalwart ally for all of his years. The appearance of one Harold Gille is an ill omen, as many Norwegian earls proclaim him king. England and Denmark will not allow a usurper to disrupt years of peace and prosperity in Norway. A combined army of 8,000 composed of the king's housecarls, hiredmen, and the personal armies of multiple Danish thanes is fielded and is due to arrive in Oslo where they will link up with Magnus' troops. Norway is expected to field a minimum 4,000 men themselves, though if Magnus sends more, the English will not complain. (Mod response for Norway) Cnut expected to send a request for Papal blessing, but the funniest thing occurred: a building fell on the holy father. The archbishops of York and Canterbury are expected to vote for Corrado Demitri, who was active in the Baltic and with whom England is the most familiar. Harald Gille, along with the parasitic earls supporting him, are instructed by Cnut III of House Godwin, raised by the right hand of the Almighty to the throne of the whole Kingdoms of the Angles and the Danes, to lay down their arms. Mercy will be given to those who, in these confusing times, might have accidentally raised a sword for the wrong king. Accidents happen. Those who continue on this quest risk being blinded, castrated, de-landed, or all of the above. (Mod response for surrender, otherwise algo needed for the capture of Harald Gille. Scandinavian succession laws were far more fluid than those of the Anglo-Saxons, who were kind enough to export their law codes across the North Sea. The Anglo-Saxon aversion to succession wars and Scandinavian succession has absolutely revolutionized how things are done in Denmark and Cnut intends to import these ideas to the Norwegians, who may have the unique opportunity to avoid a centuries-long series of civil wars. Back in England, Alfred finds himself in control of more tasks as Cnut III left instructions for Alfred to be immersed in the court and legal life expected of a future king. This, of course, leads to some irritation in the thanes in the witans led by Cnut, who do not want to deal with the whims of a teenager. In hushed tones, the idea that both England and Norway are governed by children and ruled by one king is on the lips of many in these meetings. Alfred makes his fair share of political blunders, but he has gained immense knowledge of what it means to rule in this year of his life. Notably, he botches the grant of Aylesford, accidentally granting too much of it to Aella Aellason, who is expected to inherit it, and not enough to the church, angering religious officials.
  • Duchy of Swabia: The death of Pope Honorius II is mourned in Swabia and across the Empire. Bernard of Clairvaux is welcomed by Emperor Frederick in his court, who is very impressed with the abbot's piety. Soon after his arrival, Bernard start to work in the organization of the Bregenz Abbey and in the implementation of both his reforms of the Benedictine Order and of the Gregorian Reforms. However, with the death of Pope Honorius II, Bernard of Clairvaux travels to Rome to participate in the Conclave. The mysterious case of the Imperial soldier that died while stealing weapons leaves the Emperor perplexed. Due to that, Frederick I sends four Imperial agents to investigate the life of this knight and the events that caused his death [MOD response for the success of the investigation]. Tragedy falls over the Imperial Family this year, when Empress Judith of Bavaria becomes ill and dies. She is buried in Waldburg in Heiligen Forst, Alsace. The death of Judith of Bavaria makes Emperor Frederick I search for a new wife and to make new political alliances. He writes to Leopold III, Margrave of Austria, asking for the hand of his daughter Judith of Babenberg. The Emperor also proposes with this marriage an alliance between Swabia and Austria [MOD response needed, please].
