The Camel Campaign

[mps247]

Stay tuned for the report, the last on this topic, the final chapter.

No, say it isn't so! Please say you will reconsider!!! Your campaign brings light to my dark existence (OK, not really, but it contributes - look, I'm trying to persuade you to continue, and using every trick I know).

Excuse me - I need to go and

[Caliburn]

I for one find it very interesting, we haven't had any camels on snowy conditions here, nor in lush terrain... There should be a bang, but no end yet! I can see how it can get tedious, working your way upwards, and how difficult it can get if you can't reinforce your force via fleets (no trade doesn't mean no boats, though?).

Out of curiosity, what kind of improvements you use for the humpies? It's a horde, so you can't have them all superbly armoured and with +3 morale bonuses, but some just might...

I can imagine your "camel horde" taking a more defined shape: "heavy camel" or "cataphract camels" alongside "veteran light camel" and "camel light" wings!

[Martok]

Gah! Why would you quit?? Certainly my interest hasn't waned -- I promise you that.

I've been eagerly waiting this whole time to see what would happen with Iberia, and whether al-Adil was going to make a grab for the throne. Surely you wouldn't deprive me....

[Timsup2nothin]

I must confess my own somewhat demented interest has not waned either. What's that saying from the camel theater? The show must hump on, or something like that...

[Vladimir]

More CAMEL! please

[bamff]

I am the first to admit that I am no fan of these ill tempered and foul mannered beasts.....

BUT

I have hugely enjoyed reading of your exploits, Knight of the Rose, so add my voice to the growing cry of "Ride on, noble Camel Lord!"

[drone]

More CAMEL!

Guess what! I got a fever... and the only prescription... is more CAMEL!

[oz_wwjd]

Actually I'd love to see a +3 armour and weapon upgraded camel horde,although your opponents might not..

[Caliburn]

No iron in those parts, I'm afraid... But mosques and armourers and ribats and whatnot make them formidable anyway.

[Knight of the Rose]

WOW I noticed that the number of views of this thread was quite high - well at least compared to other topics, but I hadn't imagined such an outcry. One of the finer things in life is that you learn as long as you live. I've learned two things.

1) I can't quit this campaign just yet. I'm not allowed to Allright - I'll forget about Rome, try to knock out the Spanish, and at the same time cause some drama at the Egyptian High Court. I've deleted save after the somewhat suicidal mustering for the Italian attack and is now "Back on Track".

2) In order to make this campaing bearable, I need to mod. The production of four provinces just aren't enough to match the capabilities of the emergent superpowers of Europe. I need to make more camels, and at the same I need just a little more diversion to keep my interest.

Thus, the goal to beat the game with the original setup is lost. I happily contest, that it is impossible to win 60% as vanilla goes. If somebody else can prove me wrong, by all means go ahead. I don't have the stamina for it.

So I will try to get Camel Archers a part of my rooster, and train them in my African provinces, and make "normal" camels trainable in all my current provinces. This should give me a more enjoyable setup, and bring me and my camels to the heart of Europe.

And as to the nature of my camels: The Camels are now as per standard buildt with +2 armour and +5 (I think?) morale upgrades from the two morale buildings (Mosque and Ribat). The camels recruited in Egypt has extra armour, bringing them to +4. And yes - I use them in a somewhat twisted form of combined arms, having "light camels" (no armour, buildt in the beginning of the campaign) as flankers/bait/archer-targets), heavily armoured camels as main center, and high valour camels (veterans from previous battles) as second line gap-stoppers.

/KotR

[oz_wwjd]

Just a question but have you tried the tiberius mod? I think it adds Elite Bedouin Camel Warriors or something like that to the egyptians roster as I've fought against them numerous times and they seem to be tougher than stock camels..

[mps247]

I've learned two things.

1) I can't quit this campaign just yet. I'm not allowed to

Yes! Thank you! I've stopped crying now.

[Martok]

I just goes to show you, KotR: People are more interest in camels than they'd like to admit.

Can't wait for the next update!

[Timsup2nothin]

I just goes to show you, KotR: People are more interest in camels than they'd like to admit.

Can't wait for the next update!

How do you know we are people, not camels?

[mps247]

How do you know we are people, not camels?

Judging by the amount of camels KotR requires in this campaign, we would all have been recruited by now.

[Martok]

....And mps247 gets the award for the biggest laugh I've had this week.


Knight of the Rose: So when are we going to get the next update, anyway? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Knight of the Rose]

I can now confirm I've modded and rigged the game, played a couple of hours tonight, and will have an update ready (perhaps) already tomorrow...

Teaser: There will be incidents, "lost" orders, murder, high treason, a massive desert battle and lots and lots of camels, more than ever before.

/KotR

[Martok]

[Kamakazi]

i await the update with great anticipation.........

[Knight of the Rose]

6th chapter: The Rise of a New Dynasty

1279: After travelling trough the harsh desert wastelands, and visiting numerous desert sheiks, al-Adil finally secured the aid of the Berber nomads. Though for the time being only in Algier. There were promises, however, that with sufficient donations, berber camels would be available in more provinces. Though the archer-warriors were looked down upon by the more rough beduins, who considered the bow a cowards weapon, al-Adil knew they could bring new possibilities to the battlefield. More importantly, these new warriors had sworn oaths in his name, not the Sultans. At the same time, all over the empire, new Beduin tribes, following the footsteps of conquest, were gathering forces. But these “young tribes” as they were referred to by the old beduin elite, sought to make a name for them selves. And new land, or at least the promise of such gains. In Cairo, the Sultan was more than pleased with these new recruits, but failed to realise the potential for change they brought with them. Who would question the legitimacy and value of the Sultan and his young prince? He could not imagine. But in Algier, al-Adil was openly securing the aid of many new beduin leaders. For now, there was not much he could offer. But Iberia had vast stretches of land capable of holding future beduin and berber warlords, and this capital was what al-Adil held in front of them. This same year uncle as-Sahin dies of old age.
1280: The current dynasty consists of the Sultan, the young heir, two youngsters soon to come of age (11 and 10 years respectively) and al-Adils uncle Mohammed. Al-Adil knew he’d have to act now, though he still faced a respectable outer enemy in the Spanish who had managed to gather impressive numbers in Morocco. Or maybe this enemy could turn into a more personal ally? With the help of the brotherhood of thieves in Algier, he managed to produce a summoning in the name of the Sultan of Prince Mohammed to the western front. As soon as these false orders were sent, prince al-Adil shipped another set of secret orders. This time to the brotherhood of knives in Constantinople. Their services had been frowned upon by the Sultan, but al-Adil were more appreciative of their worth. The young prince, currently enjoying the pleasures of the city and the attention from the old elite after being announced heir, was in the way of al-Adils progress. The price was high, and al-Adil could not raise the money with his current standing. But the brotherhood of knives knew that future contracts might be more valuable than immediate payment, and accepted the deal. In the summer, when a ceasefire with the Italians prompted a massive feast in Constantinople, the knives struck against the brothel the young prince had so carelessly ended his night. A night that ended his life as well.
1281: In Algier, prince Mohammed was now the heir, but this information escaped him most curiously. Apparently all the messengers and runners in Africa reported back to the network of informants ultimately held by al-Adil. Mohammed was not only summoned by the Sultan to defend Algier, but also to attack Morocco. So said his orders from Cairo, though there was a little detail with the signet on the orders. Mohammed considered this odd, but thought it came from the hardship endured by the ships fighting their way from Cairo through the Spanish blockade. In the spring, Al-Adils scouts, most benevolently put under Mohammeds charge, reported the Spanish had in large numbers withdrawn from Morocco. Trying to capitalise on this change of fortunes, he ordered a massive invasion. During the entire march reports kept flowing in on massive numbers of camels joining his own regiments. Though Mohammed never saw them himself, the reports were reassuring. At the day of the battle, the Spaniards had deployed spears in masses, and then there where handgunners, archers and militiamen as well. Mohammed felt glad that there were many more camels in reserve on the other side of the hill, just behind him. Without them, this battle would surely be lost. Had he known the Spanish totalled 2700 men, he would have hesitated, as this number was almost 4 times higher than the reports he received. But as he was assured the 800 men on the desert hill he could see himself was all the Spanish could field, he charged confident he would be the hero of the day, and the champion of the Sultan. Mohammed ordered a flanking manoeuvre on both the Spanish flanks and took charge of the main center in the army. As the attack was ordered, he closed in on the numerous chivalric sergeants with the Tower of Castille on their shields. They would fall, as all men did, against the might of the camels, and his ingenious tactics. He and his bodyguard lowered their lances: the beautiful desert morning would soon see his hour of triumph! The fighting was hard, though, and the many long spears were difficult to avoid. Somehow he and his men could not quite get close enough to kill, as long as the enemy wasn’t pressed on the flanks. He could hear the screams of his men as the fell. Where are the flankers? And where are the reinforcements?? He barely dodged a thrust from a spearman in yellow and delivered his own lance in the opponent’s chest. But in doing so, it broke, and disarmed him. As he looked up, there were only three bodyguards left, and not a camel nearby. Several camels were routing, and on the flanks there was noone to see. At this moment Mohammed realised he was abandoned. He realised that all the reports were fake, and he was to die this day. Was it the Sultan? He could not believe it! But his orders…? Just before three chivalric sergeants closed in and with their spears brought down his mount, he remembered the signet. The last thought he ever would have, was on al-Adil. Then an armoured spike went through his armour and ended his life.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The death of a Prince, and the end of a Rival

