The Kingdom of Outremer

A letter reaches Kaiser Elberhard, Count Matthias, and Count von Kassel.

Fellow Crusaders,

I am writing from inside Aleppo where we are besieged. Through various means, information has gotten back to me concerning the situation around Outremer. It seems Antioch is besieged as well. And the Kaiser has been pushed back across the river where a large professional army holds the river crossing.

My initial instinct is to sally at Aleppo. The enemy are many but completely lack archers in their main army. Also, I hold an advantage in cavalry. I have appealed to the Chapter House at Aleppo which I know well. They have answered the call and every single Teutonic Knight in the area has turned out. The ballista towers and crossbowmen on the walls can provide cover while my army forms up. With a strong center, and cavalry on the flanks, I believe I can beat the army and a half in front of me.

But I wish to hear your thoughts on the matter first before acting. I do not believe sitting under siege for a turn or two is an option while I still have a large army to field. I have a feeling Count Matthias feels the same way. If I can sally, with few losses, I might be able to reach the army on the river crossing. From there, the Kaiser and I can destroy the army in front of him while they sit trapped on the river bank.

What do you men think?

Letter sent to all.

Fellow crusaders,

I am in full agreement with King Jan's proposals, although the sally may be a challenge for his army. If he attacks at night, he will avoid the besiegers receiving ranged support from a reserve Byzantine force of archers and siege engines.

After his sally, I suggest that King Jan open the attack on the enemy on the ford, but only feint to keep their attention. As they guard the west bank against his Army of Jerusalem, I will be able to fall on their rear. I believe this would be best as the Army of Jerusalem may be depleted from its sally. If my army does act as the hammer in the battle of the ford, I insist that I retain personal command of it.

OOC:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I would like Jan to initiate the battle. That way, my army will not be crossing the river and will be able to do most of the fighting. But given that it will be my army doing most of the fighting, I would like to fight the battle. To conserve it's strength, I will not use AoJ much in the battle - perhaps not at all, except firing a few crossbows if the chance arises. I will change the settings to allow unlimited men on the battlefield - otherwise most of my army won't be allowed on the battlefield. I will release the prisoners as any traits from the battle will acrue to Jan.

I believe Matthias will face much less difficulty than King Jan in driving off his besiegers. Whether he intends to take the iron bridge, I leave up to him. However, once he has completed his actions, we must ensure that Antioch has a sufficient garrison to keep order - we cannot afford to lose our main economic centre.

After his battles, I would request that Matthias transfer one battery of cannon to my army so that I may take it with me to march on Damascus. If he holds the iron bridge, I will transfer a regiment of spearmen to his force. Travelling with the cannon, I will not be able to reach Damascus this year, but I would like to get as far south as I can. There are large Papal armies massing around Jerusalem and if they besiege Acre, Dieter von Kassel will not be able to successfully sally without my aid.

Kaiser Elberhard

OOC: Please note that I have 'fixed' some errors with Outremer wealth. While doing this I realized that you area all in serious need of cash, considering your military situation. Thus, I gave Matthias and Elberhard bonuses consistent with their actions on the previous turn. Individually, it is still a small amount, but there is now a decent amount of wealth in Outremer, if you can manage to pool it.

Kaiser Elberhard and King Jan,

I can sally out of Antioch with little difficulty. I can also take the bridge, however casualties will be higher with a bridge assault. The cannon will be of great use, but I still believe I will lose a fifth or a quarter of my men.

My concern is that if I take back the bridge, I will not have enough men to garrison the city after losses and hold the bridge. I can recruit more spear militia and I can send some of my men back to hold the city, but until those men are recruited, the city will be near riot and my field army will be weakened.

How important is the Iron Bridge to us at the moment? If I was heading north to take Adana, its seizure would be important, but if I am to hold at Antioch, it might not be worth the loss of men. Even killing 5 Byzantines for the loss of one German, we may not come out ahead in that equation. Our enemies seem to have a limitless supply of men, we do not. We should only seek combat to relieve our settlements or when we can inflict massive losses without taking many ourselves.

