A Crescent, a Cross, and a Lion: A CKII Abyssinia AAR

For the next few days, I'll be out of town, so I won't be able to post an update until I get back. And afterwords, the updates will probably be a little less frequent due to life getting in the way. It won't be every day like it was. It'll probably be every few days or once a week.

Spymaster Hagos has had a very busy four weeks. First, he found a butchered and mutilated corpse in an abandoned inn in the city of Dongola, the capital of the Nubia kingdom within the Abyssinian Empire. The corpse carried a letter written in no known language. Whatever language the letter was penned in, it wasn't one spoken anywhere along the eastern coast of Africa or anywhere in the Muslim world. After extensive research in Gondar's three gigantic libraries, Hagos discovered that the letter was written in a language known only to the merchants who worshiped strange gods and rode elephants into battle. Hagos spent the time to hire three of the merchants to translate the document. The letter carried a message that was supposed to be delivered to King Shammumam of Nubia, a strong vassal in the Abyssinian Empire. The letter carried with it a detailed plan to bring Shammumam to power and remove the Solomonid dynasty from the Abyssinian throne. His arrest was ordered shortly afterwords, and he was publicly executed for treason a few months later. The execution of Shamummam caused many in Abyssinia to believe that the Solomonid Dynasty was favored by God, and public opinion of Geteye and the Solomids increased dramatically over the next several years.

After Shammumam's execution, Emperor Geteye found himself in the midst of a cultural and scientific boom, with many literary works and paintings created. Gondar, already the largest city in Africa, became a city of great works of art. The size of Gondar grew as well. This growth in population, wealth, and cultural output made Gondar one of the world's largest cities. This was due to several things. First of all, the Abyssinian Empire was no longer suffering from near-constant war. This made Abyssinia's shores safer for merchants, artisans, and scientists. Secondly, increased mercantile policies made trade in Abyssinia very attractive to Indian Ocean merchants. Abyssinia became a center of trade, making the empire immensely rich. This trade was encouraged even more with the foundation of the Merchant Company of Afar, which, under the protection of the Abyssinian Empire, traded goods all across the Indian Ocean. Merchants from Abyssinia saw lands as distant as Malacca and Bengal. Thirdly, Abyssinia had access to many resources within its borders, and whatever the empire didn't posses, it could trade for. This combination of wealth, peace, and industry made Gondar a center of the arts for hundreds of years.

The influx of immigrants and merchants from foreign shores gave Emperor Geteye a view of events in faraway lands. For example, Berber caravans told of a Norse warrior who arrived in Tripoli with his longships and declared himself king of the land. The Umayyads in the west were overthrown, replaced by the Shiite Tossayads, who spread the Shiite faith across North Africa and Iberia. The Eastern Christian church spread from Greece, Russia and Bulgaria up into Poland, Lithuania, and Bohemia. The Cuman Khanate has recovered from years of civil war and unified their lands once more.

Emperor Geteye was particularly interested in the position of the Catholic Pope was not only a religious leader, but also a secular leader. The Papal State was tucked in between the Byzantine Empire and the Italian Republic, occupying a portion of central Italy. Emperor Geteye saw that this weakened the Catholic Church, and decided to visit the Coptic Pope in Alexandria. There, he convinced the Coptic Pope to give up all his secular holdings besides a district in the city of Alexandria, where the Coptic Pope would only serve as a religious leader. This strengthened the Coptic Church as well as benefiting the Abyssinian Empire, as now it owned Alexandria and its ports.

Word from across the Mediterranean revealed some interesting news to Emperor Geteye. The Catholic Pope declared a crusade for a distant realm known as 'Scotland.' Apparently Scotland is a land filled with the great northern warriors that were shrouded in mystery.


Anbasa Wedem, son of Emperor Geteye, was born on the 8th of September, 956 AD. The succession was secure, which brought great relief to the realm. This brought great joy to the Solomonid dynasty and the Abyssinian people. However, it would not be long before Emperor Geteye would be forced to take the mantle of war leader, as the rising Tossayad Caliph in Andalusia has grown so powerful that he has declared a Jihad for Egypt. The years of peace that had kick-started Abyssinia's cultural output have come to an abrupt end. Emperor Geteye, only 22 years of age, would have to deal with the largest and most dangerous threat Abyssinia has yet faced. The Caliph in Tulaytulah has declared war against the Abyssinian Empire. Abyssinia is once again threatened by the terror of war, and if the Shiite Muslims claim victory over Abyssinia, the Golden Age of Abyssinia will come to an abrupt end before it even truly begins. The fate of the empire is left on the mantle of a man that was forced to grow up in tragedy. Caliph Yahaff and Emperor Geteye will soon meet on the field of battle. Both are cunning rulers, but only one can emerge victorious. Entire armies are being shuffled around like pieces on a chesboard. The match of cunning between two leaders will ultimately decide the fate of Africa. Abyssinia once again must take up arms, but this time, the cost of defeat is more than in soldiers; the cost of defeat is in the veins of history.

Before anyone asks, I have no idea how the AI managed to keep an empire like that stable. The Umayyads who once owned Hispania (and Mauritania) were replaced by the Tossayads, who then became the Shiite Caliphate. Then they began invading Aquitaine and Africa. And now they are scary.

Are the photos working for anyone? Because all of a sudden they aren't working for me...

EDIT: Figured it out. The next few updates may not have images.

The opening months of the war would consist of frantic gathering of armies in Gondar. The Knights of Saint Anthony, now totaling 10,000 men, have gathered in Cairo, preparing to hold the line in Egypt while the Abyssinian army gathers its strength. To this end they performed well, easily casting off scattered armies, never amounting to more than 1,000 men. However, General Nizam felt the winds churning. A storm unlike any other was brewing in Mauritania and Andalusia. He knew that the storm was larger than any storm an Abyssinian has ever seen in his life, and he knew that the storm would soon descend upon Egypt. He knew that Egypt would soon be covered in corpses, but it was his duty to ensure the corpses were Andalusian.

