Rumors

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Enterprise of Ireland - Prelude

The Duchess-Regent was known to be an ambitious woman, but no one knew how deep that ambition went, except for herself. So far, since the beginning of the Regency, she has meerly tired to administer the Duchy as best she could, finally seeming to reign in the free-wheeling Dukes at the recent session of the Landtag. She has talked briefly of intervention in Burgundy,b ut she had been talked out of it. She had wished to have a great meeting with her relations from across the Empire, but it had yet to come to fruition. She had wished to wed her son to the Princess of Lithuania, but there had been no response. She had ambition, she had to have it as any woman ruler in a vicious world of men, but there looked as if it had no outlet... that was until she wrote to the King of Ireland. What had been a simple inquiry as to the welfare of a distant relation (whom she had met only twice in her life) grew in the Duchess' mind into a grand plan to benefit Bavaria and (less importantly) the Haus Wittelsbach. Burgundy and her son's marriage were put on the back burner as she thought more on it. Everything would have to be done just right because of the circumstances involved, beginning with the leader of the mission.

The Leader

Tobias Mantel was a minor Bayern noble and a former ambassador to Hesse-Kassel. He looked to be in his sixties, but was only just turned fifty-one. He had not gotten that white hair by saintly contemplation though. He had taken four wives in his life in vain attempts to enlarge his holdings. It was rumour that he had done away with two of them; the first by poison in her wine and the second by throwing her out of the castle tower (he said she had tripped on her dress and fell). Still, he was a good friend of the Ducal household and so he got away with his scandalous doings. Not so at the Imperial court, where in his younger days he was banished after a short stay there for certain "ungentlemenly" acts and alledged theft, though it was never proven outright. Most recently, he had finally inherited many goodly acres of land from his neighbor, with whom he had never gotten along with. The son of the neighbor wanted to take the matter to court by the Duchess-Regent intervened and called Mantel to Munchen to better serve the Duchy abroad.

The Object

Eoghan O'Neill (b. 1435), King of Tir Eoghain​

For what possible mission would the Duchess call such a man of low character? A mission that would involve much guile and treachery to be a success and that would depend on the quick thinking of a few over the arms of many. The Duchess-Regent in her letters had made the common statement of amity that one was suspose to make to a crowned Christian prince; she had even apologized for calling Hugh O'Neill King of Eire in her first letter. Yet, it pained her that the house of O'Neill, which was a wise one to have tied itself to the most powerful line on the Continent, had been disposed by some country clowns. She had prevented such from happening when Albrecht went insane and so it would be in the case of that far island. But, what had she or Bavaria to gain in giving the High Kingship back to the O'Neills. That was certainly was Herr Hans Albrecht, the penny pinching Chamberlain and Verwalter of the Duchy, said when informed of the Enterprise. The Duchess only replied, "Because it pleases me!" Still, she knew she would have to explain the thing in part to the Langtag and her ministers, for they all would be involved in the preparations for the Enterprise.

Reasons
I. To restore Eoghan O'Neill of the House O'Neill to the throne of the High King of Ireland, which was unjustly usurped from his house by those of the House O'Brien.
II. To set up a peaceful state in Ireland so that her warlike men may be put to better use in the Ducal army of the Duke of Bayern-Munchen, Overlord of all Bavaria.
III. To set up a peaceful and strong state in Ireland for the general peace of the western Isles and the north of Europe.
IV. To strengthen the word of God in those lands and the jurisdiction of the Church, lead by our Holy Father, Vicar of Christ, at Rome.

The Means

500 goodly knights (with their squires and other servants)
200 Genoese crowbowmen
20 bombadiers with 1 bombard (with cart) and 4 light or hand-cannon along with enough powder to last six months

Großartiger Marschall Herr Werner Eriks was called upon to figure what would be the least amount of men and material needed for the Enterprise. He guessed that the Irish would be able to provide all the footmen needed, so the focus would be upon horse and missile troops. Having "alledgedly" been a mercenary commander, Eriks knew well how to build a small, reliable force that could easily give a relatively poor army victory in the field. The main advantage of this force would have to be their powder weapons, since it would be expensive and inconvicible to take more than a few hundred knights anywhere. It would be a give away to anyone that something was up. The same would certainly apply if Swiss pikemen were seen on the march. So the force would have to hope that their powder did not fail them and that none of the bombadiers would be hoisted on their own petards.

The other matter was the means of reaching Ireland. The Mediterranean was still engulfed in war and God only knew how many Musselmen had taken to the sea as corsairs by now. That left only two options, a trip up the Rhine to one of the ports of the Low Countries or an long overland march to the Baltic ports. The length of the trip to the Baltic almost immediately eliminated it, except for the fact of the tulmult in Lotharingia. What if some petty rebel duke decided to seize the party on its way downriver? Could they attack or should they? They would have to turn back, wouldn't they? The Duchess only said to Mantel to deal with such a situation as, "the mood strikes you." They, therefore, would reach the sea, by any means since Tobias Mantel had never been one to take no for an answer. From the North Sea, they would go around Britain in order to land in Ulster, closer to Belfast, the royal captial, and the lands of the O'Neills. It would be nothing but an Enterprise of Peace... a peace by guile and arms.

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Mameluke Rebellion

​

The populace of Egypt have had enough; they are on the war-path against their own leaders, the Abbasids of Baghdad. As individual concerns, the problems which have brought about this dire state of affairs would not be insurmountable. But combined, they are too much for the people of this land to bear.

Whispers of discontent started soon after the Abbasids annexed Shia Syria to their lands. Although that move in itself was successful, the religious pretext behind it came as a hypocritical counterpoint to the military agreement struck between the Abbasids and the Christians in Portugal soon after.

Following on from that, the Abbasids sent vast amount of money – money gained in taxes from the sweat of common Egyptian folks’ brows - to other Iberian Christians, this time, the Spaniard Castillians. Here, the reason was the wholesale shipment of tens of thousands of Andalusian Muslims from the rebellion in southern Iberia to Egypt. This influx of people was handled by the common people with extraordinary good grace, but it still represented a massive drain on the economy of the land.

The final straw comes with the declaration of war by the Abbasid Caliphate upon those whom they had just benefitted with huge amounts of Egyptian cash – Castille.

The Egyptian people are on the march, this time determined to send the Iraqi Abbasids home where they came from. The name the rebels march under comes from Egypt’s rich and mysterious past – The Mamelukes.

MODIFIERS:
Event triggered with no modifiers due to recommendations at the highest level.

