Battle Reports

[TinCow]

Battles of the Byzantine Empire


http://www.greece.org/romiosini/fall.gif

This thread is for all Battle Reports. Any post in this thread which is not a Battle Report will be moved or deleted.

Note: Battle Reports can be extensive multi-part IC stories, but they can also just be OOC brief summaries of the action. The nature and length of the report is entirely up to you. It is encouraged that everyone post at least the final results of the battle, either typed out or by posting a screenshot of the results scroll that appears at the end of the battle.

[_Tristan_]

Durazzo raid, 1083.

One small step for a man, one giant leap for the Empire -- Methodios the Chivalrous, 1083

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/DurazzoSiege.jpg


It was almost a week since Methodios and his men had set up camp near Durazzo… The day before Adrastos had come in reporting of the advance of Arianitis and Monomachos.

The night had passed and still no word from the Emperor… “Could it be possible that I somehow stepped on some powerful people’s toes by claiming to take Durazzo for the Emperor ?” Methodios mused.

Exiting from his tent, Methodios saw his men assembled according to his orders.

“Men… I will ride to the village and see if their captain has enough sense to surrender… I would not risk your lives for such a petty prize… Though if we must fight, we will…” The men cheered.

“Nikolas, fetch my horse… Sergios, mount your horse and unfurl the banner… We’ll both ride to the village and I will talk in person with the captain of the militia.”

Some time later, Methodios and his standard-bearer sat their horses fifty meters away from the first of the village sentinels.

Coming nearer, unchallenged, Methodios stopped his horse a few meters short of the militiamen.

“Call for your captain… I would have a word with him..”

“Vada a guardare per il Capitano” one of the men pointed to the village.

Sound of revelry could be heard from the village, bawdy laughter and women’s cries…

The militiaman went running towards the town square, disappearing around a corner.

Soon, a large burly man appeared. A large black beard covered the lower part of his face. His helmet was pushed back behind his head, tied at the neck by a leather tie. He was wearing a clearly unkempt tunic under a mailed shirt that had seen better days, several rings showing heavy signs of rust.

But the most incongruous part of his appearance was the two prostitutes he held close to him, walking with them arm in arm towards Methodios, letting go of them only to take large swigs from a tankard of wine.

Finally reaching Methodios, he planted himself in front of him, tickling one of the girls and pinching the bottom of the second, provoking drunken giggles from both women.

“Io sono chiamato Isidoro… Io sono il Capitano qui… Poi Greco, perché venire a disturbarmi?” asked the Captain, punctuating the sentence with a huge belch. “Why disturb me ? Want some action ?” This with a wink for Methodios, inclining his head towards one of the tramps.

“Capitano, I have come to ask for your surrender. Your Italian masters are far from here and you stand no chance against us. So surrender and you and your men will be spared… Fight and you will die…” Methodios answered, hardly containing his anger.

“Bwahahaha… You and what army… Bwahahaha… I fear you not, Greek… My masters’ gold is worth more than your empty threats… Turn around and leave us to enjoy your women and your wine…” Said Isidoro with a raucous laugh.

“You had better prepare to enjoy our steel, Porco Italiano…” Said Methodios before reaching for the horn, hanging from his saddle, blowing on it, leaving a somewhat bewildered look on Isidoro’s face.

The bewildered look turned to a look of fright as Isidoro noticed Methodios’ men coming out of the woods.

“Prepare your men” Methodios said, turning his horse around and riding to join his men, a last look towards the town showing him Isidoro running from the town square, waving his arms like a chicken in a panic, shouting for them to get their weapons and form up.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-54-45-45.jpg

Isidoro managed to assemble his men in the town square, having shooed away all the women and put away all the wine barrels to clear some space and prepare to fight Methodios and his bodyguard.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-55-44-12.jpg

Methodios rode into town from the east, the sun in his back.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-56-53-48.jpg

Isidoro had placed his contingent of archers in the front with the support of his militia spearmen. The man was brave enough (or stupid enough) to be in the front rank of his men.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-57-40-58.jpg

The Byzantine knights charged under a hail of arrows, most hitting harmlessly on shields and armour.

The impact of the kataphraktoi into the archers sent men flying, breaking their necks on landing, the horses stampeding them, those that didn’t go down being skewered by the lances.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-57-58-82.jpg

Almost two thirds of the archers lay dead from that first charge.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-58-05-18.jpg

The spearmen rushed to the rescue of their comrades.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1115-58-13-62.jpg

Seeing this, Methodios ordered his men around, exiting the village.

Taking profit of a large ditch on the southern side of the village, Methodios led his men to the western side, hoping to catch Isidoro’s men unaware.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-03-04-11.jpg

The plan worked flawlessly, Isidoro understanding only too late what was happening.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-04-19-80.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-05-04-38.jpg

Ordering his men to turn around and face the new Byzantine charge and reaching the first ranks himself, only to be struck down and brought to his knees, an incomprehensible gurgle coming out of his throat.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-06-15-86.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-06-17-48.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-06-45-10.jpg

Methodios ordered another retreat, the militia giving pursuit but unwilling to leave the town square and its relative safety for the small village streets that could become a trap.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-07-11-03.jpg

Another charge finished the archers before the spearmen could react.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-08-00-27.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-08-09-61.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-08-11-60.jpg

A second charge dealt a heavy blow to the spearmen.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-08-22-87.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-08-31-99.jpg

Two more charges finished killing the remainder of the militiamen. Though one of Methodios’ men got caught up in the melee and couldn’t extirpate himself from the tangle of bodies that the town square had become. Surrounded by the militiamen, his horse was brought down under him and he got stabbed by the revengeful spears of the Italians.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-09-58.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-14-03.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-16-23.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-18-06.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-19-42.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-21-23.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-27-19.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-09-38-75.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-10-14-80.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-10-19-08.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-10-20-57.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-10-22-67.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-11-14-21.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-11-22-53.jpg

Methodios rushed to his fallen comrade, to find him still alive though grievously hurt (OOC : This to explain the sudden return to full complement of the BG next turn).

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-12-08-90.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/medieval22008-06-1116-12-11-30.jpg

One by one, the villagers came out of their abodes. Fearful to begin with, they soon recognized the coat of arms of the men and their Byzantine weaponry. The men rushed to the square, where taking the weapons from the dead Italians they began the gruesome task of killing every Italian still breathing. The women fell on their knees, weeping and praying, thanking the Lord for taking them out of their predicament.

The Kephale, the mayor of the village, came forward to Methodios with a small purse.

“My Lord, this is all we have. All that those Italians’ swine have left us. Take it as a token of our thanks for freeing us.”

Taking the purse, Methodios sensed that there was not much in it. “I’ll use it to start rebuilding your town, Kephale… If the Emperor wills it…”

As if summoned by the mention of the Emperor’s name, a messenger wearing the livery of the Imperial Messenger Service stopped his horse just short of Methodios. Jumping to ground, and kneeling before him he said “My Lord, I had orders for you to capture that town but it seems I am too late.”

“Indeed, my man… Rest a bit… Then I’ll give you a letter for the Emperor and you’ll ride for Constantinople.”



https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/DurazzoEnd.jpg

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Durazzo/MethodChiv.jpg

[Ignoramus]

*placeholder for assault on Canakkale(Dardenellia)*

[OverKnight]

The Assault on Sofia, 1084

At first glance, the Bulgarian rebels in Sofia had advantages in numbers and from fighting behind walls.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/asofiadeploy.jpg

However, a Roman agent in the rebel castle had found some residents who wished for a return to Imperial rule. Basileus Aleksios took advantage of this by splitting his troops. He would lead his own bodyguard and a regiment of spearmen to the rear gate. Senator Ioannis Kantakouzinos would lead the main body of troops and occupy the attention of the rebels at the front gate.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/bsofiainit.jpg

While Kantakouzinos sent the Trebizond archers forward to fire on the rebels at the front gate, the Basileus galloped around to the rear gate. Opened by the loyalists, he entered Sofia unopposed with a regiment of infantry doing its best to follow. Aleksios and his bodyguard fell upon a unit of archers who, surprised by this tactic, had moved off the walls to redeploy.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/csofiabackdoor.jpg

Joined by the regiment of infantry, Aleksios continued to wreak havoc in the rear of the rebels. Though under horse archer fire, he managed to split the enemey forces and wrest their attention from the front gate.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/dsofiadivide.jpg

Seeing this, Kantakouzinos advanced his troops through front gate. The rebels were now surrounded. Many of their horse archers, confined to fighting in the streets, had been brought down by Aleksios and his spearmen.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/esofiasurround.jpg

The Romans avoided the rebels rallying point and instead lured their leader out the main square by a false retreat. He paid for his folly.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/fsofiarebeldead.jpg

The remaining rebels were soon dispersed.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/gsofiavic.jpg

[deguerra]

Report on Negotiations at Rodos

1083

Startor Nevelous and I have been sent to Rodos, former outpost of the Empire, to investigate recent reports of Governor Leon misappropriating taxes and inciting anti-Imperial riots in town. While I expect no strong resistance, I am anxious that between us, Nevoulos and and I have only a few dozen men.

1084

Have arrived at Rodos and been greeted respectfully by Governor Leon. He seems happy to have two such highly honoured guests on his island, but has remained elusive on the matter of outstanding payments to Konstantinopolis. I hope future talks will go well.

1085

We have spent an entire year on this island and now this! First having made himself scarce for the past few months, when Nevoulos and I pressed Leon about the taxes at our last meeting he exploded. Shouting threats to ourselves and the Empire he drove us out of his castle. I have taken charge of the port, and will block Leon's men from leaving the island, but I must write back for more men, if we are to take down this lout by force.

1086

At Nevoulos' pressing, we have fashioned a sort of siege of the castle. While Leon has more men than us, they dare not exit the place for fear of being charged by one of our Kataphraktoi. Unfortunately, this means that rather than taking lodgings at the port, we must now remain encamped around the castle. This is turning more and more into a siege, and I despise sieges.

1088

Comes Kosmas has told me he has sent men from Athens, but they have yet to arrive. Cursed troop transports take forever to get moving, and even once they do one sometimes gets the feeling it would be fast to have the men swim! Meanwhile the siege lingers on. I have developed a terrible cold and pain in my chest. Nevoulos doesn't seem to be sleeping well himself. And on top of everything, my funds are running out and we have had to start foraging for food. I told the men not to steal from the farmers, so our dietary options are rapidly becoming limited.

1089

The men are here! At long last, we can do something! A final message for surrender to Governor Leon has remained unanswered. I am sick and tired of this damn siege and we attack tonight!

Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς


Report on Fighting at Castle of Rodos

Having finally received reinforcements, I decided to attack as soon as feasible. I had the men fashion a battering ram and some ladders. I do hope this will not be bloody. I hate assaults.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2998/37306160xf1.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
I divided the men into two groups. One, under my own command, would take the battering ram to the main gate of the castle.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6306/52677215im4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
The other, under Nevoulos, would advance with the ladders, and try to open a side gate for his Kataphraktoi.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6391/11074036nx8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Unfortunately, my double attack was foiled when our battering ram caught fire after a particularly lucky shot from the defenders. I ordered my men back, and decided to ride over to Nevoulos to see if he was faring better.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/114/52910898og8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
Needless to say, he was doing a much better job of things, and his men took to the walls unopposed, and hastened to open the castle gates.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5430/91768717ye7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
That done, Nevoulos and I charged the Kataphraktoi through.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9838/14030920rh6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
After that, everything went fairly quickly. A few defenders tried to fight, but most threw down their arms and ran. Governor Leon was among those cut down, a fitting end for a traitor to the Empire.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7771/70031305ho3.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
I occupied the castle without further bloodshed. I am happy to report the island is now under full control of the Empire again.
https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/6907/35171400at9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)https://img519.imageshack.us/img519/8647/69877954cp4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Long live the Emperor!
Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς

[Andres]

My Kingdom for a goblet of wine! Arta - 1089.

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0010.jpg

"Rebel scum", Savvas thought, "Shouldn't be much of a problem."

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0011.jpg

A few moments later, his stomach, unhappy about those 25 goblets of wine the previous night, started to protest. Savvas crawled from his horse, fell on his knees, got up and stumbled towards a tree.

After having emptied his stomach, making disgusting sounds during the process, he slowly walked back.

His lord, Aleksios, stared at him, seemingly a bit worried.

"Don't worry, my lord" Savvas, looking as pale as a corpse, said. He continued, with a voice sounding like an unsharp razor blade: "We'll..." Savvas coughed, "We'll take this settlement..." Savvas coughed again. "We'll..." He spit out a few remnants of his last meal. "Ehm, whatever..."

Some of the soldiers started to laugh. Somehow, a commander suffering from a huge hangover, seemed amusing to them. The burst of laughter woke up Savvas who apparently had fallen asleep on his horse. He shook a few times with his head, slapped himself in the face and poured some water over his head.

"Ok men, let's hope those rebel scum have better wine then the crap we have been drinking for the last few months. Follow my lead men! For the glory of the Empire and for more and better wine!"

The soldiers sheered.

Savvas divided the forces in two groups. One group would attack the main gate at the south, while a smaller force, commanded by Savvas, would go for the east gate.

The enemy was surprised by this tactic and only one unit of spearmen guarded the east gate.

Seeing that only a part of the army was attacking the south gate, the rebels tried to sally and take the group of Aleksios by surprise.

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0012.jpg

An heroic charge of Aleksios forced the rebels back into the settlement. The rest of the army followed and the Byzantines were inside!

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0013.jpg

At the same moment, the battering ram on the east gate got through the gate.

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0014.jpg

All rebel troops focused on Aleksios and the main force of the army, leaving their flank open to Savvas and a unit of spearmen.

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0015.jpg

Savvas charged into them and killed Petros, the rebel captain.

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0016.jpg

Without their captain, the rebels soon surrendered.

"Like I said, not much of a problem."

https://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t2/AndresTheCunning/0017.jpg

One of the soldiers came out of a building.

"Savvas! We found wine!"

"Hurray!" Savvas cheerd, "No better solution for a hangover then a few goblets of wine!"

Savvas celebrated the victory with his men. The prospect of several subsequent nights drenched in alcohol made them euphoric.

[_Tristan_]

The liberation of Zagreb
Croatia, January 10th 1090

"O Lord, deliver us from the fury of the bodyguards"-- Croatian Axeman, 1090


The horse plodded on through the fields. A brisk wind made clouds scuttle across the sky, their shadows running on the ground. The weak sun of January was not enough to warm M ethodios.

Blowing on his hands to warm them, the reins hanging loose on the charger’s collar, Methodios thought about the last months.

He and his men had been escorting the merchant train of Milos Kovacs, the Croatian trader from the mountains in Northern Epirus towards his home city. All the way, they drew the curious stares of the countryfolk… Riders in heavy armour escorting two paltry wagons… What they could not know was that the wagons contained a hoard of riches such as they would never contemplate in their lives.

Though bandits were a widespread nuisance in these parts, the presence of the kataphraktoi kept them at bay… This left to the guards and to the riders the drudgery of the convoy work : tending to the beasts, foraging for food. The convoy made slow progress. The wagons were almost overloaded, exerting an heavy stain on the axles that often broke, needing to unload the wagons to perform the necessary reparations, then loading them back again, a back-breaking work…

In the evenings, Methodios insisted on drilling his men, however tiring their day had been. Though their skills honed day by day, Methodios was not deaf to their grumblings.

Now they were only a few leagues from Zagreb. The plan they had devised with Kovacs’ help would soon be put into action. And not too late… Outriders had spotted a Hungarian army north of Zagreb.

“They might be our allies but that would not stop them from snatching that town from under our noses”, Methodios reflected, watching in the distance the dust cloud formed by the stamping feet of the advancing Hungarians.

Already the wagons had sped away towards Zagreb following the first part of the plan. Kovacs was to pretend to have been waylaid by a company of highwaymen, telling him that the men had succeeded in laying their hands on part of his cargo and that they were hard on his tail, intent on taking the rest. Kovacs was to promise Gulya that any recovered gold would be his, with a bonus for protecting him.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/ZagSally-1.jpg




Now Methodios and his men crossed the last ridge leading to the town. It was a small town enclosed by a wooden rampart. A rampart that would prevent Methodios and his men from freeing the town, hence the need to lure Gulya and his men out.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb029.jpg

Hardly had Methodios and his men come into sight of the walls that Gulya and his men poured out of the gates.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb030.jpg

Intent on luring them away from the walls, Methodios faked a withdrawal.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb031.jpg

Gulya ordered one of his group of archers forward, willing to score a few kills on the retreating horsemen.
Before they had time to react, Methodios ordered his men around and sent them charging in the surprised archers.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb032.jpg

The charge killed almost all of the company, breaking the spirit of the few remaining men.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb034.jpg

Gulya was hiding behind a curtain of axemen. Intent on killing or capturing him, Methodios drove his men towards the eastern side of town, drawing the axemen to him in their thirst to avenge their fallen comrades.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb036.jpg

The plan worked perfectly and soon Methodios aligned his men to charge on the remaining unit of archers under the direct command of Gulya.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb037.jpg

The charge was accomplished to perfection, claiming Gulya as one of the first casualties.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb038.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb042.jpg

Not one of the archers survived the powerful charge of the kataphraktoi.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb041.jpg

Sensing his opportunity, Methodios spurred his horse towards the gates intent on bringing the fight on more favourable ground in the twisting streets of Zagreb, and even if possible capturing the town without further bloodshed. A short fight at the doors accounted for the loss of three of Methodios’ men.
(OOC : This is the first time in a sally that I have the gates close on me when I seek to enter the town… This allowed the axemen to sneak behind the Bodyguards and claim three of them…)

The axemen ran to entrench themselves in the main square of the city.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb044.jpg

Intent of rooting them out, Methodios led his men in a charge down a side street.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb049.jpg

The force of the charge killed half of the remaining axemen.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb050.jpg

Another charge left the square into the hands of only a fistful of men.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb055.jpg

Driving his men into one last charge, Methodios felt another victory was within his grasp.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/1090Zagreb059.jpg

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/ZagVict-1.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Zagreb/ZagSack.jpg

[Ferret]

The battle for Smyrna was a simple affair. Hypatios allowed the rebels to venture some way from the walls, under arrow fire from the Trebizond archers, before ordering forward the spearmen. At the same time the heavy knights of the two nobles' guards charged in on the sides causing a mass rout. It did not take long for the knights to capture or kill any remaining enemy.

https://img385.imageshack.us/img385/6735/lotrhi2.jpg

[_Tristan_]

Wrong thread :oops:

[Ituralde]

Capture of Sinop 1093:

Day before the battle:

Christos Nikopoulos felt uneasy. As son of the wife of the nephew of the brother of Pavlos Chrysovergos this connection had been enough for his parents to get him this position in the army and on the other hand enough for the older man to take an interest in him. Joining the personal retinue of an Imperial general who had campaigned across Anatolia several times had been an honour and from what he had learned so far it was infinitely better than having to serve as a foot soldier. But he felt singled out by his great-uncle. He surely had more experienced men in his retinue but he had somehow taken a liking to the young man and decided to make him is personal teaching object. So while most of the other members of the retinue were following their tasks, Christos found himself in the command tent right beside Pavlos Chrysovergos. On the table in front of him lay a sprawled mess of maps and various Scout reports. Pavlos attention was fixed on a single piece of parchment he was holding in his hands.

"Bloody Sultanate of bloody Paphlagonia! What do those fools think they're doing. I told you those Turk riders would mean nothing but bloody trouble. If they even remotely consider this possibility we could find our camp surrounded not only by those sallying idiots but also bloody Horse Archers! I don't need to remind you what they will do to us on open ground!? Our heavy Kataphraktio will tire out before we even reach them while they can pick off our infantry at their leisure!"

Another messenger enters the tent as this moment, a bit hesitant he salutes in front of the general.

"Strategos! The Council of Sinop has refused our offer. They won't let us enter the city and.. and they're complaining that we stopped all food coming..."

He is interrupted by Pavlos.

"Well what do they bloody think! This is a siege for heaven's sake! Bloody Sultanate of bloody Paphlagonia! I'll show them! A shame we can't attack today, but first thing in the morning we'll enter that city! Let those Horse Archers come then!"

"But we could attack, couldn't we? You made me do the rounds and the men are ready, the first ram is finished and there's plenty of light left."

Pavlos turns to Christos, who already regretted his decision to speak.

"Ah, can't do that lad, I'm afraid. See, I didn't shave this morning and already Alexander the Great told his men that it's important to shave before a battle. So your enemy can't grab you by your beard you see! Well you will see tomorrow either way!"

Wondering why Pavlos couldn't just shave right now, Christos decides to keep silent this time.


