The change in heir is good gameplay, but I cannot imagine this scenario in real-life. The RNG gods often spit in the face of a player's best plans. Thank you and good luck out-witting RNG.
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Vechkas would have been heir to both Empires eventually if his father had lived, so just setting things back on the path. This is already like Plan F so we'll see how it goes.
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1229-1234 The Permian Revolt/the Bavarian Holy War for Esztergom
1229-1234 The Permian Revolt/the Bavarian Holy War for Esztergom
Koshel ‘the Wise’ was tired of the constant warfare, even in times of relative calm there was always unruly peasants, like the current Catholic uprising in Pannonia, it wasn’t a threat, but people were still fighting and dying.
His grandson and heir was having similar issues, though they were more serious. The Queen of Scotland Ælfflæd was leading a revolt against Emperor Vechkas for Seisyll's claim on his Empire, but she was losing badly and that war should soon be over. More disturbing was Kaiser Adam of the Holy Roman Empire leading a Holy War against Vechkas for the Duchy of Ulster, trying to expand further in the British Isles beyond his vassal King Heinrich of Brittany’s control of the Duchy of the Isles.
But any plans Koshel had to provide aid to his grandson were put on hold as trouble arose in the east. Rumors had been spreading about High Chief Azyren II “Son of Tuoni’ of Perm, rumors that Azyren was a witch and a demon worshipper. A man named Velmayka provided proof of High Chief Azyren’s evil practices and Koshel ordered his arrest. Most of his Council disapproved, not trusting the word of this Velmayka, who was involved in a revolt against his liege, King Chichayka of Khazaria. But Koshel believed Velmayka and moved ahead with the arrest. But Azyren evaded capture and rose in his own revolt against the “tyranny” of Emperor Koshel. So Koshel sent his armies east to deal with the Permian revolt rather than returning to Britannia to help his grandson.
Koshel sent 12,000 men directly toward Perm. A smaller second army of 8,000 men was diverted to track down the 4,000-man Perm army. The main army reached the border of the Perm and quickly besieged Ashli, capturing it and several prisoners.
The smaller army caught the Permian warriors near Borisoglebsk, to the west of Perm, and defeated them in a decisive battle.
There were smaller skirmishes in Khlynov and Bolghar as the two loyal armies moved deeper in Permian territory capturing Syrt, then Khlynov and Bolghar by the end of the year.
Another lopsided battle was fought at Udmurts. After that the year 1231 was spent leading more sieges, Bilyar, Alabuga, Akbash, Yelovo, Perym, and then Perm, itself. Finally, Udmurts and Kolva were captured. High Chief Azyren had died during the war and his son Dergun had become the new High Chief. With the last two holdings falling High Chief Dergun was forced to surrender early in 1232.
With Azyren dead, the original witch and demon worshipper, some thought it was over, but all evidence pointed toward his son being as evil as he was, with rumors that the man was possessed by some demon. Therefore, Koshel decided to revoke the High Chiefdom from Dergun for not ending the war as soon as his father had died. He granted the title to the current Chief of Perm, Deryab Deryabid, though he soon heard rumors that Deryab may have been more involved in his late liege’s activities than previously thought.
But before he could look to deeply, he was distracted by more peasant revolts, one in Nordland and another in Rusa. So he left Perm and turned his armies back west. He had been away from his capitol for over two years and wanted to get back. On the way, he diverted long enough to put down the rebels in Rusa, while further north, some of his vassals dealt with the rebels in Nordland.
When he returned home, he had news waiting for him, both good and bad. His grandson Koshel was now known as the 'the Strong' and had had a son named Mordvinko with his wife Setyamka. King Inzhay of Merya had died of cancer and his titles had been split between his two sons. The oldest Velmayka was now King of Merya and Galicia-Volhynia and the younger son, Purysho, who was married to Kosehel’s youngest daughter, was now King of Pannonia, making Yagana his Queen.
On the bad side, his granddaughter, Seyamka, Koshel ‘the Stong’ sister, had also died of cancer shortly after she had married. Also, his concubine Sochava 'Red-Cheeks', had once again proven unfaithful bearing a son to Chief Tolir of Romerike while Koshel was away at war. Koshel casts her out.
Then, shortly after his return, Koshel is waylaid outside the city and kidnapped by Prince Chumbulat of Novogorod. He is thrown in a damp dungeon while a ransom is negotiated for his return. His son Puresh becomes regent and leads the negotiation. Eventually, a ransom of 385 gold is agreed to for Koshel's freedom. But in a way he is never again free of that dungeon.
He took sick in the cell and never fully recovered, perhaps due the illness alone or combined with Sochava’s betrayal, or the death of his granddaughter, or just simply old age, but soon after Koshel returns, his body failed him, and he found he can barely stand. He was now confined to his bed, or forced to be carried around in a chair.
A few months after this infirmity claims him, he receives a declaration of war from King Guntram 'the Accursed' of Bavaria, a vassal to the Empire of Germania. King Guntram has declared a Holy War for Esztergom against the Volga-Ural Empire, a part of the recently acquired Kingdom of Pannonia.
Koshel is distraught that for the first time in over 20 years, he won’t be leading his men in to war. He calls on his allies to join the war and sends the Merry Men to war without him while he sits at home with his new grandson, Nuyanza, the son of Puresh and his wife Nino.
Koshel can only fret in Riga while he waits for news from the war. The first reports are not good, the Bavarian knights crossed the border on the heels of the courier that had brought the declaration of war and quickly seized two thirds of the Duchy of Esztergom, the target of their war.
But then comes news of a great victory at the Battle of Tatabánya. Apparently, the Urallic army was outnumbered 18,000 to 21,000 but still managed to pull off a stunning victory killing over 13,000 Christians knights while losing less than 3,000 men. High Chief Orunza of Kuyavia was one of the heroes of the battle, but he was wounded, his face so badly disfigured that they now call him Orunza 'the Hideous' despite his heroics.
While Koshel awaits more news from Pannonia, he receives other interesting reports. Far to the south, the Sunni Caliph Talib has called for a Jihad for Egypt, a Holy War against King Branwaladr II of Egypt and Nubia. Caliph Talib Umayyad usurped the Badshah of Hispania and now hopes to distract his internal enemies by rallying them against the Christians who had taken Egypt from the Moslems a 100 years ago. And far to the east comes word, that Koshel’s late wife’s people, the Jurchen, have failed in their attempt to reclaim their Jade Empire from the Mongols. Emperor Jingzu Borjigin has defeated the Jurchen Khagan at the Battle of Chang'an, slaughtering the Khagan and his elite guards.
Better news comes from Pannonia, it appears the Battle of Tatabánya has broken the Bavarians’ spirit. For the next five months, Koshel’s men are able to free the captured cities and towns with little interference. While the Merry Men free Pressburg, Sopron, Borsmonostor, Csorna, and Györ, the allied Meryan army fends off one halfhearted attack by the Bavarians in the Battle of Klosterneuburg.
By the spring of 1234, Bavarian Holy War for Esztergom is over, Koshel can claim a final victory in a life filled with constant warfare. Once again, the Suomenusko have defeated their Christian enemies. Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’ would die a short time later with a smile on his lips.
Koshel ‘the Wise’ was tired of the constant warfare, even in times of relative calm there was always unruly peasants, like the current Catholic uprising in Pannonia, it wasn’t a threat, but people were still fighting and dying.
His grandson and heir was having similar issues, though they were more serious. The Queen of Scotland Ælfflæd was leading a revolt against Emperor Vechkas for Seisyll's claim on his Empire, but she was losing badly and that war should soon be over. More disturbing was Kaiser Adam of the Holy Roman Empire leading a Holy War against Vechkas for the Duchy of Ulster, trying to expand further in the British Isles beyond his vassal King Heinrich of Brittany’s control of the Duchy of the Isles.
But any plans Koshel had to provide aid to his grandson were put on hold as trouble arose in the east. Rumors had been spreading about High Chief Azyren II “Son of Tuoni’ of Perm, rumors that Azyren was a witch and a demon worshipper. A man named Velmayka provided proof of High Chief Azyren’s evil practices and Koshel ordered his arrest. Most of his Council disapproved, not trusting the word of this Velmayka, who was involved in a revolt against his liege, King Chichayka of Khazaria. But Koshel believed Velmayka and moved ahead with the arrest. But Azyren evaded capture and rose in his own revolt against the “tyranny” of Emperor Koshel. So Koshel sent his armies east to deal with the Permian revolt rather than returning to Britannia to help his grandson.
Koshel sent 12,000 men directly toward Perm. A smaller second army of 8,000 men was diverted to track down the 4,000-man Perm army. The main army reached the border of the Perm and quickly besieged Ashli, capturing it and several prisoners.
The smaller army caught the Permian warriors near Borisoglebsk, to the west of Perm, and defeated them in a decisive battle.
There were smaller skirmishes in Khlynov and Bolghar as the two loyal armies moved deeper in Permian territory capturing Syrt, then Khlynov and Bolghar by the end of the year.
Another lopsided battle was fought at Udmurts. After that the year 1231 was spent leading more sieges, Bilyar, Alabuga, Akbash, Yelovo, Perym, and then Perm, itself. Finally, Udmurts and Kolva were captured. High Chief Azyren had died during the war and his son Dergun had become the new High Chief. With the last two holdings falling High Chief Dergun was forced to surrender early in 1232.
With Azyren dead, the original witch and demon worshipper, some thought it was over, but all evidence pointed toward his son being as evil as he was, with rumors that the man was possessed by some demon. Therefore, Koshel decided to revoke the High Chiefdom from Dergun for not ending the war as soon as his father had died. He granted the title to the current Chief of Perm, Deryab Deryabid, though he soon heard rumors that Deryab may have been more involved in his late liege’s activities than previously thought.
But before he could look to deeply, he was distracted by more peasant revolts, one in Nordland and another in Rusa. So he left Perm and turned his armies back west. He had been away from his capitol for over two years and wanted to get back. On the way, he diverted long enough to put down the rebels in Rusa, while further north, some of his vassals dealt with the rebels in Nordland.
When he returned home, he had news waiting for him, both good and bad. His grandson Koshel was now known as the 'the Strong' and had had a son named Mordvinko with his wife Setyamka. King Inzhay of Merya had died of cancer and his titles had been split between his two sons. The oldest Velmayka was now King of Merya and Galicia-Volhynia and the younger son, Purysho, who was married to Kosehel’s youngest daughter, was now King of Pannonia, making Yagana his Queen.
On the bad side, his granddaughter, Seyamka, Koshel ‘the Stong’ sister, had also died of cancer shortly after she had married. Also, his concubine Sochava 'Red-Cheeks', had once again proven unfaithful bearing a son to Chief Tolir of Romerike while Koshel was away at war. Koshel casts her out.
Then, shortly after his return, Koshel is waylaid outside the city and kidnapped by Prince Chumbulat of Novogorod. He is thrown in a damp dungeon while a ransom is negotiated for his return. His son Puresh becomes regent and leads the negotiation. Eventually, a ransom of 385 gold is agreed to for Koshel's freedom. But in a way he is never again free of that dungeon.
He took sick in the cell and never fully recovered, perhaps due the illness alone or combined with Sochava’s betrayal, or the death of his granddaughter, or just simply old age, but soon after Koshel returns, his body failed him, and he found he can barely stand. He was now confined to his bed, or forced to be carried around in a chair.
A few months after this infirmity claims him, he receives a declaration of war from King Guntram 'the Accursed' of Bavaria, a vassal to the Empire of Germania. King Guntram has declared a Holy War for Esztergom against the Volga-Ural Empire, a part of the recently acquired Kingdom of Pannonia.
Koshel is distraught that for the first time in over 20 years, he won’t be leading his men in to war. He calls on his allies to join the war and sends the Merry Men to war without him while he sits at home with his new grandson, Nuyanza, the son of Puresh and his wife Nino.
Koshel can only fret in Riga while he waits for news from the war. The first reports are not good, the Bavarian knights crossed the border on the heels of the courier that had brought the declaration of war and quickly seized two thirds of the Duchy of Esztergom, the target of their war.
But then comes news of a great victory at the Battle of Tatabánya. Apparently, the Urallic army was outnumbered 18,000 to 21,000 but still managed to pull off a stunning victory killing over 13,000 Christians knights while losing less than 3,000 men. High Chief Orunza of Kuyavia was one of the heroes of the battle, but he was wounded, his face so badly disfigured that they now call him Orunza 'the Hideous' despite his heroics.
