The Kingdom of Outremer

[Kagemusha]

Jonas Von Mahren continues after hearing the words of the others,still staring at the ground.

"I will ask you Chancellor Von Kassel,when do you think we will reach Jerusalem? I am asking becouse once we have taken it,i want home.I dont know what you others are planning,but im sick and tired of this heathen land and its inhabitants. I joined this crusade on my now dead Duke´s wishes and have been miserable ever since.I want this crusade to end and then get back home to Germany and Franconia as soon as possible. When will this be possible?

[FactionHeir]

*Hans looking through the scouting reports makes a few notes before speaking*
It seems like our Egyptian foes have greatly neglected defending their homelands. I believe I may be able to even pull off a tactical maneuver and lure the defenders outside Acre to fight on our terms instead of spending lives scaling the walls of Acre. Please keep me informed of the enemy's movements so I may plan the assault my chancellor.

OOC: Next turn, instead of giving me the save during the attack sequence, please upload it before taking action, so I can choose the angle of attack
Actually I might even split a few more units from the army you assigned me to get a heroic victory hehe. We shall see.

[OverKnight]

Otto glances up at Jonas and chuckles:

Did you get a blow to the head in the last battle Count von Mahren? My name is von Kassel, von Kastilien is your Stew. . .Duke. Similar, but hardly identical.

Otto's expression becomes more serious.

There are ships inbound with Sir Hummel, and more will be on the way from Venice in the new year. Still, these are to serve as the Outremer fleet. I suppose I could spare a ship or two to return you home, but we will need all the men we can get for our new territories. Particularly young men like yourself. A new generation of Crusaders will be needed, I ask that you stay and help build the dream of a Christian and Imperial Holy Land.

Otto turns to Hans:

Let us see what the new year brings us, more troops might come north from Egypt proper or south from Antioch. I will make plans then.

[econ21]

Jonas, I would not like you to serve for long here while your heart is back in the forests of Franconia. As the Chancellor said, we expect Ulrich to arrive her by sea in due course. I would have no objection to you joining that fleet on its return journey.

One issue I would like to raise with the Council is how quickly we return Jerusalem to the Papacy. I wonder if there is some merit in Hans' suggestion that we get the place in order first - establish some churches and other buildings to maintain order, and convert a proportion of the population to Christianity. We have waited a long time to achieve our goal and could wait a little longer to see it is properly achieved. It would be a shame to see it come to nought if the Papacy rejects the gift of a rebellious city.

[OverKnight]

Another aspect of the governance of Jerusalem, is that if the Reich governs, there will be an inefficiency to our rule due to the distance from Rome. The new Papal States, since Jerusalem would be their only possession, would not have such a penalty.

Once we take the city, we could lay the foundation for a chapel, the Papacy would no doubt continue it since we bore the cost. Or we could hold the city for two years, and set the foundations for a church after building the chapel.

Perhaps we should gift some florins to the Papacy after we hand over Jerusalem, or wait a few years so we can exchange florins for military access. They are impoverished and could use the money to build or recruit troops.

[TinCow]

The Chancellor makes an excellent point. There will be great civil unrest in Jerusalem when it is made an ancillary province of the Reich. Being declared the Pope's capital and official home would drastically reduce this unrest. Even without a large army to garrison the place, I suspect that the Papal States would have more success in governing the unruly mob than we would.

[Kagemusha]

Count Von Mahren

Chancellor Kassel.Im sorry about mixing you with Duke Von Kastillien. I also thank the Kaiser for understanding my wishes. As you have noticed,my input during this crusade has been minimal. I think this holy task is righteous,but plans concerning conquering these Heathen lands dont sound right to me.
We went to this crusade to Conquer back the holy grave and give it to Pope.Now all i hear is that one lord suggesting taking one city and another some other city. I dont think this is an righteous cause. We came here to wash away our sins,not to build new Duchies in far away lands. Germany is where my home is and as German i belong there. I want to participate on this crusade untill the Holy city is taken,but after that if possible i will sail with an first available ship to reich,where i belong. And where we should be fighting to enlarge our Empire. About Jerusalem,i think the best and most simple way is to exterminate the heathens and then give the city straight to Pope.

[OverKnight]

The first ship it is then, Count von Mahren.

[OverKnight]

Otto looks up from the latest reports:

With the permission of the Council, I would like to lead our forces against Captain Youseff. It has been a long time since I have lead men in battle.