Another option would be to take the cannon north and shell the Byzantines across the Bridge. I can inflict losses on them without taking any of my own, and perhaps even goad them into crossing. If the shelling goes very well, I can cross and attack, if not I can retreat back to Antioch after bleeding them.

To sum up, I will not hesitate to take the bridge, but I will not throw lives away on an assault if it is not necessary.

What say you both?

A letter to all

Crusaders,

I like the Kaiser's proposals. I will sally at night. Then attack the secondary force. Then move to the river ford. I'll feint that I'm going to cross, and make the enemy form up on the west side of the river. There he will be destroyed by the Kaiser who will come from the rear.

OOC: We'll do the battle just like Econ described. And yes, please release prisoners regardless of the circumstances, money, amount of prisoners, avatar death, ect... :yes:

Also, with money, I do not have much because I am besieged. But I do have 1 point. It won't do me any good by itself so let me know if any of you need it and I will ship it over.

In response to Matthias, I say it is up to him. If he thinks he can take the bridge at little cost, great. If he thinks the cost will be too high, then it would be more prudent to wait.

God be with you.

Brothers,

I think we are in agreement.

Matthias - you are right. The people of Antioch are still too skittish to be left with only militia. And the iron bridge is not essential at the moment. The ford is rather more important, as it divides Antioch and Aleppo. I am wondering King Jan's force should be stationed there rather after we retake it?

Bombarding the Byzantines over the bridge is possible, but I fear that our foes would pretend it were a victory if you do not press the attack and their lies would undermine your reputation. Moreover, I would like to take one of the batteries south, to threaten Damascus.

Yours

Elbehard

After I sally out of Antioch, I will dispatch one battery of cannons to you immediately mein Kaiser. If I choose to shell the Byzantines, I will do it with the remaining battery.

As for my reputation. . .I care not what the Byzantines say about me. We shall see.

Edit: Jan holding the ford would be useful. Even if the Byzantines besiege Aleppo, they never seem to assault right away. With King Jan at the ford, he could restrict their movement and be in a postion to relieve Alepp if needed.

I worry that if I sit on the ford, Aleppo will just be attacked next turn and whatever reinforcements you guys give me will just be sitting in the castle and will need to be saved again. Maybe it's better to go back into the castle to keep the army intact.

Speaking of reinforcements, any ideas on what to spend the money on? I fear this turn I will have little personal money but great need of replenishing losses.

On second thought, sitting on the ford might be a better place for AoJ. It would be easier to relieve Aleppo from the outside, rather than the inside. I'll just leave a unit in the citadel to hold off a Byzantine attack long enough for us to relieve them.

OOC: when I made the last post, I was still thinking of pre-cataclysm mechanics where things have to be recruited in a settlement first. I forgot that during the cataclysm, units can be recruited directly into your army.

Kaiser Elberhard and King Jan, the siege of Antioch has been crushed and I have retaken the Iron Bridge from the Greeks. Two Byzantine Armies, totalling over 1700 men are no more, for a loss of 133 Germans.

God and Saint Maximillian have smiled upon us this day. However, as I feared, Antioch is restive in my absence. I had to send half my army back to the city to keep it from rioting. I have ordered the recruitment of three spear militia units out of my own funds, but for now holding the bridge will be interesting.

If either of you could lend assistance, I would be grateful. I realize however that Antioch is not our only concern. I will hold the Iron Bridge to the last man if need be.

I wish you both luck in your battles.

Edit: My battle report.

Crusaders,

I have broken the siege of Aleppo and then beat the supporting army. I am in position to support the Kaiser at the river crossing.

I lost around 300 men defeating 2200 and had to leave two regiments back at the castle to keep order. I will need reinforcements soon if I am to remain combat effective.

Good job Count Matthias! We keep winning the day but this is turning into a war of attrition.

