For Faith or Greed? A Broken Crescent AAR

[Galain_Ironhide]

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Kingdom of Jerusalem

Main objective: ultimate victory for Kingdom of Jerusalem – capture 60 regions.
Secondry Objective: Remain as close as possible to all of the main characters’ traits. Ie: Balian de Ibelin and Raymond de Tripoli are chivalrous, where as Prince Guy and Raynald De Chatillon are Dread Generals and likely to be ruthless.
Adoptions allowed.
GC/Battle Difficulty VH/H

As told by Sir Galain Ironhide, Templar Knight de Outremer.

1174. Baldwin IV has become of age and taken full control from his regent, Count Raymond III of Tripoli, of the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Born a Leper and quite often sickly, the King must overcome many issues much more important than of that of his own health.

The Kingdom of Jerusalem in the early days of BaldwinIV

The city of Jerusalem


In the Beginning-

Inundated with betrayal, insolence and a complete lack of knowledge of the enemy, the Kingdom of Jerusalem has struggled through the past 75 years since it was created after the First Holy Crusade in 1099.
Many times over the years, when complete victory of Christendom, over the Muslim nations across the Levant, looked achievable, greed for power would stand in the way, thus sending shattering cracks through the fragile Kingdoms’ foundations. As a result of this decaying rulership, the Kingdom now consists of only 7 provinces, or county’s as they are otherwise known. The biggest losses of late were the Principality of Antioch who, although still of French origin, have severed all ties and the County of Edessa who had been only recently overrun by the Turks.

The seven remaining cities of the Kingdom


Baldwin, son of Almaric must show that he is not only capable of ruling this holy land, but what’s more, do what his predecessors have failed to do: Solidify and expand the Kingdom and guarantee its survival.
Although currently not at war with any of the Muslim Nations the threat of being overwhelmed by their constant presence strikes fear into many an experienced Knights’ heart. A new Sultan, Saladin (or pronounced Salahuddin) of the Ayyubid Sultanate has risen to take charge of his people in Egypt, and being the highly influential man he is, was able to coax the Emir of Damascus to bow at his feet and become part of his empire. Damascus, who was once an ally of the Kingdom, was betrayed during the Second Crusade in 1148 and has not forgotten our backstabbing ways. Thus, as a result, the Ayyubid Sultanate now surrounds the Kingdom to the North and the South. Let us pray that he does not succeed in unifying the rest!

King Baldwin IV

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Sultan Saladin of the Ayyubid Sultanate

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Pope-

At first, eager to maintain ties with the Kingdom for the first 50 years for its influential value, the Papacy has all but swept Baldwin and his Emissary’s past pleas for financial & military support aside. The only event that may ever bring the Popes support could very well be the loss of Jerusalem itself!

The Pope is very restrained in his support these days.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Royal Family-

The Family Tree

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Because of his failing health, and the possibility of not fielding an heir of his own, Baldwin married his sister, Sibylla to Guy of Lusignan, after blocking a move by Raymond de Tripoli to have her married to the older brother of Balian de Ibelin. Although tainted as quite a crude man with the tenacity of a broken Trebuchet, Guy of Lusignan carried with him the right people in the right places to hopefully ensure better diplomatic, economic and military relations with motherland France. However, if this man was to one day become King, who knows what fate might bestow us.

Prince Guy de Lusignan

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Baldwin IV’s Generals-

In the Levant, Baldwin carries with him two noble Generals who will stand or die by his side without question. Balian de Ibelin, the son of Barisan and his former Regent, Count Raymond de Tripoli III of Tripoli. Both men are quite able soldiers with stern beliefs and moral values. However there is one thorn in the side of Baldwin’s rule, that of the powerful Lord of Kerak, Raynald de Chatillon. More aligned with the likes of Prince Guy of Lusignan, Raynald is widely renowned for his lack of adhering to orders and for being cruel and merciless. This man is a snake in the grass and may not be trusted.

Balian de Ibelin

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Count Raymond de Tripoli III

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Lord Raynald de Chatillon

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Now, the pieces on the board are set in motion and the Levant quietly awaits the inevitable conflict. Come What May......

My Lords, Ladies of the Court, Squires and exulted guests, I bring you now the following tale:

FOR FAITH OR GREED? – A BROKEN CRESCENT AAR

[Galain_Ironhide]

Hi, this is my first attempt at an AAR.

I will try and update as regularly as possible, providing my work, family life, social life, etc, etc, doesnt get in the way.

