World Events

[Varasd]

WORLD EVENTS THREAD

This thread is for news about the world events, which are created by the RP moderators. Please do not post in this thread, reply to the world event in the world news, or local news section of the regional diplomacy forum.

[Varasd]

The Bogomil Heresy...

Bogomil, a prist from the Balkans, has begun preaching a new way of life, a new religion to the people. It is based on a dualist belief, in which they believe in a world within the body and a world outside the body. They do not use the Christian cross nor build churches because they revere their gifted form and consider their body to be their temple. This gives rise to many forms of practice to cleanse oneself through purging, fasting, celebrating and dancing.

The Bogomilist heretics are against all forms of authority, both the Church and the State - their simple way of life has attracted many followers to their religion. Several churches have been burnt down on the Balkans, and bogomil preachers are traveling towards all directions of the map.

Bogomilism is spreading fast, and so far no catholic priest was able to stop it - the peasants and common folk are hiding the preachers away from the authorities, and small revolts chase away any kind of attempt to properly search through a town. So far, several duchies on the Balkan peninsula have fallen to bogomilism...

Nobody knows what to do, the heresy is seemingly unstoppable... It's spreading like a vile plague, and some have even chosen to embrace it, rather than fight it. "The New, True Way", as the followers call it, is on the rise, and no power seems to be able to stop it...

The original areas and spread of bogomilism.

[Varasd]

The flight of the Bogomils...

After meeting heavy armed resistance in Cybelos and Bythinia, the Bogomil herety continues to spread, but in different directions...

To the North, the Bogomils have reached southern Varasd, and Transylvania aswell - they hope to convert the hungarian tribes who aren't under Varasdian control...

To the East, the Bogomils flee to Azaq, where they hope that the Zoroastrians will meet their religion with tolerance, given that both share eastern philosophical roots.

To the South, despite resistance from Cybelos and Bythinia, the heretics are holding out. When soldiers arrive, they hide their heretic priests, and the villagers deny any kind of involvement, claiming that the heretics have fled the area. But when the troops leave, everything goes back as it was before. How can the authorities decide who is to be trusted in times like these?

Maybe the most important change has come towards West... Dangerously close to Rome, the heretics have fled to the Calabrian Republic en masse. Several thousand of heretics have quickly sailed through the strait of Otranto between Albania and Italy with makeshift vessels and ferries. Encouraged by the statement of the Bishop of Calabria, and not knowing about the ongoing talks in the College of Cardinals, the heretics are openly settling in Calabria, and are offering their loyalty to the Republic. It is time to choose - Calabria either gains thousands of loyal followers, or the trust of the Papacy and the Catholic World...

[Varasd]

THE "BALKAN FORT"

With defeats of Bogomilism in Varasd, Calabria, Cybelos and Bithynia, the heretic expansion has stopped, for now. The main forces of the Bogumils still hold most of the Balkans, and they are preparing for the incoming invasion from the Christian lands...

The Bogumils are using the Balkans natural defense lines, mainly the mountains, as their strong points, and are fortifying and barricading passages, valleys, etc. Their main plan is to create two defensive lines, and hold these at all costs, in order to establish a steady hinterland in Bulgaria, from where they could supply their troops. The size of the Bogumil army is between twenty and twenty-five thousand, but professional soldiers are 4000 at maximum, but their forces are spread thin because of the long defense line they plan to hold. Their losses are easily replaced by recruits from peasants and serfs, but they are constantly recruiting to raise the number of their armies.

From the gold and riches looted from the local nobles, the Bogomils are sending a caravan to the Khanate of Azaq, to ask for help from the nomadic kingdom against the Christian forces. What the Khan has to reply, only future will tell...

[Varasd]

THE DUKE OF CYPRUS

Duke Aimery, of Cyprus, is on his death bed, aged 76, ill, his death may come in any second. The Duke can not speak any more, nobody knows if he can hear, all he does is sleep, and eat as much as they feed him.
But the Old Duke was sick in the mind for a long time now, which will probably lead the Island into ruins...

In his madness, the Old Duke wrote his will, in which he ceded Cyprus to the "Emperor of the Romans" upon his death. His heirs and possible usurpers, have quickly tried to get rid of this document, with little success.

Reginald, the son of the Old Duke, outlawed of inheriting by the will of the mad Duke, is looking for foreign support towards his claim. Willing to give up authonomy, but not Cyprus, he hopes that the Calabrian Republic will take him under her wings, providing protection for a vassal status.

Kleithos, the Greek, is the Admiral of the Fleet of Cyprus, and is planning to establish a military rule under Cybelosian authority, where he would be governor. He has strong ties to the greek naval world.

The traders and merchants of the Island are mainly jewish, and with the guidance of rabbi Barnabas, many of them hope that the Kingdom of Judea will help them take control of the important trading centre.

Lord Baldwyn who is the Marshall of the Old Duke, and his most loyal follower as well, takes the words of the Duke seriously. In the "Emperor of the Romans" he sees Constantinople, and will fight to make sure that the Corvinus family inherits the Island.

Bishop Paulus, a latin clergyman does not share the ideas of Lord Baldwyn - the eastern catholics can surely not be the heirs of Rome. In his mind, the Latin realm of Romaniium is the true heir of Rome, and with that, of Cyprus as well.

[Varasd]

Please do not post in this thread, as it is reserved for news about world events.

A separate event thread has been created for "The Game for Cyprus", which can be found here:

https://medeu.rpg-board.net/t60-the-game-for-cyprus#680

[Varasd]

THE MASS EXCOMMUNICATIONS

His Holiness the Pope, the Heir of Saint Peter, Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has openly released a Papal Bull in which he excommunicates every member of the clerus who follows the "eastern" faith and rites. Anyone who wishes to redeem himself can turn towards Rome, and those faithful will be rewarded well.

The number of how many excommunications were carried out is unknown - the bishops and patriarchs of the East have got formal letters about it, however, members of the eastern monastic orders, and common priests, don't even know what is happening...

This, might be the dawn of an era for Christianity...

[Byzantine_Bithynia]

The Eutychios Council

From the church in Rome, those who support the East have been excommunicated en masse. Word has traveled fast, and the people in the east look to Constantinople for guidance. Many believe they must change to the ways of the West, and others look to Constantinople for guidance. Paulus Eutychios, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, has called together the bishops and leading religious figures in the East, to join him in council. He also has called upon the people of the East, to speak their minds before this council. The Eutychios Council, as many have called it, now gathers in Constantinople's Sanctum Sophia. Varius Corvinus and many influential figures in Bithynia have attended, as they seek guidance as much as the common man.

Bells ring out across the city, and it seems as though the whole city has ceased to make a sound. Paulus, an elderly man, slowly walks up the steps of a wooden platform where he will sit. The anticipation is almost palpable. When he finally sits he looks out across the church, where many men of faith have gathered. And where Generals, Kings, and peasants sit side by side, alike in their search for guidance. The wooden platform, made up of a couple of steps in a pyramid like shape, was located in the center of the room, and tables where the Bishops and religious leaders sat arched out from this central chair. Being head of the council, Paulus spoke first.

"We come together today to discuss the matter of the Western Church, and its recent actions. As most are surely aware, they brought Bishop Philo Nikomedes of Pergamon and Cardinal Lysander of Cybelos to Rome, after the two had communicated by letter about their grievences with the Western Church. They now sit in cells in Rome, and the Western church has declared all supporters of the East to be excommunicated."

Paulus paused, and let the words sink in. Many people were unaware of the whole situation, and hushed whispers could be heard. "Now, we shall first hear from the Bishops, and other religious leaders, about the matter. First, I would hear from Bishop Aurelus Tychon."

Aurelus, also an older man, stood from his seat. "People of the East. We have long seen that we are different from the West, but have long been able to work around this. Now this comes to a crossroads, where we must choose. According to their law, we are no longer able to worship. We must hold our faith in secret, or convert to their ways. I believe, however, that the people of Rome are reasonable. We should speak to them, talk of our concerns, and let them hear of our disagreements." With that Aurelus sat.

