Orders and reports thread

[GeneralHankerchief]

Done.

I've found out that a surefire way to take out triple golds are to pelt them with arrows and then overwhelm them with numbers.

Ransom refused.



http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1352-6.zip

-edit- Battle report:

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=235

[Warluster]

Orders:

The SHA is to move to the southern tip of Dijon, with von Salza closely following it. (Copied word for word from FH) and also enough money to build 2 Forts (1000 Florins) FH will confrim the locations. Thats about it, unless you need confirmation for anything else?

[FactionHeir]

Sorry, I meant Salza to move to the tip and SHA closely following it (so they benefit from his command + artillery can move in time)

[AussieGiant]

I'll make those moves for Swabia.

What about these forts?

[_Tristan_]

if Hugo has enough movement left (or any) after the battle and permission from the Kaiser, I would like him to be sent north and maybe take command of the SHA... I would prevent von Salza from catching the plague and still allow that army to have a commander...

If this is not possible or allowed, please feel free to have him remain in Northern italy to fight the other incoming French stacks...

[FactionHeir]

I'll make those moves for Swabia.

What about these forts?

To make the plan successful, florins need to be reserved for construction of two make shift forts the next year along the Dijon/Rheims border to prevent French reinforcements while the SHA and Duke von Salza maneuver across to the west side of Dijon to relieve it.

[AussieGiant]

1352 season is over.

Taking the save.

[Northnovas]

1352 season is over.

Taking the save.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

[AussieGiant]

CHANCELLOR'S REPORT 1352 continued:

The War Office

The offensive season saw just three engagements.

The first was Johann Zirn lifting the siege of Vienna. In what was a wise move due to plague and legacy reasons Johann Zirn requested that von Hapsburg not take part in the battle for fear of losing members of the Austrian nobility and command structure.

Tragically for Johann, Sir Dieter von Essen was killed in battle. It seems as if it was a self fulfilling prophesy.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=233

The second engagement saw Prinz Dieter capture and finally retake our ancestral capital back from the Greeks. It was an anti-climatic event, but I'll take those engagements any time these days.

The third and final engagement bodes well for the future of Bavaria. The un-knighted and untested Hermann Steffen marshaled no less that three nobles, their retinues and the largest collection of the Reich's forces seen in some time. The fact that one of those nobles was the Kaiser himself and the French forces were some of the most formidable ever to attack us simply adds more credence to the young mans effort and skill.

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showp...&postcount=235

Recruiting:

This has now become an issue. Even though our Citadel's are infected, I have continued to recruit where I deem there to be the most need. The only exception now to this is in Outremer where the Viceroy has asked recruiting to be suspended to try and break the plague infection.

Additionally financial reasons meant that Innsbruck did not recruit this season. I had to make a choice and given there are three full armies and one half army in the theater this made the choice obvious.

Frankfurt: 2 x Teutonic Knights
Ragusa: 1 x DFK and 1 x Pavise Xbow
Staufen: 1 x DFK and 1 x Pavise Xbow
Magdeburg: 2 x DFK.

This will leave us with approximately 1800 florins next season of which 1000 florins has already been requested by Swabia to build defensive forts as part of the relief of Dijon.

Regional Report

Swabia

The relief of Dijon continues. The maneuvers being undertaken to avoid provoking a French attack is causing things to move slowly, however von Luxemburg is now moving down towards Staufen where the 2nd SHA is starting to take shape. With 3 regiments of Teuton's available next season this should allow a credible defense to be mounted by the Duke and his commanders. The French forces however are some of the most formidable ever seen in the history of warfare and it will take some time to bring the western front under control.

von Bohmen is doing an excellent job with his militia and gunpowder units in Bruges and it is hope he can continue to allow the focus to be around Staufen by conducting a very independent defense of Swabia's northern holdings.

Franconia

Count Fritz has set the defense of our northern front against the incoming Danes.

Unfortunately the situation around Magdeburg is not so positive. No offensive actions were taken this season and that should incur some problems in the coming defensive season. Recruiting continues as the final touches are put on the 1st FHA.

Austria

Johann Zirn has lifted the siege of Vienna however he is now exposed to the considerable Hungarian forces around Zagreb. His militia and cannon army will have to be reformed if he is going to be able to take offensive actions against the Hungarian's. In a fit of courage that I still can't believe he has given me permission to refit his force with infected troops from Vienna next season. I'm still loathed to do this because at the moment he and von Hapsburg are free of the plague.

Lord Becker is now alone in his defence of Prague. The small army of the late Lorenz Zirn has been integrated into the army defending Prague.