The Abyssinian army's arrival marked a shift in the scale of the war. Now, the steady stream of attackers arrived in armies of several thousands, and they arrived with increased frequency. General Nizam knew that the storm was getting ever closer to Egypt. It was not far away now. The weeks passed, and General Nizam ordered that any Abyssinian army not currently on campaign return to Alexandria. Two days later, Abyssinian scouts reported seeing a massive army of 21,000 soldiers. This Tossyad army had 3,000 less men than the Abyssinians, but their soldiers had more experience and they almost certainly had reinforcements not far behind.

The Battle of Abukir began when the 21,000 Muslim soldiers, led by Caliph Yahaff himself, attacked 24,000 Abyssinians, led by Emperor Geteye and General Nizam. The sweltering Summer sun loomed down upon the armies as they slowly marched towards each other, spears and blades in hand. Emperor Geteye himself stood up to address his soldiers before the onslaught began.

"Today, the Nile River will run red with blood. That is certain, and we cannot change that. However, we can change whose blood will fill the Nile. Do not underestimate the Tossayads; their men are experienced in the art of war. These soldiers you will soon face are the same ones that marched past the Pyrenees, a feat that the Umayyad Caliphate could not achieve. Now they have marched all the way across Africa to meet us, here, in Egypt. Their armies seem almost impossible to defeat. However, Abyssinia is not a stranger to war. It is how we turned our land from a group of shacks in the desert to thriving cities. It is how we have retaken Egypt, one of the earliest centers of Christianity, from the dogs who stole it from us. We are the ones who have built an empire where there was once nothing. That is something only Rome can attest to. We are the guardians of some of the oldest relics in all Christendom, and we cannot allow these dogs to steal them from us again. The Tossayad Caliph may be strong, but God is on our side! Ready your weapons, and today, by the grace of God, we shall defend what is ours!"

The speech had the desired effect. The Abyssinian soldiers held their weapons with a renewed vigor, and they were eager to meet the invaders in battle. For seven hours, the Abyssinian army and the Tossayad army would clash. The Abyssinian spearmen held the line against the Andalusian cavalry charge, and then charged to meet the Muslims, spears and swords raised. In the fighting, Emperor Geteye would find himself crossing swords with Caliph Yahaff. Geteye, on foot, held his sword tightly, waiting for the Caliph's horse to charge. It never did. Caliph Yahaff dismounted and klunged at Geteye, scimitar in hand. The two would meet in frenzied combat, slashing at each other with energy tapped from a well of seething hatred. However, the Caliph was simply a more experienced swordsman, and Emperor Geteye soon found himself knocked to the ground with a deadly gash in his stomach. Blood flooded out of the wound, watering the ground with its red hue. Caliph Yahaff raised his scimitar to deliver the killing blow. His arm held the sword with an iron grip, the sun behind him. It seemed that Geteye would soon meet the Lord. The moment never came. the Caliph's forearm flew through the air, a trail of blood following it. General Nizam, riding on his horse, cut off the Caliph's arm, preventing him from slaughtering Emperor Geteye. Emperor Geteye found himself being dragged away by a pair of hands. Cloth was wrapped around his stomach. Another pair of hand lifted his feet up. Geteye's vision darkened. He blacked out in the middle of the battle, being carried to safety by a pair of Abyssinian soldiers.

Emperor Geteye woke up three days later in a bed in Alexandria. Four people were in the room with him: General Nizam, Coptic Pope Theophilus, and two guards. Geteye was informed that the Abyssinians had won the Battle of Abukir, but not without losing 9,000 men. Caliph Yahaff had died in the battle, as he lost too much blood. Emperor Geteye could have joined him, if not for the work of his men, who diligently carried him off to safety. His wound would heal, but Geteye would not return to the battlefield for the remainder of the war. Coptic Pope Theophilus murmured a blessing to Emperor Geteye, then left. Geteye would remain return to Gondar the next day. The event only increased Geteye's hateful nature, which separated him from his ancestors. He would soon be known as Emperor Geteye the Cruel, despite public opinion about him.

After the Battle of Abukir, the Andalusian invasion began in earnest. Tens of thousands of Muslim troops spilled into Egypt. General Nizam was barely able to hold them all off, but each battle further lowered the amount of Abyssinians at General Nizam's command. The Tossayads seemed to have an unlimited supply of soldiers, and Abyssinia's resources were rapidly draining. It seemed as if the Tossayads would gain victory by simply wearing down the Abyssinians and their resources. The strategy was working. Emperor Geteye was sill confined to his bed, and Abyssinia was losing more and more battles to the Muslim armies. The war seemed bleak. The next several years would be highlighted by many more Abyssinian losses. Despite General Nizam's extraordinary leadership, there were simply too many Andalusian soldiers. However, Cairo and Alexandria, the two most important cities in the region, remained under Abyssinian control. However, in June 967 AD, Emperor Geteye heard news from across Africa. The new Tossayad caliph turned out to be unfit for rule, and reeked of decadence. This caused large amounts of political instability within the Tossayad Caliphate. This was great news for Emperor Geteye, but several members in Gondar's court were starting to feel that he would not see it. Despite his wound beginning to heal, Emperor Geteye has become very ill. A fever has taken hold of him, and nausea began to follow him wherever he traveled. Some feared that Geteye was nearing his death, but he would consistently deny it, stating that it was just a cold.

A month after Emperor Geteye became sick, word arrived that General Nizam had been seriously injured in battle. Emperor Geteye immediately called for a carriage to see his greatest friend. What he would see would haunt him to the grave. Nizam had suffered multiple severe injuries. His entire left arm was missing, and his right foot was chopped off. His head had been struck so badly that he couldn't even talk. Geteye stayed by his friend's bedside for hours, weeping. General Nizam died infirm and incapable on July 7th, 967. He was 48 years old. A large and extravaganza funeral was held in Nizam's honor. He had served two Abyssinian Emperors well, and was the single greatest commanders Abyssinia had yet seen. Not only was he strong in skill, he was strong in character. Nizam and Geteye were fast friends, and Nizam's death affected Geteye deeply. As he spiraled down into further sickness, he also began to show signs of stress. He cursed the Tossayad Caliphate for the murder of his friend and marshal. However, the war was not over yet. A new marshal had to be appointed to lead the soldiers, as the Tossayad Caliphate continued to bear down on war-torn Egypt. Both empires suffered terrible casualties, but they refused to give up. The Jihad for Egypt still lacked a clear victor, but the will to fight was still burning in the hearts of every soldier on the battlefield.

