Shakal
05-12-2007, 03:41
The Grand Imperium Of Shakal
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History:
The Shakal people were first recorded to exist in 614 BC. Led by High Praetor Zalord they founded Shakal City in 613 BC and began a campaign of conquest along the African coast. The High Praetor led a small but strong army of 2,000 men south and made sure that the Empire has a fairly strong agricultural base for population growth. Finding the bulk of the land unsuitable Zalord began to prepare a fleet for exploration in the Mediterranean.
In the spring of 608 BC a sizable fleet of Biremes was sent under the leadership of Admiral Mu'set to find a location that could be used for grain production. After two tense weeks at sea he made landfall on the island of Sardinia. The natives were fierce people that were not conquered but slowly subjacated as citizens. After two years Mu'set left Sardina under governor Hekel. His ships saild on and reached the Iberian coast where Mu'set was overjoyed at the fertile lands along the coast. The native population in Iberia were much more intelligent than there Sardinian counterparts. In early 605 BC Mu'set was forced to fight them in a ptiched battle near the mouth of the Ebro river. After several long hours Mu'set handed the Iberians a defeat and pushed them back. After another two long hard years of guerilla warfare a section of the coast centered on the city of Darano (RL Barcelona) was proclaimed a province of the empire. Mu'set made sure the province was well protected before leaving for him with a much reduced force.
In 601 BC Mu'set returned to Shakal City as a hero. Zalord rewarded him with the office of Grand Majestor of the Provinces. He became the second most influential and powerful figure within the Imperium. The Empire's population slowly grew thanks to the new food rich area and roads were built and created for the next fifteen years. The population eventually reached 50,000 in 584 BC. Zalord, nearly the end of his life went out on a campaign to the west as much as for exploration as for conquest. The lands along the coast held an area suitable for a hearty living with no lack of hardships to make the people strong. The land was scarcly populated and lacked major towns. So Zalord had the city of Thorad founded around 150km down the coast from Shakal City. Like many other Shakal population centers utmost care was taken in the construction of a fresh water source for it. Zalord continued his campaign as far west as the city of Algiers where he died from natural causes in 582 BC.
After the death of the first High Praetor, contrary to many other nations abroad, the most capable was given command, not the first son. So as per Zalord's final wish Mu'set became High Praetor. Being some 53 it was well known he had perhaps a decade before his demise followed. He knew also and having no men of experience he would be made to hand over his rule to his eldest son Jocham who was a brilliant administrator and carried strong political opinion but lacked proper military command skills. For nine years Mu'set made sure that no enemies abroad existed for a campaign to be conducted.
Mu'set passed away in fall of 572 BC and handed over the rule to his son. Jocham immediatly began to spend the money of the state of contructing a new aquaduct for Shakal City. As the project was half completed in 570 BC Jocham recieved word of the Iberians attacking Darano. Jocham inexperienced as he was decided to leave on campaign to defeat the Iberians. On the way a storm blew his ships off course to the east. Several were dashed upon the rocks of the Sicilian coast. His remaining ships made shore and he, believeing they had reached Iberia began to seize the lands on the way. He reached half way inland before realizing that this was not Iberia. Ashamed of his mistake he commited suicide naming General Zo Nol his successor in 569 BC. Zo Nal immediatly made the best of the situation and claimed half of Sicily in the name of the Empire.
The campaign into Iberia rebegan in 567 BC with Zo Nal pushing south along the coast as far as modern Valencia. He eventually negotiated a peace with the Iberians in 563 BC and returned home to quell unrest. In 560 BC he reformed the army making it much smaller, but professional and standing. Three branches came into existance, the Jessua formed the colonial guards, the Illusatari who form the main standing force. The third anf final class are the Cinihandi who are the Empire's marines and sailors. Zo Nal founded half a dozen cities all over the Empire and focused on maintaining order. Fourty years of steady reform led to healthy relations with most other countries of the world and a good world standing.