Another Bishop, Hypatos Phokas of Nikaea, stood. "I would request to make a response to what Aurelus has said."

Paulus nodded, "Go ahead", he said.

"You say we should speak to them, that they are reasonable. We thought this too, and so we let Bishop Philo go to Rome to stand alongside Cardinal Lysander and tell of their concerns. For their trouble, and their faith, they have been locked behind iron bars. I believe that the Church in Rome cares now only for gold. They do not care about Chirst and his teachings! They care only about what will fill their coffers with coin!" The People clapped, as Hypatos took a breath, and then continued his impassioned speech. "It was the Roman Empire that spread Christianity across the world, that is true. But it was in the year of our lord, 330, that Constantine the Great built from where Byzantium stood a mighty new city, a new Rome! A city that would be greater than Rome was, and would be the seat of a new Roman Empire. And as the west fell, collapsed to hordes of barbarians, it was the East that carried the torch of civilization. Now the Western church has fallen to evil, indeed, I would say even the devil himself is now the puppetmaster in Rome! We cannot allow this, as men of Chirst, we must stand against this evil!" Upon his speech ending, people clapped.

"Silence, now. The time for rejoicing shall come later." Paulus said to the crowds, who once again became silent. "Let us now hear from a man of faith who sits before us."

A man who had been stood alongside the gathering walked through the rows, and selected a man to speak. The man stood, cleared his throat, and spoke.

"Well, I think Hypatos speaks well, though, uh, perhaps exaggerates things. I, uh, would agree that the Western Church has fallen, based on what I know." The man then sat down once more.

Paulus cleared his throat, and addressed the gathering once again. "I would like, now, to hear from the men from Cybelos who have joined us. Please, tell me of what you think."

The men from Cybelos, Bishop Theron of Athens, Bishop Pavlos of Sinai, Bishop Zosimos of Epirus, and Dareios of Crete, spoke to the gathering. They were somewhat apprehensive about crossing Rome, but with Lysander having been captured they at least did listen. Bishop Theron, the replacement of Lysander, was noticeably more supportive. Once they had each spoken at length, Paulus once again addressed the council.

"Let us now hear from another man of faith who sits before us, Varius Corvinus, our King, and rightful Emperor."

Varius chuckled as he stood, "You flatter me." , and stood in the center of the open floor between the gathering and the Bishops.

"I am a firm follower of the follows of Christ, and I believe in turning the other cheek. But in this instance, I believe we cannot afford to do nothing. The Church in Rome has lost its way. Rather than following the teachings of our lord and savior, it worships images and symbols. We are not pious because we worship wooden figurines, but because we are faithful and follow the teachings of our lord and savior. I believe that we cannot allow the Church in Rome to force us to follow their ways. I believe that we must stand up to them. I believe...." His voice trailed off, as he thought of what he was about to say, for he knew it had great ramifications. "I believe we must split from the Church in Rome, for as long as they are consumed by evil."

It was no real surprise to anyone that this would be said, indeed most had been hoping for it, but it still was an impactful thing to say, regardless.

After a few moments of silence, Paulus spoke again. "Thank you, Varius. We shall next speak to more people of faith, both religious leaders and those who sit before us."

Many more men spoke, and many impassioned speeches were given, for both sides of the matter. When it was clear that few more would like to speak, Paulus told of what he believed. He agreed the the Churches must split, and he also believed the followers of the West, who have fallen to evil, must be excommunicated. After he had spoken he asked those who believed this should be done to raise their hands, and those who disagreed to keep their hands down. It was clear that the majority of the people, and of the leaders, agreed. Paulus spoke one last time:

"Then it is decided. As per the desicion of this council of men of Faith, the Original Roman Church shall split from the Church in Rome, and those who follow the evil stricken false idols of the West are hereby excommunicated."