The late Caliph Yahaff planned for his conquest of Egypt to last for less than a year. He believed that the Ethiopians were feeble and powerless against the flawless military record of the Tossayad Caliphate. His assumption eventually proved to be his killer. The war had lasted far longer than anticipated, and now the current Caliph, Abdul-Hazm, had to take charge of a long and bloody conflict that had so far lasted for ten years. Many Tossayad lords denounced of the debauchery and decadence of Caliph Abdul-Hazm, who spent many of his days in his palace's halls, eating lavishly with at least three women at his side. This aggravated many around him, and soon, plots were formulated and treacherous conspiracies were created. The Caliph was unknowingly witnessing his last days, spent gorging on lavish meals and forcing many women into his bedchambers. Soon, the invisible cobra around him tightened, and the 13-year old Caliph Yahaff II ascended to the Tossayad throne after his father's murder. He was young, inexperienced, and terrified of having to manage a realm so large and so potentially unstable. Especially frightening to him was the rapidly intensifying situation in the Caliphate's French holdings. The Christian lords there were hostile to the Muslim rule over their lands, and a revolt for French independence was highly likely.

The archery field near Axum was busy on the morning of April 7th, 967. Emperor Geteye was personally overseeing the training of what would become a division of the Abyssinian standing army. The bowmen were near-perfect shots, having practiced for almost a year and a half. However, the archers were especially nervous that day. The Emperor himself was viewing their progress, and if there was any time to display the result of countless hours of training, it was now. Emperor Geteye was especially interested in a particularly talented 17-year old bowman, who was shooting a target almost 350 meters away with perfect accuracy. Geteye stood by the target with his steward, discussing the tax rate in the city of Zeila while watching the impressive feats of the young bowman. The accuracy of his shots was notable, and Geteye believed that he would make a spectacular addition to the Abyssinian military. The discussion began to turn to the religious conflicts between Christians and Muslims in the Abbasid Empire when Geteye violently recoiled, blood splattering on the steward's clothes. An arrow protruded from Geteye's head, and blood began to ooze out of the wound. the steward called for help, but it was too late; Emperor Geteye was dead before he hit the ground. the steward looked back at where the young archer was, but he was already gone. The assassination was already complete.

the legacy of Emperor Geteye "the Cruel" of the Abyssinian Empire is still a debated one among historians. Some say that he planted the seeds of peace in the Abyssinian Empire, however that reasoning is questionable at best. His reign was marred by excessive murder and destabilization of the empire, and his attempts to bring peace to Abyssinia ultimately resulted in a failure, as he was dragged into the largest conflict the empire had ever seen. However, his work would begin the Abyssinian Golden Age, a period of peace and stabilization of the realm that would bring immeasurable wealth to the Abyssinian Empire. It would be highly regarded as the cultural apex of Abyssinia, though at the time, hopes of a bright future for the empire seemed ridiculous. The empire was weary of war, but the Tossayad Caliphate showed no signs of slowing its assault on Egypt.

Emperor Anbasa Wedem II rose to the throne of a turbulent empire in turbulent times. Egypt was plagued by near-constant warfare, France succumbed to brutal Tossayad invasions, Britannia was embroiled in extreme religious chaos, Arabia faced a collapsing Abbasid Empire, and Germany was divided into countless feudal lords vying for dominance. Thus, it appeared in Anbasa II's best interest to bring an end to one of those conflicts: the Tossayad Jihad for Egypt. The task, however, was more difficult than it seemed. The Muslims crossed the Nile in a crucial but disastrous battle that saw the death of General Nizam. The assassin that killed Emperor Geteye was found, and after a period of torture, revealed that the Tossayad Caliph arranged the murder. This act of invisible war gave Emperor Anbasa Wedem II something he would not lose: a hatred for Islam. He had a certain sympathy for any people who he saw as 'oppressed' by Islam, especially the Jews. He saw his war against the Tossayad Caliph as a war against Islam itself, and he was determined to turn the war back in Abyssinia's favor.

This, of course, was easier said than done, as any attempts to break the Muslims army's back were met with failure time and time again. This process would last for ten more years, with sporadic Abyssinian attacks that merely halted the Muslim advance. Anbasa II, after hearing of a particularly troubling defeat where no Abyssinians returned from the battlefield, ordered that any remaining armies withdraw from Egypt and prepare to face the Muslim forces further south. The decision was made at the expense of a great deal of honor, as this was deemed by many in Gondar to be the first step towards admitting defeat, as fate that Anbasa II promised would not happen. However, Emperor Anbasa II had another plan. He hoped that by retreating south into the hilly countryside of Abyssinia, the Muslims would follow, leading to an encounter where victory would be assured.

The plan worked, and by January of 978, scouts would report a large Tossayad army of 13,000 heading towards the 7,000 Abyssinian men. The Battle of Suakin would commence on February 7th. The Muslim general, arrogant from many previous victories over Abyssinia and his numerical advantage, boldly marched his men towards the entrenched Abyssinian army on the hillsides not far away. This arrogance allowed the numerous Abyssinian archers to rain arrows upon the Andalusian forces. Almost half the army was destroyed before it even reached the Abyssinians. The ensuing melee was quick, resulting in an overwhelming Abyssinian victory. This inspired a feeling not seen in the Abyssinian soldiers in a long time: hope. The battle scattered the majority of the Tossayad forces in Abyssinian lands, and the Abyssinian army was quick to capitalize on the opportunity. They swept through occupied territory, liberating the Egyptians that had lived under Muslim rule for years. The Tossayads were not able to send reinforcements to the region until it was already too late. Egypt had been liberated, and the Tossayads found themselves in a war that was quickly becoming unpopular. By May of that year, diplomatic talks opened up to arrange a peace deal.*

Agreement I
The Tossayad Caliphate will renounce any claim on Abyssinian-held Egypt.
Agreement II
The Tossayad Caliphate will cede all land north of the Pyrenees Mountains to the Kingdom of France.
Agreement III
The Tossayad Caliphate will not attack the Abyssinian Empire for at least ten years.

