God Wills It (OOC/AH/Nation/OPEN)

[The Black Party]

Updating my anthem to this, hope you guys don't mind I spam that in every post that has anything to do with my government.

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Updating my anthem to this, hope you guys don't mind I spam that in every post that has anything to do with my government.

This sounds Swedish. I think. I have no idea what Sweden is other than ikea and ikea meatballs. Well here is my anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKbJJ1 ... eKbJJ1I1Jg

[The Black Party]

Updating my anthem to this, hope you guys don't mind I spam that in every post that has anything to do with my government.

This sounds Swedish. I think. I have no idea what Sweden is other than ikea and ikea meatballs. Well here is my anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eKbJJ1 ... eKbJJ1I1Jg

lmao wtf Company of Heroes Anthem FTW

[Deutschess Kaiserreich]

Fits well I say. You can feel the brutal Swedish winter.

[Fahran]

NS Name: Fahran

Official Nation Name: Khazar Khanate of Crimea

Unofficial Nation Names: Crimea

Territory: The Khazar Khanate of Crimea encompasses the entirety of the Crimean Peninsula and a small swathe of territory to the south and east of the River Dnieper. It exercises nominal control of the stretch of the Upper Caucasus directly to the east of the Crimean Peninsula as well, principally as a set of trading colonies. Major cities include Cherson, Kerch, Tamatarkha, and Theodosia. Major castles include Alushta, Isatay, Ustagan, and Bilmaq.

Leader: Aaron III, Khagan of Crimea and Greater Khazaria

Government Style: Elective Monarchy, Tribal Feudalism

Ethnic Groups:

• Khazars
• Alans
• Oghuz Turks
• Greeks
• Slavs
• Saxons
• Other Turks
• Varangians

Religions:

• Judaism
• Orthodox Christianity

Culture: The culture of the ruling class is broadly cosmopolitan and tolerant, albeit drawing heavily from the nomadic traditions of their distant Turkic ancestors and the intricacies of Jewish religious law. While Khazaric, Old Russian, and an assortment of Turkic languages are spoken in private, Greek is the official court language and Hebrew is the most popular liturgical language. It has become a notable hub in the trans-regional trade of slaves, amber, furs, wood, and textiles, making it an affluent polity by the standards of northern Europe but a backwater relative to the fabulous opulence of the Greek world. Horse breeding and the equestrian arts are highly valued among the Turkic elites, ensuring a prominent, enduring, and unequaled horse culture. Wheat, rice, mutton, lamb, beef, fish, legumes, beans, peas, onions, and fermented beverages are common staples of Khazar diet.

History: Following Aaron II's victory over the rebellious Alans in 924 CE, with the assistance of the Oghuz Turks, the Orthodox Christian Alans were compelled to convert to Judaism and intermarry with the Khazar elites as a matter of state policy. This effectively assimilated what had been a troublesome tributary into the ruling class, but resulted in the adoption of many Alans conventions and linguistic quirks and increasing Byzantine influence over Khazaria. The reign of Joseph I saw the decline of the khanate's power in the face of growing Islamic and Slavic power across the Ukraine and Northern Caucasus. Joseph's son and heir was eventually killed in battle fighting against Sviatoslav I Igorevich in 968. This led to the ceding of most Khazar territories to the Kievan Rus and to Turkic polities, as well as a regency led by Leah Khatun, Joseph's Alan daughter-in-law. Leah transferred the capital to Alushta and strove to consolidate a defensible border, repelling incursions by both Slavic and Turkic powers. She furthermore managed to retain the obeisance of her late husband's vassals through drastic and desperate measures that impoverished the ruling house.

In 983, Leah abdicated in favor of her son Isaac II. The new khagan began his reign by repulsing a Byzantine attempt to conquer the important port city of Cherson in a heroic stand that inspired loyalty and confidence in his wavering vassals. Capitalizing on this triumph, the warrior-prince embarked on a series of raids deep into the territories that had been lost to the Kievan Rus and, employing Byzantine technology, constructed a string of fortresses to the immediate east of the Dnieper. This bolstered the royal treasury considerably, despite the expense on fortresses and mercenaries. Isaac II spent the vast majority of his forty two year reign on campaign, culminating in the reconquest of Tamatarkha. He would later be killed fighting in the North Caucasus. While this aggressive policy resulted in few gains beyond a small stretch of the Northern Caucasus, it did bring some measure of wealth and stability to the beleaguered realm.