If you have any suggestions, critiscisms or even a compliment please post here and I will take everything on board.

My first part should be up tonight.

Thanks.

Galain.

[Galain_Ironhide]

The First two years of Baldwin IV's Rule


1174 -

The Economy

The Kingdom is facing financial ruin. With no trading partners, no allies and no economic relief from the Papacy, Baldwin sets his emissaries out on a mercy mission to re-enter diplomatic relations with the Muslim states.

The first and and most important step was to begin trading with the Abuyyids. It is essential for our survival that peace is kept... for now.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

A diplomat was also sent to the Pricipality of Antioch to try and acheive unity of the the Holy Lands once more. Bohemund, Duke of Antioch was less than receptive of this idea of swearing fealty to his new King and promptly turned the diplomat away. Baldwin was disappointed, but this did not change his plans of consolidation. One day Antioch will bow at his feet!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The next step to the recovery of the Kingdom is expansion. Baldwin looked to where he may succesfully gain territory and not spark war with his biggest threat, Saladin. Two provinces come to light, Baalbek and Hama, Both of which had not yet yielded to the rule of Saladin. A quick and effective strike was needed.

The Seige of Baalbek.

At first, no real information about Baalbeks defences was known. But the fact that it was a small settlement in a key defensible area, that would sure up the Kingdoms foothold on the terrain was more important.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Immediately Baldwin ordered Balian de Ibelin to march his army to the gates of Baalbek and begin the siege.



After 6 months of siege Balian was ready to attack.


Facing a formidable force, the enemy stares at the Knights of Outremer in despair from their walls. Balian then addresses his troops in true Noble fashion and the battle begins.


The gates are busted wide open and already the force inside is retreating to the city centre.


Let us rejoyce! The rebel settlement is easlily overcome with very light causalties! Balian lets all captives go and lets them rejoin their families within the city or take up service to Baldwin. Only soldiers die in the conflict, no citizens.

Humble in victory and accepted by the people he had only just fought, Balian would spend the winter in Baalbek, planning the next big push to Hama.

An Alliance is Forged
The lord is smiling upon us this day. With hard work and gifted words from our emmissary, the Kingdom of Jerusalem has agreed to an alliance with the Kingdom of Armenia. The Armenians will prove to be essential allies in the future to come.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

1175

The first child of the Royal family is born, a daughter of Guy and Sibylla.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The emissary has another a favorable meeting with another Muslim faction. The Turkish Sultanate agree to have trade rights with the fledgling Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The seige of Hama
It had become apparent in the early part of the year that the Ayyubids also had their eyes on the small city of Hama. As a result, Balian de Ibelin was forced to leave the smallest possible garrison at Baalbek and march to Hama and lay siege. The attack on Hama could not have come at a more better and precise moment. Narrowly beating the Ayyubids to the city gate by only half a day, the Ayyubids were then forced to turn their army around and march back to whence they came. A conflict now between these two countries, for either side would prove disastrous.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Ayyubids, however were less than impressed. They let us know about it.


The Battle of Hama was a resounding success and again as at the seige of Baalbek, the city was saved from looting and pillaging and the prisoners were let free to either rejoin the city population or join service with the King.

Balian would remain stationed in Hama for the next few years to come.

Enter the Lord of Kerak
Raynald de Chatillon, also had ideas of his own little expansion in this year. He with very little support marched on to Tayma at the east of his Castle city of Kerak. Ordered by the King to turn around and march back to protect his own county, Raynald ignored him and layed seige later in the year.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Brashly,Raynald continued to ignore countless orders from Baldwin to return home.

The story continues....

[Galain_Ironhide]

finally completed the first phase of my AAR.

Apologies to those who read a half finished piece ofwork today. I learnt a lesson though, DONT try and do an AAR at work. You just don't get anything done.

Another thing, for anybody looking to do an AAR, read Northnovas Sticky thread on AAR's. Very helpful. I didnt realise how much work you actually had to put into these things. I have only entered 2 small posts and they have taken a considerable amount of time. Full respect to all you other AARers out there!

Oh well plenty more to come. Hope you like so far.

Again, any comments are very welcome!

[Zim]

Looks good so far.

I had considered doing a KOJ aar after my Makurian, but obligations in MP games made it difficult. I doubt I'd have done as well anyway.

[deguerra]

Oman won't be happy with Raynald conquering Arab settlements...

Good work! I must admit I have trouble with AARs myself. I start, and get going, and then get bored and give up.