The Tossayad Caliph was eager to find a quick solution to the growing tensions in his French holdings, and the peace deal gave him a way to solve the problem. However, this caused a great deal of uproar among the lords of the Caliphate, as they viewed this as an act of ultimate weakness on the Caliph's part. The Caliph's own brother even disapproved of the peace agreements, stating that "My brother has discredited one of Islam's greatest achievements. We, took our revenge for the Battle of the Palace of Martyrs (battle of Tours), but my brother has reversed it, demolishing any chance of a Muslim domination of Europe. He is unfit for rule, and this 'peace' is a travesty."

The peace deal was much better received in the Abyssinian Empire, where Emperor Anbasa Wedem II was praised for bringing an end to a conflict that saw thousands of soldiers on either side killed. He returned to Gondar to meet a crows of joyous people, praising his name as he traveled through the streets of Gondar. The celebratory chants ringed through the air, creating a chorus of acclaim for the Solomonid Dynasty and the Abyssinian Empire. Emperor Anbasa Wedem II become well-known and well respected in Abyssinia.

After the war, Anbasa II began reopening up talks with the Byzantine Empire. A marriage was arranged between Mirask, Anbasa II's aunt, and Basileus Eirenaios II of the Byzantine Empire. This would open the gates for future amiable diplomatic negotiations between Abyssinia And Byzantium. The event was celebrated in both Gondar and Constantinople. This would mark the beginning of a true peace in Abyssinia. Geteye planted the seeds of peace, and Anbasa II nurtured them.

The port of Massawa was, as any other day, busy. Sailors bustled to get to their ships while also loading and unloading various cargo, which consisted of anything from exotic spices to elegant porcelain. Captains and shipowners also made their way through the crowds, managing finances and other more administrative details of shipping. Massawa was a large port for merchants from lands so far away their people looked alien and their wares were mystically lavish. Anbasa Wedem II had a certain affinity for Massawa, as well as trade in the Indian Ocean. There, he received bits and pieces of information about kingdoms and empires oceans apart, but they still actively engaged in trade with each other. Anbasa Wedem II once saw traders that claimed to have come from a mysterious and powerful faraway empire called 'China.' These merchants stated that it was home to an emperor far more powerful than anybody in the west. They said that this empire of 'China' was a land of bounty and surplus, where even the poorest dined on quail. Emperor Anbasa Wedem II was intrigued, to say the least. However, today, he was content just enjoying watching the ships pull into port. This peaceful morning breeze, coupled with the sounds of a busy harbor, seemed blissful to Anbasa II. The calm would soon be interrupted by a heavily accented voice.
"Anbasa Wedem II."
Anbasa II turned to face the speaker. His face was lined with wrinkles that showed wisdom as well as age. His skin was of a color that Anbasa II associated with the strange merchants who worshiped many Gods in extravagant temples. However, his clothing was much different. He wore a large green turban lined with jewels that gleamed in the sunlight. His robe was black, outlined with mysterious patters etched in gold. This too was affected by the sun's gaze.
"Who has the honor of addressing me in person?"
"My name is Surajpal. Come, follow me. My ship is over there."
Anbasa II was uneasy. This strange man wore robes that reeked of wealth, and he had the strange bravery to address the emperor uninvited. However, Emperor Anbasa II was curious, and his curiosity soon gripped him with an iron fist, and he found himself following Surajpal to his ship. It was nothing extraordinary, much unlike its owner. However, there seemed to be no crew on-board. Anbasa II followed Surajpal aboard, and the two walked over to a rather plain-looking chest.
"Open it, Anbasa Wedem II."
He cautiously opened the box, carefully eyeing his surroundings as to avoid being caught off-guard. However, the contents of the chest demanded attention. Inside the chest were several fortunes' worth of gold. Gold bars, gold coins, gold jewels, gold trinkets. Anbasa Wedem II couldn't help but gawk at the treasures inside. However, he soon regained his composure and turned to look back at the strange man who called himself Surajpal. However, he was no longer there. In fact, Anbasa Wedem II couldn't see him anywhere. He asked himself if he was dreaming, as no man could run as quickly and as stealthily as what was just seen here. Emperor Anbasa Wedem II ordered for the ship, and its precious cargo, to be taken to a small dock the emperor used for private affairs. It was a short trip there, as it stood sheltered by a grotto not far from Massawa. From there, the gold would be transported to Gondar. The ship, after a thorough inspection, would be destroyed. Anbasa Wedem II had a feeling that this was not the last time he would see Surajpal, and that the delivery of gold was not his primary motivation.

*Of course, I used console commands to create the peace deal.