Benjamin II succeeded his father at khagan following his death in 1025. Benjamin, a soft-spoken, bookish man, preferred to pursue a more diplomatic relationship with the Byzantine Empire. To accomplish this, he married his eldest son to a Greek princess, the niece of the Byzantine Emperor, and married one of his daughters to the Emperor's son and another to King of Armenia. Benjamin's reign was a largely peaceful one accompanied by growing commercial activity and the consolidation of a landed gentry where one had previously been absent. During this time, Turkic mercenaries, paid either in coin or with land grants, became the main means of prosecuting wars against Crimea's unruly Kievan neighbors. In 1059, Benjamin II died and was succeeded by his half-Greek nephew, Isaac III. The occurrence of several mercenary uprisings prompted Isaac III to abandon the practice of bringing in foreign troops to prosecute Crimea's foreign wars. Instead a dedicated corps of mixed light and heavy cavalry drawn from the landed, Jewish gentry became the heart of the Crimean military forces, with these being supplemented by Varangian, Slavic, Greek, and Turkic mercenaries to a lesser degree.

Isaac III's reforms, while effective, granted considerable power to the nobility. Eventually a general named Mänär Kaskiros came to dominate the kurultai and Isaac III was relegated to the status of a figurehead. While tribal feuds prevented Mänär from positioning himself to ascend the throne, he did succeed in marrying his daughter to Isaac III following the death of his first wife and getting the line of succession changed to favor her children. When Isaac III died in 1093, this led to a civil war between Aaron III and the enemies of Mänär and his half-brother Sabriel. Aaron III won handily and chose to handle the defeated with mercy and forbearance. The 46 year old khagan has largely sorted out the affairs of his small, newly stable realm in the last two years. The sons of Mänär Kaskiros remain as hostages in his court at Alushta. His half-brother Prince Sabriel, now 16, has been married to his daughter Sura and has become a loyal and promising nobleman at court. His eldest son and heir Prince Ephraim has been appointed governor of Kerch, with a small fleet at his command. A general named Balgitzi Tarkhan guards the garrison at Tamatarkha.

Aaron III has inherited a strong economy, cultivated by generations of careful management and tolerance of foreign beliefs, and he seems content to continue those policies so long as it doesn't compromise the dominance of his Jewish and Turkic aristocracy. Following his victories and early appointments, Aaron III, borrowing liberally from Greek and Arab architects, began construction of a large, elaborate synagogues in Cherson, Kerch, and Alushta. He's also been keen to repair old fortifications, and his thrown himself into this task with frenzied energy.

Important People:

• Aaron III, Khagan of Crimea and Greater Khazaria (46)
• Sophia Khatun (42)
• Prince Ephraim ben Aaron, Governor of Kerch (24)
• Prince Benjamin ben Aaron (22)
• Princess Maryam bat Aaron (20)
• Prince Sabriel ben Isaac (16), married to Princess Sura bat Aaron (17)
• Princess Tamar bat Aaron (16)
• Prince Gamaliel ben Aaron (14) and two younger siblings
• Balgitzi Tarkhan, Governor of Tamatarkha and Castellan of Ustagan (51)

Objectives:

• Reconquer the Northern Caucasus
• Obtain hegemony over the Black Sea
• Foster good relations with the Byzantine Empire
• Hinder the expansion of the Kievan Rus
• Expand the slave, amber, and fur trades

[The Black Party]

NS Name: Fahran

Official Nation Name: Khazar Khanate of Crimea

chad nation gonna flex on Georgia

[The Black Party]

NS Name: Fahran

Official Nation Name: Khazar Khanate of Crimea

I really like the extra sections you've added to the app. I will include an "Important Peoples" section in mine as well.

