The Kingdom of Outremer

[OverKnight]

Otto turns to Hans.

The Egyptian Jihad is 20 units I believe, it is similar in configuration to the last one we faced. The Turkish Jihad is smaller, but still quite large. If you wish more information, feel free to peruse our scouting reports (save). I shall consider the best use of the spy, my hope was that by infiltrating Adana, Maximillian could seize the castle this year.

Otto looks to Henry and Maximillian. His mouth quirks up in a wry grin.

So be it, it seems serving as Chancellor has made me more conservative in my opinions. When in God's name did I become the voice of caution and reason?

Otto ruefully shakes his head.

My concern is that if we face both Jihads divided, we would not have enough men left to take and hold Jerusalem, or pursue our post Crusade strategy. Yes, we would most likely have a ready supply of mercenaries, but they, unless moved by faith, are expensive. I would also remind everyone that the maintenance of the Crusaders is covered by the donations of the faithful, once the Crusade is over, the support of the men will fall back to the Reich. As Chancellor I have to worry about these details. Our resources, as I have become very much aware of, are finite. The new walls for Rome alone will cost 9,600 florins, Milan will soon require the same, and I have been neglecting upgrades to our castles, including Innsbruck, for too long. I am a Crusader, but I must also ensure the Reich stays strong.

Otto rubs the scar on his face and sighs.

Still, once I have the latest reports (OOC: I'm back at my home computer), I will see what can be done and I will report back. It seems I must “Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s”.

You shall have your battles, and may God bless you with victory over the infidel.

[FactionHeir]

Small OOC note: AI armies are also limited to 20 units. The display only covers 9 a row instead of 10.

[TinCow]

I am but a servant of God. Though I have a good deal of experience in military affairs, I am not above error, nor am I so confident in my abilities that I will not heed the words of others. I will follow the majority in this affair, whatever that turns out to be. If it is deemed that we should assault the infidels, I will gladly lead the charge. If we do not have the strength to take on both Jihads at once, I shall respect the limitations the Lord has imposed on us and work towards achieving the best we can with what is available to us. Hans and Duke von Saxony, what are your opinions?

[FactionHeir]

Well, while I respect the chancellor's and my father's decision to split our forces to attack both jihads, I also fear that if even one of these attacks is not fully successful, we may all be doomed in these lands without a way back. What I wonder is if we can defeat these foes without both depleting the Imperial treasury and lose most of our forces while doing so.
While it is a glorious endeavor to fight the heathen armies, would you not think that our allies could at least defeat one of these? The orthodox church while misguided does have military prowess I believe.
As most of you have had ample experience in battle however, I will for now not cast a vote yay or nay but listen to what arguments there are to engage both.

[econ21]

Hans, I confess, I fear for our Byzantine allies. You will recall, their assistance to Duke Dietrich in his battle was pitiful. Already a large Hungarian army stands outside Constantinople, which remains weakly garrisoned. The once great Byzantines are now the sick man of Europe. We represent the true heirs of Rome, but we must help our older brother where we can. And do not forget, we are embarked on a religious war, we cannot look the other way while our sworn enemies march past en masse to attack fellow Christians.

God may strike me down for this arrogance, but I have no fear that either of our battles will be lost. Such is the superiority of our men over the enemy that the odds will be 2:1 in our favour. My trust in Maximilan's ability to prevail at such odds is absolute. For my part, I confess I am eager to have a chance to lead in a field battle. Here to, my only experience has been in minor sieges. An Emperor must prove himself in battle to be respected and what better challenge than against a full Muhammedan army? While I may fail, I will fight with Dietrich, Otto, Jonas and you at my side. It seems inconceivable that we will all be undone.

Let us not debate this any more but march on to victory!

[Kagemusha]

Dietrich Von Saxony

"I mean no disrespect towards Kaiser Henry,but i wouldnt call the actions of Bysantines in battle of Nicae pitifull at all. They fought the main parts of Jihad as well as they could,with their few troops and it was my decision not to rush in to help them that caused them to have to rout out of the field of battle.I made the decision to spare our troops and dont regret it.But it was clearly my decision to abandon our allies in order to move coherently in superior position on battlefield that was payed by Bysantine blood.

I would beg for you all to consider that we should keep our target Jerusalem clear in our minds and not divert our efforts too much before reaching that. I have fullfilled my own duty and i am honoured that i could give a huge blow to the heathens,but now when we are officially crusaders,we should not divert our forces to secondary targets,or we will face desertion. I say that we should mercilesly destry the armies that are in our path,but taking of more targets,should be left for the time after we have reached our destination. Personally im happy that we are getting so near our target and would love to live and see us sieging the holy city."

[OverKnight]

Otto has listened intently to the opinions of all the Crusaders, he pages through a few reports and then speaks:

The Kaiser and Count Mandorf support an attack on both Jihad armies. Duke von Saxony and Count Hans have their reservations, as have I. Still, the Turkish Jihad is well within reach, and Count Mandorf can assault it, coming from the west, and still reach Adana, a goal that has already been endorsed by this Council. The Egyptian Jihad is directly in our path and must be assaulted if we are to continue.

As I have the deciding vote, I say we attack them both.

It seems the Turkish Jihad army is 20 units as well. (OOC: Typically I use a base-9 counting system, but I guess for ease of communication I'll use base 10) It seems they share a failing with the Milanese, as there are many siege engines in the army, and it is not well balanced. I will recruit two units of Armenian Archers for the 2nd Army and some pilgrims to help fill in the line. I do not believe Maximillian will need any extra infantry from the 1st army, but I will transfer a majority of our non-retainer cavalry to him. I suggest Count von Mahren travel with Maximillian, and after the battles he can bring back any cavalry the 2nd Army no longer needs. Once the Turkish Jihad is dispersed Adana will be assaulted. I will infiltrate the spy to attempt to open the gates. If this is not successful, I must move him on this year, as he will be needed to the south.

As for the 1st Army, I'll will add some pilgrims to it and that is all, there will most likely be better units of the faithful available in the Levant and Palestine. The Egyptians will be a tougher nut to crack, but I am sure God will work through you Kaiser.

Is this acceptable?

[econ21]

Chancellor, I applaud your decision. Your planned implementation is also admirable.

[Kagemusha]

I hope this is not an mistake.All battles will weaken us and i think we are too eager to clash right now.

[TinCow]

If we are to join battle against the Muhammadan hordes, then I must spend the rest of the day in prayer. Remember my brothers, we exercise God's will on Earth. It is only through communion with Him that we will prevail. Strength of arms matters for nothing if you are not in the Light of the Lord.

*Mandorf crosses himself and leaves.*

[FactionHeir]

I suppose to battle it is then. *Hans nods and turns to leave for the armoury*

[OverKnight]

Otto looks up at the departing Crusaders and then down at his ink stained hands.

It will be good to be in a proper fight. It has been far too long since I have been in battle. Too much time writing letters and wrangling Electors will dull me if I don't draw my blade against the heathens.

Some wine mein Kaiser and Duke von Saxony? I'd like to make a toast for victory against the infidel.

OOC: As soon as I get the save back I will make the arrangements. What's your status Kagemusha?

[Kagemusha]

OOC:I have been waiting for Dutch guy to to arrive so i dont have to fight his battle.I cant play that battle inside 6 hours or so,i just came back from restaurant,so lets make it 12 hoiurs.

[OverKnight]

My lords, our battles await.

I have personally taken cavalry reinforcements to Count Mandorf and will join him in his battle against the Turkish Jihad.

The rest of the Crusaders are with Kaiser Henry as they face the Egyptian Jihad.

May God guide our swords this day.

OOC: Econ21 and TinCow, you're both up. Here's the save:

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1188-3.zip

Both armies are ready to attack but have not engaged. Whoever gets to the save first, let the other know and send him a link to the new uploaded save once you're finished. You're both old hands at this, so have fun.

[econ21]

A messenger approaches Chancellor Otto and Duke Maximillan:

My Lords, the Kaiser has prevailed over the Egyptian crusade and wishes you good hunting:

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1188-4.zip

[OOC: Battle report later today]

[OverKnight]

Excellent, we are triumphant! Kaiser Henry, Count Mandorf, I am humbled by your skill in battle.

The way to Jerusalem is open. The question is what route should we take?

My cartographer is drunk again, but I propose following the river between Antioch and Aleppo without crossing it. We can then proceed south on the eastern bank and follow it into the mountain pass north of Jerusalem. From there it's a straight march south to our goal. The spy and priests will follow the coastal road, they can skirt around cities and armies unlike our soldiers, and will join us at Jerusalem. Our agent can also provide information on Acre, and we can make a decision on it once we emerge from the hills.

