Rumors

[Longinus]

German Crusaders

The main "army" of Pommern crusaders crossed border with Saxony heading to Nurnberg just as it was during the last crusading effort. Heralds shouted from time to time.

"Hear, Hear!!!

Those who follow words of God Allimghty and orders of Holy Pontiff join to the most rightful cause!!!

Join to the army of Christ in order to defend Europe from Heathens, Barbaric Monglos who burned Constantinopole and sacked many other cities!!! Come to join us to free the Holy City of Jerusalem!!! Come with us and have your name among the greatest heroes of our times!!! Perhaps this most holy task will bring God’s favour upon your heads and families, because of your piety and bravery you will have your place in heaven!!!

Join to the army of the Greif who was one of the first who listened this call and fully devoted to this case!!!

Once has brave Griffon of Pommern brother to our Kaiser led us against heathens and yet again he will lead us to victory!!!

Jerusalem was taken by Mongolian hordes the time has come to free it.

Holy Father called for His Empire support! Now it is time that we should provide it!

Together we shall win, together we shall prevail!!!"

And many followed this call, from simple peasants to noble sons of high families. People were joining them. Army of the Greif was growing stronger in number.

People followed the call from their own reasons, some were trurly pious, even zealous, others escaped from the law by joining the crusaders, others joined them for love for adventure, others sought only profit in the war. Local priests were blessing passing troops, some of them joined them as well. But when the army was getting bigger it attracted many who weren't really interested in Christ's words. Whores and charlatans, circus artists and "relics"sellers, all joined to the crusaders. Such was the time and need…

 

[unmerged(8915)]

An anonymous Provencal song

She rules from beyond,
behind the cold pond,
none is too fond,
to make her mad.

But one brave lad,
the things that he said,
much fury she bled,
and cut his head down.

Her royal gown,
and her metal crown,
from crimson to brown,
the blood has paled.

Phillipe's life has failed,
his coffin is nailed,
his brave soul has sailed,
yet the tongue is still here.

She cut it for fear,
that he'll make her hear,
the words he could steer,
towards the english Queen.

 

[Karamazov]

Chief Inspector Ely von Tibalt, on leave from his position as Ambassador of Wurzberg, arrives at the borders of Friesland with a team of Official Hessen Inspectors and a escort from the Imperial Guard.

As a Frisian border guard stops the party, he speaks:

I am Ely von Tibalt, of Hesse. His Excellence Emperor Joachim I has ordered us to investigate the matters concerning the recent regime change in Friesland. We will give the Imperial Diet an unbiased account of the events that have occured and are occuring. To deny our entry is to defy the Imperial government. Will you let us pass?

 

[Bagricula]

Entrepreneurship ran rampant throughout the vast bazaars of Alexandria during the shaky stabilization of Egypt. Not only did the revolution place a new Sunni Sultan in Cairo, but many of the Shi'ite landowners and merchants who controlled vast swathes of Egypt's wealth were killed or left penniless in the transition. Many of the poor Sunnis in the populace wanted to raid and sack the palaces of the Mameluk soldiers and the Shi'ite Imans and merchants along the fertile stretch from Cairo to Alexandria, but ultimately the largely Turkish trained forces under Ulgulekh kept them under control with direct though not brutal force.

Some had succeeded though, and consequently wealthy flowed easily into the hands of young bright eyed Egyptian merchants eager to try out their new idea. Loans and credit were granted freely, and after the war, Alexandria saw a building boom as warehouses and wharfs went up throughout the city to house the spices, silks, and grains that Egypt was so famous for. Some traded in Nubian slaves, others in the scented cedar woods of the upper nile, still others in the coin itself, turning a profit on transactions.

One of the other benefits of the new Sultan was the end to the oppressive religious restrictions of Sultan Hussein. Jews, Christians, and Sunnis now traded on near equal and sometimes better footing as the large Shi'ite merchant houses. Even more exciting, merchants from far off Provence in France had arrived recently, marking the reopening of the harbor of Alexandria to foreign traders.

