The Campaign: Italy

[Rhyfelwyr]

This preview looks at Italia, a part of the map crammed full of both factions and settlements. In the north, the Holy Roman Empire remains dominant, with only the cities of Pisa and Venice outwith its grasp. However, the Emperor lacks direct control over much of his Italian possessions, and ensuring stability will remain a priority long before he can have any realistic thoughts of expansion. The Republic of Venice is still a small city-state in 1073, however the coastline of Illyria will provide an ideal opportunity for expansion, with the settlements of Sisak, Zadar, Visoko, and Stari Ras dotted down the Adriatic. In central Italy, the Papacy of course holds Rome, while the theoretical control of the Emperor reaches are far as Spoleto. Meanwhile, in southern Italy the Duchy of Apulia-Calabria has been recently formed, with Robert exchanging his title of 'Count' for that of 'Duke'. The Normans also hold the Kingdom of Sicily, ruled by Roger Guiscard. The Sicilians have a new challenge to face in the form of the Zirids, who despite having been in decline in recent years, still hold onto their Tunisian settlements of Tunis and Mahdia, as well as Granada in distant Iberia. While Emperor clashes with Pope, Guelf strives wth Ghibelline, and the Christian Normans battle the Islamic Berber Zirids, Italy is sure to prove one of the most interesting areas of the map.

Northern Italy:
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9053/italynorthwu7.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Central Italy:
https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/992/italycentralol9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Southern Italy:
https://img150.imageshack.us/img150/8628/italysouthxs4.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Republic of Pisa sub-faction (owns Pisa, Ajaccio, and Cagliari):
https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/2200/italyislandssy5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Duchy of Napoli sub-faction (the last bastion of Byzantine influence in Italy):
https://img55.imageshack.us/img55/1769/italynapoliqo8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Robert, Duke of Apulia-Calabria (the faction leader):
https://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7707/italysicilykingef5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Roger, King of Sicily (an title given by ancillary, not the faction leader):
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/8104/italysicilyrogerpx0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

The Apulia-Calabrian family tree, with Bohemond:
https://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3920/italysicilyfamilytreeew5.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Also, feel free to use the sigs below, with the faction symbols made by the most talented Vazul's Ghost!

https://img132.imageshack.us/img132/8596/sicilysigdonenn3.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
https://img397.imageshack.us/img397/9639/venicesigdonezl1.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Hope you enjoyed the preview, and please give any feedback! :2thumbsup: