The People of the Forest

[Dunaden]

A glorious victory!

Latgale is returned to Kardazid rule after being lost for decades and the Catholic rebels are defeated and mostly dead.

Riga Catholics are legally insane. Testing Arvo again and hoping for a different result.

They were trying to get their martyr street cred.

Surely if we try AGAIN, we will win. God just wasn't looking last time.

As I said, the ones that died in the first revolt were named martyrs, so the survivors wanted to get their chance at the title and revolted again and again. And they all got what they wanted.

The Rigan leaders may need a little assistance in understanding the nature of the True Faith, even if their people now do. Maybe they should start by...helping Arvo worship his ancestors.

RIga is now safely Suomenusko, as Tietaja Vesa was able to convert the few remaining survivors. The leaders got to discuss it with the Gods personally.

Thankfully Riga has been dealt with and Smolensk has been humbled, however, the Holy Roman Empire might prove quite the rival for Arvo.

The Followers of Otso have asked Arvo to go give the Holy Roman Empire a poke by raiding Akerhus and see what happens. So we will see.

 

[Dunaden]

1051 - A World View

By the middle of the 11th century, a possible confrontation was building between the major powers of the Suomenusko and Catholic religions. For centuries, they had been separated from each other by a large swathe of Germanic, Slavic and Romuvan tribes. The Catholics had initially only sent missionaries east into these areas, but in the last 50 years as these tribes were being swallowed up by the Suomenusko Kingdoms, Suomi, Estonia, and Merya (mainly by Merya’s vassals, rather than the crown itself), the Holy Roman Empire had begun pushing northeast into the pagan territory, swallowing most of Denmark, as well as getting footholds around the Baltic in Akerhus and Finland. Between the two encroaching Empires there remained a few Germanic Kings in Finland and Scandinavia, King Fredrick of Finland and King Kjartan of Smaland, both of the ancient Ulfing Dynasty, who had once ruled all of the North, and King Hrane af Munsö of Vastergautland. Further south, the few remaining Slavic tribes were united under children, Visvaldis Polian, the 8-year old Polish King of Sweden and Poland (though barely holding any land in Sweden proper) and Praxida Fyodyorov, the 13-year old Russian Queen of Galicia-Vohlynia. The Romuvan were weakest of the three pagan religions, down to a few scattered tribes, with only the Lithuanian High Chief Daugvilas of Smolensk of any note. Once these remnants were swallowed by their stronger neighbors there would be nothing between the Suomenusko and Holy Roman Empires.

Most of the Holy Roman Empire’s northeastern expansion had been under the late German Kaisers Jakob Begonid and Berthold Karling, but four years ago the Empire had passed to an Italian Emperor Sigisbert ‘the Wise’ Ademingi. He had moved the capitol south to Treviso on the Gulf of Venice. This new Italian Emperor might have less interest in the pagans in the north than his German predecessors.

Besides the Holy Roman Empire, the only other significant Catholic realms were in Pannonia to the east, in the British Isles to the west, and Sicily to the south. Pannonia was ruled by the Avar Khan Gostum ‘the Hammer’ Kayghalaid. His father, Kayghalaid ‘the Confessor’ had led a Holy War that had wrested the lands of Pannonia from the Fadlid Caliphate in 1021 and been crowned Khan of Pannonia by Pope Xoannes IX, sometimes called ‘the Accursed’.

In the British Isles, Alba was ruled by a King Madog Seisyllwig, a 3-year old Welsh child. His older brother, 10-year old Cysteint, ruled the Welsh Kingdom of Brythoniaid. The two children had inherited their Kingdoms when their father Bledrig had been forced to abdicate both his crowns when his vassals had risen up to fight his tyranny. It was unsure how these two Kingdoms would fare under the two regencies.

England was still ruled by the St. Cuthbert dynasty. Queen Æthelhild had added the crown of Ireland to her family’s titles in 1004, and her son, King Thurfrith ‘the Holy’, had ruled both Kingdoms since her death in 1026. Currently, he had two daughters who would each receive a Kingdom if he died before producing a son. His 50-year old Queen had died under suspicious circumstances some 6 months ago and the King was in search of a new wife.

The final Catholic power was the Sultanate of Sicily. The Catholic Crusade that Pope Clemens 'the Wise' had called in 1031 to reclaim Sicily from the Ghaznavid Sultanate had been won against Sultan Sabuktigin II, the grandson of Sabuktigin 'the Conqueror', six years later. Ghaznavids, who had come from the east 30 years earlier spreading terror in the wake of the Plague, were no more, the grandson had not been the inspiring leader his grandfather had been. A Croatian Prince of House Karling named Mutimir had been crowned King of Sicily. Within a year, he had adopted his new subjects’ Bedouin culture and taken the title of Sultan, but he remained a Catholic ruler.

The Muslims had taken several blows in the past 50 years. In addition to the Shia Caliphate’s loss of Pannonia and the Sunni loss of Sicily to the Catholic Crusade, there had also been the destruction of the Seven Sultanates of the Taid which had ruled all of Persia. Like the Abbasid Empire and Muhallabid Sultanate (that spanned Egypt, Abyssinia, and Anatolia) before them, the Taid had been not been conquered by a foreign invader, but rather by their own people rising up against their decadent rule. Sheikh Faruk 'the Conqueror' of Muscat had led the decadence revolt that had broken the hold the Taid dynasty had held on the Seven Sultanates for the past century. In the wake of the revolt 10 years ago, the once united lands of Persia were now a mess of independent Sheikdoms and Emirates. Even the Umayyad Empire, under the Sunni Caliph Sadiq III’s predecessors had lost some border territories to the late Kaiser Berthold of Holy Roman Empire in Iberia and Africa. The last Muhallabid ruler, Akin ‘the Terrible’ of the Sultanate of Ifriqiya had pushed further south across the Sahara into the heart of Africa and created the Empire of Kanen-Bornu before being overthrown by Ramadan ‘the Lewd’ of the Aghwátid. But upon the death of Ramadan, House al-Ma’afiri under Badshah Abdul-Qadir ‘the Lecher’ claimed the Empire and has ruled for the past 14 years.

