What I listen to while processing the turn. It may explain a lot ...
Many peoples came under the sway of the Great Khan. Some joined willingly,
as in Sogdiana, others indirectly, as the Turgay tribes, and yet more
transferred from Persian rule (Turkmen). Some nobles grumbled about the nature of
their "conquests" in these years, but times were good and nothing
came of it. The Ilkhan Akhulili, who handled the negotations over
Turkmen, was seen at most of the parties in Ctesiphon for some months,
working hard to overcome the natural antipathy between the Persians and
those from the traditional source of evil, Turan.
What caused more annoyance was the foundation of a city, Dashovuz,
among the subject farmers of Khwarzim. Kiliciler's heir Akhshunwaz had
as much trouble keeping the shepherds and farmers out of the new city
as he had keeping the nomads within the city.
The Khan and his lackeys then rode off to the courts of several tribes
and attempted to gain their allegiances. While the Kama Bulgar were still
upset over the death of their beloved khan while Sonqur was his liege,
others were more receptive. The realm's few scribes were rapidly
overwhelmed keeping track of the growing and changing khanate, and in
some cases just gave up entirely.
But even this wise ruler could not anticipate everything.
While visiting the tents of the Wusu, Sho-luen caught a sudden high
fever. Before the sun set on the following autumn day, he was dead. An
electric thrill went through the empire, and riders flew between winter
camps from Lake Balkash to the Amur River. While the Wusu khan supported
the heir, P'ulochen, and drew closer to the Khanate, forces worked to
spin the realm out of control. The first things to be lost were thousands
of Chinese-style taxation records, and few mourned them.
After a few days, it became clear that nobody wanted to take charge of
the situation. It was then that the 10-year-old aunt of the prince,
Princess Hara, decided to act. Over-ruling the objections of the
family, she sent messages to khans throughout the land urging they respect
the great work of Sho-luen and stay the course.
Hara's plans worked, and by the spring thaw the Juan-Juan Khanate was
once more functioning. Anakai, head of the newly-expanded bureaucracy
and a man trained in Confucian principles in his youth, was named as
Ilkhan and Regent for the young prince.
Juchin took this as an omen, and soon enough the late khanum's
chambermaid gave birth to a healthy son, claimed by the khan as his
own. Some were dubious over his interpretation of such an omen, but
the results silenced his critics.
While his now-motherless children were in their minorities, the Khan
named his brother, Temujin, as his heir.
After three moons had passed, and the rice stores began to run low,
the lord of the city and the guild masters considered their options. On
the one hand was the fact that they did not want to submit to anyone,
period, such were the independent-minded folk trained from birth. There
was the hope that the Emperor would bring this upstart king to heel and
give them relief. This was so unlikely, and the pleasant offers of
Ma Yueh so enticing, that the elders decided to allow the king through
the gate, and bided their time.
To celebrate, the king took as his concubine one of the most famous of
the city's courtesans, the mysterious and alluring Lady Cai. He took
up residence in a hastily-vacated
villa, and in a few years he had a new baby daughter to claim. While
failing to really win over the Nan Chao - a hard task - some nobles in
Southern China began to look upon Ma Yueh as a possible counter to the
growing power of the northerners.
But in most of China, chaos ruled. The strong oppressed the weak, though
here and there Ts'in loyalists yet held out against the growing private
armies of the landed gentry. Yet, in Ghang'de province, finishing
touches were being put on a complex of temples, dormitories, and
classrooms called the Temple of South Heng Shan, on the shoulder
of South Heng Shan mountain, a holy place. Pilgrims are already
coming here, to learn, to worship at individual sites dedicated to each
of the Eight Immortals, and to work.
Two such "pilgrims" were not entirely willing, and were little
interested in their spiritual lives. Rather, they were thankful for
their presence on this plane in any location. Tsu Ti, former Emperor of
China (in name), and his best general, Liao Hua, found themselves with
new haircuts and wardrobes at South Heng Shan. Strategy and scheming
were directed towards painting walls, weeding, and latrine duties. Several
hundred temple guards oversaw their work, and maintained general order
in the compound.
In the lands of the late Southern Ts'in dynasty, however, this act of mercy
gave hope to rebels, and they turned away imperial emissaries demanding
their fealty. K'ung Ti was forced to take the field with his host, to
make an example of Taiping first of all. The motley militia there, mostly
the private armies of local lords, conscripted or lured with the promise
of an easy life tax-collecting, was no match for the 40,000 man
imperial army. They fled before the vanguard was more than a dozen
inside the province. The story was the same in Kiang'si
and Hubei, and in less than three
campaigning seasons the Southern Ts'in lands lay in the bronze claw of
the Empire. This included wall-less Chiang Hsia, and each was colonized
with a mixture of young farm families and pensioned veterans, mostly
crossbowmen.
Hubei, however, was different. There the populace had been irked by the
large garrison and its overbearing commander, and fought tenaciously.
The end result was, of course,
the same: another imperial victory and thousands of colonists.
Ma Ch'in received the Ts'in general Liu Weikang graciously in the
capitol of the Southern Sung. The wagonloads of rice and chest of
gold went far in making the welcome heartfelt. The putative emperor had already
accepted the nominal claims of K'ung Ti, and in the course of negotiations
with general Liu and his aides decided that the route of An Ti was not
for him.
Sadly, one moon past the winter solstice of 412, Liu Weikang returned
from a visit to a local Daoist refuge with a fever. Within a few weeks
the pox had claimed him at the age of 38. Ma Ch'in was so moved by the
passing of one who had become his friend that the Southern Sung pledged
their swords to the Emperor, and peace was restored.
On returning to Chien-k'ang, the emperor finally agreed to receive the
embassy of the Later Yen. As his chief minister, Pang Tong, put it,
the "craven barbarians" came to beg forgiveness and to return the
provinces of Shantung and Tsainan. The Yen ambassador averred that while
the garrisons had been withdrawn, the people were too terrified by the
might and ruthlessness of the Mu-jung clan, and refused to acknowledge
any but their suzereinty. And as the first snows bleached the hilltops,
the two nations were left in this rather awkward condition - not at
peace, yet not at war.
Khanate of the Hsiung'nu
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Bulinger, Khan of the Hsiung'nu
Diplomacy: Wu Hai (F), Lang Shan (A), Ningsia (P)
The clan was worried about their leader. His life had sunk into one
dissipation after another, and he had recently taken to building and painting tiny
models of horses, a sure sign of illness. Three enarees were sent
to perform a ritual purification, and Bulinger reluctantly agreed to
see them.
Three days later they emerged from the khan's chambers reeking of burnt
seeds and rubbed weeds. Bulinger himself then stumbled out, chin and
tunic stained with the sacred haoma drink whose recipe was known
to but a few in these degenerate days. The next morning he began to
actually listen to reports from the frontiers, and within the month was
receiving ambassadors and hearing cases from his subjects.
One of his first acts was to sent a messenger professing the obeisance
of his clan to the Toba, and sacks of silver were sent to them. This
raised eyebrows, as the Hsiung'nu were not given to such things. What
caused eyes to pop was the effort begun to farm in the Ordos,
the traditonal grazing lands of the clans. The khan managed to
assuage most of the nobles, but noises about "going native"
and "Sinicization" were often heard around the campfires
after full dark had come.
Efforts to convince the Chinese of Wu Hai thus met with great success,
while the nomads of Lang Shan were at most willing to use their minghans
on behalf of the khan. The singular fact sparing the reputation of the khan
was the promise of the province of Ningsia as reward for loyalty
(see the Toba Wei below).
Korean Kingdom of Koguryo
(Chinese Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
King Kwanggaet'o, the Great
Diplomacy: Bandao (A), Silla (F)
Kwanggaet'o bent most of his efforts to winning friends, laying aside the
sword for the moment. The Emishi, however, were written off, as a fleet
raided their shipping. None was seen and the the crews returned to
port more than a bit disgruntled at having sailed about for years with
no booty to show for it.
Worse yet was the reception in Bandao given Buddhists priest in their
colorful robes. So badly-conceived was the missionary effort that the
few Buddhists in the region stopped their public observations, and many
were hounded out of their communities into neighboring provinces.
Later Liang Kingdom
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Lu Kuang, Emperor of China
Diplomacy:
There was little news from along the Silk Road, though persistent sightings
of evil spirits in the sands east of Turfan kept credulous children alarmed
and caravan masters amused.
Later Ts'in Dynasty
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
Yao Hsing "the One-Handed", Emperor of China
Diplomacy:
Yao Hsing hoped for a respite from attacks by his more barbarian
neighbors. This was not to be (see Toba Wei). The emperor was
pleased that his cities held out against the crude barbarians, but
knew that without food from somewhere his cause was doomed. His
ambassadors throughout the Middle Kingdom pleaded with emperors, khans,
and kings for aid, from armies to a few boats of rice.
Finally, the destitute Duke Bai of Houma passed from this plane on
Christmas Day 412, just before lunch, a victim of consumption and famine.
An itinerate Persian Christian by the name of Shapur
was arrested by the Chang'an militia, accused of witchcraft, and
after some weeks locked up in a keep was beheaded on the Tuesday
before Lent.
(Hou) Later Yen Dynasty
(Daoist Civilized Open Empire)
Mu-jung
Ch'uei, Emperor of China
Diplomacy: Chi (F)
With a reaction similar to a princess finding she had stepped into a
newly-fertilized rice field, Mu-jung Ch'uei decided to withdraw his
garrisons from Tsainan and Shantung (see Eastern Ts'in). The
emperor was not, however, happy at this challenge to his power, and
ordered his armies to ravage the land before withdrawing.
More dangerous still was the announcement by the emperor that, if they
were to rule Chinese the Mu-jung would need to abandon the faith of
their parents and follow the Daoist path. Despite the inroads made by
native culture within the clans, several traditionalist nobles were
outraged. Thanks to the vigilance of Imperial Brother Mu-jung Shen-qu,
a conspiracy was uncovered before it could be hatched. The gang of
four traitors, lead by Imperial Uncle Mu-jung Bai'quo, were presented
with evidence before the clan leader. Unlike the weak Ts'in, the Yen
judgement lead to beheadings before the sun had set, and before the week
was over the siblings and children of the conspirators had been hunted
down and dealt with similarly.
As might be imagined, the citizens of Chi were both happy that their
rulers accepted the enlightenment of the Daoist path, and anxiety when
Bailao Qu Li, named "the Scythe" for his rapacious harvest
in Tsainan and Shantung, appeared with his fleet and army around the
city. His smooth tongue and imposing reputation convinced them that the
future lay with the Yen. The silk-and-silver clad soldiers left several
contrasting impressions on the city fathers, all of which pointed in the
direction of obedience to the empire.
Southern Ts'in Empire
(Daoist Civilized Open Empire)
Tsu Ti, Former Emperor
Diplomacy:
The imperial uncle has a new path (see Daoism Temples above).