1282: A rival short, and a year away from the coming of age of the Sultans second son, everything was going according to plan for al-Adil. But it demanded high treason to assure the final goal, the ultimate goal. To be Sultan, instead of the Sultan. Again the brotherhood of knives were summoned. The Sultan received reports from one of his most trusted agents, the chief of internal security in Constantinople. Not only had he the same day heard the word of a disastrous defeat in Morocco, costing the life of his brother, but now he heard that a plot was brewing against him in Constantinople. As he entered the chiefs chamber in the imperial palace with his three bodyguards, he complained of this fact. “You have other things to worry about” the chief said, but it was not the chief, but a brother of the knife! As two of his bodyguards plunged in between them, he moved closer to his oldest bodyguard Fayed. Something was not quite as it should be with Fayed, the Sultan thought, but forgot it again as the assassin was brought down. Still in shock from the assault, the Sultan watched the two bodyguards hauled the body away, and he was alone with his last remaining bodyguard. “So the reports were right, Fayed. But… By Allah, you are not Fayed! Who are you?!?”. “Me, most illustrious Sultan?”, answered the man as he drew his knife. “I… am the backup.”
1283: The crowing of al-Adil in Cairo was the most spectacular feast in the empire since the celebration of the victory against the Turks.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Long live the Sultan!

There were many of the chiefs of the young tribes present, and their joy was boundless. There were also, however, many of the old houses, who did not appreciate the change of fortunes. As he passed the cheering crowds, al-Adil knew that many things were demanded of him. Gold to ensure the loyalty of the informants he had gathered, gold for the loyalty of the brotherhood of knives, and more importantly land for the increasing number of young ambitious camel riders who had so recently joined his cause. If he could not deliver, their support would be just as loyal to him, as they had been to his uncle. He decided that he had to move against the Spanish, whose numbers had increased dramatically in the last year, and whose lands were rich enough to support many camels.
1284: (and back in a more reporting AAR-style) The first offensive action for al-Adil as Sultan, were against the Spanish in Morocco, who totalled 3950 men under the leadership of Lord d’Antequera (3 stars). Sultan al-Adil (3 stars) could muster 3700 camels, the highest number ever in the history of the Egyptian empire. I was quite surprised that 8 years after loosing 2100 men in Algier, going down to roughly 2000 in Morocco, they could rebuild their army so fast. That’s almost 2000 new recruits in 7 turns! I need to take down the Spanish fast. And what’s more disturbing: They have build plenty of spears! Of the 3950 men, more than 1000 are spearmen! And in the first line-up they field 600 of them. With 15 camels and a Sultan’s bodyguard, I can bring 621 men to the battle. So I’m outnumbered 1,5/1, but it’s desert fighting and I have berber camels, four units to be exact, meeting the precise number of CA I can control without loosing my mind. The Spanish place themselves on a hill in the middle of the map. That’s good, as I get room to move around them. As the main line approaches the Spanish head on, the archers move to the rear of the enemy formation. The first wave tries a fake attack on the front and right side of the enemy formation, whereas the main attack is made on the left. The fake attacks do cause some confusion, and more than one spearman-unit is caught in the flank. But there are many spearmen, and they tend to rescue each other. Only in one case the attack is successful and the spearmen slaughtered. The second wave goes to the right of the formation, and I win some and loose some. Then the entire first setup is either dead or exhausted, and I withdraw all to bring a new fresh 16. The Spanish do the same, their second mix features some militia sergeants and more archers. I move the entire host of camels past the Spanish left flank, and this causes them to abandon the hill in favour of a hill in the corner. My insults against the screen are wasted, and they fail to loose honour from map edge abuse. In the move, I caught a couple of rear-guard units, but can’t intercept the army proper, before they are in a good position. After some skirmishing on their new left flank, I withdraw all I’ve got left and bring on a third wave of camels. This time, the Spanish have many archers, and I make a ‘Camel Hammer’ move, but now the desert turns against me! After having to march across the entire battlefield to get to the Spanish cozy-corner, all my camels are at one bar stamina. Again I win some and loose some, but I tend to loose a little more than I win. I realise I properly have to wear down the Spanish, each attack killing more than they can reinforce. And I withdraw. I killed 1260 Spanish, many of them annoying spearmen, and lost 930 camels. I could ransom back 137 though, so I only effectively lost 800. At this point I build 500 camels a turn.

