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Shand994 had the misfortune of following Dramicus after after his King of England reign. Dramicus regressed the game on purpose(and accidently bankrupted the empire)and Shand994 decided to begin anew. So was born the second forum campiagn game. Shand994's initial post is as follows:
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As many of you may have seen, the Reign of English Kings ended in a civil war disaster.
Myself and Dramicus, have decided to start a new campaign as the Polish. Same deal as before. So whoever wants to be a king list you name now.
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Shand994's reign:
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OK my reign lasted until 1101. Not much happened in my reign, i basically set out to give my heir a basis to expand upon. I conquered a few of the rebel territories around, and tried to build up a few income generating provinces. I allied myself with most of the Christian nations, and refused all Muslim requests(thats just my policy). Due to not having to many provinces not many battles took place, mainly against rebels. Whoever is the next king has some good battle vices, as i used him as my frontline general. Will post screenshots later on.
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KukriKhan followed as Wladyslaw II. As usual, Kukri reigned for a VERY long time. (Seems he's lucky that way) This is the beginning of his reign:
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Sto lat (100 years)
Dzien dobry (Good morning)
I am Wladyslaw II, King of Poland in the year of our Lord 1101.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/Wlad2.jpg
Our once tiny nation has expanded to Pomerania, Volhynia & Lithuania (where my brother, Prince Casimir is stationed).
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1101PolMini.jpg
We are allied with our neighbors the HRE & Hungary. Also with Pope Urban II, Sicily, Byzantium, Aragon and England (who are at war with the French). Our 1400-man army (of mostly woodsmen & archers) are positioned primarily in our borderlands, subduing and converting the pagan, while building churches and fundamental defenses. Once those lands are securely in our grasp, we plan to concentrate on trade and agriculture to build up our treasury (now standing at 2700 florins, 272 annual income).. We admit to an envious eye toward Kiev's resources and sea access - if it is in our power, and an opportunity presents itself, we hope to bring Polish freedom to that province's rebels; but our friends, the Byzantines, may have other ideas.
I shall report again in a few years time, the state of our nation and the world.
p.s. This is a domination game, not Glorious Achievement.
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KukriKhan again:
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Wladeslaw II reigned for 47 years (1101-1148) in Greater Poland. During this time, he operated on a shoestring budget, carefully improving his base economies (farming and trade) and security (border forts, churches, urban militias). Rather than amassing a large military force, Wlad2 worked his alliances to prevent incursions into his nation, keeping the HRE, Byzantines, Novgorads, and Hungarians close-at-hand, and spurning alliance offers from the French and Turks, who warred on his neighbors.
By the mid-1130's, Poland had saved up enough cash to think about expanding. Kiev, as predicted, had fallen to our allies, the Byzantines; so Wlad2 looked North instead. A bribery mission in 1135 to Livonia failed, so having quietly assembled a sufficient force in Lithuania, the good King sent his trusted brother Casimr to lead an expedition of liberation there.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1136mini.jpg
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1136LivVic.jpg
Meanwhile, Wlad2 developed ports and shipyards in Lithuania & Pomerania, to eventually take advantage of trade opportunities with his Danish, English, German & Spanish allies.
All of these efforts were just beginning to bear fruit when the long-lived King succumbed to illness in 1148, at age 74.
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1148VladDie.jpg
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1148mini.jpg
Wladeslaw II's reign was characterized by a slow, steady build-up of resources, to enable his successors to fight the eventual, inevitable wars that would likely follow his time on the throne. His 6 heirs were all 4- and 5-star commanders, spread throughout the realm. His ships and influence reached as far west as Leon, unopposed by any other naval force. History will designate him Poland's Great Builder.
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Next up was LeeJackson:
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1149 I, King Boleslaw the third, have come to power in the middle of my years. I am worried that I will not be able to complete the task my father left before me. He worked tirelessly to build a strong economic base for our kingdom. He built farms, trade ships, and trade houses, but on his deathbed he told me “It is now time for you to build an army and an empire”
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/BoleslawSml.jpg
*King Boleslaw has the V&V Killer Instinct and Secret adultery*
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1148mini.jpg *Here is the overview of the beginning of Boleslaw's reign.*
I am worried about fulfilling my fathers dreams. We have strong neighbors whose forces far out number our own. We are beset on all sides with possible enemies whose greedy eyes could fall upon our beloved land. Worse yet because I have been off on the front I have yet to marry and I have developed a… taste for unreputable women.
Even if I build an empire I may have no one to pass it on too. No one legitimate that is. May this not be the end our line
Our God please grant me the strength to forage my fathers vision into reality and spread your glory across the world
1150 I have chosen a lady of the Court that I find pleasing to be my wife. I hope she never learns of my other “attendants”.
1151 I have been blessed with a son, God truly has bestowed his favor on my kingdom.
Damn my misfortune A passing HRE crusade has caused Persia to rise up in rebellion. Though I had not yet claimed this province I was hoping to make it my first conquest. However the rebels are to well organized and armed for an action at this time.
1154 I have made my first conquest in Sweden. The locals fled in steed of fighting my forces.
1155 A Blessing from the Holy Father. My Brother Prince Kazimiez comes of age unharmed I now have faith that I shall not be the last King of Poland.
1159-1160 Massive wars have broken out across the continent. I have had to choose my allies carefully. I have been fortunate enough to keep my allegiances with both the HRE and Bizyantium. Hopefully I can continue to build my military fortifications with out them growing leery.
1161 After massing significant military might on the eastern front I invade Novgorod. God was with us as we crushed the northern barbarians. I feared that this attack may cause troubles with some of my allies, but to my pleasant surprise the Pope Spanish English and HRE all chose to stand with me instead of with the Cossack mongrels.