  • Wang dynasty: The ships of Goryeo made with the passion of Islam that is what got build with the hard devotion of rais Zakariyya Junaid Gim (زكريا جونايد جم) as all 7 lesser junks and 1 big junk have been build in a period just past a year. The Rais still having a big junk and his personal great junk made, the great junk being planned to the greatest in all of Goryeo. His superior and first in command Wonsu 石峯 (Suck Bong) meeting with the rais in ceromony in Cho-Hang. In this ceromony the Wonsu and rais visiting several workshops and officials such as the local leader and son of Suck Bong 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon). In this visit the Wonsu gives Zakariyya 4 pigs and 21 yellow-throated martens the protector of Cho-Hang agriculture and symbol of the Wonsunate. This in the hope that these animals may breed in 掌匣島 (Jang-gap-do), it being hoped that the pigs will be able to breed and thus give a steady supply of meat. While the martens are hoped to protect the the pigs and be given as gifts to the glove people. With the ceromony over the Wonsu once more begins his travels to his seat of power Gungnae. Sad news coming from his envoy as he has past away in his sleep age 59, the hero of the Liao river liberator of Gungnae thus has come to an end. Allthough not hereditary his Adopted son 掌匣島 (Jang-gap-do) becomes Wonsu after taking taking a special millitary examination. THe first action the new Wonsu does is to organise a burial ceromony for his father, the cite of this burial being decided to be Gungnae the former Goguryeo capital. Junghoon inviting toaist Daoshi using Haphuiship as a way to celebrate the warior that was Suck Bong. The plant being used while showing paintings and telling stories of the many battles which the wonsu. At the end of the ceromony 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon) taking the belt cloth of his father and writing his own name on it after which he wears it as a symbol of continuinity of the past.
  • Navarre: King Alfonso is determined to live up to his name of The Battler, but knows that he cannot fight alone. Therefore, he decides to ask for the support of Barcelona, deciding that a joint Barcelonan-Navarran force may just crush the Almoravids(Barcelona Response). At the same time, he offers a peace- or at least a truce- between him and the Almoravids, promising that he shall not continue his attacks in return for his lands to be returned, adding an offer of a large sum of momey, in the form of cattle and valuable materials (Almoravid Response).He also decides to withdraw his entire force back to Pamplona, to reorganise and prepare to fight again. Whilst that is going on, he turns his attention to Castille. (Secret) He informs his Castillan supporters that, should they continue to support him, they will be granted large counties to manage. He also prepares a document to be announced next year, declaring him King of Leon, Aragon and Castile- citing his marriage to Urraca of Leon. He prepares 8,000 soldiers to march to the Castillan border, supplied and reinforced with cavalry, archers and a dozen siege engines.(End Secret)
    • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona: Ximena rejects the proposed resumption of hostilities with the Almoravids. She reminds Alfonso that a peace was reached in 1128 and that no Aragonese lands were lost to the Almoravids to begin with. Out of Game: If you want to catch-up on post point of divergence Iberian history send me a message.
  • Duchy of the Two Sicilies: The death of Honorious is met with much grief and mourning in Sicily. Roger particularly is greatly saddened by the news. Honorious had become a celebrated figure in Sicily, almost at the level of a messiah, as Honorious’s participation in the defense of Sicily saved the island from Greek invasion. In Sicily, Honorious becomes informally honored with the title “Savior of Sicily”, with the nickname being given to him even before his death. With tensions lowered by Papal mediation, Roger and Robert are able to tolerate each other and accept their positions as liege and vassal, for now. Roger turns to the task of rebuilding Sicily from the Byzantine invasion. While most of the island’s hinterlands lay untouched, the fields of grain have turned to rot with no men to harvest them. What fields haven’t lay untouched, overrun with weeds and animals. Sicily’s cities also suffer heavy damage, with Syracuse and Palermo in particular being extensively damaged by battle and fire. With Messina the least damaged city, central to Southern Italy and