[CENTER][IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/2copjpw.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER]

[CENTER][B]The Fourth Crusade Gains Pace[/B][/CENTER]

Thousands upon thousands of God's chosen, marching down every cattle path, thoroughfare, Roman road and bridlway towards Genoa. The banners of the Cross flutter freely in the hopeful sunshine of Spring. Every human nation, greater or small, that bends the knee to Jesus Christ has contributed to this mighty display of Earth's native defiance. It is an army of great strength, and of bravery, headed by the War Council of Venice and King Philip II of France. 

All eyes the world over fall on this great endeavour, as to many, it represents man's last hope of reversing this deadly war against Hell's invaders. 

Army Status Card

[hider=The Fourth Crusade]
[b][i]The Fourth Crusade[/i][/b]
[b]Current General:[/b] Philip II of France//War Council of Venice Members
[b]Location:[/b] Genoa, Northern Italy. 
[b]Morale:[/b] 100%
[b]Strength/Unit Breakdown:[/b] 
[indent] - <Troop Type>/<Number of Troops>/<Bonuses>/
 - <Crusader Knights>/<5,000>/<Mounted, Heavily Armoured>/
 - <Crusader Sergeants>/<10,000>/<Heavily Armoured, Effective against mounted troops>/
 - <Knights Templar>/<10,000>/<Well trained, impervious to fear, heavily armoured and eager for battle.>/
 - <Crusader Pavisse Crossbowmen>/<6,000>/<Trained>/
- Total Strength: 21,000[/indent]
 [b]Current Action:[/b] Gathering strength.
[/hider]

[CENTER][B]The Flame of the East Declares Jihad Against The Ozkavosh[/B][/CENTER]

Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn, the Sultan of the Ayyubid Dynasty and Bane of Christendom, has called forth a Holy War against the evil that encroaches near his homeland. In the same light of a Crusade, it will be some time before he gathers his full strength to him, but one would not be surprised to find he could summon as many as one hundred thousand loyal Muslims to his cause. 

It is unlike the Sultan to show his full hand early however, and some feel that perhaps this move has ulterior motives aside from assembling a giant war host the likes the Eastern world has not seen in over a decade. 

[CENTER][B]England Sends Emissaries to the Humlon[/B][/CENTER]

A lone ship from the English fleet has docked at Antwerp with a delegation of His Majesty's dipolmats. Despite the cold tensions that England initially levelled against the Humlon, their Cardinal, John Fletcher, has persuaded them to learn more of the alien races before making rash decisions with the sword.

The English are seeking an Alliance, with the following terms:

- The Humlon do not attempt to sail a fleet near the English channel; doing see will be seen as aggression. 

- The Humlon do not invade France.

- The Humlon will come to England's aid, if King John demands it.

- In return for the above, England will steer clear of Flanders, Burgandy and any other territories held by the Humlon. 

- A small force of some 5,000 Longbowmen will be gifted to the Humlon to bolster their army.