While Koshel awaits more news from Pannonia, he receives other interesting reports. Far to the south, the Sunni Caliph Talib has called for a Jihad for Egypt, a Holy War against King Branwaladr II of Egypt and Nubia. Caliph Talib Umayyad usurped the Badshah of Hispania and now hopes to distract his internal enemies by rallying them against the Christians who had taken Egypt from the Moslems a 100 years ago. And far to the east comes word, that Koshel’s late wife’s people, the Jurchen, have failed in their attempt to reclaim their Jade Empire from the Mongols. Emperor Jingzu Borjigin has defeated the Jurchen Khagan at the Battle of Chang'an, slaughtering the Khagan and his elite guards.
Better news comes from Pannonia, it appears the Battle of Tatabánya has broken the Bavarians’ spirit. For the next five months, Koshel’s men are able to free the captured cities and towns with little interference. While the Merry Men free Pressburg, Sopron, Borsmonostor, Csorna, and Györ, the allied Meryan army fends off one halfhearted attack by the Bavarians in the Battle of Klosterneuburg.
By the spring of 1234, Bavarian Holy War for Esztergom is over, Koshel can claim a final victory in a life filled with constant warfare. Once again, the Suomenusko have defeated their Christian enemies. Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’ would die a short time later with a smile on his lips.
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What happened to the Duchy of Pomerania? Good Luck, Emperor Vechkas. Thank you for telling Koshel's exploits.
Boy-emperor of two empires, a very dangerous position. Good luck, young Vechkas, you gonna need it!
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The united empires are in for a dramatic change...I wonder if the Kardazids will be the people of the Forest, of the seas, or of the hills and grasses now?
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The Duchy was inherited by one of of Koshel's sons, but he didn't inherit a county, so it just disappeared.
Yes, merging the two empires will cause many problems and leave many people unhappy.
The Kardazids have already spread far and wide, stretching from the Ural mountains across the North Sea to Iceland and from the tundra across the great forests and the Steppe to the shores of the Black Sea even before they claimed Britannia. But yes, the merging of the two Empires will have an immediate effect that may prove very dangerous to who they are.
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1234 - 1237 Vechkas, the Twice-Emperor
1234 - 1237 Vechkas, the Twice-Emperor
His Britannic Majesty, the 13-year old Emperor Vechkas Kardazid, was in his capitol at Leix under the watchful eye of his Regent and Court Diviner, Tatyana 'the Witch Hunter' and his guardian, Vezhav Kardazid, the widow of the late Chief Moksha of Lukomorie and a very distant relative of the Emperor. Vezhav’ son Saksha Mokshid was the same age as the Emperor and was his constant companion. The two women controlled the Emporer and Leix, but not much beyond that, and even the Council, made up of commoners and lower nobility from Emperor Vechkas’ personal demesne, with one exception, Queen Ælfflæd of Scotland, had little control of the Empire. Queen Ælfflæd’s recent attempt gain the throne of Britannia had ended with a truce which included terms that had kept her out of the dungeon and allowed her return to the Council. Though the wounds she had received during the war had kept from arriving in person.
Most of the power in the Britannic Empire rested in the hands of Vechkas’ greatest vassal, Queen Eadgyth of Wales, who provided over half of the levys to the Imperial armies. She often dictated what she wanted to the Regent and the Imperial Council, including her cousin Queen Ælfflæd, who were quick to follow her direction.
But currently Britannia had no need for those levys. It was at peace following the truce with Scotland and the loss of Ulster to the Holy Roman Empire. The regency had had to chose between focusing on keep the crown or keeping Ulster, so they had committed the bulk of the armies to fighting Queen Ælfflæd to a standstill rather than defending against Kaiser Adam’s Holy War for Ulster.
In the Summer of 1234, the balance of power in Britannia underwent a sudden and unexpected shift. A large delegation arrived from the Volga-Ural Empire led by Vechkas’ cousin, Koshel ‘the Strong’. They landed in Leinster and made their way inland to the capitol at Leix. There they were received by the Regent Tatyana ‘the Witch Hunter’ who asked what had brought them to Britannia. Koshel insisted his he must speak to Vechkas directly as he had an important message from their grandfather Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’. Tatyana was suspicious, not sure if Koshel ‘the Wise’ was once again pushing for an alliance so he could interfere again in the politics of the Britannia, but she reluctantly allowed the audience to take place.
The young Emperor sat on his throne as Koshel ‘the Strong’ and his delegation entered the hall. He greeted his cousin warmly and asked, “What message has Grandfather sent?”
Koshel moved closer and said, “As you may recall, the Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’ has set his oldest surviving son, Puresh, aside as his heir and, as allowed by law, has designated you, Emperor Vechkas as the heir to the throne of the Volga-Ural Empire. A few weeks ago, on his death deathbed, he gave me a simple message for you, ‘Come home.’ So, I am here, my Emperor, to escort you back to Riga to be crowned as Emperor of the Volga-Ural Empire.”
Chaos broke out in the audience chamber as the implications of this announcement were realized, Koshel and his delegation had arrived before any news of the death of Koshel ‘the Wise’ had reached Britannia. The Regent, Tatyana, tried to gain control of the situation,” We welcome the peoples of Volga-Ural into the Empire of Britannia and they are welcome to travel here to Leix to make their obedience to their new Emperor. The boy is much too young to be traveling to Riga.”
But Koshel was more insistent and as the bulk of his delegation turned out to be members of the Merry Men, rather than diplomats, they soon took control of the castle and the Council, “Actually, you will be joining the Emperor, as will the Council, on this trip to Riga, and there we will formalize the merging of the two Empires.”
Koshel had the regent write letters and proclamations announcing the new situation to the vassals of Britannia, including Queen Eadgyth of Wales, but he made sure they were not sent out until the party was safely boarding the ships in Leinster to sail for Riga. Vezhav Kardazid and her son were left behind in Leix, as Koshel announced that he was now Vechkas’ guardian.
Once Koshel and the Britannic Council arrived in Riga the serious negotiations began with Koshel the Wise’s former Councilors to formulate a new government as Vechkas' inheritance would fundamentally change both Empires. The Britannic rule was based on a feudal system and there was no way the vassals and Queens of Britannia would accept a tribal ruler. While in Volga-Ural, even though Koshel ‘the Wise’s government had been tribal in structure, the feudal system had already taken hold in parts of the Empire, mainly in the newer acquisitions along the western border, though it had moved east with even the King of Estonia following a feudal system. Therefore, it made sense that this system would be instituted officially in the Volga-Ural Empire as a result. The Empire’s vassals who already followed feudal system of liege and vassal obligation switched over without issue, but the eastern vassals still followed tribal structures and were more resistant to this change, the most significant of these holdouts being King Velmayka III of Merya, the Empire’s most powerful vassal.
The new feudal system made society more stratified, more formal than the looser tribal society where the lowest hunter could just walk up and start a conversation with the Emperor. This caused some segregation of the populous and the once unified tribal village were divided, with the stone keeps of the chieftains now separated from the rest of the village. In Riga, this took the form of the stone hillfort of Koshel ‘the Wise’ being walled off and called a castle while the rest of the village centered around the port neighborhood of Salaspils was put under a headman, a mayor, who would run the new city and then report to the Emperor, putting a buffer between the Emperor and the common people removing their free access to the ruler that the tribal government had previously allowed. These changes were also enacted in the other Urallic territory that Vechkas had inherited, Vibetsk.
But while the Councilors of Britannia had won on the adoption of feudalism as the official form of government, they lost on a more important issue, Riga would be named as the capitol of the two Empires rather than Leix in the British Isles and Volga-Ural would be Emperor Vechkas’ main title within these two Empires.
The Britannic Royal Council in a spiteful retaliation insisted that their first act was upgrading Riga to be a more fitting home for their Emperor, turning the stone hillfort into a proper castle by making upgrades to the central keep.
With the new government settled and the capitol decided. It was decided it was time to merge two Councils into a new Imperial Council. The new Imperial Council needed to incorporate the vassals of both the Britannic and Volga-Ural Empires. King Inzhay 'the Hideous' of Nenetsia is named the Marshal (using the Britannic term, rather than the more traditional Urallic title of War Chief), replacing Baron Simon of Montfort-l'Amaury, Count Eanhere of Oxford is named Chancellor (again rather than the former title of Voice), replacing the nobleman Varaka Andyamo. King Kardaz of Sweden is named Steward, replacing Mayor Mordvinko of Galway. Duke Jean II of Poitou is named Spymaster, replacing the traitorous Queen Ælfflæd of Scotland. But Tatyana 'the Witch Hunter' kept her place as the diviner of the two Empires and Regent for Emperor Vechkas. And as noted earlier, Koshel ‘the Strong’ was now Vechkas’ guardian.
There were two immediate concerns that were brought before the Council. The first was the succession. Based on succession laws, Vechkas’ older sister Princess Putyayka of Britannia was heir to Volga-Ural, while her son, Vechkas’ nephew Tyushten, was the heir to the Empire of Britannia. If something were to happen to Emperor Vechkas, the two Empires would be split again, although Tyushten would then become the heir to his mother’s realm promising to reunite the Empires again down the road. After much debate, the issue was left unresolved. Once, Vechkas came of age, he could designate Tyushten as his heir to Volga-Ural, bypassing his sister, and keeping the successions of the two Empires joined, but at that point he could also soon have a child of his own and accomplish the same result.
But in order for him to have his own heir, the second issue needed to be dealt with. Emperor Vechkas’ betrothal to his 51-year old fiancee Chieftess Chindyayka of Stezyca, a betrothal that brought no alliance and no hope for offspring. The Imperial Council’s first unified vote was to break this ill-advised betrothal and free the Emperor to find a more suitable bride.
The Council followed that up with the breaking of a second betrothal. Vechkas 'mother was betrothed to Eanfrith Percy, the son of High Chief Oscytel 'the Bewitched' of Cumbria and they were supposed to marry when Eanfrith came of age. But Vechkas and Eanfrith had become bitter rivals and Vechkas demanded the betrothal be broken. So for the first time the Council actually carried out the Emperor’s direct wish and broke his mother’s betrothal to his rival.
The Council also approved the arrest of Duke Eadulf 'the Faceless' of East Anglia a man who had revolted against the Emperor in the past. The Duke was quickly locked up and stripped of the Duchy of East Anglia. But this seemingly trivial piece of Council business, suddenly led to dire consequences.
Many of the tribal vassals saw this action as what they had to look forward to under this new feudal system. High Chief Balder of Viken rallied these worried vassals together and demanded independence from this new joint Empire. What at first seemed the ranting of few disgruntled chieftains changed significantly when King Velmayka III of Merya one of the remaining tribal rulers, unhappy about the change of government and the fact he was not part of the Council, as well as several other vassal Kings turned this into a massive revolt. Even some of the Empire’s Britannic vassals joined their new fellow vassals in the call for independence.
Vechkas was not surprised by this revolt, he had been at war defending his crown and his Empire as far back as he could remember. In the 12 years he had been Empire of Britannia, there had been at least six major revolts calling for independence or for his crown, and countless small peasant revolts against his religion and this didn’t include the wars from outside the Empire, such as the recent Holy Roman War for Ulster. So, he was not surprised to face a new revolt with his new title, but he was a little disappointed as he had hoped they would have welcomed a fellow Suomenusko follower and Kardazid on the throne.
The Council had their own worries, even with the combined strength of both Empires, they could not raise enough feudal levys to match the strength of the rebels. Koshel ‘the Wise’ as a tribal ruler could have called upon his vassal allies for additional men, but as Vechkas was a feudal ruler, the tribal ties no longer applied. But luckily, Koshel ‘the Wise’ had left his grandson a massive treasury, not only a wide variety of treasured artifacts in the vault, but piles of gold. The Council immediately put that money to work by hiring several mercenary bands to supplement the feudal levys and the Merry Men (which now included another 750 men from the Britannic Imperial Guard)
The rest of Vechkas’ regency period was spent in war. Vechkas of course didn’t see that, the Council told him little of what was going on, they just continued to burn through his inheritance, eating through the treasury his predecessors had amassed over decades.