The Fadlid Empire under the Shia Caliph Abdul II ‘Son of Shaytan’ stretches a serpentine path from eastern Europe into the heart of the Middle east. The loss of the Pannonia territories had been a blow, but the Caliphate remains a strong force.

Entwined with the Fadlid Caliphate is the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines had eleven Emperors in the 35 years before death of Basileus Branimir ‘the Weak’ in battle, but for the past 25 years since, Balissa Sybilla ‘the Hideous’ of House Bodacia had brought some stability to the Empire and had led them in a series of war to reclaim portions of Anatolia.

The Sathisi and Ashina nomads still roamed the plains north of Byzantine Empire, providing a southern buffer for the Suomenusko Empire. The third Tengri horde, the Khazar Bulçir, had declined significantly, losing much of their land to the Alan Sathisi as well as some of the tribesmen in the north breaking free of their influence.

Far to the east, the Uzur clan still ruled the Uyghurs under Khagan Çuçi and the Purgyal dynasty still ruled the Empire of Tibet under Tsenpo Purygal Bibek. Further south, the Pala Kingdom had forced half of India to the bend the knee as tributary states to the current Maharaja Gopala II. The Jade throne had little influence as the Western Protectorate had little power any more.

 

[Capage]

That Bedouin Catholic Sultan of Sicily with a Croat name is a curious character.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Good Work! Any idea how many holdings the HRE and Volga-Ural possess? They both look huge!

 

[slothinator]

It's impressive to see that Karlings can still gain control of the empire.
It's a bit of a shame that the Ghaznavid's disappeared so soon but, with Pannonia, it looks like a general trend of Catholic reconquest.

 

[Zamarak500]

So many big muslims around. With luck, the Christians will focus on them instead of the pagans.

 

[Dunaden]

That Bedouin Catholic Sultan of Sicily with a Croat name is a curious character.

It took some strange circumstances that ended up with a Croat Karling as the Bedoiun Catholic Sultan of Sicily

Good Work! Any idea how many holdings the HRE and Volga-Ural possess? They both look huge!

The Holy Roman Empire is definitely the powerhouse of this world. Volga-Ural is up there, but just outside the top 5.

It's impressive to see that Karlings can still gain control of the empire.
It's a bit of a shame that the Ghaznavid's disappeared so soon but, with Pannonia, it looks like a general trend of Catholic reconquest.

The Karlings do seem to be survivors. I hoped the Ghaznavids would stick arund longer, but they do have some lingering influence, leaving the Bedouin culture in Sicily. The Catholics are beginning to flex their strength.

So many big muslims around. With luck, the Christians will focus on them instead of the pagans.

The Catholic have had their first success against the Muslims with the fall of Sicily, but not sure they all have a united goal outside the Crusades.

 

[Dunaden]

1051-1055 Changing Faiths

Arvo hadn’t been the only one to gain a victory. His uncle, King Kichay of Estonia, had won his war for Gotland against Finland, claiming the island. He also claimed a new nickname, proclaiming himself Kichay ‘Bloodaxe’, hoping his subjects would use that title, rather than previous epithet of ‘the Oppressor’.

The victory over the Lettigallians of Smolensk had once more pushed Emperor Arvo’s personal domain above a level that his vassals felt he could manage effectively. So he once again needed to distribute some of his titles to worthy candidates. While the three new territories in Latgale were ravaged by war and filed with wailing foreigners and followers of the Romuvan gods, Arvo decided to hold onto these territories even though it would be years before he would be able to profit from them. They contained well developed villages and temple structures which had the potential to provide much more in the future than some of the territories he held in the east that were basically empty stretches of forest and plains that had been torn from the Khazar nomads.

Arvo decided to grant the titles to members of his court. Nuyaksha 'the Unchaste' one of the last members of the Çortahid dynasty, who claimed the hounded blood of Erziya 'the Bold’ was the first to be granted a title. He was granted the Chiefdom of Khlynov.

Another of the Purginepazid brothers, Saksa Purginepazid, was the next court member to receive a title. He was granted the Chiefdom of Kremenchuk. His wife, Inyava Kardazid, and their son would join him in their new lands.

Yavlad Sayalid, the son of Empress Auli, was granted Chiefdom of Qazan. Arvo and Auli had a strained relationship, she had protected and trained him, but Arvo had not always been happy with her methods making them rivals by the end of his time as her ward. Giving her son land and titles was a small gesture of reconciliation.

Finally, he turned to Nalka Nalkid, the bastard son of Queen Utyayka of Suomi, his cousin and good friend who was granted the Chiefdom of Vetluga and the High Chiefdom of Qazan, making the other three new Chiefs vassals of the new High Chief. He became High Chief Nalka II of Qazan (the second Nalka after Arvo’s and Nalka’s late Uncle Nalka, the first High Chief of Qazan).

The new Chiefs gathered families and retainers and marched east behind their new liege to take possession of their new homes.

Arvo, also, sent two learned scholars, faithful men of the Suomenusko gods, were sent west to take possession of the two new temples Arvo had claimed in Latgale. A mystic, the blind giant Ahma, was sent to the Temple of Dignaja in the newly conquered province of Selija. He became known as Shaman Ahma 'the Blind' of Dignaja. The second scholar, Azyren, went to the newly conquered Jersika and became Shaman Azyren of the Temple of Koknese. With the new Shaman in two of his new territories, Arvo sent Tietaja Veso ‘the Gentle’ to the third new territory, Talava, to convert the population to the Suomenusko faith.

The reformed Suomenusko faith was gaining ground in the Empire as the Diviner of Naumdal, Holmfrid Hrafnsdottir Nerking, converted the population of Naumdal, making Naumdal the first province on the Norwegian coast to convert to the Suomenusko faith, abandoning the Germanic gods.

But not all the Empire was pleased with the reformed religion. Far to the east, followers of the Old Suomenusko rejected the reformation and rose in rebellion lead by a Komi warrior named Nydog. Arvo had no desire to march the length of the Empire, so he called upon his vassals to deal to deal with the misguided rebels.