Day of the battle:

Christos was sitting his horse a little bit uneasy. So this was battle then. The spears were deployed in front of them, one regiment manning the ram, while their archers stood in loose formation to their left. Flame arrows were being lit, to lower the enemies moral, so his great-uncle had said. Slowly the ram was moving towards the single gate. Apparently there was nothing to do but wait now. Seeming to have guessed his thoughts Pavlos speaks up.

"This is where we pray my boy! Pray that those arrows don't light up our ram. Otherwise this will have been the shortest assault in history."

Sure enough the first volley of flame arrows from the defenders was going down on the ram, some of them extinquished on impact or bounced uselessly off the layer of wet leather. Others struck true though and burned brightly on top of the ram, he did not even want to think about those that missed the ram but hit the soldiers, some of them bursting to flame and running around like a living torch before dying. With the second volley sweat was trickling down Christos spine. So this was battle then.



Hours seem to have passed or had it only been minutes. Sweat was running down his face in waves now and Christos tried to put the recent events in order in his head. The ram had not burst in flame and battered down the gates. Once open Pavlos had called a charge from the cavalry. The defenders had positioned their Trebizond Archers right behind the gate without any protection from their spears. The charge had been short and bloody and the enemy archers soon fled. While their own Spearmen were still entering the city the defending Spear Militia had decided to charge, at least part of them. It had been a bloody mess as Spear Militia fought against Byzantine Spear, before Pavlos had taken his men around the side of the troops, attacking some more Archers that had formed up behind their spears before turning on the now surrounded infantry. Their general had been with them and had already fallen. The last remaining Spear Militia had occupied the city square and the Byzantine Archers had opened. Drawn by this the Spear Militia had charged and was now entangled with their own Spear in the street in front of them. With a numb feeling Christos watched the slaughter taking place in front of him, when suddenly his great-uncles voice could be heard.

"Come with me! Follow me! We'll get them from behind!"

With that he whirled his horse around to leave the immediate scene of battle. After the harsh sounds of battle the empty streets of Sinop were a little too quiet and Christos heard nothing beside his own breath and the clapping of horseshoes on cobbles. After an eternity they reached the town square from another side and could see the Spear Militia in front of them. Shouting out their furious rage the Kataphraktoi charged into the back of their enemy!

The following events were a blur to Christos. Pavlos screaming rage beside him. Pavlos' horse faltering, going down throwing his rider in a large bow towards his enemies. Pavlos slamming into the Spear Militia. Pavlos getting to his feet while men with spears were closing in on him. Pavlos drawing his sword, realizing too late that the fall had broken it in half. Another man, himself actually, storming forward with his horse to save his great-uncle.


Day after the battle:

"You did well my son! See a good general always needs someone at their back. Someone they can trust and rely on, someone that will help him break the enemy, even when his own sword has broken first. I will make you my Sword Bearer Christos Nikopoulos, you have done well!"

Christos smiled proudly, he hardly felt uneasy anymore.



Due to technical incompetence you don't see the victory screen here.
You have to believe my word that it was a clear victory. Roughly 400 men were deployed on each side, while all Rebels perished, Pavlos lost 80 men to his enemies spears and bows.

[Privateerkev]

Antioch 1096

Makedonios stood on top of the wall. 1500 men were arrayed in front of him. Mainly light infantry, archers, and light cavalry. But there were a lot of them. Even though he had the biggest army in the Empire, he was still outnumbered 2 to 1. Below him, gathering at the gates, was his army. 4 spear regiments, 2 archer regiments, and 2 peasant regiments from Nicosia. Also, a noble had walked up and asked to join in return for sanctuary for refugees he was escorting. Makedonios was happy to have him for, they needed all the help they could get. Outside, Armatos and 3 Sergeants waited way off to flank the enemy.

"Alright, let's get this started."

Out his men went out the gate. They formed a line outside the walls. The enemy ran up the hill overlooking the city.

"I see they won't make this easy for us. Advance! And signal Armatos to form on their right flank!"

Up went the flags. Armatos, Nathanail, Iakovos, and Bart ran their horses along the line of the hill and parked on the enemy's flank. The army formed up in a line. Deeply outnumbered, they started marching up the hill. Makedonios and the new guy formed on the enemy's left.

The enemy had more missile troops than Makedonios had soldiers. He knew he had to close the distance fast. He ran the spearmen straight up the middle. And he ordered all Order members to charge the enemy's flanks, which were light arab cavalry.

Then disaster struck. The army had been feeling slighted since their officers were locked away. They still had not been supplied, and they were led by a man sick with pneumonia. They did not appreciate being run up a hill towards an enemy twice their size while taking missile fire.

Makedonios's entire army routed. Every single foot soldier decided to run back to the city. The only ones who stayed to fight were the Order members. Makedonios, coughing all the way, charged his unit into a unit of archers. He paused from swinging his sword to yell at his flag man to give the signal.

While the enemy was busy chasing Makedonios's fleeing army, his Order members had circled behind them after dispatching all the enemy cavalry. Basically, the enemy, while huge in number, was drawn into a sack. 6 units of bodyguards charged up and down the enemy line.

Seeing the nobles get into the thick of it, and hearing Makedonios's call to rally, many of the army units reformed and ran back into the fight.

It was brutal. The enemy, still around a 1000 strong, was slowly coming apart under repeated charges from the Order members.

Seeing Iakovos outnumbered and in trouble, Makedonios charged right into 2 regiments of the enemy. Bart came in from the other side. In the melee, Makedonios was swarmed by the enemy who tried to drag his horse down. One bodyguard charged into the group and freed his lord from certain doom. More of the enemy regiments collapsed on Makedonios, Iakovos, and Bart, but Armatos charged in from behind with Nathanail. Off in the distance, the new guy was seen chasing fleeing enemy to make sure they kept running.

"Well, he is getting off to a good start," Makedonios said aloud as he caught his breath. The enemy was in full retreat now. He looked over at the bodyguard who saved his life.

"What's your name soldier. You did well."

The large man simply said, "I am Nick. I simply did my duty my Lord."

Makedonios laughed. "Well, you did it well. How would you like the job full time? I tend to get into the thick of things so I can use a man to hold my shield."

Nick simply nodded. "It would be an honor Grandmaster."

Armatos and the Sergeants gathered and they all followed the army back into the city. Finally, they had earned their right to be here...

Mak gained the brave trait and a shieldbearer retinue in this battle.

[OverKnight]

The Assault on Bucharest, 1092


At Bucharest, the Imperial agent could not find sympathetic citizens to open the gates, as the city was further from Roman influence. The city would have to be taken in a siege assault.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/abuchdeploy.jpg

Having built three rams, the Basileus ordered them to be concentrated against the southern wall away from the gate, instead of the gates themselves. "Wood is wood," he was heard to comment. Aleksios did not wish to force a breach against the enemies strength, but rather bring his entire force into the city at the weakest point of the defense.

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While two units of rebel infantry had moved to defend the wall, they fell back when multiple holes were opened at the same time. Aleksios pursued, perhaps rashly, and was able to run some of them down with his bodyguard.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/cbuchcavhold.jpg

Much of the rebel garrison, which had fallen back to the square, leapt at the chance to engage the Basileus. He was in danger.

However, two regiments of Roman spearmen had split off upon entering the city. With all eyes on Aleksios, they were able to enter the square unopposed. . .

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/dbuchinfflank.jpg

. . .and take the enemy in the rear.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/ebuchcrush.jpg

Cut off from their rally point and surrounded, the rebels were soon crushed.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/fbuchvic.jpg

[OverKnight]

The Defense of Bucharest, Part I, 1095

As if out of nowhere, a horde of Catholic rebels, aided perhaps by their co-religonists further west, had sprung up near Bucharest. It was a massive army that dwarfed the Basileus's force, if not in quality, than in quantity. Facing a decision of whether to defend his new conquest or fall back, Aleksios chose to preemptively attack the rebels and blunt their drive on Bucharest.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/arebdeploy.jpg

Attacking at dawn to surprise the rebels, the Basileus deployed all his horsemen, including his bodyguard, forward of the infantry and archers. In this battle, at least, the infantry would serve as bait, drawing the rebels forward. The cavalry would flank and harry the rebels as they advanced.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/brebinit.jpg

Aleksios did not expect to win the field, but he had several goals in mind.

First, elimination or reduction of the rebels' missile troops, caught in the open in front of their main line.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/crebarchcharge.jpg

Second, whittling down the numbers of the rebels through charges of oppurtunity and horse archer fire into their flanks.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/drebspearcharge.jpg

Third, seperating the rebels only unit of cavalry, their commander's, from the main body of infantry. The rebel cavalry pursued Aleksios's bodyguard after the Basileus had wiped out some spearmen. Feigning retreat, a Turkish tactic passed onto him by Apionnas Vringas, the Basileus drew the commander away from his men.

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Fourth, preservation of Aleksios's own infantry. Though the Roman archers got a few volleys in, the footmen were forced to flee the field.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/frebinfrun.jpg

Unfortunately, the archers held their place a moment too long and some were killed before they could retreat.

The fifth goal was the elimination of the rebel leader and his cavalry. Having drawn him out, Aleksios pivoted his bodyguard and charged them back into his pursuers.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/grebturnattack.jpg

A unit of Skythikon assisted, firing arrows into the backs of the rebels as the two leaders fought. Soon enough, only the rebel commander was left, running for his life.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/hrebcaprun.jpg

He was run down by the faster Skythikon and killed.

The sixth goal was for Aleksios and his army to escape the field intact and retreat back to Bucharest. Though his cavalry was very tired, they managed to evade the rebel infantry and head back east.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/irebcavretreat.jpg

The battle would go down as a defeat, but the rebel leadership had been destroyed and their army, despite a few remaining archers, made one dimensional. The Basileus had no doubt he could exploit this once they arrived at Bucharest.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/jrebclosedefeat.jpg

[OverKnight]

The Defense of Bucharest, Part II, 1096


The large but undisciplined rebel force of Catholics, despite the loss of their leader and many of their archers, was now besieging Bucharest. The Basileus let them build their rams and then sallied at night when their guard was down.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/a2buchdeploy.jpg

The infantry and archers were gathered at the gate facing the beseigers. They would be held there for now while the Skythikons and Aleksios's bodyguard sallied from the gates to either side.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/b2buchinit.jpg

As the Roman cavalry approached the flanks of the rebels and the infantry sallied underneath the protection of the walls, the remaining rebel archers advanced to shoot.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/c2bucharcheradvance.jpg

That was a mistake.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/dbuch2deadarch.jpg

The Skythikons fired into the flanks and rear of the rebels while Aleksios charged into straggling units. The rebels made half-hearted attempts to catch the cavalry, but without horsemen of their own it was mostly futile.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/ebuch2shootandcharge.jpg

This cycle continued for a time, wearing down the morale and numerical superiority of the rebels. Aleksios and his bodyguard had slashed in behind the rebel lines to kill their rebel commander and his contingent of militia. However, the Skythikons were now running out of arrows. The infantry and foot archers were summoned forward to help with the coup de grace.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/fbuch2infadvance.jpg

Without the direct leadership of Aleksios, however, the footmen advanced a bit to closely to the rebels and were charged. No doubt the Catholics were happy to have someone to fight on their own terms.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/gbuch2linesmeet.jpg

But incessant missile fire and charges had taken their toll on their morale. Aleksios and the Skythikons rammed into the rebel rear as the infantry lines met. Despite some Roman losses, the rebels broke.

They were run down alomst to the man. Bucharest would remain in the Empire.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/hbuch2heroic.jpg

[_Tristan_]

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
Near Belgrade, 1098

The plume of dust some distance away was the first sign that Methodios had of the presence of riders ahead of them on the road. Ordering his men to spur their horses forward, they galloped towards over the hill that cut them off from seeing who was raising that dust.

Reaching the top, they saw that the dust had come from a score of riders. The men had stopped, having surely noticed the cloud of dust lifted by the galloping horses of Methodios’ troop.

“They are Romans” Bjarki said, next to Methodios.

“Yes…” Methodios answered, a troubled look upon his face, brought by the coat of arms adorning the shield of the riders downhill.

Sensing that something was amiss, Bjarki questioned his commander. “What’s wrong ?”

“This is Anastasios Neokaisareitis… The Butcher of Belgrade… I didn’t expect him to be here… Last I heard, there was an army marching on his castle…”

While they were talking, the riders had turned their horses around and they were heading uphill towards Methodios and his men.

They stopped a short distance away, in a billowing cloud of dust, their leader marching his horse forward until he stood a few meters away from Methodios.

His helmet was hung to the pommel of his saddle and Methodios could see the shock of recognition on the other man’s face, certainly mirroring his own.

“Hail, Strator…” the last word said with a sneer “Funny meeting you here… How is the weather in Zagreb this time of the year ? Last I heard, it was raining arrows…”

Raucous laughter erupted among the men behind him, the insult obvious.

Keeping a cool countenance, hiding his disgust for the man, Methodios answered : “And are you running away or just taking a stroll in the countryside, Comes ?”

“Bah… Belgrade is all but lost… Why would I remain behind these walls ? To get myself killed… Nah… And what would that accomplish ? Keeping some sheep-shaggers from claiming this stinking hellhole from some other sheep-shaggers… Not worth it, in my opinion…”

“But these are the men you were sworn to protect, they are your responsibility”, Methodios interjected.

“Don’t start lecturing me, Tagaris… Though you may have delayed the fall of Zagreb by pawning it to the Hungarians, it will fall nonetheless and what of your beloved “responsibilities” then ? I prefer my course of action… I’m not running away… I am going for help… That is the only sensible course of action.”

“But don’t you see that before you’ll be back, the enemy will already be over the walls…”

“So what ? That will only mean we’ll have to take it back from him… I’ve done it once already… I can do it again…”

“Do you at least know how many men are marching on your castle ?” Methodios asked.

“Of course… My scouts reported no less than twenty companies… Five units of cavalry, though only one is heavily armoured, the rest are footmen with spearmen and archers in equal parts and the remainder being some rabble… Sheep-shaggers, I tell you… Though they are in numbers, I have to admit…”

A cry rang out from behind Anastasios. “Riders !!”

The two generals turned to look to the west where the man who had cried out pointed.
A group of riders had just reached the top of the next hill and were heading their way.

When the men had approached, it was clear they were Byzantine soldiers. The newly-arrived skythikons stopped a few paces away and their leader rode towards the two generals, giving a sharp salute.

“Captain Manuel Konstanpoulos, reporting.” Not knowing who had the command among the men facing him, the captain looked somewhat bewildered.

“What are your orders, captain ?” Methodios and Anastasios asked in unison. Dark stares were exchanged.

“I was ordered to ride to Belgrade and help in the relief of the siege that was to take place there. I am only part of the advance guard. More men are coming this way.”

“See, Tagaris… I was right… Why should I have remained in Belgrade and be killed ? Who would have taken command of these men then ?”

“Perhaps… But I will not wait and see the people of Belgrade suffer a second time… Captain, I have new orders for you. Follow me…” Methodios said, turning his horse northward, “ To Belgrade !!”

Sparing a single glance back to see if the horse archers followed, Methodios saw that Neokaisareitis was also flogging his horse, ordering his men forward, chasing after Methodios.


******



Gilbert de Nangis had left his French holding in Burgundy, the call to defend Christianity from the encroaching Byzantines not appealing to him so much as the chances of getting some pillaging done.

Now, he found himself besieging Belgrade at the head of the largest force he had ever commanded in his life. True, most of it was only some rabble gathered along the road but still there were a few professional soldiers with them, enough so that he felt confident the siege would be over soon.

His scouts had informed him that the governor of the castle had fled some time earlier, leaving the defence to what seemed a small garrison of untrained men.

To him, Belgrade was just a step away from Constantinople… He would be richer than the Pope, once the city fell… Or at least that was what the man standing next to him had promised… Thick set, with a heavy dark beard, the man had been appointed as his second in command by Lydham himself. He claimed to have been Byzantine but seeing how he seemed to despise them, Gilbert had doubts. However, the man knew the country and had led them unerringly towards Belgrade, bypassing Byzantine outposts and patrols, taking them utterly by surprise.

“So, Joseph… When shall we launch our assault ?” asked Gilbert, a smug smile born of his certain victory spread across his face.

“Let’s starve them some more… They’ll surrender… No need to lose some of our men… We’ll need them for Constantinople”, the thick set man answered, seeing once again the greed spread across the French captain’ s face.

A soldier saluted next to Gilbert.

“Speak, soldier…”

“Sir, our scouts report a Byzantine cavalry force heading our way.”

“Riders ? Here ?” Gilbert was taken aback.

“How many ?” Joseph asked.

“About 100, half of them kataphraktoi…” the soldier reported.

“That’s surely all they have been able to muster… They must want to relieve the town… But their scouts have underestimated our numbers… I say we ride and face them some distance from the city, wouldn’t do to give a false hope to those poor sods behind the walls, now would it ?” said Gilbert, with an eager smile.

“I don’t know… There is something wrong, I can feel it…”, Joseph answered, idly scratching at a large scar that crossed his left forearm.

“Bah, what could go wrong ? We outnumber them 15 to 1… Sheer numbers will win the day”

Gilbert began issuing orders, walking his horse among his officers, rousing the men, leaving Joseph to himself.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098BelgradeDeploy.jpg


******



To Methodios and Anastasios, it had turned into some kind of race… Each of them was eager to prove that he was the bravest of all…

When one let his horses rest, the other would overtake him but before long he too had to rest his horses and so went the circle, until they crossed one last hill and saw the rebel force assembled down below.

It seemed as if the rebels had abandoned the siege to march against them. Methodios was slightly in the lead with Anastasios and the skythikons following close behind.

“Over there !! Look !!” Giuliano pointed to the distance, way behind the assembled army.

Methodios reined in his horse, seeing Anastasios halt his own right beside him.

Looking in the distance, he could barely discern the presence of a small company of men, though they bore the Imperial standard proudly.

“The fools…The brave fools…” Methodios muttered.

“See… Sheep-shaggers… I told you so… And you wanted me to die with those dimwits… No, thank you.”

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade029.jpg

Down below, the rebels also had noticed the presence of the small Belgrade garrison at their back.

They saw their chance. If the garrison was here then the castle was undefended… Even the cavalry could do nothing to save the city in time.

Before orders could be issued, the rebels turned around towards Belgrade, totally oblivious to the riders’ presence, the orders of their officers totally ignored.

The skythikons began to unleash a hail of arrows into the back of the retreating rebels.

Sensing an opportunity, Methodios lashed his charger forward. A quick look back showed him Anastasios spurring his own horse.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade002.jpg

“The man has guts, that’s for sure…” he thought.

Methodios couldn’t believe the sheer size of the number of men assembled at the base of the hill…

“It will be like kicking an anthill !!” Bjarki roared by his side, mirroring his own thoughts.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade004.jpg

The next thing Methodios heard was the shrill cries of the men pierced by lances, the dull thud of the horses’ hooves impacting on shield and the metallic clashing of swords as the footmen tried to strike at the riders. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Anastasios and his men joining the fray to his right.

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On the other side of him, Methodios noticed some mounted sergeants closing on him.

“Back !!”, he ordered, shouting at the top of his lungs.

His men obeyed as one and he saw that Anastasios was doing the same.

The sergeants were giving pursuit, gaining time for their brethren to advance towards Belgrade and the lone defenders.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade007.jpg

Intent on catching Methodios, the sergeants were not prepared for Anastasios and his men turning around and charging them.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade008.jpg

Once Anastasios had charged among the lightly armoured riders, Methodios and his men charged, causing panic among the sergeants. They grabbed their reins, turned their horses around and fled.

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On the other side of the battlefield, more light cavalry had reached the assembled peasants that had gathered enough courage to leave the walls of Belgrade, however foolish that had been. Not prepared to the violence that a battle could be, leaderless, the men soon broke and run for the safety of their walls, leaving many of their comrades dead on the field.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade030.jpg

Finally beginning to realize where the main threat lay, the rebels began to listen to the orders bellowed by their commander and reorganized to face the charge of the kataphraktoi.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade011.jpg

Unrelenting, Methodios and Anastasios charged their men into fray, Anastasios dealing with the right wing of the enemy and Methodios with the left.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade012.jpg

Seeing that none of his men were up to the task of dealing with the kataphraktoi, the rebel captain launched his own bodyguard forward at Anastasios who turned to meet him.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade013.jpg

Seeing how the situation could turn the whole battle, Methodios rushed to the rescue of his fellow Senator.

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A fierce melee ensued.

Suddenly, in the midst of battle, Methodios found himself confronted by a man in what was unmistakably an armour of Byzantine craftsmanship although it bore no markings whatsoever.

The man struck at him with an heavy mace, denting Methodios’ shield. “Was that armour looted or is that some kind of traitor ?” Methodios wondered, while parrying the furious blows the man sent his way.

Turning his horse around to find himself on the shield side of the man, Methodios sent a blow that tore half of the man’s helm, uncovering an ugly face, contorted by hatred and anger, awash with blood from the cut Methodios’ sword had made on his forehead.

Methodios was taken aback… Surprise nearly got him killed when one of the man’s comrades struck at him. He just had time to dodge and strike back. The melee had carried the man and his horse away.

But even with that simple glimpse, there was no mistaking that face : it was Joseph Tarchaneiotes, the once Byzantine general and traitor for ever.

To Methodios, it seemed that time stood still while things began to make sense : why Zagreb had been chosen as a target by the main body of the rebels, why the uprisings had managed to happen both in the Balkans and in Anatolikon… If Tarchanieotes was involved, things began to make sense.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade015.jpg

At the same time, the skythikons charged on the group of archers that had remained behind the main formation of the rebels, routing them.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade017.jpg

A charge by the rebel footmen forced Methodios and Anastasios to break the engagement for fear of getting bogged down.

Among the rebel riders left, Methodios had time to see that Tarchaneiotes was still on his horse, along with the rebel captain.

Disengaged, Methodios and his men charged at the spearmen that marched against them, killing them almost to a man.

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Soon, the rebels began to break… What they had believed to be a simple siege turned into a debacle, with demonic riders swooping down on them from all sides.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/1098Belgrade023.jpg


******



Sitting on his horse on a hill out of the way, Joseph wiped the blood that went on running from the gash on his forehead. By his side stood Gilbert de Nangis, his helm off, a distant look upon his face.

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“I just can’t believe it…” Gilbert muttered “Par la barbe de Charlemagne… The town was hours only a few hours ago… And now, my army is obliterated and we are on the run…”

“Now you see what you’re up against…” Joseph answered “Never underestimate the Byzantines…”

Down below, he could see the kataphraktoi chasing and rounding up the last of the routers.

“At one time, I thought you had seen a ghost, Joseph…” Gilbert said.

“Yes… A ghost… Always there to haunt me at the worst of times…”

“Look !! They’ve spotted us !!” Gilbert cried suddenly.

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“Come on… Ride as hard as you can… We must not let them catch us… We have to get back to Lydham.” Joseph answered calmly before spurring his horse.

Soon the riders were chasing them. Their pursuers’ horses were almost exhausted, while their own had had time to recover and finally outdistanced them.

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******



Methodios watched angrily as Tarchaneiotes and his companion receded in the distance. His horse refused to go any further, making pursuit all but impossible.

Soon he was joined by Anastasios and his retinue.

“There is one thing to say for you, Tagaris… You know how to fight… A bit too soft in my opinion but still good to be around you in this situation… I just can’t believe you lead me into this…” Anastasios said, extending his hand, a smile beaming from a face that was covered in blood and gore.

“Comes…” answered Methodios, clasping the proferred hand “You have earned my respect… You are truly a great fighter… A bit too bloodthirsty perhaps but in this kind of situation, I’ll admit there is some point to it…”

“Will you join me and rest in Belgrade ? There is largely enough room to accommodate you and your men… Though I maintain it is a stinking hellhole only fit for sheep-shaggers…”

“I’ll take you up on your offer… We’ll need some well-deserved rest.” Methodios answered, his gaze lingering to the west where Tarchaneiotes had fled, towards Zagreb.




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https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Belgrade/BelgradeStats.jpg


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******

[Ignoramus]

*placeholder for the sally at Sinop*

[Ituralde]

1107 Assault of Trebizond:

Pavlos stared glumly into the shaving mirror propped on a chair in front of him. Slowly, deliberately he pulled the razor over his cheek. They were gaunt, the lack of food had taken its toll on him and also on his army. Without looking up he adresses the young man that had just entered the tent.

"Did the men shave?"

"Yes, uncle!"

Pavlos nodded gravely. "Tell me, Christos. At the last full moon, did it have a reddish cast and did an owl pass by it three times from the East?"

"Well, I couldn't say about the colour, uncle, but there was definitively no owl."

Pavlos sighed heavily. "'Tis bad luck, you know that. Attacking an enemy without observing the proper signs is more than dangerous. It's bloody foolish!"

"So you keep saying, uncle!" There was a short moment of silence, punctured by the returned scratching of the razor. Slowly the young man continues. "The foraging parties have returned, uncle. Seems that between the Rebels, the Turks and us we have stripped this land to the core. There's no more food to be found."

Pavlos sighed again. "This leaves us no choice then! We attack today! But mark my words, bad will come of this!"


http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/30d1d453dfe0d00bb61771e819036022b0be275d.png

The saddle squeaked as Pavlos readjusted himself on the horse, trying to observe the advance of his soldiers. It seemed like the enemy had decided to huddle in the square in front of the castle.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/a16663237d9e2c04c92c1749fc37300a3a054553.png

This left the walls undefended. With only one Ram needed for the gates, the Royal Army advanced. Spearmen ready to enter the Castle and Archers ready to rain fiery death upon the enemies!

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/a0c46a7cf52d0e2f25e458f583e3e12eb72a91f7.png

"You know Christos, the beauty of our situation is the following. Normally we would be at a disadvantage, facing Horse Archers without any significant cavalry of our own. They would whittle us down from afar without us having any chance to reach them. In this case however, our enemy has decided not to make any use of its superior mobility. Instead they stay put and wait for us to get them. Sometimes a battle is tricky, sometimes it is easy. And on rare occassions the enemy general will hand you victory on a silver plate, because he ist just too bloody stupid!"

And that's exactly how it happened. The assembled Turkish Horse Archers were slowly whittled down by Byzantine arrows.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/88a0cc3dbca50b2db1bb75b5ac2687acfbe2938d.png

Already half their number lay dead by the time the gate was breached by the ram.

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With Pavlos Chrysovergos bodyguards leading the way the Royal Army stormed the Castle.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/ed7506aba3703fb31bbcbcfd98ffb5cdd2452743.png

While the Roman soldiers were still positioning themselves for the final attack a flame arrow caught the enemy commander.

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The remaining, demoralized Horse Archers were crushed in one final attack.

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/e69fd9d5c350b67a720f008676446b77d8477792.png

The Royal Army was victorious!

http://screenshot.xfire.com/screenshot/natural/0179e34a47b4b22f3edcc3e856f7ec958f914117.png

Trebizond was occupied peacefully!

[Privateerkev]

Battles for Adana 1 & 2: 1110

Makedonios strode into his command tent as soon as he arrived back in the province from the Senate session. Glad to be back out in the field, he checked with his regimental captains. At his command were 3 regiments of spears, 2 full regiments of archers and one at quarter strength, as well as one unit of Turcopoles. While away at the Senate session, his men had built a ram and 5 sets of ladders. He also had Iakovos with him. Bart had left for the Crusade only days before so now it was just down to the two generals. Makedonios laid out his plan to the regimental captains and Iakovos.

"Alright men, listen up. We have 1 Turkish general in the castle. And a small army just pulled back from the frontline to attempt to relieve him. The army is made up of 4 spear units and 3 horse archers. We could fight them in the field but I have a better idea. We're going to rush the castle, take the walls, and wait for the enemy to come to us."

It proceeded as planned. A spear regiment ran the ram up to the gates while archers ran ladders to the walls. A regiment of spears ran ladders off to two far sides of the castle. The horse archers formed a wall protecting the ram from behind while Mak and Iakovos each rode off into the field in opposite directions. The enemy army appeared directly behind the army. As the ram was battering at the gates, the 3 enemy units of horse archers charged in. Makedonios, Iakovos, and the Turcopoles easily beat off their attack. They ran to the gate, were blocked by the ram, and were captured.

Then the 4 enemy spear regiments walked up. By this time, the archers were up on the castle walls and started peppering the enemy. The 2 flanking spearmen Makedonios had sent to opposite side walls had gained the walls and were climbing down into the castle. A couple of charges from the cavalry and the enemy spears were running. Again they were stopped by the ram and captured.

Now with the enemy army out of the way, it was time for the general. Makedonios ordered his spears to set up at the two roads into the center, with a general opposite the spears to flank. And his archers moved in to pepper the Turk. But, enticed by the walking spear unit, the Turkish general charged. Makedonios ordered the men out of the way but it was too late. 50 spearmen died at that spot. Makedonios charged the general from behind while Iakovos ran through the square, down the road, and hit the general in the flanks. The other spear units caught up and it was just a matter of grinding the general's unit down. Him and his men refused to surrender.

After the battle, Makedonios was attending to the wounded. Nick walked up to him with a piece of parchment. "M'lord, I found this on the Turkish general. His name was Evrenos Urgencli. He must have been part of the royal court. He had this." He handed Makedonios the parchment. Mak looked at it for a moment. "Now we know why the army came back to try to save him. This is the Turkish Sultanate's Privy Seal."

Makedonios stood up. "Situation report?"

Nick took out a list. "The castle was occupied upon your orders. It went well with no problems. We've rested our men. Their spirits are high after the battle. The prisoners were released but we have a problem. They immediately reformed outside the walls."

Makedonios thought for a moment. "We'll never be able to leave this area with that army still there. Looks like we'll have to go back out and fight them again.

The army formed up. 3 spear units were in a line with the 3 archers behind them. Makedonios rode on their left flank while the Turcopoles were on their right. Iakovos rode way out on the far right to flank. The enemy marched up with the remnants of the last army. What was once roughly 500 men was now around 200 facing Makedonios's 550.

It was over fast. While the middle held, the cavalry charged on the flanks and captured the army again. This time, Makedonios went up to the captain. He had learned some of their language during his time here.

"We have defeated you for the second time. You really should go home."

The Turkish captain looks at him worried. He has been told that horrible things will happen to him if he is captured. He pushed his luck the first time and he was not sure if he would be released a second time. "We were under orders to protect the settlement and aid the noble that was there. We heard what happened at Smyrna and Antioch."

Makedonios pulled the Privy Seal out of his tunic. "Well, those things won't happen here. Now, you and your men need to leave this area. Take your kingdom's Privy Seal and hand it to the Sultan. Tell him Adana is no longer his. Tell him all of Anatolia will be administered by the Empire. Feel free to take some provisions for the journey. If you have any wounded, we'll provide carts and bandages."

The captain nodded. "I will tell him. And thank you for sparing an old soldier and his men. Allah will not forget this."

Makedonios shrugged. "It's just what one soldier does for another. I have no quarrel with you. It's your Sultan I have a problem with. Once you put your weapons down, I will treat you as any other."

As the prisoners walked off, Makedonios went back to Adana to tell Iakovos the good news about his promotion. Then it would be time to leave again and head back to Antioch before the Egyptians got there.

OOC: The Turkish general really did have the Privy Seal. Between the two battles, Mak got some cool traits. He gained Renowned Victor, Compassionate Victor, Bent on Glory, Fair in Rule, and Feels Appreciated. :2thumbsup:

[Ferret]

Siege of Iconium

https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1345/16068784ia4.th.jpg (https://img530.imageshack.us/my.php?image=16068784ia4.jpg)

Ioannis commanded the main assault of the city, along with Zigavinos, meaning Hypatios knew little of what happened there, other than it ended in a long slog in the city plaza. Hypatios himself took a few units of horse archers and hoped to lure some of the enemy out of the walls on the other side of the city. In this he was very successful as the Sultan himself came forth, bringing his royal guard. Hypatios was in no mood to be beaten though and the Sultan's men were killed along with himself. As the last of his guard retreated back to the city they also provided Hypatios and his men with a way in. After entering the city he joined the main assault and gradually killed the rest of the Turkish army.

https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/6874/80843876jl4.th.jpg (https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=80843876jl4.jpg)

Ioannis had been wounded in the battle, though not badly, and so the fate of the settlement was left in Hypatios' hands. His second in command and newly appointed sword bearer notified him that the men were under control and an occupation could be achieved.

"And why should we spare these heathens?" Hyptios asked scornfully, "let the men take what they want and kill anyone bearing a muslim icon."

His swordbearer was shocked, "But my Lord, Senator Ameplas personally requested you garrison the settlement peacefully!"

"And why should I take any note of what he says? I follow Ioannis' orders, not his."

"Then what of the Edict? It is forbidden for anyone to slaughter the populace!"

Hypatios stared coldly at him, "Some laws have to be broken, for the good of the Empire," He began the killing himself and over 6000 muslims living there were eventually put to the sword.

https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/2407/30550936fc4.th.jpg (https://img397.imageshack.us/my.php?image=30550936fc4.jpg)

[Kagemusha]

Battle of Transylvanian hills

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After returning from the Capital to meet his men on the foothills of Transylvania, Ioannis was in Morbid state of mind. All he had got from the capital was insults and blessings from his peers to return to the North and if plausible stay there, as they deemed him as madman, because he supported ruthless actions towards the enemies of the Empire. Ioannis didnt understand the hypocricy of the other nobles as he saw it. Thinking what would it differ to murder,loot, rape and pillage enemy cities in form of sacking them, while exterminating was such a horrible deed, in his mind mercy for the enemy was nothing but a sign of weakness.

After arriving to the Transylvanian basin, Ioannis met his men near the ruins of a small village, which lie in ruins, small batches of smoke still rising to the sky while heavy rain pounded the countryside.

"Men, did you raze this village?"

Ioannis asked, but before anyone could answer the old man who had been following Ioannis like a shadow for years now answered his question.

"No. This is work of a rebel army led by Hungarian Magyars. That army has been moving across these hills killing ,burning and sacking everything which has crossed their path."

After hearing the words of Petrus, the expression on the face of Kantakouzinos became more bright and he said.

"And where is this army? By the looks of it, it cant be far away, if there is still smoke rising from the ruins."

Hector, his second in command replied.

"They are not far. There is a fresh trail of tracks moving North from here. I dont think we are more then three hours behind them, while what i can tell from the tracks, majority of that army is marching on foot."

The eyes of Kantakouzinos lighted up as he said.

"Men we will hunt down and kill these rebels."

Hector watched his master with disbelief in his eyes and replied.

"But Sir, from the looks of it, they have something like 20 times more men then we have."

Ioannis watched his loyal servant to the eyes and sayed in a loud voice that everyone could hear.

"Isnt this as good day to die as any? If someone is afraid of death then stay behind. I have no desire to live as coward."

After saying those words, Ioannis started galloping in the direction of the tracks immediately, leaving his shocked men behind. After a second of stupor, Hector rode after him and after him the rest of the men followed.

The weather was getting worse and worse. The sky was full of bolt of lightnings and the rain poured heavily upon the landscape. After two hours of riding, the small force of Ioannis catch the rebel army as it was climbing one of the countless hills of Transylvania. From the opposite hill Ioannis flew an arrow from his war bow, which struck one of the men of the rebel rearguard.After a short confusion, the rebels saw that the arrow had came from the direction of the small group of Ioannis. The rebel army quickly turned around and started marching back towards the hill the Bysantine force was situated.


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As Ioannis saw that they had gotten the attention of the enemy, he pulled back behind a glump of trees and started quickly riding along the side of the hill so he could see the whole rebel army from its right flank.

The rebels saw the Bysantine banners moving to the right up in the hill and started turning towasrds the flags, while marching forward. Ioannis saw that the rebel commander with his Magyar cavalry was now in the rear right of the army and with quick move moved into that flank and ordered a swift charge against the horse archers, who were mignled together with the rest of the army as it was trying to turn towards the faster moving enemy.

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After the first charge Ioannis howled from the bottom of his lungs for his men to withdraw quickly before they would have to fight the whole army. The Magyars took the bait and rode after him as they thought the small force was fleeing, what little did they know. As Ioannis saw that the enemy cavalry started making distance from the infantry. He ordered a halt and crashed to his enemies with a thunderous charge. One of the first to fall before the Bysantine steel was the enemy commander.

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After short but fioerce fighting the enemy cavalry broke down and fled. At this point enemy spearmen were running with all haste to get in time to support their cavalry, but it was too late. Kantakouzinos regrouped his men and charged straight to the running spearmen with devastating effect.The unorganized spearmen melted away like butter before the Cataphracts.

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After the remaining spearmen routed. Ioannis watched forward as the rest of the rebel army came towards him running. Two units of hallbeard wielding levies, supported by some Bulgarian brignads with their deadly bows. After a short break, The cataphracts of Ioannis rode first towards the halbearders, but just before a clash, they turned right passing the infantry and struck to the bowmen behind routing them.

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At this point the two halbeardiers units lost some heart and moved to high ground, while Ioannis men were mopping up the last of the Bulgarians. Once he saw the enemy marching uphil. Ioannis ordered with calm voice.

"Men, rest now for a bit. Those men climbing that hill are good as dead already. there is no place they can out run us, so lets gather some strength."

So for a bit, the remainder of enemy army deployed on a hill overlooking the valley, while the Bysantine cataphracts rested in the valley drinking beer and wine to kill their thirst, while their armour were covered in their own and the blood of their enemies.

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After a suitable rest. Ioannis watched carefully the enemy position. They were situated on a hill with their left flank facing a small forest. He ordered his men to ride on the side of the hill straight towrads the enemy ans as he had expected the enemy started turning towards him, so the center of the hill remained unmanned. Once close enough, the cataphracts made one final leap riding as hard near the tree line and made it to the left flank to the enemy.

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With one final charge the enemy was brushed off the hill and general rout ensued.

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After about an hour of mopping up the prisoners, the remainder of enemy were tied up and unarmed before the Strator Kantakouzinos, 194 prisoners all together.

Hector asked his master what to do with the prisoners. The answer was short and simple.

"I see many good trees with strong branches on that hill we fought last in this battle. Hang them high, each one of them, i will help you as there are so few of us for the work.

And so by the nightfall the trees of the said hill were heavy with men hanged with the shortest rope, so everyone would get their own piece of rope, their tongues hanging from their mouth, eyes nearly bursting from their sockets, the light dimmed from those eyes forever. Still today the hill is called as the hill of the hanged men in the local dialect.

Butchers Bill:

http://img13.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=38119_rbb14_122_1066lo.jpg

http://img186.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=38127_rbb15_122_17lo.jpg

[Privateerkev]

Antioch 1114:

"Alright, I can creatively use the law too." Makedonios said this to no one in particular while holding a meeting with his regimental captains. He had just been told that the Caesar had still refused to bring the boat back to Nicosia. This meant that his reinforcements were stranded on an island.

"Tell Armatos to turn out from the city. Bring the whole garrison. Since it is doubtful that we will get reinforcements from the Megas anytime soon, we need to meet the enemy with overwhelming force so we take few losses."

War had been declared on Egypt when the Caesar took a ship and blockaded the port of Jerusalem with it.

a week later.

Marshall Armatos brought Nathanail and 4 militia regiments from the city. This bolstered Mak's army to 5 spear units, 2 archer units, 1 horse archer unit, and 3 generals. Everyone met in Mak's command tent.

"All right, listen up people. I want the spears in a line with the archers behind them. We'll be on a hill so just dig in and let the Fatimids come to us. I'll take the near left flank, Armatos goes far left, horse archers near right, with Nathanail far right. Far flankers engage their horse archers. I'll shadow the enemy general and our horse archers provide missle support. God be with you. Dismissed!"

The army formed up opposite the enemy. The Fatimid raiding party had 3 horse archer units, 2 spear units, 1 javelin unit, and an Egyptian family member leading. Overconfident, the Fatimid attacked. Enemy horse archers moved in. Makedonios had his signalman raise the flag to send Armatos after one and Nathanail after another. The enemy general took the bait and rushed Armatos.

"Charge!"

Placed in a perfect position, Makedonios charged into the enemy general's men while Armatos's men hacked away at the horse archers and bodyguards. The horse archer's faded away but the enemy brought their infantry in.

"Pull back!"

Both Makedonios and Armatos pulled their groups back. The army was faring well. Archers were peppering everything in range. Nathanail had destroyed a horse archer unit. The enemy moved it's men towards the army. Makedonios and Armatos circled around, and when the enemy general was alone, they caught him in a pincer. But the enemy kept sending spearmen to save their general. So Makedonios kept ordering his men and Armatos out.

This pattern kept up for a couple minutes. Nathanail went after the third and final horse archer group. The enemy charged a spear unit at the army. And Armatos and Makedonios charged into the general for what they hoped was the last time. Through the fighting, Makedonios saw the enemy infantry running yet again towards their general. He pushed his men onwards into the fray.

"Get to the general men!"

It was wild and chaotic. Byzantine bodyguards grappled upon horseback with Egyptian bodyguards. Nick rode up next to Mak and lifted his shield to cover his lord as a Fatimid sabre clanged on it.

*Cough* *Cough*

Makedonios was struck by a coughing fit. The enemy general saw this and sent his last bodyguards to distract Nick while he rode in on Makedonios. One of Makedonios's men intercepted the enemy general, was knocked off his horse, but lived and crawled away from the stomping hooves. The man had bought Mak the time he needed. The delay allowed Armatos to see what was happening and gallop over to the fight. A few seconds later and Armatos pulled his bloody sword from the enemy general's body and the man slid off of his horse.