Jan Zirn is heading towards Vienna to link up with his brother and be assessed for knighthood and command potential.

As for myself I have gone on the offensive and pinned the last remaining Venetian stack against the wall of Durazzo. I can only hope the small force to the east of me in the mountains does not sneak behind me and try for Ragusa again.

Bavaria

Prinz Dieter's recapture of Rome is heartening news. He will be remaining in Rome for the rest of the season and will hopefully continue north next year.

Count Karolinger and Duke Lothar have moved BHA Gerhard towards the eastern bridge over the Poe.

BHA Otto commanded by Sir Hermann and Count Elrach are positioned west of Milan while the Kaisers army is now positioned east of Milan. Both forces will hold here to best respond to the Greek and French forces in the coming defensive season.

Outremer

The Viceroy has moved into the mountains above Adana. The Greek force approaching will more than likely force him to retreat however they may balk at the army given the very defensive position it has.

von Salzgitter has remained on the Iron Bridge and has received reinforcement with another three regiments due next season.

Outremer seem relatively secure for the moment but that maybe an illusion created by our enemies.

Chancellor's Notes:

The season was a qualified success overall but the death of two Austrian nobles is a sickening price to pay for little gain on our easter front.

The budget prediction for nest season is 1800 florins with 1000 florins earmarked for the defense of Swabia. What that means gentlemen is that we are out of money and out of further troops than what you can see here.

We must survive and eek out our victories with ever decreasing resources. Again the only hoe I can see is for more decisive victories on the Italian peninsula next season. The ripple on effect of nearly four full armies on the Swabian and Austrian fronts will have a dramatic affect and will flow on in due course to Franconia.

This remains my prime objective in the years to come.

God speed and long live the Reich.

Save as of the end of our offensive season:

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1352-10.zip

Defensive season:

My Lords we have but one battle in the defensive season:

Duke von Salza and the 1st SHA was attacked by a French stack.

The 1st SHA and Duke von Salza have been defeated outside Dijon!! The Duke was pursued to such an extent that he had to take refuge in Bern. This city has the plague so it is highly likely that he will become infect.

The 1st SHA sustained nearly 70% casualties and is now south of Dijon. I have received no word from it captain at this time.

In addition to this, Milan, Bologna and Magdeburg have all come under siege.

This concludes the report for 1352.

[FactionHeir]

AG's post links to the old save still as he only updated the link's name, but not the link itself.

This link actually leads to save #10 (rather than 9):
http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1352-10.zip

[econ21]

Save #10 is still in our turn - presumably, Warluster should press end turn and await the French attack?

If he is successful, Factionheir suggested there may be a second French attack on him - so perhaps he should wait for the French turn to finish before pressing ESC and saving the game.

Please take a post-battle screen shot of the results, Warluster, and a battle report would be nice. I don't think it is going to be an easy fight.

[Cecil XIX]

My lord, it has just occurred to me that we could be using spies to stifle the Poles. By placing our agents in Breslau and Krakow and instructing them to forment unrest, we can force the Poles to station more of their forces within the settlements in order to avod riot and rebellion.

OOC: By the way, does the plague just go away when you have a general and an army inside a settlement?

[FactionHeir]

Save #10 is still in our turn - presumably, Warluster should press end turn and await the French attack?

Looks like it, although this makes things less reliable.
I would rather prefer econ end turn and upload the save at the pre-battle screen as he has all the files from the fix I presume (rather than only the player side files). Otherwise WL can make sure that all (rather than some) files from the zip archive of the fix are properly installed and working.

Reason I say this is because I found it odd that it wasn't the pre-battle screen when I downloaded it and upon ending turn the French did not attack Warluster but instead parked their single king in front of him.

Oh, and one thing I forgot to mention (I sent WL a PM about it actually). Please move the spy (Philipp Ruesdorf) towards Metz to incite rebellion.

[econ21]

All right - I moved the spy and pressed end turn. There is a battle for Warluster:

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1352-11.zip

Warluster has until 48 hours from the time of AussieGiant's end of turn report (#519) to fight the battle or it will be autoresolved. No proxying. Let the French turn play out then press escape and save the game so that AussieGiant can see the start of turn messages.

[AussieGiant]

OOC:

Apologies guy's. I played through the AI's turn twice with the same result so I uploaded the save right before Warluster should have pressed the end turn button as he was the only fight.

Next time I'll go right up to the battle screen before saving and posting.