Sung Kingdom of China -Tributary of the Eastern Ts'in Empire
(Daoist Civilized Component Nation)
Ma Ch'in, Sung King
Diplomacy:
Ma Ch'in drew close to the Empire (see Eastern Ts'in).
Toba Wei Empire
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Toba Kuei, Emperor of China
Diplomacy: Shensi (P)
The Emperor felt good as he sat ahorse a few li from the Great
South Gate of Chang'an, capitol of ancient China. A low din could be
heard over the charred suburbs of the city as thousands of his Han
subjects entrenched at strategic locations, each work crew overseen by
a whip-bearing nomad on horseback.
The journey here had been as fulfilling, the result of years of planning,
attacks, and diplomacy. Houma, fallen a few years past, was in his
grip, and Shensi, the enemy homeland had lain open to his troops, who
were nonetheless under orders not to loot the rich towns and villages -
at any rate not yet. The remnant Later Ts'in army had fled in boats
and similar insignifance Chinese machines, running into the city and
preparing for a siege. Toba Kuei chuckled. Let them hide, for without
food they would be forced to surrender before two moons had come and
gone. He was confident that cooler heads
on the other side of this gate would accept his offer of leniency,
allowing him the opportunity to reside in the Imperial Palace - or
what was left of it after a century of invasion, civil war, and
brutal intrigue.
Also, he had received the anda of the once-mighty Hsiung'nu, and
an army under Prince Lai-Hsiang was busy securing Ningsia as the price
of Bulinger's fealty (see Hsiun'nu). The bags of silver had
summoned in Toba Kuei that same warm feeling he had when torching his first
Han village many years ago.
That pleasant recollection faded over the next hundred days as the
city had refused to yield. Sending the head of Shek Hsing, the
Ts'in heir, over the walls on what his astrologers had deemed
a propitious day had no effect. Neither did sending the head of his chief
astrologer, but it made Kuei feel a bit better regardless. It appeared
that the Later Ts'in fleet had been good for something after all, as
by night small boatloads of rice and other supplies had been smuggled
into the city from friendly downstream ports. Not much, but enough to keep
the resisance alive. Enough to give them hope for aid from Chien-k'ang,
Pienching, or any other capitol.
And indeed, as 412 drew to a close and a light layer of snow made the
scarred walls of Chang'an appear yet taller, the emperor waited still
for the message of surrender he wanted so much. Perhaps Tao Wu-ti had
been right about the need for a naval blockade. Further, the Hsiung'nu
had not bothered to actually send any of their own minghans to
watch over the land of Ningsia, requiring Lai-Hsiang to sit there.
Western Ts'in Empire
(Asiatic Pagan Civilized Open Empire)
Mu-lien, Emperor of China
Diplomacy:
Mu-lien, alarmed at events to the east, bestirred himself and began to
arrange for the defense of his little empire.
South East Asia
Cham Kingdom
(Hinduism Barbarian Open Empire)
King Bhadravarman, the Great
Diplomacy:
Unrest in Vijaya was put down quickly by the city garrison.
Chen-La Kingdom
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
King Pendravarman
Diplomacy:
Pendra passed his days in art and literature at court. This did little
to prepare him for the unprovoked onslaught from the Khmer
(see Khmer Kingdom of Funan) ...
Khmer Kingdom of Funan
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Korn Danh II, the
Great, King of the Mountain
Diplomacy: Nakhon (T), Andaman Islands (A), Johor (A)
Residents of Oc Eo and Tacola were so annoyed with the swarms of
bhiksu begging, and praising Vishnu loudly, that they drove them
out of town. Local Hindus either left, or stopped their public
worship, and the temples were left nearly empty.
Korn Danh and Saru, his bride, travelled to Nakhon and were entertained
at the court of the king. Seeing the royal pair, he was convinced to
willingly pay tribute - but no more, as a Funan spy had been discovered
in the royal fishing boat. The "King of the Mountain" was
naturally disconcerted, yet left Nakhon having made a friend. Or so he
said. Regardless, Korn Danh was happy to get home, and happier still
to have Saru present him with two daughters.
Similarly, the heir Norodom Huoth sailed to Tacola, and from there
to the forbidding Andaman Islands. He was able to convince the clan
chiefs to use their pirate fleet in the service of the famous king
Korn Danh, and to lay off the booty for a bit. His mastery of the
sea was becoming well-known, and the Mallacca pirates left Prince
Huoth and his fleet alone. More friends were made in Johor, where the
petty lords of coast pledged their men, elephants, and boats to the Khmer.
But while pleasantries were exchanged and babies held, elsewhere life
was harsh. Lord Var Dhara, assisted by the Ligor king Gridha Sayee,
Saha Yaduveer, and the Perak king Nghor Kheiu made ready the army for a
grand expedition. The fleet of Gridha
Sayee took up positions near the Mekong delta, turning back all
shipping, or at least attempting to do so. Meanwhile, the main army
marched through farm, field, and jungle into Surin, while the Perak
force moved up the coast to meet with them later in the campaign.
The elephants, maiden guard, spearmen, and sundry cavalry and light
troops marched along the Mekong and crossed the frontier into the
Chen-La homeland across from Don Khong. There they camped for a day
in a clearing,
some soldiers swimming with the dolphins near the island. This
idyll was broken the following day by a scout's announcement
that the Chen-La army was marching south and would be upon them
by the following evening. Also, some of the men swimming further
across the river and onto the vast island had not returned, frightening
the remainder away from the apparently friendly dolphins.
Lord Var Dhara readied his troops, making sure the cloth padded armor
was clean and strong, spears sharp, and elephant mahouts alert. True
to reports the enemy appeared the next afternoon, appearing to be
more than half the Khmer numbers, but in poorer order and dress. Anchoring
his right flank on the river with shielded archers, Dhara put his
elephants and spearmen in the center, most of his horse on the left, and
a small reserve of maiden guard on horse and foot. The Chen-La force
of around 10,000 advanced with a similar deployment, their leaders as
with the Khmer on
elephants thickly covered with archers.
The northerners inexpicably retired to make camp, and both sides spent a
restless night. The heavy rain did not improve spirits, but the dawn
was clear except for seasonal river mists. At sunrise the Chen-La force began
to advance, and Yaduveer moved the center up to meet them. With a
cheer the defenders charged into his line, spears and shields pushing,
elephants seeking each other out as worthy opponents. The lines halted,
then began a push and prod in the slightly cool morning air. A charge by
the Funan horse on their left caused the Chen-La cavalry to rout back
to regroup behind their own center, and the victorious cavalry paused
to dress lines for a charge into the foot's exposed flank. Dhara
smiled from his post on the right, expecting to sweep his enemy from
the field. The sounds of blows struck mixed with cries of pain and joy,
and punctuated with belows from the elephants created a pleasing
harmony in his ears, the music of martial glory in creation.
Suddenly he heard noises from his right. Unseen in the mists, dozens
of boats had slipped around the island and unloaded hundreds of
enemy onto a few concealed riverbanks free of brush,
and these were now pouring into the Khmer rear. Dhara sent his
small force of maiden guard with their sharpened ph'kaks to
hold them off and ordered a retreat. The scrum in the center, where the
Khmer had been slowing pushing back the Chen-La foot, switched to a
fighting retreat as now the invaders moved toward their rear. Saha Yaduveer's elephant went down in the fight, and
his guard had to drag him away, leg broken in several places.
The Funan army limped home, only their superior horse keeping them from
being chased down and defeated in detail. Lord Dhara smoldered like
hot bronze, wanting only another chance at the vile northerners.
Kingdom of Tarumanegara
(Buddhist Seafaring Open Empire)
King Purnavarnam
Diplomacy:
Purnavarnam spent a great deal of time fishing at the end of the dock.
Malayu Kingdom
(Buddhist Seafaring Open Empire)
King Malangavarnam
Diplomacy: Malayu (NT)
Malangavarnam, his brother, the heir, and scores of other fishermen were
suddenly killed in a storm at sea. The sole claimant to the throne was
the infant son of the heir and a concubine. After a few weeks of heated
discussion, the child's uncle Lord Sripanasan was named regent until
the lad was of age. Just then, ships from Sabara appeared in the tiny
port at Malayu. Discussion followed, and the local elders were soon
convinced that entering the Gupta sphere had advantages, but not just
yet.
Pyu Kingdom
(Buddhist Civilized Open Empire)
King Kyanzittha
Diplomacy:
The King and his Queen, the princess of Sagaing, spent a lot of time
together, and as a result were blessed with several children. This good
news contrasted with the war brewing between the Chen-La of Land
and the Chen-La of Water. Kyanzittha read the reports, listened to the
wealthiest merchants, and fretted a bit.
Japan
Emishi Lords
(Asiatic Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
King Ashitaka
Diplomacy:
With the loss of so many, Ashitaka ordered Lady Moro to resettle her
people in the ravaged landscape of Toyama. The remainder of the people
marched across the mountains into Kwanto, where they rested before
negotiating their passage home to Akita via Nigata. Sadly for them,
the Yamato felt no need to rest, and were in no mood for
forgiveness (see >Yamato Japan).
Yamato Japan
(Shinto Civilized Open Empire)
Nintoku, Kima of Wa
Diplomacy: Kwanto (EA)
Many days of secret negotiations between Nintoku and the ambassador of
King Kwanggaet'o lead to an agreement on lands, trade, and other matters.
This contrasted strongly with the Kima's efforts to promote the Shinto
faith, which only alienated a large number of citizens. Following on
the heels of the death of Oda Nobunaga, known to the court as
Happy Flower, who ironically was felled by the pox just as spring
began, the heaping of misfortune was enough to make most men retire.
But Nintoku was not "most men." He ordered the liberation of
Kwanto, fresh troops were raised, and Prince Ojin, Princess Jingu Koga,
and Soga Tomomochi marched them across Aichi and up the coast. When
the van sent back word that the Emishi horde was essentially milling
about, Ojin ordered his men to encamp immediately. Jingu railed at
this decision, accused him of cowardice and numerous other faults
both personal and anatomical. Ojin waited for the outburst to
subside, and at her first pause for breath quietly said,
"We sharpen the sword, lady," then smiled.
The Emishi encampment sprawled on either side of the Edo near
the shore. Smoke from evening meals rose to the sky, and the sounds of
children at play and scolding mothers was faintly to be heard across the
plain. Within minutes, shouts of alarm had arisen in the north as the Yamato conscript
archers came into view, supported by the Miwa Guards. The barbarian archers began to muster to face
them, and within half an hour men on each side were falling, shafts
protruding from legs, arms, and chests. Witnessing this, the princess
nodded from behind a line of bushes, and some 3000 Uji had their
horses stand, mounted up, and on command trotted north.
Like a scythe through a rice field, the cavalry took the makeshift Emishi
village completely by surprise. Hundreds of unprepared barbarians warriors
fell in the first charge, while special squads were landed from
the bay to fire the enemy boats pulled up on the shore. Defeat for the
northerners was complete, and the bodies began to pile up one on another.
