Principia Moderni IV (Map Game)

The Ming Dynasty still rules over the vast lands of China. On the other side of the world, the Hundred Years War continues between England and France. Europe is still stuck in the old ways of feudalism and chivalry while the notions of a New World are considered figments of imagination.

We welcome you to the long awaited fourth expansion of that immortal series. Welcome to Principia Moderni IV! Starting in 1400 AD, this is the dawn of the modern world and the tail end of the Middle Ages. The Renaissance is just kicking off in Europe, while the nations in the western side of the continent are locked in the last gasp of the Hundred Years War. The Muslim world is still reeling from the invasions of Turks and Mongols, with the Caliphate resting in the collapsing Mamluk Egypt and the Ottomans on the rise in Anatolia. Make it count.

The first game was the most successful on the wiki, leading all the way to the modern day with mostly plausible posts and little controversy. The second game reached almost to the modern day, but failed due to a plethora of ASB events and moderator bias. The third game was much more worthy of the first, almost running into implausibility but climbing back into a shining glory by the end. Riding on the latest reforms of map games since the end of PMIII, this is the most logical next step in that evolution. Remember above all other rules — have fun.

The Map

1512 AD

Important Pages

• Rules and Algorithm
• Alliances
• Holy Roman Empire
• Feudal Dynasties
• College of Cardinals
• Nations

Oversight Committee

• Chief Overseer United Republic

The Night's Watch (Moderators)

• Lord Commander Scrawland
• First Builder JoshTheRoman
• Commander of the Eastwatch by the Sea Reximus55
• Commander of the Shadow Tower Wolves
• First Ranger Callumthered
• First Steward Edgeofnight

• High King of Skyrim: ;) Feudy McPlagueface
• Mapmaker NicDonalds
• Overseer: United Republic

The Wildlings

All users currently on the wiki may play unless otherwise noted.

Banned Users

A ban from plausibility strikes lasts thirty days, afterwhich the third strike is repealed and the banned player is unbanned. However, the newly unbanned player rejoins the game with two strikes, as a form of probation.

• Bibleboyd (1461)
• Vivaporius (1490)
• Nathan (1490) (see us about your discussion on issues here. -Feud)

Plausibility Strikes

Three strikes and you're out! Each strike resets after 30 years of the most recent strike.

• Nova - I (1481)
• Tim - II (1481)
• Nathan - II (1487)
• Feud - I (1490)

Moderator Strikes

These are strikes for moderators and how they moderate. The same three strikes rules apply. If a moderator is banned from moderating, however, they can still play as their nation. Mod strikes can be delivered in one of three ways:

1. If a sufficient number of players (more than half of all players voting) vote to give a moderator a strike.
2. If I, Scraw, give them a strike.
3. If a majority of all mods (ie more than half of the total number of mods, excluding that moderator) vote to give a moderator a strike.

Moderators can be given strikes for the following reasons:

1. Exhibiting bias that would benefit the nation they are playing.
2. Exhibiting bias that would negatively affect a player they have a personal dispute with.
3. Making a ruling that contradicts a proven fact from OTL or an established fact from earlier in the game.
4. Overruling a decision of a majority of moderators.

The Game

1510

Portuguese, Galician, and some Castilian nobles declare Manuel, the Duke of Braganza, to be the King of a restored Portugal. Manuel declares that Portugal is completely and irrevocably free from Spanish influence and rule, and dissolves his relationship with the government in Toledo. Some Portuguese people loyal to Manuel assault the celebrations of the 50th anniversary and the Iberian monarch catches on fire but does not die. Some visiting dignitaries from other nations are also assaulted, with injuries ranging from minor to major. Although the troublemakers are apprehended, the issue is now a big deal and there must be a response.

Tseteg is declared Khan of Khans or as he draws in the remainder of the central asian Khans and their hordes. A Significant chunk of the Nogai lords split off from Astrakhan to march under Khan Tsetseg. He begins planning heavily for his first exterior conquest and sends scouts and diplomats out in various directions, but gains specific ground with the Rajputs in Western and Northern India.

After Years of rebuilding the Polish Eastern Commonwealth under King Sigismund prepares to strike East calling on his Russian Ally to prepare for war.

The rejection of Milan and Florence back into the HRE prompts the two States to jump into a quick and resolute alliance combined raising a force of 40,000 and holding a defensive position in the mountains and also contesting every crossing across the Po River leaving any HRE armies in an extremely disadvantageous position to invade the two states.

There are supposed to be more events by the way, but like... idk where they are . ~Edge

Been a rough couple days yall, heres the rest of the Events. -Feud

• Kingdom of Burgundy: the naval squadron that took part in the Cape Charles Expedition returns home. The port facilities of Neiuw Kaapstad are expanded. In Amsterdam, the navy launches a new warships, called Rosa Mystica, coming in at 154', she's longer than preceeding carracks and with a much-reduced forecastle, she features two rows of gun decks on either sides, allowing her 54 guns. The Rosa Mystica is so unprecedented, a new terms is conceived for her, and her sisters under construction, the Galleon. It's decided to retire one old carrack (30+ years old) for every new galleon commissioned, as the older models are now rendered obsolete. In exploration matters, ships operating the East Indian Ocean make landfall in Malacca, and discover an island chain north of Sumatra (OTL Nicobar and Andamans).
  • OOC: The Andamans and Nicobars are a neutral zone between the Indian Sultanates and the Majapahit Empire. Your ships may pass freely, but do not colonize or attempt to claim any of the islands. ~Guardian.

• The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with an-Nasir al-Hassan as the Caliph and Quli Khan Zangana as the Grand Vizier. The Gurkani population rose to about 36.5 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. In particular, the Sultanate also promoted Persian emigration to Gilan and Mazadaran with the Gilaki and Mazanderani people being forced to assimilate with them and adopt Persian culture and Farsi. This restrictions also included the persecution of those that freely promoted Gilaki/Mazanderani culture. The military was composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, sword and in some cases, rifles. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers, swords and pikes to be utilised in close combat against the enemy with camels, and horses being utilized for the transportation of supplies. Artillery units, particularly Bombards, Superguns and Bronze Cannons were primarily be used for defensive purposes whilst lighter cannon units and volley guns were maintained for offensive operations. The artillery/cannon units in essence had been well-assimilated into the army given their effectiveness in battle and massive destructive capability. In some cases, infantry units primarily utilizing only rifles also existed albeit rarely, with the Sepah-e Nejaf being the primary one. Meanwhile, naval bases at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun were expanded and fortified were to ensure the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets and armed the navy with artillery units. Meanwhile, agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the Sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The Mu'tazila Movement continued to flourish with science, poetry, arts and philosophy rapidly spreading as fields of extreme importance. By now, the Mu'tazila had built hundreds of thousands of Madrassahs throughout the Sultanate, and continued to build hundreds more, promoting their progressive and reformist idealogy; practically stamping out on extremism. Nonetheless, the Mu'tazila ensured that their policies stayed in line, not keen on espousing any action deemed as heresy. Meanwhile, the Imperial Council increasingly grew wary of Tseteg, particularly following him crowning himself Khagan. In particular, the Nogai breaking off to join Tssteg espoused fears concerning the stability of the Astrakhan Khanate, with units quickly being deployed near Astrakhan to ensure its protection. Simultaneously, the fleet at Baku began conducting vicious 'patrols' to symbolize the naval superiority that the Gurkani possessed.Heavy artillery units were placed all along the nations frontiers to ensure quick defense against surgical strikes/raids. They were further reinforced by lighter artillery units and volley guns in order to conduct offensive operations, all being manned by the Sepah-e-Najaf. Meanwhile, the Amir of Cukorova began to massively expand the opium plantations, with sacks laden with the narcotics regularly being sold to European, Arab and Ottoman merchants operating in the area. As this happened, Shahzada Abbas visited the Swahili Sultanate, meeting with its King and numerous tribal leaders. Purchasing numerous ornaments and jewels as 'souveniers', Abbas left the state, sailing towards Venad. Once he had arrived at the city, he spent a few months with the local Hindus, even participating in Diwali before sailing on towards Andhra.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: We welcome the delegation and presents many wares.
• United Crown of Great Iberia
  • With a possible civil war on his hands, the injured, but resolute King of Great Iberia, having prepared for this moment, launches a counterattack on the revolting Portuguese. The huge Royal Armada is immediately mobilised, and the vast majority, being of east Iberian origin, remains loyal to the one true King of Iberia. A fleet of 400 ships are deployed to lay siege to the revolting provinces of Portugal. Troops from all over the United Crown, from Liguria to Morocco, are called to defend the King; an army of 60,000 is raised to challenge that of the Duke of Braganza. We lay siege to the major cities of Portugal, particularly the capital of Lisbon, where support for the usurper is the strongest.

• France: France reaffirms its alliance with Milan, and seeks an alliance with Sweden. Navy continues expanding.
• Delhi Sultanate: With all three parties now agreeing to the Orissa Road, we begin our share of construction in Puri; workers are to build the road north into Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and then southwest towards Rajahmundry in the Bahmani Sultanate. Alarmed by the threat of the Khans in the north, Sultan Harshal orders guards and troops to defend against invaders and unrest throughout India. He calls upon his Muslim brothers in Bahmani, Bengal, Oman, and Gurkani, as well as Tibet, to help defeat the great threat posed to the stability of the whole subcontinent.
  • The Vassals: Himalaya and Ladakh see the mobilizng of troops to repel any barbarian attacks, along with increased guarding in major cities. The gains the Khans are making with the Rajputs are a major point of concern in Marwar and Mewar, who also see troops mobilizing and increased guarding. Sultan Harshal visits Jodhpur to make a speech about defending the stability of all of India from these northerners.
  • Oman Diplomacy: King Suleiman views the landlocked khanate as no immediate threat to Oman, but recognizes its ability to disrupt trade in the Indian Ocean. Still, Oman is unable to provide any direct assistance, being occupied with its own war.

• Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Royal engineers continue experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Construction on the new school in the capital continues. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations.
• 'Brandenburg-Luxembourg: 'Upon their return to Berlin, Freidrich and Anne begin their lives together as Freidrich returns to the University aswell as begins his tenure as a member of the royal court. His father still ill remains bed ridden and many begin to speculate that should Otto the older pass away the young Freidrich will be made regent for the weak Otto the younger until the time that Freidrich may assume the throne in his own right. Fredrich and Anne have their first child a boy named Freidrich Wilhelm von Brandenburg-Preußen. Otto's court continues to be one that promotes tyhe arts, sciences and military expansion as firearms become more common in the armed forces. Lorraine,Luxembourg and Silesia continue to enjoy an expansion in their mining and metal smithing activities while Silesia, Prussia, and Brandenburg see an expansion of the Manorial system as larger estates are developed. Otto continues to reign in the nobility. decommissioning of old and outdated fortresses continue as the military power of the nobility is reduced in favor of impowering the royal army ith the force standing at 45,000 strong. Otto continues to expand the economic ties of Brandenburg with the interior of the HRE. Otto also begins to build a personla guard made up of the most loyal and best trained troops of Brandenburg's forces. The new guard is named the Lion's guard. Otto begins to distance himself from Austria, while he states he will consider supporting a campaign against the Italian states and while he continues to recognize himself as King of Italy it is not the time for the Empire to go to war. Though in private he sends a letter to the Archduke that should he seek to launch an italian campaign the emperor might support it. Otto declares that he is willing to mediate between Augsburg and Enlgand.
  • ​Maximilian of Austria-Bavaria continues this correspondance, wondering "how much" support and "under which conditions" would Otto like to "reclaim his rightful fiefdoms".

• Papal States: The Dean of the College of Cardinals, the Pope's special representative in Iberia for the celebrations, is badly wounded. The Pope, on hearing of this, places the Portuguese rebels under Interdict. Military improves.
  • Maximillian of Austria-Bavaria sends a secret letter to the Pope, requesting land access for his armies in the event of a potential conflict in North Italy, agreeing to "Complete supervision by Papal forces while in the States of the Church" in order to bypass the rivers guarding the border between Veneto and Milan. Maximillian Promises that any military campaigns will be constrained to lands held by rightful Holy Roman vassals, and thus exclude the Papal States and Sicily from these potential conflicts.
• Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built, and the fortifications of Chatagon are completed. Sultan Sikandar Shah III's son returns from China and Korea. (MOD RESPONSE on any extra technology Ilyas Shah II brings back) The Sultan also debates with his generals on what position or area they should fortify next. Eventually, a decision is reached, and the Sultan orders the fortification os Saptagram. The fortifications will be completed in ten years. The Sultan also orders the completion of the Bengali section of the Orissa Road. The Sultan also allies with Delhi to defend India against the Khans.
  • Ahom Kingdom: Suhenphaa allies himself with the Delhavi and Bengali to repulse any threat the Khans might pose.
  • Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
  • No extra technology. -scraw
• Buha: Mosques open up all across the Sultanate. The Sultan announces he will establish the Islamic Emirate of Zaire in what is currently Congo. **We request Swahili's help in establishing Islamic Zaire. Roads are built connecting cities. We raid tribal lands around the nation and kidnap boys to be raised as Jannisary type elite soldiers in the future. We plan to raise a Jannisary type force of 10,000 elites. They shall be armored and serve as the backbone for establishing Islamic Zaire. Our standing army stands at 100,000 men, many equipped with armor from Benin and Swahili. We incorporate some villages into the Sultanate, and because of that, tens of thousands of new citizens join us each year.
  • Swahili Diplomacy: I don't think you have such a high population or army, and Zaire is too far away from us currently.
  • Actually my population was proven to be 5-8 million people. However you may be correct about Zaire.
• Bahmani Sultanate: Escorted by a few naval vessels, Navid Shah sails with Shahzada Abbas to Andhra and starts to develop a friendship with his Gurkani counterpart. Hearing of Tsetseg's threat to India, some forces are raised in Sindh and Gujarat and sent to assist Delhi. Other areas are ordered to prepare for mobilization, if necessary. Work on the Odissa road continues. Muhammad Shah recieved Binnya Kyal and Dhammazedi with honors, and is unsure what to think of the boy.
  • Pegu: Binnya Kyal wishes to return home, but upoun hearing of the approach of Tsetseg, Dhammazedi begs his father to let him fight a true adversary. His father agrees, and while Binnya Kyal returns to Pegu, Dhammazedi petitions Muhammad Shah to allow him and a few hundred men to go along with the army gathering in the north. The Sultan reluctantly agrees, though on the request of Binnya Kyal, Dhammazedi is not to go to close to the well-armed enemy, and remain at the rear with the commanders.
  • Maldives: Divehini ships now join their Indian and Burmese counterparts in patrolling the neutral zone.
• Oman: Oman agrees to sell a copy of the Kitab al-Fawa'id to the Bahmanids. The popularity of Ahmad ibn Mājid's works is unexpected. The book is not a small handbook—it contains roughly 700 pages of text, being essentially an encyclopedia—and producing dozens of copies has been exhaustive to Oman's scribes, lacking technologies such as the printing press. Because of this, King Suleiman employs hundreds of new copyists to take on this task, and they are paid handsomely for their efforts. Fawa'dh fi-Usl Ilm al-Bahrwa-al-Qawaidah (The Benefits of the Principles of Seamanship) also becomes popular for sailors who can afford it. Construction begins on a great library in Muscat, as interest grows in the production and collection of books. Paper and parchment are imported or produced locally, and a large amount of funding is put into the project. The price of Ahmad's works rises as a result of their demand and the cost of labor and materials. In other news, the trading post on the Island of the Moon grows into a larger settlement as many Omanis migrate to East Africa and the surrounding islands. Nine ships equipped with guns are sent to the port of Vohemar to capture it. Vohemar cedes peacefully to Captain Mu'tasim's fleet, and is added to the domains of the Kingdom of Oman. The islands of Dina Arobi and Dina Morgabin are also claimed by Oman, and although no settlements are built, the islands and their surrounding waters are effectively under the control of Oman and its navy. In Arabia, the Bani Khalid tribe and Muqrin ibn Zamil's followers continue to harass overland trade routes along the coast, and still rule over much of the Najd region. Angered by their attacks, King Suleiman orders an invasion of the Bani Khalid. Initial attempts to capture the Bani Khalid strongholds are unsuccessful. Their forts are easily defensible and the terrain is not suited for a military campaign. Muqrin ibn Zamil's army is also equipped with matchlocks. However, in secret, King Suleiman negotiates a temporary alliance with the Shiite Al-Muntafiq tribe. The Al-Muntafiq launch a series of successful raids on the Bani Khalid, capturing much of their northwestern territory and driving them into central Arabia. The Omani armies finally break through from Al-Hasa city and defeat the remainder of the Bani Khalid, bringing the entire eastern Arabian coast under Omani control, as well as much of Najd. Following their surrender, the Bani Khalid lands along the Gurkani border are given to the Al-Muntafiq. 25 ships are built this year.
• Augsburg: In the year of our Lord fifteen-five economy of Augsburg continues to expand. The powerful Fugger family continues to make its mark on the European economy. The stockpiling of textiles continues for Operation Blue Lily. Business evictions continue. Hans Hohenzollern, now 18, continues his dramatic rise and is now employed as an agent for the Fuggers providing mine security. Price fixing continues based off the large amount of raw materials. Hans Hohenzollern now 20, writes his militaristic thies about the usage of guerrilla warfare, scorched earth technique, and fortified cities to his advantage. He argues that in an ideal defensive war you should strike quickly and swiftly then retreat using the scorched earth technique. He also believes you should leave behind a small amount of soldiers to perform attritional acts (guerilla warfare). He then encourages the stockpiling of food and settling of well fortified cities and directing opposing army traffic to those cities. Hohenzollern is put in command of the Swabian company, a collection of German mercenaries sponsored by Jakob Fugger. The company is unique because it is comprised of mainly gun armed men. The company is immediately deployed to Italy. Augsburg adopts Roman Common Law. Fugger continues to expand his intelligence network, in order to know his opponents moves before they happen. Jakob Fugger assumes a role as De Facto Lord of Augsburg. Jakob begins expanding his influence over Nuremberg hoping to become De Facto lord. The Welser family officially enters the spice trade sending ships to India. Jakob Fugger offers to switch his alligence to the Patriarch of the Northern Church in exchange for the lands of the Prince Bishopic of Augsburg to be ruled as the Duchy of Lesser Swabia.
  • OOC Guardian: If you wish to participate in the Indian spice trade within Bahmani lands, please sign the Compact of Kolon-Thota.
• Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland: Work on the road from Norwich to connecting with the road from London to Edinburgh is finished and so work on keeping the roads running is mainly done this year.. The King and his family are happy and continue to be healthy although the King mourns the loss of his brother. Anne now of Brandenburg has done well to have a son.

