Midde Ages Roleplay *Historia Novorum Only*

[Austria and the Magyar Lads]

Anno Domini

The year is 1140AD. The known world is consumed by warfare as kingdoms and empires clash; over lands, faith and wealth. From across the great steppes of Asia nomads batter Eastern Europe, from the Muslim world come forth innumerable hosts, hell-bent on subjugating Southern Europe, and from there, the rest of Christendom. Yet even still, on the opposite side of the continent there is no respite from war - Pagans clash with Christians in Scandinavia and the Baltics, while the squabbles of the many lords within the Holy Roman Empire often flare up into open warfare.

Despite this, it is still a time of growth - technological marvels still churn out from the realms of Italy and the Byzantine Empire, while profitable emerging trade-routes are becoming apparent in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. Despite everything, life goes on. As the wars wage across the known world, you must lead your people - whether to great triumphs or greater lows, who can say. The music is playing, the dance is now up to you.

Rules:

- This is a RP reserved for members of the region Historia Novorum, it is not open.

- All nations must make an introductory post when joining the RP. This post must contain important information regarding a brief history of your nation, your nations current leader and history, and the national character (culture, system of government etc.) of your nation. As long as these conditions are met the rest (if any) is up to player discretion.

- Expansion is allowed and encouraged, however it is required before wars against other players that you consult them to avoid confusion. Furthermore players must accurately represent the nature of conquest in the medieval period.

Current map:

https://i.imgur.com/HqiyXaX.png

[Latvijas Otra Republika]

The Horsemasters of the steppes of Cumania



The Khanate has seen brighter days, the power of the nearby Byzantines, the vast trade of the Mediterranean and the increasing prowess of the lands up North has made the nobles of the once prideful lands envious and jealous; Nomadic lifestyles seem unpractical in light of the feudal west, but still the Cumanian people hang on to their nomadic lives and livestock, only making up small communities on the grand plains of Cumania. Their society has remained based on the near tribal governance of the Khan, with the Khan's first chosen son inheriting the Cumanian title of Khan; the Khan rules with near absolute authority, with his lesser's being the handful of commanders of the Cumanian armies.

Tengrism still holds faith with the Cumanian people even with the bashing steel swords and shields of Christendom right next door, combined with this Turkic languages as well as the native tongue of the Cumani are widely spoken in the steppes.

The current Khan who hath ruled of these lands for as long as peasantry can remember, Khan Funugal, has become sickly white and stricken by cursed illnesses, his once mighty armour now resting in his grand wooden hall, collecting rust and dust over it's slices and gaps. Khan Funugal was once renowned by his people for bravery and valour, for his selflessness and inspiration, but now his old body sits frail and limp at a wooden chair, drooling at the concerns of his ministers and commanders, only giving responses in eye movements and grunts.

---

The Grand hall of the Khan

Steps came clicking through the hall, floorboards creaking, the glimmer of the guards armour giving way to the face of the new entrant; his hair long and brown, his face in ancient wounds and his eyes a sharp auburn colour. He looked at the Tengri and Cumani runes on the surrounding walls and roof of the hall, all of them creating imposing shadows when stricken by the light of the holstered torches. The halls air was heavy with the smell of hay, burnt candle and ancient drying wood.

"Father!" The entrant at once spoke.

"We must go at once!, a small Crimean village has gone to disarray over the raids of far away petty raiders" the shallow eyes of Khan Funugal turned slowly to his son before him.

"whh.." he let out a wheeze "whhhathh...is th.y...nam?" he spoke with heavy exhausted breaths.

"I am your son! Gami! are you so sickly you must do this again." Gami spoke with absolute intensity.

"Father!" Gami shouted as guards escorted him out through the doors "father.." Funugal's face remained at the same droopy angle as his son kicked whilst being dragged out.

Funugal's eyes cracked at the sheer intensity of light coming through the half second opening of the door, making them ache with pain and be pierced straight through.

[Poland-Galicia-Silesia]

Kingdom of Brittany and Cornwall

From Kastell Josilin, the Breton Kings rule over a prosperous realm, stretching from the great port-city of Nantes to the tin and copper mines of Cornwall. Breton merchants hawk their wares as far as Constantinople, selling fish, onions, artichokes and tin on the European markets. From wealth, magnificent cathedrals and imposing stone castles dot the land, making Brittany a hub of trade, culture and faith. To protect Brittany from jealous enemies, the Breton nobility hire mercenaries, soldiers of fortune that fight for profit. The most prominent are the regiments of Norman knights and Flemish routiers that patrol the contentious border with Normandy and France.