Elberhard: Well met, King Jan!

https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/5087/trapendhu0.jpg

Caught between the anvil of your army and the hammer of mine, we trapped the enemy in the ford and destroyed them.

https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/5103/trapza6.jpg

As you requested, I have ordered the prisoners released. I believe my own escort alone captured nearly 400 of the unfortunates.

After your victories to reach the ford and now this, we will not be ashamed to look Matthias in the eye despite his tremendous achievements this year.

I need to march south, but waiting for the cannon would slow me down. I will leave them with you in the ford. I would be grateful if you could send them on towards Damascus next year, so long as fate does not throw us more surprises.

I am detaching a regiment of spears to be assigned to the Army of Antioch as I promised Matthias. The three regiments of militia we ordered last year have finally turned up for duty in Antioch, so I have released Matthias's cavalry and his last crossbow regiment from garrison duty to join him at the iron bridge.

I will send a runner to Matthias to check whether he still wants to train three more militia regiments. There is some logic to that, but perhaps one militia regiment and an armoured sergeant regiment trained up at Aleppo or Acre would be more combat worthy.

[OOC: We already have 6 militia + 2 fanatics in Antioch =70% loyal.]

For my part, I need more crossbowmen and am going to request Dieter von Kassel to train a regiment for my army at Acre. With the bridge and ford secure, hopefully we can draw revenue from Antioch next year.

Congratulations to you both, we have shown the Greeks the high price of their arrogance. Now the bastards will think twice before holding a river crossing against us.

Kaiser, I believe I will keep the recruiting order for the Militia. My Fanatics desire to be in the field. Such undisciplined ferocity should not be left behind walls. At this point, I need numbers, not quality. A large garrison in Antioch will provide flexibility as well.

As for our next steps, with the Kaiser on the road to Damascus, it is left to King Jan and I to hold the line in the north. I will hold the Iron Bridge. What are your plans King Jan? I sorely wish to liberate Adana, but that will have to wait until After Damascus is taken and we have further weakened the Greeks.

It gladdens me that at least in this part of the Reich we have so far avoided retreat, dissension or disaster. May our luck continue to hold.

My Kaiser, it was good to ride with you into battle.

Here is our current financial situation:

Kaiser: 8

von Kassel: 4

Matthias: 3

Jan: 1

I can place recruitment orders in Aleppo for any of you but I would need the money shipped over.

I have looked into the civil order situation in Antioch. I believe that the 2 regiments of fanatics can be removed from the city with no penalty. 6 militia will hold the city just fine against unrest. (OOC: it stays at 70%)

However, we need more armored spearmen. Matthias has three regiments but they might as well be two. I have three that might as well be two. Plus I need two in addition just to garrison Aleppo against unrest. I am currently using two of my own regiments to do it which leaves me with just one regiment of spearmen at the moment. So, I could use 2 more regiments for Aleppo, as well as 1 for AoJ. With some merging and moving, that would leave 3 in AoJ and 2 in Aleppo. AoA needs at least 1 more as well.

In addition to the Kaiser needing one more crossbow regiment, I could also use a third eventually.

As for cavalry, they are so expensive I think we are pretty much stuck with what we have. Same with artillery.

I know we are all in great need of men but, for now, my army is by far the most depleted. If one of you can send even one point over to me, so I can recruit at least one regiment of spearmen for AoJ or Aleppo, it would help a lot.

Also, I want us to consider sending each other parts of units so we can merge them and make fuller units out of them. For example, I have 17 Kwarziam cavalry. A force that small is not going to last long. I can send this regiment to the Kaiser next turn and he can merge them into his 2 regiments of Kwarziam cavalry.

As for my plans, I will hold the river crossing. If the Byzantines attack Aleppo next turn, I will relieve it again. But remaining in a settlement, and risking being besieged, is something I will try to avoid from now on if possible.

What are all of your thoughts regarding recruitment?