After that it was just clean up. The generals split off and ran men off the field. Those who surrendered were immediately let go. Those who ran, were allowed to run. Makedonios looked for the man who saved him. He got off of his horse to talk.

*Cough* "Thank you for saving my life. This cursed sickness has me again." The grizzled veteran was a longtime member of Makedonios's bodyguard but had never done anything distinctive until now.

"It was an honor my lord. We need to get you back to your tent. Here, let me help you back onto your horse."

Caught in another coughing fit, it took the veteran and Nick both to shove Makedonios back up to his horse.

"What's your name?"

The veteran was putting Makedonios feet in stirrups when he replied. "I am Ioannis m'lord."

Shaking his head at the number of Ioannis's in the Empire Mak asked him, "How would you like to be part of my retinue with Nick?"

The veteran warrior smiled. "It would be an honor. Come, lets get you back to the tent."

As Ioannis got on a horse who's rider was down, him and Nick sided up to Makedonios and helped their lord back to the tent.

"Send for Armatos. I want to have a meeting."

*Cough*

Makedonios got the "noble in battle" trait and veteran warrior retinue. And obviously the dreaded 30 year pneumonia is back.

[flyd]

Gather 'round, little children now
Hear the songs of Christendom's defenders!
Hear the song of mighty Markianos!
And his father was a man named Pavlos,
Who fell at the bloody Manzikert,
And grandfather was a man named Thomas,
Who fell in a war against the Arabs,
And the son did fall at Caesarea.
And when Markos had been a small boy
Then the Turk had come in to his home
And he had to flee to Macedonia.
And he loved to drink the good red wine,
Drink it from the early morning sunrise,
Drink it 'till the sun was gone again,
And he loved a woman from the north.
But above all he had been a servant
To his people and to his good King,
And to Christ who was above them all.
So when it came time to fight with the Turk,
He was first to saddle up his horse,
And these are the words he told his love:
"Oh, my love, my darling from the north,
There is no one in this world I love,
There is no one that I love like you.
And my mother has died long ago
And my sister when she was a child
And my father fell at Manzikert.
Not one friend did I have in this world,
Not one friend 'till I had found you.
And you are the one for whom I fight,
'Cause the Turk will never rest his head
'Till he has destroyed all we have,
And so I must go and give him battle
For you and for all of our dear children.
Our son who has grown so very fast,
And our daughter who can now talk,
And the one who's still within your womb
And whom I will never get to meet
If I fall in battle with the Turk.
But please now dry away your tears,
For whatever happens to me now,
I will find you in this very city,
Or I'll find you in Jerusalem."
And he left her never to return.

And he marched his army very far,
He marched over mighty mountains,
And he marched through Anatolia.
And the first of the Turks that he saw
They were led by Davud Oguzhan,
And he killed them down to a man.
Then he came to mighty Caesarea,
And here was the Sultan of the Turks,
And his name was Sultan Mustafa,
And his army was not very big.
But there was another from the north,
A big army coming in to help,
Which was led by Saim Sabanoglu,
Biggest cur there was among the Turks.
And he left his Sultan to be sieged
And he marched his army to the south.
So the time had come for an attack
And the armies were put in the field.
One one side was the brave Markianos,
On the other was the Turkish Sultan.
And then Markos came in front of his line,
And these are the words he told his foe:
"Oh, come now Sultan and be brave,
Do not hide yourself behind the walls,
Do not hide yourself behind your men,
But come here and face me as a man.
And let him who ever takes this fight,
Let him also take this field of battle."
And the Sultan was not with no honor,
So he came to meet the challenge given.
And brave Markos did take up his lance,
And the Sultan did take up his lance,
And brave Markos did charge at the Sultan,
And the Sultan did charge at brave Markos!
So who was it that was hit among them?
Was it Markos who fell off his mount?
Or was it the Sultan falling down?
And it had been Markos who was hit,
But the Sultan had been hit as well!
As the mounts ran off from the battle,
Swords were drawn and battle was on foot.
And it had been in the early morning
That the battle had only begun,
And it went on 'till the noon of day.
And brave Markos still attacked with fury
But the Sultan had grown somewhat weary,
Though he had been of a younger age,
And no longer could he hold his feet,
But he fell and this is what he said:
"Oh brave Markos, bravest of the Romans,
Allah praise you, do not kill me now!
You have won the battle we have fought.
You have won it and can have the city."
And brave Markos was a man of honor,
So he let the Sultan to the city,
And the Sultan was to keep his word,
But his captains who were great big fools
Thought that they could yet defend the city.
When the Sultan ordered them to leave,
They did kill him and then locked the gates.
But brave Markos then did storm the city,
And no Turkish soldier did escape.

And then Markos sat in Caeasrea,
And he drank the wine from dawn to dusk,
And his thoughts were on her whom he loved.
But then came back Saim Sabanoglu,
And a mighty army did he have,
Three times bigger than what Markos had.
And this was no weakly peasant rabble,
Like that which had been the foe at Belgrade,
They had good militia with good training,
Equals of the Romans that were there,
Though they did have five-fold more in number,
And they had some other troops on foot,
And they had so many horsemen too.
Mighty Markos challenged Saim too,
But this coward did refuse to face him,
And this is what Markos told his men:
"In the field, their army we'd defeat,
Though it is big, it's led by a fool.
But there is no need to go to battle
For they'll never storm this city's walls,
And near by is army of Ioannis
And together if we make attack
Then will we lose even fewer men."
But his knights were eager for a fight,
So they said that he was only brave
With his numbers greater than his foe's.
And this had been untruth that was spoken
And brave Markos wouldn't have it said,
So he put his army into battle,
And the Turk had done the very same.

"Forward, Forward," Markos said,
"Forward 'till you've found them."
But the Turkish horses came
On the left and on the right,
And the arrows came from left
And the arrows came from right,
And they fell on horse and men
And men and horse both then fell,
But the army pressed on forward.
And they hit the Turkish line
And they hit it on the left
While Markos took the horsemen,
Took them flanking on the left,
And when they went up a hill
That is when they made their dive
Made it on the Turkish line!
And the ground wept its tears
As the hooves upon it beat,
And the Turkish line did buckle
And the Turkish line did break
On the left in any case.
That is when they took the center
Took to fighting in the center,
And again the same was tried.
"Charge them, charge them," Markos said,
"Charge them, charge them yet again!"
And more Turkmen took their feet
Beat a very quick retreat,
And it had been half their army
That lay slaughtered on the ground
That lay bleeding on the ground.
But it had been a black day
When the Roman courage faltered!
And it had been the damned Bulgars
Who were first to run away,
And militia followed them
And the horsemen after them,
And it was the Trebizines
Who were last to run away.
Only Markos and his knights
And the brave Armenians
Had been left there in the fight.
And they all fell one by one,
'Till it had been only Markos
That was left there in the fight.

And it was that Markos lost his mount,
Mount died and Markos fell to ground,
And it was a great sin then committed
That a hero's head was cut away
And his body lay among his men.
And this was the song of Markianos!

[Ignoramus]

*placeholder*

[Cecil XIX]

*placeholder*

[Kagemusha]

Battle on road to Nicae

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Young peasant called Nicophoros was anxious. The affairs in Nicae had been bad for the peasants for a while, because of hard taxes and young men being taken away to fight for the Empire.

He was on his way to join the rebellion, when South from the spot, which was agreed as the gathering point of recruits, Nicophoros met his neighbour Savvas. Without a weapon, clothes on blood and expression of fear on his face, Savvas yelled to the other man, noce he regogniced his neighbour:

"Throw that spear away and go home boy!"

Once Savvas came close, Nicophoros asked what had changed the mind of his neighbour to fight the Empire and Savvas told him what had happened.

" Our scouts saw the group of Cataphracts coming from Nicae, from far away and we were prepared with good defensive position on the base of a mountain.

The Cataphracts came closer and stopped. The leader yelled us:

- Go home! Throw your weapons down and go home! I am the hangman of Carpaths, Ioannis Kantakouzinos! Go home or i will drive you there!

We laughed at that man from our position and yelled back.

- Come and get us! Or cant your horse carry all that armor up here?!

The rider said nothing after that and formed his men. After a minute of silence, the Cataphracts charged on our spearwall and after the first charge, again and again and again. We killed atleast 7 of those men, but they would not just stop. After each charge there was less and less of us standing, while the crazy Cataphracts kept coming like our spears did not exist. When it seemed that their horses were getting tired. The leader of the Cataphracts halted his men and rested, while we could not go anywhere.
Then they came at us again and once our leader Georgios was butchered by one of those bastards, the men could not take it any more and we run. Little good that did to us boy, little good. The horse men came after us spearing, slashing and trambling men under their hooves.
In the end there was 22 of us left alive captured by the Imperials.

The leader, that son of a female Dog walked to us, took of his blood stained helmet and said.

- Didnt i tell you to go home?

Well..No one dared to say anything to him, so he continued.

- Now. I just impale your dirty excuses of rebels on stakes here on this bloody mountain, but it must be your lucky day. Im letting you scum go. With one condition. If i ever see another uprising in this province. I will kill you, your families, your dogs, livestock. I even kill the mice from your shacks. Now run, befiore i change my mind and never show your ugly faces to me again, Run!

And so we run, each to our own direction and that brings me here. So now lad, lets go back to our homes and forget the whole rebellion business, or that madman will surely keep his word.

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[Privateerkev]

Antioch 1122:

One thing about fighting out in the Levant was the dust and sand. It was every where. It floated in the air. It sat on your horse. It got in between the fittings of your armor. It was omnipresent.

Makedonios looked down a hill and saw a vast sea of sand. And down there was the enemy. The last Fatimid Jihad army in the area was waiting. Two had originally come to Antioch to get to Anatolia. One led by the Caliph himself. And one led by a general. Makedonios had killed the general in the first battle. That army, leaderless, had fled and ran to the boats. It sat out in the sea now, having dropped out of the Jihad.

That just left the Caliph and his army. Mak saw him down there with his army. The Caliph had a ballista, over 40 of his bodyguards, 2 groups of cavalry, and a lot of infantry. Behind and to the right, Mak had set up the army. Four battered infantry regiments protecting four battered archer regiments. With two half-strength regiments of horse archers to support. Makedonios, Armatos, Nathanail, and Iakovos were far off to the left. When the enemy walked towards the far off army, they would present their flank to the Order members.

The Grandmaster looked around with pride. He was honored to yet again lead such men into battle. To his left was Armatos, his second in command. To his right was Iakovos, newly arrived from Adana and fresh for this fight. Farther to the left was Nathanail. Between the four of them, there were around 60 bodyguards. The army walked by, leaving the Caliph and the ballista behind.

"Charge!"

The four members and their men ran down the hill. Armatos charged into the ballista crew. Makedonios and his 18 men charged the Caliph and his 43 men. Horses and men crashed into each other. While the Caliph was kept busy, Iakovos crashed into his flank. Nathanail took on a small group of Arab Cavalry that tried to aid the Caliph. With the artillery crew run off, Armatos crashed into the back of the Caliph's bodyguards. It took multiple charges from the men, but eventually the Caliph's bodyguards fell one by one. Makedonios saw a couple of bodyguards surround the Sultan and kill him.

Meanwhile, his army had been fighting off by itself. Battered and without replacements, the army was not doing well. But with the Sultan, artillery, and cavalry all gone, the Order members could simply charge into the enemy infantry from behind. One by one, the enemy units ran. Makedonios ordered his men to let them run. They would be no further threat. Antioch was once again secured.

The Caliph killed in this battle was SS's Caliph. He was the Sultan and had the "Caliph of Cairo" title. He is not the same Caliph from the story thread. Think of it like the King of Jerusalem or Prince of Antioch. The "Caliph" in the story thread is very much alive. But the Caliph in SS is now dead and there is a new one. I'm sure it will sort itself out. :D

In this battle, Mak got a Heroic Victory, Battle Marker, filled out on chevrons, "Major new victory," "Bent on glory," and "Can tell a tale." :2thumbsup:

[Andres]

The Battle at Corinth - 1122

Early in the morning.

Savvas was in his tent, enjoying his first goblet of cooled wine of the day, when a messenger arrived.

"Mylord, Crown Prince Abu Bakr has lifted the siege and is currently terrorising the peasants of the Pelopponesos."

Savvas empties his goblet.

"So, the coward is running away? Assemble the men! I want Fatimid blood on my armor by tonight!"

"Yes sir!"

The messenger, encouraged by the selfconfidence of his general, ran out the commanders' tent and spreaded the word.

In the meanwhile, Savvas took another goblet of wine.

"I hope this won't be the last one I drink. I heard rumours that this Crown Prince is an experienced general. Oh well, guess I was a bit naive thinking that my military career would be limited to butchering stupid rebel peasants."

Later that morning, near noon.

" General! We have spotted the enemy! They are lined up and waiting for us."

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Savvas divided his infantry in two seperate groups and ordered his two regiments of horse archers to position themselves on the left flank.

Before the battle the slightly drunk Savvas walked a bit further. Staring in the distance, he spotted Crown Prince Abu Bakr.

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" Look at him! Just look at him! Have you ever, ever seen an uglier nobleman than that Crown Prince Abu Bakr? To think that I have emptied five goblets of wine before this battle and he's still ugly as hell! I mean, after 5 goblets of wine, even our smelly friend Nikiphoros here..." Savvas grabs one of the spearman and looks at him "... even our smelly friend Nikiphoros looks like an irresistable lady of questionable morality of one of the finest brothels in Constantinople!"

The men bursted out in laughter and Savvas continued...

"Hey Crown Prince! I said you are ugly! Heck, I would rather spend an erotic night with Grandmaster Makedonios and share his pneumonia than having to smell that ugly, stinking swine of a Fatimid Crown Prince! Men! Take your spears, swords, bows or whatever tool you are using. It's time to put those ugly Fatimids out of their misery. Let us show mercy and kill them all!"

The men sheered.

Savvas yelled : "Forward!"

He commanded the Horse Archers to attack the right flank of the enemy.

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"No fire at will men. Concentrate your arrows on their desert cavalry. A goblet of wine if you manage to shoot at least 10 of them in their [inappropriate word for a certain private part].

The Horse Archers attacked and took out the desert cavalry on the right flank.

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Allthough one of the regiments routed, the Horse Archers managed to also take out most of the desert cavalry positioned at the left flank of the enemy army.

While Savvas and the infantry were still marching, he spotted a well known flag.

"Ha! Good ol' Aleksios didn't want to miss the party, I see. Over here mylord!"

Aleksios joined Savvas' troops and they pursued the remaining desert cavalry.

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After having driven away most of the enemy cavalry, both noblemen and their bodyguards moved fast near the left flank of the enemy army.

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When the Byzantine infantry got into melee with the Fatimid infantry, the voice of the Byzantine general could be heard all over the battlefield.

"Here, you ugly bastard! I, Savvas ek Militou, am coming for you and I'm going to put you out of your misery, you infidel ugly swine! Come over here, you stinking pig!"

Savvas and Aleksios charged into the well trained bodyguards of the Crown Prince.

The outraged Crown Prince managed to severely injure the bold Savvas, but he didn't see the sword of Kristophoros, Savvas' loyal bodyguard.

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After the Crown Prince died, the spirit of the Fatimid army was broken and the battle was over soon. Savvas routed the enemy of the battlefield, cursing them.

"Get over here, swines! Don't run away, I will end your misery! The nerve of that Crown Prince! Injuring me! How dares he, that ugly bastard. After this is over, I'm going to stab my sword into his ugly corpse again and again and again and I will burn it and..."

Savvas fell of his horse. Was it because of the wine or because of his wounds, nobody could tell...

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175 prisoners were ransommed back for 768 florins. A note accompanied the prisoners:

"I'm not going to do your work, put them out of their misery yourselves!"

[_Tristan_]

Blood Raven
Alexandria, 1125

Muhammad sat behind his stall in the main market of Alexandria. His stock was almost empty. The siege of the Crusaders had taken its toll. He had been able to resupply when the first wave had been defeated but had barely had time to gather enough supplies to last a few days before a second wave, more numerous had appeared, coming from the cost.
Though his stall was almost empty, Muhammad was happy. The scarcity of food allowed him to reap large benefits. Benefits he already envisioned invested into a caravan of camels to trade the riches of the confines of Egypt.
Muhammad displayed proudly the green armband of the Defenders on his arm, granted to him by the city council for his participation in throwing off the Crusader’s assault. Many in the city had taken up this sign of recognition, as a show of pride and faith.
A clamor was suddenly raised at the other side of the market where the palace was found. Looking in that direction, all that Muhammad could see was a flurry of activity. Emerging from one of the alleys, Muhammad spotted Rasheed, his associate, running like a madman, the man also sporting a green armband.

“Muhammad…” Rasheed called, out of breath “They are taking the captured crusaders out…”

“What ?” Muhammad was non-plussed “But why ? They’re not freeing them…”

“No… Don’t worry… The guards are going to send them to their God… And we’re allowed to take part… I’m going… And you ?”

Muhammad didn’t think long before following in Rasheed’s wake, running in pursuit of the crowds that followed the guards. In the middle of a group of guards, Muhammad managed to see an ox-driven cart on which a metal cage contained a score of men, some standing, targets of small stones thrown by children, some sitting dejectedly. Muhammad could see that all wore black and gold tabards with some sun design on it.

Finally they went through the south gate, the gate which led to the main camp of the Crusaders.

In front of the gates, a line of guards kept the crowds at bay from great crosses planted in the ground. The cart crossed the line and the escort guards opened it and began flogging the men out of the cage. They drove them to the crosses and began tying them up.

From his vantage point in the crowds, Muhammad could see that the men were badly bruised. Most were hanging limply from the ropes that tied them to the crosses. Only one seemed to have gathered enough strength to raise his head and stare defiantly at the crowd, his gaze then going to the distance where his countrymen were encamped, a quarter of a mile away.

Absorbed in the contemplation of this man’s bravery, Muhammad didn’t hear a word of what the guard captain said. Only the last words caught his ears.

“… leave the punishment of the Infidels to you, people of Alexandria… Defenders, walk forward.”

A great many men, with ages ranging from youth to elders, stepped forward, crossing the line of guards, Muhammad and Rasheed among them.

Muhammad could now see that small piles of stones had been gathered everywhere in front of the crosses. So that was to be the fate of these men… Anger welled up in Muhammad when he thought of the unwarranted aggression of the so-called Crusaders, the cause of the death of so many good Muslims and a continued threat to all Egypt. Stooping down, he grabbed a large stone and with a cry of “Allahu Akbar”, threw it at the man nearest to him, the one that had stared so defiantly at the crowds. The stone took him on the side of the head, drawing blood and stunning him. That first stone was all that the crowd had waited for and a hail of stone pelted the tied-up men.

Sometime later, the piles of rocks had been depleted. The men on the crosses all hung limply, their bodies turning black from the many bruises, blood streaming from cuts.

Muhammad’s fury slowly abated and he contemplated the work done. Seemingly, all the men were dead.

“That will teach them” said Rasheed by his side. “Let’s go… It’s over…”

“Go… I’ll stay a while” Muhammad answered.

The crowd slowly began going back through the gates, its anger and frustration spent.

Only a small number of guards kept a picket around the crosses.

Muhammad remained a moment looking at the bodies of the men sprawled on the crosses.

“Teach them… I fear they would need much more to learn their lesson” Muhammad mused.

Finally turning around to go back to his home, Muhammad spared a look towards the Crusader camp. On a small hillock, an arrow throw away, a small group of men dressed in the Byzantine fashion were sitting on their horses. One walked his horse a few paces forward.

Sensing the man’s gaze hovering on him, a ripple of fear wracked Muhammad’s body.



******

The same day, at evening.

After witnessing the lapidation of the Crusaders, Methodios had walked back to camp and gathered his captains, Solomon among them.

He had wanted to wait some more before launching the assault. They were not enough siege weapons to lead a decisive assault but what had happened today had strengthened his resolve. Some of the tortured men may still be alive and he had to rescue them.

Orders were dealt out : the latinkons would drive the ram to the east gate under the cover of night, while Solomon’s sergeants and his Byzantine guards would launch an assault on the west wall, with the archers’ support.

The cavalry would remain facing the south gate, to lure the garrison to that same wall.

Night had fallen and with it a light wind had blown rain-ladden clouds from the sea. Rain began pouring down, when Methodios ordered the advance.

The attack took the Egyptians by surprise. The events of the day had made them confident that the Crusaders would think twice before attacking.

All their forces had been gathered in their quarters near the central plaza.

The latinkons managed to drive the ram to the eastern gates undetected. On the other side, ladders went up and men began pouring on the walls just as the spearmen of the militia themselves reached their stations.

A fierce fight started on the western wall while on both sides archers shot arrows upon arrows at the milling mass of men.

Sending Solomon and the skythikons to the East gate, Methodios took the lancers with him and headed west.