• Archduke Maximilian von Habsburg-Wittelsbach of Austria-Bavaria and Hungary, while initially enjoying himself at the Iberian Festivites, is wounded and suffers a broken leg. His first rection is to demand the head of the criminals on a silver platter, but as his tempers cooled, he picks up his things, and declares a total economic Embargo on the so-called Portuguese state, refusing to recognize the new King's legitimacy as monarch. Before he returns to his ships (after his leg is healed), he decalres that Austria will support Iberia in the comming war, and leaves an honour guard of a hundred men, stating that "while my main force is needed back in Austria, I am able to spare a few men to hunt down the ciminals responsible for ruining such wonderful festifities." And as that, a complete interdiction of goods and services coming from the self-proclaimed Kingdom of Portugal is imposed. With the Current Happenings in Italy, Maximillian of Austria-Bavaria is forced to weigh his options, and opts for a non-traditional route. While tensions remain high, he continues to beat the war drum, knowing that his time is running out to either declare war, or bring them in diplomaticaly (perhaps with a few exemptions from Imperial law). He knows he needs to save some face, and will loose a lot of credibility if he does not go to war soon, unless of course otherwise occupied with something else (like another war or anything similar). Maximilian sends more letters to the Duke of Milan and the Doge of Florence, asking if they are willing to meet at a conference as to "ensure their treason is not too far-gone". Along with these rather public letters, Maximillian also send private messengers whom promise certain concessions, and perhaps equivelant privileges as the ones Granted by the Privilegium Maius if they re-affirm thier status as Holy Roman States independantlyMOD RESPONSE PLEASE. Maximillian does not, however, let up on troop training, and sends a letter with the uncovered plans for a french invasion to the Hungarian Diet in an effort to gather their full support in the case of French Intervention. Meanwhile, this military industry is bringing the economies of Austria and Bavaria ever so closer together, amalgamating them into a single whole. A surprising ammount of money is also poored into shipbuilding, for reasons as of yet unknown...
  • THe Diet of Hungary is once again called. After presenting the evidence of French conspiracy with the Italian States of Milan and Florence, the members of the Diet, many of whom had lost family to the Italian fighting, are in outrage, especialy viewing the isolence of those people, as such, the Hungarians, instead of pledging a mere two thousand men, pledge a whole half of their forces, with the rest remaining in reserve in case of foreign invasion, to their sovreign's possible mobilizations. Meanwhile, the further buildings of roads and trade connectiosn to the Adriatic via the vassal Serbia ensure that Hungary's economy begins to stabilize. Various traders begin basing themselves in Serbian ports, and they aim to bring new wealth to Hungary, return it to its former glory.
  • Veneto continues to restore its trade network and build more ships, experimenting with new designs for NAval ships, adding cannons to a warship in an experimental design. It is very successful.
  • Milan and Florence refuse once again and reiterate their independence. -scraw
• South Australian Civilization: War continues between Noongar and Ngarrindjeri. Ngarrindjeri was very unprepared for this conflict, and quickly lost ground to the warriors of Noongar. Very soon, Noongar landed canoes on the shore of the Adaleid Valley, and sacked all three cities of Ngarrindjeri, Nukunu, and Kaurna, before returning to encamp in Kangaroo Island. When the meeting hall was set on fire in this attack, Allira had her son Kinieger taken into hiding in the wilderness. Eventually, the cleaver warrior Djalunager of Ngarrindjer had a means of dislodging the forces of Noongar. He snuck in their camp in the dead of night, and hurld a stone at one of the soldier's heads. Thinking that his fellow men were the only ones around, they immediately began fighitng among each other, thinking they had been betrayed somehow. Thus, the forces of Ngarrindjeri were able to push back the forces of Noongar out of the city limits. 

• Swahili:  We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards continue capturing slaves. In the heartland of Mogadishu, the Bank of Mogadishu begin cooperation with landlords to construct hydraulic devices such as canals and irrigation projects to boost food production. Areas interior to Mobassa and Malindi is colonized. We also send out conquistadors to expand northwards into more northern Somalia. The Alaabada iyo Ganacsiga ee Badweynta Hindiya (Goods and Trade in the Indian Ocean) is still printed using printing presses obtained from China by our crown prince.

1511

Manuel, the claimant king of Portugal, sends emissaries to the other nations of Europe seeking recognition and financial aid to support his war for independence.

• Kingdom of Burgundy: exploration of the westerns landmasses continues, and one convoy, lead by the carrack Endeavour, lands on OTL Long Island. They spend some time mapping the coastline of the area before returning home, labeling the area Nieuw Amsterdam on their maps. Back home, the large carrack Sovereign of the Seas is washed onto rocks and is wrecked, putting an end to the copper sheathing experiment. It's decided that copper sheathing, while effective, is too expensive for widespread use, and the engineering notes are put into storage. However, and alternative is suggested in the form of non-structural wood panels that can be quickly attached to ships below the waterline, and replaced when they become ruined by fouling. The problem with the proposal is that each panel will need to be custom manufactured for each vessel, increasing time in refit. Therefore, King Robert orders his naval engineers to design a base set of designs, with fixed measurements, so that compatible panels can be kept on hand for ships coming for refits. The next wave of galleons are built with these standardized designs, as well as the new generation of merchant ships. Meanwhile, construction begins of several arrays of fortresses around Troyes and Brussels, to provide suitable defensive coverage to the area in the event of an invasion.

• The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Suleiman Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with an-Nasir al-Hassan as the Caliph and Quli Khan Zangana as the Grand Vizier. The Gurkani population rose to about 36.7 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. In particular, the Sultanate also promoted Persian emigration to Gilan and Mazadaran with the Gilaki and Mazanderani people being forced to assimilate with them and adopt Persian culture and Farsi. This restrictions also included the persecution of those that freely promoted Gilaki/Mazanderani culture. The military was composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, sword and in some cases, rifles. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers, swords and pikes to be utilised in close combat against the enemy with camels, and horses being utilized for the transportation of supplies. Artillery units, particularly Bombards, Superguns and Bronze Cannons were primarily be used for defensive purposes whilst lighter cannon units and volley guns were maintained for offensive operations. The artillery/cannon units in essence had been well-assimilated into the army given their effectiveness in battle and massive destructive capability. In some cases, infantry units primarily utilizing only rifles also existed albeit rarely, with the Sepah-e Nejaf being the primary one. Meanwhile, naval bases at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun were expanded and fortified were to ensure the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets and armed the navy with artillery units. Meanwhile, agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the Sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The Mu'tazila Movement continued to flourish with science, poetry, arts and philosophy rapidly spreading as fields of extreme importance. By now, the Mu'tazila had built hundreds of thousands of Madrassahs throughout the Sultanate, and continued to build hundreds more, promoting their progressive and reformist ideas; spreading education. Meanwhile, the Imperial Council kncreasingly viewed Tseteg with suspicion, alarmed at his conquests in Mawarannahr and his establishment of relations with the Hindu Rajputs. Taking note of Sultan Harshals distress in regards to Tseteg and the general threat posed by him, fortifications along the Northern borders were stregthened with heavy artillery units being placed all around strategic locations, particularly to defend Samarkand and Bukhara. Similarly, Sepah-e-Najaf units were deployed, reinforced by cavalry and infantry regiments. Similar actions took place near the border with the Astrakhan Khanate in light of the recent instability faced by the Astrakhan Khagans. About around the sane time, production of opium at Çukoriva reached new heights with ships laden with the narcotic exiting the ports of Iskenderun before heading on towards Europe. Meanwhile, Shahzada Abbas reached Andhra, meeting with its Amir and spending his days with Brahmin clerics in the province. It was during this period that Abbas began practicing yoga and adopted a humble lifestyle. Casting aside pride and arrogance in his quest of knowledge, Abbas then proceeded to sail towards the city of Gaur to visit its University. Along the way, he compiled all that he had witnessed abd encountered during his voyages in his memoirs.
• United Crown of Great Iberia
  • The King under advice from his military staff and due to fears of aggression from neighbouring nations, chooses to retreat from Portugal and Galicia for the time being. All our forces are ordered to retreat from Portuguese soil, but not before torching everything in their path. Every farm, every town, every speck of dust in the path of the retreating armies is put to the flame, in order to make Portugal's recovery as painful and as slow as possible. Our fleets also retreat, taking down as many Portuguese ships as possible on their way back. While we have retreated, we do not concede defeat, as the King refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Duke of Braganza. Some of our troops take fortified positions along the border with Portugal-Galicia, while most return to their positions throughout the empire, awaiting further orders. We request that other nations do the same, and refuse to recognise the Duke's government.
  • Development of the West Indies continues as normal.
• Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built, as normal, and work continues on the fortification of Saptagram. In other news, the University of Gaur opens a branch in Saptagram.
  • Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
  • Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
• With Korea no longer obliged to pay tribute to the Ming, it no longer suffers from a chronic drain of precious metals like silver and gold. This enables Korea to increase its budget without putting pressure on the economy. The Kim monarch begins a mass-militarization program of Korea, with emphasis on the royal army. The royal navy is dismantled and ships are used scrap material. A twenty-foot wall on the banks of the Yalu River begins construction (predicted to be completed by a decade), along with five castles meant to fortify against future attacks agains the peninsula. Gunpowder and weapons workshops are built, and the metallurgical industry is augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces. Confucianism begins a process of re-entrenchment into Korean ethics and culture, with Buddhism being suppressed. Confucian temples are built, especially in Gyeonggi and Gyeongsang. Scholarly works and artistry are promoted as "core values", and several academies and universities are built with many of the yangban elite partaking in education.
• Bulgarian Empire: The Empire continues to expand its economy and its specific road networks through the country. Its main road networks are specifically built up into Wallachia looking to heavily integrate Vlach and its people into the Empire. A good portion of the Vlach people begin to consider themselves Bulgarian. These so called Vlach Bulgarians are shown to have created an interesting fusion of Bulgarian and the Vlach languages but still maintain somewhat a seperate identity albeit a slowly fading one. The City of Targoviste is declared the capital of the imeprial province of Vlach, and in terms of integrating the royal families homeland further into the empire, the Bulgarians and Vlach-Bulgars of the province are given their own Legion. The 4th legion is issued under the imperial banner and is based out of Oltenia mostly as a base for defending the Hungarian frontier, and protecting mining operations from extreme issues. The 4th legion remains the same strength consisting of 6000 troops, bringing the Bulgarian standing army at roughly 24,000. With the legionary involvement in development and settlement, the Tsar is forced to bring up the necessity of making it a state issue to arm and equip the troops, however with a relatively major arms industry booming in Bulgaria this proves to be a trivial matter. (more to come later)
• Oman: Upon receiving the second delivery of wheellock muskets, they are immediately taken to local gunsmiths to make copies of the design. The wheellocks are deemed too costly to be mass-produced for military purposes, but are suitable for the palace guard of Muscat, reserve soldiers, and for the king's personal use. Instead, the matchlock is favored by most Omanis for its low cost, ease of production, and simple firing mechanism. In late spring, Oman begins producing its own matchlocks and wheellocks. The light guns purchased from the Gurkani Sultanate are placed at the forecastle of the largest Omani dhows and used as swivel guns for chasing down pirates or enemy ships. King Suleiman seeks to acquire more cannons to increase Oman's naval power. 21 ships are built this year. The population of Oman rises by the thousands due to the conquest of the Bani Khalid tribe. The two settlements on the Island of the Moon are combined to form the colony of Vohemar, which is expanded to encompass all minor settlements along the northeastern tip of the island. New settlers arrive from Oman this year, and soldiers are stationed at Port Vohemar to enforce Omani rule in the colony. Aatif Saab is appointed governor of the colony. Vohemar becomes quite involved in the Swahili slave trade, and slaves are transported to the colony to work in agriculture. Expansion continues south along the rivers to the eastern bay, where a settlement is built. With the forest being too thick for walking, most settlers travel by boat along the river or by ship to and from Port Vohemar. In the inland areas, smaller settlements spring up between the rivers as stopover points for slave traders venturing down the coast. Conflict soon arises with the native Betsimisaraka people, and further southern expansion is halted. In Arabia, the Nashati faction gains more support and rallies several tribes to its cause. Nashat declares himself the Imam of Oman and encourages the tribes to renounce their vassalage to King Suleiman. Civil war erupts in in the interior, mainly in the Bahla region. With the support of the western tribes, the rebellion is swiftly crushed, and Nashat flees to Masirah Island.
• Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland: We continue to be relatively stable, the King realises Admiral Alkston isn't returning from his voyage to find the Northwest passage and is sad and contemplates sending out an expedition later on but not this year. The King meanwhile orders another ten ships to be built bringing up the fleet to around 250 ships though some are outdated and so work to keep them in date is also done.
• Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto's court continues to be one that promotes tyhe arts, sciences and military expansion as firearms become more common in the armed forces. Lorraine, Luxembourg and Silesia continue to enjoy an expansion in their mining and metal smithing activities while Silesia, Prussia, and Brandenburg see an expansion of the Manorial system as larger estates are developed. Otto continues to reign in the nobility. Cultural and Theological debates begin to arise again particularly given the reeergence of Germanic literature from the Germanic Heroic Age and the early days of German Christianity. With the already widespread conversion to the Northern Reformed Rite this helps in the slow but steady development of literature, art ,and philosophy in the domains of the Emperor. Dissemination of these new works also begins throughout the trade routes which Brandenburgian merchants and mercs frequent. Decommissioning of old and outdated fortresses continue as the military power of the nobility is reduced in favor of impowering the royal army ith the force standing at 45,000 strong in times of need while stading at 34,000 in peace times. Otto continues to expand the economic ties of Brandenburg with the interior of the HRE. Otto also begins to build a personla guard made up of the most loyal and best trained troops of Brandenburg's forces. The new guard is named the Lion's guard. Otto begins to distance himself from Austria, while he states he will consider supporting a campaign against the Italian states and while he continues to recognize himself as King of Italy it is not the time for the Empire to go to war. Though in private he sends a letter to the Archduke that should he seek to launch an italian campaign the emperor might support it. Otto declares that he is willing to mediate between Augsburg and England. Otto considers The requests of Augsburg, but requests that should this occur that the Fugger family refrain from endulging in policies that would otherwise corrupt the institutions of the church and fully embrace hussite ideals. 
• Bahmani Sultanate: Ten warships are built this year. Muhammad Shah finds the Kitab al-Fawa'id useful, but decides that a translation must be made, as most cannot read Arabic. Deccani, Urdu, and Farsi are all considered, but as very few speak Farsi, and printing in Urdu will allow sale to Delhi, it is chosen. Work begins on printing some more copies. The army sent to Delhi is mostly recalled, but preparations are in place to send another if need be. Navid Shah gives his farewells to Shahzada Abbas on good terms, but is concerned about how his counterpart seems pro-Hindu.
  • Pegu: Dhammazedi prepares to return from the northern frontier, but wanting action, doesn't do so just yet.
  • Maldives: Nothing of note.
• Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Royal engineers continue experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Construction on the new school in the capital continues. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations. News of white devils reaches the Emperor, who sends emissaries to meet them. IBERIA, please respond.
  • Iberian Diplomacy: One of the Associate Directors of the West Indies Company, Enrico Martinez, on behalf of His Majesty the King, meets with the Maya emissaries in Havana, and presents the Mayan People with a multitude of European gifts, such as fine Iberian wines and an Iberian-made blade, the latter of which is to be gifted to their Emperor upon the emissaries' return to their lands. We invite further conversation between Mayapan and the United Crown.