1167 Married an English princess to my Brother. Now he shall be ready to rule when I pass on. Hopefully this marriage will help to keep the blood in our line fresh.
I made an allegiance with the Sicilians and Invaded Smolensk. The Novgorod’s army keeps being crushed by the training and will of my men.
1168 My son comes of age. Now With two heirs no random act of evil can cut down our kingdom.
1169 I married another English princess to my first born son. I have forged an alliance that I hope will last many years. I hear of an invention called the compass rose and its promise to change shipping. I continue my eastern campaign and sack Chernigov.
1173 After continued economic and military building I decide to attack Denmark and the Danes. The Danes had recently invaded the HRE. I hoped that my attack would not only help me solidify the Scandinavian lands under Polish rule, but would also grant us favor with the HRE. The Pope did not look kindly on my actions and broke our alliance. He also threatened me with Excommunication, but with Denmark firmly under Polish rule I knew this would not happen. The Spanish and English saw it fit to stand with us against the Danes.
1176 I sent my two daughters off to marry the HRE’s and Bizantium’s Emperors. I hope the strengthening of our alliance will allow me to focus on solidifying our position in the East and Scandinavia with out fear of invasion.
1177 With the increased income from the spoils of war and increased economic infrastructure I have decided to commence building of a castle in Lithuania.
1178 Unfortunately my proposals of Marriage are respectfully declined. Perhaps they recognize my growing hunger.
1180 My armies have invaded Norway. Though the pagan Vikings put a tremendous fight my forces were victorious. The HRE defeated and killed the Danish king. The Danes no longer stain Europe.
1181 I have commenced building of another castle in Poland. I hope this fortification will strengthen the heart of my empire.
1182 I am in the twilight of my years and the past few months I have been stricken with several illnesses. Believing I shall not last the week I summoned for my brother and spoke with him. I commanded him to rise an empire worthy of his God and his ancestors. An Empire that will shake the very foundations of Europe
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/color1182.jpg
*The state of the Polish Empire during 1182 *
* King Boleslaw died with 6 influence 2 Piety 5 Dread and 2 Acumen. He had the V&V Killer Instinct and Secret Adultery magnificent Builder and Steward*
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Dr.Simon Appleton follows. If there were a literary award given out for these things, He'd get my vote:
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I pray my physician is a better healer than he is a liar. I know I am dying and now I must account for my years before the fast approaching darkness.
1182: I inherited a land of power and potential. No longer meek and subservient to the power of its larger neighbours, Byzantium and the HRE, the Kingdom of Poland spanned twelve provinces and need bow to no one. My duty was clear: to further expand the kingdom, but where to strike first? The most tempting direction was west. Hungary was locked in a fierce contest with the HRE, leaving its border provinces weakly defended. With our own kingdom only having begun the construction of castles, I viewed those in Bohemia, Hungary and Moldavia with a jealous eye. But my reach did not match my greed. I lacked a siege train and the prospect a long war was one that the Pope was unlikely to countenance. So with a reluctant heart, I turned east instead, to the empty steppes and the still unfinished war with Novogorod. Determined not to let my rule be remembered as one of conquest only, I dedicated three provinces throughout my reign to the production of a vast trade fleet. Our treasury was modest, at 8000 florins, and must be augmented. By the end of my rule, that sum had risen fivefold; an achievement perhaps no less important than our land's territorial expansion.
1183: And so it began. I marched into Khazar, severing the Kingdom of Novogorod so its remaining provinces of Pereyaslavl and Ryzan stood isolated from each other. The invasion was unopposed, the enemy retreating in haste. But who should ride out to greet me but a messenger from the Kingdom of Italy He invited me to dine with the King of the Italians himself, who for some unfathomable reason had taken up residence in Volga-Bulgaria. I politely declined, but decided that it would not be long before I took up the invitation.
1184: I invaded Pereyaslavl, from where the enemy could not retreat. I had heard much of the power of the Boyars, the backbone of the army of Novogorod, and now I had to face 200 of them without heavy cavalry of my own. Never again would I fear them. Despite their heavy mail and reputation, they were mere horse archers - easy prey for my foot archers and for my favoured troops, mounted crossbowmen. 156 Russians died, including their King, and the same amount were captured, for the loss of 80 Polish souls.
1185: Impatient for victory, we stormed Pereyaslavl castle. The Egyptians offered us a chance to end our alliance with Byzantium, which I took, remembering my predecessors' ambitions towards Kiev. The Rebel provinces of Finland and Prussia rose up in a nationalist revolt in support of our other main allied neighbour, the HRE. This was intolerable, but I had to bide my time.
1186: We entered Ryzan for the final battle with Novogorod, one that followed much the same pattern as the battle of Pereyaslavl. As if in reward for my extinction of the Orthodox faction, the Pope offered me an alliance, which I eagerly accepted.
1187: We attacked the rebel province of Muscovy. It seemed that we were embarked upon a Ghazi-style of warfare, a religious war funded loot from conquered lands. A vicious battle ensued, pitching 893 of our troops against 750 rebels. We killed 481, took 160 and lost 199. But in truth, this was not a holy war and I released all the captured rebels. As if in return for this mercy, we learnt that Poland was now the richest kingdom in Europe.
1188: Volga-Bulgaria: another bloody contest, as I belatedly took up the Italian King's invitation. A Polish army of 885 bested an Italian force of 477. We lost 181 men, the Italians 304 dead and 119 captured including their King. Again, I spared the lives of the captives, being rewarded with a king's ransom of 10720 florins This is no reward from heaven, however, as my ally the Pope sternly admonished me to end this conflict with my Catholic brethren. Back home, I was hailed as a Great Builder.
1189: Heeding the Pope's warning, we stormed Volga-Bulgaria castle, ending our war with the Italians.