Seeing his arrival, the Byzantine guards broke from their fight with the militiamen and managed to seize control of the western gate, opening it.

That was all Methodios had waited for and both his retinue and the lancers launched themselves through the gates. Making for the main square of the city, they were met by the Egyptian cavalry.

Methodios ordered his lancers forward to the square while he dealt with the engaged cavalry.
Cutting a swath through the Egyptian riders was easier said than done and many of the lancers fell from the javelins of the mounted shooters. They finally broke through and entered the plaza, threatening to capture the city.

At the same time, the ram finally broke the eastern gate and the Latinkons poured through into the streets of Alexandria, unopposed. The Egyptian dismounted lancers sent to defend the said gates had turned around back to the plaza, intent on reclaiming it from the Byzantines.

The battle was uncertain. On the western wall, the Byzantine sergeants broke and ran down the ladders to the safety of the plain.

Then, all of the sudden, the tide of the battle turned. Methodios managed to kill the captain of the garrison and finish the last of the cavalry while on the western wall the two units of militiamen broke and ran for the central square. Byzantine guards gave chase and led them directly into Methodios’ waiting men.

At the eastern gate, Solomon saw that the Latinkons had secured the access to the city and rode forward with his men.

Now, what remained of the defenders had taken place on the plaza, intent of going for a last stand.

(OOC : I encountered a bug at this time. A unit of desert archers was split in two with 4 men remaining on the walls while the rest occupied the plaza. This prevented me from charging or attacking them with cavalry, but I could still target them with arrows, hence a shooting duel…)

Methodios and Solomon were only too happy to oblige and led charges after charges into the massed ranks of spearmen, under a barrage of fiery arrows.

Desert archers had taken up position on the roofs of city buildings, putting them out of reach of the Byzantine crusaders, except for their archers.

(OOC : I encountered a bug at this time. A unit of desert archers was split in two with 4 men remaining on the walls while the rest occupied the plaza. This prevented me from charging or attacking them with cavalry, but I could still target them with arrows, hence a shooting duel…)

Byzantine guards went sent to root them out and succeeded when they killed some of the men that had taken up position on the high western wall. The rest of the archers then got down the roofs and ran to the plaza, where they were cut down by the cavalry like the rest of the garrison.



******

Bjarki found Methodios sitting on the marches to the governor’s place, nursing a nasty cut on his left cheek.

Lifting his head to his veteran companion, Methodios asked. “How many men have we lost ?”

“One hundred twenty-one… Most of the losses were suffered by Solomon’s men… Though we have lost around twenty riders and around thirty footmen…”

“Go and tell him he’s done some good work here”

“I will… What do we do of our prisoners ? I asked the city council to pay for their freedom but they refused…”

“Kill them… Kill them all…”

A dark expression settled upon Methodios’ face, while he thought about the events of the day.

“Round up all the men of the city and gather up all those wearing those green armbands…”

“What shall I do with them ?” inquired Bjarki.

“Make them Blood Ravens…” Methodios said, in a coarse voice. “And seize their properties. The Empire will need every penny we can extract from this place if we are to secure our hold of these lands…”

Bjarki was taken aback by Methodios’ orders.

“But Methodios, sacking of a Crusade target is forbidden by law…”

“I know… Just as exterminating cities was some years ago and still… I will face whatever consequences… These people deserve every evil we can act upon them for what they did today… You have your orders…” Methodios said, grim-faced.


******

Muhammad was roused up from his sleep by the noise of battle reverberating through the city. Quickly getting into his clothes, he ran outside to witness the assault of the Crusaders.

Panic caught up with him and he ran back inside to lead his wife and kids deep into his cellar under his house. Then, fetching his old scimitar from the wall, he ran into the streets intent on fighting and killing the Infidels.

He hadn’t gone two streets from his home when a group of riders appeared in front of him. Before he had time to hide, the horses were upon him and a he was struck a blow on the head.

Pain erupted in his skull and he dropped to the ground. Blood thumped in his head, his vision blurred then darkness fell.

Howls awoke Muhammed. His head hurt like hell and he noticed he was tied up and lying on his side on the ground. Opening his eyes he saw many others of the city inhabitants, tied like him. Looking around him, he could see a ring of Byzantine soldiers keeping guard upon the group of men. All of the prisoners around him wore the green armband of the Defenders. A quick count enabled Muhammad to estimate their numbers at two thousand. Whimpers could be heard all around and a smell of slaughterhouse permeated the air.

Another howl sounded in the distance. Muhammad wriggled on the ground to see what was happening.

On a raised platform on the other side of the plaza, two Byzantine soldiers were holding a man kneeled while a third man covered in blood and armed with a large knife made large cuts into his back. Then sheathing his knife, he reached bare-handed into the man’s back and tore out his lungs which he unfolded on his back.

Horror at the sight made Muhammad faint, his last thought being that the kneeling man looked so much like some Christian angel…

(OOC : though chivalrous by nature, Methodios also has the “Fine with blood” trait which explains such actions…)

[Ramses II CP]

East of Cairo, 1125.

The onrushing years had not been kind to Vissarionas ek Lesvou. The scar across the top of his head had thickened with age, causing him constant discomfort and spreading hair loss down the sides of his scalp. His closest friend and servant Rafi had grown into a man in his own right, but there was a wedge of distance between the two of them that the passage of time was worsening. Vissa often wondered now if Rafi would remain by his side after the Crusade.

Ahh, and there was the matter of that Crusade. Back in Constantinople, with fire and fury in his guts, Vissa had imagined a single clean stroke to wipe away the sins of the infidel, protect the holy places of Orthodoxy, and, in his heart of hearts, reclaim Aliya's favor for himself.

It had not been so simple. First he had spent a fortune from the funds secured in Cairo to hire Genoese craftsmen and sailors to crew his vessel. They had claimed to be in Constantinople waiting for the German crusade to pass so they could hire on. In fact, as Vissa discovered only after weeks aboard the ship, they were rebels against the Milanese who currently governed Genoa and had been existing as little more than pirates. They swore their changes to his ship would help it outpace his comrades in arms, but how was carving a lewd statue of a half fish woman on the prow supposed to help? Vissa had grown up in a little island fishing village and so had no fear of the water, but neither was he a sailor with any knowledge of the open sea. Once they lost sight of the coast the lives of the Crusaders were completely in the hands of these Genoese 'rebels' and their odd notions of safe sailing.

For one thing they insisted that the soldiers drink an astonishingly vile tea, vowing that it would keep them hale during the long voyage. Vissa had refused, though even Rafi eventually developed a taste for the stuff. Halfway through the trip Vissa had then developed an affliction of sores and weakened teeth. Three of his had fallen out. The rest of the men remained healthy, but Vissa could not shake his illness and spent long days alone in his cabin. The sailors called it scurvy, but privately Vissa thought it might be a curse from God for the increasingly crude dreams he had of his time with Aliya.

Then Vissa had discovered that among the sailors it was common to... lie... with one another after a certain amount of time at sea. The men swore up and down that it was lucky, that it was necessary, that it prevented trouble on the ship, but Vissa, sick of the sea, sick of the scurvy, and sick of the disgusting habits of the men of Genoa absolutely forbade it. Five sailors had to be hung at sea, and eight more took lashes, some more than once, before the practice came to an end.

Then there was the whale, or perhaps The Whale. The less said of it the better.

At last, at long, long last, Vissa and his men had reached the coast. Not first, not fastest, but perhaps the better for it. The death of Kosmas Mavrozomis gave caution to all the remaining crusaders, though it was a steep price for the warning. During the march south he had joined forces with his Order mates, Stavros ek Amarinthou and Varthomlomaios Ksiros. At last they were within sight of the walls of Cairo. At last the end was nigh!

Aliya's perfume seemed to drift in the very wind. Vissa walked about in a state of heighted excitement. The other men took it for religious fervor, or for the end of his scurvy affliction, but in truth his every waking thought was driven by the desire to again hear her voice, again feel her skin against his own. He gave no sign of it, none, and so men mistook the reddening of his cheeks for a passion for God, and called him 'little father' and Priest Vissa, half seriously.

The Egyptians in the area had all stood aside from the Crusaders, not challenging their ride across the countryside to the bridge. Vissa had wondered at this, seeing that Cairo was their capital and nearly in reach. Once they had finally encamped at the bridge, however, their plans became clear. Forces on both sides of the river abruptly moved to make an assault on the Crusader's camp on the eastern bank of the river.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOuM6cTZI/AAAAAAAALxw/mCepgrqhud0/s800/0000.jpg

Stavros, the most experienced commander and by mutual agreement in overall control of the army, had a good cover of scouts out on both sides of the river. His men reported that the force on the western bank was comprised of only a few companies of light infantry and archers, while the army advancing on the west bank was far larger and led by a Saracen noble. Stavros' snap decision was to abandon the camp and force the bridge against the weak blocking force immediately. With a bright sun lighting the morning sky to the east Stavros and his company of Lancers thundered onto the bridge, fully expecting the enemy to lash out with a storm of arrows.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOvP0lr2I/AAAAAAAALx4/3gvw4pMWuHA/s800/0003.jpg

The Egyptians, however, obviously had strict orders to hold the bridge at all costs. All four companies of men rushed onto the bridge and engaged Stavros' heavily armored men at close quarters. The slaugher rapidly became immense as horses shoved screaming Fatamids into the river and General Amarinthou's guardsmen butchered the lightly armored infantry.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOwdvSrLI/AAAAAAAALyA/07D07Hpokyw/s800/0004.jpg

Vissa and Varthomlomaios had, meanwhile, ridden away up the east bank of the river to delay the arrival of the second Saracen army. With a vengeful roar the two men led a galloping charge into the advance guard of light infantry and Turkomen, scattering and killing dozens before pulling back with the enemy general and his cavalry in close pursuit.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOxoLWpmI/AAAAAAAALyI/l-zUFbU8CiY/s800/0005.jpg

At the bridge the first company of Egyptian archers broke, throwing down their weapons and attempting to surrender. When their captain turned away from the battle for a moment to attempt to rally them Stavros personally leaned far out of his saddle to nearly behead the man, shattering the will of the remainder to fight.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOyrNK6jI/AAAAAAAALyQ/Zg5v3TOVC78/s800/0006.jpg

All that remained was to chase down the fleeing remnant and hold them at the point of a sword.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMOzZku6FI/AAAAAAAALyY/0jfIL9oCs3I/s800/0009.jpg

Behind Stavros the remainder of the army crossed the bridge, the Great Cross company trailing behind, and set themselves to receive the assault of the second Saracen army. The spearmen pushing the cross left it at the mouth of the bridge as a symbol of defiance in the face of the infidel. Stavros knew well that if the worst should occur, if the army should be pushed back from the bridge, the men would fight to the death to reclaim that cross. Soon Varthomlomaios rejoined the main body of the army, the Saracen attackers having slowed behind him to await their infantry. Of Vissa there was no sight, the two groups of guardsmen having split at the far end of the bridge.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO0SxQN4I/AAAAAAAALyg/P-Iv6x5OzqA/s800/0011.jpg

North of the bridge, alone on the east side, Vissarionas and his guards rested atop a small hill and watched the Fatamid general ready his assault. A small, near broken company of Turkomen were harassing Vissa's men with light arrows, but otherwise he stood unopposed. Gathering his Bedouin light cavalry the enemy commander decided to try to force the crossing himself, perhaps because he could see that Stavros' banner was far to the rear of the army capturing the last of the blocking force.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO1MHmYrI/AAAAAAAALyo/5_nH3VsSq28/s800/0013.jpg

It was a horrific error. The timbers of the bridge were drenched in the blood of Saracen light infantry, making footing uncertain for the horses and giving Stavros' archers ample time to thin the numbers of the light cavalry now crossing. The Great Cross prevented a true charge from forming, though the horses made their way around it easily enough, and so the enemy staggered slowly into battle against well prepared spearmen and religious fanatics. Worst of all for them Varthomolaios had momentarily struck his banner to bait them, and he now raised it once more and charged into the battle. The Bedouin, accustomed more to raids than heavy fighting, lost their will to continue the struggle almost immediately.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO2fy0AXI/AAAAAAAALyw/kRC_lzHN_fU/s800/0014.jpg

With only his own scattered guardsmen Surahbil al-Fihri must have known he could not force the bridgehead. He looked about in horror at his fleeing allies, and raised his horn to blow, perhaps trying to summon his infantry to aid him.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO3aSmqKI/AAAAAAAALy4/CcDrtLCazZI/s800/0015.jpg

Then, steeling himself for the embrace of death, he commanded his men to fight to the last.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO4U6CUvI/AAAAAAAALzA/jmtpdwHoQvw/s800/0017.jpg

Across the river the Saracen heavy infantry were preparing to charge to aid their master when a pair of fleeing Turkomen rode by screaming a warning which whipped away, unheard, in the wind. Moments later, while the Fatamids hesitated and their Lord died, Vissarionas ek Lesvou and his guardsmen broke over the hill and swept down on the enemy's light infantry with a crushing charge.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO5GBLqOI/AAAAAAAALzI/1JMyHS0AqIE/s800/0018.jpg

A roaring cheer announced the fall of the banner of Surabhil on the far bank, and Vissa's guardsmen, their work of pinning down the enemy infantry now done, fell back still under the plinking fire of the few remaining Turkomen. As Vissa and his guardsmen worked their way around to pin the horse archers against the bridge the Saracen's remaining captains paused for a moment to consider their position. If they attempted to flee those heavy horsemen were cruising around behind them like sharks, waiting to pick them off, and their Sultan in Cairo would not look favorably on the failure to relive them. On the other hand they still outnumbered the Byzantine infantry on the far bank, and it was even vaguely possible that they might yet rescue their commander and carry the day. Just as Vissa engaged the remaining half company of Turkomen the Fatamid heavy infantry bellowed out a command to their lighter fellows to charge, and several hundred of the enemy began to cross the bridge under a light hail of harassing fire.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO6MGUQBI/AAAAAAAALzQ/Q2E0Zq5qwT8/s800/0021.jpg

Vissarionas saw their renewed determination, and immediately saw what must be done to break it. Commanding his men to ignore and ride through the Turkomen, breaking their ranks and their will to fight along the way, Vissa charged onto the bridge behind the Saracen heavy infantry. Charging into the backs of the well armored Saracens the lances of the Byzantine bodyguard made a terrific noise. Virtually the entire remaining Fatamid force turned to see a Greek banner at their backs, remorselessly churning a path into their heaviest remaining troops. It was too much. Hundreds of them threw down their swords by the Great Cross and surrendered while a very few trickled through or jumped into the river to attempt to escape.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO7J6k8WI/AAAAAAAALzY/zEWucRQEyIg/s800/0022.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO8PVq3eI/AAAAAAAALzg/2O02kp9SKug/s800/0023.jpg

None but a handful of mounted men would get away to carry the tale. Others would later account it a heroic victory for Stavros. For the Crusaders it was a weary mess of a victory, with their camp in ruins, supplies trampled and dmaged, dozens dead, and many more wounded needing care in enemy territory, yet ever after they would speak of that day as one of the greatest of their lives.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO8xf-SRI/AAAAAAAALzo/VynOk1SZup8/s800/0025.jpg

(I had no opportunity to ransom or release prisoners after this battle, so I have no idea what happened to them. If they all got added to the garrison of Cairo they may prove a formidable addition as almost all of the enemy heavy infantry 'survived' to be captured. Check out the modestly jedi kill factor for the BGs.)

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SLMO95HSOoI/AAAAAAAALzw/WsIv_-6P5Zc/s800/0026.jpg

:egypt:

[Rowan]

Battle outside Cairo, 1126

The march to Cairo had been easy. After the battle at the bridge the Fatimid forces seemed to be in disarray and melted before the advancing crusaders. It was almost too easy. Outside Cairo the stake lines were put up and work on the siege engines was begun. The sultan was trapped in his city and the long and tiring crusade would soon be over. Just as the men were settling into the boring rhythm of the siege a column of dust was spotted on the horizon. Apparently all the troops that had been loose on the countryside had gathered together to break the siege. Scouts were sent to investigate and reported that the relieving force consisted of some two companies each of Nubian spearmen, militia spearmen, desert raiders and desert archers. The defenders of the city had also spotted the dust cloud and surmised that this was their chance to break out! In addition to the Sultans personal bodyguard the garrison held two full companies of desert raiders and militia spearmen.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/00-PreBattle.jpg

The crusading army withdrew down a previously scouted valley until it had the high ground and then deployed for battle. At the center-left was Stavros himself with the Great Cross to his right. In front of the Cross were the infantry companies and the first line consisted of the archers. Vissarionas took the Byzantine Cavalry to the right flank while Vartholomaios took the left. The lancers were kept as reserve on the near right.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/01-Deployment.jpg

Superior Byzantine archers began to rain death at the relieving force as soon as they were in range, concentrating their fire on the Nubian spearmen. Meanwhile the Byzantine Cavalry company hooked to the enemy rear, peppering them with arrows.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/02-Archery.jpg

As the Fatimid troops started their climb uphill Vartholomaios initated a charge to their right flank, shattering the first company of desert raiders. At the same time Vissarionas struck the enemys left flank, throwing another company into disarray. The Byzantine cavalry also noticed their chance and struck the desert archers that had stayed behind, killing them to a man.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/03-InitCharge.jpg

Additional charges by Vissarionas and Vartholomaios then broke most of the relieving force. In the end Stavros was also forced to join the fray as the last troop of desert raiders was getting too close to the archer line.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/04-SecondCharge.jpg

The enemy captain and his troops were slain almost to a man...
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/05-KillCaptain.jpg

... which was very fine for the sultan was nearing the battlefield with the garrison.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/06-EnterSultan.jpg

The troops had already started regrouping and the archers aimed their fire at the sultans bodyguard. Vissarionas had been down at the valley mopping up the last of the relieving force and Sultan charged downhill to capture the isolated Crusader. At the same time the charges of Vartholomaios and Stavros ravaged his infantry. The byzantine spearmen re-deployed to the right flank to help Vissarionas as he sped towards the friendly troops.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/07-Melee.jpg

This proved to be unnecessary for the deadly byzantine archers had bled the sultans bodyguard hard and he proved no match for Vissarionas. Noticing that his whole army had been defeated the cowardly sultan turned tail and fled. He managed to escape the battlefield with a single bodyguard.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/08-SultanFlees.jpg

Later that night scouting parties found the bodies of sultan and his remaining bodyguard at a barn a few miles from the battlefield. The sultan had apparently died of his wounds and the bodyguard had then taken his own life.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/09-Victory.jpg

The butchers and their bills
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/10-Stats.jpg

The crusading army marched to the waiting city. The streets were deserted and the shutters tightly closed as the citizens feared what these invaders would do.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrCairo/11-Occupied.jpg

[Cecil XIX]

Placeholder

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Nothing to see here. Wrong post:shame:

[OverKnight]

The Battle of Adrianople, 1129

The night after he heard the Turkish Jihad army had crossed at the Hellespont and was closing in on the capital from the west, it is said Basileus Aleksios had a dream. In it, the Turks had surrounded Constantinople with a massive army. They built gigantic cylinders of iron and bronze that spit fire, rending the once impregnable Walls of Theodosius. The capital was oddly changed in the dream, where there was once a thriving metropolis, much of the city was now abandoned amounting to isolated villages amongst ruins. The defenders were few, and in the that nightmare the jewel of the Roman Empire was taken when a small gate was left unbarred and unwatched. The Turks poured in, and in a valiant but futile gesture, the Basileus threw off his crown and waded in among them to die with a sword in his hand.

Waking from the dream, Aleksios marched out of the city to meet the Turks in the open field. They were led by Sultan Burak and Crown Prince Mehmed as the two armies met at Adrianople.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/aadrideploy.jpg

The Basileus deployed his infantry in two lines with the archers behind. The foot were in loose formation, for the Turks had many horse archers. Skythikon were deployed to either side with Aleksios commanding the right and his trusted man Apionnas Vringas on the left.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/badriinit.jpg

The Turk horse archers advanced on the right. . .

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/cadriharight.jpg

. . .and the left.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/dadrihaleft.jpg

Arrows flew between the two armies as men fell on both sides. The Basileus held his men in position though, waiting to wear down the Turk's skirmishers before bringing his superior numbers in foot to bear.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/eadrijavadvance.jpg

Seeing Turkish javilen men advance towards his own bodyguard unsupported, the Basileus charged.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/fadrijavcrush.jpg

Sending them to flight, he wheeled to the left to charge another unit of them.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/gadrileftturnintojav.jpg

Having returned to his lines, the Basileus charged again when the javelin men who survived dared return.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/hadrithirdjav.jpg

With the Turkish skirmishers worn down, the Imperial infantry closed ranks and advanced. At the same time, Turk light cavalry charged the Basileus.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/iadriinfgocavbackalanin.jpg

The horsemen met, but two regiments of alert Imperial spearmen broke off their advance to catch the Turk cavalry in the flank.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/jadriinflankcav.jpg

After the cavalry was destroyed, the Imperial line reformed to begin their assault on the main Turk line.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/kadrireform.jpg

On the left Apionnas Vringas, no lover of the Turk, led his men crashing into Crown Prince Mehmed.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/ladriapinfleftadvancecrown.jpg

The Basileus, on the other side, swung around the short Turkish line and took the Sultan in the flank.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/madriflanksultan.jpg

The Turkish infantry melted under the onslaught. As they took flight, spearmen surrounded the Sultan and Crown Prince. Over a hundred would later claim they were the ones to bring Burack down.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/nadrideadsultan.jpg

The rout was on after that.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/oadrirout.jpg

Crown Prince Mehmed tried to flee, but he was brought down by the swifter Skythikon. The victory was complete as the Turk army was utterly destroyed.