Once he has been defeated, I plan to have Count Hans and the 3rd Crusader Army besiege Acre, while the 1st Crusader Army besieges Jerusalem. Our spy is within reach of Acre, but not of the Holy City, and I will see if he can open the gates of the castle.

[Kagemusha]

Count Von Mahren

I have no problems with Chancellor Kassel leading the battle against the heathens.How are the noble men divided between the armies currently? If possible i would like to join to the army that is heading for Jerusalem. I came here to help take that city and i have nothing what so ever intrest about Acre or the other heathen cities that are so numerous on these parts of the world.

[FactionHeir]

I would like to have a look at the map before approving or disapproving such a decision. If this heathen rabble under Youssef is within reach of Acre's walls, then I might wish to contend for command of the attack.

[OverKnight]

Our latest scouting report:

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1192.zip

It is only fitting that a Franconia be present at the siege of Jerusalem to honor the memory of Duke von Saxony, you will be part of it Count von Mahren.

[FactionHeir]

*Hans takes a long look at the map and the reports from the spy inside Acre*

It seems the gates will be open when we strike, yet Youssef and his horde are camping just outside the gates and will either reinforce the fortress if we lay siege or have reinforcements coming to his aid if we attack him. Either way, after this battle, it is likely that there will be so few defenders left to defend Acre that we can take it without any resistance.
As such, the decision as to who shall command the attack is up to the council I suppose, as both the chancellor and I have raised the wish to command said attack.

And Count of Mahren, I cannot hold you if you wish to depart for Jerusalem immediately, but we shall be there in time for the assault even if you stayed. The choice is yours.

[Kagemusha]

Count Von Mahren

Thank you mein Chancellor. If you wish to lead the force near Acre i will support you as a sign of my gratitude for allowing me to join the force i want to be with. As i sayed earlier,i have no desire to attack any other city on these part then the Holy city of Jerusalem to free it from the yoke of the heathens.

[OverKnight]

I will give the other Crusaders an hour to give their say, after that I must proceed with our attacks due to time constraints.

[TinCow]

I believe it would be best if Chancellor von Kassel led the attack. He has exerted a great deal of effort to bring about the official Papal sanction on our Crusade. As the Kaiser will surely be the one to lead the final assault on Jerusalem, it is only fitting that the Chancellor be rewarded for his services by being given the honor of assaulting the Saracen fortress of Acre. I know this may be a disappointment to you, Hans, but remember that unlike Duke von Kassel, you are still a young man and have many years left to prove your worth on the battlefield. Indeed, the Holy Lands will likely need much generalship in the upcoming years. There will be ample opportunities for you to prove your worth on the battlefield.

[FactionHeir]

Well, since it seems the council seems set on having Duke Otto command the battle with only my father not yet having cast his vote, I will concede to the chancellor's wish.
However I ask that I may at least be the one to march through the gates of Acre or battle with what few remnants remain after the Duke has finished with Youssef, seeing how the chancellor has only laid claim on attacking Youssef but not Acre and I have first laid claim on assaulting Acre.

[OverKnight]

Indeed Count Hans, Acre lies ready for your assault. I had you lay siege before I attacked the relief force, they are utterly destroyed, but you will be facing the full garrison. A good chance to win your spurs. The army I commanded lies ready to assist if needed, but I'm sure you will not need it.
Godspeed.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1192-1.zip

OOC: I wanted to give every player who came on the Crusade a legit battle before it ends. Tactically I could have played this better, but this makes for a funner game for everyone.

[FactionHeir]

*Hans enters the command tent, bloodied armour and sword, a few bandages still visible, poorly hidden under Imperial cloth*

My friends, I present you...Acre. It is ours now and I have taken the liberty to take gold and religious paraphernalia from the commoners and contributed it to the Imperial trasury. A bloody battle indeed, with many men dying on both sides. Before the assault started, I had the Duke standby with his army outside the walls so as not to scare the heathens too much.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1192-2.rar

[OverKnight]

Otto, sporting a few bandages himself, speaks to Hans.

Welcome back General, congratulations on your success. Acre is indeed a valuable prize for the Reich. It was very satisfying to get back out in the field. To hold a sword rather than pen, it is a glorious thing.

Otto turns to Henry.