[AussieGiant]

CHANCELLOR'S REPORT 1354

The Office of the Exchequer

World Events:

The merchants guild requested a guild house be built in Bologna. As much as it pains me to refuse them I did. With limited resources I did not want to invest 50% of our budget on this one item.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The plague continues to infect 90% of our Reich. This year the Exchequers Office has confirmed 31 614 thousand soul's died last season. On top of that another 7300 soldiers have also perished. This is an increase over last year by 15%

Incredibly the Office of the Royal Surgeons has confirmed that not one Noble died last year and in fact only one of our spy's fell victim to the plague. Please find the details of the reports below.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Our resources continued to fall bit by bit. The treasury has reported a measly 293 florins are available this year. I've added to this substantially through some creative work with the Russians. Details are outlined later in the report.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I has a small run in with the Pope this year. He ask me to return Rome...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

It seems the regular meetings I have with the Preferati are paying off. Hermann the Missionary, and a fellow German I might add, managed to translate my response from “£$^”£ OFF you dirty old sack of “£$%!” into something more delicate.

The Pope official response to me via letter was a small expression of disappointment.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

In a fit of sheer stupidity on the part of the Russian's I managed to extort another 7000 plus florins from them in exchange for fake Imperial Maps and a tribute of 300 florins over the next three turns. This time I used the field report of the incident in Ragusa where I contracted the plague to threaten them with war because they infected me. Some arm twisting and shouting yielded another excellent result for us. We now have some 7000 plus florins in the treasury this year.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Here is the situation untouched at the beginning of 1354 my Lords. Begin your planning and I will come back to you all with my recommendations.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1354-2.zip

1354 Offensive Season recommendations from the Chancellor's office:

The War Office:

My Lords, 1354 is an opportunity to lift the sieges we have been placed in and to try and recover our positions in Swabia and Franconia, while finally finish off the Greeks on the Italian peninsula. I have moved our spy's to better scout out the opportunities and threats for this season.

With this in mind I am proposing the following:

Franconia:

Bresch: Yet again Magdeburg is besieged by a superior force and there seems little hope of sallying effectively. Honestly my lords I will not be investing anymore resources in the Duchy due to the total lack of progress shown there.

Fritz: The Danes are approaching. This is your last chance to set the defenses along the beach before all hell breaks loose. The two armies of some of the finest they haev fielded to date.

Swabia:

von Salza and 1st SHA are now pinned against the walls of Bern by two very strong French field armies. However in some good news Staufen is not curerntly threatened and Bruges is not under siege.

von Luxemburg: You are near Staufen and the French are not appoaching, but your Duke and the 1st SHA are in a dire situation at the moment. Let me know your plans.

von Salza: You are being manouvered by an asute French general named Sorel. He has two field armies under his command and I believe he is intending to do harm to your person. What are your suggestions.

Ruppel The relief force has been intercepted by the French general Sorel. von Luxemburg now seems your next best option for relief.

von Bohmen You are free of siege for the year. Do you have any plans?

Bavaria:

Milan and Bologna are besieged plus two highly trained French field army's are approaching from the west. The initiative seems to have been lost. We need to get it back.

Kaiser: I would link with BHA Otto and attack the Greek force besieging Milan. After that both of you should try to block the French field army's from attacking unopposed.

Erlach: Assist the Kaiser in attacking the Greeks besieging Milan, or take the initiative and do it yourself.

Lothar: The Greek force besieging Bologna can be beaten in my opinion. I would lift the siege.

Prinz Dieter: Again you are free to move north. Let me know what you wish to do.

Austria:

Johann Zirn: You've lifted the siege of Vienna but now two Hungarian field armies are approaching. You must decide what to do.

Lord Becker: You are free of siege and Breslau seems lightly defended. Remaining passive will only invite the same results as before.

The Venetian's have scattered before my advance on Durazzo. I am of two minds as to whether I should lay siege or ensure Ragusa is not attacked.

Outremer:

The Greeks seem to have collectively called off any offensive plans against us. You seem to have the opportunity to reorganise and reset your strategy.

Viceroy: I have no suggestions at this time.

von Salzgitter: I have no suggestions at this time.

[Northnovas]

Lord Chancellor:

I wish the the 1st AHA to be moved west of Vienna at the bridge and Jan Zirn to join the army. That will make 3 commanders but we are all healthy at this point.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I will corresponde recruiting options. Hopefully this position will give me sometime to rebuilt before engaging the Hungarians.

[TinCow]

Two bloody gold armies and a silver outside Milan?! Where in the hells are they getting these men from!