In the midst of this carnage, as the horse and foot pursued fleeing
remnants with no place to run, Princess Koga ordered her Otomi
to gather the women and children on the beach. Within a half hour
some thousands of them huddled on the sand, some armed and defiant, most
either busy with children or sobbing at their losses. As night fell,
Ojin approached and ordered her to drive the barbarians into the sea
so as not to dull their swords and spears further, or to waste arrows. The princess
slowly shook her head. "No more," she quietly said. As he was about
to reply, the heir noticed Jingu's hand on the hilt of her imported
Chinese sword, her posture, and stopped in mid-syllable. He sighed, then
nodded.
Thus it was that the Japanese gained thousands of slaves, including no
small number of injured Emishi warriors. They were allowed to bury
their dead, and lacking orders from the Kima of Wa continued to
live in what remained of their now-charred village. The barbarian
leadership managed to slip away in the night, but none feared them
any longer.
Nobles in Kwanto, while thankful for the utter destruction of the
barbarians, were not entirely enchanted with the Yamato, and rejoined
the kingdom with some hesitation. And while he would rather have
seen work continue on the tombs, Nintoku was pleased enough to see walls go
up around his capitol. He had hoped to finance at least part of it
through donations, but his call was rebuffed by several of the landed
notables, who claimed that their taxes were, after all, voluntary
donations. The kima prudently did not disagree with them in public.
And this from the society column:
The princess' affairs of the heart worry her father, and crush the ego
of all men who seek her hand. No barriers of class, breeding, or status
exist for her suitors. But they are required to thrill her heart by
physical prowess, be pretty boys and be better than her as a warrior
and strategist, plus keep her interest with wit and culture.
No winners yet.
Court musician Kazu comes up with some catchy tunes, plays a demon
flute in jam sessions, and wonders where all the princesses are. He
contemplates a tour of the mainland to gain some royal groupies. His
head banging during performances causes wall repair firms and the paper
industry of Aichi to bloom.
Western Europe
Alamanni
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Arbogast, Rex
Diplomacy:
Jovinus the tribune felt sweaty despite the chill of the barbarian
king's "court" at the village of Orolaunum. Arbogast seemed
amenable to accepting a large number of solidii in exchange for
quitting Gaul for Hispaniae, and the king's scribes were reading and
signing nearly every piece of vellum placed on the table. Thus the
atmosphere indoors was pleasing to one intent on getting these
Germans to leave.
The world outside the cramped town hall, however, gave a different
message. Yes, the bundled women and children were packing up wagons
and handcarts, the men busily chopping wood to create more transportation,
and the smiths working hard producing fittings. All of this activity
told Jovinus that Belgica I, where his father had taught him to ride
so many years past, would soon rejoin the empire.
And yet they smiled too much, these Germans. For a people contemplating
a trek of a thousand miles the prospect did not only lack terror, it
positively energized them. From what little he knew of barbarians the
prospect of transhumanance might be enticing - especially to a land free of
harsh winters - but the level of enchantment abroad was puzzling and
alarming.
The tribune sighed. Soon enough they would be someone else's problem,
he thought. With the last papers signed and the gold handed over, he
saddled up and lead his small company of equites and attorneys
back to Augustodunum.
The following day the horde began its long march south. Spring was
barely more than a rumor, and the roads often muddy, but the Germans
trudged on in their thousands. Arbogast and his guard rode on ahead,
checking with the locals they could find - or more accurately chase
down - as to which province they were in. When they were told that
Parisii had been entered, the news spread quickly, and despite their
burdens the barbarians cheered. For they are a tricky lot, these
fair-haired brutes, and can split infinitives and parse sub-clauses with
the best of them.
Prince Otto kept the wagons moving south, while the king ordered and
lead raiding parties far and wide. Manor houses were sacked, churches
pillaged and desecrated, women and children carried off, and villages
burned. Cattle and sheep in the hundreds were herded to the always-moving
line of wagons.
As the last German warrior left a wasted Parisii, the owners of those manor houses and
their tenant farmers held many heated torchlit meetings. Roman officials
were either co-opted, forced to flee, or in some cases stoned to death
by angry mobs burned out from their homesteads. If the empire was their
shield no longer, they would not hold up that shield with the strong arm
of their taxes.
Their lust for loot and blood temporarily sated, the barbarians continued
on through Cubia, Lemovicia (where the local Dux tried to channel
the Germans through the poorest lands), Lacetani, and Saguntina. Nearly
every cart held at least one precious item wrested from some wealthy
Gallo-Roman magnate, and nearly every wagon had at least one new cow,
sheep, or goat tied to it. Thus only those few who had missed out on
the action in Parisii, or youths with more time than sense, formed
raiding parties.
Crossing the Pyrenai Montes and other hardships focussed their minds on
more practical matters. A hush of wonder overcame the thousands as they
walked the beaches of Lacetani, felt the warm air and calm sea, and
tasted the fruits of the trees. Many of the priests of Wotan took
heart from this, claiming that the gods had delivered them living to a
land superior by far to what worshippers of Christ would only see after
death.
In 412 the horde entered Carthaginensis, attacked and subdued the place.
Thousands of Germans settled on expropriated land, usually taking over
manor houses and becoming instant lords. Given the rate of taxation
under the emperor, many welcomed the change, and were relieved that
the province would escape the now-legendary looting inflicted on
Parisii. The king set aside customary practice and enfoeffed nobles
personally, assigning lands with the aid of Roman scribes taken into
his administration. Few dared question Arbogast's arrogation of power
given the land of plenty - and land of light snows - into which they
had been lead.
Corduba was rapidly surrounded, isolated, and its submission demanded.
The mayor met with Arbogast, saw the thousands of well-armed barbarians,
noted the minimal state of his city's defenses, swallowed, and invited
the king to lunch. Corduba thus fell to the Alamanni, who were
surprisingly well-behaved, this being the only Roman city most had been
allowed to enter. Thus by Christmas of 412 the Ibero-Roman natives
attended mass in the chapel of Corduba while Arbogast, Otto,
and several men and women of the court looked on at the invitation of
Bishop Paulinus. A few days later, he sufferred through a pagan
ceremony in a copse some miles from the city. The bishop knew that it
was mainly up to him to ensure that nothing like the massacre of Goths
in Constantinople hit Corduba - he knew who would be on the sharp edge
of the sword.
So popular were these and other measures by Paulinus that entire clans
submitted to baptism, and by the end of 412 nearly the whole of the
migrated tribe recognized the supremacy of the Dead God. The royal
clan was somewhat taken aback at this.
Kingdom of the Alans - Civitate Foederatae
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Component Nation)
Xerxes, Shah
Diplomacy:
Noting that the Huns were on the move, Xerxes was more than happy to
accept submission to the emperor in Mediolanum.
Angles and Jutes
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
King Aethelred
Diplomacy:
Aethelred decided to spend more time with his family ...
Asding Vandals - Societas Imperii
(Arian Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
Godegisel, Rex Vandalorum
Diplomacy:
The piety of Godegisel, who is rumored to have once passed up the chance
to kick a dog, set an example for the Vandals to hew closer to the
Arian Christian message. With this the royal family kept close to home,
which resulted in a number of children envlivening the place. Queen
Heletradana was especially surprised to be blessed with a son at her
somewhat advanced age.
The young Gaiseric was made a prince on his 17th birthday, and received
a choice sword of ancient Sarmatian make. Despite the general good
cheer, the peasantry and warriors were restless, hearing the news from
beyond the Danube. Most cared little for Honorius, and less for Huns
in general, but knew they were missing out on loot and glory.
Burgundians
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Gundioc, King of the Burgundians
Diplomacy: Swabia (F)
Backchannels
report that Gunther the Outcast decided to work for the Suevi as a
chance at fame and glory - and he was a bit bored, all in all. He married
a Suevi lady of the court, and she produced twin sons.
Gundioc the King decided that the party was over in the Western Roman
Empire and that, for now, it was time to return home across the Rhine
with what loot had been gathered. There was no resistance marching
through Germania I, and many clans were resettled in the Alamanni's
old home of Swabia by late in 409.
Classical Pagan Oracles
(Classical Pagan Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Sibyl
Diplomacy:
In their small numbers, worshippers continued to attend the temples
of Jupiter and Minerva.
Eire Kingdom of the Scots
(Keltic Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
High King Donald I
Diplomacy:
Donald took up singing and dancing, at least partially to keep the
female "immigrants" from Gaul entertained.
Franks
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Clodius, Rex
Diplomacy: Belgica I (PT), Germania I (P)
The Alamanni ceded Belgica I to their Frankish brothers before trundling
southward.
Hearing rumblings of a major invasion on Roman soil in the east, Clodius
and his son decided to try to break through back across the Rhine
through Germania I. The warriors were mustered and trudged back to the
Rhine. Unsurprisingly there was no resistance, even when the Franks,
short on supplies, looted the last of the herds and grain in the province.
Frisians
(Arian Church Barbarian Open Empire)
King Jenze Wolfsen
Diplomacy:
Durc ordered the squalid coastal village of Vlaardingen expanded into
a center for trade and culture. It remains squalid, but is larger, which
pleased the king. The various machinations of the king to increase
his Saxon realm went well, further increasing the joy at court.
This was not, however, to last. Despite the best efforts of his
doctors and priests, Durc fell victim to a minor epidemic of the pox
on November 4 of 411. His achievements were not cast into the flames of
revolt, however, and his younger brother Jenze was acclaimed king by
the nobles. With the world south of the Rhine in turmoil, the Frisians
and their Saxon brothers were in no mood for strife at home.
Lombard Kingdom - Societas Imperii
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Autharii, Rex Lombardorum
Diplomacy: Lausatia (P)
With the assistance of a thousands of Siling Vandals, under their Prince
Hunneric, the Lombard heir Aistulf marched into Lausatia. Roman coins
from the Frisians changed hands, and the two armies began to reduce the
region to submission. Fear and anger over the betrayal of their lands
fueled a widespread revolt. The rebel army was put down with substantial
loss, a garrison installed, and the two princes marched back to the new
city of Meissenburg to celebrate.
Pictish Tribes
(Keltic Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Talorg Mac Aniel, King of the Cruithni
Diplomacy:
On the day after Easter 409, the King of the Cruithni and a few of his
clansmen rode up to Whithorn monastery. The sky was unusually clear,
the air unseasonably warm, and he was in a fine mood. Nicol the Druid
had informed him the omens were good and his cause was right, and so he
had decided to close this Christian enclave. Allowing it to remain,
the elders had informed him, had probably cursed his efforts against
the Romans, acting as a weakening infection of the Cruithni.
So it was with some surprise that as he approached the somewhat
run-down looking compound a small crowd of locals was milling about the
entryway.
"What's all this, then?" cried Talorg to the mob as reined in.
None dared speak up, so he nudged his bay horse forward slightly. A
forest of farm tools instantly materialized over the shoulders of the
people, some of them rather large lads, and they blocked his advance.
