Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Own Buré
• The following must not occur:
  • Mossi exists

Will happen within 2 days of April 12, 1419
Checked again every 2 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after April 13, 1540)

Description

Upon the fall of their state the Mossi were forced to flee to the edges of the countryside. Eventually another Mossi state would emerge.

Actions

A. We are the masters of the Mossi

• Culture in Buré changes to mandé
• +10 victory points

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Country has at least 3 non-colonial provinces
• Own Timbuktu

Will happen within 360 days of January 2, 1464
Checked again every 360 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

Sonni Ali was a military genius who quickly reorganized his forces. He built the army into a professional force divided into cavalry and infantry. Most of the cavalry were made up of nobility, but slaves and captives were accepted as well. He also installed a hi-koi (commander-in-chief) for the navy, which grew to over four hundred boats run by the Sorko, the fisherfolk of the Dendi. The Sorko were key to his victories along the Niger, able to transport troops quickly along the more than thousand-mile 'highway'. Using the Sorko, he struck quickly along the river at Walata and Jenne, cities that had recently gained their independence from Mali. If Jenne fell, the empire would be unstoppable.

Actions

A. On to Mali!

• Break vassalization with Mali
• Buré will be considered a national province
• Quality +1
• Offensive Doctrine +2
• Land tech investment: +500
• Naval tech investment: +200
• +5000 cavalry in the capital province
• Bambuk will be considered a national province
• Gain a temporary casus belli against Mali for 36 months
• -50 relations with Mali

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Control Bambuk

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1464
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

Jenne was the door to the gold, kola nut and ivory producers of the southern forests. It was also newly independent of Mali and a ripe target for conquest. 250 miles southwest of Timbuktu, it was protected by natural defenses. Taking advantage of the high water season Sonni Ali sent his army to Jenne on 400 boats, but the siege took seven years, seven months and seven days. When Jenne at last fell the Malinke King surrendered with dignity. Out of respect to the defeated leader, Sonni Ali instructed his men not to loot the city or harm the royal family. In fact, Sonni Ali himself married the Queen mother of Jenne, uniting the royal clans of Songhai and Jenne.

Actions

A. The royal clans of Songhai and Jenne are united with me!

• +10 victory points
• mandé will become an accepted culture
• Jenné will be considered a national province
• Segu will be considered a national province

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Own Timbuktu
• Control Timbuktu
• Event 124003 - The Governor's Reply for Timbuktu has already occurred

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1464
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)
unless prevented by
Action B of 124003 - The Governor's Reply for Timbuktu

Description

Although he claimed to be a liberator, Sonni Ali had dreams of empire. He was not pleased with Timbuktu, which had first spurned and insulted him, then closed its gates to his armies. He had marked the ulemas (clerics) of Timbuktu as traitors and cowards who deserved no mercy. When he occupied Timbuktu he set his men loose on the city, sacking the city and slaughtering its Muslim leaders, many of whom fled to Walata. It was yet another atrocity in the short history of Timbuktu and it left the once great city in ruins.

Actions

A. Revenge is sweet!

• -1000 population in Timbuktu
• Culture in Timbuktu changes to mandé
• Timbuktu converts to the state religion
• +1 badboy

Songhai — Not random

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1464
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

The greatest hero of Songhai legend was Sonni Ali Ber. Ali's mother was from the town of Fara, whose people were not strict Muslims. Their religious leaders were the diviners and sorcerors of Songhai's traditional religions but because he was a Songhai prince he was nominally Muslim and gave money to the mosques of Gao. He began his reign by defeating the Dogon and Fulani tribes that were rivals to the Songhai, then drove the Mossi raiders out of the Dendi for good. A brilliant general, in 26 years he fought 32 wars and won them all. Soon, he began to look beyond Gao. The obvious choice was Timbuktu, long the key to control of the valuable gold-salt-ivory trade of West Africa. Sonni Ali sent a message to the governor of Timbuktu asking him to join his empire peacefully.

Actions

A. Drive out the invaders!

• Stability +1
• Quality +1
• +1 base tax value in Gao
• +2000 population in Gao
• +1 base tax value in Say
• +2000 population in Say
• -50 relations with Mossi
• Break vassalization with Timbuktu
• Break vassalization with Mossi

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284007 - Timbuktu's Riches for Songhai has already occurred
• Own Timbuktu

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1466
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

Although the leaders of Timbuktu had invited Sonni Ali to save them from the Tuaregs, they had second thoughts when they saw the massive army approaching. Assembled in front of Timbuktu were hundreds of camels and horses mounted by Songhai cavalry and hundreds of infantrymen in full armor. The ulemas of the city knew that Sonni Ali was a Muslim in name only, and this made him suspect. Frightened, the people appealed to the Tuareg to save them and surprisingly the Tuareg chief answered them. He sent a caravan of a thousand camels to escort any who wished to flee to the safety of Walata, the Tuareg capital in the Sahara. Omar at first closed the city to the Songhai but relented and had a fleet of boats assembled to ferry the armies across to the city before he joined the caravan, leaving his brother al-Muhktar in charge.

Actions

A. The city of learning is now ours

• -1000 population in Timbuktu
• +10 victory points

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• None of the following must occur:
  • Own Timbuktu
  • Timbuktu owns Timbuktu
  • Mali owns Timbuktu
  • Event 284010 - The Tuareg Approach Timbuktu for Songhai has already occurred
  • Event 284007 - Timbuktu's Riches for Songhai has already occurred

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1468
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

Three cities made up the triangle of trade in the Sahel region. Salt, gold, slaves and ivory flowed between Gao, Timbuktu and Jenne. Ghana and Mali had both controlled the three in their time. Now Mali had lost Gao and Timbuktu, making room for another empire to claim its place. Sonni Ali had Gao and Timbuktu lay close by to the west. Although it was held by others, it was a tempting target indeed. If he could lay claim to it, he could build an empire akin to that of Mali - and bring the Malinke Kings down from their thrones. Sonni Ali decided to gamble for it all.

Actions

A. It must be mine!

• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• +5000 infantry in Say
• -50 relations with Mossi
• -50 relations with Ashanti
• -50 relations with Dahomey

B. Give up on our dreams of empire

• -50 victory points
• Stability +1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Mali owns Timbuktu
• The following must not occur:
  • Mali is a vassal of Songhai
• The following must not occur:
  • Relations with Mali are at 100 or higher
• The following must not occur:
  • Event 284007 - Timbuktu's Riches for Songhai has already occurred

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1468
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

The Malinke Kings of Mali had once ruled Songhai, and it was only by cunning and deception that two Songhai princes managed to escape and lead the fight for freedom in the fourteenth century. Although Mali was on the decline, it would remain a threat to Songhai independence while it remained so close to Gao. Timbuktu was the key to control of West Africa, and Sonni Ali meant to have that key. Knowing this, the Tuareg approached him with an offer. They had founded Timbuktu but were unable to hold onto it. They were eager to take revenge on the Malinke and soon a strike force was assembled to take Timbuktu. It was a risky gambit against a powerful empire, but it was Gao's last chance for empire.

Actions

A. Form an alliance against Mali

• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• Gain a temporary casus belli against Mali for 36 months
• -100 relations with Mali
• +1000 cavalry in Say

B. Warn the Malinke about the threat

• Stability -1
• +50
• +50 relations with Mali

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Mossi exists
• At least one of the following must occur:
  • Own Bambuk
  • Own Jenné

Will happen within 30 days of January 2, 1480
Checked again every 30 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1492)

Description

The Mossi persistantly raided Songhai's new territories gained from Mali. Eventually, Sonni Ali Ber had enough and vowed to rid the Empire of the Mossi threat.

Actions

A. They shall tremble before our wrath!

• -100 relations with Mossi
• Break royal marriage with Mossi
• Break vassalization with Mossi

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Country has at least 4 non-colonial provinces

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1483
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after November 7, 1492)

Description

Although he ruled from horseback, Sonni Ali Ber was well aware that a vast empire could not be held together by military force alone. He organized the Songhai government into an effective bureaucracy, turning conquered states into provinces, appointing governors and setting standards. This differed greatly from the previous Sudanese empires which had been based more on alliances and tributary states than on the high degree of centralization characteristic of Songhai. He did, however, make special arrangements for Timbuktu and other Muslim provinces.

Actions

A. Reorganize conquered states but allow Muslims autonomy

• -1 badboy
• Stability +2
• Centralization +1
• Trade tech investment: +200
• Infrastructure tech investment: +200

B. Emphasize traditional religion over Islam

• Stability +1
• Centralization +1
• Innovativeness -1
• Create a religious revolt in a random province
• Create a religious revolt in a random province
• Infrastructure tech investment: +300
• Trade tech investment: +100

C. Keep the old system and focus on the military

• -25 victory points
• Stability +1
• Grant independence to Timbuktu
• Grant independence to Mossi
• Centralization -1
• Quality +1
• +5000 infantry in the capital province
• +5000 cavalry in the capital province

Songhai — Not random

Will happen within 30 days of November 8, 1492
Checked again every 30 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after March 4, 1493)

Description

When Sonni Ali drowned while returning home after a victory, Muslims across the empire thanked Allah for answering their prayers. Although he tried to accomodate the Muslims Sonni Ali had had little respect for Islam. He kept up the outward appearance of a Muslim but he neither relinquished the traditional Songhai religion nor recognized Islam as the state religion. Women were allowed to walk around unveiled and public ceremonies were a mix of traditional and islamic rituals. His harsh treatment of the ulemas (clerics) of Timbuktu only created more friction in the empire. Ali was succeeded by his son Sonni Baru. Like his father, Baru was Muslim in name only. He said his prayers all at once instead of five times a day and on campaign he simply said the names of the prayers to save time. Finally a group of Muslim officers confronted Baru and demanded he change his ways. He refused only to be faced with a coup d'etat. Sonni Baru fled to a village in the far south and lived his life in exile.

Actions

A. Flee to the south!

• Stability -2
• Global revolt risk +6 for 4 months
• A random province revolts

B. Stay and fight for religious freedom

• Stability -5
• Innovativeness +1
• Global revolt risk +12 for 12 months
• A random province revolts
• A random province revolts
• A random province revolts
• Monarch Muhammad I will never rule
• Monarch Mûsâ will never rule
• Monarch Muhammad II will never rule
• Leader Muhammad I will never be active

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Country has at least 10 non-colonial provinces

Will happen within 360 days of January 2, 1493
Checked again every 360 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

With the fall of Hausaland the emperor had expanded as far south and as far west as the empire could bear. But there were still lands for the taking. To the north were the valuable salt mines of Taghaza in the Sahara desert, while to the east were the Tuareg lands of Air and Agades. The emperor moved northeast, driving the Tuaregs into the desert and setting up administrators to prevent them from reclaiming these lost lands. With these additions the Songhai empire had at last reached its zenith, ultimately stretching from Taghaza in the north to the borders of Yatenga in the south, and from Air in the northeast to Futa Toro in Senegambia. With literally several hundred cultures under its control, Songhai was the largest empire in African history. Unfortuantely, once one has reached the top, there is only one way to go...

Actions

A. Conquer the Tuaregs

• Azaouad will be considered a national province
• +3 colonists
• +50 victory points
• Lose 7000 troops in a random province
• +2 base tax value in Gao
• +2 base tax value in Say

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad I is active

Will happen within 1 days of March 4, 1493
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

With the last Sonni ('Restored') heir in exile, the Muslim commanders had won and their leader, Askia ('General') Muhammad Abu Bakr Touré became the new King. This was the beginning of the Askiya dynasty, the fourth and last dynasty of Songhai. His first act was to welcome Muslims back to Timbuktu, Gao and Jenne, stimulating trade.

Actions

A. Welcome back!

• +10 victory points
• Stability +1
• Religion in Timbuktu changes to sunni
• Religion in Gao changes to sunni
• Religion in Bambuk changes to sunni
• +500 population in Timbuktu
• Trade tech investment: +200
• +3 merchants

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad I is active
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 180 days of June 2, 1496
Checked again every 180 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

Askia Mohammad grew up among the Touré, a clan of the Solinke people whose connection with Islam dated back centuries. A devout Muslim and a skilled general, within three years of his coup d'etat he had solidified his position enough to leave Songhai for two years to make a special pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, or 'Hajj'. This pilgrimage was not only required of the pious, it also gave them a special blessing called 'baraka'. Although not as large as Mansa Musa's hajj a century earlier, Askia Mohammad's pilgrimage was still a spectacle. He took three hundred thousand pieces of gold, a thousand infantrymen and five hundred cavalry with him to Egypt.

Actions

A. Make the pilgrimage to Mecca

• -50
• Lose 1500 troops in the capital province
• Monarch's administrative skill -3 for 24 months
• Monarch's military skill -3 for 24 months
• Monarch's diplomatic skill -3 for 24 months
• +25 relations with Mali
• +50 relations with Mamluks

B. Stay in Gao but make Islam the state religion

• Change religion to sunni
• +25 relations with Mali
• -10 relations with Ashanti
• -10 relations with Mossi
• -10 relations with Hausa
• Event 219002 - Caliph of the Sahara for Mamluks will never fire

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• State religion is sunni
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1498
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

As the first true Muslim ruler of Songhai the King ordered the building of an immense monument to himself in 1495 in the capital, where it bore testimony to the power and riches of the empire. The building, where his remains were placed after his death, is the largest pre-colonial architectural monument in the region. The complex, including the pyramidal tomb, two flat roofed mosque buildings, a mosque cemetary and an open air assembly ground, was the greatest spectacle of the Niger.

Actions

A. Build a monument to my greatness

• +20 victory points
• -100
• Infrastructure tech investment: +200
• Global revolt risk -2 for 24 months
• A random province converts to the state religion

B. Build an unassuming crypt

• -25

C. Do not build it

• -20 victory points

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284021 - The Hajj for Songhai has already occurred

Will happen within 30 days of January 2, 1499
Checked again every 30 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

Askia Mohammad returned to Songhai in glory. In Egypt, he had met with the Sharif of Egypt, a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed through his daughter Fatima. The Sharif was impressed with the African emperor and made him his lieutenant over all the Songhai lands. In addition, an ambassador to Songhai was appointed. His hajj had strengthened his beliefs and given him spiritual authority over Sahel, all the fertile land south of the Sahara. He immediately imposed Islamic law on Songhai, appointing Muslims as Qadhis (judges) across the land in the hopes that his people would come around to his faith.

Actions

A. I have returned!

• Change religion to sunni
• Leader Muhammad I becomes active
• Stability +3
• +10 victory points
• +1000 infantry in the capital province
• Centralization +1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• At least one of the following must occur:
  • Country has at least 5 non-colonial provinces
  • Own Bambuk

Will happen within 90 days of February 2, 1499
Checked again every 90 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

The strength of the coup against Sonni Baru had come from the military forces occupying the new territories to the west. These lands were rich but also far away from Gao and threatened to shake off Songhai control without careful oversight. To prevent this the King created a new position: the Kurmina-Fari, or overlord of the west, based in Kabara, a port west of Timbuktu. The Kurmina-Fari became the second most powerful man in the empire after the King himself and the position was a prize given to royal brothers to keep them out of trouble. With the west under his firm control the King continued Sonni Ali's imperial expansion by conquering Mali itself.

Actions

A. Appoint the Kurmina-Fari

• Centralization -1
• Stability +1
• Awdaghost will be considered a national province
• Walata will be considered a national province

B. Rule these lands from Gao

• Centralization +1
• Offensive Doctrine -1
• Stability -2
• Awdaghost revolts
• Walata revolts
• Jenné revolts
• Bambuk revolts
• Segu revolts

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• The following must not occur:
  • Songhai and Mali are at war
• Event 284022 - Caliph of the Sahara for Songhai has already occurred

Will happen within 90 days of January 2, 1500
Checked again every 90 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

As the Commander of the Faithful Askia Mohammad laid claim to all Muslims in Sahel. After consolidating his rule in the west he turned to the east, declaring a Jihad against all infidels. His first target was the Mossi. Songhai armies killed thousands of Mossi, taking their children back with them to Songhai, where they were raised as Muslims. Flush with success, Askia Mohammad sent his armies east against Hausaland.

