Atlas Unshrugged [AP Only]

[Togeria]

The year is 1495 and the myths and legends of old are not only true but the various peoples and kingdoms of old lore once lived together in harmony. Great societies of men, beast, and being living across the globe as tales spread of the many adventures and interactions of these peoples. Yet, these times could not last and the once large and expansive civilizations that dotted the globe have fallen to history, taking their own place among legends.

What is left is a world now done in its mourning, the word "Empire" has stoked the creative flame in the populace's imagination once more and now lords to bandits if they're daring now seek to burn their names into the consciousness of history.

In Europe the legacy of Rome still endures her honor still fought for with intensity by those states who still rally under her name, but it has been so many centuries since she last drew breath and the pagans once expelled to the frontiers of the empire now reside in her borders. Some have even taken to claiming parts of her former territory, and some have placed upon themselves the goal of usurping her legacy.

[Aricarcha]

Establishment of the Everlasting city Doctrine

Following the crowning of the new Aricarchan Imperator the new Byzantine emperor declared the doctrine of the everlasting city laying claim to all of the Balkans and north-west Anatolia, Imperator inquisitio Graecia IV formalized his claims by declaring a war of reclamation on Albania marching The first Imperial Tagma (first army of the byzantine empire) into central Albania burning down the settlements of of Berat and Patos well laying siege to the capital city Tirana hoping to starve the garrison well half the 14,000 man army (7,000) meet with the Albanian army in hopes of an easy victory on the battlefield.

30 trebuchets are currently en route to the capital of Albania to aid in the siege and act as long range support for the military against Albanian forces.

The new crown prince of the self declared second Rome has also began mass recruitment for trying times ahead as a third byzantine army is to be set up for defense of southern Italia following recent talks of Sicilian independence among established nobles in the region.

following being crowned Imperator preparations have began to send representatives of Graecia IV to establish new relations with nearby kingdoms not currently the target of Byzantine Imperialism.

[Parcia]

The Pope is dead.


Rome has been burned, the great land of Italia scarred, ruined, and suffering.

But all is not lost. The Great Jesuit King, A Spanish Born man by the name of Alfonso Clemencia, had done what many had thought...impossible to say the least. In the wake of what was some of the most devastating Fighting in all of the long waged Wars for Italia and her kingdoms, the Pope was killed, Rome sacked and many of its most sacred relics and artifacts smuggled to parts unknown.

The Peasant army that Clemencia had raised was anything but. While its equipment and gear varied, it was strong and made up of the most Veteran of the Soldiers that had fought "The People's War to reclaim the faith" from those that had twisted it so.

First, the city of Rome it self, so soon in ruin after a savage sacking by the Renewed Byzantium to the South. The last living Sister of the Old Eagle turning on her fallen sibling, stripping Rome of her Glory and prestige she had been building up since the time of Caeser.

Many of the Once Holy city would say this was the fury of God him self, casting his wrath on the decedent people and their Pope in the from of the Heathen Invaders from the South, and Even more Heathen pirates to the east. Many though this to be the end of the City, yet like during the Punic wars of old, the People of the Vernable city of Gods and man alike rebuilt anew.

The Peasant Army's of Priest Clemencia took the city with out bloodshed, instead they sheathed their blades and came not as another invading army, yet as an force of aiding knights and men, come to heal the wound inflicted on the city. With the City taken and her people secured in his support, He bide his time for some months giving the orders for the far flung bands of Holy orders to once more return to the fold. From the South, across the great Mediterranean, came the Knight of Malta. From the North East, in small bands and often Covertly, Came the Brothers of the House of St. Mary. From the far, far east, in even smaller bands and similarly Covertly, came the Knights of the Hospital of St. John, many of them have lived in the Desert of the Levant for generations.

More so oddly, came replies from an Order not previously known to exist. From the far flung land of Britannia came the message from the Knights of St. George and while their Protestantism was...concerning, Clemencia (not without grumbling from certain other figures) welcome the Englishmen in to Rome. Lastly, and likely the strangest, came the replies from many a man in Central France, each claiming to be a grandson or great grand son of a former member of the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ. The order had long since though to cease to exist after the purges of the 13th century and to find men still willing to fight under its banner as surprising.


With these men returning to the fold, a great revival of Rome took place and soon, as in with in 3 years, the city was prospering once again. With a well rested and trained army, spearheaded by the Knightly Alliance, they marched on the rest of Central Italy.

With a Force of 12,000 knights of various armed orders, and 23,000 Men at arms behind them, they began to peacefully annex those that came easily, and crushed those that fought. Soon enough their reach stretched from the slopes of the Alps to the northern Boarders of New Byzantium.

It took them another 2 years, finally arriving to the current year, the year of our lord 1495. A new Century dawns on this year, and soon, a new Empire.

[Aricarcha]

The founding of the Adriatic Church

Following the growing dived between the Orthodox and christian people's the Byzantine Imperator has established the Adriatic Church, both a place of peace and learning as well a military order set in defending both the Christine and Orthodox people, The church is to be given a monthly donation of varying size from the empire as well as maintain a standing army of 4,000. It will be in charge of teaching both christian and orthodox children as well as acting as a place of worship and duty for both sides of the religion.

The Byzantine Emperor himself acted as the first official guest of the church where as a sign of good faith had his son baptized by christian leaders rather then those of his own orthodox faith, Bari was declared the home of the Adriatic Church and construction has began on a massive citadel just outside the city to act as the place of worship, learning and and management of the new holy order.

The Orthodox patriarch himself has acknowledged the legitimacy of the church and it's people of both christian and orthodox faith along with it's legitimacy and a representative has been sent to Rome asking for the acknowledgment of legitimacy from the christian leadership which would greatly tighten relations between both people of faith.

Not all has gone well though as many people disagreeing with this act have committed to vandalism and even murder in some states as both Christians and Orthodox people's have been arrested by the Byzantine government for acting "Unholy" towards their brothers of faith. Despite several set backs and violent act's however the current emperor has remained determined to improve relations with his western brothers.

[Roman Pretani]

The Imperators Of Britannia

The grand city of Rome, founded through the legends of Romulus and Remus, carved out an empire that stretched from the far reaches of Egypt to the jagged rocks of the Scottish Highlands. The empire brought with it culture, language, and military might as it slashed through the barbaric pagans of Europe before finally reaching the shores of Britannia. Roman agriculture, architecture, and technology breathed new light into the Britannia as she loyally served the Imperator of Rome. The collapse of the Roman Empire in 476 ushered in a new age of disease and death known as the dark ages which molded Europe into its current political structure. The Britons, loyal to the empire until its collapse, seized on the glory of Rome that year and began to form a new society based upon the fusion of Roman Organization and Briton Tribalism under the command of Imperator Marcus Constantine IV ( Starting the tradition of Roman-Briton Imperators taking the last name of Constantine in honor of Constantine III, a British soldier who came to be the co imperator of The Western Roman Empire). Marcus Constantine IV immediately began to reform cities such as Londinium into centers of power and wealth for his new empire. The Imperator built massive legions of native soldiers organized in a similar fashion to that of Rome but with the guerrilla ideals of the barbarians to the North enabling a fighting force that could conquer in both the fields and forests. Constantine IV would use this army to secure his control of the isles as they plunged over Hadrians Wall. This action would result in a campaign to seize the Caledonian Confederacy that would last the next ten years of the imperators rule. Each invasion lead to new military reforms, technology, armor, and weapons which would eventually lead to the bloody defeat of the northern barbarian. The Caledonians were immediately bound into slavery in the Britannia and would often be used as bartering chips with the new emerging powers of mainland Europe. Imperator Constantine IV death in 493 brought and end to his seventeen year long reign and brought his son, Imperator Drusus Constantine V, to the helm of Britannia. His reign lead to the invasion of the Irish tribes in what can only be considered a genocide. The campaign for Ireland lasted less than a year as Briton Legionaries ripped through the uncivilized tribes that stood against them. Upon the year 500, the isles of Britannia would be united under the military strength of Britannia. The following thousand years would be ones of turmoil and defense as the subsequent imperators would hear the call of Emperor Honorius of The Western Roman Empire to defend Britannia against all threats. The Briton Legionnaires would go on to successfully defeat the Scandinavian Vikings and the pressures of the devolving Norman nations in Gaul During this time, Londinium would continue to expand as a capital for the empire with grand building of marble being built to show the power of the Britannian imperators. Britannia stands as one of the oldest societies in the world at 1100 years of power however it still longs for the return of the great Roman Empire and the legionnaires remain prepared to die for her honor.

A New Imperator

Two legionairess stand at attention with their backs against two large marble pillars. The legionairess are facing each other and are clad in iron plates and red cloth. They each hold swords emblazened with the insignia of SPQR at a 15 degree angle as if saluting one to pass. The door at the far end of the hall opens and from it emerges a woman of about 30 years old clad in a purple stola accented with golden belts wrapped underneath the womans breast and around her waist. The woman is followed by two more legionairess as they make their way towards the saluting men. The men lower their swords upon the womans acknowledgment and begin to open another set of grand doors next to the pillars. These doors open up to a large square crowded with loyal citizens and legionairess at attention. Military drums and brass are creating an atmosphere of turmoil and new beginings as the woman steps forward into the light. A man in a simple red toga greets her with a salute before revealing a simple laurel wreath. The woman bows before him as the military band silences. The man gently places the wreath upon the womans head and loudly exlaims to the legionarres and citizenry with an iron willed tongue "Long Live Imperatrix Sepurcia Constantine XLIV". The legionairess and citizenry immediatly salute the woman as she stands, the military band resuming with the sounds of triumph as the salutes lower and the crowds cheer for their new imperator s the woman raisers her arms in acceptance of their devotion and loyalty to Britannia. Long Live Imperatrix Sepurcia Constantin XLIV! Long Live Britannia! Long Live Rome!

[Aricarcha]

The Battle of Durres

With the Albanian capital under siege and on the brink of starvation the Albanian army has no choice but to fight, the 7,000 man detachment (5,000 infantry and 2,000 Calvary) made the first move during early morning as trebuchet's which have recently arrived as support begin assaulting the Albanian soldiers from afar. the 5,000 infantry under the command of of General Gias Tyr (A Byzantine of Celtic decent) are split up into two groups of 2,500 and set on attacking the Albanians on two fronts, the 2,000 Calvary are to provide support in area's of where there appears to be heavy losses.

The fighting last's four hours as both sides engage and break away repeatedly, in the third engagement a large group of light Calvary are caught surrounded by Albanian infantry resulting in the loss of 566 mercenary's, In better news during the fourth out of 8 engagements the majority of Albanian forces on one of the two front's are routed despite significant byzantine losses as well allowing the last front to be flanked by 1,893 pike-men.

During the last hour the Albanian general is captured by byzantine forces allowing soon victory as a regiment refused to surrender after his capture. After the battle the army is regrouped and reorganized, the estimated losses during the battle where 4,683 out of 7 thousand.

After 3 hours of preparation the remaining of the Byzantine detachment are headed back to the Albanian capital to finish the Siege, General Tyr sends word back to Constantinople for reinforcement's to make up for losses during the battle before being re assigned to the newly created 14,000 man army in Italia.

Graecia IV visits General Valax who was put in charge of the army besieging the Albanian capital, on his way back from southern Italia where he had taken part in an event regarding the Orthodox and Christian faith's, once continued on his way back to Constantinople the crown prince is left with Valax as part of his military education.

[Acerbez]

The Achozen State of Daenube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPFFWFDwLpE

The past half century prior to the year saw that the realm would be embroiled in turmoil, only now in the last 2 decades had a temporary but prosperous peace been bestowed upon the lands seered by the House of Omras. Ushered unto the people in wave after wave of capital punishment and heavy hands. Our Lord's predecessor and his greatness Vlad Tepes III, had inadmissibly blessed his people with foresight of discipline, strategic prowess, and the luck of gainful alliances. The Lands, Beset with roving bands of migrants and Muslim invaders, cunniving neighbors who sought to impose their will upon the Achozen had failed by the man blessed by God.

Basarab Laiotă, being captured by the vanguard of the Impaler's forces after a sound defeat had brought back again the renown of the Cruel Impaler. Long needing reminder after Vlad's 14 year long imprisonment by his foes, Villages had burned and citizen put to the stake indiscriminately. Liberating Baznae from the clutches of the enemy with the aid of Hungarian forces, The success of Hunyadi may have pitted both lands against one another if it had not been for God's will Hunyadi, Christ's Champion fall to plague. Seeing the opportunity, the short power vacuum lasted less than a year as Daenube-Wallach forces cycloned across Hungary in support of Hunyadi's Daughter forcing a fissure for those loyal to Hunyadi's ilk or those who wished to rip it away. The pretext to be in support of a man annointed by God. Support quickly fell to those of the Impaler and Hunyadi's daughter as opposition were murdered in their sleep, flayed alive, or simply disappearing without a trace of their dissent stinking the air further. With the Anatolians fighting against the Byzantines for the northwest of Anatolia, The Impaler took it upon himself to arrange the marriage between the daughter of Hunyadi and his Son 5 year old son Diavol Omras, his off spring with the Daughter of Lazar the son of Dusan of Serbia. An Alliance that quickly brought about the Daenubian triumvirate state and forced itself upon the nobility of Bulgrae.

Now Present day, At the age of 23, Diavol Omras has been coronated as Kral (King) of the Daenube, From Slovenae in the north west to Belgrae too the south-east.

In his youth, Age 13, Kral Diavol Omras. Lord of the Iron gates of Daenube and Kral of the Bolkenz.

Being reared by his father and studying the texts of the Great Hungarian Generals, tutored with stories of his Gradfather Lazar's dreams of a reunified Serbae, Diavol had been no stranger of war. Trained in the arts of both sword and book, by his own accord had he witnessed the harshest consequence of those who stood in his father's way... A constant red tide, a gushing dam of grotesque despair... Order. His father in-law Hunyadi's Hussite tactics and mobilization of peasantry, The forced migrations to ensure loyalty be strong where and when it be needed... The Crucifixions and spiked heads of those impaled and decapitated. Diavol became acquainted with the notion of teetering power.

Like Rome.

The Byzantines, although helpful in their un-consigned aid against the Anatolians, had pressed the Papal state and now contended with a peasant army under a Spanish Jesuit. Even more so, the Byzantines thought it appropriate to encroach the borders of the Daenubian state by threatening and now laying siege to Albanae! Showing no consideration to the balance of power that exist. Having long felt wary and cautious of the Byzantine imperialists, Diavol's designs would place him in contest with the Imperator of Byzantium and despite the imperator's efforts- Kral Diavol Omras would see the maneuver's of the Byzantines as stepping stones for their ambitions to swallow the land's around them.

An edict would be sent from Krnigrade (The Black City, IRL Belgrade), the Capital established during the Daenube war's by Vlad, that would see ethnic migrations and the spreading of Citizenry. This was done to see to the successful integration of the Triumvirate states and centralize power within the region so that when Diavol's ascension came, he was unmistakenly connected to all of his peoples. The Edict would be sent to Targoviste, a second seat of power and birthplace of Diavol's father and governed by his Uncle Radu. This command would requisition supply and army be bannered from both Wallachia and Bulgrae to be stationed along the Daenube-Byzantine border at both Kurdzhali and Elkhovo- 6,000 Wallachian and 12,000 Bulgrae regimented into 3. The 3rd force would be garrisoned in Blagoev on the eastern banks of the Siruma river, west of the Rhodope mountains. They would be commanded by a general named Florin Torje.

Drawing upon Hunyadi's expertise, Diavol would command that the peasantry be trained and slowly geared and groomed to be a standing army in their own right, swelling the military capacity of the southern empire as the days went on. Military forces would be garrisoned and allocated appropriately across the kingdom to see that order always maintained above all else. Seeing the Faith as a pragmatic method to speak to his people, Diavol would encourage prayer and piety just as much as he did the utility of defending one's own land from an imminent threat while the Slave caste would take on the daily toils for citizen to train.

---

Albanae

The siege of the Tirana was of no surprise nor was it news. The Albanae nobility had sought out help from it's neighbors in both Serbae's central and coastal municipalities, seeing that the Byzantine's had no intention to make a small land grab but to actually overtake the vassal state as a whole meant that an army be ushered far earlier than when the siege began. Both Navy and Army stood at the ready in the Adriatic sea but also the Drin valley. At the behest of the teetering state and its plea's for aid, Kral Diavol Omras funneled forces into northern Albanae and marched south with an ultimatum. Commanded by General Marko Zamfir, he sallied forth at the head with both 1,500 heavy winged hussars and 1,500 light hussars, followed by a sizeable force of 3,000 trained men and siege. Using the Drin river as a ferry for supply.

Written by the hand of the Kral himself the missive would be delivered by a messenger in company of 4 hussar, easily being identified advancing due the circumstances of the Tirana under attack by their deep purple banner lined with blood red and the Signia of the Fox stag.

Delivered missive to General Gias Tyr

We bring you news that Tirana's Sovereign has wrote to us and asked the people of Daenube to be so kind as to come to their aid until Byzantine forces retreat unto lands they have already taken- a fair bounty of war. We are howevere unable to idly witness this conflict to escalate further for sole reason the emissary from Tirana has come to us and emphasized your intent to devour their land's whole and exclaimed with great certainty and beyond reasonable doubt that upon their demise- you surely have designs to advance further north unto Daenubian Land. In The event that your ambition cannot be abated here and now, satisfied with your already immense gains in both Albanae and with that of Roma, it would undoubtedly indicate to both myself and all peoples of Daenube that you tread with heavy foot, an appetite to prey upon us all. We come to Tirana now, consequence will see that not only Albanae be engulfed in war but our great nation's together collide should we meet at the same time and same place under such strained circumstance. Therefore, we insist you to have patience and be satisfied enough so to consider your friends and those we all hold dear. Should we make peace with one another and see eye to eye, surely our compromise and compassionate values can extend beyond today... But if you will be our enemies now and General Zamfir, with haste of barded hoof and the righteous fury of God at the tip of his lance, arrives to Tirana and witnesses not a friendly retreat but a commitment to attack... you alone will have to answer for it before God.

Faithfully,
The Izabran Kral Of Daenube, Diavol Omras of the Iron Gates, son of Vlad Tepes III.

[Parcia]

Rebirth

With the major strong points of the country fortified, the focus was shifted towards getting its withering economy and agricultural sectors in working order.

First was to renovate and restore the aging aqueduct system still present around the older, larger cities and allowing for the mass transportation of clean water from the many mountain springs and rivers in the Alps to the needy people in the cities. This would also allow diversion of a small portion of said clean water to the many fields and farms dotting the Countryside as well. Next would the Country's once thriving Fishing industry.

The Merchant people of the seas, those who could drink sea water and even breath it, could either be valuable allies or vaunted foes, and Alfonso, now supported by the remaining few Cardinals and papal figures to survive the purge of the Vatican city, Sent an envoy to the Sea peoples with a invitation to come to Rome to discuss matters in relation to this.

The Army was largely broken up in to smaller regiments of men at arms and sent home, either to their farms and villages, or to county barracks. The Many Knightly orders were told to recruit as needed and to fortify the Boarders as needed with many either building their own small keeps and castles in the peaks of the Alps, or establishing bases in Major Cities like Venice. The Teutonic Order and the Hospitallar were assigned to the East, guarding the Boarder with the Kebab, with each constructing a line of Keeps and small castles along the boarder it self, recruiting from the local population Scores of willing men more then happy to see the return of the Holly Defenders.

To the west Went the Order of Malta and St. George, doing much in the same. The Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ needed more time to work, how ever, and instead set up shop in Rome it self and began to rebuild. This process will be long, how ever, as many of their tenants and practices were lost after the Purges of the 1300s, and their wealth was all but non existence. None the less, they chose to fortify Rome, and the Vatican, along side the City guard and the Pontifical Guard.


Unknown to all but a few, Alfonso would take this time to come in to contact with a order of Men and women who originally helped him take The Country from the previous Ruling party, a fraternity of Assassins, thieves, and spies that seem to have existed forever, as the Jesuit has found traces (nothing more then that, mind you) going all the way back to the time of the Fertile Crescent and its many kings and Empires.

Many would disagree with his choice for a long time after, but even for a follower of Christ, to further insure the safety of the faithful, one man must Deal with Evil.



The Byzantine Problem.

After many days of bickering over the Envoy and its message (during which they were treated to many days of the sights of Rome and Italia in general.) They would be sent back with a confirmation of the Adriatic Churches legitimacy, and even its Authority over its Realm. Further Inquiry as towards a possible Alliance were sent back with them.


Technology

The Province of Brescia has been mined for Iron Ore since before Rome Worshiped God himself, and during the dark Ages, had been known as a center for metal working in Northern Italia for decades and has been since. A small Arms company by the name of Fabbrica d'Armi Pietro Beretta had recently taken up shop next to its own Iron mine when the Wars began, and had supplied the Peasant Army with steel swords, and later, arquebus barrels and soon after, the production of whole arquebus's them selves. Noting their near perfect grade of workmanship and their timely arrival of shipments, the Arsenal of Beretta is soon booming with business from the Various Knightly Orders who, while skilled in the crafting of blades, have little expertise in the area of gunsmithing.

With the rapid advancement of gunpowder weapons and the needing of a quick any easy weapon to train with, both Alfonso and his generals devise an order of battle modeled after the one they pioneered during the War: Pike and shot.

[Togeria]

[REDACT]

[Communist Volkstrad]

House Mikhaelos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muRr8WqrU48

---

The name of Mikhaelos would be well known throughout the Mediterranean as a Cypriot noble family with a virtual monopoly on the maritime shipping and trade across much of the region. They were known to have a wide net, and either directly or through branch families, held vital ports under their control and many regional governments in their pockets, to the point of having de-facto control of Cyprus itself. However, they were not tyrants, and while harsh to deal with competition in their sphere, they were fair and did not gouge prices despite their control. They were seemingly Iconoclasts, but weren't particularly zealous, and would deal with anyone. Notable cadet branches include the Stavros, the Gavras, the Kyriakou, the Lykaios, and the Iakovou families, which largely operate outside of Cyprus itself.

However, this was all but a mask.

The Mikhaelos family was much more than it appeared on its surface. Nearly 830 years ago, the Mikhaelos line first rose to prominence, having been a well off, but unremarkable house in the Roman Empire prior to its fragmentation, and had continued that level of status for quite some time after. During this time, they had exploded onto the stage and began to buy up influence and control across the Mediterranean.

It was around this same time that something inhuman had entered the Mikhaelos bloodline. A taint that still clouds it to this day.

The descendants of House Mikhaelos, both those bearing its name and those cadet branches who split off after that time, now carry the blood of an infernal being within their veins, the blood of a demon. Such stains are not easily erased, and most of House Mikhaelos had made little or no effort to do so.

It was considered by some to be a curse, other a blessing, and most with mixed feelings. In some, the blood ran strong, for a few so strongly they could no longer mask their demonic traits, and with others it was weak enough to be almost ordinary. The blood granted those who possessed it abilities beyond normal men. These powers varied from individual to individual, and their strength was relative to the purity and the power of the demonic blood. Almost all are resistant to disease and injury, but beyond that the powers run the gamut. Regeneration, telekinesis, spontaneous combustion, invisibility, and even stranger powers have all manifested in the Mikhaelos bloodline.