King Conan III, popularly known as 'The Fat' is the reigning monarch of Brittany. Known for culinary excesses and love of soft living, Conan III is still a shrewd ruler. He has to be, juggling the ambitions of Breton nobility, relations with powerful neighbors and desire to expand.

History

The origins of the Kingdom are rooted in the exploits of Duke Conan II, a man thrust into blood and intrigue at a young age, who nonetheless grew to dominate Brittany. The ascension of Brittany from Dukedom to a Kingdom began with the acquisition of Cornwall. In 1065, Duke William warned his rivals in Brittany and Anjou to abstain from attacking Normandy, on the grounds that his mission bore the Papal banner. Conan II rebuffed the warning and declared that he would press any advantage to humble William. During the siege of Angers in 1066, Conan II was targeted in an unsuccessful assassination, due to a fellow lord mistaking Conan's poisoned gloves for his own, dying in agony after wiping his mouth.

This only spurred Conan II to punish Duke William. One Angers was pacified, the Breton army marched into Maine and Normandy. With most of William's army pacifying Saxon England, Conan laid siege to Château de Falaise in September 1066. While he failed to capture the fortress after 3 months of siege, his forces had plundered the Norman country side and forced William to the negotiating table. Brittany, eager to expand their holdings, demanded the culturally-aligned Cornwall. William acceded to the request, and in February 1067, Breton soldiers were garrisoned in Launceston. The discovery of vast tin reserves in the late 11th century led to Duke Conan's declaration of the Kingdom of Brittany. Using a mixture of bribes, insincere promises and intimidation, Conan II was able to avert retaliation from the Normans and Capetian kings of France.

[Austria and the Magyar Lads]

The Kingdom of Munster d'Poitou:



From the great fortress of the Rock of Cashel, Robert II looked over the countryside. He thought about his realm - how he and his fathers had fought, and still fight, to tame the land and its people. He remembered being told stories of his grandfather's exploits against the cattle-thief barons. He himself struggled against his own liege-lords, constantly reminding them that the old ways were over, and without them they would grow strong. He chuckled at the prospect that while he enforced this within his own realm, executing any man found guilty of cattle-raiding and blood-feuding, he still allowed it to occur when it was another King's realm at the receiving end. He stepped down the steps of the great arch-way, and called to his Master-at-Arms, ''Ser Geoffry, ready my horse and your own, we ride for Limerick.''.

History:

In 1023, after numerous and successful raids directed from the Norwegian inhabitants of Ireland, William V, Duke of Aquitane, angered by their insolence, directed a campaign towards Munster, dispatching a strong host to capture the territory and bring it under his control. Successful, he began distributing the lands and titles amongst the many knights who had volunteered to fight. When he died the titles of Munster passed to his son Odo, then only Duke of Munster, while his brother William VI became Duke of Aquitane. Feeling slighted that his fat and lazy brother had become Duke of Aquitane, Odo began to demand oaths of fealty from his subjects, not to William but to himself. When William VI was captured, and it remained clear he would imprisoned for some time, Odo struck his banners, becoming Odo I, King of Munster in 1035. While Odo readied himself for his brother's retribution, it never came. His preparation instead was directed at bringing the native Irish in his realm to heel, and he used his men to enforce a new set of ordinances aimed at suppressing the chaotic ways of the Irish. Since then, Munster has claimed very little new territory, its energy instead being directed at transforming the previously tribal and uncultivated lands into the richest feudal land in Ireland itself. However where wealth lies, jealousy soon follows, and the current King, Robert II, great-grandson of Odo I, prepares himself to consolidate his position, and rumours spread of a strong host gathering in Thomond to march on Connaucht.

[Mexjico]

Āl-e Saljuq, Sultanate of Khorasan



It was 1040 and the Islamic world of the Orient was in chaos. It consisted of a number of shifting independent states within the boundaries of what was supposed to be a single caliphate, who instead of cooperating with eachother instead fought amongst themselves, lusting and vying fruitlessly for control over one another. None could establish dominance, none could ever restore glory to the caliphate- until the Turkic nomads of Central Asia arrived at the southern banks of the Caspian Sea.

