The Comnenian Restoration: A Byzantium AAR

[OverKnight]

Introduction

Welcome to my first attempt at an AAR. By popular demand, I will be playing Byzantium. I will be using Klink's enhanced Garrison and Army Spam mod, which beefs up garrisons, gives extra money to the AI, and spams troops when the AI factions have excess funds. Difficulty is H/VH. I will also be using the following House Rules:

--Only battles with a noble in charge can be played, all others will be auto-calced.

--No sacking, only occupy or exterminate.

--No adoptions or MOH, I want to establish a linear Dynasty, no third cousins inheriting the Throne.

--No declarations of War unless there is a Casus Belli (trespassing, which includes Crusades , assassinations, things like that).

--No betraying alliances.

--Accept reasonable peace offers.

--Two units to a fleet for naval transport.

--Balanced armies, no all HAs or all Varangian Guards forces.

I have no idea whether I've bitten of more than I can chew. For all I know, I'll be swarmed and the Byzzies won't even last to 1453.


Prologue

The Crown of Basileus did not rest easily on the brow of Alexius Comnenus after he was coronated by the Patriarch of Constantinople in 1081. He was an usurper, having seized the throne of the Roman Empire from Nicephorus III. Never mind that the Emperors since Isaac Comnenus, his uncle, had been dangerously incompetent or corrupt, his usurpation, despite his accomplishments as the leading General of the Empire, invited further treachery.

The external threats to the Roman Empire were even more worrying to Alexius. The Empire had fallen far from the heights it had reached under Justinian.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

The Eastern Roman Empire at it's apex, c. 550, the reconquests of Justinian are shown in purple.

The eruption of a new religion and it's warriors from Arabia had robbed the Empire of it possesions in Africa and the Levant. Slavs and Bulgars had taken much of its European holdings. The Empire, however, had survived the onslaught and under Basil II, known as the Bulgar Slayer, it had recovered much of its power.

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The Eastern Roman Empire at the end of the reign of Basil II "The Bulgar-Slayer", c. 1025.

It was hard for Alexius to believe that Basil's triumphant gains against the Bulgars were made just 50 years ago. For in 1071 the Empire had suffered a humliating defeat at Manzikert in Armenia against the Seljuk Turks. The Basileus Romanus IV Diogenes had been captured, throwing the Empire into unrest and chaos. The Turks, taking advantage of this, had poured across Anatolia, the heartland of the Empire, and took it for their own. The Empire was at its nadir, smaller than at any time in its history.

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The extent of the Empire at the ascension of Alexius Comnenus as Emperor in 1081.
Actual

In the game

Other enemies besides the Turks threatened the Empire as well. The Fatimid Caliphate in Egypt had been pushing north by land and sea. Norman adventurers in Italy had taken the south of the peninsula from the Empire for their own. The Great Schism between Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism had made the Pope in Rome an enemy of the Empire, and his word carried great weight among the Western Powers. The Germans with their so called "Holy Roman Empire" had been a thorn in the side of Byzantium since the days of Charlemagne. The Venetians, former allies and subjects of the Empire, were liable to turn on them at any moment if it advanced their mercantile interests. The Hungarians, yet another barbarous people in the tradition of the Slavs and Bulgars, menaced the Empire's northwestern frontier.

Constantinople was the envy of the known world, first in trade, wealth and architecture. Yet envy could lead to desire, and make the City and the Empire a target for conquest. After Manzikert, it was an open question as to whether it could be successfully defended, for the days of Roman dominance were long gone.

Yet it was the goal of Alexius to eventually restore this dominance. To bring the Empire back to the heights of Basil, of Justinian and even, perhaps, of Augustus. However, his immediate goal, one that might take his lifetime, was the mere survival of the Empire. Once the rebellious Themes were retaken and a Comnenian dynasty, beginning with his son, the Kaisar John, established, perhaps his heirs could accomplish a true rebirth of glory.

So, with the Empire in the balance between disaster and redemption, Alexius Comnenus began his reign.

[FactionHeir]

Sorry OK Something in your prologue doesn't make sense:

The Crown of Basileus did not rest easily on the brow of Alexius Comnenus after he was coronated by the Patriarch of Constantinople in 1181.

It was hard for Alexius to believe that was only 60 years ago. For in 1071 the Empire had suffered a humliating defeat at Manzikert in Armenia against the Seljuk Turks

So what year is it?

[OverKnight]

Well, M2TW begins in 1180, but historically Alexius wasn't crowned until 1081. So the first year is going to be 1081, followed by 1082 and then we go to the normal two year progression. Manzikert was in 1071, but Basil's conquest of the Bulgars was in the 1020s, about 60 years ago.

It's good to know people are reading the AAR though, :P

Edit: I've rephrased the part you found confusing to make it more clear.