Within six months, the combined armies of Arvo’s eastern vassals had defeated rebels and had Nydog sent to Yaroslavl for punishment. This victory against the followers of the Old Suomenusko sped up the adoption of the reformed faith within the Empire. Chuvash was the next territory to convert to the reformed Suomenusko faith due to the efforts of Shaman Kichay of Gleden.

Arvo spent those six months in Yaroslavl dealing with other aspects of his rule. He spent a large of amount of gold to maintain the trade route between Yaroslavl and Bedford that had been established almost a century ago by King Syrka. These funds would maintain the trade route for another 30 years. He spent a similar amount to maintain another established trade route in his new Chiefdom of Selija. His steward, High Chief Virdyan of Bolghar, had ideas to improve economy, which Arvo supported with additional funds.

Arvo spent some time in the Great Library in Yaroslavl, continuing to his military studies. Arvo becomes adept at strategy through study of the campaigns of Alexander the Great from a book in the library that several of his predecessors were known to have read. This time was well served as he outgrew the misguided warrior he had been at 16 and became a tough soldier.

He also spent time in training and became friends with a Khanty Flegling named Tyutyuk. Tyutyuk was actually not a citizen of the Empire, he was actually from the nomadic lands of Üge far to the east, but still a follower of the Sumenusko gods. Tyutyuk had some interesting news, apparently Khagan Tugan 'the Drunkard’, a Uyghur following the Zoroastrian religion, had willing become a tributary to Protector General Kunahid Kunaha of the Western Protectorate making him a servant of the Xia Emperor of China. It seemed he would rather serve the Chinese rather than the Ashina who had had already subjugated some of his neighbors.

Arvo caught on news of his various vassals around the Empire. High Chief Varaka of Polotsk has died from flu. His son 9-year old Chumbulat inherited High Chief of Bjarmia from his father, while his older brother and father’s namesake 10-year old Varaka became High Chief of Latgale, as High Chief Varaka II of Latgale. Their eldest brother, Seryamka, inherited the High Chiefdom of Sakala. Their kinsman Pakstyan was elected High Chief of Polotsk, claiming their father’s primary title. The new High Chief Pakstyan of Polotsk moved quicky and immediately usurped the High Chiefdom of Latgale from the now Chief Varaka of Latgale.

High Chief Väinö of Kola was killed in combat by his vassal, Chief Kaleva of Kola. Chief Kaleva 'Red-cheeks' of Kola was the Hero leader of the Followers of Otso, not a man you want to meet in a duel.

10-year old High Chief Bragi of Iceland has converted from the Germanic gods to the Othrodox Christian faith. Chief Brun of Suzdal is tasked to become the new guardian of High Chief Bragi to try and convert him to Suomenusko faith instead.

Putyayka Kezhedeyid has inherited Chiefdom of Belz following the death of his father, Chief Orunza 'the Dragon', who died of severe stress. His brother Orunza, son of Orunza, inherited Orunza the Dragon’s other title as the new Chief of Vladimir Vohlynsky.

Meanwhile the Norse High Chief Sigurðr of Adger continues to expand, claiming Lolland from the Jarl of Sjælland. High Chief Sigurðr of Adger now held the heart of the former Kingdom of Denmark as he had already claimed the island of Sjælland, bringing it all into the Volga-Ural Empire.


News arrived that Emperor Sigisbert 'the Wise' of the Holy Roman Empire was dead. A Frenchman, Oreste Morgannid, was crowned as Emperor Oreste 'the Ill-ruler' of the Holy Roman Empire. This news reminded Arvo of the information he had received about a great cache of treasure in Akerhus, a territory in the Holy Roman Empire. This transition of power seemed a good time to try and retrieve that cache, so Arvo began leading his warband on the long trek to raid Akerhus.

After four month march, Arvo and his raiders finally reached the border of Akerhus. After a brief hesitation, Arvo commits to raiding Holy Roman Empire, and leads his raiders into Akerhus to begin pillaging and looting. 15-year old Jozef Lodzia is the Pommeranian Chief of Akerhus. He is not a Catholic, he follows the Germanic Gods. He goes into hiding rather than defend Akerhus from the raiders. While Emperor Oreste 'the Ill-ruler' of the Holy Roman Empire not pleased with Arvo pillaging his lands, he does nothing to drive him off.

Akerhus held out for over three months before Arvo and his raiders breached the gates and pillaged the village, uncovering the hidden cache the Followers of Otso had described. The primary goal had been achieved, sacking the fortress at Akerhus, but Arvo would stay to loot the Temple at Bergheim, as well. After the Temple of Bergheim was pillaged and looted, City of Oslo was next. Arvo grew impatient after spending 5 months in sieging down Akerhus and Berghiem and orders an assault on Oslo. Oslo falls in three days.

Renown from the raid on Akerhus was enough for Arvo to be considered a Veteran in the Followers of Otso. Upon Arvo’s return to Yaroslavl, Hero Kalevi 'Red-cheeks', Chief of Kola, makes Arvo's promotion to Veteran official.

Soini 'the Short-tempered', a fellow Veteran in the Followers, tasks Arvo with looting Abertaewafon, Arvo agreed readily. Only after he accepts does he realize Abertaewafon is in the British Isles and he doesn't personally have any ships to take his raiders there. Many of his vassals have ships, especially the Norse in Iceland and Scandinavia, but he couldn’t call upon them. He is forced to abandoned any plans to go after the cache in Abertaewafon.

To the west word comes that Khan Gostun of Pannonia, one of the Catholic Kingdoms, is leading an attack against Queen Praxida of Galicia-Vohlnyia in a Holy War for Red Ruthenia. Emperor Oreste 'the Ill-ruler' of the Holy Roman Empire pledged his support. Khan Gostun of Pannonia quickly defeated Queen Praxida in the Holy War for Red Ruthenia, splitting the Kingdom of Galicia-Vohlnyia in half and bringing another Catholic Kingdom in direct contact with the Volga-Ural Empire.

In the winter of 1054, King Kichay 'Bloodaxe' of Estonia died, murdered on the orders of Chieftess Chenksa of Perm, wife to Arvo's cousin, Chief Velmayka II of Perm. Perhaps she thought her husband would be elected King of Estonia following Kichay’s death. If so, her plan failed as a more distant kinsman, Naruchad Kardazid, was elected as the new King of Estonia, but only of Estonia. The crowns of Nenetsia and Novgorod were inherited by Kichay's son, Arvo's cousin, 13-year old Pakstyan. Another of Kichay's sons, 8-year old Putyayka, inherited the Kingdom of Vladimir, but the title only included land in Pomerania as High Chief Pakstyan of Vladimir refused to bend knee to the child king, the son of Kichay ‘the Oppressor’, and declared his independence. King Naruchad of Estonia wasted no time and almost immediately began attacking Nenetisa to press his claim on the two kingdoms held by his predecessor.

​

High Chief Pakstyan was not the only one of the former vassals of King Kichay to not bend the knee to his sons. High Chief Noumea II of Kargopol was another one who claimed his independence rejecting vassalization to King Pakstyan of Nenetsia. Chief Atyamas of Onega Peninsula was another newly independent former vassal of Estonia who refused to bend knee to the new King of Nenetsia.

The Kingdom of Estonia under the new King Naruchad remained a tributary state to the Empire, but Kingdoms of Nenetsia and Vladimir Kingdoms no longer viewed Emperor Arvo as their suzerain. But Arvo saw an opportunity in the scattered independent Chiefdoms that had declared their independence. He offered them each the protection of the Empire if they would accept vassalization. High Chief Pakstyan of Vladimir was the first to accept, bringing the High Chiefdom of Vladimir back into the realm after 170 years. High Chief Noumea of Kargopol and Chief Atyamas of Onega Peninsula soon followed suit. Arvo also offered King Pakstyan of Nenetsia vassalization, but was rebuffed.

This wave of people joining the Empire, even though it was done peacefully, is seen as a threat to the neighboring realms, and Arvo is seen as an even greater threat to their independence, with more of them flocking to the defensive pacts against him.

Arvo makes some adjustment with the addition of his newest vassals. He transferred Chief Brun of Suzdal's vassalage to his new vassal High Chief Pakstyan of Vladimir, removing his rival from close contact. Arvo also transfers the vassalage of Chief Atyamas of Onega Peninsula to High Chief Chumbulat of Bjarmia, his de jure liege.

Also, with the growing threat of the Christians, who will soon be the main antagonists to the Empire, Arvo looked to Duchess Mel'shay of Ural, his only Catholic vassal. He asked her to convert to remove any chance of divided loyalties. She agreed, embracing the Suomenusko faith.

Anther of his vassals, High Chief Faste of Oppland also converted to the Suomenusko faith, abandoning Odin and the other Norse Gods, without any pressure from Arvo. High Chief Faste had just usurped Sogn from a Polish noble, further expanding the Empire. Unfortunately, Faste died in an accident a short time later and his only remaining sibling, Astrid 'the Shieldmaiden', became the High Chieftess of Oppland. High Chieftess Astrid 'the Shieldmaiden' had not followed her brother’s example and remained a devout follower of the Germanic gods.

While the short-lived gains for the faith in Oppland ended, Tietaja Vesa 'the Gentle' informs Arvo he had successfully converted the Romuvans of Talava to the Suomenusko faith. The Lettigallian population is happily following the reformed faith. Tietaja Vesa 'the Gentle' is asked to continue his work in Jersika.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Khagan Tugan looks to rule the smallest Khaganate on record. What is up with Üge? I see pink Üge and purple Üge! Oppland; win some, lose some for now. Great Work!

 

[Capage]

It's nice to see an organized kingdom with chiefs under their de jure dukes.

 

[slothinator]

The Estonian menace has been dealt with for now although Naruchad seems likely to join the three kingdoms once again. But with parts returning to the Empire, this might be the chance to join all the crowns once more.

 

[Dunaden]

Khagan Tugan looks to rule the smallest Khaganate on record. What is up with Üge? I see pink Üge and purple Üge! Oppland; win some, lose some for now. Great Work!

One province Empire is pretty unimpressive. Üge has made other countires tributaries, similar to the Volga-Ural as suzerain over Estonia.

It's nice to see an organized kingdom with chiefs under their de jure dukes.

Trying to clean up things and also reduce the number of direct vassals.

The Estonian menace has been dealt with for now although Naruchad seems likely to join the three kingdoms once again. But with parts returning to the Empire, this might be the chance to join all the crowns once more.

Naruchad doesn't wait long to try reclaiming the other Kingdoms, but Arvo has reduced the amount of territory he will be able to recover.

 

[Dunaden]

1055-1061 Theological Debates

After spending a year away raiding in Scandinavia, Arvo had spent a lot of time with his family in Yaroslavl and by the summer of 1055, his wife Lemmikki and both of his concubines, Dannila ‘the Heavenly’ and Anele, were all pregnant, Anele with her first child. The Empress’s pregnancy was celebrated and she was once again the center of the festivals celebrating Akka. The concubines’ pregnancy gave Arvo prestige, but didn’t becomes the focus of celebrations.

About that time, King Naruchad of Estonia sent an envoy to Yaroslavl. The envoy had been sent to call the Empire into two conflicts Estonia was currently facing. Naruchad was determined to regain the power that King Kichay had had and reclaim the thrones of Nenetsia and Novgorod from Kichay’s son King Pakstyan. So he had declared war on the young King pressing his claim for both crowns and wanted Arvo’s help in that conflict. Arvo had little interest in seeing Naruchad grow stronger, but it would Nenetsia and Novogord back into the Empire’s influence, so he was willing to offer some support for that war. But it was the second conflict that really caught his attention. The Catholic Khan Gostun of Pannonia had launched a Holy War against Estonia for the Duchy of Kuyavia, claiming the land would be better off in the Christian hands. What made this interesting was that Pannonia was a tributary of Emperor Oreste of the Holy Roman Empire. If Arvo joined this war, it would be the first time the two Empires would be in direct conflict, albeit as allies, not principles.

