Angst

Nyfører and his armies moved by easy stages to Babol in Caspia. By mid Frostmon they were gathered, the 10,000 mounted foot of the 112ers, Skrapehake and Hidy Harald with 10,000 mounted infantry, Boson with another 15,000 infantry, Laganides and Masacaces with 15,000 cavalry, and Hyasaqyte with the 30 great wagons of the artillery corps.

Sadiq led a few thousand open order cavalry to the Besh ford where his men have scouted and foraged for the New Persian Imperial Construction Corps and Boson’s infantry who are building a fort there.

Mustasha welcomed the guests to the wedding of his blood-brother Abraham to Wagnimandua the Galatian on Printemps 1st. A magnificent and major event attended by, amongst others, the Empress Ate and her Galatian, by Emperor Angustus with an impressive retinue of Sassanian nobles and generals, and by Brahma and numerous other local New Persian Emirs and Sheikhs; Suren was there after a very hard ride. It is uncertain if Nyfører’s absence was to avoid unpleasantness, or was because of his new war, but onlookers noted with some relief that Emperor Angustus greeted Empress Ate … and her Galatian … with warm courtesy.

Two knarrs with experienced crews and a few extra large men aboard sailed up the eastern coast of the Known World from Amol: representatives of the Two-Rivers Trading Company, their first halt was at Ufahavn where they were dismayed to find the company offices not only deserted but stripped of even their doors and roof.

A detachment from the Royal Guard was despatched to Ate. The detachment, one nervous man strong, was ordered to inform the ex-Empress that when her husband has paid his taxes she may perhaps get some troops.
It is not entirely clear if the Emperor has already married the young Polonova: when the PITHOff was asked he muttered something incoherent and took another large swig from a large flagon.



At the great New Year festival Salammbo made her eagerly awaited appearance. Onlookers guessed that her words were going to be contentious: when the High Priestess entered the great hall she was accompanied by Maxentius jr and Harribal bin Elros and was preceded by her Temple Guards whilst the Trias Old Guard, Maxentius Jr’s bodyguard, guarded her entrance to (and egress from) the hall and the nearby gateway. The Trias Old Guard also held the horses of the guards along with spare mounts and numerous pack animals.
She announced to the expectant throng that she was going to return to Trias Province where she would ensure that Trias reclaimed its rightful independence. All taxes would of course be withheld.
Once Baal is restored to his rightful place as the sole god of Carthage and once all perverse Motiphs are removed from the Punic Empire, the possibility of an alliance between Trias and Carthage could be considered. She did remind the crowd that were Elros to perish, Harribal his son and heir would be the next Emperor: she would ensure that he was well protected.
Salammbo then left with Harribal and Maxentius jr and the guards: none tried to hinder their passage. They rode rapidly via Tembusi, Schkender and Kys and reached Trias without mishap. They moved without delay to join Zaranissa.

Hasmarbal.

Hasmarbal travelled to Windicta, where he publicly swore allegiance to Philipo as Emperor of Eastern Carthage. Asked to swear allegiance to Baal, Hasmarbal pointed out, rather testily, that he had been swinging the sword against Motiph for many months, so his loyalty to Baal should not be questioned. He did, however, at the suggestion of Philipo, publicly pray to Baal for the deliverance of Carthage under the hand of Philipo.
It is widely believed that Hasmarbal sought funding from Philipo but that before the latter reached a decision the noble Faron dicided that the Demiliton treasury was honour bound to support Hasmarbal and his loyal forces. Whatever the truth of these rumours, it is known that many mounts have been handed over by Faron’s agents to Hasmarbal’s officers.

Hasmarbal rejoined his army and that of Moloch in Marsal. It seems that Moloch’s army, as part of the Demiliton forces, has received a war-chest from the Demiliton treasury.

A’Rrosee & Elros.

A’Rrosee (and Elros) pushed scouts down into the coastal plain; a few far enough to overlook the unwalled town of Marsal and the nearby camps of the armies of Hasmarbal and Moloch. He (they) then moved the forces under his (their “Stop trying to ignore me!”) control to Tembusi and thence to Schkender. A couple of days ago they started a cautious advance towards Marsal behind a large cavalry screen, though with still but a handful watching Marsal.

Altribaal.