2nd Edit: This time I really, really edited it to make it clear. Leave me alone, I'm tired and clock watching at work. :P

[FactionHeir]

Heh. That explains it...kind of...except that M2TW starts in 1080 and not 1180...

[nurizeko]

Now I fancy starting a Byzantine campaign, the last vestiges of a great empire fighting for survival, defying the passage of history to make them live again, and even, to grow and dominate the known world again, I do love historical what-ifs.

I look forward to some more updates.

And nice images from the wiki. :)

[OverKnight]

1081
In game 1080

Alexius is faced with a difficult decision in the first year of his reign. There are many rebel provinces nearby to reclaim that were recently part of the Empire: Durazzo (better known to the Eastern Romans as Dyrrachium), Sofia (Sardica), Smyrna and Trebizond. However, the army is still shattered from Manzikert and would not be able to launch more than two simultaneous campaigns.

After much thought, Durazzo and Trebizond are ruled out because they are further away. The Basileus desperately wants to reestablish the frontier on the Danube and a presence in Anatolia, so Smyrna and Sofia are chosen. Alexius himself leads most of the garrison of Constantinople, to be reinforced with spearmen from Thessalonica, towards Sofia, while his son John, already positioned with troops south of Nicaea, is sent to reclaim Smyrna.

The two Roman fleets are ordered to meet in the waters off the rebel castle.

Alexius also decides to convert Nicosia to a town from a castle. No offenses are planned in the Eastern Mediterranean, and the income gained from turning the settlement into a trading port will be needed. The Basileus hopes he is making the right choice as he sends the orders, there will be little room for error in these first years.

Anna Comnenus is dispatched north to establish diplomatic contact with the Hungarians.

The focus of building in the Empire is on repairing the road network.

The lone Imperial merchant is sent west to look for gold in the Balkans.


1082

The Council of Nobles requests that Smyrna be taken, and promises 2500 florins if it is done, Alexius is happy to comply.



Basil of Loroten is sent from Constantinople to negotiate with the Turks.

Kaisar John begins the siege of Smyrna, men sent from Nicaea will soon join him.

A unit of Scythikons are recruited in Corinth and sent north to assist the Basileus.


1084

Alexius besieges Sofia, he is soon to be joined by reinforcements from Corinth and Thessalonica.

The siege of Smyrna continues as John receives orders from his father to starve the defenders out. According to Alexius, the Army is to weak to afford the loss of life assaults would cost.

[OverKnight]

1086

Alexius's rush to Sofia pays off as Hungarian forces are spotted approaching the already besieged castle.

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The Empires roads have been rebuilt, the next focus is farming.


1088

A Turkish diplomat arrives in Constantinople. After much negotiations, trade rights and a map exchange are arranged for a payment of 350 florins to the Imperial coffers. The Turk grumbles about the deal, and the Basileus himself would rather wreak a bloody vengeance on them for Manzikert, but for now a detente is preferable.

Alexius is again proven right when Smyrna capitulates without a fight. Kaisar John, though wanting to prove himself in battle, accepts the surrender and peacefully occupies the castle. A mere 80 florins is the result, though John gains the reputation of being noble in rule.

With one siege completed, John takes all his men, except for one unit, and boards the Imperial navy bound for Rhodes.

Anna Comnenus arrives in Bran to find the unmarried Prince Kalman there. Her charms prove as effective as her diplomatic skills.

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A marriage alliance is reached with Hungary with trade rights, a map exchange and the transfer of a 1000 florins to the treasury. Alexius is loathe to wed his daughter to a Barbarian, he would have preferred a promising young Roman like Nicophorus Bryennius, but the security of the Empire takes precedent. It is not the first time a Daughter of the Empire, born and bred in the Purple, has been married off to another nation to bind them to Byzantium.

[OverKnight]

1090

Bad news from Rome:

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It is unknown why this has happened.

Kaisar John besieges Rhodes. The Council of Nobles, it seems always one step behind him, requests that the settlement be taken. Elite troops are promised if this is done.

Theotokios Olaskos marches out of Thessalonica with two units of militia. Hiring some mercenaries he proceeds west towards Durazzo. A recently recruited unit of Vardariotai rides from Corinth to join him.

Petros of Psolidi is dispatched from Constantinople to negotiate with the European powers. Demetrios Calaphates begins trading gold east of Zagreb.


1092

An emphasis on new churches marks the construction of the Empire.

Kaisar John loses his patience and attacks Rhodes at night in the middle of a rain storm.

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John's plan is to spread his forces out with two rams and a ladder to overwhelm the sparse defenders.

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The defenders are driven back from the gates by the long range fire of the Trebizond archers. They are caught before then can retreat to the Castle square.

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A unit of rebel archers had engaged in a long range duel with Imperial archers that had scaled the wall with ladders. John rides them down after finishing the rebel footmen. Rhodes is taken with light casualties.

