Order of St. John

[Privateerkev]

And I accept. Good job Sergeant! You were instrumental in our success today.

[BananaBob]

Still clad in his lamellar, Nathanail sighs deeply with exhaustion before turning and smiling at the new Sergent.

Welcome, Aerovindos, to the Order of St.John!

[Cecil XIX]

Armatos returns, still smiling but not quite as enthusiastic as when he left.

Well done, Grandmaster! I thought things were going to get rough when the entire line routed before contact, but that couldn't have gone much better.

Armatos turns to Aerovindos.

And welcome to you, good Sergeant! Why, I heard that when you first arrived you were on top of a hill with the son at your back, ha ha!

Now if you excuse me gentlemen, I must return to my civil duties. I've got a bit of catching up to do.

[I]Armatos salutes the Grandmaster, turns on his heal and departs.[/H]

OOC: I thought I was going to fight the battle?

[Privateerkev]

OOC: I got SS working again. If I couldn't you would have fought it.

[Cecil XIX]

OOC: Ahh, now it all makes sense. Didn't grasp the full significance of that.

[Privateerkev]

OOC: It actually CTD'd on me today when I loaded SS. I wiped the CD and put it back and it worked...

[Rowan]

Bart enters in dusty and battle-stained clothing, having only removed his armor. He is obviously in good spirits after the battle

Ha! That was some battle. Grand Master, if that is how you fight while bed-ridden I'd like to see you once you are healthy! Ha!

I have to admit I was a bit worried about that rabble before the battle but it seems pure numbers don't matter if the quality is not there. Bart's expression goes sour And the same goes for our valiant troops... good thing the battle plan didn't in the end rely on them.

Turning to the stranger in the group
Ah you must be Areovindos. Welcome to the Order! How is Samos this time of the year? Lovely, I'd think, eh!?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Just stop wearing that dress in public, will you?

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[ULC]

Iakovos, having been nursing his wounds, finally makes an appearance. His hair is a mess and his right arm is in a sling

Welcome Aerovindos, your help was much appreciated. I myself was surprised to see another unit upon the field and thought it Vissarionas for a moment. Your battle prowess was exceptional, and I wish I had such skill myself, otherwise I might not have suffered an injured arm and a bruised body.

Brother Bart, I think you to harsh towards our men. Yes, they did run from the battle, but with the way things have been for them, do you expect less? None of them are truly hardened to battle as of yet, and seeing so many men that they should face down, I wouldn't have doubted them to run.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios allows himself a small smile when Bart speaks.

Thank you Sergeant. You'd be surprised how motivated someone can be when they are stuck in bed for over a decade.

He then turns to Iakovos.

No skill? You are being far too modest. From my vantage point, you held off hundreds of men in the enemy's center before we could get there. You fought valiantly like every man here.

Addressing everyone.

As for our army's behavior, this only drives home the importance of supplies. Now that the enemy army is gone, we need to get the army resupplied before going out on campaign. Otherwise, the army will just rout again upon first sight of the enemy.

So, unfortunately, for now, we must again sit and wait.

But the moment you men are resupplied, you will be sent back out into the field.
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OOC:

SS's supply system takes some getting used to. All of our avatars are only "25% supplied" which inflicts big morale penalties upon the army you lead. Which is one of the reasons the whole army routed in the beginning of the battle. So, the only cure is to sit in the city and eventually the avatars will get resupplied.

[TheFlax]

Areovindos appears weary and battered. He seemed dismissive at first.

I wouldn't know about Samou, haven't been to that place in quite some time.

His tone turned more jovial when he addressed all assembled.

I thank you all for your kind words, it was an honor fighting this battle with such valiant men and I can only hope for more opportunity to prove my worth for all of you.

[TinCow]

OOC: SS's supply system takes some getting used to. All of our avatars are only "25% supplied" which inflicts big morale penalties upon the army you lead. Which is one of the reasons the whole army routed in the beginning of the battle. So, the only cure is to sit in the city and eventually the avatars will get resupplied.

OOC: Sorry for butting into your thread, but I think it's possible to manage this in your favor. Instead of taking all avatars on every campaign, you could let some rest up while the rest go out. Then when the campaigners need to resupply, the rested avatars can take over. That way you've always got people ready when they're needed. There are plenty of Order members to accomplish this.

[Privateerkev]

OOC: Sorry for butting into your thread, but I think it's possible to manage this in your favor. Instead of taking all avatars on every campaign, you could let some rest up while the rest go out. Then when the campaigners need to resupply, the rested avatars can take over. That way you've always got people ready when they're needed. There are plenty of Order members to accomplish this.

OOC:

Feel free!

I think your absolutely right. But we couldn't avoid all of the avatars using their supplies since we needed them all for the original siege last term.

Once all of the avatars are rested up, we'll start rotating them as you've suggested.

[BananaBob]

OOC:

Areovindos ek Samou doesn't meet the orders chivalry requirements

EDIT: to become a knight... man I get the sergeant and knight requirements confused

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Yup, anyone can be a Sergeant. He can have 10 dread, no piety, and be married. As long as he swears to the feudal chain and follows the Charter, it is fine. This was done to a.) broaden the recruitment pool, b.) follow the example of history, and c.) allow "redemption" scenarios for characters.

Say you have butchered thousands of people. No problem. Go to the "Kingdom of Heaven" and work for forgiveness.

[Cecil XIX]

OOC: I've just finished planning the Siege of Aleppo, and we have a problem. Next turn the Sergeants (except for Areovindos) will run out of supples. Because of that, the turn after they'll get the trait 'Bad Logistician' which results in -1 Command and -2 Troop Morale. It's not an anti-trait of logisticalskill, so the only way to get rid of it is with the console.

[Privateerkev]

OOC: Crap...

I didn't know that because I've stopped playing ahead like people asked...

Well that sucks.

Maybe we can ask TC to take the traits out like he did with the unwatched traits. This supply system has elements of it that really sucks...

[Cecil XIX]

In my defense, I figure our characters would know IC how the supply system works even if we don't.

[BananaBob]

The supply system is driving me crazy...

Also: happy 1000th post Cecil!

[Privateerkev]

Members of the Order,

There will be a wedding party tonight to celebrate the union of Princess Anna and Ioannis Kalameteros. Attendance is mandatory. We will go and honor the royal family. Dress up and behave yourselves.


And please... don't make me sit there alone... I will be bored out of my mind...

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Since people are starting to get concerned, I've PM'd TinCow and asked him to remove the "Bad Logistician" trait from people's avatars, when they appear. I told him he can give it to Makedonios if he wants. As the man in charge, Mak should be the one that gets that trait, if anyone.

Have I mentioned that elements of this supply system really sucks?

[Ramses II CP]

A well worn letter arrives from Vissarionas ek Lesvou intended for the eyes of all the Order members who would be interested.

Brothers,

I pray nightly that things are going well for us in the Levant, and what little news reaches me seems positive. I understand a new member has come to serve the Order, so I wish him welcome and will be pleased to meet him on my return!

My work here has been difficult, and challenging. The path I walk is unclear from step to step, and I have little guidance but what I can glean from prayer. Despite all that, I am certain I am doing the work of God and advancing the cause of our faith. The day will come when I return triumphant and redeemed, and can stride the streets of Antioch without being overwhelmed by my shame. I have sworn it will be so, and whatever must pass to reach that goal will see my hands turned to the task willingly!

I am still not at liberty to fully discuss my location, but I do wish to convey that the name of the Order is known even among heathens and infidels. The fame of the captors of Antioch, and the knowledge of our growing power, are even causing some to question the existence of an Orthodox crusade. I, of course, put down such rumors as absurd where possible.

May God and the Patriarch guide your noble hands, my brothers in the Order!

Vissarionas ek Lesvou

[BananaBob]

OOC:

this supply system really sucks

I've fixed it a bit for you.

[Privateerkev]

I've fixed it a bit for you.

OOC:



Yeah... well... I was trying to be generous...

[BananaBob]

Well...Um...In my opinion, not necessarily yours of course... This supply system, subjectively, has some elements that some, not all, people may possibly find, not to there tastes, of course this is just an opinion.
...
...
Its total 'poop'

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

*sigh*

And to think I argued for SS because I wanted the shiny titles...

Boy did I get more than I bargained for...

[Ramses II CP]

OOC: The old man creeps out of his cave, raises his rag clad arms to the sky, and proclaims, 'I warned ye! I warned ye! Ye'll be sendin' yer armies out wi' only captains now, jest as I said!'

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Knowing our luck, the captains will rebel...

[Cecil XIX]

As far as I'm concerned, the only problem is that 'bad_logistician' isn't and antitrait of 'logisticalskill', and you can't get rid of it except with the console. I'm perfectly fine with the other aspects of the system.

[Privateerkev]

OOC:

Alright Cecil, I think your up for the Aleppo sally. Neither FD or Ig have mentioned who the commanding general is for the sally but I'm pretty sure it's you.

Good luck.

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios summons every noble in the Order to Antioch. In the great hall of the Order's chapterhouse, the Grandmaster stands with the aid of his cane.

Marshall Armatos! Well done with your victory at Aleppo! That was masterfully executed.

Now, Sergeant Nathanail, come forward.

Brother Armatos and I have decided that you will be the next Knight of the Order of St. John. I hereby grant you the province of Aleppo. Serve those people well, spread the Word, and build up the settlement to help our mission here.

Congratulations Brother Nathanail!