Because they were joining the war as allies rather than it being their own war, the Holy Roman Empire had a distinct advantage over Volga-Ural. Emperor Oreste as a feudal ruler could call on all 50,000 of his personal and vassal levys in this conflict, but Arvo’s tribal government could only call upon his personal levys and his warband, a total of 18,000 men. The 60,000 men under his vassals had no stake in this fight and would not follow Arvo into this war as the Empire itself was not threatened directly. Arvo wanted to test his men against the Catholic warriors and he did not want to see the Catholic faith claim a victory against the followers of the Suomenusko faith in their Holy War, so he committed his strength to the war defending against Pannonia. The war for Nenetsia and Novgorod was basically ignored, other than a few words of encouragement.

Arvo called for his men to rally at Grodno, from there they could strike westward toward Kuyavia and Pannonia, 12,000 levys and the 5,700 men of his warband, the Merry Men, were soon on the march. By September, some 8,000 men had gathered in Grodno. The Pannonians had had free reign in Kuyavia for months and Arvo didn’t want to delay further, and marched west. The rest of his levys could follow behind as quickly as they could. He crossed the Kingdom of Galicia-Vohlnyia and caught up with the main Pannonian army at Brescz Kujawski. Khan Gostun had 7,000 men compared to Arvo’s 8,000. Another 4,000 Estonians were just to the south, but they made no move to join the battle. The Avars had more specialized troops, pikemen, crossbowmen and heavy calvary, to supplement their core heavy and light infantry, archers, and light horse, but Arvo made do with his simpler formations of mainly heavy and light infantry, supported by archers and light horse. After a month-long struggle, the Avars broke and ran back to Pannonia.

While Arvo spent the next few months clearing out the garrisons that the Avar had stranded in Estonian territory, he received news from home. His wife and two concubines had all given birth. Empress Lemmikki and Dannila ‘the Heavenly’ gave Arvo two more daughters, who were named Olota and Mastorava. It was Anele though, who finally gave Arvo his first son amongst his six children, who was named Parush.

He also received word that Tietaja Vesa ‘the Gentle’ had read the omens and declared a Great Holy War against Queen Ingergerd of Västergotländ and other Germanic rulers within the Kingdom of Sweden. The Suomenusko Gods apparently felt that Sweden should be freed from the Norse Gods. But this war did not include Visvaldis Polian, the King of Poland who also held the title to the Kingdom of Sweden as he actually held no land there. The last Great Holy War had brought the Kingdom of Ruthenia into Suomenusko hands and led to the founding of the Empire. This one could secure the bulk of the remaining portions of Scandinavia for the Empire. Arvo didn’t commit, immediately, he was focused on ending Pannonia’s Holy War against Estonia first.

By the first of the year, the Pannonians had been cleared from the Duchy of Kuyavia, and Arvo marched south into Pannonia itself. Half his armies, he sent to Lublin and while he led the others to Krakow. The Estonian army followed his lead and marched into Sandomierz. For the next 6 months the allied armies slowly pushed into Pannonia, capturing towns and castles on the way. Several noble prisoners were captured from Lublin, Krakow, and Sacz. All this time there was no sign of any resistance from the Pannonian army or their ally the Holy Roman Empire. Word finally came from the High Chief of Agder that a German army had captured Lolland far to the north. This was the only sign that Emperor Oreste ‘the Ill-ruler’ was doing anything to help his tributary. With that news, Arvo decided to push directly to Esztergom, Khan Gostum’s capitol in Pannonia.

Within a few weeks, the capitol had fallen and Khan Gostun’s two sons were captured, the older, his bastard son, Tarmaç Kayghalaid, and his younger son and heir, Dometa Kayghalaid. That ended Khan Gostun’s ambitions. The Suomenusko Gods had proven themselves stronger than the single Christian God. Arvo was a bit disappointed as he never got to match himself against the armies of the Holy Roman Empire, as there had only been one major battle in the war which was against the Avars of Pannonia.

That ended the first of King Naruchad of Estonia’s wars, but Arvo continued to ignore Naruchad’s war for Nenetsia and Novgorod. Instead, he gave his levys the winter off to go home and rest, and then in the Spring of 1057, he joined Tietaja Vesa in his Great Holy War. There had been little progress in the war since it had started almost 2 years ago, as no one had answered the call to war before Arvo, and Tietaja Vesa had no warriors of his own. Though once Arvo had committed to the Great Holy War, allies soon rushed in for both sides. Arvo recalled his levys and began the long march to Västergotländ through Finland as he had no boats of his own to shorten the trip by crossing straight across the Baltic. On the first leg of the journey, a portion of Arvo’s levys encounter a small army from Nenetsia in Borovichi and defeated them, the Empire’s only contribution to Estonia’s war against Nenetsia.

Arvo’s concubine Dannila ‘the Heavenly’ gave him his sixth daughter, named Anava, who had inherited her mother’s clubfoot. Shortly afterward, Naruchad informed Arvo that he had won his second war and was now King of Nenetsia and Novgorod as well as Estonia. Pakstyan, the former King of Nenetsia had died of the flu shortly after the war had begun, a kinsman Kezhedey Kardazid had been elected King, but was now forced to hand over his new crowns, though he remained the High Chief of Pskov, a vassal under King Naruchad. Arvo sent his congratulations and continued his march.

Arvo’s father-in-law, King Kaleva of Suomi was killed in battle by a man named Sweinn of Oolu (Sweinn, himself, was badly hurt in the fight and was not expected to live). Kaleva’s nephew, Aimo, became the new King of Suomi. While Kaleva’s young son Aatso gained the title, King of Lithuania, but had only a single county as his kingdom.

It took six months for Arvo to march his men to the target of the Great Holy War. His men were stretched out as they were ferried across the Sea of Åland to from Finland, and so their first encounter with the Norse enemy was not as a united army but as a string of reinforcements joining the battle of Gästrikland. This proved a disaster.