Sicily and with its overlord, Ozeouf de Pomeroy, killed in battle with no heirs, Roger claims the city of Messina, moving his capital there. From Messina, Roger begins addressing the many problems Sicily faces. Firstly, Roger lowers all taxes throughout Sicily, hoping to encourage faster recovery. Knowing this will harm his overall revenue, Roger reaches out to Pisa, Genoa, Venice and the Papacy, asking for generous loans to help rebuild Sicily [PAPAL / MOD RESPONSE]. What funds Roger does have he uses to rebuild Sicilian cities’ ports and harbors, aiming to restore Sicilian trade as soon as possible. Politically, Roger senses an opportunity in the fracturing of the Byzantine Empire’s power system into local rulers. Specifically, Roger believes he can ally with one or more discontent Byzantine governors / warlords against the heretical Emperor John II, now widely known throughout Sicily as “John the Apostate”, for many now believe he was indeed allied to the infidels to attack Christendom while Jerusalem and Iberia were threatened by Muslim hordes. Roger reaches out to the Byzantine governor of Epirus. Roger offers his daughter, Adelaide, to the Epirote governor or his son, in exchange for a military alliance, unlimited merchant rights to Epirus by Sicilian merchants, and naval access [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Additionally, hearing of the massive displacement of Jews, Christians and Muslims from Iberia due to the wars raging there, Roger sends messengers to Iberia offering lands in Sicily for anyone, peasant or noble, who seeks to immigrate to Sicily [MOD RESPONSE ON NUMBERS].
    • About 4,000 eager souls arrive in Sicily, settling primarily along the northern coast. Though many spread out, most settle in Termini Imerese. Epirus, not wishing to tempt Byzantine wrath, declines.
    • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona: Ximena hears of these messengers and places an order for their arrest. They are to be sent back to Roger with a message that he should not interfere in the settlement of Valencia.
  • Sultanate of Shewa: With the capture of Ayla the Ayla ditch is reinforced with two more rows of spikes as well as the proper building of a wall. Camel caravan from the coast keep the men well supplied. Scout continue to move in the mountains of the Arava valley giving signal at the sign of any large Christian force. Back at home local Gadaas continue to improve their infrastructure and settle in stone buildings. Science and math continue to spread around the nation as attendees of schools return home. Ship building is going at a consent rate as the navy patrols at least to Scotra to hunt pirates. As well as protecting supply shipping to Ayla. Wells and mosque are built up around the nation. The forts in the North and east are expanded as a population is built up around them.
  • Kingdom of Jerusalem King Raynald of the House of Hauteville (b. 1102) is in the 23rd year of his reign. He is married to Queen Eva, who is the daughter of Raynald's late father's late foe, Demyan. The King has two sons, Prince Robert (b. 1118) who is betrothed to the Eastern Roman princess Eudokia, and Baldwin (b. 1120). The King also has a younger brother named Richard (b. 1104) who is married to the daughter of the duke of Saxe-Anhalt. The Kingdom is seen to be at a crossroads, one road leading to the failure of these Crusades and a Pagan occupation of the City of Jerusalem. 50,000 crusaders fight the Seljuk enemy near the Jordan River, with the goal being a decisive offensive into Syria. For now the Pagan occupation of the city of Ayla is deemed unimportant, but if they are to grow bolder and march north they will be attacked. Through a secret channel the Catalan Company is asked for their services (Iberia response).
    • Reina Ximena will allow the organization of such a company to number 5,000 men. She offers to pay one third of their wages should the Kingdom of Jerusalem accept further trade concessions including expanded trade quarters in Acre and Tyre. She also requests a land grant for Catalan Merchants to operate a sugar plantation for export.
      • Jerusalem response: The envoy responsible agrees. The Haute Cour acts to make this happen.