Most of the family has been able to conceal their demonic traits, only becoming apparent when using their abilities or when they chose to, and those with particularly weak demonic blood often had no such traits to begin with. These latter types were usually sent off to areas under the eye of the Church or other organizations hostile to their kind, allowing the Mikhaelos family to operate without risk in areas where they normally could not. However, in those who the blood ran strongest, these showed greater signs of their demonic nature, and for the very strongest, hiding their nature became impossible. These, of course, could not be allowed into the outside world, but they still had purpose. For, while demon blood can potentially remain in a bloodline forever, there is a risk that it may wash out and become dormant. As such, the Mikhaelos family was always very careful with arranging unions, making sure to input outside genetic material whenever possible, and particularly when a bloodline is at risk of becoming overcome by strong demonic blood, and reintroducing it via inbreeding those with weaker blood with those in which it ran too strongly.

Of course, such power is not without its price. Despite the powers the demon blood granted, it demanded a heavy toll. Few of the Mikhaelos line die peacefully. Suicide, madness, homicidal rampages, spontaneous organ failure. All are common ends for those in the family. For, when their demonic powers become too potent, many of the Mikhaelos family lose their human selves and become nothing more than fiends.

Yet, for now, their position remains stable. Their secrets remain unknown to the wider world, and their trading "empire" undisturbed. However, their fortunes may soon take a turn for the worse, as there are certain elements within the family beginning to move on their own initiative, malcontent with the status quo. Beyond a mere power struggle within, these elements have set for themselves an entirely different goal, and intend to use the family's resources to take action and change the world.

Whether or not they would succeed, however, is anyone's guess.

[Aricarcha]

The Achozen State of Daenube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPFFWFDwLpE

The past half century prior to the year saw that the realm would be embroiled in turmoil, only now in the last 2 decades had a temporary but prosperous peace been bestowed upon the lands seered by the House of Omras. Ushered unto the people in wave after wave of capital punishment and heavy hands. Our Lord's predecessor and his greatness Vlad Tepes III, had inadmissibly blessed his people with foresight of discipline, strategic prowess, and the luck of gainful alliances. The Lands, Beset with roving bands of migrants and Muslim invaders, cunniving neighbors who sought to impose their will upon the Achozen had failed by the man blessed by God.

Basarab Laiotă, being captured by the vanguard of the Impaler's forces after a sound defeat had brought back again the renown of the Cruel Impaler. Long needing reminder after Vlad's 14 year long imprisonment by his foes, Villages had burned and citizen put to the stake indiscriminately. Liberating Baznae from the clutches of the enemy with the aid of Hungarian forces, The success of Hunyadi may have pitted both lands against one another if it had not been for God's will Hunyadi, Christ's Champion fall to plague. Seeing the opportunity, the short power vacuum lasted less than a year as Daenube-Wallach forces cycloned across Hungary in support of Hunyadi's Daughter forcing a fissure for those loyal to Hunyadi's ilk or those who wished to rip it away. The pretext to be in support of a man annointed by God. Support quickly fell to those of the Impaler and Hunyadi's daughter as opposition were murdered in their sleep, flayed alive, or simply disappearing without a trace of their dissent stinking the air further. With the Anatolians fighting against the Byzantines for the northwest of Anatolia, The Impaler took it upon himself to arrange the marriage between the daughter of Hunyadi and his Son 5 year old son Diavol Omras, his off spring with the Daughter of Lazar the son of Dusan of Serbia. An Alliance that quickly brought about the Daenubian triumvirate state and forced itself upon the nobility of Bulgrae.

Now Present day, At the age of 23, Diavol Omras has been coronated as Kral (King) of the Daenube, From Slovenae in the north west to Belgrae too the south-east.

(Image)
In his youth, Age 13, Kral Diavol Omras. Lord of the Iron gates of Daenube and Kral of the Bolkenz.

Being reared by his father and studying the texts of the Great Hungarian Generals, tutored with stories of his Gradfather Lazar's dreams of a reunified Serbae, Diavol had been no stranger of war. Trained in the arts of both sword and book, by his own accord had he witnessed the harshest consequence of those who stood in his father's way... A constant red tide, a gushing dam of grotesque despair... Order. His father in-law Hunyadi's Hussite tactics and mobilization of peasantry, The forced migrations to ensure loyalty be strong where and when it be needed... The Crucifixions and spiked heads of those impaled and decapitated. Diavol became acquainted with the notion of teetering power.

Like Rome.

The Byzantines, although helpful in their un-consigned aid against the Anatolians, had pressed the Papal state and now contended with a peasant army under a Spanish Jesuit. Even more so, the Byzantines thought it appropriate to encroach the borders of the Daenubian state by threatening and now laying siege to Albanae! Showing no consideration to the balance of power that exist. Having long felt wary and cautious of the Byzantine imperialists, Diavol's designs would place him in contest with the Imperator of Byzantium and despite the imperator's efforts- Kral Diavol Omras would see the maneuver's of the Byzantines as stepping stones for their ambitions to swallow the land's around them.

An edict would be sent from Krnigrade (The Black City, IRL Belgrade), the Capital established during the Daenube war's by Vlad, that would see ethnic migrations and the spreading of Citizenry. This was done to see to the successful integration of the Triumvirate states and centralize power within the region so that when Diavol's ascension came, he was unmistakenly connected to all of his peoples. The Edict would be sent to Targoviste, a second seat of power and birthplace of Diavol's father and governed by his Uncle Radu. This command would requisition supply and army be bannered from both Wallachia and Bulgrae to be stationed along the Daenube-Byzantine border at both Kurdzhali and Elkhovo- 6,000 Wallachian and 12,000 Bulgrae regimented into 3. The 3rd force would be garrisoned in Blagoev on the eastern banks of the Siruma river, west of the Rhodope mountains. They would be commanded by a general named Florin Torje.

Drawing upon Hunyadi's expertise, Diavol would command that the peasantry be trained and slowly geared and groomed to be a standing army in their own right, swelling the military capacity of the southern empire as the days went on. Military forces would be garrisoned and allocated appropriately across the kingdom to see that order always maintained above all else. Seeing the Faith as a pragmatic method to speak to his people, Diavol would encourage prayer and piety just as much as he did the utility of defending one's own land from an imminent threat while the Slave caste would take on the daily toils for citizen to train.

---

Albanae

The siege of the Tirana was of no surprise nor was it news. The Albanae nobility had sought out help from it's neighbors in both Serbae's central and coastal municipalities, seeing that the Byzantine's had no intention to make a small land grab but to actually overtake the vassal state as a whole meant that an army be ushered far earlier than when the siege began. Both Navy and Army stood at the ready in the Adriatic sea but also the Drin valley. At the behest of the teetering state and its plea's for aid, Kral Diavol Omras funneled forces into northern Albanae and marched south with an ultimatum. Commanded by General Marko Zamfir, he sallied forth at the head with both 1,500 heavy winged hussars and 1,500 light hussars, followed by a sizeable force of 3,000 trained men and siege. Using the Drin river as a ferry for supply.

Written by the hand of the Kral himself the missive would be delivered by a messenger in company of 4 hussar, easily being identified advancing due the circumstances of the Tirana under attack by their deep purple banner lined with blood red and the Signia of the Fox stag.

Delivered missive to General Gias Tyr

We bring you news that Tirana's Sovereign has wrote to us and asked the people of Daenube to be so kind as to come to their aid until Byzantine forces retreat unto lands they have already taken- a fair bounty of war. We are howevere unable to idly witness this conflict to escalate further for sole reason the emissary from Tirana has come to us and emphasized your intent to devour their land's whole and exclaimed with great certainty and beyond reasonable doubt that upon their demise- you surely have designs to advance further north unto Daenubian Land. In The event that your ambition cannot be abated here and now, satisfied with your already immense gains in both Albanae and with that of Roma, it would undoubtedly indicate to both myself and all peoples of Daenube that you tread with heavy foot, an appetite to prey upon us all. We come to Tirana now, consequence will see that not only Albanae be engulfed in war but our great nation's together collide should we meet at the same time and same place under such strained circumstance. Therefore, we insist you to have patience and be satisfied enough so to consider your friends and those we all hold dear. Should we make peace with one another and see eye to eye, surely our compromise and compassionate values can extend beyond today... But if you will be our enemies now and General Zamfir, with haste of barded hoof and the righteous fury of God at the tip of his lance, arrives to Tirana and witnesses not a friendly retreat but a commitment to attack... you alone will have to answer for it before God.

Faithfully,
The Izabran Kral Of Daenube, Diavol Omras of the Iron Gates, son of Vlad Tepes III.

Byzantine action

Following arrival of a message from those north of Byzantium a small conference was held in Constantinople to discuss how to respond to demands that have been made, after 3 hours of discussion a small militia group of 50 men are gathered to bring word to the Dacians,

"We will not accept any threat to the empire be it from brother or sister, mother or father. We offer to spare the most northern area of Albania and for it's people to remain independent in said area, but no less, We will also retract our claims on all the Balkans. Lastly, we will continue our plans to march on the heathen Anatolian's, should you intervene in the slightest we will not hesitate to strike back, and with this we offer our friendship, you may take it or leave it but either way what we control in Albania this very moment is already being considered part of our domain."

As the message was being carried off to northern Albania to be handed over to the Dacians a levy of 5,000 infantry has started gathering south of Albania as potential reinforcement's should the Siege army be attacked.

The Siege of Tirana

With a large portion of the Garrison starved and now laying dead several offers for peace negotiations have been sent through the now destroyed gates of the Albanian capital, the terms of which are annexation of Southern and north west Albania.

The besieging army's losses now replaced by new soldiers from the heart of Constantinople herself plans have begun for an assault on the hold's walls, after which the city it'self is to be invaded should peace talks go poorly, commander Phalax, second in command of the Besieging army has been re stationed to a levy army gathering south of Albania, and is to be promoted to General as due to his innovations during the siege which have allowed several breaches to be made.

Byzantine ships, 8 Galleys have been placed off the coast of Albania to blockade the country, mostly to ensure sooner peace talks as unrest has been increasing once again in Sicily.

[Roman Pretani]

The Republican Question

Imperatrix Sepurcia Constantine XLIV, the eight female to hold the title of Imperatrix within Britannia and the 44th to rule over the empire of Constantine IV, stands in a precarious situation as Britannia enters a new age of warfare and wisdom. Tradition states that the Imperators first and ultimate goal is to protect Britannia and the Roman people who call her home from all external threats whether barbaric or civilized. Tradition also states that the imperator is to rule for life with the complete power of the roman state at his or her back however Imperatrix Sepurcia Constantine XLIV believed in a tradition older than the imperators of Britannia and even the Imperators of Rome herself. The tradition of Republicanism that had been raped by the forces of Creaser so long ago now once more bubble inside of the heads of Romans. The ascension of the Imperatrix would see those bubbles turn into the froth of a boiling pot as massive reforms in governmental institutions would quickly spread throughout the smaller settlements of Britannia with the blessings of the Imperatrix. The Roman Senate itself would see the most reform as the Imperatrix would move small amounts of her governmental powers to the elected senate such as the organization and execution of tax laws and internal development. The Imperatrix however would sustain her right over the full command of the Legionaries and other military/police forces throughout Roman Britannia. These reforms would see a revived sentiment of loyalty to the empire as well as an economic boom in the ideals of free market exchange among citizens of Britannia. The largest of these exchanges being the use of forced labor of conquered ethnicities. Tradition had been easily broken in the first few months of her reign however the senate remains largely powerless to the will of Imperatrix Sepurcia Constantine XLIV. The Roman Legionaries would also see reform through the introduction of new forging techniques which allowed for stronger armor while not compromising the necessary mobility needed in combat. These forging techniques would further improve upon weapons such as Swords, Pikes, and even early gunpowder weapons. Gunpowder would be further used to improve outdated artillery weapons enabling more carnage at a further distance. The mass military reforms included a focus on the reinvention of modern tactics in hopes of creating a more versatile fighting force however these reforms are estimated to take years to truly break the mold of normal combat. The navy would likewise see a massive increase in funding from the imperial treasury to study new naval tactics, the production of more advanced ships, and improved sailing techniques. Merchants, as a result, have seen an increased Roman presence in the channel allowing them to reach foreign lands that had previously ignored further accelerating the growth of the roman economy.

[Acerbez]

The Lance Blessed by God's Fury

Following arrival of a message from those north of Byzantium a small conference was held in Constantinople to discuss how to respond to demands that have been made, after 3 hours of discussion a small militia group of 50 men are gathered to bring word to the Dacians,

"We will not accept any threat to the empire be it from brother or sister, mother or father. We offer to spare the most northern area of Albania and for it's people to remain independent in said area, but no less, We will also retract our claims on all the Balkans. Lastly, we will continue our plans to march on the heathen Anatolian's, should you intervene in the slightest we will not hesitate to strike back, and with this we offer our friendship, you may take it or leave it but either way what we control in Albania this very moment is already being considered part of our domain."

As the message was being carried off to northern Albania to be handed over to the Dacians a levy of 5,000 infantry has started gathering south of Albania as potential reinforcement's should the Siege army be attacked.

The Siege of Tirana

With a large portion of the Garrison starved and now laying dead several offers for peace negotiations have been sent through the now destroyed gates of the Albanian capital, the terms of which are annexation of Southern and north west Albania.

The besieging army's losses now replaced by new soldiers from the heart of Constantinople herself plans have begun for an assault on the hold's walls, after which the city it'self is to be invaded should peace talks go poorly, commander Phalax, second in command of the Besieging army has been re stationed to a levy army gathering south of Albania, and is to be promoted to General as due to his innovations during the siege which have allowed several breaches to be made.

Byzantine ships, 8 Galleys have been placed off the coast of Albania to blockade the country, mostly to ensure sooner peace talks as unrest has been increasing once again in Sicily.

Albanae

General Marko Zamfir was a loyal subject, an upright, law abiding subject. His lord was explicit in his command. Had Zamfir not witnessed a friendly retreat from the Byzantines attacking Tirana, afterwhich a mutual discussion could be had- than they had chosen to be enemies on this field.

The Approaching messengers were hailed and entertained by the cavalry sallying forth ahead of the main force, intercepted by light Hussars firstly- bringing the van to abrupt halt as they escorted the 50 men to General Zamfir. Whom listened intently to their message. After they had spoken, a silence had befallen the 50 men, as horses strut to and from, only their nay say heard in the silence. General Marko Zamfir, hazel eye'd looking to the direction from which the men came. His grip tightened the reins of his steed as he steered in a half circle to his men who awaited orders.

He then raised his right hand midway and pointed his index and middle finger outwardly only to jut them to the sides of his adam's apple.

Death.

The 50 men of the militia group were cut down without hesitation, as sabers unsheathed and sliced through the Byzantines, the first blood the Daenubian's would spill in Albania.

His men rallying around their General, his pallid grizzled face and coarse voice thundering through the ranks.

"We make no threats! We crash down like the tears of God and the banshee wails of widows, riding forth with a promise! To wash across the land and strike those that do not fear GOD, for we are fear manifested by him. Over running those who do not heed his call to peace and ushering forth what they crave so dearly- perdition." He paused, the noon sun shimmering off of his red pauldron, thinking to himself, had they wished to discuss friendship, a retreat was required. "They choose to answer to God" he roared.

The Cavalry, 3,000 strong advanced upon Tirana's siege ahead of the main infantry force, from the ramparts of the cities walls, the citizens of Tirana would witness their salvation as banners of the fox stag waved in the wind on the backs of steeds reared in the heart of the Iron realm. With Byzantine Forces attacking the walls, the light Hussar's target was obvious. Breaking into their tactical groups of 20 strong, Half of the light hussars would surge forward in loose formation upon the trebuchet's of the first group causing as much damage as possible and avoiding running into dire straits with pikemen, using either bow or lance. All the while half of the heavy barded Hussar cavalry readied in wedge formations- The first rank consisted of 25 soldiers, the second of 30, the third of 35 and the remainder of 40, 50, 60 ect. adding ten men per rank. Advancing toward toward the besieging infantry, follow by the remaining half of the light Hussar's with bows at the ready.

Should the Infantry not be shaken or panicked, the charge shall be cut short and break into a partial retreat so that the following Light hussars may volley bow and arrow into the Formation- repeated time and time again until the enemy routes. Should the surprise and lack of control of enemy formations occur upon arrival, the Lancing Heavy Hussars will stampede through the Byzantine enemy.

The Remaining half of the heavy Hussar's will trail behind the light hussar's that are assailing the siege weapons to determine the Enemy Cavalry's action, should the Cavalry ignore the remaining heavy Hussar in wait and pursue the light hussars they will be flanked and pursued by the 750 Heavy Hussars behind.

---

A gathering of crows

Duke Matei Corvin, Uncle of his liege-lord Diavol Omras, provincial ruler of Hungrae was released from captivity soon after the conclusion of Vlad Tepe's aid to the Hunyadi family and taken under the Impaler much to the disdain of his uncle Michael Szilágyi. This manuever of rearing the young boy guarenteed the pacification of Hungary while Vlad insisted Szilagyi govern in his stead. Upon the Maturity of Matei's younger sister who would be wed to Diavol, the release from imprisonment and life with the King of Daenube would create a bond of loyalty and commitment to his would be brother inlaw. Now in present day, with ambitions to expand the Daenubian territory, Duke Corvin looked northwest to the lands of Austrae, A vassal state in limbo, curtsying by with minuscule tributes and autonomy. Granted a Royal edict to impose extraordinary taxes upon the duke of Austria, he intended to collect. Initially he was met with resistance and insisted to accept less than the 5 gold florins per house... So the Black legion was mustered.

Matei Corvin of the Black

The Black Legion numbering 28,000 strong (20,000 horsemen, 8,000 infantry) and the only army equal to the Sange guard of the Kral, purely trained for warfare and disciplined beyond any normal measure of the Era was perhaps Hungrae's pride within the Daenube. Armed and equipped with both plenty of wagon and river Galley's, the force would be let loose onto Austria.

The Duke Corvin would advance onto Austria with a full 3rd of the Black legion, Black lacquered armor portraying and reflecting the very image of death itself. The Remainder awaiting in Hungrae for their lord's return. The Duke himself sailing the Daenube to congregate with the lord of Austria while his commanders collected the remainder of tithes from Graz and Weiner Neudstadt. The Duke of Austria would yield himself as vassal and leave his post for appointment in the Capital for an indefinite tenure. As part of an arrangement however, the Duke of Slovenia wished to participate and aid the Black duke Corvin by guaranteeing supply in negotiation for Kragenfurt, southern Austria- which he sent a small force of his own Slovenian to settle. The Province was to be sliced and puppeted all the way to Czech if possible.

Vienna would see black in the horizon.

[Communist Volkstrad]

The Journey Begins

---

A ship sets sail from Gibraltar, heading North towards the lands once known as Gallia. A path less often taken for most shipping of House Mikhaelos, but it normally a ship passing there would still be rather unremarkable. And at least on paper, this was such a voyage. In truth, however, its purpose was rather different, and indeed, a purpose House Mikhaelos itself was not aware of and had not sanctioned. Nor would it have been, had they known.

The ship carried thirteen members of the Mikhaelos family, although only one of them was part of House Mikhaelos proper. The rest bore the names of its cadet houses, and they had all come packed for a long journey. Without guard, and without prior notice. Indeed, they bore none of the signs of nobility; they dressed plainly and simply, as mere travelers, and while they bore arms, this was not unusual for a band of wanderers.

The small band's leader was Andros Mikhaelos, heir to the House Mikhaelos and the one to succeed his father and current head of the house, Markos Mikhaelos. He was a younger man, in his mid twenties, and while the demonic blood ran strong in his veins, he had yet to show any signs of cracking under the influence of the curse. He had a pale complexion, especially for the region of his birth, though not abnormal for the Mikhaelos line, and dark brown hair that he kept short. His face, as typical, was bearded, and closely trimmed but not precisely "styled". He was the very image of health both mental and physical, a rare specimen in the family in this regard, all traits that had made him the ideal candidate as heir to the house.

This was a journey had been planning for many years now on his own initiative, more-or-less without the assent of his father. Few knew of his plans at all, and fewer knew its true objective. He had spent years building up support and allies within the family, gathering those relatives with whom he had the greatest backing and putting together his own net of followers within the house's own base. He had his own plans, after all, separate from the will of House Mikhaelos, and should they be made public, the House would surely move to stop him.

As such, it was much better that they were not aware of his intent and actions, allowing him to use their resources without oversight. His own followers had been sent out to key points in their zone of influence, particularly the intended end-point of his journey.

Their goal was the completion of a ritual, the greatest ritual in history, and it required artifacts of the highest order, and greatest quality to see completion. The research for this alone would have taken decades, but fortunately, he was not the first in the family to seek this goal. Indeed, centuries ago, one of his distant relatives by the name of Argiris Stavros had determined much of what was needed, only he had fallen into madness and been slain after transforming before he could complete it. All Andros had to do was complete his research and then enact the plan.

The first of these artifacts was to be the Philosopher's Stone. While the whereabouts of such a thing itself remained an unknown, the plans on how to create such a thing could be found somewhere in Gallia, and that was far more valuable than the artifact itself. Indeed, the ability to create a tool for alchemical projection, and more importantly, an elixir of life on top of that would be quite useful. Such a thing would be the end point for most, but instead it was simply the first stepping stone on the path to the Great Ritual. The Philosophers Stone, or Stones in this case, were to act as the catalyst for the ritual, the initial spark and a potent source of energy to kick-start the process. The ritual would technically be possible without such a thing, but it would be magnitudes more difficult and inefficient, and the margin for error much greater.

As such, it seemed the logical first step, and likely the easiest.

[Parcia]

Military

The Exploits of the Black legion were indeed Wide spread, reaching down over the Alps and in to Italia Proper. Seeing the effectiveness of a professional, standing army when backed by its government at a large scale.

The Esercito Nazionale d'Italia was to be comprised of three levels of troops. Class 1 soldiers were the true Professionals, Carrier men and officers who pledged a 10 year long stay in the Service. Many Veterans of the Peasant army, and the proceeding Wars of Italy Between the various Papal states stood in this category, as did most if not all of the men of the Knightly orders. This would also include most of the men who were mounted, being able to afford and stable a horse, as well as those owning firearms, these few men being formed in to proper regiments and Companies and kept in County/Regional barracks for quick Mustering and deployment.

These Men numbered as fallows:
7-11,000 Armed Men of the knightly orders (for all of them)
3-4,000 Musterable Calvary of varying weights
2-3,000 musterable Gun armed men, most now being armed with good quality Beretta Made guns.

Class 2 men would be the less wealthy, more common 1-2 year long service troops, the simple Foot men armed with spears, crossbows, and simple, Gladius style short swords. They would make up the majority of the army and came from every walk of life and every part of Italia.

These Men numbered as Fallows:
18-20,000 men of age ready to be mustered, armed, and deployed.
Of those men, around 3-4,000 would be armed with Cross Bows of various size, with a smaller number, manly those stationed in the Mountains were such things were heavy and unfit for long treks, used Bows of various makings.

This also Included a small corps of "Scout Calvary": Men who owned horses but were not wealthy enough to fully arm and armor them selves, and instead served the Army as a scouting and skirmishing force. Often armed with simple bows, Longer swords and sabers meant for mounted combat, and light armor.

Roughly 3-4,000 of such men existed.

Class 3 men were the Old, the too youthful to serve, and those that manned the Walls of the Various Cities as Militiamen. Often Armed with Crude Pikes and spears, simple straight swords, and bows of various Quality. While Never expected to serve outside the role of City Defenders, they were counted just for clerical reasons.