The City of Mystery, Alexandria, still retained many of the dangers it had always possessed, only magnified by the instability left in the wake of revolt. The streets were narrow and twisting, turning into secluded courtyards and opulent bathhouses. Prices were high in the metropolis of the east, and cultural, ethnic, and religious tempers flared spurred on by economic fortune or misfortune. One thing was certain, if you plan to upset the social, economic, or political hierarchy it paid to have some protection.

 

[Mettermrck]

Timbuktu

"Five measures a horn! You cheat me!" Ali spat. Yet like all traders before him, he reluctantly accepted the price and paid up. Salt was at a premium these days, and five measures was acceptable, if a little steep. Clasping the gleaming horn of ivory in his hand, he smiled briefly and then walked on, not wanting the merchant to think he had paid too little.

The market was bustling, though experienced eyes could spot the smaller crowds. Even the smell of camels seemed lessened these days. It was a bad sign, Ali noted. A city in decay. He reached his own camels on the far end of the market, sixteen sturdy beasts, perfect for carvaning. He greeted his guards and then Rashir came bustling out of the nearby tent to inspect his purchases.

"Hmm, not bad. Five measures, you say? Ach....a year ago I could get it for three."

Ali scoffed. "You dreamer! Four at best, perhaps. But not these days. There's no 'Mansa' in Timbuktu anymore, and the merchants are losing their grip on reality. Now come, I don't want to spend a moment longer in this city. You have what I asked for?"

Rashir smiled and handed over the paper. "Yes. It's an adequate map for what you have in mind. I also have the provisions stocked, with extra gourds of water and plenty of fodder and bread. We shall not lack on the journey."

Ali nodded and inspected his camels closely. No one dared set foot in the Sahara without first ensuring his camels were healthy. And they were. Ali knew a good breed when he saw one. Now he inspected the paper. It was a pretty good map, he thought. He only hoped the water-holes were properly depicted. They'd better be, he muttered.

"We'll head northeast and stop off in Arouane. I know a man there who can reprovision us. Then we follow the path north then northwest till we strike the salt town at Taoudenni. If we're lucky, we can pinch a little salt when no one's the wiser. This should take us two weeks and put us halfway to Sijilmasa. Ok?"

Rashir nodded. He was good with figures but was not a carvan driver like Ali was. They folded their hands and bowed to each other in the traditional manner, wishing good fortune before the long journey. They inspected the camels one more time and set off northward. The cooler evening air would make their progress go more quickly.

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Emperor sat down, and pondering on the affairs of state. Then he spoke with several advisors,

What do you think of the undeclared war against Golden Horde?

A1 : Good plan, and it helps the Crusaders without bringing down Turks upon our throats.

A2 : (GASPED) Are you nut? Turks are going to destroy us. This Crusade would be same if Turks attack us now or yestarday or even tomorrow. We must appease Turks or we will have the same fate in 1427 all over. We must apologize and stop this activities.

A1 : Are you certain? Roman Empire is slowly gaining the friend. I only hope that Mark Naxos is successful. Beside, we gained the time to strengthen us and weaken the Islam so taht we may have chance when they attack us.

Emperor : Indeed, I agree. I want to hurt Turks as badly possibly but without giving them the causa belli against us. I would prefer to openly declare war upon them but mind told me that it is foolish. So, the policy is the compromise between my heart and brain. We will keep it until we gain more allies. Hmmm.... Maybe we could establish Balkan League? or something like this?

A1 : Good idea.

A2 : We will die. We will lose allies and strength while Turks are gaining in strength.

Emperor glared at A2. Then, decided to order his officals to write teh invitation to all of Balkan nations including Vencie. Possibily extended to another nations. We must have alliance.

 

[Lord E]

In Grenoble
After the great hunt in Provence Jean Valois d'Orleans returns to Grenoble. He is very suprised when he saw that neither the king or his brother the Duke was in the castle. He is told by one of the servants that the king still haven't returned to Greoble. Rumors had told the Duke that the king had landed in Vendee and that had made him travel away as well.