At this point al-Adils future can only assured by winning Iberia in the near future. Will he succeed, or will there be another dynasty on the throne of Egypt before the end of the next chapter? Can the Spanish be worn down, or will there be a fight for the lives of the two empires? Certainly, the two young princes, sons of the murdered Sultan, are not readily accepting the changes of fortune cemented by the birth of al-Adils first son this year. And will we ever see camels fighting in the snow? This campaign isn’t over yet.

/KotR

[Martok]

All hail al-Adil, Sultan of the Fatamid empire!!

I enjoyed your hand at a more prose-style narrative, KotR, and I hope we get to see more in the future. That was very well done.

I move the entire host of camels past the Spanish left flank, and this causes them to abandon the hill in favour of a hill in the corner. My insults against the screen are wasted, and they fail to loose honour from map edge abuse.

That was a nice piece of "bamff-esque" humor there. It totally cracked me up.

[bamff]

I move the entire host of camels past the Spanish left flank, and this causes them to abandon the hill in favour of a hill in the corner. My insults against the screen are wasted, and they fail to loose honour from map edge abuse./KotR

Many are the times that my generals have also tried this tactic of hurling insults at the screen, and on each instance, they too have met with similarly unfavourable results!

Another superb instalment, KotR.

I look forward to reading of the next time your warriors clamber aboard their foul beasts to lurch comically forward (you can't really charge on a camel, can you?) for the greater glory of the camel empire!

[Martok]

Are you going to have an update for us anytime soon, KotR? Or is al-Adil having trouble throwing the Spanish out of Iberia?

[Knight of the Rose]

The campaign is still alive, but RL is busy for the moment. Just been to a weeks conference in Utah, arrived back in Europe yesterday.

ETU (Estimated Time of Update) is in a week...

/KotR

[Timsup2nothin]

Location: in the stabels with the camels. Contemplating a career move.

KotR, I have to say that is one of the most troubling combinations I've ever seen.

[Martok]

The campaign is still alive, but RL is busy for the moment. Just been to a weeks conference in Utah, arrived back in Europe yesterday.

ETU (Estimated Time of Update) is in a week...

/KotR

Ah. Fair enough, then.

[Knight of the Rose]

7th chapter: The Iberian War 1285-1290

1285: [My notes from this year has been lost – there was a battle in Morocco lead by Sultan al-Adil that cost many losses on both sides, but no serious breakthrough. Will be edited into the story when I find the papers.]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Wave after wave of beautiful camel warriors on their way to glory for the Empire!