Actions

A. Declare a Jihad!

• -100 relations with Hausa
• -100 relations with Ashanti
• Zaria will be considered a national province
• Buré will be considered a national province
• Gain a temporary casus belli against Hausa for 36 months
• Gain a temporary casus belli against Ashanti for 36 months
• +10000 infantry in the capital province
• +1000 population in the capital province

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284025 - Jihad for Songhai has already occurred
• Own Zaria
• Hausa exists
• The following must not occur:
  • Songhai and Hausa are at war

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1500
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

The Jihad against the Hausa states was a success. All the Hausa cities were captured except the walled city of Kano, which resisted for over a year. When it finally surrendered Askia Mohammad allowed the King of Kano to keep his throne and married one of his daughters to him. Hausaland was now part of Songhai.

Actions

A. Let the King of Kano keep his throne

• -1 badboy
• Grant independence to Hausa
• Gain Hausa as vassals
• Gain a royal marriage with Hausa
• Cede Nupa to Hausa

B. Execute the King of Kano and loot the city

• -100 relations with Hausa
• +200

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• State religion is sunni
• Monarch Muhammad I is active
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1500
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

While the urban centers of Songhai were dominated by Islam, the rural areas where the vast majority of the population lived followed traditional African religions. Askia Mohammad was a fervent Muslim, and throughout his life he attempted to convert his people peacefully. He introduced Islamic law and appointed Islamic judges (Qadhis) in the larger districts and replaced native Songhai administrators with Arabs in order to Islamicize the empire but he stopped short of making Islam mandatory. He turned to a famous Islamic scholar, Muhammad Al-Maghili, for advice. In response, Al-Maghili wrote a book entitled 'The Obligations of Princes' in which he advised the King to put to death all those who claimed knowledge of the supernatural, punish men and women who mixed freely on the street and follow the teachings of the Koran regarding hygiene and diet. This strict interpretation of Islamic law was hard for the King to accept. He instituted some changes but never went as far as Al-Maghili wanted him to.

Actions

A. Interpret Islamic law loosely

• Stability +1

B. Enforce Islamic law with the sword

• Stability +1
• Global revolt risk +15 for 60 months
• Create a religious revolt in a random province
• Create a religious revolt in a random province
• A random province converts to the state religion
• A random province converts to the state religion

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Own Timbuktu
• State religion is sunni
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1500
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

The King decidedly courted his Muslim subjects, particularly in Timbuktu, where the clerics and scholars who had fled from Sonni Ali had returned. The Muslims were the literate class of Songhai, and the King encouraged literacy, art and learning. Under the King's patronage Timbuktu experienced a cultural revival and flourished as a center of learning. He gave grants of land and incomes to the ulema, attracting eminent Muslim scholars from as far away as India. The emperor often sought out the ulema for advice and treated them as his equals. The University of Sankore produced distinguished scholars and published significant books, including Tarik al-Fattah and Tarik as-Sudan, two of the few histories of Africa known to exist in the Middle Ages.

Actions

A. Give generously to the Ulema

• -200
• -1 badboy
• Religion in Timbuktu changes to sunni
• +2000 population in Timbuktu
• Infrastructure tech investment: +200
• Gain Fine Arts Academy in Timbuktu

B. Spend the money on our military instead

• -10 victory points
• -50
• Land tech investment: +300
• Quality +1
• Offensive Doctrine +1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad I is active
• Country has at least 5 non-colonial provinces
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1510
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after August 27, 1528)

Description

In Cairo, Askia Mohammad had consulted with scholars and examined legal and administrative methods and returned with many new ideas. Mohammad fostered trade and commerce, policing the trade routes with the army to maintain its safety. He standardized weights, measures and currency, encouraging the idea of one empire instead of dozens of cultures. He created a large and elaborate bureaucracy to oversee the empire, dividing Songhai into defined provinces, each with its own governor. The King was at the center of it all, assisted by a council of advisors and ministers. Askia was also using the reforms to systematically remove the surviving members of the Sonni, Dia and Za dynasties, replacing them with his own followers. The new government was a giant step away from the style of Mali or Ghana and also from Islamic models used in North Africa. Nothing like it had ever existed in the Sahel before.

Actions

A. Major reforms

• Stability +1
• Centralization +1
• Mercantilism -1
• Infrastructure tech investment: +500
• Trade tech investment: +500
• Culture in Timbuktu changes to mandé
• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• -100

B. Foster trade and commerce

• Mercantilism -1
• Trade tech investment: +500
• Culture in Timbuktu changes to mandé
• -50

C. Create the bureaucracy

• Centralization +1
• Infrastructure tech investment: +500
• -50

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• At least one of the following must occur:
  • Timbuktu has religion sunni
  • Gao has religion sunni
  • Bambuk has religion sunni
• Monarch Bakarî is active

Will happen within 3000 days of January 2, 1510
Checked again every 3000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after April 23, 1537)

Description

Even though he had defeated the most serious challenge to his rule, Sonni Baru still faced opposition to his rule, especially from the ulemas of Timbuktu, Jenne and Gao, the three key cities of the trade route that financed the empire. His support came from the overwhelming numbers of rural farmers, fishers and hunters that still led traditional lifestyles outside the cities, but the new territories in the west were predominantly Muslim and the balance of power continued to shift. Although he continued to resist the idea of forcing religion on any man and never became a devout Muslim himself, Sonni Beru did finally declare Islam to be the state religion of Songhai.