Jean walks up to his chamber, he was wondering what might have happened to his brother and his nephew, the king.

-Where are they? he though for him self. He entered his chamber and saw a letter from his brother on the table. Jean read it and runned out.

"Prepare a horse for me at once, I have to go to!
I have to stop my brother from doing soemthing stupid and I have to see the King!" he screamed to the servants while running.

Some time later he is seen galloping towards Vendee.

 

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Munich

*Ernst was found riding home to Munich after the great Provence hunt. He had very much enjoyed himself but he was very tired.*

*He found his way to the nearest couch and collapsed into it and fell asleep promptly. There he stayed till the morning.*

[COLOR=orange-red]*After the first lights of dawn tricked through the windows of the cold morning palace, Ernst sturred and then orienated himself, for he was so tired the night before, he didn't see anything.*[/COLOR]

*He soon had had a bath and smelled a lot better. After seeing his wife, he gathered the scribes and retreated to a personal lounge. He was feeling every refreshed by his time that he had to think while in Provence, and he was ready to draft a new decree*

And he worked labouressly all day making it...

 

[unmerged(10894)]

After mediocre times in the lands of Bavaria, certain reforms have been introduced to make sure that Bavaria takes its place among the nations under God. Despite certain opposition from many nobles, they still were introduced because of times that need to be helped along by the government.

Government Reforms of Duke Ernst​

Let it be decreed that a Reichstag shall be set up for purposes of helping any dukes that shall come to Bavaria in the future and now. It shall contain 65 free men, that have been elected from the following towns of Munich, Augsburg, Passau, Regensburg, Landshut, Ingolstadt and the provinces of Bayern in the south and Ansbach in the north.

Munich shall elect 10 men.
Augsburg shall elect 5 men.
Passau shall elect 3 men.
Regensburg shall elect 2 men.
Landstut shall elect 4 men.
Ingolstadt shall elect 4 men.

The rural provinces in Bayern shall elect 21 men.
The rural provinces in Ansbach shall elect 16 men.

They shall be elected by every Bavarian man over 20 years old and then they will represent they voters interests in the Reichstag in Munich. Elections will be held every two years and it will be mandatory to vote for them.

Any further actions by the duke will now have to be passed by the Reichstag by a majority vote. The Reichstag will now have the ability to draft up laws but they must also be passed by the duke to be made legal.

The Reichstag shall be given a subsidy for their service to this nation and they must never forget that their purpose is to help Bavaria. The elected must take an oath to God that they will help their country and not be dishonest. Only faithful Catholics are eligible to be elected.

These decrees shall be put into place immediately and voting shall be in exactly one month's time.

 

[unmerged(9167)]

Emperor Alexius smiled as he watched the merchants trading in Constantinople from his palace. Constantinople finally began to look like a real city now. Emperor then turned, and watched the construction of new Hagia Sophia which is now half-finished. Constantinople finally began to look prosperous. Thus, Emperor was in good mood. Then at that moment, the messenger arrived. He reported to Emperor what was said in Diet. At that, Emperor frowned, and muttered,

Well, that situation should be resolved.

Then Emperor looked up, and made a decision. He is going to meet with Mystra Despot and discuss with him regarding the title of Emperor. Is it possible to compromise? To resolve the confusion. Yes, he will be going to Mystra. By himself (ooc:I have to study for test and do many things so I wont be around much for next few days).

 

[unmerged(9313)]

"Give'em Hell, boys!!!"

The roaring of hundres of desperate fighting Danes filled the streets of Copenhagen, as the Dutch rammed the eastern gate and tumbled into Copenhagen. The front defenders were mercilesly chopped to pieces and the remaining Danish regiment had to retreat. As they reached the great square in front of the city hall, the champion of Copenhagen, Niels Henningsen Oxe, ordered the fleeing troops to make a final stand, right the in the square. The Danes eventually turned around, and just barely managed to lower their pikes against the Dutchmen attacking. The bloodshed was total, as the Dutchmen kind of spiked themselves, and it became even worse, when Oxe ordered the counterattack.