Philipo informed Altribaal, the newly elected CinC of the Punic elements of the Trias Army, that he is to be his imperial ambassador at Salammbo's court: “… even though it is unfortunate to lose such a strong leader of men, the political importance of Trias is such that you, Altribaal, must go given that you are the best qualified man for the job.”
Neither Altribaal nor the men who had just elected him to be their commander were best pleased and their discontent was not diminished when they learned that only half the necessary had been put in their divisional war-chest.
By chance, at that time, agents from Trias Province, sent by Zaranissa and Salammbo, made contact with this remnant of the Trias Army, now incorporated in Philipo’s CIA as the Triassic division, in an effort to persuade them to come home and serve the true god Baal, whilst being fully paid and well fed. Salammbo had promised that there would be no recriminations, no victimisation.
None the less, many feared that a return to Trias would be a death sentence. Altribaal persuaded these latter to refrain from trying to impede the departure of their comrades and pointed out that their duty would be done if they reported what they knew immediately … to himself, their elected leader. He and those that chose to follow him, about half the force, fled by night.

Zaranissa & Salammbo.

Zaranissa concentrated the Trias Provincial Army in Senastarte, where he was joined by Salammbo.
There they met and warmly welcomed Altribaal and his men; there was a joint parade of all these forces and Salammbo blessed the banners and those about to fight for Baal, absolving them of any guilt for what they are about to inflict on the heretics. She reminded them that Baal is without sin and as they act in his name and are but his right hand any and all their actions will therefore be without sin too.

The Trias levy is gathering at Paender.

Wallachia.

After resting through much of the winter the army is now stepping up the intensity of its training, readying itself for fresh challenges.
A grand parade on Printemps 30th, to mark the end of the winter was well attended by press and foreign diplomats, probably hoping for hints as to 123’s plans, but to no avail: Cambysses made a speech telling the army how good they are (prolonged cheering), how good their generals are (prolonged cheering) and hinting broadly at future victories over unspecified foes and the development of radical new weapons and tactics, equally unspecified.
The Hunnic squadron of the special Scouting And Subversion regiment of the Intelligence Division was especially congratulated on their achievements
During the evening’s social entertainment four members of the said unit were wined generously by two spies reporters. The two reporters were later asked not to repeat what they had managed to learn … or else!

Hunland.

All is quiet.
The Byelohun levies are gathering at the Site of the Holy Tree: it is perhaps worrying … or should worry the neighbours … that all the levies of Byeloland, including Greek and Macedonian settlers, have already turned up or have sent large contingents to represent them and to discover what is afoot.
The Siberians, rather fewer, are also gathering, on the northern shore of The Sweet Lake.

Germany.

No treasury having been handed over by the recalcitrant Vikings, Friederich has called the Ostragoths to levy to his banner at Friederichshavn for an early start to a campaign; he has also asked Harda Knut to bring his men and the fleets are also to join this overwhelming force.

Friederich is already at Friederichshavn with his cavalry.

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Sassanidia.

Rebellion and palace coup rumoured.

Taking advantage of the increasingly prolonged and orgiastic festival of the New Year a group of young army officers with detachments of trusted (by them!) troops entered the Cairo Citadel where the generals and other senior officers were reviewing a parade of scantily clad cup-bearers of various genders.
With no difficulty they took the generals into protective custody: Farex, the able loyal and popular 79 year old Libyan Sassanid CinC of the 1st Army: Neguib the notoriously cautious and unpopular 43 year old Egyptian commander of the Nile (provincial) army: Obisis the desperately unpopular 41 year old Nile Sassanid CinC of the 2nd Army, and Putrifax his 32 year old Nubian Egyptian divisional general were the more senior of the captives, but a few dozen of their staff officers were also put under guard in the cellars of the Citadel. The rebels sealed off the Citadel and the adjacent attached Imperial palace.
The touchy but popular 78 year old admiral Glaci’is had the misfortune to be visiting the palace and he joined the generals in the cellars, his protests soon stilled by a beating. It is widely believed that Stephanus and the whole of the Imperial family were made prisoner at the same time, but if so they did not join the others in the Citadel cellars … rumour places them in the extensive cellars of the Palace.
Over the next few weeks the rebels young officers, Sassanidians from the two Nile Provinces or from Libya Province to a man, tried their captives. First all “foreigners” were found guilty of foreignness and were publicly executed. Most of the remainder followed, only Farex and a handful of staff officers were spared; but when Farex was freed and his sword returned to him, he chose to fall on it.
These men, the self-styled Protectors and Organisers, (P&O), have called all rulers, chieftains, and other dignitaries from the Nile and West Nile provinces to a convocation in Cairo, the Purifiers of Sassanidian Honour (POSH) which is due to start in about 7 hours. Non-attendance has been deemed to be a capital offence: many invitees fear that attendance may have a remarkably similar result.
For whatever reason this group has chosen to eschew names, they are to be known only by their titles, or so it has been announced. The 1st Protector is the new commander of the 1st Army, the Nile Organiser the new ruler Nile Province, Cairo Organiser the ruler of Cairo, and so on. (Zeus assumes that this system will prove so unwieldy that it will be dropped at the first “reshuffle”)
Wild rumours circulate: the most popular is that these men have come under A’Rrosee’s spell and are leading Sassanidia to Motiphation: favoured by some is the notion that this has been planned by Emperor Stephanus as a the only way to cleanse and reinvigorate his empire: ditto Prince Ptelnet: ditto Emperor Angustus: oh, the possibility that they are just a bunch of greedy/bored/nationalist (delete at will!) young men is not wholly discounted. There are rumours of a Supreme Organiser.

One down, …

Ar Karnevs, usually cautious but always gullible, was arrested, tried, and executed for treason when he foolishly ventured from the moderate safety of Damietta in response to an invitation to a funeral of a distant cousin … who is incidentally in excellent health.

Of lowly birth, he rose during the troubled times 4 or 5 years ago: brave, loyal, popular, and a competent commander,in 118 he had been made Convenor of the Levy by Sancho. This had been neither forgotten nor forgiven.

Gaul.

Fratricidal feasting.

Pepin killed his illegitimate half brother Pierre in a drunken brawl in late Frostmon. There had of course long been bad blood between them, each resenting any success achieved by the other.
At a feast to celebrate Irulam’s birthday Pepin angered Pierre by mocking his naval exploits, but then enraged Pierre by suggesting that his long though ineffectual absence had at least allowed several of those present to enjoy the company of Pierre’s young and very attractive wife.
Well, both Irulam and Pepin are known for their amorous exploits: Pierre drew his sword and rushed at Pepin who also drew his sword, but wine and anger proved Pierre’s undoing; he stumbled and fell on Pepin’s sword. There is some dispute as to whether Pepin could have avoided stabbing poor Pierre, but he didn’t and Pierre died a couple of hours later, still cursing Pepin.
In view of the importance of those involved Irulam has asked Cerdic to adjudicate, and to select a successor for Pierre not only as admiral, but also as ruler of Rennes and Overlord of the Coast and Peninsula.

Marseilles relieved.

Cerdic’s winter trained veteran mounted infantry set off from Davos: along the Royal Road to Bern, there across the Rhone and down the valley to the ford that lies some 40 miles or so above the confluence with the Saone. They had by this time brushed aside a few bands of Dacians who seemed minded to contest their passage: these men were able to operate in the appalling conditions at least as well as were the tribesmen: even so they had lost 25 men and 94 mounts, though the latter loss was not a problem as the men moved faster on foot and were using their mounts as pack animals.
At this ford they split up. 500 heavy infantry set off at a fairly brisk pace down the Rhone valley; they reached Marseilles without incident and had no difficulty breaking through … well, just walking through … the very loose siege. But the guards refused to open the gate to let them into the city, particularly as the few Tuscan cavalry that constituted the so-called siege were showing no signs of hostility.
Governor Caractacus was called: he is a Briton, the men demanding entry were a mixture of Montenegran and Thracian Greeks. He agreed to let two officers in to discuss the impasse and to persuade him of their bona fides, but only on condition that the other 493 (the spearmen had lost 5 men) pulled back a good mile so that they could not rush the gate.
The Tuscan cavalry, a little more numerous now, were unable to resist the temptation and killed or seriously injured 17 men without loss before Caractacus let them into the city. They were immensely grumpy about these events and were restrained only with difficulty from venting their spleen on the hapless guards and citizenry.
The other force, a mixture of light, heavy, and extra heavy infantry, crossed the Rhone and then the Saone, losing 9 men and 57 horses and 9 ponies on the latter crossing. The loss of the mounts would not have been a problem were it not for the loss of the equipment they carried.
This second force reached Mende without further mishap, whence they raid into the invader held territory, seeking isolated detachments, though with little success as the Italians have not ventured out much in the winter.

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Slavonia.

Baja & Buda.

Brigadier Drusus, commander of Cerdic’s 500 Tuscan garrison troops in Baja, reacted vigorously to the attempt of the citizenry to starve them out. His men took over the city with little difficulty, capturing Bellerophon who had not even got round to recruiting more than half a dozen feudal retainers (Pindar’s had perished with him).
Drusus has imposed a ruthless reign of terror and has imposed a swingeing tax, expropriating not only cash but also valuables, food and indeed maidens.
Xenophon of Buda has gathered what forces he can and with the fine weather now approaching has readied them to go and sort out the situation.

Vikinglands.

Pripyat.

Njal, the able leader of the Vikings of The Pripyat Grazing, still vigorous despite his 80 years, was killed in a hunting accident a few weeks ago. He will probably be succeeded by his unpopular grandson, also named Njal, who was with him on the hunt. It is well attested that there were no suspicious circumstances attendant on the mishap, a fact which is in itself unusual and therefore suspicious.