• Austrio-Bavarian ships begin to be seen more and more often on the west coast of Northern Italy, running "Anti-Piracy" patrols, and "naval exercises". THey sometimes, however, interfere with trade going to and from the Italian States, often "encouraging" trading vessels, often at the barrel of their guns, to reverse course and head for sicilian or papal lands. Maximillian makes a public speech calling the Duke of Milan a "heretical traitor no longer fit for the titles of Nobility". He sends a letter to the pope, requesting the excommunication of the Milanian Duke. Meanwhile, the economies of Bavaria and Austria integrate even further, with wartime expenses fatoring into the things. Meanwhile, further proffessionalization of the Archducal guards is underway, with Maximillian personaly overseeing the perparations. Maximillian, after making his rounds cites "personal recovery from last year's events and further preparation and training of the Guards" as reasons for delaying a war in Italy, which he pledges will happen by the closing of the decade. Maximillian, this year, re-iterates the trade embargo on the "so-called Kingdom of Portugal", declaring support for the Iberian posession of Portugal.
• Papal States: The so-called "King" of Portugal is not recognised by the Pope, and the rebels remain under interdict for their assault on the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who was acting as personal representative of His Holiness. The Pope responds to Austria, saying that excommunication is not a political toy to be thrown around, adding that he will excommunicate the Duke of Milan is proof is brought which shows that he is, in fact, a "heretical traitor". Also, the request for military access cannot be granted at this time. Augsburg is informed that it is within its rights to convert the County to the Northern Reformed Rite, but points out that doing so does not "switch allegience" from the Pope to the Primate, since the Primate and the Pope are in full communion, the former indeed being a Cardinal of the Church. In other news, Ignazio d'Iazzo and his initial group are ordained as secular priests by the Archbishop of Bologna. 
• Augsburg: In the year of our Lord fifteen-eleven economy of Augsburg continues to expand. The powerful Fugger family continues to make its mark on the European economy. The stockpiling of textiles continues for Operation Blue Lily. Business evictions continue. Sponsorship of artists by patriarchal families continues. Encouragement of artisans continues. The Fugger sponsorship of the rifle industry continues. Price fixing continues based off the large amount of raw materials. Hans Hohenzollern continues his rise as a student of military. Jakob Fugger continues expanding his large presence in Nuremberg hoping to become De Facto Lord.After hearing of the large tariffs imposed on the merchants by the Bahmani Sultan the Welsers adjust and decide to base their operations in the spice trade out of Malacca. In Malacca the Welsers hear of the fabled spice islands and begin planning an expedition for exploration.

• Swahili:  We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards continue capturing slaves. In the heartland of Mogadishu, the Bank of Mogadishu begin cooperation with landlords to construct hydraulic devices such as canals and irrigation projects to boost food production. Areas interior to Mobassa and Malindi is colonized. We also send out conquistadors to expand northwards into more northern Somalia. The Alaabada iyo Ganacsiga ee Badweynta Hindiya (Goods and Trade in the Indian Ocean) is still printed using printing presses obtained from China by our crown prince. We order shipyards to build ten more ships with more cannons as technology improves.

1512

King Manuel of Portugal proclaims that Iberia's inaction and withdrawal is a recognition of his sovereignty as king of the independent Portugal. He continues to seek allies on the continent.

Tsetseg Khan continues to ride around all over the place getting support from people, especially in the frontiers of China and the Astrakhan.

• The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Tahmasp Shah Mirza began his rule over the Sultanate, with an-Nasir al-Hassan as the Caliph and Fath Ali Khan as the Grand Vizier. The Gurkani population rose to about 36.9 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. In particular, the Sultanate also promoted Persian emigration to Gilan and Mazadaran with the Gilaki and Mazanderani people being forced to assimilate with them and adopt Persian culture and Farsi. This restrictions also included the persecution of those that freely promoted Gilaki/Mazanderani culture. The military was composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, sword and in some cases, rifles. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers, swords and pikes to be utilised in close combat against the enemy with camels, and horses being utilized for the transportation of supplies. Artillery units, particularly Bombards, Superguns and Bronze Cannons were primarily be used for defensive purposes whilst lighter cannon units and volley guns were maintained for offensive operations. The artillery/cannon units in essence had been well-assimilated into the army given their effectiveness in battle and massive destructive capability. In some cases, infantry units primarily utilizing only rifles also existed albeit rarely, with the Sepah-e Nejaf being the primary one. Meanwhile, naval bases at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun were expanded and fortified were to ensure the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets and armed the navy with artillery units. Meanwhile, agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the Sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. The Mu'tazila Movement continued to flourish with science, poetry, arts and philosophy rapidly spreading as fields of extreme importance. By now, the Mu'tazila had built hundreds of thousands of Madrassahs throughout the Sultanate, and continued to build hundreds more, promoting their progressive and reformist ideas; spreading education. Meanwhile, the Sepah-e-Najaf continued to remain on high alert to repulse any incursion by Tseteg and his Horde. Similarly, efforts were taken to ensure the protection of the Astrakhan against the Eastern menace. About around the same time, Suleiman visited the Northern city of Mashhad to observe the situation at the border. In a tragic incident however, he was stabbed thrice by a Turkmen assassin whilst the Sultan led the morning prayers. Despite being severely injured, the Sultan survived albeit being left in a critical position. The Turkmen was captured and skinned alive before being impaled along with members of his family. The Sultan retreated to Isfahan where he designated Tahmasp as his successor and died a week later. In accordance to Suleimans will, a public funeral was held at Isfahan with the body later being buried at the Gur e Amir. Later, a coronation ceremony was held and Tahmasp Shah Mirza ascended the throne. Following his ascension, one of the first decisions made by Tahmasp included the dismissal of Quli Khan Zangana and being replaced by a Persian Mu'tazila, Fath Ali Khan. Meanwhile, mass production of opium continued at Çukorova, supervised directly by Ibrahim Hadad. Along the same time, Shahzada Abbas reached the University of Gaur in Bengal. Upon arriving at the institution, Abbas met with numerous scholars, keen on learning about the standard of education at the University and studying the books and manuscripts present at its library. Months later, Abbas travelled to the newly established acedemy at Saptagram, visiting Pandua along the way, having the exact same intention. In essence, Abbas spent almost the entire year reading the contents of the Books at the two institutions, and learning a lot about the history of Bengal along the way. In fact, by now, Abbas had become fluent in Tamil and Bengali. Once Abbas had finally completed his study, he departed from Bengal, sailing through the Straits of Malacca and visiting various monasteries in Khmer and Majapahit along the way. Abbas was accompanied by a few of his Mutazila companions as well who just like him jotted down all their experiences during the voyage.

