Megas Logothetes' and Senators' Reports

[TheFlax]

Here is the save:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4353

As per the Megas' authorization, Markos has hired mercenaries before setting sail after Helarionas Anargiros.

The following were hired: 1 unit of Frankish Knights, 1 unit of Prussian Spearmen, 2 units of Macemen and 1 unit of Slavic Spearmen. The total cost was 3540 florins.

Markos' army, now 840 strong, then sailed within throwing distance of Helarionas Anargiros' fleet and is ready to engage hostilities.

(With the permission of TinCow I broke the rules and took my army of 10 units on my two ships, if more ships after this turn and the event is still going, he will generate the amount of ships I should be having as per Rule 7 of Event 5.)

[TinCow]

To clarify the above: I do not have access to the game at the moment and could not generate the ships TheFlax requested in accordance with the rules of Event Five. Since he was going to be using a combination of existing ships and temporary ships anyway, I told him to just make his moves with the existing ships, and I would add the temporary ones on later. This was done to keep the game from being delayed.

As a result of Markos ek Sinopis' (TheFlax) declaration of war and his move to a tile adjacent to Helarionas Anargiros (YLC), a PvP battle will occur. Other people may continue to play off of the current save, but the game cannot advance to a new turn until the PvP battle is resolved.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

Taking the save.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

http://www.mizus.com/pbm/LOTR-1182-11.rar

Moved Theo and his army towards Theopolis to break the siege.

[TinCow]

TheFlax and YLC have chosen to resolve their pending PvP battle via multiplayer. This will not be fought earlier than Sunday, so the game is delayed until then. I will post specific details on the exact settings for the battle and the composition of the armies no later than tomorrow.

As before, people may continue to play off of the current save, but the game cannot advance to a new turn until the PvP battle is resolved.

[TinCow]

Taking the save.

[TinCow]

LOTR-1182-12

OOC Change: The 7 extra RBGs have been killed off.

IC Changes:

The fleeing Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) set sail from Durazzo, hoping to escape west. However, Markos ek Sinopis (TheFlax) responded quickly. With funds requisitioned from Megas Aleksios ek Ikoniou (Northnovas), he hired a large number of mercenaries and set sail in pursuit. He sighted Senator Anargiros' exhausted fleet in the waters southwest of Durazzo. Senator Anargiros' men did not have sufficient provisions to escape into the open sea, and they recognized quickly that if they remained with the fleet, Basileus Komnenos' fleet would soon catch up and obliterate them all. So, the only remaining option was to put ashore at the closest point available: southern Italy. There they disembarked and formed into a defensive formation. Markos ek Sinopis' army landed nearby and is now preparing to march on Helarionas Anargiros. A battle is about to begin.

(Note: Armies disembarked to provide a rational basis for the land battle despite it occuring after a naval encounter. Please note that one of Helarionas Anargiros' units could not be disembarked due to being out of movement. It is still on his fleet, but is considered part of the army and will be present in the battle.)

Meanwhile, further east, Senator Kousinos Sophianos (Cecil XIX) was holding the river crossing north of Antiokheia, barring the advancing Turks and rebels from moving on the city. As dawn broke over the encampment, a cry came up from the encampment of the elite Dismounted Latinkon. Quickly, the army stirred and woke, but it was too late. All 79 men in the regiment were dead in their tents, without a mark on their bodies. The cause was soon located: a communal stew pop laced with a most vile and deadly poison. Such an act must surely have been the work of the dreaded and mysterious Hashshashin.

(Note: Dismounted Latinkon unit disbanded)

[KnightnDay]

Taking the save

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4360

Save back. Moved Zigavinos Vasakios and his army.

[TinCow]

Taking the save to implement the results of the Battle of Apulia.

[TinCow]

LOTR-1182-14

Results of the Battle of Apulia:

A victory for Helarionas Anargiros (YLC), with Senator Markos ek Sinopis (TheFlax) being captured in the process. However, it was not without cost. Both armies suffered extraordinary casualties before Senator ek Sinopis' brave men finally broke. With all remaining cavalry in Senator Anargiros' army, the survivors were quickly rounded up. After seeing their General held captive, and the skill with which Senator Anargiros conducted the battle, all survivors and prisoners agreed to join his army. Even so, the losses have been heavy.