"For king and glory!!! ATTACK!!!"

He raged hastily against the Dutchmen, and butchered several of them, and the remaining Danes, though tired and heavily wounded, followed him.
The fight to regain the control of the gate lasted most of the day, but after extremely heavy casualties, the Danes finally managed to slay the last Dutchmen within the walls. There was not a single Danish soldier that hadn't received a wound of various degrees, but for now, they had held the city. Now they looked over the wall in fear of the next attack. Though it would not come from the Dutchmen, since they were now too few to launch another assault.

 

[Lord E]

A small town in Potiou
The royal carriges are driving true a small town on their way back to Grenoble. The king are sitting and speaking to the Queen and everybody is happy. The carriges are driving slow true the town, when suddenly a man in a dark rob come galloping towards the kings carrige. The guards try to stop him, but then they see that he is wearing the uniform of the royal guard under the robs, so they let him pass. The carriges stop and the king walks out to speak to the rider.

"Your majesty!
Your life is in great danger, the Duke of Orleans have made plans to kill you!"

"What I do not belive this!"

The man give the King the piece of paper which he had stolen from the Dukes table in the castle in Greoble. The King looked at it and saw that it was a plan to assasinate him on his way back to Greoble.

"WHAT!
I will not have this, from this moment the Duke is outlawed in France, and I want him and all of his men draged to Greoble to be executed as soon as possible."

The King grabs a pice of paper from one of the servants and writes:

In the year of our lord 1433. I Louis XI, King of France orders all people in France to be on the look out for the Duke of Orleans. He have planed to kill the King and from today he is now an outlaw in all parts of France. He and all of his men are to be arrested at once and brought to the capital of greoble to stand trial for their plans.

Louis XI, King of France

The king gives it to the paper to one of the scries. the man startes to copy it, and the King gives the first copy to the rider.

"My dear lieutainent. For your bravery and for that you have saved your kings life, I hearbye promote you to captain of the kings royal guard. I hope that you will serve me with great honuor."

"I will Sire"

After that the captain takes his horse up next to the carrige and they counitue to move.

Some hours later
The carriges has arrived in one of the hunting castle in Potiou. The King has ordered that the court and him self are to stay there until news is heared about where the Duke and his fellow murderes are. The court is actually pleases, since it has been a long voyage and the stop on this castle was nice.

The King has sent out troops in all directions towards Greoble to try to find the Duke and an award of 1000 dukates are sat upon him for his arrest.

 

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By the decree of our Lord, Ernst I, each man will now go about voting for each man as he sees fit!​

So the voters rolled into the village halls, a few not really knowing what they were doing, but most had been properly informed. As decreed, work came to a standstill and every man over the age of twenty years old voted as they saw fit without having fear draped above their heads. All seemed content with this new measure and no uprisings of any kind had occured. Many nobles ran for one of the sixty-five positions but also a surprisingy large amount of free men did as well. The serfs and peasants were not able to run for the position, however they still enjoyed not having to labour for a sunny afternoon.

By sundown on the sixth day of the month of October, all that were to vote had come. Duke Ernst didn't know how many people to count all the votes but it seemed that the amount was significant. Why even he and his family helped to count a few of the votes for the canditates in Munich. By the nineth, all votes had been scrutanised the results were as following:

For the ten seats reserved for the delegates of Munich​

Alphons von Meier
Alwsfin Richter
Cedric Schroder
Dyke von Kluge
Harald Weiss
Juilo Bamberger
Liuswe Lang
Micha Schreiner
Rimbert Neumann
Walislaw Peters

For the five seats reserved for the delegates of Augsburg

Baldewich Metzger
Emil von Fuchs
Gustinus von Kappelhoff
Johanno Becker
Sachso Pfannebecker

