Orb
09-27-2006, 15:37
Peoples of God: Total War
Faction Preview:
The Principality of Antioch
https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4118/antiochihd8.jpg
Bohemund I Prince of Taranto (some say the 'true leader' of the latter part of the First Crusade), captured Antioch in 1098, becoming Prince of the second Crusader state. Despite most of the Crusaders having pledged to act under the auspices of The Byzantine Emperor Alexius I, Bohemund instead named himself Prince, making himself a sovereign and allodial lord rather than a Byzantine Duke and vassal of Alexius. This was a cause of further mistrust between the Crusaders and the Emperor.
Bohemund was taken in 1100 following a battle with the Danishmends and not ransomed until 1103. His nephew Tancred, Prince of Galilee and the first crusader to cross the wall into during the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099, took his place as Regent during his absence.
Upon Bohemund's release, he attacked and was beaten by the Seljuks and their allies at the Battle of Harran, the first major battle following the Crusade proper. He returned to Europe in to marry the French Princess. On his return trip to the Holy Land in 1107, he instead attacked Byzantium, where he was defeated and forced into vassalage by Emperor Alexius 1108. The Treaty of Devol stipulated that Antioch would become a Byzantine possession upon Bohemund's death. In 1111, when he died, broken, in Italy, the Crusaders refused to acknowledge the treaty and Antioch did not fall under Byzantine control until almost 50 years later when the Treaty was enforced.
Estimated campaign difficulty: moderate
Starting faction leader: Bohemund I of Antioch
Unique Traits:
Defier of the Greeks
This man is unconcerned about some promise to the Byzantine emperors, openly aggressive to their envoys and he has the gall to get away with it. Historically, many of the crusade leaders were bound by oath to Alexius I, but they ignored these words and kept the Holy Land for themselves
Diplomatically triggered trait, +1Authority/Influence, +1 command vs. Greeks, -1 Loyalty, chance of getting aggressive and anti-Orthodox traits
Normannus
The Normans were a formidable fighting people, their leadership and ability checked by their ambition. Indeed, Marc 'Bohemund', the son of the legendary Robert Guiscard and the first Prince of Antioch was a Norman.
Genetic trait, +1 morale to troops, +2 personal valour, +1 cavalry command, -1 piety, -2 loyalty.
Count of Tripoli
This man has the lordship of Tripoli, a valuable tool in outdoing other crusaders for status and getting support from home.
Battle-related trait: +1 command, +1 command vs. Berbers, +1 LOS
Man of Little Faith
This man’s faith in God to keep him safe against danger is somewhat lacking. Some might suspect he was only in the Holy Land for the plunder, and probably not prepared to risk his life even for that.
Battle-related trait: -1 piety, -5% spreading (Christian), -1 personal valour, +1 personal security.
Unique Ancillaries:
Holy Lance of Antioch
This relic, the spear the Romans used to ensure that Christ was dead, has been unearthed recently by a crusading monk, while the more sceptical of leaders might argue its validity, it is a great source of inspiration to the men.
Relic: +2 morale to troops on battlefield, +2 piety, +5% Christian conversion, +5% movement points, -1 personal security
Ambitious Monk
Though having a pet priest to shout your glories to the world is useful, sometimes there is a risk with that priest. Perhaps he has greater ambitions than the benefactor previously thought.
Building-related ancillary: +1 Piety, -2 personal security
Papal Ambassador
The princes of Antioch were often under papal censure and support, but the interference of the Papacy could be quite humiliating to the princes, particularly as they were theoretically subordinate to the Kingdom of Jerusalem
-1 Influence, +1 Management
Unique Building: Church of St. Peter (Antioch)
The church of St. Peter was where the holy lance of Antioch was unearthed, and for that reason alone it gains notoriety. The voice of St. Andrew that guided the discoverer of this lance to give it to Raymond of Toulouse might have a similar effect on the piety of a governor.
+1 Happiness, religious traits and ancillaries more likely
Unique Building: Tortosan Archer Tradition (Tortosa)
Certain cities in the Holy Land had a tradition of producing excellent archers, and Tortosa was one of them. This allowed the city to supply better archers to Antioch than there were generally to other crusaders. They are still not quite the same quality as elite Arabic archers.
+2 valour to archer units
Unique mission: Vengeance upon Alexius
Starting message:
It has been a while since Bohemund was repelled from his invasion of the Byzantine empire. It bears heavily on his mind and he desires to resume his imperial ambitions. He may, of course, attempt to get support from Italy and other places in achieving this. If he establishes a ‘beach-head’ at Dyrrhachium, he will threaten the city of Constantine itself. It would cost about 5,000 Gold Pieces to muster sufficient support for an Italian army.
