Battle Reports

[_Tristan_]

Durazzo raid, 1083.

One small step for a man, one giant leap for the Empire -- Methodios the Chivalrous, 1083

It was almost a week since Methodios and his men had set up camp near Durazzo… The day before Adrastos had come in reporting of the advance of Arianitis and Monomachos.

The night had passed and still no word from the Emperor… “Could it be possible that I somehow stepped on some powerful people’s toes by claiming to take Durazzo for the Emperor ?” Methodios mused.

Exiting from his tent, Methodios saw his men assembled according to his orders.

“Men… I will ride to the village and see if their captain has enough sense to surrender… I would not risk your lives for such a petty prize… Though if we must fight, we will…” The men cheered.

“Nikolas, fetch my horse… Sergios, mount your horse and unfurl the banner… We’ll both ride to the village and I will talk in person with the captain of the militia.”

Some time later, Methodios and his standard-bearer sat their horses fifty meters away from the first of the village sentinels.

Coming nearer, unchallenged, Methodios stopped his horse a few meters short of the militiamen.

“Call for your captain… I would have a word with him..”

“Vada a guardare per il Capitano” one of the men pointed to the village.

Sound of revelry could be heard from the village, bawdy laughter and women’s cries…

The militiaman went running towards the town square, disappearing around a corner.

Soon, a large burly man appeared. A large black beard covered the lower part of his face. His helmet was pushed back behind his head, tied at the neck by a leather tie. He was wearing a clearly unkempt tunic under a mailed shirt that had seen better days, several rings showing heavy signs of rust.

But the most incongruous part of his appearance was the two prostitutes he held close to him, walking with them arm in arm towards Methodios, letting go of them only to take large swigs from a tankard of wine.

Finally reaching Methodios, he planted himself in front of him, tickling one of the girls and pinching the bottom of the second, provoking drunken giggles from both women.

“Io sono chiamato Isidoro… Io sono il Capitano qui… Poi Greco, perché venire a disturbarmi?” asked the Captain, punctuating the sentence with a huge belch. “Why disturb me ? Want some action ?” This with a wink for Methodios, inclining his head towards one of the tramps.

“Capitano, I have come to ask for your surrender. Your Italian masters are far from here and you stand no chance against us. So surrender and you and your men will be spared… Fight and you will die…” Methodios answered, hardly containing his anger.

“Bwahahaha… You and what army… Bwahahaha… I fear you not, Greek… My masters’ gold is worth more than your empty threats… Turn around and leave us to enjoy your women and your wine…” Said Isidoro with a raucous laugh.

“You had better prepare to enjoy our steel, Porco Italiano…” Said Methodios before reaching for the horn, hanging from his saddle, blowing on it, leaving a somewhat bewildered look on Isidoro’s face.

The bewildered look turned to a look of fright as Isidoro noticed Methodios’ men coming out of the woods.

“Prepare your men” Methodios said, turning his horse around and riding to join his men, a last look towards the town showing him Isidoro running from the town square, waving his arms like a chicken in a panic, shouting for them to get their weapons and form up.



Isidoro managed to assemble his men in the town square, having shooed away all the women and put away all the wine barrels to clear some space and prepare to fight Methodios and his bodyguard.



Methodios rode into town from the east, the sun in his back.



Isidoro had placed his contingent of archers in the front with the support of his militia spearmen. The man was brave enough (or stupid enough) to be in the front rank of his men.



The Byzantine knights charged under a hail of arrows, most hitting harmlessly on shields and armour.

The impact of the kataphraktoi into the archers sent men flying, breaking their necks on landing, the horses stampeding them, those that didn’t go down being skewered by the lances.



Almost two thirds of the archers lay dead from that first charge.



The spearmen rushed to the rescue of their comrades.



Seeing this, Methodios ordered his men around, exiting the village.

Taking profit of a large ditch on the southern side of the village, Methodios led his men to the western side, hoping to catch Isidoro’s men unaware.



The plan worked flawlessly, Isidoro understanding only too late what was happening.




Ordering his men to turn around and face the new Byzantine charge and reaching the first ranks himself, only to be struck down and brought to his knees, an incomprehensible gurgle coming out of his throat.





