Fury of the Northmen

[The_Emperor]

Alright guys in response to a couple of requests, I have decided to start a Viking Era Campaign.

The Difficulty level is Expert playing as those guys with the big axes and bad attitudes...

I will be the hub and there is a list. Write-ups for each reign are requested.

Who's up for it?

[Dîn-Heru]

Im in din_heru@hotmail.com

[The_Emperor]

EDIT:

Here is the list then... as of 13.14 BST 10th August 2003.

The_Emperor (Current King: Ragnar I)
Dîn-Heru
Monk

My reign is going at quite a pace and I should finish it later on today.

[Monk]

im in monk643@yahoo.com

finally, a PBM of the Vikings

[Mount Suribachi]

Vikings are fun, but they are wayyyyyy more powerful than anything else on the VI map - Beserkers and Viking Huscarles are simply unstoppable, I fear that this could be over in 2 or 3 reigns (especially if Alrowan get his name down next ).


A tougher faction such as the Picts or the Irish might have been a better choice (sorry to be so negative The Emperor)

[Monk]

not exactly Mount, the Saxon Huscarls are better than Viking Huscarls, and i have personaly seen the saxons push straight through Viking lines before, so there are some things that can stop them.

[Mount Suribachi]

My experience as the Mercians was the opposite - VHs chewed up my SHs...the only way I was able to defeat the Vikings was to outnumber them, pin them with AS then flank with SHs. What level were you playing on? I was on expert maybe it was the AI stats bonus that made the difference. Or perhaps it was all those high valour Viking heirs boosting their units stats. Anyways, I know for a fact that all the other factions were swept away by my SHs - exept the Vikings who were always tough and several times handed me my backside on a silver platter.

Damn it Thats 2 threads I've hijacked in this forum now Sorry The Emperor

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ Aug. 10 2003,09:45)]Damn it Thats 2 threads I've hijacked in this forum now Sorry The Emperor

Don't worry about it sometimes these things do on occasion get OT... Just remember to bring it back On Topic again ASAP

To answer your point about the Vikings being too powerful, I chose them because the VI Mercia PBM Campaign ended in disaster, and I chose the Vikings to make sure that the game would have a smaller chance of ending from losing.

Saying that the Vikings have their own financial troubles as it is and can't really afford to hold on to land early in the game, so raiding is a must and Viking armies often have to sack a province to get the money and then let it go again.

And of course there is the fun factor of the Vikings as well

By the way are you in with this or what?

[The_Emperor]

I am done now... My Write up will follow shortly.

Dîn-Heru the game has been sent to you.

[Dîn-Heru]

savegame recived. will play later this evening/tonight.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

I'm in, if you'll have me: robbob99@msn.com

[Dîn-Heru]

don't get wiped out this time then

[The_Emperor]

The year is 822AD, and the raiding was well under way.

King Ragnar I was aged 56 and he was desperately ill... His army was fresh from victory over the Rebel Warrior Hold in Lothene.

Ragnar was dying he gathered his warriors gathered around him he spoke to them of the story of his reign, and asked that this story be remembered...

Ragnar explained that Money had been very hard to come by in his lands and Ragnar had no choice but to lead the glorious Viking warriors to adventure and battle for more plunder. This opinion of his was reinforced when great omens from the gods were seen in the westward skies, the Viking warriors rushed to their longboats led by ragnar himself... the lands to the West were divided and ripe for raiding and glorious adventure.

Ragnar's army landed in East Engle, the rebel forces there were caught by surprise and retreated, and the Vikings began to plunder, pillage and burn the surrounding countryside. The army then moved on to East Seaxe to continue the plunder, once again the rebels retreated at the terrifying sight of the Viking Horde. South Seaxe was attacked a few rebels ran to their warriorhold, but most went across the border to Cantware. During all of this Prince Harald came of age and stayed behind the main army, he was not a great warrior like his father but liked Drinking a bit too much.

Our army crossed into Cantware and the rebels led by Ealdred the Unready made a stand against our forces.