"Here, out of my way. This blight," as he gestured toward
the encircling ditch and small wattle buildings, "must be cleared out."
A smallish young woman with long black hair, a baby on her back, and a small
scythe in her hand, shouted back, "Blight? What do you know?
These folk in here may be Romans, but they cured my baby's cough,
made me this blade, and are good neighbors. We liked Ninian, right?" A low murmur of
assent rose, but only barely, above the singing birds in the bushes
downslope.
"Well, I, um ..." was the best retort Talorg had at hand. His
handful of mounted men would have a tough time beating these locals
into the mud, and in any case that was not the way the Pictish king
managed such things.
And with that the royal entourage turned about and rode off. The small
crowd did not cheer, but instead grunted (though one man did grin slightly)
and shuffled off to their chores. Some time later a priest showed his face in
the chapel doorway. Ninian smiled, and the following day saddled his mule
for the journey north.
As a final insult, Talorg's wife Lilyth died in childbirth, along with the
baby.
Quadi Clans - Tributary of the Hun Empire
(Arian Christian Barbarian Component Nation)
King Vitalianus
Diplomacy:
The Quadi received the request from Khan Uldin with some equanimity. While
the prospect of loot was attractive, the fact that the Huns would be
the real power irked many of the larger landowners. Vitalianus, however,
was most acutely aware that the 70,000+ Huns and Goths would be marching
through his villages, and a refusal to join in could, at the very
least, lead to some "uncomfortable" discussions. The king
thus mustered his warriors, though a full migration was not considered
prudent, and his host marched westward (see Empire of the Huns below).
Roman Christian Church
(Roman Christian Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Innocent, Bishop of Rome
Diplomacy: Parisii (UN),
Saguntina (UN), Lemovicia (AB),
Neapolis (AB), Sardinia (CH), Baleares (CH), Saguntina (UN), Carthago Nova (CH),
Carpetani (CH), Emeritanus (AB), Emerita Augusta (CH), Histria (CH),
Pannonia II (AB), Illyria (CH), Salonae (CH), Dalmatia (CH), Narona (CH),
Moesia I (CH), Viminicium (CH), Savia (CH), Apulia (CH), Brundisium (AB),
Lucania (AB), Sicilia (CH), Malta (AB), Carthago (MN), Aeduia (CH),
Menapia (AB), Strathclyde (CH), Highlands (CH), Hebrides (CH), Orkneys (CH), Shetlands (CH),
Agder (CH), Norway (CH), Halland (CH), Kopparborg (CH),
Uppsala (CH), Smaland (CH), Tarraconensis (CH), Cluniensis (CH),
Cantabria (CH), Lucensis (CH), Brigantium (CH), Leon (CH), Scallibatinus (AB)
Innocent considered the losses to the church along the Alamanni line of
migration and sighed heavily. Ironically, he had hoped to evangelize
among the Alamanni to help them understand their neighbors in Belgica I,
yet could only find solace in the fact that this province at least was
spared the barbarian's greedy rampage. Clearly the Lord was asking more
of His
Church. A time of testing was at hand, and the Bishop of Rome privately
prayed that these were not in fact the End Times prophesied centuries
before.
Yet more trials were to come (see the Empire of the Huns), when
the faith of millions would be put to the test of fire and sword. At
least in Britannia the church had held up (see Pictish Tribes),
and Bishop Ninian allowed himself a small prideful feeling. This was
offset by the record of Zosimus, who founded new abbeys and monasteries
in Italiae, only to have them sacked when the barbarian host swept
through. This prompted a short book by Zosimus, who detailed the
sufferring of the people, and described the Huns as "demons and
devils" who drove their Gothic and Germanic lackeys on with whips
and scourges to yet greater outrages against God and humanity. Most of
the remainder of the work describes how schisms in the Church had lead
to Uldin as a punishment from the Almighty.
In a timely move, the Church formed the Corps Helvetica, so named
by the German deacon, Renoldus, in charge of the new Holy Office of Churchland
Security. His manners are a bit rustic, and his Latin is usually beyond
vulgar, but as a retired centurian from the Rhine limes he was
uniquely qualified for the post.
Missionary work in Lorraine and among the Alamanni converted tens of
thousands in short order. Innocent was greatly pleased at this
development, and resolved the Church would remain embodied in the people,
as the Empire seemed to be failing it. Efforts in Africa to support
Augustine met with rather less spectacular results: not surprising, given
the longstanding power of the Donatists.
Too young, Bishop Sebastian died in September of 412, the victim of a
cough which began when working in Legio among the old soldiers there.
They wer not receptive to having a new church, but his passing in
Scallibatinus induced the founding of a great abbey, his remains placed
under the chapel altar. Another Holy Person, Marcella, was caught on the
roads outside of Aquileia and tortured by a band of Ostrogoths seeking
the source of her obvious wealth. When they learned she had given nearly
all of it away to the poor and the Church, some sneered, some paused, and
one in frustration ran her through with his spear.
The Bishop Meropius Pontius Paulinus of Nola continues to stand
forth as an example to the wealthy Romans
by his conversion to Christianity and an ascetic life. The former Governor
of Campania has turned his back on worldly
ways by venerating the tomb of the 3rd century martyr St Felix. The letters
of Bishop Paulinus which celebrate the
value of Christian friendship have caused a sensation throughout the Empire
by drawing many citizens to study his example.
Saxon Kingdom - Societas Imperii, Frisian Vassals
(European Pagan Barbarian Component Nation)
Hengist, Rex Saxonum
Diplomacy: Rugia (UN)
Prince Aesc paced in his small room. Though a prisoner, he was nonetheless
the heir to the throne, and thus entitled to a bed, hunting trips, and
other advantages. But Aesc was tired of his rebellion, tired of the
endless stream of Arian priests yammering at him, and tired of his
captivity. By the autumn of 409 he had been baptized and was travelling
with Hengist to a meeting with Wig, his putative regent - and Hengist's
brother-in-law.
Where the Este flows into the Elbe, a council was held in November.
Wig, the Regent, was concerned for his own lands, as well as wishing to
free his charge, Prince Aesc. A few days of negotiation is all it took
to reunite the Saxons, lubricated as it was with beer and Roman wine.
Wig was reasonably happy with the outcome, which assured that his infant
sons would be assured the rank of prince in the newly-enlarged Saxon
realm. The strenuous efforts behind the scenes of Osburga, concerned to
keep her family and people united and strong, pushed the men together on
many of the destabilizing issues.
Horst, the Warleader of Rugia, was disgusted with this new affront to
what he considered honor, and renounced his allegiance. Others soon
considered rebellion when a combined Lombard-Vandal army invaded
Saxon (and thus Frisian) lands in Lausatia, while the Frisian king
ordered all warriors to stay at home. This confusing move, combined
with defeat the following year of Roman armies in Italiae, lead many
to consider Christianity a faith weak in arms, if strong in other
aspects.
Turbulence reached into the Saxon royal family itself once more.
Osburga began sufferring from a wasting illness early in 412, and by
the 12th of May she was dead, leaving motherless her twin sons. Wig
mourned a wife, Hengist a sister, and the tribe a leader.
Saxon Kingdom of Holstein - Societas Imperii
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Wig, Dux Holstein, regent for Aesc, Rex Saxonum
Diplomacy:
The Regent for the True Saxon King, ally of the emperor in Mediolanum, was
pleased when his wife Osburga, the sister of Hengist, presented
Wig with twin sons. Such and omen from the gods, he thought, must be
good. But the Romans had little time for their nominal ally, left
twisting in the winds of barbarian and imperial politics (see Saxon Kingdom).
Siling Vandals
(Arian Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
Gaiseric, Rex
Diplomacy:
The king oversaw the building of a new capitol, Hunneria, with much
fanfare. Assistance was given to the Lombards (see
Lombard Kingdom), though many warriors wondered why they marched
down the Elbe instead of across the Alps to either aid - or loot -
the Empire.
Suevi Kingdom
(Arian Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
King Agnar
Diplomacy: Venetia (F), Pannonia I (P)
The Suevi planned to march into Pannonia I (see Empire of the
Huns below) via a slightly different route from their homeland of
Bohemia. Thus the peasants and their chattels were gathered for the
long journey. After a few weeks on the trail, King Agnar called a meeting
of his nobles and announced that the new lands would be apportioned by
him alone, with the advice of the church and the consent of Uldin the
Hun.
Many of the gathered lords were outraged. The "consent" of
a Hun? A king deciding without their approval? Hrothvek the Fair
quickly became the leader of this faction, and called Agnar to
a duel. At first the king was reluctant. Victory may only drive
the others to more subversive measures, and a loss would, well, best
not to dwell on that. But the gleaming eyes and flushed faces of
the assembled leadership fairly cried out for a rapid end to this
strife. The king called for his swordbearer, and the men headed out
the door into the chill spring air.
A space was cleared from before the dirty cloth pavillion, torches were
lit, and arms checked. All agreed that this would not be the usual
gang warfare, but individual combat. A thiudans himself in the
past, Hrothvek was tall, with a
curly yet well-trimmed beard of ginger-colored hair, and high
cheekbones. Despite his long marriage to a distant cousin of Agnar, a
suspicious number of children were ginger-haired. Despite rumors of
his philandering, Hrothvek remained popular, hunted well, and owned
many cattle.
Agnar, by contrast, was neither tall, fair, nor well-loved. He did have,
however, a charismatic gleam to his eye, and despite the scattered grey
locks in his beard was still the match of most men in the tribe. Agnar
had won respect in his youth by single-handedly defeating three Roman
frontier guards while falling back from a botched raid into the suburbs
of Castra Regina.
Both men wore captured Roman cuirasses, helms in the Gothic style, and round
shields gaily painted. Hrothvek carried a rather large ax, while the
king used his favorite treasure, a longsword all the way from Persia,
complete with a golden scabbard. The encircling crowd moved back
excitedly as the two men walked to the center. Noblemen, and some women,
hoped and feared for an epic combat, silver flashing as some bet on the
outcome.
Agnar calmly paced forward, shield raised. Hrothvek shifted from foot to
foot, moving his shield slowly about. The king continued forward and,
gauging the moment took a last large leaning step and swung his blade in
an up-then-down motion that some in the audience missed entirely, his
gait timed to throw most of his weight behind the blow. Hrothvek's
head flew a few feet and landed with a small thudding sound on the packed
mud, and it was over.
The other putative rebels begged forgiveness, or fled into the dark woods
never to be seen again. Clemency was granted by Agnar, a husband found
for the new widow, and the tribe continued marching south after some
delay. In this way are dynasties assured in these troubled times.
Within a moon a few Huns joined the thousands moving on through Austria
to direct them along the best paths and watering places. The locals
were not sure what to make of the moving mass, nor of their transfer from
Alan overlordship to bondage to the Hun. Most continued to plow and
herd, hoping the armed men would leave them alone. But the Suevi were
destined to encamp in Austria until 409, when more Huns arrived with
the signal to advance (see Empire of the Huns below).