The inhabitants of Persia stood no chance against the might of the battle-minded Turkmen who migrated from the Aral Sea and into the Near East. Soon most of the Samanid lands fell to the nomadic horde. Although seemingly just a mass of barbaric nomads, these Turkmen were actually a cohesive union of multiple tribes, named after the father of the man who managed to unify them into a single entity just decades ago- “Seljuk”. Similar in nature to the Mongols, the Seljuk warriors fought with deftness and ferocity from the backs of their horses, traveling in large hordes, erecting cities consisting of yurts and tents wherever they ventured, driven by a sense of conquest and adventure. There was one stark difference that set the Seljuks aside from their eastern brethren, however- they stayed in the lands they conquered. By remaining and, subsequently, flourishing in their conquered lands, they were able to efficiently expand their borders well beyond their original holdings. As their territory grew from the banks of the Aral to the Persian gulf, and as they inched ever closer to Mesopotamia and Anatolia, the Seljuk horde evolved, their culture and religion taking on new Persian and Arabic influences. Sunni Islam was soon adopted by the Seljuks after coming in contact with Arab missionaries, forever shaping the Turkic people.

The horde eventually morphed into a hereditary “sultanate” type of governance, with a man named Tughril-Beg as its head. He was an great man, who managed to expand his tribal lands further south than any of his ancestors had done before him. Tughril had brought glory and prosperity to his people, and wasn’t stopping anytime soon.

Now a devout Muslim, Tughril was convinced that it was God’s intention for the Seljuks to save the fractured and warring autonomous states of the Abbasid caliphate. The Seljuks launched a massive military campaign into Mesopotamia and eventually conquered the Shi'ite Buyyid dynasty, liberating Baghdad, the capital of the Abbasids, from their rule. This sparked the restoration of the Abbasid caliphate. Eventually, the Seljuks pushed their way into the Caucasus, further into Mesopotamia, and into Afghanistan within a hundred years of its inception, uniting a large portion of the Islamic world under the sultanate.

Now, the Seljuks are headed by Mahmud II, a direct descendent of Teghrul Beg. He is an ambitious man, who rules sternly but fairly over his many subjects. Having solidified the sultanate's rule in the east, Mahmud II has set his eyes on the West, with great plans of battle and glorious conquest in mind. Only time will tell if he will be able to conquer the nearby lands of Arabia and Anatolia, if he will see the entirety of the Abbasid caliphate’s former lands united under a single banner- the double headed eagle of the mighty Seljuks.

[Austria and the Magyar Lads]

In the Halls of Conchobar Ua Briain

Robert reined his horse in as they approached the hall of UaBriain. It was Robert's father that had brought them to heel, and Robert would be remiss if he said he had not heard rumours of the family's remaining enmity for his own. However he was still king, and he was here to summon his banners, having made preparations for the levy in his own lands to be called once the UaBriains mobilised their own.

Stepping through the great wooden arch of the Hall's doorway, the hall was a scene from a much earlier time in Ireland's history. No great stone walls were to be seen here, nor braziers on the wall. The room was filled with a great trench of fire running through the middle, with many animals roasting on spits above it. At the opposite end he saw the man he had come to see, Conchobar UaBriain, patriarch of his clan, and the Dux of Thomond. Robert's Master-at-Arms, Geoffry d'Liège, heralded his arrival into the hall, proclaiming loudly, and to Roberts chagrin, in French, ''Robert, Second of his Name! The King of Munster!'', the Hall shifted, with those understanding what his man had said shifting to offer their recognition to the king, with those who didn't unsteadily copying this action. The UaBriain stood, raising a cup to Robert, announcing in a tone that made Robert slightly uneasy, ''Your Majesty, what grants me the honour of hosting you within my hall?''.

Robert would walk towards the throne at the opposite end of the hall, letting the question float for perhaps a dozen seconds or so, before answering, ''The affair of War, your lordship. I've come here to personally call you to summon your banners. We march to war.''. UaBriain would shift somewhat in his chair, seemingly from unease. ''Against who, your grace?''. Robert would reply firmly, ''Connaught.'', before adding, ''The kingdom your father tried to have destroy mine.''. UaBriain looked as if he was prepared to protest, but remained silent. ''You will prove your loyalty to me personally. Summon your banners, and ride to war with me. You will have your share of the spoils when we have conquered the upstarts.''

[Russo-Austria]

The Kingdom of Hungary and Croatia

Her Most Serene Highness, Queen Regent and the Queen Mother, Helena of Serbia looked onwards from her throne before the lords and princes of her lands as the Archbishop placed the golden crown of her late husband upon her head. Her face was cynical and calculating, with no emotion in her eyes as the jeweled orb and sphere were placed in her hands. Only ten years ago, she had given birth to a son: Géza. He was her pride and joy, so it was no suprise that after the mysterious death of his father, Géza requested that his mother be placed as Queen Regent of the Kingdom of Hungary, as he was still to young to rule in his own right.

However, many felt a female ruler - even just as a Regent - was a risky move. No woman had ruled Hungary before, on her own; naturally, Helena feared opposition. Upon her son's urging, the Queen Mother sent out a decree at once: demanding every noble and wealthy owner of land in her kingdom to come to her corrination to swear loyalty to her. Sadly, this upset many powerful dukes and barons who disliked Helena. During a feast only a short time ago, her husband fell deathly ill after drinking from his goblet . . . Leading to rumors that Helena had poisoned the King. Yet there was no evidence to support this claim; it was officially a natural sickness caused by some bad ale, so none would dare question her claimes. So, the nobles came quietly, and pledged loyalty to their current sovereign, bringing gifts of from simple jewels to grand manors and tracts of land.

History

In the Year of Our Lord, 1000, a simple lord was crowned monarchy of the United Kingdom of Hungary; St. Stephen, having converted to Roman Catholicism, was named King. The young man, who in 998 had, along with many other Christian soldiers from both Hungarian and Germanic origins, defended the faith against pagan barbarian . . . gaining the support of Roman Catholics everywhere. With pressure from the Holy Roman Empire, and other nations across Europe, the Church made Stephen I, of a Christian kingdom in Central Europe. However, after Stephen's death, many violent revolts ensued . . . Leading to a power struggle between the Royal Family and the nobles to determine the next King of Hungary.

While the young nation of Hungary suffered, its neighbors did not just sit idol. The Holy Roman Empire, for instance, attempted to capitalize on the Kingdom of Hungary's civil war, and conquer the area. This however, failed greatly, and the Germans were beaten back at the Vértes Mountain Pass . . . Followed by many more sea feats by the Hungarian people and before 1052 Peter Orseolo, a staunch supporter of the Holy Roman Empire in Hungary, was overthrown by the man, Samuel Aba, who would become the next Hungarian monarch. However, more revolts occurred, and finally, Bela I became Hungary's first official monarch during a time of peace since Stephen I years earlier. During his reign, Bela instituted a nation wide currency system made of silver.

Following Bela I, King Ladislaus I of Hungary became Hungary's second greatest King. He stabilized the government, built up the economy, and strengthened the military of Hungary. Having his sister been married to the late king of Croatia, he, with the support of Northern Croatian nobles, swiftly seized power of North Croatia at the death of its king. However, it was not until 1102 at the corination of a new Hungarian monarch - the son of Ladislaus I, that the rest of Croatia was
peacefully absorbed into the Kingdom of Hungary (and now Croatia).

Ladislaus' son, Bela II, soon married the Duchess Helena of Serbia, and they had a son. Yet, the marriage was doomed from the start, and many speculated Helena was plotting against Bela II. Then, upon his mysterious death, Queen Consort Helena became the Queen Regent, Helena I of The Kingdoms Hungary and Croatia, and Duchess of Serbia.

[Webus]

The Leader of the Hohenstaufen dynasty German and Italian King, Konrad III, is one of the most powerful people in the Holy Roman Empire, and heir apparent to the Imperial throne. However, he will have to work hard in order to obtain this goal, as the empire is currently racked by civil war, the beginning of the struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines.

Will Konrad III become Emperor, or will he die before he can, as in our timeline?

History

The Hohenstaufen dynasty rose to power in 1079 when dynasty member Frederick I was appointed Duke of Swabia by Henry IV of Germany. After Emperor Henry V, died without heirs in 1125, Frederick II of the Hohenstaufens attempted to become Emperor, but was defeated by Lothair III. However, Konrad III was able to obtain the title of King of Germany, catapulting his position into becoming one of the most powerful nobles in the Empire. His reward of Bavaria to Leopold IV, Margrave of Austria has bought him a powerful ally, but will he be able to use that support to become Emperor, or will Austria eclipse the Swabians, as happened in our timeline...

[Russo-Austria]

Review of Bernstein Castle

Queen Regent, Helena I, rode up to Bernstein Castle upon a magnificent black war horse. The stallion was clothed in iron and silver armour, with the Royal family's colors drapes proudly across it's back, and the Queen Mother also dressed in silver and iron armour - yet still wearing a beautiful dress of silks and velvet in the Royal family's colours. Behind her on strong mares, a group of knights, and two foot soldiers marched before the group carrying the kingdom's flag. It has been two months since her corination, and Helena had already visited many lords' estates and forts to rally support and inspect the troops. Now, she was to visit a strategic fortress on the Hungarian and Germanic border.