• The Caliphate continues to support the ancient Islamic school of Mu'tazila, once popular throughout the Islamic world during the earlier days of the Abbasid Caliphate. This school of Islam preaches rational thought and has differing thoughts to the Qu'ran than traditional explinations. Jews and Christians alike are accepted throughout the Caliphate as People of the Book, and are encouraged to become scholars just as Muslims are. The Caliphate reforms taxing, returning to the ancient way. Zakat, the 2.5% tax only Muslims pay, are spent directly to charity. This tax provides a number of services such as shelter, food, water, and other services to devout Muslims who are undertaking the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. In our capital, Cairo, it provides charity services to the needy, widows, and orphans. The second tax, the Jizya is a tax paid by non-Muslims used to sustain the Caliphate itself, and all of its structures. It excludes the poor, women, the elderly, and children. In the deserts of Egypt, the Caliphate attempts to colonize oasis such as Faiyum or Siwa. In the Arabian peninsula, we do the same, incorporating the Bedouin tribes of the vast Arabians deserts into the Caliphates as faithful followers of the Caliph. In addition to this, the Caliph encourages Muslims in Europe to escape the intolerant rulers present there, and to settle in the vast, safe, large cities of the Caliphate instead. The Caliph also continues to implement a standing military: in return for joining the armies of the Caliph, an individual will gain money, land, place in society, and honor bestowed upon them. These men are stationed on the corners of the Caliphate, on the border with Iberian-controlled lands in the Meghreb, below Nubia, we station troops on the border with Ethiopia, and in the east, we station troops on our border with the heretic Gurkani, albeit much less. We finally phase out the centuries-old practice of Iqta in the Caliphate, as the old order has been restored. 

• United Crown of Great Iberia
  • We refuse to acknowledge Portugal's and Galicia's independence, insisting that the so-called Portuguese government's actions are completely illegal, and that the territory they claim to possess remains a Core Kingdom of the Crown Union of Portugal and the Algarves. Our troops continue to man the borders between Castile and Portugal, awaiting further orders. Although the war has not technically ended, a tense de facto ceasefire has begun. In the meantime, we continue to develop our colonies in the West Indies, and we continue to make contact with Mayapan and Mexica. The King, realising Augsburg's influential status in the financial sector, offers to sell to Augsburg some of Iberia's state debt in return for Augsburg's refusal to deal with the rebelling Portugal.
  • Augsburg Dip: The Fuggers agree.

• Cologne: Back in 1508, Archbishop Rhoderich caught a terrible illness of the lung that had him bedridden for years on end, making Abbess Meina very busy running both Cologne and Essen Abbey as the de facto second-in-charge at Rhoderich's request. Thus, only the same things have continued to happen in Cologne – the population has continued to increase, though has dropped off because the Archbishop was unable to give pastoral letters, and the competition from nobles took on a life of its own separate from the Archbishop. The centralised road system through Cologne, Kolschberg and Essen is completed, and the system is extended this year into Westphalen, making it only just across the border by year’s end. At the end of the year, Rhoderich recovers when a worshipper brings a gift of a particular medicine from far away that heals him. He is shaken and weak, but he works on his personal health every day. He is quickly becoming an inspiration for all the sick and wounded.
  • Essen: Abbess Meina has been busy with general affairs in Cologne, so in Essen her prioress continues Meina’s personal daily walks from the far side of Essen to the Abbey itself to pray at the Tomb of St Adelphina. However, when Abbess Meina returns to Essen at the end of the year, there is a sudden increase in people making the daily pilgrimage, just to see the embattled Meina and learn from her faith. Meanwhile, canonesses from years past return to the University of Essen with knowledge of humanism and begin to integrate these ideals alongside Catholicism into the relevant courses at the university. 

• Swahili:  We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards continue capturing slaves. In the heartland of Mogadishu, the Bank of Mogadishu begin cooperation with landlords to construct hydraulic devices such as canals and irrigation projects to boost food production. Areas interior to Mobassa and Malindi is colonized. We also send out conquistadors to expand northwards into more northern Somalia. The Alaabada iyo Ganacsiga ee Badweynta Hindiya (Goods and Trade in the Indian Ocean) is continuously printed using printing presses obtained from China by our crown prince. Our flagship, the Umar, is constructed with 20 cannons and 40 swivel guns. (Not ASB, there was a British ship at the same period with twice the armaments https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Henry_Grace_%C3%A0_Dieu)
  • The comparison doesn't really work since Swahili isn't a European nation that is experiencing the Renaissance and is constantly developing its fleet to ensure a technological advantage and maintain naval superiority. Anyways, I was wondering, where exactly did you obtain the cannons and swivel guns from?
  • OOC: Sorry, but "the British did it too" isn't a valid excuse for anything. Your Swahili Sultanate emulates the OTL Kilwa Sultanate, which was mainly a trading power, and would have no need for huge warships. Cutting holes into the side of your ship to fit cannons was a European concept (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_artillery#Age_of_Sail), and Middle Eastern/East African nations wouldn't have thought of it without direct contact with Europe (see OTL Portugal in the 1500s) or without abandoning their long history of dhow-building and Indian Ocean trade. Mounting swivel guns on the forecastle or aftcastle was a much more common setup for Indian Ocean dhows. England is on the other side of the world from you -- technology does not spread evenly. Also, how did you obtain a printing press from China? The printing press was invented in Europe (I think Cologne in this timeline). I don't think it has even spread to China yet. Feud crossed out your last post about a printing press in 1509. General534 (talk) 17:17, November 8, 2016 (UTC)
  • I agree with the judgement here, the concept is non-existent to you right now -Feud
• Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland: The King commissions a new expedition to be led by a Captain Thomas Robes who served under Admiral Alkston in the first of his two expeditions. He takes five ships, one carrack called the Vengeance supported by four caravels Poleaxe, Bludgeon, Maul and Warhammer. The four ships plan to sail up the great river (St Lawrence River) and try and find a way around or use canoes if necessary to bypass the rapids which are constructed in England and all the sailors are trained with them. The fleet set off in late March crossing the seas. While the Vengeance escorted them into the mouth of the river (Quebec city) where they visit the village they raided last time they passed through, while it was many years ago the natives avoid them and are armed so the Vengeance anchors away from the village and Captain Robes transfers his command to the Bludgeon and takes his four remaining ships with eight canoes attached to them farther down the river until they stop where the last expedition in this region halted. Him and his men knowing some of the language obtained from the captives they took on the last expedition communicate with the locals in Hochelega and agree that the river does continue on past the rapids and after giving of gifts the locals show 48 men, with six men to canoe how to walk around the rapids by sailing up the river until they reach the rapids then getting out and carrying their canoes until they get past them. They eventually pass behind the Hochelega island and continue up the river (Ottawa River) on their canoes making slow progress until the river freezes over in early November and they are halted as a tribute flows in (Ottawa city) and they are halted. The expedition's destruction is threatened by scurvy but their knowledge of the Arbor Vitage which they know from natives and is high in vitamn C allows them to survive (Yes this was known by the natives). After surviving a harsh winter in which half of the group dies they set off home. Meanwhile in England Captain Robes still hasn't returned but this is not surprising as he planned to cut through and find the passage to Asia. They focus on keeping a strong up to date navy and another 150 Arqebus are bought.

• Oman: King Suleiman embarks with the Omani trade fleet on a diplomatic mission to the Indian Ocean to expand his knowledge of the world. The fleet first lands at Beypore in the Bahmani Sultanate, where Suleiman witnesses the process of Bahmani shipbuilding. Next, he visits the Maldives, the people of which Suleiman remarks as "warm and hospitable". Suleiman's fleet then visits Sarandīb (Sri Lanka), where small elephants are captured to be brought back to Oman. The fleet finally touches at the Delhi Sultanate, before Suleiman returns to Oman with three ships. Led by Captain Taimur, the rest of the fleet continues its journey, bringing gifts to Delhi and the Bengal Sultanate, and visiting Pegu, the Khmer Empire, and the Majapahit Empire. Captain Taimur wishes to establish friendly trade relations with the Khmer and Majapahit on behalf of Oman (Mod Response). Meanwhile, the Vohemar colony continues its growth, aided by the arrival of more settlers from the mainland. Trade with the Swahili Sultanate now often takes place on the Island of the Moon, with Omanis transporting goods downriver to the Swahili trading posts, and transporting slaves upriver to Vohemar. Special boats are constructed for this purpose, taken from the designs of the natives. In Arabia, the Najd region is further developed, particularly the city of Hajr (Riyadh). In Muscat, a royal district is created in the upper areas of the city. Houses in this district are decorated with fine tapestries and intricate designs to reflect Oman's wealth. Plans are made to expand the "palace", which is really a small government building. Work also begins on expanding the harbor to accommodate more ships, and a small outpost is built on a rock overlooking the harbor. Overall, infrastructure throughout Oman is upgraded, and new houses are built in major cities. Rice also becomes a staple food in Oman, being grown locally and added to numerous traditional dishes.
  • Majapahit and Khmer agree to better trade relations. -scraw
• Bahmani Sultanate: Muhammad Shah dies and is replaced by his son, Nehal Shah. Work on the Orissa road continues. Nehal Shah also continues to work on the navy, expanding it by 15 vessels. The remaining troops in Delhi are recalled, but preparations are made if a defense against Tsetseg proves necassary. Nehal Shah promises that he will follow the policies of his father towards all nations. He also promises the nobility that no more 'common merchants' will be elevated, though the Raza's position stands. (OOC: I've been getting my ruler's sons confused, so for all future purposes: Nehal is the older, born in 1463, and his younger brother Navid, the guy who I've been using as ambassador of everything for the past couple decades, is the younger, born in 1464.)
  • Pegu: The Omani merchant fleet is welcomed. Binnya Kyal uses this as an example of how Pegu benefits from Bahmani tutelage. Dhammazedi remains in Bahmani lands.
  • Maldives: Sultan Yusuf II welcomes the visiting Omanis.
• The Kingdom of France conintues its naval expanison, as part of the Pivot to the Exterior. In Secret, We seek an alliance with the new Kingdom of Portugal. (Mod Response Needed)
  • ​Portugal is happy for any friend. ~Cal
• Papal States: The Portuguese rebels remain under interdict. Pope Leo brings in some master builders to look at the architect's desings for the renovations of St Peter's. 
• Sultanate of Bengal: 20 ships are built this year and work continues on the fortifications of Saptagram. Work also continues on the Orissa Road. In other news, the Sultan orders the army to be wary of any attack of Tsetseg.
  • Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
  • Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note.
• Chinese Empire: Islam continues to spread. The colonies continue to grow. The military increases its presence on the frontier, worrisome that Khan may grow powerful in the region due to some growing support. We send an envoy to him, stating that if he remains out of Chinese territory, and does not encourage his cause within the Empire, that China will not confront his actions outside of Chinese borders. 
• Norway-Oldenburg: Naval upgrades continue. We begin to fund the first exploration through the Sahel region in Africa. Haakon Jorgensen commands a fleet of 20 Burgundian caravels (or whatever the ship's nameis) eventually reaching the lands of Benin and Mali. The journey is long and hard with members of the crew contracting scurvy and dying. The crew lands in the Lands of Mali and Benin obtaining goods from both of them and make their way back by Winter albeit with casualties. The arrival of Gold Oil, and other valuable intrigues the Norwegian Royal Court. Due to the difficulty of obtaining (lisbon's current status and the war between mali and benin). The value of finding a trade route between the two intrigue merchants. From denmark arquebus is discovered. Weapon makers in Trondelag begin to manufacture based upon the designs. Specifically increasing in farming of the Kingdom of the Isles. With the news of the journeys to the New world many nobles and merchants and scholars are intrigued by this. Leading to the royal funding of some expeditions and preparations believed to set out in the 1430s. Economic development throughout the nation continues with trade being further expanded. Roads are built throughout oldenburg to give a greater development to the country. We send a betrothal offer to Burgundy or Bradenburg for a betrothal of the Crown Prince christian to a princess of one of the countries
• Bulgarian Empire: The Empire continues to expand its economy and its specific road networks through the country. Its main road networks are specifically built up into Wallachia looking to heavily integrate Vlach and its people into the Empire. A good portion of the Vlach people begin to consider themselves Bulgarian. These so called Vlach Bulgarians are shown to have created an interesting fusion of Bulgarian and the Vlach languages but still maintain somewhat a seperate identity albeit a slowly fading one. The City of Targoviste is declared the capital of the imeprial province of Vlach, and in terms of integrating the royal families homeland further into the empire, the Bulgarians and Vlach-Bulgars of the province are given their own Legion. The 4th legion is issued under the imperial banner and is based out of Oltenia mostly as a base for defending the Hungarian frontier, and protecting mining operations from extreme issues. The 4th legion remains the same strength consisting of 6000 troops, bringing the Bulgarian standing army at roughly 24,000. With the legionary involvement in development and settlement, the Tsar is forced to bring up the necessity of making it a state issue to arm and equip the troops, however with a relatively major arms industry booming in Bulgaria this proves to be a trivial matter.
• South Australian Civilization: While recovering from the narrow war with Noongar, the city of Ngarrindjeri is struck with the Black Fever, killing thousands of villagers. Bakan Djalu I himself succumbs to this disease, and rule of the city is passed to his son, Djalu II. In Nukunu, Bakan Waku begins solidifying more central culture in his city. He comissions a great genius in enginnering, Mawukura, to design great buildings and murals in his honor [think early dynastic Egypt style]. Waku also begins drafting a standard of laws to set his city apart from barbarian outsiders [oral law like the Vikings or Mycaenean Greece]. 
• Augsburg: Same stuff as last year. DONALD J TRUMP becomes mayor of Augsburg.

1513

Khan Tsetseg begins openly planning an invasion of India marshalling a massive force of nearly 140,000. Unexpectedly however his rather powerful and professional relationship with the Rajputs in India has put him on an open pathway into Northern India.

The King of Portugal is noted to be proficient at drilling his army and keeping it active, He even maintains a relatively impressive professional army of 15,000 being directly drawn from the nobles and professional fighters of portugal. This sets Portugals military force at roughly 45,000 led by Great General King Manuel of Portugal.

Venice suffers increasing unrest and violence until finally a collection of the more influential Venetian nobles lock down Venice Proper convening a council discuss their future in Italy and their lack of a Future under Austria. Their relatively strong navy remains loyal to the major involved families making a landing or movement to venice impossible.

The Rajputs in India begins to conduct violence against their muslim overlords, specifically as their newgound alliance with Tsetsegs Khanate has emboldened them. 

• The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Tahmasp Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with an-Nasir al-Hassan as the Caliph and Fath Ali Khan as the Grand Vizier. The Gurkani population rose to about 37 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. In particular, the Sultanate also promoted Persian emigration to Gilan and Mazadaran with the Gilaki and Mazanderani people being forced to assimilate with them and adopt Persian culture and Farsi. This restrictions also included the persecution of those that freely promoted Gilaki/Mazanderani culture. The military was composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, sword and in some cases, rifles. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers, swords and pikes to be utilised in close combat against the enemy with camels, and horses being utilized for the transportation of supplies. Artillery units, particularly Bombards, Superguns and Bronze Cannons were primarily be used for defensive purposes whilst lighter cannon units and volley guns were maintained for offensive operations. The artillery/cannon units in essence had been well-assimilated into the army given their effectiveness in battle and massive destructive capability. In some cases, infantry units primarily utilizing only rifles also existed albeit rarely, with the Sepah-e Nejaf being the primary one. Meanwhile, naval bases at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun were expanded and fortified were to ensure the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets and armed the navy with artillery units. Meanwhile, agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the Sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Funding for the Mu'tazila skyrocketed with Tahmasp having taken the throne. Being a member of the Mu'tazila community himself, the Sultan ensured that the movement continued to flourish, financing the development of hundreds of Madrassahs. In particular, the Sultan funded the establishment of Samarkand's Grand Library, keen on having an institite that would rival the Library at Alexandria. Despite overall aiming to promote science and rational thought, the Movement had by now effectively split into two Schools of Thought. One favoured the usage of printing press, considering it to be much faster and that it was more casual to simply utilize it for the copying, printing and publication of books. In contrast, the other School favoured hand-written books, considering calligraphy to not only be more elegant and graceful but that it was something native to the land in comparison to printing press being foreign, having been introduced from Trebizond. Nonetheless, despite their differences, both Schools moved on side by side, engaging in a 'friendly' rivalry. Meanwhile, to please the Mu'tazila and aid the intellectuals in subjects related to Autonomy and Biology, the Imperial Council passed an edict that granted the Mu'tazila the right to practice vivisection on a selected quota of prisoners. These assignments ranged from simply opening up corpses to observe internal organs to those in which live humans were experimented upon. Along the same time, the Sepah-e-Najaf began launching raids and attacks upon Turkmens still living in the Sultanate. Most had already left the Sultanate when the Turkmen state had broken away, and the Sultan planned on eliminating all those that had remained. As such, a policy of slaughtering and expelling the Turkmens was adopted to ensure their removal. This policy was further supported by Tajiks who resided in the area who essentially aided in the authorities in identifying and slaughtering the Turkmens with the intent of forcing them to return to their homeland. As this happened, the forces deployed at the border were further reinforced to ensure security. Simultaneously, mass production of opium continued at Çukorova, supervised directly by Ibrahim Hadad. Meanwhile, Abbas finally arrived at China following an exceptionally long voyage. He first docked at Nanjing and proceeded to meet with Ming authorities before taking a stroll through the city. Later, Abbas sailed towards Tianjin and visited Beijing as well. During his visit to the three cities, Abbas made sure to visit all of the important locations including educational institutions. In particular, he felt impressed with the spread of Islam along the coastal regions. Abbas later spent the rest of the year in China, left in awe by the land that his ancestors once ruled. It was only now that he understood why his Great Great Great Grandfather, Timur aspired to conquer China, a question that Abbas had pondered over for ages.
• Sultanate of Bengal: 20 more ships are built this year and work continues on the Orissa Road and the fortifications of Saptagram. The Sultan orders the mobilization of 10,000 men to be moved into Delhi to combat the threat posed by Khan Tsetseg.
  • Ahom Kingdom: Nothing of note.
  • Kingdom of Ava: Nothing of note

• Korea continues its mass-militarization program now referred to as the Songun policy (先軍政治; seongun jeongchi), seeking to orient the country's economy to its military and building up its army at the expense of the navy. Weaponry (especially gunpowder weapons such as hwacha, fireworks, and guns) and gunpowder is produced, with workshops specializing in those industries being built. The metallurgical industry is augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces, with the the metals processed being used to reinforce weaponry to make them last longer and to make them more efficient. Royal levies are trained in the most modern techniques, some of which influenced by the content of the Art of War. The royal navy is downsized and used as a maritime protection force, with ships being used as scrap material. The twenty-foot wall on the banks of the Yalu river continues construction, with five castles being built again, bringing the total number of castles straddling the banks of the Yalu to ten. Confucianism begins a process of re-entrenchment into Korean ethics and culture, as evident by the spread of Confucian missionaries and temples across the country. Buddhist activities are suppressed but its followers are not persecuted. Confucian values are promoted, and several academies and universities are built with many of the yangban elite partaking in education.