[Nordschwaben]

NS Name: Fahran

Official Nation Name: Khazar Khanate of Crimea

I really like the extra sections you've added to the app. I will include an "Important Peoples" section in mine as well.

Same.

[Nordschwaben]

Question to the OP: once the IC opens up, is there going to be a list of all the NPC countries / leaders, or are we going to have to keep track of that ourselves? More specifically, though, is there going to be anywhere where we'll be able to see the current HRE and Pope?

[The Black Party]

Question to the OP: once the IC opens up, is there going to be a list of all the NPC countries / leaders, or are we going to have to keep track of that ourselves? More specifically, though, is there going to be anywhere where we'll be able to see the current HRE and Pope?

Can the roster also be updated to link to each nation's applications so we know who's who?

[Nea Byzantia]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Nation Name: Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Territory: the Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia

[Nordschwaben]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Nation Name: Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Territory: the Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia

Oh jeez, now there's two Roman Empires. I hope this doesn't get confusing /shot

[Nea Byzantia]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Nation Name: Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Territory: the Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia

Oh jeez, now there's two Roman Empires. I hope this doesn't get confusing /shot

Yes, but there is only ONE TRUE ROME! ...And it is not the wannabe - Romans up in Germany

[Nea Byzantia]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Nation Name: Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Territory: the Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia

Oh jeez, now there's two Roman Empires. I hope this doesn't get confusing /shot

Unless you're saying you're also Byzantium?

[Nordschwaben]

Oh jeez, now there's two Roman Empires. I hope this doesn't get confusing /shot

Unless you're saying you're also Byzantium?

You got it right the first time.

Can't believe the Germans went from thinking they weren't Romans, to thinking they were, and then back to thinking they weren't.

[Nea Byzantia]

Unless you're saying you're also Byzantium?

You got it right the first time.

Can't believe the Germans went from thinking they weren't Romans, to thinking they were, and then back to thinking they weren't.

Oh cool.

Also, how much of Anatolia is Byzantium allowed to still have.

[Finland SSR]

One day I will raid and loot all of you so hard that you will scrub away the word "Vikings" from your annals entirely and replace it with "wannabe Balts"

[Nea Byzantia]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Official Nation Name: Roman Empire
Unofficial Nation Names: Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)
Territory: Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia
Leader: Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes (ruled: 1068 AD - 1071 AD, 1080 AD - Present); Co-Emperor Nikephoros IV Diogenes (ruled: 1089 AD - Present)
Government Style: Absolute Monarchy
Ethnic Groups: Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, Bulgars, Khazars
Religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism
Culture: WIP
History: In 1071 AD, the Roman Army was defeated by the invading Seljuk Turks at Manzikert, with Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes barely escaping with his life. Upon his return to Constantinople, he escaped an assasination attempt; and taking the current disasters as a sign from God that his reign was not blessed (and fearing a revolt), he passed the throne to the young Michael VII and fled abroad to the Khazar Khanate of Crimea. During his absence, the Turks continued to penetrate Anatolia, and the Emperor Michael VII indulged in a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the citizens. These catastrophes eventually came to a head, and in 1078, Michael VII was deposed. the Throne changed hands numerous times between 1078 - 1080, but in the year 1080, Romanos returned to Constantinople with an army of Khazar and Bulgar mercenaries. He was able to rally the citizenry of the City to his side, and was reinstated as Emperor.