The battle began with most of the enemy forces hidden in the woods, the Landsmenn were charged by some Mounted Nobles they fought them amongst the trees heavily restricting the enemy horses, but even so we took heavy casualties as our Landsmenn were charged by Fyrdmen and spearmen... The Tide Turned when Landsmenn charged hard into the enemy flank, the Peasents there took off and ran and this caused more and more of the enemy to turn tail and run.

King Ragnar then charged forward to Kill the enemy General who was leading his unit of archers nearby... many of our warriors were shot down by the enemy but they couldn't stand before us. We cut a few of them down before they turned around and charged us... Ealdred the Unready was beheaded where he was stood by the Axe of King Ragnar.



We had taken losses but our warriors were victorious... the raid had given us a great deal of wealth and loaded wth plunder we borded our longboats to return to Nordaland and Jutland.



The next few years saw a great deal of improvements at home as we constructed new buildings and trained more troops, but soon enough the money was running low and more raids were required. My son Ragnar came of age that year and he is a good commander of men.

The Kingdom of Mercia were to be attacked this time, and it was going to prove to be a painful setback for them. We crossed into Lindissi and the mercians retreated, we moved from there to Middel Engle for more raiding and pillage. Then we boldly attacked Mierce, the heart of the Mercian Kingdom. The Mercians retreated inside the walls of their great fort, and we were surrounded on all sides by enemy forces and cut off from the coast.

Regardless we assaulted the fort itself.



The enemy garrisson was not relived by the forces surrounding us and the fort fell, all the remaining buildings were stripped and burnt and we gained much wealth.



The Mercian Prince Harold rebelled against his King and civil war erupted, with Lindissi under his control...

We made for Lindissi and he retreated into East Engle as we set out to sea... and there he stays as the Mercians crushed his minor civil war.

The Saxons who became allies with us through marrage had Conquered East Seaxe, Cantware and South Seaxe, and more rebels retreated into East Engle.

During all of this time my other sons came of age, they were Prince Erik, Prince Sven, Prince Olaf and Prince Cnut.
Prince Olaf is the least talanted. Prince Sven and Prince Cnut have the makings of great leaders on the field of battle... and Prince Erik was fairly capable himself.

My son Prince Harald had taken to drinking more and more during those years and I feard that he will not be fit to lead our warriors on the field... An assassin attempted to kill him so that Ragnar would be next in line, but he failed and Harald has since been very nervous about being assassinated.

The Northumbrians had a civil war with their primary Stonghold in Beornic going over to the rebels, it was a massive stone Keep but guarded by only a few Mounted Nobles. Lothene also rebelled. The assault in Lothene was a great success and a large amount of plunder had been taken.

As King Ragnar finished his story a Viking Horseman approached on some Raider Cavalry, the Warrior dismounted and Knelt down beside his leader...

Prince Harald is dead, he had stormed the stone Keep in Beornic with his personal bodyguard of Huscarls against his Brother Erik's wishes. he was so angry that Erik was appointed to be in command of his army that he wanted to prove himself. Harald died having boiling oil poured onto him from the gatehouse, but his men fought on and secured the Castle.

Ragnar whispered to the rider, Tell my son Ragnar that with the death of his brother it falls upon him to take over leadership of our people and to lead you all to victory, Harald was a fool and deserved to...

The rider looked up at the face of his leader, but he was gone. Bowing his head in final respect he turned towards the Longboats nearby, He rushed to Ragnar to inform him of the deaths of his Father and Brother.

So it was that Ragnar II became leader of the Vikings at the age of 33... and his lands looked like this.

[Mount Suribachi]

Quote[/b] (The_Emperor @ Aug. 10 2003,13:08)]And of course there is the fun factor of the Vikings as well

By the way are you in with this or what?

The Vikings are undoubtedly tremendous fun to play, however...I really *really* should get my Almohad reign written up first. So I'll pass for now.

[The_Emperor]

Ok Mount let me know when you wish to join the raiding.

Ok guys the list as of now 23:20 BST 10 Aug 2003.

The_Emperor (King Ragnar I)
Dîn-Heru (Current King: Ragnar II)
Monk
Big King Sanctaphrax
Kristaps

[Kristaps]

Please add me too: kristaps@caia.org

[DrHaphazard]

Oh i better jump in before the line gets any longer...like it did with that Almo campaign.