1286: ‘The Uncle’ 8 star general attacks the now depleted garrison in Morocco with both veterans from the last two battles and fresh camels from Constantinople and Georgia. The veterans have two valor on their own, turning them into 6-valor beasts in the hands of ‘the uncle’. Numbers start to rule the game, as the Spanish withdraw without a fight, leaving a garrison in the castle to rot.
1287: First invasion of Iberia as Cordoba and Granada is attacked. No reason to wait for the castle in Morocco to fall, I must keep the momentum in order to take out the enemy, who seems to prepare for the camel horde. The garrison of Castille is 800 chivalric spearmen!!! First, the garrison of Morocco sallies, knowing there will be no relief force. The Sultan has decided to take charge of the siege after ‘the uncle’s departure to Iberia. Rumors have it, that after loosing two battles in a row, the Sultan could not bear another failure. But the successes of ‘the uncle’ are putting the Sultan in a bad light, and he knows it. So the sally must be repelled. Not only for the fate of Morocco, but for al-Adil’s dynasty. The Sultan commands 800 camels, and the Spanish have a force of 600 of mixed quality. Unfortunately we’re out of the desert now, but I’m on the defence. The spearmen once again fight well, so do the militia sergeants, but the might of the camel is strong, and the flanking charges take them down in the end. Lost 260, killed 270. I took 290 ransom, but this time they could afford it. A good victory to al-Adil who regains his third star! In Cordoba the attack is lead by prince Baybars with 560 camels under his command. The resistance is impressive though. 820 Spanish, mostly archers defend the region. Thinking he could take on the archers the prince attacks, with himself bravely in the center. The many archers take their toll on the camels, though, and the armoured arbalasters and crossbowmen fight well in melee. In the end, while chopping through a unit of militia sergeants, the prince is hit by multiple bolts in the backside, and the army routs. A miserable loss of an heir and 430 camels. The Spanish feel the pressure, though, as they loose 510 men as well. The major battle of the year is fought in Granada, where the fleeing army from Morocco is joined by fresh reinforcements and decides to stand against ‘the uncle’ 2.100 camels vs. 2.000 Spanish, 700 of those are spears!!! It is a long and bloody battle, and in the end, it is a victory. A costly one though, as I loose 1.700 camels! The Spanish loose the province and 1.700 men as well. This bloody year I lost 2.500 camels. In one year! The Spanish losses are identical, after the ransom has been paid. I wonder if my quest for breakthrough has been stalled?
1288: Spanish navy disrupts my supply-lines and new recruits land in Tunesia, a long way from the front. Both the Spanish and I rearrange forces predicting more battles to come. To put pressure on the Spanish I decide that the Constantinople garrison properly can spare one stack of camels. Or so I hope. Morocco falls.
1289: To keep the pressure I launch a new attack on Cordoba. Using the 80 % rule (keep province loyalty at 80 %) I empty Morocco and Granada to maximize the number of camels available for assault. It seems to me, that a province need to go under 80 % to actually rebel the first turn after conquest. Or maybe I’ve just been lucky so far. The tactic proves successful as the Spanish withdraw from Cordoba, leaving a garrison in the stronghold, while peace settles in the newly conquered territory.
1290: Expecting a battle in Cordoba, I once again keep other garrisons low. Yet I can’t resist the temptation to invade both Castille and Valencia. The provinces are badly defended, and the bulk of the Spanish are in Portugal. But the AI decides to remind me of the very present navy, transporting the main army from Portugal into Granada! The small siege party there is broken, and flees to Cordoba. In Valencia, the garrison proves a little stronger than I thought, 200 chiv.serg. and a crossbow-unit. I could have sworn that there was only 100 chiv.serg. before I attacked, and I didn’t think the AI could build two units a turn??? Well, my bad, and I abandon the river crossing. But in Castille I decide to fight with my 360 camels, against jinites (40) and royal knights (16 bodyguards to prince Filipe) and 120 hvy. archers. It’s quality vs. quantity, and camels have an edge against the mounted foes. In the beginning of the battle, the archers are lured a bit away from the knights and jinites. Surrounded and charged from all sides, the archers are massacred without support from their commander. The battle ends with a massive charge against the royal knights who fight very well. Prince Filipe himself kills 19 camel warriors, including my general, the knights’ total camel kills were 78! But in the end they are overwhelmed and drawn from their horses. Castille is now under siege, but the joy of that victory quickly faded to the news from the East.
A massive reappearance of Turks in Armenia immediately throws the Empire into its worst crisis. Not only is there reports of a huge army, but to add insult to injury, the Turks are bringing camel warriors! All the home provinces are sketchly defended, and Armenia is a landlocked province. Al-Adil is reluctant to abandon the destruction of the Spanish, whose success in Granada is about to be contested by 5 stacks of reinforcement camels. But now these camels are badly needed on the eastern front!

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The situation at the beginning of 1291:

The catholic zealots in Castillie doesn't seem too pleased with their camel rulers. Massive army in Morocco about to cross the strait.

While not excatly an overwhelming adversary, Sultan Aybar brings many followers. Soon it will be camel vs. camel!

Should he retreat slowly towards Egypt, make a stand at Cordoba, or try to Blitz the last remaining Spanish armies? What about the army in Georgia, should it withdraw in order to protect Asia Minor? What direction will the Turkish strike? The pressing situation needs quick answers and quick victories, if the dynasty is to survive. The very empire is in danger of being cut up from many sides, not the least from the many disappointed warriors who were given promises of spoil and conquest. Can a civil war be avoided when the Turks go on rampage?
This campaign has taken a serious turn in a bad direction. Is al-Adil the man to steer the empire through troubled waters? Stay tuned for the next update to the crazy camel campaign!

/KotR

[Martok]

Yikes, KotR. It is indeed most unfortunate timing for the Turks to have reappeared. Exactly how big of an army do they have in Armenia, anyway?

[Knight of the Rose]

The turks field 3.424 men in Armenia. My forces in Georgia number roughly 700 camels. All the surrounding regions has 40 camels! I can't spare any camels from Constantinople without inviting an attack from the quite strong Hungarians. So it's quite a matter of luck and an ability to soak up the losses of some territory, before the superior reinforcement ability I have through a massive empire and a bottomless income even out the odds a little.

/KotR

[Timsup2nothin]

I hope the Emperor's advisers recognize the danger and talk him out of blitzing the Spanish. The Spanish kings could go underground like the Turks did, and a Spanish reappearance is a lot uglier than the Turks.