Vechkas spent his time training under his guardian Koshel ‘the Strong’, when he was in Riga. As a Commander of Volga-Ural, Koshel was often called away to fight. But he usually used his position as the Emperor’s guardian to avoid that.
So as battles were fought throughout the forests of Volga-Ural and the British Isles, Vechkas grew strong in body, putting on a great deal of muscle under Koshel’s training. His schooling in other subjects did not go quite as well as he would end up a poor scholar. This was due to his mind turning to daydreams and fantasies about one of the courtiers in his castle, the exotic Duda Magkætæ, the wife of Nalka Shonzhavid. Duda was about ten years older than Vechkas, a woman from the nomadic Alan clans on the shores of the Black Sea, and a heretic, a follower of the Shia religion. Vechkas would wander the castle for hours hoping to get just another glimpse of Duda to fuel another round of fantasies. Even when she became pregnant with Nalka’ child, it didn’t lessen her appeal to the young Emperor. She would eventually give birth to a son, named Mordvinko Shonzhavid, only then did Vechkas move on.
But finally in the spring of 1237, Emperor Vechkas of Volga-Ural came of age, a strong young man, with a lust for life, a strong sense of justice, and an innate stubbornness and temper. He was naturally focused on war, as that had been a central focus of life. Vechkas had read the Christian Bible, but he decides it is just an interesting story, but has nothing to do with the true Gods. But he does gain sympathy for his Catholic subjects, less so for his Christian enemies.
His coming of age, ended the regency council and freed Vechkas from Tatyana ‘the Witch Hunter’. The first thing Vechkas did with his new found freedom was to bed Cherava 'the Unchaste', an easy conquest enjoyed by many others before him. But it is Vechkas who makes her pregnant.
For the first time, Emperor Vechkas turns his full attention to the ongoing independence revolt and finds his commanders have been doing well, the war is winding down as much of the rebel holdings have been seized and his armies, supplemented by mercenaries, have won most of the battles.
A new Muslim revolt started in the south soon after. They were trying to restore the Kingdom of Alania. They actually ended up getting significant support as more rebels flock to their banners. They will be dealt with once the independence war is finished.
After a final Battle near Ostroleka, the Independence war comes to an end. High Chief Balder of Viken, the leader of revolt, is forced to surrender and is imprisoned along with several of Vechkas’ most powerful vassals. Emperor Vechkas is now free to begin his rule of the two Empires in earnest.
His Britannic Majesty, the 13-year old Emperor Vechkas Kardazid, was in his capitol at Leix under the watchful eye of his Regent and Court Diviner, Tatyana 'the Witch Hunter' and his guardian, Vezhav Kardazid, the widow of the late Chief Moksha of Lukomorie and a very distant relative of the Emperor. Vezhav’ son Saksha Mokshid was the same age as the Emperor and was his constant companion. The two women controlled the Emporer and Leix, but not much beyond that, and even the Council, made up of commoners and lower nobility from Emperor Vechkas’ personal demesne, with one exception, Queen Ælfflæd of Scotland, had little control of the Empire. Queen Ælfflæd’s recent attempt gain the throne of Britannia had ended with a truce which included terms that had kept her out of the dungeon and allowed her return to the Council. Though the wounds she had received during the war had kept from arriving in person.
Most of the power in the Britannic Empire rested in the hands of Vechkas’ greatest vassal, Queen Eadgyth of Wales, who provided over half of the levys to the Imperial armies. She often dictated what she wanted to the Regent and the Imperial Council, including her cousin Queen Ælfflæd, who were quick to follow her direction.
But currently Britannia had no need for those levys. It was at peace following the truce with Scotland and the loss of Ulster to the Holy Roman Empire. The regency had had to chose between focusing on keep the crown or keeping Ulster, so they had committed the bulk of the armies to fighting Queen Ælfflæd to a standstill rather than defending against Kaiser Adam’s Holy War for Ulster.
In the Summer of 1234, the balance of power in Britannia underwent a sudden and unexpected shift. A large delegation arrived from the Volga-Ural Empire led by Vechkas’ cousin, Koshel ‘the Strong’. They landed in Leinster and made their way inland to the capitol at Leix. There they were received by the Regent Tatyana ‘the Witch Hunter’ who asked what had brought them to Britannia. Koshel insisted his he must speak to Vechkas directly as he had an important message from their grandfather Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’. Tatyana was suspicious, not sure if Koshel ‘the Wise’ was once again pushing for an alliance so he could interfere again in the politics of the Britannia, but she reluctantly allowed the audience to take place.
The young Emperor sat on his throne as Koshel ‘the Strong’ and his delegation entered the hall. He greeted his cousin warmly and asked, “What message has Grandfather sent?”
Koshel moved closer and said, “As you may recall, the Emperor Koshel ‘the Wise’ has set his oldest surviving son, Puresh, aside as his heir and, as allowed by law, has designated you, Emperor Vechkas as the heir to the throne of the Volga-Ural Empire. A few weeks ago, on his death deathbed, he gave me a simple message for you, ‘Come home.’ So, I am here, my Emperor, to escort you back to Riga to be crowned as Emperor of the Volga-Ural Empire.”
Chaos broke out in the audience chamber as the implications of this announcement were realized, Koshel and his delegation had arrived before any news of the death of Koshel ‘the Wise’ had reached Britannia. The Regent, Tatyana, tried to gain control of the situation,” We welcome the peoples of Volga-Ural into the Empire of Britannia and they are welcome to travel here to Leix to make their obedience to their new Emperor. The boy is much too young to be traveling to Riga.”
But Koshel was more insistent and as the bulk of his delegation turned out to be members of the Merry Men, rather than diplomats, they soon took control of the castle and the Council, “Actually, you will be joining the Emperor, as will the Council, on this trip to Riga, and there we will formalize the merging of the two Empires.”
Koshel had the regent write letters and proclamations announcing the new situation to the vassals of Britannia, including Queen Eadgyth of Wales, but he made sure they were not sent out until the party was safely boarding the ships in Leinster to sail for Riga. Vezhav Kardazid and her son were left behind in Leix, as Koshel announced that he was now Vechkas’ guardian.
Once Koshel and the Britannic Council arrived in Riga the serious negotiations began with Koshel the Wise’s former Councilors to formulate a new government as Vechkas' inheritance would fundamentally change both Empires. The Britannic rule was based on a feudal system and there was no way the vassals and Queens of Britannia would accept a tribal ruler. While in Volga-Ural, even though Koshel ‘the Wise’s government had been tribal in structure, the feudal system had already taken hold in parts of the Empire, mainly in the newer acquisitions along the western border, though it had moved east with even the King of Estonia following a feudal system. Therefore, it made sense that this system would be instituted officially in the Volga-Ural Empire as a result. The Empire’s vassals who already followed feudal system of liege and vassal obligation switched over without issue, but the eastern vassals still followed tribal structures and were more resistant to this change, the most significant of these holdouts being King Velmayka III of Merya, the Empire’s most powerful vassal.
The new feudal system made society more stratified, more formal than the looser tribal society where the lowest hunter could just walk up and start a conversation with the Emperor. This caused some segregation of the populous and the once unified tribal village were divided, with the stone keeps of the chieftains now separated from the rest of the village. In Riga, this took the form of the stone hillfort of Koshel ‘the Wise’ being walled off and called a castle while the rest of the village centered around the port neighborhood of Salaspils was put under a headman, a mayor, who would run the new city and then report to the Emperor, putting a buffer between the Emperor and the common people removing their free access to the ruler that the tribal government had previously allowed. These changes were also enacted in the other Urallic territory that Vechkas had inherited, Vibetsk.
But while the Councilors of Britannia had won on the adoption of feudalism as the official form of government, they lost on a more important issue, Riga would be named as the capitol of the two Empires rather than Leix in the British Isles and Volga-Ural would be Emperor Vechkas’ main title within these two Empires.
The Britannic Royal Council in a spiteful retaliation insisted that their first act was upgrading Riga to be a more fitting home for their Emperor, turning the stone hillfort into a proper castle by making upgrades to the central keep.
With the new government settled and the capitol decided. It was decided it was time to merge two Councils into a new Imperial Council. The new Imperial Council needed to incorporate the vassals of both the Britannic and Volga-Ural Empires. King Inzhay 'the Hideous' of Nenetsia is named the Marshal (using the Britannic term, rather than the more traditional Urallic title of War Chief), replacing Baron Simon of Montfort-l'Amaury, Count Eanhere of Oxford is named Chancellor (again rather than the former title of Voice), replacing the nobleman Varaka Andyamo. King Kardaz of Sweden is named Steward, replacing Mayor Mordvinko of Galway. Duke Jean II of Poitou is named Spymaster, replacing the traitorous Queen Ælfflæd of Scotland. But Tatyana 'the Witch Hunter' kept her place as the diviner of the two Empires and Regent for Emperor Vechkas. And as noted earlier, Koshel ‘the Strong’ was now Vechkas’ guardian.
There were two immediate concerns that were brought before the Council. The first was the succession. Based on succession laws, Vechkas’ older sister Princess Putyayka of Britannia was heir to Volga-Ural, while her son, Vechkas’ nephew Tyushten, was the heir to the Empire of Britannia. If something were to happen to Emperor Vechkas, the two Empires would be split again, although Tyushten would then become the heir to his mother’s realm promising to reunite the Empires again down the road. After much debate, the issue was left unresolved. Once, Vechkas came of age, he could designate Tyushten as his heir to Volga-Ural, bypassing his sister, and keeping the successions of the two Empires joined, but at that point he could also soon have a child of his own and accomplish the same result.
But in order for him to have his own heir, the second issue needed to be dealt with. Emperor Vechkas’ betrothal to his 51-year old fiancee Chieftess Chindyayka of Stezyca, a betrothal that brought no alliance and no hope for offspring. The Imperial Council’s first unified vote was to break this ill-advised betrothal and free the Emperor to find a more suitable bride.
The Council followed that up with the breaking of a second betrothal. Vechkas 'mother was betrothed to Eanfrith Percy, the son of High Chief Oscytel 'the Bewitched' of Cumbria and they were supposed to marry when Eanfrith came of age. But Vechkas and Eanfrith had become bitter rivals and Vechkas demanded the betrothal be broken. So for the first time the Council actually carried out the Emperor’s direct wish and broke his mother’s betrothal to his rival.
The Council also approved the arrest of Duke Eadulf 'the Faceless' of East Anglia a man who had revolted against the Emperor in the past. The Duke was quickly locked up and stripped of the Duchy of East Anglia. But this seemingly trivial piece of Council business, suddenly led to dire consequences.
Many of the tribal vassals saw this action as what they had to look forward to under this new feudal system. High Chief Balder of Viken rallied these worried vassals together and demanded independence from this new joint Empire. What at first seemed the ranting of few disgruntled chieftains changed significantly when King Velmayka III of Merya one of the remaining tribal rulers, unhappy about the change of government and the fact he was not part of the Council, as well as several other vassal Kings turned this into a massive revolt. Even some of the Empire’s Britannic vassals joined their new fellow vassals in the call for independence.
Vechkas was not surprised by this revolt, he had been at war defending his crown and his Empire as far back as he could remember. In the 12 years he had been Empire of Britannia, there had been at least six major revolts calling for independence or for his crown, and countless small peasant revolts against his religion and this didn’t include the wars from outside the Empire, such as the recent Holy Roman War for Ulster. So, he was not surprised to face a new revolt with his new title, but he was a little disappointed as he had hoped they would have welcomed a fellow Suomenusko follower and Kardazid on the throne.
The Council had their own worries, even with the combined strength of both Empires, they could not raise enough feudal levys to match the strength of the rebels. Koshel ‘the Wise’ as a tribal ruler could have called upon his vassal allies for additional men, but as Vechkas was a feudal ruler, the tribal ties no longer applied. But luckily, Koshel ‘the Wise’ had left his grandson a massive treasury, not only a wide variety of treasured artifacts in the vault, but piles of gold. The Council immediately put that money to work by hiring several mercenary bands to supplement the feudal levys and the Merry Men (which now included another 750 men from the Britannic Imperial Guard)
The rest of Vechkas’ regency period was spent in war. Vechkas of course didn’t see that, the Council told him little of what was going on, they just continued to burn through his inheritance, eating through the treasury his predecessors had amassed over decades.
