View Full Version : Almohad Kaliphate (V.I. version)
KukriKhan
05-29-2003, 10:54
Anyone up for a new Play-By-Email Campaign? How about the Almo's?
The concept is simple: you receive a partially-done campaign; you play the campaign until you (the Khalifah) dies; you email that saveGame to me; I email it to the next player in line; you write a narrative summary of your Khalifah's life, with pictures.
To participate, you need:
1) Viking Invasion (not MTW 1.1 which has its own thread).
2) WinZip (available here: http://www.winzip.com/ ) or WinRar (available here: http://www.rarlab.com/ )
3) A working email address that can accept files up to 1.5 MB
4) Time to play anywhere from 2 to 70 turns/years of your Khalifah's life
Rules:
1) I'll be the hub. I pass the game to you. When you finish, send the game to me; I pass to the next guy.
2) Report here, in this thread, when you've sent or received the game, so we know it's alive.
3) Take screenshots during the course of your reign (press your F2 key). This helps the reader's understanding. (I'll host your screenshots, if you cannot). jim@jimcee.com
4) Your summary can take any form (extra points for creativity), but must be written and posted here (in this thread) within 72 hours of the death of your Khalifah.
Cautions:
1) If you do not report receipt of the game within 24 hours, I pass it to the next player, assuming email failed, and you go to the end of the line.
2) If you do not report your status (still playing, studying-then playing, etc), after receiving the game, within 48 hours, I pass it to the next player - assuming your g/f's uncle's cat died, or something.
3) If you post no summary of your reign within 72 hours of your Khalifah's death, I'll write it for you, based on your saveGame file, and assume you've spilt Coca-Cola on your keyboard.
So: takers? Who wants to begin the Almohad dynasty?
Starting position: Year 1087. Expert. Total Domination. First Ruler: Kalifah Yusuf I. Your neutral neighbors are Spain, to the north, and Egypt on your eastern flank.
Post your name & email address below if you want to play (I won't play, unless the campaign stalls).
Once we're underway, I'll upload our screenies & narratives to a website, for all to view.
KukriKhan
05-29-2003, 10:58
We're carrying over the successor list from the 'other' Almo campaign thread...so far it reads:
SeljukSinan
ChaosLord
Monk
Maniac
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
edit: whups...gotcha MS http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
edit #2: if there are no objections to this list, please begin SeljukSinan
edit #3: added Simon Appleton
Mount Suribachi
05-29-2003, 12:21
Hey, don't forget me KK
Please sign me up - simon.appleton@nottingham.ac.uk
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
05-29-2003, 18:53
Add me. xrockdaboat03x@hotmail.com
KukriKhan
05-29-2003, 19:14
SeljukSinan
ChaosLord
Monk
Maniac
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
Welcome aboard Skie Mirror Silvanoshei. I read your post in the 'other' Almo thread. Do you relinquish your position in the 1.1 campaign? Kindly respond as soon as possible, so that other campaign can get under way.
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
05-30-2003, 01:21
Yes I have because I no longer have MTW 1.1.
KukriKhan
05-30-2003, 02:33
Thank you, Honorable Skie Mirror Silvanoshei. I've informed the other thread of your decision.
To all: good hunting SeljukSinan please notify us here when you've begun.
Degtyarev14.5
05-30-2003, 05:14
Okay, I'm interested, but...
[REMOVED: now-defunct Hotmail address]
Can Hotmail handle e-mail attachments up to 1.5Mb in size? I'm not sure about that. Alternatively:
[REMOVED: alternative now-defunct email address]
Call me crazy if you like, but I've always liked the Elmoheads...
A.
i have VI and want to play
Thx Kukri http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I'll start tomorrow evening CET (Saturday). Hmm as the opener I have quite a responsibility on my shoulders, just the way I like it. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Here's what I'd like to expect, from the first reign:
-Elimination of the Spaniards as faction
-Attack on Egypt
-The birth of the Islamic Almohad civilisation unrivalled in culture, anywhere in the world.
Will post some specific goals tomorrow.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
The_Emperor
05-30-2003, 09:54
What difficulty is the game on? I'm just curious.
Oooh...can barely wait http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Quote[/b] ]Starting position: Year 1087. Expert. Total Domination. First Ruler: Kalifah Yusuf I. Your neutral neighbors are Spain, to the north, and Egypt on your eastern flank.
The_Emperor
05-30-2003, 12:02
Quote[/b] ]Starting position: Year 1087. Expert. Total Domination. First Ruler: Kalifah Yusuf I. Your neutral neighbors are Spain, to the north, and Egypt on your eastern flank.
Oh yeah... Doh
I'll have to get better at the game before I join in on Expert, I'd probably end up grinding the Empire to dust within a few years http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
Mount Suribachi
05-30-2003, 12:28
Thats not such a bad thing Emporer. The English game that was/is done got boring cos everyone was just inexorably taking over the map. 40 years of less than perfect rule might spice it up a bit - just don't wreck it
Yeah. You should play, this is not about who has the best reign. It will just make it more interesting, if we have different skill levels and different fortunes for each player.
I would like to make a recommendation:
We should have some glory goals for each king, The player can make these himself. We should have some glory goals for the Empire which need to be adhered to and strived towards, by all players.
What do you guys think ?
Mount Suribachi
05-30-2003, 16:42
Well, by the time I get the savegame the empire should be well established so my goal will be
Don't screw it up
i like the ideas of glory goals, each ruler with his own way of doing things as well as his own goals. im # 3 in the line so i should have a good game ahead of myself. wont really be able to decide my goal untill i see the map after two rulers
The_Emperor
05-30-2003, 18:01
Right that settles it I'm going to get some practice in... I have had a bit of a break from MTW for a little bit as things have been rather hectic lately.
I will not rest til I am competant on expert
The_Emperor
05-30-2003, 20:14
Ok just returned from my English campaign on expert... within the first few years (as per normal in games of lower difficulty) I have eradicated the French, and I took Flanders with style only losing a handful of units.
The enemy general (a royal prince) decided to stand in the open next to a Ballista while the rest of the army waited in the woods behind him (very obvious really), I just approached and pelted his unit with arrows, and he stood there in close formation and took it... Eventually it was just him standing there and then he was dead (all by arrows from 2 archer units) the ballista ran out of crew and the 2 survivors ran away.
Turned out most of the army in the woods were made up of archers and peasants, the archers couldn't shoot out so I sent in the Fyrdmen... Mass unit routing soon followed
Talk about pathetic
The next battle to take Champagne after the French retreated from Ile De France wasn't much better with my King finishing off the french King in combat after half his army was routed.
Now I have a fight with My forces, Aragon, and HRE Invading the Former French now Rebel province of Tulouse, both are allied with me so it promises to be a cracking battle
Somehow I expected more of a challenge thus far on expert... unless the challenge lies on the strategic map and not in the 3D Combat environment.
Guess I expected too much or underestimated my abilities...
Congratulations Grasshopa, you have surpassed Expert http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif. seriously though, nice job on reconizing your skills. Now lets see if you can rule over the Almohads in a great manner when ur turn comes. Good luck to you Emperor, and good luck to all, may fortune smile upon your days of reign
KukriKhan
05-31-2003, 03:33
Quote[/b] (SeljukSinan @ May 30 2003,08:23)]I would like to make a recommendation:
We should have some glory goals for each king, The player can make these himself. We should have some glory goals for the Empire which need to be adhered to and strived towards, by all players.
What do you guys think ?
I am merely the Admin guy in this project - so take my input with a large grain of Saharan salt http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif .
I agree with SeljukSinan on both points:
1) the new Khalipha should assess his world as he sees it and state his intended goals, fears, and strategy before he begins. His EndOfReign (EoR) write-up could then evaluate how well he met those.
2) The overall method, or philosopy of achieving 'total domination' could be stated, via a consensus of the players. However...it may be too late (or too difficult, given the diverse cultural outlooks of the players) now.
Again: I am just the Almo Mailman, receiving and delivering clean SaveGames in a timely manner, keeping the campaign momentum rolling. My opinion pales next to yours.
The_Emperor
05-31-2003, 14:29
Thanks for the Support guys, the War is still going well... A rebel Army in Brittany has been bribed and now is on my side.
Now I am master of of England and France, (I haven't conquered Scotland yet, because of the sheer number of troops that will be needed to supress the rebellious population)
Demon of Light
05-31-2003, 22:02
The_Emperor: Good to hear that you are having success in Expert. While it bodes well, don't worry too much about how you'll fare in the Almohad game. Just don't pull a Dramicus. (Dramicus intentionally allowed most of the provinces to revolt in an attempt to make the game interesting in the English game.)
KukriKhan
06-01-2003, 02:00
Heh, I almost nicknamed our buddy Drama-ticus for the element of drama he introduced - he didn't simply allow provinces to rebel, he made them rebel by redeploying all troops to Britain.
The effect was stunning: all of the Middle East, central & western Europe & the Iberian peninsula rebelled enmasse, and suddenly, hundreds of thousands of troops were stationed throughout the Isles. Imagine the ensuing chaos in the real world: the 'positive' medieval spin doctors painting it as: we won, we're done; Yay peace dividend, the negative ones saying we retreated, in effect defeated, such shame. Fascinating, I thought.
In his defense, Dramicus left the English navy standing, so (playing the campaign out on my own), it only took 10 turns/years to resume control, during which other now-neutral factions reappeared, increasing trade income. All-in-all: an extreme, but effective (and campaign-lengthening) strategy.
Demon of Light
06-01-2003, 08:04
Well...my brother just got VI so assuming the problem that I have can be resolved in time (look in the Apothacary for details), I think it time I finally jumped into one of these.
Quick note to let you know I've started the game, details to follow.
KukriKhan
06-01-2003, 14:26
Thanks SeljukSinan.
Current List:
SeljukSinan (current Khalipha)
ChaosLord
Monk
Maniac
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
The_Emperor: are you 'in'?
Alrowan: you're on both lists (1.1 & 2.0); is that your intent? Perfectly fine - just clarifying.
Demon of Light
06-02-2003, 02:02
Quote[/b] (Demon of Light @ June 01 2003,00:04)]Well...my brother just got VI so assuming the problem that I have can be resolved in time (look in the Apothacary for details), I think it time I finally jumped into one of these.
translation: Put me on the list. VI is now loaded and assuming the problems I'm having now are resolved (most likely they will be) I'll be able to play.
would u look at that...im behind chaoselord again. i guess im destined to be his son in these campaigns http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
KukriKhan
06-02-2003, 02:24
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Done. Toto, amigo. As 9th Khalipha, you may have the honor (and resposibility) of closing out this campaign. On the other hand, if we get many more 11-year reigns like Monk's, you could be thrown into the Mongol Whore'd without warning.
Welcome to the game.
p.s. after all your work admin'ing the chaotic English PbM campaign & help with the Poland campaign & here: let me publicly acknowledge your contribution(s)...Thanks, man. I personally appreciate your effort. 1st beer on me.
and LoL Monk; what IS up with that? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
ChaosLord
06-02-2003, 18:38
Better take me off this list, in the process of moving now so most of my time is being spent packing and transporting the stuff. Not sure how long it'd be before I get a connection setup in my new place either.
The_Emperor
06-02-2003, 19:52
KukriKhan
Thats ok pal, I'll join in a different game. The Almohads are not eaxactly my fave side in this game... (I was playing a campaign with them, but generally I do not like them)
I'll wait until you have another English one, or a different Catholic/Orthodox faction playing. The HRE sounds like fun, and Byzantium would be a blast. But if Byzantium is too easy then How about High Russians?
High Russians... Hmm, a lot of weed is growing over in Moscovy http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
Degtyarev14.5
06-03-2003, 06:06
A two-in-the-morning Oh crap, I hope that's okay-type concern:
I've modded my game slightly, such as reducing the build times on the smaller ships to two years, and disabling arbs until late era. Is this okay? Or do I have to change everything back for the duration of my reign?
A.
Demon of Light
06-03-2003, 06:59
Chaos Lord: If your condition is merely a temporary one, it may be possible to drop your name a little further down the list instead of removing it entirely. How about it Kukri?
I am pretty sure your game must be unmodded, Arse (or do you prefer to be called Clown? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif )
Mount Suribachi
06-03-2003, 11:09
Yeah, we all need to be running MTW:VI on the same setup, so AC, I would recommend you install a vanilla MTW:VI in a separate folder from your modded version.
And Chaoslords dropout promotes me to the key 4th Reign...yikes I can feel the pressure http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
KukriKhan
06-03-2003, 13:03
So The List, as of 3 June:
SeljukSinan (current Khalipha)
Monk
Maniac
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
This is assuming ChaosLord still wants in, only later.
ArseClown yes, good point: we're playing un-modified VI in this project. If you have HD space, a separate install of VI when it's your turn will keep you up to speed.
The_Emporer, thanks for your input. The High Russkies ;)sounds like a good (and short) project for maybe a week from now.
Demon of Light
06-03-2003, 20:58
Quote[/b] (KukriKhan @ June 01 2003,18:24)]p.s. after all your work admin'ing the chaotic English PbM campaign & help with the Poland campaign & here: let me publicly acknowledge your contribution(s)...Thanks, man. I personally appreciate your effort. 1st beer on me.
I appreciate the sentiment and I await that beer.
lets hope i last longer than 11 years this time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
Degtyarev14.5
06-04-2003, 04:43
De-modding VI: no problem whatsoever.
But perhaps this should have been addressed earlier:
Green generals? Or no?
Feedback please. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
A.
Mount Suribachi
06-04-2003, 06:49
Hmm, good point, I'm set to green generals ATM, but it would be relatively easy to remove it from the command line for the sake of 1 kings reign.
I've a definite preference for green generals - more historical flavour. I'm not sure if I speak for others, but we're playing the VI version of this campaign, so I guess most people who've signed up want to try the new stuff in it.
sprucemoose
06-04-2003, 09:22
boo hooo
looks like ive been left out of this version
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif
Just wondering how SeljukSinan is getting on. The other Almohad game is on their fourth Kalipha right now. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
KukriKhan
06-05-2003, 03:42
SeljukSinan last posted here at approximately 1400 GMT, 1 June. It's now approximately 0400 GMT, 5 June, a day-and-a-half beyond the 48-hour must post progress rule stated at the beginning of the thread/project.
Real-life does happen, and computer games must take a backseat to handling the crises that occur in all our lives from time to time.
Nevertheless, in fairness to the rest of the players, the project must proceed, and the rule, bent already, must be enforced.
SeljukSinan must post his progress by 1400 GMT, 5 June, or the game moves to the next player (who would be Monk)
Hi All,
Sorry i did not read the rules carefully enough. I will post progress, this evening. My game should be done by Saturday. My apologies for the lack of speed.
Hi Kukri
I'm sorry I can't post my progress tonight. I have screenies which need to be converted and home obligations will prevent me from writing anything in length till tomorrow. I really hope that you will wait till tomorrowm as I would reall want to display my king's reign in a colorful way.
I should be finished with the game by Saturday evening CET at latest. I will email it to you tomorrow night or Saturday soon as I'm done.
Sinan
KukriKhan
06-06-2003, 01:49
Hi SeljukSinan.
No worries, m8. We just want to know that you're still active...in other words: a post every other day that merely says: Still playing would suffice. No big production is necessary - heck, that would make this project work, not fun, and nobody wants that.
Seeing the high number of views for this topic tells me that guys (mostly the volunteer players, I bet) check in here frequently just to see the latest news.
I set the must post every 48 hours, or forfeit rule to avoid the problems with the previous English & Polish campaigns: guys would get the saveGame & apparently forget about it for weeks (for perfectly good reasons, I'm sure), but leaving the next players in line dangling on a slimmer and slimmer thread of hope.
So, in summary: take your time, do it right (your way), just let us know it's still alive every other day.
p.s. I'm SO glad you saw this & responded. I hate being the bad guy. I can do it well (be the bad guy) - the Army and 4 kids taught me how. But I hate it. I especially didn't want to make whatever effort you'd made in the campaign null and void...since you'd already posted here your campaign strategy philosophy & overall plan.
Kukrikhan - that's a nice post. Reading it just made me want to say thanks to you for your efforts in this thread and elsewhere as a moderator. Its thanks to you and other like-minded folk that these forums are such fun places to frequent.
I agree 100% with what you wrote. In inquiriing about SeljukSinan's progress I wasn't trying to have him ousted, just trying to keep this thread on the boil and was genuinely interested to hear his in-character story (I confess I've never played the Almohads before).
Kukri I'd like to say thanks as well. I really appreciate your patience. I usually post from work where I am mostly undisturbed and can manage my own time. From home it's a different issue.
You do a great job as a moderator. I really appreciate your initiatives, such as this one, and really appreciate the way you are respectful in the way you write.
I also started playing another game recently which is ONLY playable online. A friend introduced me to a guild (fighting order) on the very first day. I feel somewhat obliged to develop my skills there so as to be of use to the guild. As such a lot of my home PC time did go into that or I could have finished earlier. Any case I will be finished by Saturday.
About the campaign, it's not been so easy to implement my strategy and I have had some trouble, but all in all I think at least 1 of the glory goals should be met. Can't wait to get home and finish it up soon. I also had some trouble planning the campaign. Usually I take some screenies of the camp map, and then retreat to Paintshop pro where I actually think up the entire game, and note objectives. I form up ideas of the armies and sketch routes over the map in Paint Shop. Once done I print it out and follow the operation. With only one kinf it really should be easier but errr, did not work that great so far.
Don't worry, you guy will get a stable regime (I hope) to handle Monk. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I've been fretting a bit about the leaders dying at age 56 bug and Brutal_DLX just made a good suggestion on another thread. Typing .unfreeze. will give you a newborn heir. Can I suggest that if any calipha does not have an heir by age 39, then in that year, they use the .unfreeze. cheat? Apparently, you can't wait until you are 55 or whatever to use it, as the heir won't have time to mature, as Ziphnor has found out to his cost. If anyone has a better workaround, put it on the table but this sounds better than nothing.
This problem of no heirs probably won't kick in until well into the game, if at all, but it's something to bear in mind.
Mount Suribachi
06-06-2003, 12:08
It seems in VI that all the kings are on Viagra. My kings have been churning out one sprog after another. Other people have commented on this too. I'm a bit harsh tho on this issue tho, if you die, you die. Game over. My Mercian dynasty thread lasted 2 kings and that was that as far as I was concerned.
Still, I can't wait for Seljuks writeup http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KukriKhan
06-06-2003, 12:16
Aw shucks, guys. Just playing my little role here at the.Org...but thanks for the sentiments. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
I've been following the age 56 bug issue also, and saw Brutal_DLX's suggestion. After some thought, it is clear to me that using the .unfreeze. cheat does nothing to enhance or degrade the current Khalipha's reign, but DOES ensure the continuity of the campaign - just the sort of insurance policy we need in this shared-campaign environment.
Therefore, rather than suggest its use, I think we should require it.
So, unless someone objects in the next 24 hours (comments from all are welcomed, of course):
NEW RULE:
In the first year of your reign, you (the new Khalipha) MUST type .unfreeze. to auto-generate an heir, so that the campaign may continue, whatever the outcome of your reign.
I'll add that blurb to the instructions I send with the saveGame files.
Kukrikhan: I agree with the new rule. People can do what they like in solo play but here the show must go on
Mount Suribachi
06-06-2003, 13:40
I accept the request of our most humble, most gracious, most great leader, the Kahn Kukri. However, do we still need to do this even if the new ruler comes to throne with (autogenerated) heirs in place?
Your humble servant
Mount Suribachi
Also.
Following Cazbols outstanding account of his reign (in 1.1 thread), I feel that perhaps we should look to give our Kaliphs names that will endure throughout eternity such as
Richard the Lionheart
Edward Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots
Constantine the Great
Julian the Apostate
Basil the Bulgar Slayer (my personal fave, nothing personal against Bulgarians, I just think it’s a great name for a Roman Emporer).
Added to that list is now
“Ismael the Retard”
I think we should all try and do this after each Kaliphs reign, using either their V&Vs – Yusuf the charitable, Yusuf the mad etc - or some particular feature of their reign – Yusuf the Great, Yusuf the Rich etc. Maybe even convert some of them to Arabic names? SeljukSinan, Balamir, Kanuni may be able to help us there. Any others that may speak Arabic?
I think the rule is a good idea.
I can't speak Arabic though, but I can do some basic translation and could create names with help from work collegues and friends.
Kanuni & Balamir are Turkish, and I suspect that they do not speak Arabic either.
Faisal on the other hand is Arab, so I reckon he'd be the best to make up some names in Arabic. He already gave us some really good info on Arab units in Medieval times.
EDIT: have not seen him for a while though.
Mount Suribachi
06-06-2003, 14:12
I wasn't sure if Turks spoke Arabic or not.
well ive removed my VI Cd from my desk for now.. which basically means i wont be playing much, but ill still do this
KukriKhan
06-06-2003, 17:58
I work with an US-born Iraqi who could probably translate for us (he speaks fluent Arabic, but neither reads nor writes it; maybe his Dad will write it down for us...I'll ask). Adding a V&V-type nick would be a nice touch, but I don't think we should insist on it.
Has anyone read the novel The Khalipha?
http://www.amazon.com/exec....s=books (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0970777620/ref=cm_custrec_gl_rec/104-8438679-6120741?v=glance&s=books)
Just wondering if it was worthwhile buying, in your opinion.
Alrowan: good show - glad you're still aboard.
Mount Suribachi: You may be correct, using .unfreeze. may not always be necessary; however, my thinking is that since it will likely be necessary for at least one player, then we should all use it, to ensure that we all play be the same set of rules/heir conditions.
The_Emperor
06-06-2003, 18:49
Hey guys interesting point about the new rule, and I think its a good idea with such a campaign.
The fact that all Kings Die at 56 makes for a good even time for each player... No more throws of the dice, and kings dying out at 40 (when another lived on to be 86).
Count me in with the next campaign.
Mount Suribachi
06-06-2003, 19:32
Fair enough KK.
Just to clarify (and I'm sure others will want to know this too). Whilst in the strat map you type
.unfreeze.
Does this produce an heir straight away, or at the beginning of the next turn?
And I agree, the names thing should not be a rule. I will write my reign up from the point of view of a modern day historian (rather than the more traditional Kings diary), so I may apply my own names to my forefathers.
Can't wait to get my savegame http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
KukriKhan
06-06-2003, 22:42
Good question Mount Suribachi.
As soon as you've typed the final 'period' in .unfreeze. you'll hear the marriage theme music. The following year/turn you get the child is born, will mature in 16 years parchment. That's why I thought doing the cheat straightaway in your first year would be good.
BTW fellas, for those who don't know, another cheat good to use at the end of your reign is .matteosartori. , which illuminates the entire map, including the mini-map. This helps the reader understand where all the other factions are in your end-of-reign write-ups and screenshots.
Ok I'm finally done save game on it's way.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusufend.jpg
The_Emperor
06-07-2003, 10:53
Kuri
If you run out of guys during this campaign put me in for it... All this talk about what I'm missing out on has changed my mind http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Demon of Light
06-07-2003, 11:02
another cheat good to use at the end of your reign is .matteosartori.
For those of you who might be tempted to do otherwise, remember that it is definately cheating to use MetteoSartori at any time before your Kalipha dies. Do not feel as though you have just been given permission to use this cheat during your game. You only do this AFTER you have stopped playing. Sorry Kukri. I heard the voice of my Business Law professor in my head telling me to make that excrutiatingly clear.
Concerning unfreeze: I do not believe this is a good idea as it is proposed. One of the consequences that I haven't seen anyone mention is that it makes all the reigns for the game uniform. How? Consider what happens if the Kalipha assumes power when he is 28. He gets the throne and unfreezes a kid his first year. At 28, the Kalipha is in the middle of his life. He dies 28 years later and leaves the throne to his son. how old is his son? 28. How long will his son reign for? 28 years. How old will his son's successor be when his son dies? Take a guess.
I choose 28 years because that is the midpoint and it makes the explanation much simpler. Consider though what happens if we apply this to a 34 yr old Yusuf IV. Yusuf IV unfreezes a kid the first turn and dies 22 years later. Yusuf V ascends t the throne at 22, unfreezes a kid and dies 34 years later. Yusuf VI comes to power at 34 years old. It forms a pattern. 34 years then 22. 34, 22. the functional result of this is that every other player gets the shortened reign. The only break in this cycle is if the Kalipha comes to power with a son already born. If that happens, what do we get except a new cycle?
