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After a long trek through Asia spanning two decades, Venetian explorer Marco Polo published the compiled journal of his travels in 1295. He described in great detail the Near East, with its many castles and fortresses held by many mighty empires. He entered the Gate of Iron, through which Alexander crossed into the east millennia ago. He toured the eight kingdoms of Persia and witnessed scores of miracles and wonders, many of which he dared not publish for he felt his audiences would not believe what he wrote. He described in great detail the exploits of the great Kublai Khan, the intrigue in the Emperor's court, the sprawling landscape of Yuan China, and the massive battles that took place during his stay.

Polo named his work Livre des Merveilles du Monde - Book of the Marvels of the World. In publishing these journals, he brought knowledge of the eastern world back to Europe and vice versa. Just like that, the world got a little bit smaller. The Holy Roman Empire - locked in a state of interregnum with no end in sight - became aware of the wars of Kublai Khan. The faltering Byzantine Empire and its breakaway state of Trebizond became the subject of discussion from Lisbon to Kathmandu. The wealthy Abu Bakr II of Mali would seek to follow in Polo's footsteps, paving the way for the rise of Mansa Musa. The Kamakura Shogunate of Japan defeated wave after wave of Mongol forces while, an ocean over, Mesoamerica was still reeling from the fall of the Toltec Empire.

Merveilles du Monde is a spiritual successor to the Principia Moderni franchise. It sets the clock back to the year 1295, in the Late Middle Ages - in other words, an era of great change and great suffering - an era in which nations rose and fell - an era in which power was cemented ...

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The Game

1500

The recent discovery of the West Indies, concurrent with the fall of the Latin Empire and the collapse of the Mamluk Sultanate, usshers a new age of civilization that puts the Medieval Era to a close. The Renaissance that began in the early 15th century has now reached its apex, in terms of production of new arts, music, literature, philosophy, and technology. The possibility of a "New World" spurs ideas in Europe that the world is far bigger than they had imagined, placing earlier concepts of "Christendom" in a different perspective.

The increasing speed of intellectual development, fueled by the movable type press, gives rise to the concept of the "complete man" or the "grand tour". Modern historians apply more rigorous critical analysis of earlier sources, coining the motto to study history Ad Fontes. This also is used in the rising trend of humanist philosophy, most famously championed by Machiavelli, which urges people to study religious doctrine in ad fontes as well.

The fifth Christian Jubilee comes into play this year, at the discretion of the Papacy.

Philip "the Upright" of Pfalz is officially proclaimed to be King Philip II of Germany (after Philip of Swabia from the 12th century), at Aachen. His rule depending heavily on the support of the existing imperial electors, Philip is faced with the task of pulling his own weight in the shadow of the recent era of Henry VIII, or otherwise comfortably take a back seat and let the empire run itself.

The Duke of Berry is captured in battle against King William II, and is subsequently imprisoned for heresy, now that the King and the Pope have once again been reconciled. William goes on to purge out heretical nobles in southern France and assume their lands back to the crown.</u

The Chieftain of Jaragua in OTL Haiti is very hostile against the Germans, and refuses to relinquish the port. The rival Chieftain of Marien makes an offer of alliance with either the Hanseatic or Spanish West Indies.

King Henry of Denmark considers England's alliance with Sweden an act of hostility, and thus begins to write slander against the House of Beaufort in London. He notes his opinion that not only did Henry VII depose the Yorkist King Edward, but had him quietly murdered as well.

Ali Mirza Safavi, the Shah of Iran, makes many reforms to the government and infrastructure of the nation, and raises their military to prepare for campaigns in the east. Twelver Shia Islam becomes the dominant institution across the whole nation.

As Leonardo da Vinci is making prototype diving equipment for Venice, he thinks that he might return to Florence at some point, if they had some interesting project for him to dig into.

The Empire of Oaxaca invades and occupies Tenochtitlan, while the Kingdom of Xalisco collapses into anarchy, shattering the kingdom into numerous city-states.

  • Hanseatic League: The request from the chieftain of Marien is accepted. (more to come).
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The expedition for the New World sets sail this year, commanded by Vasco de Gama and Dias it also include a famous man known as Pedro Álvares Cabral. The expedition heads out into the Atlantic Ocean looking for any new islands or land masses. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED NEXT TURN). Meanwhile, the king pays a visit to Portuguese Angola and Moçambique where he meets with Governor Paul de Gama who discusses the recent trade post setup. With more trade posts being set up, the trade profits increase so its decided that this years surplus shall be used to build a suitable headquarters for the governors of Moçambique and Angola. With Dias gone for an expedition, a replacement for Angola has to be made. António de Abreu is appointed interim governor of Portuguese Angola until Dias returns. Meanwhile, quagga in the royal garden has a foal who the king names Dias after Dias who discovered them and brought them home.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Empire continues to thrive in its golden age. With merchants and traders arriving from the Roman Empire to India, the Empire has over the years developed into a crossroads of different ideas, philosophies and ways of life. As such Ethiopia has become a crossroads for the travel of news, knowledge and ideas, which greatly propels Ethiopian culture as it incorporates ideas from Hindustan, Egypt, Mali, and even Europe. The Empire continues to see trade flow from India, with some merchants stopping in Ethiopian port cities before traveling to Egypt while others sell their wares to inland merchants who move West to Mali to sell their wares there. Ethiopian merchants also maintain strong trade relations with the Swahili city-states, with many merchants acting as vendors of Indian goods to these city-states. The Ethiopian trade offices established in the Swahili cities decades ago ensure a stable flow of trade between the Swahili and the Empire. The Imperial military continues to drill, with the 10,000 strong standing army drilling constantly with firearms acquired from Europe and India. The Emperor Tewodros III decides to divide the army into two divisions, with the original 5,000 Chewa warriors becoming the “Old Guard” while the newer 5,000 levies from the Imperial cities are dubbed the “Young Guard.” The Imperial Artillery Corps continues to train as well, and by now has become quite adept at artillery warfare. The Chewa militia, when training after the harvest season, now drill as much with the arquebus as they do with the sword and spear. By now most Ethiopian merchants have begun to acquire smaller cannons to fit on their ships to defend against pirates, leading to an integration of firearm weapons into Ethiopian merchant vessels. The Emperor, through his Hindustani wife, the Empress Viti, asks his father-in-law the Maharajah if he would be willing to send cast-iron forgers and blacksmiths to Ethiopia to begin a foundry in the Imperial capital of Barari. The Emperor also asks permission to begin buying cannons from Hindustan annually to strengthen the Empire’s defenses. [HINDUSTAN RESPONSE NEEDED]. The Spanish ambassador to Ethiopia, Fernando de Polanco arrives at the port of Beri, having sailed around the Cape to reach Ethiopia. Though Ethiopian merchants had previously seen Spanish caravels before, the sight of such large and powerful ships entering the harbor causes alarm amongst the populace. The Imperial Governor of the city is relieved to hear of the peaceful Spanish intentions and sends word to the Emperor Tewodros III of the arrival of the Spanish embassy. The Emperor, wanting to see these foreigners and their vessels for himself, rides to Beri with a large entourage, and visits the harbor himself to see the Spanish caravel. The Emperor is stunned by the ships, noting they tower above the dhows and possess large and fearsome cannons to protect them, in contrast to the small cannons mounted on the dhows. Tewodros meets with de Polanco, greeting him warmly as a fellow Christian, and is pleased to hear of the good intentions of the Spanish Emperor and expresses a desire to open formal relations with Spain. The Emperor Tewodros sends a delegation of diplomats and nobles through the Trans-African Silk Road, along with a few Spanish explorers as guides, to Mali, where they soon arrive at a Spanish settlement. There the Ethiopian delegates present themselves to the Spanish authorities, and present a letter written by the Emperor translated into Spanish addressed to the Spanish Emperor. The letter contains a formal greeting from the Emperor, who addresses the Spanish monarch as an equal and fellow Christian, and informs the Spanish Emperor that Ethiopia has received his ambassadors and is eager to open formal diplomatic relations. [SPANISH RESPONSE]. In the meantime, de Polanca is treated as an honored guest and is personally shown around the country by the Emperor, who shows off Ethiopia's bustling trade markets, stable bureaucracy, well built infrastructure and bountiful fields of crops.
    • Hindustani Response: The Maharajah happily agrees to the requests of his son-in-law, the Emperor of Ethiopia.  
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen continues to preach that abuses of church authority are to be eliminated wherever they are found, lest they discredit the church. He begins donating extensively from his own personal wealth to the church, living in a more austere manner, as the Pope has modeled. He also preaches that, as all wisdom is God breathed so, too, the Church should be the leader in science and education. He patronized the University of Darmstadt, continuing to try to improve it, now seeking more learned priests to teach the philosophy and science classes. He supports the study of ancient literature, having always been a lover of history, in the certainty that all knowledge benefits man and brings him closer to God. He concentrates on improving the laws and taxes of Mainz, and working to increase general prosperity. He patronizes the Assembly of Preachers, Pontifical Press, and publishing of new books. He patronizes the arts and sciences in Mainz. The Archbishop accepts to offer of associate membership in the Hanseatic League, offered last year, in order to increase the trade and prosperity in his electorate. Imperial Treasurer Kaspar Von Roggendorf continues to monitor closely the income and expenditure of the empire, and keep the tax code fair and the trade revenues high, and to invest in foreign trade. The naval reforms and expansions continue to slowly roll forward. The construction of the Naval Academy in Rostock, and the new port city called Heinrichshaven continue. Von Roggendorf, in his capacity as Treasurer of the entire Holy Roman Empire, continues to patronize the arms industry in Prague, following the same incentive program as Bavaria. Von Roggandorf appeals to the Emperor to appoint a new Grand Admiral, an experienced navy man who can take over the practical aspects of expanding and modernizing the Imperial Fleet. He suggests that the King of Lotharingia, who has been very successful at reforming his own fleet, and whose family has held the title of Grand Admiral for years, should be asked to recomend a worthy man for the post. (Palatine and Lotharingia Response). Grand Marshall Jan Zizka continues restoring the Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He continues with the reforms and expansions of the Army and its weapons, keeping them cutting edge. He continues to keep their training standards high and well-organized, and continues the practice of mixing men from around the Empire and moving units to different Imperial cities, so they come to think of themselves as soldiers of the Empire, not of one city. He keeps the build up of the military a bit slower than before the war, however, so as not to cause alarm.  
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: Birth rates begin to increase due to the abidance of food and land. Mata finally has his bombard and it operator, however, when instructed to teach how to build one he would praise our Iron-titanium allies, but laugh at how we are a long way off from building our own. He tells Mata to pay for people who can at least help us get started with blast furnaces. Five of the said men would arrive by the end of the Year Three in the capital and Year Two in Makovibra. Adai Penai returns from another great survey trip with his notes taking in much more detail of Southern Africa. He speaks of a marvelous bay (OTL Sadhanha Bay) and locals who once showed Mitshawri and the horse gladly aided the travelers. Adai's next mission would be as a diplomat, he's sent to the island of pale men settlers to ask who they are. (Portuguese player response). With may more horse the horse force is expand to 500 men and the royal guard would add another 1,500 bringing the number to 24,000 men. The Faraist scholars sent out into the countryside years earlier tell of how literacy is going up especially with more to read. Mata's Tamil is getting much better as he now serves as a translator to the people during the Yogas often speaking in both Tamil and Shona. Settlers are sent to the bay Adai spoke of, with the Khoe people to serve as a labor pool and eventually be citizens. One of the first scouts sent out finally returns battered and one-eyed. However, he speaks of the land of Ithiyopiya another great 'empire' as they call it. He is sent with sailors one of the royal ships to make official contact with the Empire. (Ethiopian Player Response). The docks at Tunga are expanded seeing as the Royal navy now has 20 ships that patrol the coastal waters. One ship is caught up in a monsoon and blown to the east into a large land mass (RNG for chance of survival and rescue). The Indian population now stands at around 300 in the capital and 30 in Makovibra and the usual merchants at the ports.  
    • You don't have this navy.
    • What navy would I have then? I have posted building more ships in prior turns. -Tharpe.
    • Ethiopia Dip: The Empire is pleased to hear of a new powerful kingdom in South Africa and is open to establishing formal relations and trade.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: Census = (5500000e^((1496-1408).0025)) = 6853422/ Levy = 68534/ Deployed = 28534/ Unraised: = 40000/ The combined forces of Hindustan, Blambangan, Bali, and Ayutthaya are given orders to launch in pursuit of withdrawing enemy forces as they withdraw to the beachhead that Majapahit-Dai Viet forces established in the opening phases of the war. The troops are ordered to set up entrenchments around the enemy position lined with cannons, arquebusiers, and archers who are to hold position and engage advancing enemy forces. The melee troops are order to advance cautiously with scouts sent forward to probe enemy defenses and identify traps set in place by the invaders. The bodies of dead animals are ordered chucked by trebuchets and catapults into the enemy camp to spread disease with Ayutthayan troops ordered to stay back and away from the enemy camp while the disease is running rampant in the camp. (Algo Needed). The victory of last year on Bali has made its way home providing good news and helping to contribute to confidence in the new Rama's ability to wage war. With the boost of a victory on Bali, a few more cities and towns caught in between the current situation with Phitsnanulok and Ayutthaya begin to lean in favor of Ayutthaya's influence. Borromarachathirat III has continued with his policy of posturing and aggressive actions against Ayutthaya prompting Sunan Kudus to return once more to the region to reaffirm the loyalties of the towns and cities. The nobles of Sukhothai have openly declared their support for Ayutthaya considering the union entered by the two cities years ago and have denounced Phitsnanulok prompting many cities and towns within the region to follow their overlord in support of Ayutthaya. The experiences of the war on Bali have led the leadership of the War College in Ayutthaya to conclude that a greater mastery of logistics is required for Ayutthaya's officers and knowing Japan's ability to maintain logistics to far off locations such as Bintan, a request is sent requesting that Ayutthayan officers be permitted to travel to Japan to observe how its military functions and to observe to see what can be adapted or learned by Ayutthaya. (Japan Response). The Ayutthayan efforts to block off Majapahit merchants and ships from the Straits of Malacca continues to be an ongoing effort on their part as more ships are continually confiscated and repurposed as vessels of war and Majapahit ships are engaged in battles. The Commerce Guild continues to advise its merchants to avoid hostile ports and dangerous trade routes to ensure that the operations of the guild aren't too greatly impacted. The Conservative faction has proven itself an increasing difficulty to deal with due to its support of the harassment of Muslims prompting the use of the Capital Defense Corps in routine patrols alongside the patrols of the Temmengung's office within the confines of the city. The Royalist faction continues to provide near unwavering support in favor of Ramathibodi II and have also contributed a few troops from their regions to assist in supplementing Ayutthayan patrols into the hinterlands caught between the power struggle. The agricultural reforms of Ramathibodi II continue to be implemented in albeit only in regions with promising production in terms of rice. The Mekong defenses have begun to receive scholars of the War College to help in planning out the defenses based on Ayutthayan experiences from previous wars. 
    • Japanese Dip: We agree to allowing attaches.
  • Iceland: The Papal marriage proposal is accepted with them marrying in February, nine months later a boy by the name of Henry is born. 2,000 Icelanders are requested to settle with the C.C.C a small town by the name of New Reykjavik.  
  • Roman Empire: A busy year for the empire, 1500 begins with news arriving from Florence. The Sack of Florence by the crusader thugs shocks the empire. With the city burning, Strategos Doukas, the general in command of the Roman guards defending the banking district issues a general order to evacuate the banks. The force of professional soldiers establishes a defensive perimeter and begins the systematic evacuation of the gold and silver from the vaults of the Florentine banks. Tens of thousands of pounds of precious metals are evacuated from the city to the ships waiting in the harbor. Additionally, any Florentine merchants who wish to flee the destruction of their city for a new life in the east are offered asylum. With the massive influx of precious metals, a national reserve of gold is established within the treasury and the rest distributed among the various banks in the consortium that bailed-out the Florentine banking industry. In addition, a number of priceless art-pieces that survived the rebel’s purge are saved from the crusader’s torch and are placed within the imperial palace. A record of the events written by Strategos Doukas in wonderful Latin is published less than a month after the events and is distributed across the empire and its trade partners, largely those connected by the BlackSea river basins. The record calls out the Satanic behavior of the thugs who claim themselves crusaders and calls on all good Christians to reject the teachings of those who would condone and support such acts. The influx of cash from Florence is a boon to the imperial economy with investment skyrocketing. The Forum of the Ox, now encircled by imposing bank buildings thrives as a center of finance, commerce, and investment. Constantinople, among the largest cities in Europe struggles under the weight of its own population. Water services and food imports are a necessity to such a degree that another water-works project is begun to serve the city better with clean water. The sewers, built many centuries ago are mapped in preparation for a revival project to be carried out later this decade. In the meantime, the naval rebuilding continues to modernize the Roman Fleet, creating one of the most advanced green-water navies on the planet. In late April, Kaisar-Autokrat Andronikos V dies of an increasingly worsening fever. Quickly thereafter, his son Kaisar Herodotus is crowned Kaisar-Autokrat Herodotus II, Basileus of the Greeks and Romans. Having taken the throne, Kaisar Herdotus II sees an opportunity. Thanks to the refit the vast majority of the fleet is in dock together in Constantinople. Herodotus II quickly raises the Themes, a full force of 36,000 men. He embarks with his fleet, 7,000 Tagmata, and 12,000 men on an invasion of Krete to retake the island for the empire. Under the command of Strategod Doukas, 12,000 men raised in Greece launch an invasion of southern Eubea to liberate the rest of that island from the Venetian menace. Simultaneously, 12,000 men under Prince Manuel take up defensive positions at Gallipoli.
    • [Algo, Please]: 17,000 men and 350 ships, are attacking Krete. The army comprises 12,000 heavy infantry, 3,000 heavy cavalry, and 2,000 light cavalry. The fleet will land the troops just east of Heraklion before setting-up a blockade and siege of the city. 150 of the ships will then sail west to establish an interdiction line between Krete and Morea. Siege guns are brought with the army to level the walls of Heraklion and break the city’s defenses.
    • [Algo, Please]: 12,000 men and 100 ships, are attacking Venetian Eubea. The army comprises 8,000 heavy infantry, 2,000 heavy cavalry, and 2,000 light cavalry. The force will cross over to the island from mainland Greece with the support of the 100 ships which will escort the army south to Karystos, the main Venetian capital in the south of the island before establishing a blockade. A small force of light cavalry and will be used to burn the farms around the city, with effort to avoid Greek civilian casualties and target Venetian estates, drawing out Venetian defenders against these raiders who will then shadow them, hoping to draw them into field engagement where the Roman army will have the tactical advantage. Siege guns are brought just in case.
  • County Palatine of the Rhine: The Emperor accepts the proposal from Archchancellor - Bertrand, who he had bestowed the office of Archchancellor, and he appoints the King of Lotharingia as the Grand Admiral of the Holy Roman Empire. The Imperial Academy of the Culinary Arts opens this year, and the Emperor gives a speech at its opening, and gives licorice and other treats to all those in attendance.
    • Mainz: The Archbishop thanks the Emperor for this honor, and promises to try to be worthy of it. As Archchancellor, acting in his best interpretation of the Emperor's orders, He arranges to meet with the king of Lotharingia next year to discuss him officially passing the title of Grand Admiral of the Imperial Fleet to a chosen man.
  • Empire of Japan: The empire this year continues pushing major operations into Indonesia and with the collapse and failure of the Majahpahits armies the commander of the Kensei order regiment deployed to the Riau Islands treats with various elements of the local nobility on Borneo and finally solidifies into talking to the most senior indigenous nobles in Majahpahit controlled Borneo. An offer is put on the table. The Empire of Japan will support and defend the independence of the new state (to be named Kalimantan or whatever domestic dynasty would take over as per Islamic naming convention). In Return the small arm of territory (making up of parts of OTL Sarawak and containing the city of Kuching) would given to Japan, the two nations would sign a treaty of friendship and alliance as well as an equal trade compact. The point is made that Majahpahit is non-Islamic, far away, battered, and has clearly drained the manpower of Kalimantan for their own endeavors. (mod response, please). With the acceptance of the offer in short order, the Japanese army coalesces alongside the navy and arrive in Kuchin to a rag tag group of militia in the city. As per the agreement the Japanese forces occupy the small area granted to them and immediately begin to fortify the city. Immense work is done to accommodate the regions natives regardless of their religious predispositions or organizational level, and quick relief is given to the region which has been relatively starved of manpower due to the war with the Thais and other Javanese kingdoms. The arrival of 13,000 troops is alarming to the citizenry who expected a sacking of the city and region since they lacked in manpower and materials to fight back. However, as the weeks turn to months, various improvements have been made specifically in regards to food supply as rice and dried fish is brought in in large amounts to help alleviate food rationing, and the large presence of the Japanese armada in the nearby sea gives them some peace of mind that no more of their men need to die in a war not their own. The issue of religion is handled in stride as the honorable Ibiki Moriyama of the Kensei order secured total religious autonomy (as the Shinbutsu Shugo does not necessarily do missionary work) as well as respect for the Islamic tradition seeing it essentially as harmless. Support is also given to the new Kalimantan allies as shipments of food and even arms and armor are given to help them rebuild their drained manpower from the Bali war. At home, the arrival of this news is met with shock but also admiration. The acquisition of territory in a bloodless fashion as well as the negotiating skill of the Kensei Order Masters is not gone unnoticed or unrewarded. A declaration is sent back giving Ibiki a free range to establish a Kensei Order Shrine on the island. The development in Kenenaitzu continues as another group of enterprising fur rangers arrive and establish themselves in the region on contract for five years with a handsome payment given depending on their service. The establishment of a well plotted route to the new world outpost is established and the Aleuts within the claimed Aleutian Islands chain are organized and offered modern goods in exchange for their services in acquiring valuable furs and pelts as well as blubber for use in many other economic activities. At home, the rebuilding of Kamakura and Nankaido in general continues. The re-development of many of the Eastern ports continues to accommodate higher traffic. 
    • Mod Response: APPROVED.
  • Duchy of Thuringia: Konrad Jung becomes the provincial vicar of Saxony and Thuringia by his religious order, and he begins to visit and oversee the 11 monasteries in the region. He observes numerous problems or acts of corruption left over since the Henrician Civil War, and begins an arduous process to try to right them. He presents many of his ideas about reforming the church and religion to the monasteries, leading to many secretly considering his position among the monasteries of the region. He begins writing a theory that God alone is able to grant forgiveness, not the Pope or any system within the church. Jung begins to lecture on the Psalms, and on the books of Hebrews, Romans, and Galatians. As he studies these portions of the Bible, he comes to view the use of terms such as penance and righteousness by the Catholic Church in new ways. He becomes convinced that the church is corrupt in its ways and has lost sight of what he sees as several of the central truths of Christianity. Meanwhile, the prophetic writings in Germany seem to point toward the Thin White Duke, and the discovery of the golden plates emboldens him. He continues formulating his politico-religious ideology, using der Vergolten Block, der Glucklich Block und der Tablette Or as a primary source influencing his beliefs. The Thin White Duke also accepts the marriage proposal from Saxony. The printing press industry in Thuringia continues to grow, spurred on by the Thin White Duke, with books from across the known world being translated and mass produced. The White Knights grow exponentially in number at first, and now consist of a significant force. The holy order is tasked with building infrastructure across Thuringia primarily.
  • Papal States: Pope Pius III is outraged by the Sack of Florence, the crusade was to help the Florentines fight against heresy not sack the city. The pontiff demands that those that participated in the sack be punished, he also announces that the money that would be used to pay the mercenaries that rebelled will be used to recover Florence from the sack. The Jubilee of 1500 is celebrated in Papal States with a solemn mass at the Basilica of Saint Peter. The ideas of the Archbishop of Mainz of how to end the abuses of the use of indulgences are studied by Pius III. With the recent cases of heresy in Europe, scholars of Saint Augustine’s University start to propose works for the defense to the Papacy and the Catholic Faith. Ferdinand of Habsburg and Catherine of Foix have twins, Maria and Magdalena. Peter III of Lenzburg asks Cecilia of Gorizia in marriage. [MOD response needed, please]. The Holy Father creates as cardinals Giovanni Battista Bertuccioli (Papal States), Francesco Eroli (Papal States), Henry Deanne (England), Thomas Savage (England), Tamás Bakócz (Hungary) and Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (España). The marriage dispensation asked by English diplomats last year is approved by Pope Pius III.
    • Marriage accepted.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: In our nation we produce more movable type press machines in our factories to produce and increase the development of books and flyers. Our navy starts to build more ships in our ports to police our waters from the ongoing shit show with the Italian states. The army itself starts to recruit people in what we call the Black Legion/Regiment. Troopers of the army wore black armor with green highlights to blend in with the forests of our nation. For now we double the amount of troops that protect our borders due to all the fiasco going on with our neighbors. Trade goes well with our neighbors as we increase our imports of technological gadgets from other parts of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Agriculture is a big export out of our nation due to the large rural areas of our nation. Farm towns and villages are experiencing a surplus of crops this year in the fields. The economy is doing well increasing slowly with the flow of money going in and out of the nation due to trade. The start of construction of a university in the capital city begins this year. With the increasing population in our nation especially in the capital city, what we do is start building new homes for our people. With all this construction and building going on new jobs have opened up to our population of people. Unemployment has decreased due to the new jobs being created.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Rossiya: Dimitri and Sophia have their first child a girl who is named Katerina. Dimitri thrives in the Court of Constantinople mingling amongst the dignitaries of other nations and the Greek Nobility, clergy, scholars, and artists. He takes a personal in the philosophical works that have seen a revival in the Hellenist wave that has taking root in the city. He also takes a great interest in the Varangian guard of which many a Rus' served in over the centuries. He takes to learning of military history and tactics. Dimitri also becomes close friends with Herodotus II. The collection and redaction of old laws and customs continues with some being dismissed or argued upon between the Tver faction, the republican faction, and the more reactionary  Boyars who do not back either side instead seeking to restore the divided nature of the Rus. for their own individual gains. Mikhail begins dividing the spoils of the recent conquests amnogst his men to ensure their loyalty to his son, as he feels the strain of years on the saddle. He continues to fund the construction of hsi new fortress at Tver. Reform of the infantry and the overall army structure continues as well drawing on the lessons of the battles form Kazan a larger amount of firearms are required for infantry, along with the need to have a strong countermeasure to cavalry, training in both firearms and polearms is required while the number of Russian cavalry is also seen as in need of an increase with many of the freeholder communities being encouraged to breed more horses to allow fora greater number of them for both war and caravans. Mikhail III promotes the usage of the river ways as a means of improving supply lines and internal trade. Commissioning a large number of large river boats capable of carrying large cargo and others capable of carrying men and cannons to exert greater control over the riverways that dot Rossiya.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di": In Bonen and Artois Generaal-Admiraal begins to notice more and more resistance from lower nobility in the gewesten. The nobles even beginning to ensemble an armed force, the force being reported to be around 2,000. Thus Juliaen de Kremer as per his ability raises a further 2,000 soldiers, De Kremer having a total of 5,000 soldiers. Juliaen placing them in cities such as Calais and Bonen, the soldiers ordered to keep the peace and disarm any individual seen as a danger. The troops being armed mostly with pikes and Punaisier, the Generaal-admiraal declaring martial law in Bonen and Artois. As William Wallace former count of Guînes, Compromise seeming unlikely between the king and the former lords and nobles of the land. While in Rotterdam the first shipments of West India, these goods including fish, shark teeth and other vegetation. The land having hundreds of kinds of vegetation herbs and spices, which does create interest and a desire for the RHC to explore more.
  • Kingdom of Scotland and Ireland: Famine relief efforts finally end this year, after four years, with the temporarily lowered prices of Hansa foodstuffs helping us end the famine more quickly and conclusively, allowing us to funnel the extra funds to the C.C.C. Meanwhile, with Ireland now under far more centralized authority as a result of the land seizure and punishment of hoarding nobles and merchants during the famine, we redistribute most of these lands to those Irish lords who continued to stay loyal to their king and people and helped in the famine relief effort or helped persecute and expose though who were hoarding during the famine. Although this of course has not led to full scale land seizure of land from most of the major lords, it has led to major, large scale seizures from many disloyal or incompetent minor lords. These lands are, for the most part, redistributed too those who are loyal (except in Northern Ireland, where much of the seized lands are added to the royal domain in the region), with a few of the most loyal and most favored lords who had the most outstanding service finding the lions share of the seized land redistributed to them, with these men, who were previously very minor lords, such as Matthew McConaughey (mostly in Connaught and the surrounding areas), Seamus Ó Sullivan (based in the Cork region and with various lands from throughout Munster already in his possession), Cormac Mac Ruidhrí (mostly based on Central Ireland but now being lord of various minor townships throughout Ireland), and Seosamh Ó Dhuiling, coming to be some of the most powerful lords in Ireland almost overnight, a position that relies almost entirely on the grace of King Edward from the wrath of those who the land was taken from. With most of the powerful lords in Ireland now being loyalists, we push through a proposal to create a joint parliament between the two kingdoms, which would be located on the isle of Mann, which, although technically part of Scotland, is ethnically distinct from both Ireland and Scotland and is roughly halfway between the two kingdoms. With the newly powerful “new lords” and those who had gained from this crisis in general having gained so much from it and understanding that they rely on the King’s generosity to hold onto it, at least until they can become more powerful, this proposal is quickly pushed through the Irish Parliament, and the Scottish parliament eagerly agrees, leading to the official opening of this joint parliament in Mann this year, and although both of the separate Irish and Scottish parliaments will continue to exist, this greater parliament, with the purpose of coordinating the responses to crises like this in the future, is now established, and will become increasingly important in the future. Meanwhile, with the acquiring of the most major textile company in Scotland and Ireland by Gilmore Druimeanach, he begins to focus on expanding the textile industry into Ireland, as a massive expansion of his operations and the Scottish Textile industry overall. He continues to expand these industries, fueling the Scottish economy even further. Meanwhile, in other news, the popularity of Scottish Whiskey continues to grow in Ireland, as despite the famine being over its popularity remains even after the hard times of it has past, something that is merely the smallest thing used to emphasize the many similarities between the Two Gaelic people’s. In other news, with intermarriage having been encouraged for over two decades now between the Scottish and Irish nobility and the people overall, many of the products of these unions have now become adults and entered the social fabric more broadly, with several having become important throughout both Ireland and Scotland. This serves to further encourage the image of Gaelic unity encouraged by both King Edward and his Father King Robert, as they are living, breathing embodiment of that ideal, being children of both cultures with the best aspects of both, embodying the desire for unity being encouraged.
  • Saxony: With the turn of the century, large celebrations and extremely loud fireworks go off with a bang this year in the Duchy and Prince-Electorate of Saxony. Edmund Alwin invites all the Prince-Electors and other Dukes and nobles of the Holy Roman Empire, including the newly-elected Holy Roman Emperor himself, to Saxony to join in the celebrations and witness a celebratory festival. While there, a firework goes off right next to Edmund Alwin, badly burning him, and singing his hair, as well as, it is discovered shortly afterward, almost completely deafening him for life. Wenceslaus IV of Saxe-Wittenberg, meanwhile, newly married, has a child named Wenceslaus V of Saxe-Wittenberg (suspiciously only six months into the marriage). Meanwhile, Edmund Alwin deems the writings of Meise dangerous for the Duchy of Saxony, and, having arrested the man, attempts to poison him. In an interesting parallel to the Count Palatines black licorice incident of a few years before, Edmund Alwin accidentally gives Meise a bowl of black licorice instead of arsenic, and the man survives. He also claims to have delivered the rest of the plates he received from angels to his brother Michael. Despite the fact that the plates were being held in a vault, they disappear mysteriously the next day, and a man named Michael comes forward with one and one-half silver plates, while another man, also called Michael, comes forward with the other one and a half silver plates. Each publish their own translation, but no-one can figure out how the texts join together. These are even more alarming than the first, proclaiming "Rome is a serpent's egg that must be crushed: The Pope smothered in his shell: Why, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus, and we petty men Walk under his huge legs and peep about To find ourselves dishonorable graves. Men at some time are masters of their fates. The fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." Not wishing to incite Papal anger, Edmund Alwin arrests the men (the Two Michaels) and considers executing them, but seeing that failed dismally and miserably in Meise's case, he ejects and exiles all three men (Meise and his apparent brothers) from Saxony, and they leave and go to Thuringia, which they claim is "God's Home". 
  • Duchy of Habsburg: Leopold von Habsburg dies this year at the age of 68. Peter von Habsburg becomes the new Duke, and Leopold (1489) becomes heir apparent. The Duke proposes close relations with the nations Swabia, and tries to influence Baden region. Fortress built along Rhine River and West Sungau. Alliance offered to Wurttemberg. 
  • Kingdom of England: The establishment of the alliance between England and Sweden leads to greater maritime trade between the countries, which helps the English economy recover from the recent York-Beaufort conflict. However, there remains some dissatisfaction amongst the nobility over the Treaties of Mann and Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch. In Yorkshire, Richard of York makes use of this dissatisfaction as he tries to rebuild the Yorkshire military, trying to attract local nobles with the promise of a more assertive foreign policy against the Celtic Confederacy. King Henry VII, knowing that Yorkist rebels remain active in Yorkshire, considers sending a large contingent of Lancastrian soldiers north to root them out, but he judges that this would be an overly costly endeavour at this time and instead focuses on improving the stability of England by trying to accelerate the economic recovery from the conflicts. The negative reaction from the Kingdom of Denmark toward the formation of the Anglo-Swedish alliance does not surprise the English Parliament, and they remain convinced that this alliance will be beneficial to England's economy and naval standing. With the aid of James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex and Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Bristol, King Henry VII commissions some new ships for the English navy to be built at the ports of Dover and Bristol. King Henry VII also decides that the Catholic Church can be beneficial in improving the stability of England. Thus, he writes to Pope Pius III, proposing that the Order of Divine Mercy establish a branch in England. (Papal response). Archbishop of York Thomas Rotherham dies, and Thomas Savage is translated from the see of London to succeed him. Later in the year, Archbishop of Canterbury John Morton also dies, and Henry Deane is translated from the see of Salisbury to succeed him. The newly married Dorothy Grey and Marcantonio I Colonna visit her father Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset in Dorchester. A result of the visit, Marcantonio meets King Henry VII and is eventually contracted to lead a company of mercenaries in England similarly to his work as a condottiero in Italy. King Henry VII's daughter Mary Beaufort (b. 1490) is betrothed to John Tuchet (b. ~1483), eldest son of James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex. King Edward IV of Scotland and Isabella of Habsburg have their second child, a son named Kenneth IV (b. 1500), in honour of the first King of the Scots (OOC: Joseph gave me permission to write about this part of the family tree). Later in the year, Beatrice Beaufort and Thomas Grey the Younger have their second child, a son named Robert (b. 1500); and Sérlait of Bruce-Auvergne and John VII, Duke of Brittany have their second child, a daughter named Bonne (b. 1500). In Europe, Burkhard von Lenzburg and Girolama Farnese have their second child, a daughter named Isabella (b. 1500); and Aymon II, Duke of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva-Lenzburg have their first child, a son named Edward II (b. 1500). Ari IV Sturlungur (1447-1500), uncle of King Domnhall V of Iceland and a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of a disease.
  • Vinland: The population hits 6,350. Trade flourishes. Herleif privately considers converting to Christianity. His son has disclosed he has been privately practicing for years. In other news, the metallurgic industry grows in certain cities.
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands deeper into Unamaland.
  • Greater Kingdom of Arles and Burgundy: The economy is improved and such. Centralisation is boosted.
    • Pisa: Philippe Lowen II caves in to local pressure and gethers an army to fights in Italians. They call Arles for support.
  • Kingdom of Wales: The construction of a line of fortifications is initiated at the Anglo-Cornish borders  as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders is initiated, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Edmund, who follows suit, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent re-spark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 12 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of Saint Owain (Lawgoch) perseveres, providing a sense of national unity to the Celtic Confederacy, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Edmund continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Edmund of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being.
  • Hindustan: The early 16th century signalled the emergence of a pan-Indian style of architecture known as the Hindustani style of Architecture, after the state and the dynasty which was responsible for its creation. Previously, North India was dominated by what came to be known as the Khilji style of Architecture, after the Khilji dynasty which was a purely unique and indigenous style of Indo-Islamic architecture. The Hindustani style was pan-India in the sense that examples of this style can be found across India and by the 17th century was the dominant style of architecture in the Indian subcontinent. The Hindustani style was an amalgamation of the earlier Khilji style, the Persian style and various regional North Indian styles including North Indian temple architecture. With the rise of Persian influence and the Indo-Persian nobility at the court led the emergence of the Charbagh (four gardens) as an important element of the Hindustani style of architecture.

1501

Pedro Cabral lands at a very large landmass known in OTL as the northern coast of Brazil. Meanwhile, the discovery of the Yucatan peninsula spreads as ground breaking news across Europe, not only indicating a previously unknown landmass, but also one with complete farming and houses, in contrast to the "savages" encountered so far.

After the mercenaries in Florence go rogue and depose the Papal-backed Medici ruler, in favor of a Spanish puppet, the Medicis form an alliance with Siena, Modena, Venice, and others, to combat Spanish dominance of the Italian peninsula, and expect the Pope to likewise support them. Known as the League of Como, this alliance invades Florence to depose the Spanish claimant. The population of Florence, especially after the brutal sack of the city itself, opposes the new ruler. Aid is also requested from known opponents of the Spanish, such as France and the Holy Roman Empire, who is the current titular King of Italy. Later historians may look at this moment as the first "Italian War".

In India, the unification of the subcontinent under the Hindustani dynasty begins to sew cracks of envy and a growing hatred within the seemingly eternal empire. Disastisfied with the dynasty itself and having differing religious beliefs, the Wali of Bengal declares the independent Sultanate of Bengal, with himself as its head Sultan. To prove legitimacy in the eyes of India, he sends a force of 50,000 to assault Patna. Meanwhile, civil unrest begins to unfold in the Deccan Plateau, with native separatists in Karela amounting 25,000 people.

In France, Count William Wallace of Guines organizes a coalition of French vassals to stop the Lotharingian advancement on the Somme. He gathers a total of 3,300 levies from the Burgundian free nobles to attack the Lotharingian encampments.

In Spain, the latest Andalucian revolt assumes control over population centers comprising almost 80,000 people just north of Gibraltar. This causes significant unrest to also begin to sprout up in the Rif part of Morocco.

The English Royal Advisor expresses grave disapproval of the Treaty of Llanfair, and do not wish to recognize its cession inasmuch as they don't recognize much anything about the Celtic Confederacy. He recommends opening an alliance with France, equally threatened by the Welsh-Scottish interference in Brittany, now finding common ground against a common enemy. King William himself, having cleaned up his own civil war, is open for a temporary rapprochement.

In Naples, a plague breaks out consisting of a very strange and unknown disease, dubbed "syphilis". As this disease only appears on people having unmitigated sex, it is taken to be a divine punishment on people succumbing to lust.

The Xaroyaca Empire collapses suddenly, shaking the balance of power in Mesoamerica. While the Huastec Ehecatl Hualcauhmi expands his realm into the fractured Empire, rumors circulate throughout the region of "sea men" speaking strange tongues arriving in the Yucatan.

In France, Edmund Fontaine of Paris uses iron parts and coiled springs to build a portable timepiece.

  • Greater Kingdom of Arles and Burgundy: With the coalition of Italian States against Hispania, a small Pisan Army of 3,000 enters Florence. This is to defend it against Italian Attacks. In Arles, Lucas II proclaims the lands to be united as one Kingdom, without the need of Burgundy swearing fealty to France. The recovered Arlean Navy of 60 ships moves to La Spezia, blockading the Modenan Supply. The Painting of Lucas I is painted. Altisi "Sharparm" dies this year, and he is mourned as a great general and warrior. The centralisation of the Kingdom Continues. The economy is improved and six more ships are built.
  • Dai Viet: The increasing Japanese influence in Southeast Asia has raised serious concerns for Dai Viet. (SECRET). The Emperor discusses with the court about the situation. "The Japanese have been getting their hands on our business lately. What do you think about this?" "The situation is very serious, Your Majesty. First, they have disrupted our domain of the sea. Secondly, they insulted our ally of Majapahit by supporting the independence of Kalimantan. Your Majesty, please consider taking actions against them!" "It's very true that they have been doing that. But, insulting them at the moment can lead to another conflict. I want to avoid that, considering their influence and manpower. They have very good ties with our rival, Siam as well, so I fear that would be a two-front war. So, instead, I will do the following: I will send envoys to ask them about the situation, possibly to improve relations with them. The History Texts also mentions the Madyas nation which we had contacts with during the reign of Emperor Nhan Tong. I will send envoys to them as well, possibly to improve relations with them. That will slowly give us a standing in the archipelago." "Your actions are very wise, Your Majesty. But, what about our ally, Majapahit?" "Sending more troops to aid them would be suicide. The war is lost." (END SECRET). The Emperor sends envoys to Japan carrying gifts of silk and swiftlets' nest to Japan, asking to improve relations with Japan. They also demand Japan's fleet to move away from Dai Viet's domain of the sea, convincing that they mean no offense but just trying to protect the country's domain. (Japan Response Needed). Also, the envoys arrive in OTL Mindoro instead of Madyas. Thinking it was Madyas, the envoys landed in there only to find out the islands isn't occupied by any nation.
    • Japanese Dip: The Empire will back off the direct coastal regions of Dai Viet, but the Viet's shall remain tied to the mainland. Further attempts to expand into the islands to their east or south will be met with direct and open Hostility. They are recognized as de-facto part of the Japanese trade umbrella and infringement upon that will result in open conflict as well.
  • Iceland: The king’s son has a daughter named Anna. Henry is being prepared to take over if his father should suddenly die.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen, now Archchancellor, arranges a meeting with the King of Lothringia, in which he requests that the king of Lothringia consider the distinguished officers who have helped him create the Lothringian navy, and recommend an officer of great ability to build up the Imperial navy in the same way. (Lothringian Response). Along the way, he attends the celebration in Saxony, and notes with pleasure that the Duke of Saxony is still a strong defender of the true faith, though he is growing very curious about Thuringia, and resolves to visit there next year. He takes this opportunity to get to know his fellow electors, in preparation for taking up the reins of the imperial administrative system. He continues to preach that the church should hold itself to a high standard of conduct, while at the same time emphasizing the benefits that come from a church with strong, centralized leadership in the form of the Pope and the great good this accomplishes, such as the holy armies that can depose unjust leaders, the massive charity organizations, and the free education which is now available all over the empire. He continues donating extensively from his own personal wealth to the church, living in a more austere manner, as the Pope has modeled. He continues to preach that, as all wisdom is God breathed, so, too, the Church should be the leader in science and education. He patronized the University of Darmstadt, continuing to try to improve it, still seeking more learned priests to teach the philosophy and science classes. He supports the study of ancient literature, having always been a lover of history, in the certainty that all knowledge benefits man and brings him closer to God. He concentrates on improving the laws and taxes of Mainz, and working to increase general prosperity. He patronizes the Assembly of Preachers, Pontifical Press, and publishing of new books. He patronizes the arts and sciences in Mainz. He joins the Pope in condemning strongly the Crusaders who acted in a barbarous and unchristian manner in Florence, and not only makes a donation himself to help repair the damages, but orders the Imperial Treasurer to give a donation as well. He publicly endorses the actions of the League of Como. Imperial Treasurer Kaspar Von Roggendorf continues to monitor closely the income and expenditure of the empire, and keep the tax code fair and the trade revenues high, and to invest in foreign trade. The naval reforms and expansions continue to slowly roll forward. The construction of the Naval Academy in Rostock, and the new port city called Heinrichshaven continue. Von Roggendorf, in his capacity as Treasurer of the entire Holy Roman Empire, continues to patronize the arms industry in Prague, following the same incentive program as Bavaria. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka continues restoring the Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He continues with the reforms and expansions of the Army and its weapons, keeping them cutting edge. He continues to keep their training standards high and well-organized, and continues the practice of mixing men from around the Empire and moving units to different Imperial cities, so they come to think of themselves as soldiers of the Empire, not of one city.
    • Lotharingia Response: The Senatus Regus Lotharrii tells the Archbishop that owning Aachen and Gulik is worth more then Paradise. The Senate nor king being interested in the title or even allowing the Imperial navy in Lotharingian cities.
  • Roman Empire: Facing minor victories in Krete and Eubea, the Roman land forces in Krete are transferred to Eubea to end the fighting there. The naval blockade is continued to keep the island isolated and the Venetian forces there contained. The 12,000 men kept in reserve are loaded onto ships and joined by the remaining ships of the imperial fleet, some 500 vessels, called for emergency duty. These ships make a break for Venice proper, looking to destroy the local garrison, seize the city’s wealth, and force an end to the war. Should a landing be ill-advised or defenses clearly exceed the strength of the army then a massive naval bombardment will be used to level the Venetian Arsenal and the city’s harbors.
    • [Algo, Please]: 12,000 men and 500 ships against Venice’s garrison. The army comprises 10,000 heavy infantry, 2,000 heavy cavalry. The operation will begin with intense naval bombardment of the city followed by an invasion of the un-fortified city. Should the defenders appear to outnumber the Roman Forces the landing will be called-off but bombardment will continue. Great volumes of Greek Fire are brought to fill the Venetian canals with flame to cook the city's inhabitants alive. The liquid is deployed by several large fire-barges built specifically for this task and armored with wetted leather and iron plates. These barges dump hundreds of barrels of the flammable substance throughout the city before lighting the entire-city aflame. The Doge's Palace is also targeted with the aim of leveling in totality the coastal building. 
    • [Algo, Please]: With Russian reinforcements of 5,000 heavy infantry and the survivors from the invasion of Krete the Roman forces now number 24,000 men including 15,000 heavy infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry, and 3,000 light cavalry. They advance on the Venetian positions on the island, setting up a siege against the Venetian fortifications. 
  • Rossiya: Dimitri sends a letter to his father requesting 5,000 men to assist the Greeks in their conquest of Venetian held lands. Mikhail III aquices to this sending 5,000 men to be commanded by his son. The young Russian who was in charge of these exchanges is a young Russian from Kiev named Nikolai Turgenev the son of a Russian merchant who started trading in Moldovia and in Crimean back in the 1480s making himself a small fortune on tapping into the Black Sea Trade. Nikolai proves to be a steadfast friend of Dimitri and shows his knack for discretion in dealing with the biddings of the young Prince and proves resourceful in doing these jobs quickly making him the righthand man of the Prince as his clerk. The Rus' fighting under Dimitri partake in the battle of Eubea fight in formation with the Greeks adopting their formations of piketeers using Greek Menulions (pikes) and muskeeters. Back in Rossiya. Tensions continue to grow as efforts to push for a more centralized administration are resisted by many of Boyars and the republican faction in the cities. Mikhail continues to do all he can to bolster his son's position making sure that the lower noblity and freeholders who provide the core of his personal vassals remain loyal to him. Despite the administrative issues and economic growth continues in Novgorod, Tver and KIev.
  • Hindustan: Shamsher Singh died earlier that year and was succeeded by his eldest nephew (eldest son of his brother Hussain), his nominee, Zulfiqar Mirza and adopted the regnal title of Devanampriya Samraat Zulfiqar Mirza Hindustani (Beloved of the Gods Emperor Zulfiqar Mirza Hindustani). Zulfiquar Mirza was chosen above Shamsher Singh’s two sons as he considered them unable to rule the vast Empire that he had established. Empress Viti, the wife of the Ethiopian Emperor was close to her cousin brother, Zulfiqar Mirza, he was extremely despised by Haydar Singh, Shamsher Singh’s second eldest. Ahmed Singh, Shamsher Singh’s eldest, had accepted Zulfiqar’s nomination to respect his father’s decision. Ahmed Singh’s relations with Zulfiqar Mirza remained frosty at best. The Wali of Bengal, Wali Kapilendra Gajapati, decided to initiate a revolt against the new Samraat (Emperor) knowing of the situation in Delhi. He was able to get the elderly General Narendra ud-Daula on his side and expected to win his sovereignty. While Kapilendra Gajapati had expected that his revolt would lead to a breakdown in Delhi, it did not happen. Zulfiqar Mirza immediately dispatched 80,000 troops of the Imperial Army and 50 light cannons under General Sikander Bakht to defend Patna. This also led Zulfiqar Mirza to strengthen the Intelligence department and expand it issuing a Farman (which was the first Farman to be printed using a Metal Movable Type) However, the Department had been severely weakened over the previous years and had fallen into insignificance, Zulfiqar Mirza’s sudden interest would not be able to stop further revolts, as history has shown. Zulfiqar Mirza was also the first ruler to adopt the title of Emperor and began calling his realm as the Hindustani Samrajya (Hindustani Empire).  
  • County Palatine of the Rhine: After a few years in office, Philip had left his mark on the empire and the culinary world forever. He completed his recipe book, which functioned as a sort of memoir, and left the truth of his secret ingredient to his eldest son Louis. On one fateful day in March, the Emperor decided to make his most daring experiment yet: a layer cake that was a life-sized sculpture of Charlemagne. This proved a daunting task, that kept the Emperor up day and night. The later investigation would posit that it was during this state of impaired judgment from lack of sleep, and perhaps also from consumption of cooking wine, that the Emperor accidentally left the ovens on for too long. When responders arrived to help the Emperor a firing was already blazing that consumed part of the Emperor’s laboratory in downtown Frankfurt. Although Imperial Guard Jan Jakob attempted to rescue him from the flames, the smoke proved too much for the older Emperor, and he passed away by morning.
  • Hesse: When the news of the Emperor passing reaches Agnes of Hesse, she believes the office may be cursed and urges her husband Jezrahiah not to run. Instead she learns that Frederick von Hohenzollern is running, and she endorses him. After discovering the news that he tried to frame her for murder, Agnes hopes that will get him away from Hesse. As Frederick is quite ambitious and conceited he takes up the campaign vigorously. She makes a grim realization, that the Emperor was killed in the presence of a Hessian knight, making her wonder if it was truly an accident that he died and the Hessian claimants are now running.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" Juliaen de kremer Generaal-admiraal is brought aware of the army of 3,300 soldiers under William Walace of Guines. It becomes clear to the Generaal-Admiraal that even as peace is desired, that faith has chosen otherwise for him. Thus Juliaen sends a messenger to the King Jan V about the current situation and on the fact that the Gewesten are in danger and that he desires more troops to prevent foreign intervention from helping the rebelion. The king responds with first ensuring the full might of the General-admiral in Artois and Bonen and by sending an aditional 1,500 soldiers, while Juliaen recruits another 500 pikemen. This totals the Lotharingische armee in Krijggebiet West to 7,000 soldiers mostly centered around the City of Bonen which he declares a fotres which must fight until death. While in Rotterdam the RHS Rijnpoort, Rotterdam and Zuyder Zee return back from the "Eilanden met Hemelse stranden". They return with even greater wealth then before with more fish gold, rare stones and metals and foods, this wealth being yet untapped by any mayor power. Thus the Rotterdamse handels compagnie prepares to make voyages happen every two years and explore the land around Fasul peninsula. As it is believed that the lands around the peninsula have even greater wealth, as the peninsula is believed to have an unlimited amount of food and vegetation. The peninula being remarked with fertility of the lands and people, as the Lucayan speak about a lake that can make people youthful once more. While in Frisia the "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" sets their first journey to lands way this being the Orkney Islands where some fish and whale fat and many other goods. This confirming the companies status as a starting company daring to take risks, which foreign merchants shouldn't mess with. King Leonard even looking into investing into the company itself, as it shows great potentional which could help the royal navy greatly.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: With the discovery of Brazil, the king claims all of Brazil for Portugal as Cabral is appointed governor of Portuguese Brazil after establishing a trade post in Porto Seguro. (nate gave permission). Dias returns to his post as Governor of Angola which continues to grow steadily. The alliance with the Celts is signed which is done in an effort to grow Portugal's power. In the other colonies the profits keep increasing due to increasing trade with the natives. This year's colonial suplus is being used to build bridges and roads in Sao Tome and Principe, to make the environment more friendly to live in.
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: Mata begins to write a book himself about the intermingling of Mitshawri and Faraism. The docks at Tunga are expended as 16 ships now patrol coastal waters. (I was navy building prior to 1500 you can check.) The settlement in Saldahna bay is slowing teaching the Khoe the ways of Mutapa with the usual pastoralist moving thier camps closer to the settlement. Adai leaves to map the Northern Domains of the kingdom. Settlers at Lake Malawai complain of native attacks. Mata dispatches 100 cavalrymen to track down the leaders of tribes in the area in try to integrate them. Kiku the one-eyed returns to Ithiyopiya to ask officals if they would like to visit our lands. (Ethiopian Player response.) Another ship is sent the island of Mozambique to ask who these new settlers are. (Portuguese player response.) Blast furnaces slowly pop up around the capital but are limited to close to the royal house and mostly in the Ahruja quarter. Tamil becomes more and more a part of the language as concept not in shona are just kept in Tamil.
    • You lack sufficient metallurgy knowledge to have blast furnaces. -Drenegan.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin is saddened to hear of the passing away (death) of the Emperor, who he voted for, and sends a message to Frederick von Hohenzollern, saying he will vote for him in exchange for the Counties of Lindau and Wernigerode (Hesse Response?) However, he also pledges to vote for whoever can promise him the most territories. He hopes this is an acceptable request. The "wuntein" (from French Fontaine) becomes the most common and popular kind of timepiece in Saxony. Edmund Alwin also proposes that the County Palatine be raised to an electorate - having produced one Emperor, it ought to be given the electoral dignity, he feels. Shadrach de la Marck has one illegitimate son, named Otto Shadrach. A painter named Gottfried Palast Lustrum, in Saxony, is found to be able to paint and create remarkably lifelike portraits.  
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: After the death of Philip II, Ottokar IV considers running for the office of Emperor, but finds himself too preoccupied with other developments. He does not attend the election, but partially through the insistence of his brother Charles, the Bohemian delegation votes for Frederick von Hohenzollern. It is noted that there is increased activity of the Taborites in Bohemia, leading to an uneasy situation among the religious. Works from neighboring Thuringia and Saxony began to circulate within the nation thanks in part to the printing press, leading to increased proliferation of non-orthodox ideology. In Brandenburg especially, where Duke Charles is a noted opponent of the Pope, the estates there are increasingly more lenient and slow to act against heretical communities. The King, however, has no noted objection to the Pope, and he tries to promote religious uniformity. Improvements to the military are undertaken, with the professional army setting a goal of equipping one in every four soldiers with a firearm, as opposed to the previous norm of one in five, and the European average of one in ten. This proves an expensive undertaking, and is a goal that is only gradually met. In order to fund this going forward, changes to taxation and bureaucracy began in the days of Henry III continue to be expanded. Nationwide a system of taxing households based on wealth, as assessed by regular censuses is implemented, which is collected twice a year in times of war. In order to make tax collection easier, a coin system reform is introduced, in which a coin with finer silver content, weighing one-half gram, is implemented, and a more stable ratio of 100 coins of silver to one coin of gold is implemented. The Bohemian army also further decreases cost and improves its doctrine based on the lessons of the Taborite movement; pavisors and wagons are used to guard infantry, while the nation’s cavalry is trained in harassing enemy forces attacking the center. Bohemia also houses one of the most renowned cannon makers in Europe, as the decrees of the Henry III have led to Prague being home to the main cannon producers of the Empire, which in turn has made them one of the most sought after continentally. The nation has a large number of light cannons, which are chiefly used in pitched battles as opposed to only sieges, and are more mobile than cannons of old.
    • That method of taxation is more of a modern development than one suited for this time period. -Drenegan.
  • Empire of Japan: Empress Suiko having put in much time into governing the country recognizes the clear fact that her own husband, having been handpicked for her at the age of 16 has effectively not been involved in any politics even as a member of the Fujiwara clan which hold the title of a High noble house of Japan. Her husband Yoshiro having refused to let their son participate in government or martial education has flown in the face of many of the long held traditions of the Imperial family. However, as their son reaches the age he should involve himself in a political position, Yoshiro refuses to let the 17-year-old leave the imperial-held castle in Nagoya. As crown prince Kenshiro is held against his will essentially, much to Suikos Chagrin a surprising amount of support comes from the the daimyo of the country as they all see this as a mishandling of the crown prince and spitting in the face of the Empress. This surprising outpouring of Support emboldens Suiko who in a shocking move neglects to use the Imperial army and orders that her son be retrieved from Nagoya Castle immediately, using specifically forces from the daimyo giving them an implicit trust that her son will come to no harm. Of the hundreds of Daimyo, 93 offer up their personal forces and march on Nagoya now bereft of Imperial forces who had been ordered to stand down and remain in their barracks. Yoshiro left with only 300 of his personal guards relents releasing the boy and commits Seppuku bringing the bizzare episode to a close. As Kenshiro arrives in the capital to great fanfare he is submitted to rigourous testing to figure out his lacking skills and is promptly pushed at the Zaibatsu to train him in the ways of managing trade and heavy arithmatic and writing to get him up to speed and prepare the young man to become emperor of Japan one day. Known simply as the Sarawak concession the Japanese administration of the area has been relatively problem free for the first year and the assessment of the region has come it. Kuchin being a relatively decent sized port is slated to become the Japanese supply and transit hub of the entire region for Japanese based trade and military action. the 15,000 troops previously sent to the region are requested to be kept there specifically by the Zaibatsu which wish to see their trade in the region remain and offer to help offset the cost of maintaining them. With 5,000 troops left on Batam and the remaining 10,000 in the Sarawak Concession the Imperial diet authorizes the troops to remain and replaces the active Kensei order troops with 5,000 imperial troops. The separation of Kalimantan has also had far reaching consequences, most of them good as the state has breathed its first breath of freedom in decades. While a sultanate in its own right, the warm relations between Japan and Kalimantan promptly get warmer as the trade between the two starts to speed up and a lack of persecution of Muslims continues to remain a source of improving relations. As the situation calms down still the large fleet sent to handle the situation is disbanded and the Southern Combined fleet returns to their respective regions with the 250 ship South China Sea fleet now basing most of its operations out of Kuchin rather than Batam. However, a significant presence of the fleet is still given at Batam due to its strategic positioning. As of the census this year including the new Sarawak concession the Empire of Japan is noted to have nearly 11.5 million people and growing. A trend, however, is noticed that even with major trade going full steam ahead, the local economies seem to be doing absolutely fantastic. With prosperity and a major surplus, as well as multiple years of record harvests, the population has started to grow at a heavy rate on the home islands as well as a few places in Manzhuguo. This begins to fuel into a newer trend of more largescale urbanization occuring in Japan. With a stable home currency, the cataloguing of secret fields and the growing use of cultivated land, and the large scale improvements in varying local economies, Japan has begun a period of unprecedented population growth. This year a more permanent expedition of settlers is sent to Kenenaitzu to maintain hold over the area. Multiple landings also result in further claiming of land on the island chain running up to the Kenenaitzu settlement. Development in the Azuma islands, now properly named as the Koba islands (after Kenta Koba who settled the region originally in the north) continues as multiple smaller villages have begun to pop up across japanese held territory in the region. 
  • Duchy of Habsburg: Peter fathers twins: Ernest and Maximilian in year 1491, they are now ten years of age. Peter discovers he has an aunt, long lost sister of Leopold, they are invited into family and given place to live. In fact, all Habsburgs, the Duke gives a place for them to reside in Swabia. Niccolo von Habsburg, having been a priest, petitions holy father to be a cardinal. (Papal response). Albert VII von Habsburg is hosted in party, and the relative is granted lands, decides the Duke. Declared Lord of Kehl, across from Strasbourg. Alliance offered to Wurttemburg still. (player response) and to Hesse (player response).
  • Kingdom of Hungary: In our capital we continue to build the biggest university of all of Europe. We develop and expand our mines all throughout the nation. Our military recruits new people to join daily by setting up flyers around the nation. The royal black army academy in our nation begins remodeling by adding more to the existing building making it bigger. With trade going so well we import military weaponry and tactical books at an increased rate so we can equip our troops with the most brilliant educational material. As for the weaponry, we only buy the most advanced weapons on the market from whoever is selling. Other stuff we import is more technology from other nations. In our factories we continue to produce more printing presses so we can increase the number of books and flyers within the nation. Agriculture is going well with that being our biggest export from our nation. With fighting going on in Venice, we guard our border more tightly on our side and shoot down any person from their side of the boader that tries to cross into our nation. The ports increase by the develop of more ports. On the ports more ships are made for the navy.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The war with Majapahit has finally been concluded with its unconditional surrender in the wake of the loss of all its forces invading Bali. The entirety of Majapahit's holdings on Sumatra and Bangka are to become vassal to Ayutthaya with the Molucca Islands and South Sulawesi released as allied sovereign states to Ayutthaya with the Ayutthayan Commerce Guild monopolizing on the spices they produce in exchange for fair compensation. With the island of Bangka under Ayutthayan control a force of troops is sent to expel the Dai Viet garrison from the island and ensure that the island is firmly in the hands of Ayutthaya's vassals. With the war finally over, Prince Borromarachathirat III has begun to move aggressively to expand and consolidate the hinterlands between Phitnanulok and Ayutthaya due to Ayutthaya's forces still returning from Bali in preparation for the inevitable conflict to come. The Capital Defense Corps of Ayutthaya has been deployed in far larger patrols than in the years prior to combat the Phitsnanulok troops moving into the regions with Sunan Kudus reaching out to the cities and towns of the Malay peninsula, who are extremely loyal to him following his time as governor, to contribute their forces to Ayutthaya's efforts to secure as much possible before tensions boil over. The Conservative faction of Ayutthaya's court have begun to withdraw to their holdings and regions as they have chosen to side with Borromarachathirat III in the coming conflict and started the mobilization of their forces. In the meantime, Ramathibodi II has undertaken efforts to begin moving Ayutthayan documents, records, artifacts, and other treasures to safe locations where they are to remain until the war is over as a precaution should Ayutthaya ever come under threat. The Ayutthayan navy remains wholeheartedly loyal to the Royalist faction and continues to oversee the flow of commerce and trade due to their inability to affect the war on land. The Japanese quarter of Ayutthaya have offered a group of troops made up entirely of volunteers to Ramathibodi II granting him the use of the the Japanese samurai who had made their home in Ayutthaya. The Commerce Guild has declared its intent to remain neutral on the matter but has made concealed efforts to supply and reinforce the Royalist in a way that ensures they profit.
    • Dai viet response: Dai viet demands Ayutthayan troops to withdraw from bangka as the island is under Dai Viet occupation. Dai viet have been making concessions with Ayutthaya throughout the war and thus demand Siamese troops to respect dai viet’s presence in bangka considering they have already have access to most of sumatra.
    • Ayutthaya Dip: Dai Viet's demands are refused on the grounds that Bangka was Majapahit territory under the security of Dai Viet's forces meaning that Dai Viet possesses no legal claim to the island unlike Belitung where Dai Viet does have a legal claim considering its purchase of the island. The concessions Dai Viet speaks of are entirely unknown to Ramathibodi II.
  • Kingdom of England: King Henry VII of England is hesitant about the royal advisor who encourages an alliance with France; given that a lot of the English nobility still resents the French for the loss of the English continental territories a few decades ago and the current French King has a dubious reputation on the continent, he thinks this would not be a good idea. Nonetheless, King Henry VII agrees with the general notion that alliances outside of the British Isles will help stabilise and strengthen England. Aside from the recently establish alliance with Sweden, King Henry VII also writes to the King of Spain, asking to reaffirm the Anglo-Spanish alliance that was in place during most of the Hundred Years' War. (Spain response). King Henry VII also writes to the King of Lotharingia, another nation that had aided England during the Hundred Years' War, proposing an alliance between England and Lotharingia also. (Lotharingia response). The Anglo-Swedish alliance continues to benefit the English economy and help it recover from the recent war, with the English selling coal and salt in exchange for metal ores and lumber from Sweden. In Yorkshire, Richard of York continues to use dissatisfaction with the Treaties of Mann and Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch to gather local nobles to his side, promising a more aggressive foreign policy toward the Celtic nations. The deposed Edward VII, who by now has reached adulthood and gained a voice of his own, generally agrees with this strategy of gathering support but is more moderate in temperament. Though, their influence remains constrained to the very north of England, with the only major noble currently supporting them being Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, while the nobles of Westmorland (including Edith, mother and effective regent of the young Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland) are more Lancastrian and stymie Richard of York's diplomatic efforts. Under the leadership of James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex, boatbuilding continues in the ports of Essex, which benefits the maritime trade between England and Sweden. With the approval of Pope Pius III (OOC: Lou could not post this turn but said this would be approved), friars, monks and nuns of the Order of Divine Mercy arrive in England. King Henry VII grants them land near Wells Cathedral in his home county of Somerset to establish an abbey/priory, which becomes known as Bluefriars similarly to how Dominican priories are called Blackfriars and so on; the name Bluefriars is also used by some establishments of the Augustinian sub-order the Brothers of Penitence but these are relatively uncommon. Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset (1455-1501) dies of a disease and his son of the same name (b. 1477), the husband of King Henry VII's daughter Beatrice Beaufort, becomes the 2nd Marquess of Dorset. George Beaufort, 1st Duke of Lancaster and Isabella della Rovere have their third child, a daughter named Anne (b. 1501). Later in the year, Henrietta Beaufort and her second husband William Courtenay have their first child (her fourth), a son named Philip (b. 1501); and Edmund Courtenay and Anne of Bruce-Auvergne have their fifth child, a son named Reginald (b. 1501). In Europe, Anna of Geneva-Lenzburg (1431-1501), aunt of Peter III, titular Count of Geneva, a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of natural causes. In Chambéry, Aymon II, Duke of Savoy and Margaret of Geneva-Lenzburg have their second child, a daughter named Marianne (b. 1501); and in Rome, Peter III, titular Count of Geneva and Cecilia of Gorizia have their first child, a daughter named Joan (b. 1501).
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Imperial Trade Guild begins hearing from a number of merchants in India of the magnificent wealth of the spice kingdoms in the East. This, combined with Makda Akousa’s report of a wealthy island spice kingdom east of India, compels the Imperial Trade Guild to fund a group of ships sailing eastward, where, following Makda Akousa’s records and maps, they arrive at a port of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. The Ethiopian merchants express their greetings to the Kingdom, and express their desire to begin initiating trade between the Ayutthaya Kingdom and the Ethiopian Empire. [AYUTTHAYA RESPONSE NEEDED]. With more cannons arriving in Ethiopia, the Emperor orders that the Imperial cities begin being fitted with cannons to provide better defenses. The first city to be outfitted with cannons is not the Imperial capital of Barari, but instead the port of Beri, which serves as Ethiopia’s largest port on the Red Sea. The arrival of Hindustani iron workers also leads to the establishment of an Imperial Foundry in Ethiopia. The Indian iron workers soon begin to teach cast iron forging to Ethiopian metalworkers.
    • Ayutthaya Dip: The land of Ethiopia is recalled from an expedition launched decades ago where the expedition provided aid in exchange for the acquisition of arquebus' from a distant land and trade was stabilized. Although Ethiopia is remembered of fondly, their integration into direct trade with Ayutthaya is done with reluctance and limitations considering that their religion is one that brought ruin to China decades ago and still has the ire of the Tian Dynasty. 
  • Kingdom of Wales: King Edmund of Wales dies from old age at the age of 67, having lived a full and truly magnificent life, novel material. His son, Crown Prince Lionel, ascents to the throne of Wales. The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Edmund, who follows suit, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels finishes. Our total fleet stands at 14 caravels. The construction of an additional two caravels is initiated. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of Saint Owain (Lawgoch) perseveres, providing a sense of national unity to the Celtic Confederacy, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Edmund continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Edmund of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being.
  • Vinland: The population hits 6,350. Herleif is injured this year during a hunting expedition and dies. He is succeeded by his son Eric Kuis, who immediately proclaims that the Christian shrine near Elufsker be rebuilt in stone. This causes puzzlement among the Odinist tribal elite. In other news, trade flourishes and the metallurgic industry develops.
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth pushes deeper into Unamaland.

1502

Another day, another stealing of Sky's ideas. SolaceEaSw (talk) 04:33, May 7, 2020 (UTC)

COMPETITION: Starting this month, we are going to be hosting writing contests to flesh out the world around us. We want to know about something fun or cool in your nation. These contests will judge pages about MdM you’ve written (not turns in game). We're going to give you a prompt and let you run with it. The first Merveilles du Monde Writing Contest will begin on May 1st and will run until May 31st. Voting will open during the final week of May. For this month, the topic is religion: This includes but is not limited to religious thinkers, sects, heresies, philosophers, persecutions, and saints. You may write about anything pertaining to the topic that took place between 1295 and the in-game current date.

Frederick von Hohenzollern is elected Emperor Frederick IV of Germany.

The League of Como successfully takes the city of Florence after a brief battle, capturing the previous king and reinstalling Lorenzo de Medici. Their success prompts a similar revolt in Genoa among the populace, with Modena spearheading an invasion there to liberate Genoa. Concurrently, a revolt breaks out in Pisa with League support, as the nobility of the city seek to elect their ruler once more, as opposed to the Arlesian King who rules the city.

The declining state of Nubia splinters the region into numerous, competing tribal federations, with borders being stationed between the Islamic north and the Coptic south. One of these northern federations, led by a Bedouin warrior known as Ak'ari al-Tabat, establishes the Tabatabai Sultanate in OTL Aswan.

A visionary Mullah in the city of Gao, only referred to as "the Antouman", preaches that Yuniyya Islam is bullshit, and that the Chad Emperor practices heresy and wears dresses in his spare time. Although this is currently unknown to the Emperor of Mali, the Antouman grows popular in the local area, with a cult of personality attracting supporters.

The Safavid Dynasty of Persia begins to lead a campaign in the east, conquering some of the states that broke away from the Timurid Dynasty generations ago.

The death of Maharaja Shamsher Singh cracks the long-held sediment of unification in India, with many religious and political leaders speaking simply proclaiming that "no one can simply succeed such a great leader!", although many wish to put their name to the throne. Among these claimaints are the Nayaka Feudal Lords of the Deccan and the South, who collectively organize into the treacherous and unrelenting Nayaka Federation. Proclaiming the succession of Zulfiquar Mirza to be illegitimate, they coalesce around another throne claimant, the Shiqdar of Gulbarga. Within weeks, the city of Gulbarga is conquered, becoming a central point for the new Nayaka state. The Nayaka state now stands, threatening the imposing forts of Alaipur (Devagiri) and Sultanpur themselves, very important cities of Hindustan. The Nayaka begin an assault against the 60,000 Hindustani troops in Kerala with an army of 72,000, utilizing flanking strategies to advance against an army up-hill.

With the war against Majapahit over, the Conservative faction of the Court has begun to take up arms against the city of Ayutthaya, in support of Prince Borromaracha III in Phitsnanulok. The faction maintains defiance against the policies of the court on a variety of issues.

Japanese outposts created in the newly discovered lands of the north are abandoned due to conflict with the natives.

  • Mali Empire: Details on each Mansa's personal life is largely undocumented during this time period, so constructing the personality of each ruler is often times a challenge of historians. Mustafa II is described by people of his court as extremely youthful and virile, performing feats of athleticism such as riding his hourses through the Aviary of Timbuktu. He was noted to distance himself from court politics, and instead focus on running the empire's administration directly in person. The accusations of his political enemies often described the Mansa as rather effeminate, dressing himself in brighter colors and makeup, or even in some cases wearing a dress. It's not clear how much of these accusations were exaggerations, especially as many of these words were not published until many years after the fact. One theory ties back to the protrait of Mansa Mustafa in the "Hall of Emperors" in the Nabi Yunus Mosque in Timbuktu, which depicts him wearing an archaic West African robe that could be mistaken as a dress. Another theory was raised in the 1930s after the exhumation of Mustafa's bones, which suggest that he posessed much wider hips and narrow waist compared to the average person at the time. At any rate, these kind of lampoons was just a small symptom of the growing problems in the inland regions of the empire, particularly in the subkingdom of Gao. Gao had slowly become more of a hub of Sunni Muslims that had immigrated from Bornu, which continued to clash with the Yunni Islam more common in the Mali Empire. It was in this context that the Sunni Muslim preacher Jayob Antouman fostered support in his ongoing conflict against the Yunni faith. In the south, the Mansa hopes to follow through the success of Jabal Asada in order to secure religious harmony across the tributaries of West Africa. The drastically-increased tribute of slaves are assumed from Asada's new vassal of Futa Jallon, and will continue as a firther explotation of their human resoruces. Mansa Mustafa reaches out to the Emir of Jabal Asada, commanding that he should come visit the city of Segu to pay homage to the Manding Caliph, the true successor of Muhammad, affirming his allegience to the Yunni Sect of Islam. (Player RESPONSE). The rising power of the Abbasid Caliph in Egypt is of great alarm to the empire, in the midst of dealing with religious conflict between the Sunnis and Yunnis. He attempts to send an envoy of peace to Egypt, consisting of 80 camels, 60 donkeys, 70 officers, 110 slaves, 50 Mithqals of gold and 100 Mithqals of salt, to the Caliph in Cairo. He says by the envoy that the Mali Emperor would ask to respect our alliances and trade relations in Egypt as we have had for many years, insofar as recognizing Al-Mutawakkil as the Sultan of Egypt, but we do not recognize him as the successor of Muhammad, as has been an ancient custom of our people. (EGYPT RESPONSE). Exploration of the Atlantic Ocean continues, as Mali seeks to find better trade routes to India to replace the declining resource of the Sahara Caravan trade. In light of our long-standing mutually-beneficial trade relations, the Mali Empire reaches out to the Kontor of the Hanseatic League in Mar Yakub (Cape Verde), asking for purchasing their navigation charts and maps to have a better understanding the extent of the known world, and what routes the Europeans are using to reach India. (HANSA RESPONSE).
  • Abbasid Caliphate: The reign of Caliph al-Mutansir II was a point of turbulence but was necessary for the growth of the Abbasid dynasty after centuries of misplacement and disaster consistantly looming at all times. The size of the Grand Army, established nearly three years prior, outfits the seven major fortresses of the Caliphate with each holding 3,000 troops directly, supporting a total of 21,000, with the Quwalnukhba stationed in Cairo. Caliph al-Mutansir II, hearing about the rise of Muslims in their struggle against the Spanish Crown, declares war on the Spanish Empire, sending a force of 5,000 warriors, led by Ibrahim al-Jan ibn Muhammad, to establish a source of security and liberation for the people of Rif in the city of Nador, while an additional force of 6,000, led by a young but the strategic Admiral Emran ibn Mohammad Ahl al-Baghdadi, flank the garrisons at Taourirt in a surprise raid at night. [Algos Needed]. A Mamluk knight and diplomat known as Abdel Baqer Al-Najdi travels to the domain of the Wattasid dynasty, expressing that the Abbasid Caliph will ensure the return of Rif to the people of Morocco if they become a vassal of The Caliphate. [Wattasid Response Needed]. Meanwhile, Samir al-Azad gathers enough funds to venture into the Indian Ocean, heading eastward toward these mysterious spice kingdoms, launchingfrom the port of Dhaka. I wonder where he will go. [Mod Response Needed].
    • The expedition travels and arrives at a land known as Hindustan at a city by the name of Goa. -Drenegan.
  • Iceland: The heir has another son named Arnar.
  • Vinland: The population reaches 6,475. Trade flourishes with the Mi'kmaq and throughout the island. The metallurgic industry grows this year. Many smiths and metalworkers hear rumors of the great technology and fine crafts of the sea-farers from the east. They mentions these rumors at the 1502 Thing held in Vargrberg, requesting that Eric Kuis bring new knowledge and technology to Vinland. Eric Kuis, in response, sends letter to the Portuguese, petitioning the Queen to send men of great expertise to Vinland in order to educate the island's people on new metalworking techniques and technologies. [PORTUGUESE RESPONSE]. In other news, Eric Kuis proclaims Christianity a "great faith" at the Thing. Rumors persist that he is a secret Christian, although because there is hope he brings better techology and knowledge to this island, this is temporarily tolerated.
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands further into Unamaland. Keathutberga reaches a population of 294.
    • Portuguese Dip: We accept and sens a group of out finest metalworkers to them.
  • In the Messin Republic this year, a new Head-Aldermann is elected named Arnaud, and he prioritizes strengthening the nation to handle possible future threats in these uncertain times. He orders the training of a small army that in times of war can be supplemented by mercenaries and levies. A new system is also put in place to better count the population and fairly raise said levies. Arnaud reaches out to the nearby nation of Saarbrucken, stating that both of our nations have much to gain from mutual cooperation and protection against much larger neighboring nations, and Arnaud believes that by banding together and combining their administrations, they can ensure the mutual defense of both regions more easily. Therefore he asks Saarbrucken to join the Messin Republic as an equal member, with full citizenship and voting rights for its aristocracy, and with the leaders of Saarbrucken retaining their autonomy and leadership over their respective region. (Mod response needed). Arnaud also asks the Duchy of Habsburg, Duchy of Wurttemberg, and the Swabian League for allies. (Player and mod responses needed). 
    • The County of Saarbrucken does not feel like they need to join in the Messin Republic, as they are more closely aligned politically with Nassau, but they are grateful for the offer
    • Wurttemburg is not sure of an alliance right away but they are open for closer diplomatic relations
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The conflict between the Royalist and Conservative factions have broken out in full swing this year. In the opening phases, the Capital Defense Corps of Phitsanulok, numbering at 6,000 men, has advanced to engage and capture the city of Sukhothai pinning the garrison of 2,000 inside the city. Hearing news of the actions of Prince Borromarachathirat III, Ramathibodi II calls on the garrison of Ayutthaya as well as the initial troops that could be quickly gathered from as far south as Ranong, amassing a force 14,000 strong to advance on Phitsnanulok with him at the helm. The troops make it far north as the Royalist city of Uthai Thani before the Conservative city of Nakhon Sawan and nearby Conservative cities and towns dispatch a force composed of 10,000 men to halt the Royalist forces from making any further headway. The troops engaged in pitched battle along the banks of the Chao Phraya River near the town of Plalai with the first major battle of the war ending in a victory for the Conservatives under the command of Sakda Thanom and a humiliating defeat for the numerically superior Royalist forces. The Royalist withdrew to Uthai Thani to fortify it as the command post for the conflict and to recuperate their losses as more troops are brought in from the South. Khoja Hassan has been dispatched to the Northeastern region of Ayutthaya with an escort of 1,000 men to gather troops to move against Phitsnanulok only to find the region in turmoil itself as the Conservative-aligned nobles made their move against the newer nobility put in place following the previous revolt in the region. This news is sent back to Ramathibodi II on the swiftest mounts available with Khoja Hassan settling down in the city of Yasothon to use it as the rallying point for the Royalist-aligned forces of the region bringing together a force 15,000 strong which is then directed at Amnat Charoen to reach the Royalist troops stationed along the Mekong, primarily at fort Ban Nong Phue. The Conservative forces in the region numbering 19,000 are divided into two forces with one composed of 16,000 are sent to intercept Khoja Hassan's effort to reach the border troops with a small detachment of 2,000 men sent to harass and occupy the border garrison. Khoja Hassan manages to wrest a victory from the claws of the enemy through the clever positioning of the siege cannons and arquebusiers he had been allotted for his escort. Despite, his victory Khoja Hassan is forced to make camp at the town of Non Pho Sub due to hi efforts only amounting to driving off the Conservative forces who had returned to Amnat Charoen to wait for the troops sent to the crush the border garrison to return. Eventually, a force from the Royalist city of Ubonrachathani arrives is dispatched composed of 1,000 men to assist Khoja Hassan he makes another, attempt to break past the enemy lines with the bulk of his forces engaging the Conservative forces in pitched battle around Amnat Charoen while an entirely mounted cavalry force is sent to the relieve the garrison. Eventually, the border garrison can break free from their encirclement and link up with the main force under Khoja Hassan as he continued to drive the enemy back away from Amnat Charoen leaving the city vulnerable for him to seize. The reinforcements expected from as far south as Malacca eventually arrive bolstering the forces of Royalist forces at Uthai Thani to by 8,000 men as well as a volunteer force from the Japanese quarter of Ayutthaya composed of 500 troops including samurai. Ramathibodi II breaks his forces into two armies with one composed 14,000 and the other of 6,500 men with the smaller being dispatched to assail the temple of Wat Nong Kradi Nok on the other side of the mountains near Ulthai Thani which was being used to house Conservative troops in preparation for a pincer assault on the command post with the Conservative troops in Nakhon Sawan. They manage to surprise the enemy forces encamped at the temple and drive them back to Wat Si Ulthum Phon on the northern end of the mountain ridge. Buying time for Ramathibodi II to train and rest his troops in preparation for the grueling campaign ahead. In Pegu, the city of Yangon has risen in support of the Conservatives with Borromarachathirat III having promised their independence in exchange for their support and raised a force at 10,000 strong from various Conservative allies in Pegu to advance on Bago and push onto Three Pagodas Pass, the main transit point into Ayutthaya and manned by a force composed of 5,000 trained troops. The commander of the garrison at the pass has seen fit to allot 3,000 of his men to augment the Royalist forces amassing at Bago totaling at 6,000 troops. A graduate of the War College, Nattanai Chaiprasit, who had been serving in the garrison at Three Pagodas Pass has been given the authority by the commander of the garrison to take command of the Royalist forces and fight the Conservative troops. The opposing forces engaged in battle at the town of Dabein with the result being a stalemate with neither side able to secure the advantage and drive each other out of the town. The city of Prome in the chaos has declared itself in favor of the Conservatives and mobilized it's forced to move southward and assist the Conservative forces in sealing of Three Pagodas Pass to remove Ayutthayan control from it. The Ayutthayan Navy continues to dutifully perform its role in safeguarding naval trade routes for the conflict but has made the support of the Royalist quite clearly refusing to aid and harassing Conservative supporting merchants. The Commerce Guild has declared its neutrality in the state of affairs but has made concealed efforts to provide supplies to the Royalist at cheapened cost. 
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" The "Koninglyke West Afrikaansche Compagnie" seeing the succes of the Rotterdamse Handels and the discovery of "Den Eilanden met een Hemels Strand" begins to look into making more voyages to India. One way of making this easier is by funding Uurwald as it is the closest port and town distance wise to India, and has good suply of food and wood to build new ships and tools for those attempting a voyage. The town of Uurwald even being renamed to Kaboutshaven by the KWAC guilds in the honour of Giovanni Caboto, or Jan Kabouts as he's known in Belgic. Although the KWAC is stronger then ever before competition is arising such as small merchants banding together to go on voyages to East and West India. The voyages going under the banner Compagnie vry handelsvloten (CVH), this being a name given to these free merchants by the Government itself. A group of ten Merchants from the Middelburg area grouping together to send a voyage to India, under the leadership of Anton Brouwer. Anton Brouwer and his merchant friends able to buy one Jersey and one Sloop, the ships being called Middelburger Sint Michiels and Middelburger Maelceadar. These ships going to from Middelburg to Caruna to Samla where they then go to Portuguese part of Hendrico Island, where after they to go at once to southern point of Africa find a big island of the coast of the African Kingdom of Mutape. The group under leadership of Anton Brouwer offering money, trade and taxation upon the traders and their families if he is allowed to set up a small town and port on the island of Ushurutswa. (Player response). This small town would allow a more free and open trade in Asia and Africa, Brouwer planning to allow all merchants to stop in the small port for only small sum. The merchants wanting to have an island and town of hospitality and liberty. Thus the small Sloop Middelburger Maelceadar stays at the island of Ushurutswa, the Jersey going to the Indian town of Surat. The Middelburger Sint Michiels Reaching the town and buying Indian curry spice and herbs, these being very popular and seeked after in Lotharingia. The Lotharingians selling Belgic wool and gold and much more, even if it's clear there is more of a demand for Indian goods then there is for Belgic goods. King John V seeing the trouble of the spanish in the Rif region, moves 1,000 of the 6,000 soldiers on the Burgundonian front, as he sends these troops to help his wife with the troops. The king wanting to help his wife but not able to do more then he does now due to the rebelion in Bonen and Artesië. The fight continuing still which begins to work both on the nerves of Admiraal-generaal Juliaen de Kremer and King Jan V, the king sending 2,000 soldiers to Juliaen. Thus the Army on the Burgudian border having shrunk to 3,000 from the original 6,000.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: Hearing about the Abbasids declaration of war on Spain, the king is forced to take a hard decision. He decides that the risk of losing Western Sahara is too small with the risk of a growing Abbasid caliphate and decides to declare war on the Abbasids. 15,000 troops are mobilized and begin to march to Ceute and Mellila while the Portuguese navy begins operations with the help of the Spanish navy. The king himself leads the army putting his sister Inez as heir if he were to die. The king also orders that the Western Sahara colonies shall prepare for sieges and evacuates non-essential people there. The army is split into two battle groups consisting of 10,000 and 5,000 with the stronger heading to Ceuta and the lesser to Melilla.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: Ethiopian iron workers continue to learn from the Hindustani workers sent over. Under the guidance of Hindustani cast-iron forgers, work continues on an Imperial foundry, with materials, tools, and proper forges being built in Barari. The forges begin attempting to create the first Ethiopian-built cannon under Hindustani guidance. In northern Somalia the Chewa fortresses built over a century and a half ago have turned into flourishing cities, bringing Ethiopian culture, religion and people into the region. The Prince Adalfredo, acting as the Duke of Somalia, creates a military college in Cha’fu, the chief Chewa-fortress turned major city in northern Somalia. High-ranking and influential Chewa families who traditionally formed the pool of officers amongst the Chewa send their men to train and learn at this new military academy, where they are educated in military history, tactics and strategy. The efforts of the Imperial government to use the Order of St. Anthony and the Order of St. Laurentius to educate the populace sees moderate success, as the monks of each Order continue teaching classes in Greek and Amharic, with the monasteries by now having evolved into schools for the peasantry and lower class. The Emperor Tewodros III is tremendously concerned following the collapse of the Nubian Christian Kingdom of Makuria. Intending to preserve Christianity in Nubia, the Emperor sends diplomats to his ally the Kingdom of Alodia, offering to provide firearms and security to the nation in exchange for Alodia becoming a vassal of the Empire. The Emperor also promises Alodia they will be placed in control of Christian Nubia if they submit as a vassal. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. 
    • Alodia wants to try to handle it themsleves before resorting to that.
  • Hanseatic West Indies: The colonies in Paaschen and St. Brennan prosper, especially on the latter with the alliance with the native chiefs is forged. The captain Harald Krull hears of the landmasses to the west, and attempts with a crew composed of Arawak natives andGgerman sailors to travel along the coast west of the Wiehnacht colony (OTL Trinidad), and to set up settlements along the coast, and if possible, to make friends with the locals. (RNG FOR THE VOYAGE, PLEASE). On St. Brennan the diplomats of the Hansa Colonial administration meet with the allied chiefs there. They are offered generous presents and even guns to fight their rivals, however, only under the condition that they will allow more settlements on the northern coast of St. Brennan. The Hanseatic Diplomats state that the natives will not be stripped of any land (except for just enough to support the colonies food supply that is) and that the wealth will be shared with their people, for they will be treated as good neighbors. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). Palisades start to be build to fortify the settlements, and pigs imported by the settlers start to be a common sight all over the islands. Sweet potatoes, known as yellow beets by the German settlers and fishing are major food sources, while valuable sugar, fruit and tobacco, a plant that the indigenous people of the islands use as medicine and for ritual purposes are cultivated by a small extend. Especially for the cultivation of the latter the governor of St. Brennan sees a great opportunity (especially when he notices that the sailors and soldiers are quite fond of the extracts and the smoke, to a degree of addiction) to make a profit with these. Small scale farming for tobacco to be imported to the Hanseatic cities begins. 
    • The voyage discovers the island of OTL Nueva Esparta.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archchancellor Bertrand of Villingen visits the Archbishopric of Bremen on his way back from Lotharingia, and interviews several well-known captains who might be worthy of becoming Commander of the Imperial Navy. He creates a list of prospective names, which he presents to the Emperor for approval when he congradulates him on his election and pledges his loyalty as Archchancellor this year. He also visits Thuringia, and listens to a sermon by Konrad Jung. Deeply impressed by the man, he meets with him afterward and invites him to return with him to Mainz, to talk at length about how the church should be reformed (Thuringia Response). He assumes control over the administration of the imperial circles, and makes sure that the emperor’s laws remain uniformly and efficiently enforced over all the imperial immediacies. He continues to preach that the church should hold itself to a high standard of conduct, while at the same time emphasizing the benefits that come from a church with strong, centralized leadership in the form of the Pope and the great good this accomplishes, such as the holy armies that can depose unjust leaders, the massive charity organizations, and the free education which is now available all over the empire. He continues donating extensively from his own personal wealth to the church, living in a more austere manner, as the Pope has modeled. He continues to preach that, as all wisdom is God breathed, so too the Church should be the leader in science and education. He patronized the University of Darmstadt, continuing to try to improve it to be one of the greatest universities in Europe, still recruiting more learned priests to teach the philosophy and science classes. He supports the study of ancient literature, having always been a lover of history, in the certainty that all knowledge benefits man and brings him closer to God. He concentrates on improving the laws and taxes of Mainz, and working to increase general prosperity. He patronizes the Assembly of Preachers, Pontifical Press, and publishing of new books. He patronizes the arts and sciences in Mainz. Imperial Treasurer Kaspar Von Roggendorf continues to monitor closely the income and expenditure of the empire, and keep the tax code fair and the trade revenues high, and to invest in foreign trade. He is inspired by the reform of Bohemia to the coin system, and begins ordering the Imperial mints to also standardize, as well as abandoning the minting of coins unique to the individual Free Imperial Cities, in favor of a single type of Imperial coin. The naval reforms and expansions continue to slowly roll forward. The construction of the Naval Academy in Rostock is completed and the new port city called Heinrichshaven continues to grow up around the shipyards. Von Roggendorf, in his capacity as Treasurer of the entire Holy Roman Empire, continues to patronize the arms industry in Prague, following the same incentive program as Bavaria. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka continues expanding the Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He continues with the reforms and expansions of the Army and its weapons, keeping them cutting edge, and increasing the use of more modern weapons among his soldiers, and keeping their training modern. He continues to keep their training standards high and well-organized, and continues the practice of mixing men from around the Empire and moving units to different Imperial cities, so they come to think of themselves as soldiers of the Empire, not of one city. 
  • Papal States: This year, Pope Pius III creates as cardinals Tommaso Asti (Papal States), Pietro Accoti (Ancona) and Jean Ferrier (Arles). The Holy Father declares Pope Martin V and Pope Eugene IV as Blessed.
  • Duchy of Habsburg: The Duke feels very slighted, when Niccolo asked to be made a cardinal, but the Pope made three other fellows one instead and ignored Niccolo. Discontent against the Papacy begins to rise, and Duke Peter advices the family to get out of Italy and come to Habsburg. Peter gives out titles to his family members, those who arrive. The alliance offers that Duke Peter requested were all ignored. Angered, he seeks allies elsewhere. He offers alliance to Metz, Bavaria, and Hesse (Player responses needed).
    • You only control Peter Habsburg and his immediate family in the Duchy of Habsburg, all the other family members are in Rome, such as Niccolò of Habsburg, and thus are under the control of the Papal States. Baring action from the Papal States player, you can assume that none of the Habsburgs in Italy leave Rome. 
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony requests the County of Weringerode from the newly elected Emperor Frederick IV, which he requested last year in exchange for voting for Frederick. Having indeed voted for Frederick, he hopes the new Emperor will oblige him and reward him for his support. (Hesse Response?) Shadrach de la Marck, meanwhile, continues on his search for Alexander Suslin. Having found nothing of interest inside the mysterious church he climbed into several years ago, he decides to go to a cartographer, and asks this cartographer if the map of Southern Swabia Tuslin left behind has any secret markings or messages concealed in it. (Mod Response?) The Duke of Saxony Edmund Alwin also offers an alliance with the Duke of Habsburg.
    • Hungary Dip: We accept your niece.
  • Hesse: Emperor Frederick is crowned in Aachen late last year, and he begins his term as Emperor, creating a new government. He combines many of the choices of the previous two cabinets, deciding to let the Archbishop of Mainz continue being Archchancellor for another cabinet. Hesse accepts the alliance from the Habsburgs. Agnes hears that Saarbrucken is closely aligned politically to Nassau, and although this is news to her, she decides to take advantage of the situation by telling them they should swear fealty to Nassau. (Mod response). The Emperor replies to Saxony that he can't do that as he doesn’t know what that is, but decides he will give the Duke a position in the cabinet at least as a reward. The Hessians begin to take heed of many of the publications coming from Thuringia. As Agnes has no love for the Papacy after their many fiascos against her, she allows such sentiment to go unpunished. She is angered that she was excommunicated in a random fashion from the Pope, and that he still technically has not lifted it, as he mistakenly un-excommunicated someone named “Anne” instead. This starts to lead her to believe there is some truth to the heretical idea that a papacy and church hierarchy is actually not beneficial, but she wonders if it’s corruption or incompetence brought on by the overbearing bureaucracy.
    • Saxon Diplomacy: Edmund Alwin thanks the Emperor, but, as the Duke already holds a position in the Imperial cabinet, and as the Duke discovers, after further research, that Wernigerode no longer exists, he instead asks for the County of Stolberg (a small and insignificant German state in the Upper Saxon Circle).
    • Saarbrucken does not.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: The army continues its growth in troop count each year, with the King planning expansion of his borders within the next decades he talks about a great Hungary. The build up of our navy and the ports continue. The King's son is looking for a wife. (Anyone can respond): The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
      • Saxon Diplomacy: Edmund Alwin offers his neice Eberhardina de la Marck as a potential bride for the King's son.
  • Roman Empire: the naval defeat at the Battle of Otranto is disappointing. However, since the Venetian fleet suffered crushing losses alongside the Roman forces the blow is less severe when the 250 Roman ships in the Aegean are considered. The surviving ships from the attack rendezvous with the combined fleet of Krete, adding their 12,000 men to the army there before sailing for home for repairs.
    • [Algo, Depending on the Doge’s Response]: 39,000 men and 250 ships against Venice’s garrison on Krete of 16,000 men. The army consists of 21,000 heavy infantry, 8,000 heavy cavalry, and 6,000 light cavalry.


