GMaximus
05-11-2009, 18:32
EDIT: Okay, unfortunately the AAR will be discontinued, as my career as an AAR writer seems to be cursed. The campaign got so unstable it's a pain to try play it, let alone taking pictures along the way. I get crashes every second time when I try entering battles, and the game freezes randomly when I click anything, very unusual considering I've never had any feezes on my new PC before... :no:
Chivalry TW v1.0
The Rise of Knighthood H/M
The Siculo-Normans
Author's note: In picture 10, you may notice that my troop numbers don't add up - they're displayed as larger. The reason for this is the fact that, having not played BI for a long time, I didn't remember how bad the religious unrest was, and basically, Boemundo died in Girgenti during a rebellion. Now, normally I don't reload, but I was hell-bent on making him a king later on, so I started anew, having not made any savegames... Well, I didn't take the first couple of screens again since I had them, yet I forgot to recruit the mercenary crossbow unit again... So much of my sneaky cover up for failing. :embarassed:
Chapter I: Deus Vult
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/1.jpg
Once, they called us Northmen. We came from the sea, took what we wanted and disappeared again... All feared us, be they Franks, Rus or Arabs; none could stand up to us.
And yet, times change. We are still feared, yes; but we are no longer the Northmen. Our peoples have spread far and wide, and, alas, our culture is much gone, except in the old lands.
Yet our tempers were not.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/2.jpg
We have carved ourselves new kingdoms where we wanted them. The Pope pleaded us to come and free Sicily from the heathen Muslim dogs... And so we came in number, and forced the pagans into the sea. But that was not enough. So we turned to our neighbours, the Greeks. We came with many swords and spears and horses. And what was once theirs, is now ours.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/3.jpg
I am Roberto d’Altavilla, King of Sicily, Norman by birth. And although my age is catching up to me, my job in this world is not yet done... Sicily is not yet Norman.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/6.jpg
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/5.jpg
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/4.jpg
Should I fail my task, there are those who will carry on my work should I be forced to leave it unfinished. My true brother, Ruggero d’Altavilla, is the current heir to the throne of Sicily; he is whom I place my trust in now, and I believe he will be able to hold the crown in d’Altavilla hands, and keep it out of reach of these two preying wolves, husbands to my sisters and vassals of mine... They may have not made a move yet, but I do not trust them a single bit.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/7.jpg
As I have said, Sicily is not yet Norman. Palermo will not be safe until Girgenti and Siracusa, the two other cities on the isle, are not in our hands; no, they’re still ruled over by the heathen Arabs. And although there may be much we can learn from them, I’d prefer if we learned from our subjects, not independent rulers at our doorstep...
And thus, the conquest of Sicily begins. I gather a mighty host to take the two cities, garrisoned heavily; however, before the year is out...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/8.jpg
The cur! They’ve guessed my intentions, and now we’ll have to face a host two times as large as I anticipated... Bah! No matter.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/9.jpg
As I prepare to leave Palermo, a messenger hands me a letter, informing me of the wish of my brother to send his son, Boemundo, along with our expedition so that his sword may drink the blood of our foes for the first time in his life. I must admit, I’m glad about this turn of events – after all, it is far better the boy be raised on the battlefield, rather than spend his youth locked away in a castle somewhere. And if nothing else, I’d much prefer my flank was held by my own flesh and blood.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/10.jpg
As soon as Boemundo joined my army, we marched out, intending to take control of the road between Girgenti and her port, and thus force the Muslims to come at us. My wish was fulfilled faster than I had anticipated, though – the heathen horde is upon us before we can set up suitable defences to counter their much superior numbers. But we cannot flee...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/11.jpg
MEN! TO ARMS!
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/12.jpg
Silence falls over the field of battle, disturbed only by the footsteps of hundreds of Muslim warriors. Their horde seems numberless... But we are the better warriors. And I pray to God that skill prevails over number.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/13.jpg
As the Muslim host closes in, Boemundo blows his horn, refusing to wait any longer. With a loud yell ‘DEUS VULT!’, our knights charge forth, covering the distance between us and the heathen line in a matter of moments. Before the poor peasants can make out what’s happening, a storm cloud of flesh and iron descends upon them...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/14.jpg
A fierce melee starts on the Muslim flanks, and despite their numerical superiority, the Arabs find themselves on the losing end. Perhaps next time they can stop being so ‘cultured’ and distinguish between mathematics and war... Most my men can’t count, but at least they can hold the spear with the right end forward. This can’t be said of the Muslims, judging by their performance.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/15.jpg
That’s right, run you bastards. It’s much more fun to stick our weapons into your backs.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/16.jpg
Soon, the battle turns into a massacre as the levied citizens follow the example set by their comrades on the flank and everyone routs. The only troops to remain are the Turcoman tribesmen.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/17.jpg
Halting my bodyguard, I decide to dispose of the troublesome horsemen myself. My knights are met with a volley of arrows; however they glance off our armor harmlessly.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/18.jpg
Finally, the heathens are pinned down and crushed. Half of them manage to evade me while my guards are occupied with their comrades, yet Boemundo swiftly dispatches of them.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/19.jpg
One great victory for the Normans...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/20.jpg
...And an enormous humiliation to Girgenti and the Sicilian Muslims in general.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/21.jpg
As a welcome addition, this show of force convinces the population, enemy and otherwise, of several things about King Roberto.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/22.jpg
After a brief respite, and a council with my commanders, we elect to crush the other Muslim field army before moving on to siege Girgenti. In particular Boemundo seems to relish the thought of fighting in the field.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/23.jpg
The ‘Army’ of Siracusa is similar to that of Girgenti. It seems this one will pose a similar threat as well... With God’s help, another great victory may be looking right at us.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/24.jpg
The Norman knights once again are the first to engage the enemy, led bravely by Boemundo. It reminds me of my young days... Alas, now age has caught up, and I am unable to keep up with the youngest warriors.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/25.jpg
Let us not, however, dwell on my rambling about the troubles that come with age, and instead rejoice, for the enemy give in and turn their tails once more.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/26.jpg
There was no battle; only a massacre of citizens, and although I do not take great pride from this victory, it is a victory none the less.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/27.jpg
Eight Normans seems like a steep price for it though.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/28.jpg
As I said – I don’t take great pride in this victory; however, the people seem to intend to be proud of this so much, it’ll be enough for both them and me.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/29.jpg
What brings me greater joy than that is the rough estimate of the sizes of garrisons in Siracusa and Girgenti.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/30.jpg
Meanwhile, back in Italy, Guido Ventimiglia, worried by reports of the Greeks’ threatening manoeuvres nearby Dyrrachion, recruits a band of Norman mercenaries and settles down in the part of Italy closest to Greece, hoping to stall a possible Greek invasion until the war in Sicily is over. Indeed, it seems we are stuck in a position not unlike the Greeks’, for we cannot wage war on one front while doing so on the other, and the frontier in which relative peace is established turns into the weakest one... I hope to remedy that soon.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/31.jpg
For the meantime, though, my main concern is the uniting of Sicily. Girgenti is besieged and stormed as soon as something resembling a battering ram is put together. Seeing as there’s only a single general with his bodyguard holed in inside the city, I pass over command to Boemundo, who successfully leads our force to conquer the city.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/33.jpg
And butcher the heathen populace. Unwelcome, but necessary.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/34.jpg
News reach me from Palermo – another nephew of mine has come of age. Ruggiero, however, does not seem as bent on wiping out the Muslims as Boemundo; in fact, he seems more intent on befriending them, something about great culture to learn from, so I gift him control of Girgenti. Mostly because I trust he will be able to handle the Muslim populace there, but also so I don’t have to listen to that during the siege of Siracusa.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/35.jpg
Thus, with Girgenti taken care of, I and Boemundo move on to our next, and last target in Sicily – the city of Siracusa...