These Men numbered as fallows:
Roughly 20-30,000 militiamen existed around the country, ready to man the walls at a moments notice and defend it as needed.


The Navy was a whole different matter all together. The Previous States held to unified Naval force of any kind, with the city of Venice really only keeping armed ships for in times when their convoys and merchants were under threat. How ever, the Skill of the Venicean Ship builders was not to be understated, and so blessing of The Jesuit King and a good portion of what remained of the Treasury Funds, the ship yards were ordered to construct a small fleet of 30 armed ships.

20 were to be small, Square rigged Caravels armed with between 8-12 guns and 10 larger, Carracks, eventually larger, more heavily armed Caravels armed with between 12-18 guns. These first true warships would serve as the first state funded Warships since the Galleys and tremine of Old Roma

[Acerbez]

The Raven's Fee

Prior to his departure, The Black Duke Corvin had meticulously worked with Stephen Várdai, Archbishop of Kalocsa to reform the coin system to match the downfall of Roma and immense change in the monetary economy. Reformed was the coin system for easier accumulation of taxes and manageable disbursements and introduced an improved dinar, which had a finer silver content (500‰) and weighed half a gram. He also re-established its ratio, where one florin of gold equaled 100 novacs of silver- this system so efficient and stable that the revenue of Hungrae alone was generating 800,000 gold florin's annually. Contributing massively to the expenditures of the Daenubian state.

An expansion to the river fleet of the Daenube and the fortification of Zeng in the Adriatic and Kilia in the black sea, with Radu Frumos, the venerable Duke of Romania which led to a tightly monitored operation of trade and also an increase in security from the Daenubian Delta. The teetering Turkish empire, subjected to a war with the Byzantine's in Anatolia meant that the black sea fleet reigned as one of the largest if not the most secured armada afloat and that demand was always in supply. Both Dukes maintaining a sizable navy.

Chalices of wine from the black sea clamored together in celebration from the people, the harvests of Moesia, Zagore, and Dobrudzha of Bulgrae were so abundant and rich that song and dance echoed the halls of friends and families throughout the kingdom. As taxes were no longer Portae and instead raised per household, the baron's themselves having little need to impose extraordinary taxes instead simplified to militia portalis, which outlined that for every twenty serf-lots, a noble was ordered to raise and lend one archer to the king and for every 50 a mounted archer- Those who did not have serfs but owned manors as a noble had to join a regional count in state of war. This ensured that the state was entirely independent of relying on mercenaries but further supplemented the possibility of a Daenubian mercenary force being desirable. The last 2 taxes reformed were two traditional taxes being renamed; the chamber's profit was thereafter collected as tax of the royal treasury and the thirtieth as the Crown's customs. Because of this change, all previous tax exemptions became void, increasing state revenues and set about centralizing the administration of royal revenues of the kingdom while being light in the pockets of the people.

This meant that Bulgrae and it's capital Tornovo would boom culturally and impact the Daenubian territories by giving strong impetus to handicrafts, metallurgy, and mining. Leathermaking, shoemaking, carpentry, and weaving becoming prominent crafts. Varna was renowned for the processing of fox fur, which was used for production of luxurious clothes. Crafts were exclusively and clearly defined to Bulgrae, but the rest of the states providing an abundance of everything from iron mongering to horse breeding down to farming. The Daenubian state was thriving...

The Capital of Krnigrade prospered and word of it's wealth reached far and wide while it's armies would soon follow.

---

Albanae

Word would be sent that General Zamfir had not retreated to Drin with any word which alluded that battle undoubtedly broke out over Tirana. This information would be passed along back to the realm and inform the Kral that full conflict with the Byzantine empire may be a strong possibility along with the barons of both Slovenae, Kroashe, so that the maritime and navy of the Adriatic isn't blind sided by hostilities from the Byzantines. The combined Adriatic Navy informed again when returning trade vessels confirmed a blockade near The coastal city of Durres.

The importance of the Adriatic to the Daenubian trade was an utmost priority and put the baron's in disbelief that a blockade nestled so close to home would occur an empire that seemed to feel itself bereft of boundaries. A missive was drawn with haste and sent directly to the Venetian lords with a proposal.

Venetian Lords,

Word has traveled that the opening of our shared Adriatic home has been blockaded by a foreign force not either of our own. In the event that this does not perturb you in the slighted would be suspect however the Kroates lords are willing to make a proposal to employ and pay the wages of the Venetian marine and navy for the duration of time it takes to remove this blockade that rudely feels it appropriate to make our home its own un-invitingly. Effectively placing them under command of and subordinate to the Daenubian Adriatic navy for the duration of their tenure.This proposal guarantees half payment upon acceptance and half upon accomplishment and will be backed by the barons of the Iron Realm. Furthermore for your own security and assurance, your navy at the forefront will be followed by the Daenubian Adriatic navy to reinforce and ensure the success of this exploit to expel the Byzantine force.

2 Florins for every marine per month and a sum equal to a quarter of the total for yourselves with any slain during duty relinquishing their debt.

May God make our friends known,
Baron Wenzai of Kroates.

[Aricarcha]

The Lance Blessed by God's Fury

Following arrival of a message from those north of Byzantium a small conference was held in Constantinople to discuss how to respond to demands that have been made, after 3 hours of discussion a small militia group of 50 men are gathered to bring word to the Dacians,

"We will not accept any threat to the empire be it from brother or sister, mother or father. We offer to spare the most northern area of Albania and for it's people to remain independent in said area, but no less, We will also retract our claims on all the Balkans. Lastly, we will continue our plans to march on the heathen Anatolian's, should you intervene in the slightest we will not hesitate to strike back, and with this we offer our friendship, you may take it or leave it but either way what we control in Albania this very moment is already being considered part of our domain."

As the message was being carried off to northern Albania to be handed over to the Dacians a levy of 5,000 infantry has started gathering south of Albania as potential reinforcement's should the Siege army be attacked.

The Siege of Tirana

With a large portion of the Garrison starved and now laying dead several offers for peace negotiations have been sent through the now destroyed gates of the Albanian capital, the terms of which are annexation of Southern and north west Albania.

The besieging army's losses now replaced by new soldiers from the heart of Constantinople herself plans have begun for an assault on the hold's walls, after which the city it'self is to be invaded should peace talks go poorly, commander Phalax, second in command of the Besieging army has been re stationed to a levy army gathering south of Albania, and is to be promoted to General as due to his innovations during the siege which have allowed several breaches to be made.

Byzantine ships, 8 Galleys have been placed off the coast of Albania to blockade the country, mostly to ensure sooner peace talks as unrest has been increasing once again in Sicily.

Albanae

General Marko Zamfir was a loyal subject, an upright, law abiding subject. His lord was explicit in his command. Had Zamfir not witnessed a friendly retreat from the Byzantines attacking Tirana, afterwhich a mutual discussion could be had- than they had chosen to be enemies on this field.

The Approaching messengers were hailed and entertained by the cavalry sallying forth ahead of the main force, intercepted by light Hussars firstly- bringing the van to abrupt halt as they escorted the 50 men to General Zamfir. Whom listened intently to their message. After they had spoken, a silence had befallen the 50 men, as horses strut to and from, only their nay say heard in the silence. General Marko Zamfir, hazel eye'd looking to the direction from which the men came. His grip tightened the reins of his steed as he steered in a half circle to his men who awaited orders.

He then raised his right hand midway and pointed his index and middle finger outwardly only to jut them to the sides of his adam's apple.

Death.

The 50 men of the militia group were cut down without hesitation, as sabers unsheathed and sliced through the Byzantines, the first blood the Daenubian's would spill in Albania.

His men rallying around their General, his pallid grizzled face and coarse voice thundering through the ranks.

"We make no threats! We crash down like the tears of God and the banshee wails of widows, riding forth with a promise! To wash across the land and strike those that do not fear GOD, for we are fear manifested by him. Over running those who do not heed his call to peace and ushering forth what they crave so dearly- perdition." He paused, the noon sun shimmering off of his red pauldron, thinking to himself, had they wished to discuss friendship, a retreat was required. "They choose to answer to God" he roared.

The Cavalry, 3,000 strong advanced upon Tirana's siege ahead of the main infantry force, from the ramparts of the cities walls, the citizens of Tirana would witness their salvation as banners of the fox stag waved in the wind on the backs of steeds reared in the heart of the Iron realm. With Byzantine Forces attacking the walls, the light Hussar's target was obvious. Breaking into their tactical groups of 20 strong, Half of the light hussars would surge forward in loose formation upon the trebuchet's of the first group causing as much damage as possible and avoiding running into dire straits with pikemen, using either bow or lance. All the while half of the heavy barded Hussar cavalry readied in wedge formations- The first rank consisted of 25 soldiers, the second of 30, the third of 35 and the remainder of 40, 50, 60 ect. adding ten men per rank. Advancing toward toward the besieging infantry, follow by the remaining half of the light Hussar's with bows at the ready.

Should the Infantry not be shaken or panicked, the charge shall be cut short and break into a partial retreat so that the following Light hussars may volley bow and arrow into the Formation- repeated time and time again until the enemy routes. Should the surprise and lack of control of enemy formations occur upon arrival, the Lancing Heavy Hussars will stampede through the Byzantine enemy.

The Remaining half of the heavy Hussar's will trail behind the light hussar's that are assailing the siege weapons to determine the Enemy Cavalry's action, should the Cavalry ignore the remaining heavy Hussar in wait and pursue the light hussars they will be flanked and pursued by the 750 Heavy Hussars behind.

---

A gathering of crows

Duke Matei Corvin, Uncle of his liege-lord Diavol Omras, provincial ruler of Hungrae was released from captivity soon after the conclusion of Vlad Tepe's aid to the Hunyadi family and taken under the Impaler much to the disdain of his uncle Michael Szilágyi. This manuever of rearing the young boy guarenteed the pacification of Hungary while Vlad insisted Szilagyi govern in his stead. Upon the Maturity of Matei's younger sister who would be wed to Diavol, the release from imprisonment and life with the King of Daenube would create a bond of loyalty and commitment to his would be brother inlaw. Now in present day, with ambitions to expand the Daenubian territory, Duke Corvin looked northwest to the lands of Austrae, A vassal state in limbo, curtsying by with minuscule tributes and autonomy. Granted a Royal edict to impose extraordinary taxes upon the duke of Austria, he intended to collect. Initially he was met with resistance and insisted to accept less than the 5 gold florins per house... So the Black legion was mustered.

Matei Corvin of the Black

The Black Legion numbering 28,000 strong (20,000 horsemen, 8,000 infantry) and the only army equal to the Sange guard of the Kral, purely trained for warfare and disciplined beyond any normal measure of the Era was perhaps Hungrae's pride within the Daenube. Armed and equipped with both plenty of wagon and river Galley's, the force would be let loose onto Austria.

The Duke Corvin would advance onto Austria with a full 3rd of the Black legion, Black lacquered armor portraying and reflecting the very image of death itself. The Remainder awaiting in Hungrae for their lord's return. The Duke himself sailing the Daenube to congregate with the lord of Austria while his commanders collected the remainder of tithes from Graz and Weiner Neudstadt. The Duke of Austria would yield himself as vassal and leave his post for appointment in the Capital for an indefinite tenure. As part of an arrangement however, the Duke of Slovenia wished to participate and aid the Black duke Corvin by guaranteeing supply in negotiation for Kragenfurt, southern Austria- which he sent a small force of his own Slovenian to settle. The Province was to be sliced and puppeted all the way to Czech if possible.

Vienna would see black in the horizon.