1131

Habemus papum! Gregorio Papareschi is elected the new pontiff, who takes the papal name of Pope Innocent II.

Following the death of Emperor Ramon II, a new imperial election is held in Spain among the stem kingdoms of Christendom. Consult the player of Barcelona for more details.

The Knights Templar settle significant presence in northern Spain, offering to help fight the Almoravids.

Prince Philip, the oldest son of King Philip I of France, dies when he is thrown off his horse trying to avoid a black pig.

The Ghaznavid astronomer and poet Omar Khayyam dies.

The Bensai Pagoda is constructed in China.

The Wari Empire in Peru collapses due to a drought.

Following the papal election, the Third Crusade is deferred from the Papacy to give direct control to the Kingdom of Jerusalem.

  • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona: Having secured her domain and protected her daughter in the face of the law, Ximena begins working on rebuilding the damaged trade routes that the last crusade had weakened. She seeks a customs agreement with her husband William, looking to establish a trading bloc wherein trade goods will be subject to a common, standard tarif paid at the port of entry and split between the couple. (Mod Response) Furthermore, she seeks trade partners from overseas to enrich herself and her husband. She extends an offer to the Venetians and Normans in Italy looking to form a commercial agreement wherein Naples would serve as a commercial hub where merchants from the holdings of House Ramnulfid-Barcelona and Venice could exchange goods. She asks that her cousins in Sicily permit a reduced tariff on such pass-through goods and allow a pair of mercantile districts to be built adjacent to the city to facilitate such trade. To the Venetians, she offers a reduced tariff to be paid on goods shipped in this way and offers to assist them in opening new markets in the east. She also invites the Venetian Doge to a meeting in her journey to the Vatican to secretly discuss future plans in the levant. (Mod and Sicilian Response) She then approaches the Papacy seeking to enable Catalan investment in Sardinia. To this end, Ximena travels to meet with the Pope for the election of the new Holy Iberian Emperor with plans to discuss an agreement opening Papal Sardinia to Catalan merchants. (Papal Response) After the conclusion of the elections, Ximena plans to tour Tuscany, Pisa, and Genoa before returning home via Provence. During this tour she meets with the leaders of Pisa, Genoa, and the other Ligurian cities to discuss commercial opportunities while secretly surveilling their operations and business practices. After returning home, Ximena commissions a new crown for her domains. The new crown is to be set with rubies, garnets of varying reds and yellows, and topaz, and inlaid with enamel forming a distinctly Romanesque laurel around the base. Set above the laurel are to be a series seven Occitan crosses, each set with 13 small gemstones one each at the center and the remaining twelve forming the traditional twelve spheres at the end of the arms of the cross. The front-facing of these seven crosses being roughly 50% larger than the other three. Hearing that England has no possible husbands for Elisabet, Ximena approaches Tuscany seeking a husband for her sister. (Mod Response for Tuscany)
    • William X of Aquitaine accepts the trade alliance
    • Papal Sardinia is open to Catalan merchants
    • Oddone de Colonna, son of the general Pietro Columna, is eligible to be married
      • This proposal is agreeable to Reina Ximena and Elisabet.
  • Duchy of Swabia: The election of Pope Innocent II is celebrated across the Duchy of Swabia. With the end of the Conclave, Bernard of Clairvaux returns to the region of Bregenz, where he continues to oversee the construction of the new abbey. The abbey is being build with the Romanesque architecture and is planned to be one of the largest monastic complex of the Empire, with the presence of a monastic school, several scriptorium and a great library. Emperor Frederick plans that this abbey will surpass the Cluny Abbey, becoming the center of the Gregorian Reformation and monasticism. He thinks that this way he will be able to correct the errors made by his predecessors against the Church and start a friendship between the Hohenstaufen and the Papacy. A great church in honor of Mary, Mother of God, is also planned to be build, with the first stone being put there this year in a celebration that had the presence of the Emperor and of Abbot Bernard. With the church, a special chapel will be build in honor of the Holy Apostles. With the presence of Bernard of Clairvaux and due to his fame of piety and holiness, several men of the Duchy are joining his order, that is being called as the Cistercians. Bernard also became one of the advisers of Emperor Frederick I and due to his influence, the Gregorian Reformations are spreading fast in the lands of the Duchy of Swabia. Bernard of Clairvaux also becomes tutor of the Emperor's children, Frederick and Bertha. Still seeking a new wife, Emperor Frederick I writes once again to Leopold III, Margrave of Austria, asking the hand of his daughter Agnes of Babenberg in marriage [MOD response needed, please]. Menawhile in the Kingdom of Jerusalem, Frederick's brother, Conrad, is leading the German crusaders. After having visited the Holy places in the city and participated in the mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Conrad of Hohenstaufen and the other Germans are waiting the next steps of King Raynald of Jerusalem in the Crusade against the Muslims. Hearing about the coronation of prince Louis as junior king of the Franks, Frederick I writes to King Louis VI proposing the betrothal between Frederick's daughter Bertha and Louis' son [Francia response needed, please].
    • Leopold accepts the marriage King Louis VI accepts the betrothal offer, Louis VII and Bertha are to be wed at the Reims Cathedral in 1140.
  • Kingdom of the Franks: King Louis mourns the death of his son with a funeral through the streets of Paris for all to join in the mourning. Following the funeral the new heir, Louis VII accepts his corrination as Junior King with a corrination by the Pope at the Reims Cathedral. The King asks the Roman Pontiff for his blessing in founding the Knights of Roland as a holy order under the patronage of the French Monarch in honor of the great Frankish Knight. (Papal response needed) In an effort to better utilize the martial efforts of France all nobilityof France will be offered the chance to join the new order with promises of land or privlleges if they are succesful in battle against their foes. The King, invoking his right as liege of Aquitaine, requires that for the marriage between Duke William's daughter Eleanor and the son of of the Duke of Swabia, Fredrick, that Duke William of Aquitaine offer a dowry to King Louis in the form of the rest of the region of Anjou which should have been given to the Kingdom of France had there not been a level of misunderstanding in the peace treaty signed between France and Aquitaine against Normandy. In addition The King demands two counties form the region of Orleans highlighted in the picture I sent to Nate over Discord. (Mod Response) The King also issues a ultimatum to the barons of North Eastern France, relinquish rights to independent fortification and levy raising or face retribution from the King. The King will then assume control of the levies and their fortifications as well as the taxes used to pay them and maintain them. To ensure the proper response from the barons the King will march at the head of a 10,000 force lead by the Royal Guard which will provide loyal garrisons for important fortifications while the local garrisons will be dismissed of moved to other areas. (Basically making the patchwork of blue blobs into one blue blob on the map) (Mod Response) The French Crown will allocate Royal land to the Merchant Guilds around Le Harve in Normandy to build shipyards as well as providing patronage for 15 new merchant ships to be granted to prominent merchant families. Laws regarding Usury for Jews and those that work in absence of them will be laxed in order to promote development of the financial and mercantile connection in Royal France. The great statesman Abbot Suger will be formally appointed at the Kings Chancellor and chief advisor to assist in administering the realm as well as being a great friend of Louis VII.
    • The Pope does not officially recognize a new Holy Order at this time. However, Pope Innocent is willing to sponsor many knights coming home from the Third Crusade to voluntarily join the new military fraternity. King Louis accepts the decision and makes the Kights as a temporal and fraternal knightly order under the patronage of the French King for now.
    • Duke William is willing to give the dowry of the two counties near Orleans. However, the Count Geoffery of Anjou has been a friend and ally of William for many years, and he doesn't want to betray him by seeing it annexed. King Louis sends a clarification that the Count Geoffery will not be annexed but mearly that he will become a direct vassal of the King with his territory and rights intact.
      • That's more acceptable, but he would still rather negotiate the dowry if the King was at all amicable towards it
    • The barons east of the border with Normandy will comply, and those that don't will be beaten until next year
  • Hakia:
    • The fifth book of the Epic of Utteaknassuame seemed to have occurred a decade after the events of the preceding book, taking place in Year 40 (c. 1030). The book's main character was Utteaknassuame's sister, Kuruese. Unlike most other books, which would contained mostly narrative interrupted by dialogue or monologue, and metered singing, the fifth book was written almost wholly in monologue. Some oral historians have thus suggested that the book had been added decades after the semihistorical events have transpired. Others believe that the book was created during the events, as there were no added background events or embellishments. The contents of the book portray Kuruese as increasingly frustrated with her brother, and with her cousins Yoore and Uhyooliaamume. However, it is also revealed that Kuruese harbors incestuous feelings for her brother - a fact that has only been tenuously alluded to in the previous books. Her desires are described in erotic detail; it is believed that this served to further establish Kuruese's wickedness and corrupt nature. The book finally ends with a dialogue between her and the Deceiver, in which the latter figure can possess Kuruese as a living vessel, in exchange for a potion that would allow her to woo over her brother. The sixth book would see the introduction of a new character: the Sun-Child, and a tribe referred to as the "New Ones". [To be elaborated tommorow or next turn]