Chivalry TW v1.0
The Rise of Knighthood H/M
The Siculo-Normans
Author's note: In picture 10, you may notice that my troop numbers don't add up - they're displayed as larger. The reason for this is the fact that, having not played BI for a long time, I didn't remember how bad the religious unrest was, and basically, Boemundo died in Girgenti during a rebellion. Now, normally I don't reload, but I was hell-bent on making him a king later on, so I started anew, having not made any savegames... Well, I didn't take the first couple of screens again since I had them, yet I forgot to recruit the mercenary crossbow unit again... So much of my sneaky cover up for failing. :embarassed:
Chapter I: Deus Vult
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/1.jpg
Once, they called us Northmen. We came from the sea, took what we wanted and disappeared again... All feared us, be they Franks, Rus or Arabs; none could stand up to us.
And yet, times change. We are still feared, yes; but we are no longer the Northmen. Our peoples have spread far and wide, and, alas, our culture is much gone, except in the old lands.
Yet our tempers were not.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/2.jpg
We have carved ourselves new kingdoms where we wanted them. The Pope pleaded us to come and free Sicily from the heathen Muslim dogs... And so we came in number, and forced the pagans into the sea. But that was not enough. So we turned to our neighbours, the Greeks. We came with many swords and spears and horses. And what was once theirs, is now ours.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/3.jpg
I am Roberto d’Altavilla, King of Sicily, Norman by birth. And although my age is catching up to me, my job in this world is not yet done... Sicily is not yet Norman.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/6.jpg
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/5.jpg
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/4.jpg
Should I fail my task, there are those who will carry on my work should I be forced to leave it unfinished. My true brother, Ruggero d’Altavilla, is the current heir to the throne of Sicily; he is whom I place my trust in now, and I believe he will be able to hold the crown in d’Altavilla hands, and keep it out of reach of these two preying wolves, husbands to my sisters and vassals of mine... They may have not made a move yet, but I do not trust them a single bit.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/7.jpg
As I have said, Sicily is not yet Norman. Palermo will not be safe until Girgenti and Siracusa, the two other cities on the isle, are not in our hands; no, they’re still ruled over by the heathen Arabs. And although there may be much we can learn from them, I’d prefer if we learned from our subjects, not independent rulers at our doorstep...
And thus, the conquest of Sicily begins. I gather a mighty host to take the two cities, garrisoned heavily; however, before the year is out...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/8.jpg
The cur! They’ve guessed my intentions, and now we’ll have to face a host two times as large as I anticipated... Bah! No matter.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/9.jpg
As I prepare to leave Palermo, a messenger hands me a letter, informing me of the wish of my brother to send his son, Boemundo, along with our expedition so that his sword may drink the blood of our foes for the first time in his life. I must admit, I’m glad about this turn of events – after all, it is far better the boy be raised on the battlefield, rather than spend his youth locked away in a castle somewhere. And if nothing else, I’d much prefer my flank was held by my own flesh and blood.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/10.jpg
As soon as Boemundo joined my army, we marched out, intending to take control of the road between Girgenti and her port, and thus force the Muslims to come at us. My wish was fulfilled faster than I had anticipated, though – the heathen horde is upon us before we can set up suitable defences to counter their much superior numbers. But we cannot flee...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/11.jpg
MEN! TO ARMS!