1190: A brief interlude of peace as I made haste towards Kiev. This Roman province stood like a dagger to the heart of our Kingdom. Moreover, Kiev houses a magnificent castle, still without peer in our own backward Kingdom, and acts as a defensive gateway to the East, from which dark rumours of a gathering Asiatic threat have emerged.
1191: We invade Kiev. The Byzantines do not contest the province, but retreat to the mighty castle inside. Our aggression costs us our Scilian allies, but these are replaced with the offer of alliance from England. Back home, I am now known as a Magnificent Builder and a Steward, developing my new lands in the East to be the breadbasket for my Kingdom.
1192: The army moves on to the Byzantine province of Crimea, surprised to find itself faced by a river obstacle forded by two bridges. The defending Byzantine force of only 65 men is too small to defend both bridges but die extracting a price of 46 Polish lives. Kiev remains under siege. Lulled into a false sense of security by the absence of a land border with Byzantium, I did not storm the castle since I still lacked a siege train. I recruited two mercenary catapults from Muscovy to end the siege, but it would be some years before they arrived in Kiev. Elsewhere in the world, the Almohad faction was eliminated and the HRE excommunicated during one of their never-ending wars.
1193: My siege trains continued to head to Kiev, as the French offered me an alliance. Seizing a chance to break my alliance with the outcast HRE, I accepted. Reports emerge of the Spanish, vanquishers of the Almohads, as the mightiest faction in Europe.
1194: My year of fire. Ever since the nationalist uprisings in Prussia and Finland, war with the HRE was inevitable. Conquering these provinces would complete my work to demilitarise my eastern border and free our forces to turn west. The presence of German fleets astride our trade networks in the English Channel and North Sea was an additional irritant. Now, with the excommunication of the foolish Holy Roman Emperor, I was free to strike. It was to be war a l'outrance. My navies would strike the German fleets at the same time my greatest generals invaded Prussia and Finland. Simultaneously, the garrisons of Denmark and Silesia would sally into Saxony and Brandenberg. If this combined offensive succeeded, we would no longer share a border with the HRE and the war would be over. I myself remained besieging Kiev, noting with some alarm the appearance of a Byzantine fleet in the Black Sea. I prayed the Hungarians and Egyptians (ensconced in Moldavia) would not take advantage of the ghost garrisons left on police duties in Poland and Silesia.
Everywhere our forces were victorious against the Germans. Our navies eliminated German seapower. In Finland, an army of 853 defeated a German force of 2377, for the loss of only 119 men. In Prussia, 1400 Polish wars defeated 2900 Germans for the loss of 180 men. In truth, these easy victories reflected the low quality of the German forces. In Brandenburg, a higher quality German army of 270 succumbed to 544 Poles, but killed 74. In the bridge crossing at Saxony, we lost 93 men to the Germans' 139.
But these triumphs were overshadowed by events in Kiev. The newly arrived Byzantine fleet ferried an army of 624 men to assault my army of 569 defenders. Although my command skills are good, I was frankly outclassed by those of the Byzantine general, Romanus Commanus, a legendary general despite his reputation as a sybarite. A shock force of Varangian Guard stormed across the bridge my army was well positioned to defend. Despite losing more than half its number to Polish massed archery, the English axemen cleaved a path through my feudal sergeants guarding the bridge exit. The Guard were reinforced by more Varangians, Byzantine infantry, Feudal sergeants, spearmen, Trebizond archers, Progonai Allonai and kataphracts. In desperation, I led my personal escort into the melee but it was to no avail. Most of my army - including all my bodyguard of Royal Knights - died valiantly at the hands of the Byzantines, but a significant proportion fled. When only my mercenary catapults remained at their posts, I realised I too had to withdraw or die at the riverside. I spurred my horse and headed for the road to Lithuania, alone and pursued by Byzantine horse archers. Although my courage wavered, my nerve held and consequently my reputation for valour was not besmirched. On arriving in Lithuania, my spirits were only slightly raised by the offer of alliance from my past foes, the Italians.
1195: the battle of Kiev had greatly depleted the strength of the victorious Byzantine forces, so I quickly mustered a stratch force from the garrisons of neighbouring provinces to try to retake the crucial location. Three units of mercenaries recruited from Chernigov stiffened what second-grade forces I could gather. The battle took place over two bridges, so I divided my force into half. Steppe cavalry were sent to rush the bridge furthest from the main Byzantine force, while my feudal spearmen crossed the nearest bridge defended by the dreaded Varangians. Once again, the Varangians smashed successive Polish units and indeed succeeded in driving them back across the near bridge to my side of the river. In desperation, I once again led my personal escort - now numbering only 5 knights - in a charge against them. Fortunately, the assault on the far bridge was going better; it had succeeded in drawing most of the Byzantine army away from the Varangians, with some being led a merry dance by the steppe cavalry. These fast horsemen raced to the other side of the near bridge, routing the Byzantine catapults and even menacing the Varangians before returning to assist the Poles locked in combat with the main Byzantine army now relocated at the far bridge. Unsupported, the Varangians fell to the lances of my depleted escort and I rallied what men I could to take the near bridge. At the far bridge, the sybarite Romanus Commenus fought bravely for what seemed like hours until ultimately falling at the hands of Polish woodsmen and mercenary feudal men-at-arms. Deprived of their great leader and their Varangian Guard, the remaining Byzantine units were soon defeated, pursued by the Steppe Cavalry and my Royal Knights. Our defeat in the previous year was avenged and the power of the Byzantines around the Black Sea hopefully eliminated.
Far to the west, Polish forces stormed Brandenburg Castle, while the Danish faction re-emerged in Friesland.
1196: Now equipped with a siege train and mindful not to repeat earlier mistakes, I stormed Kiev castle. As the Byzantine fleet had left the Black Sea, our war with them was over.
1197: Our forces stormed the castle in Saxony, ending our war with the HRE. World news was not so favourable: the Egyptians are now the most technologically advanced.
1198: Peace at last. My urge for conquest lingers, drawing me to choose between attacking Hungary or Egypt. Undecided, I reject an offer of alliance from the Hungarians. My reputation is now as a Great Steward, as the fruits of developing the lands of my eastern conquests are enjoyed across the kingdom.
1199. I decide I have fought my last battle. I am old and do not wish to bequeath my son an unfinished war. Rumours of an Asiatic horde moving far to the East vex me; my son may choose to consolidate to meet the threat, rather than commit to further expansion. Nonetheless, I reject alliance offers from the Egyptians and the English, leaving my son free to act as he chooses.
1200: I turn down alliance offers from Turkey and Spain. Our country thrives thanks to trade routes that now reach the Holy Land. But my own health is fading. My son, Prince Lesek, is only seventeen but already matches my near-nemesis, the late Romanus Commanus, in ability to wage war. The land I leave my son has fulfilled much of the potential apparent to me eighteen years ago. It now passes into more vigorous, capable hands.
State of the Polish Empire, 1201:
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/1201Pol.jpg
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Doge Enrico II (patron name and NOT indicative of an Italian leader) was next:
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The voice belonged to King Leszek I of Poland. He lay in a bed in a dank room of Krakow Castle, feeble and broken. His son, Mieszko, stepped forward, out of the shadows and away from his three brothers, Boleslaw, Kazimierz, and Wladyslaw.
“As you know my son, I have smallpox, a deadly disease. I don’t know how long I shall still live. But while I still live, I bequeath to you my realm. Your realm is no longer meek and small, but large and very strong. But before you can be crowned, you must learn of my reign and what you will from it.”
Mieszko took a seat right next to his father’s bed, and began to listen.
“Here is my story:
1201: I married your mother Ade, a princess of Hungary and began an extensive building program.
1202: Your mother gave birth to you and many of my buildings were finished.
1205: I resisted the Devil’s temptation to make Byzantium.
1206: Shunned an offer to have Egypt as an ally.
1209: I refused an alliance with the English.
1212: I secured an alliance while securing another son who I named after my father.
1213: I ended my alliance with the Spaniards.
1214: I allied with the evil Seljuk Turks, not one of my most noteworthy accomplishments.
1217: I finally gave in to temptation and allied with Byzantium.
1220: One of my agents reported the appearance of an Asiatic threat of vast numbers, and a mobilization like the world had never seen began, and I once again refused to ally with the English.
1221: I once again became an ally of the Spanish kingdom.
1222: I refused the offer of a French alliance.
1224: I listened to my conscience and ended my alliance with Byzantium and refused France.
1228: I turned away an Egyptian emissary and his offer of an alliance.
1229: I accepted the thought of an alliance with Egypt.
1230: 'The horde of the Tartars is numberless. When one is killed, another ten spring from the hell whence he came. each of them has the head of a dog, and carries with him sufficient weapons for three or four warriors.'
So wrote Benedict the Pole, and he had every reason to be fearful, even if he had confused Tartars with Mongols. The Golden Horde were more terrible than anything he could have wished to see: cruel, uncompromising, and the most efficient military force since the Caesars. They erased cities, slaughtered thousands, and enslaved any survivors.
The Mongols appeared in Khazaria with a force of 1331 troops to our mere 7171. But even out numbered we prevailed and we destroyed the Mongols. It was our greatest victory.
1236: French and Sicilian alliance offers snubbed.
1238: We attacked my wife’s brother, the King of Hungary with a four-pronged attack.
1239: We took Moldavia(from Egypt), Hungary, Carpathia, and Wallachia.
1240: Croatia was taken.
1241: I finally allied with the Sicilians and a siege relief of Croatia failed.
1242: We attacked Serbia.
1243: We attacked Bohemia, and ceased fire with the Egyptians.
1244: Our scouts sent word that the Hungarian King had escaped to Swabia.
1246: We attacked Bavaria.
1247: Our traditional allies, the Danes, re-emerged.
1250: We attacked Hungary's last province, Swabia.
1251: We killed the Hungarian king along with his son-and-heir, eliminating the Hungarian faction.
1252: I allied with the Danes and attempted to bribe the Venetian rebels.
1253: The rebels took the whole of Venice.
1259: Gunpowder was discovered.
1260: The Danes were once again eliminated.
1261: The English were eliminated.
The current year is 1262. Good luck son.
With those being his last words, he rolled over onto his pillow and died.
http://www.boomspeed.com/xalexusx/screenshot.jpg
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Chilling's reign
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King Mieszko III of Poland Age 61.
1263
I have come to the throne after my fathers long and eventful reign. My lands spread far and wide and monies are piled high in the treasury. I have 3 brothers and a son who at the age of 10 will become heir in 6 years. Althogh my realm spreads far it is poorly defended from civil dissobedience. I will immediately instruct my council to raise some civil defence and start a program of civil improvements. Interantionally France and Spain are having a dissagreement over the ownership of Champagne. I feel there Kings have a taste for the finer wines of this world.
1265
His Holyness the Pope calls upon the Polish people to help him with a little local difficulty he is having with the Sicilians. Of course being a loyal Catholic it would be inpolite to refuse his Holyness. Standing armies are given orders to make their way to the Papal states that the Sicilians occupy in defiance of his Holy Might.
1266
The Papal States are invaded. The Sicilians see the might of the Polish army advancing on the field and turn run like the craven cowards they are, surely the easiest victory that could be imagined. Never an arrow was let loose in anger, nor a sword drawn. This Sicilan King surely has no stomach for the fight. The feeble dog has holed himself up in his castle. Due to our action the Turkish and Egyptians choose to break off alliances with Poland.