• United Crown of Great Iberia
  • We begin to become majorly concerned over a possible reunification of Italy, and watch for Venice's moves closely, though we take no military action as of yet, as our main priority still lies with Portugal. We are also alarmed by the efficiency with which the usurper Manuel has managed to create a decently-sized armed force. Although we outnumber them by more than a factor of two, the speed with which the army was organised is an indication of Manuel's military talents, and the King privately admires Manuel's tenacity and prowess in the face of otherwise totally superior power. However, he still hopes for a reunification of the Iberian peninsula under his rightful rule, as does all of Iberia.
  • The development of the West Indies continues as normal.
• Delhi Sultanate: Military recruitment increases, and troops are mobilised into Delhi. Guarding continues. Rajputs found causing unrest are arrested and are given the five options Gunterists are usually given. Sultan Harshal declares to the rebels that he is willing to use military force to secure the stability of India. We call upon our Muslim brothers in Bahmani, Bengal, Gurkani, and Oman to help us humble the barbarians of the north; we also ask for intervention from Tibet (MOD RESPONSE REQUIRED), convincing them that the Khans are a looming threat to Tibet. Meanwhile, attackers are subdued during an attempted assault on construction of the Orissa Road in Bhubaneswar.
  • Tibet objects. -scraw
• Bulgarian Empire: The Empire continues to expand its economy and its specific road networks through the country. Its main road networks are specifically built up into Wallachia looking to heavily integrate Vlach and its people into the Empire. A good portion of the Vlach people begin to consider themselves Bulgarian. These so called Vlach Bulgarians are shown to have created an interesting fusion of Bulgarian and the Vlach languages but still maintain somewhat a seperate identity albeit a slowly fading one. The City of Targoviste is declared the capital of the imeprial province of Vlach, and in terms of integrating the royal families homeland further into the empire, the Bulgarians and Vlach-Bulgars of the province are given their own Legion. The 4th legion is issued under the imperial banner and is based out of Oltenia mostly as a base for defending the Hungarian frontier, and protecting mining operations from extreme issues. The 4th legion remains the same strength consisting of 6000 troops, bringing the Bulgarian standing army at roughly 24,000. With the legionary involvement in development and settlement, the Tsar is forced to bring up the necessity of making it a state issue to arm and equip the troops, however with a relatively major arms industry booming in Bulgaria this proves to be a trivial matter.
• Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto's court continues to be one that promotes tyhe arts, sciences and military expansion as firearms become more common in the armed forces. Lorraine, Luxembourg and Silesia continue to enjoy an expansion in their mining and metal smithing activities while Silesia, Prussia, and Brandenburg see an expansion of the Manorial system as larger estates are developed. Otto continues to reign in the nobility. Cultural and Theological debates begin to arise again particularly given the reeergence of Germanic literature from the Germanic Heroic Age and the early days of German Christianity. With the already widespread conversion to the Northern Reformed Rite this helps in the slow but steady development of literature, art ,and philosophy in the domains of the Emperor. Dissemination of these new works also begins throughout the trade routes which Brandenburgian merchants and mercs frequent. Decommissioning of old and outdated fortresses continue as the military power of the nobility is reduced in favor of impowering the royal army ith the force standing at 45,000 strong in times of need while stading at 34,000 in peace times. Otto continues to expand the economic ties of Brandenburg with the interior of the HRE. Otto also begins to build a personla guard made up of the most loyal and best trained troops of Brandenburg's forces. The new guard is named the Lion's guard. Otto begins to distance himself from Austria, while he states he will consider supporting a campaign against the Italian states and while he continues to recognize himself as King of Italy it is not the time for the Empire to go to war. Though in private he sends a letter to the Archduke that should he seek to launch an italian campaign the emperor might support it. Otto declares that he is willing to mediate between Augsburg and England. Otto considers The requests of Augsburg, but requests that should this occur that the Fugger family refrain from endulging in policies that would otherwise corrupt the institutions of the church and fully embrace hussite ideals. 
• Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland: With the end of winter Captain Robes and his men pull back having lost half their number and without much event reach their ships which had managed to survive the scurvy and the ice as well. Then they head off back to England where they return home. Captain Robes is rewarded by the King while the inability to find a short route to Asia is frustrating many in England. Captain Robes reports of rumours of a Kingdom gold and silver in the land he discovered as told by the natives. This piques the interests of many in England and talk about actually exploring the continent rather than trying to find the route to Asia.
• Bahmani Sultanate: Kunwar Menon, famed for defeating the Lankan rebels, is sent forth with an army of 30,000 to assist Delhi. A 'flying column' of 10,000 is also sent, under the command of Nehal Shah himself, while Navid Shah manages the Sultanate in his absence. Another 10,000 are sent to guard the border with the Rajput states. Meanwhile, some navy officers start to turn to revanchism against Majapahit, but they are mostly ignored due to the crisis in the north. A young engineer, Soren Vivekenada, suggests that more roads, like the one in Odissa, must be built between the Sultanates to facilitate military movement. Navid Shah finds this man interesting.
  • Pegu: Dhammazedi gleefully attaches himself to the flying column.
  • Maldives: Nothing of note.
• Maximillian of Austria-Bavaria, seeing the unrest in Veneto and the Patricians airing certain grievances, decides that a personal touch is needed. He recognizes that both Venice and Austria-Bavaria need to support one another, to grow in symbiosis, and as such he announces a personal visit to venice to hammer out certain details, and alleviate the grievances. "While my words of encouragement, my insistnaces that there will be no interferance in the trading partices of the Venetians by the Habsburgs, for we were not and have never been traders, that the laws and customs of venice shall be abided by upon our hope of salvation, we nonetheless want to make these promises more than words", Maximillian writes in a letter to the Venetians. One of the bigger points is giving Venice its own "privilegium maius", noting that while the sovreigns of Venice, the Dukes of Veneto, being Habsburgs already posess such privilegia in all their lands, it is nonetheless better "for both redundancy and indesputable clarity for both me, and to guard against overzealous successors" that venice be granted its own as a member of the Holy Roman Empire (which Maximillian insists presents lucrative trade oportunities best not left to the Venetians' rivals in Augsburg, who might take their share if Venice leaves the HRE). Dealing with these internal matters further delays the wars Maximillian had planned, however it does present a unique oportunity to ramp up his support amongst his people as a reconciliator and wise ruler, to let that reputation travel far and wide.
• Oman: This year, the Omani fleet reaches China, visiting the cities of Guangzhou, Quanzhou, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Beijing, as well as the Japanese side of Taiwan. The Omanis offer gifts such as spices, pottery, pearls, frankincense, ivory, gold, and exotic animals to the Chinese emperor. On the return voyage, the fleet again visits the Khmer, the Majapahit, the Delhi Sultanate, the Bahmani Sultanate, and the Maldives. Captain Taimur learns of the advancing khanate's armies during this, and hurries his return to Oman. 26 ships are built this year. The Vohemar colony expands by capturing a native settlement. In Arabia, the uncompleted road at Al-Hasa now forks into dozens of camel trails leading to the Gurkani Sultanate and bolstering overland trade. Distressed by the calls of his allies, King Suleiman agrees to send a small army of musketeers and infantry to join the Delhavi and Bahmanid armies. The army numbers no more than 1400. Oman also pledges its naval support if its allies are invaded.

• Swahili:  We continue our agriculture policies. The royal guards continue capturing slaves. In the heartland of Mogadishu, the Bank of Mogadishu begin cooperation with landlords to construct hydraulic devices such as canals and irrigation projects to boost food production. Areas interior to Mobassa and Malindi is colonized. We also send out conquistadors to expand northwards into more northern Somalia. The Alaabada iyo Ganacsiga ee Badweynta Hindiya (Goods and Trade in the Indian Ocean) is still printed. We again stress to Oman that our roots are from the Sultanate of Mogadishu, not the Kilwa Sultanate. We construct a new line of ships with 40 swivel cannons. With Oman colonizing Madagascar, we decide to also begin efforts of solidifying the Swahili city states on the island by encouraging those who reside there to expand trading posts and construct farms and plantations, as well as declaring Sultanate rule in those cities.

1514

• The Gurkani Sultanate: Sultan Tahmasp Shah Mirza continued his rule over the Sultanate, with an-Nasir al-Hassan as the Caliph and Fath Ali Khan as the Grand Vizier. The Gurkani population rose to about 37.1 million with the people flocking to cities like Herat, Isfahan, Gamrun, Qazvin, Bukhara, Tabriz and Iskenderun; primarily due to their strategic position in the spice trade. In regards to religion, the Sultanate promoted Shia Islam, and advocated conversion to the Zaidi sect from other Islamic sects, often engaging in forced conversions. In particular, the Sultanate also promoted Persian emigration to Gilan and Mazadaran with the Gilaki and Mazanderani people being forced to assimilate with them and adopt Persian culture and Farsi. This restrictions also included the persecution of those that freely promoted Gilaki/Mazanderani culture. The military was composed of medium-to-heavy cavalry, composite bow, lance, mace, sword and in some cases, rifles. Heavy cavalrymen wore plated chain mail or metal lamellar armor, with their horses also wearing leather or metal lamellar barding. The infantry was equipped with daggers, swords and pikes to be utilised in close combat against the enemy with camels, and horses being utilized for the transportation of supplies. Artillery units, particularly Bombards, Superguns and Bronze Cannons were primarily be used for defensive purposes whilst lighter cannon units and volley guns were maintained for offensive operations. The artillery/cannon units in essence had been well-assimilated into the army given their effectiveness in battle and massive destructive capability. In some cases, infantry units primarily utilizing only rifles also existed albeit rarely, with the Sepah-e Nejaf being the primary one. Meanwhile, naval bases at Iskenderun, Kerch and Gamrun were expanded and fortified were to ensure the presence of the Gurkani fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, keen on controlling any piracy. The Gurkani Navy developed galleys and carracks to augment the smaller patrol fleets and armed the navy with artillery units. Meanwhile, agriculture and commerce were at the Sultanate's forepoint, with wheat, rice and barley being amongst the largest produced crops. To prevent the Sultanate from ever getting hit by a major famine, the individual Amirs also engaged in the storage of food supplies, which would be utilized in case of famine or otherwise exported. Fishery was promoted as well as it helped in sustaining the fishery villages that were present along the coast, as well as the major port cities of Iskenderun, Basra, Gamrun, Kerch and Baku. Importance was also given on the development of proper roads for the merchants utilizing the trade routes through the Sultanate, with all caravans being armed and protected with a small detachment of guards. Meanwhile, the construction of educational madrassahs continued throughout the Empire, with the Sultan keen on spreading education and knowledge amongst the populace of the Sultanate. The Sultan sought to replicate the Islamic Golden Age that existed during the period of the Abbasids prior to the Mongol Invasion, and accordingly funded the teaching of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, with Algebra, Geometry, Astronomy, Anatomy and Medicine being of prime importance. The Sultanate continued to expand its territories into the Caucasus. Funding for the Mu'tazila continue to rise as Tahmasp viewed the empowerment of the Movement as essential to the nations growth. As such, the Sultan directly financed the construction of thousands of Madrassahs annually. By now, the Grand Library of Samarkand had also been established. Simultanelusly as this occurred, thousands of prisoners were vivisected annually by eager and excited Mu'tazila, each keen on observing a humans internal organs. Meanwhile, the slaughter and expulsion of Turkmen continued on large scale. Most of the Turkmen concentrated in the Merv astan were effectively forced to flee their homes while hundreds more were slaughtered. Around the same time, the Sepah-e-Najaf had also begun launching attacks upon the Sultanates tiny Jafari and Ismaili minority, expelling any remaining group to India, an action that had been taken by Sultan Zeeshan as well. Meanwhile, Abbas finly departed from China and sailed on towards Korea. Having been told of the hermit kingdom by many during his time in China, Abbas had become quite curious and was as such keen on visiting the Korea. Immediately after arriving at Busab following the departure from Tianjin, Abbas set out to visit Seoul where he later met with the Korean monarch and presented him with gifts
• The Caliphate continues to support the ancient Islamic school of Mu'tazila, once popular throughout the Islamic world during the earlier days of the Abbasid Caliphate. This school of Islam preaches rational thought and has differing thoughts to the Qu'ran than traditional explinations. Jews and Christians alike are accepted throughout the Caliphate as People of the Book, and are encouraged to become scholars just as Muslims are. The Caliphate reforms taxing, returning to the ancient way. Zakat, the 2.5% tax only Muslims pay, are spent directly to charity. This tax provides a number of services such as shelter, food, water, and other services to devout Muslims who are undertaking the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. In our capital, Cairo, it provides charity services to the needy, widows, and orphans. The second tax, the Jizya is a tax paid by non-Muslims used to sustain the Caliphate itself, and all of its structures. It excludes the poor, women, the elderly, and children. In the deserts of Egypt, the Caliphate attempts to colonize oasis such as Faiyum or Siwa. In the Arabian peninsula, we do the same, incorporating the Bedouin tribes of the vast Arabians deserts into the Caliphates as faithful followers of the Caliph. In addition to this, the Caliph encourages Muslims in Europe to escape the intolerant rulers present there, and to settle in the vast, safe, large cities of the Caliphate instead. The Caliph also continues to implement a standing military: in return for joining the armies of the Caliph, an individual will gain money, land, place in society, and honor bestowed upon them. These men are stationed on the corners of the Caliphate, on the border with Iberian-controlled lands in the Meghreb, below Nubia, we station troops on the border with Ethiopia, and in the east, we station troops on our border with the heretic Gurkani, albeit much less. We finally phase out the centuries-old practice of Iqta in the Caliphate, as the old order has been restored. 

• Oman: Numair bin Suleiman celebrates his eighth birthday. The Great Library of Muscat is completed this year. The architect, Junaid Guler, is congratulated for his work. Collections of Omani poetry and books are housed here, as well as the works of Ahmad ibn Mājid. It is also home to dozens of Omani scribes. Construction continues on the Palace of Muscat and expanding the Muscat harbor. 25 ships are built this year. The army of 1400 musketeers arrives in India, and joins Kunwar Menon's Bahmanid army.
  • Vohemar: With settlements on the island growing substantially since 1506, the Vohemar Colony expands as new areas are explored. Land from Antongil Bay to the northernmost tip of the island is colonized, and then southwest along the western coast to Nosy Be. Slave trade with the Swahilis continues, and new settlements and trading posts are built along the river routes. Governor Aatif attempts to peacefully integrate the natives into the colony, but fighting often breaks out along the border. Avoiding the southern jungles, Vohemar focuses its expansion along the coast, where conditions are more tolerable for settlers. Vohemar claims all land north of the fourth and fifth rivers (Sofia River), including any trading posts or settlements already present. This territory is protected by 9 ships from the mainland. An envoy is sent to the Swahili Sultanate to notify them of Oman's claim. More farms spring up throughout the colony. Slaves are put to work producing vanilla, a highly valued spice. Rice is also introduced from the mainland. Construction begins on a fort at Port Vohemar.
• Korea continues its militarist Songun policy (先軍政治; seongun jeongchi), with the economy restructured to accommodate a strong military. Weaponry (especially gunpowder weapons such as hwacha, fireworks, and guns) and gunpowder is produced, with said sectors being promoted by government funds, meanwhile Korean metallurgy is augmented with the construction of blast-furnaces. The produced steel is used to reinforce weaponry to make them last longer and to make them more efficient. Royal levies are trained in the most modern techniques, and the standing army increases to thirty thousands. The twenty-foot wall on the banks of the Yalu river continues construction, with an additional three castles being built, bringing the total number of castles straddling the banks of the Yalu to thirteen. Confucianism begins a process of re-entrenchment into Korean ethics and culture. Social strata is further imposed, and to ensure loyalty among the yangban elite, restrictions placed on them during the reign of Gunyeo are abolished, though they are still forbidden to amass private armies. Confucian values are promoted, and several academies and universities are built with many of the yangban elite partaking in education.
  • Gurkani Diplomacy: Shahzada Abbas Shah arrives at the Korean Imperial court, presenting the King with exotic spices, pearls, gold, ivory, silk rugs and a dozen matchlock rifles. These gifts are not only expected to impress the monarch, but to also be seen as a symbol of the wealth and power possessed by the Gurkani Sultanate. Nonetheless, following the presentation, Abbas requests the Monarchs permission to visit educational and military institutions throughout Korea, keen on observing Korean culture alonf the way and witnessing the Songun policy firsthand. Abbas also expresses his interest examining and possibly even purchasing the famed blast-furnaces, hoping to replicate them and introduce the concept back home.
  • Bahmani Dip: We enquire wether the previous trade agreements we had with Korea (with the annual Korean trade fleet to India) will continue under the Songun policy.
• Papal States: The Portuguese rebels remain under interdict. Ignazio d'Iasso and his friends travel to Rome in order to have their Rule of the Company of Mary Immaculate (the Imaculatas) ratified by His Holiness. 
• Mayapan: Trade continues with the Mexica. Royal engineers continue experimenting making larger fishing vessels. Construction on the new school in the capital continues. Expansion continues along the southern border. Integration of the southern city-states into the League is continued by the High Council. Each new state is expected to supply men to train and serve in the national army. The council seeks to improve commerce and communication between the many settlements of the Yucatan by constructing and maintaining roads between them. Work continues to renovate and update existing buildings and roads, and to create plans for future upkeep and renovations. Mayapan sends diplomats with the Iberians to see their homeland, while the gifts are recieved at the capitol. The Emperor recognizes the importance of these new items, and instructs his diplomats to strike a trade deal with IBERA.
• Brandenburg-Luxembourg: Otto's court continues to be one that promotes tyhe arts, sciences and military expansion as firearms become more common in the armed forces. Lorraine, Luxembourg and Silesia continue to enjoy an expansion in their mining and metal smithing activities while Silesia, Prussia, and Brandenburg see an expansion of the Manorial system as larger estates are developed. Otto continues to reign in the nobility. Cultural and Theological debates begin to arise again particularly given the reeergence of Germanic literature from the Germanic Heroic Age and the early days of German Christianity. With the already widespread conversion to the Northern Reformed Rite this helps in the slow but steady development of literature, art ,and philosophy in the domains of the Emperor. Dissemination of these new works also begins throughout the trade routes which Brandenburgian merchants and mercs frequent. Decommissioning of old and outdated fortresses continue as the military power of the nobility is reduced in favor of impowering the royal army ith the force standing at 45,000 strong in times of need while stading at 34,000 in peace times. Otto continues to expand the economic ties of Brandenburg with the interior of the HRE. Otto also begins to build a personla guard made up of the most loyal and best trained troops of Brandenburg's forces. The new guard is named the Lion's guard. Otto begins to distance himself from Austria, while he states he will consider supporting a campaign against the Italian states and while he continues to recognize himself as King of Italy it is not the time for the Empire to go to war. Though in private he sends a letter to the Archduke that should he seek to launch an italian campaign the emperor might support it. Otto declares that he is willing to mediate between Augsburg and England. Otto considers The requests of Augsburg, but requests that should this occur that the Fugger family refrain from endulging in policies that would otherwise corrupt the institutions of the church and fully embrace hussite ideals.
• Bahmani Sultanate: The army helps Delhi to repel Tsetseg's banditti. Menon is left in command of the army as Nehal Shah returns to Gulbarga, while Navid Shah attempts to reestablish relations with the faraway Koreans. Work on the Odissa road is nearly complete. With multiple copies now printed, several copies of Kitab al-Fawa'id are sent to the major ports, there to be held by a special official who reads it thoroughly and can provide information, for a small fee, to any (non-Majapahit) merchant.
  • Pegu: Dhammazedi remains dissapointed by the lack of major battles.
  • Maldives: Nothing of note.
• Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland: Very little of importance happens within England this year, the King keeps working on having a fine navy while Captain Robes petitions the English court to give him more funding to explore the new continent yet the King refuses to fund another expedition not yet believing there are benefits. The King's younger daughter marries James the son of the powerful Earl of Chester. The King recognises the existence of the Kingdom of Portugal though as the Pope insists no one talk to it, the King remains distant from it.
• Cologne: Hearing of Augsburg’s misguided remarks and Brandenburg’s measured reply to them, Archbishop Rhoderich sends a letter to Brandenburg thanking the Holy Roman Emperor and reaffirming Cologne’s alliance with Brandenburg. Meanwhile at home, the population continues to increase again with the Archbishop returning to writing pastoral letters, and the system of roads in Westphalen is at least halfway finished by the end of this year. Rhoderich’s health continues to miraculously improve as a result of his dedication and piousness, and people begin to see him as a role model. One of his canons, realising this, writes Rhoderich’s routines down with the hope that perhaps a document detailing his methods could inspire people. Meanwhile, a theologian from the University of Cologne comes to Rhoderich and presents a series of papers he has written about the educational deficiencies of the clergy and, with utmost respect, requests that Rhoderich investigate such deficiencies. Although he is initially reluctant, Archbishop Rhoderich tasks a commission (made of this theologian, a few other university-educated minds, and three canons from his chapter) with investigating the levels of education among clergy members.
  • Essen: Humanism continues to be integrated into the University of Essen’s teachings. Meanwhile, Abbess Meina’s sunrise walks, now dubbed Solis Ortum, become very successful and people from neighbouring countries flock to Essen in order to come see this spectacle of the people, this devotion to St Adelphina. There is yet another increase in the numbers of canonesses regular in Essen Abbey, and Meina takes this opportunity to scrutinise the Rule of St Augustine, which all canonesses regular at Essen have been following for hundreds of years. She has been lecturing on how to reboot the Adelphinian Reforms, and wonders if she can modify the Rule in place in her abbey to greater emphasise these reforms. She designates this task to Prioress Gershwina, who prepares a comprehensive report of where Augustinian Rule does not quite meet the standards of Adelphinian Reforms.
• Augsburg: Same stuff as last tun. The Welsers make contact in the Malukus returning home with shiploads of spices.