A Mighty Foe Vanquished

The Mongol Wars 1320-1323

The war of attrition had finally eaten away the Golden Horde. They were no longer the numbers once feared. There command chain was almost broken and they had a little of their supplies left.



The Grandmaster plan was to isolate the Horde and keep them in a Region exhausting their ability to forage from the land.

Damascus Pass

The Grandmaster moved first with a night attack.



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The Mongols charged forth with their mighty Horse Archers the only counter was Heavy Cavalry and the Regiments of St John’s Order moved in clashing on the open field.



The melee was fierce and the Mongols moved up their infantry to support the Horse Units. The Knights held back all infantry.



As the enemy infantry moved in closer for support the second wave of Templar Cavalry was unleashed. Through the darkness the Knights charged down the hill.





Following the great charge the infantry units followed up and engaged the enemy infantry.



The enemy leaders were caught in the last melee and were struck down causing panic in the enemy ranks. For only a second time the Templar Knights saw the indecision of the Mongols and saw the enemy flee from the field.



Victory



Odullah Flats

The Grandmaster and Councillor had coordinated their armies for the second attack and Councillor Heinrich was to lead the initial assault.



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The Councillor had brought his army off the main road and had the Grandmaster reinforcing the rear flank. The Mongols were in two small groups to his left and right.



Once again the Horse Archers pressed forward through the sparse vegetation raining arrows down on the Knights. A quick counter moved pushed the Archers back.



The Grandmaster had brought his men up and sat to the left of Councillor Heinrich they now formed a wall. The Mongols were trying to converge to the centre to support each other. Another wave of Knights charged forward.



A tragic event took place behind the Templar lines. Councillor Heinrich was stuck down by enemy fire. However, the line did not waiver.



The battle began to heat up has the troops rallied to their fallen leader. The Mongol Generals charged their units into the scrum.



They were quickly surrounded and knocked from their horses. The Faction Leader of the Mongols was no more.





Another victory the Golden Horde was definitely on the run. The loss of Councillor Heinrich was felt through the Order he was a good man from a noble family. The reason the line did not falter was the work of his Captain who was promoted to command by Grandmaster Ansehelm the Merciless.



The Grandmaster young son Phillip was in no position to be designated Heir so the regent authority for Faction Heir was in the hands of the Duke of Constantinople for the time being.



The Golden Horde was also in a state of transition and the last of the Khans was named.



The Mongols were a concern and no longer was the threat they had been from earlier years the Grandmaster preparing for one final blow.

The Battle on the Silk Road 1323

The stage had been set and the armies lined up. This would be the last stand for the Kahn.





The Grandmaster did not hold back and marched for the high terrain. The armies clashed with their horses but it was the Knights infantry that won the day capturing the last family members of the Mongolian Empire.



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The ransom was proposed but would not be considered for negotiations the enemy leaders were but to death. The Outremer was safe for now.





The news of the Templar victory spread rapidly through the Mediterranean and the Pope blessed the Order and Grandmaster Ansehelm for their work and duty in the name of Christianity.



The Outremer was at peace but for how long? The Seljuk Sultanate held the northern lands and the Byzantines held the lands northwest. Could Constantinople be reunited with the rest of the Outremer? The two factions have been long time allies and the current Byzantine Ruler has passed away. The African lands were barren and the settlements sparse. They were also in control of the Knights other ally the Sicilians. A special meeting would take place discussing the expansion of the Order.

Diplomatic news from Europe the tour of the Scottish Isles was completed and no positive negotiations came from talks with the Scots. Diplomat Wenzel Bresch advises there is some turmoil in the Scottish Household has another Regent passed away.

Other disturbing news was the French victory over Milan the events were confirmed by the diplomat in the area.



Ana the Affectionate eldest daughter of the Grandmaster has completed her training and will be sent to some the European Courts for diplomatic talks and find a possible suitor.



The Constantinople Region has been pacified a bit. Some of the more Orthodox clergy had been removed under suspicious means. The area was also being cleared of Heretics trying to take advantage of the unrest.



There has been great progress in man's ability to adapt and progress. What lies ahead in the field of war?