The Age of Reclamation

Following recent event's in Albania, the emperor, after receiving word of an attack on byzantine soldiers in Albania was outraged. Emperor Graecia IV was so outraged he had directly contacted the head of the recently established Adriatic church, giving word of the religious betrayal committed by the soldiers from Dacia, The Adriatic head, a counsel formed out of both Roman christian's and Orthodox figures, was asked to officially recognize the fight against the Dacians as a religious war, against those who would betray their fellow god fearing people. The Orthodox half of the church, recognizing the seriousness of the situation voted in majority support of the finalization of document's classifying the struggle as a holy war, which would allow far more manpower to be of use. But the Roman catholic/christian portion, has yet to make any choice regarding the request.

Byzantine soldiers in Albania

Following lack of response from the Albanian leadership to surrender despite the city now being almost half starved to death, a large detachment of the currently 14,000 soldiers in the area, has been made (4,000 infantry) to assault the walls and the in workings of the city. The first group, 3,000 infantry storm through large breaches in the walls made by the Trebuchets and secure entrance's to the walls and wall towers as well as secure the inner part of the city in preparation to take hold of the main hold of the settlement where the Albanian leadership resides. The second, 1,000 infantry are to after the capture to wall entrances to advance to the upper floors of the wall, and either distract or kill top side archers and general purpose infantry.

As intense fighting takes hold of the city the rest of the Byzantine army have other problems to deal with, the Dacians, already regarding the Byzantine state with aggression have attacked Byzantine forces in Albania, in order to defend against ranged assault the infantry form hallow formations recently created by the Byzantine prince to tackle Calvary and and ranged assault, each regiment breaks up into large groups of 100, with 4 rows on each side in the shape of a square, the first row, pike-men stand together in a compact line with their pikes aimed on an angle outward, well the second row, men carrying large iron shields stay alert and with their shields raised, advancing in front of the pike-men when ranged unit's get close enough to start laying down arrows and gunpowder shot's creating a fast and well organized shield wall, during this time a third line more pike-men lay their pikes on the shoulders of the men in front and through the gaps in the formation forming a wall well defended against Calvary and ranged attack. Lastly, in the back the fourth and last line of the formation, archers who throughout the entire processes with the aid of the second row, be it at the time pike-men or shield carriers lay down arrow fire on attacking forces, although not particularly accurate the defense of the wall of infantry in front allows great efficiency in a battle of attrition.

In the middle of many of these pike and arrow formations are the Trebuchets, which are to continue assaulting the walls of the city until signal is given by soldiers inside the city using explosive black powder (gun powder)to stop firing so the walls can been entered by Byzantine infantry and cleared out. The Byzantine mercenary Calvary, although no where near as well trained and equipped as Dacian horsemen are still of use, attacking and circling around Dacian forces attempting to slowly edge them closer to Byzantine infantry to be shot by bow and arrow.

1,000 of these 4,000 are regrouped and re assigned to circle the Albanian city as scouts, as to give word where more men are needed and where less men are needed.

Byzantine trade

The Byzantine fleet, one of the strongest and most advanced to date, are a pride of the Byzantine empire, over 40 ships, a large number for the time period and made up of advanced wood structure as well as iron enforcement's strategically placed on the inside to resist penetration, on average carry 18 Cannons, as the majority of the the navy are light frigates, which perform extremely well in the Mediterranean sea do to their high maneuverability and balanced fire power.

the Byzantine navy, in total, is made up of 25 light frigates (18 cannons), 5 heavy war ships, (carrying from 25-28 cannons) and 10 specialized galleys, capable of carrying an entire regiment of 1,000 men and carrying on average about 4-5 cannons.

Currently 10 light frigates and 2 war ships are stationed on byzantine trade routes many of which bring in large amount's of income, the most rich trade route being the Mali-Byzantine route, to which mercenary's from Greece and silk gained from Phoenicia and Jerusalem are shipped to the Mali empire in north-west Africa and Byzantine ships then return with large amount's of gold and slaves which are brought then distributed by the Byzantine empire (either sold or kept by the state through tax).

As Byzantine traders continue to gain more dominance in Mediterranean trade, actions are taken by the Byzantine empire to ensure growing poverty and loss of power for Anatolian merchant's to which the empire benefits greatly from, some of these actions being embargo of certain Anatolian ports and and the use of pirates for blockades.

[Acerbez]

The Age of Reclamation

Following recent event's in Albania, the emperor, after receiving word of an attack on byzantine soldiers in Albania was outraged. Emperor Graecia IV was so outraged he had directly contacted the head of the recently established Adriatic church, giving word of the religious betrayal committed by the soldiers from Dacia, The Adriatic head, a counsel formed out of both Roman christian's and Orthodox figures, was asked to officially recognize the fight against the Dacians as a religious war, against those who would betray their fellow god fearing people. The Orthodox half of the church, recognizing the seriousness of the situation voted in majority support of the finalization of document's classifying the struggle as a holy war, which would allow far more manpower to be of use. But the Roman catholic/christian portion, has yet to make any choice regarding the request.

Byzantine soldiers in Albania

Following lack of response from the Albanian leadership to surrender despite the city now being almost half starved to death, a large detachment of the currently 14,000 soldiers in the area, has been made (4,000 infantry) to assault the walls and the in workings of the city. The first group, 3,000 infantry storm through large breaches in the walls made by the Trebuchets and secure entrance's to the walls and wall towers as well as secure the inner part of the city in preparation to take hold of the main hold of the settlement where the Albanian leadership resides. The second, 1,000 infantry are to after the capture to wall entrances to advance to the upper floors of the wall, and either distract or kill top side archers and general purpose infantry.

As intense fighting takes hold of the city the rest of the Byzantine army have other problems to deal with, the Dacians, already regarding the Byzantine state with aggression have attacked Byzantine forces in Albania, in order to defend against ranged assault the infantry form hallow formations recently created by the Byzantine prince to tackle Calvary and and ranged assault, each regiment breaks up into large groups of 100, with 4 rows on each side in the shape of a square, the first row, pike-men stand together in a compact line with their pikes aimed on an angle outward, well the second row, men carrying large iron shields stay alert and with their shields raised, advancing in front of the pike-men when ranged unit's get close enough to start laying down arrows and gunpowder shot's creating a fast and well organized shield wall, during this time a third line more pike-men lay their pikes on the shoulders of the men in front and through the gaps in the formation forming a wall well defended against Calvary and ranged attack. Lastly, in the back the fourth and last line of the formation, archers who throughout the entire processes with the aid of the second row, be it at the time pike-men or shield carriers lay down arrow fire on attacking forces, although not particularly accurate the defense of the wall of infantry in front allows great efficiency in a battle of attrition.

In the middle of many of these pike and arrow formations are the Trebuchets, which are to continue assaulting the walls of the city until signal is given by soldiers inside the city using explosive black powder (gun powder)to stop firing so the walls can been entered by Byzantine infantry and cleared out. The Byzantine mercenary Calvary, although no where near as well trained and equipped as Dacian horsemen are still of use, attacking and circling around Dacian forces attempting to slowly edge them closer to Byzantine infantry to be shot by bow and arrow.

1,000 of these 4,000 are regrouped and re assigned to circle the Albanian city as scouts, as to give word where more men are needed and where less men are needed.

Byzantine trade

The Byzantine fleet, one of the strongest and most advanced to date, are a pride of the Byzantine empire, over 40 ships, a large number for the time period and made up of advanced wood structure as well as iron enforcement's strategically placed on the inside to resist penetration, on average carry 18 Cannons, as the majority of the the navy are light frigates, which perform extremely well in the Mediterranean sea do to their high maneuverability and balanced fire power.

the Byzantine navy, in total, is made up of 25 light frigates (18 cannons), 5 heavy war ships, (carrying from 25-28 cannons) and 10 specialized galleys, capable of carrying an entire regiment of 1,000 men and carrying on average about 4-5 cannons.

Currently 10 light frigates and 2 war ships are stationed on byzantine trade routes many of which bring in large amount's of income, the most rich trade route being the Mali-Byzantine route, to which mercenary's from Greece and silk gained from Phoenicia and Jerusalem are shipped to the Mali empire in north-west Africa and Byzantine ships then return with large amount's of gold and slaves which are brought then distributed by the Byzantine empire (either sold or kept by the state through tax).

As Byzantine traders continue to gain more dominance in Mediterranean trade, actions are taken by the Byzantine empire to ensure growing poverty and loss of power for Anatolian merchant's to which the empire benefits greatly from, some of these actions being embargo of certain Anatolian ports and and the use of pirates for blockades.

General Marko Zamfir of Daenubian-Servia

General Marko Zamfir entered the field in proper in the midst of his own cohort, now within reasonable distance to act upon the events of the battle. Seeing as the Byzantine's had split into 2 forces, one breaching and entering the walls and the other acting as an overseer like reserve line with siege, the flinging of stone upon the Albanian walls was heard like boulders grinding together in brief episodes of an avalanche.

The Formations and drill of the Daenubian cavalry needed but the briefest of moments to be relayed their orders. Seeing the funneling of men unto the breaches and attempting to flood very walls of Tirana, Charges were ordered while the captains overtook the command of their own cohorts. The remaining Byzantine Infantry attempting to funnel into the cities breaches would be stampeded by 3 wedges of 250 strong heavy hussars acting as one to cut their possibility of a clean retreat. (Im guessing theyre normal infantry and not pikemen). Meanwhile the squadrons of light hussars would make use of their spaced out and loose formations of 20 to envelope around the formations of the enemy's trebuchet line. On to the right and the other to it's left (also im assuming your formations wouldnt stand still and would face my advance appropriately) 750 Light hussar per wing. Meanwhile the remainder of 750 heavy hussar would directly face off with the enemie's line.

Illustration of formational tactics

The might of the Daenubian Cavalry would be etched deep into the very spirit of the Byzantines, here today to remind them always of the lightning fury of God in which they sallied forth with. Both Cavalry were horse archers and lancers, while the heavy hussars wore chest plated scale mail and the light hussars padded/treated leather to ensure their speed went unhindered. Lances laced to the saddle boot for those drawing their composite bows to rain death upon their foes. While a proportion of the Hussars appear to have been lancers or archers only, most had both bows and lances and were equally deadly with either. The Charge of the heavy hussars would be preceded by arrow fire-the front ranks of the hussar would draw bows and open up on the enemy's front ranks, then once the foe had been sufficiently weakened, they would draw their lances and charge. The back ranks would follow, drawing their bows and firing ahead as they rode. This highly effective combination of missile fire with shock action, would put their opponents at a dangerous disadvantage- If they closed ranks to better resist the charging lances, they would make themselves more vulnerable to the bows' fire, but if they spread out to avoid the arrows, then the lancers would have a much easier job of breaking their thinned ranks infantry ranks.

The light hussars in turn would make use of their open/loose formations and small groupings of 20 to make themselves even more difficult targets but oblige themselves into firing upon the wide congested blocks of 100 men who clamored together in what they thought would save them or the approaching enemy mercenary cavalry inflicting losses. They would spread apart and ceaselessly repeat the firing process while they were watched from behind by the Heavy hussar wedges who neither charged nor retreated but moved along their light counterparts to envelope the formation- using their own bows to harass the cavalry positions awaiting to see if they wished to collide but ignored the encirclement and fanned out on their own accord. Should the light Hussars be afforded the opportunity to make it around the line, they would surge through the supply line and lay waste to any present supply the assaulting byzantine's looked to keep them entrenched in Albania.

Whether the formations had a row of shields at the front would do very little to defend against the mobile firing of the Daenubian cavalry that looked to make their way around the Byzantine lines. The Servia accent being heard across the field and shouted into the city of Tirana for a surrender- that their forces are being routed and nothing but desolation and assured suffering awaits those that refuse to lay down arms. The men of the rampart witnessing the sudden blitz of the Daenubian horses would also begin to hear the battering advance and beat of the infantry to the north east and see not only raised banners and pikes but the heavy armored infantry contingent's of Daenubian Servia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSfA0i6Typw

The middle wedge itself waiting for an opportune moment and to tantalize the enemy force with a stagnant unwavering foe that idly perched as their men were rained upon by bow and arrow.

