Event Six - The War of the Four Basileis

[TinCow]

Movement Phase 3 Results:

Kousinos Sophianos Alliance:

Kousinos Sophianos (Cecil XIX) and Ioannis Erotikas (Ramses II CP) considered the terrain carefully, attempting to determine whether there was a threat to their rear from the marching armies of Ioannis Komnenos III and his allies. After checking with the outriders and consulting with the maps, it was determined that none of Ioannis III's armies would reach their encampment in the near future. In order to engage the enemy, Sophianos and Erotikas would actively have to backtrack, and this they were not keen on doing. So, they continued on towards Antiokheia and the assembled armies of the other two claimants to the throne. The two allies made good time through the mountains, finally emerging from a valley to glimpse the Mediterranean in the distance. As their men were tired from this long march, the final push to Antiokhheia would have to wait. Kousinos Sophianos (Cecil XIX) made camp inside an abandoned fort west of the Iron Bridge, with Ioannis Erotikas (Ramses II CP) outside the walls, but nearby.

There will be enemies aplenty for Kousinos Sophianos and Ioannis Erotikas to fight in the very near future.


Ioannis Komnenos III Alliance:

(Note: No orders received from Ignoramus, therefore I continued with the orders received from him last turn, which were to pursue Kousinos Sophianos and Ioannis Erotikas.)

The armies of Ioannis Komnenos III (Ignoramus), Arintheos Voutoumatis (Zim), and Isaakios Komnenos (flyd) continued on in their pursuit of Kousinos Sophianos and Ioannis Erotikas.

While Ioannis Komnenos III was focused on the pursuit, Arintheos Voutoumatis and Isaakios Komnenos were both mainly concerned with keeping close to their Basileus. As such, the group closed up slightly. The siege trains of Ioannis Komnenos II and Arintheos Voutoumatis continue to slow them down, and their scouts reported that their quarry's trail was growing very cold. It was not long before the encumbered armies grew very tired and had to rest along the river roads between Sinop and Amida. Isaakios Komnenos, who is not encumbered by siege engines, remained slightly ahead of his companions, but intentionally did not push on ahead. He could reach the others quickly if the need arose.


Ioannis Tagaris Alliance:

After the defeat at the Iron Bridge, Ioannis Tagaris and his men were in a panic. Orders went back and forth quickly, trying to determine what to do. First the strong walls of Tortosa were suggested as an opportune location to make a stand, but then Antiokheira was suggested. In the confusion, Iosef Ek Artas' (mini) set off south for Tortosa, while Vartholomaios Ksiros (Rowan) entered nearby Antiokheira. Ioannis Tagaris (TheFlax) himself could not make up his mind as to what to do (no orders received). However, as the Andronikos Komnenos and Nikitas Moschos marched across the Iron Bridge, he fled in panic. Antiokheira was already within sight, and he could see Senator Ksiros' men streaming into its gates. Thus, the Basileus and his small contingent of archers fled into the city as well, to avoid instant capture. They are now besieged, and their prospects are grim.

Back in Macedonia, Helarionas Anargiros (YLC) continued his determined march eastwards. He made good time and reached Constantinople, which had long been abandoned by Ioannis Komnenos III. There his army made camp and enjoyed civilized luxuries for the first time in many weeks. Unencumbered by a siege train, Senator Anargiros is gradually closing the distance on Ioannis Komnenos III. This slow closing will continue if he continues along the northern coast road, but he could also attempt to bypass the lumbering army by turning south and driving straight for Antiokheira and the Levant.


Andronikos Komnenos Alliance:

Victory at the Iron Bridge swelled the armies of Andronikos Komnenos (woad&fangs) and Nikitas Moschos (Ituralde) with pride. They sent out messengers requesting the surrender of Ioannis Tagaris and his allies. Responses were apparently received, but in the confusion of Ioannis Tagaris' retreat, no such truce ever materialized. Seeing their enemies fleeing without any apparent intentions of immediate surrender, the victors urged their men forward to prevent them from escaping. Vartholomaios Ksiros was too close to Antiokheira to prevent his army from entering and securing the gates, but inside the city he was trapped, and soon Ioannis Tagaris joined him.

Andronikos and Nikitas moved their armies fully across the Iron Bridge and made ready to besiege the city. While Iosef Ek Artas had escaped to Tortosa, his small army was of little threat to the victors of the Iron Bridge. They have cornered Ioannis Tagaris inside the city and he cannot escape. If the diplomatic negotiations do not bear fruit, Ioannis will have a very difficult time repelling the inevitable assault.

Note: Due to the short time frame that would have expired with everyone retreating into and besieging Antiokheira, any assault on the city will occur BEFORE anyone else can move. Thus, if Andronikos Komnenos (woad&fangs) and Nikitas Moschos (Ituralde) order an assault on Antiokheira in the next movement phase, the battle will take place without risk of Iosef Ek Artas, Kousinos Sophianos, or Ioannis Erotikas interfering.)

Current Save: LOTR-1200-5

Movement orders for Round 4 may be submitted now. They are due by 01:00 GMT on Monday, April 13th.