  • Duchy of Thuringia: The growth of the printing press industry continues, with many different works being translated and mass produced. In eastern Thuringia there is discontent rising among the population against the church and other authorities, as it is evident that many of the heretics of the earlier inquisition fled to that region, and were protected by apathetic or sympathetic lords. With the inquisition having come and gone, they have largely managed to avoid detection, especially to anyone outside Thuringia. The Thin White Duke only manages to gleam this due to the White Knights establishing a network of espionage across the country. There are several key nobles secretly responsible, including Conrad von Lautertal, William of Mühlberg, William von Bibra of Meiningen, and Gregor von Hanstein of Altenburg, who all either have personal objections to the church or a deep-rooted vendetta against the church after events such as the Henrician Civil War (e.g., William von Bibra’s father being assassinated by the inquisitors). A small defense force begins to be raised in Altenburg as these nobles pool their resources to protect the region should the inquisition return, and they also begin inciting the peasants to similar ends. Conflict nearly breaks out with the nearby Bishop of Naumburg and the Bishop of Merseburg. Numerous communities exist in secret in Thuringia and across the border into Meissen, of Adamites living communally without private property, church restrictions, and other institutions; they incorporate some of the political teachings of the Thin White Duke, and he in turn learns from their experiences. Less radical among the dissenters are those who are still incorporated into regular society, but reject transubstantiation, priesthoods, and the eucharist. Konrad Jung writes a correspondence to the Archbishop of Mainz, stating that he will explain his ideas if Mainz is open to listen, but stating he he is hesitant to go to Mainz in person due to the reputation Mainz has for its association with the church and the inquisition, and Jung requests a promise of safe conduct before he considers departing from Thuringia.
  • Kingdom of England: King Henry VII continues his efforts from the previous year to improve England's stability and global standing. He writes to the Queen of Spain, asking to reaffirm the Anglo-Spanish alliance that was in place during most of the Hundred Years' War. (Spain response). Additionally, he writes to the King of Lotharingia, another nation that had aided England during the Hundred Years' War, proposing an alliance between England and Lotharingia also. (Lotharingia response). In Yorkshire, Richard of York and the deposed Edward VII continue slowly renewing the Yorkist military, leading Lancastrian nobles in Westmorland to also start building up troops in anticipation of the conflict resuming. George Beaufort, Duke of Lancaster recommends to his father King Henry VII that the Lancastrian army should march north en masse to Yorkshire to take the Yorkists down once and for all, but the King hesitates about this, thinking it would leave the south of England too vulnerable and put too much strain on the economy this soon after the last war. The maritime trade between England and Sweden continues, and helps the English economy recover from the effects of the last conflict. As James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex and Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Bristol continue shipbuilding efforts in their respective counties, King Henry VII writes to King Eric XIV of Sweden, proposing an official program of exchange of shipbuilders, shipbuilding knowledge and other maritime expertise that should help England and Sweden's navies with approaching the level of those of surrounding nations such as Denmark, the Hanseatic League and the Celtic Confederacy. (Mod response). He also asks if Eric has any family members who could be betrothed to William Beaufort, Duke of Exeter (b. 1491), one of King Henry VII's sons. (Mod response). The construction of the priory of the Order of Divine Mercy near Wells in Somerset continues. In Dorchester, Dorothy Grey and Marcantonio I Colonna have their first child, a son named Thomas (Tommaso) (b. 1502) in honour of Dorothy's late father Thomas Grey, 1st Marquess of Dorset. Soon after, Marcantonio officially becomes a commander of a company of mercenaries in Dorset, similar to the Italian condottieri system he had previously been part of. In York, Eleanor of Gloucester (1492-1502), daughter of Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester, dies of a disease. Edward Beaufort, 5th Duke of Somerset and Anne Neville have their first child, a daughter named Margaret (b. 1502). Later in the year, Beatrice Beaufort and Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset have their third child, a daughter named Henrietta (b. 1502) in honour of Beatrice's sister; Louise of York and Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent have their second child, a daughter named Bridget (b. 1502); and Sérlait of Bruce-Auvergne and John VII, Duke of Brittany have their third child, a son named Edward (b. 1502) in honour of Sérlait's brother King Edward IV of Scotland. In Europe, Seselia Sturlungur (1438-1502), mother of Peter III, titular Count of Geneva; and Anna de la Marck (1447-1502), mother of King Henry of Denmark, both relatives of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, die of similar diseases. Burkhard von Lenzburg and Girolama Farnese have their third child, a son named Konrad (b. 1502); Peter III, titular Count of Geneva and Cecilia of Gorizia have their second child, a son named William V (b. 1502) in honour of Peter's father who died in the War of the Spider's Web; and Engelbert IV of Gorizia and Lucrezia Borgia have their second child, a daughter named Lucia (b. 1502).
    • Sweden accepts the ship exchange, and offers his daughter Eline for marriage
      • England response: King Henry VII of England accepts the marriage between William Beaufort (b. 1491) and Eline of Sweden (b. 1487).
    • Hispanian Empire: Queen Katherine de Barcelona eagerly accepts King Henry VII's proposal to reaffirm the Anglo-Spanish alliance once again that was in place during most of the Hundred Years' War, proposing a royal marriage to strengthen the bonds between our respective dynasties. (ENGLISH RESPONSE PLEASE).
      • England response: All of King Henry VII's children are now married, but he supports the idea of a marriage of one of his grandchildren such as Margaret of Somerset (b. 1502) or Ursula of Lancaster (b. 1496) to Spain once they are a bit older.
  • Empire of Japan: As this years expedition reaches Kenenaitzu the outpost is shown to be absolutely ruined and ransacked. However, without proper training and maintenance, much of the equipment would be useless to the natives anyway, it still prompts a rare second voyage this year. This time with replacements to rebuild the outposts infrastructure as well as a group of proper soldiers. With 30 men left to continue their duties and 20 soldiers brought to defend the outpost, a proper bit of fortification is also constructed to help defend the outpost and prevent another collapse. Strangely enough however, the lack of the vast majority of the bodies of the prior dead men prompts a search to discover what happened. The manhunt continues for months as the area is scoured. Run ins with natives, large and dangerous wildlife and the brutal cold of the winter does nothing to harry the small squad of men sent out to learn of the dissappearence of their comrades. Months of searching yields four bodies all of which were damaged badly very clearly by crude weapons. On the return trip three men of the original expedition looking worse for wear come out of the woods having survived. The story is told that the two tribes in the region known only as the Kenaite and the Tainaina unified briefly to put aside their differences and wipe out what was seen as pesky meddling outsiders. These tribals then attacked in the deep of the regions bizzare one month nights and conducted a siege of the outpost. It is learned many of the bodies were taken by both tribes. However, their losses were high as they attempted to wipe out the outpost. As the current expeditionary leader mulls over his options he marches instead with his 20 soldiers to both tribes main encampments in full battle garb as an intimidation tactic. Rather than be attacked like he thought, both tribes upon seeing the heavily armed samurai and their demonic looking face masks consider the Samurai as Demons punishing them for some unforseen reason. A lack of contact for the rest of the year prompts the expedition to wonder if this is truly all over. As the developments in the Sarawak concession continue a consistent push of many people to go on the "Hajj" is noticed and many of the local Japanese troops and sailors collectively wonder what this Hajj is. Much to the shock of the Admiral of the South Seas fleet it is learned that a city far to the west called Mecca is what the local Muslims speak of. It intrigues the Admiral, and while not aparty to entertaining their religion personally he sees some worth in learning of where this city lies and and the powers that be who hold it. A request is sent to the homeland to arrange a small mission to escort a group of the Muslim Aristocracy on the island to Mecca exploring and mapping along the way. In the home provinces the re-establishment of the crown prince proper to his position in the imperial family rather than a hostage to his father brings relative peace to the homeland. As everything begins to work efficiently and effectively due to varying amounts of daimyo adapting to their new roles well, a new issue arises in the mainland Asian provinces. The Manchu lords (rather than all the manchus) begin clamoring for some sort of more proper recognition within the Empire itself rather than the token representation they currently have. It is also noted that even the Manchu Khan in the vassal state to the north has more representation within administrative and legislative walks of government. This prompts an evaluation of who might be considered proper to admit into these circles. Empress Suiko personally takes the lead in attempting to address the issues specifically looking for capable administrators to elevate as lords of their respective lands (and also hence secure more direct loyalty from them).
  • Hispanian Empire: The Italian conflict with the League of Como is concluded with the resolved in an amicable way for both sides Treaty of Pisa, taking that front out of the picture and enabling us to focus all of our resources in the conflict in Andalusia against the heathens. As a wave of large instability engulfs Andalucian, as a large Muslim revolt unravel, one that threatens the very core of our nation, the experienced General Jacques the Ripper, which has several successfully concluded conflicts in his resume, is dispatched with a force 20,000 men strong to deal with this situation, the 80,000 Muslim peasant rebels in Andalusia, in a ruthless, swift and desicive manner, moving after every single isolated pocket of rebels separately, who lack a central leadership to coalesce around and face the Hispanians all at once, with the former Andalusian Muslim native upper nobility having been assimilated to the Hispanian nobility a whole long time ago, relocating to the royal court at Toledo. But everything is about to change, as the recently unified Caliphate joins the conflict in support of the Andalusian Muslims, spreading a wave of chill around the country, as Queen Katherine de Barcelona's first response is complete outraged, reportedly throwing pieces of furniture of her royal palace and [SECRET] vowing to never rest until the very last Muslim in Andalusia and the Rif is either converted to Christianity or put to the torch [SECRET END], but for the time being, she knows very well that reason must prevail over emotion is, thus in the best respect of the interests of her majesty and after several sessions and cooling her anger with the help of her advisors, a general policy is initiated directed at not needlessly antagonizing the locals, regardless of their respective religion, as long as they reaffirm their loyalty to the Hispanian crown and proving it actively by abiding by the obligations of the royal pardon provided to them, as the Muslims were are longer given their rights provided by the Treaty of Granada and were given the choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif, with the crown offering partial compensation for any non-movable assets (Houses, etc), or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. [(MOD RESPONSE, PLEASE)]. Additionally two separate armies of 20,000 men each under the command of Prince Jan and the young but battle-hardened, proven as a commander in the French front and Northern Italy, Baron Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, who happens to actually be a direct ancestor of his fambled popular folk-hero's namesake, the unparalleled "El Cid", commonly known as "El Campeador" by the Hispanians, a Hispanian national icon during the Reconquista, for now the country needs nothing more than hope. Both are send to handle the Caliphate's encroachments in the cities of Nador and Taourirt and to relief their respective garissons. The delegation of diplomats and nobles, along with a few Spanish explorers, send through the Trans-African Silk Road and Mali, to a Spanish settlement by Emperor Tewodros is finally received with much graces after a harsh trip and a few "sidetrips". The Hispanian royalty with the utmost support of the court and the nobility, especially in context with the concurrent conflict with the Caliphate, believes it essential to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Christian nation of Ethiopia, which also happens to be a neighbour to our enemy, the Caliphate, thus extensively focusing their efforts in that regard. King Lucas the Young of Arles, our principal ally for over a century now, is called to arms to assist us against the heathen threat that the Caliphate poses, with whatever resources he can supply us with, at the promise of free sailing, without taxation, from the straits of Gibraltar, as well as the opportunity to claim some port cities for his realm in the region from the hands of the heathens. (Arlesian Response, Please).
  • Greater Kingdom of Arles and Burgundy: With the situation in Italy getting worse, Lucas II agrees to sign the treaty of Pisa. We declare war on Morocco, on the grounds that we are supporting our Allies Hispania. 65 ships advance on the ports of Oran and Arzew, blockading them. Meanwhile, ten ships at the city of Nouvelle Digne sail up to hep the Spanish at Agadir. Mobilising a force of 11,000, led by Fathien Mulchaio de Ross, We travel down into Hispania and meet Hispanian Forces at Nador. Another force of 5,000 men led by Lyren Myzxaido stays in Marseilles. We reach out to our brothers the Papal States and Savoy for support. (PAPAL STATES AND MOD RESPONSE). smaller numbers of ships garrison Corsica and Sardinia. Eight more ships are built and three more further Ok-Boomers like cannons are built. The economy is improved and centralization continues.
    • Arlean Pisan Nobles: We gather a small force of 250 to join the forces at Nador. Philippe Lowen II commands the garrisoln at Fort Lowen.

1503

Another day, another case of coronavirus. SolaceEaSw (talk) 05:05, May 8, 2020 (UTC)

Smile and wave boys, smile and wave. -Drenegan.

Pope Pius III dies this year. Although it's unclear exactly how, some say he was on the toilet when he passed over. Anyways, a new conclave is held to elect the new Pope.

The Treaty of Pisa ends the war of the League of Como, with Florence, Pisa, and Genoa each affirmed to be independent republics once more. The League instead turns its attention to the war between Venice and the Byzantines, with further action against the Venetians on the peninsula being condemned.

After the attack against the garrison in southern Lotharingia fails, the rebels of the Boulogne area raise the remaining forces they have, supplemented by a good amount of volunteers from France and Burgundy and various mercenaries and allies of the minor lords there, and take up a purely defensive stance in the fortresses of the region. The local populace harasses the Lotharingians and disrupts their supply lines and infrastructure, but refuse to give a pitched battle. Instead they hope to antagonize Lotharingia into an unfavorable attack against their defenses. Until the rebels can be dislodged, the region becomes de facto independent of Lotharingian rule.

After suffering heavy damage to the city, Venice manages to defeat the Byzantines at sea and drive them back from the Adriatic.

In Spain, Inquisitor Dren has rallied an army of fanatics, numbering 500 strong to him and moved to offer his support to the Spanish in the fight the against the encroaching Abbasid Caliphate.

The power of the Cossacks continue to develop within their autonomous isolated communities. With their powerbase based mostly inside of the Ukrainian steppes they prove to be an affront to both the King of Poland and the Russian princes who demand something be done to reign in these "fake horselords" A small joint Russo-Polish force in a rare act of cooperation is sent to tackle the cossacks and is promptly wiped out forcing both Poland and Russia to address the Cossacks in a different light.

The further establishment of Mutapan power in the north prompts various tribal entities within the state to migrate out of the region toward the south looking for greener pastures outside of the Mutapan kingdom. This migration of multiple tribes is met with Shock by many in Mutapa, however, as the varying tribes set themselves to the West, many wonder where they will go next.

Garissons in Gondwana are overran by the Gondi people, who are able to establish a kingdom in the region after the mobilization and movement of Hindustani troops out of the region. The forces of Bengal re-enforce their lines at Rajshahi while seeking out allies that can come to their aid. Meanwhile, after pushing out the remaining forces in the south, the Nyaka Federation secures its territory while re-building forces. Reports of high casualties from the front in Kerala rings an alarm for the once unified Empire.

Conflict between Alodia and the Tabatabai Sultanate continues this year, with the southern remnant of Mankuria remaining occupied by Alodia.

The Huastec Ehecatl, Hualcauhmi, leads a grand war against the Empire of Oaxaca. Meanwhile, the Mayapan League loses control over its western territories, causing the region to spiral into various independent city-states and principalities.

  • Kingdom of France: After the Concordat of Bologna was signed between William II and the Pope (in the Papal States’ turn), the feud that was ongoing at that time between the two was mended. William II then acted alongside the crusaders against the heretics, managing to end the wars in France some years ago. The Duke of Berry having been captured in the process, died soon after and was known as a heretic and treasonous noble to the grave. Fearing a possible lack of a male heir after William’s death, the King dedicates himself to preventing a succession crisis. First he pens the Mutual Pact of Succession, which is presented to the most related nobles of France, in which they promise to the king to accept his judgement on succession. Secondly, he creates the Pragmatic Sanction, which is a law specifying an agnatic succession in the event of there being no male heir. The King has all the nobles in turn swear to this the validity of this document. He also seeks to promote this favorable to those of the nation, with many nobles profiting off such a change. The nation has recovered from a great deal of its earlier problems a few decades ago. The recent war, although costly, has allowed the crown to gain control directly over many lands, and curtail the power of the nobility and vassals. Albeit, the King makes good on his promise not to harm any of the rights of the nobility or extort them. With the abolishment of serfdom effectively carried out nationwide, the King now directly owns most of France in direct perpetuity independent of feudal nobility, although many places have kingly appointed viceroyal administrators. The army has gained considerable experience and skill after the recent wars, with officers and generals of the army having become well versed in a more modern form of warfare. Although still small in quantity, the French army has a high degree of integration of firearms and light cannons, making extensive use of bombardment in pitched battle. The administrative reforms and changes to the bureaucracy made necessary by the warfare has an effect of allowing for greater and more efficient raising of levies in the future. William II sends a delegation to London to treat with the English royalty. He sends a large gift of goods with them to bestow upon the English. In his message he admits that England and France have had a long history of hostility in the past, but he notes the geopolitical situation has changed. Both France and England have a clear mutual enemy, as England is now being targeted by their rivals in the British Isles: the Celts. He states that it would be prudent for these two nations to ally for the mutual defense, as our enemies threaten to both dislodge France and England from their respective regions of influence. If an alliance is untenable, then William at least overs a marriage proposal. He notes that his own mother was an English princess, and it is not unprecedented ur uncommon for such a union to exist. He hopes that such a marriage would help mend the schism between these two nations and help repair relations. And of course, William trusts that this discussion be kept private between these two courts and not be spread in the form of a rumor outside England. (England response needed). The King makes a series of other diplomatic ventures. Due to the union of Burgundy and Arles, the King asks for an alliance with the Count Palatine of Burgundy. (Player response). He accepts the offer of close tries from the nation of Metz, and the King feels likewise about increasing trade between the two nations. The King also offers alliances to the Duke of Julich. (mod response), the Count Palatine of the Rhine (Player response), and the Duchy of Habsburg (Player response), hoping to create an alliance of states in the Rhine to protect the eastern border of France and that region mutually. The idea of an unofficial chief minister of France forms, as the King begins employing highly skilled advisors from all different estates of France to help him run the government efficiently. One of the experts of the recent war, Gilles de Xaintrailles, Lord of Aubigny, Count of Lennox, is appointed to the position of Grand Marshall and becomes the de facto chief minister in France.
    • Kingdom of France: The Treaty of Bourges is written and signed between France and the nation of Arles, which sees some minor territory being ceded to France in exchange for money and aid in their war. French soldiers occupy the ceded regions and go about transitioning the regions into provinces of France. The money owed to Arles is paid to them in installments over time, being completed by the end of the year. As part of the deal with Arles, the nation sends it support for the war against the North African nation. A contingent of soldiers is sent to aid in the attack in Morocco to repulse the North Africans, and the French navy is dispatched to the coast to aid in attacking them. The expedition reveals that the French navy has become lacking in comparison to other nations, and the King uses the opportunity to build up and strengthen the navy. New ships are built in a more modern style, incorporating knowledge learned from the Moroccan offensive, and implementing techniques used by our allies. The upgrade of the navy is a slow process, with the groundwork being laid through the upgrading of ports and docks in key cities along the Atlantic coast primarily. Border fortresses continue to be manned, in case of a surprise attack against the nation by the North Africans or others seeking to take advantage of the distraction the war has caused.
    • Arles and Burgundy Diplomacy: We accept this Alliance and request support against the Hasfids and Morocco.
      • French Diplomacy: The King of France awkwardly explains he actually meant the other Burgundy (the nation bordering Switzerland), not the Kingdom of Arles and Burgundy, but he says he appreciates the reply from Arles and thanks them for the offer.
      • The Count Palatine of Burgundy accepts the alliance offer.
    • Hispanian Empire: Queen Katherine de Barcelona would also be interested to put the past hostile relations with the Kingdom of France aside, stating that the time for peace and prosperity has come, thus extending an olive branch to King William II of France, proposing a nominalization of relations at the very least, if not an outright alliance, clearly presenting her case that the recent advances of the Caliphate into continental Europe or near it precent an unprecedented threat to Christianity as a total and that the Christian realms must stand united in soliditarity, revoking the gruesome memories of the Battle of Toulouse (721) and the subsequent Battle of Tours a decade later, to illustrate her point of how dangerous the heathen threat can be, even more in this case, that the Muslims stand united under a single Caliphate for the first time in 750 years.
      • France: The King is likewise interested in normalizing relations and so he accepts. Although privately he knows that there is no Caliphate advances into continental Europe nor is there a threat to Christianity as a whole, and he finds the appeal to emotion unconvincing.
    • Mod Response: Julich is willing to ally on the basis of mutual defense only.
      • French Diplomacy: The terms of such an alliance are accepted. [OOC: In the future can a different moderator do diplomacy for nations such as them?]
    • England Diplomacy: Like when the royal advisor suggested it two years before, King Henry VII of England is still reluctant to establish an official alliance with France because of the anti-French sentiment that remains among many lower English nobles as a result of the devastating Hundred Years' War, and because he fears such an alliance may be used by his Yorkist rivals as another instance of him being too soft on English rivals. He is, however, open to a general rapprochement to the extent that it does not conflict with England's existing alliances with Spain and Sweden and (potentially) Lotharingia. When writing back to William II, Henry VII also notes that because of the recent deaths and marriages in their respective family trees it doesn't seem that there are currently suitable people for a Beaufort-Capet marriage, but he is open to having one in the future.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The year begins with an offensive launched by the Conservatives intent on driving back Royalist forces in the Northeast and Central fronts. On the Central Front, the Conservative advance with an army of 19,000 having been built up over the past year and managed to move swiftly enough to wipe out the forward watch post put in place to raise the alarm once the enemy is on the move. Despite, managing to advance far enough to catch the forces marshaled at Uthai Thani by surprise, the decisive action was taken by Ramathibodi II and his commander, Hang Nadim, managed to repel enemy forces through the careful use of the best-trained arquebusiers who were used to demoralize the enemy troops through careful use of their skills. The numerically superior gunpowder weapons in Royalist possession also contribute to the victory has proven to be an invaluable piece of the defense after having been entrenched and fortified for months following the last engagement in the region. The Conservative forces despite putting up a valiant effort are broken by the 21,000 troops of the Royalist arrayed against them and proceed to rout with Royalist forces chasing after them. The 6,500 men stationed at Wat Nong Kradi Nokare given orders to advance onto the city of Nakhon Sawan and manage to overwhelm the token force of 200 men left behind in its defense resulting in a resounding victory for the Royalist troops. The main body of troops eventually arrives in the city to use it as a staging point before advancing further onto the Phitsanulok. Despite, having secured a victory, the Royalist aligned city of Sukhothai capitulated to the siege it faced from the Phitsanulok Capital Defense Corps permitting these troops to be re-positioned to move south and render aid to Sakda Thanom's forces who have regrouped in the Phichit region. The Royalist forces at Nakhon Sawan despite their initial successes are engaged and bogged down in the Phichit region due to the clever planning and traps set by Sakda Thanom. Eventually, the reinforcements from the Sukothai Campaign arrive and the combined Conservative forces manage to successfully force the Royalists to surrender ground and encamp themselves at Nong Daek Nga. The opportunity presented with the Royalist forces in encampments allows for fortifications and hasty defenses to be constructed in the Phichit region. Meanwhile, in the Northeast, the Conservative offensive manages to successfully distract the majority of Khoja Hassan's troops stationed at Amnat Charoen allowing for them to advance and encircle Yasothon using the troops at Roi Et. Efforts to break through and relieve the city are met with failure with the failed efforts leading to the city falling into Conservative hands. The loss of the city has struck a major blow to the supply lines of Khoja Hassan's forces who were receiving supplies from the West forcing them to abandon Amnat Charoen in favor of Ubon Ratchathani whose positioning along a river allows for supplies to continue arriving in the numbers needed. A detachment of troops is dispatched to Huai Phra Bang to set up defenses to prevent the Conservatives from driving and seizing the city of Sisaket which continues to be the main hub for supplies flowing toward Ubon Ratchathani. Conservative troops eventually attempt to take Sisaket but are met with failure as the defenses were sufficient enough for Khoja Hassan to drive them as far back as Hua Muang where both sides have ended in stalemate with neither able to break the enemy lines. The Royalist forces at Bago manage to crush the Conservative forces at Yathon under the brilliant command of Nattanai Chaiprasit who devised clever stratagems to drive back the enemy to the city of Yathon where he proceeded to pin them in with the assistance of the Ayutthayan Navy. Eventually, Yathon fell to the assault of Nattani Chaiprasit with some of the enemy forces being able to force their way out in the ensuing chaos to the Conservative forces who had been assembling along the banks of the river opposing Yathon. The ongoing war has taken a toll on many local economies with resources being seized by unscrupulous means as well as the starvation of trade as key trade hubs are traded back and forth between the Conservatives and Royalists. Despite the initial unity held by the Commerce Guild, some have splintered off to conduct business with the Conservatives behind the backs of the guild leader and other members having sensed a chance to earn profit in the war. After careful consideration of the precarious position Ayutthaya finds itself in, the decision has been made to release the Palembang Sultanate from its vassalhood with the conditions that: 1) It recognizes and respects Ayutthaya's vassals/tributaries and allies, 2) Permits the Commerce Guild to use its ports with reduced taxes, and 3) That it will deny aid or cooperation with Ayutthaya's enemies in the event of war. (Palembang Response). Furthermore, there is recognition that the ongoing civil war has affected Ayutthaya's ability to project influence over its vassal states on Sumatra so a decision has been made to break them off as independent states in exchange for friendly relations with Ayutthaya. (Mod Response).
    • Palembang Sultanate: We agree to this.
    • Nathan1123 agreed to the release of Sumatra vassals on friendly terms.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archchancellor Bertrand of Villingen, with the Emperor’s support, appoints Hannes von Sudland as Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy. Von Sudland is the third son of a minor Danish house who sought to make his career in the Hanseatic Navy. He is a natural leader of men, and an expert at naval procedure, but is also very ambitious, and so far has yet to rise to high command. He accepted the offer to resign his commission and join the Imperial Navy as Grand Admiral, and swears he will make it the greatest navy in the world. The Archbishop guarantees safe conduct for Konrad Jung, and renews his invitation. As Achchancellor he makes sure that the emperor’s laws remain uniformly and efficiently enforced over all the imperial immediacies. He continues to preach that the church should hold itself to a high standard of conduct, while at the same time emphasizing the benefits that come from a church with strong, centralized leadership in the form of the Pope, as well as the chaos that would ensure if the church should faction into cults without the leadership of a qualified priesthood, each one teaching their own version of the path of God, and without proper oversight, likely leading countless to Hell. He continues donating extensively from his own personal wealth to the church, living in a more austere manner, as the Pope has modeled. He continues to preach that, as all wisdom is God breathed, so too the Church should be the leader in science and education. He patronized the University of Darmstadt, continuing to try to improve it to be one of the greatest universities in Europe, still recruiting more learned priests to teach the philosophy and science classes. He supports the study of ancient literature, having always been a lover of history, in the certainty that all knowledge benefits man and brings him closer to God. He publicly supports the war against the Abbasid Caliphate, but also advises Rome against committing many church resources to it, as the Church needs to focus on internal problems. He patronizes the Assembly of Preachers, Pontifical Press, and publishing of new books. He patronizes the arts and sciences in Mainz. Imperial Treasurer Kaspar Von Roggendorf continues to monitor closely the income and expenditure of the empire, and keep the tax code fair and the trade revenues high, and to invest in foreign trade. He continues his coin reforms. The naval reforms and expansions continue to slowly roll forward. The new port city called Heinrichshaven continues to grow up around the ship yards. Von Roggendorf, in his capacity as Treasurer of the entire Holy Roman Empire, continues to patronize the arms industry in Prague, following the same incentive program as Bavaria. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka continues expanding the Army of the Holy Roman Empire. He continues with the reforms and expansions of the Army and its weapons, keeping them cutting edge, and increasing the use of more modern weapons among his soldiers, and keeping their training modern. He continues to keep their training standards high and well-organized, and continues the practice of mixing men from around the Empire and moving units to different Imperial cities, so they come to think of themselves as soldiers of the Empire, not of one city.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin thanks the Emperor for attempting to give him a position in the cabinet, but, as the Duke already holds a position in the Imperial cabinet, and as the Duke discovers, after further research, that Wernigerode no longer exists, he instead asks for the County of Stolberg (a small and insignificant German state in the Upper Saxon Circle), and decides to travel to the Imperial capital itself to collect the legal documents concerning his acquisition Stolberg and at the same time to pay everlasting fealty and homage to the Emperor personally (Hesse Response?) Meanwhile, the statue of Emperor Henry VIII the Great, which Duke Edmund Alwin was overseeing the construction of and organising, is finally finished and completed. Known as der Größte Koloss, the statue is the greatest, and largest statue ever seen in Germany, in Europe, and, indeed the known world.
  • Dai Viet: As Ayutthaya has fallen into a civil war, the Emperor sees this is finally an opportunity for Dai Viet to expand their sphere of influence. The Emperor writes an edict declaring war against Lan Na: “My people. We want peace, we had to negotiated the Siamese. But the more we concede, the more they push on, as they want to be the overlord of South East Asia. No! We can't be humiliated like this, nor do we want to be a weak nation. With their war exhaustion high, and their troops engaging into a civil war, I announce the war against Lan Na. Lan Na has been a loyal ally of Siam, but in reality they are a weak nation, with Siam as their protector. Their great leader, Tilokaraj has died long ago and they couldn’t be in a weaker state. They have crushed our ally of Chiang Hung, if we don’t do anything, what will the world think about us? Hopefully in this campaign we will succeed, so we could be proud for the later generations to see.” The casus beli of the war is for revenge for the loss of Chiang Hung, as an army of 20,000 men is ordered to attack Lan Na. The army is divided into two units. The first unit with 7,000 men occupies Chiang Hung while the second unit with 13,000 siege the capital Chiang Mai, with support of siege cannons. Supplies are transferred from Tran Ninh and Lan Xang as well. If there are a supplies shortage, the army is required to ransack for more supplies and grain but not to do it in Chiang Hung. Lan Xang stays neutral for now while offering Dai Viet monetary and supplies support. (algo needed.) The rest of the army is stationed at neighboring provinces waiting for the instructions. (Secret.) An envoy is sent to Sdach Korn as our spies from Khmer has delivered us the news of him wishing to rebel against the current government of Khmer and offers to help him in the future, for the Khmer to be free from vassalage and tribute in return for the Mekong Delta (OTL Cửu Long). He also needs to raise forces for himself and oes not expect Dai Viet forces to do it on their own. (End of Secret, Mod Response.) With the war, fearing that the war might trigger Toungoo, envoys are sent to Taungoo to guarantee peace between Dai Viet and Taungoo for 100 years. (Mod Response).
  • Khmer agrees to rebel with Dai Viet support.
  • Taungoo agrees to a peace.
  • Duchy of Habsburg: The Habsburgs are famous for their marriages, so Duke Peter proposes several marriages. He proposes that Leopold von Habsburg be wed to Margravess Wilhemine of Baden (Mod response), he proposes that Ernest von Habsburg marry Anne of Sausenburg (Mod response), that Zebulon Zobel marry into the House of Bayard (Player response), that Albert VII of Rehl (recently widowed) marries a relative of the Count Palatine of the Rhine (player response), that Anne von Habsburb (daughter of Albert VI) marry the Count Palatine of Burgundy. (Player response). The Duke of Habsburg writes word to the Pope that he is displeased that the Habsburgs have no representation in the College of Cardinals still.
    • Imperial Diplomacy: The Count Palatine of the Rhine and the House of Bayard accept the marriage proposals.
  • Marriages are accepted.
  • 'Rossiya:' Mikhail III passes away after years of lingering poor health following the Campaign against the Kazan. With Dimitri out of Rossiya campaigning for the Romans, The republican faction in Novgorod take advantage of this opportunity to nominate a Novgorodian by the name of Oleg Dolgorukov as the new Kniaz of Novgorod breaking the tradition of electing the house of Tver. This event leads to the Anti-Tverian Boyars centred around Vladimir, Ryazan, Moscuvy, and Yaroslav electing Igor Lobanov-Rostovsky (from a cadet branch of the house of Rurik in Vladimir) as Grand Kniaz stating the continued infringement upon Boyar privileges. The Boyars quickly raise levies to ammase an army of 25,000 men who promptly move to lay siege to Kiev before the Tverian faction can organize while more levies are being raised to move on Tver in the new year, and to prevent Dimitri from returning to Rossiya. In the wake of what amounts to be a Boyar revolt against not only the House of Tver, but also against Novgorodian dominance over the Russian Principalities. The Novgorod Duma raise a Mercenary army and call on the leveis of the Republic and those of Pskov and Smolensk to protect the hard earned gains of the cities and the middle class that rule them. Kniaz Dimitri upon hearing of his father's death and both the revolt of the Republicans and the Boyars quickly withdraws his from the Byzantine war with Venice and rallies his men to begin the march north through Hungary with the Byzantine Fleet occupied. He leaves his wife daughter, and recently born son who he names Constantine after the city he has grown to love behind in Constantinople in the care of Emperor Herodotus until it is safe to bring his family back to Rossiya. He requests passage through the lands of his ally and kin in Hungary, and also requests the support of his King Stephen X in the form of 5,000 men to support him (Dimitri's mother is an Arpad. (Hungarian Response). A letter is also dispatched to the court of Stephan III of Moldovia requesting similar support noting how his father came to the aid of Moldovia when Poland attacked back in the 1470s, and how the Boyars rebelling against his family now were also likely the same ones who recently attempted an attack on the Cossacks in Stephan's domain. (mod response, please). Making his way through Hungary and Moldovia Dimitri secures an extra 10,000 men in the form of Hungarian and Cossacks Mercenaries upon. With 13,000 men He reorganizes his men employing the cossacks as cavalry for skirmishing and for harrassing the enemy's supply lines, while he makes brings the Hungarian heavy infantry into his own ranks of mostly musketeers into pike and shot formations built on his experience campaigning under the Greeks. He makes camp some 40 km north of Kiev along the Dnieper much to the alarm of the Boyar rebels due to the fact that it prevents them from fully encircling Kiev. Word is sent to the Tverian levies to muster though this will take time. Meanwhile, the Dimitri makes camp at his position digging in on to prevent with War Wagons, makeshift fortifications and protected artillery positions, as more troops are being mustered. Some 4,000 men bravely defend the city of Kiev.
  • Mod Response: Moldavia will extend the right to pass through for three years, after which the agreement must be renewed.
    • Hungary Diplomacy: We send the troops to help your nation out, but we expect compensation later on.
  • Hesse: Emperor Frederick IV accepts the request from the Duke-Elector of Saxony Edmund Alwin, although he reminds him that he did not “already” have a cabinet position, as he lost that when Frederick ascended, and Frederick could take that away at any time. In Hesse Agnes and Jezrahiah accepts the alliance offer from the Duchy of Habsburg. Agnes continues be excommunicated, and her story spreads throughout Germany as an example of injustice and cruelty within the church. At least one bishop replies to her in an unprecedented move, stating that the Pope is wrong and he takes it upon himself to declare Agnes a pious individual. The new Vicar of the Hesse region likewise decides against collaborating with the Pope and takes his administration into his own hands, seeking to reform the monasteries under his control.
    • Mainz: The Archbishop is fairly confident that the excummunication against Agnes was lifted when her innocence in violating the Pope's protection was proved. He sends a message to Rome, to alert the new Pope that he must issue a public statement clarifying the issue. (Papal Response). Also, in his capacity as Arbishop of the Diocese of Mainz, which includes Hesse, he personally invites Agnes to join him a church service conducted at St Martin's Church, in Kessel, to show that she is a welcome patron of the church.
  • Majapahit: after the filthy and gross and disgusting Thai helped Bali from driving our forces out, we ask bali for a white peace (mod response) sending five vessels with 2,000 head of the Bali forces we killed as a sign of threat if they didn't win, as our vassal helped us greatly in the war, they will be rewarded with more interest in developing the area and land they own, we send a letter to the Ayutthayan court dectating the following words: "Dear Siamese King, you are the filthiest creature made by the Gods, as Buddha will be ashamed to approach you, also Shiva will rather kill you than let you worship the Goddest, our king of Majapahit prays and practices relegious practices for you to die, you brought shame upon the lands you rule, you are wild asses, you are barbaric, and interfere in everyone's business, I hope that you perish into dust and be sent to hell to burn. The message will be brought with two pigs and four dogs, and a create of cow poop. After the message was sent, our trade must continue, the spice producing islands, we maintain the rice irrigation system, our huge population must continue the process of the continuous plantations of rice to produce large quantities of it, our huge workforce will help to maintain it, as our large workforce shall be able to produce it more, our pirate navy that totally didn't sabotage the Ayutthayan merchant vessels shall be transformed into an official navy, as the king of Majapahit himself will announce the deceleration of the royal Majapahit navy, currently at 230 canoes, the navy will guard our trade routes and increase waters security, envoys and gifts of gold and jewelry to the vassal governors and highest officials, granting them more access to our lands and ports and semi autonomous governing of their land and access to rice terraces if they simply joined Majapahit as a strong empire, the archipelago is ruined by the filthy animals (Ayutthaya) to create a strong empire that will stop the nation from declining and becoming more weak and weak (Mod response) Our trade with China and Japan shall continue, we ask Japanese officials and the empress for a direct trade deal in Singapore and the island they own in the archipelago, we will bring materials to trade such as (Gold, camphor rasin, aromatic sandalwood, and spice) to the trade ports of Japan and China, they will be highly marketed with our quality products and we will encourage many merchant fleets to be lunched to trade the goods and bring us more goods so the economy flows, we also sell nutmeg, a pricy spice kind that caused more blood spilling than the other spice in the world, it will be highly sold for gold and other exotic goods, the spice preserves food from spoiling and make it palatable when it spoils, that is the jackpot, our merchant fleet shall be coordinated, in a specific period of time, they will go north, trading and selling their goods for a season, then return with cargoes of precious objects and exotic goods, our efforts will be seen in whipping the pirates and sea nomads along our coasts into a merchant navy that will escort the trade fleets, we will highly maintain our ports in Java, to ensure the export of our rice that will be produced with our use of wet rice cultivation to boost our agricultural activity, even if the volcanic eruptions occured in Java islands, it has gave us the most fertile soil in the pacific, meaning our great kingdom can produce huge quantities of rice to support a large population and export via trade to ensure our fast recovery, we invite merchants to trade in our Java and Sumatra ports to make it throng with merchants that were surprised by the goods the kingdom trades, to sustain and evade any revolt, rather than annexing the vassal state, we shall enter a royal marriage with it, helping to keep the inlaws marriage network, Hindu Buddhist kingdoms can marry many times to reinforce their wage of allainces and unions, the king, Manputjiya II will never forget his wife, he would make her happy, giving her gifts, and ordering a medium palace to be built for her, one ton of rice will be given to the Dai Viet, a sign of thank you, we will attend to the families of Majapahit that lost their sons and fathers and brothers to the kingdom, they will be gifted gifts, amnested from taxes by five percent, the fishermen will be turned into a crack and bold and feared sailors, who will defend the trade.
    • Ayutthaya Dip: Ramathibodi II would inform the ruler of Majapahit that the spice producing islands of Molucca and Sulawesi have been broken off as independent states following the unconditional surrender. Ramathibodi II would also inform Majapahit that it controls no ports or territory on Sumatra whether it be directly or indirectly. The message given to Ayutthaya has been received with the utmost respect for a rival but its content so impressed the Rama that it was labelled a treasure and preserved in Ayutthaya's archives as a sign of the intelligence and literacy of the people of Majapahit.
  • Bali accepts peace.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: The reign of Caliph al-Mutansir II was a point of turbulence but was necessary for the growth of the Abbasid dynasty after centuries of misplacement and disaster consistantly looming at all times. The size of the Grand Army, established nearly three years prior, outfits the seven major fortresses of the Caliphate with each holding 3,000 troops directly, supporting a total of 21,000, with the Quwalnukhba stationed in Cairo. Caliph al-Mutansir II, hearing news about the situation growing dire in Rif turning awry, he enacts Plan B: re-directing naval forces to the mainland while sweeping the land of Rif with a large enough force to defeat the Spanish heretics. With that in mind, a naval force of 150 galleys armed with cannons fight against the Arlesian and Spanish ships blockading Oran and Arzew, aided by the young but impressionable Abdullah Barbarossa (OTL Hayreddin Barbarossa). After that, they are to move in to blockade and cut off supplies to Rif while another force of 75 ships lay siege to Malta with 1,500 pirates and a force of 40 ships with 1,000 pirates raid and occupy Pantelleria. [Algos Needed]. The remaining navy continues to scout waters in the Western Mediterannean, grouping up on Spanish ships if seen. If they more than 20 ships are destroyed in the process of fighting Arles, another force of 40 ships will arrive to help in establishing the blockade. [Algos Needed]. The Mamluke diplomat, Abdel Baqer Al-Najdi, remains in the court of the Wattasid Sultan, expressing the importance of Morocco re-claiming Rif and becoming a vassal state of the Abbasid Caliphate, but most of all, taking long-held revenge against their Catholic counter-parts. [Wattasid Response Needed]. In terms of land-based confict, two legions of 8,000 troops each are sent to help assist the armies at Nador and Taourirt, establishing light defenses on the outskirts of the two town cities while waiting for siege weapons to be delivered by next year. Secretly, a force of 200 warriors, led by Ibrahim al-Jan ibn Muhammad, begin recruiting Muslim warriors in Rif to help fight for their freedom. [Mod Response for Success]. The Caliph al-Mutansir II asks the Chad Emperor, based on Meanwhile, Samir al-Azad gathers enough funds to venture into the Indian Ocean, heading eastward toward these mysterious spice kingdoms, launchingfrom the port of Dhaka. However, having dropped his compass in the sea on accident, he arrives back in Hindustan. He exclaims loudly "This isn't the spice, this is a Hindu!" He purchases a new compass, and begins his voyage to the court of Ayutthaya while mapping out the region. Hearing of the arriving forces to help counter the Abbasid invasion of the islands, a force of 15 ships are set to intercept the ships before their arrival, with another 1,000 soldiers being sent to the islands to ensure they are forced to surrender before the Spanish arrive. Meanwhile, the force of 40 ships that were originally supposed to sent with casualties reported are sent on accident after hearing about the Spanish fleet's movement. This brings the total to 190 ships. Although Abdullah Barbarossa is inexperienced, the Caliph entrusts that Allah shall aid in the front  utilizing his knowledge of the sea to assist him, with Tlemcen being set up as a way-point for supplies. Surrounded their ships and using flanking when opportunities are opened, Abdullah Barbarossa proves himself in this front, whether a loss or a win [Algo].
  • Ahmad al-Mansur joins the Abbasid against the Catholics in the north send 12,000 (cavalry, soldiers and mercenaries) to help the Muslims nation against them in Chauen.
  • Kingdom of Morocco: Ahmad is enjoying so far, in his life the population is doing well such as the religions are coexisting and peaces trade are doing good Ahmad is furious against the Catholics who rule the north which is the side of Moroccans more population trade is doing good more population grow up so more modernization is made and governments continue to size more economy is doing well and the kingdom is doing alright most of territory is being controlled and develop some expansionist the sultan is making more upgrade and developing his army so far by the way, Morocco is continue to grow up and modernizing to make more richesse which the Moroccans would continue follow the program and its status current more high office is up and continue more trade is positive and especially the western part is doing well Ahmad is currently working so far and more stuff recruiting his army to grow up across the kingdom. 
  • Oman: Oh a woeful day. Our sultan has died from a stroke. Our new lease Muhammed bin Ismail has taken control as the new sultan. We would continue our building on the islands of the Maldives. Meanwhile, our fleet returns from the Indian Ocean allowing our nation to gain more riches. Meanwhile, our navy on the Maldives would count to purge out the natives. Inviting members from I am to inhabit the island. Our new sultan would soon claim the islands as a territory and protectorate of Oman. With this, we would set up towns and colonies on the Maldives. Our future seems bright with our new sultan!
  • Palembang Sultanate: Sultan Shi Jinhai comes to an agreement with the Ayutthaya Kingdom, its nature is such that the royal house of Palembang recognizes and respects Ayutthaya’s partners, permits its commerce guild to access its ports with reduced taxes, and will deny aid and cooperation to Ayutthaya’s enemies in the event of a war between such parties. All ratified and agreed to in exchange for Palembang’s independence. The now independent polity moves to secure more influence in the region, beginning with the development of the city of Palembang itself. The upper-classmen of the city usually held houses and lands while a large segment of the hoi polloi was diminished to the seas in houses known as rumah rakit, rumah limas being the abode of nobles in the realm, while still the only people with the privilege of bricked housing was the royal family itself. In an effort to appease the hoi polloi, referred to as wong jabo, the Sultan will fund the construction of rumah limahs for the commoners, these houses will still require payment and families are free to give up their rumah rakits in exchange for money if they wish to live on land, this program of development and the commercialization of land serves to increase the revenue of the Palembang Sultanate while expanding the city itself, though to clarify, the rumah limas of commoners will nowhere near resemble the rumah limas of the nobility. To appease the nobility, otherwise known as the wong jeroo, the Sultan will have them convene with him in the royal palace, where they will discuss the requirements of the wong jeroo, though the Sultan will not go through the trouble of arranging anything too difficult for them, he will take precautions to ensure that the nobility don’t rise up in revolt as a result of this project. Explaining to them that the wong jabo won’t live near them, but rather on the outskirts of the city itself, beyond the walled fort of the city, such that they may be separated from the nobility, and he promises them that the social hierarchy will still be maintained and that he has no designs for establishing an entirely new hierarchy, clarifying that the hope of the project itself is simply to develop Palembang. In the first year of development, the goal is to begin construction of 50 rumah rakits, so that an equivalent number of families are able to settle on the mainland. Roads and pathways will also be developed following this new renovation plan, previously roads and pathways had not been put to use extensively  because the rumah rakits didn’t demand much of them, instead preferring the usage of canals due to their nature. To incentivize the wong jabo to settle on land, the Sultan promises reduced taxes for five years for whosoever settles in the required expanses. 
  • In the Messin Republic it is requested that the neighboring region of Saarbucken, which is a relatively small and rural area almost completely dependent on Metz and other major cities outside of them, join the republic as an equal member. Saarbrucken would retain its own autonomy and its own government and nobles, but would be in a union with Metz in which they both are mutually defended, and in which Saarbrucken is allowed unprecedented access to the resources of the much richer Metz and its markets. Metz notes that now Nassau seems to be threatening Saarbrucken and pressuring them to swear fealty to them, a move that would almost certainly see Saarbrucken lose its way of life and be annexed by Nassau. Metz also points out that the Messin Republic has a high degree of protection as it is a Free Imperial City, meaning it receives direct aid from the Emperor. Saarbrucken does not have this protection or receive this aid, and is thus highly vulnerable should Nassau continue to threaten it. Therefore, Metz requests that Saarbrucken accept this offer to join the republic, for their own protection against the threatening Nassau. (Mod response needed). The Messin Republic continues to train a professional army, and it makes plans to protect Saarbrucken from an attack that seems imminent. In the city of Metz, the city continues to be a marketplace of ideas, as intellectuals are invited to stay and work there with less persecution than other states. 
    • After reconsideration, the County of Saarbraken accepts the alliance against the threat of Nassau.
  • Roman Empire: Having secured a foothold around the city of Heraklion and killed or disabled many of the defenders the Roman Army in Krete digs in for a siege of the city with a second assault planned after several months of siege. While the city is under siege and bombardment 4,000 men are dispatched to secure the Greek settlements across the island and dismantle the Venetian administration. The mercenaries defending the city are offered a choice, exit with their lives and any pay the Venetians have already provided, or perish in the city walls. (Mod Response). Facing the losses at the battle of Otranto the Arsenal of Constantinople goes into overdrive. Day laborers, carpenters, and blacksmiths of all varieties from the city are rallied into rapid ship manufacturing with thousands called upon to rough-cut logs, transport raw materials, and aid in the forging of key components. The refit of the surviving ships and construction of new ships results in a refurbished fleet of 300 ships within two years of the battle. This massive rebuilding is five times the normal capacity of the shipyards which typically only build or refit perhaps 30 ships a year. This effort severely depletes the Imperial treasury but does allow for a renewed naval offensive against Venetian islands in the Aegean. Venetian shipping is bottled up in the Adriatic Sea by these 300 ships.
    • [Algo, Depending on the Doge’s Response]: 30,000 men and 250 ships against Venice’s garrison on Krete of 7,000 men. The army consists of 18,000 heavy infantry, 6,000 heavy cavalry, and 6,000 light cavalry.
  • Iceland and Greenland: Although in the established settlements of Greenland there is a mostly Europeans, who serve as the de facto first class citizens of the territory, and have historically been isolated from the rest of Greenland, there is increasing involvement with native peoples. A class of people begins to develop nicknamed the helmingar, from the term for “half”, to describe those of mixed European and indigenous descent, as settlers of the land find it difficult to survive based on the old practices of exclusion. Beginning around this time there is an increased migration south among the Thule people toward the southern coasts of Greenland, causing them to interact with the Europeans more often. This leads to the adoption of many crucial technologies in greater numbers, including the dog sled, toggling harpoons, kayaks, and ring seal hunting. These prove important as the temperature globally begins to cool, unbeknownst to the settlers. Although farming is possible to a limited degree, livestock is even more common, and above that fishing. Europeans manage to keep caribou and cattle in large number for consumption, and despite initial clashes with the primarily hunter-based cultures of the indigenous, it eventually came to be understood that livestock cultivation and trading of resources would be more beneficial for both groups than simple hunting to extinction. The Greenlanders primarily harvest walruses and narwhals for tusks and collect furs and other goods, which are traded to Europe for much needed supplies. Trade with the Scandinavian countries and with the Celtic Confederacy is considered paramount, and the settlers of Greenland manage to petition their overlords to undertake a major expedition east to ensure that Europeans remain in contact with Greenland. Domnhall VI Sturlungur dies unexpectedly of the cold this year, and Domnhall V’s brother Arnar Ólafsson becomes the most likely heir. Arnar is sent east to treat with with the British Isles and establish marriage ties. He seeks to have his relatives Anna (b. 1480), Sessilia (b. 1485), Anna Ros (b. 1486), Freyja (b. 1463), Guðríður (b., 1449), and himself (b. 1463) all wed. He requests a marriage with the Princedom of Finland and the newly established Kingdom of Sweden, and the new regime in the Kingdom of Denmark (player and mod response needed). He also seeks a marriage with the House of York in England and with the Kingdom of Norway. (player and mod response). A policy on Iceland is enacted, and it is hoped that this policy can be mirrored across northern Europe, where troublemakers, criminals, the unwanted, the unlanded, and the poor, are sent to Greenland to bolster the population there and alleviate overcrowding in places like Iceland and Norway. Even among those who are not forced out, there is a major movement of hundreds of people west, as people seek new land and to escape persecution, finding there are towns in Greenland where one can make their own destiny and their own rules for the most part. There are some unintended consequences of this, as a small town near the eastern cape forms of mostly pirates, who find a secluded haven to evade detection. Stories of “Ingvar Bluebeard” begin to spread, as he arises to become the leader of the small group of ships, and he terrorizes the North Sea. He spends much of his wealth that is captured to help the Greenlanders, and he becomes viewed as more of a hero there than a villain, and is treated like a king in almost any small town on the Greenland coast. According to legend he manages to capture Tórshavn and the Faroe Islands with only 100 men, but departs with twice as many ship, hundreds of people, and ships full of riches, as well as a bride. The government attempts to hunt Ingvar down, especially as he seems to threaten the important cod trade. Instead Ingvar makes a deal, in which the Icelanders sanction his piracy and even make him an official lord, and in exchange he pledges to never steal food from those who need it. This is much needed, as Iceland has become increasingly reliant on code as crops become harder to grow. Due to overfishing, ships begin to travel more and more westward, stopping in Greenland along the way. Seasonal fishing, whaling, and trading begins to be common place in the west Atlantic near the so-called New World. On the Greenland coast a number of trade posts become established. A rank emerges based on an old title from Scandinavia, called the Lendmenn, who include wealthy landowners or opportunists from Europe, who establish properties on the Greenland coast and giant claims surrounding them, in order to monopolize the harvesting of resources and the trade in that region. One man from the Isles, who claims to be a distant relative of the Godwins and the Norwegian nobility, Inge Bårdsson, establishes Haabets Koloni on Kangeq Island. Over the course of a year he transplants supplies and drops them in caches at the area, and hires numerous people to build a fort there. When he returns after the winter he finds that the fort failed and the original crew all died or deserted, so he tries again over another year. He returns to the site with 30 Greenlanders, 17 Icelanders, and 26 hired men mostly from Britain, and they carry out the plan of transporting goods to the site and slowly building a fort. When they discover that natives discovered a cache and stole a large number of supplies, Bårdsson decides to track the natives down and make a deal with them rather than make revenge. He returns to the site with 50 natives who seek to help Bårdsson in exchange for goods and gifts, and they settle a camp among the other builders. When Bårdsson returns after the winter in May 1503, he discovers the fort functioning with about 50 Europeans and 85 native or mixed people, and that word has spread along the coast that there is a trade post on the island. Thus Bårdsson becomes one of the luckiest lendmenn and manages to turn a profit, a tale that convinces many others to follow his lead. However, competition in key areas would be fierce. In the autumn of that year, when Bårdsson learned another trade post was being constructed by some 24 Icelanders some 30 miles to the south, he set off by kayak with a group of several hunters, and opened fire on their post. One of the survivors of the attack Kuupik Kleist, would swear revenge, beginning a series of small battles of the year later called Kuupik’s War. That winter Kuupik made his name known when he traveled to the Nuup Kangerlua and managed to kill Inge’s son in a duel. By the following year three dozen people would lose their lives to economic wars on the western coast.
  • Yeah no, I didnt give my approval to play as my vassal, which you are required to get before you start posting as a vassal of another nation, so none of this has occured. I have gotten official mod approval to cross this out in response, if you would like to discuss playing a vassal of the Celtic Confederacy DM me in Discord or post on my talk page first. --JosephtheAwesome (talk) 06:04, May 9, 2020 (UTC)
    • King Eric XIV has a second daughter named Bridget.
    • England Diplomacy: Richard of York's foreign policy has been heavily based on anti-Welsh and anti-Scottish sentiment, but his nephew the deposed Edward VII of York (b. 1481) decides to pragmatically make an exception for Iceland since they weren't really involved in the York-Beaufort and offers for himself to be wed to Sessília Sturlungur (b. 1485) and/or his brother Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford (b. 1487) to be wed to Anna Rós Sturlungur (b. 1486).
  • Celtic Confederacy:The Scottish and Irish textile industry continues to develop, with Gilmore Druimeanach continuing to expand his operations into Ireland now that the famine has been over for several years, with him continuing to buy up much of the native textile industry and add it to his own textile empire in Scotland, and begins pouring money into Ireland to develop these textile mills into larger and much more productive operations, which also massively helps to develop overall the Irish economy and make it much more productive, even in the aftermath of the famine. These mills are productively expanded in most cases, and in addition to the expansion of these many existing mills, and many new ones also continue to be and begin to be built throughout Ireland. Meanwhile, in Africa, the C.A.C continues to develop and turn a massive profit, as the methods of seasonal wintering in Bliadhnamhath too avoid disease are very successful and, since it lacks a native presence, that is also no real issue. We continue to engage in extremely profitable trade with both Mali and Jabal Asada, with especially prosperous trade being engaged in for Ivory. We also send yet another expiditon to the Congo, for one thing in particular. Specifically, we negotiate with several native Congolese states, seeking to purchase several hundred slaves for work on our colony of Bliadhnamhath, as this has proven successfully productive with enslaved warriors from attacks on our colonies, but these are limited in number and purchasing already docile slaves will be easier. In exchange we offer to trade several dozen cannons to these states, demonstrating their power beforehand in order to demonstrate their power (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). Meanwhile, 179 new settlers are sent Bliadhnamhath to help fill up its numbers, with specially Irish colonists chosen, due to the fact that the vast majority of its permanent residents are Irish people, rather than Scots. Finally, we find ourselves extremely threatened by the actions of Morocco toward our Spanish friends and the clear threat they and the caliphate pose to our intrests in the area, and so we send around 14,000 troops (split evenly between Welsh, Scottish, and Irish forces) to defend our colony if necessary. However, confrontations with the locals soon escalate into violence, and this causes a ton of religious tension between the Moroccan delegation staying in the city at the time and the Catholic soldiers, especially in light of the calls by many of them to join the war to defend our spanish friends against the heathens. Eventually, this escalates to the point of confrontation, and a group of drunk soldiers attacks the delegation, killing the ambasador and starting a war we can't avoid. This leads the troops to quickly invade Morocco and launch an assult on the lightly defended city of Ifni, to take if from the Moroccans well most of their forces are up north, led by the General Devon Mclane. (ALGO NEEDED.). Meanwhile, in other news, an Irish monk named Seosamh, who will latter become known as Joseph of Iona (Although he was originally from Munster), becomes prominent for his fighting of corruption among the church in Ireland, which had been allowed to become lax and corrupt during the rule of the Úi Néill and remains uncorrected still, having first become prominent fighting hoarding during the famine, and although he targeted and fought against (although barring a few exceptions not directly) Noble, Peasants, and clerics alike, he becomes particularly famous for his fighting against corruption and hoarding among the church and those who should surely know better among them. Although this is something that is very normal despite his huge role in it, it is noted in particular how he also has been fighting against many other things he views as sinful, writing and railing against the mass spread of cheap Scottish Whiskey in Ireland and Scotland (and was a firm but minor supporter of the governments attempts to regulate it previously despite the ulterior motives, and even went as far as suggesting it be banned, although this was never seriously considered). Nonetheless, despite this temporary prominence, he continues to be a relatively unknown and minor monk despite his increasingly prominent role img fighting corruption in Ireland, although he will become much more well known in the future.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" King Jan is Outraged at hearing the news of the French trying to ally the False Duchy of Gulik, The king seeing this as an attempt to endanger Lotharingia. The king petitioning the Holy roman emperor Frederick to ensure that the King of France will not medle and endanger Aachen, as Julich borders the city of Aachen (Imperial response). Aachen being the administrative capital of Sacred empire, and French influence would give the king the ability to endanger the instutions of Imperial power. The King even if not the greatest fan and beliver in the emperor he does prefer the emperor above the French kings at all costs, the emperor being seen as someone who has all member states fundamentally in respect. The emperor seen as a person who just made some minor errors in policy, while the french kings are by existence against the Kingdom of Lotharingia. while in Boulogne with the status quo of the rebels, king John Leonard now recruiting 4,000 soldiers in Brabant, Namur, Holland, Utrecht and Loon. While recruiting troops John is also moving the leftover 3,000 troops on the Burgundian border to Bonon just like all other soldiers. Thus, Bonon now has a total of 13,685 soldiers, the city being the main stronghold as it has good defences. Juliaen de Kremer putting the soldiers to work building a low but tick wall around the southern part of the city which is the most likely to be attacked by the Guines rebels. The southern side having a double wall with the middle being debris and dirt, as the debris is meant to slow down cannon balls and other siege weaponry. Even if the Rebels their equipment is limited and not of the greatest quality, the Generaal-Admiraal fears that if surrounded the city would have to rely on the Lotharingian navy. The navy being able to do so even if the size of the transport would be slightly limited to the size and weight of goods that need to be transported, thus the mega cannons are out of the question for the defence of the city. While in Rotterdam the The RHS Zuyderzee, Rijnpoort, Rotterdam once more go on a voyage to The "Eilanden met hemelse stranden", this time with also a small amouth of Fishermen and merchants wanting to live in these new lands. Biennual trade becoming the norm for the island as ships of the RHC come every two years with new traders and to send goods back to Europe. The settlers in Palmparadijs enjoying the warm weather and the easy food from new fruits and fish to the pigs they introduced. The pigs reproducing in great numbers even without human aid, as the local enviroment has plenty for them to eat.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: We set the professional Black army out to capture some lands. The army sends 10,000 troops to Croatia to get the Venice troops off their outpost. The other 30,000 troops march to Ragusa so we can take them over and incorporate them into our nation. The navy with their ships go to Ragusa to blockade them and to capture their ports. About 75 ships set sail to blockade. (Algo/Mod Response). The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Hispanian Empire: The continued Abbasid Caliphate offensives against the Hispanian region of the Rif shall not go unpunished, as the infamous General Jacques "The Ripper", having freed up his forces by decisively crushing the Andalusian rebels by this point, he proceeds to take the bulk of his force, 12,000 men, under his personal leadership, across the Strait of Gibraltar to the Hispanian strip of the Rif, specifically in Chaouen, where Ahmad al-Mansur's 12,000 men strong Moroccan forces are heading toward. The rest of the 8,000 men form up a separate auxiliary force under Crown Prince Jan, who takes a back seat to assume a more strategical role in this whole conflict, anticipating the enemy's moves on a grander scale and moving in to reinforce. But for the time being, Crown Prince Jan's 8,000-man strong force stays in Andalusia, to utterly pacify the remnants of the Andalusian rebellion and extinguish the cause for the instability in the greater region, by overseeing the implementation of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslim and/or Morisco rebels in Andalusia, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif, with the crown offering partial compensation for any non-movable assets (Houses etc), or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. [(MOD RESPONSE PLEASE)] Inquisitor Dren's assistance his eagerly accepted, he is promoted into a General, to lead his 500 battle hardened fanatics in the ongoing conflict against the heathens, these forces are boolstered with the addition of another 3,500 veterans mercenaries of the Catalan Company and 50 warships, fully manned with cannons, under the direct command of Inquisitor Dren and promptly dispatched to the island of Pantelleria to assist us with their invaluable support in the single most difficult front of the war, against the 1,000 pirate forces send by the Abbasid Caliphate to capture the island of Pantelleria, which is a strategically crucial island for the control of the Mediterranean trade. Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba y Enríquez de Aguilar, 1st Duke of Santángelo, also known by his nickname as "El Gran Capitán" ("The Great Captain"), until recently serving with dinstinction under the infamous General Jacques "The Ripper" in surpressing the Andalusian rebellion, with his invaluable skills of a military engineer and a guerilla fighter were equally useful as well as his fluent knowledge of the Arabic language and his graceful negotiating ability, is promoted to a General, having previously been a high ranking experienced officer in her majesty's army, he is now given his first command as a general, he is given the command of the 20,000-man strong forces, which has been reinforced to cover up for any previous losses, in the vital city of Nador, instructed with the task to defend it at any cost, if possible to advance toward the Rif mountain range and to assist General Baron Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar with his objective, to construct a fortifications line there, capable of halting the Arabic advance, in coordination with General de Vivar [A straight line of fortifications, taking every possible benefit of the natural advantage that these mountains would provide our defense with, extending from the town of OTL Debdou دبدو to the valley south in the city of OTL El manjem المنجم and the lake of OTL Barrage Hassan II, back to the cities of OTL Aâyat شرفاء أعياط, Dada Ali دادا علي and El Aouinet الالعوينات]. A force 6,500 men strong under General Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Count of Melito is send to immediately reinforce the defenders of the island of Malta, as well as to check the unrestricted advance of the piracy raids in the Mediterranean Sea, boolstering the forced defending the neighbouring islands of Malta and Gozo, supported by an additional 80 Hispanic warships, fully manned with cannons. The main bulk of the Hispanian fleet, a force of 250 Hispanic warships, fully manned with cannons, are dispatched to intercept the Caliphate fleet attempting to blockade the the Hispanian strip of the Rif from our Iberian mainland, with the aim of cutting off our forces in the Rif, fleet sails under command of the prolific general Nicolás de Suares, "the Scourge of France", the man responsible for the stunning successes of the Hispanic blockade in the War of the Spider's Web as well as the transportation of Hispanic forces for the intervention in Florence. Admiral Nicolás de Suares knows that he is up against a capable opponent, such as Abdullah Barbarossa and even if he weren't, he has never done the sometimes fateful mistake of underestimating a naval officer in his long and successful carrier, thus in line with his cautious nature that has won him several naval engagements all of these years, he enforces strict discipline to his sailors, while he lays up a trap, planning to the slightest detail his strategy to perform a double envelopment manouvre with surgical precision, harassing the Abbasids fleet all over the western half of the Alboran Sea, yet never getting too close to the Abbasid coastline, attempting to draw/bait the Abbasid fleet as closest as possible to the straits of Gibraltar, without exposing the Hispanian coasts to raids to the best of his ability, drawing the in these narrow straits where his numerically superior fleet would have the decisive advantage, which he will make sure to use to the best of his abilities to ensure the safety of the Crown and the Realm. General Baron Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar is thrilled by his recent victory, fully immersed by the heat of the battle in this epic clashing of our two distinct worlds, yet his greatest desire is to be able someday to prove himself in his own right and hopefully achieve success and glory, equal or even possibly exceeding the one of his great ancestor namesake and he is willing to do anything in the defense of Hispania to achieve that, since he is a profound patriot and completely dedicated to her majesty's wishes, having been raises with the epic tales of glory of his ancestor. He couldn't be more thrilled when he was given his second command, to defend the city of Taourirt, which he is more than glad to do with his very dying breath if he needs to, he organizes his 20,000-man strong force, which has been reinforced to cover up for any previous losses, directing them to generally boolster the defenses of the city and construct some rudimentary at the very least fortifications with the resources at their disposal, as pursuing the mobile Arabic forces in the desert isn't an ideal course of action. If possible he presses onward with his forces proceeds onward to the Rif mountain range to construct fortifications there, capable of halting the Arabic advance [A straight line of fortifications, taking every possible benefit of the natural advantage that these mountains would provide our defense with, extending from the town of OTL Debdou دبدو to the valley south in the city of OTL El manjem المنجم and the lake of OTL Barrage Hassan II, back to the cities of OTL Aâyat شرفاء أعياط, Dada Ali دادا علي and El Aouinet العوينات]. I STILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO ADD. Back to the colonial front, royal Hispanian court takes notice of Abbasid Caliphate movements into the Indian Ocean, specifically and unbeknownst to them initially, Samir al-Azad's expedition, a general order is given to any ships sailing under the Hispanian flag to harass him or even engage and/or persue his small fleet(Or maybe its just one ship, idk?), offering an extremely generous and lavish bounty to the man who manages to capture him, as well highest honor, of the admission to the Distinguished Order of the Golden Fleece, to the man who manages to take him in custody and bring him in chains in Toledo. [(MOD RESPONSE PLEASE)] Additionally to that, several ambitious explorers launch their journeys toward the semi-mythical Kingdom of Ayutthaya in the crossroad of civilizations referred to us as the Strait of Malacca by the inhabitants of the India subcontinent that we have established some trade with and an official contact a while ago, the sentiment on the royal court is extremely supportive thanks to the war with the Abbasids and theCrown is more than eager to fund these expeditions to ensure that we reach this semi-mythical place of bountifulness first, before the Abbasids reach that place, taking this matter personally, as a competition of two distinct worlds over who gets to prevail over the other.
  • Duchy of Thuringia: Konrad Jung travels to the Archbishopric of Mainz briefly in the beginning of the year under the promise of safe conduct, and has a number of debates and gives a number of sermons. When he speaks with the Archbishop it quickly turns into a heated argument. Jung fundamentally disagrees with many of the points the Archbishop brings up. Jung argues against the Archbishop’s idea of “a church with strong, centralized leadership in the form of the Pope”, emphasizing that God’s truth and the beliefs of Christians should be derived from the scripture alone. He points out that a strong, central leader also can easily lead to a tyrannical doctrine that is antithetical to the truth doctrine preached by Jesus Christ, as there is no quality control for many of the Popes’ actions, something that a decentralized model could ensure. He is practically offended by the notion that the church would, “fracture into cults without the leadership of a qualified priesthood.” Jung believes that any man should be able to be a priest in his own right, and to be able to read and understand the Bible himself, not filtered through the biased opinion of the centralized priesthood. He emphasizes that he is a proponent of translating the Bible and making it easier for people to understand the word of Christ, therefore he can't support the Archbishop’s concept of a priestly elite with a monopoly on preaching. He points out that Mainz’s own policies are hypocritical; if you want a high standard of accountability and an educated populace, don’t impede their ability to read and understand the Bible and make their own judgements. Jung points out that if the Archbishop believes that “the Church should be the leader in science and education”, he should not tolerate a church that has routinely persecuted free thinkers and scientists throughout history, and has routinely enforced, sometimes, violently, a certain status quo of thinking, that is not backed by the Bible or any truth espoused by Jesus, but rather by the traditions and sayings of Popes and their personal opinions. Back in Thuringia, the discussion in Mainz only fuels Jung’s fervor and causes him to become disillusioned at the possibility of reforming the current church, and wonders if it would be more productive to create a new one entirely. Jung writes a work on Islam. He notes that the Abbasid Caliphate is but a scourge sent by God to punish Christians, as an agent of the Biblical apocalypse that would destroy the Antichrist, perhaps indicating that the Antichrist the Bible predicts is in fact the Church and the Pope. He rejects the concept of the “Holy War” and the idea of fighting in Jesus’ name: “as though our people were an army of Christians against the Turks, who were enemies of Christ. This is absolutely contrary to Christ's doctrine and name". Jung would later note that a secular war is not contradictory, but that spiritual war against an alien faith was separate, to be waged through prayer and repentance.
  • Portuguese Brazil: After the establishment of the new found colony, the governors’ first plan of action is to establish a trade material. Brazil Wood would be the obvious choice at the moment and the first trades begin as Portuguese Brazil begins exporting small amounts of Brazilian Wood. Some of the wood will also, in turn, be used for development, as well as the profits gained from export, or at least when the colony receives profit. It’s a slow start, but will surely lead to something great.
  • Kingdom of England: King Henry VII of England avoids establishing an outright alliance with the Kingdom of France to avoid angering the nobles who were displeased with the Treaties of Mann and Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch any further. The establishment of the Anglo-Swedish alliance and the reaffirmation of the Anglo-Spanish alliance, however, have helped strengthen England in terms of foreign standing and have aided the economic recovery of England from the recent York-Beaufort conflict. The English continue trading coal and salt to Sweden in exchange for metal ores and lumber. However, the fact that several of England's coal mines are in Yorkist-controlled areas of Yorkshire put some pressure on Lancastrian traders, leading some to push for a Lancastrian invasion of Yorkshire again. Nonetheless, King Henry VII maintains his position of caution, arguing that the English economy is not yet recovered enough to be able to cope with another internal conflict and that moving too many Lancastrian troops to the north of England could lead to Yorkist attacks from holdouts in Gloucestershire and Shropshire. In the meantime, Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester continues to gather allies in Yorkshire by promising a more aggressive foreign policy against the Celtic nations, while his nephew the deposed Edward VII continues to try to assert more influence in the Yorkist movement but remains largely second fiddle to Richard. The naval exchange with Sweden benefits the shipbuilding programs in Essex and Bristol, resulting in the improvement of the English (Lancastrian) navy overall. The construction of the Bluefriars priory of the Order of Divine Mercy in Wells in Somerset is largely complete at this point, and the Mercedines' efforts of charity and religious education are operational in southwestern England. The English Parliament focuses on improving the quality of roads and related infrastructure in London to aid the movement of citizens and traders and benefit the economy. Lancastrian soldiers work on improving the city walls and other fortifications of the cities of Lancaster in Lancashire, Warwick in Warwickshire, Taunton in Somerset and Dorchester in Dorset. Henry of York, Duke of Clarence and Anne Stafford have their first child, a daughter named Constance (b. 1503). Later in the year, Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland and Margaret of York have their first child, a son named George (b. 1503); Henrietta Beaufort and William Courtenay have their second child (her fifth), a daughter named Anne (b. 1503); and King Edward IV of Scotland and Isabella of Habsburg have their third child, a daughter named Mary (Màiri) (b. 1503). In Europe, Henry VII, Count of Gorizia (1436-1503), a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of natural causes and is succeeded as Count by his son Engelbert IV (b. 1467), who is married to Lucrezia Borgia. Burkhard von Lenzburg and Girolama Farnese have their fourth child, a daughter named Anna (b. 1503).
  • Kingdom of Wales: We comply with the demands of our liege, Celtic Confederacy and send whatever forces are required of us, wherever they are required to boolster the forces of the Celtic Ameraudur. The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Lionel, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 14 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of Saint Owain (Lawgoch) perseveres and grows more powerful than ever before, providing a sense of national unity not just for the Kingdom of Wales, but for the whole Celtic Confederacy essentially, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Lionel, as a worthy successor of his father, marching in his footsteps, continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Lionel of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being.
  • Greater Kingdom of Arles and Burgundy: The 11,000 troops in Nador push toward Ain Bni Mathar to skirmish any Moroccan forces there. (ALGO NEEDED). 2,000 troops support the 5,000 troops at Marseilles and they sail on ships to attempt to land at Tennes. (ALGO NEEDED). 20 ships travel to Gilbratar to help any battles there. their ten ships remain in West Morocco while the 40 ships in Oran is reinforced with another ten ships and retreat to Rif too. Centralisation continues. We offer 200 kg of gold for the province of Dauphine to France. (FRENCH RESPONSE). The economy is improved.
  • Vinland: The population hits 6,550. Trade flourishes and the metallurgic industry grows. Vinlandic smiths and metalworkers take full advantage of the Portuguese offer to educate them in advanced metalworking. João Agostinho Da Juliana arrives in Dogajavick in late March and immediately gets to work. In other news, Eric Kuis decides to publicly announce his belief in Christ. He announces his religious identity at the 1503 Thing, where island chieftains receive the news coolly. However, they do not break out in revolt nor aim to dethrone Eric due to the promise of new technologies brought by Eric's relations with the Portuguese. 
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands this year and establishes the outpost of Stenberg.

1504

A mysterious series of murders takes place across various middle class families in the Kingdom of Bohemia. Rumors grow that this may be connected with the largely-undocumented paganist cult since the time of Wenceslas III, known as the Kunta Hora.

In his fight alongside the armies of Hispania, Dren begins to acquire reputation and becomes known as the Defender of the Faith with his band of merry men becoming renowned as the Hand of God. After a battle, Dren finds a small baby among the ruins who he believes to have promise and adopts him as a surrogate child who he names Osbert.

The first pigs arrive in the West indies (Vinny wanted it posted).

Sultan Kalu Mohammed of the Maldives expulses Oman from his kingdom, seeing them kill random citizens.

Based on the results of the papal conclave, Giuliano della Rovere is elected Pope and takes the papal name Julius II.

Rebellions break out in the region of Kalinga, with the Gondwana Confederacy exerting control over the primary land region while the coast falls under the suzerainty of the Gajapatis.

The frequent luck of the Duke of Saxony and the Duke of Thuringia in procurring minor fiefdoms to their control raises the suspicions of several neighboring states. Mansfeld, Hohnstein, Blankenburg, and Grubenhagen all form marriage ties with each other and a defensive alliance. The Bishopric of Dresden likewise becomes suspicious of both states.

  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, protests that by constantly attempting to acquire new territories and fiefdoms, he is merely trying to compensate for the loss of Mark and Northern Saxony under his hopeless brother, Duke Engelbert II. He assures this new defensive alliance that they have nothing to fear (despite the fact that he has openly attempted to mediatize Mansfeld in the past). In order to show that he is not attempting to disturb the balance of power between the German states in his and Saxony's favour (and also due to his declining health) Edmund Alwin gives Waldeck to his son Edmund, Leisnig to his son Alwin, and the newly acquired Stolberg to his son Louis, paving the way for them to become independent once more in the future. Meanwhile, Saxony is interested in a marriage alliance with France. (French Response?) After hearing of the Emperor's death, Edmund Alwin is greatly saddened. He thought the Emperor was a kind and generous man. He hopes the new Emperor will be just as generous. Rumours circulate in Saxony that the Emperor was assassinated by the Lenzburgs, although the more realistic account of his death says he died of old age, and Edmund Alwin demands an investigation into this matter. (Mod Response). Meanwhile, with strange religious beliefs creeping back into Saxony, Edmund Alwin is uncertain how to react. In his youth, he had been deeply impressed with many of the apparently heretical preachings from Thuringia. However, now more prudent, he believes openly supporting such beliefs might result in something bad happening to his Duchy of Saxony, and therefore announces he is doing all he can to combat heresy in the Duchy, but in reality does very little. Peter Meise mysteriously has somehow managed to return to the Duchy of Saxony, and with him is a small child, who he claims is Otto Edmund Alwin de la Marck, the lost (and now apparently found) child of the late Engelbert II, Duke of Saxony. Meise announces that God came to him in a dream and when he woke up he saw the initials OEA inscribed in his eyes. It turns out that he does indeed have these initials carved into his eyes, which further convinces everyone but his followers that he is a madman who did it himself. The supposed child is seized, but discovered to be nothing but a ventriloquist dummy, leading to confusion as to whether there ever was a child at all. Meise disappears again completely, and later appears in Thuringia, which he claims is "Eden in Deutschland". Reports by Saxon intelligence say that he is believed to have joined the army of Konrad Jung and marched on Erfurt, and has taken part in sacking monasteries. Edmund Alwin himself as been getting in on the action slightly. With everyone distracted by the pillaging and abusing of the church lands in Thuringia, Edmund Alwin discreetly comes to an "agreement" with the small Abbacy of Walkenried, that he mediatizes Walkenried (which only has 12 monks and one Abbott, and therefore is not going to put up much of a fight anyway). When criticized for doing this, he claims he was put under pressure to do this by Jungists and Taborites who have begun to appear in Saxony. Also, alarmingly for the Papal faction, a number of marriages take place between Saxony and Thuringia: Roger von Jenagotha and Clementia de la Marck, first cousins several times over, marry (without papal dispensation for incest). Also, Edmund Alwin's son and heir, Wolfgang de la Marck, marries Maria Premyslid, and later in the year takes Barbara Premslyd as his second wife. This is polygamy, but Edmund Alwin feigns ignorance, telling the clergy that he must've forgotten his son was already married. He does not take action to annul the marriage, instead he invites both Wolfgang's wives to dinner parties etc. Another relative, Maria of Brandenburg-Bohemia, claims to have been married to the Thin White Duke for thirty years, and to have borne him a great number of children. Meanwhile, Edmund Alwin's nephew, Edmund of Thuringia, marries Henriette Ingeborg (de la Marck) of Denmark, Duchess of Lolland (b.1489).
    • Greenland (a vassal of Iceland and of the Celtic Confederacy) offers a marriage proposal between the Greenlander royalty and the Saxon Kings of Denmark.
    • Saxony: We suggest a marriage between Crown Prince Olaf (b. 1488) and a Greenlander royal of about the same age. A marriage is also proposed between a Greenlander royal and Eberhard de la Marck (b. 1486), heir to the Finnish throne.
  • Greenland: Around this time settlers became more attracted to the “Western Settlement”, lying within the County of Nuuk, and a number of traders interested in the Haabet colony began to inhabit the old town of Nuuk, which they called Godthåb. Much of the former town is found to be in ruin since the chaos of the mid 14th century, although the remains of the once great Tower of Greenland and a mausoleum are discovered, leading some to believe the tails of Jarl Brunhilde were perhaps rooted in fact. Although Godthåb would prove to be one of the most profitable settlements for fishing and whaling, the rest of the province would pale in comparison to the south in population, and especially in number of farmland, with the entire County of Nuuk possessing less adequate land than even  the small Vatnahverfi district to the southeast of Einarsfjord alone. Near the small town of Ivigtut, approximately a few miles south of the town, a mine is created after some rare minerals are discovered. Mining causes a small boom in the County of Róbertstorg, with the mining town nearly rivaling the old county capital. The mine remains in close proximity to Skotaland, causing many Scottish immigrants and other British citizens to be the main profiteers of the mining operation. The diplomacy with the English is accepted, with Sessília Sturlungur being wed to Edward VII of York. Anna Rós Sturlungur, however, is promised to a different noble. King Eric XIV’s daughter Bridget is also married, helping to create further alliances in northern Europe. These relations prove crucial, as Greenland as a whole remains heavily dependent on the trade and support coming from Northern Europe and the Celtic Confederacy. Ties remain particularly close with the states of the British Isles. (Much more to come).
  • Dude, I haven't approved you yet. I was going to do so, but you posted again before I even got done writing my response to the talk page message ... --JosephtheAwesome (talk). 06:36, May 9, 2020 (UTC)
    • Sorry, I did not see your cross out or your message until after I had published this turn.
      • Alright I have uncrossed the turn after discussions with the Player.
  • Duchy of Thuringia: Having finally reached a breaking point in his attitude toward the church, Konrad Jung decides to compile an entire list of grievances. He sends this detailed list to the Pope in Rome and several other key theologians, such as the Archbishop of Mainz. Afterward, feeling as though he needs to get his point across, he nails a copy of his grievances, called the 105 Theses, on the church door of Erfurt Cathedral. Although at the time Jung did not expect much, unknown to him this would lead to a series of changes commonly called the Reformation. Among his complains are numerous practices of the Catholic church, from their pecuniary policies to their conduct in recent affairs. He protests the authority of the Pope and the church as a whole to interpret and create doctrine of their own, arguing that it is scripture alone that is key, and that God declares a sinner righteous—by faith alone through God's grace—not as a consequence of the Catholic Church’s sacrament of reconciliation. Also that year, the Thin White Duke publishes his manifesto in full for the first time, involving religious views but mostly his beliefs regarding political theory. Thanks in part to the robust printing press industry, both works begin to rapidly spread. By the end of the year these texts flood Thuringia and much of the Holy Roman Empire. Within two weeks, copies of the theses had spread throughout Germany; within two months, they had spread throughout Europe. These writings spur on numerous developments. Across Thuringia numerous monasteries experience monks and nuns abandoning their positions, while others among the clergy of Thuringia latch on to Jung’s writings quickly. Having received some positive acclaim, Jung would spend the rest of the year into the next and have a prolific career. He wrote numerous texts and gave speeches across Thuringia. One of those who attended his speeches would be Johann Freud, a professor at the University of Wittenberg. Having joined Jung’s side and having been convinced by him, Freud would go on to preach his message in Saxony. After the previous debate in Mainz, Jung becomes increasingly convinced that he can't simply change the church, but will need to start over completely. Toward the end of the year he has a confrontation with a papal legate that had meant to be a simple debate, but it quickly turns into a shouting match. Jung makes a bold claim that Matthew 16:18 does not confer on popes the exclusive right to interpret scripture, and that therefore neither popes nor church councils were infallible, which ultimately leads to Jung being labeled a heretic on the same grounds as Jan Hus. The legate had originally planned to arrest Jung, but he discovers that a monk had helped him escape later that night. Indeed, as the news of Jung began to spread, there are talks among the empire of hosting him at a Diet, so that he can defend his points and perhaps be formally condemned by the rest of the empire. The conspirators in eastern Thuringia responsible for shielding the Adamites take these ideas to heart quickly. They spread the works of Jung among the heretics and among the general population, so that by the end of the year the “evangelicals”, or as the Catholics derogatorily call them, the Jungists, come to form a majority in key areas in the far east of Thuringia. After years of preparation the conspirators (Conrad von Lautertal, William of Mühlberg, William von Bibra of Meiningen, Gregor von Hanstein of Altenburg, et al) raises their armies to capitalize on this religious fervor and march on Erfurt. The army meets with the Thin White Duke and he relents to their demands. He gives an order that all church land in Thuringia, their numerous monasteries, abbeys, private lands, etc, are to be annexed to the state, and the clergy of Thuringia (as Jung was the Vicar of Thuringia and Saxony) are to taught the doctrine that Jung espoused, in a process that may take some time. This causes immediate backlash, and soldiers are needed to carry out the confiscation of church lands in the center of Thuringia. Much of the wealth from these seizures is then distributed to the population, which helps to quell much of the unrest. By and large the peasantry and the population are not affected by these changes at all: the change in ownership is but a different name on the deed for those attending churches across Thuringia. However, in some areas this gets out of hand, with protestors smashing artwork and statues, and pillaging the images at churches and other church properties. These protests grow across the state, causing nearly open war across Thuringia. Although devout Catholics in a place like Thuringia seem hard to come by, there is some open resistance to the developments, leading to dozens of deaths. Throughout all this the Thin White Duke begins receiving potent visions once more, and he manages to convince much of the population that these developments are of grave importance and perhaps beneficial. This becomes more true in December when the Duke’s army fights and defeats a small coalition of Catholic lords, and declares any serfs of them to be freed. With all or most of the nobles of Thuringia being sympathetic or believers themselves, or just unable to resist, the Thin White Duke calls for a conference in Erfurt among his vassals to come to an agreement the following year.
  • Hesse: Agnes appreciates that the Archbishop of Mainz ceremonially says she is not excommunicated, but the fact remains that in the official Papal records she is still excommunicated, and furthermore this illustrates the point how ineffective the Papacy really is. Meanwhile, the developments in Thuringia are looked upon with curiosity. The works of Konrad Jung spread to Hesse quickly and become spread across the population. Emperor Frederick IV travels northward to investigate the matter and arrange for a meeting with Jung, but while traveling something unexpected happens. According to the report of the only witness, a man had walked up behind the Emperor. He whispered, “You thought you could get away with it didn’t you ... we know it was you. Lenzburg sends his regards.” Then the man plunges a knife into the Emperor and slits his throat. The man is quickly killed while attacking the Imperial Guard. With the Emperor dead at this inopportune time, a new election is called in Frankfurt. Frederick's will is examined, and it's noted he cast a vote for the King of Bohemia in the event of an untimely death. Ok uh, actually the Emperor died of boring old age then.
    • Yeah, no. This is a strike. -Solmod
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Emperor receives ambassadors from the southern Kingdom of Mutapa. Upon hearing of their invitation to visit, the Emperor gladly sends a delegation of trade officials and diplomats south to Mutapa to visit the Kingdom there and discuss the potential opening of relations and trade. In Barari the first Ethiopian cannon is forged, being made by Ethiopian cast-iron workers under Hindustani guidance. The cannon is demonstrated to the Emperor Tewodros III, who fires the cannon personally. The Emperor congratulates the workers and promises to expand the forges and make them leaders of a vast armory and arsenal. News of instability and war between Muslim and Christian Nubians continues to flow in from the north. The Emperor at first is slighted by Alodia’s refusal, and spitefully refuses to lend any aid, stating even he would be happy to see them fall to the new Tabanatai Sultanate. However, his Ruling Council finally convinces him that it is in the interest of the Empire that Nubia remains Christian. The Bishop of Ethiopia also pleads with the Emperor to intervene, stating that it is his duty as Emperor to defend the Christians of East Africa. Understanding the strategic importance of keeping Nubia Christian and determined to fulfill Ethiopia’s role as the defender of Christendom in East Africa, the Emperor declares war on the Tabanatai Sultanate. The Imperial military is mustered by the Emperor to wage the war in the name of Christ. The 5,000-strong Young Guard armed with arquebuses are assembled at their camp outside Barari, while 7,000 of the Chewa are mustered from northern Somalia. The two forces meet at Bari, gathering into an army of 12,000 men. The Imperial Artillery corps also is assembled, bringing ten moveable Indian cannons along with their crews. The Imperial Army of 12,000 infantry (5,000 arquebusers, 7,000 heavy infantry, ten cannons) is transferred via ship to Aydhab, where the Imperial Army led by the Emperor Tewodros III and his nephew the Prince Adalfredo, Duke of Somalia gathers a number of supplies before marching northwest to strike at Aswan, the heart of the Tabanatai Sultanate. With most of the Sultanate’s forces seemingly engaged in attacking the Coptic Nubians in the south, the Emperor predicts they can reach the city and place it under siege unchallenged. However, the strike at Aswan is also intended to lure any nearby Sultanate forces into open battle. [ALGO NEEDED]. 
  • Dai Viet: To finally put an end to the campaign, the Emperor will do a final blow by ordering 5,000 more men to contribute to the siege of Chiang Mai. This unit is commanded by general Nguyen Van Lang, son of Grand Commandant Nguyen Van Lo, who is described as "proficient at tactics, good at military manuals, skilled at predicting the weather and can wrestle a tiger". (Savage leader). The Emperor also gratefully accepts the generous gift from Majapahit, as 50 percent of the grain is used for the army, 30 percent to help the people across the country who are struggling with harvests, and 20 percent is used for storage in plantations. (Gift). The army uses siege weapons efficiently as not only cannons are used for firing fireballs but they also make use of catapults which are loaded with projectiles. If needed, the army also ransacks the city for more grain and supplies. (Algo Needed). The unit in Chiang Hung continues to defend the city while effortlessly trying to place a puppet leader to the throne to announce the independence of Chiang Hung. The Emperor passes away in September. He is mourned all over the realm as why he passed away so young, he had potential to become a great leader. Historians comments on him on the Complete Annals of Dai Viet as: "His Majesty pacified the realm, fought for a Dai Viet standing in this awkward situation, had the intelligence that can be compared to Emperor Da of Wu, had the courage to attack the Lan Na, although passed away young but can be compared to his ancestors." He took the temple name of Lê Hiến Tông (meaning "devotion" or "accomplish change"), as his son, Lê Tuấn becomes the next Emperor. The Emperor's death is kept a secret for the outside world as the Emperor wishes not to affect the army's morale. He formally gives Grand Commandant Nguyen Van Lo in charge of a number of men that will contribute to Sdach Korn’s army by the time he wishes to revolt when having raised enough men for himself.
  • Sultanate of Oman: The Omani colony in the Maldives has been going well. We begin trading slaves with other African States and tribes to be sent to help build up our ports in the Maldives. With the ports being mostly complete and cities establish to populated the islands we would use it to send our navy to explore India and Indonesia. Meanwhile, our conscription act has past forcing all males 18 to 50 to join the army. Meanwhile, our economy grows with our merchants travelling across the world. With the colonies in the Maldives mostly finished we will officially annex them into our nation.
    • You were kicked out of the Maldives in a mod event this turn. Indonesia is not within your range as of this point. -Drenegan.
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: The new castle in Makovibra is ready, the king moves his capital south to the Mhungo Rwizi naming the settlement in Makovibra Matala. The tribes of lake Malawi offer great resistance but slowly come into the fold. Tunga is deeply invested in to make it a great port. Naval technology slowly continues to advance as ships venture into deeper and deeper water. The new flag of the nation is to be a left-facing lion looking at the crescent with the Zimbabwe bird on its head. With a more central location the king begins to travel south talking with tribal leaders about to leave. Amogh begins to redevelop the money system for the king. The prior offer of Lotharganian trade is accept with Saldahna bay being the main port for them. Ithiyopiyan officials are shown around the nation and offered to do Yoga with the king - as well as the official offer of trade between the two kingdoms. (Ethiopian response). Blast furnaces continue to pop up around the nation but still in small numbers.
    • You lack sufficient metallurgy knowledge to have blast furnaces. -Drenegan.
    • Lotharingia response: Anton Brouwer informs the King of Mutape that he wishes to lease the island of Ushurutswa for 25 years, the merchant group willing to pay 40 percent of their yearly profit that passes the area. Brouwer lets the Mutape king know that sadly enough his realm does not own Saldahna Bay, and thus can't directly trade through it.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The war raging within Ayutthaya has entered its third year and continues with no end in sight. The chaos of the war continues to ravage the lands of the glorious, short lived empire. The year begins with Borrmarachathirat challenging his brother, Ramathibodi II, to an elephant duel to decide the fate of the Kingdom. The duel takes place on the border between Phichit and Nakhon Sawan, the duel raged for five hours straight into the waning hours of the day with the elephants and brothers fighting without restraint. Eventually, Borromarachathirat's mount is toppled with him managing to throw a javelin in the heat of the moment at his brother impaling his heart. As the duel concludes, an uneasy silence falls over the observers as the fate of the kingdom is left in flux with the male heirs having been slain before they withdraw back to their respective camps to inform them of the outcome. The loss of Ramathibodi II has forced Sunan Kudus to seek out a possible male heir from his remaining family to no avail with the eventually decision being to reach out to King Mingyi Nyo of Toungoo who is the son-in-law of Ramathibodi II by marriage to offer him the city of Ayutthaya and the support of the Royalist faction in his bid for the throne to which he swiftly agrees. As the news of the elephant duel spreads throughout Ayutthaya's territories, the city of Bago rises in revolt against the light garrison left in place by the Royalist trapping Nattani Chaiprasit and his men in the recently taken city of Yangon with enemies on both sides and the only viable supply route coming from the Ayutthayan Navy who maintain supply lines to the port of Yangon. The commander at Three Pagodas Pass quickly reacts to this news by sealing off access to the pass from anywhere west of it. With the entry of Mingyi Nyo and Toungoo into the war, he advances with a force of 8,000 strong from his initial forces and starts by advancing on the Conservative aligned Prome with the intent to siege and take the city. Upon arrival at Prome, he finds the city vastly under defended considering that the majority of their armies have marched south to assist in eliminating the Royalist at Yangon. The city is swiftly taken with the local defenders massacred to the last man as a warning for all who would attempt to stand in the way. The Toungoo forces push as far south as Hinthada in an attempt to relieve the beleaguered defenders at Yangon before being halted by a quickly marshaled force of 7,000 troops to stop the advancing Toungoo forces from entrapping the troops pinning in Royalist forces at Yangon. The battle at Hinthada rages for months with neither side able to force an opening to exploit in the battle. Eventually, the weary defenders are forced to withdraw to Zalun to recuperate their losses and await reinforcements. Mingyi Nyo opts to remain in Hinthada as he awaits more support to be dispatched from Toungoo. On the central front, the loss of both Ramathibodi II and Borromarachathirat III has affected the morale of the forces more severely on both sides leading to months of confusion and caution on both sides. Among the Conservatives, Sakda Thanom who led the successful war efforts on the central front for the better part of two years has managed to rally and garner the support of most Conservatives to his claim for the throne with those resisting being too few in number to deny him. With a newfound central figure, the Conservatives on the Central front are able to organize another offensive against the Royalist who remain somehwat divided on the decision to back Mingyi Nyo for the throne taking them by surprise and costing them a fair bit of their army and forcing them to abandon ground as they withdrew to Nakhon Sawan. The cost of their indecisiveness leaves no room for the survivors of the army to debate the issue of Mingyi Nyo as their candidate for the throne allowing for the remainder of the forces now pinned in at Nakhon Sawan to unify behind the goal of dealing with the Conservatives before dealing with other issues. With the effects of the war spreading across the Kingdom, Royalist nobles have begun to undertake the practice of sending their children to the lands of Japan to escape the conflict and gain an education considering that resources for the education system are nonexistent in this time of crisis. Coincidentally, the observers from the War College sent to Japan to study their military have at last returned and been given the authority by Hang Nadim who commands what remains of the defenses at Ayutthaya to implement what they've learned into a model similar to Japan in terms of training, tactics, and armed with the best equipment that can be afforded from the existing armory in Ayutthaya. The unit at first numbers at 2,000 men with the Japanese Quarter of Ayutthaya has also managed to produce another volunteer force of 200 men including samurai's to fight within this unit. The eventual result is a 2,200 man force trained in the traditions and formations of Japan who are dispatched under commander Thanatat Palathai to relieve the pinned in forces at Nakhon Sawan. Upon arrival, the force manages to break the enemy force in pitched battle due to their extreme discipline and formations studied from the Japanese. Despite being able to break the siege, Sunan Kudus decides to withdraw back to Ulthai Thani after an assessment of the enemy's superior numbers and the state of his army. The relief force is dubbed the Sun Paragons in honor of the Land of the Rising Sun and that these are the men that all soldiers should aspire to be. In the East, the force of Khoja Hassan have managed to reclaim the city of Yasothon having received sufficient reinforcements from the East and with the ability of Kohja Hassan to hold his army together in the turmoil following the death of Ramathibodi II. Khoja Hassan remains pinned in the city and gives the order for the garrison in Ubon Ratchathani to advance on Amnat Charoen while he prevents reinforcements from Roi Et from moving to aid the city. In an effort to cut the flow of supplies to Khoja Hassan, another Conservative army has been assembled at Chaiyaphum to march on Nakhon Rachasima but are stopped at Wat Pa Lak Roi thanks to the precautions taken by Khoja Hassan to safeguard his supply lines by stationing whatever he could spare at Nakhon Ratchasima leading to a stalemate for the remainder of the year as neither side possesses the ability to break enemy forces. The Malay and Sumatra provinces remain firmly committed to the Royalist due to their extreme loyalties to Sunan Kudus due to his reputation among Muslims and Buddhist alike from his time as governor over the reign.
    • Khmer Kingdom: Having seen the internal conflict that embroils Ayutthaya, the ruler of the Khmer has made a request that his vassalage to Ayutthaya be broken in exchange for friendly relations between Ayutthaya and the Khmer in future diplomatic contact. The request is granted by acting regent Sunan Kudus who sees Ayutthaya's control over the Kingdom as untenable and wishes the best for them as they chart a new course for the Khmer Kingdom. 
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: After the death of Frederick IV, Ottokar IV decides to finally run for the position of Emperor. Although he had initially respected his father’s wishes not to run after Henry VIII’s death, and also had believed in the so-called “curse” that is afflicting the Emperors, he decides that the Empire needs a strong leader during this time of chaos. He travels to Frankfurt with a retinue of guards and retainers, and announces that he will work to solve the issues afflicting the Empire. Ottokar’s plan involves holding a diet so that Jung can properly explain himself, and he hopes that he can find a peaceful way of reconciliation that will prevent open war over the matter. The work of Konrad Jung and the Thin White Duke begins to spread into Bohemia, especially in the Saxon lands or lands bordering Saxony. Many of the Taborites, who had existed as a fairly sizeable minority in Bohemia quickly adopt many of Jung’s tenets, and there are reports of protests and acts of violence, especially near Bayreuth. While Ottokar IV is a Catholic and proponent of stopping the heresy, his brother and vassal Charles of Brandenburg is much different. He is famed for his paranoia and general resentment of the Catholic church, after his heavily publicised conspiracy theory about the Pope. As a result he relishes the chance to rebel from Papal control and is a quick adapter of Jungist ideas. As a result in Brandenburg there is a lot more promotion and early conversions, more so than any other region. Charles receives Communion under both kinds in Spandau's St. Nicholas' Church, an act that indicated a degree of sympathy with the new religious ideas. However, the churches of Brandenburg remain largely the same, as Charles fears outright altering church doctrine just yet for fear of angering his brother and those who are still Catholic.
    • Saxony: The Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony offers to support and vote for Ottokar, if granted the lands of Schonburg and Querfurt.
  • Rossiya: Dimitri's army is reinforced by 10,000 troops from the levies of Tver, and Kiev bring his total troops to 25,000. Alarmed by Dimitri's success in raising levies leads to the Boyar rebels attacking them with a heavy cavalry charge while 10,000 men that were marching on Tver redirect to engage Dimitri's Army. Dimitri's forces manage to turn away the initial enemy charge thanks to the heavy use of pike and shot formations that hold the Rebel cavalry at bay while Dimitri's artillery blasts away at them in rapid succession. Upon receiving word of the second army coming at his flank, Dimitri sends his cossack mercenaries and his own cavalry to harrass and slowdown the second army while he sends his servant Nikolai Turgenev sneaking into the city of Kiev at name under the guard of cossacks. NIkolai convinces the Kieven garrison to come out of Kiev to attack the Boyar's rear. The surpise attack from the rear expose leads to a great deal of confusion amidst the enemy's ranks ultimately breaking the cohesion  of the enemy formations. In the ensuing chaos Dimitri's muskeeters manage to break the enemy forces while the enemy cavalry is forced to flee, upon hearing that the rebel reinforcements being turned back due to cossack harrassment. On July 12th The Battle of Kiev ends with the tactical victory for Dimitri having inflicted 8,234 casualties on the enemy army while his forces suffered some 5,200 lost souls. With his forces successful in securing Kiev, he decides to set up camp for the rest of the Year to gather his forces and train them and to gain more supplies from the Romans and Moldovians. He begins drilling his infantry in Pike and Shot formations and getting his cavalry to carry out skirmishes and scavenging missions collecting supplies and men from towns. Dimitri starts affectionately calling the men who served him Greece, and who started out the journey with him as the Rurik Varyag (Rurik Varangians) or as his Varyag. More artillery is made or purchased from downstream and the building of river boats begins to help maintain control over parts of the river system, outfitting slightly larger galleys with cannons to harrass the enemy positions down river along the Volga. Novgorod sends a request to  the Hansa for aid to prevent the rise of a tyrant in Russia who could cripple trade in the region. (Hansa Response Repuired). They continue to muster an army of some 16,000 made up of a mix of levies from Novgorod and Pskov bolstered by Balt and Finn mercenaries from the Baltic region.
    • Hungary Dip: We accept Boris to be the husband to the King's daughter. 
  • Kingdom of Portugal: While bravely leading his troops into battle, the king gets lost and is surrounded by enemies forces and killed after having fought them off for one-half hour. This news shocks Portugal as no Portuguese monarch has ever died in battle. Meanwhile, Princess Inez renounces her title of heir apparent in favour of her nephew Luis who is the oldest son of King John II. He is succeding by his son who takes the name Luis I. As he is only 12 a regency council under his sister Inez is installed with her advising him on most matters. The Portuguese troops in Morocco remains in the positions they are in now and begin training to adapt to desert warfare. Meanwhile, all requests from Portuguese Brazil are accepted but any expedtions will have to wait until the war is over.
  • Portuguese Brazil: Although some minor growth, the King shows interest in the colony, and approves the creation of a small militia. Around 20 men enlist into the Brazilian Militia, mainly managing as a small police force. They manage crime and oversee shipment transfers. In other news, the governor requests the king for eventual permission to begin exportating to foreign nations as well as the homeland of Portugal.
  • Papal States: With the end of the conclave, Giuliano della Rovere is elected as the new Pope and takes the papal name Julius II in honour/emulation of Julius Caesar. With a new pontiff, come changes in the Curia. Cardinal Pietro Accolti becomes the new Cardinal-Secretary, Cardinal Filiasio Roverella becomes the General Commissary of the Church, Cardinal Iñigo Ramírez y Mendoza becomes the head of the Association of Missionaries and Preachers, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Bertuccioli becomes the new head of the Pontifical Roman Press, Cardinal Arsæll Esturlungio becomes the head of the Institute for Works of Charity, Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros becomes the prefect of the Supreme Sacred Congregation of the Roman and Universal Inquisition, Cardinal Jorge da Costa is the new Dean of the College of Cardinals and Cardinal Rinaldo Orsini returns to being the Chancellor of the Holy Roman Church. The new Pope Julius II creates the following new Cardinals: William Warham (England), Adriaan Florensz Boeyens (Utrecht), Tristram Yarwood (Wales) and Eideard Tolmach (Scotland). In one of his first acts as pontiff, Pope Julius II officially condemns the Jungist movement of Thuringia as heresy. Galeotto of Habsburg is consecrated as bishop of Poggio Miterto and created as cardinal. Augusto Della Rovere is choose by the pope as the new Captain General of the Church. The pope creates the Diocese of Monte San Giovanni Campano and the Church of Saint Peter is elevated as Cathedral. Sisto of Habsburg is consecrated as bishop of this diocese. With the ascension of Giuliano della Rovere to the Papacy, the children of his sister Luchina della Rovere with Philip of Habsburg start to call themselves as Habsburg Della Rovere.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: Our army continues to push in the capital city of Ragusa and takes it over. The navy continues to blockade the nation from receiving imports from other nations. (Algo needed). Kamilla of Arpad is looking for a husband to marry at this time. (Anyone can respond): The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. Along the boarder we share with Bohemia a series of murders of our people have been happening. Since the attack has been minor for the moment we don't do really anything at the moment. We do know that it came from the Bohemia and it spread onto our side. We keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Since this was just one mass attack that killed ten people it isn't deemed a threat yet.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
    • Rurik Dip: Dimitri offers to his cousin Boris as a husband for Kamila Arpad.
  • Kingdom of France: The nation’s military continues to support the war in North Africa against the Caliphate, with a small force fighting alongside the other belligerents of Arles, Spain, etc. The nation’s officers take note of the war and try to learn as much as possible, using new techniques developed in France to gain experience. The territories incorporated from Arles through the Treaty of Bourges are further integrated into France, with French administrators being sent to oversee the regions. The local nobility remains intact and undisturbed. New fortifications are built in these regions, with soldiers continuing to man border forts and other key locations along the border. The nation’s navy is used offensively for the first time in many years, taking part in the blockade of the Caliphate, and the war spurs further development of the navy. The port cities of the Atlantic coast are expanded and upgraded, with new docks being completed for the purpose of maintaining and building new ships. Larger ocean-going vessels are built using experience from the war and aid from our fellow belligerents, with the first caravel-style ships since prior to William II’s reign being completed. The King sends an admiral named Philippe de Corguilleray with a handful of ships to break off from the blockade and personally scout out the coast of Morocco. These ships travel along the western coast as far as the Spanish islands, then return to France to deliver new information to the government. In France the works of Konrad Jung become increasingly spread across the nation. With France possessing one of the largest concentrations of printing presses in Europe per capita, both government sanctioned and those not sanctioned, the works are quickly translated and spread, with many adopting their practices. There is a second spike in religious violence not seen in over a decade, as heretics once more protest across the nation, and launch a series of iconoclastic attacks against churches and other church properties. By this time, due to the Concordat of Bologna, most of the church properties of France have become ingrained into the crown, and many within the clergy have been replaced through the government’s selection. The King is persuaded to fully integrate the rest of the nation’s churches, and the religious violence, desertions, or resignations, cause numerous vacancies within the clergy, which the King fills. Religious dissenters begin to form a large portion of the clergy internally, either from the King’s appointments, or just naturally through the gradual spread of Jungism and dissenting ideas. As a result, dissenting ideas begin to be readily preached throughout the majority of the nation. There is some resistance to this, with zealous Catholics rising in some regions to carry out acts of retaliatory violence, although after almost 20 years of such resistance, the uprising is far smaller and less firm compared to its earlier iterations. The King remains Catholic, but he is noted for his pragmatism, or as he calls it, “Realpolitik”. As such he remains in the camp of the moderate Catholics who see the reformation as a means to further the power of France; Jungist tactics such as confiscation of church property serve a French-Catholic goal as well, as it allows the state to increase its revenue, centralization, and general control over religion.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen is deeply saddened that his talk with Konrad Yung was so unproductive. He feels they share many views, and is shocked by how he has been misunderstood, and how out-of-control the situation has grown. The Archbishop firmly believes that God’s truth comes from scripture alone. However, a single church with a centralized leadership ensures that the truth of God’s word is taught clearly in all churches. He does not deny that there has been corruption in the history of the church, but because of the centralization of the church, such corruption can be quickly addressed by higher church authorities. He also does not deny that some Popes have been corrupt, and led people away from the Bible. All men are prone to sin. However, the Pope is chosen from among churchmen with lengthy reputations for closely following God’s word, who have undergone years of scrutiny, and they are chosen by the vote of their peers. How much more likely is it that a random man who misreads the Bible and declares himself a priest will be corrupt? Would it not be better to reform the church by establishing a means of providing some checks on the Pope’s authority, than schisming the church into factions? The Archbishop supports translating the Bible into all languages, as well as educating all people. There is no hypocrisy in his policy. However, the Bible is filled with many mysterious passages, which have been carefully puzzled out by generations of Christian scholars. The average man, even when he receives a basic education, is very likely to misinterpret these passages and fall into error. A man who is sick needs the help of a doctor, not a common leyman; nor would anyone be foolish enough to claim that this gives the doctor an unfair monopoly on healing. People come to him because he is a trained healer, just as people come to the priest because he is a trained interpreter of the Bible. Truly, it is not the place of the church to create doctrine, and if this has happened, it must end. However, it is the place of the church to interpret the doctrine of the Bible, so that the people of God are not led astray. As we see in the Gospels, the devil can twist the passages of scripture to suit his own ends, as he did while tempting Jesus. If Jung has grievances, as he certainly seems to, the church has procedures which provide a more peaceful way to resolve them than this present chaos. The Archbishop has read the 105 Theses, and believes that there may be many practices in the church that are not Biblical. He proposes they convene an Ecumenical Council, at once, to settle the matter. He sends a message to Yung asking him to support this (Thuringia Response), and to the Pope (Papal Response), and to all the Archbishops of the Holy Roman Empire. (Hanseatic Response for Bremen). It says in Matthew 12 that a house divided against itself can't stand. The brothers of Christ should not turn on each other in violence like Cain and Able, nor abandon each other and go their own way like to prodigal son. Let us settle our differences through civil discourse, lay out our posistions and defend them with scripture. He also call on the Pope to reprimand the legate for exceeding his authority. (Papal Response).\ He orders the official printing office of Mainz, established by Archbishop von Isenburg in 1465, to concentrate entirely on printing counterarguments to Yung’s more radical points, advocating reforming rather than abolishing the organized church and emphasizing the benefits people enjoy because of the church, as opposed to the chaos and violence that will ensue it is abolished. Partly, these documents are taken from the holy Press Office, but others are drafted by teams of learned priests from the University of Darmstadt. They are also the subjec tof much teaching, in the University and in the countless schools now run by the diocese of the HRE for the people of the Empire. As Archchancellor, he advises the Emperor not to interfere in Church business inless it becomes a crisis, but points out that his authority derives from the Pope, and that if any of the German state full embraces abolishing the church the empire will likelly colapse into civil war, and his authority over the German states will be reduced.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" In the "Eilanden met hemelse stranden" the merchants and settlers of around 100 people receive the word that they are allowed to settle in new towns and seek proper diplomacy with the natives. The population of Natives greatly outnumbering the Rotterdamse handels compagnie merchants, these men being called Vissers. The vissers now that they are allowed to have proper official relaions with the natives, the Vissers using small rowboats to get around. The vissers meeting with a lot of native women, as they vissers have no contact with their wives. The settlers taking some of these women home often using booze, the threat of force, money and their advanced technology such as metalurgy. This causing the first casses of Mixed race babies, where the fathers are of European-Taino descendence. The natives even if seen as trading partners are by most vissers seen as primitive and barbarians. The vissers doing with each taino tribe as they see fit, with some alliances are formed with some local tribes and chiefs. The settlers often having difficulty comunicating and telling one Taino group apart from another, this being due to the very exotic and strange look of the Taino compared to the Europeans. While in Europe the Generaal-admiraal Juliaen de kremer awaits further orders from the king, as even with his ability to take any action desired he prefers to get a direct order. As this would further legitimise his action, as the generaal-admiraal is just a temporary role. Thus he continues the training of his 13,892 soldiers under his command these soldiers doing combined training with the 20 jerseys under his command, as the sailors do some more land training. The sailors being trained how to defend their port and help with the possible evacuations of soldiers for if the rebels are to attack, as even if retreat is needed the survivers are needed as well. In Africa the KWAC continues with her quest to send more people to India and improve the transport network. These works including the laying of roads and building a proper dock and wall in Kaboutstad, as it's one of the least developed trading posts of the "Koninglyke West Afrikaansche Compagnie". This being the result of the terain which is a heavly forested, and the low population, as only merchants who have to go there and the greatest of adventurers live in the city. The result of this culture of brave men being that the town is more democratic then any other KWAC settlement as it's expected that to survive actions need to in the interest of all members individually. The KWAC also getting competition from individual merchants as the KWAC has no legal way to keep them from going to India, the only way to do it being outcompeting them. Which is a hard thing to do in a market which has such a big demand, as curry, safron, nutmeg and many more are highly wanted in Europe.
  • Kingdom of England: In the previous year, Archbishop of Canterbury Henry Deane died and William Warham was translated from the see of London to succeed him; in 1504, Warham has become a Cardinal. The Order of Divine Mercy continues operating in England from the Bluefriars priory in Wells, Somerset, and some priests of the Association of Missionaries and Preachers start working there also. Godfrey Courtenay, 17th Earl of Warwick and 15th Earl of Devon withdraws to Warwick Castle because of illness, which worries King Henry VII of England, his close friend and ally. The shipbuilding programs in Essex and Bristol (led by James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex and William Courtenay, 1st Earl of Bristol, respectively) continue, improving the quality of the English (Lancastrian) navy. In Yorkshire, Richard of York continues his strategy of gathering support with anti-Celtic rhetoric while the deposed Edward VII continues the communications with Iceland, offering two potential marriages in response to King Domnhall V of Iceland's letter: Edward himself (b. 1481) could be married to Sessília Sturlungur (b. 1485) and/or his brother Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford (b. 1487) could be married to Anna Rós Sturlungur (b. 1486). (Iceland response). Some Lancastrians notice the messengers going between Iceland and Yorkshire, and this evidence of international diplomacy from the Yorkists worries them as well as various members of the English Parliament. Tensions between Yorkists and Lancastrian nobles in Westmorland over the production and trade of coal in the northeast of England also continue. The English Parliament this year focuses on recruiting peasants from Middlesex and the adjacent counties of Hertfordshire and Surrey to be soldiers. The Lancastrian military works on fortifying the port of Bristol and the towns of Wilton in Wiltshire and Exeter and Plymouth in Devon, while Yorkist troops build watchtowers around the city of York. Marcantonio I Colonna, husband of Dorothy Grey, continues to de Given the Anglo-Spanish alliance, King Henry VII considers sending troops to aid Spain against the Moroccans and Abbasids, but after discussing with several advisors decides to hold off on this for now as it would put too much strain on the still somewhat vulnerable English economy. Trade between England and Sweden continues, aiding the recovery of the English economy from the recent conflicts. In order to help stabilise and improve the economy, King Henry VII also writes to the Hanseatic League, hoping to improve trade relations between them and England. (Hanseatic response). Edward Beaufort, 5th Duke of Somerset and Anne Neville have their second child, a son named Henry (b. 1504); Louise of York and Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent have their third child, a daughter named Catherine (b. 1504); Margaret of York and Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland have their second child, a daughter named Mary (b. 1504); and King Edward IV of Scotland and Isabella of Habsburg have their fourth child, a son named Duncan (b. 1504). In Europe, Anaïs of Anjou-Lenzburg (1435-1504), mother of Aymon II, Duke of Savoy and great-aunt of King Lucas II of Arles and a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of natural causes, having outlived two of her three children. Girolama Farnese (1478-1504), wife of Burkhard von Lenzburg, dies after suffering a miscarriage.
  • Kingdom of Majapahit: As we heard the nice act from the king of Ayutthaya and that we don't control the productive spice islands anymore, we once again sent diplomats and envoys are sent once again to our remaining kings and governors and princes of our vassal to once again join us for a strong decented austronesian empire around the archipelago. (mod response). the envoy will be sent with four golden statues of Buddha (statues size is like the size of an axe) and 50 taels or silver, two envoys with 20 cattle are sent to the spice productive islands to re join back, we offer them protection from the sea nomads (mod response), as the war have ended we send a diplomatic envoy to the island of Bali, asking to begin a new page and forget our former conflicts. (mod response). Our navy is growing, we build another 30 canoes as an addition to our growing navy that will protect the maritime trade, we seek for Japanese approval and to agree for one direct trade agreement, as we seek for materials that wr don't have and we offer materials that the Japanese merchants need (Japan response), we sincerely apologize for the message that was meant for the insult of Ayutthaya, our ports in OTL Jepara and Semarang and Tegal and Surabaya will be heavily maintained and upgraded, as canoes that carry 40 men per ship are built, the king is thinking for another upgraded and bigger ship, the Djong, they can carry arround 230 soldiers per ship, that's why, 2,000 best ship builders are requested to build a total number of 100 djrong ships, as we will wait for around three years for the ships to be done, in the economic sector, we will keep maintaining the rice fields irrigation systems in Java to keep the rice cultivation, with that we finally build a naval academy for marinires in OTL Klaten, 600 men will be charged to go on and construct it, transporting stones with rafts, and transporting bamboo and wood with chariots, we also upgrade the insfracture of our empire, building roads in Java and other territory in the archipelago to connect the lands and build defenses with stone and more solid materials, we also ask the Chinese for some sailors to be spared. (Tian response).
    • The Kingdoms of Makassar, Tidore and Jailolo do not acknowledge the power of the Majapahit.
    • The Kingdom of Bali is willing to accept peace.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: Surprised that the Jungist movement has taken off so quickly, Albert IV starts to address it in his lands. While he is skeptical of Jung's philosophy, he decries those who advocate to prosecute or otherwise punish him, saying Jung is clearly a faithful and God-fearing scholar who deserves the benefit of the doubt. He also announces that any Bavarian Jungists will not fear persecution from their fellow Bavarians, or indeed from anyone anywhere within the borders of his realm, and invites them to worship besides their fellow Christians. Although he declines to make this public, Albert's decision is influenced by his youngest son, who had in recent years taken a liking to Jungist philosophy. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilites, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
  • Palembang Sultanate: Exploiting the already delineated plan on expanding the capital, Sultan Shi Jinhai funds the construction of 40 rumah limas. Furthermore, he gets to work on funding  the construction of a new grand palace, the Kuto Gawang, which is to consist of bricks using a mixture of egg white and limestone as the bonding adhesive, similar to the historical Kuto Basek, the design will mirror that of the Kuto Basek with a few minor tweaks and additions, forming the structure in all but name, of which was inspired by an earlier kraton, as such it’s likely that the structure will be completed within 17 years, although there is a few limitations to the extent to which we can add exotic goods to such a structure at the moment. Investment into the development of road systems to connect the capital to other settlements will also be undertaken by the reigning Sultan, Shi Jinhai, expected results are not only a more able enforcement policy on behalf of the royal house of Palembang, Shi, but also an increase in the amount of troops we can levy. Additionally we will endeavor in pro-natalist policies in order to increase our population, to illustrate one of these policies the government will promise to reduce taxes depending on the amount of children a certain family has, allowing them to have more children if they so wish. 
  • Vinland: The population hits 6,650. Eric Kuis is baptized this year at Dogajavick. A local Christian named Petr Ulriksson conducted the baptism with the aide of Portuguese metallurgists. The Vinlandic aristocracy is bothered by their leader's change in faith and many begin discussing plans to elect an Odinist leader upon the death of Eric Kuis. However, another sect of chieftains are less hostile to Christianity and concede that there might be benefits to converting down the line. The construction of a Christian church begins in Dogajavick. Many people are interested in Christianity, and the more they learn of it from the Portuguese the more curious they become. As such, the most intense curiosity is found among city-dwellers and port areas and less among rural Beothuk and Tvennufolk. By this year, knowledge of Europe has become almost universal. In other news, trade changes as the Portuguese introduce new goods into the Vinlandic market, and thus, into the Mi'kmaq market as well. Unfortunately, the Portuguese introduce new diseases as well, which cause many Beothuk to get sick with diseases they have little resistance too. However, because the island's population has been intermixed with North European populations for so long, the effects of diseases like smallpox are not as bad as would be in totally non-resistant populations. Due to modern metallurgy being introduced into Vinland, the island will see great changes in technology, architecture, weaponry, and transportation. 
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands. Keathutberga reaches a population of 375.
  • Hanseatic League: 1504 does not get off to a good start in the Hanseatic League. Early in January, Georg and his nephew Karl Burkhart are attacked on their way to Mass by none other than Jorgen von Warendorp. The young heir to the prestigious patrician family was known in Lübeck as being a womanizer and going a little too hard during Society of the Compass events. This attack is seemingly out of character for him. He is joined by Kurt Stein, a mid-level merchant who was of little note to the Hanseatic classes. Karl Burkhart is stabbed no less than 13 times and dies of his injuries shortly after. Georg manages to escape from his assailants and proceeds to unravel what is soon to be known as the Midwinter Conspiracy. The entire Warendorp family is implicated, and any associates and allies are brought in for trial. These hearings could last anywhere from a few hours to a few months, and stretch into 1505. As it stands, the Warendorp family is being torn to shreds, with many members of the family being tortured and publicly hanged. Even those who are not found guilty face the loss of what prestige the family had. The Warendorp family was a very old and notable family that guided Lübeck through rough times, before the Hanseatic League was anything more than a trading confederation. Now, their name is synonymous with 'traitor.' Hatred of the family extends past the upper class. As it is dragged in the mud, the family name is the subject of scorn by the peasantry just as well. Johannes Burkhart sees this as a tragic end for such an established family. However, despite this chaos embroiling the Lübeck Ratthaus, normal business continues in the League. With the Hansa establishing a trade presence in Mainz and the expansion of business in Switzerland and Arles, the League is able to project more of its trade power throughout the Holy Roman Empire. The North Sea remains profitable, with whaling and shipbuilding continuing to dominate Hanseatic industry in the Isles, making a considerable amount of money for both the Kontors and the Celtic Confederacy. Though the Hansa has a Kontor in London, the League is willing to make a number of deals with England ensuring discounted items produced by the Hansa (ships, parts, guns, clothes) for the time being. In the meantime, exploratory voyages along the South American shoreline produce new maps. Hanseatic ships explore the coast of OTL Argentina. The name Silberland is proposed for Argentina. Other enterprising explorers continue to search for ways to India. Finally, a merchant named Marco Rothberg employs a convoy of 15 ships that manage to pass through the Cape of Good Hope and reach India, initially landing in Surat before making their way to Sultanpur. The Hanseatic League offers to establish a trade route with Hindustan in which massive armadas of Hanseatic merchants carrying a bulk of goods from Germany, Russia, Poland, France, and England that the Indians may be interested in. (DEV RESPONSE NEEDED). Maps to India are offered to Mali, in exchange for permission to purchase 1,000 African slaves to be sent to the Hanseatic West Indies (NATE RESPONSE NEEDED). Nearby, the Hansa establishes a settlement at OTL Monrovia named Fredricia. Back in the Baltic, things appear to be heating up in Russia. The League offers to purchase Raseborg Castle in order to revitalize the economy of Novgorod during these dire times. Seeing the brewing situation as a powder keg that threatens Baltic trade, the Hansa sends 5,000 mercenaries as a peacekeeping force to Novgorod.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Caliph al-Mutansir II dies early this year, suffering a stroke in his solemn chambers, being held by his wife and immediate family. Although the records on his life would be burned during the Great Fire of 1507, it was noted that he had spent his last months locked inside his house, becoming a hermet without a social life nor a social standing within the Ulema. Regardless, he would be succeeded by his only son, who's name seemed to have been lost to history, but his rengal title indicates that he was referred to as Caliph al-Maalik. His accomplishments would be mostly over-shadowed by his cousin however, the future Caliph al-Abdukrahman, but for the time being, the Jihad for Rif remained a point of contention for Caliph al-Maalik, as he had not expected the war nor had been a courageous supporter of it from the beginning. After reports come in on a stalemate being reached from a small and scrawny messenger, Caliph al-Maalik proclaims to the surprise of the messenger, "This war is bullshit!", before flipping the table in anger. See, small details like this exist because of folklore and old tales from the early days of the Caliphate, so realistically speaking, we could never truly know if it happened or not. The only fact that holds this together however, is when Caliph al-Maalik forced his soldiers to simply retreat to defensive fortifications in Tlemcen, while a rather confident diplomat, known only as "Suleiman the Negotiator", arrived via a merchant ship to the Court of the Spanish Crown to negotiate a white peace over the territories of Rif, with the promise of ceasing hostilities for a period of 25 years. [Spanish Response Needed].
    • Hispanian Empire: Response: We agree to the white peace offer by the Caliphate with the additional 25 years period of non-aggression.
  • Roman Empire: The victory at Heraklion destroys Venetian rule over Krete. Fortunately, the victory also bolsters the Imperial treasury and morale as the Italian mercenaries employed by Venice were unable to escape and their payment was easily captured after the fighting had died down. The arms and armor used by the mercenaries are also gathered from both battles and sent to Nicaea for use in arming the Empire’s soldiers. Much of the stockpile is offered to the Russians at a steeply discounted price as aid in their ongoing civil war. (Russian Response) Building on the success, the Imperial Fleet and 12,000 crack men are assembled to attack Venice once more. The force is commanded by a notable captain, Dragut Reis, who took up the mantle of leadership at the Battle of Otranto after the destruction of the flagship. The new admiral, who hails from Petronium on the Aegean coast, is a master of sailing and a veritable human map of the Mediterranean. Under his leadership the fleet sails north to engage the Venetian fleet in the Adriatic before moving in to sack Venice itself and put an end to this war.
    • [Naval Algo, Please]: 550 ships, including 200 newly constructed light war-galleys, under the command of a seasoned leader will attempt to draw the Venetian fleet out from harbor with a small force of fast galleys with experienced crews. These 50 ships will threaten Venice and cause them to sally forth and attack. These ships will then row hard away from the city in pursuit, at which point their rowers will be exhausted. This is when the main fleet will strike from both east and west. Exhausted by their chase, the Venetian ships will be caught by the fresh Roman fleet which shall crush them as metal between a hammer and anvil.
    • [Conditional Algo, Please]: Following the successful destruction of the Venetian fleet, 12,000 men, comprised of 10,000 heavy infantry and 2,000 cavalry, shall sack Venice while the Roman navy bombards the Arsenal into dust and prevents reinforcement from land. The invasion shall target the Doge’s Palace and the Square of Saint Mark as the epicenter to allow for the recovery of works of art and treasure stolen in the 4th Crusade.
  • Dimitriy Response: Dimitry accepts the aid.
  • Archbishopric of Cologne: 1504 Anno Domini: Jung’s heresy spreads throughout the Holy Roman Empire via his writings and publications of the 105 Theses, threatening to sever the Church via unholy dissent against the Pope and sacraments of reconciliation with God. It is self-evident that the Pope carries out the will of God and the Church serves as intermediaries between God and man, connecting the mortal sinner with the eternal divine, the Church serving as a beacon of the light to the lost, a guide to a righteous life. With Jung’s writings declared heresy, Archbishop Ruprecht von Moers, Master of Laws and Justiciar declares, “The 105 Theses by Konrad Jung is an illegal heretical document that shall be seized and burned upon confiscation, those who read it shall be offered immediate clemency if they destroy it right after reading the text. The 105 Theses shall not be published, printed, or distributed within or without any land in the Empire. We call upon the righteous to prevent this Schism of the Church. Jung himself shall be investigated for his crime and shall be forgiven upon confession of his sin.” With this order, copies of Jung’s 105 Theses are confiscated and destroyed throughout Cologne and the Empire. Further, the Archbishop requests a formal Papal Inquisition into Jung. Though Jung’s writings are heretical, he is seen a righteous yet lost theologian who has strayed away from the Church, what is even worse is what the Thin White Duke has done, use a theological work for personal gain, to illegally seize Church property, leading to the Justiciar’s second declaration “The seizure of Church land by the state is theft, it is stealing the Church’s property, property belonging unto God, for the benefit of the secular state. The Thin White Duke shall return the Church’s land immediately, or face immediate Imperial arrest.” [RNG for the Thin White Duke's arrest please} The secular state seizure leads the Archbishopric of Cologne to believe the Free City of Cologne is preparing to seize the Archbishopric's land from the Church into their secular control, thus building the army for defense. Ruprecht von Moers declares the Archbishopric of Cologne to be a "Refuge for the Righteous, where all who surrender unto God shall be protected."
  • Georgia: The Duke of Samtskhe, Qvarqvare, dies, and he is replaced by his son Mzetchabuk. Bagrat's son, Nathanael (b. 1498 to Qvarqvare's niece/adoptive daughter, Natia), begins his studies. Lady Jaqeli begins to be a power in the court. Meanwhile, this year, Tinatin and Mehmed bear a child, whom they name George (VII). The agèd Alexander abdicates and gives the throne to Bagrat, who becomes Bagrat VI. Nikita continues to exert power over court politics as the Queen Dowager. Taking his father's steps, Bagrat fortifies borders - especially border-cities in Tabriz. He also expands the artillery and arquebusier corps. He begins to arm the Naqivchaqari primarily with matchlocks instead of composite bows - thus they become more so a mounted infantry force. The arquebusier corps is abolished, and they become part of the Naqivchaqari corps - though after equestrian training. Meanwhile, a permanent light cavalry corps made from Anatolian Turks is made. Commerce continues to flourish due to the export of cotton and silk. This wealth supports the proliferation of arts such as frescoes, mosaics, miniature, and pottery (especially fritware). Polyphonic singing, poetry, dance, and court pageantry - the latter under the influence of Italian (Latin) traders, also flourish.

1505

Ottokar IV of Bohemia is elected the new Holy Roman Emperor, at last succeeding his father over the House of Premyslid. The rapid number of emperors in Germany in quick succession, dubbed the Decade of the Five Emperors and the "Imperial Curse", have greatly contributed to further decetralization of the Empire in recent years. The "Curse" is used as evidence by the Jungists of God's wrath against the Catholics, and by seemingly all as a bad omen.

The 105 theses published by Konrad Jung at the door of Erfurt Cathedral is the dawn of a new era of European history, the Protestant Reformation. These teachings of "Jungism" have already spread this year across much of central Germany, Lotharingia and France. With religious heresy centered primarily around Saxony, the Bishop of Dresden and an alliance of minor Saxon states form and combat Altenburg after soldiers loyal to Gregor von Hanstein supposedly attack Catholics across the border. 

After the Pope Julius II denounced the teachings of Jung as heretical, the moderate faction of Bishops following the model of Mainz petitions instead for the creation of an ecumenical council, or at least an Imperial Diet, to address the Konrad Jung directly. The High Inquisitor of Germany expresses that these developements are evidence that the "Celtic" and "Hussite" churches have been ineffective at combatting heresy (Celtic Church is its proper name, as the term Lollard means heretic and is used more exclusively to refer to the radical followers of Wycliffe, or to the Celtic Church by its political opponants).

Konrad Jung is caught in a terrible thunder storm, in which he is nearly struck by lightning, but barely manages to escape alive.

French and Burgundian nobles sends large amounts of support for William Wallace, who have succeeded to occupy and fortify the major cities of Guines and St. Pol before the Lotharingians arrive. If they attempt at occupying the region, it would face a defensive battle.

The Republic of Venice offers a peace to Byzantium to cede their remaining colonies in Greece to the Byzantine Empire, while the Italic League raises their full support for the defense of the city.

In Mantua, a Dominican named Hosanna claims to be having visions of seeing Jesus with his cross. In ecstacy, she begins foretellig about terrible omens there are in the years ahead.

In India, an enterprising military general named Dhar Baybars seizes control over Malwa, and proclaims himslef to become a separate kingdom outside of Hindustani control. Meanwhile, the religious leader Mohammad Janpouri leaves Sindhu in a pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Sultanate of Kilwa refuses to participate in trade with Portugal, seeing them as making a monopoly in East Africa.

The Commonwealth of Poland-Lithuania officially adopts a constitution to elect monarchs approved by the Sejm. At the same time, they introduce serfdom across all of Lithuania.

An 8.8 level Earthquake strikes the Kingdom of Nepal, causing avalanches that kills 800,000 people. 

The oldest known pocket watch is made by Peter Henlein in Nuremburg.

Envoys of the Papal States informs the rulers of Hesse that Agnes' excommunciation was lifted a long time ago, as the original documented was intended for Agnes and not Anne, as was could be inferred by the context at the time.

  • Duchy of Thuringia: Fearing possible retaliation from neighboring Catholic nations, the nations foremost affected by the rise of Jungism decide to meet in the small town of Wolfen to arrange for a conference. The rest is the League of Wolfen (or Wolfenbund), a defensive alliance chiefly between Duke Edmund Alwin of Saxony, Duke Charles of Brandenburg, and the Thin White Duke of Thuringia. Together these three states create a series of marriage alliances, and also begin working with the “Conspirators”: Conrad von Lautertal, William of Mühlberg, William von Bibra of Meiningen, Gregor von Hanstein of Altenburg, et al. Conflict breaks out against a collection of Saxon states led by the Bishop of Dresden after a supposed attack near the border. It’s unclear if Gregor von Hanstein actually did attack, or if the Bishop wanted an excuse to combat the Jungists, but a battle breaks out almost immediately near Altenburg. The battle spurs the creation of a new military in Thuringia. Firstly there are the White Knights, who through a series of internal fights, come to be dominated by Jungists, and the Thin White Duke calls them the world’s first “Jungist Holy Order”. A coup within the leadership of the organization places Paul Osterberg as the head knight, and he organizes a swift removal of devout Catholics from the organization, and a shift toward Jungist teaching. An event known as the Easter Purge occurs, in which a few hundred Catholics are killed within the army of the Conspiracy, creating a solely Jungist fighting force organized to “safeguard the reformation”. With 1,000 of these levies and 200 White Knights, Gregor von Hanstein marches out from Altenburg and begins the “Long March” toward Dresden. As he marches he spreads the message of Jungism through Meissen, attacking churches, and gaining followers. By the time he reaches Dresden's lands his army has increased several times over, and a siege ensues. Cut off from the rest of the alliance, the Bishop of Dresden quickly finds itself surrounded by a nation converting in rapid numbers, and he surrenders. Elsewhere, the Wolfenbund sponsors the creation of the “Blue Army of the Elbe”, a force of Jungists raised from primarily Thuringia and Saxony. Under the command of Conrad von Lautertal, the Blue Army marches against the supporters of Dresden and lead the charge in confiscating all church land between Erfurt and Wittenberg. The Bishopric of Naumburg is mediatised, while the Bishop of Merseburg is forced to flee. They discover other religious leaders like the Bishop of Halberstadt have decided to convert of their own volition. The most zealous in Thuringia (such as the previously heretical Adamites) urge the creation of a “utopia” as defined by the writings of the Thin White Duke, in which life returns to how it was in the time of the Apostles. Through all this the Thin White Duke urges Konrad Jung to help standardize Jungism as a separate religion completely, and Jung is eventually forced to appoint priests to meet demand. The unrest spills over into the neighboring Bishopric of Bamberg. Knowing that the Emperor may get involved once the election is over and he has settled into his position, the Thin White Duke petitions to have these series of disputes resolved diplomatically before a full war breaks out.
    • Imperial Diplomacy: Taking heed of the crisis evolving in Thuringia, the Emperor calls for a Diet in the city of Speyer. Konrad Jung and any other theologian is invited to the Diet, as is Justificiar Ruprecht von Moers and the Archbishop of Mainz, so that Jung can explain himself in front of the Emperor and the government. Jung is granted a promise of safe conduct, and an escort to and from the meeting by his supporters.
    • Saxon Diplomacy: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, agrees that a diet must be held, and travels personally to the city of Speyer to take part. Peter Miese also turns up unexpectedly. Although Edmund Alwin has attempted to distance himself from the Jungists in the past, it is now clear he very much supports them, and probably wishes to defend them at the Diet, as well as maintain his ownership of new lands he has recently gained.
    • Archbishopric of Köln response: Justificiar Ruprecht von Moers shall preside over the Speyer Diet, prosecuting Jung on the Empire's behalf if need be.
    • You will need an algo to capture Dresden. - Mod response signed by Dren.
    • Not Dresden the city.
  • Saxony: Duke Edmund Alwin attempts to mediatize mediate the conflict between Altenburg and the alliance of Saxon states. He claims to be helping the alliance of small states, and sends a large number of Saxon troops over the border to help them. Edmund Alwin then neglects to withdraw his troops out of the small alliance of Saxon states, rendering them effectively occupied. Nevertheless, he continues to claim to be "helping them recuperate due to the conflict", which further complicates the situation. Howevere, he decides to take part in a diplomatic meeting and diet between the newly formed Wolfenbund and the other states involved. Edmund Alwin also takes control of much of the military, and manages to have the Count of Mansfeld arrested on the flimsy charge of plotting against the Empire. He declares himself Count of Mansfeld instead. Following the invasion by the Blue Army of the Elbe of Merseburg, Saxony decides to mediatize it. Edmund Alwin declares himself Count of Merseburg. Naumberg is split between Thuringia and Saxony, with Saxony eventually selling its half to Thuringia. The Bishop of Cammin converts to Jungism, and, claiming the clergy have no right to power, reisgns his position. He is reinstated as secular Count of Cammin by Edmund Alwin. Meanwhile, Shadrach de la Marck continues to participate in the King of Switzerland Contest. The cartographer studies the map carefully, discovering that there is a series of secret locations marked. One points to the town of Busingen, another to the town of Wehr, and a third to Mount Feldberg. Shadrach journeys to Busingen, while he dispatches a team of loyal followers and servants and paid mercenaries to the other two locations. The teams inquire about the town as to whether anyone has seen somebody who matches Suslin's description. (Thuringian Response?) Later in the year, Edmund Alwin analyses the situation: the Diet of Speyer (presided over by the secular Emperor) and the Trent Convention (presided over by the clergy and the Archbishop of Mainz) appear to be clashing, but, ironically it seems the ecclesiastical faction are more willing to compromise with the Jungists.
  • Vinland: The population reaches 6,675. The church in Dogajavick, dedicated to the Saints Monica and Augustine of Hippo, is completed as the Christian population begins rising due to new converts. It now numbers slightly less than 200. This presents a problem to the confederal chieftains, many of whom follow either the old polytheistic faith of the Vikings or the syncretic polytheism orginating from Viking and Beothuk religions. The tribal aristocracy is dealt another blow when the patriarchs of Hallrberga and Issvik publicly convert to Christianity, along with scores of their subordinates. Eric Kuis notices this and idealizes a mass conversion of Vinland's population. He begins planning an appeal to Rome, the center of Christendom, asking to elevate the island to a Kingdom in return for christianizing the entire island with help from Rome. Eric Kuis decides to observe the situation further before sending his appeal. In other news, thanks to Portuguese education and techniques, the metallurgic industry is becoming a staple of Vinland's economy. In linguistic news, the knowledge of contemporary Scandinavian languages, as well as increasing literacy, has resulted in many people beginning to speak and write differently. In cultural news, the historian Sturla Ragnulfsson, now aged 56, begins recording his histories on modern paper and linen. Because of Portuguese metallurgists in his hometown, he has an excellent source in which to study history. He asserts that Jacobsland, an area visited by Vikings centuries ago, is located in a land north of Portugal known as Spain. Ragnulfsson also believes that the lands of the Angles, Celts, and Danes are now known, respectively, as England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. He analyzes this against his earlier, pre-discovery works and confirms that they are mostly accurate but his earlier works were drawn on centuries-old information. He presents this to Eric Kuis in the winter, where the latter infers that the Norse and Tvennufolk peoples of Vinland have been culturally isolated from their ancestors for several centuries. Vinlandic sailors, navigators, and fisherman appeal to Portugal for knowledge of the newest shipbuilding techniques and seafaring strategies [Portuguese Response].
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The first modern forge is constructed in Keathutberga, built with the help of Thiago Figuerido, an acolyte of Da Juliana. Esgigelanders begin expanding southward in search of warmer, more arable land. They establish an outpost in OTL Sherbrooke, which they name Figueridoberg in honor of Thiago Figuerido, who accompanied them on the journey after helping with the construction of the Keathutberga forge.
  • Hispanian Empire: As the peace treaty with the Abbasid Caliphate is signed and a status quo ante bellum along with a 25 year long non aggression pact is henceforth agreed, after General Jacques "The Ripper"'s valiant stand on the Hispanic region of the Riff, which was preserved by the unwavering hope of our unyielding soldiers who gallantly sacrificed their lives for their Realm and their Queen. Now as both the regions of Andalusia and the Riff solidly under our control, with the rebellions that had largely engulfed the region heavily suppressed, the Hispanic forces in the region are now completely free to start enforcing to the full extent the implementation of the provisions of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslims and Moriscos within the Hispanic territories of Andalusia and the Spanish Riff, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif or be enslaved or killed, or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. Inquisitor Dren, a rather hardline man, is put in charge of efforts, as he thoroughly strives to ensure that no Muslim or Morisco gets to escape the flaming cross of Inquisition. As a direct result, the entire region of the Hispanic Riff starts to became rather depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, depending on province, as every area was afflicted to a diverging degree as well as Andalusia to a lesser extend. To combat this, Queen Katherine de Barcelona begins to award all the empty acres of fertile lands as soon as their Muslims former owners vacate them, mostly in the Riff region but also in the Andalusian region, just has started to became depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, but to a lesser extend than the Riff region, to her 68,000 soldiers that valiantly fought in that conflict, prioritizing the widows and the children of the 22,500 men who gave their life for the crown and the country, by paying for their expanses to start resettling them in their newly granted acres for the sacrifize of their husbands, while also providing them with sufficient subsidies to ensure them a rather sufficient standard of living and not let them descent to poverty, for them and their children, but at the same time, not nearly neglecting all those brave 45,500 men who fought valiantly and are still alive, encouraging them to start settling with their families in the offered fertile acres, that are being vacated by their former Muslim owners, predominantly in the Riff and to a lesser extend to Andalusia. This action can be largely attributed to the unwillingness of the Hispanic Crown to hopefully never have to face such turbulence and instability in the region. Thus by initiating this process to settle our loyal troops there that we can call upon anytime in the future to surpress further revolts as well as cleansing the region out of the local Muslim populace, to ensure the loyalty of these two regions [Riff, Andalusia] to the Hispanic crown. Additionally a force of 25,000 Hispanians under the the infamous General Jacques "The Ripper" is promptly dispatched to our occupied city of Chefchaouen, to evict the opportunistic Moroccan forces from there, though we wouldn't really be surprised if the Moroccans have abandoned their positions and fled entirely already. [(ALGO PLEASE)]. The island of Pantelleria, that has been heavily devestated by the recent pirate raid on it, is now rebuild to became the prosperous trade centre it once was. With the war over, a rather large increase on our investment into colonial efforts occurs, as Hispania is now free to concentrate on that front. The existing Hispanic colonies of Santiago (OTL Jamaica), Santo Domingo (OTL Dominican Republic), San Juan de Bautista (OTL Puerto Rico) and Cuba are further boolstered by increasing waves of new colonists and nowhere this is more prelevant than Cuba, where the waves of new settlers have now started to overrun the lower side of the island, the last stronghold of native resistance, pushing the bountaries further and further. A force of 350 Conquistadors led by General Hernán Cortés is dispatched from Havana and assaults and captures the very last semblance of resistance in the island. Meanwhile, the natives of Cuba continue to face constantly worsening conditions, but they are somewhat reliefed by the crucial work of an increasing ammount of Jesuit missionaries, who take a rather accute interest in treating their ailing fellow human beings, as well as teaching them the word of God and the Bible at the same time, to which end they succeed to a rather large degree, as the natives view the European medicines as miracles, believing that the Christian God helped them miraculously recover from their diseases. Additionally the administrative capital of the colony of Cuba, Havana, sees a grand expansion of its aqueduct and sewerage systems to reduce diseases in the settlement and generally providing it with the capacity to sustain more population, thus bolstering its growth further. Pope Giuliano della Rovere is a close relative to the crown, related by ties of blood.
    • Sorry Spain can't be expanding colonies in this way in the middle of an expensive and intense war so close to home. If anything colonies this early on would contract as a result of a major war going on at home. I will leave the expulsion of further Muslims. However, it will 100 percent take longer than a year. I will also point out it will take longer than a year to turn these fortresses and other areas into legitimate settlements/trade centers. More in the realm of 30-50 years due to the need to populate/repopulate, as well as build necessary infrastructure. This is the 1500's not D-Day. -Feud.
    • Completely understandable Feudy, i'm sorry for expanding unrealistically apparently, but i was provided with a list of existing colonies by Adolf and i thought that this was feasible, which was a miscalculation. I also neglected to clearify that the whole Muslim forced conversions/persecution effort was an ongoing process in the area of the Riff and Andalusia, so i rephrased my turn to reflect that. It was a bit of a rushed post so i acknowledge that there were aspects of it that i needed to correct/rephrase. ~Bear
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" Generaal-Admiraal Juliaen de Kremer now seeing the greater activity of the rebel forces, decided to use the money he receives from the king on Mercanaries. As the Admiral fears that in five years that the "Admiraliteits Gewesten", thus de Kremer sends out recruiters to England, Switzerland and many other minor states. After three months his General-admirality, requests reports on how many foreign men are willing to fight for the Admiral's cause. (Mod Response). These reports give a number of 5,300 soldiers willing to fight for his king and him, thus increasing his numbers to 19,197. The generaal-admiraal estimate the rebel army size at 5,000. Thus together with Dulle griet and other regular sized cannons and his ships, Dekremer decides to attack the town of Berck with a total of 14,000 soldiers. De Kremer having ten of his jerseys blockade the cities with their minion cannons, and other cannons which use the two-weeled carriage to move inside the ships. These ships carrying more cannons then normal as half of the cannons from the ships who stayed behind were put inside. This increasing the amount of cannons on those ships that blockade Berck by 50 percent, while decreasing it with 50 percent for the ten reserve ships. The generaal-admiraal believing that the cannon barage should be focussed on certain parts of the town such as the baracks, planning room and the defences instead of attacking everything just a little. The soldiers surrounding the town and using a combination of cannons rams and other siege weaponry, to block the town and break the defences. The army on the way of the town repairing the roads and general infrastructure to make it useable, as the rebellion is a war of atrition where the goal is to make the rebels unable to fight. The plan being to force them to negotiate with the King and the generaal admiraal in Bonen, and end the war with the thrust of a pen. The "Koninglyke West Afrikaansche Compagnie" receives some sad news, Diederic Godard the Governor of Dakarhaven, Hoekbaai and Sherbro eilanden dies at the age of 60. Thus Hans Timmerman is apointed by the Dakarhaven's merchant comite as their new governor, Timmerman is a 32-year-old merchant from the coastal town of Oostende. While in Hoeksbaai and Sherbro a man called Thomas Haazelaar, a 45-year-old merchant and veteran of the volunteer group helping Jabal asada in their fight against Falon. Thomas being seen as a form of diplomatic strongmen who is not use violence but also not afraid to throw in all charm if need be. Haazelaar is reported to be 6'6" by his men which is very tall for a man, Thomas joking being called "Reus Haazelaar." (Giant Haazelaar). As the governors are already living in their ports, they do not require any transportation. The Men taking their new office after the funeral which was accompanied by a church service in Dakarhaven, as Diederic was a Catholic who wanted to be buried in a Christian manner. After the funeral the Both Haazelaar and Timmerman are given their official role of governor of their respective land, thus formally splitting Hoekbaai from Dakarhaven. The terrotories being ruled in a very different manner, as dakar is only a trading and diplomatic hub while Hoekbaai and Sherbro are KWAC proper. The KWAC, having a small but semi-professional pike force with some punasiers with them, there being one punaisier duo per 40 pikemen, this being often accompanied by an ossekarren. This tactic being coppied from the husite and Taborites who fought against the Lotharingian king in the Ardennes mountain range, as the tactic is shown effective for small forces to defend when outnumbered. While in Frisia the "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" sends out a couple of fisher ships, these ships being send to land near Greenland. The jerseys being "Wyn", "stoarm" and  one sloop called "Floed", the voyage being small but important. But after Reaching Greenland a heavy storm accurs and the wind blows them away (Mod Response, RNG for if they survive and where they land). The Frissians known to be daring fishers compared to the Rotterdammers, with whom they compete for fish, whalefat and other goods from the sea. Wagenaar having his company centered on the high risk high reward voyages. With the Biennual supply the RHS Zuyderzee, Rijnpoort, Rotterdam, for the first time a Lotharingian woman sets ground on the  "Eilanden met hemelse stranden". Lisebet finds out the island is full of pigs, the population of pigs having bread in great amount on the islands. The Pigs enjoying the warmer temperatures, pigs being seen swimming and sunbathing on the islands. The population slowly growing with the arrival of Sugarcane which is found to grow easily and in great numbers in the West Indies. The population of Vissers slowly growing with many man taking Taino wives, as there are almost no European women even with the RHS allowing women from all over Europe to come to Palmparadijs. This being due to the fact that without women the population of the settlement which is only around 200 would have to rely solely on new settlers coming to Palmparadijs.
    • de Kremer is able to recruit 5,300 foreign mercenaries.
    • Floed sinks, taking all of its crew. Stoarm is heavily damaged and eventually sinks, after its crew safely escapes. Wyn alone is beached at an unfamiliar region known in OTL as Nova Scotia
  • Dai Viet: News of the victory has reached the ears of the Emperor. This brought delight to the Emperor. With the capture of Chiang Mai and their army close to their destruction, and with the independence of the state of Chiang Hung, the city of Chiang Mai is made to fall under the suzerainty of Chiang Hung as per the mandala system. Chiang Hung itself is made a loyal vassal of Dai Viet with the ruler granted the title of Cảnh Hồng quốc vương (King of Chiang Hung). Parts of Lan Na’s eastern land (Nan Province) bordering Lan Xang are given to Lan Xang as a gift to the country for their loyalty toward Dai Viet. With the war reputation money received from Lan Na, parts of it are also given to Lan Xang. As such, the progress of merging the realm of Chiang Mai into Chiang Hung’s is made underway, with Lan Xang also making their attempt on making Nan Province their core by making regional governance like their progress of centralization. As part of their centralization progress, Dai Viet and Lan Xang both orders the establishment of their own Privy Council. Dai Viet’s Privy Council, named Viện Cơ mật, is inspired by the one of the former Song dynasty. It is managed by four officials, and is divided into three branches like the Song's, and with two institutions, the Northern institution, and the Southern institution, which manage their own respective regions. The Privy Council is used for reference for serious and important problems of the country, especially the military. The Merchant Guild is established with headquarters in the main trading city of Hoi An and with branches in Van Don and Hue, as a result of the abundance of trade over the past few years in Dai Viet, as despite the Confucian faith, foreign trade is not held back but instead encouraged and promoted. The Merchant Guild maintains to protect the trade of Dai Viet in Southeast Asia with possible support from the navy. With the casualties so high despite the decisive victory, families of men whose were lost in the war are permitted from taxes and awarded gifts and titles of honour. With the Siamese granting Khmer the independence, the Emperor is more than shocked as the plan to help Sdach Korn’s rebellion might become broken as the goal of the rebellion (to gain independence) is obsolete. Nonetheless, a letter was written by the Emperor to Sdach Korn: “From Emperor of Annam to Sdach Korn, I know you are a hero in your realm, you have the heroic spirit that can be compared to Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han. Now with Siam granting your nation independence, I could imagine you not wanting to rebel. But think, a hero like you, will you not rebel against the king of Chenla? (Chenla is a name referred to the Khmer Kingdom used by the Vietnamese) You have already been given a mandarin title in the court and I can only assume you have ambitions for yourself. I can help you in that, now I won’t ask for the delta but only wishes to maintain a friendly relations with Chenla. That is up for you to decide, should you or should you not maintain the Vietnamese support.” (Mod Response). Due to spending into the war, taxes are decreased to assure peace and loyalty of the people, mainly the nobility and the farmers to the Le dynasty, to prevent any unrest, aristocratic coup and farmers revolt in the country. With grain gifted to farmers across the country the people are encourage to work laboriously as always.
    • Lan Xang: Lan Xang’s Privy Council named Sapha Ongkha Montri, shadows the Vietnamese one. Lan Xang’s king maintain his perspicacious sense of ruling the country to affirm loyalty of the nobility and clergy. Theravada Buddhism continues to be promoted in Lan Xang as a renovation of the Pha That Luang. Envoys are sent to Taungoo asking for observation of the Pwe Kyaung system of Burma to apply them to Lan Xang. (Mod Response).
      • Envoys are allowed.
  • Mali Empire: The stagnation of arts continued to aflict Mali's major urban centers farthest inland across Africa. The Sahelian Gothic structures of Mali's major mosques would thus remain the most embedded feature of the empire from that time onward, with some modifications along the way. Poetry and music likewise would remain mostly the same, although other music genres were also imported from Europe on occasion. The hard sciences and engineering, and writings on humanist philosophy did continue develop among the literate elite in Timbuktu, as well as Dakar and beyond. Ibn Khalil was one notable botanist at this time, who was the chief director of the Arbory. Ibn Khalil studied extensively the works of biology and beastiaries that had been acquired from Italy and translated at Timbuktu, although he also was fluent in Greek and Latin. Khalil's works are best known for putting forth his own theory of biology, in which animals inherited traits that were more commonly used by their parents over time. He uses his observations of giraffes as the chief example of this, saying how a giraffe acquired a long neck due to its parents stretching their neck over time. In light of the current war between both our trade partners of Spain and Morocco, the Mali Empire officially pursues a neutrality in the war in order to seek better relations with Europe. However, individual feudal nobles refused to sit idly by in the light of the established North African pact, and so sent a total of 4,000 volunteers to help defend Morocco from European aggression. Mustafa II continued to push for further administration reforms, despite the coastal provinces blocking this effort in the Gbara. The tribal regions across the Senegal and upper Niger deltas are all mandated to become feudal provinces, and intergrated into the existing urban centers. The trade deal of the Hanseatic League is accepted and the navigation charts are immediately adopted by the maritime academy of Dakar. This is also of great interest to the naval officers of the Sahwari Sidinate, who are the most invested of Mali's vassals in the construction of more modern ships. Abd Al-Muttalib Jannah, the most eminent navigator of Waalo, studied these charts in light of Mali's previous conception of the world. He concluded that the best opportunity of Mali's future expansion should lie in western exploration, seeking a southewesternly passage from Africa to Indonesia. He presents the arguments of his theories of geography to the Farin of Jolof. 
  • Rossiya: Kniaz Dimitry continues to gather his strength in Kiev. Fresh levies arrive from the area around Kiev, from Tver, and from Chernigov. The weapons and armor provided by the Greeks further bolsters the overall strength and morale of his men. Drilling over the winter has helped instill some discipline and training in the army.  The Varyag and Hungarian Mercenaries are sprinkled throughout the heavy infanty formations to provide thme with a morale boost, and with a strong backbone of the pike and shot formations. Many of the Varyag take to using the Bardiche, a pollaxe that they use for both close combat, and to help with the aim of their muskets. Dimitry decides to claim the mantle of the Kieven Rus' adapting his banner at arms and coat of arms with the Rurik Trident further emboldening his men. With his forces now numbering some 35,000 men, Dimitry decides to march on Moscow with 25,000 while the enemy is still reorganizing from their defeat at Kiev, He leaves 10,000 troops under the command of Nikolai Turgenev to defend Against any possible attacks from Smolensk or from Novgorod. An envoy is also sent to the Republican faction requesting that they recognize Dimitry as Grand Kniaz, but the envoy is imprisoned.  The Boyars move to contest Dimitry's forces outside of Moscow on the 5th of April with some 30,000 men made up mostly of cavalry and poorly trained and armed levies. The Rebel army is lead personally by Igor Lobanov-Rostovsky who manages to attack the flank of Dimitry's forces before he can fully form up his lines causing his left flank to nearly collapse. After one-half day of brutal fighting Dimitry is able to rally his men thanks to the valiant efforts of his Varyag who prevent a collapse of his Infantry and force the enemy cavalry to disengage to avoid an encirclement by Dimitri's cavalry. Once the dust has settled the Rebels succeed preventing Dimitry from setting up camp along the Mosvka river instead he moves to the other side of the Oka River threatenning to cut off Moscow from Ryazan and the other Rebel territories.  Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the civil war several Tartar chiefs decide to revolt against Russian rule. Led by the self proclaimed Khan Kamil Isanbat rallies an army of 15,000 steppe nomads in the Uralic Steppes. Khan Kamil Isanbat sends a request to Sibir and to Kazan for support (mod response needed). 
    • The Khanates of Sibir and Kazan send a total of 18,000 troops to support Kamil
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen travels at once to Speyer, to participate in the Imperial Diet called by the Emperor, in the hopes of resolving this peacefully. He expresses solidarity with his brother churchman, the Archbishop of Cologne. However, when he meets with him, he expresses his belief that crushing this movement with force will harm the church as well. He has read the 105 Theses, and believes there may be some practices of the church whose adherence to scripture should be re-examined. Violence may be necessary but only if all peaceful measures fail. He joins the Archbishop of Cologne in condemning the Thin White Duke as “the lowest form of profiteer” exploiting religious decision to accumulate power. He intends to put forward the following proposal at the Diet to Konrad Jung. 1) Many of the reforms he proposes are sweeping in scope, and can't by enacted without holding an ecumenical council, where all notable churchmen, including Jung’s followers, can be represented and vote. 2) However, as a sign of good faith, while the wait for a council, the Archbishop is prepared to order the High Inquisitor to suspend the execution of any heretics who have been arrested, until the Council can be heard, and to burn no more to the copies of the 105 Theses. 3) Also, he will agree to order the Official Printing House of Mainz to begin printing Bibles in the vernacular, and he will order the free church-run schools to teach students to read the Bible in their own language. 4) He will also, as Primate of Germany, temporarilly suspend all sale of indulgences in the Holy Roman Empire until a council can be held. 5) If Jung will order his followers to return to their homes, and cease these violent demonstrations which are causing so much disorder, while they wait for a ruling from the Ecumenical Council. 6) And if they return all or most of the stolen church property, 7) the Archbishop will confer with Jung over the priests he has appointed, and if they are churchmen of good reputation, he will confirm them in their offices in place of the priests who have been forced into exile. He is still hopeful that Jung is a wise and Godly man who would prefer to settle this dispute with reason instead of violence. Because he is likely to me heavily involved in church matters for the foreseeable future, the Archbishop appoint his must trusted clerk Karl von Getz to represent him before the City Council of Mainz, and deal with matter of governance. He also delegates most of his duties as Archchancellor to the heads of the Imperial Circles. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland works as fast as he can to pursue the Navy build-up of the Empire, fearing that if war breaks out, the navy will be sidelined again. Kaspar Von Roggendorf continues to monitor closely the income and expenditure of the empire, and keep the tax code fair and the trade revenues high, and to invest in foreign trade. He continues his coin reforms. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka begins preparing the Army of the Holy Roman Empire to mobilize rapidly, if the situation grows more dire. He makes sure all the men are well-armed and well trained, and begins drawing up detailed plans and preparing his forces for a possible war against the alliance of the League of Wolfen.
    • Jungist Diplomacy: Jung replies that many reforms are impossible to be enacted on account of the Pope/church already decreeing him a heretic and condemning him, despite all in agreement that there are valid complaints to be had. He points out that it is therefore impossible for Jung and his followers to be represented legally in such a council. The condemnation of the Thin White Duke as various insults causes backlash from many of those assembled. He is not "profiteering" as his power in many ways has decreased as he caves to demands. Furthermore the Thin White Duke is a theologian in his own right.
    • Archbishopric of Köln response: Upon hearing the Jungist response, Justiciar Repubrecht von Moers is equally furious with Jung, the Pope, and the Emperor, declaring, "If you can't make your case before us, then this meeting is pointless, God's wrath is upon us all." Storming out of the meeting hall upon uttering these words.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Empire defeats the local Sultanate forces on its march to Aswan. The Emperor prepares to march on and besiege Aswan. However, word reaches him from the Imperial Court that the Spanish have signed a peace with the Caliphate. The Emperor, who had pinned his hopes on a Spanish victory over the Caliphate, is shocked by Spain’s decision to suddenly end its war with Egypt. Recognizing the Caliphate is now free to intervene in Nubia, the Emperor quickly decides to withdraw from the region rather than face the Egyptians with his force of 10,000 men. He publicly declares victory over the Sultanate, stating that their victory over them outside Aswan will be enough to save Alodia. Privately, however, the Emperor derides the “Spanish cowards” and complains of their willingness to make peace with the enemies of Christ. The Imperial Army returns home and celebrates its latest victory over the Muslim hordes. Upon returning home, the Emperor refuses to see the Spanish ambassador and has him removed from the palace, instead giving him lodging at a local tavern in Barari. With the Emperor losing faith in the Catholics’ ability to fight Islam, he noticeably shifts toward his more Orthodox allies, sending envoys bearing gifts to Georgia and the Roman Empire inviting them to establish embassies in Barari. [ROMAN RESPONSE/GEORGIA RESPONSE NEEDED]. As more cannons arrive from India, the Empire continues fortifying Imperial cities with gunpowder weapons. With the rise of the Caliphate in the north, the Empire particularly begins fortifying Aydhab, the northern most Imperial city. Additionally, the Empire begins outfitting small cannons on the Imperial fleet, with most dhows only being able to support one or two small cannons. By now the Imperial Foundry in Barari has begun to forge its own cannons and ammunition, along with attempting to begin forging the necessary pieces to construct arquebuses.The Mutapan offer of trade is accepted, and the trade delegation asks the Mutapan Kingdom for permission to open trade offices in its port cities. [MUTAPA RESPONSE NEEDED].  
    • Kaisar Autokrat Herodotus II, Basileus of the Greeks and Romans accepts the envoys and sends a similar group bearing gifts of fine Roman silk, glasswork, and cut gems. He sends with them instructions to establish a permanent embassy in Barari near to the court of the Ethiopian Emperor, and sends a manon with them to construct an appropriate building in the Roman style. 
  • Greenland: The legend of Kuupik grew across the Vestribygð province in upper Nuuk County, until all traders traveling into the Nuup Kangerlua were carrying gifts for him in the unfortunate case they encountered him. It’s said that he took up residence in the old Nuuk ruins, living in the cursed Mausoleum of Brunhilde, that no other man had dared to enter since the mid 14th century. At night he would be seen stalking past the ruined Tower of Greenland, but no one dared to venture into the freezing storms to investigate. On his back he carried a harpoon and a bow, but also a Hanse Waffenfirma firearm, an expensive gun from Germany stolen off the body of an unfortunate rich noble. Later historians would call Kuupik the first of the “Renegade Natives”, a series of native or native-descended killers who terrorized the northern wastes. Long after Kuupik’s death historians would theorize many different tales, wondering if the renegades killed out of some desire to avenge the Thule people, but from the sparse accounts written close to Kuupik, it is believed he was motivated solely by revenge against one man: Lendmann Inge Bårdsson of the Haabets Koloni. This was all unknown to the government as a whole, and around that time they dispatched Claus Paarss with a large contingent of traders to sail into the Nuup Kangerlua and resettle the forgotten ruins. In the month of May several Oighear ships arrived at Haabets with reinforcements. The trade post on the island had been built over with stone over the year. When they arrived there was a caravan outside of a dozen others from the interior, carrying fur pelts and ivory tusks, and selling them for bullets and arrows, and frozen cod, rope, and sled parts. A company of 23 kayaks departed in late May for the mainland, towing behind them two rafts with supplies and enough weapons to hunt down the menace of Nuuk. Claus Paarss landed near the ancient town and took up residence in one of the old stone buildings with earthen insulation, and ordered supplies be stockpiled to make a makeshift fort. A Lendmann named Ivar Erlingsson took four hunters and two native guides by kayak and sailed up the fjord toward Anavik, and were about 30 miles north of the others when they heard gunfire. They investigated the old farm, now mostly frozen over and derelict. But in the center there was a statue of the Moon Man carved in wood, still not quite frozen over with frost. One of the natives said his wrath may be coming. With the sun setting and the men afraid to camp there, they sailed around the bend toward East Laksen, where there was supposed to be a small village. They came across a few survivors who were barricaded into a stockade in the middle of the peninsula, with most of the farms having been abandoned, and Erlingsson declared himself the Lendmann there. Unknown to them, that night Kuupik had been seen in Godthåb and had killed two people, with their bodies laid out in front of the once great tower. Claus Paarss and an armed mob tracked tracked him down and entered the cursed mausoleum for the first time, only to find he had vanished. But inside they found a great number of artifacts and tools, indicating someone had inhabited the place for quite some time among the dead jarls of Greenland. The company traveled into the ice the following day, hiring a small group of natives and some dog sleds to investigate. After a few days inland they lost sight of any caravans or native bands, and became alone in the wastes. Weeks later the survivors managed to flee back to Godthåb, relaying that Claus Paarss had been shot and killed by a marksman out on the wastes. There were tales that Kuupik had declared himself King among the natives, and all throughout the summer the native traders told tales of his decrees. He was uniting many of the upper peoples and those from all walks of life, and his army was on the move through the ice sheets, so they claimed. Then came the news that the town of Fiskernæs pledged their allegiance to the “King” in exchange for peace, and they had paid tribute to Kuupik. The town was rewarded with riches seemingly overnight, and this began to scare the Lendmenn. At the end of that year when all warfare seemed to stop, as each settlement waited out the cold, there was a mysterious sight outside Haabets. The locals swore through the snowstorm they could see movement, and it looked like 1,000 shadows on the horizon. Then came a man at the front of the fort, saying that they would turn over Inge. The so-called Siege of Haabets began, that lasted into the winter. Within a month 30 people inside had been shot by sharpshooters outside, and no one could seem to confirm they had hit anyone back. Kayaks came and managed to commandeer a ship with supplies, taking all those inside prisoner back north. A slaver named Lars Enoksen, took up residence in Lysufjord, preying on those who resisted the King of Greenland, and raiding the southern passes into the Vestribygð. Finally in December the residents rebelled and went to expel Inge Bårdsson, and he left with a handful of men determined to take back the settlement by killing Kuupik. They traveled northward to where the shadows were sighted, desperate for supplies and answers. Nearly ten miles north they crossed over ice to an island to the east, where they came upon the throne. Finally Kuupik got his revenge, shooting Inge square in the face from nearly 100 feet away. Thus ended the Kuupik War, and all of the Nuup Kangerlua accepted King Kuupik has ruler, hoping that peace and prosperity would return. Elsewhere, in the summer the Eastern Settlement set out a ship with an explorer named Hans Egede in the summer, who followed the fishermen as they headed west to fish and hunt. Following the coast southward they came upon the place that had been rumored by the fishermen, called Vinland. Although “Vinlandic” and the native tongue of Beothukan had once been official languages in the ancient Jarldom of Greenland, those languages had long since gone extinct in the east, but Hans Egede attempts to communicate with the people there to some success using ancient manuscripts as a guide. On behalf of the Duke of Greenland he attempts to establish relations with the Vinlanders, proposing that the two nations open trade with one another, and proposes bringing back a Vinlander envoy to Greenland so that they can establish permanent relations. He spends much of the summer there fascinated by the nation. He discovers that many of the old sagas were true after all, and he tours the ancient site of “Brunhildetown”, the fabled city once founded by a Greenlander queen. (Vinland response needed).
    • Vinlandic Dip: Chief Eric Kuis accepts the offer to establish trade relations as well as an envoy in Greenland. There is mutual intelligibility between the Greenlandic and Vinlandic.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya/Toungoo (Civil War): The chaos of civil war continues to engulf Ayutthaya in its bitter dispute with neither side relenting or showing mercy to the other in this war of wills. Mingyi Nyo has continued his campaign into the Pegu region of Ayutthaya with the reinforcements he gathered from back home in Toungoo to continue pressing his claim to the now vacant throne of Ayutthaya with the support of the majority of the Royalist who view defeating the rebelling Conservatives as a priority in comparison to the worrying about the new heir to Ayutthaya. Their are, however, those who believe that with Ramathibodi II gone, their fealty to Ayutthaya is now gone reuslting in the splintering of more central towns and cities in the north of Ayutthaya to the Conservatives. Mingyi Nyo has assembled an army of 17,000 total troops and marched them south once more using Hinthada as a staging point for his forces. As he approaches Zalun, he encounters heavy resistance from the defenders who have had to entrench themselves forcing him to take caution in his advance toward the Conservative stronghold of Zalun. Eventually, he manages to reach Zalun and put it under siege but with the aid of Toungoo's superior siege cannons, they bring the walls of Zalun to ruin and storm the town forcing the outnumbered defenders to abandon the city. The defenders withdraw to the city of Nyaungdon trapping a portion of the conservative forces between Royalist forces. Sensing an opportunity, Nattani Chaiprasit orders his troops to initiate a breakout west of Yangon to link up with Mingyi Nyo trapping his forces. The two forces drive the Conservative forces toward each other culminating in the battle of Mezali which serves as the bloodiest battle of the war to date with the Conservatives putting up a valiant effort to resist the combined forces to no avail. The remainder of the Conservatives have with withdrawn to Bago or further into Pegu to Pyapon which has been employed as the central command center with the loss of Yangon. Mingyi Nyo has employed Yangon has his bulwark agaisnt the forces in Bago and turned his combined forces to siege the city of Maubin for the remainder of the year. Three Pagodas Pass has been reinforced with additional aid from the Malay Peninsula helping to bolster their defenses against the incursions of a force of troops sent to assault it by Bago following its revolt. Conservative forces at Nakhon Sawan have launched an offensive toward the Wat Nong Pho, west of Sunan Kudus' troops at Ulthai Thani in an effort to encircle and bypass Sunan Kudus' army. Although a force sent to stop the capture of the area arrives after it's been captured, the Sun Paragon troops as well as the other units manage to dislodge Conservative forces further adding to the reputation of the Sun Paragons. With the exception of the battle at Wat Nong Pho, neither side is able to force the other to relent territory to one another leaving them in a stalemate. Meanwhile, Khoja Hassan has made great leaps in Northeastern Ayutthaya having managed to secure Roi Et and Amnat Charoen from enemy hands up to as far as Bueng Kan. After seizing the citites he was able to fend off advancing enemy troops using Roi Et while he bulk of his forces sweeped through the vulnerable cities of Mukdahan and Sakon Nakhon. With the Eastern fringes of Ayutthaya resecured, Khoja Hassan recommitted his troops to the goal of retaking the Kalasin where they remain occupied as Conservative forces continue to flood in from the Eastern regions to support the city. Conservative forces at Maha Sarakham attempt to engage the forces sieging Kalsin but are driven back thanks to the strategies of Khoja Hassan.
  • Kingdom of Portugal:With the war against the Abbasids being won, the Portuguese army marches home to Lisboa and Porto where they are received as heroes by the population. The people who were evacuated from Western Sahara are returned to their houses in a parade in Cape Bojar. Meanwhile, the regent sends an expedition into Brazil to search and find anything of value. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). With the king hearing about the Vinlandic chief converting to Christianity, He offers them a full fledged alliance. (VINLANDIC RESPONSE NEEDED).Meanwhile, the Portuguese approve the Vinlandic requests and sends men to teach then new things. Meanwhile, the colonies continues to grow and expand while also growing the coastal capacity.
    • Too early to make full alliances.
    • Vinlandic Dip: Chief Eric Kuis thanks the Portuguese for sharing shipbuilding techniques.
  • Hanseatic West Indies: After the discovery of the Katharineninseln (“Catherine islands”, OTL Nueva Esparta), the main Island, St. Katharina is claimed for the Hansa. The Colonial Administration in St. Brennan asks the Hansa for more settlers and would like to sponsor advertisement campaigns, with the goal of at least 10,000 people being sent to the Caribbean possessions of the Hansa. (HANSEATIC RESPONSE NEEDED). The priests of the colonies are ordered to not upset the locals and the still very fragile communities. The natives who still dominate the inlands of the settled islands. The expansion of the settled area is requested by Hanseatic diplomats on St. Brennan, who met with the Taino chiefs this year. In exchange for military aid against their enemies and access to goods from the old world like glass, fine cloth, alcohol and most importantly iron tools, the German settlers would settle on the southern coast of the St. Brennan Island, in the OTL Padernales region. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). Sweet potatoes, exotic fruits and fishing can sustain all colonies now, and the growth of tobacco increases.
    • The envoys encounter the Taino kingdom of Jaragua.
    • That is a lot this early.
  • Kingdom of Morocco: Spent some year that the war ravage, in the country of Morocco at least the economic and cities are recovering and built them most of cities is now built by Moroccans and its official province from finest added Ahmad al-Mansur peacefully demand some stuff to stop too most of the goverements recruit to rebuild the cities and gain its population positively Islam would still continue spread to north and coexisting with religions most of cities is being under of the cities by the governments of Morocco 1. thing that Christians are allowed to live. 2. Catholicism converting is fine as along no longer dispute in the current year and 3. most of cities need coexist together to bring peaces and become a friendly atmosphere as Mansur told his troops abandoned and sends to recruiting more the all port is doing well which become major of economic and The Moroccan force likely would have had some peace discussion during the European-caliphate war that ravage it (just like OTL as we explain it). Casablanca and Chouens are recovering and it's re-established is own economy to follow and continue to be rich Muslims announce a new programm for some kind about 'against religions' which likely spread the goal and idea Mansur is continue to size and advancing Morocco some of cities is upgraded and shall every Muslim and Christians are allowed to coexist if it does matter. The south is being recovering, too, as so far the governments has launched supplies to help them and make more built progress which Mansur would likely being serious discusson peace until that something is wrong here in the nations. Morocco is sending a diplomacy for Mali that encourage to recover our economy and rebuilding and had a better relation between Europe to keep it well. (Mali reponse).
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Caliph al-Maalik, with the war behind him and the Caliphate, begins repairing domestically. As he believes himself to be a most "enlightened" connoisseur of literarature and philosophy, he directs a sizeable budget to re-constructing the Great Library of Alexandria, although its name at the time was "al-Maalik's Auditorium", mainly due to the rise in persons from Arabia and Africa attending and debating/discussing philosophy, as well as theology and the humanitarianism. Some modern historians have labeled this as an indirect successor of the House of Wisdom, which is false, but in some aspects, a lot of scholars that were present there during this time do gave off that sort of impression. Among these scholars included the future Caliph al-Abdukrahman bi-'llāh I, although at the time, he was only known as an orphaned Turk from the regions of Anatolia and the Caucasus, under the name "Mehmud". Other important names to keep him mind are philosopher Ni'ma Abd Nayef al-Jabouri and astronomer mathematician Omar al-Shishani. Upon the return of Abdullah Barbarossa, his military success in Rif would be recorded in the naval logs of the Caliphate, being promoted to Captain. Meanwhile, Samir al-Azad reaches the court of Ayutthaya only to realize that it's currently in the midst of a civil war. Documenting information on it while mapping out the region based on local natives, he decides he shall travel to the neighboring Dai Viet, wishing to visit the Court of the Emperor as an "official" diplomat of the Abbasids. [Viet Response Needed]. Caliph al-Maalik's first daughter, Ayishah, is born this year.
    • Dai Viet response: Upon arriving in the Royal Court, the Emperor is intrigued. He tells al-Azad "You are from the lands far away, reaching the lands of the East. Most people from the West shall only visit Siam, now you have the generosity of visiting my country of Dai Viet, that I'm extremely greatful". Then, he provides al-Azad with accomodation and presents him with valuable silk (when he decides to leave).
  • Hesse: When news comes from the Papal States, Agnes produces the original documents and dozens of letters and copies, all showing that the Pope incorrectly excommunicated her and then never lifted it. The envoys claiming that she must have been un-excommunicated because it “could be inferred by the context at the time”, is ridiculous, as hundreds of people were excommunicated, and she had no idea that she was excommunicated as she was never properly informed, as the letter was sent to the wrong person so how would she be able to infer such a thing, and it absolutely can't just be “inferred” when it comes to something so great. And regardless, Hesse has now been writing to the Pope for nearly a decade, and has never received any apology or correction on the matter. In total all these events indicate the incompetence of the Catholic Church, and the harmful bureaucracy present. With all this evidence assembled, a mob is gathered that tars and feathers the Papist envoys, and there is a mass conversion among many of the Catholic nobles who remain, as people are swayed by the clear and concise evidence as to why the Pope is not beneficial; the beloved Agnes was wrongly persecuted and has been constantly mistreated, as has Hesse as a whole. Therefore, there is an uprising in Hesse as the Jungists drive out the last of the Catholics, and confiscate church lands and abbeys, and free those indentured to the Pope. The message is clear: we don’t want the Pope’s condescending explanation that we were supposed to “just figure out” that the ruler was excommunicated. Nay, we want justice, and we want answers. We want an explanation how someone so rich and so high in the ivory tower can’t manage to do even the most basic of fact checking, in matters extremely important to the church. That man is not fit to rule, says the Hessians. The office has been increasingly abused and bastardized, to the point where Christ won’t even recognize it when he returns in the Second Coming. Although still Catholic, the government of Hesse can’t hardly hide their dissatisfaction, and their belief that there will be no reconciliation, and so Jungist ideals are slowly spread to take over all churches across the land, and the government does not stop this. There is talk that the Pope ought to be the one to be excommunicated, and he should come to Hesse in rages and beg for forgiveness before the Jungists, if there is to be any hope of fixing the church. 
  • Papal States: Based on the advice of the Archbishop of Mainz and the other moderate bishops, Pope Julius II calls for an ecumenical council to be held in Trent to address Konrad Jung and his teachings and he invites all Christian nations to send representatives to this council. (Mod and player responses). Pope Julius II writes to the Ameraundur of the Celts asking for soldiers to stablish a guard using Celtic mercenaries. (Celtic response). The pope approves a project to fortify Rome and major cities. Captain General Augusto Della Rovere start to reorganise the Papal Army by training new troops. In Rome, the love affair of Gioffre Borgia and Raffaella of Habsburg continues to be affected by the rivalry between their families. Eventually, they decide they need to get away from their families and Rome or the family feud will destroy them. So, Gioffre and Raffaella fake their own deaths and then go on a journey across Europe, going through Italy and Germany and taking a boat across the English Channel, ultimately settling in England where no-one knows of the rivalry between their families.
    • Celtic Confederacy Diplomacy: The Ameraudur approves this request and sends a force of 1,000 Scottish, Welsh, and Irish mercenaries to help establish this "Celtic Guard". Seán Mac Dhurcáin, Cardinal of Scotland-Ireland, and Robert McLaughlin, the Patriarch of the Celtic Church, also agree to attend the council of Trent.
    • Saxon Diplomacy: Duke Edmund Alwin sends various envoys to the Trent Convention. They are given orders to try to mediate any conflict and to broaden the Pope's mind when it comes to Jungism.
    • Mainz: The Archbishop will of course attend. He is still clutching to the hope that the crisis can be resolved, though the recent collapse of order in Hesse has him more worried than ever.
    • Köln: The Justiciar attends, hoping to find peace and end the violence through any means necessary.
    • English Diplomacy: Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham will travel to the ecumenical council to represent the clergy of England.
    • Most NPC bishops of the HRE and Italy comply.
    • Hispanian Empire Diplomacy: Queen Katherine de Barcelona dispatches an ecclesiastical delegation to attend the council of Trent.
    • Kingdom of Wales Diplomacy: King Lionel of York-Wales dispatches an ecclesiastical delegation to attend the council of Trent.
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: The Diet of Speyer begins and Konrad Jung and other theologians arrive, such as Johann Freud and the Thin White Duke, and an investigation into the dissenting religious beliefs begin. After careful scrutiny and questioning over the course of a few months, the Emperor decides this has gone on long enough, and sides with his theologians and representatives from the church, deciding that Jung should remain a heretic and be persecuted. The Emperor declares: “For this reason we forbid anyone from this time forward to dare, either by words or by deeds, to receive, defend, sustain, or favour the said Konrad Jung. On the contrary, we want him to be apprehended and punished as a notorious heretic, as he deserves, to be brought personally before us, or to be securely guarded until those who have captured him inform us, whereupon we will order the appropriate manner of proceeding against the said Jung. Those who will help in his capture will be rewarded generously for their good work.” It is noted that on a theological level, Jung has challenged the absolute authority of the Pope over the church, and has rejected good works, alms, penance, and church sacraments, stating that all doctrines and dogmata of the Church not found in Scripture should be discarded. However, the Emperor remains true to his word and allows Konrad Jung and others to be escorted from the meeting in peace. He later finds out that a kidnapping along the road occurred and Jung was snatched, although it’s commonly believed the kidnapping was staged by his allies to help him escape into hiding. Also as part of the Diet, the Emperor mediates the feuds occurring in the Saxon region. Imperial soldiers begin operating in western Bohemia, fighting the spread of the heresy across the border.
    • Mainz: While the Archbishop continues to sympathize fully with the Emperor's posistion, he holds that this matter must be settled by eccleseastical authorities at the Council in Trent. There fore, he order the High Inquisitor to hold off for a little while longer, before renewing the persecution of the Jungites.
    • Saxon Diplomacy: The Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, Edmund Alwin, is thankful for the Emperor's help in the Saxon region. Having taken effective control of most of the Upper Saxon Circle, Edmund Alwin assures the Emperor he will make sure heresy is obliterated within his realm. Analysing the situation, Edmund Alwin notes that the Diet of Speyer (presided over by the secular Emperor) and the Trent Convention (presided over by the clergy and the Archbishop of Mainz) appear to be clashing, but, ironically it seems the ecclesiastical faction are more willing to compromise with the Jungists. Having attended the Diet, Edmund Alwin spoke in defence of Jung (until the Emperor decreed it was illegal to do so), and then abruptly left the council. He hopes things may be sorted out more clearly in Trent. During the Diet, Peter Meise attempted to assassinate the Emperor, but Saxon guards detained him.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With the war with Ragusa ending in a victory for our nation, what we do is incorporate the land into our nation adding more land to make our nation grow larger. All the troops are now sent back to their homes to be called another day. Ships break off the blockade and are sent back to their ports. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. We send a handful of printing presses to Rossiya.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Kingdom of majapahit: After a year, the king finnaly awaits for his Djrong fleet of 100 Djrong ships to be completed, it would show the might of our navy, and people will see us as the most powerful and skilled mariners in the history of the pacific we only have to wait for one year now. We formally ask Ayutthaya for the offensive letter that we sent for them to be handed back, as a dirty and insulting letter shall never be presented and seen as a treasure and they deserve more. (Ayutthayan response). After they let our merchant ships escorted by our famouse canoes to trade with India with a direct trade deal that was setted out in majapahit capital with some Hindustani officials and merchants, we open a direct trade, we sell them luxury items and we buy gunpowder guns and stocks from them. We need this material, to not be outmatched by the battle with superior tech, and to keep the security of the trading seas. We once again send a letter to the empress of Japan with an envoy sent with 100 golden coins (0.5 gram for each) to see up negotiations of opening up a direct trade agreement. After the spice productive kingdoms have refused our request, we happily accept their option, we send envoys and merchants to discus with the kingdoms for three direct trade agreements, that include protection from sea nomads (mod response) as we need the spice for trade. As Dai Viet sent us economic aids, we use those to improve the financial budget on improving our insfracture, we build and repair roads to connect Java more, and we start putting up medival fire fighter outposts in the rural and urban areas of Java fearing a fire outbreak, we also maintain our ports again, slowly transforming the dockyards from wood to stone, and aiming to go to a heavy infrastructure. Our university is still building up in newly-named city Singhasari (OTL Klaten) we still make up the construction for marinires to join in. The youngest king son, Parajabenja, a charming young boy. Influenced by the king, asks the hand of a bali noble from the royal bali court, this is a process to endure and maintain allaince with the small islands kingdom. (mod response). we once again ask remaining lands of our vassal to a royal marriage to create a personal union to them to join the kingdom and strengthen the austronesian existence for the fourth time. (mod response).
    • Ayutthaya Dip: The letter is returned to Majapahit and their apology is accepted. 
    • The spice islands agree to sell their spices.
    • Bali accepts the marriage proposal.
  • Duchy of Habsburg: In this year Duke Peter von Habsburg dies suddenly and his son becomes Leopold II, Duke of Habsburg, and also ruler of Baden through his wife Wilhemine, and they currently have one son named Frederick, who was born in 1503. Ernest von Habsburg was married to Anne of Sausenberg, and they also had a son that year named Peter von Habsburg. Mary Bayard, the relative of Rolf “Greyhands” Byard is married to Zebulon Zobel, the son of Sir Thomas Zobel, Lord of Rastatt. The reformation enters Habsburg to some degree.
  • Celtic Confederacy: With the attempted denouncement of the Celtic Church by the High inquisitor of Germany, The Patriarch of the Celtic Church, Robert McLaughlin, declares his loyalty to the Pope and his complete hate for the Jungist Heresy in Germany. He also calls out the High Inquisitor of Germany for his attempt to pin the blame for his inability to suppress heresy in Germany on the Celtic Church, despite the fact that it has been very effective at suppressing Heresy in Scotland and Ireland, and has no relevance to the situation in Germany in the slightest. Although he agrees that the Hussite church has been ineffective, as it is ACTUALLY RELEVANT TO THE SITUATION IN GERMANY AND HAS CLEARY FAILED TO SUPPRESS THE RADICAL HUSSITES, He states that it is clearly un-applicable to the situation in the British isles as, in the Celtic Confederacy at least, Lollardy has been almost entirely suppressed over the years, in large part because of the help of the Celtic Church and it’s serving as a release valve for those dissatisfied with the churches situation, well the high inquisitor has failed to suppress the heresy that has begun running rampant in Germany. He also personally sends a letter to the pope, requesting he reaffirm his support for the existence of the Celtic Church. (PAPAL RESPONSE NEEDED). In order to dispel the false rumors of the Celtic Churches inefficiency in helping combat heresy, the Celtic Church begins pushing heavily for an effort against those few remaining heretical movements in the Celtic Confederacy. This is agreed upon by the Grand Inquisitor of the Celtic Confederacy, Malcom Dunaid, and by the King, Edward IV, in response to the sudden outbreak of Heresy in Germany and fears of something similar happening here. Thus, hunts begin for those who continue to practice heresies in the Celtic confederacy, few as they are, as a proactive response. This backlash against heresies in Scotland and Ireland also leads to some heretics deciding to leave of their own, with Joseph of Iona being among them. He flees to Germany, in an attempt to join with the Jungist movment, not truly realizing the full level of its complete breaking from the Church. In other news, the C.A.C continues to engage in warfare in Morocco, with a further 2,000 troops being brought to Ifni, leading to around 6,000 troops now being present in the area. In other news we continue to trade with Malian and Jabal Asada, with the funds from this now long established trade have helped to revitalize the C.A.C massively and it has now fully recovered due to the new system. In Bliadhnamhath, the imported slaves are now put to work on the island, with the old warrior slaves executed and dumped on the ocean before their arrival to prevent them from leading any potential rebellion. The Scottish and Irish textile industry continues to grow, with the textile business in Ireland continuing to be funded by Gilmore Druimeanach and his fellow investors.
    • Papal response: Pope Julius II recognises the Celtic Church as part of the Catholic Church.
  • In the Messin Republic construction on fortifications in Saarbrucken begin, and the small military is expanded slightly. In the nation there is a large concentration of reformation thinkers, as Metz has historically been an open place for dissenting ideas. This quickly gets out of hand, and violence breaks out in the city, with the fate of the population’s religion largely split. 
  • Kingdom of England: Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham travels to Italy to participate in the Ecumenical Council of Trent. In light of the increasing religious instability in continental Europe, Archbishop of York Thomas Savage and the lower English bishops undertake a review of the status of Catholicism in the British Isles. They conclude that the Wycliffean sui iuris churches like the Celtic Church have been effective in moderating the religious situation in the British Isles, and there appear to be no radical Lollards active in either England or the Celtic Confederacy. The English clergy generally have a negative opinion of the Jungist movement, with the news they have received painting it as an extremist and violent heretical cult, but do not make any public statements about it, instead waiting for the results of the Council of Trent. Shipbuilding continues at the ports of Brightlingsea and Maldon in Essex and in Bristol, improving the size and quality of the English (Lancastrian) navy. Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent also restarts boatbuilding programs at the Kentish ports of Sandwich and Dover, partly motivated by a sort of rivalry with James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex that has its roots in his late father George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent's support for the Yorkist faction before his death in battle. The continuing Anglo-Swedish trade and the recent trade deals with the Hanseatic League help the English economy improve, accelerating the recovery from the recent York-Beaufort conflicts. Godfrey Courtenay, 17th Earl of Warwick and 15th Earl of Devon (1455-1505), who had withdrawn to Warwick Castle the previous year because of illness, dies. His funeral is attended by many major Lancastrian nobles, including King Henry VII of England. Godfrey's son Edmund (b. 1474) succeeds him as the 18th Earl of Warwick and 16th Earl of Devon; in honour of the great contributions the Courtenays made to the Lancastrian cause in the recent conflicts, King Henry VII elevates Edmund to be the 1st Duke of Warwick. The English Parliament this year focuses on funding the various naval programs in Bristol, Essex and Kent in order to further improve the English navy, hoping that soon it would of comparable size and quality to those of surrounding nations like the Celtic Confederacy and the Hanseatic League. The Lancastrian military works on improving the fortifications of the southeastern port towns of Brightlingsea and Maldon in Essex and Gravesend, Sandwich and Dover in Kent, in order to help protect the ongoing shipbuilding there. In Yorkshire, Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester continues to use promises of a more assertive and anti-Celtic foreign policy to attract local nobles and peasants to his side while slowly replenishing and enlarging the Yorkist military. As a result of a record-keeping error, the deposed Edward VII of York belatedly realises that his brother Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford is already betrothed to Wilhelmine Premyslid, and so the offer for him to married to Anna Rós Sturlungur of Iceland is withdrawn. Elizabeth Courtenay (b. 1492), daughter of Edmund Courtenay, 1st Duke of Warwick, is betrothed to Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland (b. 1498). Elizabeth's sister Joan Courtenay (b. 1498) is betrothed to John Bourchier of Bampton (b. 1499), son of John Bourchier, 11th Baron FitzWarin. Edward of Gloucester (b. 1491), eldest son of Richard of York, is betrothed to Elizabeth Stafford (b. ~1497), daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham. Edward Beaufort, 5th Duke of Somerset and Anne Neville have their third child, a son named John (b. 1505); Beatrice Beaufort and Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset have their fourth child, a daughter named Philippa (b. 1505); and Henry of York, Duke of Clarence and Anne Stafford have their second child, a son named Edward (b. 1505) in honour of Henry's brother, the deposed Edward VII. In Europe, Elízabet Jónsdóttir (1430-1505), widow of King Domnhall III of Iceland, who was a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of natural causes.
  • Roman Empire: Not wanting to fight the entire League of Como, Kaisar Autokrat Herodotus II offers peace to the Venetians with the following terms. (Mod Response Below) Dragut Reis, the Admiral placed in command against the Venetians discovers a much larger than expected Venetian fleet resulting in an inconclusive naval engagement. This battle convinces Herodotus II to sue for peace. With the empire moving toward peace, the Themes can be partially dissolved allowing the treasury a respite. The economy begins to demobilize as well and the people can breath a sigh of relief.
    • [Mod Response, Please]: Venice’s deal is accepted with some small modifications. Herodotus II demands the return of the Triumphal Quadriga and other notable works of art stolen in the 4th Crusade. In exchange he offers a naval-building agreement between Venice and Rome to prevent an arms-race. He proposes an artificial limit of a maximum of 75 warships for each nation which shall be enforced by bilateral observers.
    • This isn't a reasonable thing to ask at this time period, and 75 is way too small anyway compared to the existing navies in Western Europe. Otherwise, the peace is approved
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: the miraculous survival of Konrad Jung after his direct strike by lighting ignites his movement across Bavaria. With Albert, still privately influenced by George, maintaining that Jungism will be welcomed in Bavaria, several Jungist parishes spring up, especially in northern Bavaria. However, late in the year, a Catholic priest is caught preaching against Jungism, even encouraging violence against its adherents. Although the presist is quickly expelled from Bavaria, a short wave of violence breaks out in western Bavaria, killing nearly a thousand Bavarians and forcing Albert to deploy a small force to keep the peace. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilities, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
  • Archbishopric of Köln: Justiciar Ruprecht von Moers leaves Köln to attend the Speyer Diet and the Eccelestial Council of Trent, leaving the Arcbishopric in the hands of a Council of Bishops, although the power vacuum effectively leaves the Archbishopric of Köln under the Military to preserve order and secure defense, the Head Marshal secretly appointed by the Justiciar himself to run things while he was gone, further preparing the Military for war against the Free City of Köln, planning an attack as religious border skirmishes break out. At Speyer and Trent, The Justiciar becomes increasingly disillusioned with everything and everyone, Jung and the Jungists for comitting heresy and inspiring and comitting acts of violence against Catholics, the Pope for immediately persecuting and condeming Jung's teachings as heresy, thus making him feel silenced and not allowed to properly engge in discorse to resolve this conflict, making violence invetiable, blaming both Jung and the Pope for the breakout of violence and any further violence. The Justiciar's confidence also wanes in the Emperor and the Empire, for it is declining in power and internal order, though the Justiciar regards the Emperor as the most reasonable man here, trying to supress massive violence and disorder and following the Pope's decree, aditionally honoring his promise to Jung. The Justiciar requests to the Emperor that the Free City of Köln be reinsituted into the Archbishopric of Köln in the interest of preventing bloodshed. Upon returning to the Achbishopric of Köln the Justiciar has lost faith in man and the things of the world, only having faith in the Lord, hoping that the Kingdom of God shall end the Kingdom of Man soon, swearing to protect all those who surrender unto God, intensly raising the defenses and increasing army investment, calling upon the righteous to take up arms to defend . Secretly wondering why God willed his wrath upon all now, wondering if all of this was predetermined by the Creator.
    • Hanseatic Diplomacy: Any attempt to impede upon the sovereignty of the Free City of Cologne, a leading member of the associated Hanseatic states, will be met with force. The Archbishop of Cologne and the mayors of the free city are invited to a peace summit in Osnabrück. The League requests that the Emperor deny such a request.
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: The Ethiopian offer is accepted as is the Lotharigian one. Mata continues to reintergate the tribes to the south leading to the great escarpment. Khoe people in Saldahna bay continue to flock to the stone settlement and learn. The tribes of Katanga step up raids, Mata is forced to call up 2,000 guardsmen and 4,000 levies to put down the tribes. As trade increases Tunga is expanded and mining is increased as is the minting of New coins for a new age. The history of Mutapa is finished and becomes a great read bringing many to reading classes. The amount of Indian migrants slightly increases due to strife. Two more ships are built.
  • Hanseatic League: As violence erupts around the Hanseatic League, the Hansa works steadily to maintain the peace in its borders. What is especially concerning is the recent tensions between Imperial Free Cities and the archbishoprics of Germany. The Tagfahrt of 1505 becomes a month-long affair, as the ecumenical and secular Syndics begin to clash. Fear is on both sides. What is clear is that order must be maintained in the Holy Roman Empire. The Hanseatic League maintains that any attempt to impede upon the sovereignty of a Free Imperial City will result in action up to and including war. The Long March scares the Baltic states of the League, who prepare to erect fortifications against possible hostilities because of these radicals. Though these radicals paint this new sect of Christianity in a bad light, there are many within the Hanseatic League who would prefer for Germany to have a greater say in the Church. The League has a history of being active in church politics, particularly during the rise of the Pope in the North in the 14th century. The sidelining of archbishops in Germany, particularly Bremen, from cardinalhood, has created more than a few furrowed brows and annoyed sentiments within the clergy of the Holy Roman Empire. To represent the wishes of the Hanseatic League, the Archbishop of Bremen prepares to travel to this Imperial Diet. The Tagfahrt of 1505 fails to outlaw Jungist literature, as proposed by Adolf Welf, though many cities, particularly those controlled by an ecumenical syndic, outlaw the writings of the radical on their own. However, a hidden front in Europe is currently in Russia. The shocking defeat of the Boyars against Dmitry leads the League to intensify its naval presence in the Baltic to prevent piracy or rebel attacks from affecting Hanseatic shipping. Though its economy is affected by the wars in Russia, the worries about what may be coming leads to massive purchases of materials needed for war - timber, iron, and salt - and causes some of the more predatory banking guilds in the Hanseatic League to see a massive

1506

I understood that people want more events that "summarizes accomplishments of the nation" as what people would feel constitutes having "positive mod events". Therefore, I took the trouble of composing this . I hope that sufffices.

The Diet of Speyer ends with Konrad Jung and likeminded theologians, as well as the Jungism movement as a whole, being officially condemned. However, the Empire fails to capture Jung or the Thin White Duke after leaving Speyer. The Count of Anhalt personally aids Jung in evading the law, after the Count had a strange dream the night before. The overall result, as of this diet, is that the Imperial electorate and the Emperor have firmly placed their loyalty to the Roman Church.

The Council of Trent is convened at the request of the Pope and Archbishops, to decide on the course of action in relation to the ongoing Protestant movement. The Emperor Ottokar and the Jungist leaders are both given summons to this council, under ecclesiastical protection.

After the success of the Long March into the Saxony region, several small lands are either captured or voluntarily join the "Blue Army" (Bishopric of Dresden, Schonburg, Merseburg, Naumburg, and the territory between Thuringia and Anhalt). In the city of Dresden itself a Jungist majority exists, causing Meissen as a whole to turn favorable toward the Reformation.

In Rome, people note that the current Papal residense of Saint Peter's basilica (or "Old Saint Peter's") is severely dilapitated and outdated, being essentially the same building erected in the fourth century AD.

Michaelangelo completes his statue of King David in Florence Cathedral, and thereafter moves to Rome. Leonardo da Vinci completes his painting on the Mona Lisa. 

Portuguese explorers discover the island of Mauritius, entirely populated by flightless birds noted for their clumsiness. On this voyage, Duarte Barbosa writes a book about the geography of India.

In the Byzantine Empire, Turkish Poetess Mihri Hatun composes numerous poems in the Turkish language.

A large-scale pogrom of Jews occurs in Lisbon, killing over 1,900 people.

  • Duchy of Thuringia: After the unsuccessful Diet of Speyer, in which the Empire reaffirmed that Konrad Jung would be condemned, Jung takes up the advice given to him by others and decides to reaffirm that Jungism will formally split from the Catholic Church. After a staged kidnapping, Jung goes into hiding in a castle in Thuringia, and continues working. He creates his own translation of the New Testament from Greek into German, and also pens a work defending the principle of justification. He notes that at least the Archbishop of Mainz has been successfully shamed into temporarily prohibiting the sale of indulgences and into halting the violent inquisition. Jung argues that every good work designed to attract God's favor is a sin. All humans are sinners by nature, he explains, and God's grace (which can't be earned) alone can make them just. He writes to fellow theologian Freud on the same theme: "Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides." He condemns as idolatry the idea that the mass is a sacrifice, asserting instead that it is a gift, to be received with thanksgiving by the whole congregation. His essay On Confession, Whether the Pope has the Power to Require It, rejects compulsory confession and encourages private confession and absolution, since "every Christian is a confessor." He also assures monks and nuns that they can break their vows without sin, because vows are an illegitimate and vain attempt to win salvation. After several months in isolation, Jung returns to Thuringia and begins aiding the government in reversing or modifying church practices, and attempts to help restore order. Although there are some peasant forces advocating for violent and radical political changes, Jung is not one of these advocates, and he speaks against violence. For the most part Jungism continues to spread across Germany naturally and not through coercion, with only the Thuringia region seemingly fighting a war over the matter: the defensive war against the Bishopric of Dresden and others is defeated, with Thuringia and the Wolfenbund successfully repulsing the attack. The result is that a militant attempt to contain Jungism is stopped, intimidating many in the area that such a move would not be prudent, and convincing others to not resist the spread of Jungism. The Long March of Gregor von Hanstein ends with him marching into Dresden to much celebration from the locals, who have begun to throw off their Catholic oppressors. With the Bishopric having been toppled, the Evangelical-Jungist Church of Saxony is declared, to serve as a model church for the reformation. A new Jungist bishop is declared with his seat in Meissen Cathedral, becoming the first proper diocese of Jungism. The Long March continues in a limited capacity, with Gregor von Hanstein pursuing a few towns who had supported the invasion of Thuringia. [With the Blue Army in the Meissen area, and with the capital at Dresden now formally Jungist, the Thin White Duke sends diplomacy to his son-in-law Frederick VI, Margrave of Meissen. He proposes that Frederick join the movement himself and join the defensive alliance of the Wolfenbund as an equal member of the alliance, and in exchange Thuringia will cede to Meissen all its lands in the region, and cede all the recently captured or occupied lands, including the valuable church lands, to the Margrave. (Mod response needed)]. The rest of the territory captured by the Blue Army is converted to Jungism and remains as independent states, albeit under the influence of Thuringia temporarily in some capacities, with a small number of soldiers remaining in the region to protect the Wolfenbund from attack. (More to come)
    • Toward the end of the year after his long exile, Jung gives a sermon in Erfurt to a large crowd. He is suddenly attacked by a mysterious man who stabs Jung in the chest before fleeing, and Jung dies a day later of his wounds. The city goes into a panic with violence breaking out; many Jungists take out revenge on the small Catholic population that remains or on Jews, or just riot and loot in general. With Jung dead there is public outcry all across the Empire, as he was the voice of a generation. He becomes a martyr for the cause and a symbol of the reformation, with his death being seen similarly to the martyrdom of the Apostles. Just like with the murder of Peter and Paul, the Jungists decry that Jung will not have died in vain, and the faith is only hardened. Jung never recanted his faith, and rejected the Catholic doctrines to his last breath, and that inspires more to take up the cause. His funeral becomes a highly public event, with thousands paying their respect, even members of both sides of the religious debate. Many theories begin to surface about who might be responsible. Some immediately suspect the Pope himself or the church of hiring an assassin to do the deed. One popular theory is that the Archbishop of Mainz, after being thoroughly embarassed in the religious debates, decided to take matters into his own hands and order the assassination, or perhaps the Archbishop of Cologne was responsible as a means to try to silence Jung. Whatever the case, with Jung dead the movement spirals into several directions. Jung was one of the more conservative reformers, and had advocated for non violence and was against holy war, but with his death fewer people are as conservaitve. Freud becomes one of the key leaders of the reformation now, and he gains the aid of several bodyguards to travel with him at all times. Others take up more radical beliefs that Jung was never a fan of, with some Jungist groups declaring that it seems violence is the answer after all, for the defense of innocent thinkers like Jung. There is a general attitude forming that reconcilation with the church is impossible now, and that the reformers have been hardened in their beliefs, and generally the assassination of Jung causes the Catholic Church to be viewed in a very bad light. Jung had championed the common man and had inspired many to be better and more pious individuals, and his death is signaled as an act of tyranny. In Thuringia the Conspiracy within the Wolfenbund begin to new symbols to differentiate themselves: the all-seeing eye of God, and the Great Temple, the origin of their heritage.
    • Frederick must chooses to join the alliance purely defensively and chooses to convert.
    • Archbishopric of Köln: Justiciar Ruprecht von Moers commends Jung for pronouncing non violence, only to meet his end through violence, a deeply sad end, condemning Jung's assassins for their extrajudicial killing and invetiably plunging the Empire into violence through their violent act, may God's judgement be upon them.
  • Vinland: The population reaches 6,750. Trade flourishes on the island as advanced metallurgy becomes more entrenched on the island. Portuguese shipbuilding techniques and navigation strategies are disseminated among Vinlandic fishermen and sailors. Construction has already begun on ships in Shamyeby and Dogajavick. As such, the ports grow in these towns. In other news, the chief of Shamyeby converts this year as the Christian population reaches 450. The Church of Saint Monica and Saint Augustine is visited by a Portuguese blacksmith who claims to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary in front of the crucifix. This causes interest in the religion to increase in Dogajavick, where many new conversions occur. In other news, Eric Kuis begins exploring policies to increase the population of Vinland. At the 1506 Thing, he reads from the Bible and encourages the island’s residents to be “fruitful and multiply” and telling Vinlanders that having more children will grant them passage to heaven. It is not known whether this will have an effect. Because of his new Christian identity, Eric Kuis begins fashioning himself as a Lord rather than a Chief. This causes anger among some pagan chiefs who feel he is abandoning the old ways. Furthermore, among rural and conservative pagans there is growing anger and hostility to the Christians. In other news, the port of Dogajavick begins to be called Dogahofn. Eric Kuis sends word out to the Christian community in Runby that he is looking for a pious woman to be his wife. Eric Kuis sends out diplomats to establish sustained contact with Scotland and Wales, which he understands are apart of the Celtic Confederacy. He relies upon Portuguese merchant ships to transport the diplomats across the storm-ridden seas. [Celtic Confed Response].
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands deeper into Unamaland, effectively controlling almost all of it by the years’ end. A few Christians erect a shrine to Saint Mark outside of Keathutberga. Due to the slightly warmer climate than Vinland, agriculture becomes a huge economic pillar of E&U. Most of the commonwealth is fed by potatoes and grain, with the surplus going to Vinland by way of the Shamyeby port.
    • Vestelfrland: Eric Kuis issues a charter to Vestelfrland, officially elevating it to a town. He sends over twenty-five willing families, staggered over the next five years, to help populate it. Previously, Vestelfrland was struggling with low food supplies, meager trade with the Iroquois, and lack of attention from Vinland.
    • Kingdom of Wales Diplomacy: King Lionel is overtly eager to establish diplomatic relations/sustained contact with Vinland, this far flung and lost civilization, that had been the subject of his childhood fascination and upbringing, with the tales of the "Adventures of Henry Sinclair" shaping him to the man he is today, inspiring him to dedicate himself in a long and rather successful career of adventuring [in Africa] before his ascention to the throne of Wales, if anything he recognizes the value of such contacts, from his successful tenure as the executive head of the Celtic African Company/Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach [C.C.A.], prior to his ascenation to the Welsh throne.
    • Celtic Diplomacy: Amerauder Edward is also eager to establish contact with Vinland, in the hope of opening trade and diplomatic relations.
  • Hanseatic League: If the Tagfahrt of 1505 was a bureaucratic nightmare, the meeting in 1506 is a fever dream. Despite the resounding denouncement of Jungism, the brazen and rash creation of a Church of Saxony crosses the line into heresy. Elements of the League are concerned, though a decision on what to do can't be reached. The actions of the Archbishop of Köln lend to the complexity of the situation; action must be taken to protect the League, regardless of if those states are legal or associate states. Whether the aggression of Köln or this heretic in Saxony is the real threat to the stability of Europe remains to be seen. Fortifications along Saxony continue to rise, preparing for some kind of march by this Jung. However, fighting heresy is difficult. These ideas tend to spread along major trade routes and centers of population. The Hanseatic League, being the trade capital of the Empire, is able to do little to stop the flow of ideas once the trickle begins. Small communities of Jungist or people who agree with certain aspects of the religion appear. Most are clergy and friars who are versed in theology. However, their congregations begin to see laymen stray from orthodox Roman Catholicism. This especially takes place in places such as Dithsmarchen. The Knights Templar in Bad Bremerhaven, which have been in the region since their expulsion from France, are now largely warrior monks of little importance. Their treasures that weren't seized all those years ago have long since made their way into Hanseatic ports and circulated through the Christian world. For the first time since the Conclaves of the 14th Century, the Knights Templar see deployment. Largely as missionaries and peacekeepers, the Templars see activity in hotbeds of heresy. However, an extremist group of these warriors acting outside the wishes of the Grand Master travel to Saxony to nominally join Jung's March. There, they attempt to assassinate him. (SECRET; RNG NEEDED FOR ASSASSINATION). (THE FOLLOWING IS WRITTEN AFTER THE RNG) The Templars join the March and spend time talking to Jung, seemingly enthralled by his words. Among these extremists is a man named Arnold Starck, who believes that Jung should be delivered to the Pope in Rome. As he leaves to prepare for a quick getaway, the Templars make their move. They get Jung incredibly intoxicated while discussing his beliefs and take him to his quarters to await evacuation, as was the plan. When Starck returns, Jung is dead; the attempt to intoxicate the heretic also resulted in all of the Templars imbibing to the extreme. In an alcohol-fueled fit of rage and zealotry, they beat Konrad Jung to death. The Templars flee; by the time the body is discovered, they are far from the scene. When they tell the Grandmaster of the Order of their deed, the guilty Templars are executed. Starck is exiled to Dithsmarschen, where he is to act as a missionary. The Knights Templar keep their deed secret, though the scene they left behind is fairly obviously an act by an angered Catholic. The reformer has now become a martyr. For the most part, the Hanseatic League is fairly oblivious to what took place. They send aid to the affected regions, hoping that the troubles are behind them. In the meantime, the First Hanseatic Armada sets sail from Hamburg. Bound for Hindustan, the fleet consists of 20 ships, ten in a squadron led by Jakob Kessler, five in a squadron led by Alfred Fahr, and another five in a squadron led by Anton Kessler. The fleet travels north, intending to make contact with the powerful trading nations along Africa; Kilwa and Mombasa to be precise. The ships that make it carry an offer to establish more permanent trade between Europe, Africa, and India. Fahr's ship loses the fleet; we will return to Fahr shortly. Now we must discuss the adventures of the Kessler brothers in India. The Hanseatic Armada arrives in Hindustan, where an offer of economic cooperation is proposed to the country. The Armada lands in Sultanpur and Calcutta and proposes a Kontor in Calcutta from which the Hansa may trade. Some ships spend time exploring the coast of India, mapping what they see. The Kesslers spend a significant part of their journey schmoozing with the most affluent and the nobles of the cities. They wish to ensure relations with India remains fruitful. In the meantime, Fahr accidentally discovers new lands while separated from Kessler's armada. Though he believes that he is somewhere south of Mogadishu, he is passing OTL Madagascar. He travels north, establishing brief contact with cities in Ethiopia. By 1501, both he and Kessler are still on their voyage, far from home.
    • RNG: 19, The Templar assassins manage to successfully kill Konrad Jung and make a clean getaway undetected leaving the mystery of who murdered Jung a question that will plague historians to the modern day who continue to wonder which of his enemies killed the man.
    • Archbishopric of Köln Diplomacy: It is unwise to threaten us, but in the interest of peace we shall relenquish our request for the Free City to rejoin the Archbishopric so long as peace can be maintained between us. Our request of re-integration was in the interest of security, to secure our defense in case an invasion occured. Since the Hanseatic League can ensure peace we shall respect the soverigenty of the Free City of Köln, and wish to pursue closer relations with our neighboring Free City and the League at large in the form of expanded trade and diplomacy. We feel we are united in recognizing the threat of the growing Jungist Blue Army poses for the Empire and the violence they wage against Catholics, citizens of the Empire.
    • The Hansa is pleased with the wisdom of the Justicar, and invites him to festivities in Lübeck during Christmastime.
    • Hanseatic West Indies Diplomacy: The administration of St. Brennan asks for 1,000 settlers and an increase in skilled soldiers and artisans, to fortify and expand the colonies. Furthermore some glass, fine cloth and alcohol is requested to barter with the locals and put them under Hanseatic influence.
    • The League sends 1,000 colonists to the West Indies. Many are under the employ of powerful merchants coming with this fleet. They include soldiers and trained mercenaries, craftsman, architects, cartographers, and more. African slaves purchased from Mali are also sent to the Hanseatic West Indies. This first voyage across the Middle Passage is harrowing, with the slavers unaware of what it takes to keep a slave alive in such conditions. Of the slaves who stepped on the ship, nearly a third died during and shortly after the voyage.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: The Archchancellor entreates the Archbishop of Cologne not to provoke any hostility with the Hanseatic League at this time, when the Empire is already so unstable. He urges him to postpone his understandable desire to add Cologne to the Electorate, until a better time. Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen begins to sicken and weaken at Trent, during the debates, He is an old man, and the among of activity lately is taking a tole on his health. However, he stubbornly refuses both to cut back on his efforts, or to die, until the council reaches a decision. In response to the recent claims of Jung and Freud, he points out that that the Bible clearlly teaches that any oath taken before the lord is binding, regaurdless of the motivation. Saul was rodered to sacrifice his own daughter becasue he foolishly swore to the lord he would do it. He agrees that any Christian can be a confessor, but argues that most people would not choose to confess their sins, which is a benefit to their soul, if not required to do so. Truely, any Christian can be a confessor, but becasue only select priest perform this service it is easier for people's privacy to be respected and their sins to not become gossip. He endorses completely Jung's position on sin, agreeing that the Bible teaches that we are redeemed only by faith, and that terming the mass a sacrifice is misleading. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland works as fast as he can to pursue the Navy build-up of the Empire, fearing that if war breaks out, the navy will be sidelined again. Kaspar Von Roggendorf, imperial treasuer since the reign of Henry the Great, dies in his sleep from old age this year. With the recent territory seized by the Blue Army, the decision of Hesse to support the Jungites, and the Emperor’s decree that the Jungites are heretics and a threat to the Empire, Grand Marshall Jan Zizka begins mobilizing the the Army of the Holy Roman Empire to fortify the Imperial Free Cities near the Jungist states, and preparing to attack the League of Wolfen and their allies. He requests permission from the Emperor to conquer the Jungite states, and that the Emperor call on all the nations of the Holy Roman Empire to provide support. (Bohemia Response). He says famously. “While the bishops debate, the Jungist are conquering the Empire right out from under us. Words will not stop armies. Soon, the Council of Trent will mean nothing, because the heretics will have already won.” He also sends a message to the Margrave of Meissen, pointing out to him that the League of Wolfen still is not powerful enough the challenge the Catholic states of the Empire, and he should think his posistion over careful before choosing their side. (Mod Response).
    • The Margrave chooses to align himself with Thuriniga purely defensively considering the attack on Meissen.
  • Roman Empire: The victory over the Venetians and the recovery of the Aegean Isles creates a mercantile boom period. Despite high government debt, merchants are able to readily out-compete Venetians in the sale of goods from Krete and Cyprus, as well as Georgia and the broader east. These routes, now firmly under Roman control, contribute to the growth of the Roman trade economy at the expense of the Venetians. The prosperity of the times allows for a flourishing of the arts as exemplified by the notable Poetess Mihri Hatun. Her work is translated into Greek and widely received by the middle class. The themes of love and romantic desire unite both the Turkish and Greek communities. Even Kaisar Herodotus II can be found reading her works, in both Greek and Turkish as he has studied both. Her fame leads to a number of notable and un-notable attempts at poetry among the studied elite of the empire, and generally novice poetry flourishes. The urban culture of the empire incorporates poetry into the Epidexiótita, introducing poetry of the sword to the overarching concept. Perhaps as a result of Mihri Hatun’s poetry, an effort to end some of the sectarian violence, or some unknown desire, Kaisar Herodotus II considers an edict reducing impositions on the Turkish population. In concrete terms, religious taxes are reduced considerably, and Turks are allowed military service if they convert to Christianity, a position that had been denied to them based on language previously. Specifically, a Turkish Theme is established in the Lycaonia region for Christianized Turks who wish to serve the empire and gain a substantial plot of land. The move reverses decades of policy that disinherited or excluded Turks from the public realm. With the possibility of huge social advancement, between 10,000 and 20,000 Turks convert to allow their relatives the chance to serve in the new Theme. The addition of the new Turkish Theme increases the maximum Themic levy to 54,000 men, but the new Theme breaks from traditional composition. The unit instead employs soley cavalry equipped either as heavy or light lancers. Both sets of units carry lightened, smaller-calibre firearms with shortened barrels and reduced powder-loads, analogous to later carbines. These firearms depend on a new technical breakthrough in weapons technology, the wheellock, which uses sparks and a closed powder-pan and does not require a smoldering match that might scare horses. Both units also carry sabers and lances, with the heavy units wearing partial plate armor including Nicaean helms, breastplates, gorgets, pauldrons, and leg armor. The lighter forces only come equipped with Nicaean helms, pauldrons, and a gorget. With 4,000 light cavalrymen and 2,000 heavy cavalrymen the force will be exceptionally mobile and excellent at fighting in rough terrain where the men can set up ambushes and raid supply depots. Other military reforms are proposed but the expense of creating a new Theme stops those efforts for the time being. In naval terms, the fleet enters a period of reconstruction with an emphasis on stronger fighting platforms for galleys and the addition of more cannons and swivel guns. This work is done at a lazy pace after the flurry of activity in the last years of the Venetian War. Our cousins in the Rus' are sent several hundred officers to act as advisors and field commanders where needed.
  • Mali Empire: Scientific and philosophical development continues at the University of Timbuktu and other parts of the empire. Ibn Khalil Al-Maktab, chief director of the Arbory of Timbuktu, continues to develop his writings on biology. He theorizes that each living creature has an innate spirit or substance that fully describes how they should behave or look in life, which he describes as being a kind of "paper etched in the heart of each man". He writes that this substance is developed throughout a person's lifetime, based on his needs and actions during life, and is then passed down to his children through his seed. He takes numerous examples of African animals who seem to exemplify this ability. However, it is not clear if he actually observed these creatures in the wild or just read about them in popular beastiaries, considering some of the examples he gives for his theory are also mythological creatures. Furthermore, his writings also uses this as a justification of feudalism in the empire, explaining how different levels of society pass down the traits of their skills to their descendants, whether they are nobles, artisans, merchants, slaves, or tribes. Mustafa II continues to institute administration reforms in an attempt of eliminating the tribalism in the heart of the empire, even going as far as deploying military occupation of some areas with very little cities. From our trading partners with Europe, western ideas and technology are adopted into the core military, although this largely benefits the coastal provinces at the expense of the inland Sahel. Slaves are sold abroad in vast numbers, now with a rising demand from European contacts that finally begins to match the supply. With the end of the Rif War, the Mali Empire extends an offer to help rebuild and reconstruct the damaged infrastructure of Morocco, affirming our standing alliance with the Wattasids. This act is not purely altruistic, but in exchange for our support Morocco must lower tariffs on various manufactured goods sold from Europe to Mali. In addition, we offer a daughter of Mustafa in marriage to a prince of Morocco. [MOROCCO RESPONSE]. Mustafa again sends an envoy of substantial wealth and courtesy to the Abbasid Caliphate in Cairo, where we ask to affirm our alliance to the Sultan of Egypt as long as we don't have to acknowledge Mustansir as the rightful Caliph, as this is an ancient custom of our people to have one Caliph in Segu. [EGYPT RESPONSE]. Abd Al-Mutalib Jannah begins to set out on his voyage to explorer the southern Atlantic Ocean. He uses the charts from the Hanseatic League to calculate the location of the "West Indies", which he assumes to be the Pinoy islands north of Indonesia. From there, he estimates the trajectory he needs to sail from Mali southwest in order to reach the spice islands near Java and Sumatra.
  • Russia: The Greek officers are welcomed into the fold, with the most senior joining his war council while the other officers are either given field command duty and helping improve fortifications, drilling, and to assess the overall strength of DImitry's forces. The conitnued trickle of supplies from down river helps keep morale high as Dimitry's men lay siege to Ryazan. He deploys his cannons against the walls of Ryazan while his employs river boats to blockade the city further upstream. Cossacks blockade the city overland. War wagons filled with muskeeters are employed against the Rebel army whose flanks are protected by pikemen. 5,000 men are brought up form the reserves in Kiev to assist in the Siege. Nikolai Turgenenev continues to reach out to the Cossack communities raising a further 3,000 of them to help bolster Dimitry's forces. "Grand Kniaz" Igor makes the decision to end his efforts at reinforcing Ryazan, as the Tartar army lead by Khan Kamil begins raiding the lands around Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Yarolsavl. he takes his army of 30,000 men returns to Vladimir so as to better be able to respond against the Khan's forces. Debate rages on in the Novgorod Duma as the Republicans are now divided on how to proceeed, With both Dimitry and Igor busy fighting eachother and the Tartars, the more hawkish members of the Duma argue for an attack on Tver, while ther rest of the Duma wish to remain on the defensive. In the end Oleg is swayed by the war faction and moves 10,000 men made up of a mix of Hansa and Baltic Mecenaries move to lay siege to Tver. Catching wind of this Nikolai sends 2,000 reinforcements to bolster the garrison of 5,000 men, While The recently hired Cossacks are employed to keep Smolensk busy and prevent them from aiding in the Siege of Tver. Lacking many cannons the Tver Garrison is able to hold out as the fortress of Tver received major upgrades during the life of MIkhail III, and stored grains. Khan Kamil divides his men into two groups and he quickly orders the pillaging and sacking of Russian lands. Burning with hatred for the Rus' and Cossacks the tatar raiders kill all the men they come into contact and take al lthe women and children to sold off at Kazan and Astrakhan. Meanwhile, fields are torched around Vladimir, and Nizhny Novgorod. As the Boyars return to protect their lands Kamil's men withdraw with some leaving slower then others to draw Igor's forces who are made to think that the Tartars are being weighed down by loot. Igor takes the bait leading his cavalry, and half his men to chase down the Steppe Raiders. In the ensuing battle of Sura where the Sura breaks from the Volga, Igor finds his men completely encircled by Kamil's forces who carry out a slaughter on the Boyars. Igor manages to escape the massacre with some 6,000 men, but he is forced to withdraw to Nizhny Novgorod. Upon hearing the news of Igor's disasterious defeat at the hands of Kamil, Dimitry thanks the lord all mightly for helpnig his cause. 
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya/Toungoo: Mingyi Pyo opens the new year with a sudden push toward the city of Bago with his intent to bring on establishing a pathway to the main Royalist regions of central Ayutthaya. His force of 24,000 men is divided into two hosts with one of 6,000 men under Nattani Chaiprasit remaining within the range of the Conservative forces stationed at Maubin. Mingyi Nyo manages to defeat the main enemy opposition in the region at Bago after a month-long siege and the employment of the various gunpowder weapons he has been able to amass from stockpiles across the region that had been put in place under the reign of Ayutthaya's previous Ramas. Following the fall of Bago to Royalist forces, the remaining Conservative troops between Bago and Three Pagodas Pass are quickly dispersed when encountered due to their minimal size. Eventually, Mingyi Nyo arrives at Three Pagodas Pass connecting the formerly isolated Royalist in Pegu to the main Royalist forces and territories. With the link up by land with Royalist forces, a portion of the army he brought with him his dispatched back to Nattani Chaiprasit. Nattani Chaiprasit having received more men from Mingyi Nyo launches a renewed offensive against the city of Maubin and can drive the defenders from the city to Kyaiklat. He pursues them in an attempt to eradicate their forces but is halted by Conservative reinforcements from across the region who had joined up with the fleeing army forcing a stalemate on this front as both sides attempt to force the other from their defenses and positions with none proving successful. The efforts of the Ayutthayan Navy to blockade Pegu's Conservative areas have begun to yield results as the impact of the war has affected farming and supplies can't be purchased from merchants due to the blockade. The first naval battle occurs this year as the Conservatives in Pegu, using repurposed merchant ships, launch an attack on the blockade in an attempt to break it out of desperation for their situation which continues to grow worse. The Conservative forces attempt to overwhelm a part of the blockade but their situation continues to grow worse as the reinforcements begin to arrive from other parts of the blockade costing the Conservatives much of their hastily assembled fleet. Mingyi Nyo after having passed through Three Pagodas Pass chose to travel to the Central Front passing through the city of Ayutthaya and garrisons it with his men to ensure that it remains firmly within his control while he continues onward to the front lines. Hang Nadim is quickly to swear fealty and relinquishes command of the Capital Defense Corps of Ayutthaya to Mingyi Nyo who borrows a portion of their remaining strength to march with his army due to the quality of the troops due to being well provisioned and trained by the previous Ramas. Mingyi Nyo is quick to advance toward the city of Uthai Thani and join the forces of Sunan Kudus who have to remain entrenched they're waiting for an opportunity to attack the Conservative troops under Sakda Thanom. The arrival of Mingyi Nyo's army quickly balances the scales in favor of the Royalist numerically. A three-pronged offensive is organized with the Sun Paragons and a few other troops being dispatched through Wat Nong Kradi Nok with an attack directly north by the bulk of their armies and a final assault from Wat Nong Pho under Sunan Kudus. The troops can overwhelm the defending Conservative forces driving them back and away from Nakhon Sawan into the Phichit region where many fortifications have been put into place occupying the combined armies somewhat. However, they can break through the fortifications due to the experience and tactics of Mingyi Nyo allowing for them to come within proximity to Phitsanulok before being halted by the desperate attempts of Skada Thanom to halt their advance into the range of the central city for the Conservatives. In the East, the Conservatives within the besieged city of Kalasin have at last capitulated to the assault of Khoja Hassan allowing for him to press onward to Khon Kaen which serves as the stronghold for the Conservatives in Northeastern Ayutthaya. Khon Kaen remains defiant to the enemy forces arrayed against them due to being well stocked and provisioned allowing for them to endure the remainder of the year under siege. To make the best use of his force, a detachment of troops with additional reinforcements from Royalist territories has been deployed to assault the city of Udon Thani which remains as one of the last major population centers still opposing the Royalist forces. Khoja Hassan's forces remain occupied in sieges for the remainder of the year unable to break the enemy fortifications at different locations. Royalist forces and Conservative forces between Chaiyaphum and Nakhon Ratchasima continue to engage one another in battle with the Royalist slowly but steadily driving back the Conservatives to the city of Chaiyaphum which remains undisturbed or now. The development in regards to Lan Na and Dai Viet has sent many worrying concerns throughout the nobles of Ayutthaya who view Dai Viet as a far greater threat to Ayutthaya than any internal disputes resulting in Mingyi Nyo's claim to Ayutthaya receiving a more unified backing from many in the Royalist as the Toungoo Kingdom would be an invaluable piece in any potential future conflicts with Dai Viet and their vassals/allies who have come to border the northern and eastern border of Ayutthaya. The Commerce Guild continues to dominate the spice trade across the Nusantara due to standing agreements from the Spice Islands as of the last war where they promised the guild a monopoly in exchange for fair compensation and their freedom from Majapahit control. The Ayutthayan Navy remains mostly docked in ports because the supplies needed to sustain their operations have been focused on the Civil War as of late leaving the active fleet much smaller in comparison to the years prior. The Penghulu Bendahari and Temmengung have undertaken efforts in this time of chaos to secure as much wealth and gathered resources from the Conservative cities and towns to help supplement the coffers of Ayutthaya which remain low due to the extravagant spending by Bendahara Sunan Kudus on the civil war. The scholars at the Civil College and War College have already begun to transcribe the events of this civil war into their records for safekeeping and further study down the line.
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: The Diet of Speyer concluding the previous year saw Emperor Ottokar I have Konrad Jung banned and the proliferation of his writings prohibited, albeit there was nearly a year lapsed before this went into full effect, as initially the Emperor and figures like the Archbishop of Mainz attempted to create reconciliation and paused inquisition, hoping the threat of it would resuming would bring the theologians to the debate table. The edicts of the Diet condemned Jung and officially banned citizens of the Holy Roman Empire from defending or propagating his ideas, subjecting advocates of Jungism to forfeiture of all property, half of the seized property to be forfeit to the imperial government and the remaining half forfeit to the party who brought the accusation. Even still when the “truce” ended, enforcement of this edict was suspended on account of the strength of his current popular appeal, which made its enforcement impractical. Then when Jung was suddenly murdered, this was condemned as vigilantism, and the Emperor feared all his efforts to prevent war had been in vain. With the earlier goal of Speyer having failed, the Diet of Nuremberg was called, which temporarily reversed course and suspended the Edict of Speyer. Here the Emperor heavily rejected the jingoism from both sides, stating that there would be no infighting or feuds as per the law of the Empire. The Emperor concedes to the Jungist claim that they had acted in “self defense” in Meissen, but he declares that no further military action will be taken beyond the defense they have already fought, and therefore the “Blue Army” must immediately stand down and be recalled (Thuringia response needed). The attempt by the Archbishop of Cologne to usurp a Free Imperial City is heavily condemned and soon is lambasted by the Jungists, who claim this as evidence that the Catholics are the real opportunists attempting to annex states aggressively, and that the “Justiciar” is ironically quite unjust. The Emperor tries to sweep that embarrassment under the rug; Ruprecht von Moers is privately chastised and told to drop such pretensions. The Archbishop of Mainz is likewise rebuked for proposing to “conquer the Jungite states”. The Emperor agrees that the Imperial Army must be readied and must combat violence, but that it is unwarranted for Mainz to attempt expansion against the states, not when that might jeopardize a diplomatic solution. The Emperor clarifies that if the Blue Army does not stand down, and if Thuringia (or others) makes any aggressive act at all, then the Emperor will side with Mainz and immediately fight back said offensive. These feuds must be resolved peacefully through the law and the justice system, and the Emperor is prepared to use the Imperial Army against any aggressor so he claims, although likely only against Jungist aggression he thinks. The Thin White is threatened that he must stand down and must not profit off the War of the Wolfenbund through territorial expansion personally. As it stands, secretly the army of Bohemia is not fully ready for war, as it becomes deployed in Bohemia proper for the purpose of putting down revolt. The Emperor discovers that Bohemia lacks even a Catholic majority, as the Taborites and now the Jungists outnumber them [in OTL Bohemia had a Hussite majority at this time, and in ATL the Hussites appear to have been even more successful]. The Emperor is forced to play a careful balancing act, as although he controls the majority of the army and has a clear advantage in most areas of warfare, the population would not support him if he struck back against the non-Catholics with the fervor that Mainz advocated for. Instead he deploys the military purely for the purpose of peacekeeping and combatting outright rioting, especially after the death of Jung, but attempts to combat the spread of Jungism through non-violent means. In Brandenburg he orders the same, but it soon becomes evident Ottokar’s brother Charles is not enforcing an inquisition as expected. Elsewhere, the Imperial Army is deployed in most major Imperial Cities and other key fortifications, likewise for the purpose of preventing rebellion and war.
    • The action of the Grand Marshal was on his own authorithy, and not under the orders of the Archbishop. Furthermore, he only mobalized the army, and asked the Emperor's permission to attack. John
    • Archbishpric of Köln Diplomacy: Justiciar Ruprecht von Moers feels the request to reincorporate the Free City of Köln is completely just and within reason, for it was an attempt to avoid the outbreak of violence and bloodshed via peaceful reintigration. The request was one of security, to secure ourselves against the potential invasion and subsequent seizure of Church land by the Free City of Köln. The Justiciar notes that he went to the Emperor himself for permission, rather than going to war outright or request to conquer lands through warfare as the Archbishopric of Mainz has, and made peace with the Free City of Köln and the Hansaetic League prior to the Emperor's condemnation. Though hurt and wounded by the Emperor's personal chastising the Justiciar is happy the Emperor has declared peace upon the Empire by outright banning the persecution of the Jungists and ordering the Blue Army to stand down, singelhandly preventing the outbreak of outright violence in the Empire.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Caliph al-Maalik's Auditorium, which is situated next to the Lighthouse, is in its final year of construction, having been in development hell due to the numerous conflicts the Abbasids have been attracted toward. Although originally built under the Mamluke Knights, the Abbasids were only able to complete the project of reconstructing the lighthouse, so the full re-construction of the library brings a truly enriching moment for the various scholars of the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, the printing press was first introduced to the Middle East this year, which was reverse-engineered so that a press that copies and exchanges documents and books in Arabic rather than the Germanic language, may provide a path out of the Islamic Dark Ages. In the mean time, however, philosophers and historians discussed and debated on the ethics of the world, with the works of ancient Greece and Rome being a launching point for the world around the individual and its surroundings. The works of Ibn Taymiyyah, thought to have been lost, are among some of the first books to be mass-produced in the printing press, alongside the Qu'ran and the works of Ibn Khaldun and Plato. The orphaned Turk, known as "Mehmud", continues to attend the Caliph's auditorium. During one session where he was discussing whether the Malian discoveries were synthesized plausibly or not, he was approached by Caliph al-Maalik, who asked him if he could study with the young Turk. Although hesistant, "Mehmud" accepts the Caliph's offer, and for nearly seven months, they would discuss the nature of feudalism, science, astronomy, literature, and the work's of science and discovery arriving out of the neighboring states. This discussion allowed for the young Turk Mehmud to no longer feel like an orphan, and the Caliph to feel like he had truly found a son. It was beautiful, to say the least. The Caliph, pleased to have met such an interesting individual that shares many similar beliefs, appoints Mehmud to the Ulema following the untimely death of member Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Although the exact date for when Mehmud changed his name is lost to history, it's been theorized that, upon him being appointed, that his name in official records was "Mehmud ibn Abdukrahman al-Rūm". The Grand Army of the Abbasids, after returning from Rif, are re-positioned throughout the Caliphate, while al-bunduq al-rasas continue to be imported and troops outside of the ranks of the Quwalnukhba begin using these gunpowder weapons, learning rather quickly due to their pronounced abilities in warfare. Diplomats of the Abbasid Caliphate arrive at the Court of Tabatanami, offering them vassal status within the greater Caliphate while additionally offering them military protection from Alodia and Ethiopia. [Mod Response Needed]. A group of missionaries and Mamluke Knights are sent to far-away lands of Kilwa, under permission from Caliph al-Maalik, to re-establish trade relations with the city-state of Zenji and to purchase a fifty-year lease on the city. [Mod Response Needed]. In Asia, Samir al-Azad leaves the Court of Dai Viet, recording political structures and mapping of these kingdoms while also detailing the Ayutthaya Civil War. He leaves for the Court of the Tian Emperor. [Mod Response Needed].  
    • Trade of Kilwa is accepted.
    • Samir is accepted in the Tian court.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The Portuguese explorers lands on this island which they name Cape Mauritaus. On this island they discover a flightless but interesting bird which they name the Dodo, the commander of the expedition takes ten of them home for the royal garden while making sure they are not disturbed more then necessary. When the young king receives this gifts, even though he is not ruling yet, he is overjoyed, showing that his father's interest of animals has been passed on to him. The ten dodos are taken to the royal garden where they are studied and visited by the royal family. Meanwhile, the trade profits from the colonies keeps increasing, this money is then used to put more money into the expansion of Brazil as Portugal's finest colony. In Portuguese West Sahara, the colonies keep increasing their population as they expand along the coast. We send an expedetion into Angola near our settlement in Luanda to fin out anything farther inlands. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED).
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin supports the newly created Church of Saxony. However, having been present in person at the Sack of Wittenberg, he fears another invasion of Saxony. He attempts to assure the blood-hungry Catholic faction (popularly known in Saxony as der Bluthungrige), that the creation of the Church of Saxony was merely an attempt to distance the reformation from "Jungism" following the Emperor's brutal dismissal of Jung. Edmund Alwin's project to create a Jewish state within Saxony has failed, partially because the majority of Jews there have converted now to Jungism. When news of Jung's death reaches him, Edmund Alwin is uncertain how to react. At first shocked, he begins to grow his military and maneuvers them restlessly around the Duchy of Saxony. A number of figures grow to be prominent within the newly formed Church. Peter Meise, who mysteriously escaped prison yet again; Michael Meise, his brother; Gustav Jung, who claims to be the son of Konrad Jung; Johann Burglholzi, a converted Jew (leader of the Jungist-Juden movement); and Theoderic Rood, a librarian. Edmund Alwin forces his cousin Shadrach, the richest man in Saxony, to lend him a large amount of money, which sets back Shadrach in the King of Switzerland Competition a bit. A Wuntein (pocket-watch) factory is set up in Saxony. Meanwhile, Edmund Alwin sends Jungist ambassadors to his cousin King Henry of Denmark, hoping he may become interested in this new form of Christianity. Edmund Alwin emphasizes that he has always remained very loyal to the Premyslid dynasty and to the Holy Roman Empire and its Emperor, even back when his brother was the Duke of Saxony, and it could have cost him his head. He still retains these loyalties, and urges the Emperor to allow this reformed church to spread naturally as it pleases. He also communicates with Thuringia and Brandenburg, telling Duke Charles to use his influence over his brother to make him more sympathetic toward the Cause. The Saxon ambassador to the Papal states dies of a heart attack, resulting in accusations that he was poisoned. The head of the enormous statue of Henry the Great, constructed by Saxons and currently being displayed in Bohemia, falls off and crushes a group of Jungists. Edmund Alwin gives some lands to the Margrave of Meissen as a gift, to encourage him to join the Wolfenbund. Peter Meise is officially removed from the Church of Saxony after he starts to preach an altogether completely different doctrine: he claims the Bible is a fake and that he is the only true messenger of God, citing the bizarre religious texts he has published in the past. Nevertheless, a number of Jungists converted to Meise's completely new religion, which can scarecely be called Christianity. Emboldened but resentful, Meise decides to assassinate Freud, the Emperor and the Pope. He then marches to Saxony and declares he has sent the assassins son their way. Edmund Alwin's army easily detains Freud's would-be assassins, but for some reason the men planning to assassinate the Emperor and the Pope manage to get away ... Edmund Alwin's attempts to send messengers to the Emperor's court and the Papal States to warn them ... and so Meise;'s men manage to get an opportunity to attempt the asssassination ... The men are told to use whatever means necessary. Meise is arrested but keeps escaping somehow. Gustav Jung is made the Bishop of Saxony.  
    • Imperial Diplomacy: When the Emperor receives news from Edmund Alwin, he immediately goes into hiding in a secure castle unknown to the general public, fleeing there in disguise. He becomes surrounded by the Aachen Guard and a number of soldiers, who ensure the location remains secret and well protected. Some theorize that the move may have been attempt to make the Emperor indebted to the Jungists so that he would be lenient to them, or to decommission him from action, and they wonder if there was ever truly an assassin at all.
    • Saxony (continued): Edmund Alwin is glad the Emperor is safe, and very suddenly and unexpectedy sends a large number of Saxon troops to Bohemia, apparently to protect the Emperor. Gustav Jung is made the ecclestical Bishop of Saxony. He is the more moderate candidate - Peter Meise also wanted to be Bishop but was considered unsuitable: Theodoric Rood is made ''Stellvertretender'' (deputy bishop), and he is considered more extreme. Later in the year, Rood publishes a thesis, ''Mein Denken,'' which quickly becomes popular. Meanwhile, Gustav Jung wants to formalize a system of establishing Jungist clergy. He rules that the Head of a nation's church may create priests, and when a priest dies or resigns he must declare who shall be his successor.
  • Kingdom of France: Writings from Germany spread into France, but also French writers are inspired to make their own comments on church doctrine. There emerges two types of reformers: those interested in matters of religion and establishing synods and ending religious oppression, and those opposed to the monopoly of power held by certain nobles and the crown. Previously these groups had risen up and the fighting had devolved into a civil war, but now after a couple decades of growth these factions have become a lot more sophisticated and have weathered the storm. Peasants of France on occasion take matters into their own hands in matters of religion, sacking unpopular priests, and carrying out acts of iconoclasm across France. To this end the King uses his power entrusted by the Papacy to select clergy, and he attempts to quell the unrest by choosing more popular clergymen to replace those the peasants oust. The result is that more and more the clergy of France becomes more composed of those either favorable to the King or the reformers, with many outright Jungist preachers gaining positions of high leadership within the church. Although William II had persecuted and even led a full scale military expedition against the Waldensians in southern France, the Jungist movement proves to be a lot different, as it has become more popular than the Waldensians or Cathars ever were, and seems to be rooted in many problems with the Church that even William II personally experienced. The crown passes many political concessions and edicts of toleration, but this does not stop the more zealous among the Catholic church from being resentful toward the movements when they prove to be more open about the dissenting opinions. The Edict of Orléans is passed by the government as a general edict of toleration and an end to persecution, in the hopes of preventing bloodshed, but this proves controversial among some Catholics, and only disguises growing tensions. The war between Lotharingia and the independent state declared to their west piques the interest of many French nobles. Although the King of France does not condone such actions, numerous nobles send soldiers to aid them and to build fortifications. The recently incorporated lands of Auvergne led the charge by aiding to liberate the territories. Other nobles in the north of France mobilize as well, as do many opportunist knights. With the war with the Caliphate over, France recalls his forces back to France. The upgrading of the navy continues using experience from the war, and the move proves to be heavily needed, as France tries to catch up to the other nations from the war and protect trade. After his previously expedition scouting the Moroccan coast, Philippe de Corguilleray is dispatched on a second expedition, this time intending to travel farther south. He manages to reach the famed region of Mali after passing the edge of Morocco, and he requests to treat with the local governors there. He brings gifts and goods to trade, hoping to establish a trade relationship between France and Mali. If possible he also hopes to pursue an arrangement where French ships are allowed to dock in a city in Mali regularly for the purpose of trade and further diplomatic relations. (Mali response needed).
    • Mansa Mustafa accepts Philippe de Corguilleray at the court of Niani. He is impressed by the gifts, and gives him in return a chest of salt and rice, with 150 mithqals of gold. The Mali Empire would like to set up trade wtih France, buying finely-manufactured goods like ceramics, glass and steel works in exchange for raw materials and spices. ​​​​​​
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Imperial Trade Guild dominates the Red Sea trade, with Ethiopian port cities being the main stops for merchants on their way to Egypt, Mali or the Swahili city states. With three large merchant fleets operating in each of the three sectors of trade (The Red Sea, the Swahili, the Indian Ocean) the Empire continues to be the economic hub of East Africa. With Ethiopian trade offices established in the Swahili city states, India, and in Mali, trade flourishes with these regions continues to be stable and profitable. Ethiopian merchants by now are well known throughout the Indian Ocean and Ethiopian merchant ships are a common sight in Swahili, Indian and Egyptian ports. Cannons continue to be outfitted on Ethiopian ships, while Imperial cities are also outfitted with cannons on their fortifications. The Imperial Artillery Corps continues training in the use of gunpowder artillery while the Young Guard and the Old Guard drill constantly with arquebuses, turning them into one of the most heavily trained professional army in Africa. An offer of trade is once again dispatched to the Mutapa Kingdom, with Ethiopian diplomats requesting to open trade offices in the Kingdom to help facilitate trade with between Mutapa and Ethiopia [MUTAPA RESPONSE]. The Roman embassy is met with much applause, and the Roman bureaucrats are allowed to stay in the castle while their engineers design a building in the capital of Barari to operate as the Roman embassy. Ethiopian settlers begin moving into Kenya and quickly establish a fortress at the base of the Tana River to form the basis of Ethiopian power in Kenya. Similarly Ethiopian merchants, seeking to promote trade with Mutapa and the Swahili, establish a trade outpost on the northern most tip of Madagascar and begin constructing a small port there.  
  • Palembang Sultanate: Continuing with the expansion of the capital city Palembang, Sultan Jinhai has 30 more rumah limas constructed. Meanwhile, envoys are sent to the other states of Sumatra in order to request an alliance for the protection of each and every state on the island should an external force threaten one of them (MOD RESPONSE). A few changes are enacted by Sultan Jinhai in order to consolidate his power within the Sultanate, the first of which is the creation of a royal guard consisting of some nobleman, around 100 in total. This is to prevent any assassination attempts on the sultan himself. Furthermore, new districts will be created within the capital that contain some of the new rumah limas, now potential candidates for levies in case the sultanate ever needs them. The private trade sector will be subsidized with the advent of government funding for some of the more known merchants in the region, this is to increase the trade influence of Palembang while also encouraging the Chinese merchants within our state to increase their influence which encourages more trade, thus bringing in more money to the Sultanate. 
    • The other Muslim states in Sumatra agree to an alliance except for Aceh
  • Sultan of Oman: Our country's power grew as our economyrose and we became a regional power. With our navy growing and military, we caught to expand our trade networks. As we would trade with some European nations. Meanwhile, our sultanate would begin making acts of neutrality viewing to stay out of European and middle east politics. Meanwhile, in our far off colonies of the Maldives, we have begun to launch acts to forcefully convert the natives into Islam wanting to make them appreciate our religion as well as to help us in case they were invaded. With the rise of Spain and Portugal traded in the Indian Ocean, we would increase our naval forces and military. Meanwhile, we had sent some ships to make an agreement with tribes in Kenya to allow us to set up a small port there.  
    • Settlers of Oman are expelled from the Maldives by their own Sultan
  • Dai Viet: The third year of the Đoan Khánh era, the Emperor now focuses on improving the general economy after the war. With the prisoners of war captured from the war with Lan Na, they are brought to Dai Viet and Lan Xang to do forced labour, i.e. exploiting minerals, reclaming virgin soil, etc. The Merchant Guild receives funding from the government, seeing how well commerce benefits the economy. Not only focusing on commerce, the Emperor looks at the agriculture of the country, the basis of the country's economy. He personally takes a look at the archives documenting each province's estimate production of grain, to figure out the storage situation of state-owned and private fields. Regional mandarins are required to manage and maintain the situation of the agriculture in their area of rule, and to encourage farmers to buold levees, dig creeks, manage irrigration of fields, etc. Provinces lacking manpower are provided with Lannese castriated prisoners to do the works. The regional mandarins having to visit the court are always asked about the situation of the provinces. The Southern institution have faced a problem as the soil in the South are not as fertile as the north due to the lacking of a river delta. The peaceful state of the country in years makes the Imperial Examinations almost never postponed, giving talents chance to serve the country. As such the Emperor continues to focus on ruling the country perspicaciously to affirm loyalty of the people. The situation in Siam also gives Dai Viet a chance to show our naval power by hunting pirate fleets disrupting the East Sea, and possibly the Malaccan Strait, as Dai Viet has a base in Belitung. With Sdach Korn accepting help from Dai Viet, we will wait until he feels that he has raised enough men for himself to start the rebellion. Economic aid are ocassionally sent to Java to help Majapahit in their recovery.
    • Lan Xang (Dai Viet protectorate): Observation of the Pwe Kyaung system in Taungoo began taking place as Lao scholars and members of the clergy are sent to Taungoo to observe the system and taking notes. The kingdom receives support from Vietnamese experts as well, with them arriving to help Lan Xang with administration, military and infrastructure. The kingdom temporarily adopts the former ngụ binh ư nông policy of Dai Viet as well as the increase of plantations. Manpower in reclaming virgin soil and exploting resources are also raised with the add of Lannese prisoners. General fortifications are raised alongside the Mekong River to prevent the unrest in Siam to spread to Lan Xang.
    • Chiang Hung (Dai Viet vassal): The merging progress of the realm of Chiang Mai into Chiang Hung continues to be under progress. A majority of the Lu people living in Tran Ninh and Cao Bang are encouraged to migrate to their new country of Chiang Hung, as the Northern Thai is made to subdued to them. Wealth gained from the siege and sacking of Chiang Mai are used to upgraded the capital of Chiang Hung, with a fortress built, and army raised, and progress of reclaming virgin soil, irrigation with help of the Vietnamese are put under way. Fortifications are raised in the border of Hsenwi.
    • Ayutthaya Dip: Dai Viet's naval presence in the Straits of Malacca is not permitted as the combined efforts of Japan, Ayutthaya, and other tributary states of Ayutthaya such as Pasai is far more than sufficient enough to patrol and secure it. (Also the Pwe Kyaung system isn't going to be completely compatible with Lan Xang because it's a Theravada Buddhism concept, not Mahayana).
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" On the Wadden Islands an old religion movement begins to grow once more, these being the Saint Columbanus Messengers. The followers believing in his teachings such as the rule of Saint Columbanus which he lived by himself, Saint columbanus being seen as person more then anything. Columbanus being impetuous and even headstrong sometimes which was mainly directed at his passion and devotion for the faith. The messengers of Saint Columbanus slowly growing as people begin to follow his teachings, this growth being the biggest in Frisia and North Holland. As the teachings of the saint and his love for squirrels, birds and the forrests are based in the Wadden Islands. North Holland and Frisia often being in contact with these followers as a result of storms and trade, as often traders who get caught in a storm in the North Sea get rescued. These merchants often taking on the teachings of the saint, and teaching and explaining them when back. The number of followers being guesed from 5,000 to 35,000, as this church does not require specific membership. Instead it just has churches with priests who teach the teachings. This all being done within the structure of the Catholic church, the decentralised earth being due to geography. Many of the small churches being in rural towns and on many of the small Wadden Islands. With Helder, Leeuwarden, Groningen and Alkmaar being the only cities on the Lotharingian mainland which have churches. In berck Generaal-Admiraal Juliaen de Kremer is able to inflict heavy casualties on the rebelion forces, Alltough it is technically a victory the fight is not over. As there are still an estimated 3,000 rebel forces in the town of berck, thus de Kremer sends another envoy to the Rebels. This envoy offering to renew negotiations, offerining the restoring of some of the powers of the rebels (Mod Response). The generaal-admiraal willing to attack if the rebels do not accept the terms given, as his patience is running out. Meanwhile, in Africa Anton Brouwer is able to get a lease on the Island of Ushurutswa for 25 years this being the first territory ever on the Indian Ocean. This even beating the KWAC on the Indian market, Anton even building a small wooden wall and some small houses. In Hemelstrand the population slowly grows, as some Lotharingian women. The crews of Stoarm and wyn after the wind is over gets beached on unknown land, the crew decide to stay on the lands until a rescue can come from Either Grönland or Frisia itself.
    • The rebels don't want to negotiate.
  • Chimu: Viracocha has passed on. After his last ten years of life, which were relatively calm for both the civilization, the villages and Viracocha himself, it was time to go. Viracocha passed on of old age or natural reasons. The villagers, the religion groups, and the whole population of Chan Chan, assisted to the funeral of Viracocha. Ten years after taking the throne, he had a son named Huyana Capec, his first and only son, and the secret inheritor of the throne. Viracocha trained Huyana Capec in secret, and he educated him in the areas of religion, leadership, tactics and economy. Viracocha was buried in his own shrine. Eight months after the death of his Father, Huyana Capec takes the throne.
  • Celtic Confederacy: With the council of Trent beginning this year, our delagatiob arrives to defend the papacy in these matters, as is our role. Persecution of the few heretics remaining in the Celtic continues, as the Celtic Inquisiton truly gets going, We also request our ally wales cooperate with us in suppressing heresy throughout the Celtic Confederacy, in the form of coordination between the Inquisiton of Scotland-Ireland and that of Wales. (Welsh response needed). In other news, WE RECEIEVE news of Lotharingian ships near Greenland, and close all of our ports north of Scotland itself to Lotahringia, with the cooperation of Iceland, as we fear they will attempt to claim the parts of Greenland that have not been colonized. In other news, Joseph of Iona arrives in Germany, originally intending to join up with the Jungist movement. However, upon witnessing the war ravaging Germany, he realizes how dangerous it would be to openly side with anybody and get involved in the war, especially as he is a scholar, and not a warrior of any kind. Instead, he takes it upon himself to begin documenting the reformation, planning to travel throughout Germany and document all the changes occurring and the ongoing war, so it may be recorded in history. Trade with the Congo, Mali, and Jabal Asada continues to be profitable and to revitalize the C.C.C, with continues to turn a profit and begins to become a major source of revenue for the Celtic Confederacy overall.
    • Kingdom of Wales Dip: King Lionel, raised as a pious Catholic, fully acknowledges the threat posed by the heretics, and fully commits himself to the inquisition, after the request of his liege.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: Ramóna, the youngest of the King's children, is looking for a husband to marry. (Anyone can respond). With our population around 5,015,000 people we are seeing an increase of a slow incline. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Kingdom of England: Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham remains at the Ecumenical Council of Trent. Because of the increasing religious instability in Europe, the English Parliament, guided by Archbishop of York Thomas Savage and the lower English bishops, funds the strengthening of the Inquisition in England to ensure the local religious situation remains stable. The English clergy, however, refrain from making official statements about Jungism before the Ecumenical Council has reached a conclusion. The English Parliament also covertly sets up watchmen at English ports to monitor and report to them if any German radicals try to enter the nation. King Henry VII of England remains silent about the religious crisis but expresses concern about the deteriorating political situation in the Holy Roman Empire. He considers sending out English troops to help the Emperor restore order, but does not do so yet as the English clergy continue to wait for the results of the Council of Trent. The English economy has now largely returned to the levels prior to the most recent York-Beaufort conflict thanks to the Anglo-Swedish trade alliance and to a lesser degree trade with the Hanseatic League, Spain and Lotharingia. There remains some discontent over King Henry VII's foreign policy toward the Celtic Confederacy, though it is currently largely constrained to the overall Yorkist-controlled areas of Yorkshire and Northumberland. There also remain tensions over control of the coal fields in northeastern England, which are mostly in areas occupied by Yorkist forces, decreasing the coal supply Lancastrians have access to; Lancastrians do control some coal mines in Lancashire, however. Shipbuilding in Essex, Kent and Bristol continues as the English Parliament hopes the country's navy will be able to conduct long-distance explorations within one or two decades. The Lancastrian military works on building watchtowers around the edges of the London urbanised area in Middlesex in order to increase the security of the nation's capital; the Yorkist military focuses on improving the city walls of York. Marcantonio I Colonna, husband of Thomas Grey, 2nd Marquess of Dorset's sister Dorothy Grey, continues to develop his mercenary company in Dorset. Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford and Wilhelmine Premyslid have their first child, a daughter named Dorothy (b. 1506); and Louise of York and Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent have their fourth child, a son named George (b. 1506). In Europe, Ari V Sturlungur (1457-1506), brother of former King Domnhall IV of Iceland and a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of a disease.
  • Hispanian Empire: As both the regions of Andalusia and the Riff solidly under our control, with the rebellions that had largely engulfed the region heavily suppressed, the Hispanic forces in the region continue to enforce to the full extend the implementation of the provisions of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslims and Moriscos within the Hispanic territories of Andalusia and the Spanish Riff, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif or be enslaved or killed, or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. Inquisitor Dren, a rather hardline man, is put in charge of efforts, as he thoroughly strives to ensure that no Muslim or Morisco gets to escape the flaming cross of Inquisition. As a direct result, the entire region of the Hispanic Riff continues to be increasingly depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, depending on province, as every area was afflicted to a diverging degree as well as Andalusia to a lesser extend. To combat this, Queen Katherine de Barcelona continues to enforce her desicion to award all the empty acres of fertile lands as soon as their Muslims former owners vacate them, mostly in the Riff region but also in the Andalusian region, which has just started to became depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, but to a lesser extend than the Riff region, to her 68,000 soldiers that valiantly fought in that conflict, prioritizing the widows and the children of the 22,500 men who gave their life for the crown and the country, continuing to pay for their expanses to start resettling them in their newly granted acres for the sacrifice of their husbands, while also providing them with sufficient subsidies to ensure them a rather sufficient standard of living and not let them descend into poverty, for them and their children, but at the same time, not nearly neglecting all those brave 45,500 men who fought valiantly and are still alive, continuing to encourage them to settle with their families in the offered fertile acres, that are being vacated by their former Muslim owners, predominantly in the Riff and to a lesser extend to Andalusia. This action can be largely attributed to the unwillingness of the Hispanic Crown to face such turbulence and instability in the region ever again. Thus by initiating this process to settle our loyal troops there that we will be able to can call upon anytime in the future to surpress further revolts as well as cleansing the region out of the local Muslim populace, to ensure the loyalty of these two regions [Riff, Andalusia] to the Hispanic crown. Additionally, the Hispanic force of 25,000 men strong under the the infamous General Jacques "The Ripper" returns home victorious, after the Moroccan occupied city of ​Chefchaouen​ is retaken without a fight, as we predicted, the opportunistic Moroccan forces abandoned their positions and scattered to the south, in the safety of the Kingdom of Morocco. The works to rebuild the island of Pantelleria, that has been heavily devestated by the recent pirate raid on it, are concluded and now it can once again became the prosperous trade centre it once was, continuing as it was before the war. With the war over, a rather large increase on our investment into colonial efforts occurs, as Hispania is now free to concentrate on that front. Meanwhile, the natives of Cuba continue to face constantly worsening conditions, but they are somewhat relieved by the crucial work of an increasing ammount of Jesuit numberous willing Hispanic missionaries that have travelled to the new world along with the conquistadors and take a rather accute interest in treating their ailing fellow human beings, as well as teaching them the word of God and the Bible at the same time, to which end they succeed to a rather large degree, as the natives view the European medicines as miracles, believing that the Christian God helped them miracoulously recover from their diseases, converting en mass. Pope Giuliano della Rovere is a close relative to the crown, related by ties of blood, so the support of the Hispanic crown in these trying times for Christianity is seen as something largely expected, with the Inquisition now targeting heretics too, but because of their negligible numbers, this phenomenon remains rather isolated.
    • The Jesuit order doesn't exist yet.
    • Yeah, sorry about that, seems like I missed the age that the Jesuit Order was founded by a bit more than three decades, in any case, replacing the Jesuit missionaries with just plain simple missionaries as we discussed. ~Bear.
  • Kingdom of Morocco: The Moroccans has finally evacuate Chefchaouens, after some three-year war with the Spaniards somewhat they rebuilting the cities and some of them are recovering after the impact during the war Ahmad al-Mansur is fully are being going to help the population and many now are in peace they continue to work and agricoling some of states being to be peace and more upgrading somewhat they establish scholar improved and help the program to gain security after some war we have been encounter with that previously peace Ahmad is finally making peace with the nations at the north the central is being recovered and continue to not give up at its economy Ahmad al-Mansur fully being to modernizing yet and make some discussion after that a shame the kingdom is now still continue and it continues developing so far the Muslims and Arabs also Berber continue mutli-culturing which a plan that could uniting those in Africa unlikely as for now their army is being developed and such more they boost give money and population still among coexisting Ahmad al-Mansur plan to create and announced a new recruit program similar that can had piracy and its policies Ahmad just got an idea of coexisting all those tribes and bring up something uncile as is he can try support whatever he want the government also sent some supplies to help the poor and encourage them to recovering to make Morocco at its thus least peacefully development.
  • Kingdom of Wales: The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Lionel, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 16 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of ​Saint Owain (Lawgoch)​ perseveres and grows more powerful than ever before, providing a sense of national unity not just for the Kingdom of Wales, but for the whole Celtic Confederacy essentially, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Lionel, as a worthy successor of his father, marching in his footsteps, continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Lionel of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being. King Lionel, raised as a pious Catholic, fully acknowledges the threat posed by the heretics, and fully commits himself to the inquisition, after the request of his liege, the Celtic Ameraudur, tasking a separate inquisitor to go after heretics inside the Kingdom of Wales.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: After the brief spell of violence in north Bavaria, the Jungist movement continues to gain traffic, propelled by a series of firey preaches and rumors of Christ-like Jungists turning the other cheek in face of violence. Albert continues to allow Jungist philosophy to spread and gives George permission to secretly use a small portion of the royal treasury to sponsor its spread. While the movement is not yet universal in Bavaria, several nobles with high concentrations of Jungists in their land begin to feel the pressure to either convert or accept the Jungists. George astutely begins to make connections with this section of the nobility, encouraging them to allow Jungism to flourish. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilities, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, with their tax authority signed away decades, ago the noble class becomes more and more reliant on the imperial treasury to procure funds. Although many have personal lands that remain profitable, Albert is careful to distribute additional funds in a way that keeps the nobles satisfied but still subservient. To this end, Albert begins a minor reorganization of the army, creating an official and permanent headquarters in Munich. Most experience military commanders are instructed to continue their work at this new headquarters, and all are made to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Albert IV and his heirs. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
    • A bit too quick, eh? -Solace
  • Georgia: Mehmed and Tinatin bear another child - a daughter whom they name Antanasia. The royal couple, Bagrat and Natia, also have a daughter this year - whom they name Elene. Bagrat's father and his predecessor, Alexander II, dies from natural causes. Lady Jaqeli continues to exercise her power in court - though she butts heads with the Queen Dowager, Nikita. Many nobles - particularly in Western Armenia and the duchy of Samktskhe - disagree with Nikita's efforts to introduce Western culture (such as court pageantry, dance, music) to the Georgian aristocracy. They also oppose the increasing cosmopolitanism of the empire, and seek to reemphasize the Orthodox/Byzantine aspects of Georgian culture. Bagrat stops giving salaries to the Royal Army - sans the Royal Guard. However, this is compensated by the aznauri becoming semi-hereditary and land granted to the aznauri being granted to them in perpetuity (unless revoked by the state) instead of going back to the state upon their death. Cities along the border with the Safavids continue to be fortified, and more of the Naqivchaqari corps are fitted with match-lock's. Cannon technology is further developed, with the artillery corps being about 2,400 men. Commerce continues to flourish due to the export of cotton and silk. The nobility patronizes arts such as frescoes, mosaics, miniature, and ceramics. Polyphonic singing, poetry, dance, and court pageantry also flourish.
  • Archbishopric of Köln: Peace is secured throughout the Empire via the Emperor's decree of peace, to end persecution and for all armies to stand down while locally peace is directly achieved with the Free City of Köln and the Hansaetic League. Though it is a year of peace it is also a year of violence, for Jung who preached against violence has met a violent end by being extrajudicially assassinated, leaving the radical and the violent to lead the Reformation, some detaching from Christ and Christianity completely, with many fearing this being the year of peace that only delays the wrath of God upon the Empire, of the ful scale eruption of violence, leaving the Army on guard as a safeguard, though Justiciar Ruprecht von Moers prays to the Lord that peace will be upon the Empire because of the Emperor's decree and the Empire will be spared from His Divine wrath, although he knows and realizes this peace is fragile, receiving visions of massive armies colliding with unspeakable brutality and of multitudes of people being burned alive in the carnage, entire communities slaughtered without end. These dark thoughts and visions plague the Justiciar throughout Trent.
  • Russia: After a year long siege the city of Ryazan falls after the city walls give way to Dimitry's cannons. The defenders valiantly try to hold off Dimitrys forces. However, the Varyag lead the charge through the breach breaking the enemy as they try to form up time and again in the streets of Ryazan, each time being cutdown either by Musket fire or by Bardiches in close quarters. The city is looted for whatever supplies, and weapons can be acquired. Meanwhile, DImitry stands judge over the trials of the leaders of the city. Most of the Rebel leaders are then hung from the city walls as a reminder to the ocucpants who the ruler of Russia is. With Ryazan secured Dimitry turns his attention to Moscow once more. A garrison of about 1,000 men is left in Ryazan while 22,000 men march on Moscow. a blockade of the Movska River by way of the Oka River, and the overland route between Vladimir and Moscow to completely cut off the city taking full advantage of the defeat suffered by Igor at the hands of the Tartars. Igor begins raising new levies to reinforce his ranks. Most of the levies are peasants and minor nobles. more to be added later ... 

1507

With the murder of Konrad Jung, one of the more conservative leaders of the reformation is dead, leading to increased tensions and violence, with Jung being viewed as a martyr for the cause. Johann Freud becomes the de facto leader of the Jungist movement, while more radical reformers such as Peter Meise begin greatly increasing in number. The alarming rate of the radical Jungists siezing control of local governments creates a grave concern for the Imperial Electors, who urge the Emperor Ottokar to take decisive action.

The ecumenical Council of Trent enters its second session. The Catholic bishops affirms the divine authority of the Pope and the infallibility of Church councils, being the only authority above the Pope. The German Patriarch agrees on revising the German rite to remove prayers of the dead. The bishops strongly disagree with the suppression of indulgences, feeling this income is vital for the productivity of the Church, and they don't want to repeat the economic crisis as in France in recent years.

On the subject of prayers for the dead, the conservative faction of Bishops proposes a statement should be made on the canonical inspiration of the Apocrypha, because it is in the Books of Macabees that prayer of the dead is explicitly given, as well as other sources of early Church tradition. The Jungists leaders are again summoned to the second session of the council.

In South America, Portuguese explorer Afonso de Albuquerque discovers the mouth of an enormous river, which he thinks might be a strait. He reports back to Portugal that this may be the key to get through the continent to India.

Facing an incoming Hindustani Army, Dhar Baybars fights to the bitter end before being killed in battle, with Malwa ultimately becoming re-incorperated after a last stand. The Bengal Sultan flees to the territory of Arakan after the remaining Bengali state falls under the hands of the Hindustani dynasty. After nearly seven years at war, the national army of Hindustan is exhausted, and demand the Sultan end the war.

Elsewhere in India, Guru Nanek Dev goes on a pilgrimage to seek spiritual guidance and enlightenment. He becomes well-known as a great theologian and spiritual leader in the city of Sultanpur. Over time, his reputation in religious knowledge makes him an equivilant "Reformer" among the religion of Hinduism.

With the ongoing civil war in Ayutthaya, the Tian Dynasty of China sends a massive naval force to secure order along the states of Sumatra, compelling them to become tributaries of China. Ongoing naval pressence of China offers a protection of trade through the Malacca Strait.

The Safavid Dynasty of Persia fully consolidates control over Iran up to the border with Hindustan. Shah Ismail pushes north to begin a war against the Khanate of Bukhara.

King Eric XIV of Sweden dies, and is succeeded by his brother as King Ivar II, although Ivar I is only known by national mythology.

In Florence, the artist Raphael becomes vastly popular for the skill of his painting, being the third most famous artist after Leonardo da Vinci and Michaelangelo. This year he completes the painting The Deposition.

In Mesoamerica, the Tarascan Empire institutes the New Fire ceremony.

Martin Beiham, a renowned navigator working for Portugal, constructs a complete globe of the known world.

French writer Jean Molinet completes a full Chronicle for the history of the reign of King William II.

  • Kingdom of Morocco: After some spent year, the governments continue to support the supplies of Mansur and the help with the recovery the governments also upgraded the army moroccans and somewhat cities is being modernizing such many population continue to growup and coexisting for interesting culture and friendly atmosphere spread of their religions, most of office is being establish for trade and being paid as far the ruler doing some progress so far the moroccans has size some money to boost them and news ships is made the territory is doing well and continue to develop with its expansion to control Ahmad al-Mansur offer some stuff with the trades and accept to coexist such like many of them are in friendly relation the progress continue to work and they engange people such as improving cassablanca and other cities to develop well the economy and more scholar has been built so far yet thus rather that Morocco is in mordezination development period and sending more stuff for export and trades the population recorded some province is being developed and establish trade also office which lead the vizier would run it so far for safety and security more weapons is being developed and else throughout the desert roads the trade is being well and cooperatives more merchants that are coming and thus the connection continue to rather more progressing and each more tribes is being paid most of them the cities is now establish their own programm to follow the policy of Morocco which the governments would likely support their own action and the right of Mansur Arabs language is now added in the programm such as the most speaking and continue to spread more language natives for coexisting well.
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: When Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen hears of the death of Konrad Yung, he suffers a stroke and dies. Hermann von Getz, of the prominent Getz family of Mainz, is chosen as the new Archbishop. He is seen as more conservative, and less optimistic about ending the Yungist movement peacefully, but is willing to wait until the Council of Trent reaches their conclusion, as long as the militant factions of the Yungites do not get out of control. He supports reviewing the canonicity of the book of Maccabees, noting that the books of Tobit, Judith, and Maccabees do not appear in the Latin Bible translations predating St. Jerome. He lifts the halt on the selling of indulgences. The University of Darmstadt continues to grow. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland continues the expansion and modernization of the navy, with hopes to complete it as scheduled after all. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka informs the Emperor that the Imperial Army is ready, and awaiting his command to crush the rebellious states.
  • Empire of Japan: As the development of the Kenenaitzu outpost continues over the years, it has officially turned more into a purposeful settlement as the developments of other outposts on the mainland which has coloquially become named Arasakura (same as OTL its based off the native name for the land). As other outposts are established to help with fur ranging and fishing the furs coming out of the region have started to become a hot commodity as it pushes the sale into China, and its many tributaries. This specifically becomes a serious hit with the Colder regions of the Chinese Sphere as the furs brought in are heavily geared toward two things. Status symbols, and surviving cold weather climate. The knowledge of this new landmass disseminates finally to the Imperial court in Kyoto. Empress Suiko now ruling along side her son as Co-Emperor (having allowed him to establish and manage directives geared specifically toward trade and diplomacy) meets with Ebisu and his aging father Guy. The two Yamamotos expecting to be punished for their dereliction of duty and operating a secret operation on behalf of the Sapporo Zaibatsu and Tachibana clans. Instead the Yamamoto family is rewarded and are established properly as a Daimyo and are granted Port Kowa Sakhalin, and the North Sea coastal villages as their domain offering primarily to let them establish themselves as the first true Navally focused Daimyo as well as bringing the Tachibana, Sapporo Za clan, and the new Yamamoto clan together and granting them a near Monopoly on exploring, claiming, and settling these new lands. The only exception to this are Imperial expeditions which are exempt from this Monopoly. The further integration of the Sarawak concession into the Empire as an autonomous region continues. Its developing trade with Kalimantan as well as its central position gives the city of Kuchin an upwsing in wealth generated by the local trade. The Arrival of Chinese fleets in Sumatra prompts the Japanese to give them a wide berth and not provoke them seeing it clearly as "not our problem". While the arrival of more trade ships from a state only known as "the caliphate" a cadre of local admirals collects about five ships offering to take as many of the Muslim aristocracy as they can carry, and set sail on a voyage to their holy city of Mecca. With the reason for Japan proper being expanding map knowledge, and finding new direct trade partners with a tertiary reason being in keeping its Islamic populace happy by allowing them to reach their holy city in their lifetime. The small task force departs from Kuching intending to reach Mecca within the next year following the coast of India and trading with locals for knowledge on the location of this famed city. 
  • Palembang Sultanate: Progress on the development of land infrastructure is moving smoothly as 120 rumah limas have been constructed since 1504, allowing 120 families access to dolce vita on the land. Sultan Shi Jinhai, now aged 28, funds the construction of 20 rumah limas this year, however, he develops an idea that from 1509 onward he can populate other areas rather than simply the capital city itself. The development of a nationwide road system through settlements advances slowly as Palembang attempts to ease the strain of its treasury due to the massive size of the project. Sultan Shi Jinhai also begins to expand the royal armada, ordering the construction of four more ships. The government additionally incentivizes a state-funded naval re-designing project in which professional shipwrights are to construct a prototype of a ship for the Palembang royal armada that will be standardized, the point of this is to create more efficient ships that can travel further out than the ships we currently use (MOD RESPONSE). With the expansion of land settlements, it is Shi Jinhai’s hope that by allocating certain lands to them that they’ll be able to increase the amount of pepper in the nation and thus the amount of exports for the Sultanate, increasing the revenue. On top of the rumah limas, Shi Jinhai also begins funding the development of a marketplace on land to add another pull factor there. Due to the numerous opportunities people flock to the land, though this is limited by established quotas yearly, from the first year of the project which developed 50 rumah limas it has since decreased to 20 rumah limas, this is to lessen the strain on the treasury as the Sultanate begins pursuing other projects. The ultimate goal of Shi Jinhai it seems is to create a new trade metropolis within Sumatra, ever since the decline of Palembang’s trade all those years ago. Sultan Shi Jinhai also begins importing books to the sultanate as fuel for the creation of a library in the Kuto Gawang, as well as some public libraries with more known books, this trade is conducted with the other states of Sumatra in order to develop the knowledge of the Palembang people in concerns to their own region and as a diplomatic endeavor to increase relations with the other countries of Sumatra (MOD RESPONSE). However, despite these excellent reforms, darkness looms over the capital city, these are only rumors but they claim that Shi Jingyi is returning from exile, these rumors seem to trouble the young Sultan, as he waits for confirmation as to whether they’re true or false. 
    • A few smaller states in Sumatra helps contribute resources for the ship.
    • Other Sumatra states are willing to trade.
  • Oman: The sultan has order the coloniese of the maldevies to be evacuated due to natives attacks and it being a burden on our economy. However, some of the colonists decide to stay on the islands with their familiese and on March 11 decalre independence from us becoming the emirate of the maldevisis with the areas in the norther islands. With this our sultan orders a blockaded on the iles hoping to force them to return to the islands. However, with competition on spain we decide to recognize the emirate of the maldevisis allowing them their freedom with a population of 14,300. 
  • Russia: After a year long siege the city of Ryazan falls after the city walls give way to Dimitry's cannons. The defenders valiantly try to hold off Dimitrys forces. However, the Varyag lead the charge through the breach breaking the enemy as they try to form up time and again in the streets of Ryazan, each time being cutdown either by Musket fire or by Bardiches in close quarters. The city is looted for whatever supplies, and weapons can be acquired. Meanwhile, Dimitry stands judge over the trials of the leaders of the city. Most of the Rebel leaders are then hung from the city walls as a reminder to the ocucpants who the ruler of Russia is. With Ryazan secured Dimitry turns his attention to Moscow once more. A garrison of about 1,000 men is left in Ryazan while 22,000 men march on Moscow. a blockade of the Movska River by way of the Oka River, and the overland route between Vladimir and Moscow to completely cut off the city taking full advantage of the defeat suffered by Igor at the hands of the Tatars. Igor begins raising new levies to reinforce his ranks. Most of the levies are peasants and minor nobles. Pressed on both sides Igor sends a secret envoy to Novgorod offering them an alliance against DImitry while Igor faces off against the Tartars who once more carry out raids against Nizhny Novgorod where Kamil's men plunder the country side and torch fields leaving the city on the verge of starvation. The Republicans are divided on what to make of Igor's alliance offer. However, they do send a letter with the envoy stating their main focus is to resist Dimitry. The Republican siege of Tver continues. The Hansa mercenaries manage to keep the Cossacks at bay, however, employing pike and shot formations while reinforcements from Novgorod arrive now with cannons as they attempt to break the walls or starve the city and fortress into submission. Despite the best efforts of to break the walls of Tver, the newly built fortifications hold out against the enemy artillery and the garrison refuse to open the gates hoping to hold out long enough for Dimitry's forces to relieve them. In the meantime Novgorod's treasury starts to take a serious hit as the payment of troops and supplies gets more and more expensive, specially as the civil war has started to have a major impact on the fur trade as Tartar raids, and the chaos in the east stops Fur traders from going toward the pelt rich Ural region.
  • Roman Empire: The economy and treasury continue to recover from the stresses of the Venetian War. The access to the former Venetian colonies in the Aegean proves a notable economic boon as revenue from Krete’s plantations and the trade they produce swells the empire’s trade surplus. Exports of luxuries, grain, and refined goods fuel the merchant economy and see Athens, as well as Constantinople, become bustling merchant hubs. Thessaloniki and Smyrna too serve as regional entrepots and emporiums of trade where Roman goods enter the overall market. The Imperial merchant fleet continues to be rebuilt to a total of 425 ships. This year 25 new ships are launched toward that goal. The increasing adoption of the Epidexiótita in urban centers in Anatolia creates a distinct Turko-Mulsim variant of the philosophy. In true renaissance fashion the mixture of Greek Orthodoxy, Islam, and Humanism creates a thriving center of the arts in Iconium based on the principles of the Epidexiótita. Poets, sculptures, and philosophers congregate in this mountain town. One result of the mixing is the moderation of Islam in the region. With Herodotus II’s relaxed benevolence toward the Muslim community religious tensions die down significantly.
    • Dimitry's envoy: Dimitry requests loans from Constantinople and Greek merchants and bankers. 
    • Several prominent Roman banking clans form a consortium to provide Dimitry with as large a loan as Russia will need, encouraged by the recent victories in his civil war. 
  • Hanseatic West Indies: When the message of the Taino’s fear of the Spanish reaches the colonial administration of St. Brennan, a colony of around 200 people is set up in the Kingdom of Jaragua, about 50 of whom are slaves. The guns and huge ships of the Hanseatic Navy impress the locals, even though their chiefs have seen them before. Captain Berthold Gödeke funds the settlement of Rungholt. Even though this name might be in commemoration of the lost city of Rungholt on his home island of Strand in North Frisia, it is today believed that it is coincidental and describes the thick forests of the island. The island itself (OTL HAITI) is noted as Haragua, after the Germans believe it is the name of the island itself instead of only the chiefdom. The Chief is offered the unconditional support of the Hanseatic navy against the chief of Marién to the north, who reportedly has been very hostile toward the traders from the Hanse. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). The Slaves on St. Brennan, Dreieinigkeit and St. Katharina begin to work the expanding tobacco, sugar and sweet potato fields. On their side on the fields there is a larger group of impoverished Frisians and Jews, making up a new social caste called the Tabakhüßel (tobacco servants) or Tabakkeerls (tobacco fellows). The Tabakkeerl is commonly a farmhand who is allowed to live on the farm of his master for free and has the duty to work there in exchange, however, is usually not the property of the farmer. Skin color or religion, however, are not dividing factors among this class. Quickly after founding Rungholt, a second large settlement more west is set up (near OTL Benait), inhabited by around 50 Tabakkeerls from Mali, and around 100 Europeans who are mostly seamen and soldiers employed by the navy. The city is named Störtebeck after the famous pirate Klaus Störtebeker. It also seems to attract a few of the natives, who are learning Low German or North Frisian as a means of communication and functioning as translators to the locals.
    • Jaragua accepts support against Marien
  • Portuguese Brazil: After the expeditions into the jungle, the population begins to rise slightly in hopes that a path to spice may be made. Development rises and things look generally well for the colony. The continued shipments of Brazilian wood to Portugal as well as foreign traders keeps the economy steady and slowly rising. New settlers bring new development to the promising colony. We hope for a promising Future for the colony.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The war has begun to die down with the Royalist having gained the upper hand in the fighting, the Conservatives have been driven back into pockets isolated from the remainder of their forces. Nattani Chaiprasit has started efforts to defeat the remaining Conservative forces in Pegu. He successfully overwhelmed the defenders at Kyaiklat and forced the bulk of Conservative forces in the region into the city of Pyapon where they were starved out due to the dwindling amount of available supplies and resources caused by the blockade and years of war. Following the Fall of Pyapon, the remaining forces in Pegu were wiped out one after the other Nattani’s armies swept over what remained and returned it to the fold under Ayutthaya. On the Central Front, Mingyi Nyo’s armies were able to break through the defenses laid by Sakda Thanom around Phitsanulok and force the defenders back into the city where they were besieged for months before they were faced with the fate of their forces in Pyapon and surrendered out of sheer exhaustion removing the largest army of Conservatives. Khon Kaen, having been well-prepared for its eventual siege remains defiant with many of the forces in the city has proven intent on fighting to the last. The siege equipment assembled by the Royalist eventually force a hole in the walls of the city leading to a long, bloody affair as every inch of ground was paid for in blood by the invading Royalist. Eventually, the Conservatives were eliminated with the Royalist securing the city and emptying it of all its valuables in the ensuing chaos. As news of the fall of Khon Kaen made its way to Udon Thani, the people and defenders of the city opened their gates to the approaching Royalist armies to prevent a repeat of the sack of Khon Kaen with its surrender marking the end of the Conservatives as their last bastion fell. With the civil war reaching its end, Mingyi Nyo travels to Ayutthaya to claim the title of Rama as he is the chosen heir of the Royalist to claim the throne of Ayutthaya, at last, unifying the realm once again. The kingdom he inherits remains a husk of its former glory with the six years of war leaving its scars across the Kingdom and on its economy. He has chosen to govern from Ayutthaya due to its central location within the Kingdom he now governs and due to its reputation built from the years earlier as its armies spread and conquered much of its current boundaries. Mingyi Nyo is quick to begin efforts to rebuild having ordered the Penghulu Bendahari to funnel what is available into the war-torn regions of central, western, and eastern Ayutthaya to help the cities rebuild. Thanatat Palathai, the commanding officer of the Sun Paragons as well as the other officers who were sent to study Japanese militarily are given the ability to reform what remains of the Capital Defense Corps of Ayutthaya and Toungoo. The newly established professional army stands at 12,000 men strong and is slowly being developed with adjustments to better suit the tactics and strategies developed from years of war with foreign and domestic enemies. Mingyi Nyo has seen the problems that have occurred with the rulership of cities by princes and begun the practice of assigning officials who have graduated from the Civil College to oversee cities especially with the power vacuum left in place with the death of so many nobles during the civil war. To help protect the officials assigned to oversee the cities and use them as administrative centers, Mingyi Nyo has assigned portions of the newly established professional army to escort them and safeguard the cities under the command of an officer of the army who is not beholden to officials. The detachment of the army assigned to garrison cities is paid for by funds from the Ayutthayan treasury with the commanding officer given a set of directives to follow with any activities outside of said directives requiring approval from the court at Ayutthaya. To ensure that the governors have the power to govern, the Corvee system is formally implemented into law with all phrai’s becoming phrai luang binding them directly to the Rama who distributes their services to his officials based on the trust and positions they hold.
  • Papal States: The Ecumenical Council of Trent continues. Pope Julius II creates Christopher Bainbridge (England) as cardinal. After Cardinal Galeotto of Habsburg (1471-1507) dies, the Pope creates his brother Sisto (b. 1473) as cardinal. In Rome, since 1501, Ferdinand of Habsburg and Catherine of Foix have had the following children: Catherine (1501), Eleanor (1502), Henry (1503), Margaret (1504), Martin (1506). This year they have a daughter named Barbara.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The governor of Portuguese Moçambique, Paul de Gama dies this year being replaced by Afonso de Albuquerque. After his report is read it is agreed that an expedition will be funded. Meanwhile, the Portuguese officially colonize the island of Mauritaus as they set up a colony on it. This colony is transferred to Portuguese Moçambique and Afonso forbids the eating, hunting or disrupting of the dodos per the regent's orders. Meanwhile, the regent agrees to a meeting with the Vinlandic lord as soon as the king is of age, to discuss the relations between the two countries. We send more expeditions to Brazil (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED) as Brazil keeps expanding along the coast.
    • You are able to chart the course of the Amazon River.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, becomes a grandfather, with his son Wolfgang de la Marck having a child, Henry., with his first wife Maria. Frigg Sturlunger, Princess Consort of Finland, meanwhile, dies in childbirth. The child, miraculously, survives, despite its mother's advanced years, but is hunchbacked and deformed. It is christened Edward. Eberhardina de la Marck, Edmund Alwin's neice, has a daughter, named Christina Eberhardina. Henriette Ingeborg de la Marck has a child, a son, named Edmund. Meanwhile, Jungism has overrun Saxony. The extreme Meisists under Peter Meise, the Sachs (nickname for those following the mainstream Church of Saxony), the more traditional Jungists, and various other branches exist. Stellvertretender Theoderic Rood, is hostile toward the Papacy, claiming that they are tampering and interfering with "our precious bodily fluids". Bishop Gustav Jung briefly attends the Council of Trent, but leaves abruptly, without another word after hearing the Pope speak. He later said that he didn't like the Pope's voice. Hearing rumours, possibly true, that the Thin White Duke converted officially to Jungism, Edmund Alwin ponders this, and, after consideration, decides he'd better wait a little while. 
    • Hungary Dip: We except the marriage that you proposed.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Although factions in the Ulema had been created centuries prior, the first recording of the factions within the Ulema was made by Mehmud ibn Abdukrahman al-Rūm, who recorded that among the one-hundred members, roughly fifty-five of them followed the Taymiyyah ideology, while twenty-five followed Ibadi Islam and the remaining followed various Sunni ideologies. Mehmud ibn Abdukrahman al-Rūm would record that the Taymiyyah were the "aristocracy", mainly due to their wealth and status from the prior Mamluk Sultanate, while the remaining were "democrats", who consisted mostly of elected or appointed leaders from their respective Ummahs. Abdukrahman al-Rūm would additionally record that debates in the Ulema were polarizing, and mostly consisted of majorities reached by the Taymiyyah, who he related to but felt like a lot of their principles were completely in false or impulsive methods. This type of hatred is likely why Abdukrahman al-Rūm would purge members of the Taymiyyah ideology during the first year of his reign, which ultimately led to the short Abbasid Civil War in 1420. Regardless, Abdukrahman al-Rūm continued his friendly relationship with Caliph al-Maalik, while becoming more friendly with members of the Abbasid dynasty themselves. Caliph al-Maalik himself directs the construction of a port city at OTL Berenice Troglodytica while Mamluke Knights remain at the Court of the Tabatanami Sultan, pressing him on accepting military protection and trade improvements from the Caliphate, essentially making it a vassal. [Mod Response Needed]. Roads begin to be repaired while Caravan markets are expanded upon. Trade with Kilwa expands as the Caliph sets plans and expectations for a Red Sea naval force, mostly to protect a new influx of trade in the Indian Ocean and Eastern Africa. As such, he sets aside a budget for expanding the port cities of Hurghada, Jeddah and Yanbu, which should last around twenty or so years. This expansion should, in twenty years' time, prove fruitful in expanding and establish a Red Sea naval force, which will likely consist of sixty cogs stationed at the afformentioned ports, which would take an additional twelve years following expansion. The military fortifications at the border of Yemen are updated, with watchtowers being implemented at every major border of the Caliphate as a means of policing trade and ensuring security for caravans from Asia. The printing press continues to mass-produced literature from the Caliphate, while the original copies of literature and the treasures associated are stored in the Office of the Caliph in Cairo and Medina. The literary revolution, due to the printing press, allows the Abbasid Caliphate to pave a different path for Islam out of its Dark Ages, with intellectual work and scientific discovery becoming more abundant while re-legitimizing the Caliphate as a center of the arts and science, although for the moment, the re-construction of the Great Library and the Lighthouse continue to attract more scholarly individuals. The arrival of Muslim aristocracy from the far away Empire of Japan near the end of the year is celebrated, with the Muslims being able to complete their pilgrimage to Mecca while staying in the Royal Palace of Jerusalem. They are expected to return to Japan next year. Meanwhile, in Asia, Samir al-Azad leaves the Court of the Tian Emperor, noting their religion and trade routes while venturing to the Court of Korea and Japan this year in hopes of recording the information and falsely claiming himself to be a "diplomat" of the Abbasid Caliphate in the Near West. [Mod/Player Response].
    • The Tabatanami Sultan agrees to vassalization.
    • Samir is allowed in Korea.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" Generaal-Admiraal receives new reinforcements from his majesty the king. The king giving reinforcements as to end the final push on Berck. The king sending 2,000 soldiers thus the soldiers surrounding Berck increases numbers to 12,000, while the force of 15,000 in Boulogne remains. The Soldiers in Boulogne staying in the beloved city as to defend the city, from possible peasant rebellion. Thus the generaal-admiraal attacks berck with his 12,000 soldiers, the soldiers not having left their offensive. Juliaen ordering a continues artilerry bombardment from both land and sea for three days and nights, this being combined with a blockade of all goods and the seizing of ships coming from Berck. This total blockade meant to fully demorilise the enemy as de Kremer offers food and protections for those who surrender to the Royal cause. King John V grants Juliaen the Kremer the General-Admirality for the Lotharingian channel islands, as the structure of the Channel Islands is old and archaic. Thus the Generaal admiraal makes his second assault on the town of Berck, with even more bravery and fury against the rebel army (Algo Required). Another group of sailors are those the Rotterdamse Handels Compagnie, the RHC settlers calling themselves Vissers after their profession. The settlers living of mostly living of fish of the surrounding waters, this being helped by the population of pig that was set free on the island by the merchants. The Population of Palmparadijs not yet growing a lot as many of the people who arrive in Palmparadijs die due to a combination of climate, disease and food. This makes the growth of the population very slow even if it does exist. On the Wadden Islands the messenger of Saint Columbanus continue to slowly grow their beliefs as people are slowly learning the teachings of the church. Somewhere west of Greenland the small Frisian crew who are still trapped, the crew slowly going southward following the coast. After going south on smaller rafts for a couple of weeks they find a comunity of people speaking a weird Germanic language. Some of the Frisian crew finding it a weird form of Icelandic, this making comunication hard but plausible. The Crew settling in a small town for the moment being until they can go home once more and have their adventure told to their old home land, down in Frisia.
  • Kingdom of France: With the expansion of the navy underway, numerous new carracks and caravels are completed by this time, being built along the Atlantic coast in new docks. A third expedition is launched by Philippe de Corguilleray, this time stopping in Mali with a great deal of goods for trade and for resupply, before continuing around West Africa. He stops in Jabal Asada and presents a number of gifts to the government, and asks to establish trade between France and Jabal Asada, and for Jabal Asada to allow French ships to dock within the nation. (Jabal Asada response needed). He continues farther south and rounds the Cape of West Africa, traveling as far south as Kongo before returning to France. On the return journey he manages to discover an island, which he names Janvier (OTL Annobón). Arther north he discovers an island which he names Genoveva (OTL Sao Tome), followed by a third, which he names Vingtrois, since it is discovered on the 23rd (OTL Santo Antonio). Later in the year an expedition returns to Genoveva, hoping to build a trade post for easier trade with the mainland of Africa, and to create a destination for ships to dock and find safe haven while on this journey. A group of 104 people, mostly from southern France seeking to escape religious violence, settle on the island and construct a small fort. One of their leaders, Gadifier de Béthencourt, a merchant seeking economic opportunities rather than religious freedom, helps to finance the construction of the trade post, and in return has the settlers employed in cultivating sugar. This proves to be an intensive process, and at the end of the year Béthencourt travels to Mali to buy African slaves in exchange for the year’s meager harvest and other goods from France. Beginning this year French merchants begin to trade with Mali in earnest after the previous year’s trade agreement. Jungism and similar dissenting religious opinions continue to spread across France, especially in the central part of the nation and the south, where religious and government authority tends to be the lowest. It is noted that the area around Lorraine, where there is the closest vicinity to the Jungist movement in Germany and Taborites from Lotharingia, a Jungist majority has formed, becoming a notable stronghold in the north. A theologian named John Belan becomes one of France’s prominent religious preachers and reformers. This year William II reasserts the Praemunire, which forbids any person of France from inquiring to an outside monarch or foreign power for guidance or support, rather than the French monarch, as that would constitute treason.
  • Dai Viet: The fourth year of the Đoan Khánh era, news of Ayutthaya forming a "personal union" with Taungoo shocks the Emperor. Suddenly, an overwhelming force has been established, and could prevent Dai Viet from expanding their hegemony and territories. The civil war in Siam also has died out and this extremely concerned the Emperor who fears Siam might become a threat to Dai Viet given time for their army to recover. What's even more surprising to the Emperor is that Siam is now ruled by Mingyi Nyo, a Burmese, as the concept of making foreigners ruling a country is confusing to the Emperor. Nonetheless, envoys sending gifts of ceramics from the finest in Bat Trang village are sent to King Mingyi Nyo, following that is a letter congratulating him for his coronation: "From Emperor of Dai Viet to Mingyi Nyo, now king of the both realms of Taungoo and Siam. The civil war in Siam, from what I've heard was a period of disorder and fall of stability. Mingyi Nyo, you have the heroic spirit and courage that can be compared to Emperor Zhaolie of Shu Han. From a small city-state you were able to form a large and stable kingdom. With your courage, you were able to stop the civil war in Siam, bringing peace and order to all. Like Emperor Zhaolie when he had only Xinye as a place to stay, can barely even called a lord, after hard work he managed to create the Shu Han empire that competes hegemony with Wei and Wu. I can now only send my gift of ceramics from Bat Trang to show my generosity to you and hopefully our peace that we have agreed earlier last throughout." (Siam response). To give Dai Viet a standing in this awkward situation, envoys are sent to Hsenwi asking them for friendly relations. (Mod Response). As Sdach Korn's preparations are almost over, storage of grain are brought up in Quang Nam Province, as well as supplies that are manufactured by state-owned factories managed by Cuc Bach and the Southern institution. News of China sending the naval fleet and Siam who prevented our navy from protecting the Strait made our navy retreat to Dai Viet mainland in the port of Van Don.
    • Lan Xang: Observation of the Pwe Kyaung system is completed. As Lan Xang is a Theravada Buddhist country, its population of Theravada overwhelms the Mahayana Buddhist, despite the Vietnamese influence, so the system is applied to anywhere that are Theravada. This knowledge is also shared to Chiang Hung who is also a Theravada Buddhist country. 
    • Hsweni allows improving relations.
    • Ayutthaya Dip: The 100 years truce with Dai Viet by Toungoo is recognized by Ayutthaya.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: Ramóna, the youngest of the King's children, is looking for a husband to marry. (Anyone can respond). With our population around 5,015,000 people we are seeing an increase of a slow incline. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
      • Saxon Diplomacy: We propose Eberhard de la Marck (b. 1486) as a husband for the Princess.
  • Duchy of Thuringia: The Jungism movement continues to spread across Germany. Freud reiterates the original tenets that Jung had created regarding the priesthood, saying there is a priesthood of all believers, as based on the New Testament; the medieval Christian belief that Christians were to be divided into two classes: "spiritual" and "temporal" or non-spiritual, is adamantly rejected. The Catholic Church is remarked to be the opposite of this truth, and is in fact a Great Apostasy, as the Church had fallen from the original practices of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The “Pope” has led the church since these early days into degradation and apostasy, leading Jungists to discover the truth that the Papacy was the prophesied Antichrist. A group known as the Centuriators of Anhalt, a group of Jungist scholars in Anhalt headed by Matthias Wundt, write the 12-volume "Anhalt Centuries" to discredit the papacy and identify the pope as the Antichrist. However, the Jungists also write how Konrad Jung led a great tribulation to lead the faithful away from the Great Apostasy and restore the church to the teachings of Christ. It is foretold how before his death, Jung had gone into the woods to pray, and there John the Baptist appeared to him and bestowed upon him the keys of the priesthood, creating the Aaronic Priesthood. Thus, it comes to be tradition that pastors must be “called” to the priesthood and receive this authority that was passed on to Jung. Those within the church organize the first synod, as a council of all the faithful to discuss issues and problems, called the consistory. It is ultimately in this collection of laity and priests alike that decisions for the good of the church will be made, not in the hands of a Bishop. On the most local level, all communities of the faithful are to be congregationalist. Elsewhere, the Wolfenbund has been strengthened with the inclusion of the state of Meissen, and together the various states of the alliance work to convert their regions to Jungism. The Blue Army stands down and takes up a policing role, in accordance with the order from the Emperor. This year the preacher Hans Eysenck, along with Edward de la Marck, Count of Wasaborg and other prominent Saxons, travels to Denmark to the court of Henry de la Marck, hoping to persuade the Danish King to accept Jungism over time. An Egyptian man named Michael the Deacon of the Egyptian Orthodox Church travels to Erfurt and meets with several Jungist leaders. It is agreed that the Lutheran Mass and that used by the Orthodox Church are in agreement with one another, and Michael gives his blessing to the creed created by Jung. Just like the Egyptians, "communion in both kind, vernacular Scriptures, and married clergy become customary in the Jungist movement. For Jungists, the Egyptian church’s blessing helped to confer additional legitimacy onto the Jungist movement, and the Egyptians are an ancient church tied to the Apostles. Freud publishes a concise, written summary of Jung’s beliefs, which becomes known as the Augsburg Confession. Soon this document and signing onto it comes to be viewed as an official declaration of adopting Jungism.
  • Kingdom of England: Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham remains at the Ecumenical Council of Trent. Archbishop of York Thomas Savage dies; Christopher Bainbridge is translated from the see of Durham to become the new Archbishop. Concerned about the increasing levels of violence occurring in continental Europe, King Henry VII of England orders the Lancastrian military to improve the fortifications of southeastern ports of Dover, Sandwich and New Romney. As the English clergy continue to wait for news from the Ecumenical Council of Trent, King Henry VII considers offering to provide military aid to other Catholic leaders in Europe, depending on the outcome of the Council and how the military situation in Europe progresses in general. The English Parliament continues to have watchmen monitor the English ports to report if any radicals try to enter the nation, but so far the Parliament is satisfied there have been no reports of such activity yet. Thanks to the Anglo-Swedish trade alliance and to a lesser degree trade with the Hanseatic League, Spain and Lotharingia, the English economy has now largely returned to the levels from prior to the most recent York-Beaufort conflict, which has allowed the English Parliament to increase funding for the continued improvement of the English navy (including the ongoing shipbuilding in Bristol, Essex and Kent) as well as the general improvement of infrastructure in the English cities. In particular, the English Parliament works on improving the quality of inter-city roads in southeastern England in order to aid the movement of goods to and from the ports in that region, to aid the naval and infrastructural developments there and generally boost the economy by increasing local levels of trade. The Yorkists do not pay as much attention to the religious conflicts in Europe as King Henry VII and the Parliament, but they are also generally Catholic, and Richard of York uses the new religions as examples of crazy foreign things he would not allow into England thanks to his aggressive foreign policy, in the speeches about foreign policy (mainly focused on the Celtic Confederacy and the treaties King Henry VII signed) he continues to use in efforts to recruit local nobles in northern England to his cause. At the suggestion of the deposed Edward VII, the Yorkist military focuses on improving the fortifications of Alnwick Castle in Northumberland, the seat of Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, with the dual aims of helping a Yorkist ally and aiding the spread of their ideology beyond just Yorkshire. This alarms Lancastrian nobles in Westmorland, and there is a minor military build-up around Appleby Castle, the seat of the young Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland whose mother Edith Sandys is acting as his warden and effective regent. John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford's first wife from a minor noble family dies without having given him any children; John (b. 1442), who was a major Lancastrian ally in the most recent conflict, remarries to Cecily Courtenay (b. 1473), the sister of Edmund Courtenay, 1st Duke of Warwick and herself the widow of John de la Pole, 2nd Duke of Suffolk. Francis Talbot (b. 1500), son of major Yorkist leader George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, is betrothed to Bridget Grey (b. 1502), daughter of Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent, who personally is more involved in gambling than in politics but is the son of the late George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent, who was also a Yorkist. Eleanor of York (1435-1507), the mother of King Edward IV of Scotland and the sister of former King Henry VI of England, dies of natural causes in Scotland. Mary Beaufort and John Tuchet have their first child, a son named James (b. 1507) in honour of John's father, the 1st Earl of Essex; William Beaufort, Duke of Exeter and Eline of Sweden have their first child, a daughter named Katherine (b. 1507); Edward Beaufort, 5th Duke of Somerset and Anne Neville have their fourth child, a daughter named Blanche (b. 1507); and Henry of York, Duke of Clarence and Anne Stafford have their third child, a daughter named Ursula (b. 1507).
  • Vinland: The population hits 6,850. Birth rates have risen slightly this year. The Christian population approaches 875. Trade flourishes as the first new ships modellefrom modern European design begin being put to use. As a result, the ports of Shamyeby, Elufkser, and Dogajavick are identified as being future economic centers of Vinland (as they already are), but also gateways into what the Europeans see as the New World, or at least the northern regions. Eric Kuis wants to have a military on par with the Europeans as well, or at least close to it. He realizes that in order to create such an army, Vinland would need a higher population and a more centralized government. He begins drawing up plans for administrative reforms, being aided by educated Vinlandic diplomats. Eric Kuis is glad to have earned the good relations of the Celtic Confederacy and orders the construction of an embassy in Dogajavick for Celtic diplomats and statesmen. He also takes note of the group of Christian people stranded on the island who call themselves Frisian. He offers them temporary boarding on the island until either a Portuguese trade vessel or sea-worthy Vinlandic ship can return them home.
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth begins formulating a different expansionist policy. At the 1507 Thing in Keathutberga, gothi vote to begin expanding southward into Esgigeland. 
  • Georgia: Due to the gradual expansion of the Royal Army, Georgia relies less and less on levies to raise troops for military campaigns; however, as the Royal Army only numbers 40,000+ troops in its entirety, levies continue to be necessary. Bagrat institutes reforms intended to "modernize" the ducal armies, which not only help protect the duchies but also serve as the personal bodyguards of the dukes, and as the main sources of levies (the other being Anatolian-Turk and Black Turkoman knights). He limits each Duke to 2,000 horse-archers/light cavalry and 1,000 heavy cavalry. However, he allows the Dukes of Azerbaijan, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Assyria lordship over 9,000 men total, as these territories are larger and also nearer to "flashpoints". Bagrat, however, bars the dukes from adopting firearm technology for the time being - conscious of the new technology's power. He does allow - and encourage - ducal armies to adopt defensive artillery, though he gives only limited support in these endeavors. Meanwhile, Tabriz, the main capital (the secondary capitals being Tbilisi and Kutaisi; all three cities are considered "communes" under direct royal control) now has 200,000–300,000 residents coming from a diverse array of backgrounds: Azeri, Armenian, Georgian, and Turkoman. Other major cities include Tbilisi, Baghdad, Damascus, Ganja, Trebizond, and Tarsus. The growth of cities stimulates the economy, as many city-dwellers engage in the market economy - buying goods such as produce, textiles, oil, wine, soap, and pottery. Commerce continues to flourish due to the export of cotton and silk. The nobility patronizes arts such as frescoes, mosaics, miniature, and ceramics. Polyphonic singing, poetry, dance, and court pageantry also flourish.
  • Archbishopric of Köln: Toward the end of last year Justiciar Ruprecht von Moer celebrates Christmas in Lübek upon invitation by the Hanseatic League, being able to attend as the Council of Trent enters into recess, reconvening its Second Council in 1507, also spending the first few days of 1507 in Lübek. In Lübek the Justiciar speaks to various locals celebrating in bierhalles, inevitably entering in theological debates after a few drinks between various Catholics and Jungists/Reformists, going deeper in alcohol the deeper in the theological discourse he goes. Upon being drunk the Justiciar shares his visions of doom, of God’s wrath upon the world, speaking of “Die Zerstörung aller” (The destruction of all) saying, “Gottes Zorn wird alles zerstören” (God’s wrath shall destroy all) vividly describing the burning of the world bierhalle to bierhalle, his prophetic vision being  simply called Zerstörung. Upon returning to Trent, the Justiciar writes his horrific visions in a private journal, describing metal raining down from Heaven, engulfing the world in light, burning everything in its path upon meeting the Earth below in absolute evisceration. At home, the Archbishopric of Köln sees a downturn in overall donations, though it is maintained through increased donations of the faithful, with the economy further propelled by trade with the Free City of Köln and with the overall Hanseatic League, with a lot of this money poured into military expenditures, though private businesses spring up along the Rhine limited in scale. With money being poured into the military they are trained by building up infrastructure within the Archbishopric, mainly bridges, forts, hospitals, and schools of medicine to produce effective medical treatment for the Army. Within Trent, the Justiciar becomes deeply interested in the idea of Synods to train a new generation of theologians. Within the Archbishopric of  Köln a disgraced theologian named Theophilus Fleiss travels across the Rhine, preaching of the purity of the naked body, citing the beginning of Genesis “Adam hid from God for he was ashamed of his nakedness after eating the fruit, God asking him ‘Who told you were naked?’ Before knowing sin, before knowing evil Adam and Eve were not ashamed of their nakedness, now I ask of you to not be ashamed of your nakedness, for we are believers of God, we are pure, so live your life without the first act of sin, clothing, a purify yourself by being naked in the river, baptising yourself free of sin, all shall be born again.”  In response to the growing number of “deviant” Reformist sects of the Reformation, Counter-Reformists emerge, with the most prominent being Zealots, demanding the immediate return of the Archbishop Ruprecht von Moers to the Archbishopric of Köln to end the rapid spread of heresy at home immediately, with the most radical persecuting Theophilus’ Puritans violently, causing them to retreat into the forest.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: With more European ships arriving at Ethiopia as part of European exploration of Ethiopia, the Empire retains a number of European naval experts from these voyages to oversee the modernization and expansion of the Ethiopian navy. The first problem identified by the various European advisers is the lack of proper naval facilities, being too small and archaic to support the construction of larger European ships. As such the Empire begins refitting its main port at Beri, aiming to expand naval facilities to support the construction of European ships. The ports of Zeila and Massawa are also identified as ports to be modified to European shipyards. European advisors oversee teams of Ethiopian laborers as they begin to expand Ethiopia’s naval infrastructure. With the Tabanatai Sultanate agreeing to join the Caliphate, the Emperor offers Alodia a similar proposal: In exchange for access to Ethiopia’s markets, gunpowder weapons, and protection from the increasing Muslim threat in the north that has already toppled Makuria, the kingdom will become a vassal to the Empire but will not be annexed. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. Ethiopian construction of the fortress at the mouth of the Tana River in Kenya continues, with the fortress expanding to include increasing numbers of Ethiopian settlers and soldiers. Ethiopian merchants also arrive and establish a trade outpost in the fort, planning to use the Tana River to expand Ethiopian trade into inland Kenya. With the Imperial Foundry a resounding success in Barari, Ethiopian cast-iron workers along with Hindustani overseers are dispatched to other Imperial cities to establish forges as well, namely in Beri, Zeila, Weri’kama Beri, and Massawa. In Rome, the Coptic priests of Ethiopia continue to note increasing rumors of a new radical Christian theology in Europe. The priests request a meeting with the Pope, hoping to learn more about this new radical Christian theology and why the Pope is opposing it [PAPAL RESPONSE NEEDED].
    • Papal response: Pope Julius II sends a letter to the Ethiopian Emperor telling him about the horrors of the Jungism. How they negate the sacraments, destroy the icons of the Saints, negate the prayers for the dead, negates the monastic orders and accuse the Church Councils of faking doctrine. The pope invites the Coptics to participate in the Council of Trent.
    • Alodia agrees -Drenegan
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: After his death, Konrad Jung is hailed as a Martyer by many Jungists in Bavaria, who continue to expand in north Bavaria at a rapid clip. Not wanting to risk another spell of violence, Albert decides not to immediately intervene. Pressure increases on several notable nobles in North Bavaria to accept the Jungists, or risk violence in their land. George astutely begins to make connections with this section of the nobility, encouraging them to allow Jungism to flourish, although all of them decline to make formal declarations one way or the other. George also begins to try to convert his father to Jungism. Although bemused, Albert decides to keep his son's religious leanings under wraps so as not to cause perceived discord within the ranks of the royal family. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilities, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, with their tax authority signed away decades, ago the noble class becomes more and more reliant on the imperial treasury to procure funds. Although many have personal lands that remain profitable, Albert is careful to distribute additional funds in a way that keeps the nobles satisfied but still subservient. To this end, Albert begins a minor reorganization of the army, creating an official and permanent headquarters in Munich. Most experience military commanders are instructed to continue their work at this new headquarters, and all are made to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Albert IV and his heirs. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
  • Hispanian Empire: As both the regions of Andalusia and the Riff solidly under our control, with the rebellions that had largely engulfed the region heavily suppressed, the Hispanic forces in the region continue to enforce to the full extend the implementation of the provisions of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslims and Moriscos within the Hispanic territories of Andalusia and the Spanish Riff, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif or be enslaved or killed, or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. Inquisitor Dren, a rather hardline man, is put in charge of efforts, as he thoroughly strives to ensure that no Muslim or Morisco gets to escape the flaming cross of Inquisition. As a direct result, the entire region of the Hispanic Riff continues to be increasingly depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, depending on province, as every area was afflicted to a diverging degree as well as Andalusia to a lesser extend. To combat this, Queen Katherine de Barcelona continues to enforce her desicion to award all the empty acres of fertile lands as soon as their Muslims former owners vacate them, mostly in the Riff region but also in the Andalusian region, which has just started to became depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, but to a lesser extend than the Riff region, to her 68,000 soldiers that valiantly fought in that conflict, prioritizing the widows and the children of the 22,500 men who gave their life for the crown and the country, continuing to pay for their expanses to start resettling them in their newly granted acres for the sacrifice of their husbands, while also providing them with sufficient subsidies to ensure them a rather sufficient standard of living and not let them descend into poverty, for them and their children, but at the same time, not nearly neglecting all those brave 45,500 men who fought valiantly and are still alive, continuing to encourage them to settle with their families in the offered fertile acres, that are being vacated by their former Muslim owners, predominantly in the Riff and to a lesser extend to Andalusia. This action can be largely attributed to the unwillingness of the Hispanic Crown to face such turbulence and instability in the region ever again. Thus by initiating this process to settle our loyal troops there that we will be able to can call upon anytime in the future to surpress further revolts as well as cleansing the region out of the local Muslim populace, to ensure the loyalty of these two regions [Riff, Andalusia] to the Hispanic crown. The works to rebuild the island of Pantelleria, that has been heavily devestated by the recent pirate raid on it, are concluded and now it can once again became the prosperous trade centre it once was, continuing as it was before the war. With the war over, a rather large increase on our investment into colonial efforts occurs, as Hispania is now free to concentrate on that front. Meanwhile, the natives of Cuba continue to face constantly worsening conditions, but they are somewhat relieved by the crucial work of an increasing amount of willing Hispanic missionaries that have travelled to the new world along with the conquistadors and take a rather acute interest in treating their ailing fellow human beings, as well as teaching them the word of God and the Bible at the same time, to which end they succeed to a rather large degree, as the natives view the European medicines as miracles, believing that the Christian God helped them miracoulously recover from their diseases, converting en mass. Pope Giuliano della Rovere is a close relative to the crown, related by ties of blood, so the support of the Hispanic crown in these trying times for Christianity is seen as something largely expected, with the Inquisition now targeting heretics too, but because of their negligible numbers, this phenomenon remains rather isolated.
  • Kingdom of Wales: The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Lionel, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 16 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of ​Saint Owain (Lawgoch)​ perseveres and grows more powerful than ever before, providing a sense of national unity not just for the Kingdom of Wales, but for the whole Celtic Confederacy essentially, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Lionel, as a worthy successor of his father, marching in his footsteps, continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Lionel of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being. King Lionel, raised as a pious Catholic, fully acknowledges the threat posed by the heretics, and fully commits himself to the inquisition, after the request of his liege, the Celtic Ameraudur, tasking a separate inquisitor to go after heretics inside the Kingdom of Wales.

1508

In response to the ongoing Reformation, a defensive alliance forms in the Holy Roman Empire called the League of Dessau. The league is formed for the purpose of stopping the rebellion and proliferation of Jung's teachings, and for opposing the expansion of any Jungist nobles. The founding members include the Bishopric of Bamberg, Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (within the Hansa), Bishopric of Konstanz, Bishopric of Speyer, Archbishopric of Trier, and the Swiss Confederacy, and the Duke of Habsburg, Archbishop of Mainz, and Archbishop of Cologne are also invited.

Jungism permiates into Bavaria, particularly in the north and cities such as Ulm and Augsburg. This is partially through the financial support of Prince George, but this covert act is discovered by Chancellor Kaspar von Schmid and other Catholic members of the government. They urge the Duke to fight back against the heresy, but noticing Duke Albert's inaction, Schmid secretly conspires with several nobles to oppose the Duke, whether for religious reasons, or out of a desire to curtail the growing power of the monarch that would arise. Notably he allies with the Archbishop of Salzburg, the Margrave of Burgau, and Albert's own son, Albert V, (and they offer an alliance to the Duke's relative in the Palatine) and they demand that stricter action take place. Albert IV falls ill this year, with some speculatling that he may not live long, and a feud emerges between Albert (V) and George, and their various allies and religious backgrounds, over who will succeed in the Duchy.

The Council of Trent continues, as the Catholic Bishops are all fully in support of the Pope's proposal. The Jungist leaders refuse to attend the council, citing the Pope's earlier condemnation and the martyrdom of Jung indicating they can't accept a reconciliation.

The Hanseatic vessel Fluch von Storzenbecher is found on the coast of Mali after a terrible storm. Those who find the beached wreck describe a harrowing scene. Sunbleached bones are scattered throughout the ship, waves lapping at ribs and skulls poking out of the surf. Bite marks on the bones indicate possible cannibalism, though they are also marred and broken by marks from some type of large predator. The interior smells overwhelmingly like a wet dog. There are no signs of survivors. Explanations range from practical to supernatural.

Philippe de Corguilleray arrives at the island of Sao Tome, which is already a well-fortified outpost of Portugal.

In Lotharingia, mathematician Gemma Frisius proposes a system of calculating location in space using triangulation.

Many officers in the Roman Curia suggest to the Pope the genius of art and architecture Michelangelo is well-suited for helping finish renovating Saint Peter's Basilica.

