MacDidz: The Scottish Blog

[Andres]

Great work MacDidz

[Didz]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed it.

One of the things I’ve noticed whilst doing this blog is the strange relationship which develops between the game and the story.

To begin with the game play drives the story, but as the story develops there is a subtle shift of power and I found myself modifying my game play to fit in with the logical plot development dictated by the blog. Even in the battles and sieges I found myself contemplating how I would write up the report and what Edward would say and do as the events unfolded.

So, I am presented with an interesting quandary at this point.

My Scottish Campaign has reached a logical break point. Edward has united the kingdom under Canmore rule and the hated Normans have been driven out, back to their domains in France.

Under normal circumstances I would merely cross the channel and finish them off in accordance with the Short Campaign victory conditions, but this doesn’t make a lot of sense story-wise and so I’m reluctant to force Edward to do it.

Edwards initial goal was merely to drive the Norman’s out of England and he has achieved that. His expectation was that the King Phillipe of France would use the opportunity presented by the Scottish invasion of England to fulfil his own objectives and seize the Norman possessions on the European mainland. That was why Patrick was sent to speak with the French king and negotiated the alliance with France.

The fact that the French did nothing is a considerable disappointment to Edward, but he is equally aware that if Scotland crosses the channel and begins to seize castles and cities in Normandy then the French King is likely to be somewhat annoyed and it may even damage their alliance. So, both Edward and myself are reluctant to begin a fresh chapter of our story with an illogical invasion of mainland Europe.

That leaves me with a problem of what if anything to do next.

I could just call it a day, and end the blog here. It is as I’ve already mentioned a logical break point. The other possibility is to continue but explore some of the other aspects of the game.

For example it would be interesting to see if Edward could persuade, or provoke, the French into attacking the English in Normandy.

The other logical mission might be for Scotland to try and expand its domination of Africa.

It already has established trading interests around Timbuktu, perhaps its time to establish a Scottish settlement down there and begin colonisation.

That would almost certainly mean war with the Moors and would also present some huge logistical problems, requiring heavy investment in the navy to solve. Likewise, there is the challenge of gaining diplomatic acceptance from both Spain and Portugal, who could make things very difficult if not properly handled.

My preference is to go for the African Colonisation option. Its not the easiest route to victory but it might be fun to attempt and it will change the pace, focus and direction of the story line.

[StoneCold]

There is also the crusade option. :) Nice read.

[valhalla89]

or you could always go to war with the danish and take scandanavia... and continue east into latvia and russia.

good AAR ive been looking for a good read like this for a long time. I currently am away from home until middel of August and cant play the game at all until i get back. So reading AARs is like the best and closest thing i can get to playing myself ;). Thanks m8.

[nara shikamaru]

Didz, your account of the Scots is great, very well put, and interesting along the whole journey. Now the question is do you have the reolve to keep writing. Like the resolve your King had to take England? If you do then please keep going, if not, then that is fine too, you have reached the end of your writing thoughts for this particular game. But maybe you could do one for another faction if your done with the Scottish one?

[Didz]

1104: A Kingdom United
With the year drawing to a close Edward settled into London's White Tower and began to contemplate the future.

Scotland was still at war with the English who retained their possessions in Normandy. However, Edward had no desire to pursue a campaign against them on the mainland of Europe, particularly as it might damage his alliance with the French.

Instead, he resolved to send emissaries to both the English and French with a view to improving their attitude to his new United Kingdom. At the same time he hoped to encourage them to begin viewing each other as enemies.

Likewise, Edward wished to foster improvements in the relationship with the Danes in the hope that they would continue to refrain from pursuit of their previous demands for restitution of their Northumbrian kingdom and the City of York.

Edward wanted to focus his attention on trade and, in particular, the trade established between Scotland and the Dark Continent. The Scottish treasury was already receiving 2,064 florins per year from trade in African gold and this trade was due to double as soon as the new merchants his brother Edmund had dispatched arrived in Africa and established their trade routes.

The money from this trade was vital to the future of the United Kingdom and Edward was keen to ensure that it was both exploited to its full potential and protected from interference.

He began to draft ambitious plans for the settlement and colonisation of Africa, but first he realised that if this trade was to be protected he would need to keep the sea lanes clear of both pirates and competition and that meant commissioning ships, to carry his armies and protect his ports. It also meant even more diplomatic efforts to keep potential rivals happy and distracted.

Edward explained his vision to the council of nobles who suggested that his immediate goal should be to close down the Muslim trade routes already operating in the area by blockading the port of Marrakesh. [New Mission]

Edward pondered this advice which seemed much too heavy handed for his liking. Blockading Marrakesh would almost certainly lead to a protracted war with the Moors and Edward was not convinced that this would be in his best interests or that of the merchants.

Rewards and Rebellions

Edward decided there was time to consider the councils advice before he needed to act. But first, now that the four kingdoms were united, Edward realised he must reward those who had helped him to achieve this goal and so over the course of the next few months Edward set about making sure this was done.

