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General_Grant

Field Marshal
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Jan 13, 2007
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Prologue - The Plague

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It has been said by the Mufti of Jerusalem that it is the evilness of man wich brought the Calamity on the Infidels. By carrying destruction and desolation upon the Holy Land in the name of the Lord**, they twisted His teachings, and brough doom upon their world. As it happened in immemorial times, God saddened at His creation, and decided to erease sin from the globe's surface. He unleashed His wrath trough the deadliest plague ever seen, punishing mankind for its impudence. Sparing no one, the Calamity purged entire nations in a matter of months. Only the rumored inhabitants of isolated islands were told to have survived by cutting themself of the exterior. But as the Calamity engulfed almost all of Christendom, the Lord in his mercy pitied the people of the East, and the plague ceased before leaving Europe's shores. The World was saved, granted another chance before the End of Times. As the sons of Ismael praised the Lord, they contemplated living in a world without Europe, where they would finally be allowed to spread the holy words of God unopposed.

---


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For more than a generation, the Middle East and the Orient lived completly closed from Europe, fearing the consequences of meeting potential plague-carrying survivors. As the now-extict mediterranean trade reoriented toward the rich lands of Africa, India and China, history continued to unfold. Empires crumbled, new were established, tyrans and conquerors lived along holy men and scholars. The islamic civilisation was slowly rising from its former decaying self, the arts and sciences being funded by unlikely sponsors such as the blood-thirsty Timur or the warlords-slaves of Egypt. As the old generation passed out, demographic pressures, thirst of riches and discovery and simple curiosity finally overcame the fear of the Calamity, and the first adventurers already left the coasts of the Orient toward the supposedly empty lands of Europe, wich might still be filled with the abandonned riches of its former kings.

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In the most lucky year 777 of the Islamic calendar, wich would had been know as 1399 AD in christian Europe, the Ottoman Sultan of Rum sent the first official expedition to the former christian lands. The first ships travelling from the asian side of the Bosphorus returned 40 days after their departure as advised by turkish scholars, their decks filled with the plundered riches of the City of Man's Desires. They brought the news of a deserted countryside, empty cities, and abandonned fertile lands. On the next day, the Sultan crossed the streets himself with a delegation and claimed the once-glorious city of Constantinople in the name of the true faith. The gates of Europe were now wide opened for adventurers and pioneers of all the nations: the Calamity was no more, and a whole continent was awaiting.

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It has been years since I have wrote an AAR, but a suddent inspiration (and an inspirating mod!) convinced me to try again.

This EU3 AAR will be played using the simple yet excellent Miscmods for DW, with some small custom modifications. One of its alternate-history scenarios features an Europe emptied by the Black Death and an improved "rest of the world" part. In this AAR I will tell the history of this very different world, wich is now destined to evolve without Europe, in the centuries wich saw the rise of this continent's nations. It will be told from the Islamic World's point of view, and I'll play as a nation wich is to be revealed (and I'm not 100% sure yet) in the first *real* update.

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*I may include some sountracks from movies and videogames when I make soem good finds wich fits the story. I find it completes the story and the pictures.
**This is a "kind of rationnal" religious explanation wich explains why wars of religion CB are disabled in-game for muslims- Jihad is no longer acceptable, war is now to be considerated from a purely political and economic point of view.
 
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In this scenario there are several Muslim independent nations in Europe and a few Christian ones. They are all OPMs. Morocco, Egypt, and the Ottomans are the big boys in this world. The Golden Horde also has power, but is unable to project it.
 
In this scenario there are several Muslim independent nations in Europe and a few Christian ones. They are all OPMs. Morocco, Egypt, and the Ottomans are the big boys in this world. The Golden Horde also has power, but is unable to project it.