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb88/douglaslain/Adrianople/padriheroic.jpg

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Road near Alexandria, 1129

After Efstathios heard from the locals that some brigands are robbing everyone who try to enter Alexandria he quickly decided to destroy them. Taking with him his Skythikon unit he marched outside the city to west.

After some time they met some people who said that the brigands are close. Efstathios was surprised to hear that the leader of those rebels is Christian named Henry.

They continued their way to west and suddenly they saw an army over 400 men moving towards them. Efstathios realized that there is no way they could run away nor did he want to run away.

So Efstathios gave a little speech for his men..

"Now we come to it. A few heartbeats and all will be decided. Let us make sure that the decision is OURS!!"

With that he and his bodyguards moved forward to meet the enemy while his Skythikons were sent on his left flank to distract the enemy cavalry. But everything went wrong from the start..

Enemy archers started to bombard them with arrows. One volley after another. And when Efstathios finally got to them he already had lost 2 men. The revenge was sweat though. They cut down almost all those archers.

The mamluks did not however start to chase Skythikons. Instead they turned and attacked Efstathios and suddenly Efstathios and his men were surrounded by enemy. Nubian spearmen closing into them. Efstathios managed to yell to the Skythikons to retreat and soon after that there was just him and Ioannis, his loyal bodyguard who represented him in the Magnaura, left.

https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/laskaris_death.jpg

They killed many others before the rebels managed to kill Efstathios and Ioannis.

"Lets make sure that no greek bastard would never come here again. Cut down their leaders head and put it on a stake. Let it be clear what happens to the greeks who come here!" said the rebel leader known as Henry.

https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/laskaris_defeat.jpg

[_Tristan_]

Battle of the Pyramids
Cairo, 1131

Write-up coming soon

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Cairo/1131CairoDeploy.jpg


https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Cairo/1131CairoVict.jpg

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Cairo/1131CairoSack-Edited.jpg

[Privateerkev]

This battle takes place a couple days after this story. (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showpost.php?p=2012377&postcount=169)

Antioch 1134

Makedonios wakes up with a start from his nightmare again. Instinctively his left hand shoots out and feels nothing. He looks over where she lay just 24 hours before. Leaning over, he can smell her on his pillow. Glancing over her side of the bed, he sees one of her hairpins. It must have fallen out when she undid her hair. He could still see her perfectly. Sitting on top of him and smiling as she let her hair drape over her beautiful shoulders.

A loud bang at the door snapped him out of it.

"What is it?!?"

"Sorry sir but the last reinforcements have arrived. You said you wanted to be notified."

"Alright, I'll be down."

He took a minute to tie a string around the hairpin and hang it around his neck. He tucked it down under his shirt over his heart.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The great hall of the chapter-house had been turned into a command center. Maps and reports were laid out on tables. People ran in and out to give and receive orders. Makedonios strolled in. Someone handed him a cup of mint tea. "Alright, get me up to speed."

Ioannis, his veteran warrior, looked up from the map table and gave his report. "Alright, you, Brother Bart, and 2 units of spear militia are in the city. Brother Nathanail sailed north and has just arrived outside the wall. He has been joined by Marshall Armatos. The Marshall brought both units of horse archers from the Order's army. The peasant archer on the way to the army was turned around and has made it back. The Marshall took the money you gave him and hired 2 units of Turcopoles. Kalameteros took the money you gave him and hired 2 units of Armenian Cavalry and a unit of Alan Cavalry. He sent them towards us and they have arrived not long ago. We have a total of 808 men. Everyone is ready."

Makedonios asked, "What are we facing?"

Ioannis consulted a report. "The Templar army is led by one Manfred Karolinger. They have 7 sergeant spearmen units, 4 peasant units, 3 pilgrim units, 1 peasant archer unit, 2 horse archers, and 2 mounted sergeants. They number 1921."

Makedonios sipped his tea and thought. "Alright, our spears will go out the gate up the middle and sit out of their range. Bart and I will go off on the right. Signal the merc cav to come in on our left. And signal Brother Armatos and get him to bring his men behind the enemy. Draw their skirmishers out and take care of them. Kill their general. Then, unload our arrows on their infantry. When we're out of arrows, we surround them and charge."

He looks around at his men and saw they were eager for battle. "Good luck and God be with you. Dismissed!"

----------------------------------------------------------------------

The battle went as planned. The spears went up the middle and sat. Mak and Bart went off to the right. Merc cav ran in and sat off the near left. Armatos and the rest came in on the far left and ran up across the hill to get behind the Templar army. One mounted sergeant came after Mak and Bart and got destroyed. The rest of the enemy cavalry went after Armatos. 4 units of horse archers laid into the enemy cav and kept up a skirmisher line. Armatos and Nathanail went in and took out who the arrows missed. Karolinger fell off his horse and was captured. The battle was over but the rest of the enemy army did not know it yet.

The infantry just sat there at the bottom of the hill facing the city. The peasant archers and 4 horse archers laid volley after volley into the infantry. When their arrows were finally exhausted, half of the enemy were dead. All of the Order's cavalry took up positions all around the enemy army. At once, they all charged. Hitting the army from all directions, there was a mass rout. Surrounded, most of the enemy fought to the end. Still, 888 were captured.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Makedonios got off his horse and walked over to the prisoners. He turned to Ioannis. "What is the tally?"

"We lost 48 men. Killed 985. We have 888 prisoners including one Manfred Karolinger. And I sent all the mercenaries home on your orders."

The Megas walked up to the Templar general. The man was nursing a nasty leg wound but it looked like he would live. "Sir Karolinger, I hope my men have made you comfortable."

Manfred stared at Mak before relenting. "They have binded my wounds. I thank you." He looks around for a moment. "What will happen to my men?"

Mak shrugged. "They are free to go. Same with yourself. We'll give you a cart and some horses so you can travel."

It is clear that Manfred is surprised. "That is... very good of you. I must say I did not expect this treatment."

Another shrug. "We're all men of God Sir Karolinger. You just worship him a little differently than we do. Plus, I have terms I'd like you to send to your Grandmaster. Tell him I expect the Order of the Knight's Templar to immediately disband. We had been neighbors for decades in peace. Now, in light of your unwarranted aggression, we demand Tortosa."

Manfred chuckled lightly. "I doubt my Grandmaster will take that well. I'll tell him. The Holy Father encouraged us to expand so we could better protect German Jerusalem. We saw an opening and decided to take it. The Levant will be a Catholic Levant."

Makedonios shook his head no. "Not if I can help it..."

Makedonios gained the "quite merciful" trait for releasing the prisoners.

[Ituralde]

Dyarbakir, 1134:

My internet connection ate my screenshots. I'm gonna go looking for them later.

"Ah, they've decided to come out. Get moving!" A pleased smile playing on his lips Pavlos leaves the tent, already tucking on his gauntlets. He was shadowed by his nephew Christos, who once outside, marches off to mobilize the camp.

The scout reports had been a bit sketchy ever since they arrived here. There seemed to be many men under arms arrayed against him. Just this morning it had been confirmed that most of them were Javelinmen and Azabs though. The latter being some form of Turkish Militia. Not high quality, but Pavlos was outnumbered two to one and the garrison of the city would be led my the Lord of Dyabakir and Crown Prince of the Seljuks.

Scratching his clean shaven cheek Pavlos stares up at the sky. He had observed all the rituals and a lonely black raven had been seen coming in from the North and circling the encampment. The exact number was not clear though. His scouts hadn't paid attention. Ioannis Kantakouzinos and his men lay to the north. Did he circle two times meaning that they would reach him today or three times meaning a delay of several days? Grumbling to himself he mounts his horse.

______________


The battle field was on the rolling hills of the Anatolikon. The ground gave way to the South and Pavlos positioned his men as far north as possible. The enemy would have to come at him upslope. The main enemy force was led by a Seljuk Captain with the Crown Prince expected to arrive from Dyabarkir.

Pavlos couldn't wait for them to join the Seljuk forces so his men advanced. The Azabs and Javelinmen were an uncoordinated mess with their famed Horse Archers sprining into action immediatelly. Pavlos led the head of the attack followd by his Byzantine Lancers.

While they engaged the Horse Archers, the Archers from Trebizond rained fiery death on the milling masses of the Seljuk conscripts. The battle was tumoultus but the Byzantines seemed to have the upper hand.

Suddenly the arrows seemed to fall thicker on the enemies and the first of them began to rout. The thundering of the ground spoke of a Cavalry charge and as Pavlos looked to the North he could clearly make out the streamers bearing the colours of Kantakouzinos. It had been two times then!

With the combined force of Byzantine Cavalry, Skythikon and their bodyguards the Seljuks were driven off quickly. Just as the last fled the field the approaching Crown Prince could be made out.

With double the men available Pavlos formed them up in a slight angle blocking the approach of the Seljuk forces. The Bodyguards were stationed on the right flank, lending support to Kantakouzinos Town Militia, while the Dismounted Byzantine Lancers held the left flank.

The rest of the Cavalry was sent to skirmish and draw the enemy into the trap.

It worked beautifully. The enemy was greeted by a hail of arrows from Horsemen and Infantry alike. With the enemy pocketed in the Town Militia and Bodyguards were able to flank the enemy and catch them from behind. The Seljuk Crown Prince chose to impale himself on the Byztantine Dismounted Lancers, occupying the left flank, nothing more.

The fighting was over quickly and the pursuit could begin.

______________


Pavlos face was set in a scowl as he stared up towards the walls of Dyarbakir. He was a grizzly sight, his armour still splattered in blood. In his right he held his sword upright and in his left the head of the recently deceased Crown Prince!

"People of Dyarbakir! I bring you the head of the foreign oppressor that has plagued you for so long! You saw what happens to those who oppose us. Open the doors and you may escape their fate!"

He points to his right from where the moans and cries of death had filled the morning air for the last hour or so. All that remained of the prisoners taken were their mutilated bodies. They had been arrayed in front of the walls and slaughtered by his men for all of Dyarbakir to see.

It took not long before the gates opened to welcome their new Lords.

[Smowz]

Somewhere between Iconium and Adana

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius looked over the battlefield with some confidence. On the inside he was in shreds. For some years Nevoulas had come to be known as a quiet low achieving nobleman of this growing empire. Now it was time to earn his keep.

They say some are born into to greatness and that some have greatness thrust upon them. Late last night Nevoulas' worst fears were confirmed, much like in Rhodes Ioannis was ill. This time however the fever was sudden. With the forces comprised of Asteris very own and given Nevoulas' similar build and hieght to Ioannis it was decided that Nevoulas would ride out in Ioannis battle gear and take command of the units.

The instructions were simple seek and destroy the Egyptian Jihad.

They were found and the battle was set.

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Nevoulas summised that he must keep his ground troops together and huddled up the highest mound in the area. The bloodthirsty jihad would no doubt be enticed into a dangerous and foolhardy charge up there. This would even the odds somewhat between the soldiers of the jihad army and the part time militia of the Asteri army.

Nevoulas would take himself and the other general units with him to seek out the enemy general. He had a feeling that with the enemy general dead the numbers in the Egyptian army would count for nothing.

Nevoulas and Nikiphoras' inexperience counted against them and many loyal men were lost as the 60 mounted units were reduced in number, however a strike by one of Ioannis' bodyguard would take the enemy commander out of play and to a sandy grave.

With this done and the enemy ground forces now invading our poorly equipped forces (albeing uphill) the boduguard units set to attacking from the side and behind.

This proved the decisive move in the battle as the enemy units now leaderless started to los numbers in shocking amounts. It became almost a healthy competition amongst the bodyguard whom could take the most foes. This jihad was OVER!!!!

https://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x62/Smowz/thestatsscreen.jpg

[Ituralde]

South of Yerevan, 1137:

Night:

Azzim watched the cloud of fog escaping his mouth as he breathed. The temperature was freezing and the moist air made his cloth cling. They had been roused about an hour ago. Byzantine soldiers had been seen in the vicinity. Surely this couldn't be right. Their general had been seen moving south towards Dyarbakir. He was probably sieging it right now, if the Crown Prince hadn't defeated them yet. Even then it would take the harshest of taskmasters to rally his men back here in this time. It just couldn't be. It probably was a false alarm.

A faint whirring noise pulled Azzim out of his reverie. He cocked his head to listen. Couldn't that be. Didn't that almost sound like. Turning to his comrade to voice his oppinion he was greeted by a loud tchuck! Azzim stared in disbelief at the arrow portruding from his comrades chest before realization hit him. Gripping his spear tighter he turned towards the foggy night: "Attack! We are under attack!"

Once again Azzim and his fellow Javelinmen were greeted by arrows coming out of the dark night. His comrades fell all around him and it was all that Azzim could do to cling on to his spear as another volley descended upon them. Azzim felt a warm sensation on his hip and realized that an arrow had struck him. Gripping his spear tighter he remains standing while the earth begins to shake. Staring out into the darkness he blinks away the sweat that had appeared on his brow.

He tried to focus and once he could see clearly his eyes went wide! A giant horse came galloping out of the fog It was the last thing he saw before a Byzantine lance gutted him.


Day:

Casim watched the cloud of fog escaping his mouth as he breathed. The temperature was freezing and the moist air made his cloth cling. They had been roused about an hour ago. Byzantine soldiers had been seen in the vicinity. Surely this couldn't been right. They had only laid siege to Yerevan about a month ago and their Southern flank was guarded by a large company of Javelinmen. Nothing would get past them for now. The only thing that would come out of that fog would be their reinforcements. It probably was a false alarm.

A faint whirring noise pulled Casim out of his reverie. The Javelinmen to his left and right looked as preplexed as he did, but as he turned he realized that the Horse Archers arrayed behind them had begun firing their bows. Volley after volley they sent into the dense fog and then he could hear the whinying of horses and the cries of men as they were struck by arrows. Gripping his spear tighter he turned towards the foggy day: "Attack! We are under attack!"

He tried to focus and once he could see clearly his eyes went wide! A giant horse came galloping out of the fog. It was the last thing he saw before a Byzantine lance gutted him.

Here will be Screenshots

[Privateerkev]

Adana 1135:

Makedonios was in his command tent outside Adana looking at a map table. Ever since the Templars started the war, the challenge was ending the war while retaking Adana. Staring at the map, Makedonios got an idea.

"Ioannis, come over here."

His veteran warrior came over. "Yes sir?"

Mak stared at the map. "I have an idea. Have us siege this castle here. But order Nathanail to meet up with the old Order army outside of Tortosa. Tell him to run if attacked. And if pursued, to fight and withdrawal. We need to get that army back out of Tortosa. Now... where are our spies?"

Adana 1137:

The camp outside Adana was a flurry of activity. While people were quickly packing up the headquarters, Makedonios was still staring at his map and barking out orders. Everything had gone perfectly. The Turks sallied at the end of last year and we're defeated. Adana was occupied and back in Order hands. The Templars had chased after Nathanail and their army was now out of the castle. Makedonios smiled. Time for phase two...

A few weeks later:

Makedonios lay behind a sand dune with his army. They had just sailed over from Adana. Over the dune was the castle of Tortosa, the Templar headquarters. The Grandmaster of the Templars had just hired 3 units of Muslim archers but that was it. The rest of the Templars were off chasing Nathanail around the Levant. In the silence of the night, he could hear the muted sounds of battle and then the gate went up. The two spies he had sent into the castle had done their job.

Under the cover of night, the army ran over the dune and towards the castle. Lookouts finally sounded an alarm but it was too late. The whole army ran through the gates. Some spears ran for the Templar Grandmaster while others mobbed the archers as they poured down from the walls. The Templar Grandmaster was brought down in battle and the castle was occupied. The Templars were disbanded.

Next year:

Wanting to do one last thing before his term ended, Makedonios left Theo in Tortosa while he took the army to Acre. Nathanail recruited mercs from Nicosia and sailed them over. The Fatimid's sallied. While Mak's army was ground down to a nub, the castle was occupied.

After occupying 3 provinces in quick succession, word has spread about Makedonios. It became well known that if he captured you, or took your settlement, that you would be safe. The Muslims started calling him "the Chivalrous."

The Levant was almost complete. Only one more province remained before the Order finally fulfilled their Charter...

[Ramses II CP]

Dongola, 1138

Darkness in the desert could be absolute. It was rare for clouds to completely cover the starlight, but tonight not even the thin new moon could penetrate their heavy layers. The heat of the day evaporated rapidly into a frigid, uncomfortable night in which Vissarionas ek Lesvou's guardsmen tossed in their blankets. Vissa himself was not asleep. He sat, facing west, in the darkness and listened carefully to the wind. There was something new in the wind tonight, a ghost of a sound floating over the dunes.

With an abrupt motion Vissa lurched up from his perch and began picking his way through the simply made little camp his men had drawn up by habit. The maps showed a Fatamid outpost guarding trade routes out of the southern deserts, and eventually Vissa meant to capture it, but for now he and the men were simply moving from day to day as their water and supplies allowed. They met no one, being scrupulously ignored by what few Bedouin travelled so far south and avoiding the few farmsteads along the riverbanks.

At the edge of the camp Vissa could smell the horses, but he could not see them. What he could see, in the indeterminate distance, was a faint, flickering light. A fire. Fire meant men, and men could be trouble. With no more thought than that Vissa strode out into the desert, moving quickly but silently across the sands, his feet never pausing nor stumbling as though guided by an invisible hand.

Gradually the tiny light became more clear, and it grew obvious that figures were moving between it and him in a sort of pattern. The sound on the wind resolved into drumbeats. Vissa kept moving closer.

Some distance later another sound intruded on his conciousness, a thin, whining sound, like the warbling of some crude flute. While there were many drums playing there was but a single flute, and it played in rhythmic counterpoint to the drums. When they accelerated, it declined, when they rested it sped ahead with vigor. The effect was matched by the dancing of the men around the fire, who leapt and whirled rapidly when the drums were pounding, but slowed to a more stately pace when the beats subsided and the flute took over.

Gradually Vissa became aware of more men around him in the darkness as he drew nearer to the fire. Their black, dusky skin reflected little of the firelight, but the gleam of their dark eyes was occassionally visible. He was now near enough to the fire to observe the dance and even glimpse the drummers at the edges of the circle of firelight, but whatever made the curious flute-like sounds remained invisible. After a few moments of his watching the tone of the drums dimmed and the keening of the flute sped up, somehow signalling a change in the dance. The men who had been dancing retired and the men around Vissa rushed forward to take their places around the fire. Vissa found himself swept up along with them, and as had become his custom he simply surrendered himself to it.

Quickly then the hammering of the drums picked up once more and the dance truly began. There were no words, no songs, to go along with this dance for such a complex construction would have undermined the elegance of the drum's elemental commands. They instructed the body to move, and the body moved, leaving the mind behind in some other space. Neither the other dancers nor the drummers took any note of Vissa's entry into the dance, they carried on as though he had always been there.

In time the drums relaxed, releasing the dancers, and the flute rose up. Where the dance had been vigorous and energetic, it now collapsed into slow turns and simple steps. In place of that energy the rising frenzy of the flute compounded thought and somehow mimicked the motions of the dance in the mental motions within the dancers. Memories washed over Vissa, showing him scenes from his life in a new light and pushing him towards new conclusions. His sole coherent thought was, 'I have thought too much, spoken too much. I have not listened enough. God is not great? Say simply, God is not.'

And with that the flute's intricate melody withdrew once more and the drums slammed back into life. Vissa and his group rushed away from the fire to stand together in the darkness, breathing roughly but still without words.

Thus the night passed. At one point the group Vissa was with took a turn on the drums, and Vissa felt his way along with no difficulty. At no point did anyone speak. After a period of time impossible to judge the clouds at last scattered overhead, letting through the pale, pure moonlight and in the very same instant the high pitched notes of the flute broke off. The men sat back on their haunches for a moment, looking at each other, but still none among them took any more notice of Vissa than of their fellows. After a few minutes they began to stretch out on the sand, laying their heads on their hands and arms.