[Roman Pretani]

A Fate Worse Than Death

Northern Britannia, Circa 487

Night had fallen upon a small Caledonian village situated along the rocky shores of Northern Britannia. A small group of men, all aged in their late 20s, sat around a table situated within a room built of stone bricks. The room is lit by candlelight which reveals a small stockpile of fish and bread as well as an area for the cooking and production of these foods. Nearby stood racks of weaponry including crude swords and shields. The men, around the table all dawned simple clothing and reddish hair as they dug into their freshly made bread. They cheerfully told stories of grand myths and better times as the night hours were eaten by the continuous approach of the morning sun. The small building in which the men ate is surrounded by an impressive hillfort built by hand and an unquestioable knowledge of geometry, nearby stood a small farming community of Caledonian ethnicity. The men eventually stood from their tables and exchanged gratitudes towards each other when something that sounded like a large whizzing went above the shelter and created a large explosion, followed by the sounds of screaming women. The men quickly grabbed their swords and shields as other men rose from their death like states to do the same. They rushed out towards the embakments of the hillfort to see nothing but streak of fire rain down upon the city against the night sky. Two volleys of this fire from hell had been shot into the fort before the sound of horses could be heard fast approaching like the rumble of thunder. The men quickly went about an effort to keep women and children inside the crude houses for their protection as calvalry rushed into the village. The intial clash between cavalry and the caledoian wairrors was futile as spears were driven through the backs and throats of the panicked wairrors. Following the cavalry came a single cohort of Roman Legionairres who brutally and efficiently butchered the any living creature that stood in its event. The goal was quickly discovered the the invaders wished for genocide rather than conquest as scottish wairrors quickly abandoned the village for the sanctuary of hillfort which now stood in opposition to the volleys of hellfire The cohort quickly killed as many innocent children and women as they could find, preferring to light the crude shelter on fire with the inhabitaants still within rather than dragging them out. Men who were to cowardly to fight were immediatly rounded up and subdued before as soldiers would go about the work of cutting their tongues from their mouths. Several more cohorts of Legionairs would advance on the hillfort using the cover of night and artillery fire to make a quick acension up the hill. The romans quickly shlashed their way into the first level of trenches, rejecting their organization as they slashed through caledonian warriors. The romans fought with extreme viciousness, stripping body parts from men or disemboweling them rather than killing them outright... leaving the trenches to become little more than mass graves. The fort would fall within the hour as the village would be torched and the slaves taken back to a massive military camp that the Legion had created as a temporary base of operations. The high command of the legion would convert the fort for its own use, planning the next stage of the massive war that still swung like a pendelum despite roman might. The eradication of these men, or barbarians as the romans called them, would bring about a new age of progress for Britannia or so the Imperator told his grand people.

Southern Britannia, circa 1500

Rain furiously strikes the ground as a group of Roman soldiers oversee a long ling of marching men, all them bearing the same ethnic marks of the Caledonian man. The men are bound by large iron chains as they march in silence, unable to communicate due to the lack of tongues. All of them had been born into the lives that they lead which made them none more eager to revolt or fight back against such a life. This situation resulted in true slavery of mind and will, leaving these men to the complete satisfaction of those who owned them. These men, specifically, marched towards the hull of a massive galley whose Roman captain sought to cross the channel and forge economic contacts with the strange men of Gaul. A young man within the line, no more than 16 years of age, began to hum back to himself the strange and wonderful sounds that he had earlier heard within the city of which he knew nothing about. A roman heard his humming and grabbed him from the line, forcing the boy onto his knees as another roman unseathed his sword. The cold iron of the sword glided through the boys neck with little resistance, leaving the boys body to fall upon the deck... staining the wooden planks red. The romans moved back into line and assumed a similiar attitude as they previously did. The men of the line all passed by the lifeless body of the boy but saw nothing in it as they could not comprehend the idea of death, let alone the idea of birth. The line eventually ended and the soldiers moved to new posts as the ship, accompanied by several massive gunboats, began its short journey across the channel in which it would land in an unknown world. The Imperatrix, the grand restorer of the republic, saw this thousand year old institution of bondage as nothing but a blot upon her empire however she pushed the issue underneath her bed where it would continue to fizzle for years just as her predecessors had done so. One cannot build an empire of Iron upon the backs of consenting men.

[Togeria]

A Soon To Be Republic...

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Anatolia has been both a land of great prosperity and great grief. "Anatolia!, Anatolia!" The people sing a land both of desert and of green, a bridge of peoples and religions and of peace and war. How many wars had been fought in Anatolia, how many Anatolians had died? A question left to the earth with the Lydians, Hittites, Trojans....all here once and all now gone. In this era of relative of peace one would think that this land long scarred from the stains of glory sought from prideful men would be afforded such peace, but you would be wrong. Yes, it was a peace but a peace for her neighbors at her expense. The previous centuries had seen the rise and fall of many empires, the clash of swords between the two great religions of the Christian and Muslim faith and than the latter incursions of Mongol warlords had stimulated if not outright led to the dishevel of many ancient and near-modern institutions. In the aftermath great migrations of people both in looking for land or looking for glory would happen.

In the resulting chaos many states would try their luck in establishing hegemony over the region: the Greeks, the Armenians, Persians, Turks and all are still in competition. However the people knowing no allegiance swore the oath of coin and many sold their services as mercenaries further adding to the growing rivers of blood.

It would no be until 95yrs ago on the year 1300 AD a great leader.....a great man! would rise to lead these poor desolate souls to safety. Founding the city within the ruins of an old Roman city known as Angora. This city surrounded by the hilly regions of Anatolia have protected the few who call this region home during the times of disorder and movement.


Decades ago within the region small states and cities vied for control over the region these states made up of peoples both Christian and non-Christian, Armenian, Turk, or Greek alike they fought amongst each other to see their hegemony extend past the arid inland of the peninsula and further. Of these states only one would succeed in this goal, a family known to have taken the name of their founder Aymean Togamon I or as they would later be termed the Aymenians from their followers. The Aymeans were self-described Togerians: men and women who followed the Togistic philosophy, it's main teaching being of the total and complete embrace of life.

Founding their great state with the capture of Angora in 1300 AD the Togerians have spent the last 195yrs dedicated a policy termed: "Khoro Brackiona" (Arm Space) or a policy of moving other competing entities and powers from within the Anatolian peninsula.



Aymean Togamon IV was the current ruler of Togeria. No longer content with just his current holdings, he as the Arkstratigo (Head of State/Government) looked to expand his current holdings into both the holdings of the Armenians as well as lower Tigris and Euphrates.

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OOC: I suck at OP's now, so I'll expand more on lore and government in my next post.

[Parcia]

The Requst for Naval Mercenaries was, ultimately, denied. While the City of Venice would still maintain its civilian Merchant fleet, its armed ships were seized by the Government and Armed Civilian ships kept from outside use.

In stead of the Mercenaries, a small donation of Florentine gold was sent instead, simply stating that the newly minted Regia Marina was not willing nor properly equipped to sortie such a force to break a larger, more heavily armed and armored byzantine force. The Validity of such a statement was questionable.

[Aricarcha]

Final Reformation

1495 November 28th, the day of the final reformation.

The everlasting city, Constantinople lay in ruins, not breached but burning and starved. The great people of Anatolia, the second Greeks who served the empire so loyally, now lay dead and rotting. The last Emperor to truly see the light of Roma and her people's, to seek the possibility of a gracefully restored Roman imperil, dead, stuck on a pike for all of Anatolia and Byzantium to see. This was the state of Byzantium after the sudden Muslim invasion that would go on to spark a hate so great the Greeks could hardly see the those east of them as human.

Every time they look, every time they hear them talk, speak with their disgusting voices, see them try to think with lacking and rotting brains, the Greeks no longer able to stand those who would defile the word of god, defile thousands upon thousands of Greek men and women. After the Muslim invasion, after the dust had settled, close to every last Anatolian Greek dead, the coastal land of western Anatolia the last bastion of Orthodox faith in the middle east. The Greeks could no longer see the Muslims, the Persians, even the Arabs, as entirely human, it was worst for the turks and the Syrians, After the quick but devastating war no Turk was spared.

Every last Turk, Ever last Syrian, not just in Byzantium but Southern Italy as well was killed, burned as Greek children watched, Greek children who smiled with not one tear, smiled and watched as Turk and Syrian woman burned in front of them, as Turk and Syrian Children screamed and burned in front of them, not one Greek child helped, not one Greek Women helped, not one Greek man helped, this was the beginning of ideals and values that would see hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of Middle Easterners die by Greek Hands.

One of the many children forced to watch what is to be considered the greatest massacre in history, Emperor Graeicia IVs great grandfather, had put in place a tradition known as the Branding, a tradition where every child of the emperor, after turning 10, is to watch Turk Slaves be burnt alive, and should the child shed a tear he is to be executed for treachery.

How such value's and extremism ever managed to take such great hold of the Greek people's is not completely clear, Patriarch after Patriarch had seen the way Greek people looked at Middle easterners as disgusting, in tolerable, this being the only reason it had taken until now for Byzantium to set her eye's on Anatolia once more.

Emperor Graecia IV, considered to be one of the greatest Byzantine emperors in a long time, has enacted many great reforms to the empire, developing a provincial system which allowed removal of powerful and potentially disloyal vassals, Reformed the Byzantium economy to support one of the most well trained and well equipped forms Infantry in all of Europe, built a sizable and well designed trade fleet And now a program designed to allow long term increase in Manpower.

As of recently, the emperor himself, has called for the formation of two new 14,000 army's, specifically for the now publicly stated future invasion of Anatolia. Now using newly developed Bronze Cannons and Byzantine guns to allow more effective combat and siege, as of right now these two new army's are the only one's to make use of Cannons and Black powder ranged weapons in the Byzantine army, as part of a long term experiment for faster modernization.

He has recently announced in his latest reform that Byzantium is no longer a bastion of Rome, but now Alexander, As the Emperor now claims the Throne of the empire of Alexander himself, promising to spare no state that had betrayed Alexander in the past.

The reason for this, the Orthodox Patriarch, the first one to follow the same opinions of the Middle Eastern people's as the Greeks, has been working with Emperor Graecia IV on something almost completely un-thought of, A Sanctus bellum, "Holy War" or in this case the first Orthodox crusade, a war on Muslims.

[The Bio-Regional Cooperative of States]

Das Deutscher Bund

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Times change, Empires rise and fall, and sometimes whole peoples just disappear from the face of the Earth. But, in the forests of Central Europe, a people always stayed stubbornly in the Central Forests. Long ago they were once divided into many tribes spanning from Gaul to beyond the Vistula River, to deep within the Alps and across the Eastern plains, standing alone in independent tribes, roaming the lands of Central Europe. They would find themselves alike to one another, speaking a similar language that would soon blend to become one. Tribes grew larger, but remained in the forests. Villages would form within the space between the trees, as nature would surround and guide them. Some of their bodies would change through the forces of the nature that surrounds them, acquiring physical features, mannerisms, and abilities alike to that of the Wolves that coexist with them, whilst retaining their humanity. The Intelligence, cognition of the Human while the strength, senses, and stamina of a wolf found in these people. Kingdoms would rise in the North, as Villages became Towns, and Towns became great cities which projected their strength rapidly, becoming centers of these New Kingdoms which now spanned much of the lands that were inhabited by the Wolven and Men. They Lived in what they believed to be isolation, the only peoples being themselves that they conversed, traded, and coexisted with. That would soon change, as a grandiose Empire rose to power to the South of these Kingdoms, and at first conflict was scattered across the mountainous South. As the Years passed the area of conflict grew to encompass the Western Frontiers. The Conflict that is often referred to be on all sides led to multiple Kingdoms fighting alongside one another, as Soldiers, People, Kings and Queens congregated often to assist one another in conflict. The Differences between Kingdoms grew lesser and the contrasts between people grew blurry as the Kingdoms' Soldiers defended and attacked against the Southern Empire. It would be found to be in their best interests between the Commanders, Monarchs, and Knights for the lands of the Eckzahn-Deutsch to Fight, Build, and Live under one Banner. In the year of 342, the Confederacy of the German Kingdoms would come to be, led under one Sovereign to lead the German People to victory against the Southern Empire's forces. Originally only spanning the Northern Coasts down to the River Main,the Collapse of the Roman Empire would allow for a great sweeping motion downwards to bring the Southern Peoples under the Banner of the German Confederacy. The Mountains acted as a Barrier, both a shield from enemies, and a wall to prevent further territories of the Germanic and Wolven Peoples to be brought under the wing of the Confederate State, but in time that will come. For now, a majority of the Germanic Peoples are together as the brothers and sisters, born from the lands of Germany.