Land was re-allocated amongst the nobles who had supported him during the campaign, stripped from the estates of those who had made the mistake of choosing the wrong side. Three hundred and sixty new knighthoods were granted amongst these new feudal vassals to bolster Edwards Army.

At the same time Edward did not forget the soldiers themselves. The mercenaries who had flocked to Edward’s banner when he needed most were now idling in the streets of London and Nottingham costing him money to retain.

Edward decided it was time to send these men home and after a feast of thanksgiving for the army and their victories the Welsh and Irish mercenary companies were paid off and disbanded having given Edward a solemn oath that they would not revert to brigandry within the borders of his realm.

However, not all the mercenary companies were discharged. Edward retained the services of the five crossbow companies, some of whom had fought alongside him at the siege of Inverness twenty-two years before and had been with him throughout the campaign. These men were grizzled veterans now and had proven both their value and loyalty. Edward felt safer with them around him than his own nobles and so they were kept on and joined the garrison of London.

Finally, to give thanks to God and St. Andrew for their support, particularly at the Battle of Nottingham, Edward ordered the construction of an Abbey church dedicated to St. Andrew in the City of London.

The United Kingdom was thus settling smoothly into its new role even though not all were as thankful for the blessings bestowed upon them as Edward.

The Earl of Shrewsbury, one of those unfortunates who had chosen the wrong side in the war, and had lost most of his estates as a result, had spent the last of his fortune organising rebellion against Edwards rule in the west country. This rebellion was said to be well equipped even if it was quite small and if energetically led might pose a threat to Caernarfon whose garrison had previously been depleted to provide troops for the Siege of London.

Edward had already sent Wallace to investigate their strength and movements and resolved to deal with the Earl of Shrewsbury personally if need arose.

The Makmartine Mystery

The only other concern on Edward’s mind as he sat in the White Tower and watched to snow fall on the city outside was the news that his brother Edmund had adopted a twenty five year old knight as his son.

The man Cennédig Makmartane was a good knight by all accounts but Edmund already had three sons and Edward was puzzled by his decision to adopt another.

If it had been Alexander, then Edward would have understood. His younger brother had only managed to sire two daughters so far and needed a son, but Edmunds motives were curious and Edward resolved to ensure that Makmartane was separated from his new father as quickly as possible and given some useful role in a distant land.

[Didz]

Summer 1105

Wallace reports from the West Country that the Earl of Shrewsbury has raised and equipped 120 armoured swordsmen and a company of long bowmen to his cause. Wallace was unable to be sure of the exact number of bowmen but plans to infiltrate their camp and will send another report as soon as he is able.

Meanwhile, the Scottish fleet patrolling the channel have driven off a fleet of 150 English cogs which it believes were planning transport an English Army of 1,300 men across the straits of Dover to London.

Petair is ordered leave Bruges and move south to report on the strength and dispositions of the English between Bruges and Caen.

Winter 1105

A guild of swordsmith's approaches Edward and is granted a Royal Charter to establish themselves in Nottingham.

Merchant captains returning from the Moroccan coast report that the King of Portugal has declared a holy war against the Moors and that his armies are already crossing the Gibraltar straits into Africa. Edward is not sure if this is good news or bad. A war between the Moors and Portugal might distract the Moors from any interference in Scottish trade but at the same time Portugal might become a more aggressive competitor for that trade than the Muslims and much more awkward to handle if force became necessary.

On the other hand, if the King of Portugal can be persuaded into an alliance then perhaps Scottish ambitions in North Africa can be bolder and more in tune with the aspirations of the council of nobles.

Petair reports that he has successfully gained entrance to the City of Caen, and can confirm that this is the last city still in English hands. It appears that the French beat the English to Rheims.

The English are ruled by King Robert, a monarch with little battle experience but a reputation as a noble and religious ruler.

Petair was unable to discover any vices associated with either him or his son Prince Godfrey.

It appears that King Robert is more concerned with the threat of potential French aggression than he is with invading the United Kingdom. However, he does have a large army commanded by Nigel Basset camped outside the city.

This army represents the best of the troops which the City of Caen is able to provide.

Edward viewed the report with interest, concluding that King Robert and his English refugee's were no longer a major threat and could be left to the mercies of the French. Petair is order to keep a watching brief on them and to report any change in their circumstances.

Summer 1106

The Abbey Church completed in London and dedicated to St. Andrew. The Pope sends Edward his thanks and appreciation for dedication of another house of god. (Pope-o-Meter Rating 8/10). The upgraded defences to Caenarvon Castle are also completed.

Wallace reports that he has managed to infiltrate the rebel camp of the Earl of Shrewsbury and can confirm that his army consists of 120 Armoured Swordsmen and 120 Long bowmen. Edward plans to march on the West Country as soon the feudal knights from Edinburgh arrive in London.

Edward appoints MakMartane as Constable of Carnarvon Castle ensuring that he is kept as far away from Edmund his adopted father as possible, and placing him in a position where his future dispatch to North Africa will seem a perfectly logical decision.