  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Hermann von Getz joins the League of Dessau. He begins funneling support to Albert the V, and publicly supports his claim as Duke of Bavaria. He also orders the Archbishops of Munich, Banburg, and Augsburg to throw their support behind Albert. (Bavaria Response). As Archchancellor, he advises the Emperor that the crisis will probably not end peacefully, since Jung’s followers have refused to attend the council, and the Empire should deal with the heresy with force while they still can. (Bohemia Response). However, as Archbishop, he feels compelled to respect the wishes of the Pope, and wait until the Council is finished before renewing the inquisition. He advises the Pope to delay any construction work, since the church is presently working hard to show their austerity. The University of Darmstadt continues to grow. The presses of Mainz continue to print the Bible in the vernacular, and it is still taught in the church’s free schools. However, the presses also continue to print rebuttals to the radical Jungis texts, such as the Anhalt Centuries, pointing out their numerous fallacies and leaps of logic.The Archbishop orders these texts circulated in every diocese, and taught at every Free School, and the University of Darmstad. As the people read them, many see the radical and contradictory nature of the claims of the diffeent Jungist sects, and in many areas the spread of the new religion is slowed or stopped. The Archbishop states that he agrees about the division of temporal and spiritual being contrary to the ideal of the early church, which is why it is essential that the church hold authority over both temporal and spiritual affairs. He condemns the idea of the Synod. He states that making religious decision by voting only guarantees that whatever is “popular” will be declared the will of God. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland continues the expansion and modernization of the navy, with hops to complete it as scheduled after all. Grand Marshall Jan Zizka maintains the preparedness of the Imperial Army. He sends a small military force to Albert V in Bavaria, to assist him in strengthening his own military.
  • Roman Empire: One of the consequences of the Venetian War was the realization of the fire-power of cannons mounted on the broadside of a ship. A shortage of swivel guns necessitated the use of slightly larger field artillery in some of the emergency ships, and in the Battle of the Porto di Lido these side guns proved highly impactful. Thus, the empire’s shipwrights begin placing larger cannons in cannon ports cut into the hulls of ships. Specifically, a new group, or in modern parlance class, of dedicated warships of the Galea Caravela type. These ships earn the moniker Phraktos from the Latin Aphractus, which in turn originates from the ancient Greek “aphraktos naus” meaning “undefended ship”. These fast and heavily armed vessels carry four cannons along each side, as well as three bow and stern chasers for a total of 14 cannons. While the bow and stern cannons fire shot of 24 litra (~16 lbs), the broadside guns fire shot of 12 litra (~8 lbs). Older galleys are brought in this year for rebuilding to incorporate some of these new armament schemes; however, the cost of purchasing so many cannons reduces the number of ships finished this year significantly. To explore the utility of these new ships, Dragut Reis, now a fleet admiral ships out to Russia with a number of small, specially-built river-boats armed with a broadside of the same kind found on a Phraktos. Domestically, the economy and treasury continue to recover from the stresses of the Venetian War. The access to the former Venetian colonies in the Aegean proves a notable economic boon as revenue from Krete’s plantations and the trade they produce swells the empire’s trade surplus. Exports of luxuries, grain, and refined goods fuel the merchant economy and see Athens, as well as Constantinople, become bustling merchant hubs. Thessaloniki and Smyrna, too, serve as regional entrepots and emporiums of trade where Roman goods enter the overall market. The Epidexiótita grows and spreads, encompassing more levels of society and adapting to the religious diversity of the empire. Poetry and sculpture flourish in Constantinople, Iconium, Thessaloniki, and dozens of other cities. The arrival of news of the Jungists leads Pachomius I of Constantinople to seek an audience with religious leaders of the group to better understand their theological positions.
    • Despotate of Cappadocia: Under the influence of the empire, the Despotate undergoes substantial reforms. Muslims, always a substantial part of the government are granted more rights to travel and live amongst Christians, though their religious schools remain banned. The army is also reformed into essentially an extra-strength Theme, numbering 8,000 men split evenly between pike and shot infantry armed in the Roman style and cavalry armed in the same manner as the Turkish Theme. The incorporation of Roman institutions and systems into the Despotate sees it slowly moving from a vassal to more of an autonomous Theme of the empire under Despot Alexandros II Tagaris. 
    • Despotate of Epirus: As in Cappadocia the despotate drifts closer to Imperial rule as its institutional independence is subsumed by more imperial administrators. The military administration in the region adopts a similar reform as Cappadocia, led by Despot Adrianos Akominatos, the grandson of Alexios Akominatos, the revolutionary leader who secured Epirote independence. With both vassal operating as autonomous themes, the Empire's influence can pervade them more steadily and effectively.
  • Dai Viet: This year, a custom house is ordered to be made in Belitung in regards of commerce in the island, to collect taxes of merchants travelling to the island to trade. The island of Belitung has began to see a small minority of Vietnamese settlers in the island who are mostly merchants of the Merchant Guild who wishes closer access to the Malacca Strait. Dai Viet temporarily withdraws from Chiang Mai and Chiang Hung, having helped the new country in maintaining security, fortifications and governance. Some Vietnamese and Lao expert continues to stay in Chiang Hung to help the country in agriculture, the Pwe Kyaung system and military technology, who we provide knowledge of the arquebus technology and Ho Nguyen Trung cannons. The capital Chiang Hung began to be developed in economy as the economic aspect of the country began to be focused on after the war and the capital's trading market has received Vietnamese, Lao and Chinese merchants. As Sdach Korn has finished building up his forces in Ba Phnom, in which he, by the name of Prince Chan Reachea, had killed the local chief of Ba Phnum and started to occupying the eastern part of Cambodia. Wanting the rebellion to end fast to assure the rebel's victory like what the two sides had agreed on, General Nguyen Van Lo with 10,000 infantry soldiers and 2,000 cavalry units, began the occupation of provinces of Stung Treng and Kratie, with each half occupies a province. The casus belli of Dai Viet's involvement in the war is to support rebels. (Algo, Occupation of Eastern Cambodia, 12,000 soldiers ADDED WITH Sdach Korn's recruitment, Savage leader bonus). Grain storage in Quang Nam provinces are transferred to the army. Naval fleets of the coalition began blockading main Khmer ports.
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: Matala grows as the population increases across the nation. A new school I set up in Matala, Ethiopian and Lothargians are offered to visit the new school. (Ethiopian and Lothargian responses). With more ships entering our ports the ship makers study in great detail foreign ships testing the designs. The saying is we ought to become seafarers as that's where the money is. The war of Lake Malawi ends, with cavalry using its speed to track enemies before they could relocate. The royal guard is expanded to 26,000 men. Work begins on the Vingo-Matala road to connect the old and new capital. A fort is built in the gap between the Vingo Plateau and the highveld. More Indian metallurgists are imported. Mata has twins: a boy and a girl. Jewelry standards are raised as more trade partners enter our waters. Settlers continue to move toward the great escarpment, The port of tunga is designated as the main trade port and a road linking it and Matala are also underway.
  • Russia: Constantinople's continued support for Dimitry's has continued to prove a major asset to the war effort. Dimitry orders that 2,000 men help the Greeks drag the the river boats across the thin land strip that separates the Oka and Don Rivers. This is accomplished by removing the artillery pieces and putting logs under the river barges to drag them across land (Steph said its size should permit this). These ships and their crews are directed to bring their artillery to bear against the walls of Moscow on the Moska river while Dimitry's forces continue to lay siege to the other walls of the fortress city. Despite the continued wearing down of the walls and the dwindling supplies of food Moscow continues to hold out in defiance of Dimitry. News reaches Dimitry that Tver continues to hold out. However, supplies are starting to dwindle and the city's garrison is starting to lose morale quickly as Hansa Mercenaries continue to fend off Dimitry's Cossacks who constantly try to break enemy's forces. Turgenev orders the Cossacks to end their attempts to alleviate the city once news arrives the Smolensk is sending 4,000 men to assist the republicans. Instead he sends word to Dimitry of his intentions to send men to Moscow to assist in taking the city so that Dimitry can then bring all his forces to bear instead of dragging the Siege on. Dimitry agrees to this recommendation pouring all his resources into taking Moscow and the Kremlin whose great walls and towers continue to defy him. Khan Kamil decides to increase the scale of his raids galvanized by his previous successes. He manages to draw more tartars to his cause bringing his army to 40,000. He decides to take the city of Nizhny Novgorod with the intent of taking the city. He sets up camp some 15 km outside the city's walls. His tartar raiders continue to plunder the countryside with Igor refusing to go out and meet the tartars following the disaster of Sura, this greatly reduces the morale of his army as their lands and families are attacked by the Steppe devils. more to be added later. 
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: Efforts to return the Kingdom to its former prosperity are still ongoing as a sizeable amount of the Ayutthayan income through taxes is devoted to the task of funding reconstruction in cities across Ayutthaya. The officials assigned to oversee cities have been devoting much of their efforts to set up the proper administration in the cities to allow for the taxation of the cities and their hinterlands as well as organizing reconstruction efforts. To better ensure that revolts do not occur again, the decision has been made to have it so that the Capital Defense Corps of other cities will have their officers appointed by Ayutthaya with graduates from the War College. The funding of the Capital Defense Corps for other cities will come from Ayutthaya itself who will distribute the funds from taxes to ensure that the quality of the forces does not differ too much and to bind the loyalty of the troops to the capital. The Capital Defense Corps across Ayutthaya will not be subject to state officials with them being solely beholden to the Rama and officers of the Capital Defense Corps. A set of directives has been written by Mingyi Nyo and a menagerie of military officers that give each Capital Defense Corps a goal and purpose for their operations with anything operating outside of the bounds set requiring a written document of approval from the Rama or a person of the Chao Phraya rank. Worries about Dai Viet continue to permeate throughout Ayutthaya with the nobles expressing continued concern due to Dai Viet's belligerent actions and intervention in the affairs of the Khmer with the possibility of turning one more allied state against Ayutthaya. To combat Dai Viet's ever-growing influence and power, a diplomatic trip is organized to the Shan States where Dai Viet has already made contact with Hsenwi. The diplomats are ordered to make contact with Hsipaw, Kengcheng, Kengtung, Mongpai, Mongkawng, Mongmit, Mongpawn, Mongnai, Yawnghwe, and Wanmar to request friendly relations, peaceful trade, and deliver gifts but also reminding them of the previous war they fought alongside Ayutthaya/Toungoo against Dai Viet's ally of Ava where they gained wealth in the following victory. (Mod Response). The Ayutthayan Navy has once more started to patrol the Straits of Malacca and in numbers reminiscent of the times before the Civil War taking care to ensure that Dai Viet's access to the Straits remains limited to only merchants with an order put in place limiting the number of weapons that can be brought into the Straits onboard their ships or ships from powers who serve as rivals to Ayutthaya. Mingyi Nyo has continued Ayutthaya's long standing policy of no religious discrimination for merchants and traders. The Commerce Guild of Ayutthaya continues to receive favored treatment under the Taungoo Dynasty due to its relationship with Ayutthaya and to ensure Ayutthayan dominance in the Spice trade. The Commerce Guild due to its mostly neutral position during the civil war continues to prosper and dominate the spice trade due to previous agreements with the newly freed states on Sulawesi and the Moluccas which allowed them to maintain on the exportation of spice in exchange for fair compensation to the states. The Dai Viet controlled Belitung remains an area that the Commerce Guild does not recommend its members to use with the ports and routes of the Palembang Sultanate who had agreed to favorable treatment of merchants from the Commerce Guild being the main route for the flow of spices. Mingyi Nyo has also prioritized the restoration of the Kyaung system with the allocation of state funds to wats to help support their efforts in educating and launched efforts to construct wats across Ayutthaya for the system. Mingyi Nyo having studied the records of Dhammazedi has decided to support Theravada Buddhism and orders the distribution of scriptures, feeding of monks, and the construction of pagodas. A group of scholars and officials are assembled to detail to a degree the level of education wats in the kyaung system should have but their decisions are withheld until a later date where the state can properly fund what they propose in terms of educations in wats. The outbreak of chaos in the Khmer region has prompted swift action from the court following the news of Dai Viet's involvement with Chan Reachea being offered refuge within Ayutthaya's borders should his forces fail to protect him (Mod Response, note: This happened OTL with Chan escaping to Siam and being offered refuge.) 
    • They accept the gifts.
    • The states accept the refuge.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The governor of Portuguese Moçambique expands the colony to cover most if not all of Moçambique Island, while also establishing a fortress to serve as the capital of Portuguese Moçambique. In Mauritius, a scientific expedition reaches it and sets up camp in the colony to study the dodo's behaviour and find out why it can't fly. Meanwhile, we continue to expand our colony in Brazil along the coast. In Portugal secret plans about crushing the Kilwan navy in one swift battle are brought up by the regents but dismissed until the navy has seen extensive training in African waters.
  • Papal States: The Ecumenical Council of Trent continues. In response to the Roman Curia talking about renovating Saint Peter's Basilica, Pope Julius II has no time to look into the matter now and asks them to postpone the decisions about the renovations until after the Ecumenical Council is concluded, because of the Council's great importance. Pope Julius II creates as cardinal Pompeo Colonna (Papal States, bishop of Rieti). Ferdinand Habsburg Della Rovere and Catherine of Foix have a daughter named Helena.
  • Kingdom of Morocco: Most of day, Morocco expands and covers some of bases are established to serve military and the support of the governments the population become a mutli-ethnical with many close to its ethnic identify population new scholars is supporting their effort and make more programs to help the children and keep the system pacify its in hierarchy's statues among some Christians pratice their religions at home and read their Bible also more upgraded is add what they proposed is that many tribes asked for a pan movements which they would likely discuss about it somewhat rumor in cities and the governments think about it so far Ahmad al-Mansur make some details in his army more training are profit for being hired and help the trades goes well as along many Arab-speaking records many language and pratice of a coexisting and follow some similar program in Africa some cities is being upgraded and spent a lot building and more in modernizing they expand it and some Moroccans believed unifications with the tribes will rise as long this week and many rumor more cities are set up and being to be built. The armory is being upgraded armor and such warrior stuff many weapons, etc. religions is also mention that they establish a multi-community for each religion whatever they want even as the amazight does likely in the south and is brought out the spread of the ideology of what they could. Anyway, Ahmad-al Mansur has searched a new territory in the central and continues to establish a trade with many kingdoms African while they establish an office that the vizier could run it under the monarchy of Ahmad Casablanca is doing well just average more establish and sets up some camps the population continue to encourage them and Ahmad al-Mansur is making more serious effort and he take some not really regard at this moment concerning itself and the nobility and more culture is developing and reach the population with a friendly zone.
  • Mali Empire: Humanism and modern Renaissance philosophy continues to be more popular across scholars of the Library of Timbuktu, which is moreso reinterpreted by the existing Islamic philosphy popular in Mali. The Mansa himself elevates numerous prominent philosophers up to high ranking positions, creating an inner court of advisers for the young emperor. The library system of book organization is fully adopted from Europe, but at this point it is only used in the Library of Timbuktu and related schools across the city. German historians at this time describe how the ship Fluch von Storzenbecher disappeared at sea, and all members of its crew were presumed dead. It was around this time, in the early 16th century, that the folk tale of the "Ghost Ship of Kambina" is first referenced. Various versions of this same myth are known across multiple sources in the 16th century: some describe the ship as being completely empty, some describe gruesome courpses, while others mention some living crew members who were completely mad. Most early versions of the legend in some way indicate that one dog survived, although this ranges wildly from a newborn puppy to a monster similar to Cerberus. The greatest tragedy to visit the Mansa this year was news of the death of Emir Ayoub El Edha of Jabal Asada. His relationship with Mali had not been very long, but since the time of his political marriage Mustafa had loved Ayoub with all his heart. He served the armies of Allah faithfully and joyfully all his life, and served his alliance to Mali with the most cheerful spirit. Mustafa orders all the lamps of Niani to be put out at night in honor of this holy Emir, as he states "I would have rather lost a hundred ships than to lose this one man".
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. Due to the ongoing Reformation in central Europe happening, we allow all Jungist people to take a safe haven in our nation from all the opposition going on in the HRE. Our nation is open to all people running away from the harshness of the HRE rulers against their acts on other forms of Christianity. We tryto form a nation that isn't against someone's religion and make a safe place for all people of any religion. The king sends spies into the HRE to help Jungist people get out safely.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
    • You're Catholic lol -Solace
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" Glory at Berck the rebelious forces have been defeated, as the siege of Berck was a succes. The army of the Admiraal-generaal capturing the city, causing great casualties on the enemy, with a portion of the rebel army able to escape in the confusion of the moment. But at last the generaal-admiraal is making progress against the rebel army, thus another coastall town has been captured. The rebellion now loosing acces to the sea and thus also easy acces to material from overseas, the Generaal-admiraal even sending a force of 5,000 who were at boulogne the Franco-Lotharingian border. This being done to ensure that no weaponry enters Lotharingia illegally, as to prevent the rebels of getting weapons. The army group acting as a form of border guards, with certain bigger roads and bridges having active guard. The Army of Berck under the general-admiral which is 10,059 men big, now on the hunt for the escaped rebel forces. With the continued millitary operations in Bonen and artois, the Generaal-admiraal sets up temporary millitary camp in Bonen. The city now serving as the centre of the Generaal-admiraals fight against the rebelion. The king needing Juliaens service more then ever, as it is feared that not only will Bonen act up but also the Husites in the ardennes. Thus the krijgraad is now the highest authority in Bonen, Artois and the Channel islands, as the islands are very close to both France and England. The islands being of very big strategic as they are in the middle of the English Channel, The navy often using the port to prevent piracy and warn of incoming enemy ships. While in Africa a "Koninglyke West Afrikaansche Compagnie" ship called "Steenbok", is blown ofcourse by a strong wind. The ship was on its way to Hendrico and then Garnaalrevier, this not happening as just before going east to go to Hoekbaai a hard wind hit. The beaching on a small archipeligo of islands, these islands directly being claimed for the KWAC and called Saint Bavo, after the patron saint of Ghent. Many of the 60 man crew coming from the city, thus wanting to name the land after their great falconer. With 50 of the 60-man crew after some time finding their way back to Africa, while the other ten stay on the archipeligo. These man build a small hut and put a flag and cannon on the island and proclaiming it part of the "Koninglyke West Afrikaansche Compagnie". Hans Bouwer becoming the governor of the island, even if the land is very barren and empty. The land not yet finding a use for the KWAC, as the headquarters in Antwerp are yet to be informed. Meanwhile, on the Indian Ocean, Anton Brouwer officially founds a company with the name of Vrye Indië venootschap (Viv). This company being a middelburger company competing both with the KWAC, RHC and "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw", the Viv being only active in the Indian Ocean market. The Company trading Abysinian Ivory with Indian spices and curies, this all for Lotharingian Fabrics and gold. While for the Frisian "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" A mission to rescue the crew of the "Wyn"a ship lost after going west of Greenland. The rescue crew going on the "Groningen" and "Wadden", this voyage going smoother as the Greenlanders did know of the crew of the wyn and stoarm going west from Greenland. Thus the "Groningen" and "Wadden" went that same way, and the crew did indeed find land. The crew finding the old camp of the Wyn, this confusing the crew as there is no sign of the crew having died but yet it is empty. The Crew thus going south for another 25 Lotharingian miles, after which they set up their own camp planning to go even farther southward after the winter.
  • Kingdom of England: Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham remains at the Ecumenical Council of Trent. Archbishop of York Christopher Bainbridge and the other English bishops continue to pay close attention to the status of the religious conflicts in continental Europe, but await the final judgment of the Council before any public statements about the conflict or Jungism. King Henry VII of England mobilises more of the Lancastrian military in the southeast of England, gathering troops near the ports of Sandwich and Dover, anticipating that the Catholic powers in the continent may soon need military aid from England, but like the clergy he also waits for the judgment of the Council of Trent before making any official diplomatic offers related to the religious crisis and the related warfare. The English economy is largely stable due to the continuing Anglo-Swedish trade alliance and to a lesser degree trade with the Hanseatic League, Spain and Lotharingia. Shipbuilding in Bristol, Essex and Kent continues, though with the increasing conflicts in Europe the focus of the shipbuilding in the southeast in particular somewhat switches from ships intended to explore to military ships intended to transport troops, though Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Bristol continues to have his shipbuilders focus on ships intended to eventually make long-distance journeys to the New World. The English Parliament this year focuses on funding the improvement of ecclesial schools and clinics at the nation's cathedrals. Those soldiers of the Lancastrian military not gathering near Sandwich and Dover focus on improving the city walls and other fortifications of the cathedral cities of Oxford in Oxfordshire, Worcester in Worcestershire and Chichester in Sussex; a small contingent of Lancastrian soldiers from Middlesex are also sent north to help Lancastrian nobles in Westmorland with improving the fortifications of Appleby Castle, the seat of the young Ralph Neville, 4th Earl of Westmorland and his mother and warden Edith Sandys. In Yorkshire, Richard of York and the deposed Edward VII continue to slowly replenish the Yorkist military with the goal of eventually waging war against the Lancastrians ago. Though he has Catholic and is not really sympathetic toward the Jungists, Richard of York nonetheless considers using the religious situation as an opportunity to attack if King Henry VII decides to send Lancastrian troops overseas. Cecily Courtenay and John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford have their first child (her second), a son named George (b. 1508) in honour of the Earl's brother; and Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford and Wilhelmine Premyslid have their second child, a son named Thomas (b. 1508) after his father. Tragically, George Grey (1506-1508), second son of Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent, dies of a disease just before his second birthday. In Europe, Katrín Hektorsdóttir (1441-1508), the mother of King Domnhall V of Iceland who is a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of natural causes.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Pope’s letter reaches Ethiopia, and the news of the heretical Jungist faith shocks and horrifies the Empire. In Rome Ethiopian priests preach to the Coptic populace of how the Jungists have shamelessly desecrated the icons of Saints, negated the sacrements and accused the Roman Pontiff, the very official who saved the Coptic refugees from Egypt, of being anti-Christian. The news sparks outrage in Ethiopia, where the Roman Pontiff is held in high regard amongst both the people and the nobility for his rescue of Coptic refugees from Egypt, for facilitating trade with Europe and for writing a letter of protection for Ethiopian diplomats in Europe. The people are shocked that a faith could accuse the Roman Pontiff of being anti-Christian while simultaneously seizing the property of monastic orders and churches. Causing further outrage is the news that the Jungist seizure of Church wealth and property has deprived the Roman Pontiff of funds that were used to help provide aid to the poor. The Emperor sends a letter to the Roman Pontiff denouncing the Jungists and expressing his support to the Roman Pontiff’s efforts to crush heresy. Ethiopia’s naval modernization continues, as European supervisors oversee teams of Ethiopian slaves that expand Ethiopia’s shipyards and naval facilities in key Ethiopian port cities. Seeking to garner further European support in this project and alarmed at the Caliphate’s expansion of its navy, the Emperor invites the Spanish to settle the island of Socotra off the Ethiopian mainland. In exchange, the Spanish will provide shipwrights, plans, and builders to Ethiopia and will aid in defending Ethiopian shipping in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. [SPANISH RESPONSE]. With Alodia accepting the Ethiopian offer of vassalage, the Emperor begins sending arquebuses to the Alodian king, along with Chewa officers to train and drill the Alodian forces in gunpowder warfare. News reaches the Empire of the death of Emir Ayoub El Edha of Jabal Asada. Known for his travels through Ethiopia on his pilgrimage to Mecca, the Emir was a well-liked figure known for his humor and respect. The Emperor orders a statue of the Emir carved and sent to Jabal Asada so the memory of the great man will live on through the ages.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: As Jungism continues to cement itself in north Bavaria, Albert continues his policy not to intervene, hoping to avoid violence. Despite this, several attacks by Catholics against Jungist parishes are conducted, and Albert is forced to deploy a small contigenet of the military once again to keep the peace. However, the violence only makes Jungism spread faster, on the wings of persistent rumors that the Jungists turned the other cheek to the violence. Pressure increases on several notable nobles in North Bavaria to accept the Jungists, or risk violence in their land. George astutely begins to make connections with this section of the nobility, encouraging them to allow Jungism to flourish, although all of them decline to make formal declarations one way or the other. George also begins to try to convert his father to Jungism. Although bemused, Albert decides to keep his son's religious leanings under wraps so as not to cause perceived discord within the ranks of the royal family. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilities, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, with their tax authority signed away decades, ago the noble class becomes more and more reliant on the imperial treasury to procure funds. Although many have personal lands that remain profitable, Albert is careful to distribute additional funds in a way that keeps the nobles satisfied but still subservient. To this end, Albert begins a minor reorganization of the army, creating an official and permanent headquarters in Munich. Most experience military commanders are instructed to continue their work at this new headquarters, and all are made to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Albert IV and his heirs. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin sends a number of Saxon troops to Bavaria to prevent Albert V gaining power before his father has even passed away. He publicly criticizes the new Archbishop of Mainz, telling him "that's not how we do things around here". Saxony also sends diplomats to Denmark, Hungary, and France, to try to make them more sympathetic toward the Jungist movement. His teen second son, Edmund de la Marck, who his father gave the newly-acquired County of Waldeck a few years ago, begins to show signs of anti-Jungism, however, and Catholic sympathies. His father argues with him, and, by the end of the year, their relationship has disintegrated and things have escalated: Edmund (the younger) attempts to enter Waldeck into the League of Dressau: his father claims he never gave his son the County of Waldeck, and that Waldeck still belongs to Saxony. As a result, Edmund Alwin refuses to recognize Waldeck as independent from Saxony, and refuses to recognize its membership of the League of Dressau. His oldest son, Wolfgang de la Marck, meanwhile, does something completely different - in fact, he elects to go in the opposite direction: hearing that the Thin White Duke has converted to Jungism, he does the same. Alarmed by these sudden extreme measures being taken by his sons, Edmund Alwin decides he wants to maintain friendship with the other nations, including those within the League of Dressau, and offers to marry his youngest son, Louis, Count of Stolberg (b. 1495), to a young noblewoman from Saxony's old ally, the Swiss Confederacy. (Mod Response). Shadrach de la Marck becomes the richest man in Saxony once again, through dubious means, despite the fact that his cousin Edmund Alwin confiscated all his money. Edmund Alwin once again confiscates all his cousin's money, and uses it to build up his army, promising to pay Shadrach back later.
  • Vinland: The population rises. Eric Kuis continues planning economic reform as well as looking for a Christian Vinlandic wife. Trade flourishes and new families move to Vestelfrland.
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealths begins expanding southward.
  • Hispanian Empire: As both the regions of Andalusia and the Riff solidly under our control, with the rebellions that had largely engulfed the region heavily suppressed, the Hispanic forces in the region continue to enforce to the full extend the implementation of the provisions of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslims and Moriscos within the Hispanic territories of Andalusia and the Spanish Riff, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif or be enslaved or killed, or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. Inquisitor Dren, a rather hardline man, is put in charge of efforts, as he thoroughly strives to ensure that no Muslim or Morisco gets to escape the flaming cross of Inquisition. As a direct result, the entire region of the Hispanic Riff continues to be increasingly depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, depending on province, as every area was afflicted to a diverging degree as well as Andalusia to a lesser extend. To combat this, Queen Katherine de Barcelona continues to enforce her desicion to award all the empty acres of fertile lands as soon as their Muslims former owners vacate them, mostly in the Riff region but also in the Andalusian region, which has just started to became depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, but to a lesser extend than the Riff region, to her 68,000 soldiers that valiantly fought in that conflict, prioritizing the widows and the children of the 22,500 men who gave their life for the crown and the country, continuing to pay for their expanses to start resettling them in their newly granted acres for the sacrifice of their husbands, while also providing them with sufficient subsidies to ensure them a rather sufficient standard of living and not let them descend into poverty, for them and their children, but at the same time, not nearly neglecting all those brave 45,500 men who fought valiantly and are still alive, continuing to encourage them to settle with their families in the offered fertile acres, that are being vacated by their former Muslim owners, predominantly in the Riff and to a lesser extend to Andalusia. This action can be largely attributed to the unwillingness of the Hispanic Crown to face such turbulence and instability in the region ever again. Thus by initiating this process to settle our loyal troops there that we will be able to can call upon anytime in the future to surpress further revolts as well as cleansing the region out of the local Muslim populace, to ensure the loyalty of these two regions [Riff, Andalusia] to the Hispanic crown. The works to rebuild the island of Pantelleria, that has been heavily devestated by the recent pirate raid on it, are concluded and now it can once again became the prosperous trade centre it once was, continuing as it was before the war. With the war over, a rather large increase on our investment into colonial efforts occurs, as Hispania is now free to concentrate on that front. Meanwhile, the natives of Cuba continue to face constantly worsening conditions, but they are somewhat relieved by the crucial work of an increasing ammount of willing Hispanic missionaries that have travelled to the new world along with the conquistadors and take a rather accute interest in treating their ailing fellow human beings, as well as teaching them the word of God and the Bible at the same time, to which end they succeed to a rather large degree, as the natives view the European medicines as miracles, believing that the Christian God helped them miracoulously recover from their diseases, converting en mass. Pope Giuliano della Rovere is a close relative to the crown, related by ties of blood, so the support of the Hispanic crown in these trying times for Christianity is seen as something largely expected, with the Inquisition now targeting heretics too, but because of their negligible numbers, this phenomenon remains rather isolated.
  • Kingdom of Wales: The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Lionel, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 16 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of ​Saint Owain (Lawgoch)​ perseveres and grows more powerful than ever before, providing a sense of national unity not just for the Kingdom of Wales, but for the whole Celtic Confederacy essentially, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Lionel, as a worthy successor of his father, marching in his footsteps, continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Lionel of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being. King Lionel, raised as a pious Catholic, fully acknowledges the threat posed by the heretics, and fully commits himself to the inquisition, after the request of his liege, the Celtic Ameraudur, tasking a separate inquisitor to go after heretics inside the Kingdom of Wales.

1509

This turn is in honor of Deep0, a user who was taken from us after only knowing him for a short amount of time. أسكنه الله فسيح جناته.

In Jabal Asada, the sky explodes in a fury of vibrance and harmony, with many citizens looking onward to a brighter day in a different light, which comes immediately at the death of Ayoub El Edha. He is remembered and beloved by thousands of citizens of his nation as a great writer and adventeror, who bravely fought his way to Hajj during the collapse of the Mamluks. 

Some Jungist leaders attends the Council of Trent, but they indicate they do not accept the vast majority of what has been presented in the Papal decree of 1508, nor do they have any desire to recant their beliefs. Johann Freud writes his leading commentary on the Epistle to Romans, which describes the Jungist doctrines as being a separate faith from that of Catholocism. Pending on the developing political situation in the Holy Roman Empire, the proceedings of this council start to break down in the face of religious unrest across Europe. The Catholics on the council, from every faction, applaud the decree of 1508 as perfectly cementinng Church doctrines, affirming certain dogma that had been only tradition for centuries before.

The first polity to officially declare Jungism the state religion occurs this year with the City of Strassburg, followed soon after by the City of Nuremberg (only the Imperial cities themselves). Duke Laudislas of Austria personally denounces the Jungists, and pledges his military service in support of the Emperor.

The Protestant reformation is also felt in the British isles at this time. Some citizens in Wales and Scotland, sympathetic to the Anti-Papal rhetoric of the Jungists, as well as the success of the Concordat of Bologne in France, pushes for the Celtic Church to seek further independence from Rome. This also causes civil unrest in Ireland, who by and large do not ascribe to the Celtic Rite.

The Spanish explorer, Nicolas Castellano, having the support of the Spanish Crown has launched a voyage to the city of Malacca to gain access to the lucrative spice trade. The Spanish interest in the far eastern spice trade begins to outpace the development of Portugal in the same region, englarging their existing competition.

A 7.2 level earthquake strikes against Constantinople, destroying the central square of the city, but miraculously leaving Hagia Sophia unscathed. 2,800 people are killed and another 11,000 are left homeless.

In Egypt, the Coptic Pope John XIII feels the strain of religious upheaval occurring across the world. He declares that the Emperor of Ethiopia must pay homage to the Pope in Alexandria, being the Primate of Africa and the Thirteenth Apostle. He also warns that the Emperor should not recognize infallibility or primacy of any other Patriarch, even the successor of Saint Peter.

Enlightened by the teachings of Ibn Taymiyyah, Jayob Antouman in the city of Gao begins preaching a more central ideology, emphasizing that the Mansa's conversion to Yuniyya and acceptance of the false prophet Abu Yunus has stagnated the Empire of Mali, which must be "corrected" for the Empire to flourish once again. This more extremist-based Islam would gather large support in the surrounding region, although conflict remains unseen for Jayob Antouman is only "... a teacher, not a warrior".

As Albert IV continues to be gravely ill, tensions rise in the nation between the supporters of his sons Albert V and George, who are the heirs of Upper and Lower Bavaria, respectively

The Khanate of Bukhara falls to the Safavid dynasty of Persia, annexing the territory and expanding their realm into Central Asia.

In China, artist Shen Zhou paints Lofty Mount Lu.

Venetian mathematician Luca Pacioli publishes an essay about the universality of the "Golden Ratio".

  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Hermann von Getz orders the Inquisition in the Holy Roman Empire to be fully renewed. His orders to the Inquisitors are very detailed. Any Jungites who agree to rejoin the church, under the terms of the Council of Trent, are to be left unharmed in any way, nor is their property to be damaged. Likewise, he prepares a detailed list of known Jungite writings, and identifies those which do not specifically contradict the Council of Trent. These writings are not to be burned. Instead, he orders the Printing Office of Mainz to re-publish them, with a preface explaining how the Council of Trent has resolved all these issues. This is in an effort to win more of the moderate Jungites away from the cause. He declares Freud to be an unequivocal heretic, since he is openly calling for the church to be divided against itself. He orders that Freud is to be taken alive, so that he can receive a fair trial in an ecclesiastical court. In this way, his followers will not be able to make a martyr of him. He also orders Grand Marshal Jan Zizka to provide military support for the Inquisitors, as they root out all the Jungites and destroy their heretical writings. Grand Marshal Zizka agrees completely, hoping that this will provoke and armed response from the more militant Jungites, and he will be able to lead the Imperial Army to war. He begins by placing the city of Nuremburg under martial law. The Archchancellor travels personally to the capital, summons the Imperial Cabinet, and calls upon the Emperor to declare war on the League of Wolfen and stamp out this heresy. “Let this uncertainty end!” he proclaims. “Europe is devolving into chaos!” Grudgingly, the Emperor acquiesces to the pressure of his cabinet. The Archchancellor, in the name of the Emperor, calls on all the nations of the Holy Roman Empire to lend military support to crushing the League of Wolfen, and their allies. And well as to support the Inquisition across the Empire. In particular, he calls on the League of Dresden to send their armies to support the Army of the Holy roman Empire under Zizka. Further, he sends messages to the other Catholic nations, threatened by the rising popularity of the Jungites, to also send their support. As Primate of Germany, he orders all the Archbishoprics of Germany to lend support for this Inquisition, and to call on the good Catholics of their states to take up arms in the defense of the Church. In particular, he asks the Archbishop of Cologne to lend the full support of the secular authorities of the Ministry of Justice to support the Inquisition. He sends a private, personal message to the Archbishop of Bremen, expressing his understanding that the Archbishop is bound by his duties as a member of the Hanseatic League, to respect its policies. Nonetheless, he requests that the Archbishop do what he can to advocate for the Hanseatic League to send support to end this crisis. He sends a jeweled pendant engraved with the arms of Bavaria to Albert V, to congratulate him on his coronation. The presses of Mainz continue to print the Bible in the vernacular, and it is still taught in the church’s free schools. The presses also continue to print rebuttals to the radical Jungist texts, such as the Anhalt Centuries, pointing out their numerous fallacies and leaps of logic. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland reluctantly cuts back on the navy build-up, as more fudning is diverted to the army.
  • Hesse: The nation is outraged as they learn that the jingoist in Mainz has invaded several of Hesse’s allies for their personal gain. Despite the Emperor forbidding such actions as illegal, they have broken the peace, a peace the Jungists were complying with. Furthermore Agnes of Hesse and her husband formally convert to the Jungist faith and decide to join the Wolfenbund, having previously been allied to most of their members anyway. And then an army is raised of 35 cannons, 5,000 infantry, and 1,500 cavalry, and an invasion of Mainz is launched. This is not a war of conquest nor expansion, it is a war of defense in solidarity with the Emperor, in which Hesse will forcefully remove the criminal that is the Archbishop for their transgressions. Jezrahiah seeks to attend a Diet called by the Emperor and negotiate peace, so that Mainz is not heavily harmed, but rather their leadership is arrested. 
  • Dai Viet: The campaign of Eastern Cambodia is a success, meaning that the Sdach Korn can easily march to the capital Chaktomuk (OTL Phnom Penh), seizing the capital and gain control of Cambodia. 6,000 men is added to the army making the army has a total of 20,000 men. 14,000 men in total divided into three units: 8,000 in Stung Treng, 1,000 in Kratie and 5,000 in Ba Phumn begin to march to siege the capital Chaktomuk. Meanwhile, 6,000 men commanded by Sdach Korn, in Kratie move away from Kratie and began occupying Western Cambodia more importantly to prevent Chan from escaping to Siam. (Algo Needed). The army begin to spreading to the public there that the army is to bring Chan to power and not to do any harm to him. Men are ordered to read out rationales out loud about the rebellion's goal is to bring Chan to power. The cities while being occupied gets rummaged to find Chan. If he is found in Chaktomuk, he is brought to captivity. If somehow he is founded while escaping to Siam, Sdach Korn will bring a bowl of swiftlets' nest of the lands of Khánh Hòa to present them to the King to show his "loyalty" and escort him back to the capital. (Mod Response on if he is found or not). The goal is to make Chan thinks the army will not do anything harm to him but instead try to protect him and make him King with Sdach Korn and Vietnamese protection. Siamese hostility regarding Dai Viet import of weapons makes the country must be independant regarding to industry of weaponry while focusing on finding new weaponry in markets of Eastern countries. Siamese contact with the Northern Shan States further makes the Emperor fears of Ayutthaya’s increasing influance and dominance. Moreover, he also finds out that like the Warring States Period, Ayutthaya is trying to create a vertical alliance. To counter it, Dai Viet must form a horizontal one. The Emperor fears Ava would be wary of an alliance considering their contribution to the previous war was a complete disaster for them and they might be hostile to Dai Viet. Nonetheless, envoys are sent to the nations of Ava, Arakan, and the states of Sumatra except Pasai and Palembang for relations improvement (Mod Response), to make Dai Viet’s horizontal alliance and counter Ayutthaya and their "inevitable expansion like a silkworm eating mulberry leaves", thought the Emperor.
    • Ava is a traditional rival of Toungoo and agrees to improve relations, the states in Sumatra are friendly or leaning neutral to Ayutthaya and do not align to Dai Viet.
    • RNG result: Chan is captured.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: Census = 8000000/ Levy = 80000 The fall of the Khmer Kingdom comes as a shock to the entirety of Ayutthaya considering the close relations between Ayutthaya and its former vassal. News of Dai Viet’s involvement continues to spread stirring up fears and concerns toward Dai Viet’s belligerent actions in the recent years regarding Ayutthaya and its allies with the fall of Lan Na quickly followed by the civil war in the Khmer Empire. The realization begins to spread that as Ayutthaya’s allies begin to dwindle, the people within Ayutthaya must band together to face the coming storm in which their enemy surrounds them leading to an increase in support behind Mingyi Nyo. The news of the explorer from a land called Spain arriving in Malacca is received with weariness due to his religious affiliation but he is welcomed as any other guest. An offer is made by Mingyi Nyo in the interest of establishing a trade agreement with Spain. In exchange for weapons, armor, and ammunition provided by Spain and recognition of Ayutthaya's borders, vassals, and tributaries, Ayutthaya will permit the Spanish to utilize Ayutthaya’s trade routes (Straits of Malacca) so long as they follow the laws in place for commerce and also give them favorable treatment in Ayutthaya’s ports comparable to that of the Commerce Guild and Japanese merchants as well as guarantee not to provide their equipment to Ayutthaya's rivals (Spain Response). Despite the new visitors to the court of Ayutthaya, the reconstruction efforts of the previous years are still ongoing with the officials making the best of the phrai luang assigned to them by the government to assist in rebuilding infrastructure within their jurisdiction. The Capital Defense Corps for cities across Ayutthaya are slowly expanded with the expectation of garrisons of 3,000 men for each city and the garrison of Ayutthaya composed of 14,000 in time. The Capital Defense Corps of all cities continues to operate admirably having managed to quell any roaming bands of rogue soldiers and peasants starved from the war. So far, there have been no incidents that would require the approval of the Rama or his Chao Phraya’s attesting to the thought that went into writing the directives now in place. The appointment of officers from the War College to Capital Defense Corps across Ayutthaya is underway with only the most loyal and skilled being assigned to certain positions to prevent revolts. The sponsorship of Theravada Buddhism continues with the support of Mingyi Nyo and his nobles who fund the construction of wats and the efforts the monks as a part of the kyaung system as well as doing charitable acts that are befitting of monks. The Commerce Guild expresses some concern at the arrival of a new trade faction but overall continue operations with little worry because of their assured dominance in the Spice trade. Administrators and officers from Japan are invited to help officials with their efforts to organize taxation and management as well as assisting in instilling discipline and training into the soldiers of the Capital Defense Corps. (Japan Response). The news of Dai Viet's efforts to make contact with the Sumatra states does not go unnoticed by Ayutthayan observers and patrol ships with envoys being sent to warn the Sumatra states of close association and ties with Dai Viet with whom tensions are intense. (Mod Response).
    • Japanese Dip: We accept.
    • Queen Katherine's court and her majesty agrees while also wishing to expand our knowledge of the lands in the east. Therefore, they request for the exchange of permanent ambassadors who will represent the two states. Ricardo Milos de Porto would assume this position. (Ayutthaya Response).
    • Ayutthaya Di: Kriang Sak Wisetkaew is sent as the Ayutthayan part of the exchange.
  • Kingdom of Majapahit: The king will continues the infrastructure improvements and upgrades followed by maintenance of trade and upgrades of our navy. Dai Viet economic aids will be greatly received. Road upgrades and logistics across Java will keep the maintenance and upgrade as well.
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: The Emperor is at an impasse, as although he is anti-Jungist, the Archbishop of Mainz has overstepped his bounds greatly. The Diet of Nuremberg had outlawed everything Mainz is ordering, at this point leading the Emperor to posit who he should be persecuting. Specifically the Diet had been an effort to promote peace and ensure that wanton violence is not the answer to dissenting religious opinion, and it had been stated that the legal system and the church should be used to contain these opinions, not soldiers. As previously explained time and time again, the Emperor is trying to sort out internal issues and strengthen the position of the Catholics, something that Mainz has now innumerably undone. He has attacked the Wolfenbund, one of its members being Brandenburg, a vassal of Bohemia. Therefore the Emperor fears he has just sealed Bohemia’s populace to the Jungist side, as wanton attacks against them by the Catholics will not foster counterreformation, but rather will harden their resolve to defend themselves and align with the Jungists. Bohemia itself is struggling to combat a non-Catholic majority, and now Mainz throws it into war. The Free Imperial Cities, which are obviously supposed to be “Free” are now being infringed on by a junta, and are being attacked despite being under the direct protection of the Emperor. Mainz has sealed the fate of these cities likely as pro-Jungist, and will only turn more of the empire, especially similar cities, to be pro-Jungist, or at the very least anti-government. And to make matters worse, the Archchancellor has usurped power and done this “in the Emperor’s name”, despite not actually consulting the Emperor, which is a clear act of treason. The Emperor is so enraged by this betrayal and this deterioration of the political situation that he struggles with what to do next. The invasion of the Wolfenbund is illogical and egregious; the Wolfenbund is not a Jungist organization nor are any of the state in it Jungist states [OOC: The members are Jungist but the states formally are not, and we wouldn’t know the members are Jungist necessarily without meta]. As such the Emperor orders that the Archbishop of Mainz immediately resign his post or be tried for treason, and declares that Zizka has been deposed and must stand down or face arrest. Instead the Archbishop of Trier is appointed Archchancellor of the Empire, and the position of Grand Marshall is given to Duke Marek Ironside of Livonia. The Emperor immediately tries to mediate the situation and apologize for the embarrassing blunder, and also calls another Diet. However, before this can go into effect a war does break out [and I am using info from Nathanadrian from Discord for this, as he is banned]. In the beginning of the year the Battle of Nuremberg breaks out, in which the city’s inhabitants rebel against the Imperial occupation force. They immediately gain the aid of neighboring Jungist-leaning states like the Burgraviate of Nuremberg. Imperial forces from Bohemia attempt to enter Nuremberg by crossing the border from the east, and they are fired upon by Jungist locals of western Bohemia. An Imperial army of about 5,000 reinforcements (specifically 3,800 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and 200 knights) is harassed along the road to Nuremberg and besieged by all sides, as an army of several thousand Bohemian and German peasants, and an army of 1,000 Nuremberger soldiers led by the capable Hugh “the Heir” von Jenagotha, attack. At the Battle of Pegnitz that ensues, the Imperial Army is routed and suffers some 900 casualties, compared to Hugh’s 250 losses. With reinforcement derailed, the occupiers of Nuremberg fail to secure the city, and they are overthrown in a battle in the streets of the city, and the republic is restored and new leaders elected. While the Emperor scrambles to make peace, there are others among his government who sympathize with the Archbishop of Mainz and believe the Emperor is not being firm enough against heretics. In the southwest, the Přemyslids of Burgundy and Swabia, and many of their Habsburg and Swabian allies, begin a war against the growing Jungist movement there. Henry the Younger, the grandson of Henry the Great that was passed over for the throne, initially serves as a hardened Catholic leader who tries to assert himself through military action. As such he heeds the call of Mainz and ignores the warnings of his uncle, and leads an army into the Meissen region. Another relative, Anne "of Swift Gallows", becomes famous for her advocating of Jungists to be executed quickly. Conversely her brother Charles "the White" of Saxe-Beizig becomes Jungist. (More to come).
    • Mainz: The Archbishop resigns as Archchancellor publicly, taking full responsibility for misinterpreting the emperor. Grand Marshal Zizka resignes his commission as well. The Archbishop states, however, that he regrets none of his actions, and only that the Emperor is not prepared to fight for a united church. He resigns as Archbishop, and departs for Rome, where he will live out his life in self-imposed exile. He leaves it to the Pope to decide whether the inquisition will continue or not. Archbishop Aaron von Gellingen is elected in his place. He is a known pro-Jungite, and immediately repudiates the ultra-Catholic stance of his predecessor. He swears to follow the Emperor's directives in all matters.
  • Papal States: Pope Julius II presents important decisions of the Church regarding the Protestant movement in the Ecumenical Council of Trent. The pope also calls for the formation of an alliance of Catholic nations of all Europe to secure the stability of the continent against this growing heresy. (Mod and player responses). Pope Julius II creates as cardinal Thomas Cajetan.
    • The League of Dessau and Austria give their direct support, the Italic League offers political support, all with respect to the Emperor's decision.
    • Celtic Diplomacy: We officially endorse this alliance and join.
    • English Diplomacy: King Henry VII of England endorses Pope Julius II's decisions and the proposed alliance.
    • Hispanian Empire: Queen Katherine de Barcelona eagerly agrees to endorse and join this alliance, given that she's a pious Catholic.
    • Kingdom of Wales: King Lionel eagerly agrees to endorse and join this alliance, given that he's a pious Catholic.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The regent continues to advise the young king on important matters while the plans to attack Kilw and seize some of their coast are once again brought up to the regent and approved for when the king is of Age. Meanwhile, the regent sends requests to the various kingdoms in Europe looking for a suitable princess for the king to marry. We ask the natives of Moçambique Island and our outpost on mainland Moçambique. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). The modernization of the navy sees a huge success after having won a naval exercise. In Mauritius, we send an expedition to the island of Rodrigues where we establish an outpost. The island of Rodrigues is the united into Mauritius where our scientists make a curious discovery. They find another flightless bird the size of a swan which they name the Rodrigues dodo. (all this allowed with nate).
    • What did you ask them?
  • Vinland: The population reaches 7,100, a large proportion of new births coming from the Christian population. Eric Kuis continues to formulate his administrative reforms, planning to divide Vinland into hereditary fiefs headed by jarls, counts, and other nobility mirrored off medieval European nobility. He plans for the creation the jarldom of Dogajavick which he will bequeath to himself and his heirs. Eric Kuis also drafts plans for a new type of Thing. Previously, Things were usually held outside in the summer at rotating sites around the island. Eric Kuis considers establishing a permanent Thing location at Dogajavick as well as a series of administrative offices which will help manage the the state of affairs of Vinland in the coming years. He is also considering the possibility of introducing a modern currency system into Vinland, and thus taxation, overthrowing the current bartering regime. Eric Kuis does not publicize these plans much and resigns himself to introducing each provision one at a time over several years, understanding that he will likely die before seeing much of this into fruition. This year he sends envoys to some chiefs in small villages and rural areas appealing for their conversion to Christianity. This is met with some success, however, the majority of rural chiefs remain committed to paganism. Eric Kuis realizes that a mass conversion may be the best option to fully bring his country into God’s light. He begins preparing an appeal to the pope asking him to send clergymen and resources to Vinland in order to conduct a mass conversion he has only heard of in stories brought by the Portuguese. In other news, trade flourishes with countries like Portugal, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Eric Kuis gets married this year to Helka Pallsdottir, daughter of a Christian village chief near Issvik. 
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth pushes deeper southward.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di": The king is outrages at the news of Straatsburgstad officialy converting to jungism, Jan Leonard being outraged at the action of the mayor. Jan seeing it as a direct threat to Lotharingia and more inportantly the Catholic church for which Lotharingia stands for. The king being himself a Catholic who was taught the doctrines while he grew up in the city of Kassel, the capital of the Landgraviate of Hesse. His father Godfried having him married to the then crown princess of Spain Katherine of Barcelona-Leon, where he was even put into in a more traditional Spanish Catholic environment. Even with these facts the king is accepting of both the Taborite church and the Saint Columbanus messengers. The Saint Columbanus being part of the Catholic church, the teachings just being a further specialisation and following of a specific saint. The movement slowly growing as the messengers are seen as a less corrupt and more of a lower and middle class version of the faith, the Saint Columbanus messengers only working with priests and without bishops. People in Frisia and Northern Holland beginning to devote themselves to the beliefs and teachings of Saint Columbanus, many Catholic priests also starting to be convinced and teach his learnings. The estimated amount of followers growing very fast the current estimate by Lotharingian government in Frisia and Holland being between 10,000-55,000, which is a possible increase of 20,000. While in Frisia. Another thing happening in Frisia is news of the crew of the "Groningen" and "Wadden" having reached lands west of Grönland, which is the land the semi-mythalogical Norse leader of Leif Erikson. The "Wadden" and "Groningen" going south a small bit even, where they find a town inhabited by the restants of the "Wyn". This new uplifting the Crew of their rescue a lot as now it's upon these men to decide if they even want to go home to Frisia or not, as there is need to make a new ship to fit the crew of the "Wyn" and what remained of the "Stoarme".  This being planned to take another year or two, as the crew of the "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" on the new land are unknow to the woods and vegitation which makes it harder to makes ships. This is mainly coming from the fact that the crews don't know th boyancy and hardness of the material, this having to be tested by the merchant crew. This they do by building houses huts and other buildings, as they don't depend so much on the boyancy and hardness of the wood. Thus while trying to build a new ship, they found the town of Broekden. While in "Eilanden met Hemelse stranden" the Vissers begin to explore the area north-west of them, the vissers making maps and describing the terrain. The Vissers wanting to have more proper contact with the people of this land which they call "Broekstrand", this refering to the marsh like beaches the land seems to have. The vissers writing about their 50 Lotharingian mile voyage to the lands from Palmparadijs upward. The Vissers planning to have proper relations and concact in around two years when new ships from the RHC have arrived from Europe. In Bonen the Generaal-admiraal Juliaen de Kremer after having captured a lot of the enemy calls, up the rebels to surrender and get mercy. (Mod response). As the war is only costing civilian life and not affecting those higher in the rebellion hierarchy who are the people actualy calling for war and destruction.
    • The troops surrender.
  • Kingdom of France: Having completed their mission on the island of Genoveva the French merchants return to France having made a good deal of profit, and abandoning their camp behind. This year another trade post comes to Vingtrois, this time to establish a permanent base, and about 100 people, including many of those who left Genoveva. The French stop in Jabal Asada again and present a number of gifts to the government, and ask to establish trade between France and Jabal Asada, and for Jabal Asada to allow French ships to dock within the nation. (Mod response needed). This year a number of ships from the French Basque region also began fishing across the Atlantic, particularly in the north (as was common at this time). The reformation continues to spread across France, with various new ideas being distributed. This year the King further strengthens his succession. Having already arranged for all the nobles of France to accept semi salic law, in which women can inherit if there are no male heirs, he decides to formally endorse an heir. Through this earlier law, Joan Capet-Berry had become Duke of Berry after the death of her brother, and the King acknowledges her as his closest living relative and as his heir. He arranges for all the nobility to swear a promise to accept this, and also arranges for her to be crowned as a co-monarch the following year. For now he begins teaching her the ways of statecraft and having her take an active part in government so that she may learn. Additionally William formally decrees that Jaromir, or John as he is nicknamed in French, will be acknowledged as the king consort of France, and William requests that Jaromir come to France and take an active part in government and adopting French customs. (Bohemian response needed) John becomes the new titular Duke of Anjou within the French domain as well. There is some alarm among Jungists that France will become staunchly Catholic when the new king consort ascends to the throne, as Jaromir is the son of the Catholic League’s leader. The King seeks to assuage various fears and alleviate the chance of a major civil war, and he continues to push for toleration. This year the King also passes a law called the Act of Royal Supremacy, which builds off previous laws to formally declare the King of France as the head of the Catholic church in France. This comes as the culmination of a decades long process, and an on and off conflict with the Papacy, over who will reign supreme in France’s domestic matters. Jungists excite over the news, hoping that this will formally split France from Catholicism, but William II makes no such attempt to change any religious doctrine. Nevertheless there are various leaders within the government, including those associated with showing John around France, who seek to influence the government toward gradual introduction of Jungist teachings into the state religion.
    • Seems a bit early to be doing this especially if you were looking to do something similar to Anglicanism. You can do it.. just not this early. The religious issues havent even entrenched in Germany yet fully. Slow way down. Also highly doubt the entire french nobility would just absolutely abandon Salic law like this and accept this so easily. -Feud.
  • Empire of Japan: The empire this year says farewell to Suiko as she retired specifically to work on literature and art much like one of the older emperors of Japan. Kenshiro now with a family of his own and a well entrenched place within the Imperial governance pushes heavily on developing or maturing various trade ties specifically centralizing most of the Trade network Japan runs in Indonesia on the Cities of Kuchin and Batam. The Arrival of unknown ships in Malacca sparks great interest as some people are dispatched to the Thais to understand what is going on here. The developments of further villages and agricultural development in Manzhuguo continues as does the expansion of vast land grants to a series of daimyo known simply as "the landless lords" which had lost their lands due to a multitude of issues personal or otherwise. The idea is to allow these landless lords to push into the Siberian hinterlands along the great North Sea and claim new lands for their own and attempt to foster developments. The developments in Kenenaitzu continue as well as the settlement officially reaches about 80 permanent inhabitants and about 100 more seasonal inhabitants who inhabit and work the varying fur ranging and native trading outposts which have begun to dot the coasts of Arasakura. A serious claim is put on another string of territories running along the Aleutians (running from Unimak Island to Nelson Lagoon). 
  • Celtic Confederacy: Despite all reason, Protestantism has spread to the Celtic Confederacy. Realizing heretics have wormed their way into the Celtic Church, when he hears their calls for “separation from Rome”, the Celtic Patriarch, Robert McLaughlin is outraged. He officially condemns all who are calling for this and expels then from the Celtic Church. King Edward likewise does the same thing and declares “Scotland is a Catholic State, now and forever”, before declaring that heresy shall not be tolerated in the Celtic Confederacy. He then gives full authority to the Inquisiton, under Grand Inquisitor James McLeod, go hunt down and pursue all such heretics and either expel them from Scotland or, if that fails, dispose of them in some other way (read, via death). Those few Protestant leaders which appear are immedietly imprisoned and burnt at the stake, quickly ending their preaching. Those few nobles and merchants who expressed sympathy for the “reformers” have their assets and titles seized and are expelled from the country (for example the Merchant William Knox). In Ireland, a similar approach occurs, but is much more hands off. Well aware of the fact that those few remaining disloyal nobles will use it as an excuse to stir up dissent if he uses his own authority to do so. Hence, he places the mandate of eradicating any heresy in Ireland and preemptively stopping any growth of it in the hands of the head of the Irish Inquisiton, Aodh Ó Sullivan, who goes about suppressing the unrest harshly using purely Irish forces. The “new nobility” those lords who have been heavily empowered by King Edward, in particular, Purdue the persecution of heresy with a zeal unmatched even in Scotland, in order to prove their loyalty. In other news, the C.C.C continues to grow through trade with both Mali, Jabal Asada, and the Congo States, continuing to enrich the Celtic Confederacy.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. A new law is made, nobles can't kill their serfs without trial and just because they can anymore. We cut the taxes to the poor by a two percent due to the peace that has swept into this land.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The messenger from the Pope in Alexandria is welcomed to Barari with open arms, as the people cheer a representative of the spiritual leader of the Coptic Church arriving to grace Ethiopia with his presence. The messenger presents a letter from John XIII demanding that the Emperor pay homage to him as spiritual leader of the Coptic faith and must refuse the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. The Emperor assures the messenger that he has no problem paying homage to the Coptic Pope of Alexandria, and explaining that the Roman Pontiff is a friend of Ethiopia, but is not recognized nor seen as the spiritual leader of the Coptic faith. The Emperor explains the Roman Pontiff is a friend to the Coptics, having provided refuge to hundreds of Coptic refugees in Egypt after the Muslim purges in the 14th century and provided protection to Ethiopian priests in Europe. As part of his message of friendship and homage the Emperor sends lavish gifts of gold, jewels, silks and ivory along with their message to the Coptic Pope. Meanwhile, refitting of Ethiopia’s naval facilities and infrastructure continues under European supervision and guidance. Ports are generally expanded while new facilities are constructed to provide sufficient space and supplies for construction of larger ships. Imperial foundries are also established at a number of Imperial cities, with Hindustani supervisors overseeing Ethiopian metallurgists and forgers. The fortress at the mouth of the Tana River in Kenya continues to expand, with Ethiopian merchants now using the fort as a base to trade up the Tana River. The offer to Spain to settle Socotra in exchange for naval support and for support in modernizing Ethiopia’s navy is made again to the Spanish court [SPANISH RESPONSE NEEDED]. 
    • Spain agrees but also wishes for trade exclusivity in exports toward Europe.
  • Kingdom of England: With the end of the Ecumenical Council of Trent, Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham returns to England. On the basis of Pope Julius II's proclamations at the end of the Council, the English clergy now also publicly denounce Jungism as heresy. King Henry VII of England goes along with the English clergy's stance which confirmed his private concerns about the situation, and he continues the buildup of Lancastrian military in the southeast of England in case a military defence of Catholicism becomes necessary. Seeing an opportunity to further improve England's foreign relations with continental Europe, King Henry VII writes to Pope Julius II and Emperor Ottokar, asking if there is any way England can help defend Catholicism in the continent against the increasing military attacks by these heretics. (Papal response) (Emperor response). The Lancastrian soldiers being gathered in the southeast of the nation work on improving the fortifications of the ports of Dover and Sandwich in Kent and Brightlingsea and Maldon in Essex, and also at Essex's county town Chelmsford and Kent's county town Maidstone. The English Parliament this year approves of the religious stances of the English clergy and King Henry VII but doesn't focus too much on these issues, instead funding the expansion and improvement of the cattle farms of several major landowners in rural England in order to increase the food supply in the nation and potentially create more trade goods, improving the economy. Shipbuilding in England continues similarly to the previous year, with Essex and Kent ports building ships that would be used if military transport to continental Europe is required, while the port of Bristol focuses on ships that could make long journeys across the ocean. Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Bristol dies of natural causes and his son William (b. 1475), second husband of King Henry VII's daughter Henrietta Beaufort, becomes the 2nd Earl of Bristol; William continues the shipbuilding programs in Bristol set up by his father. In Yorkshire, Richard of York and the other major Yorkist leaders are also Catholic and denounce Jungism, but with a somewhat different focus than the Lancastrians: with the news of religious unrest in the Celtic Confederacy related to Jungism, Richard of York blames the Treaties of Mann and Llanfair­pwllgwyngyll­gogery­chwyrn­drobwll­llan­tysilio­gogo­goch that King Henry VII supports for having allowed this heresy to take root in the British Isles, and he uses this to again push his anti-Celtic rhetoric, telling nobles that if he were King he would invade the Celtic nations and remove these heretics by force. This manages to earn Richard the support of some more minor nobles in the north of England. Yorkist soldiers work on improving the fortifications of the city of York by building moats around its city walls. Richard of York's daughter Frances of Gloucester (b. 1496) is betrothed to Thomas Howard (b. 1473, son of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk), whose first wife from a minor noble family died without giving him any children; Richard hopes this will be a politically advantageous marriage, as the House of Howard had previously been friendly with the Yorkist Kings but had largely remained neutral in the York-Beaufort conflicts thus far. Mary Beaufort and John Tuchet have their second child, a daughter named Frances (b. 1509). In Rome, Maria de la Marck (1465-1509), wife of Ulrich VIII von Lenzburg, who is the son of Engelbert, Duke in Exile of Lenzburg and a distant relative of the Premyslids, dies of a disease. Engelbert IV, Count of Gorizia and Lucrezia Borgia have their third child, a daughter named Catherine (b. 1509). Gioffre Borgia and Raffaella of Habsburg, who fled from Italy to England starting in 1505, are finally married at Portsmouth Cathedral in Hampshire.
  • Hanseatic League: The Jungist situation continues to spiral out of control throughout Germany, with Brunswick-Lüneburg joining the League of Dessau. This entrance into the League of Dessau was the result of the illness of Johannes Burkhart, who was unable to provide his usual guidance of the syndics of the Hanseatic League. The man, who had been a master statesman in his day, was slipping further into the throes of old age. This year, he declares his retirement from public office. His supporters celebrate a long reign as the grand syndic. His detractors believe he stayed in office entirely too long when a younger, healthier figure could have taken office. Georg Burkhart is elected Grand Syndic of the Hanseatic League, solidifying the position of the Burkhart family as a quasi-royal family not unlike the Medici family of OTL Florence. The Midwinter Conspiracy, though, was the true mark of ascension out of the common Hanseatic families and into de facto lordship. The Tagfahrt of 1509 is one of the more productive meetings of the Hanseatic body of government in some time. The backdoor politics characteristic of the League, of course, play a heavy role in what happens in the official meetings. It can be assumed this is where most of the chaos happens. The Society of the Compass meets in the Hamburg Beer Hall this year, as the ancient Burkhart Castle undergoes major reconstruction after a fire in 1508. This brick palace, built in the Gothic style popular in Northern Germany at the time, will take nearly a decade to be completed. Famously, the Burkharts own various apartments throughout Lübeck and Hamburg. They typically sleep as close to their work as possible, with Georg Burkhart owning sleeping quarters in the Ratthaus. The price of beer rises due to the demand placed on the industry by meetings of the Jungists. The Archbishop of Bremen, in fact, urges breweries throughout the Hanseatic League to cease making beer until the Jungists stop meeting. This suggestion is met with ridicule, with exactly zero people agreeing to stop making beer. Instead, the Brewhouse of the Hansa and those associated with the guild (nearly every major brewery in Northern Germany) crank up the prices of beer in order to make a profit off the Jungists. This, of course, has the effect of inviting Jungists into the Hanseatic League. The House of Guelph is not amused. They beseech the Archbishop of Bremen, a known opponent of the Jungists, to do something about the heretics in the Hanseatic League. The Grandmaster of the Knights Templar, in association with Bremen, launches the First Teutonic Inquisition (obviously known to people of the time as The Teutonic Inquisition). For the first time since the Crusades, the Knights Templar sees action in a holy war. Association with the Knights Templar explodes throughout the clergy. Friars wish to be squires, priests wish to be inquisitors, and members of wealthy families throughout the Hanseatic League (less of a minority than in the rest of Germany) wish to don the fearsome armor of the Knights Templar. Gone is the era of sugarloaf helmet. These men wear the sallet or the cutting-edge burgonet, reflecting the rest of the Hanseatic military. A cuirass, strapped over a white tunic and painted with a red cross, may be found in place of the tabbard of the Templar. Their first deployment is in Dithsmarschen, where the Knights Templar tortures some 800 people in the span of a year. The manhunt does not extend to Jungists. Jews in the region are driven out. Jewish communities exist in many Hanseatic cities, many of which now live in fear that they may be next. As of December, violence outside of Dithsmarschen remains relatively rare. The Hanseatic military is equipped with many of these weapons. Patricians regularly send their sons to the military, where they are groomed and sometimes earn names for themselves. Oftentimes the rich themselves fight in the military, wearing full and ostentatious sets of armor to display their wealth and courage on the battlefield. Many of them are in Russia, fighting for the Boyars. The League sends another 3,000 men to ensure peace within Russia. The stability of the Baltic may be in question. A significant increase in the amount of weapons made by the Hansa encourages growth in the markets trading to Germans scared about the Jungists and vice-versa, as well as the Hansa's own military. The burgonet becomes more popular in the Hanseatic military, with soldiers in the West Indies beginning to sport these metal helms. The Hanseatic 2nd Armada leaves the port of Hamburg. It stops in Mali, Oyo, and skims the coast of East Africa. A kontor is established at OTL Port Elizabeth. Named Kesslerhavn or Port Kessler after the navigator, it is the first Hanseatic kontor - effectively a factory at this point in time - to be established in southern Africa. The fleet travels to Kilwa, Malindi, and Mogadishu before arriving in Calcutta.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony sends aid to the various Jungist states savagely abused by the callous and heartless Papist the Archbishop of Mainz. However, following the brief conflict and the resignation of the wicked Archbishop, Edmund Alwin becomes much more friendly with the new Archbishop, and goes to Mainz to meet with him. They find they have much in common, and remain on good terms. Meanwhile, Peter Meise travels to Ireland, where he attempts to spread his own personal form of Jungism. The Archbishop of Saxony, Gustav Jung, denounces the anti-Jungist sentiment arising from Mainz and brutally infecting other German states, and travels to France to meet with the King, in order to muster support for the Great Cause, as he calls it. Edmund Alwin welcomes the County of Saxe-Beizig into the Wolfenbund. Edmund Alwin also wishes to make a marriage with the family of the County Palatine of the Rhine. (County Palatine or Mod Response). Meanwhile, the Wuntein (OTL wristwatch) becomes popular throughout Germany, with its main manufacturing industry being centered on Saxony. The Madchenhose (loose-fitting breeches for women), after over 50 years, along with other heretical movements, come back into fashion, and are popularly worn by Jungist leaders' wives and other Jungist women. Meanwhile, Edmund Alwin's method of giving newly aquired lands and titles and counties to his younger sons as secundogeniture seems not to be working so well. His second son, Edmund, Count of Waldeck, has become anti-Jungist and joined the League of Dessau. His son, Louis, Count of Stolberg, has turned out to be sadistic when it comes to animals, and has prmoted animal cruelty throughout Stolberg. By the end of the year, all dogs have been violently slaughtered, and Louis apparently wants to start work on the cats and the birds next year. Hi son, Alwin de la Marck, Count of Leisnig, is unusually lustful, and has decreed that all women within his county must refrain from wearing clothes, and later decrees all men must also refrain from wearing clothes. Edmund Alwin laments what awful sons he has produced, and begins to look to his nephew, Wencesaus IV of Saxe-Wittenberg, as his true heir - he is indeed, the more senior heir, and the son of Edmund Alwin's older rother, Engelbert II of Saxony and Saxe-Wittenberg. Wenceslaus has a daughter this year, called Maria Louise, while Wolfgang de la Marck, Edmund Alwin's son, has a son named Joseph Alwin with his second wife, Barbara Premyslid.
  • Greenland: Sometime after the death of Lendmann Inge Bårdsson, his brother-in-law Tryggvi Oleson arrived north from Vatnahverfi to take command of the Haabets trade post. That summer he ventured in search of his relative’s body to bring him back to the colony, and he set out north with several kayaks into the fjord. His group received word of a disturbance to the northwest, and traveled across the peninsula toward the trade post of Atangmik, but found it had been abandoned. Soon after they began the journey back to Haabets, but while resting south of Atangmik a large stone was discovered jutting out from the ice. They discovered a tablet with a long passage of runes engraved into it, followed by passages in several other languages. The group would manage to bring the stone with them back south, and Tryggvi deposited it with the leader of Godthåb for examination. Although it would take many years for the discovery to become well known and studied, Tryggvi had discovered something that would greatly aid the study of the Greenlander languages and their interactions with the western hemisphere. Tryggvi would go back out into the wastes one last time before winter, alongside with a veteran of the frontier named Grímur Svertingsson and 20 other men, hoping to investigate the disturbances that were hurting trade. Several days away from the nearest town, the group would be ambushed by a group of natives, leading to one of the most deadly battles of the period. Tales from the survivors would greatly exaggerate the number of deaths, but historians would estimate that some 50 people were killed. After escaping the native attack with a minor wound, Grímur would be attacked by a bear, being left for dead by the rest of the Greenlanders. Instead he managed to crawl dozens of miles to safety, and was discovered by a passing trader. Tryggvi managed to be saved by a group of armed men who brought him before the legendary Kuupik. For saving his life, Tryggvi would declare him king as well, and spend the rest of his life trying to make such a thing reality. When the group arrived back in Godthåb, Grímur managed to fully recover, but he would swear off adventuring and decide to devote himself to religion. He later became an apprentice to the Bishop of Garðar, Jómika Ashoona, and the bishop would write to Rome asking that the Pope confirm Grímur as an auxiliary bishop, as the diocese was quite large to administer himself, and also made a personal request that he be made a cardinal, like many famed Greenlander bishops had been before him. (Papal response needed). In these days the law in Greenland was few and far between, with communities largely autonomous, especially the further north one traveled from the relatively developed regions of the Eystribygð. As such there were many unclear titles from throughout Greenland’s long and turbulent history. The title of Count of Thule had long since become largely honorary, as the unclear boundaries subscribed to it had largely drifted away. It was until the reign of Ujurak that the “county” was thought to be all the interior, and all those lands outside the settlements of the coast, but then Ujurak traveled to the Sound of Ikerasassuaq. With 100 natives at his back, he claimed all land east of the Eystribygð, and therefore all the land of the eastern coast of Greenland, as the lands of the Thule counts. This was largely inconsequential in those days, for no one was around to take heed of his proclamation. But eventually his small kingdom grew, until he sent men to collect tribute from Ketils Fjord, and they paid their dues, only to be accosted by the rulers of Brattahlid, who thought the settlers there were making up a strange tale of the Thule count in order to get out of paying their share. And so the Count of Brattahlid organized a posse, led by Styrkár Oddason of Hvalsey and consisting of a dozen other men, and they traveled east to investigate. That fall, Ujurak had migrated to Augpilagtoq, and had set up his court in that small homestead of some 100 people. The locals there liked the charismatic man, and he had connections across the Thule, bringing trade to the fjord, where it departed onto boats headed for the east. And many of his Thule liked the bustle of town life, and took up farming as well. When the army from the west arrived, Ujurak had begun to build his palace on a hill overlooking the fjord. It had been feared that a battle would take place, and the townsfolk had taken up arms near the hill prepared to attack the westerners, and many of the investigators likewise itched for battle. However, Styrkár proved to be a capable diplomat, and he managed to diffuse the situation and create a lasting peace. From that day on the lands of Thule were settled in the east, and Styrkár returned to Brattahlid with gifts and goods, and promises of peace from Ujurak. Spurred on by this event, soon after a reorganization of the assembly was made, and Styrkár became Lawspeaker for all Greenland. When Ujurak died his sons divided the lands. They had taken a liking to the feudal ways of the coast people, and his eldest was christened Tulugaq Ujuraksson, Count of Thule-Augpilagtoq, and his youngest, Sivoy Ujuraksson, Count of Thule-Ikigait. In time Sivoy came to be allied with the House of Herjólfr who ruled Herjolfsnes on the southern end of the old eastern settlements. Sivoy had married Nuvua of that clan, and with her he acquired considerable old money and prestige. With contact having been established with Vinland, trade between the two lands flourished. 
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: As Jungism continues to cement itself in north Bavaria, Albert continues his policy not to intervene, hoping to avoid violence. His efforts are more successful this year, and interreligious violence decreases. Despite less violence, the Junigsts continue their reputation for turning the other cheek in the face of persecution, which helps them spread across Bavaria. Pressure increases on several notable nobles in North Bavaria to accept the Jungists, or risk violence in their land. George astutely begins to make connections with this section of the nobility, encouraging them to allow Jungism to flourish, although all of them decline to make formal declarations one way or the other. George also contiues to try to convert his father to Jungism. Although he remains somewhat skeptical, George's efforts start to pay off and Albert IV grows more sympathetic to the Jungist cause. However, Albert continues to keep his son's religious leanings under wraps so as not to cause perceived discord within the ranks of the royal family. Meanwhile, Ludwig and William have been largely absent from court in recent years, spending their time hunting in the Bavarian countryside. The tax system Albert implemented continues to function beautifully, with efficiently administered and collected taxes swelling Bavaria's treasury and ensuring economic growth continues. Hoping to continue to forge Bavaria into the primary European power, Albert continues to encourage his nobles to expand their royal households to more effectively administer his lands. The Edict of 1498 remains in effect, mandating certain activities of the nobles, including ensuring standardized beurocracy and legal procedures. As their households expand, nobles continue to take on more administrative responsibilities, including keeping population estimates of their lands (with a subsection for military-age males), estimates of goods created, and more in-depth records of the happenings in their land. To coup with this expanding bureaucracy, Albert's own household as expanded, creating not only many administrators, but a class of liaisons to facilitate effective communication with his nobles and ensure they are able to carry out his orders. Meanwhile, with their tax authority signed away decades, ago the noble class becomes more and more reliant on the imperial treasury to procure funds. Although many have personal lands that remain profitable, Albert is careful to distribute additional funds in a way that keeps the nobles satisfied but still subservient. To this end, Albert begins a minor reorganization of the army, creating an official and permanent headquarters in Munich. Most experience military commanders are instructed to continue their work at this new headquarters, and all are made to swear a personal oath of loyalty to Albert IV and his heirs. Construction of a new Royal Archive begins in Munich, with the goal of keeping on hand copies all administrative records, censuses, and legal decisions that happen in Bavaria. The land acquired from the Swiss is now more fully returned to its Bavarian roots, and Augsburg is becoming a center of commerce in western Bavaria. Munich's industrial capacity is also growing rapidly, buoyed by heavy investment from the Royal treasury. Weapons production, in particular, continues to increase, with Munich starting to become one of the largest weapons manufacturers in Europe. The military has been fully rebuilt from the war against Switzerland, and with Munich producing so many modern weapons, it now boasts a substantial contingent of riflemen and portable cannons.
  • Duchy of Habsburg: The nation retains its close ties to the Papacy and fights the reformation as it spreads into Habsburg. As such the Duke joins the Catholic alliance. The military of the nation begins to be improved, with many knights and inquisitors assisting. As ruler of Baden, the Duke of Habsburg also brings the counterreformation there. A representative is sent to the Council of Trent and another to the Diet of Augsburg, with the duchy endorsing a pro-Catholic resolution. The Duke sends soldiers to protect the possessions of Mainz in Swabia from the attacks of Hesse and their territory of Hohenzollern. Mostly abbeys and church lands, these areas have been heavily harmed by the reformation. After Mainz is attacked, the Duke of Habsburg requests to purchase the lands outright for an extremely generous sum, so that Mainz has a great deal of money to focus on rebuilding and fighting Hesse and others. (Mainz response needed). A battle takes place near Konstanz, in which 200 Habsburg soldiers manage to defeat peasants attacking the city’s church. Later the Duke lays siege to Hohenzollern itself, hoping to capture it before the Emperor negotiates peace. (Hesse response needed).
  • Roman Empire: With the might of the Florentine banks subsumed by those of Constantinople the Roman banking industry is the pre-eminent banking sector in the eastern Mediterranean. Having conquered all of Greece trade is more or less forced to stop in the empire, allowing trade to be redirected on imperial trade routes to the north and west to Spain. The profits of this trade are dumped directly into the growing mercantile and middle classes of the empire which transport and reduce valuable goods and services. The availability of investment services leads to rapid developments in productivity. More ships are refit and rebuilt with broadsides as is possible. The first report from Dragut Reis returns from Russia applauding the power of the broadside, he indicates that fewer larger cannons ought to be replaced by more moderately sized cannons. His recommendations influence the armament of later galleys and phraktos. The Epidexiótita grows and spreads, encompassing more levels of society and adapting to the religious diversity of the empire. Poetry and sculpture flourish in Constantinople, Iconium, Thessaloniki, and dozens of other cities. The damage from the Great Earthquake of 1509 begins to be repaired with those displaced by the damage being provided food and aid from the camps of the Thema Thrakes and Thema Constantinoplos.
  • County Palatine of the Rhine - Count Louis begins taking steps to combat the reformation, as Jungism spreads and becomes fairly common across the country. To this end he supports the inquisition efforts and sends support to Albert V and the Catholics of Bavaria who oppose George succeeding. The marriage proposal with Albert VII of Rehl is accepted, as is the marriage proposal from Saxony. Louis (b. 1478) is currently unmarried, and he also has many unmarried brothers and sisters.
  • Hispanian Empire: As both the regions of Andalusia and the Riff solidly under our control, with the rebellions that had largely engulfed the region heavily suppressed, the Hispanic forces in the region continue to enforce to the full extend the implementation of the provisions of the General Directive to stamp out the remainder of the Muslims and Moriscos within the Hispanic territories of Andalusia and the Spanish Riff, giving them choice of: (1) remain and accept baptism, (2) reject baptism/retain your religion and be forced to relocate with all your movable belongings to any other province of the Hispanian Crown other than Andalusia and the Rif or be enslaved or killed, or (3) be exiled, without having to pay any fee in return. Inquisitor Dren, a rather hardline man, is put in charge of efforts, as he thoroughly strives to ensure that no Muslim or Morisco gets to escape the flaming cross of Inquisition. As a direct result, the entire region of the Hispanic Riff continues to be increasingly depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, depending on province, as every area was afflicted to a diverging degree as well as Andalusia to a lesser extend. To combat this, Queen Katherine de Barcelona continues to enforce her desicion to award all the empty acres of fertile lands as soon as their Muslims former owners vacate them, mostly in the Riff region but also in the Andalusian region, which has just started to became depopulated and/or it is projected to became in the future, but to a lesser extend than the Riff region, to her 68,000 soldiers that valiantly fought in that conflict, prioritizing the widows and the children of the 22,500 men who gave their life for the crown and the country, continuing to pay for their expanses to start resettling them in their newly granted acres for the sacrifice of their husbands, while also providing them with sufficient subsidies to ensure them a rather sufficient standard of living and not let them descend into poverty, for them and their children, but at the same time, not nearly neglecting all those brave 45,500 men who fought valiantly and are still alive, continuing to encourage them to settle with their families in the offered fertile acres, that are being vacated by their former Muslim owners, predominantly in the Riff and to a lesser extend to Andalusia. This action can be largely attributed to the unwillingness of the Hispanic Crown to face such turbulence and instability in the region ever again. Thus by initiating this process to settle our loyal troops there that we will be able to can call upon anytime in the future to surpress further revolts as well as cleansing the region out of the local Muslim populace, to ensure the loyalty of these two regions [Riff, Andalusia] to the Hispanic crown. The works to rebuild the island of Pantelleria, that has been heavily devestated by the recent pirate raid on it, are concluded and now it can once again became the prosperous trade centre it once was, continuing as it was before the war. With the war over, a rather large increase on our investment into colonial efforts occurs, as Hispania is now free to concentrate on that front. Meanwhile, the natives of Cuba continue to face constantly worsening conditions, but they are somewhat relieved by the crucial work of an increasing ammount of willing Hispanic missionaries that have travelled to the new world along with the conquistadors and take a rather accute interest in treating their ailing fellow human beings, as well as teaching them the word of God and the bBble at the same time, to which end they succeed to a rather large degree, as the natives view the European medicines as miracles, believing that the Christian God helped them miracoulously recover from their diseases, converting en masse. Pope Giuliano della Rovere is a close relative to the crown, related by ties of blood, so the support of the Hispanic crown in these trying times for Christianity is seen as something largely expected, with the Inquisition now targeting heretics too, but because of their negligible numbers, this phenomenon remains rather isolated.
  • Kingdom of Wales: The construction of a line of fortifications continues at the Anglo-Cornish borders, as dictated by Prince Michael Joseph "An Gof" of Cornwall, with the aim of strengthening the defenses of the recently liberated Principality of Cornwall from the ever lurking English threat. The construction of a similar fortification line at the Anglo-Welsh borders also continues, drawing parallels as a reverse Offa's/Wat's Dyke due to its intention of keeping the English forces out of Wales, but unlike these primitive earthworks, a solid and adequate for its time fortification line is planned instead of a patch of earthworks, as instructed by King Lionel, recognizing the virtue in Prince Michael's project, as you can never be too safe from the English. Reconstruction continues as we continue to recover from the previous Wars of the Three Realms and the subsequent respark of the War of the Roses. Lucrative trade by the Companaidh Ceilteach Afraganach (C.C.C.) with the Emirate of Jabal Asada and the Malian Empire brings newfound wealth to our realm, further encouraging the continuation of our colonial efforts. The newly established printing shops in Cardiff, Caernarfon and other major Welsh cities have proven to be commercial successes, continue circulating best sellers like the Welsh language version of the Bible, "Sinclar's Adventures" by none other than the great explorer Henry I Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, "King Arthur, the Progenitor of Wales" by reknowned Welsh author Lewys Glyn Cothi, "A history of the Gaelic peoples" by the Scottish author Micheal MacGille and other already popular books, now rendering them affordable even for the lower nobility, the merchant class and the commoners. The construction of an additional two caravels continues. Our total fleet stands at 16 caravels. With the War of the Roses and the War of the Three Realms behind us, the unifying theme of the worship of ​Saint Owain (Lawgoch)​ perseveres and grows more powerful than ever before, providing a sense of national unity not just for the Kingdom of Wales, but for the whole Celtic Confederacy essentially, bolstering our efforts to consolidate our realm, to strengthen it sufficiently to be able to withstanding the test of time against the adversity of bordering the vile Kingdom of England. King Lionel, as a worthy successor of his father, marching in his footsteps, continues to promote the reconciliation of his realm, divided into two similar yet starkly different halves, the Pura Walia region, dominanated by the independent minded Welsh nobility and the Marchia Walliae region, dominanated by the Anglo-Norman nobility, by encouraging the adoption of Welsh customs and traditions by the Anglo-Norman part of his nobility, furthermore encouraging marriages between the Anglo-Normans and Welsh noble families, with a bit more success thus far, as a few more Yorkist and Lancasterian supporters alike, but loyalist to the Welsh crown above all, Anglo-Norman noble families that have good relations with King Lionel of Wales following suit by adopting even more Welsh customs and traditions and/or intermarrying with the Welsh nobility for the time being. King Lionel, raised as a pious Catholic, fully acknowledges the threat posed by the heretics, and fully commits himself to the inquisition, after the request of his liege, the Celtic Ameraudur, tasking a separate inquisitor to go after heretics inside the Kingdom of Wales.

1510

Mainz's inquisition helps to combat Jungism around Mainz and the Upper Rhine. Although a near Jungist majority had been forming in the Alsace region, the inquisition helps to cut the Jungist population back considerably here. Notable exceptions in the region include the cities of Strasburg, Offenburg, Rastatt (in Habsburg), Speyer (not the Bishopric), Hagenau, Münster, Durlach, and Mülhausen, which become public Jungists or at least host a Jungist majority. Likewise this year  Brunswick-Lüneburg resigns from the League of Dessau after a new Jungist Duke ascends. Conversely, the Bishopric of Münster becomes a hardened anti-Jungist, as does the city of Osnabruck, and both join the Catholic alliance.

The Nuremburg War ends with the peace agreement at the Diet of Augsburg called by Emperor Ottokar. The Inquisition army led by Jan Ziska and the Archbishop of Mainz is repulsed from the city of Nuremburg, and in exchange that Hesse withdraws their occupation of Mainz. The Emperor has proved himself dedicated to settling the religious conflict in Germany diplomatically, for the time being. The Diet confirms that the states of the Holy Roman Empire all acknowledge Catholicism as the state religion, giving more justification for ongoing Inquisition sponsored by Pope Julius II and the Archbishop.

Albert IV dies suddenly in Bavaria, and it is discovered on his deathbed that he chose his youngest son George to succeed him. This causes controversy, with the devout Catholics of the country rejecting George's rule in favor of Albert V, who is crowned separately. Kaspar von Schmid, who had been about to arrest George for heretical involvement in the Battle of Nuremberg, a charge he fabricated very effectively, becomes the leader of the Catholic revolt. Additionally, although the late Duke had determined future succession to only one heir, his other sons manage to secure loose regencies over various parts of the country, due in part to the ongoing religious dispute: Ludwig and William become administrators of Landshut and Straubing respectively, the latter being the emergingly Jungist part of the country and supportive of George. While in control of Munich and supported by the western edge of the nation, George loses the control of the interior, south, and east of the nation.

An outbreak of influenza appears in the Georgian Empire, probably spread by merchants from the far east, and quickly spreads across the entire Middle East. Within months, it has infected most major cities over the Balkans and Egypt, at a fatality rate of one percent.

High Chief Agüeybaná of Puerto Rico raises tribal armies to fight against the Spanish influence on the island.

In China, the governor of Anhua Prince Zhu Zhifan invites a number of imperial officials as guests from the court of the Tian Emperor. He suddenly orders a mass execution of the guests, and subsequently incites a general rebellion against the Tian Dynasty.

The first sunflowers appear in Lotharingia and Spain.

King Henry of Denmark-Norway greatly expands the Scandinavian navy, pushing the eventual goal of competing for trade and supremacy over the North Sea.

Thomas More, the greatest humanist philosopher of England, becomes undersherrif of London. He quickly gains reputation across the city for his incredible sense of fairness and justice, immune from any accusations of bribery.

German mathematician and theologian Henry Agrippa moves from Wurzburg to Pisa, where he takes intensive studies on the political and religious situation in both Italy and the Holy Roman Empire. He writes extensively on Jewish practices of Kabbalah, which is denounced by local Friars as being "Judiazing" and occultist.

Catherine of Genoa dies, after dedicating all her spirit and energy into helping the Church and her monastery. Her death is rather slow and painful, in which she experiences many visions and prophesies as she fades in and out from life.

Venetian artist Giorgiono completes The Sleeping Venus.