Romanos began his second reign by purging all those who had plotted against him in his first. He recognized the independence of Bulgaria in 1081, and arranged a marriage alliance with the Bulgar King, and another with the Khazar Khagan. He also expelled all the Normans from the Empire (the defection of the Norman mercenaries at Manzikert is partly what caused the loss of the Battle). After purging and reorganizing the Government, rebuilding the Army and putting down several revolts in Greece, Emperor Romanos was ready to face down the Turks in 1083 AD. This time, he was more successful, driving them back from Nicaea and Chalcedon. But once again, his potential gains were halted by his old enemies: the Normans. In 1084 AD, and Norman army of freebooters invaded the Peloponnese and sacked Patras and Corinth. Emperor Romanos was forced to put his Eastern campaigns on hold, and defend the heartland of Greece. He successfully drove the foreigners from the land by 1087 AD; and in the process won the love and respect of the people he had previously oppressed. However, it was a bittersweet victory, as the Turks undid all his previous victories in Anatolia. Nicaea was recaptured in 1088, and Chalcedon in 1089. The Turks were now immediately outside the Walls of Constantinople itself! In 1091-1092 AD, the Seljuks attempted to besiege the Imperial Capital itself. Fortunately, the Emperor was able to defend the city; not without the help of Slavic, Bulgar and Khazar allies. Similar attempts at assault were blocked in 1093 and Gallipoli was saved from a Seljuk siege in 1094. In 1095, Emperor Romanos IV wrote desperately to the Schismatic Pope in Rome, and to all the Sovereigns of the West, asking for aid in dispersing the Saracen hordes which still threatened to engulf his realm.

[The Anarcho-Syndicalist Commune]

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Official Nation Name: Roman Empire
Unofficial Nation Names: Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)
Territory: Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia
Leader: Romanos IV Diogenes (ruled: 1068 AD - 1071 AD, 1080 AD - Present)
Government Style: Absolute Monarchy
Ethnic Groups: Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, Bulgars, Khazars
Religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism
Culture: WIP
History: In 1071 AD, the Roman Army was defeated by the invading Seljuk Turks at Manzikert, with Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes barely escaping with his life. Upon his return to Constantinople, he escaped an assasination attempt; and taking the current disasters as a sign from God that his reign was not blessed (and fearing a revolt), he passed the throne to the young Michael VII and fled abroad to the Khazar Khanate of Crimea. During his absence, the Turks continued to penetrate Anatolia, and the Emperor Michael VII indulged in a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the citizens. These catastrophes eventually came to a head, and in 1078, Michael VII was deposed. the Throne changed hands numerous times between 1078 - 1080, but in the year 1080, Romanos returned to Constantinople with an army of Khazar and Bulgar mercenaries. He was able to rally the citizenry of the City to his side, and was reinstated as Emperor.

Romanos began his second reign by purging all those who had plotted against him in his first. He also expelled all the Normans from the Empire (the defection of the Norman mercenaries at Manzikert is partly what caused the loss of the Battle). After purging and reorganizing the Government, rebuilding the Army and putting down several revolts in Greece, Emperor Romanos was ready to face down the Turks in 1083 AD. This time, he was more successful, driving them back from Nicaea and Chalcedon. But once again, his potential gains were halted by his old enemies: the Normans. In 1084 AD, and Norman army of freebooters invaded the Peloponnese and sacked Patras and Corinth. Emperor Romanos was forced to put his Eastern campaigns on hold, and defend the heartland of Greece. He successfully drove the foreigners from the land by 1087 AD; and in the process won the love and respect of the people he had previously oppressed. However, it was a bittersweet victory, as the Turks undid all his previous victories in Anatolia. Nicaea was recaptured in 1088, and Chalcedon in 1089. The Turks were now immediately outside the Walls of Constantinople itself! In 1091-1092 AD, the Seljuks attempted to besiege the Imperial Capital itself. Fortunately, the Emperor was able to defend the city; not without the help of Slavic and Khazar allies. Similar attempts at assault were blocked in 1093 and Gallipoli was saved from a Seljuk siege in 1094. In 1095, Emperor Romanos IV wrote desperately to the Schismatic Pope in Rome, and to all the Sovereigns of the West, asking for aid in dispersing the Saracen hordes which still threatened to engulf his realm.

FALSE EMPEROR, HERETIC, HERESY HERESY HERESY

sicily.exe has stopped working.

[Nordschwaben]

NS Name:
Nordschwaben

Official Nation Name:
Herzogtum Schwaben (Duchy Swabia)

Unofficial Nation Names:
Schwaben, Nordschwaben, Nordherzogtum Schwaben

Updated my sheet to include a few extra categories.

[The Batavia]

So uh, what nations could I potentially pick? I wanna be Frisia but it apperantly stopped exiting already in the 6th century

[Nordschwaben]

So uh, what nations could I potentially pick? I wanna be Frisia but it apperantly stopped exiting already in the 6th century

Just take a look at the map and see what you'd want to do. France is still completely free and Northern Italy still hasn't been (officially) claimed. Could even be a duchy in Germany or a tribe within the Kieven Rus. Hell, could even be North African tribe if you really wanted to.

[The Black Party]

So uh, what nations could I potentially pick? I wanna be Frisia but it apperantly stopped exiting already in the 6th century

Pick some poor fellow and request that your territory completely encompasses them, and then start working on a war goal.

[Nordschwaben]

So uh, what nations could I potentially pick? I wanna be Frisia but it apperantly stopped exiting already in the 6th century

Pick some poor fellow and request that your territory completely encompasses them, and then start working on a war goal.

If you do that, please don't encircle poor old Swabia.

[Chinniwana]

Sorry, I had work today. I'm on now, but just for a bit.

NS Name:Orange-Transvaal
Nation Name:Dutch Empire
Territory: All of Modern Netherlands and Dutch part of Belgium (Brussels included.)

Reserved (minus Coppenhagen).

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Nation Name: Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire
Territory: the Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia

NS Name: Nea Byzantia
Official Nation Name: Roman Empire
Unofficial Nation Names: Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium)
Territory: Balkans south of the Danube, Cyprus, Western Anatolia
Leader: Romanos IV Diogenes (ruled: 1068 AD - 1071 AD, 1080 AD - Present)
Government Style: Absolute Monarchy
Ethnic Groups: Greeks, Armenians, Slavs, Bulgars, Khazars
Religions: Orthodox Christianity, Judaism
Culture: WIP
History: In 1071 AD, the Roman Army was defeated by the invading Seljuk Turks at Manzikert, with Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes barely escaping with his life. Upon his return to Constantinople, he escaped an assasination attempt; and taking the current disasters as a sign from God that his reign was not blessed (and fearing a revolt), he passed the throne to the young Michael VII and fled abroad to the Khazar Khanate of Crimea. During his absence, the Turks continued to penetrate Anatolia, and the Emperor Michael VII indulged in a luxurious lifestyle at the expense of the citizens. These catastrophes eventually came to a head, and in 1078, Michael VII was deposed. the Throne changed hands numerous times between 1078 - 1080, but in the year 1080, Romanos returned to Constantinople with an army of Khazar and Bulgar mercenaries. He was able to rally the citizenry of the City to his side, and was reinstated as Emperor.

Romanos began his second reign by purging all those who had plotted against him in his first. He also expelled all the Normans from the Empire (the defection of the Norman mercenaries at Manzikert is partly what caused the loss of the Battle). After purging and reorganizing the Government, rebuilding the Army and putting down several revolts in Greece, Emperor Romanos was ready to face down the Turks in 1083 AD. This time, he was more successful, driving them back from Nicaea and Chalcedon. But once again, his potential gains were halted by his old enemies: the Normans. In 1084 AD, and Norman army of freebooters invaded the Peloponnese and sacked Patras and Corinth. Emperor Romanos was forced to put his Eastern campaigns on hold, and defend the heartland of Greece. He successfully drove the foreigners from the land by 1087 AD; and in the process won the love and respect of the people he had previously oppressed. However, it was a bittersweet victory, as the Turks undid all his previous victories in Anatolia. Nicaea was recaptured in 1088, and Chalcedon in 1089. The Turks were now immediately outside the Walls of Constantinople itself! In 1091-1092 AD, the Seljuks attempted to besiege the Imperial Capital itself. Fortunately, the Emperor was able to defend the city; not without the help of Slavic and Khazar allies. Similar attempts at assault were blocked in 1093 and Gallipoli was saved from a Seljuk siege in 1094. In 1095, Emperor Romanos IV wrote desperately to the Schismatic Pope in Rome, and to all the Sovereigns of the West, asking for aid in dispersing the Saracen hordes which still threatened to engulf his realm.

Accepted!

Oh cool.

Also, how much of Anatolia is Byzantium allowed to still have.

I can give you from just the west coast to about half of Anatolia, but not really more, otherwise you'd have no reason to go to the Pope to ask for help. You're also probably going to be at war with the Seljuk's/Rumans at the very start.

So uh, what nations could I potentially pick? I wanna be Frisia but it apperantly stopped exiting already in the 6th century

With a reserved Dutch Empire, you're not going to really be able to form Frisia.

The major powers I can realistically recommend are France, Hungary, Austria, the Papacy, the Seljuks, Rum, or the Fatamids. Otherwise, get creative and come up with something interesting. Maybe a Manichaen Russia, or a Druze State in Assyria/Lebanon/Israel.

NS Name: Fahran

Official Nation Name: Khazar Khanate of Crimea

Unofficial Nation Names: Crimea

Territory: The Khazar Khanate of Crimea encompasses the entirety of the Crimean Peninsula and a small swathe of territory to the south and east of the River Dnieper. It exercises nominal control of the stretch of the Upper Caucasus directly to the east of the Crimean Peninsula as well, principally as a set of trading colonies. Major cities include Cherson, Kerch, Tamatarkha, and Theodosia. Major castles include Alushta, Isatay, Ustagan, and Bilmaq.

(Image)

Leader: Aaron III, Khagan of Crimea and Greater Khazaria

Government Style: Elective Monarchy, Tribal Feudalism

Ethnic Groups:

• Khazars
• Alans
• Oghuz Turks
• Greeks
• Slavs
• Saxons
• Other Turks
• Varangians

Religions:

• Judaism
• Orthodox Christianity

Culture: The culture of the ruling class is broadly cosmopolitan and tolerant, albeit drawing heavily from the nomadic traditions of their distant Turkic ancestors and the intricacies of Jewish religious law. While Khazaric, Old Russian, and an assortment of Turkic languages are spoken in private, Greek is the official court language and Hebrew is the most popular liturgical language. It has become a notable hub in the trans-regional trade of slaves, amber, furs, wood, and textiles, making it an affluent polity by the standards of northern Europe but a backwater relative to the fabulous opulence of the Greek world. Horse breeding and the equestrian arts are highly valued among the Turkic elites, ensuring a prominent, enduring, and unequaled horse culture. Wheat, rice, mutton, lamb, beef, fish, legumes, beans, peas, onions, and fermented beverages are common staples of Khazar diet.

History: Following Aaron II's victory over the rebellious Alans in 924 CE, with the assistance of the Oghuz Turks, the Orthodox Christian Alans were compelled to convert to Judaism and intermarry with the Khazar elites as a matter of state policy. This effectively assimilated what had been a troublesome tributary into the ruling class, but resulted in the adoption of many Alans conventions and linguistic quirks and increasing Byzantine influence over Khazaria. The reign of Joseph I saw the decline of the khanate's power in the face of growing Islamic and Slavic power across the Ukraine and Northern Caucasus. Joseph's son and heir was eventually killed in battle fighting against Sviatoslav I Igorevich in 968. This led to the ceding of most Khazar territories to the Kievan Rus and to Turkic polities, as well as a regency led by Leah Khatun, Joseph's Alan daughter-in-law. Leah transferred the capital to Alushta and strove to consolidate a defensible border, repelling incursions by both Slavic and Turkic powers. She furthermore managed to retain the obeisance of her late husband's vassals through drastic and desperate measures that impoverished the ruling house.

In 983, Leah abdicated in favor of her son Isaac II. The new khagan began his reign by repulsing a Byzantine attempt to conquer the important port city of Cherson in a heroic stand that inspired loyalty and confidence in his wavering vassals. Capitalizing on this triumph, the warrior-prince embarked on a series of raids deep into the territories that had been lost to the Kievan Rus and, employing Byzantine technology, constructed a string of fortresses to the immediate east of the Dnieper. This bolstered the royal treasury considerably, despite the expense on fortresses and mercenaries. Isaac II spent the vast majority of his forty two year reign on campaign, culminating in the reconquest of Tamatarkha. He would later be killed fighting in the North Caucasus. While this aggressive policy resulted in few gains beyond a small stretch of the Northern Caucasus, it did bring some measure of wealth and stability to the beleaguered realm.

