The Semnone

Crest of the Highpriest

The Semnone were a federation of Tribes, which were being lead by a mysterious figure, they just call "The Highpriest". They are now in a Union with Silesia with their new name Semnonsilesia, their Motto is "Fight those bastards 'till they yield". They are a power in central Europe and hold significant influence in the Baltics and all of Europe.

## The Late 4th Century

### Beginning

The first time, the Semnone became active was the year of the fall of the Roman Empire 395 AD. With many tribes going west the Semnone decided to stay and expand from their home territory between the Elbe and Oder. When they expanded they quickly made contact with the German Republic of Elbe-Jutland in the north and in the northeast with Venetia. Soon after contact with Silesia in the east was established.

### First expansions and the baltic alliance

In 397 AD the Semnone undertook their first expansion to the south, in and effort to bolster their presence around the Saxon-Alps and to connect to their allies, the Silesians, in the east. The Highpriest send out their most loyal followers, to integrate the tribes their into their great Cooperative. In the same year the Semnone joined the Baltic Alliance, together with the German Republic of Elbe-Jutland, Venetia, Silesia and Verinja. A Pagan military alliance that would last until 445 AD.

#### Deal with the German Republic of Elbe-Jutland

In 399 AD the Semnone were contacted by the G.R.E.J. to discuss a joined invasion of the Saxons and both fought and won against them in The First Saxon War. In the same year we have the first ethnic map of the Semnone Cooperative, although they only differentiated between Germanics and Slavics. A deal to exempt the Semnone from Elbe-Jutland tariffs on the mouth of the Elbe was also signed.

### The Eco-Sea

In 399 AD the Semnone joined the Eco-Sea a trade alliance revolving around the Danube and Elbe river, but they left again in 401 AD.

## Early 5th Century

In 411 AD the Semnone increased trade and mainly produced Lead, Zinc, Silver, Iron, Copper, Coal and a bit Gold + (Bronze) Meat, Wood, Wool, Wheat and slaves.

### The First Allthing

In 411 the Semnone adopted the crest of the Highpriest as their official colours and debated their future in the first Allthing of the 5th century. In the end three proposals were adopted and it is for this Allthing that another ethnic map was made. The Marcomanni, the Rugii and the Saxon proposals were accepted.

#### Proposal of the Suebi

The Suebi a tribe mostly in the northwest, under Gisilbert, wanted the Baltic Alliance to trade more. They also wanted to cross the Elba River together with their allies to the northwest and conquer the Saxons under Noble. Furthermore, they wanted to establish a permanent residence for their Chief in the swamps of Brennaburg.

#### Proposal of the Naharvali

A Tribe calling the western banks of the Oder their home, under Sigismund wanted to draw closer to Silesia. They wanted the trade to flow and to have lasting peace in eastern Europe.

#### Proposal of the Marcomanni

The Marcomanni under Liupold, wanted the Baltic Alliance to get closer together and form a united front to fight the Catholic Menace in the south and extract more ores from the mountains, to build massive forges.

#### Proposal of the Langobardi

The Langobardi under Beorhtric wished to impose tariffs on the trade on the Elba River and if necessary plunder ships and traders which don’t comply. They supported Invasion of the Saxons.

#### Proposal of the Burgundiones

The Burgundiones under Adalheidis wanted to expand quickly into the east and cut of the Silesians, they wanted to establish the Semnoner permanently as the main power in Europe and be protector of all pagan faiths.

#### Proposal of the Rugii

A Tribe settled on the north-eastern coast, represented by Wigbrand, wished to build a large Baltic fleet and cooperate closely with the Baltic Alliance in that endeavour.

#### Proposal of the Cherusci

The Cherusci under Ercanbald, wished to push west and claim all territory east of the rhine, their hatred of all that is roman lead them to wish for an even more aggressive stance against all successor states. They wanted to invite Frisia to the Baltic Alliance.