Methodios ordered another retreat, the militia giving pursuit but unwilling to leave the town square and its relative safety for the small village streets that could become a trap.



Another charge finished the archers before the spearmen could react.





A second charge dealt a heavy blow to the spearmen.




Two more charges finished killing the remainder of the militiamen. Though one of Methodios’ men got caught up in the melee and couldn’t extirpate himself from the tangle of bodies that the town square had become. Surrounded by the militiamen, his horse was brought down under him and he got stabbed by the revengeful spears of the Italians.
















Methodios rushed to his fallen comrade, to find him still alive though grievously hurt (OOC : This to explain the sudden return to full complement of the BG next turn).




One by one, the villagers came out of their abodes. Fearful to begin with, they soon recognized the coat of arms of the men and their Byzantine weaponry. The men rushed to the square, where taking the weapons from the dead Italians they began the gruesome task of killing every Italian still breathing. The women fell on their knees, weeping and praying, thanking the Lord for taking them out of their predicament.

The Kephale, the mayor of the village, came forward to Methodios with a small purse.

“My Lord, this is all we have. All that those Italians’ swine have left us. Take it as a token of our thanks for freeing us.”

Taking the purse, Methodios sensed that there was not much in it. “I’ll use it to start rebuilding your town, Kephale… If the Emperor wills it…”

As if summoned by the mention of the Emperor’s name, a messenger wearing the livery of the Imperial Messenger Service stopped his horse just short of Methodios. Jumping to ground, and kneeling before him he said “My Lord, I had orders for you to capture that town but it seems I am too late.”

“Indeed, my man… Rest a bit… Then I’ll give you a letter for the Emperor and you’ll ride for Constantinople.”

[Ignoramus]

*placeholder for assault on Canakkale(Dardenellia)*

[OverKnight]

The Assault on Sofia, 1084

At first glance, the Bulgarian rebels in Sofia had advantages in numbers and from fighting behind walls.

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However, a Roman agent in the rebel castle had found some residents who wished for a return to Imperial rule. Basileus Aleksios took advantage of this by splitting his troops. He would lead his own bodyguard and a regiment of spearmen to the rear gate. Senator Ioannis Kantakouzinos would lead the main body of troops and occupy the attention of the rebels at the front gate.

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While Kantakouzinos sent the Trebizond archers forward to fire on the rebels at the front gate, the Basileus galloped around to the rear gate. Opened by the loyalists, he entered Sofia unopposed with a regiment of infantry doing its best to follow. Aleksios and his bodyguard fell upon a unit of archers who, surprised by this tactic, had moved off the walls to redeploy.

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Joined by the regiment of infantry, Aleksios continued to wreak havoc in the rear of the rebels. Though under horse archer fire, he managed to split the enemey forces and wrest their attention from the front gate.

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Seeing this, Kantakouzinos advanced his troops through front gate. The rebels were now surrounded. Many of their horse archers, confined to fighting in the streets, had been brought down by Aleksios and his spearmen.

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The Romans avoided the rebels rallying point and instead lured their leader out the main square by a false retreat. He paid for his folly.

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The remaining rebels were soon dispersed.

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[deguerra]

Report on Negotiations at Rodos

1083

Startor Nevelous and I have been sent to Rodos, former outpost of the Empire, to investigate recent reports of Governor Leon misappropriating taxes and inciting anti-Imperial riots in town. While I expect no strong resistance, I am anxious that between us, Nevoulos and and I have only a few dozen men.

1084

Have arrived at Rodos and been greeted respectfully by Governor Leon. He seems happy to have two such highly honoured guests on his island, but has remained elusive on the matter of outstanding payments to Konstantinopolis. I hope future talks will go well.

1085

We have spent an entire year on this island and now this! First having made himself scarce for the past few months, when Nevoulos and I pressed Leon about the taxes at our last meeting he exploded. Shouting threats to ourselves and the Empire he drove us out of his castle. I have taken charge of the port, and will block Leon's men from leaving the island, but I must write back for more men, if we are to take down this lout by force.

