Megas Logothetes' and Senators' Reports

1191 Megas Report

Military:

There is little news here, as lack of funds continues to prohibit recruitment. However, I have been able to take measures to save costs. An unled army in Egypt was disbanded, as was Methodios' old fleet, which had been laying idle in the Red Sea.

We seem to be holding on in the Levant, and having received reinforcements I had hired in Acre, I believe Senator Theo will be able to make some progress against the Turks, at least as regards Damascus.

Economic:

Cost cutting measures have finally started to have an effect. We posted the smallest deficit of the last few seasons, and there is some evidence that recapturing Damascus would end the financial bleeding of the Empire. Combined with the hoped for destruction of Erotikos and Kousinos' armies and subsequent demilitarization of the area around our capital, we should be posting profits again very soon.

*The Bastard Rebellion:

I am sure you have all heard that Senator Kousinos, formerly known mostly as Erotikos lapdog after having followed him across half the Empire, is now claiming that he is the rightful Emperor on the grounds of his belief that he is the illegitimate son of Anna Komnenos. I am not sure if it is more amusing that he believes we will believe such a preposterous thing of the princess, or that he believes that if we supposed this story to be true that his being an illegitimate son somehow strengthens his Imperial ambitions. I leave that to you to judge.

Erotikos and Kousinos are now positioned fairly close to the strait across from our capital. They have two large armies. Ioannis Komnenos III bravely waits for them with an army of his own. He does not face the traitors alone, however. His father Isaakios has positioned his fleet at the strait blocking any crossing this season. No doubt they will bribe merchants and ferries to take them across to the capital, but they are briefly delayed.

I suggest we all say a prayer to the almighty to protect these two men as they prepare to combat Erotikos and the wouldbe usurper.

OOC: TinCow approved the maneuver to block the straits, but it only lasts a single turn. I was asked to move Isaakios to the strait at the beginning of this turn. :yes:

*

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I assumed since this word shows up in the game itself (for instance, in Magnentios' title when I played him) it would not be inappropriate for the forum. I figured it would convey Arintheos' bias in his report on the rebellion. If I was mistaken perhaps TinCow could change it to the "Illegitimate Son's Rebellion". :bow:

The Save:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4575

Taking the save.

Note: "Bastard" is perfectly fine, particularly in this forum and in this context.

LOTR-1192-1

Veteran Warrior ancillary given to Ioannis Komnenos III (Ignoramus) in accordance with the will of the late Basileus.
Chivalrous Knight, Mercenary Captain and Spymaster ancillaries given to Arintheos Voutoumitis (Zim) in accordance with the will of the late Basileus.
Georgios Angelos (Tristan de Castelreng) moved to Gaza, his chosen starting location.

Note: Isaakios Komnenos (flyd) is currently blocking the the Bosphorus crossing with his fleet. For ingenuity, I have allowed him to make this move and for it to serve as a temporary blockade of one turn. No hostile army may attack Isaakios Komnenos while he is on his fleet, nor may they cross the Bosphorus at that point FOR THIS TURN ONLY. After this turn, he may be attacked at will and the Bosphorus may be crossed, regardless of his position. Please note, this blockade only applies to armies that Isaakios Komnenos (flyd) is currently at war with.

Taking the save

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4577

Ammonathas enters Belgrade.

Taking the save.

The Basileus is moving back to the relative comfort of Jerusalem.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4583

Taking the save.

LOTR-1192-4

I'd like to call for an extension, since I have an appointment today that I have no idea how long it will take, and I have to go now, leaving me no time to make my moves now :shame:

Taking the save!

Save back: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4591

OOC: Sry for taking this long. I had RL things distracting me. :shame:

I'll be moving the save tonight.

Taking the save.

1192-1193 Megas Report

OOC: Bolded sections contain the gist of the report for those who'd prefer to forgo my boredom induced style change for this one. :clown:


The History of the Byzantine Empire: The Years 1192-1194
A report by Matthew O'Connor
Grade: C-

The last decade of the twelth century came off to a rough start for the young new Emperor Ioannis Tagaris. It was bad enough to have his father's death followed by the denigration of his memory and questioning of the legitimacy of Ioannis' claim to the throne discussed openly in the Magnaura as if a matter no more important than the weather. It was worse when Sophianos Kousinos claimed to be the Princess Anna's son and he and Ioannis Erotikos declared war on just about all family members with the slightest claim as heirs. Of course they had to have two very large armies. And of course the Empire had to be in a two front war against the Turks and Venetians while its economy imploded and the debt sky rocketed.

One would think that these difficulties would be enough for any new Emperor to face, but in 1192 the fates decided he had it too easy and
in 1192 all hell broke loose. In the Hippodrome the Caesar Adronikos Komnenos declared his theory that the throne was something to be won by the worthy and that as he had yet to do great things Ioannis Tagaris was not worthy. With this declaration he seceded from the Empire with much of Georgia and the Northern Anatolian coast, with Tbilisi as his capital. He said he would rule an Empire based in the east.

Before Tagaris could even answer this proclamation another came, this one made in the Magnaura by the nephew of the departed Emperor Ioannis Komnenos, the third Komnenoi to share that man's name. Ioannis Komnenos III declared that the Basileus' will had left the Western half of the Empire to him. He was now seceding with the core Imperial territories of Nicaea, Dardennellia and, worst of all, took for his own capital the ancient Imperial city of Constantinople. There was now a fourth claimant to the throne, and every single one with large armies.

At least there was some good news to come out of the reports of 1192-3. While the nominally neutral Megas Arintheos Voutoumatis might harbor some sympathy for the rebels, the faltering Imperial Economy left no money to recruit troops. Ioannis Tagaris' movement of the capital and Magnaura to Jerusalem was a wise decision, greatly increasing unrest in Constantinople. The citizens could bear an Empire rife with division, but not the lowered status of their city. Constantinople rioted. Loyalists also rose up in Nicaea, Yerevan, and Trebizond. Best of all the move would ensure the people of relatively newly conquered Jerusalem would stay loyal. Less promising were the riots caused by partisans of the rebels in the so far loyalists in Thessalonike and Bucharest. Lowered taxes would be needed to appease them.

All was not lost on the Venetian and Turkish fronts, either. In the east Senator Theo, member of the Order, marched towards Edessa, while in the west Senators Ammonathas and Helarionas raced to Zagreb to fight the Venetians.

Across the Empire, all held their breath to see what news 1194 might bring.

The Save: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4592

Taking the save.

LotR-1194-1

Taking the save!

And here it's back!

Taking the save:

http://rapidshare.com/files/199916971/LOTR-1194-3.zip

Here's the save:

Taking the save!

Moved towards Amida. There's an adoption offer up with Nikitas Moschos as benefactor. If someone wants to play this person they can get in contact with me. Otherwise I ask the Megas to decline it.

Here's the save:
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4596

Taking the save

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4599

Taking the save.

Save back.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4603

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

simply moved Cavasilis out of Konstantinopolis in a generaly eastern direction

Taking the save.

LOTR-1194-7

Moved Iosif ek Artas (mini) into the army of Basileus Ioannis Tagaris (TheFlax) as per his request. His movement has been reset, and the avatar can now be played as normal.
Queued up 6 RBGs total in Corinth and Athens.

Taking save.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=199&id=4605

Sailed south.

Taking the save.

LOTR-1194-2

Taking the save.

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4607