DrHaphazard - dleib@tulane.edu

I warn you though, my previous viking age attempts have been well...abysmal

[sprucemoose]

ill have a pig and a poke

redbarony88@hotmail.com

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (Dîn-Heru @ Aug. 10 2003,15:40)]don't get wiped out this time then

You're so cruel...

[Dîn-Heru]

Quote[/b] (Big King Sanctaphrax @ Aug. 11 2003,11:10)]

Quote[/b] (Dîn-Heru @ Aug. 10 2003,15:40)]don't get wiped out this time then

You're so cruel...

Well, I try.

[Dîn-Heru]

My reign has now ended and the savegame has been sent to the Emperor.

My write up will follow in a couple of days probably, also if anybody can host photos for me, than that would be grand.

Here is a very short summary:

King Ragnar II came to the throne in 823, he died in 847.
In his lifetime he conquered Ireland, became a great builder, and turn the annual loss of around 1000 fl, to a yearly profit of around 1100 fl.

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] (Dîn-Heru @ Aug. 11 2003,14:35)]My reign has now ended and the savegame has been sent to the Emperor.

My write up will follow in a couple of days probably, also if anybody can host photos for me, than that would be grand.

Thanks Dîn-Heru, Game recieved and sent on to Monk

I can host images for you as well if you want, email them to me and I'll stick em in a folder and notify you by email of the URL.

Ok as of 17:27 BST on 11th August 2003 this is the state of play...

The_Emperor (King Ragnar I)
Dîn-Heru (King Ragnar II)
Monk (Current Ruler: King Sigurd II)
Big King Sanctaphrax
Kristaps
DrHaphazard
Sprucemoose

Any other would-be kings are welcome... plenty of plunder for everyone

[Monk]

game recieved, will start soon

[The_Emperor]

Ok Monk, try not to keep us waiting too long...

We are dying to find out whats going to happen next

Dîn-Heru your files have been uploaded and an email has been sent, now we await your write up

[Dîn-Heru]

The Saga of Ragnar II Conqueror of the Irish
1. Ragnar II was 33 years of age when his father, Ragnar, died from the curse that was put on his family so that his line could be king of all Vikings. No man of his line would live to see his 57th birthday. The year was 823 of the reckoning of the White Christ.



Ragnar was not good-looking, but what he lacked in looks he had in strength, he was a great warrior. In addition was he also good with numbers, and an honest man.

The lands left to him by his father, was the Viking homelands of Hordaland and Jutland, in addition the warriors of his father had captured the provinces of Lotherne and Beornice in England.

Ragnar II’s treasury held 6833 florins, but the annual loss was about 1000 florins. Ragnar II would soon need to send his men to the British Isles to seek plunder.

Ragnar II’s first action was to move the army stationed in Lotherne to Beornice. Seeing that the men of Lotherne would not support his overlordship for long. He also appointed Knut Sturlasson to Earl of Beornice.

2. Seeing that the invaders had left, bandits and men loyal to the Northumbrian king appeared in Lotherne, and began taking over the province.

That same year Ragnars II first son was born. He was named Sigurd. He would become a natural leader and was named to be Ragnar II’s heir, the next king of the Vikings when the family curse came to claim Ragnar II as its prize.

Ragnar II sent out ships to find lands ripe for plunder. They sailed around the land of the Scots and looked upon the land of the Irish. This land would eventually belong to Ragnar II, but that was in years to come.

3. In the year 825, the struggles between the Northumbrian loyalists and the bandits in Lotherne came to an end. The Northumbrians were the new lords of the province.

To celebrate his accession to the throne, Ragnar II had ordered the construction of a shrine to Odin, Thor and Frey in Beornice. And all was well in Beornice. But in Hordaland, the populace had not sacrificed enough to Frey, and there was a famine.

4. A messenger came to Ragnar II and delivered intelligence from Britain. The Northumbrians were now at war with the Vikings, but their Welsh and Saxon allies did not stand by their side, instead they remained allies to the Vikings. He also delivered a disturbing rumour, the Picts were said to be the strongest faction on the Isles.

A wonderful event took place this year, 826, Ragnar II’s second son, Magnus was born.

Another happy event also took place this year. The King of the Irish had sent his daughter, Lennabhair, to be married to Ragnar II’s brother Cnut.

The treasury was now 505 florins, and plans were made to invade Dere, belonging to the Northumbrians.

5. At the sight of our warriors disembarking on the coast of Dere, the Northumbrian soldiers guarding the province, abandoned it and left its treasures free to take. 6090 florins were taken to the ships and home to Hordaland.

But all was not well in this year. The Northumbrians had not only fled from troops from overseas. The garrison in Beornice had also travelled south into Dere. And seeing a chance to get rid of Viking rule, a small group of spearmen numbering 100 men revolted in
Beornice, claiming to be loyal to the Northumbrian king. The men who had marched from Beornice turned back to stop this threat

6. The battle of Boernice was swift and bloody for the Northumbrians. 65 men lay dead, while 13 Vikings went to Valhalla. 35 men were ransomed back to the Northumbrians.

A messenger also arrived in Hordaland this year, the year of 828. His news from the Isles was the following: Northumbrian loyalist revolt in Dere, Irish maintains alliance, and the Saxons are said to be the richest on the Isles.

7. In the year 829, the sign of Doom for the Irish were seen. King Ragnar II himself embarked on his ship and set sail for the Green Isle. An Isle which suffered under civil war. Ragnar II hoped to make it a source of income and a safe base from which to attack England and Scotland.

8. War with the Irish
Ragnar II landed in Ulster in the early months of 830. The Irish retreated without a fight, and the Vikings were free to obtain money for the war. 8898 florins were added to the coffers. Arnald the Hardy became Ragnar II’s governor of Ulster taking the Irish title of Ruire. His first order as a governor was to order the construction of a goldmine, to gain more wealth to make war.

The war against the Irish continued, and prince Sven was sent to take Brega, early in 831. The Irish retreated to their keep. But their supplies were low and low and it would fall in a year. 2350 florins were pillaged.

The Irish king gained much support in the face of the invasion.

The garrison besieging keep in Brega lost 39 men in the year the siege lasted. In the year of the siege another army under the Command of Prince Cnut set out to capture Laigin.



Prince Cnut arrived near a small village, where he met up with forces sent from Brega. The Irish, who had no way of retreat, had advanced to the village and to do battle with the Vikings. The Irish took up position overlooking the village, where the Vikings were busy looting. Seeing the threat approaching, Prince Cnut organised his men and began marching towards the Irish. The Irish, seeing the mighty host of the Norsemen, withdrew to a hill further away. Cnut sent his cavalry around the Irish, while he himself advanced head on. When he was close enough, every man charged, whilst the cavalry was rapidly approaching the Irish from behind. The peasant kerns were cut to pieces, and soon the enemy general, Ferdia the Fair, turned to flight. And soon the Irish fled the field. 288 men were killed 92 captured and 50 Norsemen went to Valhalla. Early this year the siege in Brega ended.

Prince Cnut seeing the increased unhappiness of the men of Laigin, decided to storm the stronghold of Den Ailinne, where the remnants of the battle of Laigin had retreated. The assault came in 834. 13 men went to Valhalla to rid the warrior hold of the 60 men defending it.

Eirik Gudmundsson became Ruire of Laigin, Gunnbjørn Fair-Hair had become Ruire of Brega the year before.

In 836 King Ragnar II entered battle himself. He invaded Connacht and faced the Irish king, Aedh V. Along with the Irish king was his three sons, Niall, Donal and Dermot. As the host marched towards the Irish, they ran and took cover on a forest clad hill. The huscarles charged the kerns that dared venture out of the forest. A great slaughter followed. Gallowglasses charged out of the forest along with two of the Irish princes. The warriors were caught of guards, and many met Odin. But the Irish were driven back. When the fighting had stopped 896 Irishmen lay dead, 121 were captured and 435 was sent to reside besides Odin. Among the dead Irishmen were their king, prince Niall and prince Donal. That same year a famine ravished Connacht.

In 838 the siege of Connacht ended, 36 Vikings had died during the siege. And Hroald the peaceful became Ruire of Connacht.

In this year was also the Northumbrian province of Cumbri plundered for 3984 florins.

In 839, Prince Sigurd became old enough to lead his own army.



In the year 841, Ragnar II once again took up arms against the Irish. In the battle of Munster was King Dermot I chased to his last stronghold, which was expected to last for one year. Ragnars II other son Magnus became old enough to lead his own army. Also the title of Rond Brodir was given to Turgeis.

In 842 loyalists attempting to rescue the Irish king, revolted in Munster. Ragnar II caught up with them and they, seeing that they outnumbered the Vikings with their 2640 men versus the 1402 Vikings, decided to do battle.



Ragnar II arranged his army on a hilltop, as the rebels, led by an inexperienced general named Triath Muredach, marched up from the valley below. When the enemy, consisting almost exclusively of spearmen and armoured spearmen, was close enough the huscarles charged. Their axes became red with Irish blood, and the spearmen were driven of the field with heavy losses. Mounted reinforcements arrived along with peasants. But when the general was killed fighting from horseback in the woods, the Irish saw that there was no hope and turned one after the other to flight, pursued by the Vikings. With this victory Ragnar became known as a skilled defender. 1289 were killed , 750 captured, 115 know live in Valhalla.

The next year the Stronghold in Munster fell, and with it the Irish royal line and resistance. Ireland was now under Ragnar II’s complete control.

Ragnar II spent the remainder of his life in Ireland, and lived just long enough to see his economic improvements turn the annual loss to an annual profit.

9. Ragnar II was more than just a warrior king. When he died he was also known as a great builder.

He built many shrines to honour the Gods. But the more important buildings were the economical buildings. The yearly losses were almost 1000 florins when his father died, but due to trade in Hordaland, Jutland and Beornice , and goldmines in Ulster and silver mines in Munster, the losses had been turned to profit. 1200 florins were added to the coffers each year instead of subtracted.

10. In the year of 847, Ragnars birthday approached rapidly. He had started sleeping with his sword in his hand after his 56th birthday, so that he would be guaranteed to travel to Valhalla to sojourn beside Odin, the Allfather. And in the night before his 57th birthday he died, after shouting: “Til Valhalla, ok Odinn kominn ek no”. And so he went to Valhalla to once again fight beside his father, his brothers, and the men who helped him subdue the Irish.

[The_Emperor]

Great Write up Dîn

I'm glad we finally sorted out that image problem...

A couple of names stand out among your commanders,
Gunnar The Womanizer
Hroald The Peaceful

The Last one is hardly the name of a Viking Warrior (Is the first one an alias of Bill Clinton?)

[Dîn-Heru]

Quote[/b] (The_Emperor @ Aug. 12 2003,20:41)]Great Write up Dîn

I'm glad we finally sorted out that image problem...

A couple of names stand out among your commanders,
Gunnar The Womanizer
Hroald The Peaceful

The Last one is hardly the name of a Viking Warrior (Is the first one an alias of Bill Clinton?)

Thank you.

I tried to make it after pattern of the real sagas, so the writing style is not very imaginative, but more short and describing without detailed descriptions etc.

Hroald the Peaceful, was not so peaceful in battle I can assure you. I think he was given the name out of irony. As for Gunnar, no it is not a alias for Bill Clinton, but a distant ancestor.

[Monk]

Sigurd is dead after a long and Conflict filled reign. Big king is up next as i have sent the file to him, He is Ragnar the III, named after the conquorer of Ireland and Sigurd the II's father, Rangar the II. may his reign be full of battle and good fortune and may he rest in Valhalla after his deeds are done.

as for me, the write up will be done in a few days complete with screens.

[The_Emperor]

Ok as of 13:40 BST on 13th August 2003 this is the list...

The_Emperor (King Ragnar I)
Dîn-Heru (King Ragnar II)
Monk (King Sigurd II)
Big King Sanctaphrax (Current Ruler: King Ragnar III)
Kristaps
DrHaphazard
Sprucemoose


Monk Can you please email me save game, I'd like to check on how we are doing.

Looks like we also need some more people to join in... we may be in danger of running out of heirs

[Monk]

sure thing Emperor...

file sent

edit: the reason we're not getting to many sign ups is probley due to the current Aragon campaign. once people finish there im sure we will see a few more sign ups here