TABLE:

1. ANARCHY!!
The realm is teetering on the brink of collapse and absolute anarchy! Virtually every strata of society is up in arms, and men still loyal to the Head of State fear to show their faces in public! Vast swathes of the realm declare allegience to various rebel causes and form a great host to march to war on the leader they blame for all their woes.
(50% (rounded down) of owned provinces rebel and have base defence garrisons of -/-/?/?/-. A rebel army is formed! (to be played by RPG substitute player). -2 tech, -2 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

2. Rebellion!!
The realm is steering towards complete disaster! Formally loyal provinces rebel! Although the towns and cities of those provinces form no armies, their garrisons strike the colours of the realm’s Head of State from their walls in place of their own.
(25% (rounded up) of owned provinces rebel and have base defence garrisons of -/-/?/?/-. -2 tech, -2 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

3. Extremely powerful nobles, high-ranking holy men and very influential merchants alike betray their oaths to the lord of the land and furiously express their absolute rage.
(-1 tech, -2 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

4. Important nobles, local holy men and influential merchants alike express anger.
(-1 tech, -1 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

5. Significant nobles and merchant classes alike express displeasure.
(-1 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

6. The Head of State has the few isolated pockets of loyal support he can still count upon to thank. With almost pre-emptive speed, they manage to crush the local rebellions before they can gather any considerable strength.
(no effect)

ROLL: 5

RESULT: Significant nobles and merchant classes alike express displeasure.
(-1 morale to The Mamelukes for 2 years/8 turns)

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The Treaty of Windsor in Action...

In London passing by the Thames a couple of Portuguese trading ships gooing to the Portuguese Trading Post, there.
The ships were full of oil and cork and wine to be sold. They slowlly went up to the Trading post. The harbor was vibrant with the movement of the many trading ships. The Portuguese where just one more. But this ones did not go to the main Harbor but to the portuguese Pier near the Trading post.​

Dinis, the diplomatic envoy sent to England from Portugal was becaming more and more like an ambassador, dealing with everything there was that involved Portugal he was passing more and more time in the Small piece of Portugal that was the Trading post that in the Court. He was there since the first Stone was build untill the end when a big signal saying "Portuguese Trading Post" was put in the place.
Dinis sees those ships, the first to go to the trading post. He runs to the pier waiting to see the goods by himself. When they finally dock he simply seats near the water, like a small kid ( something that was far from the truth, because he was one very tall man ) seeing with a very exciting looks. When all goods where in the wharehouse he goes there to see the quality of it.
"Humm... hum.. very good very good..." says Dinis looking to all the goods. "Will you" now looking to the captain of the ship "Now buy the goods like Cloth and cod with a lower prices?"
The smelly, small and bearned man looks up to reply "Yes man! Of cource why do I think I crossed half the sea to come here? Not for the ladies, because that I have plenty at home" Dinis was suprised by that roud replied he was not waiting for it. And he was sure the man did not have *that* many ladies in Portugal.
That thought made him gigle but he quickly put back his straith face. "Well allright I must leave now" he could not stand that smell anymore so he leaves, not before beeing hit in the back by a 'friendly' punch from the Captain.
Dinis liked the money the traders made, but not the Traders itself. After this he stoped gooing to the Trading post and just went once a week. He knew more and more traderes would go there now that it was built, he did not want more close enconters like that one.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The Return of the Navigator

Finally Rodrigo was once again safe in Portugal it was a very happy day for him. He was secure once again. He never was so afraid for his life before. He would not come to Fez so soon, or so he hoped. His mission was not a success, but at least he believed the emir did not want war with Portugal. And during the time he was in Fez and Tangier he had time to clearfy some thoughts. The arabs in the north were not so friendly, a solution for all the problems from that had to be resolved. A new more profitable and safer way to reach Timbukto had to be found and the goods from the berbers had to be found somewhere else. Portugal did not know when they could go insane and declare an embargo or so. So as soon as Rodrigo reached safe land he asked to know everything about what have happen in the time he was away.​

"Tell me good man how are the exploring missions" asked Rodrigo still tiered from the voyage to one of the councilman who was in the harbor to receive him.
"My lord" replied a councilman from the 'lagos group' "the exploring missions have stoped and all man have been diverted to the armed fleet"
"Yes, I was expecting that." said Rodrigo with a sad look. "What are your orderes should we stop the drills and start sending more ships?" replied the man in a quick inquiring way.
Rodrigo made a straight face and replied, "No, keep the drills, we need the fleet to combant, not to go further down. But continue to use part of it to explore the coast we allready know. And to make more contact with the local people. We can not go still! Maybe in this exploratory missions we can find a new good to Sell or a strategical place to expand our Africa territory" the man simply noded, thinking of what African territory Portugal had, just two small trading posts in the coast, nothing much. But the doctrines of Rodrigo were to expand them and creat more and bigger ones.
"And" restarted Rodrigo cuting the man's thinking. "What about the African trade? The one from Black Africa, I mean."
The man put his thoughts in order once again and replied "Good, better then ever. The locals became more and more friendlly to us and get used to us they continue to like our cheap metal and small stuff and give us plenty of 'expensive' material almost free. Chancellor Manuel was here and saw it personaly" the name of the chancellor got the attention of Rodrigo "Is the Chancellor still here in Lagos?" the man puts his head down and replies "No my lord, he is not, he is probably already in Lisboa with the King." Rodrigo replies with "That is most sad. But man continue"
The man do as asked "But lord that is all, trade is flourishing and." BOOM a caravele fires a canon, cuting the line of thought of the man that finnished "And that is all." Rodrigo was suprised by that canon but happy to see the Portuguese weapons to good use. "Good, good, if anything happens please tell me at the moment. Because right now I am the new 'Navigator' and I am assuming such position with all my heart.

When Rodrigo stops talking and goes to the Palace of Lagos he hears more canon fire. The drills continue more and more intenselly.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Enterprise of Ireland - Stepping Off

At the courtyard of the new Mantel manor...

Tobias Mantel walked out of the front door of his manor dressed in his ambassadorial finery, hoping to impress the gathered bunch of warriors and servants. Behind him came Herr Großartiger Marschall Werner Eriks and Herr Heinrich von Danuben. While the former repeated his wishes to come along on the expedition, the Duchess has demanded he not, especially with things on edge as they were in Lotharingia. Insted she chose her second favorite, von Danuben, to be the military commander behind the cunning Mantel. And so Eriks was only there see that all was set right and to watch the band disappear over the horizon like a proud father watching his son for off to make something of himself in the world. Herr von Danuben looked at the bombard and the now ten hand-cannons that had been perchased and turned to Eriks...

By God, that must have cost you a pretty penny, Herr Großartiger Marschall! That are well made as well, it seems. No sudden explosion will come from them, I guess.

Only from their mouths toward the enemy, your excellency. These were made, in fact, at an ironworks near Augsburg. Fine productions indeed... their cost was slight then it ought been... with a bit of convincing. Erhm, in all, the arms and the power only cost 10,500 florins to the treasury, half our seasonal taxes and tolls.

How did you ever get the tight wad Herr Albrecht to agree to that??

Simple, I left it in the hands of the Duchess and the next day I had the funds I needed for the weapons. All we had to do was buy the guns and powder as these *pointing to the knights and crowbowmen* provided their own arms along with the expectation of certain rewards in Ireland.