Point is that we’ll likely get stuck with predictable lengths of time if we follow a “unfreeze at the beginning” doctrine. My counter-proposal is to use unfreeze before the Kalipha is 40 if there are no other heirs. Basically, if there is no other option then I say that it fits given that the bug likely denies us at least a few kids through its existence. Alternatively, if there are brothers, I would suggest that unfreeze be used before the youngest brother turns 40. I find no problems with a brother serving as regent for a time while the young prince grows to maturity. I want to use the cheat only when no other option avails itself and not as a matter of routine upon getting the game.
I agree with Demon on that.
BTW...how does the regent thing work? So if there is a younger brother of the king and a premature son at the time of king's death, the king's brother takes the throne and gives it to the prince when he matures? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif
Khan Sahib
I just mailed the zip folder to you.
It is called Yusuf I Al Muntasir El Hispania.
That is the title I choose for the Khalipha.
It means Yusuf I Liberator of Spain.
I translated with help of Libyan born friend.
We both did not figure out the historical name for Spain, so I just used the name Hispania.
Write up on the kings reign to follow shortly.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
btw the only historical Arabic name for Spain I can remember is Al-Andalus.
It means land of the vandals and is what Spain was known as to the North Africans.
KukriKhan
06-07-2003, 14:59
File received. Will check, zip & mail to Monk, shortly.
We eagerly await Yusuf I's account. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
So many things happened Iberia is under control, the Italians raided by sea.....it was reall a very interesting game.
I should add something quickly for Monk:
-You will need to build up the navym Italians & Sicilians are too strong in the sea. They can raid at will. My focus was to take Iberia. Tunisia and Algeria make for good dhow production. I started the infrastructure for dhows in Tunisia.
-The breakdown of province production I planned is:
*Cyrenacia: Saharan Cavalry
*Tunisia: Dhows
*Algeria: Dhows
*Morocco: Berber Camels & Desert Archers
*Granada: Almohad Urban Militia
*Cordoba: Capitol State -> Cultural Center + Arab/Ghazi Infantry
*Portugal: Dhows
*Leon:Ghulams with weaponsmith
*Castille: Faris with weaponsmith
*Valencia: Saracen Infantry (umm Almos dont have these)
*Aragon: Arab/Ghazi Infantry
*Navarre: undecided
By the way I had to start the game again since my bro visited and saved over my quicksave while I was busy at the BBQ. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
Demon of Light
06-07-2003, 22:19
Kukri or Monk can get it back to you.
Kukri: Why are there odd numbers in my post? I sure as hell didn't put them there.
Maniac: Yes, that is exactly how it works. Interesting thing though is that the brother rules as any King does and produces sons. Sometimes he even comes to the throne with his own family. I wonder what happens if one of the generated kids ends up older than than the former king's immature son.
just recieved the save-game, ill start tomorrow
KukriKhan
06-08-2003, 01:51
Thanks, Monk.
SeljukSinan: hotmail may have your saveGame in 'sent items'; I re-sent it to you anyway (brothers...what ya gonna do: can't live with 'em, can't just kill 'em) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Demon of Light: it's 'cause you've been bad. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Seriously, tho': looks like you compose your posts in a wp program first, then copy/paste them here, right? For spell-checking, etc.? Sometimes the ikonBoard doesn't translate characters from other applications very well. I think you used quotation marks there. The '&' at the beginning of that string of numbers means I don't recognize the next character.
Demon of Light
06-08-2003, 04:54
any thoughts on what I said about unfreeze? If nothing else, Monk is going to need to know what to do.
KukriKhan
06-08-2003, 05:30
I made a preliminary ruling, then invited comment. Got some for, some against. So it's still under consideration by the volunteer player community. I figure Sunday is a day-off for most players, and await their chance to provide input.
In the absence of a definitive, final ruling, I asked Monk to use his best judgment in applying the .unfreeze. work-around - that is, to consider using it if necessary once his Khalipha reaches his 30's, if 'un-heired'.
I'm sure he'll do what's best for, not only his own reign, but also the continuation of the project.
just be sure to prime the empire for me.. im dreaming of conquest in 20 years again
well my reign is over i died of 56 (or course) in the year 1131 (omg i died last time in 1131 what is it with me and that year?) anyways, it was a very fun 18 years. the Italians returned, Jihads and war. im sending all the things (files, screenies and all) at 5pm tonight. ive got some things to do today so i'll send the stuff later. but to keep u satisfied for now here's a few points,
*kept peace with our brothers The Egyptians
*Built many things, built castles to strengthen rule
*fought the Italians
no more untill i give out the short story that was my life.
KukriKhan
06-08-2003, 18:03
Good to hear Monk At least you got past that 11-year reign blockade you used to have. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Woo-hoo Two write-ups to read soon (SeljukSinan and Monk).
Maniac please prepare...you are next.
Mount Suribachi
06-08-2003, 18:46
Wow, we're cooking with gas now...at this rate I'll be getting the savegame in a few days time....
*starts limbering up*
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
I'll be posting my write up tonight. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Kukri thanks for the savegame. Actually my bro saved over the quiksave on which I had initially started. SO I had to restart from beginning and played the game thru on Friday night. SO actually I have the Yusuf I save. Was aggravating but I do have all the screenies sorted now.
I think I must be the slowest SP player around. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif
KukriKhan
06-08-2003, 20:06
...I think I must be the slowest SP player around.
Maybe just the 'most careful'. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Our own Gregoshi claims to have never finished his original and only SP campaign (from Oct 2002).
sent the files to you KukriKhan. i thought i'd wait to post my write up untill after Seljuk posted his. that way it'd be less confusing for those who read it.
Thx mate. I working on it right now.......
deleted and reposted further down.
jeez how can i follow that? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
I am doing the 2nd part, now. That is more along the timeline...this happened here...in this year etc.
I thought I should take this opportunity to do some research on the Almos and post it in an educational sense.
ah i see, well great job so far. looking forward to more http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KukriKhan
06-09-2003, 02:58
Received the saveGame from Monk, checked, zipped & mailed to Maniac.
Excellent introduction SeljukSinan. That's going to look great in the final product.
Monk: good thinking on waiting for your write-up. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.
no problem KukriKhan, i thought it'd be a bit strange for me, Yusuf II, to report before Yusuf I.
Mount Suribachi
06-09-2003, 06:25
Wow Seljuk That was one of the best write ups I've ever read Can't wait for part 2 http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You've set a high standard for us all to follow - which is no bad thing http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
No email from you...the mailbox seems to be functioning right. Could you try again? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
How big is the zip?
KukriKhan
06-09-2003, 14:42
Please email me to insure I got your correct address. It's 531KB, zipped.
jim@jimcee.com
In the next few minutes i will post the complete story of Khalipha Yusuf the First, as narrated by a Ghulam of his court.
I shoudl mention beforehand, that part of this story is based on the game. The other part is based on histrocial reality as best as I know. Any mistakes in dates or information, can be attributed to me alone.
I have written in a typically Islamic style. The story is a creation, and does not endorse violence against any group or nation. Neither does it condone it.
Please keep these points in mind when reading.
Hope you enjoy. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
Al Hijri 506.
The court of Khalipha Yusuf I is assembled to lead the Al Muwahhidun Khaliphate.
The age of Islam is high, the new religion has charged forth from the sands of Arabia and is taking the world by storm. The warriors of the new faith fear only the wrath of their Lord. The children of the Faith charged with religious zeal have formed Islamic societies unrivalled to what the Romans called the barbarians of the north. Christendom is slow to awake to the emerging power of the world of Islam. Gradually the Christian societies are building up their people to wage war on Islam. The Islamic world has excelled on the social, economic and scientific fields. There is no society in the Mediteranean and in Europe which is as culturally blessed as the country of the Muwahhidun. Scholars from across the world travel to the states of Cordoba and Granada to study at the universities, to educate themselves in earthly disciplines. Many of these never return as they see a dark age in comparison in their own northern european lands. Many of these never return and themselves become followers of the Faith.
http://www.newview.org/BeckyAndCarol/sevilla.jpg
These people feel that there is in Islam no concept identical to theirs of religion. Islam is a comprehensive cultural system cast as a seamless unity, which compasses the great questions that treat of eternity to the minutiae of daily life, and is defined in part by the binding and changeless word of God, revealed to the Messengers, and in part by those words and actions of the Messenger that were inspired by God. This definition is contained in the Shariah (Path to life-giving water), a body of law that is constituted of the Qur'an (Recitation), or Koran, which records the revealed words of God; the Sunnah (Tradition), which consists of the Messenger's sayings (Qawli), deeds (Faili) and tacit approvals (Taqriri) that were inspired by God; Ijma (Consensus), which records opinions representing the consensus of the Companions of the Messenger; and the Qiyas (Analogy), a method of analogical reasoning. Nothing remotely comparable to this is found anywhere in the recorded history of the world; an entire way of life presented in, essentially, abstract form, as a coherent body of law, by one man, realized through his force of personality and qualities of military, political and spiritual leadership, and set by him on a course that carried it to world ascendancy.
http://www.thechessdrum.net/65thSquare/photos/Moorish_Art.jpg
http://www.nrcsa.com/nh_df/7652/7652photogallery/7652largephotos/moorish_arch.jpg
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http://www.thechessdrum.net/65thSquare/photos/Moorish_Warrior.jpg
With the Berber conquest of central Hispania, a civilization was born which cradled Christian, Jewish and Islamic peoples. While Christians moved north to speed away from the tide, others moved into the Khalipahte and onto the Middle East where they found a new life unheard and unseen in their own lands. In the Khaliphate the three great rivals of the house of God, the Christian, the Jew, the Muslim share the same streets and neighbourhoods. They enjoy the same high standards of living, stroll in the same magnificent parks and gardens. Study in the same great universities and enjoy the same blossoming of civillization.
http://www.afro.uu.se/kurser/images/ALHAMBRA.gif
http://www.math.tifr.res.in/~pablo/cordoba.jpg
This is the aspect of convivencia, that living together well that has been the emblem of Muwahhid Spain. How will the future judge our civillisation ? If we read the prose, and the poetry, it produces, listen to the music, watch the dance, admire the architecture, it is truly a golden age, men and women of the three great faiths combined and mingle their talents and sensibilities to create something unique in European culture.
Alas. The peace shall not last long, as the fire of war brews ever closer. The Pope has asked for the people of Christendom to rise against the Muslim world. The Khalipha and his council are holding a war meeting. The Muwahiddun wish for peace but recognise that Christendom has vast arrays of weaponry and manpower ready to help the Aragonese and Spanish Kings conquer this land of ours. The council stands united. We must be the first to wage war, we must be the first to strike before the balance of military might shifty from our favor. The Khalipha signs letters to tribal and military chiefs, and to civil administrators. The gates of Cordoba open to a fury of horsemen as messengers burst through the gatesm carrying the message of war throughout the land. The tribes of North Africa are assembled and move toewards the battlefield of Iberia. The Khalipha shall be know in history as Yusuf I Al Muntasir El Hispania, the Liberator/Protector of Spain.
The Khalipha also lays out his plans for reuniting the Muslim world. The Miuslim world must be united.
As the Khalipha is the successor to the Prophetm there can be only one.
At the council, Amirs are appointed as heads of each region.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf4.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf5.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf6.jpg
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http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf9.jpg
1088: The borders are closed and troop training and recruitment begins.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf12.jpg
1089: An Heir matures Prince Yusuf II.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf11.jpg
1090: An Heir matures Prince Ali I.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf15.jpg
1092: A mosque is built in Codoba, marking the status of the province as the capitol the the Muwahhidun Khaliphate.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf13.jpg
1093: Final battle preparations are underway. The war is hours near. Two main strike forces are assembled. One led by the Khalifa himslef, the other led by Prince Yusuf II. The plan of attack is to strike both the main Spanish provinces simultaneously. This is to maximise the inital impact of the attack, and thrives on the element of surprise. The two strike armies are know as Teer (Arrow displyed by the green) and Khanjar (Dagger, displayed by red), led by the Khalipha and Prince Yusuf respectively. Prince Ali's standard can be seen amidst the Khanjar.
The timing is crucial as the Spanish King is reported on campaign against the Navarre rebels. As such he should not be able to intervene in the initial battles personally. An Emissary (blue arrow) is dispatched to Navarre to ensure that the Spanish King is indeed in Navarre with a large force as spies indicate.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf14.jpg
The Spainish provinces must be attacked simultaneoously also becuase of the rebel threat from east and west. The independence minded Portuguese may take advantage of the war to invade Cordoba from the west. While El Cid, the legendary commander may intervene from Valencia.
The Khalipha surveys the troops, closely and issues final instructions. The men and the nation realise that the Muwahhidun must be treacherous and merciless, faced with a willing foe. The Khalipha addresses the troops arrayed outside the city of Cordoba.
Our very existence is threatened, our way of life, our society are the targets of the enemy. Our principles and all that we have worked for lie at the mercy of the enemy. God has instructed us in the Recitation, we must defend our nation and our society. We must destroy those who wish to destroy us, and slay them where they stand. We shall not fail and we shall not waiver from the task before us. March brave warriors, show the enemy no mercy, take no prisoners. May God be with you.
With this closing sentence the fields echoed with the sound of swords being unsheathed, and with war cries of God is Great. The women and children atop the city walls cheered as their husbands, fathers, brothers marched to meet the enemy. Many of the families do not expect to see their loved ones return.
It is my belief that the Khalipha did not wish to issue an order to kill all prisoners. However I believe he understands the necessity of annihiliating our enemy as an example. Our forces are outnumbered and under supplied we must not allow any enemy soldiers to return to face us on the field a second time. Victory must be swift and decisive.
The First Battle for Leon
The Kahlipha's army crosses the border under the bright rays of the Iberian sun. The army is composed largely of North African tribals. Squadrons of Berber, camel mounted tribesmen flank the Khalipha's Ghulams. The Spanish force consists largely of light cavalry. The Muslim army takes a defensive position deploying 5 battalions of Cabiyle archers. The men grow impetous. The Spaniards take the bait, thinking to destroy the desert archers, and advance from all sides upon the steadfast Muwahid. On the command of the Khalipha a messenger sounds the horn. The battlefield awakens to the shouts of the battalion commanders: Make ready Take Aim Lead to target Fire Fire Fire In one volley half the advancing light cavalry is decimated. The Berbers move forward to charge the remaining cavalry. The Spanish withdraw up a hill and await the inevitable camel charge. Once the Berber Camel squadrons arrive at the hill, led by the Khaliph, the Spainish light cavalry breaks and routs retreating into Leon Fort.
The Battle for Castille
Prince Yusuf marches into Castille. The Spanish do not have as many light cavalrymen, since most of these forces were eliminated in Leon. The Muwahid are outnumbered 4 to 1. The Spaniards do have 2-3 squadrons of light cavalry. Prince Ali senses the danger that the enemy may use numerical superiority to attack. He orders the army to march on a small hill. The Muwahiddun take up a defensive position and Prince Ali marches forward, bravely inciting the enemy to chase him. As the enemy light cavalry approches the Prince they are destroyed by a hail of arrows. Prince Yusuf charges out from behind the archers and the 2 Princes with 20 Ghulam engage the Spanish Javelinmen, routing the enemy. The enemy general springs an ambush from a forest at the foot of the hill. The two Princes continue to harass the enemy further away while Almohad Urban Militia engage the ambush force. The Spanish spearmen and urban militia prove no match for the Muwahid. The army regroups and rests before mounting a final assualt on the main enemy force. As the army approaches the enemy charge down to engage but to no avail. They stand no chance and withdraw with whatever men they have left. Castille is taken, the enemy remain besieged in their forts.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf17.jpg
1094:
Rebellion in Navarre
Meanwhile in Navarre the people of the province rebel against their Spanish masters. The Spanish King is now engaged in suppressing an insurrection.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf18.jpg
Assault on Leon Fort
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf21.jpg
The peasants break open the gate, and destroy portions of the fort's walls. The rest of the army forms outside the gates.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle1.jpg
Once again the archers devastate the enemy cavalry.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle2.jpg
The attack is launched through a breach in the east wall.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle3.jpg
The Khalipha charges through the main gate.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle4.jpg
While another attack is launched from a breach in the west wall.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle5.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle6.jpg
The Khalipha's bodyguards attack and kill the enemy general.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/leoncastle7.jpg
Leon is secured.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf22.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf23.jpg
1096: The Aragonese send an emissary with a treacherous offer of alliance. The Khalipha rejects the offer outright. The Emissary is given a message to take to his King: war is immiment and cannot be averted, by any means other than a complete non aggression pact signed by the Crusading nations. Followed by free trade and traffic rights between the Crusading nations and the Khaliphate.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf28.jpg
Loyalist Rebellion in Castille
The population remains defiant in this province and rebels. The loyalists are supported by Spanish forces moving in from Navarre. The Khalipha issues orders to prepare for an assualt on the mountainous region of Navarre.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf24.jpg
The desert archers form closely.....
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf61.jpg
.......to darken the sky with arrows.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf62.jpg
The enemy take heavy casualties from missile fire. Almohad Urban Militia start a flanking maneuver from the east, while Militia Sargents begin flanking from the west. A squadron of Saharan Cavalry rushes past the flankers and beings a wide encirclement.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf63.jpg
The first company of Militia Sargents clashed with enemy attackers.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf64.jpg
While Almohad Urban Militia cut through the enemy spearmen.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf66.jpg
Lastly, the Berbers and Ghulams are called into action. The Khalipha himself leads the Ghulams.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf67.jpg
The enemy army is doomed. Some of our soldiers pity them but remind themselves that their enemy does not want peace, but the riches of their lands, and the subjugation of their families. The unit leaders instruct the buglers to sound the final assualt. As the horns blow the unit commanders reissue orders to execute any enemy soldiers still alive on the field or those who attempt to surrender. In my heart I chant a silent prayer for them, for their salvation, may God grant us His mercy.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf68.jpg
The enemy has nowhere to run as our cavalry close in from the rear.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf69.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf70.jpg
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http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf25.jpg
I sit beneath an olive tree, surveying the field below us, thinking how this battle and this war is changing us. My thoughts are interupted as I see a lone horseman riding towards our camp at full gallop. Before I can stand to my feet a platoon of Saharan Cavalrymen canter past me and towards the approaching horseman. Peering through the telescope at a nearby position, I distinguish him as a Nubian, from his strong composure and magnificent build. These men are chosen as long distance riders for their physical strength and endurance. He is escorted through the field by our men. I rush to the Khalipha's tent to hear of the news. The Nubian reads out a message from the commander of Cyrenacia Fort: The Egyptians have been spotted massing in the desert in what are clear preparations for an invasion. The Khalipha is presented with a scroll detailing the situation in the Eastern Sahara.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf26.jpg
The Khalifa studies the map carefully, and writes a reply to the desert commander with his own hand. Prepare the tribes for battle. Send your most trusted diplomat to negociate a peace. Await no further instructions, maintain the peace if possible. Should the Egyptians threaten you further, your objective is Al-Cairah (Cairo). March to their capitol and once seized, set up a defence in the Sinai. Your forces will be reinforced as soon as our armies reach the borders of the French. The Nubian bows and with a change of horse, gallops away to his destination.
1098: The legendary El Cid joins our forces.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf31.jpg
The council of war meets to discuss the progress of the campaign. So far our attack has met some resisitance, but the Spanish have failed to hold any ground and are essentially finished. The final plans are laid out for the attack on Navarre and Aragon. Our trusted Emissary is dispatched to Portugal in order to convince the Portuguese leader to join us.
Castille becomes the headquarters and supply base. Valancia will be reinforced, our forces prepare to move into Navarre & Aragon. We have entered the final stage of the Iberian Campaign.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf32.jpg
The Battle for Valencia
Our forces move into Valencia to support El Cid. King Sancho of the Aragonese sends a force in an attempt to stop us.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf33.jpg
The enemy sets up a small defence ahead of the bridge. The main enemy force stays further behind in case the bridge falls. Our troops under El Cid march to meet the enemy at the bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia1.jpg
A unit of enemy Royal Knights guards the bridge. Although I cannot see from this distance whose banner the unit flies, I am certain that this unit is led by an Aragonese Prince. The Royal Knights are a formidable opponent and must never be underestimated. I can distinguish from here, various battle colors, indicating that this is a veteran elite unit which has fought battles before.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia2.jpg
However fierce the enemy knights may be in hand to hand combat. They will stand no chance once our archers open fire.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia3.jpg
The brave knights stand fast as they begun to get cut down by a hail of arrows.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia4.jpg
One of our Berber squadrons ventures to close to the bridge....
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia5.jpg
.....and suffers casualties from the enemy archers, before pulling back to safety.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia6.jpg
Meanwhile our men watch in amazememt. The last of the enemy knights falls. It appears they decided to stand under fire and die defending the bridge. May God grant them peace.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia7.jpg
Our archers now train their fire on enemy militiamen, destroying an entire unit before...
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia8.jpg
..El Cid leads the charge across the bridge. His squadron suffers some casualties to the enemy before crossing.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia9.jpg
El Cid is the first to engage an enemy soldier.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia10.jpg
The rest of our men surge forward to cross the bridge, encouraged by the general's spirit.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia11.jpg
The enemy King realises the futility of the fight and withdraws from battle. Our light cavalry dash to intercept whatever stragllers of the enemy may be left behind.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia12.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/valencia13.jpg
The battle is over. One of our Berber sqaudron lost many men. Valencia is ours.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf34.jpg
1100: The Portuguese join us.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf35.jpg
The Khalifa leads an attack into Navarre to finish the Spanish, while El Cid crosses the border into Aragon. The Portuguese are reinforced from Leon.
An Italian fleet is sighted off the coast in the Gulf of Valencia. This is not a merchant fleet and adequate resources are left behind in Valencia to ensure that any enemy raid can be effectively repulsed.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf36.jpg
The Battle for Navarre
As we go into battle we realise that this is the last hold of the Spanish in Iberia, this brutal war shall soon be over. We shall soon be able to return home to our families.
In this battle like in all the rest against the Spaniards we shall be relying on our archers defeating the agile enemy light cavalrymen from a distance.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf37.jpg
We encounter the enemy at the entry to a pass into Navarre.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav1.jpg
The Spanish Jinette squadrons fan out. We are severly disadvantaged in mobility. The Khalipha orders a retreat, and we set up a defensive position.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav2.jpg
Before our men have finished assembly, we face the first Spanish strike.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav3.jpg
A furious fight begins as our militiamen attempt to hold off the enemy cavalry.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav4.jpg
Our Ghulams begin a flanking maneuver....
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav5.jpg
...while our archers pin down enemy reinforcements.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav6.jpg
Our Ghulams complete the flanking maneuver.The enemy horsemen are surrounded on three sides, but fight bravely to the death. The first enemy attack is defeated.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav7.jpg
Our forces reform to face another squadron of Jinettes. Archers let loose. The Spanish King dispatches a Prince to intervene, in vain.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav8.jpg
Before the Prince arrives with reinforcements our archers devastate the enemy horsemen.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav9.jpg
We reform to face the enemy reinforcements. The Spanish Prince charges into battle valiantly. Our militaimen hold down the Prince and his knights. The Spanish King leads a 3rd wave in order to save his son. It is an effort too late, once again our Ghulams race to outflank the incoming enemy formation. Our archers open fire on the furthest enemy troops to minimise our own losses to friendly fire.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav10.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav11.jpg
The Spanish army breaks. The Prince is killed, the Spanish King flees from the battlefield along with the remnants of his army.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav12.jpg
We reform once again and march trough the pass, confidently towards the Navarre capitol. The Spaniards are crushed and no longer pose any significant threat.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/nav13.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf43.jpg
The Battle for Aragon
This was by far the most difficult and tiring battle of the Iberian campaign. the Aragonese King displayed a sound knowledge of the tactics of deception. El Cid himself was caught off guard and had to fight for his life. 2 squadrons of Berber sacrificed themselves this day to save their general's life.