Vechkas spent his time training under his guardian Koshel ‘the Strong’, when he was in Riga. As a Commander of Volga-Ural, Koshel was often called away to fight. But he usually used his position as the Emperor’s guardian to avoid that.
So as battles were fought throughout the forests of Volga-Ural and the British Isles, Vechkas grew strong in body, putting on a great deal of muscle under Koshel’s training. His schooling in other subjects did not go quite as well as he would end up a poor scholar. This was due to his mind turning to daydreams and fantasies about one of the courtiers in his castle, the exotic Duda Magkætæ, the wife of Nalka Shonzhavid. Duda was about ten years older than Vechkas, a woman from the nomadic Alan clans on the shores of the Black Sea, and a heretic, a follower of the Shia religion. Vechkas would wander the castle for hours hoping to get just another glimpse of Duda to fuel another round of fantasies. Even when she became pregnant with Nalka’ child, it didn’t lessen her appeal to the young Emperor. She would eventually give birth to a son, named Mordvinko Shonzhavid, only then did Vechkas move on.
But finally in the spring of 1237, Emperor Vechkas of Volga-Ural came of age, a strong young man, with a lust for life, a strong sense of justice, and an innate stubbornness and temper. He was naturally focused on war, as that had been a central focus of life. Vechkas had read the Christian Bible, but he decides it is just an interesting story, but has nothing to do with the true Gods. But he does gain sympathy for his Catholic subjects, less so for his Christian enemies.
His coming of age, ended the regency council and freed Vechkas from Tatyana ‘the Witch Hunter’. The first thing Vechkas did with his new found freedom was to bed Cherava 'the Unchaste', an easy conquest enjoyed by many others before him. But it is Vechkas who makes her pregnant.
For the first time, Emperor Vechkas turns his full attention to the ongoing independence revolt and finds his commanders have been doing well, the war is winding down as much of the rebel holdings have been seized and his armies, supplemented by mercenaries, have won most of the battles.
A new Muslim revolt started in the south soon after. They were trying to restore the Kingdom of Alania. They actually ended up getting significant support as more rebels flock to their banners. They will be dealt with once the independence war is finished.
After a final Battle near Ostroleka, the Independence war comes to an end. High Chief Balder of Viken, the leader of revolt, is forced to surrender and is imprisoned along with several of Vechkas’ most powerful vassals. Emperor Vechkas is now free to begin his rule of the two Empires in earnest.
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Queen Victoria would be proud of the Britannia Empire. Cherava's child will need to buy father's day cards in bulk to ensure that he gets one to the actual sperm donor. I am not buying that the richest (Emperor Vechkas) has the fastest swimmers. It will take a large shipment of duct tape to reattach vassal heads to their shoulders. Thank you for bringing the first installment of the life and times of the boy emperor.
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Hm. It seems like there's a lot of land to be redistributed.
Specifically, a lot of tribal land that should be put into responsible feudal hands. The lords of Volga-Ural will just need to get with the program.
Specifically, a lot of tribal land that should be put into responsible feudal hands. The lords of Volga-Ural will just need to get with the program.
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Vechkas shares some of your doubts and expects others to as well, so will not legitimize the child.
The transition from tribal to feudal is a worrying time.
*Sorry for the delay in responding, but next Chapter incoming finally.
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1237- 1244 The Quiet Life
1237- 1244 The Quiet Life
Throughout Vechkas’ childhood and his Regency, it seemed both his Empires were constantly at war, but with his victory in the latest Independence War it seemed peace finally came to the united Empires. Partly, this was due to the number of high lords and vassals imprisoned for their parts in the Independence War and the earlier revolts. Vechkas kept most of the traitors locked up, making them pay for their crimes in the dungeon. He could have revoked their lands and titles, but he would have been forced to hand them out, and after years of war he was happier to have his known enemies locked up rather than creating potential new enemies.
He did revoke one title. King Velmayka III held the Kingdoms of Merya and Galicia-Volhynia, and while he hadn’t led the Independence revolt, he had been its most powerful supporter. Vechkas decided it was time to reclaim the Kingdom of Merya for the crown and reduce Velmayka’s power, so he revoked the title of Merya from Velmayka, though leaving him the crown of Galicia-Volhynia.
With the traitors locked up and the rest of his vassals convinced that opposing his rule was fruitless, Vechkas would enjoy years of peace.
Soon after this peaceful period began, a son was born to Vechkas’ lover Cherava 'the Unchaste'. Cherava named the boy, Malyaka. Due to Cherava's tarnished reputation, Vechkas could not legitimize the boy as there would aways be doubts whether he was truly the father, but he was willing to acknowledge that Malyaka could be his son and he would be looked after.
About the same time, his sister Princess Putyayka gave birth to another son, who she named Tul. This reminded Vechkas that his other two sisters were not yet married, so he began to search for husbands for them. Princess Parava is soon betrothed to King Tikshayka of Khazaria and Princess Setyamka is betrothed to High Chief Skuli of Iceland. The Council reminded the Emperor that he also needed to marry, but Vechkas was not interested in having a wife any time soon.
Vechkas' 12-year old Aunt Liyava is the other family member under his protection, her education continues. Vechkas himself continues his own studies of the campaigns of Alexander the Great.
Although the Empires are not at war, many of his men are eager for a fight, so Vechkas organized a raiding party under his cousin Koshel ‘the Strong’, sending them east to first raid Saxony. A couple months later, Vechkas' raiders, looted and pillaged Lolland, the capitol of Saxony. Koshel 'the Strong' sends Vechkas a prize, Princess Tiziana of Saxony, one of the Queen of Saxony's daughters, as Saxony continues to burn and Maribo is sacked next.
The Saxon Princess immediately captures Vechkas’ eye when she arrives in Riga. Vechkas immediately takes her as his concubine, dismissing any talk of ransom. Vechkas was completely distracted from any other concerns by his infatuation with Princess Tiziana. She soon gave him a son and heir who Vechkas named Koshel after his father and grandfather. The existence of this new heir allowed him to again put off the Royal Council’s attempts to get him to marry. As a reward, he made Tiziana his new spymaster, taking the captured Princess from prisoner to member of the Royal Council and mother of the future Emperor of both empires in less than two years.
Vechkas, being a lustful teenager and the Emperor, still spent time with his other lover, Cherava 'the Unchaste'. This led to another child, a daughter named Tekay. She was named after Vechkas' mother, the Dowager Empress Tekay, who had recently died of camp fever at the age of 45. The young Emperor had been so upset over how badly Physician Putyayka had handled his treatment of his mother that Vechkas had him beheaded. Again, Vechkas didn’t legitimize Tekay, but did allow her to be recognized as his child. But he soon decided that further questionable issue shouldn’t arise and broke off his affair with Cherava.
Vechkas’s realm remained at peace, with only his raiding parties doing any fighting as they continued west after their raids on Saxony. The raiders under Koshel ‘the Strong would raid England and evidently travel as far as Corunna before a determined Moorish army drove them from its shores and they finally returned home with the spoils of their journey.
Part of the reason for the peace within the Empire was that many of the older lords were being replaced by children. King Viryas of Novgorod was killed by Chief Dergun of Tjust. His 2-year old son was crowned as King Viryas II. 10-year old Sangasa Varakid became High Chieftess of Veliky Ustug after her mother was killed by Chief Chipaz of Illyinsk. However, Sangasa did not last long as she was murdered less than a year later, making her 5-year old sister, Tekay Varakid, the next High Chieftess of Veliky Ustug. Around the same time, 4-year old Tutyra Kardazid became High Chief of Mecklenburg after his father was killed by Chief Inzhay of Drutsk. Then Vechkas’ spymaster, Duke Jean II of Poitou, was murdered by Chieftess Parava of Khopyor, leaving his 1-year old daughter Beatrix to become Duchess of Poitou.
The greater reason for peace was the continued disruption caused by the change in government from tribal to feudal. More of Empire’s vassals were making the transition to the new feudal way of life, but this had a profound effect on the size of the available men Vechkas could call upon in times of war. His vassals under the new feudal structure were now required to provide men whenever Vechkas called instead of having the option whether to join him in his wars as tribal allies. But the size of the levys they were required to provide was only a fraction of the men they had available, where before under tribal rule, every able-bodied man would join in a fight. The need for the tribal villages that had been converted to feudal castles to provide gold as well as men meant they needed men to continuing working even during war.
This lack of men had been an issue during the Independence revolt, but mercenaries paid out of the treasury had made up for the shortfall. But this had badly depleted the treasury, and the Empire could not afford to continue to hire mercenaries. Now Vehckas and the Council were looking at their neighbors and realizing their reduced numbers put them at a disadvantage. Vechkas’ grandfather could call upon his tribal vassals and raise enough men to match even the Holy Roman Empire in the field. But with these changed circumstances, Vechkas could hope to raise approximately 23,000 men, and this included his warband, the Merry Men, who made up half that number. It was estimated that Kaiser Anselm of Holy Roman Empire controlled over 86,000 levys across his Empire. Kaiser Anselm was by far the most powerful of Vechkas’ neighbors, but several of the others, Germania, the Byzantines, or the Shia, could match or exceed Vechkas’ strength on their own. And if any Holy War was called against one of these lesser powers, there was always the chance the Holy Roman Empire would step in. So Vechkas wisely chose to not draw attention to his weakened Empire while he worked to build up strength.
Part of his actions called for stream lining the new government and vassal commitments. Towards that end he usurped or created various titles and consolidated power throughout the Empire. Vechkas usurped Duchy of Nyitra and granted it to Chieftess Mazava of Nitra. Vechkas created High Chiefdom of Suomi and granted it to Chief Lemetti of Tavastia. Vechkas usurped Duchy of Pest from Duchess Semeah of Moravia and granted it to King Purysho 'the Sword of the Greatest' of Pannonia. He created the Kingdom of Norway and granted it to High Chief Mordvinko of Vestlandet, making him King Mordvinko of Norway. Vechkas then created the Kingdom of Chernigov and granted it to High Chief Malyy of Meshchera.
In Britannia, Vechkas granted High Chiefdom of East Anglia to Chief Ælfræd of Suffolk. Then he usurped Duchy of Wessex and the Duchy of Hwicce from Duke Óengus of Ulster who was now a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire. Vechkas granted High Chiefdom of Hwicce to Lord Mayor Leofric 'the Butcher' creating a merchant republic. Leofric became the Grand Mayor of Hwicce, founding the House of Hampshire and other merchant houses rose under Patrician Eadweald of Exeter, Patrician Rædwald of Devon, Patrician Wiglaf of Somerset, and Patrician Hereweard of Dorset.
Meanwhile, some of Vechkas’ vassals were doing their own housecleaning. King Purysho 'the Sword of the Great Bear' of Pannonia created the High Chiefdom of Transylvania after his victory in a Holy War. Syrka Ryazan usurped High Chiefdom of Sakamara. High Chief Tyueykezhut 'the Lord of Smolensk' usurped Chuvash and the Chiefdom of Cheremisa. Ovtay usurped the High Chiefdom of Bjarmia. High Chief Shindyay of Mazovia usurped Naklo from King Hildebert of Poland. And Shoksha 'the Usurper' usurped the Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia from the traitor Velmayka who still rotted in Vechkas’ dungeon.
So things progressed in the Empire for seven years. The Council, led by Princess Tiziana, continued to press for the Vechkas to take a wife, even though he was content with the status quo. But after repeated urging, he finally agreed. To Princess Tiziana’s chagrin, he did not make her Empress as she had hoped, instead Vechkas arranged a betrothal to a girl named Kat Numid, the daughter of High Chief Num 'the Wicked' of Pechora. Kat Numid was only 6-years old allowing Vechkas to extend his freedom from a wife for another 10 years, though the girl was said to be gifted, a genius, and should be an asset when she finally came of age and took her place at Vechkas’ side.
Throughout Vechkas’ childhood and his Regency, it seemed both his Empires were constantly at war, but with his victory in the latest Independence War it seemed peace finally came to the united Empires. Partly, this was due to the number of high lords and vassals imprisoned for their parts in the Independence War and the earlier revolts. Vechkas kept most of the traitors locked up, making them pay for their crimes in the dungeon. He could have revoked their lands and titles, but he would have been forced to hand them out, and after years of war he was happier to have his known enemies locked up rather than creating potential new enemies.