Naturally, Herr Großartiger Marschall. *smiles* Ah, what a woman commands our land? She is Minerva surely and not a mortal.

Save that blasting praise for her ear and not mine, good sir! I have come to see an army, not to hear a romantic ballad.

Sorry, Herr Großartiger Marschall.

Gentlemen, if you would... I am about to give a speech to the party. I am sure it will serve as an inspiriation to all. *turns to the assembled*

You men of war, lend me your ears! I know you have doubts in your minds about this journey abroad to a far country which you think concerns you not. "What business have we there," say you and, "I only go because I shall be well paid!" says another. Yet, this is not our mission for our mission is one of justice and right, one ordained by the Lord God himself! In that far land, there was once a great king by the name Hugh of the Haus O'Neill. He was a wise and godly king and married his son to the sister of our beloved former Duke, Albrecht the Pious. But then Hugh died and the wicked usurpers of the Haus O'Brien striped the throne from Hugh's son, Donnchad. The poor man was driven mad by his ill luck and even unto this day remains in his castle in bed with only his wife and son to care for him. His son, Eoghan, is as wise and godly as his grandfather before him and the blood of the Haus Wittelsbach, the house of your leige lord *looking at the Genoese* and your paymaster! If by arms it be done or by meer persausion, we shall go to that land and set the rightful heir upon that throne! We shall do God's work and purify the land of the wicked O'Brien. What is their great evils, you ask? The current king alone is an oathbreaker, a kinslayer, a murderer, a whoremaster, a coveter, and a foul drunkard! Who could even think that such one could reign as a king in Chrisendom!?! So let your very souls be bound to this mission, a mission of grace and duty unto your brother Christians, almost like unto a crusade except we fight not heathens, but worse, the backslidden. Yet, for those who have no duty to God but only to Mammon, I can assure you that the Irish are among the richest peoples upon the earth, having cities and abbeys full of gold and silver. If a city resist or a abbot give you an wrong look, we shall take them for everything! Also, Eoghan, as I said, is a saintly man like unto King David and shall will pay you dearly for the throne of Eire. Come now, gentlemen, let us to march and get the business underway. God and Mammon ride with us!!!

With that, a grand cheer went up from the band, even from the servants, and the long procession got under way with Herr von Danuben leading the vanguard and Herr Mantel in the midst of the crowd, exhorting as he rode alongside. They were on their way to the Rhine and taking the first step in their grand venture to Ireland.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

Disembarking from the ship is a well armed man carrying a plain lead box the size of a large purse. He rents a horse from a farmer and rides off into the night toward Tir Eoghain, seat of the O'Neills. Will anyone notice and try to stop him? If so, he is ordered to destroy the contents of the box. Fortunately, he makes it without incident to the castle and hands the message to the porter. With that, he turns back towards the port... mission accomplished!

UNTO Eoghan O'Neill, King of Tir Eoghain and rightful High King of the Gaels of Ireland and of the Foreigners and the Welsh, the Augustus of the Western Isles
FROM Tobias Mantel, servant of Her Grace, Elisabeth, Regent of Bavaria, Herzogin von Ober-Bayern-München

Noble Sir and True King,

By the time of the arrival of this letter, you will well have heard of the coming of a embassy from Bavaria to do various deals with the King and to inquire as to the state of your mother. What is left out is that we are coming with a strong armed force of men, over 1,000 strong. We come to set your Majesty upon your rightful throne, the one usurped by the O'Briens from your wonderful father who now lies in ill health and from yourself. We have come to adjust this crime for the sake that you are the near kinsman of our master and mistress, the dear Duchess-Regent Elisabeth von Wittelsbach (of the Rhine branch), the wife of the former Duke Albrecht III, and their noble son, Ulrich I. Katrina, your mother, is the dear sister-in-law and aunt and blood cannot in justice stand to see crimes done against its blood. We have also heard tells of the injustice of the O'Brein king, called Terrance by the English (which is far more pronouncible than his name in your native tongue), how he has slain many, kin and other alike, and stolen land, broke oaths, whored with various women and the like. Such a one is never fit to reign. I entreat thee to prepare to rise up for we are but a thousand (with bombards and cannon though). We shall have need of many thousand hardy footmen and great swordmen which your lands seem to be as known for as are the Swiss. It shall be the passing of two months, or more, before we land in Ulster and we shall not start the business all at once. Just be ready and begin your preparations now. Enclosed below is a letter from her Grace, the Duchess-Regent.

Dear Cousin,

It will be the joy of many, including the Holy Father, to see you seated on your rightful throne as your grandfather and so many before him had. Therefore I have sent to you two men with which you cannot fail in this mission, Herr Tobias Mantel and Herr Heinrich von Danuben. With them are a thousand men, half of which are some of my best knights and other half being squires, crossbowmen (the best from Genoa), and experts in powder weapons of which they are plenty with them. All you must do it rally a few more thousand and the day is as good as won. Surely the English king won't object to you, nay, he shall welcome you as a relief and a brother-prince unlike the current usurpers. Tell your father and mother now that there is hope and that they shall see their son a King of Ireland before the call of Heaven takes them. We have not forgotten our kin, even at so broad a distance, still it is bridged by blood. Prepare for war and follow the advice of my men; we then cannot fail! Godspeed, dear cousin and King.

Elisabeth, Regent

To us the Victory,
TM, a friend

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Naples Questions its Vassalage

​

Many years have passed since kingdom of Naples sought protection from the Holy See in exchange for temporal vassalage. The King of Naples kept his word well, sending the required tribute with each passing season. However, the promised three years of servitude to the Holy See has passed, and the King is finding it increasingly hard to justify the vassalage to his nobles. The King meets with his Lords and discusses how Naples should act in regards its vassalage.

MODIFIERS:
Triggered on validated player recommendation.
Trigger is long-since expired clause of this treaty.

TABLE:

1. With his angry nobles behind him, the Neapolitan King scornfully snubs the overlordship of the Papal States. Attitudes sour noticably.
(-2 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

2. With his disgruntled nobles egging him on, the Neapolitan King throws off the yoke of Papal overlordship in no uncertain terms. Attitudes take a turn for the chilly.
(-1 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

3. A closely argued ballot reveals that the nobles are in favour of throwing off the Papal yoke. Showing an admirable degree of courtesy, the Neapolitan King respectfully informs the Holy See that he shall no longer be observing the duties of vassalage.
(Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

4~5. A closely argued ballot reveals that the nobles are in favour of the patronage of the Holy See. The monies paid to the Pope are a small price to pay for the protection of the very heart and soul of Christianity itself.
(no effect)

6. A near unanimous ballot determines that the nobles utterly reject the idea of severing ties with the Holy See, and never mind the trifling cost of vassalage. Every coin that goes into the Papal coffers is money well spent. The nobles positively revere their status as the Church’s golden boy.
(+1 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns)

ROLL: 1

RESULT: With his angry nobles behind him, the Neapolitan King scornfully snubs the overlordship of the Papal States. Attitudes sour noticably.
(-2 morale to The Papal States for 1 year/4 turns; Naples severs vassalage to The Papal States).