Actions

A. Make Islam the state religion but allow religious freedom

• Change religion to sunni
• Innovativeness +1
• Religion in Timbuktu changes to sunni
• Religion in Gao changes to sunni
• Religion in Bambuk changes to sunni

B. The faith of our fathers is good enough

• Stability +1
• Global revolt risk +3 for 36 months
• A random province converts to the state religion

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad I is active

Will happen on August 26, 1519

Description

In the last years of his reign Askia Mohammad became ill. As his illness forced him into retirement from public life his military campaigns came to an end. Although he could no longer lead his armies from horseback, Mohammad continued to be a forceful presence in his government. The aging King and his ministers conspired to keep the extent of his problems away from the court, but as time passed it became more and more obvious that something was wrong.

Actions

A. Keep it a secret

• Offensive Doctrine -1

B. Give more power to my sons

• Stability -2
• Aristocracy +2
• Centralization -1
• Monarch's administrative skill +1 for 109 months
• Monarch's military skill +2 for 109 months

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad I is active

Will happen on August 26, 1528

Description

By the time Mohammad was seventy he had weakened considerably and his sight was almost gone. His sons began to demand that he give up power and the royal court became an increasingly dangerous place for the emperor. To prevent others from realizing how weak the old King was the hou-kokorai-koi (master of the royal household) Ali Fulan refused to allow others to see him. This only enraged the sons and one of them, Musa, threatened to kill Ali Fulan. Fearing for his life he left the palace in 1527, and the next year Musa announced at prayers that his father had stepped down in favor of Musa. Old, blind, and without any allies the aged Mohammad was left with no choice but to abdicate. This began a long war of succession where Musa became Askia but had to fight his brothers for the title. He killed some in battle while others fled Songhai to other realms. Those who remained in Gao disappeared one by one until Musa was finally killed in battle by the remaining brothers.

Actions

A. I have no choice

• Stability -3
• Global revolt risk +10 for 32 months

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Mûsâ is active

Will happen on April 12, 1531

Description

When Askia Musa was killed the eldest remaining son was the Kurmina-Fari (Governor of the West) and most of the brothers assumed he would inherit the throne. Instead, a cousin named Muhammad Bunkan seized the throne before the eldest brother could arrive. Since there were no clear laws of succession in Songhai, he faced little opposition to his rule, so faced with the fait accompli, the brothers reluctantly agreed that Muhammad would be King. Although Muhammad II introduced elaborate music, costumes and art into the royal court, he is mostly remembered for his unpopular wars.

Actions

A. Muhammad Bunkan seizes the throne

• Stability +1

B. The eldest shall inherit

• Event 284033 - Ismail and the King for Songhai will never fire
• Monarch Muhammad II will never rule
• Monarch Ismâ'îl becomes active
• The capital province revolts
• The capital province revolts
• Stability -1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad II is active

Will happen within 30 days of January 2, 1537
Checked again every 30 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after April 23, 1537)
unless prevented by
Action B of 284032 - The Succession for Songhai

Description

Mohammad Bunkan was a powerful man with few friends. When he learned a childhood friend, Ismail, was alive but in hiding, he coaxed him back to Gao by offering his daughter to him. Even so it was hard for the emperor to trust his friend because he was one of Askia Mohammad's sons, so he made Ismail swear he would never betray his new father-in-law. Soon after his arrival Ismail grew to hate his old friend. Ismail's sisters were publicly humiliated by being forced to show their faces at court while the old King had been horribly mistreated, confined to a tiny, insect-filled island in the Niger river. When Ismail met his father, Askia Mohammad convinced his son that Mohammad Bunkan had to be overthrown. Working with powerful friends of his father, Ismail broke his word and deposed Mohammad II in 1437. Mohammad fled to a life of exile in Mali while Ismail took the throne. In gratitude Askia Mohammad gave his son his caliph's robes. He died the following year, old and blind - but proud.

Actions

A. Break the promise

• Stability -1
• Global revolt risk +5 for 6 months
• Monarch Ismâ'îl becomes active

B. Remain faithful to my old friend

• Aristocracy +1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284020 - The Askia Dynasty for Songhai has already occurred
• Monarch Ismâ'îl is active

Will happen on November 30, 1539

Description

Songhai had no clear laws of succession, a fact which had caused problems over the generations. When the King died of natural causes in 1539 the leading men of Songhai peacefully elected the next King. They chose Ishaq, a son of Muhammad I.

Actions

A. Ishaq shall be King

• Stability +1
• Aristocracy +1

B. Refuse to accept their authority

• Stability -2
• Aristocracy -1
• Monarch Ishâq I will never rule
• Monarch Musa II ° becomes active

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Ishâq I is active

Will happen within 1000 days of December 2, 1544
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after March 24, 1549)

Description

Ishaq proved to be a poor King. Even though he was a devout Muslim he regularly sent agents to Timbuktu to demand tribute from the merchants there. This hurt the economy and made him many enemies. Eventually he began to see conspiracies around every corner and executed or dismissed anyone he suspected of plotting against him no matter how high their rank. As this reign of terror continued the conspiracies became very much real.

Actions

A. They're all against me!

• Stability -3
• Global revolt risk +3 for 36 months
• +200
• Trade tech investment: -400
• -6 merchants
• Quality -1

Songhai — Not random

Will happen on March 23, 1549

Description

As the King lay near death, friends of the Kurmina-Fari called him to the capital to make sure he became the next King. Daoud was the third Kurmina-Fari of the King's reign, the other two having been executed. As a new election drew near the favorite was Bokar, a handsome prince who traced his lineage through one of Askia Mohammad's daughters. He posed a grave threat to Daoud's chances so the Kurmina-Fari had him killed - according to legend by magic. With his competition gone Daoud became the next monarch.

Actions

A. Murder Bokar to ensure our rule

• Stability -1
• Aristocracy -1

B. Bokar wins a fair election

• Stability +1
• Monarch Dâ'ûd will never rule
• Leader Dâ'ûd will never be active
• Monarch Bokar * becomes active

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Country is controlled by AI

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1570
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1600)

Description

Its rumored that a diplomat who travelled to Fez was mistreated while on a mission to deny the possibility of Songhai becoming a vassal state of Morocco. Apparently a group of bandits attacked the diplomat on the outskirts of the city stealing all of his possessions. Coincidence?

Actions

A. Could the rumors be true?

• -25 relations with Morocco

Songhai — Not random

Will happen on December 21, 1586

Description

When the King died after a long and relatively peaceful reign one of his sons, al-Hajj, took the the throne. He was deposed by his brothers in 1536, replaced by Muhammad Bani, another son of Daoud. Muhammad Bani was not a popular ruler and the other brothers conspired against him until their plot was revealed. Taking advantage of the situation several Songhai vassals declared their independence and stopped paying tribute. First Hausaland, then the Ougadougou, then the Maghreb of the western gold fields. Muhammad Bani was too distracted to deal with them properly, and soon the fringes of the empire began to unravel.

Actions

A. Their treachery shall be repaid in blood!

• Centralization -1
• Stability -3
• Break vassalization with Mossi
• Break vassalization with Mali
• Break vassalization with Ashanti
• Break vassalization with Hausa
• Gao revolts
• Buré revolts
• Zaria revolts
• Awdaghost revolts
• Walata revolts
• Jenné revolts
• Kano revolts
• Nupa revolts
• Nigeria revolts
• Accra revolts
• Ivoria revolts
• Oye revolts
• Palanas revolts
• Begho revolts
• Mossi revolts

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Monarch Muhammad Gao is active
• Morocco and Songhai are at war

Will happen within 30 days of January 2, 1588
Checked again every 30 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1599)
unless prevented by
Action B of 232035 - Songhai's Surrender for Morocco

Description

Muhammad Gao was a wily general whose advice had gone unheeded by the previous King. As military ruler of the Songhai he led the fight against the invaders. The enemy commander, Mansur Pasha, set a trap for the Askia. Upon arriving in Songhai Mansur arranged a meeting with his counterpart to discuss peace. Muhammad Gao unwisely accepted and was assassinated. Songhai forces rallied under the leadership of Askia Nuh, who held out against the Moroccan army for years.

Actions

A. Perhaps he was not so wily after all...

• Stability -1
• Monarch Muhammad Gao will never rule
• Monarch Nûh becomes active

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Morocco controls Timbuktu
• Morocco controls Gao
• At least one of the following must occur:
  • Monarch Ishâq II is active
  • Monarch Muhammad Bani ° is active

Will happen within 360 days of January 2, 1588
Checked again every 360 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1600)

Description

With the trade cities gone the Songhai cavalry retreated into the countryside where they deposed the emperor. In his place they named Muhammad Gao, the Kurmina-Fari, as the new Askia.

Actions

A. Muhammad Gao can lead us!

• Monarch Ishâq II will never rule
• Monarch Muhammad Bani ° will never rule
• Monarch Muhammad Gao becomes active
• Stability -1
• Aristocracy +1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284041 - The Battle of Tondibi for Songhai has already occurred
• The following must not occur:
  • Songhai and Morocco are at war
• Morocco exists

Will happen within 1000 days of January 2, 1588
Checked again every 1000 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1640)

Description

Faced with certain defeat the King offered to pay tribute to Morocco, hoping this would satisfy them. He scraped together 100,000 pieces of gold and one thousand slaves and sent a message to the enemy commander, Judar Pasha, who in turn sent it to the Sultan.

Actions

A. Offer tribute to the Sultan

• -100
• -1000 population in a random province
• Event 232035 - Songhai's Surrender for Morocco is triggered immediately

B. Fight to the bitter end

• Start a war with Morocco
• Stability -1

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Songhai and Morocco are at war
• At least one of the following must occur:
  • All of the following must occur:
    • Own Timbuktu
    • Morocco controls Timbuktu
  • Morocco controls Gao

Will happen within 1 days of January 2, 1588
Checked again every 1 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1640)

Description

The decisive battle of the war took place at Tondibi, about 35 miles north of Gao along the Niger. Although the Songhai army outnumbered the invaders they were no match for the guns and cannons of the Moroccans. Among the 4,600 members of the expeditionary force were 500 captured Portuguese arquebusiers and 10 cannons. The twenty to forty thousand Songhai had only spears and arrows and were at a disadvantage. Things took a turn for the worse when an advisor led the King off the field early, sparking a general retreat. As they fled across the river brave Songhai warriors tied themselves together and shot arrows at the advancing Moroccans, but the battle was lost. Now nothing stood between the enemy and the capital so Ishaq II retreated to the countryside with what was left of his army. The empire began to splinter into small states warring with each other as much as the invaders.

Actions

A. This is the end!

• Move capital to Say
• -20 national manpower
• Stability -1
• -10 victory points
• Cede Timbuktu to Morocco
• Global revolt risk +15 for 48 months

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Songhai and Morocco are at war

Will happen within 90 days of January 2, 1588
Checked again every 90 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1640)

Description

Desiring the riches of the Sudan, Morocco invaded Songhai in 1590. The emperor was in the west fighting the Mahgrebs and refused to believe Morocco was marching against him. When the Moroccans arrived he had to rush home to raise an army. The King ordered the salt mines of Taghaz to be abandoned and when the Sultan's forces arrived there he found them deserted. The Sultan abandoned them as well, ending nine centuries of salt mining in the Sahara. The Kurmina-Fari, Muhammad Gao, advised filling in the desert wells the Moroccans would have to stop at, but the troops sent to do so were ambushed by Tuareg nomads and the Moroccans arrived safe and sound past the Sahara. If the Songhai forces had attacked then they would have easily beaten the exhausted army, but the Songhai force was still disorganized. As wars went this one was starting badly.