Benjamin II succeeded his father at khagan following his death in 1025. Benjamin, a soft-spoken, bookish man, preferred to pursue a more diplomatic relationship with the Byzantine Empire. To accomplish this, he married his eldest son to a Greek princess, the niece of the Byzantine Emperor, and married one of his daughters to the Emperor's son and another to King of Armenia. Benjamin's reign was a largely peaceful one accompanied by growing commercial activity and the consolidation of a landed gentry where one had previously been absent. During this time, Turkic mercenaries, paid either in coin or with land grants, became the main means of prosecuting wars against Crimea's unruly Kievan neighbors. In 1059, Benjamin II died and was succeeded by his half-Greek nephew, Isaac III. The occurrence of several mercenary uprisings prompted Isaac III to abandon the practice of bringing in foreign troops to prosecute Crimea's foreign wars. Instead a dedicated corps of mixed light and heavy cavalry drawn from the landed, Jewish gentry became the heart of the Crimean military forces, with these being supplemented by Varangian, Slavic, Greek, and Turkic mercenaries to a lesser degree.

Isaac III's reforms, while effective, granted considerable power to the nobility. Eventually a general named Mänär Kaskiros came to dominate the kurultai and Isaac III was relegated to the status of a figurehead. While tribal feuds prevented Mänär from positioning himself to ascend the throne, he did succeed in marrying his daughter to Isaac III following the death of his first wife and getting the line of succession changed to favor her children. When Isaac III died in 1093, this led to a civil war between Aaron III and the enemies of Mänär and his half-brother Sabriel. Aaron III won handily and chose to handle the defeated with mercy and forbearance. The 46 year old khagan has largely sorted out the affairs of his small, newly stable realm in the last two years. The sons of Mänär Kaskiros remain as hostages in his court at Alushta. His half-brother Prince Sabriel, now 16, has been married to his daughter Sura and has become a loyal and promising nobleman at court. His eldest son and heir Prince Ephraim has been appointed governor of Kerch, with a small fleet at his command. A general named Balgitzi Tarkhan guards the garrison at Tamatarkha.

Aaron III has inherited a strong economy, cultivated by generations of careful management and tolerance of foreign beliefs, and he seems content to continue those policies so long as it doesn't compromise the dominance of his Jewish and Turkic aristocracy. Following his victories and early appointments, Aaron III, borrowing liberally from Greek and Arab architects, began construction of a large, elaborate synagogues in Cherson, Kerch, and Alushta. He's also been keen to repair old fortifications, and his thrown himself into this task with frenzied energy.

Important People:

• Aaron III, Khagan of Crimea and Greater Khazaria (46)
• Sophia Khatun (42)
• Prince Ephraim ben Aaron, Governor of Kerch (24)
• Prince Benjamin ben Aaron (22)
• Princess Maryam bat Aaron (20)
• Prince Sabriel ben Isaac (16), married to Princess Sura bat Aaron (17)
• Princess Tamar bat Aaron (16)
• Prince Gamaliel ben Aaron (14) and two younger siblings
• Balgitzi Tarkhan, Governor of Tamatarkha and Castellan of Ustagan (51)

Objectives:

• Reconquer the Northern Caucasus
• Obtain hegemony over the Black Sea
• Foster good relations with the Byzantine Empire
• Hinder the expansion of the Kievan Rus
• Expand the slave, amber, and fur trades

Accepted! And I was about to make a massive Khazar NPC. Oh well, tiny Khazaria is better then no Khazaria at all.

Question to the OP: once the IC opens up, is there going to be a list of all the NPC countries / leaders, or are we going to have to keep track of that ourselves? More specifically, though, is there going to be anywhere where we'll be able to see the current HRE and Pope?

Yes, and yes. I'm actually working on NPC states as we speak. I have Africa and the ME set already, barring some new states. Also, if no one takes the Holy Roman Emperor title, I'm giving it to NPC France because that'll be interesting and funny,