Western Roman Empire
(Roman Christian Civilized Open Empire)
Flavius Honorius Augustus
Diplomacy:
Parisii (UN), Alans (EA), Africa (T), Numidia (T), Vettonia (UN), Cluniensis (UN),
Tarraconensis (UN), Lacetani (UN), Tarraco (UN), Saguntina (UN), Zirid (C)
Timotheus, comes rerum privatum, had great success among the Alans. These
barbarians feared and loathed the Huns, and sought yet greater
protection under the leaves of the Roman tree, proving that the Latin
way had appeal to at least some among the unlettered. To that end
subsidies were sent to various Germans north of the Rhine.
In Gaul, however, reports of Alamannic depredations arrived every week,
yet Honorius refused to send an army to deal with what he termed
"heathen criminals" at court. In transferring garrison troops
about the Gaul, Flavius Sarus, praefectus praetorio Galliarum, wrote
of the anger and sufferring in Parisii before the locals revolted. Coming
behind the trail of the Germans, Olympius, Imperial quaestor, called
for an investigation of the terms signed with the barbarians, and the
hapless Jovinus was arrested at shipped off to Mediolanum in chains. His
carriage was guarded lest the mob provide a more rude form of justice
than Roman law. And Paulus, comes sacrarum largitionum and bishop of
Genua, held special masses in Lacetani which, though spared the sword
of the Germanic plague, was filled with plebes fearful for the future
and their souls.
Galliae and Hispaniae were not the sole regions where lamentations
could be heard. In the imperial court itself safety was at a
premium. Olympius brought charges of treason against several members
of the emperors entourage, Jovius and Constantine, on the basis of
several letters from various agents from Constantinople and the
testimony of one Priscus Claudian of Ravenna, the go-between. As the
conspiracy unravelled, the two suspects were put to the question and
under "extremities" revealed the names of a dozen more men
and women. Within a month the lot of them had been either garroted,
beaten to death, or beheaded, and many of their families were sold
at the slave market along with their belongings. Several associates
of Olympius ended up high bidder on appreciable lands had by them
for something like a long hymn, if not a song.
More substantial was evidence brought against Priscus Attalus,
praefectus urbis Romae, and despite protestations he was also put to
the question later in the year. While the evidence against him was
unconvincing to many, Honorius approved the banishment of Attalus.
And at last Priscus
Claudian himself came to a bad end, found floating in the Ticinus, his
body caught in thick reeds.
His remains were found as part of a sweep for other missing persons.
Various obscure Theodosian family retainers had not been seen in
some weeks. Then, on Maundy Thursday of 409, news came that a dozen
men with swords and bows had attacked an outlying building in the
Imperial compound in Mediolanum, had slain a number of officials, and
then escaped under cover of a fire. An investigation revealed little,
but it was noted that Honorius was never again seen without at least
two Praetorians in the vicinity.
More unrest was caused in Africae, as imperial garrisons attempted to
close several Donatist chapels and investigated their priests. Africa
and Numidia saw sporadic revolts in the larger towns, and several
tax collectors were run out and their records burned.
To save costs and build a warchest, Honorius stopped imperial subsidies
for labor required to maintain a large fraction of the via
crisscrossing the Empire, in particular those along the northern frontier.
After substantial grousing, most places organized to perform maintenance
in order to keep the flow of trade goods and produce into cities. But
the burden was heavy, and local merchants and landowners were not sure
how long they would be able to provide the coin and labor required.
But disturbing rumors from across the Danube and limes to the
west were what kept Flavius Honorius Augustus awake late into the night.
Various barbarian tribes were on the move, and the emperor ordered
his magister militum, Stilicho, to come up with a plan for dealing with
the coming storm. The Flavius quickly ordered men to mass in
Aquileia for retraining to meet the threat from the north.
Gratianus, praefectus praetorio Italiae, was busily drilling troops
in Aquileia when word came that the Huns and their minions had invested
Carnuntum (see Empire of the Huns).
Once Mediolanum was invested by the Khakhan, many parts of the Empire
bestirred themselves, spurred in part by the brutal march of the
Alamanni unopposed into Hispaniae and stories brought by ship from
Aquileia. A strip of provinces across northern Iberia then down
the Mediterranean coast revolted outright, preferring to see to their
own defense - and incidentally to avoid the imperial tax burden.
Dalmatia - Civitate Foederatae
(Roman Christian Civilized Component Nation)
Fulvius Thalassius, Dux Dalmatia
Diplomacy:
The heroic exploits of the Dalmatian comitatensis and milites was followed
closely by their families (see Empire of the Huns).
Damnonia - Civitate Foederatae
(Roman Christian Civilized Component Nation)
Dux Damnonia
Diplomacy:
Grain sent by the rest of the empire helped to avert a crisis as several
members of the Latin ruling classes agitated for independence. The
few citizens involved, mostly from one family, were rounded up, tried,
and executed in Isca on the public pier under the authority of
Thomas Lucillian, Dux Damnonia.
Gallaecia - Civitate Foederatae
(Roman Christian Civilized Component Nation)
Carpus, Dux Gallaecia
Diplomacy:
The moment seemed ripe, with the revolt of a swath of Iberiae, for
Lucullus to declare himself Rex Gallaecia. With a few supporters he
moved to purge the local comitatenses and milites of officers he knew
would turn on him. Not all of Lucullus' staff supported his move, and
two tribunes sent word to these commanders of the treason-in-progress.
Lucullus was apprehended and with his cronies was put to the question to
determine the extent of the conspiracy. After a week of interrogation,
they were all strangled in the legionary camp, and Carpus, one of the
two loyal officers, was named acting dux.
Lemovicia - Civitate Foederatae
(Roman Christian Civilized Component Nation)
Appolonius, Dux Lemovicia
Diplomacy:
News from Italiae spurred unrest among the landed classes, but the
steadfastness of Appolonius, Dux Lemovicia, and a few small yet
strategic deployments of comitatenses held them in check. His
prudence in avoiding the Alamanni, and in restraining the locals
from revolt, won plaudits among supporters and skeptics.
Sardinia et Corsica - Civitate Foederatae
(Roman Christian Civilized Component Nation)
Hector, Dux Sardinia et Corsica
Diplomacy:
In a now-familiar story, the dux attempted a coup, only to fail
when word reached loyal officers. He was quickly executed and replaced
with Hector, a prominent member of a local shipping family.
North Africa
Donatist Christian Church
(Donatist Christian Church Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Archbishop Emeritus
Diplomacy:
The authority of the Emeritus continued to erode. This of course
only made the faithful more zealous.
Moorish Kingdom
(African Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
Sheik Abdul Al-Kasurga, Son of the Sirocco, Pathfinder of the Tribes
Diplomacy: Zirid (UN), Senegal (PT),
Arguin (PT), Songhai (HM)
Following the announcement that the Berber people would be migrating
to the Land of Gold and Water, the Niger River, there was grumbling
from top to bottom. Many saw this as just another example of al-Kasurga's
lust for power, an attempt to further centralize governance. Others were
pleased at the thought of following the German example and conquering
rich lands to the south, not to mention leaving the Roman sphere, with
their churches, bureaucrats, and - worst of all - widespread literacy.
Opposition was fiercest in Zirid, where the Latinized nobility had no
intention of leaving their family connections with Carthago and Roma,
access to the amphitheater, and good wine. These revolted entirely
at the thought of a long, dirty, and smelly trek into a dangerous and
unknown land. A "praefect" was chosen from among the first
family, and they petitioned Honorius to join the Western Roman Empire.
While the paperwork was being filed, they were granted a client state
status.
Al-Kasurga's general, Abarug, was already leading 10,000 men, plus another
1200 horse- and camel-mounted mercenaries from neighboring tribes, along
the coastline. The king of Arguin, of course, interpreted this as an
invasion bent on conquest, and mustered his 2500 warriors to oppose the
Berbers. These were overwhelmed, defeated, and exterminated, with the loss
of some camel scouts to an ambush. Thereafter,
Abarug's advance continued unopposed until he reached Senegal.
King Zucholin was unimpressed with the Berber victory many leagues away,
and gathered his warriors to keep out the alien invaders. At small loss
the locals were crushed under hoof, heel, and pad, and Abarug's force
continued on into Songhai. The Songhai king, Mansa, at first followed the
method of his neighbors in dealing with the strangers, allowing merchants
to sell them supplies and arranging for their direction down the Niger
River.
His attitude changed when reports arrived that the northerners were raiding
villages and carrying off people, food, and treasure. Warriors came to
his palace from around the realm, and soon nearly 7000 armed men were
gathered and hunting down the Berbers. The two armies soon faced each
other along the banks of the Niger, each with an anchored flank and
cavalry on the open wing. The Songhai charged almost immediately, lead
by the yam fate-fate with their swords and shields covered by archery
from the massed yam baka. Abarug sent a runner to his left, and soon
his light horse were overwhelming the Songhai horse, though the king's
guard cavalry held up well before going under. With their flank collapsed
the remainder of the troops fell back to the thorn boma guarding their
camp. Abarug then sent in his elite archers, who picked the defenders
off the low ramparts, torched the boma, and charged into the panicked
mass.
Songhai belonged to the Berbers, who began the long process of enslaving
the people. A fraction of the Songhai managed to escape upstream,
downstream, and across the Niger. Sudan and Jenne were so enraged at
the behavior of al-Kasurga's men that they declared war on them, though
they were not emboldened to actually take on the northerners. But the
refugees were agitating for more serious action, and began to gather
their resources, arm themselves, and prepare to free their friends,
villagers, and lands. The name "Abarug" itself became a
curse most foul, and Berbers began to appear in the local demonology,
though not in a major way.
In the spring of 412 the sheik himself, at the head of his people and
some troops, arrived. They immediately settled in the farmlands of the
Songhai, often with the previous owners now reduced to working the land
for their new masters. Al-Kasurga organized the founding of a new
capitol city, Mopti, on the Niger. The Berber state on the Niger was
looking permanent, stable, and prosperous on the straining backs of its
newly-acquired workforce.
Eastern Europe
Arian Christian Church
(Arian Christian Civilized Primate Religious Authority)
Vandalarius, Pontifex ipseque Primas Gothicus et Germanicus
Diplomacy: Parisii (UN), Pannonia I (UN), Venetia (MN), Holland (CH),
Vlaardingen (CH), Achaia (CH), Korinthos (CH), Thessaly (CH),
Thessalonica (CH), Europa (CH)
It was with no sense of irony that Vinitharius cursed the Alamanni when
word came of their torching of churches in Parisii. But worse was to
come in northern Italiae, when houses of worship were stripped of
anything of value by Huns who "overcame" the objections of
some Goth and German leaders, to say nothing of the outrage of Bishop
Cameron as he saw congregations torn apart - literally, in some cases.