    • Historians believe that during the 12th century, the region of the Southwest - also known as Oasisamerica - was experiencing population growth. This was similar to growth in other regions of the Americas, such as Mesoamerica. The complexification of irrigationworks (perhaps due to the centralization of labor), and novel agricultural practices, can be pointed to as reasons for this. Archaeologists also believe that a shift in the nature of slavery in the region can be responsible too, as portions of the Code of Peace (specifically the ones added by the Chief Kopalai) pertained to the welfare of slaves. This included their guaranteed right to reproduction. This was dissimilar to "open" slave societies like Ancient Greece or Rome, but similar to the "closed" slave societies of the Old South, the Carribbean sugar islands, and Colonial Brazil.
  • Wang dynasty: The Rais has his work of a lifetime done as all 7 lesser junks 2 big junk and his personal great Junk has been made. Zakariyya Junaid Gim can now with the blessing of Wonsu 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon), a mission to bring civilisation and trade upon the glove people of Jang-gap-do (掌匣島). The Rais leading this voyage personally, allthough he does require the help of many educated people such as scribes, carthographers, alchemists farmers and many people. The Rais knowing succes of the voyage will depend on how much trust he can get from the people of Jang-gap-do, and his ability to even just survive. The Wonsu 楨勳 (Suck Junghoon) hoping that the succes of the Rais will also validate his position as wonsu and allow him to spread his influence outside the Wonsunate, into Goryeo proper. Goryeo allthough officially ruled by his majesty the emperor, the real power behind the throne being the wonsu as he defends the core of his lands from outside invaders.
  • Almoravid Empire: The death of Ibn Tumart spreads across the nation. The death of both the Vizier and Prime Minister leads to public mourning in the streets of Algeciras. They are laid to rest in the tomb of Gibraltar. Following the deadly conflict known as The Second Al-Andalus Jihad, the conservative faction of the Almoravid Ulama disintegrated, while Ibn Tumarts Almohad Movement lay victorious. Though his succession laid in question. After a vote by the Almohad-led Ulama, Sultan Ali reaffirmed their status by positioning Abd al-Mu'min as "head of the faith" and granting him the title of Vizier. In the meantime, Minister Luis André al-Kirwasun bin Baris, Minister of Faransa -The Moorish Quarter is placed as acting Prime Minister. In the midst of this, Luis André and Abd al-Mu'min encourage Ali to take up the title of Caliph, the symbol of power and leadership much needed within the Muslim World. It is after all, Ibn Tumarts' will for the movement to take hold and unite the people of the faith. And so, Ali ibn Yusuf would agree to become the successor to the title of Caliph and this date would be celebrated next Spring in Cordoba as a surprise announcement is made before the court. Immediately, Ali would begin planning for a grand 7 day long festival in the city sending invitations to merchants, talented performers, and vendors from across the Maghreb, Sudan, Iberia, and Western Europe. This invitation as well extends to varying princes and kings with letters dispatched to the King of France, Barcelona, The Two Sicilies, and beyond.  The word of Ali becoming Caliph though is kept quiet as a surprise for the final day of the Cordoba Festival. In the meantime construction of a wall around Assad begins led by the Governor of León. Unfortunately tragedy strikes the heir to the throne. Alihandro is left scarred immensely on his arm from the flames of his residency. The only reason he survives is from the sacrifice of his close companion who didn't see through the inferno. This leaves the prince stricken with grief. His sister Rusa keeps company with him through his arm's recovery as his father also makes as much time possible to spend with him. In the meantime Kifin had left to Toledo where he had yet to hear from the family about what happened to his brother. Though they are bitter rivals, family is family and nothing will change that bond. As soon as he hears of the news, he sets out to leave the city. In the meantime though, the young man befriends Omar Abdelkar Pérez, the bishop of the Mozarab Rite within the city. He becomes greatly interested in the Christians and there way of life. It's not before long that the prince would set out to leave the Empire following the festival to travel to Santiago de Compostela. Besides all of these events, a Sudanese Merchant family topples the monopoly of Lisboa Trade held by the Fidelos. This now makes Halil Dierí ibn al-Rosso the wealthiest man in the city. Construction of the Algeciras Mosque continues while the city grows to finally expand across the perimeter of the bay.