Actions

A. Curses!

• Stability -3
• Azaouad will no longer be considered a national province
• Awdaghost revolts
• Walata revolts
• Jenné revolts

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Own Timbuktu
• Control Timbuktu

Will happen on January 2, 1588

Description

Early in Muhammad Bani's reign tensions between two powerful men led to murder. Kabara was Timbuktu's port, immensely important to trade along the Niger. Its governor, chief Alu, had arrested one of the men of the Kurmina-Fari, Governor of the West. The Kurmina-Fari was Muhammad Sadiq, brother of the emperor. He killed Chief Alu in a fit of rage, then realized it would be seen as treason back home. Deciding to strike first he joined his army with another brother's and marched on Gao. In response Muhammad Bani raised an army against them, dying the day they left the city. Songhai was divided into Western and Eastern camps based in Timbuktu and Gao respectively. Finally, the rebels were defeated, and the new King Ishaq II hunted down and killed Muhammad Sadiq and imprisoned many of the officers of the west. The war was over, but at great cost.

Actions

A. Ishaq II defeats the rebels

• Aristocracy -1
• Stability -3
• Global revolt risk +15 for 12 months
• Lose 15000 troops in Timbuktu
• Lose 10000 troops in a random province
• Timbuktu revolts
• Timbuktu revolts
• Timbuktu revolts
• Awdaghost revolts
• Walata revolts
• Jenné revolts

B. Muhammad Sadiq drives out the emperor

• Move capital to Timbuktu
• Monarch Ishâq II will never rule
• Monarch Muhammad Bani ° becomes active
• Centralization -1
• Stability -5
• Global revolt risk +20 for 12 months
• Lose 15000 troops in Gao
• Lose 10000 troops in a random province
• Gao revolts
• Gao revolts
• Gao revolts
• Gao revolts
• Say revolts
• Say revolts
• Zaria revolts

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• At least one of the following must occur:
  • None of the following must occur:
    • Own Timbuktu
    • Own Bambuk
  • None of the following must occur:
    • Own Timbuktu
    • Own Gao

Will happen within 360 days of January 2, 1589
Checked again every 360 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after January 2, 1613)

Description

By 1612 the cities of Songhai fell into anarchy and the greatest empire of Sudanese history came to a sudden close. Although many Songhai would remain free under the rule of the Askias in the Dendi they would never again regain their empire.

Actions

A. What goes up must come down...

• -100 victory points
• -20 national manpower
• -100
• Global revolt risk +10 for 36 months
• Buré will no longer be considered a national province
• Awdaghost will no longer be considered a national province
• Zaria will no longer be considered a national province
• Walata will no longer be considered a national province
• Jenné will no longer be considered a national province
• Segu will no longer be considered a national province
• Timbuktu will no longer be considered a national province
• Bambuk will no longer be considered a national province
• Event 218004 - The Fall of the Empire of Songhai for Mali is triggered immediately

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Event 284047 - The Fall of the Songhai Empire for Songhai has already occurred
• Country is not at war

Will happen within 360 days of January 2, 1589
Checked again every 360 days until trigger is met (cannot happen after December 31, 1819)

Description

With the loss of the empire, the Songhai retreated to their ancestral homeland of Dendi, a mosquito-infested swamp that nobody cared to invade. In Dendi the reign of the Askias continued as they led a resistance against the invaders. Songhai would never become great again, but it would survive.

Actions

A. We will never surrender!

• Fortress level in Say +1
• +5000 infantry in Say
• +50 relations with Ashanti
• +50 relations with Dahomey
• +50 relations with Benin
• +50 relations with Mossi
• +50 relations with Hausa
• +50 relations with Oyo
• +50 relations with Mali

Songhai — Not random

Conditions

• Own Gao

Triggered by

Action A of 338164 - Morocco sacks Gao for Gao

Description

After defeating the Songhai at the battle of Tondibi Judar Pasha occupied the trade cities of Songhai. He secured control over the salt trade but couldn't find the source of Songhai's gold even though he tortured many citizens. Instead he looted the cities, sending their vast wealth back to Marrakesh to fill the treasury and build palaces. He made his way north with thirty camels loaded with gold, slaves and fifteen of the King's daughters, which he sent to be the Sultan's concubines.

Actions

A. Gao is burning!

• Event 284041 - The Battle of Tondibi for Songhai is triggered immediately
• Event 284043 - The Loss of Air and Agades for Songhai is triggered immediately
• Stability -1
• -2 merchants
• -50

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 310002 - Raids on the Dendi for Mossi

Description

With the Mali on the retreat the Mossi were free to launch raids on their neighbors. They often raided the fertile lands of the Songhai.

Actions

A. We will remember this...

• Stability -2
• -100 relations with Mossi
• Gain a temporary casus belli against Mossi for 12 months

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 124001 - Songhai and the Tuaregs for Timbuktu

Description

The undisputable proof of Morocco's inevitable aggression has binded the fate of the Tuaregs to ours.

Actions

A. The Tuaregs side with us

• Gain an alliance with Timbuktu
• +100 relations with Timbuktu

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 284046 - Consequence of the sack of Gao for Songhai

Description

With the fall of Gao, the Songhai were unable to prevent the Tuaregs from retaking the desert city of Agades and the territory of Air. These trading centers were lost to the Songhai.