He did revoke one title. King Velmayka III held the Kingdoms of Merya and Galicia-Volhynia, and while he hadn’t led the Independence revolt, he had been its most powerful supporter. Vechkas decided it was time to reclaim the Kingdom of Merya for the crown and reduce Velmayka’s power, so he revoked the title of Merya from Velmayka, though leaving him the crown of Galicia-Volhynia.
With the traitors locked up and the rest of his vassals convinced that opposing his rule was fruitless, Vechkas would enjoy years of peace.
Soon after this peaceful period began, a son was born to Vechkas’ lover Cherava 'the Unchaste'. Cherava named the boy, Malyaka. Due to Cherava's tarnished reputation, Vechkas could not legitimize the boy as there would aways be doubts whether he was truly the father, but he was willing to acknowledge that Malyaka could be his son and he would be looked after.
About the same time, his sister Princess Putyayka gave birth to another son, who she named Tul. This reminded Vechkas that his other two sisters were not yet married, so he began to search for husbands for them. Princess Parava is soon betrothed to King Tikshayka of Khazaria and Princess Setyamka is betrothed to High Chief Skuli of Iceland. The Council reminded the Emperor that he also needed to marry, but Vechkas was not interested in having a wife any time soon.
Vechkas' 12-year old Aunt Liyava is the other family member under his protection, her education continues. Vechkas himself continues his own studies of the campaigns of Alexander the Great.
Although the Empires are not at war, many of his men are eager for a fight, so Vechkas organized a raiding party under his cousin Koshel ‘the Strong’, sending them east to first raid Saxony. A couple months later, Vechkas' raiders, looted and pillaged Lolland, the capitol of Saxony. Koshel 'the Strong' sends Vechkas a prize, Princess Tiziana of Saxony, one of the Queen of Saxony's daughters, as Saxony continues to burn and Maribo is sacked next.
The Saxon Princess immediately captures Vechkas’ eye when she arrives in Riga. Vechkas immediately takes her as his concubine, dismissing any talk of ransom. Vechkas was completely distracted from any other concerns by his infatuation with Princess Tiziana. She soon gave him a son and heir who Vechkas named Koshel after his father and grandfather. The existence of this new heir allowed him to again put off the Royal Council’s attempts to get him to marry. As a reward, he made Tiziana his new spymaster, taking the captured Princess from prisoner to member of the Royal Council and mother of the future Emperor of both empires in less than two years.
Vechkas, being a lustful teenager and the Emperor, still spent time with his other lover, Cherava 'the Unchaste'. This led to another child, a daughter named Tekay. She was named after Vechkas' mother, the Dowager Empress Tekay, who had recently died of camp fever at the age of 45. The young Emperor had been so upset over how badly Physician Putyayka had handled his treatment of his mother that Vechkas had him beheaded. Again, Vechkas didn’t legitimize Tekay, but did allow her to be recognized as his child. But he soon decided that further questionable issue shouldn’t arise and broke off his affair with Cherava.
Vechkas’s realm remained at peace, with only his raiding parties doing any fighting as they continued west after their raids on Saxony. The raiders under Koshel ‘the Strong would raid England and evidently travel as far as Corunna before a determined Moorish army drove them from its shores and they finally returned home with the spoils of their journey.
Part of the reason for the peace within the Empire was that many of the older lords were being replaced by children. King Viryas of Novgorod was killed by Chief Dergun of Tjust. His 2-year old son was crowned as King Viryas II. 10-year old Sangasa Varakid became High Chieftess of Veliky Ustug after her mother was killed by Chief Chipaz of Illyinsk. However, Sangasa did not last long as she was murdered less than a year later, making her 5-year old sister, Tekay Varakid, the next High Chieftess of Veliky Ustug. Around the same time, 4-year old Tutyra Kardazid became High Chief of Mecklenburg after his father was killed by Chief Inzhay of Drutsk. Then Vechkas’ spymaster, Duke Jean II of Poitou, was murdered by Chieftess Parava of Khopyor, leaving his 1-year old daughter Beatrix to become Duchess of Poitou.
The greater reason for peace was the continued disruption caused by the change in government from tribal to feudal. More of Empire’s vassals were making the transition to the new feudal way of life, but this had a profound effect on the size of the available men Vechkas could call upon in times of war. His vassals under the new feudal structure were now required to provide men whenever Vechkas called instead of having the option whether to join him in his wars as tribal allies. But the size of the levys they were required to provide was only a fraction of the men they had available, where before under tribal rule, every able-bodied man would join in a fight. The need for the tribal villages that had been converted to feudal castles to provide gold as well as men meant they needed men to continuing working even during war.
This lack of men had been an issue during the Independence revolt, but mercenaries paid out of the treasury had made up for the shortfall. But this had badly depleted the treasury, and the Empire could not afford to continue to hire mercenaries. Now Vehckas and the Council were looking at their neighbors and realizing their reduced numbers put them at a disadvantage. Vechkas’ grandfather could call upon his tribal vassals and raise enough men to match even the Holy Roman Empire in the field. But with these changed circumstances, Vechkas could hope to raise approximately 23,000 men, and this included his warband, the Merry Men, who made up half that number. It was estimated that Kaiser Anselm of Holy Roman Empire controlled over 86,000 levys across his Empire. Kaiser Anselm was by far the most powerful of Vechkas’ neighbors, but several of the others, Germania, the Byzantines, or the Shia, could match or exceed Vechkas’ strength on their own. And if any Holy War was called against one of these lesser powers, there was always the chance the Holy Roman Empire would step in. So Vechkas wisely chose to not draw attention to his weakened Empire while he worked to build up strength.
Part of his actions called for stream lining the new government and vassal commitments. Towards that end he usurped or created various titles and consolidated power throughout the Empire. Vechkas usurped Duchy of Nyitra and granted it to Chieftess Mazava of Nitra. Vechkas created High Chiefdom of Suomi and granted it to Chief Lemetti of Tavastia. Vechkas usurped Duchy of Pest from Duchess Semeah of Moravia and granted it to King Purysho 'the Sword of the Greatest' of Pannonia. He created the Kingdom of Norway and granted it to High Chief Mordvinko of Vestlandet, making him King Mordvinko of Norway. Vechkas then created the Kingdom of Chernigov and granted it to High Chief Malyy of Meshchera.
In Britannia, Vechkas granted High Chiefdom of East Anglia to Chief Ælfræd of Suffolk. Then he usurped Duchy of Wessex and the Duchy of Hwicce from Duke Óengus of Ulster who was now a vassal of the Holy Roman Empire. Vechkas granted High Chiefdom of Hwicce to Lord Mayor Leofric 'the Butcher' creating a merchant republic. Leofric became the Grand Mayor of Hwicce, founding the House of Hampshire and other merchant houses rose under Patrician Eadweald of Exeter, Patrician Rædwald of Devon, Patrician Wiglaf of Somerset, and Patrician Hereweard of Dorset.
Meanwhile, some of Vechkas’ vassals were doing their own housecleaning. King Purysho 'the Sword of the Great Bear' of Pannonia created the High Chiefdom of Transylvania after his victory in a Holy War. Syrka Ryazan usurped High Chiefdom of Sakamara. High Chief Tyueykezhut 'the Lord of Smolensk' usurped Chuvash and the Chiefdom of Cheremisa. Ovtay usurped the High Chiefdom of Bjarmia. High Chief Shindyay of Mazovia usurped Naklo from King Hildebert of Poland. And Shoksha 'the Usurper' usurped the Kingdom of Galicia-Volhynia from the traitor Velmayka who still rotted in Vechkas’ dungeon.
So things progressed in the Empire for seven years. The Council, led by Princess Tiziana, continued to press for the Vechkas to take a wife, even though he was content with the status quo. But after repeated urging, he finally agreed. To Princess Tiziana’s chagrin, he did not make her Empress as she had hoped, instead Vechkas arranged a betrothal to a girl named Kat Numid, the daughter of High Chief Num 'the Wicked' of Pechora. Kat Numid was only 6-years old allowing Vechkas to extend his freedom from a wife for another 10 years, though the girl was said to be gifted, a genius, and should be an asset when she finally came of age and took her place at Vechkas’ side.
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Thank you for explaining not revoking titles. The boost to popularity for granting title is just between you and recipient not heirs of either. Vassal manpower is greater in defensive wars than the tooltip as the liege gets an opinion boost. Was Duke Jean's murder part of being spymaster or a normal murder plot? (If the murderer did not get a malus then spymaster). Enjoy the peace and thank you for updating.
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Being a spymaster is a dangerous and thankless task, most of mine do not die of natural causes. I don't know the specifics, but assume that Duke Jean's end was work related as he had no disgruntled vassals and his daughter was a bit young to be plotting murder to gain her inheritance.
Other than a few direct vassal Chiefs and Counts and the Grand Mayor of Hwicce who follow the Suomenusko gods, most of the lords and ladies of Britannia are still Catholic. However, most of them are not direct vassals of Emperor Vechkas, but rather the vassals of the two Catholic Seisyllwg monarchs of Wales and Scotland who between them control 90 percent of Britannia. Now that the two Empires have merged, these Catholic Kings and Queens have not challenged Vechkas, though they don't like him much.
Should have a new Chapter up in a day or so.
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1244-1250 The Templar War (aka the Holy War for Essex)
1244-1250 The Templar War (aka the Holy War for Essex)
The years of general peace across both Empires was good for the common folk and for the young Emperor to recover from decades of war and chaos. Not all his vassals agreed, but they limited their need for violence by fighting amongst themselves or attacking some of the Empire’s weaker neighbors. This help consolidate power within the Empire and push the boundaries of the Empire out slightly. But as the years passed, it became clear that the Emperor would need to prove himself to a people, whether tribal or feudal, who respected warriors. All of the victories during his reign so far had come during the regency period under the leadership of the Council. Now that he ruled in fact as well as name, Vechkas needed a substantial victory that was clearly his own. Vechkas agreed with this feeling and he already had something in mind.
Almost 30 years ago, Vechkas’ mad father, as the newly crowned Emperor of Britannia, had launched an ill-conceived and poorly planned war against the Templar Knights to try and drive them from Britannia’s shores. That had been an unmitigated disaster despite the aid of his grandfather Koshel ‘the Wise’. His father had suffered a humiliating defeat that had led to further revolts against his rule that had continued after his death into Vechkas’ reign. Vechkas was now ready to try once again to dislodge the Holy Order’s hold on the heart of England, but this time he would do it right.
Over sixty years ago, the Knights Templar had turned on Vechkas’ great-grand aunt, Empress Wulfrun of Britannia, and seized the heart of her Empire, the Duchy of Essex (and additional lands), for themselves, proving that this so-called Holy Order was just as venal and greedy as any other band of mercenaries. The St. Cuthbert Emperors had been good to the Knights Templar, granting them castles throughout Britannia’s holdings in the British Isles and in France and Aquitaine, but that hadn’t stopped the Knights from turning on them without warning. Vechkas was now ready to repay that betrayal of the St. Cuthbert branch of his ancestry and reclaim Essex as the first step to driving the Templars from Britannia.
Towards that end, before even declaring war, he raised a fleet from his British vassals and had them deliver the Merry Men to the County of Suffolk, where they were in striking distance of the Templar holding in the Barony of Havering and then just a step away from the Templar’s primary holdings in Middlesex County. The Merry Men were led by Vechkas’ commanders, Vasilko, Koshel ‘the Strong’ and Kichay. Vechkas himself would remain behind in Riga. His oldest boy Malyaka had just become his ward and his concubine Princess Tiziana was pregnant with her second child. Of course, Koshel 'the Strong' and his wife had just had another child, a daughter named Valdava, but he didn’t get to stay with them as he wasn’t the Emperor.
In November of 1246, Vechkas sent a declaration of war to Grandmaster Aspar of the Knights Templar, a Holy War for the Duchy of Essex. As luck would have it, Pope Nicolaus II 'the Mule' would call for a Crusade against Caliph Talib to reclaim Egypt a month later. This ended the Grandmaster’s hopes for aid from the three Catholic Empires or any other Catholic ruler, the lure of loot and glory in ancient Egypt was more enticing than defending the Holy Order’s lands in the British Isles. Instead, only England, who rightly feared that they would be next, joined the Knights Templar in the defense of Essex.
The war starts with a few skirmishes outside the Templar castles in Wexford and Dunragit in Ireland and Scotland, respectively. But the first real battle takes place outside the Templar Castle of Havering in Essex, with the 10,000 Merry Men easily defeating a smaller Templar army of 4,000 men.
Surprisingly, the next major Battle takes place outside of Riga. Vechkas had not studied his history so he was caught by surprise when a large Templar army began landing in Riga. This had been a standard tactic used by the British in their wars with the Suomenusko before the two Empires had merged. This surprise move forced Vechkas to meet the larger Templar army with a much smaller force to try and keep them from landing. During the battle, Vechkas personally fights the Knight Boson Udonen, the brother of the Duke of Aquitaine, and kills the young Knight. But despite Vechkas’ men putting up a stout fight, breaking the center of the attack and badly mauling both flanks, there are just too many of them, and outnumbered 5 to 1, Vechkas is forced to retreat.
He is forced to leave Princess Tiziana, who soon gives birth to a daughter during the siege of Riga, who is named Tatka after the legendary Empress Tatka 'the Bold', Vechkas’ great-great-grandmother. The new Princess is born sickly, but Shaman Setyanka is doing all he can. Coincidently, Koshel 'the Strong's his wife gives birth to another child as well, a son named Tylmache.
While the siege continues a smugglers’ ring forms in Riga to run the Templar blockade and smuggle people out of the besieged fortress. As Vechkas regroups outside of Riga, gathering more levys to join him in hopes of becoming strong enough to break the siege of Riga. Several of his vassals come to him. King Tikshayka of Khazaria, Vechkas' brother-in-law pleads on behalf of one of Vechkas' prisoners, High Chief Dergun 'the Cleansing Flame', but Vechkas convinces him that releasing a traitor in the middle of a war is not the best idea, even if he could free a prisoner within the besieged fortress from outside of it. High Chief Oscytel of Cumbria comes asking for land for his sons, he says he is confident that the war will be won and there will be land to hand out, Vechkas refuses to count his chickens before they hatch and makes no promises. Then an envoy arrives from Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark. It seems the Duke has declared war on the Empire to claim Sopron. Vechkas has the man whipped from his camp.
Back in the British Isles the Merry Men have rendezvoused with the local levys in Britannia swelling their numbers to over 20,000 men. They first catch a small Templar army that was threatening the Grand City of Cirencester. The Battle of Cirencester is an overwhelming victory with the Merry Men slaughtering 3,000 of the 4,500 Knights outside the city. Bishop Leofheah of Southwark is captured in the battle.
The Merry Men then march east and catch the main Templar army at Dunmow, 20,000 men vs 15,000 Knights. The Battle of Dunmow is another overwhelming victory, the Merry Men lose 850 while the Knights lose almost 7,000 and capture Eadfrith, a warrior of England, the Knights’ only ally.
Riga is still under siege and will fall any day and Vechkas has not been able to gather enough levys to break the siege, so he decides to hire mercenaries to drive them off. The Rus Company, numbering over 10,000 men, is hired for a paltry 375 gold up front, but a staggering 60 gold per month to keep.
But before Vechkas can meet up with his newly hired army, Riga and Ledurga fall in quick succession. Luckily, his two sons Malyaka and Prince Koshel, his daughter Tekay, as well as Princess Tiziana and his new daughter, Princess Tatka, manage to escape the fall of Riga and find safety. However, Vechkas and the Rus Company soon fall upon the Templar army like avenging angels. In the Battle of Salaspils, Vechkas leads the Rus Company and other levys to drive the Templars from Riga.
During the battle, Vechkas challenges Prince Giselbert of Sardinia and Corsica to personal combat, but they are separated in the chaos before a victor can be decided. But the Battle of Salaspils is a great victory with the mercenary company smashing the Templar knights, leaving 3,500 dead, while the remaining 5,000 flee. Vechkas lets them run for now, intent on freeing Riga and Ledurga from the enemy garrisons.
The war in the British Isles continues to go well. Westminster Castle is captured and then the Merry Men attacked another Templar army in Essex. The Battle of Waltham pitted 16,5000 Merry Men and British levys against 7,500 Knights. The Battle was won with the Knights losing almost half their number while the Merry Men lost barely 100. Commander Vasilko then led the army back to Middlesex to besiege the City of London.
Vechkas had just liberated Riga and Ledurga when he received disturbing news, Princess Tiziana was murdered by Chief Kubrat of Chud. He is shocked not understanding why. Perhaps Tiziana as spymaster had discovered that Chief Kubrat had had something to do with the recent peasant revolt in Chud. High Chieftess Tikshayka 'the Purifier' of Bashkiria becomes new spymaster and is sent to uncover the truth. But that would be dealt with later, Vechkas is more concerned about his son, Tiziana’s son, Prince Koshel. Vechkas becomes guardian to Prince Koshel to try and help him deal with the loss of his mother.
The Merry Men and the British levys capture London and St. Pauls. And then they fight the most significant battle of the Templar war, Battle of Maldon, with 16,000 warriors facing over 10,000 knights. It is harder fight than the previous battles, but Vechkas’ men prove victorious with 5,500 knights slaughtered at a cost of 1,800 warriors. Smaller battles follow at Waltham, where Ecgfrith Burke is captured and at London where a small Templar army is butchered to the last man, no survivors. Finally, Tottenham Castle is captured.
Vechkas and the Rus Company were also busy, they track down the Templars and bring them to battle at Stezyca where they kill half of the 7,000 Knights with the rest fleeing west towards Germania.
News come from the south that the Catholics have won the Crusade for Egypt against Caliph Talib. Duke Siddray of Baden is granted victory by Pope Nicolaus II and grants Seisyll Seisyllwg the throne of Egypt as Sultan Seisyll 'the Pilgrim'. But Grandmaster Aspar has little hope that the victorious Crusaders will now flock to his aid in time to save him, his armies are broken and his remaining cities lie open for sack and pillage. When Vechkas sends him terms for surrender, Grandmaster Aspar has no choice but to surrender all his holdings in the Duchy of Essex. Vechkas is proclaimed as 'the Sword of Kuu' for his victory over the Knights Templar.
The new lands include 15 major holdings. Vechkas decides to hold onto the county titles of Middlesex, Bedford and Northampton as well as the Barony of Tottenham in Middlesex. The Barony of Havering is granted to Duchess Margaret of Glywysing who holds the County of Essex. Vechkas works with Commanders Vasilko, Koshel ‘the Strong’ and Kichay to award those who fought well with the rest of the holdings, the cities and temples in Middlesex, Bedford and Northampton including: The cities of Staines and London and the temples of Fulham and St. Pauls in Middlesex; The temples of Berkhamsted and St. Albans and the City of Hertford in Bedford; And the temples of Peterborough and Crowland and the City of Cambridge in Northampton. Vechkas also usurped the Order of Essex (the Templar’s named for the High Chiefdom of Essex) from Grandmaster Aspar.
The British levys were then dismissed and the Merry Men stand down, their war was over, but the Rus Company and the Suomenusko levys were not finished. Vechkas finally turned his attention to the Styrian claim on Sopron. Vechkas and Rus Company quickly free Sopron and Györ which had been captured by Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark. Then they free Csorna and Borsmonostor. Once all of Sopron was back in his hands, Vechkas lead the mercenaries in search of the Duke’s army. They find them at Sárbogárd. The Battle of Sárbogárd sees the Rus Company defeat the Steiermark army, killing 4,000 men and losing only 500.
Vechkas and the Rus Company follow the fleeing army into Steiermark and quickly capture Pitten, Fischau, and Wiener Neustadt. Duke Chlodomer’s army circled back around and returned to besiege Sopron. Vechlas rushes back to Sopron and fights the Battle of Sopron, killing two thirds of Duke Chlodomer’s remaining men. With that victory, Vechkas dismisses the Rus Company, their upkeep had drained more than half his treasury and he knew he had no more need of them to finish this war. Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark knew it as well as he eagerly agrees to terms to end hostilities, including 488 gold in reparations. The War is over and the Empire is once more at peace.
The years of general peace across both Empires was good for the common folk and for the young Emperor to recover from decades of war and chaos. Not all his vassals agreed, but they limited their need for violence by fighting amongst themselves or attacking some of the Empire’s weaker neighbors. This help consolidate power within the Empire and push the boundaries of the Empire out slightly. But as the years passed, it became clear that the Emperor would need to prove himself to a people, whether tribal or feudal, who respected warriors. All of the victories during his reign so far had come during the regency period under the leadership of the Council. Now that he ruled in fact as well as name, Vechkas needed a substantial victory that was clearly his own. Vechkas agreed with this feeling and he already had something in mind.
Almost 30 years ago, Vechkas’ mad father, as the newly crowned Emperor of Britannia, had launched an ill-conceived and poorly planned war against the Templar Knights to try and drive them from Britannia’s shores. That had been an unmitigated disaster despite the aid of his grandfather Koshel ‘the Wise’. His father had suffered a humiliating defeat that had led to further revolts against his rule that had continued after his death into Vechkas’ reign. Vechkas was now ready to try once again to dislodge the Holy Order’s hold on the heart of England, but this time he would do it right.
Over sixty years ago, the Knights Templar had turned on Vechkas’ great-grand aunt, Empress Wulfrun of Britannia, and seized the heart of her Empire, the Duchy of Essex (and additional lands), for themselves, proving that this so-called Holy Order was just as venal and greedy as any other band of mercenaries. The St. Cuthbert Emperors had been good to the Knights Templar, granting them castles throughout Britannia’s holdings in the British Isles and in France and Aquitaine, but that hadn’t stopped the Knights from turning on them without warning. Vechkas was now ready to repay that betrayal of the St. Cuthbert branch of his ancestry and reclaim Essex as the first step to driving the Templars from Britannia.
Towards that end, before even declaring war, he raised a fleet from his British vassals and had them deliver the Merry Men to the County of Suffolk, where they were in striking distance of the Templar holding in the Barony of Havering and then just a step away from the Templar’s primary holdings in Middlesex County. The Merry Men were led by Vechkas’ commanders, Vasilko, Koshel ‘the Strong’ and Kichay. Vechkas himself would remain behind in Riga. His oldest boy Malyaka had just become his ward and his concubine Princess Tiziana was pregnant with her second child. Of course, Koshel 'the Strong' and his wife had just had another child, a daughter named Valdava, but he didn’t get to stay with them as he wasn’t the Emperor.
In November of 1246, Vechkas sent a declaration of war to Grandmaster Aspar of the Knights Templar, a Holy War for the Duchy of Essex. As luck would have it, Pope Nicolaus II 'the Mule' would call for a Crusade against Caliph Talib to reclaim Egypt a month later. This ended the Grandmaster’s hopes for aid from the three Catholic Empires or any other Catholic ruler, the lure of loot and glory in ancient Egypt was more enticing than defending the Holy Order’s lands in the British Isles. Instead, only England, who rightly feared that they would be next, joined the Knights Templar in the defense of Essex.
The war starts with a few skirmishes outside the Templar castles in Wexford and Dunragit in Ireland and Scotland, respectively. But the first real battle takes place outside the Templar Castle of Havering in Essex, with the 10,000 Merry Men easily defeating a smaller Templar army of 4,000 men.
Surprisingly, the next major Battle takes place outside of Riga. Vechkas had not studied his history so he was caught by surprise when a large Templar army began landing in Riga. This had been a standard tactic used by the British in their wars with the Suomenusko before the two Empires had merged. This surprise move forced Vechkas to meet the larger Templar army with a much smaller force to try and keep them from landing. During the battle, Vechkas personally fights the Knight Boson Udonen, the brother of the Duke of Aquitaine, and kills the young Knight. But despite Vechkas’ men putting up a stout fight, breaking the center of the attack and badly mauling both flanks, there are just too many of them, and outnumbered 5 to 1, Vechkas is forced to retreat.
He is forced to leave Princess Tiziana, who soon gives birth to a daughter during the siege of Riga, who is named Tatka after the legendary Empress Tatka 'the Bold', Vechkas’ great-great-grandmother. The new Princess is born sickly, but Shaman Setyanka is doing all he can. Coincidently, Koshel 'the Strong's his wife gives birth to another child as well, a son named Tylmache.