As Helena and her force arrived at the castle, she could tell the fortress was on high alert as each parapet had many longbowmen stationed upon them, and four guards were placed by the lowered thick iron gate - unlike the usual two. "Halt! Who goes there?" A knight said as the Queen Regent and her guards reached the entrance to the keep. "Your master and the sovereign of the realm." Helena replied coolly, "I am the Queen Regent of all of the Kingdom of Hungary and Croatia, and I demand entrance to this fort." Still, the men stood firm, not allowing the Royal party to pass through. It was not until one of the Queen's footman shouted at the guards that the keep's gate rose and Helena's party could enter.

Inside the castle's stone outer walls, many soldiers and squires alike ran about. Blacksmiths could be seen molding iron into weapons and armour; one would have thought the nation at war, based upon the state of the castle. As Helena rode in, Duke Albert of Eger, the lord of Bernstein Castle came out to meet her. Bowing slightly, he said, "Your Majesty, welcome to Bernstein." Looking down upon him from her horse, Helena smiled cynically. "Pleasure to see you, Albert." Dismounting from her stallion, the Queen Regent briskly walked past the Duke, and into, the main keep.

Following her into the lord's court room, Albert stopped quickly as Helena sat upon his throne. "Tell me, Sir." She began loudly, "Why does this castle look as if we are at war?" Studdering, the Duke attempted to reply. "As your Majesty knows . . . The Holy Roman Empire has been in civil war. Should, at the Crown's descression, we support a certain Germanic prince - " But the Queen Regent cut in. "We will NOT get dragged into an unstable empire's petty intrigues. And if I hear that you send any forces into the Holy Roman Empire without my explicit command? I may need t find a new lord to run this Castel - and your other lands. As it would be clear that you could not handle a simple request, so how could you possibly handle such a complex and trying task as running a vast estate."

[Carnival]

The Republic of Venice



La Serenissima, the Queen of the Adriatic, the City of Bridges...Venice itself seems to wear a dozen masks, each lovelier and more mysterious than the last. Its people have always seemed an enigma, separated from the rest of Europe; for Venice does not claim a history of vast empires and conquerors, but of peoples who sought a different route, through careful diplomacy and trade for power outweighing their size. Their matchless navy, brilliant artists, and shrewd merchants give them power and influence far in excess of their mere numbers. Clinging to a cluster of islands in a lagoon of the Adriatic Sea, Venice holds an unrivaled place in the hearts and minds of men, with its canals, churches, and magnificent works of art inspiring artists since it was first founded by refugees fleeing from the Roman Empire. In that sense, Venice, not Byzantium, can claim to be truly the Second Rome.

Yet silk hides steel, and behind her sumptuous and sensual exterior, Venice possesses the largest and most powerful fleet in the Mediterranean, with 36,000 sailors manning 3300 warships. The city's pride and joy is the Venetian Arsenal, a 110-acre labyrinth of shipyards and armories in the heart of the city, which can assemble warships in less than a day if Venice calls her people to war, often with her rivals on the Italian Peninsula. Many of their conflicts are so-called trade wars, fought entirely at sea, where the ships of the combatants are granted licenses to prey upon those of the foes—a practice that Pope Urban II once termed "piracy with a wax seal." During these trade wars, only the crews of the warring ships faced death or piracy; the Floating City herself was never threatened, and no battles were fought on land.

Unique among the European states, Venice is ruled by an elected Doge, chosen from the foremost families of the city. By custom, it is the oldest and most cunning man in the city who takes the position, though there have been exceptions: Otto Orseolo was aged just sixteen when he was raised to the position of Doge in 1009. The current Doge is Pietro Polani, master of statecraft and shrewd negotiator; old age did little to slow his cunning or ambition, as he deftly manages the bustling commercial center of Venice during a time of great instability. The Hungarians have captured important Venetian bases on the Dalmatian coast, such as Sebenica, Trogir, and Split. La Serenissima is once more in need of an astute and insightful leader to lead their city to greatness and prosperity.

[Austria and the Magyar Lads]

Initial Victories in Connaught

A skirmish in Southern Connaught emerged in a Munster victory. The battle took place on a large hill, flanked to two sides by sporadic woods. The battle began as Munsterian light horse made their way through the woods on the left of their foes, only emerging once they were close. This, drawing off the enemy's heavy horse, triggered a charge from the Munsterians. The melee was thick and bloody, and eventually the Munsterians routed back to their line of archers, followed closely by their rivals. However as the enemy were upon them, the archers released a vicious volley, with the enemy lord falling with three arrows to the chest. Taking this as a sign, the Munster reserves moved forward, killing the remaining Connaught men on the field.