In 523 BC Zo Nal died and his sucessor Philantine began to control the state. He was corrupt and evil. The 60,000 people of the Empire despised him and began to plot his overthrowing. In 510 BC the Shakal Civil war began with the colonies siding against Philantine. His enemy was Jocham II. Much more military able than his grandfather he led a force of loyal citizens and a single regiment of Jessua against the Imperial forces. by 505 BC Philantine was killed and Jocham II took control at 28 years old. He began to repair what Philantine has destroyed and by 500 BC much of what had been lost was back to its former strength. In 502 BC he began military reform and the standing army was disbanded and reformed into two single entities. The Wehrmacht and the Kaiserliche Marine Korp.
Trade: 6
Trade in the Empire is slowly gaining momentum. Due to its large holdings the Empire relies on merchants for its income. However, its civil war and recent military ventures have made people weary of trade with the Empire. Still, many nations rely more on Shakal trade than the Shakal rely on them so there reluctance is overshadowed by economic need.
Government: 8
The Empire is totally ruled by the High Praetor. He recieves council from an elected council made by the people of the Empire to hear the peoples will. The High Praetor is typically unbound by any obligations althought it is unwise to go against the will of the people.
Production: 5
The bread basket of the Empire is on the Ebro River in Iberia. It generates 60% of Imperial foodstuffs and is therfore well protected. Secondary sources include the floodlands of Western Africa and the clearlands of Sardinia.
Military: 6
The Shakal military is relied upon to keep order in the Empire. The Wehrmacht is well trained and standing meant to protect the lands as the Kaiserliche Marine handles the heavier work.
Navy: 8
The Kaiserliche Marine is among the most powerful naval forces on the Mediterranean. It is equipped with Triremes numbering at around three hundred and has excellent rowers. They are meant for simple protection not the intimidation and power projection of the other Mediterranean fleets.
Major Cities
Darano
Located in the northern section of Shakal controlled Spain, Darano is the center of Shakal government and authority. A walled city with defences even better than Shakal City itself due to its position near the frontier, Darano has always been a center for commerce on the Mediterranean.
The barracks at Darano houses 2,500 soldiers and in times of war can handle up to 500 more without straining the city. As is Shakal custom the governor of the city is responsible only to the High Praetor.
Jasdel
Originally a fort city built on Sardinia to help the expansion Jasdel grew to become one of the "3 Pearls" of the Empire alongside the capital and Thorad. Jasdel is the second largest port city within the empire containing a civilian port and a seperate well protected military port capable of housing 150 vessels. Jasdel is ruled by a governor and a citizens council to help govern the island in times of peace.
Calmata
Calmata began as a small fishing villiage in the Baelric Isles. Governed by well trained and capable men Calmata is an important stop on the route from the capital of the Empire to Darano or vice versa.
Thorad
Thorad was once a small barbarian fishing villiage that became Shakal during the crusade by Mu'set. He called for a mass move of population to the city from all over Sicily and the city grew beyond its walls. Now as a new century dawns the city remains one of the "3 Pearls" of the Empire.
Gerdrana
Gerdrana is a small, but vital city on the African coast meant to protect against foreign invaders. It has a small prt capable of holding 30 Triremes and 30 smaller vessels. Though growing slowly it is one of the three largest Shakal cities in Africa.
Fort Hekel
Founded by Governor Hekel in 596 BC the fort is the vanguard of Shakal southern ambitions. A strong base it is the largest center of Shakal forces in the Empire. In times of peace a force of 4,500 soldiers can be housed in its 3 walled circumference. In the case of a war or campaign south an astonishing 10,000 men could be held without cutting the cities supplies low. At maximum capacity a well armed force of 12,500 men could be held, although only for 14 months.
Shakal City
The capital of the Empire,Shakal City has an ever growing population of 55,000 citizens. Based on the man enlarged mountain ever so slightly off the coast the city has 4 walls, the first, 15 feet high, the second 18 feet in height, the third 25 feet tall, and the fourth, and final wall stands some fourty five feet high. Each wall is seperated by a ditch and a rampart in the center containing a short palaside wall to slow infantry, but spread thinly enough to allow archers from the next wall to fire through and hit the enemy soldiers. It also assists in stopping sapping poits from piercing the cit limnits. The Imperial Palace is protected by a smaller 15 foot wall only four feet thick deep inside the city to protect the residents prying eyes.