For the four seats reserved for the delegates of Landshut

Dietrich Weber
Fjoder von Muckenhirn
Munolf Muller
Wentel Meieres

For the four seats reserved for the delegates of Ingolstadt

Almedio Koch
Ekke Schzuer
Gullbrand von Kaufmann
Pedro Kruger

For the three seats reserved for the delegates of Passau

Christer Eisenhauer
Folko Zorn
Mathias Wiener

For the two seats reserved for the delegates of Regensburg

Bolo Frafuak
Gotmar Lahm

For the twenty-one seats reserved for the delegates of the province of the greater Bayern region

Andre Kissingen
Barnd Schreineear
Bertillo Fleishcer
Dan Schmidt
Eginolf Schafar
Gernhid Thalerm
Giselhur Bayher
Helwig Fucs
Jakob Fruhauf
Kilian Paffern
Krein Weisserburg
Leonhard Lasthrothen
Niccolo Italiano
Ottfreid von Reich
Prospero Kruter
Richbert Bong
Siegheld Berlag
Simeon Namenbuet
Tetje Starke
Thorger Dummler
Zacharius Oberland

For the sixteen seats reserved for the delegates of the province of the greater Ansbach region

Alojisha Niederdeut
Cosimo Sudwest
Edlef Zoder
Freimund Schwarz
Gombert Schjarter
Haakon Gobel
Kunz Hansenfurs
Laszlo Zug
Mandus Danube
Olfa Alpes
Osiwn Snowns
Per Vieater
Sulpiz Comte
Tiburtius Ansbih
Ulreich Gotze
Wasja Naughy​

 

[Mettermrck]

"This land is barren, Ali. I can see now why no one chooses to live in it."

"To a foreigner perhaps. But if you look closely, you'll see that life makes its mark even in these places. Now come, we're wasting strength talking like this. Not far now."

"You've said that for three passes, Ali. I'm starting to wonder..."

Ali shushed him.

Rui was in agony. Every step he took seemed to send spasms of pain shooting up his legs. He was perpetually out of breath and it felt like he had sweated away all the water he had in him, despite the cool mountain air. His camel was no better off. Devoid of strength, they were reduced to walking to spare the poor beasts. The Atlas Mountains had been tortuous. Plagued by storms, bandits, and several wrong turns, the caravan was still meandering its way through the hostile mountain passes some weeks after setting out from Sijilmasa.

Why did I come here, Rui mused. I don't belong here. I'm Portuguese, I belong in my family villa in Oporto, sipping sweet wine and watching the servants tend my fields. I wasn't cut out to be a merchant. And yet he persevered. Most of it was pride, not wanting Ali to think that the Portuguese were weak. The rest was lack of options. If he fell, he perished, and he most certainly did not want that.

Above, the sun drifted out of the clouds, adding a couple degrees to the air, making Rui even more miserable. Hundreds of times that day he had cursed the sun...cursed camels, cursed mountains, cursed Ali, cursed salt, and most certainly cursed ivory. What was next, he wondered. He had run out of things to curse. There were thirteen camels left now. One had been lost to a rockslide, and two to Berber raiders. At least he still had the horn. He grunted as his right leg shifted painfully on a loose rock. Not far now, indeed...Bah!

"Ali! Ali!" The shout didn't come from very far way, so Rui looked around more nervously than he might. "Ali!" The shout rang out again. Only when he saw the camel come around the bend ahead of them did he relax. It was only Faisal, one of the guards and also a scout.

Ali held up his hand. "Faisal, hold. There is no cause for excitement in these parts. Now come, keep your wits about you and tell me your news."

Faisal grinned broadly and pointed up the pass. Nodding, Ali and Rui trotted ahead to where the bend turned in the wide pass. As they rounded corner, Rui could here Ali sigh. So even the experienced can sometimes worry... He would remember that.
Ali proudly pointed into the distance. Even Rui could smile at that sight.