In the morning Vissa led the dark skinned strangers back to his camp. His Greek guardsmen were wary at first, but warmed quickly when the new men brought out meat and bread for a meal. Later that day a messenger arrived from the Megas and presented Vissa with an unopened envelope. Vissa tore it open and found money within, which he gave to the new men. There was also a letter, which he disinterestedly allowed to drop onto the ground unread.

Now Vissarionas drove his men on to Dongola with a will, and a siege was quickly put in place. During the siege another message would arrive with more money and another letter, each of which went the way of those before. More of the natives gathered to Vissa's side, and he welcomed them unquestioningly. At last the time came for the assault.

Vissa sent two companies of the foot against the west wall and two against the north wall, while overseeing the battle from a position near the north gate. Progress was good against the men to the north with Vissa there to send up orders, and the wall was soon taken.

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The west, where the Fatamid captain chose to make his stand, was less successful. The men made poor use of their ladders and took a close range shower of javelins before engaging. Eventually the first company of swordsmen broke and ran from their foe. When word of this reached Vissa he immediately rode west to head off the fleeing men, and order a fresh assault. Reaching the runners from his own army Vissa and his guardsmen rode among them killing at will, such that very few of them indeed escaped the battle. Those who did survive would return the next day, unashamedly, and rejoin their fellows.

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With that taken care of Vissa returned to the assault, and oversaw the final destruction of the Fatamid javelineers. No prisoners were taken.

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At the square Vissa watched the locals begin to gather, and took in their dusky black skin and dark gazes dispassionately. His guardsmen stood on edge, prepared to unleash violence at his order. At last Vissa roused himself from staring out into that deep pool of eyes to say,

"Dongola now owes fealty to the Byzantine Empire and the Order of St. John. God's price for this place has been paid, return to your homes in peace and await God's messenger."

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Soon, very soon, Vissa would have to ride again... but not yet.

:egypt:

[OverKnight]

The Sally against the Moors, Constantinople, 1140

For the first time in 400 years the capital of the Roman Empire was besieged. Aleksios considered it a personal insult, despite all he had tried to do to restore the Empire, the enemy had never been this close under the rule of his incompetent predecessors.

To erase this stain on his legacy, the Moors would have to be quickly exterminated. There would be no waiting for an attack, the garrison would sally out.

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The archers started on the walls and the infantry, lead by the Basileus, gathered at the southern gate facing the enemy. Apionnas Vringas and Theophilus Tzimiskis and their bodyguards, along with a regiment of Skythikons, were at the western gate. Isaakios Komnenos, the Basileus' youngest son, Philippos Eirinikos and two regiments of Skythikons were at the east gate.

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Faced with arrow fire, the Moors fell back into a defensive position. Aleksios led his infantry outside the gate into a cul-de-sac formed by the walls. A few Moor horse archers headed back north to trade vollies but were overcome by the Roman archers on the walls.

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By then the cavalry had sallied from the city to engage the Moors on the flanks. The few Desert Archers left to the Moorish General Wasim ibn Salim galloped out to engage the Skythikon, but were caught by Senators Vringas and Tzimiskis.

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Knowing he was short of archers, Ibn Salim charged in to rescue them. His bodyguards were the only heavy cavalry he had.

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A sharp battle developed but he was repulsed as well. In a bizarre move, the Moor decided to charge across the battlefield and attack Isaakios and Eirinikos.

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His bodyguard already weakened, Ibn Salim was surrounded and killed.

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Now that the Moors had lost their leader and their archers, the Basileus decided to bring his infantry and foot archers forward.

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As the main Roman line advanced, the cavalry on the flanks continued to torment the Moors. The incessant vollies of the Skythikon would incite the Moorish infantry to charge them. Away from their line, they were easy pickings for the bodyguards of the Senators.

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Bloodied already, the Moorish infantry soon came under attack from the approaching Roman foot archers. Arrow bit, they charged and the lines met.

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The Roman cavalry on the flanks charged the Moors from behind, joined by the Varangians of the Basileus. The Moors collapsed and the pursuit was on.

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The Moorish Jihad was wiped out. The few survivors were killed when a ransom offer was refused.

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[_Tristan_]

Merciless
Gaza, 1141


Captain Fahim contemplated one last time the receding backs of the Byzantine kataphraktoi before entering the tower and the stairs leading down, hoping that the men were only a mirage caused by the merciless sun.

The men had come with a message for the Sultan and Fahim had no wish to act as messenger in this case. Bakr, the Sultan, had never been a mild tempered man but being cooped up in Gaza for some years now had done nothing to improve his mood. Far and wide, he was now known as Bakr the Merciless, as merciless as the sun that beat on Fahim’s plumed helmet, sweat running down his brow, part of it due to the sun fiery gaze and part due to the fear that wrung a knot in his belly.

Crossing the castle grounds to reach the keep where the Sultan resided, Fahim saw how much the siege had taken its toll among the men. What had formerly been proud Arab cavalry were now forced to fight on foot, the horses having long been cooked and eaten to sustain the garrison. Even though, many of the men had died already. Still, the Byzantine refused to storm the walls, to the increasing puzzlement of the defenders. In the distance, Fahim and his companions had witnessed the building of rams and siege towers but these remained far from the walls, unused.

But now, the riders had come and Fahim feared his world would change very soon.

Guards at the gates to the keep let him in without even giving him a salute. The morale of the men was low, as was expected, their mood sullen.

Making his way up the keep to the throne room, Fahim struggled to repress the tremors that threatened to shake him out of his boots. The message he was carrying felt like a death warrant.

Finally, walking in to the throne room, he saw the Sultan sitting gloomily on his throne, listening to some report by one of the court officials. The Sultan was still a young man with a lush black beard, a heavy silk turban on his head. Over his fine silken robes, he wore a cuirass and a heavy bladed scimitar dangled from a belt, resting by his leg. Rumor had it that in bouts of fury, the Sultan would lash out with this same blade, lobbing heads of the bodies of those who had the temerity to displease him.

Watching the blade, Fahim could hardly repress a shudder. At that exact moment, a lull in the official’s report allowed the Sultan’s gaze to fall upon him. Unable to curb his fear any longer under that malevolent gaze, Fahim fell to the ground in what he hoped would appear as a respectful bow.

Struggling to steady his voice, he spoke up, still looking at the ground. “My Lord, the Byzantines have ridden to our walls with a message… For you..”

Fahim heard the Sultan shift in his seat. “What message, fool ? What can those dogs have to say that is worthy of my ears ?” the Sultan said with barely contained anger.

Fahim gulped. Living as a soldier all his life, he had often contemplated death. He had imagined he would meet it on some sandy battlefield, pierced by an arrow or cut down by a sword-cut, with the heat of battle in his blood and the promise of virgins in the afterlife in his mind’s eye to soften his departure from this world. Now Death with a turban loomed over him, unforgiving and cold. He forced himself to swallow the bile that rose in his throat.

“Speak up, man… Or I’ll have your head off !!” the Sultan said, smacking his hand on the pommel of his scimitar. “What did that dog Stavros want ? An another offer of surrender ?”

Spurred by the threat, Fahim gathered his faltering courage and answered. “It was not Stavros, my Lord…” Stavros, Fahim knew, was the name of the Byzantine general that lay siege to the castle. Regularly, he would come forward with offers of surrender. All were refused. “The man said his name was Methodios Tagaris.”

Looking up at the Sultan, Fahim noticed his lord was clearly taken aback by the name. Tagaris, the butcher of Alexandria… The atrocities committed on the defenders of the city by the general had been the talk of the men for long months after the act.

Clearly shaken, Bakr asked : “What did he want ? Does he think that because he could kill a few peasants we would surrender to him, out of fear ? Pfah !!” Bakr spat “Here’s to surrender…”

Fahim slowly shook his head. “No, he was not offering terms of surrender…”

Muttering a prayer to Allah the Merciful, Fahim delivered his message to Bakr the Merciless “He said you must be the son of a pig to wallow in the mud of this castle and take pleasure in it…” Fahim said in a rush, before taking a gulp of air, and continuing. “He said you were a filthy coward, hiding behind walls manned by an army of peasants… He said you must be an eunuch to prefer the company of men to the company of your concubines… He said…”

“Enough !!!” The cry cut short Fahim’s breathless flow. A look to the Sultan was enough to make Fahim have a glimpse of the verdant pastures where the virgins were waiting him I Allah’s gardens. The Sultan’s face had turned crimson with rage, his features contorted by fury. He had drawn his scimitar and was now approaching Fahim with its point headed for the kneeling man’s throat. “I’ve heard enough of that man’s insults.” The blade of the scimitar came to rest upon Fahim’s jugular vein. Each beating of his heart sent blood pumping through the vein, the vein itself beating against the sharp edge of the blade, breaking the skin and drawing a pearl of blood.

Knowing he would surely die soon, Fahim told the last of his message. “That was not all, my Lord… The man said that if you wanted to prove him wrong, you could meet him in battle outside the gates. He swore an oath that should you win the fight, the siege would end at once and all Greeks would withdraw from Palestine. Should he win…”

“I know full well what that means…” The Sultan said, cutting Fahim’s faltering speech. Withdrawing his sword from the captain’s neck and putting it back into its scabbard, Bakr turned to his assembled captains.

“Men, ready your men… Rasheed, saddle my horse and my lance… I’ll shove it up his…”

The rest was lost to Fahim, as his mind tried to grasp the fact that he was still alive. He couldn’t believe it. He was alive. He would go back to his farm, his wife, his kids… He would go bath in the Nile.. He would…

“You !!” The shout brought Fahim out of his dream. Looking up, he saw the Sultan looking at him. “Yes, you… The messenger… You’ll ride with me in my bodyguard so you can point the man Tagaris to me… Understood ?”

Fahim could only nod, all his dreams of happiness crushed in a moment.

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*******



Two hours later, the whole Gaza garrison was assembled at the gates. Lookouts on the gates had spotted the Byzantine general awaiting word from the Sultan some distance from the gates.

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Fahim had been given a horse and a lance and was now among the other bodyguards sitting their horses just behind the Sultan’s own charger.

Relief was mixed with fear and caused Fahim to mutter prayers to Allah both in thanks for protecting from the Sultan’s wrath and in hope of salvation in the upcoming fight.

A grinding noise was the first sign Fahim had that the fight was about to begin. The noise signaled the raising of the heavy iron grate barring the gates of the castle.

With cries of “Allahu Akbar”, the men rushed forth out of the gates. Though reluctant to send his horse forward, the sheer press of the men around him pushed his horse forward.

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“That Byzantine is no coward” Fahim thought as he witnessed the man led his knights into a frontal charge into the mass of Bakr’s men trying to assemble outside the gates.

Fahim watched with expectation as the knights were engulfed into the mass of men. The javelins of the Kurds wreaked havoc among the Byzantines, felling half of them from their horses. “Allah has chosen to grant us victory” he thought.

Suddenly, the Sultan stood in front of him. Lifting his helmet’s faceplate, the Sultan questioned him. “Where is Tagaris ? Point it out !!”

Looking into the fray, Fahim couldn’t see much of the Byzantine knights. Then, he got a glimpse of the man that had stood some hours earlier beneath the walls of the castle throwing insults at his Sultan. Fahim pointed. “There… That’s him !!”

The Sultan’s gaze went to where Fahim pointed and located his nemesis. Turning his horse with a vicious kick of his spurs, the Sultan howled “Tagaris !!” and with another powerful kick rushed his horse in that direction. The entire bodyguard followed pulling Fahim along.

The Byzantines had heard the coming of the Sultan’s bodyguards and broke the fight, running beneath the walls towards the safety of the besiegers’ camp.

With shouts of joy, the Sultan and his bodyguards gave chase. Bakr would not let out of his sight the man that had insulted him, insulted his manhood, insulted his honor.

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Little by little, the truth began to dawn in Fahim’s mind. The Byzantines were not running away, they were drawing the Sultan and his bodyguard were they wanted him. There was nothing he could do but try to stay alive.

As they neared the enemy camp, Fahim saw the purple cross banner of Stavros flown by another unit of knight. The Sultan was so intent on catching his prey that he didn’t seem to notice the presence of the newcomers until they slammed into the flank of his own bodyguard.
Tagaris chose that moment to have his men turn around and charge into the already engaged bodyguards. They were joined by a unit of spearmen.

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Fahim saw the Sultan fall at the hands of Tagaris and soon found himself one of the only men accompanying the Sultan left alive. Knowing it was a lost cause, they broke and ran for the safety of the walls.

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The Sultan had been so driven to catch the Byzantine general that he had cut himself off from the remainder of his men, and those were now running to catch up.

Out of the corner of his eye, Fahim saw Byzantine horse archers charge into the Kurds and rout them.

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Some of the men, Fahim among them found refuge into the shade of one of the gate towers. The men around him beseeched their fellows on the other side to let them through but all the gate leverage mechanism had been sabotaged during the siege and needed to be repaired first before they could be allowed back in. Though not particularly a devout Muslim, Fahim found himself was again praying Allah for a swift repair of the gate mechanism.

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Cowering into the relative safety of the walls gave him time to watch how the battle evolved.
He witnessed as one by one the dismounted Arab cavalrymen were charged by the now much reduced force of Tagaris and his men, and how one by one they broke on contact, the man surrounded by an aura of almost mystical power.

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Unnoticed, some of the Byzantine managed to reach the walls with their ladders and gained the top of the walls unopposed running to man the gates where Fahim and the routers waited for their fellows to finally open the gates.

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They finally managed to get raise the gates sufficiently to allow the men to enter the castle before letting the gate fall down. “Make for the drill square !!” Fahim shouted as he passed through the gate. He knew the cleared space in front of the keep would be their best chance to make a last stand.

“And now, I’ve taken command” he mused while pushing his horse forward, seeing as he passed the catapult crew trying to move their cumbersome machines towards that same square.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza022.jpg

Sparing a look behind him he saw, the Byzantines man the gates through which he had just passed through and begin to raise the gate anew.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza021.jpg

From the vantage point of the drill square, Fahim saw Byzantine cavalry ride down the ballista crew that was desperately trying to push back their weapons towards the safety of the wall. Knowing the outcome of the charge, he lowered his gaze, not wanting to witness the slaughter of his comrades. A minute later, there was not one man left standing.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza025.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza026.jpg

All of a sudden, the clatter of hooves sounded near the square and Fahim witnessed Tagaris and two of his remaining men charge into a score of assembled dismounted cavalry men. When the riders turned, not one of the lancers were left alive.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza027.jpg
https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza028.jpg

Fahim ordered the few men still with him forward and managed to catch one of the bodyguards, leaving only Tagaris and one of his men. Fahim was surprised to see the Byzantine general remain out of square.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza029.jpg

But soon he understood why he stayed away as a deluge of fire arrows struck around him and plunged the man on his right to a fiery death.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza030.jpg

Another arrow took the man on his left in the neck, the man spurting blood out of his mouth.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza031.jpg

Knowing his life was forfeit, Fahim spurred his horse forward, intent on claiming the life of the man that had ruined his life and his dreams. Through the slits of his visor, Fahim saw the the general and his follower rushed toward him with their lances down. Lowering his own lance, Fahim ducked under the bodyguard’ s lance and unhorsed him with his own.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza032.jpg

Just as he regained his balance from the blow, Fahim had little time to realize that the blade of the Greek general was headed for his throat and all faded to black.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza033.jpg

As he felt himself fall unendingly, Fahim’s mind flew towards the green pastures of Allah’s garden. He could already hear the giggles of the virgins and their voices calling his name…

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/1141Gaza034.jpg



******



Methodios jumped down his horse and stood looking at the body of the last defender of Gaza. A peaceful smile was spread across the man’s face, his unseeing eyes staring at the sunlit sky. Methodios recognized him as the same man to whom he had delivered his message earlier this day, the first part of his daring plan to lure the Sultan out of his castle.

“May you find peace in the afterlife, messenger… May your Lord have mercy” Methodios whispered as he bowed low to close the man’s eyes.

https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/GazaVict.jpg


https://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee86/badlieutenant_bucket/LotR/Gaza/GazaSack.jpg



******

[_Tristan_]

The attack of the diw

Placeholder for the skirmishes near Medina, 1147.

[Rowan]

Battle for Damascus, 1152

Excerpts from the diary of Vartholomaios Ksiros, Marshall of the Order of St. John

July, 1152. After a surprisingly easy march through the the mountains and the desert the remnants of the crusader army have arrived with me to Damascus. We have invested the city, with the main force camped on the west side of the town. It is heavily garrisoned and I have no desire to uselessly kill any more of my men than I have to. I fear this will be a long siege to sit out. Scouts have reported sightings of a larger band of rabble that keeps roaming the countryside. Nothing conclusive yet, however. Might be just ordinary bandits.

August, 1152. It seems the band of rabble has some semblance of a military leadership. Whoever is in charge has more courage than sense, though. They didn't bother to coordinate much with the city garrison and are now chasing my outlying pickets straight towards our main camp. Scouts report that the garrison has also sallied, emboldened by the "successful" attack of the relieving force. There's a nice ridge a few miles out and I plan to give them battle there, before the two forces have time to merge.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/01-Forces.jpg

The scouts most helpfully led our force to the best defensive ground they could find. Too bad that they didn't notice the absolutely perfect hill just to the south. The hill's southern and eastern faces are totally impassable, even by men without arms and armor, and grade gradually lessens to the north. I shall move my archers to the top of the hill with the spearmen and heavy infantry guarding the northern approach. It is just about perfect place to battle horse archers!

I have to leave the details to my subordinates though, the relieving force is almost here and I want to catch it on level ground with my cavalry. Cavalry forward!
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/02-Setup.jpg

The cavalry attack went surprisingly well, despite the first botched charge by the lancers. The Seljuk spearmen got more kills in that charge than during the rest of the skirmish. However their brave but foolish captain also bought it there and that made the rest much easier. Otherwise it was almost a textbook attack. Vardariotai and byzantine cavalry hooked to their rear while the lancers and my bodyguard charged their flanks. Looking at the hill the infantry seems to be at place.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/03-InitialSkirmish.jpg

There's still time for a few small movements and a quick word at the diary while before the enemy is in range. The cavalry will form a north-south line with large intervals to allow uninhibited movement and clear fields of fire as well as opportunities to charge. I am confident that we will have victory in this battle!
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/04-DefensiveLine.jpg

The actual battle has been almost an anti-climax. Our archers gutted their horse archers from afar and had plenty of time to concentrate on their foot that was desperately trying to charge up the slope... straight into the maw of our Saracen mercenaries. Poor bastards routed almost instantly.

I had to pull in the cavalry line somewhat to draw the enemy horse into our archers' field of fire. Lancers had some casualties mopping up the rest behind the enemy line.
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/05-MainBattle.jpg

Now it's evening and the men are sitting by their camp fires, recounting their individual skirmishes, thrust by thrust and parry by parry. The stench from the battlefield is not too bad yet, though I don't want to be near - or downwind - tomorrow when sun rises again. The captains have finished counting their men and we didn't even lose 50 men! Over half of the lost were from the lancers, some from their initial unhappy charge and the rest from chasing the horse archers.

The enemies losses are beyond count, 700 dead and twice as many taken prisoner. I have sent the prisoners in one long line southward, with enough guards to make sure that they keep going that way. I have no stomach to summarily execute that poor lot, but neither do I wish to fight them again.

Now I will retire to my bed for tomorrow we will enter the city!
https://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/06-EndResult.jpghttps://i459.photobucket.com/albums/qq311/rovaani/LotrDamascus/07-ButchersBill.jpg

[Ramses II CP]

Medina, 1153.

Vissarionas ek Lesvou had been operating on the edges of the Empire for so long it was pure instinct on his part to avoid the attention of imperial agents. He had been doing it ever since departing Dongola, though travelling through Gaza a few had caught up and forced him to deal with certain aspects of his business in the world at large. Sending Stephen to the capital to carry on the necessary work of discrediting the false Emperor was the worst of it. Still, on the whole his journey to Medina had been perfectly uncomplicated, leaving his throughts free to expand on his developing philosophical convictions.

It seemed so obvious, here in the spare environs of the desert, that life must be driven not by what men taught, but by what worked. If men prospered by treachery and bloodshed then these must be the things that God found pleasant, as they were obviously the things he rewarded. God could not be defined by the fickle whims of alms seeking priests or manipulative administrators in his name, no more than he could by archaic books and treatise from times past. Who knew, perhaps God did operate according to those dictates in that distant time before, but what was certain was what could be seen successful today. Pouring out the blood of your enemies brought advancement, profit, power, and prestige... but such in and of themselves carried little interest for Vissa. These things were merely the tools by which one discovered God's will so that it could be worked in the world for his glory.

Vissa was pleased to see Medina invested ahead of him... and yet he was far happier to know that a foe still lurked out there to be faced.