My version must be pretty old then
 
Chapter I - The Mamluk Sultanate

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Despite the bruptal end to the crusades and european agressions, the islamic world was still lying in ruins in the beging of the XVth century*. The sack of Baghdad by the Mongols would forever hurt the center of the once-glorious civilisation, undermining centuries of progress in arts and sciences. Forced into exile, the Abbasid Caliph found friends in the Mamluk sultans of Egypt. Loyal to their theorical sovereign, they confirmed his place at the head of the "Caliphate of Cairo". But this authority was soon confined to religious matters and the Mamluks warlords still ruled the country unopposed, using the Caliph's prestige and theorical power to legitimize their own rule. Succesfully repelling the Mongols, the Mamluks were still at the height of their power in 1400, with the Mamluk Burji Dynasty ruling along the Abbasid Caliphs, controling the lands of Egypt and Syria. Southeast, Cairo's authority over the Holy Cities was contested by the local Sheiks wich often provocated trouble in the region, with the Sultan frequently invading Hedjaz only to lose it again a decade later.

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Both the tribes in Cyrenaica and Arabia were prone to wage war against the Mamluks, and the very existence of Timur was a direct threat to the Sultanate. Soon Sultan al-Nasr Burgi found himself in a war on three fronts, of wich he hoped he could profit.

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On of the fact that contributed both to the greatness and mediocrity of the Mamluk state was its warlike ruling class. Able warriors, they proved themself on the battlefield many times, but were also prone to feuding and revolt. The begining of the XVth century turned out to be the begining of a new period of expension for the Mamluks, wich regained control over the lands of Cyrenaica and Hedjaz wich both were part of Cairo's demesne in the past. After two years of campaign in the desert, al-Nasr was once again recognized as the legitimate steward of the Holy Cities, ruling in the name of the Caliph himself.

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Meanwhile in Syria, truce was quickly concluded with Timur as the terrible Emir of Samarkand was focusing his efforts on the Ottoman dynasty. The Mamluk armies however had made progresses eastward, and it was decided that the campaign should be continued further, this time against the Jalayirid rulers of Badghdad. Heir of the Mongol Il-Khanate, the Jalayirid dynasty was weak and proved no match against the Mamluk advance. The new border placed many desert tribes under Mamluk authority, establishing a buffer between Syria and Mesopotamia.

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If the Mamluk Sultan cared very little for Europe, the same could be said about Alexandria's merchants and his campaigns. African trade, flowing through the Maghebi port cities, was meeting with trade routes coming from India via the Red Sea and the Orient via the Levant. Long-neglected, the city of Alexander was begining to rise again by becoming the main hub of commerce in the Mediterranean once more. The trading classes of Alexandria quickly envisioned the opportunities of trade and various benefits that would soon arise from the rediscovery of Europe. Two expeditions were send from Alexandria, sponsored by the local bourgeoisie: one sailing westward, toward the setting sun, and another following the deserted trade routes toward Italy in the northwest. Months later, the ships returned with various european treasures as proofs of their succes and news of the establishment of small colonies within the walls of former european cities. Thus the Island of Sicily was placed under the authority of the Sultanate of Cairo and the patronage of Alexandria.

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A few months later news of the second expedition finally reached the city. Traveling along the Adriatic coast, the expedition eventually reached the ruins of what has once been the city of Venice. Their tales spoke of entire sections of the city collapsed on itself due to lack of upkeep; of the vast ammounts of treasures and art that was to be found in the abandonned houses; and finally, of Death. Remains of corpses and bones filled the streets and canals everywhere, hauting reminders of the last weeks of the city. Unable to bury everyone, the Venetians soon found themself surrounded by the remains of their friends and families before either making a last attempt at survival in the infected metropolis or evacuating toward the countryside. After a week of searches, it was confirmed that no living soul remained within the city, and a base camp was established in the buildings surrounding the central place of the city. From there, members of the expedition's crew begined to explore further inland, into the "Terra Firma", discovering ruins after ruins. Aquileia, Verona, Padua.. the once-proud Lombard cities, reduced into nothingness.