The Norse were fighting for the very survival of their faith. Västergotländ was largest remaining independent bastion of the Germanic Gods. If it fell, the almost all of the remaining followers of their faith would all be vassals to rulers of a different faith (after Västergotländ, the two most powerful Norse rulers were Arvo’s vassals, High Chief Sigurðr 'the Depraved' of Agder and High Chieftess Astrid 'the Shieldmaiden' of Oppland). This led them to fighting ferociously against the Suomenusko attackers. By the time, the battle of Gästrikland was over, Arvo had lost over 5,000 men and was forced to retreat North into the Empire lands to the north.

It would take close to six months to recover from that battle and regroup and then Arvo marched south to the western coast and besieged Dal, the capitol of Västergotländ, for this he was hailed as one of Ukko's Hammers. There Arvo was surprised to find a distant kinswoman named Galene Shemyachich amongst the prisoners. She was the bastard Kardazid daughter who had been raised as a Slavic Russian. Other prisoners included all four of Queen Ingergerd’s daughters. But their capture didn’t weaken her resolve as her only son and heir evaded capture.

Queen Ingergerd instead responded by sending every man she could muster to drive Arvo from Dal, close to 10,000 men. As Arvo only had 6,000 warriors he could count on, he was forced to once again retreat north back into the Empire to avoid another slaughter. Queen Ingergerd’s army followed, chasing Arvo over the spine of the Scandinavian peninsula and into Norway, before turning back to defend Västergotländ.

Arvo didn’t have the strength to face the fury of the Northmen. The other allies that had joined the Great Holy War were too disorganized and scattered to support him against the main Norse army, so he reluctantly withdrew. He could already see this war was lost, and he did not want to lose any more men in this hopeless cause. He ordered his levys to disband and led the his Warband back toward Yaroslavl, which took him another four months of travel. The Norse were left in control of the field, wiping out a few allied armies that weren’t smart enough to retreat.

On Arvo’s return to Yaroslavl, he caught up on news. The Holy Roman Empire had lost two Emperors, Oreste ‘the Ill-Ruler’ had been assassinated in the fall of 1057. His successor, a Frenchman, Raimbaut 'the Monk' of House Udonen, was the elected as the new Emperor. Less than two years later Emperor Raimbaut died of stress, leading to rise of a German, Segoin Hetanid, as the new Kaiser of the Holy Roman Empire.

On the Empire’s southern boundary High Chief Dobrynia 'Red-cheeks' of Byransk had forsaken the pagan gods of his ancestors and turns the Shia faith under the influence of Caliph Abdul II Badshah of Carpathia. Further west, the Catholics also made gains as Queen Bjorg 'the Confessor' of Sweden (and Poland), King Visvaldis’ successor, was converted to Catholicism by the efforts of the Pope.

Further to the south, Basilissa Sibylla 'the Hideous' died a natural death at age 70 after ruling the Greeks for 32 years. A man named Arsenios Mamoulianos was chosen as the new Basileus of the Byzantine Empire. House Mamoulianos had held a tenuous claim on the throne some 40 years, when three of their family had held it in a brief 7-year span. Arsenios hoped to do better this time around.

Within the Empire, War Chief Viryay 'the Sword of Perkele', High Chief of Tver (and other titles) died at 62. One of his sons, Viryay, became High Chief Viryay III of Mochkava, another son became High Chief Kardaz of Minsk, and a third son became High Chief Malyaka of Tver. High Chief Sigurðr of Agder was appointed to replace the late Viryay as the new War Chief. Several other Chiefdoms and High Chiefdoms also changed hands, but no one else of significance was among the those lost.

Soon after Arvo’s return Empress Lemmikki again became pregnant. About the time Empress Lemmikki gives birth to Arvo’s seventh daughter, who is named Valdava, Anele Gediminaitis becomes pregnant. It soon after the birth of Arvo’s second son, Dergun, that Tietaja Vesa ‘the Gentle’ finally acknowledges that the Great Holy War for Sweden was an epic disaster and concedes that Queen Ingegerd 'the Sword of Taara' has won the war. The Norse Gods had proven too strong for those of the Suomenusko faith.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Unusual cultures, French Emperors and Avars existing this late. HRE continues to elect Emperors with small personal demenses. High Chieftess Astrid is very impressive. Basileus Arsenios looks to be a good choice, seven counties and no bad weaknesses.

 

[Ramidel]

I get the feeling that the Queen of Sweden was running scared. After surviving the fury of the Forest, it's no wonder that she would align herself to a stronger God (with stronger allies). And in so doing, be drawn into a fated clash between old gods and new...

Are there any realms still aligned to the the Germanic faith?

 

[slothinator]

Wars all around it seems.
It was good to have a good first victory against the HRE but I suspect that next time will bring more sorrow.
The Great Holy War could have been timed a lot better. I didn't expect Vastergotland to be much of a challenge but they held themselves admirably.

 

[Dunaden]

Unusual cultures, French Emperors and Avars existing this late. HRE continues to elect Emperors with small personal demenses. High Chieftess Astrid is very impressive. Basileus Arsenios looks to be a good choice, seven counties and no bad weaknesses.

The Holy Roman Emperors have been a varied lot and the throne has passed through different families and cultures, but changes are coming. Astrid the Shieldmaiden is definitely an striking and powerful figure, the most powerful Norse vassal in the Empire. Basileus Arsenios is a good and decent man, maybe not the best choice to navigate the politics of the Byzantine court.

I get the feeling that the Queen of Sweden was running scared. After surviving the fury of the Forest, it's no wonder that she would align herself to a stronger God (with stronger allies). And in so doing, be drawn into a fated clash between old gods and new...

Are there any realms still aligned to the the Germanic faith?

Quen Bjorg is definitely bowing to the pressure of her powerful neighbors, probably a wise decision.

Queen Ingegerd of Västergotländ is the the most powerful of the few surviving independent Germanic rulers, having one great prestige in defeating the Suomenusko Great Holy War. Most of the other Germanic rulers are vassals to the Volga-Ural Empire.

Wars all around it seems.
It was good to have a good first victory against the HRE but I suspect that next time will bring more sorrow.
The Great Holy War could have been timed a lot better. I didn't expect Vastergotland to be much of a challenge but they held themselves admirably.