We met the enemy on a river with two bridges. The enemy deployed 2 units of archers on the west bridge. While his main force straddled the east bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara1.jpg
Enemy forces on the west bridge used as bait.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara2.jpg
Our mounted units led by El Cid divert to the west bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara3.jpg
While our main force of militiamen marches for the east bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara4.jpg
El Cid leads the charge across the west bridge, with 2 squadrons of Spanish Jinettes. The enemy King now redirects most of his main force to the west bridge, in a cunning move to trap our commander.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara5.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara6.jpg
El Cid is forced to beat a hurried retreat over the bridge. The Berbers show their true valor by charging across the bridge to hold the enemy while their esteemed general evades the enemy attack. The green arrows show the movement of allied troops, while the red show those of the enemy (in this screenshot).
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara7.jpg
Meanwhile our forces launch an all out assault on the east bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara8.jpg
An enemy Prince leads the counterattck on the east bridge.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara9.jpg
He is quickly overwhelmed by our militia.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara10.jpg
Once the Prince is killed the remaining enemy force withdraw westward, chased by our militiamen.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara11.jpg
On the west bridge, the battle has been reduced to a personal combat between King Sancho of the Aragonese, and El Cid. 2 Berber tribesmen support El Cid as he fights the enemy King in hand to hand comabat.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara12.jpg
King Sancho falls under El Cid's lance, to the resounding cheers of our men.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara13.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf40.jpg
An enemy militia unit which was attempting to save King Sancho is trapped by a militia of our own. El Cid, though fatigued from the long combat and the sole survivor of his unit, charges into battle once again.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara14.jpg
The enemy army is completely destroyed as it attempts to escape from the battlefield.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/ara15.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf41.jpg
The Aragonese Kingdom is eliminated and the Iberian campaign is complete. We all breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to returning home.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf42.jpg
1101-->1112
The campaign for the Iberiand peninsula thus ends in victory. We return to our capital amongst cheers of joy welcomed as heroes by our people. The Khalipha is revered by the people, even the Christians and the Jews. As he has brought an end to the division of Hispania. The people call him Yusuf I Al Muntasir El Hispania.
The Holy Roman Emperor sends an emissary with a proposal of alliance which is accepted by the Khalipha. The Germans are also a Crusading nation and their swords shall certainly turn against us in the future. I believe that the Khalipha senses the end of his reign and wishes to pass a secure and stable kingdom for the young and valiant Yusuf II. The English King also sends a proposal of alliance, which out leader accepts as well. The English are a Crusader nation, as such we must accept that we shall have to eventually deal them the same fate as the other Crusaders. We cannot be at peace with an enemy who plots under the guise of an alliance. Nevertheless in the interests of rebuilding the country and providing some rest to our troops we preserve the peace.
We have no navy as yet. Algeria & Tunisia have been marked for naval production. The infrastructure is already being built to produce a navy capable of controlling the Mediterranean. In the sea the Byzantines, Italians and Sicilians have much power. The Italians have raided our territories 3 times. Twice they failed but on one occasion we were unable to repulse their raid, and Valencia was briefly lost to the enemy.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf44.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf45.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf50.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf51.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf46.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf47.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf48.jpg
The Khalipha organised a successful counter attack.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf53.jpg
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf54.jpg
Another Prince came of age before the Khalipha's passing. Prince Ibrahim.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf55.jpg
The strength of the Italians meant that they could even raid as far south as Morrocco. Naturally their attempts were in vain and the Berbers chased them back into the sea.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf60.jpg
Today Yusuf I has past away, and I write this final paragraph before I take my leave from court. His reign has been glorious. Though there has been terrible bloodshed, we are now feared by the Crusader nations. The entire nation is in mourning of the Khalipha's passing. Khalipha Yusuf the Second has ascended the throne. He is a great man and much respected by his friends and foes alike. He has a huge burden of responsibility as he must ensure that the Muwahhidun Khaliphate continues to grow as the most cultured and civillised society in the Western world. There are many threats to the nation. Internally the church continues to gain an uneasy influence amongst it's followers. Although most Christians are very happy under the rule of the Muwahhidun, there are some extremists who wish to overthrow the state and wage war gainst the Muslims, much like their Crusader counterparts further north and across the Gulf of Valencia. The Muslims too are becoming more extreme, in a resposne to the Crusader threat fanatical sects are forming to launch Jihad against the Crusaders.
The Egyptians have been kept in check by a massing of popular support against them by the people of the Eastern Sahara. There are reports that up to 20 squadrons of Saharan tribesmen can be raised at a moments notice to repulse any Egyptian endeavor.
As for myslef I will leave the court as my master is gone. Yusuf the Second has been like my own child and I have sought to help him wherever I can. I have sought to impart on him all the knowledge of this life that I posses. I trust in him and believe that he will take the necessary actions to preserve our blossoming civilisation. I am increasingly drawn to a branch of Islam, that I know little of but have heard much about.
http://webplaza.pt.lu/shahid/images/mtwscreenshots/viorgposts/orgalmocamp1/yusuf56.jpg
The history of the origin of Sufism records that during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammed, centuries ago, there was a group of pious individuals from different nations who, guided by the Laws of Islam, sought for the direct experience of the Divine. Companions of the Prophet, they were people of principles practicing certain disciplines and meditations for the sake of purification, the realization of Divine love, and the understanding of reality. They were the Lovers of God who sought union with Him through losing the limited self in His Divinity (fana), and remaining alive in that Reality (bagha).
These individuals met on the platform, or suffe, of the mosque where Prophet Mohammed used to pray in Medina, Arabia. They would meet there almost everyday to discuss the ways to inner knowledge, the truths of revelation, and the meanings of the verses of the Koran. Thus the platform of that mosque in Medina became the first gathering place of one of the most influential groups in the history of mankind's spiritual civilization. They were called ahle suffe, the People of the Platform.
These individuals cultivated the seed of a school of spiritual practice based on knowledge of the self, and thus free of the trappings of tradition and superstition, a knowledge of the inner heart apart from the customary beliefs of their contemporary society as well as those of future civilizations. It is from this group that all the schools of Sufism that have ever existed owe their origin, for by pursuing the path of unsullied inner knowledge they were the founders of Sufism, and the binding link between its subsequent developments.
I will be leaving for Jebel Al Tareq (Gibraltar) with some of our warriors who like me wish to further our education and give thanks to our Lord for our success in battle. At dusk our dhow shall sail to the Seljuk state. There we will visit Konya to study at the school of the Dervish. Thereafter I Intend to travel to Baghdad (Gift of God), to visit this ancient city and learn from her people. From there I shall cross the desert alone to Damashq (Damascus). After praying at the Al Quds and the tomb of Jesus in Palestine I shall turn east once again through the sands of Arabia towards the trader's city on the Persian Gulf. From there I shall return to India from where my ancestors came. Should life permit I shall return to the service of my home in Iberia.
Allah-e-Imanet (I go as I came, a possesion in the hands of God).
http://www.ias.org/images/title_bars/hope4humanity.gif
Mount Suribachi
06-09-2003, 20:29
SeljukSinan - outstanding mate, absolutely outstanding. Someone give that man a prize What a fantastic write-up. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
You have started the Almohad Kaliphate (the game and the story) in the best way possible.
Favourite bit? El Cid, or should that be, Amir Cid, killing the Aragonese king in a 1 on 1 duel to the death Great stuff
Crikey, I can't wait till its my turn http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
some_totalwar_dude
06-09-2003, 21:23
*snif* http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif beautifull, just beautifull.
realy outstanding work seljuk http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif
Great work, Seljuk Hope I'll manage to write something as good when I finish my reign. Although my battle skills suck. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
A famous italian historian walks the grounds of the palace in morroco. He has been granted permission to look upon the records from the years 1113-1131, or otherwise known as the reign of Yusuf II. The historian enters the great library and begins his search. Surprisingly he can find nothing on Yusuf II except a vague refrence in the history of Yusuf I. He was said to lead the armies of the Kalipha with great ferocity and showed no fear. He searches even more, piling book upon book looking for anything. Then finaly, late one june evening he finds a small book. it apears to have been hidden away and forgoten, he picks it up and blows the dust off it. The cover is of a red cloth and much has been torn over the years. he sits down with the book,takes out his slightly stained reading glasses and opens the book.
On the first page was inscribed in arabic;
This is the record of the Kalipha Yusuf II written to his decendants.
The old man laughed with joy and turned the page.the following is what the old man read and turned over the The historical comunity
If you are reading this then i myself have most likely died. My name is Yusuf II, when my father died in 1113 i was charged with the task of succeding him. as i came to find he was a great leader to manadge not only the Tribes of africa, but to defeat the Spanish and Aragonese to claim the Iberian penisilar. this document outlines my greatest achievments for any future refrence, i pray they may be of some use.
the old man reading smiled as if he had found gold, he continued reading to find a complete account of the Kalipha's reign and life.
First entry
the year is now 1114. I never before imagined how vulnerable our positions are in spain. i must do somthing about this before it gets out of hand, last month i ordered that we raise taxes in all provences to help fund a new build of off not only forts but military forces. i began work on forts in castile and portugal, i also assumed command of the army in cordoba
Second Entry 1115
I now understand what my father ment when late one night he reguarded to the italians as 'infidelic dogs of the earth'. they have invaded Leon, the small garison there was taken completly by surprise, there was around 200 men there and they all lost their lives. enraged by this the people, islamic and christian alike, called for action, i began gathering the nececary men to counter their raid.
Third entry, 1116
Unbeleivable Why does father test me with such hardships? The italians have invaded and taken Tunisia i am rallying a Jihad to capture the Provence but it will take another year for it to be ready. I went ahead and launched a counter attack in castile and drove the italians back into the sea, those who were captured were executed on the spot.
forth entry, 1116
With all these happenings i had myself a good laugh with my servants. i began to talk with an ivisible person and carried out a conversation with them, i could hardly keep a straight face when they witnessed this. although i told them i was only having fun with them, there were some who didnt beleive me, but i dont care what they say.
fith entry, 1117
the Jihad was finaly ready to retake our lost lands. i ordered them to depart at once, as soon as they arrived on the feild the italians atemped to flee. however realizing they were traped they began to put up a fight. although their efforts were in vein they fought bravely, i must comend the general of their army. since he fought so well i decided to ransom him back to his king, it is my wish to face him on the feild of combat myself one day.
battle of Tunisia ended with 200 casualties on our side and about 300 on theirs, the exact numbers are not known.
sixth entry, 1118
it had to happen in all his arrogence the italian king along with his son invaded castile from the ocean, what he didnt count on was facing myself with the 400 militia men raised in the previous years. the battle was a short one. i took care of him myself and killed his son, when his own flesh and blood fell in combat the king ran for his own pathetic life, after chasing him for several Kilometers we captureds him and killed his bodyguard. i ransomed him back to his own kingdom for 5 thousand florins, with these a began construction on castles in Castile and one in Aragon.
The old man closed the book and stood up. it was late and he had to rest for now. he took the book with him and retired to his room.
this is part 1, ill finish it up later. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Hey thats pretty cool. I never even thought about something like this.
I like the two different ways you guys are telling your stories. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Degtyarev14.5
06-10-2003, 05:28
How do you get the building summary at the beginning of each turn?
I have VI (naturally, else I wouldn't be posting here), but my building notifications still come one-at-a-time as they have always done.
Just curious,
A.
Leet Eriksson
06-10-2003, 06:49
Great job seljuk,i just realised how important urban militias are(not AUMs,just ordinary ones) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif i never train alot of them until i tried them today
Brutal DLX
06-10-2003, 08:07
Nice posts, Sinan. But the real El Cid would surely rotate in his grave if he heard that you bribed him to join the Moors. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Received the email. Will start playing although I won't be very fast since I'll want to take the right screenshots and all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif But I have a lot of time so I won't take ages either...hopefully.
Quote[/b] ]How do you get the building summary at the beginning of each turn?
Turn off Display Non Critical Messages. It is in the drop down (right) menu next to the minimap in the campaign map.
The_Emperor
06-10-2003, 13:02
Wow, thats quite an account of the war... The Chroniclers have been very busy. (all those embedded reporters clearly did the trick then)
Emperor now waits patiently for his turn on the throne, to take Europe by storm with the Warriors of Islam. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
Dîn-Heru
06-10-2003, 16:59
Breathtaking, SeljukSinan, simply breathtaking. Exellent story Monk, hopefully part two will arrive soon.
Brutal DLX, el Cid appearently was in the service of a moor at one time, so he probably wouldn't rotate in his grave. ( not much anyway http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )
Quite brilliant reporting, SeljukSinan - I felt like I was playing your game. Your gameplay was also exemplary I have never stormed bridges or fought sieges with so few casualties.
I'm looking forward to hearing how Monk dealt with those Italians (sounds like they picked up a few tricks from the Vikings!http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.
I think I am now second in line [after Mount Suribachi], but may have to take a long business trip next week. I hope the timing comes together so please keep me in line, Kukrikhan. However, just advance warning that if I get overcome by events and do not respond to receipt of the save game after the alotted 2 day interval, please accept my apologies and skip over me.
Demon of Light
06-10-2003, 20:11
Dr. Appleton: Maybe you can trade places with Mount Suribachi if it starts looking like the game will get to you when you are off on your business trip.
Just a side note but can I get the name of your Polish king? I was working on the Glorious reigns of the Kings of Poland when I realized that your king's name didn't show up in your write-up. ( I look forward to your write up here BTW. You always manage to weave a story with your game. Looks like SeljukSinan raised the bar too so... yeah. Did I mention I was looking forward to it?)
SeljukSinan: WOW
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
i wish i had more time to write this thing, however i'll get part two out tomorrow afernoon. no worries im alive http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KukriKhan
06-11-2003, 02:59
No worries, Simon Appleton; we'll apply the regular rules when it's your turn, and if you're OBE we'll understand. Best of luck on your trip (in case we miss your departure).
Appreciate the heads-up.
ok, i got the email with the save game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
KukriKhan
06-11-2003, 11:55
Quote[/b] (Alrowan @ June 11 2003,03:06)]ok, i got the email with the save game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Sorry for the mix-up Alrowan. You are on both lists (1.1 and VI). The saveGame you received is the 1.1 version. There are a few guys ahead of you on this one.
The VI list (as of 11 June):
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Current Khalipha, Umar)
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
lol, thanks for the heads up, i wondered why i was soon soon http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif lucky for me i havent had time to open it yet
Still playing. Very uneventful so far http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif . The building of the navy is so slow arrgh...I wanna kick some Italian butt http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
The_Emperor
06-12-2003, 17:44
Quote[/b] (KukriKhan @ June 11 2003,11:55)]
Quote[/b] (Alrowan @ June 11 2003,03:06)]ok, i got the email with the save game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Sorry for the mix-up Alrowan. You are on both lists (1.1 and VI). The saveGame you received is the 1.1 version. There are a few guys ahead of you on this one.
The VI list (as of 11 June):
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Current Khalipha, Umar)
Mount Suribachi
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
Make sure you stick my name on there somewhere Kuri... Reading all those posts has made me want to join in.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
OK. I am done with my reign. Sent the savegame to KukriKhan.
I'll work on the report now. I wish to make it good and it might take me a few days. I might also be gone for the weekend so might not complete it before next week. Kukri, please give me some time.
KukriKhan
06-13-2003, 02:25
File received from Maniac, checked, archived, zipped and mailed to Mount Suribachi.
Maniac: no problem m8. Thanks for the advisory - we'll look for word from you sometime Monday.
The_Emporer: you're in m8.
The 12 June list:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (current Khalipha: Ismail I)
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
Mount Suribachi
06-13-2003, 07:23
OK thanks KK, got the save and installed it no probs. Had a quick look this morning at *my* empire....muwahahahaha
Anyways, this being emporer thing is a lot of work. Main inital objectives -
Develop a trade network
Finish off the Italians
Ismael is 21 so my reign could take quite a while....what I'll do is just regularly post with Ismaels age - thats the easiest way of keeping track of my progression I guess
The_Emperor
06-13-2003, 09:59
Thanks Kukri,
I'll see how well I do with the sprawling Empire when my turn comes.
Maybe we should declare war on the Pope to eliminate the Crusading advantage?
Mount Suribachi
06-13-2003, 12:15
I can reliably inform you that Ismael is considering conquering the whole of the Italian peninsula for just that reason...
Mount Suribachi
06-14-2003, 06:45
Update - Ismael is now 26. Took the castles in Genoa & Tuscany, just invaded Venice, Milan will follow shortly, then its the Popes turn muwahahahahahaah
Ismael will be a busy boy for the next 30 years and I hope to achieve much in that time, given the base that my forefathers SeljukSinan, Monk & Maniac have given me.
Mount Suribachi
06-16-2003, 06:56
Ismael is now 33 and I'm fighting lotsa battles...the French have started crusading against me.
They will not live to regret this. I will wipe them out.
All of them.
Mount Suribachi
06-17-2003, 06:59
I got in a good 3 hours play last night and Ismael is now...34 http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Fighting lotsa battles against big French armies - had one 3000 strong army counterattack me last night.
I am still writting a review of my reign. It's in diary style, but since the first half of my reign was quite uneventful and boring I am trying to add some humor [you'll see how much it sucks]
Demon of Light
06-17-2003, 22:52
Did Monk ever finish is write-up?
Edit: Monk finished the write, even if it was a little late. Monk wrote what follows
===========================
hah and you guys thought i forgot about my write up http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif. well i did http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif but oh well. better late then never i suppose, lets continue...sorry http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/MnkYus2VV.jpg
The old man awoke from his sleep. a month had passed and he was back in Italy in his home. he had not been able to read any of the Book since his trip so when he finaly sat down and put on his glasses he was so excited he could barly hold the book without trembling
1119
Well things seem to have calmed down with the italians, after that failed invasion they seem to have dissapeared from our shores, my guess is a war with the French but i cannot be sure.
1123
Wow it has been 4 years since i wrote in this old book. i feel that i have neglected it, however that has been my reign as of late. nothing is going on and no excitement what-soever.
1125
War almost broke out in the East this year. a misunderstanding almost lead to all out war with the Egyptians. i was able to convince them that in no way are we spying on them, however i assued that that any agression would be met and delt with swift justice. they soon backed out and recalled their troops from the border
1127
I have become ill. it is nothing to worry about, the italians retuirned this year, we were able to figtht them off with little casualties. i manadged to secure a cease-fire for the time being. how long it will last i cannot tell.
1128
My illness is growing worse by the years passing. fortunatly all threats to our mighty state have been delt with and i am confident that it will stay this way for my time on earth.
1130
I was wrong, for the last year i have spent fighting the Italians, their raiding is becoming a headache. even though they wewre repelled i sence that an all out war will come soon enough between our two nations. Allah be with us if that ever happens
The old man closes the book as there is no more writen, he expects that the Khalipha died in 1131. he feels sorry he did not have the time to read the rest at an earlier time but many things have been in his life. The old man stands upa nd exits his house, he goes to the Museum and turns the book in there.
on the back pages he discovers this small picture
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1131Monk.jpg
he smiles and leaves...
I am done with my write up and am waiting for Kukri to upload my files.
And, no, I don't think Monk finished his. Sly one...
Mount Suribachi
06-19-2003, 07:34
Ismail I is now 36 and still fighting the French...
Here's my write up. Didn't have much inspiration and time so it's not that good but I hope it'll serve its purpose. Notes of warning:
Lame teenage humor ahead.
Horrible battle tactics ahead.
Will upload replays later.
-----------------------------------
Umar slowly ran his hand along the beautiful surface of the leather cover of his soon to be diary. Since he inherited the throne from his father Umar decided to keep notes on important things that happen throughout the years of his rules. Before his death he’d give it to his son so he would learn from his father’s achievements and mistakes.
Year 1131
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1131start.JPG
This year my great fathers, Allah bless him, died from an illness and now I am the new Kalifah of our glorious Almohad Kaliphate. I held a meeting with all the high officials of the Kaliphate to decide further plans. Here’s what I have planned for the future:
1) Build a powerful navy.
2) Conquer and butcher the insolent Italians.
3) Raise taxes so I can build a world famous harem...errr...empire.
4) Improve faith and happiness of the people
5) Improve economy. Improve Farmlands.
One of the men at the council mentioned my chin looked strange, damn him.
6) Get someone to kill Lord Iraf.
7) Grow a beard. [Do not shave]
I have started work on these things immediately. Also I’ve been busy in the harem but none of the women got pregnant. Allah, give me strength.
Year 1132
Still no child.
Things to do:
1) Check if those darn women aren’t secretly using birth control herbs.
Year 1133
Still no child
Things to do:
1) Send someone to check out those potency raising mushrooms.
Year 1134
I still have no heir The mushrooms didn’t help, although after three dozes Allah himself visited me and took me to fly around with him. That was great fun and honor.
Is it because my ancestors were some inbred perverts that I can’t have children?
Things to do:
1) Try out the weigh balls on my “little elephant”.
2) Get more of those mushrooms.
Year 1135
Still no child and those weighs are giving me horrible pain. Good news is my economical plans are going well and people aren’t worried about high taxes, nor is our army slacking off.
Year 1136
I need a kid. Really. Pretty please.
Things to do:
1) Get a plantation of the mushrooms in my palace.
2) Fly around with Allah again.
Year 1137
French Bishops are gathering in Navarre and Aragon. I ordered some assassins trained to get rid of them. Those heathens aren’t only blabbering about that god of theirs; they are also spreading word that the great mushrooms are addictive and should not be used.
Things to do:
1) Kill the French Bishops
2) Rename the mushrooms to Umarian Mushrooms and encourage their growth and distribution.
Year 1138
Still no heir. Some mad tribal shaman visited me and said he knew a ritual called “Unfreeze” which would help me get a child. I finished my lunch of Umarian Mushrooms and agreed to try it, what followed is better left undocumented.
Year 1139
Thank you, Allah I finally have a son I instantly ordered a shipment of treasure sent to the shaman.
On another note our navy is slowly growing.
Year 1140
We have several trained assassins and the mission to purge the French spies has started successfully.
Our ships started easily sinking the rotten Italian boats floating near the shores of our lands.
Year 1141
I sent an emissary to the Egyptians with an offer of alliance but the insolent fool rejected the offer.
Things to do:
1) Ban Umarian Mushroom export to Egypt
Year 1142
All the plans are going smoothly but slowly.
Year 1143
People of the Kaliphate truly acknowledge the work I’ve done for our glorious lands.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1143Umar.jpg
Year 1144-5
News reached me that the Sicilians are no more.
I sent an offer of alliance to the French (obviously making a trap for them) but they didn’t fall for it.
Year 1146-7
I have two sons now
Things to do:
1) Send another gift to the shaman.
Year 1148
The Italians have declared peace with us and sent an emissary begging for an alliance. My spies have reported that the idiots are having a civil war. This makes our upcoming sea assault easier. I had the emissary kicked out of my palace and sent an assassin after his pathetic head.
Year 1149
Our navy has gotten strong and is guarding most shores of our lands. The ships have also reached Italian lands and are preparing to sink their patrolling fleets so our armies can land on shore.
The Hungarians offered an alliance but since they were allies of the Italians I quickly refused.
A third son of mine was born (have to love that shamanistic magic).
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1149shores.jpg
Year 1150
The Italian fleet is wide scattered and persistent but we’re quickly wearing it down.
Year 1151
The coward Italian Doge has died in his bed and left his sons for us to slaughter.
Yet another child of mine is born.
Things to do:
1) Send a big shipment of Umarian Mushrooms to the shaman.
Year 1152-3
The Italian fleet was finally reduced to almost nothing and our armies are preparing to attack.
Year 1154
We have launched a massive offensive, landing our armies in Genoa, Tuscany and Corsica.
The defenders in Genoa and Corsica cowardly entrenched themselves in their forts. The defenders of Tuscany with their arrived reinforcements decided to show some courage.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TuscDploy1154.jpg
An excerpt from the Almohad general’s diary:
“Soft wind gently brushed against my weather-beaten cheeks as I looked at the horizon, where the Italian army, superior in numbers to ours, took position on a hill. Expecting them to take advantage of numbers I ordered my soldiers to take a defensive position but the Italians started marching away. Waiting for a bit I realized they were too cowardly to attack so slowly I started moving my army forward. The steps of the soldiers merged with the gusts of wind to form a peaceful melody...a silence against the storm.
My eyes caught view of the enemy general and his unit of spearmen. Their spears were polished, their eyes - filled with arrogance, but I knew they didn’t have the determination and courage of my soldiers. The rest of the rival army took position near a forest, in a beautiful valley covered in lush grass. I slowly pressed my soldiers onward keeping aware of any traps and stopping occasionally to let the men rest. We were nearing the enemy general and there was still no sight of traps, it seems the fool underestimated himself. Our Berber warriors peppered his unit with arrows, bringing at least two dozen of the Italians down. The militiamen then stormed forth and engulfed the enemy, drowning the Italians in their own crimson blood and making the survivors of the unit flee in terror which could be easily heard in their screams which were louder than the sound of cutting flesh, crushing bones and beating metal against metal. As per orders of our Great Kalifah every captured foe was to be slain immediately.
The rest of the Italians stayed in their place, oblivious to the death of their general. I quickly regrouped my soldiers and positioned them on a hill overlooking the valley. The Italians turned to face us, even from the distance I could see fear in their eyes. The heathens finally realized that their general was dead. With a bit of maneuvering, to keep the enemy out of the forest, my soldiers charged downhill, raising a cloud of dust and cleaving through the enemy ranks like a scythe through a meadow. It rained that day in the green valley...No, not in water but in the fairest liquid ever – blood. Tuscany was ours...”
[Replay]
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TuscVic1154.jpg
My oldest son, Ismail, has grown up to be a good prince and I’ll be glad to give over my rule of the Kaliphate to him when time comes (As well as my giant harem and the mushroom plantations).
Year 1155
The small fort in Corsica would have held for a long time so I ordered it stormed and every defender slain. The assault was successful and the fort was taken with minimal casualties.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/CorsiDeply1155.jpg
[Replay]
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/CorsiVicCastl1155.jpg
The Italians sent in their soldiers to retake Genoa and our troops suffered a shameful defeat.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/GenoaDploy1155.jpg
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/GeneoDft1155.jpg
Year 1156
Loyalist rebellions arose in Corsica and Tuscany and I ordered reinforcements sent to help defend our newly conquered provinces.
My son, Yusuf, has matured. Yet another fine member of the royal family.
Year 1157
The feeble rebel army in Corsica was easily squashed by our professional and much bigger army.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/CorsiInvsDeply1157.jpg
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1157Corsica2.jpg
The battle in Tuscany was the biggest in my reign. The battle was long, energy draining and bloody with the victor unclear for awhile. But in the end our soldiers emerged victorious with two dead Italians for every Almohad soldier who died defending the name of Allah that day.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TuscDploy1157.jpg
[Replay]
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TuscnyVic1157.jpg
Year 1158
The year was spent strengthening our holdings in the Apennine peninsula and preparing to crush the Italians. My health is not what it used to be though and I am afraid my dream of conquering the Apennine peninsula will have to be accomplished by my son, Ismail. I trust he will do that.
Year 1159
I feel I don’t have many days left to live. My last order was the re-conquering of Genoa which is now in hands of the tiny army of Italian rebels. It seems the Doge is still having internal problems.
The battle was easily won but the small unit of enemy militiamen surprised us by their fighting prowess and took down a fair amount of soldiers.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/ReInvGenoa1159.jpg
[Replay]
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/VictryGenoa1159.jpg
I write this as I feel the shadow of death lurking behind the corner (or is it from that Umarian Mushroom treatment?). Ismail, my son, I entrust our glorious Kaliphate into your hands and only ask you to defeat the rest of the Italians. May Allah be with you and aid you in your reign.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/UmarI_56_1159.jpghttps://jimcee.homestead.com/files/EoRmini1159.jpg
KukriKhan
06-19-2003, 14:02
Excellent write-up Maniac, especially the 'shroom bits, LoL. Gave your piece a distinctive 'flavor'.
I'll get those replays up as soon as time allows.
Mount Suribachi
06-20-2003, 07:34
Ismail is now 39, still fighting the French, who are doomed, but fighting tenaciously, and the HRE launched an attack as well...silly Germans. Meanwhile the pope keeps calling for crusades against me...will be a bit hard to do soon tho, hehe.
DrHaphazard
06-22-2003, 06:33
Hey I have been reading this thread with relish and it is certainly a fantastic idea. While I'm not the greatest player ever I'd love a chance to join in. Realistically speaking, however, it seems unlikely that I'd ever get a turn with so many people ahead of me. Oh well, I'll throw my name in the ring anyway...
DrHaphazard - dleib@tulane.edu
I was wondering why yall chose to do Conquest instead of Glorious Achievements. More freedom of action I guess...
In any case great idea, excellent execution and I hope I can join the family tree.
Mount Suribachi
06-22-2003, 07:35
Ismail is now 41, France has had a civil war and its once mighty Kingdom is now reduced to Sicily and Wessex. The HRE are down to 2 provinces and the Pope is fingering his ring nervously...
KukriKhan
06-23-2003, 13:23
The player list, as of June 23:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (current Khalipha: Ismail I)
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
DrHaphazard
Note: Maniac: my apologies on getting your replays uploaded. I'm having some trouble making them linkable - but I haven't given up. Thanks for your patience.
DrHaphazard
06-23-2003, 15:29
Hey thanks a lot Kukri, although like i said the odds of me ever playing are very slim, or i'll probably end up only cleaning up after everyone else does the hard work.
By the way, what looks to be the next faction? I kinda think HRE would be good, or English. I'd let someone else start HRE though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif too hard to make money.
Oh yeah and for the next one, since we have so many willing to play this campaign thing, perhaps we can split the people into two teams and see which side can do better ruling whatever faction yall decide on. That might add an unnecessary level of competitiveness however.
OH and finally, I've noticed in yalls reports that you very rarely talk about money (actually I didn't see any references at all when i skimmed through.) For example i noticed that when Maniac started out in 1131 he had 7389 florins, but by 1149 he had only 1684 florins in the treasury.
Certainly this is no criticism of Maniac, he obviously did a good job, but i was wondering how much emphasis yall place on money. For me its one of my top concerns and i don't like to spend more than i make if i can help it. Do yall prefer to get money by ransoming prisoners?
Anyways just a phenomenon i noticed, great work yall.
Mount Suribachi
06-23-2003, 16:42
The English have been done (as have Poland). Someone earlier in the thread suggested Novgorod, which KK took on board I think.
As for 2 teams, well, we do have 2 teams - a VI and a non-VI team http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
And apologies to all (especially Simon Appleton) who have been waiting what must seem like forever for me to finish the game...I've had lots of battles to fight and not a huge amount of time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif but I hope to get in a good few hours tonight http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
The_Emperor
06-23-2003, 17:05
I sugguested to Kikri a High period Russian campaign... Bound to be shorter but with the Golden Horde making their storming entrance in 1230, it promises to be a rough ride to Total Domination
Of course we also have the new VI factions like the Hungarians and the Aragonese.
We don't want to play a faction that is too easy because the game may be over too soon.
Anyway lets just see how this one goes... maybe this will end like the English campaign where we had a player who made nearly every province Rebel on purpose Who knows what will happen in Total war. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
insolent1
06-23-2003, 17:40
The French on high would be a great game for you lot to play as you start with a split empire & a lot of enemies
The_Emperor
06-23-2003, 17:50
Quote[/b] (insolent1 @ June 23 2003,17:40)]The French on high would be a great game for you lot to play as you start with a split empire & a lot of enemies
Sorry but playing the French goes against my natural instincts... its much more enjoyable to invade the country, take its resources and stick two fingers up at the locals
But hey, I am English http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
Actually my real reason for disliking the French side is that they have no unique units. They are just a boring side to play as. Sorry guys
Been reading the post all of them are great.It looks like fun. I was wondering if in the new campaign i could be able to sign up to play?
Mount Suribachi
06-23-2003, 21:41
OK guys calm down, we're only halfway thru this one.. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Plenty of time when all the map is orange to talk about whos next (tho I think Byzantium in High, having to recapture Constantinople would be good). Just think of poor old KukriKahn and all the great work he's done on this thread...having another 2 (VI & non-VI) threads on the go would be tooooo much even for him http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
Anyways, I got in another 3 hours tonight and progressed 3 years, Ismail is now 44, the Pope is no more and the French and HRE are tenaciously clinging on to their tiny Kingdoms. I have nearly accomplished all my goals for my reign and I've still got another 12 years to go...
Who's next in the firing line?
Hungary?...Egypt?...hmmmmmm....
Demon of Light
06-24-2003, 16:40
Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ June 23 2003,08:42)]And apologies to all (especially Simon Appleton) who have been waiting what must seem like forever for me to finish the game...I've had lots of battles to fight and not a huge amount of time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif but I hope to get in a good few hours tonight http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I'd not worry about Simon Appleton. He said he was going on a business trip. Your rate of progress likely works in his favor as it allows him to go on his business trip and back w/out missing his turn.
KukriKhan
06-24-2003, 23:19
You guys are right: a third campaign to manage would be just a little more than I could handle right now. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
However, on the subject of our next project: I'm trying to think of a way to make it as interesting as these, but also competitive. Maybe have all players begin, for example as Byz, High, Hard, and race to conquer Constantinople. Ealiest year of conquering wins. Write-up & pics required. Not sure how to prevent/check for cheating yet. Any thoughts on how to best structure that from you guys? Maybe make a mandatory save each year rule, so the referee (me, or whoever) could check florin levels, etc ?
I'd throw in a real, live, authentic Kukri blade as a prize.
p.s. Hopefully in RTW we won't have to jump thru all these hoops to play each other on the strat map. Let's keep our fingers and Kukri's crossed. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
DrHaphazard
06-25-2003, 15:13
Hah, nonsense Kukri, i think we should work to burden you as much as possible http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
We'd definetly need a moderator for each team if we did a two team idea. But of course that's all in the future.
Hey kukri do you mean that every player would be by himself in the Race to Constantinople game? I think its better to stick with the team idea, mainly because I'd lose if I played by myself http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Also there'd be less reading to do http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Anyway i definetly think its the teamwork aspect that people like so much about what youre doin here KK, but then again im sure some of these other guys would enjoy the chance to compete against eachother.
As for cheating...perhaps just screenshots of the map would suffice if money is all you're worried about. Of course i don't know what all the cheats are, so maybe saved games are necessary for something like a cheat that reduces build time.
KukriKhan
06-26-2003, 03:29
Good idea, DrHaphazard, I hadn't thought of that: two teams of 3-4, 5 players each with a specific goal to achieve. A hard one. Like Novgorads, High, Expert, race to Antioch.
Kind of like a relay race. The two teams could choose their sequence of players to play. I'd still like to require write ups and screenshots, so non-player readers could enjoy the race too.
Thoughts, you guys?
DrHaphazard
06-26-2003, 05:05
Hmmm relay race...i hadn't thought of it that way. Very interesting...Definetly puts more pressure on people to preform though. Antioch is probably a good point to try and get to because it would take longer to get there by sea than by land, so you just gotta slog right through the byz and turks. Did you pick Antioch for any particular reason? We could make it something like Morocco or perhaps even better Egypt.
Hmm I really kinda like that idea. Would have to practice up with the Russians though, never played as them.
Mount Suribachi
06-26-2003, 07:00
Ismail is 49, the sands of time are ticking....or something http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
HRE no more, France no more.
The_Emperor
06-26-2003, 09:52
Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ June 26 2003,07:00)]Ismail is 49, the sands of time are ticking....or something http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
HRE no more, France no more.
Sounds like the game will soon be over... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
Mount Suribachi
06-26-2003, 10:17
Nah, although Denmark, England, Novgorod, Poland are all 3-4 provinces and easily conquerable, Byzantium own the Eastern half of the map...it will be one hell of a war when it happens...
The_Emperor
06-26-2003, 10:40
Oh well, Sound slike when my Turn comes, I will be clearing up the rebel provinces or maybe hitting the final nail in the coffin of Byzantium.
By the way has the Golden Horde turned up yet? I can see a fun war brewing in the East http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Mount Suribachi
06-26-2003, 16:42
I'm in 1189 I think, no sign of the Horde yet. Not sure when they're meant to arrive either, but yes, I would imagine that they and Byzantium will destroy each other and the almos will pick up the pieces.
BTW, the in-laws are coming tonight, so I probly won't get to play again till Sunday http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
The_Emperor
06-26-2003, 17:49
I think the Horde turn up in 1230 or sometime around that. So when the High Period begins (and new units are made avaliable) upgrade those armies and prepare for the battle
Mount Suribachi
07-01-2003, 07:34
OK, 1190, Ismail is 51 so not long to go now http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif The re-emergant Sicilians are 1 turn away from un-emerging and the English have a 16 yr old king on the defensive...
Sorry its taking so long...
The_Emperor
07-01-2003, 08:00
Thats ok, I have been getting some practice in Playing as the Almohads while I wait...
I have been getting very stiff resistance invading southern France, but given that the French are probably the second most powerful nation I do have a real fight on my hands on unfamiliar terrain.
On the plus side the Pope will not be screaming for help anymore http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
KukriKhan
07-02-2003, 16:17
Eagerly awaiting Mount Suribachi's update of Ismail's reign. (and a shameless *bump*) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Mount Suribachi
07-02-2003, 17:43
Well, I'm just about to fire the old girl up again, hopefully I'll be able to finish it tonight....
The_Emperor
07-02-2003, 17:49
Quote[/b] (KukriKhan @ July 02 2003,16:17)]Eagerly awaiting Mount Suribachi's update of Ismail's reign. (and a shameless *bump*) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Well we haven't had much of an update for while from Mount .
Still given that Ismail is now 51 it won't be long until the mantle is passed to another... and the war continues.
I'm already planning to do a similar tyle of full coverage of SeljukSinan and Maniac
I really enjoyed those full accounts with lots of images. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Mount Suribachi
07-02-2003, 21:38
well, I would have done it but...
Ismail is 55, all set, 2 turns to go...and the papacy re-emerges in Rome & Naples with 6000 men... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif and half my army is trapped in a newly conquered Britain with no ports...
Anyways, I don't have time to fight 2 big battles so you'll have to wait another day or 2. Soz.
KukriKhan
07-02-2003, 22:34
Woo-hoo Great challenge for Ismail. Thanks for the update Mount Suribachi. What a 'cliff-hanger' to keep us in suspense http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Take your time m8; I'm sure you'll do your ancestors proud.
This is a great thread, and a great Idea too by the way. If possible whenever the next project comes up I would also like to get in on it. My email:
lluongo1@rochester.rr.com
or
jeff8275@yahoo.com
Either one would be fine. Not sure on the limit for attachments with the Yahoo account, maybe someone knows that? Anyways I work 4-Midnight so I woul dbe playing during the day pretty much uninterupted as my wife works 8am to 5pm. So put me on the list if there is room. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
KukriKhan
07-03-2003, 00:03
The 02 July list:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (current Khalipha: Ismail I)
Simon Appleton
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
DrHaphazard
Jeff, as you can see, the long list makes getting you a chance to play fairly slim, so volunteering for the next campaign is a good idea. I've begun a Next Campaign list with you and jones21 (who also asked to play) on it.
That said, can I keep your name in reserve for this campaign also - just in case it flounders later? BTW, I'm sure your rr account could handle the file size.
21 i forgot if i gave u my e-mail or even if u need it it djones2127@hotmail.com
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
07-03-2003, 01:25
Kukri, add me to the list for the next campaign.
Yes Kukri please do add me to the list for the next campaign. I figured I wouldn't get on this one because of the long list, which is ok because I have a host of questions I'd like to ask you before I do it.
1. How would I go about capturing the screens, I assume everyone is using a standard porgram for it but I am not sure which one. I am aware of the replays so I'll just look where they are in the MTW files.
2. How are you zipping your files, WinZip or WinRar?
I am guessing that this is all fairly simple to do so I am psyched to get in on it. Oh and yeah if this campaign starts to flounder I would definately step up if needed. Thanks. I think of some more questions later.
KukriKhan
07-03-2003, 03:30
Super, Jeff.
For in-game screenshots, press your F2 keyboard key. You don't need to 'hold' it, a tap will do. The screenshots get stored in MTW in the folder called 'TGA's'. In that folder, they're numbered, making ID'ing a particular screenshot a little complicated if you have many. I recommend reviewing and renaming them often, so you know what they are. If you have a graphics program (like PaintShopPro or PhotoShop), just add .tga to the list of file extensions it'll handle. If not,we have a tga-viewer available for download.
I've been using WinZip because of its wide distribution, 'tho WinRar is a superior product (IMO).
Ahh Excellent Kukri, I'll have to test that when I get home from work tonight. I am always thinking to myself how much I want to show everyone some of the weird games I seem to have. I have one of my first English campaigns saved where the Almos and Egyptians own just about all of Europe and Asia Minor and into the Russian provinces. I have never again seen two Muslim factions just dominate the board like that. Anyways I'll be sure to get WinZip (I would agree that WInRar is superior) and the .tga viewer you have here and hopefully i'll be all set.
KukriKhan
07-03-2003, 04:35
Both those are here:
http://www.totalwar.org/Downloads/Tools.shtml
Problems? Email me jim@jimcee.com & we can handle it 1-to-1.
Mount Suribachi
07-03-2003, 07:06
Thanks for the patience guys. Work & Wife obviously limit the time I've got to play MTW, coupled with that is the fact that I have a very meticulous play style I've been bitten in the backside too many times in this game by overlooking a minor detail...so every turn check the build queues for units & builidings, loyalty...leave nothing to chance Plus I've had lots of battles to fight
when I've finished I'm gunna do a handover letter to my Son & Heir Simon Appleton, also known as Muhammed I, a 9 star general. Then I'll do a much longer, more detailed historical account of my reign - obviously that will take me a bit of time to do.
A nine star general? Don't think I've ever been one of those. Sounds like a fine inheritance, Mount Suribachi. I seem to recall my successor in the King of England was a strange one star general who talked to plants and survived me by only a couple of years (apologies to next in line in that thread!http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif.
I've completed my business trip, so I can pick up the mantle no problem. However, I'll spending Friday and Saturday nights in London, so if the the save game does not arrive before Friday am, I will be unable to acknowledge receipt until Sunday night.
Looking forward to this one.
KukriKhan
07-04-2003, 20:16
And with that, we'll just give everyone a pass until Sunday, when we'll look for updates and game passing.
Have a good weekend, fellow players. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif
The_Emperor
07-04-2003, 22:49
And you mate
Mount Suribachi
07-05-2003, 07:50
Yay I'm done
And Ismail had a...shall we say, interesting 56th year...
I think it was The Emporer who said the next person would just have to mop up. Not so I'm afraid.
Anyway, I'll write a letter of succesion from Ismail to Muhammed over the weekend and post it here.
Mount Suribachi
07-05-2003, 07:51
Oh, and I can't count, Muhammed has *only* 7 stars, not 9 like I said http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wacko.gif
He's 31 I think, so Simon should get a good long reign in.
KukriKhan
07-05-2003, 12:54
Received the saveGame from Mount Suribachi, checked, archived, zipped, and mailed to Simon Appleton (who won't see it until tomorrow, Sunday).
The 05 July list:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (Khalipha Ismail I)
Simon Appleton (Current Khalipha: Muhammad I)
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
DrHaphazard
Ummm...Kukri, when will my replays get online?
Demon of Light
07-06-2003, 02:24
I edited a post of mine in page 6 so that Monk's write up appears where it should chronologically.
KukriKhan
07-06-2003, 14:15
Demon of Light: good job, 'moving' that post to a more appropriate position in the thread. Ever helpful. Thx.
Monk: since DoL gave up his pg 6 post to copy your reign write-up there, any prob with my deleting this pg 8 version?
Maniac: still working on the replays thing. I'm just not bright enough to get them to work yet. Gonna ask for help from smarter guys. I'll get back to you...soon.
Mount Suribachi
07-06-2003, 19:36
OK, I've been out all day so I've not been able to do my handover write-up. So I'll give you a brief edited version.
The map looks like this
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/Almo1195.jpg
In Ismaels 55th year Pope Urban III re-appeared with c. 6000 men. Defeated the army in Naples, but Ismael wasn't able to stem the tide in Rome and was forced back into the castle. The next year my whole empire went crazy.
I am meticulous in my gameplay and check loyalty of every province every turn. My loyalty plummeted everywhere. many provinces had loyalty 0%, no matter how low the taxes or how many troops there were stationed there. The only explanation for this that I can think of is that my King was trapped in a castle.
In 2 desparate do or die battles the Papacy were defeated and Ismael died at the end of that turn. Loyalty is back to normal empire wide, but Simon Appleton is left with peasant rebellions in Portugal, Granada, Morocco & Northumbria. And Christian rebellions in Rhodes, Crete, Wales, Mercia & Scotland.
Did I mention that the Italians re-appeared in Algeria with 5000 men that turn as well?
Still, everywhere else is at peace.
Simon - Obviously you want to avoid war with Byz at all costs, as trade with them is our biggest source of income. The Poles have been allied to them for decades, so be careful of attacking them. Byz has only just allied with Egypt after a brutal 20 year war in Anatolia which saw no major territory change hands...WW1 in the 12th Century http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I would concentrate on developing our lands and armies - try and get Swabian Swordsmen, they are devastating, and Swiss Pikemen as the Elmos are seriously lacking in anti-cav units. However, you have an experienced army and some top generals. I would go through all the governers as well and check their V & Vs, something I've not done since the start of my reign. Of course you are your own man, my son, and you will rule your kingdom as you see fit http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif I'm just one more daddy trying to pass on what he (thinks he) knows.
Ismael has only one wish of you. Destroy the Irish. Ireland was the scene of a humiliating Almohad defeat early in my reign and I was planning to lead a death or glory charge there in my 56th year. It wasn't to be, the Pope had other plans.
Avenge our peoples humiliation there my son, it is all I ask of you.
Hopefully tomorrow I can get stuck into writing my full history when Mrs Suribachi goes swimming http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Quote[/b] (KukriKhan @ July 06 2003,09:15)]Monk: since DoL gave up his pg 6 post to copy your reign write-up there, any prob with my deleting this pg 8 version?
no prob post deleted, sorry for being late but you know how life can be http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
OK, I got the save game - thanks, Kukrikhan and Mount Suribachi. A lot to take in - but thanks for the advice, it will be treated with true filial respect.
Degtyarev14.5
07-07-2003, 19:06
Quote[/b] (KukriKhan @ June 24 2003,17:19)]However, on the subject of our next project: I'm trying to think of a way to make it as interesting as these, but also competitive. Maybe have all players begin, for example as Byz, High, Hard, and race to conquer Constantinople. Ealiest year of conquering wins. Write-up & pics required. Not sure how to prevent/check for cheating yet. Any thoughts on how to best structure that from you guys? Maybe make a mandatory save each year rule, so the referee (me, or whoever) could check florin levels, etc ?
I'd throw in a real, live, authentic Kukri blade as a prize.
Firstly, what exactly is a Kukri blade?
Secondly, why Hard, as opposed to Expert?
Thirdly, what's the record so far? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Ummm, on second thought, perhaps that should be kept confidential.
I assume that this must be played in a linear fashion; that is, no going back to replay turns that went horribly wrong. This can be verified by examining save dates / times, although the most hardcore among us may elect to change their system time to get around this. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif Hmmm, yes, please don't do this, peoples.
May I e-mail you my first (and as yet only) attempt, Kukri? I saved at the beginning of each turn, and I'm happy to fill you in re: any questions you may have...
I want that blade, dammit http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
A.
The new Kalipha ran up the stairs, adrenaline coursing through his veins. “Allah, you have guided me to this moment”, he thought, “now I will repay your trust”. He reached the top of the stairs. “Stop”, he told himself, forcing a halt, “Walk, don’t run.” He approached the entrance to the Council chamber at what he hoped was a more sedate pace, although the great doors were thrown open before him with a haste he did not recall from his father’s time.
Faces turned towards him as he entered the grand hall. Inside, gathered around a large map of the known world, were his father’s most trusted advisors and generals. Scanning the old men, Muhammad observed a mixture of anxiety and curiosity. The apprehension was predictable given the turmoil that had marked Muhammad’s ascension to the throne. But Muhammad had not anticipated the open expressions of interest on the faces of his Council; interest in how he, the new Kalipha, would respond to the chaos in the kingdom.