The following months consisted of Emperor Anbasa Wedem II attempting to find the strange man in Massawa's port, who called himself Surajpal. However, his efforts yielded no results and soon, he gave up on trying to find him again. The chest of treasures was left in Gondar Palace, and was not added to the empire's treasury. After giving up on finding Surajpal, Anbasa II turned his attention to other affairs. Trade had become very common in Abyssinia, and cross-African caravans become a very normal sight. Pathways stretching throughout all of Africa began forming, and soon, this network of trade routes resembled the Silk Road in Asia. This cross-African trade allowed Abyssinia to make contact with other African lands south of the Sahara Desert, including the Congo, the Swahili city states, and the unified Mali people who, like Abyssinia, settled down, unified their petty tribes, and established a kingdom centered in Timbuktu. By traveling the pathways used by the merchants who trekked across Africa, Emperor Anbasa Wedem II began visiting the Mali kingdom, and the two kingdoms began trading not only goods, but ideas. Emperor Anbasa Wedem II of Abyssinia and Mansa* Soumaba II of Mali began sharing knowledge between the two great realms. The mutual benefit eventually lead to a marriage between Qwara Solomonid, Anbasa II's aunt, and Mansa Soumaba II. The wedding took place in Timbuktu in August of 985. Not only did this bring the two empires closer together, it also worked as the first stage of a plan that Emperor Anbasa II hoped would lead to the conversion of Mali to Christianity. On his way home, Anbasa thought he saw a strange robed figure in the thick brush, but with a second glance, Anbasa II saw no such man. The moment unnerved him, but he kept walking.

Anbasa II spent much of his time travelling and trekking the African continent to meet with the Malian Mansa. After many months, good news awaited Emperor Anbasa Wedem II when he reached Timbuktu. Mansa Soumaba II had converted to Coptic Christianity after pressure from Christian missionaries and his wife. This gave great happiness to Emperor Anbasa II, who saw the Malian people as brothers to Ethiopia. The two empires would become even more friendly to each other afterwords. The beneficial relationship between Abyssinia and Mali was proving to be a great thing, as both empires learned of faraway cultures and religions, and Mali began learning many administrative ideas from Abyssinia. Timbuktu would begin the process of becoming a large urban center.

Treks across Africa to see the Malian people usually took many weeks each way, and often trips would take several months from the time Emperor Anbasa II left Gondar to the time he returned. Thus, a great deal of planning was required for Emperor Anbasa II to safely make it across Africa. The pathway, as any merchants could testify to, was incredibly dangerous. In fact, it was far more dangerous than crossing the Sahara Desert. The threat of getting lost in the jungles and plains was immensely great, and the animal life was dangerous to travelers. Disease was also a large threat, and stories of brave men succumbing to terrible illnesses were not uncommon. This did not stop Emperor Anbasa II, who was adamant in securing long-lasting friendly relations with Mali.

Anbasa Wedem II sat in his library on the night of August 23rd, 987 AD. He was reading several reports on the collapse of the Tossayad Caliphate due to ineffective rule. He mumbled something to himself every now and then, but overall, the room was quiet. that is, until a familiar accented voice pierced the nighttime silence.
"Anbasa Wedem II."
Anbasa II looked up. Surajpal walked out of the darkness of the shadows.
"You again...what do you want?"
"Oh, Anbasa, do not address me so...antagonistically." His voice had a hint of menace in it. Anbasa II shivered, but it was not cold outside.
"Why are you in my palace at this hour? I did not invite you here!"
Surajpal pretended not to listen.
"The Tossayad Caliphate was on the verge of collapse ever since you humiliated them ten years ago. Now it is a decaying empire, and the Tossayad dynasty is in exile. The Caliph was forced to renounce his throne and then was sent off to a prison in Crete. A new dynasty, the Abdulid dynasty, is attempting to reunify the lands of the former Tossayad Caliphate. However, the head of the dynasty is already proving to be a decadent ruler, plagued by laziness and lust for women."
"How do you know this?"
"I know many things."
Anbasa II was angry at the cryptic nature of this strange man.
"Alright, enough? What do you want?"
"What do I want? That's a hard question to answer."
"I have all night."
"See, I do not want for anything physical. I can have anything and everything that I could possibly desire. A wife, a home, a fortune, even a kingdom. I have seen every corner of this Earth, from the imperial palaces of Japan to the extravagant churches of Spain. I have seen more than one such as you could ever even begin to see in a million years. And yet, there is one thing I have not seen."
"And what is that?"
"I don't know."
"You what?"
"I don't know. But I know it is there. I can feel its presence. I can feel it watching me, but I know nothing about it."
"So...are you looking for God?"
"Which god?"
Anbasa II did not know how to reply to that. He sat there looking at Surajpal for a minute, but when Anbasa blinked, he was gone. Anbasa II suddenly began to feel a wave of fatigue roll over him. He blew out the candle next to him and headed off to bed.

*Mansa is a title, not a name. Just clearing that up for those that don't know.

By 1000 AD, the world had changed much. The Tossayad Shiite Caliphate is now reduced to Andalusia, while the Abbasid Sunni Caliphate has begun to recover from a century of destruction. The Malian people are united under one Christian Mansa. Norway and Sweden collide often, as Norway is Norse while Sweden is Catholic. The Russians are divided into two Grand Princes: one in Kiev and one in Novgorod. Europe has slowly begun to recover from a long period of war and dismemberment. The two kingdoms of Germany and Bavaria have begun to unify the German people. France is no longer divided in two by the grip of Islam. The Byzantines are pushing back the ever-hungry steppe hordes, making the lands safe for Christian people. Through all this, Abyssinia has grown, now flourishing as a center of the arts and sciences. No longer is Ethiopia a backwater of civilization. The future of the world looks bright, and only good things are expected for Abyssinia and its allies in Mali and Byzantium. Long live the emperor! Long live the empire!

The most noteworthy thing of the first fifty years of the new millennium for Abyssinia was the very short invasion of Sanaa and Oman. This was due to the emperor's desire to rein in the trade networks that flowed through Arabia, especially Muscat and the Gulf of Aden. Abyssinian troops landed in Arabia without warning, and within two months Muscat was surrendered to Abyssinia. This allowed the emperor to better control trade in the Indian Ocean, as now nobody could enter or leave the Red Sea without travelling through Abyssinian waters.

Despite Abyssinia's relative dormancy, Byzantium was a busy place. The Byzantines had been pushing into the steppes that had previously belonged to the Pechenegs, the Cumans, and the Khazars. The Byzantine expansion was aided by travel up and down the Volga River, which allowed the Byzantines to quickly ship troops and supplies upstream to where they were needed. Essentially, the steppes around the Volga River became a colony of Byzantium. As Byzantium pushed farther north, missionaries were often not far behind soldiers, attempting to convert the 'barbarians' to Christianity. However, this was difficult, and often open revolt would engulf the land.