The Egyptian explorers were quite surprised to stumble on an important caravan traveling westward, toward the center of the Po valley. Upon interception, the pioneers of varrying origins were found not to be survivors of the Calamity, but emigrants from somewhere in Anatolia. They spoke of many groups such as theirs wich were making their way trough the abandonned continent in search of fortune. Many travelers already reached the lands of the now disapeared Franjs, grouping together in the abandonned cities, farming the lands, and searching the old libraries and castles of Europe. Other population groups were also beleived to travel a bit more east, settling in the Magyar plains.

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Despite the obviousness of the infinite possibilities that Egyptian colonisation of Europe would allow, the Mamluk Sultan was growing even more conservative. He accepted that Alexandria's merchants would continue to sponsor expeditions and ventures but did not desired to involve the Sultanate militarily in such an adventure. His wars in both the Maghreb and Iraq qere bringing him enough, he beleived. A few years later, Sultan al-Nasr died in campaign. His son being not old enough to reign, the troublesome Mamluk nobility quickly fought each other over places in the new regency and influence within the new conquests of the Sultanate. many subjugated tribes seized the opportunity and rose against the shaky rule of the Mamluks, ready to tear the country into pieces.

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*For conveniance I'll use the "gregorian christian" calendar, except for jey events and dates.
 
Ooooooh Faransa...

And there will be a few more "new" nations in Europe soon. :)

Anyway, thanks for reading, glad to see that there is, uh, at least, one person doing so. :)
 
I am, too! Very interesting. I'm curious to see what will happen when the established Islamic nations meet these newly-born ones. Hopefully not easy slaughter like when the Europeans meet the tribes of the Americas! :)
 
I am, too! Very interesting. I'm curious to see what will happen when the established Islamic nations meet these newly-born ones. Hopefully not easy slaughter like when the Europeans meet the tribes of the Americas! :)

It is yet quite early in the game to tell it, but I have my little idea on where this is going. :) anyway, update coming soon.
 
Chapter II - The reign of the Terrible

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*

Even if seven years old Yalbay Burji was the legitimate heir to the Sultanate, he was in no position to reign yet, and many Mamluk warlords seized the opportunity and attempted to claim the throne for themself. While a regency of ravenous nobles formed around the young ruler the country began to fell into the chaos of the succession crisis, with many tribes of the newly submited western provinces rising in the hope of liberating themself from Cairo's iron rule. The years following the death of al-Nasr Burji were chaotic ones, were failed palace coups succeeded to betrayal and rebelions at every corner of the country.

It is in this scenery that Yalbay Burji grew older, and learned that he could trust no one but himself. In the middle of this violence and turmoil he would become what later historians would juge as a cruel and paranoïd ruler. But Yalbay was a man of his time, educated in trouble times and decided to survive and to enter history.


At the age of 16, Yalbay was considerated old enough to rule by himself and was greatly encouraged by the Abbasid Caliph to do so. With many members of the regency unwilling to gracefully step down and the usual number of rivals and rebellious tribes, another crisis soon threatened the Mamluk throne.

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This time the rebellions were quelled within a year. Yalbay I soon proved himself a mighty warrior who waged war against his ennemies in the most merciless way. Bringing his armies into the arabian desert to punish the unloyal tribes, he decided to push the campaign further and to submit the realms of al-Haasa and of the Najd.

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His prestige and abilities on the battlefield made Yalbay a ruler both respected and feared in the entire islamic world. Holding the rebellious elements of his realm by himself, he was aware that the loyalty of his troops was first to their warlords and clan. The growth of the Mamluk Sultanate has made the Mamluk aristocracy spread thiner everyday, and while they remained a force to be reckoned with in Egypt proper, the lands of Syria, Arabia and Mesopotamia were quite clear of their erratic rule. To ensure that a good proportion would remain loyal to him, Yalbay created a new division of the army, composed of non-Mamluk elements and supported by arabic leadership. This new army would be placed under the titular rule of the powerless Abbasid Caliph, who was an effective puppet of the Sultan. The Mamluk Sultanate was begining to evolve in a new direction.