1267
The Sicilain king finds some measure of backbone and confronts our beseiging army. What can only be described as a resounding victory for Poland ensues. The Sicilains are slaughtered, the few remaining units running back to the safety of the castle.
1268
In anticipation of a final stand Naples is invaded. The Sicilain forces that were defending the province move to the Papal States to hold a last stand with their King. Naples falls to the Polish. The Sicilians make a last stand in the Papal States and are roundly slaughtered. The Papal States fall to Poland as the Sicilain faction are eliminated. An Heir matures so our royal Polish line will continue into the future.
1269-1272
Qiet times in Poland. The building of the home defence is completed and our standing armies consolodated and positioned to disuade the Spanish from letting their war with the French spill over to Polish soil. Many Civil improvements are made.
1273
My only daughter marries the Spanish King. Lets hope this can cement our relations for many years to come. Not wanting to take on the Sanish who have a mighty army and only having borders with Catholic factions makes for Peacful living in Polish lands.
1276
The Spanish and French still war. The Spanish king Dies.
1279
Alliance with the Italians is dropped at the insistance of the Pope. There whereabouts is unknown to my royal crtographers at the present moment in time.
1280
With the continuing decline of the French empire the region of Franconia is just too tempting. We invade and are victorious. The Pope is none too happy and threatens excommunication. That would be too much of a blow as the Spanish would have free reign to attack.
1281
The castle of Franconia is attacked and defeated. No further attacks on the French can be instigated for 10 years by order of his Holyness.
1282-1288
Civic improvements and trade routes have been extended. our Purse is now 100,000 florins stronger and income has risen to 11,000 florins a year. The twilight of my reign beckons, the wind is chill and time short.
1289
The King is dead. Long live the King.
http://www.chilling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mieszkoa.jpg
http://www.chilling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/mieszkob.jpg
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Alrowan was next and did as he promised when he signed on. He conquered and expanded the realm:
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well its over.. the mighty King Casimin I is dead, after a glorious war.
In the year our Lord, 1289, a king ascended to the throne of Poland, a King who was set to change the face of Europes balance of power.
The first great act of King Casimin the First was to eradicate the pesky franks from his borderlands with his great ally of spain. This was a bold move, and the french quickly subcummed, and gave some small ground. The pope however was not pleased with the kings actions and excomunicated him from the most holy catholic Church. To ad insult to injury the pope sabotaged one of Polands shipping lanes the following year, forcing spain to cancel her relations with the mighty Poles.
After 2 years of border skirmishes, the King came forth and declared he had an hier, Prince Konrad. This was a bountiful time for the King, fo the following year, the Pope Died, and with him, his excommunication of Poland.
Back in the holy roman chuch once more, the King does awa with france in the years of turmoil following the change of papacy, and also a princess is born to the king.
Facing now across boders of rivers and hills Spain plotted behind her closed doors. The five year peace soon settled across Europe, with almost no battles occuring, and the wretched infedels in turkey being wiped out. The only other major event of these years of peace were the Revolts. Scotland removed themselves from the Spannish empire, this move also prompted some of the scotts allies in France to do likewise, though the french rebels were crushed, the Scotts remained. This was the first sign of Spains Waxing power.
In 1299 the Spannish king in all his arrogance attacked a polish trade route. Upon hearing this the princess' within spains borders began stirring the germanic people against thier masters, and a revolt occured on the Poland/Spain border in france, freeing up valuable polish troops to re-route south into northern italy.
over the next few year, poland took back more and more land, focing the inferior spannish armies back. Revolts occurd soon in spain and in some of africa, Spain crushed all but that in Tunisia, which in the following years would be spains undoing.
The War went well, with poland destroying many fleets in the great ocean, and in 1301 when the spannish king died, much of the Iberian peninsula and france had fallen to Poland and Germany.
In the east, the war raged as well. Great naval battles were fought for the bosporous, poland eventually perservered and conquered the seas. Then the land invasion begun. Poland took many tracts of land in the balkans, forcing spain back to constantinople. in a last ditch effort, spains pride and joy of the east attacked, a grand army of ten thousand men. Poland knew she had to retreat, and so faced a series of defeats, but each one whittling away at the spannish army.
Eventually poland fought back, reclaiming all her lost lands. And so that is where she stands now. During the war, some of the russian city-states saw fit to revolt from thier masters as well, and 4 new fiefdoms were set up, but thier riegn will only last as long as the next king deems worthy.
The secret to the poles success in this war was infrastructre. Upon the kings ascention, poland was lacking an navy capable of the inevitable war with Spain. The King put them on path to creating a mighty navy by building ports in the baltic and the black sea. Also, the plans were set to ground for the establishment of elite knights.
The face of europe has indeed changed. spain is no longer what she used to be. with the revolts in the west, and the loss of her grand eastern army, she stands on the brink of ruin. England and anatolia are all that remain of the once great empire, and Poland now stands firm, in her cradle of central europe, ready to deal out spains death blows. Who will conquer anatolia? the ever strengthening Egypt, freed from the yoke of spain? or will it be the poles, armies poised for a great invasion. The Iberian Penisula is divided into small petty kingdoms once more, and the pope struggles to keep his hat at the ever present poles.
Map at the end of Casimin I's reign
http://www.chilling.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/alrowan.jpg
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Herodotus followed Alrowan and was prodigious. Had his king not died a little prematurely, he would have appropriately enough ended this game even as he began the first. Would have made a good bookend to these stories but Konrad I was not so accomodating:
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I reigned from 1312 to 1349 (died age 56).
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TheKing.jpg
Last will and Testament of King Konrad
My first son Mieszko is heir to the throne, I am saddened that he can not be with me personally in my final days but such is life.