Pontifex Vinitharius travelled in the old Greek lands and cities,
preaching the Gospel after the fashion of Arius. Overseeing the
raising of an arch in the narthex of a small church in Europa, the
pontifex was struck by a brick. Due to his advanced age (76) the internal
bleeding could not be stopped, and he died in the second watch that
night.
News of his death spread like a flood. Various members of the
ecclesiastical flotsam and jetsam held congresses, wrote scathing
memoranda, and generally vied for position. One of the most serious
threats to unity was the issue of the Roman Empire. Several priests
whose parishes had been subject to Gothic rapine agitated for a
separate branch of the Arian Church for those under the authority of
the emperor. The 412 Council of Carnuntum was a lively affair. Beyond
the walls was a landscape ravaged by war, while citizens within enjoyed
most of the benefits of the Empire, often shipped along the Danube.
By the end of the council, unity was assured once more, and the
Bishop of Castra Regina, Vandalarius, was named Pontifex.
Empire of the Huns
(Asiatic Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
Uldin the Hun, Khakhan
Diplomacy:
Fast riders were sent from Uldin's tent to what seemed the Four Corners
of the Earth. The Quadi, Suevi, Ostrogoths, and Gepids heard the news
as a father hears that his wife has begun to give birth. Mercenary
bands from the Caucasus to the Alps heard the news as a woman hears the
cry of her newborn. And Mediolanum heard the news as a sleepy toddler
hears the breath of a wolf.
Uldin looked across the Danube in May of 410 with satisfaction. Thousands
of people from all across the Hun sphere of influence were taking myriad
small boats across the water to the beachhead at Gerulata just downstream
from Carnuntum. The Taifali had been sent across first, in a nearly
unanimous effort to send these social outcasts into the teeth of the
enemy. Many were surprised that the palisades were carried by these
Goths, who dismounted from their horses to cross before dawn and storm
the palisades.
A few days later, the khakhan was ahorse on the plain outside Carnuntum.
Looking at the stone walls, he sighed. It had been his hope that the
sack of 375 and the fire of 400 had reduced the city, but it looked
quite strong. Sending out orders, he rode south at the head of the
vast host, mainly to avoid the road dust. This meant that thousands of
Goths had to eat his dust while columns of Huns guarded the flanks,
which was as he thought fitting. And of course the Gothic mercenaries,
under their warleader Onoulph the Nine-Fingered, marched just to
his left, Hun and Isaurian
sell-swords to his right - the khakhan knew their loyalty was to him
alone.
The advance was slowed by looting, which was expected, and a large number
of fortified villas and towns. Avoiding Carnuntum and its walls had
caused a number of towns to stiffen their resolve and hope for the
main Roman army to save them. This hope was ill-placed, for the
Stilicho had other priorities and the relief of such places as Ulmus,
Solva, and Matucaium was really beneath his notice. Each was stormed
and sacked by hundreds of grim-faced barbarians, who after carting off
women, children, and treasure usually fired the place. Ahead of the
barbarian host thousands of refugees clogged the roads to Aquileia, hoping
for safety with the main Roman army. Many reached the city, but many
were caught on the way by Hun outriders who usually shot them down and
then gleaned from the corpses what they could.
Priests of the Arian Christian Church attempted, on several occasions
talking Quadi or Suevi raiding parties out of pillaging hamlets or
small churches. These successes were notable, sadly, because of their
rarity, and these Germans were at least as enthusiastic as their Gothic
and Hun comrades.
Those buildings which were not fired were taken over by the invaders
for winter quarters. Hun patrols reached into Venetia and on the
Feast of the Epiphany in 411 Uldin received his first report from
Forum Iulii. As with most of these, he heard of the many walls,
ditches, and palisades around nearly every place in the province, a
level of fortification far beyond that experienced in Pannonia. While
losses in 409 had been slight, the khakhan knew that now there was a
large Roman army in the vicinity.
Thus it was that in the spring of 411 news was broadcast in the streets
of Roma that 350,000 barbarians were descending upon Aquileia. Bad as
the depredations of the Alamanni had been in the west, stories from
Pannonia were just as frightening, and backed by the number of enemy
and the exagerration in the telling, rumor spread from Eburacum to
Berenice making the name of Uldin known to millions.
With the spring flowers came something less pleasant, as Goths, Germans,
and Huns crossed the Natiso River and began to rampage across the land.
Their efforts continued for the entirety of April, and while yielding
more silver and precious objects than had Pannonia was not making the
troops feel wealthy. They knew that most of the richest people had
secreted themselves away behind walls, and were difficult if not
impossible to winkle out therefrom.
Judging the moment, Stilicho ordered his men to march out from
Aquileia and drive the invaders from the empire. The legionaries
cheered at the end of their long seclusion. Many had families outside
the walls of the city, and were anxious to get at the Germans and others.
Individual legions, supported by large numbers of auxilia,
equites sagitarii, and artillery.
In the summer-long campaign that followed, both Uldin and Stilicho felt
they had the upper hand. Uldin had numbers - in the form of his
various subject peoples - and mobility - in the form of his tribal
horse archers - on his side, and his commanders took full advantage
in suprise attacks, raids, and encirclements. Stilicho saw the large
effort Honorius had placed in fortifying Venetia against just such an
eventuality, and took advantage of it as well, placing troops and
especially artillery in some of the larger towns to sortie against
the often shocked besiegers. As well, the Romans could as heartless as
the barbarians, yet more efficient. June 14 saw a column of Roman
horse work its way behind the Suevi "front" and into their
camp. By the time night fell, thousands of elderly, women, and children
had been either killed outright or carried off.
Another Roman coup came a few days later. The 1200-strong contingent
of pseudo-comitatensis and similar from the Civitate Foederatae of
Dalmatia lead by its dux, Fulvius Thalassius, was in charge of
defending the crossroads at Patavium. Early in the morning, a hundred
Goths and Germans came up the Via Annia to the Aquileia gate. They
rode up to within bowshot, dismounted - though several appeared to
more accurately fall off their horses - and lumbered forward in a wedge
formation. Not staking out their mounts, these began to wander off to
graze, another odd sight.
Correctly adducing the situation, Thalassius sent several centuries
quick-marching off to other gates with detailed orders. He then
appeared atop the gate with a small guard. When the Dalmatians were
spotted, the barbarians immediately cheered cruelly, and fired with
lust charged the closed wooden doors. Archers loosed arrows from
along the curtain wall and parapets, and a few of the bearded foes
fell back, clutching at leg or arm. Most ignored the shafts and bore
on to the gate, striking it hard - and recoiling.
By then just over a hundred Dalmatian militia stood astride the road,
blocking the retreat of the barbarians and holding their horses. At
a signal from the dux they mounted the horses, and after some
time spent controlling them (where possible ...) made a charge at the
rear of the milling mass of Germans and Goths. Terror filled the
foe at seeing their own steeds turned against them, and they fled
left and right or were ridden down near the road.
By the time the soldiery were ready to sit for a splendidly laid out
prandium supplied by a joyful citizenry, all the barbarians were
either dead or captive thanks to the Dalmatian's dogged pursuit.
As Thalassius had expected, most were now
sufferring hangovers or were unconscious. By evening it was learned that
two of the captives were barbarian princes, the heirs to the Ostrogothic
and Quadi thrones, Athanaric and Gabinius. As found in a report from the
dux to Stilicho, it seems Gabinius had, at a Hun-lead staff
meeting, chided Athanaric over the failure of the Goths before the town
of Pagus Laebactium, costing them two warchiefs, Frithegern and
Valamir and scores of men.
Some days later, the two men were drinking together and exchanging boasts.
Athanaric: "With a thousand men I could take any of these towns!"
Gabinius: "With a hundred men I could take any of these towns!"
Athanaric: "Lad, what is the next big walled place down this road? Look
here!"
Roman serving boy: "Patavium, sir, birthplace of Livy."
Gabinius: "How many warriors has this Livy?" The boy stared back with a
mixture of loathing and confusion. "Never mind," said the barbarian prince.
Athanaric: "We will take this place together, and compare how many
of these Roman worms each of our 50 men slays."
Gabinius: "Hey, that was (urp) my idea!"
And the rest became history. These two were bound in iron chains and
shipped off as guests of Stilicho in Aquileia, who shut them up in a
cell - together.
By July it was clear that neither side had gained a victory. Exhausted
by the effort and the heat a mutual truce took place, though neither side
officially agreed to one. Unusually hot damp weather had sapped even the
Romans of energy, while Hunnic and Gothic horses were blown after even
a short charge. July and August mainly saw probes, ambushes, and some
skirmishing while each side regrouped, assessed losses, and collected
intelligence.
One useful report came from a Roman deserter whose family had been
captured on his tiny estate near Bellunum. He "volunteered"
that the imperial army would form up for battle on September 1, as
Stilicho's advisors claimed it was an auspicious day under the old
calendar. Uldin smiled, which his advisors recognized as the joy of
a khakhan with a plan.
On the last morning of August, general Georgius, commander of the Armenian
mercenaries, made an attack on the main Roman camp. His 2800 horse and
foot were of course hopelessly outnumbered, but their careening progress
through the poorly guarded camp gate, down the streets and out again
irked the army commander, Flavius Heraclianus, magister militum
in praesenti, and he ordered a full muster in pursuit. Thousands of
equites, auxilia, and sagitarii, by now well-hardened
by the rigors of campaigning, were formed and on the march within
half an hour.
As the prince rode along the Plavis River, he noted the terrain was covered
in brush and trees in many places to either side. Heraclianus was about
to order sagitarii to probe along the flanks when cries of alarm
arose from his force. Thousands of horse archers appeared to either
side, and as well the Armenians were advancing on the head of his
force. He ordered his men to form up, but it was far too late. The
scattered centuries were ridden down, and within an hour the force was
killed, captured, or (for a lucky few) fleeing. Heraclianus
had his horse shot out from under him and was captured in a bog near the
river.
Word of the debacle spread when routing troops reached the camp and other
Roman camps. Generals attempted to organize a resistance, but this was
only partially successful. Where they managed to make a stand, some
legionaries and others were able to fall back into Aquileia. Stilicho was
carried within the walls, two Hun arrows protruding from his left leg.
The Dalmatian dux used the few triremes under his command to
search the coastline for troops, and saved hundreds stranded on the
beaches and swamps. During one of these extractions, his marine
contingent was ambushed by Suevi warriors. He managed to defeat three
barbarians before being wounded by a javelin in his shoulder. His
Dalmatian guard managed to drag him back to his flagship, which had waited
for him on the beach, the crew pouring arrows and ballista spears
into the mob of Germans.
While the Huns themselves had finally closed off Aquileia some weeks
after the victory on the Plavis, the remainder of the army gave itself
over to ravaging the countryside. That is, most of the barbarians gave
themselves over to looting, rapine, and burning. The Suevi were
happy for other reasons, having decided to settle in the fertile plains
of Venetia. They left Prince Korga, who married the dark-eyed daughter
of a Roman patrician, and a small holding force as the great barbarian
force picked up and moved up the old Roman Road into Aemilia.