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So much for waiting them out, thinks John, let's see if Father can match this.

Rhodes is occupied for 66 florins. John, leaving two units behind, immediatley takes ship and sails north.

The Council of Nobles donates four units of Vardariotai to the cause as a reward.


1094

The starving rebels in Sofia sally out of their castle. The Empire's new allies offer assistance, but Alexius doubts they will arrive in time.

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The Basileus, having not built any siege equipment, easily forms a battle line and waits for the rebels.

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The rebel infantry quickly routs and is pursued back through the gate.

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The rebel horse archers do take a toll however before they are subdued.

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Alexius is gratified by the occupation of Sofia. The Danube frontier is restored, he has gained a castle for his forces in Europe and the Empire is on its way to a restoration.

[Stuperman]

I am quite enjoying this OK, it's very well written.

[OverKnight]

1096

For an unknown reason, the Venetians view the Empire with increased contempt.

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An offer of marriage is refused for John, Alexius holds out hope for another marriage alliance.

Kaisar John sails north into the Black Sea.

Alexius, while building watchtowers on the Danube, notices that Bucharest is still in rebellion.

Basil of Loroton meets an Egyptian diplomat east of Adana. Trade rights and maps are exchanged.


1098

Durazzo surrenders to Theotokios Olaskos. A mighty one florin is gained from the occupation.

Basileus Alexius decides to besiege Bucharest, it might be useful as a settlement or as a tool in negotiations.


1100

Tweny years through the reign of Alexius, the Empire has seen both military, territorial and financial success.

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Still, there are many dangers out there for the resurgent Empire. A small Venetian force, two units of spear and one of bows, lays siege to Sofia and its depleted garrison.



The Basileus has no choice but to break of the siege of Bucharest and rush to releive Sofia. The Hungarians will take the settlement in 1102.

Kaisar John lands in northern Anatolia and besieges Trebizond.


1102

A Venetian force of knights and spearman assault the unwalled village of Durazzo. Years of war have reduced the once great city to a few buildings.

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The Venetian horsemen recklessly charge the Imperial line in the village square.

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As the square turns into a charnel pit of screaming horses and dead men, Theotokios's Vardariotai swing around the setlement and close off the Venetian's line of retreat. Few survive the battle.

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An offer of ransom is refused.

Alexius is confused as to why the Venetians chose to attack when they did, and with so few men. Has the reputation of the Empire fallen so far that the Republic thought it could strike with so little preperation?

We shall show them the error of their ways, Alexius grimly thinks as he marches to relieve Sofia.

The Venetian besiegers flee at the sight of the Imperial Army and are out of reach for the year. However, in a much more important development, the Hungarians still near Sofia honor the new alliance by joining in the chase.



Alexius is pleased, the Venetians probably did not consider that outcome of their treachery.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Empire, John, again forgoing caution, assaults Trebizond. The garrison and Castle has already been weakened by a failed Turkish assault, and he hopes to take advantage of this.

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John again attacks at night and with his forces spread out, but this castle is better built than Rhodes.

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Still, the gate is taken.

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The garrison is eventually subdued, but it is a harder slog than Rhodes. John will remember that larger Castles, even with small garrisons, are difficult to take.

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[OverKnight]

I am quite enjoying this OK, it's very well written.

Thanks Stuperman, it's a little more book keeping than I thought going in, but I am enjoying it. It makes me slow down and think about my moves. But I'm still waiting for a satisfying field battle.

No matter what faction you are, it seems the first 20 or so turns is just running around with spear militia and peasant archers.

[OverKnight]

1104

A Jihad is called for Baghdad.

Venice is now the strongest faction.

Kaisar John, having reboarded the fleet after taking Trebizond, arrives off Caffa. As has become his style, he attacks at night.

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John again divides his forces. Archers and spearmen assault two sides of the village, while John and the Vardariotai take the other two. The garrison is isolated and destroyed in increments.

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The last surviving unit huddles in the village square while it is shot to pieces, why waste men instead of arrows?

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John is proud of the way his men handled the rebels, the Empire's superior numbers were used effectively.

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The Empire's presence in the Black Sea has been fully restored.

Basileus Alexius catches up with the small Venetian force that had briefly threatened Sofia.

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None escape, and after a ransom offer is refused, none live.


1106

Agnes Herman, a Polish Princess, arrives near Sofia to negotiate trade rights. The Basileus is taken with her noble bearing, and arranges something a bit more far reaching than a treaty. Alexius's first offer is rejected, but some florins are added to sweeten the deal.

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It's time for John to settle down.

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Alexius had planned to search for eligible Princesses in western Europe, the Milanese or the Germans were considered, but he was losing patience. The Comnenus line must be secured and Agnes had several good qualities as a wife.