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6434/shakal500bcgw9.png
History:
The Shakal people were first recorded to exist in 614 BC. Led by High Praetor Zalord they founded Shakal City in 613 BC and began a campaign of conquest along the African coast. The High Praetor led a small but strong army of 2,000 men south and made sure that the Empire has a fairly strong agricultural base for population growth. Finding the bulk of the land unsuitable Zalord began to prepare a fleet for exploration in the Mediterranean.
In the spring of 608 BC a sizable fleet of Biremes was sent under the leadership of Admiral Mu'set to find a location that could be used for grain production. After two tense weeks at sea he made landfall on the island of Sardinia. The natives were fierce people that were not conquered but slowly subjacated as citizens. After two years Mu'set left Sardina under governor Hekel. His ships saild on and reached the Iberian coast where Mu'set was overjoyed at the fertile lands along the coast. The native population in Iberia were much more intelligent than there Sardinian counterparts. In early 605 BC Mu'set was forced to fight them in a ptiched battle near the mouth of the Ebro river. After several long hours Mu'set handed the Iberians a defeat and pushed them back. After another two long hard years of guerilla warfare a section of the coast centered on the city of Darano (RL Barcelona) was proclaimed a province of the empire. Mu'set made sure the province was well protected before leaving for him with a much reduced force.
In 601 BC Mu'set returned to Shakal City as a hero. Zalord rewarded him with the office of Grand Majestor of the Provinces. He became the second most influential and powerful figure within the Imperium. The Empire's population slowly grew thanks to the new food rich area and roads were built and created for the next fifteen years. The population eventually reached 50,000 in 584 BC. Zalord, nearly the end of his life went out on a campaign to the west as much as for exploration as for conquest. The lands along the coast held an area suitable for a hearty living with no lack of hardships to make the people strong. The land was scarcly populated and lacked major towns. So Zalord had the city of Thorad founded around 150km down the coast from Shakal City. Like many other Shakal population centers utmost care was taken in the construction of a fresh water source for it. Zalord continued his campaign as far west as the city of Algiers where he died from natural causes in 582 BC.
After the death of the first High Praetor, contrary to many other nations abroad, the most capable was given command, not the first son. So as per Zalord's final wish Mu'set became High Praetor. Being some 53 it was well known he had perhaps a decade before his demise followed. He knew also and having no men of experience he would be made to hand over his rule to his eldest son Jocham who was a brilliant administrator and carried strong political opinion but lacked proper military command skills. For nine years Mu'set made sure that no enemies abroad existed for a campaign to be conducted.
Mu'set passed away in fall of 572 BC and handed over the rule to his son. Jocham immediatly began to spend the money of the state of contructing a new aquaduct for Shakal City. As the project was half completed in 570 BC Jocham recieved word of the Iberians attacking Darano. Jocham inexperienced as he was decided to leave on campaign to defeat the Iberians. On the way a storm blew his ships off course to the east. Several were dashed upon the rocks of the Sicilian coast. His remaining ships made shore and he, believeing they had reached Iberia began to seize the lands on the way. He reached half way inland before realizing that this was not Iberia. Ashamed of his mistake he commited suicide naming General Zo Nol his successor in 569 BC. Zo Nal immediatly made the best of the situation and claimed half of Sicily in the name of the Empire.
The campaign into Iberia rebegan in 567 BC with Zo Nal pushing south along the coast as far as modern Valencia. He eventually negotiated a peace with the Iberians in 563 BC and returned home to quell unrest. In 560 BC he reformed the army making it much smaller, but professional and standing. Three branches came into existance, the Jessua formed the colonial guards, the Illusatari who form the main standing force. The third anf final class are the Cinihandi who are the Empire's marines and sailors. Zo Nal founded half a dozen cities all over the Empire and focused on maintaining order. Fourty years of steady reform led to healthy relations with most other countries of the world and a good world standing.