It was during the autumn harvest when the first Hun riders appeared
outside Verona. The city, long at peace, had of course heard the
terrifying news of the loss at the Plavis but dared not think of what that
meant. No barbarians were seen for the rest of September, but reports
began to arrive from merchants and refugees that the countryside was
fairly covered with German, Goths, and Huns carrying off everything
(and everyone) of value and destroying the rest. By October it was learned
the barbarians were settling in for the winter to enjoy their spoils of
war. On All Saint's Day of 411, a small party of barbarians rode up to
the city gate. As the city was unwalled, this was more after the manner
of an customs office with a little tiled roof. Within a few minutes the
mayor and a few important citizens, including the bishop, were engaged
in heated discussions with Vitalianus, King of the Quadi.
The small party was soon quartered in the mayoral palace, and within a
week had left with a wagon filled with precious objects, silks, and
gold. Thus were the gentlemen of Verona able to spare their city a
thorough sacking at the unwashed hands of Uldin's horde, buying them
off with some of the city's most prized possessions. Meanwhile, thousands
of refugees clogged the Via Flaminia and into Ravenna to escape the horrors
in Aemilia, now a nearly vacant landscape of snow and blackened walls
garrisoned by Ostrogothic warriors picking among the ruins.
Late in the spring of 412 the host, now laden with treasure and captives,
took to the Via Aemilia, quickly overcame Pons Aureoli before the bridge
could be taken down by the local militia, and arrived at Mediolanum herself.
Taifali and Ostrogoths isolated the city while the remainder of the
army made short work of the few fortified towns such as Novaria and
Modicia. By this time reinforcements had been thrown into the city,
so that with its walls and guards the capitol was strengthened against
assault. Uldin rode around the city, the largest he had seen since
his trip to Constantinople. The khakhan knew that to slay the beast he
must behead it, and to this end ordered Germans to began digging lines
of circumvallations and his Huns to establish strong pickets all round
the Roman capitol.
For his part Honorius prayed that time was on his side. Various barbarians
were bound by treaty to come to his aid, as (more importantly) was
Arcadius. Further, Stilicho yet lived with a rump army, and Marcus
in Brittania was sure to do something constructive. And yet
Flavius Honorius Augustus knew that the glass was not half full, was
rather more than half empty, and that the bottom of a cup often held
the bitter dregs of an otherwise sweet vintage.
Gepids - Brothers of the Ostrogoths
(European Pagan Barbarian Component Nation)
King Hellebich, Chief of the Gepids
Diplomacy:
Hearing the call to arms, the Gepids took their people on the long march
into Italiae (see Empire of the Huns), to rip the still-beating
heart of the empire from its chest and hang it from the Tree of Life ...
Or such were the fantasies of some priests of Wotan.
Orthodox Christian Church
(Orthodox Christian Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Patriarch John Chrysostom
Diplomacy:
Heraclea (MN), Pergamon (CA), Serdica (CH), Novae (CH), Epirus (CH)
It was with a mixture of joy and alarm that news of a progress of the
Bishop of Roma, Innocent, through the Dacian provinces was received.
Ecumenism is fine, thought John, but this is pushing matters a bit.
Some confusion persisted as Gregory, Patriarch of Antioch, travelled to
Dyrrhacium with his elderly friend Theodosius. He
had orders to establish a church, but was received at the doors of a
prosperous parish already in place. Annoyed, Gregory grumbled and
left town the next day to start a congregation outside the city. He was
more than upset when, while voyaging with local fishermen in 411, a sudden
storm swamped their craft, killing him and another man. Theodosius
passed away the following year.
Evangelical work in the cities of Dyrrhacium and Novae met with great
success, converting the former from the Old Gods, the latter from the
Heresy of Arius. The message of unity and empire from John
Chrysostom's agents really caught the
attention of citizens, especially in light of the barbarian atrocities
in Italiae.
Patriarch John was saddened to learn of the death of his good friend
and supporter, Venerius, Bishop of Milan, in 409. Venerius was old-school,
ordained by Ambrose, and his remains were interred by Paulinus of
Nola.
(European Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
King Ariaric II
Diplomacy: Taifali (A)
Uldin was not the only leader of a barbarian federation. Ariaric sent his
own riders and representatives to gather tribes to his banner, and they
met with success everywhere (see Gepids and Taifali).
Warriors, families, and wagons all rode, walked, and trundled their way
to Slovakia as part of a grand barbarian federation (see Empire of the Huns).
Rugian Tribes - Brothers of the Asding Vandals
(Arian Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
King Nevitta
Diplomacy:
The death of Queen Gotedala was a blow to the kingdom, and to her
sister Heletradana, Queen of the Asding Vandals. The queen vowed to
protect her two children.
Slavic Tribes
(Slavic Pagan Barbarian Component Nation)
King Bole
Diplomacy:
The Slavs were relieved beyond words when the Huns both moved south, and
decided not to make them come along.
Taifali Tribes - Brothers of the Ostrogoths
(European Pagan Barbarian Component Nation)
King Vallia
Diplomacy:
Not since at the age of ten, when he had slain a bear in single combat and
thus freed himself from "marriage" to fara leader Eraric
had Vallia felt so free. The chests of solidii, jewels, and silks
brought by his friend the Ostrogothic Prince Athanaric were fine, and
the offer to join the Huns in looting Rome combined to thrill the
thiudans of the Taifali.
His warriors, as respected for their prowess with lance as they were
disrespected for their cultural achievements, saddled up and rode back
with Athanaric and Valamir, along with all the women, children, and
animals. Hundreds of youths were armed and given horses, and hundreds
of men who had watched the Danube frontier from palisades were also
provided mounts. Not since the Battle of Adrianople had such an
opportunity presented itself, and he hoped to be even more glorious than
his granduncle, Farnobius (see Empire of the Huns below).
Eastern Roman Empire
(Orthodox Christian Civilized Open Empire)
Arcadius, Imperator
Diplomacy: Attica (EA), Athenai (F), Augustamnica (F), Egypt (F)
Arcadius and Eudoxia were please beyond measure when in 409 a son was
born to them 5 December. A special Thanksgiving mass was held, and
a few weeks later the court passed out small gifts to street waifs. Young
Prince Theodosius was of course nonplussed with the arrival of
competition, er, a darling baby brother. The lad spent a good deal of time
sulking and reading Sophocles repeatedly until his tutors managed to steer
him towards more "suitable" authors, e.g. Livy and Cassiodorus.
Bishop Eutropius Cypriotis took a Piece of the True Cross with him to
the Roman army in Antioch. This relic boosted the morale of the troops,
who built a legionary chapel around it. Another disciple, Iohannes
Xiphos, moved to lend aid to another imperial army, as the Church
faced the threats, both spiritual and temporal, from the East.
From Constans the Constantinoplean Crier
Theophylact was in the cradle of Hellenic civilisation, Athenai. So
imagine his dismay at
the state of the place: imperial control is minimal and there were barely
any aqueducts to be found. This must be solved, he thought.
Firstly, the Dux re-asserted Imperial control by negotiating
with the provincial and urban magnates. He believed his Empire is beginning a
renaissance in which he
will seek not only to re-establish our ancient civic Mediterranean
culture but to
improve it by overlaying the True Faith of Christ onto a proud
Classical past.
Athenai must
be a part of that - as must Attica. So, Theophylact (Greek
for "God's Defender") generally wooed the mighty.
While not chatting up the locals, he visits the many sites
of Athens which he's only ever heard of in speeches. He took his
copy of Thucydides with
him and try to locate the Pelargikon. Once located, he tried to locate any pelicans who might or might not
be in the vicinity.
When spotted pelicans, he immediately informed the officers of the
university in
distant Constantinopolis. They will know the significance of this (taps
side of nose).
Middle East
Ghassanid Arab Kingdom
(Monophysite Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
King John the Fair, the Pious
Diplomacy: Safajah (A)
Not only were the sheiks of Safajah impressed with Prince Paul,
representing John, but Queen Serena presented the busy king with another
healthy son. Truly these were good times after bad times.
Kingdom of Yemen
(Judaism Civilized Open Empire)
King Ishmael ibn Yahsub
Diplomacy: Madina (A), Socotra (A)
With the Axumite threat receding, the king had time to send missions to
neighboring realms. This bore fruit, and trade with the Ghassanids
was opened. On a more sombre note, Prince Adam's eldest daughter, only
eleven years old, died of the cough in the winter of 412.
Lakhmid Arab Kingdom
(Monophysite Christian Barbarian Open Empire)
Sheikh Amr al-Qays
Diplomacy:
Hundreds of prisoners captured after the battle for As'summan were
welcomed into the tribe after a short ceremony. This included
baptism, an oath of loyalty, and a ritual arming. For their part,
the men - many of whose families migrated with them - found a better
life under the Iranian umbrella.
Prince Imru al-Qays married repeatedly, yet was unable to produce a
son for the family.
Monophysite Christian Church
(Monophysite Christian Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Patriarch Theophylact
Diplomacy: Augustamnica (CA),
Faiyum (MN), Lydia (MN), Edessa (AB)
In an impassioned Easter homily for 409, the patriarch denounced heretics,
praised the Faithful, and urged the "Royal Priesthood" to greater
effort. Copies of this tract were distributed across the Monophysite
world, and fervor among the congregations was never higher. So much so
that those of "lesser faiths" (to quote) became somewhat nervous at
the intolerant attitudes of their neighbors, and even some within the
Church grumbled that, to quote a smith in Edessa, "If I wanted to
detest other Christians we would have moved to Africa and become
Donatists!"
In a related bit of news, Parthimus, the newly-appointed
Grandmaster of the Order of the Sacred Sword, was sent to
Alexandria to see to the defense of the Holy Cathedral therein. To aid
him, over 2000 young men were trained and armed in the Roman manner to
guard the Church. A number of citizens, including the Imperial Praefect
Nero, were alarmed at these developments, and petitioned Arcadius to send
a legionary garrison to, "maintain the civic order." A
few Orthodox youths were seen to throw stones at a detachment of
Sacred Sword soldiers. These maintained ranks, shields high,
and a major riot was averted.
Scores of evangelists poured into the Roman province of Arabia,
preaching in bazaars, sermonizing in plazas, and lecturing in the shade
of date palms. Within a few years, everyone of import had been baptized.
In Lydia, Bishop Bertimus managed to baptize a (in)famous and wealthy
courtesan. He promised that her renowned tattoos of scenes from
history would be accurately reproduced on the walls of the new
monastic chapel. Thus was not only a soul saved, but a work of art as
well, though her clientele naturally felt somewhat cheated.
And in far Barbaria, Bishop Dorian "Perigrinatus" told stories.