#### Proposal by the Semnone-Saxons

The Saxones under Ælfheah wanted to free all the Saxons from Nobles rule and claim the southeast of Britannia. The Longships should roam the seas again.

#### Proposal by the Hermundi

The Hermundri under Gertrud wished to work together with other female leaders around the world to topple the patriarchal structures imbedded in every culture. Even though they supported the Marcomanni in their desire to vanquish the Austrian threat and focus more on a fully armoured fighting force.

#### Results

The results came in 415 AD during the plague. Since the Althing is made of so many tribes, the top three proposals will be followed: The **Semnones** will strengthen the naval capability under, **Rugii** supervision, of the Baltic alliance, along with that the Longships of the **Saxons** will be rebuild, after all the Saxons are liberated and finally the **Marcomanni** will pursuit the extraction of the ores in the south and fortify the border with the Austrians.

### Year of the Plague

The Bengal plague of 415 AD, was a plague that came into Europe by Bengal diplomats who held a gathering between diplomats in Scotland. It spread fast through Europe and Arabia. The first Hotspots to be known, were the G.R.E.J., The Republic of Scotland, Hispania, Illyria, Ardonia, Hellas, Austria, the Kingdom of Loire and Bengal. It spread mostly through naval travel. To the Semnone it came through the Elbe river and coastal trade with the G.R.E.J. Many fell ill and many died, no one knew that the disease was. It was not only in the air and the four juices but also in their cloth. Those were the silent reapers. Today researchers suggest that it was some form of Smallpox. In respose to that outbreak the Semnones ceased all trade with everyone participating in the party in Britain and closed their borders and harbours to all citizens of said nations. Trespassers were killed with bows on sight. Later that ban was extended to anyone but Silesia.

#### Aftermath

The losses were relativly mild, since no big population centers existed within the tribal lands of the Semnone. Although both messengers of the Highpriest at the time contracted the disease and one of them, by the name of Hrodulf, died. The Highpriest, reportedly never got infected, some suggest this was due to the fumes in the cave, keeping the air clean.

### The Remnants of the Legio XVIII 'Gallica'

Found by scouts in 423 AD, in the western regions of the by the Romans so called "Germania". The Standard and some shields of the "Legio XVIII Gallica" were discovered. It again showed how blindsided the Roman public was by their leaders which claimed to have brought them back to Rome more than 380 years before. One year before the March on Rome marked the brakeup of the successor states, again they argued with lies, why they had to take Rome and again countless men, women and children died for nothing but the glory of their masters.

In the same year the restrictions of alliance members, because of the plague, ended.

## The Mid 5th Century

### Contact with the Papal States

In 425 AD missionaries, send by pope Helvetica, came into the pagan lands of the Semnone. It later turned out, that they were send, not to convert the people, but to learn from them and even adopt practices.

### Kupferling

In 429 AD the Semnone entered a monetary Union with Silesia. They used the Kupferling, a copper coin with the "Oegishjalmr" or Helm of Awe rûne on either side surrounded with the words in rûnes: "Eg stoppar ekki thegar threyttur eg stoppar eg er buin." which translates to: "I don't stop when I am tired, I stop when I am done." In English.

### Deal with the Kingdom of Austria

In 431 AD the Semnone and the Kingdom of Austria engaged in a deal of Non-Aggression, aswell as a legalization of pagan beliefs in the lands of Austria and an exchange of territory, removing the Austrian presence in Bohemia and ceding Semnone land in northern Austria. This was mostly possible because of the help in the negotiations by the pope herself.

### Unification with the Silesians and firts Visigoth war

In the year 435 AD the Semnone became the rightful protectors of Silesia and since then were known as Semnosilesia. Within the same year a coalition was formed against the First Visigoth Empire. The results were the following: East of G.R.E.J. is for them to take. Loire falls under protection of the Semnone People. A highpriest of Loire gets Instated as an Adviser to the new Queen Marina Marcellinović. The Rest of Gallia (modern day france) is to be conquered by Loire and only Loire. The Semnone also gained trade ports in Normandy and the southern coast.