Dark Ages NES

[Micha]

Originally posted by Lord Nuclear
The 500 War Camel recruits will parade around the core of the empire, showing off the advantages of joining the military, especially as a War Camel.

I have almost wetted myself upon reading this! Thanks for the good laugh!

[Tassadar500]

Originally posted by foolish_icarus
There's got to be something in the Quran against that. Regardless, there will be no girly mask-wearing university guards in our city. You can have hats though. Decorative hats are always good.

Pirate hats.

[Micha]

So, Lord Nuclear, did many people enlist as "war camels"?

Appleciders, will there be an update today? I´ll be away from Tuesday to Friday, so my orders may come late if you keep us waiting...

[Tassadar500]

Originally posted by Micha
So, Lord Nuclear, did many people enlist as "war camels"?

[foolish_icarus]

pirates....

[Tassadar500]

Originally posted by foolish_icarus
pirates....

I'm going to cast "Create Darkness" over Iberia.

[appleciders]

Update probably today. Don't worry, Micha, I'm very unlikely to update twice before Friday. Shouldn't be a problem.

[appleciders]

Second Update: 750 A.D.

Bavaria:
Continued recruiting at home generated a few more new recruits, as the previous recruits were combined with the army at Lyon. The citizens in Lyon have begun to tire of the massive army camped outside their city, but will put up with it for now.

The construction of more farmland has been met with great interest by the population, who were thrilled to have cheap lumber, excellent farmland, and steady jobs as lumberjacks. The King of Bavaria has scored points with his population on this item.

A small group of cheiftains have recanted their oaths of loyalty to the Bavarian crown, stating the lack of Bavarian support for their neighbor who was recently displaced by Iberian settlers. Recongnizing the comparative weakness of their armies, however, these cheiftains are prepared to offer a yearly tribute to Iberia in exchange for Iberian protection. Many warriors of the Northern Recruits have returned to their homes to support these chieftains.


Iberia:
Continued support of the university at Aquae and new support of the university at Carthage has gained Iberia a reputation as one of the most scientifically adavanced nations in the world today. Syracuse has begun delivering scholars to Carthage, and has also started delivering scholars from Rome and Byzantium to Aquae, which has gained a reputation as the best place for Christian scholars to teach and learn.

The new harbor at Barcelona has seen an increase in the Iberian fleet. Since the Navy's orders were quality ships rather than masses of average ones, many average ship-builders were left out of work. Out of work, that is, until many civilians decided to go into the merchant trade for themselves. Barcelona continues to grow.

A group of formerly Bavarian chieftains have approached Iberia with an offer of a yearly tribute in exchange for retaining their independence and protection from the Iberian army.

The Iberian armies in Gaul have begun to prepare themselves for fighting. Expanded training programs, small pay bonuses, and new equiptment have made the Army of Tours ready for war.


Rome:
A sudden lack of leadership from the Emperor has caught the empire by suprise. Most earlier orders were simply repeated, so many cities of the empire are looking better, especially Rome, which in places has begun to rival its former glory.

The rebels in Bari have grown bolder, taking more land as their own. A Byzantine army has come up behind the rebels in Bari, threatening to take the city. Another Byzantine army has started moving up towards Naples, as the Naples defense force maintained a fighting retreat into Naples, which is now under siege. Byzantine ships have been spotted in the Adriatic sea, although no conflict has ensued... yet.


Byzantium:
The Emperor has declared the New Roman Empire a usurper to the throne of Rome, and has declared war. A recruiting rush ensued, generating new recruits, trained on the grasslands of Anatolia.

The Emperor seems to have decided that the best way to retake Rome is a fast offensive northward from his holdings in Italy, and has transported the entire Mainland Army to Italy to support the effort. The reinforced Toe Army has encircled Naples, but has been unable to stop the mass exodus of the population by sea.

A portion of the Jewish population in Byzantium has begun to leave. Their departure has slightly hurt the Byzantine economy.


France:
Pippin, King of the Franks, has issued an ultimatum- Iberian armies and settlers will leave the land recently taken from the Franks, or be thrown out. Pippin leaves sets a deadline of 5 years (1 turn) for this to be accomplished. At this sign of leadship, his armies have swelled slightly.


Arabia:
The beginning of the mosque in Cyrene has improved the standing of the King in the eyes of many Muslims. This has been counteracted, however, by the new tax he levied against fellow Muslims performing their hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Many believe that this restriction on the hajj will prevent some of the poorest Muslims from completing it. Whether for or against, the King's actions are a hot topic of debate in Arabia.

The road-building project successfully completed roads in the most favorable areas, but a complete road system spanning the vast empire will likely take decades. Still, trade is experiencing a small boom in cities that connect to a completed road.

A reasonably large number of Jews, mostly from Byzantium but including small groups from all over the Mediterranean, have arrived in Damascus. These relatively rich Jews have bought up most of the available farmland in the area, and have built synagogues to house their religious services. Many local Muslims, slightly offended by the different religious practices and quite jealous of the comparative wealth of the Jews, have voiced their concerns to the King.

A scuffle broke out at the Iberian-Arabian border as the 100 pirate-hat sporting University guards tried to cross into Carthage. The Iberians, who had orders to allow only 30 guards into Arabia, detained 70 guards outside of Carthage and allowed 30 to proceed into the city.

At government urging, a few individuals started their own shipping companies, but with no incentive beyond encouragement, the increase is too small to affect the economy.

UMK:
The opening of trade with Byzantium has drastically expanded the economy of the UMK. Syracuse, with its new-found reputation as the best way to travel in the Mediterranean, continued ferrying people to Carthage and Aquae. The Balearic Islands continued collecting "donations" from local merchants, and seized several small vessels, which were then pressed into naval service.

Saxon-Thuringian Union:
The marriage of a Saxon prince to a Thuringian princess led to a major new force in the north- the Saxon-Thuringian Union. Locally referred to as the Saxons, who had been the stronger tribe, the Saxons began conquests northward, taking loot from the minor villages they encountered.

[Tassadar500]

I don't see why allowing the Iberians to come, but pay a tax, is worse than not allowing them to come at all?

[Tassadar500]

But other than that, great update.

[foolish_icarus]

the 70 pirate hat guards may either enter the city as foreign civilians, and adhere to the restrictions as such (basically, they may not wear uniform of carry concealed weapons or skulk around sneakily with their 30 companions) or they may return to Arabia.


If the Bavarian chieftans that want independence are not already under our control, then we accept their offer.

Out of curiosity (not that I intend to concede to his demands) how much land does Pippin want me to leave from?

[appleciders]

Pippin wants all of Gaul back. Maybe as far as Tolosa.

The portion of Arabians that oppose that tax believe that every restriction you place on the hajj reduces the number of Muslims that can successfully complete it. They also see it as wrong to profit off someone's religious requirements. Don't get the wrong idea; some of your population supports this tax.

[Tassadar500]

Originally posted by appleciders
Pippin wants all of Gaul back. Maybe as far as Tolosa.

The portion of Arabians that oppose that tax believe that every restriction you place on the hajj reduces the number of Muslims that can successfully complete it. They also see it as wrong to profit off someone's religious requirements. Don't get the wrong idea; some of your population supports this tax.

Yes, but at least some Muslims will be able to come to Iberia. There was a closed border before.

[Tassadar500]

Also, are you going to update the map? I find it's much easier to plan things with.

[foolish_icarus]

We continue to try to undermine Pippin's rule. Meanwhile, I guess it's time to get ready to fight..

and btw, I still object to Lyon being in Switzerland