The Wolven People would be living evidence of the influence of Nature on the German People. In the tribal years, as contact formed and bonds strengthen with their co-inhabitants a new religion would form. Influenced moderately from the various Christians that traveled through the Germanic Lands, the interpretation of God would follow as a deity whose influence would manifest as forces of nature. The Wind, the Rivers, Storms, would all be acts of influence of God. In order to ensure the safety of souls once the living have died, and as acts of requesting the forgiveness of the deity, the dead would be embedded with the branches of trees before burial, if burial was feasible. As cities grew, the belief shifted to retain a balance between Man and Nature itself. The State would go under various iterations of the National Banner in it's early years, but as the German Identity solidified, and the beliefs of the Natural God expanded and took hold, a common decision was made. To Represent the lands of Germany, the peace granted to them, and God itself, a white tree would take the center place of the banner. To represent the Knights and People of the lands, black eagles would surround it, symbolizing their willing defense of their homelands and the influence the lands have on them. To Represent potential enemies and the outside world, black spearheads would point inwards against the eagles and the white tree. It's appearance would be a rallying cry for unification with their disconnected brethren.

Pushed up in the West by the Gaulic Nation, and to the East various Slavic Nations fight with one another and sometimes spill over into the Confederacy itself. Much of the surrounding lands still contain the German People, outside of the control of the Confederacy. It is planned that soon, these lands will be returned to it's inhabitants brothers and sisters. Over the Centuries of it's existence, it has become increasingly centralized under the Sovereign, as it is now beginning to resemble more of an Empire rather than a Confederacy. The Sovereign reigns over the German People, the Former Kingdoms slowly losing their identity in favor of a German Identity, no matter where you would stop, Munich, Berlin, or Königsberg, you will find that the people no longer identify as Prussians, Brandenburgers, or Bavarians, but rather one of the German Peoples. Now, Swords Sharpen and rifles are loaded in preparation of bringing their fellow countrymen out of the oppression of opposing regimes, and bring them under their banner.

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The Unification Wars

The Confederation was, in name, to be run as it's name implies. Many of the German States would retain a form of autonomy as the Central Government, being lead by the Confederal Sovereign (which was not unlike to an Emperor), had limited powers involving the personal affairs of each state. There would of been a State tax, then the States would send half of their respective State tax to the Confederal Government, and many laws differed between state borders. The Berlin Assembly and the Sovereign would work in tandem, as they would share equal powers, the Sovereign would act as a voice for the interests of the German People as a whole, while the Berlin Assembly would act as a voice for each individual seat, containing the kings and leaders of each state. But as the State Identity melted away to the Confederal German Identity the Confederation would become increasingly centralized. The Berlin Assembly is now simply symbolic, as actions taken by the Sovereign, if affecting the citizen directly, are generally widely accepted by the People. The Taxes, State and Confederal, would go directly into the Sovereign's budget, skipping the state level. The Separate Armies of the States would be combined in leadership into one German Army. The States, just like the Berlin Assembly, were now symbolic. Germany is under one Sovereign. It has been the goal of the existence of the Confederation to unite all German peoples under one flag, and now, after these all of these years, it is now time to set it into motion. One of the Largest, if not the largest group of Germans outside of the Confederation would be to the South in the Alps. Austria and the Helvetic State. A force totaling in 30,000 would be mustered by decree of the Sovereign to bring Austria into the fold. Divided into three armies of 10,000, each of which would have 7,000 infantrymen, carrying a mix of muskets, crossbows, and long spears, 2,000 Calvary, and 1,000 Wolven "Stoßtruppen", they would be placed at strategic points at the Bavarian border and March through Austrian territory that was not taken by the Danubians. Word of the Confederation's beliefs and ideology would not be a new concept to the Austrians, as Servants of Nature (priest equivalent) and simple migration would allow for the proliferation of these ideas with the Austrian people, though this does not mean resistance would be eliminated, as there were still differences between the two German states. The March of the newly named Südarmee would take Two-Three Weeks if heavy opposition is met (open to players to act as Austria).
Several Messenger Horsemen are to go forth and act as scouts and potential diplomats if territory is to be found under another foreign power, carrying copies of letters written by the Sovereign to discuss the cost of potential land exchanges amoung other ways to make the German Dream come true.

Yellow Flags/Blocks are Army Positions
Yellow lines are approximate lines of travel
Light blue is territory to eventually come under control
Light Purple is claimed territory within Danubian borders

[Pacificia Empire]

Treaty of Amity, Trade, Cooperation and Strategic Partnership, Pacificia Empire and the German Confederation, 1495

With contents from the first amendment of the Treaty — the addition of Roman Pretani as a signatory

His Imperial Majesty Gaius Constantinus Vargus Portius Augustus, Rex Imperator of the United Byzantine Dominions of Pacificia Empire, and Herrscher Winther, Sovereign of the German Confederation, and Her Imperial Majesty Sepurcia Constantine, Imperatrix of the Empire of Roman Pretani,

[PREAMBLE]

RESOLVED that the High Contracting Parties:

CONSCIOUS of the existing ties of history, geography and culture, which have bound their peoples together;

DESIRING to enhance peace, friendship and mutual cooperation on matters regarding all aspects of the mutual security and prosperity of the three contracting parties consistent with the spirit of partnership and historical camaraderie;

CONVINCED that the settlement of differences or disputes between their countries should be regulated by rational, effective and sufficiently flexible procedures, avoiding negative attitudes which might endanger or hinder cooperation;

SOLEMNLY AGREE to enter into a Treaty of Amity, Trade, Cooperation and Strategic Partnership as follows:

[AGREEMENTS]

Article 1
The purpose of this Treaty is to promote perpetual peace, everlasting amity and cooperation in matters regarding all aspects of the mutual security and prosperity among their peoples which would contribute to their strength, solidarity and closer relationship, especially with regards to their economies, wealth, public welfare, freedom of commerce, common defence and strategic advantages.

Article 2
In their relations with each other, the Contracting Parties shall be guided by mutual respect for the sovereignty, equality and territorial integrity of both nations, and the right of each state to lead its existence free from interference, subversion or coercion, and settlement of differences or disputes by peaceful means, and renunciation of threat or use of force, and effective cooperation, and appropriate diplomatic and military behaviours.

Article 3
In pursuance of the purpose of this Treaty the High Contracting Parties shall endeavour to develop and strengthen the traditional, cultural and historical ties of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation which bind them together and shall fulfill in good faith the obligations assumed under this Treaty. In order to promote closer understanding among them, the High Contracting Parties shall encourage and facilitate contact, interdependence and interaction among their peoples.

Article 4
The High Contracting Parties shall promote active cooperation in the economic, social, technical, scientific and administrative fields as well as in matters of common ideals and aspirations of international peace and stability in the region and all other matters of common interest.

Article 5
Pursuant to Article 4 the High Contracting Parties shall exert their maximum efforts unilaterally, bilaterally as well as trilaterally on the basis of equality, non-discrimination and mutual benefit.

Article 6
The Contracting Parties shall collaborate for the acceleration and continued sustenance of the economic growth of the contracting nations in order to strengthen foundation of their peaceful coexistence.

Article 7
In the unlikely event of warfare and tangible security threats threatening both or either of the two countries, the three nations agree to:

A. Assist another contracting party with necessary military aids, reinforcements, strategic advantages, supplies, military routes as per the negotiation held ad hoc.
B. Assume constructive role diplomatically to solve the conflict through diplomatic means with the interest of the three contracting nations foremost in mind.
C. Move to galvanise effort to support the defence of other contracting party, both unilaterally and multilaterally.

Article 8
The Contracting Parties are not obligated to aid another contracting party, either militarily or diplomatically, in the event that another contracting party is universally recognised as aggressor and breaker of internationally accepted norms.

Article 9
Each High Contracting Party shall not in any manner or form participate in any activity which shall constitute a threat to the political and economic stability, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of the other High Contracting Party.

Article 10
The Contracting Parties shall have the determination and good faith to prevent disputes from arising. In case disputes on matters directly affecting them should arise, they shall refrain from the threat or use of force and shall at all times settle such disputes among themselves through peaceable negotiations.

Article 11
To settle disputes through regional processes, the High Contracting Parties shall constitute, as a continuing body, a High Council comprising a Representative at ministerial level from each of the High Contracting Parties to take cognizance of the existence of disputes or situations likely to disturb mutual peace and harmony.

IN FAITH THEREOF the High Contracting Parties have signed the Treaty and have hereto affixed their Seals

SIGNED at Palais des Papes, Avignon, in witness of His Holiness, in the Year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and ninety-five.

AMENDED at Grand Palais, Paris, in witness of relevant political and spiritual authorities, in the Year of our Lord one thousand four hundred and ninety-five.

His Imperial Majesty GAIUS CONSTANTINUS VARGUS PORTIUS AUGUSTUS
REX IMPERATOR of the United Byzantine Dominions of Pacificia Empire

His Excellency HERRSCHER WINTHER
SOVEREIGN of the German Confederation

Her Imperial Majesty SEPURCIA CONSTANTINE, The Fourty-Fourth of Her Name
IMPERATRIX of the Empire of Roman Pretani

[Pacificia Empire]

ACTA DIURNA, VOL. I, 1495 ANNO DOMINI

ON THE DEMAND REGARDING THE ONGOING SITUATION IN THE CORSICAN ISLANDS

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
GAIUS, REX IMPERATOR

AVIGNON
Imperial Capital of the United Byzantine Dominions of Pacificia Empire
In the Interest of Universal Human Dignity and the Spirit of His Imperial Majesty's Commitment to Peace

The Emperor,

Takes notice that all persons are entitled to certain unalienable rights and that the Lord has granted them the privileges to live lives worthy of human beings, themselves being His supreme creations of this world.

Recognises the plight the Corsicans are enduring with respect to their livelihood, rights, prosperity and the ability to live free from oppression by unholy entities, whose acts have caused undue burden on the populace of Corsica.

Condemns the Bank of Saint George, itself being the sovereign of Corsica, for their corruption, selfish governance and for masterminding such crime as stated previously

And Declares His Imperial Majesty's intention to put an end to the misconducts of the said Bank through diplomatic means, and should that option fail, more coercive means.

THEREFORE, The United Byzantine Dominions of Pacificia Empire, in the spirit of goodwill, demands that the Bank of Saint George cede control over the territory of Corsica and the Corsicans' welfare to the Pacificia Empire. Failure to reply or refusal will be met with force. Should the Bank elects to concede, however, His Imperial Majesty graciously guarantees that the operation of the Bank shall continue as usual, and shall enjoy privileges and rights enjoyed by Pacifican financial institutions. The Bank has ten days to accede to this demand.

GAIUS R.I.
PACIFICIA EMPIRE