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The northern flank of the Empire was now secured with alliances. Of course even a marriage alliance was not iron clad, still this would allow Alexius to focus on the Venetians and the Turks, if it came to that.

The Known World:


An Imperial spy locates the Venetian Doge on the border and Alexius pursues him. Durazzo also has reinforcements on the way.

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John, a bit surprised that he now has a wife, takes ship from Caffa after building a watchtower.

[OverKnight]

1108

The Empire is now the most advanced faction, perhaps because of this, relations with Egypt fall to very poor.

John lands east of Trebizond and builds another watchtower, he is starting to become sick of them.

Alexius continues to pursue Doge Domenico, he appears to be heading to Durazzo.


1110

Domenico turns north to face Alexius, but does not attack. The Basileus decides to take matters into his own hands.

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The two armies deploy on opposite sides of a hill.

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Perhaps intimidated by the presence of Horse Archers on his right flank, the Doge abandons the high ground. Alexius, after offering up a quick prayer of grattitude, is quite happy to take this gift.

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Perhaps realizing his error, Domenico sends his archers forward. This only compunds his mistake because many of them are trampled by the Imperial Bodyguard.

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The Doge and his Slav mercenaries rush in to save the archers, but are met by the Imperial line. The Slavs, arrow bit and reluctant to fight up hill, quickly break and the Venetian leader is left with only his retainers.

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The Basileus himself slays the man arrogant enough to believe he could take on the Roman Empire. The cavalry quickly takes many prisoners. A ransom offer is refused, and the few survivors rout.

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Alexius, joined by much of the Durazzo garrison, advances toward Ragusa.

John, envious of his father's victory, continues construction of a chain of watchtowers in the mountains of northern Anatolia.

Four merchants leave Constantinople by ship to take advantage of trade resources available in Caffa and points north.

[StoneCold]

OK, you are steamrolling the AI to hell man... ease up on the pedal... :P

[gibsonsg91921]

i think hes doing so on purpose..

[OverKnight]

I'm sure the mod to boost garrisons and army spam will brake me whether I like it or not.

As for steamrolling, well I've just taken rebel settlements. As for the Venetians, they deserve no mercy as they invaded me. Not only that, but their initial move of the war was to besiege a castle with three units.

[Stuperman]

This is really good so far, I look foreward to it, and I always defined steamrolling as >1 settlement per general per turn.

If you stick to your no adoption policy, your general situation might get tight soon.

[OverKnight]

1112

Barbus Selvo and three units of armoured spearmen are attacked southeast of Ragusa.

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Without missile troops of their own they are easy prey for the Empire.

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The way to Ragusa is open.


1114

An alliance and trade rights are achieved with Milan, it is hoped that this will balance out the Venetians.


1116

A Merchants Guild is accepted for Constantinople.

The keels for three new flotillas of Dromons are laid at Smyrna.

An exchange of trade rights and maps is arranged with the Germans. The Imperial diplomat might call them the "Holy Roman Empire" in negotiations, but Alexius will never let that name pass his lips.

The Imperial Army, now outside Ragusa, attacks Captain Balsamo, who has lead the majority of the garrison out of the Castle. Councillor Alessandro sallies out to assist him.

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The Empire has the high ground and uses it to shower the Venetians with arrows.

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Arrow bit, the Venetians charge.

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Led by an inexperienced Captain the Venetians quickly rout after the lines meet. While much of the cavalry pursues the fleeing men, the rest of the army turns to face the late Alessandro.

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The Venetian reinforcements are swarmed.

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The Venetian noble is slain along with all of the Ragusa garrison, the survivors of the other army rout.

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Ragusa, empty of men, is occupied.


1118

Alexius finally has a grandson.

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The Basileus still worries about the integrity of the Comnenus line. Who will be the new Kaisar once he is gone and John is Basileus?

The Army in Ragusa stays put to rest and rearm.

Seven units of Dromons make their way through the Aegean towards the port of Corinth. They will be used as troop transports, as the overland route for reinforcement of Ragusa is too long.


1120

Kaisar John finishes his watchtower building expedition through the mountains and emerges near the Bosphorus.

The Venetians blockade Corinth. The Imperial navy immediatley responds.

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The Restoration after 40 years:

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[Northnovas]

OK, Nice battle pics. From that top view they almost like a painting with the shadows or even the metal miltary figures.
Try to keep that family tree trim.

[AussieGiant]

Nice read OK.

Very well done. I expect your house rules to start kicking in soon

It should be interesting to see you auto calc some of the more critical exchanges later in the game.

[OverKnight]

My family tree is a source of concern for me at the moment. Even though John has a son now, Alexius is unlikely to be alive when Georgios comes of age, meaning the new heir apparent will most likely be Andronicus. So it only took a generation for the stupid inheritance mechanics to kick in.

Depending on when Alexius kicks it, I could be running the game with just one family member until the others come of age. I'll have to be careful with John. It's annoying, because I get offers of adoption almost every turn, I hope it's not interfering with the spawning of biological family members.

Oh well, the Byzantines had some complicated ruling lines anyway. But one of the reasons I made a direct line of rule a priority for the AAR was because disputes over who was Emperor, and the internal struggles resulting from it, contributed to the decline of the Empire.

Ah well, I can chalk up any weird assignment of heirs to Palace intrigues. It'll add spice to the AAR. Though I wish they would reintroduce the ability to designate an heir and disinherit as well in a patch.

[Didz]

Nice to see others are producing AAR's. Loved the opening briefing and the battle reports. I get the impression your sticking to 2 years per turn, but are you using any mods?

The flags on your units look different to what I remember.

[OverKnight]

Indeed I'm sticking to 2 years a turn. I'm using Klink's garrison and army spamming mod as described in the Introduction in the first post, which also has my house rules. Also, I forgot to mention I'm using FactionHeir's VnV fixes.

As for the flags. . .I don't know. I hadn't played the Byzzies before so I'm not sure if it is a result of the patch or of something else.

[OverKnight]

1122

Another child is born to John and Agnes, though their creativity with names is questionable.

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Reinforcements continue to converge on Ragusa by sea and land.

John continues to build watchtowers along the Turkish border as he makes his way to Smyrna.

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Volkanos of Zara reaches Riga to negotiate with the Russians. An alliance is reached and trade rights and maps are exchanged. Volkanos could have pressed for a harder deal, but he wishes to maintain a cordial relationship with the only other major Orthodox power.


1124

The Jihad called for Baghdad fails.

Caffa is ready to become a town. This is celebrated by a raising of the tax rate.

Kyriakos Loukites, the Empire's only spy, notices a noble led Venetian force coming down the Adriatic coast toward Ragusa. Alexius is pleased, as his army is nearly ready to deploy.

Petros of Psalida, the most influential diplomat of the Empire, reaches a trade agrrement and an exchange of maps with the Sicilians.

The Known World:

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1126

A Venetian fleet attacks a small Imperial flotilla transporting troops from Rhodes to Smyrna. The Imperial ships are forced to retreat. However, the Venetian Admiral goes pirate and is destroyed by a large force of ships gathering in Smyrna's harbor.

Nicosia is ready to become a large town.

John takes ship at Smyrna with a large army and meets up with the ships that had previously retreated.

Alexius departs Ragusa and heads northwest up the coast. The Venetian force that had been closing on Ragusa has withdrawn west, but another force appears to be heading east from Zagreb.

While he is not a commander in the field, Evangelos Exotrochos, Praetor of Constantinople, has done much for the Empire.

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He is a skilled, if little loved, administrator. The Empire will need coin as well as conquest to restore its rightful place in the world.


1128

It is confirmed that the Venetian force heading east from Zagreb is on the road to Sofia.

The two merchants who had departed to "points north" years ago arrive in Riga. Taking advantage of their trade rights, they begin dealing in amber.

John's fleet, brushing aside Venetian galleys, lands troops near Iraklion. The city is besieged.

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Another Venetian fleet is defeated off Ragusa, but a third blockades Nicaea. Shipwrights in that city and Constantinople quickly begin building new Dromons in response to this unexpected threat.


1130

The year begins with startling news.

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The Poles have allied with Venice! Alexius, livid, orders hostilities to cease against the Venetians so as not to endanger the alliance with Poland. The Basileus contents himself with building a watchtower to observe Venice and its port and then begins to march back to Ragusa.

John, giving his wife the cold shoulder, departs Crete. He briefly thinks of setting sail to Adana, still unclaimed, but decides against it. Best not to get between the Turks and Egyptians. Also, knowing their treachery, the Kaisar is sure the Venetians will strike again. He lands near Smyrna to deal with a small rebel force in the interior.

Theotokios Olaskos lands a small army northwest of Corinth to bring justice to some more rebels.

Two Sicilian units land south of Ragusa. Alexius is not amused. The Norman adventurers have plagued the Empire before. Their taking of Bari in 1071, the Empire's annus horribilis, had removed the last Imperial presence in Italy. If they strike again, the Normans will learn the same lesson as the Venetians. The Empire was back, it was gaining strength and its Basileus had a long memory.

[OverKnight]

1132

Kaisar John eliminates two units of rebels east of Smyrna and then returns to the Castle.

Theotokios faces a stiffer fight northwest of Corinth.

But this rebellion is put down as well. Theotokios takes ships to Corinth to rearm his forces.

In grudging accordance with the wishes of the Council of Nobles, Petros of Psalida opens negotiations with the Venetians. He reluctantly grants them trade rights for 700 florins and their map information. Imperial maps, however, are not part of the deal. As a reward, the Council recruits two units of Archer Militia for the capital.