Your opinions?

[FactionHeir]

A good battle fellow crusaders. I would not have expected us to emerge victorious after splitting ways to assault two heathen armies, but here we all stand, victorious and alive. It truly must be god's will to have sent us here.

As such, we ought to press on and I very much agree with the chancellor's plan, as this way we will not be caught between Antioch and the pass south. My offer to take Acre still stands and I believe I can make it, with few men.

[econ21]

Like Hans, I see the wisdom in the Chancellor's plans. I assume that 2nd Crusader Army is to remain at Adana under Maximillan's leadership?

Our victory cost us many good men. While we still have sufficient heavy cavalry, thanks to the many generals in 1st Crusader army, our heavy infantry is becoming thin on the ground. When we break into the Levant, I suggest we should hire any mercenary unhorsed knights we are lucky enough to encounter. We may need to bear that in mind when considering how many cavalry to bring back to 1st Crusader Army with Duke Otto. We do not want to be in a situation where our horses are eating all our supplies.

There is something to be said for leaving Maximillan with a strong 2nd Crusader Army, as Adana is effectively the gateway to Christendom and we may see further jihads attempting to pass by it.

[OverKnight]

Mein Kaiser, I have already recruited two companies of unhorsed Knights. They are stout men and should serve to replace the losses to our infantry. Once I return the extra cavalry to the Crusade, there will be 20 units in the army headed to Jerusalem. If we take more losses before we reach the city, I will combine some units and replenish our army from the faithful that have begun to flock to the Holy Land. It might appear we are currently cavalry heavy, but if we have to divide the Crusade again, it is much easier to recruit infantry. Each division of the Crusade should have a strong contingent of horsemen.

Maximillian, as he requested, will remain behind in Adana to prepare a bastion of Christianity in otherwise heathen lands. I have left him with a strong, but battered force, that should serve well as a rear guard. Once the fortress is capable of recruiting men, I will begin to bring his units up to strength. We have driven a wedge between the Turks and Egyptians, and Count Mandorf has the men to confront any forces that might enter the area. I salute Maximillian's sacrifice to stay behind, and I hope he has many more victories against the infidels.

Acre remains a target, no doubt. We shall see what our agents find there.

[Kagemusha]

Dietrich Von Saxony

I would like to gongratulate both Kaiser Henry and Von Mandorf for their resounding victories over the heathens. Im still bit worried how fast will Mandorfs force start melting in Adana. I hope the rest of us will see the walls of Jerusalem soon.

[econ21]

I have been thinking about the best use of our priests. Setting them to convert the population of Antioch may be sensible. Provinces with castles are typically quiescent enough regardless of religious unrest. However, it is a great challenge to subdue a city whose people are of a different religion. Antioch may be the most appropriate city to take first, as it is an important trading centre.

If we were to hold Jerusalem for ourselves, I would naturally wish the priests to accompany us. However, we will donate it immediately to the Papacy, so the presence of the priests may not be required.

[FactionHeir]

Taking Antioch will divert us from our course though and possibly lead to unrest among our religiously devout men who may decide to continue on on their own.

Also, I am not sure whether the pope will appreciate us gifting him Jerusalem when it is still filled with heathens and heretics. We, as the defenders of Christendom are responsible for the pope's safety if we grant him a new stronghold and thus we ought to show some effort in converting the populace to the true faith before passing it on to His Holiness.

OOC: Maybe just convert some 30% to Christianity and build a church/abbey. Not much more as we'd otherwise be wasting our florins. Having the religious buildings there also enables us to train decent priests in that city.

[FactionHeir]

That is terrible news Duke of Kassel. One of our greatest generals, Dietrich of Saxony, dying in his sleep just shortly before we are to arrive at Jerusalem...
*Observes a moment of silence*
I suggest that we honor this man's wish to see the holy city by carrying him through the gates and burying him where he can overlook and guard the holy city.

[OverKnight]

Count Hans, I too mourn for Dietrich, he was a great man. We shall see what his will says about the disposition of his mortal remains.

Our spy has told me that the Jihad forces that retreated to Antioch have abandoned their quest. An Egyptian force has moved north to block our route, but I'm sure once we choose to give battle, they will retreat. Their force is mostly siege equipment, and they now know to face us is to die.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

I am tempted to take Aleppo, it is lightly defended, but the chance for delay might be too great.