It was July 1025. Emperor Anbasa Wedem II was 52 years old when he saw Surajpal again. Anbasa II was on a ship to Muscat, where he would meet with local lords to discuss the distribution of hisArabian holding. It was nighttime, and Anbasa was fast asleep in his ship. However, he was awoken by a familiar voice.
"Anbasa Wedem II."
"Surajpal...you again. I suppose I wouldn't receive a satisfying answer if I asked you why you were here."
"You are sailing to Muscat with only one ship, a very unwise decision in these waters."
"Well, one ship can move faster than many."
"I would find a port and dock there for the night. These waters are filled with pirates and a storm is brewing not far away."
"I need to make it to Muscat by the next day. There isn't time to sail into port."
"Very well. If you are so stubborn, then face the risks."
A loud crack resonated throughout the ship. Anbasa Wedem II ran upstairs onto the deck and saw that the ship was in the middle of a violent storm. The crack was lightning, and it had hit the mast with full force, knocking it into the ocean. The ship, now without a mast, faced the might of waves taller than any Emperor Anbasa II had seen before. They churned in the water, violently attempting to destroy the ship as if it were God's will. The ship shook and groaned with each assault on the hull. It wouldn't survive the onslaught. The waves had punched a sizable hole in the side of the ship, and water was quick to rush in and fill the space. Each successive wave would only damage the ship even more, and Anbasa II soon found himself submerged, forcefully thrown into the hungry ocean by the waves. The ship would soon follow. The waves had succeeded in tearing the ship in two, and it soon descended into the ocean's deep and terrifying grasp. Anbasa desperately tried to cling onto the side of the sinking vessel, but it seemed as if his fate was secure. The ocean engulfed Anbasa and the ship, dragging them down into the shadowy depths.

"Anbasa Wedem II."
He awoke to the sound of birds chirping. The calm waves lightly tugged at his feet before returning to the ocean to gather the strength to try again. The sand felt hot against Anbasa's bare back. Groggily, he woke up. The sun was bright, shining down onto the beach, caking Anbasa II's body in a familiar heat. A man stood next to him, wearing a turban and a robe lined with gold.
"Surajpal...Where am I?"
"Welcome to Satyapura, Anbasa Wedem II."
"Satya...what?"
Anbasa jumped to his feet and hastily looked around. The beach extended up from the ocean to meet the thick forest that looked down upon the ocean. There weren't any other people besides Anbasa II and Surajpal on the beach. It seemed as if there were no buildings, either.
"I suppose you want to know where Satyapura is. Well, welcome to the Samma Empire. East of Persia, the people of this empire have seen east and west. They know China and Arabia. Their warriors are strong and their leaders are mighty."
"Thanks, but how do I get home? I cannot leave my kingdom for long."
"You don't need to. Your son has risen to the throne and most in the empire believe you are dead."
Anbasa, filled with a sudden fury, lunged at Surajpal, swinging his fists at him. However, his fists only found air. Surajpal was gone. Anbasa II was furious, but nothing he could say would bring Surajpal back to the beach. He was stranded in the middle of an unknown land with seemingly no way out. But Anbasa II was not ready to give up just yet. He was adamant on finding a way home in this strange land.

Emperor Kafa of Abyssinia rose to power over his father's tragedy, but he also believed that Anbasa Wedem II's reign was marred by extensive inaction in terms of Abyssinian interests. The Catholics have been fighting the resurgent Abbasid Caliphate over the Levant, a highly coveted land by three faiths. Despite the advice given to him by his council, Emperor Anbasa Wedem II was not willing to invade the Levant and secure it for himself and his empire. He also refused to take important steps in securing valuable trading cities aside from in the Red Sea. Emperor Kafa was much less peaceful. Within two years of coming into power, he had declared an invasion of Arabia against the local tribes there. These tribal leaders were weak compared to the Arabian Sultanate that was at the peak of its power 100 years ago. The Abyssinian forces marched all the way to Muscat, and then to Basra, facing little to no resistance. He declared that all land in Oman would be ceded to Abyssinia, and the rest of the conquered Arabian provinces (Basra to Bahrain) would be handed over to the Knights of Saint Anthony. The only land left in Arabia not under Christian control belonged to the Abbasid Caliphate, along the western and northwestern parts of the Arabian Peninsula. This angered the Abbasid Caliph, but there was little he was able to do to stop the attack, since his armies were already defending against the Catholics in the Levant and Syria. The decision to give much of Arabia to the Knights of Saint Anthony secured Abyssinia's position over the region. His forces were sufficient to defend Arabia if the Muslims attacked the Knights, but it allowed Abyssinian holdings to be free from direct attack. This use of the Knights as a sort of buffer state was heralded by many important nobles in Abyssinia as a work of strategic genius. Abyssinia began the process of setting up a new vassal kingdom in Arabia, with its capital in Muscat. All former Muslim lords were stripped of their titles and wealth and were replaced by Ethiopian Christians.

Abyssinia, for most of the Age of Solomon, has been very kind and generous to Christians and Jews. There were many Jews in Abyssinia, and Emperor Kafa, at one point in his life, was a Jew. This ensured that Christians would make up roughly 60% of the population by 1000, with Jews being 25% of the population and Muslims being 15% of the population. Muslims in Abyssinia were always treated as second-class citizens, which some feared could become a large problem in the future. However, with the annexation of Yemen and Oman, the Muslim population in Abyssinia would skyrocket. Thus, Abyssinian Arabia would always be within a short distance from military forces to pacify the population. With several years of administrative details, Abyssinia soon fully integrated its Arabian holdings into the empire, and Emperor Kafa's attention would turn to Jerusalem and the Levant. Kafa was always a devout Christian, but he had a very unique respect and understanding of Jewish traditions, being one himself for almost ten years before converting back to Christianity. He often saw how Jews were persecuted in other lands, and he believed that it was his duty to give them something that they never had: their promised land near Jerusalem. He felt that he was to be the savior of Judaism, as his empire was capable of taking the city and the lands surrounding it. He wouldn't let the opportunity pass. The Catholic forces managed to drive the Muslim armies out of the area immediately surrounding Antioch and Jerusalem, and a puppet government was set up, technically a vassal of the Papal State. This would allow the Catholic Pope to have direct influence in the religious events in the Levant. However, this puppet kingdom was weak and dysfunctional, and in 1031, Abyssinia invaded. The Catholics were, at first, taken by surprise. This was an event that, to the Catholics, was completely random. They suffered serious losses as they failed to organize their forces to combat Abyssinia. Soon, Jerusalem was in Abyssinian rule. However, the Catholic forces organized themselves, and retaliated when the Abyssinians reached Antioch. The army stormed out of Antioch's walls and slaughtered many of the Abyssinian soldiers, who were unprepared for the counterattack. The counterattack gave the Catholics a feeling of hope, but it only served to delay the inevitable. By 1035, Abyssinia was in full control of all land from the Sinai Peninsula to Antioch.

Emperor Kafa soon begun the task of forming a semi-autonomous vassal kingdom of Israel*, specifically for the Jews of Abyssinia. It's capital was, naturally, Jerusalem. Israel was to be ruled by Jews, and soon, the construction of the Third Temple. It appeared that the millennium of turmoil for the Jewish faith was over at last. Their promised land was restored, and their religion was no longer threatened with elimination. Tens of thousands of Jews from all over Europe traveled to Israel, which was ruled by Jews but looked after by their generous Abyssinian liege. Three months of celebration commenced all over the empire in celebration of the founding of the kingdom. Israel was even granted its own army to defend Judaism and Israel against its enemies. This would be one of the first examples in history of tolerance and relative secularism.

Abyssinia was a fairly modern empire for its age. Its cities were clean, orderly, and organized, its government relatively tolerant to most faiths (except Islam), and it only partially indulged in feudal policies. Unlike most feudal kingdoms at the time, the empire had 4 large swaths of land devoted to vassal kingdoms: Ethiopia, Arabia, Nubia, and Egypt. It also had an "Emperor's district," which did not belong to any vassal kingdom but was instead personally governed by the emperor. It only consisted on Gondar and the surrounding area. There were also two vassal "religious kingdoms," which were devoted to a particular religion. These two vassal kingdoms were Israel, dedicated to Jews, and Socotra, which was dedicated to Nestorian Christians.

The Knights of Saint Anthony worked to "Christianize" their Arabian lands, but already an opportunity was arising. Grandmaster Demba was not unaware of the fact that Mecca and Medina were alarmingly close to their borders, and already plans were being formed to take the two cities. This plan was restricted to Grandmaster Demba and his most trusted associates. He didn't want the Abyssinian Emperor to find out, as he would likely intervene so as to avoid a war with the Abbasid Caliphate. The threat didn't stop the Grandmaster, and he began preparing his forces for a march on Islam's holiest cities.

*I gave a Jewish noble the Kingdom of Jerusalem, and allowed him to form Israel. He's my vassal, but unlike my other vassal kingdoms, Israel is ruled by Jews and not Christians.

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: THE SACKING OF MECCA​

There were many among the Knights of Saint Anthony who had their qualms with the order they were given. They knew that their actions on the morning of October 25th, 1037 would lead to war on a scale that the world was not ready for. Others, however, were glad to carry out the orders given by Grandmaster Demba. None, however, doubted the seriousness of his words. As the Knights marched through the desert, they all reflected upon the order given to them. Grandmaster Demba must surely know the consequences of this, but it was too late to argue or question. The orders were given. The grandmaster had spoken. His words could not have been clearer. Each soldier felt a strange tug in their stomachs as they marched closer to their destination. God was watching them closely.

"Go. The city of Mecca overlooks the desert so closely to our lands. Never again will there be an opportunity like this. Go, soldiers of Christ, and return Mecca to the sands. Destroy it. Slaughter its people. Burn the city like the Romans burned Carthage. Make sure nobody is left alive, and that no building is left standing!"

The army of 35,000 Knights arrived at the gates of Mecca fearful and anxious. The order was to directly assault the walls, rather than laying siege to the city as is normal. The hope was that the Abbasid Muslims would be caught off guard by the sudden invasion that they could not mobilize a force quickly enough to expel the Knights. This reasoning was true. Filled with religious zeal, the knights began their work. The city was in their hands by evening. Three days later, there was no Mecca. Everyone and everything inside Islam's holiest city was destroyed. The people were slaughtered by the thousands, their blood tainting the sands like poison. The buildings and temples were burned until nothing was left but sand. When Grandmaster Demba reached the Kaaba at the heart of the city, he scoffed and ordered his soldiers to destroy it. The actions of Grandmaster Demba and his soldiers were controversial. In much of Catholic Europe, the day was celebrated as a great victory over Islam. In the Byzantine Empire and Christian Africa, the destruction of Mecca was received with mixed reactions. Some believed that sacking Mecca would lead to a permanent Jihad against all of Christianity. Some believed that the actions taken were too harsh and too reckless. Some were , like the Catholics, happy about the news. Emperor Kafa of Abyssinia, however, was not pleased.

Emperor Kafa, upon hearing the news, demanded a carriage to take him to Mecca. Upon arriving, his worst fears were proven true: nothing was left but sand, ash, and the occasional remnants of a wall or column. There was nothing even remotely resembling a house, never mind a whole city. More importantly, everything of religious value to Islam was destroyed. Nothing was left but ruin, and with ruin would come war. Emperor Kafa traveled to Basra, where Grandmaster Demba was setting up something resembling a capital of the Knights of Saint Anthony's holdings. There, his fury reached a boiling point, and when he say Grandmaster Demba, he reportedly said "You have given birth to the monster of war, which will consume us all and destroy everything we ever held dear. Every Muslim on the face of this planet will rise up against our faith, and will not stop until every Christian is slaughtered. In response, you shall run. Run away from the Knights of Saint Anthony, and if I ever hear of you again, I will murder your entire family." Of course, this statement was a bit exaggerated, as historians note that Christianity is still a very large religion today. Still, Emperor Kafa was right about one thing: war would engulf the Christian world for decades. On his way out of Basra, Kafa thought he saw a man in a turban and an extravagant robe among the crowds, watching him closely. He made a mental note to drink more water while he was in the desert, as he couldn't afford to see mirages.