"Look, my friend. We have made it. That is Marrakesh. From there you'll find roads to Tamedelt, Fez, and Tlemcen. And we can reprovision there. The city elders have no ties to their neighbors, so we'll be anonymous enough Now come, come!"

 

[unmerged(10894)]

All chosen representatives arrived in Munich in the next two weeks. Many took a long time, because of moving their families and saying goodbye to their hometowns. But they came. The twenty-fourth of October was the official day of swearing in the pioneering new canditates.

Ernst sat on a seat positioned right in front of the new building that would house the Reichstag with his family reveredly standing behind him. The townspeople faced him as well as Sachen von Truwerg and waited for the commisioning to begin. The time was almost midday and all were ready. Some people waited patiently while others shouted hurry up and said they had work to do. Finally the representatives started to come up, one by one, starting with the representatives from Augsburg.

"Put your hand on the Bible and swear to God that you will put his will first, that you will not be corrupt, and that you will accept any authority over you."

This was the common words said by Sachen as the representatives came up. They then said a vow after him and then proceeded to the left to Ernst who would then congranduate them on their promotion to the Reichstag. He would knight them and then they would sit back down again.

This cycle happened all 65 times till it was quite late in the afternoon. Most representatives beamed with joy and pride as they sat and comtemplated what exactly they were going to do in the training the next day. Just as little children before their first day of school would.

The people sure were glad that there was a feast that day, especially seeing most hadn't eaten much earlier and the last rays of the autumn sun were dipping below the gentle, rolling hills that surrounded the area.

All were invited into the renovated palace where all sorts of foods were prepared to waiting on the many tables waiting to be eaten by the people. By the end of the night everybody were swaying home with full stomachs and slap-happy because of the huge amounts of beer. They were walking into the first rays of the morning sun...

All sixty-five representatives found themselves in front of the gleaming and shiny building made in part of a magnificent marble, and part of huge planks of polshed and beautifully carved wood. It shimmered in the morning sun and was breath-taking. Breath-taking enough for all those guys with hang-overs to seem like it was worth it to get out of bed early after a long night...

 

[unmerged(8054)]

Dieter von Scwarzwald stared at the walls of Copenhagen.
They were badly damaged, some places even broken, and in other places flames had scarred the walls.
In a clear display of defiance, however, Danish flags were raised from every battlement and tower on the walls.

On their way here, the Bremer forces had passed the Gelren camp, and Dieter von Scwarzwald knew that he couldn't count on any support from them.
The men of Gelere were exhausted, and Dieter knew that only iron discipline had prevented most of them from deserting.
As he now stood, supervising the defenses of Copenhagen. Dieter couldn't really blame them. Near the gates and some of the major breaches, bodies were still, a month after the initial dutch assault, piled high. Neither side had been able to get close enough to remove them, constantly being harassed by fire from either defenders or besiegers if they got within shooting distance.

But now Copenhagen should fall. Dieter had marched away, but he expected the Pommeranian forces to arrive any day, and he was determined that he would be the one to take this city. His soldiers shared this view. "To the victor goes the spoils", and if they waited for the arrival of several thousand Pommeranian soldiers, they wouldn't have the opportunity to pillage a major trading center alone that they faced now.

Plans for the assault had been made, but they were very simple plans. A feint towards the major gate, still not complety repaired, and then a direct assault towards the entire length of the wall, with ladders to climb where the wall was not breached.
Dieter took one last look at the city, and then signaled his aide. The horn was blown, and mercenaries from all over Europe stormed Copenhagen.

It was a short and bloody conflic. The defenders, having taken large casaulties repelling the Gelren attack, broke as soon as it became clear this was a serious assault, and not just some harassment. In defensive tower after defensive tower, the Danish flag was pulled down, some places even set ablaze.
The major gate was smashed wide open, as the feinting troops meet almost no resistance, and soon the Bremer soldiers were all over Copenhagen.
Dieter von Scwarzwald looked at his officers and sighed. They had all done this before, and they knew that every man would expect three days of plunder before it was even remotely possibly to call the soldiers to order.
Silently, Dieter cursed the stubborn Bürgermeister of Copenhagen who had insisted on following orders rather than spare his city this disaster.
The citizens of Copenhagen would face three hard days before order was restored.

