Empire of the Lion: An Ethiopian Civ Quest

Hmm, bold start from Susenyos. Alright, so for the Bitwoded choice, I'm leaning towards the previous Bitwoded Amda Mikael. I don't like the idea of insulting such a powerful man with such close connections with the merchants and Bahr Negus, and is also liked by the Church.

As of for the Imperial March, I'm also feeling the Harari Campaign, letting such an Imran run rampant and sack our land can't go unpunished. Plus, it'll smooth over the Clergy's ruffled feathers after the ascension of Susenyos.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.

voting for this as the IC thing since Kabede has the king's ear.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

Woltaire said:

X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

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[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

You didn't close your bracket.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.
[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

These feel IC to me, since Emps is both a soldier and the Kabede has his ear.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.


[X] The Wej Campaign: In the Wej region to the southeast of the Ethiopian highlands dwell the Maya tribe, skilled archers and warriors who have long served as mercenaries for the emperors. On learning of the emperor Baeda Maryam's death, however, the Maya have begun shirking their duties, abandoning the borders, and sending no tribute. It is said they even dare to raid the valuable salt caravans which pass through their lands, threatening the beating heart of Ethiopian trade. Outraged, the merchants have demanded the emperor do something about this injustice. The Maya king, Gojan, is known to be an opportunistic and clever warrior, who has fought in many battles. Many of the Dejazmaches advocate a quick and brutal war to put the Maya back in their place — a triumph over a warrior such as Gojan will win respect and fear from all the tribes surrounding the empire.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.
[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

The Empress regent seems like a unique opportunity our special advisor grants us, so I'm inclined to take advantage of it - she could very well prove a velvet glove to our delightfully unsubtle emperor's mail fist, and doesn't come with a prior powerbase to be wary of. For the Imperial March, there are a few interesting options but dealing with the Harari seems like the most urgent. A few missed opportunities, but it's not like starting off our rule with some good old-fashioned heathen smashing ever hurt a king's optics.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.
[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

Considering we won't be subtle in our approach no matter what, I'd do a partial royal tour on our way to The Harari Campaign. Since syncretism isn't allowed in voting options, I'd just go for the campaign.

A military victory against a relatively weaker target than the other options, a chance for nobles to decide it's better to join us than be against us, and lets us do a tour next time fresh off a victory.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.
[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

Well, that's one way to do it. All hail the Sun Negusa Negast.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

I'm about to vote for a foreign war, and you know what those need? Money. Totally forgot about that in German Republicquest, not gonna make the same mistake twice.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

We voted for the warrior king, so let's have a war. The internal unrest can be deal with by the Rases when we release them - outside attacks from the infidel's vassals are intolerable.

[X] The Abeto

Kind of wish we could've left the position blank like how Louis XIV didn't replace his chief minister after Mazarin's death, but I think this is a good choice. He probably won't outshine us, and it allows us to keep an eye on a claimant to the throne, even if he is a distant one. Plus, it's always important to have a fall guy, and an court newbie would be easier to blame than an established player at court.

[X] The Harari Campaign

It seems like at least early on our guy's reign is going to be based on the army's support, so now would be a good time to flex our muscles and gain some glory. While not the strongest adversary they also aren't the weakest.


On another note, since we've removed the nobles from their lands, now would be a good time to begin inserting administrators and bureaucrats to take over their responsibilities. I'm even sort of thinking that we may be able to provoke a revolt from the land holding nobles, which could be beneficial when we have the army's complete support and the nobles are cut off from power.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.

She is a political operator, she'd be very useful to us and utterly dependent. Kabede agrees.


[X] The Wej Campaign: In the Wej region to the southeast of the Ethiopian highlands dwell the Maya tribe, skilled archers and warriors who have long served as mercenaries for the emperors. On learning of the emperor Baeda Maryam's death, however, the Maya have begun shirking their duties, abandoning the borders, and sending no tribute. It is said they even dare to raid the valuable salt caravans which pass through their lands, threatening the beating heart of Ethiopian trade. Outraged, the merchants have demanded the emperor do something about this injustice. The Maya king, Gojan, is known to be an opportunistic and clever warrior, who has fought in many battles. Many of the Dejazmaches advocate a quick and brutal war to put the Maya back in their place — a triumph over a warrior such as Gojan will win respect and fear from all the tribes surrounding the empire.

[jk] This weird guy from a foreign land called "Carlous Marxius." He has very strange ideas.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.
[X] The Wej Campaign: In the Wej region to the southeast of the Ethiopian highlands dwell the Maya tribe, skilled archers and warriors who have long served as mercenaries for the emperors. On learning of the emperor Baeda Maryam's death, however, the Maya have begun shirking their duties, abandoning the borders, and sending no tribute. It is said they even dare to raid the valuable salt caravans which pass through their lands, threatening the beating heart of Ethiopian trade. Outraged, the merchants have demanded the emperor do something about this injustice. The Maya king, Gojan, is known to be an opportunistic and clever warrior, who has fought in many battles. Many of the Dejazmaches advocate a quick and brutal war to put the Maya back in their place — a triumph over a warrior such as Gojan will win respect and fear from all the tribes surrounding the empire.

[X] The Empress Regent: Briefly regent of an empire and mother to a king, the former empress Romna now has little to her name beyond her pride and the clothes on her back. Deserted by most in the court after her ambitious gambit failed, she awaits her fate in Axum with her most loyal retainers and allies. Many expect her to be packed off to a monastery to wait out her days in solitude, but some few voices, the preacher Kabede among them, remind the emperor that mere days ago this woman nearly bent an empire to her whim with little more than words.