The Fatamids, Vissa's sworn foe, were hiding on the heights south of the city, sheltering behind a confused mass of local rebels who feared Methodios and the Egyptians equally. This served Vissa's purpose perfectly, as it left the high ground west of Medina open to his advance and pinned the rebels to prevent their retreat. They were caught in a pocket, and if their leaders had been anything but fools they'd have joined the Fatamids or just thrown down their weapons and fled.

Yet fools they were, and there they stood blocking the southern road to Mecca. Perhaps they thought they were guarding their holy city?

As his army approached what would be their battleground the skies over Medina darkened. Vissa's troops picked up their pace, sensing their master's desire to find battle before a storm forced them to seek shelter. Vissa himself grinned a satisfied smile as the cloud cover grew ever thicker and the air itself hung dark and close. As they crested the final hills the black, dense clouds overhead were penetrated in only a few bare places by dim, orange light, almost like the flickering of a fire in the sky. Distantly blue skies could be seen far across the open desert, but over Medina the sky boiled with impenetrable blackness. Rebel flags were clearly visible from the top of the hill.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE31nWAPI/AAAAAAAAPfM/LbhjGwstS5M/s800/0005.jpg

With the enemy now in sight Vissa's excitement heightened, 'Caught them moving across the valley in the open.' he thought. Aloud now he bellowed,

"Infantry at a run now! I want that rideline held above them and arrows falling down on them immediately! Guardsmen prepare your lances, let's see if these rebels have any discipline at all!"

Dimly Vissa was aware of bugles from the east as Methodios' garrison salled forth to his aid, but most of his concentration was on the enemy. They had minimal scouts out, perhaps finding few men willing to do the job, and were just now turning their formation to meet Vissa's advance. There were many archers among the enemy, more than among the Byzantine force. With a simple hand gesture Vissa indicated to his bodyguard the target, and they dropped their faceguards and lances nearly as one.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE4ySfZDI/AAAAAAAAPfU/vHUuX0GbpQo/s800/0006.jpg

Muttering aloud to himself amidst the thundering horses Vissa mindlessly said, "I have seen the token of your favor Lord and I offer these lives up to you that you might turn your wrath from me and let me make an end of our enemies."

The rebel archers were just turning to flee when the charge struck them. Vissa and his guardsmen rode through the formation butchering the lightly armored men. The rest of the enemy archers, in a panic, fired blindly into the melee killing many of their fellows but knocking more than one Byzantine guard from his mount. As the spearmen began to wade in Vissa ordered his men out, "Back and form up! We'll wheel around and hit them again!"

A company of rebel cavalry tried to cut off Vissa's retreat, but their riders were too fearful to engage and merely showered javelins into the general's troops. A few more men fell, but the rest executed a perfect wheel and charged back in again. The second charge was almost too successful, annihilating the enemy archers and smashing deep into the spearmen who were struggling to guard them. Laughing now Vissa screamed, "Through them and out behind the formation! Carve a path!"

Shocked rebel spearmen, having never properly set to take a charge, now scattered and fled. Behind the rebel army Vissa and the remaining half of his bodyguard rode through a second company of enemy archers who had retreated to presumed safety. This threw panic into the rebel ranks, as did the approach of Methodios' archers from Medina. The two remaining companies of rebel archers and a half company of cavalry rode off towards Methodios' men. Again Vissa ordered his men to cut a way free from the mass of the rebels, and again they complied. Perfectly in time to prevent the rebels from getting off a single volley at Methodios' veterans a charge crashed in behind the two companies who had split off. Instantly they and the nearby cavalry broke off to flee, pursued by Vissa's guard.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE5TDuHeI/AAAAAAAAPfc/fOA4Sym0mUM/s800/0008.jpg

The rebel infantry now bore the brunt of the arrows falling from the heights, and with Vissa chasing behind them they had no choice but to advance up the hill. Their discipline was somewhat better on the attack than it had been on the defense, and the rhythmic thumping of their boots echoed across the valley. Vissa's archers retired in good order to the rear while his swordsmen prepared to sweep the left flank after the enemy line engaged. Vissa himself was too caught up in the pursuit to notice the infantry battle developing to his rear.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE6D3C8oI/AAAAAAAAPfk/v2oAw54bsDs/s800/0009.jpg

Though Methodios himself remained clear of the battle due to his wounds his men were well trained, and the forwardmost company of his cavalry, the militiamen, knew precisely what to do. Mere moments after the rebel spearmen engaged Vissa's formation they struck the rear of the largest, best armed company in the rebel army, shattering the whole formation's morale.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE6frxWVI/AAAAAAAAPfs/lYKSB0vyWqw/s800/0010.jpg

The rebels threw down their weapons and fled. Far across the field Vissa and his men had to draw their pursuit up short when they sighted Fatamid banners on the high ridge ahead of them. Returning to his main body of troops Vissa ordered no further pursuit of the fleeing rebels, and reassembled his army to advance against the Fatamids. A messenger was sent to Medina with thanks and the head of the best armored cavalryman who could be found on the field, on the assumption that he was the rebel captain.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/RosDalton/SPdE7Fcgo2I/AAAAAAAAPf0/viO3ma-i5iQ/s800/0011.jpg

In the aftermath of battle under the black skies of Medina not even the knowledge that Methodios had once more managed to take some glory from Vissa's victory could shroud his happiness. Speaking to his men Vissa urged them on hastily, saying,

"God has shown us his blessing men! Surely we can catch the Fatamid dogs and cleanse this region of the Empire! Press on!"

Events proved not so simple, as the cavalry heavy Fatamid force retreated to a prepared position on a back ridge just as the brewing storm began to show it's force. Weary, battered, but still bouyant Vissarionas ek Lesvou was seriously contemplating marching across a deep valley even under fire when the rains began. Examining his men he found only the swordsmen of Dongola to still have the light of battle lust in their eyes, and so he ordered a camp prepared. The Fatamids could wait. The rats were running out of holes to run to; soon there would be only ashes left of their sad little Empire.

(OOC: I presume the skies are a bug, but I don't know for sure and it made a neat dovetail into V's storyline. Methodios' men didn't take any casualties but both companies of his archers got another chevron. :2thumbsup:)

:egypt:

[Cecil XIX]

Okay, this is the real placeholder.

[Ituralde]

Defense of Yerevan, 1153:

https://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=farnukkb3.jpg

Let me tell you the story of the defense of Yerevan. It was the evening before a night of slaughter and death, when Pavlos Chrysovergos rose from his chambers. He had shaved his beard as was his custom before battles and his divinations had led to this night being the right time to attack his enemies.

The Seljuks had come in force to reclaim their possession of Yerevan. They had taken over a thousand men with them and many of them were their feared Horse Archers. Quick on the run and ready to rain death on anyone who dared come near them.

It was the third hour of the night when the brave defenders of Yerevan marched forth. The brave men of Yerevan organized into Militias made up the center, followed by Peasant Archers. On the left stood the strong and mighty Dismounted Lancers and Pavlos and his cavalry of close to a hundrer came over the right.

The Seljuks abandoned their siege equipment quickly and withdrew into the hills. Not their Horse Archers though who harrassed our brave men the minute they left the protection of the City Walls. Many a man fell to the festering arrows of the heathen Sultanate!

Pavlos cavalry proved to be too few in number to engage the Seljuks in battle. So while one half of their mounted foes perished the other rained death upon them a hundred times. So it was late in the night when the enemy lines finally engaged. Beaten by an onslaught of arrows they followed their brave leader Pavlos into battle. Together with the Lancers he broke the left flank and soon the center.

The Seljuks were not ready to give up and encouraged by the arrows of their Horse Archers they came at our brave defenders again and again until hardly a man was left to defend our city of Yerevan. Finally the tide was turned and our attackers fled as through a miracle. But many a man lost his life that night to defend us from the heathen scum.

Pavlos Chrysovergos was seen kneeling on the battlefied crying to the heavens how they could have failed him such. Did he not observe all the signs proper and lead his man to righteous battle? All we can say is that Yerevan is save for now.

[Smowz]

Diary of Nevoulas ek Philadelphius 1156 - 1158

1156 - the rendezvous point outside Kythira - an island south of the Greek mainland.

Prince Isaakios is as happy as can be and is agreeable on attacking the large island if Crete to the south of us. We discussed little on matters of state, in truth our meeting was tense and almost hostile.

I have been asked to show patience by the Emperor on the matter, it seems more important to blood the young prince at battle rather than for me to talk politics and loyalty. I am uncomfortable with either, I am hardly a seasoned veteren but still I have an army in my possession and I am after all a mere servant of the empire.

My brother has been going over details of the upcoming invasion of Crete, I can tell his heart is not in it. In truth neither is mine there is something greater at work here - the empire is being torn apart from the inside and here we are with one of the better armies and navies of the empire invading some off shore island.

I am also bugged by my original promise to the men, to fight the moors, they are pious men they truly believed they were going off on a crusade rather than fighting fellow christians. They would follow me to the worlds end I am sure, but they would be more effective with some zeal behind them.

We shall approach the island in the next month and make a landing and immediately head towards the main settlement of Heraklion. Our scouts tell us, there is only a small force in the city, it is however one Venice's strongest commanders in charge it shall not be easy to outmaneuver such a foe but we have plenty of men to do battle with them.

1157 - The Fleet outside Heraklion

Despair. Curses to Salvo and his cunning.

The men are down, I am too. Our landing on Crete was met with suspiciously no problems at all. However the landscape was difficult to scout and we soon discovered that the cunning Venetian commander Cristiano Salvo has a well supplied hidden force awaiting in ambush near the city.

Tactically retreat was the correct thing to do, however many men have lost morale following such an order. Indeed when we returned to the ship, some were ashamed to look the young prince Isaakios in the eye.

There is a big question of what to do now. The assault of Heraklion is now a good deal more complicated than it appeared at first to be. The longer we stay here the more we learn of the Venetian legend of this Salvo that is leading them. He will prove a difficult commander to rid of. The topology of possible fields of battle are also going to be difficult to fight on, ugly hills and sporadic overgrown forests are adding to the difficulties.

The troops are weary, we have not been able to establish a camp on the ground. Even if we did, there is little foraging available for us. We are best off at sea, but the sea can be an unforgiving place with many superstitions that have been given birth here.

The portents are hazy, I am confident that we can win the day here but the cost, the price of victory may be high indeed. The is my folly to bear - i have argued the case with Isaakios and my generals we shall ride out soon with everything we have and play out this Salvo's bluff.

The time is now.

1158 - approaching the battle

Every man has emptied the boats. Alas we were better prepared months ago, the time has sapped at the mens strength. They follow me as they have before, they should be higher, more zealous than this and despite our best efforts I estimate they are only going to be fighting at 75% of their capabilities.

It is my hope, my gamble that a victory here will raise their spirits and have them believing in themselves once more.

My scouts have following information on the battle:

https://img371.imageshack.us/img371/2219/openingcreditsxe3.jpg

The enemies armies will only be split for a short while, the topography will make it impossible to split them. Our greatest obstacle will be Salvo and his bodyguard themselves. I have heard the legends, it has been hard to separate them from facts but I believe that there must be something behind these stories.

I plan to draw the general out and then attack him hard with both mine and the Prince Isaakios' bodygaurd. I will personally lead the charge - no risk no glory. Before this we shall wither away at the numerous spearmen regiments with the trebizond and horse archers. With any luck this will pick the mens spirits up.

https://img117.imageshack.us/img117/1391/onahillfiringarrowsfs8.jpg

My brother caught my eye as I solemnly passed my will to my scribes. He looked at me so sternly, he knows my plan and has objected to it in the strongest degree. He reminded me of my responsibilities in the senate, put simply he said that I cannot die. I laughed at this and told him that I was no more immortal then any man. I regret my laughs now, I know what my brother meant, he does not wish me to die and neither would many senators at home. Many have put their trust in me, but I cannot stand up in the senate with pride if I hide away from battles at the rear.


1158 - Postmortum

I, Makadonios ek Philadelphius am concluding my brothers diary here for future Romans to see.

I am travelling now to our family home with my brothers dead body. It is my sad duty to deliver a Eulogy at his funeral.

I am sorry for my short sentance structure - I do not have my brothers ability with the pen.

The fight went as Nevo predicted, with the archers gloriously cutting the opponents to shreds. However many of the men were hesitant when it came to their turn to fight. Nevo charged out to the front again and again killing the first armys leading spearman.

https://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6538/enemygeneraldeadaa5.jpg

We moved onto Salvo himself. Or most of the bodyguard did, I was stuck fighting the damned spearmen. They proved resilient these Venetians.

Nevo shouted loudly but many of the ground troops were slow to respond they help up as Christiano Salvo gleaming armour came into view. He was I admit a giant of a man.

He slayed my brother by piercing a spear into his side, Nevo clasped the spear firmly into him snapping it clean in two as he fell. I managed to reach Salvo just as he thrust a second sword through Nevos heart. I was too late to save him - I managed at least to avenge my brother.

The cursed battle continued to rage and now it was decisively in our favour. We would go onto claim a heroic victory. My brother the true hero of the hour however lay stone dead on the floor.

[woad&fangs]

*placeholder* *Relief of Tbilisi 1158* *placeholder*

[Andres]

Placeholder for the battle near Bologna - 1171

[Northnovas]

Siege of Zagreb

The camp of the Corinth Army was quiet another day of the siege. Aleksios slept soundly……


However, I feel compelled to the Kaiser’s calling and Duke Leopold is looking for Austrian nobles to fight in the East. I have learned many things in my travels and educated in some fine institutions but it is learning and not doing. I can ride a horse well but can I lead men into battle? I have studied the strategies and tactics of our military men but have not fought a battle. How can I prove to the Duke that he has a worthy son and provider for his only daughter if I cannot fight in battle? He is the greatest General in the Reich! I do not want to show that he has a son who is a good administrator managing crops and taxes. I have to be able to demonstrate that I am capable to taking arms and fighting for Reich. You have learned me a great deal in life skills and the art of war was not to your liking. I will now take on a new mentor and learn what I can to protect everything that you have believed and worked in your life. The Duke's reputation precedes him but I am not concerned………https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showpost.php?p=1552475&postcount=74


“General awake, awake the enemy is approaching!” Aleksios woke from a deep sleep.
“What?” Aleksios responded as he sat up already dressing himself.
The General’s aide began to stammer on. “My lord, a relieve force as arrived, the men in Zagreb have sallied and the Venetian Dodge has arrived with the second army. Our scouts did not think he would dare to break the siege.”

“Interesting? I would like to speak to officer in charge of that scouting party and why we were surprised like this! You know Gregory I had the strangest dream. I was the Count of Zagreb and married into an Austrian family belonging to the Holy Roman Empire. Quite strange yet intriguing, what do you make of it?”

“Maybe it is a good omen that we will capture the city and it will be yours but if you do not hurry there will be no victory.” With that said the aide grabbed the General’s weaponry and prepared him to get to his horse.

The situation was not has grimed. The Venetian armies had not merged and were some distance the Byzantines had the forest for coverage.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/zagreb.jpg

The Venetian Captain marched from the hillside and was marching for the main road. Aleksios had his troops covered in the wooded area off the road.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/a1.jpg

When the Venetians converged to the road a volley of arrows were leashed upon the approaching enemy troops. Confusion and panic ensued the enemy fell back and the Byzantines remained hidden in the forest.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/a2.jpg

The Dodge was approaching cautiously the first Venetian Army regrouped but did not approach the forest edge. The Byzantines waited.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/a3.jpg

The signal was given and both Venetian armies moved into the woods supported by catapult and ballista crews. The Byzantines unleashed the counterattack catching the Dodge by surprise.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/a4.jpg

The first Venetian Army routed and the Dodge with the second army began to falter. The Dodge was quickly surrounded and cut down from his horse.
The Venetians fled the battle field.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/a5.jpg

The road was open to Zagreb and The Army of Corinth marched into the city. It was a long siege and the treasury had to be replenished. The town was sacked.

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/zagsacked.jpg

https://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa55/northnovas/LOTR/zagvictory.jpg

Aleksios was satisfied with the results and quickly sent a messenger to the spread the word that a victory had been achieved. Can Venice be next?

[_Tristan_]

The conquest of Jerusalem, 1185

Placeholder

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Battle north of Theopolis, 1188

Theo Petzeas vs Captain Hayati (Turkish Sultanate)

https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/lotr_battle2.jpg

Prisoners were executed to pay back for all the lives lost in Damascus.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Battle south-east of Theopolis, 1190

Theo Petzeas vs Captain Izzeddin (Turkish Sultanate)

Result:
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle3.jpg

Since Turkish Sultan rejected to pay the ransom all prisoners were executed.
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle3_ransom.jpg

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Battle near Edessa, 1195

Theo Ptezeas vs Sultan Sinan (The Turkish Sultanate)

Battle was fought near some Christian settlements. This gave Theo's men a huge morale bonus and this also meant that he didn't have to worry about food and water supplies.
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle4-1.jpg
Battle started with Skythikons and Byzantine Cavalry sending clouds of arrows towards Turkomans and Turkish Horse Archers.While Turkish infantry continued their march towards Theo's fragile infantry line Turkish cavalry had already been defeated and all of Theo's horse archers started to send volleys after volleys of arrows into the backs of Turkish infantry. Sultan Sinan tried to stop them, by attacking Skythikons, he soon found himself and most of his bodyguards surrounded by Theo's Skythikons. He soon fell after that.
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle4-2.jpg
When news of their Sultans death reached to Turkish infantry they first tried to retreat in order but finding themselves between Byzantine cavalry and infantry they soon broke. After that this battle was a massacre.
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle4-3.jpg
https://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh311/ibnkhaldun/TW%20games/theo_battle4-4.jpg

[TheFlax]

1197: Siege of Tortosa

Emperor Ioannis versus Captain Cihangirhan

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/The_Flax/IoannisVictory1.jpg

All prisoners were executed so they shall not harm another Roman.

[mini]

Battle of Damascus - 1178

http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/1.jpg


It was a quiet morning. Iosef Ek Artas had risen early as usual, doing his morning exercises. He had made a habit of showing himself regularly to his troops, always looking busy, sharing their distresses. They had been besieging Damascus for what seemed forever now. Although he had done his best, the prolongued absence of the Basileus, coupled to the news of civil strife throughout the empire, had seriosly battered the morale of the army. Looking at the walls of the city, Iosef perceived no unusual activity. Just another quiet morning of a quiet siege in a not so quiet part of the world.

"Mylord, a rider..."
Iosef swung his head towards the direction one of his bodyguards was watching.
A rider indeed. And by the way he's hammering his horse, in a huge haste.
Man and horse kept on galloping, it almost seemed as if he were to ride through Iosef, but at the last minute he reined his horse, staggering and creatign a huge dust cloud.
Unpertubed, Iosef studied the man, who looked very weary and as if he tried to take a huge part of the desert with him.
"My Lord" said the unknown rider trying to catch his breath. Iosef nodded.
"My Lord, a relieve army is marching here at the double from the east. They must have heard the Basileus has splitted from the army, or.." he blottered, only being interrupted by Iosef.

"Calm down. How much, and how long?" Iosef demand, already overlooking his camp.
"A force almost as big as our own, i reckon. At their speed, they'll be here in 2 hours."

Iosef left the mand standing, merely turning around barking orders left and right.
He lifted the siege in such a hurry, recollecting a few places of the country side he had seen while riding around in the days the Basileus himself ran the army. he knew a few spots where he could withstand superiour numbers. For although this releave army was only his own size, he bore no illusions the commander from the garrisson in Damascus would idly abide while a battle occured in front of his gates.

It was nigh 1 hour later that Iosef found himself on a sandy hill, about 5 to 10 miles from Damascus.
He had disposed his men as good as he could given the terrain. Spears in the center, infantry on the sides and archers in the back.
http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/2opstelling.jpg

From afar the dust clouds of the enemy were visible, although it took them another hour to close on Iosef's army. Without pauze, they charged into the Byzantine center

http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/3center.jpg

It wasn't before long that the enemy tried to envelop Iosefs right flank. The Byzantine commander never faded and shielded the flank.

http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/4links.jpg

The enemy general clearly wasn't anyone creative, as the tried the same on the left flank.
http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/5rechts.jpg

For about 2 hours the battled raged back and forth, then the Damascus garrison entered the frey
http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/7overview.jpg
http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/8overviewlinks.jpg

As the left flank took the brunk of the reinforcements charge, it was also the first to break.
http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/9ingrijpen%20links.jpg

Although the enemy was repelled 3 or 4 charges, they were never broken enough to retreat the field entirely. The Byzantine army held its own for a very long time, even stood on the brink of winning on several occasions, yet the enemy commander succeeded on rallyign his troops time after time.

In the end, they wore the Byzantine men down by sheer numbers. Iosef Ek Artas had to admit defeat, although he remained as the last man on the battlefield, his troops routing along with his bodyguards, but he stood tall, spat a few arabs in the face before he managed to escape.

http://users.telenet.be/aes/TW/LOTR/1/10result.jpg