For Faith or Greed? A Broken Crescent AAR

[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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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1175

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

The story continues....