  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The capture of Chan Rangea is received with some shock by Rama Mingyi Nyo who had offered him refuge within the confines of Ayutthaya should his armies face defeat but sadly not much can be done to assist the Prince due to the truce agreed to with Dai Viet. Dai Viet’s recent actions in the friendly state of Khmer and the ally of Lan Na has only helped to stir up resentment and inspire a sense of unity among many in the belief that Dai Viet is the enemy. The agreement between Spain and Ayutthaya is received with some caution by many but as the first weapons, armor, and ammo begin to arrive as per the agreement, it causes shock to many. The matchlock arquebus remain inferior in finish to the smiths of Ayutthaya but in terms of effectiveness and usefulness they catch the observers off guard in demonstrations. The cannons can fire further and are far more maneuverable than existing cannons although lacking in quality. The armor presented is of far superior quality to any existing armor in Southeast Asia and is far more protective in comparison to any counterparts in the region. The gifts from the Spanish are such a boon that anything regarding them is ordered to be kept a secret and placed under heavy guard as they are doled out to troops to begin training with. The smiths permitted to inspect the matchlock weapons, muzzleloader cannons, and armor are put to the task of attempting to replicate the equipment and have begun attempts to study it with the secrecy of this being of the utmost priority. The matchlock weapons are the easiest to replicate with only a few issues occurring in replicating it and the decision has been made to bring in a blacksmith from Spain to assist and teach the gunsmiths on the portions that remain problematic whereas the cannons and armor prove to be much more daunting and difficult. Meanwhile, the arrival of Japanese administrators who assist in the reorganization of Ayutthaya’s existing governmental structure prove to be invaluable in helping to survey the land and mark areas under the jurisdiction of administrative centers. The military advisors from Japan are quick to prove their skill and have begun to assist in instilling the troops they train with discipline making a noticeable improvement in their fighting ability and behavior. Efforts continue to restore the cities and land to their prior state with the Penghulu Bendahari having proven himself capable by overseeing the distribution of funds and their use. The Capital Defense Corps of other cities begin to receive training from instructors trained by the Japanese ones to bring them up to snuff in case a threat were to arise against Ayutthaya. Sunan Kudus with the approval of Mingyi Nyo has encouraged the equal treatment of all religions in Ayutthaya with regards to Islam mainly. The Temenggung continues efforts with the Capital Defense Corps to remove any remaining threats from the civil war and has begun to rebuild the decimated spy networks once more to ensure that the tragedy of civil war does not strike so easily again. The flow of commerce continues as normal with the Commerce Guild remaining a major trade power in Indonesia with the exception being the start of trade with the Spanish who bring some of the goods they seek back to a land called Europe where Spain is said to exist. The Ayutthayan Navy continues to regain its former might as more ships are beginning to be put out as men are found to crew them and funds are made increasingly available helping to ensure security within Ayutthayan controlled trade routes. Kriang Sak Wisetkaew is sent to Spain to serve as the Ayutthayan ambassador. As Europeans begin to arrive in greater numbers, a treaty is struck with the newest group to show up, Vrye Indië Vennootschap. The company is said to hail from the land called Lotharingia and a treaty is struck with them at Bago, the Treaty of Bago. The arrival of merchants from the Abbasids has also not gone unnoticed with the following terms proposed to them: 1) Ayutthaya will permit them to trade through the Straits of Malacca so long as they adhere to maritime laws in place, 2) The Abbasids provide weapons, armor, and ammo for purchase by Ayutthaya, 3) The Abbasids will refuse to trade weapons, armor, and ammo to the rivals of Ayutthaya (Dai Viet), 4) The Abbasids recognize and gurantee Ayutthaya's borders, vassals, and tributaries. (Abbasid Response).
  • Dai Viet: Sdach Korn's campaign was a success, with the capture of Chaktomuk and the escort of the new King back to Chaktomuk. With the coronation ceremony, Poñea Chan Reachea ascends to the throne, takes the era name of Ang Chan I, the general amnesty is granted to the realm. Sdach Korn is granted the following titles: Duke of Bo Phnom, Grand Commandant and Grand Chancellor. The late king, Srei Sukonthor is demoted to the title of Marquis of Kratie, with heavy surveillance. This effectively makes Sdach Korn the second most powerful figure in Cambodia after the King himself. (SECRET). However, he is warned by us to not commit treason against Ang Chan, as the action might trigger loyalist factions and/or the Siamese. If Ang Chan is obedience, Korn can manipulate him like Cao Cao did to Emperor Xian. If he is not, slowly and steadily, Korn can pull of schemes like how the Sima clan did to seize the throne. Either way, this progress must be done in the least violent way possible. (END SECRET). With Dai Viet succeeding in helping the rebellion, an offer is made to the Khmer to allow Vietnamese access to the Mekong Delta, and to open a trading market in the city of Prey Nokor and a custom house to collect taxes. In return, Vietnamese experts are sent to help the country in infrastructure. (Mod Response). Because the Southern Lands are not as fertile as the North which agriculture's benefits greatly from the Red River Delta, having access to the fertile delta is beneficial to Dai Viet's economy. News of Ayutthaya establishing trading relations with a country called Tây Ban Nha (Spain) from the far lands of the West and purchased weaponry from them has shocked the Emperor. The weaponry they purchased were no ordinary, and the Emperor fears there might be war between Dai Viet and Ayutthaya due to the increasing tension. As such, fortifications are raised along the border with Ayutthaya. Members of the Merchant Guild are advised to take the Sunda Strait for commerce to Western territories if they want to due to the hostility of Ayutthaya toward Dai Viet, as Majapahit is a regional ally of Dai Viet. With that, a provision port is constructed in Belitung for the repair and maintenance of merchant ships reaching the island. This year, a genius architect by the name of Vũ Như Tô from Cẩm Giàng district is founded by the Emperor and he gets summoned to the court. He is ordered to build a new throne for the Emperor. After finishing, he attempted to sit on the throne to see if the throne is comfortable for the Emepror to sit. However, this is seen by the guards as he gets imprisoned. In the prison cell, sadden by his potential execution, the artist puzzled a herd of elephants out of nothing but rice husks. Seeing his amazing talent of architecture, the Emperor pardons the artist and give him in charge of palace construction projects in the court. (More to come).
    • Ang Chan accepts help reconstructing the nation.
  • Mali Empire: It was inevitable that the Taymiyyah sect of Islam would make its way into the far eastern parts of the empire, facilitated by the ongoing cultural and political rivalry within the court of the Bornu Empire. The conservative Sunni Muslims of Kanem, Agadez and Daura would continue to see the Yunniya sect as both heretical and schismatic, and the innovations they make to theology is viewed as a blight against the House of Islam. In the east, they adhered to the older Sunni philosophies from the Golden Age of Islam. Since the rise of the Abbasid Caliphate over Egypt in the late 1490s, the more radical influence from the Sunnis made their way into west Africa over the carvan routes. Jayob Antouman, by no means a political or military leader himself, was nonetheless highly influential toward the expansion of Taymiyyah Islam into the former Songhai territory, the city of Gao. The remaining tribes of the Songhai people have lived in an exarchate culture since the time of Mansa Musa, having been expelled from their traditional homelands for over 150 years. In the western parts of the Empire, between the metropolis centers of Timbuktu and Dakar, philosophical and religious innovations are far more the norm, and vassal states of Waalo, Jolof and the Sidinate are rapidly growing in both infrastructure and wealth compared to their eastern counterparts. Yunni Islamic philosophies, at this time period, are more focused on humanism and the moral obligations of the empire relating to individual people. The greatest Yunni Philosopher at this time period was Yahya Mamamoo, the youngest and most talented adviser to Mustafa II. Mamamoo was legendary by his great impartiality and wisdom, and thus became close friends of the young Emperor due to how much he was trusted. Mamamoo would often write parables in his essays, using stories based on the tales of Sanbao the Sailor or Mansa Musa to illustrate his concepts of moral humanism, so that they could be understood by both the nobility and common people. Across the Southern Atlantic Ocean, the navigator Abd Al Mutalib Jannah is blown off course from traveling south toward India, and catches sight of a small landmass in the middle of the Ocean, known OTL as Saint Helena Island (Mod RNG for approval please).
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Former-Archbishop Hermann von Getz submits to trial by an ecclesiastical court, for abusing his authority. He is ordered to enter a solitary hermitage, and to preach no more, while he meditates on his failings. Archbishop Aaron von Gemmingen announces that he will still pursue the reformation of the church, but is committed to using violence only against radical schismatics and heretics, who do not desire unity with their brothers in Christ. He believes in all Christian living together in one brotherhood, as one family, and hopes that through years of right teaching and discourse this can be achieved. He confirms the offices of the Jungist-leaning bishops, who were originally confirmed by Archbishop Bertrand of Villingen, in the hopes that they will urge their congregations toward a more conciliatory position. In response to the Emperor’s decree, the Inquisition will continue, to maintain solidarity behind the reformed Catholic faith. He cuts back on the expansions of the University of Darmstadt for the next two years, to pay the reparations to Hesse. He continues to send support to Albert V, to crush the rebellion, and orders the other archbishops to send what funds they can. The presses of Mainz continue to print the Bible in the vernacular, and it is still taught in the church’s free schools. The free schools not only provide education for the common man, but serve as a forum for the priests to train the young in the importance of a reformed, but united, church. The new Archbishop also allows all Catholic churches in the empire to teach the Bible in the vernacular, as a sign of how the church is favorable to reform, if not schism. The presses also continue to print rebuttals to the radical Jungist texts, such as the Anhalt Centuries, pointing out their numerous fallacies and leaps of logic. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland continues the expansion and modernization of the navy, with hopes to complete it as scheduled. Heinrichshaven is now almost fully completed. He begins sending their newest ships on longer excort runs, supporting thw growing imperial merchant fleet.
  • Roman Empire: The influenza strikes the empire harshly, burning through the major cities like fire through a dry field in the wind. The flu, combined with the earthquake of last year, lay Constantinople lower than it has been for some time. Though measures are taken to help the sick and dying, thousands succumb to illness. The cost and pain of the influenza sap some of the strength from the empire, undermining the Palaiologos Dynasty in the process. Fortunately, those most affected by the flu are the elderly and infirm, sparing even most children from its worst effects. Despite the plague life continues, and while the economy does take a hit, a full-blown collapse is avoided. The time does inspire a burst of creative activity from the empire’s artists. Stephanos Andropoulos, a notable sculpture, completes his seminal work The Pestilence featuring an exceptionally well depicted woman weeping over her collapsed lover. Such heart-wrenching scenes become common in Roman art throughout the decade as the memory of the loss persists. Overall, the naval reconstruction slows due to the disease, but it is expected to return to normal once the flu departs.
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Mehmud ibn Abdukrahman al-Rūm continues to spend time in the Ulema, being allied to the Taymiyyah aristocracy while trying to find compromises with the democrats and liberal factions. At some point this year, the Wāli of Filasṭīn, Muhdati al-Hassen, dies without an heir. At the expense of Caliph al-Maālīk, Abdukrahman al-Rūm is appointed as Wāli of Filasṭīn, with the Caliph famously giving a speech where he incidentally referred to Abdukrahman as his "son", likely given the younger age of Abdukrahman in comparison to the Caliph, as well as Caliph al-Maālīk only having female children, an issue that would plague his reign as well as cause a short succession crisis upon his death. What is important is that the Caliph al-Maālīk openly acknowledged Abdukrahman al-Rūm as his 'son.' Abdukrahman al-Rūm begins his lengthy research into military strategy and military history, studying at the Caliph's Auditorium and his personal abode. A population consensus is completed this year. [Mod Response Needed]. Samir al-Azad returns to the Abbasid Caliphate, landing at Jeddah and publishing his findings. With the help of the printing press, he publishes the 476-page manuscript on East Asia and the Spice Kingdoms titled إمبراطوريات الشرق (lat. Imperia Orientalem; eng. "Empires of the East"), detailing the objective routes and locations of the major kingdoms of East Asia while also providing commentary on the society and culture there. The publication would make the world just a little smaller, with historians and scholars discussing in universities and libraries on the status of East Asia and their kingdoms, not to mention the recollection of Muslims in these far-away lands is definitely a moment to be had for Islam as a whole. The publication also provided full motivation for the Caliphate to expand their realm in the Indian Ocean, with more merchants now deploying off of Jeddah and exploring East Asia as a whole. Defensive fortifications begin being installed in the Tabatabai Sultanate while an army of 5,000 move into the region to protect the capital of Aswan. Roads continue to be improved upon, allowing trade to flourish and expand the economy of the Abbasid Caliphate, emerging out of the dark ages as an economic power. Warehouses that were built prior to the Georgian Invasion to house large amounts of resources are re-purposed to additionally provide proper rationing of grain resources across the Caliphate, although their primary usage remains as a storage of resources in case of war. The royal portraits of former Caliph al-Mustakfī and al-Mustaʿīn are discovered, now being housed in Caliph al-Maālīk's Auditorium. Arquebuses now have the shoulder stock, with thicker armor being produced due to the addition of firearms into warfare. The recent spike in influenza results in the "slowing down" of major production and construction, with the Caliph himself even staying in doors until the flu disappears. Now an official diplomat, Samir al-Azad returns to the Court of Ayutthaya, expressing the Caliph's wishes to establish proper trade through the Strait of Malacca. [Ayutthaya Response Needed.]
    • The population of the Caliphate is 5.7 million.
    • Ayutthaya Diplo: The arrival of merchants from the Abbasids has also not gone unnoticed with the following terms proposed to them: 1) Ayutthaya will permit them to trade through the Straits of Malacca so long as they adhere to maritime laws in place, 2) The Abbasids provide weapons, armor, and ammo for purchase by Ayutthaya, 3) The Abbasids will refuse to trade weapons, armor, and ammo to the rivals of Ayutthaya (Dai Viet), 4) The Abbasids recognize and gurantee Ayutthaya's borders, vassals, and tributaries. (Abbasid Response).
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: Mata offers his son Chuiyko to visit Ethiopia to establish closer ties with the nation. Ethiopian scholars are also offered to visit Matala and its new school. (Ethiopian player response). In Tunga all goes as usual with roads becoming a common sight. With the invention of the cart being brought some years back trade and movement also increase as large loads can be traveled great distances without much labor. Makovibra sees an explosion of new settlements, and architecture as the Indian immigrants become some of the leading architects. New metal working techniques are also taught by the Indians. We ask Lothargians if they may teach of more of ships. (Lothargian player response). 
  • Kingdom of Morocco: The sultan begins to expand the territory of the central to have more development on Morocco and make new settlement to establish cities and leading to work with architects to construct the places and new stuff techniques. He continues to take his times and advance the economy of the country the trade are upon is new establish for more commercials among the population and its finest the expansion of Morocco continue and emerging some new stuff and a canal is being built in the central for trade route to allow merchants to come a camp is being to setup and tribes are being encourage them' the development is doing well insisting that the population become more ethnically as the governments told and large immigrants wise that the cities are sizing the power and upgraded them' the route is in constructions with metals and added a fortifications the army is being to upgraded and organize a way in power with the sultan to emerge a defensive-separate to gain strategy and tactis for engage combats and else morderizination is soon spreading across in the territory and great distances in the Penisula a high office is establish for trades and boost money to populate more boats of whats its need thus rather a more advanced technique across in Morocco and more intellegence stuff so far the Arabs and many tribes continue coexisting and agriculturing religions pratice are doing well simply usual as always and the governments would also allow the vizier to run the centrals to keep the trades activity and its base for stuff to continue and give proper to advance the kingdom so far' they establish a fortress from the army and gain for border limitations now the armor produced some new improvement stuff and being purchased to the army' so far the population estimate continue doing well and the regard of the sultan of a joy' and more resource has been had and islam religions are doing well so far they establish an Islamic scholar for cultural and stuff more Qu'rans are indeed being produced and purchased to have more added to the library.
  • Papal States: Pope Julius II declares the Ecumenical Council of Trent as finished after the resolutions that were passed the previous year. In response to the English diplomatic message, Pope Julius II thanks King Henry VII for his support to the true faith. The pontiff says that England could adopt the decisions of the Council of Trent and join the Catholic League. Pope Julius II declares Catherine of Genoa as Venerable. Ferdinand Habsburg Della Rovere and Catherine of Foix have a daughter named Joanna.
  • Port Kessler: After landing last year and establishing a factory, settlers begin by establishing Fort George, initially it is made from local wood and consists of a cleared field of fire, an earthen ditch, ramparts, a palisade and a gatehouse. Kommisar of Kesslerhavn established himself in Fort George. In time stone will be gathered for further construction and scouting is done for a potential quarry. It's position on the high ground and with a river to one side means it's well defensible. Just within the surrounding kilometres of the settlement, minor crop planting of vegetables begins in enclosed fields owned by the company. The vegetables include broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, onions and spinach. Cattle in the form of sheep and cows are also introduced into the area surrounding Fort George. A pier made of wood for two ships at a time is established on the coast at the mouth of the river running through Port Kessler which is named Fuhren (guiding) (OTL Bakens) river.
  • 'Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" The vissers of Palmparadijs just received in the form of new Rotterdamsche Handels Compagnie ships. The ships being RHS Groen-Wit, RHS Klaver and the Sloops biggetje, snuit and knor being heavly armed as to be able to explore into the innerlands of Broekzand and possible the dangerous aztecs and mayans. The Ships having a total of 100 Veroveraars which of which 15 are cavalry on horse, 40 being punasiers and 45 are infantry, most of these being men with pikes in the traditional Lotharingian manner. The infantry planning to rely on West indies wood, chopped by the the Vissers to construct their karren, as these karren enable the soldiers to take more goods. Goods such as food, extra wood, relics, artifacts and much more, these karren can also form a defencive barier against natives. The karren being able to configured so that the punaisiers can be in the karren where there is a panel with shooting hole which can be put up in such needs. The RHC wanting to ensure that the exploration of the lands and nature happen, as the west indies are still believed to be a land of infinite and unending. Thus after leaving Rotterdam in April, and the crew arriving late august in palmparadijs. The 100 veroveraars then setting of From palm paradijs together with \eight Vissers then go to the Broekstrand. The man landing on the southernmost bit of the peninsula, where the men meet with two tribes called the Tegesta and the Geyga. These tribes allways living in fear of the larger Kaloesa which is a tribe atleast twice as big as the Tegesta-Geyga, the Veroveraars thus offering an alliance between "Eilanden met Hemelse stranden" and them. (Mod response). The Veroveraars offering to defend the tribe against the Kaloesa, and have trade with them. This trade would give them a technological advantage against the Kaloesa enemy, as native Indians are not used to thunderous sound of the Punaisier. While in Broekden the crew of the ''''"Wyn" "Groningen" and "Wadden" continue their building of a new ship, as to get everyone able to return. While doing so they send out a message to the court of Vinland, asking them if they could send a message to Greenland where many "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" go to hunt whales and collect other artic goods. (Vinlandic response). The Frisian company also tries to have better relations with Iceland, as the company profits from very risky fishing voyages. As not many are willing to do this and also bring it to Lotharingia, the RHC finding it too risky for the monetary gain. In Asia Antoon Brouwer has good news after going to the state of Ayutthaya, his only recently founded company the "Vrye Indië Vennootschap". This news being a treaty with Ayutthaya, which makes it possible for him to freely trade. This makes Antoon Brouwer the Lotharingian with the most Potential, as East Asian goods are highly sought after by the people in Lotharingia. Goods being Nutmeg, Curry, curcuma and many more exotic spices and herbs. The Lotharingians having Lotharingian fabrics, Guns, cannons and other advanced technology such as heraldry and architecture. While in Lotharingia itself King John V at his old age begins to write his will and his legacy, John wanting to keep the Senatus Regus Lotharrii, The Generaal-admiraal and the Lotharingian people happy. Thus he writes that his first son John Leonard, Junior will become king of Lotharingia, as he is the first inline, but he also write that he can't become king of spain unless wanting to be a disgrade to the nation. With Elvin of Barcelona-Regnier will get his support as king of Spain after his dear wife comes to visit him in heaven. While alvin will as a member of the Church be offered to go the Wadden Islands to have him study rodents togheter with the Saint Columbanus messengers. The king having to split his dynasty in two as he sees that otherwise his beloved Lotharingia will not accept him as a Lotharingian. Juliaen de Kremer liking it, as even if he likes Spain he belives it is also the cause of Lotharingian naval decline. The Lotharingian royal navy being in stagnation for over three decades. As it is given just enough to deal with the Guines rebelion that happend and nothing more.
    • The tribes want to try to know the Franconians more before signing a full alliance, but they are friendly and gladly accept support.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. Zoltán's first born son is born this year. His name given to him is Olivér.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Kingdom of England: After the response from Pope Julius II reaches England, King Henry VII of England has the nation formally join the Catholic League. With the King's encouragement, the English Parliament increases funding for the Inquisition in England to ensure that the religious situation in England remains stable and Catholicism remains strong. Archbishop of Canterbury William Warham and Archbishop of York publicly preach about the conclusions of the Ecumenical Council of Trent, and in the meantime the Mercedine friars operating from the Bluefriars priory in Wells, Somerset increase their efforts for charity. The Catholic faith in England is also aided by the popular philosopher and undersheriff of London Thomas More after he starts publicly critiquing Jungist philosophy. King Henry VII keeps Lancastrian soldiers gathered in Kent and Essex near the local ports in anticipation of the Catholic League soon requiring military deployment to continental Europe. While waiting for potential deployment, the Lancastrian soldiers in the southeast of England focus on fortifying the port towns of Gravesend, New Romney and Hythe in Kent and Hastings in Sussex. The construction of military ships intended to carry troops across the English Channel continues in Essex and Kent. William Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Bristol decides to test out the seaworthiness of the long-distance ships constructed in Bristol by sending ships to conduct trade with England's ally Hispania; if these trade journeys go well then the ships could potentially be sent on longer journeys and eventually to the New World. Aside from funding the Inquisition, the English Parliament this year also funds the improvement of streets and roads in London to facilitate the easier movement of goods, thereby increasing trade and improving the local economy. As the Celtic Confederacy had also joined the Catholic League and is actively combating heretics within its own borders, King Henry VII hopes that this unfortunate religious situation that has emerged in continental Europe can nonetheless have a benefit by leading to a rapprochement between the two British powers. Yorkists, however, continue to preach anti-Celtic rhetoric by blaming the Celtic government for having allowed heretics to gain power in the British Isles in the first place. Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester, with the aid of several other nobles including Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland; Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham; and George Talbot, 4th Earl of Shrewsbury, continues gathering Yorkist troops in southern Yorkshire in preparation for a southward march, hoping to use King Henry VII's distraction with the continental religious conflicts and the gathering of Lancastrian troops in southeast England to restore Yorkist authority in London. However, the deposed Edward VII doesn't really approve of Richard's plan, arguing that all Englishmen should stand together to combat the heretics at this moment. In Yorkshire, George of Gloucester (b. 1494), third son of Richard of York, is betrothed to Katherine Stafford (b. ~1499), daughter of Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham and sister of Elizabeth Stafford, the wife of George's brother Edward. After hearing that the Portuguese nobility were looking for brides for the young King Luís (b. 1496), King Henry VII offers Ursula Beaufort (b. 1496), daughter of his son George Beaufort, Duke of Lancaster, as a potential bride. (Portugal response).
  • Hanseatic League: The First German Inquisition spreads out of the confines of Bremen. Osnabrück and Münster join into a Catholic League, with Bremen joining at the same time. Violence in the League escalates as suspected Jungists are hunted down in the archbishoprics of the League. Allied dukes join in the fray, such as the Guelph family. Violence in Dithsmarschen ends and, though it does not last for as long as some of the other inquisition operations throughout the League, it was where it began and sustained itself for nearly a year before spreading through the League. Missions to Ditsmarschen continue. It is at this point that Arnold Starck, one of the conspirators in Konrad Jung's assassination, begins to study the apologetics of Jungism in order to combat it. It is at this point that (shockingly) his faith begins to waver. Jungist belief makes its way into Free Cities along the Elbe and Weser Rivers. Despite the actions of the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneberg, the Jungists are spreading into other cities in the duchy, such as Celle. To the north, Denmark-Norway appears to be increasing its navy, particularly in the North Sea. Traffic along the Stecknitz Canal increases as the Oresund appears to grow more volatile. At present, the League effectively controls traffic through the Oresund due to a heavy presence in Danish cities throughout the region, including Copenhagen. It is natural that the Danish chafe after so long. The Syndics are aware of the possibility that the League will have to resort to drastic action to protect trade in the North Sea, something the Celtic Union, England, and Lotharingia may agree with. The League erects defenses along the Danish border as 15 new warships are built in Kiel Shipyards. Many more are deployed throughout the Baltic to keep the peace. As this happens, money from the Iceland and Scottish kontors trickles into the coffers of both nations steadily. Ironically, this boosted presence of warships makes people more confident in trade. With tensions in Germany raising ever higher, at least there can be one place where the people of the Hanseatic League know they are safe. The Hanseatic League possesses one of the largest navies in Europe. The seas will always be safe. Across the Atlantic Ocean, Hanseatic sailors establish a trading post on OTL St. Vincent's Island, which will be added to the dominion of the Hanseatic West Indies Company. The colonial administrator will have the honor of naming it. A fort is erected in Fredricia as work on the docks continue. Work on the docks is largely performed by slaves purchased from Mali. The Atlantic Slave Trade remains brutal and unforgiving on those who make the voyage from Africa to Meridia in bondage. The Second Hanseatic Armada arrives in Calcutta, where they request permission to establish a Kontor in the city. (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED) On the Armada's way back, it makes more stops in Africa, both along its eastern coast and into Malinese markets.
    • A Kontor is made in the city
  • Duchy of Thuringia: The Thin White Duke returns to Thuringia after being out of the public light for a few years. It is revealed he traveled to west Berlin and write a number of books, commonly nicknamed his “Berlin Trilogy”, and also helped his friend Ignatius Paugh compose two books as well. Finally back in Thuringia, this year he publishes a book on mythological creatures and nightmares, called Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps). By this time Thuringia has effectively converted to Jungism to a large degree, and the Thin White Duke decides to formally have himself convert the religion, although he had been sympathetic to it and likely secretly practicing for years. Toward the end of the year he will also hold a local diet among all the nobles of Thuringia, and they would begin to write a decree effectively making Thuringia follow Jungism as a state religion officially, although the diet did not complete until soon after the end of 1510. In response to the civil war in Bavaria, the Thin White Duke points out that George was the legal and rightfully appointed Duke of Bavaria, and his greedy brothers are simply trying to usurp his throne. As such, as Bavaria is a close ally of Thuringia, the Duke mobilizes forces to crush the usurpers and their villainous, Papist rebels. This military action would see Hugh the Heir, famed commander of the Nuremberg War, leading an army in the north, largely from Thuringian Nuremberg, in defending against the Palatine and the rebels of Landshut. The state continues to mass produce writings of Jung and other reformers, and spreads these works across Germany. The work by Mainz supposedly exposing logical fallacies in the Anhalt Centuries is easily picked apart and debunked, and soon there is a work pointing out the logical fallacies in the work pointing out logical fallacies. Although Freud is one of Germany’s smartest intellectuals and a skilled writer, he proves to be less charismatic in person than Jung was, and so other reformers begin to rise to the forefront and become the “face” of the later reformation. Martin Breuer becomes one such figure, nicknamed the “Second Jung”. He begins as a follower of Freud and later becomes a professor at Wittenberg University. He builds off Freud’s famous work Loci Communes, and creates his own addition to it. Other figures include Michael Kierkegaard, the most successful reformer to come out of the Scandinavia region, and a noted philosopher and writer.
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: Not long after the Diet of Augsburg another war broke out centered around the Bavaria region, as Albert IV died and left behind a disputed succession. Bohemian forces are raised the Catholic side, and an invasion is launched of Straubing. The Emperor replies to the message from the King of England, stating that he appreciates the aid, proposing a marriage proposal be created if possible to further relations, and asking to buy mercenaries at a low cost from England in order to continue fighting Jungist dissidents (English response needed). Toward the end of the year, the Emperor holds a diet in Munich to hopefully negotiate a peaceful end to the Bavarian Civil War. Additionally, the Diet is another attempt to hopefully end the religious dissent, and the Emperor invites Johann Freud and others from both sides to attend and make his case for or against banning Jungism across the Empire. (Thuringia response needed). It is expected, however, that the inquisition will continue, and Jungism will continue to be banned. The Emperor is prepared to issue an imperial ban on Freud and his fellow collaborators, and is prepared to order the full banning of Jungist and heretic works. Within Bohemia itself, violence continues to spread, and an inquisition begins in full force against the large non-Catholic population.
    • England Diplomacy: King Henry VII of England sends 4,000 English mercenaries to aid the Emperor against the Jungist dissidents.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony attends the Diet of Munich as an "observer". Other religious leaders in Saxony either attend to defend themselves (Gustav Jung, Steveltrender Theoderic Rood), or boycott the meeting (Peter Meise, Johann Burglholzi). Gustav Jung proposes that Jungism be allowed to spread naturally throughout the world, unrestricted, and that the Jungists merely wish to be left alone. If a Catholic wants to become Jungist, let him become Jungist, it is his choice. Edmund Alwin sends aid to Denmark-Norway, hoping it will make his cousin King Henry more sympathetic to the Jungist cause. And it seems like it may be working: last year, Henry sent him a large bouquet of flowers out of the blue. Edmund Alwin grows closer to his nephew Wenceslaus, as his own sons grow more maniacal. Alwin has apparently been having huge sexual orgies and has retracted gonorrhea. His son Louis has been hunting animals, of all shapes and sizes, on horseback, with cannons. He also likes to cut open donkeys and stuff other animals inside them, then sew the donkey back up and watch as the donkey spurts blood and the hapless small furry animal struggles inside. His son Edmund, worst of all, is a Catholic. Edmund Alwin voices his support for George of Bavaria - he is his father's son and heir, and it is highly unsportsmanlike for his brothers to just attempt to disinherit him. He (Edmund Alwin) sends a number of troops to help poor George.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: With the situation deteriorating rapidly, George, as the rightful heir of Albert IV and his lands, begins to take decisive action. Having courted many nobles in the later years of Albert IV's life, George inherits a decisive political advantage, with many more resources available to him than either Ludwig, Albert V, or the traitorous Kaspar von Schmid. With William ending up in Straubing, he is quickly forced by the nobles and George to take the side of the Jungists, and privately expresses interest in converting soon. With the military apparatus of Bavaria centered in Munich, George is almost immediately able to starve his competitors of any weapons or competent military personal. In fact, with the military centralized in Munich, many fighting age men defect to George's side, trusting their officers over Albert V or Ludwig, who was widely perceived as incompetent during Albert IV's reign. This confluence of factors leaves George with essentially all the cards, and after brief political maneuvering to secure the loyalty of the Straubing nobility, He launches a full-fledged attack on the territory under the control of Ludwig and Albert V. With no competent military leadership, basically no weapons, and a tenuous hold on the nobles in their land, Ludwig and Albert V buckle almost immediately, with little serious resistance. George has both, along with a good portion of the nobles who support them, executed, awarding their land to various Jungist Straubing nobles, which secures both their loyalty and a power base. As a reward for his loyalty and his devotion to Jungism William is made Count of Landshut, making him the most powerful noble in Bavaria after the Duke himself, though with most of Landshut now controlled by the nobles from Straubing, the nobles nominally under William are much more loyol to Geroge. With much of Bavaria secured, George holds a public ceremony in which he, along with a few scores of prominent nobles and citizens of Munich, publically profess their faith in Jungian. Geroge uses this opportunity to confirm the rumors that he fought in the battle of Nuremberg, pointing out that if it was actually heretical, the Jungists would not have won. He then extends this argument to his victory against Albert V and Ludwig, claiming divine right to rule and being officially coronated by the (now Junist) Bishop of Munich. With both popular and noble support secured, George begins to campaign against the diminished forces of Kaspar von Schmid as Jungism starts spreading across Bavaria with renewed fervor. To the greatest extent possible, George tries to keep Albert IV's tax and bureaucracy intact during the civil conflict and is largely successful. Although tax revenues plummet, the greater influence of the Straubing nobles means that the Duchy will be easier to administer in the future. Although a private ceremony is held in Albert IV's honor, George decides to hold off on a public funeral until the matter with Kasper is settled. Meanwhile, George also deals with the invasion from outside. Not needing to commit much of his forces to fight the disorganized alliances of Albert V and Ludwig, he is able to commit most of his troops to defending from the Bavarian menace, along with several thousand mercanries, and greatfully accepts help from Saxony in the matter. realizing that if they can hold out for George to fully unify Bavaria they can win easily, the Bavairans soldiers priotize holding their ground and making the Bohemians pay for every inch, making freqent use of spearman shelded firearms and grapeshot manufactured in Munich.

1511

In response to the decision made at the Diet of Augsburg, several nations officially protest the Emperor's decree (joining the players already listed), and formally become Jungist nations. This list includes Francis of Brunswick-Lüneburg (whose late father was ironically a member of the League of Dessau), and the cities of Strasburg, Nuremberg, Lindau, Memmingen, Nördlingen, Heilbronn, Reutlingen, Isney, St. Gallen (in the Swiss Confederacy), Weissenburg, Windsheim, and Frankfurt.

During the Bavarian Civil War, Duke George manages to secure much of the country. However, a small Catholic army from Swabia manages to capture the city of Ulm, and an army from Salzburg and Austria manages to hold the south. Kaspar von Schmid leads a major invasion from the south toward Munich, but ee proves to be less competent a strategist as he is an administrator, and a slightly smaller Bavarian army manages to repulse him. Elsewhere, an Imperial army (of Bohemians and English mercenaries) under the Duke of Livonia manage to achieve victory at the Battle of Bayreuth against Hugh the Heir's army. The elderly, deposed marshall Jan Zizka leads a cavalry charge for the Imperialists that helps win the day, but he is killed in action. The battle leads many in Bavaria to unite behind the Duke against what is perceived against a foreign invasion.

Admiring the influence and success of Shia Islam across Iran, the Qizilibash clans of Shia Turks stages a general rebellion in Central Anatolia against the Byzantine Empire. The two military leaders, Sakhulu and Korkut, wish to establish a Shia state in western Asia in opposition to the powers of Byzantium and Georgia. Raising a total of 8,000 troops they sieze control over the city of Konya.

The influenza pandemic spreads from the east into Western Europe, first breaking out in Naples. It spreads from there across the Iberian Peninsula of Spain and Portugal, and then north into Bordeaux, Burgundy, Lombardy. By the end of the year, the plague has appeard across the Swiss Alps.

The central committee of the Hanseatic League, while managing their colonies in America and Africa, takes particular note that "one black can do the work of four Indians".

The Taino people of Cuba repulses Spanish influence on the Island.

Now that his son is 21 years old, King Henry of Denmark seeks for a royal marriage for his oldest son Olaf.

Desiderius Erasmus publishes the book In Praise of Folly, in which the personification of Folly gives satirical support and praise for a number of concepts such as deception and madness. Folly also points out many political and religious controversies of the day, such as supersticious practices of the Catholic Church, and the foolish statements by the Jungists.

Other events of religious developments occur at this same time. In Morocco, Ahmad abi Jumah publishes the Oran Fatwa, in response to the forced conversions of the Muslims in Spain in recent years. In this work, the Islamic scholar proposes a relaxation on certain Sharia laws, allowing Muslims to outwardly confess to Christianity in order to protect their secret practices of Islam.

In Lotharingia, Jan Tinctoris publishes a dictionary of musical terminology.

  • Georgia: Bagrat revises the Georgian legal code. He affirms the distinction between the didebulis (upper nobles) and the aznauri (lower nobles). However, both classes of nobility become hereditary - before, the aznauri were entitled by charter (by a lord or by the King). The aznauri generally own less land and serfs (some work the land themselves) and are obliged to render military service to the King during times of war. Some aznauri are vassals of the King - serving in the Royal Army; most, however, are vassals of the eristavi, and serve in the ducal armies. Bagrat also applies the title of mtavari solely to the eristavi (dukes / governor-generals), while the distinction between the eristavi and tavadi (which used to be synonymous) is reaffirmed - the latter denoting any didebuli lower than an eristavi. Knowing of a restive Shia population, Bagrat emphasizes the Persian side of Georgian culture - patronizing poetry, the arts of miniature and ceramics, and scholarship. He also commissions the construction of several buildings in the capital in the "Oriental Caucasian" style (a synthesis of Byzantine/Georgian and Islamic architectural tradition). Bagrat also tries to legitimize the Bagrationi's by pushing the view that they are the revelation of an occultation (as Bagrat V did). However, Bagrat's centralization efforts, as well as the promotion of a cosmopolitan culture embracing Persianate tradition, garner censure from within the aristocracy. Lady Jaqeli tries to rally the opposition under her wing. She reaches out Mehmed - the newly-crowned Duke of Azerbaijan - but he refuses because he wants to "return" the late Alexander's favor by serving his son and current King to the best of his ability. Bagrat is also his brother-in-law, via his marriage to the former's sister Tinatin. This refusal causes Lady Jaqeli to publicly admonish him. Lady Jaqeli instead tries to look for allies among the Bagrationi's themselves (particularly the Imeretian branch). She finds one in David, a handsome prince many years her junior. Despite the age difference and her being a widow, Lady Jaqeli marries David - who is enamored by the older woman. This marriage is criticized by many including his relatives (since she can't bear him any heirs due to her age). Lady Jaqeli also becomes estranged from her children, including Natia. Nevertheless, the peculiarity of their relationship does not take away from David's charisma, which together with his promise to restore the right of the tavadi to have private armies (a right abolished centuries ago), make him alluring to many. Meanwhile, the young Nathan begins to dream about seeing the world; from the bustling cities of China, to the fertile lands of India, to the wet and chilly meadows of England, he vows to see them all. His young son's fascination with the outside world compels Bagrat to commission and sponsor the creation of a trading company to India. He chooses Basra in Iraq as the company's base. Commerce continues to flourish due to the export of cotton and silk. The nobility patronizes arts such as frescoes, mosaics, miniature, and ceramics. Polyphonic singing, poetry, dance, and court pageantry also flourish.
  • Saxony: Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Prince-Elector of Saxony, offers his daughter Clementia de la Marck (b. 1491) to wed Crown Prince Olaf of Denmark (b. 1488). (Mod Response). 
    • Marrying your second cousin needs papal approval.
    • Saxon Diplomacy: We ask for papal approval of the marriage. (Papal Response) (Mod Response again if he agrees).
    • Jungists don't need Papal anything.
    • Saxony (contd.): Good point, concedes Edmund Alwin. However, meanwhil, there seems to be the issue that Greenland is claiming Olaf was already betrothed, to a member of their royal family. The Duke of Saxony recalls helping to arrange such a marriage many years  earlier, but for some reason it never happened. Edmund Alwin is willing to step aside if Henry chooses the Greenlader candidate for his son instead. Meanwhile, esewhere in the Duchy of Saxony, Edmund Alwin begins to spend more time with his nephew Wenceslaus IV, and finds the young man reminds of his brother, Engelbert II, before they fell out. Meanwhile, Edmund Alwin's hideous sons grow further estranged from him. Louis, having exhausted his supply of animals to torture to death in his County of Stolberg, begins to encroach on the territory of Leisnig, belonging to his brother Alwin. This leads to a dispute, resulting in the exual assault of Louis by his brother Alwin. Edmund Alwin attempts to placate both brothers, and then orders them to go on a pilgrimage to the grave of the great Jung, and think about their sins. Edmund Alwin's oldest son, Wolfgang, is a staunch Jungist, but has recently been suspcted of cannibalism. He has another child, named Wolfgang Alwin. 
  • Kingdom of England: Making use of the newly constructed ships for military transport in Essex and Kent, 4,000 English mercenaries cross the English Channel and travel to aid the Holy Roman Emperor in Bohemia against Jungist dissidents, on the orders of King Henry VII of England, as part of the Catholic League initiative. Lancastrian soldiers remain concentrated in the southeast of England in case the Catholic League requires the deployment of more English soldiers. The English Parliament, meanwhile, continues to fund the English Inquisition and also focuses on funding the improvement of English salt collection/production, mainly in the counties of Cheshire and Worcestershire, with the goal of using salt to improve food storage in the major cities of England, making their food supply more resistant to famines. The Inquisition and the Order of Divine Mercy consider their operations in England as in the previous year. In London Thomas More continues publicly critiquing Jungist philosophy and he studies religious polemics as he considers writing a rigorous critique in book form. In Yorkshire, despite the objections of his nephew the deposed Edward VII, Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester continues to gather Yorkist soldiers in South Yorkshire and make strategic plans and other preparations for an invasion of southern England in order to take advantage of King Henry VII and the other Lancastrians being distracted by the activities of the Catholic League and the deployment of Lancastrian soldiers overseas. In order to make the construction of long-distance ships in his domains more efficient, William Courtenay, 2nd Earl of Bristol commissions the construction of what will be medieval Europe’s first dry dock at the port of Bristol (OOC: OTL this was the Portsmouth dry dock in 1497, but the York-Beaufort conflict prevented the construction of that at that time). A few months after construction of the dry dock begins, William (1475-1511) dies of a disease, just two years after ascending to the Earldom. His young son Philip (b. 1501) becomes the 3rd Earl of Bristol, and William’s wife Henrietta Beaufort (b. 1477) becomes the effective regent of the Earldom until Philip reaches adulthood; Henrietta has the construction of the dry dock continue as before William’s death. King Henry VII of England continues to propose Ursula Beaufort (b. 1496) as a potential bride for King Luís of Portugal (b. 1496). (Portugal response). After there is confusion about the state of some marriages, some Yorkists write to the King Domnhall V of Iceland, proposing the marriage of Edward VII of York (b. 1481) to Domnhall’s daughter Sessilía Sturlungur (b. 1485); this marriage had already been proposed several years earlier but it was believed there may have been a miscommunication. (Mod response). William Beaufort, Duke of Exeter and Eline of Sweden have their second child, a son named William (b. 1511) after his father; Thomas of York, Earl of Hereford and Wilhelmine Premyslid have their third child, a son named Francis (b. 1511); and Raffaella of Habsburg and Gioffre Borgia, living in Hampshire, have their first child, a son named Henry (b. 1511) who they give the somewhat awkward surname “Borgburg”, a portmanteau of their respective surnames, in order to help him avoid getting drawn into the Italian family feuds. In Rome, Marianne of Württemberg (1443-1511), the exiled Countess of Württemberg, wife of Engelbert, Duke in Exile of Lenzburg and a distant relative of the Plantagenets, dies of natural causes.
    • Iceland certainly doesn't turn down such a prestigious offer.
  • Vinland: The population reaches 7,250. Eric Kuis and Helka welcome a daughter into their family, whom they name Maria. Trade with Portugal, Greenland, Ireland, Scotland, and the Mi'kmaq flourish. Dogajavick, Shamyeby, and Elufkser develop their metallurgic industry. The port of Dogajavick is expanded to accomodate modern ships. At the 1511 Thing, Eric Kuis introduces some of his administrative reforms for debate, reforms which aim to introduce feudal land system to the island as well as further empowering village chiefs and granting them hereditary office. Some gothar are opposed, while others, especially rural, agricultural gothar are warmer to the reforms, seeing them as a vehicle to accrue more power. The Thing agrees to continue debating the reforms next year. Eric Kuis allows the Lothariginians to send their letters to Greenland. In other news, Eric Kuis appeals to Pope Julius II, asking him to elevate Vinland to that of a Christian Principality in return for Eric Kuis conducting a mass conversion of the island's pagan population. To ease the burden of bringing Jesus' light to the island, Eric Kuis asks for resources and clergymen to be sent to Vinland in order to aid in Christianizing the island. [Papal Response].
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The population is about 20 percent Christian by now. A trio of pagans destroy a shrine to Saint Mark in Keathutberga. In response, a mob of Christians hunt them down and murder them. The news reaches Vinland and causes some worry amongst the small but growing Christian intelligentsia, who have become an integral part of Eric Kuis' scholarly court.
  • Duchy of Greenland: This year Domnhall V, King of Iceland dies unexpectedly, and his son Henry becomes the new King of Iceland. However, Henry is underage, and as such requires a regent. Eberhard de la Marck, his cousin, becomes one such individual to help run the country until he comes of age. Likewise, as it is tradition for the heir to the Iceland throne, usually the king’s son, to be Duke of Greenland, Henry’s brother Arnar is declared Duke. However, this has the consequence in practice of breaking that tradition, and the Duke of Greenland begins to be descended from its own line, rather than being the son of the Icelander king. Arnar is brought to Greenland to be raised there, but he too needs a regent, and Jómika Ashoona, Bishop of Garðar becomes the acting ruler. He is initially upset that the Pope never replied to his request, but he reasons it must have just been lost across the vast distance, so he again sends a letter to the Pope, and this time dispatches a priest to bring the message to Rome personally. He asks that the Pope confirm Grímur as an auxiliary bishop, as the diocese is quite large to administer himself, and also makes a personal request that he be made a cardinal, like many famed Greenlander bishops had been before him. (Papal response needed) Elsewhere, Arnar’s aunt Anna Rós Sturlungur is wed to Olaf (de la Marck), Crown Prince of Denmark, her sister Sessilía was married to Edward VII of York, deposed King of England, and their sister Frigg Sturlungur was married to Ivar II, King of Sweden. The duchy’s authority over the Vestribygð remained scarce, and when word reached them of the new boy Duke, most chose the mysterious King Kuupik as their monarch instead. It was this year that the so-called Nuuk Stone reached the eyes of the Bishop, and he had it examined by Greenland’s teachers and scholars from around the duchy. Dr. Torbjörn Eriksson of Uppsala University, who serves as the school’s head and grammar teacher, concludes the stone contains carvings of languages from Europe, Greenland, and the New World, some possibly extinct by now. He envisions a daring expedition to investigate. A team of Greenland’s best scholars, consisting of Torbjörn, Grímur Svertingsson, and ten others, charter a ship to Vinland to see if they can uncover the truth behind the stone’s languages. They spend much of the year in Vinland helping to study the Vinlandic tongue firstly which would later lead to the first ever book studying the Vinlandic-Greenlandic connection, and how to translate between. The group proceeds south to both Esgigeland and Unamaland, before joining a group of Vinlander traders to depart into the interior. Their expedition proves to be quite dangerous, with many of Greenland’s meager faculty succumbing to the perils of the journey. Grímur keeps a very precise journal, documenting the interactions with the Vinlanders, natives, and the many sights they see. After their first year in the interior, Torbjörn concludes that an Algonquin language was present on the Nuuk stone. He begins learning Abenaki, being the first European to document such a language. (More to come).
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Aaron von Gemmingen continues to send support to Albert V to crush the rebellion, and orders the other archbishops to send what funds they can. He condemns George as a heretic for proclaiming himself a Bishop, and also for blatantly seizing religious authority to reinforce his secular power. He is shocked that the Jungists, who oppose the high centralized Catholic church, would endorse such a power grab by a secular monarch. “It is hardly surprising” he is heard to say “That when the church chooses to be leaderless, sooner or later some charismatic leader will take control of the flock for his own purposes.” He fears that if this is allowed to stand, other kings may follow this example of seizing high religious offices for themselves, taking advantage of the thousands who have rejected the authority of the church. Then, they may use religious power to support their rule, proclaiming any teaching they please. He sends he congratulations to the king of England for supporting the forces of the united church by joining the Catholic League and supporting the rightful ruler of Bavaria. He condemns all the nations which protest the Diet of Augsburg for defying the Emperor. The Archbishop attends the Diet of Munich, stating that he supports reuniting the family of Christ, and weeps for those who would split Christians into warring factions. He is hopeful that is the radical Jungists who favor schism can be suppressed by the Inquisition, those lulled into the movement by the past offenses of the Catholic Church will recognize that it is right that they rejoin it, and accept the ruling of the Council of Trent. He supports banning the writings of all those radicals who favor splitting the church, such as Freud and this new “second Jung” he has heard about. The presses of Mainz continue to print the Bible in the vernacular, and it is still taught in the church’s free schools. The free schools not only provide education for the common man, but serve as a forum for the priest to train the young in the importance of a reformed, but united, church. The presses also continue to print rebuttals to the radical Jungist texts Despite the counter-texts published in Thuringia, which supposedly found numerous errors in the anti-Jungist texts, the pro-Catholic texts out of Mainz remain well-reasoned, composed by some of the most brilliant scholar-priests of the University of Darmstadt, and find just as many errors in the arguments of the Jungists, swaying many. These pro-Catholic texts are distributed to all the Archdiocese, and distributed to all the literate congregation to read. Grand Admiral Hannes von Sudland continues the expansion and modernization of the navy. He is optimistic that they will rival the Hanseatic League on the high seas by 1525. However, the new Archchancellor Karl von Voss, orders a cutback in naval spending for the next two years, so that funds may be sent to King Henry of Denmark-Norway, in hopes of swaying him in favor of the Emperor’s strong Catholic position. He also arranges to sell weapons from the munitions center in Prague to Albert V.
  • Empire of Japan: This year sees the new Emperor Kenshiro focus heavily on the trade relationships and new opportunities for the Empire. As the first of the Arasakura expeditions begin to pay off in spades there is a clear attractiveness to the activity and the Emperor fully aware of these sorties approves one on a much larger scale than before. 15 ships carrying nearly 250 settlers, as well as a permanent contingent of soldiers from the Imperial army are sent. With the natives in the region cleanly and clearly fearing the Samurai as "demons sent to punish them for misdeeds" the trade and relationship with the natives is ... constant, but maintained out of a culture of fear of reprisal from the demons of their ancestors rather than an amicable two-way relationship. As the outpost of Kenenaitzu grows from its humble roots to a small but proper town, the ranging outposts popping up all over the coast and further inland have begun to become much more charted and established and clear hunting grounds are established to help facilitate a larger scale fur trade. As a result of incomming trade and ships going to and fro between the various eastern islands running up to Arasakura Port Kowa has also become a staple port for anyone traveling to the far east and as a result it sees a boom in its own development and importance to the northern Zaibatsu in Sapporo. In most proper provinces of the empire, the explosion in local populations is noted on the census as Japan crests 12 million easily with more people than expected comming from the long term prosperity reigning over Japan. Growing urbanization as well as the growth of various cities and settlements in the northern islands and in Manzhuguo prompts expansions of the cities to accomodate the growing population and some elements of this are noted in even the Manchu towns within the Manzhu provinces. With regular trade contact one again gone to India as well as a new trade partner out of the Caliphate, a series of explorers set sail along known routes and discovery Ethiopia. A Japanese Envoy reaches out to the Ethiopians to try to figure out specifically "where are we, who are you, and do you want to trade" This discovery isn't noted in the homelands yet. However, as the Sarawak concession continues to grow in importance in Japans rising regional trade network, the issue of defending it becomes apparent. Intending to keep a force down south in case of an Emergency, a joint force paid for mostly by trade profit consisting of nearly 20,000 men is deployed to the Sarawak concession in order to act as a quick reaction force should anything come up. The force immediately goes to work in building up the logistical network for the army in the region which does much to contribute to the growth of Sarawak's capital of Kuching.
  • Kingdom of Portugal Portuguese Mocambique governor Afonso de albarque sends an envoy consisting of famous diplomat Duarte Fernandes to establish diplomatic and trade relations with Vietnam. (VIETNAM RESPONSE NEEDED). Another envoy conisting of famous priest João Gomes is sent to establish diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. (ETHIOPIAN RESPONSE NEEDED). With the king taking the throne next year, plans for his coronation begin with the question of making a new crown, sceptre and mantle for the king. It is decided that the new crown jewels shall be made by the finest smiths in all of Portugal. The regent pays a visit to the Mauritius where she also talks to the researchers there. After this, she travels to England to accept the royal marriage between her son and the English princess.
    • Dai Viet Dip: Dai Viet’s Emperor gracefully accepts the Portuguese envoy and allows to accept trading relations. Duarte Fernandes is welcomed in the Dai Viet court as he is provided accommodation and valuable products. The Emperor stated: “The Westerners had come to visit our region, but no other nation in the West have established trading relations with our realm, now you’re here, isn’t that a blessing Heaven has given me?” The trading relations with Dai Viet and Portugal is accepted (SECRET) with the following condition: since Ayutthaya has forbidden any merchants crossing the Malaccan Strait to sell Dai Viet weaponry, a deal is made to Portugal regarding the following: Portuguese merchants wishing to sell Dai Viet weapon are required to travel through the Sunda Strait instead of the Malaccan, and they are sold specifically at the island of Belitung. In return Portuguese merchants will receive favoritism and decrease of taxes when they come to trade in Dai Viet. (END SECRET) (Portugal response).
  • Dai Viet: With the allowance of Ang Chan for Vietnamese settlement in the Mekong Delta, the progress immediately goes under way, with a high amount of farmer and merchants settling the delta. Accompanying them are experts who instruct the new settlers for their land ownership and household problems. In the city of Prey Nokor, a custom house is made to collect taxes, in Mô Xoài (OTL Bà Rịa), a plantation is also made as in the plantation system of Dai Viet. The Merchant Guild benefits from the Vietnamese settlement because this will increase trade with Cambodia. Due to Dai Viet establishing trading relations with Portugal, an offer is made to Portugal to send Đỗ Nhân as the envoy to Portugal. Accompanying him is Architect Vũ Như Tô as he wish to learn about European architecture, for ideas for his new project. (Portugal response). To help merchant ships arriving in Belitung for better experience, the provision port is upgraded for better provisioning and maintenance of ships.
  • Roman Empire: The Revolt of the Kizilbash is to be crushed with the typical brutal efficiency of the Theme system. Four themes, 24,000 men, are raised against them and converge from the cardinal directions, boxing the Kizilbash Cavalry units in. By midyear the Kizilbash are boxed in near Iconium where they are first offered the chance to surrender. However, when they inevitably refuse the Roman Themes close in. Pike and Shot tactics will dismantle the lightly-armed enemy cavalry, their low-power horse bows unable to effectively hit the armored infantry supported by longer-ranged matchlocks. Meanwhile, Roman light cavalry keep the Kizilbash contained on the field. [Algo Response, Please]. In the broader realm, a growing coffee culture has come to dominate cosmopolitan life. The drink, an import from Ethiopia, is hugely popular among the elite and middle classes. Preparation usually involved placing a small pot of ground beans and water into heated sand or coals. Other common preparations include small lidded pots with small grated punches into the bottom. The grounds are then placed above the grate and below a small insert and water poured into the pot. The lid then creates a seal that slows the drip and brews the coffee. This last variety is very common among the most wealthy and it is often served over cool sweetened milk. The coffee obsession of the empire is also reflected in its trade in the crop which now flows from Alexandria north and west across much of Southern Europe. This trade is largely dominated by Roman merchants thanks to the good relations held between Rome and Ethiopia and the trade concessions in place since the end of the Egypto-Georgian war. The revolt in Anatolia does reduce the export of grain significantly, but because of the explosion of urban centers over the last two decades these exports are no longer hugely significant for the empire and the effect is not too extreme. The naval rebuilding program is once more delayed with only 12 ships rebuilt this year.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" Dear King John V of King of Lotharingia, Duke of Brabant, Overmaas, Frisia, Moselle and Barois, Count of Flanders, Holland, Loon, and Holland dies at the age of 73. The cause of Death being rather unexpected the cause being a Punasier accident, as a punaisier exploded right in front of His Majesty, the king. The king dying after for the first time trying to hunt with a punaisier, the king due to age having some difficulty pouring the gunpowder. The king pouring too much of it and when shooting having the gun thus explode in his face. King John the 5th being buried in Heyst after an official ceremony in Malines, This ceromony being held in the Saint Rumbols Cathedral. The Location being only 600 feet away from the Senatus regus Lotharii in Malines. With this the house of regnier splits into an Elvinite and Inionian branch, son John Leonard inheriting the Lotharingian and Barois crown. While Elvin of Barcelona-Regnier will become heir to the Spanish throne, as the Spanish queen is still alive and kicking. Thus in the same Cathedral as the funeral ceremony was held, his first son John Leonard is made new king. Thus John Leonard becomes King John VI of Lotharingia, Duke of Brabant, Moselle, Overmaas, Frisia and Barois, Count Luxembourg, Holland, Flanders, Namur, Loon and Zeeland, This John will not disapoint his fathers. John VI being a fully Lotharingian king once more who will place his kingdom above all, Juliaen de Kremer bowing down on a knee before his king. Juliaen de Kremer being the highest millitary man in the nation controlling Bonen, Artesië and the Channel islands, who has been able to calm down the rebelling regions. While in Broekstrand the Tegesta accept further corperation, as the RHC is willing to defend them from the Kaloesa. The Lotharingians slowly establishing themself on the Eilanden met Hemelse strand, as the population due to new ships arriving and intercourse increases. Many of the first children being mixed Belgic-taino ethnicity, as many are born to taino mothers and belgic fathers.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. Kamilla gives birth to a daughter this year. The name they chose for their daughter is Mara.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Russia: Support for Igor as the leader of the Boyar rebels collapses amidst two major setbacks. The first is the sacking of Nizhny Novgorod which opens its doors to the Tartar rebels who have spent two years starving out the city. What follows is an orgy of violence as the tartarsslaughter many and drag the rest of the city's inhabitants and those of the sorrunding area to the slave markets of Kazan and Astrakhan while the city is burned by the Tartars who carry out a scorched eartch campaign in the region further. This infuriates many of the Boyars who had originally elected Igor to protect their interests. Seeing what happened in Nizhny that was supposedly under the protection of Igor decides to take their chances with DImitry and after secret negotiations The Moscow garrison surrender to Dimitry and join his cause bosltering his numbers by 3,000 infantrymen and with 300 nobles who swear allegiance to Dimitry as the Grand Kniaz of Kiev and as the Kniaz of Moscuvy. Dimitry decides to accept these new men into his ranks upon pledging their allegiance to him as well as making the city itself proclaim him the Prince of Moscuvy as a formality to ensure the loyalty of the former duchy's levies as his feudal vassals. This move is suggested By Turgenev who has now become the primary advisor to Dimitry who upon his advise revives the use of the title Tsar used by his father in official documents of the Principality of Tver. To Dimitry's dismay the city of Tver falls this year to the Republicans whose mercenaries proceed to plunder the city burning large parts of it in the process. With the fall of his ancestral home Dimitry decides to use Moscow as his forward command due to its central location and easy access to the Volga allowing his river boats and those of his greek allies to dominate the Central Volga river, essentially cutting off the Republicans and the now desintegrating Boyars who had an informal arrangement to cooperate against Dimitry who employs Nikolai Turgenev to court members of the Boyars to defect to Dimitry's Banner offering them amnesty in exchange for an oath of loylaty promising to protect them from the Tartars who now threaten their land and increasing grow in numbers as the restive tartars that had been subjegated during the reign of his father. He also promises to lands for those who have alredy shown their loyalty and ability fighting valiantly for his cause, this greatly increases the morale of his men who had been disheartened by the fall of Tver. He begins military reorganization as his numbers steadily grow. With many of his now veteran Varyag being made nobles by Dimitry and being given command of their own regiments of heavy infantry employing pike and shot formations and tactics. While efforts to bolster his calvary are made in order to begin combating them. He leans heavily on the Greek military officers and advisors who are tasked with reoraganizing expanding and training his cavalry, though the Cossacks are granted an exemption from the general command structure as a gesture of respect to the Cossacks. In return the cossacks cooperate with his direct military structure and a mutual respect forms as the cossacks continue. With the Greek loans and the continued backing of Constantinople Dimitry's military is able to remain well financed and suppled with expensive matchlock muskets becoming more prominent amongst his musketeers. The constant drilling of his men helps them start look more like a professional army as discipline grows.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The matchlock of the arquebus purchased from Spain is finally replicated with the arrival of and guidance of a smith brought in from Europe. The Malay gunsmiths can begin replicating the matchlock and have already managed to alter the Java arquebus to sufficient degrees for the accommodation of the matchlock trigger mechanism. The armor brought by Europeans is deemed of superb quality but careful consideration of the cost and the toll it takes on soldiers has resulted in the armor being strictly limited to use by troops in the Capital Defense Corps. The trunnions and gun carriage tech have been easily replicated but the metallurgy behind European cannons proves nigh impossible to copy with the decision made to make cannons based on existing metallurgy to the best of the domestic smiths' ability. To reorganize the government following the aftermath of the last war and to consolidate power, Mingyi Nyo has decided to establish the title of Krasuang Kalahom (Minister of Defense) to oversee the Capital Defense Corps network being created as the position of Laksamana is meant for naval forces. The Krasuang Kalahom begins his efforts by taking over the distribution of military funding from the Penghulu Bendahari and has begun to oversee the appointment of officers to Capital Defense Corps. Rebuilding continues still drawing a significant amount of attention from officials in the central regions of Ayutthaya who devotes their portion of the phrai luang to the task. The printing press existing in East Asia has been ordered adapted by courtly scholars to accommodate for the Thai language with it being used as the language in all official documents with encouragement for use along with the Thai language among people of all classes. After seeing the ability of European ships, many encourage the development of a ship reconstruction program with ports on the side of ships and the designing of ships with European influences to compete with the speed and maneuverability of European ones. To better educate the officials meant to govern cities, the Civil College with the support of the Rama has seen fit send them to Japan to receive a better education and educate them in Japanese methods considering the influence and power Japan possesses as well as their invaluable assistance in reconstruction. The influx of trade from outside sources has brought wealth to the Commerce Guild but limited their reach as their trade only continues with the monopoly on spices and the middle man for goods to Western traders. Whether by ignorance or foolishness, the people from a land called Portugal have bypassed Ayutthaya and made contact with Dai Viet causing suspicion in regards to their intent. Portugese merchants are refused access to the Straits of Malacca and their business is refused in Ayutthayan ports.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: Without any internal competition, George is able to solidify his grasp on Bavaria throughout the winter of 1510 and early 1511. When the campaign season rolls around, George is more than ready. With four enemies to deal with, Geroge decides to split his army into three. The first will continue to fight the Bohemians in Straubing. With the civil war over, the defending army is able to employ much more aggressive tactics, trying to actively counterattack against the Bohemian incursion into Bavaria. With the Bohemians trying to fight in the most Jungist part of Bavaria, George's army finds it trivial to employ locals to disrupt the Bohemians as much as possible, launching attacks on supply lines, giving false directions, and generally making a nuisance of themselves. The Bavarian attack is heavily backed by portable artillery, and much of the army launching a flanking attack on the area the Bohemians control, hoping to kick them out of the country. The second army heads south and plans to finish off Kasper's rebellion before moving on to fight the Austrians and Salzburgians in the southern reaches of Bavaria. Again, the goal is to repulse the invaders, so Geroge's army are instructed to launch a full-fledged counter-attack backed by artillery. With much of the fighting taking place on open farmland, the bavarian soldiers make frequent use of portable fortifications that often go with artillery, all while employing the classic Bavarian tactic of shielding soldiers armed with firearms with walls of spearmen. The third and smallest army goes to handle the situation in Ulm. Without much force to spare, George orders the army to simply pin down the Swabians in Ulm, using locals to disrupt their supply lines. Fortifications are set up near the city to prevent the Swabians from moving deeper into Bavaria, and the army prioritizes attacks on Swabian supply shipments. George also sends diplomats into Swabia itself, trying to find nobles in the region who are willing to also work to cut off the supply. Although the ideal situation is to dissolve the Swabian army by serving them out of Ulm, George plans to confront the Austrians and the Bohemians early in the year, and use troops leftover from those battles to launch an attack on the Swabian camp near Ulm near the end of the year if need be. Additionally, Geroge deploys a small contingent of the military solely to serve logistical purposes and make sure the supply lines from Munich to the front lines are completely secure. With the nobles under George's control, he issues the decree of 1511, reorganizing the duchy of Bavaria. The decree mandates that all nobles, and those serving in their households, must immediately convert to Jungists. With most non-Jungist nobles eliminated during the civil war last year, this goes smoothly. More importantly, the decree reorganizes the territory of greater Bavaria (Read: Bavaria as represented on the map). Although George already has substantial influence over the petty nobles of the area, the decree formally puts them under the protection of the Duke of Bavaria. In a few cases, where a noble was killed following the civil war last year, their former land is placed under the direct control of Geroge. The decree also places all church land in greater Bavaria under the direct control of the Duke, and George takes control of it. During the war, Geroge also tries to maintain the Bavarian bureaucracy Albert IV worked so hard to build up. The Royal household once again expands, and George continues the practice of ensuring the now more limited pool of nobles competently administers their land. Albert IV's tax system also continues to see use, though it sees setbacks in the places near the invasions.
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: Involvement in the Bavarian Civil War continues, but by this time it becomes clear that Bohemia also has other issues to attend to. Although the inquisition is well underway across Bohemia, the large Hussite population aids in resisting the inquisition, leading to outbreaks of violence across the nation. Along the western border, Bohemia faces a large degree of Jungists rising up in protest of the government, aided by those across the border to the west. With roughly half the army being Catholic and the other half being Taborite, the Emperor tries to unite these two factions in a mutual disdain of the Jungists, to moderate success. He personally leads a Bohemian army into the western edge of the nation, achieving a decisive victory at the Battle of Brüx. He crosses the border into Meissen, not for the purpose of invading, but in the hopes of deterring Jungist rebels active along the border region. Having made a show of force after Brüx, the Emperor secures a truce with Meissen and a good portion of the Wolfenbund, hoping to focus on Bavaria. Elsewhere, the Duke of Livonia manages to stay relatively undefeated in pitched battle, but he is quickly losing the war to attrition, guerilla warfare, and skirmishes. Although he manages to lay besiege Regensburg and take the city, the victory is short lived, as he would spend the rest of the war largely withdrawing. After his victory in the north, Ottokar personally led the main Imperial Army in Bohemia south in the hopes of defeating Hugh the Heir completely. He manages to invade west in the Burgraviate of Nuremberg and send Hugh on the run, linking up with the remaining army of Bamberg. As a result the Imperial City of Nuremberg would surrender, fearing another difficult siege. In Hugh’s defeat the Thuringian enclaves in Wurzburg would also be captured, leading to the St. Zoe Massacre in May against the local population, perpetrated by the leaders of Bamberg. After the surrender of Weissenburg, the Emperor entered the city in triumph, but he would soon realize he had been lured into a trap, as an enemy army had been hidden within the city by Hugh to catch the Bohemian leaders off guard upon entry. That night the Emperor is attacked and his Imperial Guards attempt to fight them off. Jaromir Přemyslid, the Premier Captain and the Emperor’s brother, is killed while defending the Emperor. As a result the soldiers manage to capture the Emperor alive and take him to Hugh, where they deliver humiliating terms to the Imperialists. The Bohemian army is effectively made to withdraw, although the Duke of Livonia refuses to stand down, and continues fighting near the border. An enormous ransom is demanded, with the Emperor paying a large amount immediately to spare his life. Due to the lack of funds, the Emperor’s mercenaries under the Englishman John Hawkwood desert and turn on the Bohemians, managing to secure the area west of Bohemia proper. Hawkwood declares himself the Count of Bayreuth and launches an invasion of Bohemia. Amused at this method of weakening his enemy, Hugh recognizes the state in exchange for a conversion to Jungism from Hawkwood.

1512

The spread of Jungism into Bohemia causes alarm among many Taborites. Although some find common ground between the two faiths and have no reason to oppose Jungism, and some even convert from one to the other, overall the Taborites respond by formalizing the Unitas Fratrum (or Moravian Church), to unite in opposing either Catholicism or Jungism.

Through the preaching and urging of Hans Eysenck, Edward de la Marck, and above all else, Michael Kierkegaard, the Danish become more in favor of the Reformation. The King tentatively supports gives more support for the Reformation, granting protection to Jungists in Jutland. This causes conflict with the Bishop of Lund, who orders that the reformers be arrested to no avail. This causes further rift within the royal house of Denmark and Norway, who are split between those for and against the movement, even among the King's sons.

King Ivar II of Sweden has two children, a son named Hans and a daughter named Bridget.

The Influenza outbreak continues to spread across Europe, infecting some parts all over the Holy Roman Empire, France, England and Ireland. By the end of this year, ships carrying infected people also spread the disease to the fledgling colonies of the Hansa and Spain in the New World, but in extremly small exposure.

The Portuguese exploration to the East Indies led by Duarte Fernandez accidentally discovers the islands of Timor, Ambon and Banda. The Lotharingian exploration near Broekstrand (Florida) accidentally discovers the Turks Caicos islands.

In Kermanshah and Herat, the Sunni population of Iranian Muslims find themselves in a reversed situation of the previous generation, now under the domination of the Shia Safavid Dynasty. Taymiyyah leader Ibn Allahverdi leads a large-scale revolt of Sunni Muslims in support of the deposed Shah Hushang, causing civil conflict in Persia.

Farther east, Guru Nanek Dev returns to Sultanpur after his long journeys of enlightenment and philosophy, having claimed to travel as far as Mount Meru. He writes some works of religious opinions, frequently debating with local Hindu Brahmans. One night, he travels alone along the Indus River to meditate, and when he returns he makes the declaration "there is no Hindu, the is no Islam".

In Poland, a new revolution of thought is just vaguely on the horizon. Nicholas Copernicus publishes the Little Commentary, where he briefly proposes the theory that parallax of the "fixed" stars are not measurable because the distance between the Earth and Sun is insignificant compared to the distance from Earth to the stars. Having not published anything else about this theory, the idea largely goes unnoticed.

In England, an annual festive tradition begins involving various forms of dances, theatrical performances and games, which is called a masque.

Philip Paraclesios begins his career as a medical doctor in Nicaea. Allesandro Achillini publishes a work on anatomy to the Duke of Modena.

After the capture of Emperor Ottokar, the Bavarians manage to secure the north of the country, while Hawkwood begins an invasion of the Palatine. In the south the Bavarians manage to largely secure their country, but are stopped from taking Passau or Salzburg by the Austrians who deal them a decisive defeat. The battle is turned to the Austrians' favor after the arrival of Bartolomeo d'Alviano and the White Company, the same company of mercenaries that the Emperor's late brother once commanded, establishing the company as the premier mercenaries of Europe. Now in exile and unpopular to the point of possessing hardly any Bavarian allies, Kaspar von Schmid sends a peace offer to Bavaria.

A knight and former commander of the Imperialists, Franz von Sickingen, begins a radical revolt in Swabia to overthrow the princes of the region. Inspired by Jungism, he calls for the abolition of the princes, the unification of Germany and the secularization of church principalities, and a "nobleman's democracy". He manages to defeat a Catholic army to secure several towns in eastern Swabia, but then also turns on the Jungist Count of Hohenzollern as well, taking that city. The besieged city of Ulm elects him their leader in the hopes it will motivate him to help relieve the city. Instead he marches in the other direction, intending to capture the Bishopric of Strassbourg and other cities beyond that.

  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: The Portuguese, bypassing Ayutthaya to trade with Dai Viet, has not gone unnoticed by Rama Mingyi Nyo of Ayutthaya who views them with suspicion as they could intend to trade weapons to Dai Viet. In response, a trade agreement is made offering the following terms: 1) Ayutthaya will permit them to trade through the Straits of Malacca so long as they adhere to maritime laws in place, 2) The Portuguese provide weapons, armor, and ammo for purchase by Ayutthaya, 3) The Portuguese will refuse to trade weapons, armor, and ammo to the rivals of Ayutthaya (Dai Viet), 4) The Portuguese recognize and guarantee Ayutthaya's borders, vassals, and tributaries.(Portugal Response) The design of new naval vessels with European ships as inspiration continues with little progress as the ship designers run into various problems with determining European methods for ship construction. The cannons from Europeans are distributed to the border forts along the Ayutthayan borders with the Khmer, Lan Xang, and Chiang Hung with the emplacements being fortified as a precaution if a conflict occurs between Ayutthaya and Dai Viet. The Capital Defense Corps have continued the Japanese drill and training taught to them instilling them with discipline and skill with their weapons/armor. Courtly scholars have managed to successfully adapt the printing press to the Thai language with which the majority of the people being ruled within its borders speak. The Thai printing press has been put to the task of printing books and documents in Thai for common use across the Kingdom by those who are literate with the government distributing books and scriptures to various wats for the kyaung system. Mingyi Nyo has, at last, unveiled the curriculum compiled by various advisors to ensure that wats teach material on par with others and establish some standard of education although the government is in no position to strictly enforce the curriculum. The Civil College continues to send its students to Japan (Feud approved) to study and learn administration with the patronage of the Rama who directs the Penghulu Bendahari to divert the necessary funds to support these efforts. Rebuilding has declined to a degree as the damage and scars from the civil war have begun to fade after years of reconstruction. Scholars have named the civil war as "The War of Brothers" due to it being a war between the two male heirs to the throne. Matchlocks have continued to see even wider use as the weapons are bought in ever-increasing numbers as the profits from trade between Europe and East Asia lead to an influx of wealth for Ayutthaya which helps to fill its coffers, even more, assisting its recovery from the civil war. A group of leftover soldiers from the war has been encountered near Ayutthaya leading to the Krasuang Kalahom personally leading a small contingent of troops from the Capital Defense Corps to crush them easily doing so astounding many at the ease at which he was able to crush them with European armaments and armor. The appointments for officers to the Capital Defense Corps across Ayutthaya proceeds smoothly with very little disturbances and nothing of note to speak of increasing the influence of Ayutthaya across the cities. The nobles who had been a part of the Royalist continue to administer their cities as a reward for their loyalty to Ayutthaya and Mingyi Nyo. The construction of more wats is supported by the Rama through the Penghulu Bendahari.
  • Kingdom of France: The trade posts in Africa prove to be financially viable, with trade between France and her trade partners, Mali and Jabal Asada, along with others, being common. A sugar plantation is established on Vingtrois in a limited capacity. Joan is crowned as a co-monarch to William II, and she begins to take on many aspects of administration and rulership, learning to lead like her predecessor. Likewise her husband lives in France and acts as the Duke of Anjou, becoming well accustomed to French life and customs. The King seeks to assuage various fears and alleviate the chance of a major civil war, and he continues to push for toleration. This year the King also again promotes an act of legislation, which builds off previous laws, and would have had the effect of declaring the King of France as the head of the Catholic church in France. This comes as the culmination of a decades long process, and an on and off conflict with the Papacy, over who will reign supreme in France’s domestic matters. Jungists excite over the news, hoping that this will formally split France from Catholicism, but William II makes no such attempt to change any religious doctrine. Nevertheless there are various leaders within the government, including those associated with showing John around France, who seek to influence the government toward gradual introduction of Jungist teachings into the state religion.
  • Saxony: As a long-time Imperial loyalist, but also very much a Jungist supporter, Edmund Alwin, the Duke and Primce-Elector of Saxony, is unsure how to react to the capture of the Emperor. He ends up sending the Emperor a polite letter saying he hopes he is well, and is being treated not too harshly. Sensing the Duke is having trouble making up his mind, Gustav Jung manages to get through the front lines to Weissenburg, where he meets with the captured Emperor. They have him in their grasp, and must take full advantage. Gustav Jung would like to add to the terms for the Emperor's release that Saxony is given permission to annex a large amount of land, and that the Emperor passes a decree that Jungism shall be allowed to naturally flourish, that no Jungist shall be persecuted for their religion. Feeling satsified with himself, Jung decides to leave th following week. However, following the Emperor's escape, Gustav Jung disappears completely, without a trace and does not appear for the rest of the year. Steveltrender Theoderic Rood becomes acting Bishop of Saxony. Edmund Alwin assures the Emperor, that although a Jungist, he is very loyal to the Emperor and only wants peace. A number of Saxon Junngist missionaries, meanwhil , jurney to Lotharingia where they preach insistently in favour of the Jungist religion, even though the Lothariangs have no intention of ever converting. Edmund Alwin announces that he supports Lotharingia's claims, although after the Emperor escapes he stops mentioning it, probably from fear of contracting the Emperor's wrath. Edmund Alwin also proposes an official alliance between Saxony and his cousin's Denmark, that both will aid the other in times of trouble. (Mod Response). The terms of this alliance are deliberately vague. 
  • Duchy of Habsburg: The army of Habsburg is present in the fighting in Bavaria on the side of the Catholics, helping to make sure Ulm resists the Bavarians. It is during this time that Habsburg had asked to purchase the lands in Swabia that Mainz owns, offering a very generous amount to help them rebuild, but they never replied sadly. Instead those lands fell into the hands of Franz von Sickingen and his rebellion, and Habsburg tries to fight him. When this seems futile after each defeat, the Duke of Habsburg conceives of another plan. He decides to withdraw from Bavaria and elsewhere and make peace, and instead support Franz von Sickingen, in exchange for him sparing Habsburg’s lands, and also in exchange for part of Strasbourg. The Duke has Franz von Sickingen married to one of his relatives, and finds itself attacking the Bishopric. The Duke paints a picture that the Bishop has been greatly abusive and responsible for the many failures the Catholic side has suffered. He uses the new found wealth from the bishopric to upgrade his military after the Bavarian campaign. The Duke also tries to win Franz von Sickingen over gradually and persuade him not to attack Trier and Mainz and the rest, but rather to retire while he is ahead. The Duke of Habsburg sends a peace treaty to Hesse, Mainz, Bavaria, etc proposing that Franz von Sickingen return some of his lands and lay down his arms, but in exchange be allowed to live and retire with the rest of his lands, specifically the ones where it was the people themselves who rallied to support him. (Player responses needed).
  • Kingdom of Majapahit: King Manputjiya II sits in his throne in Majapahit court, he has his trusted advisors and hindu mystics and Buddhist monks, he asks them about the economic status of the kingdom, they respond: "Your Majesty, our great kingdom have fully recovered from the ruins and costs of the previous war, we maintain a strong trading position in Spice Islands" the king is happy to hear this, as a decade passed he have fully made the economy and administration and infrastructure status of the Kingdom in good shape again, as the report was heard a fellow Majapahit merchant have came to deliver great news to us, he saw white people as snow in strait of Malacca trading unknown types of cannons and guns, and also ships now, he sees their great plate armor when they desembark, shinning through a sunny and heated day, he also says about the great outmatch of the technology they have, new types of ships with heavier cannons mounted in, guns that has a trigger called the matchlock providing a fast reload speed than the Javanese arquebus, and them their high experience in forging strong metal armor. The king thinks, what if we owned those materials too, it would greatly help our country to end the decline, and turn his kingdom into something big once again, an empire as his ancestors managed to create. He asks the members of the court to leave his meeting room as he heads to his private chamber. A day passes, the king sends an envoy to Duarte Fernandes, the famous western diplomat that the merchant have told us about, he is requested to be summoned to majapahit court, as he is welcomed, he is provided with accommodations and valuable gifts and luxury items, therefore the king speaks "welcome to our court, we heard that you have been in our respected ally's court which is Dai Viet, we would like to open trading relations with you as well (SECRET) following the forbiddance of western so-called "Portuguese ships in the Strait of Malacca, Portuguese merchants are also offered to trade in our sunda ports of Rafti, Dger and Elnmbang, in exchange the Portuguese merchants will get favoritism and have products taxes decreased when they come to trade to Majapahit, and as we trade with them for their finest plate armor, modern cannons, muskets, and their finest carracks for purchase. (Portugal response) (END SECRET). Our navy is growing, we shall declare that our gunsmiths shall be funded more and provided with a better place to work to produce more iron Cetbang breach loader cannons that was neglected by our navy, they will be used to imply to our larger ships (Djrons), as they will be greatly used in our ships, we will also use European carracks as we will tempt European shipbuilders with gifts and luxury items to join and stau in majapahit as paid labor to build ships for the growing kingdom navy, and as we order the build of more canoes and Djrongs, another envoy is sent to Hans Bouwer With gifts, we ask them for trading and diplomatic relation as we offer our best products in exchange of their plate armor and their guns, cannons, finest ships, and their gunsmiths to help us make the so-called Matchlock we heard from the merchant (Lotharingian response) and we also send an envoy of our famous diplomat called "Singhi the negotiator" to Spain to see if there is any possible way to open trade agreements with them (Spain response) as trade flourishes, we still keep maintaining our maritime trade routes and our rice irrigation systems in Java, and we also trade with the spice islands as the spice will be used in our trade with the Europeans, and after the naval academy is done, many sailors shall attend to it to learn the waves of the seas and tactics of Naval warfare, as this occures we intensively train up 20,000 men into a professional army that will take lany years to be archived, we train them heavily and we call up for western trainers to show thel the fast mobility of the plate armor and the matchlock trigger way of usage and the calvary lancer tactics and charges other than the south easy asian charge of sowrds that can be broken easily, by the end of the year the kingdom was seen as the end of the decline.
     