Elberhard: King Jan, I have been trying to conserve my wealth for contingencies - for example, if Acre needs reinforcing or my army suffers heavy losses storming Damascus. I do not know in advance what regiment would be most required, so am reluctant to expend all my financial reserves.

At present, I believe AoA and AoJ have enough men to hold their river crossings this year. I believe this is a priority - we should not let Antioch be besieged and the income she provides us be denied. The Acre garrison can hold against a half-sized enemy force, but not against a full strength one. Hence, my movement south to be able to assist. My army is strong enough to survive in the field and credibly threaten Damascus.

I believe Matthias has four regiments of crossbowmen and King Jan only two. I would suggest that Matthias transfer one to AoJ. Matthias will also be recruiting three regiments of spear militia, some of which could be allocated to AoJ when they become available next year. Perhaps they could ultimately garrison Aleppo? I do not believe any small garrison can hold the Citadel without support from a field army nearby, so the garrison may as well be of the most economical form available.

I am willing to provide the extra funds to recruit another unit of armoured spearmen for King Jan. However, as Matthias's recruitment choice illustrates, two regiments of spear militia would be an alternative use of the money. I do not wish to spend all my funds on spearmen, as I find them frankly mediocre soldiers - I venture that it is through our missiles and our knights that we will find victory.

We are likely to face a dilemma next year if, as seems likely, Aleppo is besieged again. AoJ may not be strong enough to relieve it unaided. I may then face the choice between pressing on to Damascus or returning to assist. But let us see what the facts are on the ground before agonising over such a hypothetical.

My Kaiser, here are my thoughts,

I think saving money for contingencies is a wise move. But I also think telling you what I feel I need is also a wise move. I am nowhere near a point where I feel things are critical for AoJ, but I do see that point arriving in the future. The only way you are going to know what I need is if I make it clear to all of you. Frankly, I have been struck humble at how amazing the coordination has been between the four of us and I only wish to keep it up.

I think having AoJ and AoA protect Antioch, while KA goes south, are the best moves we can make at the time.

I am hesitant to ask for the 4th AoA crossbow regiment because they seem so useful peppering units that try to cross Iron Bridge. I am probably going to be in more field battles, than bridge/crossing defenses, so my 3rd crossbow can wait a turn. If Matthias give his 4th to me, I would accept it of course but I do not see it as priority at the moment.

Using spear militia to garrison Aleppo is a great idea. If Matthias recruits two of them at Antioch, and then they get moved to Aleppo next turn, that frees up my armored spearmen. Which would give me 3 partial regiments that I could collapse into 2 full ones.

I do not see a use for a third spear militia however. Antioch can hold fine with 6 and Aleppo with 2. I am very hesitant to use militia in the field. One of my few advantages is the fine morale of the fighting German soldier. Only if our situation gets more dire, would I think of putting militia in our armies.

So, I could use 1 armored spearmen. If I get a second, I can send the partial regiment I have in AoJ, on to Matthias and he can make a full out of it with his partial. That would give us both 3 regiments which would put us in a good spot. I have 1 point, Matthias would have 1 point if he only buys two militia, so we would just need 2 more points.

Maybe it is how I fight battle but I personally find armored spearmen to be a great help. They are my front line. And as I keep losing cavalry to attrition, I will need to keep fleshing out my foot soldiers. Plus I keep facing armies that have a lot of cavalry and I need to soak up their charges.

Fearing what I am trying to say will just get jumbled in my awkward sentences, I will summarize my thoughts. Here is what I propose:

Matthias spends 2 points on militia in Antioch. They get sent to Aleppo next turn. He also sends 1 point to me.

The Kaiser and/or my nephew sends 2 points to me.

I take those 3 points, plus my 1, and recruit 2 armored spearmen at Aleppo. Next turn one will go to Matthias and one will go to me. My spearmen at Aleppo would come back to me. With some creative merging, Matthias and I would come close to having 3 full regiments of armored spearmen each.

In addition, next turn I want to send my 17 Kwarz cav on to the Kaiser where he can fold them into his 2 regiments of Kwarz cav. A unit of cav so small will not last long in battle and be of limited usefulness. They would be more useful being folded into a larger regiment.

How does this sound to everyone?

Elberhard: King Jan, I would agree to that plan if it is acceptable to Matthias.

What is important to agree on at this stage are the recruitment orders - we raise two militia spears in Antioch (2 pts from Matthias); two armoured sergeants in Aleppo (2 pts from me, 1 from Jan, 1 from Matthias); one pavise crossbow in Acre (3 pts from me) plus whatever Count von Kassel decides to train.

Allocation of the recruits to armies may need to be revised depending on how our enemies act.

Matthias scratches his head.

Considering I can bring the fanatics back to the bridge without rioting, I will do so. They are useful as shock troops.

Considering the new arrivals, I will recruit two spear militia instead of three. If they can be spared from Antioch next year, they can be sent on to Aleppo.

I agree with the Kaiser, Militia Spearmen are not ideal, but I'd rather have two units of them than just one unit of Armoured Spearmen.

Now that Antioch has a proper garrison, beginning next year I will be able to use the Iron Bridge as my base of operations. If the Byzantines attack Aleppo, I will be able to fall on their rear and still return to the bridge. I should help preserve the Castle, since I technically govern it.

Edit: King Jan may have a unit of my crossbowmen if he wishes. Three of the four units would be able to reach him this year. I am in agreement with the other recruitment.

Gentlemen,

I agree with the recruitment plan the Kaiser laid out.

Does Count Matthias consent to sending me 1 point, in order to get an armored spearmen next turn? If he wishes to spend the one point recruiting a spear militia for AoA instead, that is his prerogative.

Looks like we have a plan. I wonder what my nephew is up to but I'm sure he is fine.

*edit*

I would happily accept the crossbowmen. Thank you.

OOC: OK posted while I was writing this.

Elberhard: Good, we are in agreement.

King Jan, I fear Count von Kassel's tutor is keeping him busy with homework. However, he did bunk off his studies to try to persuade two regiments of Papists stationed outside of Jerusalem to join our cause. Sadly, luck was not with him and he returned empty handed to Acre, barely escaping incarceration.

I admire my nephew's moxie and initiative with regards to trying to get us new regiments. But I wish he would exercise more caution with regards to the Papacy. I do not wish to provoke them further.

I'm glad that he escaped unharmed. I would take it quite badly if the forces of the Holy Father imprisoned my nephew. I have spent my adult life guarding that place and, despite the current relations between the Papacy and the Reich, I would hope that they would show all of us out here a certain courtesy.

The Pope might be angry with us, but we are the only thing ensuring that Jerusalem remains in Catholic hands. They should not forget that, despite the current acrimony.

Elberhard: I have reviewed the current situation in Outremer. Tobromeros Comnenus's army is an elite formation that I cannot defeat in open battle without my army ceasing to exist. Moreover, Dieter von Kassel is besieged in Acre by a large Papal force.

Consequently, I am minded to break off my advance on Damascus. Instead I will march to provide support to a sally by von Kassel against the Papists besieging Acre. With God on our side, we may even be able to turn some of the prisoners from the besieging army to our side. To be able to reach Acre, I will have to abandon the Great Cross. I would like to assign it to the Army of Jerusalem.

As for the other armies, I believe you should hold your positions at the bridge and the ford. I judge the Army of Antioch as currently constituted can hold the iron bridge against any present threats. However, the Army of Jerusalem is in grave danger at the ford. I believe Tobromeros Comnenus may strike at it, if I withdraw from the Damascus area.

Such a move would be greatly to our advantage - our experience defending the bridge and the ford before has shown that crossing a river turns a formiddable enemy army into something much more vulnerable. I believe King Jan could defeat Comnenus if he tries to force the ford and indeed that this would be the most efficient way to destroy that powerful Byzantine army. To ensure King Jan's success, however, I suggest that the two newly recruited regiments of spear militia be sent to the ford along with the two newly recruited regiments of armoured sergeants.

Even if King Jan defeats Comnenus, Aleppo will surely come under threat again in the near future and he will be forced to fight a costly field battle to retain the settlement. Hence bulking up his army seems warranted.

If Matthias judges he can defeat of the enemy armies near to him, he is welcome to attack. But for now, holding the bridge - and thus securing the income from Antioch - seems sufficient.

Opinions, brother crusaders?

I agree with the Kaiser's plans. AoJ will hold at the river crossing. I wish to strike at the Byzantine army near Aleppo but I fear the losses would be too great. We are in a war of attrition and they have numbers on their side. Holding at the bridges/crossing seems to be the best move right now. I wish the Kaiser luck in helping my nephew at Acre.

Matthias looks at the map grimly and nods.

Your thoughts mirror mine Kaiser. Captain Ermanes's army southwest of Aleppo is well balanced. I believe I could defeat him, but the battle would leave AoA weakened and out of position. Holding the Ford and the Iron Bridge is a good idea for now.

I do believe I can "thin the herd" north of the Orontes, striking at Captain Rossos and Captain Slavos in night actions. While neither would be decisive victories, I can inflict massive losses on the Greeks with minimal casualties. I would dearly like to strike at a third army, but then I might not be able to return to the bridge.

My concern is that powerful army you mentioned outside Damascus. If it moves north while you are at Acre. . .that would be unfortunate. Bridges and fords can be held from either side, but I am worried about simultaneous attacks from both directions.

Elberhard: Good, I am glad that we are in agreement again. I am particularly grateful that Matthas believes he can "thin the herd". We are in a battle of attrition, but the enemy's resources are not unlimited and victories may secure us ransom or other relief.

Opportunistic attacks on weak targets and retiring to defensible positions (the bridge, the ford, Acre) seems the best strategy at the moment.

Fellow Brothers,

I have once again broke the siege of Acre. We captured nearly 400 prisoners and many of the prisoners have repented their sins. Let us not forget the brave men who died in battle and let them be remembered for their courage in battle.

I wish Count Mathias every success in his battles this year.

Fellow brothers, I wish you good luck!

Dieter von Kassel

https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/6274/mike341ua6.jpg

https://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9577/mike340bq1.jpg

An impressive victory Dieter. I apologize for ever doubting you could defend Acre. A "beardless boy" you may be, but you have shown leadership beyond your years.

Mein Kaiser and King Jan, von Kassel has certainly earned his spurs. He should be made a Knight.

I now head north from the Iron Bridge, I will send word when there is news.

Good work Count von Kassel! You have been quite effective at defending Acre with minimal resources.

Count Matthias, you are correct, the boy has earned his spurs. I fear it is something we overlooked when he defended the settlement the first time.

Good luck Count Matthias with your battles north of Iron Bridge. God be with you.

My raid north of the bridge has met with success, Saint Maximillian has blessed us with victory.

Two Greek armies have been wiped out in separate night attacks. My men sent almost 1700 of them to Hell for the loss of 59 good Germans.

Since the Byzantines have not been paying ransoms, I decided to instill some fear in our enemy instead. The Adana-Aleppo road is lined with the corpses of the prisoners I took. Every Greek column that marches by will know of the fate that awaits them. Perhaps this will serve to weaken their resolve or goad them into a foolhardy attack. Either way, we will benefit.

If we fight a war of attrition we will lose, we must use all the weapons available to us to win, including terror.

Count Matthias,

You know my opinion on executions so I will not make us all suffer through a boring lecture.

But know this. Antioch is the most heavily populated city in the entire Reich. If the Byzantines reach the city, I fear they will exterminate it like they did Rome. The loss of life would be catastrophic. Our responsibility is to protect the people. If you need to execute prisoners, to save the people, then... so be it.

And may God have mercy on our souls.