Battle Reports

**Ibn-Khaldun** · 08-29-2008, 12:13

Road near Alexandria, 1129

After Efstathios heard from the locals that some brigands are robbing everyone who try to enter Alexandria he quickly decided to destroy them. Taking with him his Skythikon unit he marched outside the city to west.

After some time they met some people who said that the brigands are close. Efstathios was surprised to hear that the leader of those rebels is Christian named Henry.

They continued their way to west and suddenly they saw an army over 400 men moving towards them. Efstathios realized that there is no way they could run away nor did he want to run away.

So Efstathios gave a little speech for his men..

"Now we come to it. A few heartbeats and all will be decided. Let us make sure that the decision is OURS!!"

With that he and his bodyguards moved forward to meet the enemy while his Skythikons were sent on his left flank to distract the enemy cavalry. But everything went wrong from the start..

Enemy archers started to bombard them with arrows. One volley after another. And when Efstathios finally got to them he already had lost 2 men. The revenge was sweat though. They cut down almost all those archers.

The mamluks did not however start to chase Skythikons. Instead they turned and attacked Efstathios and suddenly Efstathios and his men were surrounded by enemy. Nubian spearmen closing into them. Efstathios managed to yell to the Skythikons to retreat and soon after that there was just him and Ioannis, his loyal bodyguard who represented him in the Magnaura, left.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

They killed many others before the rebels managed to kill Efstathios and Ioannis.

"Lets make sure that no greek bastard would never come here again. Cut down their leaders head and put it on a stake. Let it be clear what happens to the greeks who come here!" said the rebel leader known as Henry.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**_Tristan_** · 09-06-2008, 17:44

Battle of the Pyramids
Cairo, 1131

Write-up coming soon

**Privateerkev** · 09-09-2008, 07:41

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

Antioch 1134

Makedonios wakes up with a start from his nightmare again. Instinctively his left hand shoots out and feels nothing. He looks over where she lay just 24 hours before. Leaning over, he can smell her on his pillow. Glancing over her side of the bed, he sees one of her hairpins. It must have fallen out when she undid her hair. He could still see her perfectly. Sitting on top of him and smiling as she let her hair drape over her beautiful shoulders.

A loud bang at the door snapped him out of it.

"What is it?!?"

"Sorry sir but the last reinforcements have arrived. You said you wanted to be notified."

"Alright, I'll be down."

He took a minute to tie a string around the hairpin and hang it around his neck. He tucked it down under his shirt over his heart.

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The great hall of the chapter-house had been turned into a command center. Maps and reports were laid out on tables. People ran in and out to give and receive orders. Makedonios strolled in. Someone handed him a cup of mint tea. "Alright, get me up to speed."

Ioannis, his veteran warrior, looked up from the map table and gave his report. "Alright, you, Brother Bart, and 2 units of spear militia are in the city. Brother Nathanail sailed north and has just arrived outside the wall. He has been joined by Marshall Armatos. The Marshall brought both units of horse archers from the Order's army. The peasant archer on the way to the army was turned around and has made it back. The Marshall took the money you gave him and hired 2 units of Turcopoles. Kalameteros took the money you gave him and hired 2 units of Armenian Cavalry and a unit of Alan Cavalry. He sent them towards us and they have arrived not long ago. We have a total of 808 men. Everyone is ready."

Makedonios asked, "What are we facing?"

Ioannis consulted a report. "The Templar army is led by one Manfred Karolinger. They have 7 sergeant spearmen units, 4 peasant units, 3 pilgrim units, 1 peasant archer unit, 2 horse archers, and 2 mounted sergeants. They number 1921."

Makedonios sipped his tea and thought. "Alright, our spears will go out the gate up the middle and sit out of their range. Bart and I will go off on the right. Signal the merc cav to come in on our left. And signal Brother Armatos and get him to bring his men behind the enemy. Draw their skirmishers out and take care of them. Kill their general. Then, unload our arrows on their infantry. When we're out of arrows, we surround them and charge."

He looks around at his men and saw they were eager for battle. "Good luck and God be with you. Dismissed!"

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The battle went as planned. The spears went up the middle and sat. Mak and Bart went off to the right. Merc cav ran in and sat off the near left. Armatos and the rest came in on the far left and ran up across the hill to get behind the Templar army. One mounted sergeant came after Mak and Bart and got destroyed. The rest of the enemy cavalry went after Armatos. 4 units of horse archers laid into the enemy cav and kept up a skirmisher line. Armatos and Nathanail went in and took out who the arrows missed. Karolinger fell off his horse and was captured. The battle was over but the rest of the enemy army did not know it yet.

The infantry just sat there at the bottom of the hill facing the city. The peasant archers and 4 horse archers laid volley after volley into the infantry. When their arrows were finally exhausted, half of the enemy were dead. All of the Order's cavalry took up positions all around the enemy army. At once, they all charged. Hitting the army from all directions, there was a mass rout. Surrounded, most of the enemy fought to the end. Still, 888 were captured.

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Makedonios got off his horse and walked over to the prisoners. He turned to Ioannis. "What is the tally?"

"We lost 48 men. Killed 985. We have 888 prisoners including one Manfred Karolinger. And I sent all the mercenaries home on your orders."

The Megas walked up to the Templar general. The man was nursing a nasty leg wound but it looked like he would live. "Sir Karolinger, I hope my men have made you comfortable."

Manfred stared at Mak before relenting. "They have binded my wounds. I thank you." He looks around for a moment. "What will happen to my men?"

Mak shrugged. "They are free to go. Same with yourself. We'll give you a cart and some horses so you can travel."

It is clear that Manfred is surprised. "That is... very good of you. I must say I did not expect this treatment."

Another shrug. "We're all men of God Sir Karolinger. You just worship him a little differently than we do. Plus, I have terms I'd like you to send to your Grandmaster. Tell him I expect the Order of the Knight's Templar to immediately disband. We had been neighbors for decades in peace. Now, in light of your unwarranted aggression, we demand Tortosa."

Manfred chuckled lightly. "I doubt my Grandmaster will take that well. I'll tell him. The Holy Father encouraged us to expand so we could better protect German Jerusalem. We saw an opening and decided to take it. The Levant will be a Catholic Levant."

Makedonios shook his head no. "Not if I can help it..."

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Ituralde** · 09-09-2008, 11:45

Dyarbakir, 1134:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

"Ah, they've decided to come out. Get moving!" A pleased smile playing on his lips Pavlos leaves the tent, already tucking on his gauntlets. He was shadowed by his nephew Christos, who once outside, marches off to mobilize the camp.

The scout reports had been a bit sketchy ever since they arrived here. There seemed to be many men under arms arrayed against him. Just this morning it had been confirmed that most of them were Javelinmen and Azabs though. The latter being some form of Turkish Militia. Not high quality, but Pavlos was outnumbered two to one and the garrison of the city would be led my the Lord of Dyabakir and Crown Prince of the Seljuks.

Scratching his clean shaven cheek Pavlos stares up at the sky. He had observed all the rituals and a lonely black raven had been seen coming in from the North and circling the encampment. The exact number was not clear though. His scouts hadn't paid attention. Ioannis Kantakouzinos and his men lay to the north. Did he circle two times meaning that they would reach him today or three times meaning a delay of several days? Grumbling to himself he mounts his horse.

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The battle field was on the rolling hills of the Anatolikon. The ground gave way to the South and Pavlos positioned his men as far north as possible. The enemy would have to come at him upslope. The main enemy force was led by a Seljuk Captain with the Crown Prince expected to arrive from Dyabarkir.

Pavlos couldn't wait for them to join the Seljuk forces so his men advanced. The Azabs and Javelinmen were an uncoordinated mess with their famed Horse Archers sprining into action immediatelly. Pavlos led the head of the attack followd by his Byzantine Lancers.

While they engaged the Horse Archers, the Archers from Trebizond rained fiery death on the milling masses of the Seljuk conscripts. The battle was tumoultus but the Byzantines seemed to have the upper hand.