Tietaja Vesa is a scholar and shaman, not a military man and didn't choose his moment well. The Norse were united in their fury and managed to crush everyone trying to enter Västergotländ.

 

[Dunaden]

1061 - 1066 Gambling with Lives

The failure of the Great Holy War was a great embarrassment for all the Suomenusko faithful. The Emperor Arvo ‘the Fox’ reacted badly, and took his anger out on two of his neighbors who followed different faiths.

High Chief Daugvilas of Smolensk, a follower of the Slavic gods, who was actually kin to both of Arvo’s concubines and several of his children was the first. While Daugvilas held the title of Smolensk, he held none of the traditional lands of Smolensk which al fell within the Empire. So, Arvo usurped High Chiefdom of Smolensk from the now very angry and distraught Chief Daugvilas of Nalsia. Chief Daugvilas of Nalsia lost control of his vassals and now found himself a lone independent Chiefdom on the border of the Empire. Arvo then granted Chief Nuyanza of Kozelsk the High Chiefdom of Smolensk, united several Chiefs who had been direct vassals of Arvo under High Chief Nuyanza of Smolensk as their liege.

High Chief Dobrynia 'Red-cheeks' of Bryansk, a Russian follower of the Shia faith, was next. Arvo 'the Fox' usurped High Chiefdom of Bryansk from High Chief Dobrynia 'Red-cheeks'. This simply stripped away one of Dobrynia’s High Chiefdoms as he remained High Chief of Kiev, and kept all of his vassals. All the current dejure land of Bryansk withint he Empire was already held as vassals to High Chief Malyaka of Tver, so Arvo granted the High Chiefdom of Bryansk to Malyaka, gaining an increase in the powerful vassals opinion of him.

King Naruchad of Estonia took advantage of Arvo’s frustration and embarrassment related to the Great Holy War by calling Arvo into a new Holy war to try and win back some of the Suomenusko faith’s moral authority, the Estonian Holy War for Greater Poland. This was against the current holder of the Kingdoms of Sweden and Poland, Queen Bjorg. The Holy Roman Empire was already a part of the war and they were engaged against the Estonians. Arvo allowed himself to be convinced and joined in his tributary’s war with 19,000 levys and warriors.

The war started off well, Arvo gathered his men and marched west once again, passing beyond his borders into Sweden’s lands of Greater Poland. There he met the armies of the Holy Roman Empire in battle at Konin, and had a great victory. The Mordvin warriors slaughtered 3,500 enemy soldiers while only losing 500 of their own men. Several great, Christian warriors captured in the battle were sacrificed to the Gods, such as Torben the Dane and Bernard the Lombard. The Germans fled further west and Arvo descended upon the castles and towns of Greater Poland.

Kalisz was the first to fall followed by Gnesen. Many prisoners were taken including Gosciwuj Polan, husband to High Chieftess of Greater Poland. A ransom was arranged to send him back to his wife. The rest of the prisoners were sent east for moment.

Konin fell next, followed by castle of Sroda. While Sroda was under siege the Estonians were attacked by Germans to the north at Kamien, Arvo lead a quick assault on the castle walls to end the siege of Sroda, and then led his armies north to reinforce the Estonians.

The Estonians had held on long enough, so Arvo was able to join the battle at Kamien, leading to another great slaughter of Germans and another great victory over the Holy Roman Empire. Kamien itself was soon is captured. Among the treasures and prisoners taken was found a magnificent engraved sword owned by Countess Krystyna 'the Just’ of Naklo, which was sent east to the treasury in Yaroslavl.

Arvo received word about this time of unrest in the northeast corner of the Empire, a revolt in Mezen lead by a peasant named Noumea. He trusted his local vassals to deal with it. Of more interest, however, was some news of political unrest and upheaval to the west in the Holy Roman Empire.

Apparently, Kaiser Segoin Hetanid of the Holy Roman Empire had created a new title, the Empire of Germania, and made it his primary title, calling himself Kaiser Segoin of Germania. The Holy Roman Empire still exists and has same elective succession options, but the new Germania would be passed down to Kaiser Segoin’s direct heirs, one of his sons. It is unclear how that might split the Empire on the next succession, but the new Kaiser of Germania was already facing a revolt led by Tedice 'the Lion' of Genoa who was apparently not happy with the changes in the Empire. Arvo was not sure how much of impact that would have on the current war, but assumed it would at least distract the Kaiser to some degree.

Arvo continued to press forward, next besieging Breslau which is soon captured. Additional cities and towns fall in siege. There are some minor skirmishes at Kamien and Driesen, that lead to other warriors captured in battle and sacrificed to Ukko. The Holy War is going well, Arvo sees it being over soon, they only needed a few more weeks to break Queen Bjorg’s will to fight and Arvo could return east. (War Score 98). He had heard of another peasant revolt rising in Korosten in the southwest corner of the Empire, that he should deal with, apparently the rebels had already sacked Korosten, itself.

Late in 1062, just before the new year, his scouts report an army marching to Kalisz to apparently free the castles and cities there from his garrisons. Arvo leads his men south to drive off the enemy and end any last defiance. But what he finds outside the walls of Gnesen changes everything. Instead of the expected banners of Sweden or Germania, a new army has joined the fray. Around the siege camp were raised the banners of the Papacy.

​

The news of the unrest in Germania had apparently worried Queen Bjorg of Sweden, and she had called for additional allies to defend Christian lands against the Suomenusko heathens and she had been answered. Pope Stephanus VI, himself, had answered the call and with him came King Ofeig II of Sjælland and Khan Gostun 'the Hammer' of Pannonia.

Arvo ‘the Fox’ was faced with a dilemma. Queen Bjorg was about to capitulate, but if the Papal forces freed even one of her holdings, she would gain renewed hope and the war would drag on for years, with more and more Christian troops flooding the area. But if Arvo could break this fresh army, here and now, the war would be over. He outnumbered the Papists close to 3 to 1, but his scouts reported a German army coming in from the west which would even the odds if they joined the Papists. He would need to defeat the Papists before the Germans arrived or he would be trapped between them. Arvo threw the dice and launched his assault falling upon the Christian army at Gnesen.