And it was so, in Constantinople, the New Rome, that the eastern and western churches of Christ were split. Word spread quickly, and the people of the east were given new hope. They no longer looked to a far away city for their faith. They now looked to Constantinople.

[Varasd]

THE NORDIC MIGRATION

Long has been Britannia raided by Scandinavian northmen, ever since the Romans left the province, the picts, saxons, angles, danes, have constantly kept the population in fear. Sighting longboats from the coast equaled death for centuries.

And they have been spotted, once again...

Two armies, led by Olaf the One-Eyed, and Sven Rotbart, two blood-related chieftains, have set forth with their armies to attack Britannia. Except that they did not stop, but settled down in their new home, subjugating the population.

Olaf, the One-Eyed, has chosen to sail south, and has captured the southernmost part of Britannia. Seemingly, he has a friendly term with the danes from Juttlande, their northern neighbours, but that may be only because of the river Thames sets a clear and undisputable border between them.
The welsh nation of Bleddyn is dangerously close too, to the realm of Olaf the One-Eyed, and it might not take long when the time comes, when they need to defend themselves.

Sven Rotbart has driven the scottich-pictish population north, and has occupied their territory. With the fertile lands of Hylradia to the south, his southern neighbour better takes cautions, although no threatening move has been made yet.
The island of Hibernia is yet to meet any invaders, but the Northmen are already trying to secure trade in the North Channel, and invading Northern-Ireland and the Isle of Man might be a suitable step to taking control.

As the news spread about the nordic conquest of new lands, many living in the Scandinavian peninsula are already considering joining the armies of the two warlords. Britannia might be in danger, but will there be anyone to defend it, like King Arthur did, in ages past?

Red: Olaf, the One-Eyed
Orange: Sven Rotbart

OOC INFO: All posts and replies to this event go in this thread: https://medeu.rpg-board.net/t62-the-nordic-migration#731

[Varasd]

THE NORMANS OF ITALY

While many northmen are trying to conquer Britannia, others settling on the Iberian Peninsula, the great migration from the Scandinavian Peninsula is yet to stop.

The Drengot family, who are known across Europe as mercenary leaders, have decided to settle with their families and soldiers in Italy. Osmond Drengot, leader of the Normans, along with his son, Gilbert Drengot, has led a series of quick and devastating attacks against the petty lords of Southern Italy.

In matter of weeks, what seemed like a typical series of northmen's raids, has turned out to be a conquest. Between Calabria and the Papal state, the new Norman state was born. The Normans have been cautious, however, not the slightest threat was shown towards Calabria or the Papal State. As the seat of their power, the Drengot family has chosen the city of Benevento.

The new rulers of South Italy are a strange folk - the majority of them are pagans, however, they are as if they lost faith in their old gods. Not practicing the old ways, yet not embracing Christianity either, a people without spirituality.

What is the faith of this newborn nation? Will they stand as their own, or are they going to become vassals of a foreign force? Are they going to follow Rome, or they will join the Empire of Greeks and Romans?


OOC info:

Normans in Italy: https://i.imgur.com/yF99n1P.png

Characters:

Osmond Drengot, Ruler of Italian Normandy (Azaq)
Gilbert Drengot, Heir of Italian Normandy (Azaq)

Viviano Caminati, subjugated Count of Salerno (Varasd)
William of Hauteville - Marshall of Osmond Drengot (Azaq)

[Varasd]

The Great Comet

Recently there is one thing that everyone in Europe is talking about, both peasant and lord. A great comet has come which has lit up the night sky all the way from the East to the Western shores of Europe. Many have panicked and seemed this as the sign of the end times. Some people have taken it as a sign of the devil and villagers have cast out the babies born on these days. Others believe it is a good omen and hope for a bright future for their newborns. But what does it mean according to the scholars and rulers? That is yet to be unfolded.

Another terrible thing happened that so far never did according to our known history, as claimed by many. The comet has broken into several small pieces and hit the land in numerous places - both in the Mediterrean, North-Germania, Scythia, Anatolia, Hispania and Anatolia too.

[Sponsored content]