To my other sons I ask you to support your brother and to not look upon him with green eyes. Do not split the empire with your petty rivalries, rather combine your efforts to conquer the rest of the known world and all of you will be recorded in history for your great achievments.
To my son Mieszko, some advice; you are destined to be the King who finishes what was started so many years ago, however be wary of rebellion in these final years, lower taxes everywhere and continue to build spys and watchtowers. Be quick to build many farms and buildings to gain inscrutible loyalty from your generals and governors. GOVERNORS I Almost Forgot Be watchful of the sly devils, if you let them they will be in your own pocket before you know it
Also Mieszko, with your new found power comes great responsibility. You must remember to treat your brothers with respect, ignore your urges to tease them as you did through adolesance, they have suffered for long enough with the knowledge that they will never be King. Instead take up the stance of truely great monarchs, that of absolute commitment to the cause of their faction and absolute devotion to the happiness and safety of their subjects.
Lastly Miesko, I know how you are the one other person in this world who loves my great steed as I do. Therefore I leave Popeater to you.
To my daughters and wife I fare thee well and leave you in the care of Mieszko. You shall have everything you need as always. Be supportive of the boys and keep them together.
Do not cry for me, I go now to join the ghosts of our forefathers, as you all shall soon enough.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
THE KING IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE KING
https://jimcee.homestead.com/files/TheEmpire.jpg
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The next King of Poland, Aleborg, wrote:
Dear subdits, friends, dears all.
It has been for me a really honour to reach finally the dreaming port.
I, King Boleslaw IV of the Polish, I, King of Europe...
As now we live in a really peaceful days, with all the land from sunshine to sunset in our domain, no enemies, no troubles. We can build now a great and strong empire, not only in militar power but in knowledge, with all the people living a worthy life. No more battles, no more pain, no more kills and dies. Just to live in peace.
I know we all are in debt with my ancestor, our past kings, and also with all of our Polish ancestor, all who spilled their blood in the battlefield just for our future benefit. For all of them, Thank you.
I have time now, well, just solving some typical troubels in palace, some disputes between campesins, not too much. And of course enjoy with my grand sons (yes, im getting older...)
So, i would like to write somewhere the last years of our long road to the final victory for all who can think it could be interesting (i must say, now young people think that we have been the one and great since the beggining of the history. He he, of course i will not argue with them about that, but perhaps, one day in the future it could interest to some people, u never know. I think my ancestors did the same, so here you are my 2 cents (what could mean 2 cents??? nevermind...)
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1349:
I reach the throne at the age of 30.
I am plenty of energy, have enough experience in battlefield and what is more important, i am the king of the biggest country of Europe.
Ppl say im a nice chief, i am a proud cristian, but unfortunately, perhaps because of some kind of incest, i have a really stranges feet. Well, i can walk prefectly well so i dont care.
We are the owners of practically all europe. Only some places in north-africa,irland, and some mediterranean islands are still resisting our great armies.
I have heard about Don Fernando de Mendoza, one of the biggest generals of the moment. He is spanish, the faction with more territories above us. Anyway we have also great generals, so battles will be very interesting.
So i have just one only idea in mind. Finish with all that smalls factions and build a great Europe under the Polish Power. It could not be in another way, its my destiny and i will reach it...
So i start recruting troops in all of our lands. All ppl coming to our call, big armies starting to grow.
We have a really strong economy (128533 fl.) so i think we can make a great ecenomic effort in order to recruting ppl (i cant beleive why our young citizens dont fight just for our empire, they always want money in exchange... many thing in mind, i cant waste time in that...).
So, battles start...
Irland:
Lord Jagiellonczyk devaste the spanidh troops from there. Only 100 loses and the spanish lost 1171 guys. It seems to be easiser than i firstly thought.
We have started to build a harbour there. Now is not a problem becaus e we need troops there to keep people i peace, but perhaps we will need this nice army in the future.
Morocco:
Lord Jagiellonczyk (what a big and succesfull family...) also won there easily. 844 kills / 188 loses.
We earn there 2.398 fl. corresponding to the lands we conquist. Anyway, some prisioners catched and eliminated as no payment for them... ( http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif )
Suddenly the egipcian sultan died, also the almohad calif, but they both had sons who taken the keys of both empires (small empires by the way...)
Sadly we lost also some nice gens, but all of them died peacifully on their beds, after a long and succesfully life, so they earn the rest...
Pope again with his excomunications, bah i dont care.
I married with the daughter of one important person (a politic guy). Fortunately i am the king, so i picked a really nice one, she is pretty pretty...
So time pass, there goes one more year.
1350:
People start to say im a nice constructor (well i cant understand, i have never had a brick in my hands, i just write the orders to start the constructions, ok nevermind again).
118419 fl.
Battles are going in many parts of the world...
Palestine:
Polish: Lord Majtyka (9 stars command) - 1.048 men
Egipcians: Sultan Muhammed III - 207 men
Easy victory for our great gen: 205 (kills) / 26 (loses)
Sadly the sultan could retreat and now he is in his casttle. Under besiege.
Egypt:
Poor spanish. They did not fight, just run and retreat like cowards.
Argel:
Finally we found Don Fernando de Mendoza, a 9 stars commander...
A great army, commanded by our general Lord Wielkopolski (5 stars), and with polish cavallery as principal force, WON there after a great battle. Fernando showed really great skills, but could not do anything against our superiority.
Anyway we suffer more loses than him, but it was a great sacrifice of our troops: 216 / 374
Marocco:
We took the casttle of marrocco. Ronins fought bravely there commanded by Don García Cisneros: 74 / 207, but they fall under our fist.
1225 fl earned there.
I decided save Cisneros life, as they fought realle bravely, and earned 667 fl btw.