“Gentlemen” he began in a loud, clear voice, “I am indebted to you all for coming at such short notice. You helped guide my father from the Pyrnees to the Elbe. Various malcontents seek to undo that work. In Allah’s name, our people have brought down all the great Catholic kingdoms. A few rebellions will not prove much of a challenge to them, especially with your continued guidance. Qadi al-Quda, summarise the reports from the provinces”
The Qadi al-Quda, grey and wizen, shuffled through the pile of parchments in front of him. “As your highness has said, various malcontents. Two main areas of unrest – the resurgent Italians in Algeria, with 3800 men; and in the British Isles, with rebellions in all provinces bar Wessex with an estimated total of 4500 rebels. Minor uprisings also reported in Portugal, Granada, Morocco, Crete and Rhodes.”
“Thank you, Qadi al-Quda” said Muhammad, moving rapidly on. “The first order of business is to try to forestall any future such disloyalty in the provinces. Grand Vizier, you are to give all provincial governors authority to set taxes at sufficiently low rates to guarantee the loyalty of their subjects. We have better things to do than to second guess our governors.”
“As you command” said the hawk-faced Grand Vizier, oozing scepticism and ill-concealed displeasure at such a great loss of his power.
“Grand Vizier – we have amassed a formidable warchest; some 180,000 gold pieces. Now would be a good time to spend some of it. All provinces not committed to naval construction must immediately levy contingents of troops. What can we expect?”
“Your highness, I regret that, with a few exceptions, only the Ibernian and African provinces can train warriors worthy of your armies. The others can mainly offer only urban militia or peasants, if they can muster any forces.”
Muhammad suppressed his irritation. The lack of training facilities in the kingdom’s more recent conquests was probably more a reflection of the destruction of conquest and the backwardness of the conquered than the laxity of the Grand Vizier. Still, it seemed that the Grand Vizier, and indeed the Muhammad’s father, had been somewhat complacent in ordering the prioritisation of great castles, agricultural improvements and merchant houses.
“Grand Vizier, raise whatever forces you can – even levy the peasants if need be. Also, hire any mercenaries offering their services. We will not lose a kingdom for the want of a few blades. But in future, ALL provinces must be capable of producing well-trained forces – either Almohad urban militia, Muwahid foot or archers. We must not be caught unprepared a second time. Oh, and allocate some of our conquered provinces to horse breeding. We may not be able to trust Catholic-born warriors with steeds, but we must be able to replace them with our own Faris or Ghulam cavalry.” The fact that, outside of North Africa, only Rome was capable of training mounted warriors had been one of Muhammad’s most disturbing discoveries on assuming the kaliphate. Another had been the neglect of metalsmiths despite the kingdom’s generous endowment of iron-mines.
“Vizier of the Army” Muhammad turned his attention to the grizzled warrior stood closest to the map. “Empty all provinces without a land border or enemy insurgent of their garrisons. Leave only a skeleton force in each. If there are more or less than 100 men in each uncontested province, I will be wanting an explanation.”
“As you command, my Kalipha”, the old warrior bowed. “And they should be deployed to …?”
“The first priority is to forestall any attempt by existing factions to exploit our troubles. As my father instructed me, Byzantium is both our greatest trading partner and worst potential enemy. We meet them at the borders of Venice. What is the strength of our garrison there compared to theirs in Croatia?”
The Vizier of the Army uttered a dry, uncomfortable cough. “We have 120 men in Venice; estimate their army in Croatia numbers in excess of 2000.”
“That leaves us a rather tempting target, don’t you think? Make reinforcing Venice our first priority, followed by our other border provinces – especially Libya, our frontier with Egypt.”
“But there are armies already in the field against us” cried the Vizier of the Army in frustration. “Must we spend all our energies fighting shadows and phantoms?”
“Indeed not, my trusted sword-arm, you are right as always. After reinforcing our border garrisons to your satisfaction, you are to take all available men and allocate them to each of the ten contested provinces. I personally we lead our forces against the Italians in Algeria. I expect we will be outnumbered in most battles, so we must rely on quality. Make sure each province has sufficient archers and horse. The Almohad urban militia will be the backbone of our defence but their numbers are few. Order all militia company captains that they are to deploy only two deep. Tell every militiaman that their own fate, the fate of their comrades, their armies, their country and indeed the fate of the true faith all stands or falls on the skill of their swordsmanship.”
“Now, gentlemen, let us get to work and hope that next year we meet in less interesting times”, and, with that, the Kalipha dismissed the Council.
Almost as an afterthought, he called back the Qadi al-Quada, instructing him to send emissaries offering alliances to all factions except the Italians. But in his heart, he expected little of these overtures. The Almohad Kaliphate stood alone and now, with the exit of the old men from the Council chamber, the Kalipha himself felt a thrill of solitude.
DrHaphazard
07-08-2003, 05:25
Nice write ups Simon, seems like you made an excellent recovery from near disaster. Excellent work also not being at war with the Byz thereby capitalizing on trade as long as possible. By the way, what year is it? Have the Golden Horde come and gone, or are they just about ready to slam into the rear areas of the Byzantines?
Well its good to know we can build up troops and money still allied with the Byz while they are busy with the Golden Horde. Then, whoever wins, we'll have the manpower to smash em.
As for ArseClown:
We have not yet begun the proposed Russian Race to Antioch scenario, as we are waiting for this current campaign to finish.
Also, it was my hope that we could maybe turn it into a team event. Have two teams that pass the game on as each king dies and see which can take antioch first. I thought that might give us the best of both worlds.
In any case, popular enthusiasm has not been forthcomming for that idea and i think Kukri is going to wait to discuss it.
As for the kukri itself...well here's a site (http://www.random-abstract.com/kukri/) that i found in about 3 seconds worth of searching. At least it has some good pictures.
Suffice it to say that the Kukri is a brutal weapon that comes out of Nepal, favoured by the Ghurkas (ya know those guys that help tourists climb Everest.) It became famous because the British would use Ghurkas in their armies and of course the Ghurkas brought their favorite melee weapon with them. I've heard it said that every time a Ghurka draws his kukri the blade has to taste blood.
I'm sure KK can fill you in with more details though... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
Mount Suribachi
07-08-2003, 06:23
Great write up Simon http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Mount Suribachi
07-08-2003, 20:56
When in 1160 Ismail became Kalipha of the Alomhad Empire, no one could have predicted the profound impact this 21-year-old would have on Europe. He had no outstanding qualities that marked him out as the great ruler that he would become. A promising general - one to keep an eye on, but no more. Able to read and write, with a rudimentary grasp of arithmetic, but certainly no scholar. Nor was he a man of profound religious beliefs, indeed in his youth the Alims used to whisper that whilst he knew about the existence of mosques, he knew not what they were for. He did however display great natural ability at personal combat and was regarded as a great warrior. His temperament was generally pleasant, though he was prone to occasional outbursts of anger, but no more so than would be expected from any young King carrying the burden of responsibility for a whole empire. There was but one trait from his early life that provided a clue as to how his reign would develop. All those who knew him - family, friends, advisors, and comrades - knew that he was somewhat irritable, quick to anger and slow to forget a grudge. If the Catholic Kings and princes of Western Europe had born this fact in mind, perhaps they would not have sown the wind, and reaped the whirlwind.
Upon his accession, Ismail found his kingdom to be one of great, but as yet largely untapped potential. The treasury turned over an annual profit of around 2500 florins and the royal coffers contained nearly 3000 florins. By the end of his reign, that annual profit was to be increased 10 fold and over 150,000 florins were stored in the treasury. In large part that was due to the reforms Ismail instigated. The fledgling navy started by his forefathers were up to that point used mainly in a defensive role around the East Coast of the Iberian Peninsula, defending against incursions by the Italians who had fought an on-off war with the Almohads for years. As the Italians were pushed back and eventually defeated, Ismail ordered his fleets to roam far from home and establish trading routes everywhere they could. Within 30 years the whole of the known world was accessible to the Almohads, from the Baltic to the Black Sea. Goods from all across the Almohad empire were sold in far away places, their import and export duties swelling the coffers - wax and olive oil from Portugal, saltfish from Northumbria, glassware and silk from Venice combining to make the Almohad empire the richest of the age. Ismail also set about improving his empires infrastructure in order that his merchants might make more profits and thereby pay yet more taxes, building trading posts and by the end of his reign encouraging the merchants guilds that were starting to spring up. He appointed new governors in many territories, based not, as was so often the case in those times, on nobility of birth, but on merit alone. Thus many able men of comparatively humble backgrounds found themselves ruling whole provinces in Ismails name. On the whole, these men ruled ably and well, and their wisdom and discernment further increased the profitability of their lands. They also owed their high position to Ismail and as such were very loyal to him, unlike perhaps those of more noble birth who would be much more likely to intrigue against the Kalipha.
To the North & East the French and Egyptians kept large standing armies on their borders with the Almohads. These tied down large numbers of soldiers in defensive positions, but the intelligence Ismail received persuaded him (certainly early in his reign) that they did not intend to attack him directly, so he was able to concentrate his attentions on his one enemy - the Italians.
For years the Italians had been launching raids on Aragon, Valencia and Cordoba, but Ismails father, Umar I had managed to drive the Italians back onto the defensive. By 1160 Ismail found Corsica in Almohad hands and with a foothold on the Italian peninsula - Genoa and Tuscany were occupied by Ismails armies with the castles at Genoa and Florence under siege. By 1162 both castles had fallen, and there followed several years of consolidation as Ismail secured his position as King and worked to improve the loyalty of his subjects - by civic improvements where he could, and where he couldn't, by the stationing of enough troops to make sure no-one dared to try anything funny. By 1165 he was confident enough to order his younger brother, Prince Yusuf to attack Venice to the North East.
Yusuf was an interesting character, 2 years younger than Ismail, he was on the face of things, a more impressive man - cleverer, a better general with a more fearsome reputation, a more devout Muslim (although compared to Ismail, this wasn't saying much). However, even at this early stage of his life there were rumours about his habit of sleeping in his tent with only young slave boys for company, but it was many years before his preference for young men rather than young women became common knowledge. When it did, it was only the fact that his brother the Kalipha was not a truly devout Muslim that allowed him to keep his life. When his perversion became an open secret, he was able to maintain his high position by a combination of his very charitable giving to the poor and his fearsome reputation - partly earned on the battlefield, partly rumours of what he did to those who crossed him.
Venice was defended by Lord Corsini, perhaps the cleverest man of the age. However the love of philosophy and abstract thought does not make one a general capable of defeating a foe superior in numbers and ability. Corsini abandoned Venice and retreated to Milan with his 500 men where the Italians prepared to make a last stand against the onslaught that they knew would come sooner or later.
Before that onslaught however came 2 incidents that would dominate Ismails thinking for the rest of his life. As the war with the Italians was drawing to its conclusion, Ismail began looking around for further opportunities for expansion. With the intricate web of international alliances, he was reluctant to attack any of the larger kingdoms lest it incur the wrath of their allies. He decided that Ireland, small and lightly populated would make an ideal base for his navy which by now was reaching into the North Sea and Baltic, but was finding it increasingly hard to support its operations so far from their home ports.
So in 1167, Abdul abu Muhammed, a highly educated general with a reputation for a devious military mind led an invasion force of nearly 500 men to take the Emerald Isle. Muhammed, who had won fame as the conqueror of Corsica, led his army against 350 Irish soldiers expecting an easy victory. Fate had decided differently however and as the 2 armies closed, a javelin thrown by an Irish peasant struck him. The whole army saw him topple from his horse skewered through the chest, and as the shock swept through the army, they wavered for a moment. At that point the Irish Gallowglasses, fierce tribal warriors, charged down the small hill they stood on. Much of the Almohad army broke and ran instantly, some stayed and fought, briefly, before they too ran. Many did not run quick enough and were slaughtered. Those who ran quickly enough were able to rally themselves and some order was restored to the army. But now it was they who were on the defensive. They met the Irish attack and this time put up a slightly better fight, but it was clear the Irish were slowly winning the battle. As more and more of the Muslims fell the army suddenly broke and ran once more, this time not stopping until they had reached their ships. Of the 500 men who landed in Ireland, less than 100 survived to make it back to Granada. When these survivors, humiliated by their defeat and with a long, lonely sea voyage back home to think about the shameful lack of courage they had displayed, made it back to Islamic Spain, Ismail flew into a rage. And not without reason. The army he had sent was well led, well trained and well equipped. The death of their general should not have provoked such a shameful and cowardly flight. When an Irish emissary arrived to enquire about a ransom for the 150 Almohad prisoners they had, Ismail saw him personally in order to deliver just one line
You may kill them all.
The survivors Ismail thought about distributing as reinforcements throughout the rest of his army, but decided against it. He did not want their cowardly ways infecting the rest of his brave army, so the survivors were dismissed from the army and sent home. The shame of the Irish debacle burned long in Ismails mind and he longed and planned for the opportunity to personally destroy these Irish peasants who had so humiliated his mighty empire.
The 2nd important incident that happened in 1167 was a surprise attack by the French from Toulouse into Aragon. Over 2200 Franks marched across the border where they were met by less than 600 Almohads led by Amir abu Hassan, an outstanding general whose uncanny ability had secured victory after victory. On this day he fought a holding action, defending as long as his archers had arrows, before withdrawing to his keep in Barcelona, having lost nearly 200 men, but leaving 700 French soldiers dead on the battlefield. Although already at war with the Catholic Italians, this battle began stoking the fires of Ismails desire to destroy the Catholic west.
By 1169 Prince Yusuf was ready to begin the final phase of the Italian war. Milan was invaded with 1200 men and Doge Enrico I himself led the last 1500 soldiers Italy possessed to meet them. The battle was long and bloody, but the result was never in doubt as the Italians were relentlessly driven back. Although 300 Almohads were lost, 600 Italians died and the same number were taken prisoner, but with no money to pay their ransom met death just the same. Only 300 survived to flee back to the castle in Milan.
The following year Prince Yusuf led the assault on Milan Castle, the last bastion of Italian resistance. Led by Doge Enrico and trying to wipe away the shame of their string of defeats and retreats at Muslim hands the Italians defended fiercely and inflicted over 100 casualties on the assaulters, several units being wiped out. At the last there remained only Doge Enrico himself, sat on his horse in front of the keep, fighting off attacker after attacker, till only Prince Yusuf remained in the vicinity. The 2 then fought an epic hand to hand clash, captured so famously in the portrait by Abu Zayyan al-Mansur, the archery commander whose paintings capture so many dramatic moments from the reign of Ismail I. Eventually after several minutes of combat, with both men exhausted, Yusuf was able to fell Enrico.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/Prince_Yusuf_fights_Doge_Enrico.jpg
Prince Yusuf fighting Doge Enrico by Abu Zayyan al-Mansur
Mount Suribachi
07-08-2003, 20:57
With no heirs and no territory, the Italians were no more. The first, but not the last Catholic nation to fall to Ismail.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/Death_of_Doge_Enrico_drawing.jpg
The death of Doge Enrico I by Abu Zayyan al-Mansur
In the same year of 1170, the Almohads launched counterattacks against the French. The siege of Barcelona Keep was lifted, the French withdrawing without a fight, and to the northwest an attack on the lightly defended province of Anjou was unopposed, the small French army there retreating to the fort at Bordeaux. The following year the French launched a huge counterattack to lift the siege of Bordeaux - over 3200 men led by King Phillipe III attacking the 700 men of Amir Rahman. Rahman, the Censor of Genoa was possibly the best of the many fine generals at Ismails disposal. One the true greats in the history of warfare, he also had a fearsome reputation, his hands stained with the blood of innocents. Highly educated, but also a glutton, he spent vast fortunes on rare delicacies and huge feasts whilst his peasants starved. But of course, when you're outnumbered more than 4 to 1, what a general eats is not as important as how he leads. And Rahman fought a skillful rearguard action, his army (containing a large contingent of archers from the sands of Morocco) killing nearly 800 Frenchmen, capturing over a hundred more for the loss of 250 of his own men. When his archers had exhausted their arrows Rahman withdrew back to Navarre, happy to have caused the French casualties thrice that of his own.
To the east Kaliph Ismael led a force of 800 men from the freshly relieved Aragon into Toulouse. His spies and scouts had reported that Toulouse was only lightly defended, but as he advanced north, French reinforcements marched south. King Phillipe had announced a crusade against the Almohads several years previously. Pope Giovanni I had given it his blessing and over 1000 men responded to this call to wage a holy war against the heathen Muslims who threatened Catholicism. It was this crusade that Ismail met on the fields of Toulouse and which outnumbered his army by more than 2 to 1. The battle raged back and forth and swung first one way, then the other. Several times it looked like one side might break, but they always rallied. The biggest problem that Ismaels army faced were the Order Foot Soldiers. Well armoured, equipped with a shield and spear, these men were not of high enough social standing to become knights, but fought in support of them and with the hope of promotion. They also fought with a religious zeal that made them disciplined and tough warriors. They fought the battle with bravery and skill and inflicted heavy casualties on the Almohads. Eventually, when both sides had exhausted their reinforcements, the battlefield belonged to the Muslims. The French had just over 500 dead, the Almohads just under, however the Almohads had managed to capture nearly 900 French soldiers. After the battle was over, Ismael looked out over the fields and surveyed the carnage. His army had sustained 60% losses and it was a tribute to their bravery, skill and his leadership that they had persevered to win the day. He looked at the throng of French prisoners. The peasants, poorly dressed, no armour, shaking with fear, the terror visible in their eyes. And he looked at the Order Foot Soldiers, their armour no longer shiny and glinting, but dirty and dented. Their faces caked in dust, sweat and blood. But their eyes, their eyes In them was the gleam of defiance mixed with the anger at their defeat. Although they had surrendered in the hope of being ransomed to fight another day, they were clearly not afraid of their death, if Ismael should so order it. And then Ismael looked out again at the piles of dead bodies strewn around the battlefield, most of them accumulated round the places where the crusader foot soldiers had made their stands and Ismael thought I do not want to fight these men again. He turned to his surviving bodyguards and shouted
Follow me
With that he rode into the nearby town of Colomiers. Most of the inhabitants had fled in fear with news of the defeat or were locked in their houses. Ismael rode up to the local church and finding the priest ordered him to collect his entire store of bread and wine. Having done so, he took the clearly terrified priest back out to the battlefield. There he ordered the priest to deliver Holy Communion to the 900 prisoners. Though thought of as a man who was ignorant of the divine, Ismael regarded this as a last act of necessary chivalry towards a vanquished enemy before he ordered the execution of every one of the French prisoners.
The Battle of Colomiers was the turning point in Ismaels reign. Having witnessed 1st hand the potentially devastating effects of the Catholic crusades he was determined to eliminate their threat once and for all by destroying Catholic Western Europe. This desire to remove a threat coupled with his known grudge-bearing abilities was the beginning of the end of Roman Catholicism. Whether or not the threat posed by having to face those order foot soldiers again if he had ransomed them justified their slaughter is something that Islamic scholars have debated ever since. As we shall see, in the future he was perfectly happy to ransom back low quality troops and peasants, but royalty in particular, where likely to suffer a similar fate to those 900 captured Frenchmen on the bloody fields of Colomiers. Whether what he did was right or wrong, he never shook off his reputation for scant mercy the rest of his life.
[Very nice posts, Mount Suribachi. It is nice to know how I got here I will copy, delete and re-post my report(s) when you are done so that this thread is in chronological order. I'm going to post updates every other day in character; confused readers can think of this as flashbacks and/or flash forwards until Mount Suribachi has completed his write-up and I re-jig the ordering.]
Kalipha Muhammad I put down the journal of his father's reign unfinished. A messenger from Scotland had arrived, bearing news of the first of the ten battles that marked the year of his inauguration in 1196. Muhammad tore open the parchment and scanned it anxiously. A rebel army of 1900 men had attacked Almohad forces of 840 warriors. A wave of relief surged through the Kalipha – victory The rebels had been defeated, with the loss of only 93 Almohad warriors.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000001.jpg
Amir Rahman presents the new Kalipha with a great victory in the Scottish Highlands. He will return here to out-do this triumph six years later.
The flow of the battle characterised most of the encounters of this year. The Almohads had deployed on the highest hill, with a thin frontline of double-ranked Almohad militia backed by archers in loose formation and cavalry for pursuit. The first wave of the enemy was invariably the strongest and pressed home its attack despite suffering from archery fire while approaching up a steep incline. However, in no battle was the enemy ultimately able to resist the charge of the Almohad urban militia down the slope. Typically the enemy general was captured or killed in the first wave of the assault. The negative effect of this on enemy morale, combined with the high losses sustained and the inferior quality of subsequent waves of enemy, meant that the outcome of the battle was no longer in doubt.
Reflecting later on the year’s many victories, the Kalipha wondered why so often his forces had managed to defeat superior numbers. No doubt it was partly the advantage of being on the defensive, able to use archery and elevation to good effect. In large measure it was also the considerable skill of the Almohad urban militia, who had proved able to best Highland Clansmen, Feudal Sergeants and even Feudal Men-at-Arms. However, perhaps the most decisive factor was the superior leadership provided by the Almohad generals. Most Almohad armies were led by veteran generals whereas the rebel generals had yet to make much of a reputation for themselves. This factor was particularly important in Muhammad’s own encounter with the resurgent Italians, whose young Doge had no particular aptitude for command whatsoever.
Although more Almohad soldiers were engaged in the various campaigns in the British Isles, the battle of Algiers was the largest single encounter of 1196. Muhammad had mustered 1727 men, but the Italians had gathered a force of 3781 composed almost entirely of stout soldiers – Feudal Sergeants, Men-at-Arms, Mounted Crossbowmen, Mounted Sergeants and archers. Thankfully, the Italians had been surprisingly light in terms of Feudal Knights but Muhammad also was short of heavy cavalry. As in Scotland, the fate of the first wave of the assault had been decisive. The Italians approached with their heaviest infantry and in the fierce ensuing melee caused heavy casualties, but everywhere were defeated. The second wave had been frustrating with massed horsemen proving an elusive enemy, capable of inflicting damage at range thanks to a plentiful supply of crossbows. Muhammad’s foot archers provided no aid, having exhausted their arrows, and although they were withdrawn with a call for reinforcements, the fresh troops that arrived were mounted soldiers rather than archers. Various counters were attempted to the mounted crossbowmen: slow moving Almohad urban militia attempted to drive them off; mercenary Druzhina cavalry exhausted themselves in pursuit; Berber camels came off surprisingly well in a ranged duel; but no decisive counter-measure was available. Fortunately, the crossbows appeared to inflict little damage, thanks in part to the strong armour of the Almohad urban militia. Eventually, a third wave of archers and infantry approached, allowing the battle to come to a more decisive conclusion. The Italians were defeated, inflicting 301 casualties on the Almohads and giving Muhammad the reputation for being a skilled defender.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000006.jpg
The battle of Algiers against the resurgent Italians gives Muhammad his first opportunity as Kalipha to demonstrate his skill at defence. The piles of dead visible on the battleground are an ominous portent of the bloodiness of his reign.
The other eight battles of the year were largely unremarkable, with the exception of a chaotic encounter in Wales. Muhammad’s brother, Prince Abdulla, had led the Almohad army of 656 men against 1140 rebels. Abdulla was a great warrior and excellent general, but made a terrible error in deployment. Perhaps due to the snowstorms of the unusually severe Welsh winter, he allowed the enemy to get behind the rear of his army. With low visibility, Abdulla had strained to see the advance of the enemy although confused shouts revealed it was approaching at speed. Only at the last moment, had the Prince realised with horror that the enemy spears were within yards of the rear of his archers and that his frontline of Almohad urban militia were on the wrong side of the hill, with the enemy fast approaching their backs. Hasty orders allowed his army to turn 180 degrees to face the Welsh. Only the fighting skill of the Almohad urban militia and the belated encouragement of the Prince allowed the Almohads to prevail, with the loss of 161 men.
Elsewhere, in Northumbria, a force of 608 Almohads defeated 1420 rebels for the loss of only 54 men. Smaller victories were secured in Mercia, Granada, Morocco, Crete and Rhodes. Only in Portugal was the Kaliphate to experience the sour taste of defeat. The rebel forces there had been the weakest facing the Kaliphate – a mere 60 Murabitin, backed by 200 peasants. Muhammad had little respect for the Murabitin – what was the point of spearmen without spears? – and no respect at all for peasants in combat. Consequently, he relied on the local Christian militia to quell the rebellion. Denied archery and horse, without an experienced leader or the infamous Almohad urban militia, the Almohads had few of the ingredients that had ensured success elsewhere. The Murabitin had unleased a volley of javelins at the Christian militia, apparently seriously denting their morale, and, after a quick melee, the militia wavered and then promptly ran.
So ended the year of 1196, Muhammad’s baptism of fire. The wave of victories had a marked effect on the new Kalipha. On inheriting the throne, the prospect of so many battles had encouraged Muhammad to plan for a period of consolidation. However, the favourable outcomes led him to realise he had inherited a finely sharpened sword. To leave it sheathed was at best to waste a precious gift. At worst, it would let the sword rust and atrophy, as a generation of fine generals idled their twilight years away. Consequently, the Kaliphad planned a reign of conquest to continue his father’s work. His first targets would naturally be the rebel Portugese and the hated Irish, who had humiliated his father. However, Muhammad also sought a worthier foe. The Danes were the obvious targets for conquest, since they occupied the wealthy Scandinavian provinces and their defeat would shorten the land borders of the kingdom. Peace with the powerful Byzantines and their Polish allies was to be maintained at all costs, due to the great trading links the Almohads had forged with them. Muhammad had heard rumours of a great migration of fierce warrior peoples in the East and suspected this horde might strike down the Byzantines for him. That left the Eygptians as the remaining enemy to be dealt with in his reign. Muhammad had been impressed by the many fine warriors only available from the deserts of North Africa and the Levant: Saharan cavalry, Berber camels, Nubian spearmen and desert archers. Uniting the Islamic people under a single ruler would greatly strengthen the one true faith. It was true that his heavily armoured Almohad urban militia would suffer battling in the desert, but Muhammad was confident he could find a way around that limitation.
So, having settled on ambitious goals for his reign, Muhammad returned to his father’s journal and sought inspiration for the many trials to come.
Demon of Light
07-09-2003, 10:32
First let me say that I am greatly enjoying both Mount Suribachi's and Dr. Appleton's accounts.
Dr. Appleton: You mentioned a desire to put the accounts in chronological order. I himbly submit to you sir the idea that this might not be necessary. As you have skillfully interwoven Mount Suribachi's posts as a componant of your own, it seems (perhaps with a little help from Mount Suribachi) that the casual reader looking at this for the first time will encounter no difficulty deciphering who went in what order. Far from encountering difficulty, I would say that intersplicing accounts of reigns may even produce a more harmonious effect than the alternative if done correctly.
OK, Demon of Light, we don't need to impose chronological order. I happened to catch part of Pulp Fiction on TV last night and remember how much I enjoyed the way Tarrantino played with the temporal ordering in that movie. [Now there's a writing style to consider... Prince Yusuf put his foot on Doge Enrico's neck and called out to the Nubian Bring the brothers, I'm going to get medieval on his .... No, on second thoughts, let's not go there.]
Just a passing comment, though I have been silent. I am really enjoying this thread...and love all the essays here.
Brilliant work everyone.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Mount Suribachi
07-09-2003, 16:28
Quote[/b] (Demon of Light @ July 09 2003,10:32)] As you have skillfully interwoven Mount Suribachi's posts as a componant of your own, it seems (perhaps with a little help from Mount Suribachi) that the casual reader looking at this for the first time will encounter no difficulty deciphering who went in what order.
Demon, could you clarify what help you require me to provide in order that I might improve the clarity?
Simon, great write-up, but even more, great job dealing with all those rebellions I figured most of 'em you'd put down easy enough, but I thought Scotland would be tough..obviously not Surprised by the loss in Portugal tho...
But doing the Italians in one go...fantastic I really thought they would cause you some headaches Where you managed to get 1700 men from, I don't know...me losing 2000+ men defeating the papacy the turn before didn't help your cause either
KukriKhan
07-10-2003, 03:36
Mount Suribachi, I think Demon of Light meant that your interweaving posts had already provided any necessary 'help'.
I must say as a reader: you two, father and son - playing off each other's accounts has very effectively explored the themes of father-to-son and son-to-father obligatory duty so prevalent in medieval times (and beyond). Hereditary monarchy, based on the philosopical concept of the 'obvious' selection by Allah or Jehovah of an ancestor's superior lineage by means of his apparantly god-backed battlefield victories, has been beautifully exposed by you fella's. My thanks.
And BTW: your 'grant the infidels their death rites' bit: priceless. I could just see the movie scene with Omar Sharif blasting to the nearest church, grabbing the pitiful friar, and allowing the enemy to die in honor. Butchery, tempered with compassion. Chivalry, indeed.
Demon of Light
07-10-2003, 04:59
I wholeheartedly agree.
“Where is that accursed journal?” Muhammad muttered irritably. The record of the end of his father’s reign had been worked on for more than four years and still the learned scholar responsible was unwilling to sign off on the work. The fashion for elaborate illustrations on great books, lovingly fashioned with gold leaf and exotic dyes, produced admiration and impatience in equal parts from the Kalipha. “I need it now more than ever.” Muhammad thought as he faced the second great crisis of his reign.
It was a crisis far more grim and foreboding than the many rebellions that had marked the Kalipha’s inauguration, but it had its origins in the most absurd and comic circumstances – the impregnation of an Almohad general by a phantom pachyderm. Muhammad had entrusted the garrison of Bavaria, on the border with the Kaliphate’s great rival, Byzantium, to Abdallah al-Hajj, a potentially superb military commander. However, on inquiring further into the background of the general, Muhammad had been appalled by what he had read. Al-Hajj had fled a battlefield on more than one occasion and the stresses of command had unhinged him, leading him to believe he had experienced intimate relations with an elephant. Muhammad had not hesitated to remove Al-Hajj from leadership of the Bavarian garrison, but had neglected to find a substitute with comparable command experience. The replacement, Amir Mardanish, was a good planner and efficient executive officer but lacked the outstanding ability of other leading generals in the Almohad and, more relevantly, Byzantine armies.
The oversight was perhaps forgivable, as the invasion of Scandinavia in 1199 had preoccupied Muhammad. He had personally led an army into Denmark, while simultaneously his brother, Prince Abdullah landed in Sweden, and his son (and heir) Prince Ismail landed in Norway. The operation had gone better than Muhammad could have hoped. The King of Denmark had left his native province for Sweden but that rich land had fallen to the Almohads without a fight. The king was captured in the confusion and executed by the impetuous Prince Abdullah when no ransom was forthcoming. With the death of the king, the Danish faction was eliminated. The invasion of Norway was also unopposed, with the defenders retreating to the castle. Only in Denmark was battle joined and, despite the presence of 100 royal feudal knights, it was a one sided affair. Almohad archery proved devastating and a combination of Muhawid foot and Almohad urban militia drove the Danes from the field. In retrospect, this experience had led Muhammad to over-estimate the ability of his infantry to stop heavy cavalry without the aid of spears.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000010.jpg
An easy conquest of Scandinavia induced Muhammad to a near fatal degree of complacency.
Note that the map is almost equally divided, orange and purple, and the presence of Byzantine vessels in all seas.
Muhammad was elated at this swift victory and inspired to plan a similar operation on a larger scale against his intended next target, the Egyptians. Four sea-born invasion forces were planned to land in the Levant coastal provinces, the soft belly of the Eyptian kingdom. However, this ambitious plan was unlikely ever to be executed, thanks to the amorous advances of an illusory elephant. When checking the strength of the garrisons on the border with Byzantine, Muhammad had focussed on the quantity of troops rather than the quality of the generals. He had not taken note of the fact that the Byzantine forces facing him were led by Lord Argyrus, one of the true greats of military command and, on the attack, superior in ability to even Muhammad himself. The Byzantine general had the knack of taking raw recruits – half-naked Slav warriors and unarmoured urban militia – and turning them into fearsome fighters. That almost half of his force consisted of kataphracts, lancers and Pronpoai Allagion made the threat posed by this great warrior even more formidable. But, in the excitement at the heady victories in Scandinavia, this threat had gone unnoticed.
And so it had come to pass, in the year 1200, that Byzantine armies totalling 1170 men had marched out of Austria and Bohemia to invade the Almohad province of Bavaria.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000011.jpg
Lord Argyrus, Muhammad's nemesis, launches the start of the great Byzantine-Almohad conflagration.
The painter has captured well the hawkish visage of the Byzantine general and the contrary demeanour of the doomed Mardanish.
The battle had confirmed Muhammad surmise that it was superior leadership that accounted for his many victories in the chaos of his inauguration. Amir Mardanish had deployed his force of 800 men in the customary fashion, thin lines of Almohad urban militia on a hill slope, topped by archers. However, the outcome was very different from that in Scotland, Northumbria or Algeria in 1196. Lord Argyrus had placed his massed heavy cavalry out of range to one side, while his archers engaged in an inconclusive archery duel with the Almohads. Optimistically, Mardanish had ordered his archers to hold fire once their ammunition was half gone, wanting to reserve some of it for the inevitable Byzantine cavalry charge. But the stored arrows were never used. Byzantine light infantry – Slav warriors and urban militia – charged the heavily armoured Almohad urban militia and incredibly proceeded to gut them. As the first Almohad unit began to waver, the massed heavy cavalry thundered in, riding over the Islamic swordsmen. Mardanish had only 60 spearmen, a lamentable deficiency faced with over 200 of the finest heavy cavalry in the world. The battle was lost.
One year later, Muhammad paced the walls of Roskilde castle. He had failed to heed his father’s dying request to keep peace with Byzantium at all costs. The map of the known world, half orange and half purple, was now aflame. He still had large armies trapped without ports in Ireland, Norway and Sweden. Furthermore, the war had erupted in the heart of Europe, far from any coast. Indeed the seas were brimming with Byzantine galleys and dromons. Muhammad knew now the fate of his reign. It was to be reign of blood and war that would consume thousands of brave Islamic warriors. There would be no period of consolidation, no fat years, no diplomacy and no minor expeditions. No freedom to choose or act, save the freedom to choose which fields would be soaked in blood and which Almohad towns would wail the loss of their sons. A man of no faith whatsoever, Muhammad understood now the likely sentence for his time on this earth. The hell he was to forge on this world would doubtless be recreated for him in the next and he would spend an eternity enduring the horrors of war.
Sounds grim - good luck. I hope you can get some relief when the mongols arrive?
Kristaps
07-10-2003, 19:07
Hehe, sign me up too: Kristaps
e-mail: kristaps@caia.org
Mount Suribachi
07-10-2003, 20:03
Another superb write-up Simon.
War with the massive armies of Rome eh? Oh bugger...
The_Emperor
07-10-2003, 22:31
Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ July 10 2003,20:03)]Another superb write-up Simon.
War with the massive armies of Rome eh? Oh bugger...
During my practice campaign, the Pope's emergences became too big to push back each time...
I think perhaps we should focus on another strategy of leaving the Pope with his space, but crippled with a pathetic army.
Just a thought.
“To the Kalipha Muhammad I,
As requested, the report from the Provinces for the year ending 1201:
The war with the Byzantines in Germany: faced with our vigorous response to his unprovoked aggression, Lord Argyrus retreated from Bavaria without contesting the province. A small Byzantine foray into Tyrolia was repulsed. Alims in Hungary report the Byzantine Emperor approaching the frontier with vast armies. Our forces await your imminent arrival in Franconia.
The war at sea: as instructed, the Amir al-Bahr ordered all fleets in seas containing enemy shipping to attack. 16 Byzantine vessels reported sunk; 10 of our own lost. Byzantine naval victories have left them in uncontested command of several of our coastal waters, but lack of secure supply routes make sea-born invasions unlikely. Our supply routes are also contested, with only some sea passages between our provinces safe for troop movement.
The Libyan border: an Egyptian army of large but indeterminate size crossed the frontier. Amir abu Batis defeated the invasion, killing 1223 Egyptians for the loss of 234 of our warriors and earning a reputation as a skilled defender. Scant mercy was shown to captured invaders.
The British Isles: an English king in exile has emerged and commands large armies in Scotland and Northumbria. A major Christian rebellion has broken out in Ireland. Our forces in both areas are greatly outnumbered.
The former Papal states: a great armed host has been levied in Rome and the Papal States, with a new Pope at its head. Only minor garrisons available in Italy, except for the frontline province of Venice. The Poles have refused our offer of alliance, their leader – the self-styled “Emperor” - citing the folly of your father’s attempt to eliminate the Papacy.
Unrest reported in Portugal, Leon, Rhodes and Crete.
Awaiting instructions for the coming year,
May Allah have mercy on our Kaliphate,
Qadi al-Quda”
Demon of Light
07-11-2003, 01:48
Dr. Appleton: I believe that the phrase May you live in interesting times applies here. Looks like you have your hands full. These factions need to stop re-emerging
P.S: Might I inquire as to the name of your monarch in the Polish campaign?
Demon of Light - I am sorry, I did read up your request earlier about the name of my Polish king but when I tried to load the save game it did not work post-VI. I will uninstall VI after I've kicked the bucket in this campaign and get back to you.
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
07-11-2003, 15:55
Thanks, Simon.
Mount Suribachi
07-11-2003, 20:15
As has already been pointed out, Ismael was not a religious man, but one is inclined to think that even he must have begun to think of eternal things when less than a month after the massacre at Colomiers a violent earthquake shook Cordoba. Cordoba was then the capital of the Almohad Empire and one of the most highly developed cities in the known world. Yet when the only building destroyed was the Mosque, the people and the Alims in particular were in no doubt. Surely they said, this was Allah's way of showing his displeasure at the murder perpetrated by their Kalipha by withdrawing his blessing from Ismael. If Ismael did consider that perhaps the Almighty was showing His displeasure, he didn't consider it for very long. And as events would prove, if Allah was displeased with Ismael, then he had a funny way of showing it.
The next year, 1172, Ismael decided to start using the large profits that his trade empire was bringing in. He hired 2 armies of mercenaries and used his naval supremacy to land them in Northern France in Flanders and Normandy. King Phillipe III was concentrating all his forces at the front in the South of France and consequently had left his northern provinces lightly defended. The few troops that were stationed there to keep the peace retreated in the face of overwhelming numbers without even attempting to make a stand.
Meanwhile to the South, Phillipe was determined to lift the Muslim siege of Toulouse. Another huge army, 3000 strong and including many of the crusaders who had escaped the battle of Colomiers took on just 600 men led by Ismael himself. Arranging his army on a hillside near the village of Puylaurens, though they didn't know it, his vastly outnumbered army was about to fight one of the greatest defensive actions in history. Wave after wave after wave of French troops assaulted the Almohad line. Time and time again they were first beaten back by the infantry and archers, then driven off by the Islamic cavalry. It was whilst trying to drive off a broken attack that Ismaels youngest brother, Prince Ibrahim was killed. Only 21 and a great warrior (though with a violent proud streak) he allowed himself to be isolated from the rest of the army and was cut down, though in the confusion of the battle no-one realised until after the fighting was finished. When his body was found Ismael wept for his baby brother as only an eldest son can.
The final toll was staggering. Though outnumbered 5 to 1, and despite over half their number falling (327 dead is the figure recorded in the annals), the Almohads had killed 850 French soldiers and taken nearly 1000 more prisoner. It was a remarkable feat of valour. From then on Ismaels renown as a defensive specialist and his ability to make a skilled last stand gave great courage to his soldiers and dismayed his enemies.
1172 was truly a turning point in the war between the Almohads and the French. The loss of a large chunk of Northern France, with its income was bad enough. But it also left Prince Charles and nearly 700 men stranded in Wessex with their enemies the English to the North. The defeat at the battle of Puylaurens was devastating and it also cost the French 3000 florins, which they couldn't afford to spare, to ransom back the 1000 prisoners they so desperately needed to bolster their rapidly depleting armies. Although the French were still, for now, able to put more soldiers in the field than the Almohads, they were increasingly of poorer quality, compared to the battle hardened and well led Almohads. The French were skint, whilst the Almohads were the richest in the world, able to buy as many mercenaries as were needed to open a second front. The Almohad navy dominated the seas, enabling them to strike around the French coast at will, the French navy was reduced to just a few ships operating out of Sicily. In Sicily, as in Wessex, the French had a large army (2500 men) stranded, unable to move due to the dominance of the Almohad navy. The small French fleet did have some success though, raiding along the Gulfs of Valencia and Lions it was temporarily able to prevent Almohad reinforcements reaching Toulouse by sea, forcing them to travel by the much longer overland route. To round off the bad year for the French, King Phillipe collapsed when he heard news of the defeat at Puylaurens. He never recovered and died several weeks later, he was 56. Though renowned for his mathematical ability, he clearly didn't do his sums right when he decided to attack his powerful southern neighbours. The war that he started was the beginning of the end of France.
Even worse was to come when his successor was crowned. Only 28 and a man who liked to lead from the front, King Louis VI also liked to dance in moonbeams, paint his servants blue and suck on horseshoes. A crack-brained king is the last thing any nation needs at the best of times, even less so when it is being squeezed to destruction. Nevertheless, his reign got off to a promising start when Pope Giovanni I called for a crusade against the Almohads. Unfortunately, his call fell on largely deaf ears. The Spanish, Aragonese and Italians were already under Almohad rule. The English were allied with them and were more concerned about kicking the French out of Wessex than anything the Holy Father might say. Effectively, that left only the Holy Roman Empire, which by that time was neither Holy, Roman nor much of an Empire. Much of Northern Germany had broken away and was now comprised of lots of small Princedoms and for all his devout Catholic belief, Emperor Ferdinand I was more concerned about holding on to what he had rather than attacking his powerful Southern neighbours. Indeed the following year he managed to successfully negotiate an alliance with Ismael. Meanwhile, the Muslim advance into Europe continued as (thanks to a healthy bribe) Rainald Otterbach, King of Tyrolia, was convinced that it was better to become a vassal of the Kalipha, rather than be invaded and starve to death in Innsbruck Castle. Though a highly educated man of outstanding ability, in recent years he had become as mad as King Louis and left Ismael with the problem of who to appoint Amir. In the end, he did not appoint an official Amir for several years, leaving Otterbach to delude himself that he was ruler, until 5 years later when Ismael appointed a promising young Chief of Militia by the name of Conrad Von Kniprode,
Come 1173 the French had recovered to counterattack at the Mercenary army occupying the key (militarily as it was the gateway to the English Channel and the army trapped in Wessex, economically as it was a source of valuable trade commodities such as wool, silk and grain) province of Flanders. Although both armies were roughly equal at around 500 men, the French suffered total defeat, over 200 men killed, nearly 200 captured. Less than 200 mercenaries died, though Ismael cared not for their fate - they were not his men, nor his kin. But as long as they did the job for which they were paid, then Ismael was happy.
He was even happier when news reached him that his top general, Amir Rahman had marched back into Aquitane. Outnumbered, the French retreated to their fort in Bordeaux where Rahman laid siege to them.
East of Aquitane, Toulouse was yet again the scene of more fighting as the French tried once more to lift the siege of the keep protecting the city. Once more Ismaels army, outnumbered 800 to 300 beat them back. 400 Frenchman were killed, 250 captured, for the loss of only 130 Almohads. All told, the Almohads took 600 French prisoners that year, but in a sign that the French were becoming increasingly strapped for cash, no ransom was forthcoming, the men being left to die in captivity. But by now Ismaels army in Toulouse was getting dangerously small. Infantry in particular he was running out of, and with the hit and run tactics of the French warships in the Western Mediterranean, he was unable to bring up his reinforcements from Spain and North Africa as quickly as he would like. Another attack by the French and he knew that for all his skill as a general, without infantry he would not be able to maintain, let alone break, the siege of Toulouse.
The_Emperor
07-12-2003, 12:17
The advantage of falling back as an Arab side is that you can send off massive Jihads to multiple provinces.
As I say we should embark on a Policy of Containment for Mr Pope... We'll treat him Like Saddam during the 90s and raid him every few years.
Kalipha Muhammad I spent the year 1204 resting in Franconia, awaiting the arrival of his armies from the British Isles. He used some of the interlude to study the latest extract of the history of his father’s reign. Reading it provided some solace to the Kalipha in his current trials. In life, communications with his father had been brief to the point of being terse. Each year, Muhammad would receive a missive such as “At war with the English, sorry you have to wait so long for your reign, son” or “Destroying the Papacy, no time to write much, the in-laws are here”. However, reading the historian’s detailed accounts of his father’s reign showed Muhammad that his own rule was not the only one marked by ceaseless, exhausting conflict. Learning of his father’s reputation for skilled last stand put his own lesser reputation for skilled defence in perspective. Above all, learning how long and hard his father had laboured over the conquest of Western Europe made Muhammad more determined than ever not to lose those hard won gains.
At the start of 1202, Muhammad had arranged another grand council meeting, similar to that arraigned immediately after his inauguration. With the Qadi al-Quda’s provincial report for 1201 in hand, Muhammad had opened the meeting with a light quip “It seems we have been here before, gentlemen.” But in truth, the crisis posed by the events of 1201 was far graver than the unrest that had greeted his coronation in 1195. To be at war with the great Byzantine Empire had been enough to throw Muhammad into a fit of depression. For hostilities to then be followed by invasion by the Egyptian Kaliphate, the second largest rival power, was another hammer blow. The resurgence of the English and a massive Irish revolt added to the sense of battling overwhelming odds. All this had perhaps been manageable, but the re-appearance of the Papacy with armies too large to be defeated had prompted despair.
On recovering his nerves, Muhammad had decided he must be flexible in the face of the many challenges. Deciding which battles were worth fighting would be as important as fighting each battle well. For some time, Muhammad debated whether to abandon the British Isles to the resurgent English. The Isles were hopelessly underdeveloped and the English could be contained by placing a large garrison in Mercia or, failing that, Flanders. However, he was reluctant to surrender his father’s conquests without a fight. Moreover, he could ill afford to perpetually garrison Mercia with the kind of army required to deterr the massive English forces gathering the in Scotland. Ireland and the Papacy were different cases. The rebels in Ireland posed little long-term threat to the Kaliphate and the fact that a port had just been completed in the province meant that it would be easy later to smuggle in emissaries to bribe the large rebel armies to join the Almohad cause. Consequently, Muhammad ordered the aged Amir Rahman, leader of the expeditionary army that had originally pacified Ireland, to debark from Ireland to Scotland, to battle the new pretender to the English throne. Other forces were mustered to make a stand against the English in Northumbria.
The Papacy was simply too strong to be defeated, but Muhammad knew that if he abandoned Rome and the Papal States without a struggle, there would be no cassus belli and at least a temporary peace could be restored. It was not his father’s way, but even as a young man, Muhammad had believed in the folly of trying to eradicate the Papacy. The Pope could stay, until the entire map of Europe was painted orange and then Muhammad’s descendants could use the destruction of the Papacy to mark the end of the great Islamic conquests. But for now, Muhammad ordered all his forces to leave the disputed areas and surrender the land to the great Christian host mustering there. “Surrender the land, Amir” Muhammad had said, “Nothing else.” Rome was perhaps the most developed province in Western Europe – the only one capable of training Faris horsemen and economically rich. The departing Almohad armies raised every building in the great city and burnt down every farm in their path. The gold plundered provided some consolation to Muhammad, but in truth, it counted as little compared to the satisfaction Muhammad gained from knowing the Pope would inherit a shattered and backward land. As predicted, hostilities with the Pontiff ended when the contested provinces were surrendered without a fight. However, the Pope flew into a rage when he discovered the devastation visited on his lands and called for all factions to crusade against the Almohads. This too gave Muhammad some bitter satisfaction “Don’t you know, priest, this is not the world of your forefathers? Where are the crusading Catholic factions that may answer your call?”
As a result of these decisions, the Almohad Kaliphate fought seven rather than ten battles in the year 1202. The greatest was in Scotland, heartland of the English resurgence. The aged Amir Rahman, favoured general of Muhammad’s father, disembarked into the highlands from crossing the Irish sea and performed a last, incomparable, service to the Kaliphate. Against English armies too large to be counted, Rahman made a stand with little over 1000 warriors. The battle was fought in the driving rain, but the same tactics that had prevailed in the same province in 1196 proved their worth again.