I had better do what I can while I can gain any kind of advantage. I am moving to relieve Bologna. (Taking save)

[TinCow]

Bologna has been relieved due to the valor of our heavy cavalry on the open field. It was a pleasure to command an army with such a contingent, as I have not been able to do so for many years. I will report the exact casualty figures in time, but in general the losses were confined to the near total destruction of three units: one regiment of Militia Spearmen from Bologna, one regiment of Teutonic Knights, and the unit of experienced Cannons from Kaiser Elberhard's old force. I regret that the loss of this last unit was due to a tactical error on my part. One member of this unit escaped alive and he has custody of the cannons in Bologna. He is an extremely experienced artilleryman and perhaps if he were taken to an appropriate gunsmith, he would be able to pass on his knowledge to new recruits. It would be a shame to lose his expertise altogether.

I have now moved my entire army into the rear of the Byzantine force outside of Milan. My men are too tired to begin the attack themselves, but we stand ready to aid any army which attacks the besiegers. If the armies of the Kaiser and Count Erlach were both to join in this attack, we would surely overwhelm the Byzantines with our numbers. I urge this course of action.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1354-3.zip

[Ramses II CP]

Chancellor I have just read over the report from Herman von Franconia regarding the army composition I'll be facing. It is disheartening to note that my army, composed almost entirely of militia spearmen, will be faced with so much professional heavy infantry and cavalry. I am not one to complain or beg help, but given that enough of my army must survive this encounter to face the superior force behind it I must ask if some funds could be freed to enhance my cavalry by hiring on the German Mercenary Knights in the region.

My intent was to move to attack our enemies on their home ground as I feel I am best used on the offensive, however their position relative to my own makes this impossible. Instead I must hope to bait them into a foolish action so that they surrender the initiative to me. I would ask that my two forces be combined, despite the inevitable spread of the plague, and moved into the forest on the easternmost island southeast of Arhus. With a little luck, and counting on the typical Danish 'send in the axemen' level of strategy, this will allow me to ambush their army while it is still in column.

I believe in order to assure that they come to me I must leave them some bait, so I would further order that my depleted companies of spearmen be topped off, and the small remnant of a company be parked just south of the woods as bait, in the clear and isolated. The initial combining of the camps and movement into the woods would best be done under cover of darkness, to preserve secrecy from the Danes camped on the coast.

If necessary I can have maps drawn up and sent to you to aid in the coordination of this move.

Fritz von Kastilien

[AussieGiant]

The Chancellor

Fritz!! Hermann £$%£"ing who!!? I have your plans clear in my mind. I will do as you ask. Exactly how many regiments and of what type to you want as mercenary reinforcements?

Duke Lothar. I've read the reports. Well done!!

The artilleryman has been identified by my staff. I've placed him under house arrest until such time as he has selected and trained a full compliment of men.

I might add here gentlemen that if you ask me first then you have a better chance of getting what you want...that might make things a little more urgent.

[Ramses II CP]

Herman von Franconia is the spy we have in Danish lands, he's been trailing the Danish armies as they march south. (Trying to be IC a bit )

As far as mercenaries, all that I surely need are the German Mercenary Knights, the heavy cavalry. If the funds can be spared, I would further appreciate more crossbowmen, though I do not believe I need any more spearmen for this battle. Even from ambush my men will be badly outnumbered and outclassed, but I have hope that we can carry the day.

If my assessment is correct the trouble will then be the army following this one. If Herman's reports are to be believed it is of the highest quality. I hope to delay this force until the plague has passed at Arhus, and then perhaps fall back to defend the huge walls there.

Fritz von Kastilien

[AussieGiant]

Herman von Franconia is the spy we have in Danish lands, he's been trailing the Danish armies as they march south. (Trying to be IC a bit )

OOC: Yes, I'm also being a little Arnoldish. I realised it was the spy but in the first instance I had no idea. What I usually do then is role play that instance as Arnold and then work out OOC who you were talking about.

IC:

The Chancellor

Steward Fritz, you're our finest general...although I personally have no £$"£ing idea how you have exceeded me but I'm just being competitive.

If you can pull this off, I'll have to buy you a villa near Venice!! I have just the right one in mind...AND, it comes with staff...from Denmark...tall...mainly blonde...very nice conversationalist I find....nice wine also.

-edit-

taking the save for Fritz and Johann maneuvers.

[AussieGiant]

Johann, Fritz,

You're orders have been completed. Here is the situation. Lord Fritz, the Imperial Surgeon has confirmed the worst...you are infected.

I'm sorry...

Lord Becker,

I have placed our spy in Krakow.

The same was attempted at Breslau however the bloody idiot was killed trying to enter through the eastern gates hiding in a body bag!!! At least they could throw him in the grave without having to do any further work.

Lets see what happens in Krakow.