  • Russia: After period of reorgianization, training, and arming of his enlarged force now standing at 45,000 men, Dimitry decides to move against Smolensk as Nikolai Turgenev works tirelessly to court Boyars to Dimitry's cause as support for Igor falls away. Dimitry takes 35,000 men with him as he marches from Moscow. Alarmed by Dimitry's movements in Novgorod the Republicans mobilize an army of 28,000 men made up mostly of Baltic mercenaries and Russian levies. The battle of Rzhev the republican army meets Dimitry's forces. 'The republicans attempt to block Dimitry's path while their cavalry makes an attempt at his supply lines to potentially capture him offguard and encircle his forces. Dimitry's cossacks inform him ahead of time of this attempt and he moves some of his infantry to the rear while the cossacks and regular cavalry harrass and move to cut off the republican cavalry while war wagons provide protection from which stretsly (shooters or musketeers) fire into the enemy cavalry. in the front pike and shot formations form up lead by the Varyags who fire the first volleys before falling behind the standard pike and shot formations where they are held in reserve to break the enemy formations once they start weakening due to their strong charge and shock capacity. Field cannons are used against the republican war wagons taking advantage of the firepower to break the now aging war technology and blasting holes into the enemy lines before the enemy can dig in. Dimitry having studied the tactics used by his father during his war to unite the Rus' Dimitry anticipated that the Republican forces would continue to use those tactics and having seen first hand the destructive artillery decided to employ them in the field to great effect. 'The Republican cavalry begins to falter as they are unable to get carry out an encirclement and are forced to withdraw or risk taking heavy casaulties. Taking advantage of the breaches in the enemy lines The Varyag once more move to the front and unleash  a large volley into the enemy infantry before charging the enemy lines coming down on the republicans with their Bardich and followed by the pikemen and streltsy finally breaking the enemy morale. Oleg is forced to order his forces to pull back to Smolensk. The loss of Rzhev puts the republican forces at a disadvantage as it compromises the supply lines of th republican forces. The garrison in Tver is left completely isolated and many of the garrison flee fearing reprisals for the sacking and burning of the city. Despite this Oleg refuses to withdraw from Tver as it would compromise Novgorod's security even further. Kamil's tartars conitnue to carry out raids against the lands of the Boyars now threatening Vladimir again many of the Boyars look to Dimitry's offers of amnesty and protection as way out of this predicament. However, most refuse, fearing the loss of their power and autonomy under his rule. Igor himself makes a last ditch effort to salvage his coalition of nobles by ordering an attack on Kamil's forces only to get arrested by the Boyars and strung up from the walls of Vladimir. Dimitry acting through Turgenev sends envoys to the Hansa requesting they stop helping the republicans who will not survive without their backing and cant ensure the steady supply of furs and goods that the Hansa has profitted off of for years. He requests that the Hansa instead agree to an alliance with him and the house of Rurik to ensure economic stability and prosperity in the Baltics and to counter the inlfuence of other powers if need be (Hansa response required) 
    • Hanseatic dip: After much deliberation we accept
  • Empire of Japan: As the development of Arasakura and its primary settlement of Kenenaitzu progresses smoothly now, multiple expeditions are sent per year to help maintain a constant stream of products rolling out of the outpost. With two of these fleets per year and the high demand of these furs pushing through this, the Manzhuguo Zaibatsu see the growing wealth of the Northern Zaibatsu in the home islands proper, begins their own expansion into the Siberian frontiers in a more organized fashion looking to push hard into the hinterlands to secure more sources of fur hoping to outpace the Far Eastern fur factories with quantity rather than quality. As the developments of new unknown trade connections in Ayyuthaya develops between the distant Spanish and Lotharingians a more modern arquebus is acquired by a trader heavily involved in the Thais internal trade politics. The trigger mechanism is of special interest as it would effectively outmode many of the current Japanese models and a serious attempt is made to replicate it. While of somewhat inferior quality, the mechanism works and many of the existing guns can be modified to accept this new mechanism. On top of this a new type of War-junk sees its introduction to the Admiralty. Using heavy woods, and new ideas toward making the ship more agile (specifically adding another mast and making the ship more streamlined to glide through the water more effectively) as well as making it taller to help with boarding action and transporting more internal weapons or transport more military cargo, this new class of Great War junk looks to outmode the current slower and War Junks. Adding 10 more guns to the ship due to increased length also is a noted possibility and this ship is noted to be able to take quite the beating and still return fire. As unknown ships begin to arrive in Indonesian waters and the Majahpahits ships begin to be seen more cleanly in the waters a request is put in to beef up the South seas fleet. 100 ships are sent bringing total ships count to nearly 350 which heavily patrol the waters in the seas running from Riau to Batam all the way to Kuching. A local levy is put out for Sarawak and with food imports the way they are the Japanese administrators are able to bring out a 5000 strong Auxiliary force out of the Sarawak concession adding them to the Imperial army contingent lying in Kuching.
  • Roman Empire: Having crushed the Kizilbash revolt Kaiser Herodotus II grows increasingly paranoid of the empire’s borders. He orders major cities be fortified in the new style with new bastion walls built. Nicaea, Adrianople, Thessaloniki, Athens, and Nicoplis are all to be encircled by these strengthened walls. Vast sums of money are spent as well in Iconium to replace its walls and rebuild the city. In Taurica, the fortress at Táphros is strengthened with bastion walls as well, to protect the colonies on the peninsula. The efforts will continue across the empire for at least another decade. The spending jump-starts urban economies, pumping huge quantities of wealth into cities where demand for goods skyrockets. The programs inadvertently swell the middle and upper-lower classes as skilled laborers are in huge demand. These trends will continue for the next decade with the program. Commercially, trade with Georgia, Ethiopia, and Egypt enriched the middle and upper classes. River trade throughout the Danube and Black Sea basin continues strongly with Greek merchants controlling perhaps 40% of all traffic. Herodotus II sponsors an expedition to his relatives in Ethiopia. He sends Dragut Reís and several dozen shipwrights along with sailors for 3 ships to the Ethiopian capital. He proposes that the Ethiopian Emperor allow them the resources to construct 3 caravels and launch an expedition to explore the Indian Ocean. (Ethiopian Response)
  • Hanseatic West Indies: Interaction with the Taino on Huaraga (OTL Haiti) and the increase in farming around the growing settlements of the Hansa make more labour necessary, so more african laborers and artisans are ordered for Haragua. (HANSA RESPONSE). Priests and scholars are also on short supply, especially with a quickly increasing population. At least 20 priests and 20 scribes are asked for. (PAPACY RESPONSE, PLEASE). The Taino and the Tabakkeerls work together along with the poorer white farmers on the fields while a caste of landlords if slowly forming. Large portions of the local Taino language mix into the local low German dialects of the settlers and the west african languages of the African laborers, with a Hail Mary and a Lord’s Prayer being translated into Haraguerdüütsk, as the local dialect becomes known by a priest named Jan Junkers. This is the first evidence of a local dialect diverging from its European mother language is thereby made. Tobacco and food production (sweet potatoes, yuca, beets, fish) increase and with it the colonies, especially in Haragua and Dreieinigkeit. St. Katharina only grows fairly slow, and is limited to the small village of the same name and a Kontor. The flu hits Dreieinigkeit early with a wave of settlers but is recognized early enough so the local governor can take action. The infected are sent to Gödeken Island (OTL TOBAGO) along with the crew to stay and guard the infected, only returning when they are either dead or have recovered. Relationships between Arawak or Taino natives of higher status in particular and the European settlers or Malian workers become more common and socially accepted around this time, probably a side effect of the overwhelmingly male population of Haragua which is mostly occupied by the navy as sailors or soldiers. A third large Haraguan settlement is founded more west, called Palmstedt, located at the coast near OTL Chantal.
  • In the Messin Republic the nation has begun to adopt the Reformation more fully, with Jungism now being a majority of the republic's faith. The city decides to formally declare itself a Jungist state as voted upon by the population. As such, Metz decides to incorporate all the territory of the Bishopric of Metz into the republic. Much of the church land is quickly seized and this wealth is used to greatly upgrade the military and upgrade the fortress of Metz. This is done while the Emperor seems to be distracted by the war in Bavaria and is captured, so it is expected he will be unable to order the move to be halted. Additionally the Republic offers to join the Wolfenbund for its protection. (Player response needed). When the Bishop attempts to resist this, Metz orders an army to go out and subdue Catholic rebels in the region. It is estimated that the Bishopric lands are quite low in population and very rural, and likely have about 1,000 soldiers hired to resist the Republic, and so Metz raises 6,000 soldiers to combat them. (Algo requested).
  • Kingdom of Portugal: With King Luis I reaching the age of maturity this year, he is coronated in the royal cathedral in Lisboa on 20 January. His first order is that the newly discovered Habsburg Island (OTL Reunion) be colonized, Afonse de Aberquce is sent there where he establishes a colony. (nate gave permission) Meanwhile, due to the rich volcanic soil in Sao Tome and Principe, the king funds the creation of sugar and coffee plantations there. However, a lack of labour force is slowing things down. The king, therefore, asks Mali to purchase some slaves so they can be transferred to Sao Tome. (MALI RESPONSE NEEDED). Meanwhile, the king visits the royal mausoleum where he asks all the previous monarchs for their blessing. Due to the current influence the king postpones his annual tour to all the colonies and instead isolates in the royal castle in Portugal. Queen Consort Ursula gives birth to a daughter who they name per Portuguese customs Cirí, she is then appointed as the heir. Meanwhile, the king's aunt Inez and all of his other extended family members self isolate as well. The trade deal with Thailand (cant spell you country)is accepted but says that they will still trade normal good with Dai Viet.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" One of John's first actions is to unify Barois ducal law with Lotharingian Royal law, Combined with allowing Barois nobles and merchants in the Senatus Regus Lotharrii. This unifying Barois as a state within Lotharingia instead of one just with Lotharingia, the Senatus Regus Lotharii being happy to welcome their new colleagues. John VI wanting to expand his realm into nearby cities and regions, as he sees the borders of his southern realm as an issue. The border of Mosselle being quite disconnected to eachother causing Lotharingian Merchants to pay a lot of tolls to enter and exit a lot of the minor lords, mayors, counts and dukes. King John VI wanting to connect the lands between Barois, Verdun and Luxembourg to Moselle, the city and bishopric of Metz being the biggest power between Barois-Verdun-Luxembourg, with Straatburg also being seen as inherently a Lotharingian city which hasn't yet come to part with the fact. Lotharingia desiring to unite this all now that the Holy Roman Emperor has been captured, and the Bonen rebellion brought down. Thus King John VI officialy requests negotiation with Emperor Ottokar, as to peacefully change the lands of Straßburg-Mets-Blamont. (Bohemia response). The king offering to have the desired lands choose their own religion as long as they are willing to accept his authority as king, and having religious toleration throughout the realm. The king already being tolerant toward the Taborites and the Sint-Columbanus Messengers, as the king is willing to tolerate movements who do not endanger the stability and the unity of Realm. The king having grown up during an age of chaos and war throughout Lotharingia, John VI now wanting to prevent that from happening every again. One of the things happening again is the foundation and rise of Merchant companies, this being caused by the discovery of a direct route to the Indies. One of these companies being the Vrye Indië Vennootschap a Company founded by Antoon Brouwer a new age men a modern merchant, The company only been founded four years ago officially. As before then it was just his personal voyage togheter with some of his Middelburger coleagues. His company being founded after he was able to get a deal with the matupa giving him a lease over the island of zonneschijn (Bazaruto Island). With Antoon being able to get an agreement with the Kingdom of Ajoetaja, where the company was allowed to freely go through the Straits of Malakka. Antoon coming into contact with the Sultanaat Atjeh a vassal of his friends the Friendly Alied Ajoetaja, the Viv coming with an offer towardthe sultan. The Viv wants to build manufacturing and merchant capabilities on the island of Nasi, for in return for a delivery of 200 Punaisiers and 60 pounds of gold per year. (Mod Response). The Viv would continue to follow the Atjeh law and report and hand over any criminals even Viv members, the company even continuing to fly the colours of Atjeh.
    • Aceh permits the construction on this island in exchange for the substantial annual rent
  • Kingdom of Bohemia: The Imperial situation seems to be dire, with the capture of the Emperor by the Jungists. This leads the situation within the kingdom to deteriorate at first, as a minor rebellion breaks out. With support from the Jungists abroad, the non-Catholic population of Bohemia rallies behind a rival king: Charles I of Brandenburg. Charles never actually acts upon this claim personally, but throughout Bohemia there is a large movement to have him declared King, which the Duke of Livonia and Ottokar’s children fight to combat. His second son Jan becomes known as Jan “the Swimmer”, after he is thrown off his horse into a river while in battle, but manages to swim for a mile downstream and regroup with retreating soldiers, returning to win the day. As regent, Pavel "the Samaritan" helps to negotiate a peace. First he withdraws from Bavaria and tries to arrange for peace: George will be recognized as Duke, as long as he withdraws from Salzburg, Passau, etc., that are still in the hands of the Catholic allies. (Bavaria response needed). The Duke of Livonia manages to achieve a crucial victory over the Taborites at the Battle of Aussig, in which several thousand rebels are killed while only losing a few hundred men. As such, Pavel is able to negotiate a peace in which Charles disavows claim to the Kingdom of Bohemia, effectively ending the revolt. Under the Duke’s guidance, the inquisition begins again in full earnest, targeting both Jungists and Taborites. Meanwhile, while the Emperor is being brought north in custody, a daring rescue attempt is launched by Jantis "the Jackal" Jett and several other knights. Jantis manages to sneak into the Jungist camp and impersonate an officer, allowing him to free the Emperor. In the escape, Ernest Frederick is killed in battle, but the rest of the men manage to escape with the Emperor. Jantis is awarded the Iron Cross and becomes the Premier Captain for his bravery. When the Emperor returns he is furious, and orders retaliation. Imperial forces sack Weissenburg in a controversial move, with the leadership of the city being captured and tortured. Hawkwood converts back to Catholicism and tries to switch sides, defeating several smaller states to show his dedication, but the Emperor invades his domain anyway and manages to kill Hawkwood in battle. The request from the Lotharingians makes the Emperor even more upset, and he notes that the entire empire has gone mad, with kings requesting pure nonsense from him. The Lotharingians directly admit they want to circumvent paying the Emperor taxes from some supposed tolls, which regardless the Emperor notes are nonexistent in that area anyway, and as such, during the Empire’s hour of need, they selfishly petition to annex several faithful allies of the Emperor, taking advantage of his temporarily capture. Why would the Emperor be pleased at the Lotharingian’s declaration that he will tolerate all faiths within the territory? That is the exact opposite of the current law; Lotharingia should be combatting the Jungists. The Emperor has no authority to approve such a thing, such a thing is blasphemous, impossible, and nonsensical; he can't declare several bishoprics, free imperial cities, and loyal princes to be unceremoniously annexed. As such, if John VI the Terrible tries to defile any innocent states through unprovoked, wanton violence, the Imperial Ban will be placed on him, declaring that he is forfeit all his lands, rights, and privileges, deposing him from office, and declaring him an outlaw who any and all can freely kill without legal repercussions. Publicly he rejects the offer and informs the states in question to defend themselves, and he places the Imperial Army of the west, those he can spare, to aid them in defense if necessary.
    • Lotharingian response: King John VI informs the king emperor that, the reason for him wanting to combat Straßburg was to ensure Catholic order, as John VI is and always has been a defender of Catholocism, which the Emperor is proving less capable of.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. With influenza becoming a huge issue in western Europe, our boarders to the north and the west get shut down and guarded heaviley by the boarder control. With an exchange with Russia we give them a few thousand of our people for a few thousand of their people. To help fleeing Jungist people from the HRE, we open our nation up to any Jungist who wants to live in our lands.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Papal States: Pope Julius II creates as cardinals Cristoforo Spiriti (Papal States) and Grímur Svertingsonn (Greenland). Pope Julius II declares Rita of Cassia as blessed. Pope Julius II writes to Michelangelo and Donato Bramante asking for a project for a new Basilica of Saint Peter based in the concepts of Catholic art stablished in the Council of Trent. The pontiff only asks the project in paper, the construction will need to wait. (Mod response).
    • The two artists concur to the designs for Saint Peter's Basilica
  • Empire of Ethiopia: The Empire sees an influx of diplomats as various expeditions from faraway lands arrive in Ethiopia seeking to open trade. Envoys from the Kingdom of Portugal, the Empire of Japan and the Roman Empire are greeted warmly by the Emperor and given an audience. The Portuguese envoy is greeted warmly as a representative of fellow Christians and their request for trade is granted by the Emperor, who will allow Portuguese merchants to access the Ethiopian markets in Beri. The Japanese envoy is the subject of much wonder and awe, as they come from a totally new land in the Far East. The Japanese envoys are invited to dine with the Emperor, who attempts to learn anything he can about the mysterious eastern Empire. The Japanese diplomats explain what they can but also make clear their primary purpose is to establish trade, not to educate the Emperor on the history of Japan. Impressed by the determination of the Japanese, the Emperor approves their request for trade, sending them back to Japan with gifts of Indian silks, Ethiopian textiles, gold, and perfumes. The envoys of the Romans are greeted as old friends, with the Emperor personally greeting the envoys before giving them a private audience. The Romans propose the Ethiopians provide them the labor and supplies to build three modern caravels to explore the Indian Ocean. The Emperor, ever seeking to please his Roman counterparts, agrees to provide the men and supplies so long as the Romans share all knowledge obtained in their travels and share construction designs for the caravels they intend to build so Ethiopia may begin constructing its own ships. This represents a continued effort by the Emperor to expand and modernize Ethiopia’s naval forces. Refitting of Ethiopia’s ports continue as naval facilities are expanded and rebuilt to begin construction of larger more modern ships. The Empire additionally continues to perfect its cast-iron forges, with Imperial Foundries being built in nearly every Imperial city, manned by Ethiopians and supervised by Hindustani cast-iron experts. Ethiopia soon begins to forge its own cannonballs to feed its growing artillery corps, while also learning to produce ammunition for arquebuses. By now most of Ethiopia’s forces are armed with arquebuses, with the 10,000 strong Imperial Guard being heavily trained and drilled in the use of the firearm. Chewa warriors by now also train regularly in the use of firearms, with the training being added to their semi-annual training sessions. This seems to indicate Ethiopia’s modernization of its army into a formidable gunpowder force armed with firearms has been largely a success. The Empire continues to thrive economically, with Imperial merchants sailing from Egypt to India to Madagascar, and with some even traveling between India and the eastern spice kingdoms. Ethiopian trade revenues and profits continues to fund its military modernization efforts. 
  • Duchy of Greenland: After three years of waiting, Jómika Ashoona is excited to learn that word has finally arrived from Rome in reply to his request. To his horror he discovers that the Pope still hasn’t gotten around to answering the actual question (the request being to create an auxiliary bishop), and even worse, the Pope in his all his holy wisdom has declared the bishop’s apprentice, a man who was only recently ordained as a priest even, as a cardinal instead of the bishop. Even worse, the young man isn’t even in Greenland anymore, as Jómika had dispatched him to Vinland to help the Torbjörn Eriksson expedition, so he has no idea if the boy is still alive or how to communicate with him. The bishop decides to take an “ask for forgiveness, not for permission” approach and believing that the Pope will probably never notice, Jómika starts claiming the Pope made him a Patriarch of the western hemisphere/new world. He produces a number of forged documents to claim that he is actually the highest ranking church official in Europe outside the Pope, and can virtually do whatever he wants. Therefore the Bishop decides to do his planned reforms with or without Papal approval, and declares a bishop auxiliary for the north. (More to come)
  • Kingdom of Mutapa: Mata offers his son to visit Ethiopia and ask if the Ethiopians when send scholars to thier new schools. (Ethiopian Player reponse) Mata also ask if Lotharingans would like to visit the capital. (Lotharingan player response).  Indian specalists and natives effort continue to improve practices in the nation. The interest in how the world works has more people visiting the libaray in Lusvingo and the new School in Matala. The horses of the Royal guard are changed out to the new breed called Famabo that has been spreading in the plateaus. Ships continue to venture out into deeper water with the navy totaling 24 ships that protect Chieve and Tunga. More settlements are set up moving along the great escarpment. The settlement in Saldahana bay has manage to convert and educate 400 khoe who now reside in the stone buildings.
  • Celtic Confederacy:The fight against Heresy throughout Scotland and Ireland continues, with those even vaguely pro-protestant or pro-Separation from Rome Continuijg to be persecuted and killed. With this harsh persecution now ongoing, many of these very few people have been forced underground in their beliefs. Realizing that their is a problem with Heretics secretly practicing outside of the public eye. The High inquisitor devises a program where a number of devoted but not well known peasant members of the inquisition are publicly denounced as heretics and “forced” into hiding, hile continuing to practice Catholic beliefs and work for the inquisition. They use their status as known “heretics” to infiltrate and expose small protestant and heretic groups and spy on them for the inquisition, helping to heavily root out almost all heretical activity in the nation and keep tabs on those few underground protestant movements that remain. In other news, the C.C.C continues to turn a massive profit through trade in West Africa and the Congo. Inspired by the recent expiditon to Asia of Spain, Portugal, and the Hansa, the crown funded explorer David Murray organizes an expedition to pass the Cape of good hope, following the routes of previous explorers.
  • Vinland: The population rises to 7,400, clearly there is a boom in birthrates. Trade flourishes and industry develops. The ports of Shamyeby, Elufsker, and Dogajavick grow. Eric Kuis' administrative reforms continue being debated. The chief of Erikoberg converts to Christianity and comes out in strong support for the reforms, the first Norseman to do so. In other news, Lady Helka is pregnant again. Eric Kuis is still waiting for a papal response to his 1511 offer. [Papal response].
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth pushes southerly.
    • Papal diplomacy: Kuis's request from 1511 is approved.
  • The Spanish Empire: The queen has passed with the death of her love, Juan. His death in Lotharingia calls for great mourning by the House of Reginier-Barcelona. "Well, now I will see you again my love" she said softly while holding the hands of her family after a day of falling ill. With the ascension of Prince Elvin to the Spanish Throne, his daughter Cynthia remains in line. She is betrothed to Osberto, the son of Dren, the nation's Grand Inquisitor and fine warrior. Hearing the news of Cuba, Elvin is absolutely infuriated. In retaliation, the West India Company alongside the Spanish Crown's direction aids a fleet of ships carrying 500 men led by Diego Velasquez to subdue the natives and reclaim Havana and conquer Cuba. Alexander Zayas fearing the fate of Santo Domingo requests support and is aided by 400 of his own men to subdue the tribes around the colony and conquer the territory altogether seeing that the trust around them is but so limited. As a result of this action, a delivery of supplies with ammunition, armor, horses, and all needed to lead the campaign would be swiftly arranged. "The land is the clay of the Hispanics and with it, we will mold a land free of these barbarians" - Alexander Zayas. (Algos/Mod Responses Needed). Axel de Pamplona is placed as Governor of Socotra and orders the construction of a fort and port on the island. La Isla de La Reunion is discovered and is claimed by the crown. King Elvin finally releases the discoveries of The New World after his last voyage with Vespucci several years ago. In the name of comaradry, Vespucci refers to this "New World" as Las Elvinas. As more traffic arrives, the African Company's wealth with trade from the East now sees the rise of competition as the merchant families of De Foix in Genoa and La Mojica de Palma form a merchant alliance with their families becoming the most wealthy out of the Indian-Cape Trade. Emissaries are sent to Georgia seeking better trade relations. The Port City of Ormuz becomes an eye-catcher for the Spanish Crown as they wish to capture it as a place for continued trade. With business in Asia doing so well, profits rise. Emissaries are also sent to the Caliphate with several years of peace going by, rapprochement is what Elvin defines to be the best step in the hopes for peace. (Solace Response). The newly reinforced defenses of the Languedoc and progress of reconstruction in the city of Montpellier leave many hopeful for such a conflict to never hurt them so severely again. Merino Wool continues to do well as our prestige remains to be seen as high. The Empire remains to have much to be proud of.
  • Kingdom of England: The 4,000 English mercenaries in Bohemia remain there, and King Henry VII of England continues to gather Lancastrian troops in the southeast of England in anticipation of the Catholic League requiring more interventions in continental Europe. While waiting for potential deployment, the Lancastrian troops continue improving the fortifications of the ports of Sandwich and Dover in Kent, with some of them moving west later in the year to fortify Portsmouth in Hampshire. Military ships continue to be built at these ports and several others in Essex and Kent, and construction of the dry dock at the port of Bristol also continues. The Inquisition in England remains active in combating heresy, particularly focusing on stopping Jungist philosophy from spreading into England. The English Parliament this year is focused on dealing with the influenza outbreak; their main strategy is simply to give more funding to the largely Church-operated clinics in England's major cities. Several cities deal with the situation by closing their city gates, preventing outsiders from entering. The city closures and the deaths from the disease cause a drop in inter-city trade in England, which also causes the economic growth of the past few years to stall. In spite of the influenza outbreak, Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester decides that this is the best time to launch a Yorkist attack on King Henry VII and the rest of the Lancastrians, given that a lot of Lancastrian mercenaries are overseas and a lot of the Lancastrian soldiers are on the southeastern coast of England rather than around London or in between London and Yorkshire. Richard of York, together with Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, leads a Yorkist army consisting of troops from Yorkshire and Northumberland. From York, the Yorkist army proceeds south through the largely neutral Lincolnshire without incident, but by the time they reach the town of March in northern Cambridgeshire they are spotted by Lancastrian scouts from Suffolk. As a result, a battle ensues near March when the Lancastrian battalion of Suffolk, led by John de la Pole, 3rd Duke of Suffolk (b. 1491), intercepts the Yorkist army. The Suffolk troops are outnumbered by the combined forces of Yorkshire and Northumberland and the Yorkists drive them back from March, but are unable to break through completely as the Suffolk troops regroup near the cathedral city of Ely in eastern Cambridgeshire. Before the Yorkists, stalled somewhat by the battle of March, are able to reach Ely, John de la Pole has a call for reinforcements sent to fellow Lancastrian James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex, and the Duke of Suffolk also sends messengers toward London to carry the news of the Yorkist advance. More quietly, Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent and Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham also start to gather Yorkist troops in their respective counties, though the Earl of Kent's task in particular is complicated by the presence of Lancastrian troops in Kent's port towns because of the Catholic League. In Europe, Freyja Ólafsdottir (1463-1512), an illegitimate daughter of the late King Ólaf V of Iceland and half-sister of King Domnhall V, and a distant relative of the Plantagenets through the Lenzburgs, dies of a disease.
  • Grand Duchy of All Bavaria: With the Austrians and bohemians repulsed from Bavaria, Duke George offers them both a white peace, hoping to avoid further conflagration with the major powers in the region. The exiled Kaspar von Schmid is deemed to no longer be a threat, his peace offer is simply ignored, but no extensive action is taken against him, besides the execution of his last few notable allies in Bavaria. The offer of white peace is also extended to the Swabian army in Ulm, now dilapidated after an entire year of bavarian raids on their supplies. (MOD RESPONSE) If the offer is not accepted, George plans to lay siege to Ulm to reclaim it. In the meantime, the bavarian army continues to attack the Swabian supply lines, and now completely surrounds the city. With all the immediate fires in Bavaria put out, George starts to prepare for what he sees as inevitable further conflict. Production of weapons in Munich is ramped up substantially, and George hopes that the Bavarian army will be primarily driven by firearms in the near future. In addition, with the royal household now larger than it has ever been, George continues to make improvements to the Duchy's administration. With many nobles losing their land and status over the past two years, George now has fewer and more loyal nobles to deal with. He starts more closely integrating the noble households with his own, making the Duchy's bureaucracy more cohesive. In support of the edict of 1511, this same reform is extended to the various petty nobles withing greater Bavaria (OOC: Read: Bavaria as portrayed on the map), making George's influence over the area felt. In addition, the church land claimed by the edict of 1511 is placed under George's formal control. Much of Albert IV's reforms remain in place, including the greater bureaucratic responsibility of the nobles—although these requirements lapsed during the war, nobles are once again expected to keep detailed records of the happenings in their land, as well as population estimates. To facilitate this, George restores funding to the Duchy's archive in Munich. Meanwhile, with many of the army's officers now boasting practical experience against Bavaria's enemies and with new threats on the horizon, George starts a standing army of 4,000 Bavarians, based in Munich. In addition, he sends several military instructers to the regions surrounding Munich and other populated areas of the country in order to ensure all men of military age are competent with a weapon of some kind, as well as basic commands. George also uses the new church lands under his control to work to restore Bavaria's economy. Most of this is used to expand infrastructure, which George hopes will find another use in supporting armies in the future, as well as to maintain Bavaria's agricultural and industrial production. George continues to work to convert Bavaria fully to Jungism, sending out missonaries to all areas of the Duchy. All nobles, administrators, and soldiers are required to convert, and the clergy is replaced with Jungists, with those refusing to convert being peacefully expelled from Bavaria. In particular, George continues to publically argue that the successful defense of Bavaria against the Catholic invaders proves that God is on the side of the Jungists. With the Jungists in full control of Bavaria, most of the population begin to convert formally.
    • Highly doubt you could successfully expel that many people or nobles without a serious fight on your hands. On top of this replacing the clergy would take a while. Not a one-to-five year affair. It would take a lot longer if you're aiming for a clergy that's competent. -Feud.
    • That's really not accurate, it's fairly par for the course to replace the clergy, especially for a state the size of Bavaria. And he did just have a serious fight on his hands, he won a multiyear civil war.
  • Duchy of Thuringia: After the death of Hawkwood, the English state of Bayreuth seems in a tentative position, but Hugh the Heir decides to prop the state up and moving his forces in to prevent its complete collapse. He first proposes that Hawkwood’s lieutenant and brother-in-law named Robert of Geneva be crowned Count, and moves forces from Nuremberg to aid him. The Englishmen of the group continue to maurade and conquer various lands, often to the dismay of both sides. Hugh also secures himself to the family, marrying several of his relatives to the Bayreuthers. The group invades the Palatine hoping to dislodge their territory there before peace ban be made. Elsewhere, the Thin White Duke seeks to negotiate with Bohemia to end the war. Meanwhile in Swabia, Franz von Sickingen proposes to order the defenders of Ulm to surrender if Bavaria confirm him as ruler of it (as their vassal). He continues his pillaging across the south, conquering the Bishopric of Strassbourg with the help of the Habsburgs, before turning northward. He attacks both Jungists and Catholics alike before he finally stops and considers peace. He proposes the following in: he will be declared Hegemon of the Swabian League, and ruler over many of the areas he has conquered, while giving up others. He will be accepted as royalty, and be allowed to enact his vision.
  • Georgia: Georgia receives the Spanish mission. Trade continues to flourish, with Georgia exporting silk, wool, and cotton textiles; as well as carpets, ceramics, jewelry, and enamels.

1513

Pope Julius II dies during the foundation of Saint Peter's Basilica. A new conclave is held to elect the new Pope.

In the city of Luxembourg a preacher named Richard Wagner causes controversy when he breaks the fasting rules of Lent by cutting and distributing two smoked sausages. This becomes one of many clashes he has with the church, and he goes on to preach against corruption in the church, promotes clerical marriage, and attacks the use of images in worship. Influenced by the Jungists, Wagner begins spreading his own teachings across southern Lotharingia, coexisting with the existing religious movements tolerated by the King.

In response to the expansion of Metz and Franz von Sickingen, as well as the threatening demand of Lotharingia, the Alsace League forms as an alliance of Vaudemont, Blamont, Salm, Toul (both city and bishopric), Strassbourg (the city), and Trier. Although peace is accepted between Alsace and Franz von Sickingen, other states refuse to recognize his rule, notably the Swiss Confederacy, which clashes with him across southern Swabia.

The succession of King John V of Lotharingia has succeeded in retaining the Crown of Spain within the extended family of the House of Luxembourg. However, effectively the influence on the court of Lotharingia has gone the opposite direction. The royal court of King John VI were mostly raised in Spain, and speak Spanish as their first language. This Spanish influence in the royal family causes a severe rift against the growing power of the Admiralty.

The bishops of Iceland and Scandinavia are shocked by the usurpation of Jomika to the title of Patriarch, who they feel he didn't have the right to do. After Jomika tries to convince them that he was approved of this office by the late Pope Julius II, the Archbishop of Reykavik sends a letter of inquiry to the newly-elected Pope in Rome, asking to confirm if this claim is true.

English chronicler Robert Fabyan publishes a complete history of the War of the Roses. Thomas More writes his first major work of literature, History of King Edward VII.

  • Duchy of Greenland: Jómika is confused what the Archbishop from Reykjavik is talking about. He reminds him that he was appointed this position by the Pope himself, who unfortunately has died and can't confirm this, in reference to the documents that the Bishop has (OOC: How would they automatically know of the deed without metagaming?) Also there are no other bishops in Greenland, just him (as the Pope's recent mishap ensured), and he absolutely will not be threatened by an insubordinate to become an auxiliary bishop (of him, presumably?). Jómika is shocked that the Archbishop of Reykjavik is demanding that Jómika make himself subservient to him; that is an illegal powergrab, and church hierarchy can only be managed by the Pope. There are no grounds for the Archbishop to usurp control over him. As sedition against a patriarch is defined by the church as a reason for excommunication, the Archbishop unfortunately should be excommunicated, and Jómika writes to the Pope to confirm this. Additionally, Jómika writes to the Pope and asks him for confirmation of his current office that the previous pope gave him. (Papal response needed). He also clarifies that he is the Patriarch of the western hemisphere/new world, obviously when he wrote Patriarch of the west as a shorthand he did not mean replacing the Pope or anything of that nature. As he is oldest bishop in North America, if not the only one, it is a fair appointment to be made. 
  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Aaron von Gemmingen is concerned about the state of his Swabian lads, taken in the war by Franz von Sickingen, and by the lies that have been circulated about his rule. He apologizes to the Habsburgs for only recently receiving their offer to buy the Swabian lands, having been much occupied, traveling across Germany in support of the Inquisition. He urges them not to make common cause with von Sickingen, who is making war on the catholic church, and agrees to give them the lands of Swabia at no cost if they will continue to provide military support. However, if all the church lands are returned, he will agree to a peace treaty. (Habsburg response). He continues to fight for these lands with his own forces, and requests volunteers from all the Archdiocese (player response). The Archbishop extends an offer to Saxony. If the Duke of Saxony will agree to give his full support to the Emperor against the anti-Imperial Juncite forces, the Archbishop will suspend the Inquisition in Saxony as a sign of gratitude for Saxony’s loyalty (Saxony Response). The Archbishop welcomes the disposed Catholics in Bavaria to settle in Mainz. However, due to the increased cost of supporting a war on so many fronts, the Archbishop has no choice but to cancel the church’s free schooling program, until the conflict is ended. He is greatly saddened by this, as the free church schools have raised the literacy rate of Germany to among the highest in Europe over the last 50 years. He sends an announcement to every diocese, explaining that it is the rampant aggression of the rebels and heretics which has forced the church to cut back it’s spending on charity for the people. Only when the church is united and peace is restored can the schools be reopened. He calls on the people to reject the so-called reformers who are inflicting so much suffering on them. Archchancellor Karl von Voss requests further support from England, and orders the Imperial Army to mobilize in support of the Emperor. The Archchancellor recommends that the Emperor remain calm, and consider allowing Lotharingia the position of “Imperial Protector” over the region they desire, under which terms they will receive part of the tax money, and pledge their military to defend these lands from any aggression or rebellion against the Emperor. In return, the King of Lotharingia must agree to join the Catholic forces, and instead of religious toleration, pledge his complete support for the Catholic Church. The Emperor needs all the support he can get. (Bohemia Response).
    • Saxony: We will send troops to aid the Emperor, in return for the permanent suspension of the inquisition in Saxony, as long as they are not ordered to attack Saxony's close allies.
  • Principality of Vinland: The population reaches 7,550. Trade flourishes with Greenland, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, and other Northern European areas as well as the Mi'kmaq. Eric Kuis creates the Jarldom (Duchy) of Dogajavick and grants it to himself and his male heirs in perpetuity. He also creates the County of Hallrberga, which he grants to his uncle, Guðmundr. In order to appease the tribal elites, he grants some of them landed titles. For instance, he grants his cousin Gamli Eriksson, the grandson of Erik Hrothgarsson, the lordship of Elufsker on the condition he convert to Christianity. Seeing the economic and political power in the title and increased demesne, Gamli agrees, converts to the new faith, and is baptized as Gabriel. In linguistic news, Vinlanders begin dropping the from certain words like berga, thus affecting city names like Hallrberga and Keathutberga. Ports are expanded in Dogajavick and Elufsker. Eric Kuis and Helka welcome a son, whom they name Kristjan. Eric Kuis is elated after he hears of the late Pope's creation of the Principality of Vinland as well as the bevy of clergyman and resources in order to help aide the Christianization process. Eric Kuis immediately puts the clergy to use in establishing new churches around the country. He assigns several of the Catholic clergymen to cities and towns around the country. As it will take time to construct these churches, Eric Kuis orders mass conversions and baptisms to be held by rivers, on plains and grasslands, and in town centers. He considers holding a baptism at the 1514 Thing. In regional news, Eric Kuis slams Bishop Jomika and accusses him of being a delusional upstart. In order to institutionalize Christianity in an effort to ease mass baptism, the Prince appeals to the Celtic Confederacy, asking the Amerauder to send missionaries and priests {Celtic response]. Eric Kuis also appeals to the Curia in Rome and the future pope to invest a new Archbishop of Dogajavick and a Bishop of Shamyeby, Elufsker, and Hallrberga each. Eric Kuis suggests Pall (Paul) Petrsson, father of Princess Helka, as a good candidate for the new Archdiocese of Dogajavick. He further suggests Jan Auðvaldrsson, Fleinn Haflisson, and Josep Josepsson as Bishopric candidates for Shamyeby, Elufsker, and Hallrberga respectively. (Papal response).
    • Esgigeland and Unamaland: The commonwealth expands southward. A new church is erected in Unamberg and dedicated to the late Pope Julius. Construction begins in the summer.
    • Vestelfrland: The last of the new Christian colonists reach Vestelfrland. They revive the dilapidated outpost there and convert the remaining Norse pagans, numbering only about 20. The new settlers begin planning for expansion westward on the Vestelfr river but must wait for more settlers. They send letter to the Prince asking for more people.
    • Vinland Marriage offers: The pious and noble Guðhilde Guðmundrssdottir, cousin of Prince Eric Kuis through his paternal aunt, is looking for a husband. She is 17 and was born in 1496. (Player response). The equally pious but also artistically inclined Magnhilde Guðmundrssdottir is looking for a betrothal. She is ten and the sister of Guðhilde. (Player response).
    • Greenlander Diplomacy: The Duke of Greenland named Arnar (currently age 11) is offered as a match for Magnhilde Guðmundrssdottir
    • Celtic Diplomacy: The king offers his second son, Duncan of Bruce-Auvergne (13 years old) for a betrothal with Guðhilde Guðmundrssdottir. We also agree to send a number of missionaries and priests to preach in Vinland, on the request of Vinland.'
      • Vinlandic Response: Guðhilde is betrothed to Duncan. Eric Kuis is happy that missionaries are being sent. Eric Kuis invites to Celtic Confederacy to establish a trade post near Vinland.
  • Celtic Diplomacy: King Edward happily accepts this invitation.
    • You dont control the royal family of iceland who also rules over Greenland -Feud
    • Papal diplomacy: The Roman Curia will present this petition to the next pope when he is elected.
      • Vinland Response: Eric Kuis thanks the Curia for its time.
    • After discussing with Feud its decided that he can control Arnar because he is the ruler of Greenland - Nate
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Caliph al-Maālīk accepts Ayutthaya's treaty for trading through the Strait of Malacca. Military fortresses are updated with cannons. Caliph al-Maālīk, on the topic of Ibn Allahverdi, recognizes his jihad against the Shi'ite Safavids, but doesn't acknowledge it, for it was the Shi'ites that assisted in the overthrowing of the Banu Umayya, and additionally realizes that both Sunnis and Shi'ites need to co-operate together to defeat the enemies of Islam, not to keep persisting in this in-fighting. So, he does nothing. Instead, he prepares the Grand Army and begins building siege weapons. Arquebuses are administered to much of the Grand Army, while experimentation with the gunpowder continues. Artillery pieces, specifically Bombards, are updated and manned. By August, Caliph al-Maālīk declares war on Yemen. Abdukrahman al-Rūm continues to research military strategy and history, and wishes to put his research into the real world, so under the permission of the Caliph, Abdukrahman al-Rūm will lead the campaign against Yemen.
    • Abbasid-Yemen War (1513-present):
      • Assault on Abha: Abdukrahman leads 8,000 men to assault Abha. Using arquebuses and thicker armor than previously, they wait until sundown before turning the fortifications of the city to rubble with the usage of artillery pieces and bombards situated in the mountains, surrounding the city. After an hour of cannon fire, Abdukrahman leads 7,000 men into the valley city, leaving the remaining 1,000 near the back end of the city to make sure no Zaydi soldier is able to escape from the ferocity of the Grand Army. If successful in taking Abha, Abdukrahman will recruit any Sunni Muslims to aid their cause against Yemen, arming them with an arquebus or a sword, as well as giving them three gold ducats and light plated armor before moving onward.
      • Battle of Najran: If successful at Abha, an additional 1,000 men will be sent from Hejaz to garrison Abha while another 2,000 men will aid the remaining army to move southward to attack the garrisons at Najran. If successful in capturing the city, Abdukrahman will try to recruit Sunni Muslims in the city to help in their war against Yemen.
      • Battle of Baish: While Abdukrahman leads the front against Abha, another 4,000 troops are routed westward to attack border garrisons at Baish. Led by Barakat II bin Muhammed, the Sharif of Mecca, they lead an open assault against the city. Realizing that the city has mostly Sunni, they only attack the garrisons situated in the city while using swords and arquebuses to crush the minor Zaydi forces.
      • Assault on Jazan: If successful at Baish, the army under Barakat II bin Muhammed will be re-inforced with 4,000 additional men, leaving 1,000 to garrison to the town, and move southward along the coast to Jazan. Knowing the cities importance as a coastal port city, Barakat II uses artillery to bombard the city's fortifications before marching in, while trying to avoid damage to any part of the coastal ports, so that they may be re-purposed for the Abbasid navy.
  • Duchy of Habsburg: The Duke initially aids Franz von Sickingen in his conquests, and as a result Habsburg is able to secure the Bishopric of Strasburg for itself. However, the Hegemon of Swabia has refused to heed the Duke’s advice that he stand down, and soon locks the alliance in a war with the Swiss Confederacy. As such the Duke makes a series of secret messages sent. To the Emperor in Bohemia, Duke Leopold II writes that if he is confirmed as the new hegemon instead, Leopold II will oust Franz von Sickingen and return Swabia to the Emperor’s side as a loyal, Catholic subject. (Bohemia response needed) He sends an offer to Mainz, saying that if Mainz agrees to cede the handful of territories they own in Swabia to Habsburg, the Duchy will fight for the Catholic side and oust Franz von Sickingen, and protect Swabia and Mainz from Jungist aggression. (Mainz response needed) The Duke sends a diplomacy post to the Alsace League, asking to join the alliance (Mod response needed)
    • Alsace would accept Habsburg in the alliance if they agree to unilaterally fight against the Jungists in Swabia
    • Mainz: The Archbishop accepts the offer of the Habsburgs with gratitude, and urges the Emperor to accept as well. He requests that the Bishop of Strasburg's personal property be returned, and sends a message to the Bishop urging him to officially cede the political authority over Strasburg to the Habsburgs in a peaceful ceremony, wherein the Duke will show his loyalty to the Catholic cause.
  • Russia: The withdrawal of the Hansa from the Republican banner cripples their military strength as many of the other mercenary companies leave and those that remain demand a higher salary for their continued services. The drain on the republican coffers means that they are unable to supply men to either Smolensk or Tver.  Dimitry sensing weakness in the republican banner and growing worried of the threat posed by Kamil to his rear makes an impulse decision to move his army northwest from Rzhev straight toward Lake Ladoga and Novgorod while orders are sent to Nikolai Turgenev to march on Tver and retake the city from the reduced garrison, and sends word o the river boat flotilla to make their way up river to Lake Ladoga and help lay siege to the city. This action catches the already heavily weakened republicans and Oleg with his army at Smolensk is forced to return his army to Novgorod but without the mercenaries his army is little more the poorly armed levies against the now much larger and better equipt army of Dimitry. Dimitry, knowing full well that Oleg's army is still in the field, decides to employ his cossacks for scouting to keep tabs on Oleg while he set up camp 10 km south of Novogorod on Lake Ladoga. A boyar from Rostov by the name of Aleksei Volkov manages to rally some of the boyars in Vladimir to fend off against Tartar raiders. Cobbling together some 12,000 men he manages to draw in some 6,000 raiders who had grown overconfident. 
  • Kingdom of Majapahit: as our decline have ended, it is time to maintain our presence, as a first act, and as we keep importing thicc plate armor and the matchlocks of the arquebus and European cannons, we began to get our army together now. King Manputjiya II has a conversation with his royal court members "dear advisors and governors. I gather you here to announce a declaration of war against Demak, we will unify our heart lands of Java, this, will be called the Javanese Reconquestria. 15,000 soliders with various numbers of Indian, Javanese, western cannons (5,000 arqubessiers, 10,000 heavy infantry) shall head out to seige the capital city of the city state of Demak, supported by heavy artillery bombardment, and seige wepons and guns constant firing, our sappers shall damage out the walls and create explosions, we request Dai Viet to send up a savage and inexperienced leader, he will lead 3,000 Majapahit arqubessiers, the rest will be put into command of another inexperienced and savage leader "Gaiam Hapkan" to lead our armies into the siege (Algo Needed) as trade flourishes and economic grows up, more interests and put into our navy.More Djrongs are beeing built this year, Cetbangs are being equipped to them, but now more light Indian cannons and western guns shall be implemented to the ships for more firepower, as the European plate armor has arrived to us, we are delighted to see that a strong thicc armor we own now, our blacksmithers will be sent to the outposts to learn from western merchants and gunsmithers and blacksmithers to learn how to forge and make this quality plate armor in the straight of Malacca and ports of Sunda. Infrastructure will be also maintained and upgraded, the king will title himself "Raja" we would announce that he lacks engineers and builders to fulfill his building projects, we invite various numbers of European engineers to come to share their knowledge in fortress building and coastal defenses building and road maintenance and upgrade as well.
  • Empire of Ethiopia: Word arrives from the north that the Caliphate has invaded Yemen. Unwilling to allow the Caliphate dominance of the other side of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the Ethiopian Empire offers to aid the Shia Yemeni Sultanate by providing them modern weapons as well as intervening militarily to defend Yemen. In exchange the Empire asks the Yemeni to allow Ethiopians to trade freely in Yemen. [MOD RESPONSE NEEDED]. The Emperor also sends a letter to the Caliph demanding he withdraw from Yemen. Sensing an impending war, the Ethiopian war machine begins to mobilize. The 10,000 strong Imperial Guard concentrates near Barari, while 10,000 Chewa warriors also mobilize and move to Barari. The Imperial Artillery Corps also sends 15 cannons and the necessary men to concentrate at Barari as well. The Ethiopian navy is also mobilized, composing mainly of about 50 dhows armed with small cannons, and maintains its position at Beri near the entrance of the strait. 
    • The Ziyadi Muslims accept this support.
    • Abbasid Dip: The Caliph declines.
  • Kingdom of Portugal: The king sends afonos to colonize the island knows as Comores where he establishes an outpost.(nate gave permission)Meanwhile in exchange the king cedes Habsburg Island to Spain as part of their deal.Meanwhile the king begins his annual trips to all of Portugal's colonies and territories. The queen gives birth to a second daughter who they name Maria who becomes second in line for a short time until a tragic event happens.On the morning of October 6, the young Cirí is playing near the royal well when she suddenly falls into it and dies. The king and queen are absolutely distraught by this tragic event as Maria is put in first place of the heir. With the slaves from Mali arriving to Sao Tome, the production there is kickstarted.
  • Papal States: Before dying, Pope Julius II answers to the bishops that he never gave the title of patriarch to Jómika of Greenland. After Pope Julius II dies, his fisherman's ring is broken by Cardinal-Secretary Pietro Accolti and a new papal conclave commences.
  • Kingdom of Ayutthaya: Naval officers, scholars, and shipbuilders have been set to the task of designing a new ship with a priority focus on armor, durability, and weaponry. The new ship is mainly intended to patrol and safeguard the territorial waters of Ayutthaya as well as trade routes within its influence with the Laksamana conducting direct oversight over the project and the Penghulu Bendahari providing whatever funds are needed on the orders of Mingyi Nyo. The weaponry provided by the Europeans continues to be put to use and distributed to Capital Defense Corps troops except for the arquebus which is provided by local smiths with government subsidies being provided to domestics smiths to encourage their continued efforts as well as to foreign smiths who choose to make their home in Ayutthaya. The printing press continues to be used to mass-produce books, documents, and text for consumption in wats by those learning to read and to encourage the use of a common language across the Kingdom. The work of officials, administrators, and nobles to repair the damage from the war are still ongoing but have subsided significantly from before as the wealth gathered from trade continues to buildup permitting the allotment of more funds to reconstruction from the Penghulu Bendahari. The Temenggung works diligently to spread out his spy network across the region to compensate for the arrival of Europeans and to maintain an eye on the flow of trade to ensure that there are no disruptions to trade. Majapahit's aggression toward Demak warrants the attention of Mingyi Nyo who is unable to uphold the agreement of an alliance between Ayutthaya and Demak due to the recovering state of the Kingdom. An offer is made however to offer the Demak royal family refuge in Ayutthaya should the conflict go south. (Mod Response). The Commerce Guild withdraws its assets, merchants, and business from Demak as well as Blambangan in favor of the Kingdom of Kalimantan on Borneo due to the fear of Majapahit disrupting business. The exchange program with students of the Civil College traveling to study in Japan still occurring as the government continues to set aside the necessary funds to sponsor it. Scholars in the court begin to receive royal patronage in their studies and research to better assist Ayutthaya's knowledge in the face of its advanced neighbors. The Krasuang Kalahom oversees the establishment of forts and fortifications across Ayutthaya as well the rebuilding and organization of the Capital Defense Corps of all cities to ensure that they are bound to his chain of commands.
  • Celtic Confederacy:With the attempt by Jomika to manufacture claims to be a patriarch and lying about the pope, and the confirmation by Pope Julius that he did not approve this before he dies, we officially condemn Jomika’s blatant power grab, and offer our support to the Icelandic and Greenlandic clergy to depose him of necessary (MOD RESPONSE NEEDED). The C.C.C continues to be profitable, through trade with Mali, Jabal Asada, and the Congo. The expedition to pass The Cape also succeeds, and, retracing the steps of previous European expeditions, we make contact with the Christian Ethiopian Empire, and ask to open relations with them (ETHIOPIA RESPONSE NEEDED). We also continue to persecute heresy within Scotland, using the previously mentioned measures.
  • Kingdom of Lotharingia: "Were Di" In Malines a new son has been born to Eleanor of Habsburg and John VI of Regnier this son  being called Godfried. His newborn son planned to live in a More Belgic manner his son staying in Malines, a city which is the centre of Belgic culture and politics for decades. While in Bonen a minor rift acurs between the Generaal-Admiraal and the King, as Bonen and Artois have been pacified. Thus the exact job for the Generaal-Admiraal is not anymore clear, even if the recent events in Moselle and Luxembourg does seem to give a new destination. The King and members of the Saint Columbanus messengers send a letter to the Holy sea in Rome, even when there is not yet an elected pope. The letter being an open call on the Catholic nations of the world to aid in preserving the peace and Religious unity in Lotharingia. The saint Columbanus messengers with the fear of Jungism growing in large numbers the Local Frisian Ducal authority reporting that up to one third of the duchy is at least nominally a member of the church, While in Holland the countal government reports up to one fifth being a nominal part of the county. The Saint columbanus being not yet a distinct faith sect but instead the specific teachings of a saint who who closer to nature and more humble against large clerical capital. This making it a religion of the people, the Rural, the urban, the Poor and the rich. The Religion being even taken to Broekden south of Vinland as the first Frisians of "Wagenaar famyljebedriuw" arive in the town, this is the first time since the crews of the "Wyn" "Groningen" and "Wadden" came to the land by accident. The Crews having decided that they will call broekden home, as the seas and bays are full of fish which are bigger then ever seen in lotharingia. This atracting many of the adventurious of Frisia, as the land is full of risk and full of opertunity. While in "Eilanden met Hemelse stranden" the population continue's her growth just like the population of the pigs. While in Lotharingian proper seeing the Actions of Straßburg, the king offering to join the Elzaß alliance. (Mod response). The king wishing to offer an alliance to the states in return fo forgiveness and to be able to be on the negotiation table. The king teaching and growing catholicism by tollerance and being liberating instead of with fear, the king seeing knowledge as the way to a Catholic god. The king even getting a Saint Columbanus Monk as the Tutor, this also helping his son Learn Belgic and Belgic Frisian. The king wanting his son and heir to the throne to be more acceptable for the Senatus regus Lotharii.
    • The Aslace Alliance at this time has decided to pool their power in rejection of most foreign intervention, in light of the Emperor's statement to "defend themselves".
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. Our traders continue to send over technological objects to Russia. Trade is restored in the Ragusa territory. Ports are rebuilt from the war. Cities in the territory are rebuilt due to being destroyed in the war. The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. With influenza slowly dying down in western Europe, our boarders to the north and the west get put on high alert and guarded heaviley by the boarder control. With an exchange with Russia we give them a few thousand of our people for a few thousand of their people. To help fleeing Jungist people from the HRE, we open our nation up to any Jungist who wants to live in our lands. Zoltan's second child a daughter is born this year. The name Rahel is given to her.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.
  • Empire of Japan: As the words of more unknown ships arriving in South East Asia arrives, this does nothing to stop existing trade missions. Words of their ships being relatively underwhelming prompts a quiet dismissal of their threat to Japans growing trade hegemony in the region. With Japanese effective monopoly over policing and enforcing peace over the high seas trade routes, many more profitable and favorable trade agreements are established hinging specifically on the "convenience" as well as the great profits still to be made by operating on these routes. Seeking to solidify further control over the Azuma Archipeligo the outpost of Matsaka is given charter by the Fukuoka Zaibatsu to be built into a city. (OTL Laoag city). The first settlers are diverted from Fort Koba to establish a town in the new region with nearly 200 people supported heavily by Fort Koba as a supply point. The Kensei Temple of Raijin at the mouth of the Amur river having been established as an important stopping point for ships going around the great north sea a small group of settlers have taken up near the 100 Kensei order chapter building a small town around the well protected settlement. The developments in Arasakura continue with Kenenaitzu seeing more growth as well with varying outposts establishing and helping the Japanese settlers lay claim over the region. The development of the Japanese navy sees further advancement as new rigging for sails and sail layouts are tried to improve speed of the ships with some small triangular sails as well as the use of more sailcloth and less direct sail superstructure used however at the cost of needing more crew. Needing specifically to make its heavier warships move more quickly this is seen as an acceptable sacrifice and a series of tests are conducted. This is also done heavily to speed up the sailing of trade ships with the Zaibatsu across Japan all investing heavily in finding ways to speed up ships as well as help them sail better through less than ideal weather. The new War Junks begin to be employed with nearly 10 of these 6 decked ships arriving into the Imperial home fleet however as it is the home fleet its gun compliment is increased to 60 guns and it becomes clear that if configured correctly many of these ships could clearly hold more artillery should it be needed. The main issue with these newer ships remains the ships maneuverability however with nothing of comparable note coming anywhere near Japan in terms of naval strength this is seen as a technological peak for the moment and no new investment in made into Maneuverability improvements. The expansion of the Iwami-Ginzan mine is met with stunning news. The Mine is noted to be much heavier than initially thought and the estimates are absolutely mind boggling. It has been noted that while imported bullion the mines currently existing in Japan have been able to keep up with the demand for currency however with slight to moderate shortages in two notable instances, the Iwami-Ginzan mine stands to be as the Emperor describes "A mountain of wealth so vast that it may very well Keep Japan afloat for centuries." This discovery of wealth as well as the current inflow of wealth from abroad brings many to coin the term as Japans "Era or Silence" or the Chinmoku Era forgoing regular naming conventions for this. The name comes specifically from Japans outright lack of direct outside or major internal conflict which has been promptly punctuated by the discovery of enough gold and silver and sitting atop a vast protected trade network that could allow the nation to effectively coast for the next few decades easily. The remaining mines still not under Imperial control are taken control of in the interest of preserving the Imperial currency and for the first time in almost a century the Gold, Silver, and Copper content of all its coinage is increased with the new coinage expected to take roughly a decade to put to practice. Seeing the need to maintain the value of the current coinage this 10 year period is to be used to effectively phase out and re-mint the current active coins into the larger metal content coins. With this some of the issues regarding inflation which had begun to flare up due to expanding population, lacking rare metal content in the coinage, and the growing price of goods due to simply their increase in quality over the last few decades. This revaluing and minting of the new coinage is predicted to greatly increase the buying power and flexibility of the Freemen class and peasant classes in Japan. The idea of a common education system is also floated by various administrators as the neo-Confucian, Shinbutsu-Shugo, and also "Bushido code" all coming through the existing administrative education system begin to come through into the direct Japanese administration. 
  • Dai Viet: This year, the Trạng nguyên - Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm gets invited to become a court mandarin by the Emperor. Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, having being a genius since he was young, was raised with different ideologies from his father and mother. He learned how to speak at the age of one, and memorized historical texts at the age of six. His mother, seeing the genius of her son, hoped that her son would achieve greatness by gaining the throne. His father, on the other was a Lê loyalist, and he strictly condemned the actions of his wife that was teaching him poems that have the context of treason. Eventually they broke up, he was raised by his father but never forget his mother’s teachings. The court is summoned as news of the Portuguese refusing to trade weaponry with Dai Viet. Enraged that Siamese restrictions have led to the Portuguese abandoning weaponry trade with Dai Viet, the Emperor is so angry that he chopped off a table. Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm advised the Emperor to give up the vassal of Lan Na. At first, His Majesty was reluctant but Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm managed to convince him by stating that Ayutthaya’s hostility is caused by Dai Viet’s campaign against Lan Na. The Emperor writes a letter to the Siamese king asking for an explanation. The Emperor asks the Ayutthayan king, Mingyi Nyo to remove the law forbidding European merchants from trading with Dai Viet, as the last thing the Emperor wants is a war with Ayutthaya, which will only result in heavy casualties for both countries. The past few decades saw Ayutthayan-Dai Viet relations improved despite the rivalry. But Ayutthaya continues their hostility even after the increase of relations. Due to the ongoing truce with Ayutthaya, Dai Viet can not cause any trouble with Ayutthaya with military campaigns. Following that, the Emperor makes an offer to the Mingyi Nyo to denounce the rivalry between the two countries as long as both sides respect each other’s borders. Should Nyo accepts this will be made a treaty in a neutral city of Longvek, Cambodia on the following conditions: 1) Dai Viet will give Lan Na fully independence and sovereignty but Chiang Hung will remain a separate entity as a vassal of Dai Viet. 2) Ayutthaya will permit European merchants to trade weaponry with Dai Viet. 3) Four provinces of the Lan Xang kingdom that was annexed by Ayutthaya shall be returned to Lan Xang. 4) Two countries Dai Viet and Ayutthaya will continue their 100-year truce with no violations. As the Emperor wishes nothing more than peace in the region, he hopes that the letter and the offer will be considered by Mingyi Nyo. (Siam response needed) Meanwhile the Vietnaminization of the Mekong Delta continues to be under progress. Hearing Majapahit’s request for help against Demak, 5,000 men along with General Nguyen Van Lo (savage) are ordered to contribute to the war against Demak. (Algo Needed, Total: 20,000 men)
    • Ayutthaya Diplo: The treaty is refused as is, with the following proposed instead:
    • Treaty:
      -Dai Viet will release the lands of Lan Na to Ayutthaya's possession with the exception of Chiang Hung which will remain vassal to Dai Viet
      -Ayutthaya will permit European nations to trade arms, armor, and ammo to Dai Viet so long as they are not in a state of conflict with Ayutthaya
      -The 100 years of peace will be renewed with the following additions:
          -Both sides will extend the peace to the vassals and allies of the other state
          -They will not take take advantage of or intervene in internal conflicts for either state
      -Lan Xang and Dai Viet will recognize and respect Ayutthayan claim and possession of the regions taken from Lan Xang in previous conflicts
      -Ayutthaya and Dai Viet will recognize and respect the boundaries/borders of the other (Dai Viet Response)
  • Roman Empire: The empire recovers substantially this year after languishing between war, revolt, disease, and cataclysm. The rebuilding of Constantinople continues with some efforts taken to improve the transportation of goods in the city. Several formerly housing districts are rebuilt with wider streets and large, apartment buildings of 5-8 stories. These buildings take advantage of the stronger concrete now being employed throughout the empire and can accommodate between 400 and 600 residents as well as commercial enterprises in their ground floors. These towering new buildings open up space in the city for new plazas including an expanded Forum of the Ox which has grown increasingly congested as the empire and Eastern Mediterranean’s center of commerce and finance. The forum is extended down to the docks, and widened. Meanwhile, the empire’s work on fortification continues, and the naval reconstruction finally resumes at full tilt. In Ethiopia, Dragut Reis and his men complete the construction of their ships, and with the support of the Ethiopian Emperor they set off for the east. They carry with them three Ethiopian navigators to aid them in the initial phases of the journey and to report on their findings. (Mod Response, Please) Herodotus and his wife Valerie of House Barcelona take a vacation to Krete to partake in the Island’s luxuries and weather. On the excursion, Kaisar-Autokrat Herodotus II appoints his son Andronikos Kaisar, the heir apparent to the empire. On the way back from the trip, Herodotus II stops in Epirus to oversee the complete dismantling of independent governance in the region as it is integrated into the Empire. Kaisar-Autokrat Herodotus II also stops in Morea to demand that its ruler, Despot Zachariah of Morea accede to Vassalage under Herodotus and his progeny. (Mod Response, Please)
    • Despotate of Dobruja: Greek colonization of the region comes to a head as local nobles and serfs begin to organize resistance to the Greeks who now dominate the coastal cities of the region. A series of violent riots occur and several dozen Greeks are lynched by mobs of angry Dobrujans. Imperial troops are deployed from Thema Thrakes to end the violence, but they find themselves embroiled in a civil war almost immediately. Many Dorbujans call for independence from the Roman Empire and an end to Greek settlement. The result is a series of noble and popular revolts throughout the nation. Troops from several other Roman Themes are deployed to the region and the revolts are crushed without mercy. The ill-equipped Dobrujan peasants are cut down and their hopelessly outnumbered and comparatively poorly equipped noble counterparts are isolated and destroyed with ankistróploi.
  • Kingdom of England: North of Ely in Cambridgeshire, the Yorkist troops from Yorkshire and Northumberland, led by Richard of York, Duke of Gloucester and Henry Percy, 5th Earl of Northumberland, battle the Lancastrian battalion of Essex and the surviving Suffolk troops from the battle of March, led by James Tuchet, 1st Earl of Essex and John de la Pole, 3rd Duke of Suffolk. The battle of Ely is initially a stalemate, but the tides turn when Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk ends the neutral stance his family previously had in the York-Beaufort conflicts and decides to aid the Yorkist side, influenced by his son's marriage to Richard of York's daughter Frances of Gloucester. Howard leads the local troops of Norfolk southwest to Ely, which leads to the Yorkist troops outnumbering the Lancastrian ones. Soon, the Yorkists break through the Lancastrian defence; James Tuchet (~1463-1513) is killed in the battle, and his son John (b. ~1483), husband of King Henry VII of England's daughter Mary Beaufort, becomes the 2nd Earl of Essex, though he does not get involved in the battle as he is in Essex's county town, Chelmsford. John de la Pole manages to escape the battle, fleeing through the largely neutral counties of Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire to the Lancastrian stronghold of Warwickshire, taking some of the surviving Suffolk and Essex soldiers with him; the rest flee east to Suffolk's county town, Ipswich. After the victory at the battle of Ely, the Yorkist army, now joined by the Norfolk forces, marches south through the largely neutral Hertfordshire. Meanwhile, the arrival of the news of the Yorkist invasion in London alarms King Henry VII and the English Parliament. The King immediately tries to recall the 4,000 English mercenaries fighting for the Catholic League, but only about half of them are actually able to return because a number defected to aid the Count of Bayreuth and this led to the collapse of the organisation of the mercenaries in Bohemia. King Henry VII orders the Lancastrian troops which were stationed in the Kentish port towns of Sandwich and Dover in anticipation of more Catholic League being required to head northwest in order to protect London. However, at this juncture Richard Grey, 3rd Earl of Kent declares his support for the Yorkist faction in order to avenge his father George Grey, 2nd Earl of Kent, who died at the hands of Lancastrians in the previous war, and he has the local troops of Kent block the Lancastrian forces originally from London. A battle ensues near the town of Ashford as the forces of the Earl of Kent try to prevent the Lancastrians from returning to London; though the Lancastrians outnumber Kent's forces, they lack a clear leader and this prevents them from breaking through. Thomas Howard the Younger, who holds the Earldom of Surrey as a courtesy title while his father is the Duke of Norfolk, leads the local battalions of Surrey eastward to aid Richard Grey at the battle of Ashford. Howard proves to be the most effective of the commanders at the battle, and this combined with the numerical reinforcements from Surrey enables the Yorkist forces to repulse the Lancastrians from Ashford, forcing the survivors to retreat east again. Soon after the Earl of Kent joins the war, Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham leads the Yorkist forces of Buckinghamshire southeast to besiege London, where less Lancastrian forces than usual are stationed because of the troop movements related to the Catholic League. The Lancastrian forces in London are able to hold off the at this stage relatively small Yorkist force, but are not able to break through the siege either. Late in the year, the Yorkist force of troops from Yorkshire, Northumberland and Norfolk arrives at London, significantly increasing the size of the besieging force. Meanwhile, after John de la Pole, 3rd Duke of Suffolk and the surviving Lancastrian soldiers from Suffolk and Essex arrive in Warwickshire, Edmund Courtenay, 1st Duke of Warwick gathers the Lancastrians soldiers of Warwickshire and starts marching southeast with the goal of intercepting the Yorkist soldiers or relieving the siege of London. In Oxfordshire, the Lancastrian John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford (1442-1513) dies of natural causes, and his son George (b. 1508) becomes the 14th Earl of Oxford. George's mother Cecily Courtenay (b. 1473) effectively becomes the regent of the Earldom, and when the Lancastrian forces led by her brother Edmund pass through Oxfordshire she convinces a decent fraction of the local Oxfordshire soldiers to join the march toward London. The outbreak of war and the siege of London take up much of the focus of the English Parliament, though they continue funding ecclesial clinics and other efforts to halt the influenza outbreak specifically in London. The Inquisition in England remains in action, though with somewhat reduced funding due to the York-Beaufort conflict. Shortly before Thomas Howard the Younger's departure for the battle of Ashford, his wife Frances of Gloucester gives birth to their first child, a son named George (b. 1513). Later in the year, Edward VII of York and Sessilía Sturlungur have their first child, a daughter named Louise (b. 1513) in honour of both Sessilía's mother and Edward's sister; and Mary Beaufort and John Tuchet, 2nd Earl of Essex have their third child, a son named Frederick (b. 1513). In Hampshire, Raffaella of Habsburg and Gioffre Borgia have their second child, a daughter named Mary (b. 1513).
  • Duchy of Thuringia: The Archbishop of Mainz is lambasted by the Thin White Duke for his pathological fallacy: trying to claim that it’s the Jungists’ fault that you need to cut spending to education. No, he replies, it’s your numerous and constant foreign wars of intervention and torturous inquisitions that is cutting into your treasury. But since the Papists cannot fathom not hurting innocence for even a single year, they have instead punished their own citizens by canceling education, in the hopes that it will make people angry at the Jungists and blame them for the lack of education. The people see through your charade, says the Duke, they see you attempt to take it out of them, and squeeze them for every penny, so that you can make weapons of violence. On the other hand, Jungism is and always has been a bastion of literacy, education, and the sciences. It has rejected the cruel censorship of the church, and it has been the one to champion education, so that everyone, not just priests, can read and understand the Bible. It should be noted that Thuringia is highly literate, with the best books and the best abilities to read them. The people write extremely smart words, and they are shared with the masses. Miserable Mainz, who cannot afford to provide for its citizens, fails in comparison to the outstanding contributions to literature created by the Jungists, and everyone knows it! In fact, education is only on the rise in Thuringia, unlike the Archbishop who closes down the schools. Re-open the schools, Archbishop. And let you people free. They have been imprisoned behind the ignorance of the Catholic church and forced to conform to their backward ideology. Inspired by Peter Meise and other more radical early Jungists, a movement begins to develop largely centered in Thuringia. The movement preaches an apocalyptic, radical alternative to Jungism, which begins to grow in number greatly. Feeling that the church and its synods is not moving fast enough, many radicals begin to meet privately and make their own set of doctrine. The group largely objects to infant baptism for example, and is also becomes sympathetic to the theocratic utopia described by the Thin White Duke.
  • The Spanish Empire: As King Elvin oversaw the conquest of the lands he had laid claim on, the West India Company became the Crown West India Company as with Elvin being the former lead, it became property to the crown. Diego Velasquez with the reclamation of Havana names it New Havana. The use of the island's resources became key in his campaign. His men end up taking in various Taino women as wives. The male warriors of the island see nothing short of slaughter with those surrendering being stripped of their pride as the guide, la Nina and Angel Perez are used for guidance of the land and use of resources such as water reservoirs and so forth. With a fresh load of supplies by ship and fresh men reaching Velasquez, he continues his ruthless campaign as the vastly superior weaponry and fighting techniques with horses comes down on the island's barbarous pagans. (Algo request). King Elvin doesn't find himself used to staying at home so he finds himself staying at Polanco in Asturias. His wife only follows along as he and his friends would have their games. A castle is to be constructed as a royal residence for the king. Looking for future architectural projects to be made and constructed, his majesty offers Leonardo Da Vinci funds to develop architectural designs and layouts for structures with The King wishing to be surprised with the construction of a castle in Polanco. Additionally, he offers him a position to be employed full-time by the crown. (mod request).
    • Leonardo Da Vinci agrees to move to Spain.

1514

Based on the results of the papal conclave, Adriaan Florensz Boeyens is elected Pope. He chooses to keep his birth name as his papal name, becoming Pope Adrian VI. Together with John van Arkel, or Pope Sebastian I, they are colloquially called in Belgic as Popes Bassie en Adriaan.

After the death of Pope Julius II, a new card game becomes popular in Switzerland called "Pope Juilus II" or "Pope July". It quickly spreads in popularity across all of Burgundy and France, and is being played in London by the end of the year. However, due to its haphazard spread by word of mouth, no two cities plays the game quite the same way, and its rules are constantly evolving over time.

Franz von Sickingen's war against the Swiss Confederacy continues, and he ultimately begins to lose men to attrition and guerrilla warfare during the advance south, which causes his tentative hold over Swabia to loosen. He ultimately meets his end when he is hit by artillery and dies of his wounds the next day, with his radical beliefs on governance seemingly dying with him.

The region continues in unrest as a general uprising of serfs occurs in the Duchy of Wurttemburg, led by an anonymous charismatic leader known only as "Poor Conrad". Inspired by the Jungists teachings, this ripples into several peasant revolts across southern Germany.

Outside of Germany, a peasant revolt among the Transylvanian people occurs against the Kingdom of Hungary, led by György Dózsa. This also results in general civil unrest across the former principality of Wallachia. He rallies a total of 20,000 peasant militia against the Arpads.

A dispute arises between Archbishop Johannes Magnus and King Ivar II of Sweden. After the Archbishop falls to follow an order from the King, the King attempts to have him ousted, something that the church is unable to accept. In frustration he meets with Michael Kierkegaard and is influenced by his teachings, entertaining the idea of breaking off from Rome.

At some point this year, Jayob Antouman is assassinated by a Yuniyya Muslim in Gao. The Antouman's death, a religious tragedy in the heart's of the Taymiyyah Muslims of West Africa, spreads deep discontent among the Sunni Muslims across the eastern territory of the Mali Empire.

In Persia, the civil war between the Taymiyyahs under Ibn Allahverdi and the Safavids under Shah Mirza "Ismail" continues, allowing for the Sultanate of Baluch to gain independence under the Ghaffarid dynasty.

The Ezulwini (heavenly) Confederation made up of the survivors of the initial migration from their original Mutapan homelands (consisting mostly of Ethnically Xhosa peoples) arrive in South Africa encroaching on the various Nguni tribes. This prompts hostile relations between the Nguni tribes and the newcomers and also one of the first grand meetings between the Nguni tribes looking to deal with the new Xhosa group.

King Lucas II of Arles and Mary of Habsburg have their first child, a son named Louis II of Bruce-Anjou.

Albrecht Durer publishes his engraving Melencholia.

The complete history of Denmark is published by Saxo Grammaticus.

  • Archbishopric of Mainz: Archbishop Aaron von Gemmingen sends a message to Archbishop Johannes Magnus, urging he to settle his differences peacefully with the King of Sweden, to avoid driving another leader to the Jungists. He sends emissaries to join the Alsace Alliance (Mod Response). As the writings of the Jungists grow increasingly fanatical and apocalyptic, it becomes easier and easier to discredit their arguments in the publications of the presses of Mainz, which are still disseminated in all the Holy Roman Empire. The Archbishop still regrets that the church no longer has the immense funding necessary to continue to provide free education to all the people, has he has done for over half a century, but takes comfort in the fact that the if he had simply surrendered and allowed the Jungists to dismantle the church, the free education system would have failed anyway, since the Jungists churches do not have the enormous revenue needed to compensate all the parents, nor do the support the monasteries, who supplied most of the teachers. If the church is not united, free education cannot be provided to all people. They would not have the resources. He also notes that the thin white duke is badly misinformed. The literacy rate of Mainz is the highest in the Holy Roman Empire, and the University of Darmstadt is widely respected as one of the greatest centers of science and education. This all comes from the guiding and supportive hand of the Catholic church. As far as the Thin White Duke's other propaganda goes, all the Archbishop has to say is that the Catholic Church has taught and printed the Bible in the vernacular since the Council of Trent, that They advocate all people to read the Bible, and for priest to teach them it's meaning, and that they do not endorse violence, but attempted for years to revolce this controversy peacefully. It was the Jungites who demonstrated that they had no interest in peace or debate or in compromise, and that they were incapable of reason, when they stormed out of the Council of Trent and refused to participate in all attempts at a negotiated reconciliation since then. It is the Catholic church that has always been fighting to protect the people from ignorance, in this case, the ignorance of the Jungite's poorly informed doctrines. He rejoices over the defeat of Franz von Sickingen and the collapse of his movement, hoping this will soon bring peace to the empire. The Archbishop extends an offer to Saxony. If the Duke of Saxony will agree to give his full support to the Emperor against the anti-Imperial Juncite forces, the Archbishop will suspend the Inquisition in Saxony as a sign of gratitude for Saxony’s loyalty (Saxony Response). The Archbishop continues to welcome the dispossessed Catholics in Bavaria to settle in Mainz. The Grand Marshal continues to leader the full force of the Imperial Army as the Emperor directs. Archchancellor Karl von Voss recommends that the Emperor consider allowing Lotharingia the position of “Imperial Protector” over the region they desire, under which terms they will receive part of the tax money, and pledge their military to defend these lands from any aggression or rebellion against the Emperor. In return, the King of Lotharingia must agree to join the Catholic forces, and instead of religious toleration, pledge his complete support for the Catholic Church. The Emperor needs all the support he can get. (Bohemia Response).
  • Tian China: Emperor Tiāntáng of the Tian Dynasty of China had assumed the role of the “Son of Heaven” (one of the titles for Chinese Emperors) a few years past. As a young prince he had an unusual rivalry with Prince Zhu Zhifan, who had an ambition for the throne at a young age. Bystanders in their intense competitions to trump the other often noted that there seemed to be an underlying hatred between the two, possibly because Prince Zhu Zhifan hated how Prince Renshu (now Emperor Tiāntáng) was always in the favor of the former Emperor. But those times are past, now Prince Zhu Zhifan mocks the authority of heaven and has brought upon its wrath. Immediately Emperor Tiāntáng has 5,000 troops mobilize with the intention of crushing Prince Zhu Zhifan’s rebellion. The rebellion itself holds around a few hundred men including disgruntled Christians that resent the Tian Dynasty for its treatment of their religion, making this rebellion even more important to secure the legitimacy of Emperor Tiāntáng against other potential candidates of rebellion. A military officer by the name of Qiu Yue gives Prince Zhu Zhifan false information on imperial troop movements leading to some losses and finally decides to take matters into his own hands and crushes the rebellion himself (historical). After the 5,000 soldiers of the Tian Dynasty reach Anhua, where Qiu Yue presents to them the captured Christian and Chinese soldiers, the leading general, Li Guiying (Last name ~ First name as used by the Chinese) has all of the remaining rebels executed while Prince Zhu Zhifan is taken captive and brought to the imperial court of Emperor Tiāntáng. who declares that the sons of Prince Zhu Zhifan will lose their titles due to his transgression. Li Guiying also blames the rebellion on Liu Jin, a powerful eunuch in the Tian court. Both Liu Jin and Zhu Zhifan are executed with the Anhua Rebellion ending. However its aftermath would become even more devastating for the Christians living in China, Emperor Tiāntáng begins incentivizing finking on the identities and locations of Christians by offering small monetary award to whoever is able to successfully fink on the identity or location of a Christian, however the reward will only be given if there is sufficient proof that the person is Christian. This policy is soon announced in all of China, those that wish to snitch on people they resent without evidence of them being Christian find themselves in a position to be unable to do so, especially if they try to falsely incriminate someone of being a Christian since they might end up getting caught. Soon after its declaration, the location of hundreds of Christians is disclosed which results in another great massacre of Christians engraved on the history of China. It’s quite obvious that Emperor Tiāntáng intends to follow the tradition and policies set by his ancestors against these Christians, however soon after this policy is announced a strange man visits Emperor Tiāntáng’s court, fulfilling all of the formalities needed before claiming to know Christian members of the Emperor's court. He goes on to explain that the eunuchs within Emperor Tiāntáng’s palace are actually Christians. Which enrages the Emperor who has the man arrested until these allegations can be confirmed, sending men to visit the private quarters of each eunuch. Each man brings back with them copies of the Bible as well as some crosses, enraged by this Emperor Tiāntáng has the eunuchs (specifically the remainder of the Eight Tigers) executed. A bit odd considering their public stances on Christians and their approval for the pogroms against them, some among the court speculate that someone must have trapped the Eight Tigers in a plot against them, following the order to have the Eight Tigers executed Emperor Tiāntáng releases the man from prison and gives him his “due” reward, though it appears that the man was a noble from Zhengzhou, he leaves as promptly as he arrived. However this leaves the Emperor Tiāntáng paranoid as he no longer knows who to trust or put his confidence in. With the end of the Anhua Rebellion as well as the Eight Tigers in near synchronicity, things are looking up for the Tian Dynasty, while Emperor Tiāntáng, who now faces the problem of who to confide in, as well as the restructuring of the imperial army to act more efficiently in farther territories of China.
  • Mali Empire: Humanist philosophy makes some great advances this generation, provided by the influence of the court adviser Yahya Mamamoo. Much of Mamamoo's personal philosophy is known by his biography written by his son-in-law, Rahi Pateh, which collected many anecdotes of their conversations. Mamamoo spoke often about the pretentiousness of secular rulers, and how often they sacrifice the good of individual people for the sake of their own wealth and power. To this he also held criticism of the Taymiyyah sect, although he would treat them the same level of respect and justice as all others. Even so, he criticized their goals on theocratic rule, which he said was only inviting corruption and gluttony within the clergy of Islam. The secular and sacred powers, in Mamamoo's opinion, must be functionally separated, such that the religious leaders have no power to be corrupted by, while the secular rulers are subservient to the will of God. He gives examples of this idea largely from the life and hagiography of Abu Yunus, as well as anecdotes from more traditional prophets of Islam. In private, Mamamoo gave frequent wise council to Mansa Mustafa, which the emperor took to heart as often as he could, although some anecdotes by Pateh take note of the emperor's relapse into sensuality. Jayob Antouman's death was the first time Mustafa heard about this religious leader in the east, and he wished to act swiftly and decisively against the new threat. Mamamoo advised him to use caution, although he disregards the Taymiyyah teachings, they nonetheless are people who deserve equal justice. So Mansa Mustafa II reaches out to his cousin, Mansa Othman II of Bornu, for support in setting up a local security force in the eastern territories of the empire. [MOD response. please]. This will not be any permanent military occupation, but simply tasked with enforcing peace and order around the regions affected by the recent civil unrest. The slave trade becomes one of the most profitable businesses in the empire, amassing great wealth by the nations in the western coastlines. Effectively, tribalism and rural life in general begins to disappear from many regions of Waalo and the Gambia River, as people move into larger cities. The Gbara creates regulations on this trade utilizing the road network of Mansa Musa, helping to funnel the supply of slaves from the the eastern territories and Nigeria to the west in exchange for gold, copper, and salt. The deal of slaves is accepted with Portugal, allowing hundreds of African slaves to be distributed to the Portuguese colonies in Sao Tome, Western Sahara, and Mauritius. As slaves have no rights or citizenship of their own, they are technically under the authority of the Emir of Gorgades (Cape Verde), who manages the distribution of slaves across the Atlantic. Around the month of Dhul Al-Hajj, the navigator Abd Al-Muttalib Jannah establishes a permanent colony on the island of Rumi (Saint Helena). This tiny outpost is nothing more than a footnote among records at the time, but in the long run this served as a significant stepping stone toward the modest "colonial empire" of Mali. 18 individuals are stationed on this island to maintain a rotating garrison.
  • Empire of Japan: The opening of multiple trade routes running into India, Ethiopia, and the Islamic Caliphate, prompts a rush to the Emperor and the Imperial Diet. The Zaibatsu hoping to not only gain an edge of trade over the other Zaibatsu but gain the Imperial sanctioned monopoly push to have delineated zones established with each of the varied Trade conglomerates hoping to gain the monopoly for themselves. This prompts the Emperor and the diet to concur jointly that all of these groups should forge their own trade agreements within the area delineating these as joint regions of the varied Zaibatsu refusing to name imperial monopoly over the region instead hoping to use the competition between all of them to push into the new trade areas. As the new trade regions open up it becomes clear that Japanese made porcelain, as well as the status made furs, and even Japanese Katana forged specifically for trade purposes as well as art and other luxury items are hot commodities for sale in these regions as everyone in these regions seems to be competing with status symbols. The pushing into the Indian ocean trade in a peaceful context as well as the constant stream of ships going to the Caliphate for trade and helping with the Muslims Hajj does much to engender good relationships in the region as a few contacts are forged in India, the Caliphate, and Ethiopia as well. This year a serious acquisition of Siberian territory is noted as the full incorporation of varied villages and outposts running close to the far river in the region (the Aldan River) brings much of this previously hinterlands territory under direct Japanese control under the newly emerging Siberian Lords, Daimyo who have begun to make their name and living off of fur trade. The development in Arasakura continues as well with various high tier outposts established to take advantage of the local resources and furs and bring them back to Kenenaitzu. The permanent population of Kenenaitzu officially reaches about 350 as many enterprising individuals hope to make it rich in the new lands. Trade with natives has also resulted in gold nuggets being used by Natives to pay for some goods which reaches back to the homelands and prompts some of these new settlers to be prospectors looking for gold. A few enterprising people begin pushing into the Arasakuran interior looking to explore and find possible areas for settlement as well as agriculture. The evaluation of the woods from Alaska however prompt a serious inquiry into their use for ships with some of the Oaks being noted to be extremely hard and well suited for wear and tear which prompts a report to be sent back with a returning fleet to Japan. Following the death of the Latest Manchu Khan the newest one having been heavily involved in the Imperial Diet and having gotten much of his education in Japan prompts his own petition to join the Empire not as a tributary/vassal but as a proper province of Japan citing connections to the Siberian fur territories as well as the large amount of profit the territory has produced for the empire and wanting to take advantage of some of the varied institutions that are of an Imperial nature. They do however request to maintain a certain level of Autonomy as a province which Emperor Kenshiro grants and sends a gift to the new Khan who allowed to keep his title operating as "The noble Khan of the Japanese Manchus" serving almost as a de facto equivalent to one of the 5 noble houses of Japan. With so much internal work the last few years as well as the growing importance of the mainland provinces, the Emperor diverts significant funding toward completely modernizing the Japanese-Korean border forts as well as establishing a series of forts running along the length of the Amur River which would reach its Terminus at the new town of Raijin at the mouth of the Amur river which already hosts the Shrine-Fortress of the Raijin Kensei chapter. Further developments into the new Arquebus continues as the attempted trigger/level mechanism is improved hoping to increase the efficiency of the weapon and prevent serious faults or misfires of the weapon. The importance of Lead mining to support the thriving firearms and artillery industries becomes apparent as this begins to make up the majority the munitions used for cannons and the arquebus. While iron or stone would generally be used for these, Iron remains prioritized for Steel weapons and other more important uses, and stone has a tendency to cause lasting damage to the current cannons in use by the Imperial army and Imperial navy. The population boom in Japan noted as an unprecedented event continues in earnest as the growing urbanization rate of various Japanese cities as well as general all around prosperity and abundance of food causes this boom. The rapid growth prompts further internal investments into Japanese cities all over as the cities of Japan proper and Manzhuguo all become subject to the growing phenomena of Urbanization of the cities. Aimoi for example on the Asian mainland has seen nearly 20,000 people move to the city in the last 15 years turning it cleanly into the largest city in the region as well as a bustling port. Nahodki has also Ussurinaia have also seem notable growth becomming growing cities in their own right. Amuraji to the north sees its own smaller level phenomena however its relative isolation prevents the wide scale urbanization felt by the larger southern cities. 
  • Abbasid Caliphate: Reported success in the Abbasid-Yemen War gains applause from the Court of the Caliph, with Caliph al-Maālīk believing himself to have surpassed his father, Caliph al-Mustanṣir II. However, the realization of Ethiopian forces assisting the shi'ites is surely a considerable problem. Although fortresses across the Caliphate are manned, with Nubia holding nearly 8,000 troops (5,000 being Abbasid, 3,000 being Nubian), Caliph al-Maālīk decides that the war must end sooner than later, knowing all too well what will happen if the war ends in a failure. So, he commands the movement of the Quwalnukhba to help assist Abdukrahman at the front in Yemen while forces from Ifriqiya arrive in Hejaz, making their way to fight in Yemen as well. The Caliph writes a letter to the Emperor of Ethiopia, asking them to cease their assistance to Yemen in exchange for access to Great Library, while also reminding them that the Zayidi sect fought against the Coptic forces decades prior, so their providing of help to Yemen will only fuel their own motivations to conquer Ethiopia. The Caliph emphasizes that he is simply restoring order to the region, and that trade relations can be constructed between both empires if the Emperor wishes, but also stating that if Yemen is provided further help, then the Caliphate will have no other choice than to declare jihad against the Empire of Ethiopia. [Ethiopia Response Needed]. 
    • Abbasid-Yemen War (1513-present):
      • Siege of Sa'dah: With the arrival of siege weapons and the Quwalnukhba, Abdukrahman and Barakat II meet near the outskirts of the city. Using slaves to carry the artillery pieces, they direct the mass bombardment of the city. For hours, the city sustains cannon fire and bombard, decimating any fortifications while spreading the forces of the Caliphate around the city itself. Using the high ground to their advantage, Abdukrahman leads his forces against the Yemen forces of Sa'dah, flanking their armies by surrounding the city and attacking on all sides. Although the Yemen forces have accepted Ethiopian help, it is understood that they likely don't have the ducats to supply an entire army with arquebuses, so it's expected that they will fall quickly.
      • Battle of Alharf: If Sa'dah is successfully occupied, 1,000 forces will remain back as a garisson while Abdukrahman will continue his march onward to Alharf. The battle in this arable landscape is expected to be short and mostly against what remains of the garissons at Sa'dah. This is mostly just to ensure Abbasid occupation of northern Yemen before the march on Sana'a.
  • Kingdom of Hungary: With our population growing slowly each year we see a nice incline and steady up tick this year. Our navy continues to build up more ships to increase the size of our ship power at sea. The King sets up a peasant militia of 40k equipped with military standared armor and weapons. Each person in the militia is paid like a soldier is paid in the royal Black army for their use in this fight. The militia is lead by John Zápolya to stop the peasants in Transylvania. György Dózsa is captured and taken to prison. The cell that he is put in to rot and die is the one Vlad the Impaler is in. (Mod/Algo responce) As for the civil unrest in Wallachia, the King sends his royal Black army of 40k soldiers to invade the lands and burn everything to the ground. Târgoviște the capital of the nation of Walllachia is sacked and burned to a crisp by our men. Our troops capture the leader and kill them infront of their people to watch in the cpaital. (Mod/Algo responce) The university continues growth of people being eager to get in and learn from the best. Trade increases with people importing in bulk technology and ideas from other nations. While our agriculture sector exports a ton of crops all over Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The military academy continue to expand in size. The economy is booming throughout the nation feeling healthy. Population is growing a lot these past few years. The mass production of printing presses have increased. Publication has increased a lot with books and papers all throughout the nation. Education by the increased in books have increased tremendously. Our banks are flourishing. The mines are doing well with the finding of more minerals for to make our currency and other expensive items. With influenza slowly dying down in western Europe, our boarders to the north and the west get put on high alert and guarded heaviley by the boarder control. With an exchange with Russia we give them a few thousand of our people for a few thousand of their people. To help fleeing Jungist people from the HRE, we open our nation up to any Jungist who wants to live in our lands. Zoltan's second child a daughter is born this year. The name Rahel is given to her. Kamilla has her second child a boy named Kristof. Ramona has her first child a boy named Luca.
    • Banate of Bosnia: Within this territory everything is doing fine. We feed off Hungary itself by prospering with trade and the economy. Our industries are doing what we can to help out Hungary.
    • Banate of Severin: The territory experiences prosperity from Hungary. Trade is going well and the economy is as well. Other sectors of the nation do well also helping out Hungary.

Footnotes

Mapa de Borgia XV


MERVEILLES DV MONDE
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