​

His gamble failed.

The Pope held firm for two weeks, even as over half his army died around him. And then the Germans fell upon Arvo from behind. The castle forged steel of the Christian knights and footmen cut through Arvo’s fur and leather armored levys. Even the better armed and armored warriors of the Merry Men could not stand against that onslaught for long. Arvo had failed and fled east, leaving half his army behind as prisoners or dead, 8,000 men. Over 4,000 Christians also bled out at Gnesen, but the Holy War for Greater Poland, so close to victory, was now doomed.

Arvo led his men east back into the Empire, pausing only to take out his frustrations on the peasant rebels in Korosten, slaughtering them without mercy. It would be close to year before the army would be able to fight a real foe again.

Arvo left his army and returned to Yaroslavl, there he found more distressing news. His daughter, Elyuva ‘the Heavenly’ had been seduced by Arvo's rival Chief Brun 'the Lecher' of Suzdal, and had become pregnant, giving birth to a bastard named Tyushten. Chief Brun flaunted his deflowering of Arvo’s daughter by legitimizing the bastard, letting all know it was he who had had his way with Elyuva. Arvo was furious and swore to kill Brun. He couldn’t risk injury while the war continued, but he swore once the war was over, he would avenge his daughter’s honor and cut out the Lecher’s heart.

Elyuva’s twin sister, Chindyayka, was married to High Chief Reko II of Kola, part of the Suomi royal family. Meanwhile, Arvo’s third daughter Tekay came of age, a brilliant strategist, with a warrior’s heart. Arvo appointed her a Shieldmaiden, as she did not want to become a wife. Arvo’s visit home also led to Empress Lemmikki once again becoming pregnant and she gave birth to a second set of twins, Utyayka, named for Lemmikki’s mother, and Azyren, Arvo’s third son.

While the Meryans were away, the Christians had free reign and freed all the captured castles, cities and bishoprics in Greater Poland.

In 1064, Arvo made one last attempt to turn the tide of the Holy War. He led his reduced army west into Greater Poland once more to try and recapture the various holdings. But was once again met by a strong Christian army, and lost a close fought battle at Kalisz, that left another 8,000 men dead, half Christians and half followers of the Suomenusko gods. Arvo once again retreated back to his Empire, cursing Naruchad for dragging him into this conflict, the third war in the past decade which, even if won, would give little benefit to his own people, certainly nothing worth the blood already spilled.

The next two years, the war dragged on and the Christians recaptured all of Estonians’ gains. Arvo ignored it and returned home to Yaroslavl.

His daughter Olota was maturing into a beautiful woman much like her older sister Elyuva. Everyone said she had been touched by Akka and like her sister was known as Olota ‘the Heavenly’. In order to protect Olota from scoundrels like Brun ‘the Lecher’ who had ruined Elyuva, Arvo made himself her guardian.

Arvo was also dealing with his gigantism. Though out his life he had never actually stopped growing, by the time he reached 40 he was larger than even the legends of his most famous ancestor, Erziya ‘the Bold’. But his body was not as young and resilient, and the continued growth was starting to pain him, though as a warrior he appreciated the increased strength and intimidation his massive size granted him. He spent more time training with the Followers of Otso to keep his adapting his skills to the changes in his body. High Chief Nuyakhsha of Vasyugan, a Veteran in the Lodge, often trained with him and soon became friends with Arvo. Nuyaksha had led his people in a war to win their independence back from the Ashina nomads, so was now the only independent Suomenusko ruler east of the Ural Mountains, outside the Empire. One of the Heroes, Jinning Hua, has tasked Arvo to duel Chief Biyar 'the Bellower' of Khantia, one of Nuyaksha’s vassals. Arvo agreed to the duel, but said the duel couldn’t be fought until the Estonian Holy War for Greater Poland was over.

Arvo enjoyed his time spent with the Followers of Otso, but only thing that bothered him was the presence of Chief Brun ‘the Lecher’ of Suzdal. Brun 'the Lecher' was the bastard and rival who had defiled Arvo's daughter. Somehow, he had gained a seat at the Heroes Table within the Followers of Otso and had become the leader of the society.

But as time passed and Arvo’s fighting prowess became evident, many of his fellows urged him to challenge for a seat at the Table of Heroes. Arvo saw this as a chance to get his revenge and avenge his daughter’s honor. He would challenge Brun for his seat at the table and kill him in a sanctioned duel. But when he challenged him, Brun the coward refused to fight, robbing Arvo of his revenge. Brun simply gave up his seat at the table. Arvo became a Hero within the society and was given the honor of wearing the Cloak of Heroes with its great bear head hood. Brun the 'Lecher' fled home to Suzdal, but even though he had been demoted to Veteran, he still retained his position as the leader of the Followers of Otso, despite his shameful behavior.

​

Arvo sought Brun out in Suzdal and challenged him to another duel over his daughter’s honor, but the coward ran again. Brun proved himself once more a craven, a disgrace to the Followers of Otso. Arvo considered imprisoning him, but it would displease his vassals. Instead, Arvo fought the delayed duel of honor against Chief Biyar 'the Bellower ' of Khantia. Chief Biyar was a braver and more honorable Veteran in the Followers and agreed to the duel. Arvo won the duel, clubbing Bilyar down with his fist.

By this time, the last Estonian army had been slaughtered by the Christians, putting an end to the Estonian Holy War for Greater Poland and once more bringing humiliation to the Suomenusko faith. With the war over, Emperor Arvo 'the Fox' of Volga-Ural’s main ambition was to see the realm prosper and recover from years of war which had depleted his treasury and cost him too many levys and warriors.

 

[Midnite Duke]

Allies! Estonia wants you to do the hard work while they get the rewards.

 

[slothinator]

The rise of Germania is sure to bring no end of conflict in Central Europe, all the better for Arvo.
Alas, the Christians' strength is in numbers; the Suomenusko need to find a counter to it.
Brun is quite the cad, I was hoping for a duel but maybe the future will be more kind.