Latvia.

In the Dvina Vale mead and the onset of spring have set blood rushing to the heads of the young warriors.
Dredd Donarson, popular son of the slaughtered Jarl Donar, urged on by his fiery step-mother Ingebøg, called for vengeance upon Otto the Visigoth and Friederich his unholy backer. His claim to lead the peoples of the Dvina vale was not contested by Niall the unpopular Estonian Jarl of Riga, nor by Jarl Blatt of Viski who has succeeded Wodd, his father, killed at the battle of Viski.
The hotheads have rallied to the Dredd standard.
Of the Jarls of Central Latvia there is little doubt that Thor Ulriksson, the rash German-hating Jarl of Utena will join the rebels: it is not yet clear if Foed of Birzai or Vacuna of Vilna will also join them.
The leadership of the Rusne & Wista Jarls was grabbed by Lemminkainen of Lubin to the chagrin of Poeja of Polessk but it is likely that the latter will join the rebellion when he has heard of it, and Lemminkainen may well have little choice but to join too. Gog Kalevalason is very much an unknown: and as for Thorsson the Timid, well, it probably depends on who frightens him most … or first.
The rising trouble was reported to Sten Gunnarsen who has sent an urgent message to Bjarni and has called the levy to him at Konigsberg. It is feared that many of the warriors from the Dvina will fail to answer his call, or even join Dredd.

Estonia.

Erik has many failings, but lack of courage is not one of them: he told Friederich’s emissary to “Haddaway an’ shite, man”, muttering that Friederich was mad: even if he had the Viking treasury he wouldn’t hand it over.
Anders has called out the levy but seems either to be awaiting instructions or to be waiting to see how events unfold before defining their task. Many urge that he announce his support for Dredd.

Malta.

Rumours circulate. It seems that the mayor boss is in negotiation with a foreign power. He must be a worried man; no unknown ship is being permitted to enter the fortified part of the great harbour, and even those registered there are now searched, seemingly for troops, before being allowed in.

Thrace.

Antigonus Gonadus.

Nahese, Antigonus’ personal physician, killed himself on the Ides of Dormon by binding himself to his treatment couch and then consuming his entire pharmacopoeia, as a result of which he died a confused but unpleasant death.
Antigonus’ wound, trivial though it was, had not only failed to heal but had slowly spread to the surrounding tissues which became an interesting and almost attractive shade of greenish-purple, though with an unpleasant odour. Alarmed, Vashti insisted on further opinions: all agreed that topically applied toxins were to blame, but too late: the corruption continued its inexorable spread and Antigonus perished peacefully.
Vashti and Demetriaces announced that they would personally question Nahese carefully rigorously intensively … but too late, so the evil-doer behind the murder remains uncertain.
Despite his reputation for impeccable honesty and integrity there are those who suspect Demetriaces or even Vashti his mother, but suspicion falls mainly on Shalman or Ate, with or without the aid of Lysander, the cunning and ambitious Governor of Thrace.
Despite these suspicions, Demetriaces has confirmed Lysander in his post, and has stressed the need for vigilance, hard work, and various other appropriate noises. Demetriaces has also promoted Anti-Bessus to CinC, replacing the late Perdiccas, and has asked him to prepare a full report on the army along with recommendations for its development. Plagiar is reported to be dismayed that he has been overlooked.
We hear that both Lysander and Anti-Bessus have sworn to serve Demetriaces loyally etc.

Ptelnet.

Emperor Angustus gave control of the Parthian forces to Ptelnet who arranged for some to be demobilised on generous terms and others to move to join him in Thrace.
Horisis gathered these men, cavalry, infantry and siege corps and sent them, under the command of Koribis who was also ordered to Greece with his division.
They moved by easy stages north through Pontic Iberia and then along the coast road, across the Bosphorus, and thence to Nis where they were reviewed by Prince Ptelnet and allocated to the Immortals and the UPA.

Thorsson.

Thorsson and his men joined those of Cnut and Arne in Burgas and then moved down the coast to Istanbul where they have just booked crossings.

Montenegro.

Argon the Montenegran, Chairman of the West Croatian and Rijekan Councils, took his own life in his 63rd year.
Popular and competent, it is said that he was wearied by the long wars that have so disrupted Rijekan life … though there are rumours of a recent scandalous incident in the ladies section of the public baths, and his chosen mode of death was unusual in the extreme.
He is succeeded by Sisseron, perhaps an ambitious opportunist, but a man who is noted above all for his integrity and scrupulous honesty.
Both Zog and Plutarchos have angrily claimed that they should have been made Chairman of the West Croatian Council, but were deemed unsuitable in view of, respectively, their past links to Cerdic and Ptolemy, and their closeness to the Italian authorities.