Rahman’s army killed 1257 men, including the pretender to the English throne, and captured 1485 for the loss of only 160 Almohad soldiers. Rahman was to pass away peacefully in his sleep a year later and Muhammad ordered the whole Kaliphate to spend a day in mourning to mark the great warrior’s passing.
In Northumbria, Amir Abu Badis made a similarly successful stand against the other part of the new English army. In numbers, the odds were more favourable – an Almohad army of 1482 fought an English force of 1772 – but the English general was every bit as accomplished a commander as Abu Badis. For this reason, Muhammad took care to praise Abu Badis for his victory (won at the cost of only 128 lives) with just as many plaudits as he lavished on Rahman.
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Amir Abu Badis offers the Kalipha a second triumph for the year 1202
The disruption to sea-lanes due to the continuing naval warfare with Byzantine had induced disloyalty throughout the provinces. Minor battles were won against rebels in Crete, Rhodes, Portugal and Leon. Only the encounter in Portugal was notable, for there, 60 loyal Murabitin infantry engaged 40 rebel Faris in a duel with a remarkable outcome. For some reason, the Faris did not attempt to keep out of range of the javelinmen and in the firefight suffered 37 dead, inflicting only 4 casualties. This encounter – unmodified by any factors such as troop quality or terrain – led Muhammad to further question his dismissal of the worth of javelinmen, a reflection already prompted by the shameful defeat of his loyalist militia by them in Portugal in 1196.
The final battle of 1202 was also the bitterest. It marked the re-appearance of Muhammad’s nemesis, Lord Argyrus, leader of the original Byzantine army that had invaded Bavaria. Argyrus this time struck at Venice.
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Lord Argyrus, Muhammad's nemesis, storms into the Venetian plains at the head of an unstoppable force of Byzantine heavy cavalry.
The Amir defending the province, Ibn Inan, had been fine general – the equal of the two generals battling in Northumbria – but he was no match for Argyrus. Moreover, Argyrus rode at the head of a mass of heavy cavalry: 80 cataphracts and 280 Lancers mixed with Pronoiai Allagion. The Almohads could find no counter to these troops. Almohad urban militia could stand like a wall against almost any infantry, but were devoured by heavy cavalry like dry straw in a plains fire. The Muhawid foot were willing but too few in numbers; what Nubian spearmen the Kaliphate had were isolated far away in North Africa. The Almohads had no heavy cavalry beyond small bodyguard units – the last hope of acquiring any soon had been lost with the destruction of the training camps in Rome, where Muhammad had hoped to raise ghulam cavalry. Knowing the challenge Ibn Inan faced, Muhammad had worked hard to devise strategies that might allow him to be victorious. In this respect, he was not helped by the terrain that marked the entry into Venice from Croatia – the Byzantines were sweeping down from the mountains onto an empty plain, devoid of any elevation or forest. However, various possibilities were considered. He wondered about ordering the army to form a kind of defensive lager or make their stand in small woods. But no stratagem appeared to offer hope of success. Lord Argyrus’s counter to the usual Almohad defensive infantry tactics was ingenious. He screened his heavy cavalry by light infantry that first engaged the Almohad foot by bow and later by sword. When both sides infantries were hopelessly confused, the Byzantine heavy cavalry would sweep in – striking turned flanks, running down archers, breaking entire formations and riding over the Islamic warriors. Given that he could devise no tactic that offered the hope of defeating the Byzantine general, Muhammad declined to offer any advice on the conduct of the battle. He left Ibn Inan to his fate and read no detailed reports of how the battle had gone, save for reading the final record: a defeat, with 1011 men lost and 745 Byzantines killed.
The year 1203 saw only two battles, although Muhammad regarded neither as worthy of the name. Almohad forces recaptured Venice; Argyrus had decided earlier to leave the province to a subordinate and that subordinate’s army left the field of battle in haste, making the encounter a bloodless victory for the Kaliphate. The second battle of the year was far from bloodless, but Muhammad thought it was marked by a bloody pointlessness that meant it should not properly be considered part of war. Emperor Romanus V led an army into Franconia, which was defended by Muhammad himself.
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Emperor Romanus V's folly
The move seemed bizarre to Muhammad, as the outnumbered invading force consisted mainly of archers and lacked the weight of heavy cavalry that had accompanied Argyrus’s earlier incursions. Moreover, Romanus, although on paper a fine commander, was nonetheless no Lord Argyrus. Muhammad had been fortunate to hire several companies of heavy spearmen – armoured spearmen and Feudal sergeants – and used these to pin the few troops of Byzantine kataphracts and lancers. The armoured spearmen were ordered to drive straight for the Emperor Romanus’s own bodyguard of kataphracts, while Muhammad maneouvred his own bodyguard to the rear of the Emperor and launched a devastating charge. In the frantic melee, Muhammad had visions of personally bringing down the Emperor and ordering scribes to capture the moment in pictures, to transmit around the world.
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Muhammad and Romanus exchange blows, before the Ghulams withdraw. Note the unit of urban militia standing idle with their axes; they will soon be called forward to carry out a grisly deed.
However, the Emperor and his bodyguard proved extremely durable while all around companies of Trebizond archers were loosing off murderous volleys. Muhammad came to his senses and decided not to risk his life in the same kind of vainglorious madness that prompted Romanus to enter Franconia so rashly. So, Muhammad ordered his ghulam cavalry bodyguard to disengage and assist the Saharan cavalry and others in running down the Byzantine archers. A company of Almohad urban militia was brought in to replace his ghulams in cutting at the rear of the Emporer’s bodyguard. Soon the heavily clad kataphracts all lay dead on the ground, but to Muhammad’s amazement, there remained a lone purple flag aloft as the Byzantine Emperor fought on furiously, cutting away at the throng of spearmen and militia that surrounded him. The spears and swords of the Almohad infantry could make little impression on the magnificent armour of the Byzantine ruler, nor could the arrows of the desert archers, although unfortunately many pierced the lesser protections of the Almohad foot. Looking back, Muhammad spotted a unit of mercenary Christian urban militia safely positioned to the rear in the shelter of a copse. Muhammad had nothing but contempt for such troops after the debacle in Portugal in 1196, when 180 of such “soldiers” had been routed by a company of Murabitin and some peasants. However, he noticed the large axes they rested on and suspected that these might be able to do what swords, spears and arrows could not. “Send those fellows in”, he ordered “Tell them, first one who brings me the Emperor’s head, wins his weight in gold”. One of the burlier urban militia claimed the prize, which Muhammad was more than willing to honour as the Byzantine army fled the field disheartened at the loss of its Emperor. Despite the uneven nature of the battle, Almohad losses were high with 315 dead for 403 Byzantines killed and 250 captured.
The war with Byzantium raged on into 1204. One Byzantine army invaded Bavaria, although unlike in 1200, this time the Almohads had the protection of a river. They drove off the invaders, killing 668 and taking 203 for the loss of 256. A second Byzantine army attacked Venice. As before, the force was strong in heavy cavalry – including 69 cataphracts, 80 pronoiai allagon of exceptional valour (gauged at level 7 by the more mathematically inclined Islamic scholars of war) and 69 lancers. However, this time the defending Almohad force was better matched. Mercenary forces had been ferried in from Libya and included 400 spearmen – including 100 Saracens – and a smattering of heavy cavalry (Druzhina and Kwarazmiams). Moreover, the command skills of the rival generals were evenly matched, the intrigue of succession having led Lord Argyrus to delegate the invasion to a lesser leader. As a result, the battle was fiercely contested.
Muhammad had decided the only way to counter-act the surprisingly effective Byzantine use of heavy cavalry was to act aggressively before they could employ their well co-ordinated tactics. Consequently, he sent orders to the general commanding his army in Venice, Muhammad ibn Yacub, to try to split up the Byzantine army by using light cavalry to distract it and to pre-empt its attack, by directing spearmen to charge the heavy cavalry. These counter-measures ultimately failed. The Almohad light cavalry were overrun, the Druzhina and Kwarazmiams slaughtered and all the spearmen killed or routed. Ultimately, the tactics failed because they called for manoeuvre and here the Byzantines had the edge; they had more cavalry troops than the Almohads had spear companies and their cavalry could ride faster than the spears could march. The main Almohad force was wiped out, with ibn Yacub himself earning the reputation of being a good runner and having doubtful courage. Reports circulated of him running screaming like a girl from the field. Nonetheless, these failed aggressive tactics were more successful than defensive ones would have been, since they had all but wiped out the Byzantine heavy cavalry. Many had been impaled on the spears of the mercenaries. Others had fallen to the arrows of the desert archers, who had been ordered to target the pronoiai allagion in particular (valour being no protection to an arrow in the throat). A unit of ghazi warriors wielding axes had managed to get around the rear of a troop of kataphracts locked in combat with spearmen and had proceeded to butcher them to a man. Moreover, the open nature of the battle meant that some Almohad archers managed to survive the first wave of combat and were available to support the second wave of the Almohad army which consisted of 180 more archers, 240 doughty Almohad urban militia and 60 Spanish javelin men. By some miracle – and, in large part, by the javelins of the Spaniards - this second wave managed to drive off the remaining Byzantine heavy cavalry and to rout the infantry coming to their support. As the battle closed, few Almohad heavy infantry remained alive and most of the foot that pursued superior numbers of Byzantines from the field were archers, now bereft of any ammunition, who wielded their swords in close formation. The Almohads lost 1202 men, killing 970 Byzantines. Although this outcome might be judged unfavourable by many, Muhammad took some satisfaction in knowing that – Allah willing – he would never have to face so many and so fine heavy cavalry. This meant that when Lord Argyrus re-appeared on the field of battle in person, he would be denied much of the mass of armoured horsemen that had proved so unstoppable in the past. Perhaps the tide was beginning to turn?
KukriKhan
07-13-2003, 02:08
Breath-taking, Doc Appleton.
Just an administrative note: my domain name is being fought over by rival hosting companies, thus my jim@jimcee.com email is inoperative temporarily.
If you need to contact me, use: t6001@cox.net
Mount Suribachi
07-13-2003, 08:33
Wow, great stuff Simon
The lack of decent spears is a real killer for the Almos - one reason I was so keen to wipe out the Catholics - I wanted to eliminate the threat of their crusader knights before they appeared.
Mount Suribachi
07-13-2003, 14:28
The French counterattack to relieve the siege of Toulouse that Ismael worried about all through the winter of 1173 finally arrived in the spring of 1174. To face a French army of 1400, Ismael could muster less than 400 men, including less than 100 infantry, the bulk of his army now consisting of mainly archers and siege weaponry. A superb general when fighting outnumbered and with his back to the wall, Ismael was also a good enough general to know when to fight and when not to fight. Reluctantly, sullenly, with a scowl on his face, he withdrew back across the Pyrenees to Aragon. The loss of Toulouse was countered by the news that Amir Rahman had taken the fort at Bordeaux, though the 180 French defenders had fought bravely to the last, taking one Almohad warrior for every one of them that fell.
More disturbing news came from the eastern borders of his empire. The Byzantines had fought a long war with Hungary, but the Romans had finally gained the upper hand and were now slowly, inexorably driving the Hungarians back. When the Hungarians were driven out of Austria it meant that for the first time the Almohads shared a land border with a Roman empire that was starting to recapture the glory of an age that had long since passed. Ismael noted this development with concern, but no more. He wished to remain on peaceful terms with Constantinople, but for now both sides were too busy locked in bitter wars with separate enemies to give too much thought to each other.
The retreat from Toulouse, whilst made for sound military reasons was nevertheless a shock to the whole Almohad empire. Algeria was rapidly becoming the religious capital of the empire, its mosques and ribats training alims who were by now travelling throughout not only the Almohad empire, but the whole of the known world, where they were highly regarded because of their great learning. It was a rather ordinary alim by the name of Abu Thabit abu Salim who first called for a Jihad to reclaim Toulouse from the infidel French. His call was eagerly responded to by over 400 men, led by Muhammed ibn Nazar and though the men who volunteered were mainly of low quality - predominantly archers from the desert - their numbers were of great comfort to Ismael in what was in danger of turning into a war of attrition with the French.
In the Mediterranean, the small French fleet had finally been forced to withdraw to the Straits of Sicily and once more able to move his armies by sea, Ismael could quickly move his reinforcements from Spain as well as his Jihad from Algeria. Armed with these fresh troops, he launched a 2-pronged attack at the French. Leaving 180 men as a garrison, Amir Rahman took 500 men and attacked into Anjou which was lightly defended. Outnumbered and outclassed the French army retreated into Brittany where it was now cut off from the rest of France as Rahman made contact with the mercenary armies defending Normandy and Flanders.
Meanwhile Ismael marched his reinforced army North into Toulouse yet again. By now the French were only able to put 1200 men in the field, outnumbering Ismaels army by only 200. The result was yet another letting of French blood, nearly half their army dying on the battlefield, for the loss of only 170 Almohads. Most of the other half of the French army was captured and being of such low quality Ismael was happy to ransom them back for 1300 Florins (which the French had to borrow from their Byzantine allies). With yet another decisive victory under his belt, the people of the Almohad empire proclaimed Ismael as one of the greatest generals who ever lived and prompted Abu Zayyan al-Mansur to paint his famous portrait of his Kalipha in a suitably stirring, heroic pose.
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Kalipha Ismael I by Abu Zayyan al-Mansur
Muhammad put down the portrait of his father, noting the stoical expression and the pose that suggested a man at peace with the world. There was no hint of the mental and emotional strain that Muhammad himself had felt in the last two years of his reign. A man has only a certain number of years for war. Muhammad believed that physically he could endure at most another ten years; emotionally, he felt he had all but exhausted his taste for battle.
The previous year, 1205, had been comparatively uneventful, as Muhammad decided to consolidate his frontline in Germany, awaiting the return of the last of his main armies from the British Isles. The Pope rejected an offer of alliance - predictable, but an ominous portent for the future. Lacking other urgent priorities, Muhammad spent much of the year inspecting the records of his provincial governors, finding far more bad apples than he had emissaries to deal with them. Muhammad noticed for the first time that the annual budget was slipping into deficit – he still had a healthy war chest of around a quarter of million florins, but he realised that the rapid expansion of his armed forces was no longer sustainable. For the first time, he assigned some provinces to build farms rather than further develop their basic training facilities and no longer required every province to levy a fresh company of warriors.
The year had seen some excitement when the Byzantines had invaded Bavaria. Muhammad himself had organised the defence of a key bridge in the path of the invasion. 603 Byzantines were killed and 128 captured for the loss of 127 Almohads. A second Byzantine invasion, of Venice, had been aborted having encountered a stronger than expected garrison.
The plan to bribe the rebels in Ireland had not worked out as Muhammad had hoped – for some unfathomable reason, only one of the two emissaries had carried out their assigned task. As a result, the half of the Irish army who remained rebellious fought a fratricidal battle with the half that had converted to the true faith. Evidently, the faith of the new believers was not particularly strong since, although the day ended in a victory for those aligned to the Kaliphate, both sides were virtually eliminated.
Byzantine naval blockades of Crete and Rhodes encouraged rebellions which were easily put down, but the populations of the two islands were almost unanimous in their disloyalty to the Kaliphate. An error in under-manning the garrison in Northumbria also led to a minor rebellion.
However the present year, 1206, had seen Muhammad finally move onto the offensive. The last of the armies he had used to eliminate the resurgence of the English had now arrived in Franconia. The continued disruption at sea discouraged Muhammad from planning any bold strategic maneouvres, but there was something to be gained locally from going onto the attack. At present, he had four provinces neighbouring the Byzantine Empire; capturing Austria and Bohemia would narrow the frontline to three. Of the two potential conquests, Bohemia appeared the better first target: although home to the largest concentration of Byzantine forces, it lacked any fortification whatsoever so a field battle there would be immediately decisive. Consequently, Muhammad ordered the newly arrived army in Franconia to invade Bohemia, but travelled personally from Bavaria to command the operation.
In North Africa, battleground of the war with Egypt, the three siege engines he had ordered hauled overland from Spain had finally reached Libya after a gruelling trek along the coastal road. Attacking past the Quattara depression would add a valuable conquest without markedly widening the frontline. However, an unsettling dream had led Muhammad at the last moment to order the great commander of his forces in Libya, Amir ibn Badis, to Naples – the southern border with the Papacy. Ibn Badis was disgruntled at the prospect of not personally leading his army into Egypt but would not have long to wait before hearing the sound of battle.
The first three battles of 1206 were low key affairs. Local militia crushed the peasant rebels in Northumbria and Crete. Muhammad’s invasion of Bohemia was uncontested – the Byzantines vacated the province without a fight. However, the celebration was short-lived: Muhammad was called back to Bavaria at short notice. The conquest of Bohemia had been unopposed because most of the army there had set off for Bavaria. How Muhammad had made his way into Bohemia from Bavaria with only his personal escort and passed an invading army of 5000 Byzantines, the Kalipha could not fathom. By similar good fate, he managed the same trick twice - riding hard back to lead the defence of the south German province.
In the defence of Bavaria, Muhammad again managed to halt the Byzantines at a river, this time forded by two bridges. However, by some miracle the Byzantines were unaware of the second bridge and never approached it. The battle was one of the bloodiest Muhammad had ever seen. His hope that the costly victory in Venice in 1204 had wiped out most of the Byzantine heavy cavalry proved over-optimistic. Lord Bulgaroctonus’s force included 200 Pronoiai Allagion and Lancers. Fortunately, a bridge defence was the ideal terrain for neutralising these fine warriors. By the time the battle was half over, the bridge was knee deep in horse carcasses and wave after wave of Slav Warriors had to clamber over the dead, equine and human, in order to reach the brave Almohad militia and Muhawid foot guarding the exit.
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Slav warriors clamber over a mass of dead and dying horses to meet a similar fate at the swords of the Almohad urban militia.
Observe the second bridge unnoticed by the Byzantines and the three units of archers depleted of arrows but unable to fully withdraw.
Many of Muhammad’s losses had come from the over-exuberance of his men: each company designated to hold the bridge had been unable to resist driving the enemy back over it and thus had endured similar torments to the unfortunate attackers. Consequently, most companies with these assignments had fought until it they had been almost (and in one case, completely) eliminated. Twice Muhammad precipitously sent cavalry in pursuit over the bridge, only for them to be mauled by fast riding Byzantine reinforcements. Outnumbered with only 2000 warriors, Muhammad had endured mental torment when four of his exhausted regiments of archers ordered to withdraw had become lost in a forest. They were unable to transmit his desperate order for reinforcement and consequently, Muhammad suffered the rest of the battle with a quarter of his strength unable to be deployed on the battlefield at anyone time. Out of arrows and with only one unit of infantry remaining, the battle would have been lost but for the Byzantine’s ignorance of a second bridge. In the end, Muhammad’s men counted 1983 Roman corpses and took 412 prisoners, for the cost of 295 dead.
The invasion of Egypt did not suffer from the last minute change in command. Amir Abu Badi was rushed from Naples to lead 1373 warriors against 1924 Egyptians under Amir Mukawakkil. The Egyptians were strong in Nubian spearmen, so Abu Badi led with desert archers. The arrows were a grave threat to the unarmoured Nubians, forcing Mukawakkil to close with his assailants. Abu Badi countered with hard-fighting Almohad Urban Militia. The Almohads killed 543 Egyptians, took 183 and lost 183 of their own men. Mukawakkil retreated to a fort. Spies gleefully reported that the defeat gave him the reputation of a good runner. Some of Abu Badi’s pride at his victory was under-cut when he found that the Egyptian soldiers also regarded Mukawakkil as an unhinged loon, a fact Abu Badi decided not to share with Kalipha Muhammad.
The final battle of 1206 was one Muhammad had not planned, although it was one he feared as inevitable in his long dark nights. Pope Innocent II gathered a host of 4445 of the finest warriors in Christendom to reclaim the province of Naples. Although some strange intuition had led Muhammad to rush his best available general, Amir Ibn Badis, to the province, he had provided no other additional resources for its defence. Ibn Badis was a direct descendent of the great El Cid and, thanks to his nurturing under Kalipha Ismail, was his equal in command. Ibn Badis’s only regret about his military career was that he could not persuade the Grand Vizier to allow troops of jinettes to be trained and in silent protest, he rode unaccompanied by any bodyguard, carrying a handful of javelins. Kalipha Muhammad swore that if ever Ibn Badis discharged even one of these javelins, the general would be dismissed. This half-jocular order was given to try to restrain the general from personal danger, since the commander was unmatched in the Almohad army outside of the Kalipha’s own family. However, it did little to stop Ibn Badis always riding his Spanish horse to the crisis point of the battle, doing more damage to the enemy with his words of encouragement to the Almohad forces than he could ever hope to do with his few javelins.
The army Ibn Badis found in Naples numbered 1606 men and was well balanced, except for a deficiency in cavalry, with only one troop of Saharan warriors and another of Faris. The general applied standard Almohad infantry defences, deploying on a hill, with thin lines of Almohad urban militia ranked only two deep and supported by archers. Optimistically, Ibn Badis expected to run out of arrows before he ran out of swordsmen and so called for archers rather than heavy infantry to be given priority as his first reinforcements. This was to under-estimate the determination of the first wave of Papal forces, almost entirely feudal men-at-arms. Only Ibn Badis’ superior leadership gave the Almohad urban militia an edge in the vicious melee and allowed them to prevail. Ibn Badis skilfully deployed one of his two units of Nubian spearmen on the field to snare the Pope and his bodyguard of chivalric knights. No knight left the field alive, but Ibn Badis was careful to order the disciplined Nubians to let the Pope leave unaccosted. A Pope with a depleted army and a reputation as a good runner was far preferable to the temporary demise of the Papacy and its resurgence even stronger within a decade. Nonetheless, the Saharan cavalry and Faris launched an effective pursuit of the Papal forces, over-running five catapults in the process.
After this rebuff, the Papal generals tried a different tactic and ordered the second wave of men-at-arms to mount up and ride down the Almohad swordsmen. Although numerically weaker than the first, this second wave inflicted similar substantial casualties – even the best swordsmen being ill-suited to face armoured horsemen with heavy lances. However, again the Almohads prevailed. Their heavy infantry companies were now down to less than half strength, their double-ranks replaced by thin single lines and each soldier very tired. The last Almohad reinforcements, Nubians and Ghazis, arrived in time to help face the third wave of attack – composed of a fine mix of Catholic infantry. One unit of Ghazis impetuously charged a unit of feudal men-at-arms. Ibn Badis decided not to interfere, knowing that impetuosity added to the ferocious attack of the Ghazis and judging the Papal forces to lack staying power. The single unit of Ghazis worked terrible violence around the battlefield until the inevitable happened and they were consumed by a morass of axe wielding militia sergeants who had summoned up the courage to challenge these unarmoured fanatics. The day was now half over and Ibn Badis was already praying for darkness. Again and again, fresh Papal forces arrived on the field. They lacked the morale and critical mass to drive the depleted Almohads from the field. But always they extracted their pound of flesh from the few swordsmen holding the slopes. Eventually, Ibn Badis’s prayers were answered and the Papal forces departed the field, leaving 3068 of their dead. The Almohads buried 583 of their own.
Muhammad looked again at the portrait of his father. He knew his father had endured similar unremitting battle against the odds, from an even younger age. How had it not scarred his inner being? Muhammad tallied up his kingdom’s losses for the year – around 1100 dead, most of them the finest fighters. This was the equivalent to the loss of about eighteen companies of Almohad urban militia or Muhawid foot. Whether he could sustain the offensive in the light of these losses, Muhammad would determine on another day. It was true his various enemies had endured far worse losses – more than five times higher. But, as a thinker and man who shared no religious beliefs whatsoever, Muhammad regarded this fact as ultimately a further cause for sadness.