1134

The year begins with a bad omen as a fierce storm strikes Smyrna.

John's fleet and army take heavy losses. The Kaisar, after the debacle at Iraklion and now this, wonders what he has done to offend God.

God's reply to John.

Basileus Alexius is alarmed. While the target of the Crusade is Jerusalem, many Catholic armies will demand passage through his lands. If he refuses, they might attack, and if he lets them pass, they might attack anyway if the Crusade fails. It is an unenviable position.

The news gets worse as the Venetians renew their blockade of Nicaea.

The bright spot is that the Poles have abandoned their ill considered treaty with Venice. They will remain allies with the Empire instead, a wise decision.

Admiral Michael sails his new ships from Constantinople and clears the Sea of Mamara of Venetian galleys. He then proceeds south towards Smyrna to reinforce its battered fleet.

Alexius, now with a free hand, turns around again and marches to Zagreb. He ends the year outside the city, but is unable to besiege it.


1136


Antonio Selvo brings a massive Venetian Army east and attacks Alexius. The cornered nobles in Zagreb, not wanting to be sorrounded, join the attack as well. Doge Bartolomeo is one of them, but oddly enough, Gerardo Selvo leads the forces from the city.

Alexius deploys his infantry and archers on a small hill facing some windmills. His horse archers are deployed at a right angle from his left flank on a larger hill. The Basileus is hesitant to split his forces in the face of superior numbers, but an edge in mobility is all he has.

The Imperial horse archers sweep down and release volley after volley into the backs of the advancing Venetians. The enemy, however, is intent on the main line and shrugs off the losses. They charge the infantry.

The Imperial line extends a bit past the Venetian line on their left flank, the spearmen turn it.

The Venetians left flank crumbles and routs, but the arrival of the Zagreb garrison negates this advantage. Alexius redeploys his right flank to deal with this new threat.

A stalemate is developing as the lines hack at each other. Venetian cavalry is wearing down both flanks. The Imperial horse archers have kept up a steady hail of arrows into the Venetian rear, but it has not broken them. In order to relieve the Imperial infantry, more direct action will have to be taken.

The results are satisfying.

The battle descends into a pursuit of fleeing infantry and attacking the still resilient archers and nobles of the Venetians. Gerardo Selvo is killed, Doge Batolomeo is captured but Antonio Selvo escapes.

Over a quarter of Venice's soldiers have been crushed.

A ransom is offered but refused, killing all the prisoners is a bloody day's work.

Andronicus Comnenus, the Basileus's second son, comes of age in Constantinople.

He takes command of a small force of militia and heads toward Sofia. A Venetian army is close by and the Castle must be reinforced and a noble put in charge. Andronicus is unsure if he is the man for the job, but there is no one else available.

Kaisar John, cursing the storm, waits at Smyrna for repair and reinforcements before he takes ship, once again, for Crete.

The Sicilians, with a reinforced Army, take advantage of the Empire's entanglements and besiege Ragusa.

Alexius briefly considers heading south, but he has a job to finish at Zagreb. He besieges the city which is garrisoned by the pathetic survivors of the battle outside it.

Theotokios Olaskos takes ship from Corinth to relieve Ragusa. He prays that he will arrive in time.

[OverKnight]

1138

The Venetian force north of Sofia moves west, most likely in response to a desperate summons from Zagreb.

Theotokios's prayer is not granted as the Sicilians assault Ragusa.

The Castle is taken.

The Sicilians choose to occupy it.

Theotokios lands south of Ragusa.

Basileus Alexius is deeply troubled by the news from Ragusa, but proceeds with his assault on Zagreb. The remnants of the Venetian survivors from the battle outside the walls have taken refuge in the settlement, but it has still left a mark.

Surprisingly, Doge Bartolomeo is spotted inside. It was thought he was killed when the ransom offer was refused. Alexius later learns that the Doge played dead among the execueted prisoners. It is of no concern as the Doge's second death is more permanent.

Zagreb is occupied, the Priests from Sofia are moved into the region to ensure the enforcement of new Church doctrines. Alexius dispatches some men to assist Theotokios, but remains in the city to maintain order.

Kaisar John sails from Smyrna, scattering some Venetian galleys on the way out of the harbor.

Plans are made to convert Corinth to a Large Town. With Ragusa in the west, Sofia in the north and Smyrna and Trebizond in the east, the Castle is not needed.


1140

Isaac Comnenus, the youngest son of the Basileus, comes of age. Alexius has a new granddaughter as well.

Poland declares war on Russia. The Empire must choose which ally to keep.

Alexius is still angry with the Polish over the Venetian debacle, he chooses the Russians. Agnes is not amused and gives John the cold shoulder.

The Basilues is interested in how his youngest son will handle a command, he sends the boy to attack a small Venetian force.