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Holstein Questions its Vassalage

​

It has been many years since the alliance between Holstein and Denmark, which led to the temporary vassalisation of Holstein to the Rhenish Palatinate. In fact, it has been a full ten years since the treaty of vassalisation was signed. Time, then, according to the articles of the treaty, for the case to be brought before the Reichskammergericht for appraisal once again.

The nobles of Holstein, not least the good Duke Otto himself, having paid more than twice the minimum period of vassal service to the Count Palatine of the Rhine, can expect a reasonable chance of release from his vassal bonds.

MODIFIERS:
Triggered on validated player recommendation.
Trigger is long-term, conditional clause of this treaty.

TABLE:

1-3. The Lords of the Reichskammergericht find in favour of Holstein. They decide that Duke Otto is fit to be released from his oaths to the Count Palatine.
(Holstein severs vassalage to The Palatinate).

4-6. The Lords of the Reichskammergericht find against the favour of Holstein. They decide that Duke Otto is not fit to be released from his oaths to the Count Palatine. (no effect)

ROLL: 3

RESULT: The Lords of the Reichskammergericht find in favour of Holstein. They decide that Duke Otto is fit to be released from his oaths to the Count Palatine.
(Holstein severs vassalage to The Palatinate).

Note: No stat penalties or bonuses have been issued since both parties are NPC. The agents acting on behalf of the The Lords of the Reichskammergericht are considered available for use as a mod tool for the purpose and duration of this event, since, at the time of writing, the HREmperor is NPC and activity in the HRE thread is low.

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Assembly of the Bavarian Langtag

​

Under the Regency of Elisabeth von Wittelsbach, in order to relieve her tiring workload and appear to share power with the other notables of the Duchy, the Duchess-Regent called for the opening of a new Langtag, but it was to be a much more limited assembly than that of Duke Ernst (which failed because of its unwieldy size and factionalism). The body had to be small enough for the Duchess-Regent to control but big enough to appear as if she did not control it. Its composition was also tilled heavily in favor of the towns, a counterbalance to the power of the Duke, especially Levi von Wittlesbach (who now owed half of Bavaria as Duke of both Ansbach and Tyrol). The Duke had, since the abdication of Albrecht III reigned freely in their territories, yet Elisabeth was sure that the central power and wealth of the Duchy could only be strengthened by the assembly. Even if that meant raising the ire of Dukes Levi and Martin, she would use her new assembly to the fullest for the good of Bavaria.

MODIFIERS:
Bavaria spends 1 current econ to trigger.
+2 to roll for continued exemplary RP.

TABLE:

1. Duchess-Regent Elisabeth finds the Langtag Assembly not quite the lapdog she had hoped it would be. In trying to tame the gathering of provincial potentates, she reveals her lack of understanding of regional issues and her inability to control her subjects. The trust and confidence placed in her by her underlings is directly harmed as a result.
(-2 morale to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns)

2. Although she grooms the assembly as carefully as she can for control, Duchess-Regent Elisabeth is not careful enough. The members of the Langtag are not as simple-minded and trusting as she would like. Rumours quickly spread that the assembly is little more than a means for Elisabeth to tighten, rather than devolve, her control of the land.
(-1 morale to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns)

3~4. The burghers are not really impressed by the acts of the new assembly in Munchen. Life goes on as usually for people across the Duchy, whether peasant or citizen. Ho hum!
(no effect)

5. The convention of the Langtag comes at a good time. The meeting of minds provides an excellent opportunity for the sharing of much common ground. Bavaria becomes a slightly more cohesive and well-run Duchy as a result.
(+1 morale to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns)

6. The towns flourish with the heavy hand of the Dukes lift off of them by the Landtag. The power of the central government at Munchen has been shown and the loyalty of the towns to their Overlord is greatly increased.
(+1 morale to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns; +1 tech to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns)

ROLL: 4 + 2 = 6

RESULT: The towns flourish with the heavy hand of the Dukes lift off of them by the Landtag. The power of the central government at Munchen has been shown and the loyalty of the towns to their Overlord is greatly increased.

(+1 morale to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns; +1 tech to Bavaria for 1 year/4 turns)

Bavaria spends 1 current econ

 

[N Katsyev]

Kandalshka Colony, Kolskeey Peninsula - Spring​

​

"They say Yuri killed a bear with a cross the other day up by the ridge." The little lady chirped as she scrubbed and brushed the fur of a heavy coat.

One of the other women by the water scoffed and shook her head, "It wasn't with the cross you silly cow, he killed it with a stick which he had touched with the cross beforehand.", answered a larger, more burly woman with distinct dimples and greasy free flowing hair that hung over her eyes as she worked.

The little lady rolled her eyes and shrugged, looking back up to the lady she had originally been addressing before interrupted. This other lady was one of the newcomers to the colony, arrived just a week ago with the spring thaw. She was a pretty creature though it was often a wasted attribute beneath the layers of rough peasant clothing that was pretty much all that could be found this far from civilization. This new girl was Sonya Zavidavna and she smirked with amusement at the bickering two women, veterans of the colony's first winter, she raised an eyebrow at the little lady for her to go on with her story.

The little lady grinned and continued chirping as she scrubbed, "Yes, well you see Yuri - you know, the one that pulled up that massive trunk over by the brook? Yes, he was out hunting for a bear that had been threatening a lumber camp. Anyway, the bear approached him, the sign of the devil carved right into the fur at this forehead!"

The larger, more built woman nodded emphatically, "In blood.", she added with affirmation.

"Oh dear.", remarked Sonya, trying to hold off a smirk. Sonya was a city girl, well, as much and more than just about anyone else in the colony, originally from Porkhov. So far her stay here had been absolutely miserable and she regretted coming already, though her husband praised it as a grand opportunity - she saw through the ruse in the eyes of woman. Her husband was a debtor and an drunkard and probably would have been imprisoned, to come out here meant political freedom, you were given free land (worthless land in Sonya's eyes) and pretty much forgiven for all your past deeds for coming out here. This conversation was a welcome relief from her pitiful, sometimes abusive relationship with her husband and the cold lonely days of spring this far north.

Hastily crossing herself the little lady, Anna Pytoravna, glanced up at the cold dreary heaven above and continued her story in quick expressions and gesticulations with her brush, "Well brave Yuri, he raised his wooden cross before the cursed beast and commanded it in the Lord's own voice to expire on the spot!"

"The bear started frothing at the mouth with blood.", once more chimed in the larger woman.

"In blood?", Sonya glanced over at the larger woman.

"In the blood of virgins!", affirmed Pytoravna, "Anyway, so Yuri reached down a took up a stick, touching it with his cross. The bear roared and reared as if to maul him, but just then the cross shined with divine light, blinding the horrid beast. The creature growled in agony..." At this point Anna was imitating the great evil bear groaning as best she could manage, gaining the attention of a few others around them, including one Yuri... "And then good Yuri smote it upon the snout and with that simple touch of the now holy object, the creature died immediately."

"And his head fell off.", added the larger woman.

Biting her tongue to withhold her smile, unsuccessfully, Sonya looked down ever more with all she had trying to suppress a laugh. Finally after a moment, she glanced up at Anna who with her tongue out was trying to emulate as best she could a holy smitten bear and broke out in a laugh, immediately her hand moving to her mouth. Recieving odd looks from both Anna and the larger woman at what could possibly be funny about their story she noticed a man with a thoughtful smirk looking upon the three women. Sonya knew immediately that this must be 'Yuri' and blushed furiously, looking away. The man simply smiled and walked on...

 

[I Killed Kenny]

The treasurer

Giovanni Panettiere, a banker from Languiso, a small republic in the Italian peninsula. When the Duke Inferii invaded the republic all the Panettiere family had to go to exile. They had family in Portugal so they went here. Soon his father started working for the Royal Family and now he is dooing the same, Giovanni quickly became the best account the Kingdom has. For that Reason King João choose him to be the kingdom's treasurer.

After he made his counts he runs, in his still young legs, to speak with the king. The king was playing with little Pedro with the boy's soldier probably killing some more moors.​

Giovanni enters in a broost Pedro and João stop playing and look to the young account João nods his head once like asking the man to speak what he does in the second after "I am sorry for entering like this majesty, but I have great news. The books give me great news indeed."
João who was not happy by the way Giovanni entered made an hand sign like ordering the man to continue quicker, what Panettiere did "Well my lord the economy is booming like never before. Never not even in the golden years of King Reginald our trade flourished like this. This is an golden year. That is for sure your majesty. Our treasury won just in trade 1.000.000 Reais "
João stops playing and slowlly opens his mouth in admiration, he knew trade was gooing well, but not as good as this. He stands up and speaks "Good, I mean Perfect, this is a great news for everyone." the man replies forgeting any kind of kindness "Yes mylord it is true. The wise capitalizations you did, the new deals and the trade of Africa made our treasury grow like never before and even the people are happy with this, the bourgeoses are happier then ever, even the small pleasents can see the good your rule is giving to Portugal!"
"Excelent! Excelent" says the King. "This are wonderfull news my plans for the country are working. And now the reform I wanted to make in the Fleet can finally be made!" João is smiling, small pedro is smiling also seeing the happiness in João's face, small Pedro then speaks in a perfect Portuguese "Father, father when will I see the fleet?" João looks to his son he makes a fake angry face to him, to which Pedro replies with "I am sorry, I mean Your majesty, my father, when can I see the fleet?" João gave such a big smile that he opened his mouth hidelly, and huged his little child and whispered "Exaclly like that my son." João then kissed the cheek of Pedro in a sign of genuine love João grinded and said "And we shall soon see the fleet" then looking to Giovanni who was suprised to see the respect Pedro showned to his father, João says "Thank you for the great news you may leave now"
As ordered Giovanni bows and leaves to his quarters where more accounting was needed.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

preparing for the meeting

João reads the letter adressed to him in his quarters, after the second read ( he loves to read twice ) he calls for one of his servents to enter because he had to speak with him, when an unnamed servent enter João was allready up and quickly spoke​

"Please prepare the main road from the palace for the arrival of Enrique king of Castille I want 10 miles from here beautiful, if necessary re-stone the all road!" says João in an autoritary way to the poor servent who simply nods "Also I want two, no three of the biggest banner we have in the all country. I want big banners with my Royal Simbol. Also! I want a smaller, not much smaller but smaller banner with the Castillian Simbol!" the man simply nods trying to remeber everything "The two big Portuguese banners are to be put on the Road, the other banner and the Castillian are to be put near the main door. And try to find smaller banners, more like flags, to be put all over the audience room. And an other, but this time bigger for the King's quarter"
For the first time the servent speaks "My king and where will the King Enrique stay?" quickly João replies "I don't know, put him in the biggest and most beautiful quarter which it not ocupied by the royal family! Also, I want you to call for Chancellor de la Braga, I do not know where he is but I want him here for the meeting."
The servent nods and waits for more, he continues looking for the King when João replied "You may leave now." and makes a sign with his hand.
The man bows and leaves trying to remember everything, while João was thinking to himself "I really need to find a interior designer"

 

[unmerged(7347)]

A murder in the night​

A city guard arrived to the lagman of Stockholm with a piece of paper aswell as explaining his presence.

"Sir!

We found a dead body in the water outside one of the Taverns. He have been stabbed to death and then most probably either fell or was tossed into the water. My captain have questioned some of the people living in the area and he says that they can confirm they heard some kind of struggle and some kind of fight late at night... and Sir one of them apparently claims one of the men spoke something that sounded as russian or very much like it..."

Torsten, the lagman, looked at the city guard.

"So a russian merchant have been murdered!?"

The city guard replied.

"No Sir... the dead body has already been identified... it is the son of a goldsmith living not far from here... a swedish goldsmith..."

The lagman nodded.

"Thus we can assume his murderer was russian I guess or atleast that a russian been involved... Very well. See to that a list is composed of any russian being in Stockholm aswell if any russians have left the city by boat or otherwise the last twenty four hours!"

The city guard nodded aswell.

"Yes Sir!"

 

[unmerged(2461)]

- EVENT -

Continued Revival of the Fleet

​

With the choice of Rodrigo for the position of the leader of the Discoveries, the Portuguese King made clear he wanted the exploration back on track, even with all the current problems in the Mediterranian Sea. Because of the problems, the Discoveries altered their route, not to the South to the unknown, but to further explore what had already been found. Perhaps the fleet would find better places to trade and make profit. At the same time, the Portuguese fleet was performing drills and exercises all week, every month, so it is prepared for anything, or so the admiralty hopes. With the superior designs and build quality at the navy’s disposal, who knows to what heights the Portuguese may rise?

MODIFIERS:
Portugal spends 2 current sea mil and 2 current econ.
+1 to roll for continued good RP.
Positive end of table augmented due to success of previous, related event, although only to a slight degree since it was the work of a previous player.

TABLE:

1. Thinketh the good people of Portugal: “What is the king doing? Investing in the navy? We have a war on land right now! We should not turn to the seas with the war so near Portugal! We should use soldiers, not sailors!” Nobody, even sailors, believes in these ideas.
(-2 morale to Portugal for 1 year/4 turns)

2. The sailors don't have the morale, nor support, nor practice enough to continue with the Discoveries and the drills. The new military ideas are not received well and are considered too modern, or simply unusable. The Portuguese faith in their navy is harmed.
(-1 morale to Portugal for 1.5 years/6 turns)

3. The sailors do their best but it is simply not possible to create the navy the King wants. The support for this idea is low. (-1 morale to Portugal for 1 year/4 turns)

4. A minor success, even with all the money invested. The plan do not go as well as expected. The Portuguese navy may be improved, but not to the degree the King intended.
(+1 tech to Portugal for 1 year/4 turns)

5. A satisfying success, the investment was well-spent. The results are not quite as good as the King dreamed, but still, those involved are happy. The new tactics are learned easilly by the navy and its ranks grow with more and more people wanting to join. Portugal is becoming a major player in high-seas endeavour.
(+1 tech to Portugal for 1.5 years/6 turns; +1 starting sea mil to Portugal for 1.5 years/6 turns; +1 current sea mil to Portugal; 1 current sea mil, which was spent on the event, is returned unspent.)