These stories were about a great warrior who conquered death itself and
lives with the Sky Father. That, at least, is what was heard among
the tents of the Oghuz nobles, who had taken to keeping the captive
priest as after dinner entertainment. At first this had consisted of
beatings and humiliations, but as the tribal army journeyed to its
home grazing lands this turned to at least vaguely respectful
attention. By late 412, Dorian, who knew that while his gift for
evangelism was limited the Holy Spirit was all-powerful, was nonetheless
baptizing minor khans and
khanums. He could dream that by Easter he could hold a mass for the
entire tribe, though for now only the ruling clans were attending to his
message.
East Africa
Axumite Empire
(Monophysite Christian Civilized Open Empire)
Emperor Tewodros Ella Asgad
Diplomacy:
Tewodros felt fairly good. He was on a horse, riding south. He was
going home. The fact that he was naked and bound at the wrists and
neck was, given the circumstances, acceptable. His son Menelik would
have to marry a barbarian princess, but there are worse things, and it
could be turned to advantage, eventually. And in an ironic sense he
was pleased that his ransom had been so, well, kingly. Still, his
pride and thus that of the nation had been wounded, and a reckoning would
be required.
At the gates of Adulis, the exchange was made under overcast skies. A
string of asses laden with silver, gold, and spices was lead up the
road to Satifal. Then the Emperor was lead south, where he was quickly
untied, covered, and bundled off in a palanquin.
Blemmye Tribes
(African Pagan Barbarian Open Empire)
King Satifal "the Great"
Diplomacy:
The sobriquet appended to the king's title seemed appropriate to all concerned.
Satifal was somewhat satisfied with the results, though he would rather
have convinced Tewodros to be his vassal (see Axumite Empire above).
Nobades Kingdom
(African Pagan Nomadic Open Empire)
King Movad II
Diplomacy:
The barbarian king, Movad, was pleased when his concubine from Kerma
presented him with a new son, and it prompted some unusually deep
thinking on his part. Civilization, as with this city girl, had some
good points. Perhaps he would look into it further. Identical triplet
daughters came the next year, surely another omen.
Persia
Orthodox Zoroastrian Church
(Orthodox Zoroastrian Civilized Primate Religious
Authority)
Narses-Kartir, Mobedhan-mobed
Diplomacy:
Asuristan (CA), Mosul (AB), Nia (CH), Abadan (MN)
The Keepers of the Flame continued to expand their reach throughout the
Persian lands and beyond. The shot of Arash the Archer may circumscribe
the empire, but the reign of Ahuramazda is everywhere.
Kingdom of Persarmenia - Sasanian Persian Satrapy
(Monophysite Christian Barbarian Component Nation)
King Mazdak, Satrap
Diplomacy:
Mazdak decided that his reign needed greater legitimacy. Thus it was
that Mazdak married an Armenian princess on Easter Sunday of 409.
Sasanian Persian Empire
(Orthodox Zoroastrian Civilized Open Empire)
Yazdigerd
I, Shahanshah of Persia
Diplomacy: Uruk (F), Abadan (F)
Lacking any real diplomatic energy in Ctesiphon, Yazdigerd decided to
sell Turkmen to the Hephthalites. Nobles and asvaran across the
land were astonished that the Shahanshah would relinquish even one
garden plot to the traditionally loathed Turanians. Give a barbarian an
inch and he will be marching on Ctesiphon, some said.
First Sorhab, shah of Balasagan, and then Mihr, shah of Herat died,
both of the cough. Their realms, however, were inclined to stay in
the empire, which was peaceful and prosperous. The Yemenis and
Lakhmids received the tribute that was their due. And the Kushan
ambassador Kash remained difficult to find, nearly impossible to talk
with, and generally an aloof and mysterious figure at court. All
the while Sasanian bureaucrats tried to negotiate a peace with him ...
Yazdigerd's grief for his dead daschund, Arcadius, who choked on his
own "foulness" (euphemism and prophecy rolled into one) and died,
was profound. Despite strong protestations from the Zoroastrian
hierarchy, the Shahahshah ordered a small dakhma to be built
near Veh Ardashir. The body of the dog was placed therein by
Yazdigerd himself, and the carrion birds set to work on the remains
within the hour.
South Asia
Lambakanna Sinhala - A Kingdom of Chera
(Buddhist Seafaring Component Nation)
King Suravartha
Diplomacy: Kalyani (UN)
The court was saddened by the death of Suravartha's eldest daughter
at the age of nine. Losing Kalyani and Seylan added to the grief
(see Pandya and Chera).
Buddhist Stupas
(Buddhist Civilized Primate Religious Authority)
Master Rugendra
Diplomacy:
Priests continued to preach to limit the executions of prisoners. One
small victory was the change in sentence in Sarnath of a convicted
highwayman. Rather than having his hands, feet, nose, and ears
cut off prior to placement in an old boat headed downstream, he was
after extensive lobbying by the local temple priests to death by
archery. Thus by small steps ...
Chera Kingdom
(Hinduism Seafaring Open Empire)
King Gaman
Diplomacy: Seylan (A)
Noting the number of large empires bordering his tiny realm, Gaman
directed his engineering staff to contract with the appropriate
sreni and raise a fortress at the fishing village of Panadura
in Sri Lanka. He hoped that the restive Sri Lankans would be intimidated,
at which it failed utterly (see Pandya), though the export of rice to the
island nation was effective.
After years of badgering by Lord Ichaa, the Raja of Seylan decided to
leave the Lambakanna Sinhala for the Kingdom of Chera.
In further growth, Muziris expanded to include its fortified fortress
within the high walls. A Buddhist mystic was seen to fly up to the top
of the north tower one moonlit night, which set tongues wagging for
many months.
Pandya Kingdom
(Jainism Seafaring Open Empire)
King Jatavarman
Diplomacy: Kalyani (FA)
The clever Lord Banabhatta smuggled himself into the court of the Raja
of Kalyani hidden in a shipment of Roman wine. Before the Raja could
object that his king, and thus Gaman, had ordered people like him to be
excluded from his city, Banabhatta began such a stream of sweet words
and gifts that Kalyani soon found itself in the Pandya orbit.
Empire of the Guptas
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Chandra Gupta II, the Great
Diplomacy: Sahis (EA), Sagala (EA), Vaisali (A), Surashtra (T),
Valabhi (F)
"In might, in glory, in care of people, who can compare with
Chandragupta?" Thus began a long bit of propagandistic prose
from court poet Kalidasa who, though already highly acclaimed, clearly
knew which side of his daily naan was spread with ghee. Coins
of the emperor trumpetted titles like Narendra-chandra
"Best of Kings", and Simha-vikrama "Lion
strength". A new city, Delhi, was raised in the northwest, new
paved roads were stretched to link distant cities, and heavier armor
for closer fighting was introduced to some of the standing army.
Valabhi was expanded through property grants to demobilized soldiers
from the Western Saka campaigns. The grants were issued after the
arrival of Lord Ambedkhar and his army, which quelled the nascent
rebellion by making even the most enraged 19-year-old stop and reconsider
a night of joyful rock-throwing at the sight of well-accoutered Gupta
squads on street patrol.
Such was the state of the empire that the nobles in far Edrosia did not
even consider running from the shade provided by the Gupta umbrella
when their shah died. The new shah acknowledged his loyalty to
Chandra Gupta II, and the trade income continued to flow. Only the
Hindu priests at court were upset, as the Rajatiraja insisted on
listening with interest to the Jain, Manichean, Christian, Daoist,
Christian, and Buddhist courtiers, whether Indian or mleccha.
The people took Chandragupta's cue, and fervor in the streets increased
on the part of the various evangelists just as attention paid to them
decreased.
Hinduism
(Hinduism Civilized Primate Religious Authority)
Virasenadeva
Diplomacy:
Alarmed at the state of the Gupta court, Hindus sought refuge in
other South Asian kingdoms. Sahdev was called away in 409, and his
mentor Kalidena the following year.
The overall state of what is nominally the national religion caused
many to despair. Many brahmans living as priests took up other callings,
leading to an increase in the number of wandering sadhu
and some religious sites degrading due to the outflow.
Jain Sects
(Jainism Civilized Primate Religious Authority)
Siddhasena,
Acharya
Diplomacy:
The Jainists were at peace.
(Buddhist Barbarian Component Nation)
King Visvadeva Biscotti Licchavi
Diplomacy: Himachal (EA)
Loyalty to the Licchavis kept the Dhera-Dun mountain clan leaders within
the Gupta sphere despite the death of that icy land's king. His son and
heir vowed to change nothing. The Licchavis and Guptas are, after all,
cousins.
Pallava Kingdom
(Hinduism Seafaring Open Empire)
King Mahendravarma I
Diplomacy:
No doubt inspired by the Guptas, Mahendravarma ordered a narrow road
built to the western sea. Kanchipuram was also made the new capitol
city, amid much fanfare and a three-day festival. Unfortunately, the
queen, Kangavarti, had too much fruit juice during the parties and
died from "complications." All Malabar was sad at the
loss of their princess.
Vakataka Kingdom
(Hinduism Civilized Open Empire)
Prabhavati
Gupta, Regent
Diplomacy: Pawar (F), Ujjain (F), Satava (A), Pratishthana (F)
The daughter of Chandra Gupta II has at least overcome her grief at
being a young widow. A Gupta through-and-through, she has big plans
for her nation. A road was built, troops shifted, and Kalliana had
its first contingent of colonists for the "Gupta" quarter.
But the kshatriya of the city had another idea. The garrison
commander was bought off, and the sreni quickly erected a low
palisade around Kalliana. The colonists were on the verge of massacre,
but the Buddhists urged they simply be ejected. Annoyed, confused, yet
relieved to escape with their lives, the would-be residents scattered to
their home villages. When the regent and Kalaiamudha Gupta, her
half-sister, arrived on a goodwill tour, they
and their guard of over a thousand troops were refused entrance. Prabhavati
vowed to avenge this dishonor and marched off.
The sisters parted ways, and the princess took a tour of Nasik looking
for support. Not only did she not find any, but she was nearly captured
by a band of unknown warriors. Only her guards' diligence saved Kalaiamudha.
Rules Hint of the Turn
As your reward for reading this far in the newsfax here is a useful
rules hint. The other goal is to let all of you know what the players
who are also LOTE GMs know.
Using AP to aid actions
Players should know that there are several types of "break points" or
quantum levels, if you will, for investments. One of these is for
the expenditure of AP in various actions where a bonus is allowed
for spending extra time on a given task, most usually diplomacy and
the founding of religious sites. Greater time spent is of no benefit
in military operations.
The basic scheme is +1 for every full 5 AP, i.e.
[5], expended. For example, spending 16 AP on a diplomacy (DP)
action breaks down as [4] for the DP itself, the base cost, plus
another [12] (that's [16] - [4] = [12]), so that we do 12/5 = 2.4,
and dropping the fraction gives a +2 bonus. Increasing the APs
spent by [3] would raise the bonus to +3. Reducing the APs spent
by [2] leaves that many for other actions in turn.
Hope this helps. Please see
prior turns' newsfaxes
for more hints.