Isaac turns out to be a bit of a prodigy, he deploys his men on the high ground, negating the Venetian's artillery superior range. They are showered with arrows untill Isaac leads a charge down the hill against the catapults.

The Venetians break and their leader is ridden down like a dog.

Isaac wins his spurs.

Theotokios, having recieved the reinforcements from Zagreb, besieges Ragusa. A Sicilian fleet is driven off before it can land their own reinforcements.

John lands east of Iraklion and besieges the city, he hopes for a better outcome this time. His fleet blockades the port.

Andronicus heads west from Sofia to pursue the Venetian army that had been in the area. He will also build watchtowers in the hinterlands of the Zagreb province.

Petros of Psalida exchanges maps and trade rights with the French.

The State of the Empire 60 years into the Restoration:

1142

Despite the cold spell in their marriage, another child is born to John and Agnes.

Venice appears to have joined the Crusade as one of their Armies looks to have taken the Cross north of Zagreb. Isaac, returning from the field, has to manuever around them.

Volkanos arranges a trade of maps with Denmark. He also sells trade rights to them for 500 florins.

The sieges of Iraklion and Ragusa continue.


1144

Basileus Alexius dies peacefully in Zagreb.

John is the new Basileus.

The new Kaisar is a bit of a surprise.

There are rumors that Isaac had Alexius sign a proclamation making him Kaisar on his deathbed. There are other rumors that Alexius simply wanted the best general of the next generation to be in line for the throne. The truth of the matter proves elusive.

The new Kaisar orders that Zagreb be renamed in honor of the dead Basileus and his heroic victory there.

The locals grumble and still call their city by the old name, but it is changed on Imperial maps.

The Council of Nobles, pleased that Iraklion has been blockaded, outfits three flotillas of fire ships for the capital.

Theotokios assaults Ragusa.

As the Castle has one gate, there will be little subtlety in the attack, though he does place archers with ladders close to the far wall.

The assault on the gate meets with resistance.

An aborted sortie by some knights leaves the gate open and the attackers pour in.

A nasty cavalry battle develops in the interior of the Castle as the infantry is left behind to deal with the Venetians on the wall.

The Venetians all rout before they can rally in the Castle square. Ragusa belongs to the Empire once again.

Hearing of his Father's death, the new Basileus throws himself into an assault on Iraklion.

John divides his men to assault three gates. The north gate is undefended and quickly seized.

John delays his attack on the two defended gates as he waits for the Venetians to respond to the breach of the north gate. Some of the garrison is redeployed and then John orders the assaults on the east gate. . .

. . .and the south gate to commence.

After heavy fighting at both gates, the Venetian leader, Councillor Cristiano, is immolated by a fire arrow. The Venetians fall back to the city square, which has been threatened by the Imperial forces from the north, and make their last stand there.

Imperial troops swarm in from three directions and sorround the last Venetian spearmen.

They are put down, and Iraklion is occupied after a bloody fight.

John mourns his Father after the victory, but is proud of what the Comnenus family has accomplished.

The Empire is on the path back to greatness. John hopes he can bring it to further glory.

[Odin]

I normally just read the AAR's and dont comment. I am making an exception because your last posting was an excellent read, great battle and nice gesture of renaming Zagreb.

Excellent AAR.

[OverKnight]

Thanks Odin, I'll try to recruit a few Varangians in your name.

Unfortunately it seems that that at least the Garrison spawn part of the mod I'm using isn't working. I don't know why it isn't, but it's probably due to my own inexperience installing mods.

Despite that, I'm going to continue playing, and if it seems I'm steamrolling, I'll take steps then.

[OverKnight]

1146

A Merchants Guild is accepted for Nicaea.

Poland joins the Crusade.

Both main Imperial Armies are battered from their latest victories. John departs Iraklion for Smyrna to rearm, while Isaac waits in Alexium for reinforcements from Ragusa and Andronicus's army, which is still crossing through the Balkans. The Basileus has the luxury of time in the east as no there are no obvious threats, but the Kaisar is impatient to continue on to Venice.

The naval situation in the Adriatic is becoming dire. The Venetians already outnumber the Imperial Navy there, and they are much to closer to their main ports. Also the Venetian fleet off Iraklion appears to be heading west to make the balance worse. Admiral Foteinos, a bit desperate, decides to strike at the Venetians before he is outclassed.

The gamble pays off, but additional ships will be needed if the Adriatic is to be contested.


1148

A Spanish Princess arrives in Alexium to negotiate trade rights. The impressionable young Kaisar is taken with her, as she is fair and admirable.

The Imperial Court is a bit scandalized by the fact that Princess Urraca, besides having a name that is jarring to civilized ears, is 20 years the elder of the Kaisar, but they say nothing to the besotted Isaac.

The Court is somewhat mollified when Andronicus marries a proper Imperial woman his own age.

Kyriakos Loukites infiltrates Venice.