We heard also about some spies in serb, no problem, just eliminated.
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1351
Our treasury is decreasing, but i have plenty faith in it. Now we have 112.514 fl.
More buildingd start to finishing. They started under my father reign. Lot of taverns, bars..., well, i think my father had a really funny life.
Jerusalem casttle:
Polish: Lord Zecharek - 521 guys (albalards and some semiculebrins principally)
Egipcians: Sultan Muhammed III (2 stars) - 92 (knights basically)
Of course we took it, but not without some loses: 92 / 96. Zecharek showed there some nice skills, so he earned his first star as commander status.
Arabia:
A new show of how to run from spanish troops. They retreat again and are under siege.
Argel:
Well, here suddenly we suffered an attack from almohads. They should thought that after spanish they should be our next victim (and they were correct anyway), so they decided to attack us in Argel. They launch a really big attack:
Polish: Lord Jagiello (8 stars, duke of Flandes, admiral of the flote) command 1.353 guys, with many polish cavallery, and some other troops.
Almohads: Calif Ibrahim II (2 stars), who comanded a great army of 2.313 guys, with many heavy cavs and almohad militia units.
It was one of the higest battles never seen, one of our great victories anyway. Our great admiral, with the better skills i have ever seen in my life won the battle with 1.000 guys less than the enemy, and with really low loses: 1501 / 436. It was a really nice job, so he earned the 9 star of commander, who only have the really higest generals of the history.
The egypts didnt pay a rescue for their Sultan, so he died sadly uncompresible. After many years of history, with bright years in the past, Egypt empire fall and disappeared.
Again i heard about some new and great taverns around our reign (he he, i miss you pha...)
1352:
Economic ppl start to shout me, Bah they dont know nothing about battled and honour...
104.892 fl.
Casttle of kerak:
Polish: Lord Adamczyk (9*) with 405 guys.
Spanish: Lord de Nebrija (3*), just 160 men.
It was an estrange battle, we lost much more guys that necessary, keeping in mind our army were commanded by a really skilled gen. I think my Phater taverns are starting to have some bad influence in troops...
160 / 205
At least we earned 1.750 there. I hope my accountant will close his mouth with them...
Sinai:
Spanish... another retreat. What did u expect??
Argel casttle:
We decided to attack there. We knew it should be hard, of course, nice fort there and commanded by Fernando de Mendoza, but no fear.
Polish: Lord Jagiello (9*), with an army of polish cavs and some very brave peasants of 377 guys.
Spanish: Don Fernando de Mendoza (8*), with only 24 guys.
Well, it was a really hard battle, with just 24 guys Fernando killed 282 of our soldiers. Finally we reach the victory, but with really high pain: 21 / 282
We got 3.793 fl. there, and of course, i killed Don Fernando de Mendoza, a really great and brave man, but i did not want to see my soldiers falling so quick...
Princess Elzbieta start to be involved in our economics problems. She is really intelligent, so i hope she will can save our treasury (sadly she is not so pretty as intelligent).
Some heralds tell me that Byzantine emperor has died. New one anyway.
Again spies. Bah.
And the best new of this year I have a son Well, as you can see i have been fast. She is really beautiful...
And now magnificant builder, well, ppl is drinking too much, so they say whatever.
Ok, its to late for this old guy. I need a rest now, i will follow with my history soon, when my dutys and family obligations allow me.
Take care and be happy.
King Boleslaw IV
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Mmmmm, nice day sunshine, i love when my grand son come to my bed and wake me up.
Well, where were I, ah yes, it was...
1353
Princess Elzbieta has made many changes in our economic structure, but it seems we will need some time to accustomed to them...
98.579 fl.
Egypt
Another new retreat from spanish troops. They really love their lifes. Well soon or late they will pay their debts.
Sahara
An army leaded by Lord Jagiello (9*), with 1588 with feudal knights and cavallery sargents invaded finally the great desert. We taked it with lot of calm. Jagiello knew that in those high and vast dunes, with sand everywhere, horses will be tired very soon, and heavy units the same.
He had to face an army leaded by Califf Ibrahim II, a really poor command btw, without any start or whatever, composed by 822 men, with many real knights.
Of course, we had an easy victory, im starting to thing to offer Jagiello the hand of one of my daughters (that remind me that i have to see my wife this night again, we dont have daugthers at the moment, so we will look for them...)
546 / 83
Prince Muhammad is now our prisioner.
Casttle of Sinai
Under siege: Defensors lost 179 men
Sadly we lost also 94 guys. They drunk too much and thought that they could get the casttle by their own. When the alcoholic effect dissapeared they were died...
Our little and nice prince Leszek, him, who we all remember strecthing my hair with only 2 y.o. had grow healthly, and now is an strong and young men (sigh how time pass).
I should be happy, Francisco Petrarca, from Arezzo, a great poetry has showed us that not only the strong could be in the steel and the sword, but with in the words and the pencil. But im not happy, he is distracting my troops, and again more taverns, i will have a conversation with father one day in the heaven...
Of course, another son, i really love her...
1354
85.726 fl. No comments pls...
Malta
Finally i decided to start battles in the islands. So i declared war against Byzantium (and against whoever anyway)
Polish: Lord Mazaria (5*) - 1.291 men
Byzantium: Emperor Alexius III (5*), 361 guys with many kathakraptoi.
They did not expect our attack, it was an easy victory.
264 (kills) / 55 (loses)
Btw, i saw there, after the battle, some farmers were playing an extrange kind of sport, they were kicking a ball with their feet trying to put the ball in to a big extrange box made with wood and some cords. Was very extrange, i cant beleive it now, but i saw Don Fernando de Mendoza playing there (perhaps a ghost) vs a Malta team leaded by one guy who all called Tera or something like that...(extrange name)
Fernando won 12-1, hehehe.