6. A major success. The Portuguese navy is finally the one everybody hoped it to be. The new techniques and tactics together with regular drill and practice make the Portuguese navy a match to be feared by any foe. Seeing this, more people from Portugal and even other places in Europe come to join and invest in the navy. Portugal is becoming synonymous with high-seas endeavour.
(+1 tech to Portugal for 2 years/8 turns; +2 starting sea mil to Portugal for 2 years/8 turns; +2 current sea mil to Portugal; 2 current sea mil, which were spent on the event, are returned unspent.)

ROLL: 5 + 1 = 6

RESULT: A major success. The Portuguese navy is finally the one everybody hoped it to be. The new techniques and tactics together with regular drill and practice make the Portuguese navy a match to be feared by any foe. Seeing this, more people from Portugal and even other places in Europe come to join and invest in the navy. Portugal is becoming synonymous with high-seas endeavour.
(+1 tech to Portugal for 2 years/8 turns; +2 starting sea mil to Portugal for 2 years/8 turns; +2 current sea mil to Portugal; 2 current sea mil, which were spent on the event, are returned unspent.)

Portugal spends 2 current sea mil and 2 current econ. The 2 current sea mil are returned unspent, though, as per the table above.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Enterprise of Ireland - A Matter of Ships

The Harbor of Antwerp...

The over month-long trip down the Rhine had been surprisingly boring and uneventful except for a few collisions and near sinkings of a few of the barges do to the poor quality of pilots Herr Mantel had hired in order to save money for the biggest expense of the expedition, hiring ships in some city of the Low Countries. Mantel went to Antwerp first, being that it was the virtual commercial center of Northern Europe. There he found that most of the merchants were much to busy carrying wool, cloth, wine, leather, and all manner of other goods to be interested at all in transporting an armed band. They had no interest in ruining their trade traffic in favor of an expedition that might have little return especially against, "as good a trading partner as islanders." Although Mantel protested that the party's intentions were only of a diplomatic nature, the merchants saw through the disguise. "Envoys don't have cannons with them usually," said one to Herr vvon Danuben. It was decided they would have to hide those powder weapons better, but that would not solve their problem. There were two other great states in the Low countries that could provide the number and type of ships required by the Enterprise, Frisen and Gelre. Frisen had fall into inactivity as of late leaving only Gelre as the canidate of supplying the ships. The whole problem of getting the ships was a bit of a delay but they could not fly to Ireland. So now to Gelre...

 

[Petrarca]

von Trauttsmandorff smiled as he was given entrance into the Burgundian court. Good to see that some people, at least, understood and respected Bohemia's position. And the converse too applied, he thought. So many notables in the German states believed in the inherent evil of Lotharingia that the question was beyond dispute in the halls of the their assemblies. The good Graf was of the opinion that the current regime- or regimes- was not concerned with expansion as much as survival and co-existence. The packs of opportunistic wolves baying for pieces of the Burgundian state had convinced Dijon that growing larger, however appealing, would only add to that chorus, he opined in private to his courtiers- and in the past, he had said the same thing to Ladislaus in Prag.


Now was his chance to impose his view upon the world. He bowed before Philipp, saying "Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful to be shown before the court. I am Graf Johann Friedrich von Trauttsmandorff, an ambassador sent by His Majesty Ladislaus, King of Bohemia and Hungary. He has asked me to convey his pleasure at the warm relations enjoyed in the past with Lotharingia, from the support we gave during the crisis over Brabant to the massive loans given to the Dual Monarchy during our war with Venice."

"Your Majesty, I do not wish to avoid the thrust of my visit, and therefore I shall get to the point. From the reports that percolate to us in the east, Lotharingia appears surrounded by realms and lords opposed to the existence of Middle Kingdom in its current form. For the historical reasons cited above, as well as our own emnity for many of these charming rulers-" von Trauttsmandorff managed that sarcasm through gritted teeth- "we oppose their aims. Every precept of lawful order leads us to support the maintenance of the properly established realms such as royal Lotharingia or ducal Burgundy."

"My purpose here is foremost to ensure that Europe remains at peace. By all accounts, King Ludwig is dead. Those parties eager to invade Lotharingia besides territorial reasons have for their motivation a desire to support one candidate or another. It is the desire of my liege to engage those lords in negotiations in order to resolve their aims peacefully, or at least delay them sufficiently to cool their inflamed passions."

"I bear the proposal that Your Majesty accept into the court a small commission of reliable and wise individuals, composed of diverse persons, in order to confirm the legitimacy of Your Majesty's claim. Representatives from the Papacy, Bohemia, and perhaps the Imperial Diet would be included. By this, one argument would be overcome. Given this, it would not be difficult that Your Majesty was owed allegiance before any other claimant, and this would disrupt the coalitions assembled behind them. The others could be placated with positions in the line of inheritance or other devices. Outside approval of the current regime is key, and the broader it appears, the better. The forms must be observed, as the Pommeranians are so fond of saying."

"Furthermore, His Majesty Ladislaus would swear fealty to ducal Burgundy as Count of Holland and Seeland. This would accomplish a dual feat of expelling the descendants of Jacqueline von Wittelsbach, who seized those territories illegally, and blocking any attempts by Gelre to claim the Low Countries. The territories, of course, would remain integral parts of Burgundy-Lotharingia, and His Majesty would be Graf of those territories solely as a dependent of the Duke of Imperial Burgundy."

"Also, we ask that upon the accession of the next Kaiser, Burgundy consent to the Martial Bulle. This concession would do great work for protecting Burgundy under the Imperial mechanisms as well as signal the unacceptability of any action against Lotharingia."

"I pray that Your Majesty considers my proposal all due diligence," von Trauttsmandorff finished.

After Ladislav finished reading the report, he set the parchment down onto the table and turned away. God, what sort of man tried to singlehandedly make his liege's policy and force his monarch's hand?

He realized that he had vocalized that thought when Cardinal von Ehrlichman responded. "A man whose two sons died at Alessandria in an attack against the Piedmontese line, Majesty."

Ladislav stared at him, uncomprehending of the grief that such an event would throw a man into. He had no family that mattered to him. His father was poisoned at the Hague, far from Görlitz where his mother, Elisabeth, had raised him and the prelate next to him had tutored him. When Elisabeth died, Ladislav lost any care he had for family. Deprived of his nurturing mother, he promised to restore the glories of her house, that of Luxemburg, in order to avenge God taking her from him.