If I understand the Kaiser correctly, he wishes to have the priests begin preaching near Antioch in preperation of us swinging north to take the city once the Crusade is complete. This is an interesting notion. Still, Count Hans's concern about in what state we should hand Jerusalem over to the Pope, is also valid. I will think on this.

[OverKnight]

The Crusade has successfully driven off that Egyptian army and is now north of Acre. Count Hans and Count von Mahren with half our forces have barely reached the walls of the fortress, the siege will begin next year, and I will see if I can infiltrate our agent.

The remaining forces are with the Kaiser and myself hiding in a small wood to the northeast. We are a year away from our goal.

Both armies have been supplemented with Crusader Sergeants, also some religious fanatics have joined the Kaiser's army. Each army also has only two missile units, a pity, but for a siege assault, they're not critical.

I must know ask a needful but possibly distasteful question. When we take Jerusalem, what do we do with the population? Should we occupy, sack or exterminate? It would be unwise to gift a rioting city to the Papacy. Also, with the diplomat ready to meet with his Holiness next year, when should we hand the city over?

[TinCow]

The city must be handed over immediately. The longer we hold the place, the less honorable our intentions will seem. We took up the Cross in the name of the Pope and we must honor that commitment. If the Pope cannot maintain his own lands, we will lend him aid from our own holdings. If the Egyptians attack the city after it is in his possession, we must repel them. If the city revolts against his rule, we must recapture it and return it to the Papacy. We are the guardians of Jerusalem, but we are not its owners. Let us remember that.

(OOC: It would be a good idea to try and get an alliance from the Pope, perhaps in conjunction with the gift of Jerusalem, perhaps afterwards. Either way, it would be very useful to be allied with the Papal States if we have to relieve a siege of the city later or otherwise help the Papal armies.)

[Kagemusha]

Count Von Mahren joins the conversation.With a silent voice he speaks staring at the ground.

"There is only one way to deal with heathens in Jerusalem and that is to put them into sword.All of them. The Holy city has for far too long be polluted of these Moors and their false God. We should clean the city from them completely. About when to take it.As soon as possible.I dont understand why are we attacking random cities around Jerusalem,when we should be marching straight into it."

[OverKnight]

I have thought of asking Pope Pisanus for an alliance when we gave him Jerusalem. I will do so. Unfortunately, we cannot ask for military access until they actually have territory, but I will keep it in mind.

[FactionHeir]

My fellow crusaders.
We came here to the holy land to take back for god's children what is rightfully theirs. We came here to fight the unholy hordes of the heathen idol.
But did we really come here to butcher every man, woman and child we can find?
We have already butchered all the heathen soldiers we have fought, as they have raised their weapons against us, but is everyone here a sinner and beyond redemption?
Would we not further god's glory by showing these heathens the true faith and bring them into the light?
Not everyone living in these lands is a heathen either. As you are all aware, some Christians still inhabit the cities and would we want their blood upon our hands, upon our souls?

It would be harsh to put the populace to the sword, yet it would be unwise to merely occupy the cities and have resistance develop against our noble rule. The only thinkable compromise would be to show these people what would happen if they did not obey our rule and seize all the false symbols of their god and pagan faith and melt them down.

OOC: TC, while allying with the pope would be great from a game point of view, I would recommend against it. Reason being the way the scripts in 1.02 handle alliances and trusted allies. If we become a trusted ally of the pope (i.e. global rep of reliable and fairly high relations) anyone who is at war with us or we declare war on instantly becomes excommunicated. While this may be "right" if you look at us being the "Holy Roman Empire" who own the papacy, it would make the game much too easy.

On another note, could I ask what composition of troops you have kindly assigned me, chancellor, and information on the defenders of Acre?

[OverKnight]

Your forces are: Bodyguard x2, Mailed Knights, dismounted Feudal Knight, unhorsed Knight, Armoured Spearmen x2, Crusader Sergeants x2, Pavise XBowmen, and Xbow Militia.

The forces in Acre are a Egyptian noble, Mamluk Horsemen and some form of mounted Archer. There's an Egyptian army to the south which has spears, artillery and some horse.

Jerusalem is being defended by an Egyptian noble and his retainers. It seems in destroying their Jihads, we have seriously set them back.

If you want more information, the latest scouting report (save) has been delivered.