Now that we have besieged Jerusalem, mein Kaiser, I have ordered the construction of two rams and four ladders for the assault. Considering the garrison, a Saracen noble and his retainers, I thought towers were not worth the resources used in their construction. As you will lead the attack, do you have another configuration in mind?

[econ21]

Congratulations to my fellow Crusading generals on their recent victories. It is a sadness that Dietrich did not live to see this moment. Chancellor, your preparations sound most excellent, as ever.

[Stuperman]

A messenger with several Imperial gaurds is lead to the administration tent at the Crusader Camp just outside of Jerusalem. With a slight french accent he presents a message from Gerhard Steffen to the Crusading armies

A message from Gerhard Steffen

Noble Crusaders

You have brought much glory to the riech with the series of victories that you have won in the east. The reports that are reaching Mersaille talk of tens of thousands of dead Egyptians(SP) and rivers of blood flowing where ever German forces are found. Although I doubt you'll need it I wish you luck in the upcomming siege of Jerusalem, May you repeat the victory of the last Romans to assault the holy city 1100 years ago. All has been quite on the western front for some time now although something must be done about the Polish, I digress.

To Victory and Glory for the Riech

Servent of the Riech
Gerhard Steffen

(OOC: Gerhrad is still in Mersaille, right?)

[OverKnight]

Kaiser Henry and my fellow Crusaders, it is with great joy that I announce that we are ready to reclaim Jerusalem in the name of God. An Egyptian relief force is off the southern wall of the city, but it is only a mid-sized army of trebuchets and spearmen.

Mein Kaiser, we await your command to begin the assault. May God be with us this day!

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1194.zip

OOC: econ21, if you wouldn't mind taking screen shots of the Crusade completion pop ups after the battle, I'd appreciate it. Once I get the save back, I won't have access to them, unless I replay the battle, and the results might still be different. Good luck .

[econ21]

Chancellor, fellow crusaders, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Jerusalem has been returned to the Christendom!

A full account of the battle will be given shortly, but suffice it to say that Chancellor Otto routed the Egyptian relief army using the same exemplary tactics he showed at Acre. Both Hans and Jonas distinguished themselves by their daring and courage.

After the battle, in a gesture of magnamity to our opponents, I released the enemy prisoners. Under strict military discipline, our men occupied the city and no innocent blood was spilt.

http://www.totalwar.org/patrons/pbm/kotr1194-1.zip

OOC: OK, I have lots of screenshots: I'll put them in my battle report and you can copy the links for your own use.

[OverKnight]

Excellent! Should I offer the city to the Pope, or should we enforce order, and buld a church, before doing so? Should I move the priests south from Antioch?

Also the remnants of the relief army lie outside the city, would you like to attack them mein Kaiser? (Keep the save and fight that battle) I could do it myself if you wish to see to your report.

Praise be to God!

[econ21]

Chancellor, as I have briefed your advisors privately, I now incline to the view that we should return Jerusalem to the Papacy immediately. This will free our army from garrison duty. It will also free you to act as you see fit. The formal decision-making role of this Council will be at an end, although we may wish to retain it as a consultative body.

I am not inclined to pursue the remnants of the relief army - it scarcely seems worth it. But if you believe it is the correct course of action, I am happy for you to take tactical command of 1st Crusader Army to see to it.

Good luck in your negotiations with the Papacy, Chancellor. An alliance and military access rights would be extremely useful if we are to be able to fulfill our duty as protectors of Jerusalem.

[OverKnight]

Unfortunately, the Papacy cannot give us military access until they actually have a territory, I will have to seek it next year with the same diplomat on Corsica. An alliance, however, will be sought. Next year we can offer them money for military access.

I will run off the relief force before handing over the city, I would not want the new owners to be besieged. I hope to bring the first Crusade army to Acre to rest and refit.

[Kagemusha]

Count Von Mahren

My whole hearted congratulatoins to Kaiser Henry for successfully leading us into our target. The future generations will now remember you as the saviour of Jerusalem. Altough i dont agree on our policy of letting the dirty heathens live. When we give Holy city to Holy father,our decision not to put heathens into sword will result in civil disorder in the city.
Gentlemen.I think our work here is done. I hope to sail soon to home.Will anyone join me or are you going to stay here to protect your conquest´s?

[FactionHeir]

There is still much to do in these lands...we must cleanse them of the heathens and bring them into the light. By the sword if necessary!

[TinCow]

I am glad that there is at least one person here in the Levant who understand what must be done.