Fatherly compassion had never been a strong presence in his life, for the father who died of poison in Holland, Duke Johann of Bayern-Straubing, had never even seen his son. Schemes to regain his Dutch territories consumed his life and brought about his death. Dietrich von Ehrlichman had done his best to be kind to Ladislav as a boy, but the child's position as king from an infant age and his own duties as a cleric prevented the caring discipline that marked a father's touch and kept the Cardinal a tutor and kind uncle. Rainmund von Wittelsbach acted as a father to his distant nephew, and certainly had the respect of Ladislav, but even more than von Ehrlichman his vocation lept him away. Finally, there had been Joachim von der Greif. Stern to the point of severity, and harsh to the point of war, Ladislav still respected the Pommeranian Emperor and grudginly accepted Joachim's actions as being right, despite how much he despised them. In that regard, he was the most fatherly of them, but he too had passed.

von Ehrlichman prayed that perhaps that would change with the arrival of Maria-Katarina, but over the years of courtship and engagement, she had never come. Ladislav, King of Bohemia, had in the interim fathered at least one bastard, approved the destruction and slaughter in Venice without a second thought, and had paid attention to his sisters only as pawns in his own dynastic schemes.

Ladislav cleared his throat and broke the eye contact with the Cardinal. "Perhaps we understand," he offered. He stared down at the floor for a moment.

Dietrich decided that there was no time like the present for pushing his former pupil a little. "Majesty, what shall come of Graf von Trauttsmandorff's little speech? Will we support the League of Arras and their Philipp?"

Ladislav kept silent, eyes averted.

"It would seem quite likely to gain Holland and Seeland to the Crown, two counties long alienated from Your Majesty's line, and thwart the designs of both Anna von Savoy and the Gelrans, who funded Your Majesty's enemies," von Ehrlichman went on, staying as formal as possible in his address.

Meanwhile, Ladislav listened but did not respond.

"With little effort, the complicity of allies could be assured. Sway the Pontiff with promises of Wittelsbach glory, and their King could be declared legitimate. The German states would scatter and be easy prey for our kindnesses and sweet words," Dietrich said coolly.

Having elicited no response so far, he went on: "Of course, the Pommeranians would disapprove, but the union with them has long failed to come to pass. Best to come up with some other alternative, I would think…” he said, trailing off.

Ladislav finally looked at him, bearing a scowl.

Cardinal von Ehrlichman returned his gaze, waiting for an answer.

One came. “We have considered matters, Your Illustriousness, and have made our decision,” Ladislav said, cold as ever.

von Ehrlichman didn’t care for that reaction, and he made no secret of it. “Then what decision is it? Speak, before your subjects think you mute! Give them confidence, direction, be a commander of their wills and guide them to glory for the Wittelsbach clan or whatever totem your forces bear!”

Ladislav did not immediately respond, so he went on. “What has Your Majesty resolved? Usurpers and rebels await your support to rally their forces and enter into the dark bargain proposed to them. Let us aid them, then!”

“I do not need counsel in this!” Ladislav shouted, breaking the silence following his apathetic statement. “Their League can give us the Dutch and will swear fealty to us upon our accession, this I well know!” He stopped to breathe, his pale face showing ire instead of its usual haggard expression.

Picking up another parchment from the table, he returned to glare at von Ehrlichman. “Have some faith in me! She does!” he said, waving the letter from Maria-Katarina at him. “And saints preserve us; I love her and will honor her confidence!”

“The prizes of subversion and conspiracy have no allure for us,” he muttered, swiping at von Trauttsmandorff’s report and sweeping into the small fireplace close to the table. Cardinal von Ehrlichman quietly departed, satisfied, while Ladislav stared at the unlit fireplace. His thoughts were an apostrophe to Maria-Katarina, asking her whether this was all worth it, promising himself to her despite earlier transgressions, admonishing himself before her for considering an easier path that would lead him away from her and all the rest. Love, honor, and the tradition of chivalry would be upheld by a monarch who had experienced little of the three.

 

[I Killed Kenny]

Interin Chancellor

In Sintra all was still quiet the preparation for Enrique were almost finnished. He would receive as the king he was. The greatest ally of Portugal was about to enter the Royal palace. The messengers said that in less than five days he would be there.
But that did not bother the king he knew that in less than two the palace was ready with all food and quarters prepared for his royal majesty.
What bothered João was not Alfonso who was somewhere hiden.
What bother was the rumor of a great clash in the North and the disapering of the faithfull Manuel.
And what bothered even more João was the bigger rumors of a culture clash in Granada. Some traders said ships from Egypt Fez and Orania where comming. He was not sure, but he was sure that if they where there to attack Castille and the army of Portugal was there a battle would happen a very big battle, probably the biggest the Portuguese army ever saw since the last cruzade.

​

Seated on his throne, something that he did lots of time, a man enters the audience room he is a messenger he bows and enters he gives a letter to the king and gives one step back the king opens the letter where he read "To your higness El-Rei Dom João the second of Portugal, from his majesty's Chancellor Manuel de la Braga"
João reads it and re-reads, as it is his habit, after reading it he makes an angry face and orders with his hand the man to leave.
He quickly summons Andre Rodrigues, a minor noble in the royal court, a very experianced one who was there since Durte 22 years ago. He was probably the most experianced noble in all court.
When Andre entered the throne Room allready with the flags of Castille and Portugal all over it the face of João was once again normal, he enters and slowlly bows because his 58 years allready showned that he was not so young "Did your majesty call for me? he asked with with normal voice João replied "Yes, noble Andre I called for you"
Andre nods and replies "So what your majesty's needs? If may I ask whay was I called?" João replied with "You hace served faithfully the Duarte family for years didn't you?" the noble nods "Very well I am giving you the most important assiment ever, because our noble chancellor decieded to leave us for some time" he looks to his right hand where he have the letter of Manuel "He will not be the one caring for his majesty King Enrique, so very well I order you to be in interin Chancellor untill Manuel de la Braga is back." the king stands up but continues to speak "You shall work as the chancellor, people will come to you before comming to me but all and every decisions must past by me first, is that clear?"
Andre nods, he would be the 'chancellor' but without any real power, this was an empty position, the king simply did not trust him that much, he was allways a minor courier without much work. "Yes my lord that is clear"
"So be it then." replied back the king now taking his sword form the place where he allways keeped it he then made a sign with his left hand, the hand that was free, showing Andre that he should step foward, so he did and as he did João puts his sword in Andre's right shoulder and says "I nominatee thy, interin high chancellor of the Kingdom of Portugal." with such words it was official, untill Manuel comed back to Portugal from the great clash in Burgundy Andre would be the chancellor....

 

[Blade!]

The Continuing Tale of Kajol Khan​

The Sunroom
The Algerian Wing of the Citadel Tlemscen (formerly the Amira’s wing)
Aures District
Algeria Province
Almohad Empire

The ladies in waiting of the Ruler of Algeria, Amira Yasmine Mohammed, enjoyed the afternoon sun as there was little to do with the Amira’s absence. The southside of the Citadel’s extension had few rooms which opened up at all. Summers were unbearably hot, and open surfaces only let in the sun’s hot fury. There were notable exceptions of course… battlements, outer terraces, and one or two sunrooms. On a cold day such as today, people could gather to enjoy what heat there was.

The ladies lounged on pillows, surrounding Lady Kajol Khan as she told tales from the furthest east. After sometime hookahs were brought forth, some with various cedar barks, others with opium. Conversation slacked as the day wore on and lunch was had. Conversation again picked up as the women spoke of gossip, men, and scandals, as well as ruminations about what the men of the palace were up to. The conversation in part triggered memories of another war, other men, and other deep seeded sorrow in Lady Kajol. The other women began to play games or indulge in pleasures or sweets.

As she reclined among the pillows, the sun shone down upon her. She closed her eyes for a moment as she took in long deep inhalations from her reed.

“Am I blind?
Be it night or day, I wish they’d draw my sun and moon away.
Away... father, which of us was blind?
Left me in the dark, and I could not see a thing but you.
Is it morning? It is time for the sun to rise?
It is time, Oh, oh. Blind me, please.
I am on my hands and knees.
I can only pray.
Allah, take my sun away.

The memory passes.
Can I breathe once more?
As the smoke fills my lungs, tears break from my eyes.
Moments feel as forever, as I inhale and rest.
Exhale and my vision goes black.
Who grasps at my breast?
Rustling under the folds of my robe.
Warm hands on my flesh which I cannot see.
Ah, I am in Tlemscen.

My breath has left my lungs, my vision gone, and I rest.
For an eternity I suffocate willingly.
Then I breathe, the pipe to my mouth.
Water cooled air, still warm passes into me.
Passes like my cousin’s inviting kiss.
The sound of bubbles in the water.
My vision returns as my lungs take in breath.
The feel of pillows on my back, my robe parting.

Games of the purdah.
Pleasure mixed in memories of terror.
I recognize the things around me…
…though it is as if all is ethereal.
My breath reaches its peak.
My vision dims again as my body tingles.
From the smoke.
From her stroke.
Blind to the world.”

Lady Kajol again decended into the haze that had only become more familiar since the wedding in Bursa. Her painted lips shaped themselves into a small circle, and a ring of smoke passed upwards towards the ceiling and sun. She shifted herself without paying attention as her arm was slipped from its sleeve and the tickle of a pair of lips danced on her ankle.

 

[Elias Tarfarius]

The Crusader - When in Rome...

Despite having been intentionally ignored for weeks by Church officials, Albrecht of Bavaria remained in Rome. From the charity of a nobleman, he had attained better clothes and a new horse instead of his broken down nag. He had also been shaved, which quickly made him more recognizible to the members of the Papal court, for better or worse. Some remembered Albrecht as a saintly prince who had had the misfortune of living in a very unsaintly time while others only saw a lunatic duke who had tried to kill himself in front of his cousin, the Pope. Now, the Crusader had returned to Rome and daily wandered the Papal palace looking for anyone of rank that would speak to him. He finally, by chance, ran by the room wherein the Cardinals were meeting. Being determine of to accomplish his mission from God as he was, Albrecht saw no other option than to burst in... and so he did.

Dear brothers in Christ! By the Blessed Virgin, I am glad to have found you all here. I have had a vision and have been thus commanded to come unto you, nobles of the Church, and ask for a new Crusade. But do not waste time fighting against the desert-men of Africa, no, sent our armies against the head of the serpent and the richest lands of the Musselman, Egypt!!! *his vocie echoes against the marble of the hall* For you who no me not, these are the words of Albrecht, formerly Duke of Bavaria and now humble servant of our Lord and Savior. I come not for myself but for all Chrisendom, to push back the Infidel in all quarters and, perhaps soon, retake Mother Jerusalem herself! All that would be needed would be 30,000 men and the ships for them. Egypt is full of riches and food, otherwise the Lord Christ shall provide for. I am sorry if I have interrupted or been impolite in anyway, but this is of the utmost import and seeing as the Pope has not seen fit to return yet from Prague, I had to tell this to someone in authority.

 

[Blade!]

The End of an Era, Pt. 1

September 1454 - The Battle of Granada
The City of Malaga

“Allah, O’ most merciful Father in heaven, forgive me on this day.”

Akbe Mohammed stood up slowly, rising from his prayer rug murmuring a last thought between himself and his Lord. He already knew that the fleet at sea had engaged in battle and no reinforcements would be coming.

Battles had raged in the hills around the city and along the coast for the last three weeks; without reinforcements the city would be lost, and with all likelihood, all defenders all defenders as well.

“Thou to whom I submit in all things, I have not the men left to hold this bastion of freedom for your faithful. The fullest extent of my effort was extended, and now there is no access to the harbor.

On this day, this last day of my mortal life, guide my hand and bless my resolve, so that my final actions, here in this gate, are a testament to your greatness. For in all things that I have done, and for all things that are left to do this day, I act because Allahu akbar.”

Akbe pulled himself up onto his muddied and tired white stallion. As he rode out of the gates of Malaga with the remnants of the Imperial Guard and the Moorish defenders, he thought about those he was leaving behind. His father in Mecca, the man who guided him in all things and founded the Zayyanid Caliphate, that entity which served the Once and Future Caliph and all of Islam. His oldest friend, Azim Hasan, the well traveled and ever loyal, now far away in the lands of the north. His cherished Aunt, the Lady Giovanna. His consorts, the Ladies Kadija, Rebekka, and Livia; but of them, mostly of the Jewess Rebekka, his love.

Foremost, however, his mind dwelled on his younger sister the ruler of Algiers, Yasmine Mohammed. For no other individual in his life was he at a state of oneness with than his most intimate sister. The smell of her hair as he slept, the sound of her counsel in matters of state, the feel of her hand in his as they ran as children through the streets of Al-Djazir. He was glad he had approved her last request; he hope she would achieve what he was never able in securing marriage.

As he reached his destination, some two hundred yards between the sea and the Gates of Malaga, the dark thunder clouds overhead rumbled, and lightning cracked. Only some one hundred yards away, the tattered remains of the Castelleon army stood, far outnumbering his own decimated force.

“Oh Allah, protect the dead among us and forgive us for our sins, for we only fight for your glory, and spill our blood in your name. Allah, oh merciful and great, let me bask in your mercy and enter the gates of heaven, oh wise and great God of the seven heavens.

Ya Allah Irhamna! Ya Allah Irhamna! Wa Addkilna Janatak ya Aziz Ya Gaffar! Ya Allah Ighfir Katayana, Wa nahno Lak Muslimoon! Allah Akbar! Ya Aziz Ya Gaffar! Laka Al-Hamda wa -Asshokor, La Illah Illa Allah!”