1086

At Nevoulos' pressing, we have fashioned a sort of siege of the castle. While Leon has more men than us, they dare not exit the place for fear of being charged by one of our Kataphraktoi. Unfortunately, this means that rather than taking lodgings at the port, we must now remain encamped around the castle. This is turning more and more into a siege, and I despise sieges.

1088

Comes Kosmas has told me he has sent men from Athens, but they have yet to arrive. Cursed troop transports take forever to get moving, and even once they do one sometimes gets the feeling it would be fast to have the men swim! Meanwhile the siege lingers on. I have developed a terrible cold and pain in my chest. Nevoulos doesn't seem to be sleeping well himself. And on top of everything, my funds are running out and we have had to start foraging for food. I told the men not to steal from the farmers, so our dietary options are rapidly becoming limited.

1089

The men are here! At long last, we can do something! A final message for surrender to Governor Leon has remained unanswered. I am sick and tired of this damn siege and we attack tonight!

Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς


Report on Fighting at Castle of Rodos

Having finally received reinforcements, I decided to attack as soon as feasible. I had the men fashion a battering ram and some ladders. I do hope this will not be bloody. I hate assaults.

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I divided the men into two groups. One, under my own command, would take the battering ram to the main gate of the castle.

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The other, under Nevoulos, would advance with the ladders, and try to open a side gate for his Kataphraktoi.

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Unfortunately, my double attack was foiled when our battering ram caught fire after a particularly lucky shot from the defenders. I ordered my men back, and decided to ride over to Nevoulos to see if he was faring better.

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Needless to say, he was doing a much better job of things, and his men took to the walls unopposed, and hastened to open the castle gates.

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That done, Nevoulos and I charged the Kataphraktoi through.

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After that, everything went fairly quickly. A few defenders tried to fight, but most threw down their arms and ran. Governor Leon was among those cut down, a fitting end for a traitor to the Empire.

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I occupied the castle without further bloodshed. I am happy to report the island is now under full control of the Empire again.

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Long live the Emperor!
Ιωάννης Καλαμετερoς

[Andres]

My Kingdom for a goblet of wine! Arta - 1089.



"Rebel scum", Savvas thought, "Shouldn't be much of a problem."



A few moments later, his stomach, unhappy about those 25 goblets of wine the previous night, started to protest. Savvas crawled from his horse, fell on his knees, got up and stumbled towards a tree.

After having emptied his stomach, making disgusting sounds during the process, he slowly walked back.

His lord, Aleksios, stared at him, seemingly a bit worried.

"Don't worry, my lord" Savvas, looking as pale as a corpse, said. He continued, with a voice sounding like an unsharp razor blade: "We'll..." Savvas coughed, "We'll take this settlement..." Savvas coughed again. "We'll..." He spit out a few remnants of his last meal. "Ehm, whatever..."

Some of the soldiers started to laugh. Somehow, a commander suffering from a huge hangover, seemed amusing to them. The burst of laughter woke up Savvas who apparently had fallen asleep on his horse. He shook a few times with his head, slapped himself in the face and poured some water over his head.

"Ok men, let's hope those rebel scum have better wine then the crap we have been drinking for the last few months. Follow my lead men! For the glory of the Empire and for more and better wine!"

The soldiers sheered.

Savvas divided the forces in two groups. One group would attack the main gate at the south, while a smaller force, commanded by Savvas, would go for the east gate.

The enemy was surprised by this tactic and only one unit of spearmen guarded the east gate.

Seeing that only a part of the army was attacking the south gate, the rebels tried to sally and take the group of Aleksios by surprise.



An heroic charge of Aleksios forced the rebels back into the settlement. The rest of the army followed and the Byzantines were inside!



At the same moment, the battering ram on the east gate got through the gate.



All rebel troops focused on Aleksios and the main force of the army, leaving their flank open to Savvas and a unit of spearmen.



Savvas charged into them and killed Petros, the rebel captain.



Without their captain, the rebels soon surrendered.

"Like I said, not much of a problem."



One of the soldiers came out of a building.

"Savvas! We found wine!"

"Hurray!" Savvas cheerd, "No better solution for a hangover then a few goblets of wine!"

Savvas celebrated the victory with his men. The prospect of several subsequent nights drenched in alcohol made them euphoric.