1150

Asemopoulos Comnenus is born to Andronicus and Komana.

Four Crusader Armies are now on Imperial lands.

Basileus John hates to give them free passage across his lands, particularly the Venetians, but blocking or attacking them could lead to war with all of Catholic Europe, including many of his allies. He grudgingly decides to let them pass. Constantinople and Nicaea recruit more troops just in case.

Captain Petros defeats some Rebels east of Trebizond.

Volkanos of Zara exchanges maps and trade rights with Scotland, while Petros of Psalida reaches the same deal with the Moors.


1152

An Explorers Guild is accepted for Iraklion.

Durazzo is finally ready to upgrade and build a wall.

Ioannes Comnenus is born to Isaac and Urraca, quelling rumors that she is too old to have children.

The Imperial Navy that had served with John begins to make its way to the Adriatic, they rout a Sicilian Navy on the way. A new fleet of fire ships, which will take up the defense of the Aegean, crushes a Venetian fleet east of Thessalonica.

John's reinforcement in Smyrna is interrupted by another Act of God.

He is beginning to feel a bit like Job.

As the final forces gather near Alexium for the drive against Venice, a report from Kyriakos arrives from that city.

The Kaisar is delighted the Turks are at war with his enemy. Venice will be difficult to take, but Isaac sets out anyway.

A Sicilian Army lands south of Ragusa. Even though the garrison has been depleted by sending men to Isaac, Theotokios rides out to meet them. He will not tolerate another siege.

Theotokios, leary of the Sicilian edge in cavalry, stays at a distance, trading volleys with them. The Vardariotai reap a heavy toll among the Norman Lord's retainers.

The Sicilians, frustrated, charge into the Imperial line. Without infantry of their own, they are vulnerable against the Imperial spears.

The Vardariotai come up from behind and capture the Sicilian lordling as his forces rout.

A ransom is accepted, but the battle still leaves a mark on the losing commander.

1154

A Merchants Guild is accepted for Thessalonica.

Eleutherios Comnenus is born to Andronicus and Komana.

The garrison of Caffa pursues and destroys a band of brigands that had been troubling the city for years.

Trade rights and maps are exchanged with the English at Caen. The Empire has now made contact with every faction in the known world.

[OverKnight]

1156

Constantinople is on the verge of becoming a Huge City, all it will need is some improvements on the Walls of Theodosius.

An Imperial merchant is driven out of business in the Levant by an Egyptian.

Adelisa, a Sicilian Princess, arrives at Ragusa begging for a cease fire. Theotokios, who swears he remembers the same woman try to seduce him into serving King Roger a few years back, grudgingly passes on the offer to Basileus John. Over the strenuous objections of Kaisar Isaac, he approves. Trade rights, a 1000 florins now and 5000 over the next five years are demanded from Sicily in exchange for peace. They accept.

Basil of Loroton spots the German and Venetian Crusades north of Adana, a castle the Turks have recently taken from rebellious Armenians.

Isaac besieges Venice. Kyriakos is able to open the gates, but the Kaisar, knowing the strength of the garrison, chooses caution and decides to starve them out.


1158

The Venetians have no interest in starving. Believing they have the upper hand in quality of troops, they sally out to attack Isaac.

"Rush the Gate!", commands Isaac. The Imperial troops must close before the Venetians can fully deploy and bring their crossbowmen and catapults to bear on them. Dropping their siege equipment, the men stream forward.

The horse and foot archers unleash whistling death into the disorganized mass of Venetians emerging from the gate. Screaming, the two armies meet.

The melee lacks manuever or subtlety as it is just two masses of men hacking and stabbing at each other while missiles fly in all directions. After a few bloody minutes, Doge Benasuto, caught out in front of his men, is unhorsed and killed.

The Venetians run for the protection of their walls, but the Imperial troops are among them and rush through the gate with them.

Despairing of holding the walls or gate, and panicked by the loss of both their nobles, the Venetians run for the city square. The catapult crews are cut down without firing a shot.

The Imperial horse runs down many of them, but Isaac calls them back before reaching the square. There are too many survivors, and they will fight hard with their backs against the wall. While the assault on the gate lacked any sophistication. . .

. . .it's time for a change of tactics. The Imperial Army splits into three parts.

The first will head straight in and engage the Venetians. The other two will converge on the square from the sides.

Weight of numbers eventually wears down fanatical resolve.

It is a Heroic Victory, but at a heavy cost.

The Empire is back in Northern Italy for the first time in three centuries. Despite the efforts of the Huns, Goths, Lombards, Franks and traitorous ex-vassals, the Empire has returned. No force in Heaven or Earth will dislodge them again. In order to drive this point home, Isaac, with no concensus from his councillors, decides to make an example out of Venice.

Such is the price of defiance.

Such is the price of treachery.

His actions give Isaac a dark reputation.