As some of you may be aware, I have started a hard, High Teutonic Order campaign in XL. As in my chronicles of my Alomhad campaign, I have decided to write it up in a narrative style. I will post a more technical account in the thread I started on Teutonic Order in XL. So, sit back and enjoy.

ICE COLD CLARITY

Flurries of spindrift snow swirled along the battlements of Viljandi castle as the last weak rays of the early spring sun turned the western sky light crimson. Atop of one of the higher towers, a solitary figure stood silhouetted against the setting sun. Grandmaster Volquin pulled his white cloak tighter around him in a vain attempt to keep out the cold east wind – How on earth had he and his brethren ended up in such a godforsaken place he mused to himself. Not so many years ago the Teutonic Order basked in the warm sun of the Holy land and the glory of the Crusades. Now after several false dawns, the Order found itself in Northern Europe, bringing God’s word to the heathens of Livonia. A vision of the pompous Bishop of Riga flashed through Volquin’s mind. He laughed out loud, his long blond hair shaking in the fit of sudden mirth. His gloom temporarily lifted, he turned his attention to the matter in hand – what to do about the Order’s current predicament. Militarily, his small army was well equipped and efficient. But that was needed – everywhere he looked he saw potential enemies – to the north the wild land of Estonia whose inhabitants could conquer the world if they stopped fighting themselves, to the east lay the Kingdoms of Novogorod and Russia whose ambitious Princes cast a greedy eye over the rich lands of Livonia. Finally, to the south lay the Lithuanians – pagans keen to fight the world. Only the west seemed safe with the cold waters of the Baltic their castle wall. He knew he must strike in one direction – to wait would mean a slow death – but which?
Volquin’s thoughts were broken by the arrival of messenger. Initially, it seemed the usual litany of useless facts, but suddenly a chance remark sparked a fire in his mind. Apparently merchants from Lithuania reported that much fodder had been recently gathered and several Livonian merchants had sold consignments of barrels to representatives of the King. To Volquin’s military mind, this meant one thing only – the Lithuanians planned a military operation. The scale of purchases meant a force about half of all Lithuania could put in the field, so it probably would be going south to capture Volhynia. In a flash, Volquin’s mind was made up – he would strike south with all he could muster hoping to catch the Lithuanians forces split.
Six weeks later, the smoke from the funeral pyres on the battle field smarted Volquin’s eyes as a small group of horse approached. The day’s action had been a crushing success with his army shattering the reduced field army of Lithuania. “My liege, I bring you a present for the day” shouted the lead rider. The small group of horse parted to reveal the Lithuanian King shackled between 2 horses. Volquin smiled – “Treat my present well; he will be worth a pretty penny. Send word to Volhynia that if they want to see their king and his whipped curs alive they had better send his worth in florins to Riga without haste”
The success of Volquin’s Lithuanian campaign paved the way for a period of prosperity and growth for his kingdom. With his southern border secure and a healthy treasury he swiftly conquered Prussia as well and several chests of gold brought the Estonians into the fold. Denmark, Sweden and Russia became allies and a small Teutonic fleet began plying its trade in the waters of the Baltic. The kingdom of Novgorod was brought to heel with the numbers of Volquin’s army being boosted by mercenaries attracted to the inns of Livonia and Estonia by word of his military prowess and chests of gold.
A period of peace ensued, broken only by the excitement of a Crusade. Apparently the Alomhads threatened Christendom far away to the south and the Pope called on good Catholics to join in the war against the infidel. Stirred up by the ranting of Riga’s Bishop and the attraction of sun and loot many had flocked to the Chapter House to answer the call. Volquin reluctantly gave his blessing but noticeably did not add any troops to the motley group which left with much pomp and gaiety one spring morning. For several years all went well, the force gathering strength as it made its way south. However, the distance was its undoing as Granada fell to the Castilians before they had reached France and the Crusade dispersed in Bavaria to fill the inns with drunken revellers full of brave imagined deeds. More sinisterly, the forests of Bavaria saw a marked increase in banditry as the holy men turned to more worldly needs.
The early 1320’s saw several great military councils where the Order decided its long term military aims. They saw the future as a slow, deliberate progress to the south and east. There the enemy was likely to be enemies of the Catholic faith – a comfortable foe for the military arm of the Pope.
Volquin and his retinue broached the hill and reigned in their horses. In the distance stood the great castle of Novgorod, now the easterly seat of Teutonic military might. The warm southerly wind brought sweet smells of summer as it played through the now grey locks of hair that streamed behind Volquin as he stood at ease on his black charger. Two regiments were exercising beneath the castle wall. Volquin squinted against the sun – “Yonder troops – who are they? – I don’t recognise their colours” Otto, the master of the mercenaries, stepped forward. “They are new, sire. A unit of spear and a unit of polearms” Volquin looked again “They look Slav scoundrels to me. I thought I told you, German or French spear only. Those Slavs are only good for rape and pillage in my experience.” Otto’s face reddened, but he stood his ground “They look like Slavs, sire, but they come from a land far to the east called Korea. They train and fight well, disciplined but savage. Moreover, they have an interesting tale to tell.”
Volquin turned his attention to the exercising troops again. His tutored eye soon picked out their ability as they went through a series of drills and exercises. “These Koreans interest me. Bring their captain to my quarters tonight and we will hear what they have to say.”
Volquin and his retinue were halfway through their meal when Otto brought the Korean captain to their table. He was a tall, intimidating man with dark hair, tanned skin and almond eyes. His cheek was gashed with a livid scar, the relic of previous battles. In a faltering Slav tongue which Otto translated, he told his story. His 2 units had been part of a huge army which had conquered much of Asia and far Cathay. There was constant mention of a Golden Horde and a nation called the Mongols. Either he had no concept of numbers or this Horde was one of the biggest armies in history. Apparently, his troops had fallen foul of a prince of the Khan and they had had to flee to save their lives. They had travelled many leagues, acting as caravan guards across the Slav lands far to the east. In recent years, they had constantly moved west as word spread that the Horde had turned its attention to the west and pushed across the endless steppes of central Asia. Volquin silently considered the man for a minute then asked him when he thought they would reach the lands of the Volga Bulgars and Russians. Through Otto’s translation, the answer came back – 2 maybe 4 years. Volquin frowned. “What then – what happens when they come” Otto’s translation was slow and faltering, but there was no disguising his reaction to the Korean’s terse reply. “Sire, he just says Death, Death to all”

Reflection
Hopefully the dialogue tells the moves well. The strike into Lithuania move 1 worked really well as half the army had gone to Volhynia. The loot from the ransom of the king made the rest of the moves easy. Once established, it was just a case of a steady build and expansion with a careful eye on keeping good alliances. The dispersed crusade was a pain, but such is life. The arrival of the Korean mercenaries in Novgorod in 1327 provided a useful tool to justify some Mongol preparation and lay the seeds for the next chapter – which I will write soon. As I have said elsewhere XL requires a different and challenging style – one which I am enjoying very much – I hope you enjoy it to.