I've also decided to siege Durazzo. I'm hoping the Venetian captains now flock to the walls of the city for a decisive battle that will end this part of the conflict.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1354-5.zip

[FactionHeir]

I would like to request that our spy infiltrate Metz at once and if possible be supported by more younger spies to incite a revolt against the French to divert their attention.

[AussieGiant]

The Chancellor

Count Ruppel. I will do as you ask and see about recruiting another spy this season.

[econ21]

My Lord Chancellor,

There are two alternative moves my force could take.

The offensive option is to combine with the Staufen garrison and the Teutons from Frankfurt to strike the half strength French army outside Metz. I believe I could destroy that force with modest cost this turn.

The defensive option is that I proposed for Duke von Salza last turn: my uninfected force guard the bridge to Staufen. I am willing to command a plague-ridden force, but there would be no need for that this turn. The Teutons be moved to Staufen and there, with the garrison, could reinforce me in case the French attempt to storm the bridge. I believe with these forces I could withstand any French offensive this year.

Although my heart bids me strike towards Metz, my head reasons that this would be folly. Both of the two full strength French armies pursuing the SHA could return to Metz this year and either could defeat my force, even after it was augmented with the Staufen garrison. Regardless, my force would not be sufficient to defeat the lancers besieging Dijon next year.

Reluctantly, my recommendation is for the defensive option, although I will undertake the offensive action with gusto if you deem it the better one. I await your orders.

Now, my Lord, I must make recommendations above my station. You are free to ignore them as presumptious but the situation in Swabia is critical and these are my opinions as someone on the ground. I recommend the following actions:

(1) Recruit the mercenary spear regiment for my force for 660 gold. Currently, Staufen is unable to train even peasants. I fear my spear militia will not stand against French heavy cavalry.

(2) Construct the mustering hall for 600 gold in Staufen. The barracks in Staufen was destroyed in the cataclysm. It is urgent that it be repaired so that Swabia can again recruit spearmen to counter the many French heavy cavalry.

(3) Hire three regiments at Staufen, including a mounted crossbow regiment. [OOC: the historical army rules are going to be a constraint on what you pick with no spears to make up the numbers...] I recommend that together my force and the Staufen garrison be brought up to strength so that it can match a full strength French army. There are three such enemy armies standing between me and Dijon - right now, I do not believe I could defeat one. I firmly believe Swabia is currently the weakest theatre and faces the strongest enemy. With my force be called the second SHA or merely an Imperial army matters not, but Swabia needs a second field army now.

(4) Withdraw Duke von Salza and the SHA east of Bern. With von Salza on reserve duty, it would be folly to expose the SHA to battle until a general on active duty can be found. I believe the French will sooner besiege Bern than pursue the SHA.

(5) Order Hugo der Cervole to the SHA so that it has a general on active duty. I had planned to perform that duty myself but the French pursuit of the SHA has cut me off from it - I cannot reach it without going via Nuremburg, which would take many turns.

(6) Replace Hugo der Cervole as "tribune" to the Kaiser's army with Hermann Steffen. Even more so than the SHA, it is essential that the Kaiser's army have a general on active duty. Hermann has proved he can perform that role in an exemplary manner.

I apologise for being forward on these matters, but the situation is critical.

Your servant

Welf von Luxemburg


PS: I have heard from Prinz Dieter - Rome is too disloyal and Florence too unstable for him to continue his march north this year. He requests that a small church be built to combat the subversion influence of Orthodoxy and he will stay to pacify the city this year.

[AussieGiant]

The Chancellor

Are you being channeled by the late Duke Leopold? Because if you are, I have people that can find that "£$%"£ out and help you Welf. It might all be fine and dandy now because you need all this military knowledge, but later...there were issues with my father and some of them were not public knowledge. Let me know, I have some clergymen that can help you.

So, if you attack that half stack there seems to be only one stack able to get to you in the defensive season and that is the one directly commanded by Sorel. I'd like it dead what do you think?

As for the readjustment of the commanders...Erlach has not been very active lately so if Hermann leaves him we have another army without a commander and being approached by two French field armies. Additionally, after studying my marching orders, Sir Hugo can't make the SHA this turn, so it would have to be the next.

Thoughts?

[FactionHeir]

I wish to know when the emperor's army will be headed towards Swabia. I believe the emperor mentioned aiding our duchy after Milan would be retaken.

[AussieGiant]

The Chancellor

Count Ruppel,

The Emperor's army will head there as soon as possible given the objectives we need to accomplish in northern Italy. It doesn't help that the French have chosen to send two of their finest armies into the region.