Actions

A. Curse those Tuaregs!

• -2 base tax value in Gao
• -2 base tax value in Say
• -3 merchants

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 232033 - The Sudan Beckons for Morocco

Description

In 1590 Ishaq II received a letter from the Sultan of Morocco demanding the Songhai emperor surrender his throne to his brother, who the Sultan was giving protection to. The Songhai emperor ignored the Sultan's demands and began an expedition to the far west of the empire to deal with the rebellious Mahgrebs.

Actions

A. Ignore this obvious forgery!

• -50 relations with Morocco

B. Send assassins to remove the pretender

• -100 relations with Morocco
• -50
• Stability -1

C. Give up the throne and send tribute

• -100 victory points
• Stability -3
• Global revolt risk +10 for 36 months
• -200
• -1000 population in a random province
• Monarch Ishâq II will never rule
• Monarch Muhammad Gao becomes active
• Event 232034 - Songhai's Submission for Morocco is triggered immediately

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 232019 - The Salt Mines of Teghazza for Morocco

Description

Al-Mansur, Sultan of Morocco, came to desire the salt mines of Teghazza from which the emperor of Songhai derived a good portion of his revenue. After securing the oases of Gouara and Touat, he demanded from Ishaq Askia a mithqal of gold in payment for each load of salt taken from Teghazza in order to establish a fighting fund for the armies of Islam. Although its possible that he truly needed the money, it was more likely that he was trying to create a western caliphate to rival that of the Ottomans.

Actions

A. Answer his letter with spears!

• Event 232021 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately

B. We are loyal to our northern masters

• Event 232022 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately
• -100

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action B of 232019 - The Salt Mines of Teghazza for Morocco

Description

Al-Mansur, Sultan of Morocco, came to desire the salt mines of Teghazza from which the emperor of Songhai derived a good portion of his revenue. After securing the oases of Gouara and Touat, he demanded from Ishaq Askia a mithqal of gold in payment for each load of salt taken from Teghazza in order to establish a fighting fund for the armies of Islam. Although its possible that he truly needed the money, it was more likely that he was trying to create a western caliphate to rival that of the Ottomans.

Actions

A. Answer his letter with spears!

• Event 232021 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately

B. We are loyal to our northern masters

• Event 232023 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately
• -200
• Global revolt risk +4 for 48 months
• Monarch's diplomatic skill -2 for 24 months
• Monarch's administrative skill -2 for 48 months

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 232020 - The Salt Mines of Teghazza for Morocco

Description

Al-Mansur, Sultan of Morocco, came to desire the salt mines of Teghazza from which the emperor of Songhai derived a good portion of his revenue. After securing the oases of Gouara and Touat, he demanded from Ishaq Askia a mithqal of gold in payment for each load of salt taken from Teghazza in order to establish a fighting fund for the armies of Islam. Although its possible that he truly needed the money, it was more likely that he was trying to create a western caliphate to rival that of the Ottomans.

Actions

A. Answer his letters with spears!

• Event 232021 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately

B. Inform the Tuaregs about possible Moroccan agression!

• Event 232021 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately
• Event 124001 - Songhai and the Tuaregs for Timbuktu is triggered immediately

C. We are loyal to our northern masters

• Event 232023 - The Askia's Response for Morocco is triggered immediately
• -200
• Global revolt risk +4 for 48 months
• Monarch's diplomatic skill -2 for 24 months
• Monarch's administrative skill -2 for 48 months

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action A of 218005 - The Dream of Empire for Mali
Action A of 124007 - Omar's Appeal for Timbuktu

Description

Although the ulemas of Timbuktu had rejected Sonni Ali's offer to absorb Timbuktu into his growing empire, its governor Omar sent Sonni Ali a desperate apology in which he offered the city to him - if he could defeat its Tuareg garrison first. To accomplish this, Omar sent along detailed information about the city and its defenders.

Actions

A. Prepare an expedition!

• Start a war with Timbuktu
• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• +10000 infantry in the capital province

B. Bide our time

• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• -100 relations with Timbuktu
• +5000 infantry in the capital province

C. Do not antagonize the Tuareg

• +50 relations with Timbuktu
• A random province revolts
• +100
• -50 victory points

Songhai — Not random

Triggered by

Action B of 124003 - The Governor's Reply for Timbuktu

Description

With Omar's surrender, Timbuktu fell into the waiting hands of Sonni Ali. Although the leaders of Timbuktu had invited Sonni Ali to save them from the Tuaregs, they had second thoughts when they saw the massive army approaching. Assembled in front of Timbuktu were hundreds of camels and horses mounted by Songhai cavalry and hundreds of infantrymen in full armor. The ulemas of the city knew that Sonni Ali was a Muslim in name only, and this made him suspect. Frightened, the people appealed to the Tuareg to save them, and surprisingly, the Tuareg chief answered them. He sent a caravan of a thousand camels to escort any who wished to flee to the safety of Walata, the Tuareg capital in the Sahara. Omar at first closed the city to the Songhai, but relented and had a fleet of boats assembled to ferry the armies across to the city before he joined the caravan, leaving his brother al-Muhktar in charge. On January 20, 1468, Sonni Ali took control of the city and turned Gao from a Kingdom into an empire.

Actions

A. It is ours!

• Timbuktu will be considered a national province
• Inherit the realms of Timbuktu
• +10 victory points
• -1000 population in Timbuktu
• Centralization +1