Both armies have been merged. All units have been disbanded except those that would still have had a significant number of survivors after the battle and merging similar unit types. The extra survivors from units that ended up disbanded are presumed to have joined the depleted units to top them up. Helarionas Anargiros' (YLC) new army:

Original units from Helarionas' army:
1 Town Militia
1 Spear Militia
1 Cavalry Militia (partially depleted)
1 Skythikon

New units made up of former prisoners and survivors of Markos' army:
1 Prussian Spearmen
1 Macemen
1 Byzantine Spearmen (partially depleted)

In addition, due his startling victory agains the odds and his immense personal contribution to victory in the Battle of Apulia (not to mention the fact that he personally captured Markos ek Sinopis in battle), Helarionas Anargiros' (YLC) has gained the following traits:
Brave
Marks of War
Calm When Outnumbered

Further rules to implement the results of this battle:
1) The Skythikon are still stuck onboard the fleet. Before Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) moves next turn, I will take the save and add them back into his army, and reset their movement.

2) For the next turn only, no one may move either of the fleets next to Helarionas Anargiros (YLC), until he has had the opportunity to move. Thus, if he chooses to take to sea, he can merge both fleets for his personal use.

3) For in-game time purposes, Helarionas Anargiros' (YLC) next move will occur before Basileus Ioannis Komnenos' (Ignoramus). Both players may take the save whenever they want next turn, but if Ignoramus moves first and the move would result in a PvP battle, YLC can avoid it by moving himself away (for IC purposes, Helarionas' move occurs first).

4) Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) has lost many men, but he has also obtained all of Markos ek Sinopis' supply train and encampment. This has yielded sufficient sums to recruit 2 units. While this Event is in effect, YLC may hire up 2 mercenary units into his army, without getting consent from the Megas Logothetes. Non-merc units may also be recruited in this fashion, but Helarionas Anargiros must move into a city to do so. These units may be recruited immediately, or in future turns.

5) Markos ek Sinopis (TheFlax) is now a captive of Helarionas Anargiros (YLC). Neither TheFlax nor YLC may remove Markos ek Sinopis from Helarionas' stack while Markos remains captive. Markos will move and fight with Helarionas Anargiros' army for as long as he is captive. While Markos remains captive, Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) may take any of Markos' retinue without his consent, except settlement titles. At any point, and for any reason, Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) may release or execute Markos ek Sinopis. If a release occurs, Markos will be moved out of Helarionas' stack by himself and normal game rules will once again apply to him. If an execution occurs, Markos ek Sinopis will be killed off. Markos ek Sinopis (TheFlax) may not post in any IC thread except for the Stories and Battle Reports threads. All IC communications TheFlax wishes to make must be PMed to YLC first, who may choose to pass them on to their intended recipients/threads or block them from being sent.

Note that the war between Helarionas and Markos is still in effect and must be resolved by a Peace Treaty. Presumably Helarionas' current power over Markos will impact this.

The game is now unfrozen and the turns can once again be advanced.

[woad&fangs]

taking the save. will return it quickly.

[woad&fangs]

http://www.mizus.com/pbm/LOTR-1182-15.rar

I finally set out on my campaign against the Turks in the south. Between Baku and Tbilisi I spotted the Prince of the Seljuks encamped with a small army. I received reinforcments from Tbilisi and will fight him in battle when the cavalry from Yerevan arrives.

OOC: I have 2 units of cavalry and 1 unit of infantry in captain lead stacks near my general. I request permission from the Megas to move them into my army next turn.

[Northnovas]

Taking the save to advance the turn.

[Northnovas]

Report of 1182

Countrymen, this has been another stain on our history as we again try to deal with a rogue Senator. Helarionas Anargiros obtain a fleet for his army and with Princess Aleksandra Tagris as hostage fled. The brave Markos ek Sinopis stormed out of the Port of Ragusa in pursuit and was able to catch the traitor Helarionas in the Bari Region of Sicilian Territory.

A battle ensued and our brave Markos was captured. The victorious Anarginos now as two loyal subjects captive. The Basileus is the only one who can immediately end this and bring the Helarionas Anargiros to justice.

Recruitment:

Several settlements received fresh militia and retraining of current regiments. Andreas Dermokaitis has left Belgrade for reassignment to Ragusa. He has taken a small army with him the region of Ragusa has been stripped of men to recruit and is vulnerable at the moment.

Construction:

No new construction several projects completed. the current crisis as drained our treasury for maintenance of armies and no new projects have been commissioned.

Taxation:

We are drawing a large deficit due to the army upkeep. There is concern of the public order in some of our castles who have little or no garrisons. Some merchants were recruited to establish more lucrative trade route to assist with the current deficit.

Diplomacy:

The Sicilians have gained another enemy and are at war with the Moors. The Milanese are at war with the Venetian that could assist with our war effort.

Faction Announcements:

Princess Rosanna Mavrozomis is getting proposals but they are from old worn out men of peasantry stock. They are not even worth discussing with the respective families.

Hot Issues:

Other then the report of the traitor Helarionas there is some concern on the western front. The Venetians have besieged Zagreb and have poured over our western border with three large armies one heading for the undefended Fortress of Ragusa.

Military Campaigns:
The western borders are currently being over run by the Venetians and Zagreb has been besieged.
The east is stable with Aleppo still under siege but relief should be there soon.

New Save:

Starts at post #1126 Go Here

Will pick up the save again after 1500 hrs EST Tuesday 27 Jan unless there is a PvP or other action that needs to be completed.

[ULC]

A note arrives at the Megas's office. It reads -

"To the Senators and People of the Roman Empire, let it be known that I, Comes Helarionas Anargiros, have set free Comes Markos ek Sinopis under the terms that he return to the shores of the Imperium, unharmed, and with the bodies of those who fought bravely upon the hills of Apulia, so that they may be properly buried in their homeland. He is given command of the ships that I had commandeered from Durazzo for his transportation."

"Under these fair terms, then men under his command have defaulted to me, along with the Frankish Mercenary Captain that he had under his service."

[TinCow]

LOTR-1183-1

I have replayed the end turn on Northnovas' save and KnightnDay's avatar did not rebel, so all is well. I have no idea why he did in the first place, since his loyalty is pretty decent. In any case it's a moot point now. Everything listed in Northnovas' summary still occurred, with one addition:

Efthymios ek Herakliou (Dafuge) has picked up a Pagan Magician.

In addition, I have moved Helarionas Anargiros' (YLC) unit of Skythikon into his stack and reset his movement. I have also moved Markos ek Sinopis (TheFlax) out of Helarionas' stack, as he has been released. I also transferred the Mercenary Captain to Helarionas, as per the above post. As per YLC's post above, TheFlax is free to take the ships that are offshore.

The save is now open for normal play.

[KnightnDay]

Taking the Save

Save back

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4374

Raised taxes in Thessalonike and moved Ammonathas and Zigavinos Vasilakios westward into one stack.
Also moved three units provided by the Megas to Thessalonike.

[ULC]

Taking the save

[ULC]

Save Back

Took 5/7 ships, heading north, and recruited 2/2 units - Frankish Knights and Sergeant Swordsmen.

[Zim]

Taking the save.

[Zim]

Done. Arintheos is on the long, slow march to the front.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4376

[Ignoramus]

Here's the save:

http://rapidshare.com/files/189540775/LOTR-1183-5.zip

[_Tristan_]

Taking save

[_Tristan_]

Save is back

[Northnovas]

Taking the save!

[Northnovas]

The Venetians have made the push for the walls of Zagreb.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

For Andres defensive battle

Good Luck!

[Andres]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4389

Aleksios ek Pigis suffered a clear defeat and died in battle.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Northnovas]

Report of 1184

I deliver sad news from the west front Zagreb has fallen to the Venetians and the young Aleksios ek Pigis died in the battle to defend the city. That is 2 young men that have fallen in my term against the Venetians. They must feel the wrath of our vengeance.
The outlaw Helarionas Anargiros is still at lareg though he released Markos ek Sinopis.

Recruitment:

The treasury is low and the there were militia units added to some towns for garrison duty.

Construction:

No new projects initiated.

Taxation:

We are at a very small deficit and the spending is very being frugal at the moment.

Diplomacy:

No new issues

Faction Announcement:

Evamthios Komnenos has come of age.

Hot Issues:

Zagreb has fallen to the Venetians and they seem to be satisfied with this at the moment. The army marching to Ragusa returned to their border.

Damascus has been besieged by the Sultanate. More men were added the garrison but I don't know how long the city will hold.

Military Campaigns:

The Venetian advance is a set back but with the control of Ragusa we should be able to respond.

The east is at a standstill with two city under siege, hopefully the commanders in that area will be able to rectify the situation very soon.

The new save:

New Turn 1185

The save is open and I will pick it up after 2200 EST Thursday 28 January. That will be the last turn before the new senate session will commence.

[TheFlax]

Taking the save.

[TheFlax]

New Save:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/local...id=193&id=4391