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Strong of this legitimization and military strengt, he pushed his victories even further, reaching the Persian Gulf.

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While Yalbay's successes in Arabia were obvious, his rule over some parts of Mesopotamia was disputed by the mighty Timurid Emir of Samarkand, who, along with the figurehead Jalayirid ruler of Baghdad, tried to restore his rule over the rich region. The unnexpected death of his rival however made this desesperate Mesopotamian campaign much more easy for Yalbay, who succesfully routed two important Timurid armies pushing south toward al-Haasa and west in the direction of Syria. In Cairo, the Caliph preached for the reconquest of his once-magnificent city of Baghdad from the rule of the wicked Mongols. After 3 months of siege, the Sultan led a succesfull assault against the city's walls. The remnants of the Jalayirid family were slaughtered in the confusion following the city's fall, and the few mongols survivors rallied under the Timurid banner. Baghdad was now the jewel of Yalbay's crown, and his most prestigiosu conquest by far.

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For all of his deeds Yalbay I Burji was nicknamed by his rivals "The Terrible", and his name would inspire fear for the 17 years of his short but glorious and bloody reign.
 
Meanwhile in Europe...
This has little place in the update, wich was all about Yalbay I Burji and his rule, but may ibe of interest:

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Chapter III - The reign of Chaos

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Yalbay I Burji ruled a total of 26 years, 17 of wich he exerced power alone. By his will and strenght he kept the Mamluk realm together, and managed to expend it beyond its borders, making it one of the most powerfull state in the region. But outside of the so-called Caliph's Army, he failed to create any important institution independent of the warlords and clans. His early death at the age of 33 threw the mighty Sultanate in a state of chaos once more, his inept and feeble successor being unable to hold the clans together at all. The unruly tribes of Arabia rose once more against Mameluk rule, wich they considerated foreign since their overlords were of Circassian origins.

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The population of Baghdad also took up arms against the Burji Sultan, deeply dissatisfied with the new position of their prestigious city. Under the Jalayirids at least it has been the capital of something; now it was only a city as many others, far from power and on the direct border of the Timurid hordes, often victim to pillages and skirmishes. Many of them desired to see the Abbasid Caliph back in Baghdad, where he once ruler over almost all of the islamic world. This put the figurehead in Cairo in a difficult situation, as a rebelion in his name was a direct treason. Under Yalbay the Caliph would certainly has been executed and replaced by his son, as young as he was, but his successor was too weak to attempt such a bold move, and desesperatly needed any sort of legitimacy the Abbasids could provide.

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If the states surrounding the Mamluk realm lived in fear for almost twenty years, they were decided to not let such a thing happen again. Exploiting the Sultanate's weakness, many of them crossed the borders and lauched raids, and even outright invasions, in order to take back what has once been theirs. With war on every front, rebellion from almost half of his territory's clans, usurpation attemtps by many of his generals, the new Sultan was in a very critical situation.

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The wars and chaos that followed the death of Yalbay I Burji began to shake even more the very foundations of the Mamluk system and society. For a decade the Mamluk warlords would fight foreigners for the defense of their lands, would fight the Sultan's armies for the throne, would fight their arab subjects taking arms against them, and would finally fight each other for many petty reasons. Those events greatly reduced the numer of warlords, and was the begining of greater social changes. Arabs, of Egyptian, Syrian, Iraquian and Bedouin origins, were once second-class citizens, but were now granted more and more power to compensate the massacre of the old aristocracy and military castes. The Caliph's Army, of Arab composition, loyal to the authorities in Cairo, allowed the weak Sultan to survive the tragic events, but its influence was growing with every passing year. Soon the Abbasid Caliph was having his say in some political matters and the newly appointed Grand Vizier was of Syrian origins.

Times were changing in the Sultanate of Cairo, as they were elsewhere in the world: trade with newly resettled Europe was begining once more, and the new nations were establishing contacts with the old ones. The new societies of this resettled Europe were quite different culturally, socially and politically from their Middle Eastern cousins. Populated by former minorities, orthodox Sunni Islam was not the norm there, but lesser branches of the religion such as Kharijism and Sufism were growing in importance. Without the old aristocracy to deal with, social mobility was greater and a "Republic" was even inaugurated in Faransa, a first in the Islamic world.

 
Boris, mayorqw, Derehan: Rought times indeed, if you look at the dates you can see that this stuff lasted for about 15 years :s But as explained, the Sultan survived the crisis, but many Mamluk nobles didn't. At so the passage from the Mamluk Sultanate to something different is begining.

Update coming soon!
 
(looks like there was a problem with the screenshots, I can only find the last two ones, I had about 15 picutres for this update. I apologize for this)

Chapter IV - Zenith of the Burji Empire

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The dacades of instability that the Mamluk Sultanate endured eventually came to an end, with the rise of Sultan Barsbay II Burji. Despite not being as mighty as his illustrious predecessor Yalbay I, the new Sultan was more cautious in the first years of his reign, and knew he had to make new allies both inside his realm and abroad. In the chaotic first years following his accession to the throne he was faced with the usual coalition of unruly Mamluk nobles, Arabian tribes, and foreign powers. Accepting to pay tribute to the Timurids in exchange for a truce, he focused his efforts on the Arabian peninsula, subduing the sultanates of Yemen and Oman. Instead of annexing their lands, he let both sultans keep their thrones, in exchange for an oath of fidelity to the Caliphate. Conscious that the armies of Cairo could return knocking at their door at any time, the Sultans of the south accepted this gracefull offer and even promised their help in any future campaign.

*missing picture: Succession crisis, at war with Timurids, Oman, Yemen, Ethiopia, Tunis, Algiers.

*missing picture: Oman and Yemen vassalized

Another front needing Barsbay's attention was the Maghrebi one: in the past centuty, the Sultanate of Algiers found itself the dominant power of the region, subduing Morocco and Tunis. Ruled by a Burji relative of the Mamluk Sultan of Cairo since the 1410's, Algiers was now facing a succession crisis since its own branch of the Burji dynasty was about to disapear. Barsbay decided to not let it fall out of Burji reach and to claim the throne for himself. After a long and harsh campaign in the mountains of the region, the Algerian nobility finally accepted the Sultan of Cairo as their liege, being promised large privileges for their loyalty. Algier's own little Empire, from the Ocean Sea to Tunis, and its powerfull navy, was now just another extension of the vast Mamluk realm.

At this point, the Sultanate (or Caliphate?) of Cairo was probably the most powerfull nation on Earth, only rivaled by the Timurids and the distant dynasties of the Far East. But the Timurids were on the way of modernisation: the heir of Timur had begined important reforms and curbed the powers of the warlord classes, now exercing power by himself.

*missing picture: The Timurids become, trough events, a despotic monarchy instead of a tribal nation

An aging Barsbay II decided to follow the exemple. Times were changing. The world was entering a new era, were feuding and warlords were definatly a thing of the past. The summer of 1490 saw the confiscation of many of the most powerfull Mamluk's estates, and the death of many of them who opposed the Sultan's will. Such a thing would had been impossible a century ago; but the decimation fo the Mamluk caste in the decades of anarchy and the expension of the realm's size made it quite easy for the Sultan to change the nature of the State. It was only the officialisation of the new realities that existed within the Sultanate.

From this point the Mamluk realm was no more; the Sultanate fo Egypt was born, a modern state where the Burji Sultan would rule with the help of a bureaucracy and officials, instead of trough the nobles. But only time would tell if Barsbay II Burji would succeed into keeping his extensive demesne under control alone.

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Very impressive. Are you going to form Arabia? And where will you be expanding next? India? Spain? The New World?