[_Tristan_]

The liberation of Zagreb
Croatia, January 10th 1090

"O Lord, deliver us from the fury of the bodyguards"-- Croatian Axeman, 1090


The horse plodded on through the fields. A brisk wind made clouds scuttle across the sky, their shadows running on the ground. The weak sun of January was not enough to warm M ethodios.

Blowing on his hands to warm them, the reins hanging loose on the charger’s collar, Methodios thought about the last months.

He and his men had been escorting the merchant train of Milos Kovacs, the Croatian trader from the mountains in Northern Epirus towards his home city. All the way, they drew the curious stares of the countryfolk… Riders in heavy armour escorting two paltry wagons… What they could not know was that the wagons contained a hoard of riches such as they would never contemplate in their lives.

Though bandits were a widespread nuisance in these parts, the presence of the kataphraktoi kept them at bay… This left to the guards and to the riders the drudgery of the convoy work : tending to the beasts, foraging for food. The convoy made slow progress. The wagons were almost overloaded, exerting an heavy stain on the axles that often broke, needing to unload the wagons to perform the necessary reparations, then loading them back again, a back-breaking work…

In the evenings, Methodios insisted on drilling his men, however tiring their day had been. Though their skills honed day by day, Methodios was not deaf to their grumblings.

Now they were only a few leagues from Zagreb. The plan they had devised with Kovacs’ help would soon be put into action. And not too late… Outriders had spotted a Hungarian army north of Zagreb.

“They might be our allies but that would not stop them from snatching that town from under our noses”, Methodios reflected, watching in the distance the dust cloud formed by the stamping feet of the advancing Hungarians.

Already the wagons had sped away towards Zagreb following the first part of the plan. Kovacs was to pretend to have been waylaid by a company of highwaymen, telling him that the men had succeeded in laying their hands on part of his cargo and that they were hard on his tail, intent on taking the rest. Kovacs was to promise Gulya that any recovered gold would be his, with a bonus for protecting him.

Now Methodios and his men crossed the last ridge leading to the town. It was a small town enclosed by a wooden rampart. A rampart that would prevent Methodios and his men from freeing the town, hence the need to lure Gulya and his men out.



Hardly had Methodios and his men come into sight of the walls that Gulya and his men poured out of the gates.



Intent on luring them away from the walls, Methodios faked a withdrawal.



Gulya ordered one of his group of archers forward, willing to score a few kills on the retreating horsemen.
Before they had time to react, Methodios ordered his men around and sent them charging in the surprised archers.



The charge killed almost all of the company, breaking the spirit of the few remaining men.



Gulya was hiding behind a curtain of axemen. Intent on killing or capturing him, Methodios drove his men towards the eastern side of town, drawing the axemen to him in their thirst to avenge their fallen comrades.



The plan worked perfectly and soon Methodios aligned his men to charge on the remaining unit of archers under the direct command of Gulya.



The charge was accomplished to perfection, claiming Gulya as one of the first casualties.




Not one of the archers survived the powerful charge of the kataphraktoi.



Sensing his opportunity, Methodios spurred his horse towards the gates intent on bringing the fight on more favourable ground in the twisting streets of Zagreb, and even if possible capturing the town without further bloodshed. A short fight at the doors accounted for the loss of three of Methodios’ men.
(OOC : This is the first time in a sally that I have the gates close on me when I seek to enter the town… This allowed the axemen to sneak behind the Bodyguards and claim three of them…)

The axemen ran to entrench themselves in the main square of the city.



Intent of rooting them out, Methodios led his men in a charge down a side street.



The force of the charge killed half of the remaining axemen.



Another charge left the square into the hands of only a fistful of men.



Driving his men into one last charge, Methodios felt another victory was within his grasp.

[Ferret]

The battle for Smyrna was a simple affair. Hypatios allowed the rebels to venture some way from the walls, under arrow fire from the Trebizond archers, before ordering forward the spearmen. At the same time the heavy knights of the two nobles' guards charged in on the sides causing a mass rout. It did not take long for the knights to capture or kill any remaining enemy.

[_Tristan_]

Wrong thread