The Abbasid Caliphate was a snake ready to pounce. After years of decline, the Caliphate rose back to prominence and power, owning all land between Syria and Turkestan. The Caliph declared a Jihad on both the Knights of Saint Anthony and the Abyssinian Empire. Their soldiers instantly began to move into Arabia, cutting down any forces that dared to oppose them. In two weeks, Basra was surrendered to the Abbasids. By then, Grandmaster Demba was far away. The Muslim soldiers turned southwest and marched towards Medina. Every Abbasid soldier in the army was filled with hatred and religious zeal. They, rightly, believed that the Knights of Saint Anthony had to pay for what they did to Mecca. Their zeal gave them an edge in combat. Few soldiers retreated from a fight, and almost all would fight to their very last breath. at first, it seemed as if they were unbeatable. They won battle after battle with alarming ease, which eroded the morale of any opposing force. A month after the capture of Basra, the Abbasids reached Medina. Emperor Kafa of Abyssinia had soldiers in Israel, but so far, attacks on Abyssinian soil had been sparse. However, that would soon change. About 20,000 Abbasids crushed the Abyssinian forces in Madaba, on the border between Abyssinian Israel and Arabian Syria. Their soldiers marched unhindered through Israel, slaughtering the populations of entire towns. They soon found themselves at the gates of Jerusalem. The Abbasid Caliph was hungry to retake Judea and Egypt. He would never get that chance. In Turkestan, the waves of rebellion were growing in strength. The Muslim overlords in the region brutally mistreated the Tengri population in the area, claiming that they were "Godless infidels." Soon, there was full-on revolt in Turkestan. The forces in Israel were ordered to move in to stop the Tengri uprising. The sea of revolt would soon smash against Abyssinian shores, however.

Muscat wasn't the trading hub it used to be. Most of the Arab merchants have relocated to Ethiopian cities such as Massawa and Zeila and conducted their business there. The Merchant Company of Afar was becoming wealthier each year. Muscat was now a backwater port town. Spices, incense, ivory, and textiles were rarely seen in Muscat. They once flowed through the city live water flows through the Nile. The population in Muscat was poorer than ever, and they were living under the constant thumb of their Ethiopian overlords. Needless to say, Muscat was a powder keg waiting to explode. And it would explode violently. The seeds of rebellion would first be watered by, at the time, the most unlikely of hands. These hands, naturally, had to be very skilled in order to successfully face the Abyssinian Empire. Ubayd Kozelid, an Arabian smuggler who transported illegal goods over a black market in Arabia, would be the hands that would water the seeds of rebellion. He lived in Muscat, plying his trade under the nose of local authorities. The morning of January 18th, 1038 was nothing special. Ubayd was working on the docks in Muscat, moving crates that he claimed were full of food. He was going to take the crates to Basra, where he would be paid. He seemed innocent enough. However, it wasn't food that Ubayd was shipping. In reality, the crates were filled with weapons for Abbasid soldiers. As he was loading his ship with the crates, he noticed a strange, robed man who was speaking with a guard. He looked like one of the merchants from the East, but his robes and turban were unlike anything he had ever heard of before. He didn't have time to gawk, though, as multiple guards emerged from the crowds, of people, weapons drawn. The robed man revealed his smuggling operation! Ubayd was surrounded. The guards took out maces and began beating Ubayd, in full view of everyone nearby. Other guards set Ubayd's ship on fire, and pushed it out to sea, contraband weapons on board. Everyone on the docks could see the ship as it moved further out to sea, slowly falling apart from the flames that engulfed it. The robed man just stood there, looking at Ubayd and his attackers calmly but with great interest. The guards were unrelenting as they beat him mercilessly with their maces. When they were finished, Ubayd was nothing more than a bloodied heap on the ground. The plan had worked. The townspeople were shocked and frightened, but the story they heard was slightly altered. Anyone who asked about Ubayd was told that he was a Muslim zealot who was transporting weapons to the Abbasids. That was only partially true. While he was giving weapons to the Abbasid armies, he was not particularly zealous. However, that gave the lords of Muscat the authority to block of access to all Mosques in the city the next day. Anyone who approached the Mosques was arrested. Ubayd Kozelid's beating sparked the fuse that would lead to open revolt.

Muscat would break out in open revolt in March of 1038. This was due to a Mosque being burned down after a large group of Muslims in the city forced their way past the Abyssinian guards. This angered the population, and they would soon march against the Abyssinian soldiers there. However, they were not well organized, and the fires of rebellion were soon put out. the dissent would continue though, and in April, the peasants would again drag Muscat into the fires of revolt. This time, they were more successful, and Abyssinian soldiers were forced out of the city. Muscat was in the hands of the Muslims. They immediately sent word to the Abbasids for aid, which they soon got. When a large Abyssinian forces advanced on Muscat to retake the city, they found an army of well-armed Arabian soldiers. A bloody battle would commence in the streets of Muscat. The walls of the city were breached quickly, and Abyssinian forces met the Arabian defenders in the buildings, streets, and docks of Muscat. Despite all attempts, Abyssinian forces simply could not stand against the Arabian forces and Muscat's civilians. The revolt won an important battle. For Christians in Muscat, the battle signaled the begging of the end. Churches were burned in the city, and Christians were executed by the thousands. Only time will tell whether Abyssinia emerges from its wars strong or weak. The coiled snake of war has unleashed its venom upon the desert sands of Arabia, and none can avoid its reach.