In 523 BC Zo Nal died and his sucessor Philantine began to control the state. He was corrupt and evil. The 60,000 people of the Empire despised him and began to plot his overthrowing. In 510 BC the Shakal Civil war began with the colonies siding against Philantine. His enemy was Jocham II. Much more military able than his grandfather he led a force of loyal citizens and a single regiment of Jessua against the Imperial forces. by 505 BC Philantine was killed and Jocham II took control at 28 years old. He began to repair what Philantine has destroyed and by 500 BC much of what had been lost was back to its former strength. In 502 BC he began military reform and the standing army was disbanded and reformed into two single entities. The Wehrmacht and the Kaiserliche Marine Korp.
Trade: 6
Trade in the Empire is slowly gaining momentum. Due to its large holdings the Empire relies on merchants for its income. However, its civil war and recent military ventures have made people weary of trade with the Empire. Still, many nations rely more on Shakal trade than the Shakal rely on them so there reluctance is overshadowed by economic need.
Government: 8
The Empire is totally ruled by the High Praetor. He recieves council from an elected council made by the people of the Empire to hear the peoples will. The High Praetor is typically unbound by any obligations althought it is unwise to go against the will of the people.
Production: 5
The bread basket of the Empire is on the Ebro River in Iberia. It generates 60% of Imperial foodstuffs and is therfore well protected. Secondary sources include the floodlands of Western Africa and the clearlands of Sardinia.
Military: 6
The Shakal military is relied upon to keep order in the Empire. The Wehrmacht is well trained and standing meant to protect the lands as the Kaiserliche Marine handles the heavier work.
Navy: 8
The Kaiserliche Marine is among the most powerful naval forces on the Mediterranean. It is equipped with Triremes numbering at around three hundred and has excellent rowers. They are meant for simple protection not the intimidation and power projection of the other Mediterranean fleets.
Major Cities
Darano
Located in the northern section of Shakal controlled Spain, Darano is the center of Shakal government and authority. A walled city with defences even better than Shakal City itself due to its position near the frontier, Darano has always been a center for commerce on the Mediterranean.
The barracks at Darano houses 2,500 soldiers and in times of war can handle up to 500 more without straining the city. As is Shakal custom the governor of the city is responsible only to the High Praetor.
Jasdel
Originally a fort city built on Sardinia to help the expansion Jasdel grew to become one of the "3 Pearls" of the Empire alongside the capital and Thorad. Jasdel is the second largest port city within the empire containing a civilian port and a seperate well protected military port capable of housing 150 vessels. Jasdel is ruled by a governor and a citizens council to help govern the island in times of peace.
Calmata
Calmata began as a small fishing villiage in the Baelric Isles. Governed by well trained and capable men Calmata is an important stop on the route from the capital of the Empire to Darano or vice versa.
Thorad
Thorad was once a small barbarian fishing villiage that became Shakal during the crusade by Mu'set. He called for a mass move of population to the city from all over Sicily and the city grew beyond its walls. Now as a new century dawns the city remains one of the "3 Pearls" of the Empire.
Gerdrana
Gerdrana is a small, but vital city on the African coast meant to protect against foreign invaders. It has a small prt capable of holding 30 Triremes and 30 smaller vessels. Though growing slowly it is one of the three largest Shakal cities in Africa.
Fort Hekel
Founded by Governor Hekel in 596 BC the fort is the vanguard of Shakal southern ambitions. A strong base it is the largest center of Shakal forces in the Empire. In times of peace a force of 4,500 soldiers can be housed in its 3 walled circumference. In the case of a war or campaign south an astonishing 10,000 men could be held without cutting the cities supplies low. At maximum capacity a well armed force of 12,500 men could be held, although only for 14 months.
Shakal City
The capital of the Empire,Shakal City has an ever growing population of 55,000 citizens. Based on the man enlarged mountain ever so slightly off the coast the city has 4 walls, the first, 15 feet high, the second 18 feet in height, the third 25 feet tall, and the fourth, and final wall stands some fourty five feet high. Each wall is seperated by a ditch and a rampart in the center containing a short palaside wall to slow infantry, but spread thinly enough to allow archers from the next wall to fire through and hit the enemy soldiers. It also assists in stopping sapping poits from piercing the cit limnits. The Imperial Palace is protected by a smaller 15 foot wall only four feet thick deep inside the city to protect the residents prying eyes.