Suddenly the arrows seemed to fall thicker on the enemies and the first of them began to rout. The thundering of the ground spoke of a Cavalry charge and as Pavlos looked to the North he could clearly make out the streamers bearing the colours of Kantakouzinos. It had been two times then!

With the combined force of Byzantine Cavalry, Skythikon and their bodyguards the Seljuks were driven off quickly. Just as the last fled the field the approaching Crown Prince could be made out.

With double the men available Pavlos formed them up in a slight angle blocking the approach of the Seljuk forces. The Bodyguards were stationed on the right flank, lending support to Kantakouzinos Town Militia, while the Dismounted Byzantine Lancers held the left flank.

The rest of the Cavalry was sent to skirmish and draw the enemy into the trap.

It worked beautifully. The enemy was greeted by a hail of arrows from Horsemen and Infantry alike. With the enemy pocketed in the Town Militia and Bodyguards were able to flank the enemy and catch them from behind. The Seljuk Crown Prince chose to impale himself on the Byztantine Dismounted Lancers, occupying the left flank, nothing more.

The fighting was over quickly and the pursuit could begin.

______________

Pavlos face was set in a scowl as he stared up towards the walls of Dyarbakir. He was a grizzly sight, his armour still splattered in blood. In his right he held his sword upright and in his left the head of the recently deceased Crown Prince!

"People of Dyarbakir! I bring you the head of the foreign oppressor that has plagued you for so long! You saw what happens to those who oppose us. Open the doors and you may escape their fate!"

He points to his right from where the moans and cries of death had filled the morning air for the last hour or so. All that remained of the prisoners taken were their mutilated bodies. They had been arrayed in front of the walls and slaughtered by his men for all of Dyarbakir to see.

It took not long before the gates opened to welcome their new Lords.

**Smowz** · 09-10-2008, 20:59

Somewhere between Iconium and Adana

Nevoulas ek Philadelphius looked over the battlefield with some confidence. On the inside he was in shreds. For some years Nevoulas had come to be known as a quiet low achieving nobleman of this growing empire. Now it was time to earn his keep.

They say some are born into to greatness and that some have greatness thrust upon them. Late last night Nevoulas' worst fears were confirmed, much like in Rhodes Ioannis was ill. This time however the fever was sudden. With the forces comprised of Asteris very own and given Nevoulas' similar build and hieght to Ioannis it was decided that Nevoulas would ride out in Ioannis battle gear and take command of the units.

The instructions were simple seek and destroy the Egyptian Jihad.

They were found and the battle was set.

Nevoulas summised that he must keep his ground troops together and huddled up the highest mound in the area. The bloodthirsty jihad would no doubt be enticed into a dangerous and foolhardy charge up there. This would even the odds somewhat between the soldiers of the jihad army and the part time militia of the Asteri army.

Nevoulas would take himself and the other general units with him to seek out the enemy general. He had a feeling that with the enemy general dead the numbers in the Egyptian army would count for nothing.

Nevoulas and Nikiphoras' inexperience counted against them and many loyal men were lost as the 60 mounted units were reduced in number, however a strike by one of Ioannis' bodyguard would take the enemy commander out of play and to a sandy grave.

With this done and the enemy ground forces now invading our poorly equipped forces (albeing uphill) the boduguard units set to attacking from the side and behind.

This proved the decisive move in the battle as the enemy units now leaderless started to los numbers in shocking amounts. It became almost a healthy competition amongst the bodyguard whom could take the most foes. This jihad was OVER!!!!

**Ituralde** · 09-12-2008, 09:02

South of Yerevan, 1137:

Night:

Azzim watched the cloud of fog escaping his mouth as he breathed. The temperature was freezing and the moist air made his cloth cling. They had been roused about an hour ago. Byzantine soldiers had been seen in the vicinity. Surely this couldn't be right. Their general had been seen moving south towards Dyarbakir. He was probably sieging it right now, if the Crown Prince hadn't defeated them yet. Even then it would take the harshest of taskmasters to rally his men back here in this time. It just couldn't be. It probably was a false alarm.

A faint whirring noise pulled Azzim out of his reverie. He cocked his head to listen. Couldn't that be. Didn't that almost sound like. Turning to his comrade to voice his oppinion he was greeted by a loud tchuck! Azzim stared in disbelief at the arrow portruding from his comrades chest before realization hit him. Gripping his spear tighter he turned towards the foggy night: "Attack! We are under attack!"

Once again Azzim and his fellow Javelinmen were greeted by arrows coming out of the dark night. His comrades fell all around him and it was all that Azzim could do to cling on to his spear as another volley descended upon them. Azzim felt a warm sensation on his hip and realized that an arrow had struck him. Gripping his spear tighter he remains standing while the earth begins to shake. Staring out into the darkness he blinks away the sweat that had appeared on his brow.

He tried to focus and once he could see clearly his eyes went wide! A giant horse came galloping out of the fog It was the last thing he saw before a Byzantine lance gutted him.

Day:

Casim watched the cloud of fog escaping his mouth as he breathed. The temperature was freezing and the moist air made his cloth cling. They had been roused about an hour ago. Byzantine soldiers had been seen in the vicinity. Surely this couldn't been right. They had only laid siege to Yerevan about a month ago and their Southern flank was guarded by a large company of Javelinmen. Nothing would get past them for now. The only thing that would come out of that fog would be their reinforcements. It probably was a false alarm.

A faint whirring noise pulled Casim out of his reverie. The Javelinmen to his left and right looked as preplexed as he did, but as he turned he realized that the Horse Archers arrayed behind them had begun firing their bows. Volley after volley they sent into the dense fog and then he could hear the whinying of horses and the cries of men as they were struck by arrows. Gripping his spear tighter he turned towards the foggy day: "Attack! We are under attack!"

He tried to focus and once he could see clearly his eyes went wide! A giant horse came galloping out of the fog. It was the last thing he saw before a Byzantine lance gutted him.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

**Privateerkev** · 09-13-2008, 20:36

Adana 1135:

Makedonios was in his command tent outside Adana looking at a map table. Ever since the Templars started the war, the challenge was ending the war while retaking Adana. Staring at the map, Makedonios got an idea.

"Ioannis, come over here."

His veteran warrior came over. "Yes sir?"

Mak stared at the map. "I have an idea. Have us siege this castle here. But order Nathanail to meet up with the old Order army outside of Tortosa. Tell him to run if attacked. And if pursued, to fight and withdrawal. We need to get that army back out of Tortosa. Now... where are our spies?"

Adana 1137:

The camp outside Adana was a flurry of activity. While people were quickly packing up the headquarters, Makedonios was still staring at his map and barking out orders. Everything had gone perfectly. The Turks sallied at the end of last year and we're defeated. Adana was occupied and back in Order hands. The Templars had chased after Nathanail and their army was now out of the castle. Makedonios smiled. Time for phase two...

A few weeks later:

Makedonios lay behind a sand dune with his army. They had just sailed over from Adana. Over the dune was the castle of Tortosa, the Templar headquarters. The Grandmaster of the Templars had just hired 3 units of Muslim archers but that was it. The rest of the Templars were off chasing Nathanail around the Levant. In the silence of the night, he could hear the muted sounds of battle and then the gate went up. The two spies he had sent into the castle had done their job.

Under the cover of night, the army ran over the dune and towards the castle. Lookouts finally sounded an alarm but it was too late. The whole army ran through the gates. Some spears ran for the Templar Grandmaster while others mobbed the archers as they poured down from the walls. The Templar Grandmaster was brought down in battle and the castle was occupied. The Templars were disbanded.

Next year:

Wanting to do one last thing before his term ended, Makedonios left Theo in Tortosa while he took the army to Acre. Nathanail recruited mercs from Nicosia and sailed them over. The Fatimid's sallied. While Mak's army was ground down to a nub, the castle was occupied.

After occupying 3 provinces in quick succession, word has spread about Makedonios. It became well known that if he captured you, or took your settlement, that you would be safe. The Muslims started calling him "the Chivalrous."

The Levant was almost complete. Only one more province remained before the Order finally fulfilled their Charter...