1132

Under pressure from his congregation in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, Abd Al-Mumin rescinds his support of the Almoravid Sultan to take up the title of Caliph. While Ali ibn Yusuf is on pilgrimage to Cordoba, Abd Al-Mumin takes up residence in Fez on the pretense of taking up his post as "Ras Al-Umma" (Head of the Faith). But in the city, he instead proclaims himself as Amir Al-Umma ("Commander of the Faith", a title of the Caliph). With partial support of the military in Africa, Abd Al-Mumin mobilizes the nomadic immigrants who followed Ibn Tumart to join his forces in Fez, in an attempted coup to take control over Morocco while Ali is away.

Count Ranaulf II of Aife proclaims himself as the rightful Duke of Apulia, and is supported by the coalition of nobles from Capua and Bari. They raise an army that captures the city of Benevento.

King Alfonso of Aragon and Navarre is crowned as Emperor Alfonso of Iberia by Pope Innocent II.

A fire breaks out in Hangchou, destroying 13,000 homes in the southern Song Dynasty.

The Southern Song sees a growth of culture and technology as they recover from the initial campaign of the Jin-Song Wars. The Emperor creates the first permanent and standing naval force in the world.

The Norwegian Civil War between Harald Gille and Magnus IV is still ongoing.

Malachy becomes Archbishop of Armagh.


  • House Ramnulfid-Barcelona: Reina Ximena continues investing in the commercial ties her father helped to establish. She sends a new local governor to Sardinia to install a more formal administration, enforcing Catalan law on the inhabitants and pulling them under direct rule. The lands owned by her vassals on the island are preserved, but the day to day administration is to be run through a governor appointed by the crown. Unable and unwilling to show weakness, she orders 3,000 men to accompany the new governor, Antoni de Vis, to secure the island peacefully.  She gives Antoni right over Sardinia and the outpost at Galite north of Tunisia. Meanwhile, she summons the Consel Comtal and offers bribes and the threat of force to install a unified state apparatus over the remaining free counts. As part of this process she will arrange a series of royal marriages to families in and around Toulouse to benefit her Catalan vassals. (Mod Response) She then proceeds to expand the influence of the state by appointing numerous judges and deputies to extend her apparatus to tax the landowners of the kingdoms. She then orders a census of her many domains, issuing orders to compile lists of all of the settled places of her realm. This process, known as the Granquesta Ximenina, will continue for several years. In doing so she plans to extend a more central state-apparatus over her many kingdoms and bring them together politically. To appease her many vassals, Ximena takes care to grant notable families positions of power in governance, bestowing powers from above that had once been those of local lords. In doing so she secures the loyalty of the higher nobles while reducing the powers of those below them. Among these, she grants Reverter, Vescomte de Barcelona, title as Marshal of Catalonia. This position she establishes as the premier military commander of the Kingdom of Catalonia, and the most powerful within the entirety of her domains.  Additionally, she grants more powers and autonomy to her Sagramentals, allowing them elected commanders who also serve to collect the taxes drawn from Sagramentals not of fighting age.








Archives List
11th Century 12th Century 13th Century

1066-1069
1070-1079
1080-1089
1090-1099

1100-1109
1110-1119
1120-1129
1130-1149

Back to GameViewEdit

.

Advertisement