To Kalipha Muhammad,
Dearest brother, many blessings on you in this time of 'Eid-ul-Fitr in the year 1208. Allah has been kind to us this year. I give thanks that the Byzantine castle you are besieging in Austria is about to fall. The perfidious priest, Innocent II, has surrendered Rome without a fight and now is cornered in the Papal States. My greatest happiness is that the Byzantine pirates are now almost destroyed. After seven years, our fleets have pursued their dromons with diminishing success. Your wise decision this year to divide our fleets and send many single patrols to hunt them down has worked brilliantly, and now there are only two Byzantine vessels still roaming the seas. Undisputed control of the seas will be one of your greatest legacies.
You wished me to report on my engagement last year with Lord Argyrus. As your forces occupied Austria unopposed, he led an army of 4300 men out of that province and into Venice, where I waited on the plains with 1900 men. Thanks to earlier victories, he lacked the weight of heavy cavalry that had made him so formiddable in the past, but still the encounter was ferocious. I deployed in the usual fashion - thin lines of Almohad urban militia backed by archers. Once again, Argyrus had trained his Slav warriors, Trebizond archers, horse archers and others to fight like demons. After fierce struggles, the first wave of the attack was beaten off but to my horror, I found it had destroyed all but one of my companies of heavy infantry. I had to face the second wave of his assault with my archers screened only by a few troops of Ghulam royal bodyguards and other miscellaneous forces. The second wave consumed this heavy cavalry screen. Thereafter the battle was an exhausting affair, with fragments of my men having to drive off endless waves of assault that fortunately lacked critical mass and conviction. In the pursuit of one wave, I was nearly captured by reinforcing infantry and only the remaining strength of my blown steed allowed me to escape. Following your instructions, after this battle we put all 1370 prisoners to the sword - a decision that has earned me the reputation of being a butcher. After the battle, we counted 3105 Byzantine dead for the loss of 792 of our finest warriors. Our scouts made one interesting observation from the battle - Lord Argyrus himself rides into battle alone and once combat begins immediately withdraws to supervise the reinforcements arriving at the field. This makes him impossible to capture in battle and an elusive foe.
All my prayers and best wishes for our success in the coming year,
Your loyal brother,
Prince Abdullah
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000030.jpg
Deprived of a mass of heavy cavalry, Lord Argyrus's assault on Prince Abdullah ends in a bloody repulse on the Venetian plains.
Prince Abdullah will go on to win greater glory in the Levant, while Lord Argyrus will soon fall prey to encirclement in Croatia
“Sit down son and listen, I am dying and don’t have much time.” Kalipha Muhammad watched with sadness and affection as Prince Ismail sat beside his bedside.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000014.jpg
Kalipha Muhammad I in his twilight years.
He has the haunted look of a man trapped in a merciless struggle not of his choosing.
“My reign has been one of unremitting warfare. Although I did not start most of these conflicts, I have added to their horrors by prosecuting them vigorously and offering no quarter. Yet, I have tried to keep your hands clean of blood. Now the situation is less desperate, we can perhaps afford to be more merciful.” Muhammad paused for breath, recalling how his vigorous enthusiasm on coming to the throne had turned to dismay when faced with simultaneous attack by Byzantium, Egypt and the Papacy.
“The war with the Egyptians is over. Thanks to your uncle’s brilliant drive north from Sinai, we now occupy all their lands. I expect to meet the Sultan in wherever I go next.” Muhammad cackled and coughed after he said this. Both he and his oldest son were at heart irreligious men, who in private mocked the absurdities of publicly professed faith.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000009.jpg
The demise of Sultan Baybars I, speared in the battle of Lesser Armenia by the lance of one of Amir Abu Badis's escort.
“The Pope? Let him rot in the Papal States. Ibn Badis – may he rest in peace - did us a great service in crushing the Papal army but an even greater one in letting the Pope escape to his castle unharmed. The Pontiff is a man of doubtful courage and a weak attacker, with a mere handful of surviving followers eking out their existence in a ravished land. Do not disturb him and leave him to rot.”
“That leaves our war with the Byzantines. I have brought you to the doors of Constantinople. Now, smash them down You recall how we encircled Lord Argyrus in Croatia? By seizing Serbia, we trapped Argyrus with an army of 3500 and destroyed it. This victory was greatly aided by those wonderful new weapons – arbalests – which cut down his Varangian Guard and Lancers from a great distance. Once I had the head of my nemesis on a pike, I was amused to hear a report of your uncle that the Lord Argyrus had a brother, a Duke of Trebizond, who is nearly his equal. I leave him for you to deal with.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000034.jpg
The Almohad army marches over the Croatian mountains, having finally ended the threat of the infamous Lord Argyrus.
But I digress. The Byzantine Empire has never recovered from the encirclement in Croatia, and while it will struggle as you dismember it, it will never again pose a genuine threat to our own lands. It is already falling into rebellion and did nothing to oppose our advances this year into Rum, Armenia and Constantinople itself. Keep the fleet dispersed to hunt down any vessels they attempt to launch. Five vessels patrolling separately have five chances to catch the pirates, a fleet of five ships has only one.”
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/simon.appleton1/00000023.jpg
Kalipha Muhammad I bequest to his son - a shattered Byzantine Empire.
“I need to rest soon, son. There is little more to tell. Keep at peace with Poland and Novgorad. They are no threat to us and trade with them adds greatly to our coffers. Let your children or your children's children persuade them to join the Kaliphate; for now concentrate on your real enemies. You have heard to rumours of a great horde sweeping westward from the Far East. For this reason, I advise you to concentrate your campaign against the Byzantines in the land some call Turkey, avoiding the steppes north of the Black Sea. … although some have said, the bridges of Kiev would act as a very defensible gateway to the West…”
“Son, I feel I am slipping away … I inherited a great kingdom, but one lean and vulnerable to attack. I pass it on to you now, strengthened and tempered in the fire of battle. You need fear nothing … fulfil your destiny.”
Muhammad closed his eyes and fell silent. Prince Ismail, holding his father’s hand, sought for a pulse. Finding none, he gently kissed the old man’s forehead and then, walking quietly, left the room.
Demon of Light
07-19-2003, 06:59
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
creeps by at this petty pace
from day to day
to the the last syllables of recorded time
and all our yesterdays have but lighted fool the way to dusty death
Out Out, brief candle
Life is but a walking shadow.
A poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
It is a tale told by an idiot
full of sound and fury
signifying nothing
Written by a man who will never exist in the world Muhammad I created to depict the sentiments of another conflict-weary king.
KukriKhan
07-19-2003, 11:16
Quote[/b] (Demon of Light @ July 18 2003,22:59)]Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow...
A poor player who struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.
It is a tale told by an idiot
full of sound and fury
signifying nothing
After all these years, that's still my favorite Bard quotation, DoL.
Stunning write-up Simon Appleton.
We await dcisive word from Skie Mirror Silvanoshei, the next player, before we proceed.
The_Emperor
07-19-2003, 13:07
Thats a cool write up... and some very large armies
Looks like the Kaliphate is expanding like mad.
Oh well the next Suyltan gets to lead the Almohad Horde against the Golden Horde. With the Byzantines being caught in the middle when they arrive
Great stuff http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
very great write up simon. almost brings a tear to your eye http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif . i must say you did great http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
:bows and then dissapears into the shadows from whence he came
KukriKhan
07-19-2003, 20:22
Regretfully, I've had no contact with Skie Mirror Silvanoshei, and have passed the saveGame to ArseClown (at his hotmail account).
The 19 July list:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (Khalipha Ismail I)
Simon Appleton (Khalipha Muhammad I)
ArseClown (Current Khalipha, Ismail II)
Alrowan
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
DrHaphazard
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
edit: Hotmail bounced that email. Sent to your qu.edu addressArseClown.
Quote[/b] (Simon Appleton @ July 14 2003,16:58)]...when four of his exhausted regiments of archers ordered to withdraw had become lost in a forest. They were unable to transmit his desperate order for reinforcement and consequently, Muhammad suffered the rest of the battle with a quarter of his strength unable to be deployed on the battlefield at anyone time.
Sorry to be a bit out of narative spirit here, but I was reading these great AARs, and noticed this annoyance that can be a showstopper for sure. I apologize if this is known, but to circumvent the occurence of units sometimes being stuck on the map's edge, you must click on halt (it's flickering usually, since unit is on the edge of the map, so you need to hit it when it's highlighted, not grey) when units cannot withdraw completely. This will return the unit remnant back to the field where it's going to be possible to reissue commands, so then you should move it to some other location, and order withdrawal again. It hapens only on some parts of map edges, not others, so a slight relocation of exit point will suffice. In the same way you can stop withdrawing units if you've changed your mind.
Sorry for being too late to help with the battle desribed. I enjoyed all the writeups very much. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Cheers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
Degtyarev14.5
07-20-2003, 12:01
Savegame received; play pending. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
A.
EDIT: [Just looking over the game, a few minutes later.]
Oh, that'd be right: I get a secret pervert http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif You know, in my games I utilise a policy whereby all perverts are immediately assassinated, roasted at the stake, hung, drawn and quartered for treason, and/or sent into the fray in a lost battle for the purpose of eradication. This is not funny http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif
Allll right, settle down Adam... *lowers heat to simmer*
The_Emperor
07-20-2003, 19:21
Quote[/b] (ArseClown @ July 20 2003,12:01)]Savegame received; play pending. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
A.
EDIT: [Just looking over the game, a few minutes later.]
Oh, that'd be right: I get a secret pervert http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif You know, in my games I utilise a policy whereby all perverts are immediately assassinated, roasted at the stake, hung, drawn and quartered for treason, and/or sent into the fray in a lost battle for the purpose of eradication. This is not funny http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif
Allll right, settle down Adam... *lowers heat to simmer*
With your name of ArseClown, I guess you were asking for fate to dish out the pervert http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
In the Byzantine campaign I was the crack brained Emperor... I painted my servants blue, danced in moonbeams and sucked on horseshoes
We all get the perverts, nutters and inbred fools from time to time. Just makes it very funny http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
well i talked to invisible servants, some would consider that strange http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif. dont worry it will all turn out good in the end, GL http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif
Degtyarev14.5
07-21-2003, 05:36
Okay, okay... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
But to be serious for a sec, I really do tend to exterminate all perverts ASAP by any means necessary.
Given the ascension to the throne of Ismail the Pervert, and the fact that one of the other great generals (seven stars, from memory) is also a tad inclined that way, I guess I am going to have to live with it. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
I have a week off now, then my final academic semester as an undergrad gets under way. Given the sheer length of turns at this point in the campaign, during the next week I'll play two turns per day, and then I'll have to keep it to one. Ismail is thirty-six, so this should take two weeks.
Another thing: as of 1218, the campaign is dangerously close to completion. So, to help prolong the inevitable, I'm going to role-play a little, and be conveniently clueless as to what is coming in twelve years. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
A.
EDIT: One day I'll learn that 'D's and 'G's are not interchangeable.
KukriKhan
07-21-2003, 12:39
Thanks for sharing your plan ArseClown, sounds solid to me. Please do update this thread every couple of days, to keep it on page 1 of the EH, and so we know you're OK & Ismail didn't wander off with some slutty little boy-toy. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Enjoy your week off, and good luck in uni.
Degtyarev14.5
07-23-2003, 03:00
Ismail the Pervert reporting for duty http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
I'm behind schedule already, got a surprise visit from sister.
Otherwise, all is progressing nicely. I have inflicted another civil war upon the miserable Byzantines before they were able to fully recover from the last one. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
A.
ArseClown - how are things going? I think the idea was that people post progress every two days.
KukriKhan
07-26-2003, 14:14
I bet his sister has him running her all over town to see the local sights. I sent him an email reminder. If negative response by 0100 GMT Sunday, 27 July (1700 PDT 26 July), we'll offer the game to Alrowan and/or Demon of Light, the next guys in line.
Mount Suribachi
07-27-2003, 08:00
BTW, in case anyone is wondering, I've not forgotten about my history of Ismail I, I've been on holiday, but now I'm back I look forward to finishing it off.
Simon Appleton - great job I thought that you'd do well to consolidate the empire, but to expand it and beat back the Byzantiliums... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I think Ismail I and Muhammed I can look forward to an enternity spent stoking the fires of hell together...
Degtyarev14.5
07-28-2003, 01:57
Hi, reporting in again.
Sorry, I've been having problems with my ISP. Of the You have exhausted your quota variety... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif
That aside, however, big things have come up, and I do not foresee that I shall have much time to play anytime in the next few weeks. I believe that my withdrawal from this campaign is currently the only option.
I'm really sorry to have to do this, but, like I said, I don't seem to have much choice. Kukri, could you please pass the 1218 savegame to the next person in line?
Again, it goes without saying that I regret this course of action. Perhaps another time... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif
A.
Demon of Light
07-28-2003, 09:32
Mount Suribachi: Look forward to your write ups
Arse Clown: Sorry about the turn of events. albertmaldonado@yahoo.com E-mail me. I have something I'd like to ask you.
Kukri: I'm still hanging out over here ready to take the game if necessary. Is your e-mail problem fixed? Where can we reach you?
KukriKhan
07-28-2003, 14:11
No worries, ArseClown, we'll move you to a later slot, when you'll hopefully have more time to play.
I've sent Alrowan an advance email to see if his hotmail account can handle the 760KB zip file, and await his response. If negative, the play will move to Demon of Light.
My best email address is t6001@cox.net . Sadly, due to ICANN regulations, my domain email won't be available until mid-August.
EDIT: Positive response from Alrowan with a new address. 1218 saveGame sent to him.
email recieved
btw, thats my university account, hence why i dont post it publically
Mount Suribachi
07-29-2003, 07:30
Didn't Alrowan tear up the map in one of the other dynstic games?
Should be interesting http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Degtyarev14.5
07-29-2003, 08:14
I'm afraid there's not much map left for Alrowan to tear up. The Byz are on their last legs: they have the north-east corner (bar Novgorod) but loyalty is at an all-time low.
Novgorod: these clowns have their homeland plus Finland.
Then there are the Poles: four provinces utterly incapable of defending themselves.
Of course, we all know what happens in 1230, don't we? ... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
A.
Demon of Light: I've e-mailed. Ask away http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
oooh, the golden horde... the timer is on then.. Can I conquer the known world, and deter the Golden Horde? or do i tempt them with a mighty empire?
KukriKhan
07-29-2003, 11:24
While Alrowan ponders Ismail's strategy, here's the list
July 29:
SeljukSinan (Khalipha Yusuf I)
Monk (Khalipha Yusuf II)
Maniac (Khalipha Umar)
Mount Suribachi (Khalipha Ismail I)
Simon Appleton (Khalipha Muhammad I)
Alrowan (Current Khalipha Ismail II)
Demon of Light
ChaosLord
The_Emporer
DrHaphazard
Skie Mirror Silvanoshei
ArseClown
Kristaps
07-29-2003, 18:18
I guess, it's too late for this campaign, but I'm up for the next one: kristaps@caia.org.
Demon of Light
07-31-2003, 08:07
http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin....;t=9348 (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=9348)
Check it out. its a proposal to start a new forum for these games.
Prince Romendacil II
07-31-2003, 14:29
I'll play.
xxplatinum2xx@aol.com
looks good deamon, ill be picking up the campagin and spending some time on it tomorrow. I think i will try beat the mongols
Mount Suribachi
07-31-2003, 20:15
1176 began with something of a shock for Ismail when the Holy Roman Empire chose to attack from Provence into Milan. The HRE had previously been allies of the Almohads, but the Emperor had obviously seen the writing on the wall. Although for now Ismail had no plans to attack the Germans, it didn't take a genius to work out that once he had defeated the French (who were by now very much on the defensive) that the HRE would be next on his Catholic hit list. As such the HRE wisely chose to attack whilst the powerful Almohad armies were engaged elsewhere. Their mistake was to attack in insufficient numbers in too few areas. Instead of a surprise attack with overwhelming force, a small number of heavy cavalry where sent to attack the garrison in Milan. The small number of Muslim defenders fought smartly, choosing to retreat to a wooded hill where they could reign down arrows on the heavily armoured knights. For a short while the knights, not wishing to show cowardice in the face of the enemy, stood on the edge of the wood contemplating a charge, but in the end discretion got the better part of valour and realising that they would be chopped to pieces in the wood, they withdrew back to their castle at Marseilles. The Germanic surprise attack, so poorly executed as it was, was a complete disaster and rather than saving the Holy Roman Empire from extinction, merely hastened its demise.
As a result of the HRE breaking their treaty with the Almohads there was a shuffling of the diplomatic deck. Egypt and the English both cancelled their treaties with the Almohads, both of which were of concern to Ismail. The Egyptians with their massive army on the Almohad eastern frontier were a constant niggling doubt for Ismail, but the behaviour of the English greatly upset him. They had been allies in the fight against the common enemy, the French, but now that the French were on their knees, the English quickly forgot who it was that had broken the back of their nemesis. Ismail however, would not quickly forget this English treachery, further reinforcing his belief that all Catholics were untrustworthy. Meanwhile, the Hungarians, hard pressed by the powerful Byzantine Empire, came asking for an alliance. Ismail refused, caring little for their fate and wishing to remain on good terms with the Byzantines, the Almohads number 1 source of trade income. The only good news that year was that the independent princedom of Friesland had agreed to join the Almohad Empire - for a small financial reward of course…
By the end of 1178, the HRE was in disarray. In the face of Almohad armies the armies in Provence and Burgundy retreated into their castles without putting up a fight. Only in Switzerland did the Germans show any fighting spirit as 30 brave knights, outnumbered 7 to 1, fought to the last man on a snowy mountainside, taking over 100 Muslim souls with them.
In the south of France Toulouse castle finally fell under an assault led by Kalipha Ismael himself, though with over 100 casualties including Amir ibn Tashufun. At last Toulouse, the scene of so much blood shed. For 7 long years battle had raged back and forth over it. Thousands of men, Muslim and Catholic had died on its fields. Now at last it was finally, irrevocably, an Almohad province.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/Toulouse_Jihad.jpg
The soldiers of the Jihad launched to reclaim it for Islam rejoiced.
In the north of France however there were tears of anguish, not of joy. The mercenary army sent to conquer Ile de France had the French locked up in Paris castle and launched their assault. The mercenaries were slaughtered. The castle was probably the most advanced fortification in the world at that time, with the exception of Constantinople's land walls of course. A full-blown castle (rather than a keep with a curtain wall, the most common fortification of the era) it had a ring wall as well as ballista and catapult towers. These latter in particular were deadly, quickly destroying the stationary Almohad siege artillery and forcing a storming of the castle by the troops whilst the walls were still standing. Of the 309 men who set out that morning, only 34 returned that night.
Ismael was shocked by this news, but as was his way, he learned from this lesson. These modern castles were tough to assault, even with the most advanced siege artillery of the time. As a consequence he ordered that improved castles be built along his borders to protect them, a chain of stone he called it.
Despite the setback at Paris, it had still been a good year for Ismail as his stranglehold on Catholic Europe tightened. Increasingly panicked by events, the Pope once more called for crusades against the Almohads, but he was running out of Catholic Kings to appeal to and soon Pope Giovanni himself would be silenced forever.
KukriKhan
08-03-2003, 16:59
...Pope once more called for crusades against the Almohads, but he was running out of Catholic Kings to appeal to and soon Pope Giovanni himself would be silenced forever.
Heh. I love cliff-hangers http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Bumping so Alrowan can find this thread.
found and noted *grins*
im looking forward to an evening of alamohad goodness after a horribly long day of uni
Ch I
The Anatolian Conquest
Praise to Allah, for his guiding hand and his blessed light, for through him, and him alone am I able to achieve all that is great in this small life. - Khalipha Ismail II in St Sophia after the fall of Constantinople 596 (1218AD)
The Fall of Constantinople
Khalipha Ismail II sat by his fathers deathbed in Castile, and swore an oath he would expand the empire so that all men would be Ruled under the banner of Mohumad, the great prophet. Only days before he had assumed the throne upon his fathers passing, and now commanded the mightiest empire the world had seen. Not only did he inherrit the Empire, he also inherrited the enemies.
The treacherous Romans with thier scheming and plotting sat in thier palaces in Constantinople, surrounded by his fathers great host, encamped and laying in wait. Many times had the great city been besieged, but her defences stood tall and withstood all assaults. When Ismail had inherrited the throne, he boarded his fastest ships for the great city. Ahead of him across the land ran his network of riders, ordering the assualt on Constantinople to begin, and that thier Khalipha would soon arrive to forsee the victory.
Hasam Abdu Mushin was the leader of the camps surrounding the great city, and it was in early August he recieved the Khalipha's message, and began what would be the final assault. For three days the siegecraft bombarded the walls of the mighty city, and by nightfall on the third day, the walls looked to be breached. Hasam signalled the end of the days bombardment and returned to camp. At his disposal he had a great division of 3500 men, most fresh, and green. The great army had been forced to divide into smaller numbers, so the borders could be held vs any raiders. In the holy land the great generals waited with thier armies to meet with Hasam and finalise the conquest.
On the morning of the fourth day, Hasam orderd the Machinery to fire again, and soon they had breahed the walls of the mighty fortress. using the infantry divisions he had prepared earier that morning, he sent them to sally into the breach, and attempt to gain a foothold within the fort. Twice they assailed. And twice they were driven back, and eventually routed off the field. The day had grown long, and Hasam returned to his camp and planned for the next days assault. This time he would take some cavalry, and attempt to run down the defenders as the sun rose. That morning, the cavalry sallied forth through the breach, only to be met by fearsome defenders, who drove back the lightly armoured arabs. Hasam was outraged, yet patient, his cavalry contingent was sorely weakend, and he would not risk another such asault.
on the 6th day of fighting, Hasam had before him a massed infatry contingent, with heavy French Crossbowmen ready to show thier loyalty to the Khalipha. Along and into the breach these men marched, fired upon by the enemy towers as they wend, but this time keeping in close formation. To thier rear were the more elite troops, ready to help when the fighting got tough. The first wave hit and broke through the breach with ease, the enemy falling back inside the walls fast, and through came the rest of the infantry. Through the day tough fighting occured, but by dundown, Hasam rode into the city, and claimed victory. On Dawn the next day, Ismail arrived, and was corronated in the great halls of St Sophia, dedicating the Church to Allah, the wise and mericful.
The Battle of Nicea
Let all rejoice For today is great indeed, truly Allah has blessed us Praise to Allah for all his goodness The power of Rome is broken, 600 years since the great prophet fled, and christendom lies in tatters - Khalipha Ismail II rejoicing on the mount in Nicea
Four years after the fall of constantinople marked a great turning point in all the world. The Muslim generals had pushed through Asia Minor, forcing the Christian armies to retreat, eventually to Nicea. There, camped in the hills was the pride of christendom, the great armies of Byzantine, More than ten thousand men, a great host indeed The Muslim pride was also there, camped in the next valley, a host of ten thousand as well, all elite troops, and led by the Khalipha and his greatest generals. The host in Constantinople and the the hosts from the east had finally converged, to create a warhost like that never seen in one thousand years.
The cleansing of the infedels began at dawn. the Khalipha giving control of his army to his greatest general, who led a great infantry division of the empires most formidable warriors. The plan was easy, to break the romans spirit early, and to force them into retreat before thier cavalry could muster. So on they marched, into the valley, and up a hill where scouts reported the enemy to be encamped. And encamped they were, in a forrest, but they ran like dogs, and found refuge with thier lord on a further hill. The holy infantry kept on its march, and soon the great armies clashed, though only the tip, as both sides had many reserves. After fierce early fighting, the enemy broke and ran, leaving the alamohad infantry to the hill, where the achers took up ranks behind to face the oncoming cavalry.
The cavalry marched up the hill, and met the great infantry horde, but they were no match as thier general lay dead, they routed. On came the mased reserves next, many slavic conscripts, which made up much of the Romans army of late. They didnt have the hreat to fight, and ran to thier masters, begging forgivness.
the slaughter was over, the enemy retreating to thier castles, to await the death and starvation there.
The empire captured a great host of the army, and mercy was shown. Thier masters did not look for them though, and so they were sent to the Khaliphas mines.
One by one over the next year, the Roman armies surrenderd thir castles, and Anatolia was liberated and delivered into the Khaliphas protection.
I know Allah watches and guides all that I do, so I must show mercy, as he has shown me mercy, and I must be just, as he is Just, and I must treat my Enemies as brothers, for they are only misguided, and are yet to see the light of Allah Khalipha Ismail II
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