Casttle of Egypt:
The last reduct of spanish empire, now they wont run anymore...
Polish: Lord Majtyka (9*) - 1.796 men
Spanish: King Diego I (3*) - 516 (thay have a very big machine wich throw stones, but we know them perfectly well)
Our last victory against spanish: 380 / 21
Casttle of Tunisia:
Polish: Lord Jagiello (9*) - 849 men
Almohads: Califf Ibrahim II - 195 men
They offered some resistance, but u all know it is futil against polish power. Again Jagiello rolled enemy: 195 / 91
Just 500 fl. earned there, not very much but more than nothing.
Córcega
Finally we launch an attack against the pope. I rellay wanted to do that since many years. I heard my father wanted also to did it, but he couldnt for some reasons. Now is the day, we will show him who is really the boss here.
Polish: Lord Pieritz (9*) - 491 men
The Pope: Don Galeazzo Morosini (1*) - 212 men
One more for the polish empire: 148 / 23
Sardinia:
They run like mad dogs. A retrear from the Pope, but we catched him. He was so bad that even his own ppl did not want to pay a rescue for him. I really didnt have another option, i had to let him rest in peace, for ever...
Pope Nicholas XII died, now the new Pope (dunno the name)is like a marionette. No more troubles from the Pope.
Well, we are nearest to the final victory, but still some work to do.
Spanish died for ever, same with almohads, two less in the list...
Sinai falled under our siege, 4.475 fl, im sure Elzbieta will be happy with this new.
John Wylcliffe, a reformist, who like some strange religions rites, caused some troubles in Wessex, Mercia and Northtumbia. Well, army in irland will go there and make some arrest and so on. Im also thinking in closing all the taverns there for a while, im sure all that started in a drunken meeting...
One guy has invented some kind of profilactic sistem (huh??) made by cottom and other stranges material (i have never been a scientist). It seems it works, no son this year...
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1355
79.660 fl. Mmmmm, perhaps Elzbieta's changes are starting to work?? Lets see next years...
On this year we have finished lot of harbours in many of our provinces, now i can count with all my troops whereever i want, as we have a flote in every parts of the sea. Very important strategically (mmm, im not so stupid...)
This year, as spanish and almohads are no more here, we can focus on the islands.
Casttle of Candias:
Polish: Lord Mezaria (4*) - 623 men
Byzantium: Emperor Alexius III (4*) - 97 guys
Mezaria fight really well there. He got all the enemies, including Alexius III, unfortunatley Byz, didnt paid for him. I really hate to kill prisioners, but, what could i do? Mezaria earned his 5th star.
97 / 80
Crete:
Polish: Lord Pieritz (9*) - 2.080 men
Rebelds: Romanus Osphanotrophus (or something like that...) (2*) - 1.032 men
Rebelds were double in number, but they resist pretty well thx to his lots of byzantine units: 760 (kills) / 455 (loses)
Cyprus:
Polish: Lord Petratz (9*) - 2.164 men
Byz: Andonius Statiocus (1*) - 1.204 men (with varangian guard, i have heard they are really strong)
Well, perhaps varangian are strong, but they didnt show this time. I think also Petratz was also a very important point on the battle, he made a perfect plan for it.
865 / 199
Casttle of Cirenaic:
Polish: Lord Majtyka (7*) - 715 men
Rebelds: Don Pero Galmírez (0*) - 136 men
Pero could be a bad general, but he showed us how to defend a casttle. we suffered more casualties than necessary 136 / 203
At least we get there 2.375 fl.
Sicily:
Polish: Lord Zuran (4*) - 2.056 men
Sicilians: Rey Agnus III (3*) - 1.238 men, with lot of royal knights.
An strong army there, and strong defense...
870 / 712
And 1.279 fl. more for our treasury.
It has been a really busy year, lot of battles, but lot of victories, i can feel victory is near.
I had lot of duties on this year, many time far from home, i really miss her...
1356
78.025 fl. Wow, as i said she is really intelligent, i am happy she is so ugly (ssshhh, of course i wil never say that to her). Finally economy is starting to get better now. And no more shouts from the economists, good
Another year, lets try to finish the job asap...
Casttle of Rodas:
Polish: Lord Pieritz (8*) - 593 men
Rebelds: Stephen Angelus (2*) - 213 men
We faced an army of byz infantrie, but again our troops, with the intelligent orders from Pieritz got the Victory.
213 / 162
Casttle of Nicosia:
Polish: Lord Petratz (8*) - 666 men (diabolic army...)
Rebelds: Andonicus Stratiocus (1*) - 237 men
No way, easy victory again, and Petratz was very angry that day, no survivors at all: 237 / 82
650 fl more for treasury (positive result for next year??)
Casttle of La Valleta:
Polish: Lord Zuraw (4*) - 640 men
Sicilians: King Aed I (2*) - 177 men
One of our last battles. Aed fight brave, and also honourable, what is not very usual nowadays, but again it was not enough:
177 / 366
As you can see King Aed died fighting bravely, a pitty he was not Polish, i really like him. Glory to King Aed
We got there 2.270 fl.
Another year is ending, not very much to do yet. Just hold positions and lets see...
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I think playing as Poland is qiute challenging.I always play with expert difficulty level and I managed once playing as Poland to create an empire stretching from finland,novgorod,smolensk,muscovy,pereyaslavl,chernigov,kiev,crimea,khazar,ryazan,volga-bu
lgaria,georgia,moldavia,livonia,lithuania,volhynia,prussia,silesia,wallachia,pomerania and finally poland in 60 years (1087 - 1147) and started a major conflict with the byzantines.... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
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Mods - any chance of this thread joining its brothers in the new PBM forum?
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