 

[unmerged(8915)]

Embargo by Timurids Event​

An embargo has been enacted by the Timurid Empire against all Frank heathen who do trade within the borders of the Khan’s domains. One of the most affected is Venice, the Serene republic. She devulges almost all of her wealth from the spice trade of the East. With this being cut off, the treasury of Venetians will empty very fast. Yet the Empire of the Timurids is far flung and the Venetians buy most of their goods from Arabic middle-men on the coast of Levant. How effective will this choking of Venetian wealth be?

1. The embargo is highly effective and the chests of the Venetians are emptied fast. (-1 Tech and –1 starting eco to Venice for one year and –1 current eco)

2. The embargo has a limited effect. (-1 Tech to Venice for one year)

3-4. The embargo is hardly enforced in the Timurid empire and most of the merchants continue their practices as before. (No effect)

5. The embargo is partially enforced, but smuggling reaches new heights in the far-flung realm and trade continues as before. The populace however looses faith in the effectiveness of the monarch (-1 morale to Timurdis for 1 year)

6. The embargo is enforced in the Timurid empire. However, the few Venetians merchants relocate to Alexandria. Because the infidel pay the highest taxes, the treasure chest of the Timurids suffers from the loss of revenue. Timurid treasury is now empty, so soldier companies have to be disbanded (-2 land mil)

Modifier: +1 due to limited role-play

Roll:4+1=5
The embargo is partially enforced, but smuggling reaches new heights in the far-flung realm and trade continues as before. The populace however looses faith in the effectiveness of the monarch (-1 morale to Timurdis for 1 year)



*****

Transylvanian Uprising Event​

The Voivoda of Transylvania has recently executed entire clans of oligarchs living in the Duchy for centuries. Trencsen, Arva, Bihar are the three noble families extinguished to the last, or so he thinks. A few survivors escape abroad, but more menacingly, a few seek refuge among loyal families in Transylvania. Voivoda’s rash decision and the bloodletting that ensued has alarmed the remaining oligarchs in Transylvania. But how was the entire principality affected?

1. Voivoda's policies to limit the power of the oligarchs are
perceived as prudent by the entire population (+2 morale for one year)

2. Voivoda's policies to limit the power of the oligarchs are
perceived as prudent, but only by the merchants who dislike the power of aristocrats (+1 morale for one year)

3.-4. Voivoda's policies have silenced aristocratic oposition, but the population does not care.

5. Voivoda's policies have frightened the remaining oligarchs, who
are less eager to aid the ruler (-1 morale hit for one year)

6. voivoda's policies have frightened the remaining oligarchs, some
of which rise in revolt. Mercenaries have to be raised to confront the new threat (-1 starting eco hit)

Roll: 3 Voivoda’s policies have silenced aristocratic oposition, but the population does not care. They have enough of their own problems to notice any radical changes in their daily travailles. For now, an armed uprising by the nobles has been surpressed and the power of the monarch has increased. (no effect)

 

[Auspend]

Off the Damatian Coast

A large galley rests in the waters. Atop it's high mast flies the Ottoman naval standard. It is the Yuva Bir, the flagship of the Ottoman fleet. Its crew, in a state of battle readiness, is preparing for any potential conflict with the Venetian navy. At the prow of the ship stands a tall Arabic man wearing clothes similar to those of the other sailors. The only noticable difference is the jacket, that of an admiral of the Ottoman Empire. His name is Akbar, and with the sinking of the Ottoman 1st fleet, and its commander, he has found himself in charge of the entire Turkish fleet. As he looks over the fleet he begins to think about the war.

*They fear an attack by the Turk, but they don't realise that there are no Turks in power. His Most Sublime Majesty and General Ulgulekh are Turkoman tribesmen, almost Mongolian. That snake of a Grand Vizier is one of those troublesome Kurds. The Imams are all Arabic, and the local leaders of the other religions are either Greek or Armenian. His elite soldiers are the children of the once-conquered populations. And I, Akbar, Admiral of the Osmanli navy, am an Omani. The situation would be funny if so many lives were not in danger. But lives are on the line, and without the presence of either the child-Sultan or General Ulgulekh it rests on my shoulders to keep as many people alive as I can.*

Turning around, Akbar summons one of his kethüda. "Signal the Demir Yumruk. Order aða Pantelas to return to Crete to retrieve what troops aren't involved in maintaining the garrison. But I must still decide what to do after that..."

Translations:
Yuva Bir - Home One
Kethüda - Lieutenant
Demir Yumruk - Iron Fist
Aða - Commander

 

[unmerged(6519)]

Another one?

--- The order

As the misechevious...... witch? Heretic? Spawn of the devil? Giovanna II laid in her sick bed, a girl of but 17 years approached it.

"How dost thou feel, M'lady?" Said the girl.

"No worse than the last months...." Giovanna responded along with a few coughs. "How many do we carry now? How many ships?"

"Enough to at least retake the capital, M'lady..."

"And where are we?" Giovanna inquired.

"Somewhere off the coast of Sicily. We've seen no Arogoneese, Neoplitan, or even North African ships for now. We should have the element of surprise if we strike soon enough."

Giovanna sighed. "Then give the order. I've had enough of being sea-nomads. Ousted from Normandie by treachery, and from Naples from my own family."

"Very well, M'lady." The girl scurried off to give the order to the Captain of their ship, the Subtle Shadow.

-------- The attack on Naples

A few days later, after the conversation between Giovanna and her maiden, the 7 ships carrying soldiers, supplies, old politcal allies of Giovanna. Some mentionable are Janues, Giovanna's sister, Sandrine De'Revol, old representitive to the Federation and before that Venice, Henri de Bretagne, former Count of Picardie under her reign in Normandie along with her top advisors that were still loyal were but a league from Napoli in the forenoon. Giovanna and her motely crew had been planning to strike at the weak government of Naples while sailing the Mediterranean, occasionaly stopping in Venice, Ragusa, and Valencia to resupply.

Giovanna stood on the deck of the Subtle Shadow as they neared the city, and when they were close enough, a flag was rasied with the Neoplitan flag in the top left corner, the rest being black, and cannons roared from the 7 ships as they bombarded the coast of Napoli. As they reared into the harbor, the ships already in the harbor raised white flags and the bombardment was focused on the Royal Palace area. The troops unloaded soon after, the city, which was already in martial law, fell quickly to Giovanna and her merry men. Shouts from the streets from some happy citezens roared as the army marched through.

"The King is dead!"
"Long live the Queen!"

--- Liberation of the Kingdom

The newly-formed 1st and 2nd Neopolitan Cavalry units swept north and south to reclaim the Kingdom, most of the army that was left either disbanded, joined the newly formed military, or sailed back to home on 5 ships. The Subtle Shadow and God's Elbow stayed in the Neopolitan harbor to prevent the escape of any members of the former-government. Naples was under Giovanna's control once more. A truly dark day for civilization

--- The Queen herself

Giovanna II Angevin was not in good shape before or after the invasion, although her spirits lifted to be in her old Palace, Kingdom, and even on land for more than a few days. Her pyshicicans had predicted failing health for the Queen, but she would hold on as long as she could.

 

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Event

Venetian economy event

The spending habits of the Venetian republic are escalating. The merchant republic is beginning to be flooded by money. Paying large contingents of mercenary troops and sailors introduces ever larger amounts of monies into the economy. Loans from across the borders do not alleviate the problems. The Doge and the government are warned by the leading merchants of Venice that if this trend continues, the value of the coin will radically decrease. The Serene Republic should be careful in the future in order to avoid possible complications.

No effect. (Warning only).