While the siege continues a smugglers’ ring forms in Riga to run the Templar blockade and smuggle people out of the besieged fortress. As Vechkas regroups outside of Riga, gathering more levys to join him in hopes of becoming strong enough to break the siege of Riga. Several of his vassals come to him. King Tikshayka of Khazaria, Vechkas' brother-in-law pleads on behalf of one of Vechkas' prisoners, High Chief Dergun 'the Cleansing Flame', but Vechkas convinces him that releasing a traitor in the middle of a war is not the best idea, even if he could free a prisoner within the besieged fortress from outside of it. High Chief Oscytel of Cumbria comes asking for land for his sons, he says he is confident that the war will be won and there will be land to hand out, Vechkas refuses to count his chickens before they hatch and makes no promises. Then an envoy arrives from Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark. It seems the Duke has declared war on the Empire to claim Sopron. Vechkas has the man whipped from his camp.
Back in the British Isles the Merry Men have rendezvoused with the local levys in Britannia swelling their numbers to over 20,000 men. They first catch a small Templar army that was threatening the Grand City of Cirencester. The Battle of Cirencester is an overwhelming victory with the Merry Men slaughtering 3,000 of the 4,500 Knights outside the city. Bishop Leofheah of Southwark is captured in the battle.
The Merry Men then march east and catch the main Templar army at Dunmow, 20,000 men vs 15,000 Knights. The Battle of Dunmow is another overwhelming victory, the Merry Men lose 850 while the Knights lose almost 7,000 and capture Eadfrith, a warrior of England, the Knights’ only ally.
Riga is still under siege and will fall any day and Vechkas has not been able to gather enough levys to break the siege, so he decides to hire mercenaries to drive them off. The Rus Company, numbering over 10,000 men, is hired for a paltry 375 gold up front, but a staggering 60 gold per month to keep.
But before Vechkas can meet up with his newly hired army, Riga and Ledurga fall in quick succession. Luckily, his two sons Malyaka and Prince Koshel, his daughter Tekay, as well as Princess Tiziana and his new daughter, Princess Tatka, manage to escape the fall of Riga and find safety. However, Vechkas and the Rus Company soon fall upon the Templar army like avenging angels. In the Battle of Salaspils, Vechkas leads the Rus Company and other levys to drive the Templars from Riga.
During the battle, Vechkas challenges Prince Giselbert of Sardinia and Corsica to personal combat, but they are separated in the chaos before a victor can be decided. But the Battle of Salaspils is a great victory with the mercenary company smashing the Templar knights, leaving 3,500 dead, while the remaining 5,000 flee. Vechkas lets them run for now, intent on freeing Riga and Ledurga from the enemy garrisons.
The war in the British Isles continues to go well. Westminster Castle is captured and then the Merry Men attacked another Templar army in Essex. The Battle of Waltham pitted 16,5000 Merry Men and British levys against 7,500 Knights. The Battle was won with the Knights losing almost half their number while the Merry Men lost barely 100. Commander Vasilko then led the army back to Middlesex to besiege the City of London.
Vechkas had just liberated Riga and Ledurga when he received disturbing news, Princess Tiziana was murdered by Chief Kubrat of Chud. He is shocked not understanding why. Perhaps Tiziana as spymaster had discovered that Chief Kubrat had had something to do with the recent peasant revolt in Chud. High Chieftess Tikshayka 'the Purifier' of Bashkiria becomes new spymaster and is sent to uncover the truth. But that would be dealt with later, Vechkas is more concerned about his son, Tiziana’s son, Prince Koshel. Vechkas becomes guardian to Prince Koshel to try and help him deal with the loss of his mother.
The Merry Men and the British levys capture London and St. Pauls. And then they fight the most significant battle of the Templar war, Battle of Maldon, with 16,000 warriors facing over 10,000 knights. It is harder fight than the previous battles, but Vechkas’ men prove victorious with 5,500 knights slaughtered at a cost of 1,800 warriors. Smaller battles follow at Waltham, where Ecgfrith Burke is captured and at London where a small Templar army is butchered to the last man, no survivors. Finally, Tottenham Castle is captured.
Vechkas and the Rus Company were also busy, they track down the Templars and bring them to battle at Stezyca where they kill half of the 7,000 Knights with the rest fleeing west towards Germania.
News come from the south that the Catholics have won the Crusade for Egypt against Caliph Talib. Duke Siddray of Baden is granted victory by Pope Nicolaus II and grants Seisyll Seisyllwg the throne of Egypt as Sultan Seisyll 'the Pilgrim'. But Grandmaster Aspar has little hope that the victorious Crusaders will now flock to his aid in time to save him, his armies are broken and his remaining cities lie open for sack and pillage. When Vechkas sends him terms for surrender, Grandmaster Aspar has no choice but to surrender all his holdings in the Duchy of Essex. Vechkas is proclaimed as 'the Sword of Kuu' for his victory over the Knights Templar.
The new lands include 15 major holdings. Vechkas decides to hold onto the county titles of Middlesex, Bedford and Northampton as well as the Barony of Tottenham in Middlesex. The Barony of Havering is granted to Duchess Margaret of Glywysing who holds the County of Essex. Vechkas works with Commanders Vasilko, Koshel ‘the Strong’ and Kichay to award those who fought well with the rest of the holdings, the cities and temples in Middlesex, Bedford and Northampton including: The cities of Staines and London and the temples of Fulham and St. Pauls in Middlesex; The temples of Berkhamsted and St. Albans and the City of Hertford in Bedford; And the temples of Peterborough and Crowland and the City of Cambridge in Northampton. Vechkas also usurped the Order of Essex (the Templar’s named for the High Chiefdom of Essex) from Grandmaster Aspar.
The British levys were then dismissed and the Merry Men stand down, their war was over, but the Rus Company and the Suomenusko levys were not finished. Vechkas finally turned his attention to the Styrian claim on Sopron. Vechkas and Rus Company quickly free Sopron and Györ which had been captured by Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark. Then they free Csorna and Borsmonostor. Once all of Sopron was back in his hands, Vechkas lead the mercenaries in search of the Duke’s army. They find them at Sárbogárd. The Battle of Sárbogárd sees the Rus Company defeat the Steiermark army, killing 4,000 men and losing only 500.
Vechkas and the Rus Company follow the fleeing army into Steiermark and quickly capture Pitten, Fischau, and Wiener Neustadt. Duke Chlodomer’s army circled back around and returned to besiege Sopron. Vechlas rushes back to Sopron and fights the Battle of Sopron, killing two thirds of Duke Chlodomer’s remaining men. With that victory, Vechkas dismisses the Rus Company, their upkeep had drained more than half his treasury and he knew he had no more need of them to finish this war. Duke Chlodomer 'the Purifier' of Steiermark knew it as well as he eagerly agrees to terms to end hostilities, including 488 gold in reparations. The War is over and the Empire is once more at peace.
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Great victory over the Knights Templar, if only you could have found their hidden horde to replenish your treasury. The spymaster murder mechanics are horrendous. 1) Intrigue values of spymaster and murderer are ignored. 2) No arrest warrant issued for killing major employee (often ruler's spouse) even though the guilty party is known. Thank you for the update.
Yes, it was good to regain a large chunk of England from the Templars and good that only England came to their aid rather than it turning into a world war. It would have been nice to claim their hoard as they are the richest realm in the world, richer than the Pope himself.
It appears Princess Tiziana died to some 'kill the spymaster' event rather than a simple murder plot.
It appears Princess Tiziana died to some 'kill the spymaster' event rather than a simple murder plot.
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1250 - The World of 1250
1250 - The World of 1250
The first half of the thirteenth century had seen many changes in those 50 years. In the west, the most drastic ones were to the Christian world. The fall of Britannia and then Pannonia to the Suomenusko pagans was a huge blow especially as both ultimately merged with that vast Empire. The loss of Jerusalem to the Muslims and Crusader Egypt to a Jihad were additional blows, though two subsequent Crusades saw victory, claiming Saxony back from the Suomenusko and reclaiming Egypt most recently back from the Sunni. But these smaller victories did not make up for the loss of the two more powerful Christian realms and the claim on the Holy Land.
In the East and Far East was also a time of drastic change. The rise of the Mongol Horde on the northern Steppe was at first ignored, but their conquest of the China and placing one of their own on the Jade Throne, Emperor Jingzu Borjigin, was felt throughout the known world. They then swept back east all the way to Ural Mountains.
The ambitious Tsenpo Tong Pude III, who had usurped his throne from his kinswoman Tsenno Tong Konchong and then forced the deposed Empress to marry him to legitimize his rule, further betrayed his people by cowardly kneeling to Protector General Bedugun 'the Just'of the Western Protectorate without a fight and becoming a tributary. With the mighty Tibetan Empire bending the knee to these new Mongol overlords, they appear to be unstoppable.
Only Khagan Alipshul 'the Lion' of Uzur and his Uyghur clan managed to retain some independence while in the path of the Horde, though not without significant losses of their grazing lands to the Mongols. Khagan Bulan II 'the Mutilator of Ashina also hangs on, though the Mongol Empire threatens from the east.
The death of Khagan Temujin has placed Khagan Jochi 'the Eastern Wind', the heir to Temujin and brother to Emperor Jingzu of China, at the head of the Mongol Empire. The world waits to see if he is the conqueror that his father was.
The rest of the world saw less drastic changes as life continued across Europe, Africa, Asia, and India the followers of the Muslim, Christian and Eastern faiths.
Caliph Bahir II 'the Butcher' Fadlid, is the current spiritual and temporal leader of the Shia faithful. The Shia have held strong over the past half century and expanded their holdings slightly, taking Wallachia from the Volga Ural Empire, and other territory from the Sultanate of Hamdan as well as gaining some spoils in the fall of Jerusalem, but losing a couple counties to the Byzantine Empire.
Caliph Talib 'the Usurper' Umayyad overthrew the previous Caliph Hussayn III in 1230. His justification for his usurping the crown was that the Sunni Umayyad Empire, also called the Empire of Hispania, has continued to be pushed out of the Iberian Peninsula by the encroaching Holy Roman Empire. The Umayyad still have a substantial powerbase in the east stretching from Persia to East Africa. The successful Jihad for Egypt allowed them to expand further into East Africa and destruction of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem gained more in the Holy Land. Though the loss of Egypt in the most recent Crusade was a terrible blow to Caliph Talib's claims that he was justified in usurping the title.
Emir Sami of the Alimid Emirate had broken free of the Umayyad Empire during the Civil War that had seen Talib come to power. Now he finds himself caught between his old master and the restored Catholic power to the north in Egypt.
Badshah Abdul-Gafur is the current ruler of the al-Ma'afiri Empire. The al-Ma'afiri Empire lost some ground to the Holy Roman Empire and Ghana in the west, but gained more land in the east to make up for it. They still control the heart of sub-Saharan Africa
Sultan Fadil II of Ghana remains alive in west Africa, gaining a little ground from the al-Ma'afiri Empire and losing a little ground to the Holy Romana Empire.
Pope Nicolaus II 'the Mule' is the latest leader of the Catholic faith. He is relatively young and just lead a successful Crusade for Egypt. This is the second successful Crusade of the past half century following the Crusade for Saxony led by Pope Stephanus VII 'the Blessed' against Empress Tatka 'the Bold' 40 years earlier. The Papacy’s personal holdings grew only with the Duchy of Benevento taken from Sicily. The rest of its scattered holdings remain intact. Though the loss of Jerusalem was a blow to the moral of the faithful.
Grandmaster Aspar of the Knights Templar has suffered a serious setback with the loss of the Order of Essex to the Emperor Vechkas. The Templars only major land holding left is the County of Kent, but that will soon be under threat once the truce expires. The rest of the Templar holdings are widely scattered castles from Dunnure in Scotland to Arsuf in the Holy Land. But the Templars do have the largest treasury in the world and still remain a force to be reckoned with.
Grandmaster Alim of the Knights of Sardinia, a former Prince of Sicily, is the current leader of the Holy Order. With the recent defeat of the Templars in the Holy War for Essex, the Knights of Sardinia are unchallenged as the most powerful of the Catholic Holy Orders as they maintain their vast holdings in Africa and their seat on the island of Sardinia. They also have a new outpost far to the east between the Byzantine Empire and the Shia Caliphate of the Fadlid.
Basileus Staurakios of the Byzantine Empire, of House Sakellarios rules the Catholic Byzantine Empire which has slightly expanded its territory during the first half of the century, gaining ground around the Gulf of Azov, expanding into Salerno in Italy and taking a few counties near Antioch. But more of its growth has been internal development, with its military power growing by almost 50%. It is unable to take advantage of that strength at the moment due to outstanding debt, but once its finances are in order it may resume its period of expansion.
Sultan Shaiban of Sicily. The Danadolo's still control Sicily and remain unchanged except having to cede the Duchy of Benevento to his Holiness the Pope, but gaining the merchant city of Amalfi. King Stinian II of Nubia retains the lands from first Crusade for Egypt that survived the Jihad. The latest Crusade for Egypt restored a Crusader Kingdom of Egypt, but did not give the crown to King Stinian the true heir of Egypt, instead it was given to one of his distant cousins from Britannia. Sultan Seisyll 'the Pilgrim' of Egypt is the newly crowned King following the successful Crusade. Still settling into his new position. King Dyfinwal of Cyrenaica rules a small Catholic Kingdom that split off of Nubia during the chaos following the victorious Jihad for Egypt. Sultan Asaru of the Tiljadid Sultanate gained their independence from the Empire of Germania.
King Inwer 'the Merry' of England. England has lost land since the rise of the Kardazid Emperors of Britannia, only barely hanging on and his refusal to accept repeated offers of vassalization into Britannia has doomed him.
Kaiser Anselm 'the Holy' of the Holy Roman Empire of House Ringling. The Holy Roman Empire gained significant ground in the past 50 years. As well as it's slow gains, county by county, against its weaker sibling Germania and its continued advance across the Iberian Peninsula against the Umayyad Empire, it took full advantage of chaos in the Empire of Britannia following the crowning of Emperor Koshel 'the Usurper' by his father Koshel 'the Wise' of the Volga-Ural Empire in 1214.During the decades of revolts in Britannia that followed, during Koshel 'the Usurper' reign and Vechkas' regency, the Holy Roman Empire expanded in the Isles and claimed the Duchy of Ulster, securig a strong foothold in Britannia as well as ending up with a significant portion of Britannia's lost holdings in France and Aquitaine.. This all coming together to make the Holy Roman Empire the most powerful realm in the world.
King Baldarich of Germania of House Udonen. The young Kaiser was sorely wounded during the recent Crusade, losing an eye and a leg. Germaina has lost some land to the Holy Roman Empire and lost much of its holding in Africa to an independence revolt, but it did gain some land in the east during the fall of Pannonia as that Catholic Khanate was conquered by the Volga-Ural Empire in a great holy war. Despite any overall losses of land, it has continued to grow in power with internal development with its military strength almost doubling.
In India, Maharaja Rampal rules the Ayudha Kingdom. The Ayudha have lost ground in the struggle to control India, losing the unified strength they had at the end of the last century.
Maharaja Sankama II is the leader of the Rashtrakura Kingdom and the Rashtrakura dynasty. The Rashtrakura dynasty continues to be the other major player in the struggle for India. Sankama leads the main branch of the dynasty and controls the largest Kingdom
Maharaja Neetimarga 'the Vengeful' rules Kosala. The Rashtrakura dynasty managed to break off a piece of the Ayudha Kingdom and forge the independent Kingdom of Kosala. Several smaller realms in the north also broke free of Ayudha around the same time.
Maharaja Singhana rules the Avinitid Kingdom. The Avinitid managed to break free of the Rashtrakura Kingdom and claim the southern tip of India for their own.
Finally, at the edge of the known world, Maharani Ramani is the current ruler of the Lambakanna Kingdom. The Lambkanna Kingdom has managed to stay out of the ongoing struggles on the Indian mainland and prosper.
The first half of the thirteenth century had seen many changes in those 50 years. In the west, the most drastic ones were to the Christian world. The fall of Britannia and then Pannonia to the Suomenusko pagans was a huge blow especially as both ultimately merged with that vast Empire. The loss of Jerusalem to the Muslims and Crusader Egypt to a Jihad were additional blows, though two subsequent Crusades saw victory, claiming Saxony back from the Suomenusko and reclaiming Egypt most recently back from the Sunni. But these smaller victories did not make up for the loss of the two more powerful Christian realms and the claim on the Holy Land.
In the East and Far East was also a time of drastic change. The rise of the Mongol Horde on the northern Steppe was at first ignored, but their conquest of the China and placing one of their own on the Jade Throne, Emperor Jingzu Borjigin, was felt throughout the known world. They then swept back east all the way to Ural Mountains.
The ambitious Tsenpo Tong Pude III, who had usurped his throne from his kinswoman Tsenno Tong Konchong and then forced the deposed Empress to marry him to legitimize his rule, further betrayed his people by cowardly kneeling to Protector General Bedugun 'the Just'of the Western Protectorate without a fight and becoming a tributary. With the mighty Tibetan Empire bending the knee to these new Mongol overlords, they appear to be unstoppable.
Only Khagan Alipshul 'the Lion' of Uzur and his Uyghur clan managed to retain some independence while in the path of the Horde, though not without significant losses of their grazing lands to the Mongols. Khagan Bulan II 'the Mutilator of Ashina also hangs on, though the Mongol Empire threatens from the east.
The death of Khagan Temujin has placed Khagan Jochi 'the Eastern Wind', the heir to Temujin and brother to Emperor Jingzu of China, at the head of the Mongol Empire. The world waits to see if he is the conqueror that his father was.
The rest of the world saw less drastic changes as life continued across Europe, Africa, Asia, and India the followers of the Muslim, Christian and Eastern faiths.
Caliph Bahir II 'the Butcher' Fadlid, is the current spiritual and temporal leader of the Shia faithful. The Shia have held strong over the past half century and expanded their holdings slightly, taking Wallachia from the Volga Ural Empire, and other territory from the Sultanate of Hamdan as well as gaining some spoils in the fall of Jerusalem, but losing a couple counties to the Byzantine Empire.
Caliph Talib 'the Usurper' Umayyad overthrew the previous Caliph Hussayn III in 1230. His justification for his usurping the crown was that the Sunni Umayyad Empire, also called the Empire of Hispania, has continued to be pushed out of the Iberian Peninsula by the encroaching Holy Roman Empire. The Umayyad still have a substantial powerbase in the east stretching from Persia to East Africa. The successful Jihad for Egypt allowed them to expand further into East Africa and destruction of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem gained more in the Holy Land. Though the loss of Egypt in the most recent Crusade was a terrible blow to Caliph Talib's claims that he was justified in usurping the title.
Emir Sami of the Alimid Emirate had broken free of the Umayyad Empire during the Civil War that had seen Talib come to power. Now he finds himself caught between his old master and the restored Catholic power to the north in Egypt.
Badshah Abdul-Gafur is the current ruler of the al-Ma'afiri Empire. The al-Ma'afiri Empire lost some ground to the Holy Roman Empire and Ghana in the west, but gained more land in the east to make up for it. They still control the heart of sub-Saharan Africa
Sultan Fadil II of Ghana remains alive in west Africa, gaining a little ground from the al-Ma'afiri Empire and losing a little ground to the Holy Romana Empire.
Pope Nicolaus II 'the Mule' is the latest leader of the Catholic faith. He is relatively young and just lead a successful Crusade for Egypt. This is the second successful Crusade of the past half century following the Crusade for Saxony led by Pope Stephanus VII 'the Blessed' against Empress Tatka 'the Bold' 40 years earlier. The Papacy’s personal holdings grew only with the Duchy of Benevento taken from Sicily. The rest of its scattered holdings remain intact. Though the loss of Jerusalem was a blow to the moral of the faithful.
Grandmaster Aspar of the Knights Templar has suffered a serious setback with the loss of the Order of Essex to the Emperor Vechkas. The Templars only major land holding left is the County of Kent, but that will soon be under threat once the truce expires. The rest of the Templar holdings are widely scattered castles from Dunnure in Scotland to Arsuf in the Holy Land. But the Templars do have the largest treasury in the world and still remain a force to be reckoned with.
Grandmaster Alim of the Knights of Sardinia, a former Prince of Sicily, is the current leader of the Holy Order. With the recent defeat of the Templars in the Holy War for Essex, the Knights of Sardinia are unchallenged as the most powerful of the Catholic Holy Orders as they maintain their vast holdings in Africa and their seat on the island of Sardinia. They also have a new outpost far to the east between the Byzantine Empire and the Shia Caliphate of the Fadlid.
Basileus Staurakios of the Byzantine Empire, of House Sakellarios rules the Catholic Byzantine Empire which has slightly expanded its territory during the first half of the century, gaining ground around the Gulf of Azov, expanding into Salerno in Italy and taking a few counties near Antioch. But more of its growth has been internal development, with its military power growing by almost 50%. It is unable to take advantage of that strength at the moment due to outstanding debt, but once its finances are in order it may resume its period of expansion.
Sultan Shaiban of Sicily. The Danadolo's still control Sicily and remain unchanged except having to cede the Duchy of Benevento to his Holiness the Pope, but gaining the merchant city of Amalfi. King Stinian II of Nubia retains the lands from first Crusade for Egypt that survived the Jihad. The latest Crusade for Egypt restored a Crusader Kingdom of Egypt, but did not give the crown to King Stinian the true heir of Egypt, instead it was given to one of his distant cousins from Britannia. Sultan Seisyll 'the Pilgrim' of Egypt is the newly crowned King following the successful Crusade. Still settling into his new position. King Dyfinwal of Cyrenaica rules a small Catholic Kingdom that split off of Nubia during the chaos following the victorious Jihad for Egypt. Sultan Asaru of the Tiljadid Sultanate gained their independence from the Empire of Germania.
King Inwer 'the Merry' of England. England has lost land since the rise of the Kardazid Emperors of Britannia, only barely hanging on and his refusal to accept repeated offers of vassalization into Britannia has doomed him.
Kaiser Anselm 'the Holy' of the Holy Roman Empire of House Ringling. The Holy Roman Empire gained significant ground in the past 50 years. As well as it's slow gains, county by county, against its weaker sibling Germania and its continued advance across the Iberian Peninsula against the Umayyad Empire, it took full advantage of chaos in the Empire of Britannia following the crowning of Emperor Koshel 'the Usurper' by his father Koshel 'the Wise' of the Volga-Ural Empire in 1214.During the decades of revolts in Britannia that followed, during Koshel 'the Usurper' reign and Vechkas' regency, the Holy Roman Empire expanded in the Isles and claimed the Duchy of Ulster, securig a strong foothold in Britannia as well as ending up with a significant portion of Britannia's lost holdings in France and Aquitaine.. This all coming together to make the Holy Roman Empire the most powerful realm in the world.
King Baldarich of Germania of House Udonen. The young Kaiser was sorely wounded during the recent Crusade, losing an eye and a leg. Germaina has lost some land to the Holy Roman Empire and lost much of its holding in Africa to an independence revolt, but it did gain some land in the east during the fall of Pannonia as that Catholic Khanate was conquered by the Volga-Ural Empire in a great holy war. Despite any overall losses of land, it has continued to grow in power with internal development with its military strength almost doubling.
In India, Maharaja Rampal rules the Ayudha Kingdom. The Ayudha have lost ground in the struggle to control India, losing the unified strength they had at the end of the last century.
Maharaja Sankama II is the leader of the Rashtrakura Kingdom and the Rashtrakura dynasty. The Rashtrakura dynasty continues to be the other major player in the struggle for India. Sankama leads the main branch of the dynasty and controls the largest Kingdom
Maharaja Neetimarga 'the Vengeful' rules Kosala. The Rashtrakura dynasty managed to break off a piece of the Ayudha Kingdom and forge the independent Kingdom of Kosala. Several smaller realms in the north also broke free of Ayudha around the same time.
Maharaja Singhana rules the Avinitid Kingdom. The Avinitid managed to break free of the Rashtrakura Kingdom and claim the southern tip of India for their own.
Finally, at the edge of the known world, Maharani Ramani is the current ruler of the Lambakanna Kingdom. The Lambkanna Kingdom has managed to stay out of the ongoing struggles on the Indian mainland and prosper.
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Wonderful trip around the world! Mongols have lost almost all their special event troops. Some HUGE armies for 1250. No major Islamic nations in India. This may be one of the most unified maps that I ever seen. (Even AI nations) Thank you for the view.