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/12.jpg
Silence falls over the field of battle, disturbed only by the footsteps of hundreds of Muslim warriors. Their horde seems numberless... But we are the better warriors. And I pray to God that skill prevails over number.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/13.jpg
As the Muslim host closes in, Boemundo blows his horn, refusing to wait any longer. With a loud yell ‘DEUS VULT!’, our knights charge forth, covering the distance between us and the heathen line in a matter of moments. Before the poor peasants can make out what’s happening, a storm cloud of flesh and iron descends upon them...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/14.jpg
A fierce melee starts on the Muslim flanks, and despite their numerical superiority, the Arabs find themselves on the losing end. Perhaps next time they can stop being so ‘cultured’ and distinguish between mathematics and war... Most my men can’t count, but at least they can hold the spear with the right end forward. This can’t be said of the Muslims, judging by their performance.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/15.jpg
That’s right, run you bastards. It’s much more fun to stick our weapons into your backs.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/16.jpg
Soon, the battle turns into a massacre as the levied citizens follow the example set by their comrades on the flank and everyone routs. The only troops to remain are the Turcoman tribesmen.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/17.jpg
Halting my bodyguard, I decide to dispose of the troublesome horsemen myself. My knights are met with a volley of arrows; however they glance off our armor harmlessly.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/18.jpg
Finally, the heathens are pinned down and crushed. Half of them manage to evade me while my guards are occupied with their comrades, yet Boemundo swiftly dispatches of them.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/19.jpg
One great victory for the Normans...
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/20.jpg
...And an enormous humiliation to Girgenti and the Sicilian Muslims in general.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/21.jpg
As a welcome addition, this show of force convinces the population, enemy and otherwise, of several things about King Roberto.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/22.jpg
After a brief respite, and a council with my commanders, we elect to crush the other Muslim field army before moving on to siege Girgenti. In particular Boemundo seems to relish the thought of fighting in the field.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/23.jpg
The ‘Army’ of Siracusa is similar to that of Girgenti. It seems this one will pose a similar threat as well... With God’s help, another great victory may be looking right at us.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/24.jpg
The Norman knights once again are the first to engage the enemy, led bravely by Boemundo. It reminds me of my young days... Alas, now age has caught up, and I am unable to keep up with the youngest warriors.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/25.jpg
Let us not, however, dwell on my rambling about the troubles that come with age, and instead rejoice, for the enemy give in and turn their tails once more.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/26.jpg
There was no battle; only a massacre of citizens, and although I do not take great pride from this victory, it is a victory none the less.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/27.jpg
Eight Normans seems like a steep price for it though.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/28.jpg
As I said – I don’t take great pride in this victory; however, the people seem to intend to be proud of this so much, it’ll be enough for both them and me.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/29.jpg
What brings me greater joy than that is the rough estimate of the sizes of garrisons in Siracusa and Girgenti.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/30.jpg
Meanwhile, back in Italy, Guido Ventimiglia, worried by reports of the Greeks’ threatening manoeuvres nearby Dyrrachion, recruits a band of Norman mercenaries and settles down in the part of Italy closest to Greece, hoping to stall a possible Greek invasion until the war in Sicily is over. Indeed, it seems we are stuck in a position not unlike the Greeks’, for we cannot wage war on one front while doing so on the other, and the frontier in which relative peace is established turns into the weakest one... I hope to remedy that soon.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/31.jpg
For the meantime, though, my main concern is the uniting of Sicily. Girgenti is besieged and stormed as soon as something resembling a battering ram is put together. Seeing as there’s only a single general with his bodyguard holed in inside the city, I pass over command to Boemundo, who successfully leads our force to conquer the city.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/33.jpg
And butcher the heathen populace. Unwelcome, but necessary.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/34.jpg
News reach me from Palermo – another nephew of mine has come of age. Ruggiero, however, does not seem as bent on wiping out the Muslims as Boemundo; in fact, he seems more intent on befriending them, something about great culture to learn from, so I gift him control of Girgenti. Mostly because I trust he will be able to handle the Muslim populace there, but also so I don’t have to listen to that during the siege of Siracusa.
https://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/Gaius_Maximus/SotSM1/35.jpg
Thus, with Girgenti taken care of, I and Boemundo move on to our next, and last target in Sicily – the city of Siracusa...