[X] The Imperial Expedition: War has always been among the emperor's first resorts with the powers to her east. The Sultans of Adal and Ajuraan are powerful and haughty, and too often it has been necessary to shatter their walls and their pretensions at royalty...and yet, there may be another way. A merchant by the name of Nasr, hailing from Yemen, has suggested another course: an imperial expedition, a show of might and wealth that would cow the high lords of the Horn of Africa without a drop of blood spilt. March the splendor of Ethiopia through Adal and Ajuraan, visit the cities

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.

I like the idea of getting the most competant administrator we can, particularly since his own outcaste status means that unlike all the other options he's not a big threat as well as a big boon. However appointing a jew is noted to piss people off so lets,

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

take the option which seccures the support of the clergy (and therefore the masses) and the army as our main power base.

[X] The Bitwoded: Bitwoded Amda Mikael, builder of a dozen churches, father of a dozen sons, and lord of a dozen lands, was the most powerful man in the reign of the emperor Baeda Maryam. Widely supported and widely liked, many expect the honor of being the emperor's right hand to be near-automatically granted to him once more. Beloved by the clergy for his charitable donations, Mikael has deep connections among the Islamic merchants of the Horn, which he has used to build his outrageous fortunes. A close ally of the Bahr Negus, his gold-coated fingers can be felt in nearly every corner of the empire.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

If I am visualizing this right capturing Adal should grow our costal access considerably.

Also it might give us an opportunity to distribute the land differently after conquest. Something favoring "yeomen" in land distribution while leaving the cities, towns, and villages under the control of the Mekwanit.

Finally a show of force now can cement ourselves as a assertive Emperor, keep the nobility on the back foot, and throw a bone to the church in the form of new bishops to appoint and flocks to covert.

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.

[X] The Wej Campaign: In the Wej region to the southeast of the Ethiopian highlands dwell the Maya tribe, skilled archers and warriors who have long served as mercenaries for the emperors. On learning of the emperor Baeda Maryam's death, however, the Maya have begun shirking their duties, abandoning the borders, and sending no tribute. It is said they even dare to raid the valuable salt caravans which pass through their lands, threatening the beating heart of Ethiopian trade. Outraged, the merchants have demanded the emperor do something about this injustice. The Maya king, Gojan, is known to be an opportunistic and clever warrior, who has fought in many battles. Many of the Dejazmaches advocate a quick and brutal war to put the Maya back in their place — a triumph over a warrior such as Gojan will win respect and fear from all the tribes surrounding the empire.

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

Strengthening the bureaucracy should be our next big goal. We have weakened the nobility and now is the perfect time to strengthen the bureaucrats and Tsehafi Taezaz is the best candidate for that. He is also experienced and not a threat to our rule in any way.

The Harari campaign is a no-brainer I think. We have to secure the legacy of Baeda Maryam and show the church that we are indeed pious.

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.

[X] The Harari Campaign: With the death of the emperor Baeda Maryam, the Sultans of Adal whom he struggled so hard to force into tribute have declared their oaths null and void. While the Sultan has kept his insolence to sending no tribute, his emirs have begun their old patterns of raiding into the imperial lowlands and terrorizing Christian subjects. One in particular, an Imam named Mahfuz, lord of the city of Harar, is more daring than all the others. Leading a force of elite Malassay warriors, he has led a devastating raid into the imperial borderlands during the season of Lent, just as the ritual fasts and holy observances have left the borders near defenseless. He has crowned this blasphemy by looting churches and monasteries, the stolen wealth of which he has taken back to Harar. This crime must be avenged. The clergy and the army alike urge the emperor to march east and make his name by conquering Harar and seeing this Mahfuz to deserved end.

Hey, there, first time and loving the idea of this quest. Anyway, I'm actually on the fence with the right-hand man/woman options. On the one hand, as a Jew I have to support the Jewish option to both improve the bureaucracy of the empire and to bring back the old faith into the line of Solomon, where it belongs.

On the other hand, the Bitwoded, the queen mother and the empress regents are just as fantastic as options for the councilor. I was really going in my mind back and forth between the Bitwoded or the queen mother, but in the end I'm choosing this option:

[X] The Tsehafi Taezaz: Already one of the most powerful men in the imperial court, the Tsehafi Taezaz, or Imperial Scribe, is perhaps the most powerful appointed noble in the empire, responsible for recording all the emperor's orders and commands, issuing laws and proclamations, and keeping track of the titles and lands handed out by the emperor. The current Taezaz, Lemuel, is hailed by the Mekwanint as a capable and efficient organizer who has already proven himself capable of running an imperial court. Yet, he is a Jew, and many in the court bare teeth at the thought of letting him rise any higher. His long years in the bureaucracy and at the side of the last emperor may prove a boon.


[X] The Wej Campaign: In the Wej region to the southeast of the Ethiopian highlands dwell the Maya tribe, skilled archers and warriors who have long served as mercenaries for the emperors. On learning of the emperor Baeda Maryam's death, however, the Maya have begun shirking their duties, abandoning the borders, and sending no tribute. It is said they even dare to raid the valuable salt caravans which pass through their lands, threatening the beating heart of Ethiopian trade. Outraged, the merchants have demanded the emperor do something about this injustice. The Maya king, Gojan, is known to be an opportunistic and clever warrior, who has fought in many battles. Many of the Dejazmaches advocate a quick and brutal war to put the Maya back in their place — a triumph over a warrior such as Gojan will win respect and fear from all the tribes surrounding the empire.

What can I say? I have my biases and it also seemed to be a great option to go with.

As for the campaign option, I agree that this is currently the best option for this turn. I also have some ideas about the Beta-Israel kingdom, but I can't really phrase them the way I want to, so I won't post them now.

Edit: Decided to change to the Wej Campaign. While not going against the Harari, I have now come to understand that the Wej Campaign could still benefit us enough for the tme being.