The final clash is going to take the form of a very slow series of updates! Hahaha. Was denied my pleasure of showing the Mongols the savage power of "Sipahi" and his studded collar by the realities of life and work...

Ah well...

But before the great battles to come, let me describe the situation as it stands:

THE MONGOLS
Four and a half stacks of Mongols appeared to the far east of Yerevan. Two are especially significant as they are led by a 10-star and 8-star general respectively. These stacks have experienced troops with 3 silver chevrons.

The Mongol Khan is but a 1-star general (pathetic fool!) and leads a non-experienced army.

(BTW, this could be because I'm playing at M/M difficulty level. I expect worse at higher levels of difficulty)

THE TURKISH SULTANATE
No less than four stacks of Turkish troops are heading to the Mosul bridges. Another stack has just landed at Port Yerevan and is heading to Tblisi. These are mainly Horse Archers (the most experienced) - both Sipahi and Turcoman, Janissary Heavy Infantry, Turkish Archers, Dismounted Sipahi Lancers and Saracen Militia.

They are led by generals of varying experience but does include one with 8-stars. At best, my troops have 1 or 2 chevrons to their credit.

Supporting this army, I have three spies to provide an advance look-out and my highly experienced Corps of Assassins have also just arrived in the vicinity of Mosul. These include 4 Assassins with 9 or 10 ranks of skill. The other 6 or so have a minimum of 6 or 7 ranks.

THE PLAN

Thus far, the hordes seem to be heading AWAY from Tblisi and going southwards. If the posts above are correct, they should be heading to Antioch!

So, the plan is to destroy their leadership with my Assassins before sending in the troops. In the event they reach the Mosul area, my troops will either defend at the bridges or the hills (but not at the beaches, ).

While I expect my Assassins to reduce the Mongol leadership to the equivalent of a group of stressed-out neurotic teenage party goers at a Christmas party with a free-flow of champagne, magic mushrooms and jalapeno peppers, any advance by the remaining hordes will be met with massed ranks of archers and spears!

The army coming from Port Yerevan will shadow the hordes from the north and wipe out any remaining stragglers not destroyed by the main force.

...

This is it, my brave chihuahuas! They will look upon us and laugh! That is, until we unleash our glorious "Sipahi" and his little friends! They will turn and run (those who have not died) and we will have Mongol kebabs for dinner!

"Yo quiero Mongo-bell!" Hahahahaha!

...

Keep an eye out for an update tomorrow, dear friends!