Player options: pay for the army and attack/ pay for a smaller army and attack/ attack without army/ don’t attack
If no, Bohemund has crushed his imperial ambitions, and is obedient to the Byzantines – for now. There will be a few traits going his way.
If yes, ‘Bohemund has sent messengers to Italy to muster forces, they should be ready next spring.’
An army relative to the amount of money put in will appear on the Greek mainland near Durazzo. This will allow Antioch a two-pronged attack. Its goal is to take Durazzo to allow more reinforcements.
Reward: Trait Granted: Defier of the Greeks, New Guiscard, positive and vengeful traits for Bohemund, a good chance of seizing Constantinople and Italian monetary input.
Faction Symbol:
https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4118/antiochihd8.jpg
Unique Units:
Normanni Equites
The Norman cavalry are reputed to be the best in the world, a force of experienced men such as these proved unstoppable on the initial charge and a terror to the Byzantines. While they tend to fight as mercenary troops, they are loyal, powerful and elite, although not the most disciplined corps.
Require buildings: advanced cavalry stables, certain province, or available as mercenaries or starting units, lances, kite shields, excellent attack and morale but undisciplined.
Antiochene Guardsmen
The Antiochene garrison is still strong, with the Arabic forces making up the corps. They are not exactly loyal to their Christian overlords but are definitely capable of putting up a fight when inspired to.
Only recruitable in Antioch: require building: spearmaker, short spears, poor morale, but good defence.
Italian Crossbowmen Mercenaries
The Normans, having ties to the Italian cities, are able to sometimes access these soldiers, providing them with much-needed support against Arabic and Greek heavy cavalry. The Italians are excellent crossbow-men, with their power and penetrative ability balanced by their slow rate-of-fire.
Required buildings: bowmaker, merchant, only in certain regions. Decent morale and pavises, armour-piercing attacks, but very vulnerable if caught off guard. Limited recruitment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That took a while, but it's up.
Faction symbol was done by Alias, the general information research (Bohemund I...enforced) by Harmless and the rest by me.
Look out for Damascus next! :balloon2:
Faction Preview:
The Principality of Antioch
https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4118/antiochihd8.jpg
Bohemund I Prince of Taranto (some say the 'true leader' of the latter part of the First Crusade), captured Antioch in 1098, becoming Prince of the second Crusader state. Despite most of the Crusaders having pledged to act under the auspices of The Byzantine Emperor Alexius I, Bohemund instead named himself Prince, making himself a sovereign and allodial lord rather than a Byzantine Duke and vassal of Alexius. This was a cause of further mistrust between the Crusaders and the Emperor.
Bohemund was taken in 1100 following a battle with the Danishmends and not ransomed until 1103. His nephew Tancred, Prince of Galilee and the first crusader to cross the wall into during the Siege of Jerusalem in 1099, took his place as Regent during his absence.
Upon Bohemund's release, he attacked and was beaten by the Seljuks and their allies at the Battle of Harran, the first major battle following the Crusade proper. He returned to Europe in to marry the French Princess. On his return trip to the Holy Land in 1107, he instead attacked Byzantium, where he was defeated and forced into vassalage by Emperor Alexius 1108. The Treaty of Devol stipulated that Antioch would become a Byzantine possession upon Bohemund's death. In 1111, when he died, broken, in Italy, the Crusaders refused to acknowledge the treaty and Antioch did not fall under Byzantine control until almost 50 years later when the Treaty was enforced.
Estimated campaign difficulty: moderate
Starting faction leader: Bohemund I of Antioch
Unique Traits:
Defier of the Greeks
This man is unconcerned about some promise to the Byzantine emperors, openly aggressive to their envoys and he has the gall to get away with it. Historically, many of the crusade leaders were bound by oath to Alexius I, but they ignored these words and kept the Holy Land for themselves
Diplomatically triggered trait, +1Authority/Influence, +1 command vs. Greeks, -1 Loyalty, chance of getting aggressive and anti-Orthodox traits
Normannus
The Normans were a formidable fighting people, their leadership and ability checked by their ambition. Indeed, Marc 'Bohemund', the son of the legendary Robert Guiscard and the first Prince of Antioch was a Norman.
Genetic trait, +1 morale to troops, +2 personal valour, +1 cavalry command, -1 piety, -2 loyalty.
Count of Tripoli
This man has the lordship of Tripoli, a valuable tool in outdoing other crusaders for status and getting support from home.
Battle-related trait: +1 command, +1 command vs. Berbers, +1 LOS
Man of Little Faith
This man’s faith in God to keep him safe against danger is somewhat lacking. Some might suspect he was only in the Holy Land for the plunder, and probably not prepared to risk his life even for that.
Battle-related trait: -1 piety, -5% spreading (Christian), -1 personal valour, +1 personal security.
Unique Ancillaries:
Holy Lance of Antioch
This relic, the spear the Romans used to ensure that Christ was dead, has been unearthed recently by a crusading monk, while the more sceptical of leaders might argue its validity, it is a great source of inspiration to the men.
Relic: +2 morale to troops on battlefield, +2 piety, +5% Christian conversion, +5% movement points, -1 personal security
Ambitious Monk
Though having a pet priest to shout your glories to the world is useful, sometimes there is a risk with that priest. Perhaps he has greater ambitions than the benefactor previously thought.
Building-related ancillary: +1 Piety, -2 personal security
Papal Ambassador
The princes of Antioch were often under papal censure and support, but the interference of the Papacy could be quite humiliating to the princes, particularly as they were theoretically subordinate to the Kingdom of Jerusalem
-1 Influence, +1 Management
Unique Building: Church of St. Peter (Antioch)
The church of St. Peter was where the holy lance of Antioch was unearthed, and for that reason alone it gains notoriety. The voice of St. Andrew that guided the discoverer of this lance to give it to Raymond of Toulouse might have a similar effect on the piety of a governor.
+1 Happiness, religious traits and ancillaries more likely
Unique Building: Tortosan Archer Tradition (Tortosa)
Certain cities in the Holy Land had a tradition of producing excellent archers, and Tortosa was one of them. This allowed the city to supply better archers to Antioch than there were generally to other crusaders. They are still not quite the same quality as elite Arabic archers.
+2 valour to archer units
Unique mission: Vengeance upon Alexius
Starting message:
It has been a while since Bohemund was repelled from his invasion of the Byzantine empire. It bears heavily on his mind and he desires to resume his imperial ambitions. He may, of course, attempt to get support from Italy and other places in achieving this. If he establishes a ‘beach-head’ at Dyrrhachium, he will threaten the city of Constantine itself. It would cost about 5,000 Gold Pieces to muster sufficient support for an Italian army.
Player options: pay for the army and attack/ pay for a smaller army and attack/ attack without army/ don’t attack
If no, Bohemund has crushed his imperial ambitions, and is obedient to the Byzantines – for now. There will be a few traits going his way.
If yes, ‘Bohemund has sent messengers to Italy to muster forces, they should be ready next spring.’
An army relative to the amount of money put in will appear on the Greek mainland near Durazzo. This will allow Antioch a two-pronged attack. Its goal is to take Durazzo to allow more reinforcements.
Reward: Trait Granted: Defier of the Greeks, New Guiscard, positive and vengeful traits for Bohemund, a good chance of seizing Constantinople and Italian monetary input.
Faction Symbol:
https://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4118/antiochihd8.jpg
Unique Units:
Normanni Equites
The Norman cavalry are reputed to be the best in the world, a force of experienced men such as these proved unstoppable on the initial charge and a terror to the Byzantines. While they tend to fight as mercenary troops, they are loyal, powerful and elite, although not the most disciplined corps.
Require buildings: advanced cavalry stables, certain province, or available as mercenaries or starting units, lances, kite shields, excellent attack and morale but undisciplined.
Antiochene Guardsmen
The Antiochene garrison is still strong, with the Arabic forces making up the corps. They are not exactly loyal to their Christian overlords but are definitely capable of putting up a fight when inspired to.
Only recruitable in Antioch: require building: spearmaker, short spears, poor morale, but good defence.
Italian Crossbowmen Mercenaries
The Normans, having ties to the Italian cities, are able to sometimes access these soldiers, providing them with much-needed support against Arabic and Greek heavy cavalry. The Italians are excellent crossbow-men, with their power and penetrative ability balanced by their slow rate-of-fire.
Required buildings: bowmaker, merchant, only in certain regions. Decent morale and pavises, armour-piercing attacks, but very vulnerable if caught off guard. Limited recruitment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That took a while, but it's up.
Faction symbol was done by Alias, the general information research (Bohemund I...enforced) by Harmless and the rest by me.
Look out for Damascus next! :balloon2: